Cricket

West Indies tour of Pakistan 2021

Young Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi was recently appointed as the captain of Pakistan Super League (PSL) side Lahore Qalandars for the 2022 edition of the PSL and the 21-year old pacer stated that the wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan is the best captain.&nbsp;Qalandars qualified for the final in the 2020 edition but overall they failed to produce a stellar show in the PSL. Afridi has been with the Qalandars team since 2018 and till now he has picked up 50 wickets from 37 games. This is also a record for the Qalandars team.&nbsp;Earlier this year, Rizwan-led PSL side Multan Sultans claimed the title after securing a comfortable 47-run victory against Peshawar Zalmi in the final of the 2021 season.&nbsp;Afridi also added that he will rank the Pakistan national cricket team skipper Babar Azam at the second spot.&nbsp;“I like [Mohammad] Rizwan’s personality. I started playing domestic competition with him from KPK’s side and I would rate him as the best. Since Babar has done a fantastic job with the national team, I will rank him second,” Shaheen Afridi was quoted while speaking to Cricket Pakistan.&nbsp;In the batting unit, the partnership of Babar and Rizwan is the spine of the Men in Green in all three formats. And the 21-year-old Afridi has already become one of the best bowlers in the Pakistan team and has produced some outstanding bowling displays consistently for the national team across all three formats.&nbsp;Afridi pointed out that Babar has done an amazing job as the skipper of the Pakistan side and Pakistan achieved some memorable feats under the captaincy of Babar.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Babar Azam is my favorite batsman and he is the number one batter as well. He has done fantastically well as a captain for the national team and we are reaching new heights under him,” explained Afridi.&nbsp;Afridi has played for his national team in 21 Tests, 28 ODIs, and 39 T20Is. He has prized out 86 batsmen in the Test format and on the other hand, he scalped 53 wickets in ODIs. In T20I cricket, the left-arm pacer has taken 45 wickets.

west-indies-tour-of-pakistan-13-dec-2021

'Mohammad Rizwan is a better skipper than Babar Azam,' says Shaheen Afridi

Pakistan might have managed to win the first two T20Is against West Indies and eventually win the three-match ODI series but a fairly low turnout in the first two games created a huge furore in the national cricket circuit. The matter ultimately became so serious that now it is believed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently thinking to give spectators free entry for the ODI series.&nbsp;&nbsp;The ODI series is going to start on December 18 and all the ODIs will be taking place in Karachi and if reports are to be believed then PCB won’t charge the fans any money for the 50-over matches.&nbsp;&nbsp;Previously, former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram expressed his sadness and criticised the national cricket board for not organising the series tactfully.&nbsp;“Incredibly sad to see an empty stadium in Karachi for the #PAKvWIt20 especially after the performance of Pakistan Team in the last month. I’m pretty sure I know why but I want to hear from you! Tell me, where is the crowd and why??” Akram tweeted.&nbsp;The 55-year old former pacer did not stop there as he went on to post another video on Twitter on the matter. The video showed one of the fans complaining about the poor handling of the matches. Former Pakistan skipper shared the video on Twitter writing, “This is VERY concerning. This is not a backyard game this is an International Series."&nbsp;Pakistan had finished as semi-finalists in the ICC T20 World Cup and despite producing a brilliant performance in the ICC event; Pakistan cricket fans did not show too much interest in the West Indies series.&nbsp;In the first T20I played in Karachi, Pakistan secured an easy victory by 63 runs. Pakistan batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and Haider Ali emerged as the top batsmen, scoring half-centuries. Mohammad Wasim was the best bowler after scalping four wickets conceding 40 runs.&nbsp;In the second T20I, the hosts secured a nine-run victory, in Karachi. Batting first, Pakistan scored a total of 172 for 8. Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up three crucial wickets to seal the victory for his team.&nbsp;

Akram effect: PCB considering giving fans free entry for ODI series against West Indies 

