Haris removed from Pakistan Shaheens’ captaincy after Emerging Asia Cup debacle
KARACHI: Mohammad Huraira has taken over as the new captain of Pakistan Shaheens, replacing Mohammad Haris. Huraira will lead the team in their upcoming series against Sri Lanka ‘A,’ which includes two four-day matches and three one-day games at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 11 to 29.
The change in leadership comes shortly after Pakistan Shaheens, led by Haris, were eliminated by Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the semi-finals of the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024. Shaheens, the reigning champions of the tournament’s One-Day edition, had a mixed performance this year, with wins only against Oman and the UAE, and losses to India ‘A’ and Sri Lanka ‘A.’
Huraira, the newly appointed captain, brings experience with 3,310 runs in 40 first-class matches, including eight centuries. He has also scored 632 runs in 25 List-A games, including a century.
The Men’s National Selection Committee has finalized the Shaheens squads, which include Test bowlers Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Khurram Shahzad. Both players recently returned to action in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy after completing rehabilitation. Hussain Talat is the other international player in the one-day squad, while Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Ahmed Safi Abdullah have received their first call-ups.
Several players from the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, including Abdul Samad, Haider Ali, and Mohammad Haris, will continue with the team in the one-day matches. Three new faces, Muhammad Imran, Sirajuddin, and Ubaid Shah, have also joined the white-ball squad for the first time.
The Shaheens’ red-ball squad will start training on November 6, while Sri Lanka ‘A’ will arrive on November 8 and begin their preparations on November 9. The one-day players will join the camp on November 22.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also announced the match officials for the series. Iqbal Sheikh and Bilal Khilji will lead the Playing Control Team for the red-ball and white-ball games, respectively. Umpires Asif Yaqoob, Imran Jawed, Rashid Riaz, and Zulfiqar Jan will officiate during the matches.
Pakistan Shaheens Squads
Four-dayers: Mohammad Huraira (captain), Abdul Faseeh, Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Ali Zaryab, Haider Ali, Hussain Talat, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Rohail Nazir, Saad Khan, Sameen Gul.
50-over matches: Mohammad Huraira (captain), Abdul Faseeh, Abdul Samad, Haider Ali, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Rohail Nazir, Sharoon Siraj, Sirajuddin, Ubaid Shah.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ Tour of Pakistan Itinerary
- 1st four-day match: Nov 11-14
- 2nd four-day match: Nov 18-21
- 1st 50-over match: Nov 25
- 2nd 50-over match: Nov 27
- 3rd 50-over match: Nov 29
