Cricket

Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has vehemently denied allegations that the families of players and coaching staff traveled with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) team at the board's expense. Mahmood has threatened legal action against those responsible for spreading these "false allegations."The allegations surfaced on social media, sparking widespread speculation. Mahmood took to Twitter to denounce the claims, stating that "this culture of falsely accusing and misleading people to believe a false narrative is now getting ridiculous and dangerous." He emphasized that "speaking without evidence and misconstruing facts is a criminal offense."Mahmood's statement comes amid a string of controversies surrounding the Pakistan team following their disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup. The team crashed out of the group stage, losing to hosts USA in the points table.Mahmood expressed his dismay at the spread of falsehoods for personal gain. "Pursuing an increase in followers and media attention by spreading falsehoods is downright unacceptable," he said. He vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible for making false allegations against him and his family.Mahmood's statement follows reports that captain Babar Azam will also take legal action against former cricketers and YouTubers who have accused him of misconduct during the tournament.The PCB has not yet commented on the allegations. However, the team's poor performance at the World Cup has raised questions about the team's management and preparation.

Pakistan's assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood, expressed surprise at the unexpected behavior of the Rawalpindi pitch during the third day of the Test match against Bangladesh. Pakistan had anticipated a seam-friendly surface, but the pitch proved to be slow and low, favoring the batters.Mahmood revealed that Pakistan's decision to field an all-pace attack was based on their belief that the pitch would aid seam bowling. However, the pitch dried out quickly, altering its characteristics. "We were hoping for pace and bounce, but the wicket dried out faster than we expected," Mahmood said.Pakistan's frustration was evident as Bangladesh ground through the early sessions, accumulating runs at a slow pace. Despite regular wickets, an unbeaten 98-run partnership between Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim dashed Pakistan's hopes of securing a substantial lead.Mahmood acknowledged that the pitch was not the sole factor in Bangladesh's success. Pakistan's bowling discipline deteriorated in the final overs, allowing the batters to score freely. "We were not disciplined enough in the last 12 overs," Mahmood admitted.The assistant coach also expressed mild bemusement at the pitch's unexpected behavior. "Anyone who looked at the wicket would have thought it would be a seaming track," Mahmood said. "We didn't make a mistake reading the pitch, it just didn't play like we thought it should."Pakistan has been working with Australian curator Tony Hemmings to improve the pitches at Rawalpindi. Mahmood indicated that they will continue to seek Hemmings' expertise to create surfaces that suit their plans.

Chris Silverwood, the former England head coach, has secured a new role as an assistant coach for the Oval Invincibles in the Hundred. Silverwood joins Tom Moody's coaching staff, replacing Azhar Mahmood, who departed to take up a full-time role with Pakistan.Silverwood's appointment comes after a brief stint with Sri Lanka, where he served as the head coach for two years. He resigned from that position following Sri Lanka's group-stage exit from the recent T20 World Cup, citing a desire to spend more time at home.Silverwood's return to English cricket marks his first coaching role since his dismissal as England head coach in early 2022. He will join Matt Walker and Jim Troughton as part of Moody's coaching staff for the Invincibles.Meanwhile, James Foster, who was previously the head coach of the Northern Superchargers, has also returned to the Hundred. He will serve as an assistant coach for the London Spirit, replacing Paul Collingwood, who is unavailable due to Test duty with England.The Spirit have also added Ali Maiden and Marc Broom to their women's coaching staff, which is led by Ashley Noffke. Maiden is a potential successor to Noffke, who is expected to step down at the end of the season.The most high-profile coaching appointment in the Hundred this year is Andrew Flintoff, who has replaced Foster as the head coach of the Superchargers. Flintoff will make his debut as a head coach in the Hundred opener against Trent Rockets on Friday night.

Pakistan's assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has expressed outrage over false allegations circulating about his family following the team's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup. Mahmood has vowed to take legal action against those responsible for spreading these baseless claims.In a statement released on social media, Mahmood condemned the "false allegations and narratives" that have been circulating. He emphasized that these claims are "entirely baseless and false" and urged people to refrain from engaging with them.Mahmood criticized the culture of spreading false accusations to gain media attention. He warned that speaking without evidence and misconstruing facts is a criminal offense and that those engaging in such behavior will face legal consequences."Pursuing an increase in followers and media attention by spreading falsehoods is downright unacceptable," Mahmood wrote. "I will be pursuing legal advice against those responsible for making these false allegations towards me and my family, and strict action will be taken accordingly."Mahmood's announcement comes after reports emerged that Pakistan captain Babar Azam is also considering legal action against YouTubers and former cricketers who accused him of misconduct during the T20 World Cup campaign. The Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly collecting evidence related to these statements.The allegations against Mahmood and Azam have sparked outrage among Pakistani fans and cricket enthusiasts. Many have condemned the spread of false information and called for accountability.Mahmood's decision to take legal action sends a strong message that false accusations will not be tolerated. It is hoped that this will deter others from engaging in such behavior and help to create a more responsible and ethical media culture.

Pakistan's assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood, has downplayed concerns over the strike rate of star batters Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan, emphasizing that the team's primary issue lies in losing wickets after establishing partnerships.Ahead of Pakistan's crucial T20 World Cup match against Canada, Mahmood addressed the media, stating that the team's batting performance has been hindered by a lack of sustained partnerships. "The problem is that your partnership is established, you get a platform set, and then in the ten to fifteen over period, you lose your wickets," he explained.Mahmood highlighted the importance of maintaining partnerships in T20 cricket, as they can significantly impact the outcome of a match. "If you get a partnership, because T20 format is a short format - so even if you set one partnership it can win the game. You have control of the game," he said.Despite Pakistan's disappointing start to the tournament, losing to both the USA and India, Mahmood remains optimistic. He acknowledged that the team needs a bit of luck in a big tournament and that their strategies have not yet yielded the desired results."It is very important - shot selection and decision-making. If you take the right decision at the right time, that will benefit you. It can come from nerves, or the fear of failure also - because until you do not have calmness - and until your body is tight, your decisions will be wrong," he said.Mahmood also dismissed suggestions that Pakistan's players are not following proper dietary plans, emphasizing that all teams in the world adhere to such regimens. "When we lose, we feel that we are not following this, we are not following that. If we had won, you would not be asking me this question," he added.

Pakistan's assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood, has vehemently denied allegations of a rift between captain Babar Azam and star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. Mahmood dismissed former captain Wasim Akram's claims that the duo is not on speaking terms as "false."Mahmood criticized those who believe cricketers should be isolated and dwell on their losses. He emphasized that the team's recent six-run defeat to India was a collective failure, not the fault of any individual.Rumors of a divide within the Pakistan team, with one faction led by Babar and another by Shaheen, have been circulating. However, Mahmood refuted these claims, stating that Shaheen and Babar are close friends and integral members of the team.The team management has taken responsibility for the players' absence from press conferences after losses. Mahmood explained that the support staff is equally accountable for addressing the media and providing explanations for the team's performances."We are not hiding any players," Mahmood asserted. "We are a team, and we are not delivering. That's why I'm sitting here."Mahmood also addressed the controversy surrounding a video showing Babar, Wahab Riaz, and himself dining at a New York restaurant after Pakistan's defeat to India. He defended the players' actions, stating that they needed time to relax and de-stress after a disappointing loss."We are a very emotional nation," Mahmood said. "If you lose a match, your life is not over. Our players are not like that. They need time to relax their minds."Mahmood emphasized that the team is focused on improving their performance and preparing for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. He urged fans to support the team and avoid spreading rumors that could damage team morale.