Tag: England Lions

ABU DHABI: Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have forced the cancellation of the second 50-over match between the England Lions and Pakistan Shaheens, which was scheduled for Sunday at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

The decision has been taken following advice from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in view of the escalating situation in Abu Dhabi.

There will be no practice session as well, and the team has been advised to remain indoors.

The ECB confirmed that the decision comes after close consultation with UK government officials and security advisers, emphasising that the safety of players and support staff in the region remains the governing body’s top priority.

“The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority,” an ECB spokesperson said.

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“We are in contact with security experts and the Government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also in regular contact with the ECB and continues to closely monitor the ever-changing situation.

As soon as the Middle East airspace reopens, the PCB will decide whether to bring the Shaheens squad back to Pakistan or continue with the series, considering the prevailing security scenario.

The decision comes in the wake of recent retaliatory strikes in the region, including areas near Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, heightening concerns for touring squads.

Despite these disruptions, the England Men’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has been cleared to travel to Mumbai for their semi-final fixture on Thursday.

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ABU DHABI: Asa Tribe’s 64* guided England Lions to a four-wicket win over Pakistan Shaheens in the opening T20 fixture here at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Nursery One on Friday.

After being put into bat, Pakistan Shaheens posted 152 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

Skipper Shamyl Hussain led from the front with 57 off 39 balls, including four boundaries and four maximums.

The opening stand of Shamyl and Maaz Sadaqat added 56, with Maaz Sadaqat scoring 17 from 18 balls.

Meanwhile, Saad Baig (21, 20b, 2x4s) and Abdul Samad (21,12b, 2x6s) provided momentum through the middle overs.

Arafat Minhas, coming to bat at number seven, finished strongly with an unbeaten 13 off nine balls, which included two fours, helping Shaheens cross the 150-run mark.

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For England Lions, James Coles and Saqib Mahmood picked up two wickets each.

Pakistan Shaheens made early inroads as Akif Javed struck twice inside the powerplay to remove Will Smeed and England Lions captain Jordan Cox, leaving the opposition under pressure in the chase.

Ahmed Daniyal, Saad Masood, and Sufiyan Muqeem chipped in with a wicket apiece, keeping Shaheens in the contest through the middle overs.

However, unbeaten 64 from Asa Tribe, including six fours and a six, took Lions over the line in 19.1 overs.

The second match will be played at the same venue on Sunday, March 22.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the 16-member Shaheens squad for the upcoming white-ball series against England Lions in Abu Dhabi.

The three-match T20 series will begin on Friday, 20 February, while the five-match 50-over series will be played from 27 February to 9 March.

All the matches are set to take place at the Stadium Oval in Abu Dhabi.

The Pakistan Shaheens squad will take part in a seven-day training camp from 11-17 February in Karachi before departing for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Left-hand batter Shamyl Hussain is set to lead the Shaheens in both the T20 and 50-over series.

The squad features Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, player of the tournament in ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, Maaz Sadaqat and left-hand batter Saad Khan.

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Pakistan U19 batter Sameer Minhas has also received the call-up for both series, along with his brother Arafat Minhas, as the duo make strong strides following their appearances in the ICC U19 World Cup and ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, respectively.

Rohail Nazir and Saad Baig will take up the wicket-keeping duties, while Arafat, leg-spinner Saad Masood and left-arm wrist spinner Sufyan Muqeem form the spin contingent for the Shaheens.

Among the fast bowlers, Pakistan U19 pacer Ali Raza will be joined by Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Mohammad Salman and Shahid Aziz.

Sarfaraz Ahmed is set to be the mentor and team manager of the Pakistan Shaheens team for this tour.

Former Test player Ijaz Ahmed Jr will be the head coach, and he will be supported by former Pakistan international Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach) and former Test fast bowler Aizaz Cheema (bowling coach).

Pakistan Shaheens squad

Shamyl Hussain (captain), Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman, Rohail Nazir (wk), Saad Baig (wk), Saad Khan, Saad Masood, Sameer Minhas, Shahid Aziz, and Sufyan Moqim.

