Latest news with #Shaheens
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Pak Shaheens begin ODI campaign in Eng today
Pakistan Shaheens led by Saud Shakeel are set to take on the Professional County Club Select XI in the first of three One-Day matches scheduled on Tuesday at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham. The second one-day match will also be played at the same venue on Friday, 25 July, while the third one-day match of the series will take place on Sunday, 27 July at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove. The one-day series will be followed by two three-day matches. The first match will be held from 29 to 31 July at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove against Professional County Club Select XI. The second three-day game is scheduled against the South Asian Cricket Academy & MCC Young Cricketers XI at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury from 3 to 5 August. Pakistan Shaheens held a couple of training sessions at the Tonbridge School Ground in Kent after arriving in England on 17 July. Talking to PCB Digital ahead of the opening game on the tour, Saud Shakeel said: "We are gradually getting used to the conditions. The time we have had for preparation so far has been quite productive. Although the weather did interrupt us with a bit of rain, but we utilised whatever time and facilities we had to the best of our ability. "Getting used to English conditions always takes some time, but if you look at white-ball cricket in England, the pitches are generally good for batting and high-scoring matches are common. We have been practicing accordingly after taking all of this into account. "Our opposition on the tour consist of players who are under consideration for England selection. Our situation is quite similar, we also have some exciting young talent in our squad. I believe it will be a competitive series for everyone to watch. "The players have the opportunity to perform here and impress the selectors to get into the national side. Whenever you are part of such tours, a strong performance gives you a different kind of confidence. These tours are a good sign and these should continue in future as well." Squad: Saud Shakeel (captain), Ali Zaryab, Azan Awais, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Suleman, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Shahid Aziz, Shamyl Hussain and Ubaid Shah Player support personnel: Imran Farhat (head coach), Rehan Riaz (bowling coach), Mohtashim Rasheed (fielding coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst) and Ali Sufyan (physio) Pakistan Shaheens One-Day series fixtures: 22 July – v Professional County Club Select XI, The Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham (11am local time) 25 July – v Professional County Club Select XI, The Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham (11am local time) 27 July – v Professional County Club Select XI, The 1st Central County Ground, Hove (11am local time).
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak Shaheens depart for Eng tour today
Pakistan Shaheens' head coach Imran Farhat has termed the upcoming England tour a significant step toward building a strong future for Pakistan cricket. Addressing the media at National Stadium on Tuesday, Farhat highlighted that the tour blends emerging young players with experienced seniors — a combination he believes will yield long-term benefits. The 18-member Pakistan Shaheens squad is set to depart for England on Wednesday, where they will play two three-day matches and three 50-over games. The primary aim, Farhat emphasized, is to develop high-quality backups for the national team by exposing promising domestic performers to international conditions. "This tour is a golden opportunity to groom future stars," Farhat said. "Our focus is on strengthening the top order and identifying standout talent in spin and pace bowling. We'll also work on helping players adjust to English conditions." Farhat further revealed that similar international exposure is being planned in countries like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Speaking at the media briefing, several Shaheens squad members — Ali Zaryab, Aazan Owais, Shamyl Hussain, and Ubaid Shah — also shared their excitement and aspirations. Meanwhile, the Shaheens' training camp concluded on Tuesday with a practice match at the Hanif Mohammad Regional Cricket Academy Ground. The tour will run from July 17 to August 6. The squad is captained by Saud Shakeel, who brings the experience of 19 Test matches. Other notable names include Sajid Khan (12 Tests), Mir Hamza (7 Tests), and Musa Khan (1 Test). Full 18-member squad: Saud Shakeel (Captain), Sajid Khan, Mir Hamza, Musa Khan, Aazan Owais, Muaz Sadaqat, Ali Zaryab, Haider Ali, Mohammad Suleman, Umair bin Yousuf, Shamyl Hussain, Rohail Nazir (Wicketkeeper), Mushtaq Ahmed, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah, Faisal Akram, Mehran Mumtaz, Mubasir Khan Team Management: Head Coach: Imran Farhat Bowling Coach: Rehan Riaz Fielding Coach: Mohtashim Rasheed Analyst: Usman Hashmi Physio: Ali Sufiyan.
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
National Cricket Academy, Lahore: 20-day skills development camp concludes
LAHORE: The 20-day Skills Development Camp which began on 16th June at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore concluded Friday afternoon with a scenario-based 35-over match. Over 40 men's cricketers took part in intensive training and fitness sessions during the camp. Speaking to the media at the LCCA Ground, Director High-Performance PCB Aqib Javed shared insights on the objectives and outcomes of the camp as Pakistan gears up for a packed cricket season at home and away. 'Today marks the end of the final phase, which focused on some of the Pakistan Shaheens players ahead of their England tour. Earlier phases focused on player-coach interaction with our national men's team. Off-season is the ideal time for players to identify and address weaknesses, but our work doesn't stop here,' Aqib said. After the Ashura break, the High-Performance setup will resume camps to prepare players heading to Darwin for a T20 tournament and the Test squad for South Africa's tour of Pakistan. 'We're working in parallel with the Shaheens and the red-ball team, and we're preparing pitches that replicate home conditions to help players adjust ahead of our Test series, he said.' While acknowledging the limitations of short camps, Aqib highlighted their importance in addressing team needs. 'You can't fix everything in a week, but these camps help us fill gaps; whether it's a spin all-rounder, a fast-bowling all-rounder, or wicket keeping options. We will continue these camps until October to scout and polish emerging talent.' Pakistan's sights are firmly set on the new ICC Test Championship cycle regarding, which Aqib stated, 'I believe Pakistan has a strong chance to win it. Every team looks to capitalise on home conditions, and our immediate focus is on winning the upcoming series against South Africa.' Aqib also praised the players' discipline during the Skills Development camp. 'What impressed me most were players waking up at 5am, which added much-needed discipline and structure that will reflect in their skills and fitness over the next six months, he said.' Talking about modern cricket's demands, Aqib noted: 'The game now is highly skill-oriented and fast-paced, requiring players to perform specific roles in different phases, whether batting or bowling. Our training sessions were designed to refine these role-specific skills.' He concluded by stating that selection decisions will continue to depend on conditions and formats as Pakistan prepares for an important season ahead. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Chopra highlights Pakistan's weakness
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has highlighted Pakistan's struggles under pressure as a key weakness ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin next week. While speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra provided a candid analysis of Pakistan's mental vulnerabilities in high-stakes situations. "Pakistan's weakness is not a recent issue; it's a perennial problem. Of course, they are the defending champions in the Champions Trophy, but the truth is that they struggle under pressure. They lost to the USA in the last ICC event (the 2024 T20 World Cup) and failed to qualify for the second round," said Chopra. The cricketer-turned-commentator further emphasised Pakistan's unpredictability as a major drawback heading into the tournament. "They are inconsistent. Their graph fluctuates. They rarely maintain stability. In a way, they reflect their countryups and downs. The same inconsistency is seen in their cricket team," he stated. Pakistan's volatility has long been a double-edged sword. While they have pulled off stunning victories, they have also suffered shocking defeats. Chopra believes this inconsistency adds to their challenges. "They are volatile and unpredictablePakistan's middle name is unpredictability. Imploding under pressure and inconsistency are major concerns. Can Pakistan overcome these issues? That remains the question, especially since they will be under immense pressure," he said. Despite being the defending champions from the 2017 edition, Pakistan struggled in recent ICC events, failing to progress beyond the group stage in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to commence in Karachi on February 19, with defending champions Pakistan facing New Zealand in the tournament opener. As part of their preparations, Pakistan Shaheens played a crucial warm-up match against Afghanistan, posting a formidable 314/8 and securing a dominant 144-run victory. Skipper Shadab Khan led from the front with an impressive bowling performance, taking three wickets as Afghanistan was dismissed for 170. The Shaheens will next face South Africa at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 17, while another squad will take on Bangladesh on the same day at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan Squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
'CT crown more important than beating India'
Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha expressed his excitement and determination ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, emphasising the significance of Pakistan hosting an ICC event. Speaking in episode 58 of the PCB Podcast, Salman shared his aspirations for the tournament, his team responsibilities, and his personal preparations. He highlighted the rare opportunity for Pakistan to host a major ICC event, calling it a momentous occasion for the country's cricketing landscape. "I am excited for the Champions TrophyPakistan hosting an ICC event is special. As a Lahore native, lifting the trophy in my hometown would be a dream come true. The Pakistan team has the potential to win," said Salman. With the Champions Trophy set to take place in Pakistan, the tournament marks a crucial milestone in bringing back high-profile international cricket to home soil. Addressing Pakistan's highly anticipated clash against India, Salman emphasised that while the rivalry is intense, the ultimate objective remains winning the tournament. "The Pakistan-India match is the biggest, but winning the Champions Trophy is more important. If we beat India but don't win the tournament, that win holds no value. However, if we lose to India but lift the trophy, that's a bigger achievement. Our goal is to perform well and win," he remarked. His statement reflects a team-first approach, prioritising long-term success over a single marquee matchan attitude that could be crucial in Pakistan's campaign. The 31-year-old also spoke about his role as vice-captain, acknowledging both the responsibility and the freedom it brings. "I am really enjoying cricket and the new role given to me. Being vice-captain comes with responsibility but also a sense of freedom. The victories in Australia and South Africa gave me a lot of confidence, and I always prepare thoroughly a day before the match," he shared. His leadership has played a vital role in Pakistan's recent performances, and his meticulous preparation has contributed to his consistent form. During the podcast, Salman also shed light on his teammate Saud Shakeel's disciplined approach before matches. "Saud Shakeel follows a unique process before a matchdinner and sleep by 9 PM, breakfast at 6 AM, and he's already heading to the team bus when we arrive. Playing and performing consistently in domestic cricket makes it easier at the international level," he revealed. It is pertinent to mention that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to commence in Karachi on February 19, with defending champions Pakistan facing New Zealand in the tournament opener. As part of their preparations, Pakistan Shaheens played a crucial warm-up match against Afghanistan, posting a formidable 314/8 and securing a dominant 144-run victory. Skipper Shadab Khan led from the front with an impressive bowling spell, taking three wickets as Afghanistan was dismissed for 170. The Shaheens will next face South Africa at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 17, while another squad will take on Bangladesh on the same day at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan Squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
