Cricket

Pakistan Women's Cricket Team Players Injured in Road Accident After Breaching CurfewThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that at least two national women's team members sustained serious injuries in a road accident earlier this month. The incident occurred after the players breached curfew and left the camp during a white-ball home series against the West Indies.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed that five to six players had gone out in the evening in Karachi without informing the team management. They were involved in a road accident, resulting in intense injuries to at least two players who are currently undergoing treatment.Naqvi stated that the incident had a significant impact on the team's performance in the ODI series against the West Indies. One of the main players, Fatima Sana, was injured and missed the matches. Despite the injury, Sana surprisingly featured in all three T20I matches of the series.The PCB has taken disciplinary action against the players involved in the incident. Naqvi emphasized that their actions were unacceptable and that the Board has appointed a full-time senior rank security police officer to enforce proper timings and ensure the safety of the team.The incident has raised concerns about the discipline and safety of the Pakistan women's cricket team. The PCB is in touch with potential candidates to appoint a new head coach for the team and is also considering hiring a high-profile foreign coach.

Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam's frustration with former pacer Wahab Riaz has become a viral sensation on social media. The incident occurred during a six-hitting challenge between Pakistan's senior men's cricket team and its support staff.Riaz, who is the chief selector of the Pakistan men's cricket team but not part of the support staff, requested Babar to allow him to bat during the contest. However, the skipper visibly displayed his annoyance. Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan's head coach for the recently-concluded New Zealand T20I series, intervened and pushed Riaz away.The video of the incident, shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on April 25, has sparked discussions about the dynamics within the team. Some have speculated that Babar's frustration may stem from Riaz's role as chief selector, while others have suggested that it could be a reflection of the competitive nature of the challenge.Meanwhile, Pakistan's T20I squad has been in impressive form, with skipper Babar Azam leading the charge. In the recently concluded fifth and final T20I against New Zealand, Azam scored a solid half-century (69 off 44 balls), while spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed four wickets (4-30). Pakistan ultimately emerged victorious by nine runs, squaring the series at 2-2.The series provided both teams with valuable preparation for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, which will be held in the United States and the West Indies in June. While Pakistan may be disappointed not to have secured a series win against a depleted New Zealand side, the visitors gained confidence from their bench strength.

Pakistan Appoints Jason Gillespie as Test Coach, Gary Kirsten as White-Ball CoachPakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie as the new Test coach and former South African batter Gary Kirsten as the white-ball coach. Azhar Mahmood, who served as the interim assistant coach for the New Zealand series, will continue in that role across all formats.The position of head coach had been vacant since Grant Bradburn, who succeeded Saqlain Mushtaq last year, resigned in January to join Glamorgan as head coach. The PCB had considered several high-profile candidates, including Shane Watson, but he withdrew from the running.Gillespie, 52, is a highly respected figure in the cricketing world. He played 71 Tests and 97 ODIs for Australia, taking 408 and 142 wickets respectively. After retiring from playing, he coached Yorkshire and Sussex in England, and most recently served as the head coach of the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.Kirsten, 55, is another renowned coach. He led India to the 2011 Cricket World Cup title and South Africa to the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He has also coached the Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.The appointments of Gillespie and Kirsten are seen as a significant step forward for Pakistan cricket. The team has struggled in recent years, but the new coaches are expected to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to help them improve their performances.PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja expressed his confidence in the new coaching team. "We are delighted to welcome Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten to the Pakistan cricket family," he said. "They are both world-class coaches with a proven track record of success. We believe they will help our team reach new heights."Gillespie and Kirsten are expected to join the Pakistan team in time for their upcoming Test series against England, which begins on July 16.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the national team will embark on a tour of New Zealand in 2025, featuring three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). This will be the sixth series between the two nations since 2023.The tour was finalized during a meeting between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO Scott Weenink in Lahore. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ongoing five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand.It was agreed in principle that the tour will take place after the 2025 Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is scheduled to host. The meeting was also attended by PCB COO Salman Naseer and Director International Cricket Usman Wahla.As per the existing ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), New Zealand is also scheduled to tour Pakistan for a tri-nation series before the Champions Trophy.New Zealand visited Pakistan twice in 2022/23 for a Test and white-ball series, while Pakistan toured New Zealand in January 2023 for a five-match T20I series.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the country's interior minister, requested the NZC official to convey the secure environment in Pakistan for international cricket to other ICC members."The PCB chief spoke in reference to Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy early next year and the need for all participating nations to play in Pakistan without any concerns at all," a source said.The PCB is keen to showcase Pakistan's ability to host major international cricket events, and the upcoming Champions Trophy will be a significant opportunity to do so. The board is confident that the tour by New Zealand will further enhance the country's reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for cricket.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has strongly criticized the team management's decision to experiment with the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup. Pakistan's recent 4-run defeat to New Zealand in the fourth T20I has raised concerns about the team's preparation for the upcoming global tournament.Raja questioned the logic behind experimenting with the team so close to the World Cup. He argued that such experiments could lead to a loss of confidence and disrupt the team's rhythm. "Where is it written that when you are trying to test your bench strength it is necessary to lose?" Raja asked. "I can't understand what you are trying to do."Raja also criticized the team's captaincy changes and batting order adjustments, which he believes have destabilized the team. He pointed out that Pakistan's white-ball team was performing well before these changes were made.The former cricketer expressed concern about the number of people involved in the team's decision-making process. "Too many cooks in the dugout and a lot of people are trying to be experts," Raja said. "There is massive confusion."Raja emphasized the importance of building a competitive team and focusing on winning. He warned that if Pakistan continues to experiment and lose matches, it will negatively impact their mindset going into the World Cup."You need to make a combination that makes you competitive," Raja said. "You can't lose matches by experimenting based on talent. You can experiment all you want but you can't lose matches against this New Zealand team."Pakistan will face England in a four-match T20I series after the conclusion of the New Zealand series. Raja believes that if Pakistan loses that series as well, it will be a major setback for their World Cup preparations."If you lose the England series, in what frame of mind will you go in New York to defeat India?" Raja asked. "Your body of work is defeat. Pakistan needs to focus on victory."

Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has sparked a debate by questioning the reliance on star openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to carry the entire team's batting burden. Hafeez, who served as Pakistan's team director in 2020, believes that the team needs a more balanced batting lineup.During his tenure, Hafeez made a controversial decision to break up the Azam-Rizwan opening partnership, replacing Rizwan with Saim Ayub and dropping Azam to the number three spot. He argued that this change was necessary to spread the responsibility and create a more dynamic batting order."Babar and Rizwan are great players, but they do not represent the whole Pakistan team," Hafeez said. "They cannot take the whole responsibility of the team upon their shoulders. I felt Saim Ayub as an opener was a solution for us."Hafeez explained that Azam has been batting at number three for several years and that moving him down the order would not significantly impact his performance. He also praised Ayub's potential as an opener, despite his early failures."Saim must play as an opener in the T20 World Cup 2024 despite early failures," Hafeez said. "He has the talent and the ability to succeed at the highest level."Hafeez's comments come as Pakistan struggles in their ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. After winning the second match, Pakistan has lost two consecutive games, giving New Zealand an unassailable 2-1 lead.The team's batting has been inconsistent, with Azam and Rizwan failing to replicate their usual dominance. Hafeez's suggestion to diversify the batting lineup could be a potential solution to Pakistan's current struggles.

West Indies emerged victorious in a nail-biting one-run triumph over Pakistan in the inaugural women's T20I encounter in Karachi. The visitors, batting first, posted a modest 122 runs, thanks to a disciplined bowling performance from Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal.However, West Indies' bowlers responded with equal determination, restricting Pakistan's chase and turning it into a tense affair that went down to the wire. In the end, it came down to two runs off the final delivery, but Shamilia Connell's accurate bowling and Shemaine Campbelle's swift run-out sealed the victory for the Caribbean side.Pakistan's bowlers started strongly, with Iqbal dismissing Hayley Matthews for a duck on the second ball. Diana Baig then trapped Campbelle behind, leaving West Indies reeling at 14 for two. Qiana Joseph and Stafanie Taylor steadied the innings, but Pakistan's bowlers kept them in check.Chedean Nation and Chinelle Henry provided valuable cameos, helping West Indies reach a run-a-ball mark. However, Pakistan maintained a slight edge at the halfway point.Pakistan's chase began promisingly, with Sidra Ameen's aggressive 23 putting them ahead of the required run rate. But the loss of Ameen and Gull Feroza in quick succession brought West Indies back into the game. Karishma Ramharack's dismissal of Ayesha Zafar further boosted West Indies' hopes.Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof's 24-ball 27 gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope, but West Indies' bowlers held their nerve. The final over proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions, with Najiha Alvi's exquisite cover drive for four bringing Pakistan within touching distance of victory. However, Connell's dot ball and Campbelle's run-out ensured West Indies' triumph.

Warwickshire has bolstered its squad with the acquisition of Pakistani all-rounder Aamer Jamal on a multi-format contract until the end of July. Jamal's signing comes amidst his omission from Pakistan's ongoing T20I series against New Zealand.Jamal made a remarkable debut in Test cricket, claiming 18 wickets in three matches against Australia late last year. He has also featured in six T20Is for Pakistan. Despite attending a training camp at the Pakistan Military Academy earlier this month, he was not selected for the T20 World Cup squad.Warwickshire's performance director, Gavin Larsen, expressed excitement about Jamal's arrival, stating that he is eager to make an immediate impact. Coach Mark Robinson will make a late decision on Jamal's inclusion in the team for their County Championship match against Nottinghamshire on Friday.Larsen praised Jamal's impressive performance in Australia, highlighting his pace, bounce, and combative approach. He believes Jamal could have been a strong contender for the player of the series award, which was ultimately given to Pat Cummins.Jamal joins fellow Pakistani Hasan Ali in Warwickshire's squad. Ali was also left out of the New Zealand series and will fill one of the team's two permitted overseas spots until the end of July. His contract includes an option to extend into September.Warwickshire will be without T20 captain Moeen Ali for the first half of the Blast due to his expected inclusion in England's provisional T20 World Cup squad. The club has strengthened its T20 bowling attack with the additions of George Garton and Richard Gleeson, although Gleeson's availability for the start of the Blast is uncertain due to his involvement in the IPL playoffs.Elsewhere, Sam Cook will lead Essex for the first time against Durham, while Ollie Pope and Gus Atkinson are included in Surrey's squad to face Hampshire. In Division Two, Rehan Ahmed returns to Leicestershire's squad after a pilgrimage, and Josh Hull makes his comeback from a side strain.

Pakistan's Wahab Riaz Requests Six-Hitting Contest, Coach IntervenesFormer Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz recently made a lighthearted request to current captain Babar Azam, asking to participate in a six-hitting competition before the fourth T20I against New Zealand. The request, captured in a video shared on Pakistan Cricket's official social media account, drew a chuckle from Azam and the team.However, Pakistan's head coach Azhar Mahmood stepped in to remind Riaz that management was not permitted to join the contest. Undeterred, Riaz quipped, "I would've hit bigger sixes."The video highlights the camaraderie between the former and current players of the Pakistan cricket team. Riaz's request, though denied, served as a reminder of his competitive spirit and the close bond he shares with the team.Injury Woes for Pakistan Ahead of Fourth T20IPakistan's preparations for the fourth T20I against New Zealand have been hampered by injuries to wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan and all-rounder Irfan Khan. Both players sustained hamstring injuries during the third match in Rawalpindi.The injuries are a significant blow to Pakistan, who are already without Azam Khan, who was ruled out before the series began due to a muscle tear. Haseebullah Khan, who was called up as a replacement, is expected to take on the wicketkeeping duties for the remaining two matches in Lahore.New Zealand Level Series with Victory in Third T20INew Zealand's second-string team emerged victorious in the third T20I by seven wickets, leveling the five-match series at 1-1. The first match of the series was abandoned after just two balls due to rain, while Pakistan won the second match by seven wickets.The fourth T20I will be played in Lahore on Friday, with the fifth and final match scheduled for Sunday. Pakistan will be looking to regain the lead in the series, while New Zealand will be aiming to secure their first series win in Pakistan since 2003.