Tag: Pakistan

Pakistan’s fast bowler, Ihsanullah, all-rounder Jahandad Khan and middle-order batter Haider Ali were among the notable overseas signings at the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) players’ auction for the 2026 season, held in Dhaka on Sunday.

The upcoming edition of the tournament is scheduled to run from December 26, 2025, to January 23, 2026, and will mark a major structural shift, with the number of participating teams reduced from seven to five.

Dhaka Capitals and Rangpur Riders will continue, while Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors and Sylhet Titans enter the league under new ownership following the exit of their previous franchises. Defending champions Fortune Barishal and Khulna Tigers will not feature this season.

Among the Pakistan recruits, Ihsanullah attracted the highest bid after being picked up by Noakhali Express for USD 28,000 in Category C of foreign players.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The right-arm pacer has previously represented Pakistan in one ODI and four T20Is and is set for a fresh start after going unsighted in an earlier stint with Rangpur Riders.

Haider Ali was also snapped up by the same franchise for USD 20,000. The 24-year-old brings solid international experience with 37 appearances for Pakistan and has already featured in 13 BPL matches, scoring 213 runs with a highest score of 48 not out.

Meanwhile, Jahandad Khan, who made his T20I debut against Australia last November and has since played eight internationals, will turn out for Rajshahi Warriors after being picked for USD 20,000 in the same category.

The latest auction additions take the number of Pakistan players in this year’s BPL to nine. Usman Khan has been directly signed by Dhaka Capitals, while Chattogram Royals have secured Abrar Ahmed.

Sylhet Titans have brought in Saim Ayub along with experienced pacer Mohammad Amir.

Rangpur Riders, on the other hand, have acquired young wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay, while Rajshahi Warriors have also roped in top-order batter Sahibzada Farhan.

READ: Kane Williamson bolsters New Zealand for West Indies Test series

Karachi-born cricketer Ehtesham Ahmed has etched his name into Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) history after being awarded the prestigious 100-match cap by the club.

With this, he became the first player from both Pakistan and Ireland to achieve the milestone.

The honour was formally presented at the iconic Lord’s by current Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) President Ed Smith, marking a proud moment in the 41-year-old’s long and dedicated cricketing journey.

A former Karachi Under-17 player, Ehtesham has spent nearly two decades building an impressive career in the European club circuit after relocating to Ireland.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Over the years, he has represented several leading sides in Leinster cricket, enjoying successful stints with clubs such as YMCA, Terenure, Balbriggan and Clontarf.

His consistent performances, professionalism and longevity at the highest club level have now been recognised with one of the MCC’s most respected individual honours.

The 100-match cap is reserved for players who have shown outstanding commitment and service to the MCC across different competitions and tours.

By reaching this landmark, Ehtesham joins a select group of cricketers to have represented the historic club on 100 occasions, underlining both his durability and value as a player over the years.

READ: 1988 Olympic hero Imran Sherwani passes away at 63

Ace batter Babar Azam has set his sights on lifting a World Cup trophy for Pakistan, stating that he is working hard on his fitness and game to achieve the long-awaited feat.

Babar Azam has become a prolific batter for Pakistan over the past decade and has 32 international centuries to his name, the fourth-most by any Pakistani batter.

However, he is yet to lift a trophy for his team despite being on the brink of doing so under his leadership. He captained Pakistan to the ICC T20 World Cup final in 2022 against England, which they eventually lost by five wickets.

The last time Pakistan lifted the World Cup trophy was back in 2009, under the leadership of Younis Khan.

In a candid conversation with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen on
‘The Switch’ , Babar shed light on various aspects of his cricketing career.

Asked about his goals in the next five years, he replied that his biggest dream is to win an ICC trophy.

“We want to win an ICC trophy. We reached the finals of the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup, but we lost,” he said.

“That’s why I’m working hard — on my fitness and everything,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Babar Azam also spoke about the expectations and the pressure he faces as Pakistan’s premier batter.

“I’m [also] a human being. Sometimes you [make] mistakes. “The main thing is the focus. I stop listening to anyone. I talk to myself, to my coaches,” he said on coping with mental challenges while batting.

During the discussion, the right-hander also revealed his favorite batter and his early memories of watching AB De Villiers bat.

“Yes, he is my all-time favorite. AB is your all-time? KP asked, “Am I second or third?”

“No, sixth,” said Babar Azam in a light-hearted manner.

The 31-year-old talked about how the batting maestro inspired him from childhood, and about his early memories of the South Africa tour of Pakistan in 2007.

“He inspired me. When I was younger, I [tried] to copy him. Like his stance — he’s sideways, you know, starting he’s like he’s looking like that, ” said Babar while imitating AB de Villiers.

“In 2007 or maybe 2006, I was a ball picker in the stadium. [It was the] Pakistan–South Africa match. So during the Test match, I saw AB for the first time. I just… I just… You stopped and stared. Oh, my idol is here,” he concluded.

READ: PCB signs landmark MoU with Italian Cricket Federation

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, held a virtual meeting with Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, on Friday.

During the interaction, both sides reviewed a range of issues linked to bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on ensuring a secure environment for the visiting Australian team.

They also discussed security arrangements for Australia’s upcoming cricket tour of Pakistan in 2026.

Naqvi briefed his counterpart on the measures being planned for the tour and also extended an invitation for Burke to visit Pakistan, as both officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties between the two countries.

Australia are scheduled to tour Pakistan for a white-ball series in two phases next year.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The first phase of the tour will feature a three-match T20I series from January 30 to February 5, being played just ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Following the global event, Australia are pencilled in to return to Pakistan for a three-match ODI series in March under the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2025–27.

However, sources indicate that the ODI leg could be postponed, with the PCB and Cricket Australia (CA) reportedly in discussions to revise the schedule.

The white-ball fixtures, initially listed for March 13–19, are now likely to be shifted to a later window after the conclusion of PSL season 11, should both boards reach an agreement.

READ: India name squad for ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025

RAWALPINDI: Dushmanta Chameera bowled a dream spell and held his nerve in the final over to propel his side into the T20I tri-series final after securing a six-run victory over Pakistan here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

With this victory, Zimbabwe crashed out of the series after winning only one of three games.

Set a stiff 185, Pakistan fell short in the final over, scoring 178-7 at the end of their innings.

It was Chameera who tormented Pakistan’s top order with three wickets upfront and gave only three. As a result, Pakistan were 43-4 in 5.2 overs.

The right-arm pacer first removed Sahibzada Farhan, who was caught on nine, followed by Babar Azam’s wicket in the same over, who was sent packing for a duck.

From the other end, Eshan Malinga castled Saim Ayub, who was looking good. The left-hander made 27 off 18 with the aid of four boundaries and a six.

It was a cherry on top for the Islanders when Chameera dismissed Fakhar Zaman for one, leaving the home side tottering.

However, Salman Ali Agha and Usman Khan arrested the slide and built a 56-run stand. The duo batted at a brisk rate, particularly Usman, who took Wanindu Hasaranga to the cleaners and belted him for a couple of sixes before getting caught.

Catch Pakistan Tri-Series news updates here

Usman’s blitz (33 off 23) took the score to 99 in 12.2 overs before another crucial 70-run stand between Agha and Mohammad Nawaz lifted the home side’s hopes.

The pair managed to bring down the required rate with Salman Ali Agha scoring a half-century in the process.

Eventually, the equation went down to 10 from the final over, with Chameera having the ball in his hands.

The pacer bowled a superb over under pressure and gave only three, including the wicket of Faheem Ashraf, while Salman, who took a single on the second ball of the over, looked diminished at the other end.

Salman top-scored with 63* from 44, striking three sixes and four boundaries.

Chameera finished with four wickets to his name in four overs, whereas Eshan Malinga, who gave 54, also managed to scalp two wickets.

The final of the T20I tri-series will be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Saturday, 29 November at the same venue.

Earlier, opening batter Kamil Mishara’s 76 off 48 propelled Sri Lanka to a strong total in a must-win T20I tri-series encounter.

Put into bat first, Sri Lanka put on 184-4 on the board in their allotted 20 overs.

After losing Pathum Nissanka (8) only in the second over, Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis stitched a 66-run partnership, bringing the score to 82 in 8.1 overs.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Mendis departed after scoring 40 from just 23 balls, laced with six fours and a maximum.

The duo batted with freedom and capitalized on the fielding restrictions in the opening six overs. Consequently, the Islanders were cruising on 58 at the end of the power play.

Mishara, meanwhile, continued on despite the removal of Kusal Perara, who made six from eight deliveries. At this stage, the scorecard read 96-3 in 10.4 overs.

However, incoming Janith Liyanage partnered with Mishara and put on a 57-run stand, which laid a foundation for a strong finish.

But it was Abrar Ahmed’s clinical bowling spell that put the brakes on the visitors’ charge and restricted them from reaching the 200-run mark, which was looking possible at one stage of the innings.

Abrar also took the crucial wicket of Mishara, who was caught after hitting three sixes and six fours. Janith Liyanage hit an unbeaten 24 off 24 with the aid of two boundaries.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed picked up two wickets in his quota of four overs while giving away only 28.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to lock horns in a three-match T20I series in January, with both boards reportedly finalising the schedule as part of their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The series is expected to be played from January 8 to 12, with all three matches scheduled at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

The upcoming World Cup will be held from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan set to play all their matches on Sri Lankan soil under the Hybrid Model.

This arrangement ensures that Pakistan and India do not tour each other during ICC events and instead compete at neutral venues.

Sources close to the development have revealed that officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) were in constant discussions over the short series, which has now reportedly been confirmed.

The series will provide Pakistan crucial match practice in local conditions just weeks ahead of the global event, allowing the team to fine-tune combinations and acclimatise to pitches similar to those they will encounter during the World Cup.

The decision to stage all three matches in Dambulla has been taken due to ongoing upgradation work at both the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in preparation for the mega event.

Due to similar reasons, SLC was also forced to postpone the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), which was originally scheduled for the November-December window.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are currently touring Pakistan for the ongoing T20I tri-series, where they are engaged in a tight qualification race for the final.

Pakistan have already secured their place in the final, while Sri Lanka must win their final group match by a big margin to stay alive in the competition.

Zimbabwe currently sit second on the points table with one win from four games and a net run rate of -0.522, while Sri Lanka remain third with a net run rate of -1.324.

Tentative schedule of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka

• 1st T20I – 8 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium
• 2nd T20I – 10 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium
• 3rd T20I – 12 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

READ: ICC gives highest rating to Perth pitch after two-day Ashes Test

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday revealed the schedule for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

The mega-event will be played from February 7 to March 8 across five venues in India—Arun Jaitley Stadium, Eden Gardens, Kolkata; MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai; Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad; and Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Three venues will host matches in Sri Lanka—Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy; R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo; and Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The 2026 tournament format will mirror the 2024 T20 World Cup, with 20 teams divided into five groups of four.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, before progressing to the semi-finals and ultimately the final.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ICC (@icc)

The high-stakes encounter between Pakistan and defending champions India will be played on February 15 in Colombo as per the hybrid model.

The model has previously been applied in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, when the UAE co-hosted India’s matches, and during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, with Sri Lanka joining as co-hosts.

Pakistan will play three of their group-stage fixtures at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, including the opening fixture of the World Cup against the Netherlands, whereas India will play their opening match against USA same day in the evening.

T20 World Cup Groups

• Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Namibia, Netherlands,
• Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
• Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
• Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 schedule

The group stage runs from 7 to 20 February, followed by the Super Eight round from 21 February to 1 March. The knockouts take over in the final week.

(Group Stage)

February 7

• Pakistan vs Netherlands in Colombo
• West Indies vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
• India vs USA in Mumbai

February 8

• New Zealand vs Afghanistan in Chennai
• England vs Nepal in Mumbai
• Sri Lanka vs Ireland in Colombo

February 9

• Bangladesh vs Italy in Kolkata
• Zimbabwe vs Oman in Colombo
• South Africa vs Canada in Ahmedabad

February 10

• Netherlands vs Namibia in Delhi
• New Zealand vs UAE in Chennai
• Pakistan vs USA in Colombo

February 11

• South Africa vs Afghanistan in Ahmedabad
• Australia vs Ireland in Colombo
• England vs West Indies in Mumbai

February 12

• Sri Lanka vs Oman in Kandy
• Nepal vs Italy in Mumbai
• India vs Namibia in Delhi

February 13

• Australia vs Zimbabwe in Colombo
• Canada vs UAE in Delhi
• USA vs Netherlands in Chennai

February 14

• Ireland vs Oman in Colombo
• England vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
• New Zealand vs South Africa in Ahmedabad

February 15

• West Indies vs Nepal in Mumbai
• USA vs Namibia in Chennai
• India vs Pakistan in Colombo

February 16

• Afghanistan vs UAE in Delhi
• England vs Italy in Kolkata
• Australia vs Sri Lanka in Kandy

February 17

• New Zealand vs Canada in Chennai
• Ireland vs Zimbabwe in Kandy
• Bangladesh vs Nepal in Mumbai

February 18

• South Africa vs UAE in Delhi
• Pakistan vs Namibia in Colombo
• India vs Netherlands in Ahmedabad

February 19

• West Indies vs Italy in Kolkata
• Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in Colombo
• Afghanistan vs Canada in Chennai

February 20

• Australia vs Oman in Kandy

Super-Eight Round

February 21

• Y2 vs Y3 in Colombo

February 22

• Y1 vs Y4 in Kandy
• X1 vs X4 in Ahmedabad

February 23

• X2 vs X3 in Mumbai

February 24

• Y1 vs Y3 in Kandy

February 25

• Y2 vs Y4 in Colombo

February 26

• X3 vs X4 in Colombo
• X1 vs X2 in Chennai

February 27

• Y1 vs Y2 in Colombo

February 28

• Y3 vs Y4 in Kandy

March 1

• X2 vs X4 in Delhi

• X1 vs X3 in Kolkata

Knock-out

March 4: Semi-final 1 in Colombo/Kolkata

March 5: Semi-final 2 in Mumbai

March 8: Final in Colombo/Ahmedabad

The most anticipated fixture in world cricket is set to ignite the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Pakistan and India expected to face off on February 15 in Colombo, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.

