Category: Featured

ISLAMABAD: The trophy for the upcoming three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Australia was officially unveiled on Friday in Islamabad, with both captains posing alongside the silverware ahead of the much-anticipated contest.

Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and Australia’s stand-in captain Josh Inglis attended the ceremony at a local hotel in the capital, where the trophy for the bilateral series was revealed in front of media representatives and officials.

The ODI series will mark Australia’s first 50-over bilateral tour of Pakistan since 2022, when the hosts secured a 2-1 series victory.

The unveiled trophy features a modern silver design with a sleek vertical structure rising from a rectangular base and topped with a polished sphere resembling a cricket ball.

The first ODI is scheduled to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30, while the remaining two matches will take place at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and June 4, respectively.

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All three matches will begin at 4:30 PM (PST), with the toss set to take place half an hour earlier.

Pakistan enter the series under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi, with several senior players returning to the ODI setup, including Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan.

Australia, meanwhile, will be led by wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis after regular captain Mitchell Marsh was ruled out due to injury.

The two sides last met earlier this year during a three-match T20I series in Lahore, where Pakistan completed a dominant 3-0 clean sweep.

Pakistan squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim.

Australia squad: Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (c/wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, Cooper Connolly and Adam Zampa.

READ: Australia make late addition to ODI squad ahead of Pakistan series

ANTIGUA: West Indies have unveiled the schedule for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, set to run from 25 July to 6 August. 

The series part of the World Test Championship (WTC) will be staged across two venues — Brian Lara Cricket Academy and Queen’s Park Oval.

The first Test will hold special significance as the Brian Lara Cricket Academy is set to host its maiden Test match.

Pakistan’s tour forms part of a busy home season for the West Indies, who are also scheduled to host Sri Lanka and New Zealand during the summer.

The Caribbean side will first host Sri Lanka for an all-format tour comprising three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests. Attention will then turn to a five-match ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled from 11 to 21 July.

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The home season will end with the Test series against Pakistan, with the two matches set to take place from 25–29 July and 2–6 August respectively.

Following the announcement, Cricket West Indies CEO Chris Dehring urged fans to engage with the team and be part of the experience throughout the summer.

“We want this summer to feel like a movement across the region, where fans are fully engaged with the team and part of the experience every step of the way,” he said.

Full International Home Series Schedule:

Vs Sri Lanka: All Formats

1st ODI – June 3 Sabina Park, Jamaica

2nd ODI – June 6 Sabina Park, Jamaica

3rd ODI – June 8 Sabina Park, Jamaica

1st T20I – June 11 Sabina Park, Jamaica

2nd T20I – June 13 Sabina Park, Jamaica

3rd T20I – June 14 Sabina Park, Jamaica

1st Test – June 25-29 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua & Barbuda

2nd Test – July 3-7 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua & Barbuda

Vs New Zealand: One-Day Internationals

1st ODI – July 11 Guyana National Stadium, Guyana

2nd ODI – July 13  Guyana National Stadium, Guyana

3rd ODI – July 16  Guyana National Stadium, Guyana

4th ODI – July 19 Kensington Oval, Barbados

5th ODI – July 21  Kensington Oval, Barbados

Pakistan series schedule:

First Test – July 25-29, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
Second Test – August 2-6, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

READ: Kusal Mendis credits PSL success for boosting confidence ahead of West Indies tour

LAHORE: Pakistan cricketers, including Babar Azam, extended heartfelt Eid-ul-Adha greetings to their fans on Wednesday, spreading messages of unity, compassion and togetherness on the festive occasion.

In a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on social media, several members of the national side extended their wishes to supporters and encouraged people to celebrate the occasion with kindness and care for others.

Among the players featured in the video were ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha, all-rounder Shadab Khan, fast bowler Haris Rauf, young batter Shamyl Hussain, wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir, spinner Sufiyan Muqeem and middle-order batter Abdul Samad.

“On behalf of myself and the Pakistan team, I wish everyone a very happy Eid,” Babar Azam said in the message.

Shaheen Afridi also conveyed his greetings, saying: “I wish all of you a very happy Eid.”

Salman Ali Agha extended his wishes to cricket fans around the globe, while Haris Rauf specifically greeted Muslims celebrating the occasion worldwide.

Alongside festive wishes, the players also encouraged fans to spend time with family and friends and remember those in need during the celebrations.

The national stars urged the public to distribute sacrificial meat among underprivileged families so everyone could take part in Eid festivities.

The cricketers also highlighted the importance of cleanliness during Eid-ul-Adha, reminding fans to keep their surroundings clean and maintain hygiene in neighbourhoods.

Pakistan players are set to return to national duty immediately after Eid as they prepare for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia.

The series will begin in Rawalpindi on May 30 before shifting to Lahore for the remaining two matches on June 2 and June 4.

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Australia captain Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan because of an ankle injury, Cricket Australia confirmed on Tuesday.

Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has been named captain in his absence, read the statement released by CA.

The setback comes as Australia prepare for the three-match Pakistan vs Australia ODI series, scheduled from May 30 to June 4, with matches to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Marsh, who recently missed the final game of the Indian Premier League season for Lucknow Super Giants, will remain in Perth for treatment and further medical assessment on his injured ankle.

Cricket Australia said a decision regarding Marsh’s availability for Australia’s upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh would be taken later after medical evaluations.

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The absence of the experienced all-rounder is a significant blow for Australia ahead of the ODI series against Pakistan, particularly with the side continuing preparations for future ICC white-ball tournaments.

In Marsh’s absence, Inglis will captain Australia for the first time in an ODI series against Pakistan. The wicketkeeper-batter has emerged as one of Australia’s most reliable white-ball players in recent years and is expected to lead a relatively fresh-looking squad during the tour.

Australia are also expected to hand an international debut to emerging fast bowler Ollie Peake as the visitors reshuffle their bowling resources ahead of the Pakistan ODIs.

The ODI series marks Australia’s return to Pakistan for a bilateral 50-over tour for the first time since March-April 2022, when Pakistan secured a memorable 2-1 series victory on home soil.

READ: Mike Hesson explains Mohammad Rizwan ODI omission

Lamine Yamal has been named in the Spain squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, announced by coach Luis de la Fuente on Monday, which also included Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino after his recent return from injury.

For the first time at a World Cup, the Spain squad will not feature a Real Madrid player, with Dean Huijsen dropped and veteran Dani Carvajal also excluded after struggling through an injury-hit campaign.

Merino, a favourite of coach De la Fuente, appeared as a substitute for the Gunners against Crystal Palace on Sunday in their final Premier League match, for his first appearance since January after a foot fracture.

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De La Fuente also called up defenders Eric Garcia and Marc Pubill after impressive seasons with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, respectively, deciding to leave out Huijsen and Atletico’s Robin Le Normand.

Along with teenager Barca star Yamal, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams played a key role as Spain won Euro 2024, and he is in the squad despite a season badly disrupted by fitness issues.

Yamal, 18, is a doubt for the first matches of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury with Barcelona, which has kept him out since late April.

Spain squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Pedri, Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)

READ: Pakistan-born Hamza Khan hits second-highest T20I score

GABORONE: Rwanda opener Hamza Khan scripted history after smashing the second-highest T20I score during the fourth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier. 

The right-handed batter, originally from Peshawar, Pakistan, hammered an unbeaten 164 off just 65 balls at a staggering strike rate of 252.30. His knock also included 15 sixes and nine fours.

With the innings, he moved to second on the all-time list of highest individual scores in Men’s T20Is, behind only former Australia captain Aaron Finch.

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After opting to bat first at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 ground, Rwanda finished their innings on 288-2 in 20 overs — the seventh-highest in Men’s T20I history. Hamza displayed dominance throughout the innings, maintaining an aggressive approach from the powerplay until the final over.

 

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Highest Individual Scores in T20Is

• Aaron Finch Australia 172 Zimbabwe 2018
• Hamza Khan Rwanda 164* Ivory Coast 2026
• Hazratullah Zazai Afghanistan 162* Ireland 2019
• Mohammad Ihsan Spain 160 Croatia 2025
• Aaron Finch Australia 156 England 2013

In pursuit of the target, Ivory Coast were bowled out for 17, the joint fifth-lowest total in T20Is. Rwanda’s 271-run victory is the third-highest winning margin in Men’s T20Is.

Muhammad Nadir and Yves Cyusa remained the star bowlers, both picking up three wickets each.

It is worth mentioning that Hamza Khan previously scored an unbeaten 60 against Cameroon in Rwanda’s opening match of the tournament.

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PANZHIUA: Pakistan young players excelled at the 33rd Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships 2026 held in China, winning five medals across multiple age categories.

A total of eight Pakistani players represented the country in the continental event, with five athletes successfully finishing on the podium.

Pakistan secured two gold medals through Nauman Khan in the Boys U-17 category and Ahmad Rayyan Khalil in the Boys U-15 category.

In the Boys U-17 final, Nauman Khan defeated India’s Shiven Agarwal 3-1 with scores of 10-12, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5 in a 46-minute contest to clinch the championship title.

Ahmad Rayyan Khalil produced a dominant performance in the Boys U-15 final, defeating Malaysia’s PNG Vidhurran Ruthiran 3-0 with scores of 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 in just 29 minutes.

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Pakistan also earned a silver medal through Mahnoor Ali in the Girls U-15 category. Mahnoor fought bravely in the final but narrowly lost to China’s Ziyuan Yin 0-3 with scores of 10-12, 9-11, 10-12 in a closely contested 23-minute match.

The country added two bronze medals to tally with Muhammad Umair Arif in the Boys U-17 category and Muhammad Sohail Adnan in the Boys U-15 category, sealing victories in their respective categories.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Nawaz and Mustafa Khan reached the quarterfinal stage, while Sehrish Ali advanced to the third round before losing to her sister, Mahnoor Ali.

Pakistan finished the championship with a total of five medals — two gold, one silver, and two bronze.

READ: Iran move World Cup base from US amid uncertainty

LAHORE: Experienced wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has been left out of the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match home series against Australia, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday.

The 16-member squad will continue to be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, while several senior players, including Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem, have returned after missing the away ODI series against Bangladesh earlier this year.

Pakistan have also handed opportunities to uncapped players Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir, all of whom were previously part of ODI squads but are yet to make their international debuts in the format.

Young wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori retained his place in the squad after making his ODI debut during the Bangladesh series and will serve as one of the two specialist wicketkeepers alongside Rohail.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Usman Khan, who was under consideration for selection, missed out after illness ruled him out of contention.

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Pakistan will also be without the injured opening pair, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, both of whom continue rehabilitation under the supervision of the PCB medical panel.

The squad is scheduled to assemble in Islamabad later tonight and begin training sessions from May 23, under the coaching staff led by head coach Mike Hesson.

Australia are set to arrive in Islamabad on May 23 ahead of the ODI series, which will begin at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30. The remaining two matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and June 4.

The series will mark Australia’s first ODI tour of Pakistan since 2022, when the hosts secured a 2-1 series victory. Earlier this year, Pakistan also completed a 3-0 clean sweep over Australia in a T20I series in Lahore.

Pakistan ODI squad for Australia series

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufiyan Muqeem.

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LAHORE: Pakistan have suffered a significant setback ahead of their upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia, with opening batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub ruled out due to injuries.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Wednesday that both players are currently undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the board’s medical panel and will not be available for selection for the three-match ODI series.

