Connect with us

Sports

Pakistan includes uncapped Asif Afridi, Mohammad Haris in ODI, T20I squads for Australia series

Published

on

  • Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi and Mohammad Haris have earned selectors’ nod due to their “impressive” domestic performances, says PCB. 
  • PCB says selectors have included 20 players in the ODI squad and 17 for the only T20I.
  • Board says squad will assemble in Lahore on March 22 and will join national team after undergoing three-day room isolation.

LAHORE: Pakistan has included uncapped Asif Afridi and Mohammad Haris in the limited-overs squad that will take on Australia in the three ODIs and one-off T20I.

“Left-arm spinner Asif and wicketkeeper/batter Haris have earned the selectors’ nod as result of their impressive performances in the domestic circuit as the selectors have continued to provide opportunities to high-performing players as part of their strategy to increase the pool of top-class cricketers and developing a formidable bench-strength,” said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a statement.

On the other hand, Mohammad Nawaz, who was withdrawn from the Test series injury, has also been included in the squad. But his selection is subject to a fitness test.

The PCB said that the selectors have included 20 players in the ODI squad and 17 for the only T20I. Abdullah Shafique, Imam-Ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel have not been included in the T20 squad.

Chair of the Selection Committee Muhammad Wasim, while congratulating Asif and Haris, said that their inclusion “is a reward for their hard work and consistent performances in the domestic circuit”.

“Australia are an equally outstanding team in the shorter formats of the game and, as such, we have decided to go with the best available and most experienced players. The four white-ball matches have significant context as the 50-over games count towards the 2023 World Cup qualification and the 20-over will be a repeat of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final,” said the chief selector.

According to the PCB, the squad will assemble in Lahore on March 22 and will undergo three-day room isolation. Once the isolation ends the players will be allowed to integrate with the national side.

Australia is ranked No 3 in ODIs, while they are the reigning T20 world champions, whereas Pakistan is ranked sixth and third in the 50-over and 20-over formats, respectively.

In the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, Australia is seventh and Pakistan ninth. The top seven ranked sides from this event plus ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 hosts India will qualify directly for the pinnacle 50-over competition, which will be staged next year in October/November.

ODI squad 

Babar Azam (captain)

Shadab Khan (vice-captain)

Abdullah Shafique 

Asif Afridi 

Asif Ali 

Fakhar Zaman 

Haider Ali 

Haris Rauf 

Hasan Ali

Iftikhar Ahmed

Imam-Ul-Haq 

Khushdil Shah

Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper) 

Mohammad Nawaz 

Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) 

Mohammad Wasim Jnr 

Saud Shakeel 

Shaheen Shah Afridi 

Shahnawaz Dahani 

Usman Qadir

T20I squad 

Babar Azam (captain)

Shadab Khan (vice-captain)

Asif Afridi 

Asif Ali 

Fakhar Zaman 

Haider Ali 

Haris Rauf 

Hasan Ali 

Iftikhar Ahmed 

Khushdil Shah 

Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper) 

Mohammad Nawaz 

Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) 

Mohammad Wasim Jnr 

Shaheen Shah Afridi Shahnawaz Dahani 

Usman Qadir

Latest News

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Latest News

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Aaqib Javed designated as interim head coach for white-ball formats of Pakistan

Published

on

By

On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the hiring of former fast bowler Aaqib Javed as the interim head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team till the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Throughout this period, Aaqib will maintain his role as a senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee and will be allocated more responsibilities upon the completion of the eight-team tournament.

The PCB will commence the recruitment process for a permanent white-ball head coach, with the objective of finalising the appointment before the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place from 19 February to 9 March.

The white-ball coaching position became available with Gary Kirsten’s departure last month, prior to the current tour of Australia.

In Kirsten’s absence, red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie led the team during the tour of Australia and will now return for the forthcoming two-Test series in South Africa.

The Pakistan men’s team is set to compete in three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5, followed by an equal number of white-ball matches in South Africa from December 10 to 22.

Prior to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan will host New Zealand and South Africa for an ODI triangular series from February 8 to 14.

Aaqib Javed had considerable coaching expertise, having formerly held the position of Pakistan’s bowling coach during their triumphant ICC T20 World Cup campaign in 2009. Earlier this year, he served as the bowling coach for the Sri Lanka men’s squad.

Before that, he managed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in achieving ODI status and qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2015 in Australia during his term as head coach.

Additionally, the right-arm fast bowler served as the coach of Pakistan’s Under-19 squad during their victory in the U19 World Cup in 2004.

Continue Reading

Trending