Cricket

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has refuted claims made by teammate Naseem Shah regarding a language barrier between the team and foreign coaches. Masood emphasized that Pakistan has made significant progress in improving communication, citing the successful tenure of former head coach Mickey Arthur as an example.Naseem Shah had previously expressed concerns about communication difficulties with foreign coaches, stating that players prefer to interact with coaches in their native language. However, Masood strongly disagrees, highlighting the team's exposure to different dressing rooms and the presence of foreign support staff."I think now there is no communication gap," Masood asserted. "All of us have spent a lot of time in different dressing rooms. Foreign coaches have come before in Mickey's time. Mickey has come twice. Different assistant foreign coaches have come."Masood pointed out that Pakistan's backroom staff also includes personnel from overseas, including the strength and conditioning coach and physiotherapist. He believes that the players have gained valuable experience through playing in different leagues and franchises, including club cricket in England."Over the years, the boys have picked a lot of things, played in different leagues, played franchises. Some people have even gone to England and played club cricket in the past," Masood added.Pakistan is set to host Bangladesh for the first of two Test matches on August 21. The team currently sits fifth in the World Test Championship (WTC) table for the 2023-25 cycle. Masood's comments suggest that the team is confident in its ability to communicate effectively with its new head coach, Jason Gillespie, and achieve success in the upcoming series.

Pakistan A's fast bowlers dominated the opening day of their four-day clash against Bangladesh A in Islamabad, bowling out the visitors for a paltry 122. Naseem Shah and Mir Hamza led the charge, claiming three wickets each.After a rain-delayed start, Bangladesh A elected to bat but were met with a hostile reception from Naseem and Hamza. The duo ripped through the top order, with Naseem dismissing captain Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, and Rejaur Rahman Raja. Hamza, meanwhile, accounted for Zakir Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, and Nayeem Hasan.Only opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy provided any resistance for Bangladesh A, scoring a gritty 65. However, his efforts were in vain as the rest of the batting lineup crumbled around him. The visitors were reduced to 53 for 3 before a brief partnership between Mahmudul and Mominul.But the partnership was broken by Umar Amin, who dismissed Mahmudul. Bangladesh A then suffered a collapse, losing six wickets for just 21 runs. Mohammad Rameez chipped in with two wickets, while Hamza and Naseem mopped up the tail.Pakistan A's response was cut short by bad light, with the hosts reaching 2 for 0 in two overs. Saim Ayub and Muhammad Huraira were at the crease when play was halted.The two teams will play two more four-day games and three one-day games in the course of the month. The senior teams will also clash for a two-Test series starting on August 21 in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan's Test squad has undergone significant changes for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh, with the return of fast bowler Naseem Shah and the appointment of Saud Shakeel as vice-captain.Shah, who last played a Test in July 2021, has been recalled after impressing in domestic cricket. He joins a bowling attack that includes Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, and Abrar Ahmed.Shakeel, a middle-order batter, has been rewarded for his consistent performances with the vice-captaincy. He takes over from Afridi, who is currently injured.The squad also features several new faces, including batter Kamran Ghulam, fast bowler Mohammad Ali, and batter Muhammad Hurraira. These players have earned their call-ups based on their strong showings in domestic cricket.However, the squad has also seen some notable omissions. Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan have all been dropped, while Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim are injured.The Pakistan squad will begin training in Rawalpindi on August 11 under head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. Bangladesh will arrive in Islamabad on August 17.The two Tests, part of the World Test Championship, will be played from August 21 to 25 in Rawalpindi and August 30 to September 3 in Karachi.The appointment of Shakeel as vice-captain is part of a strategic decision by the selectors to manage Afridi's workload. Afridi is expected to play a key role in Pakistan's upcoming T20 World Cup campaign.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is on a collision course with some of the country's top cricketers after refusing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Naseem Shah for the Hundred tournament. The PCB is also expected to reject NOCs for several other all-format players for upcoming franchise tournaments.The decision means that Birmingham Phoenix will lose out on Naseem's services for the Hundred, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam will not be allowed to play in the Global T20 League Canada. The PCB's reasoning is that it wants to manage the workload of its all-format players ahead of Pakistan's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.However, the decision has raised questions about the PCB's commitment to allowing players to participate in overseas franchise leagues. The three-year central contracts signed last year allowed for two overseas franchise leagues per year, as long as those tournaments did not clash with the player's international commitments.The PCB's decision to withdraw players from leagues that do not directly clash with international cricket is likely to cause discontent among the affected players. It also raises questions about whether the allowance made in central contracts is being respected in spirit.The past month has seen an uneasy quiet take hold after Pakistan's disastrous T20 World Cup campaign. However, there have been signs that events are beginning to gather speed, with Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq sacked from the PCB selection committee.The PCB's decision to refuse NOCs to all-format players for upcoming franchise tournaments is a significant development. It remains to be seen how the players will react and whether the PCB will be able to maintain its hardline stance.

Pakistan's young fast bowler Naseem Shah has been denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in The Hundred due to workload management concerns.Sources close to Geo News revealed that the PCB's decision was made as a precautionary measure after assessing Naseem's application. Despite being a regular member of Pakistan's team in all three formats, Naseem's injury history and fitness issues prompted the board to decline his request.In October 2023, Naseem underwent surgery to address a shoulder problem. The surgery ruled him out of the 2023 ICC World Cup, contributing to Pakistan's disappointing group-stage exit. Following the surgery, doctors advised Naseem to rest and recover for four to six weeks before returning to action. The injury is expected to keep him out for a minimum of three to four months.Pakistan has a busy schedule of important World Test Championship matches in the coming months. They will face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting on August 21. Pakistan's red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, has already hinted at the possibility of Shaheen Shah Afridi missing the series.Shaheen and his wife Ansha are expecting their first child, and he may miss the Test series against Bangladesh next month. "Shaheen can miss Bangladesh Test matches due to childbirth. We can give him [some] rest if he wants to stay with his wife till then," said Gillespie.In addition to red-ball cricket, Pakistan will also play limited-overs cricket against Australia in November. The PCB's decision to deny Naseem an NOC is aimed at protecting him from further injuries and ensuring his availability for these crucial matches.

