Cricket

Gary Kirsten, the former South African cricketer and coach, will commence his two-year tenure as head coach of the Pakistan men's national cricket team on May 19 in Leeds. This appointment marks a significant milestone for Pakistan cricket, as Kirsten brings a wealth of experience and success to the role.Kirsten's coaching credentials are impeccable. He guided India to victory in the 2011 ODI World Cup, a historic achievement that cemented his status as one of the most respected coaches in the game. He also coached South Africa for two years, leading them to several notable victories.In his new role, Kirsten will be tasked with preparing Pakistan for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA. The team's first match in the tournament will be against the USA in Dallas on June 6. Kirsten believes that Pakistan has the potential to make a strong impact at the World Cup, but it will require collective effort and unwavering support."These are indeed thrilling times for Pakistan cricket," Kirsten said. "The upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 presents a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our skills and uphold Pakistan's legacy as a formidable force in cricket."To support Kirsten in his mission, the PCB has also appointed Simon Helmot as fielding coach and David Reid as mental performance coach. Helmot will join the team on May 31, while Reid will arrive on May 20 and remain until the end of the World Cup.The PCB's decision to prioritize the mental well-being of its players is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of mental health in sports. Reid, a seasoned expert with nearly two decades of experience, will provide comprehensive care to the players, helping them thrive both on and off the field."Ensuring the mental health and well-being of our elite cricketers is not just a priority, but a fundamental commitment," said Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman. "We are confident that our players will receive the comprehensive care they need to thrive both on and off the field."Kirsten's appointment, along with the addition of Helmot and Reid, signals a new era for Pakistan cricket. The team will be looking to build on its recent successes and make a strong statement at the T20 World Cup. With Kirsten at the helm, Pakistan has the potential to achieve great things.

Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam opted to field first after winning the toss in the crucial third T20I against Ireland. The match holds significance as it will determine the series winner.Pakistan made a strategic move by resting Naseem Shah and bringing in Hasan Ali for his first T20I appearance since September 2022. Ireland, on the other hand, introduced two changes to their lineup. Regular captain Paul Stirling and Gareth Delany were rested, making way for Lorcan Tucker as the new captain and the inclusion of Neil Rock and Ross Adair.This marks the first time Tucker will lead Ireland in any format. The match serves as a crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA. Ireland will participate in a T20I tri-series in the Netherlands, which also includes Scotland, while Pakistan will embark on a four-match T20I tour of England.

Former Pakistan cricket star Ramiz Raja has expressed his dissatisfaction with the coverage of the ongoing T20I series between Pakistan and Ireland. Raja criticized the lack of DRS and replays, which he believes is not befitting of a match featuring Pakistan."One thing which I don't like at all is the coverage of this match. It feels like a club game is being telecast. Only two cameras are there. There's no DRS, no replays, you don't get an idea of the boundary rope, you can't enjoy a good shot being played or good balls being bowled. This is extremely unfair to the Pakistan cricket product," Raja said on YouTube.Raja also questioned why the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not address the issue. "Someone should have figured it out earlier. If the coverage was going to be like this, whichever broadcasting company it was, should have taken the rights from Cricket Ireland. I know they have the rights, but it should have been taken away and the coverage should have been made much better for this series because this marks the beginning of our road to the World Cup."Raja compared the coverage of the Pakistan-Ireland series to the broadcast quality of matches featuring African teams. "We are not an African country that the coverage for our games can be this poor. This series is not telecast in England. It's not available on Sky. Primarily because it is being covered like this. This is unfair to Pakistan," he said.Raja's comments highlight the importance of high-quality coverage for international cricket matches. The lack of DRS and replays can significantly impact the viewing experience and make it difficult for fans to fully appreciate the action on the field. The PCB should take Raja's concerns seriously and work to ensure that future matches are covered in a manner that befits the stature of Pakistan cricket.

