Author: ali.hassan

HAMBANTOTA: The two-day tour match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President XI ended as a draw despite a dominant all-round show from the touring side.

At the closure of play on Day 2, SLC President XI were 88/4 and were still trailing by 58 runs.

Salman Ali Agha led Pakistan’s bowling attack in the second innings with two wickets, followed by one each from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.

Earlier on the second and final day of the tour match, Pakistan gathered a 146-run lead over the inexperienced SLC President XI courtesy of brilliant half-centuries by skipper Babar Azam, Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel.

The touring side, resuming at an overnight score of 160/3, continued to pile on SLC President XI misery as Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel partnered strongly.

The pair batted sensibly and added 126 runs to the total and powered Pakistan to 286/3 at Lunch as both scored half-centuries.

Babar scored an unbeaten 79, laced with seven boundaries and a six while Saud scored 61 not out with the help of six boundaries.

The duo then retired out to pave the way for the rest of their batters to prepare well for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s middle order responded well to the opportunity and added another 54 runs to the team’s total before skipper Babar Azam called for declaration.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s star with the bat on the opening day, Shan Masood, remained the top-scorer for the touring side with a brisk 83 off 67 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and three sixes.

Put into bat first, the SLC President XI struggled against the ruthless Pakistan bowling attack and could only pile a modest 196 runs on the scoreboard.

Opening batter Oshada Fernando waged a lone battle for Sri Lanka with a gutsy century and played a marathon fighting knock.

The right-handed batter smashed 14 boundaries on his way to a 128-ball 109 before young pacer Aamer Jamal got rid of him.

Besides Fernando, no other SLC President XI batter could make a notable contribution. Kamindu Mendis (22) was the second top-scorer for the side while six of their batters failed to make it into the double figures.

Pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets each while Aamer Jamal and Abrar Ahmed bagged two each.

The two-day tour match will serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to get used to the Sri Lankan conditions and is currently underway at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Following the conclusion of the tour match, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, their first assignment in the newly-started World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The first Test of the series will take place from July 16 to 20 at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held from July 24 to 28 in Colombo.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.

SLC President XI Squad: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Oshada Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Kamindu Mendis – Captain, Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, Mohammed Shiraz.

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HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel scored half-centuries and powered the touring side to claim a 146-run lead over Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President XI on the second and final day of the tour match.

Resuming at an overnight score of 160/3, Pakistan captain Babar Azam and middle-order batter Saud Shakeel capitalized on the solid foundation laid by an all-round effort on the opening day as they batted with dominance to further solidify the touring side’s grip on the two-day tour match.

Both Babar and Saud scored half-centuries before Lunch on Day 2 when Pakistan had claimed 89 runs lead.

Babar scored an unbeaten 79, laced with seven boundaries and a six while Saud scored 61 not out with the help of six boundaries.

The duo then retired out to pave the way for the rest of their batters to prepare well for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s middle order responded well to the opportunity and added another 54 runs to the team’s total before skipper Babar Azam called for declaration.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s star with the bat on the opening day, Shan Masood, remained the top-scorer for the touring side with a brisk 83 off 67 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and three sixes.

Put into bat first, the SLC President XI struggled against the ruthless Pakistan bowling attack and could only pile a modest 196 runs on the scoreboard.

Opening batter Oshada Fernando waged a lone battle for Sri Lanka with a gutsy century and played a marathon fighting knock.

The right-handed batter smashed 14 boundaries on his way to a 128-ball 109 before young pacer Aamer Jamal got rid of him.

Besides Fernando, no other SLC President XI batter could make a notable contribution. Kamindu Mendis (22) was the second top-scorer for the side while six of their batters failed to make it into the double figures.

Pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets each while Aamer Jamal and Abrar Ahmed bagged two each.

The two-day tour match will serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to get used to the Sri Lankan conditions and is currently underway at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Following the conclusion of the tour match, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, their first assignment in the newly-started World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The first Test of the series will take place from July 16 to 20 at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held from July 24 to 28 in Colombo.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.

SLC President XI Squad: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Oshada Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Kamindu Mendis – Captain, Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, Mohammed Shiraz.

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Pakistan snooker prodigy Ahsan Ramzan on Tuesday, left for Saudi Arabia to partake in the IBSF U17 & U21 World Snooker Championship.

In a statement released by the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), the Pakistan contingent, comprised of Ahsan Ramzan and Muhammad Hamza Ilyas will represent the nation in the global event.

The IBSF U17 & U21 World Snooker Championship commenced on July 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will conclude on July 16.

To participate in the event, Ahsan Ramzan alongside Muhammad Hamza Ilyas flew off from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi by Saudi Arabian Airlines via flight no. SV 701 which took off at 1005 PST.

It is important to note that Ahsan Ramzan also participated in the U21 Asian Snooker Championship in Iran last month where he put on a dominant run before getting his hands on the prestigious silverware.

He continued his rich vein of form in the continental event and remained unbeaten.

In the final of the event, Ahsan Ramzan outclassed Iranian opponent Milad Pourali Darehchi with a score of 5-2 (48-46, 70-5(41), 61-6(52), 62-29, 30-71, 55-67, 101-27) to get his hands on the silverware.

Despite making his nation proud, the young cueist received no welcome upon his arrival to the country, alongside fellow cueist Haris Tahir, via Jinnah International Airport here.

“It is not a pity that no one came to welcome me,” said Ahsan Ramzan.

“I have a trophy in my hand and a gold medal around my neck and I am delighted with this honour.

“There is no hope from the government. I want to say that may Allah guide the government,” he added.

Speaking on his title-winning victory over the Iranian opponent in the final, Ahsan Ramzan asserted that his experience from the World Cup Final helped him to handle the pressure in the tense match.

“There is no doubt that an individual always gets a reward for his hard work. I have also played the final of the World Cup, that’s why I was used to playing under pressure,” said Ramzan.

It is pertinent to mention that the young snooker sensation Ahsan Ramzan rose to fame after winning the IBSF Snooker World Championship 2022 as he scripted an astounding comeback in the final against Iran’s Amir Sarkhosh from 4-2 down to eventually triumphing 6-5 and became the second-youngest cueist to seize the prestigious title.

Furthermore, Ahsan is only the third snooker player from Pakistan to win the international amateur world title after Muhammad Yousaf, who achieved the feat in 1994.

Notably, Ahsan has already won the national U17, U18 and U19 titles, while he ended up as runner-up in the U21 championship.

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HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to field first in the two-day tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President XI.

Both sides are permitted to use all members of their squad in the ongoing tour match.

The two-day tour match will serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to get used to the Sri Lankan conditions and is currently underway at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Following the conclusion of the tour match, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, their first assignment in the newly-started World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The first Test of the series will take place from July 16 to 20 at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held from July 24 to 28 in Colombo.

The national contingent, which flew off from Karachi on Saturday night, reached Colombo on Sunday via Dubai.

Former South Africa pacer and current Pakistan men’s team’s bowling coach Morne Morkel had also joined the squad in Dubai.

Notably, the former speedster was unable to join the team’s training camp in Karachi due to visa issues.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.

SLC President XI Squad: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Oshada Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Kamindu Mendis – Captain, Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, Mohammed Shiraz.

Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:

11 and 12 July – Warm-up game
16-20 July – First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
24-28 July – Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo

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Pakistan’s contingent comprised sprinters Shajar Abbas, Abdul Mueed Baloch and Esha Imran and Javelin thrower Muhammad Yasir on Monday, stepped foot in Bangkok to participate in the Asian Athletics Championship.

According to the details, the four-athlete national contingent flew off from Karachi on Sunday midnight and reached Bangkok in the wee hours of Monday.

In the continental event, Shajar Abbas will compete in the 100 and 200m sprint while Abdul Mueed Baloch also known as “Baloch Bolt” will compete in the 200 and 400m race.

The only female athlete in the national contingent, Esha Imran, will represent Pakistan in the 200m and 400m categories.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Yasir will partake in the Javelin.

The Asian Athletics Championship will run from July 12 to 16 at the Suphachalasai National Stadium.

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Pakistan squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka is likely to miss Haris Rauf’s reception, scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi tonight.

According to the details, the national cricketers did not get a green signal from the management to attend their fellow cricketer Haris Rauf’s reception due to bad weather.

The Sri Lanka-Test bound players are currently in Karachi where they are partaking in the training camp for Pakistan’s first assignment of the third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC).

The players will only engage in one training session at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre at National Bank Stadium today.

The training camp will conclude today and the contingent will then depart for Sri Lanka on July 8.

The players were supposed to go to Rawalpindi from Karachi this evening and return in the afternoon on Saturday, according to the initial plan.

However, due to poor weather and rain forecast in the country, the team management has opted not to take any risks.

Consequently, Pakistan players recorded a video message to congratulate Haris Rauf on his wedding.

In a video shared by Shaheen Shah Afridi on Twitter, Pakistan captain Babar Azam alongside his teammates congratulated the right-arm speedster.

“Harry, congratulations on your wedding,” the players cheered. “Live long my friend,” Afridi added.

Harry – Shaadi Mubarak! 🎆@HarisRauf14 pic.twitter.com/BARiTPoa1H

— Shaheen Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) July 7, 2023

 

It is worth mentioning Pakistan will start their tour of Sri Lanka with a two-day warm-up match, scheduled on July 10 and 11.

The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence on July 16 while the second will embark on July 24.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood

Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:

9 July – Pakistan land in Colombo
11 and 12 July – Warm-up game

16-20 July – First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
24-28 July – Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo.

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam commented on the Pakistan-India clash and asserted that his team’s focus in the World Cup will not remain on a single team.

Pakistan’s Test squad is currently engaged in the pre-series training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre in Karachi from 4-7 July. Following the conclusion of the camp, the team will depart for Sri Lanka on 8 July.

The two-match Test series in Sri Lanka marks Pakistan’s first assignment in the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. The first match is scheduled to take place on 16 July at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held at Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo from 24 to 28 July.

Pakistan, ranked sixth in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings, previously toured Sri Lanka in July 2022 with the two-Test series drawn 1-1. They played their last Test series against New Zealand at home from 26 December 2022 to 6 January 2023 with both matches drawn.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam in the pre-departure press conference, played down the hype of the Pakistan-India World Cup clash, stating that his team’s focus in the mega event was not glued to a single team.

“Our focus in the World Cup later this year is not just team India but all of the sides participating in the tournament. We will be able to reach the finals only if we defeat the other teams. Our plan is to be equally competitive with every opponent,” said Babar.

“As a professional, our stance is to play cricket regardless of the venues and be ready to overcome all the challenges that come with different conditions. The goal is to represent Pakistan and help the team succeed by adapting to the different environments.

“Pakistan’s batters have dominated spin bowlers in the past so it will not be correct to suggest that our players fear playing against spin in conducive conditions. A batter is expected to do something different whenever he faces tough time against a bowler.

“Pakistan team will benefit from the input of Mickey Arthur [Director – Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team] as he was Sri Lanka’s head coach for a couple of years. He will have knowledge of the conditions in Sri Lanka and his experience with the side will further help us prepare for the upcoming series.”

Speaking on the likely lineup for the Test series against Sri Lanka, Babar Azam revealed that he will be preferring Sarfaraz Ahmed as his first-choice wicketkeeper batter before asserting that it is not necessary for the vice-captain to feature in the Playing XI, while referring to Mohammad Rizwan.

“It’s too early to say but I’ll try to prefer to have Sarfraz as my first choice. It’s not necessary for the vice-captain to play, it doesn’t affect anything. We will go with the best XI according to the conditions at play,” Babar Azam concluded.

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The wedding festivities of Pakistan’s speedster Haris Rauf began on Tuesday with a glittering Dholki ceremony which took the internet by storm.

As the couple’s wedding rituals got underway on Wednesday with a Dholki event, a video of Haris Rauf sitting and enjoying the Qawalis, made rounds on social media platforms.

According to the details, the event was attended by Rauf’s close friends and relatives.

Cricketer Haris rauf ki Shaadi taqribat jari. Dholki ki takreb ma Sathi players or doston ki shirkat. Haris rauf ki Shaadi Friday ko hogi.#Harisrauf #Cricket #marriage @HarisRauf14 pic.twitter.com/Wsr9r8DD85

— Baber khan (@Baberkhansr) July 5, 2023

It must be noted that Rauf’s wedding ceremony will be held on Friday and is anticipated to be attended by his teammates, who are currently partaking in the training camp in Karachi for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

Details further suggested that the participating players will be released from the training camp on Friday to attend the pacer’s wedding ceremony.

The squad will then return to Karachi on Saturday and will depart for Sri Lanka, via Dubai, on the same day.

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf got nikkahfied to Muzna Masood in a close-knit affair in the capital city in December last year. The bride was a class fellow of the pacer.

The hush-hush affair was attended by several of his teammates and cricket celebs including another groom-to-be Shaheen Shah Afridi, and pictures from the daytime ceremony made rounds on social media.

Both Rauf and his now-wife Muzna twinned in white ensembles for the big day. The star wife slipped into a white and gold ensemble by an unknown designer and paired it with gold traditional jewellery.

She was dolled by celebrated makeup artists at Allure Salon who shared the anticipated first look of Masood in the morning today, not to miss the adorable ‘HR150’ on her henna design.

The groom on the other hand looked dapper in his cream and white sherwani.

The fellow players of the Pakistan cricket team sent heartwarming wishes for the couple on their big day.

It is worth mentioning here that since making his international debut in 2020, Haris Rauf has represented Pakistan in 62 T20Is, 22 ODIs and one Test. He has taken 123 wickets in his rising career thus far.

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KARACHI: Pakistan squad started their training for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, set to commence on July 16 at Galle International Stadium.

According to the details, 16 players including Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam, ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed, partook in the team’s first training session.

Notably, Pakistan captain Babar Azam was in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage of Hajj and returned to his homeland on Monday.

Whereas, ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was in England where he was participating in the ongoing T20 Blast, representing Nottinghamshire.

Right-arm pacer Hasan Ali and top-order batter Shan Masood did not attend the first day of the camp and will join the squad tomorrow.

Meanwhile, spinners Zahid Mahmood and Sajid Khan were specially called to the national team’s camp.

The ongoing training camp will be held in two sessions every day until July 7.

The first session will be from 0900 to 1130 while the second session will be held from 1230 to 1500.

Following the conclusion of the ongoing camp, the national team will depart for Sri Lanka on June 8 and is anticipated to reach the Island a day later.

The Green Shirts will then play a two-day tour match, scheduled on July 10 and 11.

The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled to kick off on July 16.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan announced a strong 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka which marked the return of their ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The men’s national selection committee has also included uncapped batter Mohammad Huraira and all-rounder Aamir Jamal in the 16-member squad for what will be Pakistan’s first assignment in the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.

The squad has been designed keeping in mind the conditions that the team will encounter in Sri Lanka. The team boasts four spinners, four fast bowlers, six specialist batters and two keeper-batters.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood

Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:

9 July – Pakistan land in Colombo
11 and 12 July – Warm-up game

16-20 July – First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
24-28 July – Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo.

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Pakistan men’s cricket team’s training camp for the upcoming two-match away Test series against Sri Lanka will kick off on Tuesday, July 4.

According to the details, the Sri Lanka-bound contingent will report at a local hotel in Karachi on Monday before starting their preparations a day later.

The four-day training camp will be set up at Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre here and the national squad will depart for Sri Lanka on July 8.

Pakistan, following their anticipated arrival in Sri Lanka on July 9, are scheduled to play a two-day tour match on July 10.

The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled to kick off on July 16.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan announced a strong 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka which marked the return of their ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The men’s national selection committee has also included uncapped batter Mohammad Huraira and all-rounder Aamir Jamal in the 16-member squad for what will be Pakistan’s first assignment in the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.

The squad has been designed keeping in mind the conditions that the team will encounter in Sri Lanka. The team boasts four spinners, four fast bowlers, six specialist batters and two keeper-batters.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood

Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:

9 July – Pakistan land in Colombo
11 and 12 July – Warm-up game

16-20 July – First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
24-28 July – Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo

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