Cricket

Pakistani Journalist's Comparison of Sourav Ganguly and Imam-ul-Haq Sparks OutrageA Pakistani journalist's attempt to compare former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly with Pakistan's batsman Imam-ul-Haq has ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media. The journalist posted photos of the two players, asking fans to choose the better player.The comparison was met with widespread disapproval, as fans pointed out the vast disparity in their respective careers. Ganguly, known affectionately as "Dada," is widely regarded as one of India's greatest cricket captains. During his tenure from 2000 to 2005, he led the team to numerous victories, including the 2003 World Cup final and the NatWest Trophy in 2002.Ganguly's leadership style was characterized by aggression and fearlessness, and he played a pivotal role in nurturing young talents like Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh. His legacy as a captain who instilled confidence and a winning mentality in the Indian cricket team remains unmatched.In contrast, Imam-ul-Haq, while a promising batsman, has yet to establish himself as a consistent performer at the international level. The 28-year-old has played 24 Tests, 72 ODIs, and 2 T20Is, amassing fewer than 5,000 international runs.The journalist's comparison was seen as disrespectful to Ganguly's illustrious career and the immense contribution he has made to Indian cricket. Fans took to social media to express their outrage, with many calling the comparison "absurd" and "outrageous."The incident highlights the deep-rooted rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket. While friendly competition is always welcome, attempts to diminish the achievements of legendary players are likely to be met with strong resistance from fans.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign has been thrown into disarray following consecutive defeats against USA and India. Despite a victory over Canada, their fate now rests on the outcome of other matches in Group A. Amidst the turmoil, Pakistan batsman Imam-ul-Haq has come to the defense of under-fire captain Babar Azam.Imam has questioned the criticism directed at Babar, particularly from former teammate Ahmed Shehzad. Shehzad had criticized Babar's record as captain and batter in ICC tournaments, as well as the selection of Azam Khan, who has faced body-shaming on social media.Imam argued that the same respect accorded to Azam Khan should be extended to Babar. He highlighted Babar's impressive international record, including an average of 50 across all three formats. "If he has an average of 50 in all three formats, who will answer (consider) that?" Imam said.Imam also emphasized the importance of respect for the national team captain. "You want to remove him from captaincy, do that, nobody has a problem with that. You don't want to consider him 'King', don't. His fans have made him, what you say doesn't matter," he added.Babar's reinstatement as captain after Pakistan's poor showing at the ODI World Cup last year has been met with mixed reactions. While his batting performances in this T20 World Cup have been respectable, his inability to lead the team to tournament victories remains a concern.Imam acknowledged that Babar should be held accountable for his failures as captain. "He hasn't won you tournaments as a captain, that's the problem, right? So he should be asked questions. If he isn't able to do that, then do change him...but the element of respect should be there," he said.As Pakistan faces the prospect of an early exit from the T20 World Cup, the team's unity and leadership will be crucial. Imam's defense of Babar suggests that the team remains behind their captain, despite the challenges they face.

Pakistan cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Ahmed Shehzad engaged in a heated debate on live television, sparking controversy over the leadership of Babar Azam and the selection policies of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Shehzad, who has represented Pakistan in 13 Tests and 81 ODIs, accused Azam of favoritism and questioned the decision to reinstate him as captain after the team's disappointing performance at the 2023 Cricket World Cup. He argued that senior players should be rested against weaker opponents to provide opportunities for younger talent, citing the example of Team India's Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.Imam, on the other hand, defended Azam's captaincy, stating that the board had made the decision to remove and reinstate him without his consent. He emphasized Azam's strong performances in the past, including reaching the semifinals in 2021 and the final in 2022.Shehzad countered by expressing frustration over the lack of opportunities for young players, claiming that some players are given preferential treatment despite poor form. He also questioned the fairness of Shaheen Afridi's removal as captain.Imam responded by asserting that his stance on these issues would remain consistent regardless of his age or contract status. He promised to continue advocating for transparency and fairness in the selection process.The debate has raised concerns among Pakistan supporters, who fear that it could impact the team's performance at the upcoming T20 World Cup. The men in green will face hosts USA in their opening game on June 6, followed by a highly anticipated clash against India on June 9.