Cricket

Pakistan's Test team head coach, Jason Gillespie, has emphasized his commitment to providing players with ample opportunities to prove their worth in the traditional format. However, he has also made it clear that this support will not be indefinite."If performances are not at the required level over a prolonged period, we may consider making changes," Gillespie stated in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).For the upcoming first Test against England, Pakistan has retained the same squad that suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh at home. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali has been added as a second specialist spinner, joining leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed.Gillespie expressed confidence in his players' understanding of his selection philosophy. "We want to back and support players," he said.Pakistan enters the three-Test series against England with a dismal home record, having lost six of their last ten matches and drawn the remaining four. Their poor performance includes a 3-0 whitewash by England in 2022, with one of those defeats occurring in Multan, which will host back-to-back Test matches starting on October 7.Gillespie's tenure as head coach began with a disappointing series against Bangladesh, who dominated Pakistan in both Tests held in Rawalpindi.Pakistan's batting lineup has been struggling, particularly star batter Babar Azam, who has only managed a top score of 41 in his last 16 Test innings. Despite this, Shan Masood has been retained as captain for the first Test against England, even though he has lost five straight Test matches since his elevation to captain last year."A lot of people are writing us off (against England), and that's OK, that's fine," Gillespie said. "It will only motivate our boys a little bit more. We'll go out and do our jobs as best we can, and hopefully, the results will take care of themselves."Gillespie acknowledged England's aggressive 'Bazball' approach, which has seen them scoring runs at a rapid pace against various bowling attacks. "We've seen them evolve their game ... (but) we will play our way, striving to be a consistent and disciplined team that hangs in there and strikes at the right moment to drive the game forward and exploit gaps," he said.In the second Test against Bangladesh, Pakistan failed to capitalize on an advantageous position when they allowed the visitors to recover from a precarious 26 for 6 and eventually lost the match by seven wickets. Gillespie emphasized the need for Pakistan to maintain their advantage once they gain it."Once you gain the advantage, you have to find a way to maintain it and not let the opposition back into the game," he said. "We must shut that door and stay well ahead."Kamran Ghulam, top scorer in Pakistan's domestic cricket, was not picked for the first Test, and fast bowler Mohammad Ali was dropped from the squad. "Look, all players are disappointed when they miss out. I'd be surprised if they weren't," Gillespie said. "I'm relatively new to this role and I've only been involved in two Test matches. That's not a big enough sample size to make long-term decisions on players. I'd rather show my support and backing for them at this stage."

Pakistan's veteran batter Ahmed Shehzad has expressed outrage over the exclusion of domestic stalwart Kamran Ghulam from the team for the first Test against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-man squad for the series opener in Multan on October 7, but Ghulam was conspicuously absent.Ghulam has been in prolific form in the domestic circuit, amassing seven centuries in 13 first-class matches for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) since September 2023. Five of those centuries have come this year alone. Despite his impressive performances, Ghulam was overlooked for the Bangladesh Test series earlier this month and has now been dropped from the squad for the England series.Shehzad, who has played 13 Tests for Pakistan, slammed chief selector Mohammad Yousuf for Ghulam's exclusion. He questioned Yousuf's logic, suggesting that Ghulam's omission may be due to the presence of Babar Azam, who also bats at number three."Kamran Ghulam has been ignored because Mohammad Yousuf didn't make him a part of the 15-member squad," Shehzad said in a video posted on social media. "It's hard to understand. How will you justify not picking Kamran and Sahibzada Farhan in the squad? What sin did they commit? Is it because they bat in the same position where Babar bats?"Shehzad also criticized the PCB's selection policy, which he believes is based on fear of failure. "If Saim and Abdullah can be given chances, then why not Kamran and Mohammad Ali?" he asked. "This is a mindless strategy by the Pakistan Cricket Board."Ghulam, 28, has played just one game for Pakistan, an ODI against New Zealand last year, where he did not bat or bowl. However, he has been in impressive form in the ongoing Champions One Day Cup, scoring 248 runs at an average of 49.60 and a strike rate of 100 in five games.Despite his recent performances, Ghulam's exclusion from the Test squad has raised questions about the PCB's selection criteria. Shehzad's criticism highlights the growing frustration among some players and fans over the board's decision-making process.

