England tour of Pakistan Archives

‘It’s been absolute please’ Nasser Hussain hails Pakistan’s warm welcome

KARACHI: Former England captain and renowned commentator Nasser Hussain has thanked Pakistan for the warm reception during his historic tour of the country.

Taking to Twitter, Nasser said he would remember the warm welcome given to him in Pakistan.

“Thank you Pakistan… Will always remember your warm welcome back !! It’s been an absolute pleasure..” he wrote.

Thank you Pakistan… Will always remember your warm welcome back !!
It’s been an absolute pleasure..
⁦@RBReever⁩ ⁦@Athersmike⁩ ⁦@snapperhead333⁩ pic.twitter.com/a3gfEYsJtH

— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) December 20, 2022

The former England opener was one of the commentators in the star-studded panel which also includes Michaels Atherton and David Gower during the historic three-match series between Pakistan and England.

This was the first occasion when Nasser and Atherton came to Pakistan as broadcasters.

It is pertinent to mention here that England sealed a comprehensive eight-wicket win in the final Test and handed Pakistan their first-ever home series whitewash.

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Debutant Jacks storms tailenders as England bowl out Pakistan for 579

RAWALPINDI: England part-time bowler Will Jacks ran through the lower order to help the visiting side bundle out Pakistan for 579 in the first innings – 78 runs behind England’s 657 – on the penultimate day of the first Test, here on Sunday.

Jacks produced dream figures of 6 for 161 as he hunt down the remaining three wickets to book Pakistan early on Day four as they resumed from the overnight score of 499/7.

All-rounder Agha Salman notched up his half-century before he fell prey to off-spinner Jack, who then went on to dismiss Haris Rauf and Zahid Mahmood.

Earlier on Day three, Pakistan gave a befitting response to England’s record total when skipper Babar Azam dominated the touring party’s bowlers and raised his 8th Test hundred after both the openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique scored centuries too.

Pakistan openers piled up an astounding 221-run partnership as Abdullah played a phenomenal knock of 209-ball 114 while Imam contributed 121 off 207.

Skipper Babar, however, smashed a remarkable 168-ball 136 as he stitched a magnificent 123-run partnership with Saud Shakeel for the fourth wicket.

For England, apart from Jack’s outstanding bowling figures, spinner Jack Leach took two scalps while pacers Ollie Robinson and veteran James Anderson also had a wicket each.

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President Alvi attends historic Rawalpindi Test to celebrate England return

RAWALPINDI: President Arif Alvi witnessed the opening day play of the historic Rawalpindi Test on Thursday as it marked England’s Test side’s return to Pakistan after a gap of 17 years.

England, who last played a Test match on Pakistani home soil back in 2005, has been playing its first-ever Test at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

President Alvi celebrated this historic milestone for Pakistan cricket as he reached the stadium to attend the first day of the opening Test between the two sides. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja welcomed the president on his arrival.

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Christian Turner also witnessed the proceedings of the record-breaking day for England Cricket.

On the opening day of the first Test, England raised a record 506/4 – the highest by any team on the first day of a Test match – as they dominated Pakistan’s bowling attack with help of four individual centuries.

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook blasted phenomenal hundreds each to steer the visiting side to a commanding position in the game.

It is pertinent to mention here that England will play three-game series as Multan and Karachi will host the second and third Test, respectively.

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PAK v ENG: Start of first Test likely to be delayed after England players fall ill

RAWALPINDI: The opening Test of the historic series between Pakistan and England is likely to be held with a delayed start after several players of the touring party were struck down by illness on Wednesday.

“The PCB and ECB are in discussions regarding the commencement of the 1st PAKvENG Test as some England players are down with viral infection,” PCB said in a tweet.

An ECB spokesperson confirmed that the illnesses were not Covid-19 related, with players experiencing vomiting and diarrhoea.

The PCB and ECB are in discussions regarding the commencement of the 1st #PAKvENG Test as some England players are down with viral infection. The PCB continues to monitor the situation, is in contact with the ECB and will provide further updates in due course.

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 30, 2022

Former England Test captain Joe Root has dismissed the possibility of his team teammates falling ill due to food poisoning ahead of the first Test match in Rawalpindi.

“I don’t think it’s food poisoning or Covid or anything like that,” said Root as he responded to a query at a press talk in Rawalpindi today.

It may be noted that the England team, led by Ben Stokes, landed in Pakistan with its team chef amid food concerns in Pakistan.

England and Pakistan will contest a three-Test series with the second in Multan beginning December 9 and the third in Karachi from December 17-21.

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Babar’s wicket crucial but goal is to take 20 wickets: Anderson

RAWALPINDI: England veteran pacer James Anderson looked confident to perform under any type of conditions as his side embark on a historic Test tour of Pakistan for the first time after 17 years.

Anderson, 40, told reporters on Tuesday that being a Test cricketer, he was ready to take any sort of challenge.

“I can bowl under any condition with the kind of skills that I have,” said Anderson while speaking to a scheduled press conference on Tuesday after England’s training session at the Pindi Stadium.

The veteran pacer who last visited the country back in 2005, added that he received a warm reception from the people on his return and insisted that he was excited to play his first Test in Pakistan.

“It’s great. An amazing welcome. All the guys are really excited to be back here. Even the guys who weren’t here seventeen years ago. We are delighted to be here and excited to get into action” he said.

Talking about the playing conditions in Pakistan, Anderson believed that he and his fellow pacers would try to take advantage of the moisture available in the early hours of the day.

“I am not a great pitch reader. One thing we’ve witnessed is that it’s been a bit of dew around here in the morning so that could play a part. Might be a bit of moisture in the wicket early on.” he said

Moreover, the 40-year-old pacer claimed that irrespective of the conditions, his side would aim to bundle out the opposition twice in every match.

“Not sure how the pitch will play out here but we are trying to cover all basis. Our target is to get all 20 wickets,” he said.

“Our focus is not just one wicket. Although Babar Azam’s wicket will be crucial, other batters are on our target as well,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that England’s Test team set foot in Pakistan after a gap of almost 17 years to face the home side in a three-match series, scheduled from December 1 to 21.

Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the first match of the series, while the remaining two fixtures will be held in Multan and Karachi respectively.

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England, Pakistan train at Pindi Stadium ahead of first Test

RAWALPINDI: As the England Test side embarks on its first tour of Pakistan after 17 years gap, the Pindi stadium witnessed a busy day on Tuesday as both teams raced up their preparations for the opening Test at the venue.

England will lock horns with the hosts for the three-match Test series, starting from December 1 (Thursday) with the Rawalpindi Test, while the remaining two fixtures will be held in Multan and Karachi respectively.

The players of the two squads carried out robust training sessions on Tuesday ahead of the first Test amid tight security at the stadium.

According to the details, foolproof security arrangements were ensured around the stadium and on the team routes for the practice session which lasted till the afternoon.

Ben Stokes-led side engaged in vigorous fielding drills alongside net sessions for bowling and batting practice for the second consecutive day, while the national squad also geared up their preparations for the home assignment.

It is pertinent to mention here that England will play Pakistan in a test series for the first time since 2005 when they last toured the country for three tests and five ODIs.

England’s white-ball side had already visited the country in September this year for the seven T20 matches and defeated the hosts 4-3 in the series.

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British High Commission celebrates England historic tour to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Christian Turner held an honorary ceremony on Monday to celebrate the England Test side’s historic return to Pakistan after 17 years hiatus.

England will lock horns with the hosts for the three-match Test series, starting from December 1 with the first Test at Rawalpindi.

According to the details, the squad members of both sides attended the ceremony hosted by the British High Commissioner.

Federal minister for information Maryam Aurangzeb, National Assembly speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and trade and commerce minister Khurram Dastagir were also present on the occasion along with other key government and political figures.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Turner expressed his best wishes for the captain of both sides for the upcoming Test series.

Furthermore, Mr Turner thanked England skipper Ben Stokes for his pledge to donate the match fee to the flood victims of Pakistan.

Talking about the passion for cricket in the country, British High Commissioner insisted that the people of Pakistan shared an enormous amount of love for the game.

Mr Tuner, however, claimed that the political temperature of the country will cool down once the Test series roll out.

“People had almost forgotten about the politics during the recent T20 World Cup. I am happy that with this Test series people will once again overlook the politics for the next few days,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PCB authorities present on the occasion praised the British High Commissioner for his efforts to make England’s back-to-back tours to Pakistan possible.

It is pertinent to mention here that England’s white-ball side had earlier visited the country in September for the seven-match T20I series.

” I am extremely delighted over Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain’s return to Pakistan after two decades,” said PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain.

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British-Pakistani Rehan receives maiden England call-up for Pakistan tour

LONDON: England Cricket Board on Wednesday added an 18-year-old British-Pakistani, Rehan Ahmed, to the Test squad for the historic tour of Pakistan, commencing on December 1.

The leg-spinning all-rounder has received his maiden England call-up and if he gets a chance in playing XI during the three-match series against Pakistan, he will become the youngest cricketer to play a Test for England.

Leicestershire’s Rehan is currently part of the England Lions and playing a warm-up game against the senior side during their training camp in Abu Dhabi.

“The 18-year-old, who has been with the Lions in their red-ball training camp in the UAE and is currently playing in the three-day warm-up fixture against the England Test squad in Abu Dhabi, has impressed coaches with his attitude and genuine potential to be given his first call up to the senior side.” said ECB in a press release

England red-ball coach Brendon McCullum praised the youngster’s approach towards the game besides calling him an unfinished article.

“We know he’s not the finished article and has raw potential, but Ben (Stokes), myself and the rest of the coaches like how he approaches his game. The experience of being part of the squad in Pakistan will be hugely beneficial for him, and he will add to the make-up of our squad.” said McCullum as quoted by the ECB release.

On Saturday, England will fly to Pakistan after concluding their Test camp at the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub.

Ben Stokes-led side will arrive in Pakistan on November 27 and after the Test in Rawalpindi, the team will travel to Multan for the second Test from December 9 to 13.

The final match of the tour will be staged at the National Stadium in Karachi, commencing on December 17.

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UK embassy delegation visits Pindi Stadium to review security for first Test

RAWALPINDI: A five-member delegation of the British High Commission in Islamabad on Tuesday visited the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to assess the arrangements for the opening Test of the historic three match-series between Pakistan and England, commencing next week.

England Test team will tour Pakistan after their white-ball team successfully completed the seven-match T20I series earlier this year. The tour marked England’s first visit of the country after a hiatus of 17 years.

The police authorities of the city ensured fool-proof security during the delegation’s visit to the venue, which will host England for the first time in a Test match, starting from December 1.

The delegation reviewed the security arrangements at the stadium and its surroundings and travelled on the team routes to assess the situation.

It is pertinent to mention here that Ben Stokes-led side will arrive in Pakistan on November 27 and after the Test in Rawalpindi, the team will travel to Multan for the second Test from December 9 to 13.

The final match of the tour will be staged at the National Stadium in Karachi, commencing on December 17.

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Shadab praises Hasan’s strong gesture after exclusion from Test squad

KARACHI: All-rounder Shadab Khan lauded fast bowler Hasan Ali for his resolute response after getting dropped from the national Test squad, announced on Monday.

Pakistan named an 18-member squad for the historic Test series against England on home soil after 17 years. Hasan failed to find a spot in the squad due to his mediocre form this year, which forced his ouster from the national team in both red and white-ball format.

Taking on Twitter, Hasan congratulated the players selected for the upcoming Test series and expressed hope that he would make a comeback to the team on the back of a strong performance in the domestic season.

“Congratulations to all my teams mates who got selected for the England Test series. InshAllah I will work hard in the ongoing domestic season and earn my place back in the National Team,” he tweeted.

Congratulations to all my teams mates who got selected for the England Test series. InshAllah I will work hard in the ongoing domestic season and earn my place back in the National Team 🇵🇰❤️#PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/q7KaISCwle

— Hassan Ali 🇵🇰 (@RealHa55an) November 21, 2022

Shadab, on the other hand, hailed the right-arm pacer for showing a strong gesture, calling it a ‘champion mentality’.

“This is why you have champion mentality. You always support your team and always work hard,” he replied to Hasan’s tweet.

This is why you have champion mentality. You always support your team and always work hard. https://t.co/AvhUzXQan9

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) November 21, 2022

The 28-year-old last represented Pakistan in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in July this year. He remained wicketless in his last outing while in the first Test of the series he only managed three wickets.

It is pertinent to mention here that England will arrive in Pakistan on November 27 to play the historic three-match Test series, commencing on December 1 with the opening match in Rawalpindi.

The second Test will take place in Multan on December 9, and the final match of the tour will be staged at the National Stadium in Karachi, commencing on December 17.

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