Tag: Top End T20 series

Muhammad Irfan Khan registered his maiden T20 century as Pakistan Shaheens beat Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Comets by 91 runs in their last league game on Saturday in the Top End T20 series at the DXC Arena in Darwin.

Defending a huge total of 202 runs, the Shaheens made light work of ACT Comets batting line-up as they were bundled out for a mere 111 in 16.1 overs.

Mubasir Khan dismissed opening batters, Esam Rahman (9, 4b, 2x4s), Nicholas Broes (3, 7b) early while Arafat got rid of Michael Mcnamara (5, 3b) reducing the ACT Comets to 24-3 in 3.1 overs.

Tyler van Luin (29, 17b, 4x4s, 1×6) and Zak Keogh (26, 20b, 2x4s, 1×6) looked threatening as the duo added 49 runs for fourth-wicket off just five overs but fell in the ninth and tenth over respectively with the scorecard reading 79-5.

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ACT Comets lost their next five wickets for just 32 runs as the Shaheens spinners ran riot taking all ten wickets. Arif Yaqoob bagged figures of 4-36 while Arafat dismissed three batters. Mubasir had two wickets to his name while Faisal Akram picked up one.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan Shaheens lost their opening batters, Abdul Faseeh (8, 3b, 2x4s) and Mohammad Haris (15, 13b, 2x4s) in the first and fourth over, respectively.

Omair Bin Yousuf (7, 6b, 1×4) and Usman Khan (5, 5b) were the other Shaheens wickets to fall in subsequent overs as they stood 48-4 at the end of the field restrictions.

At this point, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Haseebullah joined forces to take Shaheens out of trouble. The duo put on a mammoth 140-run fifth-wicket partnership off 13 overs.

Irfan struck a brilliant century scoring 106 off 56 balls clubbing 14 fours and two sixes before departing in the 19th over. Haseebullah remained unbeaten for 49 which came off 34 balls hitting four boundaries and a solitary six.

Pakistan Shaheens posted 202-6 in the allotted 20 overs as Hanno Jacobs took two wickets for ACT Comets while Zak Keogh, Tyler Hays, Esam Rahman and Jake Smith picked one wicket each.

With this win, Shaheens secured the top position on the Top End T20 Series standings with five wins in six games and have qualified for the semi-finals along with Adelaide Strikers, Bangladesh ‘A’ and Northern Territory Strike.

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Pakistan Shaheens clinched their fourth win in the Top End T20 series when they defeated Bangladesh ‘A’ by three wickets at the TIO Stadium in Darwin on Friday evening.

This was Shaheens’ third successive win after they had beaten Tasmania and Melbourne Renegades by five and four wickets, respectively.

Chasing 142 to win, Shaheens’ opening pair of Mohammad Haris and Sahibzada Farhan provided a brisk start as they stitched a 47-run partnership for the first wicket of just 34 balls.

Right-handed batter Haris was the first to return to the pavilion after scoring 32 off 18 balls, smashing two fours and three towering sixes. Farhan was dismissed after scoring 17 off 21 balls, which included one boundary.

Abdul Faseeh contributed just nine as Shaheens were 65 for three in 8.3 overs. Omair Bin Yousuf and Usman Khan then got together to add crucial 46 runs for the fourth wicket.

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After Usman’s (19b, 16, 1×4) departure, Mubasir (two off five), Omair (37, 29b, 3x4s, 1×6) and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (nought) fell in quick succession leaving Shaheens 123 for seven in 17 overs.

Muhammad Irfan Khan and Jahandad Khan helped Pakistan Shaheens achieve the target with eight balls to spare.

Earlier, after opting to bowl first, Pakistan Shaheens restricted Bangladesh ‘A’ to 141 for five courtesy a three-fer by left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram. Faisal ended with match figures of 4-0-10-3 including 15 dot balls whereas Abbas and Mubasir snapped a wicket each.

For Bangladesh ‘A’, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Shamim Hossain knitted an unbroken 83-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Mahfuzur scored 41 off 32 balls, which included five fours and a six, while Shamim top-scored for his side with a 38-ball 44, hitting five fours.

Pakistan Shaheens will now take on ACT Comets in their next Top End T20 Series fixture tomorrow at the DXC Arena.

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DARWIN: Pakistan Shaheens claimed their third win in the Top End T20 series as they beat Melbourne Renegades by four wickets here on Thursday.

In pursuit of the 108-run target, Pakistan Shaheens lost opening batter Sahibzada Farhan (4, 4b, 1×4) in the first over. Skipper Mohammad Haris hit three fours in his 13-ball stay on the crease accumulating 17 runs.

Omair Bin Yousuf (25) stitched a 29-run third-wicket partnership with Usman Khan before falling prey to Tyler Pearson in the ninth over.

Usman anchored the chase with a steady 38 off 36 balls, which included a six and a four.

Usman and Muhammad Irfan Khan (12) were both dismissed in the 17th over before Jahandad Khan finished the game with a six on the last ball of the subsequent over.

Harry Dixon and Kane Richardson picked up two wickets apiece while Pearson and Callum Stow dismissed one batter each.

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Pakistan Shaheens, after opting to field first, took wickets at regular intervals. Mubasir Khan drew first blood with the wicket of opening batter Blake Macdonald (18) in the third over.

Dixon and Marcus Harris departed in the sixth and seventh over respectively with the scorecard reading 40-3 in 6.1 overs.

Renegades continued to struggle in the middle overs slumping to 67-7 before they were bundled out for 107 in 18.3 overs.

Wicketkeeper-batter Jai Lemire (23) was the top scorer for Renegades and was the last batter to be dismissed.

Jahandad was the pick of the bowlers for Shaheens as he returned figures of 3-19 in 3.3 overs while Arif Yaqoob, Mohammad Imran Jnr and Faisal Akram picked up two wickets each.

Pakistan Shaheens will take on Bangladesh ‘A’ in their next Top End T20 series fixture tomorrow.

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DARWIN: Sahibzada Farhan’s anchoring 45-run knock after a solid bowling performance, led Pakistan Shaheens to thump Tasmania in the ongoing Top End T20 Series.

Batting first, Tasmania’s batting unit unfolded on a meagre total of 124, courtesy of a splendid display with the ball by Imran Khan Junior.

Imran led Pakistan Shaheens’ bowling charge with three wickets, followed by Jahandad Khan and Abbas Afridi, who picked two wickets each.

In response, Pakistan Shaheens comfortably chased down the target for the loss of five wickets and 30 balls to spare.

Leading the way was Sahibzada Farhan, who batted sensibly in the run-chase and remained the top-scorer for his side with a 45-run knock.

He was supported by Omair Bin Yousuf, who scored 32.

Pakistan Shaheens next face Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Melbourne Renegades in their next fixture of the Top End T20 Series on August 15.

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For the unversed, the Shaheens had a dream start to the series as they outclassed Perth Scorchers by 17 runs.

The Shaheens posted a competitive total of 188-7 in the allotted 20 overs courtesy of a 35-ball 57 from Usman Khan.

Usman, batting at four, walked into bat at the end of the powerplay and struck four boundaries and three sixes in this outing keeping the Shaheens innings intact.

In pursuit of the 189-run target, Perth Scorchers fell short by 17 runs despite a quickfire half-century by Corey Wasley.

Wasley scored 54 off 27 deliveries and was involved in a threatening 58-run fourth-wicket stand with Joel Curtis, which was eventually broken by legspinner Arif Yaqoob in the 11th over.

In the second fixture of the Top End T20 Series, Pakistan Shaheens succumbed to a 47-run thrashing by Melbourne Stars.

READ: PCB announces replacement for Sameen Gul in Pakistan Shaheens’ squad

DARWIN: Tayyab Tahir’s unbeaten half-century went in vain as Melbourne Stars edged past Pakistan Shaheens by 47 runs in the Top End T20 series 2024 on Sunday at the DXC Arena.

While batting first, Melbourne Stars posted an imposing total of 175-4, on the back of Liam Blackford’s half-century and Ashley Chandrasinghe’s 47.

After opting to bat first, Blackford and Chandrasinghe constructed a 91-run opening partnership in 12.2 overs.

Arif Yaqoob provided the first breakthrough to Pakistan Shaheens as he removed Blackford, who top-scored for Melbourne with a 43-ball 55 with seven boundaries.

Skipper Dylan Brasher scored 10 before falling prey to Jahandad Khan.

Chandrasinghe played a calculated 47-run knock from 42 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes but he also fell to Jahandad.

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Arjun Nair played a quick cameo of 36 runs from 15 balls, which included three sixes and three boundaries to push the team’s total to 175-4 in 20 overs.

In response, Pakistan Shaheens had an unwanted start as they lost opening batters Sahibzada Farhan (26) and Haseebullah Khan (11) with 44 runs on the board.

Reiley Mark removed Usman Khan in the seventh over, followed by two more wickets in his next over, while a run-out also occurred in the same over, leaving the Shaheens reeling at 58-6.

Tayyab Tahir held on to one end and scored an unbeaten knock of 57 runs from 43 balls but could not get support from the other end. Pakistan Shaheens only managed 128-9 in 20 overs, while chasing 176.

Reiley Mark topped the wicket-takers chart with four wickets, while Arjun Nair picked two.

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Usman Khan’s blistering half-century powered Pakistan Shaheens to register a 17-run win over Perth Scorchers in their opening game of the Top End T20 series 2024 on Saturday at the DXC Arena in Darwin.

In pursuit of the 189-run target, Scorchers’ batters, Teague Wyllie (4, 5b, 1×4) and Sam Fanning (13, 11b, 2x4s) departed in the third and fourth overs, respectively.

Joel Curtis (17, 21b, 1×4) and Corey Wasley (54, 27b, 6x4s, 3x6s) threatened the Shaheens bowling attack with a 58-run fourth-wicket stand which was eventually broken by legspinner Arif Yaqoob in the 11th over.

In the following over, Jahandad Khan dismissed the aggressive Wasley as well with Scorchers requiring 96 runs in 51 balls.

Baxter Holt (24, 21b, 1×4, 1×6) and Keaton Critchell (24, 18b, 2x4s, 1×6) found the boundary on regular intervals for their 33-run fifth-wicket partnership before Holt was dismissed by Mohammad Abbas Afridi in the 16th over.

Critchell departed for 24 off 18, hitting two fours and one six while Matthew Spoors, who remained unbeaten for 27 off 15 balls clubbing five fours, failed to make ends meet as Scorchers fell 17 runs short.

Abbas and Jahandad picked up two wickets each while Mohammad Imran Jnr and Arif had one each to their name.

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Earlier, after opting to bat first, the Pakistan Shaheens posted a competitive total of 188-7 in the allotted 20 overs courtesy of a 35-ball 57 from Usman Khan.

Usman, batting at four, walked into bat at the end of the powerplay and struck four boundaries and three sixes in this outing keeping the Shaheens innings intact.

Shaheens racked up 47 runs during the field restrictions, losing Haseebullah (12, 10b, 2x4s) and Tayyab Tahir (5, 11b, 1×4) in the course. Soon, Sahibzada Farhan too departed in the eighth over leaving Shaheens 58-3 in 7.3 overs.

Skipper, Mohammad Haris (25, 19b, 3x4s) and Usman came together to put on a 45-run fourth-wicket partnership off 28 balls before the former fell prey to Keaton Critchell in the 13th over.

An over later, Mohammad Irfan Khan departed for a mere two off five balls, before Arafat Minhas played a powerful cameo of 31 runs facing 16 balls hitting three fours and one six.

Usman and Arafat departed on consecutive deliveries before Mohammad Abbas Afridi (12 not out, 3b) belted two sixes in the last over to help Pakistan Shaheens finish the innings with momentum.

For Perth Scorchers, Matthew Spoors bagged three wickets while Critchell, Luke Holt, Lucas Martin and Jhye Richardson picked up one each.

Pakistan Shaheens will face Melbourne Stars in their second match of the ongoing Top End T20 Series tomorrow.

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Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the schedule of the upcoming Top End T20 Series 2024, featuring Pakistan Shaheens, Bangladesh A and Big Bash League (BBL) teams on Tuesday.

The Top End T20 Series is set to take place from August 9 to 18 across various venues in Darwin, Northern Territory.

With nine teams participating, including host NT cricket and the powerhouses from the Big Bash teams, such as Perth Scorchers, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Tasmania, Adelaide Strikers and ACT Comets.

The series will feature 30 action-packed T20 matches over 10 days, culminating in a Finals Day on August 18. Teams will compete in a round-robin format, each playing six fixtures.

Gavin Dovey, Northern Territory (NT) Cricket CEO said, “We’re thrilled the Top End T20 Series will expand this year and continue to bring the best emerging domestic and international talent to the Northern Territory.”

“To have two cricket powerhouses in Pakistan and Bangladesh now participating alongside half of the Big Bash League Franchises is a testament to the potential of winter cricket in the Territory.”

Meanwhile, Usman Wahla, PCB Director of International Cricket, expressed his gratitude towards the Northern Territory for inviting Pakistan Shaheens.

“I am grateful to Northern Territory for inviting the Pakistan Shaheens for the second successive year,” said Wahla.

“Last year, the players had a memorable experience and enjoyed playing and performing in excellent playing conditions, in front of enthusiastic cricket fans.”

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Moreover, Naimur Rahman, Bangladesh Cricket Board’s High-Performance Unit Chairman also expressed similar sentiments as Wahla.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Northern Territory Cricket and Cricket Australia for inviting the BCB High-Performance team to the prestigious Top End Series,” stated Rahman.

“This opportunity will undoubtedly provide invaluable experience to our players, exposing them to a high standard of competition.”

Top End T20 Series Schedule

Friday 9 August
6:00 pm: Northern Territory vs. Perth Scorchers | DXC Arena

Saturday 10 August
10:00 am: Melbourne Renegades vs. Melbourne Stars | DXC Arena
3:00 pm: Perth Scorchers vs. Pakistan Shaheens | DXC Arena
6:00 pm: Tasmania vs. Adelaide Strikers | TIO Stadium

Sunday 11 August
10:00 am: Bangladesh HP vs. Melbourne Renegades | Gardens Oval
1:00 pm: Adelaide Strikers vs. Northern Territory | Gerry Wood Oval
3:00 pm: Pakistan Shaheens vs. Melbourne Stars | Gardens Oval

Monday 12 August
10:00 am: Tasmania vs. Northern Territory | TIO Stadium
2:00 pm: Perth Scorchers vs. ACT Comets | DXC Arena
6:00 pm: Tasmania vs. Bangladesh HP | TIO Stadium

Tuesday 13 August
10:00 am: Melbourne Stars vs. Adelaide Strikers | Cazaly’s Arena
1:00 pm: Northern Territory vs. Melbourne Renegades | DXC Arena
3:00 pm: Melbourne Stars vs. ACT Comets | Cazaly’s Arena
6:00 pm: Tasmania vs. Pakistan Shaheens | DXC Arena

Wednesday 14 August
10:00 am: Melbourne Renegades vs. Perth Scorchers | Cazaly’s Arena
1:00 pm: Adelaide Strikers vs. Bangladesh HP | DXC Arena
3:00 pm: Melbourne Renegades vs. Tasmania | Cazaly’s Arena
6:00 pm: Northern Territory vs. Melbourne Stars | DXC Arena

Thursday 15 August
1:00 pm: ACT Comets vs. Bangladesh HP | TIO Stadium
3:00 pm: Perth Scorchers vs. Adelaide Strikers | Gardens Oval
6:00 pm: Melbourne Renegades vs. Pakistan Shaheens | TIO Stadium

Friday 16 August
10:00 am: Tasmania vs. Melbourne Stars | TIO Stadium
2:00 pm: ACT Comets vs. Northern Territory | Gardens Oval
6:00 pm: Pakistan Shaheens vs. Bangladesh HP | TIO Stadium

Saturday 17 August
10:00 am: ACT Comets vs. Adelaide Strikers | DXC Arena
2:00 pm: Bangladesh HP vs. Perth Scorchers | TIO Stadium
6:00 pm: ACT Comets vs. Pakistan Shaheens | DXC Arena

Sunday 18 August
10:00 am: Semi-Final 1 | DXC Arena
10:00 am: Semi-Final 2 | TIO Stadium
4:00 pm: Final | DXC Arena

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DARWIN: Jack Wood’s unbeaten century led the Northern Territory Strike to a 46-run win over Pakistan Shaheens in the final of the Top End T20 Series at the DXC Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Opting to bat first, NT Strike scored a mammoth 185 for four in 20 overs.

Right-handed Jack Wood led the charge and scored an unbeaten 101 off 59 balls, which included eight fours and five sixes.

He was supported by Jason Sangha (33, 23b, 1×4, 3x6s), who added 71 runs for the second wicket.

For Pakistan Shaheens, spinners Aaliyan Mahmood, Ali Asfand and Arafat Minhas snapped a wicket each, while left-arm pacer Sajjad Ali too bagged one wicket and gave away 24 runs from three overs.

In turn, Pakistan Shaheens managed to score 139 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

For Shaheens, Arafat Minhas coming to bat at number six, top-scored for his side with a 30-ball 41, smashing two fours and as many sixes.

Muhammad Irfan Khan (24, 25b, 1×4) and Shamyl Hussain (23, 19b, 3x4s) were the other contributors with the bat for the losing side.

For NT Strike, Brodie Symons was the most successful bowler taking three wickets for 16 in three overs.

Pakistan Shaheens will now feature in two 50-over matches on the tour.

They will play Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, 8 August and the next day will play Northern Territory Strike before returning.

Pakistan Shaheens squad for two 50-over matches:

Rohail Nazir (captain), Aaliyan Mahmood, Ahmed Khan, Ali Asfand, Amir Hassan, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Basit Ali, Faisal Akram, Sajjad Ali, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Shawaiz Irfan, Syed Zeeshan Zameer and Wahaj Riaz

READ: Asfand, Shawaiz steer Pakistan Shaheens into Top End T20 Series final

DARWIN: Ali Asfand’s four-fer decimated Papua New Guinea (PNG) before Shawaiz Irfan’s 29-ball 50 guided Pakistan Shaheens to the final of the Top End T20 series.

The win means Shaheens also qualify for the final and will take on Northern Territory Strike at the same venue.

Chasing 121 to win, Pakistan Shaheens lost their first wicket on 16 with Shamyl Hussain returning to the hut for one off two balls.

Right-handed batter Shawaiz was joined by Azan Awais and the pair knitted a 54-run partnership for the second wicket.

Shawaiz Irfan contributed 40 runs in the partnership and over the course of the partnership brought up a brilliant half-century.

He had scored 65 off 37 balls against Melbourne Stars in the team’s 43-run win at the TIO Stadium on Wednesday.

Shawaiz was dismissed for 54 off 32 balls, which included 10 fours, with Shaheens still requiring 51 for victory off 74 balls. Skipper Rohail Nazir and Azan made sure there were no hiccups in the run-chase and took Shaheens home in the 13^th over.

Rohail’s quick-fire 33 off 22 balls included three fours and one six. Azan returned undefeated on 26 off 23 balls, hitting two fours.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Papua New Guinea managed to score 120 for eight in 20 overs after left-arm spinner Ali Asfand wreaked havoc with a four-fer.

The remaining four wickets to fall were bagged by Aaliyan Mahmood and Arafat Minhas – both taking two wickets each.

For PNG, Sese Bau top-scored with a 28-ball 32 with three boundaries and one six.

Pakistan Shaheens will now take on Northern Territory Strike in the Top End T20 Series final, which will be played at the DXC Arena on Sunday, 6 August. The first ball will be bowled at 1500 local time.

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Shawaiz Irfan’s attacking half-century and a disciplined bowling performance led Pakistan Shaheens to a 43-run win over Melbourne Stars in the Top End T20 Series fixture on Wednesday.

This was Pakistan Shaheens’ third successive win in the Top End T20 Series.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan Shaheens’ opening pair Shamyl Hussain (25, 16b, 5x4s) and Shawaiz provided a solid 60-run start to the innings before left-handed Shamyl returned to the hut on the final ball of the fifth over.

After Shamyl’s departure, Shawaiz and captain Rohail Nazir added 50 runs for the second wicket. Shawaiz amassed 65 off 37 balls, studded with five fours and four sixes before he was dismissed.

Rohail (16, 22b) soon followed Shawaiz and fell to Arjun Nair in the 12^th over. Wahaj Riaz (28 not out, 20b, 2x4s, 1×6) and Ahmed Khan (19, 16b, 1×6) helped Shaheens post 169 for six in 20 overs.

For Stars, Arjun Nair and Reiley Mark bagged two wickets each.

In reply, Melbourne Stars were never in hunt for the chase and managed to score 126 for eight in 17.1 overs as Stars fell 43 runs short of the target with Cam McClure and Campbell Kellaway unable to bat due to injury.

For Shaheens, left-arm spinner Faisal Akram took two wickets for 24. Aaliyan Mehmood, Arafat Minhas and Sajjad Ali snapped up a wicket each.

In their third match of the Top End T20 Series, Pakistan Shaheens edged Melbourne Renegades by eight runs in a low-scoring on Thursday.

A stunning display with the ball scripted Pakistan Shaheens’ second win in as many days. Shaheens successfully defended a small target of 94 by bowling out Melbourne Renegades on 85 in 19.4 overs at the TIO Stadium in the Top End T20 Series on Tuesday.

With three wickets each from their four overs, Ali Asfand, who conceded only eight runs and bowled 16 dots, and Arafat Minhas, who conceded 15 and bowled 15 dots, spearheaded Shaheens’ defence.

Sajjad Ali, Faisal Akram and Ahmed Khan took a wicket each. Dylan Brasher’s 20-ball 19 was the highest score in the innings.

Pakistan Shaheens were bowled out for 93 in 18.5 overs after they elected to bat. Shawaiz Irfan top-scored with 32-ball 34 and hit two sixes and a four.

The next best scores were 13 by Basit Ali and Faisal Akram. Ruwantha Kellapotha was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 15. Fergus O’Nell and Tom Rogers picked up two wickets apiece.

Pakistan Shaheens will take on PNG on Friday in their last round match at the DXC Arena. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 1800 local time. The final of the tournament will be played between the top two teams on Sunday, 6 August at 1500 local time.

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