Cricket

Pakistan's first innings extended by 99 runs on the second morning in Multan, reaching 358 for 8 at lunch. England's bowlers made early inroads, but a ninth-wicket stand of 49 between Aamer Jamal and Noman Ali thwarted their progress.Carse struck early, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan for 41. Agha Salman countered with boundaries off Carse and Potts, but Potts eventually had him caught for 53. Jack Leach claimed Sajid Khan for 19, leaving Pakistan vulnerable at 309 for 8.However, Jamal and Noman showed resilience, adding 49 runs for the ninth wicket. Jamal, despite hip discomfort, remained unbeaten on 37, while Noman played a range of deft sweeps and pulled Brydon Carse for four.England's bowlers, despite a productive start, were unable to break through the Jamal-Noman partnership. Pakistan's innings was characterized by a mix of early wickets and late resistance, setting up an intriguing contest in the second session.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has endorsed the decision by the newly formed selection committee to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah from the squad for the remaining two Tests against England. The move has sparked debate, with some questioning the rationale behind dropping three of Pakistan's most talented players.Afridi, however, believes the decision is a wise one that will ultimately benefit both the players and the team. He argues that resting these players will prolong their careers and allow them to return refreshed and rejuvenated. Additionally, it will provide an opportunity for the PCB to test and groom new talent, building a stronger bench strength for the future."Supporting the selectors' decision to give Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem a break from international cricket. This move not only helps protect and extend the careers of these champion players but also gives a great opportunity to test and groom emerging talent, building strong bench strength for the future," Afridi posted on Twitter.The decision to drop the trio has also been met with some criticism, with some arguing that it sends the wrong message to the players and could damage their confidence. However, Afridi believes that the players will understand the rationale behind the decision and will use it as motivation to improve their performances."I am confident that Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem will come back stronger than ever. They are all world-class players, and they will use this break to work on their game and come back even better," Afridi said.The decision to drop the trio is part of a wider shake-up of the Pakistan cricket team following their disappointing loss to England in the first Test in Multan. The PCB has formed a new selection committee, comprising Aqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar, Hasan Cheema, and advisor Bilal Afzal, and has given them the power to make all selection decisions, including the finalizing of the playing eleven.This move has reduced the powers of captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie, who previously had the final say in selection matters. However, the PCB believes that this change will allow the selectors to make more objective and informed decisions, free from any external pressure.

Pakistan's Test captain Babar Azam's omission from the second Test against England has sparked a debate about his form and comparisons with India's Virat Kohli. Azam's last half-century in the format came in December 2022, and his average in his last 17 Test innings is a meager 20.70.On Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube channel, the former India spinner weighed in on the discussion. "Definitely, if he is given a chance, he will score runs. If there is class, that's okay. I feel we should end this debate once and for all," Ashwin said.However, Ashwin drew a clear distinction between Azam and Kohli. "First of all, across the border, Babar Azam and Virat Kohli shouldn't be mentioned in the same line," he asserted. "I am very sorry, I really rate Babar Azam as an outstanding player, but Virat Kohli's credentials are something else. Across terrains, across times, across pressure situations, the kind of heists he has done, no one has done that in world cricket."Ashwin's comments highlight the immense respect he holds for Kohli's achievements. Kohli has amassed over 25,000 international runs across all formats, including 71 centuries. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.Pakistan's Test struggles have extended beyond Azam's form. They have not won a Test at home since 2022, losing six out of ten matches and drawing four. In the first Test against England, they became the first team to lose a Test match by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in the first innings.Ahead of the second Test, Pakistan made the surprising decision to drop Azam, along with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Azam's scores of 30 and five in the first Test were not enough to save his place in the team.Pakistan will be desperate to end their winless streak in the second Test. However, they will face a formidable England side that is brimming with confidence after their dominant performance in the first match.

