Cricket

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, two of the most celebrated batsmen in contemporary cricket, have often been compared for their exceptional skills and achievements. While both players have their own unique strengths and contributions, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez believes that comparing them is unfair.Hafeez, in a recent video, emphasized that both Kohli and Azam are exceptional players who have made significant contributions to their respective teams. He acknowledged Kohli's remarkable consistency and achievements for India, while praising Azam's efforts for Pakistan.However, Hafeez cautioned against direct comparisons, stating that each player has their own style and has excelled in different situations. He believes that Azam, while a fantastic player, should not be expected to carry the entire burden of Pakistan's batting. Instead, he should focus on adapting and enhancing his skills to meet the demands of modern cricket.Statistically, Kohli holds an edge over Azam in terms of average and centuries across formats. However, Azam has shown immense potential and has consistently performed well for Pakistan, particularly in limited-overs cricket.Ultimately, comparing Kohli and Azam is a matter of personal preference and the format of the game. While Kohli has proven his mettle across all formats over a longer period, Azam has demonstrated his exceptional batting abilities and continues to impress with his performances.

Pakistan's Wahab Riaz Requests Six-Hitting Contest, Coach IntervenesFormer Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz recently made a lighthearted request to current captain Babar Azam, asking to participate in a six-hitting competition before the fourth T20I against New Zealand. The request, captured in a video shared on Pakistan Cricket's official social media account, drew a chuckle from Azam and the team.However, Pakistan's head coach Azhar Mahmood stepped in to remind Riaz that management was not permitted to join the contest. Undeterred, Riaz quipped, "I would've hit bigger sixes."The video highlights the camaraderie between the former and current players of the Pakistan cricket team. Riaz's request, though denied, served as a reminder of his competitive spirit and the close bond he shares with the team.Injury Woes for Pakistan Ahead of Fourth T20IPakistan's preparations for the fourth T20I against New Zealand have been hampered by injuries to wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan and all-rounder Irfan Khan. Both players sustained hamstring injuries during the third match in Rawalpindi.The injuries are a significant blow to Pakistan, who are already without Azam Khan, who was ruled out before the series began due to a muscle tear. Haseebullah Khan, who was called up as a replacement, is expected to take on the wicketkeeping duties for the remaining two matches in Lahore.New Zealand Level Series with Victory in Third T20INew Zealand's second-string team emerged victorious in the third T20I by seven wickets, leveling the five-match series at 1-1. The first match of the series was abandoned after just two balls due to rain, while Pakistan won the second match by seven wickets.The fourth T20I will be played in Lahore on Friday, with the fifth and final match scheduled for Sunday. Pakistan will be looking to regain the lead in the series, while New Zealand will be aiming to secure their first series win in Pakistan since 2003.

Pakistani actress Nazish Jahangir has sparked controversy on social media after her comments about national cricket team captain Babar Azam. The incident began when a fan asked Jahangir on Instagram if she would marry Azam. Jahangir's response, "Mazraat hi karungi," which translates to "Will say sorry," ignited a firestorm of criticism.The actress's comment was widely interpreted as a rejection of Azam, leading to a barrage of negative reactions from his fans. Jahangir's Instagram account was subsequently made private, but screenshots of her response continued to circulate online.In an attempt to quell the backlash, Jahangir posted a story on Instagram stating that Azam was like a brother to her and that his fans were spreading negativity. However, her account was later made public again, and the aforementioned story was removed.The controversy has cast a shadow over Azam's recent reinstatement as Pakistan's T20I captain. The team is currently engaged in a T20I series against New Zealand, with the third match taking place on Tuesday.In the third T20I, New Zealand pulled off a stunning seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, thanks to an unbeaten 87 from Mark Chapman. Azam contributed 37 runs to Pakistan's total of 178-4, but it was not enough to prevent the visitors from leveling the series at 1-1.The controversy surrounding Jahangir's comments has raised questions about the role of social media in the lives of public figures. It has also highlighted the intense scrutiny that athletes, particularly those in high-profile sports like cricket, face from fans and the media.

Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam expressed satisfaction with his team's batting performance in the third T20I against New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, despite their 7-wicket loss.Azam, who scored a 37-run knock off 29 balls, acknowledged that Mohammad Rizwan's injury in the first inning was a setback. Rizwan, who had scored 22 runs off 21 balls, was forced to retire hurt."We did well with the bat. I don't think it [the slowdown] made much of a difference because we had caught up in the end. You can say we were ten runs short. Unfortunately, we had a bit of a setback with [Mohammad] Rizwan's injury because it wasn't easy for new batters. But Shadab recovered well and had an outstanding partnership with Irfan [Khan]," Azam said at the post-match presentation.Azam praised the partnership between Shadab Khan and Irfan Khan, which helped Pakistan recover in the game. "In Pindi, 180-190 is a par score," he added.After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to field first. Saim Ayub (32) and Babar Azam opened the innings for Pakistan, putting on a 55-run partnership. Shadab Khan (41) was the standout batter for the hosts, while Irfan Khan (30) also contributed.Ish Sodhi led the Kiwi bowling attack with two wickets, while Bracewell and Jacob Duffy took one wicket each.In the run chase, Dean Foxcroft (31) and Mark Chapman (87) played a crucial 117-run partnership to guide New Zealand to a comfortable victory. Pakistan's bowling performance was lackluster, with only Afridi and Shah taking wickets.The five-match series is currently tied at 1-1, with both teams having won one game each.

Pakistan, led by captain Babar Azam, opted to field first in the second T20I against New Zealand in Rawalpindi on Saturday. The decision came after Pakistan won the toss, hoping to capitalize on the favorable conditions for bowling.Pakistan fielded an unchanged lineup from the first T20I, which was abandoned due to rain after only two deliveries. The team's batting order remains unchanged, with Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed taking the field.New Zealand, on the other hand, was forced to make one change to their XI. Right-arm medium-pace bowler Josh Clarkson was ruled out due to illness and was replaced by offspin-bowling allrounder Cole McConchie. McConchie has played nine T20Is for New Zealand, most recently against the United Arab Emirates in August 2023.Despite his limited batting contributions, McConchie has proven to be a reliable bowler, with seven wickets at an average of 22.71 and an economy rate of 7.17. His inclusion in the team is expected to provide New Zealand with additional bowling options.Meanwhile, Pakistan suffered a setback with the news that wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has been ruled out of the entire series. Radiology reports confirmed a grade one tear in his right calf muscle, forcing him to miss the remaining matches.With the weather forecast predicting clear skies for the second T20I, both teams will be eager to secure a victory and gain an advantage in the three-match series. Pakistan will look to their experienced bowling attack to restrict New Zealand's batting, while the visitors will aim to put up a competitive total and test Pakistan's batting lineup.

Pakistan and New Zealand will clash in the first T20I of a five-match series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, April 18. The series marks the return of Babar Azam as captain after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reversed its decision to appoint Shaheen Shah Afridi as skipper.Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who recently came out of retirement, will also make their international comebacks in this series. New Zealand, on the other hand, has arrived in Pakistan with an understrength squad due to the Indian Premier League (IPL).The Black Caps are missing nine top players, including skipper Kane Williamson, who are currently playing in the IPL. Stand-in captain Michael Bracewell believes this is an opportunity for younger players to showcase their talent.

Pakistan Cricket: Babar Azam Breaks Silence on Captaincy Shuffle and Team DynamicsAmidst the recent captaincy shuffle in Pakistan's cricket team, Babar Azam has addressed the media, shedding light on his relationship with former skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and the team's focus ahead of the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand.Following Pakistan's 1-4 defeat to New Zealand, Babar Azam was reinstated as captain, replacing Afridi. Reports emerged suggesting Afridi's discontent with the abrupt leadership transition, compounded by enigmatic social media statements.However, Babar Azam has emphasized the enduring bond between him and Afridi, asserting their mutual support for each other. "Shaheen and my bond is not recent, it goes back a long way. We support each other in every situation," Babar clarified.Looking ahead to the T20 series, Babar hinted at experimentation within the squad, emphasizing the team's flexibility and the importance of nurturing young talent. "Our lineup is flexible. We're trying to give opportunities to our young players and bench strength. You'll see different combinations in this series," Babar remarked.Expressing satisfaction with the squad's balance of youth and experience, Babar welcomed the inclusion of new faces, emphasizing the team's collective support for players at all stages of their career. "I am very happy when I see a new player getting selected... We try to keep them in our wings," Babar affirmed.Babar's comments suggest that Pakistan is prioritizing team unity and long-term development ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The team's focus on experimentation and nurturing young talent indicates a strategic approach to building a competitive squad for the future.

New Zealand cricketer Ish Sodhi recently showcased his linguistic skills by attempting Punjabi commentary in a blooper reel. The video, shared by Pakistan Cricket's official social media handle, captured Sodhi's humorous commentary on a previous encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand.Sodhi's commentary focused on his own bowling and that of teammate James Neesham. He humorously narrated his bowling to Pakistani players Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam. "Fir aya Ish Sodhi aur Fakhar Zaman ne fir chakka mareya, aur nahi, catch hogya, shukar hai Fakhar Zaman out ho gaya, bahut tang karte hai," he said, describing how Zaman hit a six but was eventually caught out.A light-hearted moment occurred when Sodhi accidentally referred to Babar Azam as "Babar Zaman." "Yeh dekho Babar Zaman ne fir chauka maar diya," he said, meaning "Look, Babar Zaman has hit another boundary." He quickly realized his mistake after being corrected, adding a comedic element to the video.The Pakistan men's cricket team will face New Zealand in an upcoming T20 international series, part of their preparations for the T20 World Cup in June. The series begins in Rawalpindi on April 18 and is highly anticipated as both teams look to fine-tune their squads ahead of the global tournament.Sodhi's Punjabi commentary has garnered attention on social media, showcasing his playful nature and the camaraderie between the two teams. The upcoming T20 series promises to be an exciting contest, with both Pakistan and New Zealand aiming to make a strong statement ahead of the World Cup.

Shaheen Shah Afridi's brief tenure as Pakistan's T20I captain is nearing its end, with Babar Azam set to reclaim the white-ball captaincy. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has offered the role to Babar, who has yet to accept.Babar's reluctance stems from his removal as captain across all formats following Pakistan's disappointing 2023 ODI World Cup campaign. He has requested the PCB to appoint him captain in all three formats if he is to return.Afridi's leadership has come under scrutiny after Pakistan's 4-1 T20I series loss to New Zealand and Lahore Qalandars' dismal performance in the PSL, where they finished bottom of the table. However, Afridi may feel aggrieved, given Naqvi's previous comments about Pakistan seeking a long-term captain.Babar's demand to be Test captain could put pressure on Shan Masood's position as red-ball skipper. Masood has also led Pakistan for just one series, with the team losing all three games in Australia.The captaincy saga highlights the PCB's instability over the past 18 months. Multiple chief selectors and selection committees have been appointed, with Zaka Ashraf's decision to sack Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn being the most high-profile.The current selection committee consists of four selectors, with no chief selector. Decisions are made by vote, with 4-3 majorities carrying the day.Pakistan's next series, against New Zealand in April, is expected to be led by Babar. The PCB is still searching for a head coach, with Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten among the candidates being considered.