South African cricket Series in Pakistan

[Vapnope]

Not a fan of cricket but this is awesome news. The blood and sweat of sons of soil made this possible. Long live Pakistan and death to enemies of peace in Pakistan.

 

[aryadravida]

16 January, 2021

PHOTO COURTESY: Twitter/@shamsi90

South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi seems impressed with the tight security in Pakistan, after the Proteas arrived in Karachi on Saturday.

The South African cricket team is set to play two Tests and three Twenty20 internationals on their first tour of Pakistan in 14 years.

The team, led by wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, was whisked from the airport under state-head level security accorded by the hosts, the Pakistan Cricket Board.

In a tweet on his official Twitter account, Shamsi compared the security in Pakistan to popular video game ‘Call of Duty’.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1350325339638136836

Ghazi bro seems to be so excited as some reputed intl team is visiting pak after 12 years...let's hope there wont be any untoward incident this time around.

 

[ghazi52]

De Kock praises ‘top-class’ Babar Azam ahead of Test series

South Africa skipper believes Pakistan that the prolific right-hander has done well in all formats


Zubair Nazeer Khan
18 January, 2021

\\AFP

South Africa skipper Quinton de Kock has heaped praise on Pakistan’s star batsman and captain Babar Azam ahead of the two-match Test series between the two sides.

While speaking during a virtual press conference on Monday, the wicketkeeper-batsman said that Pakistan team will be more competitive in the presence of Babar, bearing in mind that the latter is returning to the side after missing the New Zealand tour due to injury.

“One of their main players Babar Azam will be back so it’s going to be a different team as compared to the one in New Zealand. They will be a very competitive side in their home conditions,” said De Kock.

“In the last couple of years, Babar has shown that he is top-class and has done well in all formats all around the world. He seems to be only getting better and better also as he goes on,” he added.

The left-hander was also wary of the role played by spinners and reverse swing in the sub-continent.

“We know that spinners and reverse swing plays a big part in the sub-continent but we are making sure that we have got all our bases covered in terms of preparation,” he said.

He also opened up about relaxing quarantine rules due to the amount of cricket being played amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“To be honest going forward two weeks of quarantine is almost out of the picture because we are playing so much cricket. It is obviously a big help that the Pakistan Cricket Board let us come out and start preparing early,” he said.

De Kock says top-notch security surrounding the squad since their arrival in Pakistan at the weekend has allowed them to concentrate completely on cricket.

“When we were coming here, obviously, security was a concern — if not the biggest concern,” he said.

“When we landed here we saw the amount of security... we became a lot calmer. It became less of a worry and we were able to focus more on cricket,” he added. “It looks like all corners are checked... all bases covered, touch wood. At the moment we feel safe. There is a lot of security, so now we are just worrying about cricket.”

The two-match Test series between Pakistan and South Africa will begin with the first Test in Karachi starting on January 26.

 

[Whirling_dervesh]

Pakistan should invest heavily in high class batting masterclass academies...other than Babar all else are mediocre at best

 

[ghazi52]

PHOTO COURTESY: PCB



To ensure the health and safety of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, player support personnel and their families, the Pakistan Cricket Board has arranged a chartered flight that will transport them to Karachi on Tuesday afternoon. This group of 50 people on Tuesday will enter the biosecure bubble in a local hotel.

While the players and support staff in Karachi are already observing isolation at their homes, players from other parts of the country will arrive in Lahore later today before departing for Karachi on Tuesday where the first Test will begin on 26 January.

Upon arrival in Karachi on Tuesday, the entire group will undergo a third round of testing before they are allowed to resume training on Thursday, 21 January.

 

[Awan68]

Great to see SA team in Pakistan. Let’s hope Babar Azam select correct playing 11 for the 1st test.

My Team for 1st TEST:

1. Abid Ali
2. Azhar Ali
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Hassan Ali
8. Yasir shah
9. Sajid Khan
10. Harris Rauf
11. Shaheen Shah Afraidi

Better to give one of the new openers a crack at it, Imran butt would do with abid ali and kamran ghulam instead of fawad.

 

[jupiter2007]

Better to give one of the new openers a crack at it, Imran butt would do with abid ali and kamran ghulam instead of fawad.

Fawad Alam scored a century in a difficult playing conditions in NZ and he is an experienced middle order batsman. It would be unfair to compare Kamran Ghulam with Fawad Alam. If Fawad or Saud failed failed in 1st test then Kamran Ghulam can be tried in 2nd test, same goes for Imran Butt.

 

[ghazi52]

South Africa rest leading players for Pakistan T20 series

• The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled sporting bodies to find innovative ways of ensuring tours and sporting events take place as planned or with as little disruption to revised plans as possible.

Reuters
19 Jan 2021

CAPE TOWN: South Africa have selected a much-changed squad for their three-match Twenty20 series in Pakistan to allow members of the test side to prepare for a home series against Australia that is scheduled to start in April.


The T20 matches will be played from Feb. 11-14 in Lahore and will feature very few of South Africa's leading players in the format, with the likes of Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje all returning home after the two-match test series.

The squad will instead be captained for the first time by Heinrich Klaasen, with uncapped seamer Okuhle Cele, wicketkeeper Ryan Rickleton and batsman Jacques Snyman all included.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled sporting bodies to find innovative ways of ensuring tours and sporting events take place as planned or with as little disruption to revised plans as possible," South Africa director of cricket Graeme Smith said in a media release on Tuesday.

"We are not exempt from that, and have had to do a bit of outside-of-the-box thinking to ensure that we are fully prepared for a home test tour against Australia, while having an exciting T20 series to complete in Pakistan."


Squad:

Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Nandre Burger, Okuhle Cele, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Ryan Rickleton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Jon-Jon Smuts, Pite van Biljon, Glenton Stuurman, Jacques Snyman.

 

[ghazi52]

Leading international commentators lined-up for Pakistan-South Africa series


The Frontier Post
January 22, 2021



LAHORE: Some of the leading cricket commentators will be commentating in the Pakistan-South Africa Test and T20I series that commences at the National Stadium Karachi on Tuesday, January 26 with the first match of the two-Test match series.

Star Pakistan commentators Bazid Khan, Ramiz Raja and Wasim Akram will be joined by former South Africa batsman Daryll Cullinan, renowned commentator Mike Haysman and former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull. Zainab Abbas will be the presenter for both Test and T20I series.
Wasim would be calling the Tests, while Doull would be engaged in the T20I series. The three-match T20I series that would follow the Rawalpindi Test would be staged in Lahore. Cullinan, Doull and Haysman have expressed their delight at joining the commentary panel for what promises to be an absorbing series. Daryll Cullinan said on Friday: “I’m thrilled to be back in Pakistan and looking forward to seeing a very competitive series between two very talented teams!”

Simon Doull said: “I can’t wait to see two high quality fast bowling attacks go head to head in the T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa.” Mike Haysman said: “I distinctly remember saying on air as the second Test concluded in Pakistan in 2003 (Pakistan vs South Africa series) that there is nothing to separate these two sides.

Here we are 18 years later ready to resume that battle and this historic tour promises an epic encounter. I will be delighted to call it live.”
Meanwhile, the broadcast production services have been awarded to the consortium of TransGroup FZE, NEP Group and Blitz Advertising.

The consortium includes NEP Group as the Technical Partner. NEP is one of the world’s leading production partners for over 30 years, supporting premier content producers across the broadcast and live event industries.

NEP provides clients with technical services for remote production, studio production, video display, host broadcast, major projects, post production and visual effects, uplink services and innovative software-based creative technology solutions. The production for the Pakistan-South Africa series will have a 28-camera set-up, including Hawkeye with all DRS enhancements, Ultra Motion, Buggy Camera and Drone Camera among others.

The production partners have expressed their delight at joining hands with PCB for the historic tour, South Africa’s first to Pakistan in more than 13 years. Group Director Trans Group Rao Omar Hashim Khan said: “We are delighted to be the broadcast production partners for upcoming South Africa series with Pakistan. We will showcase the events with best professionals and state of art equipment and hope to bring joy to the audience.

Transgroup is one of the oldest associate and partner of PCB. They specialise in instadia event management, broadcast and commercial sponsorships rights.”

President NEP Singapore Saeed Izadi said: “With technology playing an increasingly critical role in every aspect of production, NEP is delighted to offer a powerful combination of cutting-edge technology and years of experience in live broadcasting of cricket to support our partner Trans Group and Blitz. “We are excited to provide our services to PCB for the international cricket using the latest 4K technology on the Pakistan cricket grounds for the very first time.

“We believe that being a cricket pedigree company; we are very well positioned to put PCB on the best path for success in delivering an unmatched breadth of quality and expertise in capturing magical moments for millions of their viewers. We look forward to working with our partners on this unique opportunity.”

CEO Blitz Advertising Ahsen Idris said: “There are many reasons for Blitz Trans Group Consortium to be excited about the forthcoming tour of South Africa to Pakistan; not only one of the best cricketing teams of the world, touring Pakistan but also that PCB has entrusted us to deliver the production responsibilities of this series. Cherry on the cake is the start of our new relationship with NEP, the technical partners of the consortium.

“NEP Group is the leading worldwide technical production partner supporting premier producers of live sports and entertainment. We are very optimistic that the benchmark that has been set earlier by Blitz Trans Group consortium would be further enhanced and viewers would be able to catch the live excitement through world class coverage.”







.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan players enjoying 'bubble' life in Karachi

The members of the squad have separate waypoints designated for walks while a separate lift is being used as well

Saleem Khaliq
22 January, 2021

PHOTO COURTESY: PCB



Pakistan players are adjusting well to the ‘bio-bubble’ in Karachi where the squad members are being provided with the best facilities as opposed to their recent tour of New Zealand. Many are currently with their families.

The members of the squad have separate waypoints designated for walks while a separate lift is being used as well.

According to details, the cricketers are enjoying the bio-bubble of their own country as opposed to the jail-like quarantine they had to face in New Zealand. The families of seven players and officials are also with the side.

The Pakistan squad and South Africa squad are residing on different floors. A path on the side of the swimming pool is being used when departing or arriving on the hotel premises. Breakfast is served in a buffet while lunch or dinner has to be ordered in the rooms.

Hotel personnel that come into contact with the respective squads have been made an actual part of the bio-bubble itself to negate issues or breaches. The personnel change the bedsheets and handle the cleanliness of the rooms where the players and officials are currently residing. The staff was made a part of the bio-secure bubble after extensive testing for the coronavirus to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

The players involved have been made a part of the bio-bubble after clearing their respective tests and are therefore allowed to visit each other’s rooms. The squad members however are not allowed to leave their rooms without a mask.

A room has also been designated for the entertainment of the selected squad members. The squad members from either side are yet to meet each other in person since both sides have been kept on different floors.

With their families in tow and a comparatively relaxed atmosphere, the players are facing no issues with the bio-bubble.

 

[Green disc]

Finally Shan Masood is out
Looks like scoring that 150 in England put him more under pressure, ridiculous

 

[ghazi52]

South Africa in Pakistan 2021
From the sectionCricket

January

26-30 1st Test, Karachi

Play starts at 05:00 GMT

Scorecard

February

4-8 2nd Test, Rawalpindi (05:00 GMT)

11 1st Twenty20 international, Lahore (10:30 GMT)

13 2nd Twenty20 international, Lahore (10:30 GMT)

14 3rd Twenty20 international, Lahore (10:30 GMT)



NB Fixtures and start times are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made

 

[ghazi52]

PCB announces 17-member squad for first Test

Karachi: Pakistan cricket selectors have confirmed a 17-player squad, who will be available for selection for the first Test against South Africa in Karachi.

Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, and Salman Ali Agha – who were named in the 20-member initial squad – have been left out of the probables for the first Test which starts on Tuesday.

However, the three players will continue to be part of the squad and will feature in warm-up and training sessions at the National Stadium.

Fast bowlers Tabish Khan and Haris Rauf, along with spinners Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali and young batsman Saud Shakeel – all are now getting closer to a Test Cap.

The final XI, however, will be finalized by the captain in consultation with the head coach.
According to the PCB, Abid Ali and Imran Butt have been picked as openers while Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, and Saud Shakeel are in for middle-order batting.


Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz have been picked for the all-rounders' slot. Both Mohammad Rizwan and Sarfaraz Ahmed will be available as wicket-keeper for the first Test.
Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Yasir Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Tabish Khan have also been included in the 17-member probable for the first Test.

The first Test between Pakistan and South Africa will be played from 26th January at Karachi’s National Stadium.

 

[ghazi52]

Poor past against South Africa does not concern Pakistan: Babar Azam

South Africa, led by Quinton de Kock, will play their first Test in Pakistan since 2007

Reuters in Karachi
25 January, 2021

PHOTO: Reuters

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is aware that his side have a poor record against South Africa in Tests but he is confident that the past will count for nothing when the two teams meet in the opening Test in Karachi from Tuesday.

South Africa, led by Quinton de Kock, will play their first Test in Pakistan since 2007 and have lost only four out of 26 matches against their opponents.
"We should not think about past, we should focus on what's ahead of us," Babar told reporters. "We have nothing to do with what happened on previous matches.”

"It's a fact that we don't have a good record against them, but we have prepared well this time and we hope to give our best against them."

Pakistan named nine uncapped players in their squad for the two Tests while the visiting side also introduced a number of new faces during a 2-0 home victory over Sri Lanka in their previous series.
Babar, Pakistan's batting mainstay, missed his team's 2-0 blanking in New Zealand and will instead make his Test captaincy debut at home although in front of empty stands.

"I missed out in New Zealand, unfortunately I became unfit," Babar said. "It's a proud moment for me to make my (Test) captaincy debut in my own country. South Africa is a good team. You can never take them lightly, they are a top team. But we are also a strong side. The conditions will suit us more because most of us have grown up playing here."

Babar did not divulge the playing 11 for the first Test but said the hosts had a clear idea of the combination they want to use against South Africa.

The second Test will be played between the sides in Rawalpindi from February 4, followed by a three-match Twenty20 series in Lahore from February 11-14.

 

[ghazi52]

South Africa change tack on bowling plans for first Pakistan Test

Proteas are playing their first Test in Pakistan since 2007

Reuters in Karachi
25 January, 2021

PHOTO: AFP



South Africa have had a rethink about their plans for the first Test against Pakistan which gets under way on Tuesday at the National Stadium in Karachi, coach Mark Boucher has said.

South Africa are playing their first Test in Pakistan since 2007, and it is also the first time they have toured in the cooler month of January and Boucher believes the weather will make for slower wickets taking more turn.

"The conditions aren't as we thought they would be. Before we arrived we believed reverse swing would be a major factor, but now we are not sure how much of a weapon that will be," Boucher told reporters on Monday.

"We have only been able to go to the ground in the last few days because of security measures and there is a luscious outfield, not the abrasive kind we have seen before which aids reverse swing."

South Africa have changed their selection plans from a predominantly seam bowling attack to multiple spinners.

"We will definitely play more than one spinner and we have different options in the squad," Boucher said. "We have the mindset that we are not scared to go out and try something different.

"If you want to go and win series away from home you have to be prepared to make big calls.

"Looking at the squad selected, they (Pakistan) are going in with a spin mindset and we have to believe we can do it too in these conditions."

Boucher suggested that left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was a certainty to play, with Tabraiz Shamsi and George Linde the other specialist slow bowlers in the squad.

"The wickets here are generally good for up to three days, then the game tends to speed up towards the end," Boucher said.

"On flat wickets you want pace through the air and we have that. Then you need to balance it with who will do a containing role."

Pakistan have only played four home tests in January since 1983, and just 14 out of 151 in their history. They have won four and drawn 10, but never lost.

South Africa will play two Tests and three Twenty20 Internationals on their return to Pakistan for the first time since a militant attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 which killed six policemen and two civilians.