Cricket
Saleema Imtiaz to officiate in Pakistan v South Africa women’s series
Lahore (PR): Pakistan’s Saleema Imtiaz will officiate in her first ODI bilateral series when she takes the field during the upcoming three-match women’s ODI series between Pakistan and South Africa in Lahore, with the PCB confirming the match officials for the series.The three-match ODI series will be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium from 16 to 22 September.Saleema, who is part of the ICC International Panel of Umpires will be joined by Australia’s Claire Polosak, who returns to Pakistan after officiating in the Pakistan v West Indies women’s series last year in Karachi. Polosak, also a member of the ICC International Panel of Umpires, will stand in all three ODIs as an on-field umpire.Humairah Farah has been named as the reserve umpire for the series, while Tariq Rasheed from the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires will also perform duty of an on-field umpire during the series. Former Test cricketer Ali Naqvi, a member of the PCB and ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control team.Umpire and match referee appointments (Matches from 16 to 22 September)16 September – First ODI. Claire Polosak and Saleema Imtiaz (on-field umpires), Tariq Rasheed (third umpire), Humairah Farah (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)19 September – Second ODI. Claire Polosak and Tariq Rasheed (on-field umpires), Saleema Imtiaz (third umpire), Humairah Farah (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)22 September – Third ODI. Claire Polosak and Saleema Imtiaz (on-field umpires), Tariq Rasheed (third umpire), Humairah Farah (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)
Maaz Sadaqat’s century helps Shaheens secure third win in Top End T20 Series
Darwin (SBR): Maaz Sadaqat’s century powered Pakistan Shaheens to an emphatic 107-run win over Adelaide Strikers in the 23rd fixture of the Top End T20 Series at the DXC Arena in Darwin on Wednesday evening. This was Shaheens’ third victory in the event, taking their tally to six points from five matches.After electing to bat first, the opening pair of Maaz Sadaqat and Yasir Khan provided a solid foundation with a 149-run partnership for the first wicket. Yasir was the first to return back to the pavilion after scoring 51 off 35 balls, hitting five fours and a six. This was his second half-century of the tournament.Left-handed batter Maaz was then joined by Abdul Samad and the pair added 32 runs for the second wicket. 20-year-old Maaz went on to register his maiden century of the tournament, striking 11 fours and two sixes in his 59-ball knock of 104.Shaheens’ total was further boosted by a quick-fire 25 off 18 balls from Abdul Samad, which included a four and a six as they scored 202 for six in 20 overs.For Strikers, Harry Manenti claimed three wickets for 31 runs in three overs.In reply, Strikers lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 49 for five in the eighth over. Opening batter Mackenzie Harvey top-scored with a 17-ball 27, laced with five boundaries.For Shaheens, left-arm spinners Faisal Akram and Mehran Mumtaz bagged two wickets apiece, while right-arm off-spinner Mubasir Khan was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 19 runs in three overs.Pakistan Shaheens will face Nepal on Friday, 22 August, at the same venue. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 7pm.Scores in brief:Pakistan Shaheens beat Adelaide Strikers by 107 runsPakistan Shaheens 202-6, 20 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 104, Yasir Khan 51, Abdul Samad 25; Harry Manenti 3-31)Adelaide Strikers 95 all out, 16.1 overs (Mackenzie Harvey 27; Mubasir Khan 3-19, Faisal Akram 2-19, Mehran Mumtaz 2-20)Player of the match – Maaz Sadaqat (Pakistan Shaheens)
Chicago Kingsmen beat Pakistan Shaheens by 69 runs
Sports Bulletin ReportDarwin (Australia): Chicago Kingsmen defeated Pakistan Shaheens by 69 runs in the 17th fixture of the Top End T20 Series at the DXC Arena, Darwin, on Tuesday afternoon. This was Shaheens’ second loss in the 11-team tournament.Chasing 207 to win, Shaheens were never in the hunt as they lost four wickets inside the batting powerplay. At 28 for four, opening batter Yasir Khan was joined by captain Muhammad Irfan Khan and the pair added 43 runs for the fifth wicket.Following the dismissal of Irfan (24, 18b, 2x4s, 1x6) in the 10th over, Shaheens suffered regular setbacks and closed on 137 for eight in 20 overs. Yasir top-scored with a 32-ball 38, smashing five fours. For Kingsmen, Scott Kuggeleign was the most successful bowler with three for 19 from four overs, while Ehsan Adil picked up two for 20 in three overs.Earlier, after being put into bat, Kingsmen posted 206 for five in their allotted 20 overs. Milind Kumar, later named player of the match, struck a 37-ball 74, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Tajinder Dhillon contributed a 37-ball 58, which included four fours and two sixes. For Shaheens, Mohammad Wasim Jnr claimed two wickets, while Saad Masood and Shahid Aziz took one wicket apiece.Pakistan Shaheens will now take on Adelaide Strikers at the same venue on Wednesday, 20 August. The match will start at 7pm local time.Scores in brief:Chicago Kingsmen 206-5, 20 overs (Milind Kumar 74, Tajinder Dhillon 58, Shayan Jahangir 30; Mohammad Waseem Jnr 2-57)Pakistan Shaheens 137-8, 20 overs (Yasir Khan 38, Muhammad Irfan Khan 24, Shahid Aziz 24; Scott Kuggeleign 3-19, Ehsan Adil 2-20)Player of the match: Milind Kumar (Chicago Kingsmen).
