Cricket

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign has hit a major roadblock after consecutive losses to the United States and India. The team, once considered a formidable force in the format, now faces an uphill battle to qualify for the Super Eight stage.The Super Over defeat against the co-hosts in their opening Group A match was a major setback for Pakistan. Despite posting a competitive 159 for 7, they failed to defend the target, losing in a thrilling tiebreaker. The loss exposed Pakistan's bowling weaknesses, as the American batters took advantage of loose deliveries.The situation worsened in their second match against arch-rivals India. Pakistan's batting lineup struggled to cope with India's disciplined bowling, managing only 113 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. The Indian bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh, kept the Pakistani batters in check, conceding only 59 dot balls.Pakistan's qualification chances now hinge on winning big against Canada and Ireland, while hoping that the Americans lose heavily to India and Ireland. Even in that scenario, both teams will end on four points each, and it will boil down to which team has a better net run rate.Pakistan's dismal net run rate of -0.150 means they will need to win by comprehensive margins in their remaining matches. The team's lack of clarity in leadership and internal factions have also contributed to their struggles.Canada, on the other hand, are in a better position after winning one of their two matches. They will be looking to capitalize on Pakistan's vulnerabilities and secure a victory that could boost their own qualification hopes.Pakistan's bowlers, led by Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir, have been a bright spot in the tournament so far. However, the team's batters need to step up and deliver if they want to revive their faltering campaign.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup Woes Deepen Amidst Accusations and Internal DiscordPakistan's disappointing start to the ICC T20 World Cup continued with a six-run defeat to arch-rivals India, leaving their Super Eight hopes hanging in the balance. The loss has sparked a flurry of accusations and hints of internal discord within the team.Former captain Salim Malik has pointed the finger at all-rounder Imad Wasim, accusing him of deliberately wasting balls during Pakistan's chase of 120 runs. Wasim's slow-paced innings saw him take 23 deliveries to score just 15 runs, a move that Malik believes hindered Pakistan's run chase."You look at his (Wasim) innings and it appears as if he was wasting balls, not scoring runs, and making things difficult in the run-chase," Malik said on the 24 News channel.Adding to the controversy, another former captain, Shahid Afridi, hinted at internal discord within the team, suggesting that some players have issues with skipper Babar Azam. Afridi emphasized the crucial role of a captain in maintaining team unity and morale."A captain brings everyone together; either he spoils the team environment or he builds the team. Let this World Cup finish, and I will speak openly," Afridi said.Afridi also noted his close relationship with left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, his son-in-law, who was removed as T20 captain just before the World Cup.Pakistan's team has come under fire following consecutive losses to the USA and India, putting their Super Eight chances in jeopardy. Pakistan's hopes now rely on winning convincingly against Canada and Ireland, while also hoping for losses by the USA to India and Ireland. Even if these conditions are met, the final qualification will likely depend on the net run rate.The team's poor performance has raised questions about the leadership of Babar Azam and the overall team chemistry. The accusations and hints of internal discord have further fueled the controversy surrounding Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has called for sweeping changes within the national team following their disappointing performance in the ICC T20 World Cup. The team's recent six-run defeat to arch-rivals India has prompted Naqvi to demand a thorough review and potential overhaul of the squad.Naqvi expressed deep concern over the team's inability to chase down a modest target of 120 runs against India, highlighting the need for significant improvements. He acknowledged that the team's performance has been below par, not only in the World Cup but also in recent matches against the USA.The PCB chairman emphasized the need to consider players who have been sidelined for some time, indicating that the current team composition may not be delivering the desired results. He stressed that the board has been supportive of the players but acknowledged that the team's underperformance requires a comprehensive review.Naqvi's comments come at a critical juncture for Pakistan, as their hopes of advancing to the Super Eight stage now hinge on winning convincingly against Canada and Ireland. However, even if these conditions are met, the final standings could come down to net run rate.The PCB chairman's remarks underscore the urgency of the situation as Pakistan faces a crucial test in the tournament. The team's management and selection strategies are expected to undergo scrutiny in the coming days, with potential changes aimed at revitalizing the squad and improving performance.

Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam has identified two crucial factors that contributed to their disappointing six-run defeat against India in the T20 World Cup 2024 match in New York: underutilizing the batting powerplay and accumulating too many dot balls in the middle overs."Our plan was to play cautiously and make the most of the first six overs, which would have given us a strong foundation for victory," Babar explained. "However, we lost an early wicket and failed to capitalize on the powerplay, scoring only 35 runs."After restricting India to a modest total of 119, Pakistan's batting lineup struggled to gain momentum. They managed to reach 72 for 2 after 12 overs, but a collapse ensued as Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya claimed crucial wickets."In the middle overs, we played too many dot balls and lost wickets in quick succession," Babar said. "This put us under pressure and made it difficult to chase down the target."Pakistan's inability to rotate the strike effectively and score boundaries at regular intervals proved costly. "We needed to play more aggressively and take calculated risks," Babar admitted. "But we were too cautious and allowed the Indian bowlers to control the game."With two consecutive defeats to start the tournament, Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the next round are hanging by a thread. Babar acknowledged the team's struggles but remained optimistic about their chances."We have to win our remaining two matches and hope for favorable results in other games," Babar said. "We will analyze our mistakes and make necessary adjustments to improve our performance."Pakistan will face Canada on June 11 and Ireland on June 16 in their final two Group A matches. They will need to secure victories in both games and rely on other results to determine their fate in the tournament.

Pakistan Replaces Azam Khan with Imad Wasim for Crucial India ClashIn a highly anticipated Group A match of the Men's T20 World Cup, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The toss was delayed by 30 minutes due to slight rain, with cloudy and windy conditions prevailing.Pakistan made a significant change to their playing eleven, bringing in all-rounder Imad Wasim in place of batter Azam Khan. Wasim returns after recovering from a side strain that kept him out of Pakistan's surprising loss to co-hosts USA in their tournament opener.Pakistan captain Babar Azam explained the decision to bowl first, citing the weather and moisture in the pitch. "We will bowl first because of the weather and moisture in the pitch," he said.India, led by Rohit Sharma, remained unchanged from their opening match victory against Ireland. Sharma also expressed his preference for bowling first, acknowledging the need to assess the conditions and determine a competitive score."We need to assess how conditions play and come up with an idea of what a good score is," Sharma said. "Those games have helped us assess conditions here."The match will be played on the same pitch that hosted the Netherlands-South Africa clash on Saturday, which the Proteas won by four wickets. India holds a 6-1 head-to-head record against Pakistan in Men's T20 World Cup meetings, with the last five matches being won by the chasing side.

India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Clash: Shoaib Akhtar Urges Pakistan to Play for the Team, Not Personal GloryAs the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan approaches, former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar has issued a passionate plea to his team. Akhtar implored the Pakistani players to prioritize the team's success over individual milestones and play with unwavering determination.India holds a commanding 6-1 record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups, and Akhtar acknowledged the pressure on his team. He emphasized that the entire nation is behind them and that they must rise to the occasion as a united front against the formidable Indian side."Pakistan, play out of your skin. Play for Pakistan. Don't play for individual records," Akhtar declared in a video posted on social media.Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start with a shock defeat to minnows USA in their opening match. The loss sparked widespread criticism, with many labeling it a "black day" for Pakistani cricket.In contrast, India began their tournament with a comfortable victory over Ireland. They currently sit second in Group A, behind USA, while Pakistan languishes in fourth place.Akhtar's message to the Pakistani team is clear: they must put aside personal ambitions and focus on the collective goal of winning. He believes that if they play with passion and unity, they can overcome the odds and emerge victorious against their arch-rivals.The India-Pakistan clash is scheduled to take place in New York on October 23. It is expected to be one of the most watched and intense matches of the tournament, with both teams desperate to secure a victory.

