Tag: Pakistan vs Afghanistan

Chairman PCB Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, had a meeting with the Pakistan men’s cricket team before their first One-Day International against Afghanistan in Hambantota.

On this occasion, the Chairman Management Committee PCB addressed the team, stating, “I have great hope that with your efforts and hard work, Pakistan will win the Asia Cup. After securing victory, I am sure you will carry this momentum and confidence in the World Cup, bringing the World Cup trophy back home.”

“This team under our great captain [Babar Azam] is performing really well. He has a talented team, and they are all performing in their respective roles. We have world-class batters and bowlers on the side. We have a good combination and I don’t find any reason why we should not win this trophy.”

Zaka Ashraf also stated that former cricketers from Pakistan and around the world were backing Pakistan as favourites for the Asia Cup because of their current form. He further told the players, “All of you are capable enough to beat your opponents. We have won the World Cup before and secured the Asia Cup twice. There is no reason to believe we cannot do it again. Show your best performance on the field. Best wishes are with you.”

Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan with the first match set to be played on 22 August. The series will conclude on 26 August before the team travels back to Pakistan to take play the opening match of the Asia Cup against Nepal on August 30.

READ: ‘Afghanistan series beneficial for major events,’ says Babar Azam

KABUL: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday, unveiled the commentary panel and match officials for the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan, scheduled to commence on August 22.

The seven-member commentary panel featured former Pakistan captain and renowned cricketing voice, Ramiz Raja.

Ramiz will be accompanied by his compatriot Aamer Sohail in the panel which also features Farhad Fidaee, Sri Lanka’s Farveez Maharoof, David Gower, HD Akerman and Devender Kumar.

🚨 Announcing the Announcers 🚨

Here's our commentators' lineup for the Super Cola Cup Afghanistan vs Pakistan three-match ODI series 2023, powered by Marhaba Auctions. 🏏🤩#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvPAK | #SuperColaCup | #ByaMaidanGato pic.twitter.com/oyTK7ilkfg

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 20, 2023

The ACB also announced the match officials for the first-ever bilateral ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Ranjan Madugalle will serve as a match referee for the entirety of the series while Bismillah Jan, Izat Safi, Ahmad Durrani, Nitin Menon, Peter Manuel and Sharfuddoula will officiate the matches.

https://twitter.com/ACBofficials/status/1693223110940508324

Earlier this week, Ramiz Raja was snubbed from the commentary panel of the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

Notably, the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja, who returned to commentary after an almost two-year hiatus during Pakistan’s two-match away Test series against Sri Lanka last month, was not named in the panel.

Soon after assuming the charge of the PCB chairman, Ramiz took a break from the commentary and remained involved in running the affairs of the cricketing body till his ouster in December 2022.

Despite his ouster, Ramiz Raja did not immediately return to the commentary role and missed the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the home series against New Zealand.

Notably, the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan will serve as an ample opportunity to prepare for the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to run from August 30 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

This year’s Asia Cup will kick off with host Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture while the rest of the nine matches will be played in Sri Lanka.

READ: Shadab Khan shuts down fan for criticizing Hasan Ali

Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed has busted a false derogatory remark about the Indian cricket team, stating a professional cricketer would never make such a statement.

Social media went abuzz with a false Iftikhar Ahmed’s quote, according to which he allegedly said, “Whenever we have a match against India, it feels like we are playing with street children.”

Consequently, Iftikhar called out the X user for spreading the false news and also urged the social networking site to take tough action against such deceptive profiles.

“I’ve been made aware of this statement which I’ve never made. In fact, no professional cricketer will make such a statement. Please stop circulating false news & report this individual for spreading hate. @X @elonmusk please ban this account as people are misusing the blue tick.”

I’ve been made aware of this statement which I’ve never made. In fact, no professional cricketer will make such a statement. Please stop circulating false news & report this individual for spreading hate.@X @elonmusk please ban this account as people are misusing the blue tick. https://t.co/dmgDEfM9jp pic.twitter.com/fExqNRa9Zk

— Iftikhar Ahmad (@IftiMania) August 16, 2023

Notably, Iftikhar Ahmed’s stint with Colombo Strikers in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 ended on Tuesday as his team failed to finish in the top four of the five-match tournament.

He, alongside captain Babar Azam and other players, who were participating in the league will now join the rest of the national squad in Hambantota today.

Notably, a number of cricketers from Pakistan’s squad for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan and the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023 departed for the Island nation.

Nine Pakistani players departed from Allama Iqbal International Airpot, Lahore this afternoon, including Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Faheem Ashraf, M Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi.

Meanwhile, vice-captain Shadab Khan will fly from Karachi to join the team in Sri Lanka, whereas his fellow leg spinner Usama Mir, who was participating in The Hundred will join the team from the United Kingdom (UK).

Pakistan team is scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka on August 22, 24 and 26. The first two ODI will take place in Hambantota, while the third game will be played in Colombo.

The upcoming series is the first bilateral ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Before that, they played only four ODIs and Pakistan remained unbeaten in all.

Afterwards, the Pakistan team will Pakistan will face Nepal in the curtain raiser of the Asia Cup, starting on August 30 at Multan Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan’s Squad for the Afghanistan Series:

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir

Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi

READ: Tickets for Asia Cup 2023 Sri Lanka leg go on sale

LAHORE: Pakistan team flew out to Sri Lanka on Thursday to face Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series, starting from August 22.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on their X (formerly known as Twitter) account shared a video of the players interacting with each other and fans before they took off for Sri Lanka.

Lahore ✈️ Hambantota

Boys are off to Sri Lanka for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan!#BackTheBoysInGreen #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/rg4NFCx2qw

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 17, 2023

Nine Pakistani players departed from Allama Iqbal International Airpot in Lahore this afternoon, including Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, M Wasim Jnr, Faheem Ashraf, M Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi.

Meanwhile, vice-captain Shadab Khan will fly from Karachi to join the team in Sri Lanka, whereas his fellow leg spinner Usama Mir, who was participating in The Hundred will join the team from the United Kingdom (UK).

The players who are participating in the ongoing edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), including captain Babar Azam will join the team in Hambantota today.

Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur will also join the squad in Sri Lanka on August 23, as told by head coach Grant Bradburn yesterday.

“We are looking forward to him [Mickey Arthur] joining us on August 23rd [in Sri Lanka], he will be with us through to the match against India in Kandy,” Bradburn told while talking to the media on the sidelines of the national team’s training camp.

Pakistan team is scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka on August 22, 24 and 26. The first two ODI will take place in Hambantota, while the third game will be played in Colombo.

The upcoming series is the first bilateral ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Before that, they played only four ODIs and Pakistan remained unbeaten in all.

Afterwards, the Pakistan team will Pakistan will face Nepal in the curtain raiser of the Asia Cup, starting on August 30 at Multan Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan’s Squad for the Afghanistan Series:

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir

Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi 

READ: Tickets for Asia Cup 2023 Sri Lanka leg go on sale

Pakistan men’s cricket team’s head coach Grant Bradburn is aiming for more improvement, specifically in the middle overs ahead of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

Bradburn, while talking to the media on the sidelines of the national team’s training camp for the ODI series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup spoke about the team’s preparation.

“Cricket is changing rapidly, it’s a dynamic high-scoring game and we are planning according to that, as we want to be at the front and centre at the style of that brand of cricket,” said Grant Bradburn.

“A glimpse of that was seen in the series against New Zealand,” he added.

He emphasized the importance of scoring runs and taking wickets in the middle overs in ODI cricket.

“We are very clear about the fact that we need to score faster in the middle overs. We haven’t been as successful in the middle overs in ODIs as we should have been.

“Not only with the bat but with the ball too, we need to pick more wickets in the middle phase of the innings.

“You saw the way the boys played in Sri Lanka during the Test series. They are looking to play in an aggressive style, and that’s exactly what we demand.

Grant Bradburn also shed light on the dynamics of his relationship with the team director Mickey Arthur.

“Mickey Arthur and I are very good coaching associates and friends for a very long time. We are communicating daily, and he is part of the plan to guide this team in a new direction,” Bradburn added.

“We are looking forward to him [Mickey Arthur] joining us on August 23rd [in Sri Lanka], he will be with us through to the match against India in Kandy. He will later join us for the World Cup in India.”

The head coach also stressed the team is solely focused on the series against Afghanistan.

“We are just thinking about the next week and the next game. The first match against Afghanistan will be very crucial as they are a tough side,” Grant Bradburn said.

Pakistan team is scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka on August 22, 24 and 26. The first two ODI will take place in Hambantota, while the third game will be played in Colombo.

The upcoming series is the first bilateral ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Before that, they played only four ODIs and Pakistan remained unbeaten in all.

Afterwards, the Pakistan team will Pakistan will face Nepal in the curtain raiser of the Asia Cup, starting on August 30 at Multan Cricket Stadium.

READ: Wahab Riaz retires from international cricket

LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has set his sights on giving his best in the highly-anticipated clash between Pakistan and India in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to commence on August 30.

Agha, while talking to the media here on the sidelines of the national men’s team’s ongoing training camp for the ODI series against Afghanistan and this year’s Asia Cup expressed his desire to perform well against arch-rivals India in the continental event.

“I will try to perform at my best against India in the Asia Cup,” said Agha.

Salman Ali Agha was adjudged player of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, amassing 221 runs and picking up three wickets, including an unbeaten hundred in the last Test.

However, Agha will now turn his attention to white-ball cricket as Pakistan is scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka, before embarking on the Asia Cup journey, which will run from August 30 to September 17.

“I try to play according to the format, and as a player, I try to perform well in every game. ODI format is different [than Test and T20I], and I am trying to adjust myself according to that,” Agha Salman said.

“I will try to perform at my best as I did in test cricket,” he added.

Salman Ali Agha has thus represented Pakistan in 11 ODIs and accumulated 337 runs at an average of 48.14, with the help of three fifties while picking up three wickets.

His last white-ball appearance was against New Zealand in May 2023, where he scored a run-a-ball 57.

Agha then went on to praise Afghanistan’s strength, their spin bowling but expressed his confidence in his team’s world-class batting lineup.

“Afghanistan have quality spinners, but we have a world-class batting,” said Agha.

“The first target is to win the series against Afghanistan and then the Asia Cup,” he concluded.

The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan is scheduled to be played on August 22, 24 and 26. The first two ODI will take place in Hambantota, while the third game will be played in Colombo.

READ: England to host Zimbabwe in 2025 to play first Test after 2003

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team’s training camp for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan and Asia Cup 2023 will commence on August 14, Monday (tomorrow).

A brief three-day training camp will end on August 16, Wednesday, before the team departs for Sri Lanka on August 17.

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who has returned to the ODI squad after a two-year hiatus will also be a part of the training camp along with Abdullah Shafiq and Saud Shakeel.

Notably, Saud Shakeel is only part of the Pakisyan ODI squad which will take on Afghanistan in a three-match series.

He has played five ODIs and his last was in March 2022 when Pakistan chased down 348 against Australia with six wickets in hand in Lahore.

Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Wasim Jr. will also be part of the training camp, while Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan, Tayyab Tahir and Shaheen Afridi will join the Pakistan training camp on August 16.

However, the players who are participating in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) will join the team directly in Hambantota.

PCB has also called eight additional players for Pakistan’s training camp.

An 18-member Pakistan squad will take on Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from 22 to 26 August and it will be trimmed to 17 players for the Asia Cup, commencing on 30th August at Multan Cricket Stadium.

The opening game will see host Pakistan face Nepal.

The squad was finalised following consultations between the national men’s selection committee – which also includes Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Hassan Cheema (secretary) – and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Pakistan’s Squad:

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series).

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir

Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi

READ: Ramiz, Wasim, Waqar named in Asia Cup 2023 commentary panel

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the national men’s selection committee head announced an 18-member squad for the series against Afghanistan and the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, the notable selection, however, was the returning pace-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

He returns to the side after a long hiatus of two years, his last outing in the ODI format was during Pakistan’s three-match away series against England in July 2021.

In his last ODI match, Faheem Ashraf scored 10 runs off four balls, while he gave away 34 runs without any wicket.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, who unveiled almost alike squads for the Asia Cup and Afghanistan ODIs, justified Faheem Ashraf’s inclusion by claiming him to be the only pace-bowling all-rounder in the circuit.

“We lacked pace-bowling all-rounders, as all the all-rounders we currently have are spinners,” he said.

“We are looking towards the ICC Cricket World Cup later this year, and Faheem Ashraf will come in handy in India,” he added.

He further solidified his call by terming Faheem the best pace-bowling all-rounder in Pakistan.

“Faheem Ashraf is number one among all the pace-bowling all-rounders in the domestic.”

An 18-player squad will take on Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from 22 to 26 August and it will be trimmed to 17 players for the Asia Cup, commencing from 30th August at Multan Cricket Stadium. The opening game will see host Pakistan face Nepal.

Along with Faheem Ashraf, Tayyab Tahir, and Saud Shakeel have also been included in the squad, however, Shakeel is only selected for the Afghanistan series.

Shan Masood and Ihsanullah are the two players from the squad who played New Zealand in the five ODIs in April and May to miss out.

The team will assemble in Hambantota on 18 August with the players in Pakistan departing on 17 August. The players in Pakistan will hold a three-day camp on 14, 15 and 16 August at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore.

The squad was finalised following consultations between the national men’s selection committee – which also includes Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Hassan Cheema (secretary) – and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Pakistan’s Squad:

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series).

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir

Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi 

READ: Shubman Gill moves closer to Fakhar, Imam in ICC ODI Batting Rankings

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the head of the national men’s selection committee, today announced Pakistan’s squads for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023 and the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

An 18-player squad will take on Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from 22 to 26 August and it will be trimmed to 17 players for the Asia Cup, which begins from the Multan Cricket Stadium on 30 August when Pakistan play Nepal.

Pakistan’s Squad:

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series).

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir

Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi 

Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf and Saud Shakeel have been included in the Pakistan squad for the Afghanistan series. Shan Masood and Ihsanullah are the two players from the squad that played New Zealand in the five ODIs in April and May to miss out.

Faheem returns to the side after two years and further adds to the balance of the side as a fast-bowling all-rounder. His last outing in the format was during Pakistan’s three-match away series against England in July 2021. 

This is Tayyab’s second call-up in the ODI side. His maiden call-up came ahead of the three ODIs against New Zealand in January following a stellar show in the Pakistan Cup 2022-23 that saw him finish as the leading run-getter in the event.

The right-handed middle-order batter recently struck a scintillating century to orchestrate Pakistan Shaheens’ thumping 128-run win over India A in the ACC Men’s Emerging Cup final.

Saud, who does not feature in the Asia Cup squad, has played five ODIs and his last was in March 2022 when Pakistan chased down 348 against Australia with six wickets in hand in Lahore. 

Shan has missed out on selection following a string of low scores, while Ihsanullah is undergoing a rehabilitation programme under the observation of the PCB’s medical panel following an injury in his bowling elbow. 

The team will assemble in Hambantota on 18 August with the players in Pakistan departing on 17 August. The players in Pakistan will hold a three-day camp on 14, 15 and 16 August at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore.

The squad was finalised following consultations between the national men’s selection committee – which also includes Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Hassan Cheema (secretary) – and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Players participating in Lankan Premier League and The Hundred will join the squad directly in Sri Lanka on 18 August.

READ: Rahmanullah Gurbaz calls Babar Azam ‘Legend’

Afghanistan’s hard-hitting opener batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz spoke highly of Pakistan’s all-format captain and star batter Babar Azam, calling him a legend of the game right now.

Gurbaz, who is currently representing Jaffna Kings in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL), stated that Babar is beloved by most of the young fans around the world and he, himself likes the way he bats before terming Pakistan captain a legend.

“Babar is the favourite player of most of the young fans, even for me. I like the way he bats, everyone likes his way of batting, and I can say he is a legend right now,” said Gurbaz.

Gurbaz’s remarks about Babar Azam came after their sides, Jaffna Kings and Colombo Strikers respectively, came face to face in the 13th fixture of the LPL 2023.

Notably, Babar Azam is currently the leading run-scorer of the ongoing edition of the Sri Lankan league with 235 runs in five matches including a century.

Gurbaz also mentioned that his younger brother Masood Gurbaz, an emerging wicketkeeper batter, is a huge fan of Babar Azam and has asked him to bring his shirt.

“He loves Babar so much, and he tries to bat the way Babar does,” revealed Gurbaz.

“He asked me to bring one shirt from Babar,” he added.

Notably, Masood, in an interview in Kabul revealed Babar Azam as his favourite cricketer.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is also part of the Afghanistan squad to face Pakistan in the ODI series in Sri Lanka later this month.

Talking about the series, Gurbaz said: “The series against Pakistan is in ODI format, which is a whole different situation, I try my best to be aggressive wherever I play but it all comes down to the situation and team requirement.”

Pakistan and Afghanistan are scheduled to play the first bilateral ODI series against each other.

Prior to that, they faced each other four times in international tournaments — Asia Cup and World Cup — with Pakistan emerging triumphant each time.

The three-match ODI series is scheduled to be played on August 22, 24 and 26. The first two games will take place at Hambantota, while the third game will be played in Colombo.

READ: Afghanistan name squad for Pakistan ODIs