Cricket

Pakistan's disappointing performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup has sparked outrage among fans, experts, and former players. The team's narrow defeat to archrivals India has raised questions about captain Babar Azam's leadership and the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision-making.Chasing India's modest total of 119, Pakistan appeared to be cruising towards victory, needing just 47 runs with eight wickets in hand. However, India's bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah (3 for 14) led a remarkable comeback, restricting Pakistan to 113 for 7 and securing a six-run victory.The defeat has intensified the scrutiny on Babar Azam, who has been criticized for his conservative approach and lack of aggression. Former Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad has accused Babar of bias and questioned his ability to lead the team to success."Ever since Babar became captain, we have been losing to mediocre teams," Shehzad said. "The kind of progress that was going on, these things were on the cards and bound to happen someday."Shehzad also criticized the team's performance against weaker opponents, accusing them of "fooling the people" with their victories. He pointed to Babar's poor record in big tournaments, highlighting his average of 27 and strike rate of 112."Your (Babar) scores in big competitions...your average is 27 and strike rate is 112. And 1400 of your runs have come in a losing cause, which is at No. 3 in the world in that list. So these stats are of which king, tell me that?" Shehzad said.The former batsman also accused Babar of favoritism, claiming that he selects players based on personal relationships rather than merit."You have fooled the entire public. You are making a team with your friends, keeping your friends in the team," Shehzad said.Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the next round now rest on their upcoming match against Canada on June 11. The team will need to secure a convincing victory to keep their tournament hopes alive.

India's thrilling six-run victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup was a testament to the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, who single-handedly turned the tide in India's favor despite the team's lowest-ever total against Pakistan in the tournament's history.Bumrah's match-winning spell of 3/14 dismantled Pakistan's batting lineup, ensuring India's narrow victory. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar lauded Bumrah's efforts, highlighting how the pacer has been instrumental for India while the media often focuses on Virat Kohli.Kohli, who has been India's standout batter in previous clashes against Pakistan, had a rare poor performance, scoring only 4 runs. Manjrekar's comments highlighted Bumrah's consistent contributions, especially in high-pressure situations.India's batting unit struggled on a challenging two-paced track, but Bumrah's brilliance with the ball was complemented by Hardik Pandya, who delivered crucial bowling figures of 2/24.Bumrah's penultimate over was particularly decisive, as he conceded just three runs and took the vital wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed, leaving Pakistan needing 18 runs off the final over. Arshdeep Singh then successfully defended the target, sealing the win for India.Bumrah's performance was a reminder of his exceptional talent and the importance of his contributions to the Indian team. Despite the media's focus on Kohli, Bumrah has quietly been winning games for India single-handedly, proving himself to be the team's most valuable player.

Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah and his wife, TV presenter Sanjana Ganesan, shared an adorable moment after India's thrilling victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 match on Sunday.Despite a disappointing batting performance, India's bowlers dominated the proceedings, with Bumrah taking three crucial wickets. India restricted Pakistan to 113/7, securing a stunning six-run victory.After the match, Bumrah gave an unforgettable interview conducted by his wife, Sanjana. As the interview concluded, Sanjana wished him luck, saying, "We will see you again very soon."Bumrah responded with a playful remark, "I shall see you again in 30 minutes." Sanjana then hilariously asked, "What's for dinner?"This heartwarming exchange showcased the couple's close bond and the joy of India's victory.Bumrah's performance against Pakistan was particularly impressive, as he became India's third-highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket with 79 wickets. He surpassed Hardik Pandya, who has 78 wickets in 94 T20I matches."It feels really good," said Bumrah after the win. "We felt we were a little under and the wicket got a little better after the sun came out. We were really disciplined so it feels good."Bumrah emphasized the importance of sticking to their processes and playing well. "We focus on the now. We've played two games and played really well. You stick to your processes and look to play well," he added.India's victory over Pakistan was their second in the ongoing T20 World Cup, following their eight-wicket win over Ireland in their opening match.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has launched a scathing attack on the national team following their dismal performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 clash against India. Pakistan suffered a humiliating six-run defeat in a low-scoring encounter, leaving them with zero points after two matches.Akram expressed his frustration with the team's lack of fight and poor decision-making. He criticized the batsmen for failing to chase down a modest target of 120, despite having experienced players like Mohammad Rizwan in the lineup."Pakistan doesn't need an enemy, they have plenty themselves," Akram said. "Now should we put a pacifier in their mouths? Now we have to explain to them what situation awareness is? Babar will explain, the coach will explain."Akram pointed out that the batsmen have been playing for several years and should have the experience to handle pressure situations. He questioned their lack of effort and inability to hit boundaries, even after 10 overs."These batsmen have been playing for the last 8-10 years," Akram said. "Now should I tell Rizwan that the main bowler has come for one over, to take a wicket? You didn't hit a boundary after 10 overs. Didn't even try. So even 120 couldn't be chased."Akram's criticism reflects the growing frustration among Pakistani fans and experts. The team's performance has been below par in recent months, and the defeat to India has raised serious questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.Pakistan now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages. They need to beat Canada and Ireland by a big margin to improve their net run rate. Their qualification hopes also depend on India winning their remaining matches and the USA losing their remaining matches.