Pakistan's Test captaincy is expected to remain unchanged, with Shan Masood set to lead the team in the upcoming home series against England. Babar Azam will continue as the white-ball captain during the tours of Australia and South Africa later this year.England's squad will arrive in Pakistan on October 3 for a three-Test series beginning in Multan on October 7. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors will announce the Test squad after the Champions Cup final on Sunday.Masood, who has overseen five consecutive Test losses, will meet with head coach Jason Gillespie and national selectors Muhammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq in Faisalabad this week to finalize the strategy for the England series.The last time England visited Pakistan, during the 2022/23 season, they swept the series 3-0 under the captaincy of Babar Azam.Sources indicate that few changes are expected in the Test squad that recently lost a series against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi 0-2. The batting line-up is likely to remain stable, with Shan, Babar, Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Rizwan, Kamran Ghulam, and Muhammad Huraira being considered for selection.The selectors are considering the inclusion of some new spinners for the three-match series, but the decision will depend on the type of pitches prepared in Multan and Rawalpindi.Since 2022, Pakistan has lost home series to Australia, England, and Bangladesh, managing only to draw the series against New Zealand. The team will be eager to turn things around against England and regain some momentum in the Test format.

New Zealand's Test cricket schedule is set to intensify as they embark on a packed itinerary to conclude the World Test Championship cycle. After a break since March, the Black Caps will face Sri Lanka in a two-Test series in September, followed by a three-Test tour of India in October and November. They will then return home to host England for three more Tests in November and December.These eight matches will determine New Zealand's fate in the World Test Championship, with the team needing to win at least five to have a chance of reaching the final at Lord's. While the one-off Test against Afghanistan was canceled due to rain, the Black Caps have been preparing diligently for the subcontinental conditions.Captain Tim Southee emphasized the importance of the upcoming Tests, saying, "We've got an important part in terms of the Test championship cycle. We've got eight games between now and December, so it's an exciting time for us as a Test side."New Zealand's strength lies in their diverse bowling attack, with spin-bowling coach Rangana Herath providing valuable insights. The team boasts three left-arm spinners in Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Rachin Ravindra, as well as seam bowlers Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O'Rourke.Southee acknowledged the historical significance of the upcoming matches, as he is just 20 wickets away from becoming the 18th player to reach 400 Test wickets. "Every game you're going out and trying to do your role and take some wickets for your side," he said. "It'd be nice if you do achieve those milestones along the way."

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains steadfast in his determination to host the upcoming Test series against England in Pakistan. However, the PCB's international cricket department has yet to finalize the itinerary, leaving Naqvi frustrated.The three-Test series is scheduled to commence on October 7, with Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi designated as potential venues. However, ongoing construction work at these stadiums in preparation for next year's ICC Champions Trophy has raised concerns about their availability."With less than a month to go before the first Test, the international department has not even decided where the opening match will be held," an insider revealed to PTI.Despite Naqvi's rejection of a proposal to relocate the series to the UAE or South Africa, the department has not formally announced the tour itinerary."The Chairman has emphasized that moving the series would harm the PCB's reputation, and Rawalpindi and Multan should be used for the three-match series," the insider stated.The delay in announcing the venues and itinerary has also impacted the PCB's revenue generation efforts. Broadcasters have encountered difficulties in selling the telecast rights of the series abroad."Even broadcasters who have acquired the rights to sell the series internationally are concerned because they have yet to find a buyer to broadcast the matches in the UK," the insider added.The PCB recently suspended the National Under-19 Championship after just one day of play due to complaints about irregularities in team selection and a lack of budget approval.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing a dilemma as ongoing stadium renovations threaten to disrupt the upcoming Test series against England. With Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium and Karachi's National Stadium undergoing major overhauls, the PCB is considering moving one Test offshore.Abu Dhabi, a former "home" venue for Pakistan during their exile, has emerged as a potential alternative. However, the city is hosting an Ireland-South Africa series until October 7, which could rule out the first Test.Rawalpindi Stadium, which hosted the Bangladesh Tests, is also undergoing renovations in preparation for the Champions Trophy in February 2023. Hosting two Tests in Rawalpindi could delay the work, potentially impacting the tournament.Multan and Rawalpindi remain the only viable venues in Pakistan for Tests. However, hosting two Tests in Rawalpindi could be problematic due to security and accommodation demands during the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) meeting from October 15-16.The PCB is also considering Faisalabad's Iqbal Cricket Stadium, which will host the Champions Cup in September. However, it has not hosted a Test since 2006.The PCB is under pressure to finalize venues as England fans are expected to attend the series. England head coach Brendon McCullum has emphasized the need to know the venues in advance to select the appropriate squad.The stadium upgrades coincide with Pakistan's busiest home season in decades, with seven Tests, four white-ball internationals, the Champions Trophy, and an expanded domestic calendar. The upgrades are long overdue but have become essential as Pakistan prepares to host the Champions Trophy next year.

