Tag: australia

MIRPUR: Copper Connolly’s sublime 149 triumphed Shoriful Islam’s six-wicket haul to seal a nail-biting victory in the final ODI of the three-match series against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing 275, Australia got off to a flying start, with skipper Josh Inglis and Connolly racing to 40 inside four overs.

However, Shoriful’s two in an over dented the visitors’ progress. He first removed Inglis, who made 12 before dismissing Renshaw for a duck.

With Australia two wickets down, Alex Carey (8) and Connolly provided brief resistance, adding a 30-run partnership that culminated with the former’s wicket.

Bangladesh continued to chip through Australia’s middle order, but left-handed Connoly remained firm and reached his half-century.

Bangladesh continued to chip away at Australia’s middle order, but left-handed Connolly remained firm and reached his half-century.

He stringed three half-century stands alongside Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, and Oliver Peake to keep his side in the hunt. In doing so, he notched up his maiden century.

It was Shoriful again who struck thrice in the 46th and 48th over to lift Bangladesh. Connoly was eventually dismissed in the penultimate over after scoring 149 off 134, striking six maximums and 13 fours.

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With the visitors needing just three runs and only one wicket in hand, Adam Zampa struck a boundary off the third ball to seal an emphatic win.

For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam bowled wonderfully and picked up six wickets in his 10 overs.

Earlier, Towhid Hridoy struck a composed 83 to anchor Bangladesh’s innings of 274-5 after a nervous start against Australia in the final ODI match in Mirpur on Sunday.

Litton Das (58 off 78 balls) and Mosaddek Hossain (56 off 51) also contributed unbeaten half-centuries to give the hosts a competitive total in the dead rubber, with Bangladesh having already clinched the three-match series.

Bangladesh, missing regular captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz due to concussion, had a torrid start when Xavier Bartlett bowled opener Soumya Sarkar for two in the first over.

Tanzid Hasan and stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto steadied the innings with a 51-run second-wicket stand before Matt Renshaw struck twice in quick succession to leave Bangladesh reeling at 61-3.

Tanzid fell for 19, caught by Riley Meredith at mid-on after top-edging a sweep off Renshaw, who then trapped Shanto lbw for 24.

Hridoy held Bangladesh together through the middle overs with his 88-ball innings.

He shared a 92-run fourth-wicket partnership with Litton before the wicketkeeper-batter retired hurt with cramp on 48.

Hridoy went on to reach his 13th ODI half-century in an innings that included eight fours.

Litton returned to bring up his first ODI fifty at Mirpur, finishing with 58 off 78 balls and striking four fours and two sixes.

Mosaddek provided a late flourish and was unbeaten on 56 off 51 deliveries, including five fours and a six, his fourth ODI half-century in ODI cricket.

Bartlett and Renshaw picked up two wickets apiece for Australia.

READ: Tickets sold out for Pakistan-India Women’s World Cup 2026 clash

DHAKA: Australia’s men’s cricket team were denied entry to a Dhaka Golf Course due to a logistical communication failure ahead of the ODI series against Bangladesh. 

After concluding the Pakistan tour, Australia arrived in Bangladesh on 5 June for a white-ball series comprising three ODIs and the same number of T20Is. The tour will kick off with an ODI, scheduled on 9 June at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Following the 50-over series, the squad will head to Chattogram for T20Is, which will run from 17 to 21 June.

However, things turned awkward for the visitors when several members of the touring party were denied entry into the golf course on their scheduled rest day.

According to the Daily Star, initially only a handful of players planned to play golf, but later several other squad members also expressed interest in joining the outing. Permission was arranged earlier with the golf course authorities. For this reason, the organisers arranged transport accordingly.

But the inclusion of additional members required a change to the original plan that had already been submitted for approval, and players whose names were not included in the initial clearance request were denied entry upon arrival at the venue.

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Earlier, the rumours suggested that the touring party faced restrictions linked to security concerns, a development that left the visitors displeased.

