Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reappointed Shahid Aslam as the batting coach of the national white-ball squads, effective immediately. Aslam, a qualified coach, has previously worked with the Pakistan team in various capacities, including assistant coach, fielding coach, and assistant manager.Aslam's appointment comes after the team's recent struggles in the ODI series against Australia, where Pakistan's batting lineup failed to perform consistently. The PCB has identified the need for a dedicated batting coach to address these issues and improve the team's performance in the upcoming white-ball series against Zimbabwe and South Africa.Aslam's return to the coaching staff is based on the recommendation of interim white-ball coach Aaqib Javed, who was appointed by the PCB in November 2024. Javed, who is also the senior national selector, has left to join the players in Zimbabwe, where they will play three ODIs and three T20Is before moving on to South Africa for another white-ball rubber.Aslam's appointment is expected to provide stability and expertise to the team's batting unit. He has a proven track record of working with young players and developing their skills. His experience in the High Performance Centre in Lahore will also be valuable in identifying and nurturing future batting talent.The PCB's decision to bring back Aslam is a sign of their commitment to improving the team's performance in white-ball cricket. The upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa will be crucial for Pakistan as they prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy in early 2025.

Despite Pakistan's recent ODI series victory, Australia asserted their dominance in the T20I series, securing a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash. However, Pakistani fans found solace in the remarkable achievement of their captain, Babar Azam, who surpassed Virat Kohli to become the second-highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals.In the final T20I, Babar Azam played a pivotal role, anchoring Pakistan's innings with a well-crafted 41 runs off 28 balls, including four boundaries. Despite his efforts, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered, with other batsmen failing to make significant contributions. The team was eventually bowled out for a meager 117 runs in 18.1 overs.Babar Azam's 41-run knock propelled his total runs in T20 Internationals to 4192, surpassing Virat Kohli's tally of 4188 runs. The Pakistani skipper is now just 40 runs shy of surpassing Rohit Sharma's record of 4231 runs in T20 Internationals.Meanwhile, Australia's Marcus Stoinis led the run chase with a blistering 61 not out off 27 balls, guiding the hosts to a comfortable seven-wicket victory. The win completed Australia's 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan.Babar Azam's achievement is a testament to his exceptional batting prowess and consistency in the shortest format of the game. His ability to anchor the innings and score runs at a rapid pace has made him one of the most feared batsmen in T20 cricket.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has unequivocally declared that the Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan as scheduled. He asserted that if India has any concerns, it should engage in dialogue with the PCB to resolve them."Pakistan's pride and respect are paramount. The Champions Trophy will take place in our country only. We will not accept a hybrid model. If India has any issues, they can approach us, and we will address them," Naqvi stated during a press conference outside Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.Naqvi reiterated the PCB's unwavering stance against a hybrid model, where matches would be played in both Pakistan and India. He urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to announce the schedule promptly."We stand firm on our position that we will not consider a hybrid model. We are awaiting the ICC's announcement of the schedule as soon as possible," he added.Naqvi emphasized the importance of the ICC upholding its credibility as a governing body representing all cricket boards worldwide. He noted that the schedule had been revised but that no cancellation notice had been received."The ICC needs to consider its credibility as it represents all cricket bodies globally. The schedule has been rescheduled, but we haven't received any cancellation notice," he said.Naqvi also expressed his belief in keeping sports and politics separate, emphasizing that the two should not influence or interfere with each other."I still believe that sports and politics should not interfere with each other, and I maintain a positive outlook," he said.The PCB chairman's firm stance comes amid speculation that India may boycott the Champions Trophy if it is held in Pakistan due to security concerns. However, Naqvi has assured that Pakistan is fully prepared to host the tournament and provide a safe environment for all participants.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has hailed Mohammad Rizwan's appointment as Pakistan's white-ball captain, comparing his leadership style to that of legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni.Rizwan's tenure began with a historic series victory in Australia, where Pakistan overcame a loss in the opener to win the subsequent two ODIs and seal the series 2-1. Haider believes Rizwan's 360-degree view of the field as a wicketkeeper-captain gives him an advantage in setting fields and guiding bowlers."A wicketkeeper-captain is a big help for a team," Haider said. "Rizwan is doing the same. He is an effective batter, a good wicketkeeper, and now, a captain. This can help the team immensely."Haider also noted the positive impact on Babar Azam's batting since relinquishing the captaincy. "Babar Azam was overburdened," Haider said. "The moment he gave up captaincy, his batting improved. Now we can see him playing freely, without any burden."The series also showcased the brilliance of pacer Haris Rauf, who claimed 10 wickets and was named Player of the Series. Haider attributed Rauf's growth to his experience bowling against Virat Kohli in the 2022 T20 World Cup."Bowling to Virat has made Haris Rauf a more mature bowler," Haider said. "That was a huge learning curve in his career, and I am certain he took many lessons from that match."Haider also expressed his desire for India to tour Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. "India should come to Pakistan," he said. "Let's forget everything and start afresh. Fans love India vs Pakistan cricket matches more than anything else in this world. Let's love the game, not politics."

