Pakistan will square off with Ireland in a World Cup match on Sunday. While neither team holds much sway over this game, both need a win to remain within striking distance of qualifying for Super 8.
Josh Little will bowl this over, with PAK scoring one run from their opening over.
Pakistan: Saim Ayub
Pakistan National Cricket Team is the international side that represents Pakistan at every global tournament since World Cup’s inception, co-hosting 1987 and 1999 tournaments while winning 2009 ICC World Twenty20 Cup as well as twice hosting Champions Trophy tournaments.
Saim Ayub is a Pakistani cricketer currently playing domestically for Karachi Whites in domestic cricket and for Pakistan’s national cricket team in T20s and ODIs; additionally he has represented his nation at Under-19 level.
In the first innings, Naseem Shah claimed Temba Bavuma early before Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain struck twice each for South Africa to leave them reeling at 80-3. Heinrich Klaasen then formed a 47-ball, 71-run stand with Babar Azam before falling for 30 in 29th over.
Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Rizwan began his domestic cricket career over 10 years ago on Pakistan’s domestic circuit. Starting out as a List-A and T20 side before switching to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited for first-class cricket. Soon thereafter he became an integral member of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy side, helping win two championships within four years; also competing for Lahore Qalandars before moving onto Karachi Kings for another year of PSL action.
Rizwan quickly cemented himself as Pakistan’s long-term wicketkeeper solution through his ability behind the stumps in Test cricket, scoring two half centuries and keeping perfect series in Southampton which led him quickly into white ball cricket squad and eventually record-setting 2021 year which saw him shatter any doubters of his international success and now looks likely for greater achievements ahead.
Babar Azam
Pakistan’s national cricket team boasts an extensive and storied history dating back to 1952 when their Test debut occurred and have won multiple major tournaments such as 1992 World Cup. India and Pakistan share an intense rivalry, so their clash is one of the most anticipated international cricket fixtures.
Babar Azam has quickly established himself as an exceptional limited overs batsman, playing his part in helping Pakistan win the 2009 ICC Under-19 World Cup as part of the Pakistan Under-19 team. Since then he has consistently progressed through age-group cricket before finally making his international debut in 2016.
Fakhar Zaman
Zaman has proven himself as an invaluable match-winner over his long career for Pakistan, missing only out due to physical issues on their tour to Australia in 2022 ICC T20 World Cup but hopes to return shortly thereafter.
Even though Pakistan failed to advance beyond the quarterfinals of this year’s Asia Cup, Sarfraz Ahmed believes his team is progressing positively under him and was impressed by the performance of newcomers to his squad.
He wants as few changes to take place in the 50-over side, yet hopes to see Fakhar Zaman return to white-ball set-up.
Azam Khan
Azam Khan is a Pakistan cricketer. He primarily uses his left-handed bat and occasionally bowls right-arm medium pace bowling; currently serving as captain of Pakistan’s Twenty20 team.
He was part of the squad that won multiple tournaments, such as 1992 World Cup and 2009 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Additionally, he won many individual awards.
Azam Azam hails from Lahore’s Walled City and was inspired to take up cricket by his elder cousins Kamran and Umar Akmal. Being Moin Khan’s son has led some to speculate over nepotism within cricket; however, Azam has shrugged off these allegations and continues his career renowned for athleticism and power hitting.
Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen Afridi has quickly made an impressionful debut international career. Making his first-class debut for Khan Research Laboratories in 2017 with pace and accuracy that won him admirers, Afridi has already proven himself one of the finest fast bowlers around today.
He made an impactful mark in Pakistan Super League for Lahore Qalandars and earned himself selection into Pakistan national cricket team.
As Afridi takes the new ball, he begins with two wides and then gets Tector out for one as he attempts to flick it over his legs. Campher was caught at mid-off before Afridi finished with one more delivery that went for six and PAK collected eight from this over. Haris Rauf now takes over.
Haris Rauf
Haris Rauf has been one of Pakistan’s most consistent players throughout his long and sometimes turbulent career. After suffering two early exits at World Cups, he helped lead Pakistan to victory against arch-rival India at 2009 Champions Trophy final by an innings and 70 runs – the largest margin ever achieved at an ICC tournament final!
Little opens the batting and hits an early six, straight to the keeper. Dot balls ensue before Babar edges one into Babar for one run and Shaheen appeals against an LBW decision that stands as Shaheen slog sweeps it over deep mid wicket for six! Irish review this decision but uphold it; four runs come off this over with five more needed off 10 overs with Paul Stirling at number three batting.
Usman Khan
Usman Khan broke Sharjeel Khan’s record to become the fastest Pakistani to score a double century in List A cricket – doing it in just 131 balls while playing for Eshaal Associates against SNGPL in President’s Cup action.
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam made an effective start in Pakistan’s run chase, but Spencer Johnson’s spell of wickets put their hopes into disarray. The Australian pacer dismissed Rizwan (16) and Agha Salman for golden ducks; Usman Khan attempted to keep their hopes alive by sharing an fifty-plus stand with Irfan Khan; however Adam Zampa struck an astounding blow by finishing with 5/26 figures – becoming the first person ever to do so in T20Is against Pakistan – giving Australia an unasssembled victory and giving Australia an unasssalead advantage in the series 2-0!
Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan made headlines for the second edition of the Premier Cricket League during their second edition, when his unpredictable variations tormented batsmen with ease. With loopy trajectory and effective use of the crease, it proved challenging for batsmen to gauge his delivery accurately.
On 7 April 2017 against West Indies, he made his ODI debut and took two wickets for fifty-two runs to record an ODI victory. Additionally, he was chosen as part of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad.
In 2021, he participated in two series against South Africa and England, scoring 46 runs while taking three wickets across those first two matches (although no others fell). In addition, he scored one half-century against England – another match during which he took four wickets himself! Later he would participate in five-match series against New Zealand and Zimbabwe where he excelled dramatically by taking four wickets while scoring 28 runs against them both respectively.
Imad Wasim
Imad Wasim is a Pakistan cricket player known as a leg spinner. He made his international debut during the ICC Under-19s World Cup 2005/06. Following this he represented Islamabad Leopards first-class cricket club and List A for Islamabad District respectively.
Ben has since played for Nottinghamshire in the 2019 Vitality Blast, helping them make T20 finals day and then returning for the 2024 T20 World Cup tournament where he picked up three wickets in three separate matches.
Pakistan achieved one of their greatest victories against South Africa when they whitewashed them in two Test series in 2013, marking their best ever performance against one of cricket’s premier sides. Furthermore, in 2024 they defeated India with ease to capture their maiden Champions Trophy title hosted by England – marking it as one of their first victories ever and making history by hosting what would later become one of ICC tournament history’s largest-ever finals ever seen in tournaments hosted by them.