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PAK vs SA: The newly renovated National Stadium in Karachi is set to host a crucial showdown between Pakistan and South Africa in the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series, serving as a key preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Pakistan and South Africa will face off in the final league match of the ongoing tri-series on Wednesday in Karachi. Both teams suffered defeats to New Zealand earlier in the competition.

With New Zealand already securing a place in the final, this match serves as a virtual semi-final, where the winner will advance to face the Kiwis in the title showdown.

Pakistan and South Africa, both teams are coming off defeats in their opening matches against the Black Caps, making this game even more crucial for securing a place in the Tri-Nation Series final.

Pakistan’s batting faltered in their pursuit of 331 runs against New Zealand, ultimately falling short. Fakhar Zaman was the top performer, scoring 84 off 69 balls, while Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, and Abrar Ahmed made solid contributions. However, Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan had underwhelming performances and will need to rise to the occasion in this crucial must-win match.

The bowling performance was a mixed one, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking three wickets but conceding plenty of runs, while spinner Abrar Ahmed was more economical, claiming two wickets.

Haris Rauf’s fitness remains a concern, he is unable to play against South Africa, Mohammad Hasnain will replace him.

On the other hand, South Africa’s batting revolved around debutant Matthew Breetzke, who played a remarkable innings of 150 off 148 balls against New Zealand. Wiaan Mulder and Jason Smith also made valuable contributions, but the rest of the batting order struggled to capitalize on their starts.

The bowling attack faced difficulties, as Lungi Ngidi, Tabriz Shamsi, and Mihlali Mpongwana went for a lot of runs.Senuran Muthusamy was the standout bowler, taking two wickets for 50 runs.

For South Africa to secure a victory, their bowlers need to perform under pressure, with Ngidi and Shamsi playing a key role in countering Pakistan’s strong batting lineup.

Both teams will fight for a spot in the tri-series final against New Zealand, so expect a thrilling and hard-fought contest.

PAK vs SA: Head-to-Head Records

Pakistan have a strong head-to-head record, having won four of the last five encounters against South Africa, including three consecutive victories.

Pitch Report

The pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi is favorable for batters, though pacers may find some early swing, making the power play period critical. As humidity increases, dew could come into play later, making chasing a more favorable option.

Pakistan Playing XI

Mohammad Rizwan (C), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, and Abrar Ahmed.

Also Read: India Beat England By 4 Wickets In 2nd ODI

IND vs ENG: India seals the series! The hosts gave a commanding performance, outshining England and securing the series with one game remaining.

India’s chase was driven by pure intent, with Rohit Sharma leading the way in his signature style! Batting with elegance, Rohit and Shubman Gill effortlessly brought up their fifties, combining for a scorching century partnership. Gill fell for 60 runs, and Virat Kohli couldn’t get going, but Captain Rohit remained relentless, scoring his 32nd ODI century in spectacular fashion. Although he was dismissed before the finish line, his knock was a key highlight as he was dismissed for 119 runs. 

Following Rohit’s dismissal, Shreyas Iyer played a vital role, while Axar Patel, with his calm and composed 41*, guided India to victory, finishing the chase with ease.

India successfully chased down the target in 44.3 overs, losing 6 wickets along the way.

England will be disappointed with their bowling performance! They couldn’t make early breakthroughs and were sloppy in the field, allowing India to seize control. Wickets came in the middle and towards the end, with Jamie Overton picking up two. While Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, and Liam Livingstone made some contributions, at that point, India had already put them on the back foot.

Earlier in the match, England posted a competitive total of 304, with stylish half-centuries from Ben Duckett (65) and Joe Root (69). Liam Livingstone (41) providing the finishing touches. However, India’s spinners turned the game around. Ravindra Jadeja was outstanding, taking three crucial wickets, while Harshit Rana and Mohammad Shami also made vital contributions to stem the flow of runs and regain control after a tough beginning.

Also Read: New Zealand Beat Pakistan By 78 Runs In Tri-Nation Series

NZ Vs PAK: New Zealand triumphed over Pakistan by 78 runs in their opening match of the Tri-Nation Series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. 

The Blackcaps secured a commanding win, overpowering Pakistan on their home soil—an accomplishment few teams manage. This was a statement performance to start the Tri-Nation Series, highlighting their skill and determination. Meanwhile, the hosts are left reflecting on their performance. 

Fakhar Zaman was in superb form, effortlessly dismantling the Kiwi bowlers and making batting appear easy, but he was left to fight alone. Pakistan’s struggle against spin was clear, as they lost their first four wickets to spinners. With the pressure building, Fakhar Zaman’s brave 84 came to an end. Tayyab Tahir and Salman Ali Agha fought back with a resilient 50-run partnership, but Tayyab’s dismissal right after the second drinks break shifted the momentum. Salman Ali Agha battled hard, but as wickets kept falling, the mounting required run rate became too much for the lower order, and Pakistan ultimately fell short by 78 runs.

The Black Caps will be delighted with their bowling performance. After a shaky start in the powerplay, they quickly regained control, with captain Mitchell Santner leading the charge, taking three crucial wickets. Michael Bracewell supported him well, claiming two wickets as the spin duo dismantled Pakistan’s chase during the middle overs. Phillip added a wicket to his name, while Matt Henry wrapped up the tail with three wickets, ensuring a commanding performance.

NZ Vs PAK: Earlier

Earlier in the match, New Zealand set an imposing total after choosing to bat, spearheaded by a brilliant maiden century from Glenn Phillips, who dazzled with his performance. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell provided stability with elegant half-centuries, while Michael Bracewell’s explosive late hitting pushed the Black Caps’ total even higher, as they ended at 330/6 in 50 overs.

Shaheen Shah Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling attack, taking three wickets, while Abrar Ahmed contributed with two. However, the bowlers lost control at the end, allowing too many runs in the final overs, as the last over cost 25 runs. 

Also Read: Tri-Nation ODI Series: Pakistan, NZ & South Africa | Details

Smith and Carey’s Ton guided Australia to a dominant position against Sri Lanka on day 2 of the second Test at Galle Cricket Stadium.

Unbeaten tons from Steve Smith and Alex Carey have set Australia on track for a series victory over Sri Lanka following the second day of the match on Friday.

Australia ended the day at 330-3, surpassing Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 257 about an hour before the second day’s stumps.

At the start of Day 2, Kusal Mendis (85*) resumed his impressive sweeping display, giving Sri Lanka a strong start alongside Lahiru Kumara. They contributed 28 more runs to the total, then Lahiru Kumara was dismissed by Matthew Kuhnemann, bringing their first innings to a close at 257.

Travis Head and Usman Khawaja started Australia’s chase with an aggressive approach, but Head (21) could not last long as he was dismissed by Nishan Peiris. 

Marnus Labuschagne joined Khawaja to continue the innings, but he was dismissed quickly for just 4 runs, falling to Prabath Jayasuriya. Stand-in captain Steve Smith ignited the fightback after the visitors were in deep trouble at 2-37, leading a remarkable recovery with the bat.

Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja partnered to steady the innings, calmly handling the spinners and adding 48 runs before the session concluded with the score at 85/2.

After lunch, Sri Lanka aimed to regain control and eventually succeeded when a sharp, short delivery from Nishan Peiris slipped under Khawaja’s bat, dismissing him for 36.

Smith and Carey’s ton Masterclass

Alex Carey stepped up to the crease and seized the opportunity with both hands as he batted at No. 5 for the first time in his Test career.

Smith’s innings encountered an early setback when he was initially given out lbw to Nishan Peiris for 24, but a successful review allowed him to remain at the crease.

Steve Smith asserted his dominance in the game with brilliant cover drives, ultimately bringing up his 36th Test century by pulling Kamindu Mendis to the mid-wicket boundary.

Following Smith’s century, Alex Carey also brought up a century, hitting thirteen fours and two sixes along the way. Stand-in captain Smith and Carey forged an unbeatable 239-run partnership, leaving the Sri Lankan team facing the prospect of a significant series loss.

At the end of Day 2, Smith was unbeaten on 120 and Carey on 139. Their remarkable 239-run partnership guided Australia to 330/3, holding a 73-run lead and seven wickets in hand.

Also Read: Australia Announce Squad For ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025

ENG Vs IND: India continued their supremacy over England after clinching a commanding T20I Series victory and now take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series, securing a four-wicket win, sealing the chase with 11.2 overs to spare.

England, defending a modest total, came out aggressively, with Jofra Archer causing problems with the new ball, well-supported by Saqib Mahmood. Their efforts provided England with an ideal start, as both Indian openers were dismissed, building early pressure.