“The PCB wishes both players a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing them return to competitive cricket at the earliest opportunity,” the board said in an official statement. “Further updates regarding the squad and player fitness will be shared in due course.”

The series against Australia is scheduled to begin on May 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the remaining two matches will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and 4.

Saim Ayub’s absence comes as a major blow for Pakistan after the young opener enjoyed a remarkable rise in ODI cricket since making his debut in 2024.

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The left-handed batter has amassed 751 runs in 17 ODIs at an impressive average of 46.93 and a strike-rate of 100, including three centuries and three half-centuries.

Meanwhile, experienced opener Fakhar Zaman has been one of Pakistan’s key ODI batters since debuting in 2017 and has scored 3,861 runs in 92 matches at an average of 45.42, registering 11 centuries and 19 fifties.

On the other hand, Cricket Australia (CA) have named a relatively inexperienced squad for the Pakistan tour, with teenage batter Oliver Peake and all-rounder Liam Scott earning maiden international call-ups.

Regular captain Pat Cummins, along with senior fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, were omitted from the squad as Australia opted to test their bench strength in the 50-over format.

Mitchell Marsh will lead the side, which also includes Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne, among others.

Australia ODI squad for Pakistan series

Mitchell Marsh (captain), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake and Adam Zampa.

READ: Bangladesh script home whitewash over Pakistan despite Rizwan’s 94

SYLHET: Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s fighting half-centuries kept Pakistan in the hunt for a record chase against Bangladesh in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Pakistan managed to put up a fight and ended the fourth day’s play with 316-7. Mohammad Rizwan held firm with 75 not out off 134 balls, including eight fours. Sajid Khan, on the other hand, remained unbeaten on nine, hitting two boundaries.

Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan kept the scoreboard ticking after tea, adding 96 more runs to their steady partnership. Both batters batted fluently, raising their fifties.

The pair took the total to 296, bringing down the target under the 200-run mark. However, it was the new ball that did the trick for the home side in an opposing way.

Taijul Islam struck gold, breaking the threatening 134 partnership with Agha’s wicket, who missed one through the gate. He made 71 off 102, striking six fours and a maximum.

After a couple of overs, Taijul removed Hasan Ali (0), caught at first slip to put his side in a dominant position at the close of the play.

For Bangladesh, Taijul Islam picked up two wickets in the final session.

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At Tea, despite Shan Masood producing a fighting half-century, Pakistan remained under pressure at 200-5.

Pakistan were required another 237 runs to chase down a daunting 437-run target and level the two-match Test series. At the interval, Salman Ali Agha was unbeaten on 25, while Mohammad Rizwan stood firm on 15 as the visitors looked to keep their slim hopes alive.

Pakistan’s recovery was initially led by Shan Masood and Babar Azam, who extended their third-wicket partnership to 92 runs after lunch, following a difficult morning session.

The stand finally came to an end when Taijul Islam provided Bangladesh with the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Babar Azam for 47 off 52 deliveries.

Pakistan’s problems deepened soon after as Saud Shakeel could manage only six runs before departing, leaving the visitors under increasing pressure.

Shan Masood, who was battling on the other end and completed a gritty 71 off 116 balls, fell prey to Taijul in the next over, triggering another setback for Pakistan.

Following the back-to-back wickets, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan combined cautiously to guide Pakistan safely to the Tea interval without further damage.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan resumed their mammoth chase from 0-0 but lost opener Abdullah Fazal early after Nahid Rana broke the opening stand with the score on 27.

The hosts tightened their grip further when Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed debutant Azan Awais for 21, reducing Pakistan to 41-2.

However, Shan Masood and Babar Azam steadied the innings through a composed partnership that carried Pakistan to Lunch at 101-2.

Earlier on Day 3, Bangladesh had posted 390 in their second innings, largely powered by Mushfiqur Rahim, who struck a record-breaking 14th Test century to put the hosts firmly in command of the match.

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