Cricket

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign has come to an abrupt end after two consecutive losses to India and the United States. This disappointing exit has sparked outrage among fans and former players, including Danish Kaneria.Kaneria expressed his dismay at the team's performance, calling it "a shameful thing in the history of Pakistan cricket." He criticized the team's management for neglecting talented players and relying heavily on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan."There are tons of players who have been making headlines with their performances but are not getting a chance to play for the national team," Kaneria said. "Players like Ahmed Jamal and Shahnawaz Dahani who performed well are not getting opportunities."Kaneria also questioned the appointment of Gary Kirsten as Pakistan's coach, arguing that he needs more time to understand the team's dynamics and the political landscape."Gary will need a lot of time to understand the politics and accordingly, he will start working," Kaneria said.He criticized the team's decision to refuse warm-up games in the United States, where the World Cup is being held."You are going to play the World Cup despite knowing the fact that it's in the USA, we have never played cricket here, and it requires a lot of time to get used to the conditions," Kaneria said.Kaneria expressed frustration with the team's reliance on Azam and Rizwan, who have failed to deliver in major tournaments."They only score runs against teams like Zimbabwe and Ireland, and then they start comparing Babar Azam with Virat Kohli," Kaneria said.Kaneria's comments reflect the widespread disappointment and anger among Pakistan cricket fans. The team's exit from the World Cup has raised serious questions about the future of Pakistan cricket and the need for significant changes in the team's management and selection process.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment, with the team failing to qualify for the Super Eight stage. Following their underwhelming performance, skipper Babar Azam and five other players have opted to extend their stay in London before returning home.Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Azam Khan will join Azam in London for a brief vacation. The players intend to spend time with loved ones and potentially participate in local cricket leagues in the UK.Meanwhile, head coach Gary Kirsten and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood will return to their respective homes, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted them leave due to the lack of upcoming engagements.Pakistan's T20 World Cup journey was marred by inconsistent performances. They suffered defeats to India and the United States before narrowly defeating Canada. Their tournament ended with a three-wicket victory over Ireland, but it was not enough to secure a Super Eight berth.India and the USA finished first and second in Group A, respectively, while Pakistan finished third with four points from four matches.Despite their disappointing World Cup campaign, Pakistan has a busy schedule ahead. They are set to host Bangladesh for a two-match Test series in August, followed by a tour of England in October.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked a humorous debate by suggesting that Pakistan's struggling captain, Babar Azam, should be replaced by former Pakistan cricketer and ex-PCB chairman Ramiz Raja. Manjrekar's tongue-in-cheek remark came during a discussion on Star Sports about Pakistan's disappointing performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they failed to advance beyond the group stage.Manjrekar's suggestion stems from Raja's successful tenure as PCB chairman from September 2021 to December 2022. Under Raja's leadership, Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup and the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup. Manjrekar quipped, "Maybe he can become a CEO for the team, who knows? Babar Azam could be replaced by Ramiz Raja as captain. He still looks fit."Manjrekar's playful suggestion highlights the growing criticism surrounding Babar Azam's captaincy. Many experts have called for his removal, citing Pakistan's recent struggles and Azam's inconsistent performances.Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar also weighed in on Pakistan's unpredictable nature. "You can never tell what is going to happen (with Pakistan)," said Gavaskar. "Babar was the captain six months ago in the ODI World Cup, and then he was removed. Shaheen Shah Afridi came for about two or three months, but they didn't have a good tour of New Zealand, and Babar comes back again."The saga surrounding Pakistan's captaincy is likely to continue in the coming weeks. The team's disappointing performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup has raised questions about the future of Babar Azam as captain.

