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

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  • 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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PCB releases the South Africa series squads, including the comeback of key players.

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On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed the teams for the forthcoming series against South Africa, which is set to start on December 10.

With the announcement that the series will be played in both red-ball and white-ball forms, several important players who had been sidelined because of injuries or workload management have made their comebacks.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, a fast bowler, will return to the white-ball team after missing the last two Test matches against England. His inclusion is thought to be a crucial step in guaranteeing optimal fitness prior to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. In the ODIs and T20Is against South Africa, Afridi, who has been recuperating from workload-related issues, will be hoping to contribute.

The seasoned fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who was called up to the Test team following an outstanding showing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, is another important addition.

Abbas demonstrated his excellent form and made a compelling argument for his selection with an outstanding 31 wickets in five games. Abbas, who hasn’t played Test cricket since 2021, will give Pakistan’s bowling attack vital depth in the red-ball format.

Naseem Shah is back in the ODI and Test squads after missing the most recent England series owing to injury. Pakistan will rely heavily on the 21-year-old’s speed and ability to disrupt top-order batsmen in both formats.

Along with the seasoned players, a number of fresh talents have been called up. After making an impression with the Pakistan Shaheens, Khurram Shahzad has won a position in the Test team, while Mir Hamza also returns. Following impressive performances in the T20I series, left-arm wrist spinner Sufyan Moqim was called up for the first time for the 50-over format and was added to the ODI squad.

On the other hand, off-spinner Sajid Khan has been excluded despite playing well in the England series. Only one specialist spinner, Noman Ali, has been chosen by the selectors to be a member of the Test team.

Pakistan test squad:

  • Shan Masood (captain)
  • Saud Shakeel (vice-captain)
  • Aamir Jamal
  • Abdullah Shafique
  • Babar Azam
  • Haseebullah (wk)
  • Kamran Ghulam
  • Khurram Shahzad
  • Mir Hamza
  • Mohammad Abbas
  • Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
  • Naseem Shah
  • Noman Ali
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha

Pakistan ODI Squad:

  • Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk)
  • Abdullah Shafique
  • Abrar Ahmed
  • Babar Azam
  • Haris Rauf
  • Kamran Ghulam
  • Mohammad Hasnain
  • Muhammad Irfan Khan
  • Naseem Shah
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi
  • Sufyan Moqim
  • Tayyab Tahir
  • Usman Khan (wk)

Pakistan T20I Squad:

  • Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk)
  • Abrar Ahmed
  • Babar Azam
  • Haris Rauf
  • Jahandad Khan
  • Mohammad Abbas Afridi
  • Mohammad Hasnain
  • Muhammad Irfan Khan
  • Omair Bin Yousuf
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi
  • Sufyan Moqim
  • Tayyab Tahir
  • Usman Khan (wk)

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With a resounding victory, Pakistan wins the Blind T20 World Cup.

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Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by a resounding 10-wicket margin in the final to win the Blind T20 World Cup. In just 11 overs, the home team chased down a target of 140 runs, demonstrating their superior skill and coordination.

The game’s star was Nisar Ali, who gave an incredible batting effort. He ensured a smooth and conclusive victory for Pakistan by smashing an undefeated 72 runs off just 31 balls.

With the win, Pakistan’s stellar record in blind cricket gains yet another honor, solidifying its supremacy in the game.

Supporters nationwide rejoiced after the team’s outstanding accomplishment.

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As Pakistan defeats Zimbabwe in the opening Twenty20 International, bowler Tayyab Tahir shines.

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BULAWAYO: Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 57 runs in the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series on Sunday thanks to an unbeaten 39-run performance from Tayyab Tahir and a combined bowling effort.

Muhammad Irfan Khan (27*) and Tayyab Tahir contributed an outstanding 65-run fifth-wicket partnership off 34 balls, which helped Pakistan reach 165-4.

After reaching 60 for two in their PowerPlay, which was eight runs more than Pakistan, Zimbabwe lost pace and was dismissed for 108 in 15.3 overs.

Abrar Ahmed finished with three for 28 after taking two wickets in his second over, while Sufyan Moqim enthralled the middle order with his left-arm wrist spin bowling, finishing with figures of 4-0-20-3. Haris Rauf scored 17 runs while taking two wickets.

Pakistan got a strong start, reaching 52 for 1 at the end of the powerplay overs. After that, they were stifled for runs as the following 11 overs produced 69 runs at a cost of three wickets.

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Nevertheless, Irfan and Tayyab contributed 44 runs from the final three overs to give the total some steadiness. In his 25-ball 39 not out, Tayyab hit four fours and a six, and Irfan hit three fours in his 15-ball 27.

Usman Khan with a 30-ball 39 with two fours and two sixes and Saim Ayub (24) were the other notable run scorers, while Omair Bin Yousuf scored 16 and captain Salman Ali Agha scored a 19-ball 13.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza was the most impressive bowler, taking one for 14 from his four overs, while fast bowlers Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani collectively conceded 82 runs from their eight overs.

Pakistan’s starting lineup includes: Omair Bin Yousuf, Salman Agha (c), Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Usman Khan (wk), and Saim Ayub.

Tawandanashe Marumani (wk), Tashinga Musekiwa, Richard Ngarava, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Brain Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, and Clive Madande make up Zimbabwe’s starting lineup.

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