Haseebullah Khan Archives

Haseebullah Khan clears the air on reported move to England

Pakistan’s emerging wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah Khan has strongly denied reports suggesting he is planning to switch allegiance and pursue his cricketing career in England.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the 22-year-old clarified that he is currently in England solely for his county cricket commitments and sponsorship obligations, and remains fully committed to representing Pakistan on the international stage.

“I would like to inform you all that I have arrived in England in connection with my domestic county contract and sponsorship obligations,” Haseebullah stated in his Instagram story.

“I remain fully committed to representing my country, Pakistan, with utmost dedication and passion.”

The clarification came after rumours began circulating on social media, claiming that Haseebullah had met with ECB agents to explore future prospects in English cricket.

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A Facebook post making these claims went viral, prompting the young cricketer to publicly set the record straight.

He also urged the public and media to avoid fuelling speculation.

“I kindly request everyone to refrain from spreading false rumours. Thanks for your continued support. Pakistan Zindabad,” he concluded.

Haseebullah has so far featured in three T20Is for Pakistan, scoring 36 runs at an average of 12. He was part of the Quetta Gladiators squad in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, earlier this year, but played just one match, scoring seven runs.

In his overall T20 career, the left-handed batter has played 35 matches, scoring 599 runs at an average of 19.96 and a strike rate of 118.37, including three half-centuries.

READ: Mohammed Siraj penalized for code of conduct breach in Lord’s Test

PSL 10 Trophy ‘Luminara’ reaches Quetta

QUETTA: The glittering trophy of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, ‘Luminara ’ reached the capital of Balochistan on Sunday.

‘Luminara” was presented for the exhibition as part of the PSL 10 trophy tour.

International cricketer Haseebullah Khan participated in a photo session with the trophy in the provincial capital.

It is worth mentioning that this is the first time that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has scheduled a trophy tour across the country.

Earlier, the trophy was exhibited in major cities of Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, and Peshawar.

The PSL 10 will begin on Friday, 11 April, with defending champions Islamabad United taking on two-time champions Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The six-team tournament will see 34 matches from 11 April to 18 May, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium set to host 13 matches, including two Eliminators and the final.

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Also, the upcoming edition will feature an exhibition match, which will be played on 8 April in Peshawar. The teams of the match will be confirmed in due course.

According to the PSL 10 schedule, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, including Qualifier 1 on 13 May. Karachi’s National Bank Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium will host five matches each.

The marquee event will also feature three double-headers, with two matches on weekends (Saturday) and one on a national holiday (Labour Day).

Karachi Kings, the winners of the league’s fifth edition, will begin their campaign on 12 April in their own backyard against runners-up of the last edition, Multan Sultans.

The first PSL 10 match in Multan will be played on 22 April between the Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars.

The newly constructed Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will welcome the tenth edition of the PSL on 24 April with home side Qalandars, winners of the seventh and eighth editions, taking on Peshawar Zalmi.

READ: Jasprit Bumrah set to return after injury layoff

Pakistan selector explains reason behind Haseebullah Khan’s exclusion from T20I squad

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team selector Asad Shafiq has addressed the omission of young wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah Khan from the national squad for the ongoing tour of New Zealand.

Speaking to the media at a private university in Karachi on Thursday, Shafiq explained that Haseebullah was given an opportunity in Australia, however, he suffered an injury later which ruled him out from further action.

He assured that once the left-handed batter regains full rhythm, he will be reconsidered for selection.

“Haseebullah was given a chance in Australia, but he was sidelined due to injury. Once he finds his rhythm again, he will get another opportunity,” Shafiq stated.

For the unversed, Haseebullah, who has represented Pakistan in one ODI and three T20Is, suffered a hand injury during practice ahead of Pakistan’s home Test series against West Indies earlier this year. A ball struck his hand, causing a wound that required stitches.

Having regained fitness, he is currently playing for Quetta Region in the National T20 Cup, where he has scored 57 runs in three games at a strike rate of 86.36.

Asad Shafiq, while addressing the broader selection process, reiterated that Pakistan’s new players have been picked purely based on domestic performances.

He emphasized that the selection committee’s primary objective is to reward top-performing domestic players with opportunities at the national level.

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“Our job is to give domestic performers a chance. Whoever performs will get an opportunity,” he asserted.

With the T20 World Cup approaching, Shafiq explained that the squad is being built with a long-term vision. Given the high-risk nature of T20 cricket, he stressed the importance of testing players in different conditions.

“T20 cricket involves more risks, which is why it’s important to give players proper opportunities. Every player selected in the squad will get a fair chance,” he assured.

Asad Shafiq also addressed concerns regarding the frequent chopping and changing in the team, stating that players will not be dropped after just one failed series.

“We also want every player to get a proper chance. No one will be sidelined based on just one bad series,” he affirmed.

Apart from Haseebullah Khan, Shafiq also discussed young pacer Mushtaq Kalhoro, confirming that he is in the selection committee’s long-term plans, along with several other promising domestic talents.

“All players are in our plans. Whoever performs in domestic cricket will get an opportunity,” he concluded.

READ: Hasan Nawaz breaks Babar Azam’s record during third New Zealand T20I

Pakistan suffer major blow ahead of Test series against West Indies

Pakistan faced a significant setback ahead of their upcoming home Test series against West Indies due to an injury to their backup wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah Khan.

The 21-year-old player sustained an unfortunate injury during practice, which ruled him out of the upcoming two-match series.

He was struck on the hand by a ball, which resulted in a wound that required stitches. Consequently, he will not be available for selection in the matches ahead.

Haseebullah, who has previously represented Pakistan in one ODI and three T20Is, was expected to be included as the second wicketkeeper in the squad alongside Mohammad Rizwan for the series against the West Indies.

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However, due to this injury setback, Rizwan will now be the sole wicketkeeper in Pakistan’s squad.

It’s worth noting that prior to the Test series, West Indies will play a three-day practice match against Pakistan Shaheens, led by Test cricketer Imam-ul-Haq, from January 10 to 12 at the Islamabad Club.

Pakistan and West Indies will square off in the first Test from January 17 to January 21 in Multan, while the second match will commence on January 25 at the same venue.

West Indies Test squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair and Jomel Warrican.

READ: Former England pacer appointed Head Coach of Lahore Qalandars for PSL 10

Haseebullah replaces Azam Khan in Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20I

LAHORE: Wicketkeeper batter Haseebullah Khan on Sunday, replaced Azam Khan in Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

“The national selection committee has announced wicketkeeper/batter Haseebullah as the replacement player for Azam Khan, who was sidelined from the T20I series against New Zealand due to a tear in his right calf muscle, stated PCB in a brief press release.

According to the details, Haseebullah will join the Pakistan team after the third T20I and will be available for selection in the remaining two T20Is, scheduled to be played in Lahore on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

The 21-year-old Haseebullah made his sole T20I appearance against New Zealand earlier this year.

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For the unversed, Azam Khan, who missed the first T20I due to discomfort in his right knee and right calf muscle, was subsequently ruled out of the entirety of the series on Saturday.

“Azam Khan has been advised to undergo a 10-day rest following radiology reports confirming a Grade One tear of his right calf muscle,” stated PCB.

“Consequently, Azam will be unable to participate in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, which culminates in Lahore on April 27,” the statement added.

Notably, the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand is squared off at 1-1 after Mark Chapman’s astonishing knock powered the visitors to a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the third T20I.

Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haseebullah (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

READ: Chapman stars as New Zealand stun Pakistan to keep series alive