Pakistan's former captain, Salman Butt, has expressed his disappointment over the team's recent 6-run loss to India in the Asia Cup 2022. Butt criticized the team's performance, calling it a "tragic loss."Butt praised India's performance, particularly their ability to hold their nerves under pressure. He also pointed out that India could have reached a higher score of 150 runs, given the pitch conditions.Butt highlighted the standout performance of Naseem Shah, who took three wickets and scored an unbeaten 10 runs in the final over. However, he criticized the team's overall approach, saying they "found a way to create excitement and then lose it."Butt also praised Rohit Sharma's leadership, noting that the Indian team remained relaxed and composed throughout the match. He emphasized the importance of maintaining composure in high-pressure situations.Butt's comments reflect the frustration and disappointment felt by many Pakistani fans after the team's loss. Pakistan had a strong chance of winning the match, but they ultimately fell short due to poor execution and decision-making.The loss has raised questions about Pakistan's team selection and tactics. Butt's criticism is likely to spark further debate and analysis as the team prepares for their upcoming matches in the Asia Cup.

India-Pakistan Rivalry Set to Reignite in T20 World CupThe highly anticipated India-Pakistan rivalry will once again take center stage in the ongoing T20 World Cup, with the two arch-rivals set to clash on June 9 in New York. The last two T20 World Cup encounters between the two sides have produced contrasting results, with Pakistan emerging victorious by 10 wickets in 2021 and India claiming a four-wicket triumph in 2022.While the India-Pakistan matches always generate immense excitement, former India batter Mohammed Kaif has downplayed the hype surrounding this particular encounter. According to Kaif, Pakistan's team is relatively weak this time around, with only a few match-winners standing out."Pakistan's batting is weak. Fakhar Zaman can be dangerous if he gets going, but other than that, their batters have a strike rate of around 120-125. We're not as concerned about their batting as we are about their bowling," Kaif said.However, Kaif warned India to be wary of Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah, who was a key performer for Pakistan in their previous T20 World Cup meeting."They have Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Naseem Shah is a very good bowler. In the Melbourne match that India won, Naseem Shah's first spell was impressive. He got a nick that was dropped at slip," Kaif added.India Squad:* Rohit Sharma (c)* Hardik Pandya (vc)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Virat Kohli* Suryakumar Yadav* Rishabh Pant (wk)* Sanju Samson (wk)* Shivam Dube* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Yuzvendra Chahal* Arshdeep Singh* Jasprit Bumrah* Mohd. SirajPakistan Squad:* Babar Azam (c)* Abrar Ahmed* Azam Khan* Fakhar Zaman* Haris Rauf* Iftikhar Ahmed* Imad Wasim* Mohammad Abbas Afridi* Mohammad Amir* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Saim Ayub* Shadab Khan* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Usman Khan

Pakistan's young fast bowler Naseem Shah has won hearts with his heartwarming gesture towards a disappointed young fan. During a recent meet-and-greet session, the fan was unable to secure an autograph from captain Babar Azam. Noticing the child's dejection, Naseem stepped in to console him."Is this Babar's?" the young fan asked Naseem, referring to an autograph."Yes, this is Babar's. Now be happy, okay!" Naseem replied, signing the autograph on behalf of the captain.Naseem's act of kindness has gone viral on social media, with fans praising his humility and compassion. He was also seen clicking pictures and signing autographs for other children, spreading joy and creating lasting memories.Naseem's gesture is a testament to his character and his understanding of the importance of fan engagement. It also highlights the growing popularity of the young pacer, who has quickly become a fan favorite.Despite his recent struggles on the field, Naseem remains a vital part of Pakistan's bowling attack. He made his comeback into the side last month after recovering from a shoulder injury that had sidelined him since September 2023.Naseem's return to form will be crucial for Pakistan's chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The team will be looking to him to provide early breakthroughs and contain the opposition's scoring rate.With his talent, determination, and now his reputation as a compassionate role model, Naseem Shah is poised to become a global star in the world of cricket.

In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, Pakistan's young fast bowler Naseem Shah stepped up to make a young fan's day by signing an autograph on behalf of his captain, Babar Azam. The incident occurred in England, where Pakistan is currently engaged in a four-match T20I series against the hosts.As the Pakistan team was leaving the field after a rain-affected match, a group of young fans eagerly approached Babar Azam for autographs. The Pakistan captain managed to sign for one of the kids before hurrying into a nearby lift, leaving another young fan visibly disappointed.Observing the situation, Naseem Shah, who was walking behind Babar Azam, noticed the child's disappointment. Without hesitation, he approached the child and asked if he wanted an autograph. The child nodded eagerly, and Naseem not only signed an autograph for him but also took it upon himself to sign on behalf of Babar Azam.The child, still processing the situation, asked Naseem, "Yeh Babar Azam ka hai?" (Is this Babar Azam's?). With a reassuring smile, Naseem responded, "Haan, yeh Babar Azam ka hi hai." (Yes, this is Babar Azam's).Naseem's thoughtful act ensured the child left happy and satisfied. The fast bowler didn't stop there; he also took the time to pose for pictures with other children and engaged with them, making the experience memorable for the young fans.Naseem Shah's gesture not only brightened the day of a young fan but also showcased the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie within the Pakistan team. It is a reminder that even in the midst of competition, kindness and compassion can prevail.