Tag: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe finished the first day of the first Test in a commanding position at 67-0 after an inspired bowling performance dismissed Bangladesh for 191 runs on Sunday.

The visitors’ opening pair of Brian Bennett, unbeaten on 40 off 37 balls, and Ben Curran (17) took the attack to Bangladesh’s bowlers in the 14.1 overs they faced before bad light stopped play.

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored 40, earlier won the toss and opted to bat first on a pace-friendly wicket.

But his batters failed to capitalise on the decision and none of them, including top-scorer Mominul Haque (56) or Jakir Ali, who made 28, were able to turn good starts into decent Test scores.

The Zimbabwe attack bowled aggressive and disciplined lines, with paceman Blessing Muzarabani and left-arm orthodox Wellington Masakadza both taking three wickets.

They were assisted by Victor Nyauchi and Wessley Madhevere, who shared the other four wickets.

Nyauchi set the tone for Zimbabwe, sending back the opening pair of Bangladesh early in the first session with only 32 runs on the board.

Shadman Islam was the first to fall for 12 in the ninth over, with Nyauchi also removing Mahmudul Hasan Joy (14) in his next over.

A third-wicket partnership of 66 runs between Haque and Shanto gave the home team’s score some respectability.

Bangladesh’s relatively inexperienced pace attack of Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana and Khalid Rana couldn’t find their lines against Bennett, who hit six fours.

Trailing only by 124 runs, Zimbabwe have a rare opportunity to set a formidable first innings total with the pitch expected to be better for the batters on the second day.

Bangladesh are ranked ninth and Zimbabwe are at the bottom of the 12-team ICC Test rankings after a disappointing year and both teams are hoping for a better start to the long season ahead.

The hosts have been formidable on the slow and spin-friendly home pitches, but have several veterans missing.

The second and final Test of the series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will be played in Chattogram from April 28.

READ: Former England cricketer heaps high praise on emerging pacer Ali Raza

Rashid Khan is set to play Test cricket for the first time in nearly four years after the world-renowned spinner was named Monday in the Afghanistan squad for a series in Zimbabwe.

The 26-year-old missed Afghanistan’s most recent Test matches on medical advice to heal a back injury for which he underwent surgery earlier this year.

He last played a Test against Zimbabwe in March 2021 but has been featuring in white-ball cricket.

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The two-match Test series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe is scheduled to be played from December 26 to January 6 in Bulawayo.

“Rashid Khan’s return to the Test squad is a promising sign for our red-ball game going forward and we expect good performance from the team,” said Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) interim chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil.

Left-arm top-order batter Sediqullah Atal, who has played ODIs and T20Is, has been added to the Test squad for the first time.

Afghanistan Squad for Test series against Zimbabwe

Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhail, Afsar Zazai, Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed reacts to Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim’s retirement

BULAWAYO: A combined team effort helped Zimbabwe register a consolation victory in the third T20I against Pakistan at the Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

It’s important to highlight that Pakistan won the series 2-1 after dominant victories in the first two matches.

The hosts, while chasing a target of 133 runs, successfully achieved the target of the penultimate delivery after losing eight wickets.

Brian Bennett led Zimbabwe’s run-chase with a 43-run knock from 35 balls, which featured six boundaries and one six.

Skipper Sikandar Raza (19) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (15) kept the hosts in the hunt amidst falling wickets before debutant Tinotenda Maposa struck 12 off 4 to steer Zimbabwe to the famous victory.

Earlier, Pakistan, after opting to bat first, were restricted to 132-7, courtesy of a disciplined bowling attack by Zimbabwe bowlers.

Blessing Muzarabani and Wellington Masakadza’s new ball spell left Pakistan struggling on 19-3 in four overs before captain Salman Ali Agha played a stable 32-run knock from as many balls.

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Tayyab Tahir played a quick cameo of 21 off 14, while Qasim Akram struck 20 off 16 before Arafat Minhas scored an unbeaten 22 to take Pakistan’s total to 132-7 in 20 overs.

