Author: Zahid Noor

LONDON: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam on Thursday, asserted that the national team is on track despite succumbing to a 2-0 series defeat against England.

Babar, while addressing the post-match press conference here after Pakistan’s seven-wicket defeat against England in the fourth T20I, reflected on the national team’s journey since the Asia Cup 2023 and reiterated that the team could not click.

“We are on track. But, as a team, we are not being able to click. When things change, you need some time to get back on track.

“[We have] a different support staff so we need some time to communicate with them.

“We are used to playing under different managements and we are performing as an individual but not as a team. I want us to perform as a team.”

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Babar Azam also termed the series defeat against England “disappointing” but remained confident that the team would perform well in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“It is disappointing to lose the series,” Babar said.

“We needed to win the series to go into the T20 World Cup with high spirits. The World Cup is a completely different game; we will deliver better results in it,” he added.

In the fourth T20I against England, Pakistan had a decent start to their innings as the returning opening pair of Babar and Mohammad Rizwan added 59 runs for the first wicket before the captain perished on the final delivery of the batting powerplay.

Despite a good start, the touring side’s middle-order failed to continue the momentum and crumbled against a disciplined England bowling attack.

“Undoubtedly, the batsmen were not responsible in the middle overs and lost wickets. Due to the successive fall of wickets, we couldn’t achieve a big score,” Babar admitted.

“The bowlers also didn’t bowl well and conceded too many runs,” Babar Azam added.

READ: West Indies thump Australia in T20 World Cup warm-up run-fest

CARDIFF: Pakistan’s right-arm pacer Haris Rauf expressed his confidence in the national team to force a comeback in the ongoing four-match T20I series against England.

The express pacer addressed a press conference here on Monday and revealed that the touring side is confident and will try to win the remaining fixtures heading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“Yeah, we lost one game but as a team, we are very confident and [will] try to win the next couple of games before the World Cup.

“As a team, we had a good practice session today and we played a lot of games in the past.

“Obviously, it is disheartening to lose a match but as a team we are confident and we can beat any opposition and we’ve done that a lot of times in the past.

“When you make mistakes, you learn from them and try not to repeat them. So, we’ll work on it and will try to perform well in the coming matches and make a comeback.”

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Haris Rauf further revealed the obstacles he faced amid his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury, which he sustained in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

“The family support remains throughout your career. Making a comeback is not easy but if one has delivered performances in the past, it is not difficult for the team to select again,” Haris said.

“It’s hard for a player when he gets injured and comes back again for the game. It’s not easy because you are struggling a lot at that time. For an express bowler, you need pace so it’s not easy to maintain same pace and length after an injury. It’s hard for every player however belief in yourself makes the process easier,” he added.

Notably, England are currently leading the four-match T20I series 1-0 after defeating Pakistan in the second game in Birmingham. Meanwhile, the first match in Leeds was called off due to persistent rain.

The last match of the series will be played at the Oval in London on May 30, after which the Pakistan team will depart for the United States of America (USA) to partake in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, starting from June 1.

The ongoing series will serve as a warm-up for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2024 as the previous edition’s finalists will skip the warm-up matches for this year’s mega event.

Pakistan squad:

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

England squad:

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

READ: Australia Volleyball Team reaches Pakistan for three-match series

CARDIFF: The Pakistan men’s cricket team underwent a training session on Monday ahead of the upcoming third T20I series against England, scheduled to be played here tomorrow.

The national team players hit the nets and engaged in vigorous training under the delightful weather at Sophia Gardens.

Notably, England are currently leading the four-match T20I series 1-0 after defeating Pakistan in the second game in Birmingham. Meanwhile, the first match in Leeds was called off due to persistent rain.

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The last match of the series will be played at the Oval in London on May 30, after which the Pakistan team will depart for the United States of America (USA) to partake in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, starting from June 1.

The ongoing series will serve as a warm-up for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2024 as the previous edition’s finalists will skip the warm-up matches for this year’s mega event.

Pakistan squad:

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

England squad:

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

READ: Australia Volleyball Team reaches Pakistan for three-match series

TAUNTON: The second ODI between Pakistan and England’s women’s teams was abandoned due to persistent rain here on Sunday.

Pakistan women’s team opted to bat first after winning the toss and scored 29 runs in 6.5 overs before the rain halted the play.

Notably, England are leading the three-match series against Pakistan 1-0, part of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Championship.

As a result of the wash-out, both teams got one point each after the second match. England are placed third, while Pakistan are sitting in fifth position in the ICC Women’s Championship points table.

England defeated the visitors by 37 runs in the series opener in Derby on Thursday, thanks to Sophie Ecclestone’s economical bowling figures of 3/26.

Put into bat first, England notched up a commendable total of 243/9 in the allotted 50 overs despite Nida Dar’s three wickets.

In-form Alice Capsey top-scored for the home side with a gutsy 44-run knock with the help of three boundaries.

Besides her, wicketkeeper Amy Jones made a notable contribution with her 38-ball 37. Jones was closely followed by opener Tammy Beaumont (33), Nat Sciver-Brunt (31) and skipper Heather Knight (29).

For Pakistan, Nida Dar picked up three wickets, followed by Aliya Riaz, Nashra Sandhu and Umm-e-Hani, who bagged two wickets each.

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Set to chase 244, Pakistan women only managed 206/9 despite a decent start to the pursuit.

Pakistan women’s batters had trouble scoring freely against a disciplined England bowling attack.

Muneeba Ali top-scored for the touring side with a 34 but conceded 60 deliveries in the process and struck only one boundary.

Besides her, opening batter Sadaf Shams (28 off 48) and wicketkeeper batter Najiha Alive (26 off 57) were the other batters, who scored at a dismal strike rate.

Skipper Nida Dar (26) and all-rounder Aliya Riaz (21) also chipped in but their efforts too, were not enough to steer Pakistan to victory.

Sophie Ecclestone picked up three wickets while Kate Cross, Lauren Bell and Charlie Dean took two wickets apiece.

The third ODI is scheduled to be played on 29 May in Chelmsford.

Pakistan women squad: Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

England women ODI squad: Heather Knight (c), Alice Capsey, Amy Jones, Charlie Dean, Danielle Wyatt, Kate Cross, Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, Maia Bouchier, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sarah Glenn, Sophie Ecclestone and Tammy Beaumont.

READ: Ramiz Raja labels Saim Ayub ‘undercooked’ as opener

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has opened up about the reasons for the Green Shirts’ 23-run loss against England in the second T20I here on Saturday.

Pakistan were booked for 160 in 19.2 overs while chasing an 184-run target, as England earned a 1-0 lead in the four-match T20I series.

Wasim, while speaking to the media after the game, stated that batters should have dominated the game with aggressive intent but failed to do so, resulting in the loss.

“I agree that the intent which we need is still missing, especially in the middle overs where we needed to dominate. We should have put the pressure on the bowler,” he said.

“During my partnership with Iftikhar [Ahmed] we were in the game and poised to cross the finishing line but we lost our wickets at crucial stages,” he added.

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Wasim and Ahmed knitted a crucial 40-run partnership for the seventh wicket, which kept Pakistan’s hope alive, however, English bowlers made a brilliant comeback, removing both batters in the span of 10 deliveries.

Following their dismissals, Pakistan’s toothless batting tail surrendered against a disciplined England bowling attack and the touring side was consequently bundled out on a meagre total.

Upon being asked about his bowling, Imad Wasim expressed readiness to bowl at any stage of the game according to the team’s requirements.

“I am ready to bowl at any position, be it with the new ball or the death overs, whenever the captain feels that I should come to bowl, I will and I will try to give my best for the team,” he said.

“Sometimes the plans need to be changed according to the match situation and the bowler has to be bowled in a different scenario than planned,” he concluded.

BIRMINGHAM: Spin all-rounder Moeen Ali stated Friday that he is ready to lead England in the absence of white-ball captain Jos Buttler.

