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Pakistan Legend Defends Babar Azam, Lashes Out At Other Pakistan Players

admin — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:55:47 +0000

Pakistan World Cup winner Mushtaq Ahmed praised under-fire Pakistan captain Babar Azam, and stated that he requires contributions from the rest of the players. He went on to ask that more respect be shown towards Babar. Babar and the rest of the Pakistan team were heavily criticised by former players, experts and fans as Pakistan crashed out of the 2024 T20 World Cup after the group stage. However, Mushtaq Ahmed rushed to Babar’s defence, stating that he has increased his aggression.

“Babar’s intent has definitely changed in the past year. He has shown aggression in his batting. If a person can improve so much, I think that’s enough,” Mushtaq said to Cricket Pakistan.

“Other players also have a duty to score runs; they have a role to play too. If one person gives you a score, but the rest of our players don’t go on to score in the remaining 7-8 overs, then there’s a problem,” he added.

“This has been happening for 3-4 years. They (other players except Babar) only score when it doesn’t make a significant impact,” stated Mushtaq.

Babar was Pakistan’s top runscorer in the 2024 T20 World Cup, scoring 122 runs in four games, but at a strike rate of just 101.66. Mohammad Rizwan, who scored the second-most runs, had a strike rate of just 90.90.

Mushtaq called for people to respect Babar more, and not forget his contributions to Pakistan cricket.

“If we talk about Babar, there’s a reason why people respect him worldwide. He brings honour to Pakistan. I think sometimes people are very hard on him,” said Mushtaq.

Babar Azam currently ranks among ICC’s top 5 batsmen in all three formats; No. 1 in ODIs, No. 3 in Tests and No. 4 in T20Is.

Despite a rocky T20 World Cup campaign, Babar is expected to retain captaincy, with the ‘major surgery’ earlier promised by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly unlikely.

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PCB Yet To Issue NOCs To Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Says ‘Not Comfortable’

admin — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 18:34:02 +0000

File image of Babar Azam (right) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.© AFP

Pakistan captain Babar Azam, wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi are yet to get No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the nation’s Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in the Global T20 Canada league. The PCB on Tuesday issued NOCs to 12 players for different leagues but the trio, who are in the top bracket of central contracts, is still waiting for clearance. “The PCB is not comfortable with the status of the Global League and has sought some information from the organisers and ICC, which is why the issuance of NOCs has been delayed,” a PCB official said.

The Global T20 Canada League is scheduled to be held from July 25 till August 11, while Pakistan’s Test series against Bangladesh at home starts around August 19.

The players who were issued NOCs for different leagues, include Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan for the USA Major League from July 4 to 28, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan for Lanka Premier League, which is already underway and ends on July 21, Fakhar Zaman for the Caribbean Premier League from August 29 to October 6, Usama Mir for the Hundred from July 23 to August 20 and Mohammad Amir for county cricket.

Surprisingly the PCB has not given clearance to youngsters Saim Ayub and Azam Khan for the CPL.

Shadab, Salman and Hasnain are already in Sri Lanka.

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“Didn’t He Do…”: Pakistan Great Identifies Babar Azam’s Captaincy Replacement. Not Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 15:50:01 +0000

Younis Khan has identified Babar Azam’s ideal replacement as next Pakistan captain.© AFP

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has come under the fire line of former cricketers following the aftermath of their T20 World Cup disaster. With Pakistan exiting the tournament in the group stage, Babar’s future as captain has come under major scrutiny of former Pakistan players, who have also questioned his place in the team. The star batter has been accused of influencing selection process by favouring players that do not fit into the system. Reports have also emerged that senior pros like Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan are also not happy with Babar’s re-appointment as captain, and they should be the ones leading the team.

Amid the debate regarding Babar’s future as captain, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has identified his ideal replacement. Younis feels that the PCB should appoint Fakhar Zaman as captain of the team, pointing out the southpaw’s past and recent performances.

“Why can’t Fakhar Zaman be the captain of the side isn’t he a performer? Didn’t he do well in the last 50-over World Cup? Who is that one player who gave us hope? Zaman started the 2023 World Cup in India poorly however, in the second half turned his form around which coincided with Pakistan’s success. His blistering starts at the top kept Pakistan in contention however, it was too little too late for them to go further in the tournament,” Younis said on PTV Sports.