Men’s Central Contracts announced for 2025-26 international season
Babar, Shaheen, and Rizwan fail to impress PCB, 30 players awarded contractsAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded central contracts to 30 male cricketers for the upcoming 2025-26 international season, as trio Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan bounded in Category B, as they were in the A category last year.According to PCB, the contracts will be effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, reflect the Board’s continued commitment to recognising and supporting national talent. This year’s roster sees 10 players each placed in Categories B, C, and D. Notably, no player has been selected for Category A in this cycle.Compared to last year’s list of 27 contracted players, the PCB has expanded the pool to 30, including 12 fresh additions, highlighting the emergence of promising new talent and the Board’s strategic focus on squad depth and future development.The new entrants are: Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza and Sufyan Moqim.Name of five promoted players: Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan – all promoted from C to B category.Nine players retained positions: Abdullah Shafique (Category C): Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr – all in Category D, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel: all in Category C, Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi – both in Category B.Eight players have missed out: Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Irfan Khan and Usman Khan – all in Category (D).List of this year’s centrally contacted players:Category B (10 players): Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah AfridiCategory C (10 players): Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Sajid Khan and Saud ShakeelCategory D (10 players): Ahmed Daniyal, Hussain Talat, Khurram Shahzad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Shan Masood and Sufyan Moqim
Mohammad Salman replaces Ahmed Daniyal in Top End T20 Series
Lahore (PR):Right-arm fast bowler Mohammad Salman has replaced Ahmed Daniyal in Pakistan Shaheens squad for the ongoing Top End T20 Series in Darwin, Australia.Ahmed, who has represented Pakistan in two T20Is, sustained a hairline fracture on his right thumb during a fielding session in Darwin. Salman will depart for Australia on Wednesday, 20 August.
Samad’s unbeaten 110 hands Shaheens 73-run win over Renegades
Darwin (SBR): Abdul Samad’s unbeaten 110 off 63 balls helped Pakistan Shaheens bag their second win in the Top End T20 Series as they beat Melbourne Renegades by 73 runs here at the TIO Stadium in Darwin on Monday evening.Pakistan Shaheens will face Chicago Kingsmen in their next fixture on Tuesday with the first ball expected to be bowled at 1pm local time.Shaheens dismissed Renegades for 105 in 19.2 overs after posting 178-5 in their allotted 20 overs on the back of Samad’s 56-ball century. The right hander walked in to bat in the first over and found Shaheens reeling at 2-2 as both opening batters returned for ducks.Samad stitched a 32-run stand with Mohammad Faiq (21, 18b, 2x4s, 1x6) before the latter fell in the seventh over, while Maaz Sadaqat followed him in the 10th over with the scorecard reading 55-4.From thereon, Samad and skipper Mohammad Irfan Khan put on a game-changing 109-run stand. Samad struck six fours and as many sixes during his unbeaten stay at the crease, while Irfan returned for a run-a-ball 23 comprising one four and a solitary six.For Renegades, Oliver Peake, Fergus O’Neill, Will Sutherland, Callum Stow and Michael Archer picked up one wicket each.In turn, Renegades slid to 66-8 and then 105 all out after being 25-1. Apart from opening batter Josh Brown (36, 30b, 5x4s, 1x6) none of the top eight batters entered double figures.Xavier Crone (11, 17b), Callum Stow (15, 16b, 1x4) and Michael Archer (14 not out 19b) pushed their team past the 100-run mar batting at no.9, 10 and 11, respectively.For Shaheens, Maaz Sadaqat returned figures of 4-0-22-3, while Faisal Akram backed up his five-for from previous game with 2-19 in four overs. Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Ubaid Shah and Saad Masood dismissed one batter each.Scores in brief:Pakistan Shaheens beat Melbourne Renegades by 73 runs at the TIO Stadium, DarwinPakistan Shaheens 178-5, 20 overs (Abdul Samad 110, Muhammad Irfan Khan 23, Mohammad Faiq 21; Oliver Peake 1-12)Melbourne Renegades 105 all out, 19.2 overs (Josh Brown 36; Maaz Sadaqat 3-22, Faisal AkrramPlayer of the match – Abdul Samad (Pakistan Shaheens)Pakistan Shaheens’ Top End T20 schedule:14 Aug – Pakistan Shaheen won by 79 runs16 Aug – Perth Scorchers won by two wickets18 Aug – Pakistan Shaheens won by 73 runs19 Aug – vs Kingsmen, DXC Arena (1pm local time)20 Aug – vs Strikers, DXC Arena (7pm local time)22 Aug – vs Nepal, DXC Arena (7pm local time)
Pakistan announce squads for UAE T20I tri-series and Asia Cup
