Tag: Sajid Khan

RAWALPINDI: Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan lauded the new selection committee for making a spin-friendly pitch for the third Test between Pakistan and England, underway here at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Sajid once again troubled the English batters with his mastery of spin and claimed a six-wicket haul, helping Pakistan to book England on 267 despite wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith’s 89-run knock.

The right-arm spinner reflected on the eventful day, which saw 13 wickets fall as Pakistan got to 73/3 in response to England’s 267.

He claimed that the pitch at the Pindi Cricket Stadium is different to that of Multan, explaining that he used variations and utilized the crease to take six wickets.

“This pitch is different [to that of Multan]. After 25-30 overs, when the ball softens, we used to get something there [on the previous surface] by hitting the patches but we do not get it on this pitch,” said Sajid.

“Some deliveries were bowled well and they played a few bad shots,” he added.

“So, the wicket is not like that as if one hits a certain patch and would benefit immediately. So, I varied the pace and utilized the crease and it helped me to take wickets.”

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Sajid also shared his experience of bowling long spells alongside Noman Ali, stating the latter is well-experienced and guides him.

“Noman Ali is very experienced. I enjoy bowling with him a lot. He always guides me during my spells and it’s a wonderful feeling to bowl alongside him,” said Sajid.

Sajid Khan then went on to laud the new selection committee for preparing a pitch that supports spinners, a formula that helped Pakistan end their Test win drought at home.

“My focus is not on records. I just want to win matches for Pakistan. Credit goes to the new selection for making pitches like this that are helping us,” he concluded.

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Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan has opened up about his comeback to the national team and his iconic celebration, which caught fans’ eyes after his spell on Day 2 of the second Test against England in Multan.

The 31-year-old was recalled in the side for the second Test against England after being ignored for the two-match series against Bangladesh as well as the first Test of the ongoing series.

He last played in the Sydney Test against Australia in January this year during Shan Masood’s first series as captain.

The off-spinner made an immediate impact on his return and claimed four key wickets to halt England’s momentum in the final session on Day 2 of the ongoing Test. His brilliant spell helped slip the visitors from 211-2 to 225-6.

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After the conclusion of the second day, Sajid Khan shared the story behind his iconic celebration, which went viral during the day.

“The story behind my celebration is that whenever I play cricket, I perform and get dropped. Everywhere from school cricket, U13 & U16 in Peshawar, I would perform and get dropped,” said Sajid.

“This gave me spirit, and I started these celebrations. I made my comeback in Australia and bowled well in Australia’s home ground. Again, in the next series, I was dropped without any reason.”

Sajid Khan added three more wickets to his tally on the morning of day three to bundle England for 291.

READ: India register lowest total at home in first New Zealand Test

Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan made history in the second Test match against England at the Multan Cricket Stadium as he picked up 7 wickets, breaking the 24-year-old record previously held by legendary Saqlain Mushtaq.

Sajid Khan grabbed seven wickets to bundle England for 291 on the morning of day three of the second Test on Thursday.

With bowling figures of 7-111, Sajid became the first Pakistani off-spinner to take five or more wickets on home ground since Saqlain Mushtaq achieved this feat in 2000 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium against the same opponents.

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Meanwhile, Noman Ali took the remaining three wickets for Pakistan, justifying the management’s decision to play one pacer and three spinners.

Earlier, England resumed their innings on Day 3 at 239-6 with Jamie Smith (12*) and Brydon Carse (2*) on the crease.

However, they could only add nine runs in the morning before Sajid Khan removed Carse. The off-spinner soon removed Matthew Potts (6) while Smith fell prey to Noman after scoring 21.

Jack Leach played a crucial unbeaten knock of 25 runs, adding 29 runs for the last wicket with Shoaib Bashir (9) before Sajid wrapped up the innings.

Pakistan’s Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (vc), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood.

England’s Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Matt Potts, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.

READ: India register lowest total at home in first New Zealand Test

PERTH: Right-arm off-spinner Sajid Khan on Tuesday evening, reached here to join the Pakistan squad ahead of the first Test of the three-match series against Australia, scheduled to commence on December 14.

Sajid Khan was added to the Pakistan squad after mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed was ruled out of the first Test.

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Notably, during Pakistan’s four-day practice game against the Prime Minister XI, Abrar left the field of play due to severe pain in his right leg around his knee.

“During an assessment by the medical team, a provisional diagnosis was made – justifying an MRI scan, which was done on the same day,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared on Sunday.

