A Pakistani media baron, the 45-year-old is the 37th full-time chairman of the PCB.
With Afridi ready to bowl his toe-crushing yorkers, what could go wrong for Pakistan?
Head coach Jason Gillispie said Shaheen Afridi understands the "situation" and the break will give him quality time with his family.
Stokes is also among the Test Cricket of the Year nominees alongside compatriot Jonny Bairstow, Australia opener Usman Khawaja and South Africa speedster Kagiso Rabada.
Zimbabwe shocked Pakistan by one run in a thrilling T20 World Cup Super 12 match at Perth Stadium, in Perth, on Thursday.
From Virat Kohli to PV Sindhu and Pakistan cricketer Babar Azam among others flooded Twitter and Instagram with throwback photos with their mums.
"Our plan before going inside was to utilise the first six overs and later on everyone can come and chip in. We will enjoy this moment, but at the same time we will focus on the final,"
With the semi-final spot assured, Pakistan might look to rest a few players and give others opportunities in the inconsequential match.
Kane Williamson showed his class in his first competitive outing in six months while Rachin Ravindra sizzled at the top of the order as New Zealand gunned down a 346-run target in their opening World Cup warm-up game against Pakistan
Pakistan would be desperate to plug the gaping holes and hope their star players regain form when they open their World Cup campaign against a free spirited Netherlands in Hyderabad on Friday.
Kane Williamson is still holding the pole position among Test batsmen while Pat Cummins (908) has a significant (48 points) lead at the top among bowlers over India's Ravichandran Ashwin (850).
Pakistan are traditionally good against spinners but Babar Azam and Co. would take the likes of promising Dunith Wellalage and company lightly at their peril.
Imam combined with Saud Shakeel to steady the ship
Ramiz hit out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for reintegrating players such as Mohammad Amir, who has served prison time and a long ban from the game for involvement in spot-fixing, into the national team setup. The former opener felt allowing tainted players back into the sport has damaged Pakistan cricket.
Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim also returned to the World Cup squad after recovering fully from a side strain he suffered during the Asia Cup.
Kohli becomes leading run-getter in T20 World Cup history
Subject to visa, the team will now leave for Hyderabad from Lahore in the wee hours of September 27 and reach Hyderabad via Dubai in the night.
Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson hit fifties as New Zealand thrashed Pakistan by 46 runs in the first T20 International.
England will hope that the likes of Joe Root, Harry brook and skipper Jos Buttler also get some runs and end their a disastrous World Cup campaign on a high.
Virat's captaincy may have come of age in this competition.
Images from the T20 World Cup Group A match between India and Pakistan in New York on Sunday.
White-ball specialist Rauf will return to Pakistan colours after incurring the wrath of the nation's cricket board for opting out of the ongoing three-Test series against Australia.
An outdated batting approach, dismal performance of the spinners, lack of back-up options and selection blunders have led to another early World Cup exit for the forever unpredictable Pakistan unit.
Images from the T20 World Cup Super 12 Group 2 match between India and Pakistan, in Dubai, on Sunday.
'Batting into day three gave us that chance to really have a crack at them on day three -- it probably went better than we expected.'
Suryakumar Yadav, who scored a 44-ball 76 in the third T20 International against the West Indies on Tuesday, moved within two rating points of top-ranked Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
Set 183 for victory, Andrew Balbirnie produced a stunning knock to take Ireland over the line with five wickets and a ball to spare in front of a sell-out crowd.
Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis snared nine wickets between them
Suryakumar is placed second with 821 rating points behind Australia's Travis Head, who has 844 rating points.
Sehwag poked fun at Pakistan's history of losses to India in World Cups.
Jasprit Bumrah was magnificent in India's six-run victory over Pakistan with figures of 3/14.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan were pick of the bowlers as they scalped two wickets each.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain praised Malan for his versatile style and consistency.
Zaka Ashraf back in Pakistan, discussing 'incidents' in India with senior board officials
'It's about coming together, practising the right way and most importantly, believing in the same belief that they had at the start of the tournament and not change things midway.'
His kind gesture was widely appreciated on social media.
The 22-year-old has already missed the first two games against Australia and Afghanistan but there is a high chance of him making it to the playing XI for the marquee clash against the arch-rivals.
Pakistani presenter Zainab Abbas, part of the ICC digital team covering the ODI World Cup, on Monday left India after facing backlash on social media over her alleged anti-India posts in the past.
Pakistan's experienced wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed laid out the team's plans to ruin Australia's star batter David Warner's farewell Test series.
Shafique and Salman pummel Sri Lanka, Pakistan eye series sweep
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances