Islamabad: Pakistan Shaheens, under the leadership of Muhammad Irfan Khan, are set to commence their Top End T20 Series journey against Bangladesh ‘A’ on Thursday, August 14th at the TIO Stadium in Darwin, Australia. The match begins at 7 pm local time (3:30 pm PKT) and will be broadcast on A-Sports and live-streamed on ARY ZAP in Pakistan.
The 15-member team has been training rigorously since arriving in Darwin on August 10th, undertaking three practice sessions under the guidance of head coach Ghulam Ali. The Shaheens aim to improve upon their previous performances in the tournament. In 2023, they finished as runners-up, losing to Northern Territory Strike in the final, and in 2024, they were defeated by Adelaide Strikers in the semi-final.
Captain Muhammad Irfan Khan, speaking to PCB Digital, emphasized the team’s focus on selecting the optimal playing eleven for the opening match against a formidable Bangladesh ‘A’ side. He highlighted the importance of a strong start and effective execution of each player’s assigned role. Khan expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and determination to perform well throughout the 11-team tournament, which features 13 matches played across five venues from August 14th to 24th.
The squad includes prominent players like Abdul Samad, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Yasir Khan, supported by a coaching staff comprising Ghulam Ali (head coach), Sami Ullah Niazi (bowling coach), and Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach). The Shaheens’ schedule includes matches against various opponents, including Scorchers, Renegades, Kingsmen, Strikers, and Nepal, leading up to the semi-finals and final on August 24th.