Cricket

Pakistan's Test squad for the first match against England has been announced, with all-rounder Aamer Jamal making a long-awaited return. Jamal's inclusion allows Pakistan to field a balanced attack, featuring Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed. This is the first time in over a year that Pakistan's full first-choice bowling contingent is available.The batting lineup remains unchanged, with Abdullah Shafique retaining his place despite recent struggles. Captain Shan Masood expressed confidence in Shafique, stating that the team is leaving the pitch preparation to the groundsman.Pakistan's batting has been a concern, with several batters underperforming. The match-up against England's inexperienced bowling unit in these conditions presents an intriguing challenge. England's decision to field a bowling combination of Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir has raised eyebrows, but it aligns with their aggressive "Bazball" approach.Masood acknowledged the impact of "Bazball" on world cricket, emphasizing the importance of finding new ways to play. However, Pakistan has vowed not to be drawn into England's style, preferring to absorb pressure and make amends for a difficult year."There is a lot of hurt within the players," said Masood. "We want to see our fans happy. We believe in this set of players and with Jason Gillespie, we wanted to create a squad mentality."Pakistan's squad for the first Test:* Saim Ayub* Abdullah Shafique* Shan Masood (capt)* Babar Azam* Saud Shakeel* Mohammad Rizwan (wk)* Salman Ali Agha* Aamer Jamal* Shaheen Afridi* Naseem Shah* Abrar Ahmed

Babar Azam's resignation as Pakistan's white-ball captain has sparked a search for his successor, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly considering three surprising options.Under Azam's leadership, Pakistan suffered a disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage, losing to the USA and India. While Mohammad Rizwan remains a frontrunner for the captaincy, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, and Salman Agha have emerged as potential candidates.According to a report by GEO Super, head coach Gary Kirsten is hesitant to appoint Zaman as captain due to his role as the team's first-choice wicket-keeper batter in all formats. The PCB aims to preserve Zaman's workload to prevent injuries.Azam announced his decision to step down last month, citing a desire to focus on his batting and reduce his workload. He had previously resigned as captain after Pakistan's poor performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup but was reinstated in March.However, his second stint as captain proved equally unsuccessful, with Pakistan failing to advance beyond the group stage of the T20 World Cup. Azam acknowledged the "significant workload" associated with captaincy and expressed a desire to prioritize his personal growth and family time.The PCB is now tasked with finding a suitable replacement for Azam. Rizwan, who has captained Pakistan in the past, is a strong contender. However, the emergence of Zaman, Shakeel, and Agha as potential candidates adds an element of intrigue to the selection process.The decision will ultimately rest with the PCB, which must weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate and determine who is best suited to lead Pakistan's white-ball teams.

Pakistan's Shan Masood Urged to Counter England's Tactics with Bold DecisionsFormer Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has advised national team captain Shan Masood to adopt a more aggressive approach in countering England's tactics in the upcoming Test series. Ali's suggestion comes after England announced their playing eleven two days before the start of the first Test in Multan.Ali believes that Masood should have followed England's lead and announced Pakistan's team in advance. "It's still not late," he said. "Do it in the morning after assessing the pitch."Ali drew comparisons with India captain Rohit Sharma, who made bold decisions in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Despite rain washing out two days, India counter-attacked in their first innings and declared early to keep the game alive. India eventually won by seven wickets, sweeping the series 2-0."If you want to be brave like Rohit in captaincy, then make decisions," Ali said. "If you take brave calls, then only you will win."Ali emphasized that Masood needs to instill confidence in his players and turn them into match-winners. "You don't have a Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, or 'Boom Boom' Bumrah," he said. "So raise the confidence level of those you have with you. Tell them 'you are my match-winner.'"Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 0-2 whitewash at home against Bangladesh. The first Test against England begins in Multan on October 7.

Pakistan's cricket team is facing a dilemma as they prepare for their upcoming Test series against England. The batters have reportedly requested coach Jason Gillespie to instruct groundsmen to prepare a flat pitch, while former cricketer Basit Ali claims Gillespie has rejected this request.Pakistan's batting unit has struggled in recent times, particularly in their 0-2 whitewash against Bangladesh at home. The batters believe a flat pitch would increase their chances of scoring runs against England's formidable bowling attack.However, Gillespie is reportedly not in favor of completely removing grass from the pitch. He believes a grassy surface would provide more assistance to Pakistan's bowlers, who have also been underperforming."I will give you an inside story. Jason Gillespie has handed a shut-up call to Pakistan batters. He wants the pitch to remain the same that has been prepared by the groundsman," Ali said on his YouTube channel."Pakistan batters wanted to cut off the grass to make it a flat pitch. The pitch curator and Gillespie want to play on the same pitch. I would be really happy if the match took place on a grassy surface and our bowlers took wickets," he added.England, who swept aside Pakistan 3-0 in their previous visit in 2022, will be looking to replicate their success. Veteran batsman Joe Root believes the team's previous experience in Pakistan will be beneficial."Yes, that series has helped us prepare for the coming matches and we have a plan on how to play here. But this is a new series and we have to play well again to win again in Pakistan," Root said."We learned a few things from that series, but (playing against) Pakistan at home is a challenge. Pakistan can definitely take advantage of their home conditions and we also have a couple of new young players eager to establish themselves. It should be an interesting series," he added.Pakistan's cricket team is under pressure to perform after their recent struggles. The Test series against England will be a crucial test for the team and their coach, Jason Gillespie.

