Tag: Pakistan Shaheens

Pakistan Shaheens thrashed ACT Comets by nine wickets in the Top End T20 Series at the DXC Arena on Monday at the back of a half-century by opener Shamyl Hussain.

The left-handed batter made 57 not out off 44 balls, hitting nine fours, to help his side overhaul the 123-run target at the 15.2 overs mark.

This was Pakistan Shaheens’ second game in the 2023 Top End T20 Series.

Shamyl Hussain laid a solid foundation for the run chase with a 66-run stand with Dera Murad Jamali-born Basit Ali, who struck two fours and a six in his 27-ball 28, before adding the remaining runs with captain Rohail Nazir, who made 39 not out at a sparkling rate of 185. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed four fours and a six.

Pakistan Shaheens had opted to bowl after Rohail called correctly at the toss and put up a disciplined show with the ball.

Faisal Akram, the left-arm unorthodox, returned two for 22 and Sajjad Ali and Arafat Minhas picked up a wicket each as ACT Comets managed 122 for seven.

Nicholas Broes top-scored with 37 off 34 (two fours), Zak Keogh made 23 off 31 and Hanno Jacobs made 20 off 17.

In their first match of the Top End T20 Series, Pakistan Shaheens succumbed to a 59-run defeat against Northern Territory Strike on Sunday.

Opting to bat first, Northern Territory Strike scored 185 for five in 20 overs. Param Uppal top-scored for his side, returning unbeaten on 59 off 28 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes.

Opening batter Josh Kann was other contributor with the bat, scoring a 31-ball 47, which included two fours and four sixes.

For Pakistan Shaheens, spinners Aaliyan Mahmood and Arafat Minhas bagged two wickets apiece.

In turn, Shaheens got off to a shaky start, losing two wickets in the first two balls of their innings to right-arm fast Tom Menzies.

Opening batter Shamyl Hussain was joined by captain Rohail Nazir and the pair stitched a 49-run partnership for the third wicket.

Left-handed Shamyl returned back to the hut in the eighth over after scoring 26 off 23 balls, which included two fours and a six.

After Shamyl’s departure, Arafat (3, 5b) was soon back in the hut with Pakistan Shaheens reeling at 62 for four in 8.5 overs.

At that stage, Mohammad Irfan Khan joined captain Rohail and the duo knitted 29 runs for the fifth wicket – the second-best partnership of the innings for the visiting team.

The dangerous-looking Rohail got out in the 13^th over after scoring 41 off 33 balls, hitting two sixes and a four.

Irfan (20, 15b, 2x4s) and Ahmed Khan (19, 12, 1×4, 1×6) were the other contributors with the bat before Pakistan Shaheens were bundled out for 126 in 18.4 overs.

Pakistan Shaheens take on Melbourne Renegades at TIO Stadium tomorrow. The first ball will be bowled at 1800 local time.

READ: Pakistan thump Årvoll IL to reach second round of Norway Cup

Northern Territory Strike beat Pakistan Shaheens by 59 runs in the opening match of the Top End T20 Series at the Gardens Oval in Darwin on Sunday afternoon.

Shaheens will take on ACT Comets tomorrow in their second Top End T20 Series fixture at the DXC Arena. The first ball will be bowled at 1800 local time.

Opting to bat first, Northern Territory Strike scored 185 for five in 20 overs. Param Uppal top-scored for his side, returning unbeaten on 59 off 28 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes.

Opening batter Josh Kann was other contributor with the bat, scoring a 31-ball 47, which included two fours and four sixes.

For Pakistan Shaheens, spinners Aaliyan Mahmood and Arafat Minhas bagged two wickets apiece.

In turn, Shaheens got off to a shaky start, losing two wickets in the first two balls of their innings to right-arm fast Tom Menzies.

Opening batter Shamyl Hussain was joined by captain Rohail Nazir and the pair stitched a 49-run partnership for the third wicket.

Left-handed Shamyl returned back to the hut in the eighth over after scoring 26 off 23 balls, which included two fours and a six.

After Shamyl’s departure, Arafat (3, 5b) was soon back in the hut with Pakistan Shaheens reeling at 62 for four in 8.5 overs.

At that stage, Mohammad Irfan Khan joined captain Rohail and the duo knitted 29 runs for the fifth wicket – the second-best partnership of the innings for the visiting team.

The dangerous-looking Rohail got out in the 13^th over after scoring 41 off 33 balls, hitting two sixes and a four.

Irfan (20, 15b, 2x4s) and Ahmed Khan (19, 12, 1×4, 1×6) were the other contributors with the bat before Pakistan Shaheens were bundled out for 126 in 18.4 overs.

