Tag: Saqlain Mushtaq

KARACHI: The head coach of the Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team Saqlain Mushtaq once again backed the national cricketers following their defeat at the hands of England in the third T20I of the historic seven-match series.

Saqlain, while talking to the post-match press conference after Pakistan’s 63-run loss to England in the third T20I, displayed his support for the national team and coined them as the best available players.

“We’ve picked the best available players so we should keep faith in them. Winning and losing are parts of the game, who does not want Pakistan to win,” said Saqlain.

In a query to the team’s struggling middle-order, Saqlain urged the media to stop repeating the same thing and creating doubts.

“I think, being Pakistani, we should support our team. See, we are in a preparation phase for the World Cup, so, I think, we should not be creating doubts as they put psychological pressure on the players even if they are doing well,” Saqlian stated.

The head coach then went on to laud left-handed batter Shan Masood, who put on a fight for Pakistan in a one-side clash with a gritty knock of 66 and said, “Shan Masood played tremendous cricket.”

It is pertinent to mention that England’s middle-order batters Harry Brook and Ben Duckett charged Pakistan bowlers with blistering hitting and powered the touring side to a mammoth 221/3 in 20 overs before Mark Wood-led England bowling attack restricted Pakistan to 158/8 to hand their side a resounding 63-run victory to lead the seven-match series 2-1.

READ: Brook, Wood star as England sink Pakistan by 63 runs in third T20I

DUBAI: Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq confirmed that the changes will be made to the Playing XI for the Asia Cup 2022 Final against Sri Lanka.

Following Pakistan’s disappointing loss to Sri Lanka in the last Asia Cup Super Four match on Friday, Saqlain assured at the post-match press conference that changes would undoubtedly be made to the Playing XI since it was important to give some of our players a rest.

“Fast bowlers are constantly playing and it is important to give them rest. We will learn from mistakes and play with passion in the final against Sri Lanka,” Saqlain said.

“It is certain that there will be changes for the final, some players were rested,” he maintained.

The head coach further opined on Pakistan’s middle-order vows and asserted that he is satisfied with the performance.

“We are playing T20 cricket well, the middle order of all teams are not scoring centuries. I will not comment much on the batting, I am happy and confident,” said Saqlain.

Saqlain then went on to comment on the recent slump in Babar Azam’s performance in the ongoing Asia Cup and stated that the latter is playing decent shots while the luck is not in the right-handed batter’s favour.

“Babar Azam has been playing well, playing good shots, but unfortunately the luck is not favouring him to go on and score big,” he claimed.

It is pertinent to mention here Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by five wickets in a dead rubber Super Four match on Friday before meeting in the final of the Asia Cup 2022.

READ: ‘We’ll not consider Pakistan an easy opponent’ Sri Lankan captain Shanaka 

ROTTERDAM: Pakistan team head coach Saqlain Mushtaq lauded the young fast bowler Naseem Shah for his phenomenal performance in the recently concluded ODI series against the Netherlands while he expressed his concern over the absence of the team’s main strike Shaheen Shah Afridi from Asia Cup 2022 after he was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury.

“Shaheen’s absence from Asia Cup will hurt the team,” he said in an interview with this reporter.

” Shaheen is currently the top performer in international cricket. He has proven himself all over the world,” he added.

When asked about the left-arm pacer’s possible replacement in the team for the upcoming tournament, Saqlain replied that it would be tough to find an alternate for a key player of your team.

While commenting on the national team’s average performance against a lower-ranked side, the head coach stated that the team needed at least ten days to adjust itself to the foreign conditions.

“Whenever a team visits a country, it takes at least ten days to get familiar with the new conditions,” he said.

Furthermore, Saqlain heaped praises on the 19-year-old Naseem, who made his ODI debut during the tour and remained inspirational with the ball as he bagged a five-wicket haul in the last match.

“Naseem Shah is a match winner and he has proved this. He has bowled with so much control during the series” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan whitewashed the Netherlands in the three-match ODI series and gained 30 crucial points in ICC Cricket World Cup Super League following the victory.