The report reveals a tentative schedule for the tournament, which will run from February 7 to March 8 and be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will play all their matches in either Colombo or Kandy under the hybrid model, a mutually agreed arrangement ensuring that India and Pakistan do not tour each other during ICC events.

This model has previously been applied in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, when the UAE co-hosted India’s matches, and during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, with Sri Lanka joining as co-hosts.

The 2026 tournament format will mirror the 2024 T20 World Cup, with 20 teams divided into five groups of four.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, before progressing to the semi-finals and ultimately the final.

According to the report, the blockbuster Pakistan–India clash will take place at the R Premadasa Stadium, with both teams placed in the same group alongside the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia.

The 20-team tournament also features Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, UAE, and Sri Lanka.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman are reportedly grouped together, while England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Italy form another group, and South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada make up the remaining group.

Hosts and defending champions India will open their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7, followed by matches against Namibia in Delhi on February 12, Pakistan in Colombo on February 15, and the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18.

Notably, the group stage is expected to feature three matches per day.

If India progress to the Super Eight, their matches are likely to be held in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Kolkata, with a semi-final in Mumbai.

The second semi-final is expected to be hosted in either Colombo or Kolkata, depending on whether Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualify.

The final is scheduled for Ahmedabad unless Pakistan reach the title clash, in which case Colombo is expected to host the decider.

The ICC is expected to officially announce the full schedule later this week.

READ: Salman Ali Agha breaks world record, surpasses Dravid, Yousuf, Dhoni

LAHORE: Sri Lanka Cricket and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are in talks over a potential bilateral T20I series ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

The 20-team mega event is likely to be played from February 8 to March 7 across five venues in India and two in Sri Lanka.

According to the reports, the boards are in discussion regarding the three-match shorter format series, with the decision to be announced in a few days’ time.

Sources privy to the matter say the series’ potential timeline could be January 8 to 12, with all fixtures to be held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

It is worth noting that the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium will be unavailable due to upgradation work for the T20 World Cup 2026.

Due to this reason, SLC also postponed the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

The Premier League was initially scheduled to be played in the November-December window.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The T20I series will provide the Green Shirts ample time to prepare for the mega event and adapt to the conditions, as they will play all their games in Sri Lanka under the Hybrid Model— a model between Pakistan and India to play their ICC matches at a neutral venue.

For those unaware, Pakistan is currently hosting the Islanders and Zimbabwe in a T20I tri-series, which will run until November 29 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan has already reached the final of the series after defeating Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka T20I Tri-Series Schedule:

• November 18: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
• November 20: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
• November 22: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
• November 23: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
• November 25: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
• November 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
• November 29: Final

READ: Quetta Gladiators renew PSL ownership rights for next decade

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq on Sunday entered an elite list after claiming a hat-trick against Zimbabwe in the tri-series fixture here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Usman achieved the feat in the 10th over of Zimbabwe’s innings, which left the Chevrons reeling at 60-7.

The right-armer, first Tony Munyonga, for one, cleaned up Tashinga Musekiwa for duck, and lastly removed Wellington Masakadza to record a landmark feat.

The 30-year-old became the fourth Pakistani player to bag a hat-trick in the shorter format.

Hat-tricks for Pakistan in T20Is

Faheem Ashraf against Sri Lanka in 2017

Mohammad Hasnain against Sri Lanka in 2019

Mohammad Nawaz against Afghanistan 2025

Usman Tariq against Zimbabwe 2025

Batting first here under lights at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan piled up 195-5 in their 20 overs.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan added 29 for the opening wicket in 2.3 overs. The former was caught after scoring 13 from 8 with the help of two sixes.

Following the early wicket, Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam forged a 103-run stand as both players flexed their muscles at the back end of the innings.

Farhan, who remained the core aggressor, made 63 from 41 balls, laced with three maximums and four boundaries, while Babar played the second fiddle and hit two sixes and seven fours on his way to 74 from 52 balls.

Sahibzada departed in the 15th over when Pakistan were cruising at 132 in 15.2 overs.

Nonetheless, it was Fakhar Zaman’s cameo in the last over that took Pakistan near the 200-run mark. The southpaw, who came down the order, hit three sixes in his 27 from just 10 balls.

For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza picked up two wickets in his quota of four overs.

READ: Pakistan-Australia ODI series likely to be postponed: reports