Cricket

Pakistan's Test captain Shan Masood believes that Babar Azam's temporary absence from the Test squad will ultimately benefit the star batsman. Babar was omitted from the Pakistan squad for the last two Tests against England, which Pakistan won to claim the series 2-1, after a prolonged lean patch.Masood, in an interview with BBC Stumped, expressed his confidence in Babar's abilities, stating that he is "one of the best batsmen in the world" and has the potential to be "one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket." He emphasized that sometimes players need a break to regain their form.Pakistan has indicated that Babar's absence from the Test side is temporary, as he has been called up for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia. Masood expects Babar to "come back a stronger player" after his break.Masood also discussed his role as captain and the changes in the selection process. He emphasized the importance of collective decision-making and praised the new selectors for their collaboration. He stated that the team's focus is on taking 20 wickets and that they believe playing on used pitches with three spinners will benefit them.Regarding the controversial post-match interview with commentator Ramiz Raja, Masood expressed no hard feelings. He stated that he is open to constructive criticism and is focused on reflecting his character in a positive way.

Pakistan cricket is navigating a period of upheaval, marked by coaching departures, leadership changes, and player dynamics. Amidst this turmoil, former captain Babar Azam has emerged as a beacon of hope, receiving a warm welcome upon his arrival in Australia for the upcoming white-ball series.Despite a recent dip in form, fans eagerly awaited Azam's arrival at the airport, eager to take selfies and offer words of encouragement. The viral video of his reception underscores his enduring popularity.Azam returns to international cricket after being rested for the final two Tests against England. Relieved of the captaincy burden, he can now focus solely on his batting. He will feature in three ODIs and three T20Is against Australia before sitting out the Zimbabwe series to prepare for future challenges.Off the field, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is grappling with turbulence following Gary Kirsten's abrupt resignation as white-ball coach. Kirsten, who signed a two-year deal in April, departed after just six months, citing internal disagreements. The PCB's decision to remove voting powers from coaches in team selection reportedly contributed to the friction.With Kirsten's departure, Test coach Jason Gillespie will guide the team on the Australia tour. Pakistan will begin training in Melbourne on November 1, with the first ODI scheduled for November 4.As the squad seeks stability under new captain Mohammad Rizwan, all eyes will be on Babar Azam to rediscover his form and anchor the team through these crucial matches. His batting prowess and leadership qualities will be vital as Pakistan navigates this challenging period.

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been recalled to the national team for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, following a brief hiatus due to inconsistent form. The decision to reinstate Azam, who was dropped for the final two Tests of the home series against England, has sparked optimism among experts who believe a single impactful performance could reignite his brilliance.Ramiz Raja, a former Pakistan captain and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), expressed confidence in Azam's ability to rediscover his form and establish himself as a true legend. "Babar has the potential to achieve even greater heights in Test cricket," Raja said. "He excels in white-ball cricket, averaging over 50 in both T20Is and ODIs. Now, he must demonstrate his temperament and prove to the world that he is a modern-day Viv Richards."Raja's comparison to Richards, the legendary West Indian batsman known for his aggressive and match-winning performances, highlights the high expectations placed on Azam. The upcoming tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is, will provide Azam with an opportunity to showcase his talent on a global stage.Alongside Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah have also been recalled to the squad after being rested for the Test series. The white-ball teams will be led by newly-appointed skipper Mohammad Rizwan, with the exception of the T20I series in Zimbabwe, where Salman Agha will take the reins.Raja expressed his hope that Azam will rediscover his form during the upcoming series, which hold significant importance for Pakistan's cricketing future. "I am confident that Babar will bounce back stronger after his break," Raja said. "He has the talent and determination to lead Pakistan to success."

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has clarified that Babar Azam's resignation from the white-ball captaincy was his own decision, dispelling rumors of pressure from the board.Babar, who took over the captaincy in 2019, announced his resignation on October 2, citing a desire to prioritize his performance. Under his leadership, Pakistan failed to win a major tournament, including the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.Naqvi emphasized that Babar's decision was not influenced by the PCB. "Babar Azam told me himself that he did not want to continue as captain. No one from the PCB told him to leave the captaincy. He discussed it with the coaches and wanted to focus on his performances," Naqvi said.The PCB chief also explained the appointment of Mohammad Rizwan as the new white-ball skipper. "We spoke to the five mentors of the Champions Cup and the coaches, and the majority agreed that Mohammad Rizwan should be the captain, with Salman Ali Agha as vice-captain," he added.Rizwan, a star wicketkeeper-batter, replaces Babar as Pakistan's white-ball captain ahead of their upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe.Babar's resignation has sparked discussions about the future of Pakistan's cricket team. Some experts believe that the move will allow him to focus on his batting and regain his form. Others argue that it could create instability within the team.The PCB is now tasked with rebuilding the team and finding a long-term solution for the captaincy. Rizwan's appointment is seen as a step in that direction, but it remains to be seen whether he can lead Pakistan to success in major tournaments.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the new captain of Pakistan's ODI and T20I teams, marking a significant shift in the nation's cricket leadership. The 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter replaces Babar Azam, who stepped down following a string of disappointing performances in major ICC tournaments.Rizwan's appointment comes after Pakistan's early exits from both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Babar Azam confirmed his resignation from the white-ball formats via social media, citing the need for a fresh start.The PCB has also appointed Salman Ali Agha as the vice-captain of the white-ball team, signaling a move towards a new era of leadership under Rizwan's guidance. Rizwan's experience and leadership skills, honed during his successful tenure as captain of the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), are expected to bring stability to Pakistan's white-ball squads.Rizwan will begin his captaincy journey with Pakistan's upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is. The tour will provide Rizwan with an opportunity to implement his strategies and build a cohesive team.Meanwhile, star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi have been named in the squad for the Australia series but are set to be rested for the Zimbabwe tour later in the year. The PCB is also looking to introduce fresh talent during the Australia series, with Aamer Jamal, Saim Ayub, and Faisal Akram among the rising stars expected to make their mark.Rizwan's appointment as captain is a testament to his leadership abilities and his commitment to Pakistan cricket. With his experience, composure, and tactical acumen, Rizwan is expected to lead Pakistan's white-ball teams to greater heights and restore their status as a formidable force in international cricket.

