Mohammad Wasim

Pakistan staved off a fifth consecutive defeat at home with a <a href="https://www.cricket.com/match-score/217969/summary/pak-vs-nz-1st-test-new-zealand-tour-of-pakistan-2022-23" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hard-fought draw in the first Test in Karachi</a> on Friday despite career-best bowling figures from New Zealand leg-spinner <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/57625/ish-sodhi/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ish Sodhi</a>.Sodhi grabbed 6-86 and threatened to give New Zealand victory in the first two sessions on the fifth and final day, but Pakistan fought on before declaring their second innings on 311-8.&nbsp;That gave New Zealand a tough target of 138 to win in 15 overs, and the chase ended in fading light on 61-1, with Tom Latham unbeaten on 35 and Devon Conway 18. Michael Bracewell was the only wicket to fall for three.Sodhi was the star as he improved on his previous best of 4-60 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo four years ago. The 30-year-old, playing his first Test in four years, turned the match in New Zealand&#39;s favour with three wickets in the second session to leave Pakistan on 249-7 at tea with 35 overs left in the match.But Saud Shakeel, who ended with 55 not out, and Mohammad Wasim (43) defied for 75 minutes and 111 balls during their 71-run eighth wicket stand to deprive New Zealand of a win.Soon after tea, Sodhi trapped Wasim leg-before, but Mir Hamza (three not out) assisted Shakeel in a ninth-wicket unbroken stand of 34 runs in 50 minutes to further frustrate the visitors. Shakeel, who hit seven boundaries and a six, built on after fighting knocks from Imam-ul-Haq (96) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (53) in the first two sessions.In the post-lunch session, Sodhi dismissed Sarfaraz, Agha Salman (six) and Imam in the space of 27 balls for the addition of just 21 runs. Imam and Sarfaraz had added a defiant 85 runs for the fifth wicket and raised hopes of salvaging a draw for the home team before Sodhi struck.He had Sarfaraz caught behind, bowled Salman, then got Haq stumped to leave Pakistan on 206-7. Imam, who survived lbw referrals off the bowler on 58 and 74, cracked 10 boundaries and a six in his sixth half-century, while Sarfaraz had seven hits to the rope.So incensed was he by his dismissal, Imam smashed a chair with his bat on the way to the dressing room.Resuming on 77-2, Pakistan lost nightwatchman Nauman Ali early, trapped leg-before by spinner Bracewell. Then skipper Babar Azam -- who scored 161 in Pakistan&#39;s first innings of 438 -- was out the same way to Sodhi for 14.The second Test starts at the same venue on Monday.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

The hosts gave New Zealand a tough target of 138 to win in 15 overs, and the chase ended in fading light on 61-1

