Day: July 15, 2021

Nottingham, July 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan team will be looking to make a fresh start on the England tour when they take on the hosts in the first of the three-match T20I on Friday, 16 July at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Both sides have played five T20I series before the upcoming series, where England and Pakistan have won two series each. The two teams drew the three-match series played last year in England 1-1 with one match abandoned. Overall out of the 18 T20Is played between the two sides, Pakistan have won five games, England have won 12 matches while one match was abandoned due to rain.

The tourists will pin their hopes on experienced Mohammad Hafeez to score runs as the all-rounder has featured in 12 matches against England scoring 289 runs at 28.90 which included two half-centuries with best of 86 not out and a strike-rate of 127.31. Captain Babar Azam, who is ranked number two in the ICC T20I Batsmen Rankings, will be looking to repeat the heroics of third ODI at Edgbaston where he scored a scintillating 158 off 139.

Amongst bowlers, Imad Wasim has picked six wickets from five matches against England, the left-arm spinner’s best figures are two for 17. While talking to the media in a virtual media conference, leg-spinner Shadab Khan expressed the team’s desire of making a strong comeback after losing ODI 3-0: “T20 is a different format and we have a different team. Our senior players like Hafeez and Imad Wasim have returned to the side.

“Mostly players in the team have recently featured in the HBL PSL. So we have played a good amount of T20 cricket and hopefully you will see a good series.” Asked about his individual performance, Shadab said, “I am making a comeback after injury. My recent performance was not good, but I feel I am in good rhythm lately and looking forward to contributing for the team in batting and bowling departments.” Pakistan is currently on fourth spot in the ICC rankings with 261 points while England are at the top with 278 points.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

Lahore, July 15, 2021 (PPI-OT): The PCB is all set to host the two-day City Cricket Association Tournament 2021-22 from Friday, 16 July. The matches under the jurisdiction of Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh will be held from 16 July. Baluchistan and Southern Punjab will host matches from 24 July, while Northern-leg of the event will commence from 27 July.

The two-day inter-city tournament will provide a pathway to the outstanding performers to graduate to the Cricket Association sides for the first-class, non first-class, 50-over and 20-over competitions in the PCB Domestic Season 2021-22, which will commence in September.

A total of 262 matches will be held at more than 50 venues of the country, including eight international venues, and featuring around 1800 players in 93 teams. These international venues include Bugti Stadium in Quetta, Jinnah Stadia in Gujranwala and Sialkot, Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, Sports Stadium in Sargodha, Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad, Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan and Dring Stadium in Bahawalnagar.

For the first time at this level, the PCB has appointed 93 qualified coaches who are aligned to the overarching cricket strategy under the national framework.

Separately, this also integrates former cricketers into the system besides providing employment opportunities. This is expected to further attract cricketers, who have just retired from competitive cricket, ensuring they remain connected with the game, besides transferring their experience and knowledge.

Match fee at this level is the other initiative that has been introduced for the first time. Each player will now receive a PKR5, 000 match fee, besides daily allowances. To provide a better, safer and healthier environment, all travel and hostelling will be done by the PCB through their preapproved service providers.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

Nottingham, July 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Age is just a number; Mohammad Hafeez is perhaps the perfect illustration of this saying as the 40-year-old is still going strong. Hafeez who now features for Pakistan in T20 format only, has played no less than 106 T20Is, scoring 2388 runs at 27.13 with 14 half-centuries.

Pakistan team, currently preparing for a three-match T20I series against England that starts on Friday at the Trent Bridge Nottingham, will be banking on Hafeez to spearhead the batting top-order. Hafeez has some fond memories of playing in England. His and Pakistan’s first T20I was against England, which Pakistan won by five wickets at Bristol on 28 August 2006. Hafeez scored 46 off 40, which included five fours, he was also highest individual scorer for Pakistan in the match.

The seasoned campaigner had an instrumental role in helping Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2017 victory as he played a crucial innings in the final against India at the Oval, London. His quickfire unbeaten 57 off 37, which included four fours and three sixes helped Pakistan to their match winning 338-run total.

In his first-ever ODI against England in 2003, Hafeez was declared player of the match for his 69 runs and one wicket which helped Pakistan beat hosts by two wickets.

The right-handed batsman has featured in 12 T20Is against England, scoring 289 at 28.90. He has two half-centuries to his name with a best of 86 not out. When Pakistan last toured England in 2020, Hafeez in two T20Is scored 155 runs at a staggering average of 155 and striking the ball at 176.13. He scored half-century in each innings in the series which was levelled at 1-1.

Leading from the front as a senior player, Hafeez scored crucial runs in New Zealand last year. Despite Pakistan losing the series 2-1, Hafeez made a 140-run contribution at 70 with 99 not out his best score. He was second on the list amongst top run-getters in the series. Since 1 January 2020 till date, Hafeez has featured in 17 T20Is, where he has scored 480 at 48 with a strike rate of 143.28. The team has around 65 per cent winning ratio in the 17 matches in which Hafeez has played.

While talking to pcb.com.pk, Mohammad Hafeez said: “I am happy to be back in England again as I have great memories of playing in this country. The T20I series against England will be a treat to watch for the fans and good display of skills and talent is expected from both sides. “The series is crucial for us as it will help us understand where we are placed as a team for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Good performance against a top ranked side will give players and team management great confidence going into the mega event.”

Talking about transferring his learnings to the young cricketers, Hafeez said, “As a senior player, I feel it is my duty to transfer my experience and knowledge to young players in the team which I have gained over the years. I want to leave a legacy, so when these young players become senior they too help the new ones of that time as I helped them.” Pakistan is currently on fourth spot in the ICC rankings with 261 points while England are at the top with 278 points.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

Birmingham, July 15, 2021 (PPI-OT): Warwickshire County Cricket Club made a special presentation to former Bear and current Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Wasim Khan during yesterday’s Royal London ODI between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston. Wasim, who made 31 First Class and 12 List A appearance for the Bears between 1992 and 1997, and was part of the treble-winning squad in 1994 and double winners in 1995, was presented with his prestigious Warwickshire commemorative cap by Club Chairman Mark McCafferty.

The cap is embroidered with Wasim’s name and unique Warwickshire number as the 421st player to represent the county, with similar caps presented to many past and present Bears at the 2019 Years of the Bears dinner, which celebrated the 125th anniversary as a First Class County and the 25th anniversary of the treble. “Edgbaston is a very special place and love returning to my home ground,” said Wasim.

“Having grown up in Birmingham, I took a huge amount of pride whenever I took to the field in the Bear and Ragged Staff and, as ex-players, many of us share a great connection with the Club and opportunity to keep in touch with each other through the Warwickshire Old County Cricketers Association (WOCCA). “Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make the Years of the Bears Dinner, but I’m very grateful to all for making the presentation at the ODI. “I still follow the Bears very closely and we’ve made some really good progress this season. I wish them all the very best in the remainder of the 2021 season.”

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk