Cricket

Legendary Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram has revealed a sensational claim that South African all-rounder David Miller postponed his wedding to play the final three matches of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024 for Fortune Barishal. Akram stated that Miller was offered a hefty sum of $150,000 (approximately Rs 1.24 crore) to participate in the crucial matches, which ultimately led Barishal to their maiden BPL title.Miller, who recently tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend Camilla Harris in a lavish ceremony in Cape Town, reportedly made the decision to prioritize his professional commitments over his personal life. Akram disclosed this information during A Sports' 'The Pavillion' show on March 12, following a match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL)."I just found out today because we were discussing who won the BPL as we were not following because of the PSL. David Miller was offered $150,000 to play three matches. He postponed his wedding," Akram said.Akram's revelation has sparked a buzz in the cricketing world, highlighting the financial incentives and sacrifices that players make to excel in their careers. Miller's decision to delay his wedding for the sake of his team's success is a testament to his dedication and commitment to the sport.In a separate incident, Akram criticized Pakistan batter Abdullah Shafique for his muted celebration after taking a catch to dismiss Imad Wasim during the PSL 2024 match between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United. Shafique's gesture, which involved putting his finger over his mouth, was interpreted by Akram as an attempt to silence his critics."No doubt, great catch but who is responsible for dropping 36 catches in Australia's Test series? Who will answer for that? Abdullah should work in drama industry rather than cricket," Akram said on A Sports.Akram's comments reflect his belief that players should focus on their performances rather than engaging in unnecessary theatrics. He emphasized the importance of accountability and responsibility in the game of cricket.Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering foreign coaches from the PSL to potentially lead the national team until next year's ICC Champions Trophy. With time running out and limited options available, the PCB is exploring the possibility of appointing a foreign coach to guide the team in the upcoming tournaments.

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has joined the chorus of criticism against Lahore Qalandars skipper Shaheen Afridi's decision to promote himself to No. 5 in the batting order during Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches.Inzamam's criticism comes after Afridi's quickfire half-century off 28 balls against Quetta Gladiators on Sunday. However, the former captain expressed concern that Afridi and Abdullah Shafique had used up too many deliveries, preventing the team from posting a higher total."This partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Shaheen Afridi... if you look at the scorecard, then it looks very impressive, scoring 55 off 34 balls and the other scoring 59 off 39 balls. But the scorecard doesn't do justice to it. They played all the overs - almost 14 - and all you could take the total to was 167, whereas it should have been 200-plus," Inzamam said.Inzamam also questioned Afridi's decision to bat at No. 5, arguing that it was not beneficial for the team, especially when there were specialist hitters like David Wiese and Sikandar Raza available."Shaheen coming in to bat at No. 5 but scoring at that pace is not good for the team. When you have specialists such as David Wiese and Sikandar Raza, the score could have been better," Inzamam said.Afridi's decision to bat at No. 5 has also drawn criticism from legendary Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram. After Afridi's dismissal for only 1 against Karachi Kings, Akram said that Afridi needed to be told that he had not yet become an all-rounder."Shaheen scored 1 off 3, while Raza scored 22 off 16 & Wiese 24 off 9. They took the score to 177. It's not mandatory that if you are captain you have to come out to bat. Observe the situation & whether there are better players & hitters in the dugout. If Shaheen had done that maybe they would have made 190," Akram said.

