Latest news with #Fakhar
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Babar's T20I future hangs in balance
Ahead of the Asia Cup, Pakistan's selectors are hesitant to revisit some former players, but with Fakhar Zaman ruled out due to injury, calls for Babar Azam's return to the national squad have started gaining momentum. However, sources within the selection committee have stated that no formal discussion has yet taken place on the matter, and Fakhar's unavailability for the tournament is not confirmed at this point. A review meeting will be held after the West Indies tour, where the selection committee will assess the situation. According to a PCB official, the door to the T20 squad remains open for Babar, and if Fakhar is not available, his return could be considered. Still, it was emphasized that the board has adopted a forward-looking policy, focusing on giving younger players opportunities, and bringing Babar back at this stage could put unnecessary pressure on the current T20 captain, Salman Ali Agha. Fakhar sustained an injury before the third T20 match during the West Indies tour, forcing him to return home. He has also been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series. While it remains unclear how long his recovery will take, fans have already begun demanding Babar Azam's return. Despite this public sentiment, sources indicate that there is no certainty about his comeback, and no official instructions have been issued regarding his inclusion in the Asia Cup squad. Fakhar is currently undergoing rehabilitation, and a final decision will only be taken after a fitness assessment. Babar last appeared in a T20 International in December 2024 against South Africa. Over his last 10 matches, he accumulated 236 runs at an average of 26, without registering a single half-century. In fact, three of his last five innings ended without him even reaching double figures. He last captained Pakistan during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where the team's performance was highly underwhelming, prompting the PCB to shift its focus toward youth development. While there is a clear intention to invest in future talent, some stakeholders believe that Babar's experience would be vital in high-pressure encounters, particularly against India in the Asia Cup. The 31-year-old made his T20I debut in November 2024 under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan. He stepped in as captain in the third match of the same series against Australia when Rizwan was unavailable, although the team lost that match. Since then, in the absence of senior players, Salman has led Pakistan in several bilateral series: Won 2-1 in Zimbabwe Lost 4-1 in New Zealand Clean-swept Bangladesh 3-0 at home Lost the return series in Bangladesh 2-1 Recently defeated West Indies 2-1 Out of his 20 T20I appearances, 18 have been as captain. In these matches, he has scored 380 runs, including three half-centuries, and has also taken 4 wickets in the format. Asian cricket rights sold The media rights for Asian cricket in Pakistan have been sold to the state television for $5.2 million (approximately PKR 1.5 billion). These rights include two men's Asia Cups. According to details, the Asia Cup will be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28, featuring 19 matches. If both teams reach the final, three Pakistan-India matches are expected. Last year, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) sold 8-year media rights (from 2024 to 2031) to Sony India for $170 million (approximately PKR 47.26 billion). These rights include four men's and four women's Asia Cups, as well as emerging tournaments, totaling 119 matches. Sony India demanded $12 million for broadcasting rights in Pakistan for the two Asia Cups, but none of the three competing Pakistani channels were willing to pay such a high amount. According to them, the current market conditions do not support heavy investments with assured profits. There was also discussion about forming a consortium among channels. However, a major development occurred recently when Pakistan's state television acquired the Asian cricket broadcasting rights from 2025 to 2027 for $5.2 million. Sony India is still negotiating with two private Pakistani channels, who may jointly purchase the rights. The Indian broadcaster aims to secure up to more $5 million from Pakistan. The digital rights deal in Pakistan has already been finalized. It's worth noting that Pakistan's share in ACC media rights is approximately 25% (around $42.5 million). The digital rights are separate, and the majority of the revenue (around 65%) comes from India.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Babar likely to make T20I comeback
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam is being considered for a return to the national squad ahead of the upcoming tri-series and Asia Cup 2025, as doubts grow over Fakhar Zaman's fitness. Fakhar sustained hamstring injury during the T20I series against the West Indies. Due to the injury, he has already been ruled out of both the T20I and ODI series against the Caribbean side. Following the injury, the PCB has already directed Fakhar to report immediately to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, where he will undergo rehabilitation. Fakhar's availability for the Asia Cup remains uncertain. Reports suggest that the board is closely monitoring his injury and the rehab phase, but also preparing contingency plans. According to reports, if Fakhar does not regain full fitness in time, Babar is a strong contender likely to be brought back into the squad. However, Babar's return to the Pakistan team for the Asia Cup is contingent on his performance in the ODI series against the West Indies. If he managed to impress the selectors with his performance, it could pave the way for his comeback to the national team. Notably, Babar recently met with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi alongside Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah during the sideline of the second T20I against West Indies. The final squad for the Asia Cup is expected to be announced second week of August. The Asia Cup 2025 will begin with a Group B fixture between Afghanistan and Hong Kong on September 9. A total of eight teams, divided into two groups, will vie for the prestigious title. Fierce rivals Pakistan and India are placed in Group A, alongside UAE and Oman, while Group B features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. Pakistan will open their campaign against Oman on September 12, followed by the blockbuster match against India on September 14. Their final group-stage game is scheduled for September 17 against the UAE. ODI squad arrives in WI Pakistan's ODI squad on Tuesday reached the West Indies from Florida ahead of their three-match series against the hosts. The players will take a day off before resuming practice on Wednesday. According to team management, the training session will begin at 5 PM local time at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The series between Pakistan and the West Indies is set to commence on August 8, with all three matches scheduled at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The remaining fixtures will be played on August 10 and August 12. The Green Shirts sealed the T20I series against West Indies by securing an enthralling 13-run victory in the third and final fixture. Batting first, the visitors accumulated a formidable total of 189/4 in their 20 overs, courtesy of openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. Farhan top-scored for Pakistan with a 53-ball 74, while Ayub made 66 from 49 deliveries. The duo also shared a 138-run opening partnership. In response, the hosts could amass 176/6 despite half-centuries from Alick Athanaze and Sherfane Rutherford. For Pakistan, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Ayub and Sufiyan Muqeem picked up one wicket apiece. Pakistan ODI Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Muqeem.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Mohsin Naqvi hails Pakistan's T20I series win
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi lauded the Green Shirts for their spirited performance throughout the series. Photo: AFP Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday congratulated the national cricket team on their impressive T20 series victory against the West Indies in the United States, describing the triumph as a result of outstanding teamwork and determination. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Naqvi lauded the Green Shirts for their spirited performance throughout the series. "Congratulations Team Pakistan on a fantastic T20 series win against West Indies in the USA! Great teamwork, determination, and spirit on display," he wrote. The PCB chairman emphasised that the players had made the nation proud by excelling on the international stage and expressed confidence in the team's ability to maintain its winning momentum. "Proud of our boys for making the nation proud on international soil. Keep the momentum going," Naqvi added. For the unversed, Pakistan secured a 2-1 victory in the three-match T20I series against West Indies by winning the third and final encounter by 13 runs on Monday at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground. Zaman ruled out Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the third T20I and the subsequent three-match ODI series against West Indies after sustaining a left hamstring strain during the second T20I. The injury occurred in the 19th over while Fakhar was chasing a ball in the outfield. Following a medical assessment, it was diagnosed as a mild strain. The team's medical staff provided immediate treatment and initial management. The opening batter is scheduled to return to Pakistan on the evening of August 4, where he will undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore under the supervision of the PCB medical team. The left-handed batter has struggled with form in recent outings, registering scores of 1, 44, and 8 in three matches against Bangladesh, followed by 28 and 20 in the first two T20Is against West Indies. This is not Fakhar's first injury setback in recent times. He suffered an oblique injury during Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener earlier this year and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament. Despite the discomfort, Fakhar continued to bat and managed 24 runs off 41 balls before being dismissed by New Zealand's Michael Bracewell. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as Fakhar Zaman's replacement in Pakistan's squad. Fakhar was also left out of both the ODI and T20I squads for the New Zealand series held in April this year.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Fakhar Zaman Ruled Out Of West Indies Series Due To Hamstring Injury
Following a left hamstring strain, Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the third T20I and the next three-game ODI series against West Indies. He suffered the injury during the second T20I against the Caribbean in Lauderhill, according to ESPNcricinfo. Khushdil Shah replaced him in the playing XI for the third T20I. While chasing a ball in the outfield during the 19th over of the West Indies' innings, Fakhar sustained the injury. The medical assessment conducted a follow-up medical evaluation, which revealed a minor strain to his left hamstring. After the decisive final T20I on Monday, Fakhar will now return to Pakistan on August 4, as confirmed by the PCB. The PCB medical staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore will continue to oversee his recovery. A replacement player for the ODI team has not yet been confirmed by the PCB. Fakhar got starts in each of the first two games, but found himself unable to kick on in either, getting scored of 28 and 20. Zaman has being ruled out of an tournament/series for the second time this year earlier, he was ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due a muscular strain while fielding in the opening over against New Zealand at Karachi's National Bank Stadium on February 19. The injury occurred when New Zealand opener Will Young drove a delivery from Shaheen Afridi through the covers, evading the infield. Zaman sprinted to intercept the ball and managed to palm it back to Babar Azam for the return throw. At the time, he was himself a part of the squad to replace Saim Ayub, who, too, was injured chasing after a ball to the boundary earlier in South Africa, and spent three months on the sidelines. The T20I series in Florida is tied at one apiece. The three ODIs will take place in Trinidad. Pakistan Squad: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris(w), Salman Agha(c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Haris Rauf, Khushdil Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Hussain Talat.
News18
7 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Fakhar Zaman Ruled Out Of West Indies Series Due To Hamstring Injury
Last Updated: Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out three-game ODI series against the West Indies. Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the third T20I and the upcoming three-match ODI series against West Indies due to a hamstring strain. The injury occurred during the second T20I against the Caribbean in Lauderhill, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Khushdil Shah replaced Fakhar in the playing XI for the third T20I. Fakhar sustained the injury while chasing a ball in the outfield during the 19th over of the West Indies' innings. A follow-up medical evaluation revealed a minor strain to his left hamstring. Following the final decisive T20I on Monday, Fakhar will return to Pakistan on August 4, as confirmed by the PCB. The PCB medical staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore will oversee his recovery. The PCB has not yet confirmed a replacement player for the ODI team. Fakhar had good starts in both of the first two games, scoring 28 and 20, but was unable to build on these innings. This is the second time this year that Fakhar has been ruled out of a tournament or series. Earlier, he was ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a muscular strain while fielding in the opening over against New Zealand at Karachi's National Bank Stadium on February 19. The injury happened when New Zealand opener Will Young drove a delivery from Shaheen Afridi through the covers, bypassing the infield. Fakhar sprinted to intercept the ball and managed to palm it back to Babar Azam for the return throw. At that time, Fakhar himself was a replacement for Saim Ayub, who also got injured while chasing a ball to the boundary earlier in South Africa and had to spend three months on the sidelines. The T20I series in Florida is currently tied at 1-1. The three ODIs will be held in Trinidad. Pakistan Squad: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris(w), Salman Agha(c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Haris Rauf, Khushdil Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Hussain Talat. (With ANI Inputs) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
