Author: shahzad.malik

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.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

” 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.

READ: Cricket Australia to set up India Fan Zones during Border-Gavaskar Trophy

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.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

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.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

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.

READ: ICC unveils nominees for Player of the Month awards for April

Pakistan’s fast bowler, Mohammad Amir, will not be travelling with the team to Ireland on Tuesday night due to visa issues, team management confirmed on Monday.

The team will depart for Dublin at midnight on May 7 as scheduled, meanwhile, Amir will depart on the first available flight after obtaining the visa.

The star bowler faced a similar situation during the tours of Ireland and England in 2018 also.

Amir recently made his comeback to international cricket during the home T20I series against New Zealand after he took back his retirement before the series.

Notably, Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12, and 14 May 2024. All three matches will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

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.

READ: Babar Azam reveals reason behind dropping Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Haris

LAHORE: Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has announced that each player in the national squad will receive a prize money of $100,000 in the event of Pakistan’s victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Naqvi met the players at Gaddafi Stadium after the training session for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, in a build-up to the mega-event.

Team selectors Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Yousuf, assistant coach Azhar Mehmood and director of international cricket Usman Wahla were also present in the meeting.

Chairman PCB also hosted a lunch in honour of the players and the team management after which he talked to players and encouraged them for the upcoming tours as well as the T20 World Cup 2024, starting from June 1 in the United States and West Indies.

He announced the cash prize for each player and motivated them to give their best and lead Pakistan to victory in the World Cup.

“I hope that you [players] will raise the Pakistani flag high and lead the team to success,” said Mohsin Naqvi.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“You should not care about anything, but to play and give your best for Pakistan. Just demonstrate teamwork and the victory will be yours.”

Chairman PCB also presented special green shirts to Mohammad Rizwan for completing 3000 runs in T20 matches, and Naseem Shah for taking 100 wickets in international cricket.

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan men’s cricket team is currently participating in a three-match training session here ahead of their three-match T20I series against Ireland.

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.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

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.

READ: ICC unveils schedule for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf on Sunday heaped high praise on fellow pacer Mohammad Amir on his return to international cricket ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Rauf suffered a shoulder injury during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine, consequently being sidelined for the remaining matches of the tournament as well as the T20I series against New Zealand.

He addressed the media on the sidelines of Pakistan’s training session for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, in a build-up to the T20 World Cup 2024.

“It is always difficult to return from an injury, however, I am fully fit and trying to get back in rhythm,” said Rauf.

The right-arm pacer then addressed Amir’s return to the national team and their competition.

“Muhammad Amir’s return has increased confidence within the team. He is a senior bowler and I get to learn a lot from him,” Rauf stated.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The team benefits when there is competition for spots between bowlers. You try to perform better than one another so that the team benefits,” he added.

The 30-year-old pacer also expressed his aim to win the World Cup for Pakistan, having played the semi-final and final in the 2021 and 2022 editions respectively.

“We played great cricket in the last World Cup, we reached the final. We are now trying not to repeat those mistakes. We will do our best to bring happiness to our people,” he concluded.

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan men’s cricket team is currently participating in a three-match training session here ahead of their three-match T20I series against Ireland.

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.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

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.

READ: Real Madrid clinch 36th La Liga title after Girona sink Barcelona

LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Saturday, once again brushed aside the claims of any rift between him, Mohammad Amir and white-ball captain Babar Azam.

Imad interacted with the media on the sidelines of the national team’s training session for the Ireland tour and emphasized that his and the entire team’s only goal is to win the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

He further asserted that he would support Pakistan captain Babar Azam, adding that he returned from international retirement for the country.

“We have no issues with Babar. He is the captain of the team and we are all supporting him,” said Imad.

“Maybe Babar has become captain again because he will lead us to the World Cup trophy,” he added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Imad Wasim further talked about his return to Pakistan colours and reiterated that his primary goal is to win the World Cup, highlighting the team’s narrow misses in the previous two editions.

“Amir and I returned for one goal – to have one last go and win the World Cup. For the last while we’ve been playing [T20 World Cup] semi-finals and finals, which is a very big achievement.

“But the truth is no one remembers the semi-finalists and finalists. People remember the champions.

“Our goal is to play those semi-finals and finals, and then to win that tournament.

“The result is in God’s hands, but the players’ mentality is to go and win the tournament.”

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan men’s cricket team is currently participating in a three-match training session here ahead of their T20I series against Ireland.

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.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

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.

READ: PSL 2025 likely to clash with IPL as PCB proposes new window

LAHORE: The Pakistan men’s cricket team on Saturday, kicked off training for the upcoming away T20I series against Ireland, scheduled to commence on May 10.

According to the details, the Ireland and England series-bound players participated in physical and fielding drills while also engaging in the net sessions.