England's Test tour of Pakistan, commencing on Monday, evokes memories of their remarkable 3-0 sweep in 2022. However, the tourists face a Pakistan team reeling from a humiliating defeat to Bangladesh. Here are some key talking points for England ahead of the series:Stokes Factor:Ben Stokes, England's talismanic captain, misses the first Test due to a hamstring injury. His absence alters the team's balance, as he could potentially replace a top-order batsman upon his return. However, England may opt for four specialist bowlers and rely on Joe Root's off-spin.Bazball Mark II:England's "Bazball" approach, characterized by aggressive batting, proved successful in their 2022 Pakistan tour. While they have since refined their style, Stuart Broad believes it will still be effective in Pakistan. England's batting lineup boasts exceptional spin-playing abilities, allowing them to maintain a high tempo.Inexperienced Attack:England's pace attack is undergoing a transition, with Chris Woakes as the senior figure. However, his overseas record is underwhelming, and Mark Wood is unavailable. Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, and Brydon Carse have limited experience, while the spin attack is also inexperienced. Jack Leach returns after being overlooked during the English season, but Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed have limited Test exposure.Broad's Warning:Stuart Broad cautions that England's inexperience could prove costly. He emphasizes the importance of having experienced bowlers to prevent a rapid collapse in the event of a spinner's failure.

Pakistan's captain, Fatima Sana, is determined to guide her team to victory in their upcoming match against India, despite the immense pressure that comes with such a high-stakes encounter. Pakistan's recent success, including a resounding win over Sri Lanka in their tournament opener, has instilled a sense of confidence within the team.Under the guidance of coach Mohammad Wasim, Pakistan has adopted innovative practices from the Pakistan Super League, such as data analysis and an emphasis on range-hitting. This approach has paid dividends, with the team posting their highest T20I total of 181 against South Africa.Sana, who is known for her all-around abilities, has played a pivotal role in Pakistan's batting resurgence. She believes that the team's newfound confidence in their power-hitting abilities has been a key factor in their success."In the last South Africa series, our team hit six sixes in one match," Sana said. "I think the girls believe that even if the fielders are standing behind, if they hit, they can go for six."Wasim has worked closely with Sana and other players to improve their range-hitting techniques. He has also encouraged them to adopt an attacking mindset, which has helped them to put pressure on opposing bowlers from the outset.Sana's own performance against Sri Lanka, where she scored a crucial 20-ball 30, is a testament to her commitment to leading by example. She is determined to continue improving her all-around game and become the "number one all-rounder.""I always wanted to be the number one all-rounder," Sana said. "Sir [Wasim] has played a big role in this. He has helped me a lot. Our power-hitting coach, he has helped a lot of girls. I think all the credit goes to him because he has given us the belief that you can become an all-rounder."As Pakistan prepares for their match against India, Sana is confident that her team can rise to the occasion. She believes that their recent success and the support of their coaching staff will give them the edge they need to secure a victory.

Pakistan cricket legend Zaheer Abbas, renowned as the "Asian Bradman," has expressed deep concern over the decline of Pakistan cricket, attributing it to the excessive emphasis on T20 cricket and the influx of money that has shifted players' focus away from the game.Speaking at the 'Cricket Predicta Conclave' in Bahi Ajman Palace hotel, Abbas lamented, "There's too much T20 cricket being played in Pakistan, and because of that, our players have forgotten the essence of Test cricket. This is why we're not performing well in the longer format."Abbas's comments highlight the growing debate in the cricketing world about the imbalance between different formats, with T20 cricket drawing widespread attention at the cost of the traditional Test format.Abbas, who led Pakistan cricket to unprecedented heights during his playing days, expressed dismay over the modern players' preoccupation with financial gain. "So much money has come into cricket that the players today are only focused on making money, and their attention is diverted from the game itself," he remarked.This shift, according to Abbas, is one of the key reasons Pakistan has struggled to maintain its once-dominant position in international cricket, particularly in Test matches.The former Pakistan captain did not mince words when speaking about the leadership within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). "It is the misfortune of Pakistan cricket that those who run it do not understand cricket," he said, expressing frustration with cricket administration in the country."We took Pakistan cricket to great heights. The world admired our cricket. But today, those in charge are only concerned with their own interests, not with cricket or the players."Abbas also touched upon the much-anticipated 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan. Advocating for a smooth cricketing exchange between India and Pakistan, Abbas said, "The Indian team should tour Pakistan, as it will promote cricket in the subcontinent, especially in Pakistan."He stressed that India's presence in Pakistan would be a positive development, adding, "The Indian team is a great ambassador of cricket. If they come and play in Pakistan, it will take cricket forward in our country."The strained relationship between India and Pakistan has impacted their cricketing ties, with bilateral series between the two sides on hold for several years. Abbas's appeal reflects a desire for renewed engagement between the neighboring countries, which would help revive cricket in Pakistan.Despite his own status as one of cricket's all-time greats, Zaheer Abbas still holds Sir Gary Sobers in the highest regard. "Gary Sobers is the greatest cricketer in the world, in my eyes," said Abbas, reminiscing about his dream of playing alongside Sobers.That dream came true when Abbas was selected for the World XI in 1971-72, with Sobers as captain. "I was so happy to know that Gary was my captain. It was a moment I could hardly express," Abbas recalled with admiration.During this period, the World XI played 16 matches, including five against Australia that were initially granted official Test status, although this status was later revoked. "Gary was not only a great cricketer and a brilliant captain but also a wonderful human being," Abbas said, underscoring the profound influence Sobers had on his career.Abbas also recounted a humorous yet unforgettable incident from a Test match against India in 1978, when he was on 96 runs and faced an unexpected bowler--Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar."When I saw Gavaskar coming to bowl, I thought it would be tough for me. I wasn't taking him seriously," Abbas chuckled. However, his light-hearted approach cost him dearly. "I played a shot, it went in the air, and I was caught," he said.That moment marked Gavaskar's only wicket in Test cricket, a fact the Indian great would later fondly recall. "Gavaskar said he'll always be proud of the fact that his first and only Test wicket was that of Zaheer Abbas," Abbas shared with a smile.

Pakistan's vice-captain Saud Shakeel has revealed his team's strategy for their upcoming Test series against England, echoing the sentiments of head coach Jason Gillespie. Shakeel believes that Pakistan can exploit England's aggressive approach to induce mistakes and gain an advantage."England always play attacking cricket, which gives us an opportunity to induce mistakes in them and use those mistakes to stay in the game," Shakeel said at a press conference in Multan.Pakistan will draw inspiration from their previous series against England in 2022, despite losing 3-0. Shakeel, who was Pakistan's second-highest scorer in that series, believes his team came close to winning on several occasions."The last series we played against England, there were times we were quite close to winning, such as Rawalpindi and Multan, but we couldn't finish it off," Shakeel said.In Multan, where the first Test starts on Monday, Pakistan pushed England to the brink. Needing 355 for victory in the fourth innings, Pakistan were well-placed at 290 with half the side still to bat, and Shakeel on 94. However, two wickets from Mark Wood on the stroke of lunch ended Pakistan's resistance, with England ultimately edging to a 26-run victory.Shakeel acknowledges that Pakistan's recent struggles with both bat and ball, as exposed by Bangladesh, make executing their plan far from guaranteed."We're struggling with the bat from time to time, and unable to convert starts into huge scores," Shakeel said. "That's a point of concern. The series that's over is now in the past. Admittedly we didn't play well there. Our focus is on what's ahead."Despite the challenges, Shakeel believes Pakistan's flexibility and ability to adapt to different situations will be key."We don't follow any particular style playing cricket, we play according to the requirement of any situation, which gives us flexibility," Shakeel said.Gillespie has also emphasized the importance of discipline and patience in Pakistan's approach."The strategy is often decided on the spot depending on how England play," Shakeel said. "Reverse swing may also come into play depending on the weather and the pitch [that is] prepared. If a team is being aggressive, it can be easy to get sucked into their style of play and over-attack. If they're attacking, and we just let them make their mistakes, that might work out better for us."

Pakistan's limited-overs head coach Gary Kirsten has returned to South Africa, leaving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to finalize the successor to Babar Azam as white-ball captain. Kirsten's departure follows a period of assessment and consultation in Lahore and Faisalabad, where he observed the Champions Cup and met with selectors and board officials.Kirsten will rejoin the Pakistan squad in Melbourne on October 29 for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Pakistan will play a total of 18 matches, including nine ODIs and nine T20Is, during the tour.Sources within the PCB indicate that wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi are the frontrunners to replace Azam as captain. Kirsten and former Australia coach Jason Gillespie have reportedly discussed the captaincy issue with the selection committee.The decision will be based on long-term considerations, including the candidates' behavior and recent performances. Rizwan is believed to be the favorite, with a younger player potentially serving as his deputy to manage his workload.The PCB is expected to announce the new white-ball captain later this month. The appointment will be crucial as Pakistan prepares for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India.