Cricket

Pakistan's young fast bowler Naseem Shah has won hearts with his heartwarming gesture towards a disappointed young fan. During a recent meet-and-greet session, the fan was unable to secure an autograph from captain Babar Azam. Noticing the child's dejection, Naseem stepped in to console him."Is this Babar's?" the young fan asked Naseem, referring to an autograph."Yes, this is Babar's. Now be happy, okay!" Naseem replied, signing the autograph on behalf of the captain.Naseem's act of kindness has gone viral on social media, with fans praising his humility and compassion. He was also seen clicking pictures and signing autographs for other children, spreading joy and creating lasting memories.Naseem's gesture is a testament to his character and his understanding of the importance of fan engagement. It also highlights the growing popularity of the young pacer, who has quickly become a fan favorite.Despite his recent struggles on the field, Naseem remains a vital part of Pakistan's bowling attack. He made his comeback into the side last month after recovering from a shoulder injury that had sidelined him since September 2023.Naseem's return to form will be crucial for Pakistan's chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The team will be looking to him to provide early breakthroughs and contain the opposition's scoring rate.With his talent, determination, and now his reputation as a compassionate role model, Naseem Shah is poised to become a global star in the world of cricket.

Pakistan's cricket team faces a crucial test as they prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup, beginning on June 1. After a disappointing loss to England in the 2022 final, Pakistan has struggled to find consistency, winning only one of their six bilateral T20I series since then.Form and Talking Points:Pakistan's recent performances have raised concerns about their form and approach. The team's batting has been heavily reliant on captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who have often played with conservative strike rates. The team's middle order has also struggled to contribute consistently.On the bowling front, Pakistan's pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf has been impressive, but the team has lacked depth in their spin department. The return of Imad Wasim and pacer Mohammad Amir from retirement could provide some much-needed experience and variety.Key Performers:Despite their recent struggles, Pakistan boasts several talented players who could make a significant impact at the World Cup. Babar Azam remains one of the world's best batters, while Rizwan is a reliable wicketkeeper and opener. Fakhar Zaman has shown glimpses of his destructive potential, and Shaheen Afridi is a world-class fast bowler.Squad:Pakistan's squad for the 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 KhanOutlook:Pakistan's chances at the World Cup will depend on their ability to find consistency and improve their strike rate in batting. The team's bowling attack is strong, but they will need to find a reliable spin option to complement their pace trio. With a talented squad and a history of success in major tournaments, Pakistan remains a contender for the title.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup hopes rest on the shoulders of skipper Babar Azam, who aims to break the team's semi-final and runner-up jinx. Despite a chaotic build-up, Azam remains optimistic, believing it's their turn to lift the trophy.Pakistan's preparations have been marred by captaincy changes and coaching staff overhauls. However, the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as PCB chairman and the inclusion of Gary Kirsten as white-ball coach have brought stability.The team has also bolstered its bowling attack with the return of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah remain key figures, while Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan provide spin options.Pakistan's batting, however, remains a concern. Despite the world-record partnership between Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the team has struggled to post totals over 200. Saim Ayub is expected to break up the opening partnership, while Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Azam Khan, and Iftikhar Ahmed form a formidable middle-order.Consistency has been a major issue for Pakistan, who have shown flashes of brilliance but also inexplicable collapses. If they are to challenge for the title, their batters must step up and match the performances of their bowlers.Pakistan faces a tough group stage, with India, the United States, Canada, and Ireland as their opponents. A potential clash with India in New York could be a pivotal moment, as Pakistan has only won one of seven T20 World Cup matches against their arch-rivals.Despite the challenges, Azam is confident in his team's ability to return with the trophy. With a balanced squad and a renewed sense of purpose, Pakistan will be determined to make the third time lucky at the T20 World Cup.

In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, Pakistan's young fast bowler Naseem Shah stepped up to make a young fan's day by signing an autograph on behalf of his captain, Babar Azam. The incident occurred in England, where Pakistan is currently engaged in a four-match T20I series against the hosts.As the Pakistan team was leaving the field after a rain-affected match, a group of young fans eagerly approached Babar Azam for autographs. The Pakistan captain managed to sign for one of the kids before hurrying into a nearby lift, leaving another young fan visibly disappointed.Observing the situation, Naseem Shah, who was walking behind Babar Azam, noticed the child's disappointment. Without hesitation, he approached the child and asked if he wanted an autograph. The child nodded eagerly, and Naseem not only signed an autograph for him but also took it upon himself to sign on behalf of Babar Azam.The child, still processing the situation, asked Naseem, "Yeh Babar Azam ka hai?" (Is this Babar Azam's?). With a reassuring smile, Naseem responded, "Haan, yeh Babar Azam ka hi hai." (Yes, this is Babar Azam's).Naseem's thoughtful act ensured the child left happy and satisfied. The fast bowler didn't stop there; he also took the time to pose for pictures with other children and engaged with them, making the experience memorable for the young fans.Naseem Shah's gesture not only brightened the day of a young fan but also showcased the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie within the Pakistan team. It is a reminder that even in the midst of competition, kindness and compassion can prevail.

