The Pakistan cricket team had a horrible outing at the T20 World Cup 2024 as the Babar Azam-led side crashed out of the competition in the group stages. They slumped to a shocking loss against the United States before losing once again against traditional rivals India. Pakistan did win their remaining two matches against Canada and Ireland but it was too little too late for them. The result sparked a huge backlash from the fans and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) went on to make big changes in the support staff. Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq were sacked as selectors while Babar’s future remains unclear.

Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi took a massive dig at the PCB and said that the constant changes behind the scenes impact the side’s performances. Afridi also said that any team needs time to adapt to a new system but constant changing can also result in confusion among the players.

“When you change or bring in any new structure, you must give the system time. Every year, a new chairman comes, and a new system is introduced. Things don’t work this way,” he told Sports24.

“All the senior board members and senior players should sit together at one table and make a plan. Then let that plan be executed for three years. Let the results come. If you keep changing the system every year, what results can you expect?” the former Pakistan cricket team skipper added.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board has turned down requests for No Objection Certificate from senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi to participate in the Global T20 League, citing the hectic international calendar.

“The PCB had received NOC requests from Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi for the Global T20 event, amongst other players.

“After taking into consideration Pakistan’s busy and packed cricket calendar in the period from August 2024 to March 2025, which includes nine ICC World Test Championship matches and next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and following consultations with the three players as well as the national selection committee, it has been decided to decline their requests,” the board said in a statement.

(With PTI inputs)

India Champions vs Pakistan Champions Live Streaming WCL 2024 Final: India Champions will take on arch-rivals Pakistan Champions in the grand finale of the World Championship of Legends at Edgbaston Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The Indian team, featuring icons like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and the Pathan brothers, brings a blend of experience and aggressive flair. On the other hand, the Pakistan side boasts legends such as Younus Khan, Shahid Afridi & Shoaib Malik who are known for their match-winning abilities and will be eager to showcase their prowess. India finished fourth in the group stage after defeats to Pakistan and South Africa, respectively. Pakistan, on the other hand, were placed second behind Australia.

In the semi-finals, India and Pakistan beat Australia and West Indies to set-up an entertaining final. In the final, India will look to avenge their loss against Pakistan in the group stage.

When will the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Final match be played?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Final will be played on Saturday, July 13.

Where will the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Final match be played?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Final will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

What time will the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Final match start?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Final match will start at 9:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Final?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Final will be telecasted on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Final?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Final will be streamed live on FanCode.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

Gautam Gambhir was appointed the new Indian cricket team head coach following the end of Rahul Dravid‘s tenure after the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. Gambhir will start from the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka with the new head coach all set to recruit a completely new support staff for the national side. Former Pakistan cricket team skipper Shahid Afridi said that it was a huge opportunity for Gambhir and praised him for ‘talking positively’ and his ‘straightforward’ approach to the sport.

“I think it’s a big opportunity, and we need to see how he makes the most of it. I have seen his interviews, and he talks positively and is very straightforward,” Afridi said on Star Sports.

Legendary South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn was quite pleased with Gambhir’s appointment and he said that he is a fan of Gambhir’s aggression.

“I’m a big fan of Gautam Gambhir. I love his aggression. He’s one of the few Indians I ever played against who came back at you, and I like that. I think he’s going to take that into the dressing room with guys like Virat and some of the other senior players who might not play as big a part anymore. I’m not too sure,” Steyn told Star Sports.

“Not just in India, but in world cricket, we need guys who are a little bit more aggressive and play the game a little bit harder. We all seem to play in the leagues against each other, and we become quite friendly and friends. I like the way that he’s fierce on the field but a gentleman off the field. He’s also streetwise, a very smart cricketer, and has a great cricket brain. So I think from that point of view, he’s going to be fantastic for them too,” he added.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has lashed out at Babar Azam for accepting the captaincy role after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sacked Shaheen Afridi after just one series. Babar, who had stepped down as captain after the ODI World Cup last year, was re-appointed as the skipper for the T20 World Cup. This came after Shaheen lost his captaincy after a 4-1 series loss away at New Zealand. It proved to be Shaheen’s first and last series as captain. Babar led the team during the home series against New Zealand and the away series against England ahead of the T20 World Cup.

With Pakistan failing to get out of the T20 World Cup stage, Babar has come under fire for his leadership. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi re-ignited the Babar-Shaheen captaincy debate.

Afridi said that Babar should’ve supported Shaheen and declined PCB’s offer to captain the team at the World Cup, saying that the star batter could’ve earned respect had he done so.

“If the decision on Shaheen’s captaincy had been made and you [PCB] had stated that he will remain the captain till the [T20] World Cup, then I think Babar [Azam] should have supported Shaheen there and should have said that ‘no, if you have made him [Shaheen] the captain, then we are ready to play under his captaincy because Shaheen has been playing with me for a long time. If he is made captain and the selection committee has made him the captain, then yes I will support him and play under his captaincy’. This is the stance Babar should’ve taken. Babar’s respect would’ve increased greatly that he has set an example with a remarkable decision,” Afridi said on his YouTube channel.

Afridi also recalled how some of the selectors themselves had questioned his captaincy abilities after the 2023 ODI World Cup, labelling Babar as a “pathetic” skipper.

“But this was not entirely the fault of Babar because some of the blame lies with the selection committee too since some of the selectors on record said that Babar is a pathetic captain and he doesn’t know how to do captaincy,” he added.

Pakistani cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja has backed the duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as the openers of the national team. Reacting to Shahid Afridi’s opinion of Fakhar Zaman opening for Pakistan instead of Babar in T20Is, Raja said that the Babar-Rizwan duo might not give a strike rate of Rohit Sharma–Virat Kohli but they provide “solidity” to the team. While Babar and Rizwan have provided solid starts to Pakistan, their strike rate has come under scanner, quite a lot.

“Looking at what Pakistan have got, you cannot afford to start by losing wickets. They (Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan) may not give you a strike rate of a Rohit (Sharma) or a Virat (Kohli), but, you know, at least they give you solidity. And this Pakistan team, with the kind of batting lineup that they’ve got, they’ve got to play within what they have got. So it’s important that they start off with Babar and Rizwan because it takes years to establish an opening partnership and pair,” Ramiz Raja told Cricbuzz.

With the opening combination of Babar and Rizwan, Pakistan made it to the final of T20 World Cup 2022, where they lost to England by 5 wickets.

“And there’s a reason why Pakistan made it to the final of the World Cup (in 2022). Against England about a year back, they won by 10 wickets chasing 200 (in September 2022). Why break something that is working? This phobia of strike rate must end because Pakistan do not have the luxury of such skills and talent,” Raja added.

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, Pakistan have been kncoked. The side needs Ireland to beat United States on June 14 to bow out the tournament with a win.

Pakistan crashed out of the tournament after USA’s game against Ireland was washed out. With five points in three matches, USA joined India in the Super 8 stage from Group A.

Former Pakistan cricket team skipper Shahid Afridi revealed that he had a conversation with Suresh Raina over his social media post that resulted in the former Indian cricket team player deleting it. Following the announcement of Afridi becoming an ambassador for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, an X (formerly Twitter) user took a dig at Raina – “ICC has named Shahid Afridi as ambassador for ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Hello Suresh Raina.” Raina was quick to respond as he wrote – “I’m not an ICC ambassador, but I have the 2011 World Cup at my house. Remember the game at Mohali? Hope it brings back some unforgettable memories for you.” Afridi spoke about the post on his YouTube channel and said that they had a conversation about it and everything is fine between them.

“Suresh Raina and I have shared many cricketing moments, and he’s a good person,” Afridi said.

“Sometimes, lighthearted banter happens. After seeing his post on social media, I spoke with him, and he understood the situation like a younger brother. He agreed to delete the tweet. It’s all good; these things happen. Great individuals acknowledge and rectify their mistakes,” he added.

Earlier, Raina took a hilarious dig at Afridi during the IPL 2024 while answering a question from Aakash Chopra on commentary. Chopra asked Raina if he had any plans of reversing his retirement decision and Raina answered in jest – “I am Suresh Raina, not Shahid Afridi.”

The conversation went viral on social media resulting in mixed reactions from the fans.

Afridi joins an illustrious group of ambassadors, featuring India stalwart Yuvraj Singh, ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle and the fastest man on earth Usain Bolt. Afridi is synonymous with Pakistan’s most memorable moments in T20 World Cup history. He played a pivotal role in their journey to the final in the inaugural tournament in 2007 and their triumph in the 2009 edition.

(With ANI inputs)