After the loss of both openers, Shreyas Iyer stepped onto the crease and wasted no time launching a counter-attack. His aggressive stroke play calmed the nerves in the Indian camp and shifted the momentum in their favor, as his innings helped India reach 72/2 by the end of the first powerplay.

Sensing the need for a wicket, Jos Buttler turned to his spinners, and Jacob Bethell responded by removing Shreyas Iyer just after he reached his half-century.

However, Axar Patel was promoted up the order, quickly settling into his role and forming a steady partnership with vice-captain Shubman Gill. The pair rotated the strike effectively, taking advantage of loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard moving and maintain control of the chase.

Both batters scored well-deserved half-centuries, guiding India steadily towards victory. However, just before the finishing line, Adil Rashid took advantage, dismissing Axar Patel, and shortly after, sent KL Rahul packing for just 2 runs off 9 balls.

Shubman Gill was eyeing a century but was dismissed for 87 while attempting to accelerate his innings. However, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja stepped in, ensuring a smooth finish and taking India across the line with a calm and assured performance in just 38.4 overs.

ENG Vs IND: Earlier 

England came out all guns blazing, with Phil Salt and Ben Duckett aggressively attacking debutant Harshit Rana, powering their team to a swift 75/0.

Meanwhile, India made a strong comeback, taking three quick wickets in just eight balls to swing the momentum in their favor.

Jos Buttler appeared in fine touch, stabilizing the innings, while Jacob Bethell, though a bit uncertain at times, played a crucial role with 51 valuable runs. Both batters scored well-deserved half-centuries, but India’s disciplined bowling kept England from gaining full control of the game.

Harshit Rana made a strong recovery from his expensive start, ending with three wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja spun his magic in the middle overs, picking up three key wickets as well.

In the end, England were dismissed for just 248 in under 47.4 overs, as India’s bowlers maintained constant pressure and struck at regular intervals.

Also Read: AUS Vs SL: Connolly Ready For Debut In Second Test

AUS Vs SL: The pitch is expected to offer more assistance to spinners than the first test, and Australia is looking to add another spinner to their lineup. 

The second and final Test of the two-match series between Australia and Sri Lanka is scheduled for Thursday, 6 February, at Galle International Stadium.

Australia once again stamped their dominance in Test, dismantling Sri Lanka in the opening match at Galle. The visitors dominated the contest, with records falling in every direction.

Captain Steve Smith became the fourth Australian batter to surpass 10,000 Test runs, joining the elite company of Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh. As expected, he achieved this milestone in spectacular fashion with a stunning century.

However, opener Usman Khawaja made a remarkable return to form, smashing a brilliant double century. The Australian batting order clicked into gear, with debutant Josh Inglis making an immediate impression by scoring a composed century.

Meanwhile, Travis Head maintained his excellent form, blasting a rapid fifty, while Marnus Labuschagne fell short of delivering a memorable knock.

In the second Test, Australia may be considering the inclusion of Cooper Connolly, who had a standout season in the 2025 Big Bash League. His addition could offer more flexibility to the Aussies while also strengthening their batting lineup.

With the ball, Mitchell Starc was the sole specialist pacer, while the spin trio of Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Todd Murphy wreaked havoc on a turning pitch.

Kuhnemann was especially impressed with a remarkable five-wicket haul in the first innings, then added four more wickets in the second. Nathan Lyon claimed 7 wickets throughout the match, while Murphy though not as impactful, still contributed.

It was a flawless performance from the Aussies, who are now focused on achieving a rare series sweep against Sri Lanka.

AUS Vs SL – For Sri Lanka

Dimuth Karunaratne has confirmed that this will be his final Test match, marking his 100th appearance in red-ball cricket.

However, their batting clearly requires a major overhaul. Dinesh Chandimal stood out as the sole performer in the first Test, while Oshada Fernando had difficulties as an opener, opening the door for Pathum Nissanka to return in the second test. 

Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Kusal Mendis are the key players in their middle order and must step up and take responsibility. Kamindu Mendis, the ICC Men’s Emerging Player of the Year 2024, will be eager to leave his mark, especially after becoming the third-fastest Asian to score 1,000 Test runs.

Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, typically deadly on home soil, surprisingly struggled in the first Test against Australia. Asitha Fernando failed to make an impact, and Sri Lanka may look to replace him with Lahiru Kumara or Vishwa Fernando in the pace department.

The spin trio of Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Nishan Peiris will find a better rhythm in the second Test at Galle.

