Tag: Pakistan

Pakistan Final CWC 2019 15 Man Squad & New AJ Fordham Cricket World Cup Jersey

Reigning Champions Trophy holders Pakistan have revealed their final 15 member squad for the World Cup. The Men in Green have also unveiled their new WC shirt, made by England based company AJ Fordham.

Pakistan Final World Cup Squad 2019

What are the differences between Pakistan’s first squad and the final CWC squad?

Three new players are in the final squad- Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Asif Ali, with Junaid Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Abid Ali making way.

Why has Wahab Riaz been recalled to the Pakistan squad for the 2019 World Cup?

Wahab’s last ODI for Pakistan came in June 2017 against India. He went for 87 runs in his 8.4 overs and it appeared that his international career was over when national coach Micky Arthur publicly criticised him.

However the struggles of Pakistan’s bowlers in English conditions- they conceded over 300 in every game, has made the selectors feel the need for an out and out pacer, and Wahab, who can easily hit 145+, fits that bill. It’s a controversial selection no doubt, and Junaid Khan and even Usman Shinwari could count themselves unlucky. Junaid even took to Twitter to voice his displeasure, releasing a photo of his mouth taped and saying “Sach Karwa hai” (Truth is bitter).

Junaid Khan Sach Karwa Hai Tweet

Amir’s selection, despite his recent struggles, is perhaps more understandable. His CT final spell has almost earned him legendary status in Pakistan and the selectors will be hoping that he can come back into form, with the World Cup also being held in the same country as the Champions Trophy.

Amir didn’t play the England ODI’s because of chickenpox, but it appears staying away from the carnage has elevated him up Pakistan’s bowling hierarchy.

Shadab Khan was a major doubt after contracting hepatitis, but has apparently recovered in time for the World Cup.

Pakistan don’t have a reserve wicket keeper

The squad announced has only one specialist keeper- skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed. While Inzamam Ul Haq has stated that Mohammad Rizwan and Abid Ali will both be in England on standby, the latter’s omission from the squad means that Pakistan will be hoping that their keeper doesn’t break down.

Pakistan’s new Cricket World Cup kit- photos

New Pakistan World Cup 2019 Shirt

Back of Pakistan WC Kit 2019

Wiaan Mulder called up to Proteas squad for 2019 Sri Lanka Tests

South Africa have called up all rounder Wiaan Mulder to their squad for the two test series against Sri Lanka at home later this month. The 20 year old is the only addition to the squad that convincingly beat Pakistan 3-0 at home.

Against Pakistan, South Africa fielded a 4 man attack in the form of Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier and Keshav Maharaj in the opener at Centurion. Olivier, who only got into the XI because of Vernon Philander’s injury, effectively made himself undroppable with a 11fer at SuperSport Park. When Philander returned, they chose to go with an all pace attack in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, with Maharaj having to make way.

In the third test at the Wanderers, the Proteas were without skipper Faf du Plessis, which allowed Zubayr Hamza to make his debut. The Cobras batsman gave a decent account of himself on debut, and it could well be a shoot out between him and Theunis de Bruyn as to whom makes way when the captain comes back. Continue reading “Wiaan Mulder called up to Proteas squad for 2019 Sri Lanka Tests”

South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd T20 2019 Wanderers Attendance 14883 Match Report

South Africa’s bowlers held their nerve at the death as Pakistan squandered a golden opportunity to level the three game T20 series in front of a 14,883 strong crowd at the Wanderers. Chasing 189, the visitors fell seven runs short and thus saw their 11 series winning streak in bilateral T20’s broken by the Proteas.

The Proteas gave debuts to Janneman Malan and Lutho Sipamla, while Pakistan brought back Shaheen Shah Afridi. David Miller, in his maiden game as SA captain, lost the toss, and his opposite number Shoaib Malik opted to ask the Proteas to take first guard. Continue reading “South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd T20 2019 Wanderers Attendance 14883 Match Report”

All round Phehlukwayo helps Proteas level series- South Africa v Pakistan second ODI report Durban crowd 11297

A fantastic all round performance from Andile Phehlukwayo helped South Africa level the series in Durban as they beat Pakistan by five wickets at Kingsmead. The Dolphins star first took 4/22 with the ball, his best ever bowling figures in LOI cricket and followed it with an unbeaten 69, also highest ever ODI score for the Proteas, as a KZN crowd of 11,297 saw the home side chase down 204 with eight overs to spare.

South Africa made two changes, dropping Dwaine Pretorius and Imran Tahir and bringing in Dane Paterson and Tabraiz Shamsi as they switched to a 6-1-4 from the 6-2-3 employed in Port Elizabeth. Like the Proteas, Pakistan also chose to bring in two new faces, with CT Blitz star Hussain Talat and young left arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi replacing Imad Wasim and Usman Shinwari respectively. Continue reading “All round Phehlukwayo helps Proteas level series- South Africa v Pakistan second ODI report Durban crowd 11297”

South Africa v Pakistan Second ODI preview- Can Proteas level series in Durban?

South Africa will look to level the ODI series when they take on Pakistan in the second ODI at Kingsmead on Tuesday afternoon. The Proteas didn’t do much wrong in the first ODI in Port Elizabeth, but were comfortably beaten by the visitors, who extended their good run at the venue against the hosts.

Durban, like PE, is also on the coast, and is another venue where Pakistan fare quite well in the shorter formats of the game.

In PE, the Proteas gave debuts to Rassie van der Dussen and Duanne Olivier and went with a 6-2-3 split, playing two all rounders in the form of Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo. Continue reading “South Africa v Pakistan Second ODI preview- Can Proteas level series in Durban?”

Zubayr Hamza impressive on Proteas debut but South Africa squander advantage at Wanderers- Day 1 Report

Zubayr Hamza scored an assured 41 on test debut for South Africa but the hosts squandered their advantage in a frenetic last session that saw them lose 7 wickets for 33 runs after being 229/3 at one stage on the opening day of the third test at the Wanderers.

Stand in skipper Dean Elgar won the toss and opted to bat first. The Proteas made only one change, with Hamza coming in for suspended regular captain Faf du Plessis. Pakistan however made three of them, with Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali coming in for Fakhar Zaman, Yasir Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Elgar was the first to go, edging an Abbas delivery to the keeper for just 5. His opening partner Aiden Markram, surprisingly dropped from the South Africa ODI squad against Pakistan, was impressive, hitting fours at will as Amla and he took control of the game. Just as it had been in Cape Town, Markram looked good for a century but fell at an inopportune moment. On 90, he attempted to flick an Ashraf delivery down the leg side, only for Sarfaraz Ahmed to take a good catch. Continue reading “Zubayr Hamza impressive on Proteas debut but South Africa squander advantage at Wanderers- Day 1 Report”