Pakistan drop Shaheen, Azam and Rizwan for Bangladesh T20s
KARACHI: Pakistan dropped stars Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan on Wednesday as they named a new-look squad for three home Twenty20 internationals against Bangladesh.
Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson will take charge for the first time after being appointed last week, replacing Aaqib Javed.
Salman Ali Agha will captain Pakistan as they look towards next year's Twenty20 World Cup, to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Fast bowler Shaheen had played in Pakistan's last T20 series in New Zealand in March, but batsmen Azam and Rizwan were omitted for the second consecutive T20 series after being criticised for slow scoring.
"The squad has been selected based on players' performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, which concludes on May 25," the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.
Shaheen has taken 12 wickets for Lahore Qalandars in 10 PSL matches at an economy rate of 8.20.
Opener Sahibzada Farhan earned a recall after topping the PSL batting charts with 394 runs.
Batsmen Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman return after missing the New Zealand tour with injuries.
Fast bowler Hasan Ali is back after being sidelined with multiple injuries since May last year.
The PCB said that the matches, which have been affected by a 10-day delay to the PSL caused by the deadly India-Pakistan conflict, will be held in Lahore on May 28, 30 and June 1. — AFP
Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
26-05-2025
- Observer
Al Abyad local Camel Racing concludes in Sinaw
MUSCAT: The 13th edition of the annual Al Abyad Local Camel Racing Festival concluded on Sunday at the Al Abyad race track in the Wilayat of Sinaw, Al Sharqiyah North Governorate. After two days of competitions the event concluded with four main races, for 1,500 metres, held in the presence of Mahmoud bin Yahya al Thuhli, Governor of Al Sharqiyah North. The festival witnessed the participation of over 400 camels from 'Al Fatamen' category, one year old of male and female camel, representing various governorates across the Sultanate of Oman. The final day of competition, over 1,500 metres, 'Shaheen', owned by Abdullah bin Humaid al Amri snatched the silver dagger. And 'Al Dhabiya' claimed the silver sward, owned by Hamad bin Mohammed al Wahaibi. 'Shaheen' won the golden dagger and a car, owned by Hamad bin Salim al Ghufaili. 'Al Dhabiya' secured the prestigious Sword of the Festival, owner by Hamad bin Mohammed al Wahaibi. Al Abyad local Camel Racing concludes in Sinaw The result of the first day competitions: Read as: race NO, camel name, camel's owner, race duration 1: Al Shahiniya, Humaid al Ghufaili, 2:11.03 2: Salhood, Said al Wahaibi, 2:12.38 3: Ehtimam, Sultan al Touqi, 2:11.61 4: Hamloul, Salim al Wahaibi, 2:09.84 5: Al Shahiniya, Humaid al Ghufaili, 2:08.19 6: Mughadir, Nooh al Kathiri, 2:10.34 7: Hazzar, Sultan al Jahafi, 2:10.19 8: Shaheen, Abdullah al Wahaibi, 2:14.69 9: Najah, Bakhit al Mahri, 2:11.98 10: Shaheen, Hamad al Amri, 2:11.63 11: Al Shahiniya, Saleh al Jahafi, 2:12.08 12: Fajjaj, Said al Yahmadi, 2:12.74 13: Shawahin, Ibrahim al Harsoosi, 2:16.02 14: Shaheen, Sultan al Habsi, 2:14.69 15: Labwah, Mohammed al Mahri, 2:13.15 16: Nayef, Hassan al Jahafi, 2:13.50 The closing ceremony featured traditional Omani music performances, poetic recitations and vibrant artistic segments delivered by local folklore groups. At the end of the event, the patron of the ceremony honoured sponsors and supporters, as well as winners of the top positions in each race.