Muzarabani led the bowling attack with two wickets, while Masakadza, Tinotenda Maposa, Ryan Burl and Richard Ngarava bagged one wicket each.

It’s worth noting that Pakistan made four changes to their Playing XI, resting key players Saim Ayub, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf.

They were replaced by Sahibzada Farhan, Qasim Akram, Mohammad Hasnain, and Arafat Minhas. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe made one change, with Tindotenda Maposo coming in to replace Trevor Gwandu.

Pakistan Playing XI: Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Salman Agha (c), Tayyab Tahir, Qasim Akram, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Hasnain.

Zimbabwe Playing XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tindotenda Maposo.

READ: Aqib Javed explains Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from Test squad

BULAWAYO: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first in the third and final T20I against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club here on Thursday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan have made four changes to their Playing XI, resting key players Saim Ayub, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf.

They were replaced by Sahibzada Farhan, Qasim Akram, Mohammad Hasnain, and Arafat Minhas.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe made one change, with Tindotenda Maposo coming in to replace Trevor Gwandu.

Pakistan: Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Salman Agha (c), Tayyab Tahir, Qasim Akram, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Hasnain.

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tindotenda Maposo

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It’s important to highlight that the visiting team has already secured victory in the three-match series, having successfully taken an unassailable lead of 2-0.

Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 57 runs thanks to a valuable cameo by Tayyab Tahir, who struck an unbeaten 39 off 25 with the help of four fours and one six.

Meanwhile, in the second match of the series, Sufiyan Muqeem ran through Zimbabwe’s batting line-up, claiming bowling of 5-3 to bundle them for a meagre 57.

Pakistan, on the other hand, while chasing a 58-run total, completed a ten-wicket victory in 5.3 overs with Saim Ayub and Omair Bin Yousuf scoring 36* and 22* respectively.

READ: Shoaib Akhtar reveals what Babar Azam must do to stay in team

BULAWAYO: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced to make four changes to their Playing XI for the third and final T20I against Zimbabwe, scheduled to be played at the Queens Sports Club here on 5 December.

It’s important to highlight that the visiting team has already secured victory in the three-match series, having successfully taken an unassailable lead of 2-0.

In a strategic move to explore their options, the team management has decided to make four changes to their Playing XI.

Sahibzada Farhan, Qasim Akram, Mohammad Hasnain, and Arafat Minhas have been brought into the lineup, stepping in for Saim Ayub, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf.

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Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 57 runs thanks to a valuable cameo by Tayyab Tahir, who struck an unbeaten 39 off 25 with the help of four fours and one six.

Meanwhile, in the second match of the series, Sufiyan Muqeem ran through Zimbabwe’s batting line-up, claiming bowling of 5-3 to bundle them for a meagre 57.

Pakistan, on the other hand, while chasing a 58-run total, completed a ten-wicket victory in 5.3 overs with Saim Ayub and Omair Bin Yousuf scoring 36* and 22* respectively.

Pakistan Playing XI: Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Salman Agha (c), Tayyab Tahir, Qasim Akram, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Hasnain.

READ: Mohammad Abbas returns as Pakistan unveil squads for South Africa tour

BULAWAYO: The Pakistan squad carried out an optional training session at Queens Sports Club here on Monday ahead of the second ODI against Zimbabwe.

After a disappointing loss in the first ODI, the Pakistan cricket squad immersed themselves in an intensive practice session to prepare for the crucial second match, scheduled to be played tomorrow.

The batters engaged in focused drills with net bowlers, honing their skills and refining their technique. However, the fast bowlers did not participate in the training session and preferred to take some much-needed rest today.

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It’s worth noting that Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan in the first ODI of the three-match series by 80 runs on the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method due to heavy downpour here on Sunday.

Pakistan, chasing a target of 206, were in trouble at 60/6 in 21 overs when heavy rain halted the play. With the weather preventing any further action, the umpires called off the match, handing victory to the hosts, who were 80 runs ahead of the DLS par score.

Squads for Pakistan-Zimbabwe white-ball series

Pakistan ODI squad: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir.

Zimbabwe ODI squad: Craig Ervine (c), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams

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Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Monday announced the white-ball squads for the upcoming six-match series against Pakistan, starting from 24 November.

Craig Ervine will lead the ODI squad of Zimbabwe, while star all-rounder Sikandar Raza will lead the T20I side against Pakistan. Zimbabwe also included three uncapped players Trevor Gwandu, Tashinga Musekiwa and Tinotenda Maposa into the ODI squad.

The three-match ODI series will begin with the first game on November 24 followed by two games on November 26 and 28, respectively.

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The two teams will then face off in the first T20I on December 1, the second game will be played on December 3 and the final game is scheduled for December 5.

Announcing the squads, Zimbabwe’s Convener of Selectors David Mutendera said that the white-ball home series against Pakistan was a tremendous opportunity to bolster their progress in the sport.

“Facing a high-calibre side like Pakistan is a tremendous opportunity for us to gauge our progress and showcase Zimbabwe’s potential on the international stage. We are confident that both our ODI and T20I squads will be competitive,” he said.

Squads for Pakistan-Zimbabwe white-ball series

Zimbabwe ODI squad: Craig Ervine (c), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams

Zimbabwe T20I squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava.

Pakistan ODI squad: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir.

Pakistan T20I squad: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan.

READ: Haris Rauf makes significant leap, Shaheen Afridi moves down in ICC T20I Rankings

LAHORE: Pakistan is set to host England, New Zealand and Zimbabwe women’s cricket teams for the first time as ICC announced the Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2025-29.

Zimbabwe will tour Pakistan in April/May 2026, while New Zealand will tour Pakistan in April 2027. Meanwhile, the England women’s team will visit Pakistan in October 2027.

The fourth cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship, which will be played from 2026-29 will see 11 sides taking part in the event for direct qualification to the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup in 2029. Zimbabwe will feature in the event for the first time.

In the Women’s Championship, each team will compete against eight other teams, following the format of four home and four away series, similar to the current edition. Across 44 series, a total of 132 ODIs will be played, with each series consisting of three matches.

In the Championship, the fourth side to visit Pakistan will be Bangladesh and they will come in October 2028.

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As part of their four away assignments, Pakistan women’s team will travel to South Africa in February 2026, and then play Sri Lanka in July the same year.

Later in November 2026, Pakistan will visit the West Indies while their final away series in the ICC Women’s Championship 2026-29 cycle will be in Ireland in June 2028.

The Future Tour Programme will see an ICC Women’s tournament taking place every year, starting with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England, the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028.

Also, to prepare for ICC events, members have mutually scheduled tri-series tournaments. Ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England, Ireland will host Pakistan and the West Indies.

Pakistan Home Series:

• April 2026: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
• April 2027: Pakistan vs New Zealand
• October 2027: Pakistan vs England
• October 2028: Pakistan vs Bangladesh

Pakistan Away Series:

• February 2026: Pakistan vs South Africa
• July 2026: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
• November 2026: Pakistan vs West Indies
• June 2028: Pakistan vs Ireland

READ: Mohammad Huraira to lead Pakistan Shaheens against Sri Lanka A

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced 15-member squads for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe on Sunday, where the national side will play three ODIs and three T20Is each.

The Australia tour will run from 4-18 November, while the matches in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will be played from 24 November to 5 December.

Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were given a break from the last two Tests against England, returned for the Australia matches but will be rested for the Zimbabwe tour.

Similarly, Mohammad Rizwan will be available for the Australia matches and Zimbabwe ODIs, but will be rested from the Zimbabwe T20Is.

This approach follows the selectors’ rotation policy and provides opportunities to domestic performers, aligning with the team’s strategy for the ICC Champions Trophy and beyond.

Uncapped players in the ODI squad include Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Saim Ayub. Jahandad Khan and Salman Ali Agha join the T20I squad for the first time.

Kamran Ghulam, Omair Bin Yousuf and Sufyan Moqim make their national side debut, having previously played limited-overs internationals.

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Kamran served as a concussion substitute for Haris Sohail against New Zealand in an ODI in January 2023, while Omair and Sufyan debuted in the T20I format against Hong Kong during the Asian Games men’s cricket competition.

Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, player of the Champions One-Day Cup in Faisalabad last month with 17 wickets, also returns to the ODI side, having last represented Pakistan in an ODI against New Zealand in January 2023.

Apart from Babar, Naseem, Rizwan, Salman, and Shaheen, four other players have been selected in both the ODI and T20I squads. They are: Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah and Muhammad Irfan Khan.

Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Faisal Akram, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, and Saim Ayub are selected solely for the ODIs and will be replaced by Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufyan Moqim, and Usman Khan for the T20Is.

Seven ODI squad members – Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi – will depart for Melbourne on Monday, 28 October, with the remaining ODI players leaving on Tuesday, 29 October. Pakistan’s white-ball coach, Gary Kirsten, will join the squad in Melbourne on 28 October.

Domestic performers dominate Pakistan squads for Zimbabwe ODIs and T20Is

Ahmed Daniyal, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Tayyab Tahir are the other players apart from Salman Ali Agha who have been selected for both formats.

Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub and Shahnawaz Dahani have been picked in the ODI side and will be replaced by Arafat Minhas, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi and Usman Khan for the shortest format of the game.

Haseebullah, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Salman Ali Agha are the four players who will be part of the squads from the start of the Australia tour to the end of the Zimbabwe tour.

Pakistan Squad for Australia Tour

ODI SQUAD: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi

T20I SQUAD: Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan

Pakistan Squad for Zimbabwe Tour

ODI SQUAD: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir

T20I SQUAD: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan

READ: Babar Azam, Rizwan retained in category A as PCB announces central contracts

Andy McBrine starred with both bat and ball as Ireland beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in a one-off Test in Belfast on Sunday after recovering from a dramatic top-order collapse.

Set just 158 to win in the shadow of Stormont Castle, Ireland had slumped to 33-5 at the close of Saturday’s third day, with Zimbabwe left-arm quick Richard Ngarava doing the bulk of the damage in a sensational burst of 4-12 in four overs.

But in the first Test to be played in Northern Ireland, the home side lost just one more wicket on Sunday.

Lorcan Tucker (56) and Andy McBrine, who completed a fine all-round match to be 55 not out, turned the tide after coming together when Ireland had collapsed to 21-5.

They added 96 for the sixth wicket before Tucker chopped on from Blessing Muzarabani with Ireland still 41 runs short of victory.

Mark Adair, however, who was born in nearby Holywood, settled quickly making 24 not out and hitting the winning boundary as Ireland finished on 158-6 to triumph with more than a day to spare.

Off-spinner McBrine was named player of the match after the 31-year-old took a combined 7-75 across Zimbabwe’s two innings.

“McBrine is the guy you want to put in your cricket bag and take everywhere. Exceptionally skilful and deserved the award today,” said Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie.

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The victory gave Ireland, who lost their opening seven Tests, a first home win in the format and back-to-back successes after they had beaten Afghanistan for their Test first win in March.

Stormont became the second Test venue in Ireland after Malahide and the 123rd in the history of Test cricket.

“Probably didn’t think growing up that there’d be a Test here,” said McBrine, who comes from the Northern Ireland village of Donemana.

McBrine said he had been “working hard behind the scenes” on his bowling before paying tribute to Ireland’s quicks.

“It was not an easy wicket to bowl on but the way they rotated allowed me to take wickets as well.”

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine was left thinking of what might have been had they been able to continue on Saturday night when Ireland were on the ropes at 33-5.

“We’d have liked five, six more overs last night,” he said. “Our games against have Ireland have always been competitive.”

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