Cricket

Pakistan Cricket in Crisis: Basit Ali Blasts PCB for Kirsten's DepartureFormer Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the abrupt resignation of Gary Kirsten as the team's limited-overs coach. Ali, in a fiery rant on his YouTube channel, expressed his deep concern over the deteriorating state of Pakistan cricket."Pakistan's cricket is going down, and I don't want it to go down. In the coming days, it will get worse," Ali lamented. He criticized the PCB for its haphazard approach to hiring foreign coaches, arguing that they should first be tested at the junior levels.Ali drew comparisons to Australia and India, where coaches like Rodney Marsh and Rahul Dravid had worked with grassroots programs before taking on senior roles. "They've made a joke out of Pakistan," Ali said, hinting at internal interference in cricketing decisions.Ali mocked Kirsten's reported reservations about player selection, saying, "Now Gary Kirsten is acting innocent, saying, 'I won't accept it without Babar Azam.' So you don't want Rizwan as captain, and you don't want Shaheen Afridi—is this Pakistan's team or Gary Kirsten's team?"He further questioned Kirsten's commitment to Pakistan cricket, saying, "Next, he'll say, 'My academy is running in Cape Town,' and then join some IPL or PSL franchise. Why do you even give opportunities to people like this who can't spend their time in Pakistan?"Kirsten, who coached India to the 2011 World Cup win, was appointed by the PCB on a two-year contract in April. However, his tenure lasted just six months, with tensions reportedly brewing between the PCB and the coaching staff.The PCB's decision to strip Kirsten and Gillespie of their voting rights in team selection earlier this month fueled speculation of internal disagreements. The PCB has confirmed Kirsten's resignation and announced that Jason Gillespie, Pakistan's Test coach, will step in for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia.Ali's outburst reflects the growing frustration among Pakistani cricket fans and experts over the team's recent struggles. Pakistan has failed to win a major ICC tournament since 2017 and has been plagued by inconsistent performances and off-field controversies.

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has revealed that ex-South African cricketer and coach Gary Kirsten was unhappy with the decision to appoint Mohammad Rizwan as the captain of Pakistan's white-ball teams. Ali claims that Kirsten had a different player in mind for the leadership role and believed he had "full authority" over such choices.This revelation comes amidst significant changes within the Pakistan cricket team. Rizwan's appointment as white-ball captain, Kirsten's resignation as T20I and ODI coach, and the hiring of Jason Gillespie as the head coach for all formats have all contributed to a period of transition.Ali explained on his YouTube channel, "When Mohammad Rizwan was named Pakistan's new white-ball captain, Kirsten wanted a different captain and demanded another player in the team. Coincidentally, both of them are not in the team. He thought he had full authority, but he doesn't know that in Pakistan, even the PCB chairman can get changed overnight."Ali further commented on the recent changes in the PCB, stating, "Mohsin Naqvi has come with a lot of power. The coaches, selectors, and managers are being removed. Earlier, the chairman used to be changed from time to time. Now, whoever raises their voice will be sidelined."Kirsten's primary assignment was to guide Pakistan to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA. However, Pakistan's early exit from the group stage after losses to India and the USA led to his departure.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Rizwan would replace Babar Azam as the team's white-ball captain for the upcoming series against Australia and Zimbabwe. Salam Ali Agha has been appointed as Rizwan's vice-captain for these away tours.

Gary Kirsten's resignation as Pakistan's limited-overs coach has sparked discussions about the role of international coaches in team selection. Kirsten's departure comes after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) restructured coaching roles and removed head coaches from the selection committee following Pakistan's loss to England in the first Test.Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria expressed support for Kirsten's decision, citing the pressure and criticism he faced after Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup and home Test series loss to Bangladesh. Kaneria emphasized that international coaches need time to adapt and perform, and that Kirsten's experience would have been valuable for Pakistan's young players.The PCB's decision to alter its selection committee has also raised questions. Previously, head coaches and captains had voting rights on the committee, but after Pakistan's loss to England, the PCB delegated all selection powers to a newly formed committee.Kaneria suggested that Kirsten may have wanted to be involved in the selection process, but that the PCB's decision to exclude international coaches from the committee was justified. He explained that international coaches often lack familiarity with domestic players, which is crucial for effective selection.Kirsten's resignation leaves Pakistan without a limited-overs coach ahead of their upcoming ODI series against Australia. The team will face Australia in Melbourne on November 4, marking their first ODI since last year's World Cup.

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been recalled to the national team for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, following a brief hiatus due to inconsistent form. The decision to reinstate Azam, who was dropped for the final two Tests of the home series against England, has sparked optimism among experts who believe a single impactful performance could reignite his brilliance.Ramiz Raja, a former Pakistan captain and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), expressed confidence in Azam's ability to rediscover his form and establish himself as a true legend. "Babar has the potential to achieve even greater heights in Test cricket," Raja said. "He excels in white-ball cricket, averaging over 50 in both T20Is and ODIs. Now, he must demonstrate his temperament and prove to the world that he is a modern-day Viv Richards."Raja's comparison to Richards, the legendary West Indian batsman known for his aggressive and match-winning performances, highlights the high expectations placed on Azam. The upcoming tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is, will provide Azam with an opportunity to showcase his talent on a global stage.Alongside Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah have also been recalled to the squad after being rested for the Test series. The white-ball teams will be led by newly-appointed skipper Mohammad Rizwan, with the exception of the T20I series in Zimbabwe, where Salman Agha will take the reins.Raja expressed his hope that Azam will rediscover his form during the upcoming series, which hold significant importance for Pakistan's cricketing future. "I am confident that Babar will bounce back stronger after his break," Raja said. "He has the talent and determination to lead Pakistan to success."

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has defended his post-match comments to Test team captain Shan Masood, which sparked controversy and criticism. Raja's remarks, particularly his question about Pakistan's six consecutive losses, drew flak from fans and former players, including pacer Mohammad Amir.Raja, speaking on his YouTube channel, clarified that his intention was not to undermine the team's achievement but to explore how they overcame recent struggles. He dismissed the backlash as part of the social media landscape, saying, "Pakistan zinda hi social media pe hai" (Pakistan lives on social media).Raja expressed frustration with how people misinterpret his comments, adding, “If I lived my life based on social media narratives, I wouldn’t be in this field. There are many uninformed opinions from people who haven’t played cricket but act like experts.”He also underlined that he did not intend to question Shan Masood's captaincy and expressed disbelief at how quickly the conversation spiralled into controversy. "When Bangladesh won 2-0, I didn’t ask for anyone to be removed. Why would I question Shan's captaincy after a series win?" Raja argued.Earlier, Mohammad Amir had publicly criticized Raja for his remarks, suggesting that the former chairman should have focused on celebrating the series win rather than bringing up past failures. In a viral video, Amir remarked, “You should celebrate the series win. There is a series-winning captain sitting next to you. You should have asked him about the win, next plans. But you are making fun of him. Have some respect. You are literate people and you should behave like one as well. Where the credit is due, you should give it. I was feeling so bad for Shan. Ramiz has been doing on-air duties for so long now and he has no idea what to ask a winning captain."Raja's comments have sparked a debate about the role of former players in criticizing current teams and players. Some believe that former players have a responsibility to provide constructive criticism, while others argue that they should be more supportive and avoid undermining the team's achievements.

Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper-batter, has been appointed as the new captain of Pakistan's white-ball teams for their upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe. The announcement was made by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday, following the resignation of former captain Babar Azam earlier this month.Rizwan, 32, has previously led Pakistan in two Test matches against New Zealand in 2020 when Azam was injured. However, this will mark his first time leading the team in limited-overs matches.In a video released by the PCB, Rizwan expressed optimism about Pakistan's chances in Australia, especially after their recent Test series victory against England. He acknowledged the team's past challenges in Australia but expressed confidence in the current squad."There's no doubt that we've faced difficulties in Australia," Rizwan said. "But I believe the team going now will meet the nation's expectations."Rizwan also urged fans to support the team, highlighting their recent success in the Test series against England."In the last series we played in Australia, every match was almost ours to win, but we lost very closely," he added. "We have noticed a few things and will work on them when we go there, taking positives from it. Inshallah, we will beat Australia in Australia."Joining Rizwan in the squad are Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were both included after being dropped from the last two Tests against England. Pakistan recently clinched the Test series against England with a 2-0 victory on Saturday.Rizwan's appointment as captain is seen as a positive step by many cricket experts. He is known for his calm and composed demeanor, as well as his ability to lead by example. Under his leadership, Pakistan will be hoping to improve their record in white-ball cricket and challenge for major titles.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has clarified that Babar Azam's resignation from the white-ball captaincy was his own decision, dispelling rumors of pressure from the board.Babar, who took over the captaincy in 2019, announced his resignation on October 2, citing a desire to prioritize his performance. Under his leadership, Pakistan failed to win a major tournament, including the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.Naqvi emphasized that Babar's decision was not influenced by the PCB. "Babar Azam told me himself that he did not want to continue as captain. No one from the PCB told him to leave the captaincy. He discussed it with the coaches and wanted to focus on his performances," Naqvi said.The PCB chief also explained the appointment of Mohammad Rizwan as the new white-ball skipper. "We spoke to the five mentors of the Champions Cup and the coaches, and the majority agreed that Mohammad Rizwan should be the captain, with Salman Ali Agha as vice-captain," he added.Rizwan, a star wicketkeeper-batter, replaces Babar as Pakistan's white-ball captain ahead of their upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe.Babar's resignation has sparked discussions about the future of Pakistan's cricket team. Some experts believe that the move will allow him to focus on his batting and regain his form. Others argue that it could create instability within the team.The PCB is now tasked with rebuilding the team and finding a long-term solution for the captaincy. Rizwan's appointment is seen as a step in that direction, but it remains to be seen whether he can lead Pakistan to success in major tournaments.

Gary Kirsten's tenure as Pakistan's white-ball head coach is reportedly nearing an end, just a day after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Mohammad Rizwan as the new full-time white-ball captain.According to Cricbuzz, significant differences have emerged between Kirsten and the players, as well as disagreements with the PCB over coaching staff decisions. Kirsten had reportedly requested the appointment of David Reid as High Performance coach, a suggestion that did not align with the PCB's preferences. The board allegedly proposed alternatives, which Kirsten found unacceptable.Kirsten's departure is a blow to Pakistan cricket, as he was seen as a key figure in the team's rebuilding process. However, his tenure has been marred by a lack of success on the field. Pakistan lost a bilateral series in England and suffered a disappointing early exit in the T20 World Cup, with losses to the United States and India derailing their campaign.With the ICC Champions Trophy less than four months away and Pakistan set to host an international tournament for the first time in over two decades, the PCB faces the urgent task of appointing a new white-ball coach. Speculation suggests that Jason Gillespie, Pakistan's red-ball coach, could temporarily take over both formats. However, Aaqib Javed, a former fast bowler and current national selector, is seen as the frontrunner for the position. Javed is credited with the team's recent success in the home Test series against England, which Pakistan won 2-1.An official announcement is expected soon as the PCB navigates this challenging coaching situation ahead of a critical period for Pakistan cricket.

Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan's newly appointed white-ball captain, has emphasized his commitment to serving the team rather than assuming a position of authority. Ahead of Pakistan's upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, Rizwan expressed his determination to lead by example and inspire his teammates to fight for every victory."As a leader, I am here to serve the 15 men of the team," Rizwan stated. "If I start considering myself a king, everything will fall apart." He acknowledged the support and encouragement from the team's management, who have urged them to display unwavering determination.Rizwan outlined his responsibilities as captain, including attending presentations, handling conferences, and carrying out tasks. He emphasized that all players are leaders in their own right and contribute to the team's success.Pakistan has announced 15-member squads for both tours, with Rizwan available for the Australia matches and Zimbabwe ODIs but not the T20Is. The squads include three debutants: Kamran Ghulam, Omair Bin Yousuf, and Sufyan Moqim.