Ian Bell, the former England batter, has been appointed as Sri Lanka's batting coach for their upcoming tour of England. The tour will feature three Tests, commencing on August 21st. Bell's role will commence on August 16th and continue until the conclusion of the series.Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) CEO Ashley De Silva expressed the rationale behind Bell's appointment: "We appointed Ian to bring in a person with local knowledge to help the players with key insights on the conditions there. Ian has a wealth of experience playing in England, and we believe his inputs will be invaluable to our team during this crucial tour."Since retiring from playing in 2020, Bell has accumulated extensive coaching experience. He has served as batting coach for the England men's U-19 and England Lions teams, assistant coach at Hobart Hurricanes, consultant batting coach at Derbyshire, and assistant coach of the New Zealand men's side ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Most recently, he held the position of assistant coach at Melbourne Renegades in the BBL and is currently the coach of the Birmingham Phoenix side in the Men's Hundred.England batter Jamie Smith, who works with Bell at Phoenix, shared his thoughts on the appointment: "He's reminded me a few times that he's going to be in the opposite camp in this series."Sri Lanka will be hoping that Bell's expertise will guide them to their first Test series victory in England since 2014. The team, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, will face England in three Tests: Manchester (August 21-25), Lord's (August 29-September 2), and the Oval (September 6-10).

Sanath Jayasuriya, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, has been appointed as the interim head coach of the national team for the upcoming limited-overs series against India and the Test tour of England. This decision marks a significant development in Sri Lankan cricket, as Jayasuriya has not previously held a high-profile coaching position.Jayasuriya's appointment comes in the wake of Chris Silverwood's resignation as head coach in June. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board had initially indicated that they would advertise for the role and consider both local and international candidates. However, they have now opted for Jayasuriya, who has been serving as the team's cricket consultant since 2021.SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva expressed confidence in Jayasuriya's ability to guide the team, stating that his "wealth of international cricketing experience" makes him well-suited for the role. Jayasuriya was an integral part of Sri Lanka's golden era in the 1990s and early 2000s, helping them win the 1996 World Cup and establish themselves as a formidable force in world cricket.As a player, Jayasuriya was renowned for his aggressive batting style and ability to change the course of a match with his explosive innings. He is the fifth-highest ODI run-scorer of all time, with over 13,000 runs, and also has 323 ODI wickets to his name. His all-round abilities made him one of the most feared cricketers of his generation.Jayasuriya's appointment has been met with mixed reactions. Some have questioned his lack of coaching experience, while others have welcomed his return to the national team setup. However, there is no doubt that Jayasuriya's passion for Sri Lankan cricket and his vast knowledge of the game will be invaluable to the team.The upcoming series against India and the tour of England will be a major test for Jayasuriya and the Sri Lankan team. India is a formidable opponent in all formats, while England is one of the strongest Test teams in the world. Jayasuriya will need to use all his experience and leadership skills to guide the team to success.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the schedule for the Indian cricket team's highly anticipated international home season for 2024-25. The season promises a thrilling array of Test and limited-overs matches against formidable opponents.The season kicks off in September with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first Test will be played in Chennai from September 19th, while the second Test will take place in Kanpur from September 27th. Following the Test series, India will host Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series.In October, India will face New Zealand in a three-match Test series. The first Test will commence in Bengaluru on October 16th, with the second and third Tests scheduled for Pune and Mumbai, respectively.As the calendar turns to 2025, India will welcome England for a five-match T20I series and three ODIs. The T20I series will begin in Chennai on January 22nd and will feature matches in Kolkata, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai. The ODI leg will commence in Nagpur on February 6th, followed by matches in Cuttack and Ahmedabad.The home season will provide the Indian team with an opportunity to test their mettle against some of the world's top cricketing nations. The Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand will be crucial for India's World Test Championship aspirations, while the limited-overs matches against England will offer valuable preparation for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup.