Tag: England tour of Pakistan

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam completed 8000 T20 runs to become the second-fastest batter after West Indies legend Chris Gayle to reach the milestone. 

Babar achieved the historic feat during his phenomenal centurion knock against England in the second T20I on Thursday here at National Stadium.

The Pakistan skipper reached the landmark in 218 innings, overtaking India’s Virat Kohli who completed 8000 T20 runs in 243 innings. While T20 specialist Gayle was the fastest to reach the milestone in 213 innings.

8️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ T20 runs ✅

Babar Azam reaches the milestone in 218 innings – second-fastest after Chris Gayle 👏#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/7kc5DsjTzR

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 22, 2022

Babar smashed a magnificent 110 off 66 balls laced with 11 fours and five sixes, guiding the national team to a brilliant 10-wicket win against England.

Wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan combined excellently with Babar as he scored 88 off 51 and the opening pair chased down a massive 200-run target without the loss of a wicket.

With the clinical victory, Pakistan have levelled the historic seven-match T20I series 1-1 against England.

READ: Centurion Babar, Rizwan cruise Pakistan to a perfect win in second T20I

KARACHI: A member of the national team’s support staff has tested Covid positive ahead of the second T20I between Pakistan and England, scheduled today. 

According to the sources, the Covid-hit member will not accompany the team to the National Stadium for today’s match.

The member was immediately quarantined after his covid test came positive.

It is apropos to mention here that the national team are currently engaged in its first T20I series against England on home soil. England took a 1-0 lead in the seven-match series after they beat Pakistan by six wickets in the first T20I on Tuesday.

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KARACHI: England returning opener Alex Hales expressed his admiration for the cricket fans of the city who came out in number and packed the National Stadium to witness the first T20I between England and Pakistan on the latter’s home soil. 

Hales shone with a brilliant half-century on his return to England side after three years and guided his team to a comprehensive six-wicket win in the opening encounter of the historic T20I series.

Speaking at a post-match press conference, Hales stated that it was a very special feeling for him to play in front of the full house at Karachi’s National Stadium, terming it ‘one of the best atmospheres in world cricket.’

“I have played in front of full houses at Karachi but this is very different,” said Hales, who featured in the Pakistan Super League as one of the key overseas players and represented Karachi Kings and Islamabad United, respectively.

“You couldn’t believe the noise and the atmosphere. Karachi put up a show tonight,” he expressed.

Talking about his prior experience of playing in Pakistan, the England opener said he had spent a lot of time here over the last few years and had some fantastic memories on and off the field.

“It’s a place which means a lot to me,” he said. “So to be a part of the England tour, the first one in such a long time is an incredibly special feeling.”

Furthermore, Hales called his phenomenal comeback – a dream return – saying that it felt like a debut to play for England after three years.

“It’s a very special feeling to get back out on the park for England – three years felt like forever but to get a fifty on my return in a winning team is the stuff dreams are made of,” said Hales.

“There are always nerves and pressure after having not played for England for three years, it felt like a debut again, so a very special night,” he maintained.

It is apropos to mention here that England are currently on their first tour of Pakistan after 17 years. The touring side took a 1-0 lead in the seven-match T20I series with the second match to be played on September 22 at National Stadium Karachi.

READ: Green, Wade guide Australia to four wicket win over India in first T20

KARACHI: World No.1 T20I batter Mohammad Rizwan became the joint-fastest batsman to complete 2000 runs in T20 internationals in 52 innings and equalled his opening partner and Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s record.

Rizwan reached the milestone during his phenomenal knock of 68 off 46 in the first T20I  against England here on Tuesday. England beat the hosts by 6 wickets and lead the historic seven-match T20I series 1-0 as the touring side is currently on their first tour of Pakistan in almost 17 years.

With the remarkable achievement, the wicket-keeper batter surpassed Indian batting star, Virat Kohli, who scored 2000 T20I runs in 56 innings.

Fastest to 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ T20I runs:
🇵🇰 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐳𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝟓𝟐 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
🇵🇰 Babar Azam 52 innings
🇮🇳 Virat Kohli 56 innings
🇮🇳 KL Rahul 58 innings
🇦🇺 Aaron Finch 62 innings#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/fK2r4WcRhL

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 20, 2022

Meanwhile, Rizwan also became the fourth Pakistani batter to achieve the feat and joined the likes of Babar, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik.

READ: Green, Wade guide Australia to four wicket win over India in first T20

 

KARACHI: England stand-in captain Moeen Ali revealed that it was an honour for him to lead his side on the historic tour of Pakistan, especially with his ancestral roots being from the same country. 

England are currently on their first tour of Pakistan in almost17 years and are set to face the Green Shirts in the seven-match T20I series for the first time on the latter’s home soil.

Speaking at a scheduled press conference on Sunday, England skipper Moeen stated that regardless of the fitness issues that some of their players were facing, they still had a very strong side.

“We are coming back from the injuries, We have a very difficult summer,” he said. ” Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow and Jofra Arches, they all have been facing injuries.  Captain Buttler has also been injured, And they all gonna take the time”

Moeen added that England’s white-ball skipper Buttler’s participation in the last two or three games of the series was also uncertain since England want its captain to be fully fit for the World Cup.

England’s current squad, he stated, cannot be called a “B” team since they were a very good white-ball side.

“It’s unfortunate that we are short of a few key players, but it’s not an issue of selection,” he said.  “In fact, it gives young players an opportunity to prove themselves”

While talking about his Pakistani roots, Moeen said it was a proud moment for him, his family, friends and people of his community and they all were happy that he was captaining the England team in this historic tour of Pakistan.

