Latest news with #ShaheenAfridi
India.com
5 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
Why did Pakistan exclude Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi from Bangladesh T20I squad, the reason is...
Babar Azam (L), Shaheen Afridi (R) The Pakistan Cricket Board picked a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Salman Ali Agha is set lead Pakistan in the three-match series against Bangladesh, which is scheduled to commence from July 20. While many common names are on the squad for Pakistan's side, it came as a shock to fans that Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi were not part of the squad. As the Men in Green gets ready to face Bangladesh, here is a look at why the two stars were left out for the T20I series. Babar Azam's steep fall in T20Is Babar Azam who is known for his outstanding stroke play, hasn't been in a good form recently. However, he once had decent numbers overall but his recent performance has seen a dip. Since the T20I World Cup last year, Babar has managed to score only 200 runs at a poor average of 25. But more importantly his strike rate with respect to scoring runs for Pakistan, has been a problem for them, as he has not been anything near standard in his role. In the same time period, Babar's strike rate reads 112.99, indicative of how tough of a task it has been to score runs too quickly. The Pakistan Super League gave him a golden opportunity to prove his worth and convince the selectors for T20I comeback, but his performance was not very impressive as he scored 288 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 128.57. Shaheen Afridi's decline in form On the other hand, Shaheen Afridi performed much better in Pakistan Super League as he grabbed 19 wickets in twelve matches at an excellent strike rate of 12. Although Shaheen was superb throughout the tournament, he was dropped from the T20I squad, owing to his recent form in the format. Shaheen Afridi had a very disappointing tour of New Zealand, managing just two wickets in four matches. He also struggled with his economy rate, giving away 10.23 runs an over. As a result, Pakistan dropped him for their next T20I series. Mike Hesson, Pakistan's newly appointed head coach, mentioned that both these players' T20I selection is dependent solely on whether they can put consistent domestic performances together.
The Australian
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
No Big Bash games on Christmas Day or Australia Day
Big Bash officials have once again baulked at putting a match on Christmas Day and will finish the 42-day tournament on the eve of Australia Day. Only a washout of the final will put cricket on January 26. A December 14 start for the tournament has been locked in with a Boxing Day showdown between the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars and a 13th consecutive News Year's Eve clash in Adelaide among the fixture highlights. Pakistan star Babar Azam looms as the headline international act this season, with several of his teammates, including speed demon Shaheen Shaf Afridi, joining the playing ranks. An Ashes Test series will rob the Big Bash of the best Australian and English talent until the final two or three weeks of the tournament, which will finish on January 25, with January 26 slotted as a reserve day for the final. Cricket Australia hasn't played on January 26 since 2023 and has refrained from any mention of Australia Day amid concerns from some players, including Indigenous women's star Ash Gardner, about the implications of playing on a day that has different significance among Australians. Christmas Day was also ruled out, meaning the NBL remains the only Australian sport willing to take the plunge on that day. 'With uninterrupted action every night of the regular season and all the marquee games our fans love, this schedule ensures the BBL remains the heartbeat of summer,' Big Bash boss Alastair Dobson said. 'The fan-favourite fixtures, combined with the family-friendly entertainment that makes the Big Bash, has BBL|15 well positioned to build on the success of last summer. 'We were blown away by the quality of overseas talent signed via the BBL draft and can't wait to see these global superstars in action alongside some of Australia's biggest names.' Despite making himself eligible, English pace ace Jofra Archer was overlooked in the BBL draft, with clubs fearful he would be unavailable due to the Ashes. Archer returned to the England squad for the series against India but missed selection in the second Test.
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
The 42-day Big Bash season won't include games on Christmas Day or Australia Day
Big Bash officials have once again baulked at putting a match on Christmas Day and will finish the 42-day tournament on the eve of Australia Day. Only a washout of the final will put cricket on January 26. A December 14 start for the tournament has been locked in with a Boxing Day showdown between the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars and a 13th consecutive News Year's Eve clash in Adelaide among the fixture highlights. Pakistan star Babar Azam looms as the headline international act this season, with several of his teammates, including speed demon Shaheen Shaf Afridi, joining the playing ranks. An Ashes Test series will rob the Big Bash of the best Australian and English talent until the final two or three weeks of the tournament, which will finish on January 25, with January 26 slotted as a reserve day for the final. Here it is! Your #BBL15 schedule has landed ðŸ—'ï¸� — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) July 2, 2025 Cricket Australia hasn't played on January 26 since 2023 and has refrained from any mention of Australia Day amid concerns from some players, including Indigenous women's star Ash Gardner, about the implications of playing on a day that has different significance among Australians. Christmas Day was also ruled out, meaning the NBL remains the only Australian sport willing to take the plunge on that day. 'With uninterrupted action every night of the regular season and all the marquee games our fans love, this schedule ensures the BBL remains the heartbeat of summer,' Big Bash boss Alastair Dobson said. 'The fan-favourite fixtures, combined with the family-friendly entertainment that makes the Big Bash, has BBL|15 well positioned to build on the success of last summer. 'We were blown away by the quality of overseas talent signed via the BBL draft and can't wait to see these global superstars in action alongside some of Australia's biggest names.' Despite making himself eligible, English pace ace Jofra Archer was overlooked in the BBL draft, with clubs fearful he would be unavailable due to the Ashes.
News.com.au
19-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Afridi & Azam! Pakistan stars on show!
Cricket: A host of stars were selected for the biggest BBL season yet, with superstar Pakistan duo Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam selected by the Heat and Sixers.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
BBL Draft 2025: Full list of international stars picked; player signings ahead of Season 15
A total of 24 international players were picked by the eight Big Bash League (BBL) franchises during the Draft for Season 15 on Thursday in Melbourne. As many as seven Pakistani, 12 English, 4 Kiwis, and one Bangladeshi cricketers were among the international stars picked. ALSO READ | WBBL Draft 2025: Jemimah Rodrigues only Indian picked amidst 23 international stars; full list of player signings Pacer Shaheen Afridi headlined the group of Pakistani players confirmed for the tournament. Along with Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Babar Azam (pre-signed) were drafted in the Platinum category. Meanwhile, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan and Hasan Khan were drafted in the Gold category. Rishad Hossain was the sole Bangladeshi player picked in the Draft. BBL Draft - Round 1: Brisbane Heat - Shaheen Afridi (Platinum) Adelaide Strikers - Luke Wood (Platinum) Melbourne Renegades- Mohammad Rizwan (Platinum) Perth Scorchers - Finn Allen (Platinum) Hobart Hurricanes - Chris Jordan (Platinum) Sydney Sixers - Sam Curran (Platinum) Melbourne Stars - Haris Rauf (Retention) (Platinum) Sydney Thunders - Lockie Ferguson (Platinum) Round 2: Brisbane Heat - Colin Munro (Platinum) Adelaide Strikers - Jamie Overton (Platinum) Melbourne Renegades- Hassan Khan (Gold) Sydney Thunders - Shadab Khan (Gold) Hobart Hurricanes - Rishad Hossain (Gold) Sydney Sixers - Babar Azam (pre-signed) (Platinum) Melbourne Stars - Tom Curran (Platinum) Round 3: Perth Scorchers - Laurie Evans (Silver) Melbourne Stars - Joe Clarke (Silver) Sydney Thunders - Sam Billings (Gold) Melbourne Renegades- Tim Seifert (Gold) Adelaide Strikers - Hassan Ali (Gold) Round 4: Brisbane Heat - Tom Alsop (Bronze) Perth Scorchers- David Payne (Bronze) Hobart Hurricanes - Rehan Ahmed (Bronze) Sydney Sixers - Jafer Chohan (Bronze)
