Tag: Abbas Afridi

LAHORE: Fast bowler Abbas Afridi has replaced injured Mohammad Wasim Junior in Pakistan’s T20I squad for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

Wasim Jr picked up an injury during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, ruling him out of the final against Lahore Qalandars.

The pacer had picked eight wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 7.38 in the recently concluded PSL.

“Wasim, who picked up a side strain during the HBL PSL, was not able to recover in time,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

Now, Abbas Afridi, who had an impressive run in the PSL, is included in the squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh.

The right-arm pacer took 17 scalps in 11 matches at an average of 23.52. Abbas Afridi, who was part of the New Zealand tour earlier this year, has featured in 20 T20Is and has bagged 33 wickets.

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For the unversed, the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is set to begin tomorrow.

The second and third matches are scheduled for May 30 and June 1, respectively, all taking place at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. All matches will be played under lights.

Pakistan Team Updated Squad

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub.

Bangladesh Squad

Litton Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Zakir Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vice-captain), Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam.

Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I series schedule:

28 May – 1st T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
30 May – 2nd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
1 June – 3rd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

READ: Agha Salman backs ‘Fearless not careless’ approach ahead of Bangladesh Series

Karachi Kings fast bowler Abbas Afridi has praised Umar Gul as a key inspiration in his career, stating that he started playing cricket after watching him.

Abbas, one of the joint leading wicket-takers with 15 wickets alongside Jason Holder in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

The 24-year-old has represented Pakistan in 20 T20 Internationals (T20Is), taking 33 wickets at an average of 15.48.

Since his PSL debut in the 2021 season, Abbas has taken 58 wickets in 37 matches. He currently plays for the Karachi Kings in PSL 10, having represented the Multan Sultans for three seasons.

Karachi Kings are currently third on the points table with five wins from eight games. They will play their next match against Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Abbas Afridi recently shared his thoughts about his cricketing journey on a social media platform.

During the interview, he said that Umar Gul is his cricketing idol, while aiming to deliver performances like him

“Umar Gul is my uncle and my idol. I started playing cricket by watching him, and I always aim to deliver match-winning performances like him,” said Abbas Afridi.

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Abbas Afridi further revealed that Umar Gul worked on his power hitting, which greatly improved him.

“Before the PSL, Umar Gul took me for practice sessions where we worked on power hitting, and it helped me a lot,” he said.

The right-arm pacer emphasized batting abilities, stating that he focuses more on batting rather than bowling.

“I consider myself an all-rounder, but I haven’t had enough opportunities to showcase my full potential yet. I focus more on batting than bowling, and my goal is to establish myself as a true all-rounder,” he concluded.

READ: West Indies unveil ODI squad for Ireland, England series

Pacer Abbas Afridi has rejoined the Karachi Kings for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, calling it a return to “old family” and expressing confidence in both his preparation and the squad’s potential to go all the way this season.

Afridi, who made his PSL debut with the Kings in PSL 6 (2021), was brought back into the fold during the Platinum round of the PSL 10 Draft after three successful seasons with Multan Sultans.

The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the league’s most promising fast bowlers, having claimed 43 wickets in 29 PSL matches at an impressive average of 19.74.

“I’m really excited for this PSL—returning to my old family, Karachi Kings. Preparations have been going really well and, InshaAllah, I’ll try to deliver strong performances throughout the tournament,” said Abbas.

Commenting on the squad’s prospects this year, the young pacer praised the team’s balance and depth.

“MashaAllah, Karachi Kings have assembled a very strong squad this season. The local talent and international experience in this group make us a well-rounded unit. We’re hopeful this combination takes us to the final—and beyond,” he added.

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When asked about the competition and which team could challenge the Karachi Kings the most, Abbas Afridi responded with confidence: “All teams are strong, no doubt—but I believe we are the strongest.”

“Our goal is simple: not to let any opponent get close. We’ll stick to the plans given by our captain, David Warner, and I’m personally very excited to play under his leadership.”

Abbas Afridi also acknowledged the support and trust shown by the Karachi Kings’ management since his return.

“The management has been backing me strongly and pushing me to give my best. I hope to live up to their expectations and contribute to the team’s success,” he further stated.

The pacer ended with a heartfelt message for the fans: “I would just say to all the fans—please come to the stadium and support us. Your presence means the world to us.”

Karachi Kings will kick off their PSL 10 campaign on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at National Bank Stadium, Karachi, against Multan Sultans—the very team Abbas Afridi represented over the past three seasons.

READ: Corbin Bosch penalised by PCB for violating PSL contract

Opening batters Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk came out all guns blazing, smashing Australia’s fastest fifty in T20I cricket in only 19 balls.

However, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan brought Haris Rauf into the attack, who provided the breakthrough with the wicket of Fraser-McGurk (20 off nine) in the fourth over with 52 runs on the board.

Australian captain Josh Inglis also fell prey to Haris in the same over without opening his account.

Abbas Afridi was brought in from the other end and he castled Matthew Short on the last over to leave Australia reeling to 56-3 in five overs. Short top-scored with 32 runs from 17 balls which featured four boundaries, including two sixes.

Glenn Maxwell (21) and Marcus Stoinis (14) then knitted a cautious 30-run stand from 29 balls for the fourth wicket before they both fell to Sufiyan Muqeem in consecutive overs.

Pakistan bowlers prevented Australia from making a comeback as the hosts struggled to score freely while losing wickets at regular intervals.

Aaron Hardie was the only notable contributor from lower-order with a 28-run knock from 23 innings with one boundary and one six. It’s worth noting that he was the only batter to hit a six after openers.

Abbas Afridi removed Hardie and Spencer Johnson on back-to-back deliveries in the last over but missed out on a hat-trick on the last ball of the innings.

Haris Rauf led the bowling attack with the figures of 4-22, while Abbas took 3-17. Sufiyan Muqeem grabbed two wickets and gave away 21 runs.

Right-arm fast bowler Mohammad Abbas Afridi’s five-wicket haul and half-centuries by Haseebullah and Usman Khan guided Pakistan Shaheens to an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh ‘A’ in the first one-day at the Islamabad Club on Monday.

After opting to field, Pakistan Shaheens bundled out the visiting team for 183 runs in 36 overs.

Abbas Afridi was the pick of the bowlers, with match figures of 9-0-38-5. This was Abbas’ second five-fer in 22 List-A matches.

Left-arm pacer Jahandad Khan (2-51) and left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz (2-29) equally supported Abbas as only Saif Hassan (58, 47b, 10x4s, 1×6) managed to score a half-century for Bangladesh ‘A’.

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Rishad Hossain coming to bat at number nine was the other notable run-getter, scoring 40 off 37 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes.

In turn, Pakistan Shaheens achieved the target in 27.5 overs courtesy of a 129-run partnership between Haseebullah and Usman for the second wicket.

Left-handed opening batter Haseebullah returned undefeated on 73 off 81 balls, smashing seven fours and two sixes. Right-handed batter Usman fell 13 runs short of his first List-A century.

His innings included eight boundaries and five towering sixes, which came off 60 balls. Omair Bin Yousuf also returned unbeaten on 14 off 19, adding an unbroken 42-run partnership for the third wicket with Haseebullah.

For Bangladesh ‘A’, Mahedi Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain snapped a wicket each.

The win gives Shaheens a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second match between Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh A will be played at the same venue on Wednesday, 28 August, with the first ball to be bowled at 9.30 am.

READ: Pakistan suffer another setback after Bangladesh loss

BRAMPTON: Montreal Tigers booked their place into the final of the ongoing GT20 Canada, edging Vancouver Knights in Qualifier 2 by one wicket, courtesy explosive batting of Sherfane Rutherford and l Abbas Afridi five-for which included a hat-trick.

In the Qualifier 2 clash of GT20 Canada, Tigers put Knights into bat after winning the toss and bowled tight lengths from the start to keep Knights’ batters under check. They lost their first wicket in the 6th over at the score of 33.

Corbin Bosch joined Mohammad Rizwan and together they added 57 runs for the second wicket. They appeared firm on the crease before Abbas Afridi came back into the attack and stopped them in their tracks with a hat trick.

Abbas Afridi removed Corbin Bosch (36 off 28) with a good catch by Mohammad Waseem. Captain Rassie van der Dussen was then trapped leg before wicket. Najibullah Zadran also followed his captain, as he was caught behind by Srimantha Wijeyeratne.

Knights had their hopes intact with Mohammad Rizwan on the crease but he fell to Aayan Afzal Khan on the first ball of the next over.

After losing four wickets on consecutive deliveries, Harsh Thaker’s sensible knock of 26 off 21 helped the Knights reach a modest total of 137 runs in 20 overs for six wickets.

Abbas Afridi added another feather in his cap with the wicket of Fabian Allen to complete his five-fer.

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Tigers had a dismal start to their pursuit as four men walked back to the pavilion with only 29 runs on board.

However, Sherfane Rutherford spearheaded the run chase, adding 43 runs with Dipendra Singh Airee for the fifth wicket.

Airee was bowled by Corbin Bosch to break the flow of runs. Andre Russell and Carlos Brathwaite joined Rutherford but both went back to the pavilion adding only 25 runs.

Knights’ kept picking wickets to mount pressure on Tigers’ but they had no answer to Rutherford’s onslaught.

Needing 15 off the last over, Rutherford hit three consecutive sixes off Rayyan Pathan to guide his team to a memorable last-wicket triumph. Rutherford scored 48 off 34, with the help of two boundaries and three aforementioned sixes.

Junaid Siddique picked four wickets for 22 runs, while Fabian Allen and Corbin Bosch picked two wickets each in the losing cause.

Montreal Tigers will face the winners of Qualifier 1 Surrey Jaguars in the final of GT20 Canada tonight in Brampton.

READ: Surrey Jaguars storm into the GT20 final as Knights falter