Cricket

Pakistan cricket legend Shahid Afridi has expressed optimism about the national team's chances of reaching the final of the upcoming 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. Afridi believes that the conditions in the West Indies and the USA, where the tournament will be held, will favor Pakistan's strengths.Pakistan has a strong track record in the T20 World Cup, having won the title in 2009 and finishing as runners-up in 2007 and 2022. They have also reached the semi-finals in 2010, 2012, and 2021.Afridi highlighted the team's exceptional bowling attack as a key factor in their success. "I think in any cricket team in the world, nobody has such a strong bowling line-up," he said. "All our four fast bowlers have a lot of skill and even the bowlers sitting on the bench like Abbas (Afridi)...has a lot of skill with a good slower ball."He also praised the team's batting lineup, but urged them to improve their strike rate in the middle overs. "The thing that bothers me is the strike rate of our batters, especially in between the seven to thirteen over phase," he said. "I hope that the strike rate improves in that phase. In terms of runs per over, eight or nine runs per over are needed."Afridi declined to single out any one player as the key to Pakistan's success, but he emphasized the importance of captain Babar Azam's leadership. "But if I had to pick one, I would pick the captain Babar Azam, because he is the leader," he said. "I want him to perform well, and make timely decisions which will take the team to victory."Overall, Afridi is confident in Pakistan's ability to make a deep run in the 2024 T20 World Cup. "I feel Pakistan should make the final," he said. "The reason is that the conditions (in the West Indies and the USA) suit our team. If we look at the spinners in our team, they are outstanding. They might not be in form but I know they will return in form. If we talk about fast bowling, it’s an incredible attack. In batting, we have great strength.”

Pakistan's recent loss to Ireland has prompted a shift in their batting strategy, with the team now aiming to adopt a more aggressive approach when batting first. This new mindset is expected to be showcased in the upcoming T20I series against England, the reigning T20I world champions.Pakistan's top order has come under scrutiny for their lack of intent when batting first, with the team struggling to post competitive totals. However, after the Ireland defeat, the team has resolved to target scores of 200 or more when batting first.Central to this new approach will be captain Babar Azam, who has been urged to play with greater freedom. Incoming coach Gary Kirsten has praised Azam's abilities but believes he can be even more effective if he is allowed to express himself more fully.Despite the team's recent struggles, Fakhar Zaman remains confident in their ability to turn things around. He believes that the team's new mindset and the arrival of Kirsten will help them improve their performances.Zaman has also highlighted the emergence of Saim Ayub at the top of the order, which has allowed him to move down to the No. 4 position. He believes that this new role will allow him to make a greater impact on the team's performance.With the T20 World Cup approaching, Pakistan is eager to find their best form. The upcoming series against England will provide a crucial test for the team's new approach and will give them an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the tournament.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad for 2024 has been announced, with Babar Azam once again leading the charge. The 15-member squad features a few surprises, including the omission of Hasan Ali, Irfan Khan, and Agha Salman.Abbas Afridi has made the final cut, giving Pakistan five specialist fast bowlers. Imad Wasim, who recently came out of retirement, will provide the left-arm spin option, while Abrar Ahmed is the lone specialist legspinner.The squad is as follows:* Babar Azam (captain)* Saim Ayub* Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper)* Fakhar Zaman* Azam Khan (wicket-keeper)* Usman Khan* Iftikhar Ahmed* Imad Wasim* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Shadab Khan* Mohammad Amir* Abbas Afridi* Naseem Shah* Haris Rauf* Abrar AhmedThe absence of Hasan Ali is a notable omission, as he has been a key member of Pakistan's bowling attack in recent years. However, his recent form has been poor, and he was released back to Warwickshire earlier this week.Irfan Khan and Agha Salman have also been left out, despite being part of the squad for the recent Asia Cup. Afridi's inclusion is a surprise, as he has not played for Pakistan since 2021.Pakistan will be hoping to improve on their performance at the 2022 T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by England. They will face a tough challenge in the 2024 tournament, which will be played in the USA and the Caribbean.

England vs Pakistan 1st T20I: Preview, Team News, and Live UpdatesEngland and Pakistan will lock horns in the opening T20I of their four-match series on Wednesday at Headingley in Leeds. The match marks the start of a highly anticipated series between two of the world's top cricket nations.Pakistan's Recent FormPakistan will enter the series on the back of a 2-1 T20I series victory over Ireland. Captain Babar Azam led the charge with a brilliant century in the second match, while Haris Rauf impressed with his pace and accuracy. However, the team has released pacer Hasan Ali from the squad due to fitness concerns.England's SquadEngland will be without the services of Liam Livingstone, who is recovering from a knee injury. However, the team has been bolstered by the return of several key players from the Indian Premier League (IPL), including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Phil Salt, and Sam Curran.Key Players to WatchEngland:* Jos Buttler (wicket-keeper batsman)* Jonny Bairstow (batsman)* Phil Salt (batsman)* Sam Curran (all-rounder)* Adil Rashid (leg-spinner)Pakistan:* Babar Azam (captain, batsman)* Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper batsman)* Fakhar Zaman (batsman)* Haris Rauf (fast bowler)* Shaheen Afridi (fast bowler)Match Details* Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2023* Time: 6:30 PM BST* Venue: Headingley, Leeds* Live Scorecard: [Link to live scorecard]

Pakistan's cricket landscape has undergone significant transformations in the lead-up to the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. Despite the presence of seasoned captain Babar Azam, the team has witnessed a series of changes in leadership, selection, and coaching.Since the 2022 T20 World Cup final loss to England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed four chairmen and overhauled the selection panel. The experiment with Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain was short-lived, and a new limited-overs head coach, South African Gary Kirsten, joined the team just weeks before the World Cup.Pakistan's preparations have been marked by inconsistent performances. They suffered a heavy defeat in the away series against New Zealand, drew the home series 2-2, and lost the T20 series against Afghanistan 1-2. A shock defeat to Ireland was followed by two victories, resulting in a 2-1 series outcome.Despite the off-field turmoil, Pakistan remains a formidable force in the T20 World Cup. They have reached the semifinals three times and won the title in 2009. Kirsten's coaching has emphasized team unity and playing for the badge rather than individual glory.Pakistan's bowling depth is a major asset, with Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Amir all in good form. However, the top-order batting remains a concern, with Saim Ayub yet to establish himself as a reliable opener alongside Babar Azam.The India-Pakistan match on June 9 in New York is highly anticipated, with both teams expected to progress to the Super 8 round. Babar Azam will become the first player to captain a nation in three consecutive T20 World Cups. He will be hoping to lead Pakistan to their second title, having come close in 2021 and 2022.

Pakistan Cricketers Babar Azam and Azam Khan Draw Flak for Insensitive ActPakistan cricket captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan have come under fire for an insensitive act that has sparked outrage on social media. Ahead of the T20I series against England, a video emerged showing Azam wiping his forehead with a bundle of foreign currency while Babar, who was allegedly recording the video, teased him and laughed.The video has drawn widespread criticism from social media users, who have condemned the players' actions as disrespectful and insensitive. Many have pointed out that the act is particularly offensive given the economic challenges faced by many Pakistanis."This is a shameful act by two of our national cricketers," said one user on Twitter. "They should be ashamed of themselves for showing such disrespect for our currency."Another user commented, "This is not the behavior we expect from our cricketers. They should be role models for our youth, not setting bad examples."The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet commented on the incident, but it is likely that the players will face some form of disciplinary action.The incident comes at a time when Pakistan is preparing for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. The team has been in good form recently, having beaten Ireland 2-1 in a three-match T20I series.However, the controversy surrounding Babar and Azam Khan could overshadow the team's preparations for the World Cup. The players will need to quickly put this incident behind them and focus on the task at hand.

