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Mystery bowler Abrar takes seven-for as Pakistan bowl England out at 281

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2 years ago

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  • Abrar Ahmed spins magic in Multan Test.
  • Abrar 13th Pakistani bowler to take five or more wickets in an innings on debut.
  • Zahid Mahmood takes three wickets.

MULTAN: Pakistan debutant Abrar Ahmed mesmerised England on Friday, grabbing seven wickets as the visitors were bowled out at 281 soon after lunch on the opening day of the second Test in Multan.

The 24-year-old — nicknamed “Harry Potter” by friends because he wears glasses similar to those of the fictional boy wizard — spun magic of his own after England won the toss and decided to bat on a turning pitch.

He dismissed Zak Crawley (19), Ben Duckett (63) and Joe Root (eight) in the first two hours, before sending Ollie Pope (60) and Harry Brook (nine) on their way.

Ahmed became the 13th Pakistan bowler to take five or more wickets in an innings on debut.

  • Abrar Ahmed spins magic in Multan Test.
  • Abrar 13th Pakistani bowler to take five or more wickets in an innings on debut.
  • Zahid Mahmood takes three wickets.

MULTAN: Pakistan debutant Abrar Ahmed mesmerised England on Friday, grabbing seven wickets as the visitors were bowled out at 281 soon after lunch on the opening day of the second Test in Multan.

The 24-year-old — nicknamed “Harry Potter” by friends because he wears glasses similar to those of the fictional boy wizard — spun magic of his own after England won the toss and decided to bat on a turning pitch.

He dismissed Zak Crawley (19), Ben Duckett (63) and Joe Root (eight) in the first two hours, before sending Ollie Pope (60) and Harry Brook (nine) on their way.

Ahmed became the 13th Pakistan bowler to take five or more wickets in an innings on debut.

At the break, Ben Stokes and Will Jacks were at the crease with 14 and zero respectively after the first session was extended for Friday prayers.

It was in complete contrast to the first Test, when England smashed 174-0 by lunch on the opening day.

Despite losing wickets regularly, England scored at a brisk pace, with Duckett knocking nine boundaries and a six and Pope cracking five to the rope.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam employed spin as early as in the ninth over, and Ahmed bowled Crawley with a sharp incoming delivery with his fifth Test ball.

He then trapped Duckett and Root leg-before — both given out only after Azam reviewed the on-field calls.

Ahmed made it 167-5 when Pope and Brook miscued aggressive shots and were caught.

Pakistan, aiming to level the series after losing the first Test by 74 runs, included three spinners in the line-up after paceman Naseem Shah was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

The hosts are already without pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, who misses the series following appendicitis surgery, and further injuries have forced them to make three changes.

Fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf are out, along with top-order batsman Azhar Ali.

The home side have replaced them with all-rounders Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf and uncapped spinner Abrar Ahmed.

England, on their first test tour of Pakistan since 2005, won the opening match in Rawalpindi by 74 runs.

The final test is scheduled in Karachi from Dec 17.

Teams:

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (captain), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Zahid Mahmood, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Ali 

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Will Jacks, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, and James Anderson

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Today marks the end of the Champions Trophy tour in Pakistan.

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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 worldwide trophy tour concluded Monday in Pakistan. It is planned that the trophy trip will include the transportation of the prized silverware to Afghanistan.

The trophy took a journey of adventure during its stay in Pakistan, passing through several beautiful cities. After starting its tour in Islamabad, the capital, it traveled to the picturesque slopes of Murree and Nathia Gali.

The trophy went on to visit Taxila, Khanpur Dam, Abbottabad, and Karachi. Following a fast-paced trip, it has now concluded its leg in Pakistan by returning to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) headquarters in Lahore.

From December 15 to 22, the trophy will continue its global celebration after landing in South Africa.

After that, from December 25 to January 5, the Champions Trophy will travel to Australia, captivating cricket fans, before traveling to New Zealand from January 6 to January 11.

Fans will have the opportunity to interact with the trophy at the journey’s next stop in England, which is scheduled for January 12 to 14.

From January 15 to 26, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be on display in India as the grand finale of this thrilling worldwide trophy tour.

Schedule of Trophy Tour of Champions Trophy 2025

  • 16 – 25 November: Pakistan
  • 26-28 November: Afghanistan
  • 10 – 13 December – Bangladesh
  • 15 – 22 December – South Africa
  • 25 December – 5 January – Australia
  • 6 – 11 January – New Zealand
  • 12 – 14 January: England
  • 15-26 January, India
  • 27 January: event start: Pakistan

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Sumair Ahmad is named the 2025 Champions Trophy Director by PCB.

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4 days ago

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PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi commented on the appointment, saying, “Sumair is a highly organized professional with a wealth of administrative expertise.” He will undoubtedly give players, officials, and fans alike an amazing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, especially when combined with his unshakable love for cricket.

He continued, “The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to showcase Pakistan’s ability to host world-class cricketing events, welcoming players and fans from around the globe to experience the country’s renowned hospitality and passion for the game.”

The BCCI informed the ICC earlier this month that it will not be sending a side to the event, which is set for 2025 in Pakistan during the February–March season.

After the PCB asked for clarity in its letter regarding the BCCI’s unwillingness to tour Pakistan, the ICC requested India’s justifications for not inviting Pakistan to compete for the Champions Trophy.

The broadcasters, meanwhile, reportedly pushed the ICC to make the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule available right away.

Due to the Indian government’s refusal to send a delegation to Pakistan for the event, the schedule that was supposed to be issued on November 12 was postponed.

The broadcasting rights, which were given to broadcasters for a record $3 billion until 2027, are heavily dependent on the success of the main events, especially those involving India and Pakistan, which regularly attract the largest audiences.

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India withdraws from the World Cup of Blind T20 Cricket in Pakistan

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5 days ago

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Adding to the issue surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Indian government refused to allow their squad to travel to Pakistan for the Blind Cricket T20 World Cup, which is set to start in Lahore on November 23.

According to Indian media, India, the reigning champion, would not go to Pakistan to play in the Blind T20 World Cup 2024 since the government has not given its approval.

Lahore and Multan are set to host the Blind T20 World Cup 2024 from November 23 to December 3.

The general secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA), Sailendra Yadav, recently discussed the upsetting news about the blind cricket team’s upcoming trip to Pakistan in an interview with India Today.

The team was given a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Sports Ministry, but the Ministry of External Affairs finally refused to allow them to enter the border, Yadav revealed.

Yadav stated, “We have been waiting for the government to give us permission to travel to Pakistan for the past 25 days.”

“We will not be receiving any authorization to travel to Pakistan, and we can cancel your tournament,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed us over the phone.

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