Salman explains Sufiyan's exclusion
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha revealed the reason behind left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem's absence from the national squad for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last week announced a 16-member squad for the aforementioned series, which was selected based on the players' performances in the recently concluded HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.
Meanwhile, Muqeem, who represented Peshawar Zalmi in this year's marquee league, had a forgetful campaign as he could only play three matches and took only one wicket at a dismal economy rate of 9.72.
The spinner, however, delivered impressive performances for the national team last month on the white-ball tour of New Zealand, where he picked up five wickets in three matches – one T20I and two ODIs.
His exclusion drew an outburst from fans, who flocked to social media to express their disapproval.
Consequently, Pakistan captain Agha was also asked to share the thought process behind the wrist spinner's snub from the home series during the pre-series press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Tuesday.
In response, Agha expressed his admiration for Muqeem and assured that he is in their plans for shorter formats before explaining that he was overlooked considering the conditions here, which according to him are more favourable for the pacers.
"I personally like Sufyan a lot, and in the upcoming series, he will feature in our shorter formats squads. I think Sufyan will play a crucial role in the white-ball format, and he will win a lot of matches for Pakistan in the future," said Agha.
"If we look at the conditions, spinners did not have much success here [Lahore], so a fast bowler is added in his place," he added.
It is pertinent to mention that the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium here on May 28, 30 and June 1, respectively.
Wasim Jr ruled out
Pakistan's fast-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Wasim Jr has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Tuesday.
According to the cricket board, the 23-year-old picked up a side strain during the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 and was not able to recover in time.
Earlier, sources had suggested that the doctors advised Mohammad Wasim Jr a one-week rest and thus, will undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here.
As a result, he has been replaced by Abbas Afridi, who was the joint second leading wicket-taker of the PSL 10 with 17 dismissals in 11 matches at a decent average of 23.52.
"Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas Afridi has replaced Mohammad Wasim Jnr in Pakistan's T20I squad for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh," the PCB said in a statement.
"Wasim Jnr picked up a side strain during the HBL PSL and was not able to recover in time."
Abbas has thus far represented Pakistan in 20 T20Is and took 33 wickets in his budding career.
For the unversed, the three-match T20I series is scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium here on May 28, 30 and June 1.
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk) and Saim Ayub.
Series schedule:
28 May – 1st T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
30 May – 2nd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
1 June – 3rd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Shaheens to feature in Top End T20 Series
Pakistan team in action against Bangladesh in the three-match T20I series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Photo: AFP Pakistan Shaheens will return to Darwin for the third successive year to take part in the Top End T20 Series, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed today. This year's edition of Top End T20 Series will take place in Darwin from 14 to 24 August with Pakistan Shaheens taking on Bangladesh 'A' in the opening match of the tournament on 14 August at the TIO Stadium in Darwin. The event will feature 11 teams with 36 T20 fixtures to be played across five venues including DXC Arena, TIO Stadium, Gardens Oval, Cazaly's Arena and Freds Pass. More details will be announced by the tournament organisers in due course. In 2023 edition, Pakistan Shaheens qualified for the final, while in last year's event, they featured in the first semi-final. Sumair Ahmed Syed, PCB Chief Operating Officer: 'We are pleased to confirm Pakistan Shaheens' participation in the Top End T20 Series for the third consecutive year. This tournament continues to serve as a platform for our emerging cricketers to gain valuable exposure and experience in competitive conditions. 'We are grateful to Northern Territory Cricket for their continued collaboration and for providing a professional and high-quality tournament that contributes significantly to the growth of our emerging talent.' Gavin Dovey, NT Cricket CEO: 'We are once again delighted to welcome our good friends the PCB and BCB to Darwin where it is an honour and privilege to host two genuine giants of the game. 'The Top End T20 Series was created as a vehicle to market and promote the Northern Territory as a destination to visit, live, work or study, and I don't think there is a sport in the Territory that can connect with a bigger audience.'
Business Recorder
15 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan Shaheens to feature in Top End T20 series
Pakistan Shaheens will return to Darwin for the third successive year to take part in the Top End T20 Series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Tuesday. This year's edition of Top End T20 Series will take place in Darwin from 14 to 24 August with Pakistan Shaheens taking on Bangladesh 'A' in the opening match of the tournament on 14 August at the TIO Stadium in Darwin. The event will feature 11 teams with 36 T20 fixtures to be played across five venues including DXC Arena, TIO Stadium, Gardens Oval, Cazaly's Arena and Freds Pass. More details will be announced by the tournament organisers in due course. In 2023 edition, Pakistan Shaheens qualified for the final, while in last year's event, they featured in the first semi-final. Mubasir shines as Shaheens begin white-ball leg of Darwin tour on winning note Sumair Ahmed Syed, PCB Chief Operating Officer: 'We are pleased to confirm Pakistan Shaheens' participation in the Top End T20 Series for the third consecutive year. This tournament continues to serve as a platform for our emerging cricketers to gain valuable exposure and experience in competitive conditions. 'We are grateful to Northern Territory Cricket for their continued collaboration and for providing a professional and high-quality tournament that contributes significantly to the growth of our emerging talent.' Gavin Dovey, NT Cricket CEO: 'We are once again delighted to welcome our good friends the PCB and BCB to Darwin where it is an honour and privilege to host two genuine giants of the game. 'The Top End T20 Series was created as a vehicle to market and promote the Northern Territory as a destination to visit, live, work or study, and I don't think there is a sport in the Territory that can connect with a bigger audience.'
Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Kamran Akmal criticised Azhar Mehmood's appointment as red-ball head coach
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has sharply criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for appointing Azhar Mahmood as interim head coach of the national Test team, calling the move illogical and reflective of poor management. Speaking on 'The Game Plan' YouTube podcast, Akmal said he was baffled by the rationale behind naming Mahmood to the post on a temporary basis. He likened the decision to the PCB's earlier controversial appointment of Mickey Arthur as director of cricket, despite his ongoing commitments with a county team. 'I just don't understand the logic behind this decision,' Akmal said. 'It's exactly like the time they made Mickey Arthur director of cricket while letting him continue elsewhere. I couldn't understand it then, and I can't understand it now.' Akmal argued that such short-term, inconsistent decisions have contributed to long-standing issues within Pakistan cricket. He cited a series of coaching changes—including Aaqib Javed, Mohammad Hafeez, and now Azhar Mahmood—as examples of the PCB's reactive approach. The former international urged the board to adopt a more professional and strategic mindset, warning that temporary fixes would only deepen structural problems. 'These decisions reflect a lack of seriousness,' he added. 'When the PCB starts thinking seriously and acting professionally, it won't have to make such compromises or temporary appointments.' Akmal also suggested that Mahmood's appointment seemed more about rewarding personal loyalty than building a stable coaching framework. He criticised what he described as a 'please-all' strategy and questioned the utility of naming a head coach without long-term responsibility. 'Everyone has been appeased, and now Azhar has also been rewarded,' he said. 'If you've made him head coach, then give him the full time and responsibility. Otherwise, what's the point?' The PCB has not yet commented on Akmal's remarks. Azhar Mahmood's appointment comes at a time when Pakistan's Test side is undergoing a transitional phase ahead of upcoming tours.
