Sports

Abdullah Shafique ‘contracts fever’ ahead of Australia clash

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Players underwent medical examination as per protocol: sources.
“There is no concern about the health of players,” say sources.
Shafique first Pakistan batsman to make a century on his WC debut.

BENGALURU: Pakistan’s opening batsman Abdullah Shafique has contracted fever ahead of the national’s team match against Australia on October 20, the team’s sources told Geo News on Tuesday.

They said fast bowler Shaheen Afridi and leg-spinner Usama Mir were also suffering from fever but they have recovered now.

The sources said players underwent medical examination as per protocol and were tested for COVID-19 and dengue fever.

“There is no concern about the health of players,” the sources were quoted as saying.

Shafique has a habit of making great first impressions, the latest of which came on October 11 when he became the first Pakistan batsman to make a century on his World Cup debut in an epic pursuit against Sri Lanka.

Called up to replace the out-of-form Fakhar Zaman, the 23-year-old opener clubbed 113 and with a cramping Mohammad Rizwan (131 not out) helped Pakistan reach their 345-run target, the highest successful run chase in World Cup history.

He scored a hundred on his domestic Grade-II debut (non first class), notched another century on his first class debut in 2019 and a year later achieved the same feat in Twenty20 cricket.

Shafique is only the second batsman in the world to have hit a hundred on first class and T20 debut, along with India’s Shivam Bhambri.

After his T20 debut hundred, the then head coach Misbah-ul-Haq selected him in the shortest format but Shafique failed with four successive ducks.

He was backed despite his failures, making him a target for critics who accused him of receiving preferential treatment.

Shafique finally came good in Tests, hitting a hundred against Australia and England, and two against Sri Lanka including a double ton in July this year.

Barely a month out from the World Cup, Shafique was not even in the squad.

However, with concerns over Zaman’s lack of runs, the Pakistan team management select him as a back-up.

Schedule of Pakistan’s remaining matches

October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru

October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai

October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai

October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata

November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)

November 11 – vs England in Kolkata

The day matches which will start at 10:00am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 01:30pm (PST).

If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in Kolkata.

If India qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in Mumbai unless playing against Pakistan, in which case they will play in Kolkata.

Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan

Latest News

The BCCI has confirmed that Pakistan’s name will be on India’s jersey during the Champions Trophy.

Published

13 hours ago

Farwa

On Wednesday, the BCCI confirmed that Pakistan’s name would be put on India’s shirt.

According to Indian media, India’s shirt would incorporate the Champions Trophy emblem, which has been approved by the ICC. The Indian team will adhere to the International Cricket Council’s mega-event criteria.

The BCCI has underlined that the Indian squad will respect the ICC’s norms.

It is worth noting that the Champions Trophy begins on February 19.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) urged the ICC to severely enforce the BCCI’s policies.

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The Indian team must have the “Pakistan” logo on their uniforms, the ICC warns the BCCI.

Published

17 hours ago

Farwa

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received a warning from the International Cricket Council about its unwillingness to include the logo of Pakistan on the trophy kits of its winning team.

The International Cricket Council has given a strong message to the Indian board on this, according to Indian NDTV.

As part of its host nation policy, the Indian board claimed that it was not interested in having Pakistan’s name appear on their team uniform. However, the ICC rejected this claim.

In reality, the ICC has urged the Indian board to clarify that, since the country was the tournament’s original host, the Indian squad must have “Pakistan” printed on their uniform.

Latest News

BCCI disregards tradition; Pakistan absent from Champions Trophy 2025 jerseys

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

India’s preparations for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have been marred by tensions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

In a deviation from convention, the Indian team, captained by Rohit Sharma, would omit Pakistan’s name off their shirts, despite the event being hosted by Pakistan.

This action occurs against a backdrop of intensifying political and security conflicts between the two cricketing powerhouses.

Although the Champions Trophy is scheduled to occur in Pakistan, India has chosen to establish its squad in Dubai, citing persistent security apprehensions in the host country. This move has faced criticism from the PCB, which saw it as a diplomatic affront.

A PCB official denounced the action, alleging that the BCCI is politicizing cricket. The official stated, “India’s refusal to participate in Pakistan, coupled with their decision to withhold their captain from the opening ceremony, constitutes a direct affront to the event’s integrity.”

The omission of Pakistan’s name from the Indian squad’s shirts is perceived as an effort to diminish the host nation, representing a departure from the customary inclusion of the host country’s name on team attire.

The official articulated apprehensions that these measures would compromise the integrity of the competition. The BCCI is introducing politics into cricket, which is harmful to the sport. They declined to travel to Pakistan and are now unwilling to send their skipper to the opening ceremony. Reports indicate that they prefer not to feature the host nation’s name on their shirts. The official expressed a desire for the ICC to intervene and avert additional politicization, urging the sport’s governing body to take action.

The rivalry escalates as the two nations ready themselves for a critical confrontation in the tournament. India’s group-stage itinerary features a highly anticipated encounter with Pakistan on February 23, succeeded by a match against New Zealand on March 2. This event will signify India’s reentry into ICC play since their 2013 Champions Trophy victory under former captain MS Dhoni.