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Melbourne, Aug 24 (Ians) New Zealand batting great Ross Taylor, England Test opener Zak Crawley and Pakistan trio of openers Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq and leg-spinners Yasir Shah on Wednesday were announced as the latest signings for the inaugural Big Bash League (Bbl) draft.

South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, New Zealand’s Trent Boult, England’s Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone, Sam Billings, Chris Jordan and David Willey, West Indies’ Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo, Pakistan’s Shadab Khan, and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan are headlining the ‘platinum category’ of players in the first round of the Bbl draft.

“It should be a fascinating Draft but a very important one in giving teams the best chance of success in this edition of the Bbl. With the calibre of players in this year’s international Draft combined with some of the Aussie test players joining the back end of Bbl season,...

Galle, July 19 (Ians) Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah’s delivery that left the well-set Sri Lanka top-order batter Kusal Mendis in a daze on Day 3 of the first Test here on Monday has emerged as a candidate for ‘Ball of the Century’, with many comparing it to the magical delivery of late Australian spin wizard […]...

Karachi, March 13 (Ians) Left-handed opening batsman Sharjeel Khan has returned to the Pakistan squad for the first time in four years, getting picked in the T20I squad for the tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe in April and May.

Sharjeel, who was out of cricket for two-and-a-half years after being banned for spot-fixing, was rewarded for his form in the Pakistan Super League. He finished this year's curtailed Psl season third in the run-getters' list behind Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.

"Yes, I understand there is still a lot work that needs to be done on his (Sharjeel's) fitness and he will improve with time, but at the moment he can win us big games with his bat," said Pakistan chief selector Mohammed Wasim.

Also returning to the T20I squad are Mohammed Hafeez and Shadab Khan, who will take over as vice-captain.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah won't travel to...

Rawalpindi, Feb 8 (Ians) Right-arm pacer Hasan Ali's 10-wicket haul helped Pakistan beat South Africa by 95 runs on Monday in the second and final Test here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. With this, the Babar Azam-led side won the two-Test series 2-0.

On the fifth and final day, Ali followed his first-innings 5/54 with 5/60 to finish the match with figures of 10/114 as Pakistan bundled out the Proteas for 274. Pakistan had set them a target of 370 to win.

Fellow quick Shaheen Shah Afridi picked four for 51 while leg-spinner Yasir Shah got one for 1/56.

For South Africa, Aiden Markram struck a valiant century, his first on foreign soil, but it was not enough as South Africa suffered their first Test series defeat to Pakistan since 2003.

Markram scored 108, although he didn't find much support from other Proteas batsman. Only Temba Bavuma offered any real backing as Mark Boucher's side slipped from their promising...

Rawalpindi, Feb 7 (Ians) George Linde's maiden Test five-wicket-haul followed by one of South Africa's best batting performances of their tour to Pakistan thus far helped them reach stumps on the fourth day of the second Test in an encouraging position in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

Opener Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen were at the heart of the action after sharing in an unbroken 94-run second-wicket partnership that took the Proteas to the close on 127 for one wicket chasing a fourth innings target of 370.

That left them needing a further 243 on the final day with nine wickets still in hand, an excellent position considering what had transpired earlier on the penultimate day when Mohammad Rizwan's first career century looked to have put the hosts out of sight.

But thanks to Markram's ninth career half century, the opener was unbeaten on 59 off 131 balls, and van der Dussen's 48 off 94 balls, the...

Rawalpindi, Feb 4 (Ians) Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in the second and final Test beginning Thursday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan have fielded the same XI which featured in the first Test in Karachi which the hosts won by seven wickets.

The Proteas, on the other hand, have replaced Lungi Ngidi with Wiaan Mulder.

After this Test, both the teams will face each other in three T20Is to be played on February 11, 13 and 14 at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Afridi

South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock(w/c), Temba Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

--Ians

aak/...

Rawalpindi, Feb 3 (Ians) Pakistan have retained the same 17 players for the second Test against South Africa who were shortlisted for the first Test played in Karachi from January 26-30.

