Category: Top Picks

LAHORE: Pakistan interim red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood has thrown his weight behind the inclusion of 38-year-old spinner Asif Afridi in the squad for the South Africa series. 

Pakistan’s interim red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood has thrown his weight behind the inclusion of 38-year-old left-arm spinner Asif Afridi in the squad for the South Africa series.

Initially, Pakistan named an 18-member squad for the two-match Test series, including three uncapped players, Rohail Nazir, Faisal Akram, and Asif Afridi. However, the team was trimmed to 16, releasing Aamir Jamal and Faisal Akram.

Notably, the question arose on Asif’s inclusion in the squad, with critics citing his age.

Asif Afridi topped the bowling chart in the recently concluded Hanif Mohammad Trophy, where he picked up 33 wickets in just five matches at an impressive average of 12.55 including five three wicket hauls.

Azhar, addressing the media, dismissed the notion of the spinner being an outlier in the squad, citing his past two years’ performances.

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“He is part of our squad, and he is not selected just to do nets. I don’t know who is objecting,” he said when asked about Asif Afridi’s inclusion.

“If you look back at his performances over the past two years — he took 53 wickets last year and 27 this year, making it  80 in total. I don’t understand what the objection is about. Obviously if  someone points out his age, then ‘age is just a number’,” he continued.

He also mentioned South Africa’s 36-year-old Simon Harmer, emphasizing his 20 wickets in a Test match, alongside mentioning concussion protocols.

“South Africa has also included Simon Harmer, who is 37 or 38 years old. You need to consider how you will take 20 wickets and who’s capable of doing that. We wanted experience, and keeping concussion protocol in mind, you have to see who can provide that option.

Azhar lauded Asif Afridi’s bowling and concluded with best wishes for the bowler. “He is a wonderful bowler and have a bright future.”

The first Test between Pakistan and South Africa will begin on October 12 at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

READ: Mitchell Starc to join Babar Azam at Sydney Sixers for BBL 15

Australia ace pacer Mitchell Starc is set to join Pakistan star batter Babar Azam at the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

The announcement came via the Sixers’ social media handle, where the team wrote about the Pacer’s return to the side.

“After 11 seasons, Mitch Starc is back in magenta. He’s expected to link up with the squad following the Ashes series,” the caption read.

Starc, who recently announced his retirement from T20I cricket, highlighted his post-Ashes commitments.

“I’ve got no cricket scheduled between the fifth Test and the IPL at this stage,” Starc said

“An opportunity to play some BBL cricket, I’ve obviously been a part of the small part of the Sixers throughout the 15 seasons, so it’s nice to return to potentially a playing role.

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Obviously, we’ve got the five Test matches to focus on, first and foremost. But post that, it’s obviously my intention to be available to play some part if called upon,” he remarked.

The left-arm pacer’s last appearance in the tournament came in the 2014-15 BBL edition. Overall, he has represented the side in 10 matches, scalping 20 wickets at an impressive average of 14.85 and an economy rate of 7.92.

Starc’s addition will bolster an already stacked Sixers side, featuring the likes of Babar Azam, Steve Smith, and Josh Hazlewood.

For context, BBL 15 is expected to be one of the most anticipated seasons in the tournament’s history, with various stars from around the globe set to take the stage at the end of this year.

Notably, Pakistani players were among the popular selections in the BBL 15 overseas draft held earlier this year.

Babar Azam was roped in by the Sydney Sixers, whereas Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi were drafted by the Melbourne Renegades and the Brisbane Heat.

Haris Rauf, a regular in the BBL, was retained by Melbourne Stars, the franchise where he has become a fan favourite over the years with his pace and aggression.

The opening match of the BBL 15 will be played between the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers on December 14 in Perth.

READ: Asian Cup Qualifiers: Otis misses penalty as Pakistan held by Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Otis Khan squandered a penalty as Pakistan ended its eight-match losing streak in a goalless draw with Afghanistan in the AFC Asia Cup 2027 Saudi Arabia qualifiers here at the Jinnah Stadium on Thursday.

The draw split points between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and both are now off the mark in Group E of the Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Pakistan had ample chances to pierce the net against the visitors; however, during the 65th minute of the game, Otis Khan missed a vital chance by sending his penalty kick soaring over the bar, midway through the second half, in front of more than 7000 people.

The Green Shirts will now travel to Kuwait for the away fixture against Afghanistan on October 14. The winner of the group advances to the tournament finals in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan started its campaign having suffered consecutive defeats against Syria and Myanmar. In their opening match played in March, Syria outplayed Pakistan 2-0 at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium in Saudi Arabia.

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Pakistan also faced a 1-0 defeat against Myanmar at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, a match played in June 2025.

For the unversed, the Afghanistan team arrived in the capital following a delay due to visa issues, which initially put the clash in jeopardy.

The issue was sorted out due to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s who took notice of the issue after it was highlighted.

“Issued now,” Mohsin Naqvi wrote in response to journalist Faizan Lakhani’s post, “Thank you for highlighting it,” Naqvi added.

The delay was caused by the need for clearance for Afghanistan’s overseas players.

Those players and officials who were in Afghanistan managed to obtain their visas to travel to Pakistan. However, those living abroad had to return to Afghanistan to get the necessary clearance.

READ: Asian Cup Qualifiers: Afghanistan team arrives in Pakistan after visa issues resolved

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday, announced the star-studded commentary panel for the upcoming series between Pakistan and South Africa.

Former Proteas all-rounder Shaun Pollock will return to Pakistan and will join former Pakistan Test captains Aamir Sohail, Ramiz Raja, Waqar Younis, and former Test cricketer Bazid Khan in the commentary panel.

Zainab Abbas will provide viewers with expert analysis during pre- and post-match shows on PCB’s PitchSide Studio.

Aamir Sohail and Ramiz Raja will be joined by former Pakistan women’s team captain Urooj Mumtaz for the three-match T20I series to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore, followed by three ODIs to be staged at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

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JP Duminy and Vernon Philander will give their voice behind the mic during the white-ball series set to take place from 28 October to 8 November.

Meanwhile, Zainab Abbas will continue to work as a presenter during the white-ball series.

Cricket fans in Pakistan will be able to witness the action of the series in high-definition on A Sports and Ten Sports; while livestreaming for viewers in Pakistan will be available on Tapmad and Tamasha.

The first Test between South Africa and Pakistan will commence on October 12 at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

South Africa’s Test Squad

Aiden Markram (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (second Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, and Kyle Verreynne.

Pakistan Squad

Shan Masood (capt), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi

READ: Asian Cup Qualifiers: Afghanistan team arrives in Pakistan after visa issues resolved

ISLAMABAD: The first contingent of the Afghanistan men’s football team touched down here in the federal capital on Wednesday evening for their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers clash against Pakistan, after facing delays due to visa issues.

The match between Pakistan and Afghanistan is scheduled to be played at the Jinnah Football Stadium in Islamabad tomorrow.

Earlier, the much-anticipated clash faced uncertainty due to visa issues affecting several players.

A day earlier, Pakistan Football Federation president Mohsen Gillani stated regarding the issues.

“The players and officials who were in Afghanistan have obtained their visas to travel to Pakistan but those living abroad had to go to Afghanistan to get the required clearance,” Mohsen said.

“That process is mandatory as per the Afghanistan Football Federation’s decision of nominating the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul to issue the visas.”

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However, once the issue was highlighted, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi took notice and awarded the team special permission to travel to Pakistan.

“Issued now,” Mohsin Naqvi wrote in response to journalist Faizan Lakhani’s post, “Thank you for highlighting it,” Naqvi added.

The match will be broadcast live on A Sports, and will begin at 2 pm, with stadium gates opening at 12 noon.

For context, both Pakistan and Afghanistan are winless after losing their opening two matches in Group E against Syria and Myanmar.

Following the home leg, the Pakistan national team will travel to Kuwait for the away fixture against Afghanistan on October 14.

The winner of the group advances to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

READ: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Laporte replaces Huijsen in Spain’s squad

Aymeric Laporte has replaced injured Dean Huijsen in the Spain squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to a calf injury.

“Huijsen arrived with symptoms of muscular fatigue at the Spain national team camp on Monday night,” said the Spanish football federation in a statement.

“On Tuesday he did not train… and on Wednesday he had a medical test confirming a muscular injury, which Real Madrid have been informed of.”

Real Madrid said Huijsen has suffered a “calf muscle injury in his left leg”, without specifying an expected recovery date.

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Spanish media reported he is likely to return in 10-12 days, putting in doubt Huijsen being fit for Madrid’s La Liga game at Getafe on October 19.

The 20-year-old centre-back joined Real from Premier League club Bournemouth this summer and made his Spain debut in March in the Nations League.

Laporte, who recently rejoined Athletic Bilbao, was a key part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024.

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez had already withdrawn from the squad for the games against Georgia and Bulgaria on Saturday and October 14, respectively.

Spain tops Group E after beating Bulgaria and Turkey in their opening qualifiers for next summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

READ: Root hits back at critics, eyes Ashes glory down under

England ace batter Joe Root has shut down the noise ahead of the 2025  Ashes in Australia, stating that his side is ready to ‘bring the urn home’.

England’s ace batter Joe Root has shut down the noise ahead of the 2025 Ashes in Australia, stating that his side is ready to “bring the urn home.”

Root has 39 Test hundreds to his name; however, the batting maestro is yet to score a ton in Australia. He has nine fifties and has a decent average of 35.68 in 14 Tests.

The Three Lions have not won the Ashes since 2015, and their last Test series victory in Australia dates back to 2010-11.

Speaking on the much-anticipated series, Root admitted to the Ashes drought and sees this time around as a great opportunity.

“It does feel like a long time, and it’d be nice to put that right and bring the urn home. I just see it as a great opportunity for the group,” Root said.

“There’s no other way to look at it, really. It’s a beautiful country, it’s a great place to go and play cricket.

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Joe Root has been under the spotlight from former Australian cricketers, who have highlighted his record in Australia, including Matthew Hayden, who has issued a bold statement.

Hayden had stated that he would “walk nude” around the Melbourne Cricket Ground this summer if Root does not scratch his Australian century itch.

“Just soak it all in and expect a little bit of ‘abuse’ or ‘banter’. It could be six weeks that live long in the memory if we get it right.” “At the end of the day this tour is not about me,” Root continued.

“They are going to say what they want to say anyway, so why bother worrying about it?

“When we look back in five years’ time no-one is going to remember what Matthew Hayden said to me, or Greg Blewett, or Mark Waugh, whoever it is,” Root remarked.

“If I am scoring runs and scoring heavily it gives us a great opportunity to win a series out in Australia and that is the main focus,” he concluded.

READ: Cummins, Head knock back Rs 2.8 billion offers to quit international cricket

COLOMBO: Beth Mooney’s rescue act for the ages, followed by Kim Garth’s three-wicket haul, sealed a comfortable win for Australia against Pakistan in the ninth fixture of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 here at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Set 222, Pakistan were skittled for a mere 114 runs in 36.3 overs.

The loss marked Pakistan’s third consecutive defeat in the World Cup and their 17th overall against Australia in ODIs. Meanwhile, the defending champions are now at the top of the points table with three wins.

Pakistan started the chase on a shaky note as opener Sadaf Shamas was caught after scoring just five in the second over.

Muneeba Ali (3) also fell in the fifth over, whereas Sidra Nawaz (5) and Natalia Pervaiz only scored one run. Eyman Fatima player her first game of the tournament also went back without scoring while attempting a wild slog.

As a result, Pakistan slumped to 31-5 in 8.4 overs.

After early wickets, Australia never allowed Pakistan to make a comeback and took wickets in quick succession, which bundled them out for a mere score.

Sidra Amin remained the standout batter for Pakistan, making 35 from 52 balls with the aid of five fours.

For Australia, Kim Garth picked up three wickets, whereas Annabel Sutherland and Megan Schutt scalped two apiece.

Earlier, A dominant bowling display from Pakistan women had defending champions Australia women reeling, before Beth Mooney’s rearguard century lifted them to a respectable total.

Put into bat first, Australia managed to score 221-9 in their 50 overs

Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield added 30 runs for the opening wicket before both openers got dismissed in the span of three balls.

Healy made 20 from 23 balls with the aid of three fours, while Litchfield made 10 from 22 deliveries with the help of a boundary.

As a result, seven-time champions Australia were reduced to 30-2 in 7.3 overs.

Pakistan continued to chip away at Australia’s middle order with wickets at regular intervals; however, Beth Mooney held firm and ensured that Australia posted a respectable total.

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Ellyse Perry was stumped for five, Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner were bowled for one run respectively. Tahlia McGrath could add only five to the total, whereas Georgia Wareham fell for nought.

Consequently, Australia were left reeling for 76-7 in 21.2 overs. Kim Garth provided Aussies some respite with a 39-run stand on the seventh wicket, however, Pakistan bowlers also removed her to take complete control of the game.

The architects of Australia’s middle over collapse were Nashra Sandhu and Rameen Shamim. Both combined to pick up five wickets with economical bowling spells.

However, Alana King and Beth Mooney forged a 106-run partnership for the eighth wicket. King scored 51 from 49 balls, striking three sixes and three fours.

Mooney, on the contrary, soaked up all the pressure and went on to score her fifth ODI century. She eventually departed after making 109 from 114 balls, studded with 11 fours.

For Pakistan, Nashra Sandhu was the standout bowler, picking up a three-wicket haul in her quota of ten overs.

READ: Imran Farhat appointed batting coach for South Africa Tests

SYDNEY: Australia’s ace duo Pat Cummins and Travis Head were reportedly offered nearly $10 million to forgo international cricket and play T20 franchise cricket full-time, according to a report in ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’.

According to the report, both players from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were offered a hefty sum by an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise.

However, Cummins and Head turned down the offers worth $10 million, approximately Rs 2.8 billion, and prioritized the Australian cricket team.

For context, several IPL teams have a foothold on the global T20 franchises spanning the USA, UAE, South Africa, and most recently The Hundred, where Indian investors have bought stakes in the teams.

Notably, Pat Cummins’ earnings are closer to $3 3million from playing international cricket, apart from the added money that comes with being Australia’s captain.

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Meanwhile, Travis Head has expressed his views on what it is like to play franchise cricket around the globe.

“I played MLC to get a taste of what it would be like to play franchise cricket,” Head told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I had IPL into a World Cup into MLC, so I wanted to see what it was like to basically play four months of franchise cricket.

“You want to have every option available to you, you want to experience things and understand how things operate,” he continued.

The left-hander also mentioned that his ultimate goal is to play for Australia.

“Whether I could do it, whether I liked it, whether I was good at it. I hadn’t played a lot of T20 cricket for a period of time, so get back into that. It was a perfect time in my life [to do that], then that time moves past.”

“Currently I’m playing for Australia, and I don’t see a timeline where I can play anything [else] really,” Head concluded.

READ: Imran Farhat appointed batting coach for South Africa Tests

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Imran Farhat as batting coach of the national team for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, set to begin on October 12 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Former spinner Abdur Rehman has been appointed as the spin bowling coach, whereas Azhar Mehmood will serve as the red-ball coach.

The series will kick off the World Test Championship (WTC) for both teams, with the Proteas beginning their WTC title defence.

The first Test will be played at Gaddafi Stadium from October 12 to 16, followed by the second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.

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Earlier, the first batch of South Africa arrived here in the wee hours. Meanwhile, the second batch is yet to come in Pakistan.

Team management:

Azhar Mehmood (head coach), Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Abdul Rehman (spin bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Talha Butt (performance analyst), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Syed Naeem Gillani (media manager), Irtaza Komail (team security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Mohammad Ehsan (masseur)

Pakistan vs South Africa fixtures

Oct 12-16: 1st Test, Lahore
Oct 20-24: 2nd Test, Rawalpindi
Oct 28: 1st T20I, Rawalpindi
Oct 31: 2nd T20I, Lahore
Nov 1: 3rd T20I, Lahore
Nov 4: 1st ODI, Faisalabad
Nov 6: 2nd ODI, Faisalabad
Nov 8: 3rd OD, Faisalabad

READ: BCCI responds to call for scrapping India-Pakistan matches