Cricket

Pakistan's cricket team is gearing up for a crucial Test series against England, but behind the scenes, there are allegations of political maneuvering within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Former batsman Basit Ali has claimed that white-ball coach Gary Kirsten is now involved in the politics of Pakistani cricket.According to Ali, Kirsten has taken over the leadership of a "friendship group" within the team, which was previously headed by captain Babar Azam. Ali alleges that Kirsten has been pushing for certain players to be given extended runs, including all-rounder Shadab Khan.Ali also criticized the team's recent Test series whitewash at home to Bangladesh, calling it an "embarrassing" defeat. He questioned the team's consistency and performance, suggesting that favoritism and politics were undermining the team's success.Ali's claims have been met with mixed reactions. Some have dismissed them as unfounded speculation, while others have expressed concern about the alleged political interference in the team.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has not publicly commented on Ali's allegations. However, he has previously stated that the board is committed to improving the team's performance and ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.Despite Ali's claims that fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi would not be included in the squad for the England Tests, Afridi was named in the 15-member squad for the first Test.Ali also predicted that Kirsten would be sacked after the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is set to host in February-March next year. He claimed that Kirsten had become part of the political landscape of Pakistani cricket and would not be successful in the long run.The PCB has not commented on Ali's prediction regarding Kirsten's future. However, the board has stated that it is focused on preparing the team for the upcoming Champions Trophy and ensuring a successful tournament on home soil.

Pakistan's selectors have recalled left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the first Test against England, scheduled to commence on October 7 in Multan. Afridi's inclusion comes after a brief omission from the team due to a decline in form.Seasoned left-arm spinner Noman Ali has also been added to the squad, replacing pace bowler Khurrum Shehzad, who remains sidelined with an injury sustained during the Bangladesh series. All-rounder Aamer Jamal, who missed the Bangladesh series due to fitness concerns, has been retained following his recovery.The remainder of the squad consists of players who featured in the recent Bangladesh series. Head coach Jason Gillespie has requested the withdrawal of selected players from the ongoing Champions Cup ODI event in Faisalabad to provide them with rest ahead of the England series.Pakistan Test Squad:* Shan Masood (Captain)* Saud Shakil (Vice-Captain)* Babar Azam* Muhammad Rizwan* Abdullah Shafique* Muhammad Huraira* Saim Ayub* Salman Ali Agha* Sarfaraz Ahmed* Aamer Jamal* Noman Ali* Abrar Ahmed* Mir Hamza* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Naseem Shah

Pakistan's Test captaincy is expected to remain unchanged, with Shan Masood set to lead the team in the upcoming home series against England. Babar Azam will continue as the white-ball captain during the tours of Australia and South Africa later this year.England's squad will arrive in Pakistan on October 3 for a three-Test series beginning in Multan on October 7. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors will announce the Test squad after the Champions Cup final on Sunday.Masood, who has overseen five consecutive Test losses, will meet with head coach Jason Gillespie and national selectors Muhammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq in Faisalabad this week to finalize the strategy for the England series.The last time England visited Pakistan, during the 2022/23 season, they swept the series 3-0 under the captaincy of Babar Azam.Sources indicate that few changes are expected in the Test squad that recently lost a series against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi 0-2. The batting line-up is likely to remain stable, with Shan, Babar, Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Rizwan, Kamran Ghulam, and Muhammad Huraira being considered for selection.The selectors are considering the inclusion of some new spinners for the three-match series, but the decision will depend on the type of pitches prepared in Multan and Rawalpindi.Since 2022, Pakistan has lost home series to Australia, England, and Bangladesh, managing only to draw the series against New Zealand. The team will be eager to turn things around against England and regain some momentum in the Test format.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently concluded its much-anticipated "connection camp" with a roadmap to address the team's current struggles. The camp brought together officials, team management, and players, including captains Shan Masood and Babar Azam, for open and robust discussions.One key issue identified was the lack of unity within the national side. Salman Naseer, the PCB's chief operating officer, acknowledged that this had been a topic of discussion, not only among the players but also between the board and the team.The camp also addressed tensions between players and the board, particularly regarding the denial of NOCs for participation in overseas leagues. Naseer emphasized that unity was not just about the team but also about the relationship between the team and management.Despite the challenges, Gary Kirsten, the white-ball coach, expressed optimism about the depth of talent in Pakistan. He praised the quality of players showcased in the recent Champions Cup.Jason Gillespie, the head coach, highlighted the importance of listening and learning to improve the team's effectiveness. He emphasized the players' pride in representing Pakistan and their desire to inspire the nation.The discussions at the camp will continue, with the aim of identifying and addressing issues that have hindered the team's performance. The PCB is committed to working together with the players and management to improve results and foster a positive and unified environment.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come under fire from former cricketer Kamran Akmal for its lack of professionalism, which he believes has contributed to the team's recent struggles. Akmal's criticism comes in the wake of Pakistan's humiliating 2-0 Test series defeat to Bangladesh, a team they had previously dominated.Akmal pointed to the stark contrast between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which he praised for its professionalism and success. He emphasized the importance of a well-structured team, selectors, captain, and coaches, all of which he believes are lacking in Pakistan cricket."PCB should learn from BCCI, their professionalism, their team, selector, captain, and coaches. These are the things that make a team number one and dominate the world. If we were so good, then Pakistan cricket wouldn't be here. It is because of your ego Pakistan cricket is suffering," Akmal said on his YouTube channel.Pakistan's recent Test series defeat against Bangladesh has highlighted the instability that has plagued the team in recent years. Under the captaincy of Babar Azam, Pakistan suffered a disappointing defeat in the Asia Cup final in 2022 and was eliminated from the Super 4 stage in the subsequent edition of the tournament.The team's decline continued in the ODI World Cup 2023, where they were eliminated in the group round. A series of adjustments followed, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking over the captaincy from Babar and Shan Masood leading the Test team.However, Pakistan's struggles persisted, with defeats to Ireland and England in T20Is and a humiliating Test series loss in Australia. The team's poor performance continued in the T20 World Cup, where they lost a thrilling Super Over match against the co-hosts, the USA, and were eventually eliminated from the group round after a defeat to India.In response to the string of disappointments, the PCB has announced a high-level Connection Camp aimed at creating a coherent and distinct vision for the future of the sport. Nine Pakistani cricketers, including Babar, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, will be present at the camp, along with head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten.

Shoaib Akhtar's Lookalike Sparks Nostalgia, Recalling the 'Rawalpindi Express'Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, known as the 'Rawalpindi Express,' remains an iconic figure in world cricket. His searing pace, steep bounce, and lethal yorkers terrorized batsmen for nearly two decades. Despite a successful career spanning 46 Tests, 163 ODIs, and 15 T20Is, Akhtar retired after the 2011 World Cup due to chronic knee issues.Recently, a video of Akhtar's lookalike, Imran Muhammad, has gone viral on social media, evoking nostalgia among fans. The footage, from an Oman D10 League match, showcases Imran's striking resemblance to the legendary pacer.Imran, now 30, hails from Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He left his village at 18 and now resides in Muscat, where he earns a living installing CCTV cameras while also participating in franchise league cricket in Oman.Since his retirement, Shoaib Akhtar has transitioned into a successful commentator and analyst. He shares his expert opinions and reviews on international matches, league games, and Pakistani cricket on his popular YouTube channel.Throughout his illustrious career, which began in 1997, Akhtar took 178 wickets in 46 Tests, with his final Test appearance against India in Bangalore in 2007. In ODIs, he claimed 247 wickets, while in T20Is, he picked up 19 wickets in 15 matches.Akhtar's legacy as one of the fastest and most feared bowlers in cricket history continues to inspire young players and fans alike. His lookalike, Imran Muhammad, serves as a reminder of the iconic pacer's impact on the sport.

Inzamam-ul-Haq's infamous dismissal for obstructing the field during Pakistan's 2006 tour of India has become a legendary anecdote in cricket folklore. The incident occurred in the first ODI of the series in Peshawar, where Inzamam was given out after stopping a throw with his bat while out of his crease.The dismissal stirred controversy, but it was Inzamam's response at the post-match presentation ceremony that truly captured the attention of cricket fans. With a perplexed expression, he famously stated, "I left the ball and I am out and now stop the ball I am out. I can't understand the rule."Inzamam's dismissal was not an isolated incident. A few months prior, he was involved in a similar incident during a Test match against England in Faisalabad. However, that time he was declared run-out after lifting his back foot to avoid being hit by a throw while inside his crease.The former Pakistan captain's unique style of batting, characterized by sluggish running between the wickets, often led to him or his partners being run out. Inzamam's dismissal for obstructing the field was the third such instance in ODI cricket at the time, with five more similar dismissals occurring since then.Despite his occasional mishaps on the field, Inzamam remains one of Pakistan's greatest batsmen. He played in 120 Tests, scoring 8,830 runs, and 378 ODIs, amassing 11,739 runs. His international career spanned over two decades, and he played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 1992 World Cup victory.Inzamam's legacy extends beyond his batting prowess. His witty remarks and humorous demeanor have made him a beloved figure in the cricket world. His dismissal for obstructing the field, while a technical violation, has become a testament to his unique approach to the game and his ability to provide entertainment both on and off the field.

Pakistan All-Rounder Faheem Ashraf Exposes Rampant Umpiring Corruption in Domestic CricketPakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has lifted the lid on the widespread corruption plaguing umpiring in domestic cricket, revealing that players often exchange phone numbers with umpires to secure favors.Speaking on the sidelines of the Champions Cup, Ashraf painted a grim picture of the state of umpiring in Pakistan, claiming that the best umpires have left the domestic circuit for higher-level appointments."All the good umpires in Pakistan are gone from domestic cricket," Ashraf said. "Umpiring in domestic cricket is also like this (poor), but because there is no TV coverage, no one has the idea."Ashraf's comments come amid growing concerns over the poor standard of umpiring in the ongoing Champions Cup, which has been marred by several controversial decisions."Now (with the Champions Cup) everyone knows at what level umpiring is in Pakistan," Ashraf said. "Good or bad, everyone knows now."The 30-year-old all-rounder went on to reveal that players and umpires often exchange favors in domestic cricket."In domestic cricket, players are friends with umpires, so they get saved or umpires take their (phone) numbers," Ashraf said. "I am talking straight."Ashraf emphasized that such practices are not tolerated in the Champions Cup, where every decision is scrutinized under the watchful eye of television cameras."But there is no friendship here (in the Champions Cup) because everything is on the (TV) screen," Ashraf said. "Everybody is watching."Ashraf's revelations have sparked outrage among cricket fans and officials, who have called for immediate action to address the issue of corruption in domestic umpiring.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has acknowledged the problem and has promised to take steps to improve the quality of umpiring in domestic cricket.

Babar Azam's immense popularity among Pakistani cricket fans is undeniable. However, during a recent Champions Cup 2024 match between Stallions and Dolphins, former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed engaged in some light-hearted sledging directed at Babar.As Babar walked out to bat after his team won the toss and elected to bat first, Sarfaraz, who was mentoring the Dolphins franchise, couldn't resist a playful dig. "No hurry, no hurry. Tell them to keep chanting 'Babar, Babar.' Let Babar play 40 overs and we'll get the others out," Sarfaraz quipped, his comments captured by the stump microphone.Despite the playful banter, Babar remained unfazed and went on to score his first century in the competition. The Pakistan T20I captain reached the triple-figure mark in 99 balls, finishing on 104 off 100 deliveries with seven boundaries and three sixes.However, Babar's tenure as white-ball captain may be nearing its end. Recent reports have suggested that Mohammad Rizwan is emerging as the frontrunner to replace Babar as skipper. This news has sparked mixed reactions from fans and former Pakistan cricketers.Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his support for Rizwan to take over the captaincy. "The way Rizwan led the side, he proved there is no better skipper than him. He has shown it with his captaincy. He read the pitch; it is a big thing. Even Babar can't do that," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Whether Babar will continue as captain or Rizwan will take over remains to be seen. However, one thing is for sure: the competition for the captaincy is heating up, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming months.