India-Pakistan Cricket Clash: Ali Zafar's Emotional Appeal to Babar AzamThe highly anticipated India-Pakistan cricket match at the T20 World Cup in New York has ignited immense excitement and anticipation among fans on both sides of the border. Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zafar has expressed his sentiments on social media, addressing the team's recent defeat against the USA and urging captain Babar Azam to lead from the front.Zafar emphasized the importance of constructive criticism, stating that it stems from love for the team and nation. He expressed disappointment over Azam's decision not to bat in the Super Over against the USA, highlighting the need for a captain to inspire and lead by example."Looking at a captain, we want to be inspired," Zafar said. "A leader is fearless and has no self-doubt. That is why he is a leader."He recalled Pakistan's iconic ODI victory against Australia, where captain Imran Khan bowled the final over and secured the win. Zafar urged Azam to emulate such fearless leadership and play with confidence.Zafar also addressed concerns about players' fitness, particularly Azam Khan's weight. He stressed the importance of meeting global fitness standards and emphasized the connection between mental and physical fitness."The body follows the mind," Zafar said. "So mental fitness is (also) very important. The decisions that you take in mind get manifested in your physical reality."Furthermore, Zafar encouraged Pakistani cricketers to embrace their own language, Urdu. He believes that speaking in one's native tongue should not be seen as a sign of inferiority."We should be proud of our culture and language," Zafar said. "Talk freely in your own language. A translator can come and translate."In conclusion, Zafar wished the Pakistani team well for the upcoming match against India. He urged them to play with passion and determination, regardless of the outcome.

Pakistan's humiliating defeat to the United States in their T20 World Cup opener has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former players and experts have unleashed a barrage of criticism on Babar Azam's team, questioning their mentality and tactics.Kamran Akmal, a former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter, was particularly scathing in his assessment. Speaking to ARY News, Akmal became emotional as he lamented the team's dismal performance. "Our mentality is not changing," he said. "We don't understand. I was fortunate to play with players who had passion and fought till the end. But now, we've reached this point."Akmal believes that internal politics in domestic cricket has contributed to Pakistan's decline. "They're playing their own games in domestic cricket," he said. "They're bringing in players they like. By ending regional and departmental cricket, they've destroyed Pakistan cricket."Akmal pointed to India's success as an example of how to improve quality. "India is number one because they increased their teams from 36 to 43," he said. "Here, we play only eight matches a year, and not all teams participate."Pakistan's next challenge is an arch-rivalry clash against India on Sunday in New York. The pressure is mounting on Babar Azam and his team to turn things around and salvage their World Cup campaign.

Pakistan's head coach Gary Kirsten exudes confidence ahead of their highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup. Despite a disappointing start to the tournament, Kirsten believes his team will be fully motivated for the crucial encounter.The match, scheduled for Sunday at the Nassau County stadium in New York, holds immense significance for both teams. Pakistan, the finalists of the previous edition, will be eager to bounce back from their opening setback against the USA. India, on the other hand, will be looking to maintain their winning momentum after securing victories in their warm-up matches.Kirsten emphasized that the team's motivation is at an all-time high and that they are focused on putting their best foot forward against India. He acknowledged the challenging nature of the pitch at the venue but stressed that Pakistan will adapt and execute their game plan effectively.The former Indian coach also downplayed the potential advantage India may have due to their prior experience in New York. He stated that Pakistan will rely on their own skills and strategies to put pressure on the opposition.Kirsten highlighted the importance of a collective team effort, emphasizing that individual performances alone will not suffice. He expressed confidence in Pakistan's pace bowling strength but also emphasized the need for a balanced approach, covering all bases with spin options, seam options, and a deep batting line-up.Despite the setback against the USA, Kirsten remains optimistic about Pakistan's chances in the tournament. He believes that the team has learned from their mistakes and is determined to make a strong statement against India.