Latest news with #Bangladesh'A
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak beat BD A in Top End T20 opener
Khawaja Nafay, Yasir Khan, and Abdul Samad shine in the opening match of the Top End T20 Series. PHOTO: PCB Pakistan Shaheens began their Top End T20 Series campaign in style, crushing Bangladesh 'A' by 79 runs in the tournament opener at the TIO Stadium on Thursday. Batting first, the Shaheens piled up a massive total of 227-4, led by blistering half-centuries from Khawaja Nafay, Yasir Khan, and Abdul Samad. Openers Nafay and Yasir set the tone early, launching a fierce assault on the Bangladesh bowling attack with a rapid 100-run stand. Nafay was eventually run out for a sparkling 61 off 31 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Yasir followed soon after, making 62 off 40 balls with seven boundaries and two maximums. Abdul Samad then took charge, partnering with Mohammad Faiq to accelerate the scoring. Samad smashed four sixes in a single over from Saif Hassan, bringing up his half-century in style. He remained unbeaten on 56 off 27 balls, featuring one four and five sixes. Captain Irfan Khan chipped in with a quick 25 from 12 deliveries. For Bangladesh, Rakibul Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, and Mahfuzur Rahman took one wicket each. Chasing 228, Bangladesh 'A' never looked in control. Opener Mohammad Naim was bowled by pacer Ubaid Shah for just five runs. A brief fightback came through Jishan Alam (33 off 17 balls) and Saif Hassan (57 off 32 balls), who shared an 86-run partnership. But once Jishan fell, the Shaheens' bowlers took charge. Spinner Faisal Akram dismissed Afif Hossain for six before Mohammad Wasim Jr removed Saif Hassan and Mahidul Islam in the same over. Saad Masood then got rid of Mahfuzur Rahman, while Faisal struck again to dismiss Bangladesh skipper Nurul Hasan for 22. The visitors collapsed to 148 all out in 16.5 overs. Faisal Akram and Saad Masood finished with three wickets each, while Wasim Jr claimed two. The Irfan Khan-led Shaheens will next face the Scorchers on August 16, followed by the Renegades on August 18, before completing their group matches against the Kingsmen (Aug 19), Strikers (Aug 20), and Nepal (Aug 22). The semi-finals and final are scheduled for August 24. John Hastings questioned by anti-corruption unit over 18-ball over in WCL 2025 against Pakistan Former Australian fast bowler John Hastings has revealed that he was questioned by the anti-corruption unit after bowling a bizarre 18-ball over during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 match against Pakistan Champions. The incident took place in a league-stage fixture where Australia Champions, batting first, were bowled out for just 74 runs in 11.5 overs, thanks to Saeed Ajmal's six-wicket haul. Chasing 75, Pakistan Champions eased to victory without losing a wicket, reaching the target with 73 balls to spare. Hastings's unusual over added to Australia's woes - he sent down 12 wides and one no-ball, conceding 20 runs from just five legal deliveries. At one point, he bowled five consecutive wides twice in the same over. Speaking on the Willow Talk podcast, Hastings revealed that officials approached him the next day to discuss the performance. "The anti-corruption guys came up to me and said, 'Gee, you put us through a bit of hell last night.' He said we had to have a look at it. You missed the pitch on one of your balls. I said, 'Do you think I'll be doing any sort of match-fixing or anything like that?'" Hastings recalled. "He said, 'No, but we don't know where you've been or what you've been doing for the last seven years.' I said, 'I'm not corrupt,'" he added. Hastings admitted that the over was both embarrassing and difficult to explain. "The Pakistan game, it's hard to explain. I had so many text messages from all the cricket fraternity, but I also deleted social media for three days straightaway when I came off the field after the Pakistan game. I didn't want to deal with it. It's not funny, but it's one of those you can't explain when you're actually bowling. It was hard to take, it was embarrassing, and it was horrendous," he said. The former pacer added that he has since returned to social media. "I'm back on social media. So, the 1.5 million people who messaged me on Instagram, I'll reply to you when I can," he remarked.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Pakistan Shaheens gear up for Darwin challenge
LAHORE: Pakistan Shaheens led by Muhammad Irfan Khan will begin their campaign in the Top End T20 Series on Thursday (August 14) when they take on Bangladesh 'A' in the opening match of the tournament at the TIO Stadium in Darwin, Australia. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 7pm local time (3.30pm PKT). The tournament matches will be broadcast live on A-Sports and live-streamed on ARY ZAP in Pakistan. Since their arrival in Darwin on 10th August, the 15-member squad has undergone three practice sessions under the coaching staff led by Ghulam Ali. The 11-team tournament comprising 13 matches will be played from August 14 to 24 across five venues in Darwin. Shaheens, who featured in the inaugural T20 edition in 2023 led by Rohail Nazir, lost to Northern Territory Strike by 46 runs in the final. In last year's edition, Shaheens captained by Mohammad Haris lost to Adelaide Strikers in the first semi-final by 30 runs. Muhammad Irfan Khan on the eve of the tournament said, 'We are aiming to take the best possible combination into the match. Bangladesh 'A' are also a strong side, so our focus will be on fielding the right combination, especially as this is the first game of the tournament and we want to start well.' Irfan said, 'We have trained according to the conditions and each player has been given a specific role to perform. The main focus is to execute those roles effectively in the match so that the team can achieve success. We are stepping onto the field with great energy and determination and will be putting in our utmost effort to deliver strong performances in the tournament.' 15-member squad: Muhammad Irfan Khan (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicket-keeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah and Yasir Khan. Pakistan Shaheens fixtures: 14 Aug – vs Bangladesh 'A', TIO Stadium (7pm local time); 16 Aug – vs Scorchers, TIO Stadium (4pm local time); 18 Aug – vs Renegades, TIO Stadium (6pm local time); 19 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) and 24 Aug – Semi-finals and final. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Shaheens gear up for Darwin challenge
Pakistan Shaheens led by Muhammad Irfan Khan will begin their campaign in the Top End T20 Series on Thursday, 14 August when they take on Bangladesh 'A' in the opening match of the tournament at the TIO Stadium in Darwin, Australia. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 7pm local time (3.30pm PKT). The tournament matches will be broadcast live on A-Sports and live-streamed on ARY ZAP in Pakistan. Since their arrival in Darwin on 10 August, the 15-member squad has undergone three practice sessions under the coaching staff led by Ghulam Ali. The 11-team tournament comprising 13 matches will be played from 14 to 24 August across five venues in Darwin. Shaheens, who featured in the inaugural T20 edition in 2023 led by Rohail Nazir, lost to Northern Territory Strike by 46 runs in the final. In last year's edition, Shaheens captained by Mohammad Haris lost to Adelaide Strikers in the first semi-final by 30 runs. Muhammad Irfan Khan while talking exclusively to PCB Digital on the eve of the tournament said: "We are aiming to take the best possible combination into the match. Bangladesh 'A' are also a strong side, so our focus will be on fielding the right combination, especially as this is the first game of the tournament and we want to start well. "We have trained according to the conditions and each player has been given a specific role to perform. The main focus is to execute those roles effectively in the match so that the team can achieve success. "We are stepping onto the field with great energy and determination and will be putting in our utmost effort to deliver strong performances in the tournament." 15-member squad: Muhammad Irfan Khan (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicket-keeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah and Yasir Khan Team management: Ghulam Ali (head coach), Sami Ullah Niazi (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Muhammad Ibrahim (analyst) and Muhammad Aleem (physio) Coaches vow to excel Pakistan Shaheens head coach Ghulam Ali on Wednesday, expressed confidence in his team's ability to perform well in the upcoming Top End T20 series, emphasising the importance of adapting to local conditions. Speaking to the media in Darwin Ali said the team has been training in the city for the past three days to adjust to Australian conditions. "Most of our players are experiencing Australia for the first time, so we are working hard to get them accustomed to the pitches and weather. Our aim is to perform well in the series," he said. Highlighting the significance of overseas tours for player development, Ghulam Ali noted that the Pakistan Shaheens had previously toured England. "Playing abroad helps prepare quality players for the national team," he added. On the role of young openers in the squad, he said many are stepping up because they believe they can make an impact in the opening position. "Players are given plans according to their roles, and every position matters," he explained. However, Ali stressed that every player, regardless of their position, is crucial. He also emphasised the connection between fitness and fielding. "Better fitness makes for better fielders. With the increased amount of cricket today, focus on fitness and fielding has become even more important," he said. Meanwhile, Pakistan Shaheens bowling coach Samiullah Niazi described the squad's young fast bowlers as the future of Pakistan cricket. "We are working to make them mentally ready for international-level competition. The team is balanced, and every player has a good platform to showcase their talent," he said.