Pakistan's cricket team is set to welcome back key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia. The trio had been rested for the two-Test series against England.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for the One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) matches in Australia and Zimbabwe, which begin next month. New faces have been included in the squads, while senior players Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan are notable absentees.Fakhar Zaman is under investigation by the PCB for a tweet he posted in support of Babar Azam before the England Tests, which led to his exclusion. The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is expected to announce the new captains for the limited-overs formats at a media conference later today.Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha are anticipated to be named the new white-ball captains. The selectors aim to use the ODIs and T20s in Zimbabwe to evaluate new players.The main players will participate in the three ODIs and T20Is each in Australia. Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem, who were sidelined after the first Test against England, are back for the Australian leg of the tour. They will be rested for the Zimbabwe tour.The Australia tour is scheduled from November 4 to 18. The three-match ODI and T20I series in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will take place from November 24 to December 5.Pakistan is also set to tour South Africa for three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests in December and January.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally announced the revised central contracts for the men's cricket team, nearly four months after they were due. The contracts have undergone significant changes, with several players moving up or down the categories.Shan Masood, who recently led Pakistan to their first Test series win since July 2023, retains his spot in Category B. However, his position is uncertain, as the PCB has stated that his retention is "subject to captaincy." This announcement comes amidst speculation about Masood's future as Test captain after Pakistan lost their first six Tests under his leadership.Babar Azam, despite missing the last two Test matches against England due to poor form, remains in the highest category. Shaheen Afridi, on the other hand, drops down to the second tier, leaving Mohammad Rizwan as the only other A category player.Fakhar Zaman, who has been a regular in the central contracts for the past eight years, has been dropped for the first time. Concerns over his fitness and a deteriorating relationship with the PCB are believed to be the reasons behind his omission.The board issued a show-cause notice to Zaman after he criticized the decision to drop Babar Azam on Twitter. The post remains up, and Zaman has not apologized, with the matter reportedly being handled by his legal team.Imam-ul-Haq, Zaman's long-time ODI opening partner, also misses out on a central contract. There has been a general deflation in categories across the board, with only five players out of 25 in the A or B categories compared to 11 last year.Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, who did not feature in last year's contracts, have made a comeback after their impressive performances against England. Both players have been placed in the C category, with Noman's inclusion subject to fitness.Several new players have been awarded maiden central contracts, including Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Hurraira, Usman Khan, and Irfan Khan. All five players have been placed in the D category.The PCB has maintained the same three-year deal structure for central contracts, giving players their highest pay raises in history and a fixed share of revenue from the PCB's earnings at the ICC. The contracts will be backdated to cover the period starting July 1, 2024, and will run for another 12 months before a revision can be made.

Pakistani Fan's Placard for 'Dropped' Babar Azam Sparks Social Media FrenzyIn an unexpected twist during the Pakistan vs England series decider at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a Pakistani fan displayed a placard expressing support for the recently dropped Babar Azam. The placard, which read "I skipped school to see King Babar," drew attention on the opening day of the third and final Test.Babar Azam, Pakistan's captain and star batsman, was surprisingly omitted from the team for the second and third Tests against England due to a poor run of form. In the first Test in Multan, he scored a disappointing 30 and 5, following a string of low scores against Bangladesh at home.The fan's placard sparked a flurry of witty comments on social media. Some users questioned the fan's decision to skip school, while others praised his unwavering support for Babar Azam.Meanwhile, on the field, England struggled to 110 for five at lunch on the opening day. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali wreaked havoc on the English top order, with Sajid claiming three wickets and Noman taking two. Ben Duckett (52) and Zak Crawley (29) provided a steady start, but Ollie Pope (3), Joe Root (5), and Harry Brook (5) were dismissed cheaply.Skipper Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith remained unbeaten at the break on 6 and 5, respectively, as England faced an uphill battle in the series-deciding contest.

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has advised Pakistan's Babar Azam to prioritize domestic cricket and focus on improving his fitness and mental resilience. Sehwag's comments come after Azam's recent struggles in international cricket, which culminated in his omission from the final two Tests against England.Despite facing criticism, Azam displayed resilience in the second Test, scoring a gritty 118 against a formidable English bowling attack. However, Sehwag believes that Azam needs to address his mental and physical well-being."Babar Azam should play domestic cricket now. He should work on his fitness, spend some time with family, then come back to international cricket as a physically fitter and mentally stronger player," Sehwag said.Sehwag emphasized that Azam's mental state has been significantly affected by the pressure and expectations placed upon him. "With expectations from Babar decreasing and his resignation from captaincy, it seems he has been more impacted mentally than in terms of technique. He needs to stay mentally strong. He's a talented player, and players like him tend to bounce back quickly," he added.While Azam's absence from the Test team raised eyebrows, Pakistan's spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan proved their worth, taking all 20 wickets in the second Test. Sajid's 7/111 in the first innings and Noman's 8/46 in the second innings played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 125-run victory, leveling the series at 1-1.The series decider will be played in Rawalpindi from October 24, with both teams aiming to secure a series victory.