Kamran Ghulam's unwavering determination to represent Pakistan in international cricket has finally borne fruit. After 11 years of toil in domestic cricket, the 29-year-old made a remarkable Test debut, becoming the 13th Pakistani to score a century on his first appearance.Ghulam's journey to the international stage has been marked by patience and perseverance. Despite being repeatedly overlooked for selection, he never lost sight of his dream. "I'd been waiting for my chance a long time but I never gave up," he said. "I had been waiting for my chance. That's all I thought about."His debut came under immense pressure, replacing the injured Babar Azam. With Pakistan struggling at 19 for 2, Ghulam walked out to face the daunting England spinners. However, he remained unfazed, drawing on his vast experience in domestic cricket.Ghulam's first-class record is impressive, with only 12 players scoring more runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy since his debut in 2013. His average of nearly 50 places him among the elite batsmen in Pakistan.In his Test debut, Ghulam showcased his aggressive style, banking his shots before lunch and setting the platform for a crucial partnership with Saim Ayub. He then built another solid stand with Mohammad Rizwan, reaching his century with a stylish slap over midwicket off Joe Root.Ghulam's innings of 118, his 17th first-class hundred, was a testament to his hard work and determination. "I've scored a lot of first-class runs," he said. "I didn't care about the venue or the team, I just needed to make my debut."Despite the pressure of replacing a legend like Babar Azam, Ghulam remained focused on giving his best. "Babar is a very good player and at the back of my mind I was thinking he's a legend, a very good player," he said. "But I thought I'd give 110% and play with a positive mindset."Ghulam's debut century has not only fulfilled his long-held dream but also given Pakistan a much-needed boost in the ongoing Test series against England. His performance is a reminder that perseverance and hard work can overcome any obstacle.

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) pitch curator, Tony Hemming, blaming him for the team's humiliating defeat in the first Test against England in Rawalpindi.Ali, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan, took to his YouTube channel to express his frustration over the pitch, which he described as "benign" and "unfit for Test cricket.""We thought the ball would spin on the second day, but it didn't happen even on the fifth day," Ali said. "The curator is from Australia, and he has been a part of the ICC as well. But he doesn't know how to prepare a pitch."Ali pointed to India as an example of how pitches should be prepared, saying that the Indian curators tailor the surfaces to suit their team's strengths."Look at India," Ali said. "The pitch is prepared the way they want to. They want to play spin, so they make the pitch spin. They want to play fast bowling, so they make the pitch fast."Ali's criticism comes after Pakistan's spinners failed to make an impact in the first Test. England's Shoaib Bashir managed to take just one wicket across both innings, while experienced Jack Leach relied on his skills rather than the surface to prove his effectiveness.Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled 35 overs, spilt 174 runs at an economy of 4.97 and went wicketless before being treated in the hospital after being taken ill. Saim Ayub and Samlan Ali Agha tasted success, but it came at the cost of leaking runs heavily.With Pakistan naming a spin-laden playing XI for the second Test in Multan, the pitch is expected to help out the spinners. However, Ali is skeptical, saying that he doesn't expect the surface to be any different from the one in Rawalpindi."I don't think the pitch in Multan will be any different," Ali said. "It will be the same flat, lifeless pitch. We will have to rely on our batsmen to score runs and our bowlers to take wickets on their own."

Pakistan cricket has been plagued by a persistent cycle of changes, with coaches, captains, players, selectors, and even board chairmen coming and going. Despite these constant shifts, the team's problems remain unresolved.The latest shake-up came after Pakistan's loss in the opening Test against England, prompting a change in the selection committee and the benching of key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah. However, former England captain Nasser Hussain believes the blame lies not with these individuals but with the systemic issues within Pakistan cricket."The issue is not Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, or Naseem Shah," Hussain said. "The issue is behind the scenes in the way Pakistan cricket runs."Hussain pointed out that Pakistan has used 26 different selectors for the senior men's national team, a staggering number that highlights the lack of stability and continuity. He emphasized that no sport or business can function effectively with such frequent changes."If you keep changing selectors, coaches, captains—constantly shuffling leadership—it's impossible to plan ahead," Hussain said. "No successful business or sports team works that way."Hussain also acknowledged the financial challenges faced by Pakistan cricket, but he stressed that the team's self-inflicted problems have exacerbated the situation."They shoot themselves in the foot," Hussain said. "Their cricket and some of it, you give them a bit of leeway because of the way the finances of the world game have gone with the big three, and they're picking up the scraps like other nations are."Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram echoed Hussain's sentiments, saying that he and Atherton "are onto something."As Pakistan prepares for the second Test against England without Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem, the team faces an uphill battle to turn its fortunes around. The constant changes and lack of stability have created a culture of short-term thinking and unpreparedness that has hindered the team's progress.

Pakistan's captain, Fatima Sana, displayed remarkable resilience and courage in the face of personal tragedy during her team's final group match of the Women's T20 World Cup against New Zealand. Despite losing her father just days prior, the 22-year-old all-rounder returned to lead her team, prioritizing her national duty over her personal loss.Sana's emotional state was evident as she stood for the National Anthem, her tears flowing freely. The visuals of her grief-stricken expression quickly went viral on social media, capturing the hearts of cricket fans worldwide.Pakistan's campaign in the tournament ended with a disappointing defeat, but Sana's unwavering spirit in the face of adversity served as an inspiration. She had rushed back home to be with her family after her father's passing, missing the game against Australia. However, she returned in time for the crucial encounter against New Zealand, determined to make a difference.Chasing a modest target of 111, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered, collapsing to a mere 56 runs. Sana emerged as the team's top scorer with a knock of 21, but it was not enough to prevent their elimination from the tournament.The defeat marked the end of the road for all three Asian teams in the tournament, with India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka finishing third, fourth, and fifth respectively in Group A. Australia and New Zealand advanced to the semifinals from the group.Sana's courage and determination in the face of personal tragedy have earned her widespread admiration. Her actions serve as a reminder of the strength and resilience that can be found even in the most challenging of circumstances.

England captain Ben Stokes is set to make his long-awaited return to competitive cricket in the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, starting October 15. Stokes, who suffered a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred, has been named in England's playing XI for the second game at the Multan Cricket Stadium.The 33-year-old all-rounder has been bowling and batting without any discomfort in the nets in the lead-up to the match. In his absence, Ollie Pope led England to a comprehensive victory in the series opener last week.Pakistan, on the other hand, have made some significant changes to their team ahead of the second Test, dropping former captain Babar Azam and star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. When asked about these changes, Stokes declined to comment, stating that it was an internal matter for Pakistan cricket.Stokes missed the three-match home series against Sri Lanka and last week's first Test, which England won by an innings. Durham seamer Matthew Potts also returns to the side for the first time since the Lord's Test against Sri Lanka at the end of August. Seamers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes have been rested.With England dropping two pacers, Stokes confirmed that he will be "playing as a third seamer" alongside Potts and Brydon Carse, who impressed on his debut in Multan.Pakistan became the first team in Test cricket's 147-year history to lose by an innings after posting a 550-plus total in their first innings. Under pressure to level the series, Pakistan have named three frontline spinners in their team.They have made four changes, including bringing in batter Kamran Ghulam for his debut.

Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has expressed his support for the national team as they prepare for the second Test against England in Multan. Afridi, along with Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed, was released from the squad for the remaining two Tests of the series.The changes to Pakistan's squad were made by a newly-formed selection committee, formed hours after the hosts suffered an embarrassing loss by an innings and 47 runs to England in the first Test at Multan. Pakistan are 0-1 behind in the three-match Test series against England and are also at the bottom of the ongoing World Test Championship standings.Afridi, who has been struggling with form and fitness, took to social media to wish the team well. "Wishing Team Pakistan the best of luck! Rooting for a strong comeback. We're all cheering for you!" he wrote on Twitter.The second Test between Pakistan and England will be played on the same pitch as the series opener in Multan from Tuesday. Pakistan will be hoping to level the series and avoid a humiliating whitewash.Pakistan squad for second and third Tests:* Shan Masood (captain)* Saud Shakeel (vice-captain)* Aamir Jamal* Abdullah Shafique* Haseebullah (wicket-keeper)* Kamran Ghulam* Mehran Mumtaz* Mir Hamza* Mohammad Ali* Mohammad Huraira* Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper)* Noman Ali* Saim Ayub* Sajid Khan* Salman Ali Agha* Zahid Mehmood