Cricket

Mohammad Rizwan, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batter, has emerged as the frontrunner to lead Pakistan's white-ball teams in the upcoming tours of Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the touring squad by Sunday, October 23rd.The decision to appoint Rizwan as captain comes after Babar Azam stepped down from the role earlier this month, citing a desire to focus on his batting. Rizwan's experience and leadership qualities have made him a strong candidate for the position."Rizwan is a front runner to become white-ball captain because of his seniority, reliability as a player, and experience of leading teams well in domestic cricket and PSL," said a reliable source within the PCB.The selectors have consulted with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten in the past two days. They are likely to include Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah in the white-ball squad after they were rested for the last two Tests against England.The source also indicated that the selectors are keen to include some new young players in the squad to provide exposure and rest to senior players. Pakistan is scheduled to play nine ODIs and as many T20 internationals during the three tours.Rizwan's appointment as captain would mark a significant shift in Pakistan's white-ball leadership. He is known for his calm and composed demeanor, as well as his ability to inspire his teammates. His experience in leading teams in domestic cricket and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be invaluable in his new role.

Pakistan's limited-overs head coach Gary Kirsten has returned to South Africa, leaving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to finalize the successor to Babar Azam as white-ball captain. Kirsten's departure follows a period of assessment and consultation in Lahore and Faisalabad, where he observed the Champions Cup and met with selectors and board officials.Kirsten will rejoin the Pakistan squad in Melbourne on October 29 for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Pakistan will play a total of 18 matches, including nine ODIs and nine T20Is, during the tour.Sources within the PCB indicate that wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi are the frontrunners to replace Azam as captain. Kirsten and former Australia coach Jason Gillespie have reportedly discussed the captaincy issue with the selection committee.The decision will be based on long-term considerations, including the candidates' behavior and recent performances. Rizwan is believed to be the favorite, with a younger player potentially serving as his deputy to manage his workload.The PCB is expected to announce the new white-ball captain later this month. The appointment will be crucial as Pakistan prepares for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

Pakistan's cricket team is facing a dilemma as they consider splitting the captaincy across the three formats of the game. The heavy schedule and workload on the current white-ball skipper, Babar Azam, has prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to explore alternative options.Despite expectations that Azam would retain the ODI captaincy, he surprisingly resigned late Wednesday night, citing a desire to focus on his batting. This has left the PCB, head coach Gary Kirsten, and the selection committee with the task of finding a suitable replacement.Muhammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper-batter, is considered the frontrunner for the white-ball captaincy. However, concerns have been raised about his workload, as he is an automatic selection in all formats. The team's hectic international schedule, which includes 18 ODIs and T20Is in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, followed by two Tests in South Africa, has raised concerns about Rizwan's ability to handle the additional responsibility.Sources within the PCB suggest that the board may consider appointing separate captains for ODIs and T20Is, or naming a strong vice-captain to Rizwan who would lead the team in his absence. Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are among the candidates being considered for these roles.Kirsten has reportedly expressed reservations about any player taking on the captaincy in two formats, especially after Azam's recent loss of form and confidence. The PCB is now tasked with finding a solution that balances the need for strong leadership with the players' workload management.

Babar Azam Relinquishes White-Ball Captaincy Amidst Critical Report and Lack of SupportPakistan's star batter Babar Azam has stepped down as captain of the national white-ball teams following a critical report submitted by head coach Gary Kirsten and a perceived lack of support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Sources within the PCB and close to the team revealed that Azam had lost his enthusiasm for the captaincy after the team's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup in July. Kirsten's report, which was partially leaked to the public, reportedly criticized Azam's leadership and blamed him for the team's failures.Azam expressed dissatisfaction with the report and felt that he was being unfairly singled out. He conveyed to the PCB that he was no longer interested in continuing as captain.The situation was further exacerbated when the PCB announced Azam as captain of the T20 team but not the ODI squad ahead of the World Cup. This decision was seen as a lack of confidence in Azam's abilities.Kirsten's report also raised concerns about the dressing room environment and the behavior of some players. He questioned whether Azam was equipped to handle the pressures of captaincy and suggested that he should focus on his role as a specialist batter.The PCB is currently deliberating on who will replace Azam as white-ball captain. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has instructed the selection committee to carefully consider all options and provide a detailed rationale for their decision.

Pakistan's cricket team is gearing up for a crucial Test series against England, but behind the scenes, there are allegations of political maneuvering within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Former batsman Basit Ali has claimed that white-ball coach Gary Kirsten is now involved in the politics of Pakistani cricket.According to Ali, Kirsten has taken over the leadership of a "friendship group" within the team, which was previously headed by captain Babar Azam. Ali alleges that Kirsten has been pushing for certain players to be given extended runs, including all-rounder Shadab Khan.Ali also criticized the team's recent Test series whitewash at home to Bangladesh, calling it an "embarrassing" defeat. He questioned the team's consistency and performance, suggesting that favoritism and politics were undermining the team's success.Ali's claims have been met with mixed reactions. Some have dismissed them as unfounded speculation, while others have expressed concern about the alleged political interference in the team.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has not publicly commented on Ali's allegations. However, he has previously stated that the board is committed to improving the team's performance and ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.Despite Ali's claims that fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi would not be included in the squad for the England Tests, Afridi was named in the 15-member squad for the first Test.Ali also predicted that Kirsten would be sacked after the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is set to host in February-March next year. He claimed that Kirsten had become part of the political landscape of Pakistani cricket and would not be successful in the long run.The PCB has not commented on Ali's prediction regarding Kirsten's future. However, the board has stated that it is focused on preparing the team for the upcoming Champions Trophy and ensuring a successful tournament on home soil.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently concluded its much-anticipated "connection camp" with a roadmap to address the team's current struggles. The camp brought together officials, team management, and players, including captains Shan Masood and Babar Azam, for open and robust discussions.One key issue identified was the lack of unity within the national side. Salman Naseer, the PCB's chief operating officer, acknowledged that this had been a topic of discussion, not only among the players but also between the board and the team.The camp also addressed tensions between players and the board, particularly regarding the denial of NOCs for participation in overseas leagues. Naseer emphasized that unity was not just about the team but also about the relationship between the team and management.Despite the challenges, Gary Kirsten, the white-ball coach, expressed optimism about the depth of talent in Pakistan. He praised the quality of players showcased in the recent Champions Cup.Jason Gillespie, the head coach, highlighted the importance of listening and learning to improve the team's effectiveness. He emphasized the players' pride in representing Pakistan and their desire to inspire the nation.The discussions at the camp will continue, with the aim of identifying and addressing issues that have hindered the team's performance. The PCB is committed to working together with the players and management to improve results and foster a positive and unified environment.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is embarking on a comprehensive review of its international and domestic cricket operations, aiming to restore the glory days of Pakistani cricket. The "connection camp," scheduled for September 23 in Lahore, will bring together head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and key players, including captains Shan Masood and Babar Azam.The camp's primary objective is to redefine Pakistan's cricket philosophy across all formats, from grassroots to international level. The PCB aims to reverse the recent decline in the national team's performances and establish a unified vision and shared purpose.Inspired by England's successful review in 2015, the PCB believes the connection camp is a crucial step towards cultural transformation. England's rapid turnaround, culminating in the 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup victories, serves as a model for Pakistan's aspirations.However, the PCB acknowledges the challenges it faces, particularly in terms of talent availability. Naqvi has expressed concerns about the dwindling talent pool in domestic cricket, which could hinder the pace of recovery.To address this issue, the PCB has revamped the domestic one-day competition, now known as the Champions One-Day Cup. Scheduled from September 12 to 29, the tournament aims to identify and nurture emerging talent.Despite the ambitious plans, the PCB recognizes the skepticism among fans. The board understands the need to bridge the trust deficit and demonstrate tangible results on the field. The connection camp is seen as a starting point in this process, but ultimately, the PCB's success will be measured by the performance of the national team.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is implementing stringent fitness tests as a prerequisite for awarding central contracts for the upcoming 12 months. This comprehensive assessment will encompass both current contracted players and potential candidates from international and domestic competitions.The fitness tests will be conducted from September 6 to 8 in Lahore under the supervision of white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, team physiotherapist, and trainer. The players will subsequently depart for Faisalabad to participate in the Champions Cup.According to a reliable source within the PCB, "The fitness tests will play a pivotal role in determining which players secure contracts this year, while performance will also be a key consideration." The source emphasized that both foreign coaches, Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, have prioritized fitness as a primary criterion for player selection.Gillespie expressed concerns regarding the fitness levels of certain players during the recent Test series against Bangladesh, noting their inability to maintain intensity and endurance throughout the matches. Kirsten echoed similar sentiments during meetings with selectors and board officials.The fitness tests will evaluate various aspects of a player's physical capabilities, including gym training, stamina and endurance runs, yo-yo tests, and other assessments.Currently, the PCB has awarded central contracts to approximately 27 players. However, indications suggest that the number may be reduced this time due to the national team's underwhelming performances across all formats in the past year.The recent 2-0 Test series defeat against Bangladesh has drawn significant criticism towards players and board officials, prompting the PCB to implement stricter fitness standards to enhance the team's competitiveness.

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.