Tag: Faheem Ashraf

Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf recently stated that he is considering the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup as a platform that will pave the way for his comeback to the national team.

Faheem is representing Saud Shakeel-led Dolphins in the Champions One-Day Cup. he scored 35-ball 41 and took one wicket in Dolphins’ season opener against Panthers.

During an interview with a local news channel, the 30-year-old all-rounder expressed his dissatisfaction with his performances, highlighting the need for improvement. But he also acknowledged that at times his good performances were overlooked.

“A career has its ups and downs, but a good performance can open many doors. What’s destined will come, and if it’s not in your destiny, it won’t happen,” said Faheem.

“Perhaps I haven’t done justice to my talent. At times, it’s disappointing when, despite performing, opportunities don’t come your way. But I try to stay positive and avoid negative thoughts,” he added.

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Faheem also commented on the importance of the Champions One-Day Cup for him and other players, who are eyeing a comeback to the Pakistan team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“Some will be trying to make a comeback, while others will be looking to cement their places. It’s an important opportunity for young players to perform and get noticed by selectors and franchise teams,” he stated.

“I’m aiming to perform well here and make a comeback for the Champions Trophy,” he further added.

He also shared that he will continue to serve the game of cricket until his fitness allows.

“As long as I have the energy, I will keep playing cricket. Once I no longer have that, I’ll step away from the game,” he concluded.

Notably, Faheem Ashraf last played for Pakistan in the Perth Test against Australia, while his last white-ball match was the Asia Cup 2023 clash against India.

READ: Former cricketer backs Mohammad Rizwan as future Pakistan captain

LAHORE: Fast bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has replaced Mohammad Nawaz in Pakistan’s Playing XI for their first Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s fixture against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

According to the details, Faheem Ashraf, who made his ODI return in the recently-held ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan, managed to make a cut to Pakistan’s Playing XI for their first Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s fixture.

Our playing XI for the Super 4 match against Bangladesh 🇵🇰💪#AsiaCup2023 | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/kEfGMsvsgr

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 5, 2023

The Playing XI features Pakistan captain Babar Azam, his deputy Shadab Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.

The Asia Cup 2023 group-stage clash between Pakistan and India marked the two team’s first faceoff in the ODI format since the 2019 World Cup. However, cricket fans’ quest to witness the much-anticipated clash got unsettled as persistent rain washed out the game.

Hosts Pakistan, who started their Asia Cup campaign with a crushing 238-run victory over Nepal in the curtain-raiser, became the first side to make it to the next round after sharing points with arch-rivals India.

Following their qualification in the Super 4s, Pakistan was poised to face either Bangladesh or Afghanistan.

But Bangladesh’s 89-run victory over Afghanistan a day later put them in a strong position to advance into the Super 4s.

Meanwhile, the last group-stage match of the ongoing Asia Cup between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will decide the fortune of the two sides in the tournament.

Sri Lanka set Afghanistan to chase 292, courtesy of a brilliant 92-run knock by wicketkeeper batter Kusal Mendis.

But Afghanistan will need to chase down the total in 37.1 Overs to pip Lanka to qualify for the Super 4s.

It is worth mentioning here that when this story was filed Afghanistan had raised 120/3 in 18 overs with Rahmat Shah (45) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (36) set on the crease.

READ: Mendis’ 92 powers Sri Lanka to 291 against Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2023

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the national men’s selection committee head announced an 18-member squad for the series against Afghanistan and the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, the notable selection, however, was the returning pace-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

He returns to the side after a long hiatus of two years, his last outing in the ODI format was during Pakistan’s three-match away series against England in July 2021.

In his last ODI match, Faheem Ashraf scored 10 runs off four balls, while he gave away 34 runs without any wicket.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, who unveiled almost alike squads for the Asia Cup and Afghanistan ODIs, justified Faheem Ashraf’s inclusion by claiming him to be the only pace-bowling all-rounder in the circuit.

“We lacked pace-bowling all-rounders, as all the all-rounders we currently have are spinners,” he said.

“We are looking towards the ICC Cricket World Cup later this year, and Faheem Ashraf will come in handy in India,” he added.

He further solidified his call by terming Faheem the best pace-bowling all-rounder in Pakistan.

“Faheem Ashraf is number one among all the pace-bowling all-rounders in the domestic.”

An 18-player squad will take on Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from 22 to 26 August and it will be trimmed to 17 players for the Asia Cup, commencing from 30th August at Multan Cricket Stadium. The opening game will see host Pakistan face Nepal.

Along with Faheem Ashraf, Tayyab Tahir, and Saud Shakeel have also been included in the squad, however, Shakeel is only selected for the Afghanistan series.

