Tag: Pakistan Cricket Team

  • 2021: The year of records in Pakistani cricket

    2021: The year of records in Pakistani cricket

    The Pakistan cricket team is considered to be the most unpredictable team of all. The Men in Green have seen many ups and downs this year but the green shirts flourished with bright colours, making record breaking partnerships, personal and team records and many more. We have collected some major events that happened in cricket in Pakistan and how the year 2021 was for the Shaheens.

    Our champions reshaped the face of T20I Cricket in 2021. Have a look at their phenomenal performance.

    PSL 6 Winners

    Mohammad Rizwan, leading the Multan Sultans, won the sixth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2021. Sultans beat Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs in the final to win their maiden trophy of the tournament in June, 2021. Rizwan replaced Shan Masood as the captain of the team after he was traded from the PSL franchise Karachi Kings.

    Sultans started at the second leg of the PSL fifth on the points table, having lost four of their first five matches but led by their captain Rizwan, went on to win four of the next five to finish the league stage second. They then swatted the Islamabad United challenge in the first qualifier and lead themselves to the win in the final, a crowning glory in their magnificent UAE leg of the season.

    Pakistan beats India in T20WC

    Pakistan made history by beating arch-rival India for the first time in a T20 World Cup match in October. The green shirts’ 10-wicket win ended a decades-long defeat streak that began in 1992. Pakistan had lost all 12 of their previous World Cup matches against India.

    The two former champions clashed after more than two years in the 2021 T20 World Cup opening fixture at the Dubai International Stadium.

    Pakistani openers Azam (68) and Mohammad Rizwan (79) produced a batting masterclass to chase down the 152-run target without losing a wicket, and finishing the game in the 18th over.

    Rizwan and Babar partnership

    Babar and Rizwan made a formidable partnership for Pakistan at the top of the order. They scored a total of 6 century stands, which is the most by a batting pair in the history of T20Is. Out of these, 4 were in excess of 150 runs which is also the most for a batting pair in T20Is and came against the likes of England, India, South Africa, and West Indies.

    The duo was magnificent for Pakistan throughout the 2021 T20 World Cup. They were influential as Pakistan defeated arch-rivals India for the first time in World Cup history. The batting pair scored an unbeaten knock of 152 runs and registered the highest opening stand in T20 World Cup history.

    Babar and Rizwan’s opening partnerships were all the more impressive because of pressure situations. Out of their six century partnerships, three came while chasing a target. This also included 197 run stand against South Africa at Centurion.

    The duo also became the first batting pair in history to score more than 1,000 runs in a year. They scored 1,380 runs at an average of 57.50 in 25 innings while batting together.

    Rizwan T20 Runs

    Mohammad Rizwan rounded off a magnificent year in T20 cricket by becoming the first batter in the history of the format to cross 2,000 runs in a calendar year. The wicket-keeper batter scored 2,036 runs at an average of 56.55 and a strike rate of 132.03 in 45 innings he played in the year. Rizwan also became the highest run-scorer in T20Is in a calendar year as he became the first batter in history to cross 1,000 runs in T20Is. He scored 1,326 runs at an average of 73.66 and a strike rate of 134.89 in 26 innings.

    The star wicket-keeper batter was Pakistan’s most influential player in all formats this year. Rizwan won a total of 6 player-of-the-series awards in 2021, equaling the record of most player-of-the-series awards held by Sachin Tendulkar since 1998. Rizwan bagged 4 player-of-the-series awards in T20Is and 2 in red-ball cricket.

    Record 20 T20I wins in a year

    During the year, Pakistan played 29 matches in the shortest format and won 20 – the most by any team. They lost six while three ended with no result.

    The Men in Green played seven bilateral T20 series, and won six – against South Africa, Zimbabwe, West Indies and Bangladesh. They only lost to England.

    Pakistan also won all group matches in the T20 World Cup – against India, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Namibia and Scotland. They lost the semi-final against Australia in a thriller.

    Babar number 1 T20 and ODI player

    Babar Azam’s incredible 2021 has been capped off with a number1 T20I batting ranking.

    Combining in an opening partnership of 158 with Mohammad Rizwan against the West Indies in Karachi to set up a 3-0 series win, Babar’s 79 from just 53 balls propelled him back to the top, overtaking Aiden Markram and Dawid Malan. He now sits number1 in both the men’s T20I and ODI rankings going into the final days of the year.

    This was only the second time in history that a batter was ranked number one in both formats at the end of a year. Australian legend, Ricky Ponting, achieved the feat in 2005.

    Babar Nominated for ODI Player of the Year Award

    The Skipper of Pakistan is also nominated for the ODI Player of the Year award. He scored 405 runs in six matches in the outgoing year at an average of 67.50 with two centuries in the 50-over format.

    Alongside Azam, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, Ireland’s Paul Stirling and South Africa’s Janneman Malan have been named as contenders for the award.

    Rizwan Nominated for T20Player of the Year Award

    The star batter is also nominated for the T20I Player of the Year award for his exceptional performances with the bat.

    Alongside Rizwan, Jos Buttler, Wanindu Hasaranga and Mitchell Marsh are the four nominees for the Men’s T20 Cricketer of the Year Award.

    Two Consecutive Whitewash

    The Pakistan cricket team had a great two series against Bangladesh and West Indies. First the green shirts beat Bangladesh with a 2-0 clean sweep in Test matches and 3-0 whitewash in T20Is and the national team later triumphed a T20I series at home against West Indies.

    Meanwhile, led by the dynamic opening duo of Rizwan and Babar, Pakistan pulled off a record chase in the third and final T20 international to register a 3-0 series whitewash over the covid-hit West Indies team.

    Pakistan beats India in U19 Asia Cup

    Pakistan beat arch-rivals India by two wickets in a nail-biting match of the group stage of the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) Under-19s Asia Cup, with young stars Muhammad Shehzad and Zeeshan Zameer’s heroics leaving the Men In Blue surprised.

    Skipper Qasim Akram put India to bat after winning the toss and restricted the Men In Blue to 237 in the 50-over match at the ICC Academy Ground.

  • Shaheen Afridi ranks Rizwan ‘best’ and Babar ‘second’ best captain

    Shaheen Afridi ranks Rizwan ‘best’ and Babar ‘second’ best captain

    Pakistan’s young fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was recently appointed as the new captain of Lahore Qalandars, has revealed that he ranks Mohammad Rizwan as a better captain than Babar Azam.

    While attending a press conference where Shaheen was officially announced as the new captain of the Lahore Qalandars team, the left-arm pacer was asked about his opinion regarding Babar Azam’s captaincy.

    “Babar Azam is my favorite batsman and he is the number one batter as well. He has done fantastically well as a captain for the national team and we are reaching new heights under him,” responded Shaheen.

    Shaheen was then asked to reveal who he believes has been the best captain near him since he started playing.

    “I like [Mohammad] Rizwan’s personality. I started playing domestic competition with him from KPK’s side and I would rate him as the best. Since Babar has done a fantastic job with the national team, I will rank him second,” said the newly appointed captain of the Lahore Qalandars team.

  • ‘Clearly I’m home’: Saqlain Mushtaq shares video with daughters putting clips on his beard

    ‘Clearly I’m home’: Saqlain Mushtaq shares video with daughters putting clips on his beard

    Interim head coach of the national cricket team, Saqlain Mushtaq, recently shared a video on his social media in which he can be seen sitting on a couch and his daughters are putting small clips on his beard and hair.

    Sharing the video on Twitter, the former Pakistan spinner wrote: “Clearly… I’m home after a long three months of cricket serving the great Pakistan.”

    The former Test off-spinner was appointed as the interim head coach after Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis resigned from their posts. He was appointed only for the New Zealand home series, which was cancelled after the visiting team left Pakistan before playing any match. The Black Caps backed out of its tour due to security concerns minutes before the first match was scheduled to start at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

    Mushtaq was asked to continue in his role for the T20 Men’s World Cup as well as the series against Bangladesh and West Indies.

    Under Mushtaq’s tenure, Pakistan began an unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup till they were eliminated in the semi-final. Recently, the Men in Green also defeated Bangladesh on their home ground. While the national side also defeated West Indies with a clean sweep in the three-match T20I series in Karachi.

  • Babar Azam celebrates Pakistan’s 20th T20I win in a year, clean sweep

    Babar Azam celebrates Pakistan’s 20th T20I win in a year, clean sweep

    Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam took to his social media to celebrate the 20th T20I win of the team in a calendar year. The 27-year-old batter was also happy for winning the three-match T20I series with a clean sweep against West Indies in Karachi on Thursday.

    Taking to Twitter, the skipper wrote: “One more in the collection, Alhumdulillah.”

    He also thanked Windies team for their tour despite difficult times of Covid-19. “Special mention to West Indies team for making this tour possible in difficult times. Our whole nation graciously thank you,” he wrote.

    Babar and Rizwan, after winning the 20th T20I in a year, shared their views about the national side. Babar credited Pakistan team for their successful run in T20Is in 2021. The captain also showered praise on his opening partner.

    Calling him a wonderful human being and speaking about the way Rizwan has improved his game, Babar said: “According to me, I’m privileged to have such a talented cricketer, a wonderful human being, someone who gels everyone together and someone who is looked up to by everyone.”

    “The way Rizwan improved his game, confidence levels and belief in himself is evident for everyone to see in the last one year. I’m happy that he is the leading T20I run-scorer in 2021,” he added.

    He credited the entire team for the success and noted: “The credit goes to the team and the players for their efforts, and believing in themselves. Communication and backing the players has been quite helpful for us. Every player in our dressing room is a match-winner.”

    Mohammad Rizwan finished 2021 as the leading run-scorer in T20Is with 1,326 runs in 29 matches at an average of nearly 74. He also became the first cricketer to score over 2,000 T20 runs (2,036 runs) in a calendar year.

    Rizwan and Babar powered Pakistan to their highest successful chase in T20I cricket as well as beating West Indies by seven wickets in the third T20I in Karachi. Babar contributed 79 off 53 balls, while Rizwan was the aggressor, hitting 87 off just 45 with the help of ten fours and three sixes.

    At the end, Asif Ali hit a flurry of boundaries to level the scores and sealing the deal for the national side, scoring 21* off just 7 balls.

    All-rounder Shadab Khan, pacer Haris Rauf and power hitter Asif also took to their social media to express their joy after winning the series with a clean sweep.

    Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja also lauded both the openers and team for the achievement.

  • Men in green seal record 18th T20 win in calendar year by beating Windies

    Men in green seal record 18th T20 win in calendar year by beating Windies

    Pakistan Cricket team has become the first men’s team to win 18 T20 international matches in a calendar year as they beat West Indies by 63 runs in the first game of the three-match series on Monday.

    Mohammad Rizwan (78), Haider Ali (68) and at the end Mohammad Nawaz (30) put on a dominant batting performance as Pakistan set the tourists a target of 201 in Karachi.

    The bowlers finished the job for the home team after Mohammad Wasim picked up four wickets and Shadab Khan took three as West Indies were restricted for 137.

    Pakistan’s 18th T20 win in 2021 was an improvement on their record of 17 victories in 2018.

    The second and third matches in the series will be played on Tuesday and Thursday respectively.

    The teams are scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals after the T20 series.

    Meanwhile, the team was showered with applause on social media. Taking to Twitter, Wasim expressed his joy to represent his team on the homeland for the first time.

    “Extremely happy to win my first international match in my country. So proud to be part of this team. Thank you, Karachi, for your support,” he wrote.

    “Pakistan Zindabad!”

  • Misbah speaks out against haters saying team doing better without him

    Misbah speaks out against haters saying team doing better without him

    Former Pakistan Captain and Coach Misbah-ul-Haq has blasted haters for saying that the Pakistan cricket team is performing better after he resigned as the head coach just before the T20 World Cup.

    Read More – Pakistan wins T20 series in Bangladesh

    Misbah, while talking to the media on Muslim Gymkhana’s annual match occasion said: “Well done to those who think that the team has started to perform better after my departure. I am also happy to see the Pakistan team winning.”

    “We all want Pakistan to perform better,” he added.

    About Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez’s future, he said: “The cricketers themselves can make a better decision regarding their future. They know better how long they can play for the national team and play their part in victories.”

    As Pakistan started their two-match test series against Bangladesh today, Misbah stated that Pakistan’s Test side is strong and can beat the Tigers at their home.

    “The team is performing well under Babar Azam’s captaincy, the credit goes to him. While Saqlain Mushtaq is managing the players really well,” Misbah added.

    To replace Misbah and bowling coach Waqar Younis, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Saqlain Mushtaq as interim head coach and Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander as consultant coaches for the mega event.

  • 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.

  • A clean sweep, Pakistan wins a thriller against Bangladesh

    A clean sweep, Pakistan wins a thriller against Bangladesh

    Pakistan beat Bangladesh in the three-match T20I series in Dhaka on Monday through a clean sweep. Set 125 to win, Mohammad Nawaz sealed the deal with a boundary off the final delivery at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

    Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah Riyad (3-10) claimed three wickets in the final over. Haider Ali top-scored with 45 off 38 balls. Mohammad Wasim (2-15) and Usman Qadir (2-35) earlier claimed two wickets each for Pakistan.

    Opener Mohammad Naim top-scored with 47 off 50 balls for Bangladesh while Shamim Hossain and Afif Hossain added 22 and 20 runs respectively.

    Pakistan won the first two matches by four wickets and eight wickets respectively.

    Pakistan needed 8 from three balls and suddenly, it looked like Bangladesh can pull this off. Iftikhar’s hit brought Pakistan back before Nawaz sealed it with a four off the last ball after two non-balls.

    Haider Ali was declared Player of the Match after scoring the top runs. While Mohammad Rizwan is the Player of the Series.

    “The way everyone has put in the efforts, credit goes to the players. You can always improve. Like our fielding has improved, our middle order has won games for us. Whatever mistakes we made, we want to make sure we don’t repeat them in the upcoming games. We want to carry this momentum into the Test matches. I want to thank the fans here,” said skipper Babar Azam in the post-match ceremony.

  • Shoaib Malik to fly for Dubai to be with ailing son Izhaan

    Shoaib Malik to fly for Dubai to be with ailing son Izhaan

    Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik will miss the third and final T20I against Bangladesh today due to illness of his child and will depart for Dubai before the match.

    Meanwhile, the national T20I squad will depart from Dhaka to Pakistan via Dubai on Tuesday. Usman Qadir and Imad Wasim will spend a couple of days in Dubai with their families.

    As per details, the national Test side will now play the test matches in Chittagong on Tuesday for the first of the two Tests. Bowling consultant Vernon Philander will leave the side at the completion of the first Test as he was available for the three T20Is and the first Test.

    Pakistan and Bangladesh will play two World Test Championship matches. The Chittagong Test will commence from November 26 and the second Test will be played in Dhaka from December 4-8.

    Pakistan, after winning first two T20Is of the three-match series, will be playing the third and last T20I match today, November 22.