Cricket

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has hailed Mohammad Rizwan's appointment as Pakistan's white-ball captain, comparing his leadership style to that of legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni.Rizwan's tenure began with a historic series victory in Australia, where Pakistan overcame a loss in the opener to win the subsequent two ODIs and seal the series 2-1. Haider believes Rizwan's 360-degree view of the field as a wicketkeeper-captain gives him an advantage in setting fields and guiding bowlers."A wicketkeeper-captain is a big help for a team," Haider said. "Rizwan is doing the same. He is an effective batter, a good wicketkeeper, and now, a captain. This can help the team immensely."Haider also noted the positive impact on Babar Azam's batting since relinquishing the captaincy. "Babar Azam was overburdened," Haider said. "The moment he gave up captaincy, his batting improved. Now we can see him playing freely, without any burden."The series also showcased the brilliance of pacer Haris Rauf, who claimed 10 wickets and was named Player of the Series. Haider attributed Rauf's growth to his experience bowling against Virat Kohli in the 2022 T20 World Cup."Bowling to Virat has made Haris Rauf a more mature bowler," Haider said. "That was a huge learning curve in his career, and I am certain he took many lessons from that match."Haider also expressed his desire for India to tour Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. "India should come to Pakistan," he said. "Let's forget everything and start afresh. Fans love India vs Pakistan cricket matches more than anything else in this world. Let's love the game, not politics."

Pakistan's Haris Rauf Mimics Hardik Pandya's Celebration in ODI Triumph Over AustraliaPakistan's fast bowler Haris Rauf showcased a confident celebration reminiscent of India's Hardik Pandya during the third ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday. After claiming the wicket of Matthew Short, Rauf performed a "shoulder shrug" gesture, similar to Pandya's celebration after dismissing Shadab Khan in the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan.Rauf's celebration came after he delivered a short-pitched delivery outside off stump, which Short attempted to pull. However, Irfan Khan at deep square leg completed the catch successfully. Pakistan went on to secure an eight-wicket victory, their first ODI series triumph in Australia in 22 years.Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37) led Pakistan's chase of 140, while Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Rauf starred with the ball. Despite losing the opening match in Melbourne, Pakistan bounced back with a convincing nine-wicket win in Adelaide.Rauf's celebration drew attention to the growing influence of Indian cricket on the global stage. Pandya's "shoulder shrug" gesture has become iconic, and Rauf's imitation highlights the respect and admiration that Pakistani players have for their Indian counterparts.The victory in Perth was a significant achievement for Pakistan, who have struggled in recent years to maintain consistency in ODI cricket. The team's ability to adapt to Australian conditions and overcome the loss of key players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman is a testament to their resilience and determination.As Pakistan looks ahead to the upcoming World Cup in India, the team will be hoping to build on their success in Australia. With a talented squad and a growing belief in their abilities, Pakistan will be a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.

Pakistan's confidence is soaring as they prepare for the decisive third ODI against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The visitors have been in scintillating form, led by the fiery bowling of Haris Rauf, who has claimed eight wickets in the series so far.Pakistan's victory in the second ODI in Adelaide was a clinical display of pace bowling and aggressive batting. Saim Ayub, the young opener, played a key role in the win, treating Australia's frontline attack with disdain.Australia, on the other hand, will be without several key players, including Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Marnus Labuschagne, who are preparing for the upcoming Test series against India. Josh Inglis will captain Australia for the first time, facing the daunting task of galvanizing a new-look team.The Optus Stadium is expected to provide a fast and bouncy surface, which should suit Pakistan's pace attack. Rauf, in particular, will be looking to exploit the extra bounce and continue his impressive form.Pakistan's batting has also been in good touch, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan providing stability at the top of the order. Kamran Ghulam and Salman Agha have also made valuable contributions.Australia's batting has been a concern, with openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk struggling for form. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will need to step up and provide some much-needed runs.The series has taken on added significance ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Both teams will be eager to gain momentum and confidence before the tournament.

Legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi has lauded Pakistan's dominant 9-wicket victory over Australia in the second ODI in Adelaide, praising newly-appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan while subtly criticizing former skipper Babar Azam.Afridi took to social media to express his admiration for the team's remarkable comeback performance, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership in motivating players. He wrote, "When a captain inspires, the team fires!"Pakistan's victory was spearheaded by paceman Haris Rauf's stunning 5-29, which restricted Australia to a mere 163 in 35 overs. Rizwan, making his debut as white-ball captain, made a significant impact with six dismissals behind the stumps, equaling the world record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in an ODI.Saim Ayub's blazing 82 and Abdullah Shafique's steady support sealed Pakistan's chase in just 26.3 overs. Afridi praised the team's overall performance, highlighting the contributions of Rizwan, Haris, Shaheen, Saim, and Abdullah.Afridi's comments come amidst speculation about Babar Azam's leadership style. The former skipper has faced criticism for his conservative approach and lack of aggression on the field. Afridi's praise for Rizwan's inspiring leadership suggests that he believes the new captain possesses the qualities necessary to lead Pakistan to success.Pakistan's victory in Adelaide has leveled the three-match ODI series 1-1. The final match will be played on Sunday in Perth, where Pakistan will aim to secure a series victory against the world champions.

Haris Rauf's devastating five-wicket haul propelled Pakistan to a commanding position in the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide, giving them a golden opportunity to level the series.Rauf's incisive spell of 5 for 29 ripped through Australia's middle order, leaving the hosts reeling at 163 all out in just 35 overs. The right-arm pacer's relentless pace and accuracy proved too much for the Australian batsmen, who were unable to settle into any rhythm.Rauf's wicket-taking spree began with the dismissal of Josh Inglis for 18, followed by the prized scalp of Marnus Labuschagne for a mere 6. He then accounted for Aaron Hardie (14) and Glenn Maxwell (16), leaving Australia in tatters.Captain Pat Cummins (13) was Rauf's fifth victim, caught behind in a moment of brilliance. Steve Smith's 35 was the only significant contribution for Australia, as they were bowled out for their lowest ODI total against Pakistan since 2002.Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan played a crucial role behind the stumps, taking six catches to complete a memorable performance. Shaheen Shah Afridi also chipped in with three wickets, removing openers Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk cheaply.The victory gives Pakistan a much-needed boost after their narrow defeat in the first match. They will now look to seal the series in the third and final ODI on Sunday in Perth.

Pakistan's audacious short-ball strategy on the fast and bouncy MCG pitch nearly pulled off a remarkable upset in the first ODI against Australia. However, experts believe that the tactic may not be as effective at the Adelaide Oval, known for its batting-friendly conditions.Pakistan's pace attack, led by Haris Rauf, unleashed a barrage of short-pitched deliveries that rattled Australia's top order. Rauf's fiery spell, which included the dismissals of Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell, had the pro-Pakistan crowd on their feet.Despite the success of the short-ball approach, Australia's captain Pat Cummins remained composed and guided his team to a two-wicket victory. However, the tactic is unlikely to be as effective at the Adelaide Oval, which has shorter square boundaries and a reputation for being a haven for batters."Pakistan's tactics [in Melbourne] bowling pretty short," said Australia opener Matt Short. "But I think they may have to change that a little bit at this ground with the shorter square boundaries which are the complete opposite to the 'G. It's always a nice ground to bat on."Short, who is vying to replace David Warner as Australia's permanent ODI opener, is eager to return to his home ground, where he has excelled for the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL. "It's going to feel quite comfortable down there opening the batting, that's for sure," said Short. "It's my favourite ground in the world to play at."Despite a disappointing start to the series, Short remains confident in his ability to cement his spot in the team. "I came into this series with high aspirations to try to cement my spot in the team," said Short. "I'm going to go out there and keep trying to be positive and play aggressive cricket. It should pay off at some stage."With Travis Head on paternity leave, Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk have formed a new opening duo. While Fraser-McGurk's aggressive style may complement Short's more measured approach, Australia's coaching staff is encouraging both players to play their natural game."The coaching staff give us both the licence to be free and play our shots," said Short. "Batting with Travis Head as well, if he goes [off] then I let him go and I do my thing."

Pakistan's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with captain Babar Azam and his teammates facing intense criticism. The situation escalated when a video emerged of pacer Haris Rauf engaging in an altercation with a fan.In response, several of Rauf's teammates took to social media to express their support. However, this move drew the ire of former Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad, who accused the players of trying to deflect blame.Shehzad, who has been vocal in his criticism of the team's performance, argued that the players should apologize to fans rather than sharing posts in support of Rauf. He also urged them to cancel their overseas holidays and return home."While we fully condemn what happened to Haris Rauf, it is also important that the posts put up by the players in support of Haris should be taken away from the fans due to his poor performance in the World Cup. It should have been as an apology," Shehzad wrote on social media.Shehzad believes that the players are attempting to change the narrative by sharing such posts. He emphasized the need for accountability, as the team has failed to win any major trophies in the past five years."It would be good if these players would apologize to the nation, if these players would be ashamed and if these players would return to Pakistan instead of spending holidays in America, England or Dubai. These posts by the players should not change the narrative and the fans should get answers for the poor performances of the players," Shehzad added."Accountability is very important now. The same group of players have not won anything for our country in the last five years and they have kept prioritizing personal milestones rather than the collective success of Pakistan," he concluded.

Pakistan's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup has sparked outrage among fans, former players, and critics alike. The team's defeats against the United States and India sealed their fate, with a washed-out game against the USA adding insult to injury.Despite avoiding another embarrassing loss against Ireland in their final match, the team's performance has been met with widespread criticism. Former players and experts have expressed their frustration on television and talk shows, while videos of Pakistani fans destroying their TV sets have gone viral on social media.Amidst the backlash, a video has emerged online showing pacer Haris Rauf being taunted by a fan for the team's poor performance. The video shows Rauf walking with his wife when the fan allegedly taunts him. A furious Rauf jumps over a line of street shrub as his wife tries to stop him.Though the video is not clearly audible, Rauf appears to accuse the fan of being Indian, to which the fan responds that he is Pakistani. To his credit, the fan stands his ground against a furious Rauf, who is eventually stopped by other passersby.The incident highlights the intense emotions surrounding Pakistan's T20 World Cup exit. The team's performance has not only disappointed fans but has also raised questions about the future of Pakistani cricket.Meanwhile, reports have emerged that Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam and five other players have chosen to spend their holidays in London before returning home. This decision has further angered fans, who believe that the players should be held accountable for their poor performance.

Haris Rauf Joins Elite Club with 100 T20I WicketsIn a moment of personal triumph amidst Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, pacer Haris Rauf has etched his name into the history books by becoming only the second Pakistani player to reach the 100-wicket milestone in T20I cricket.Rauf's blistering pace and pinpoint accuracy proved too much for the Canadian batsmen during Pakistan's Group A match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Tuesday. He finished the first innings with figures of 2/26 in his four-over spell, with Shreyas Movva and Ravinderpal Singh becoming his 100th and 101st victims in the shortest format, respectively.This achievement makes Rauf the third-fastest player to reach the 100-wicket landmark in T20I cricket, behind only Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan and Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga. Rashid achieved the feat in an astonishing 53 matches, while Hasaranga reached the 100-wicket mark in 63 games.Rauf's rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric. Since making his T20I debut in 2020, he has consistently impressed with his raw pace and ability to swing the ball both ways. His performances have played a crucial role in Pakistan's recent successes, including their victory in the 2022 Asia Cup.Rauf's achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and natural talent. It is also a source of pride for Pakistan cricket, which has produced some of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the game.As Pakistan continues its T20 World Cup campaign, Rauf will be looking to add to his wicket tally and help his team secure a place in the knockout stages. With his pace, skill, and determination, he is sure to play a key role in Pakistan's quest for glory.