Tag: Pakistan Shaheens

LAHORE: Pakistan Shaheens defeated Afghanistan by 144 runs in the first warm-up match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Batting first, Shaheens posted a massive total of 314-8 in their 50 overs. The home team’s Hussain Talat, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Mohsin Riaz belted half-centuries, while all-rounder Jahandad Khan’s late blitz powered the team to reach a formidable total.

Talat was the top-scorer with 70 off 75 balls, laced with seven elegant fours, while Riaz and Irfan chipped in 61 and 57, respectively.

For Afghanistan, Fareed Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, who took 3 for 56 in eight overs. Noor Ahmad also chipped in with two wickets in his allocated ten overs.

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Chasing a daunting total, the Afghanistan team’s premier batting line faltered against Shaheen’s, scoring 170 runs in 38.4 overs.

Rahmat Shah remained the top scorer for the visitors with his 43 runs, while no other batter from Afghanistan’s experienced line-up rose to the occasion.

Pakistan Shaheen’s captain, Shadab Khan, led from the front and took three for 29 in his eight overs.

Afghanistan will play their second warm-up match against New Zealand on February 16 before starting their Champions Trophy campaign against South Africa next week.

On the other hand, Pakistan Shaheens will face South Africa at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 17, while their other squad will be in action on the same day against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

For the unversed, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the three Shaheens squads that will feature in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up matches in the build-up to the main event, which will take place from 19 February to 9 March.

Schedule of matches featuring Pakistan Shaheens:

14 February – vs Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium (1400-2130)

17 February – vs South Africa, National Stadium Karachi (1400-2130)

17 February – vs Bangladesh, ICC Cricket Academy (1400-2130)

Other Champions Trophy warm-up matches:

16 February – New Zealand v Afghanistan, National Stadium Karachi (1400-2130)

READ: Clinical New Zealand seal tri-nation series final in dominant fashion

ISLAMABAD: West Indies closed the opening day of the three-day warm-up match against Pakistan Shaheens with 273-7 in 74 overs on the back of Alick Athanaze’s 99 at the Islamabad Club Ground here on Friday.

The toss was uncontested as the teams mutually decided for the West Indies to bat first in this non-first-class match.

Left-hander Alick Athanaze, batting at No.5, faced 142 balls, which included 15 fours and one six. He was dismissed by Ahmed Safi Abdullah one shy of his century.

Earlier in the day, opening batters Kraigg Brathwaite (34, 39, 5x4s, 1×6) and Mikyle Louis (34, 63b, 4x4s, 1×6) stitched a 47-run opening partnership before the former fell to Ahmed Safi.

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Louis, Keacy Carty (22, 46b, 3x4s) and Kavem Hodge (17, 22b, 2x4s) became Mohammad Rameez Jnr’s preys, as the right-arm leg-spinner returned figures of 3-40 in 13 overs.

Amir Jangoo (29 not out, 42b, 2x4s, 1×6) and Joshua Da Silva (11 not out, 28b) will resume batting for West Indies on day two with 16 overs remaining in the first innings as the first dig for both the teams has been restricted to 90 overs for maximum practice.

Apart from Rameez Jnr and Ahmed Safi, Hussain Talat was the other wicket-taker for Pakistan Shaheens as he dismissed West Indies batter Tevin Imlach (13, 36b, 1×4).

Following the ongoing three-day match, 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.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Imam-ul-Haq as the captain of the 14-member Pakistan Shaheens squad to face the touring West Indies Test team.

The two teams will square off in a three-day warm-up match at the Islamabad Club in Islamabad from 10-12 January.

West Indies Test squad will arrive in Islamabad on Monday, 6 January while Pakistan Shaheens squad will assemble on the same day.

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Shaheens will begin their training at the Islamabad Club on 7 January while West Indies will undergo two training sessions on 8 and 9 January.

The two-match Test series between Pakistan and West Indies is set to begin from 17 January in Multan as both the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures will be played at the same venue.

Pakistan Shaheens’ squad: Imam-ul-Haq (captain), Ahmed Bashir, Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Ali Zaryab, Haseebullah, Hussain Talat, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Suleman, Musa Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir, and Saad Khan

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: Shoaib Malik bids farewell to Karachi Kings ahead of PSL 10 draft

RAWALPINDI: Sonal Dinusha and Pavan Rathnayake ended the two four-day matches series with sparkling centuries as Pakistan Shaheens and Sri Lanka ‘A’ match ended in a draw at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.

Dinusha returned unbeaten on 116 and Rathnayake remained 100 not out as Sri Lanka ‘A’, resuming their second innings at 157 for four, declared their second innings at 260 for four to set Pakistan Shaheens a target of 284 in 60 overs.

When the match ended, Pakistan Shaheens were 156 for three in 45 overs.

Dinusha, who had scored 85 not in the first innings, had started the day at 51 and added another 65 runs on the final day to finish at 116 not out.

His fourth first-class century in the 41st match came off 141 balls and included nine fours. Overall, he faced 184 balls and hit 10 fours.

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Rathnayake had started this morning at 64 and finished on 100 not out, his seventh first-class century in 38 matches. He faced 198 balls and hit eight fours.

The two batters had come together when Sri Lanka ‘A’ were tottering at 46 for four. Their 214 runs unbeaten fifth-wicket stand came off 369 balls and not only steered the ship to safety but also allowed Sri Lanka ‘A’ to set the home team a stiff 284 runs target in 60 overs.

When the match was called off, Pakistan Shaheens had recovered from 67 for three to 156 for three.

Mohammad Suleman was the top-scorer with 66 not out (121b, 3×4, 1×6), while Haider Ali scored 43 not out (68b, 3×4, 1×6) as the two batters put on 89 runs for the unfinished fourth wicket. Ali Zaryab contributed 31.

The two sides will now feature in a three-match 50-over series to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 25, 27 and 29 November.

READ: Salman Butt takes a dig at Pakistan players’ fitness

RAWALPINDI: A 158-run third wicket partnership between Mohammad Suleman and Ali Zaryab helped Pakistan Shaheens defeat Sri Lanka ‘A’ by seven wickets on the fourth and final day at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Suleman was dismissed after scoring 86, while Ali returned unbeaten on 83 as Pakistan Shaheens achieved the 222-run target in 53 overs.

Earlier, Test fast bowler Khurram Shahzad picked up the last Sri Lanka wicket on the fourth ball of the day without any addition to the overnight score of 364 to finish with impressive figures of five for 70 and match figures of nine wickets for 102 runs.

Mohammad Suleman and Ali Zaryab had joined hands after Pakistan Shaheens had slipped to 32 for two following the departures of Mohammad Huraira (9) and Abdul Faseeh (22).

When Suleman departed at the score of 190 after hitting 11 fours in a 129-ball knock with Shaheens requiring 32 runs for victory, Haider Ali belted two sixes and a four in a rapid 14-ball 19 not-out.

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Ali returned 83 not out from 125 balls with 11 hits to the fence. The highly-rated batter had scored 55 in Pakistan Shaheen’s 258 in response to Sri Lanka ‘A’ 115.

While Suleman and Ali took the second innings honours, Test fast bowler Khurram Shahzad was in sparkling form throughout the match.

In his third competitive match since returning from injury after successful completion of his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Stadium, the fast bowler returned figures of 10.1-3-32-4 and 25.4-4-70-5.

Khurram’s fellow new ball partner, Kashif Ali, also had a good match, recording figures of five for 31 and two for 79.

The second and last four-day match between Pakistan Shaheens and Sri Lanka ‘A’ will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 18 November.

READ: Glenn Maxwell, pacers star as Australia thump Pakistan in rain-effected first T20I

LAHORE: Mohammad Huraira has been appointed the captain of Pakistan Shaheens for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka A, starting from 11 November.

Pakistan Shaheens will play two four-day and three 50-over matches against Sri Lanka ’A’ at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

22-year-old Mohammad Huraira has scored 3,310 runs in 40 first-class matches with eight centuries and 14 half-centuries.

In 25 List-A matches, the right-handed batter has accumulated 632 runs, striking a century and a half-century.

The Men’s National Selection Committee has also named the red-ball and white-ball squads, which include Test fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Khurram Shahzad.

The duo returned to competitive cricket last week by featuring in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy after completing their rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy.

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Hussain Talat is the other international player in the white-ball squad, whereas Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Ahmed Safi Abdullah have earned their maiden Shaheens call-ups.

In the white-ball squad, Abdul Samad, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Imran Jnr and Rohail Nazir retained their places in the side that participated in the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup last month.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Imran, Sirajuddin, and Ubaid Shah broke into the Pakistan Shaheens’ side for the first time.

The red-ball squad will commence training sessions on 6 November, while Sri Lanka ‘A’ will arrive on 8 November before starting their preparations on 9 November. White-ball players will assemble in Islamabad on 22 November.

Meanwhile, the PCB has also confirmed the umpires and match officials for the series. Iqbal Sheikh and Bilal Khilji will lead the Playing Control Team (PCT) for the red and white-ball matches, respectively, while umpiring responsibilities in the series will be shared between Asif Yaqoob, Imran Jawed, Rashid Riaz and Zulfiqar Jan.

Pakistan Shaheens squad

Four-dayers: Mohammad Huraira (captain) (Sialkot), Abdul Faseeh (Rawalpindi), Ahmed Safi Abdullah (Faisalabad), Ali Zaryab (Lahore), Haider Ali (Rawalpindi), Hussain Talat (Lahore), Kashif Ali (Rawalpindi), Khurram Shahzad (Faisalabad), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (Karachi), Mohammad Rameez Jnr (Lahore), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (FATA), Rohail Nazir (Islamabad), Saad Khan (Hyderabad) and Sameen Gul (FATA)

50-over matches: Mohammad Huraira (captain) (Sialkot), Abdul Faseeh (Rawalpindi), Abdul Samad (Faisalabad), Haider Ali (Rawalpindi), Hussain Talat (Lahore), Maaz Sadaqat (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mohammad Haris (Peshawar), Mohammad Imran Jnr (Swat), Muhammad Imran (Bahawalpur), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (FATA), Rohail Nazir (Islamabad), Sharoon Siraj (Multan), Sirajuddin (FATA) and Ubaid Shah (Lahore)

Umpire and match referee appointments (All matches will be day games and played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium)

11-14 Nov – 1st four-day. Asif Yaqoob and Zulfiqar Jan (on-field umpires), Imran Jawed (third umpire), Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)

18-21 Nov – 2nd four-day. Rashid Riaz and Imran Jawed (on-field umpires), Zulfiqar Jan (third umpire), Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)

25 Nov – 1st 50-over match. Rashid Riaz and Zulfiqar Jan (on-field umpires), Imran Jawed (third umpire), Bilal Khilji (match referee)

27 Nov – 2nd 50-over match. Rashid Riaz and Imran Jawed (on-field umpires), Zulfiqar Jan (third umpire), Bilal Khilji (match referee)

29 Nov – 3rd 50-over match. Rashid Riaz and Zulfiqar Jan (on-field umpires), Imran Jawed (third umpire), Bilal Khilji (match referee)

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday confirmed that Islamabad Club will host the five-match red and white-ball series between Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Pakistan Shaheens in November.

As announced earlier, Sri Lanka ‘A’ on their maiden tour to Pakistan, will play two four-day matches from 11 to 21 November, followed by a three-match 50-over series on 25, 27 and 29 November.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ will arrive in Islamabad on 7 November and will train for three days before taking on the Pakistan Shaheens in the first four-dayer commencing from 11 November.

For both four-day games, the toss will take place at 9:00 AM PKT, with the first ball expected to be bowled at 9:30 AM PKT.

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The three 50-over series fixtures will be day-night games, with the toss taking place at 1:30 PM PKT. The first ball of the match is expected to be bowled at 2:00 PM PKT.

The PCB continues to invest in its young talent with Shaheens set to play their second home series in three months. In August, Bangladesh ‘A’ had travelled to Islamabad for two four-dayers and a three-match 50-over series.

Besides the home series this year, Pakistan Shaheens had also featured in two four-dayers against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin, Australia, two 50-over matches against Northern Territory and Bangladesh ‘A’ and also took part in the Top End T20 series.

The Shaheens have also recently competed in the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Muscat.

Schedule of Sri Lanka ‘A’ Tour of Pakistan

7 Nov – Sri Lanka’s Arrival in Islamabad

11-14 Nov – 1st four-day match, Islamabad Club

18-21 Nov – 2nd four-day match, Islamabad Club

25 Nov – 1st 50-over match, Islamabad Club

27 Nov – 2nd 50-over match, Islamabad Club

29 Nov – 3rd 50-over match, Islamabad Club

READ: PCB reveals squads for Australia and Zimbabwe tours

AL AMERAT: Dushan Hemantha’s four-wicket haul, coupled with Ahan Wickramasinghe’s anchoring half-century powered Sri Lanka A to thump Pakistan Shaheens and qualify for the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

Chasing 136 to win, Sri Lanka A achieved the target in the 17th over, courtesy of a quickfire second-wicket partnership between Lahiru Udara and Ahan Wickramasinghe.

Sri Lanka A had an unwanted start to their pursuit as Yashodha Lanka (11, 10b) suffered a bizarre dismissal for obstructing the field.

Udara was then joined by Wickramasinghe and they turned the tide in Sri Lanka A’s favour with belligerent hitting. The duo added 64 runs in just 6.1 overs until Udara fell victim to Sufiyan Muqeem.

Wicketkeeper-batter Lahiru Udara scored a quick-fire 43 off 20 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes.

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Udara’s dismissal halted the flow of runs for Sri Lanka A and they had to bat cautiously to get to the finishing line in the 17th over despite set-batter Wickramasinghe being in the middle.

Ahan Wickramasinghe top-scored for Sri Lanka A with a 46-ball 52, laced up with four fours and a six.

Earlier, opting to bat first in the first semi-final, Pakistan Shaheens managed to score 135 for nine in their 20 overs. Opening batter Omair Bin Yousuf was the top run-getter for the side scoring 68 off 46 balls, which included five fours and four sixes.

