Cricket

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign has been marred by inconsistency and internal divisions, leaving their Super Eight qualification hopes hanging by a thread.Captain Babar Azam's leadership has come under scrutiny, with reports of two factions within the team: one led by Azam, Mohammed Rizwan, and Shadab Khan, and another including recently sacked Shaheen Shah Afridi. This lack of unity has contributed to Pakistan's poor performances on the field.In their opening match against the USA, Pakistan failed to defend a total of 159, losing in a Super Over. Against India, they were restricted to 113 for 7 while chasing a modest target of 120.Pakistan's qualification chances now rest on defeating Canada and Ireland by large margins and hoping that the USA loses heavily to India and Ireland. However, even in this scenario, Pakistan's dismal net run rate (-0.150) compared to the USA's healthy run rate (+0.626) makes their task extremely difficult.The 2009 champions have looked far from their formidable past, with none of their departments clicking so far. Babar Azam and Shadab Khan have scored runs, but the rest of the batting lineup has struggled. The bowling attack has also been inconsistent, failing to contain opposition batters effectively.Pakistan's fate now lies in the hands of other teams and a stroke of luck. They must win their remaining matches convincingly and hope for favorable results elsewhere to keep their Super Eight hopes alive.

Pakistan vs. Canada: A Clash of Titans in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to witness a thrilling encounter between Pakistan and Canada at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 11 at 08:00 PM IST. Both teams will be eager to secure a victory in this crucial match.Pakistan's journey in the tournament has been challenging thus far, having lost both of their opening matches. However, they remain a formidable opponent with a star-studded lineup. Canada, on the other hand, has had a mixed performance, winning one match and losing the other.The last time these two teams met was in the Canada Cup Four Nation 20/20 in 2008, where Pakistan emerged victorious by 35 runs. Pakistan will be looking to maintain their dominance, while Canada will be determined to pull off an upset.Pakistan's recent performance against India was a close encounter, with the team narrowly losing by six runs. Naseem Shah was the standout performer for Pakistan, accumulating 115 fantasy points due to his impressive bowling performance.Canada, in their latest outing, secured a victory against Ireland by 12 runs. Nicholas Kirton shone for Canada, scoring 76 fantasy points for his all-round contribution.Players to Watch Out For:Pakistan:* Shaheen Afridi: A left-arm fast bowler who has been a consistent wicket-taker.* Babar Azam: A top-order right-handed batter who has been reliable with the bat.* Mohammad Rizwan: A top-order right-handed batter and wicketkeeper who adds value to the team.Canada:* Kaleem Sana: A left-arm medium-fast bowler who has been in excellent form.* Nicholas Kirton: A top-order left-handed batter who has been a vital part of Canada's batting lineup.* Dilon Heyliger: A right-arm medium bowler who has taken nine wickets in his last five matches.Conclusion:As both teams prepare for this important clash, fans can expect a thrilling contest filled with competitive cricket. Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from their recent losses, while Canada will be aiming to continue their impressive run. The match promises to be a close and exciting affair, with both teams having the potential to emerge victorious.