Shan Masood and Ihsanullah are the two players from the squad who played New Zealand in the five ODIs in April and May to miss out.

The team will assemble in Hambantota on 18 August with the players in Pakistan departing on 17 August. The players in Pakistan will hold a three-day camp on 14, 15 and 16 August at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore.

The squad was finalised following consultations between the national men’s selection committee – which also includes Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Hassan Cheema (secretary) – and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Pakistan’s Squad:

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series).

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir

Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi 

READ: Shubman Gill moves closer to Fakhar, Imam in ICC ODI Batting Rankings

SHARJAH: All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has replaced Faheem Ashraf in Pakistan’s playing XI for the second T20I against Afghanistan on Sunday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Taking to Twitter, Pakistan revealed the playing lineup for the second of the three T20Is, making just one change from the first match which the Green Shirts lost by six wickets.

Our XI for the second #AFGvPAK T20I 💪#BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/1mrew39jSY

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 26, 2023

On Friday, Afghanistan bowlers wreaked havoc to restrict Pakistan to a meagre 92/9 before Mohammad Nabi’s sensible 38-run knock powered the hosts to their maiden victory over Pakistan in the first T20I.

Playing XI: Shadab Khan (c), Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, Ihsanullah.

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RAWALPINDI: Faheem Ashraf’s astounding six off Mohammad Ilyas in the final over of the high-scoring thriller between Islamabad United and Multan Sultans left commentator Simon Doull stunned.

In a tense final over with United needing 18 off it, Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan handed over the ball to right-arm pacer Ilyas.

Despite Sultans being the favourite to win the crucial match, nervousness was on display by the bowler as he bowled a wide first-up to start off.

Ilyas then fired in another wide yorker which Faheem attempted to work towards the leg-side but an under-edge took the ball past the keeper to fine leg for a lucky boundary.

After conceding a boundary, skipper Rizwan tried to console his bowler, who then looked to go for another wide yorker but went a bit too fuller only for Faheem to manoeuvring the wide full toss over the third man for an astonishing six.

Signing off for tonight with this mystery!

Name this shot by the star of tonight’s chase @iFaheemAshraf 👇#IUvMS #HBLPSL8 Gif: @taimoorze https://t.co/BoTlLU4N5x

— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) March 7, 2023

 

Faheem’s six stunned the renowned commentator Doull, whose open-mouthed reaction in the commentary box displayed his disbelief at the stroke.

Simon doull reaction on Faheem's six 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ydEbe9FWSQ

— junaiz (@dhillow_) March 7, 2023

 

Following a wide and two back-to-back boundaries, the United then needed seven off four with Faheem breathing fire. The all-rounder took a couple before smashing successive boundaries to pull off the second-highest run chase in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history with a ball to spare.

Furthermore, before Faheem’s heroics, no side had ever chased 18 runs off the final over in the league’s history.

READ: Faheem’s heroics deny Sultans playoff berth as United prevail

KARACHI: Islamabad United all-rounder Faheem Ashraf went berserk in the practice session ahead of his side’s scheduled clash against Karachi Kings as one of his powerful shots smashed the side window of an SSU van.

According to the details, Faheem’s belligerent shot went all the way into the parking area where the SSU van was parked and blasted into the driver-side window of the vehicle.

The incident soon caught the attention of cricket fans and the pictures of the van began to surface on social media platforms.

Meanwhile, the SSU monitoring van was then taken away from the practice area to avoid any further damage.

It is pertinent to mention that the two-time PSL champions United will start their season eight campaign against home side Karachi Kings on Thursday (February 16).

Whereas, the Kings will lock horns with Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi in their opening fixture of the PSL 8 today.

READ: PSL 8: Shakib, Neesham join Zalmi ahead of Karachi Kings clash

RAWALPINDI: Central Punjab skipper Faheem Ashraf has been ruled out of the ongoing National T20 Cup due to split webbing after he was hit by the ball during the last match on Wednesday against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), all-rounder Faheem has been advised a 12-day rest after which he will begin rehabilitation.

Asad Raza has been promoted from Central Punjab’s second XI team to replace Faheem in the side. Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhatti will take Asad’s place.

It is pertinent to mention here that Central Punjab lost both of the matches it has played so far.

READ: ‘Can’t take any team easy in T20’ says Fakhar ahead of Hong Kong clash

KARACHI: Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim opened up for the first time on fast bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf’s exclusion from the recently announced Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Central Contracts 2022-23.

Fast bowling all-rounder Faheem, who is considered an integral part of Pakistan’s red-ball side and a consistent member in the squads of the team’s recent fixtures, remained unable to find himself in the list of players named in the recently-revealed central contracts.

In response to the host’s question about Faheem’s exclusion from the PCB Central Contracts on ARY News’ Sports Room (Eid Special), Wasim asserted that the all-rounder was not selected in the contract due to his below-par performance over the previous 12-month period, however, claimed that he is still part of the team’s future plans.

“Playing for the team does not guarantee a player’s inclusion in the central contracts. The criteria are straightforward, and they include performance over the previous 12 months, our plans for the next 12 months, and the role in the team, as well as the automatic selection,” Wasim responded.

“It further includes some other factors like commitment, fitness, and the extent of participation in the domestic circuit,” he maintained.

The chief selector then clarified that Faheem’s exclusion from the central contracts does not rule him out of the team’s future plans.

“Nobody said that Faheem isn’t a part of our future plans. The biggest proof of this is that he is accompanying the team on their tour to Sri Lanka,” Wasim stated.

“It is important to note that it is not the case that we will never choose a player who is not a part of the central contracts; rather, this is a common practice all over the world. Many players who are not covered by the contracts represent their teams,” he stressed.

On being asked about left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq, who was awarded the Category B in white-ball cricket despite being ranked second in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings, Wasim claimed that the policy does not permit double promotion.

“No doubt, Imam’s performance has been improved a lot. He was in Category C in the last year’s contracts, so he got promoted. He made runs in domestic cricket and got introduced in the red-ball side, and performed well so he did get promoted,” Wasim stated.

“Double promotion, however, is not the criteria, which means a player can not be promoted by two categories. Then again I would say how many match-winning performances a player has produced is the key,” he concluded.

READ: Netizens irked over Faheem’s exclusion from PCB Central Contracts

KARACHI: Several cricket fans have expressed their disappointment over the exclusion of Pakistan’s bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf from the recently-announced Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Central Contracts 2022-23.

Faheem, who has been an integral part of the Green Shirts’ red ball team and a consistent member in the squads of the team’s recent fixtures, has remained unable to find himself in the list of players named in the recently-revealed central contracts.

Following his exclusion, several cricket fans have taken to Twitter and questioned his exclusion from the central contract. Pakistan’s renowned cricket statistician Mazher Arshad, on the other hand, also seemed surprised by the decision.

…surprised that Faheem Ashraf hasn't found a place in the new central contracts. He is a Test regular!

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 30, 2022

A cricket fan also criticized the Chief Selector of Pakistan National Men’s Cricket Team, Mohammad Wasim, and questioned if the latter even follows cricket, whereas, also alleged favouritism.

Or Faheem Ashraf?? Apki test team ka main balancing allrounder, Chief Selector Sb cricket follow krte?? Agr krte hotay to pta hota Faheem nay kia role play kia crucial wins me Pakistan ki pichle do salu se Test me

— Usama Ata (@Usama_Ata) June 30, 2022

Another cricket fan also opined on the all-rounder’s exclusion and termed the decision to be shocking and astonishing.

Faheem Ashraf has not been given Central contract by PCB. Bit of shocking and astonishing! He is one of the best red ball all rounder.🙄#FaheemAshraf#CentralContract #PakistanCricket #PCB pic.twitter.com/reUKRJW6OK

— Parmanand 🕉🇵🇰 (@RathoreParm) June 30, 2022

Another cricket fan seemed unhappy with the decision and called it ‘disgusting’.

No @iFaheemAshraf in Central contract of our red ball players, disgusting is how can we eleminate a player from central contract who is integral part of our red ball team in recent years#faheemashraf

— Najaf Khan (@Najafkhan9090) June 30, 2022

Besides Faheem, the left-arm spinner Sajid Khan, who was a part of the Green Shirts’ red-ball squad for the Bangladesh and Australia series, also failed to make it into the central contracts.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s young right-arm pacer Mohammad Hasnain, who was given Category C in the previous year’s central contract, failed to retain because he was sidelined after his brief Big Bash League (BBL) stint as his bowling action was deemed illegal.

Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Abbas, and Imad Wasim are the other notable players who were not included in the central contracts.

READ: Anderson returns as England announce Playing XI for home India Test

KARACHI: Pakistan’s fast bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has recovered from COVID-19 and will rejoin the squad for the team’s scheduled practice session tomorrow ahead of the second Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, here on Thursday.

As per the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Faheem, who, previously contracted the virus, has returned negative in his repeat Rapid Antigen Test on Thursday.

The all-rounder will now rejoin the squad in the training session tomorrow for the Karachi Test.

It is pertinent to mention here that both teams – Pakistan and Australia – held practice sessions here at National Stadium Karachi. Captains and coaches had a look at the pitch here before the second Test, which will roll into action on March 12.

READ: ICC rates Rawalpindi Test’s pitch as ‘below average’