Babar Azam aur Rizwan ki Wajha se Fakhar zaman ko. Sacrifice karna pada. #younuskhan pic.twitter.com/KvrCulpq7p

— Qamar Raza (@Rizzvi73) June 17, 2024

Younis pointed out that Fakhar has sacrificed his opening slot for Babar by batting down the order, when ideally, he should be the one leading the line.

“Who is that one player in the side who is leaving his opening slot and batting down at four or five or six? Who is sacrificing his place? Fakhar Zaman! Why won’t you make him the captain?,” he added.

Fakhar was Pakistan’s top performer during the ODI World Cup last year. Not only that, he scored a century in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy when Pakistan beat India to claim the title.

However, over the past few years, Fakhar’s role has been limited with the management trying to accomodate Babar and Rizwan as the openers.

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Wasim Akram “Can Only Preach”: Pace Great Asked Tough Questions On Pakistan Team’s Open Criticism Afte T20 WC

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 09:24:38 +0000

Pakistan failed to make the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024.© X (Twitter)

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria slammed Wasim Akram and other ex-Pakistan cricketers who criticised the current Pakistan team. Kaneria said that instead of criticising from the outside, Akram and other cricketers should instead come and help the side. Pakistan were knocked out of the 2024 T20 World Cup at the group stage, after losses to India and the USA. Kaneria’s reaction comes after Wasim Akram had put out a public rant on social media, demanding a new team be formed for Pakistan.

“Wasim Akram and other people can only preach from the outside. Why don’t they come help the Pakistan side?” asked Kaneria. “Why did Wasim Akram not pose the question about Mohammad Amir‘s selection immediately?” Kaneria told Sports Now.

“Shoaib Malik is a better player than these guys (the current squad),” he added.

The former leg-spinner said that Pakistan’s preparations leading up to the 2024 T20 World Cup had not been up to the mark. He raised special concern over the selections of Mohammad Amir and Azam Khan.

“They (Pakistan) should’ve picked 20-22 players in the camp, and then picked the best 15,” said Kaneria. “Where were Mohammad Amir and Azam Khan six months ago?” blasted Kaneria.

Kaneria slammed the Pakistan team’s management of not being able to make firm decisions.

“They will wake up in the morning and say one thing, and then take a U-turn in the evening. They’re the masters of the U-turn,” said Kaneria.

“They’re egoistic and think they cannot make mistakes,” he added.

Kaneria also criticised the decision to hand back captaincy to Babar Azam, and suggested that he should bat at no. 3 in T20Is, letting Fakhar Zaman open the innings with Mohammad Rizwan.

Babar Azam scored 122 runs in four matches at the 2024 T20 World Cup, but at a strike rate of just 101.

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Ireland vs Pakistan 3rd T20I Highlights: Pakistan Defeat Ireland, Seal Three-T20I Series 2-1

admin — Tue, 14 May 2024 12:26:45 +0000

Ireland vs Pakistan 3rd T20I, Highlights: Pakistan have defeated Ireland by six wickets to seal a three-T20I series 2-1. Ireland scored 178/7 in 20 overs. Pakistan chased down the target in 17 overs. Ireland stunned the Men in Green in the first T20I. However, they failed to defend 193 in the second T20I as Pakistan chased down the total with more than three overs to spare. Now Pakistan will play England in a T20I series, their final tournament before the T20 World CUp. (Live Scorecard)

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Pakistan Unveils Jersey For T20 World Cup; Babar Azam Says, “New Kit, Same Ambition”:

admin — Tue, 07 May 2024 14:37:17 +0000

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam expressed his intention to deliver a quality performance with the team at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA which will start from June 1 this year. Taking to Instagram, Babar posed with his teammates, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Rizwan and pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah in the national side’s new jersey for the marquee tournament. “New Kit, Same Ambition”, said the caption of Babar’s story on Instagram.

In the last T20 World Cup in Australia back in 2022, Pakistan reached the final but could not capture their second T20 WC title as they lost to England by five wickets. Pakistan won the 2009 edition held in England, beating Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final.