Pakistan's disappointing performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup has sparked outrage among fans, experts, and former players. The team's narrow defeat to archrivals India has raised questions about captain Babar Azam's leadership and the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision-making.Chasing India's modest total of 119, Pakistan appeared to be cruising towards victory, needing just 47 runs with eight wickets in hand. However, India's bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah (3 for 14) led a remarkable comeback, restricting Pakistan to 113 for 7 and securing a six-run victory.The defeat has intensified the scrutiny on Babar Azam, who has been criticized for his conservative approach and lack of aggression. Former Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad has accused Babar of bias and questioned his ability to lead the team to success."Ever since Babar became captain, we have been losing to mediocre teams," Shehzad said. "The kind of progress that was going on, these things were on the cards and bound to happen someday."Shehzad also criticized the team's performance against weaker opponents, accusing them of "fooling the people" with their victories. He pointed to Babar's poor record in big tournaments, highlighting his average of 27 and strike rate of 112."Your (Babar) scores in big competitions...your average is 27 and strike rate is 112. And 1400 of your runs have come in a losing cause, which is at No. 3 in the world in that list. So these stats are of which king, tell me that?" Shehzad said.The former batsman also accused Babar of favoritism, claiming that he selects players based on personal relationships rather than merit."You have fooled the entire public. You are making a team with your friends, keeping your friends in the team," Shehzad said.Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the next round now rest on their upcoming match against Canada on June 11. The team will need to secure a convincing victory to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign has hit a major roadblock after two consecutive losses, prompting head coach Gary Kirsten to issue a stern warning to his players. Kirsten emphasized the need for improvement, stating that players risk being left behind if they fail to adapt to the evolving demands of the game.The team's struggles were evident in their recent defeat to India, where they failed to chase a modest target of 120. Kirsten acknowledged the pressure on the players but stressed that they must take responsibility for their performances. He pointed out that many of the players have extensive T20 experience and need to find ways to enhance their game.Kirsten's concerns extend to the team's batting approach, particularly the lack of intent and strike rate from openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. He expressed concerns about the team's ability to construct and structure their innings effectively.The bowling unit, while generally performing well, has been affected by the decline in Shadab Khan's legspin. Kirsten acknowledged the need for time to assess the situation but emphasized that players must continue to develop and adapt to the changing demands of the format.Former captain Wasim Akram called for a clear-out of the current team, suggesting that six to seven players be replaced. He criticized the team's performance and questioned their ability to progress to the Super 8s. Shahid Afridi also expressed disappointment, calling for changes to the batting lineup and the inclusion of Salman Ali Agha and Abrar Ahmed.Despite the setbacks, Kirsten and Afridi both emphasized that Pakistan is not out of the tournament yet. They urged the team to make tough decisions and find ways to improve their performances.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has urged the team to make significant changes following their disappointing loss to India in the T20 World Cup. Afridi believes that Pakistan's batting lineup needs a shakeup, suggesting that Fakhar Zaman should open the innings alongside Mohammad Rizwan, with skipper Babar Azam dropping down to No. 3.Afridi also called for the inclusion of Salman Ali Agha and Abrar Ahmed in the playing eleven, replacing Usman Khan and Shadab Khan respectively. He emphasized the need for consistency, self-belief, and discipline, qualities that he believes Pakistan lacked in their defeat to India.Pakistan's batting has been a major concern, with the team failing to click as a unit. Afridi criticized their weak display of power hitting, arguing that they lacked the strategy and smart cricket required to chase down India's modest total of 119.Afridi pointed to India's dominant record against Pakistan in world events, highlighting the pressure that the team faces in such high-stakes matches. He believes that Pakistan's inability to handle the pressure contributed to their defeat."On the big days, you have to have nerves of steel until you make it through," Afridi said. "India stayed positive and calm until the last ball, while Pakistan failed to handle the pressure of the run chase."Afridi's suggestions aim to address Pakistan's weaknesses and turn their fortunes around in the tournament. With a crucial must-win game against Canada on Tuesday, the team will need to make some tough decisions and find a way to regain their composure and confidence.

Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam has identified two crucial factors that contributed to their disappointing six-run defeat against India in the T20 World Cup 2024 match in New York: underutilizing the batting powerplay and accumulating too many dot balls in the middle overs."Our plan was to play cautiously and make the most of the first six overs, which would have given us a strong foundation for victory," Babar explained. "However, we lost an early wicket and failed to capitalize on the powerplay, scoring only 35 runs."After restricting India to a modest total of 119, Pakistan's batting lineup struggled to gain momentum. They managed to reach 72 for 2 after 12 overs, but a collapse ensued as Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya claimed crucial wickets."In the middle overs, we played too many dot balls and lost wickets in quick succession," Babar said. "This put us under pressure and made it difficult to chase down the target."Pakistan's inability to rotate the strike effectively and score boundaries at regular intervals proved costly. "We needed to play more aggressively and take calculated risks," Babar admitted. "But we were too cautious and allowed the Indian bowlers to control the game."With two consecutive defeats to start the tournament, Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the next round are hanging by a thread. Babar acknowledged the team's struggles but remained optimistic about their chances."We have to win our remaining two matches and hope for favorable results in other games," Babar said. "We will analyze our mistakes and make necessary adjustments to improve our performance."Pakistan will face Canada on June 11 and Ireland on June 16 in their final two Group A matches. They will need to secure victories in both games and rely on other results to determine their fate in the tournament.

