Tag: Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson explained the reason behind Mohammad Rizwan’s exclusion from the ODI series against Australia. 

Rizwan was omitted from the national squad following a lackluster performance against Bangladesh, managing only 54 in three matches at an average of 19.33.

Speaking to the media, Hesson highlighted the team’s performance in the past year and shed light on Mohammad Rizwan’s performance.

“There is confidence in our white-ball team. We have made real progress over the last 12 months,” he told reporters.

“When I arrived, Mohammad Rizwan was not part of the T20 squad, and he was certainly not the captain, so he has not been playing T20 cricket since I have been involved,” he added.

Hesson recalled the away series against the West Indies, noting that the team’s return of only two wins over the past year made the decision to change captaincy.

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“In terms of ODIs, Rizwan started as captain in the West Indies series, but we felt a change was needed at the end of that tour after winning only two matches in the past year. The team had not performed, and we assess both individual numbers and overall team performance when making decisions,” the coach revealed.

“You look at two things: you look at individual numbers, and you look at how you can maximise the team’s performance. So, we felt we wanted to make a change from the captaincy’s point of view,” Hesson clarified.

He said the idea behind bringing fresh faces was to explore more options, adding that the decision to drop Rizwan was made by the selection committee.

“We need to explore all available options from a team perspective, and that was the decision of the selection panel. We have had several series together and identified areas for improvement, as we do with every player.”

“In ODI cricket, we have multiple areas to work on. One key concern is our powerplay bowling and taking wickets early, which has been an area of weakness over the past 12 months. We are working to improve both the type of bowlers we use and our overall approach,” he concluded.

The three-match ODI series against Australia will begin on 30 May at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

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Former Pakistan speedster Mohammad Zahid has tipped pacer Ali Raza to become even quicker in the coming years and pose a significant threat to modern-day batters. 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pak Passion, Zahid suggested that Ali has the potential to add another 10–15 kmph to his current pace.

“This is my personal assessment that Ali Raza has the potential to increase his pace by another 10–15 kmph,” said Zahid, who represented Pakistan in five Tests and 11 ODIs.

He predicted that the 18-year-old speed could eventually touch speeds of 155 kmph or more even beyond, adding that such raw pace would make him a challenge for modern-day batters.

“If he bowls that fast and he is improving 10 or 15 kmph, then I want to see how these modern-day batters will handle Ali Raza bowling 155 kmph. I think he will be too hot to handle,” he added.

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For those unaware, Ali Raza has been tipped as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket, with his raw pace raising eyebrows. His bowling has also received praise from former West Indies cricketer and renowned commentator Ian Bishop.

The right-arm pacer first burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old during the U19 World Cup in 2024, where he played only three matches and picked up nine wickets, including a four-wicket haul.

He also represented the national U19 team in the 2026 World Cup earlier this year, finishing as the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets in five matches, alongside teammate Abdul Subhan.

Ali continued his impressive bowling in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, represnting title holders Peshawar Zalmi. In total, he picked up 10 wickets in five matches at an average of 16.80. His most notable performance came against Karachi Kings, when he became the youngest Pakistan pacer to take a T20 hat-trick.

Besides his impressive outings in white-ball cricket, Ali has also made a strong start to his first-class career, taking 30 wickets in six matches at an average of 20.50.

The pacer nearly missed a call to the national side for the upcoming ODI series against Australia with reports suggesting that selectors want to manage his workload.

READ: Sufyan Moqim pens heartfelt note before Australia ODIs

Pakistan is set to play a one-off Test against England ahead of the Ashes 2027, English news outlet The Telegraph reported on Friday.

According to the report, England will play a Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford in late May, with the match scheduled during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027.

“Next summer, an England Test against Pakistan in late May, at Old Trafford, is currently scheduled during the IPL. That precedes the Ashes, which will begin at Trent Bridge, the most northerly ground of the series. Trent Bridge has not hosted an Ashes Test since 2015, a match best remembered for Stuart Broad’s extraordinary eight for 15,” the report said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are already scheduled to play a three-match Test series against England in August later this year, as per the Future Tour Program (FTP).

The series is set to begin on 19 August at Headingley, Leeds. The second Test will be played at Lord’s on 27 August, followed by the final match at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on 9 September.

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Moreover, the report also states that England’s best all-format players are also set to miss Test matches in 2028 due to the Olympics.

With England as the top-ranked T20 team in Europe, Team Great Britain is assured a spot in the event alongside India, Australia, and South Africa, with the United States as the host with one more spot ot be filled.

With the Olympics in mind, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also established a new entity, GB Cricket, to organize participation in the event.

England are due to host West Indies in a three-match Test series in 2027, creating a direct clash with the Olympics.

The report suggests that, given the selection process for Team GB is still unclear and the availability of England’s best players across formats is uncertain, it cannot be said with certainty that Test regulars will miss the West Indies matches.

However, there appears to be a strong desire at the ECB to support the sport’s return to the Olympics by making the best players available.

England Test Series vs Pakistan in 2026

• 19 August – 1st Test – Headingley, Leeds
• 27 August – 2nd Test – Lord’s, London
• 9 September – 3rd Test – Edgbaston, Birmingham

READ: Khushdil Shah reshares post questioning Pakistan ODI squad

LAHORE: Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan is reportedly likely to miss selection for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, sources revealed on Thursday, as the national selectors weigh major changes in the white-ball setup.

The series is scheduled to begin on May 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the remaining two matches to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and 4.

Pakistan have already been hit with injury setbacks ahead of the series, with openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the squad.

According to sources, the selection committee is working closely with head coach Mike Hesson and captain Shaheen Afridi to finalise the squad, with Rizwan’s place in the ODI side now looking increasingly uncertain.

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Reports further suggest that Hesson is not in favour of Rizwan’s inclusion in the ODI setup, indicating a possible strategic shift in Pakistan’s white-ball direction.

The wicketkeeper-batter is also reportedly not part of long-term plans for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, scheduled in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Rizwan has represented Pakistan in 103 ODIs, scoring 2,979 runs at an average of 40.80, including four centuries and 19 half-centuries. Behind the stumps, he has taken 113 catches and effected seven stumpings.

Meanwhile, selectors are also assessing wicketkeeping options for the series. Ghazi Ghori, who made his ODI debut earlier this year as a specialist batter, is being considered for retention.

For the backup wicketkeeper role, the selectors are reportedly weighing options between Usman Khan, who has featured in two ODIs, and uncapped youngster Mirza Saad Baig.

READ: Is Shan Masood’s Test captaincy in danger after Bangladesh defeat?

Pakistan opening batter Sahibzada Farhan has been signed by Dambulla Sixers as their icon player for the upcoming edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026.

The franchise confirmed the signing through an official social media announcement following Farhan’s remarkable performances in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

“Icon Player Alert! Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan is locked in for the upcoming LPL season as the Icon Player for Dambulla Sixers,” the franchise stated.

The sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League is scheduled to begin on July 17, with reigning champions Jaffna set to face Galle in the tournament opener at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

The tournament will run until August 8, and matches will be played across four international venues in Sri Lanka.

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Notably, Farhan has rapidly established himself as one of Pakistan’s most consistent performers in T20 cricket over the past year.

The right-handed batter enjoyed a historic campaign during the T20 World Cup 2026, where he finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

The opener amassed 383 runs in seven matches at an impressive average of 76.60 and a strike-rate of 160.25, registering two centuries and two half-centuries during the tournament.

He also became the first batter in history to score two centuries in a single T20 World Cup edition, while surpassing Virat Kohli’s long-standing record for most runs in one edition of the tournament.

READ: Pakistan gear up for Australia series with training camp

SYLHET: Pakistan captain Shan Masood admitted that his side paid the price for repeated mistakes after Bangladesh completed a historic 2-0 Test series whitewash with a 78-run victory in the second Test at Sylhet on Wednesday.

Despite a spirited fightback led by Mohammad Rizwan, who scored a fighting 94 in the fourth innings, Pakistan were bowled out for 358 while chasing a daunting 437-run target at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

The defeat marked Bangladesh’s first-ever home Test series whitewash over Pakistan and came after their landmark clean sweep during Pakistan’s tour in 2024.

Speaking after the match, Masood acknowledged that Pakistan failed to capitalise on key moments despite repeatedly putting themselves in competitive positions throughout the series.

“We made a lot of mistakes, and when you make 360 runs in the fourth innings of the game, you kinda expect to be on the right side of it, but I think in the three innings we had quite a lot to reflect on,” Masood said during the post-match presentation.

The Pakistan skipper pointed towards crucial phases where the visitors allowed Bangladesh back into the contest, particularly after reducing them to a vulnerable position in the first innings.

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“When they were 116 for 6, the last four wickets ended up scoring a lot of runs, and even when we got to 142 for 4, the set batters in Test cricket have to go big,” he added.

“There were things we didn’t do well enough in the first three innings and that’s why the effort on the fourth and fifth day didn’t really materialise into a win.”

Shan Masood further stressed the demanding nature of Test cricket and said Pakistan must improve their consistency if they want to compete with the top sides in the format.

“Test cricket, you’re going to be punished for any mistake you make, it’s unforgiving and Test cricket is always played by the best of the best. You’re not going to get any easy games, you have to grind results out, and that’s what you have to do as a side,” he said.

The left-handed batter also insisted that Pakistan have often managed to stay in contests but failed to finish strongly when it mattered most.

“We’ve put ourselves into position, I can only count a couple of Tests where we’ve been completely outplayed, but in every other Test we’ve been in positions where we didn’t finish well,” he concluded.

READ: How did the Bangladesh series defeat affected Pakistan in WTC 2025-27?

SYLHET: ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings took a significant turn after Bangladesh completed a historic 2-0 Test series whitewash over Pakistan here on Wednesday.

Bangladesh sealed a 78-run victory in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, bowling Pakistan out for 358 while defending a challenging 437-run target.

The result lifted Bangladesh to fifth place in the latest WTC standings, moving above India after collecting 28 points from four matches.

Bangladesh registered two wins, one defeat and one draw in the ongoing WTC cycle, giving them a points percentage of 58.33.

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India, meanwhile, slipped to sixth place despite having played more matches. They currently hold 52 points from nine Tests, with four wins, four defeats and one draw, translating into a points percentage of 48.15.

Pakistan, meanwhile, are currently placed eighth in WTC 2025-27 standings with just one win and three defeats from four matches. The Shan Masood-led side have accumulated only four points so far and hold a win percentage of 8.33 in the current cycle.

At the top of the standings, Australia continue to lead the table with seven wins from eight matches and a points percentage of 87.50. New Zealand and South Africa currently occupy second and third place, respectively, in the WTC 2025–27 standings.

READ: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman ruled out of ODI series against Australia

SYLHET: Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana dismissed well-set Pakistan batter Babar Azam to lift Bangladesh during the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Babar was caught at mid on in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings. He looked in fine touch, scoring 68 off 84 balls,  including 10 fours. However, Rana was brought back by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in a decisive move that got the prized wicket of Babar.

Babar arrived at the crease early on the second day’s morning with his side in deep trouble at 26-2. Despite losing wickets around him, the 31-year-old remained firm and played fluently for his 68.

Pakistan lost their opening wicket in just the second over of the day as Taskin Ahmed removed promoted Abdullah Fazal. The left-hander only managed nine after impressive outings in the first Test.

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The home side tightened their grip on the match when Taskin struck again to remove Azan Awais for 13. After the early blows, Pakistan captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam rebuilt the innings with a brief 38-run partnership.

The scorecard read 61 when Shan (21) departed off Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s bowling. The visitors’ woes compounded when they lost Saud Shakeel as well, leaving them 79 for four before Salman Ali Agha and Babar stitched a 63-run partnership to steady the innings.

But once Babar was removed, Pakistan lost their way in the middle. Salman Ali Agha threw his wicket away, trying to slog sweep Taijul Islam and ended up being caught on the boundary. He made 21 with the help of two fours.

Soon after, Mohammad Rizwan was cleaned up by Taijul to leave Pakistan reeling at 174-7. He made 13 from 27 deliveries.

READ: Pakistan make steady start after Litton Das’ century in Sylhet Test

KARACHI: Fatima Sana will lead the Pakistan squad in the tri-series in Ireland and the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales, the country’s cricket board announced on Saturday.

Pakistan will feature in a tri-series in Ireland, which also involves the West Indies women’s team. The tri-series will be played in Dublin from 28 May to 4 June, with Pakistan set to play four matches in the event.

The tournament will help Pakistan and the other two sides gear up for the 12-team ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place from 12 June to 5 July.

Among the 15 players selected, Eyman Fatima, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Saira Jabeen and Tasmia Rubab will feature in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time.

24-year-old Fatima, who will feature in her third ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, will captain the side for the second successive T20 World Cup after having led the team in the previous edition held in the UAE in 2024.

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Pakistan recently enjoyed a successful T20I series against Zimbabwe in Karachi, where the hosts secured a convincing 3-0 clean sweep. The series provided players with an opportunity to showcase their skills and prepare for the upcoming tournaments.

Ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales, Pakistan women’s team will play two warm-up fixtures against Sri Lanka on Saturday, 6 June and Scotland on Tuesday, 9 June. Both matches will take place in Derby.

Pakistan will begin their campaign against arch-rivals India on 14 June at Edgbaston in Birmingham.  They will take on South Africa in their second fixture on 17 June at the same venue.

Pakistan will then travel to Southampton to face Bangladesh at the Hampshire Bowl on 20 June. Their fourth fixture will be against Australia at Headingley in Leeds on 23 June, while their final group-stage match will be against the Netherlands at the Bristol County Ground in Bristol on 27 June.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for 30 June and 2 July, respectively. The final will be staged at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on 5 July.

Pakistan squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan

Reserves: Amber Kainat, Momina Riasat, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani

Player support personnel: Ayesha Ashhar (manager), Wahab Riaz (mentor/head coach), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Muhammad Arslan (media manager for tri-series only), Raza Kitchlew (media manager for World Cup), Waleed Ahmed (analyst), Moeen (strength and conditioning coach), Alveena Awan (team doctor), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist) and Kiran Shahzadi (masseuse)

Pakistan fixtures in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

14 June v India, Birmingham

17 June v South Africa, Birmingham

20 June v Bangladesh, Southampton

23 June v Australia, Headingley

27 June v Netherlands, Bristol

READ: Mohsin Naqvi receives invitation for ICC meeting, IPL final in Ahmedabad: sources

KARACHI: Fatima Sanas’ all-round display powered Pakistan Women’s team to a 3-0 sweep over Zimbabwe in the T20I series at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

Set a daunting 224, Zimbabwe’s batting lineup faltered and were bowled out for 90 in 19.1 overs.

After losing a wicket early, Opener Kelis Ndhlovu tried to put pressure back on Pakistan. However, her dismissal in the third over sparked a collapse from which the visitors never recovered.

She remained the top scorer with 32 off 13 balls, including six fours and a maximum, in an otherwise shambolic display. The slide continued until the 17th over, as the Chevrons were bundled out well short of the 100-run mark.

For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal starred with the ball, picking up three wickets.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan posted their second-highest T20I total, finishing the innings on 223-4 in 20 overs.

Openers Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar laid a solid foundation for a big total with a 58-run partnership in the first six overs.

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Both Muneeba and Ayesha were trapped lbw after scoring 22 and 45, respectively.

Zimbabwe briefly fought back in the ninth over with two quick wickets, but Iram Javed (29) and Saira Jabeen stitched a steady 59-run partnership to steady the innings.

The final flourish came through Fatima Sana and Saira Jabeen’s unbeaten 71-run partnership from just 22 balls, which proved to be the final nail in the coffin.

Fatima remained 62* not out from 19, striking 10 fours and two sixes. In doing so, she also became the fastest half-century in Women’s T20I cricket. Meanwhile, Saira Jabeen scored his maiden half-century, remaining unbeaten on 50 off 32 balls, including eight fours.

For Zimbabwe, Lindokuhle Mabhero scalped two wickets.

With this win, Pakistan ended a dominant home series, winning all six games — completing a 3-0 ODI series followed by a 3-0 T20I whitewash.

READ: Fatima Sana creates world record during Zimbabwe T20I