Cricket

The ongoing saga surrounding the Champions Trophy has once again ignited tensions between India and Pakistan, two cricketing giants with a long and complex history. Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has openly criticized India's stance on the tournament, accusing them of making "false promises" and prioritizing non-cricket concerns.Shahzad's frustration stems from India's reluctance to play in Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He believes that Pakistan has consistently praised India's performances on the field, but India has not reciprocated this gesture by supporting Pakistan's hosting of major events."Pakistan now needs to step forward and clarify its stance," Shahzad said on Pakistani channel Geo News. "We've known for a long time that India are making false promises. Whenever they play well, we praise them because they deserve it. But when it comes to this issue (coming to Pakistan), India have been lying for a long time."Shahzad's comments have been met with support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is reportedly preparing to challenge the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision. The PCB plans to question the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the rationale behind the BCCI's stance.The ICC now faces a difficult task in finding a solution that satisfies both parties. One option is to move the tournament out of Pakistan entirely, potentially to South Africa or the UAE. However, Pakistan has reportedly threatened to withdraw from the Champions Trophy if hosting rights are removed.The dispute has escalated to a point where it could have significant implications for the future of India-Pakistan cricket relations. The ICC must tread carefully to avoid further damage to one of the most intense rivalries in the sport.

Sanju Samson's T20 Heroics Earn Praise from Pakistan's Ahmad ShahzadIndian wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson's scintillating performance in the first T20I against South Africa has garnered widespread admiration, including from Pakistan's Ahmad Shahzad. Shahzad, a former Pakistani opener, took to his YouTube channel to express his awe at Samson's match-winning knock.Samson's blistering innings of 107 runs off just 50 balls, featuring 10 towering sixes and seven boundaries, left an indelible mark on the match. His relentless aggression kept the South African bowlers at bay, with Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee struggling to contain his onslaught.Shahzad was particularly impressed by Samson's consistency, highlighting his consecutive centuries in international matches. "Scoring two consecutive centuries in international matches is no small feat," Shahzad remarked. "If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it. But Sanju has set this record for himself, and that's a huge deal for his career."The Pakistani batter believes that Samson's recent performances warrant greater recognition and regular opportunities. "He now deserves all the respect from India," Shahzad asserted. "Scoring two centuries in two matches is not easy, and by doing it, he's pretty much saying, 'Kyun hila dala na (Hey, ain't you surprised?)'"Samson's innings propelled India to a commanding 61-run victory in the opening T20I. South Africa, chasing a daunting target of 203, were unable to match India's firepower, managing only 141 all out in under 18 overs.Samson's record-breaking knock has placed him among the elite in T20I cricket. He joins the likes of Gustav McKeon, Rilee Rossouw, and Phil Salt as players to have scored consecutive hundreds in the format. Additionally, with his three 50+ scores, Samson now stands alongside top Indian wicket-keepers in T20 history, outpacing even MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant in this regard.As India prepare for the second T20I against South Africa on Sunday, Samson's performance has raised expectations and cemented his status as a key player in the team's T20 setup.

Pakistan's humiliating 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Rawalpindi has sparked outrage among fans and former players alike. Ahmad Shahzad, a veteran Pakistani cricketer, has taken to social media to criticize Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his handling of the team.Shahzad questioned Naqvi's understanding of cricket and expressed disappointment with his leadership decisions. He highlighted Pakistan's historic first-ever Test defeat to Bangladesh as a testament to Naqvi's ineffectiveness."This is what happens if you don't make changes in time. You got scared and you did not make decisions," Shahzad tweeted.Shahzad continued his criticism by questioning Naqvi's effectiveness since assuming the role of PCB chairman earlier this year. "I was told that Mohsin Naqvi was a brave, resolute, and shrewd man with extreme power when he became the PCB chief. It was being said that if anyone could change the PCB, it would be Naqvi. But we have not seen it yet, and whatever he has done so far, this much is clear that Mohsin Naqvi has absolutely no idea about cricket," Shahzad wrote.Naqvi took over the PCB with promises of significant changes following Pakistan's disappointing performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, especially after their loss to India. However, Shahzad pointed out that Naqvi's promises of reform have not materialized."When you lost to India in the T20 World Cup 2024, to keep people quiet, you said that you will do a surgery on Pakistan cricket. But you failed to do it. You lied to people just like others in the past. What did you think? That you would buy time? That after you beat Bangladesh in the Test series, people will go a little quiet and then you will implement your changes, but that did not happen," he said.The defeat has increased scrutiny on Pakistan's cricket setup, as they have now lost four consecutive Test matches, including a 3-0 series whitewash against Australia earlier this year. Their last home Test win was against South Africa in early 2021. These ongoing struggles have led to growing frustration among fans and commentators, questioning the direction of the team under current management.Shahzad also criticized the enduring influence of certain individuals within Pakistan cricket, suggesting a stagnation in the sport's governance. "The people that have been running Pakistan cricket for the last 12-15 years, they are still calling the shots. It has culminated in Bangladesh beating Pakistan for the first time in a Test match. I have never seen this in my life," he remarked.

The Indian cricket team's triumph in the T20 World Cup has garnered global acclaim, with former Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad hailing Virat Kohli's pivotal role in the victory.In a thrilling final against South Africa, Kohli showcased his match-winning prowess with a 59-ball 76, earning him the Man of the Match award. Despite a modest performance throughout the tournament, Kohli's timely contribution proved decisive.Shahzad emphasized Kohli's unwavering enthusiasm and his ability to inspire his teammates. He noted that Kohli's celebration of wickets from long-on and long-off demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the team's success."Virat Kohli is a legend of our generation," Shahzad declared. "He has always played his cricket with enthusiasm. Even in his last match, someone else was taking wickets and he was celebrating at long-on, long-off."Shahzad further asserted that Kohli's innings was indispensable to India's victory. "He didn't score runs in the whole World Cup but as destiny would have it, he scored runs in the final when one else scored and had Virat not scored in that final, India wouldn't have won."Shahzad dismissed comparisons between Kohli and other cricketers, including Babar Azam. "There is no one like Virat Kohli, let alone me, let alone anybody else," he stated. "He has an amazing strike rate and average in ICC tournaments. So he shouldn't be compared to anyone."Kohli's retirement from T20I cricket marks the end of an illustrious career in the shortest format. He amassed 4,188 runs in 125 matches, including one century and 38 half-centuries. In T20 World Cups, he accumulated 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, making him the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer.

Pakistan's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup has sparked widespread criticism, with former cricketer Ahmad Shahzad expressing his dismay. The 2009 champions were eliminated after their match against Ireland was abandoned, allowing the USA to advance to the Super Eights stage.Pakistan's elimination marks their earliest exit from the T20 World Cup, having previously reached the tournament's final four on all but two occasions. Their only victory in the tournament came against Canada, while they suffered a defeat to India.Shahzad took to social media to voice his disappointment, stating that Pakistan did not deserve to qualify for the Super Eights. He criticized the team's reliance on Ireland to defeat the USA, emphasizing that they should have taken their fate into their own hands.The USA's qualification for the Super Eights is a significant achievement for an associate team. It marks the seventh instance of an associate team progressing from the group stage to the Super stage in T20 World Cups.The Super Eights, which begins on Wednesday, will be divided into two groups. Each team will play three games to determine their chances of reaching the semifinals.Pakistan's elimination has raised questions about the team's performance and the future of Pakistani cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now under pressure to address the team's shortcomings and improve their performance in future tournaments.