Cricket - Int News
Mohammad Waseem to lead UAE in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier
Dubai (SBR): UAE will compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and EAP Qualifier next month. Prolific opener Mohammad Waseem will lead the 15-member squad. Three teams will earn qualification from the Qualifier for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 which will be played in India and Sri Lanka. A total of nine teams are competing in the tournament – divided into three pools of three teams each. UAE have been placed in Group 1 along with Malaysia and Qatar. The team will play Qatar on Wednesday, 8 October and Malaysia on Friday, 10 October. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the Super Six Stage. Super Six matches will take place from 12 to 17 October – the top three teams from the Super Six Stage will earn ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 qualification. UAE (squad): Mohammad Waseem (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Jonathan Figy, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Irfan, Rahul Chopra (wicketkeeper), Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh and Zahid Ali.Support Staff: Amjad Ezzi (team manager), Lalchand Rajput (head coach), Azharuddin Qureshi (strength and conditioning coach), Manipreet Sidhu (video analyst) and Manish Pradeshi (physiotherapist). Schedule (Oman – UAE matches):Wednesday, 8 October – UAE vs Qatar – 2:30pm – Al Amerat Cricket Stadium Friday, 10 October – UAE vs Malaysia – 10:00am – Al Amerat Cricket Ground Turf 2 Super Six Stage – 12 October to 17 October – Al Amerat Cricket Stadium and Al Amerat Cricket Ground Turf 2
PCB announces an 18-member squad for South Africa Test series
Lahore (SBR):The national selection committee has named an 18-member squad for the two-Test match series, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 against South Africa, commencing on 12 October. The squad will be further trimmed before the start of the first Test.Shan Masood will continue to lead the side, while three uncapped players – Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram and Rohail Nazir have also been included.South Africa, champions of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, will take on Pakistan in the first Test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 12 to 16 October, while the second Test will be staged at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi from 20 to 24 October.The two-Test match series will be followed by three T20Is and as many ODIs to be played from 28 October to 8 November. The squad for the white-ball series will be announced in due course.The players for the pre-series camp will undergo training under red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood and NCA coaches later today till Wednesday, 8 October. The players who featured in the recently concluded ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup will join the squad on 4 October.Pakistan squad:Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah AfridiSouth Africa tour to Pakistan12-16 October – First Test at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore20-24 October – Second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi28 October – First T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi31 October – Second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore1 November – Third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore4 November – First ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad6 November – Second ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad8 November – Third ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
Wheelchair T20 Cricket: Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets
Sports Bulletin ReportKarachi: Pakistan wheelchair cricket team defeated Afghanistan by 5 wickets in the opening fixture of the 4-match T20 Cricket Series here at UBL Sports Complex. Chasing 146, the hosts sealed victory in just 15.5 overs. Usama Tariq dazzled with a quick-fire 66, while leg-spinner Imran Arain delivered a match-winning spell, claiming five wickets to earn the Player of the Match award.Batting first, Afghanistan posted 145 in 19.4 overs after winning the toss. Asif top-scored with 28, Raheem made 26, and Zar Alam chipped in with 13. Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the innings, with Imran Arain taking 5 wickets, Muhammad Fayyaz 3, and Ayub 1.Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Usama Tariq’s 40-ball 66, supported by Mohammad Fayyaz’s unbeaten 37. Ahmed added 16 runs, while contributions from Misal (5), skipper Mohammad Zeeshan (5), and Mubeen (6) ensured a smooth pursuit. Imran Arain remained not out alongside Fayyaz as Pakistan reached the target with ease.Speaking after the match, captain Mohammad Zeeshan expressed pride: “After 20 years, we are finally hosting international wheelchair cricket on home soil. Later this year, Pakistan will also stage the Wheelchair Asia Cup featuring six teams.Afghanistan’s captain Mansoor Adil praised the occasion: “Pakistan’s hospitality has been excellent. This series is a valuable preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup.The second T20 will be played on Tuesday at 7:30 PM at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi.
