DUBAI: Aggressive batsman Rafatullah Mohmand will make his debut in international cricket against first T20 match of the series against England.
Rafatullah Mohmand will become the oldest Pakistani player to make debut in T20 cricket. He will open the Pakistani inning as Ahmad Shahzad is not well after last week’s food poisoning.
Rafatullah has played in 169 first-class matches, 131 List A outings and 45 domestic T20s for Peshawar, Wapda and HBL.
According to CricInfo.com, for 19 years Rafatullah Mohmand has grafted away on the Pakistan domestic circuit. Recently, the 39-year-old has pondered retirement but now he is on the brink of fulfilling the dream of an international debut having been included in the T20 squad for the series against England and staking a claim for the World T20.
Since 1996 Rafatullah has not missed a single season. He started his career for his native team Peshawar and later joined Habib Bank Limited and is presently representing WAPDA. His name was floated around for national selection in 2006 when he was enjoying a consistent run in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy with Peshawar, where he finished second-highest run-scorer in the Gold League, but he only reached as far as the Pakistan A side for a Top End one-day tournament in Australia.
“I have been playing cricket for a long time and like many I also had a dream to represent the country at highest level,” Rafatullah said after his national selection. “But we all know how big the competition is in Pakistan and you only few get a chances but I am happy that I finally got a chance. Now, I know I have less time so my target in whatever the time left is I want to do my best and help Pakistan to win matches.
After so much controversies, young Umar Akmal is also expected to participate in first match.
Pakistan likely XI: Shahid Afridi (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Rafatullah Mohmand, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imran Khan junior, Mohammad Irfan, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz.
England likely XI: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes.
Match will start at 9 pm (PST).
To watch all the action live click here
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription
