Cricket

Pakistan's Miraculous One-Wicket Victory: A Thrilling Test Match FinishThe inaugural Test match between Pakistan and Australia in Karachi in 1994 etched itself into cricket history as one of the most exhilarating finishes ever witnessed. Pakistan, chasing a daunting target of 315, found themselves on the brink of defeat at 258 for 9. The National Stadium in Karachi, packed to capacity, held its breath as Australia seemed poised to secure their first victory in Pakistan in 35 years.However, fate had a different plan. Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed, two unlikely heroes, emerged as the saviors of Pakistan. Inzamam, known for his calm demeanor under pressure, played with exquisite finesse, while Mushtaq, more renowned for his leg-spin bowling, matched him with aggressive shots.The duo launched a fierce counterattack, capitalizing on an injury-ravaged Australian bowling attack. They flayed the bowlers, scoring 53 runs in just eight overs, bringing Pakistan tantalizingly close to an improbable victory. The Karachi crowd erupted in a frenzy of excitement as the match reached its climax.With only three runs needed for victory, the tension was palpable. Australia fought valiantly, but Inzamam and Mushtaq remained unyielding. Inzamam's composure and Mushtaq's fearless approach ensured that Pakistan pulled off a remarkable one-wicket victory, keeping their unbeaten record at the National Stadium intact.The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Australia, who had come so close to achieving their first win on Pakistani soil in over three decades. However, the match is remembered for its thrilling conclusion, with Inzamam and Mushtaq's heroic stand becoming a celebrated moment in Pakistan's cricketing history.

Bangladesh and Scotland Face Off in Women's Cricket World Cup DebutBangladesh and Scotland will make their historic debuts in the Women's Cricket World Cup on Saturday, February 11, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.Bangladesh Squad:* Nigar Sultana (capt, wk)* Nahida Akter* Murshida Khatun* Shorna Akter* Ritu Moni* Sobhana Mostary* Rabeya Khan* Sultana Khatun* Fahima Khatun* Marufa Akter* Jahanara Alam* Dilara Akter* Taj Nehar* Shathi Rani* Disha BiswasScotland Squad:* Kathryn Bryce (capt)* Chloe Abel* Abbi Aitken-Drummond* Olivia Bell* Sarah Bryce (wk)* Darcey Carter* Priyanaz Chatterji* Katherine Fraser* Saskia Horley* Lorna Jack* Ailsa Lister* Abtaha Maqsood* Megan McColl* Hannah Rainey* Rachel SlaterTournament Form Guide:In the pre-tournament warm-up games, Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka by 33 runs but defeated Pakistan by 23 runs. Scotland, on the other hand, beat Pakistan by eight wickets but lost to Sri Lanka by five wickets.Player to Watch: Nahida AkterNahida Akter, with 99 T20I wickets, is on the cusp of becoming the first Bangladeshi woman and only the third Bangladeshi player overall to reach 100 T20I wickets. Her ability to exploit the right-handed batters in Scotland's lineup could prove crucial for Bangladesh's success.Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: A Battle of Former ChampionsIn the evening match at Sharjah, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, both former champions, will clash in a highly anticipated encounter.Pakistan Squad:* Fatima Sana (capt)* Aliya Riaz* Diana Baig* Gull Feroza* Iram Javed* Muneeba Ali (wk)* Nashra Sandhu* Nida Dar* Omaima Sohail* Sadaf Shamas* Sadia Iqbal* Sidra Amin* Syeda Aroob Shah* Tasmia Rubab* Tuba HassanSri Lanka Squad:* Chamari Athapaththu (capt)* Harshitha Samarawickrama* Vishmi Gunaratne* Kavisha Dilshari* Nilakshika Silva* Hasini Perera* Anushka Sanjeewani (wk)* Sachini Nisansala* Udeshika Prabodhani* Inoshi Priyadharshani* Achini Kulasuriya* Inoka Ranaweera* Shashini Gimhani* Ama Kanchana* Sugandika KumariTournament Form Guide:Pakistan lost both their warm-up games, while Sri Lanka emerged victorious in both.Player to Watch: Chamari AthapaththuChamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka's captain and star batter, will be under the spotlight as her team aims to live up to their status as tournament dark horses. Her leadership and batting prowess will be key to Sri Lanka's success.

Pakistan Cricket's Decline Attributed to T20 Dominance and Financial DistractionsZaheer Abbas, a legendary Pakistani cricketer, has expressed concern over the decline of Pakistan cricket, attributing it to the excessive emphasis on T20 cricket and the influx of money in the shortest format.Abbas believes that the proliferation of T20 cricket in Pakistan has led players to neglect the fundamentals of Test cricket. "There's too much T20 cricket being played in Pakistan, and because of that, our players have forgotten the essence of Test cricket," he said.He also criticized the financial incentives in T20 cricket and global leagues, which he believes have shifted players' focus away from the game itself. "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 added.Abbas's comments highlight the challenges facing Pakistan cricket, which has struggled to maintain its once-dominant position in international cricket, particularly in Test matches. He also expressed frustration with the leadership turbulence within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)."It is the misfortune of Pakistan cricket that those who run it do not understand cricket," he said. "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."Despite the challenges, Abbas remains optimistic about the future of Pakistan cricket. He believes that India should tour Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, even though the countries have strained relations."The Indian team should tour Pakistan, as it will promote cricket in the subcontinent, especially in Pakistan," he said. "The Indian team is a great ambassador of cricket. If they come and play in Pakistan, it will take cricket forward in our country."

Pakistan's Test skipper, Shan Masood, has expressed confidence in star batter Babar Azam's ability to regain form during the upcoming home Test series against England. Masood believes that Azam, despite recent struggles, remains the team's premier batter.Azam's performances in his last eight Tests have been below par, with an average of 21.13 and no half-centuries. However, Masood emphasized that Azam is not out of form and is still getting starts. He attributed Azam's struggles to the long gap between Tests and the pressure of being the team's leading batter."Babar is among the world's best batters," Masood said. "You have to give your players time, not just Babar. He is getting starts. There was a 10-month gap between the Australia and Bangladesh Tests, which does not help us."Masood pointed to Azam's impressive performances in the recent Champions Cup, where he scored 230 runs at an average of 76.66 and a strike rate of almost 99. He believes that Azam's ability to absorb pressure and change gears in that tournament will benefit him in Tests.Masood also dismissed any concerns about a lack of unity within the team. He stated that the players are putting in effort and that he has no complaints."Every captain has their own style," Masood said. "I focus on keeping the environment in the dressing room well; that is my primary concern. I have never seen a lack of unity or effort by the boys."Pakistan's Test record at home has been poor in recent times, with their last win dating back to February 2021. They are under pressure to perform well against England, especially after their series loss to Bangladesh.The Pakistan squad for the first Test against England includes:* Shan Masood (c)* Saud Shakeel (vc)* Aamir Jamal* Abdullah Shafique* Abrar Ahmed* Babar Azam* Mir Hamza* Mohammad Huraira* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Noman Ali* Saim Ayub* Salman Ali Agha* Sarfaraz Ahmed* Shaheen Shah Afridi

Mohammad Rizwan is poised to succeed Babar Azam as Pakistan's white-ball captain, according to Geo News. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly set to hold meetings with Rizwan to discuss team selection.Azam's resignation as captain came after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage. Despite being the tournament favorites, Pakistan suffered a shock defeat to co-hosts USA in their opening match.During Azam's tenure as captain, Pakistan failed to win a major tournament. They were eliminated from the Asia Cup in the Super 4 stage in 2022 and failed to reach the knockout stage of the ODI World Cup in India later that year.Azam's decision to step down as captain is seen as a move to prioritize his batting performance. He has been a prolific run-scorer for Pakistan, amassing over 5,000 runs in ODIs and 4,000 runs in T20Is.Rizwan, who has been Azam's deputy in the white-ball formats, is a natural leader and a respected figure within the team. He has been in excellent form with the bat, scoring over 1,000 runs in T20Is in 2023.Pakistan will face England in a three-match Test series on home soil in October. The first Test will begin on October 7 in Multan, followed by the second Test on October 15, also in Multan. The final Test will be held in Rawalpindi from October 24 to 28.

Babar Azam, the prolific Pakistani batsman, has relinquished his captaincy of the national white-ball teams for the second time in less than a year. In a heartfelt statement, Babar cited the need to prioritize his batting and reduce his workload as the primary reasons for his decision.Babar's first stint as captain, which began in 2019, was marked by several notable achievements. Under his leadership, Pakistan secured multi-format series victories over South Africa, an ODI series triumph against Australia, and reached the semi-finals and final of two consecutive T20 World Cups.However, his second stint as captain, which commenced in April 2023, proved to be less successful. Pakistan managed to win only six out of 13 T20Is during this period, including a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign where they were eliminated in the first round after defeats to the USA and India.In his resignation statement, Babar expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his tenure as captain. He emphasized that the decision to step down was made in the best interests of his personal growth and the team's performance."It's been an honor to lead this team, but it's time for me to step down and focus on my playing role," Babar said. "Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it's added a significant workload. By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth."Babar's resignation has left a void in Pakistan's white-ball leadership. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to announce a replacement, but the team's next assignment is a tour of Australia in March, where they will play three T20Is and three ODIs.

Pakistan's Test captain, Shan Masood, has emphasized the importance of unity and consistency within the team. Despite a challenging start to his tenure, Masood believes that the players are committed and deserve more time to prove their worth.Masood has faced criticism for Pakistan's recent performances, including a 3-0 series defeat in Australia and a home series loss to Bangladesh. However, he remains confident in the team's ability to improve."I have never seen a lack of unity or effort by the boys," Masood said. "There are some cricketing aspects to how we need to improve, but I have no complaints regarding unity."Masood has also backed Babar Azam, Pakistan's star batter, to regain his form. "Babar Azam is among the world's best batters," Masood said. "You have to give your players time, not just Babar Azam."Masood believes that players in the longer formats deserve more opportunities to prove themselves. "We have to give players a consistent chance," he said. "We want to consistently back our players, and whoever comes in shouldn't feel their spot is under threat from the first day."Masood also defended Abdullah Shafique, who has struggled in recent matches. "When I was out of the team for two years, I averaged over 60 in List A cricket, but Imam [ul-Haq-] and Fakhar [Zaman] were consistently performing," Masood said. "I didn't complain that I wasn't being selected, because I understood the level of competition was high."Masood highlighted the impressive form of Mohammad Hasnain in the One-Day Cup. "Hasnain was bowling really well and [was] a personal standout for me," Masood said. "We should appreciate the skill of fast bowling in Test cricket. It's the hardest skill and you need to be super fit to execute it."Masood emphasized the importance of managing fast bowlers' workloads to prevent injuries. "Fast bowling exerts a huge amount of stress on the body," Masood said. "So we've set certain standards and protocols so our fast bowlers are the fittest players in our team."

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood faced an inappropriate question from a journalist during a press conference, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) media manager to intervene. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and criticism faced by the Pakistan team, particularly after their recent 2-0 Test series loss at home to Bangladesh.The journalist's question, which called for "self-reflection" from Masood, was deemed disrespectful by PCB media manager Sami ul Hasan. Hasan firmly warned the journalist, stating, "One final request - in a humble manner - Pakistan's captain is sitting here. You can definitely ask questions, but please show respect."Hasan singled out the journalist, Javed Iqbal, and added, "That's not the appropriate way of asking a Pakistan captain the question that you asked."The incident occurred as Pakistan prepares for an upcoming home series against England. The team has been struggling for form, having not won a Test match at home since March 2022. They have lost home Test series to Australia, England, and Bangladesh during that period.Masood took over the Test captaincy in November 2023 after Babar Azam's resignation. Under his leadership, Pakistan has been whitewashed 3-0 in Australia and 2-0 at home by Bangladesh, winning only one series in Sri Lanka.The PCB's intervention in the press conference highlights the importance of respecting players and officials, even during challenging times. The incident also serves as a reminder of the intense pressure faced by the Pakistan team, who are eager to regain their winning ways.

Match-Fixing Haunts Pakistan Cricket, Says Former Player Mudassar NazarFormer Pakistan cricketer Mudassar Nazar has shed light on the dark cloud of match-fixing that has plagued the team, particularly in the 1990s. Nazar believes that the fear of losing to India and the subsequent accusations of match-fixing created an immense pressure on the Pakistani players."In the 90s, Pakistan's team was as talented as Australia," said Nazar. "But there was a fear factor of losing, and I'm going to be a little controversial here. The controversy is behind match-fixing."Nazar explained that the Pakistani public was unwilling to accept that their team could lose to a better opponent. This led to a culture of suspicion and accusations, which weighed heavily on the players."Nobody was prepared to accept that they actually lost to a better team," said Nazar. "So, at some stage in the early 90s, I was part of that team which was fearful of losing the game, and that was entirely due to match-fixing or fear of people believing the match was fixed."The match-fixing saga has had a lasting impact on Pakistan cricket, according to Nazar. The team's performances have declined across all formats in recent years, and Nazar believes that the pressure and suspicion created by match-fixing has played a role."Unfortunately, the match-fixing saga took its toll on Pakistan team," said Nazar.Nazar also discussed the intense rivalry between Pakistan and India, which added to the pressure on the players."No Pakistani, no Indian, would want to lose this game," said Nazar. "That wasn't the case with the cricket, but with the general public probably."Nazar believes that the use of psychologists to cope with the pressure of match-fixing has not been effective."I have never seen a psychologist win a cricket match," said Nazar. "A lot of the teams have employed psychologists all over the world. But it has never worked."