Cricket

Pakistan's captain, Fatima Sana, is determined to guide her team to victory in their upcoming match against India, despite the immense pressure that comes with such a high-stakes encounter. Pakistan's recent success, including a resounding win over Sri Lanka in their tournament opener, has instilled a sense of confidence within the team.Under the guidance of coach Mohammad Wasim, Pakistan has adopted innovative practices from the Pakistan Super League, such as data analysis and an emphasis on range-hitting. This approach has paid dividends, with the team posting their highest T20I total of 181 against South Africa.Sana, who is known for her all-around abilities, has played a pivotal role in Pakistan's batting resurgence. She believes that the team's newfound confidence in their power-hitting abilities has been a key factor in their success."In the last South Africa series, our team hit six sixes in one match," Sana said. "I think the girls believe that even if the fielders are standing behind, if they hit, they can go for six."Wasim has worked closely with Sana and other players to improve their range-hitting techniques. He has also encouraged them to adopt an attacking mindset, which has helped them to put pressure on opposing bowlers from the outset.Sana's own performance against Sri Lanka, where she scored a crucial 20-ball 30, is a testament to her commitment to leading by example. She is determined to continue improving her all-around game and become the "number one all-rounder.""I always wanted to be the number one all-rounder," Sana said. "Sir [Wasim] has played a big role in this. He has helped me a lot. Our power-hitting coach, he has helped a lot of girls. I think all the credit goes to him because he has given us the belief that you can become an all-rounder."As Pakistan prepares for their match against India, Sana is confident that her team can rise to the occasion. She believes that their recent success and the support of their coaching staff will give them the edge they need to secure a victory.

Match-Fixing Haunts Pakistan Cricket, Says Former Player Mudassar NazarFormer Pakistan cricketer Mudassar Nazar has shed light on the dark cloud of match-fixing that has plagued the team, particularly in the 1990s. Nazar believes that the fear of losing to India and the subsequent accusations of match-fixing created an immense pressure on the Pakistani players."In the 90s, Pakistan's team was as talented as Australia," said Nazar. "But there was a fear factor of losing, and I'm going to be a little controversial here. The controversy is behind match-fixing."Nazar explained that the Pakistani public was unwilling to accept that their team could lose to a better opponent. This led to a culture of suspicion and accusations, which weighed heavily on the players."Nobody was prepared to accept that they actually lost to a better team," said Nazar. "So, at some stage in the early 90s, I was part of that team which was fearful of losing the game, and that was entirely due to match-fixing or fear of people believing the match was fixed."The match-fixing saga has had a lasting impact on Pakistan cricket, according to Nazar. The team's performances have declined across all formats in recent years, and Nazar believes that the pressure and suspicion created by match-fixing has played a role."Unfortunately, the match-fixing saga took its toll on Pakistan team," said Nazar.Nazar also discussed the intense rivalry between Pakistan and India, which added to the pressure on the players."No Pakistani, no Indian, would want to lose this game," said Nazar. "That wasn't the case with the cricket, but with the general public probably."Nazar believes that the use of psychologists to cope with the pressure of match-fixing has not been effective."I have never seen a psychologist win a cricket match," said Nazar. "A lot of the teams have employed psychologists all over the world. But it has never worked."

India-Pakistan Rivalry to Ignite Women's T20 World Cup 2024 in UAEThe highly anticipated Women's T20 World Cup 2024 has been relocated from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the tournament set to take place from October 6 to 20. The relocation was necessitated due to logistical challenges in Bangladesh.The tournament will feature 10 teams divided into two groups, with six-time champions Australia drawn in Group A alongside India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Group B comprises South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Scotland.The India-Pakistan clash on October 6 is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament, given the historic rivalry between the two nations. The match will be played in Dubai, which will also host the final on October 20.Each team will play four group matches, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals on October 17 and 18. The tournament will feature 23 matches across two venues, with 10 warm-up matches scheduled from September 28 to October 1.The Women's T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be an exciting and competitive event, with some of the world's best cricketers set to showcase their skills. The relocation to the UAE is expected to provide a safe and secure environment for the tournament, while also ensuring that fans from around the world can witness the action live.

Pakistan is set to host the Champions Trophy 2025 from February 19 to March 9, 2025. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has submitted an official draft schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The tournament will feature a highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on March 1.However, the participation of India remains uncertain due to political tensions between the two countries. According to sources, India is unlikely to travel to Pakistan, with the final decision resting with the central government. Last year, India withdrew from the Asia Cup scheduled to be held in Pakistan due to similar reasons.The PCB has proposed a hybrid model, where India's group stage matches could be played in Lahore for security reasons. However, the BCCI has not yet discussed this option and will await the ICC's decision during its next board meeting.The strained political relations between India and Pakistan have significantly impacted cricketing ties. The last bilateral series between the two nations was held in 2012-13. The Champions Trophy 2025 could provide an opportunity for a resumption of bilateral cricket, but the political climate remains a major obstacle.The PCB is hopeful that the ICC will find a solution that allows all teams to participate in the tournament. The Champions Trophy is a prestigious event, and the absence of any major team would diminish its value.

Pakistan's 2024-25 home season promises to be a spectacle, with the prestigious Champions Trophy taking center stage. However, the participation of neighboring India remains uncertain, casting a shadow over the tournament's allure.India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, and the two archrivals have only faced each other in multi-team events. Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year, but India, the eventual champions, played all their matches in Sri Lanka under a "hybrid model." India cited a lack of government clearance for their absence in Pakistan.The PCB has announced a packed home schedule, including Test series against Bangladesh, England, and West Indies. A 50-over tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa is also scheduled for February 2025.The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is undergoing renovations in preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be held from February 19 to March 5. The PCB has stated that the tournament's dates and venues will be confirmed by the ICC in due course.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the significance of hosting five elite cricket nations and several other teams over the next eight months. "We deeply value the participation of these teams and players, who will bring immense talent and competitive spirit to our fields," he said.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet commented on India's participation in the Champions Trophy. However, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla recently stated that they would only participate with government approval.Pakistan won the last Champions Trophy in 2017, which was held in England. The tournament is being revived by the ICC to ensure a major event is hosted every year.

Pakistan's dismal performance at the Twenty20 World Cup has resulted in their earliest-ever elimination from the tournament. The 2009 champions suffered a humiliating first-round exit after the USA-Ireland match was abandoned due to rain.Pakistan's campaign began with a shocking defeat against the debutant USA team, leaving fans and experts in disbelief. Their struggles continued as they succumbed to a loss against arch-rivals India.Former India opener Virender Sehwag has criticized Pakistan's performance, highlighting their inability to win against first-timers and chase down 120 against India. "You can't blame the rain. Even if you had won, you didn't deserve to go ahead," Sehwag said.Sehwag also questioned the ICC's strategy of keeping India and Pakistan in the same group during World Cups. "In 2007, neither India nor Pakistan qualified for the second round. We were in different groups back then. Now, ICC will rethink on keeping India and Pakistan in a group," he said.The ICC's decision to group India and Pakistan together is influenced by the massive television audience that tunes in to watch these high-stakes matches. However, Sehwag believes that the ICC needs to reconsider this strategy to ensure that teams that perform well are not eliminated early.Pakistan's early exit from the tournament has raised questions about the team's preparation and strategy. The team's inability to adapt to different conditions and play consistently has been a major factor in their poor performance.As Pakistan looks ahead to the next T20 World Cup in 2024, they will need to address these issues and make significant improvements to their team if they want to avoid a similar fate.

India-Pakistan Rivalry: Hafeez Praises Kohli's Fitness and LegacyDespite the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan on the cricket field, players from both sides have consistently displayed mutual respect off the field. From Imran Khan's admiration for Sunil Gavaskar to Inzamam-ul-Haq's introduction of his son to Sachin Tendulkar, countless stories attest to the camaraderie between the cricketers of these two nations.Ahead of the highly anticipated clash between the archrivals on Sunday, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has heaped praise on former India captain Virat Kohli, not only for his exceptional batting but also for his unwavering fitness.In a video shared on his social media handle, Hafeez stated, "Virat has not just set his standards in batting, but also in fitness. His transformation looks easy to us because he is so fit. No matter how much pressure is put on him, he absorbs it."Hafeez emphasized Kohli's unparalleled fitness, highlighting that he is not only the fittest player in India but also globally. "He has transformed himself and understands the importance of maintaining his standards. He could easily say that he has been playing for 15 years and it doesn't matter if his YoYo test score drops or his fat level increases, but he doesn't think that way," Hafeez said."He believes in playing as one of the best athletes and leaving a legacy that no one has left. This is why Virat Kohli is considered an icon in international cricket and the whole world," Hafeez concluded.Kohli's fitness and dedication have been instrumental in his success as a cricketer. With 4038 runs, he is the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket. In 10 T20Is against Pakistan, Kohli has amassed 488 runs at an impressive strike rate of 123.85 and an average of 81.33. His highest score against Pakistan is an unbeaten 82, which he scored in the last edition of the T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), leading India to a memorable victory.

Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain and current T20 World Cup ambassador, has drawn a striking comparison between the India-Pakistan cricket match and the iconic Super Bowl in the United States. He believes that the upcoming T20 World Cup clash between the two arch-rivals on June 9 in New York will be a spectacle that will captivate American audiences and cricket enthusiasts alike.Afridi, who has experienced the intensity of India-Pakistan matches firsthand, emphasized the immense pressure and excitement that surround these encounters. He believes that the team that can handle the nerves and execute their game plan under pressure will emerge victorious."Against India, it is about handling the pressure of the occasion," Afridi said. "There is so much talent in both teams, they just need to put it together on the day. That will be the case in that game and in the tournament overall. The team that can hold its nerve will come out on top."Afridi also highlighted the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where even lower-order batters can have a significant impact on the outcome of a match. He believes that Pakistan has the potential to win the tournament, despite their recent inconsistent form."T20 cricket is so unpredictable, and teams can bat so deep now," Afridi said. "I hope that will be Pakistan this time around, but it is hard to pick a favorite."Afridi expressed confidence in Pakistan's bowling attack, which he believes will thrive in the Caribbean conditions. He also praised the American public's enthusiasm for sports and predicted that cricket will gain popularity in the United States in the coming years."This is also a huge tournament for American cricket," Afridi said. "People are going to love the support in the States. There is a great expat community over there which absolutely loves cricket. And the Americans absolutely love their sport, whether it is American football, basketball or baseball.""I really believe that cricket will hit the mainstream over there in the next few years, which is very exciting for up-and-coming cricketers," Afridi added.

Pakistan cricket has once again found itself embroiled in controversy, this time involving a private dinner hosted by the national team. Former captain Rashid Latif has expressed outrage over the event, which allowed fans to meet players for a fee of $25.Latif, speaking on a talk show, condemned the dinner as "terrible" and a violation of the team's professional conduct. He questioned the players' motives, suggesting that they were more interested in financial gain than representing their country."Who can do this? It's terrible. That means you met our players in 25 dollars," Latif said. "God forbid, had there been a mess, people would have said boys are earning money."The host of the show, Kamran Muzaffer, echoed Latif's sentiments, emphasizing that such events are inappropriate for players on national duty. Pakistani television personality Nauman Niaz also criticized the team, calling it a "sad state of affairs."Latif further alleged that Pakistan players have become accustomed to asking for money in exchange for appearances. "People tell me that whoever calls the Pakistan players, they just ask, 'how much money will you give?' This has become common," he said.The controversy comes at a crucial time for Pakistan, which is set to face archrivals India in the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Latif urged the players to exercise caution and avoid such distractions."The amount of 25 dollars shouldn't be blatantly used like this," he said. "You can go for charity dinners and fundraisers, but this is neither fundraising nor a charity dinner. This is a private function with the name of Pakistan and Pakistan cricket associated with it. Don't make this mistake."The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet commented on the controversy. However, the incident has raised questions about the team's professionalism and focus ahead of the high-stakes match against India.