READ: Japan, Netherlands book semifinal spots in FIFA U20 Women’s WC

LAHORE: Head Coach Pakistan Cricket Team – Saqlain Mushtaq has come out in defence of the right-arm pacer Hasan Ali and termed him a match-winning player.

In a media interaction ahead of the home ODI series against the West Indies, Saqlain threw his support behind struggling right-arm pacer Hasan, who had been receiving a lot of backlash from cricket fans due to a recent slump in his form.

“Hasan is a match-winning player and he has proved it with his performances. He was a little fatigued but now he is fresh,” Saqlain claimed.

The national head coach then went on to opine about making the changes in the Playing XI and testing the bench strength in the forthcoming series.

“All of the players are unified, and we will provide rest to those who request it,” he said.

Saqlain stated that a whitewash against the West Indies is his goal, but that preparations and planning are in the works.

“The West Indies team will come fully prepared. We have not done all the work on them yet but are hopeful of defeating them 3-0,” Saqlain stated.

“The players are working hard and training is going on as per plans. There is no doubt that it is hot but the support staff is making the strategy as per the strength of our players,” he maintained.

The head coach also opined regarding Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam and praised that the latter’s performance as captain and player has improved a lot.

It is pertinent to mention here that West Indies will be touring Pakistan to play three ODIs – which are part of the ICC World Cup Super League. The three matches will take place on June 8, 10, and 12 respectively in Multan.

READ: UEFA apologizes football fans over disarray on UCL final

LAHORE: Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam and the head coach Saqlain Mushtaq suggested 20 percent raise in the salary of the players under the upcoming Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Central Contract 2022-23, sources claimed.

According to the details, the consultation regarding the new central contracts for the players has commenced and the selected players will soon be announced by the PCB in different categories.

The Pakistani skipper Babar and head coach Saqlain, on the other hand, have called for 20 percent raise in the salary of the selected players in the new central contract.

In the initial consultation, budget, categories, monthly raises and number of players were discussed for the Central Contract 2022-23.

Domestic central contracts, on the other hand, are also being considered for renewal. Budgets, classifications, monthly raises, and the number of players on domestic contracts will all be evaluated.

It is pertinent to mention here that the initial reports regarding the Central Contracts 2022-23 suggested that the cricket board is considering reshuffling, promoting, and demoting players through different categories. The central contracts are due to be issued by the PCB on July 1.

READ: PCB considers various changes in Central Contract 2022-23: Sources

LAHORE: Head Coach Pakistan Cricket Team – Saqlain Mushtaq has opened up about the injury and availability of the leg-spinner Shadab Khan and said he will hold a meeting with support staff.

Saqlain, while talking to the media via a video link has opened up about Shadab’s injury, said things are going well for him.

“Things are going great with Shadab, and I’ll have a meeting with the support staff about him,” he said.

“After the meeting, we will be in a position to say something about Shadab,” he added.

The head coach further commented on Pakistan’s triumph in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia, saying that the team took the challenge and made a remarkable comeback in the series.

“Pakistan performed very well in the ODI series and the way the side made the comeback was amazing,” he said.

“We chased down a record total in the second ODI and I think that is because the players took the challenge and stood up for the team,” he added.

Saqlain further claimed that teamwork was the reason behind the home side’s success in the series and also revealed his joy in being the head coach of Pakistan.

“This triumph was the result of excellent teamwork. I feel extremely happy to be the head coach of this Pakistan unit,” he said.

The head coach then went on to comment about the outcomes of the series, saying that many positive aspects emerged during the home challenge against Australia.

“Many positive things emerged for us from this series and we will look to carry them with us,” he concluded.

READ: New Zealand’s Ross Taylor bids adieu to international cricket

LAHORE: Head Coach Pakistan Cricket Team – Saqlain Mushtaq acknowledged the green shirts’ performance in the recently concluded Karachi Test and said he is proud of the way the whole team made history.

Saqlain, while talking to the media via a virtual press conference heaped praises on the Pakistan cricket team for pulling off a rearguard draw against Australia in the second Test of the ongoing series.

“History was made in the second Test against Australia and I am extremely proud of the way the whole team showed character,” he said.

“The players made the impossible possible. I am proud of the way the whole team has made history,” he added.

Saqlain further praised the players for putting on brilliant performances against a top team like Australia, while also claiming the National Stadium Karachi (NSK)’s pitch has all the elements for Test cricket in it.

“The pitch for the second match had all the elements for the Test cricket. The weather affected the action during the first Test, while Australia also played technically. I think that is the reason why the Pindi Test was drawn,” he said.

Pakistan head coach also backed the middle-order batter, Fawad Alam, for his below-par performance in the second test, saying he performed in his way.

“I think Fawad performed in his way. He could not get a chance to bat in the first Test, while a couple of good balls resulted in his dismissals in the second Test,” he said.

Saqlain then also commented on Yasir Shah’s inclusion and revealed lack of match fitness halted Yasir from making it to the Playing XI.

“We did not include Yasir into the Playing XI following his lack of match fitness,” he stated.

Furthermore, Saqlain also revealed that the home side is confident to win the series by winning the third Test. He further claimed that the green shirts will play strong cricket.

READ: Blind Cricket: Pakistan blunt Bangladesh ahead of Triangular series final

KARACHI: Head Coach Pakistan Cricket Team – Saqlain Mushtaq heaped praises on the newly appointed Batting consultant Mohammad Yousuf, said his presence will be beneficial for the team in the longer run.

Saqlain, while talking to the presser at the National Stadium Karachi after the conclusion of the Test squad’s first training session said Yousuf’s presence will benefit the team in future.

“I think everyone has a firm belief in Yousuf’s abilities. He has also worked at the National High-Performance Center. I think if he remains with the team, his presence will benefit the team in the longer run,” he said.

Saqlain further talked about the team’s preparations and plannings for the upcoming series against Australia, said he can not reveal the plans for the home series.

“We are making plans for the series, which I can not reveal right now. We will decide the team combination after analyzing the opposing team,” he said.

Saqlain then went on to say that despite the advantage of home conditions, the team will have to play hard against them.

“The home series does benefit, but Australia is the top team and I think we will have to play hard to give them a tough time,” he said.

The head coach then shared his views on the current performance of the captain of the national team – Babar Azam, who said he is one of the best players and is optimistic that he will bounce back soon before the home series against Australia.

“Babar Azam is one of the best players in the world and has given various performances in the past,” he said.

“His performance has not been satisfactory in this year’s PSL so far. I wish he gets back to his form before Australia’s tour,” he concluded.

It is worth mentioning here that Australia will be touring Pakistan after 24 years to play three Tests, as many ODIs and one-off T20I.

READ: Pakistan Women’s team hold practice session ahead of World Cup

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced to retain Saqlain Mushtaq as the national team’s head coach for another 12 months whereas former Australian pacer Shaun Tait has been appointed as bowling coach for 12 months. 

On Wednesday, PCB announced a 16-men squad for the Test series against Australia. Meanwhile, also disclosed the team management for the Australia series.

“PCB has confirmed Saqlain Mushtaq will continue as head coach for another 12 months, while it also announced the appointments of Shaun Tait as fast bowling coach for 12 months and Mohammad Yousuf as batting coach for the Australia series,” the statement said.

Player Support Personnel: Mansoor Rana (manager), Saqlain Mushtaq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Shaun Tait (bowling coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saaiman (trainer/strength and conditioning coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Emmad Ahmed Hameed (media and digital manager), Col (retd) Usman Anwari (security manager), Talha Ejaz (analyst) and Malang Ali (masseur).

Pakistan and Australia will play three Tests in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore respectively, starting on March 4.

READ: Fakhar grabs ninth spot, Babar retains top position in ICC ODI rankings

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to reappoint Saqlain Mushtaq as the national men’s cricket team head coach, sources claimed.

According to the sources, Saqlain who previously resigned from his position of the Head of International Players Development National High-Performance Center (NHPC) has been convinced by the PCB.

ٓAs per the details, financial matters have also been settled between the Cricket Board and Saqlain.

Furthermore, reports also suggested Saqlian will also be allowed to pick the team staff of his own choice.

READ: Saqlain resigns as International Player Development Head: Sources