Author: Zahid Noor

LEEDS: Jos Buttler expressed his excitement for the mouth-watering battle between England’s strong batting and Pakistan’s renowned bowling in the upcoming four-match T20I series, scheduled to commence on Wednesday.

Buttler, while addressing the pre-series conference here at Headingley, talked about the various aspects of the all-important T20I series against Pakistan in a build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The wicketkeeper batter, however, looks forward the most to the “exciting” clash between his side’s explosive batting abilities and Pakistan’s bowling, which is considered their strength in world cricket.

“I think, we have fantastic batters, including myself and I’m always probably aware of the fantastic bowlers they have like Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah,” stated Buttler.

“It would be a really good test with that seam bowling unit so we are looking forward to that challenge,” he added.

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Jos Buttler then provided an update regarding the returning Jofra Archer, stating that the right-arm speedster is completely and bowling fast in the nets.

“Big smile on his face. It’s great to see him back and fit and bowling fast, just being back around the group. I know how much he’s missed that so to have him in the sport is fantastic.

“Yeah, [I] faced him in the nets. It’s never that fun but yeah, he’s looking great,” he added.

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.

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: Nine Pakistan cricketers roped in for LPL 2024

LEEDS: Pakistan’s white-ball captain and ace batter Babar Azam played down the hype of returning England pacer Jofra Archer for the four-match T20I series between last edition’s runners-up before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Babar, while speaking at the pre-series press conference, was asked to share his views on Jofra Archer’s return to the England side and whether the right-arm speedster would trouble Pakistan batters in the forthcoming series.

“We are looking forward. I think he’s coming back after one year, but I am not sure. As a team, we are very excited to play Archer because we played [well against him] in the past, stated Babar.

“If you look, we have bowlers with similar pace like Haris Rauf, Shaheen and Amir. We are facing them every day so, we are not [afraid], we are excited,” he added.

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.”

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Babar Azam further acknowledged England as one of the best teams in the world and termed the four-match series against reigning champions as a golden opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024.

“[We are] very excited before the World Cup, we have a good series and it will help a lot.

For the unversed, the four-match T20I series between Pakistan and England will run from May 22 to 30 and will serve as a warm-up for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2024.

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: Babar Azam settles opening pair debate for T20 World Cup

LEEDS: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam on Tuesday, cleared the air regarding the team’s opening pair for the four-match T20I series against England and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Babar, while addressing the pre-series press conference here, 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.”

Babar Azam further acknowledged England as one of the best teams in the world and termed the four-match series against reigning champions as a golden opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024.

“[We are] very excited before the World Cup, we have a good series and it will help a lot.

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For the unversed, the four-match T20I series between Pakistan and England will run from May 22 to 30 and will serve as a warm-up for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2024.

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: Imad Wasim terms England series crucial for T20 World Cup preparations

LEEDS: Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim termed the upcoming four-match series against England crucial for the team’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1.

Imad addressed the pre-series press conference here and emphasized the importance of the series just before the mega event while responding to a concern regarding players’ workload management and injury scares.

“It is a good thing. If you think that an injury would occur then that’s not the case. A series right before the World Cup is to finalize the team composition and obviously to win,” stated Imad.

“Also, success gives confidence, so, if we play well in this series then we’ll be able to carry this confidence ahead.

“So, I think we should not think about injury, it can happen anytime, even in the first match of the World Cup.”

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Imad Wasim further lauded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical panel and shared that it has been managing players’ workload management effectively since the home T20I series against New Zealand.

“Our medical panel is quite good, it has been managing the workload since the New Zealand series both of fast bowlers and spinners,” Imad said.

“So, I think there is no such concern regarding injury. Everyone [in the team] is fit,” he added.

The all-rounder then acknowledged that the national men’s team did not play to their potential despite fielding a full-strength side in the home series against New Zealand and in the series opener against Ireland but vowed “not to get relaxed” in the upcoming matches.

“We played with our full-strength side and obviously, if we lost against New Zealand, we did not play good cricket. Even in the defeat against Ireland, we did not play good cricket. It’s a fact.

“But, I think, we need to think positively and I feel that it is good that we suffered a setback earlier not in the World Cup.

“Because it gives you an idea of how to approach and we can not relax even one per cent. Usually, we used to get relaxed. So, we planned after losing the first match against Ireland that we wouldn’t get relaxed and would play all the next matches with the same intensity with which we play after losing,” Imad concluded.

For the unversed, the four-match T20I series between Pakistan and England will run from May 22 to 30 and will serve as a warm-up for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2024.

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: Rain likely to spoilsport Pakistan-England T20I series opener

LEEDS: Pakistan batter Aliya Riaz completed 1000 runs in women’s T20Is on Sunday during the third T20I against England at Headingley.

The right-handed batter became the fifth women’s player from Pakistan to achieve the milestone after Bismah Maroof, Javeria Khan, Nida Dar and Muneeba Ali.

Aliya Riaz was Pakistan’s top-scorer with an unbeaten 35 off 27, hitting four boundaries in the third T20I. Pakistan suffered a 34-run defeat, resulting in a 3-0 whitewash.

Chasing 177, Pakistan women’s team was restricted to 142/4 in 20 overs, courtesy of economical bowling by England.

Pakistan openers Gull Feroza and Sidra Ameen started the pursuit cautiously, scoring 60 off 55 for the first wicket. Sophie Ecclestone ended Ameen’s anchoring knock of 26 runs from 29 deliveries.

Pakistan lost three more wickets in quick succession, slipping to 73-4 in 11.4 overs.

With 104 required off 50 balls, Pakistan captain Nida Dar and Riaz joined hands to complete the marathon chase.

However, England’s economic bowling did not allow them to meet the increasing required run rate.

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Dar and Riaz raised an unbeaten 69-run stand but failed to take the team across the finish line as Pakistan managed 142-4 in their allocated 20 overs.

Earlier, England chose to bat first and Danielle Wyatt cautiously started the innings with a one-sided partnership with Maia Bouchier (8) before Bouchier was run out in the sixth over with 36 runs on the board.

Wyatt was joined by Nat Sciver-Brunt, who scored a meagre eight runs in 10 balls and fell prey to Dar in the ninth over.

England’s skipper Heather Knight then joined a settled Wyatt on the crease. Wyatt switched gears and attacked Pakistan bowlers, while Knight played an anchor’s role.

Wyatt scored 47 runs during the 59-run stand for the third wicket, raising the team’s total to 118 before Diana Baig ended her entertaining knock.

She top-scored for England with 87 runs from 48 balls with the help of 13 boundaries, including one six.

Wicketkeeper Amy Jones then played a 26-run cameo off 15 balls to drag the team’s total to 162 amidst falling wickets from the other end. Jones was dismissed by Fatima Sana in the penultimate over.

Baig bowled the final over for Pakistan, taking two wickets, while Lauren Filer got run out on the last ball to finish England’s innings at 176.

Baig returned with figures of 3-26, while Dar claimed three wickets for 45 runs.

READ: Gary Kirsten joins Pakistan team in Leeds ahead of first England T20I

LEEDS: Pakistan cricket team’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten has joined the squad here on Sunday ahead of the T20I series against England, starting from May 22.

The former South African batter was welcomed by team management and white-ball captain Babar Azam. Meanwhile, senior team manager Wahab Riaz presented the team’s training jersey to Gary Kirsten.

Pakistan men’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten joins the team in Leeds ahead of the #ENGvPAK T20I series. pic.twitter.com/wu0K6jRuV8

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 19, 2024

Gary Kirsten will oversee the team’s practice sessions from Monday, which is scheduled to run from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM local time.

Pakistan team’s final practice session before the first T20I is scheduled on Tuesday from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM local time.

The Green Shirts will play the first match of the four-match T20I series against England at Headingley on May 22.

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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.

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: Manchester City win historic fourth consecutive Premier League title

LEEDS: Pakistan men’s cricket team met with the national women’s cricket team players at the team hotel here on Sunday.

Pakistan’s men’s white-ball captain Babar Azam, along with senior manager Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Afridi, and other players, wished the Pakistan Women’s cricketers well for the upcoming third T20I against England as well as the remaining tour.

Catching up in Leeds 🤝

Our men’s and women’s cricketers interact with each other at the team hotel.#ENGWvPAKW | #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/SbSmKbaQ3h

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 19, 2024

Pakistan women’s team is set to play the last T20I of the three-match series against England later today at Headingley. England have already attained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

The national women’s team will then take on England in a three-match ODI series, part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, scheduled to be played from 23 to 29 May in Derby, Taunton and Chelmsford.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan men’s team will play the first match of the four-match T20I series at Headingley on May 22.

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The national men’s cricket team reached here on Wednesday, following their 2-1 series victory over Ireland in the three-match series.

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.

READ: Shahid Afridi welcomes Virat Kohli’s statement about visiting Pakistan

NORTHAMPTON: Pakistan women’s team’s captain Nida Dar on Friday, etched her name in the record books as she became the leading wicket-taker in the history of Women’s T20 Internationals. 

Nida achieved the milestone in Pakistan’s 65-run defeat against England in the second T20I of the three-match series here at The County Ground.

The right-arm spinner got Alice Capsey stumped in the 12th over to draw level with Australia’s Megan Schutt, who has 136 wickets to her name.

She then dismissed Amy Jones in her last over of the innings and became the leading wicket-taker of the shortest international format with 137 scalps in 141 innings.

Most wickets in Women’s T20Is:

137 – Nida Dar (Pakistan)
136 – Megan Schutt (Australia)
126 – Ellyse Perry (Australia)
125 – Anisa Mohammed (West Indies)
123 – Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)

For the unversed, Alice Capsey’s all-round exploits led England to a thumping 65-run victory over Pakistan to attain an unassailable 2-0 lead over Pakistan in the ongoing three-match series.

Set to chase 145, Pakistan’s batting unit unfolded on a meagre 79. The touring side, after a dismal start, lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out in 15.5 overs.

All-rounder Aliya Riaz (19) remained the top-scorer for Pakistan, followed by Muneeba Ali (18) and Sidra Ameen (11) while the rest of their batters failed to make it into the double figures.

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Sophie Ecclestone led the bowling attack for England with 3/11 while Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell and Capsey bagged two wickets each.

Opting to bat first, England racked up 144/6 in the allotted 20 overs, courtesy of Alice Capsey and Brunt, who remained joint top-scorers with 31 apiece.

Opening batter Maia Bouchier was the other notable run-getter for England, scoring a solid 30 off 26 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.

Skipper Nida Dar led the bowling attack for Pakistan women with 2/33 in her four overs while Fatima Sana, Diana Baig and Waheeda Akhtar made one scalp each.

READ: Pakistan crowned Central Asian Volleyball Champion

NORTHAMPTON: England women have won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the second T20I of the three-match series here at The County Ground on Friday.

PLAYING XIs

England: Maia Bouchier, Danielle Wyatt, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (capt), Amy Jones (wk), Danielle Gibson, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell.

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Pakistan: Gull Feroza, Sidra Ameen, Sadaf Shamas, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nida Dar (capt), Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Diana Baig, Waheeda Akhtar, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 16, England 15, Pakistan 1

READ: Pakistan kick off training as England T20I series looms

LEEDS: The Pakistan men’s cricket team on Friday, kick-started their preparations for the four-match away T20I series against England, scheduled to commence on May 22.

According to the details, the players engaged in several batting, bowling and fielding drills in a three-hour-long session under the supervision of the coaching staff.

The England series-bound squad will also train on Saturday, May 18, before enjoying the rest day on Sunday.

Notably, the national men’s cricket team reached here on Wednesday, following their 2-1 series victory over Ireland in the three-match series.

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

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

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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: Mohammad Hafeez backs Pakistan bowlers, wants batters to step up