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Rizwan ‘most likely’ to replace Sarfaraz in Boxing Day Test

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9 months ago

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  • Tight battle between Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza expected.
  • Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique will continue to open.
  • Test will begin on December 26 in Melbourne. 

Pakistan’s Muhammed Rizwan is expected to replace Sarfaraz Ahmed as the wicketkeeper for the second Test against Australia among other crucial changes in the squad, Geo News reported Friday. 

The five-day Boxing Day Test will begin on December 26 (Tuesday) in Melbourne, a paradise for pacers.

The sources said multiple changes may be witnessed in the Pakistan playing XI in the next match, adding that there will be a tight battle between Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza to make a place in the squad after the exclusion of injured Khurram Shahzad.

There was no chance of Wasim Jr’s making inroads into the team for the Melbourne game, said the sources. Meanwhile, Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique will continue to open the innings, they added.

The sources said there was a bright chance of dropping all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and playing off-break bowler Sajid Khan.

Khurram Shahzad may take months to return

Meanwhile, Khurram Shahzad is feared to miss this entire cricket season because of an abdominal muscle tear and a stress fracture in his left 10th rib that he suffered during the Perth Test, The News reported Friday, citing the player’s medical reports.

According to the publication, he will be lucky if he can get well enough to be considered for selection for the T20 World Cup in June 2024.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Shahzad will not play the ongoing Test series against Australia.

During the first Test, Shahzad reported feeling uneasy on his left side after which he was sent for an MRI scan after the match.

After speaking with an expert in Australia, the PCB will decide on a final player management protocol. He will then be sent to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore where he will continue his injury management and rehabilitation.

Back-to-back injuries in the Pakistan squad have created problems for the team management. Earlier, Abrar Ahmed was ruled out of the first Test against Australia due to a leg injury.

Captain Shan Masood’s side is already depleted in attack, with injured Naseem Shah sidelined and Haris Rauf having opted out of the series to play in Australia’s T20 Big Bash League.

Shahzad’s injury was another blow for Pakistan ahead of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

Shahzad debuted in international Test with the December 14-17 Perth match against Australia. The 24-year-old took five wickets on debut in the 360-run loss to the Aussies.

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Asif Ali hopes to be called up for Pakistan after a great Champions Cup performance.

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8 hours ago

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In yesterday’s 92-run defeat against Markhors, Asif Ali, who is playing for the Dolphins under Saud Shakeel, scored a fast half-century.

Asif stated in an interview with a local news station that he wanted to do well enough throughout the competition to possibly earn a spot back on the national squad.

He also disclosed that, prior to making his international debut, he batted at number four in domestic cricket but was forced to settle for number six. The energetic batter had a new task because of the
in batting order.

Asif stated, “Going from No. 4 to No. 6 is not easy.” “It’s critical to train properly for your position in international cricket. It can be challenging to drop to a lower position at the international level if you’re used to playing higher up the order at home.

He talked candidly about the Dolphins’ defeat against the Markhorses as well, stating that given the pitch conditions, he would not have chosen to field first.

“Batting was challenging because the pitch favored bowlers in the latter parts of the game,” he remarked. Because of the early dampness, the Dolphins’ management decided to field first.

He then on, “If they had asked me, I would have told them to bat first and not fall for that.”

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The ICC delegation inspects the National Stadium to evaluate the preparations for the Champions Trophy.

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1 day ago

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The delegation arrived in Karachi last night and inspected the National Stadium this morning, evaluating the ongoing development and preparations for the Champions Trophy.

Subsequent to Karachi, the ICC delegation will proceed to Islamabad and Lahore for the next round of the evaluation. They will compile the comprehensive report on locations and preparations following the conclusion of the visit.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to occur in Pakistan from February to March; however, India’s participation remains doubtful as the BCCI seeks governmental consent for the visit.

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Reports from Indian media, referencing a source within the BCCI, indicate that the Indian squad will not travel to Pakistan for the forthcoming ICC event.

Subsequent reports indicated that the board has officially suggested Dubai and Sri Lanka as prospective locations for hosting India’s matches.

Geoff Allardice, the CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC), dismissed the reports, asserting that no teams had expressed any reluctance to participate in the competition.

In a media meeting in Dubai regarding the Women’s T20 World Cup, Allardice conveyed his approval of Pakistan as the tournament venue. He emphasized the ICC’s assurance in Pakistan’s capacity to host the Champions Trophy.

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Champions Trophy 2025 will remain in Pakistan, the CEO of the ICC has said.

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6 days ago

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Dismissing any rumors that the Champions Trophy 2025 will be moved to a different nation, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Geoff Allardice has stated that the tournament will take place in Pakistan as planned.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is slated to take place in Pakistan in February and March. Nevertheless, India’s participation in the competition is up in the air since the BCCI is still awaiting government sanction to travel there.

Recall that there were rumors in Indian media, backed by the BCCI, that the Indian team would not be traveling to Pakistan for the forthcoming ICC match.

Additional reports stated that the board had formally suggested Sri Lanka and Dubai as possible locations for India’s match.

According to Geoff Allardice, who denied the reports, no team has expressed reluctance to play in the competition.

Allardice voiced her appreciation over Pakistan’s hosting of the Women’s T20 World Cup during a press conference in Dubai. He went on to emphasize that Pakistan is the ICC’s choice to host the Champions Trophy.

Remarkably, Pakistan is preparing three stadiums for the Champions Trophy in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

The PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has revealed that the stadium modifications will be finished prior to the start of the Champions Trophy.

Gaddafi Stadium’s basement will be built by September 30. It will take three weeks to finish each floor. A steel framework would make up the front building. By December 31, the primary structure of Gaddafi Stadium will be finished, according to Naqvi.

“The seats will be erected in the stadium prior to the Champions Trophy; Indi Stadium will need to be fully destroyed and rebuilt.

“The Champions Trophy will take place before the renovations at Karachi’s [National Stadium] are finished,” he said.

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