Furthermore, the 35-year-old, asserted that he was aware of the conditions in Pakistan because of his experience of playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

‘I know that Karachi’s weather is always humid. We’ll see the wickets first then make our plans” he maintained.

It is pertinent to mention here that England will take on Pakistan in seven T20Is from September 20 to October 2. National Stadium, Karachi will host the first four matches of the series, while the remaining matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

READ: England’s Topley ruled out of first T20I due to ankle niggle: Source

KARACHI: England faced a major blow as fast bowler Reece Topley has been ruled out of the first T20I against Pakistan due to an ankle niggle. 

According to the sources, Topley has been facing a slight discomfort in his ankle and will not be part of England’s playing XI in the first encounter of the seven-match T20I series scheduled on Tuesday here at National Stadium.

Meanwhile, the official announcement in this regard has still not been made.

The left-arm pacer is a crucial part of England’s lethal bowling attack during the tour to Pakistan and the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

England captain Jos Buttler had already announced his unavailability for the first few matches and is likely to join the action during the Lahore leg of the tour.

It is pertinent to mention here that England will take on Pakistan in seven T20Is from September 20 to October 2 for the first time on the latter’s home soil.  National Stadium, Karachi will host the first four matches of the series, while the remaining matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

England are touring the country for the first time in almost 17 years.

READ: Fatima Sana out of Women’s T20 Asia Cup with ankle injury

KARACHI: England batter Dawid Malan lauded Pakistan Super League (PSL) for playing an instrumental role in his T20I career and earning him recognition all around the world.

Malan, who represented Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United in the PSL called himself to be ‘fortunate enough’ for getting an opportunity to play in the league with the best cricketers in the world.

“It was great to play in the PSL as it provided me with an opportunity to explore what I can do moving forward in my career. Obviously, it was a stepping stone in my T20I career,” said Malan as he spoke to the media ahead of England’s first T20I series on Pakistani soil.

He added that it was great to see international cricket coming back to Pakistan and praised the country for its tremendous hospitality.

“Pakistan has always welcomed us with open arms. It is fantastic to be back here and can’t wait to see the crowd in the stadium,” said the English batter

Talking about his role in the revival of cricket in Pakistan as he was among the first few foreign players who came to play the PSL final in 2017 in Lahore, Malan said that he and other players had not thought at that time that they were playing such a great part.

Furthermore, Malan believed that the Green shirts were a strong opponent which had all the resources at its disposal.

“Pakistan is a great team. It has always been challenging to play against them,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the England Cricket team have arrived in Pakistan for the first time in 17 years to play seven-match T20I series against the home side commencing on September 20. The first four matches will be held at National Stadium Karachi while the remaining three matches will be hosted by Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

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KARACHI: England Cricket team landed in Karachi on Thursday for the historic tour of Pakistan after 17 years and the first T20I series between the two teams on Pakistani soil.

The seven-match series will roll into action on September 20 at National Stadium Karachi.

According to the details, England’s contingent landed at Jinnah International Airport before they moved to a local hotel in a strict security protocol.

Jos Buttler, the captain of England’s white-ball team, will address the media at a local hotel in the late afternoon.

For England’s historic tour to Pakistan, law enforcement agencies have ensured foolproof security arrangements on the team’s travel routes from the airport to the hotel and the stadium.

It is pertinent to mention here that England will take on Pakistan in seven T20Is from September 20 to October 2. National Stadium, Karachi will host the first four matches of the series, while the remaining matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the match officials for the Pakistan team’s upcoming home T20I series against England, scheduled to commence on September 20.

According to the PCB, ICC Elite panellist Aleem Dar and PCB International panellist Asif Yaqoob will serve are included in the match officials for the historic T20I series that will mark England’s first tour to the country after 17 years.

Besides Aleem and Asif, the other three umpires – Ahsan Raza, Shozab Raza and Rashid Riaz, will take the on-field duties for the series opener at National Stadium. Ahsan and Rashid will be the third and fourth umpires respectively.

Collectively, five umpires will perform the on-field umpiring duties in the series. Aleem will stand in four T20Is, Ahsan in three, and Asif, Rashid, and Faisal Afridi will stand in two matches each.

National Stadium will host the first four T20Is of the seven-match series on 20, 22, 23 and 25 September before the action will move to the Gaddafi Stadium for the last three matches from 28 September.

Umpire and match referee appointments:

20 September – First T20I. Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)

22 September – Second T20I. Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)

23 September – Third T20I. Aleem Dar and Faisal Afridi (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)

25 September – Fourth T20I. Asif Yaqoob and Faisal Afridi (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)

28 September – Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)

30 September – Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Faisal Afridi (third umpire), Ahsan Raza (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)

2 October – Asif Yaqoob and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Muhammad Javed Malik (match referee)

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LONDON: England recalled opener, Alex Hales, as a replacement for the injured Jonny Bairstow for the forthcoming T20I tour of Pakistan and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia. 

According to the details, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday included the explosive opener, Hales, in England’s T20I World Cup squad after Jonny Bairstow has been ruled out of the tournament following a knee ankle injury that he endured last week.

Hales makes a return to the England side after three years as he last represented the country in March 2019.

Hales has also been a key overseas player in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he has represented Islamabad United and Karachi Kings in the previous editions.

It is pertinent to mention here that England will be touring Pakistan for the first time after 17 years, to play the seven-match T20I series in Karachi and Lahore from September 20 to October 2.

England Squad for T20 World Cup: Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

England Squad for Pakistan T20Is: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Liam Dawson, Richard Gleeson, Alex Hales. Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Luke Wood, Mark Wood.

READ: Rizwan overtakes Babar to clinch top spot in T20I rankings