India's Triumph in T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma's Captaincy Lauded by Ricky PontingIn a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup 2024, India emerged victorious over arch-rivals Pakistan by a narrow margin of 6 runs. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership during the high-stakes match.Despite a brief stay at the crease, scoring 13 runs off 12 deliveries, Rohit's impact on the game extended far beyond his individual performance. Ponting, in a video posted on the ICC's official Instagram account, commended Rohit's "outstanding" captaincy, highlighting his ability to effectively utilize his bowling resources."Rohit Sharma is a very experienced captain," Ponting remarked. "I just saw him and said, 'Mate, your captaincy today was outstanding.' I don't think he could have done much more."Ponting also praised Hardik Pandya's exceptional performance, describing him as "outstanding" in the crucial game. He noted that Rohit's familiarity with his bowlers, having worked with them in the IPL, gave him a deep understanding of their strengths and weaknesses."He understands them, knows when he can use them," Ponting said. "But it's one thing for the captain to set a plan, the bowlers are going to go ahead and execute it, and Hardik was outstanding."Ponting observed that the wicket conditions changed significantly during the second innings. As the sun emerged, the wicket dried out rapidly, favoring the seamers. However, Rohit's astute captaincy allowed India to adapt and adjust on the run."I thought he did a really good job with the ball as well," Ponting added. "Their spinner bowled four overs for 20 and Patel picked up a big wicket. The wicket was definitely different in the second innings. Pakistan got the ball to hold up through natural variation, but when the sun came out, the wicket dried out quite quickly. I thought he did that really well."Rohit's leadership played a pivotal role in India's victory, showcasing his ability to make quick decisions and inspire his team to perform under pressure. His experience and understanding of the game proved invaluable in guiding India to a hard-fought win.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was overcome with emotion as he presented Rishabh Pant with the best fielder award following India's thrilling six-run victory over Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup. Shastri had been deeply affected by the news of Pant's potentially fatal car accident in December 2022.Despite being dropped four times and struggling for timing early on, Pant played a crucial role in India's victory with a vital 42 off 31 balls. He also took three excellent catches behind the stumps, showcasing his exceptional wicketkeeping skills."I had tears in my eyes when I heard about his accident," Shastri said in a video posted on bcci.tv. "When I saw him in hospital, it was even worse. Then for him to come back from there and be back in the A-zone playing one of the biggest games of all time, India vs Pakistan, is heartwarming."Shastri praised Pant's determination and hard work, noting that his recovery from the accident was an inspiration to millions. "Not just for yourself, it's an inspiration to millions around the globe that from adversity, from the jaws of death, you can snatch a win as well," he said.Fielding coach T Dilip also lauded the Indian players for their exceptional fielding performance on a sluggish outfield. "One thing which stood out was sheer commitment towards excellence in fielding, which led to greatness today," Dilip said. "In high pressure situations, being proactive is extremely important and this game was a great example."India's victory over Pakistan was their second in the tournament, following their opening win against the Netherlands. They will next face co-hosts USA on Wednesday in New York.

It was a balmy June evening in 2024 when the cricketing world held its breath in anticipation. The stage was set, the lights were bright, and the air was thick with tension as India and Pakistan, the age-old rivals, prepared...

The highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash at the 2025 Champions Trophy has sparked excitement among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. According to reports, the two cricketing giants are scheduled to face off in Lahore, Pakistan, during the tournament.The draft schedule, submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC), suggests that the 50-over event will take place from February 19 to March 9. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed Karachi and Rawalpindi as venues, while Lahore will host India's matches.However, India's participation in Pakistan remains uncertain. The PCB's proposal requires approval from the Indian government, which has historically been reluctant to allow its team to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions.The PCB has reportedly suggested that India play all its matches in Lahore, including a potential semi-final. The tournament will feature a total of 15 matches, with seven scheduled in Lahore, five in Rawalpindi, and three in Karachi.The opening match will be held in Karachi on February 19, while the semi-finals will take place in Karachi and Rawalpindi. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Lahore.The BCCI has yet to respond to the proposed venues. The board requires permission from the Indian government to travel to Pakistan, and the current political climate makes it unlikely that such approval will be granted.If India does not participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, it would be a major disappointment for fans and a setback for the PCB's efforts to host international cricket.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and former head coach Ravi Shastri engaged in a friendly baseball game during a fan event in New York City ahead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan.The event, organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and DP World, saw thousands of fans gather at the fan zone to witness the iconic duo interact and play baseball. Shastri took on the role of pitcher, while Tendulkar showcased his batting skills.After the baseball game, Tendulkar and Shastri interacted with local children and distributed cricket kits to them. Tendulkar expressed his excitement for the upcoming India-Pakistan match, noting that their previous encounters in World Cups have always been thrilling and exhilarating."India versus Pakistan has always been a big match and exhilarating. My first World Cup clash against them was in Australia. The number of WC matches we have played against them are all exciting and have tight finishes which people have enjoyed. Coming to the T20 WC from 2007 to 2022, all these matches have been tight and exhilarating as well. I would like to wish both of the teams the best of luck, though my best wishes will be slightly more towards India," Tendulkar said.The event served as a prelude to the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match, which is expected to draw a massive global audience. Tendulkar's presence and interaction with fans added to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the clash between the two cricketing giants.