Tag: Asia Cup 2023

KATHMANDU: Star Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has started his journey to Pakistan to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to commence on August 30.

Taking to microblogging website X, formerly Twitter, Lamichhance announced his departure to Pakistan for this year’s Asia Cup.

“Off to [Pakistan]. Have so many wonderful memories of being in Pakistan before. Really excited and looking forward to the Asia Cup,” wrote Lamichhane.

“Special thanks to the Member Secretary of Nepal Sports Council Mr. Tanka Lal Ghising Sir for your kind gesture. Tons of love to all the well-wishers,” he added.

Off to 🇵🇰. Have so many wonderful memories of being in Pakistan before. Really excited and looking forward to the Asia Cup. Specail thanks to the Member Secretery of Nepal Sports Council Mr. @TankaLalGhising Sir for your kind gesture. Tons of love to all the well wishers.… pic.twitter.com/mkulVpmST9

— Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) August 28, 2023

According to the details, Sandeep Lamichhane could not accompany the rest of the Nepal squad which reached the country on August 30 due to his case hearing.

Upon his arrival, Lamicchane will join the Nepal squad and will train alongside them on Tuesday, a day prior to their Asia Cup 2023 campaign opener against hosts Pakistan.

This year’s Asia Cup will kick off with host Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture.

India’s group stage matches including the anticipated clash against Pakistan, scheduled on September 2, will be held in Kandy while the rest of the Super 4s matches, including the final will be played in Colombo.

The arch-rivals Pakistan and India will come face to face again on September 10 in Colombo if both manage to qualify for the Super 4s.

Like the previous edition, the Asia Cup schedule holds a possibility of treating the cricket fans with a maximum of three Pakistan-India matches in a single tournament if both arch-rivals, in a first, simultaneously qualify for the final.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Afghanistan squad reaches Lahore for Asia Cup 2023

The Afghanistan men’s cricket team on Monday, reached here to participate in the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to commence on August 30.

According to the details, the team landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport under tight security measures and was subsequently taken to the hotel.

Chief Traffic Police Officer (CTO) Lahore Mustansar Feroze led the cavalcade and guided the team safely to a local hospital here via Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, formerly known as Mall Road.

Notably, the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Selection Committee on Sunday, announced a 17-member squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to run from August 30 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Najibullah Zadran, who missed the recently concluded Pakistan Series due to a knee injury has been included in the lineup and is expected to recover from the injury prior to the start of the event.

Meanwhile, Shahidullah Kamal, who had replaced him in the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, has been left out of the Asia Cup squad.

All-rounder Karim Jannat who played his only ODI in 2017, has managed to make the cut for the Asia Cup, as Azmatullah Omarzai has been ruled out of the competition due to a side strain.

Mohammad Saleem Safi and Abdul Rahman, two fast bowlers, who were also part of Afghanistan’s recent home ODI series against Pakistan, have retained their spots in the lineup, however, Fareed Ahmad and Wafadar Momand have been left out of the squad for the Asia Cup.

Sharafuddin Ashraf, a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, who last played for Afghanistan last year has also been included in the team as a reserve spinner.

Afghanistan Squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Abdul Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Fazal Haq Farooqi.

READ: Pakistan team reaches Multan for Asia Cup 2023

MULTAN: The Pakistan team has reached Multan for the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, which will be played from August 30 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The team management has provided relaxation to the players who participated in the Lankan Premier League, consequently, Babar, Imam-ul-Haq and Naseem Shah will join the side on Monday evening.

The team will relax tomorrow, and kick off their training for the Asia Cup on Tuesday, 29 August at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Before the start of the session, the Pakistan captain will hold a pre-series media conference.

https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1695765959108411679

Pakistan made a change to their Asia Cup squad yesterday, as left-handed batter Saud Shakeel was added to the 17-member squad, while Tayyab Tahir was demoted to the travelling reserves.

This year’s Asia Cup will kick off with host Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture.

India’s group stage matches including the anticipated clash against Pakistan, scheduled on September 2, will be held in Kandy while the rest of the Super 4s matches, including the final will be played in Colombo.

The arch-rivals Pakistan and India will come face to face again on September 10 in Colombo if both manage to qualify for the Super 4s.

Like the previous edition, the Asia Cup schedule holds a possibility of treating the cricket fans with a maximum of three Pakistan-India matches in a single tournament if both arch-rivals, in a first, simultaneously qualify for the final.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Usama Mir

Traveling reserve: Tayyab Tahir

READ: Major blow to Sri Lanka as Hasaranga, Chameera ruled out of Asia Cup

Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Selection Committee on Sunday, announced a 17-member squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, which will be played from August 30 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Najibullah Zadran, who missed the recently concluded Pakistan Series due to a knee injury has been included in the lineup and is expected to recover from the injury prior to the start of the event. Meanwhile, Shahidullah Kamal, who had replaced him in the series, has been left out of the Asia Cup squad.

All-rounder Karim Jannat who played his only ODI in 2017, has managed to make the cut for the Asia Cup, as Azmatullah Omarzai has been ruled out of the competition due to a side strain. Omarzai was replaced by Gulbadin Naib in the third ODI against Pakistan in the recently concluded ODI series.

