Tag: Bangladesh

LAHORE: Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali marked his return to international cricket in style on Wednesday, grabbing his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is to help his team seal a 37-run win over Bangladesh in the series opener.

Returning to the national side after more than a year, the experienced pacer looked as if he had never been away.

He struck early and often, removing both Bangladesh openers, Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan, within his first two overs before running through the middle and lower order to claim the bowling figures of 5-28.

It’s been a tough road back for the 29-year-old, who last donned Pakistan’s T20I colours in May 2024 against Ireland.

A subsequent elbow injury during the County Championship in July sidelined him for months, raising concerns over his future.

He made his comeback during the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, where he finished as the joint-second highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps, a performance that earned him a well-deserved return to the national setup.

Reflecting on his dream comeback, Hasan credited a straightforward plan and the backing of his teammates.

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“The plan was simple — bowl in the right areas,” he said after the match. “Honestly, credit goes to our batters who set up a solid total, which allowed us to bowl with a clear strategy.”

“What more could I ask for? To return with a five-wicket haul in a format where bowlers rarely dominate — it’s truly special.”

Hasan Ali also spoke about the importance of pace variations in the modern T20 game, highlighting how crucial it is for bowlers to adapt.

“T20 cricket heavily favours batters, so having variations in your arsenal is key. I’m happy I could execute those when it mattered most,” he added.

The pacer took a moment to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its medical staff for standing by him during his lengthy rehab.

“Rehabilitation was tough — boring, demanding, and mentally draining. It required full commitment, passion, and hunger,” Hasan revealed.

“There were times when I thought the injury could end my career, but the PCB and my physio staff were phenomenal in their support.”

READ: PCB chairman lauds Sadia Iqbal on topping ICC T20I bowling rankings

LAHORE: Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan has shared his thoughts following a commanding victory over Bangladesh in the opening T20I of the three-match series.

Shadab Khan was named as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his all-round performance. He bagged two wickets and scored 48 runs at a crucial moment for the Pakistan team.

Shadab Khan struck five fours and two sixes in his brisk knock.

Green Shirts led the series 1-0 after securing a resounding 37-run victory over Bangladesh while defending a 202-run target.

Chasing a daunting target of 202 runs, Bangladesh’s batting line faltered and were bundled out for 164 in 19.2 overs.

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Hasan Ali, on his return to the national side, starred with a five-wicket haul while Shadab Khan bagged two wickets.

During the post-match interview, Shadab Khan emphasized the importance of hard work in improving his game, expressing gratitude for his performance in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

“My international comeback during the New Zealand series didn’t go as planned, but I put in the hard work to turn things around. I’m grateful to the Almighty for my successful PSL performance, which has given me tremendous confidence,” he said.

He also admitted that he has to improve his game, mentioning his bowling strategy.

“There’s still room for improvement in my game. While batting, I noticed when spinners bowled the 19th over that shorter deliveries wide of the batter proved particularly challenging. This observation helped me adapt my own bowling strategy,” Shadab Khan explained.

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-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: ‘He’s Back’: Salman Ali Agha Hails Hasan’s Performance Against Bangladesh

LAHORE: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha praised Hasan Ali for his impressive performance against Bangladesh in the first T20I here at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan secured a resounding 37-run victory over Bangladesh while defending a 202-run target.

Hasan Ali, on his return to the national side after one and a half years, bagged a five-wicket haul in an impressive spell. He returned with figures of 5-30 in 3.2 overs.

During the post-match presentation, Salman Ali Agha praised Hasan Ali, emphasizing his hard work over the past year.

“I think everyone is saying that 2017 Hassan Ali is back. And well, he’s well and truly back. And the way he worked, I have seen him working hard,” he remarked.

The skipper shed light on Hasan Ali’s training routine, stressing his bowling in the opening T20I.

“He was coming every day for two times, and then in Ramadan, he was coming and would stay there, break fast, and then stay there, like till 11-12. It’s truly hard work. Today it’s paid off. And the way he bowled in PSL, and the way he bowled today, I’m so happy for him, ” Salman Ali Agha said.

“He’s well and truly back, he added.

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The right-handed batter who scored his maiden half-century in T20Is pinpointed Pakistan’s game plan despite losing early wickets.

“I do want eight batters and six bowling options. I didn’t bowl Saim yet, and I think he’s a good enough bowler to bowl four overs. I think it’s just a luxury I have.

“After like 5-2, it was an amazing innings. And I think everyone chipped in, and everyone came and played with the intent. That’s what we want from them. This is what we want. We want a team performance like that, ” he explained.

Salman Ali Agha lauded the all-around performance from the Green Shirts, noting that everyone contributed to the victory.

“We batted well, bowled well, and fielded well, and everyone chipped in. We don’t want people to score 80-90; if they do that, then that’s amazing. But if they don’t do that, we want people to come and take the game on, whether we are batting, bowling, or fielding,” the skipper said.

He concluded, “We will try to take rest tomorrow, and then we will come the day after tomorrow, like the way we did today, we will do, probably try to do better.”

READ: Hasan bags five as Pakistan thump Bangladesh in T20I series opener

LAHORE: Salman Ali Agha’s half-century, followed by Hasan Ali’s five-wicket haul, as Pakistan sealed a resounding 37-run victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a daunting target of 202 runs, Bangladesh’s batting line faltered and were bundled out for 164 in 19.2 overs.

In pursuit of the target, Bangladesh had a similar start to Pakistan as they lost two wickets in four overs. Parvez Hossain Emon (4 off two balls) was removed only in the second over, while Tanzid Hasan fell in the fourth over.

Tanzid’s brisk 31 off 17 ended, courtesy of Hasan Ali’s good bowling.

Following the early hiccups, skipper Litton Das came to the fore, forging a steady stand with Towid Hridoy for the third wicket. The rapid partnership helped visitors reach the 100-run mark in just 12 overs.

The duo’s batting kept Bangladesh afloat, not before Liton’s removal, who was caught by Fakhar Zaman. He top-scored with 48 off 30 deliveries, striking at 160 with the help of three sixes and a four.

Litton Das’s wicket triggered a collapse that Bangladesh could not recover from. Khushdil Shah ended Hridoy’s sluggish 22-ball 17 while Agha Salman ended Shamim Hossain’s (4) innings.

Bangladesh were eventually reduced to 108-5 in 13.1 overs. With required run-rate creeping, Pakistan sensed a comfortable victory until Jaker Ali’s cameo.

He was removed in the 18th over after a quick-fire 36. He faced 20 balls in which he struck three sixes and a four, but it was not enough while chasing an above-par target.

Following his removal, the visitor’s innings was eventually folded in the 20th over.

Hasan Ali, on his return to the national side, starred with a five-wicket haul while Shadab Khan bagged two wickets.

For his all-round performance, Shadab Khan was named the ‘Player of the Match’.

Earlier, after opting to bat, Skipper Salman Ali Agha’s half-century and Shadab Khan’s blitz powered Pakistan to a 201-run total for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs.

Pakistan had a poor start to their innings as their dynamic opening duo, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, fell cheaply in the opening overs.

Saim was the first to go without scoring while Fakhar fell on the score of one in the second over, leaving Pakistan two for five.

However, skipper Agha Salman led from the front, stitching a 48-run stand with Mohammad Haris to steady the Green Shirts.

Haris was going well until his dismissal after scoring 31 off 18 deliveries, with the help of four boundaries and a six. Pakistan was eventually reduced to 53 in 6.3 overs.

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Meanwhile, Agha remained steady, crafting another stand with Hasan Nawaz. Both batters scored briskly in a 65-run partnership, bringing the score to 118 in 12 overs.

The skipper’s wicket halted Pakistan’s momentum as he was removed just after his half-century. Agha Salman top-scored with 56 off 34 deliveries, striking eight fours and a six.

Shadab Khan joined Hasan Nawaz, who was dismissed after scoring 44 off 22 deliveries, featuring two fours and four sixes. One wicket followed another as the incoming batter Khushdil Shah (5 off 10 balls) short stay came to an end. followed him.

At this stage, Pakistan was 150-6 in 16.1 overs with vice-captain Shadab Khan at one end. With wickets in quick succession, Shadab Khan struck a crucial 48-run knock, helping Pakistan score above 200.

He was removed on the last ball of the penultimate over. Shadab struck five fours and two sixes in his brisk knock.

For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets, while Mahedi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, and Shamim Hossain claimed one scalp apiece.

Pakistan Bangladesh Playing XIs

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib,  Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz,  Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Hassan Ali, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

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LAHORE: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first in the first T20I of the three-match series against Bangladesh here at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, after winning the toss, shared the rationale behind the decision.

“We are going to try to score above par,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh skipper Litton Das expressed joy at bowling first while deeming it an opportunity for youngsters.

“We would have bowled first if we had won the toss,” he says from the middle of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

“We back the new players. It’s a good opportunity for them,” he added.

Pakistan and Bangladesh have faced each other 18 times in T20Is. The Green Shirts remained dominant, securing 16 wins while Bangladesh managed to win only two games.

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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.

PLAYING XIs

Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib,  Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam

Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz,  Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Hassan Ali, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

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: WATCH: Bangladesh, SA Players involved in Physical Fight During Emerging Test

MIRPUR: Emerging players from the Bangladesh and South Africa teams were involved in a physical interaction during the second unofficial Test here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.

The incident happened during the 104th over of Bangladesh’s innings. Ripon Mondol from Bangladesh and Tshepo Ntluli from South Africa had a heated exchange.

The verbal altercation that escalated into a physical confrontation started when Ripon Mondol hit a six off Tshepo Ntluli’s first ball of the over.

Ntluli went up to Ripon and pushed him, causing a tense standoff. In reply, Ripon attempted to push Ntluli away multiple times, but the South African player persisted.

