Author: ali.hassan

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced the Pakistan Shaheens 18-member squad for the multi-format tour of England, set to commence later this month.

Pakistan Shaheen are scheduled to play two three-day matches and three 50-over matches. The dates and venues for the fixtures will be announced in due course.

Pakistan Test team vice-captain Saud Shakeel is set to lead the squad, joined by experienced Sajid Khan and Mir Hamza.

The squad will include 14 emerging players, featuring 11 players under the age of 25. Additionally, the squad also features some of the top performers from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which is Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament.

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“Saud Shakeel (19 Tests) is set to lead the team, while he will be joined by three other Test-capped players in Mir Hamza (seven Tests), Musa Khan (one Test) and Sajid Khan (12 Tests),” the board said in a statement.

“Among other players, Azan Awais (844) and Maaz Sadaqat (646), who finished as the leading run scorers, respectively, in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25, have been selected,” it added.

The 23-year-old Rohail Nazir will perform the duties as a wicket-keeper, while Mushtaq Ahmed was rewarded for his stellar performances in domestic cricket.

The spin department consists of left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram and Mehran Mumtaz, along with all-rounder Mubasir Khan.

The squad is set to practice at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Center in Karachi before departing for England on 16 July.

Pakistan Shaheens Squad

Saud Shakeel (c), Ali Zaryab, Azan Awais, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Suleman, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Shahid Aziz, Shamyl Hussain and Ubaid Shah.

Player support personnel

Imran Farhat (head coach), Rehan Riaz (bowling coach), Mohtashim Rasheed (fielding coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), and Ali Sufyan (physio)

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s seasoned trio Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are taking part in the training camp for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

The 15-member squad heading to the series is training at the National Bank Stadium, with the camp set to continue until July 15.

Apart from the squad members, five additional players were also added to the training camp. These players include Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Wasim Jr.

For the unversed, Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh will be the first assignment under the new head coach, Mike Hesson. The opening match is scheduled for July 20, followed by the second T20I on July 22 and the third on July 24.

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After wrapping up the Bangladesh tour, the Green Shirts will travel to the United States of America (USA) to face the West Indies in a three-match T20I series in Florida, set to take place from August 1 to 4.

Both sides will then head to Trinidad and Tobago for a three-match ODI series scheduled between August 8 and 12.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the final T20I and ODI squads for both assignments in the coming days.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh series:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim

Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I Series Schedule 

20 July – First T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

22 July – Second T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

24 July – Third T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

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KARACHI: Pakistan women cricketers’ 27-day fitness and skills camp kicked off ahead of a packed international calendar here at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre on Tuesday.

The camp is currently underway under the supervision of Head Coach Mohammad Wasim, with 24 women cricketers participating.

The training camp is designed to enhance players’ skills through various drills. The women cricketers also practiced their fielding in a three-hour camp.

During the camp, coaches provided players with tips on improving their skills and fitness. In the evening session, the women cricketers will engage in net practice.

 

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For context, the camp, which features 24 players, is designed to fine-tune both technical skills and physical conditioning as the squad prepares for a crucial stretch of international commitments, including a T20I tour to Ireland and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

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Pakistan women team is scheduled to fly to Ireland on August 3, where they’ll face the hosts in a three-match T20I series at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin. The fixtures are set for August 7, 10, and 11.

But the real spotlight will fall in October when the Green Shirts begin their ICC Women’s World Cup campaign, a tournament jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Due to the ‘fusion formula’ agreement between the PCB and BCCI, which rules out bilateral visits for ICC events until 2026, Pakistan will play all their matches in Colombo.

Pakistan women’s team opens their World Cup journey on October 2 against Bangladesh, followed by the much-anticipated clash with India on October 5.

The group stage continues with high-stakes fixtures against Australia (Oct 8), England (Oct 15), New Zealand (Oct 18), South Africa (Oct 21), and hosts Sri Lanka (Oct 24), all at the R Premadasa Stadium.

If Pakistan qualify for the knockouts, their semi-final will also be played in Colombo. The final is slated for November 2 in Bengaluru, unless Pakistan make it, in which case the showpiece will shift to Colombo, in accordance with the neutral venue policy.

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Pakistan men’s cricket team has begun assembling in Karachi for their upcoming twin tours of Bangladesh and the West Indies, with players gradually reporting to the team management ahead of the training camp.

According to sources, all probable squad members are expected to report by Tuesday, while a meeting between team officials and coaching staff has also been scheduled before the camp officially kicks off.

The training camp will begin on Wednesday and run until July 15 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. The team will depart for Dhaka on July 16.

