‘Very successful for last two years’ Babar backs Pakistan T20I opening pair

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam threw his weight behind the opening pair of Pakistan in T20Is and stated that the duo won many matches for Pakistan in the last two years.

Babar, while talking to the media here at National Stadium Karachi ahead of the historic home T20I series against England and responded to a question regarding the struggling opening pair by claiming the opening pair has been very successful in the last couple of years.

“Our opening partnership has been very successful for the last two years. Look, there are different situations and scenarios, what the team requires, and what are the conditions. So, it depends on the planning,” said Babar.

“So, in my opinion, the way our opening partnership had been in the last two-year period, helped our team and gave Pakistan many victories. So, the momentum our opening pair establish is later on continued by the middle-order,” he added.

Babar continued by saying that he was probably concerned about his form but said that he was content with the middle-order, denying that middle-order failures were the cause of the decline in his performance.

“I was concerned about my own performance but was happy for the middle-order as it performed and won us crucial matches in Asia Cup as well,” claimed Babar.

“The middle order is not a cause for concern, and since it is cricket, your graph will fluctuate up and down. Therefore, our goal is to support those that are underperforming,” he maintained.

In response to a question regarding overcoming the bad patch of his career, Babar stated that he always tries not to overthink in such circumstances and always try to believe in himself to come out of it.

“Look, in a rough patch, all you can do is to avoid overthinking and keep things simple. And the most important thing is to keep faith in yourself,” he shared.

“You’ve done it in the past and you’ll do it again. Sometimes you achieve something and sometimes you don’t. So, I always try to remember the positives I have done,” Babar added.

READ: Trophy unveiled as Pakistan to take on England in historic T20I series

Trophy unveiled as Pakistan to take on England in historic T20I series

KARACHI: The trophy for the T20I series between Pakistan and England has been unveiled here at National Stadium, ending 17 years of wait for the country to host England.

The trophy of the T20I series was revealed by Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam and his English counterpart Jos Buttler before both the captains posed with the trophy.

Earlier, both teams held practice sessions for the first T20I; scheduled on September 20. Players from both teams participated in batting, bowling, and fielding drills.

Pakistan captain Babar donned the newly-revealed Pakistan T20I jersey for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and will shortly hold a scheduled press conference at NSK here ahead of the commencement of the historic series against England.

It is pertinent to mention here that England set foot in Pakistan after a gap of almost 17 years to play the seven-match T20I series. Karachi will host the first four matches, while the remaining three matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

READ: Watch: Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2022 jersey revealed

Flood affectees to get free entry for first T20I upon Sindh Police’s request

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to grant free entry for the first T20I, scheduled on Tuesday to the flood affectees residing in the city upon the request of the Sindh Police, sources claimed.

DIG SSU Maqsood Memon, while interacting with the media here on Sunday, revealed that the Sindh Police requested the PCB chairman Ramiz Raja to allow free entry to the flood victims in an attempt to provide a source of happiness to them in such challenging times.

“We talked to PCB chairman Ramiz Raja and Zakir Khan to allow flood-hit families free entry in the stadium during matches,” he shared.

“Our brothers and sisters are suffering from a tough time. Free entry to the stadium will help bring smiles back on their faces,” he added.

It is apropos to mention that England set foot in Pakistan after a gap of almost 17 years to face the home side in a seven-match T20I series, scheduled from September 20 to October 2.

National Stadium Karachi will host the first four matches of the series, while the remaining three fixtures will be held at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

READ: Pakistan’s T20 World Cup jersey out before official release

‘Proud moment for me, my family to lead England in Pakistan’ says Moeen

KARACHI: England stand-in captain Moeen Ali revealed that it was an honour for him to lead his side on the historic tour of Pakistan, especially with his ancestral roots being from the same country. 

England are currently on their first tour of Pakistan in almost17 years and are set to face the Green Shirts in the seven-match T20I series for the first time on the latter’s home soil.

Speaking at a scheduled press conference on Sunday, England skipper Moeen stated that regardless of the fitness issues that some of their players were facing, they still had a very strong side.

“We are coming back from the injuries, We have a very difficult summer,” he said. ” Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow and Jofra Arches, they all have been facing injuries.  Captain Buttler has also been injured, And they all gonna take the time”

Moeen added that England’s white-ball skipper Buttler’s participation in the last two or three games of the series was also uncertain since England want its captain to be fully fit for the World Cup.

England’s current squad, he stated, cannot be called a “B” team since they were a very good white-ball side.

“It’s unfortunate that we are short of a few key players, but it’s not an issue of selection,” he said.  “In fact, it gives young players an opportunity to prove themselves”

While talking about his Pakistani roots, Moeen said it was a proud moment for him, his family, friends and people of his community and they all were happy that he was captaining the England team in this historic tour of Pakistan.

Furthermore, the 35-year-old, asserted that he was aware of the conditions in Pakistan because of his experience of playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

‘I know that Karachi’s weather is always humid. We’ll see the wickets first then make our plans” he maintained.

It is pertinent to mention here that England will take on Pakistan in seven T20Is from September 20 to October 2. National Stadium, Karachi will host the first four matches of the series, while the remaining matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

READ: England’s Topley ruled out of first T20I due to ankle niggle: Source

England’s Topley ruled out of first T20I due to ankle niggle: Source

KARACHI: England faced a major blow as fast bowler Reece Topley has been ruled out of the first T20I against Pakistan due to an ankle niggle. 

According to the sources, Topley has been facing a slight discomfort in his ankle and will not be part of England’s playing XI in the first encounter of the seven-match T20I series scheduled on Tuesday here at National Stadium.

Meanwhile, the official announcement in this regard has still not been made.

The left-arm pacer is a crucial part of England’s lethal bowling attack during the tour to Pakistan and the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

England captain Jos Buttler had already announced his unavailability for the first few matches and is likely to join the action during the Lahore leg of the tour.

It is pertinent to mention here that England will take on Pakistan in seven T20Is from September 20 to October 2 for the first time on the latter’s home soil.  National Stadium, Karachi will host the first four matches of the series, while the remaining matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

England are touring the country for the first time in almost 17 years.

READ: Fatima Sana out of Women’s T20 Asia Cup with ankle injury

‘Stepping stone in my T20I career’ Malan praises PSL

KARACHI: England batter Dawid Malan lauded Pakistan Super League (PSL) for playing an instrumental role in his T20I career and earning him recognition all around the world.

Malan, who represented Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United in the PSL called himself to be ‘fortunate enough’ for getting an opportunity to play in the league with the best cricketers in the world.

“It was great to play in the PSL as it provided me with an opportunity to explore what I can do moving forward in my career. Obviously, it was a stepping stone in my T20I career,” said Malan as he spoke to the media ahead of England’s first T20I series on Pakistani soil.

He added that it was great to see international cricket coming back to Pakistan and praised the country for its tremendous hospitality.

“Pakistan has always welcomed us with open arms. It is fantastic to be back here and can’t wait to see the crowd in the stadium,” said the English batter

Talking about his role in the revival of cricket in Pakistan as he was among the first few foreign players who came to play the PSL final in 2017 in Lahore, Malan said that he and other players had not thought at that time that they were playing such a great part.

Furthermore, Malan believed that the Green shirts were a strong opponent which had all the resources at its disposal.

“Pakistan is a great team. It has always been challenging to play against them,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the England Cricket team have arrived in Pakistan for the first time in 17 years to play seven-match T20I series against the home side commencing on September 20. The first four matches will be held at National Stadium Karachi while the remaining three matches will be hosted by Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

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Tickets for Pakistan-England fourth T20I sold out

KARACHI: The fourth fixture of the seven-match T20I series between Pakistan and England drew massive attention from cricket fans as all the tickets for the Sunday clash have been sold out.