For Northern Territory Strike, Jack Wood and Menzies took four wickets each.

Schedule of Pakistan Shaheens’ Top End T20 Series matches:

30 Jul – vs NT Strike (T20)
31 Jul – vs ACT Comets (T20)
1 Aug – vs Melbourne Renegades (T20)
2 Aug – vs Melbourne Stars (T20)
4 Aug – vs PNG (T20)
6 Aug – Final

READ: Australia in command to spoil Stuart Broad’s farewell for Ashes glory

The Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir as the Pakistan Shaheens captain for the Top End T20 Series in Darwin, Australia, which is being organised by Northern Territory Cricket (NTC) from 30 July to 6 August.

Apart from the NTC side, NT Strike, and Pakistan Shaheens, Australian Capitol Territory’s ACT Comets, Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades and Papua New Guinea (PNG) will participate in the six-team tournament in a T20 format with the top-two sides progressing to the final.

At the backend of the T20 matches, Shaheens will also play two 50-over matches against PNG and NT Strike on 8 and 9 August, respectively.

The Darwin tour is part of the PCB’s policy to create more opportunities for the emerging cricketers to play away cricket in different conditions against different oppositions across all formats so that they can hone their skills and also expand the pool of players.

In this relation, Pakistan Shaheens recently toured Zimbabwe and are presently in Sri Lanka for the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The squad will also take part in the 19^th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 from 19 September to 8 October.

Rohail Nazir has played 33 first-class matches and has previously captained Pakistan Shaheens. He recently toured Zimbabwe where the Shaheens’ squad played two four-dayers and six 50-over matches in May.

Aaliyan Mahmood made his first-class debut in the 2022-23 season, while Basit Ali and Shawaiz Irfan featured in the U19 series against Bangladesh in Multan in 2022.

Faisal Akram and Mohammad Irfan Khan were on the roaster of Karachi Kings for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2023, while Mohammad Imran was part of Karachi Kings in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2022.

Right-arm fast Syed Zeeshan Zameer featured for Islamabad United in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2023.

In addition to the above cricketers, the side also includes seven teenagers who were part of the Pakistan U19 squad that toured Bangladesh for a four-dayer, five 50-over and one T20 match series in May 2023. They are Amir Hassan, Ali Asfand, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Sajjad Ali, Shamyl Hussain and Wahaj Riaz.

Pakistan Shaheens squad:

Rohail Nazir (c), Aaliyan Mahmood, Ali Asfand, Amir Hassan, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Basit Ali, Faisal Akram, Mohammad Imran Sajjad Ali, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Shawaiz Irfan, Syed Zeeshan Zameer and Wahaj Riaz

Schedule of Pakistan Shaheens’ matches:

30 Jul – vs NT Strike (T20)
31 Jul – vs ACT Comets (T20)
1 Aug – vs Melbourne Renegades (T20)
2 Aug – vs Melbourne Stars (T20)
4 Aug – vs PNG (T20)
6 Aug – Final

8 Aug – vs PNG (50-over)
9 Aug – vs NT Strike (50-over)

READ: Stuart Broad becomes second pacer to take 600 Test wickets

Mohammad Haris-led Pakistan Shaheens will depart in the wee hours of Tuesday from Lahore for Sri Lanka via Dubai to feature in the eight-team ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

The 50-over tournament will be played from 13 to 23 July in Colombo and will feature eight teams.

Shaheens are slotted in Group B with India A, Nepal and UAE A. Shaheens will open their campaign on 14 July with a match against Nepal, after which they play UAE A and India A on 17 and 19 July, respectively.

Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals which will be played on 21 July. The final of the tournament will be held on 23 July.

Before the team’s departure, the 15-member squad along with four non-travelling reserves players took part in the six-day camp, which was held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

The players under the supervision of coaching staff led by head coach Mohammad Masroor worked on different aspects related to 50-over cricket including net sessions.

Apart from 22-year-old Haris (five ODIs and nine T20Is), defending champions Shaheens will have the services of seven cricketers that have represented the Pakistan Men’s team before.

The international players in the Pakistan Shaheens squad are: Arshad Iqbal (1 T20I), Kamran Ghulam (1 ODI), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (2 Tests, 14 ODIs, 27 T20Is), Sahibzada Farhan (3 T20Is), Saim Ayub (8 T20Is), Shahnawaz Dahani (2 ODIs, 11 T20Is) and Tayyab Tahir (3 T20Is).

Mohammad Haris said: “We are ready for the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup. We won’t let the pressure of being defending champions affect us. Instead, we will keep things simple, remain composed, and strive for consistent performances.

“The players have shown great commitment and dedication during the camp, and we have prepared ourselves according to the conditions in Sri Lanka. Having been to Sri Lanka before, we are familiar with the challenges we may face.

“Our team’s combination is excellent, with a talented group of all-round players. Each member brings something unique to the table, and I have complete confidence in their abilities.

“This tournament serves as a crucial opportunity for everyone to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a spot in the national team. With a great deal of white-ball matches scheduled for the men’s team in the future, there are plenty of chances for players to make a mark and secure their place.”

Head Coach Mohammad Masroor said: “The players have trained really hard and responded well in the training sessions here at the National Cricket Academy. They have shown dedication and determination, which is commendable. This is an excellent platform for these young cricketers to demonstrate their abilities and aptitude.

“It is truly remarkable to see that most of the players in the squad have shared experiences playing together at the age-group level. This familiarity and camaraderie amongst them are valuable assets for our team. I have high hopes that this unity will translate into good results for the team. Together, they can achieve great things and leave a lasting impact in this tournament.”

Pakistan Shaheens Squad:

Mohammad Haris (captain, wicketkeeper) (Peshawar), Omair Bin Yousuf (vice-captain) (Karachi), Amad Butt (Sialkot), Arshad Iqbal (Swabi), Haseebullah (Quetta), Kamran Ghulam (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mubasir Khan (Islamabad), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (North Waziristan), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Sahibzada Farhan (Charsadda), Saim Ayub (Karachi), Shahnawaz Dahani (Larkana), Sufiyan Muqeem (AJK) and Tayyab Tahir (Gujrat)

Non-travelling reserves: Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Junaid and Rohail Nazir

Player support personnel: Shahid Aslam (manager), Mohammad Masroor (head coach), Hanif Malik (batting/fielding coach), Umar Rashid (bowling coach) and Imtiaz Ahmed (physiotherapist)

Pakistan’s fixtures in ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup

Pakistan Shaheens v Nepal, 14 July
Pakistan Shaheens v UAE A, 17 July
Pakistan Shaheens v India A, 19 July

READ: Sri Lanka name squad for tour match against Pakistan

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris will captain Pakistan Shaheens in the eight-team 15-match ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup 2023, which is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka from 14 to 23 July.

The squad will assemble at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore following the Eid Al Adha holidays on Monday, 3 July, for a week-long training camp before the team’s arrival in Colombo on 12 July.

Pakistan Shaheens, who are the defending champions, are clubbed with India A, Nepal and Sri Lanka in Group A, while Group B includes Afghanistan A, Bangladesh A, Oman and United Arab Emirates.

The top-two sides from each group will progress to the semifinals, followed by the final.

Pakistan Shaheens will open their campaign against Nepal on 14 July, followed by matches against India A on 16 July and Sri Lanka A on 18 July.

22-year-old Haris has represented Pakistan in five ODIs and nine T20Is, and will lead Shaheens for the first time. Other international players in the squad are: Arshad Iqbal (1 T20I), Kamran Ghulam (1 ODI), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (2 Tests, 14 ODIs, 27 T20Is), Sahibzada Farhan (3 T20Is), Saim Ayub (8 T20Is), Shahnawaz Dahani (2 ODIs, 11 T20Is) and Tayyab Tahir (3 T20Is).

Squad: Mohammad Haris (captain, wicketkeeper) (Peshawar), Omair Bin Yousuf (vice-captain) (Karachi), Amad Butt (Sialkot), Arshad Iqbal (Swabi), Haseebullah (Quetta), Kamran Ghulam (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mubasir Khan (Islamabad), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (North Waziristan), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Sahibzada Farhan (Charsadda), Saim Ayub (Karachi), Shahnawaz Dahani (Larkana), Sufiyan Muqeem (AJK) and Tayyab Tahir (Gujrat)

Non-traveling reserves: Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Junaid and Rohail Nazir

Pakistan’s fixtures in ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup

Group A:

Pakistan Shaheens v Nepal, 14 July
Pakistan Shaheens v India A, 16 July
Pakistan Shaheens v Sri Lanka A, 18 July

READ: Hasaranga’s five-for lifts Sri Lanka to thwart Oman in CWC Qualifier

HARARE: All-rounder Qasim Akram played a heroic knock of 57 not out to steer Pakistan to a narrow win against Zimbabwe Select in the third match of the six-game one-day series on Sunday.  

Shaheens were five runs ahead of the target as per the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method when bad lights stopped the play at the Harare Sports Club.

Chasing 279 runs, Shaheen scored 263/8 in 46.5 overs with the help of excellent knocks from Akram and wicket-keeper Haseebullah Khan, who made 49 from 60 balls.