Pakistan's star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has vehemently denied any internal strife or discontent within the national team regarding the captaincy issue. In a recent interview on the PCB podcast, Afridi emphasized the paramount importance of unity and harmony for success in major tournaments.Afridi, who briefly captained Pakistan in one series before being replaced by Babar Azam, acknowledged that minor disagreements are inevitable in any team. However, he stressed that such issues should not be blown out of proportion. "Sometimes, small disagreements happen in every family, even among brothers. But there's nothing like that in our team," Afridi asserted.The left-arm pacer highlighted the importance of open communication and mutual respect among players. "Our players listen to each other, and we listen to them too. Our job is to play cricket and bring joy to our nation," he said.Afridi emphasized that every player understands their responsibility to perform with focus, determination, and unity, while avoiding internal conflicts that could hinder their performance. "We aim to play with unity, and this is not the time for arguments or disputes. It's the time for everyone to be on the same page," he added.Pakistan will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on June 6. Afridi expressed confidence in the team's preparations and dismissed concerns about his workload, form, and fitness. He praised the team's resilience in rallying to win the series against Ireland after losing the opening match."I am bowling with rhythm and pace, and I am enjoying my spells. Unfortunately, nowadays in T20 cricket, every bowler ends up having a bad day in one match or another. That is the nature of the challenges bowlers face now," Afridi stated.

India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Clash: A Battle of Supremacy and RivalryThe highly anticipated T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan on June 9 in New York is set to ignite the cricketing world. The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium will witness a clash of titans, as the two arch-rivals face off in what is arguably the most eagerly awaited match of any ICC tournament.The build-up to the blockbuster encounter has been nothing short of electrifying. Social media has been abuzz with video clips that have further fueled the excitement among fans. In one such clip from the ILT20 tournament, Pakistan stars Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi engaged in a friendly debate over the best cover drive between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam.When asked about the more delightful shot to watch, Amir and Shaheen had contrasting opinions. Amir opted for Rohit Sharma's pull shot, while Shaheen preferred Mohammad Rizwan's pick-up shot. The banter between the two fast bowlers, moderated by former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, added to the anticipation surrounding the India-Pakistan clash.India and Pakistan are placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup, along with co-hosts USA, Canada, and Ireland. India will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York, while Pakistan will face the US in their opening match on June 6 in Dallas.Pakistan is yet to announce its 15-man squad for the tournament, but both Amir and Shaheen are expected to be included. The Pakistan team is currently in England for a four-match T20I series, after which they will travel to the US.The India-Pakistan rivalry transcends cricket and has become a symbol of national pride and passion. The political tensions between the two countries have restricted their cricketing encounters to neutral venues, making the T20 World Cup clash even more significant.With both teams boasting world-class players and a rich history of rivalry, the June 9 match promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. The battle for supremacy and bragging rights will undoubtedly captivate cricket fans worldwide.

Gary Kirsten, the newly appointed Pakistan white-ball coach, has expressed his concerns about the challenges facing the team and the state of Test cricket.Kirsten, who has yet to join the Pakistan camp in person, has identified potential "blockages" within the squad. He believes his role is to unlock the players' natural abilities and address the issues that have hindered their success.Pakistan's recent performances have been disappointing, with a poor ODI World Cup followed by Test and T20I series losses to Australia and New Zealand. The team also struggled against a weakened New Zealand side and only narrowly defeated Ireland.Kirsten acknowledged the negativity surrounding Pakistan cricket, attributing it to the knock-on effects of poor on-field results. He emphasized the importance of building relationships with the board and accepting the limitations of his powers.Kirsten's experience with India has prepared him for the administrative challenges of working with a South Asian cricket board. He believes in focusing on winnable battles and building relationships with the board to gain their support.One of Kirsten's key concerns is the over-reliance on captain Babar Azam. He believes Babar should not feel the pressure to carry the team and that other players need to step up and make match-winning contributions.Kirsten's appointment alongside Jason Gillespie, who will coach the Test side, has coincided with Pakistan's 2-1 T20I series win against Ireland. Kirsten will join the team in England for their upcoming T20I series against England ahead of the T20 World Cup.While Kirsten has set his sights on winning one of the three upcoming ICC white-ball events, he expressed concerns about the frequency of these tournaments. He believes it could lead to a lack of context in matches and potentially harm Test cricket.Kirsten's appointment is a significant step for Pakistan cricket. His experience and insights will be crucial in addressing the team's challenges and unlocking their potential.