Asia Cup: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 11 runs to reach in final
Dubai (SBR): Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed three wickets and hit a brisk 19 off 13 balls, while Haris Rauf claimed a three-fer as Pakistan defended 135 to beat Bangladesh by 11 runs in the ACC T20 Asia Cup Super-Four game at Dubai International Stadium on Thursday night and set up a final against India on Sunday.The pace duo of Shaheen and Haris returned combined figures of 6-50 in their eight overs as Pakistan defended their joint-second lowest T20I total against Bangladesh.Defending the 136-run target, Shaheen provided his side with the perfect start, removing Parvez Hossain Emon for a two-ball duck – his 22nd first-over wicket in T20Is – followed by the scalp of Towhid Hridoy (5) to leave Bangladesh 23-2 in 4.2 overs.Haris Rauf then eked out the prized scalp of Saif Hassan (18, 15b, 1x4, 2x6s) on the first ball of the sixth over, reducing Bangladesh to 36-3 at the end of the powerplay.Nawaz sent Mahedi (11) back in the hut on the final delivery of the eighth over as Bangladesh were left reeling on 44-4. Nurul Hasan (16, 21b, 1x6) and Shamim Hossain (30, 25b, 2x6s) then put on 19 runs for the fifth wicket, before the former fell prey to Saim Ayub with Bangladesh requiring another 72 runs from the last eight overs.Saim, continuing his fine form with the ball, got rid of skipper Jaker Ali (5, 9b) when Nawaz grabbed his third catch of the night in the 14th over, reducing Bangladesh to 73-6.Shaheen ended Shamim’s 25-ball resistance in the 17th over, while Haris struck twice in the following over as Bangladesh slumped to 101-9.Haris defended 23 runs in the final over, handing his side the victory. Saim returned figures of 4-0-16-2 taking his tournament tally of wickets to eight.Earlier, Pakistan were asked to bat first and lost their opening duo within first ten balls of the game with just five runs on the board. Pakistan finished the Powerplay with Fakhar Zaman (13, 20b, 2x4s) and Salman Ali Agha in the middle with the score at 27-2. Fakhar fell in the subsequent over, while Hussain Talat followed him nine balls later.Trouble deepened for Pakistan when Agha was dismissed with scorecard reading 49-5 in 10.5 overs. Shaheen, at no.7, played a crucial cameo of 13-ball 19 hitting two sixes, before losing his wicket to Taskin in the 14th over with 71 runs on the board.Mohammad Haris (31, 23b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Nawaz then stitched a 38-run partnership off 24 balls for the seventh wicket to take Pakistan past the 100-run mark.Bangladesh landed another blow in the 18th over when Pakistan’s top-scorer Haris was caught and bowled by Mahedi. Nawaz (25, 15b, 1x4, 2x6s) then hit Taskin for a maximum off the first delivery of the penultimate over, but was caught at cover on the very next ball.Faheem Ashraf’s solitary four and three twos in the final over lifted Pakistan to 135-8 in 20 overs. For Bangladesh, Taskin finished with figures of 4-0-28-3. Rishad and Mahedi picked up two wickets apiece.Scores in brief:Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 11 runs at Dubai International Cricket StadiumPakistan 135-8, 20 overs (Mohammad Haris 31, Mohammad Nawaz 25, Shaheen Shah Afridi 19, Salman Ali Agha 19; Taskin Ahmed 3-28, Rishad Hossain 2-18, Mahedi Hasan 2-28)Bangladesh 124-9, 20 overs (Shamim Hossain 30, Saif Hassan 18; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-17, Haris Rauf 3-33, Saim Ayub 2-16)Player of the match – Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)
Players need to deliver 100 percent to overcome opponents, Afridi
Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: If Pakistan reach in the final of the T20 Asia cup 2025, all 11 players will have to deliver hundred percent in all the 3 deportments of the game including batting, bowling and fielding to overcome opposite team, this was stated by former Test cricketer and captain Shahid Khan Afridi while talking to the media-person here at National Press Club (NPC) on Wednesday.Shahid Afridi, with 27 Test, 398 ODI, and 99 T20 matches for Pakistan, said that he missed right-arm pacer Naseem Shah, as the pitches and conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were suitable, helping and supporting the seam bowlers. “Although Pakistani players are not producing sparkling performances, however, after toiling hard in all three departments of cricket, they can turn the tables of the match, “he maintained.Replying to a question, he said that with the ongoing cricket infrastructure at the domestic level of Pakistan could not compete with the top cricketing nations of the world. “The top officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will have to pay their attention to domestic cricket. When the domestic system will be strong you will get strong players in the national team, “he added.“When I was playing home cricket, there was very tough competition, and a player had to work hard to play in first-class matches. So, we need to work at the national level of cricket, and chairman PCB will have to work on it. We have tremendous talent, we can make unbeatable teams in all three formats, including Test, ODI, and T20, “he replied to another question.A question regarding the skipper Agha Ali Salman, Afrid said that he always supported and encouraged young players. “When PCB put the responsibilities of captaincy on the shoulders of Afga Salam, I had a different opinion. Now, he is young and leading the Green Shirts in international competition, we should back him and support him, “legendary former cricket Shahid Khan Afridi concluded, who got 44 Test, 395 ODI, and 98 T20 during his international career and scored 5 Test and 6 ODI tons.