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram was “incredibly sad” after very few supporters turned up for the first T20I match played between Pakistan and West Indies in Karachi on December 13. Akram also demanded an answer from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the poor attendance. &nbsp;&nbsp;Pakistan hosted an international series after New Zealand had cancelled their tour earlier this year just hours before the commencement of the tour due to security issues. England team were next to abandon their series in Pakistan as well but due to different reasons, so it was expected that Pakistan cricket fans would turn up in large numbers for the West Indies series but sadly that was not the case in reality.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pakistan had finished semi-finalists in the recently concluded T20 World Cup and despite producing a stellar show in the World Cup very few turned out for the first T20I fixture against West Indies and this compelled Akram question the PCB for organising the matches poorly.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Incredibly sad to see an empty stadium in Karachi for the #PAKvWIt20 especially after the performance of Pakistan Team in the last month. I'm pretty sure I know why but I want to hear from you! Tell me, where is the crowd and why??," Akram tweeted.&nbsp;But the 55-year old former pacer did not stop there as he went on to post another video on Twitter on the matter. The video showed one of the fans complaining about the substandard handling of the matches. Former Pakistan skipper shared the video on Twitter writing, “This is VERY concerning. This is not a backyard game this is an International Series."&nbsp;Pakistan team are scheduled to face West Indies in a three-match T20I series and after that they will be involved in a three-match ODI series as well. The ODI series is slated to start on December 18.&nbsp;In the first T20I played in Karachi, Pakistan managed to secure a convincing victory by 63 runs. For Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan and Haider Ali emerged as the stars with the bat, scoring half-centuries. With the ball, it was young Mohammad Wasim who scalped four wickets conceding 40 runs.&nbsp;In the second T20I, the hosts secured a nine-run victory, in Karachi. Batting first, Pakistan managed to score a total of 172 for 8. Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was the best bowler after picking up three crucial wickets.&nbsp;

'Incredibly sad to see an empty stadium in Karachi': Wasim Akram  

It's crisis time for the West Indies as things aren’t getting any better for them on their tour to Pakistan. After three members of the squad had tested positive for Covid-19 earlier, five more members have now been added to the list. The news was confirmed by the West Indies Cricket board on their social media handle as they are already trailing 2-0 in the three-match T20I series. As per the latest round of RT-PCR results go, three players have tested positive along with two members of staff to make the situation worse within the camp. Wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and all-rounder Justin Greaves have all tested positive for Covid-19. Fellow coaching staff members that include assistant coach Roddy Estwick and Team Physician Dr. Akshai Mansingh also returned with positive results in the latest round of tests carried out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This comes as a huge blow for the West Indies as they needed a full-strength squad to salvage something from the T20I series. Nicholas Pooran-led side had given a good account of themselves in the second T20I but felt short of the total by nine runs while chasing 173. It is yet to be seen whether West Indies will be able to field a side for the third and final T20I at National Stadium, Karachi. The future of the tour is also in limbo as a total of six West Indies players have been ruled out of the tour due to Covid-19 related and injury issues. Earlier Devon Thomas was ruled out due to a finger injury which he sustained in the first T20I. The PCB and Cricket West Indies (CWI) will have a meeting on Thursday to determine the future of the tour. Apart from the T20I match remaining, a three-match ODI series will also take place between the two nations starting from December 18 at the same venue.&nbsp;The situation isn’t getting better on the international front, Australian captain Pat Cummins was also ruled out of the Adelaide Test after coming in contact with a positive Covid-19 case. While there have been postponements in football tournaments like the English Premier League (EPL), Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs both had their clashes postponed after the Covid-19 outbreak at their training centers.

