Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces a crucial decision in appointing a new white-ball captain following Babar Azam's recent resignation. Amidst Pakistan's recent struggles and mounting criticism, the choice of skipper will be closely scrutinized.Former Pakistan cricketer Mudassar Nazar believes the PCB has limited options and will likely appoint Mohammad Rizwan as the next captain. "They've tried everyone except Rizwan. They'll have to make him the captain," Nazar said. He suggests that appointing a senior player as captain and grooming a successor under them would be a wiser move.Pakistan's poor run in white-ball cricket began with their disappointing performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they failed to qualify for the semifinals. The T20I team under Babar suffered a shock group stage exit from the T20 World Cup, losing to minnows USA. The Test team also endured an embarrassing 2-0 whitewash at home against Bangladesh.Nazar attributes Pakistan's recent struggles to frequent captaincy changes, which have led to divisions within the team. He advocates for Rizwan to lead all three formats, arguing that stability in leadership is crucial.Pakistan's next challenge is a three-Test series against England at home. The performances of senior players will be under intense scrutiny as the PCB seeks to rebuild and regain its former glory.

Ben Stokes' absence from England's first Test against Pakistan in Multan has opened the door for Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse to make their mark. Woakes, who hasn't played an overseas Test in two-and-a-half years, is expected to return to the side, while Carse is in line for a Test debut.Stokes, who sustained a torn hamstring two months ago, is still recovering and has ruled himself out of the first Test. He underwent a 45-minute training session on Saturday, including shuttle runs and batting practice, but is taking a cautious approach to his recovery.In Stokes' absence, Ollie Pope will continue to captain England, having led them to a 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka last month. England are likely to field two spinners in the first Test, with Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir expected to play. Gus Atkinson is also in contention after recovering from a thigh niggle.Carse is set to pip Matthew Potts to the final spot in England's seam attack. Both bowlers impressed in the recent ODI series against Australia, but England have opted for Carse's extra pace and superior batting. Olly Stone, who played two Tests against Sri Lanka, is also likely to miss out.Carse, who missed most of the summer due to a gambling ban, has impressed England's players in the nets with his pace and wicket-taking ability. "He's a natural wicket-taker," said Joe Root. "He's got those balls in him that, out of nowhere, on the flattest of wickets, you can make something happen… He offers a huge amount to the squad."England are expected to confirm their XI later on Saturday, two days out from the first Test.

Salman Butt Defends Babar Azam Amidst Resignation and CriticismFormer Pakistan captain Salman Butt has come to the defense of Babar Azam following his resignation as the team's white-ball captain. The move came after ex-pacer Sikander Bakht criticized Azam's leadership and performance during the recent T20 World Cup.Bakht had suggested that Azam should have stepped down immediately after Pakistan's group stage exit, saying, "You finally felt ashamed!" However, Butt believes that such criticism is unwarranted."Respect is given to those who have earned it," Butt said on a TV show. "It's unfortunate to criticize a player who has been Pakistan's best for the past five years."Butt highlighted Azam's consistent contributions to Pakistan cricket, including his impressive batting record and leadership qualities. He emphasized the need to recognize Azam's accomplishments, regardless of personal opinions."You can like or dislike any person, but you should consider the player's stature while criticizing," Butt concluded.Azam's resignation has sparked mixed reactions within the cricket community. Some have questioned his decision, while others have expressed support for his leadership. Butt's defense underscores the importance of acknowledging Azam's significant contributions to Pakistan cricket amidst leadership changes.

Pakistan Cricket's Leadership Crisis: Ashwin Expresses ConcernRavichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian cricketer, has voiced his concerns over the current state of Pakistan cricket, which has been plagued by leadership instability and poor performance.Following Pakistan's disappointing exit from the 2023 World Cup, Babar Azam resigned as captain, triggering a series of leadership changes. Shaheen Afridi briefly took over the T20I captaincy before Babar was reinstated, only to step down again.Ashwin likened the situation to a game of "musical chairs," highlighting the detrimental impact of frequent captaincy changes on team morale and cohesion. "I am speaking the truth when I say that the current state of Pakistan cricket and the phase they are going through makes me feel a little sorry," Ashwin said.He emphasized that despite Pakistan's abundance of talented players, the instability has shifted the focus from team success to individual performance. "Every cricketer will be so unstable inside the dressing room that he will start thinking about himself and will think less about the team," Ashwin added.Ashwin also pointed to Pakistan's poor recent record, particularly in Test cricket, where they have not won a home Test match in nearly three years. "In the 2023 World Cup, they lost, and then Babar resigned. Then Afridi was made captain, but Babar was reinstated for limited overs, and Shan Masood was made the Test captain. And look at the situation now – Pakistan hasn't won a Test match at home for more than 3 years," he stated.Ashwin's remarks echo the concerns of many cricket experts who believe that Pakistan's ongoing leadership issues and lack of stability are hindering their international performance. The team's inability to find a consistent and effective leadership structure has created an environment of uncertainty and instability, which is affecting the players' confidence and focus.

