Tag: Australia’s Tour to Pakistan

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the commentary and presenters panel for the upcoming Benaud-Qadir Trophy between Pakistan and Australia, Simon Katich and Rob Key also included.

In a press release, PCB revealed that former Australian and English cricketers and well-known commentators Simon Katich and Rob Key respectively will be commentating for the first time in Pakistan.

Katich will only commentate on the Benaud-Qadir Trophy and will be making his commentary debut in Pakistan, like his countryman Michael Kasprowicz.

The trio of Pakistan which includes Bazid Khan, Urooj Mumtaz, and Waqar Younis will commentate through the tour from 4 March to 5 April.

Sikandar Bakht and Zainab Abbas, on the other hand, will host the pre and post-match shows alongside Neroli Meadows, who will only be available for the first two Test matches.

Taking to Twitter, PCB Media revealed the commentary panel for the historic tour.

“Commentators for Benaud-Qadir Trophy announced,” the cricket board’s media handle wrote.

https://twitter.com/TheRealPCBMedia/status/1498995142426083328

It is apropos to mention here that Australia is touring Pakistan after a gap of 24 years. The touring side will play three Test matches which will take place in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore respectively. A three-match ODI series and a lone-T20I will also be hosted in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

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RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia (CA) announced the introduction of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, here on Wednesday.

In a PCB released statement, the cricket board announced the introduction of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy to celebrate Australia’s first Test series in Pakistan in 24 years. This will be a perpetual Trophy and will be presented at the end of each men’s Test series played between the Pakistan and Australia cricket teams.

This is a perennial trophy that will be given out at the conclusion of each men’s Test series between Pakistan and Australia.

Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir were two skilled, illustrious, and well-respected cricketers who served the game with honor, pride, and distinction in different eras.

Benaud took 248 wickets in 63 Tests from 1952 to 1964, while Qadir debuted in Test cricket in 1977 and concluded with 236 wickets in 67 Tests by 1990. Benaud was recognized in the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009, and Qadir was inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame in 2021, for their individual heroics, achievements, and accomplishments.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam and his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins unveiled the Benaud-Qadir Trophy at the Pindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the first Test, which commences on Friday.

At the unveiling of the inaugral Benaud-Qadir Trophy, Pakistan captain Babar said it will be an honor for him to lead Pakistan in the Benaud-Qadir Trophy.

“I am honoured that I will be leading the Pakistan team in the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, we will try and give performances that will be a tribute to these two legends who will always remain legends of the game,” he said.

Babar’s Australian counterpart Cummins on the other hand, said it will be a huge honour for him as well to compete for the first ever Benaud-Qadir Trophy.

“To be able to compete for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy for the first time is a huge honour. As current players, we really are standing on the shoulders of these greats of the past who helped to grow and popularize the game in years gone by, and if my team can collect that trophy at the end of this series then it really would be the perfect end to the Test part of this historic tour,” he remarked.

Taking to Twitter, PCB also shared the introduction of the historic Benaud-Qadir Trophy.

.@TheRealPCB and @CricketAus introduce Benaud-Qadir Trophy for #PakvAus Test series
Cummins: To be able to compete for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy for the 1st time is a huge honour
Babar: I am honoured that I will be leading the Pakistan team in the Benaud-Qadir Trophy#BoysReadyHain pic.twitter.com/B7ki5hCNJs

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 2, 2022

 

On this occasion CEO of PCB, Faisal Hasnain said there could be no better way to mark the revival of Pakistan-Australia Test rivalry in Pakistan.

“There can be no better way to celebrate and mark the revival of Pakistan-Australia Test rivalry in Pakistan by launching the trophy in the names of two absolute legends and icons of this great game – Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir,” he said.

“The launch of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy will add further context and spice to the Pakistan-Australia Test series, which historically have been well-contested and hard-fought. I am confident that players from either side will draw further inspiration from this initiative and would want to be the first to put a hand on the trophy,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Benaud-Qadir Trophy will commence on March 4 to March 25 in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore.

READ: Trophy for Pakistan-Australia Test series unveiled

RAWALPINDI: The captain of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) – Iftikhar Ahmed and fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr, has replaced Hassan Ali and Faheem Ashraf in Pakistan’s Test squad for the first match of the three-match series against Australia.

Iftikhar and Wasim Jr, who are chosen due to their all-round ability will replace Hasan and Faheem in the Rawalpindi Test squad as the latter two have been ruled out of the first Test due to injuries.

