Cricket

Pakistan Elects to Bat First Against India in Women's Asia Cup OpenerIn the inaugural match of the 2024 Women's Asia Cup, Pakistan captain Nida Dar opted to bat first after winning the toss against India in Dambulla. The decision was influenced by the dry and used pitch, which had witnessed Nepal's victory over UAE earlier in the day.India made three alterations to their lineup from their previous encounter with South Africa. Richa Ghosh returned as wicketkeeper after recovering from a concussion, while Renuka Singh and D Hemalatha replaced Arundhati Reddy and Sajeevan Sajana. The bowling attack featured three spinners (Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, and Shreyanka Patil) and two pacers (Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka).Pakistan, on the other hand, fielded a spin-heavy side with Tuba Hassan, Sadia Iqbal, and Nashra Sandhu as frontline spinners. Syeda Aroob Shah and Dar provided additional spin options, while Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz handled the fast bowling duties.India holds a 5-1 advantage over Pakistan in Asia Cup matches, but Pakistan secured a victory in their last encounter in Sylhet in 2022.India's Playing XI:* Shafali Verma* Smriti Mandhana* D Hemalatha* Harmanpreet Kaur (c)* Jemimah Rodrigues* Richa Ghosh (wk)* Deepti Sharma* Pooja Vastrakar* Shreyanka Patil* Radha Yadav* Renuka Thakur SinghPakistan's Playing XI:* Sidra Ameen* Gull Feroza* Muneeba Ali (wk)* Nida Dar (c)* Aliya Riaz* Iram Javed* Fatima Sana* Tuba Hassan* Sadia Iqbal* Nashra Sandhu* Syeda Aroob Shah

Pakistan's star cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are likely to be denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to participate in the upcoming Global T20 Canada tournament, according to sources. The decision stems from the PCB's policy of prioritizing international commitments and safeguarding player fitness.Despite the tournament schedule not conflicting with Pakistan's international fixtures, the sources indicate that the players will not receive NOCs. Pakistan is set to play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting August 21, while the Global T20 Canada runs from July 25 to August 11.The PCB's stance is driven by the hectic schedule ahead for the players, particularly those involved in all formats. Star pacer Naseem Shah was also denied an NOC last week to feature in The Hundred due to concerns about his injury history.Apart from the star trio, other Pakistani players with Global T20 Canada contracts include Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, and Iftikhar Ahmed. PCB chairman Naqvi had earlier stated that NOCs would be granted based on specific criteria, including fitness and performance.However, Pakistan's red-ball head coach Jason Gillispie has hinted at the possible unavailability of Shaheen Afridi for the Test series against Bangladesh due to the impending birth of his first child.The PCB's decision to prioritize international commitments and player fitness is a significant development in Pakistani cricket. It reflects the board's commitment to building a strong and competitive team for the future.

Pakistan cricket has been in a state of turmoil following a string of disappointing performances in major tournaments. The team's struggles have been attributed to a combination of factors, including poor player form and administrative changes within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).One of the most criticized players has been captain Babar Azam, who has failed to live up to expectations as both a batsman and a leader. Azam's poor form was evident during the recent ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup, where he failed to produce any significant knocks.To add insult to injury, a video has emerged on social media showing Azam struggling against Ubaid Shah, the younger brother of star pacer Naseem Shah. The video highlights Azam's current lack of form and has raised further questions about his ability to lead the team.Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has been among the most vocal critics of Azam, stating that he has been given ample opportunities to prove himself but has failed to deliver. Afridi believes that the PCB should consider making changes to the captaincy if the team's performance does not improve.The PCB has also come under fire for its handling of the team's recent struggles. The board has made several changes to the coaching staff and management, but these moves have yet to yield positive results.As Pakistan prepares for a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, the pressure is mounting on Azam and the PCB to turn things around. The team desperately needs a strong performance to restore confidence and silence the growing chorus of criticism.

