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Babar Azam should bat at number 3: Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

London [UK], : After Pakistan’s disappointing seven-wicket loss against England in the fourth T20I match at the Kennington Oval, former cricketer Shoaib Malik said the ‘Men in Green’ skipper Babar Azam should bat at number three. Babar Azam should bat at number 3: Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik Babar scored 36 runs from 22 balls at a strike rate of 163.64 in the fourth T20I match. He slammed 5 fours and 1 six during his time on the crease. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Malik took to his official X account and said that it was a tough series. He added Pakistan need someone in the batting order who can rotate the strike in the middle overs of a game. He also asked Azam Khan and Shadab Khan not to lose confidence since they play a vital role in the ‘Men in Green’ squad. “Tough series! Remember: we’ve been in tough spots before & came out stronger! IMO Babar should bat at no 03! We need someone in the middle overs to rotate strike, you are our best option, with your guidance our middle order will do alot better. Azam & Shadab, you two are vital for our team, don’t lose confidence, play with heart, you are match winners. Going into the World Cup, keep you morale high, We’ve got this,” Malik wrote on X. Recapping the match, the hosts won the toss and decided to field first. The England bowlers were subjected to some fine hitting by the opening pair of skipper Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan , but the spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali turned the pressure back on Pakistan batters, sinking them to 86/5. It was only a brief fightback by Usman Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed , that took Pakistan to 157/10 in 19.5 overs. Besides Rashid and Moeen, Mark Wood and Liam Livingstone also did fine with the ball. In the run-chase of 158 runs, England blew the visitors away with a powerplay assault by Phil Salt and skipper Jos Buttler , who made 78 runs in the powerplay. A brief comeback spell from pacer Haris Rauf delayed the victory for England. But Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook , finished off the proceedings in 15.3 overs, with seven wickets left. Rashid got the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his spell. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

All-round England crush Pakistan by seven wickets in fourth T20I, secure T20I series 2-0

Danijones5 months ago06 mins

London [UK], : Fine bowling spells by pacer Mark Wood and spinner Adil Rashid combined with some ferocious hitting by openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler helped England secure a series victory after a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the fourth and final T20I at London on Thursday night. All-round England crush Pakistan by seven wickets in fourth T20I, secure T20I series 2-0 With this win, England has taken the four-match series 2-0. Two matches were called off due to rain and only second and fourth T20Is were played. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Electing to field first, England bowlers had to witness some fine hitting from the opening duo of skipper Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan, who teamed up after a long while. Pakistan reached the 50-run mark in just 5.3 overs. However, at the last ball of the powerplay, this partnership met its end. Skipper Babar was caught by Rashid at short third man on a delivery by Jofra Archer for 36 in 22 balls, with five fours and a six. Pakistan was 59/1 in six overs. Following that, England spinners Rashid and Moeen Ali were all over Pakistani batting, taking some quick wickets. Pakistan sank to 86/5 in 10.2 overs. Rashid showcased his class with the ball, unleashing a spin web Pakistan could not get out of, taking wickets of Rizwan and Shadab Khan . Wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan was also removed for a duck to a scorching bouncer from Mark Wood, as the ball hit his glove and went into the hands of Buttler. However, Usman Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed provided a bit of stability to Pakistan, helping them cross the 100-run mark in 11.5 overs. Usman’s promising inning was cut short at 38 in 21 balls by Liam Livingstone, with Chris Jordan taking a fine catch. His knock had three fours and two sixes. Pakistan was 126/6 in 14.3 overs. The lower order did not put up much of a fight and Pakistan was skittled out for 157 runs in 19.5 overs. Rashid , and Livingstone were the top bowlers for England. Mark Wood got 2/35 in his four overs. Archer, Jordan and Moeen got one wicket each. In the run-chase, England openers Salt and Buttler unleashed such carnage that half the total was chased down within the six overs of powerplay. Young pacer Naseem Shah faced the worst beating out of all pacers, going for 33 runs in his two overs, including a 25-run fifth over where Buttler hit him for three fours and a six within a space of four balls after Salt started the over by punishing an off-cutter through deep mid-wicket for a six. In six overs, England was 78/0. Haris Rauf’s pace earned Pakistan a breakthrough as he removed Salt for 45 in 24 balls, with six fours and two sixes. England was 82/1 in 6.2 overs. England reached the 100-run mark in 8.5 overs, not compromising on their hitting. However, skipper Buttler was next to go, with Rauf getting his second scalp and wicketkeeper Azam getting the catch. The England skipper made 39 in 21 balls, with seven fours and a six. England was 101/2 in nine overs. Rauf cleaned up Will Jacks next, who played a nice cameo of 20 in 18 balls, with a four and six. England was 112/3 in 11 overs. The pair of Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook did not waste much time, ending the chase at 158/3 in 15.3 overs. Rauf delivered a fine spell for Pakistan but it was not enough. Adil Rashid took home the ‘Player of the Match’ honours for his spell. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman says strategy in place for T20 World Cup, urges fans to fully back team

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

London [UK], : Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that the team has a strategy in place for the T20 World Cup and appealed to supports and fans to back the team irrespective of whether it wins or loses matches. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman says strategy in place for T20 World Cup, urges fans to fully back team With two days left before the commencement of the tournament in the USA and the West Indies, Pakistan are gearing up for the marquee event. They are currently touring England for a four-match T20I series. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Ahead of the 4th T20I to be played in London on Thursday, Naqvi made an appeal to the fans to support the team through the tournament. “Support the team and assure them that we [the fans] are with you [the team] whether you win or lose. I just want to request one thing which we really need for the next four weeks. Let us all support our players,” the PCB chairman told the media in London, according to Geo News. The first and the third T20I matches of the ongoing series were washed away due to rain without a ball being bowled. In the second T20I England took a 1-0 lead with skipper Jos Buttler’s 84-run blitz playing a pivotal role. Pakistan have tweaked their team combination during their series against Ireland and England. Unlike other teams, who have opted to bring in more spinners, Pakistan decided to name a pace-laden 15-player squad for the tournament. With the combination undergoing constant changes, Naqvi was asked about Pakistan’s combination for the World Cup. He affirmed that a strategy is in place and the players need to give their best on the field. “Overall, a strategy is in place that they don’t have to panic and give their best [on the field],” Naqvi noted. Pakistan are placed in Group A and will play their first match against the co-hosts USA on June 6 at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas. Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup: Babar Azam , Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.