Shamar Joseph Archives

Islamabad United reveal Shamar Joseph’s replacement for PSL 11

ISLAMABAD: Three-time champions Islamabad United have strengthened their pace attack ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League season by signing Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph.

The franchise confirmed the development through its official social media channels, announcing that Muzarabani has been added to the squad for PKR 1.10 crore.

The post welcomed the Zimbabwean quick in a light-hearted tone, signalling excitement around his arrival.

“Blessing your timelines as Blessing Muzarabani joins Islamabad United,” the franchise captioned its post.

Muzarabani brings valuable PSL experience, having previously represented Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings between 2021 and 2023.

During that period, he featured in 15 matches and picked up 21 wickets, establishing himself as a reliable pace option in league conditions.

Islamabad had originally secured Shamar Joseph at his base price of PKR 11 million during the PSL 11 player auction held at the Expo Centre Lahore on February 11.

However, the franchise opted to release the Caribbean fast bowler and reinforce their bowling resources with Muzarabani.

The tall pacer arrives in strong form, having recently starred for Zimbabwe in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where his four-wicket haul powered his side to a memorable victory over Australia.

Islamabad United squad for PSL 11

Shadab Khan, Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Max Bryant, Khurram Shahzad, Mark Chapman, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameer Minhas, Sameen Gul, Blessing Muzarabani, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain and Dipendra Singh Airee.

READ: ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan’s likely Playing XI for India clash revealed

Major blow to West Indies as Shamar Joseph ruled out of India Tests

In a major blow for West Indies, fast bowler Shamar Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against India.

The news came via Cricket West Indies (CWI) social media handle, which stated that the pacer has been out of the series due to an injury. However, the board did not disclose the nature of the injury.

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old uncapped all-rounder Johann Layne has been named as Joseph’s replacement.

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Layne has so far played 19 first-class matches in which he has taken 66 wickets at an impressive average of 22.28. Besides this, he has 495 runs to his name at an average of 19.03.

For context, after the two Test matches against India, West Indies have a busy schedule ahead, as they are scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20Is, starting from October 18.

After the Bangladesh tour, the West Indies will head to New Zealand for an all-format tour.

Updated West Indies Test squad for India series

Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.

READ: Shoaib Akhtar confident Pakistan will ‘Nail It’ in Asia Cup final against India

Shamar Joseph responds to ‘You’re not Curtly’ jab with fiery spell against Australia

BARBADOS: West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph gave a strong reply to critics with a fiery four-wicket haul against Australia on the opening day of the first Test here at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday.

The right pacer was on song, which left Australia struggling at 138-6 on day one at the stroke of the tea.

Shamar Joseph’s spell rattled Australia as he dismissed all three in the top order, including Sam Konstas. Later he came back to castle Beau Webster with a peach of a delivery. The pacer has taken four wickets in his 13 overs so far.

Joseph, who made his Test debut in 2024, was applauded for his outstanding spell against Australia at the Gabba last year.

The right-arm pacer claimed seven wickets in the game to hand West Indies a historic victory on Australian soil.

However, the pacer was out of action for a while due to a toe injury he sustained while facing a deadly inswinging delivery from Mitchell Starc.

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The pacer has now made his red-ball comeback in the first Australia vs West Indies Test in Barbados.

Ahead of the series, Shamar Joseph warned Australia’s young batter Sam Konstas, which did not sit well with the Aussie fans, former cricketers.

“Just look out, that’s all.” Shamar Joseph had warned Sam Konstas ahead of the first Test between the two teams.

Meanwhile, the warning did not sit well with former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy, who criticized Joseph.

“He’s had a terrible year since he went through us at the Gabba. He had this toe that had blown up and didn’t think he could play, he got out of his injury bed after someone said just come down and try it, and then he realised ‘oh you can play with pain.

Shamar has come out today and said to Konstas to just look out and watch what is coming,” he said.

“Ok Shamar well you’ve delivered crap all year. So he better improve, that’s what I’m saying in the dressing room. He’s got real trouble. You’re not Curtly Ambrose, champ.” Ian Healy concluded.

READ: Mitchell Starc on the verge of major milestone in West Indies Test series

Shamar Joseph shines before South Africa reduce West Indies to 97-7

GUYANA: West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph marked his first taste of Test cricket on home soil with a five-wicket haul but South Africa hit back in kind as 17 wickets tumbled on a dramatic opening day of the second Test here on Thursday.

Fast bowler Joseph’s haul of five for 33 led the rout of the Proteas for 160 after they chose to bat first.

However, South African seamer Wiaan Mulder responded in kind with the excellent figures of four for 18 as the Caribbean side limped to 97 for seven in reply at the close.

Omitted for the rain-affected drawn first Test in Trinidad a week earlier, Joseph recaptured the form and energy of his debut series in Australia in January.

There he famously bowled the West Indies to their first Test success Down Under for 27 years on the final day of the second Test in Brisbane with an astonishing seven-wicket haul.

In the wake of a forgettable two Tests in England last month when he looked short of work and match fitness, the Guyanese pacer made amends as soon as he came on as first-change bowler on a steamy morning at the South American venue.

He removed opener Adrian Markram almost immediately and with fellow pacer Jayden Seales (3 for 45) offering excellent support, his consistent pace and full length proved more than a handful for the South Africans in conditions which were surprisingly helpful to the fast bowlers.

“It’s a great feeling to have done this at home,” said 24-year-old Shamar Joseph in reflecting on his third five-wicket Test innings haul.

“I haven’t really played much here at Providence but I always go in with a clear plan to do what the team needed, and I am glad I was able to deliver today.”

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It took a last-wicket partnership of 63 by Dane Piedt (38 not out) and Nandre Burger (23) to lift the visitors past the hundred-run mark.

Ironically, both players were selected for this match primarily for their bowling after batsman Ryan Rickelton and fast bowler Lungi Ngidi were dropped from the first Test side.

Fuelled by that late resistance, the South African bowlers ripped through the West Indies’ top-order batting.

Burger was the first to strike when he scattered the stumps of Mikyle Louis but it was the introduction of Mulder in place of the luckless Kagiso Rabada which saw the South Africa surge back.

Following the pattern set earlier in the day by Shamar Joseph, the medium-pacer offered the ideal combination of movement through the air and off the seam to have the hosts tottering at 56 for six, bettering his previous best of a three for one, also against the West Indies three years earlier in St Lucia.

“I didn’t bowl at my best but I had a lot going for me today,” Mulder admitted in reflecting on his career-best Test bowling performance.

“I just tried to replicate what Shamar did earlier in the day by bowling a length which made it difficult for the batters to score. He’s obviously quicker than I am but the pitch also helped by style of bowling so I was able to capitalise.”

Jason Holder (33 not out) and Gudakesh Motie averted a complete collapse, although Motie’s demise in the last over of the day to Keshav Maharaj places an even greater responsibility on the shoulders of former captain Holder to get whatever he can with the tail on the second morning to minimise the first innings deficit.

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Shamar Joseph eyes to “ruin” James Anderson’s Test farewell

LONDON: West Indies pace prodigy Shamar Joseph spoke highly of retiring James Anderson but vowed to “ruin” the England pacer’s farewell celebration.

England and West Indies are set to embark on a three-match Test series with the Lord’s Test, scheduled to run from July 10 to 14.

The opening Test of the series will be James Anderson‘s last appearance for England in the format.

Speaking to the media ahead of the series opener here, Joseph heaped praise on Anderson, terming him an exceptional player and a role model.

“He [James Anderson] is such an amazing player,” stated Shamar Joseph.

“Someone I have looked up to. Someone who is very good at this level. You could say he’s perfect because he has a lot of wickets at this level. Definitely, I would want to ruin that farewell for him.”

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Shamar Joseph also shared that he was upbeat about playing in England, highlighting the bowling-friendly conditions while also expressing his determination to leave a mark while playing at the home of cricket.

“I’m excited to be here. England is known for a good fast bowling,” stated Joseph.

“Oh they’re great. Watching a lot of the Ashes with great fast bowlers, Jofra Archer, Mitchell Starc, all the great fast bowlers come out here and do well. that’s something I would want to do as well,” Joseph added.

Joseph rose to fame with his heroics in the away Test series against Australia. He played a pivotal role in his side’s memorable victory in the Gabba Test.

Meanwhile, the emerging pacer reiterated that their performance in the recent tour to Australia would give the West Indies confidence, heading into the upcoming series against England.

“Since our last tour of Australia, we maintain our energy. That’s the mindset we come into this series with (that West Indies can compete against England),” said Joseph.

READ: Rohit Sharma pens heartfelt note for Rahul Dravid

Shamar Joseph named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for January 2024

DUBAI: West Indies pace prodigy Shamar Joseph continued to make a name for himself on the global stage as he was voted the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Player of the Month for January 2024.

Joseph, who rose to fame during West Indies’ historic Test victory over Australia in January, beat out stiff competition from England’s Ollie Pope and Australia’s Josh Hazlewood to claim the first Men’s monthly award for the new calendar year.

Joseph made his mark on debut in the first Test against Australias as the 24-year-old claimed the prized wicket of the world’s No.2 ranked batter Steve Smith on his very first delivery.

He picked up another four wickets on his way to sensational figures of 5-94 in his first Test appearance in Adelaide and backed up this effort with decent scores of 36 and 15 coming into bat for his side at No.11.

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But it was the Brisbane Test where he produced an even better performance and played a pivotal role in West Indies’ upset nine-run victory over Australia, their first 27 years.

Shamar Joseph, who was forced to retire hurt from a toe-crushing Mitchell Starc yorker the previous evening, bounced back to claim six wickets in a session and 7-68 overall to lift West Indies to their first test win Down Under since 1997, as Australia were bowled out for 207 in pursuit of 216.

His heroics earned him the Pakistan Super League (PSL) deal with former champions Peshawar Zalmi, who roped in the pacer as the partial replacement of England’s Gus Atkinson for the upcoming ninth edition.

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