During the Bangladesh leg, Pakistan will play a three-match T20I series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

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The opening match is scheduled for July 20, followed by the second T20I on July 22 and the third on July 24.

After wrapping up the Bangladesh tour, the Green Shirts will travel to the United States of America (USA) to face the West Indies in a three-match T20I series in Florida, set to take place from August 1 to 4.

Both sides will then head to Trinidad and Tobago for a three-match ODI series scheduled between August 8 and 12.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the final T20I and ODI squads for both assignments in the coming days.

Pakistan tour of Bangladesh schedule

1st T20I – July 20, Dhaka

2nd T20I – July 22, Dhaka

3rd T20I – July 24, Dhaka

Pakistan tour of the West Indies schedule

1st T20I – August 1, Florida

2nd T20I – August 3, Florida

3rd T20I – August 4, Florida

1st ODI – August 8, Trinidad & Tobago

2nd ODI – August 10, Trinidad & Tobago

3rd ODI – August 12, Trinidad & Tobago

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the schedule for the national team’s tour to Bangladesh next month for a three-match bilateral T20I series.

Pakistan will arrive in Dhaka on 16 July before taking on the Bangladesh cricket team in the first T20I on Sunday, 20 July.

The second T20I will take place on Tuesday, 22 July, with the third and final match of the series scheduled for Thursday, 24 July.

Notably, all three T20Is will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, with the first ball of each match scheduled to be bowled at 6:00 PM local time.

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The two teams recently faced each other in a three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium, where Pakistan achieved a clean sweep against Bangladesh.

Pakistan won the opening match by 37 runs, thanks to Shadab Khan’s outstanding all-round performance. He scored a rapid 48 runs off 25 balls and took two crucial wickets.

In the second T20I, Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Nawaz both made significant contributions with quick half-centuries, leading Pakistan to victory.

Meanwhile, the star of the third match was Mohammad Haris, who scored a blazing unbeaten century.

Pakistan-Bangladesh series schedule

20 July – First T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

22 July – Second T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

24 July – Third T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

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Melbourne Stars General Manager Max Abbott has made it clear that retaining Haris Rauf for BBL Season 15 was a top priority, revealing that the franchise fended off strong interest from rival teams to keep the Pakistani speedster on their roster.

In a candid statement following the BBL 15 overseas draft, Abbott confirmed that Adelaide Strikers had targeted Rauf but were forced to back off after the Stars refused to release him.

“Haris Rauf is a fan favourite and a valuable asset to our team,” Abbott said. “We knew other teams were interested in him, but we weren’t willing to let him go.”

Abbott lauded Rauf’s impact beyond the field, calling him a key figure in the dressing room and a role model for younger bowlers.

“He’s not just a match-winner. He’s someone other bowlers learn from. That’s why keeping him was non-negotiable for us,” he stated.

But all eyes are now on the mouth-watering clash against the Sydney Sixers, who have signed Babar Azam as a pre-draft marquee pick. Abbott didn’t shy away from the hype surrounding the Pakistan stars’ face-off.

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“We’re excited to see Haris Rauf take on Babar at the MCG. I’m sure he has a few plans up his sleeve to exploit Babar’s weaknesses,” said Abbott.

He also acknowledged the influence of the Pakistani community in Melbourne, calling Rauf’s popularity a big plus for the team’s fan engagement.

“The Pakistan community is huge here, and it’s great to have their favourite player in the Stars colours. He brings excitement and pride with every appearance.”

Haris Rauf, who is currently featuring in MLC 2025 for the San Francisco Unicorns, has been with the Stars since 2019.

In 22 BBL matches, he has bagged 36 wickets at an economy of 7.75, and remains one of the most dangerous bowlers at the death.

Rauf’s retention comes amid a strong Pakistan presence in BBL 15, with Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali all picked up by various franchises during the draft.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Butt has publicly voiced his frustration over the lack of financial support, revealing that players have yet to receive their daily allowances despite reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Nations Cup.

The Green Shirts booked their place in the semi-finals after finishing second in Pool B and are set to face France on June 20. New Zealand and Korea will contest the other semi-final.

Speaking on behalf of his teammates, Ammad raised a heartfelt concern that mirrors the long-standing struggle of Pakistan’s national sport.

“Is there anyone who truly understands the struggles of Pakistan hockey?” Ammad questioned, drawing a stark comparison between the country’s cricket obsession and the declining fortunes of hockey.

“Do our politicians care about the national sport? Do ministers take an interest in the game that once brought Olympic gold to this country? Businessmen spend crores on cricket leagues, but when it comes to hockey, there’s no budget,” he lamented.

