Tag: Pakistan vs Afghanistan t20I series

Pakistan ‘well-balanced’ to face Afghanistan spinners: Rehman

Posted on by A Sports

LAHORE: Newly appointed Pakistan head coach Abdul Rehman believes that his side is perfectly balanced and has all the bases covered to face the spin challenge from Afghanistan in the upcoming T20I series between the two teams in Sharjah.

In his first media interaction on Tuesday after being named as the national team’s head coach for the upcoming three T20Is, Rehman thanked Pakistan Cricket Board management and its chair Najam Sethi for giving him the opportunity.

“It’s an honour for me to be the head coach of Pakistan. It’s a great opportunity for me, I will try to give the best of my capabilities and create a difference in this series ” said Rehaman.

Rehman, who has a vast coaching experience under his belt in domestic cricket, including Pakistan Super League, stated he was not under any kind of pressure since he worked with almost every player of the squad on different occasions.

“We have some really good youngsters in our squad and all of these are coming after performing in the PSL so I think we have the all bases covered” he added.

Talking about his position in the interim coaching setup where he is joined by former Pakistan stars Umar Gul and Mohammad Yousuf as bowling and batting coaches respectively, Rehman said, “No one will be dictating anyone. We have to work together and move along collectively”

Moreover, head coach Rehman believed that the opposition had some really good spinners at their disposal but the well-balanced Pakistan side would be able to counter them effectively.

“We have a combination of youngsters and seniors. And all of them have faced Afghanistan players in the PSL.”

“Their (Afghanistan’s) spin bowling is quite strong, although their batting is not as strong as their bowling. But we have a talented batting lineup and a well-balanced team to face their spinners”

It may be noted here that Pakistan selected a young-looking team to play three T20Is against Afghanistan under the captaincy of Shadab Khan as the key players, including all-format captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi were rested.

The three T20Is will be staged in Sharjah on March 24, 26 and 27.

Pakistan Squad: Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan.

Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Haseebullah, Usama Mir

READ: Afghanistan recall ex-captain Nabi for T20I series against Pakistan

Schedule for Pakistan-Afghanistan T20I series revised

Posted on by A Sports

KABUL: The schedule for the historic T20I series between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been revised after Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have jointly agreed to make slight tweaks to the itinerary.

According to a joint statement released by the two cricket boards, the start of the three-match T20I series has been advanced by a day and will now commence on March 24, while the remaining two matches will be played on March 25 and March 27 in Sharjah.

 

The amendment in the schedule was made due to the unavailability of Hawk-Eye Technology for the previously agreed-upon dates.

“Afghanistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board have jointly agreed to make slight tweaks to the itinerary of Afghanistan’s home three-match T20I series against Pakistan. The start of the series is brought forward by a day and will now start on March 24, with the last two games to be played on March 26 and 27 in Sharjah, UAE,” the joint statement read.

“The changes in itinerary are made due to the unavailability of the Hawk-Eye Technology for the previously agreed upon dates. The two boards have agreed upon the changes in itinerary to ensure all the necessary broadcast technologies are available for the inaugural T20I series between the two sides,” it added.

Notably, the upcoming T20I series will mark the first bilateral series between Pakistan and Afghanistan as the two sides had only met in Asia Cups and ICC events.

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Schedule for Pakistan-Afghanistan T20I series announced

Posted on by A Sports

KABUL: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Tuesday, announced the schedule of the three-match home T20I series against Pakistan, which will be played from March 25 to 29 in Sharjah.

In an official statement, the ACB shared the schedule of their home T20I series against Pakistan, which will roll into action on March 25 in Sharjah before the second and third matches between the two teams taking place on March 27th and 29th, respectively, at the same venue.

 

The chairman of ACB Mr. Mirwais Ashraf thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their willingness to play against Afghanistan and expressed his hope for close working ties between the two cricket boards.

“We appreciate Pakistan Cricket Board’s willingness to play Afghanistan in March. This is a significant accomplishment for two neighbouring countries.

“We are hopeful and looking forward to extending our ties with PCB, as well as continuing great partnerships and frequent cricketing assignments with them, which will help us further strengthen our team and our cricket altogether. Overall, we are excited to host and play Pakistan in what will be a thrilling series of cricket games between the two countries.”

It is worth mentioning here that the ACB executives contacted the PCB to play a three-match ODI series, following Australia’s withdrawal from the ODI series against Afghanistan, citing restrictions on women’s rights in the country.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi in a press conference in January, shared that the cricketing governing body had no interest in the ODI series, however, the T20I series could be an option subject to approval from the Pakistan government.

“I met the chairman and executives of the Afghanistan [Board] in Dubai. The crux of the matter is that they requested us to play three matches,” shared Sethi.

“My stance was that even if we play those matches, it would not benefit either cricketing nation, so we are not really interested in going ahead and playing those matches.

“Again, keeping it short, since I had a detailed conversation with them. We came to the conclusion that subject to the government’s approval, Pakistan and Afghanistan will play three T20I matches in Sharjah, just after the conclusion of PSL 8 and before the arrival of New Zealand.”

Notably, the upcoming T20I series will mark the first bilateral series between Pakistan and Afghanistan as the two sides had only met in Asia Cup and ICC events.

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Pakistan to play three T20Is against Afghanistan in Sharjah next month

Posted on by A Sports

Pakistan will play a three-game bilateral T20 series against Afghanistan by the end of March, confirmed Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Management Committee Najam Sethi on Sunday.

Sethi said the T20I series would compensate Afghanistan for the losses caused by the withdrawal of Cricket Australia from the ODI series against the side, scheduled in UAE.

“Pleased to announce PCB will play 3xT20s against Afghanistan in Sharjah end March to compensate Afghanistan following Australia’s pullout from bi lateral series against it.” he said on Twitter.

PCB head added that he also supported the Asian Cricket Council’s decision to grant Afghanistan an equal share of ACC revenues like the other top four member boards.

“I also supported ACC decision to grant Afghanistan equal share of ACC revenues like BCCI, PCB, SLC & BCB.” he remarked.

It is pertinent to mention here that during a media talk last month, Sethi disclosed that PCB and ACB will equally share the remuneration yielded from the aforesaid series.

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