Cricket - Int News
Perth Scorchers beat Pakistan Shaheens to qualify for Top End T20 Series final
Darwin, Australia (SBR): Perth Scorchers beat Pakistan Shaheens by 48 runs in the first semi-final of the Top End T20 Series at the Gardens in Darwin on Sunday morning. This was Shaheens’ second successive loss at the semi-final stage, having lost to Adelaide Strikers in the first semi-final of last year’s edition at the DXC Arena.After being put into bat, Scorchers scored 155 for eight in their 20 overs. They were in a spot of bother in the middle of their innings, as they lost six wickets for 69 courtesy of complete domination by the spin trio of Faisal Akram, Mehran Mumtaz and Saad Masood.At that point, Nicholas Hobson was joined by Matthew Kelly, and the pair added 44 runs for the seventh wicket to take their score beyond the 100 mark. They eventually finished on 155 for eight in their allotted 20 overs. Hobson top-scored with a 43-ball 59, which included seven fours and two sixes, while Kelly contributed 23 off 19 balls, hitting one four and two sixes.Shaheens’ right-arm leg-spinner Saad was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 21 runs, while Mehran and Mohammad Wasim Jnr bagged two wickets each. Left-arm spinner Faisal managed to pick up a wicket, conceding 36 runs in the process.In reply, Shaheens lost three wickets inside five overs with only 17 runs on the board. Khawaja Nafay and captain Muhammad Irfan Khan then came together and added 38 runs for the fourth wicket before right-handed batter Nafay was run out for 26 off 24 balls, which included one four and two sixes.Irfan, who was named player of the match in the previous game against Nepal, was dismissed for 17 off 15 balls, hitting one four. After the departure of the skipper, Shaheens lost wickets in quick succession and were bundled out for 107 in 17.1 overs, with Wasim (25, 26b, 3x4s, 1x6) the last man to return to the pavilion.For Scorchers, Keaton Critchell took three wickets, while Bryce Jackson and Kelly bagged two each.Before the semi-final, in the 11-team tournament, Pakistan Shaheens had finished second on the table with four wins from six matches.Scores in brief:Perth Scorchers 155-8, 20 overs (Nicholas Hobson 59, Teague Wills 29, Matthew Kelly 23; Saad Masood 3-21, Mehran Mumtaz 2-18, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-35)Pakistan Shaheens 107 all out, 17.1 overs (Khawaja Nafay 26, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 25; Keaton Critchell 3-13, Matthew Kelly 2-8, Bryce Jackson 2-14)Player of the match – Keaton Critchell (Perth Scorchers)
Sub: ACB to host Bangladesh for a white-ball series in October
Sports Bulletin ReportKabul: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed that it would host Bangladesh for a white-ball series, consisting of three ODIs and as many T20I matches from October 2 to 14 in the UAE.The series will begin with its T20I leg and will see both teams go head-to-head in the first T20I match scheduled for October 2, with the 2nd and 3rd T20Is scheduled to be played on the 3rd and 5th of October.The T20I series will be followed by three ODIs, which are scheduled to be played on October 8, 11 and 14th of the same month in the UAE. Naseeb Khan, CEO of ACB said: "We are proud to host Bangladesh in this highly anticipated series. This tour highlights the strength of our partnership and our joint commitment to delivering world-class cricket experiences, even in neutral venues. Fans can look forward to exciting matches and top-level competition."Nizamuddin Ch BCB CEO, stated: “We look forward to taking on Afghanistan in what promises to be a competitive and exciting white-ball series in the UAE. This tour not only presents valuable competition following the Asia Cup but also reflects the mutual respect and strong relationship between our two cricket boards. I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Afghanistan Cricket Board for hosting the series and for their continued spirit of collaboration.”Both teams will begin the series just after the completion of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, which will see both teams compete together in group B of the prime Asia event. Series Schedule: Thursday, October 02 1st T20I SharjahFriday, October 03 2nd T20I SharjahSunday, October 05 3rd T20I SharjahWednesday, October 08 1st ODI Abu Dhabi
Maaz Sadaqat’s century helps Shaheens secure third win in Top End T20 Series
Darwin (SBR): Maaz Sadaqat’s century powered Pakistan Shaheens to an emphatic 107-run win over Adelaide Strikers in the 23rd fixture of the Top End T20 Series at the DXC Arena in Darwin on Wednesday evening. This was Shaheens’ third victory in the event, taking their tally to six points from five matches.After electing to bat first, the opening pair of Maaz Sadaqat and Yasir Khan provided a solid foundation with a 149-run partnership for the first wicket. Yasir was the first to return back to the pavilion after scoring 51 off 35 balls, hitting five fours and a six. This was his second half-century of the tournament.Left-handed batter Maaz was then joined by Abdul Samad and the pair added 32 runs for the second wicket. 20-year-old Maaz went on to register his maiden century of the tournament, striking 11 fours and two sixes in his 59-ball knock of 104.Shaheens’ total was further boosted by a quick-fire 25 off 18 balls from Abdul Samad, which included a four and a six as they scored 202 for six in 20 overs.For Strikers, Harry Manenti claimed three wickets for 31 runs in three overs.In reply, Strikers lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 49 for five in the eighth over. Opening batter Mackenzie Harvey top-scored with a 17-ball 27, laced with five boundaries.For Shaheens, left-arm spinners Faisal Akram and Mehran Mumtaz bagged two wickets apiece, while right-arm off-spinner Mubasir Khan was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 19 runs in three overs.Pakistan Shaheens will face Nepal on Friday, 22 August, at the same venue. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 7pm.Scores in brief:Pakistan Shaheens beat Adelaide Strikers by 107 runsPakistan Shaheens 202-6, 20 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 104, Yasir Khan 51, Abdul Samad 25; Harry Manenti 3-31)Adelaide Strikers 95 all out, 16.1 overs (Mackenzie Harvey 27; Mubasir Khan 3-19, Faisal Akram 2-19, Mehran Mumtaz 2-20)Player of the match – Maaz Sadaqat (Pakistan Shaheens)
Chicago Kingsmen beat Pakistan Shaheens by 69 runs
Sports Bulletin ReportDarwin (Australia): Chicago Kingsmen defeated Pakistan Shaheens by 69 runs in the 17th fixture of the Top End T20 Series at the DXC Arena, Darwin, on Tuesday afternoon. This was Shaheens’ second loss in the 11-team tournament.Chasing 207 to win, Shaheens were never in the hunt as they lost four wickets inside the batting powerplay. At 28 for four, opening batter Yasir Khan was joined by captain Muhammad Irfan Khan and the pair added 43 runs for the fifth wicket.Following the dismissal of Irfan (24, 18b, 2x4s, 1x6) in the 10th over, Shaheens suffered regular setbacks and closed on 137 for eight in 20 overs. Yasir top-scored with a 32-ball 38, smashing five fours. For Kingsmen, Scott Kuggeleign was the most successful bowler with three for 19 from four overs, while Ehsan Adil picked up two for 20 in three overs.Earlier, after being put into bat, Kingsmen posted 206 for five in their allotted 20 overs. Milind Kumar, later named player of the match, struck a 37-ball 74, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Tajinder Dhillon contributed a 37-ball 58, which included four fours and two sixes. For Shaheens, Mohammad Wasim Jnr claimed two wickets, while Saad Masood and Shahid Aziz took one wicket apiece.Pakistan Shaheens will now take on Adelaide Strikers at the same venue on Wednesday, 20 August. The match will start at 7pm local time.Scores in brief:Chicago Kingsmen 206-5, 20 overs (Milind Kumar 74, Tajinder Dhillon 58, Shayan Jahangir 30; Mohammad Waseem Jnr 2-57)Pakistan Shaheens 137-8, 20 overs (Yasir Khan 38, Muhammad Irfan Khan 24, Shahid Aziz 24; Scott Kuggeleign 3-19, Ehsan Adil 2-20)Player of the match: Milind Kumar (Chicago Kingsmen).
Men’s Central Contracts announced for 2025-26 international season
Babar, Shaheen, and Rizwan fail to impress PCB, 30 players awarded contractsAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded central contracts to 30 male cricketers for the upcoming 2025-26 international season, as trio Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan bounded in Category B, as they were in the A category last year.According to PCB, the contracts will be effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, reflect the Board’s continued commitment to recognising and supporting national talent. This year’s roster sees 10 players each placed in Categories B, C, and D. Notably, no player has been selected for Category A in this cycle.Compared to last year’s list of 27 contracted players, the PCB has expanded the pool to 30, including 12 fresh additions, highlighting the emergence of promising new talent and the Board’s strategic focus on squad depth and future development.The new entrants are: Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza and Sufyan Moqim.Name of five promoted players: Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan – all promoted from C to B category.Nine players retained positions: Abdullah Shafique (Category C): Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr – all in Category D, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel: all in Category C, Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi – both in Category B.Eight players have missed out: Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Irfan Khan and Usman Khan – all in Category (D).List of this year’s centrally contacted players:Category B (10 players): Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah AfridiCategory C (10 players): Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Sajid Khan and Saud ShakeelCategory D (10 players): Ahmed Daniyal, Hussain Talat, Khurram Shahzad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Shan Masood and Sufyan Moqim
Mohammad Salman replaces Ahmed Daniyal in Top End T20 Series
Lahore (PR):Right-arm fast bowler Mohammad Salman has replaced Ahmed Daniyal in Pakistan Shaheens squad for the ongoing Top End T20 Series in Darwin, Australia.Ahmed, who has represented Pakistan in two T20Is, sustained a hairline fracture on his right thumb during a fielding session in Darwin. Salman will depart for Australia on Wednesday, 20 August.
Samad’s unbeaten 110 hands Shaheens 73-run win over Renegades
Darwin (SBR): Abdul Samad’s unbeaten 110 off 63 balls helped Pakistan Shaheens bag their second win in the Top End T20 Series as they beat Melbourne Renegades by 73 runs here at the TIO Stadium in Darwin on Monday evening.Pakistan Shaheens will face Chicago Kingsmen in their next fixture on Tuesday with the first ball expected to be bowled at 1pm local time.Shaheens dismissed Renegades for 105 in 19.2 overs after posting 178-5 in their allotted 20 overs on the back of Samad’s 56-ball century. The right hander walked in to bat in the first over and found Shaheens reeling at 2-2 as both opening batters returned for ducks.Samad stitched a 32-run stand with Mohammad Faiq (21, 18b, 2x4s, 1x6) before the latter fell in the seventh over, while Maaz Sadaqat followed him in the 10th over with the scorecard reading 55-4.From thereon, Samad and skipper Mohammad Irfan Khan put on a game-changing 109-run stand. Samad struck six fours and as many sixes during his unbeaten stay at the crease, while Irfan returned for a run-a-ball 23 comprising one four and a solitary six.For Renegades, Oliver Peake, Fergus O’Neill, Will Sutherland, Callum Stow and Michael Archer picked up one wicket each.In turn, Renegades slid to 66-8 and then 105 all out after being 25-1. Apart from opening batter Josh Brown (36, 30b, 5x4s, 1x6) none of the top eight batters entered double figures.Xavier Crone (11, 17b), Callum Stow (15, 16b, 1x4) and Michael Archer (14 not out 19b) pushed their team past the 100-run mar batting at no.9, 10 and 11, respectively.For Shaheens, Maaz Sadaqat returned figures of 4-0-22-3, while Faisal Akram backed up his five-for from previous game with 2-19 in four overs. Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Ubaid Shah and Saad Masood dismissed one batter each.Scores in brief:Pakistan Shaheens beat Melbourne Renegades by 73 runs at the TIO Stadium, DarwinPakistan Shaheens 178-5, 20 overs (Abdul Samad 110, Muhammad Irfan Khan 23, Mohammad Faiq 21; Oliver Peake 1-12)Melbourne Renegades 105 all out, 19.2 overs (Josh Brown 36; Maaz Sadaqat 3-22, Faisal AkrramPlayer of the match – Abdul Samad (Pakistan Shaheens)Pakistan Shaheens’ Top End T20 schedule:14 Aug – Pakistan Shaheen won by 79 runs16 Aug – Perth Scorchers won by two wickets18 Aug – Pakistan Shaheens won by 73 runs19 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)
Pakistan announce squads for UAE T20I tri-series and Asia Cup
Lahore (PR)::The Men’s National Selection Committee has announced Pakistan squads for the upcoming T20I tri-series and Asia Cup scheduled to take place in the UAE from 29 August to 28 September. The tri-series, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan and UAE will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 29 August to 7 September.The eight-team ACC Asia Cup T20I tournament will be staged in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from 9 to 28 September. Pakistan are placed in Group ‘A’ alongside India, Oman and UAE.17-member squad:Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.Tri-series schedule (all matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium):29 August – Afghanistan v Pakistan – 7pm local time30 August – UAE v Pakistan – 7pm local time1 September – UAE v Afghanistan – 7pm local time2 September – Pakistan v Afghanistan – 7pm local time4 September – Pakistan v UAE – 7pm local time5 September – Afghanistan v UAE – 7pm local time7 September – Final – 7pm local timeACC Asia Cup T20 2025 (Pakistan fixtures, Super Fours and Final)12 September – Oman v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time14 September – India v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time17 September – UAE v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time20-26 September – Super Fours fixtures (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)28 September – Final, DICS, 6pm local time
Samad, Nafay and Yasir half-centuries give Shaheens winning start
Darwin (PCB Report): Half-centuries from Abdul Samad, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay and Yasir Khan, followed by a combined seven wickets from the spinners, powered Pakistan Shaheens to a resounding 79-run win over Bangladesh ‘A’ in the opening match of the Top End T20 Series at the TIO Stadium in Darwin on Thursday evening.After opting to bat first, Shaheens posted a formidable 227 for four in 20 overs. Openers Khawaja Nafay (61, 31b, 8x4s, 2x6s) and Yasir Khan (62, 40b, 7x4s, 2x6s) provided a blazing 118-run stand in just 11.1 overs. Abdul Samad then played an unbeaten knock of 56 off 27 balls (1x4, 5x6s), adding 36 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Muhammad Irfan Khan (25, 12b, 1x4, 3x6s) to take the total past 200.In turn, Bangladesh ‘A’ made a brisk start despite losing their first wicket in the opening over, reaching 92 for one in seven overs. Left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat struck a decisive blow in the eighth over, removing opener Jishan Alam (33, 17b, 5x4s, 1x6) and breaking an 86-run second-wicket stand.From there, Shaheens’ spinners took control. Faisal Akram (3-19) and Saad Masood (3-30) led the charge, while fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jnr chipped in with 2-24 to dismiss Bangladesh ‘A’ for 148 in 16.5 overs. Shaheens will now take on the Scorchers in their next fixture on Saturday, 16 August, at the same venue. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 4pm local time.Scores in brief:Pakistan Shaheens beat Bangladesh ‘A’ by 79 runsPakistan Shaheens 227-4, 20 overs (Yasir Khan 62, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 61, Abdul Samad 56 not out, Mohammad Irfan Khan 25)Bangladesh ‘A’ 148 all out, 16.5 overs (Mohammad Saif Hassan 57, Jishan Alam 33; Faisal Akram 3-19, Saad Masood 3-30, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-24)Player of the match – Yasir Khan (Pakistan Shaheens).
WCL 2025 final: South Africa beat Pakistan by 9 wickets
Faraz Ahmed KayaniBirmingham (UK): South Africa Champions have clinched the title of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 after beating Pakistan Champions by 9 wickets in the final in Birmingham.Batting first, Pakistan Champions posted an impressive total of 195 runs for loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Sharjeel Khan was the standout performer, smashing 76 runs off 44 balls. However, the target proved insufficient in the face of an onslaught from AB de Villiers, who delivered a vintage masterclass. The South African legend remained unbeaten on 120 runs off just 60 balls, hitting 7 sixes and 12 fours, leading his side to victory in just 16.5 overs, losing only one wicket.This match-winning knock marked de Villiers’ third century of the tournament, underlining his continued dominance and brilliance on the field.With this resounding win, South Africa Champions were crowned the World Champions of Legends, wrapping up the tournament in style.
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