According to the details, the fourth match of the Pakistan-England T20I series, scheduled for September 25 at the National Stadium, is guaranteed to be a sellout as cricket fans will flock in droves to see England in action in the country after an almost 17-year absence.

All enclosure tickets are sold out due to the holiday, while the tickets ranging from 250 to 1500 PKR have become rare.

The VIP tickets for all four T20Is, scheduled here, have been sold out, while only a few enclosure tickets are available for sale for the first match on Tuesday, September 20.

Furthermore, Quaid-e-Azam, Imran Khan, and Majid Khan enclosures’ tickets worth PKR  750 have also been sold out for all four T20Is.

It is apropos to mention here that England set foot in Pakistan after a gap of almost 17 years to face the home side in a seven-match T20I series, scheduled from September 20 to October 2.

National Stadium Karachi will host the first four matches of the series, while the remaining three fixtures will be held at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

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Pakistan squad for England T20Is reports at local hotel in Karachi

KARACHI: The 16-member national squad for the upcoming home T20I series against England reported at a local hotel here on Friday night.

According to the details, wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and assistant coach Shahid Aslam will join the national contingent on September 17.

The national contingent will participate in the scheduled training camp ahead of the first match of the T20I series, scheduled to take place on September 20.

Left-handed top-order batter Shan Masood, who earned a maiden call-up to the T20I squad will hold a press conference on Sunday prior to the scheduled practice session.

It is pertinent to mention here that England set foot in Pakistan after a gap of almost 17 years to face the home side in a seven-match T20I series, scheduled from September 20 to October 2.

National Stadium Karachi will host the first four matches of the series, while the remaining three fixtures will be held at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

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England start training at NSK for T20I series against Pakistan

KARACHI: England national men’s cricket team started their training for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, set to commence on September 20.

For the seven-match T20I series, prior to the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022, the touring side have raced up the preparations by partaking in the net sessions.

The touring players carried out robust practice sessions on Friday ahead of the first T20I against Pakistan, scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

According to the details, the English contingent partook in an enduring practice session. The players engaged in vigorous fielding drills alongside net sessions for bowling and batting practice.

It is pertinent to mention here that England set foot in Pakistan after a gap of almost 17 years to face the home side in a seven-match T20I series, scheduled from September 20 to October.

National Stadium Karachi will host the first four matches of the series, while the remaining three fixtures will be held at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

READ: Qasim, Shoaib lift CP in National T20 Cup clash against Northern

Shan earns call-up as PCB unveils squads for T20 WC, England T20Is

LAHORE: Pakistan left-handed batter Shan Masood earned a call-up into the national squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and the scheduled Tri-Series in New Zealand.

The chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohammad Waseem unveiled the much-anticipated squad for the green shirts’ upcoming assignments including ICC T20 World Cup, Tri-Series in New Zealand, and home T20I series against England at a scheduled press conference at Gaddafi Stadium here.

Shan, who has been piling runs in the domestic circuit and global leagues, earned a much-awaited call-up into the national squad and replaced Fakhar Zaman, who has been kept in the reserves for the mega event alongside Mohammad Haris and Shanawaz Dahani.

All of the players who will travel for the World Cup will also represent Pakistan in the home T20I series against England with the exception of Fakhar and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

According to their plan to reward top players, the selectors have replaced them with Northern’s all-rounder Aamir Jamal and Sindh’s spinner Abrar Ahmed.

Waseem, while announcing the national contingent for the upcoming assignments, claimed that players who have been part of the side have been backed.

“Our team has been consistently performing well since the last World T20. After the last World T20, we started preparing for the World T20 in Australia. So, we have kept our faith in players who have been playing consistently,” he said.

“Our team has defeated India in World Cup and Asia Cup. We have full confidence in our team and hope the team will perform well,” he maintained.

Pakistan Squad for ICC T20 World Cup, Tri-Series: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir

Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani

Pakistan Squad for England T20Is: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Aamir Jamal, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir, Abrar Ahmed