Lahore (PR)::The Men’s National Selection Committee has announced Pakistan squads for the upcoming T20I tri-series and Asia Cup scheduled to take place in the UAE from 29 August to 28 September. The tri-series, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan and UAE will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 29 August to 7 September.The eight-team ACC Asia Cup T20I tournament will be staged in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from 9 to 28 September. Pakistan are placed in Group ‘A’ alongside India, Oman and UAE.17-member squad:Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.Tri-series schedule (all matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium):29 August – Afghanistan v Pakistan – 7pm local time30 August – UAE v Pakistan – 7pm local time1 September – UAE v Afghanistan – 7pm local time2 September – Pakistan v Afghanistan – 7pm local time4 September – Pakistan v UAE – 7pm local time5 September – Afghanistan v UAE – 7pm local time7 September – Final – 7pm local timeACC Asia Cup T20 2025 (Pakistan fixtures, Super Fours and Final)12 September – Oman v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time14 September – India v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time17 September – UAE v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time20-26 September – Super Fours fixtures (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)28 September – Final, DICS, 6pm local time
CAM STRIKERS EMERGE VICTORIOUS IN JASHN-E-AZADI CUP
TAXILA (Sports Report): In a thrilling match played at the Faisal Hills Cricket Ground, Cam Strikers defeated URCC by 19 runs to lift the Jashn-e-Azadi 35 overs cup.Batting first, Cam Strikers set a challenging target of 276 runs, thanks to a brilliant century by Sohail Afiridi. The team's innings was marked by significant contributions from Qadeer Haider (29), Hasan (27), and Tahir Naqash (17), with Najeeb providing a quick finish with 25 not out.In response, URCC put up a strong fight but ultimately fell short of the target, scoring 257 runs in 33rd overs. Junaid top-scored for URCC with 44, while Aizaz contributed 43 and Rohan added 28. The Cam Strikers bowling unit was led by Farman Senior, who claimed 3 crucial wickets. Idrees chipped in with 2 wickets, while Tahir Naqash, Saleem Jr., Abdul Rehman, and Sohail each picked up 1 wicket.Sohail Afiridi's all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award. The Faisal Hills Management congratulated both teams on a game well played and commended the efforts of the players and officials involved.
Saliya Saman banned for five years under Anti-Corruption Code
Dubai (PR): Former Sri Lankan domestic cricketer Saliya Saman has been banned from all cricket for five years after an ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code.Saman was among eight people charged in September 2023 for breaching the Code.The charges relate to the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League and attempts to corrupt matches in that tournament which were disrupted by the ICC, the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO) for the purposes of the ECB’s Code for the tournament.
Samad, Nafay and Yasir half-centuries give Shaheens winning start
Darwin (PCB Report): Half-centuries from Abdul Samad, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay and Yasir Khan, followed by a combined seven wickets from the spinners, powered Pakistan Shaheens to a resounding 79-run win over Bangladesh ‘A’ in the opening match of the Top End T20 Series at the TIO Stadium in Darwin on Thursday evening.After opting to bat first, Shaheens posted a formidable 227 for four in 20 overs. Openers Khawaja Nafay (61, 31b, 8x4s, 2x6s) and Yasir Khan (62, 40b, 7x4s, 2x6s) provided a blazing 118-run stand in just 11.1 overs. Abdul Samad then played an unbeaten knock of 56 off 27 balls (1x4, 5x6s), adding 36 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Muhammad Irfan Khan (25, 12b, 1x4, 3x6s) to take the total past 200.In turn, Bangladesh ‘A’ made a brisk start despite losing their first wicket in the opening over, reaching 92 for one in seven overs. Left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat struck a decisive blow in the eighth over, removing opener Jishan Alam (33, 17b, 5x4s, 1x6) and breaking an 86-run second-wicket stand.From there, Shaheens’ spinners took control. Faisal Akram (3-19) and Saad Masood (3-30) led the charge, while fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jnr chipped in with 2-24 to dismiss Bangladesh ‘A’ for 148 in 16.5 overs. Shaheens will now take on the Scorchers in their next fixture on Saturday, 16 August, at the same venue. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 4pm local time.Scores in brief:Pakistan Shaheens beat Bangladesh ‘A’ by 79 runsPakistan Shaheens 227-4, 20 overs (Yasir Khan 62, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 61, Abdul Samad 56 not out, Mohammad Irfan Khan 25)Bangladesh ‘A’ 148 all out, 16.5 overs (Mohammad Saif Hassan 57, Jishan Alam 33; Faisal Akram 3-19, Saad Masood 3-30, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-24)Player of the match – Yasir Khan (Pakistan Shaheens).
Most Popular
