Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Archer licking his lips at prospect of bowling at Pakistan, says Younis Khan

England quick Jofra Archer will be salivating at the prospect of bowling at Pakistan's batsmen after witnessing the South Asian side's meek surrender against the West Indies pacemen, the team's former captain and coach Waqar Younis has said.

A blistering Oshane Thomas-led pace attack swept Pakistan away for a dismal 105 at Trent Bridge on Friday as West Indies wrapped up a seven-wicket victory in under 14 overs in their World Cup opener.


Pakistan's total was their lowest World Cup score since making 74 against England at Adelaide in 1992, the year Imran Khan's team went on to lift their only 50-overs crown.

But any hopes of repeating that feat will face its sternest test as soon as Monday when Sarfaraz Ahmed's side take on tournament hosts and favourites England, the world's top-ranked side in the format.

"It will be difficult for the team to bounce back quickly enough for Monday against England – a team who are on such a high," former Pakistan captain Younis wrote in a column for the governing body International Cricket Council.

"They have probably never played better, and I think they have all the ingredients to go all the way and end their long wait for a World Cup."

Barbados-born Archer represented West Indies at youth level and was named in England's 15-man squad despite only having made his one-day international debut last month.

He picked up three key South African wickets in England's comprehensive 104-run win on Thursday, bowling with lot of pace and bounce in London.

"... you can be sure that a certain Jofra Archer will be licking his lips," said Younis, himself a tearaway fast bowler in his playing days.

"I have loved what I have seen of him so far. He is going to be the man that the world will remember when all is said and done at this World Cup.

"He has just got something about him, a bit of stardust. He is nippy and bowls with that extra bounce and most importantly, he takes wickets. I am sure he will leave a mark on this World Cup and probably on Pakistan on Monday."

Younis, however, feels it would be foolish to write off Pakistan given the format of the tournament during which all 10 sides face each other before the semi-finalists are decided.

"A lot has been said before about Pakistan's record in the past, the unpredictable nature of this side. They lost heavily in their first game in 1992 and bounced back to win that tournament after all," Younis said.

"But we cannot really dwell on what happened 27 years ago. Winning the 2019 tournament is going to take some doing this time around.

"A defeat like that damages the confidence and we need to make sure that we take our time to try and bounce back, think positive and turn the ship around."

More For You

'This Girl Can' calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport with bold new visibility drive

This Girl Can calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport

'This Girl Can' calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport with bold new visibility drive

Highlights:

  • New ‘We Like the Way You Move’ campaign launched by Sport England initiative This Girl Can.
  • Focus on improving representation of South Asian Muslim women in sport and physical activity.
  • Research highlights stark under-representation of women of colour in public sports imagery.
  • Campaign calls on providers to create inclusive, women-only and culturally sensitive spaces.

This Girl Can has unveiled a powerful new campaign spotlighting South Asian Muslim women in sport, aiming to redefine what being active looks like and tackle deep-rooted barriers. The We Like the Way You Move drive, launched by Sport England, uses strong visuals with community-driven storytelling to encourage participation and promote inclusivity. It comes alongside new data exposing how women of colour remain overlooked in public representations of physical activity.

This Girl Can calls out erasure of south Asian Muslim women from UK sport www.easterneye.biz

Keep ReadingShow less
Asia Cup 2025: India and Pakistan brace for high-stakes clash

Cricket fans with their bodies painted in the colours of the Indian and Pakistani national flags pose for photographs ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)

Asia Cup 2025: India and Pakistan brace for high-stakes clash

INDIA and Pakistan face off on Sunday (14) in their first T20 International in more than 15 months, a contest carrying both sporting and political weight.

India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has urged his players to put emotions aside after recent cross-border tensions, stressing that focus must remain on cricket.

Keep ReadingShow less
India Pak

India began their campaign with a nine-wicket win against the UAE, bowling them out for 57 in 13.1 overs before chasing the target in just 27 balls on Thursday. (Photo: Getty Images)

India and Pakistan set for Asia Cup clash after May conflict

AN INDIA-PAKISTAN cricket match always draws attention, and emotions are set to run high when the two teams meet on Sunday in the Asia Cup. The contest comes months after the neighbours engaged in a four-day military conflict in May.

Bilateral cricket ties between the two countries have been suspended for years, and the arch-rivals now face each other only in multi-nation tournaments. The upcoming Group A fixture will be their first meeting since the May clashes, which nearly escalated into a full-scale war.

Keep ReadingShow less
Litton-Hridoy-Getty

Bangladesh lost two early wickets in their chase, but Litton built a 95-run stand with Towhid Hridoy, who remained unbeaten on 35, to take the team to 144-3 in 17.4 overs. (Photo: c

Getty Images

Litton, Towhid steer Bangladesh past Hong Kong in Asia Cup

CAPTAIN Litton Das scored 59 to guide Bangladesh to a seven-wicket win over Hong Kong in their opening Asia Cup match on Thursday.

Invited to bat first in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong made 143-7 with Nizakat Khan top-scoring on 42.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep picked three wickets in one over with his left-arm wrist spin as India bowled out UAE for 57 in 13.1 overs after choosing to field.

Getty Images

Kuldeep takes four as India thrash UAE in Asia Cup opener

KULDEEP YADAV took 4-7 as India began their Asia Cup campaign with a nine-wicket win over hosts United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Wednesday.

Kuldeep picked three wickets in one over with his left-arm wrist spin as India bowled out UAE for 57 in 13.1 overs after choosing to field.

Keep ReadingShow less