Shan Masood appointed Test and Shaheen Shah Afridi T20I captain

Lahore, 15 November 2023:

The PCB has appointed Shan Masood as the Test captain of Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named T20I captain.

34-year-old Shan has featured in 30 Tests, scoring 1,597 runs, which includes four centuries and seven half-centuries.

Shan has been appointed captain till the end of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. Shan’s first assignment as captain will be a three-match Test series against Australia in Australia starting from 14 December.

Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah will lead Pakistan Men’s Team in the T20I format and his first assignment as captain will be the five-match T20I series in New Zealand from 12 to 21 January. 23-year-old Shaheen has bagged 64 wickets in 52 T20Is. Shaheen has also captained Lahore Qalandars in HBL PSL and has helped the side win the tournament twice in two years in the 2022 and 2023 editions.

Shan and Shaheen were appointed captains after Babar Azam today stepped down from all three formats of the game. Pakistan’s captain in the ODI format will be announced in due course.

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Lahore, 13 November 2023: Peshawar U19 emerged on top after defeating Karachi Whites U19 by one wicket in a thriller to clinch the National U19 Championship. While chasing the target of 278 on the last day, impressive batting by Afkar Durani, Najab Khan and Ahmed Hussain allowed Peshawar U19 to take the ascendancy in the four-day National U19 Championship final held at Rana Naved ul Hasan Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura.

Karachi Whites U19 resumed their innings on day four from 88-5 in 31 overs. After batting for a further 24.2 overs, they were dismissed for 164. Ali Hassan (46, 111b, 3x4s) was the highest scorer of the innings. He was followed by Mohammad Fahad Amin, who hit 38 from 52, including six boundaries.

Mohammad Shoaib Afridi registered a four-wicket haul to help restrict the Karachi Whites U19 batters. His efforts were complemented by Mohammad Irfan and Jawad Ali, both of whom grabbed two wickets each.

Peshawar U19’s chase was driven by Afkar Durani (75, 107b, 5x4s, 1×6), who provided a solid foundation. Najab Khan (41, 44b, 2x4s, 1×6) and Ahmad Hussain (44, 55b, 2x4s) were the other contributors with the bat. Despite losing successive wickets, Peshawar U19 were able to get over the line with just a wicket to spare in the 55th over.

Naveed Ahmed Khan and Syed Tayyab Hussain took two wickets each while Mohammad Fahad Amin and Baseer Shah returned with one scalp each, as the Karachi Whites bowlers attempted to derail the chase.

Najab Khan was named player of the final for his 96 in the first innings followed by 41 in the second innings. Karachi Whites U19 captain Saad Baig took home the best wicket-keeper, best batter and player of the tournament awards for his tally of 750 runs and 27 dismissals behind the stumps in the season. Karachi Whites off-spinner Naveed Ahmed Khan was declared best bowler of the tournament for picking up 40 wickets.

Scores in brief

Peshawar U19 beat Karachi Whites U19 by one wicket

Karachi Whites U19 333-9 declared, 75 overs (Saad Baig 96, Wahaj Riaz 85, Ali Hassan 57; Ahmed Hussain 5-61, Mohammad Irfan 2-59) and 164 all out, 55.2 overs (Ali Hassan 46, Mohammad Fahad Amin 38; Mohammad Shoaib Afridi 4-27, Mohammad Irfan 2-4, Jawad Ali 2-46)

Peshawar U19 220 all out, 60.1 overs (Najab Khan 96, Anees Khan 28, Mohammad Junaid 27, Mohammad Irfan 26; Mohammad Fahad Amin 5-50, Abdul Moiz 3-38) and 278-9, 54.3 overs (Afkar Durani 75, Ahmad Hussain 44, Najab Khan 41; Syed Tayyab Hussain 2-44, Naveed Ahmed Khan 2-55)

Player of the final – Najab Khan (Peshawar U19)

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Thailand ambassador meets Chairman PCB Management Committee

Lahore, 10 November 2023:

The Royal Thai Embassy team led by Ambassador Chakkrid Kraichaiwong visited Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Friday to witness the first T20 of the two-match series between Pakistan Women A and Thailand Women Emerging.

After the match, Ambassador Kraichaiwong met with Chairman of the PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf and praised the PCB’s efforts in promoting women’s cricket in Pakistan. The ambassador also lauded the PCB’s hospitality and highlighted the need for more cooperation between the two countries in the game of cricket.

Thailand Women Emerging will play their second and final T20 against Pakistan Women A tomorrow. Earlier, they took part in the T20 tri-nation series featuring West Indies Women A as the third team.

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Hambantota, 13 July 2023:

When Shaheen Shah Afridi opened the bowling for Pakistan on Tuesday in a two-day warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka Cricket Board XI at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, it was almost after a year that he had donned whites for his country after injuring his knee in the first of the two Tests at Galle last year.

The proceedings had similar beginning – searing pace, lethal swing and the ball hitting precise lengths. He took three wickets for 36 runs in 12 overs, three of which were maidens, as Pakistan bowled out the opposition for 196 before tea in the first innings. On the last day, he returned 4-2-2-1 as the hosts could only manage 88 for four after Pakistan, at the back of half-centuries by Shan Masood, Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel, put 342.

“I am very excited to be making my Test comeback in the country where I was injured,” Shaheen told PCB Digital in Hambantota. “Injuries are part of an athlete’s life, but it is good to be back. I enjoy red-ball cricket a lot and I am one wicket away from a century of Test wickets, which would be a big achievement for me.”

The nature of injury demanded his return to be gradual and systematic, and he has not played a first-class match since the fourth morning of the first Test at Galle when he landed awkwardly at boundary trying to stop the ball. He made his international return in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in October last year, but twisted his knee in the final, which saw him miss the home series against England (Tests) and New Zealand (Tests and ODIs). He finally returned earlier this year for Lahore Qalandars to help them retain the HBL Pakistan Super League title before featuring in April’s 10-match limited overs series against New Zealand.

Prior to being named in the Test side for these two Tests, which are Pakistan’s first in the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, Shaheen was turning out for Nottinghamshire, where he ensured he met the desired workload levels to get in the rhythm.

“It takes time to get used to red-ball cricket after playing white-ball,” he said, adding: “But the Karachi camp proved beneficial for me. Test cricket demands patience and you have to work in partnerships with fellow bowlers. Over the last year, I have played more white-ball matches, but when I was playing in the United Kingdom, I bowled extra overs after matches – even with the red ball – to meet the desired workload.

“It seems like yesterday when I was injured. I will be making my Test return at the same ground where I was injured. I was talking to our physiotherapist about it. It is a matter of pride to represent Pakistan in any format and I enjoy playing for Pakistan. I hope we will have a good beginning to this cycle of the World Test Championship and we will qualify for the final, something we have missed on in the last two iterations.”

What makes this return more exciting is the milestone in line. He is just one wicket away to become 11th pacer from Pakistan to record a century of wickets in the format. “There is a lot of excitement [for that 100th wicket].”

But, it has been a long wait.

“I was only one wicket away and the new ball was about to be available,” he said while recalling the first Test against Galle 12 months ago. “I was planning to utilise the new ball to reach that milestone, but I got injured before we got the new ball. So, I have had to wait a lot. It is very tough to be away from cricket, but time has helped me learn a lot, which will help me perform well for Pakistan across formats.”

His 99 wickets have come in just 25 matches at an average of 24.86. He also has four five-wicket hauls and one 10-for in the match. Shaheen, however, has added another dimension to his game by strengthening his batting during rehabilitation.

His smoking 44 not out off just 15 balls set up Lahore Qalandars’ thrilling win over Multan Sultans in the HBL PSL 8 final and he let his slogging abilities known in international arena when he smashed New Zealand’s Blair Tickner for 22 (three sixes and a four) in the last over of the fourth One-Day International in Karachi to lift Pakistan to 334.

“I am a bowler first,” he laughed. “But, whenever I will get a chance to make an impact with the bat for my country, I would do so.”

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Cardiff: Haris Sohail has been ruled out from the tour of England due to a hamstring injury. The MRI conducted here on Wednesday revealed a grade three tear injury, which he had picked up during a training session in Derby last week.

The PCB medical panel has advised the left-handed middle-order batsman to undergo a four-week rehabilitation programme before a reassessment is carried out.

Haris, who was selected for the ODIs only, will return to Pakistan to undergo the rehabilitation programme at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore.

Haris Sohail said: “I was keenly looking forward to the ODIs as part of my objective to contribute in the side’s success and also cement my position in the side. In this background, I am disappointed that my tour has been cut-short, but I will return to Lahore and undergo a rehabilitation programme so that I can fully recover for the 2021-22 season.”

A three-match ODI series between Pakistan and England will commence later today, which will be followed by three T20Is on 16, 18 and 20 July. The side will depart for the West Indies on 21 July were they will play five T20Is and two Tests from 27 July to 24 August.

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DERBY: Middle-order batsman Sohaib Maqsood is confident to play ‘fearless cricket’ for Pakistan just like he has been playing in domestic cricket.

My mindset was fearless in domestic cricket and I will look to play in the same manner. There would be no regret if I’m unable to perform and it won’t affect my life too. The chances of performing with a fearless mind would be more rather than playing with a fear, Sohaib told media in a virtual press conference.

The 34-year-old Sohaib is making his comeback after 5.5 years in the national team. Sohaib is ready to bat at any given position.

“A player batting at your position in international cricket has right to bat there. It’s not necessary to bat at the same spot as him. I have batted lower down the order in PSL too and have performed. For team whichever number I am asked to play, I’ll be available and try to give my hundred percent,”

Sohaib was the star performer for Sultans in PSL 6 and the performances paved his way for a comeback in the national side. He scored 428 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 157 whereas he bagged ‘player of the final’ and ‘best batsman of the tournament’ awards.

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London: All spectators aged 11 or older will be required to show a negative COVID-19 lateral flow test result or proof of a second vaccine dose at least two weeks before the match.

The third one-day international between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston next month will be allowed to have 19,000 spectators, organisers said.

