Cricket

Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad for 2024 has been announced, with Babar Azam once again leading the charge. The 15-member squad features a few surprises, including the omission of Hasan Ali, Irfan Khan, and Agha Salman.Abbas Afridi has made the final cut, giving Pakistan five specialist fast bowlers. Imad Wasim, who recently came out of retirement, will provide the left-arm spin option, while Abrar Ahmed is the lone specialist legspinner.The squad is as follows:* Babar Azam (captain)* Saim Ayub* Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper)* Fakhar Zaman* Azam Khan (wicket-keeper)* Usman Khan* Iftikhar Ahmed* Imad Wasim* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Shadab Khan* Mohammad Amir* Abbas Afridi* Naseem Shah* Haris Rauf* Abrar AhmedThe absence of Hasan Ali is a notable omission, as he has been a key member of Pakistan's bowling attack in recent years. However, his recent form has been poor, and he was released back to Warwickshire earlier this week.Irfan Khan and Agha Salman have also been left out, despite being part of the squad for the recent Asia Cup. Afridi's inclusion is a surprise, as he has not played for Pakistan since 2021.Pakistan will be hoping to improve on their performance at the 2022 T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by England. They will face a tough challenge in the 2024 tournament, which will be played in the USA and the Caribbean.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has halted the announcement of the T20 World Cup squad due to concerns over the selection process. Sources within Geo News report that Naqvi expressed dissatisfaction with the selectors' failure to hold a meeting to discuss the players for the tournament.Despite not objecting to the specific names of the players, Naqvi emphasized the importance of proper consultation and deliberation. The PCB is expected to announce the squad by the end of the day, ahead of the May 25 deadline set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).Pakistan is the only team among the 19 participating nations that has yet to announce its 15-player squad. They are placed in Group A alongside the USA, India, Canada, and Ireland. Their campaign will commence on June 6 against the USA, followed by a highly anticipated clash with India on June 9.Meanwhile, the PCB is exploring the possibility of appointing former West Indies legend Viv Richards as the team mentor for the T20 World Cup. Richards' successful stint as a mentor for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has reportedly inspired the PCB's decision.However, the PCB faces a potential obstacle in securing Richards' services due to his existing media commitments for the event. The Pakistan squad for the ongoing T20I series against England includes Babar Azam (C), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Usman Khan.

England vs Pakistan T20I Abandoned Due to Persistent RainThe highly anticipated first T20I between England and Pakistan was unfortunately called off before the scheduled start time due to incessant rain that drenched Leeds throughout the day. The ground was saturated with puddles, leaving the umpires with no choice but to abandon the match.This match was crucial for both teams as it was their last opportunity to assess their players before finalizing their squads for the upcoming T20 World Cup. England was particularly eager to give Jofra Archer a game before the squad announcement deadline on Saturday, but the rain dashed those hopes. England will now have to make a decision on Archer's inclusion without seeing him play a competitive match.Pakistan, on the other hand, remains the only team among the 20 World Cup participants to have not announced their provisional squad. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had intended to finalize the squad after the first T20I against England, but the rain prevented them from doing so.The inclement weather in Yorkshire also thwarted Pakistan's plans to give their players a final look before selecting the traveling party for North America. The two teams are scheduled to play three more games before departing for the World Cup: at Edgbaston on Saturday, Cardiff on Tuesday, and The Oval on June 2.

England vs Pakistan 1st T20I: Preview, Team News, and Live UpdatesEngland and Pakistan will lock horns in the opening T20I of their four-match series on Wednesday at Headingley in Leeds. The match marks the start of a highly anticipated series between two of the world's top cricket nations.Pakistan's Recent FormPakistan will enter the series on the back of a 2-1 T20I series victory over Ireland. Captain Babar Azam led the charge with a brilliant century in the second match, while Haris Rauf impressed with his pace and accuracy. However, the team has released pacer Hasan Ali from the squad due to fitness concerns.England's SquadEngland will be without the services of Liam Livingstone, who is recovering from a knee injury. However, the team has been bolstered by the return of several key players from the Indian Premier League (IPL), including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Phil Salt, and Sam Curran.Key Players to WatchEngland:* Jos Buttler (wicket-keeper batsman)* Jonny Bairstow (batsman)* Phil Salt (batsman)* Sam Curran (all-rounder)* Adil Rashid (leg-spinner)Pakistan:* Babar Azam (captain, batsman)* Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper batsman)* Fakhar Zaman (batsman)* Haris Rauf (fast bowler)* Shaheen Afridi (fast bowler)Match Details* Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2023* Time: 6:30 PM BST* Venue: Headingley, Leeds* Live Scorecard: [Link to live scorecard]

Pakistan's cricket landscape has undergone significant transformations in the lead-up to the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. Despite the presence of seasoned captain Babar Azam, the team has witnessed a series of changes in leadership, selection, and coaching.Since the 2022 T20 World Cup final loss to England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed four chairmen and overhauled the selection panel. The experiment with Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain was short-lived, and a new limited-overs head coach, South African Gary Kirsten, joined the team just weeks before the World Cup.Pakistan's preparations have been marked by inconsistent performances. They suffered a heavy defeat in the away series against New Zealand, drew the home series 2-2, and lost the T20 series against Afghanistan 1-2. A shock defeat to Ireland was followed by two victories, resulting in a 2-1 series outcome.Despite the off-field turmoil, Pakistan remains a formidable force in the T20 World Cup. They have reached the semifinals three times and won the title in 2009. Kirsten's coaching has emphasized team unity and playing for the badge rather than individual glory.Pakistan's bowling depth is a major asset, with Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Amir all in good form. However, the top-order batting remains a concern, with Saim Ayub yet to establish himself as a reliable opener alongside Babar Azam.The India-Pakistan match on June 9 in New York is highly anticipated, with both teams expected to progress to the Super 8 round. Babar Azam will become the first player to captain a nation in three consecutive T20 World Cups. He will be hoping to lead Pakistan to their second title, having come close in 2021 and 2022.

Hasan Ali's hopes of representing Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup have suffered a setback after he was released from the squad for the ongoing series against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday that Ali would resume his stint with Warwickshire in county cricket.Ali's release comes as a surprise, as he was initially selected as an injury cover for Haris Rauf. However, after a disappointing performance in the series decider against Ireland, where he conceded 42 runs in three wicketless overs, Ali has been deemed surplus to requirements.Pakistan's provisional squad for the T20 World Cup is expected to be announced soon, and Ali's omission from the squad is a significant blow to his chances of making the final cut. The deadline for submitting the final list of 15 players to the ICC is Saturday.Warwickshire, who were initially caught off guard by Ali's international recall, will welcome his return ahead of their County Championship fixture against Lancashire on Friday. Ali is also expected to feature in the T20 Blast, which starts next week, and will remain with the club until the end of July.Meanwhile, Ali's compatriot Aamer Jamal has struggled to make an impact at Warwickshire, taking just one wicket in his first two appearances. He has lost his place in the side to Michael Rae, who has impressed with five wickets in his debut match.With several other bowlers injured, Warwickshire have also handed a first-class debut to Barbados-born Che Simmons, who recorded match figures of 5 for 71 against Essex.

Pakistan Cricketers Babar Azam and Azam Khan Draw Flak for Insensitive ActPakistan cricket captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan have come under fire for an insensitive act that has sparked outrage on social media. Ahead of the T20I series against England, a video emerged showing Azam wiping his forehead with a bundle of foreign currency while Babar, who was allegedly recording the video, teased him and laughed.The video has drawn widespread criticism from social media users, who have condemned the players' actions as disrespectful and insensitive. Many have pointed out that the act is particularly offensive given the economic challenges faced by many Pakistanis."This is a shameful act by two of our national cricketers," said one user on Twitter. "They should be ashamed of themselves for showing such disrespect for our currency."Another user commented, "This is not the behavior we expect from our cricketers. They should be role models for our youth, not setting bad examples."The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet commented on the incident, but it is likely that the players will face some form of disciplinary action.The incident comes at a time when Pakistan is preparing for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. The team has been in good form recently, having beaten Ireland 2-1 in a three-match T20I series.However, the controversy surrounding Babar and Azam Khan could overshadow the team's preparations for the World Cup. The players will need to quickly put this incident behind them and focus on the task at hand.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is actively pursuing the legendary Vivian Richards to serve as a mentor for the national team during the upcoming World T20 Cup in the Americas. Richards, a former West Indies captain and one of the greatest batsmen of all time, has a wealth of experience and expertise that could prove invaluable to the Pakistani squad.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is reportedly keen on bringing in a high-profile figure to guide the team, particularly given the importance of the World T20 Cup. Richards has a long-standing association with Pakistan, having served as a mentor for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League since 2016. His familiarity with the Pakistani players and his deep understanding of the game make him an ideal candidate for the role.Moreover, with several Super Eights matches scheduled to be played in the Caribbean, Richards' knowledge of the conditions in the region could be a significant advantage for Pakistan. The Caribbean pitches are known for their unique characteristics, and Richards' experience playing and coaching in those conditions would be invaluable to the team.PCB sources have indicated that Richards has some prior media commitments during the World Cup, but negotiations are underway to accommodate his schedule. The Pakistani players reportedly hold Richards in high regard, and his presence as a mentor would undoubtedly boost their morale and confidence.If the deal is finalized, Richards will assume the role of mentor for the World Cup, a position previously held by former Australian opener Matthew Hayden in the last two T20 World Cups. Hayden's guidance helped Pakistan reach the semi-final in 2021 and the final in 2022.In addition to Richards' potential appointment, the PCB is also considering hiring a foreign chief curator to improve the quality of pitches in the country. Australian curator Tony Hemmings is reportedly a strong candidate for the position. Hemmings has extensive experience in pitch preparation and management, having worked with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Western Australia Cricket Association.PCB Chairman Naqvi has prioritized improving the behavior of pitches in Pakistan before the start of the next domestic season. Hemmings' expertise in this area could be crucial in ensuring that Pakistani pitches meet international standards and provide fair and consistent playing conditions for both domestic and international matches.

Pakistan's white-ball cricket team has welcomed Gary Kirsten as their new head coach ahead of the T20I series against England. Kirsten's arrival in Leeds was marked by a warm reception from captain Babar Azam and the support staff, a moment that has since gone viral on social media.Kirsten, a 56-year-old South African, brings extensive coaching experience, having previously led both India and South Africa. His appointment as the white-ball coach, along with Jason Gillespie as the red-ball coach, was confirmed last month.Under Kirsten's guidance, Pakistan aim to build on their recent successes in T20 World Cups, having reached the semifinals in 2021 and the final in 2022 against England.Kirsten's first challenge will be the four-match T20I series against England, a critical preparation phase for the T20 World Cup next month in the Caribbean and the United States. Pakistan's final 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup will be announced following the first T20 against England next Tuesday in Leeds.In addition to Kirsten, the PCB has made strategic appointments to strengthen the coaching staff. Simon Helmot has been appointed as the fielding coach, and David Reid will serve as the mental performance coach. Reid is set to join the team next Monday, while Helmot will team up with the squad on May 31 after the T20 series against England.Kirsten expressed his enthusiasm for returning to international coaching. "I've missed the experience of coaching at the international level and nurturing talented players to reach their full potential," Kirsten said in a press release from the PCB. "I'm committed to working closely with the (Pakistan) team to elevate their game and bring joy to fans around the world."The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a photo on its official social media handle, capturing Kirsten with the captain and other members of the support staff. The video of the welcome has generated significant buzz, highlighting the excitement around Kirsten's two-year assignment with the team.