Cricket

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has raised concerns over India's decision to open with Virat Kohli in the T20 World Cup, labeling it a "significant mistake." Akmal believes Kohli should be positioned at No. 3, where he can anchor the innings and guide the team through the middle overs.Akmal's criticism stems from Kohli's dismissal for just 1 run off 5 balls in India's tournament opener against Ireland. Despite this setback, the Indian team management appears set to continue with this batting order for their crucial match against Pakistan on Sunday.Akmal argues that Kohli's experience as an opener for his IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, does not translate to the international stage. He points out that Kohli's role in the IPL is to provide a quick start, while in the T20 World Cup, India needs him to play a more substantial role."Virat Kohli can take the pressure at No.3 and finish the match. That is very important for Team India," Akmal said. "If India stick to this batting order (of Kohli) opening, then they may get stuck at some point."Akmal also criticized the quality of the pitches in New York, calling on the ICC to ensure better playing surfaces for the marquee matches. "ICC will have to produce better pitches for big matches. Otherwise, people will go away from this World Cup," he warned.As India prepare for the high-stakes clash against Pakistan, all eyes will be on their batting order and whether they stick with Kohli as an opener. Akmal's comments have sparked a debate among cricket experts, with some agreeing with his assessment and others defending India's decision.

Pakistan's humiliating defeat to the United States in the T20 World Cup has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former cricketer Kamran Akmal has lambasted the team, calling it the "biggest insult" in Pakistan cricket history.Akmal slammed Pakistan's performance, stating that there could not be a greater humiliation than losing to a team ranked far below them. He praised the USA for their exceptional play, noting that they outplayed Pakistan in all aspects of the game."The USA played exceptionally well. They didn't feel like a low-ranked side. It felt like they were ranked above Pakistan. That is the level of maturity they showed," Akmal said.Akmal also criticized Pakistan's team selection, claiming that it was based on personal preferences rather than merit. He pointed to the inclusion of players who had not performed well in recent series."Players are selected on liking and disliking. A player performed in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), but what about the past three series in which he wasn't able to perform?" Akmal questioned.Pakistan's defeat has raised questions about the team's preparation and strategy. Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has also criticized the team selection process, calling it "unprofessional."Pakistan will now face arch-rival India in a crucial match on Sunday. The match will be a test of Pakistan's character and resilience after their embarrassing defeat to the USA.

Former Pakistan cricket star Kamran Akmal has endorsed Michael Vaughan's controversial statement that the Indian Premier League (IPL) offers a superior playing experience to facing Pakistan. Vaughan's comments sparked a debate about the state of Pakistan cricket, with Akmal acknowledging the team's recent struggles.Akmal expressed his agreement with Vaughan, citing Pakistan's disappointing performances against weaker opponents. He emphasized that the IPL provides a more challenging and competitive environment, featuring top-quality bowlers and batters. Akmal believes that Pakistan should use Vaughan's criticism as motivation to improve their performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup.Akmal also criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its handling of the team, suggesting that it has contributed to the current state of affairs. He urged the PCB to take steps to revamp the system and restore Pakistan's competitiveness.Akmal's comments highlight the growing concern over the decline of Pakistan cricket. The team has struggled to maintain its former glory, losing to teams it would have once easily defeated. Vaughan's statement has reignited the debate about the quality of Pakistan cricket and the need for urgent action.Pakistan's upcoming T20 series against England will be a crucial test for the team. A strong performance could silence critics and restore confidence, while a poor showing could further damage the team's reputation. Akmal's call for motivation and the PCB's need to address the team's weaknesses will be key factors in determining Pakistan's future success.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to drop Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from its central contract list has sparked a global debate. While some have criticized the board for its harsh action, others have supported its stance.Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has backed the BCCI, stating that such a move was necessary to punish the players for ignoring the board's orders. Akmal believes that by dropping Kishan and Iyer, the BCCI has demonstrated its "good management.""If you don't value the cricket because of which you made it to the national team, what message is it going to give to all the youngsters?" Akmal said on his YouTube channel. "BCCI has made the right call, taking such strict action early on to control the damage."Akmal added that the BCCI's decision sends a clear message to players that they cannot play on their own terms. "Nobody is bigger than the game," he said.Kishan and Iyer were reportedly reluctant to play in national-level domestic tournaments, which is believed to be the reason for their exclusion. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who is also a former BCCI president, has urged the board to speak to Kishan about his decision."All this while he has played Ranji and then played white-ball cricket. Has it made him a poorer player? It hasn't," Ganguly said. "All the players picked in Delhi Capitals have played Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Ranji Trophy."Ganguly's comments suggest that the BCCI may be willing to reconsider its decision if Kishan and Iyer show a willingness to play in domestic tournaments. However, it remains to be seen whether the players will change their stance.