Singer Chahat Fateh Ali Khan, renowned for his viral hit "Bado Badi," has expressed his aspiration to become the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Khan believes that he can guide the team back to success after their disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup.The current PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, also holds the position of Interior Minister. Khan suggests that Naqvi should relinquish the PCB chairmanship to him, citing Naqvi's other significant responsibilities."I am confident that I can lead the PCB and the cricket team on the right path," Khan stated. "If appointed chairman, I would personally monitor player performances and coaching four days a week. Discipline will be paramount, and I will not tolerate any interference."Khan emphasized that his offer is not a criticism of Naqvi but rather a suggestion to delegate the PCB chairmanship to someone who can fully focus on the team's progress.Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign ended with a narrow victory over Ireland, but the team's overall performance was underwhelming. Babar Azam's unbeaten 32 saved Pakistan from further embarrassment, but the team had previously suffered a shock defeat to the United States and a heavy loss to India.Khan's proposal has sparked mixed reactions. Some fans support his ambition, believing that his passion and determination could benefit the team. Others question his qualifications and experience in cricket administration.Regardless of the outcome, Khan's offer highlights the frustration and concern among Pakistani cricket fans. They are eager for a change in leadership and a return to the team's former glory.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has criticized Babar Azam for accepting the captaincy role after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) removed Shaheen Afridi from the position following a disappointing series loss in New Zealand. Afridi believes that Babar should have supported Shaheen and declined the offer to lead the team at the T20 World Cup, arguing that it would have earned him respect.Afridi's comments stem from the PCB's decision to appoint Shaheen as captain for the New Zealand series, only to remove him after a 4-1 defeat. Babar, who had resigned as captain after the ODI World Cup last year, was then reappointed for the T20 World Cup. However, Pakistan's failure to progress beyond the group stage has led to scrutiny of Babar's leadership.Afridi contends that Babar should have prioritized Shaheen's development as captain and supported him through the difficult period. He believes that Babar could have set an example by demonstrating loyalty and unity within the team."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'," Afridi said on his YouTube channel.Afridi also criticized the PCB's handling of the captaincy situation, suggesting that some selectors had questioned Babar's abilities as a leader. He labeled Babar as a "pathetic" skipper, highlighting the lack of support he received from within the selection committee."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," Afridi added.Afridi's comments have reignited the debate over Pakistan's captaincy, with many questioning whether Babar is the right man to lead the team. The PCB will need to carefully consider its options and make a decision that is in the best interests of Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan's cricket captain, Babar Azam, faces an uncertain future following the team's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup. Despite recently reassuming the captaincy, Babar has come under intense scrutiny for the team's performance.Babar has stated that he will not make any decisions regarding his captaincy until after meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to review the World Cup. He emphasized that he had previously relinquished the captaincy due to personal reasons and that the PCB's decision to reinstate him was their own.When asked about his responsibility for the team's early exit, Babar acknowledged that the team's performance was a collective failure. He stressed that he cannot play in every player's place and that all 11 players have a role to play.Babar refused to single out any individual for blame, stating that the fault lies with the entire team. He expressed disappointment in the team's inability to meet expectations and acknowledged that they had not played well as a unit.Babar emphasized that he will provide feedback to the PCB decision-makers and that the ultimate decision regarding his captaincy rests with them. He reiterated that he will not hide behind anything and will announce any decision openly.The PCB has not yet made any official statement regarding Babar's future as captain. However, the team's performance in the World Cup has raised questions about his leadership and the direction of Pakistan's white-ball teams.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment as they crashed out of the tournament despite a consolation victory over Ireland. Captain Babar Azam expressed regret over the team's mistakes in crucial matches against India and the United States.Babar played a key role in Pakistan's chase of 107 against Ireland, remaining unbeaten on 32. However, the pursuit was far from smooth, with Pakistan nearly squandering the opportunity to secure the win."We made few mistakes in the matches against the USA and India. When you lose wickets, the pressure is on you," Babar said. "We couldn't finish off close games, and as a team we weren't good."Pakistan's tournament started with defeats against India and the USA, but they managed to bounce back with wins against Canada and Ireland. Despite the early setbacks, Babar expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, particularly their ability to conclude the tournament on a positive note."We took early wickets with the ball. But with the bat, we didn't finish well. We lost back-to-back wickets, but got over the line in the end."Babar acknowledged that Pakistan need to bounce back swiftly from this setback. However, he remained uncertain about his future as the team's skipper."Let's see, what team needs, I'll be okay with it. We have a good bunch of players, we've to go home, chat and see where we lacked, and then come back," he added.Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who received the player of the match award, admitted that throughout the tournament, the team failed to exhibit the appropriate style of cricket that was expected of them."We haven't played the kind of cricket our country demands, have a few areas to improve on. It's tough (the result)," said Afridi.Ireland captain Paul Stirling admitted that the team struggled to find the optimal combination of players throughout the tournament."It's getting that balance right. T20...we probably haven't got that this time around. It's been a difficult couple of weeks. We'll go back, regroup and see if we can come back stronger," he noted.