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According to sources close to the team, the players have been in Malaysia for over 10 days without receiving their daily allowances, which are reportedly PKR 30,000 per day.

The issue goes beyond the current tour; the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has also yet to clear payments for two recent training camps.

Players had requested partial payments before departing for Malaysia to manage basic expenses, but that plea, too, went unanswered.

“As players, our hearts ache,” Ammad Butt added. “We are still on the field, still fighting for the flag, but we cannot do it alone.”

“It is time for everyone, including the government, ministers, businesses, and citizens, to come together and revive the spirit of Pakistan Hockey before it is too late.”

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T20I captain Salman Ali Agha is among the latest nominees from Pakistan, as Cricket Australia (CA) released the full list of overseas players for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 15 draft.

A total of 74 Pakistani male cricketers and 11 female players have thrown their hats in the ring for the BBL and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) drafts, scheduled on June 19.

Along with Salman Ali Agha, explosive opener Mohammad Haris, and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed have also signed up for the upcoming draft. All three players are eyeing a BBL stint after strong performances in recent domestic and international fixtures.

These new entries add to a group of Pakistani stars who had already registered for the BBL 15 Draft, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, and Mohammad Hasnain.

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Meanwhile, star batter Babar Azam has already been snapped up by the Sydney Sixers as one of the 15 pre-signed marquee players announced across both men’s and women’s competitions.

The BBL 15 draft pool features over 600 players from across the globe, making it one of the most competitive selections in recent years.

Players from England (178), West Indies (42), Sri Lanka (13), and even India (1) are part of the men’s draft, while the women’s pool sees strong representation from England (46), India (15), New Zealand (15), and Pakistan (11).

Brisbane Heat will hold the No. 1 pick in the men’s draft and will get first crack at assembling their overseas roster from this stacked talent pool.

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Pakistan’s leg spinner Usama Mir and pacer Mohammad Hasnain are new entrants in the draft of the Big Bash League (BBL) season 15, scheduled to take place on June 19.

According to Cricket Australia, the new list features exciting talent from around the world, which adds to the increasing pool of more than 600 international cricketers registered for the draft.

Apart from Usama Mir and Mohammad Hasnain, the latest nominees are England’s Laure Evans and Afghanistan’s Waqar Salamkheil, while India’s Astika Bhatia has also registered for the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) draft.

BBL 15 Latest nominees:

– Laurie Evans (England)
– Usama Mir (Pakistan)
– Mohammad Hasnain (Pakistan)
– Yastika Bhatia (India)
– Waqar Salamkheil (Afghanistan)

Earlier, Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf were among the Pakistani players who had registered for the upcoming draft of the BBL season 15.

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Alongside the Pakistani player, the draft list also features England’s Sam Curran and Alex Hales, New Zealand duo Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera, and West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph.

This year’s BBL draft is set to be one of the most competitive yet, with over 600 overseas players putting their names forward. The full list of nominations will be announced in the lead-up to the draft.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan’s gap in the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) from November to February provides their top cricketers a window of opportunity to participate in the BBL 15.

Brisbane Heat hold the No. 1 pick for the men’s draft and will have the first chance to pick from a star-studded pool.

The women’s draft for WBBL 11 will run parallel, and Pakistan women’s captain Fatima Sana is part of the nomination list.

Other big names include England’s Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge; India’s Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey; South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail and Chloe Tryon; and West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin.

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Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan are among the Pakistan players who have registered for the upcoming draft of the Big Bash League (BBL) season 15, scheduled to take place on June 19.

Joining them on the draft list are fellow internationals Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, forming a strong Pakistan contingent aiming for another stint in one of the world’s premier T20 leagues.

This year’s BBL draft is set to be one of the most competitive yet, with over 600 overseas players putting their names forward.

Pakistan’s gap in the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) from November to February provides their top cricketers a window of opportunity to participate in the BBL 15.

Brisbane Heat hold the No. 1 pick for the men’s draft and will have the first chance to pick from a star-studded pool.

Alongside the Pakistani quartet, the initial draft list also features England’s Sam Curran and Alex Hales, New Zealand duo Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera, and West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph.

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The women’s draft for WBBL 11 will run parallel, and Pakistan women’s captain Fatima Sana is part of the nomination list.

Other big names include England’s Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge; India’s Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey; South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail and Chloe Tryon; and West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin.

BBL General Manager Alistair Dobson welcomed the high-profile names registering for this year’s drafts, calling it a sign of the league’s global appeal.

“Names like Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Heather Knight, and Sophie Ecclestone show that the BBL and WBBL remain attractive leagues for top international talent,” Dobson said.

“The presence of these stars will add a new flavour to the Big Bash this season.”

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