Cricket

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has raised concerns over India's potential decision to boycott the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year. He believes that refusing to participate in an ICC event could have severe consequences for the Indian team.Latif emphasized that teams are obligated to fulfill their commitments to ICC events, as they are aware of the tournament schedule and venues when signing contracts. He cited the example of the 1996 World Cup, where Australia and West Indies' refusal to travel to Sri Lanka resulted in a significant change in the tournament format and Sri Lanka's eventual victory."If India or Pakistan has signed in, they will have to go for that event," Latif said. "If any circumstances occur on a government level, then you have to provide a logical answer as to why not coming."Sources have indicated that Team India may not participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to security concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a hybrid model, with India's qualifying round matches being held in a single city. However, Latif believes that refusing an ICC event could backfire on India."In my opinion, refusing an ICC event can backfire," he said. "You can refuse the bilateral series citing the conditions in Pakistan are not right etc etc... But it will be tough to refuse ICC events."The PCB has selected Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as the tournament venues, with Lahore hosting the final match. The ICC is expected to make a decision on the venue and format of the Champions Trophy in the coming weeks.

South Africa's summer of cricket in 2024-25 promises to be a thrilling affair, with the Proteas hosting Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England for a total of 17 international fixtures. The schedule includes five Test matches, three T20Is, and nine ODIs, ensuring a packed calendar of high-octane cricket.The Test series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan will form part of the World Test Championship, with the matches taking place in Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Cape Town. Notably, the Wanderers in Johannesburg will miss out on hosting a Test for the second consecutive summer, leaving insiders puzzled about the decision.The women's Test against England will be played in Bloemfontein, marking the first women's Test in South Africa in over two decades. Kingsmead and St George's Park will host the Sri Lanka series, while SuperSport Park and Newlands will stage the Tests against Pakistan.The Pakistan tour will also feature three T20Is and three ODIs, with the Boxing Day Test scheduled for SuperSport Park and the New Year's Test at Newlands. The men's team will then have a break before the start of the SA20 league in February.The women's team will face England in three T20Is, three ODIs, and a Test. The Black Day ODI will raise awareness about gender-based violence, while the Test will be a historic occasion for South African women's cricket.The exact dates for the fixtures are yet to be confirmed, but the schedule promises a summer of unforgettable cricket action for fans in South Africa.

West Indies' women's cricket team clinched an unassailable 3-0 series lead over Pakistan in the T20I series after a thrilling two-run victory in the third match. The match witnessed a stunning collapse from Pakistan in the death overs, triggered by the brilliance of Hayley Matthews.Matthews, who has been in exceptional form throughout the series, once again led the charge for West Indies with a commanding 68 off 49 balls. Her innings guided the visitors to a competitive total of 132 for 5. Pakistan, in response, looked poised for victory at 115 for 2, with Sidra Ameen anchoring the chase with a well-crafted 63 off 58 balls.However, the match took a dramatic turn in the final overs. Matthews, who had already taken two wickets in the match, struck twice in as many deliveries to spark a stunning collapse. Pakistan lost six wickets for just 10 runs in 20 deliveries, handing West Indies an improbable victory.The hosts' implosion began when Matthews dismissed Ameen with a pinpoint yorker. The next ball, she trapped Fatima Sana in front of the stumps. The pressure mounted on Pakistan as Aaliyah Alleyne removed Nida Dar in the following over.With the momentum firmly in West Indies' favor, the hosts' nerves began to fray. A needless run-out and a rash shot from Sana further compounded their misery. Pakistan's hopes of a series win evaporated as they fell short by a mere two runs.The victory was a testament to the resilience and determination of the West Indies team. Matthews, in particular, was a standout performer, showcasing her all-round abilities with both bat and ball. Pakistan, despite their valiant efforts, were unable to overcome the psychological scars of their previous narrow defeats in the series.

West Indies' Hayley Matthews continued her impressive all-round form to lead her team to a dominant seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second T20I in Karachi. Matthews' 3 for 26 restricted Pakistan to a below-par 121 for 7, while her unbeaten 58 off 43 balls guided West Indies to a comfortable chase.Pakistan opted to bat first but struggled to gain momentum, with Gull Feroza's laborious 14 off 29 balls setting the tone for a slow start. Muneeba Ali's 55 off 47 balls provided some respite, but Pakistan's innings lacked impetus, reaching only 33 runs in the powerplay.Matthews' bowling proved decisive, as she dismissed Sidra Ameen early and then returned to claim two wickets in the final over, including the crucial scalp of Nida Dar. Pakistan's total of 121 looked inadequate on a pitch that appeared to offer more assistance to the batters.West Indies began their chase aggressively, with Matthews striking five boundaries in the first five overs. However, Pakistan's spin trio of Nashra Sandhu, Tuba Hassan, and Nida Dar slowed the scoring rate, restricting West Indies to six runs per over for the next six overs.Despite the slowdown, West Indies never lost control of the chase. Matthews' dismissal brought Shemaine Campbelle to the crease, but her dismissal by Tuba Hassan gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope. However, Chedean Nation's boundary sealed the victory, completing a clinical performance by West Indies.The third T20I of the five-match series will be played on 30 April in Karachi, with West Indies on the verge of securing a series victory.

Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi have been proposed as the venues for the 2025 Champions Trophy, according to the initial draft schedule submitted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The tournament is scheduled for mid-February, and the PCB is working to upgrade the venues in preparation for the first ICC event in Pakistan in nearly three decades.Pakistan, the defending champions, will host the eight-team tournament over two weeks. The exact dates are yet to be determined. The PCB finalized the venues and schedule after an ICC team conducted inspections."We've sent the schedule for the matches in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy," said PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. "The ICC's security team came and we had a very good meeting. They looked at arrangements here and we'll also share stadium upgrade plans with them. We're continuously in touch with the ICC. We are trying to ensure we host a very good tournament in Pakistan."The schedule will likely be influenced by India's participation. ESPNcricinfo reports that the initial draft has all games, including India's, being played in Pakistan.However, the fate of India's games depends on the political climate between the two countries and whether the Indian government grants permission for the BCCI to send its team to Pakistan. India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to frosty relations between the governments.Pakistan last hosted an ICC event in 1996, when they co-hosted the ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. Since then, security concerns have prevented teams from touring Pakistan.The Champions Trophy will be the centerpiece of a busy home season for Pakistan, which will also host South Africa and New Zealand for an ODI tri-series before the ICC event. The PCB will need to find an appropriate window for the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which could clash with other T20 leagues.The PCB acknowledges the need to improve the stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, which have not had significant upgrades in recent years."If you look at Gaddafi [stadium in Lahore], it is good, but the viewing experience is not great for cricket. Football maybe, not cricket," said Naqvi. "We need to improve facilities in the stadiums, where there are some old problems. [The National Stadium in] Karachi is in bad shape. So on May 7th, we'll finalise bids from international companies who will come and help us design. We will work with local consultants as well. We are already late but we need to do these upgrades in four-five months. It will be a very tough test but we can do it."

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi played pivotal roles in securing a thrilling nine-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final Twenty20 International (T20I) in Lahore on Saturday.Azam's solid half-century (69 off 44 balls) and Fakhar Zaman's contribution (43 off 33 balls) propelled Pakistan to a competitive total of 178 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. Afridi then showcased his exceptional bowling skills, claiming four wickets for 30 runs, restricting New Zealand to 169 all out in 19.2 overs.The match remained tense until the final over, with New Zealand's Josh Clarkson threatening an upset with his unbeaten 38. However, two crucial run-outs in Mohammad Amir's over sealed the victory for Pakistan, much to the delight of the packed crowd at Gaddafi Stadium.The series, which ended in a 2-2 draw, served as valuable preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies in June. While Pakistan would have preferred a series win, they gained valuable insights into their squad's strength and areas for improvement.Afridi's impressive performance continued in the final match, as he dismissed Tom Blundell for four in his first over, marking his 15th wicket in his opening over of a T20I and his 50th overall in T20 matches. Tim Seifert provided some resistance for New Zealand with a quickfire 33-ball 52, but Pakistan's spinners, Usama Mir and Shadab Khan, played a crucial role in derailing the visitors' chase.Azam expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting their efforts to test different combinations and assess their bench strength ahead of the World Cup. New Zealand's stand-in captain, Micheal Bracewell, acknowledged the competitive nature of the series and expressed his team's satisfaction with the draw.

New Zealand Opt to Bowl First in Series-Deciding T20I Against PakistanIn a crucial encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium, New Zealand have chosen to field first after winning the toss against Pakistan. The visitors, aiming to secure a 3-1 series victory, have made three changes to their lineup, two of which are enforced.Tim Robinson, Dean Foxcroft, and Jacob Duffy have been replaced by Zakary Foulkes, Tim Seifert, and Cole McConchie. Robinson suffered a groin injury, while Foxcroft was ruled out due to a back complaint.Pakistan, seeking to level the series, have recalled Shaheen Afridi to their side, with Zaman Khan making way. This is the final T20I Pakistan will play at home before embarking on tours to Ireland and England ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.Pakistan Team:1. Babar Azam (capt)2. Saim Ayub3. Fakhar Zaman4. Usman Khan (wk)5. Iftikhar Ahmed6. Shadab Khan7. Imad Wasim8. Shaheen Afridi9. Usama Mir10. Abbas Afridi11. Mohammad AmirNew Zealand Team:1. Tom Blundell2. Tim Seifert (wk)3. Mark Chapman4. Cole McConchie5. Michael Bracewell (capt)6. Josh Clarkson7. James Neesham8. Zakary Foulkes9. Ish Sodhi10. Ben Sears11. Will O'RourkeWith the series on the line, both teams will be eager to put in a strong performance. New Zealand will look to their experienced bowlers, including Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears, to restrict Pakistan's batting lineup. Pakistan, on the other hand, will rely on their explosive batsmen, led by Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, to post a competitive total.The match promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams determined to end the series on a high note.

Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I: Pakistan Aims to Level Series, New Zealand Eyes ClinchPakistan and New Zealand will face off in the decisive fifth T20I on Saturday, with both teams vying for victory. Pakistan seeks to level the series, while New Zealand aims to clinch it.In the fourth T20I, New Zealand emerged victorious by a narrow four-run margin. Tim Robinson's blistering knock and William O'Rourke's impressive bowling performance proved pivotal in their triumph. The match was a nail-biting thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats.Pakistan will be determined to bounce back and level the series. Their batting lineup, led by captain Babar Azam, will need to fire on all cylinders. Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and Asif Ali are also key players to watch.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be confident of sealing the series victory. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, has been in excellent form. Devon Conway and Martin Guptill have also been consistent performers with the bat.The fifth T20I promises to be another exciting encounter. Both teams have the potential to win, and the match could go down to the wire. Pakistan will be eager to level the series, while New Zealand will be determined to clinch it.

New Zealand's disciplined bowling attack, led by Will O'Rourke and Ben Sears, proved too strong for Pakistan in the third T20I in Lahore, securing a four-run victory and a 2-1 series lead.Chasing 179, Pakistan lost early wickets and struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Fakhar Zaman's spirited 61 kept Pakistan in the hunt, but his dismissal and that of Iftikhar Ahmed in consecutive overs sealed their fate. Imad Wasim's late surge kept the game alive, but Jimmy Neesham's tight final over denied Pakistan the victory.Earlier, New Zealand had posted 178 for 7, thanks to Tim Robinson's explosive 51 and Tom Blundell's quickfire start. Pakistan's bowlers, particularly Abbas Afridi, fought back in the middle overs, but New Zealand's bowlers held their nerve in the end.Abbas Afridi impressed with his accurate bowling, taking 3 for 20, while Shadab Khan made a stunning catch in the field. Sears and O'Rourke, both making their T20I debuts for New Zealand, played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan's scoring and taking key wickets.