England vs Pakistan 3rd T20I: Pakistan Faces Do-or-Die Battle in CardiffThe Pakistan cricket team, led by Babar Azam, faces a crucial encounter against England in the third T20I at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Tuesday. The match is a must-win for Pakistan after they suffered a 23-run defeat in the second T20I, while the first match was washed out.The two teams last met in the Final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022, where England emerged victorious. Pakistan enters the series on the back of a 2-1 T20I series win against Ireland.Pakistan's batting lineup will be led by Azam, who is in excellent form, having scored a century in the second T20I against Ireland. Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and Shan Masood will provide support. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Nawaz.England, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their winning streak after their victory in the second T20I. Jos Buttler, the captain, will be the key batsman, along with Dawid Malan, Phil Salt, and Ben Duckett. The bowling attack will feature Mark Wood, Sam Curran, and Adil Rashid.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having a strong chance of victory. Pakistan will be desperate to level the series, while England will be aiming to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam's Frustration with Selfie-Seeking FansPakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam recently expressed his frustration with fans who persistently sought selfies and invaded his privacy. A video circulating online shows Azam being followed and surrounded by fans on the streets of Cardiff, England.Despite being accompanied by security personnel, Azam appeared visibly irritated by the constant requests for meet-ups and photo opportunities. He was heard telling the fans, "Do minutes doge? Sar par nahi chado," (Give me two minutes, don't get on my head) before asking the security to remove them.However, Azam later showed humility by taking pictures with the fans. The incident occurred during Pakistan's ongoing four-match T20I series against England in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Pakistan's preparations for the World Cup have been marked by turmoil, with Azam replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain just three months before the tournament. The team drew 2-2 against New Zealand in a T20I series at home and lost the opening match in Ireland before winning the series 2-1.In the T20 World Cup, Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside India, the United States, Canada, and Ireland. The top two teams from the group will advance to the Super Eight round, which will be held in the West Indies. The final will take place in Barbados on June 29.

England emerged victorious in the second T20I against Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, securing a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. The first match was abandoned due to rain.Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, played a valiant innings, scoring 32 runs off 26 deliveries at a strike rate of 123.08, including four boundaries. However, his efforts proved insufficient to secure a win for his team.With his knock, Babar surpassed India's Rohit Sharma to become the second-highest run-scorer in T20Is. Rohit has amassed 3974 runs in 151 matches for India, while Babar now boasts 3987 runs in 118 matches for Pakistan. India's Virat Kohli remains the leading run-scorer in T20Is, with 4037 runs from 117 matches.After the match, Babar expressed his admiration for his bowlers, acknowledging their exceptional performance. He noted that he and Fakhar Zaman had formed a significant partnership, but subsequent batters failed to capitalize on their momentum."It was a par score, our bowlers bowled very well. In the batting, there were moments, but we didn't finish well. Small partnership between me and Fakhar and later on, there was no big partnership," Babar said.He emphasized the adaptability and role clarity within the team, stating that if he and Fakhar had remained at the crease for a few more overs, the outcome could have been different."We are flexible, everyone knows their role. We have decided each player's role. If you are not in good form, we are flexible. The way Fakhar dominated after wickets fell ... if me and Fakhar had batted for three more overs, it would have been a different ball game," he added.

Pakistan's white-ball captain, Babar Azam, has faced criticism from former players regarding his alleged influence on team selection. Basit Ali, a former Pakistan batter, raised concerns about Babar's dominance in the selection process, suggesting that he holds more sway than the selectors themselves.Ali questioned the transparency and accountability of the selection process, stating that Babar's influence has created a divide between him and the selection committee. He alleged that the recent squad announcement was delayed due to a rift within the committee, with some selectors not being consulted.Shahid Afridi, another former Pakistan captain, expressed frustration over the confusion surrounding the selection process. He criticized the late announcement of the squad and the lack of clarity in player selection. Afridi revealed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had caused the delay due to his dissatisfaction with the absence of some selectors at a meeting.Naqvi reportedly demanded a proper process, ensuring that all selectors were present for the meeting. This incident highlights the ongoing issues within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the need for greater transparency and accountability in team selection.

The Pakistan cricket team's captaincy has been a topic of intense scrutiny in recent months. After a disappointing Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign, Babar Azam resigned as captain across all formats. Shan Masood was appointed as Test captain, while Shaheen Afridi took over the T20I leadership.However, Afridi's tenure as T20I captain was short-lived. After a 4-1 series loss to New Zealand, he was replaced by Babar Azam. Despite rumors of a rift between the two players, the Pakistan camp appeared to be in harmony.However, a recent report has reignited speculation about internal divisions. According to ESPNcricinfo, Afridi declined the offer to become Pakistan's T20I vice-captain ahead of the upcoming World Cup in the USA and West Indies.This development has raised eyebrows, especially considering that Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad, announced on May 24, does not include a designated vice-captain. The squad includes Babar Azam (captain), 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, and Usman Khan.The absence of a vice-captain has fueled speculation about the state of the Pakistan team's leadership. Some observers believe that Afridi's refusal to accept the role is a sign of dissatisfaction within the squad. Others suggest that it may simply be a matter of personal preference.Regardless of the reasons behind Afridi's decision, the captaincy issue has once again become a talking point for Pakistan cricket fans. With the T20 World Cup approaching, the team's leadership will be under intense scrutiny.