Cricket

Wasim Akram, the legendary Pakistani fast bowler, earned the title "Sultan of Swing" through his unparalleled mastery over the art of swing bowling. His ability to make the cricket ball dance in the air, leaving batsmen bewildered and spectators in awe, made him one of the most feared and respected bowlers in the history of the game.Akram's journey to becoming the Sultan of Swing began on the dusty pitches of Pakistan, where he honed his skills with a raw passion for the game. Unlike many bowlers who rely solely on pace, Akram developed a unique talent for swinging the ball both ways. Whether it was the conventional swing or the more mysterious reverse swing, he could manipulate the ball's movement with precision. This ability to swing the ball late and at high speeds made him nearly unplayable, especially under overcast conditions or with an old ball.What set Wasim apart was not just his technical prowess but his uncanny understanding of the game. He could read the pitch, the weather, and the batsman's mindset, adjusting his bowling accordingly. With the new ball, he would lure batsmen into false strokes by moving the ball away or into them, often with a subtlety that made it hard for even the most experienced players to pick. As the ball aged, he became even more dangerous, employing reverse swing -- a technique where the ball swings in the opposite direction to conventional swing. This made him lethal, especially in the death overs of limited-overs cricket or in the final sessions of a Test match.Akram's career was filled with moments that justify his moniker. One such instance was during the 1992 World Cup final against England. With the stakes at their highest, Akram delivered two consecutive deliveries that swung in opposite directions, dismissing Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis. The deliveries not only changed the course of the match but also etched Akram’s name in cricketing folklore.His influence extended beyond his own performances. Akram became a mentor for a generation of fast bowlers who aspired to master the art of swing. His legacy is seen in the bowling styles of many modern-day pacers who have tried to emulate his control and skill.Akram is called the 'Sultan of Swing' not just because of his technical ability but due to his cricketing intellect, his ability to innovate on the field, and his unmatched consistency in outfoxing batsmen around the world. His mastery over swing bowling remains a benchmark for fast bowlers even today.

The captaincy carousel in Pakistan cricket has been spinning rapidly in recent months, with Babar Azam relinquishing his leadership duties across formats after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Shaheen Afridi was initially appointed as T20I captain, while Shan Masood took over the reins in Test cricket. However, Pakistan's disappointing 4-1 T20I series loss to New Zealand ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup prompted a swift change, with Babar being reinstated as white-ball captain.Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan, a member of the 1992 ODI World Cup-winning team, has expressed his disapproval of Shaheen's removal as T20I captain, arguing that he should have been given more time."Shaheen Afridi has the ability to lead the team and is highly respected by the players," Moin told Cricket Pakistan. "He is an excellent choice for captaincy in T20s. In white-ball cricket, I don't see anyone else suitable for the role. Removing him from the captaincy was unjust. He is one of the best T20 players, and I've noticed his performance has slightly declined since he was removed from the captaincy. How can you expect good performance if you don't give players confidence? They should be given some time as captain."Moin also weighed in on the possibility of Mohammad Rizwan replacing Babar as white-ball captain."A single captain can be appointed for all formats of cricket, but it's crucial for any player to perform across all formats to achieve this," Moin said. "Whoever becomes captain should have the responsibility for a long term. There is no doubt about Mohammad Rizwan's abilities; any criticism against him might be due to his age. It's also important to consider how long he can represent the team if given leadership. Mohammad Rizwan could be a great short-term captain, but you would need to groom a young cricketer to take over in the future. We often appoint captains but fail to prepare a suitable deputy."The captaincy debate in Pakistan cricket is likely to continue in the lead-up to the 2024 T20 World Cup, with the team seeking stability and success under a consistent leadership structure.

In the bustling metropolis of Dhaka, where vehicles sport extra metal fenders as a precaution against traffic, there is an eternal quest for pride. This pride manifests in the proverbial emphasis on the Bangladeshi hilsa, known locally as ilish, being superior to its Indian counterpart. Beyond these fishy tales, this fierce "we are never inferior" sentiment finds further expression in the indignation of an elderly rickshaw driver who is aghast that his passenger does not speak Bengali.Recently, Bangladesh has made headlines both for political turmoil at home and sporting triumphs in Pakistan. These developments are seen as a coup, upsetting the old order and clearing a path amidst the chaos. However, the essential trait rippling through India's neighbor, which nearly splits the North East from the mainland, is centered around proving a point. If India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are comfortable with the currency denomination rupee, for Bangladesh, it has to be taka, the Bangla equivalent.A land that was once East Bengal, as part of British India, became East Pakistan during the 1947 Partition and finally emerged as an independent entity named Bangladesh in 1971, with India lending a hand. These historical inflexion points, marked by bloodshed and trauma, have largely shaped a country itching to find its feet against Pakistan and immediate big brother India. If its former motherlands tend to cast a patronizing gaze, Bangladesh would have none of that.This rage often finds an outlet on the sporting frontiers. A Mashrafe Mortaza may request Yuvraj Singh to put in a word during the early days of the IPL auctions, but on the field, the Tigers, as Bangladeshi cricket players refer to themselves, always refuse to take a step back. This attribute has often been obvious against India, like at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies where a defeat in their opening game against Bangladesh contributed to Rahul Dravid's men crashing out. Much later in 2012, when Sachin Tendulkar scored his 100th international ton in an Asia Cup game at Mirpur, his party was spoilt as it was Bangladesh that eventually prevailed in the clash.Cut to the present, it is Pakistan's turn to face the bruising effects of running into a resurgent Bangladesh. Playing in its backyard Rawalpindi with its Punjabi twang, Pakistan was expected to be this tough host. History too tended to support this assumption and back in the 1980s when the West Indies brushed aside most opposition, the Caribbean men always found it difficult to impose their writ in warm Pakistan and cold New Zealand.From those glory days under Imran Khan, Pakistan may have slowly regressed as a cricketing nation and yet there is no mistaking the talent pulsing within its veins across Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar. But when the dust settled, it was Bangladesh that reigned, pocketing the two-Test series 2-0. Previously the Tigers had won abroad against the West Indies, an opposite version of its glory days, and Zimbabwe, another anaemic rival, but to defeat Pakistan was indeed a stunning achievement.Considering the historical angst between the two nations and the added strain of the unrest back home, Bangladesh did well to focus on the game rather than brood over the tumult in Dhaka. In the first Test, Pakistan declared at 448 for six and then gaped at Bangladesh's 565 mounted on Mushfiqur Rahim's 191. Najmul Hossain's men had gained the psychological brownie points and the host's 146 in the second dig sealed its fate, with the spinners, the wily Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, proving to be a handful. A meagre target of 30 was easy pickings and the visitor claimed a 10-wicket victory.That old foible of self-combustion that shadows Pakistan was recalled all over again but the sense was that Bangladesh might find it difficult to do an encore at Rawalpindi. However, in a match of tight margins, the Tigers had the last roar. A six-wicket victory gave Bangladeshis enough to cheer, be it in Sylhet or Chittagong. A ton by Litton Das, a Bengali Hindu, another pointer to the myriad threads that bind the Indian subcontinent, and wickets from pacers Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana, as well as from Mehidy, meant that Pakistan was forever boxed into a corner.The what-ifs will linger, maybe the host could have extended its first innings in the first Test, perhaps more runs in the second Test may have deflated the opposition. But all this remains in the realm of conjecture. Shan Masood's captaincy or Babar Azam's run-drought will be dredged up and analyzed threadbare but to extrapolate excessive meanings would be an extreme measure. Bangladesh caught Pakistan cold and the series could have gone either way.Pakistan is at a stage much akin to the West Indies, where all its cricketing greats are in the commentary boxes. Babar and Shaheen Afridi should get into that rarefied pantheon someday but for now they have to fire in unison for their team. Ever since the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009, Pakistan has found its credentials as a host being questioned. Countries with the exception of India may have started touring Pakistan now but that long phase when Dubai became the base and top-flight cricket did not happen back home has hurt the system within the country.In Mushfiqur and Shakib, Bangladesh has battle-hardened veterans. The duo's prickly behavior is never easy on the eye but a job gets done and the fans seem fine with it. Bangladesh now awaits a sterner test when it tours India, with two Tests and three T20Is being part of the schedule. Rohit Sharma's men in Tests and Suryakumar Yadav's troops in T20Is should offer a reality check about where exactly the visitor stands in the cricketing hierarchy. India has been a consistent outfit over the years, is indomitable at home and travels well too, a fact the Aussies would grudgingly vouch for.India will start the favorite but Bangladesh would believe that it has a sting in its tail. In 2010 when India toured Bangladesh, pacer Shahadat Hossain struck Dravid's jaw in a Test at Mirpur. Even within India's dominant aura, Bangladesh had found something to smirk about. This constant desire to surprise established rivals, especially a behemoth like India, should drive Bangladesh forward while dealing with the awkward fact of tucking into Indian hilsa over the next few weeks and pretending that the taste buds aren't impressed!

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has strongly advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against making any changes to the team's captaincy. Akmal believes that the focus should be on improving the team's fundamental skills rather than replacing the captain.Akmal's comments come amidst reports that Babar Azam could potentially lose his role as captain of Pakistan's white-ball cricket team. Mohammad Rizwan is reportedly being considered as a leading candidate to replace Azam.Akmal questioned the timing of the potential change in leadership, especially considering Pakistan's recent setbacks under Azam's captaincy. He pointed out that the team has failed to perform well in major tournaments such as the Asia Cup, ODI World Cup, and T20 World Cup."Why they wanted to bring a change now if they did not do that after losing the Asia Cup, ODI World Cup, and T20 World Cup? What difference does it make [by the way]," Akmal said.Akmal believes that appointing a new captain will not solve the team's problems. He emphasized the importance of players performing their basic tasks correctly to avoid mistakes."Is it because the captain is not their favourite, and they want one of their choice? Do you think the new captain will bring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, or Mitchell Starc into the team to boost its performance? If they do not get their basics right, then such blunders will continue to happen, and replacing captains will make no difference," he suggested.Akmal also criticized the PCB's decision to reappoint Babar Azam as captain of the white-ball format just before the T20 World Cup. He believes that the move was a "strategic mistake" that did not benefit the team."Babar Azam has stepped down as the captain of Pakistan's cricket team in all formats after the team’s early exit from last year's ODI World Cup. Recently, he was reinstated as the captain for the white-ball format, just before the T20 World Cup. This move replaced Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had led Pakistan in a single series against New Zealand, where Pakistan faced a 4-1 series defeat. The PCB explained reappointing Babar as a 'strategic move'," Akmal said.Akmal concluded by urging the PCB, the captain, the coach, and the selectors to set their direction right and reform their thinking. He believes that this is the only way to improve the team's performance and achieve success in future tournaments.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains steadfast in his determination to host the upcoming Test series against England in Pakistan. However, the PCB's international cricket department has yet to finalize the itinerary, leaving Naqvi frustrated.The three-Test series is scheduled to commence on October 7, with Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi designated as potential venues. However, ongoing construction work at these stadiums in preparation for next year's ICC Champions Trophy has raised concerns about their availability."With less than a month to go before the first Test, the international department has not even decided where the opening match will be held," an insider revealed to PTI.Despite Naqvi's rejection of a proposal to relocate the series to the UAE or South Africa, the department has not formally announced the tour itinerary."The Chairman has emphasized that moving the series would harm the PCB's reputation, and Rawalpindi and Multan should be used for the three-match series," the insider stated.The delay in announcing the venues and itinerary has also impacted the PCB's revenue generation efforts. Broadcasters have encountered difficulties in selling the telecast rights of the series abroad."Even broadcasters who have acquired the rights to sell the series internationally are concerned because they have yet to find a buyer to broadcast the matches in the UK," the insider added.The PCB recently suspended the National Under-19 Championship after just one day of play due to complaints about irregularities in team selection and a lack of budget approval.

Azam Khan, the Pakistani batter, has been making waves in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with his powerful shots and game-changing abilities. However, his career has been marred by concerns about his fitness levels, which have also contributed to his exclusion from the national team.Moin Khan, Azam's father and a former wicketkeeper-batter for Pakistan, has criticized Ramiz Raja, the ex-chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), for hindering his son's progress. Moin believes that Raja's decision to exclude Azam from the squad prior to the T20 World Cup in 2021 was a major setback."In the 2022 (2021) World Cup, Azam was also selected for the team, but Ramiz Raja dropped him. At that time, if the chief selector had made a wrong selection, he should have been removed, but they didn't have the courage, and as a result, they demoralized a young player," Moin told Cricket Pakistan.Moin also expressed his disapproval regarding the choice to drop Azam from the squad after a single game. The promising wicketkeeper-batsman failed to score in the match against USA, which resulted in Pakistan's unexpected loss."I watched the entire World Cup and the matches leading up to it, and it seemed like Azam was the number one choice for wicketkeeping and batting. Then suddenly, after just one match, the entire strategy was changed. Azam wasn't given a chance to keep wickets after one match and was dropped after getting out on the very first ball," he said.However, Moin emphasized that Azam needs to become "physically and mentally" stronger to maintain his performance at the highest level."I'm not saying that all the blame lies with the team management and the captain; Azam has his own shortcomings too. He needs to make himself physically and mentally stronger, follow the fitness routines of other sportsmen. For the past month or so, I've noticed he's been working hard to improve his fitness with his trainer Shehzar Mohammad, even taking him along to the Caribbean League," said Moin.

Bangladesh's historic Test series victory over Pakistan has etched itself into the annals of cricket history. The Tigers' 2-0 clean sweep marked their maiden Test win against the formidable Pakistan side and their first Test series triumph (of two matches or more) against a team other than Zimbabwe or the West Indies.Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as the hero of the series, claiming 10 wickets and earning the Player of the Series award. The all-rounder's exceptional performance was instrumental in Bangladesh's dominant display."I'm really happy. This is the first time I won the Man of the Series award overseas," Miraz said after the match. "It's a tough job batting at number 8, but I'm just trying to start rotating and support the batsman."Miraz's five-wicket haul in the second Test was a testament to his skill and determination. "I'm really happy because it's been difficult to bowl on this pitch," he said. "I got five wickets, so it's a good moment for me."Beyond his on-field achievements, Miraz dedicated his award to the family of a rickshaw puller who died during a recent anti-discrimination protest in Bangladesh. "I want to dedicate this Man of the Series Award to the people who were martyred during the anti-discrimination student protest," he said.Miraz has since fulfilled his promise by handing over the Pakistan series' prize money to the rickshaw puller's family. This act of compassion further cemented his status as a role model both on and off the field.Bangladesh's Test series victory over Pakistan is a testament to the team's growing maturity and resilience. The Tigers have proven that they can compete with the best in the world and are capable of achieving great things.

Former Pakistan cricket star Basit Ali has once again criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, following the team's recent struggles. Pakistan's humiliating Test series loss against Bangladesh and their early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 group stages have put immense pressure on the team and its management.Ali slammed Naqvi's leadership, stating that his promises to fix Pakistan's cricket are mere "gimmicks." He cited the views of Indian cricket legends Sourav Ganguly and Ravichandran Ashwin, who have also expressed concerns about Pakistan's decline."Mohsin Naqvi, please open your eyes," Ali said on YouTube. "You say you will fix Pakistan's cricket, but it cannot happen like this. It is the bitter truth."Ali pointed out that Ashwin had questioned the lack of quality spinners in Pakistan, while Ganguly had commented on the deterioration of Pakistan's cricket. "The promises made to fix Pakistan's cricket are nothing but gimmicks," Ali asserted.Meanwhile, former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal called for the resumption of cricket matches between Pakistan and India in their respective countries. He emphasized the strong bond between the two nations and the immense popularity of such matches."Even if the India versus Pakistan match happens on the moon, it will be huge," Ajmal said. "There is a lot of love between India and Pakistan, and we must go to each other's countries."Pakistan last toured India in 2012/13, while India's last visit to Pakistan was in 2008. Since 2007, there has been no Test series between the two teams due to political tensions.

Pakistan's beloved white-ball captain, Babar Azam, recently showcased his humility and approachability during a training session ahead of the Champions One-Day 2024. While preparing at Iqbal Stadium, Babar had a heartwarming interaction with a fan who had managed to bypass security to meet his idol.The 29-year-old skipper's warm gesture was captured in a viral video. The fan, thrilled to have met his cricketing hero, was invited by Babar for a brief chat and a photo. The image of Babar and the fan, both smiling, soon made the rounds on social media, garnering widespread admiration from cricket enthusiasts.The fan's bold move and the ensuing viral photo got applauded by his friends and cricket fans alike outside the stadium in another viral video. Babar's genuine connection with his supporters is evident in this gesture, which adds to the buzz surrounding the Champions One-Day 2024.The tournament, scheduled from September 12 to September 29, will see Babar Azam leading the Stallions, a star-studded lineup including Shan Masood, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed. Under the captaincy of Pakistan's white-ball specialist Mohammad Haris, the Stallions are poised to make a significant impact.Babar Azam's humility and approachability, coupled with his exceptional cricketing skills, make him a true role model for aspiring cricketers and fans alike. His genuine connection with his supporters is a testament to his character and the respect he has earned in the cricketing world.