Ahead of this T20 WC, Pakistan is playing T20I series against Ireland and England, each of three matches each, away from home.

Here is the schedule for Pakistan’s tour to Ireland and England ahead of the T20 World Cup. In the T20 WC, India and Pakistan are in Group A along with Ireland, Canada and USA. Pakistan will start its campaign against the USA on June 6.

Ireland series: May 10: First T20I, Dublin; May 12 Second T20I, Dublin; May 14: Third T20I, Dublin

England series: May 22: First T20I, Leeds; May 25: Second T20I, Birmingham; May 28: Third T20I, Cardiff; May 30: Fourth T20I, London.

Pakistan squad for series against England and Ireland: Babar Azam (C), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.

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‘Defeat Against India Hurt’: Pakistan Star Fakhar Zaman Opens Up On World Cup Setback

admin — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:42:27 +0000

A thumping seven-wicket win over Bangladesh has certainly uplifted the mood in Pakistan’s camp and opener Fakhar Zaman on Tuesday said they’re firmly focused on making the semifinals, despite all the ifs and buts. Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi led the pace attack brilliantly to bowl out Bangladesh for a paltry 204 before they cantered home in 32.3 overs to hugely boost their net run-rate.

“Every win in the World Cup, gives you confidence. We also waited for this win,” Zaman said at the post-match media interaction.

“We have now started to find our rhythm. Against South Africa, we made comebacks while batting as well as bowling.

“We are getting our combinations right. I’ve been part of this dressing room for eight years now, it will improve further,” he said.

Making a comeback after five matches, Fakhar struck a 74-ball 81 and laid the foundation with Abdullah Shafique (68) in a 128-run opening stand. It made it a straightforward chase for Pakistan as they looked in a hurry to seal the target.

“The situation we are in at the moment, we were looking to chase it in 29-30 overs. Ifs and buts will be there, but our target is semifinal and we will try for that only,” he said.

The win saw Pakistan snap their four-match losing streak and move past Afghanistan into fifth place on net run-rate with six points.

They now have to win against New Zealand and England in their last two games to get to 10 points and hope that at least one of New Zealand or Australia slip in the points table losing two or more games.

Down with a niggle, Zaman had to sit out for five matches after their World Cup opener against the Netherlands.

“The injury was not that severe and I had to sit out for precaution. If team needed me, I would have played. Today I got a chance, and did my best in team’s win.” Zaman said he’s hungry for more such knocks.

“The way I’m playing at the nets I’ve a fair idea that the ball is coming well on bat. On Indian wickets, the key is to hang around for three-four overs and then it becomes easy to score runs. The boundaries are also short. I want to perform similarly in next matches, so that we make semis.” He further said the bowlers have now aced the conditions in India.

“If you spend time in the middle you get an idea, initially our pacers were trying for more but the key here is accuracy,” he said.

Asked if Pakistan’s loss against India still hurt them, he said: “Of course, an India and Pakistan match is a very big deal. If I say it doesn’t make a difference, I would be wrong.

“But all the players are professional and have played a lot of cricket. Even against India, they have played a lot of matches. So, you can’t say anything like that.”

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Cricket World Cup 2023: Pakistan Knock Out Bangladesh With Seven-Wicket Win

admin — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 15:57:50 +0000

Opener Fakhar Zaman capped his return with an attacking fifty after Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fiery spell as Pakistan knocked Bangladesh out of the Cricket World Cup 2023 with a seven-wicket win to keep their slim semifinal hopes alive in Kolkata on Tuesday. Shaheen spearheaded their three-pronged pace attack with splendid figures of 9-1-23-3 as Pakistan bundled out Bangladesh for a lowly 204 in 45.1 overs. Fakhar, who missed five of their six matches because of a knee injury, smashed seven sixes and three fours in his 74-ball 81. Abdullah Shafique also struck a quick 68 off 69 balls (9×4, 2×6) as the new-look opening pair laid the foundation with an imposing 128-run alliance.

Just when it looked like a one-way traffic for Pakistan, off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3/60) took both the openers but with no scoreboard pressure Pakistan knocked off the paltry 205-run target in 32.3 overs.

This was Bangladesh’s sixth loss on the trot as the Shakib Al Hasan-led side became the first team to be officially eliminated from the 10-team global showpiece with two matches in hand.

They next play Sri Lanka and Australia in their last two matches.

Having returned to winning ways after enduring four defeats, Pakistan with three wins from seven matches kept their faint semifinal hopes alive. They next take on New Zealand before concluding their league campaign against England.

Pakistan’s new left-right handed opening duo started off with utmost caution, conceding two maiden off Bangladesh’s new ball bowlers Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed in first three overs.

But that was it, as the Pakistani duo soon started milking the attack and raced to 52 for no loss inside the powerplay.

The duo soon switched gears with Zaman smoking Taskin Ahmed over square leg for a 99-metre six. There was no stopping them and Shaifque took on Mustafizur Rahman for three successive boundaries.

Zaman brought up his 16th ODI half-century in 51 balls when he stepped up to Bangla pacer Taskin with a massive six down the ground. In the previous over, Shafique took 51 balls to get to his third half-century.

Zaman, however, missed out on a well-deserved century, holing out at midwicket to give Mehidy his third wicket.

Skipper Babar Azam, however, continued to disappoint getting out for 9 (16b) when he mistimed a shot off Miraz.

But Mohammad Rizwan (26 not out) and Iftikhar Ahmed (17 not out) finished off the chase with 107 balls to spare.

Earlier, Shaheen rattled the Bangladeshi top-order and became the fastest Pakistani to reach 100 ODI wickets. Mohammad Wasim Jr. then cleaned up the tail returning with figures of 8.1-1-31-3 as Bangladesh failed to last the distance yet again to be bowled out in 45.1 overs.

Shaheen may have lost his pace a bit after recovering from a knee injury, but he bowled with clever variations and extracted swing on a flat Eden wicket.

The 23-year-old straightway got into the action, trapping Tanzid Hasan leg before wicket with extra bounce and late swing. That happened to be his 100th wicket in ODIs. He became the fastest Pakistani to do so beating Saqlain Mushtaq’s mark by a couple of innings.

A brilliant low diving catch by Usama Mir at forward short leg made it two in two overs for Shaheen.

It would have been worse for Bangladesh but Mahmudullah made a responsible 56 off 70 balls (6×4, 1×6) in a 79-run partnership with Litton Das (45; 64b).

From 6/2 in 2.4 overs, Bangladesh were looking at yet another capitulation when Haris Rauf dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim to reduce them to 23/3 before Mahmudullah came to his team’s rescue.

The intent was clear from the Bangladesh perspective as they promoted Mahmudullah to No 5.

After Shaheen was taken off the attack, Pakistan also failed to build pressure from both ends, giving Litton and Mahmudullah enough opportunity to make a quick recovery.

The likes of Wasim Jr and Mir, who impressed with their tidy show against South Africa, gave a lot of freebies and the Bangladeshi duo was happy to pierce the gaps.

They welcomed Wasim Jr with a couple of boundaries while Mir too was hit for a four in his first over.

Bangladesh were looking in no trouble before off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed (1/44) provided the crucial breakthrough dismissing Litton.

Shaheen was recalled and bowling around the wicket, he produced a gem of a delivery to end Mahmudullah’s stay in the middle.

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan then tried to forge a partnership but frittered away his start and was done in by a short ball from by Haris Raul (2/36).

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World Cup 2023 Points Table: What Pakistan’s Huge Win vs Bangladesh Means For Their Semi-finals Dream

admin — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 14:51:17 +0000

World Cup 2023 Points Table: The Babar Azam-led Pakistan cricket team finally returned to winning ways after four straight defeats at the Cricket World Cup to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Facing a must-win situation against Bangladesh in a Cricket World Cup match in Kolkata on Tuesday, Pakistan dominated in both the batting and bowling departments to notch a comfortable seven-wicket win. This was Pakistan cricket team’s third win in seven matches and they are placed fifth in the points table. Bangladesh are out of semi-final race. (World Cup 2023 points table)

The first four teams in the Cricket World Cup points table are – India (12 points, 6 games, NRR +1.405), South Africa (10 points, 6 games, NRR +2.032), New Zealand (8 points, 6 games, NRR +1.232) and Australia (8 points, 6 games, +0.970). The fifth-placed Pakistan cricket team has six points from seven games (NRR -0.024).