England Men’s squads named for New Zealand and Australia tour
Islamabad (Sports Desk): The England Men’s selection panel has named a 16-strong squad for the Ashes Test tour of Australia, alongside IT20 and ODI squads for the white-ball tour of New Zealand, which precedes the Ashes.England Men's Test Squad (16 players): Ben Stokes (Durham-Captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire – Vice-Captain), Brydon Carse (Durham), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire), Mark Wood (Durham)England Men’s ODI Squad (16 players): Harry Brook (Yorkshire – Captain), Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Tom Banton (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Sam Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Luke Wood (Lancashire)England Men’s IT20 Squad (15 players): Harry Brook (Yorkshire – Captain), Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Tom Banton (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Jordan Cox (Essex), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Luke Wood (Lancashire)England Men’s White-Ball Tour of New Zealand Schedule: (Timings local)1st IT20: New Zealand v England, Saturday 18 October 2025, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 7.15pm start2nd IT20: New Zealand v England, Monday 20 October 2025, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 7.15pm start3rd IT20: New Zealand v England, Thursday 23 October 2025 Eden Park, Auckland 7.15pm start1st ODI: New Zealand v England, Saturday 26 October 2025, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui 2.00pm start2nd ODI: New Zealand v England, Wednesday 29 October 2025, Seddon Park, Hamilton, 2.00pm start3rd ODI: New Zealand v England, Saturday 1 November 2025, Sky Stadium, Wellington, 2.00pm startEngland Men’s Ashes Test Tour of Australia Schedule: (Timings local)1st Test: Australia v England, 21-25 November 2025, Optus Stadium, Perth, 10.30am start2nd Test: Australia v England, 4-8 December 2025, GABBA, Brisbane, 2.30pm start3rd Test: Australia v England, 17-21 December 2025, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 10.30am start4th Test: Australia v England, 25-29 December 2025, MCG, Melbourne, 10.30am start5th Test: Australia v England, 3-7 January 2026, SCG, Sydney, 10.30am start
Pakistan to host m T20I tri-series involving Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
Lahore (PCB Report): The Pakistan Cricket Board will host its maiden T20I tri-series when Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka feature in a three-nation tournament from 17 to 29 November.The series has been organised to provide all teams with valuable preparation ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be staged in India and Sri Lanka.The tri-series will begin on 17 November with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This will be Afghanistan’s first-ever T20I in Pakistan, having earlier played five ODIs in the country, the last of which was against Australia during ICC Champions Trophy in February this year.On 19 November, Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the remaining five T20Is of the tri-series, including the final on 29 November will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.Earlier, in October/November, Pakistan will host South Africa for a two-match Test series – part of ICC World Test Championship 2025-27, as well as three T20Is and three ODIs from 12 October to 8 November.PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed: “We look forward to hosting Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for Pakistan’s maiden T20I tri-series. This event will not only offer excellent preparation for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, but also present fans with exciting cricket across venues.“Earlier this year, PCB successfully delivered the ICC Champions Trophy and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier. These achievements underline our capacity and readiness to host back-to-back international events at the highest level.”Tri-Series T20I Tournament (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka)17 November – Pakistan v Afghanistan, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi19 November – Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi22 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore23 November – Pakistan v Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore25 November – Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore27 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore29 November –Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY CLUB ANNOUNCES GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH LAHORE QALANDERS
Birmingham (UK): Forming a joint global venture between the two professional cricket clubs, Warwickshire Country Cricket Club [WCCC] announces a new partnership with Lahore Qalanders, demonstrating a shared commitment to develop a long-term strategic vision that will help to grow cricket across Birmingham and Warwickshire in the UK,and Lahore in Pakistan.Officially launching in Autumn, the partnership includes the roll-out of mutually beneficial ventures for 2026 and beyond, that will focus on talent and performance development through player and coach exchanges, academies and scouting networks, community projects, support for grassroot cricket, and commercial opportunities.The partnership, announced by WCCC, follows the milestone acquisition for the club of Birmingham's Phoenix alongside partners, Knighthead LLP last month [July 2025].Abraham Khan, Finance Director of WCCC, commented, “Collaborating with LahoreQalanders is not only about cricket at the highest level, but is about creating opportunities that will further enhance the growth of the game.“By working together, we can pave the way for youth pathways, bolster funding and support for grassroot cricket, launch community initiatives and pool shared resource for development across all levels of the club.“Our commitment to a collaborative approach comes from a shared belief that cricket can be a powerful force for positive change. This a new chapter for the club and places WCCC and Lahore Qalanders at the forefront of a global cricket partnership, and I’m excited to see theimpact this will have for our fans, our cities, and the future of the game.”Sameen Rana, Lahore Qalandars Owner and COO, said, “This partnership withWarwickshire County Cricket Club is a landmark moment for Lahore Qalandars. Our philosophy has always been to think beyond boundaries, and this is another step in that journey. Together, we aim to elevate professional performance, unlock new avenues to identify and nurture talent, and use the power of cricket to inspire and connect our communities in Lahore and Birmingham.”He further added: “This collaboration is not just about cricket, it is about building shared pathways for players, coaches and fans, while expanding our global reach and creating new opportunities for growth. We believe this joint venture will establish a sustainable model that strengthens both clubs on and off the field and most importantly, leaves a lasting legacy forthe future of the game.”The partnership was brokered by the British Pakistan Initiative [BPI] following an Academy tours to Lahore, organised by Raf Sabir, Finance Director for CVS, in March 2025, creating a cultural and sporting exchange that evolved into a comprehensive long-term strategicalliance, now set to reshape the cricketing landscape in both Birmingham and Lahore. (PR)
Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 39 runs in Tri-Nation opener
Sharjah (SBR): Captain’s innings from Salman Ali Agha and four-fer by Haris Rauf led Pakistan to a 39-run win over Afghanistan in the first T20I match of the tri-series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday night. Pakistan will take on the UAE in the second match of the tournament at the same venue on Saturday, with the first ball set to be bowled at 7pm local time.Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan posted 182 for seven in their 20 overs. Salman anchored the innings with a well-compiled unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, which included three fours and as many sixes. He added 53 runs for the fifth wicket with Mohammad Nawaz (21, 11b, 1x4, 2x6s) after Pakistan had been reduced to 83 for four.Sahibzada Farhan (21, 10b, 1x4, 2x6s) and Fakhar Zaman (20, 17b, 1x4, 1x6) also contributed at the top of the order, while Afghanistan’s Fareed Ahmed claimed two wickets for 47 runs.In turn, Afghanistan reached 92 for two before losing five wickets for just four runs, slipping to 97 for seven. Captain Rashid Khan top-scored with 39 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz made 38, but Pakistan’s bowlers maintained control. Haris Rauf led the attack with four wickets for 31 in 3.5 overs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-21), Nawaz (2-23) and Sufiyan Moqim (2-25) chipped in as Afghanistan were dismissed for 143 in 19.5 overs.Scores in brief:Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 39 runs at Sharjah Cricket StadiumPakistan 182-7, 20 overs (Salman Ali Agha 53 not out, Mohammad Nawaz 21, Sahibzada Farhan 21; Fareed Ahmed 2-47)Afghanistan 143 all out, 19.5 overs (Rashid Khan 39, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 38; Haris Rauf 4-31, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-21, Mohammad Nawaz 2-23, Sufiyan Moqim 2-25)Player of the match – Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan
Perth Scorchers beat Pakistan Shaheens to qualify for Top End T20 Series final
Darwin, Australia (SBR): Perth Scorchers beat Pakistan Shaheens by 48 runs in the first semi-final of the Top End T20 Series at the Gardens in Darwin on Sunday morning. This was Shaheens’ second successive loss at the semi-final stage, having lost to Adelaide Strikers in the first semi-final of last year’s edition at the DXC Arena.After being put into bat, Scorchers scored 155 for eight in their 20 overs. They were in a spot of bother in the middle of their innings, as they lost six wickets for 69 courtesy of complete domination by the spin trio of Faisal Akram, Mehran Mumtaz and Saad Masood.At that point, Nicholas Hobson was joined by Matthew Kelly, and the pair added 44 runs for the seventh wicket to take their score beyond the 100 mark. They eventually finished on 155 for eight in their allotted 20 overs. Hobson top-scored with a 43-ball 59, which included seven fours and two sixes, while Kelly contributed 23 off 19 balls, hitting one four and two sixes.Shaheens’ right-arm leg-spinner Saad was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 21 runs, while Mehran and Mohammad Wasim Jnr bagged two wickets each. Left-arm spinner Faisal managed to pick up a wicket, conceding 36 runs in the process.In reply, Shaheens lost three wickets inside five overs with only 17 runs on the board. Khawaja Nafay and captain Muhammad Irfan Khan then came together and added 38 runs for the fourth wicket before right-handed batter Nafay was run out for 26 off 24 balls, which included one four and two sixes.Irfan, who was named player of the match in the previous game against Nepal, was dismissed for 17 off 15 balls, hitting one four. After the departure of the skipper, Shaheens lost wickets in quick succession and were bundled out for 107 in 17.1 overs, with Wasim (25, 26b, 3x4s, 1x6) the last man to return to the pavilion.For Scorchers, Keaton Critchell took three wickets, while Bryce Jackson and Kelly bagged two each.Before the semi-final, in the 11-team tournament, Pakistan Shaheens had finished second on the table with four wins from six matches.Scores in brief:Perth Scorchers 155-8, 20 overs (Nicholas Hobson 59, Teague Wills 29, Matthew Kelly 23; Saad Masood 3-21, Mehran Mumtaz 2-18, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-35)Pakistan Shaheens 107 all out, 17.1 overs (Khawaja Nafay 26, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 25; Keaton Critchell 3-13, Matthew Kelly 2-8, Bryce Jackson 2-14)Player of the match – Keaton Critchell (Perth Scorchers)
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