Aaqib Javed Set to Take Over as Pakistan's White-Ball Head CoachFormer Pakistan pacer and current national selector Aaqib Javed is poised to be appointed as the permanent head coach for Pakistan's white-ball formats. The appointment is expected to be finalized before the team's upcoming tour of Zimbabwe for a series of ODIs and T20Is.According to reliable sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Javed, who was initially hesitant to take on the coaching role, has been persuaded by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to assume the responsibility. The Pakistan squad will depart for Harare directly from Australia after their final T20I on Monday, and the new head coach will join them in Zimbabwe.Javed, who currently serves as the senior national selector, possesses extensive coaching experience. He has led the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and recently served as the bowling coach of Sri Lanka. He has also held the positions of bowling coach for Pakistan and head coach of the under-19 side in the past.The PCB initially sought to appoint Australian Jason Gillespie, the Test side's coach, as the white-ball head coach as well. However, Gillespie declined the offer to prioritize time with his family. He was subsequently asked to serve as the interim coach for the white-ball series in Australia after South Africa's Gary Kirsten resigned before the tour.After the Zimbabwe tour, Pakistan will travel to South Africa for a white-ball series and two Tests before returning home in January.

Jason Gillespie's tenure as Pakistan's head coach is set to end abruptly, with Aaqib Javed poised to take over across all formats. This latest coaching shakeup underscores the ongoing instability within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Gillespie, who currently serves as Test coach and interim white-ball coach, is expected to be relieved of all duties. Aaqib, recently appointed convenor of the men's cricket selection committee, is the frontrunner to replace him.The decision, which could be announced as early as Monday, stems from Gillespie's refusal to take on additional white-ball responsibilities without a contract amendment. The PCB, however, maintains that Gillespie's lack of time spent in Pakistan is the primary reason for his departure.Gillespie contends that he has fulfilled his contractual obligations and has even worked without pay on the Shaheens tour of Darwin. The PCB's insistence on his physical presence in Pakistan raises questions about the board's priorities, given the team's upcoming schedule.After Gillespie's departure, the PCB initially considered elevating Azhar Mahmood or reappointing Saqlain Mushtaq. However, Aaqib emerged as the preferred candidate, with the PCB offering him the role until the end of the Champions Trophy.Gillespie's tenure has been marked by both highs and lows. Pakistan suffered a humiliating 2-0 home defeat to Bangladesh but rebounded with a 2-1 triumph over England. Gillespie also oversaw Pakistan's first series victory in Australia in 22 years.Aaqib's appointment marks a rapid rise for the former coach and director of cricket operations at Lahore Qalandars. He is credited with implementing spin-friendly wickets against England, which proved decisive in Pakistan's series win.Pakistan faces a packed cricket schedule in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, including white-ball matches against Zimbabwe and South Africa, as well as Test matches against West Indies. Aaqib will be tasked with guiding the team through this challenging period.

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam faced the wrath of disgruntled fans during the second T20I against Australia in Sydney, where he was confronted and insulted over his poor batting performance. The incident occurred as Babar fielded near the boundary, where a group of fans hurled verbal abuse at him.Despite his anger, Babar maintained his composure and greeted fans who were chanting his name in support. However, one fan went too far, telling Babar to return to Lahore and questioning his place in the T20I side.The incident highlights the growing frustration among Pakistani fans over Babar's recent form. The former captain has struggled to find his rhythm in the shortest format, scoring just 3 runs in each of the first two T20Is against Australia.Babar's struggles have raised doubts about his suitability for the T20I format. Some critics argue that his slow strike rate and inability to adapt to the demands of modern T20 cricket make him a liability in the team.However, Babar's supporters point to his impressive record in other formats, including Test and ODI cricket. They argue that he is a world-class player who deserves the support of the fans during a difficult period.The incident in Sydney is a reminder of the intense pressure that Pakistani cricketers face. Fans expect high standards from their team, and when those standards are not met, they can be quick to express their disappointment.It remains to be seen how Babar will respond to the criticism. He has shown resilience in the past, but the pressure is mounting on him to deliver in the final T20I against Australia and prove that he is still worthy of his place in the team.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its new batch of central contracts, with notable omissions of former captain Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz. The contracts, which were pending approval for some time, have been awarded to 16 players, with Fatima Sana, the current captain, moving up to Category A.Dar, who was in Category A last year, and Riaz, who had been demoted to Category B, have been omitted due to concerns about their form and attitude within the team. Eyman Fatima, Anoosha Nasir, Sidra Nawaz, and Shawaal Zulfiqar also miss out on contracts this season, while Bismah Maroof's retirement earlier this year means she no longer features.The PCB stated that these players will remain available for selection as the board shifts its focus towards developing the next generation of cricketers in alignment with the ICC's Women's FTP (Future Tours Programme) for 2025-29.Sana's promotion to Category A is a reward for her outstanding all-round performances in the run-up to and at the T20 World Cup in the UAE. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka at the tournament but lost their three other group games to India, Australia, and eventual champions New Zealand.Muneeba Ali, the wicketkeeper-batter, has also been promoted to Category A, joining Sidra Amin, who retains her position. Gull Feroza and Rameen Shamim return to the central contracts list for the first time since 2018 and 2022-23, respectively, while Tasmia Rubab is included for the first time.The contracts have been backdated to the end of July, when the previous contracts expired. The delay in the contracts is part of a general trend of upheaval and uncertainty in Pakistan women's cricket, where the PCB has struggled to get projects off the ground, including the long-promised women's PSL."The 2024-25 central contracts reflect our forward-looking strategy as we prepare for the new ICC Women's Future Tours Programme," said PCB's new chief operating officer Sumair Ahmad Syed. "By further investing in established players through significantly enhanced retainers and offering clear pathways to the emerging cricketer, we aim to strike a balance between nurturing future stars and sustaining competitiveness at the highest level."

Pakistan's Foreign Office has denied the existence of any back channel diplomacy with India regarding the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in February-March 2023. Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that there are no specific discussions with India on the tournament or bilateral cricket.Baloch emphasized that sports should not be politicized, reiterating Pakistan's stance on the matter. She referred inquiries about the tournament's arrangements and team participation to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).The BCCI has informed the ICC of its inability to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The ICC has requested a response from the PCB on the possibility of hosting the tournament in a hybrid model, similar to the Asia Cup last year.The PCB is in contact with the ICC to discuss the arrangements, including team participation. Baloch stated that the PCB would provide further clarification on the issue.The Champions Trophy is a major international cricket tournament featuring the top eight ODI teams. Pakistan was awarded the hosting rights in 2018, but the tournament was postponed due to security concerns. The PCB has expressed its commitment to hosting the event successfully and ensuring the safety of all participants.However, India's refusal to participate has cast a shadow over the tournament. The BCCI's decision is based on security concerns and the strained political relations between the two countries.The ICC is exploring alternative options to ensure the tournament's success. A hybrid model, with India's matches played in a neutral venue, is one possibility. The PCB has expressed its willingness to consider such arrangements to facilitate India's participation.The Champions Trophy is a prestigious event in the cricket calendar, and its successful hosting in Pakistan would be a significant achievement. The PCB is working closely with the ICC to find a solution that satisfies all parties involved.