Imam-ul-Haq

Sarfaraz Ahmed

Saud Shakeel

Ish Sodhi

Michael Bracewell

Kane Williamson

New Zealand tour of Pakistan, 2022/23

New Zealand

Pakistan

Sodhi's best in vain as Pakistan salvage draw against NZ

New Zealand and Pakistan will lock horns in the first semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup. Pakistan sneaked into the Top 4 while the Kiwis had a smoother road but that will matter little in a knockout game of this tumultuous tournament. Also, Pakistan, being as mercurial as they are, if it is their day then no force is enough to stop them. That is what they did against South Africa. But the BlackCaps have been the most efficient side in a tournament where every team has lost at least one game. The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is set for a spicy contest between the two sides.&nbsp;Ground Details and Team CombinationFive of the six games played at the SCG thus far in this World Cup have been won by the side batting first. The reasons are simple: minimal swing with the new ball in the first innings, excellent conditions to bat and the pitch slows down during the run chase. Spinners have picked 31 wickets at the SCG in this World Cup. 22 of them have come in the second innings. Also, this game will be played on a fresh strip.&nbsp;Both sides have been tight with their bowling, especially in the spin department. Also, Pakistan play spin better while New Zealand fare well against pace. Hence, batters of the side batting first, spinners from Pakistan and the Kiwi pacers could form a winning combination from the fantasy scheme of things.&nbsp;Suggested teams<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1667914118834-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from <a href="https://www.cricket.com/fantasy-research-center/209310/nz-vs-pak-1st-semi-final-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-australia-2022" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cricket.com&rsquo;s Fantasy Research Centre</a>. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.Captaincy suggestionsFor small leagues: Shadab Khan ( c ), Glenn Phillips (vc)For grand leagues:&nbsp;Devon Conway ( c ), Lockie Ferguson (vc)Stats That Matter- Shadab Khan&rsquo;s tally of 10 in the middle-overs is the highest by any bowler in this World Cup. &nbsp;With the bat, he has scored at an average of 26 while going at a strike-rate of 177.6, including a smashing 52 off 22 balls at the same venue against South Africa. Although, he has a bowling average of 30.2 against the Kiwis, trust in his all-round skills to lead your fantasy fortunes.&nbsp;- Glenn Phillips averages 48.8 at a strike-rate of 163.9 in this tournament. Facing spin, he has scored 87 runs off 51 balls getting out only once. In his previous game at the SCG, he scored 104 off 64 balls against Sri Lanka.&nbsp;- Naseem Shah has been brilliant with the ball for Pakistan, maintaining an economy of 5.7 in this World Cup. However, he has picked only three wickets in five games. Among pacers, it is Shaheen Afridi (8 wickets) and Mohammad Wasim (7) have been more prominent among wickets.&nbsp;- Babar Azam has averaged only 7.8 at a strike-rate of 61.9 in this World Cup thus far.- Openers in the first innings at SCG have averaged 32.5 in this World Cup as compared to 14.5 in the second innings.&nbsp;- Tim Southee averages only 17.3 for his 28 wickets in 17 T20Is against Pakistan. He is also New Zealand&rsquo;s joint-highest wicket-taking pacer with seven wickets in this competition. Meanwhile, Trent Boult has shocking numbers versus the Men in Green. He has picked only five wickets in nine games at 59.8 runs apiece.&nbsp;Grand League Punts- Devon Conway scored 92* off 58 balls at SCG against Australia in the first Super 12 fixture. Most of the spin match-ups versus Pakistan are in Conway&rsquo;s favor. If he can take on Shadab, like he neutralized Adam Zampa in that game, Conway can be a big player in your XI.&nbsp;- Pakistan average only 20.8 against pace in this World Cup. Thus, Lockie Ferguson&rsquo;s high pace can put Pakistan batters under the pump.&nbsp;- Mohammad Nawaz has bowled only seven overs in this tournament. However, he has contributed handy knocks with the bat which vouches for his selection as a left-field choice. If Conway gets out early, Nawaz can have a big role with the bat given three right-handers in New Zealand&rsquo;s middle-order.&nbsp;Here are the Top 10 Criclytics Projections&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1667913877304-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Probable XIsNew Zealand: Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Kane Williamson ( c ), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Lockie FergusonPakistan: Babar Azam ( c ), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Haris RaufPowered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Here are a few tips that could help you create your fantasy XI for the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup featuring New Zealand and Pakistan

Lockie Ferguson

Tim Southee

Devon Conway

Shadab Khan

Glenn Phillips

Shaheen Afridi

Babar Azam

ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Australia, 2022

Fantasy: Keep match-ups in mind while picking the XI

Pakistan were 43/4 in seven overs while batting first. Teams generally don&rsquo;t win from this position. The T20 format doesn&rsquo;t give you enough time to absorb the pressure from here on. In the last 50 occasions of teams batting first losing four wickets or more within the first seven overs, the win percentage is only 20 (in games involving Test-playing nations on both sides).&nbsp;There was added pressure on Pakistan. A do-or-die game. A negative match-up - a side not renowned to tackle pace neatly against one of the best pace-bowling outfits of the competition. Also, they are a top-heavy side. Since 2020, their openers have scored 45% of their total runs in T20Is. <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/59429/babar-azam/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Babar Azam</a> and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/20286/mohammad-rizwan/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammad Rizwan</a> scored 10 runs off 19 deliveries. Pakistan had no business winning this game. In Pommie Mbangwa&rsquo;s words,<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/125-Se28RVU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;they were dead and half-buried</a>.&nbsp;But it is times like these, when you discard Pakistan the most and they turn on the beast mode.&nbsp;Cornered Tigers anyone? They not only won but won quite comfortably - by 33 runs. It wasn&rsquo;t the bowlers to pull the weight alone. The batting turned up from its grave, to reduce South Africa&rsquo;s bowling to mere dust on a chilly evening in Sydney.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1667503561657-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">From 43/4 in seven overs, Pakistan rocketed to put 185 on the board. You seldom see them turn it around with the bat after a glimpse at the rock bottom.&nbsp;*****The turnaround began with <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/24437/iftikhar-ahmed/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Iftikhar Ahmed</a>. Considered one of the weaker links in Pakistan&rsquo;s middle-order, the right-hander delivered for the second time under pressure in this World Cup. Against India, he walked out at 15/2 in the fourth over and struck a breezy 51. It was his onslaught against Axar Patel that triggered Pakistan to 159 when 140 seemed tough. If that was playing his favored bowling trait - spin - on Thursday (November 3), Iftikhar marched on by targeting the pace of <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/63611/kagiso-rabada/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kagiso Rabada</a>.&nbsp;Rabada was smashed out of the attack after his first over with the new ball, in which <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/72231/mohammad-haris/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammad Haris</a> struck him for 17 runs. The speedster&rsquo;s second over was nicely placed by <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/12492/temba-bavuma/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Temba Bavuma</a>; Rabada was called him back in the eighth over, when Pakistan had their back against the wall, ultimately granting him breathing space after a poor first over. But Iftikhar took him on in his third over, smashing him for 10 runs from the first three balls. The shackles were broken.In between Iftikhar beginning the 10th over with 10 runs in three balls and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/57935/mohammad-nawaz/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammad Nawaz</a> closing out the 12th over with another 10 in three balls, Pakistan were back on track.