Cricket

Pakistan cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Ahmed Shehzad engaged in a heated debate on live television, sparking controversy over the leadership of Babar Azam and the selection policies of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Shehzad, who has represented Pakistan in 13 Tests and 81 ODIs, accused Azam of favoritism and questioned the decision to reinstate him as captain after the team's disappointing performance at the 2023 Cricket World Cup. He argued that senior players should be rested against weaker opponents to provide opportunities for younger talent, citing the example of Team India's Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.Imam, on the other hand, defended Azam's captaincy, stating that the board had made the decision to remove and reinstate him without his consent. He emphasized Azam's strong performances in the past, including reaching the semifinals in 2021 and the final in 2022.Shehzad countered by expressing frustration over the lack of opportunities for young players, claiming that some players are given preferential treatment despite poor form. He also questioned the fairness of Shaheen Afridi's removal as captain.Imam responded by asserting that his stance on these issues would remain consistent regardless of his age or contract status. He promised to continue advocating for transparency and fairness in the selection process.The debate has raised concerns among Pakistan supporters, who fear that it could impact the team's performance at the upcoming T20 World Cup. The men in green will face hosts USA in their opening game on June 6, followed by a highly anticipated clash against India on June 9.

Pakistan Cricketers Gear Up for T20 World Cup Opener Against United StatesPakistan's cricket team is preparing for their first match in the T20 World Cup, scheduled for Thursday against the United States. Led by captain Babar Azam and coach Gary Kirsten, the team appears relaxed despite a challenging build-up to the tournament, including a 0-2 loss in a four-match T20I series against England.Despite the setbacks, Pakistan remains a formidable opponent, capable of defeating any team on their day. In a video shared by Usman Khan on his social media handle, the team is seen bonding over a meal in the United States. The video features Azam, Kirsten, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Wahab Riaz, Naseem Shah, and Azam Khan, among others.Khan humorously addresses his teammates, sharing his shopping experiences in the US and expressing his amusement at a teammate wearing an expensive shirt. The video highlights the team's camaraderie and positive spirit ahead of the tournament.After their opening match against the US in Dallas, Pakistan will face their arch-rivals India in New York on Sunday. The match is expected to be a highly anticipated clash between the two cricketing powerhouses.Pakistan's unpredictable nature makes them a dangerous opponent in the T20 World Cup. With a talented squad and a relaxed mindset, they have the potential to surprise their opponents and make a deep run in the tournament.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign is set to commence on June 6 against the co-hosts United States at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The Green Shirts, led by Babar Azam, are currently engaged in rigorous practice sessions to fine-tune their skills ahead of their tournament opener.During a recent training session, Babar Azam was seen using nicknames to maintain a light-hearted atmosphere. He playfully referred to Azam Khan, the son of legendary wicketkeeper Moin Khan, as "Gainda" (Rhino) due to his heavyset physique.Despite a recent dip in form, Babar Azam has urged his team to remain upbeat as they embark on their World Cup journey. Pakistan, the 2009 T20 World Cup champions, have consistently performed well in recent editions, reaching the semi-finals in 2021 and losing to England in the final in 2022.Pakistan is placed in Group A of the World Cup. Following their match against the US, they will face arch-rivals India in a highly-anticipated clash on June 9 in New York. Pakistan and India have faced each other seven times in the T20 World Cup, with Pakistan emerging victorious only once.The Green Shirts will be determined to improve their record against India and make a strong statement in the tournament. With a talented squad and a proven track record in the T20 format, Pakistan will be among the favorites to lift the trophy.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign has been met with mixed reactions, particularly regarding the squad selection. One player who has faced significant criticism is Azam Khan, with former captain Shahid Afridi expressing concerns about his fitness.Amidst the controversy, a viral video has emerged showing the Pakistan team engaged in a training session. In the video, Babar Azam can be heard addressing Azam Khan with a term that has sparked debate among fans. Some believe he called him "Gainda," a slang for overweight people, while others suggest he used a different term.The incident has drawn criticism from some quarters, with fans and experts expressing concerns about the use of such language within the team. They argue that it reflects poorly on the team's culture and undermines the captain's authority.Despite the criticism, Babar Azam has defended Azam Khan, urging fans to support the team's selections. He emphasized the need to back the players who have been chosen and expressed confidence in their abilities.However, Azam Khan's recent performances have raised questions about his form and fitness. In the recently concluded T20I series against England, he scored only 11 runs in two matches and made several fielding errors.Former selectors and fans have questioned his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad, suggesting that he may not be in optimal shape to compete at the highest level. They have called for a more rigorous selection process and a focus on players who are both talented and physically fit.As the T20 World Cup approaches, the debate over Azam Khan's inclusion and the team's overall fitness is likely to continue. The Pakistan team will need to address these concerns and find a way to unite and perform at their best if they want to challenge for the title.

Pakistan's cricket team has faced intense scrutiny from critics at home, particularly in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup. After losing the T20I series against England 0-2, former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja criticized the team management.Now, a video of a talk show in Pakistan has gone viral, featuring former cricketer Ahmed Shehzad challenging current skipper Babar Azam to win the 2024 T20 World Cup. Shehzad questioned the team's discipline and urged Azam to prove his worth by winning a major tournament.Imam-ul-Haq, another former Pakistan cricketer, was also present on the panel. Pakistan, led by Azam and coached by Gary Kirsten, will begin their World Cup campaign against USA on Thursday. Their highly anticipated clash with India is scheduled for Sunday.Despite the criticism, Pakistan remains a formidable team. Azam is one of the world's top batsmen, and the team boasts a talented squad. However, they will need to overcome their recent struggles and prove their mettle on the biggest stage.The pressure is mounting on Azam and his team to deliver a strong performance at the T20 World Cup. With critics baying for their blood, Pakistan's cricketers will need to rise to the occasion and silence their detractors.

Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam Meets Indian Legend Sunil Gavaskar in DallasIn a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam recently met with legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar in Dallas, USA. The encounter took place as the Pakistan team arrived in Dallas to begin preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Gavaskar was also present in Dallas as a commentator for the tournament's broadcast team.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a video on its official Twitter handle, providing fans with a glimpse of the meeting between the two cricketing icons. The video shows Babar and Gavaskar shaking hands and engaging in a friendly conversation, demonstrating the mutual respect and sportsmanship between players from the two rival nations.The interaction between Babar and Gavaskar is seen as a positive moment for the Pakistan team as they gear up for the World Cup. Despite a disappointing T20I series against England, the meeting with Gavaskar has provided a boost to the team's morale.Pakistan will open their T20 World Cup campaign against co-hosts USA on June 6 in Dallas. This will be followed by a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India in New York on June 9, a match that promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament. The Pakistan team and their fans are hopeful for a strong performance, looking to make a significant impact in the global cricketing event.

Pakistan's skipper, Babar Azam, has acknowledged the immense pressure and hype surrounding the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash against India on Sunday. He emphasized the importance of remaining calm and adhering to the basics amidst the heightened expectations.India holds a dominant record in T20 World Cup encounters against Pakistan, having won six out of seven matches. However, Pakistan emerged victorious in the 2021 edition, defeating India by 10 wickets in the 'Super 12' stage.Babar acknowledged the unique atmosphere surrounding the India-Pakistan fixture, stating, "There is a different vibe altogether for this fixture, and there's a lot of excitement too not just among players but also among the fans." He advised his team to manage the pressure by focusing on the fundamentals.Reflecting on the 2022 edition, Babar expressed regret over missed opportunities, particularly the defeat against Zimbabwe. He stressed the need for consistent performance against all opponents, regardless of the outcome."Effort is in our hands, but results, we do not know," Babar said. "How we present ourselves on the ground, our body language and how we communicate with each other will matter. We must be positive, so results will come."Pakistan has been a formidable force in the T20 World Cup, reaching six semi-finals in eight editions. They were runners-up in 2007 and 2022, losing to England in the final of the most recent tournament.Babar highlighted the team's collective aspiration to win an ICC tournament. "Lifting the ICC trophy is a different motivation," he said. "You go to a different level and get a lot of praise. So, the motivation, aspiration and dream remains to lift an ICC trophy and present it to Pakistan."

As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, former South African captain AB de Villiers hosted Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for an interview on his YouTube channel. The cricketing duo engaged in a wide-ranging discussion, but De Villiers' composure was tested when a fan attempted to mock Babar Azam's English proficiency.The fan's comment, "ABD hardly control his laughing. Babar Azam speaking in English," accompanied by laughing emojis, drew De Villiers' ire. The Proteas legend swiftly shut down the troll, stating, "His English is infinitely better than my Urdu. And his batting is excellent, which is what matters more, I believe."De Villiers' response garnered widespread praise, with many commending him for standing up against online harassment. The incident highlighted the importance of respecting individuals regardless of their language skills.During the interview, Babar Azam opened up about his humble beginnings and the challenges he faced in pursuing his cricketing dreams. "My family played a big role because, when I started out, we did not have a lot of money," he said. "I played state cricket, tennis ball cricket, and tape-ball cricket every Saturday night."Despite the financial constraints, Babar's determination and passion for cricket propelled him to the international stage. He acknowledged the support of senior players and the team's high hopes for the upcoming World Cup."We are going for the World Cup and the hope is very high," Babar said. "The confidence is very high and we have a good team, we have good players. Good batters and senior players have stepped up and this helps a lot. We are very excited for World Cup."AB de Villiers' defense of Babar Azam's English and Babar's own reflections on his journey serve as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, respect, and the pursuit of excellence in sports.

Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has faced criticism for his poor performance in the recent T20I series against England. Despite his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad, his form and fitness have raised concerns among fans and experts.Khan scored only 11 runs in two matches and dropped several catches, leading to questions about his selection. Former selectors have suggested that he is out of shape for international cricket.However, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has defended Khan, urging fans to support the team's selections. He emphasized the need to back players who have been chosen for the World Cup.During the fourth T20I, Khan appeared visibly dejected after dropping catches. Babar consoled him, a gesture that has been praised on social media.Khan's struggles are not isolated. Captain Babar and star batter Mohammad Rizwan have also faced scrutiny for their low strike rates.Pakistan faces a challenging task in the T20 World Cup, placed in Group A alongside India, Canada, USA, and Ireland. They will open their campaign against USA on June 6, followed by the highly anticipated clash with India on June 9.The Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup includes:* Babar Azam (c)* Abrar Ahmed* Azam Khan* Fakhar Zaman* Haris Rauf* Iftikhar Ahmed* Imad Wasim* Mohammad Abbas Afridi* Mohammad Amir* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Saim Ayub* Shadab Khan* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Usman KhanPakistan will need to improve their performances significantly to advance from their group and make a deep run in the tournament.