Pakistan Shaheens tour of Australia

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Darwin, 31 July 2023: Pakistan Shaheens thrashed ACT Comets by nine wickets at the DXC Arena today at the back of a half-century by opener Shamyl Hussain. The left-handed batter made 57 not out off 44balls, hitting nine fours, to help his side overhaul the 123-run target at the 15.2 overs mark. This was Pakistan Shaheens’ second game in the 2023 Top End T20 Series.

Shamyl laid solid foundation for the run chase with a 66-run stand with Dera Murad Jamali-born Basit Ali, who struck two fours and a six in his 27-ball 28, before adding the remaining runs with captain Rohail Nazir, who made 39 not out at a sparkling rate of 185. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed four fours and a six.

Pakistan Shaheens had opted to bowl after Rohail called correctly at the toss and put up a disciplined show with the ball. Faisal Akram, the left-arm unorthodox, returned two for 22 and Sajjad Ali and Arafat Minhas picked up a wicket each as ACT Comets managed 122 for seven.

Nicholas Broes top-scored with 37 off 34 (two fours), Zak Keogh made 23 off 31 and Hanno Jacobs made 20 off 17.

Pakistan Shaheens take on Renegades at TIO Stadium tomorrow. The first ball will be bowled at 1800 local time.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan Shaheens beat ACT Comets by nine wickets

ACT Comets 122-7, 20 overs (Nicholas Broes 37, Zak Keogh 23, Hanno Jacobs 20; Faisal Akram 2-22)

Pakistan Shaheens 125-1, 15.2 overs (Shamyl Hussain 57 not out, Rohail Nazir 39 not out, Basit Ali 28)

 

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Darwin, 1 August 2023: A stunning display with the ball scripted Pakistan Shaheens’ second win in as many days. Shaheens successfully defended a small target of 94 by bowling out Melbourne Renegades on 85 in 19.4 overs at the TIO Stadium in the Top End T20 Series on Tuesday.

With three wickets each from their four overs, Ali Asfand, who conceded only eight runs and bowled 16 dots, and Arafat Minhas, who conceded 15 and bowled 15 dots, spearheaded Shaheens defence. Sajjad Ali, Faisal Akram and Ahmed Khan took a wicket each. Dylan Brasher’s 20-ball 19 was the highest score in the innings.

Shaheens were bowled out for 93 in 18.5 overs after they elected to bat. Shawaiz Irfan top-scored with 32-ball 34 and hit two sixes and a four. The next best scores were of 13 by Basit Ali and Faisal Akram. Ruwantha Kellapotha was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 15. Fergus O’Nell and Tom Rogers picked up two wickets apiece.

Shaheens play the next match tomorrow, against Melbourne Stars, at the same venue. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 1830 local time.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan Shaheens beat Melbourne Renegades by 8 runs
Pakistan Shaheens 93 all out, 18.5 overs (Shawaiz Irfan 34; Ruwantha Kellapotha 3-15, Tom Rogers 2-18, Fergus O’Neill 2-21)
Melbourne Renegades 85 all out, 19.4 overs (Ali Asfand 3-8, Arafat Minhas 3-15)
Player of the match – Ali Asfand (Pakistan Shaheens)

 

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Darwin, 2 August 2023: Shawaiz Irfan’s attacking half-century and a disciplined bowling performance led Pakistan Shaheens to a 43-run win over Melbourne Stars at the TIO Stadium in Darwin on Wednesday evening.

This was Shaheens’ third successive win in the Top End T20 Series.

Opting to bat first, Shaheens’ opening pair Shamyl Hussain (25, 16b, 5x4s) and Shawaiz provided a solid 60-run start to the innings before left-handed Shamyl returned to the hut on the final ball of the fifth over. After Shamyl’s departure, Shawaiz and captain Rohail Nazir added 50 runs for the second wicket. Shawaiz amassed 65 off 37 balls, studded with five fours and four sixes before he was dismissed.

Rohail (16, 22b) soon followed Shawaiz and fell to Arjun Nair in the 12th over. Wahaj Riaz (28 not out, 20b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Ahmed Khan (19, 16b, 1x6) helped Shaheens post 169 for six in 20 overs.

For Stars, Arjun Nair and Reiley Mark bagged two wickets each.

In reply, Melbourne Stars were never in hunt for the chase and managed to score 126 for eight in 17.1 overs as Stars fell 43 runs short of the target with Cam McClure and Campbell Kellaway unable to bat due to injury.

For Shaheens, left-arm spinner Faisal Akram took two wickets for 24. Aaliyan Mehmood, Arafat Minhas and Sajjad Ali snapped up a wicket each.

Shaheens will take on PNG on Friday in their last round match at the DXC Arena. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 1800 local time. The final of the tournament will be played between the top two teams on Sunday, 6 August at 1500 local time.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan Shaheens beat Melbourne Stars by 43 runs
Pakistan Shaheens 169-6, 20 overs (Shawaiz Irfan 65, Wahaj Riaz 28, Shamyl Hussain 25; Reiley Mark 2-23, Arjun Nair 2-28)
Melbourne Stars 126-8, 17.1 overs (Harry Dixon 32, Arjun Nair 31; Faisal Akram 2-24)
Player of the match – Shawaiz Irfan (Pakistan Shaheens)
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PNG won the toss and are batting first vs Shaheens

 

[Amjid Javed]

Wow some impressive performances so far, well done boys

 

[MenInG]

PNG won the toss and are batting first vs Shaheens


View attachment 135782View attachment 135783

PNG 6 wickets down

 

[MenInG]

Should be an easy win

PNG Barras
120/8
20.0/20 ov

 

[MenInG]

Should be an easy win

PNG Barras
120/8
20.0/20 ov

and easy it was

Pakistan Shaheens won by 8 Wickets​

 

[Hassan A]

Shahwaiz Irfan’s second successive half-century takes Shaheens to final

Darwin, 4 August 2023:

Shahwaiz Irfan’s second successive century and a four-fer from Ali Asfand led Shaheens to an eight-wicket win over Papua New Guinea at the DXC Arena on Friday evening. The win means Shaheens also qualify for the final and will take on Northern Territory Strike at the same venue.

Chasing 121 to win, Shaheens lost their first wicket on 16 with Shamyl Hussain returning to the hut for one off two balls. Right-handed batter Shawaiz was joined by Azan Awais and the pair knitted a 54-run partnership for the second wicket. Shawaiz contributed 40 runs in the partnership and over the course of the partnership brought up a brilliant half-century. He had scored 65 off 37 balls against Melbourne Stars in the team’s 43-run win at the TIO Stadium on Wednesday.

Shawaiz was dismissed for 54 off 32 balls, which included 10 fours, with Shaheens still requiring 51 for victory off 74 balls. Skipper Rohail Nazir and Azan made sure there were no hiccups in the run-chase and took Shaheens home in the 13th over.

Rohail’s quick-fire 33 off 22 balls included three fours and one six. Azan returned undefeated on 26 off 23 balls, hitting two fours.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Papua New Guinea managed to score 120 for eight in 20 overs after left-arm spinner Ali wreaked havoc with a four-fer. The remaining four wickets to fall were bagged by Aaliyan Mahmood and Arafat Minhas – both taking two wickets each.

For PNG, Sese Bau top-scored with a 28-ball 32 with three boundaries and one six.

Pakistan Shaheens will now take on Northern Territory Strike in the final, which will be played at the DXC Arena on Sunday, 6 August. The first ball will be bowled at 1500 local time and will be live-streamed on Tapmad in Pakistan.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan Shaheens beat PNG by eight wickets

PNG 120-8, 20 overs (Sese Bau 32, Norman Vanua 25; Ali Asfand 4-11, Aaliyan Mahmood 2-21, Arafat Minhas 2-24)

Pakistan Shaheens 121-2, 12.5 overs (Shawaiz Irfan 54, Rohail Nazir 33 not out, Azan Awais 26 not out)

Player of the match – Ali Asfand (Pakistan Shaheens)

 

[shamaan]

Nice to variety in the spin bowling department.

