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PM Shehbaz, PCB chief Naqvi hail Pakistan as they complete dominant ODI sweep over Sri Lanka – SUCH TV
Chasing 212, Pakistan crossed the finish line in 44.4 overs with six wickets in hand, completing a 3-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka. Tributes poured in on Sunday as national leaders and cricket officials lauded Pakistan’s dominant ODI performance and the competitive spirit displayed throughout the series.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X to congratulate the team, praising their “wonderful display of cricket’s unifying spirit.” He said, “I congratulate our national team on winning the ODI series against Sri Lanka,” also commending Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and his team “for their tireless efforts.”
Sharif further extended gratitude to the Sri Lankan players and management, highlighting that “they once again reflected the enduring friendship between our two nations.”
PCB Chairman Naqvi also celebrated Pakistan’s achievement, stating, “Well done boys! Congratulations to all the players on a brilliant clean sweep in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, following our T20I series win as well. Back-to-back dominant performances make us proud of our players, coaches, and management for their dedication and spirit.”
Naqvi urged fans to continue backing the team, adding, “Trust and believe in these boys—they are giving their all for the country.”
He also singled out Haris Rauf for special praise, noting, “Congratulations to Haris Rauf on being named Man of the Series for his outstanding bowling throughout.”
The PCB chief concluded by calling the sweep a “great moment for Pakistan cricket and our fans.”
Key contributions in the third ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium came from Fakhar Zaman and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, both scoring crucial fifties, while Pakistan’s disciplined bowling ensured a comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka to complete the series sweep.
Chasing 212, Pakistan crossed the finish line in 44.4 overs with six wickets in hand, winning the series 3-0.
The experienced duo of Babar Azam and Fakhar then steadied the innings, forging a 74-run second-wicket partnership that helped Pakistan reach 82-2 in 15.2 overs.
Fakhar continued his fine form, scoring 55 off 45 balls, including eight boundaries, to record his 19th ODI fifty before being dismissed by Jeffrey Vandersay.
Mohammad Rizwan joined Babar Azam to accelerate the scoring, guiding Pakistan past 100 in the 20th over with 112 runs still needed from 30 overs.
However, the 21st over proved costly as Vandersay dismissed Babar for 34 off 52 deliveries, leaving the team at 101-3. Vandersay struck again to remove Salman Ali Agha for six, putting Pakistan under pressure at 101-4.
Rizwan and Hussain Talat then combined to rebuild the innings, steadily scoring and taking Pakistan past the 150-run mark.
Their crucial 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket eased the pressure, pushing the team to 167-4 after 37 overs.
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The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks’ men’s basketball team continued their perfect start to the season on Tuesday night.
The No. 19 RedHawks defeated the Toledo Rockets, 74-72, improving to 30-0 and clinching at least a share of the Mid-American Conference regular-season title. Miami is the only undefeated team in Division I men’s basketball and has the best start and longest win streak in conference history.
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Miami (OH) guard Peter Suder, center, and the team celebrate the regular-season trophy at the conclusion of an NCAA college basketball game against Toledo, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
The team celebrated with the regular-season trophy as confetti fell onto the court in the arena.
“That’s the beauty of basketball: When you’re having fun with the right group of guys, you can become unbeatable,” Miami star Peter Suder told reporters, via the school’s website.
“It’s a surreal moment, obviously,” he added as he reflected on his family and the support he’s received through his collegiate career. “They’ve been with me through it all, and I’m just super-happy they were there tonight and soaked in the moment as well.”
Miami (OH) guard Luke Skaljac reacts after a made 3-point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Toledo, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Suder had 19 points in the win and is averaging 14.8 points per game this season.
The RedHawks needed to dig deep to hang on against Toledo.
The Rockets cut the deficit to one on four different occasions. Toledo’s Austin Parks had a good opportunity to put the team ahead, but Miami’s Eian Elmer blocked him at the rim. Toledo trailed by two points and had the ball with 13 seconds left but a costly turnover sealed the win for Miami.
Miami completed its first season sweep of Toledo since the 1996-97 season and are now on a three-game winning streak against the Rockets after losing 22 straight from 2012-24.
Miami (OH) guard Peter Suder, center, raises the regular-season trophy with teammates at the conclusion of an NCAA college basketball game against Toledo, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
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The RedHawks will finish the regular season on the road against the Ohio Bobcats on Friday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Related Article
- All three ODIs to be played at Shere Bangla Stadium.
- Shaheen Afridi to continue as Pakistan ODI captain.
- Maaz Sadaqat, Sahibzada Farhan among uncapped players.
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, with star batter Babar Azam and all-rounder Saim Ayub left out of the selection.
All three ODIs will be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka from 11 to 15 March, according to a statement issued by the cricket board.
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the ODI side, with six uncapped players included in the squad.
The uncapped players are Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.
Among them, Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood and Shamyl Hussain were part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad that played against England Lions in Abu Dhabi recently.
Notably, former ODI captain Babar and all-rounder Saim have been omitted from the squad.
For the unversed, Pakistan last played an ODI series in November last year, when they hosted Sri Lanka and completed a 3-0 clean sweep.
The series marked the second ODI assignment for captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose maiden stint in charge came in a home series against South Africa, which Pakistan won 2-1.
15-member squad:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain
Series schedule:
March 11 – First ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
March 13 – Second ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
March 15 – Third ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to appoint former national captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the new coach of Pakistan’s Test cricket team, according to sources.
Sarfaraz Ahmed is expected to take charge ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming Test series against Bangladesh national cricket team, scheduled for May.
The development comes after the tenure of interim coach Azhar Mahmood concluded.
Sources said the PCB is likely to make an official announcement soon, confirming Sarfaraz Ahmed’s appointment as part of the coaching setup for the red-ball squad.
Currently, Sarfaraz Ahmed is serving as manager and mentor of Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team, where he has been working closely with young talent and development programs.
Sarfaraz, who captained Pakistan to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, is widely regarded as one of the country’s most experienced cricket leaders.
Cricket analysts believe his leadership experience and understanding of the dressing room could help strengthen Pakistan’s performance in Test cricket.
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