Irfan Khan Archives

Irfan Khan to lead Pakistan Shaheens in Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025

LAHORE: Right-handed batter Muhammad Irfan Khan has been appointed to captain the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 tournament, as confirmed by the country’s cricket board on Friday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad that will compete in the revamped ACC Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 14 to 23.

Pakistan Shaheens are placed in Group ‘B’ alongside Oman, India ‘A’ and UAE, while Afghanistan ‘A’, Bangladesh ‘A’, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka ‘A’ are placed in Group ‘A’.

Pakistan will play their opening match of the T20 tournament against Oman on Friday, 14 November, before taking on India ‘A’ on Sunday, 16 November.

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Their final group match will be against the UAE on Tuesday, 18 November.

As per the tournament format, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held on 21 November. The final of the tournament will take place on Sunday, 23 November.

All matches will be staged at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha.

Before the team’s departure on 12 November, Pakistan Shaheens will undergo a training camp from 8 to 11 November at the Hanif Muhammad High Performance Centre in Karachi.

Pakistan Shaheens squad

Muhammad Irfan Khan (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Faiq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Naeem, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Shahzad, Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Shahid Aziz, Sufiyan Moqim, Ubaid Shah and Yasir Khan.

READ: Abbas Afridi’s blitz propels Pakistan to victory over Kuwait in Hong Kong Sixes

Irfan Khan confident of Pakistan Shaheens’ strong performance in Top End series

DARWIN: Pakistan Shaheens captain Muhammad Irfan Khan aimed to deliver strong performances in the Top End T20 series, set to commence on Thursday.

The opening match of the 11-team tournament will be played between Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ on August 14 at the TIO Stadium.

Speaking ahead of the opening encounter, Irfan Khan highlighted the team combination.

“We are aiming to take the best possible combination into the match. Bangladesh ‘A’ are also a strong side, so our focus will be on fielding the right combination, especially as this is the first game of the tournament and we want to start well,” he said.

“We have trained according to the conditions, and each player has been given a specific role to perform. The main focus is to execute those roles effectively in the match so that the team can achieve success,” he added.

Irfan Khan stated that Pakistan Shaheens is geared up with great enthusiasm for the Top-End series.

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“We are stepping onto the field with great energy and determination and will be putting in our utmost effort to deliver strong performances in the tournament,” Irfan concluded.

The Top End T20 Series is set to be played in Darwin, Australia, from August 14 to 24.

Led by Muhammad Irfan Khan, the Shaheens will begin their campaign against Bangladesh ‘A’ on August 14 at TIO Stadium.

The squad includes experienced internationals such as Abdul Samad (five T20Is), Faisal Akram (three ODIs), and Mubasir Khan (one T20I).

The team will go on to face Scorchers (August 16) and Renegades (August 18) at TIO Stadium before playing Kingsmen (August 19), Strikers (August 21), and Nepal (August 22) at DXC Arena. The semi-finals and final are scheduled for August 24.

Pakistan Shaheens Squad

Muhammad Irfan Khan (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicket-keeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah, Yasir Khan.

Team management: Ghulam Ali (head coach), Sami Ullah Niazi (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Muhammad Ibrahim (analyst), Muhammad Aleem (physio).

READ: Pakistan cricketer criticises Babar Azam’s unfair comparison with Virat Kohli

PCB announces Pakistan Shaheens squad for Top End T20 Series

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the Pakistan Shaheens, led by captain Muhammad Irfan Khan, to participate in the Top End T20 Series in Darwin, Australia.

The Pakistan Shaheens will kick off the tournament with their opening match against Bangladesh ‘A’ on August 14 at TIO Stadium in Darwin. The tournament is scheduled to take place from August 14 to 24.

The 15-member squad announced includes Abdul Samad (five T20Is), Faisal Akram (three ODIs), Haider Ali (two ODIs, 35 T20Is), Mubasir Khan (one T20I), all featured for Pakistan men’s team previously, while Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Salman Mirza are part of Pakistan T20I squad for upcoming Bangladesh series.

Shaheens’ second fixture in the T20 tournament will be against Scorchers at the TIO Stadium on 16 August, with the first ball set to be bowled at 4pm local time.

The third Shaheens’ encounter in the tournament will be against Renegades on 18 August at the same venue, with the first ball to be bowled at 6pm local time.

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On 19 August, Pakistan Shaheens will take on Kingsmen at the DXC Arena, with the first ball to be bowled at 1pm local time.

Shaheens’ fifth fixture in the event will be against Strikers at the DXC Arena, with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm.

The sixth and final fixture of Shaheens will be against Nepal on 22 August at the DXC Arena, with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm local time.

The semi-finals and final of the event are scheduled for 24 August. The training camp for the Darwin-bound squad will be announced in due course.

Pakistan Shaheens’ squad for Top End T20 Series

Muhammad Irfan Khan (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah, and Yasir Khan

Team management: Ghulam Ali (head coach), Sami Ullah Niazi (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Muhammad Ibrahim (analyst) and Muhammad Aleem (physio)

Pakistan Shaheens fixtures:

14 Aug – vs Bangladesh ‘A’, TIO Stadium (7pm local time)

16 Aug – vs Scorchers, TIO Stadium (4pm local time)

18 Aug – vs Renegades, TIO Stadium (6pm local time)

19 Aug – vs Kingsmen, DXC Arena (1pm local time)

20 Aug – vs Strikers, DXC Arena (7pm local time)

22 Aug – vs Nepal, DXC Arena (7pm local time)

24 Aug – Semi-finals and final

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Aqib Javed explains Irfan Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem’s exclusion from Champions Trophy squad

Aqib Javed, the interim white-ball head coach of Pakistan, explained the reasons behind the exclusion of spinner Sufiyan Muqeem and middle-order batter Irfan Khan from the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Aqib Javed addressed the media in Rawalpindi on Wednesday ahead of tomorrow’s Champions Trophy clash against Bangladesh.

During the media conference, he was asked about the exclusion of young cricketers Irfan Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem from the squad.

In response, Aqib emphasized the importance of differentiating between performances in different formats, while highlighting the lack of ODI experience of both players.

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“We often mix T20I performances with ODIs and other formats,” he explained. “Irfan Khan has played only eight ODIs so far, and he hasn’t delivered any innings that made us feel we missed him or that he created a significant impact.”

Aqib Javed then provided a detailed breakdown of Sufiyan’s selection journey and clarified that he is still in the plans.

“We picked him based on his potential. He made his ODI debut in South Africa, and before that, he performed well in T20Is in Zimbabwe, which earned him a spot on the South Africa tour,” he added.

“But the reality is, he has played only one ODI so far, hasn’t played many List A matches, and hasn’t even made his first-class debut yet.

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“We rested Abrar Ahmed from the last ODI against South Africa to ensure he [Sufiyan Muqeem] at least got a game. We brought him in ourselves, and we know exactly where and how to utilize him in the future.”

Notably, the defending champions and hosts Pakistan have crashed out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the group stage after consecutive defeats against New Zealand and India.

The Green Shirts will now face Bangladesh in their final group-stage match on February 27 in Rawalpindi, but the result will have no bearing on their campaign.

READ: Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan suffer decline in ICC ODI Rankings

Uncapped Usman Khan, Irfan Khan react on selection for New Zealand T20Is

Uncapped batters Muhammad Irfan Khan Niazi and Usman Khan have earned their maiden call-ups to the Pakistan squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

The national selection committee members Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Bilal Afzal, Mohammad Yousuf and Wahab Riaz announced the 17-member Pakistan squad for the five-match T20I series.

The two highly talented players have earned the selectors’ nod following impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine.

Irfan Khan of Karachi Kings was adjudged the Emerging Player and Best Fielder of the PSL 9 after scoring 171 runs at a strike rate of 140.16.

Overall, the 21-year-old Mianwali-born Irfan has featured in 34 T20s in which he has scored 499 runs at a strike-rate of 135.96.

Irfan has also represented Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cups 2020 and 2022.

“I am deeply honoured to have been selected in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand,” said Irfan Khan.

“Breaking into such a formidable team like Pakistan is a testament to the dedication and effort I have put into my game. Now, my focus is on seizing this opportunity and solidifying my position within the team.”

“I am fully committed to continuing to work diligently and proving myself worthy of the trust placed in me by the captain and selectors.”

Usman Khan, who played the previous two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as an overseas player from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), impressed the selection committee with his consistent batting exploits.

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The right-handed batter smashed two centuries and two half-centuries in the PSL 9 to help Multan Sultans reach the final where they lost to Islamabad United in a last-ball thriller.

He ended the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer with 430 runs in seven outings, only behind Babar Azam (569).

In the PSL 8, the 28-year-old Karachi-born batter had smashed a 36-ball century against Quetta Gladiators – the fastest century in the tournament’s history.

Overall, Usman has featured in 36 T20s in which he has scored 1,207 runs at a strike rate of 146.12.

“Being chosen to represent one’s country is the ultimate dream and goal for any athlete,” said Usman Khan.

“Today, I am absolutely thrilled and filled with joy as the selectors have granted me the opportunity to be part of the upcoming series against New Zealand.”

“This selection validates the relentless effort and dedication I have poured into my craft, and I am fully committed to upholding the high standards I have set for myself.”

Pakistan squad for T20I series against New Zealand

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

Non-travelling reserve: Sahibzada Farhan, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Ali, Salman Ali Agha

READ: Usman, Amir, Imad named in Pakistan’ squad for New Zealand series