Rohail Nazir

Star batter Babar Azam is back in Pakistan's 16-man squad to face world champions Australia in the three-match ODI series starting next week, selectors said Friday. The series will give both teams a chance to build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson said Mohammad Rizwan was dropped from the ODI squad and removed as captain as part of plans for the 2027 World Cup. Rizwan struggled in the Bangladesh series, scoring only 54 runs in three matches. Hesson said Pakistan wanted to test new combinations and improve team performance after winning only two ODIs in 12 months under Rizwan’s leadership.

A 31-member Pakistan contingent, including 20 players, reached England on Sunday as six out of their 10 coronavirus-infected cricketers were held back despite returning negative when tested the second time. The Pakistan cricketers and 11 support staff members arrived on a chartered flight from Lahore and will be transported to Worcestershire.

Pakistan has announced a spin-heavy 18-member squad for the upcoming two-Test home series against South Africa, featuring five spinners and the return of pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shan Masood will captain the side, which aims to leverage spin-friendly home conditions, a strategy that proved successful against England last year. This series marks their first World Test Championship assignment.

Talat played his last T20I against South Africa at Centurion in February last year, while former skipper Sarfaraz has reclaimed his spot from Rohail Nazir after missing the Zimbabwe series.

Mohammad Huraira, a nephew of Pakistan's former captain Shoaib Malik, created history on Monday when he became the country's second youngest cricketer to score a triple century, in the ongoing Quaid-er-Azam Trophy.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday said it has conducted COVID-19 tests for five reserve players and a backup player support personnel.

Uncapped batsman Abdullah Shafiq earned a maiden call-up on Monday but senior players Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Amir were left out from Pakistan's 22-man probables list for the ODI and T20 series against Zimbabwe next month.

Pakistan will leave for their tour of England on Sunday with 20 players and 11 support staff, the PCB said on Saturday, even as six out of the 10 coronavirus-infected cricketers returned negative when they were tested the second time.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors, as part of their strategy to keep all the leading performers involved in the system, on Saturday invited six additional players to participate in the training camp for the Test players ahead of the Zimbabwe series.

The Pakistani selectors on Wednesday dropped veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik and pacer Mohammad Amir from a 35-member squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour.

Indian bowlers produced a brilliant performance under pressure to dismiss Pakistan for 172 in the first U-19 World Cup semifinal on Tuesday.

Both batsmen ending up at the same end, with the bails being taken off at the other is something we have seen many times on the cricket field. The latest instance of this was seen when Pakistan batsman Qasim Akram was run out while going for a quick single during the ICC U-19 World Cup semi-final against India at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Tuesday.

Pakistan recalled opener Imam-ul-Haq for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, replacing Saim Ayub, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Abdullah Shafique was dropped due to poor form. Uncapped pacer Kashif Ali also joins the squad.

India crashed out of the Asian Cricket Council Emerging Teams Cup after losing by three runs to arch-rivals Pakistan in the first semi-final on Wednesday.

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam is among eleven players called for a red-ball training camp at the National Cricket Academy, commencing on Tuesday. Interim head coach Azhar Mahmood will supervise the camp, designed to enhance skills and assess fitness before the upcoming Test series against South Africa. This series marks the start of Pakistan's World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle.

India capped off yet another sensational performance in the ICC Under-19 World Cup, this time beating Pakistan by a handsome 203-run margin in the big semifinal on Tuesday.

Four-time champions India will back themselves to reach their third successive final at the U-19 World Cup when they face arch-rivals Pakistan in a last four clash here on Tuesday.

A half-century from opener Muhammad Huraira on debut and a fine bowling performance powered Pakistan to a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in the ICC U-19 World Cup here on Friday, setting up an exciting semifinal against arch-rivals India.

Ten players have been dropped from Pakistan's cricket team for its England tour after they tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time, officials said on Saturday. The 18-strong squad is due to leave Sunday and Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Wasim Khan said the left out players could rejoin if they later test negative for the disease.