Tag: Saud Shakeel

Left-handed middle-order batter Saud Shakeel on Wednesday, became the joint-fastest Pakistan batter to amass 1000 runs in Test cricket.

The 28-year-old joined Saeed Ahmed on the elusive list as both batters took 20 innings to achieve the milestone.

Sadiq Mohammad conceded 22 innings while legendary batter Javed Miandad took 23.

Whereas, Taufeeq Umar, Abdullah Shafique and Abid Ali, all took 24 innings to complete 1000 runs in Test cricket.

Fastest to 1000 Test Runs for Pakistan

Saud Shakeel: 20 Innings
Saeed Ahmed: 20 Innings
Sadiq Mohammad: 22 Innings
Javed Miandad: 23 Innings
Abid Ali: 24 Innings
Taufeeq Umar: 24 Innings
Abdullah Shafique: 24 Innings

Saud Shakeel achieved the milestone on the opening day of the first home Test against Bangladesh when he pulled Nahid Rana’s short-pitched delivery around leg for a single in the 25th over.

He needed just 33 runs as he had 967 runs in 19 innings at a heft average of 60.43, featuring two centuries and six half-centuries.

When this story was filed Saud was unbeaten on 46 as Pakistan got to 120/4 in 32 overs.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh opted to field first after winning the toss following a delayed start due to the wet outfield owing to overnight rain in the city.

Pakistan lost opening batter Abdullah Shafique (2) in the fourth over after Zakir Hasan took a spectacular flying catch off Hasan Mahmud.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh opted to field first after winning the toss following a delayed start due to the wet outfield owing to overnight rain in the city.

Pakistan lost opening batter Abdullah Shafique (2) in the fourth over after Zakir Hasan took a spectacular flying catch off Hasan Mahmud.

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Skipper Shan Masood (6) and star batter Babar Azam (0) fell prey to Shoriful Islam, leaving Pakistan reeling at 16-3.

Saim held on to one end before Saud joined him and together they helped Pakistan to recover with a solid partnership of 65* runs.

Pakistan were 81-3 at the tea break, with Saim and Saud unbeaten at 42 and 28 respectively.

For the unversed, due to the delayed start of the day’s play, only 48 overs will be bowled today. The second and last session will run from 4:40 PM to 6:00 PM.

The day can be extended by 30 minutes to accommodate the completion of 48 overs.

The two-match series part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) will run from August 21 to September 4 with both matches to be played at the same venue.

Skipper Shan Masood (6) and star batter Babar Azam (0) fell prey to Shoriful Islam, leaving Pakistan reeling at 16-3.

Saim held on to one end before Saud joined him and together they helped Pakistan to recover with a solid partnership of 65* runs.

Pakistan were 81-3 at the tea break, with Saim and Saud unbeaten at 42 and 28 respectively.

The two-match series part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) will run from August 21 to September 4 with both matches to be played at the same venue.

READ: Naseem Shah, Mohammad Rizwan rise in ICC Test Rankings

Pakistan Test team vice-captain Saud Shakeel opened up regarding the management’s plans to manage Shaheen Afridi’s workload, terming the latter as “the main bowler”.

Last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled a new-look 17-member Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh.

The squad announcement saw young middle-order batter Saud being promoted to the vice-captaincy role.

Saud Shakeel took over the role from ace pacer Shaheen Afridi, with selectors emphasizing the need to manage the pacer’s workload management, considering the national men’s team’s upcoming busy schedule.

Meanwhile, Shakeel, who is set to captain Pakistan Shaheens in the first red-ball fixture against Bangladesh A, interacted with the media in Islamabad on the eve of the series.

He was asked about the team management’s strategy for managing Shaheen’s workload. Saud, however, put back the question, stating, “Shaheen can tell you better about this. It is none of my concern.

“Shaheen is our main bowler, so the team management will make a decision that is best for him.”

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Pakistan Shaheens will face Bangladesh ‘A’ in the first four-day match at the Islamabad Club from 13-16 August. The second four-day match will be played at the same venue from 20-23 August.

Both Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ have packed their sides with players who will feature in the ICC World Test Championship fixtures, to be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi on 21-25 August and 30 August-3 September, respectively.

Test probables in the Pakistan Shaheens are Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Sarfaraz Ahmed, while Hasan Mahmud, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan and Zakir Hasan are Bangladesh ‘A’ players who will join the Test side following the four-day match.

Pakistan Shaheens squad (for first four-day match):  Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saad Khan, Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper) and Umar Amin

Bangladesh ‘A’ squad (for first four-day match):  Anamul Haque (captain), Hasan Mahmud, Hasan Murad, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Ruyel Miah, Sahadat Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Zakir Hasan.

READ: Pacer withdrawn from Pakistan Shaheens’ squad for Bangladesh A series

Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has reacted to the appointment of middle-order batter Saud Shakeel as the vice-captain of Pakistan’s Test team.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) men’s national selection committee announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, starting on 21 August.

Shan Masood was retained as Test captain, while Saud Shakeel was named the new vice-captain of Pakistan’s red-ball team.

Saud replaced pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who served as the vice-captain in the last Test series against Australia.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is part of the Test squad, welcomed the decision to appoint Saud as the vice-captain, expressing support for the left-handed batter.

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“Congratulations to Saud Shakeel. It is a great honour to be the vice-captain of Pakistan’s national team,” Sarfaraz said while speaking to a local news channel.

“Such junior players who have been captaining at the lower levels are being groomed, which is uplifting. All the players are talented, all the youngsters are performing well. Whoever gets the opportunity should play well,” he concluded.

The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad in the wee hours of 17 August and is expected to train in the same afternoon.

Meanwhile, the home team’s training camp will commence at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 11 August and will be supervised by red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood.

The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 21-25 August, while the second Test will be held from 30 August-3 September in Karachi.

Pakistan squad for Test series against Bangladesh

Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal (subject to Fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper) and Shaheen Shah Afridi

READ: Rohit Sharma closes gap with top-ranked Babar Azam in ODI Batting Rankings

LAHORE: Newly appointed Test vice-captain Saud Shakeel is set to lead Pakistan Shaheens in the first four-day match against Bangladesh A.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a star-studded 15-member squad for the first four-day match, featuring Test team members Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

For the four-day match, Pakistan Shaheens will commence their training session on Wednesday afternoon at the Islamabad Club under head coach Umar Gul.

Jason Gillespie and Azhar Mahmood will assist Umar Gul before shifting their attention to the national side’s camp on 11 August.

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Following the four-day match, the eight Test probables will join the national side and the selectors will announce their replacements in the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the remaining matches against Bangladesh A.

The PCB has been in contact with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and it is expected that the revised schedule of the Pakistan Shaheens versus Bangladesh A series will be announced shortly.

Pakistan Shaheens squad for first four-day match against Bangladesh A

Saud Shakeel (c), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig (wk), Saad Khan, Saim Ayub, Sameen Gul, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk) and Umar Amin

READ: Key batter dropped as Pakistan unveil squad for Bangladesh Tests

LAHORE: Pakistan dropped opening batter Imam-ul-Haq from their 17-member squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, starting from 21 August.

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) men’s national selection committee announced the squad on Wednesday for the ICC World Test Championship fixtures.

The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 21-25 August, while the second Test will be held from 30 August-3 September in Karachi.

Meanwhile, the home team’s training camp will commence at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 11 August and will be supervised by red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood.

The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad in the wee hours of 17 August and is expected to train in the same afternoon.

Shan Masood will continue to lead the Test team, while left-handed middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has been appointed as the new vice-captain of Pakistan’s red-ball team.

Saud takes over from Shaheen Shah Afridi as part of the selectors’ strategic decision that is aimed at managing Pakistan’s lead fast bowler’s workload management during a busy season.

It’s worth noting that the Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is and, at least, 17 ODIs during the period from 21 August 2024 to 5 April 2025.

Pakistan’s 17-member Test squad for Bangladesh series features 13 players, who were involved in the last series against Australia in December/January 2023-24.

Uncapped Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam as well as Test player Mohammad Ali have been rewarded for their consistent performances in the domestic circuit as well as for Pakistan Shaheens.

Meanwhile, pace sensation Naseem Shah is returning to the red-ball side after a 13-month hiatus.

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Kamran Ghulam aggregated 1,025 runs in 11 first-class matches in the 2023-24 season and then scored 148 runs in three innings against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin last month, including 100 not out in the first match.

He was part of the squad for the home series against New Zealand in December/January 2022-23 but didn’t feature in the drawn two-match series.

Fast bowler Mohammad Ali has been recalled after last featuring in the opening two Tests against England in 2022.

He took 24 wickets in six first-class matches in the 2022-23 season, followed by 47 wickets in 14 first-class matches in the 2023-24 season.

In the two four-day matches against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin, Ali took nine wickets, including six for 63 in the second innings of the second match.

Meanwhile, Huraira stroked a sparkling double-century against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin last month. He also had a stellar last couple of first-class seasons.

In the 2022-23 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Huraira was the only batter to break the 1,000-run barrier, aggregating 1,024 runs in 11 matches for Northern.

In the 2023-24 first-class season, the 22-year-old right-hander scored 961 runs in 14 matches for the Faisalabad Region and Higher Education Commission (HEC).

He was part of the squad for the tour to Sri Lanka in July 2023 but didn’t feature in the series, which Pakistan won by 2-0.

Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali (injured), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr (injured), Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were the players who failed to retain their places in the Test side.

Imam-ul-Haq managed 57 runs in two Tests against Sri Lanka and then scored 94 runs in the Perth and Melbourne Tests, Faheem took one wicket in the Perth Test, Sajid claimed three wickets in the Sydney Test, while Nawaz and Noman didn’t play in any of the Tests.

Pakistan squad for Test series against Bangladesh

Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal (subject to Fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper) and Shaheen Shah Afridi

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KARACHI: Pakistan Whites are currently playing a 50-over practice match against Pakistan Greens at UBL Sports Complex.

Test cricketers Saud Shakeel and Umar Amin lead the Pakistan Whites and Pakistan Greens teams, comprising players from the pre-season training camp and Pakistan Shaheens’ squad.

Umar Amin opted to bat first in the first match, while the second match will be played tomorrow at the same venue.

It is worth noting that, the opening batter Imam-ul-Haq is not playing today’s match due to health problems.

The pre-season training camp is being attended by 25 cricketers, including 15 players, who are part of Pakistan Shaheens’ squad for the tour of Darwin.

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In Darwin, Pakistan Shaheens will play two four-day matches against Bangladesh ‘A’, two 50-over matches against Northern Territory and Bangladesh, and also participate in the nine-team Top End T20 Series.

Following are the players invited by the national selection committee for the pre-season fitness and fielding camp as well as the Pakistan Shaheen squad:

Players for pre-season fitness and fielding camp – Abdullah Shafique, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Hunain Shah, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sameen Gul, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, Umar Amin, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Ali and Zahid Mahmood.

Pakistan Shaheens squad

Haseebullah, Hunain Shah, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Huraira, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, Umar Amin and Mohammad Ali.

Captain will be confirmed in due course

READ: PCB conducts fitness tests of players across Pakistan

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators’ Abrar Ahmed and Saud Shakeel have both been fined five per cent of their match fees on Saturday for breaching the code of conduct during eliminator 1 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.

Both players were fined for Level 1 breaches of PSL’s code of conduct during their side’s PSL 9 fixture against Islamabad United at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Friday night.

Abrar was found to have violated Article 2.4 of the HBL PSL Code of Conduct, which reads as: “Disobeying an umpire’s instruction during the match”.

The incident occurred in the 19th over of Islamabad United’s batting, when, while fielding, Abrar rolled the ball all along the ground despite being instructed by the umpires not to do so.

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In a separate incident, in the same match, Saud was found to have violated Article 2.5 of the PSL Code of Conduct, which reads as: “Using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during a match”.

After dismissing United’s batter Salman Ali Agha in the 12th over, Saud went close to Salman and made remarks which could have provoked the batter.

Both players pleaded guilty to the charges and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Mohammad Javed.

The charges were imposed by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Gaffaney.

Quetta Gladiators’ PSL 9 campaign ended with a 39-run victory over Islamabad United, who advanced to the Eliminator 2 to face Peshawar Zalmi.

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MELBOURNE: Pakistan’s middle-order batter Saud Shakeel on Thursday expressed his excitement to feature in the Boxing Day Test against Australia, commencing on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

While talking to the media during the Pakistan team’s training session in Melbourne, the 28-year-old batter shared that as a kid he used to wake up at 5 am to watch the Boxing Day Test.

“It is very special for me to be part of Boxing Day. When I was young, I used to wake up at 5 am and watch the Boxing Day Test,” said Saud Shakeel. “And now that I am about to play the same Test, the excitement is double.”

He further opened up about his experience of playing in the Perth Test.

“It was challenging, as we played a practise match in Canberra’s low bounce track, while in Perth, the conditions were different.”

“It was my first experience of playing on a drop-in pitch and I have learnt a lot from it,” added Shakeel.

Saud Shakeel scored 28 and 24 runs in two innings during the first Test against Australia, which the hosts won by a huge margin of 360 runs.

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Pakistan’s batting lineup unfolded at a mere 89 in the fourth innings while chasing a mammoth total of 450.

The touring side could yield 271 runs in their first innings in reply to Australis’s 487.

Pakistan, who were at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with a perfect, record, got another blow to their campaign when the International Cricket Council (ICC) penalized them for maintaining a slow over-rate during the Perth Test.

Pakistan were fined 10 per cent of their match fee and docked two ICC WTC points.

The sanction after a hammering defeat, consequently resulted in them slipping to the second spot with a winning rate of 61.11.

Two-time runners-up India benefitted from Pakistan’s demotion and reached the summit with a winning percentage of 66.67.

Australia squad:

Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner

Pakistan’s squad:

Shan Masood (captain), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed

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Pakistan have made an addition to their squad for the Men’s ODI Asia Cup 2023. Left-handed batter Saud Shakeel has been added to the 17-member squad.

Following Saud Shakeel’s inclusion in the national squad, Tayyab Tahir has been demoted to the travelling reserves.

Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled an 18-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

The 18-member squad was then supposed to be trimmed down to 17 as Saud was only picked for Afghanistan ODIs.

The Babar Azam’s side will arrive in Multan on Sunday, 27 August, and will rest the next day.

The team management has provided relaxation to the players who participated in the Lankan Premier League. Babar, Imam-ul-Haq and Naseem Shah will travel to Lahore on Sunday and join the side on Monday evening.

The players will train on Tuesday, 29 August, at the Multan Cricket Stadium from 1630 till 1930. Before the start of the session, the Pakistan captain will hold a pre-series media conference.

This year’s Asia Cup will kick off with host Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture.

India’s group stage matches including the anticipated clash against Pakistan, scheduled on September 2, will be held in Kandy while the rest of the Super 4s matches, including the final will be played in Colombo.

The arch-rivals Pakistan and India will come face to face again on September 10 in Colombo if both manage to qualify for the Super 4s.

Like the previous edition, the Asia Cup schedule holds a possibility of treating the cricket fans with a maximum of three Pakistan-India matches in a single tournament if both arch-rivals, in a first, simultaneously qualify for the final.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Usama Mir

Traveling reserve: Tayyab Tahir

READ: Major blow to Sri Lanka as Hasaranga, Chameera ruled out of Asia Cup

DUBAI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam slipped two spots to fifth in the latest ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, updated on Wednesday, while Saud Shakeel enjoyed a massive surge at the back of a record-breaking double century.

Pakistan’s hero with the bat amid their four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test, Saud Shakeel got the reward of his heroics in the Galle Test as he rose 12 spots to 15th and a new career-best rating on the latest rankings for Test batters.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who was close to reach the summit in the Test batting rankings, dropped two spots after a below-par individual performance in the aforementioned Test.

His scores of 13 and 24 resulted in him losing 27 rating points and down to the fifth spot in the rankings.

Besides the duo, All-rounder Agha Salman shot up 17 places to 58th overall for batters, while young seamer Naseem Shah (up one place to 44th) and inexperienced spinner Abrar Ahmed (up 12 spots to equal 45th) found new highs on the list for Test bowlers after excellent performances with the ball against Sri Lanka.

Notably, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who got a fortunate push to the top of the Test batting rankings, again managed to cling to the summit with 883 rating points but the race for bragging rights and the No.1 spot for batters further intensifies.

Australia right-hander and former No.1 ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne rose three places to second overall after his century at Old Trafford, while England trio Joe Root (up three spots to third), Harry Brook (up two places to 11th) and Zak Crawley (up 13 places to 35th) also made some good ground.

After losing their first Test at home narrowly, Sri Lanka have a moment to cherish as their lethal left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya rose seven places to seventh overall on the list for bowlers following his seven wickets for the match.

READ: Saud Shakeel breaks an all-time Test record during second Sri Lanka Test