Wicket-keeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and right-arm medium-fast bowler Faheem Ashraf find themselves excluded from Pakistan’s national team for the upcoming Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The 12-member squad for the second match of the Benaud–Qadir Trophy has been revealed, featuring wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan in place of former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Additionally, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has been replaced by Hassan Ali, and Mir Hamza has been included in the squad, taking the spot of the injured pacer Khurram Shahzad.
The 12-member team comprises Shaan Masood (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi, Aamir Jamal, and Sajid Khan. The team management has indicated that the final playing XI will be announced on the day of the match.
This series contributes to the ICC Test Championship 2025 cycle, with the host nation Australia currently holding a one-nil lead in the three-match test series.
ECB Appoints Kieron Pollard As Assistant Coach For T20 World Cup 2024
Meanwhile, the England Cricket Board (ECB) has made a strategic move ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in 2024 by appointing Kieron Pollard as an assistant coach.
Pollard, a former captain of the West Indies cricket team, is renowned for his exceptional T20 cricket skills and impressive achievements in the format.
Notably, he led the West Indies to victory in the 2012 T20 World Cup and enjoyed tremendous success with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), securing five titles from 2013 to 2020.
With the T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the United States in June 2024, the ECB aims to benefit from Pollard’s wealth of experience, particularly in providing insights into the local conditions.
The announcement underscores Pollard’s crucial role in the West Indies’ previous T20 World Cup triumph and highlights his extensive experience, having played over 600 matches in the T20 format.
As defending champions following their T20 World Cup victory in Australia in 2022, England is strategically enlisting Pollard’s coaching expertise to enhance their chances in the upcoming tournament.
His track record of success, both as a player and leader, makes him a valuable addition to the coaching staff, and the ECB is optimistic about leveraging Pollard’s knowledge and strategic insights to navigate the challenges of the tournament.
The inclusion of Pollard in the coaching setup signifies England’s commitment to assembling a strong and diverse coaching team as they prepare to defend their T20 World Cup title in a highly competitive cricketing landscape.
Pollard’s presence is expected to bring a unique perspective and tactical acumen, contributing to England’s preparations and overall performance in the prestigious tournament.