Kamran Akmal Praises Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni, Congratulates Gambhir on Coaching SuccessFormer Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has expressed his admiration for current Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and legendary Indian captain MS Dhoni. In an interview with CricBlog, Akmal shared his thoughts on his relationships with both players.Regarding Dhoni, Akmal said, "MS Dhoni is someone with a different mentality altogether. He's an absolute match-winner and super calm. The way he played was fantastic, and he had a fantastic career. We used to talk a lot about wicket-keeping and batting."Akmal also spoke highly of his friendship with Gambhir. "We share a good bond and are good friends. I mean me and Gautam are good friends too. I share a good relationship with him. He's like my brother," Akmal said.Akmal's comments highlight the camaraderie that exists between players from rival cricketing nations despite the intense competition on the field. He also congratulated Gambhir on his recent success as a coach."In fact, I'd like to congratulate Gautam on winning his first Test as a coach. I'm so happy for him," Akmal added.Gambhir recently guided India to a Test series victory over Bangladesh, marking a successful start to his coaching career. Before the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, Gambhir visited the Maa Pitambara Temple in Datia to seek blessings during the Shardiya Navratri festival.Following the Test series, India and Bangladesh will face off in a three-match T20I series, where both teams will aim to build momentum ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

England's fast-bowling attack is undergoing a significant transformation as they prepare for their upcoming Test series in Pakistan. With the absence of veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad, a new generation of seamers is stepping into the unknown.During England's last tour of Pakistan in 2020, Anderson played a pivotal role in their 3-0 clean sweep. However, two years later, he is absent due to retirement, while Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson are also unavailable due to injury and form concerns.This leaves England with five seamers who have never played a first-class match in Pakistan: Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, and Chris Woakes. The absence of Anderson, who is currently playing in a golf tournament in Scotland, is a significant blow to the team's preparation.Despite being in daily contact with the quicks, Anderson's absence means that they will miss out on valuable in-person coaching. With Ben Stokes also emerging as a doubt for the first Test, Woakes is likely to play his first away Test in over two years.The conditions in Multan will be a challenge for England's bowlers. The temperature reached 40 degrees during their first training session, and the pitch is expected to offer some live grass. Pakistan captain Shan Masood has suggested that the surface could be more seam-friendly than in the past, which could benefit England's new-look attack.England's fast-bowling attack has evolved rapidly in the last year, with a focus on seam movement rather than swing. This transition is designed to help England compete more effectively away from home. The series in Pakistan will be the first real test for this new generation of quicks.

Pakistan's cricket team is facing a dilemma as they consider splitting the captaincy across the three formats of the game. The heavy schedule and workload on the current white-ball skipper, Babar Azam, has prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to explore alternative options.Despite expectations that Azam would retain the ODI captaincy, he surprisingly resigned late Wednesday night, citing a desire to focus on his batting. This has left the PCB, head coach Gary Kirsten, and the selection committee with the task of finding a suitable replacement.Muhammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper-batter, is considered the frontrunner for the white-ball captaincy. However, concerns have been raised about his workload, as he is an automatic selection in all formats. The team's hectic international schedule, which includes 18 ODIs and T20Is in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, followed by two Tests in South Africa, has raised concerns about Rizwan's ability to handle the additional responsibility.Sources within the PCB suggest that the board may consider appointing separate captains for ODIs and T20Is, or naming a strong vice-captain to Rizwan who would lead the team in his absence. Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are among the candidates being considered for these roles.Kirsten has reportedly expressed reservations about any player taking on the captaincy in two formats, especially after Azam's recent loss of form and confidence. The PCB is now tasked with finding a solution that balances the need for strong leadership with the players' workload management.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing criticism for failing to pay its players' salaries for four months. The issue affects both the men's and women's national teams, including star players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi.The men's team, which recently awarded 25 senior players three-year contracts, has not received their salaries from July to October. According to reports, the contracts are under review due to the team's poor performance. Despite repeated reminders, the players have been left waiting for their payments.The women's team, which is on a 23-month contract since August 2023, is also facing salary delays. Their contract was set to be reviewed after 12 months, but the process is still ongoing. The PCB has stated that the contracts will be offered with effect from July 1, 2024, once the lists are finalized and approved.The salary delays have come at a crucial time for both teams. The men's team is set to face England in a three-match Test series at home, starting October 7. The women's team is currently in the United Arab Emirates for the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which kicked off on October 3.The PCB's financial struggles have been attributed to a lack of sponsorship and revenue. The board has been criticized for its handling of the situation and for failing to prioritize the welfare of its players. The salary delays have raised concerns about the future of Pakistani cricket and the morale of the national teams.

Babar Azam's resignation as Pakistan's white-ball captain has sparked a debate about the team's future leadership. Former wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif believes Babar's decision will pave the way for his return to form as the team's premier batsman.Latif praised Babar for stepping down, saying it will alleviate the pressure on him and allow him to focus on his batting. He criticized Babar's captaincy, claiming that it damaged the team's performance in recent World Cups.With Babar's departure, the frontrunner for white-ball captaincy is wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan. However, Latif advised Rizwan against taking on the role, suggesting that he should give others a chance.Latif proposed alternative candidates for ODI captaincy, including Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha. He emphasized the importance of leadership qualities, citing Imran Khan and Younis Khan as examples of successful leaders who guided Pakistan to World Cup victories.Latif criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its lack of leadership and division within the organization. He believes that Pakistan will need to wait until the Champions Trophy next year to find a true leader for the team.