 

[Saj]

Difficult to gauge how well the Shaheens are doing as the quality of opposition doesn't seem to be overly strong.

I think when organising these sort of tours PCB should ensure the opposition is as strong as possible and contains as many players with top-level experience as possible.

 

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NT Strike have won the toss and are batting first against Pakistan Shaheens in the final

 

[MenInG]

Not looking too good for Shaheens

NT Strike
185/4
20.0/20 ov

Pakistan Shaheens
102/5
15.3/20 ov

 

[MenInG]

Disappointing loss for the Shaheens, seems that they came up against a very tough team

 

[MenInG]

Jack Wood’s unbeaten century led Northern Territory Strike to a 46-run win over Pakistan Shaheens in the final of the Top End T20 Series at the DXC Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The final was live-streamed on PCB’s YouTube channel.

Opting to bat first, NT Strike scored a mammoth 185 for four in 20 overs. Right-handed Jack Wood led the charge and scored an unbeaten 101 off 59 balls, which included eight fours and five sixes. He was supported by Jason Sangha (33, 23b, 1x4, 3x6s), who added 71 runs for the second wicket.

For Shaheens, spinners Aaliyan Mahmood, Ali Asfand and Arafat Minhas snapped a wicket each, while left-arm pacer Sajjad Ali too bagged one wicket and gave away 24 runs from three overs.

In turn, Shaheens managed to score for 139 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

For Shaheens, Arafat Minhas coming to bat at number six, top-scored for his side with a 30-ball 41, smashing two fours and as many sixes. Muhammad Irfan Khan (24, 25b, 1x4) and Shamyl Hussain (23, 19b, 3x4s) were the other contributors with the bat for the losing side.

For NT Strike, Brodie Symons was the most successful bowler taking three wickets for 16 in three overs.

Pakistan Shaheens will now feature in two 50-over matches on the tour. They will play Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, 8 August and the next day will play Northern Territory Strike before retuning.

Scores in brief:

NT Strike beat Shaheens by 46 runs

NT Strike 185-4, 20 overs (Jack Wood 101 not out, Jason Sangha 33)

Pakistan Shaheens 139-7, 20 overs (Arafat Minhas 41, Muhammad Irfan Khan 24, Shamyl Hussain 23; Brodie Symons 3-16)

Player of the match – Jack Wood (NT Strike)

Pakistan Shaheens squad for two 50-over matches:

Rohail Nazir (captain), Aaliyan Mahmood, Ahmed Khan, Ali Asfand, Amir Hassan, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Basit Ali, Faisal Akram, Sajjad Ali, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Shawaiz Irfan, Syed Zeeshan Zameer and Wahaj Riaz

Player Support Personnel – Muhammad Masroor (head coach-cum-manager), Hanif Malik (batting and fielding coach), Umar Rashid (bowling coach) and Imtiaz Khan (physiotherapist)

 

[Bewal Express]

Difficult to gauge how well the Shaheens are doing as the quality of opposition doesn't seem to be overly strong.

I think when organising these sort of tours PCB should ensure the opposition is as strong as possible and contains as many players with top-level experience as possible.

It's seems a jolly to allow some baboos to accompany them and reward loyal people. This tour would have cost around $200,000 and at the end of it, no one would be any of the wiser because the opposition is poor

 

[MenInG]

Faisal Akram’s five-fer gives Shaheens 224-run win over PNG

Darwin, 8 August 2023:

A five-wicket haul from Faisal Akram and half-centuries by Arafat Minhas and Azan Awais led Shaheens to an impressive 224-run win over Papua New Guinea at the DXC Arena in Darwin on Tuesday afternoon.

Opting to bat first in the 50-over match, openers Azan and Shamyl Hussain provided a solid 86-run stand for the first wicket. Shamyl was the first batter to return to the pavilion, scoring a run-a-ball 45, which included seven fours. Captain Rohail Nazir (2, 5b) soon was sent back to the hut before left-handed Azan was joined by Wahaj Riaz. The pair knitted 57 runs for the third wicket as Wahaj (36, 35b, 2x4s, 1x6) fell to Charles Amini in the 28th over.

Azan (72, 94b, 6x4s), the highest run-getter for Shaheens, was next to go with Shaheens 170 for four in 30.4 overs. Shawaiz Irfan, who scored two half-centuries in the Top End T20 Series, went early and could score only 13 off 12 balls. Muhammad Irfan Khan, coming to bat at number five scored 41 off 40 balls, smashing four fours.

That the Shaheens were able to post 323 was largely due to Arafat Minhas’ quick-fire 56 off 34 balls, which included seven fours and one six. Arafat and Ahmed Khan (31, 28b, 2x4s) stitched a 74-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

For PNG, Amini was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 61.

In reply, PNG batters were never in the hunt to chase the target as they lost wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed for a paltry 99 in 22 overs. Left-arm wrist spinner Faisal bagged five wickets for 17 in five overs, which included 22 dot balls. Fast bowlers Ahmed (6-0-43-3) and Amir Hassan (6-0-24-2) shared five wickets between them.

Shaheens will now take on Northern Territory Strikes tomorrow at the same venue in a day-night contest. The first ball of the 50-over match will be bowled at 1330 local time. This will be Shaheens’ last match in Australia before they head home.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan Shaheens beat PNG by 224 runs

Pakistan Shaheens 323-8, 50 overs (Azan Awais 72, Arafat Minhas 56, Shamyl Hussain 45, Muhammad Irfan Khan 41; Charles Amini 3-61)

Papua New Guinea 99 all out, 22 overs (Asadollah Vala 23; Faisal Akram 5-17, Ahmed Khan 3-40, Amir Hassan 2-24)

 

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Another five-wicket haul from left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram helped Pakistan Shaheens beat Northern Territory Strike by 84 runs at DXC Arena on Wednesday evening. This was Shaheens’ last match on Australian soil before they return home.

Shaheens, before the two 50-over matches, appeared in six-team Top End Series, where they lost to NT Strike in the final at DXC Arena on Sunday.

Chasing 233 to win, NT Strike lost their opening batters for just seven runs on the board before Jason Sangha (34, 37b, 3x4s) and Coby Edmonstone (65, 98b, 6x4s, 1x6) added 79 runs for the third wicket. Param Uppal (24, 27b, 3x4s) was the other notable contributor with the bat. After the departure of Uppal, the hosts lost seven wickets for just 21 runs.

Faisal, who bagged five for 17 runs in the match against Papua New Guinea on Tuesday afternoon, bagged five wickets for 37 from 10 overs, which included 39 dot balls.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Shaheens’ opening pair of Azan Awais (36, 38b, 2x4s) and Basit Ali (33, 35b, 5x4s) knitted a 53-run partnership for the opening wicket. After the departure of the pair with 87 runs on the board, Shaheens were in a spot of bother as they lost five wickets for 73 runs.

That the Shaheens managed to score 232 from 160 for seven was largely due to a 44-run partnership between Ahmed Khan (39, 61b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Ali Asfand (42 not out, 42b, 5x4s) for the eighth wicket.

Shaheens were all out for 232 in 47.3 overs.

For NT Strike, Charlie Smith took four wickets for 31, while Jack Wood and Tom Menzies grabbed two wickets each.

This was Shaheens’ first win over NT Strike, after they failed to overpower the hosts on two occasions in the recently concluded Top End T20 Series.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan Shaheens beat Northern Territory Strike by 84 runs

Pakistan Shaheens 232 all out, 47.3 overs (Ali Asfand 42 not out, Ahmed Khan 39, Azan Awais 36, Basit Ali 33; Charlie Smith 4-31, Tom Menzies 2-40, Jack Wood 2-55)

Northern Territory Strike 148 all out, 39.3 overs (Coby Edmonstone 65, Jason Sangha 34, Param Uppal 24; Faisal Akram 5-37)

 

[WicketLord]

Will Buzz Shaheens

Another five-wicket haul from left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram helped Pakistan Shaheens beat Northern Territory Strike by 84 runs at DXC Arena on Wednesday evening. This was Shaheens’ last match on Australian soil before they return home.

