Cricket

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam's recent batting struggles have sparked widespread criticism, with his performance in the first Test against Bangladesh drawing particular scrutiny. Azam's scores of 0 and 22 contributed to Pakistan's dramatic batting collapse on the final day, resulting in a 10-wicket defeat.The loss marked Bangladesh's first-ever Test victory over Pakistan, prompting former captain Ramiz Raja to express his disappointment on his YouTube channel. Raja lamented the team's inability to maintain consistency and questioned Azam's form."It seems the entire country doesn't have a problem with anything except the form of Babar Azam," Raja said. "Cricket is in our blood, but I don't know for how long if we continue to lose matches like this in Test cricket."Pakistan conceded a 117-run lead to Bangladesh in the first innings and were then bowled out for just 146 on day five, leaving the visitors with a mere 30 runs to chase for victory. Saud Shakel (141) and Mohammad Rizwan (171 not out) had earlier starred in Pakistan's first-innings total of 448 for 6 declared.However, Bangladesh's veteran Mushfiqur Rahim's epic 191 and contributions throughout the batting card helped the visitors post 565 all out in response.Raja emphasized the importance of success in building fan following and acknowledged Azam's past achievements. However, he also highlighted the intense scrutiny that comes with being a high-profile player in the era of social media."When you lose a match and you haven't scored runs, and if you are Babar Azam, then you become a headline," Raja said. "This is the era of social media, where anyone can criticize and ridicule anyone."Raja advised Azam to avoid social media, stay in the moment, and focus on his batting technique. He suggested that Azam work on his footwork, practice hook and pull shots, and play with a positive intent."Scoring runs is one thing, but is he happy with the way he is batting?" Raja asked. "The last innings he played, he was bowled off an inside-edge. It means your bat angles are not right, you lose your frame because you aren't spending much time on the crease."Raja emphasized the importance of mental toughness and the need for Azam to forget past failures and focus on the present moment. He also stressed the critical role of character in overcoming adversity.

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood's frustration boiled over in the dressing room during the third day of the first Rawalpindi Test against Bangladesh. A video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, shows Masood engaged in an animated discussion with head coach Jason Gillespie, a legendary Australian pacer.While the exact reason for Masood's anger is unclear, fans have speculated that it may have been related to Babar Azam's dropped catch on the fourth day of the match. However, the video of Masood's outburst is from the third day, indicating that the two incidents are unrelated.On the fourth day, Azam dropped an easy chance at leg slip off the bowling of Agha Salman, giving Mushfiqur Rahim a reprieve. Rahim went on to score a brilliant 191, giving Bangladesh an outside chance of a maiden victory over Pakistan.The dropped catch has raised questions about Azam's form and focus, as he has struggled with the bat in recent matches. Masood's outburst, meanwhile, highlights the pressure and frustration that the Pakistan team is facing in this crucial Test match.Pakistan, who have lost 12 of their 13 Tests against Bangladesh, are trailing by 94 runs after Bangladesh posted a first-innings total of 565. The home team will need to bat well in their second innings to avoid defeat and level the series.

Babar Azam's Return to Test Captaincy Demanded by Fans Amidst Pakistan's StrugglesBabar Azam, the star Pakistani batter, has emerged as the popular choice among fans to reclaim his former role as Test captain, despite not currently holding the position. During the third day of the first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, a video captured the crowd's fervent support for Babar's return to leadership.The video, which has gone viral on social media, showcases the spectators' unwavering admiration for the talented batsman. The stump microphone clearly recorded the crowd's chant, which reverberated through the stadium: "Humara Kaptaan Kaisa Ho? Babar Azam Jaisa Ho."Babar's decision to step down as Pakistan's captain across all formats came after a disappointing performance in the ODI World Cup held in India last year. Shaheen Afridi, who took over as the new skipper, faced challenges and was subsequently removed from the role. Babar was then reinstated as the leader of the Men in Green in the white-ball formats.Meanwhile, Shan Masood remains the captain of Pakistan's red-ball team but is yet to secure his maiden victory in the longest format of the game.The match between Pakistan and Bangladesh witnessed a spirited fightback from the visitors, with four of their top seven batters scoring defiant fifties. Bangladesh reached 316-5 in response to Pakistan's 448-6 declared.Babar Azam's potential return to Test captaincy has sparked discussions among fans and experts. Some believe that his experience and leadership qualities would benefit the team, while others argue that it may disrupt the current setup.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet made any official announcement regarding Babar's future as Test captain. However, the crowd's enthusiastic support for his return is a clear indication of his popularity and the high regard in which he is held by Pakistani cricket fans.

Pakistan Faces Early Setback in Rain-Delayed Test Against BangladeshPakistan's hopes of a strong start in the first Test against Bangladesh were dashed as they lost three crucial wickets in quick succession after being sent to bat first in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam proved to be the tormentor-in-chief, claiming the prized scalps of Pakistan captain Shan Masood and star batter Babar Azam for a duck. Masood's dismissal sparked controversy as he engaged in a heated discussion with the umpires, adamant that he had not edged the ball to the keeper. However, replays confirmed the umpire's decision, leaving Masood visibly upset.Shoriful's delivery, pitched on a back of a length, generated a steep bounce, causing Masood to attempt a defensive push towards mid-off. Bangladeshi players appealed, and the umpire initially ruled in Masood's favor. However, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain opted for a review, which proved successful as the ultra-edge technology revealed a clear deflection.Pakistan's batting woes continued as Azam, the world's top-ranked batter, was dismissed for a duck in the following over. Shoriful again struck, this time with a delivery that swung away from Azam and clipped the outside edge of his bat.The early wickets put Pakistan in a precarious position, with the team's hopes resting on the shoulders of middle-order batters Azhar Ali and Fawad Alam. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their early success and will look to capitalize on Pakistan's fragile batting lineup.The two-match series is part of the nine-team World Test Championship, with Pakistan currently sixth in the standings and Bangladesh eighth. Pakistan opted for an all-pace attack with four fast bowlers, while Bangladesh included three pacers and two spinners.

Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Pakistan Aim to Extend Dominance in RawalpindiPakistan and Bangladesh will lock horns in the opening Test of their two-match series in Rawalpindi, with the hosts aiming to continue their unbeaten run against their rivals in the longest format.Pakistan has a commanding 12-0 head-to-head record against Bangladesh in Test cricket, having never lost a single encounter. The Bangla Tigers, however, will be buoyed by their recent series victory over New Zealand, while Pakistan suffered a defeat to Australia in their last Test outing.Despite the contrasting results, Pakistan remains the favorite heading into the series. Led by Shan Masood, the hosts boast a strong batting lineup featuring the likes of Babar Azam, Azhar Ali, and Fawad Alam. The bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali, is also formidable.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be looking to break their losing streak against Pakistan and make a statement in the Test arena. The team has shown signs of improvement in recent times, and they will be hoping to challenge the hosts in Rawalpindi.The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Pakistan will be confident of extending their dominance, while Bangladesh will be determined to prove that they are no longer the underdogs in Test cricket.

Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to face off in a two-match Test series, with the first Test scheduled to begin on August 21, 2024, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The series marks Pakistan's resumption of their World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle, where they currently sit sixth in the standings.For Pakistan, two wins in this series are crucial to improve their position in the WTC rankings. Star batter Babar Azam, who has been in exceptional form, will bat at number four in the series. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will enter the game after experiencing political turmoil in their country. They currently occupy eighth place in the WTC standings, having won only one match out of four so far.The first Test match will commence at 10:30 AM IST on August 21st. Unfortunately, the match will not be live telecast in India. However, fans can follow the live streaming of the match on the official website of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Pakistan will be eager to start their WTC campaign on a positive note, while Bangladesh will be determined to prove their mettle against a formidable opponent. The series promises to be an exciting contest between two talented teams.

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam is set to bat at number four in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, according to sources. This decision comes after concerns were raised about the team's fitness following their disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup 2024.Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt has praised Azam's fitness and consistency, highlighting his impressive run-scoring record over the past two years. Butt emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness, especially after the criticism the team faced for their poor performance at the T20 World Cup.The two-match Test series against Bangladesh will mark the first assignment for Pakistan's new Test coach, Jason Gillespie. The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21, while the second Test will be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that spectators will not be allowed during the second Test match in Karachi due to ongoing renovations at the National Stadium.The Pakistan squad for the Test series includes:* Shan Masood (captain)* Saud Shakeel* Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness)* Abdullah Shafique* Abrar Ahmed* Babar Azam* Kamran Ghulam* Khurram Shahzad* Mir Hamza* Mohammad Ali* Muhammad Hurraira* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Saim Ayub* Salman Ali Agha* Sarfaraz Ahmed* Shaheen Shah AfridiThe Bangladesh squad for the Test series includes:* Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)* Mahmudullah* Zakir Hasan* Shadman Islam* Mominul Haque* Mushfiqur Rahim* Shakib Al Hasan* Litton Das* Mehidy Hasan Miraz* Taijul Islam* Nazmul Hossain* Nurul Hasan* Ebadot Hossain* Hasan Mahmud* Taskin Ahmed* Khaled Ahmed

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam faced a challenging net session ahead of the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, as pacer Khurram Shahzad rattled him with an inswinging delivery that struck him near the abdominal region. The incident, captured on video and shared on social media, has sparked concern among fans.Shahzad's delivery left Azam visibly in pain, and he struggled to time the ball effectively throughout the session. The video shows Azam getting clean bowled on the very next delivery he faced from the same bowler.The incident occurred during a training session in Rawalpindi, where the Pakistan team is preparing for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting August 21. The series will mark the first assignment for Jason Gillespie as Pakistan's Test coach.Pakistan has opted for a pace-heavy lineup for the series, with five fast bowlers and just one frontline spinner, Abrar Ahmed. Saud Shakeel has been appointed as the new vice-captain.The Pakistan squad for the Test series includes: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Their squad includes Mahmudullah, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, and Khaled Ahmed.The first Test will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from August 21 to August 25, while the second Test will be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3. Spectators will not be allowed during the second Test due to ongoing renovations at Karachi's National Stadium.

Pakistan's former cricketer Salman Butt has lauded Babar Azam's fitness and consistent performance over the past two years. Butt emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness, especially after Pakistan's disappointing performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup.Sources have revealed that Babar Azam will bat at number four in Pakistan's upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Captain Shan Masood will bat at number three, while Abdullah Shafique's position as opener remains secure.Butt praised Azam's ability to score runs in both the first and second innings, demonstrating his fitness and adaptability. He expressed concern over the team's fitness issues, which have been a topic of discussion since the T20 World Cup.The two-match Test series against Bangladesh will commence on August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Jason Gillespie will make his debut as Pakistan's Test coach during the series. The second Test will be played in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.Due to ongoing renovations at the National Stadium in Karachi, spectators will not be allowed during the second Test match.