England vs Pakistan Archives

England pacer leaves Pakistan tour midway for his wedding

England fast bowler Olly Stone left the Pakistan tour midway on Wednesday, racing home from the Test series for his wedding at the weekend, confirmed team management.

The 31-year-old was not included in the side for the ongoing first Test in Multan and with his wedding due Saturday is doubtful for the second match in the same venue three days later.

Stone said last month the date was finalised long before he was recalled to the Test team against Sri Lanka in August.

“It’s a bit manic, but a nice problem to have,” Stone told BBC Sport of his 6,500-kilometre dash to the altar.

Olly Stone took seven wickets in the two Tests he played against Sri Lanka, with England winning the three-match series 2-1.

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“We booked the wedding on the basis of me only playing for Notts at the time,” he said. “In the past, I’ve always looked at future series and not done stuff.”

“Then you get injured, or not selected, and you think you should have just done what you wanted to do.”

England’s Joe Root said he rearranged his own wedding three times because of tours with England. “I’m really excited for him,” Root said. “It’s a special time in anyone’s life.

“I’m sure he is all over the place with everything that’s going on, but it’ll be very special for him — and his wife — starting a different chapter in his life.”

England finished the second day of the first Test in Multan on 96-1 on Tuesday in reply to Pakistan’s mammoth 556 that was boosted by a century from Agha Salman.

READ: Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah Riyad announces T20 retirement

Barmy Army ‘frustrated’ over England-Pakistan Test series uncertainty

Chris Millard, the managing director of the renowned Barmy Army, a group of passionate England cricket fans, voiced his frustration following reports that the Test matches against Pakistan might be relocated to a different country.

Media in the region have suggested the schedule for next month’s three-match series could be altered due to construction work at the proposed grounds.

England are currently scheduled to play the first Test in Multan from October 7, followed by matches at Karachi and Rawalpindi, but renovations ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy are understood to be causing issues at the latter two venues.

It is understood the prospect of moving one or more of the games to the United Arab Emirates or Sri Lanka has been suggested, with the England and Wales Cricket Board awaiting developments.

Following the reports, the Barmy Army released the statement of Chris Millard on their official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“With just over a month to go until the start of the test series between England and Pakistan, we, like everyone else, remain in the dark about whether or not it will actually be played in Pakistan,” the statement stated.

“Since the schedule was announced, the Barmy Army has been working hard to give England fans the opportunity to travel to Multan, Karachi and Rawalpindi – all of which have already been visited by members of our team in preparation for this tour.

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The uncertainty around the schedule and host cities is affecting everyone involved, from us, the fans, to the England team.

“It is incredibly frustrating and fans are being left in the dark. Moreover, the precarious situation could ultimately lead to the Barmy Army, including our trumpeter, being unable to travel for the series.

“Should there be any further change to the schedule, we would have to consider if it is financially feasible to send Finchy. This would be a huge shame for the test series as we know how much the players, fans and locals value it.”

England coach Brendon McCullum also addressed the issue on Thursday while speaking to reporters at The Oval ahead of the third Test against Sri Lanka.

“We don’t really know (what is happening in Pakistan) but we can’t pick a team until we know where we’re going to play,” he said.

“It would be nice if, over the next couple of days, we found out.”

The former New Zealand captain added: “Then we’ll sit down and make sure we’ve got the right team for the right conditions and the right opposition.”

READ: Two England players eye comeback for Pakistan series

England win toss, elect to bat against Pakistan in third T20I

LEEDS: England women have won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the third T20I of the three-match series here at Headingley on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

England: Maia Bouchier, Danielle Wyatt, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight (capt), Amy Jones (wk), Danielle Gibson, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell

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Pakistan: Sidra Ameen, Ayesha Zafar, Sadaf Shamas, Muneeba Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Nida Dar (capt), Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Diana Baig, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadia Iqbal.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 16, England 15, Pakistan 1

READ: Pakistan men’s cricketers meet women’s team in Leeds

Sunil Gavaskar lashes out at England players on leaving IPL for Pakistan series

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has criticized England players’ decision to leave the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for the T20I series against Pakistan.

He also demanded the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) take action and penalise the players for pulling off from the playoff stages of the IPL.

“I am all for players choosing country before anything else but having assured various franchises about their availability for the full season, if they pull out now, it will be letting down the franchises which probably pay them more money in one IPL season which they don’t earn in a few seasons with their country,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid Day.

“The franchises should not only be allowed to deduct a substantial amount from the fee that the player was bought for but also not give the Board, to which the player belongs, the stated 10 per cent commission of the fee that each player gets.”

England’s Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, and Liam Livingstone are representing Punjab Kings in the IPL, while Will Jacks and Reece Topley are playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

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Jos Buttler is representing Rajasthan Royals, Phil Salt is playing for Kolkata Knight Riders and Moeen Ali is with Chennai Super Kings.

England announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and the four-match T20I series against Pakistan.

They announced that the players who are participating in the IPL will come back to the country to play series against Pakistan.

“Selected players, currently playing in the Indian Premier League, will return in time for the series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Headingley on Wednesday 22 May 2024,” ECB said in the press release.

England squad for Pakistan series and T20 World Cup

Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali (vc), Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Tom Hartley, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Reece Topley

READ: Key players dropped as Netherlands announce squad for T20 World Cup

England Women name squads for white-ball series against Pakistan

England Women have named their white-ball squads for the upcoming home T20I and ODI series against Pakistan, commencing on 11 May.

Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith is selected after returning to the senior squad for the T20Is in New Zealand while Freya Kemp has also returned to the squad. All-rounder Kemp will be available as a batter during the series.

Heather Knight’s side will start with a three-match T20I series, beginning at Edgbaston, where England played in front of nearly 20,000 fans in a Women’s Ashes T20I in July 2023.

They will then travel to The County Ground, Northampton for the second match before finishing the series at Headingley.

The T20I series will be followed immediately by three ODIs against the same opposition at Derby, Taunton and Chelmsford.

“We are really excited to start our home summer. It’s great to be kicking off the summer of sport on home soil,” said Head coach Jon Lewis.

“Edgbaston is an incredible place to play cricket, the atmosphere is always special and it will be a huge occasion. I know the group are looking forward to playing in front of our fans in grounds across the country throughout the series.

“It’s great to see England’s men’s and women’s teams playing side by side again after the success of the Ashes last year.

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“These two series’ against Pakistan give us an opportunity to build, develop and ensure we are in the best place come the World Cup in Bangladesh in September.

“We are very keen whenever possible to make sure all the players vying for places in the World Cup squad get opportunities to play cricket this summer so that they are able to put in performances that help secure a place in the squad for Bangladesh.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan women team have already announced their 17-player squad for the England tour.

England T20I squad

Heather Knight (c), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Linsey Smith, Danielle Wyatt

England ODI squad

Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danielle Wyatt

Pakistan squad

Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar

Tour Schedule

9 May – T20 warm-up game, Leicester

11 May – 1st T20I, Birmingham

17 May – 2nd T20I, Northampton

19 May – 3rd T20I, Leeds

21 May – One-Day warm-up game, Northampton

23 May – 1st ODI, Derby

26 May – 2nd ODI, Taunton

29 May – 3rd ODI, Chelmsford

READ: Australia become number one Test team after rankings annual update

Adil Rashid upbeat for another “world-class” Babar Azam challenge

BIRMINGHAM: England leg-spinner Adil Rashid expressed his excitement for yet another battle with Pakistan’s ace batter Babar Azam in the upcoming T20I series between the two sides.

Pakistan will tour England for a four-match T20I series ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Meanwhile, England’s first-choice spinner in the limited overs format, Adil Rashid, who is also at the summit of the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, acknowledged the Pakistan team as a stiff challenge.

“We are fully prepared and ready to face Pakistan team. They are very good team, they got experience and some very explosive players,” Rashid told a Pakistani news outlet here.

“They always enjoyed big support specially in Birmingham and Leeds so the crowd will be big. We were looking forward to it,” he added.

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He then commented on his battle with Babar Azam and claimed to enjoy the challenge against the “one of the best batters in the world”.

“I enjoy bowling to everybody as a bowler you have to be careful against each player. But I especially enjoy bowling to Babar Azam because he’s a class player. He is one of the best batters in the world,” stated Rashid.

“He’s not only a good player of spin but equally a good player against pacers too. It happens in cricket as it’s the part and parcel of this game and sometimes I might get him out. Hopefully when he comes here, I will try to get him out again,” he said.

It is worth mentioning here that Adil Rashid has dismissed Babar Azam numerous times in international cricket, the highlight of which was when he got the right-handed caught and bowled in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 final.

READ: Several England stadiums ‘open to exploring’ hosting Pakistan-India Tests

Batters power England to edge Pakistan in U19 Women’s T20 WC

POTCHEFSTROOM: England batters Seren Smale and Ryana MacDonald-Gay played vital knocks to power their side to 156/7 before bowlers powered the side to a massive 53-run victory in the ongoing ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

After opting to bat first, England managed to pile up a competitive 156/7 at the back of brilliant knocks by Smale and MacDonald-Gay.

England, after getting off to a shaky start, lost wickets at regular intervals but that did not halt their march towards a big total, thanks to valuable contributions from their batters.

Opening batter and skipper Grace Scrivens laid a solid foundation with her 21-ball 24 before Smale anchored the innings with her sensible knock.

Smale top-scored for her side with 37 off 34 deliveries and hit six boundaries.

Despite Smale top-scoring, MacDonald remained the pick of the batters for England as she struck a quickfire 35 off just 22 balls, hitting three boundaries and a six.

For Pakistan, Anosha Nasir, Zaib-un-Nisa and Areesha Noor picked up two wickets each while Rida Aslam made one scalp.

Set to chase 157, Pakistan could only accumulate 103/5 in their set of overs with only opening batter Shawaal Zulfiqar and skipper Syeda Aroob Shah pushing for the pursuit.

Shawaal made a gritty 25 amid Pakistan’s horrible start before falling in the ninth over.

The right-handed opener also put on a fighting 20-run partnership with Aroob, who remained unbeaten with 34 in 36 deliveries.

Besides them, none of their batters could turn things around for the green shirts and the side was restricted to 103/5 and thus handed a massive victory to England.

Smale also proved her mettle with the ball as she picked up 2/10 while Hannah Baker and Grace Scrivens struck out a batter each.

Meanwhile, in the Group C clash of the ongoing world cup, dominant West Indies thrashed Indonesia by a mammoth 77 runs to go on top in the group standings.

READ: Sussex signs Shadab Khan for Vitality Blast 2023

England squad leaves after concluding Pakistan tour

KARACHI: England’s Men’s cricket team has left for their country from Jinnah International International Airport after the conclusion of the historic three-match Test series against Pakistan.

According to the details, the remaining squad members and officials of the English squad left for England on Thursday morning after concluding the historic Test series against Pakistan on a perfect note.

The remaining contingent will first travel to Dubai and then will depart for London.

Meanwhile, several members of the touring side had already returned back on Tuesday night.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan endured their first-ever clean sweep at home by Ben Stokes-led England after the touring side.

READ: New Zealand squad set foot in Pakistan for historic tour

Sarfaraz Ahmed hosts dinner for Pakistan Test squad

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed on Tuesday hosted dinner for the Pakistan Test squad following the conclusion of the historic Test series against England.

According to the details, the wicketkeeper batter invited national players and team management for dinner on Tuesday evening.

Consequently, a large number of squad members including Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Ali, Azhar Ali and Abdullah Shafique visited Sarfaraz’s house.

Former Test cricketer Azhar, who brought an end to his international career after the Karachi Test against England, also attended the dinner with his family.

Last night Get2gather at Sarfaraz Ahmed Place#Pakistan #Cricket # pic.twitter.com/p8RhW00VB3

— Ali Hasan 🏅 (@AaliHasan10) December 21, 2022

Furthermore, national cricketers, who were here for the ongoing Pakistan Cup were also present at dinner.

In a bid to meet their favourite cricketers, a large number of fans flocked in outside Sarfaraz’s house and took selfies with him and other players.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan endured their first-ever clean sweep at home by Ben Stokes-led England after the touring side.

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

‘We’ve to build team’ Babar backs new players after England whitewash

KARACHI: After Pakistan’s dismal 0-3 series whitewash against England, skipper Babar Azam has taken complete responsibility for the disappointing results, saying as a captain he will be at the forefront to defend the team.

Speaking at a press conference after England sealed a comprehensive eight-wicket win in the final Test on Monday, Babar said his side lacked experience players, especially the injuries to their bowling mainstays remained a major blow for the team.

“We played some good cricket in patches, but overall we could not finish the games properly,” he said. “And we too are very disappointed over the results and the series loss”

Babar added that his team perceived batting as their strength since their key bowlers were unfit but losing back-to-back wickets on several instances proved costly for the team and caused the defeats.

“Pitches were equal for both teams. We’ve to give credit to the English team for the way they played and utilized the conditions” he added.

Pakistan captain expressed that the team is in the building phase and he could not change things drastically in a week or two.

“We’ve to build the team,” he said.”We have to back the new players and give them proper chances and some time,”

Talking about his captaincy, Babar dispelled the impression there was any additional burden on him due to the role, saying: “I enjoy the captaincy and try my best to do whatever I can for the team.”

Moreover, the Pakistan captain also put his weight behind team management and said they had vast experience and services for the team.

“Their job is to share their experience and plans with us, in the end as players it is our responsibility to execute those plans,” he added.

READ: England beat Pakistan in final Test to complete 3-0 series whitewash