The day-night contest, scheduled for July 13, has been permitted to host an 80per cent capacity crowd without social distancing requirements after it was confirmed as one of the government’s pilot events to allow bigger crowds.

Earlier this month, Edgbaston held a pilot event at 70per cent capacity for England’s second test against New Zealand, accommodating around 60,000 spectators across four days.

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Derby: I am enjoying my batting, and trying to give my hundred per cent whenever and where I get an opportunity to help the team, says Rizwan Khan

Mohammad Rizwan is excited and eyeing to play his role in yet another series win for Pakistan national team. While talking to media via virtual press conference today, He said, “We always love playing here in England. The conditions here are very supportive for an exciting and competitive series ahead.”

Rizwan who last toured to England in 2020 and scored two half-centuries in three-match Test series is looking forward to repeat the same performance in the limited-overs series as well. Rizwan has been a regular feature of the national team since one year and the team has won six consecutive series.

“Our morale is really after the recent successful series and we are hoping for a good contest against the hosts in the upcoming series.”

Under Rizwan’s captaincy, Multan Sultans have recently clinched their maiden HBL PSL trophy beating Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs in the final on 24 June. Rizwan’s own performance played an instrumental role in helping his side winning HBL PSL 6 trophy. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 500 at 69.25 from 11 matches which included seven half-centuries. He was declared best wicket-keeper of the tournament for 20 scalps behind the stumps.

Rizwan who has captained the national team in the two-Test match series against New Zealand in New Zealand in 2020-21 in the absence of Babar Azam, when asked about captaining the side in future, Rizwan responded, “I have never thought about captaining the side. At the moment, I am enjoying my batting, and trying to give my hundred per cent whenever and where I get an opportunity to help the side.”

When asked to comment on his opening partner (T20I) and captain Babar, he said, “Babar is an exceptional player. As a player we have to adapt to the conditions and play as circumstances demand.

“Everyone knows about Babar’s potential, skills and his experience and he is capitalising all that stuff pretty well.”

On the inclusion of his Sultans team mate Sohaib Maqsood’s in the national team, Rizwan said, “Sohaib is a good player and he can play anywhere and he has already proved it with his battings skills. Our combination is good and we are looking to give better results in the series against England starting from 8 July.”

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Derby: Shadab Khan upbeat about Pakistan’s chances against England, after competing with each other in HBL PSL6, “we are all glad to be reunited as one team”, says Pakistan men’s white-ball vice-captain

Pakistan men’s national cricket team have commenced seven-day preparations for their white-ball UK tour with the first training session of the tour at the Incora Derby Cricket Ground after spending first three days in room isolation.

Pakistan will play England in three ODIs and as many T20Is. The ODIs are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League and currently the two teams are tied on 40 points, with England on the second spot because of a better net run-rate and Pakistan at the third.

This is Pakistan’s fifth tour of the UK in the last six years. Overall, they have visited here 11 times for bilateral contests.

Shadab Khan, the national men’s side’s white-ball captain, is excited about the latest tour as he believes the current squad has done well in the last one year and has the desired momentum to beat the world champions.

While speaking to media after training session Shadab Khan made his intentions clear that Pakistan are in England to win. “Surely, England are the ODI world champions, but we come into the series after playing some good cricket against them in the past.”

The passion and love of these guys for the game is evident by the energy they have put in in the practice session today. It is great to be reunited as a team after competing against each other in the successful HBL Pakistan Super League 6.

Of course, English conditions are different from UAE but HBL PSL 6 has given us momentum and rhythm and we would like to keep this momentum going by playing some exciting and competitive cricket. “if you look at our squad, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq have played extraordinary innings in South Africa. Fakhar has scored two centuries in three matches, while Imam scored two half-centuries which show our opening pair is settled in this format.

Our middle-order is strong too with Babar Azam – who needs no introduction – and Mohammad Rizwan, who is fresh from winning the HBL PSL 6. Haris Sohail is back in the side having scored over 50 runs per innings in the UK.

“ Our bowling department is beefed up by Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali, who are match winners. So we are very confident and hopeful of showing our full potential in the upcoming games.”

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Manchester: England and Wales Cricket Board has announced an increase in fans capacity for Sri Lanka and Pakistan series

Increased capacity will be allowed at the Royal London Series ODIs and Vitality IT20s against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in June and July.

ECB will focus initially on the three matches in late June and early July against Sri Lanka at the Emirates Riverside in Durham, the Kia Oval in London and the Bristol County Ground. Details on arrangements for the Pakistan series will follow after further discussions with the Government and local stakeholders.

The Vitality IT20 against Sri Lanka at the Ageas Bowl on 26th June will not be part of this Programme and all matches in Wales are subject to separate discussion with the Welsh Government.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“Summer is all about cricket and I’m delighted to be able to include England’s upcoming ODI and IT20 series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in our pioneering Events Research Programme.

“With thanks to our tremendous vaccine rollout and massive uptake of the NHS App we will be able to welcome back far greater numbers of cricket fans to Durham, Bristol and The Oval.

“We will continue to do everything we can to get as many as possible back watching live sport and cultural events as safely and as quickly as possible.”

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