Akram, however, held the fort and scripted a sensational comeback for his side after the hosts reduced Shaheens to 169/6 in the 34th over.

He gathered 68 runs with fellow spinner Mubasir Khan (30) on the seventh wicket and continued to play his shots despite fading lights.

Earlier, Sean Williams’ played an excellent knock of 78 runs to help Zimbabwe Select post a massive 279-run target.

Electing to bowl first, Shaheens were unable to contain runs despite an electrifying start given by Shahnawaz Dahani in his very first over.

He dismissed opener Joylord Gumbie on a paltry one and went on to take three more wickets to finish with brilliant figures four for 43 in his full quota of 10 overs. 

All-rounder Aamer Jamal, on the other hand, bagged three wickets while offering 60 runs to keep the hosts below 300.

For Zimbabwe, Williams top-scored with his 59-ball 78 which included six fours and three maximums.

Tadiwanashe Marumani (29), Wessly Madhevere (41) and Craig Ervine (29) also chipped in with useful contributions at the top. 

Meanwhile, skipper Hamilton Masakadza (18), wicketkeeper Clive Madande (22)  and Faraz Akram (19*) also put up resistance in the lower order to maintain Zimbabwe Select’s dominance over Shaheens’ bowlers.

 

HARARE: Pakistan Shaheens have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Zimbabwe Select in the third one-day of the six-match series here at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

Watch Pakistan Shaheens vs Zimbabwe-A Live Match Today – Live on ARY ZAP

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan Shaheens: Muhammad Hurraira, Saim Ayub, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Hussain Talat (c), Omair Yusuf, Qasim Akram, Mubasir Khan, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani.

Zimbabwe A: Joylord Gumbie, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Craig Ervine, Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Clive Madane, Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, Faraz Akram, Tendai Chatara, Tanaka Chivanga.

HARARE: Blessing Muzarabani followed his 24-ball fifty with a four-for and steered Zimbabwe A to a resounding 80-run victory over Pakistan Shaheens in the second one-day of the six-match series.

Set to chase a par 237-run target, Pakistan Shaheens’ batting lineup faltered once again as they bundled out for a meagre 156 in the 38th over and thus handed a dominating victory to Zimbabwe A, who now leads the six-match series 2-0.

The visitors were off to a poor start to the run chase as young batting sensation Saim Ayub bagged a golden duck.

Following an early hiccup, skipper Imran Butt partnered with Muhammad Huraira and took the team’s total to 44 in the 10th over Blessing Muzarabani drew a much-needed breakthrough for his side in the form of Huraira’s wicket.

Huraira smashed four boundaries and a six on his way to a 36-ball 33.

Pakistan Shaheens succumbed to another blow as Kamran Ghulam perished for a two-ball duck.

Butt then put on brief partnerships with Hussain Talat (10) and Haseebullah Khan (8) before Mubasir Khan joined him in the middle when Pakistan Shaheens were 71/5 in the 18th over.

Mubasir and Butt batted sensibly and stitched a fighting 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

When the pair looked in all sorts of control, Victor Nyauchi managed to claim the prized wicket of Butt and dented Pakistan Shaheens’ pursuit. He top-scored for his side with a cautious 45 off 81 deliveries, hitting three boundaries.

Sean Williams then put Zimbabwe A in complete control in the next over as he removed set batter Mubasir Khan on 44 as the Shaheens slipped to 147/7. He faced 60 deliveries amid his gritty knock and smashed seven boundaries.

Pakistan Shaheens’ batting tail did little resistance against a disciplined Zimbabwe A’s bowling attack as the hosts wrapped up the innings by taking the remaining three wickets within the next three overs.

Blessing Muzarabani led the bowling attack for Zimbabwe A with 4/23 while Nyauchi and Williams bagged two each.

Watch Pakistan Shaheens vs Zimbabwe-A Live Match Today – Live on ARY ZAP

Put into bat first, Zimbabwe A raised 236 at the back of an astounding half-century by their tailender Blessing Muzarabani despite Aamer Jamal’s five-wicket haul.

Jamal took a five-wicket haul to help Shaheens reduce the hosts to 169/9 in the 32nd over when Muzarabani joined fellow tailender Tendai Chatara at the crease and gathered a sensational 67-run last-wicket partnership.

Muzarabani remained not out on 50 while Chatara, who played a support role the whole time, was dismissed by Mir Hamza after scoring 15 from 20 balls.

Electing to bowl first, Shaheen secured an upper hand early on when Shahnawaz Dahani struck twice in two balls, removing opener Innocent Kaia (10) and no.3 Wessly Madhevere (0) in the fourth over. 

Jamal picked his first wicket in the 11th over, dismissing Sean Williams on 13 before well-set Craig Ervine (23) also fell prey to him in his next over.

He then went to take three more wickets in his next spell between the 26th and 32nd over as wicket-keeper Clive Madande (43), skipper Wellington Masakadza (6) and Victor Nyauchi (9) were sent back by the right-arm pacer. 

Ryan Burl, who held the fort for Zimbabwe alongside Madande with an excellent sixth-wicket stand of 88 runs, however, was bowled out by Mehran Mumtaz on 47 in the 31st over.

HARARE: Middle-order batter Ryan Burl played a fighting 69-run knock before Tendai Chatara’s five-for lifted Zimbabwe A to edge Pakistan Shaheens by 24 runs in the first one-day of the six-match series here on Wednesday.

Pakistan Shaheens’ batting lineup faltered against Zimbabwe A bowlers and could raise 210 before bundling out in 47 overs despite Mubasir Khan’s gritty 49-run knock.

The touring side got off to a dismal start to the run chase as they lost three wickets for just 29 runs as Saim Ayub (8), Imran Butt (6) and Muhammad Huraira (3) could manage single-digits.

Following an early slump, Kamran Ghulam and Hussain Talat attempted to steady the sinking ship and anchored it by putting on a crucial 48-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

The pair appeared to have settled down and started to race up the run rate until Wellington Masakadza claimed a much-needed breakthrough for his side in the form of Talat’s prized wicket.

He scored 29 off 25 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and a six.

Kamran then partnered with Haseebullah Khan and could add 29 runs before Masakadza struck again to dent the visitors’ pursuit by removing the former.

He struck five boundaries on his way to a 63-ball 42.

Following Kamran’s dismissal, Mubasir Khan joined Haseebullah in the middle and the pair pushed their side closer to the total with a solid 60-run partnership.

When the pair looked in all sorts of control, Masakadza once again drew a breakthrough for his side as he removed Haseebullah, caught and bowled. The wicketkeeper batter scored 45 off 63 deliveries including five boundaries.

Mubasir, who was holding his ground firm, failed to make it all the way through as he succumbed in the 46th as Blessing Muzarabani castled him to put Zimbabwe A in command.

He remained the top-scorer for Pakistan Shaheens; scoring 49 in 68 balls and striking five boundaries.

Zimbabwe A’s pick of the bowlers, Chatara then made sure to wrap up a convincing victory for his side as he picked the last two wickets and completed his five-wicket haul.

He returned with brilliant figures of 5/37 while Masakadza claimed 3/32. Muzarabani and Wessly Madhevere picked up a wicket apiece.

Watch Pakistan Shaheens vs Zimbabwe-A Live Match Today – Live on ARY ZAP

Put into bat first, Zimbabwe A batting lineup struggled against a disciplined Pakistan Shaheens’ bowling attack and were bundled out for 234 in the 46th over.

The hosts had a dismal start to their innings as they ran out half of their batters in just the 14th over with only 64 runs on the scoreboard.

Following the slump, Ryan Burl and wicketkeeper Clive Madane scripted an astounding recovery for their side as they stitched a gritty partnership for the sixth wicket.

The duo soaked in the pressure, exerted by the Pakistan bowlers, and added 90 runs to the total before Madane fell victim to Mehran Mumtaz in the 30th over. He scored 34 off 55 deliveries and hit three boundaries.

Burl then joined hands with skipper Wellington Masakadza and raised a further 39 runs to the total before Mir Hamza marked the end of the former’s gritty knock.

He top-scored for Zimbabwe A with a 68-ball 69 which featured six boundaries and two sixes.

Following Burl’s departure, skipper Masakadza took the reigns of Zimbabwe’s innings and put on a crucial partnership with Brad Evans before Mir Hamza removed him in the 42nd over.

Masakadza struck two boundaries on his way to a 41-ball 25.

Evans, on the other hand, attempted to stretch the innings with the batting tail until Shahnawaz Dahani castled him in the 46th over. He played a crucial 19-run knock.

For Pakistan Shaheens, Aamer Jamal led the bowling charge with 4/35, followed by Mir Hamza’s 3/37 while Dahani made two scalps.

HARARE: Pakistan Shaheens have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Zimbabwe A in the first one-day of the six-match series here at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

Watch Pakistan Shaheens vs Zimbabwe-A Live Match Today – Live on ARY ZAP

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan Shaheens: Imran Butt (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam, Hussain Talat, Haseebullah Khan, Mubasir Khan, Aamer Jamal, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani.

Zimbabwe A: Innocent Kaia, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Craig Ervine, Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Clive Madane, Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani.