logo
Pak Shaheens depart for Eng tour today

Pak Shaheens depart for Eng tour today

Express Tribune16-07-2025
Pakistan Shaheens' head coach Imran Farhat has termed the upcoming England tour a significant step toward building a strong future for Pakistan cricket. Addressing the media at National Stadium on Tuesday, Farhat highlighted that the tour blends emerging young players with experienced seniors — a combination he believes will yield long-term benefits.
The 18-member Pakistan Shaheens squad is set to depart for England on Wednesday, where they will play two three-day matches and three 50-over games. The primary aim, Farhat emphasized, is to develop high-quality backups for the national team by exposing promising domestic performers to international conditions.
"This tour is a golden opportunity to groom future stars," Farhat said. "Our focus is on strengthening the top order and identifying standout talent in spin and pace bowling. We'll also work on helping players adjust to English conditions."
Farhat further revealed that similar international exposure is being planned in countries like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Speaking at the media briefing, several Shaheens squad members — Ali Zaryab, Aazan Owais, Shamyl Hussain, and Ubaid Shah — also shared their excitement and aspirations.
Meanwhile, the Shaheens' training camp concluded on Tuesday with a practice match at the Hanif Mohammad Regional Cricket Academy Ground.
The tour will run from July 17 to August 6. The squad is captained by Saud Shakeel, who brings the experience of 19 Test matches. Other notable names include Sajid Khan (12 Tests), Mir Hamza (7 Tests), and Musa Khan (1 Test).
Full 18-member squad:
Saud Shakeel (Captain), Sajid Khan, Mir Hamza, Musa Khan, Aazan Owais, Muaz Sadaqat, Ali Zaryab, Haider Ali, Mohammad Suleman, Umair bin Yousuf, Shamyl Hussain, Rohail Nazir (Wicketkeeper), Mushtaq Ahmed, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah, Faisal Akram, Mehran Mumtaz, Mubasir Khan
Team Management:
Head Coach: Imran Farhat
Bowling Coach: Rehan Riaz
Fielding Coach: Mohtashim Rasheed
Analyst: Usman Hashmi
Physio: Ali Sufiyan.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Liverpool spend big to hold off Arsenal, City in Premier League title fight
Liverpool spend big to hold off Arsenal, City in Premier League title fight

Business Recorder

time38 minutes ago

  • Business Recorder

Liverpool spend big to hold off Arsenal, City in Premier League title fight

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool have splashed out to defend their Premier League title as champions but face stiff competition from an Arsenal side desperate to shake off their tag as nearly men and a rejuvenated Manchester City. After storming to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in Arne Slot's first season in charge, Liverpool have looked to build from a position of strength during a summer marked by tragedy. Portuguese forward Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident alongside his brother last month, plunging the club into mourning. Tributes to Jota will continue throughout the season with 'Forever 20' – his shirt number, which the club have now retired – printed on Liverpool's jerseys. The Reds have already spent £260 million ($350 million) on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. However, after the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, they are not yet done in strengthening their forward line and are expected to launch a fresh bid for Alexander Isak, with Newcastle demanding a British transfer record fee for the Swedish striker. Liverpool's rivals will hope Wirtz and Ekitike take time to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League after shining in Germany's Bundesliga, while there are defensive doubts for Slot's men to answer. The Dutch coach said his side need to defend better after leaky performances in pre-season were followed by defeat in the Community Shield to Crystal Palace on Sunday after twice blowing the lead. Can Gyokeres fire? After finishing second for the past three seasons, Arsenal are longing for their first title in 22 years and have backed Mikel Arteta with another near £200 million investment in the transfer market. Spanish international Martin Zubimendi will be the new anchor of the midfield, while the signings of Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga add depth to the squad. But Arsenal's season is likely to be defined by whether Viktor Gyokeres proves to be the answer to their need for a prolific striker. The Swede struck 97 times in 102 games during two years at Sporting Lisbon, but the 27-year-old failed to make a breakthrough in the Premier League during his previous experience in England. Lionel Messi to miss Miami's MLS Orlando clash After coming up short at Brighton, Gyokeres scored 41 goals in 121 games in England's second tier with Coventry and Swansea. 'He's a player that, when you leave him with the space one against one, he's going to destroy you,' said Arteta of his new striker. City were dethroned last season after an unprecedented run of four consecutive titles as the wheels came off for Pep Guardiola's men without Ballon d'Or winner Rodri. The Spaniard has been ruled out till September due to a setback in his return from a serious knee injury, but City have refreshed their squad with the additions of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki. After a first trophyless season since 2016/17, City expect to be back in the fight for the title. World champions Chelsea Chelsea were the last side other than City and Liverpool to lift the title back in 2017 and showed they are a coming force once more by winning the Club World Cup in the US last month. The Blues finished fourth, 15 points behind Liverpool last season, but their transfer policy of investing heavily in scores of young prospects is beginning to bear fruit. Joao Pedro made an instant impact with three goals in three games at the Club World Cup after a £55 million move from Brighton and could solve Chelsea's need for a world class goalscorer. Manchester United have transformed their forward line with the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo after finishing 15th last season. Beating United in the Europa League final was not enough for Ange Postecoglou to keep his job as Tottenham manager and former Brentford boss Thomas Frank has taken over in north London. Promoted trio Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley are aiming to avoid a worrying trend for the competitive balance. For the past two seasons all three promoted clubs have gone straight back down as the gap between the riches of the Premier League and the second tier continues to grow.

