Category: Cricket

Lahore Qalandars on Monday confirmed that experienced all-rounder David Wiese will not take part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 due to unforeseen circumstances and important family commitments.

The franchise, in an official statement, said it fully respects Wiese’s decision to prioritise his family and expressed hope that the veteran will return in future editions of the league.

Wiese has been associated with Lahore Qalandars for the past seven seasons, building a strong bond with the franchise and its fanbase.

The South African-born all-rounder has played a key role in the Qalandars’ rise in the PSL, contributing with both bat and ball and also serving as a senior figure within the team’s leadership group.

The Qalandars highlighted Wiese’s calmness under pressure and his mentorship of younger players as major factors behind his long-standing importance to the side.

“David has been an integral part of the Lahore Qalandars family and our leadership group for many years. His contributions extend far beyond on-field performances,” Lahore Qalandars owner Sameen Rana said.

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“We fully respect his decision to prioritise his family at this time and look forward to welcoming him back in the coming seasons,” he added.

David Wiese, while sharing his sentiments, described his time with Lahore Qalandars as more than just cricket and thanked the franchise and supporters for their love over the years.

“Being part of Lahore Qalandars has been more than just cricket; it’s been a family,” Wiese said.

“The brotherhood within the team, the positive and supportive environment, and the passion everyone brings every day make this franchise truly special,” he added.

The all-rounder also said the respect he received from the Qalandars camp and fans, including being affectionately called ‘Murshad,’ is something he will always cherish, while reaffirming his intention to return in the coming seasons.

“I’m proud to have been part of a group that values teamwork, growth, and the spirit of the game, and I look forward to returning and contributing to the team’s journey in the seasons ahead,” Wiese concluded.

READ: Shahid Afridi comments on Pakistan’s boycott of India in T20 World Cup

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Monday weighed in on the federal government’s decision to boycott the national team’s group-stage clash against arch-rivals India in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

On Sunday, the government confirmed that Pakistan will participate in the 20-team tournament but will not take the field against India on 15 February.

The decision came shortly after a key meeting between Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, following which the final stance regarding Pakistan’s participation and match commitments was clarified.

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Reacting to the development, Shahid Afridi took to the social media platform X and reiterated his long-standing view that cricket has historically served as a bridge between nations even when political ties remain strained.

“I’ve always believed cricket can open doors when politics closes them. It’s regrettable that Pakistan won’t play India at the T20 World Cup, but I stand behind my government’s decision,” Afridi wrote.

The former all-rounder also urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take responsibility and demonstrate fairness through action, not just statements.

“This is the moment for the ICC to lead and prove, through decisions rather than statements, that it is committed to fairness,” he added.

READ: Pakistan squad departs for Sri Lanka to partake in T20 World Cup 2026

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team on Monday departed for Sri Lanka to participate in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be played from 7 February to 8 March.

The 15-member squad, led by captain Salman Ali Agha, includes key names such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman, as Pakistan begin preparations for their opening match of the tournament.

Pakistan will spend the first two days in Sri Lanka resting after travel before turning their focus to match readiness.

The Green Shirts are scheduled to play a warm-up game against Ireland on 4 February at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

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The same venue will also host Pakistan’s first two group-stage fixtures, where the 2009 champions will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on 7 February, followed by a clash against the USA on 10 February.

Pakistan’s third group match will be against Namibia on 18 February.

However, Pakistan’s World Cup campaign will remain overshadowed by the political situation surrounding the high-profile clash against India.

The Green Shirts are set to boycott their group-stage match against arch-rivals India on 15 February, following directives issued by the Government of Pakistan.

Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad

Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (WK), and Usman Tariq.

READ: Usman Khawaja backs Usman Tariq amid “chucking” controversy

Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has come out in support of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq following a controversial incident during the second T20I against Australia.

During the game, Australian batter Cameron Green was seen making a gesture widely interpreted as questioning Tariq’s bowling action.

The incident occurred after Green, who had been looking in control at the crease, was dismissed for 35 runs off Tariq’s delivery, caught by Shadab Khan.

Broadcast cameras captured Green making a gesture that many fans and analysts took as implying an illegal action, or “chucking.”

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This is not the first time Tariq’s bowling has been scrutinised. The spinner was reported during PSL 9 and 10, but his action was officially cleared on both occasions.

While Green has not publicly addressed the gesture, Khawaja, who played alongside him for Australia, expressed his support for Tariq on Instagram, sharing the views of cricket journalist Paul Dennett.

“There aren’t many things worse than being called a ‘chucker’ in cricket,” Usman Khawaja wrote.

“The stigma is real. The man is just doing his best and has been cleared twice. Let’s have some perspective and understanding and stop jumping to conclusions.”

Usman Tariq has previously explained that the natural bend in his elbows can create confusion for spectators.

“There are two corners on my elbow that make it hard for me to straighten,” he said in an interview last year.

“I gave two tests at labs in Pakistan, and my action was cleared within a week. I didn’t get told to change anything. I was confident because I knew I was not throwing.”

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the 16-member Shaheens squad for the upcoming white-ball series against England Lions in Abu Dhabi.

The three-match T20 series will begin on Friday, 20 February, while the five-match 50-over series will be played from 27 February to 9 March.

All the matches are set to take place at the Stadium Oval in Abu Dhabi.

The Pakistan Shaheens squad will take part in a seven-day training camp from 11-17 February in Karachi before departing for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Left-hand batter Shamyl Hussain is set to lead the Shaheens in both the T20 and 50-over series.

The squad features Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, player of the tournament in ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, Maaz Sadaqat and left-hand batter Saad Khan.

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Pakistan U19 batter Sameer Minhas has also received the call-up for both series, along with his brother Arafat Minhas, as the duo make strong strides following their appearances in the ICC U19 World Cup and ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, respectively.

Rohail Nazir and Saad Baig will take up the wicket-keeping duties, while Arafat, leg-spinner Saad Masood and left-arm wrist spinner Sufyan Muqeem form the spin contingent for the Shaheens.

Among the fast bowlers, Pakistan U19 pacer Ali Raza will be joined by Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Mohammad Salman and Shahid Aziz.

Sarfaraz Ahmed is set to be the mentor and team manager of the Pakistan Shaheens team for this tour.

Former Test player Ijaz Ahmed Jr will be the head coach, and he will be supported by former Pakistan international Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach) and former Test fast bowler Aizaz Cheema (bowling coach).

Pakistan Shaheens squad

Shamyl Hussain (captain), Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman, Rohail Nazir (wk), Saad Baig (wk), Saad Khan, Saad Masood, Sameer Minhas, Shahid Aziz, and Sufyan Moqim.

Player support personnel: Sarfaraz Ahmed (mentor & team manager), Ijaz Ahmed Jnr (head coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Aizaz Cheema (bowling coach), Mohammad Tahir (physiotherapist) and Usman Hashmi (performance analyst)

Pakistan Shaheens vs England Lions Schedule

1st T20 – 20 February

2nd T20 – 22 February

3rd T20 – 24 February

1st 50-over – 27 February

2nd 50-0ver – 1 March

3rd 50-over – 4 March

4th 50-over – 6 March

5th 50-over – 9 March

READ: Salman Ali Agha settles Pakistan’s first-choice wicketkeeper debate

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has finally settled the ongoing debate over the national team’s first-choice wicketkeeper ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan have experimented with several wicketkeepers since Mohammad Rizwan was dropped from T20Is after the South Africa tour in December 2024.

Mohammad Haris took over for much of 2025 before being replaced by Usman Khan, whose performances have occasionally been inconsistent, prompting scrutiny from fans and analysts.

Young batter Khawaja Nafay has also kept wickets in his brief T20I stint and is included in the World Cup squad, keeping the competition open.

Speaking after the third T20I against Australia, Salman Ali Agha underlined the team management’s confidence in Usman Khan and praised his match-winning contributions with the bat.

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“Our Usman is the number one wicketkeeper. In the last match, his performance was excellent; he scored 50 runs at a position that helped the team reach 198, because I got out at that time,” Agha said.

The captain highlighted Usman’s balance as a player, combining aggressive batting with reliable glovework.

“A team needs a batter who can score runs at a good strike rate, and he is our first-choice player for that reason,” Agha added.

“His keeping has been outstanding since his comeback, and I think he has been exceptional with the bat as well. He remains our first-choice player in both roles.”

Usman Khan has so far featured in 31 T20Is for Pakistan, accumulating 414 runs at a strike rate of 120.69, including two half-centuries.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that the Men in Blue will continue to follow International Cricket Council (ICC) procedures regarding its T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage fixture against Pakistan.

Pakistan and India are scheduled to meet on February 15 in Colombo during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

However, the Government of Pakistan announced on Sunday that the national team will participate in the tournament but will not take the field against India in the group match.

Despite the boycott stance, BCCI sources said India is fully prepared to proceed as per the tournament schedule and fulfil all formal requirements laid down by the ICC.

“India will travel to Sri Lanka on 15th February and follow ICC protocol. They will practice as per schedule, do a press conference and reach the stadium according to time and wait for the match referee to call off the match,” a BCCI source said.

The development comes at a time when the ICC has already issued a strong warning to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), cautioning that “selective participation” in global events is not compatible with the spirit of ICC tournaments.

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Within hours of the Pakistan government’s announcement, the ICC released a sharply worded statement, stressing that such a move could have wider consequences not only for Pakistan cricket but also for the global cricket structure.

“The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of,” the ICC stated.

The world body further urged the PCB to explore solutions that protect the tournament’s integrity and ensure fairness for all stakeholders involved.

“The ICC’s priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which should also be the responsibility of all its members, including the PCB,” the statement added.

“It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders.”

READ: ICC issues warning to Pakistan over boycotting India clash

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday addressed Pakistan’s decision to boycott their T20 World Cup 2026 clash against India, warning that “selective participation” could have serious implications for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Pakistan were originally scheduled to face arch-rivals India on February 15 in Colombo during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

However, the Government of Pakistan announced on Sunday that the national team will take part in the tournament but will not play India.

Within hours of the government’s announcement, the ICC released a strongly worded statement, clarifying that it has not yet received official communication from the PCB regarding the matter.

“The ICC notes the statement that the government of Pakistan has made regarding the decision to instruct its national team to selectively participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” the ICC said in a statement.

“While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule.”

The ICC further stressed that its tournaments are built on sporting integrity and fairness, warning that refusing to play a particular opponent undermines the very foundation of international competition.

“ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” it added.

Although the ICC acknowledged the role governments play in national policy decisions, it maintained that the move is not in the sport’s best interests and could hurt cricket fans, including millions in Pakistan.

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“While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” the statement continued.

In a clear warning aimed at the PCB, the ICC urged Pakistan’s cricket authorities to reflect on the long-term consequences of such a stance.

“The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of,” it said.

The governing body also called on the PCB to find a solution that safeguards the tournament and the interests of all stakeholders.

“The ICC’s priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which should also be the responsibility of all its members, including the PCB,” the ICC further stated.

“It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders.”

Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA, and are set to play all their matches in Sri Lanka under the tournament’s hosting model.

The Green Shirts will open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by matches against the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.

READ: Babar Azam surpasses Kohli to reach major T20I milestone

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday unveiled the official jersey of the national team for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to begin on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka.

The official reveal took place during the third and last T20I fixture between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared the video on its YouTube channel and social media accounts, featuring skipper Salman Ali Agha and others wearing the ‘Vanguard Markhor Edition’ jersey.

The jersey features a light green base color with darker green patterns layered over it to depict the country’s national animal – Markhor.

For the unversed, Pakistan’s men’s cricket team is set to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, but will not play against arch-rivals India.

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The decision follows after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Pakistan were originally scheduled to play India on 15 February in the T20 World Cup 2026 at Colombo.

The Government of Pakistan officially announced the decision on X post, stating that the Pakistan team would participate in the mega event, but also noted that the team would not take the field in the match scheduled for 15th February 2026 against India.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026, however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15th February 2026 against India,” the post wrote.

READ: Babar Azam surpasses Kohli to reach major T20I milestone

LAHORE: Pakistan’s ace batter Babar Azam on Sunday broke another record held by India’s Virat Kohli, becoming the leading half-century maker in the men’s T20Is.

The 31-year-old reached the landmark feat during Pakistan’s third T20I against Australia, scoring 50* from 36 balls with the aid of three fours and a six.

The knock marked Babar’s 39th half-century in T20Is, taking him past Kohli, who brought down curtains on his decorated limited-overs career in 2024 after scoring 38 fifties.

Most half-centuries in men’s T20Is

39* – Babar Azam Pakistan (132 innings)
38 – Virat Kohli India (117 innings)
32 – Rohit Sharma India (151 innings)
30 – Mohammad Rizwan Pakistan (93 innings)
28 – David Warner (110 innings)
28 – Jos Buttler (132 innings)

For those unaware, Babar is also the top run-scorer in men’s T20Is, accumulating 4505 runs in 132 innings, with an average of 39.51 and a strike rate of 128.38. Additionally, he has scored three centuries in this format.

With the help of his half-century, Pakistan posted a daunting total of 207 in 20 overs against Australia.

In reply, Australia were bowled out for just 96 in 16.5 overs. The visitors lost the fixture by 111 runs, their biggest margin of defeat in T20I cricket.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz picked up five wicket haul in his quota of four overs while giving away 19. Shaheen Shah Afridi also took two wickets.

With this win, Pakistan also completed 3-0 whitewash over them, a timely confidence booster ahead of T20 World Cup 2026.

READ: India defeat Pakistan to reach U19 World Cup semi-final