The ongoing training camp will run until Monday, May 6th, a day before the team’s departure to Ireland.

Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan will not attend the training camp and will join the squad in Ireland as they are currently in England, representing Warwickshire in the County Championship.

The national team will tour Ireland for a three-match T20I 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.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Notably, Pakistan and Ireland are placed in the same group of the mega event and are slated to lock horns on June 16 at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

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

Pakistan’s schedule of upcoming matches

Tour of Ireland

May 10: First T20I at Clontarf

May 12: Second T20I at Clontarf

May 14: Third T20I at Clontarf

Tour of England

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: PSL 2025 likely to clash with IPL as PCB proposes new window

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 is likely to clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed April-May as the tentative window for the marquee league.

The PSL is held every year in the February-March window but due to its collision with the traditional window of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the cricket board came up with an alternative proposal.

The PCB officials and its six PSL franchisees, in the buildup to their General Council meeting, met on Saturday morning at the Gaddafi Stadium here to reflect on the PSL 2024 and also to look ahead to the PSL 2025.

In the meeting, the cricket board proposed a new window, discussed the availability of venues and also the introduction of some innovative tweaks to the playing conditions, with further discussions to take place in the Governing Council in due course.

“Due to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 being held in the traditional event window, the event window for the 2025 event will be 7 April 2025 – 20 May 2025,” proposed PCB.

“Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi to host matches in Pakistan with each side playing, at least, five matches on home ground. The PCB will continue to explore additional venues. Four playoffs proposed to be staged at a neutral venue.

“Some innovative tweaks and changes in the event playing conditions were explored with an aim to make the HBL PSL 2025 more exciting and competitive, as well as involve, engage, and increase the fan base.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salman Naseer reflected on the meeting and asserted that the cricket board will share further data with the franchisees regarding the new window for PSL 2025.

“As always, we had a very exciting and interesting brainstorming session with the franchise owners on the window for HBL Pakistan Super League 2025. The passionate franchise owners provided their all-rounded insight and views on the PCB-recommended window and playoff venues for the 2025 event and beyond.

“At the back of this meeting, and in relation to the most suitable window for HBL PSL 2025 and beyond, the PCB will share further data with the franchise owners so that they can discuss amongst themselves, make a more informed decision and share their ideas and thoughts at the General Council meeting.

“We look forward to working closely with the franchisees to take timely decisions for the future trajectory of one of Pakistan’s biggest brands.”

READ: Taskin, Tanzid propel Bangladesh to beat Zimbabwe in T20I series opener

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced details of the national team’s tour to South Africa for three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests in the second half of 2024.

Durban, Centurion, and Johannesburg will host the T20Is from 10-14 December. The ODIs will be played from 17-22 December in Paarl, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, while the two ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 matches will be held at Centurion (26-30 December) and Cape Town (3-7 January).

The side will depart for Durban on 2 December after returning from Australia on 19 November, having featured in a series of three ODIs and three T20Is from 4-18 November.

After completing their African safari on 8 January, the national side will take on New Zealand and South Africa in a three-nation ODI tournament on home turf, which will be followed by the eight-team ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.

Prior to the tours of Australia and South Africa, Pakistan will host Bangladesh and England for two and three Tests, respectively.

This means they will play seven Tests, a minimum of 10 ODIs, and six T20Is in the six-month period from August 2024 to January 2025.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

This will be Pakistan’s seventh Test tour of South Africa since 1994-95. Their two Test wins were in the 1997-98 and 2006-2007 series.

In the Durban Test in 1997-98, Pakistan won by 29 runs at the back of centuries from Azhar Mahmood (132) and Saeed Anwar (118), match figures of nine for 149 by Mushtaq Ahmed and a first innings five-fer by Shoaib Akhtar.

In the 2006-2007 Port Elizabeth Test, Pakistan won by five wickets with Inzamam-ul-Haq being named as Player of the Match for his 92 in the first innings.

In ODIs, Pakistan has won two of the last three series in 2013-2014 and 2020-21, while South Africa triumphed in 2002-2003 (4-1), 2006-2007 (3-1), 2012-2013 (3-2), and 2018-2019 (3-2).

In 12 T20Is to date, Pakistan leads 6-5 in head-to-head encounters, with one match ending in no result.

Tour Schedule

10 Dec – 1st T20I, Durban

13 Dec – 2nd T20I, Centurion

14 Dec – 3rd T20I, Johannesburg

17 Dec – 1st ODI, Paarl

19 Dec – 2nd ODI, Cape Town

22 Dec – 3rd ODI, Johannesburg

26-30 Dec – 1st Test, Centurion

3-7 Jan – 2nd Test, Cape Town

READ: Leverkusen beat Roma to put one foot in Europa League final