Wood appointed as Bangladesh batting specialist
Wood appointed as Bangladesh batting specialist

Express Tribune

time8 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Wood appointed as Bangladesh batting specialist

Julian Wood will work with the Bangladesh team for the duration of three months. Photo: CRICKET SRI LANKA/FILE The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Julian Wood, the current power-hitting coach of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, as its specialist batting coach on a short-term contract. According to the BCB, Wood's appointment will run for three months, with his first assignment being the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to take place on September 9 in the UAE. Wood, an English coach renowned for his expertise in modern power-hitting techniques, has worked with several international teams and franchises. Before joining the BCB, he served as a power-hitting specialist with Sri Lanka Cricket. BCB officials expressed confidence that Wood's experience would help strengthen Bangladesh's batting unit, particularly in white-ball formats, as the team prepares for the Asia Cup and other major assignments in the coming months. Earlier, the BCB announced that Wood will work with the players for three weeks during their preparatory camp at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. Wood's inclusion aims to enhance Bangladesh's ability to dominate in white-ball cricket by improving players' power-hitting techniques and shot range. The short-term stint will serve as preparation for both the Asia Cup and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, for which the Asia Cup will act as a dress rehearsal. However, Wood's tenure beyond the Asia Cup remains uncertain. "Yeah, I'm talking to Simmo (Phil Simmons, head coach). Basically, I'm there for three weeks in August. That's what I've heard, but it's not confirmed yet. But it's more than likely. "In August, yeah (will be reaching Dhaka) prior to the Asia Cup. Don't know (after Asia Cup) as it depends on them (BCB), I suppose," Wood stated. This will not be Wood's first experience in Bangladesh. He previously worked with local cricketers during his stint with Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Speaking on his new role and its challenges, Wood said, "I think the key for me is there's a lot of talent there. They've always had talent. When it comes to white-ball cricket, striking the ball is obviously a major part of the game now. "My job will be to give them information and the key thing is how to use their power, how to generate it, and how to use that power more efficiently," he concluded.

Champions Liverpool armed with new weapons
Champions Liverpool armed with new weapons

Express Tribune

timea day ago

  • Express Tribune

Champions Liverpool armed with new weapons

Armed with around 260 million pounds ($348.56 million) worth of new signings, Liverpool have spared no expense in trying to ensure last season's Premier League title marked the dawn of a new age of domination in English football. The post-Juergen Klopp era began with Dutchman Arne Slot's side wrestling control from Manchester City and turning the title race into a procession as their rivals imploded. Winning back-to-back titles for the first time since 1984 is likely to prove a rather more arduous challenge. Premier League clubs have already splurged in excess of two billion pounds with the likes of Arsenal, City and Chelsea all flexing their muscles with statement signings. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will surely improve drastically on woeful domestic campaigns last season while the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle United will again be making themselves heard at the top table. While Liverpool won't care, last season's Premier League campaign was not a vintage edition, with the title sewn up early, the relegation victims all too predictable and the main interest being the jostle for European qualification. Hopes are high that the new season will offer more intrigue. LFC ready to defend crown It will be a sombre occasion as Liverpool and Bournemouth kick off a 380-match Premier League slog on Friday with the Anfield faithful remembering Diogo Jota, the club's Portugal forward who died alongside his brother in a car crash in July. While Jota will forever have a place in the hearts of the Kop, new heroes are ready to emerge, none more so than German midfielder Florian Wirtz and French forward Hugo Ekitike. Liverpool smashed their transfer record when they paid Bayer Leverkusen an initial 100 million pounds to sign the 22-year-old Germany international, who scored 57 goals and provided 65 assists in 197 appearances for the Bundesliga club. Allied with the pace and power of 23-year-old Ekitike, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial 69 million pounds, Liverpool will have more cutting edge this season. They have also upgraded in defence with highly-rated left back Milos Kerkez set to challenge Andy Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong to fill the hole left by the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid. "I think there's always room for improvement in every department," Slot said after Liverpool beat Athletic Bilbao 3-2 in a pre-season friendly. "We've added a few extra weapons." The Dutchman was also quick to point out that Liverpool's rivals have not "stood still", especially Arsenal and City. Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have been agonisingly close to a first Premier League title since 2004, twice pushing Manchester City hard and last season emerging as Liverpool's sole rivals before falling away.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store