Shaheen Afridi and Wasim Akram: A Tale of Two LegendsThe Pakistan cricket fraternity has been abuzz with a captivating narrative involving two legendary figures: Shaheen Afridi and Wasim Akram. The saga began when Akram, a former Pakistan captain and one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, criticized Afridi's batting prowess after the latter promoted himself up the order in a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match.Akram's comments, which suggested that Afridi should focus on his bowling rather than batting, sparked a response from the young pacer. In the following match, Afridi struck a blistering 34-ball 55, batting at number 5, and celebrated with a pointed "shut up" gesture, widely interpreted as a retort to Akram's criticism.The drama continued as Akram further criticized Afridi's bowling in the death overs, highlighting his inability to execute effective yorkers and slower cutters. Akram emphasized that batsmen have become accustomed to Afridi's tactics and are now better prepared to counter them.Afridi's struggles in the death overs were evident in a crucial match against the Quetta Gladiators, where he conceded a last-ball six that resulted in a six-wicket defeat for his team. Akram's analysis of Afridi's bowling technique and his suggestion that the young pacer needs to adapt to the evolving game have sparked a debate among cricket experts and fans alike.While some have defended Afridi, arguing that he is still a young player with immense potential, others have echoed Akram's concerns, emphasizing the importance of versatility and adaptability in modern cricket. The ongoing narrative between Afridi and Akram has become a fascinating subplot in the PSL, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has identified former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson as a potential candidate for the head coaching role of the men's national team. The PCB is seeking a permanent head coach ahead of New Zealand's white-ball tour of Pakistan in April.Watson, currently the coach of the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), has overseen a remarkable turnaround for the franchise, leading them to their first playoff qualification in five years. His impressive performance and interpersonal skills have caught the attention of the PCB.However, Watson is not the only candidate under consideration. Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy, who has a strong relationship with Pakistan cricket, is also a desired option. Sammy is currently the limited-overs coach of West Indies and the head coach of Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL.The PCB is keen to secure a head coach who can commit to a long-term role, unlike Mohammad Hafeez, who was appointed on a temporary basis for tours of Australia and New Zealand. The board is willing to offer a flexible role that allows the head coach to balance other commitments, as was the case with Mickey Arthur, who juggled his role with Derbyshire in the English county season.The appointment of coaches in Pakistan has been affected by administrative instability. Former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf removed Arthur and Bradburn after a disappointing World Cup, despite their successful tenure. The PCB is now seeking to appoint a head coach who can provide stability and long-term success for the national team.

Legendary Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has criticized Abdullah Shafique for his muted celebration after taking a catch to dismiss Imad Wasim in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United. Shafique's celebration, which involved putting his finger over his mouth, was interpreted by Akram as a gesture of silencing his critics.Akram expressed his displeasure with Shafique's celebration, stating that he should "work in the drama industry rather than cricket." He questioned Shafique's responsibility for dropping 36 catches in Australia's Test series and suggested that he should focus on his fielding rather than making unnecessary gestures.Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering appointing a foreign coach for the national team, with Shane Watson, Mike Hesson, and Phil Simmons being potential candidates. The PCB has held initial talks with these coaches to gauge their interest in coaching Pakistan until next year's ICC Champions Trophy.PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has expressed his preference for a foreign coaching staff, but the board's reputation for dealing with foreign coaches has raised concerns. High-profile coaches are wary of taking up contracts with Pakistan due to previous instances of abrupt dismissals and contract disputes.The PCB's poor track record in handling coaching staff has made it difficult to attract top coaches, who now prefer contracts with franchises in various leagues around the world. The board's decision to appoint a foreign coach will depend on the availability and interest of potential candidates, as well as the PCB's ability to address concerns regarding contract stability and respect for coaching staff.

Pakistan's cricket team is set to embark on an intensive 10-day training camp in collaboration with the Pakistan Army from March 25 to April 8. The camp, announced by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, aims to enhance the players' fitness and prepare them for upcoming international commitments.Naqvi expressed concerns about the team's fitness levels, particularly their lack of six-hitting ability. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive training plan to improve their physical capabilities. The camp will be held at the Kakul military academy, where the players will undergo rigorous training under the guidance of the Pakistan Army.The timing of the camp has raised concerns among players, as it falls during the holy month of Ramzan, when fasting from sunrise to sunset can impact physical performance. However, Naqvi believes the camp is essential to address the team's fitness issues.Naqvi also addressed the ongoing debate over players prioritizing T20 leagues over national commitments. He urged the players to prioritize Pakistan first, citing his own experience as caretaker chief minister of Punjab, where he made financial sacrifices to serve the country.The PCB is currently in the process of appointing a new coaching setup for the national team. Naqvi assured the players that the board is exploring all available options and will spare no expense in securing the best possible coaches.The camp is expected to be a crucial step in Pakistan's preparations for upcoming challenges, including tours of New Zealand, Ireland, and England, as well as the T20 World Cup. The collaboration with the Pakistan Army is a testament to the board's commitment to providing the team with the best possible training and support.

Pakistan Cricket Expert Slams Comparisons Between Babar Azam and Sachin TendulkarPakistan YouTuber and cricket expert Wasay Habib has vehemently denounced comparisons between Babar Azam and legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. During an analysis on GTV News, Habib expressed his disbelief at the notion of comparing the two players."First [comparison of Babar Azam with] Virat Kohli, then Shubman Gill, and now you have jumped to Sachin Tendulkar! Have you seen Sachin play? Khuda ka khauf kare (Have the fear of God please). Please don't ask me such a question; I am a passionate cricket fan. Who are these people asking such questions? How is Babar and Tendulkar comparisons even possible?" Habib exclaimed in a viral clip.Habib's outburst stems from the recent trend of comparing Azam, Pakistan's current captain, to some of the greatest cricketers of all time. Earlier, legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram had mentioned Brian Lara and Tendulkar while discussing Azam's batting prowess."Babar is a very good player. He is among the three best batters in the world right now and he plays proper cricketing shots. Had he been a pinch hitter, then the bowler would know that he has a chance to get him out," Akram said.However, Habib believes that such comparisons are premature and disrespectful to Tendulkar's legacy. "Sachin Tendulkar is a legend. He has achieved so much in his career. Babar Azam is still a young player. He has a long way to go before he can be compared to someone like Tendulkar," Habib argued.Habib's comments have sparked a debate among cricket fans, with some agreeing with his stance and others believing that Azam has the potential to reach the same heights as Tendulkar. Regardless of the differing opinions, it is clear that Azam has established himself as one of the most talented batsmen in the world and has the potential to become a legend in his own right.

Mohammad Hafeez's removal as Pakistan's Team Director has sparked controversy, with former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for unfairly targeting former players.Hafeez was dismissed last month following Pakistan's poor performances in the T20 International series against New Zealand and the Test series in Australia. However, Inzamam questioned why Wahab Riaz, the chief selector, was not held accountable for the team's failures."Can someone explain the reasoning behind removing Muhammad Hafeez as team director but retaining Wahab Riaz as chief selector after the Australian and New Zealand tours?" Inzamam said on a TV show. "Weren't both appointed at the same time and given the same responsibilities?"Inzamam also urged the PCB to show more respect to former players. He recalled an incident during his tenure as chief selector when he was allegedly disrespected by former PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf."The PCB Chairman no doubt is a highly respectable position, but don't former captains and stalwarts deserve the same amount of respect from the top board officials?" Inzamam said.Inzamam also criticized the PCB for not releasing the findings of the inquiry committee that investigated his alleged conflict of interest."Pakistan cricket cannot be run in this manner," he said. "It is time the board officials also accepted responsibility for their actions."Inzamam added that he had never wanted to take over as chief selector before the Asia Cup last year, as the previous selection committee had already picked the squad.

New Zealand Cricket Security Delegation Inspects Pakistan Ahead of T20 SeriesA security delegation from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has arrived in Pakistan to assess the security arrangements for the upcoming T20 series between the two nations in April. The delegation, comprising two NZC officials and an independent security expert, will visit Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad to inspect match venues, team hotels, and receive briefings from government and security officials.The five-match T20 series is scheduled to take place in Lahore and Rawalpindi from April 18 to 25. The New Zealand team is expected to arrive on April 14, but may be depleted by the absence of key players due to the Indian Premier League (IPL) taking place concurrently.The security delegation's visit is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of the New Zealand team during their tour of Pakistan. In September 2021, the New Zealand team abruptly returned home without playing a match after their government received credible threat information.The delegation's assessment will focus on evaluating the security measures in place, including venue security, transportation arrangements, and the overall security environment in Pakistan. They will also meet with local authorities and security personnel to discuss the security plan for the visiting team.The New Zealand Players Association CEO is also part of the delegation, highlighting the importance of player safety and well-being. The delegation's findings will be used to determine the level of security required for the New Zealand team during their tour.The successful completion of the security delegation's visit will pave the way for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan, which has been affected by security concerns in recent years. The T20 series between New Zealand and Pakistan is a significant step towards restoring Pakistan's status as a safe destination for international sports events.