Cricket

Pakistan cricket has been embroiled in turmoil following the resignation of national selector Mohammad Yousuf. The team's dismal performance in the T20 World Cup and the PCB's alleged neglect of domestic performers have sparked widespread criticism.The fallout from these issues was evident in the press conference of Iftikhar Ahmed, captain of the Markhors team in the Champions Cup. Visibly upset after his team's defeat, Iftikhar lashed out at a reporter's question about emerging young talent."What has the media observed?" he retorted. "Don't hype someone after just one innings. Let them perform in domestic cricket for 2-3 seasons before talking about their prospects for Pakistan."Iftikhar's outburst highlights the growing frustration among players and fans over the PCB's handling of young talent. Former players like Ahmed Shehzad have repeatedly criticized the board for favoring inconsistent performers over promising youngsters.However, Iftikhar emphasized that youngsters should earn their place in the national team through consistent performances in domestic cricket. "Let a player succeed in all formats in domestic cricket before talking about him," he said.Iftikhar also blamed the media for contributing to the negative atmosphere surrounding Pakistan cricket. "You guys hype someone after one innings and then bring them down to earth," he said.The PCB's decision to overlook domestic performers has raised questions about its commitment to developing the next generation of cricketers. The resignation of Yousuf, a respected former player, further underscores the challenges facing Pakistan cricket.

Panthers Triumph Over Markhors in Champions Cup SemifinalIn a thrilling encounter at the National Stadium, Karachi, Panthers emerged victorious over Markhors by seven wickets to secure a berth in the final of the Champions Cup. The victory marked a significant milestone for the chasing team, as it was the first time a side had successfully chased down a target in the tournament.Markhors, after winning the toss, opted to bat first but faced an early setback when Ali Raza dismissed Haseebullah Khan in the second over. The damage was compounded by Mohammad Hasnain, who wreaked havoc on the Markhors batting lineup, dismissing Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Rizwan in quick succession. Markhors found themselves reeling at 25 for 4 in the seventh over.Salman Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed attempted to salvage the innings with a 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, Iftikhar's dismissal triggered a collapse, and Markhors were eventually bowled out for a meager 137 in 36 overs. Saim Ayub emerged as the unlikely hero for Panthers, claiming 5 for 24 with his part-time legbreaks.Panthers' chase got off to a shaky start with the early loss of Azan Awais. Ayub steadied the innings with a composed 33 off 36 balls, but his dismissal and that of Umar Siddiq in quick succession left Panthers in a precarious position.However, Usman Khan stepped up to the plate, smashing an unbeaten 54 off just 26 balls to guide Panthers to victory in the 24th over. Khan's blistering knock included six fours and three sixes, showcasing his power-hitting prowess.Markhors will now face the winner of the first eliminator between Stallions and Lions on Friday. Panthers, on the other hand, will await their opponent in the final, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday.

In a thrilling encounter, Dolphins emerged victorious over Lions by 16 runs in the final league game of the Champions Cup. Batting first, Dolphins amassed a formidable 326, thanks to Umar Amin's 75 and Muhammad Akhlaq's 52. Lions' chase started promisingly, but they ultimately fell short despite a valiant effort from Khushdil Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.Dolphins' innings got off to a shaky start with the early dismissal of Sahibzada Farhan. However, Muhammad Hurraira and Muhammad Akhlaq steadied the ship with a 77-run partnership. Hurraira contributed 47 off 41 balls, while Akhlaq scored 52 off 50.After the departure of Hurraira and Akhlaq, Umar Amin took charge. He found support from the lower middle order, including Jamal's 69 off 52 balls, to guide Dolphins to a challenging total. By the time Amin was dismissed in the 42nd over, Dolphins had reached 275. They eventually finished on 326, despite being bowled out in the final over.In response, Lions openers Abdullah Shafique and Rohail Nazir provided a solid start, putting on 78 runs in 13.3 overs. Nazir was the more aggressive of the two, scoring 62 off 70 balls. However, Lions' chase suffered a setback when Saud Shakeel dismissed Nazir and Omair Yousuf in quick succession.With 100 runs needed in the last ten overs and four wickets in hand, Lions' hopes rested on Khushdil Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Despite Shaheen's injury, the pair launched a counterattack, hitting seven sixes and two fours in the next four overs.However, Abbas Afridi held his nerve in the final over, conceding only seven runs to secure a consolation win for Dolphins. Khushdil remained unbeaten on 60 off 28 balls, while Shaheen scored 24 off 14 balls.

In a thrilling encounter at the Champions Cup, Panthers emerged victorious over Stallions by a margin of 20 runs, continuing the trend of teams batting first and securing wins.Panthers, after winning the toss, opted to bat first and amassed a formidable total of 344 for 7. Saim Ayub was the star performer, smashing a magnificent 156 off 130 deliveries, including 13 boundaries and seven towering sixes. Azan Awais provided valuable support, contributing 63 runs in a 138-run opening partnership with Ayub.Usman Khan joined Ayub at the crease and the duo unleashed a flurry of boundaries, adding 116 runs in just 79 balls. Usman departed for 75 off 47 deliveries, but Ayub continued his onslaught, guiding Panthers past the 300-run mark in the 44th over. However, Panthers lost wickets in quick succession towards the end, managing only 30 runs in the final five overs.Stallions' chase got off to a shaky start as they lost three key wickets within the first seven overs. Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, and Babar Azam all departed cheaply, leaving Stallions in a precarious position.Hussain Talat and Tayyab Tahir steadied the innings with a 157-run partnership for the fourth wicket, keeping Stallions in the contest. However, the required run rate continued to climb, and when Mubasir Khan dismissed Talat for 63 in the 35th over, the asking rate had reached nearly ten runs per over.Tahir reached his century in the 39th over but was dismissed shortly after. With 73 runs needed in the final four overs and only two wickets remaining, Zaman Khan threatened to pull off a remarkable victory. He smashed 42 runs off just 16 deliveries, but Stallions ultimately fell short by 20 runs.

Pakistan All-Rounder Faheem Ashraf Exposes Rampant Umpiring Corruption in Domestic CricketPakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has lifted the lid on the widespread corruption plaguing umpiring in domestic cricket, revealing that players often exchange phone numbers with umpires to secure favors.Speaking on the sidelines of the Champions Cup, Ashraf painted a grim picture of the state of umpiring in Pakistan, claiming that the best umpires have left the domestic circuit for higher-level appointments."All the good umpires in Pakistan are gone from domestic cricket," Ashraf said. "Umpiring in domestic cricket is also like this (poor), but because there is no TV coverage, no one has the idea."Ashraf's comments come amid growing concerns over the poor standard of umpiring in the ongoing Champions Cup, which has been marred by several controversial decisions."Now (with the Champions Cup) everyone knows at what level umpiring is in Pakistan," Ashraf said. "Good or bad, everyone knows now."The 30-year-old all-rounder went on to reveal that players and umpires often exchange favors in domestic cricket."In domestic cricket, players are friends with umpires, so they get saved or umpires take their (phone) numbers," Ashraf said. "I am talking straight."Ashraf emphasized that such practices are not tolerated in the Champions Cup, where every decision is scrutinized under the watchful eye of television cameras."But there is no friendship here (in the Champions Cup) because everything is on the (TV) screen," Ashraf said. "Everybody is watching."Ashraf's revelations have sparked outrage among cricket fans and officials, who have called for immediate action to address the issue of corruption in domestic umpiring.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has acknowledged the problem and has promised to take steps to improve the quality of umpiring in domestic cricket.

Babar Azam Silences Sarfaraz Ahmed's Taunts with Century in Champions CupIn a thrilling Champions Cup encounter in Faisalabad, Pakistan's batting maestro Babar Azam silenced his detractors with a magnificent century, proving that he remains a force to be reckoned with.The match took an unexpected turn when Dolphins wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed attempted to unsettle Babar with sarcastic remarks. "No hurry, tell spectators to chant Babar, Babar. Let Babar play 40 overs and we will get others out," Sarfaraz was heard saying on the stump microphone.However, Babar responded in the best possible way, showcasing his class and composure. Coming in to bat at No. 3 for the Stallions, he played a masterful innings, scoring 104 not out off 100 balls. His knock included seven boundaries and three towering sixes, guiding the Stallions to a competitive 271 for 7 in 50 overs.In response, the Dolphins' batting lineup crumbled under pressure, crashing to a dismal 97 all out in just 25 overs. Sarfaraz, who had tried to provoke Babar, managed only five runs before being dismissed.Jahandad Khan and Mehran Mumtaz were the stars with the ball for the Stallions, claiming three wickets each. Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed also chipped in with two wickets apiece, ensuring a comprehensive 174-run victory for their team.Babar's century was a timely reminder of his exceptional talent and resilience. Despite facing criticism for his recent form, he proved that he is still capable of dominating the game. His innings not only silenced his critics but also inspired his team to a resounding victory.

