Tag: Tri-series

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the upcoming home T20I tri-series will go ahead as planned, despite the withdrawal of Afghanistan following cross-border tensions.

A PCB spokesperson told a local news channel on Saturday that the series, scheduled from November 17 to 29, will proceed according to the original timeline.

The board is currently exploring options to bring in a replacement team, with a final announcement expected soon.

According to sources, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has been approached as a potential participant to fill the void left by Afghanistan.

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The series was originally set to feature Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan.

The withdrawal from Afghanistan came late on Friday, reportedly in response to recent cross-border unrest that resulted in the deaths of three local cricketers in the Urgun district.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) stated that the players had travelled from Urgun to Sharana, in Paktika province near the Pakistan border, to take part in a friendly match when the attack occurred.

Despite the setback, the PCB remains committed to hosting the series and ensuring uninterrupted international cricket at home.

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DUBAI: Pakistan opening batter Fakhar Zaman trained with the national squad here at the ICC Academy ahead of the tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan, which is set to begin on August 29.

Two days earlier, the first group of Pakistan’s T20 squad arrived here to take part in a pre-series training camp ahead of the upcoming Tri-Nation Series and the Asia Cup 2025.

The national side training camp at the ICC Academy will continue until August 27. The sessions are designed to prepare the team for consecutive international assignments in the UAE.

Fakhar, who was ruled out of the West Indies series due to a hamstring injury sustained during the second T20I in Florida,  has now resumed training with the squad.

Following his injury, Fakhar Zaman was immediately treated by the team’s physio and has since been sidelined from all cricketing activity.

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As a result, he did not feature in the remaining matches of the West Indies tour. Due to the injury, his place was also in doubt for the Asia Cup 2025 and tri-series, however, he was added to the squad.

For the unversed, the Tri-Nation Series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE, will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29 to September 7.

Pakistan will open its campaign against Afghanistan, with each team playing the others twice, and the top two teams will qualify for the final on September 7.

Following the series, Pakistan will turn its focus to the 2025 Asia Cup, which kicks off on September 9 with the opening match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Pakistan squad for the UAE tri-series and Asia Cup

Salman Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim

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New Zealand bowlers set up a comfortable seven-wicket win against South Africa in their Zimbabwe Twenty20 international tri-series match at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.

South Africa were restricted to 134 for eight in their 20 overs after being sent in, thanks to a clinical bowling display from New Zealand bowlers.

New Zealand opening batter Tim Seifert hit 66 not out as the Black Caps cruised to victory with 25 balls to spare.

New Zealand maintained their unbeaten record in the tournament and will go into the final against the same opponents at the same venue on Saturday as strong favourites. They won their first match against the Proteas by 21 runs.

South Africa could score only 18 runs in the first five overs despite losing only one wicket. “The way we bowled in the power play was outstanding,” said New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.

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“Our bowlers found a length and found some swin,g and we were able to squeeze from there,” said Santner.

Jacob Duffy and Adam Milne took two wickets each while fellow pace bowler Zachary Foulkes only conceded 12 runs in his three overs.

South Africa packed their team with spin bowlers, but the tactic unravelled in the first over against an explosive New Zealand batting, bowled by left-arm spinner George Linde, as they attempted to defend a low total.

Linde started with two wides, one of which went to the boundary for four extra runs. Then Seifert was dropped at long-off before he had scored. The over cost South Africa 15 runs.

Seifert and fellow opener Devon Conway (19) took the total to 50 in the first five overs, and the Black Caps were in control for the rest of the match.

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Matt Henry took three wickets and Devon Conway hit an unbeaten half-century as New Zealand outclassed hosts Zimbabwe by eight wickets in their tri-series match at Harare Sports Club on Friday.

Zimbabwe made a promising start but could only score 120-7 after being sent in to bat in their 20 overs.

New Zealand needed only 13.5 overs to secure the win, with left-handed opening batter Conway making 59 not out off 40 balls.

New Zealand’s fast bowlers, led by Henry, made good use of short-pitched deliveries while left-arm spinners Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra gained bounce and turn from a dry pitch.

Wessly Madhevere and Brian Bennett put on 37 for the first wicket before Bennett (21) top-edged a short ball from Henry to square leg in the sixth over.

Madhevere took 11 runs off Henry’s first over but struggled for fluency in making 36 runs off 32 balls, while none of the batsmen were able to master New Zealand’s spin bowlers.

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“They came out quite aggressive in the power play, but we adapted well with the ball,” said New Zealand captain Santner.

Player of the match Conway was dropped on one at backward point off Richard Ngarava in the first over of New Zealand’s reply, and opening partner Tim Seifert was caught at cover for three off Blessing Muzarabani in the next over.

But Conway and Ravindra put on 59 for the second wicket before Daryl Mitchell joined Conway to take New Zealand to a victory over Zimbabwe which virtually ensures them a place in the final on July 26.

“I got a bit lucky early on,” admitted Conway. He said Ngarava and Muzarabani bowled well on a “challenging” surface. “It was nice to get through that period,” he said.

Zimbabwe will have to win their remaining matches against New Zealand and South Africa by big margins to have any chance of reaching the final.

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HARARE: Debutant Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson’s gutsy knocks, followed by an all-round bowling effort, led New Zealand to a 21-run victory over South Africa here on Wednesday.

The New Zealand vs South Africa match was the second fixture of the tri-series played at the Harare Sports Club.

Chasing a target of 174 runs, South Africa’s innings folded on 152 in 18.2 overs.

In pursuit of the target, the Proteas had a rapid start, scoring 34 in just 3.2 overs. However, the Black Caps laid the first blow, removing dangerous Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who struck 27 off 17 deliveries with the help of six fours.

South Africa’s progress was dented further in the next over as Rubin Hermann (1) was caught by Matt Henry off Jacob Duffy’s bowling, reducing them to 35-2.

The wickets continued to tumble as Mitchell Santner removed Reeza Hendricks ( 16 off 12 balls), which reduced South Africa to 50-3 at the end of the powerplay.

South Africa’s half of the side went back to the pavilion by the ninth over as Rassie van der Dussen and Senuran Muthusamy fell in quick succession.

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The scorecard read 62-5 when Dewald Brevis arrived at the crease, who tried to lift South Africa out of the trouble. He forged a quick-fire 39-run stand of 20 balls with George Linde, bringing the score near 100 at the halfway stage of the innings.

Brewis looked impressive for his 35 off 18 deliveries, laced with three sixes and a four; however, he was caught off Matt Henry’s bowling. George Linde put in a valiant effort with 30 off 20 balls, striking two sixes and a four, bringing down the equation to 38 off the last four overs.

However, New Zealand put on a clinical bowling effort at the death to bundle out the rainbow nation.

For Black Caps, Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy picked up three wickets each, while seasoned bowler Ish Sodhi was clinical with two wickets.

Earlier, after being put in to bat first, New Zealand posted 173-5 in their allocated 20 overs, thanks to a rearguard effort from debutant Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson.

The duo put on a mammoth 103-run partnership to lift New Zealand out of trouble after a shambolic batting performance from their top order.

The Black Caps were reduced to 70-5 in only 9.3 overs; however, Robinson (75* off 57) featuring three sixes and six fours and Jacobs (44* off 30) with the aid of three fours and a six powered them to a formidable total.

For South Africa, Kwena Maphaka scalped two wickets. Lungi Ngidi, Senuran Muthusamy and Gerald Coetzee chipped in with two wickets each.

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GLASGOW: George Munsey’s impressive 78, along with Chris Greaves’ three-wicket haul, led Scotland to a 34-run victory over Nepal in the final match of the T20 tri-series at Titwood on Friday.

The win helped Scotland top the group in a tri-series that also included the Netherlands and Nepal. The hosts emerged as the top team based on the net run rate. All three teams won two games, resulting in a tie with four points each; however, Scotland managed to pip ahead.

Nepal, while chasing a daunting 194-run target, crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for 159 in 18.5 overs.

Nepal lost their top four wickets inside four overs, leaving them 40-4. However, a  brief 42-run partnership between Dipendra Singh Airee and skipper Rohit Paudel provided them some respite.

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But Scotland struck in the 11th over, removing the captain who scored 27 off 20 balls with the aid of four boundaries. The wicket sparked a mini-collapse that Nepal was unable to recover from.

At one stage, Scotland reduced Nepal to 117-8 in 15.2 overs, but Rupesh Singh’s late onslaught helped them reach the 150-run mark.  He top-scored with 43 off 22 balls, laced with three sixes and a four.

Ultimately, Nepal fell short of the target after being bowled out in the second last over.

For Scotland, Chris Greaves was the standout bowler, taking three wickets in his three overs.

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Earlier, after opting to bat, Scotland scored 193-5 in their allocated 20 overs. George Munsey and Mark Wyatt provided a rollicking start before the former was removed for nine runs.

Nonetheless, Munsey partnered with Brandon McMullen in a match-defining century stand. The duo’s batting brought the hosts’ score to 134 in just 12.4 overs.

Munsey top scored with 78 off 39 deliveries, smashing half a dozen sixes and five fours, while McMullen’s 42 off 30 balls included four boundaries and a six.

For Nepal, Kushal Bhurtel picked up two wickets while Sandeep Lamichhane,  Rupesh Singh and Lalit Rajbanshi chipped in with two wickets.

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GLASGOW: Sandeep Lamichhane’s four-wicket haul helped Nepal beat Scotland by two wickets in a narrowly contested encounter in the third match of the tri-series here at Titwood on Tuesday. 

Nepal chased down the meagre total of 98 runs on the fifth ball of the last over with two wickets to spare.

In pursuit of the target, Nepal lost their three wickets in the first seven overs, with the scorecard read 38-3.

However, opener Kushal Bhurtel stood firm until the 12th over despite wickets tumbling at the other end. He scored 30 off 35 balls with the help of four boundaries.

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With 35 required off the last seven overs, Scotland’s bowlers made a comeback, taking crucial middle-order wickets.

The match eventually reached the last over with Nepal requiring four of six balls with three wickets in hand.

However, Safyaan Sharif bowled well with three singles on the first three balls, hence taking a wicket as well on the next delivery to give Scotland some hope.

But incoming batter Sandeep Lamichhane kept his head calm and ran for a single to secure Nepal with their first win in the tri-series.

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Earlier, after being put into bat, Scotland were skittled for a meagre 97 runs in 19.4 overs.

The home team demonstrated a shambolic batting performance, losing half of their side inside the first five overs.

Nepal wreaked havoc with the new ball, first removing Mark Wyatt (1) and dangerous George Munsey (8). Liam Naylor was the next to go, after scoring just one, and Finlay McCreath followed him as he departed for two runs.

The only silver lining for Scotland was Michael Leask, who top-scored with a run-a-ball 46, laced with a six and four boundaries.

For Nepal, Player of the match Sandeep Lamichhane was the stand-out bowler, taking four wickets for just 11 runs in his quota of four overs, while Karan KC and Dipendra Singh Aireeb bagged two wickets each.

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GLASGOW: George Munsey and debutant Finlay McCreath powered Scotland to a convincing 39-run victory over the Netherlands in the opening match of the T20 tri-series here at Titwood on Sunday.

Chasing a 161-run target, Netherlands were bundled out for 121 in 18.1 overs.

In pursuit of the target, Netherlands started poorly, losing three wickets in only 4.3 overs. Max O’Dowd was the first to go on a golden duck in the second over.

Zach Lion-Cachet was trapped lbw while Scott Edwards was run out as Scotland reduced them to 36-3.

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The early hiccups jolted the Netherlands, as they never got going in the chase. Their top scorer, Michael Levitt, was also sent back after scoring a 30-ball 36. His innings featured two sixes and two boundaries.

Eventually, the Netherlands were 72-5 at the halfway stage of the innings. With 89 required off the last 10 overs, it was a daunting task for the visitors.

Scotland struck at regular intervals, never allowing the Netherlands to recover after a shambolic batting display from the top order. The whole team was bundled out for a meagre score.

For Scotland, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif and Jack Jarvis claimed two wickets each.

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Earlier, Scotland scored 161 for the loss of eight wickets in their allocated 20 overs, thanks to a 57-run sixth-wicket stand between debutant Finlay McCreath and Matthew Cross.

Finlay McCreath top-scored with 40 off 28 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six, while Matthew Cross played second fiddle with his 33 off 24 balls.

The duo’s partnership steered Scotland out of trouble as, at one stage, they were reduced to 76-5.

For the Netherlands, Aryan Dutt was the standout bowler, taking three wickets in his quota of four overs while Kyle Klein and Zach Lion-Cachet chipped in with two wickets each.

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New Zealand star batter Rachin Ravindra coped with a nasty blow while taking a catch off Michael Bracewell in the first match of the tri-nation series against Pakistan on Saturday at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

The incident happened in the 37th over of the match when Pakistan’s batter Khushdil Shah slog-swept Michael Bracewell to the deep square leg.

Ravindra positioned himself to take a catch, however, he lost sight of the ball in the floodlights, and it struck him in the forehead. As medical personnel hurried onto the pitch, he was observed looking at the ground, seemingly dazed with blood streaming down his face.

Following the all-rounder’s injury, the crowd fell silent in shock. Rachin Ravindra lay on the ground for a few minutes while receiving first aid, but with the help of the medical team, he got up and left the pitch with a towel to his head to cheers from the crowd at Gaddafi Stadium, which had just been full of energy.

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The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has provided details of the star batter’s injury while assuring that he is in good health.

The board further said that he has passed his initial Head Injury Assessment and he would remain under further observation.

”He came through his first HIA (Head Injury Assessment) well and will continue to be monitored under HIA processes,” NZC said in a statement.

It is noteworthy that the latest incident has added to New Zealand’s already injury concerns as lead pacer Lockie Fergusons suffered a hamstring injury during the International league T20 (ILT20) in the UAE.

Pertinent to note here that New Zealand achieved a convincing victory against Pakistan by 78 runs in the opening match of the tri-nation ODI series at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Batting first, Glenn Phillips scored a fiery unbeaten ton after Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell’s fifties to power New Zealand to 330 over the loss of six wickets.

Chasing 331, Pakistan were bowled out for 252 in 47.5 overs at Gaddafi Stadium.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Friday that it will host South Africa and New Zealand for an ODI tri-series ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.

The development came after the newly-appointed PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met the Chairman of Cricket South Africa (CSA), Mr Lawson Naidoo and the Chairman of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Mr Roger Twose on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting in Dubai.

The agenda of the meeting included the ODI Tri-series between Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa, to be held in February 2025 in Pakistan, just before the ICC Champions Trophy.

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The Tri-series was finalised and welcomed by the host and both the member boards.

Chairman PCB also extended an invitation to Mr Roger Twose and Mr Lawson Naidoo to visit Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board last hosted a tri-series in October 2004, where Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe were the other two teams in the event.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi: “The Tri-series between Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand will be an exciting event and it is after a long time that Pakistan will host such a tournament. I would like to thank the heads of NZC and CSA for agreeing to participate in the Tri-series. The PCB is also looking forward to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which will be a great pleasure for Pakistan to host the top eight ODI teams on its soil.”

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