Nicholas Pooran made waves in August, helping West Indies secure a T20I series win against India. In the first T20I, he played a measured innings of 41, contributing to a thrilling four-run victory. His explosive 67 in the second T20I was laced with boundaries, taking the game away from India.

Although he faced setbacks in the subsequent matches, Pooran returned with a crucial 47 in the final match, guiding West Indies to an eight-wicket win.

With 176 runs at a strike rate of 141.93, Pooran was named Player of the Series, ending as the highest run-scorer.

These exceptional players are now in contention for the prestigious ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for August 2023.

Pakistan cricketer Junaid Khan has expressed his discontent with the involvement of Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan in the ongoing Vitality T20 Blast 2023, considering their history of injury concerns. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Khan stated that their participation in the league could potentially jeopardize their fitness ahead of crucial international fixtures, including the upcoming World Cup 2023 in India.

Khan believes it would have been more advantageous if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had disallowed them from participating in such leagues. He specifically highlighted Shaheen Afridi’s situation, noting that the left-arm pacer, who has recently returned from an injury, has struggled in the two matches he has played so far. Khan emphasized the importance of focusing on Shaheen’s fitness and rest, considering his crucial role as the backbone of the Pakistan team.

Shaheen’s performance in the tournament has been below his usual standards, despite his consistent participation. In his last four matches, he has only managed to secure four wickets with an economy rate of 8.50.

Furthermore, Junaid raised concerns about Shadab Khan, who has also faced fitness issues recently. Shadab’s collision with teammate Nathan McAndrew while attempting a catch during his debut for Sussex highlighted the risks associated with his participation.

Junaid suggested that the PCB should carefully consider these matters, taking into account the fitness status of senior players. He mentioned that while young players from the national side can benefit from participating in leagues like the T20 Blast to gain experience, there should be accountability and consideration for the potential consequences of injuries to key players.

He mentioned players like Usama Mir and Zaman Khan, who are participating in the league to learn and develop their skills, similarly to how he gained valuable experience during his own career. Junaid questioned who would be held responsible if injuries were to occur to players like Shaheen and Shadab during such tournaments.

Shadab Khan has been made the captain of the Pakistan team in the Pakistan-Afghanistan T20 series. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also announced the team under his captaincy. Now there are rumors that Babar may be removed and the responsibility of the T20 and Test team may also be given to him.

In this regard, Shadab Khan clarified that the rumors about the captaincy of the Pakistan team are not correct. He also said that Babar was the captain before and still is. He is only rested for the series against Afghanistan.”Babur Azam is our king, we are his subjects”.The star of Pakistan said this in response to questions from reporters at the press conference following Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi’s elimination of Islamabad United from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Thursday.

Meanwhile, under the leadership of Shadab Khan, not only captain Babar Azam but some senior players have been rested. Such a move by PCB has created speculations. Players are being tested to lead. Earlier Shaheen Shah Afridi was rumored to lead the team. Shadab Khan was mysteriously given the responsibility of the captain of the Afghanistan series. Meanwhile, when asked about the tour of the United Arab Emirates, Shadab said, “Undoubtedly, the Afghan team is a good T20 team and we have to try our best against them.” We have to try to play well without any fear.

Babar Azam has been rumored to be rested for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. However, not only Babar but Shaheen Afridi has also been rested for the Afghanistan series. Even Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf are not in the team. All-rounder Shadab Khan will lead Pakistan in this series.

On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad with Shadab as the captain. Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub, Tayab Tahir, and Zaman Khan have been included in the squad. Abdullah Shafiq, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, and Imad Wasim have been recalled from the squad. The series will be held in Sharjah, UNITED Arab Emirates.

Pakistan Squad: Shadab Khan (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah Janat, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, Tayab Tahir, Shan Masood, Saim Ayub.

Afghanistan-Pakistan series schedule:

1st T20I – March 24, Sharjah
2nd T20I – March 26, Sharjah
3rd T20I – March 27, Sharjah

Pakistan’s star cricketer Shadab Khan has married the daughter of legendary spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

Shadab Khan himself confirmed the news of the marriage on social media on Monday.

Shadab wrote, “I am going to be a member of my mentor’s (Saqlain Mushtaq) family. Ever since I started playing cricket, I wanted to keep my family life separate. My family also wanted to be separated from the public. My wife said the same thing. He wants to have a life alone. ’

Posting a picture with Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed wrote on Twitter, “This person has become not only a brother but also a Dula mia bhai from today. Welcome to the brothers’ club Shadab. Good luck. ’

Pakistan’s star opener Imam-ul-Haq, pacers Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, and Haris Rauf recently got married.

Shahid Afridi’s daughter and Shaheen Afridi’s wedding date is scheduled for February 3.

Shadab Khan played 84 T20Is, 53 ODIs, and 6 Test matches for Pakistan, taking 182 wickets and scoring 1,372 runs with the bat.

Opting to bat first at Multan cricket stadium, Pakistan rode on imam ul Haq and Shadab khan’s fifty to put up 269 runs on the scoreboard. In the middle of Babar Azam’s innings, the length of the match came down to 48 overs as the dust storm stopped play for an hour. In reply, The West Indies were bowled out for 216 runs. Shadab Khan was the player of the match by performing with the bat and ball.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan got off to a good start. Fakhar Zaman and Imam scored 56 runs for no loss in the power play. Pooran, who came into the attack for the first time in the 13th over, bowled Fakhar (35 off 48 balls) in his third over to break the 85-run opening stand. Babar, who was in great rhythm, stopped this time after scoring 1 run. He was lbw to leg-spinner Hayden Walsh.

West Indies lost their first wicket for 25 runs in a mission to avoid a whitewash. Kyle Meyers, who scored 5 off 12 balls, was dismissed by Shahnaz Dahan. West Indies could not raise the partnership for the first seven wickets after that. Shai Hope (21), Kisi Karti (33), and Shamar Brooks (18) gave a hint of resistance but could not survive. Nicholas Pooran (11) and Rovman Powell (10) also failed. All the Pakistan bowlers got wickets. West Indies lost 5 wickets for 93 runs. The West Indies’ struggle was virtually over after Akil, who came in at number seven, was dismissed by Shadab Khan for 60 off 37 balls in a stormy batting.