The situation worsened further when Ntluli seized Ripon’s helmet and pulled it, resulting in a physical scuffle between the two players. The umpires, who eventually intervened to calm the situation.

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Meanwhile, the match is not an official one and does not hold first-class status, but disciplinary action may still be taken against the players involved, a Bangladesh news outlet reported.

Following the scuffle, the Match referee, Salim Shahed, hinted at reviewing the fight to determine any potential disciplinary actions.

“Once I receive the umpires’ report, I will prepare my report with suggestions of punishment,” he said.

“I will send that two both boards so that they can take action based on my report,” Shahed said while adding that another South Africa had already served a one-match suspension during the one-day series.

Furthermore, Nabil Kaiser, one of the on-air commentators, called the fight an extreme level of confrontation.

“This is extreme, this is unacceptable. Normally we see verbal altercations in a cricket field but we don’t often see a scuffle. Ntuli struck Ripon’s helmet at one point,” he said.

For the unversed, the ongoing four-day match is the second and final game between Bangladesh and the South Africa Emerging side. The Proteas lost the one-day series 2-1, while the first four-day match in Chattogram ended in a draw.

READ: Major blow for England as Gus Atkinson ruled out of West Indies ODIs

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

LAHORE: Pakistan T20 International (T20Is) captain Salman Ali Agha has vowed to play modern-day cricket, emphasizing a ‘Fearless, not careless’ approach ahead of the Bangladesh series.

While addressing the media here ahead of the first T20I, Salman addressed the question regarding the Pakistan team’s approach in the shorter format.

“It’s not the only Islamabad United method. If you look around the world, cricket is played in this manner, and people are following the attacking style.

We’re also aiming to stick with the attacking style we’ve developed and sustain it for the long run, and it’s attacking cricket as well, in which you remain ‘fearless but not careless’,” Agha Salman told reporters.

Salman Ali Agha praised the Bangladesh team, noting that we will try to play good cricket.

“Any series in international cricket is not easy, and currently, the Bangladesh team is very skillful,” he added.

He also mentioned the key player that Pakistan will target as a crucial wicket.

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”Litton Das will be prize wicket for us and we will ensure that he should not score too many runs,” he said of Bangaldesh’s skipper.

Pakistan has changed eight players from the T20I team that toured New Zealand earlier this year. Speaking about the changes, he said that keeping Sri Lankan conditions in mind, we aim to have a pool of 20 to 25 players.

“We aim to create the best playing XI for the World Cup in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, want to assemble a pool of 20 to 25 players so that if any player is injured, we have a replacement,” Salman Ali Agha concluded.

The right-handed batter also emphasized the Playing XI against Bangladesh, particularly mentioning Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 ‘Player of the Tournament’ Hasan Nawaz’s batting position.

“We picked the team according to players’ international and PSL form. With my suggestion, the final XI is decided. Hasan Nawaz has played really well in the middle order in PSL, so I don’t think he needs to open,” Salman Ali Agha Concluded.

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled 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.

READ: Salman Ali Agha reveals reason behind dropping Sufiyan Muqeem

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced the commentary panel for the forthcoming three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh, set to commence tomorrow.

The commentary panel for the series includes prominent names. Former Test captains Aamir Sohail and Ramiz Raja from Pakistan will be part of the team, alongside Athar Ali Khan and the renowned commentator Mike Haysman.

In addition, Zainab Abbas will serve as series presenter, adding her expertise to the coverage.

Earlier, PCB revealed the match officials for the upcoming series, featuring Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle, who is a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control teams for the T20I series.

Madugalle, who has also officiated the most international cricket matches (804) across three formats as Match Referee, also led playing control teams in seven matches of the recently concluded HBL PSL X.

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The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will 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-Bangladesh Squads

Pakistan: 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), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub.

Bangladesh: 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

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board, on Tuesday, announced the match officials for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle, who is a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control teams for the T20I series.

Madugalle, who has also officiated the most international cricket matches (804) across three formats as Match Referee, also led playing control teams in seven matches of the recently concluded HBL PSL X.

For the first T20I between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz – both part of the PCB International Panel of Umpires, will be the on-field umpires.

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Ahsan Raza, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires will be the third umpire, while Faisal Khan Aafreedi – an ICC International Panel Umpire, will act as the fourth umpire.

In the second T20I, Rashid Riaz will join Faisal Khan Aafreedi to perform the on-field duties, while Ahsan Raza will be the third umpire. Asif Yaqoob will be the fourth umpire.

For the third T20I, Ahsan Raza will be joined by Asif Yaqoob to perform on-field duties, while Faisal Khan Aafreedi will be the third umpire. Rashid Riaz will work as the fourth umpire for the final T20I of the series.

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will 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.

Pakistan-Bangladesh Squads

Pakistan: 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), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub.

Bangladesh: 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.

READ: Shakib Al Hasan will always be in the consideration: BCB