It is worth mentioning that the golf course is located in a restricted military zone, and advance permissions are required for vehicle entry.

The report quoted a BCB official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noting that initially only a small group was expected to play, so permission was secured for a single microbus.

“Initially, only a small group was expected to play, so we secured permission for a single microbus,” the report quoted the source.

“However, when more players decided to join, a large team bus was required instead. We did not have the necessary clearance to bring a vehicle of that size through the cantonment area, meaning they could not proceed.”

“We are fully prepared to accommodate all of their logistical requests, but we require timely and clear communication from their management to ensure clearances,” the official added.

Australia squads for Bangladesh series:

ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott and Adam Zampa.

T20I squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw and Adam Zampa.

READ: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to travel with parents on India tours

Former Australian pacer Shaun Tait has stepped down as Bangladesh’s fast bowling coach ahead of the multi-format series against Australia. 

According to the Daily Star, former pacer Talha Jubair has replaced him as the interim coach with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) operations chairman Shahreer Nafees confirming the appointment.

Earlier, the board confirmed Tait’s departure from his position in a press release statement.

“Since informing the BCB of his circumstances, Shaun had expressed his willingness to continue in the role with a shortened time. However, it was ultimately agreed that stepping down from the position was the most appropriate course of action. The decision has been reached amicably and with mutual understanding,” the BCB said in its statement.

Tait played a key role in nurturing several fast bowlers, notably Nahid Rana, who has caught the eye with his raw pace in recent times.

Shaun Tait described the decision as difficult and lauded Bangladesh players for their commitment.

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“It has been a privilege to work with the Bangladesh National Team and to be part of a talented and committed group of players and support staff This was not an easy decision, and I sincerely appreciate the understanding and support shown by the BCB throughout our discussions,” Tait was quoted as saying in the BCB statement.

“I am proud of what the pace bowlers have achieved, and I believe they have an exciting future ahead. I wish the team every success going forward,” he added.

For the unversed, Tait took charge of the position in May 2025, with his contract running until the ICC World Cup 2027.

Bangladesh will begin their preparation camp for the Australia series on June 6. Australia are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Friday afternoon for a tour featuring three ODIs and three T20Is.

Bangladesh are set to play three ODIs and T20Is against Australia from 9 to 21 June for a six-match white-ball series.

The ODI series will commence at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka with the T20I series commencing on 17 June in Chattogram.

READ: Injured Virat Kohli ruled out of ODI series against Afghanistan

RAWALPINDI: Debutant Arafat Minhas produced a memorable all-round performance as Pakistan secured a convincing five-wicket victory over Australia in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The 21-year-old first dismantled Australia’s batting line-up with a historic five-wicket haul before returning to finish the chase in style, smashing a six to seal Pakistan’s victory with 45 balls to spare.

Chasing a modest target of 201, Pakistan reached 202-5 in 42.3 overs, thanks largely to a match-defining 127-run partnership between Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori.

Pakistan’s pursuit began on a shaky note when Maaz Sadaqat was dismissed for eight with only 25 runs on the board. The hosts suffered another setback when Sahibzada Farhan fell for 28 in the 13th over, leaving Pakistan at 49-2.

Babar and Ghazi then steadied the innings with a composed stand that gradually took the game away from Australia. Both batters brought up well-crafted half-centuries while rotating the strike effectively.

The partnership was eventually broken in the 39th over when Nathan Ellis deceived Babar with a slower delivery. The former Pakistan captain top-scored with 69 off 94 balls, striking four boundaries and one six.

Ellis struck again in his next over to remove Ghazi, who impressed with 65 off 92 deliveries, including eight fours.

Pakistan lost another wicket when Salman Ali Agha was trapped lbw by Marnus Labuschagne for six, but Minhas ensured there were no further hiccups. The all-rounder fittingly completed his dream debut by launching a straight six to finish unbeaten on 18 from 17 balls.

Ellis was Australia’s most successful bowler with figures of 2-45, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Tanveer Sangha and Labuschagne claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s decision to bowl first proved decisive as Australia were bowled out for 200 in 44.1 overs.

Despite half-centuries from Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw, the visitors struggled to build substantial partnerships against a disciplined Pakistan bowling attack.

Short scored 55 from 76 deliveries, while Renshaw contributed 61, but Australia’s middle order failed to capitalise after promising starts.

The star of the innings was Minhas, who etched his name into Pakistan cricket history by becoming the first Pakistani bowler to claim a five-wicket haul on ODI debut. He finished with outstanding figures of 5-32 from his 10 overs.

Abrar Ahmed provided excellent support with two wickets, while Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf picked up one wicket apiece.

With the victory, Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, with the second match scheduled to be played in Lahore on June 2.

READ: Arafat Minhas scripts history with five-wicket haul on ODI debut

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

LAHORE: Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan is reportedly likely to miss selection for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, sources revealed on Thursday, as the national selectors weigh major changes in the white-ball setup.

The series is scheduled to begin on May 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the remaining two matches to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and 4.

Pakistan have already been hit with injury setbacks ahead of the series, with openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the squad.

According to sources, the selection committee is working closely with head coach Mike Hesson and captain Shaheen Afridi to finalise the squad, with Rizwan’s place in the ODI side now looking increasingly uncertain.

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Reports further suggest that Hesson is not in favour of Rizwan’s inclusion in the ODI setup, indicating a possible strategic shift in Pakistan’s white-ball direction.

The wicketkeeper-batter is also reportedly not part of long-term plans for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, scheduled in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Rizwan has represented Pakistan in 103 ODIs, scoring 2,979 runs at an average of 40.80, including four centuries and 19 half-centuries. Behind the stumps, he has taken 113 catches and effected seven stumpings.

Meanwhile, selectors are also assessing wicketkeeping options for the series. Ghazi Ghori, who made his ODI debut earlier this year as a specialist batter, is being considered for retention.

For the backup wicketkeeper role, the selectors are reportedly weighing options between Usman Khan, who has featured in two ODIs, and uncapped youngster Mirza Saad Baig.

READ: Is Shan Masood’s Test captaincy in danger after Bangladesh defeat?

LAHORE: Pakistan’s white-ball preparatory camp for the three-match series against Australia began on Friday at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

As per the details, the 28 players participating in the camp took one-on-one sessions with NCA coaches. The players also underwent various skills and fitness-oriented tests.

Additionally, the PCB medical staff reviewed the players’ fitness and physical parameters.

It is worth noting that the seven-day camp will conclude on May 21, with players participating in training sessions and practice matches.

The camp also includes Pakistan Under-19 fast bowlers Abdul Subhan and Ali Raza, who represented the country in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup staged in Zimbabwe and Namibia earlier this year.

During the camp, the NCA coaching staff will work closely with Pakistan’s white-ball team management to fine-tune players’ preparations for the upcoming series.

Pakistan will host Australia for three ODIs in Rawalpindi and Lahore between May 30 and June 4. All three matches are scheduled to begin at 4:30pm local time, with the toss set for 4pm.

Players participating in White-ball camp

Aamir Jamal, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Hamza Nazeer, Haris Rauf, Hunain Shah, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Faik, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufiyan Muqeem and Usman Khan.

READ: PCB announces Pakistan U19 tour of England

LAHORE: The physical tickets for the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Australia will go on sale from Friday, 22 May, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday.

According to the PCB, online tickets can be availed from pcb.tcs.com.pk from 1pm onwards, whereas the physical tickets will be available across 16 TCS Express Centers in three cities — Lahore (8 outlets) , Rawalpindi (5) and Islamabad(3).

The board has kept the ticket prices at an ‘affordable rate’, starting from PKR 200.

“To encourage fans to turn up in huge numbers, ticket prices have been set at an affordable rate, starting from PKR 200,” the PCB said in a press release statement.

