Tag: Pakistan

Former Pakistan pacer Tanveer Ahmed has slammed wicket-keeper batter Ghazi Ghori’s selection for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

Earlier today, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad for the Test series, including four uncapped players — Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.

The first of the two matches, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), will be played in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test from 16 to 20 May.

Following the announcement, Tanveer, who played five Tests for Pakistan, highlighted Saad Baig’s omission.

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“Saad Baig’s current season performance: 10 matches, 1000 runs, ranked No. 1 — yet his name was not included in the Test squad against Bangladesh,” he said.

“Ghazi Ghori — whose recommendation is he on? Zero performance, has played only one match this season, yet he has been named in the Test team. Shame on such selection,” he added.

It is worth mentioning that Ghazi Ghori made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in the recently concluded series. He has played 26 first-class matches, scoring 1692 runs at an average of 41.26, including three hundreds and 10 fifties.

The 23-year-old was also the second-highest run getter in the President’s Trophy Grade-I, 2025/26, finishing on 531 runs in seven matches at an average of 48.27.

Meanwhile, Saad Baig was the leading run scorer in the country’s premier domestic competition — Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26. He made 1000 runs in 10 matches, including four centuries and three fifties.

Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh Test series

Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday officially appointed former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the head coach of the national Test side ahead of the upcoming tour of Bangladesh.

Sarfaraz will begin his tenure during the two-match Test series, part of the current cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

The opening Test is scheduled to be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from May 8 to 12, while the second fixture will take place at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20.

The appointment ends a prolonged vacancy in Pakistan’s red-ball coaching setup following the departure of Azhar Mahmood in October 2025.

Azhar had served as interim head coach since June last year, overseeing a home Test series against South Africa that ended in a 1-1 draw. With no red-ball fixtures scheduled until mid-2026, both parties mutually agreed to conclude his stint earlier than planned.

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Sarfaraz Ahmed recently guided Pakistan’s Under-19 side to the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025 title and also served as mentor during the Pakistan Shaheens’ series against England Lions earlier this year.

During his playing career, Sarfaraz enjoyed notable success as captain, leading Pakistan to two ICC titles, the U19 World Cup in 2006 and the Champions Trophy in 2017.

The PCB also confirmed additions to the support staff, with Asad Shafiq appointed as batting coach and Umar Gul taking charge as bowling coach for the tour.

Asad featured in 147 international matches (77 Tests, 60 ODIs, 10 T20Is), scoring 6,188 runs, including 12 centuries and 36 half-centuries, while Umar featured in 237 international matches (47 Tests, 130 ODIs, 60 T20Is), taking 427 wickets.

Pakistan team management: Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Sarfaraz Ahmed (head coach), Asad Shafiq (batting coach), Umar Gul (bowling coach), Abdul Saad (fielding coach) Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Lt. Col. (r) Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)

READ: Four uncapped players named in Pakistan squad for Bangladesh Tests

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in active discussions with Cricket Australia (CA) regarding the scheduling of Australia’s upcoming white-ball tour of Pakistan, with both boards working to finalise dates and venues.

According to sources, Pakistan are set to host Australia for a three-match One Day International (ODI) series, with the visitors expected to arrive towards the end of May.

The matches are tentatively planned between May 31 and June 5, with one fixture likely to be held in Rawalpindi and the remaining two in Lahore.

Australia last toured Pakistan earlier this year in January, when they featured in a three-match T20I series.

Following their Pakistan assignment, they are scheduled to travel to Bangladesh for another white-ball tour, with the first ODI there expected to begin on June 9.

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Pakistan, meanwhile, are gearing up for a busy international window. Before hosting Australia, they are set to tour Bangladesh for a two-match Test series, provisionally scheduled from May 8 to 20.

This will mark their first red-ball assignment since their home series against South Africa in October last year, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Looking further ahead, Pakistan’s schedule in the ongoing ICC Future Tours Programme (2023–27) includes a tour of the West Indies for a two-Test series in July-August, followed by a three-match Test series in England from August 19 to September 13.

Later in the cycle, Sri Lanka are set to visit Pakistan for a two-Test series in November, while New Zealand are scheduled to tour in March 2027 for another red-ball assignment.

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Former Test cricketers Umar Gul and Asad Shafiq are likely to be added to Pakistan’s coaching setup for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, as the team prepares for its first red-ball assignment in several months.

According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering a revamped coaching panel for the two-match Test series, with Gul expected to take charge as bowling coach, while Shafique is set to be appointed batting coach.

In addition, Abdul Saad is also in line to join the men’s setup as fielding coach, having previously worked with Pakistan’s women’s team in the same role.

Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is tipped to lead the coaching group as head coach for the Bangladesh tour, marking a significant shift in the team’s backroom staff.

The Test series, provisionally scheduled from May 8 to 20, will be Pakistan’s first outing in the format since their home series against South Africa in October last year.

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Preparations for the tour are already underway, with an 18-player training camp currently in progress at the National Cricket Academy.

The camp is set to continue until April 20, with selectors closely monitoring performances before finalising the squad.

Pakistan are expected to depart for Bangladesh on May 3, while discussions regarding the final squad composition and support staff appointments remain ongoing.

The red-ball camp features a mix of emerging and experienced domestic performers, including Mohammad Huraira, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Rohail Nazir, as the team looks to build depth ahead of a crucial phase in the ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Players participating in red-ball camp: Afaq Afridi, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Hasan Raza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Suleman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Naqeebullah, Niaz Khan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Saad Khan, Saifullah Bangash, Sajid Khan, Salman Khan and Waqar Ahmed.

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Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali has secured a stint in county cricket after signing with Yorkshire County Cricket Club as an overseas player for the upcoming Vitality Blast.

The 31-year-old will replace Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, who has been ruled out after suffering a stress fracture in his right shoulder.

Naveen had already missed the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year and will not recover in time to take up his contract at Headingley.

Yorkshire have moved swiftly to bring in Hasan, who arrives with a significant T20 pedigree. The right-arm quick has represented Pakistan in 57 T20 Internationals and has built a strong reputation across franchise leagues worldwide.

His previous county stint with Warwickshire further strengthens his credentials, having picked up 44 wickets at an impressive average of 14.93 across three Vitality Blast campaigns between 2023 and 2025.

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Hasan Ali is also carrying strong momentum into the competition, currently enjoying an excellent run in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, where he has claimed nine wickets in four matches for Karachi Kings at an average of just over 13.

The experienced pacer is expected to be available for Yorkshire throughout the Blast group stage and will also feature in two County Championship fixtures against Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

Yorkshire’s general manager of cricket, Gavin Hamilton, welcomed the signing, acknowledging the disappointment of losing Naveen but expressing confidence in Hasan’s ability to fill the void.

“Whilst we’re naturally disappointed to not see Naveen join us this year, in Hasan we have an exceptional replacement,” he said.

“He arrives with a wealth of experience and a skillset that we believe will be invaluable to the group. We’re delighted to have secured someone of Hasan’s quality at such short notice, and everyone at the club is looking forward to welcoming him to Headingley next month.”

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Arch-rivals Pakistan and India have been drawn into the same pool for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the complete schedule for the mega event.

The 16-team tournament co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands will be played from August 15 to 30.

The event will begin with the opening match scheduled between India and England at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen.

Pakistan are slotted alongside England and Wales, India in Pool B.

Following the annoucement, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) stated about the team’s upcoming fixture in the mega event.

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“The Pakistan hockey team has been placed in the challenging Pool ‘D’, where they will face formidable opponents including traditional rivals India, England, and Wales,” the PHF stated.

Pakistan will face fierce rival India on August 19 at 6pm PKT.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to the next stage, where the eight teams will be reorganized into two new groups of four.

The final of the event is scheduled on August 30 at the Belfius Hockey Arena.

FIH World Cup pools:

Pool ‘A’: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan

Pool ‘B’: Belgium, Germany, France, and Malaysia

Pool ‘C’: Australia, Spain, Ireland, and South Africa

Pool ‘D’: India, Pakistan, England and Wales.

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DHAKA: Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has confirmed that the Green Shirts will field three debutants in the first ODI of their three-match series against Bangladesh, set to be played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, March 11.

Pakistan dropped senior players like Babar Azam and Saim Ayub for the series, giving a platform to several promising talents.

The squad for the series includes six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.

Speaking at a pre-series press conference on Tuesday, Afridi revealed that Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Shamyl Hussain will make their international ODI debuts.

Farhan and Sadaqat are set to open the innings, while Hussain will bat at one-down.

“Sahibzada [Farhan] ofcourse he has been a top performer in T20Is as well as List A domestic cricket in Pakistan. Maaz Sadaqat will also open the innings, and Shamyl Hussain will bat at one down,” he said.

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“I hope that they play their own [natural] game and show their skills. We, as a team, are very excited to see them play.”

The captain highlighted that familiarity with local conditions will be an advantage for the debutants.

“Sahibzada has played in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and Maaz has also played here. So it should feel like just another game for them. I hope they play their best cricket and express themselves,” he added.

Shaheen Afridi was also asked about Pakistan’s bowling combination and the potential inclusion of Saad Masood, given the spin-friendly nature of Dhaka pitches.

“Only 11 players can play, so we will decide according to the team requirement and pitch conditions. We have one more practice session today, after which the final playing XI will be announced,” he stated.

READ: Pakistan-Bangladesh ODI series trophy unveiled in Dhaka

DHAKA: The stage is set for the highly anticipated three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Bangladesh, as the trophy was officially unveiled on Tuesday.

The series, scheduled from March 11 to 15, will see all matches played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz took part in the unveiling ceremony, presenting the glittering trophy to the media and fans ahead of the opening encounter.

The match officials for the series were confirmed yesterday, with Naeem-ul-Rasheed appointed as the match referee for all three ODIs.

The on-field umpires will include Kumar Dharmasena, Adrian Holdstock, Ghazi Sohail, Tanveer Ahmed, and Masoodur Rahman, ensuring experienced oversight for the series.

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Pakistan’s squad features a mix of established players and promising talents, including six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.

Bangladesh will counter with their own strong line-up, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and including Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, and Nahid Rana.

Pakistan squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain

Bangladesh squad: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.

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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has defended the selection of young wicket-keeper Ghazi Ghori in the national squad for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh.

Rizwan shared his views during a media talk on the sidelines of Pakistan’s training camp in Karachi.

Notably, Ghazi Ghori is among six uncapped players included in Pakistan’s ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour. The other uncapped ODI players are Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.

However, Ghori’s inclusion sparked debate among fans and former cricketers on social media due to his limited domestic experience.

Ghori, who featured in two matches for Islamabad United last year, has played just 17 List A matches, averaging slightly above 20 with a strike rate below 80 in the format.

Despite the scrutiny, Rizwan insisted that the youngster deserved the opportunity.

“Ghazi has come into the team on the basis of performance. Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” Rizwan said.

The senior wicket-keeper also emphasised that Pakistan should welcome the emergence of multiple wicketkeeping options, saying it could ultimately benefit the national team.

“Right now, Ghazi is in the squad, but if you look at the past, many wicketkeepers have been performing. It’s good if more keepers come through the system because Pakistan might finally find what it has been searching for,” he added.

The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to be played from March 11 to 15, with all fixtures set to take place at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

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Mohammad Rizwan also warned against underestimating Bangladesh in their home conditions.

“On paper, the series may look easy, but Bangladesh are a tough side in their own conditions. The pitches there suit them,” he said, adding that Pakistan still have players in the squad who possess experience of playing in those conditions.

When asked about the exclusion of several senior players from the squad, Rizwan said the selection committee was better placed to explain those decisions.

“If I had been part of the selection meeting, I could have told you why certain players were left out,” he remarked.

Rizwan further highlighted the importance of the captain’s role in team-building, stating that leadership input should carry weight in decision-making.

“If the selection committee or head coach does not listen to the captain, then that person should not be captain,” he said. “The captain has to lead the team on the field, so his opinion must matter.”

The wicketkeeper-batter also spoke about the pressure in modern cricket, stressing the need for greater professionalism within Pakistan cricket.

“Pressure exists at every level of cricket, whether club, domestic or international. We need awareness and professionalism because other teams are ahead of us and they handle pressure better,” he said.

Rizwan was also asked about reports claiming that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had imposed a fine of Rs5 million on each player following the team’s disappointing campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

However, he declined to comment on the matter, saying the board had not yet made any official announcement.

“Many people and sections of the media have spoken about it, but until the PCB makes an official statement, I cannot say anything about the alleged fine,” Rizwan concluded.

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ISMAILIA: Pakistan booked their place in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after defeating Japan 4-3 in a dramatic semi-final of the qualifiers at the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Hockey Stadium on Friday.

The hard-fought victory confirmed the Green Shirts’ return to the global showpiece after an eight-year absence. The upcoming World Cup is scheduled to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands in August 2026.

Japan created the first major opportunity of the match when Tsubasa Tanaka found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but lifted his attempt over the crossbar.

Pakistan soon capitalised, with Ammad Butt opening the scoring in the ninth minute. His initial shot was saved by goalkeeper Takumi Kitagawa, but rebounded off the post, allowing Butt to react quickly and slot the ball home.

Japan pushed for an equaliser and were denied a couple of penalty corners, including a crucial save on the line by Arshad Liaqat.

Their persistence paid off in the 21st minute when Ryoma Ooka deflected the ball into the net from open play to level the score at 1-1 heading into the halftime break.

Japan came out strongly in the second half and took the lead in the 35th minute through Shota Yamada’s drag flick.

They extended their advantage in the 41st minute when a clever overhead ball behind the Pakistani defence forced the goalkeeper out of his circle.

Unable to clear the danger, the loose ball was collected by Koji, who calmly finished with a slap-in at the left post.

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With momentum on Japan’s side, Pakistan responded strongly after their opponents were reduced to ten men following a yellow card with ten minutes remaining.

Abu Mahmood pulled one back in the 52nd minute with a powerful drag flick down the centre before Sufyan Khan levelled the contest three minutes later with another blistering drag flick that squeezed between the goalkeeper and the post defender.

Pakistan completed a remarkable turnaround in the 57th minute when Afraz produced a superb deflection from open play to give his side the lead.

Japan had one final opportunity to force the match into a shootout after being awarded a penalty stroke, but Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza produced a decisive save, stretching out his right foot to deny the attempt and seal a memorable victory.

The triumph marked Pakistan’s fourth consecutive win in the qualifiers, having also topped the group stage unbeaten.

Pakistan will now face England in the final of the qualifying event, scheduled to take place at the same venue on Saturday.

Once regarded as a dominant force in world hockey with four World Cup titles, Pakistan have struggled in recent years.

The team failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in The Hague, finished 12th in the 2018 edition in Bhubaneswar, and also missed out on the 2023 tournament in Odisha.

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