Cricket

Pakistan's Exclusion of Fakhar Zaman Sparks ControversyPakistan's decision to exclude Fakhar Zaman from its white-ball squads for the upcoming series against Australia and Zimbabwe has drawn widespread criticism. The omission of the explosive opener has raised questions about the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) selection criteria and sparked outrage among fans and experts.Zaman, a key player in Pakistan's ODI and T20I setup, has been a consistent performer. His absence from these crucial tours has left many baffled. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi attributed the decision to both fitness concerns and Zaman's recent controversial social media activity.Naqvi explained that Zaman failed a fitness test and had not yet resolved a show-cause notice issued to him for criticizing the decision to drop former captain Babar Azam from the Test squad. The PCB has made it clear that public criticism of selection decisions will not be tolerated.Zaman's exclusion has overshadowed the announcement of new central contracts, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan retaining top-tier status and Shaheen Afridi demoted to Category B. The omission of Zaman has triggered outrage on social media, with many questioning the PCB's rationale.Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi expressed his disappointment, saying, "Fakhar Zaman is a match-winner. He should have been in the team." Fans have also taken to social media to voice their displeasure, with many calling for Zaman's reinstatement.The PCB's decision has put the spotlight on the importance of fitness and discipline within the Pakistan team. While Zaman's fitness concerns are understandable, his social media activity has also raised questions about his professionalism.The PCB will need to address these issues and ensure that the team is united and focused on the upcoming challenges. The exclusion of Fakhar Zaman has sent shockwaves through Pakistan cricket and will undoubtedly be a talking point in the lead-up to the Australia and Zimbabwe series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the new captain of Pakistan's ODI and T20I teams, marking a significant shift in the nation's cricket leadership. The 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter replaces Babar Azam, who stepped down following a string of disappointing performances in major ICC tournaments.Rizwan's appointment comes after Pakistan's early exits from both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Babar Azam confirmed his resignation from the white-ball formats via social media, citing the need for a fresh start.The PCB has also appointed Salman Ali Agha as the vice-captain of the white-ball team, signaling a move towards a new era of leadership under Rizwan's guidance. Rizwan's experience and leadership skills, honed during his successful tenure as captain of the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), are expected to bring stability to Pakistan's white-ball squads.Rizwan will begin his captaincy journey with Pakistan's upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is. The tour will provide Rizwan with an opportunity to implement his strategies and build a cohesive team.Meanwhile, star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi have been named in the squad for the Australia series but are set to be rested for the Zimbabwe tour later in the year. The PCB is also looking to introduce fresh talent during the Australia series, with Aamer Jamal, Saim Ayub, and Faisal Akram among the rising stars expected to make their mark.Rizwan's appointment as captain is a testament to his leadership abilities and his commitment to Pakistan cricket. With his experience, composure, and tactical acumen, Rizwan is expected to lead Pakistan's white-ball teams to greater heights and restore their status as a formidable force in international cricket.

Pakistan's cricket team is set to welcome back key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia. The trio had been rested for the two-Test series against England.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for the One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) matches in Australia and Zimbabwe, which begin next month. New faces have been included in the squads, while senior players Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan are notable absentees.Fakhar Zaman is under investigation by the PCB for a tweet he posted in support of Babar Azam before the England Tests, which led to his exclusion. The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is expected to announce the new captains for the limited-overs formats at a media conference later today.Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha are anticipated to be named the new white-ball captains. The selectors aim to use the ODIs and T20s in Zimbabwe to evaluate new players.The main players will participate in the three ODIs and T20Is each in Australia. Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem, who were sidelined after the first Test against England, are back for the Australian leg of the tour. They will be rested for the Zimbabwe tour.The Australia tour is scheduled from November 4 to 18. The three-match ODI and T20I series in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will take place from November 24 to December 5.Pakistan is also set to tour South Africa for three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests in December and January.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally announced the revised central contracts for the men's cricket team, nearly four months after they were due. The contracts have undergone significant changes, with several players moving up or down the categories.Shan Masood, who recently led Pakistan to their first Test series win since July 2023, retains his spot in Category B. However, his position is uncertain, as the PCB has stated that his retention is "subject to captaincy." This announcement comes amidst speculation about Masood's future as Test captain after Pakistan lost their first six Tests under his leadership.Babar Azam, despite missing the last two Test matches against England due to poor form, remains in the highest category. Shaheen Afridi, on the other hand, drops down to the second tier, leaving Mohammad Rizwan as the only other A category player.Fakhar Zaman, who has been a regular in the central contracts for the past eight years, has been dropped for the first time. Concerns over his fitness and a deteriorating relationship with the PCB are believed to be the reasons behind his omission.The board issued a show-cause notice to Zaman after he criticized the decision to drop Babar Azam on Twitter. The post remains up, and Zaman has not apologized, with the matter reportedly being handled by his legal team.Imam-ul-Haq, Zaman's long-time ODI opening partner, also misses out on a central contract. There has been a general deflation in categories across the board, with only five players out of 25 in the A or B categories compared to 11 last year.Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, who did not feature in last year's contracts, have made a comeback after their impressive performances against England. Both players have been placed in the C category, with Noman's inclusion subject to fitness.Several new players have been awarded maiden central contracts, including Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Hurraira, Usman Khan, and Irfan Khan. All five players have been placed in the D category.The PCB has maintained the same three-year deal structure for central contracts, giving players their highest pay raises in history and a fixed share of revenue from the PCB's earnings at the ICC. The contracts will be backdated to cover the period starting July 1, 2024, and will run for another 12 months before a revision can be made.

Pakistan's captain, Shan Masood, displayed remarkable leadership and team spirit after their impressive 9-wicket victory over England in the third Test. The triumph secured a 2-1 comeback series win for Pakistan, and Masood's post-match comments highlighted the importance of collective success over individual achievements.When questioned about his own form, Masood expressed frustration at the negative framing of the question. He emphasized that the team's victory was paramount, and that individual statistics were secondary. "The team has won, yet you're still seeing negatives," Masood replied. "You haven't found anything positive."Masood praised the selflessness of the batting unit, explaining how they adjusted their approach to suit the challenging conditions. "We made sacrifices to take 20 wickets," he said. "Our focus on these pitches is to take 20 wickets, even if it affects our scores."Despite scoring a century in the series-opening loss, Masood's scores in the subsequent Tests were lower. However, he remained focused on the team's success. "Your batting unit sets up a good match, and some players might score low," he said. "Rizwan and I adapted, even playing against our natural styles."Masood emphasized that individual performances should be valued from the team's perspective, not individually. "This is a team game," he said. "Individual performances are valued from the team's perspective, not individually."Pakistan's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. Masood's leadership and the team's collective spirit played a crucial role in their success.

Pakistan's remarkable turnaround against England in the recently concluded Test series has been attributed to their ability to neutralize England's aggressive 'Bazball' approach. Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain praised Pakistan's tactical adjustments, particularly their reliance on high-quality spinners.After losing six consecutive Tests, Pakistan made significant changes to their team, dropping underperforming players and introducing spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. These changes proved pivotal as the spinners dominated England's batters, exposing their vulnerability against spin bowling.Hussain highlighted the contrast between Pakistan's spin prowess and England's struggles in this area. "They have spinners of the highest quality and they have players that play spin really well," he said. "It is exposed to England when the ball does spin. When it spins and it is gripping, England does not play spin or bowl spin as good as Pakistan."Hussain also questioned England's ability to adapt to different pitch conditions. "There should be a discrepancy because the pitches have been so different from the first Test to the second and third," he said. "But, the discrepancy in the England side is a concern."In the third Test at Rawalpindi, Pakistan's spinners once again played a crucial role. Sajid and Noman combined for 10 wickets, while Saud Shakeel's century helped Pakistan secure a 77-run lead. England's second innings collapse, where they were bowled out for 112, sealed Pakistan's 2-1 series victory.Shakeel was named 'Player of the Match' for his match-winning century. Hussain's comments underscore the importance of spin bowling in subcontinent conditions and the need for England to improve their ability to play and bowl spin effectively.

Pakistan's seasoned spinner Sajid Khan has become a sensation with his witty response to a question about the "scare" he was giving to England batters in the third Test at Rawalpindi.Khan, along with fellow spinner Noman Ali, wreaked havoc on England's batting lineup, reminiscent of the legendary Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis duo. When asked about this comparison in a post-match press conference, Khan delivered an epic reply."I didn't scare anyone," Khan said with a chuckle. "You guys are saying that I did. God has given me such a look that even if I laugh, people get scared."Khan's humor aside, his partnership with Ali proved decisive in Pakistan's first series win in four attempts. The duo combined for 39 wickets in the second and third Tests, including crucial contributions with the bat.Khan praised Ali as Pakistan's most experienced spinner and declared that he deserved the Man of the Series award alongside him. "Noman bhai is a great mate and has served well," Khan said. "He deserved this award with me."Pakistan's captain, Shan Masood, also expressed his delight at the series victory, which ended his wait for his first as Test captain. "Thankful to God for the series win," Masood said. "There was no pressure as such. I was making a comeback, but there were people who backed me."Khan's return to the side was a major factor in Pakistan's success. He thanked God for the 2-1 series win and expressed gratitude to those who supported him. "I was making a comeback, but there were people who backed me," Khan said.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has come under fire for his insensitive and unprofessional behavior towards Pakistan captain Shan Masood during a live television interview following the team's series triumph over England.In the post-match show, Raja, instead of celebrating the team's hard-fought victory, chose to taunt Masood about Pakistan's recent string of losses. He asked Masood, "How did you achieve six losses in a row?" This question was met with widespread criticism from former cricketers and fans alike.Left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir was particularly vocal in his condemnation of Raja's behavior. "You should celebrate the series win," Amir said. "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."Raja's behavior was seen as particularly inappropriate given that Pakistan's Test series win over England was their first on home soil since 2021. It was also their first series win over England since 2015.Raja's actions have raised questions about his suitability for his role as a commentator. Many have argued that his personal biases and lack of professionalism make him unfit to provide objective analysis of cricket matches.The incident has also highlighted the importance of respecting players and their achievements. Masood and his team had just accomplished a significant victory, and Raja's taunts were a disrespectful and unnecessary way to treat them.

Pakistan's recent Test series against England has been a tale of dramatic twists and turns, with the home side orchestrating a remarkable turnaround after a disastrous start. The key to their resurgence lies in a controversial decision to reuse a heavily spin-friendly pitch from the first Test in Multan, a move that has sparked both praise and criticism.After a humiliating defeat in the first Test, Pakistan's selection panel, led by former fast bowler Aleem Dar, devised a plan to create conditions that would favor their spinners. They consulted with Aaqib Javed, a former coach and current selector, who became the driving force behind the decision to reuse the Multan pitch.Despite objections from captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie, the selectors pressed ahead with their plan. They recalled veteran spinner Sajid Khan and brought in Noman Ali, a left-arm spinner who had been out of the national team for several years.The pitch preparation was meticulous, with giant fans and heaters used to dry out the surface and induce spin. The result was a pitch that resembled a "sheet of glass," according to Dar.The gamble paid off as Sajid and Noman ripped through England's batting lineup, taking 10 wickets between them in the second innings of the second Test. The series turned on a dime, and Pakistan went on to win the third Test in Rawalpindi, where they again prepared a heavily spin-friendly pitch.The decision to reuse the Multan pitch has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised the selectors for their bold move, while others have criticized it as unfair to England. However, the results speak for themselves: Pakistan has won two consecutive Tests and is now level in the series.The turnaround has also highlighted the growing influence of Aaqib Javed, who has emerged as the de facto leader of Pakistan cricket. He has resigned from his role at Lahore Qalandars to focus on his new responsibilities as a selector and coach.Pakistan's success has been built on the individual brilliance of players like Sajid and Noman, but it has also been a team effort. The batters have shown resilience in difficult conditions, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has been outstanding.The series has been played in a positive spirit, with England refraining from complaining about the pitches. However, the controversy surrounding the Multan pitch is likely to continue as the series reaches its conclusion.