England’s white-ball captain Buttler and his wife Louise are expecting the birth of their third child soon. As a result, the wicketkeeper batter may miss a part of the ongoing four-match series against Pakistan or the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Meanwhile, England’s vice-captain Moeen Ali, who has led the side in 12 ODIs and T20Is, stated that nothing will change if he assumes the England captaincy role in Buttler’s absence.

“I feel I’ve captained enough for England,” Moeen said.

“I’ll be fine. Nothing will change too much, it’s just taking over from what he’s doing and then when he comes back, he takes over.

“Hopefully, the baby comes at the right time where he doesn’t miss too many games.

“For me, it’s just whatever will happen, will happen. It’s not really difficult, to be honest with you, because we speak often, me and Jos. We talk about other things, the team and all that. We’re on the same page anyway.”

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Moeen further expressed his disappointment with the first T20I against Pakistan being washed out but asserted that the upcoming three matches would be enough for the reigning champions to gear up for the title defence.

“It was obviously disappointing (on Wednesday) because Leeds is a great place to go and play.

“Playing cricket is always the best preparation. I know most of the guys have been playing. A few guys have been training but it’s not the same, so hopefully they’ll get some game time.

“These three games should be enough for the guys to get going and there’s a bit of time in the West Indies, a few training sessions. We’ll be fine. There’s no real excuses from our side.”

Notably, the four-match T20I series between Pakistan and England, scheduled to run from May 22 to 30, will serve as a final opportunity for both teams to gear up for the T20 World Cup 2024 as the previous edition’s finalists will skip the warm-up matches for this year’s mega event.

Pakistan squad:

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

England squad:

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

Pak vs Eng T20I series schedule:

2nd T20I: Sat, May 25th
3rd T20I: Tue, May 28th
4th T20I: Thu, May 30th

READ: Pakistan announce squad for T20 World Cup 2024

BIRMINGHAM: Left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman gave a major update regarding the Pakistan squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on June 1.

Fakhar addressed the press conference here on Friday, in a build-up to the upcoming second T20I of the four-match series between Pakistan and England.

The left-handed batter was asked to share an update regarding the announcement of the Pakistan squad as the deadline to announce the lineup for the mega event nears.

“Look, this is the job of the cricket board but I know that I am in the team,” shared Fakhar.

“Actually, everyone knows who is going and who is not going [to the World Cup] but I think they are checking a few injuries. But I know myself that I am in,” he added.

Fakhar also opened up on his batting spot in the ongoing series against England and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“I have been playing at number four like since two years so now I am very used to it and I really enjoy my batting at number four, especially in T20Is and yes I will play at number four in the World Cup as well,” said Fakhar.

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The left-handed batter welcomed Archer’s return to the international circuit but shared that he is more excited to compete against a full-strength side to prepare for the World Cup.

“We played many times against Jofra. He’s a very good bowler. We are more excited that we are playing a full-strength team of England,” stated Fakhar.

“So, that’s a very good thing for us. Like, if a player like Jofra is in a team, of course, it will help England but it will [also] help us to play against a world-class bowler,” he added.

READ: Pakistan squad holds practice session for second England T20I

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan’s left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman expressed his excitement to compete against a full-strength England team ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on June 1.

Fakhar addressed the press conference here ahead of Pakistan’s second T20I of the four-match series against England and was asked to share his views on the returning pacer Jofra Archer.

In response, the left-handed batter welcomed Archer’s return to the international circuit but shared that he is more excited to compete against a full-strength side to prepare for the World Cup.

“We played many times against Jofra. He’s a very good bowler. We are more excited that we are playing a full-strength team of England,” stated Fakhar.

“So, that’s a very good thing for us. Like, if a player like Jofra is in a team, of course, it will help England but it will [also] help us to play against a world-class bowler,” he added.

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For the unversed, the series opener between Pakistan and England was washed out due to persistent rain in Leeds, denying the previous edition’s finalists a chance to finalise their team combinations ahead of the mega event.

However, Fakhar Zaman managed to find a positive note from the abandoned game, stating that the series will now have a result.

“Playing against England, one of the best teams in the world, so, this series is very important. Of course, the first game washed out but in four games you think it could be 2-2 but now we will have a result so that’s good,” stated Fakhar.

Fakhar also opened up on his batting spot in the ongoing series against England and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“I have been playing at number four like since two years so now I am very used to it and I really enjoy my batting at number four, especially in T20Is and yes I will play at number four in the World Cup as well,” said Fakhar.

READ: Pakistan squad holds practice session for second England T20I

Pakistan women will take on England women in a three-match ODI series, commencing tomorrow at the County Ground in Derby.

The second ODI will be played in Taunton on 26 May, followed by the third ODI in Chelmsford on 29 May.

The series, which is part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, will be Pakistan’s eighth and final series in the cycle.

Pakistan are currently positioned on fifth spot with 16 points in the 10-team Women’s Championship.

The top five teams from this championship, along with hosts India, will directly qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

Earlier on the tour, both sides had featured in three T20Is, which were won by the hosts 3-0.

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Opening batter Sidra Amin, who has 948 runs at an average of 52.66 in the ICC Championship 2022-25), stated that despite a dismal 3-0 defeat in the recently concluded T20I series, Pakistan women are determined to put on a good performance in the ODI series against England.

“Despite the recent T20I series not going our way, we are fully focused and eager to put on a good performance in the upcoming ODIs against England.

“We believe in our capabilities and are focused on executing our plans well in the upcoming ODI series. The team spirit is high, and we are determined to end the ICC Women’s Championship matches on a positive note.”

Pakistan women squad: Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

England women ODI squad: Heather Knight (c), Alice Capsey, Amy Jones, Charlie Dean, Danielle Wyatt, Kate Cross, Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, Maia Bouchier, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sarah Glenn, Sophie Ecclestone and Tammy Beaumont.

ODI series schedule:
23 May – 1st ODI, Derby
26 May – 2nd ODI, Taunton
29 May – 3rd ODI, Chelmsford

READ: Pakistan-England first T20I likely to washout as Leeds’ weather worsens

LEEDS: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam on Tuesday, stated that his team have a “golden opportunity” to win the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on June 1.

Babar, in a press conference here ahead of Pakistan’s four-match T20I series against England, responded to a question regarding his reinstatement as Pakistan captain, just months after he stepped down from the role.

“To be honest, [I returned as the captain] because of the World Cup. In the past, we have played semi-final and final but this time I have the opportunity to win the World Cup,” Babar said.

“Second thing is that we have good bunch of players. We have a good batting lineup and specially our bowling is good because Amir is back. [We have] Shaheen, Haris and Naseem, they are good fast bowlers so yeah, we have a golden opportunity to win the World Cup,” he added.

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Babar further shared that Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan will continue to open the innings for Pakistan while the skipper will bat one down.

“Look, as you might have noticed we did not make many experiments in the Ireland series. We fielded the same lineup we foresee [to utilise] in the World Cup.

“We are planning to go with which combination and we have almost decided what should be our batting and bowling lineup.

“You’ll see our planning in this series but yes, we can make one or so changes according to the conditions or what is required. But, mostly I’ll be batting at one down.

The Pakistan skipper also provided an update regarding Haris Rauf’s fitness and revealed that the right-arm speedster is completely fit.

“We’ve received clearance for Haris Rauf. He’s available for this series. So, by the will of Almighty Allah, he will surely be seen in action in the series.”

For the unversed, the four-match T20I series between Pakistan and England, scheduled to run from May 22 to 30, will serve as a warm-up for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2024 as the previous edition’s finalists will skip the warm-up matches for this year’s mega event.

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, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.

England squad:

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

Pak vs Eng T20I series schedule:

1st T20I: Wed, May 22nd
2nd T20I: Sat, May 25th
3rd T20I: Tue, May 28th
4th T20I: Thu, May 30th

READ: England captain Jos Buttler upbeat for Pakistan’s bowling challenge