Mohammad Saleem Safi and Abdul Rahman, two fast bowlers, who were also part of Afghanistan’s recent home ODI series against Pakistan, have retained their spots in the lineup, however, Fareed Ahmad and Wafadar Momand have been left out of the squad for the Asia Cup.

Sharafuddin Ashraf, a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, who last played for Afghanistan last year has also been included in the team as a reserve spinner.

Afghanistan Squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Abdul Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Fazal Haq Farooqi

READ: South Africa women’s team reaches Karachi for the white-ball series

Sri Lanka suffered a double blow ahead of their Asia Cup defence as star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera were ruled out of the tournament commencing next week in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Wanindu Hasaranga suffered a hamstring injury during the Eliminator game between B-Love Kandy and Jaffna Kings in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL).

He was captaining B-Love Kandy and did not let the injury slow him down as he powered his team to the final virtually on one leg with his all-around performance. However, he missed the final, where his team thrashed Dambulla Aura to win the coveted LPL trophy.

Hasaranga was adjudged player of the tournament for his all-round performance throughout the tournament, as he topped the leading run scorer as well as the leading wicket-takers chart. He scored 279 runs and picked up 19 wickets.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has once again been ruled out of a major event as failed to recover from his shoulder injury, which he suffered during LPL, playing for B-Love Kandy. He only managed to play in four games for his side during the tournament.

Previously, he suffered an injury during the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament. He also missed Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup triumph and a few games of the T20I World Cup last year.

Notably, he was adjudged player of the series in Sri Lanka’s ODI series against Afghanistan in June this year.

Dushmantha Chameera is likely to be replaced by Kasun Rajitha, while leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha is expected to fill in the shoes of Wanindu Hasaranga.

Sri Lanka will kick off their Asia Cup campaign on August 31 against Bangladesh.

READ: Messi and Inter Miami start playoff push at Red Bulls

KARACHI: The Nepal cricket team has started their training at the National Bank Cricket Arena for the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, commencing on August 30.

The team kicked off the training session with light physical exercises at Hanif Muhammad Regional High-Performance Center.

The associate team will practice in Karachi for three days. They will play a practice match on August 26 in Karachi Gymkhana, and will subsequently leave for Multan on August 27.

Nepal is led by young all-rounder Rohit Paudel and will make their Asia Cup debut in the upcoming edition having qualified for the first time.

They will play host Pakistan in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish GC, Mousom Dhakal, Sundeep Jora, Kishore Mahato, Arjun Saud

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture, while the rest of the games including the final will be played in Sri Lanka.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Pakistan to face Australia, New Zealand in warm-up fixtures of World Cup

KARACHI: Nepal cricket team has reached Karachi to participate in the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, commencing on August 30.

The team landed at Karachi airport under tight security measures and was subsequently taken to the hotel.

According to the details, Nepal had requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to practice in Pakistan to prepare themselves for the Asia Cup.

Consequently, the associate team will now practice at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi on August 24 and 25. Meanwhile, they will also play a practice match on August 26 in Karachi Gymkhana. The visiting side will subsequently leave for Multan on August 27.

Nepal is led by young all-rounder Rohit Paudel and will make their Asia Cup debut in the upcoming edition having qualified for the first time.

They will play host Pakistan in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish GC, Mousom Dhakal, Sundeep Jora, Kishore Mahato, Arjun Saud

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture, while the rest of the games including the final will be played in Sri Lanka.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Haris takes five as Pakistan sink Afghanistan by 142 runs in first ODI

Bangladesh fast bowler Ebadot Hossain has been ruled out of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka with a knee injury, meanwhile, uncapped fast bowler Tanzim Hasan has received his maiden call-up as Ebadot’s replacement.

Ebadot Hussain was named in Bangaldesh’s squad for Asia Cup, however, he failed to recover in time for the upcoming tournament in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Dr Debashis Chowdhury, chief sports physician of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has mentioned that Ebadot’s rehabilitation is the top priority ahead of ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in India, and BCB is looking to explore every option to help him achieve full fitness.

“Ebadot had undergone six weeks of rehab following the injury,” Dr Chowdhury said. “We have had multiple MRIs done during this time and the reports suggest that his ACL is still a concern and requires further management. Therefore, he misses out on the Asia Cup,”

“Considering the importance of the Bangladesh team’s next major event, which is the ICC World Cup in October, the BCB is committed to exploring every safe medical option available for getting Ebadot back to full fitness and playing as early as possible, including consultation and treatment overseas.”

BCB has announced uncapped Tanzim Hasan Sakib as Ebadot Hossain’s replacement for the Asia Cup. The 20-year-old pacer has taken 57 wickets from 37 List A matches, including nine wickets in three matches in the recently concluded ACC Emerging Men’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh will kick off their Asia Cup campaign against Sri Lanka in Kandy on August 31.

Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup

Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan, Tanzim Hasan

READ: Asia Cup 2023: Nepal cricket team to reach Karachi tomorrow

LAHORE: Pakistan captain Babar Azam termed the ODI series against Afghanistan ‘beneficial’ for the preparations for the Asia Cup as well as ICC Men’s World Cup in India later this year.

The final phase of Pakistan’s preparations for the mighty cricket season begins tomorrow as Babar Azam’s team plays Afghanistan at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in the first of the three One-Day Internationals. Pakistan enter the series at the back of some brilliant results – they swept Sri Lanka in the two-Test series just last month and defeated New Zealand 4-1 at home in One-Day Internationals in April-May.

With the Men’s ODI Asia Cup 2023 beginning just four days after the third and final match in Colombo and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup immediately following up, these three matches against Afghanistan come with an opportunity for Pakistan to fine-tune their combinations.

“It is great to be together as one unit again as we enjoy each other’s company a lot,” Babar Azam told PCB Digital on the eve of the first ODI against Afghanistan. “We have a few new faces in the side and I wish them good luck for the challenges ahead. Most of the boys have been playing cricket in different leagues, but when you don the Pakistan star, it is a different feeling altogether. We enter this series with good momentum following our Test series win here and we are eager to build on it. As a captain, I am very excited for the cricket ahead.”

Pakistan have recently enjoyed outstanding results in ODIs. Since the start of 2022, Pakistan’s win/loss ratio of 3.250 – with 13 wins in 17 matches – has been the best across all teams. In May, they, for the first time in history, topped the ICC rankings for ODI sides. They have another go at surmounting the table if they maintain an impeccable record against Afghanistan.

The dressing room is buzzing with confidence with each player raring to grab opportunity whenever it arrives. Though the end goal is to be the best side in the World Cup, the team, Babar Azam said, is taking one challenge at a time.

“We are focused in our preparations as we have big events in the Asia Cup and the World Cup coming up,” said Babar Azam, under whose captaincy Pakistan have won 17 out of 26 ODIs. “But, at the same time, we want to take one series at the time … It is always beneficial for a team to get such a series ahead of major events. That we are playing in Asian conditions will definitely provide us an edge and help us get in the rhythm. The Afghanistan team is on the rise and they have some good bowlers. The fans will get to see some exciting cricket.”

Pakistan included all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, uncapped batter Tayyab Tahir and middle-order batter Saud Shakeel in the squad for the Afghanistan series. The three players have been rewarded for their impressive performances recently and their presence further boosts an already solid squad.

“We have had some good additions in the squad,” the number one ranked ODI batter said. “Faheem has been in and out of the side but he has performed well recently. We have included him because of his all-round abilities and believe that his presence will strengthen the side.

“Tayyab Tahir had a good [Emerging Teams] Asia Cup and he performed well here in Sri Lanka and everyone saw how Saud Shakeel played Tests here. I am especially impressed by how Saud has transformed into a modern-day batter in such a quick time. This is a great sign for Pakistan cricket that he groomed himself according to the demands of the team, and whenever anyone does that, I get very happy.”

Though Pakistan have never been defeated by Afghanistan in the format, this series promises to test them as the latter enter this series with a 2-1 win over Bangladesh in Bangladesh. But the players, Babar Azam revealed, are taking this challenge as an opportunity to deliver match-winning performances.

“Every player has a hunger [to perform] in this team. Every player wants to give match-winning performances. Recently we have had different player of the match award winners, which is a good sign for any team. When you perform in big tournaments, it boosts your morale as a team and as individuals and this team has performed well in the recent past.

“The presence of Salman Ali Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed has bolstered our middle-order. We already have a settled top-order. Our spin department has strengthened. Thankfully, we have one of the best pace-bowling attacks in Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, and their performances underscore how good they are. Bowlers win you big tournaments and I have faith in them to win us big tournaments.”

So ahead of what promises to be one of the most exciting periods for this Pakistan side, what is Babar’s message to his players? “My message has always been to believe in yourself and make sure that you give your hundred percent in the field.”

The second and third ODIs will be played on 24 and 26 August in Hambantota and Colombo.

READ: Pakistan Women’s team kicks off preparation for South Africa series

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday, announced the squad for the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, commencing on August 30.

The 17-member Indian contingent saw the return of middle-order batters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer making their returns to the ODI side after being declared fit to play the Asia Cup.

Jasprit Bumrah has also returned to the ODI team after making his T20I return in the ongoing T20I series against Ireland. Bumrah last played an ODI game in July last year against England, before being ruled out with a back injury, which kept him out of action for almost a year.

Young batting prodigy Tilak Varma also received his maiden ODI call-up, after impressive performances in the T20I series against West Indies.

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Traveling stand-by…

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 21, 2023

India will kick off their Asia Cup with the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan on September 2 in Kandy.

The arch-rivals Pakistan and India will come face to face again on September 10 in Colombo if both manage to qualify for the Super 4s.

India’s Squad

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.

Travelling reserve: Sanju Samson

This year’s Asia Cup will commence with host Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture, while the rest of the games including the final will be played in Sri Lanka.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Pakistan thump India in World Blind Games