Australia now have a golden chance to secure the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy in Sri Lanka for the first time since 2011. On the other hand, Sri Lanka is aiming to level the series.

Also Read: Tri-Nation ODI Series: Pakistan, NZ & South Africa | Details

The Tri-Nation ODI Series, set to be held in Karachi and Lahore, will prepare the teams as they gear up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

This series will be vital for Pakistan’s ODI team as they look to defend their title in the upcoming Champions Trophy.

The four-match tournament will kick off on February 8, with Pakistan facing New Zealand at Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore.

PAK Vs NZ | Details

The match is scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST) and 10:00 PM New Zealand Standard Time (NST) in Lahore.

After their opening match, Pakistan will head to Karachi for the second game of the series. Meanwhile, New Zealand and South Africa will face off before making their way to Karachi.

SA Vs NZ | Details

The match between South Africa and New Zealand is set to take place on Monday, February 8, at 9:30 AM Pakistan Standard Time (PST) and 5:30 PM New Zealand Standard Time (NST) in Lahore.

After this clash, both teams will fly to Karachi as the rest of the matches are scheduled there.

The third match of the series will take place between Pakistan and South Africa on February 12.

PAK Vs SA | Details

The match between Pakistan and South Africa will be held on Wednesday at 2:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST) and 10:00 PM New Zealand Standard Time (NST) at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Tri-Nation ODI Series – FINAL

The final match of the series will be played on Friday, February 14, at 2:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST) and 10:00 PM New Zealand Standard Time (NST) in the National Stadium in Karachi.

Tri-Nation ODI Series – SQUADS

PAKISTAN

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Fakhar Zaman, Tayyab Tahir, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan, Khushdil Shah, and Haris Rauf.

SOUTH AFRICA

Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Ryan Rickelton, Keshav Maharaj, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Marco Jansen.

NEW ZEALAND

Mitchell Santner (c), Kane Williamson, Will O’Rourke, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Will Young, Ben Sears, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, and Lockie Ferguson.

• The New Zealand ODI squad has left for Pakistan in preparation for the ODI Tri-Series.

Also Read: Pakistan Squad For The ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Who’s Out?

IND vs ENG: India thrashed England by a huge margin of 150 runs in the fifth and final T20I, clinching a dominant 4-1 series win with a remarkable century from young opener Abhishek Sharma.

India posted 247/9 in 20 overs, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 135. In response, England crumbled, getting bowled out for just 97 runs, despite a dazzling half-century from Phil Salt.

India were dominant with both bat and ball, completely outplaying England. The hosts had England reeling, restricting them to under three figures. Another dramatic collapse became England’s nemesis as they were in a decent position at 68/3 at the end of the power play, but things went downhill for them. They lost seven wickets for just 29 runs, crumbling under pressure.

A 150-run victory is a huge margin for any team, and India executed their performance to absolute perfection.

Faced with a mountainous target, England had no option other than to come out all guns blazing, Phil Salt gave them a fiery beginning, finding the boundary with ease. However, wickets kept falling at the other end. Salt kept the momentum going, reaching a half-century for just 21 deliveries, before being dismissed for 68 runs.

England did try to be aggressive but struggled against the spinners, who dismantled their top order. With wickets falling steadily, they were eventually bowled out for just 97 runs in 10.3 overs.

IND vs ENG: India’s Response

Earlier in the match, England’s captain won the toss and opted to have India set a target at the Wankhede Stadium. The young left-handed batter Abhishek Sharma, launched a stunning assault, racing to a remarkable century off just 37 balls, leading India to a towering total of 247 runs.

Abhishek Sharma blasted the second-fastest T20I century for India, scoring 135 off 54 balls before being dismissed by Adil Rashid. Shivam Dube (30 off 13) and Tilak Varma (24 off 15) also got in on the action, smashing sixes, although wickets kept falling consistently throughout the innings.

Brydon Carse claimed 3 wickets, while Mark Wood finished with figures of 2 for 32.

Also Read: Australia Registered A Massive Win Against Sri Lanka

SL vs AUS: Australia was on the brink of a commanding victory in Galle after enforcing the follow-on and dismissing Sri Lanka for 247 in their second innings on the fourth day of the first Test.

Australia secured a commanding win in the opening Test of the 2025 Warne Muralitharan Trophy, triumphing by an innings and 242 runs to take a commanding 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The match was a one-sided affair, with Australia thoroughly outplaying Sri Lanka in every aspect of the game.

It’s hard to determine whether Sri Lanka’s bowling or batting let them down, as their overall performance was well below expectations. A lack of application and a flawed approach led to their downfall, as they collapsed with the bat two times. 

This defeat marks Sri Lanka’s biggest-ever test loss, surpassing their previous loss of an innings and 239 runs against India in Nagpur, in 2017.

In their first innings, Australia posted a massive total, with Travis Head setting the tone at the top with his aggressive batting. Usman Khawaja anchored the innings with a brilliant maiden Test double century, while Steve Smith not only scored a century but also became the latest member of the exclusive 10,000-run club in Test cricket. On top of that, debutant Josh Inglis made an immediate impact with a superb century of his own. The visitors amassed 654/6 before declaring with an hour to go on day 2, firmly asserting their dominance.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to maintain consistency and failed to capitalize on the opportunities that came their way. However, Prabath Jayasuriya and Jeffrey Vandersay each claimed three wickets in the innings.

SL vs AUS: Sri Lanka Response

Needing a strong response with the bat, Sri Lanka collapsed to just 165 in just under 53 overs, still behind by 489 runs. Dinesh Chandimal fought back with a half-century, but the Australian bowlers, led by Matthew Kuhnemann’s five-wicket haul and Nathan Lyon’s three wickets, dismantled Sri Lanka’s vulnerable batting order.

Australia enforced the follow-on for the first time in nearly 22 years, and Sri Lanka’s batting woes only worsened. They lost two wickets in the first four overs, reeling at 6/2.

The middle order fought back with some resilience, putting together a few partnerships of over 40 runs, but Australia’s spinners made sure none of those starts turned into match-saving innings. Towards the end, Jeffrey Vandersay played a noteworthy knock to reach his first-ever half-century before being dismissed for 53 runs.

Nathan Lyon took charge, supported by Matthew Kuhnemann, the duo shared eight wickets, four apiece to bring Sri Lanka’s innings to a close. A remarkable 15 wickets fell on day 4, highlighting the evident flaws in Sri Lanka’s batting order.

Also Read: Australia In Control As Rain Pauses The Game

AUS Vs SL: Australia’s push for quick wickets was interrupted as rain provided a lifeline for Sri Lanka on Day 3 of the opening Test at Galle International Stadium. The Aussies maintain a commanding lead of 518 runs.

Rain forced an early end to the first session on Day 3, but Sri Lanka found some encouragement in their performance, which could be considered their strongest of the match so far. With 92 runs off 27 overs and only two wickets down, they demonstrated the resilience and determination needed. Though it was not the most fluent display, but they served as a crucial foundation in their bid to turn the tide. As play resumes tomorrow, Sri Lanka will look to capitalize on this momentum and keep Australia at arm’s length.

Sri Lanka were in a precarious position when Day 3 kicked off, resuming at 44/3 in reply to Australia’s massive total of 654/6.

Following the resumption, Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis displayed aggressive intent for Sri Lanka, but their progress was short lived. Mendis’ innings came to an unlucky end when Mitchell Starc caught him down the leg side.

Dinesh Chandimal then received valuable support from captain Dhananjaya de Silva, and the pair put together a resilient 40-run partnership, one that held promise for Sri Lanka with few risks involved.

Following the drinks break, Dhananjaya de Silva was fell for Matthew Kuhnemann, only to be stumped by Alex Carey for 22 runs.

Through it all, Dinesh Chandimal remained stood, playing confidently and overcoming the early setbacks to bring up a well-deserved half-century. At that point, the responsibility of the innings rested entirely on his shoulders as he looks to stage a fightback alongside Kusal Mendis. The hosts will now be hoping this partnership can steer them to safer territory.

Australia’s spinners and seamers have both bowled effectively, persistently searching for wickets. With half of Sri Lanka’s batting order back in the dressing room for just 136 runs, Australia will likely adopt an aggressive approach tomorrow, looking to break this partnership.

At the close of play, Dinesh Chandimal remained not out on 63, while wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis was on 10. Sri Lanka finished the day at 136/5, with Australia holding a commanding lead of 518 runs.

The deficit stands at a huge 518 runs, but whether the follow-on will be imposed depends entirely on how quickly the Aussies manage to take the remaining 5 wickets.

Also Read: Australia Sets New Benchmark In Asia Over Sri Lanka