India vs Pakistan: Danish Kaneria Declares Virat Kohli Superior to Babar AzamAhead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan, former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria has sparked a debate by declaring Virat Kohli as the superior player to current Pakistani captain Babar Azam.Kaneria's comments stem from ongoing comparisons between Azam and Kohli, particularly following Azam's recent performances. While acknowledging Azam's talent, Kaneria believes that Kohli's achievements and skill level are unmatched."As soon as Babar Azam scored a hundred the next day you'll see comparisons with Virat Kohli. Virat k jute k barabar bhi nahi hai (He is not even equal to Virat's shoes)," Kaneria told IANS.Kaneria pointed to Azam's performance against the USA in Pakistan's opening match of the tournament. Despite starting strongly, Azam failed to carry his team through a crucial phase of the game, getting dismissed after scoring 40 runs."USA Bowlers had him stuck, he was unable to play the bowlers. As soon as he reached 40 odd runs he got out. He should have stayed and won the game. Pakistan should have won the game one sided," Kaneria added.Kaneria also criticized Pakistan's over-reliance on their bowling strength, which he believes contributed to their loss against the USA."Whenever Pakistan come to the World Cup they keep praising their bowling and say that their bowling will win them the game but that was the reason they lost the first game,” remarked Kaneria.Looking ahead to the match between India and Pakistan, Kaneria predicted a strong victory for India."India will beat them badly. They are not capable of beating India," Kaneria said.Kaneria's comments have reignited the debate over who is the better player between Kohli and Azam. While both players have their strengths and weaknesses, Kohli's consistent performances and leadership qualities have earned him widespread recognition as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

India and Pakistan's rivalry in cricket transcends the boundaries of sport, becoming a symbol of the political tensions between the two nations. The absence of bilateral series between them only intensifies the anticipation for their encounters during ICC tournaments. The upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 match between the two teams in New York promises to be another electrifying clash.The passion surrounding India-Pakistan matches is unparalleled, with fans from both countries celebrating it like a festival. Amidst the excitement, humorous punch lines and jokes emerge, adding a touch of lightheartedness to the intense rivalry. One such line that has gained popularity is "Tel lagao Dabur ka, wicket lo Babar ka," mocking Pakistan captain Babar Azam.Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has shared his thoughts on this playful banter. "From a player's perspective, we all work hard for our countries. These banters are part of the game and bring out the emotions from both sides. Lines like 'Tel lagao Dabur ka, wicket lo Babar ka' make the competition more interesting," Pant said.Beyond the lighthearted banter, Pant also revealed an incident of sledging between him and Virat Kohli during an IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. "I was banned without doing anything. I tried to prevent it, but it was uncontrollable. Sitting outside, I thought I'd disturb their mindset. I didn't give Kohli a chance to say anything because I escaped," Pant recalled.The India-Pakistan rivalry is not just about cricket; it's a reflection of the complex relationship between two neighboring nations. The matches between them are not merely sporting events but also a platform for expressing national pride and unity. The upcoming T20 World Cup clash in New York is sure to be another unforgettable chapter in this storied rivalry.

India-Pakistan Cricket Clash: Ali Zafar's Emotional Appeal to Babar AzamThe highly anticipated India-Pakistan cricket match at the T20 World Cup in New York has ignited immense excitement and anticipation among fans on both sides of the border. Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zafar has expressed his sentiments on social media, addressing the team's recent defeat against the USA and urging captain Babar Azam to lead from the front.Zafar emphasized the importance of constructive criticism, stating that it stems from love for the team and nation. He expressed disappointment over Azam's decision not to bat in the Super Over against the USA, highlighting the need for a captain to inspire and lead by example."Looking at a captain, we want to be inspired," Zafar said. "A leader is fearless and has no self-doubt. That is why he is a leader."He recalled Pakistan's iconic ODI victory against Australia, where captain Imran Khan bowled the final over and secured the win. Zafar urged Azam to emulate such fearless leadership and play with confidence.Zafar also addressed concerns about players' fitness, particularly Azam Khan's weight. He stressed the importance of meeting global fitness standards and emphasized the connection between mental and physical fitness."The body follows the mind," Zafar said. "So mental fitness is (also) very important. The decisions that you take in mind get manifested in your physical reality."Furthermore, Zafar encouraged Pakistani cricketers to embrace their own language, Urdu. He believes that speaking in one's native tongue should not be seen as a sign of inferiority."We should be proud of our culture and language," Zafar said. "Talk freely in your own language. A translator can come and translate."In conclusion, Zafar wished the Pakistani team well for the upcoming match against India. He urged them to play with passion and determination, regardless of the outcome.