Lahore: Pakistan is all set to compete in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, with Faheem Ashraf leading the seven-member squad. 
The tournament, which brings together 12 teams, will take place from November 1 to 3 at Tin Kwong Road Cricket Ground.

Since the tournament’s inception in 1992, Pakistan has secured five titles and finished as runners-up five times, including in the last edition in 2017.

Former Test cricketer Saleem Yousuf will accompany the team as manager.

Pakistan squad will be comprised of Faheem Ashraf (captain), Aamer Yamin, Asif Ali, Danish Aziz, Hussain Talat and Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Shahab Khan.

Former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan on Thursday said Babar Azam’s decision to quit as the national side’s white-ball captain would be “beneficial” for him. 

The veteran cricketer, 46, also proposed two names — wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and left-hand batter Fakhar Zaman — as the new contenders for the post. 

“In our culture, we often make the biggest player the captain, which I believe is a mistake,” said Younis, adding that Rizwan or Zaman should be considered for the role.

Babar, on Tuesday, announced that he was stepping down from white-ball captaincy, saying that it was time for him to focus on his playing role and personal growth.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had reappointed him as the national team’s captain for T20I and one-day internationals (ODIs) on March 31. He had earlier ended his years-long stint as skipper in November 2023 after he stepped down as captain of the national side.

The former batter’s remarks came during his visit to the Adelaide Oval earlier today where he was honoured with the official South Australia Redbacks cap by Mark Cosgrove, former Australian cricketer and current High-Performance Coach of the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA).

The legendary batter, who arrived in Australia this morning, represented the Redbacks during the 2008-2009 season.

During a media briefing at the iconic venue, Younis expressed optimism about Pakistan’s chances in Australia, acknowledging the presence of young talent in the current white ball squad but also pointing to issues with team selection.

Former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan receives the official South Australia Redbacks cap by Mark Cosgrove, former Australian cricketer and current High-Performance Coach of the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). — Supplied

Former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan receives the official South Australia Redbacks cap by Mark Cosgrove, former Australian cricketer and current High-Performance Coach of the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). — Supplied

“I hope the Pakistan men’s cricket team performs well in Australia. The current squad includes young players, and there are certainly some issues with team selection that need to be addressed,” the veteran cricketer stated.

“I have played cricket with Jason Gillespie; he is working hard to improve the Pakistan team. However, there needs to be better decision-making when it comes to selection,” he added.

Younis is also set to take part in the upcoming Australian Summer Cricket Festival, scheduled for October 5 in Melbourne. He will join top Australian cricketers, including Glenn Maxwell and Jake Fraser-McGurk, in the highly anticipated event, which aims to celebrate the sport and bring together cricketing talent.

KARACHI: For the first time, the South Asian Cross Country Athletics Championship will be held in Pakistan on November 24, Geo News reported on Thursday quoting officials as saying.

The officials on Wednesday said the event, scheduled to be held in Islamabad, was a big milestone for Pakistani athletes.

It will feature athletes from seven South Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) confirmed that the government has granted clearance to all participating teams, including India’s, ensuring a smooth process for international participation.

“This is a significant event for Pakistan’s sporting landscape,” an AFP official said, adding that the Pakistan Sports Board has also issued the necessary no objection certificate (NOC) for the event.

Cross country running is a long-distance sport where individuals and teams compete over natural terrain. The courses typically range from three to 12 kilometres and often feature varied surfaces, including grass, dirt, and gravel, along with natural obstacles like hills and woodlands. 

Athletes are evaluated both on their individual performance and through a team-based points system.