Pakistan's Babar Azam has etched his name into the annals of T20 World Cup history by surpassing legendary MS Dhoni as the tournament's leading run-scorer among captains. During Pakistan's narrow three-wicket victory over Ireland in Lauderhill, United States, Babar's unbeaten 32 propelled him to the top of the all-time list.Despite chasing a modest target of 107, Pakistan's batting woes continued as they stumbled to 62 for six in 11 overs. However, Babar and Abbas Afridi's crucial 33-run partnership rescued the team, guiding them to a hard-fought victory.Babar's remarkable achievement is a testament to his exceptional leadership and batting prowess. With 549 runs in just 17 innings, he has established himself as a formidable force in the T20 format. His elegant stroke play, impeccable timing, and ability to handle pressure have made him a cornerstone of Pakistan's batting lineup.Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, remains a revered figure in the game. His 529 runs in 29 innings as captain showcase his finishing prowess and strategic acumen. Dhoni's calm demeanor and ability to guide India through tight contests made him one of the most feared finishers in the world.New Zealand's Kane Williamson, with 527 runs in 19 innings, is another notable name on the list. His tactical brilliance and ability to adapt to different match situations have been key to New Zealand's success. Williamson's composed and technically sound batting style has made him a reliable leader and a vital run-scorer for his team.Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene, with 360 runs in just 11 innings, showcased his class and elegance. Despite playing fewer matches, his impact was profound, often leading from the front and guiding his team through challenging phases with his experience and skill.South Africa's Graeme Smith, with 352 runs in 16 innings, rounds off this elite group. Smith's aggressive and fearless approach set the tone for his team, providing quick starts and building solid foundations for South Africa's innings.These captains have demonstrated remarkable skill and composure under pressure, etching their names into the history of the T20 World Cup with substantial run tallies. Babar Azam's achievement is a testament to his exceptional leadership and batting prowess, solidifying his status as one of the greatest T20 players of all time.

Legendary Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has launched a scathing attack on Pakistan captain Babar Azam, urging him to consider retiring from T20 cricket. Srikkanth's criticism stems from Azam's poor form and slow approach in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024."I don't think Babar should play T20 cricket," Srikkanth said on Star Sports. "You can't do this tuk-tuking all the time. They say Babar scored 4,000 runs like Virat or Rohit, but his strike rate is only 112-115. What are you talking about?"Srikkanth's comments come after Pakistan's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup. The team suffered consecutive defeats in their opening games against the USA and India, failing to qualify for the Super 8 stage.Azam's captaincy has also come under scrutiny. Sources have indicated that Shan Masood will retain the Test captaincy for Pakistan's upcoming series against Bangladesh, while Jason Gillespie will take over as the red-ball head coach.Azam's brief tenure as T20I captain ended in April this year after a 4-1 series defeat to New Zealand. He was reinstated as the white-ball skipper before the T20 World Cup, but the team's poor performance has led to renewed calls for his removal.Srikkanth's criticism is not the first time Azam's approach has been questioned. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has also expressed concerns about his slow batting style."Babar Azam is a very good player, but he needs to improve his strike rate," Afridi said. "He needs to be more aggressive and take more risks."It remains to be seen whether Azam will heed the advice of his critics and make changes to his game. However, it is clear that his captaincy and batting form are under intense scrutiny.