Author: shahzad.malik

The Pakistan men’s football team on Tuesday afternoon, reached Dushanbe, just a few hours ago their scheduled FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match against Tajikistan.

According to the details, a bunch of players and support staff departed for Tajikistan following the national team’s home leg of FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers against Saudi Arabia.

However, some of the players were left behind as their flight to Faisalabad was cancelled twice, pertaining to a bird strike and technical issue.

Then arrangements were made for a chartered flight but it was also cancelled due to technical issues.

The cancellation of the flights had put Pakistan’s participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match against Tajikistan in limbo until Pakistan Air Force came to the rescue and flew the remaining players from Nur Khan Air Base in the morning to Dushanbe.

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Consequently, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) extended their gratitude to the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army for their “unwavering support”.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Pakistani Government, the Pakistan Army, and the Pakistan Air force for their unwavering support during these challenging times,” said PFF in a statement on its official social media handles.

“A special thank you to the Pakistan Air Force for generously providing their private aircraft, ensuring our safe arrival at our destination.

“Special mention for Chairman NC Haroon Malik for all his efforts in getting this done.

“Today marks our last match day, and we are determined to make the nation proud. Thank you for your continued support.”

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan recently succumbed to a 3-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia at Jinnah International Stadium in Islamabad.

Pakistan are at the bottom of Group G of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers as they ended up on the losing side in all five matches played thus far.

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam has expressed his aim to lift the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, after coming up short in previous editions.

The Green Shirts under Babar Azam played the semi-final and final of the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cup respectively.

The star batter opened up about his desire during an appearance on PCB Podcast, stating that he wants to spread happiness across the nation with the T20 World Cup victory.

“I want to give happiness to the nation by winning the T20 World Cup. We came very close in the last two World Cups but failed to win,” said Azam.

“As a captain, I regret not winning an ICC event so far. This time we have to win and for that, we have to play as one unit.”

Upon being asked about the preparations for the high-octane clash against arch-rivals India on June 9, Azam stressed that every game is important and the team is preparing accordingly.

“Not only the India match but all the matches are important for us. In order to lift the trophy, we have to overcome every opposition,” said the right-hander.

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The star batter also shed light on his training and preparation for the mega-event as a batter.

“I do not play for my personal record, the first priority is the Pakistan team. I have done a lot of work on improving my strike rate,” he stated.

“I bat according to the team’s situation. Everyone has a different batting style and my game is not to start hitting sixes from the word go.”

The Green Shirts will start their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against the USA on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India in a blockbuster clash on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The 2009 champions will then take on Canada on June 11 before locking horns with Ireland in their last group-stage fixture on June 16.

Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2024: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

READ: USA’s Aaron Jones creates history during T20 World Cup win over Canada

LAHORE: Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has resumed training for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024 after returning home from South Africa.

Nadeem travelled to South Africa last month to receive training from the renowned javelin coach Terseus Liebenberg. He underwent a five-week extensive training regime at the North West University facility.

The Commonwealth Games (CWG) gold medalist is now training under his local coach, Salman Butt. The training regime includes gym training, strength sessions, and throwing sessions.

Butt is collaborating with Liebenberg to develop a comprehensive and effective training plan for Nadeem, aligning with the goal of winning the gold in the Paris Olympics.

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For the unversed, besides clinching the gold medal at the CWG in 2022, Arshad Nadeem also secured the silver medal in the World Athletics Championship 2023 in Budapest.

He created history by becoming the first Pakistani to earn a medal at the World Athletics Championship.

He also earned his qualification for the Paris Olympics during the World Athletics Championship.

The automatic qualifying benchmark for the Paris Olympics was 85.50 meters, which Nadeem breached with an amazing 86.79-meter throw.

The star player also got his hands on the gold medal in the ongoing 34th National Games last year. He proved his mettle once again as he recorded the longest throw of 78.02m in his third attempt.

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Pakistan’s fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has expressed his determination to win the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, after falling short in the last two editions.

Afridi was part of Pakistan’s squad that reached the semi-final and final of the 2021 and 2022 World Cups respectively.

The 24-year-old pacer during a recent appearance on PCB Podcast, also opened up about the team dynamics and denied any disharmony or rift within the team.

“Sometimes, small disagreements happen in every family, even among brothers. But there’s nothing like that in our team,” Afridi said.

He also emphasized that the Pakistan team is at a crucial juncture with the mega-event approaching, and the players are focused on giving their best for the team.

“Our aim is to play with unity, and this is not the time for arguments or disputes; it’s the time for everyone to be on the same page,” he added.

Talking about his own form and fitness, the star pacer shared that he is fit and committed to lifting the coveted trophy for Pakistan.

“Mood is also good and fitness is also good. I am ready and hopeful that we will win the T20 World Cup,” Shaheen Afridi remarked.

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He also opened up about his conversation with newly appointed white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, who is set to join the team in England on May 19.

“Gary Kirsten told me, ‘Don’t play for the name on the back of your shirt, but for the name on the front of the shirt,'” he added.

Pakistan team is currently gearing up for the four-match T20I series against England,, starting from May 22.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

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LEEDS: The Pakistan cricket team reached here on Wednesday from Dublin to partake in the four-match T20I series against England.

The Green Shirts recently defeated Ireland in the three-match T20I series 2-1 before reaching here.

Pakistan team will rest today before hitting the nets on Friday to prepare for the series, starting from May 22 at Headingley.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten is set to join the team on May 19.

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Kirsten will be joined by fielding coach Simon Helmot and Mental Performance Coach David Reid in the team management.

After the conclusion of the England series, the Pakistan team will depart for the United States of America (USA) to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The 2009 champions will start their campaign against co-host USA on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India on June 9.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

England squad

Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.

Series schedule

May 22: First T20I at Leeds

May 25: Second T20I at Birmingham

May 28: Third T20I at Cardiff

May 30: Fourth T20I at The Oval

READ: Misbah believes Amir’s experience will be crucial in T20 World Cup 2024

DUBLIN: Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Babar Azam, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance in the Ireland series and vowed to maintain the same momentum against England.

Pakistan defeated Ireland in the final T20I to clinch the three-match series 2-1, courtesy of Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s swashbuckling half-centuries.

Azam reflected on the team’s performance after the game and appreciated the batters for showing responsibility after the shocking loss in the first match.

“Our team showed improvement during the Ireland series, especially in the batting department,” said the star batter.

He appreciated contributions by the top-order batters Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, while also showing faith in lower-order batters Iftikhar Ahmed and Azam Khan.

“Rizwan and Fakhar stood out throughout the series, however, the performance by Iftikhar Ahmed and Azam Khan in the lower order has been promising,” he added.

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The star-batter also heaped praise on bowlers, especially all-rounder Imad Wasim for his economical spells.

“If we talk more about bowling, Imad Wasim is bowling very well in difficult situations. Amir is playing a perfect role as a senior bowler, while Shaheen Afridi once again proved himself as an outstanding bowler,” he said.

He also expressed optimism for the upcoming four-match T20I series against England and vowed to maintain the same momentum as in the Ireland series.

“You will continue to see positive intent from batters during the England series and we will try to maintain this momentum,” he concluded.

Pakistan and England will square off in the first T20I on May 22 at Headingley, followed by the second match at Edgbaston on May 25.

After the conclusion of the series, the Pakistan team will depart for the United States of America (USA) to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

READ: Hasaranga, Shakib share top-spot in ICC T20I All-Rounder Rankings

LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Head of Security Dave Musker met with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) COO Salman Naseer and other officials to review the preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025.

According to the details, the high-profile meeting was held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here with security arrangements for the eight-team tournament its core agenda.

“ICC Head of Security, Dave Musker, met with PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer and other officials at the NCA on Tuesday,” stated PCB.

“Musker is visiting Pakistan as part of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 preparations.

“The eight-team event is scheduled in Pakistan in February-March 2025.”

Earlier this year in March, a three-member ICC delegation visited Pakistan to inspect different venues and facilities in the country for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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The delegation led by Chris Tetley, ICC’s Head of Events, included Sarah Edgar, Senior Manager event operations at ICC and Aun Zaidi, Manager event operations.

After inspecting Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium, the ICC delegation insisted on the extensive preparations needed to host the Champions Trophy 2025.

Acknowledging the importance of hosting a successful tournament, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi gave the delegation assurances of thorough preparations at every stage.

The eight-team tournament is slated to be held in February next year in Pakistan and is likely to span for over two weeks.

The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, England, and Bangladesh while hosts Pakistan will defend the title.

READ: Gary Kirsten to join Pakistan team ahead of England T20Is

LEEDS: Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten is set to join the team ahead of the T20I series against England here on May 19.

The four-match series will commence on May 22 at Headingley, followed by the second match at Edgbaston on May 25.

Kirsten will be joined by fielding coach Simon Helmot and Mental Performance Coach David Reid in the team management.

The former South African batter expressed his excitement about his new role with the Pakistan team.

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” I am excited to start a new journey with Pakistan. The new management and all the players are determined to deliver solid results,” said Gary Kirsten.

After the conclusion of the series, the Pakistan team will depart for the United States of America (USA) to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Notably, the Pakistani cricket team is currently in Ireland, competing in a three-match T20I series, which is tied at 1-1. The final match will be played later today in Dublin.

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

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The Ireland men’s cricket team will tour Pakistan next year in August-September to play a Test series, confirmed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Ireland was originally scheduled to tour Pakistan for three ODIs and as many T20Is in September and October of 2025.

However, as per the PCB, the European side will now tour Pakistan in August-September next year and will instead play a Test series.

The confirmation regarding Ireland’s tour to Pakistan came after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Cricket Ireland Chairman Brian MacNeice in Dublin on Sunday.

MacNeice warmly welcomed the PCB chairman and thanked him for visiting the country. Chairman Cricket Ireland also presented Mohsin Naqvi with a souvenir shirt and cap of the Irish team.

The discussion regarding organizing a series between the women’s cricket teams of both nations also took place in the high-profile meeting.

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Cricket Ireland Chairman MacNeice also welcomed Pakistan as the hosts of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“Hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan was a welcome decision. Pakistan had always provided excellent security for international tournaments,” PCB quoted MacNeice.

In response, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi appreciated Cricket Ireland for making excellent arrangements for the Pakistan team’s ongoing tour of Ireland, adding that the Pakistan team received a lot of support during their tour of Ireland.

Naqvi further vowed that foolproof arrangements would be made for all the participating teams in the Champions Trophy 2025.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan and Ireland are currently competing in a three-match series, levelled at 1-1 with a game to spare, in a build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The two sides will also lock horns in the mega event on June 16 at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill.

READ: Fakhar Zaman says “Pakistan needed wake-up call” before T20 World Cup

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday, unveiled the “Matrix Jersey” of the national team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in June in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

“Presenting you the Matrix Jersey is a symbol of unity,” wrote PCB on X, formerly Twitter.

Presenting you the Matrix Jersey is a symbol of unity 🇵🇰🌟

Pre-order your Matrix Jersey now: https://t.co/TWU32T9BHd#WearYourPassion | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/mbLUWqj6Pv

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 6, 2024

Pakistan’s jersey for the upcoming mega event was unveiled in a star-studded ceremony here at Gaddafi Stadium.

Captain Babar Azam, alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah and Saim Ayub attended the ceremony and also posed with the newly-launched jersey.

The PCB also released a minute-long promo to unveil the “Matrix Jersey”, starring Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan, Naseem, Saim and Shadab Khan.

🎵𝑳𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒌𝒉𝒖𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒌𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒎, 𝒃𝒂𝒋𝒂 𝒅𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒂, 𝒎𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒂 𝒅𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒓!🎵

Presenting Pakistan 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐱 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐲'𝟐𝟒! Pre-order now: https://t.co/TWU32T9BHd#WearYourPassion | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/akwWjkjZBB

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 6, 2024

 

For the unversed, Pakistan are yet to announce their T20 World Cup 2024 squad. The cut-off for the teams to announce or alter their squads is May 25, after which any alteration will require approval from ICC’s Event Technical Committee.

The 2009 champions Pakistan will start their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against co-host USA on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India on June 9 in Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The Green Shirts will then take on Canada and Ireland in their remaining group-stage fixtures on June 11 and 16 respectively.

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In a build-up to their T20 World Cup 2024 preparations, Pakistan will tour Ireland for a three-match series.

All three matches will be held at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12 and 14 May 2024 and will start at 3 PM local time.

Pakistan will then travel to England where they will compete in a four-match T20I series from May 22 to 30.

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

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