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Balbirnie guides Ireland to beat Pakistan by 5 wickets in T20I
Sports Bulletin ReportDublin (Ireland): Andy Balbirnie’s swashbuckling 77 runs off 55 balls laid the foundation for Ireland’s five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first T20I of the three-match series here on Friday, marking only the second T20I between the two nations.Chasing a difficult 183-run target, Ireland reached 43 for two in the PowerPlay and then 153 for four in 17 overs. Needing 11 runs off the final six deliveries, Curtis Campher struck two fours, ran a double and stole the winning run off a leg-bye off the penultimate ball to hand Ireland their first win over Pakistan. Campher remained not out on 15 runs from seven balls.Balbirnie was undoubtedly the star of Ireland’s victory and deserving player of the match. The opener clobbered 10 fours and two sixes, forming a crucial 77-run third-wicket partnership off 52 balls with Harry Tector, who contributed 36 off 27 balls with three sixes and a four.After Tector departed, Balbirnie added 39 runs off 20 balls for the fourth wicket with all-rounder George Dockrell, who clubbed two sixes and two fours in a 12-ball 24. Balbirnie’s other useful partnership was for the fifth wicket with Gareth Delany (10 not out), yielding 24 runs off 15 balls.For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi finished with figures of two for 36, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Imad Wasim snapped up a wicket each.Earlier, a blistering knock by Iftikhar Ahmed and his unbroken 32-run seventh-wicket partnership off 13 balls with Shaheen Shah Afridi lifted Pakistan from a precarious 150 for six in 17.5 overs to 182 for six in 20 overs.Iftikhar slapped three sixes and three fours in a 15-ball 37 not out, while Shaheen’s eight-ball 14 not out included two towering sixes.Pakistan seemed on course for a formidable total before they lost Babar Azam, Azam Khan, and Shadab Khan in the space of five deliveries, slipping from 116 for two in 14.3 overs to 123 for five in 15.2 overs. When Fakhar Zaman departed at the score of 150 in 17.5 overs, a score of 180 plus looked out of reach.However, Iftikhar and Shaheen demonstrated their power-hitting abilities to collect 32 runs in the remaining 13 deliveries to guide Pakistan to a score from where they could dictate terms.Babar Azam and Saim Ayub had laid the foundation of a strong total before the boat rocked, which was solidified by Iftikhar and Shaheen. After Mohammad Rizwan was run-out in the second over, Babar and Saim put on 87 runs from 57 balls for the second wicket.Babar, who batted at No. 3 to allow Saim to open the innings with Rizwan, notched up his 35th career T20I half-century when he scored 57 runs off 43 balls with a strike-rate of 132.5. His innings was studded with eight fours and a six.Babar has now scored 3,880 runs in 115 matches and will be aiming to become the second batter after Virat Kohli to achieve the 4,000 runs milestone. Kohli has scored 4,037 runs in 117 T20Is. Rohit Sharma has 3,974 runs in 151 matches, but he won’t be playing any T20Is until next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Saim struck four fours and three sixes in a 29-ball 45.
T20I Series: Pakistan to face hosts Ireland on Friday in opening fixture
Sports Bulletin ReportDublin (Ireland): The Pakistan men’s cricket team will kick off its Europe tour with the first of three T20Is against Ireland on Friday May 10, 2024). The remaining two matches will also take place at the Castle Avenue on Sunday and Tuesday, before the team heads to Headingley, Leeds, on Wednesday for a series of four T20Is against England.Following the England series, with matches scheduled at Headingley (22 May), Birmingham (25 May), Cardiff (28 May), and The Oval, London (30 May), both England and Pakistan will head to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. England will face Scotland in Barbados on 4 June in their opening match, while Pakistan will launch their campaign against the USA in Dallas on 6 June. This marks the first time Ireland will host Pakistan for a T20I series. The two sides have previously met only once in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 where Pakistan won by 39 runs with Kamran Akmal receiving the player of the match award for his 51-ball 57 and two stumpings.Interestingly, both teams are in the same group for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and will face each other in Florida on 16 June. Apart from the two sides, India, USA, and Canada are also in the same group, with the top two teams advancing to the second stage.Pakistan head coach, Azhar Mahmood said: “Our preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 began with the home series against New Zealand and now it’s all about putting the final touches on those preparations. We have clarity on our game plans, strategies and combinations. It’s about bringing everything together before we arrive in the United States.
Pakistan name 18-player squad for Ireland and England
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today (May 2) announced its 18-player squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland (10-14 May) and England (22-30 May). The squad will be reduced to 15 players for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after the first T20I at Leeds on 22 May to meet the ICC’s 24 May deadline.The men’s national selection committee has recalled fast bowler Haris Rauf, along with all-rounders Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha, in the 18-player squad. The two cricketers who did not make the cut from the original 17-player squad that faced New Zealand are wrist spinner Usama Mir and fast bowler Zaman Khan.Names of players: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman KhanHaris Rauf and wicketkeeper/batter Azam Khan were sidelined for the New Zealand T20Is due to injuries, while middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan and wicketkeeper/batter Mohammad Rizwan were rested from the two T20Is in Lahore due to niggles.The four cricketers underwent fitness assessments at the National Cricket Academy on Tuesday afternoon, showing significant improvement. This progress has provided confidence and encouragement to the PCB Medical Panel and the team management regarding their potential availability during the seven T20Is.Salman Ali Agha has established himself as a versatile cricketer, proficient in aggressive middle-order batting and off-spin bowling. His inclusion bolsters Pakistan's spin department alongside Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan.Hasan Ali's selection is attributed to his extensive experience, having featured in 50 T20Is and excelling in bilateral series and ICC Events. His impressive performance in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2024, where he claimed 14 wickets, further underlined his credentials. Currently representing Warwickshire in the English County Championship, Hasan adds depth to Pakistan’s bowling arsenal.Schedule of matches:10 May – v Ireland, 1st T20I, Dublin12 May – v Ireland, 2nd T20, Dublin14 May – v Ireland, 3rd T20I, Dublin22 May – v England, 1st T20I, Leeds25 May – v England, 2nd T20I, Birmingham28 May – v England 3rd T20I, Cardiff30 May – v England, 4th T20I, The Oval
US Ambassador Donald Blome hosts Pakistan Cricket Team
Pakistan to take on USA in T20 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup on June 6 in DallasAbdul Jabbar Faisal / Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Ambassador of the United States of America (USA) here Donald Blome on Tuesday Pakistan men’s cricket team, which will participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup that will take place in the USA, and West Indies simultaneously from June 1 to 29, 2024.The ambassador Donald Blome welcomed the national players accompanying Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi at his residence and extended his best wishes to the players for the upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup matches in the United States.It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan would face the USA in their opening contest of the T20 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup on June 6, 2024 at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas Texas.On this occasion, Ambassador Blome presented the team members with a commemorative embassy cricket ball and autographed softball bat. The Pakistani team reciprocated by presenting the ambassador with a signed cricket bat and team jersey.
England name provisional ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad
Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England Men's selection panel have named a provisional squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and United States of America (USA) starting in June and the preceding four-match Vitality IT20 series against Pakistan, which gets underway next month in Leeds.Sussex quick bowler Jofra Archer has recovered from his right elbow injury and is named in the squad. Archer’s last appearance at this level came over a year ago in England’s tour of Bangladesh in March 2023.Lancashire left-arm spinning all-rounder Tom Hartley is the sole uncapped player and, along with Surrey batter Will Jacks, are the only players not to feature at an ICC World tournament previously.Selected players, currently playing in the Indian Premier League, will return in time for the series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Headingley on Wednesday 22 May 2024.The World Cup squad will fly to the Caribbean on 31 May ahead of England’s opening group match against Scotland at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, on Wednesday 4 June.Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, Rob Key, spoke to media earlier. Rights-free video and audio files are available here.England T20 Squad for World Cup, and Pakistan Series: Jos Buttler (Captain-Lancashire), Moeen Ali (Warwickshire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Tom Hartley (Lancashire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Chris Jordan (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey), Mark Wood (Durham)England’s Schedule of T20 World Cup:England v Scotland, Tuesday 4 June 2024, Kensington Oval, Barbados (10.30am local)Australia v England. Saturday 8 June 2024, Kensington Oval, Barbados (1.00pm local)England v Oman, Thursday 13 June 2024, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua and Barbuda (3.00pm local)Namibia v England, Saturday 15 June 2024, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua and Barbuda (1.00pm local)Schedule of England vs Pakistan Series:1st IT20: England v Pakistan, Wednesday 22 May 2024, Headingley, Leeds (6.30pm local)2nd IT20: England v Pakistan, Saturday 25 May 2024, Edgbaston, Birmingham (2.30pm local)3rd IT20: England v Pakistan, Tuesday 28 May 2024, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (6.30pm local)4th IT20: England v Pakistan, Thursday30 May 2024, The Kia Oval, London (6.30pm local).
Pakistan beat New Zealand by 9 runs to level T20 Series
Babar Azam (69 runs) and Shaheen (4 for 30) script Pakistan's victory in the fifth T20ISalman KhanLAHORE: Skipper Babar Azam (69 runs) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (4 for 30) guided Pakistan to a 9-run triumph in the fifth and last T20 International to square the tie 2-2 against New Zealand here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday night. Left-arm pacer Shaheen got the Man of the Match award and Player of the Series. Babar scored a 44-ball 69 to inspire his side to 178 for five and then Shaheen decimated New Zealand's middle-order to return figures of 4-0-30-4 as the tourists were bowled out for 169 with four balls to spare. Twelve months ago, the five-T20I series between the two sides had also ended in a 2-2 stalemate, while New Zealand won the series in their backyard earlier in January this year by 4-1.Babar scored at a strike-rate of nearly 157 and slapped six fours and two sixes until he was the third batter dismissed at the score of 123 in 15 overs. Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan continued Babar’s good work by helping Pakistan to collect 55 runs off the last five overs to reach a respectable score of 178 for five.Fakhar ended up with a 33-ball 44 with four fours and a six, while Shadab belted a six and four in a five-ball 15 not out. Usman Khan scored 31 off 24 balls with three fours and six, and added 73 runs for the second wicket with Babar after Saim Ayub had departed in the second over.In turn, New Zealand started off briskly and reached 81 for one in eight overs despite Shaheen sending Tom Blundell back to the pavilion in the first over. At that stage, Usama Mir sprang into action by dismissing Mark Chapman (12, 8b, 1x4) and Tim Seifert (52, 33b, 7x4s, 2x6s) in a space of 16 runs.Shadab Khan dismissed Michael Bracewell, and Imad Wasim had the better of Cole McConchie as New Zealand slipped to 103 for five before Shaheen picked up the scalps of Jimmy Neesham, Zakary Foulkes, and Ish Sohi, leaving New Zealand reeling at 137 for eight.Josh Clarkson and Ben Sears kept New Zealand’s hopes alive in the match when the tourists needed 12 runs off the last over with two wickets standing. However, Sears and last-man William O’Rourke were run-out in the last over bowled by Amir as New Zealand were bowled out for 169 in 19.2 overs to hand Pakistan a nine-run victory.
UAE beat Oman by 55 runs in final to qualify for the 2025 Asia Cup
Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricket team qualified for the 2025 Asia Cup, a tournament they will participate in after nine long years, following a 55-run win over Oman in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup final.Their victory was backed by stupendous performances from skipper Mohammad Waseem as well as young batter Alishan Sharafu before pacer Junaid Siddique, in the company of Aayan Afzal Khan, led the bowling attack to help UAE win the final comfortably. Mohammad Waseem scored a blistering 56-ball-century and was well supported by his opening partner Alishan Sharafu who contributed 34 to their opening stand of 94 runs. After putting up 204 on the board, Junaid Siddique picked up three wickets for 38 runs in his four overs while Aayan Afzal Khan finished with figures of two for 29 to restrict Oman to 149-9 in their 20 overs, as they went on to avenge their defeat to Oman earlier in the tournament.Captain of the UAE team, Mohammad Waseem ended the ACC Premier Cup just nine runs behind his opening partner, leading his team by example. It hasn’t been too long since Waseem lit up the DP World ILT20 2024, where he set the tone at the top for his team, the MI Emirates, who won the championship. The powerful 30-year-old opener has made a habit of taking the attack to the opposition in the Finals of tournaments.
Update on Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Irfan Khan
Lahore (PR): PCB Medical Panel yesterday received radiology reports of Mohammad Rizwan and Muhammad Irfan Khan. After reviewing the reports and in consultation with the Pakistan team management, it has been decided to rest the two players from Thursday’s and Saturday’s T20Is against New Zealand. The two players will work on their rehabilitation with the PCB Medical Panel at NCA.
Pakistan beat New Zealand by 7 wickets in Second T20I
Sport Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets in the 2nd T20 International match here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday night.Pakistan Captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to field first. New Zealand made 90 all out in 18.1 overs. Mark Chapman was the top scorer with 19 runs for New Zealand, as he hit 3 fours. Cole McConchie made 15 runs including 1 four, Dean Foxcroft got 13 runs on 14 balls with the help of 1 four and a huge six, and Tim Seifert smashed 12 runs with 1 four and 1 big six. Shaheen Shah Afridi achieved 3 wickets for 13 runs, Mohammad Amir and Shadab Khan shared 2 wickets each.Pakistan achieved their target in 12.1 overs by showing excellent batting. Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer with 45 off 34 runs, as he hit 4 fours and 1 big six. Irfan Khan could make only 18 runs off 18 balls with 1 four and 1 six, Babar Azam hit 14 runs and smashed 3 fours. Ben Lister, Ish Sodhi, and Micheal Bracewell each took 1 wicket.Summarized scorecard:New Zealand (Batting) 90 all out in 18.1 OversMark Chapman (19 runs, 16 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Cole McConchie (15 runs, 18 balls, 4x1, 6x0), Dean Foxcroft (13 runs, 14 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Tim Seifert (12 runs, 10 balls, 4x1, 6x1)Pakistan (Bowling)Shaheen Shah Afridi (3 for 13), Mohammad Amir (2 for 13), Shadab Khan (2 for 15)Pakistan (Batting) 92 for 3 runs in 12.1 OversMohammad Rizwan (45 runs not out, 34 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Irfan Khan (18 runs, 18 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Babar Azam 9 14 runs, 13 balls, 4x3, 6x0)New Zealand (Bowling)Ben Lister(1 for 10), Ish Sodhi (1 for 18), Micheal Bracewell (1 for 19)
Pindi T20 Live: New Zealand make 90 runs in 18.1 overs
Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: New Zealand bundled out on a meager total of 90 runs in 18.1 overs against Pakistan in the 2nd T20 match here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday night. Pakistan need just 91 runs in 20 overs.Pakistan (Playing XI): Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Irfan Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman KhanNew Zealand (Playing XI): Michael Bracewell (captain), Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (Wicketkeeper), Ish Sodhi
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