Cricket Ireland has confirmed a historic first men's tour of Pakistan in August and September 2024. The series will feature three T20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), marking a significant milestone in the development of Irish cricket.The tour was originally scheduled for September 2025 as part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP). However, following discussions between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Cricket Ireland Chair Brian MacNeice, the series was brought forward to 2024.The decision to tour Pakistan is a testament to the growing strength of Irish cricket and the improving security situation in the country. Ireland Women successfully toured Pakistan in November 2022, playing three ODIs and three T20Is.The PCB initially released a statement suggesting that Ireland would also play a Test series in Pakistan, but this was later denied by both the PCB and Cricket Ireland. A Cricket Ireland spokesperson stated that the details of the tour's fixture list would be discussed by the two boards in the future.The Pakistan men's team is currently in Ireland for a three-match T20I series. The sides have split the first two games 1-1, with the series decider scheduled for Tuesday.The upcoming tour of Pakistan will be a major test for Ireland, who have never played a Test match in the country. It will also provide a valuable opportunity for the Irish players to experience the passionate and knowledgeable Pakistani cricket fans.

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has expressed his concerns about the inconsistent performances of opener Saim Ayub, questioning the decision to break the established opening duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.Ayub, who struggled in the recent T20I series against New Zealand, showed signs of improvement in the first T20I against Ireland with a quick-paced knock of 45(29). However, he failed to maintain consistency in the second T20I, falling for a score of 6.Raja believes that Ayub's inconsistent performances do not justify breaking the successful opening partnership of Rizwan and Azam. "I don't think Saim Ayub gives you security, he shows flashes of brilliance. If you don't score 50 off 30 balls then breaking Rizwan and Babar's opening duo doesn't make any sense," Raja said on his YouTube channel.In four matches against New Zealand, Ayub scored 52 runs at an average of 14.25, with 32 as his highest score. Before Ayub's inclusion, Babar and Rizwan were the designated openers for Pakistan and were one of the most prolific opening pairs in white-ball cricket.The duo forged a record-breaking 105-run stand in the 2022 Men's T20I World Cup, setting a new record for the most century partnerships as an opening duo in the tournament's history.Raja's comments highlight the importance of consistency and reliability in opening partnerships. While Ayub has shown glimpses of his potential, his inconsistent performances have raised questions about his ability to provide a solid foundation for Pakistan's batting lineup.The third and final T20I between Pakistan and Ireland will be played on Tuesday, with the series currently tied at 1-1. The match will be a crucial test for Ayub and the Pakistan team as they look to secure a series victory and build momentum ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Pakistan Pacer Shaheen Afridi Faces Misbehavior from Afghan Fan in DublinDuring Pakistan's second T20I match against Ireland in Dublin, an Afghan fan reportedly engaged in inappropriate behavior towards star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. The incident occurred as Afridi made his way from the dressing room to the field.Initially, Afridi ignored the fan's foul language. However, when the fan persisted, Afridi alerted security personnel. The security team swiftly intervened and removed the fan from the ground.The incident marred an otherwise successful outing for Pakistan. Babar Azam's team chased down Ireland's competitive total of 193/7 with ease, thanks to a 140-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan (75*) and Fakhar Zaman (78). The victory marked a record-breaking 45th T20I triumph for Babar Azam as captain.Afridi also achieved a significant milestone during the match, reaching 300 wickets in international cricket. He dismissed Ireland captain Paul Stirling to reach the landmark. Overall, he finished the game with figures of 3/40 in his four-over spell.Despite Babar Azam's early dismissal, Rizwan and Fakhar took control of the chase. Fakhar showcased his power-hitting abilities with six sixes, while Rizwan provided steady support. The pair put up 140 runs in quick succession, effectively ending Ireland's hopes.Fakhar's dismissal in the 15th over gave Ireland a glimmer of hope, but Azam Khan's unbeaten 30 from just 10 deliveries guided Pakistan home. The seven-wicket win leveled the series 1-1.The series will be decided in the third and final game, which will be played in Dublin on Tuesday.

Pakistan's former cricket board chairman, Ramiz Raja, has expressed his disappointment with the performance of the team's bowlers in the second T20I against Ireland. Despite Pakistan's comprehensive victory, Raja criticized the bowlers for conceding 162 runs in the first innings.Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, and Abbas Afridi combined to give away runs at a hefty economy rate, with Shaheen and Amir proving particularly costly. Shaheen conceded 49 runs in his four-over spell, while Amir gave away 44 runs.Raja believes that Pakistan's bowlers have been struggling since last year's World Cup in India. He pointed out that the team's success has been built on the strength of its pacers, but they have been inconsistent in recent times."Pakistan's top bowlers giving away so many runs against Ireland, then it will become hard for the team in future," Raja said. "Pakistan's forte, and success are based on the bowlers, especially pacers, they have been struggling since last year's World Cup in India. Two balls are good and then three deliveries are bad, this makes the situation tough."Pakistan's decision to bowl first backfired as Ireland posted a competitive total of 193/7. Lorcan Tucker led the charge with 51 runs, while Harry Tector and Curtis Campher provided valuable support.In reply, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman laid the foundation for Pakistan's chase with half-centuries. Azam Khan then sealed the victory with three consecutive sixes.The series is now level at 1-1, with the third and deciding match scheduled for Tuesday at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin.

Pakistan's Babar Azam has etched his name in the annals of T20I cricket history by becoming the most successful captain in the format. With a remarkable 45 wins under his leadership, Azam has surpassed all others, including Aaron Finch of Australia and Brian Masaba of Uganda.Azam's record-breaking achievement came after Pakistan's emphatic victory over Ireland in the second T20I of their three-match series. Chasing a challenging target of 193/7, Pakistan showcased their batting prowess, with Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman leading the charge.Rizwan, who remained unbeaten on 75, and Zaman, who contributed a blistering 78, forged a formidable partnership of 140 runs, laying the foundation for Pakistan's triumph. Despite Azam's early dismissal, Rizwan and Zaman's dominance ensured that Ireland's hopes of victory quickly faded.Fakhar Zaman's six towering sixes were a testament to his power-hitting abilities, while Rizwan played a steady hand, anchoring the innings. Azam Khan's explosive unbeaten 30 from just 10 deliveries sealed the deal for Pakistan, ensuring their victory with more than three overs to spare.Azam's 45th T20I win as captain places him ahead of Aaron Finch, who has 40 victories, and Brian Masaba, who has 44 wins in all men's T20Is. Other notable captains on the list include Eoin Morgan (42 wins), MS Dhoni (41 wins), Rohit Sharma (41 wins), and Asghar Afghan (42 wins).Pakistan's victory over Ireland was a testament to their team's resilience and determination. Despite Azam's early departure, Rizwan, Zaman, and Khan stepped up to the plate, showcasing their exceptional talent and ensuring Pakistan's dominance in the series.

Pakistan's thrilling victory over Ireland in the second T20I leveled the three-match series at 1-1, but it was match-winner Mohammad Rizwan's heartfelt acknowledgment of Virat Kohli that stole the hearts of the Indian batting legend's fans.Rizwan, who played a pivotal role in Pakistan's comeback win, praised Kohli's influence on Pakistani batsmen. "We have learnt a lot of things from Virat Kohli; I respect him," said Rizwan, who is one of only two batters to average above 50 in T20Is.Pakistan's run-chase got off to a shaky start, but Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman launched a counter-attack, adding 140 runs for the third wicket. Rizwan's unbeaten 75 off 46 balls and Zaman's 78 off 40 balls powered Pakistan to a seven-wicket victory.Rizwan's admiration for Kohli highlights the respect and camaraderie that exists between the two cricketing nations. Kohli, who averages 51.75 in T20Is, has been a role model for many young batsmen, including Rizwan.The T20 World Cup is just around the corner, and both India and Pakistan are in the same group. Their highly anticipated clash on June 9 in New York is sure to be a thrilling encounter.Pakistan will play a decisive third T20I against Ireland on May 14 before heading to England for four T20Is. They will then fly to the US for the T20 World Cup, where they will face their arch-rivals India in a match that promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament.