Sports

Pak vs Aus: Pakistan’s Imam, Shafique stay solid to set up thrilling final day

Published

3 years ago

Farwa

Pakistan reach 73-0 at stumps chasing 351 for win.
Australia’s Khawaja scores second ton of series.
Cummins makes sporting declaration in final session.

Pakistan openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique made a solid start on Thursday to set up a thrilling final day in the deciding third Test in Lahore, keeping the hosts in the hunt for a series-clinching win against Australia.

Australia captain Pat Cummins made a sporting declaration in the final session of the fourth day at the Gaddafi Stadium, calling his side’s second innings closed on 227-3 and setting Pakistan a target of 351 to chase.

On a wicket offering turn for the spinners and some deliveries keeping low after pitching, Imam and Shafique denied Australia any success to take Pakistan to 73 without loss at stumps with the hosts needing 278 more for victory.

Imam was unbeaten on 42 with Shafique 27 not out.

Steve Smith, who has had a tough time in the series with his catching, dropped an edge from Shafique off part-time leg-spinner Marnus Labuschagne in the final over of the day’s play.

The first two Tests — the first between the sides in Pakistan since 1998 — were drawn.

Khawaja hundred

Australia opener Usman Khawaja earlier continued his run-scoring spree against Pakistan, remaining unbeaten on 104 after completing his second hundred of the series.

The 35-year-old left-hander scampered for two runs in the final over before tea to complete his 12th hundred in Tests.

Pakistan-born Khawaja, who top-scored for Australia in the first innings with 91, also scored 97 in the opening Test at Rawalpindi and 160 and 44 not out in the second at Karachi.

He added 96 for the opening stand with David Warner, who hit six fours and a six in his knock before being dismissed shortly before lunch for 51, cleaned up by fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Khawaja, who returned to the Test side after two years in January during the home Ashes series against England, was bowled on 31 by pacer Naseem Shah but was reprieved when the television umpire ruled the bowler had overstepped the crease.

He also added 65 for the second wicket with number three Marnus Labuschagne, who made 36. Former captain Steve Smith was out for 17 after becoming the fastest to reach 8,000 runs in Tests during his knock.

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Test Series Between Pakistan and the West Indies: National Team Practices in Multan

Published

6 hours ago

Farwa

Before playing the West Indies in a two-match test series, the Pakistani cricket team practices at Multan Cricket Stadium.

All 15 players concentrated on batting, bowling, and fielding during the training session while being watched by their instructors.

Pakistan and the West Indies are set to begin their two-match test series on January 17.

From January 25 to 29, the second test of the series will be held in Multan.

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PSL 2025 Draft: The Gold category selections are out!

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

Teams are finalizing their Gold Category players as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 draft officially begins.

The top picks from the first round and the teams’ subsequent selections are listed below.

Peshawar Zalmi: During their first pick, Peshawar Zalmi made the unexpected choice to select Abdul Samad from the Gold Category wild card alternatives.

Nahid Rana of Bangladesh was chosen in the second round, further bolstering their team. The team selected Hassan Talat with their third pick in an attempt to strengthen their all-arounder position for the forthcoming campaign.

Multan Sultans: To strengthen their squad, the Multan Sultans made a few important additions. In the gold category, they first selected Muhammad Hasnain, and in the second round, Kamran Ghulam. It is anticipated that these tactical decisions will provide their batting and bowling units with more firepower.

Ben Dwarshuis was chosen by Islamabad United in the first round of the Gold Category, which was an intriguing choice. With this encouraging addition, the squad hopes to balance and deepen its lineup.

Karachi Kings: In their initial round of picks, the Karachi Kings chose Aamir Jamal in the Gold Category. It is anticipated that the addition of this young talent would energize their bowling attack.

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2025 Champions Trophy: PCB submits their initial squad to the ICC

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

On Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) submitted a preliminary list of more than 20 players to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Sources have verified that the roster has numerous notable players alongside a blend of burgeoning talent.

The preliminary roster includes prominent individuals such as captain Muhammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Tayyab Tahir, and Irfan Khan Niazi. Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abbas Afridi, in addition to spinners Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Muqim, are included in the preliminary team. Other significant entries are Abdullah Shafiq, Naseem Shah, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and Hasibullah.

Promising young batsman Saim Ayub, whose fitness is still being evaluated, has also been included in the preliminary team.

According to sources, the final squad would be revealed by February 10, 2025, after the completion of the tri-series against South Africa.

The National Selection Committee has presented a 15-member lineup for the South Africa series, closely resembling the Champions Trophy team.

Insiders indicate that the final team will experience multiple alterations. It is reported that players such as Abdullah Shafiq and Usman Khan are unlikely to be included in the final selection.

According to ICC regulations, all competing teams are required to submit preliminary squad names one month prior to the competition. The Champions Trophy is scheduled to begin on February 12, 2025, with final squad approvals anticipated just prior to the event.