Cricket

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has urged current skipper Babar Azam to adapt his batting approach to match situations and maintain an optimal strike rate in T20 cricket. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Misbah emphasized the need for Babar to adjust his batting style according to the team's requirements.Misbah praised Babar's recent innings of 75 off 42 balls against Ireland in the third T20I, showcasing his ability to play explosive knocks when needed. However, he stressed that Babar must be versatile and capable of shifting gears in modern-day T20 cricket."We saw, he [Babar] improved his strike rate against Ireland. Hopefully, he will bat like that when the team requires that sort of an innings from him. If an anchor role is required, then anchor it is. But you have to be potentially ready to play at 160-170 or even a strike rate of 200 if the team needs it. It will be an important thing for Babar to not bat at 130-140 strike rate if the team is chasing 200," Misbah stated.Misbah acknowledged the pressure faced by players, but emphasized the importance of mental strength and resilience in handling criticism and external expectations. He highlighted the ability of top cricketers to channel criticism into motivation and use it as fuel to perform better on the field."Outside noise does affect a player, but good players, who are mentally strong, top cricketers in the world, they take motivation from criticism. They write down those noises that yes, I have to answer them on the ground. Somehow, they take motivation from those voices and criticism," Misbah elaborated.As Pakistan prepare for the T20 World Cup, Misbah's insights underline the importance of Babar Azam's adaptability and mindset in leading the team's batting lineup effectively, with the aim of achieving success in the upcoming tournament.

In a thrilling encounter in Dublin, Pakistan's captain Babar Azam etched his name into the record books, surpassing Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli's milestone in the third Twenty20 International (T20I) against Ireland.After losing the series opener, Pakistan bounced back with two consecutive victories to clinch the series. In the third T20I, they triumphed over the hosts by six wickets, thanks to a scintillating performance from Babar.The Pakistani skipper was in imperious form, smashing five maximums and six boundaries in his blistering 75 off just 42 deliveries. With this knock, he became the batter with the most T20I runs in excess of 50.Babar's 39th T20I fifty surpassed Kohli's tally of 38 and India captain Rohit Sharma's 34. The Pakistani star also became the first batter from his country to score 25 runs in an over. He achieved this feat by hitting four sixes off Benjamin White's over, adding a single to complete the remarkable feat.Babar and Mohammad Rizwan (56) shared a mammoth 139-run partnership for the second wicket, laying the foundation for Pakistan's victory. This was the 10th century partnership between the two Pakistani batters in T20Is, making them the first pair to achieve this milestone. They also became the first pair to accumulate 3,000 runs in partnership.In comparison, India's opening pair of Rohit and KL Rahul have five-century partnerships in the shortest format, while Ireland's experienced duo of Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie have amassed 2,043 runs together.Pakistan will now head to England for a four-match T20I series, their final opportunity to fine-tune their squad before the World Cup. The series against England will commence on May 22 at Headingley Carnegie, with the final match scheduled for May 30 at The Oval in London.

Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam opted to field first after winning the toss in the crucial third T20I against Ireland. The match holds significance as it will determine the series winner.Pakistan made a strategic move by resting Naseem Shah and bringing in Hasan Ali for his first T20I appearance since September 2022. Ireland, on the other hand, introduced two changes to their lineup. Regular captain Paul Stirling and Gareth Delany were rested, making way for Lorcan Tucker as the new captain and the inclusion of Neil Rock and Ross Adair.This marks the first time Tucker will lead Ireland in any format. The match serves as a crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA. Ireland will participate in a T20I tri-series in the Netherlands, which also includes Scotland, while Pakistan will embark on a four-match T20I tour of England.

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has expressed his concerns about the inconsistent performances of opener Saim Ayub, questioning the decision to break the established opening duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.Ayub, who struggled in the recent T20I series against New Zealand, showed signs of improvement in the first T20I against Ireland with a quick-paced knock of 45(29). However, he failed to maintain consistency in the second T20I, falling for a score of 6.Raja believes that Ayub's inconsistent performances do not justify breaking the successful opening partnership of Rizwan and Azam. "I don't think Saim Ayub gives you security, he shows flashes of brilliance. If you don't score 50 off 30 balls then breaking Rizwan and Babar's opening duo doesn't make any sense," Raja said on his YouTube channel.In four matches against New Zealand, Ayub scored 52 runs at an average of 14.25, with 32 as his highest score. Before Ayub's inclusion, Babar and Rizwan were the designated openers for Pakistan and were one of the most prolific opening pairs in white-ball cricket.The duo forged a record-breaking 105-run stand in the 2022 Men's T20I World Cup, setting a new record for the most century partnerships as an opening duo in the tournament's history.Raja's comments highlight the importance of consistency and reliability in opening partnerships. While Ayub has shown glimpses of his potential, his inconsistent performances have raised questions about his ability to provide a solid foundation for Pakistan's batting lineup.The third and final T20I between Pakistan and Ireland will be played on Tuesday, with the series currently tied at 1-1. The match will be a crucial test for Ayub and the Pakistan team as they look to secure a series victory and build momentum ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Pakistan's Babar Azam has etched his name in the annals of T20I cricket history by becoming the most successful captain in the format. With a remarkable 45 wins under his leadership, Azam has surpassed all others, including Aaron Finch of Australia and Brian Masaba of Uganda.Azam's record-breaking achievement came after Pakistan's emphatic victory over Ireland in the second T20I of their three-match series. Chasing a challenging target of 193/7, Pakistan showcased their batting prowess, with Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman leading the charge.Rizwan, who remained unbeaten on 75, and Zaman, who contributed a blistering 78, forged a formidable partnership of 140 runs, laying the foundation for Pakistan's triumph. Despite Azam's early dismissal, Rizwan and Zaman's dominance ensured that Ireland's hopes of victory quickly faded.Fakhar Zaman's six towering sixes were a testament to his power-hitting abilities, while Rizwan played a steady hand, anchoring the innings. Azam Khan's explosive unbeaten 30 from just 10 deliveries sealed the deal for Pakistan, ensuring their victory with more than three overs to spare.Azam's 45th T20I win as captain places him ahead of Aaron Finch, who has 40 victories, and Brian Masaba, who has 44 wins in all men's T20Is. Other notable captains on the list include Eoin Morgan (42 wins), MS Dhoni (41 wins), Rohit Sharma (41 wins), and Asghar Afghan (42 wins).Pakistan's victory over Ireland was a testament to their team's resilience and determination. Despite Azam's early departure, Rizwan, Zaman, and Khan stepped up to the plate, showcasing their exceptional talent and ensuring Pakistan's dominance in the series.

Pakistan's former captain Younis Khan has urged the current team, led by Babar Azam, to adapt to the demands of modern cricket. Speaking at an event in Karachi, Khan emphasized the need for top-order batters like Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman to improve their strike rates and make better use of the power play. He also stressed the importance of bowlers being prepared to perform under pressure.Khan's comments come amidst concerns about Pakistan's recent performances, including a shock defeat to Ireland in a T20 International. Former national team colleague Rashid Latif believes that frequent captaincy changes have disrupted the team's environment. He criticized the decision to remove Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain after just one series, arguing that it undermined Babar Azam's authority.Pakistan's new head coach, Gary Kirsten, faces the challenge of restoring stability to the dressing room. His experience working with players from the subcontinent, both with the Indian team and in the Indian Premier League, could prove valuable.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is expected to meet with the players in Dublin to address their concerns. The team is yet to announce its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Kirsten's appointment is seen as an attempt to bring about a change in Pakistan's fortunes. His task will be to instill a winning mentality and create a cohesive team environment. With his experience and knowledge, Kirsten is expected to play a key role in Pakistan's preparations for the T20 World Cup.

Babar Azam Equals Virat Kohli's Record in Ireland's Victory Over PakistanIn a thrilling Twenty20 International (T20I) encounter in Dublin, Ireland secured a historic five-wicket victory over Pakistan, marking their first triumph against the visitors in 17 years. However, Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, found solace in a personal milestone.Azam's scintillating 43-ball 57 propelled Pakistan to a competitive total of 182/6. His knock not only guided his team to a respectable score but also etched his name alongside Indian batting legend Virat Kohli in the record books.With this fifty, Azam equaled Kohli's remarkable feat of most fifty-plus scores in men's T20Is. Both players now boast an impressive tally of 38 such scores. While Kohli has amassed 37 fifties and a century, Azam has registered 35 half-centuries and three centuries.Despite their shared record, Kohli and Azam possess distinct batting styles. Kohli is renowned for his unwavering consistency across all formats, with an exceptional record in both Test and limited-overs cricket. His ability to chase down targets and adapt to diverse situations makes him a formidable batsman.On the other hand, Azam has garnered acclaim for his elegant stroke play and solid technique. He has excelled in limited-overs cricket, consistently delivering impressive performances for Pakistan. His proficiency in handling both pace and spin bowling has made him a pivotal player for his team.Statistically, Kohli holds an edge over Azam in terms of average and centuries across formats. However, both players have carved their own unique paths and contributed significantly to their respective teams' successes.While Kohli has established himself as a global icon with a proven track record, Azam has showcased immense potential and continues to impress with his batting prowess. The highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan on June 9 promises to be a captivating spectacle.Ireland's victory in Dublin has given them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against Pakistan. The two teams will also face off in the group stage of next month's T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.

Pakistan's T20I captain Babar Azam is gearing up for the team's upcoming tours of Ireland and England, which will serve as preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pakistan has been placed in a group alongside India, USA, Ireland, and Canada for the marquee event.Azam was reinstated as captain after Pakistan's disappointing performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has placed its faith in Azam to lead the team to glory at the T20 World Cup.However, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has issued a peculiar challenge to Azam. Ali, likely referring to Azam's low strike rate in T20Is (129.41), stated that if Azam hits three consecutive sixes against top teams (excluding USA and Thailand), he will shut down his YouTube channel. Ali also suggested that if Azam cannot accept this challenge, he should not open the batting at the T20 World Cup.Azam has recently expressed that the team will be devising specific tactics to counter India's star batter Virat Kohli in their high-profile clash at the T20 World Cup. During their previous T20 Cup encounter in 2022, Kohli played a pivotal role in India's victory, scoring an iconic 82* off 53 balls.Speaking at a media conference, Azam acknowledged that while the team does not plan specifically against individual players, they will be preparing for Kohli, whom he described as "one of the best players.""We do not plan anything against one player. We plan for all 11 players. We do not know much about the conditions in New York and we will plan accordingly. He [Virat Kohli] is one of the best players and we will plan against him as well," Azam said.

Pakistan's upcoming tour of Ireland and England presents a golden opportunity for captain Babar Azam to surpass Indian batting legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the leading run-scorer in T20 internationals.With 3823 runs in 114 matches, Babar currently trails Rohit Sharma (3974 runs in 151 matches) by 151 runs and Virat Kohli (4037 runs in 117 matches) by 214 runs. Pakistan's seven-match T20I schedule provides ample scope for Babar to bridge this gap.The tour begins with three T20Is in Ireland from May 10, followed by four T20Is in England. These matches will serve as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US and West Indies from June 2 to 29.Pakistan is placed in the same group as India, and the highly anticipated clash between the archrivals is scheduled for June 9 in New York. Babar's performance in the lead-up to this marquee match will be closely scrutinized.The Pakistan squad currently comprises 18 players, but it will be trimmed to 15 for the T20 World Cup as per ICC regulations. Babar's leadership and batting prowess will be vital for Pakistan's success in the tournament.