Haider Ali (14, 15b), Mohammad Imran Jnr (13, 12b, 2x4s) and Arafat Minhas (10, 8b, 1×4) were the other batters to reach double figures.

For Sri Lanka A, Dushan Hemantha bagged four wickets for 21 in four overs, while Eshan Malinga and Nipun Ransika took two wickets apiece.

The second semi-final of the Emerging Asia Cup will be played between Afghanistan A and India A later today.

READ: Spinners put Pakistan on top after Saud’s ton gives 77-run lead

AL AMERAT: Mohammad Haris’ blistering 71-run knock, followed by Shahnawaz Dahani’s five-wicket haul steered Pakistan Shaheens to a crushing 114-run victory against United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 here on Wednesday.

After opting to bat first, Shaheens racked up 179-4 in the allotted 20 overs as Haris notched an unbeaten 71 off 49 balls. Opening batters Omair Bin Yousuf (21, 11b, 2x4s, 2x6s) and Yasir Khan (25, 13b, 3x4s, 2x6s) departed inside the Powerplay where Shaheens amassed 49 runs for the loss of two wickets.

Mohammad Haris, who walked into bat after two overs, kept the Shaheens innings intact as he put on 62 runs for the third wicket with Qasim Akram (23, 28b, 1×6).

UAE’s Muhammad Farooq produced a double blow in the 14th over when he dismissed Qasim and Abdul Samad to leave Shaheens 112-4.

Haris was then joined by Haider Ali as the duo accounted for an unbeaten 67-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Haris hit six fours and three sixes while Haider slammed as many sixes and one four in his 17-ball 32 not out.

For UAE, Farooq was the only successful bowler as he returned for 3-27 in his four overs.

In reply, UAE lost wickets at regular intervals as they only managed 28-3 in the first six overs as Dahani struck thrice.

Skipper Rahul Chopra, batting at No. 5, top-scored for his team with 20 off 18 balls hitting three fours while Tanish Suri (15, 15b, 3x4s) and Syed Haider (12, 16b, 1×6) were the only other batters to reach double figures.

Dahani registered his career-best T20 bowling figures when he dismissed Akif Raja in the 15th over, finishing with 5-12 in four overs including two maidens.

Sufiyan Moqim picked up two wickets while Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Abbas Afridi and Arafat Minhas dismissed one batter each.

The commanding triumph over UAE, sealed Pakistan Shaheens’ spot in the semi-finals of the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, set to take place on Friday, 25 October.

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MUSCAT: Pakistan Shaheens beat Oman by 74 runs to register their first win of the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 on Monday here at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground.

While batting first Pakistan Shaheens posted 185-5 and successfully defended the total as they restricted Oman to 111-7 in the allotted 20 overs.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, the Shaheens were helped to a mammoth total by Qasim Akram (48), Rohail Nazir (41 not out) and Arafat Minhas (31 not out).

At the start of the innings, Oman’s Muzahir Raza jolted the Shaheens twice as he removed the opening pair of Mohammad Haris and Yasir Khan for three runs each to leave the Shaheens 13-2 in 2.4 overs.

Qasim Akram, the top scorer for Shaheens stitched a valuable 72-run third-wicket partnership with Omair Bin Yousuf (25, 21b, 3x4s) to steer the Shaheens to 79-2 at the halfway mark before Omair departed in the following over.

Qasim smoked three towering sixes and two fours during his 38-ball stay on the crease and was denied a half-century when Samay Shrivastava castled him with the scorecard reading 106-4 in 13.3 overs.

With 116-5 on the board in 14.5 overs, Rohail Nazir, playing his first match of the tournament after being named a replacement for Haseebullah earlier, joined forces with Arafat Minhas as the duo put on a belligerent 69-run unbeaten stand for the sixth wicket to propel the Shaheens to highest innings total so far – 185-5.

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Rohail, in his player of the match performance, blazed his way to 41 off just 20 balls hitting three fours and two sixes while Arafat chipped in with a quickfire 31 off 15 balls with the help of two fours and as many sixes.

Apart from Muzahir’s two wickets, Samay, Sufyan Mehmood and Wasim Ali picked up one wicket each.

In turn, Oman only managed a modest 34-1 in the powerplay as Qasim Akram drew first blood for Shaheens as he pinned Aamir Kaleem for 11.

Oman batters were further kept in check as they lost Karan Sonavale and skipper Jatinder Singh (24, 29b, 2x4s, 1×6) in the seventh and ninth over, respectively as their team struggled to keep the required rate under control.

Wasim Ali (28, 31b, 2x4s) top scored for Oman as they only managed 57 runs in the last 10 overs finishing 111-7 in 20 overs.

Zaman Khan picked up 2-17 while Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran, Qasim Akram, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sufiyan Moqim picked up one wicket each.

Pakistan Shaheens will face UAE in the third match on Wednesday, 23 October at 2 pm PKT.

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