Tag: Pakistan vs England

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering shifting the first Test of the upcoming three-match home series against England to Karachi in light of the ongoing political unrest in Rawalpindi, sources claimed.

According to the details, following the current political situation in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the PCB is considering amending the venue of the first Test between Pakistan and England, scheduled to commence on December 1.

The consideration came in light of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf’s (PTI) long march that is likely to reach the capital in the third week of November.

Meanwhile, England’s Test squad is likely to land in Islamabad on November 27 to lock horns with the hosts in the three-match Test series.

Consequently, Karachi is being considered to be the backup venue to host the opening Test, while the city is also scheduled to host the third Test.

Furthermore, according to a PCB official, no decision has been made to alter the schedule; only the change of location is being considered, and even that decision will only be made after consultation with the government and all stakeholders.

“No decision has been taken to change the schedule, Plan B option is definitely under consideration,” a well-placed source in PCB told.

“The decision to alter the venue will be taken after consultation with all stakeholders and the government’s advice. The change in schedule will be announced after the approval of the government authorities.”

READ: Buttler credits Pakistan tour as key part of their journey to T20 WC title

MELBOURNE: Pakistan captain Babar Azam revealed the reason behind the national team’s defeat at the hands of England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 final at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.

Babar, while speaking to the post-match ceremony, raised the batting line-up’s falter and asserted that Pakistan were 20 runs short in the first innings.

The skipper also coined Shaheen Shah Afridi’s injury as another key factor behind the team’s shortcoming in the mega final.

“First of all I would like to congratulate the England team, it almost felt time like home as everyone came here to support us,” said Babar.

“The way the team has gone in the last four matches [was] incredible. I told the boys to play their natural game, with freedom.

“We were 20 runs short [in the final] but the fight to the last over was unbelievable. Our bowling is one of the best but unfortunately, Shaheen’s injury cost us a different result, but that’s part of the game.”

Meanwhile, the winning skipper Jos Buttler was ecstatic and lauded their veteran all-rounder Ben Stokes’ heroics that guided England to their second T20 World Cup title.

“This is the icing on the cake, to win the T20 World Cup, just immensely proud. A long journey and a few changes, but we’re reaping the rewards. Fantastic tournament,” said Buttler.

“He [Stokes] is the ultimate competitor. In anything he does, a hell of a lot of experience to bank on, he timed it perfectly, the impetus he and Moeen had taken it away from Pakistan,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that England edged Pakistan by five wickets in the final of the T20 World Cup 2022 at the back of Stokes’ gritty half-century.

Pakistan bowlers fought hard and took the match close but Stokes held his nerves calm to redeem his 2016 World Cup heartbreak into exciting glory.

READ: ‘Well Played’: President Alvi, PM Shehbaz back Pakistan following WC loss

Watch HD Live Streaming on ARY ZAP: https://aryzap.com/icc-mens-t20-worldcup-2022/

ENG 138/5 (19 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim Jr to bowl his last

ENG 131/4 (18 Overs)

Haris comes back to bowl his last

ENG 126/4 (17 Overs)

Wasim Jr comes back

ENG 110/4 (16 Overs)

Shaheen comes back, bowls a dot ball but leaves the field due to the injury. Iftikhar Ahmed takes over.

ENG 97/4 (15 Overs)

Haris comes back into the attack

ENG 89/4 (14 Overs)

Naseem comes to bowl his last

ENG 87/4 (13 Overs)

Shadab comes to bowl his last

ENG 82/3 (12 Overs)

Naseem comes back

ENG 79/3 (11 Overs)

Shadab comes again

ENG 77/3 (10 Overs)

Wasim Jr continues

ENG 69/3 (9 Overs)

Shadab continues

ENG 61/3 (8 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim Jr comes into the attack

ENG 54/3 (7 Overs)

Shadab Khan comes to bowl his first

ENG 49/3 (6 Overs)

Haris continues

ENG 43/2 (5 Overs)

Naseem comes back

ENG 32/2 (4 Overs)

Haris Rauf comes into the attack

ENG 28/1 (3 Overs)

Shaheen continues

ENG 21/1 (2 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end

ENG 7/1 (1 Over)

Jos Buttler and Alex Hales come out to bat for England. Shaheen Shah Afridi to open the bowling attack for Pakistan.

PAKISTAN vs ENGLAND (2nd INNINGS)

MELBOURNE: Sam Curran starred with impressive bowling figures of 3/12 as England bowlers ran through the batting line to restrict Pakistan to 137/8 in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, here at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

PAK 137/8 (20 Overs)

Jordan comes to bowl the final over

PAK 131/7 (19 Overs)

Curran to bowl his last

PAK 127/6(18 Overs)

Jordan replaces Stokes

PAK 122/5 (17 Overs)

Curran replaces Jordan

PAK 119/4 (16 Overs)

Stokes comes to bowl his last

PAK 106/4 (15 Overs)

Jordan replaces Stokes

PAK 98/4 (14 Overs)

Adil comes to bowl his last

PAK 90/4 (13 Overs)

12.2: Nibbles outside off, thin edge to Buttler! Line and length from Stokes, extra lift off the seam, a thin but audible nick and Iftikhar bags a duck.

Stokes comes back

PAK 84/3 (12 Overs)

11.1: It’s another googly, another big wind-up from Babar, looking to take it on in the second half of the innings, but the ball gripped and turned back into his attempted cut/slash through the off-side, and looped back to the bowler off the splice.

Adil comes again

PAK 84/2 (11 Overs)

Liam Livingstone comes to bowl his first

PAK 68/2 (10 Overs)

Adil continues

PAK 59/2 (9 Overs)

Chris Jordan comes into the attack

PAK 50/2 (8 Overs)

7.1: Tossed up fairly slow, and Haris steps out and tries to take on Stokes, who seems to be stationed a good few yards inside the rope at long-on.

Adil Rashid comes in

PAK 45/1 (7 Overs)

Stokes comes back

PAK 39/1 (6 Overs)

Woakes comes again

PAK 29/1 (5 Overs)

4.2: Rizwan’s dragged on! Fullish, slanting into a wide-ish line, inviting the cover drive. Nips back in off the pitch, and Rizwan, going hard with a diagonal bat, can only get his inside edge to it.

Curran continues

PAK 28/0 (4 Overs)

Woakes continues

PAK 16/0 (3 Overs)

Sam Curran comes into the attack

PAK 12/0 (2 Overs)

Chris Woakes to bowl from the other end

PAK 8/0 (1 Over)

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan come out to bat for Pakistan. Ben Stokes to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs ENGLAND (1st INNINGS)

MELBOURNE: England have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi

England: Jos Buttler (c & wk), Alex Hales, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid

HEAD TO HEAD (T20Is)

Matches 28, England 18, Pakistan 9, NR 1

FORM GUIDE

Pakistan: W, W, W, W, L
England: W, W, W, L, NR

MELBOURNE: England have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi

England: Jos Buttler (c & wk), Alex Hales, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid

HEAD TO HEAD (T20Is)

Matches 28, England 18, Pakistan 9, NR 1

FORM GUIDE

Pakistan: W, W, W, W, L
England: W, W, W, L, NR

MELBOURNE: Following a surreal entry into the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and thrashing New Zealand comprehensively, momentum-filled Pakistan are all set to take on England in the mega final for the first time after 1992 and the fans are craving for the alike result from Babar Azam-led Pakistan in the ongoing mega event.

Pakistan team’s journey in the ongoing T20 World Cup is nothing short of a miracle as following an upset defeat against Zimbabwe, Babar-led Green Shirts were on the verge of an early exit but they defied all the odds and unexpected help from the Netherlands, resulting in them making their way into the Final Four.

The 2009 champions then took on New Zealand in the semi-final just like legendary all-rounder Imran Khan-led ‘Cornered Tigers’ did and the result too turned out to be similar as Pakistan outclassed them to retain their dominance over the Kiwis in World Cups’ knockout games.

The resemblance of Pakistan’s journey to 1992, was enhanced when England thrashed India by 10 wickets in the second semi-final and booked the final clash with Pakistan.

But what are the odds of the inconsistent Pakistan side beating England and repeating the 1992 magic?

The form guide of both sides is pretty balanced, having won their respective semi-finals against a top opposition comprehensively, Pakistan and England would be looking to continue their momentum.

Pakistan and England promise an epic Final clash as it would be a battle between the lethal Pakistan bowling attack and a destructive batting lineup of England.

Having one of the strongest bowling attacks in the tournament, Pakistan would be targeting to give England an early jolt by disturbing their fierce opening stand of Jos Buttler and Alex Hales and they have the firepower to do so in the form of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is the only Pakistan bowler to take at least a wicket in his first T20I over, the most number of times (seven).

Young sensation Naseem Shah and death-bowling specialist Haris Rauf could further coerce the strong-looking English batting line. Pakistan will try to resist any change in their bowling make-up as the addition of an extra fast bowler, Mohammad Wasim Jr, have paid them dividends in the last five matches.

Besides their pace factory, Pakistan got a highly reliable spin attack that features leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who has been the most impactful player for the Green Shirts be it with the ball or even with the bat, the all-rounder has made his presence felt and played some crucial roles in his side’s triumph.

Furthermore, Pakistan have ticked the much-needed box before the mega final as their openers – Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan – found their form back as they played a crucial role in the team’s triumph over New Zealand with a century-plus stand.

Hence, the Green Shirts will be hoping both their openers to fire at the grand stage.

Meanwhile, despite England’s strength lies in their batting depth, their bowling attack can not be written off that features the likes of Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Sam Curran, Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid, Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali.

Their speedster Mark Wood and top-order batter Dawid Malan, who missed the semi-final against India, are unlikely to be available for selection in the final against Pakistan. Their unavailability can turn out to be a major concern for the Buttler XI.
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Will rain spoil the exciting final at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground?

Pakistan cricket fans’ quest to see the national team lifting its second T20 World Cup on Sunday might get unsettled as dark clouds loom over Melbourne with rain likely to spoilsport in Sunday’s final at MCG. 

According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, there is a very high chance of showers, 95 per cent, in Melbourne on Sunday, November 13.

As per the ICC rules, there is a reserve day for the knock-out games of the tournament. So, if the final is washed out on Sunday, it will be played on Monday, November 14. If the rain interrupts after the game has started, it will resume on the next day from the same point onwards.

A minimum of 10 overs need to be bowled in the second innings to produce the outcome through the Duckworth-Lewis method (DLS), which is five overs more than the normal rule.

However, there is a high possibility of rain on Monday as well. So in case, it rains on reserve day too and the final gets washed out on Monday as well then both teams will share the title and will end up as joint winners of the T20 World Cup 2022.

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and England came face to face twice in T20 World Cups in the 2009 and 2010 editions with the latter side emerging victorious each time but interestingly, the two sides later went on to lift the trophy in respective editions.

In T20Is however, England and Pakistan have faced each other in 28 matches. Out of these 28 games, England have won 18 whereas Pakistan have come out victorious on 9 occasions and one match ended without a result.

FORM GUIDE

Pakistan: W, W, W, W, L
England: W, W, W, L, W

MELBOURNE: Pakistan team mentor Matthew Hayden termed the T20 World Cup final a contest between the Green Shirts’ quality bowling and England’s quality batting, saying that both teams have all the bases covered for the big clash on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday, where the Pakistan team have been undergoing training before the final, Hayden said that his side has four quick bowlers who could make an impact and create some sustainable damage to the dangerous England batting line.

Pointing at India’s deficiencies in the second semi-final the other day, former Australian cricketer observed that the side was short of a leg-spinner and had fewer genuine bowling options than Pakistan.

“I think what India was really missing last night in the bowling department was a leg-spinning option. This side (Pakistan) has six genuine options and a seventh as well. If he is required,” he said.

Talking about the unmet fantasy of the India-Pakistan final, Hayden, said it would have been lovely to see two subcontinental rivals come to this stage and play an enormous game of cricket.

“I don’t think this stadium (MCG) has ever seen a spectacle of a sport like the first game we had at the start of the tournament. Of course, it would’ve been lovely to regenerate that, but it’s not” he added.

Moreover, the team mentor praised the combination of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and their on-field as well as off-field chemistry, saying that they got each others’ backs and fully understand the game of cricket with its ups and downs.

Commenting on Sunday’s final between Pakistan and England, Hayden said both sides were equally balanced and the side which handles its pressure and emotions better on the day will eventually come out on top.

READ: Shadab, Shaheen nominated for T20 WC Player of the Tournament award

MELBOURNE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja disclosed that he reiterated the exact words of former captain Imran Khan’s ‘shortest speech’ ahead of the 1992 World Cup final and advised the Green Shirts to give their best shot in the T20 World Cup final on Sunday. 

Ramiz, who was also a part of the 1992 World Cup winning side, told the reporters on Friday that he met with the team and gave them a reference to that historic final at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) three decades ago.

“That was the shortest speech,” said Ramiz about Imran’s chat with the team before 1992 final. “Because what you are supposed to do has been done. Your technique cannot improve or decay in the next 24 hours. It is a mental game now.”

Ramiz revealed that Imran just asked the team members to step out, enjoy and win the match. “I exactly repeated the words that our captain Imran Khan said to us at that time,” he added.

Talking about the similarities between the 1992 World Cup and the present T20 megaevent, the chairman PCB said that it will be a ‘dream come true’ for him if Pakistan lifts the World Cup on Sunday.

He further went on to say that the Pakistan cricket team were playing as a unit and the players were not taking any kind of pressure.

“Boys are relaxed. They are playing tennis ball cricket inside, bowling bouncers to each and having chit-chats. So they look relaxed and this is how they should be” he stated.

Expressing his opinion on Babar Azam’s leadership skills, Ramiz claimed that it was beyond recognition and that he certainly had the potential to achieve greatness.

“I’ve just told him (Babar) that he has the opportunity right now to achieve greatness and leave behind a legacy. If he lifts the World Cup, nothing could be bigger than that in his career” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Babar-led Pakistan will face England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 final on Sunday at the iconic MCG which has a capacity of approximately 90,000 spectators.

READ: Southgate names 26-man England squad for Qatar World Cup

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put the tickets on sale for the first Test between Pakistan and England, scheduled to take place at Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1-5 December.

According to the details, the ticket pricing for the four VIP enclosures – Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar, Javed Miandad and Azhar Mahmood – has been set at PKR500, while for the Premiere enclosures – Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Miran Bakhsh and Yasir Arafat – the price has been kept PKR250 each day.

The tickets have been made available online on Wednesday (October 2) at 1000 PST. The tickets can be purchased via www.bookme.pk, over the telephone (0092 313 778 6888) or through the box office and M&P outlets.

It is pertinent to mention that England last toured Pakistan for the Test series in 2005. The two teams will lock horns in a three-match Test series from December 1 to 19.

Besides Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi will host the second and third Test respectively.

The ticket prices for the remaining two Tests will be announced in due course.

READ: T20 WC: Bangladesh win toss, elect to field first against India 

LONDON: Left-arm spinner Jack Leach shared his excitement for England’s historic Test tour to Pakistan, scheduled in December this year.

Leach, who was included in England’s Test squad for the Pakistan tour, announced last week, and termed the series ‘important’ not only for the two nations but also for world cricket, while he is also looking forward to having the opportunity to challenge himself.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to challenge myself out in Pakistan,” he said. “Two strong teams will be competing, so it should be a good series. To be playing back in Pakistan is really exciting, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s an important series for England and Pakistan, but I also think that it’s important for world cricket. In Pakistan, you can feel how passionate the people are about the game, and to have international cricket back in the country is very important. It’s great that we’re able to get out there and play again.”

The Somerset-based spinner further opined regarding England’s unique approach in Test cricket and also expressed his desire that the side takes the approach abroad as well.

“The summer was great fun, and we got some good results,” he explained. “The way that we’re trying to go about things is exciting and it’s bringing out the best in us as a team.

“We’re looking forward to taking that abroad and to playing in the same positive way because we want to be giving the fans something exciting to watch.”

Leach then went on to comment regarding the playing conditions and pitches in Pakistan and asserted that he is trying not to presume things and also to prepare the same way, he does for any series.

“I’ve been told that the wickets are very good out there, so I think we’ll get a mixture. It can start to spin but it can be flat as well. I think you can expect to bowl quite a few overs there as a spinner, but they’ve got a great seam attack so I wouldn’t want to presume anything.

“The key will be to prepare in the same way that I would for any series and be ready for any situation.”

It is pertinent to mention that England will tour Pakistan for a three-match Test series, scheduled from December 1 to 21. Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi will host the three matches respectively.

READ: Joseph, Holder propel West Indies to a much-needed victory in T20 WC

BRISBANE: England batters displayed a combined effort to chase down 161 in the 15th over and bolstered their side to beat Pakistan by six wickets in the warm-up match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

Set to chase 161 in 19 overs, England comfortably steered to victory in the 15th over with six wickets to spare.

England had an unwanted start to the run chase as right-arm speedster Naseem Shah struck in his first over to remove Phil Salt for one.

Ben Stokes then joined Alex Hales in the middle and anchored the run chase with a 46-run partnership for the second wicket.

The stand remained dominated by Stokes, who kept the scoreboard ticking rapidly before falling victim to Mohammad Wasim Jr in the sixth over. He scored 36 off 18, laced with two boundaries and three sixes.

Hales, on the other hand, fell in the next over after a snail-paced knock of nine off 13, consequently, causing England to slip to 51/3.

Meanwhile, hard-hitting batter Liam Livingstone also chipped in with a brilliant 28 off 16.

Harry Brook and Sam Curran then put on a match-winning 59-run partnership and led their side to victory with 26 balls to spare.

Brook top-scored for England with an astonishing knock of 45 not out off 24 deliveries, featuring two boundaries and four sixes, while Curran chipped in with an unbeaten cameo of 33 runs in just 14 deliveries.

Wasim Jr was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan as he bagged two wickets for 16, while Naseem and Shadab Khan picked up a wicket each.

Pakistan, batting first on the invitation of England’s captain Jos Buttler finished at 160/8 in their quota of 19 overs – revised after a brief rain interruption in the 12th over.

Left-handed batter Shan Masood and Haider Ali were promoted to open the innings for Pakistan as their regular pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan did not bat in the first warm-up, while all-rounder Shadab Khan acted as a stand-in captain.

The pair of Masood and Haider gave the side a solid start as they put on 49 runs for the first wicket and scored at a rapid pace.

Masood was the aggressor in the stand while Haider remained a bit cautious before falling in the fifth over after scoring 18 off 16.

Shan, who was looking solid to amass his half-century fell 11 short of it as he fell victim to Liam Livingstone in the seventh over.

The left-handed batter top-scored for Pakistan with a solid knock of 39 off just 22 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries.

Pakistan middle-order batters made small contributions with the bat before all-rounder Mohammad Wasim Jr chipped in with a crucial cameo.

His quickfire knock of 26 off just 16 deliveries bolstered Pakistan to a commendable total of 160/8 in 19 overs. His knock featured three boundaries and two sixes.

David Willey led the bowling attack for England with 2/22 while Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, and Livingstone made one scalp each.