Pakistan's rich tradition of producing exceptional fast bowlers continues with the emergence of Ubaid Shah, the younger brother of renowned pacer Naseem Shah. Ubaid, a right-arm medium-fast bowler, has impressed with his skills at the domestic and international levels.In a recent training session, Ubaid showcased his talent against Pakistan captain Babar Azam. With precise wristwork, he delivered a ball that swung in sharply, forcing Azam to miss and narrowly avoid being bowled. Azam's subsequent attempt to hook a short-pitched delivery also proved unsuccessful, as the ball struck his body.Ubaid's prowess was not limited to Azam. Left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman also struggled against his bowling, narrowly missing the edge of his bat as the ball moved away and went straight to the keeper.Ubaid's impressive performances have earned him recognition at the international level. He was named in the ICC team of the tournament after claiming 18 wickets at an average of less than 14 runs per wicket in the 2024 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.At just 18 years of age, Ubaid is poised to make his international debut for Pakistan's senior cricket team. His exceptional pace, control, and ability to swing the ball make him a formidable prospect for the future of Pakistan's bowling attack.

Pakistan's star all-rounder Shadab Khan has opened up about his recent struggles with the bat and ball on the international circuit. Despite his impressive performances in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) Season 5, Shadab admits to facing challenges in delivering for the Pakistan team.In his LPL debut, Shadab made an immediate impact by claiming a hat-trick against the Kandy Falcons. He has since continued to excel, becoming the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps. However, Shadab acknowledges that his success in the LPL does not fully reflect his recent struggles at the international level."I was struggling for three months. I hadn't taken a wicket in the last seven international games," Shadab said. "I came here, started bowling, and am now always taking wickets. That is the beauty of cricket. You have to enjoy these types of scenarios as well... sometimes you perform, sometimes you don't. But the process that you follow has to be consistent."Shadab believes that the pitch conditions in the LPL have been favorable for spinners, but he emphasizes the importance of variations for T20 bowlers. "The pitch was helping us as it was a bit slow and gripping a bit... But T20 cricket is very hard nowadays, as 200 is easily changeable. As a spinner, you have to have your variations because on flat tracks, if you don't have variations, you can go for runs. But if you have variation, you can take wickets as well as contain runs," he said.Despite his recent struggles, Shadab remains determined to contribute as an all-rounder for his franchise, the Colombo Strikers. "I am performing for my team, and that is a good sign. I am the main bowler, and if I am taking wickets, that is a positive sign for me and my team. I want to contribute in all three phases. So far, I am contributing in two as a bowler and fielder. Hopefully, I can contribute with the bat too," he concluded.Shadab's recent performances in the LPL have served as a reminder of his immense talent. As he continues to work on his game, he will be eager to replicate his success at the international level and help Pakistan achieve its cricketing goals.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is contemplating significant alterations to the obligations of international cricketers to Pakistani cricket. These changes could impact the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), participation in domestic cricket, and the structure of central contracts.The PCB's initial statement, lacking in specifics, indicated that domestic cricket would become mandatory for players. A "technical method" for issuing NOCs would be established, with only eligible players receiving them. Additionally, the duration of central contracts has reportedly been reduced to one year, reversing the three-year contracts introduced last year.However, the exact nature of these changes remains unclear. PCB spokesperson Mohammad Rafiullah stated that committees would be formed to determine the details, including the NOC issuance method, central contract adjustments, and the required domestic cricket participation for international players.The statement emphasized that the remuneration of centrally contracted players would not be reduced, despite initial reports suggesting otherwise. It also mentioned a "defined procedure" for player inclusion in central contract categories, but no details were provided.Test head coach Jason Gillespie and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten have been added to the selection committee, but their specific roles in the selection process are yet to be clarified.The issue of NOCs has become a contentious one in Pakistani cricket. Some players believe that the agreement allowing them to participate in two overseas leagues per year is not being honored. Naseem Shah was recently denied an NOC to play in the Hundred, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam are expected to face similar rejections for the Global T20 League in Canada. The PCB is likely to cite workload management as the reason for these refusals.In a separate development, Australian pitch curator Tony Hemming has been appointed as the head curator for a two-year term. He will oversee a busy home season for Pakistan, which includes seven Test matches, a tri-series, and the ICC Champions Trophy.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a significant step towards enhancing the quality of its pitches by appointing Tony Hemming, a renowned Australian curator, on a two-year contract. This marks the first time the PCB has offered a long-term contract to a foreign curator.Hemming, a native of Western Australia, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He has worked with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and has over four decades of expertise in pitch and outfield management. His portfolio includes working on prestigious grounds such as Melbourne, Perth, and Hobart, as well as supervising tracks in Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.The PCB has entrusted Hemming with the responsibility of improving the quality of pitches for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh, England, and West Indies. He will also oversee the preparation of pitches for the domestic season."Hemming will also oversee pitch preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which Pakistan will host from 19 February to 9 March," the PCB stated in a press release.The appointment of Hemming is a testament to the PCB's commitment to providing world-class playing surfaces for its teams and international visitors. Hemming's expertise and experience will be invaluable in ensuring that Pakistan's pitches meet the highest standards and provide a fair and competitive environment for all.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Billy Ibadulla, who made history as the first Pakistani batter to score a century on Test debut, passed away on Friday at the age of 88.Ibadulla's Test debut was a memorable one, as he smashed 166 runs in the first innings against Australia in Karachi in 1964. He shared a record-breaking 249-run opening partnership with fellow debutant Abdul Kadir, which remains the highest partnership between two debutants for any wicket in Test cricket.Despite his impressive debut, Ibadulla played only three more Tests, with his highest score being 32. He also claimed one wicket with his offbreak bowling.In first-class cricket, Ibadulla was a prolific performer, amassing 17,078 runs at an average of 27.28 and taking 462 wickets at 30.96. He played over a decade for Warwickshire, making 377 appearances for the English county. Later, he moved to New Zealand and represented Otago for a couple of seasons.Ibadulla also had a successful career in List A cricket, scoring 829 runs and taking 84 wickets in 64 matches. He also officiated as an umpire in 20 first-class matches and 12 List A games.Beyond his playing and umpiring career, Ibadulla established a private coaching clinic in New Zealand. His son, Kassem Ibadulla, followed in his father's footsteps, playing 31 first-class and 19 List A games for Gloucestershire and Otago.Billy Ibadulla's legacy as a trailblazing Pakistani cricketer and a respected all-rounder will be remembered for generations to come.

Pakistan's young fast bowler Naseem Shah has been denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in The Hundred due to workload management concerns.Sources close to Geo News revealed that the PCB's decision was made as a precautionary measure after assessing Naseem's application. Despite being a regular member of Pakistan's team in all three formats, Naseem's injury history and fitness issues prompted the board to decline his request.In October 2023, Naseem underwent surgery to address a shoulder problem. The surgery ruled him out of the 2023 ICC World Cup, contributing to Pakistan's disappointing group-stage exit. Following the surgery, doctors advised Naseem to rest and recover for four to six weeks before returning to action. The injury is expected to keep him out for a minimum of three to four months.Pakistan has a busy schedule of important World Test Championship matches in the coming months. They will face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting on August 21. Pakistan's red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, has already hinted at the possibility of Shaheen Shah Afridi missing the series.Shaheen and his wife Ansha are expecting their first child, and he may miss the Test series against Bangladesh next month. "Shaheen can miss Bangladesh Test matches due to childbirth. We can give him [some] rest if he wants to stay with his wife till then," said Gillespie.In addition to red-ball cricket, Pakistan will also play limited-overs cricket against Australia in November. The PCB's decision to deny Naseem an NOC is aimed at protecting him from further injuries and ensuring his availability for these crucial matches.