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1667503145275-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Nawaz was out in the subsequent over. <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/65739/shadab-khan/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shadab Khan</a> took the baton. If there were any doubts about Pakistan maintaining the momentum they had just attained, Shadab answered them with flying colors. He smashed a 20-ball fifty. Completely out of the syllabus for the Protea bowlers. Shadab is a rising prospect as a batter but averaged just 17.6 before this knock.&nbsp;Shadab and Iftikhar batted like they have cheat codes. Within the first 18 balls of their stand, they had added 40 runs with runs all over the park. Shadab creamed a sublime six over covers. Iftikhar hammered two colossal hits. Every other ball was hit in the gaps. Fielders just didn&rsquo;t matter the way these two progressed in their stand. They added 82 off only 36 balls.&nbsp;Pakistan smashed 117 runs in the second half of their innings after being 68/4 in the first 10.&nbsp;*****The game was effectively won between the partnerships described above. 185 was an above-par total given Pakistan was yet to arrive with their stronger suite - bowling. And South Africa&rsquo;s batting hasn&rsquo;t been the most consistent one given its long tail. No <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/5313/david-miller/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">David Miller</a> made Pakistan the favorites.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1667501943138-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Any early blows would put them on top. And at SCG this World Cup, openers in the second innings average a mere 7.9. Guess who joined the party? <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/66833/shaheen-afridi/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shaheen Shah Afridi</a> had only three wickets in four T20Is this year. He doubled that tally, with 3/14, including two wickets in the powerplay.&nbsp;It worked two ways for Pakistan. Early wickets, yes but it also pushed two left-handers out of the game. And in Miller&rsquo;s absence, it opened the door for Shadab to bowl. In 2022, Shadab averaged 15.9 runs per wicket against RHBs as compared to 35.2 versus LHBs before this match. With no southpaw to tackle, he casually rolled over Bavuma and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/64219/aiden-markram/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aiden Markram</a> in his first over.&nbsp;And the brilliant death bowling from <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/72232/mohammad-wasim/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mohammad Wasim</a> and <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/69956/naseem-shah/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Naseem Shah</a> was the cherry on the cake. When South Africa needed 48 off 18 balls, they conceded only 6 runs between their one over each. It was a masterclass of death bowling, leaving the Proteas hopeless by the last over began.&nbsp;*****Pakistan unexpectedly recovered from an early collapse. They timed their acceleration perfectly. Iftikhar, Nawaz and Shadab churned out more boundaries between them (17) than the whole South Africa team combined (15). With the ball, they were flawless for the nth time in this tournament.&nbsp;<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1667503061657-articleimg" style="width: 600px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Scoring 52 (22) and picking 2/16, the only thing Shadab did wrong was putting in an awkward dive on the last ball of the match. With the game in the bag, you don&rsquo;t want to test your luck with injuries trying to save an insignificant boundary.&nbsp;From losing to Zimbabwe a week ago to a rousing victory over the Proteas, we have now witnessed both extremes of Pakistan cricket in this competition. And it is on days like these when they are the most fun to watch.&nbsp;Trivia: There is something about Pakistan facing South Africa in these games. The last time they lost a World Cup fixture to them was in 1999. They have dented the Proteas with a 100% win record in the 21st century, be it in the ODI World Cup or the T20 edition. The fact stays intact until their next clash in these mega-events.&nbsp;Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

The Men in Green had no business winning from 43/4 but they not only won, they made it look too easy 

Iftikhar Ahmed

Naseem Shah

Mohammad Nawaz

South Africa

Pakistan's beast mode pulls them back from the grave

17 years, 204 months, or 6209 days, it has been quite a while since England have been in Pakistan. But the wait is finally over. Over the last week, we have already seen plenty of news articles surrounding England&rsquo;s landing in the Asian country. But on the cricketing front, what does the series has to offer?Over the past few weeks, we have seen plenty of surprises in the World Cup squads for the global event Down Under. But one that has been a pleasant one has been the inclusion of 32-year-old, Shan Masood in the shortest format.On the other hand, for England, this series is a perfect opportunity to brush the rust off, at least for the ones who are returning to the squad after a long layoff due to injuries.Shan Masood&rsquo;s expected unexpected&nbsp;pickShan Masood was a regular in the red-ball format, having played 25 matches for Pakistan. But seeing him in the Pakistani green jersey against the white-ball, is something that comes out of the blue. Really? Masood&rsquo;s technique always restricted him to the longest format but his performance in the recent years, against the white-ball has put his hat successfully in the ring.The 32-year-old&rsquo;s impactful display in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), with an average of 32.78 and a strike-rate of 136.10 kept him in the shadows. But ultimately, it was his performance for Derbyshire that really made him a top option for Pakistan, ahead of the T20 World Cup Down Under.<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1663587282215-articleimg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">In this year alone, the left-hander has scored 1240 runs, averaging a high 40, with a strike-rate of 137. His regular show in the year might even result in him slotting into the Pakistani middle-order. Masood is expected to replace Fakhar Zaman at No.3, a batting position where he averages 23 while scoring runs at 124.7.Life has presented a great opportunity to Masood, it is now up to him to convert that.An intriguing battle for an opener&rsquo;s slotWhile Pakistan have their openers set and ready, a bad run of form for Jason Roy has turned the table upside down for England. Now combine that with the injury to Jonny Bairstow, the Three Lions find themselves in a situation where they have two prime options: Phil Salt or Alex Hales. While the former was picked in the squad ahead of the latter, Hales&rsquo; firepower might be more than enough reason for the management to trust him.So, the series presents a perfect opportunity for the two to battle each other for that coveted spot, to open alongside Jos Buttler, Down Under. Since 2020, Hales has a significant advantage over Salt in terms of the batting numbers. In T20s during the timeline, the right-handed Hales has scored over 3000 runs, with a strike-rate of 159.1, the best for any Englishman.<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1663587319295-articleimg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Salt in the 87 appearances, has a strike-rate of 149.6, but more importantly has proven his worth with the bat for the national team. But purely in terms of numbers, Hales has a big up over Salt but this series provides a platform for both of them to show their worth, in the absence of Buttler.Wasim Jr and the conundrumMohammad Wasim &nbsp;Jr was an integral part of the Pakistani setup ahead of the Asia Cup. The reason why we say was, is the performance from Naseem Shah. Both Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem, underlined their influence on the Pakistani side during their run to the final of the competition. Now, that makes Wasim&rsquo;s place extremely confusing.<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1663587342301-articleimg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Where does he feature in this Pakistani setup? The right-arm seamer&rsquo;s numbers in the shortest format are mouthwatering, an average of just 15.88 with the ball. Combine that with his T20 batting average (20.28), Wasim is here to stay. But Pakistan&rsquo;s management has a big headache, who makes way for Wasim?Naseem proved his worth with the new ball, Nawaz with his all-round display, making Ifthikar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah&rsquo;s place under scrutiny. Would the 21-year-old force himself back into the conversation or will Pakistan not pick him in the playing XI?Who is Sam Curran?It is a question that has been left unanswered for the longest time in English cricket, at least in the white-ball formats. Who is Sam Curran? Is he a batting all-rounder, a bowling all-rounder, an opening bowler, or just a bits-and-pieces of a cricketer? Ahead of the series against Pakistan, the all-rounder embraced his multi-purpose role with an open mind.<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1663587360483-articleimg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Since his return from injury, Curran has primarily batted a lot at No.3 and No.5. Whilst at No.3, he averages 26 and strikes at 142.4, his numbers at No.5 &ndash; 37.4 and 139.6 &ndash; makes him an extremely juicy prospect in the English team.With the top-order being packed, how will Moeen Ali use Curran in the batting unit? His numbers against spin aren&rsquo;t the most convincing of ones, in T20Is, so using him as a finisher could be England&rsquo;s best bet.With the ball too, the return of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, makes Curran&rsquo;s place interesting. Where does he feature?Wood, Woakes and the opportunity to brush the rust offMark Wood&rsquo;s last T20I &ndash; November 10, 2021; Chris Woakes&rsquo; last T20I &ndash; November 10, 2021. Since then, neither Wood nor Woakes has been fit enough to take a spot in the English playing XI in the shortest format. But both of them are sure-shot starters, come the global event Down Under. It is imperative for the Three Lions that both of them brush the rust off.In the power plays since 2022, England have the worst average (40) and strike-rate (28.3) amongst the Test-playing nations. Woakes&rsquo; numbers in the powerplay might just solve one of their biggest headaches. In the powerplay phase of the innings, the right-arm seamer averages 27, and has picked up eight wickets for the Three Lions.<img src="https://images-cricketcom.imgix.net/1663587388805-articleimg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Wood, on the other hand, has picked up nine wickets, averaging 23.9, providing England with two real options to utilize in the powerplay alongside David Willey and Reece Topley. Not just that, in the middle-over phase, England averaged the third worst in world cricket in the same time frame. Wood&rsquo;s ability to be a pace-enforcer in the middle-overs will benefit the Three Lions.The Pakistan tour is a perfect chance for England to brush the rust off.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

England are back to Pakistan for a seven-match T20I series, what to expect?

Shan Masood

Alex Hales

Chris Woakes

Mark Wood

England tour of Pakistan, 2022

England

What’s in store for England’s long-awaited return to Pakistan

Pakistan have announced their 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup 2022 which includes <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/11754/shan-masood/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shan Masood</a>, who is yet to make his T20 International debut.There is no place for <a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/57492/fakhar-zaman/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fakhar Zaman</a> in the squad, but he has been named as a travelling reserve along with Mohammad Haris and fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani.Masood has been a prolific run-scorer in the shortest format. Since the end of the last World Cup, he has scored 1,229 runs at 40.97 to go with a strike-rate of 137.5 that includes 11 fifties from 34 innings. Only Mohammad Rizwan (1,418) has scored more runs in this period.<div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 636px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="Twitter Tweet" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1570380386672189440&lang=en&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fconsole.incdcdev.com%2Farticles%2Fedit%2Fpakistan-include-shan-masood-drop-fakhar-zaman-from-t20-world-cup-squad-1663245166250&sessionId=0963919de1f3bb8e94935a9e76751d4b30b460c5&theme=light&widgetsVersion=1bfeb5c3714e8%3A1661975971032&width=550px" data-tweet-id="1570380386672189440"></iframe></div><a href="https://www.cricket.com/players/66833/shaheen-afridi/career-stats" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shaheen Afridi</a> and Mohammad Wasim, who missed the Asia Cup due to injuries too have made the squad. Afridi who is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury is expected to resume bowling early next month. Wasim though has recovered from his side strain.There is no place in the squad for veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who has not played for Pakistan since the T20 World Cup in the UAE last year. Fast bowler Hasan Ali too fails to make the cut.Speaking of the squad, chief selector Mohammad Wasim said, &ldquo;We have a team that can perform strongly in the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup 2022. That&rsquo;s why we have shown faith and confidence in almost the same set of players who have been part of the T20I squad post the 2021 World Cup in the UAE.&ldquo;These players have performed well since November 2021 and that&rsquo;s why we have won nine out of our last 13 T20Is. We have invested in these cricketers and it is fair to them that they get the opportunity to show their mettle in the World Cup, an event for which they have been preparing and training hard.&nbsp;&ldquo;We needed to ensure continuity and support to these players, and that&rsquo;s precisely what we have done.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are receiving encouraging reports about Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is likely to resume bowling early next month.&rdquo;Pakistan begin their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals against India at the MCG on October 23.&nbsp;Before leaving for the T20 World Cup in Australia, Pakistan will host England in a seven-match T20I series, starting September 20. While Zaman has been rested for the series, Pakistan have drafted in all-rounder Aamir Jamal and mystery spinner Arbar Ahmed in the 18-member squad.&ldquo;Along with Shan Masood, I want to congratulate Aamir Jamal and Abrar Ahmed on earning their maiden call-ups. Both Aamir and Abrar have been selected as we believe they have the skills, talent and potential to represent Pakistan at the highest level and I am hopeful if they get opportunities, they will perform strongly,&quot; Wasim said.&ldquo;Fakhar Zaman has also been rested from the England T20Is so that he can recover from the knee injury he sustained when he landed awkwardly while fielding in the final.&rdquo;Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2022: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman QadirTravelling Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Aamir Jamal, Arbar AhmedPakistan squad for England T20Is: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Usman QadirPowered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim, who missed the Asia Cup due to injuries too have made the squad

Fakhar Zaman

ICC World Twenty20, 2022

Pakistan include Shan Masood, drop Fakhar Zaman from T20 World Cup squad

After pacer Shaheen Afridi was ruled out of the Asia Cup, Pakistan were handed another injury scare with fast bowler Mohammad Wasim pulling out of practice with back pain ahead of their opener against India.The 21-year-old was sent for an MRI scan to determine the severity of his injury after he complained of lower back pain during a net session at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Thursday.According to a report in &#39;ESPNCricinfo&#39;, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) didn&#39;t want to &quot;risk a potential long-term injury&quot; and hence sent the pacer for a precautionary scan.The youngster has featured in eight ODIs and 11 T20Is since making his international debut in July last year.The team management would hope the injury is not serious and Wasim can recuperate in time for the tournament as Pakistan are already without the services of their main bowler Shaheen because of a lingering knee ligament injury sustained in July.The two-time champions are scheduled to clash against arch-rivals India in their tournament opener on Sunday.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

The 21-year-old was sent for an MRI scan to determine the severity of his injury

Asia Cup, 2022

Injury scare for Pakistan as Mohammad Wasim suffers back pain in training

Pakistan have called up middle-order Iftikhar Ahmed and pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr for the first Test against Australia in Rawalpindi. They will replace injured duo Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali in the squad for the series opener.The duo will join the team preparations in Islamabad after a three-day hotel isolation and after clearing their COVID-19 tests. Despite being sidelined for the opening match, Hasan and Ashraf are expected to regain match fitness for the second Test at Karachi beginning on March 12.Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid MahmoodPowered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf were ruled out of the first Test in Rawalpindi due to injuries 

