Cricket

Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign is set to commence on June 6 against the co-hosts United States at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The Green Shirts, led by Babar Azam, are currently engaged in rigorous practice sessions to fine-tune their skills ahead of their tournament opener.During a recent training session, Babar Azam was seen using nicknames to maintain a light-hearted atmosphere. He playfully referred to Azam Khan, the son of legendary wicketkeeper Moin Khan, as "Gainda" (Rhino) due to his heavyset physique.Despite a recent dip in form, Babar Azam has urged his team to remain upbeat as they embark on their World Cup journey. Pakistan, the 2009 T20 World Cup champions, have consistently performed well in recent editions, reaching the semi-finals in 2021 and losing to England in the final in 2022.Pakistan is placed in Group A of the World Cup. Following their match against the US, they will face arch-rivals India in a highly-anticipated clash on June 9 in New York. Pakistan and India have faced each other seven times in the T20 World Cup, with Pakistan emerging victorious only once.The Green Shirts will be determined to improve their record against India and make a strong statement in the tournament. With a talented squad and a proven track record in the T20 format, Pakistan will be among the favorites to lift the trophy.

India-Pakistan Clash at T20 World Cup 2024: ICC Plans for Double EncounterThe highly anticipated India-Pakistan rivalry is set to ignite once again at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled for June 9 in New York. However, former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has made a bold claim that the ICC is orchestrating a potential double encounter between the two arch-rivals.According to Ali, the ICC has strategically crafted the tournament schedule to allow for a second India-Pakistan clash in either the semi-final or final. This would mark the first time since 2019 that the two teams would face off twice in a single ICC event."The ICC wants India and Pakistan to have two matches in the World Cup," Ali stated on his YouTube channel. "They have made the schedule so the two teams can meet again either in the semi-final or final."The India-Pakistan rivalry is one of the most intense in world cricket, with matches between the two nations consistently drawing massive viewership and generating immense excitement. The last bilateral series between the two teams was held in 2012-13, and since then, they have only met at ICC and ACC events.India and Pakistan are both placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup 2024, alongside Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA. India will begin their campaign on June 5 against Ireland, while Pakistan will face the USA on June 6.The Indian squad for the tournament includes star players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be led by Babar Azam and will feature the likes of Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf.Ali believes that Pakistan's performance in the tournament will hinge on the form of Babar Azam, who he suggests should open the batting. "For Pakistan to perform well, Babar must open," Ali emphasized.The prospect of a double India-Pakistan encounter at the T20 World Cup 2024 has sent shockwaves through the cricket world. If Ali's claims prove true, it would undoubtedly be a major highlight of the tournament and a spectacle that would captivate cricket fans globally.

Pakistan Players' Reaction to IPL Final Sparks Online DebateThe Pakistan cricket team's recent tour of England has sparked a heated online debate after a video emerged showing the players walking past a television airing the Indian Premier League (IPL) final. The video has ignited a war of words between fans from India and Pakistan, with some expressing resentment over Pakistan players' absence from the lucrative league.Strained relations between the two countries have prevented Pakistani players from participating in the IPL for several years. This has led to frustration among some Pakistani fans, who believe their players are missing out on a valuable opportunity to showcase their skills and earn substantial financial rewards.In the viral video, Pakistan players can be seen walking through a lounge as the IPL final between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad plays on a television in the background. The players appear to ignore the match, leading some Pakistani fans to claim that they "ignored the IPL final."This has sparked a backlash from Indian fans, who have accused Pakistan players of being disrespectful towards the IPL. Some members of the Pakistani media have also joined in the fray, poking fun at the league's popularity.However, the IPL remains the most popular and competitive T20 league in the world, attracting top players from around the globe. Pakistan has its own T20 franchise tournament, the Pakistan Super League, but it has not yet achieved the same level of recognition or financial success as the IPL.The online debate highlights the ongoing rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket. While the two countries have not played a bilateral series since 2012, their fans remain fiercely passionate about the sport and eager to engage in friendly banter.

The India-Pakistan rivalry extends beyond the cricket field, with off-field banter and mischief adding to the intensity. Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina recently took a playful jab at Pakistani great Shahid Afridi during the IPL commentary.When asked if he would consider coming out of retirement, Raina quipped, "Suresh Raina hu, Shahid Afridi nahi." The comment drew laughter from fellow commentators, referring to Afridi's history of retiring and then making U-turns.Meanwhile, Pakistan is reportedly in talks with West Indies legend Viv Richards to serve as team mentor for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Richards' vast experience and knowledge of Caribbean conditions make him an attractive candidate.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen to secure Richards' services, despite his existing media commitments. The move is inspired by Richards' successful stint as a mentor for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League.Pakistan has undergone a significant revamp of its white-ball setup since the departure of former director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez. Former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten was recently appointed as head coach for limited-overs cricket.Kirsten, who guided India to the 2011 World Cup victory, will aim to inspire Pakistan to similar success. The team's upcoming four-match T20I series against England will serve as preparation for the World Cup.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to host the 2025 Champions Trophy in three cities: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The tournament is scheduled to take place in mid-February next year.According to ESPNcricinfo, the draft schedule has India based in and playing all their matches in Lahore, where the final is also scheduled to take place. This move is believed to have been proposed to avoid logistical and security challenges associated with India's travel. Additionally, Lahore's proximity to the Wagah border crossing between India and Pakistan makes it easier for Indian fans to attend the matches.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has sent a draft schedule of the tournament to the ICC for discussion. The major sticking point is likely to be whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan. No Indian team has played in Pakistan since the 2008 Champions Trophy due to strained relations between the two governments.Last year, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup using a hybrid model, with India playing all their games in Sri Lanka. However, this model was not pursued for the ODI World Cup in India last year, with Pakistan playing all their games in India.The final decision on whether India will visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy rests with the Indian government, not the BCCI. Naqvi expressed hope that all eight teams will participate in the event in Pakistan, but did not comment specifically on India's position.The Champions Trophy is the first ICC event Pakistan will host since the 1996 World Cup. Pakistan was originally scheduled to host the 2008 Champions Trophy, but it was postponed and relocated to South Africa due to security concerns. Pakistan also lost out on co-hosting duties for the 2011 ODI World Cup after the 2009 terror attacks on the Sri Lanka team.Since the return of international cricket to Pakistan in 2015, every team involved in the Champions Trophy has toured and played in Pakistan, except India. Pakistan are the defending champions of the event, last held in 2017.