Crisis continues for West Indies as five more members test positive for Covid-19

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have released a joint statement postponing the three-match ODI series which was scheduled between December 18-22. The decision came after five more Covid-19 positive cases were reported on December 16 during regular RT-PCR testing, making it nine Covid-19 cases in total in the West Indies camp.&nbsp;&nbsp;“On Thursday morning and as part of the PCB COVID-19 Protocols, Rapid Antigen tests were conducted on the remaining 15 West Indies players and six player support personnel. All 21 members of the West Indies touring party returned negative test result. As such, Thursday’s T20 International (T20I) proceeded as planned,” the statement read.&nbsp;The decision came while Pakistan and West Indies were playing each other in the final T20I of the three T20I series at National Stadium, Karachi.&nbsp;&nbsp;The ODI series which is also a part of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League has been rescheduled for early June 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;After the final T20I, the West Indies players who returned negative results in RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen tests will leave for their homes to be with their family. On the other hand, those who have tested positive for the virus will complete their isolation and then sent back to their homes.&nbsp;&nbsp;On the other hand, Pakistan team members who returned negative in the regular RT-PCR testing on December 16 will leave the bio-bubble after the completion of third T20I.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Pakistan team members, all of whom have returned PCR negative after Wednesday’s tests, will also be leaving the Managed Event Environment after tonight’s third T20I.

Pakistan-West Indies ODI series postponed following nine Covid-19 positive cases

Mohammad Rizwan has been the most consistent performer in the shortest format of the game this year. Rizwan’s 87-run knock helped Pakistan chase down a mammoth target of 208 with seven balls to spare and win the match by seven wickets. With a convincing win in the third T20I, Pakistan whitewashed the Caribbeans by 3-0 in T20I series.&nbsp;&nbsp;Record-breaking run chaseThis was Pakistan’s highest run chase in the format. Their previous best came earlier this year against South Africa in Centurion when they chased down 205. This is also their second-highest T20I total. Their highest total of 232 in T20Is came against England while batting first. It is also the highest T20I total in Pakistan.&nbsp; Rizwan’s unreal featRizwan became the first batsman to breach the 2,000 mark in T20 cricket (T20Is, franchise and domestic cricket). The wicketkeeper-batter now has 2,035 runs this year from 44 innings including one century and 18 half-centuries. He is followed by Pakistan skipper Babar Azam with 1,779 runs this year. In T20Is, he has scored 1,326 runs from 26 innings so far at an average of 73.66 including one century and 12 half-centuries.&nbsp; West Indies post daunting totalAffected by Covid-19, Nicholas Pooran-led side agreed to play the third T20I. The visitors got off to a flier as Brandon King and Shamarh Brooks shared a 66-run stand for the first wicket in the powerplay overs. King departed after scoring 43 runs from 21 deliveries including seven fours and two sixes. Skipper Pooran came in to bat at no.3 and scored his first half-century on the tour. Brooks missed his fifty by just one run whereas Pooran scored 64 runs from 37 innings. The wicketkeeper-batter’s innings had six big sixes and just two fours. Darren Bravo too contributed with a 27-ball 34 to help West Indies post 207/3 after winning the toss and elected to bat first. Tough run chase made easyIn reply, the dominant opening duo of Rizwan and Azam did not let the required run rate slip out of grasp. They kept at it with timely boundaries from both ends. The two shared a 158-run stand in 15.1 overs, Pakistan’s second-highest opening stand. Azam got out on the first ball of 16th over with Odean Smith getting the breakthrough. The skipper hit nine fours and two sixes in the 53-ball 79. Rizwan carried on and did not let the run rate fall.&nbsp; Getting out in the 18th over, Rizwan missed the chance to score his second T20I century. He scored 87 runs from 45 deliveries including 10 fours and three sixes. Towards the end, Asif Ali played the role of the finisher with seven-ball 21 and prevented the match to go into the final over. For West Indies, Romario Shepherd turned out to be the most expensive bowler as he conceded 53 runs from 3.5 overs.&nbsp;

Rizwan’s record-breaking 87 helps Pakistan register their highest run chase in T20I cricket

Babar Azam-led Pakistan took an unassailable lead in the three-T20I series with a 20-run win at National Stadium, Karachi. Despite opener Brandon King’s valiant half-century and Romario Shepherd’s late carnage, West Indies fell short of the 173-run target as they lost the match by nine runs.&nbsp;&nbsp;King leads from frontWith Shai Hope getting out early, King fired from the other end and made use of fielding restrictions. Shamarh Brooks disappointed with the bat too with four-ball 10 but King stabilised the innings alongside skipper Nicholas Pooran. West Indies were on the right track in the chase with 50 runs on board after six overs. He scored 67 runs from 43 deliveries despite wickets falling at the other end. His innings was studded with six fours and three sixes.&nbsp; Afridi magicWhile it was Haris Rauf who got the wicket of King in the 16th over, it was left-arm pacer who derailed the West Indies run chase with three strikes in the 17th over. He got the wicket of Odean Smith off the first ball of 17th over. He followed it up by sending Dominic Drakes and Hayden Walsh for a duck off consecutive deliveries. He conceded 26 runs from his quota of four overs whereas other bowlers went for runs.&nbsp; Shepherd keeps it goingThe hard-hitting all-rounder revived the run chase after a string of Caribbean wickets. He remained unbeaten for 35 off 19 deliveries but did not have much support from the other end to get his team over the line.&nbsp; Azam’s poor run continuesOnce again, Pakistan skipper registered a disappointing score in the shortest format. This time he got run out after scoring seven runs while trying to steal a non-existent single in the third over. Azam has not scored a half-century since T20 World Cup 2021 clash against Scotland. Rizwan, Ali set platformOpener Mohammad Rizwan continued his good run in the format. The half-centurion&nbsp; scored 38 runs off 30 deliveries including four fours and one six. After Azam and Fakhar Zaman’s wicket, he steadied the ship with a 48-run partnership for the third wicket with Haider Ali. The no.4 batter who scored a half-century in the previous game struggled to score boundaries and scored 31 runs from 34 deliveries.&nbsp; Cameos from Iftikhar, ShadabAfter Ali’s wicket, Pakistan lost two quick wickets of cameo specialists Asif Ali and Mohammad Nawaz. In the death overs, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan helped Pakistan accelerate. While Iftikhar scored a 19-ball 32 (one four, two sixes), Shadab was at his destructive best in the final two overs with a 12-ball 28 including one four and three sixes. The late surge in scoring helped Pakistan set a total of 172/8.

Shaheen Afridi's 3 wickets in one over derail West Indies run chase; Pakistan take 2-0 lead with 9-run win

Pakistan romped West Indies by 63 runs in their first T20I match played at National Stadium, Karachi to lead the three-T20I series by 1-0. With this convincing victory, Pakistan have become first team to win 18 T20Is in a calendar year.&nbsp;Pakistan rode on Rizwan’s sensational 78-run knock to set up a colossal 201-run target in their stipulated 20 overs. Mohammed Wasim Jr (4 for 40) and Shadab Khan (3 for 17) did the rest with their superb spells as they skittled out West Indies to a paltry 137 who struggled to keep up with the required run rate since the start.&nbsp;Earlier West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran chose to bowl after winning the toss. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was dismissed for a duck by Akeal Hosein excellent delivery was a major jolt for the batting side.&nbsp;However, wicketkeeper-batter Rizwan rose to the occasion and steadied Pakistan’s boat as he took West Indies bowlers to cleaners in his splendid knock of 78 runs. His 52-ball innings was studded with ten boundaries that saw the Caribbeans in all sorts of bother.&nbsp;Haider Ali also played a crucial knock to emerge the second fiddle with a quickfire 68-run in which he cracked four big ones and six fours. Both the batters kept the scoreboard running despite losing wickets in regular intervals. Rizwan-Ali shared a 105-run partnership for the third wicket to set a platform for big total.&nbsp;&nbsp;At the end, allrounder Mohammed Nawaz played a crucial cameo of 30 off 10 and guided Pakistan to a daunting total of 200. Romario Shepherd was pick of the bowlers for West Indies as he scalped two big wickets of Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman in his spell of 2 for 43 while Akeal, Oshane Thomas, Dominic Drakes and Odean Smith snared a wicket each.&nbsp;Batting second, Shai Hope was the lone performer for the Nicolas Pooran-led team as he scored a spirited 31 off 26.&nbsp;Once again the highly touted West Indian batting line-up collapsed and wilted under pressure although the lower-order showed some grit to fight but their efforts went in vain.

Pakistan rock West Indies; become 1st team to win 18 T20Is in a year

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