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Pak vs Eng: Injuries, poor performance make selection tough for PCB

Published

2 years ago

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  • Double whammy for Pakistan selectors.
  • Selectors hold meetings ahead of team announcement for England series.
  • Sarfaraz Ahmed may get a chance if Mohammad Rizwan is rested.

The national selection committee is facing a tough time in announcing the team for the England series and the T20 World Cup in Australia amid multiple fitness issues and poor performance in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is supposed to finalise the squad for the seven-match series in a couple of days while the world cup cut-off date for team submission is September 15.

According to a report by The News, chief selector Mohammad Wasim, captain Babar Azam and head coach Saqlain Mushtaq held a meeting on Tuesday and are expected to meet again over the next two days to decide on the formation of the team for the upcoming international outings.

It is unlikely that Pakistan will go on to meet the deadline set forth by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to name the team for the World Cup and might request an extension.

“We have not yet requested the ICC for any extension in deadline but that is possible if the selectors desire so. There have been traditions where the ICC in some cases has given extra time to a member country to submit names for important events. I think the situation would get clear within the next two days,” a source within the board said.

Who is fit, who isn’t

Besides Shaheen Shah Afridi who is undergoing rehab in London, the national selectors are not sure at this point whether all the players who represented Pakistan in the Asia Cup are fully fit to take on England.

“The injury to Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Shahnawaz Dahani is a real concern. Selectors are waiting for the expert opinion on cricketers’ injury status before finalising the team for the England series, a source confided to the publication.

About Afridi, the source added, he would not be in a position to play the first five matches against England and depending on his fitness status he may be selected to play at least one of the matches before heading to New Zealand for the tri-series.

Sarfaraz Ahmad likely to make the cut

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who played the last two Asia Cup matches with knee problems, is also likely to be rested at least for the first half of the series against England.

Shadab’s injury status is also not clear yet. However, all these injured players have time at their disposal to get fit and ready before the team departs for New Zealand in the first week of October.

One of the tricky questions selectors face at present is the selection of an extra wicketkeeper with the squad to Down Under.

In case the selectors go in favour of a second wicket-keeper for the T20 World Cup, it is likely that he would be given a chance against England.

Chances are there that Sarfaraz Ahmed may be asked to keep wickets against England at least for the first half of the England series. In that case we may well see the reserve wicket-keeper travelling with the team to Down Under.

Extra player in World Cup squad

“Option of including one extra player in the T20 World Cup squad on all expenses paid by the ‘PCB’ is also under consideration,” the sources said.

“Apart from a 15-member squad, one of two extra players may be included in the team for the tri-series and later for the World Cup. However, these players would only participate in the World Cup, if some genuine injury problems erupt in between. Chances, however, are there that a reserve wicketkeeper may be included in the 15-member World Cup team, at the expense of a genuine batter.”

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Global boards, ICC, PCB, and BCCI compete for the Champions Trophy in an attempt to end the standoff.

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2 hours ago

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are at odds over the hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, and the matter is still unresolved.

Cricket boards from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa have also entered the debate, according to sources, and are pleading with the ICC to settle the issue as soon as possible.

The ICC was apparently approached by the three boards to voice their worries on the tournament’s uncertainty. They underlined the need of being clear about the hosting arrangements and schedule.

Sources claim that the boards have also endorsed Pakistan’s position and warned of the consequences if India keeps declining to compete in tournaments held in Pakistan.

The PCB has reaffirmed that it will not bend its stance unless the BCCI offers formal assurances that it will be able to participate. Before proceeding, the federal government of Pakistan has cautioned against taking any chances and demands unambiguous promises from India.

The situation has fueled concerns among cricketing nations about future tournaments.

Several boards have reportedly urged the ICC to establish clear guidelines to avoid similar disputes. While everyone waits for a resolution, tensions continue to rise.

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PCB releases the South Africa series squads, including the comeback of key players.

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6 days ago

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On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed the teams for the forthcoming series against South Africa, which is set to start on December 10.

With the announcement that the series will be played in both red-ball and white-ball forms, several important players who had been sidelined because of injuries or workload management have made their comebacks.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, a fast bowler, will return to the white-ball team after missing the last two Test matches against England. His inclusion is thought to be a crucial step in guaranteeing optimal fitness prior to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. In the ODIs and T20Is against South Africa, Afridi, who has been recuperating from workload-related issues, will be hoping to contribute.

The seasoned fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who was called up to the Test team following an outstanding showing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, is another important addition.

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On the other hand, off-spinner Sajid Khan has been excluded despite playing well in the England series. Only one specialist spinner, Noman Ali, has been chosen by the selectors to be a member of the Test team.

Pakistan test squad:

  • Shan Masood (captain)
  • Saud Shakeel (vice-captain)
  • Aamir Jamal
  • Abdullah Shafique
  • Babar Azam
  • Haseebullah (wk)
  • Kamran Ghulam
  • Khurram Shahzad
  • Mir Hamza
  • Mohammad Abbas
  • Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
  • Naseem Shah
  • Noman Ali
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha

Pakistan ODI Squad:

  • Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk)
  • Abdullah Shafique
  • Abrar Ahmed
  • Babar Azam
  • Haris Rauf
  • Kamran Ghulam
  • Mohammad Hasnain
  • Muhammad Irfan Khan
  • Naseem Shah
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi
  • Sufyan Moqim
  • Tayyab Tahir
  • Usman Khan (wk)

Pakistan T20I Squad:

  • Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk)
  • Abrar Ahmed
  • Babar Azam
  • Haris Rauf
  • Jahandad Khan
  • Mohammad Abbas Afridi
  • Mohammad Hasnain
  • Muhammad Irfan Khan
  • Omair Bin Yousuf
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi
  • Sufyan Moqim
  • Tayyab Tahir
  • Usman Khan (wk)

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The game’s star was Nisar Ali, who gave an incredible batting effort. He ensured a smooth and conclusive victory for Pakistan by smashing an undefeated 72 runs off just 31 balls.

With the win, Pakistan’s stellar record in blind cricket gains yet another honor, solidifying its supremacy in the game.

Supporters nationwide rejoiced after the team’s outstanding accomplishment.

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