Tag: Pakistan vs England

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has slammed opening batter Saim Ayub for his inconsistent performance and labelled him ‘undercooked’ after the Green Shirts’ loss against England in the second T20I. 

Saim Ayub continued his poor run, falling for only two runs while chasing 184. He has scored 286 runs in 19 T20I innings so far at a strike-rate of 127.67.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ramiz Raja questioned Ayub’s place as an opener and urged Pakistan to revert to the opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

“First, Saim Ayub coming as an opener. I don’t think Pakistan should continue with Saim. He has been given too many chances and you have to do better in [international] cricket. He is undercooked,” said Raja.

“You need to revert to the opening pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam because that is Pakistan’s strength and they understand each other’s game. The entire combination has been disturbed due to Saim.”

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The former chairman also advised pace bowler Shaheen Afridi to develop more variations to put more pressure on the batters irrespective of the conditions.

“Second, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling. Look, if the ball isn’t swinging and he bowls at full length, then he gets bashed,” he added.

“He needs to develop length ball and change of pace especially when he is not getting much from the pitch. Even today, he didn’t bowl perfectly with the new ball and [England] escaped pressure.”

Ramiz Raja also raised concerns over Azam Khan’s batting against pace bowlers, stating that he needs to improve otherwise teams will exploit this weakness and will further trouble him.

“And then, Azam Khan’s batting against pace is problematic. With the team, as big teams will analyse him, they will use short balls against him, and they will make him come out of his comfort zone. His strike rate against spin is very good but not against pace,” he stated.

READ: Imad Wasim reveals the reason behind Pakistan’s loss in second England T20I

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has opened up about the reasons for the Green Shirts’ 23-run loss against England in the second T20I here on Saturday.

Pakistan were booked for 160 in 19.2 overs while chasing an 184-run target, as England earned a 1-0 lead in the four-match T20I series.

Wasim, while speaking to the media after the game, stated that batters should have dominated the game with aggressive intent but failed to do so, resulting in the loss.

“I agree that the intent which we need is still missing, especially in the middle overs where we needed to dominate. We should have put the pressure on the bowler,” he said.

“During my partnership with Iftikhar [Ahmed] we were in the game and poised to cross the finishing line but we lost our wickets at crucial stages,” he added.

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Wasim and Ahmed knitted a crucial 40-run partnership for the seventh wicket, which kept Pakistan’s hope alive, however, English bowlers made a brilliant comeback, removing both batters in the span of 10 deliveries.

Following their dismissals, Pakistan’s toothless batting tail surrendered against a disciplined England bowling attack and the touring side was consequently bundled out on a meagre total.

Upon being asked about his bowling, Imad Wasim expressed readiness to bowl at any stage of the game according to the team’s requirements.

“I am ready to bowl at any position, be it with the new ball or the death overs, whenever the captain feels that I should come to bowl, I will and I will try to give my best for the team,” he said.

“Sometimes the plans need to be changed according to the match situation and the bowler has to be bowled in a different scenario than planned,” he concluded.

BIRMINGHAM: England captain Jos Buttler on Saturday, became only the ninth batter to complete 3000 runs in T20 Internationals.

The wicketkeeper batter joined the likes of Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Rohit Sharma, David Warner and others in the elusive list.

Buttler amassed the landmark in the 17th over of England’s innings when he took a single off Mohammad Amir for his 73rd run.

The right-handed batter perished in the next over after top-scoring for England with a 51-ball 84 which featured eight fours and three sixes.

Players to score 3000 T20I runs

• Virat Kohli
• Babar Azam
• Rohit Sharma
• Martin Guptill
• Paul Stirling
• Aaron Finch
• David Warner
• Mohammad Rizwan
• Jos Buttler

Put into bat first, England registered a formidable total of 183/7 on the board, courtesy of Jos Buttler’s captain’s knock.

He put together important partnerships with Will Jacks and Jonny Bairstow respectively to put England into a commanding position after a scratchy start.

With Jos Buttler and Bairstow at the crease, England looked on course to breach the 200-run barrier but Pakistan bowlers pulled things back with tight death bowling to restrict the hosts to a par total.

Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets, followed by Imad Wasim and Haris, who bagged two each.

PLAYING XIs

England: Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir.

READ: Charlie Dean wants England women to be “ruthless” against Pakistan

BIRMINGHAM: Jos Buttler’s swashbuckling 84-run knock, followed by a combined bowling effort led England to a comfortable 23-run victory over Pakistan in the second T20I here at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Set to chase 184, Pakistan’s batting unit unfolded on 160 in 19.2 overs despite Fakhar Zaman’s quickfire 45.

The visitors had a dismal start to the pursuit as both their openers Mohammad Rizwan (0) and Saim Ayub (2) perished cheaply inside four overs with just 14 runs on the board.

Following the slump, Fakhar joined Babar Azam in the middle and stitched a counterattacking partnership.

The 53-run stand remained majorly dominated by the left-handed batter, who was scoring boundaries at will, while Babar played an anchoring role until falling victim to Moeen Ali in the ninth over.

The Pakistan captain scored 32 off 26 deliveries, hitting four boundaries in the process.

The touring side then lost three more wickets in quick succession as Shadab Khan (3) and Azam Khan (11) fell after making modest contributions.

Pakistan then sustained a massive blow to their run chase when Fakhar Zaman skied one off Liam Livingstone to walk back after playing a fighting knock.

He remained the top-scorer for the Green Shirts with a 21-ball 45 which included five boundaries and three sixes.

With the touring side reeling at 100/6 in 12.3 overs, Imad Wasim joined Iftikhar Ahmed in the middle and the pair put together an important partnership.

Imad and Iftikhar added 40 runs for the seventh wicket and had themselves going when they smashed Reece Topley for 16 runs off the first five deliveries of his third over.

But the pacer hit back on the final delivery and removed Iftikhar, who scored 23 off 17 deliveries.

Imad followed in his footsteps an over later when he fell victim to returning Jofra Archer after a fighting 22 off 13 deliveries.

Following their dismissals, Pakistan’s toothless batting tail surrendered against a disciplined England bowling attack and the touring side was consequently bundled out on a meagre total.

Topley led the bowling attack for England with three wickets, followed by Jofra Archer and Moeen Ali, who bagged two each.

Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone chipped in with a wicket apiece.

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Put into bat first, England had a scratchy start to their innings as opener Phil Salt (13) fell victim to Imad Wasim on the first delivery of the fourth over.

Will Jacks then joined captain Buttler in the middle and the duo recovered England with a solid 71-run partnership for the second wicket.

Their brisk partnership had taken England to 96/1 at the halfway mark. Both the batters were scoring boundaries at will before Haris Rauf got rid of Jacks in the 11th over.

The in-form batter smashed four fours and two sixes on his way to a 23-ball 37.

Buttler was then involved in yet another crucial partnership for England when he added 48 runs for the third wicket with Jonny Bairstow, who scored 21 off 18 deliveries, laced up with one four and two sixes before perishing in the 15th over.

Following his dismissal, England began to lose wickets at an alarming rate and their mainstay Buttler also walked back to the dugout in the 18th over.

Jos Buttler top-scored for England with a 51-ball 84 which featured eight fours and three sixes.

Pakistan bowlers, who were at the receiving end in the middle phase of the innings, bowled tight in the death overs to refrain England from amassing the 200-run mark, which at one stage seemed achievable.

Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling charge for Pakistan with three wickets, followed by Imad Wasim and Haris Rauf, who bagged two each.

READ: Charlie Dean wants England women to be “ruthless” against Pakistan

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan have won the toss and chose to bowl first against England in the second T20I of the four-match series here on Saturday.

PLAYING XIs

BIRMINGHAM: Spin all-rounder Moeen Ali stated Friday that he is ready to lead England in the absence of white-ball captain Jos Buttler.

England’s white-ball captain Buttler and his wife Louise are expecting the birth of their third child soon. As a result, the wicketkeeper batter may miss a part of the ongoing four-match series against Pakistan or the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Meanwhile, England’s vice-captain Moeen Ali, who has led the side in 12 ODIs and T20Is, stated that nothing will change if he assumes the England captaincy role in Buttler’s absence.

“I feel I’ve captained enough for England,” Moeen said.

“I’ll be fine. Nothing will change too much, it’s just taking over from what he’s doing and then when he comes back, he takes over.

“Hopefully, the baby comes at the right time where he doesn’t miss too many games.

“For me, it’s just whatever will happen, will happen. It’s not really difficult, to be honest with you, because we speak often, me and Jos. We talk about other things, the team and all that. We’re on the same page anyway.”

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Moeen further expressed his disappointment with the first T20I against Pakistan being washed out but asserted that the upcoming three matches would be enough for the reigning champions to gear up for the title defence.

“It was obviously disappointing (on Wednesday) because Leeds is a great place to go and play.

“Playing cricket is always the best preparation. I know most of the guys have been playing. A few guys have been training but it’s not the same, so hopefully they’ll get some game time.

“These three games should be enough for the guys to get going and there’s a bit of time in the West Indies, a few training sessions. We’ll be fine. There’s no real excuses from our side.”

Notably, the four-match T20I series between Pakistan and England, scheduled to run from May 22 to 30, will serve as a final opportunity for both teams to gear up for the T20 World Cup 2024 as the previous edition’s finalists will skip the warm-up matches for this year’s mega event.

Pakistan squad:

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.

England squad:

Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Tom Hartley, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Reece Topley.

Pak vs Eng T20I series schedule:

2nd T20I: Sat, May 25th
3rd T20I: Tue, May 28th
4th T20I: Thu, May 30th

READ: Pakistan announce squad for T20 World Cup 2024

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan’s left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman expressed his excitement to compete against a full-strength England team ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on June 1.

Fakhar addressed the press conference here ahead of Pakistan’s second T20I of the four-match series against England and was asked to share his views on the returning pacer Jofra Archer.

In response, the left-handed batter welcomed Archer’s return to the international circuit but shared that he is more excited to compete against a full-strength side to prepare for the World Cup.

“We played many times against Jofra. He’s a very good bowler. We are more excited that we are playing a full-strength team of England,” stated Fakhar.

“So, that’s a very good thing for us. Like, if a player like Jofra is in a team, of course, it will help England but it will [also] help us to play against a world-class bowler,” he added.

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For the unversed, the series opener between Pakistan and England was washed out due to persistent rain in Leeds, denying the previous edition’s finalists a chance to finalise their team combinations ahead of the mega event.

However, Fakhar Zaman managed to find a positive note from the abandoned game, stating that the series will now have a result.

“Playing against England, one of the best teams in the world, so, this series is very important. Of course, the first game washed out but in four games you think it could be 2-2 but now we will have a result so that’s good,” stated Fakhar.

Fakhar also opened up on his batting spot in the ongoing series against England and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“I have been playing at number four like since two years so now I am very used to it and I really enjoy my batting at number four, especially in T20Is and yes I will play at number four in the World Cup as well,” said Fakhar.

READ: Pakistan squad holds practice session for second England T20I

BIRMINGHAM: The Pakistan men’s cricket team on Friday, participated in an extensive training session for the second T20I of the four-match series against England, scheduled on May 25 here at Edgbaston.

According to the details, the national players participated in several fielding drills and also engaged in the net sessions.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also shared glimpses of the national men’s team’s final practice session before the second T20I against England.

“Huddle [Up]. Pakistan Team gears up for the contest at Edgbaston,” wrote the cricketing body.

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For the unversed, Pakistan’s England series-bound squad reached here on Thursday evening.

The first T20I of the four-match series between Pakistan and England was called off due to persistent in Leeds on Wednesday.

The picturesque Headingley Stadium remained under covers as it rained all day long.

Taking the field’s condition and persistent rain into account, the match officials called off the T20I series opener between Pakistan and England, half an hour ahead of the scheduled time for the coin toss.

Notably, the four-match T20I series between Pakistan and England, scheduled to run from May 22 to 30, will serve as a warm-up for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2024 as the previous edition’s finalists will skip the warm-up matches for this year’s mega event.

Pakistan squad:

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.

England squad:

Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Tom Hartley, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Reece Topley.

Pak vs Eng T20I series schedule:

2nd T20I: Sat, May 25th
3rd T20I: Tue, May 28th
4th T20I: Thu, May 30th

READ: Imad Wasim has “no individual goal” for T20 World Cup

The Pakistan men’s cricket team on Thursday, reached Birmingham from Leeds to participate in the second T20I of the four-match series against England, scheduled on May 25.

Upon their arrival in Birmingham, the Green Shirts will rest today before partaking in a three-hour-long training session at Edgbaston on Friday.

For the unversed, the first T20I of the four-match series between Pakistan and England was called off due to persistent in Leeds on Wednesday.

The picturesque Headingley Stadium remained under covers as it rained all day long.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Taking the field’s condition and persistent rain into account, the match officials called off the T20I series opener between Pakistan and England, half an hour ahead of the scheduled time for the coin toss.

Notably, the four-match T20I series between Pakistan and England, scheduled to run from May 22 to 30, will serve as a warm-up for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2024 as the previous edition’s finalists will skip the warm-up matches for this year’s mega event.

Pakistan squad:

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.

England squad:

Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Tom Hartley, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Reece Topley.

Pak vs Eng T20I series schedule:

2nd T20I: Sat, May 25th
3rd T20I: Tue, May 28th
4th T20I: Thu, May 30th

READ: England recruit Manchester City psychologist for T20 World Cup

Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Wednesday, asserted that he has no individual goals for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and instead focused on leading the team to glory.

Imad, in an interview with a local news channel, opened up about his role in the national men’s team during the four-match T20I series against England, stating that he is willing to contribute both with the bat and the ball as he is not after individual milestones.

“If you talk about bowling, then I’m preparing with the new as well as the old ball because we have many bowlers who excel with the new ball so I may be needed in middle-overs so I can’t and won’t say that I will only bowl with the new ball because I returned to this team to do whatever I’m asked,” Imad said.

“About batting, except opening and top-three, play me at whatever position I will be comfortable. The most important thing is that whatever I perform, should benefit the team as I’ve no individual target for the World Cup. Whether it’s a big or small performance, it should lead Pakistan to victory.”

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Imad Wasim further emphasized the importance of having clarity about the players’ roles in the team before reiterating the importance of every match leading into the T20 World Cup 2024.

“Yes [the performance against England] will matter. Every match is important, we played New Zealand and drew the series when we should have won it. But we learned from that series and we have been given a plan,” stated Imad.

“You will see from the England series that the same 12-13 players playing the matches. And when that team will play together, roles of different players will clarify and each player will know his role so leading into the T20 World Cup, we will be in a positive frame of mind knowing this is my job and I have to do this.”

READ: Pakistan-England first T20I called off due to rain