Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has embarked on a comprehensive review of its domestic cricket structure, inviting 25 former international cricketers to a meeting to gather their insights and suggestions. The meeting, scheduled for Monday, will be led by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi and other board officials.The primary objective of the meeting is to address the widening gap between the standards of Pakistan's domestic competitions and international cricket. The board will seek input from the former stalwarts on ways to enhance the quality of domestic tournaments and bridge the performance gap.The meeting will also consider a detailed blueprint submitted by another former player, outlining the perceived problems with the existing cricket system in Pakistan. The blueprint is expected to provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing domestic cricket and propose potential solutions.This meeting is part of the PCB's ongoing efforts to improve the domestic cricket structure. In 2018, the First-Class competition was reduced to just six teams under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, the board under Zaka Ashraf reverted to the old system of having departmental teams in the First-Class format last year.The meeting will also review the domestic contracts given to around 360 cricketers in different formats across the country. The PCB aims to ensure that these contracts are fair and equitable, providing adequate support to players at all levels.The PCB's commitment to improving domestic cricket is a crucial step towards strengthening the national team. By addressing the challenges facing domestic competitions, the board hopes to create a more competitive and sustainable cricket ecosystem in Pakistan.

Pakistan's former captain and PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja, has staunchly defended the opening partnership of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam despite Pakistan's disappointing performance in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.In a video posted on his YouTube channel, "Ramiz Speaks," Raja expressed unwavering support for the duo, stating, "The Rizwan-Babar opening pair—we kept insisting on removing them without any real reason. I know there is nothing else after them. When there's nothing, if not them, don’t mess with what is already working."Raja emphasized the duo's crucial contributions, highlighting their roles in Pakistan's journey to the final of previous tournaments. "Their techniques might need some fine-tuning, but you can't split them up because they took us to the final in Australia and the Asia Cup—it was these two who did that," he asserted. "So, what led to these doubts about them? (Bohot zyada khich khich hua hain) There has been too much unnecessary fuss, and that's why we saw these results in the World Cup."During the T20 World Cup 2024, Babar Azam scored 122 runs from four matches, while Mohammad Rizwan amassed 110 runs in the same number of innings.Following Pakistan's early exit from the tournament, both Babar Azam and the team as a whole have faced significant criticism from various quarters. The scrutiny has been particularly intense, questioning the team's strategy and individual performances.Looking ahead, Pakistan's schedule includes challenging fixtures. They are set to host a five-Test series against Bangladesh and England, followed by a white-ball tour of Australia. Subsequently, the team will embark on a tour to South Africa, where they will compete in a comprehensive series featuring both Test and white-ball formats.

Former Pakistan fast bowler and current national chief selector Wahab Riaz has come under fire for his poor fielding effort during the 'World Championship of Legends' match against India in Birmingham on Saturday.Riaz, who led the selection committee that picked Pakistan's squad for the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup, dropped a simple catch while fielding for Pakistan Champions. The incident occurred in the last over of India Champions' innings, with Pakistan on the verge of a massive victory.Chasing Pakistan Champions' mammoth total of 243/4, India Champions were struggling at 169 for 9. Aamer Yamin was bowling the final over when Anureet Singh hit the ball high into the air. Riaz got underneath it but spilled the catch, much to the disappointment of Pakistan fans.The dropped catch drew heavy criticism from fans on social media, who accused Riaz of lacking focus and commitment. Some even questioned his suitability for the role of chief selector, given his poor fielding display.Despite the fielding error, Pakistan Champions secured a significant 68-run victory over the Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions. However, Riaz's performance on the field has raised concerns about his ability to lead Pakistan's selection process.Under Riaz's tenure as chief selector, Pakistan failed to progress to the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup. The Babar Azam-led side lost to co-hosts United States and India in the Group stage of the tournament.The Pakistan Cricket Board appointed Riaz as the head of the selection committee in November last year, replacing the legendary Inzamam-ul-Haq. Riaz's appointment was met with mixed reactions, with some questioning his experience and qualifications for the role.The dropped catch incident has further fueled doubts about Riaz's suitability for the position. It remains to be seen whether the Pakistan Cricket Board will take any action in response to the criticism.

Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign has sparked criticism of captain Babar Azam's batting approach. Despite scoring 122 runs in four games, Azam's strike rate of 101.66 has been deemed too slow.Former Pakistani cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed defended Azam, comparing him to Indian star Virat Kohli. Ahmed argued that Azam's cautious approach is his strength, similar to Kohli's. He also highlighted the need for other Pakistani players to contribute more runs."If one person gives you a score, but the rest of our players don't go on to score in the remaining 7-8 overs, then there's a problem," Ahmed said.In response to the team's recent setbacks, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is prioritizing strategic planning for upcoming tournaments. The PCB aims to leverage the expertise of white-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten to formulate effective strategies for the ICC Champions Trophy in February-March next year.Pakistan will play a series of challenging fixtures in preparation for the Champions Trophy. They will host Bangladesh and England for five-Test series, tour Australia for white-ball matches, and travel to South Africa for a comprehensive series encompassing both Test and white-ball formats.

Pakistan's cricket team has come under fire after a video emerged showing batting stalwarts Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed struggling against a local net bowler. The video, which has gone viral on social media, has reignited calls for a major reshuffling in the team.Rizwan and Iftikhar, who were key members of Pakistan's squad at the 2024 T20 World Cup, have been criticized for their poor form in recent months. Rizwan, in particular, has been under scrutiny for his slow strike rate and inability to guide Pakistan to victory in crucial matches. Iftikhar, on the other hand, has failed to make a significant impact with the bat.The video, which was captured during a practice session, shows Rizwan and Iftikhar being beaten by pace and bounce multiple times by local bowler Nouman Khan Khaira. The footage has sparked outrage among fans, who have called for the duo to be dropped from the team."These local boys should be taken into the Pakistani team and those playing for the side should be rested," said one user on Twitter."They even struggled against part-time software engineers of USA," joked another user on Instagram.Rizwan's struggles at the 2024 T20 World Cup were particularly disappointing. Despite finishing as Pakistan's second-highest run-scorer, he batted at a strike rate of just 90. Most notably, Rizwan failed to guide Pakistan to a victory against India despite being well set during the run chase.Iftikhar, on the other hand, made just 23 runs in two games and was dropped from the playing XI.Pakistan's early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup has led to widespread criticism of the team's performance. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has promised a "major surgery" in the wake of the team's disappointing campaign.However, recent reports have suggested that Naqvi is unlikely to make large-scale changes in order to avoid conflict with the senior players.

Ahmed Shehzad, the former Pakistan cricketer, has sparked controversy once again with his bold statements about Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, Shehzad has consistently expressed his admiration for Kohli, while simultaneously criticizing Azam.In a recent interview, Shehzad was asked about the comparisons made between him and Kohli during their early playing days. Shehzad acknowledged that Kohli's legacy is unmatched, not only compared to him but also to Azam."Comparisons are fine when it comes to appearances, but let's be honest, Virat Kohli has gone far ahead with his career and records," Shehzad said. "There's no one like Virat Kohli, let alone me or anyone else. Many like to compare Babar Azam with him, but even those don't make sense."Shehzad's comments come after Kohli's match-winning knock of 76 in the T20 World Cup Final against South Africa. The Indian star announced his retirement from T20Is after the tournament, leaving a void in the Indian cricket team."In my opinion, Virat Kohli is leaving behind a huge legacy for India and for the rest of the world," Shehzad said. "Good luck to the Indian cricket team to fill his shoes."Shehzad's criticism of Azam has been a recurring theme throughout the tournament. He has questioned Azam's batting and captaincy, arguing that he is not on the same level as Kohli.Despite Shehzad's criticisms, Azam remains one of the most highly-rated batsmen in the world. He has led Pakistan to numerous victories and is considered a future star of the game.However, Shehzad's comments have sparked a debate about the relative merits of Kohli and Azam. While Kohli has a more impressive record and has achieved greater success, Azam is still a young player with the potential to reach even greater heights.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that no decision has been made regarding Babar Azam's future as captain. The board will consult with former players and head coach Gary Kirsten before determining the best course of action.Naqvi plans to meet with Kirsten and his assistant Azhar Mahmood to discuss the team's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup. He emphasized the need for a thorough analysis before making any hasty decisions.Following Pakistan's elimination from the Super 8 stage, Naqvi had criticized the team and called for a "major surgery." He believes that the team's recent losses, including humiliating defeats against India and the United States, necessitate a comprehensive overhaul."I have asked Kirsten and Mahmood to provide a detailed report on the World Cup," Naqvi said. "Their insights will be invaluable in shaping our future plans."Regarding Babar Azam's captaincy, Naqvi stated that no decision has been made. He has received a comprehensive report from a former player outlining areas for improvement in Pakistan cricket. However, he stressed that he will not make any decisions based on emotions or social media commentary."Decisions made in haste often lead to complications," Naqvi said. "I want to avoid that in our cricket."Naqvi has been consulting with former players and seeking their suggestions. He emphasized that he is only interested in working with those who genuinely care about the betterment of Pakistan cricket."I have been with the board for four months and have identified areas that need improvement," Naqvi said. "However, I will not rush into any conclusions or make hasty decisions."

Pakistan's 2024-25 home season promises to be a spectacle, with the prestigious Champions Trophy taking center stage. However, the participation of neighboring India remains uncertain, casting a shadow over the tournament's allure.India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, and the two archrivals have only faced each other in multi-team events. Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year, but India, the eventual champions, played all their matches in Sri Lanka under a "hybrid model." India cited a lack of government clearance for their absence in Pakistan.The PCB has announced a packed home schedule, including Test series against Bangladesh, England, and West Indies. A 50-over tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa is also scheduled for February 2025.The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is undergoing renovations in preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be held from February 19 to March 5. The PCB has stated that the tournament's dates and venues will be confirmed by the ICC in due course.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the significance of hosting five elite cricket nations and several other teams over the next eight months. "We deeply value the participation of these teams and players, who will bring immense talent and competitive spirit to our fields," he said.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet commented on India's participation in the Champions Trophy. However, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla recently stated that they would only participate with government approval.Pakistan won the last Champions Trophy in 2017, which was held in England. The tournament is being revived by the ICC to ensure a major event is hosted every year.

Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup performance has prompted former captain Rashid Latif to issue an ultimatum to star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Latif believes that both players must adapt their batting approach or face being dropped from the team.Latif criticized Babar's decision to accept the captaincy again after resigning last year. He believes that the added responsibility has weakened Babar's batting and that he should focus solely on his role as a batsman."Babar Azam's biggest mistake was to accept the captaincy again," Latif said. "He shouldn't get involved in this politics. Pakistan has found a great batsman after so many years who is dominating the world."Latif also urged Babar and Rizwan to emulate the example of Indian veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who recently announced their retirement from T20Is."Rohit has changed himself 190 degrees," Latif said. "His IPL strike rate used to be 130-140, but this year it went up to 160. He changed himself. Virat Kohli did the same thing. If these two batsmen can change, then anyone can."Latif gave Babar and Rizwan a five-match ultimatum to improve their batting approach. If they fail to do so, he believes they should be dropped from the team."I would give Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan 5 matches to change their batting approach in T20Is, and if they won't, then there should be no place in the team for them," Latif said.Latif's comments highlight the growing pressure on Babar and Rizwan to perform. Pakistan's recent T20 World Cup exit has raised questions about the team's direction and the role of its star players.