Shaheens, before the two 50-over matches, appeared in six-team Top End Series, where they lost to NT Strike in the final at DXC Arena on Sunday.

Chasing 233 to win, NT Strike lost their opening batters for just seven runs on the board before Jason Sangha (34, 37b, 3x4s) and Coby Edmonstone (65, 98b, 6x4s, 1x6) added 79 runs for the third wicket. Param Uppal (24, 27b, 3x4s) was the other notable contributor with the bat. After the departure of Uppal, the hosts lost seven wickets for just 21 runs.

Faisal, who bagged five for 17 runs in the match against Papua New Guinea on Tuesday afternoon, bagged five wickets for 37 from 10 overs, which included 39 dot balls.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Shaheens’ opening pair of Azan Awais (36, 38b, 2x4s) and Basit Ali (33, 35b, 5x4s) knitted a 53-run partnership for the opening wicket. After the departure of the pair with 87 runs on the board, Shaheens were in a spot of bother as they lost five wickets for 73 runs.

That the Shaheens managed to score 232 from 160 for seven was largely due to a 44-run partnership between Ahmed Khan (39, 61b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Ali Asfand (42 not out, 42b, 5x4s) for the eighth wicket.

Shaheens were all out for 232 in 47.3 overs.

For NT Strike, Charlie Smith took four wickets for 31, while Jack Wood and Tom Menzies grabbed two wickets each.

This was Shaheens’ first win over NT Strike, after they failed to overpower the hosts on two occasions in the recently concluded Top End T20 Series.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan Shaheens beat Northern Territory Strike by 84 runs

Pakistan Shaheens 232 all out, 47.3 overs (Ali Asfand 42 not out, Ahmed Khan 39, Azan Awais 36, Basit Ali 33; Charlie Smith 4-31, Tom Menzies 2-40, Jack Wood 2-55)

Northern Territory Strike 148 all out, 39.3 overs (Coby Edmonstone 65, Jason Sangha 34, Param Uppal 24; Faisal Akram 5-37)

 

[Bewal Express]

A costly, pointless waste of time. Surely, the money could have better used than this.

 

[gazza619]

It's seems a jolly to allow some baboos to accompany them and reward loyal people. This tour would have cost around $200,000 and at the end of it, no one would be any of the wiser because the opposition is poor

I am struggling to do the maths as to how it would have costed us $200k to send a bunch of kids to Australia. Were we payinh Aussie cricket board to play us? Were there no sponsors at all

 

[Bewal Express]

I am struggling to do the maths as to how it would have costed us $200k to send a bunch of kids to Australia. Were we payinh Aussie cricket board to play us? Were there no sponsors at

It was an estimate based on a party of 20 people. It may be on the high side but it won't be too far off.

 

[gazza619]

It was an estimate based on a party of 20 people. It may be on the high side but it won't be too far off.

So zero sponsors? PCB are a scam

 

[Bewal Express]

So zero sponsors? PCB are a scam

I would be amazed that the PCB got any sponsors or even asked around.

 

[ethan hunt]

Where is Shahwaiz Irfan. He looked like a massive talent in the PJL. Modern hitter with timing and power. I hope PCB dont waste him.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Where is Shahwaiz Irfan. He looked like a massive talent in the PJL. Modern hitter with timing and power. I hope PCB dont waste him.

He should be the long term replacement for Rizwan. Had a decent tour of Australia aswell. Currently I think he is eyeing comeback to competitive cricket post injury.

He was amongst top 5 finds of the Pakistan Junior League.

He is an attacking batsman and he took an absolute blinder as wicket keeper in PJL (Rashid latif esque catch)