Saim Ayub's No-Look Shot Blunder Sparks Social Media FrenzyPakistan's young batting sensation, Saim Ayub, became the subject of social media ridicule after a botched attempt at a no-look shot led to his dismissal in the Champions Cup on Saturday.Opening the batting for the Panthers against the Dolphins at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, Ayub's innings ended abruptly for just six runs, courtesy of a comical dismissal by Mir Hamza.In the third over of the Panthers' innings, Ayub, under pressure from Hamza's relentless bowling, opted for a risky no-look shot off a full-length delivery. The ambitious move, aimed at clearing the boundary for six runs, backfired spectacularly.The ball caught the leading edge of Ayub's bat and soared directly into the hands of the waiting fielder at mid-off. The failed shot not only added to Ayub's unfortunate innings but also sparked a wave of social media jibes and memes.Cricket fans took to Twitter to express their amusement and frustration at Ayub's dismissal. One fan wrote, "Kab tak ye asy out hota rahay ga!! (How many times will he keep getting out in the same manner?)"Another fan quipped, "This shot will end Saim's career."The incident highlighted the risks associated with flamboyant shots in high-pressure situations. Ayub's dismissal served as a reminder that even talented batters can fall victim to reckless play.Despite the setback, the Panthers managed to post a respectable total of 165 runs, thanks to a half-century from captain Shadab Khan. However, the Dolphins chased down the target with ease, winning by six wickets.Ayub's no-look shot blunder will likely be remembered as one of the most comical dismissals in recent cricket history. It remains to be seen whether the young batter can learn from his mistake and avoid similar mishaps in the future.

In a resounding victory at the Champions Cup in Faisalabad, Stallions crushed Lions by 133 runs, led by a dominant batting performance and a clinical bowling display.Stallions captain Mohammad Haris opted to bat first, and the team's openers, Shan Masood and Babar Azam, provided a solid foundation with a 39-run partnership. After Masood's dismissal, Babar took charge, scoring a steady 76 runs to anchor the innings.Tayyab Tahir's blistering 74 off 72 balls propelled Stallions' total, while Haris and Hussain Talat contributed valuable cameos towards the end. The team's aggressive approach in the final ten overs yielded 118 runs, setting a daunting target of 336 for Lions.Lions' chase faltered from the outset as Mohammad Ali's early wickets removed Sajjad Ali and Abdullah Shafique. Imam-ul-Haq emerged as the lone warrior, scoring a valiant 78, but the asking rate proved insurmountable.Haris Rauf's three wickets and Ali's economical spell of 2 for 18 stifled Lions' progress. Shaheen Shah Afridi, despite a late flurry with the bat, could not prevent his team's collapse.Stallions' comprehensive victory was a testament to their collective strength. Babar Azam's leadership, the contributions of multiple batters, and the effectiveness of their bowlers proved too much for Lions to overcome.

Pakistan's white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten will take charge of the upcoming Champions Cup domestic one-day competition, where all contracted players are expected to participate. Kirsten will be assisted by physiotherapist Cliff Deacon and strength coach Dreks Simon, who will assess players' performance and fitness ahead of Pakistan's white-ball matches this season.The trio will also conduct fitness tests for the national Test squad and other international players. Meanwhile, red-ball format head coach Jason Gillespie and high-performance coach Tim Nielsen will depart for Australia on Wednesday following the conclusion of Pakistan's series against Bangladesh.Despite Pakistan's disappointing 0-2 defeat to Bangladesh, sources close to the team indicate that no significant changes are anticipated. Both Gillespie and Kirsten have been granted full authority by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to maintain continuity in selection and other matters."Both have advised the PCB to exercise patience and avoid making decisions based on a string of poor performances across all formats," a source revealed.The Champions Cup will serve as the first assignment for the Pakistan team before they embark on the World Test Championship series against England, commencing on October 7 in Multan. Gillespie and Nielsen are expected to return to Pakistan for this series.