As senior sides prepare for packed 12 months, PCB seeks more matches for Shaheens

LAHORE: While the national men’s and women’s senior sides prepare for a packed schedule in the next 12 months, the Pakistan Cricket Board is also making efforts to arrange competitive matches for the Pakistan Shaheens.

The only competition the Pakistan ‘A’ team is certain to participate in the period are the 19th Asian Games, set to be held in Hangzhou, China in September.

The last time the Shaheen’s were in action was when they toured Sri Lanka for three unofficial One-day Internationals and two four-day games under Saud Shakeel’s captaincy.

“At this stage, Pakistan Shaheens’ participation in the 19th Asian Games is confirmed, though efforts are being made to add a few more series for the Shaheens so that there are more opportunities for players who are knocking at the doors of the national side,” a PCB press release said Friday.

On the other hand, the men’s national side, led by Babar Azam, will play seven Tests, 17 ODIs and a minimum of 25 Twnety20 Internationals from June 2022 to May 2023.Pakistan get back into action after a two-month break when they host West Indies in a three-match ODI series in June before they fly to Sri Lanka for two Tests and three ODIs in July.After the Sri Lanka tour, Pakistan will play Netherlands in three one-dayers, before they return to the island for the T20 Asia Cup, just ahead of their seven-match home T20 series against England.

In October, Pakistan will fly to Australia for the ICC T20 World Cup. Later in 2022, England will arrive again for three Tests and before Pakistan host New Zealand.

The Pakistan women’s team is set to host Sri Lanka in May-June and before they fly to Ireland for a tri-nation T20 series involving the hosts and Australia.

The Bismah Maroof-led side will also feature in the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, T20 Asia Cup and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the next 12 months.

They’ll also host Ireland for a tour comprising three ODIs and as many T20s in October-November.

“This exciting and back-to-back international cricket will be in addition to the 2022-23 domestic cricket season, which will run concurrently to the international season,” said the press release.

“In the 2021-22 season, the PCB delivered 314 matches in 12 tournaments between September 2021 and April 2022.”

Details and schedule of 2022-23 domestic cricket season will be announced in due course.