Tag: Pakistan vs India

MONG KOK: The much-anticipated clash of the ongoing ACC Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023 between Pakistan and India has been abandoned due to persistent rain here.

The high-voltage Group A clash of the Emerging Asia Cup was abandoned without a ball bowled as the two arch-rivals settled for a point each.

After the washout, both Pakistan and India now have four points after playing three matches but the latter were on top of the standings courtesy of a superior net run-rate.

Earlier, Pakistan’s second Emerging Asia Cup fixture against hosts Hong Kong was also washed out due to persistent rainfall.

With the group stage of the tournament coming to its closure, the action will now shift to the semi-finals, scheduled to take place on Monday (June 19).

Pakistan A will take on Bangladesh A while India A will lock horns with Sri Lanka A in the semi-finals.

In their first match of the tournament, spinners led by Syeda Aroob Shah and Tuba Hassan helped Pakistan successfully defend a low total against Nepal at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Chasing a modest 88-run target, leg-spinners Aroob and Tuba never allowed the opposing batters to settle and picked up wickets regularly.

The duo ended up taking two wickets apiece, while off-spinner Umm-e-Hani and left-arm spinner Anoosha Nasir snapped a wicket each to give Pakistan a nine-run win.

For Nepal, Kabita Kunwar (20, 32b, 2x4s) and Kabita Joshi (15 not out, 17b, 1×4) were the only batters to enter into double figures.

Earlier, after being put into bat, Pakistan A were bowled out for 87 in 19.2 overs. Opening batter Shawaal Zulfiqar top-scored for her side with a 36-ball 28, hitting one four.

For Nepal, Indu Barma was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for six runs from three overs. Kabita Joshi, Kabita Kunwar and Sita Rana Magar bagged two wickets apiece.

It is worth mentioning here that the final of the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup will be played on Wednesday (June 21).

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SALALAH: Pakistan held India to a 1-1 draw and continued their unbeaten streak in the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 hockey tournament in Salalah, Oman on Saturday.

Sharda Nand Tiwari scored the opener for India in the 24th minute before Pakistan’s Basharat Ali equalized in the 44th.

Both India and Pakistan have accumulated seven points each from their respective three-game in Pool A but the latter leads the tally with a better goal difference.

Japan, who beat Chinese Taipei 10-1 earlier on Saturday, are third with six points from three outings.

Playing at the Salalah Sports Complex, the Pakistan team defended the Indian attack quite brilliantly in the first quarter which ended without a goal despite men in blue enjoying the bulk of possession.

India took the lead via a penalty corner with Sharad Nand Tiwari flicking the ball in the net to help his team go 1-0 before halftime.

Pakistan, however, unleashed a counterattack in the third quarter and put the Indian defence under pressure.

India won a couple of penalty corners but failed to score. Pakistan, on the other hand, equalized through Ali Basharat, who netted from a close distance to make it 1-1.

The final quarter also witnessed a see-saw contest with both teams battling for a winning goal but the deadlock persisted till the final whistle.

Pakistan have a fair chance to qualify for the event’s semifinal and also earn a spot in FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2023 when they face Japan on May 29.

The Men in Green only require to avoid a defeat in their last group encounter.

Malaysia, as hosts, have already qualified for the World Cup. Since they have also qualified for the semi-finals of the Junior Asia Cup, this means that all the other three teams making it to the last four will gain entry into the World Cup as well.

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LAHORE: The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Wednesday, gave a green signal to a potential Pakistan-India Test series at a neutral venue.

Pakistan and India last locked horns in a bilateral series in 2012 when Pakistan toured India for a three-match ODI and two-match T20I series, with the visiting side winning the ODI series 2-1 while the T20I series ended in a draw.

India star batter Virat Kohli recalled one of the most memorable knocks of his career when he singlehandedly took India to a sensational win against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup match last year. 

Speaking at a corporate event, Kohli was asked to explain his feelings during the blockbuster clash in Melbourne and he confessed that he was still in disbelief at what had truly unfolded that night.

“I still can’t make any sense of it. That’s a very honest admission. And a lot of people have tried to ask me what were you thinking, how did you plan and I have no answers. The fact of the matter is that I was so much under pressure that my mind had shut off completely by the 12th or 13th over.” he said.

The right-hander made an unbeaten 82 from 53 in the nerve-wracking game against arch-rivals which went down to the wires as India sealed a four-wicket win on the final ball in front of jam-packed MCG stadium.

Pakistan’s brilliant pace attack had kept India at bay at the start as they were reduced to 31 for 4 in 6.1 overs while chasing 160 before Kohli and Hardik Pandya gathered a match-winning 113-run stand.

Kohli struggled greatly early on, failing to find the gaps but as the game proceeded, he showcased his temperament and outstanding prowess to snatch the victory from Pakistan’s hands.

“At the 10th over mark, we were 31 for 4 and I had just ran Axar out. I was 12 off 25, or something. I remember in the break, Rahul bhai came to me and I don’t remember what he said. I swear and I even told him this as well. I told him, ‘I have no idea what you told me in that break because I was zoned out’,” he said.

“My mind was spinning so fast…I was like this is worse than it was before. I had spiralled down so far down that there is no comeback from here and that was my honest feeling at the halfway mark.

That is when my instinct took over. So when I stopped thinking and planning, whatever God-given talent I have that came to the surface and then I felt like something higher was guiding me.” he added.

“What happened that night, I can never explain it and it won’t happen ever again,” he concluded.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday clarified the position taken by its Chairman Management Committee Najam Sethi regarding the holding of Asia Cup 2023 at a “neutral” venue instead of in the host country Pakistan.

Referring to Sethi’s media talk in Rawalpindi/Islamabad on Thursday, the board said the PCB chief briefed the reporters on the hybrid model he had presented to the ACC officials for the ACC Asia Cup to end the impasse that had been created following the BCCI’s decision not to send its team to Pakistan.

“This proposal – to play India’s matches at a neutral venue and the rest in Pakistan – is under discussions within the ACC.” said Sethi.

“At no stage during Thursday’s media interaction, did I give any reference to the ICC or make any remarks on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is scheduled in October. This matter has not been mooted or discussed at any ICC forum so far.” he maintained

Moreover,  the PCB expressed its disappointment over misquoting, misinterpreting and misrepresenting Sethi’s comments by a leading English-language newspaper.

“(It) gave the impression that PCB’s hybrid model was presented and discussed at the ICC, which is factually incorrect. At this stage, the PCB is only in discussions with the ACC over the hosting of the ACC Asia Cup and no discussions regarding the World Cup have taken place with the ICC.” said the PCB statement.

“This is not to say that the hybrid model will not be advocated at the proper ICC forum at the right time.” it concluded

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DUBAI: The long-running conflict between Pakistan and India regarding their participation in this year’s Asia Cup and Men’s ODI World Cup will take centre stage in the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting this weekend.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s participation in the Men’s ODI World Cup has been in jeopardy after the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) refused to tour Pakistan for the aforementioned tournament on political grounds.

The BCCI has maintained their stance of not touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup, while the PCB is adamant that if they do not, then Pakistan might not travel to India for the World Cup in October-November.

Meanwhile, the first quarterly meeting of the year got underway on Thursday with the women’s cricket committee and continued on Friday with the men’s committee.

Yet the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) meeting on Saturday will be the focus of attention before the ICC Board and Finance & Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee convene on Sunday and Monday as one of the most pressing topics – the prevailing deadlock between Pakistan and India – will be under discussion.

The chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi is likely to raise Pakistan’s concerns about India’s hesitance in touring their country as the nation is poised to host ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 apart from this year’s Asia Cup.

“We have complex issues on hand but for me when I go to the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) and ICC meetings I have kept all options open for us and we have to take a clear position now,” said Sethi at a press conference earlier this week.

“There are two different matters, one is of ICC and the other is of ACC. This is not only about Asia Cup because we also have to host the Champions Trophy. I will go and talk with both ICC and ACC on this matter,” he added.

However, the final decision regarding Pakistan’s participation in ODI World Cup in India will be taken by the government, Sethi confirmed on Monday.

“I have approached our government to take their point of view on this matter. If our patron [PM Shehbaz Sharif] asks us to go and play World Cup in India regardless of whether they come here to play Asia Cup or not, we will have to consider it,” he said.

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CAPE TOWN: Right-handed Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues struck a gritty half-century in the tricky run chase against arch-rivals Pakistan and steered her side to a thrilling seven-wicket victory in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup.

Set to chase 151, India amassed 151/3 in the 19th over at the back of a crucial knock by Rodrigues, who scored an unbeaten 53 off just 38 deliveries.

The right-handed batter top-scored for her side with a magnificent knock that featured eight boundaries.

Earlier, opening batter Shafali Verma (33) also laid a solid foundation for the run chase as she put on two vital partnerships before finally falling in the 10th over.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur stayed briefly at the crease as she could score 16 before falling victim to Nashra Sandhu.

Following Kaur’s dismissal, Richa Ghosh joined Rodrigues and added an unbeaten 58-run match-winning partnership. Ghosh remained unbeaten with a brisk 31 off just 20 balls including five boundaries.

For Pakistan, Sandhu led the bowling with 2/15 in her four overs while Sadia Iqbal could make one scalp. 

After opting to bat first, the Green Shirts were off to a rather shaky start as experienced opener Javeria Khan (8) fell in the second over as Deepti Sharma provided the first breakthrough for India.

Following the early slump, skipper Bismah stitched a gritty 32-run partnership with young opener Muneeba Ali before Radha Yadav broke the budding partnership by removing the latter for just 12.

Pakistan then found themselves in deep trouble when their in-form all-rounder Nida Dar perished for a duck in the next over before Sidra Ameen departed for a mere 11 after a brief fourth-wicket partnership with Bismah.

Hard-hitting batter Ayesha then turned the tables on the disciplined Indian bowling attack as she struck a quickfire 43 off just 25 deliveries and bolstered Pakistan to a competitive total.

The right-handed batter struck two sixes and as many fours in her unbeaten crucial innings.

Whereas, Bismah too, carried her bat till the end as she scored 68 not out off 55 deliveries with the help of seven boundaries.

Radha led the bowling attack for India with two wickets, while Deepti and Pooja Vastrakar made one scalp each.

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CAPE TOWN: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against arch-rivals India in the much-awaited clash of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.

PLAYING XIs

PAKISTAN: Bismah Maroof (c), Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Ayesha Naseem, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Sidra Amin, Aiman Anwer, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

INDIA: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodiguez, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh.

HEAD TO HEAD (WT20Is):

Matches-13, India-10, Pakistan-3

As Pakistan Women’s team kicks off its ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign on Sunday, pacer Fatima Sana has expressed her excitement about leading the Green Shirt’s bowling attack against the arch-rivals India, that too on her World Cup debut. 

“I am very excited to play my first T20I match in the World Cup and lead our bowling attack. Obviously playing against India is a special feeling, but we will take it as a normal game and try to give our best shot in the match. she said in a video shared by the PCB on Saturday.

ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2021 Sana has been a mainstay of the national team’s bowling department and will represent Pakistan for the first time in a World Cup.

Bismah Maroof will lead Pakistan in the event for the second time, after captaining the side in the previous edition held in Australia in 2020. She along with opening batter Javeria Khan will be featuring in their eighth edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

A positive outcome in Sunday’s blockbuster clash against India will give Pakistan women’s team perfect momentum for their later matches in Group B and bolster their chances to qualify for the tournament’s semifinal for the very first time.

The World Cup provides veteran all-rounder Nida Dar an opportunity to become the highest wicket-taker in this format in women’s cricket as requires only five more wickets to go past West Indies’ Anisa Mohammad’s tally of 125 wickets.

“I don’t want to take any extra pressure on the record coming my way of becoming the highest wicket-taker in the T20I format. I just love playing this game and I just want to enjoy the moment and give my best for the team.” told Dar to PCB Digital.

Talking about the hype of the India-Pakistan contest, Dar said: “(It) is such that it does not require any Sunday, fans will be there to witness the contest any day provided the two sides are playing against each other. It is all about controlling the nerves, it is also exciting to play such matches as people watch you play.”

Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup:

Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Tuba Hassan

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The Asian Cricket Council meeting in Bahrain ended inconclusively with the decision to give final nods to Pakistan to host Asia Cup 2023 has been delayed till the Council’s next meeting in March. 

The uncertainty around the 2023 Asia Cup began in October last year when the ACC president, and BCCI secretary, Jay Shah refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan and has since been trying to shift the tournament to a neutral venue.

An emergency meeting of the Asian Cricket Council was held in Bahrain on Saturday which was also attended by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi.

No breakthrough was reached during the meeting regarding the fate of the Men’s ODI Asia Cup venue. scheduled in September this year.

“The ACC had a constructive dialogue on the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. The Board agreed to continue discussions on operations, timelines and any other specifics with a view to ensure the success of the tournament. An update on the matter would be taken on the next ACC Executive Board meeting to be held in March 2023,” said the ACC statement following the meeting.

According to the sources, Pakistan took a firm stance in the meeting with respect to its hosting right of Asia Cup 2023 while the Indian board was insistent on shifting the venue to UAE.