“General enclosure tickets will be priced at PKR 200, first-class enclosures at PKR 300, premium tickets at PKR 400, and VIP tickets at PKR 500. For the Rawalpindi fixture, VIP gallery seats will be available at PKR 1,500,” it added.

 

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Moreover, VIP enclosures at the Iqbal End are set at PKR 1,000. The seats at the Jinnah End are priced at PKR 1,500.

Details of Corporate hospitality packages will also be available, with further information available through the PCB Head Office.

The ODI series will commence on Saturday, 30 May, with the first ODI taking place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the second and third ODIs will be played on 2 and 4 June, respectively, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

For the unversed, it will be Australia’s first bilateral ODI series in Pakistan since March-April 2022. The series is a continuation of Australia’s tour of Pakistan for a three-match T20I series in January and February, where Pakistan completed a 3-0 clean sweep over them.

Pakistan-Australia Series schedule

30 May – First ODI, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
2 June – Second ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
4 June – Third ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

READ: Hunain, Sufiyan included in Pakistan white-ball camp for Australia ODIs

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 28-player white-ball training camp ahead of the upcoming ODI series against Australia, with emerging stars Hunain Shah and Sufiyan Muqeem among the notable inclusions.

The camp, which will be held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, is scheduled to begin on May 15 and conclude on May 21.

According to the PCB, the seven-day camp will feature training sessions and practice matches as Pakistan intensify preparations for the three-match home ODI series against Australia.

Muqeem and Hunain earned selection following impressive performances in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11.

Left-arm spinner Muqeem finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets and played a key role in guiding Peshawar Zalmi to the title.

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Meanwhile, fast bowler Hunain claimed 17 wickets during the campaign to finish as the fourth-highest wicket-taker while representing runners-up Hyderabad Kingsmen.

The PCB further confirmed that the NCA coaching staff will work closely with Pakistan’s white-ball team management throughout the camp to monitor and prepare the players.

The training group also includes Pakistan Under-19 fast bowlers Abdul Subhan and Ali Raza, both of whom represented Pakistan in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup earlier this year in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Notably, underperforming opening batter Saim Ayub has been excluded from the camp.

Pakistan will host Australia for three ODIs in Rawalpindi and Lahore between May 30 and June 4. All three matches are scheduled to begin at 4:30pm local time, with the toss set for 4pm.

Players named in Pakistan white-ball camp: Aamir Jamal, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Hamza Nazeer, Haris Rauf, Hunain Shah, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Faik, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufiyan Muqeem and Usman Khan.

READ: Ayesha Zafar makes history with T20I century against Zimbabwe

Australia fast bowler Darcie Brown was a surprise omission from the 15-player squad, named on Wednesday, for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.

The squad will be captained by experienced all-rounder Sophie Molineux in the first World Cup since the retirement of Australia great Alyssa Healy, with Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath as deputies.

“Darcie Brown was unlucky to miss out, but the decision was based on the conditions we’re expecting and the make-up of the side,” selector Shawn Flegler said.

“These squads are never easy to select, but we’re confident with the balance and stability we’ve got across the group.”

Left-arm fast bowler Lucy Hamilton comes in for her first World Cup in place of Brown.

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“With at least six right-arm pace options in the mix and raw pace expected to be less effective, we opted to go with Lucy Hamilton, who offers something different as a left-arm quick,” said Flegler.

“Grace Harris comes into the side having missed the recent series against the West Indies. She’s a handy all-round option and someone who can take the game away from an opposition.”

New Zealand were shock winners in 2024 but did so without having to face Australia or England, the world’s two top-ranked T20 teams.

The tournament takes place in England beginning on June 12. The final is at Lord’s in London on July 5.

Australia are in Group A with South Africa, India, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Pakistan. They will open their campaign against South Africa at Old Trafford in Manchester on June 13.

Australia women’s T20 World Cup squad

Sophie Molineux (captain), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

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