Player support personnel: Sarfaraz Ahmed (mentor & team manager), Ijaz Ahmed Jnr (head coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Aizaz Cheema (bowling coach), Mohammad Tahir (physiotherapist) and Usman Hashmi (performance analyst)

Pakistan Shaheens vs England Lions Schedule

1st T20 – 20 February

2nd T20 – 22 February

3rd T20 – 24 February

1st 50-over – 27 February

2nd 50-0ver – 1 March

3rd 50-over – 4 March

4th 50-over – 6 March

5th 50-over – 9 March

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LONDON: Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali are set to join England Lions coaching staff for the upcoming white-ball series against Pakistan Shaheens, slated to commence in Abu Dhabi next month.

According to the England Cricket Board (ECB) press release, the tour involves three T20 matches, which will be followed by five 50 over fixtures.

Jordan Cox will captain the Lions in the T20s while Dan Mousley will take charge of the 50-over team.

“Jordan Cox and Dan Mousley will captain the England Lions’ T20 and 50-over squads respectively during next month’s white-ball series against Pakistan Shaheens in the United Arab Emirates,” the board said.

Following the announcement, ECB Men’s Performance Director, Ed Barney shared his views on the tour, emphasizing the tour as a buildup towards the 50 overs World Cup set to be held in 2027.

“It’s exciting to have such a strong England Lions squad selected. This group brings a real blend of proven performers, exciting talent who have performed over the winter and retains an eye on future best,” he said.

“With limited 50-over cricket on offer, this series combined with tours over the remainder of 2026 will give players the opportunity to develop and deliver as we build towards the 2027 ICC Men’s World Cup in South Africa,” he added.

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England Lions head coach Andrew Flintoff will oversee the coaching responsibilities that will also include Troy Cooley’s, who will be joining the team for the first time since returning to the ECB as Men’s Elite National Pace Bowling Lead.

Moreover, the coaching setup will also include Neil McKenzie, Sarah Taylor, Neil Killeen, former all-rounder Moeen Ali, Amar Rashid and England’s Test skipper Ben Stokes.

The opening match of the tour will commence on Friday 20 February 2026 at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

T20 squad

Sonny Baker, Luc Benkenstein, James Coles, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox (c), Scott Currie, Calvin Harrison, Eddie Jack, Saqib Mahmood, Ben McKinney, Tom Moores, Dan Mousley, Matt Revis, Will Smeed, Nathan Sowter, Mitchell Stanley and Asa Tribe.

50-over squad

Sonny Baker, Luc Benkenstein, James Coles, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Scott Currie, Calvin Harrison, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Dan Mousley (c), Liam Patterson-White, Matthew Potts, Matt Revis, James Rew, Mitchell Stanley, Asa Tribe and James Wharton.

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The Pakistan Shaheens are set to play eight white-ball matches against England Lions in Abu Dhabi in early 2026.

The series will consist of three T20s and five 50-over matches. It will be the first away white-ball series for England Lions since touring Sri Lanka in February 2023.

The opening T20 will be played on Friday 20 February, before the five-match 50-over series begins on Friday 27 February.

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All matches will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

“This tour presents an invaluable opportunity for the highest potential England players to develop their white-ball skills,” said ECB Men’s Performance Director, Ed Barney.

“With a relative absence of top-tier 50-over cricket for the future England players, we know this, and future white-ball tours will play an invaluable role in developing the skills and experience to thrive on the world stage, particularly with one eye on the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.”

Tour schedule

• 1st T20: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Friday 20 February 2026
• 2nd T20: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Sunday 22 February 2026
• 3rd T20: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Tuesday 24 February 2026
• 1st 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Friday 27 February 2026
• 2nd 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Sunday 1 March 2026
• 3rd 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Wednesday 4 March 2026
• 4th 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Friday 6 March 2026
• 5th 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Monday 9 March 2026

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