Tag: BANvPAK

  • VIDEO: Babar Azam’s maiden Test wicket, celebration

    VIDEO: Babar Azam’s maiden Test wicket, celebration

    Pakistan cricket team clinched the two-match Test series against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Wednesday despite the fact that two days were washed out due to rain. Sajid Khan’s outstanding 12 wicket-haul was the highlight of the match but Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s maiden Test wicket was the cherry on the top.

    Azam in the second innings bowled two overs, took a wicket, and only conceded a run with an economy of 0.50.

    The captain picked up the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored 14 off 70 balls.

    Miraz tried to sweep Babar’s delivery and missed the ball, which touched his pad as a result. Pakistani fielders appealed for LBW, but the on-field umpire declared it not out.

    However, Babar straight away went up for the review, which clearly showed the impact was in line, and the ball clearly hitting between the leg and middle stump, which forced the umpire to reverse his decision to out as the entire Pakistani team became ecstatic.

    The Pakistan team was all excited to see their skipper pick up his wicket, while Babar himself was all smiles.

    The wicket was an important one as well for Pakistan as Shakib al Hasan and Mehidy continued to defy Pakistan’s bowling and were looking in a position to deny the visitors a win.

    Pakistan whitewashed Bangladesh 2-0 in the Test series, breathing life into a rain-hit Test match that was otherwise headed for a certain draw.

    Pakistan team is headed home and all set to play the next series against West Indies on the home grounds.

  • Pakistan beats Bangladesh in first Test with a convincing win

    Pakistan beats Bangladesh in first Test with a convincing win

    Pakistan has beaten Bangladesh in the first Test match of the two-match series by 8 wickets in Chittagong on Tuesday.

    Courtesy of openers Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique, the Pakistan opening pair formed a 151-run opening stand before Shafique was dismissed on 73. Meanwhile, Abid Ali fell short of his fourth Test century by 9 runs as Taijul Islam caught the Pakistan batter in front of the wickets.

    The openers capitalised on their century partnership and took it further to 151 runs before Abdullah was dismissed by Mehidy Hasan.

    Earlier, resuming Day 4 at 39/4, overnight batter Mushfiqur Rahim (16) was bowled by pacer Hassan Ali and the hosts lost their fifth wicket with the lead still being under 100. Yasir Ali had to retire, hurt after playing a knock of 36 and this brought Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan together at the crease.

    Shaheen Shah Afridi went on to take five wickets as Bangladesh was bowled out for 157, setting a 202-run target for the visitors.

    Meanwhile, leading the way to the win, Babar Azam and Azhar Ali sealed the deal for the side with a winning partnership and with back-to-back boundaries, Pakistan takes a 1-0 lead.

    Pakistan stands on 24 points on the points table of the ICC World Test Championship.

    Abid Ali bagged the Player of the Match award after his prolific innings against the hosts in Chittagong.

    Meanwhile, in the post-match ceremony, skipper Babar Azam said: “The way Bangladesh played in the first innings that was really good but Shaheen and Hassan were outstanding. That’s the beauty of Test cricket that it allows you to make a comeback. We didn’t have much time to prepare for the Test but we gave our best. I am really pleased with the way Abdullah Shafique built his innings. Abid Ali was outstanding, scoring tough runs to pull the team out from difficult position.”

  • Pakistan’s bowling consultant Philander to leave amid Omicron fears

    Pakistan’s bowling consultant Philander to leave amid Omicron fears

    Pakistan cricket team’s bowling consultant, South African Vernon Philander is set to leave the Pakistan team midway through the on-going Test against Bangladesh after suspension of flight operations in South Africa amid the spread of new coronavirus variant, Omicron.

    According to reports, Philander will leave Bangladesh for South Africa between Monday and Tuesday night.

    It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan team is currently playing a two-match Test series against Bangladesh and initially Vernon Philander was scheduled to leave Dhaka for Cape Town on December 1 after the first Test.

    However, due to the suspension of flight operations in South Africa amid the spread of the new variant, he will be separated from the Pakistani squad today.

    It may be recalled that in view of the spread of coronavirus variant, Omicron, Pakistan imposed travel bans on six African countries, including South Africa.

    The United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and the European Union have also imposed travel bans on African countries over the threat of a new Corona variant.

    Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Liton Das digged in and helped the side to take the lead of 159 runs before lunch. Both teams are trying to win the first Test. Pakistan needs four wickets, while Bangladesh is trying to set a bigger total to defeat the visitors.

  • Hassan Ali equals Waqar Younis, Imran Khan’s record in Bangladesh Test

    Hassan Ali equals Waqar Younis, Imran Khan’s record in Bangladesh Test

    Pakistani speedster Hassan Ali has equalled former pacer Waqar Younis and former captain Imran Khan’s record for most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by a Pakistani fast pitcher in a calendar year.

    The right-arm fast bowler was unable to impress his fans with his performance at the T20 World Cup but he bounced back at the T20I series against Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series. Now, the pacer has proved himself once again with a 5-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the first innings of the first Test match at Chittagong.

    Hassan was the architect of Bangladesh’s lower-order batting collapse on Saturday as he took quick wickets to ensure a dangerous Bangladesh were restricted to 330 runs in their first innings.

    With figures of 5/51, Ali not only managed to be the pick of the Pakistani bowlers during Bangladesh’s first innings but also entered the record books alongside some of the greatest names of the game.

    Read More – Hassan Ali seals the deal for Pakistan

    With his latest five-fer, Ali has now equalled records for the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by a Pakistani fast bowler in a calendar year, set by legends Imran Khan and Waqar Younis.

    All three Imran Khan, Waqar Younis and Hassan Ali now have 5 five-fers in Test cricket to their name within a calendar year (1982, 1990 and 2021, respectively).

    Pakistan’s former fast bowler Younis holds the record for the most five-fers ever (across formats) in a calendar year by a Pakistani fast bowler, with 6 in 1993.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan scored 79 after 29 overs before tea on the second day. The national side is set for a big score with this partnership built by Asad Shafique and Abid Ali.

  • Hassan Ali’s hairdo is the center of attention for cricket fans

    Hassan Ali’s hairdo is the center of attention for cricket fans

    Pakistan’s pacer Hassan Ali recently got a haircut after carrying long locks in the T20 World Cup 2021.

    Read More – Hassan Ali charged for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in first T20I

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) posted two photos of him in which his transformation can be seen. “T20Is to Tests,” PCB wrote as caption.

    Hassan Ali received criticism in the T20 World Cup as he was unable to perform well in the mega event. The pacer, with a comeback performance in the first T20I match against Bangladesh, took three wickets while giving just 22 runs in his four overs and bagged Player of the Match award.

    He dedicated his Player of the Match award to the fans who supported him through thick and thin.

    “I admit that fans were expecting top-notch performance from me in the World Cup T20,” he said. “Despite my efforts, I failed to put up a decent show. Sometimes in cricket, you cannot showcase your best efforts. I was struggling a bit with no balls and that was the reason I conceded too many runs and was not taking wickets,” adding that his hard work is paying off. “I dedicate this award to the fans who stayed behind me during tough times.”

    Meanwhile, during the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Ali, Sajid Khan and Faheem Ashraf took a wicket each.

    Bangladesh scored 253 for four after they had been reduced to 49 for four on day one of the first Test against Pakistan at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. The play was suspended in the latter half of the evening session because of fading light as 85 overs were bowled and the second days play will begin 11 minutes before the scheduled start to make up for the lost time.

  • Babar Azam is ‘confident’ ahead of Bangladesh Test series

    Babar Azam is ‘confident’ ahead of Bangladesh Test series

    Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam is confident that they will be performing well in the Test Championship after playing against Bangladesh in the two-match Test series. He said that in a virtual press conference from Chittagong ahead of the first Test.

    The skipper was a bit worried about the unavailability of a batting coach with the side, saying that the Men in Green should have had one but the decision to appoint a batting coach rests with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    Veteran Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden was appointed by the PCB as batting consultant for the T20 World Cup. He was hired after Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis stepped down from their coaching roles in September.

    Babar Azam spoke about the team’s performance, saying that he expected them to perform well in the series.

    “The batting line-up includes senior players who play spinners well. The players joining the Test squad were playing domestic cricket and we will benefit from this,” he stated.

    He said that this Test series is also important for Pakistan, adding that the team will try to keep up the winning momentum [from the T20 series].

    Babar Azam praised the Test team, saying that he was confident they will perform well in the Test Championship as “there are more matches at home grounds”.

    He said that the Bangladesh team is a dangerous side even in the absence of senior players. Azam said they cannot be taken lightly as conditions are difficult in Bangladesh.

    “It is not easy to play here. We have to focus and play with patience, we will also try to stay on the wicket.”

    The first Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and Bangladesh starts tomorrow, November 26, in Chittagong.

  • Shahnawaz Dahani is back home with ‘naughty nephew’ after T20 win

    Shahnawaz Dahani is back home with ‘naughty nephew’ after T20 win

    Pakistan’s young pacer Shahnawaz Dahani, who recently made a debut against Bangladesh in the third match of the three-match T20I series, is happy to be back home with his family and “naughty nephew”.

    “Back to home, Larkana. Happy to be with my naughty nephew,” Dahani tweeted, alongside an image of a cheerful boy whom he was holding up.

    Dahani took his maiden international wicket during the series, in the third fixture.

    He clean bowled Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto on the third ball of his first over, hitting the base of the batter’s middle stump to knock the bails off.

    He went on to bowl three overs in the match, giving away 24 runs.

    Prior to the match, Dahani expressed his joy on his debut in a tweet, saying: “Alhamdulillah,I am going to represent my country today. I am extremely happy and excited to play in green. All this happened due to prayers of my mother. Thank you everyone for loving me and supporting me, and Pray that I make my country proud.”

    Dahani also spoke to his mother before the match, seeking her prayers.

  • Pakistan announces 12-man team for first Test against Bangladesh

    Pakistan announces 12-man team for first Test against Bangladesh

    Pakistan’s cricket team, after defeating Bangladesh with a clean sweep in the three-match T20I series, is now all set to play two-match Test series against the hosts. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 12 member team for the clash which will be played at the Ch. Zahoor Ahmed Cricket Stadium, Chittagong starting from Friday, November 26.

    Squad for first Test:

    Babar Azam – Captain, Mohammad Rizwan – Vice captain (wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Hassan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi

    Meanwhile, Bangladesh on Monday announced the squad for the series. The Tigers have called up uncapped batsman Mahmudul Hasan and pace bowler Rejaur Rahman.

    Squad: Mominul Haque (captain), Shadman Islam, Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Abu Jayed Chowdhury, Yasir Ali, Mahmudul Hasan, Rejaur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan (subject to fitness)

    The second match will be played from Saturday, December 4 at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium Mirpur, Dhaka.

  • Why did Bangladesh not give the T20I series trophy to Pakistan?

    Why did Bangladesh not give the T20I series trophy to Pakistan?

    Pakistan beat Bangladesh with a clean sweep in the three-match T20I series on Monday, November 22 but the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) did not give the winning trophy to the team.

    Read More – ‘We are on the right track’: Babar Azam after Pakistan whitewashed Bangladesh in T20I series

    According to Geo Super, the Pakistan squad was left “surprised” after they did not get a trophy despite winning the series.

    However, a spokesperson of the BCB told the management of the Pakistan team that they would hand over the trophy after the conclusion of the Test series.

    The BCB further added that the head of the board was supposed to hand over the trophy to the Pakistani squad but it could not be done due to his unavailability.

    The spokesperson said that officials of the board and sponsoring companies were not part of the bio-secure bubble, therefore, the trophy awarding ceremony could not take place in line with the Covid-19 protocols.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan is set to play a two-match Test Series starting from November 26. The Second Test match will be played during December 4-8.

  • ‘We are on the right track’: Babar Azam after Pakistan whitewashed Bangladesh in T20I series

    ‘We are on the right track’: Babar Azam after Pakistan whitewashed Bangladesh in T20I series

    Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has credited his side’s inspiring teamwork for their stunning clean sweep against hosts Bangladesh in the recently ended three-match T20I series.

    Discussing his team’s prolific performance after the final fixture, the superstar batter mentioned how every member of the Pakistan side is aware of their roles. The strategy has paid dividends for them in their recent assignments, according to the skipper.

    The 27-year-old feels that a form slump is part and parcel of the game. Babar added that he intends to take positives from the series, despite his own underwhelming outings. He also recognized contributions from the likes of Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Khushdil Shah and lauded them for stepping up.

    Babar also assured fans that the team is on the right track. Pakistan will now shift their focus to red-ball cricket when they lock horns against Bangladesh in a two-match Test series. Azam is keen to capitalise on the momentum they are carrying. He said: “The management and I have assigned specific roles for everyone and the players have been executing their plans nicely. Everyone expects me to do well. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen this time. I always try to perform in every game, but there are always ups and downs in cricket. This teaches you that it is important to remain positive all the time. We are on the right track and will look to carry the same momentum in Test matches as well.”

    “These were the things that we were missing,” said Babar who was delighted to see fans back in the stands. The star batter stated that his Pakistan side were overjoyed to see fans slowly returning to the stadiums. He also revealed that his players enjoyed seeing the fans cheer for them. Babar applauded the middle-order for firing with the bat alongside their improved fielding and believes those are the key takeaways from the series.

    “We enjoyed a lot. The way in which the fans showed their support in all three games, these were the things that we were missing. The fans are being allowed into the stadium as things are opening up slowly and it is a wonderful thing. I am very pleased with the team’s consistency. It’s good to see how players are taking responsibility,” he added.

    The right hand-batter recently surpassed veteran batter Mohammad Hafeez to become the leading run-scorer for Pakistan in T20Is. However, Azam had a quiet series with the bat, as he could only score 27 runs from his 3 appearances.