Tag: Pakistan

LAHORE: Pakistan’s men’s cricket team is set to tour Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series, starting on March 11 in Dhaka.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the schedule in a press release.

“Pakistan will arrive in Bangladesh on March 9 and will undergo a training session on March 10 ahead of the opening ODI against the hosts at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Dhaka on March 11,” the statement said.

“The second and third ODIs are scheduled for March 13 and March 15, respectively, with all matches at the same venue,” it added,

The second match of the series will be played on March 13, while the last ODI will be played on March 15.

All three fixtures are scheduled to be played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

The Green Shirts will return home and will tour Bangladesh again in May after the completion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11.

The two sides will meet for a two-match Test series in May, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.

The first Test is slated to take place in Dhaka from May 8 to 12, while the second Test will be held in Chattogram from May 16 to 20.

Pakistan’s visit forms part of Bangladesh’s packed home international calendar for the 2026 season.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Tigers are scheduled to host four Tests, 12 ODIs, and nine T20Is across the year, beginning with Pakistan’s tour immediately after the T20 World Cup.

After Pakistan ODIs, the New Zealand men’s cricket team will arrive for a white-ball series starting April 17.

Later in the season, Australia are also set to tour Bangladesh for three ODIs and three T20Is, with matches scheduled around mid-June.

Bangladesh are further expected to host India for a limited-overs series in August-September 2026, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is, following a two-match Test series against the West Indies men’s cricket team under the WTC.

However, uncertainty surrounds India’s tour after recent tensions, including Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup in India, where they were replaced by Scotland.

Schedule of Pakistan-Bangladesh series

• First ODI – March 11
• Second ODI – March 13
• Third ODI – March 15
• First Test – May 8 to 12
• Second Test – May 16 to 20

READ: Zadran, Nabi help Afghanistan end T20 World Cup on high

COLOMBO: Pakistan men’s cricket team practice session ahead of their Super Eight opening match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand has been cancelled due to rain. 

The Green Shirts were scheduled to hold a training session before locking horns against the BlackCaps at the RPS Stadium tomorrow. However, the weather has forced them to change their plans.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson is set to hold a press conference at 6:30 pm PKT.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For those unaware, Pakistan finished second in Group A, winning three out of four games. They faced a 61-run defeat against India while securing wins against Namibia, USA, and the Netherlands.

The 2009 champions are scheduled to play England on February 24 before taking on hosts Sri Lanka in their final encounter on Feb 28.

T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan Super Eights schedule

February 21: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Colombo

February 24: England vs Pakistan – Kandy

February 28: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – Colombo

Other Super Eight Fixtures

February 22: Sri Lanka vs England – Kandy

February 22: India vs South Africa – Ahmedabad

February 23: West Indies vs Zimbabwe – Mumbai

February 25: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – Colombo

February 26: South Africa vs West Indies – Ahmedabad

February 26: India vs Zimbabwe – Chennai

February 27: England vs New Zealand – Colombo

March 1: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – Ahmedabad

March 1: India vs West Indies – Kolkata

READ: Marnus Labuschagne ‘excited’ ahead of PSL debut

COLOMBO: Pakistan on Wednesday became the eighth and final team to seal a berth in the Super Eight of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a decisive 102-run win over Namibia.

Following Pakistan’s victory, the Super Eight lineups and fixtures are now confirmed.

Pakistan finished in second place in Group A with six points from four matches. The Green Shirts won three games and lost one against their bitter rivals, India.

The Super Eight will feature four teams, split into two groups. Group 1 will feature India, Zimbabwe, West Indies, and South Africa. Group 2 will have England, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Each team will play every other team in its group once. The teams will not carry over their group-stage standings.

The road to the semi-final will commence with the 2009 champions, Pakistan, taking on New Zealand on February 21 in Colombo.

They will then face England on February 24 in Kandy, while their last match will be against host Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The Super Eight stage will conclude with the final match between India and West Indies in Kolkata.

T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan Super Eights schedule

February 21: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Colombo

February 24: England vs Pakistan – Kandy

February 28: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – Colombo

Other Super Eight Fixtures

February 22: Sri Lanka vs England – Kandy

February 22: India vs South Africa – Ahmedabad

February 23: West Indies vs Zimbabwe – Mumbai

February 25: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – Colombo

February 26: South Africa vs West Indies – Ahmedabad

February 26: India vs Zimbabwe – Chennai

February 27: England vs New Zealand – Colombo

March 1: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – Ahmedabad

March 1: India vs West Indies – Kolkata

READ: Sahibzada Farhan joins Ahmed Shehzad in elusive list

COLOMBO: Sahibzada Farhan’s maiden T20I century and clinical bowling powered Pakistan to a big 102-run win over Namibia in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 must-win clash on Wednesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

Set a daunting target, Namibia were bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs.

Namibia’s openers started steadily in the chase, adding 32 in 4.1 overs. However, Salman Mirza’s first breakthrough stalled the Eagles’ chase.

After losing the first wicket, Namibia never came back in the game as Pakistan bowlers tightened the screws with regular wickets.

As a result, Namibia were reduced to 49-4 in 7.3 overs.

JJ Smit and Alexander Busing-Volschenk tried to arrest the slide with a 30-run partnership. The pair managed to bring the total to 79 in 12.3 overs.

But it was Usman Tariq’s mystery and Shadab Khan’s sharp leg spin bowling that quickly unraveled Namibia’s innings.

Louren Steenkamp top-scored with 23 off 22 balls with the aid of three fours and a six.

For Pakistan, Usman Tariq stood out among the bowlers, picking up a four-wicket haul. Shadab Khan supported him well with his three wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan posted a formidable 199-3 against Namibia in their 20 overs.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan made a brisk start as Farhan and Saim Ayub stitched together a quickfire 40-run opening stand in just over five overs.

The partnership ended when Jack Brassell dismissed Ayub for 14 off 12 balls, an innings that included two boundaries.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha then joined Farhan at the crease, and the pair built a steady 67-run partnership for the second wicket, guiding Pakistan past the 100-run mark and laying the foundation for a big total.

Brassell struck again to remove Agha for a well-made 38 off 23 balls, leaving Pakistan at 107-2 in 12.1 overs.

Youngster Khawaja Nafay was promoted to number four but could only manage five runs before falling to Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus.

Sahibzada Farhan, however, continued to dominate. Joined by Shadab Khan, the duo added an unbeaten 81-run stand for the fourth wicket to propel Pakistan to an imposing total.

Shadab, after a cautious start, accelerated to finish on 36 off 22 balls, striking one four and three sixes.

The night, though, belonged to Farhan. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 100 from 58 deliveries, hammering 11 fours and four sixes in a commanding display of strokeplay.

With this milestone, he became only the second Pakistani batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in a Men’s T20 World Cup.

READ: South Africa cruise past UAE to seal perfect group-stage run

COLOMBO: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first against Namibia in the crucial Group A clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan (wk), Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.

Namibia: Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Alexander Busing-Volschenk, JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Jack Brassell

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and Namibia have faced each other only once during the 2021 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Green Shirts registered a thumping victory in the solitary clash between the two sides.

Pakistan head into the contest under pressure following a heavy defeat to arch-rivals India earlier in the tournament. The 2009 champions currently sit third in Group A with two wins and one loss, holding a net run rate of -0.403.

A victory over Namibia would take Pakistan to six points and secure their passage into the Super Eight stage with a second-place finish in the group.

READ: Free entry announced for Pakistan-Namibia clash in Colombo

COLOMBO: Fans will be able to watch the crucial ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 fixture between Pakistan and Namibia free of charge after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) opened the gates for spectators at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.

In an official statement, SLC confirmed that gates number five and seven at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground will be opened to the public from 1:00 PM local time, two hours before the scheduled start of play at 3:00 PM.

The board invited fans to witness the contest without purchasing tickets, making it the final World Cup match at the venue accessible “free-of-charge.”

According to SLC, the upcoming game will be the fifth and last fixture of the tournament hosted at the SSC, which has already marked two milestones during the event, staging the opening match of the competition and hosting its first-ever international game under lights.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

However, the weather could play a decisive role in the outcome. Forecasts indicate nearly a 60 per cent chance of showers, with thunderstorms already affecting the region.

The temperature is hovering around 29°C (RealFeel 30°C), while northern winds are blowing at 19 km/h with stronger gusts.

The match holds significant importance for Pakistan, who must win to secure qualification for the Super Eight stage by finishing second in Group A with six points.

Even in the event of a washout, Pakistan would still progress. A shared point would take their tally to five, keeping them ahead of the United States, who currently sit second with four points.

READ: Pakistan’s likely Playing XI for must-win Namibia clash

COLOMBO: Pakistan are expected to ring in a few tactical changes in their Playing XI for their crucial Group A encounter against Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.

With qualification for the Super Eight stage on the line, team management is weighing conditions and combinations carefully, though sources have dismissed rumours surrounding the exclusion of opener Sahibzada Farhan.

The right-hander is set to retain his place in the XI. However, if Pakistan opt to open with Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, Farhan is likely to slot in at number four.

Conditions at the venue are also expected to influence selection. With a visible grass covering on the pitch, Pakistan are likely to favour pace over spin, which could see fast bowler Salman Mirza replace spinner Abrar Ahmed in the playing XI.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Meanwhile, young batter Khawaja Mohammad Nafay is tipped to come in for all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

Pakistan head into the contest under pressure following a heavy defeat to arch-rivals India earlier in the tournament. The 2009 champions currently sit third in Group A with two wins and one loss, holding a net run rate of -0.403.

A victory over Namibia would take Pakistan to six points and secure their passage into the Super Eight stage with a second-place finish in the group.

Likely Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan (wk), Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.

READ: Nepal sign off T20 World Cup with win over Scotland

COLOMBO: Uncertain weather conditions could play a decisive role when Pakistan take on Namibia in a must-win clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday.

According to the weather forecast, cloud cover is expected to dominate throughout the day, while the likelihood of rain could rise to 50–60 percent, potentially disrupting play.

The region is currently witnessing thunderstorms, with temperatures hovering around 29°C, feeling closer to 30°C due to high humidity levels.

Strong northern winds are blowing at 19 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 37 km/h.

Humidity remains extremely high at 74 percent, accompanied by dense 100 percent cloud cover that has reduced visibility to just 1.6 kilometres.

Rainfall accumulation has already reached 5.9 mm, while the low cloud ceiling of 600 metres continues to create gloomy, storm-like conditions.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Weather is expected to improve slightly by late afternoon. Around 4 PM, skies are forecast to remain cloudy but more stable, with temperatures steady at 29°C and a RealFeel of 31°C.

Winds will persist at similar speeds, though gusts could strengthen up to 43 km/h. Humidity is predicted to ease marginally to 69 percent, visibility may improve to around 8 kilometres, and the cloud ceiling is expected to rise to 3,100 metres.

Pakistan enter the contest under pressure following a disappointing defeat to India earlier in the tournament. The 2009 champions are currently placed third in Group A with two wins and one loss, carrying a net run rate of -0.403.

A victory against Namibia would secure Pakistan six points and confirm their progression to the Super Eight stage with a second-place finish in the group.

READ: Usman Tariq defends out-of-form Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi

Pakistan men’s cricket team is set to tour Bangladesh following the conclusion of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with a three-match ODI series scheduled in March.

The ODI series will be played in Dhaka on March 12, 14 and 16, marking the start of Pakistan’s white-ball assignment in Bangladesh.

The Green Shirts will return home and will tour Bangladesh again in May after the completion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11.

The two sides will meet for a two-match Test series in May, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.

The first Test is slated to take place in Dhaka from May 8 to 12, while the second Test will be held in Chattogram from May 16 to 20.

Pakistan’s visit forms part of Bangladesh’s packed home international calendar for the 2026 season.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Tigers are scheduled to host four Tests, 12 ODIs and nine T20Is across the year, beginning with Pakistan’s tour immediately after the T20 World Cup.

After Pakistan ODIs, the New Zealand men’s cricket team will arrive for a white-ball series starting April 17.

Later in the season, Australia are also set to tour Bangladesh for three ODIs and three T20Is, with matches scheduled around mid-June.

Bangladesh are further expected to host India for a limited-overs series in August-September 2026, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is, following a two-match Test series against the West Indies men’s cricket team under the WTC.

However, uncertainty surrounds India’s tour after recent tensions, including Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup in India, where they were replaced by Scotland.

Schedule of Pakistan-Bangladesh series

• First ODI – March 12
• Second ODI – March 14
• Third ODI – March 16
• First Test – May 8 to 12
• Second Test – May 16 to 20

READ: Ganguly downplays excitement over India-Pakistan match

COLOMBO: Skipper Salman Ali Agha admitted that Pakistan’s poor execution proved costly as they slumped to a big defeat against arch-rivals India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the RPS Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan were outplayed by India in all departments, handing them 61 run defeat.

Ishan Kishan starred with the bat, scoring 77 runs from 40 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.

In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, extending India’s record to nine wins in T20 World Cups.

The Green Shirts have defeated India only once at a mega event in 2021.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Agha highlighted the match’s shortcomings, noting that the powerplay proved costly to the outcome.

“We went with four spinners, they had an off-day. Execution was missing in some parts. With the bat, we did not start well. If you lose 3-4 wickets in the powerplay, you are always chasing the game,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“In the first innings, it was a bit tacky, and the ball was gripping too. The pitch played better in the second innings but we did not bowl according to the situation and we did not apply ourselves with the bat,” the captain added.

He hoped for better performance in the forthcoming game, saying they were looking forward to the Namibia clash.

“In these games, the emotions are always going to be high, we just need to deal with it. We have played enough (of these games), we have a game in a couple of days, and we have to look forward to it. We need to win that and qualify. Then it is a new tournament,” he concluded.

READ: T20 World Cup: Pakistan register unique spin record against India