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Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak women's team can excel: Junaid
Pakistan women's cricket team's bowling coach, Junaid Khan, has expressed confidence in the team's ability to qualify for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. He believes the players have worked hard to minimize their weaknesses and are well-prepared for the qualifiers. "The players have made an effort to overcome their weaknesses. Now, it will be interesting to see how they perform in the matches. The way they are playing, I am hopeful that Pakistan will qualify for the World Cup," Junaid Khan stated. The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier is set to take place in Lahore from April 9. Speaking during the training camp, Junaid Khan acknowledged the added pressure of playing at home. "There is always pressure when playing at home because the expectation is to perform at our best. We have worked not only on technical aspects but also on strengthening the players mentally," he said. Junaid also pointed out that the lack of regular international series affects the team's performance. "Women's cricket doesn't get many series, and match experience is always more beneficial than just training camps. However, the players are putting in great effort. PCB's decision to bring in modern-day coaches has been a good step, as players are now being trained according to modern cricket standards," he added. Junaid Khan described the squad as well-balanced, with selections based on performance. Lahore Blues clinch National T20 Cup Lahore Blues secured their fifth National T20 Cup title with a commanding nine-wicket victory over Peshawar Region in the final. The match, played in Faisalabad, saw Peshawar Region struggle with the bat as they posted 110/9 in their 20 overs. Lahore Blues' bowlers dominated the innings, with Salman Mirza leading the attack by claiming four wickets. Muhammad Irfan picked up two, while Qasim Akram, Nisar Ahmed, and Muhammad Rizwan took one wicket each.
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Lahore Blues win National T20 Cup 2025 after dominating Peshawar
Lahore Blues produced a dominant performance to lift the National T20 Cup title with a resounding nine-wicket victory over Peshawar in the final at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, on Thursday. Salman Mirza's four-wicket haul set up the win before Umar Siddiq's unbeaten half-century sealed the chase with 24 balls to spare. Peshawar, electing to bat first, struggled to build momentum and managed only 110/9 in their 20 overs. The innings began on a shaky note, losing Waqar Ahmed (9) in the second over. Mohammad Rizwan then removed Sahibzada Farhan (17) in the seventh over, dealing a major blow to Peshawar's hopes. Captain Iftikhar Ahmed (34) and Mohammad Zulkifal (32) provided some resistance with a 38-run partnership, but Lahore Blues kept control. Salman Mirza was the standout bowler, finishing with 4-21, while Mohammad Irfan took 2-20. Chasing 111, Lahore Blues openers Imran Butt (11) and Siddiq laid a solid foundation with a 45-run stand. After Butt's dismissal in the seventh over, Siddiq carried on, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 64 off 46 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. Junaid Ali supported with 30 not out, guiding Lahore Blues to victory in 16 overs. With this commanding win, Lahore Blues clinched the National T20 Cup, marking a dominant end to their campaign. Salman Mirza was named Player of the Match for his match-winning bowling spell.
Express Tribune
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Peshawar, Lahore Blues in T20 Cup quarters
Peshawar Region from Group A and Lahore Region Blues from Group B have successfully secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the ongoing National T20 Cup after clinching victories in their final group-stage matches on Friday night. The 32-match group stage came to an end, with Lahore Whites, Peshawar Region, Karachi Region Whites, and Lahore Region Blues all confirming their places in the quarter-finals. Earlier in the day, Lahore Whites' victory meant Peshawar needed a commanding win to qualify. Sahibzada Farhan rose to the occasion with a record-breaking performance, smashing an unbeaten 162 off 72 balls. This stunning knock helped Peshawar reach a formidable total of 239 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Farhan, who had already registered two half-centuries and a century in the tournament, surpassed Kamran Akmal's unbeaten 150 against Islamabad, setting a new record for the highest individual score in T20 cricket in Pakistan. His scintillating innings included 14 fours and 11 sixes. In response, Quetta struggled to gain any momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals. They were bowled out for 113 in 19.3 overs. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai was the top scorer for Quetta with 46 off 47 balls. Peshawar's bowlers, including Usman Tariq (4-0-17-4), Nizar Ali (4-0-22-3), and Mohammad Imran Jr. (3.3-0-11-2), played key roles in dismantling Quetta's batting lineup. Meanwhile, at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, Karachi Whites' earlier win made the second Group B fixture between Lahore Blues and Islamabad a virtual knockout match. The winner would advance to the quarter-finals, and Lahore Blues came out on top. Chasing a modest total of 119, Lahore Blues reached their target thanks to an unbeaten 63 from Imran Butt off 53 balls. Butt's knock included nine fours, leading Lahore Blues to a comfortable victory. Islamabad, batting first, managed to score 118-9 in their 20 overs. Captain Rohail Nazir top-scored for Islamabad with 39 off 32 balls, including three fours and a six. Lahore Blues' Hussain Talat was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets for 14 runs in three overs. The quarter-finals of the National T20 Cup will take place on March 23 and 24 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. The first match of each day will begin at 7:00pm PST.
Express Tribune
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Babar struggles in National T20 Cup
Pakistan's ace batter Babar Azam and frontline pacer Naseem Shah failed to make an impact on National T20 Cup return as the duo delivered forgetful performances for Lahore Blues against Karachi Whites here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. Babar and Naseem, who were among the senior players rested for Pakistan's ongoing five-match away T20I series against New Zealand following the national team's disastrous campaign at the recently-concluded ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, headed back to domestic cricket to reclaim their lost touch. The duo, representing Lahore Region Blues in the ongoing 18-team domestic tournament, however, failed to achieve the desired momentum ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Babar, who scored 87 runs in two innings during the Champions Trophy, opened the innings for Lahore Blues in their second match of the T20 tournament and could score a modest 22 off 17 deliveries with the help of three boundaries. Naseem, on the other hand, conceded 41 runs in his four overs and went wicketless. Lahore Blues were eventually bowled out for 134 in 18.5 overs while chasing 172, suffering their first defeat in the ongoing National T20 Cup. Batting first, Karachi Whites finished at 171/5 in their allotted overs, courtesy of a brisk half-century by Saud Shakeel. The left-handed batter remained the top-scorer with 73 off 52 deliveries, studded with eight fours and three sixes. For the unversed, it was reported earlier today that nine members of Pakistan's ODI squad for New Zealand including Babar Azam and Naseem Shah will train at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) ground here ahead of their departure for New Zealand on March 23. Akmal's bold claim Pakistan batter Umar Akmal has made a surprising revelation, claiming that he helped star batter Babar Azam overcome his struggles against spin bowling. Babar has faced increasing scrutiny for his difficulties against spinners, with a significant number of his recent dismissals coming against them. Several former cricketers have raised concerns over his limited shot selection when facing spin. Addressing this issue in a recent interview with a private TV channel, Akmal recalled a moment when Babar approached him for advice on handling spin more effectively. "I distinctly remember when he was struggling against spinners, often getting out around midwicket. He came to me and said, 'Umar bhai, I'm having a bit of trouble,'" Akmal shared. "I asked about his grip on the bat and suggested that when facing a spinner, he should adjust his grip and keep his eyes on the ball until it's halfway to him. From there, he could decide whether to cut it or play a shot that wouldn't go flat," he added. Babar Azam was once regarded as a dominant player against spin, boasting an impressive average of 82.1 through the end of 2021. However, his performance against spin has declined in recent years, with his average dropping to around 48. In 2023, Babar had a strike rate of 77.7 against spin, which fell to 68.4 the following year. By 2025, his strike rate had plummeted to just 60.3, with 20 of his last 39 dismissals coming against spinners. It is pertinent to mention that the 30-year-old is set to participate in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand later this month. He was left out of the T20I squad alongside Mohammad Rizwan and pacer Naseem Shah. Pakistan recently lost back-to-back T20I matches against New Zealand and will play their third match on March 21 in Auckland.
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Babar Azam, Naseem Shah struggle on National T20 Cup return
Listen to article Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam and pacer Naseem Shah endured a disappointing return to domestic cricket as Lahore Blues suffered a defeat against Karachi Whites in the National T20 Cup at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. The duo, dropped from Pakistan's ongoing T20I series in New Zealand following the national team's early exit from the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, looked to regain form in domestic competition but failed to make an impact. Babar, who scored 87 runs in two innings during the Champions Trophy, managed 22 off 17 balls with three boundaries while opening for Lahore Blues. His wicket was taken when he was caught out trying to play a reverse sweep. Naseem, meanwhile, remained wicketless while conceding a hefty 41 runs in his four overs. He had an economy rate of 10.25. Shah also conceded a stylish no-look shot by Karachi's Saud Shakeel which has been making rounds on social media. Chasing 172, Lahore Blues were dismissed for 134 in 18.5 overs, registering their first loss in the tournament. Karachi Whites, batting first, posted 171/5, with Saud Shakeel leading the charge with a 52-ball 73, featuring eight fours and three sixes. Meanwhile, Babar and Naseem are among nine members of Pakistan's ODI squad for New Zealand set to begin training at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) ground ahead of their departure on March 23.