“Abrar will undergo an intervention in Perth on Monday, after which conservative rehabilitation under the supervision of the team’s medical staff, will continue his road to recovery,” the statement added.

The cricket board further shared that Abrar Ahmed has not yet been ruled out of the entirety of the series and his availability in the second Test depends on his fitness and recovery.

“He has not been ruled out of the test series yet, but keeping the player’s wellbeing in mind for this and future tours, further assessment before the second test will ascertain his availability on this tour,” stated PCB.

Sajid Khan, who last represented Pakistan when Australia toured Pakistan in March last year, has thus far played seven Tests.

The off-spinner has 22 wickets to his name at an average of 37.81 with the best bowling figures of 8/22, which came against Bangladesh in December 2021.

Pakistan squad

Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed

Schedule of Pakistan’s Test tour of Australia

First Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium
Second Test: December 26-30, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Third Test: January 3-7, Sydney Cricket Ground

READ: Pakistan thrash Afghanistan to reach U19 Asia Cup 2023 semi-finals

Right-arm off-spinner Sajid Khan is reportedly likely to be called up to Pakistan’s Test squad in Australia ahead of the first Test, commencing on December 14 in Perth.

Reports suggest that Sajid Khan was contacted by team management to prepare himself after spin bowler Abrar Ahmed suffered an injury on the third day of a four-day game against Prime Minister’s XI.

Abrar Ahmed complained of discomfort in his right leg after bowling eight overs on the third day and was taken off the field.

Following his complaint, Abrar Ahmed was sent for an MRI scan. Further details will be shared in due course after the medical panel assesses the MRI reports.

The selection committee will take a final decision on Sajid Khan’s inclusion after Abrar Ahmed’s MRI reports.

The four-day game was scheduled as part of Pakistan’s preparation ahead of their three-match Test series against Australia.

The Prime Minister’s XI is currently trailing Pakistan by just 24 runs after the third day of the four-day game against Pakistan, courtesy of Matt Renshaw’s unbeaten century.

Prime Minister’s XI resumed from their score of 149-2 in 60 overs with Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green on the crease.

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Right-arm seamer Faheem Ashraf provided the first breakthrough of the day for Pakistan, dismissing Green (46) to break the 86-run stand.

Nathan McSweeney then joined Renshaw on the crease and they stitched a commanding partnership of 120 runs, mounting pressure on the Pakistan bowlers as the trail steadily decreased.

Imam-ul-Haq claimed the second first-class wicket of his career as Mir Hamza took a stunning catch to help break the formidable partnership.

McSweeney walked back to the pavilion after scoring 40 from 105 deliveries, including three fours.

Renshaw batted through the day to reduce the trail for the Prime Minister’s XI, bringing it down to just 24.

His undefeated knock of 136 from 337 balls, including eight boundaries and a six, made sure Pakistan bowlers toiled throughout the day.

Prime Minister’s XI will start Day four in a commanding position with the unbeaten centurion Renshaw and Beau Webster (21 not out, 86b, 1×6) on the crease.

READ: Zeeshan’s six-fer powers Pakistan U19 to victory over Nepal at ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023

LAHORE: National cricketers Mohammad Nawaz, Shahnawaz Dahani and Sajid Khan have been made available to their respective domestic sides for the December 27 fixture of the ongoing Pakistan Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Monday.

According to the details, the decision came into effect following the discussion between Pakistan’s head coach and selection committee in a bid to allow players to get match time under their belts and make a case for their selection for the three ICC Men’s Super League One-Day Internationals against New Zealand.

“The move will allow players to continue to get match time under their belts and make a case for their selection for the three ICC Men’s Super League One-Day Internationals against New Zealand in January,” said PCB in a statement.

Meanwhile, the PCB, however, clarified that the mentioned players will still be part of the squad for the ongoing Test series against New Zealand.

“These players will continue to remain part of the Pakistan Test squad for the New Zealand series,” the statement added.

It is worth mentioning that Sajid and Dahani were among the three players added to Pakistan’s Test squad by the newly-formed interim selection committee led by former captain Shahid Afridi on Saturday.

Whereas, Mir Hamza has been retained for the Test series as he was named in the Playing XI against New Zealand.

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LAHORE: The Men’s interim selection committee led by former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has added Mir Hamza, Sajid Khan and Shahnawaz Dahani to the Pakistan Test squad for the two-match series against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on Monday.

According to the PCB, the decision came into effect after the interim selection committee led by Afridi held a meeting here who, along with Pakistan captain Babar Azam, joined the session through a video link.

In a PCB released statement, Afridi shared that all the members of the interim selection committee mutually agreed upon the need of strengthening the bowling attack of the national team, thus, came up to the conclusion of adding three bowlers to the already announced squad.

“We had a good discussion on the squad and agreed we needed to strengthen our bowling department to give ourselves the best chance of taking 20 wickets in a match. As such, and taking into consideration recent form and performances, we have added fast bowlers Mir Hamza and Shahnawaz Dahani, and off-spinner Sajid Khan,” said PCB in a statement.

“I am confident the inclusion of three additional bowling resources will give Babar Azam more options to field the best available squad for the first Test,” the statement added.

Hamza had a decent four-match stint in the recently-concluded Quaid-e-Azam Trophy; taking 16 wickets, while Sajid bagged 21 wickets in seven matches. Meanwhile, Dahani could only make two appearances in the premium first-class tournament due to national duty.

Hamza played his first and only Test against Australia in 2018 while Sajid’s seventh and last Test was against Australia earlier this year in Lahore. Whereas, is yet to make his debut in Tests.

Pakistan Test Squad

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood

READ: PAK v NZ: PCB puts tickets on sale for first Test in Karachi 

KARACHI: Pakistan right-arm off break bowler Sajid Khan has been signed by Somerset County Cricket Club for the remainder of the 2022 County Championship season. 

Taking to Twitter, Somerset announced the signing with the right-arm Pakistan spinner.

BREAKING: Somerset CCC are delighted to announce the signing of Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan for the remainder of the 2022 @CountyChamp season

⤵️⤵️⤵️#WeAreSomerset @SajidKhan244

— Somerset Cricket 🏆 (@SomersetCCC) September 2, 2022

“Somerset CCC are delighted to announce the signing of Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan for the remainder of the 2022 County Championship season,” the county club wrote on Twitter.

In a statement released by Somerset, Sajid said he is delighted to join the county club and is looking forward to winning matches for the side in the remainder of the season.

“I know that in recent years Babar Azam and Azhar Ali have enjoyed their time at Somerset, and I am looking forward to playing alongside Imam-ul-Haq again,” Somerset quoted Sajid.

“I hope that I can contribute to Somerset winning the last four County Championship games of the season.

Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry stated that following the unavailability of their key spinner Jack Leach due to his England commitments for at least two rounds of Championship cricket it was important to recruit an international quality spinner for the County Championship run-in.

“After detailed consideration of all the options available to us, we felt that Sajid Khan was the standout individual. He has proved his quality at the very highest level, and he is hungry to test himself in English conditions over the next few weeks,” Hurry stated.

“He is a player with an outstanding attitude, and he is well aware of exactly what County Championship cricket means to this Club and its Members and supporters,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam and veteran batter Azhar Ali have represented the county club in numerous matches.

READ: Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of Asia Cup, Axar Patel named as replacement

DHAKA: Sajid Khan bagged his career-best 12-128 as Pakistan completed clean sweep against Bangladesh after sealing the second Test against them by an innings and eight runs here at Shere Bangla Stadium.

Taking the field on Day 5 with Bangladesh at 76-7, Pakistani bowlers dominated throughout. Sajid bagged two more wickets on the last day to complete his best figures (8-42) in a Test inning.

Bangladeshi batters could only add 11 runs to their first innings total on the last day. The hosts were enforced a follow-on.

Coming out to bat again, the Bangladeshi top-order failed yet another time, losing four wickets for just 25 runs. This time Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali did the job, bagging two wickets each to reduce Bangladesh to 25-4.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das carried their way out for Bangladesh and scored well-fought 73 together. But, it was Sajid who bagged Das to provide a much-needed breakthrough to Pakistan. Das scored 45 before his departure.

Mushfiq then partnered with Shakib Al Hasan to score 49 but he remained unlucky to get run out. He made 48 with the help of three boundaries.

Shakib (63) was fighting hard but Sajid was on top of him during the day’s twilight phase. The wicket was priceless as it took Pakistan closer to sealing the Test series 2-0.

Sajid took two more wickets to register his four wickets in the innings, and overall 12 wickets in the Test. Meanwhile, Babar Azam also took his maiden Test wicket. Shaheen and Hasan managed two wickets each.