Both Wasim and Iftikhar will reach Islamabad tonight and will only be able to join the squad after completing a mandatory three-day isolation period. Whereas, Hasan and Faheem will rejoin the squad in the coming week after following the same protocols.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s released statement, Hasan and Faheem are expected to regain full fitness before the second Test that will be played in Karachi from March 12 to March 16.

15-player squad: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haris Rauf (Northern), Iftikhar Ahmed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan) and Zahid Mahmood (Sindh)

READ: Babar Azam joins practice session for the home series against Australia

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has joined the practice session here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as the home series against Australia is just around the corner.

Alongside Babar, Imam-ul-Haq, Fawad Alam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, and Saud Shakeel also participated in the session, while Naseem Shah and Azhar Ali will join the practice session tomorrow.

In a three-hour practice session, the players participated in the batting, bowling, and fielding drills, and also the scenario-based training sessions.

The coaching staff, led by Saqlain Mushtaq, is creating scenarios for the camp’s participants. The players are trying to gain a feel for Test cricket, whether it’s fielding, batting, or bowling, as they haven’t played red-ball cricket since November-December last year.

It is worth mentioning here that the historic tour of Australia will commence with a three-match Test series. Rawalpindi will host the first match, while Karachi and Lahore will host the second and third matches of the series respectively.

RAWALPINDI: Australian Test captain has termed the security of Pakistan as very professional as the right-arm pacer, along with his side, touched down in the country for the historic tour after a gap of 24 years.

Cummins, who talked to a virtual presser revealed that he feels incredibly safe in the country, also termed the security as very professional.

“I am feeling incredibly safe in Pakistan. I think the security here is very professional and the hospitality has been outstanding so far,” he said.

“Well, I also think that too much or very tight security will not divert our attention and we can keep our focus firmly on the cricket only,” he added.

Cummins further claimed to be aware that the touring team is restricted to staying at the hotel and that the squad members are used to this circumstance, claiming that they encountered similar constraints while touring India.

“We know that we can not go beyond the hotel frequently, while the boys are used to certain restrictions as we also do not use to go out a lot during our tour to India,” he said.

“The players have brought playing cards and Playstations in their luggage to have a good time during the quarantine,” he concluded.

Furthermore, Cummins also acknowledged the Pakistan Cricket Team as a tough team and said it will be a huge task to beat the men in green in their home conditions.

READ: Australia’s squad lands in Pakistan for historic tour

RAWALPINDI: A 35-members Australian squad has reached Pakistan after a gap of 24 years, for the historic tour, which will roll into action on the fourth of March at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The touring side will undergo on-arrival COVID-19 testing and will also undergo mandatory room isolation.

After the completion of the quarantine period and negative COVID-19 results, the team will then be able to hold practice sessions for the historic tour.

The Director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zakir Khan welcomed the Aussie squad and the CEO of Cricket Australia Nick Hockley.

On the other hand, Australia’s middle-order batter Steve Smith tweeted the picture of the team landing in the country.

Arrived in 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/pnis0ckFeO

— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) February 27, 2022

 

It is pertinent to mention here that Australia is coming to Pakistan after 24 years to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20I in March and April this year. Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi will host a Test each while the white-ball series will only be played in Rawalpindi.

MELBOURNE: Australia’s former captain and 1999 World Cup winner – Mark Waugh has termed Pakistan’s leading pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as a major threat for David Warner ahead of Australia’s historic tour to Pakistan.

Waugh, while speaking to Cricket Australia (CA) discussed Warner’s toil against fast bowlers and claimed that Afridi will put him to the test.

“I don’t think Warner looked quite as comfortable against quick bowling in recent times – Mark Wood definitely unsettled him, and Shaheen Afridi will be a big test for him,” he said.

“It’s a different angle and for him, it’s a little bit like a right-arm quick coming round the wicket – do you play the ball, or do you leave the ball?,” Waugh added.

Waugh also opined about Australia’s tour to Pakistan and the pitches on offer. The former captain went on to term the Green shirts a tougher opposition for Australia as compared to England.

“Pitches in Pakistan are different to that of India as they do not break early nor are dusty. They do not have much grass but help the ball to reverse swing. So I think the pacers in Pakistan are as threatful as the spinners,” he said.

“Pakistan will be a tough opposition for Australia as compared to England,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that Australia will tour Pakistan for the first time in 24 years to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20I. The historic tour will take place in March-April this year in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore.

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KARACHI: Pakistan Test squad held a practice session for the second consecutive day to race up the preparation for the upcoming home series against Australia, scheduled in March.

In a practice session, held at National Stadium Karachi, players participated in different training sessions.

Each player of the Test squad practised according to certain match scenarios and participated in the batting sessions.

Furthermore, the management has also started to implement strategic plans for openers, middle order, and even tail-enders.

The head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team – Saqlain Mushtaq and the newly appointed batting consultant – Mohammad Yousuf monitored the preparations and performance of the players.

It is worth mentioning here that Australia will be touring Pakistan after 24 years to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20I. The Aussies will first play three Tests in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore, respectively. They have announced a full-strength squad for the Test series.

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming home series against Australia has started training under the supervision of Head Coach Saqlain Mushtaq and Batting Coach Muhammad Yousuf, here on Thursday.

In the practice session, the Australia-series bound squad hit the training sessions. The players practised according to certain match scenarios and participated in the net sessions.

The training camp includes Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Imam-ul-Haq, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Saud Shakeel. Whereas, reserve players Yasir Shah and Mohammad Abbas are also part of the camp.

Furthermore, additional players called for the training camp includes Alian Mahmood, Ahmed Bashir, Ali Usman, Arshadullah, Haseebullah, Muhammad Ali, Raza Mustafa and Taj Wali.

Whereas, Test squad members participating in the PSL will join the squad after the conclusion of the marquee event.

Newly appointed bowling coach – Shaun Tait will join the squad later in Rawalpindi.

It is worth mentioning here that Australia will be touring Pakistan after 24 years to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20I. The Aussies will first play three Tests in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore, respectively. They have announced a full-strength squad for the Test series.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released its 38th podcast, which features three cricket legends – Pakistan’s Wasim Akram, England’s Michael Atherton, and Australia’s Allan Border – discussing Australia’s first tour to Pakistan in 24 years.

Border, who represented Australia in 156 Tests and also visited Pakistan and inspired his side to their first world cup in 1987, said it is an opportunity for the boys to make a name for themselves.

“This is the opportunity for the boys to really make a name for themselves. From Australia’s point of view, they have not had a lot of success in the subcontinent. It would be great from their point of view that someone stands up and say, you know, we can beat Pakistan in Pakistan, something a lot of really good sides have been unable to do,” he said.

“Conversely, for Pakistan, emerging as a young team and playing against Australia at home for the first time in 24 years, there’s the opportunity to really make names for themselves,” he added.

Border also claimed that it is going to be a really good series because both sides ‘have a lot to play for’, also hopeful of huge crowds to turn-up.

Atherton, on the other hand, who scored 7,728 runs for England in his 115 Tests, said it is important for Pakistan cricket fans that the international cricket is returning home, while also hoping the five-day cricket to flourish since ‘a relatively small number of countries’ play the longest format of the game.

“It’s great that Pakistan cricket supporters can see international cricket being played at home in Pakistan,” he said.

“Relatively a small number of countries play Test cricket and you don’t want to see Test cricket under pressure, particularly from the various franchise leagues around the globe. You don’t just want to see three or four nations constantly playing against each other. So, if there are going to be 12 Test-playing countries, you want all 12 to be flourishing and hopefully, the game also growing its footprints,” he added.

Atherton also claimed that it will be challenging for both batting line-ups since they will be facing good bowling attacks.

Furthermore, Wasim termed Australia’s historic tour to Pakistan as an achievement for the PCB and also claimed that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) played an important role in the revival of international cricket in the country.

“Australia coming to Pakistan after 24 years is an achievement for the Pakistan Cricket Board. This series will have a huge impact on our cricket as it will improve our players’ approach and mindset. For the next generation of cricketers, this will be an opportunity to fall in love with this sport and get motivated to scale greater heights in their careers,” he said.

“Australia’s tour to Pakistan will send out a strong and powerful message that everything is fine and normal here. This is our third PSL in Pakistan and I keep telling foreign players that this security has been put in place because we are too cautious and do not want to risk anything. The foreign players understand this argument and are happy to continue to visit and play here,” he added.

Wasim further claimed that things have changed a lot since 1998; when Australia last toured Pakistan and also expressed hope that the quality of pitches will be much better for the scheduled series.

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