Pakistan’s remaining matches are against New Zealand and England. While New Zealand are in top form, defending Cricket World Cup champions England have not been up to the mark. Pakistan will have to win those two games and hope for other teams’ results go their way to have a shot at semi-finals.

The former champions first dismissed Bangladesh for 204 and then returned to overhaul the target, reaching 205 for 3 in 32.3 Overs for their third win of the tournament.

Abdullah Shafique (68) and Fakhar Zaman (81) slammed fifties and once they were dismissed, Mohammad Rizwan (26) and Iftikar Ahmed (17) knocked off the remaining runs.

Opting to bat, Mahmudullah made a 70-ball 56 but Bangladesh couldn’t get any momentum as they lost wickets regularly.

Litton Das (45), Mahmudullah (56), Shakib Al Hasan (43) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (25) were the other batters to reach double figures.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi (3/23) and Mohammad Wasim Jr (3/31) were the most successful bowlers with three-wicket hauls, while Haris Rauf (2/36), Iftikhar Ahmed (1/44) and Usama Mir (1/66) were also among wickets.

Brief Score: Bangladesh: 204 allout in 45.1 overs (Mahmudullah 56; Shaheen Afridi 3/23, Mohammad Wasim Jr 3/31).

Pakistan: 205 for 3 in 32.3 overs (Abdullah Shafique 68, Fakhar Zaman 81; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 3/60)

With PTI inputs

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Cricket World Cup 2023: Pakistan Wary Of Afghanistan Spin Threat At Chepauk

admin — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 07:53:58 +0000

A desperate Pakistan will be wary of a competent group of Afghanistan spinners’ ability to strike hard on an often-gripping Chepauk pitch during the World Cup match in Chennai on Monday. A win is mandatory for Babar Azam’s side after two successive defeats against India and Australia, as another slip up will severely hamper their ambitions to reach the semifinals of the tournament. Currently, they are in the fifth position with four points from as many matches but their net run rate of -0.456 is a worry, and it needs improvement. Pakistan’s big headache will be their batsmen’s travails, especially against spinners.

Even on a batting beauty in Bengaluru, their batters gave four crucial wickets to Aussie leg-spinner Adam Zampa, and they struggled to read his skidders.

Afghanistan have undeniable quality in their spin ranks as Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman can really trouble the best, and on a potentially favourable surface here they can kick up a mayhem.

In that context, Pakistan will need some steady effort from their batters particularly from Babar, who have been underwhelming in this event so far.

Mohammad Rizwan, the current tournament top-scorer with 294 runs, has done the bulk of work with the bat for them.

But rest of the middle-order batters like Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed have not done enough to keep confidence in them.

Pakistan’s bowling too has not evoked much hope either. Traditionally, their bowlers have chipped in when their batters go off the boil, but this time they have not really stepped up to the occasion.

Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi showed some signs of regaining his range with a five-wicket haul against Australia at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.

But the form of other two pacers Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali remains a concern as they are still coming to terms with the demands of bowling inside the Power Play.

Pakistan always had some handy spinners supplementing the fast bowlers, but here left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawas and leg-spinners Shadab Khan and Usama Mir just don’t look the part.

They were neither able to pluck wickets nor stop the flow of runs, a primary reason behind Pakistan’s failure to exert control over their rivals in the middle overs.

And that will precisely be the point Afghanistan will look to cash in on tomorrow, and they will eye a better outing from their batsmen.

Their batters, except opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, too haven’t been able to fire in a desired manner in the quadrennial big bash.

There have been flashes by Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai and Hashmathullah Shahidi but they need to infuse some consistency into their performance as Pakistan are still a far more experienced opponent at such stages.

They also enjoy a 7-0 edge in the head-to-head stats against Afghanistan in ODIs.

Apart from the on-field calculations, the Pakistan vs Afghanistan rivalry has developed some needle to it over the last few years.

If the teams can fire themselves up to the occasion, then we may just see another classic.

Afghanistan:Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman and Naveen ul Haq.

Pakistan:Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim.

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