Observer
26-05-2025
- Observer
Raza blasts Lahore Qalandars to clinch PSL title
LAHORE, Pakistan: Sikandar Raza hit the winning runs to seal the Pakistan Super League title for Lahore Qalandars on Sunday, having landed just 10 minutes before the toss after a mad dash from England. The 39-year-old was carried off the field on the shoulders of his celebrating teammates after having jumped on a plane to Pakistan straight after Zimbabwe's innings defeat in the Nottingham Test on Saturday. Raza hit 22 not out with two sixes and two fours to give the home team a thrilling six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators with one ball to spare. "Had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, drove to Abu Dhabi for lunch, took a flight and had dinner in Pakistan," said Raza, who scored a half-century in his country's heavy defeat to England. "I guess this is the life of a professional cricketer, and I'm truly humbled and blessed to have that life." Needing 13 off the last over to complete a 202-run chase, Raza struck a six and a four to help seal the title. Sri Lankan Kusal Perera led the chase with an undefeated 31-ball 62 studded with five boundaries and four sixes, adding 59 runs during the unbroken fifth-wicket stand. Opener Mohammad Naeem scored 46, with half a dozen sixes and one boundary, and Abdullah Shafique hit 41 to set Lahore on course to make the highest successful chase in a PSL final. Lahore sealed their third title following triumphs in 2022 and 2023. Hasan Nawaz scored a brilliant 76 to lift Quetta to 201-9 after they won the toss and batted. Coming in at 21-2, Nawaz added 67 for the fourth wicket with Avishka Fernando (29) and 46 with Dinesh Chandimal (22). Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of Lahore's bowlers with 3-24. It was Faheem Ashraf (28) who lifted Quetta past 200, taking 23 off the last over from Salman Mirza. The six-team PSL was suspended on May 9 following the conflict between Pakistan and India. The league resumed on May 17 after a ceasefire between the two countries. — AFP
Times of Oman
26-05-2025
- Times of Oman
From England to Pakistan: Raza's 48-hour dash to PSL glory
LAHORE: Less than a day after walking off a cricket field in England, Sikandar Raza was making headlines in the Pakistani city of Lahore — not for his arrival, but for finishing the job with a flourish. On Saturday, Raza had trudged off after a gritty innings at Trent Bridge as Zimbabwe fell to an innings defeat against England. But while most of his teammates slowed down, Raza's clock started ticking faster. His PSL side, Lahore Qalandars, were in the final — and they wanted him back. So began one of the most whirlwind journeys in franchise cricket. 'Dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, lunch on the road to Abu Dhabi, and dinner in Pakistan,' Raza said, recalling his mad dash across three countries and time zones. 'I bowled 25 overs the day before, batted 20 the next, and still had to show up for my brothers. How could I not?' There was no business class. No rest. Just urgency and loyalty. Raza caught the earliest available flight out of Birmingham to Dubai, transferred to Abu Dhabi, and then flew to Lahore — barely reaching the stadium in time. Ten minutes before the toss, Shaheen Afridi confirmed: Sikandar Raza was in the XI. What followed was the stuff of folklore. Raza was tossed the ball early — and struck immediately, dismissing Rilee Rossouw. But it was with the bat that his legend was sealed. Lahore looked dead and buried — needing 57 off 20 with Amir in rhythm and Rajapaksa just dismissed. Then came Raza. The first ball was pulled for four. The next, launched for six. Momentum shifted. But it all came down to the final over: eight needed off three, Raza on strike. Faheem Ashraf's wide yorker was almost perfect — almost. Raza bent, reached, and sliced it over cover point for six. The Gaddafi crowd roared. The next ball — mistimed, but destined — was whipped to the midwicket fence. Lahore had pulled it off. Raza had pulled it off. 'I tried to take the emotions out,' he said. 'I was so mentally and physically drained. All I told myself was, 'Just watch the ball. Don't think. Hit it clean.'' And clean he did. 'This is what it's all about,' Raza said, eyes glinting under the stadium lights. 'We've played three knockout games, won finals off the last ball before. But this — this one — it's special. Because of the story, the chaos, the belief. I've got no words.' He didn't need any. From Nottingham to Lahore, Sikandar Raza had already written the perfect one.