The playing line-up with now be finalised by the captain in consultation with the head coach for the match, which will commence at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from Thursday, Pakistan Cricket Board (Pcb) stated in a media release.

Pakistan had won the first Test by seven wickets, thus taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

After the Test series, the two teams will face each other in three T20Is at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore on February 11, 13 and 14.

Pakistan squad for 2nd Test:

Openers - Abid Ali and Imran Butt

Middle-order batsmen - Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (captain), Fawad Alam and Saud Shakeel

All-rounders - Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz

Wicketkeepers - Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) and Sarfaraz Ahmed

Spinners - Nauman Ali,...

Karachi, Jan 29 (Ians) Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali came out with a brilliant performance on debut to help Pakistan register a thumping seven-wicket win over South Africa in the first Test at the National Stadium here on Friday.

Nauman bagged a five-for while Yasir Shah also chipped in with four wickets as Pakistan first bundled out South Africa for just 245 in their second innings on Day Four and then chased down the 88-run target with ease to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

The hosts lost the wickets of openers Imran Butt (12), Abid Ali (10) and skipper Babar Azam (31) before Azhar Ali (31 not out) and Fawad Alam (4 not out) made sure the hosts didn't suffer any hiccups during their chase.

Resuming the day at 187/4, South Africa could add just 58 runs before their innings ended before Lunch. Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen were the top-scorers for the hosts with 74 and 64 respectively.

Karachi, Jan 28 (Ians) Opener Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen helped South Africa take a lead of 29 runs on the third day of their first Test against Pakistan. Spinner Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali, however, struck thrice at the end of the day to leave South Africa on 187/4 after Pakistan were all out for 378 earlier in the day.

Pakistan started the day on an overnight total of 308/8 in Karachi. While No.9 Hasan Ali was dismissed early in the day on 21, Nauman Ali and last man in Yasir Shah put up a last-wicket stand of 55 runs in 64 balls. Yasir ended the innings unbeaten on 38.

Markram and opening partner Dean Elgar put up a partnership of 48 runs before the latter fell to Yasir on 29. Markram and van der Dussen then put up a partnership of 127 runs for the second wicket and looked poised to see South Africa through to the end of the day.

Karachi, Jan 26 (Ians) South Africa's return to Pakistan to play Test cricket for the first time in 14 years was a mixed one after they disappointed with the bat, but then impressed with the ball to end Day One with honours even at the National Stadium here on Tuesday. South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took two wickets to send Pakistan on the back foot.

After winning the toss and batting, South Africa let themselves down by being dismissed for just 220, but their bowlers hit back impressively by rocking the top order of the home side and leaving them in tatters at stumps on 33 for four wickets.

Rabada, as he almost always does, claimed wickets 198 and 199 to finish with the impressive figures of 6-3-8-2 while there was also a wicket each for Keshav Maharaj (1/0) and Anrich Nortje (1/20). Pakistan still trail by 187 runs.

Earlier, it was Dean Elgar who led...

Karachi, Jan 26 (Ians) Pakistan were reduced to 33/4 in reply to South Africa's 220 at stumps on Day 1 of the first Test here on Tuesday.

Kagiso Rabada struck twice while fellow seamer Anrich Nortje and spinner Keshav Maharaj took a wicket each with the latter dismissing Pakistan captain Babar Azam for just seven.

Earlier, Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah took three wickets while fellow spinner Nauman Ali and fast bowler Shaheen Afridi took two wickets each. Pacer Hasan Ali, who is making a comeback into the Pakistan Test squad after January 2019, chipped in with the wicket of George Linde (35), who was South Africa's second highest run scorer after opener Dean Elgar (58).

While Pakistan were on top in Karachi for much of the day, the visitors wrestled control towards the end of the final session when they took four wickets in just 18 overs. This included the wicket of nightwatchman Afridi, who was sent back...

Karachi, Jan 24 (Ians) Pakistan on Sunday announced a 17-member squad for the first of the two-Test home series against South Africa beginning Tuesday at the National Stadium.

Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha are the players who have been left out from the list of probables who were part of the training camp in the lead-up to the Test series.

Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan will partner Yasir Shah in the spin department, while the fast bowling line-up includes Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Tabish Khan, alongside Hasan Ali. Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz are the two all-rounders.

After the second Test which will be played in Rawalpindi from February 4-8, the two teams will compete in three T20 Internationals in Lahore on February 11, 13 and 14.

The last time the two teams met in Pakistan was in 2007 when South Africa beat the hosts 1-0 in a two-match Test series.

Chrischurch, Jan 2 (Ians) Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan will lead Pakistan in the second Test against New Zealand starting here on Sunday after captain Babar Azam was ruled out with pain in his thumb.

Azam had fractured his right thumb during a net practice session during the build up to the T20 series against New Zealand that started on December 18.

"We have seen improvement in Babar Azam's injury but he is yet to fully recover," team doctor Sohail Saleem said in a Pakistan Cricket Board (Pcb) statement.

"He is our captain and the most important batsman in the line-up, so we do not want to take any risk. The medical team is constantly reviewing his injury and we are hopeful he will be available for the home series against South Africa."

The Pcb further said that Azam had a full-fledge training session on Saturday, but felt slight pain in his thumb, following...

Wellington, Dec 27 (Ians) New Zealand captain Kane Williamson ranks among the greatest cricketers the country has ever produced, team mate B.J. Watling said after the former scored his 23rd Test century.

Williamson helped New Zealand take control on Day 2 of the first Test against Pakistan in Wellington on Sunday, scoring a masterful 129 as the hosts finished the innings on 431 despite losing their first two wickets within the first 10 overs.

"You can look at some his shots, and he's pure class," Watling said of his captain.

"Twenty-three centuries is pretty special, and he'll hate me for saying it, but he's right up there among New Zealand's greats, isn't he? There's not a lot of chat when batting with him but playing with him is obviously a lot of fun."

Williamson hit 12 boundaries and a six in his 129 before Watling added 66 runs for the seventh wicket with Kyle Jamieson to stretch their tally.

Mount Maunganui, Dec 27 (Ians) Skipper Kane Williamson (129) scored a century and wicketkeeper-batsman Bradley-John Watling hit 73 as New Zealand were bowled out for 431 in their first innings of the first Test against Pakistan on Sunday.

Pakistan went to stumps on the second day at 30 for the loss of one wicket with opener Shan Masood getting caught behind down the leg-side for just 10.

Nightwatchman Mohammed Abbas (0) and Abid Ali (19 batting) were on crease at the draw of stumps.

Resuming at 222 for three, Williamson added 35 more to his overnight score of 94.

Left-handed batsman Henry Nicholls (56) was the first to be dismissed on the second day as he popped up a catch to slips off a short delivery from pacer Naseem Shah. Williamson followed soon after as he was caught at slip off the bowling of leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

Mitchell Santner fell for 19 as the Kiwis were reduced to 317 for six.

However, a 66-run...

Taraunga (New Zealand), Dec 26 (Ians) New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson on Saturday continued his prolific run with the bat as he scored his 32nd half century to put his team in the driver's seat on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Bay Oval.

At the end of the day's play, the Black Caps had scored 222/3 in 87 overs, with Williamson staying unbeaten on 94 alongside Henry Nicholls who was batting at 42 at Stumps.

Put into bat, Pakistan had a great start as left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi both the openers -- Tom Latham (4) and Tom Blundell (5) -- with New Zealand having just 13 runs on the scoreboard.

Veteran batsman Ross Taylor, who came to bat at number four, then stitched a 121-run partnership with Williamson and steadied the New Zealand innings. He scored 70 runs off 151 balls, with the help of 10 fours and a six, before getting caught behind by Afridi.

Tauranga, Dec 23 (Ians) Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the first Test of the upcoming two-match series against New Zealand beginning Saturday due to a thigh injury following the conclusion of his side's four wickets victory in the third T20I on Tuesday.

Shadab will now undergo Mri scans in Tauranga on Thursday, following which a further update on the exact nature of the injury and time needed to return to competitive cricket will be provided, the Pakistan Cricket Board (Pcb) said in a statement on Wednesday.

As Shadab is not available for, at least, the Boxing Day Test, the team management has included left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar as a reinforcement.

Zafar has joined the Test side from Hamilton where he was preparing with the Pakistan Shaheens for Sunday's T20 match against the Northern Knights.

The 25-year-old has so far taken 144 wickets in 39 first-class matches, including six...

Napier, Dec 21 (Ians) Pakistan captain Babar Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haq have been ruled out of the first Test of the two-match series against New Zealand starting Saturday, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Monday. In Babar's absence, Mohammad Rizwan will captain the Pakistan side at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Babar had fractured his right thumb a day after Imam had fractured his left thumb during training sessions in Queenstown last week. Both are yet to return to nets with the team's medical staff closely monitoring their progress.

Decision on their participation in the second Test, which commences in Christchurch from January 3, will be made closer to the time, a Pcb statement read.

Pakistan have already lost the ongoing three-match T20I series with a game left to be played on Tuesday.

"Although it will be nearly two weeks to Babar's injury when the first Test starts, it will...

New Delhi, Nov 24 (Ians) India skipper Virat Kohli and ace off-spinner R Ashwin were on Tuesday nominated for the International Cricket Councils (Icc) Mens Player of the Decade award.

Apart from Kohli and Ashwin, Joe Root (of England), Steve Smith (Australia), Ab de Villiers (South Africa), Kane Williamson (New Zealand) and Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) were also nominated for this accolade.

Among other awards, the following are the nominees:

Men's Test Player of the Decade

Kohli, Root, Williamson, Smith, James Anderson (England), Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) and Yasir Shah (Pakistan).

Men's Odi Player of the Decade

Kohli, Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka), Mitchell Starc (Australia), de Villiers, Rohit Sharma (India), Ms Dhoni (India) and Sangakkara.

Men's T20I Player of the Decade

Kohli, Rohit, Malinga, Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Imran Tahir (South Africa), Aaron Finch (Australia), and Chris Gayle (West Indies).

Women's Player of the Decade

Ellyse Perry (Australia), Meg Lanning (Australia...

Lahore, Nov 11 (Ians) Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Amir have been excluded from Pakistan's 35-man squad announced on Wednesday for their tour of New Zealand in December-January. The tour consists of three T20Is and two Tests.

Newly appointed all-format captain Babar Azam will lead the team while uncapped players who have received call-ups are fast bowler Amad Butt, 25, batsmen Danish Aziz and Imran Butt, both aged 24, and 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Rohail Nazir. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has been named vice-captain in Tests while all-rounder Shadab Khan has been named Babar's deputy for T20Is.

"I want to congratulate uncapped Amad Butt, Danish Aziz, Imran Butt and Rohail Nazir who have impressed the selectors with their form, technique, temperament and ability to secure places in the 35-player pool," said head coach Misbah-ul-Haq in a Pakistan Cricket Board (Pcb) statement.

The first T20I will be played on December 18 in Auckland followed...

Lahore, Oct 18 (Ians) The Pakistan Cricket Board (Pcb) has been left "disturbed and disappointed" after 12 persons, including nine players and three officials of the ongoing National T20 Cup in Rawalpindi, breached the bio-secure protocols in place for the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though the Pcb did not disclose the identity of the cricketers and officials who breached the protocols, Pakistani newspaper 'Dawn' said that the guilty included senior players like Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Fakhar Zaman, Yasir Shah, Khurram Manzoor, Sohail Khan, Anwar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq plus officials Abdul Razzaq, Basit Ali and Rashid Khan. The individuals had spent time outside the bubble area within the vicinity of the team hotel on Friday.

Issuing a warning, the Pcb has stated that those breaching the bio-secure protocols in future will be sent packing from the tournament.

"The Pcb is disturbed and disappointed that some senior players and officials have breached the bio-secure...