By Nawaz Gohar ;  Skipper Harry Brook produced a captain’s knock of the highest class, smashing an unbeaten century to steer England into the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan in their Super Eights clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing a competitive 165, England rode on Brook’s masterful 100 off 51 deliveries — studded with 10 fours and four sixes — to reach the target with five balls to spare. The win marked England’s second successive triumph in the Super Eights, making them the first team to book a place in the semi-finals while consolidating their position at the top of Group 2.

England’s pursuit began in turmoil. Shaheen Shah Afridi ripped through the top order, dismissing Phil Salt for a duck, Jos Buttler for two and Jacob Bethell for eight inside five overs, reducing the two-time champions to 35-3.

Unfazed, Brook anchored the innings with remarkable composure. He stitched crucial partnerships, first steadying the chase with Sam Curran before adding a decisive 52-run stand with Will Jacks. Just as Pakistan sensed an opening late in the game, Brook maintained control until falling on the final ball of the 17th over. Jacks’ brisk 28 further tilted the contest England’s way before Jofra Archer sealed victory with a boundary in the final over.

Afridi finished with outstanding figures of 4-30, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with two wickets, but their efforts ultimately proved insufficient.

Earlier, Pakistan posted 164-9 after opting to bat. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with a fluent 63 off 45 balls, sharing key partnerships with Babar Azam (25) and Fakhar Zaman (25). However, England’s disciplined bowling in the death overs, led by Liam Dawson’s 3-24 and supported by Archer and Jamie Overton, restricted Pakistan from posting a bigger total.

Despite moments of promise, Pakistan faltered under pressure, while England — inspired by their captain’s brilliance — marched confidently into the tournament’s final four.

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How can Pakistan still reach semifinals after defeat to England?

By Nawaz Gohar ;  Following the defeat at the hands of England in the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage, Pakistan’s path to the semifinals has become significantly more difficult.

After Tuesday’s loss, Pakistan’s qualification no longer depends solely on their own performance; they must now rely on the results of other matches within the group.

Currently, England leads Group 2 with 4 points after winning both of their matches. Pakistan and New Zealand have 1 point each (following their previous washout), while Sri Lanka has yet to win a match.

The “Must-Win” Scenario for Pakistan:
To have any chance of qualifying, Pakistan must defeat Sri Lanka in their final group match.

Scenario A: Clear Qualification
For Pakistan to qualify comfortably with 3 points, the following must happen:

Pakistan defeats Sri Lanka. England defeats New Zealand. Sri Lanka defeats New Zealand. In this case, Pakistan (3 points) would finish second behind England, while Sri Lanka would have 2 points and New Zealand 0.

Scenario B: The Net Run Rate (NRR) Battle
If England defeats New Zealand, but New Zealand manages to defeat Sri Lanka, both Pakistan and New Zealand will end up with 3 points each. In this situation, the second semifinalist from the group will be decided by a superior Net Run Rate.

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By Nawaz Gohar ; National team opener Sahibzada Farhan has stated that while the rain is beyond their control, the team’s morale remains high, and they are committed to playing quality cricket against England.

Speaking at a press conference, he mentioned that there hasn’t been much internal discussion regarding the points table yet; the entire focus is currently on the next match, and the players are awaiting the captain’s final decisions.

According to Farhan, the team is seriously addressing the recent batting collapses. He emphasized that the top order, in particular, needs to carry the innings further, adding that “improvement will definitely come.” He noted that the bowling department is performing well and consistently.

Sahibzada Farhan shared that this is his first time playing at this venue, whereas some seniors have prior experience here. “I’ve heard the ball comes onto the bat well here, though the wicket in the last match was slightly different. Even Babar Azam looked at the pitch and remarked that it is typically a batting-friendly wicket,” he said.

He further commented that while scoring a century boosts individual confidence, cricket is a team sport and everyone must take responsibility. “It shouldn’t be the case that if the openers fail to perform, the lower order fails too. My effort is always to play a long innings and post a big total for the team.”

Responding to a question about England’s fast bowler Jofra Archer, he stated that they have faced him before and it’s not as if Archer alone will cause difficulties. “If they have a plan for us, we have a plan for them. We also have strong fast bowlers and excellent spinners, and we will give England a tough time.”

He described Saim Ayub as an “impact player,” noting that Ayub has the capability to play long innings in every match and expressed hope for a strong performance from him.

He described Saim Ayub as an “impact player,” noting that Ayub has the capability to play long innings in every match and expressed hope for a strong performance from him.

When asked about the Hundred League, he expressed hope for selection, calling it one of the best leagues, though he noted that selection is ultimately out of the players’ hands.

Regarding records, he mentioned that he doesn’t keep a close eye on statistics, though people often send them to him.

Finally, he clarified that he isn’t focused on breaking Virat Kohli’s record for the most runs in a World Cup. “Records are meant to be broken. My goal is simply to score as many runs as possible for Pakistan and make the country proud.”

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Lahore, 30 August 2022:

The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced ticket prices for the seven-match T20I series between Pakistan and England to be played in Karachi from 20-25 September and 28 September to 2 October in Lahore.

Tickets will be available online on Wednesday at 1000 PST at https://pcb.bookme.pk/ Payments can be made using Easypaisa/Jazzcash/creditcard/Nift options, while helpline number is 03137786888.

Ticket prices for the Karachi matches have been fixed from PKR1,500 to PKR250.

The PCB has already announced gate proceeds from the first T20I will be donated to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022.

Likewise, affordable prices have been fixed for the Lahore T20Is, which now range from PKR3,000 to PKR500. When Australia played a T20I here on 5 April, ticket prices ranged from PKR4,000 to PKR500.

Usman Waheed, Director – Commercial: “England is visiting Pakistan for the first time in 17 years and these matches will be a build-up to October’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. To ensure maximum fans can attend these matches and watch live some of the best shortest format cricketers from either side, we have decided to make the tickets affordable, ensuring families also turn up in big numbers to support cricket and both the sides.

“The first T20I also presents an opportunity to all the Karachi cricket spectators and fans to play their part in supporting all those affected by the catastrophe caused by the monsoon rainfall and floods. They can do this by purchasing tickets and helping the PCB to donate a substantial amount in the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund. Cricket unites our nation and this is a time to demonstrate that we stand together in these difficult and challenging times.”

Ticket prices of Karachi T20Is

Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, Javed Miandad (VIP enclosure) – PKR1,500

Imran Khan, Quaid, Wasim Akram (premium enclosure) – PKR750

Asif Iqbal, Intikhab Alam, Iqbal Qasim, Mohammad Brothers, Nasimul Ghani (first-class enclosures) – PKR500

Majid Khan, Waqar Hasan, Wasim Bari, Zaheer Abbas (general enclosure) – PKR250

Ticket prices for Lahore T20Is:

Fazal Mahmood, Imran Khan (VIP enclosures) – PKR3,000

Rajas and Saeed Anwar (premium enclosures) – PKR1,500

Abdul Qadir, AH Kardar, Javed Miandad and Sarfraz Nawaz (first-class enclosures) – PKR750

Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Majid Khan, Nazars, Quaid, Saeed Ahmad, Zaheer Abbas (general enclosures) – PKR250

Some of the important information for ticket-holders:

·       At the time of purchasing online ticket, please enter your valid ID card/B-Form number and show it to the Bookme representative while entering the stadium

·       Entrance inside the venue on a match day will strictly be either through an ID card/B-Form used while purchasing the ticket.

·       It is prohibited to bring any firearms, toy guns, vuvuzela, explosives, firecrackers, cigarettes, matches, lighters, knives and any sharp objects into the stadium

·       No eatables, drinks, glass/plastic bottles, any flag except Pakistani flag are allowed in the stadium

·       Ticket issuance is subject to the Organisers’ terms and conditions, which are available at www.bookme.pk, specific venues and locations

·       All persons, including children above the 4 years, must have their own separate and original ID Card/B-Form  & ticket to enter the stadium and while sitting inside the enclosure during the match

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Lahore, 22 August 2022:

The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed details of England’s tour of Pakistan for three Tests, which will be played in December. This will be England’s second half of the tour, following seven Twenty20 Internationals in Karachi and Lahore from 20 September to 2 October.

Ben Stokes’ side will open the tour with the first Test in Rawalpindi from 1-5 December, before both sides move to Multan for the second Test from 9-13 December. Karachi will host the third Test from 17-21 December.

This will be the first time England will play a Test in Rawalpindi, which has previously staged 12 matches with the home side winning five and losing three. When England last toured Pakistan in 2005, they lost the Multan Test by 22 runs. The venue has staged five Tests, with Pakistan winning three and losing one.

National Stadium was considered Pakistan’s happy hunting ground until Nasser Hussain’s side in 2000 ended Pakistan’s 34-Test unbeaten record, winning the third Test in near darkness by six wickets. Pakistan’s only other loss in 44 matches in Karachi was against South Africa, who won the 2007 Test by 160 runs.

Nonetheless, with 23 Test wins, the National Stadium remains Pakistan most favourite Test venue.

Zakir Khan, PCB Director – International Cricket: “We are pleased that Pakistan and England Test rivalry, which has historically produced close and tight matches, will return to our backyards in December. Both the sides have evolved since they last played in Pakistan in 2005 and have recently been playing entertaining and exciting cricket. I remain confident this series will live up to the expectations of the global cricket fans who want to watch and enjoy competitive and thrilling matches.

“Pakistan cricket fans have waited for almost 17 years to see elite England players in action. And although they have enjoyed watching a number of them live in the recent editions of the HBL Pakistan Super League, nation versus nation Test cricket is the pinnacle where international stars and heroes are born.”

Clare Connor, ECB Interim Chief Executive Officer: “The return of our men’s Test team to Pakistan for the first time since 2005 will be an historic occasion. The opportunity to play Test cricket in front of passionate cricket-lovers in Pakistan after such a long time is something to be cherished.

“We have been working closely with the PCB over recent months and I am grateful to them for everything they have done, and continue to do, to make our Test and T20 tours a mouth-watering prospect for all involved.”

The three Tests will count towards the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23. No.4 ranked England are presently sitting in seventh position on the Test championship table, while sixth-ranked Pakistan are fifth.

Schedule of Tests:

1-5 December – 1st Test, Rawalpindi

9-13 December – 2nd Test, Multan

17-21 December – 3rd Test, Karachi

Schedule of T20Is (matches to start at 1930 PKT):

20 September – 1^st T20I, Karachi

22 September – 2^nd T20I, Karachi

23 September – 3^rd T20I, Karachi

25 September – 4^th T20I, Karachi

28 September – 5^th T20I, Lahore

30 September – 6^th T20I, Lahore

2 October – 7^th T20I, Lahore

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