Faheem Ashraf

Hasan Ali

Australia tour of Pakistan, 2022

Australia

Pakistan call up Iftikhar Ahmed, Wasim Jr for first Test against Australia

It has been over two years since the first covid-19 case was detected and humanity&rsquo;s success strategy against the dreaded virus is a work in progress. The Omnicron variant is the new hurdle lurking around the corner which could only add to the logistical dent covid-19 had on sports.&nbsp;For Pakistan Cricket Board, it&rsquo;s a two-pronged stab to their aims of restoring their nation&#39;s image as a great international cricket host. New Zealand and England had security reasons for their withdrawal in August, but West Indies were willing to fulfil their obligations for a tour. But covid wouldn&rsquo;t let them finish it.When the action kicked off, the Windies lost 3-0 but things were far less than an expected landslide. Despite the number of cases mounting up within their contingent and having a heavily depleted side against the most successful T20I side this year, the Windies showed fight against all odds.&nbsp;They lost the services of Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell and Kyle Mayers even before the series kicked off while Akeal Hosein along with two other staff members tested positive. Even with the likes of Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons, the visitors were never guaranteed an automatic swoop against a highly-driven Pakistan team who stand at 20 T20I wins in 2021 - the highest for any side in a calendar year.&nbsp;The team was unable to gel properly amid the circumstances, but some individual performances can be discounted from their collective failure.<img src="https://s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/image.cricket.com/articles/40daa05e589249005fa391a842147eac545cd4ba.png" style="width: 700px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Brandon King is at the top of that pile, as he showed that counter attacking strokeplay pays dividends on batting-friendly sub-continent pitches. The opener had played only twice in the conditions prior to the Pakistan series, where his high scores were 31 and 46. He was out in the second over for a single run in the first T20I, which flattened their middle order. However, he was quick to adjust his trigger movements to the pitch conditions and went on to score two blistering fifties which provided the early impetus West Indies were craving for.Old habits die hard and visiting captain Nicholas Pooran took a couple of games to learn that with his batting. The left-hander possesses a perpetual ease while hitting in the arc but could lose his cool while trying to make things happen.&nbsp;In the first two games in the series, he was foxed by Mohammad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz to fuller length deliveries which got him off balance. Pooran rectified this in the third game as he showed caution against Nawaz, Shahnawaz Dahani and Shadab Khan who got the ball to move away from him and hit Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain and Wasim for six sixes and two boundaries in his 37-ball 64. As a captain, there is a lot of learning to do for Pooran as he did not have enough fire power in the bowling unit to trouble confident Pakistan batters.Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, and Darren Bravo had flashes of brilliance but the disjointed team effort prevented them from turning games around.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/image.cricket.com/articles/2acb602066f1e146110674aa4f84fb67a7515d5b.png" style="width: 700px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">For Pakistan, this was the series to put on a show for their fans after the New Zealand and England series fell through. There was limited attendance at the Karachi National Stadium and the crowds got their ticket&rsquo;s worth with the home team flexing their might.There was barely any doubt over Mohammad Rizwan&rsquo;s form and abilities as one of the finest opening batters in the game. The keeper-batter only added to his stupendous year with scores of 78, 38 and 87 as he became the first batter to score more than 2000 T20 runs in a calendar year. His 45-ball 87 in the final game chasing 208 was a masterclass on how to bat in the sub continent.Babar Azam wasn&rsquo;t at his best in the first two games but got his groove back in the final game with a classy 79 off 53 balls.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/image.cricket.com/articles/8cf57a398896683cdc1ee6d366b835d72ac51142.png" style="width: 700px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Haider Ali, who unfortunately did not get a game in the T20 World Cup, is proving to be an unstoppable force in the shortest format. The 21-year old can clear the ropes with relative ease and his 39-ball 68 in the first T20I was a good example of it. More importantly, Haider&rsquo;s presence in the upper middle-order will provide Pakistan with a safety net whenever their in-form openers do not fire while keeping the scoreboard galloping.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s bowling departments collective effort was shouldered by a superb Mohammad Wasim Jr who bamboozled the batters with his scorching yorkers and well-directed short balls. The 20-year old has the unique ability to keep his release points very similar while producing unplayable deliveries just with a slight adjustment to his wrist position. Pooran, Shepherd, Devon Thomas and Oshane Thomas were left in the dust as Wasim triggered a collapse tilted the first match in Pakistan&rsquo;s favour.The third match was the only time when the home team&rsquo;s bowling unit was truly tested as they conceded over 200, but the batters more than made up for it. Even though Windies were majorly disadvantaged, Pakistan&rsquo;s win percentage 76.9% is sensational by all means. They will next have Australia series to host in March and Babar Azam&rsquo;s men are looking good enough to continue their dominance into the new year. For West Indies, there are still a lot of combinations to figure out once the regulars are back, after a lacklustre post-World Cup era.Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Pakistan added to their burgeoning presence as a great T20I side with the 3-0 win over West Indies

mohammad wasim