PAK vs ENG: Trophy unveiling postponed as virus hits English camp

RAWALPINDI: The trophy unveiling ceremony of the historic Test series between Pakistan and England has been postponed as a viral disease hit the English camp on the eve of the first match, originally scheduled to commence tomorrow.

According to the details, the postponement came in light of the viral ailment that broke out in the touring side’s camp which affected around 14 members of their squad.

England’s Test captain Ben Stokes is reportedly among those 14 members and thus was unable to partake in the unveiling ceremony with his counterpart Babar Azam.

Consequently, the affected members including players and supporting staff were advised to rest at the hotel on Wednesday.

However, the reports further suggest that the trophy unveiling ceremony will now take place tomorrow ahead of the first Test.

Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued a brief statement regarding the incident and shared that only Harry Brook, Joe Root, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley attended today’s optional training session.

It is pertinent to mention that England have already named their Playing XI for the historic Rawalpindi Test with all-rounder Liam Livingstone set to make his Test debut while Ben Duckett will play his first Test since 2016.

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

PAK v ENG: Livingstone to debut as England name Playing XI for first Test

RAWALPINDI: Uncapped Liam Livingstone will play his debut match of the red-ball format as England announced their playing XI for the opening Test of the historic three-match series against Pakistan, starting tomorrow here at Pindi Cricket Stadium. 

Livingstone, 29, will receive his Test cap while Ben Duckett will make his return to England’s Test side after six years. He will replace the opener, Alex Lees, to partner with Zak Crawley at the top order.

Livingstone has been added on the side as an extra spinning option besides his capabilities with the bat as England are set to play their first Test in Pakistan after 17 years.

Veteran James Anderson, who last visited the country back in 2005, will lead the pace attack along with Ollie Robinson and skipper Ben Stokes. Anderson will also be playing his maiden Test on Pakistani home soil.

England Playing XI: 

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pop, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes (WK), Liam Livingstone, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson

PAK vs ENG: Naseem Shah opens up on comparison with James Anderson

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah gave a hilarious reply to a journalist who asked questions in English in a press conference ahead of the first Test against England here on Tuesday.

The journalist asked the 20-year-old pacer about his impression of the 40-year-old England fast-bowler James Anderson who has played more than he has been alive.

“It is a very big achievement because I’m a fast bowler I know how hard fast bowling is and he’s a legend so I think he did a lot of hard work,” he replied. “We learn a lot of things from him and whenever we meet we discuss something.

“You think that is a big thing for him I mean we learn this thing till playing like I think he is 40 years old and he still playing he’s still fit so…You know you can think how much hard work.”

The media person asked Naseem Shah how he felt when James Anderson said he does not have the pace he had in the past but has other skills.

The pacer jokingly replied, “Brother, I just have 30 per cent English. My English is finished now…”

The journalist refined the question and explained what James Anderson meant by saying he can swing the ball.

In his reply, Naseem Shah said James Anderson is a legend who knows everything about fast bowling.

He added: He knows how to take wickets as he has played all around the world which makes him one of the best bowlers in the world.

READ: Trophy for Pakistan-England Test series to be unveiled tomorrow 

Trophy for Pakistan-England Test series to be unveiled tomorrow

RAWALPINDI: The trophy for the upcoming Test series between Pakistan and England will be unveiled tomorrow at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

According to the details, the trophy will be unveiled in a ceremony at the Pindi stadium where both captains – Babar Azam and Ben Stokes – will participate.

Following the trophy unveiling, both Pakistan and England captains will speak to the presser later tomorrow.

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

It is pertinent to mention that England and Pakistan will lock horns in a three-match Test series from December 1 to 21. Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi will host the remaining two Tests respectively.

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

Barmy Army reaches Pakistan after 17 years for historic Test series

RAWALPINDI: England cricket’s famous fan page Barmy Army reached Pakistan after a gap of 17 years to witness the historic Test series between England and Pakistan.

The upcoming Rawalpindi Test of the historic series, scheduled to commence on December 1, will mark the first Test for the English side on Pakistan soil after 17 years.

To witness the historic Test between two decorated Test sides, one of the renowned cricket fan clubs, England’s Barmy Army has touched down in the country.

Taking to Twitter, Barmy Army announced their arrival with a tweet, “Check our bio for a new location.”

 

Consequently, the Barmy Army changed its location from England to Pakistan.

Earlier, the overwhelming response from Pakistan fans left Barmy Army amused as “Welcome to Pakistan” began to trend following their tweet “Assalam-o-alaikum.”

Later, Barmy Army tweeted to praise the overwhelming response of cricket passionate nation.

“How amazing is this. 9:04 am – we tweet ‘Assalam-o-alaikum’ 2 hours later – ‘Welcome to Pakistan’ is trending on Twitter,” wrote Barmy Army.

 

It is pertinent to mention that England and Pakistan will lock horns in a three-match Test series from December 1 to 21. Besides Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi will host the remaining two Tests respectively.

READ: England, Pakistan train at Pindi Stadium ahead of first Test

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.

READ: Northern thrash Sindh to lift maiden Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title

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.

READ: Fernandes double sink Uruguay as Portugal seal round of 16 spot

PCB unveils star-studded commentary panel for Pakistan-England Tests

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday revealed a star-studded commentary panel for the historic three-match Test series between Pakistan and England scheduled from December 1 to 21.

England Test team set foot in Islamabad on Sunday to mark the historic tour of Pakistan as the two sides will play the first-ever Test on Pakistani soil after a gap of 17 years.

According to the PCB, Pakistan’s legendary cricketer Waqar Younis, alongside Urooj Mumtaz and Bazid Khan, will be joined by the veteran English commentators Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton and David Gower in the commentary panel.

These experts will also offer pre and post-match analysis throughout the series which will be hosted by renowned presenter Zainab Abbas.

The production will be done through 28 full High-Definition cameras – including Buggy and Drone cameras. To help with the Decision Review System (DRS), a comprehensive Hawkeye set-up – UltraMotion ball-tracking and UltraEdge will also be used.

The action-filled series will be live-streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

READ: Cameroon bounce back to hold Serbia for 3-3 draw in FIFA WC

PAK vs ENG: England hold first training session for historic Test series

RAWALPINDI: England Test squad started their training for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, set to commence on December 1 at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

For the three-match Test series, the touring side has raced up the preparations by partaking in the net sessions.

The touring players carried out robust practice sessions on Monday ahead of the first Test against Pakistan, scheduled to take place on Thursday.

According to the details, the English contingent partook in an enduring practice session. The players engaged in vigorous fielding drills alongside net sessions for bowling and batting practice.

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.

READ: Ben Stokes announces to donate match fees to Pakistan flood victims

Ben Stokes announces to donate match fees to Pakistan flood victims

RAWALPINDI: England’s star all-rounder and current Test captain Ben Stokes has announced to donate his match fees for all three matches of the historic Test series against Pakistan to the flood victims of the host country.

Stokes, who is leading England for the upcoming Test series in Pakistan, has won the hearts of numerous fans for his kind gesture as he will donate his match fees to the flood affectees in Pakistan.

Taking to Twitter, Stokes issued a statement regarding his kind gesture that received immense praise from cricketing fans.

“It is great to be in Pakistan for the first time for this historic series. To be back here after 17 years as a Test side is very exciting. There is a sense of responsibility amongst the playing and support group and to be there is special,” stated Stokes.

“The floods that devastated Pakistan earlier this year was very sad to see and has had significant impact on the country and the people.

“The game has given me a lot in my life and I feel it’s only right to give something back that goes far beyond cricket. I will be donating my match fees from this Test series to the Pakistan flood appeal.

“Hopefully this donation can go towards the rebuilding of areas of Pakistan most affected by the flooding.”

It is pertinent to mention that tens of millions of people are affected by relentless monsoon rains and one of the worst-hit floods in the country’s history that have submerged a third of the country and claimed more than 1,100 lives.

Rawalpindi Test, starting on December 1, will mark England’s first Test in the country after a gap of 17 years. The touring side will then move to Multan to play the second Test, starting on December 9, before reaching Karachi to play the final Test, scheduled for December 17.

READ: ARY Digital Network acquires digital rights for England Tests, NZ series