Cricket

Pakistan cricket legend Zaheer Abbas has expressed his concerns over the decline of the sport in his country, citing the excessive focus on T20 cricket and the influx of money as major contributing factors.Abbas, who played a pivotal role in elevating Pakistan cricket to great heights during his playing days, believes that the proliferation of T20 cricket has created an imbalance in the game. He lamented that players have become overly focused on the shorter format, neglecting the fundamentals of Test cricket."There's too much T20 cricket being played in Pakistan, and because of that, our players have forgotten the essence of Test cricket," Abbas said. "This is why we're not performing well in the longer format."The former Pakistan captain also criticized the growing emphasis on financial gains among modern players. He believes that the pursuit of money has diverted their attention from the game itself."So much money has come into cricket that the players today are only focused on making money, and their attention is diverted from the game itself," Abbas remarked.Abbas also took aim at the leadership within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing them of lacking understanding of the game. He expressed frustration with the cricket administration in the country, which he believes is more concerned with personal interests than with the development of the sport."It is the misfortune of Pakistan cricket that those who run it do not understand cricket," Abbas said. "We took Pakistan cricket to great heights. The world admired our cricket. But today, those in charge are only concerned with their own interests, not with cricket or the players."Despite the challenges facing Pakistan cricket, Abbas remains optimistic about the future. He believes that the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place in Pakistan, could provide a much-needed boost to the sport in the country.Abbas called for smooth cricketing relations between India and Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of the Indian team as a great ambassador of the sport. He expressed hope that India's participation in the Champions Trophy would help revive cricket in Pakistan."The Indian team is a great ambassador of cricket," Abbas said. "If they come and play in Pakistan, it will take cricket forward in our country."

Pakistan cricket has been in a downward spiral, with lackluster performances at the 2023 ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup, as well as their first-ever Test series defeat to Bangladesh on home soil. Former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar blames the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the escalating tension between senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, which he believes has contributed to the team's decline.Nazar believes the PCB should have provided Babar with ample support and time to assert his leadership. He criticized the board for constantly changing the captaincy, which has created instability and uncertainty within the team. He also pointed out that Pakistan has an abundance of talented players, but they are becoming lost within the system.Nazar compared Babar Azam to Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, stating that Kohli is undoubtedly one of the greatest in the history of the game, while Babar still has a long way to go to make a name for himself. He praised Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Kohli, expressing that he could watch them bat for hours.Nazar's comments highlight the need for the PCB to address the mounting issues within Pakistan cricket. The board must provide its captain with the necessary support and stability to lead the team effectively. It must also address the systemic issues that are hindering the development of talented players. Only then can Pakistan cricket regain its former glory.

Former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar has hailed Virat Kohli as one of the greatest cricketers in history, dismissing comparisons between the Indian superstar and Pakistan's Babar Azam. Nazar's comments come amidst Babar's recent resignation as Pakistan's white-ball captain and the ongoing turmoil within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Nazar believes that Babar, despite his impressive batting record, still has a long way to go to match Kohli's legacy. "There is a hell of a difference between the two players," Nazar said. "Virat will be remembered as one of the greatest who has graced the game. Babar has still got to make a name for himself."Nazar also praised India's Rohit Sharma, calling him a joy to watch when in form. "I love to watch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli," he said. "When they are at the peak and playing well, it is fantastic to watch them. You could sit in front of the TV for hours and just watch those two play."Nazar's comments come as the PCB faces criticism for its handling of the Pakistan cricket team. He believes that the board's constant tinkering with the captaincy has contributed to the team's recent struggles. "It is our own doing (the friction between Babar and Shaheen)," Nazar said. "We shouldn't have messed around with the set-up."Nazar urged the PCB to provide more support to its captain, regardless of who it may be. "There was one set captain, we should have given him a longer term and if somebody else had been made a captain, then he should have had a decent go at it. And not been thrown out straight away."The PCB is yet to name a new white-ball captain following Babar's resignation. Pakistan's next assignment is the home Test series against England, which commences on October 7 in Multan.

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood faced an inappropriate question from a journalist during a press conference, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) media manager to intervene. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and criticism faced by the Pakistan team, particularly after their recent 2-0 Test series loss at home to Bangladesh.The journalist's question, which called for "self-reflection" from Masood, was deemed disrespectful by PCB media manager Sami ul Hasan. Hasan firmly warned the journalist, stating, "One final request - in a humble manner - Pakistan's captain is sitting here. You can definitely ask questions, but please show respect."Hasan singled out the journalist, Javed Iqbal, and added, "That's not the appropriate way of asking a Pakistan captain the question that you asked."The incident occurred as Pakistan prepares for an upcoming home series against England. The team has been struggling for form, having not won a Test match at home since March 2022. They have lost home Test series to Australia, England, and Bangladesh during that period.Masood took over the Test captaincy in November 2023 after Babar Azam's resignation. Under his leadership, Pakistan has been whitewashed 3-0 in Australia and 2-0 at home by Bangladesh, winning only one series in Sri Lanka.The PCB's intervention in the press conference highlights the importance of respecting players and officials, even during challenging times. The incident also serves as a reminder of the intense pressure faced by the Pakistan team, who are eager to regain their winning ways.

Pakistan cricket has been embroiled in turmoil following the resignation of national selector Mohammad Yousuf. The team's dismal performance in the T20 World Cup and the PCB's alleged neglect of domestic performers have sparked widespread criticism.The fallout from these issues was evident in the press conference of Iftikhar Ahmed, captain of the Markhors team in the Champions Cup. Visibly upset after his team's defeat, Iftikhar lashed out at a reporter's question about emerging young talent."What has the media observed?" he retorted. "Don't hype someone after just one innings. Let them perform in domestic cricket for 2-3 seasons before talking about their prospects for Pakistan."Iftikhar's outburst highlights the growing frustration among players and fans over the PCB's handling of young talent. Former players like Ahmed Shehzad have repeatedly criticized the board for favoring inconsistent performers over promising youngsters.However, Iftikhar emphasized that youngsters should earn their place in the national team through consistent performances in domestic cricket. "Let a player succeed in all formats in domestic cricket before talking about him," he said.Iftikhar also blamed the media for contributing to the negative atmosphere surrounding Pakistan cricket. "You guys hype someone after one innings and then bring them down to earth," he said.The PCB's decision to overlook domestic performers has raised questions about its commitment to developing the next generation of cricketers. The resignation of Yousuf, a respected former player, further underscores the challenges facing Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan's Selection Committee Undergoes Further Restructuring as Mohammad Yousuf ResignsThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the resignation of Mohammad Yousuf from its restructured selection committee. Yousuf, a former Pakistan captain and batting legend, was one of the five remaining voting members on the committee.In a statement on social media, Yousuf cited "personal reasons" for his decision to step down. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Pakistan team and wished them well in their future endeavors.The PCB thanked Yousuf for his contributions and stated that he had "voluntarily stepped down...to focus on other key responsibilities within the cricket board." Yousuf remains a batting coach at the PCB's National High Performance Centre.Yousuf's departure follows a period of volatility within Pakistan's selection setup. Wahab Riaz was appointed chief selector late last year but was sacked along with Abdul Razzaq after Pakistan's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup in June.The current selection committee, which has no chief selector, now consists of the captains and coaches of the national team, as well as Asad Shafiq and Yousuf. With Yousuf's resignation, Shafiq is the only voting member outside of the captains and coaches remaining on the committee.The committee's next task will be to announce the squad for the remainder of Pakistan's Test series against England. The first Test of the series will begin on October 7 in Multan.

Pakistan's humiliating Test series loss to Bangladesh has sparked outrage among cricket fans and former players alike. Former leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the team, calling them "worse than a mohalla team."Kaneria's criticism stems from Pakistan's dismal performance in the two-match series. Bangladesh dominated the first Test with a resounding 10-wicket victory, while in the second Test, they chased down 185 runs with six wickets in hand. This marked the third-highest successful run chase by a visiting team on Pakistani soil.Kaneria believes the PCB is to blame for the team's poor showing. He highlights the disconnect between the leadership and the performance on the field, stating that "the luxuries of the captain's 'kursi' (chair) and the chairmanship at the PCB spoil minds."Kaneria also questions the decision to replace Sarfaraz Ahmed with Babar Azam as captain. He believes Sarfaraz was a more capable leader and that the current leadership lacks the ability to handle pressure situations."I don't know why Babar Azam was given the leadership responsibility despite Sarfaraz Ahmed's good captaincy," Kaneria said. "Currently, there is no captain material in the Pakistan team. A captain is someone who takes the pressure on his shoulders and carries the team forward with his performance, which both Babar and Shan Masood have failed to do."Kaneria draws a comparison between Pakistan and India, emphasizing that Indian players have consistently stepped up to the plate when required. He praises Rishabh Pant, India's dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, and suggests that he could be a future leader for India, especially in Test cricket."When you look at the current Indian team, everyone takes responsibility and performs when it is needed," Kaneria said. "Shubman (Gill), Rishabh (Pant), (Ravichandran) Ashwin — everyone contributes, and that is why they are a world-class team."Kaneria's criticism reflects the growing frustration among Pakistani cricket fans and experts. The team's recent performances have raised serious concerns about the direction of the team under Babar Azam's leadership. The PCB must take immediate action to address the issues plaguing the team and restore Pakistan's status as a cricketing powerhouse.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come under fire from former cricketer Kamran Akmal for its lack of professionalism, which he believes has contributed to the team's recent struggles. Akmal's criticism comes in the wake of Pakistan's humiliating 2-0 Test series defeat to Bangladesh, a team they had previously dominated.Akmal pointed to the stark contrast between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which he praised for its professionalism and success. He emphasized the importance of a well-structured team, selectors, captain, and coaches, all of which he believes are lacking in Pakistan cricket."PCB should learn from BCCI, their professionalism, their team, selector, captain, and coaches. These are the things that make a team number one and dominate the world. If we were so good, then Pakistan cricket wouldn't be here. It is because of your ego Pakistan cricket is suffering," Akmal said on his YouTube channel.Pakistan's recent Test series defeat against Bangladesh has highlighted the instability that has plagued the team in recent years. Under the captaincy of Babar Azam, Pakistan suffered a disappointing defeat in the Asia Cup final in 2022 and was eliminated from the Super 4 stage in the subsequent edition of the tournament.The team's decline continued in the ODI World Cup 2023, where they were eliminated in the group round. A series of adjustments followed, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking over the captaincy from Babar and Shan Masood leading the Test team.However, Pakistan's struggles persisted, with defeats to Ireland and England in T20Is and a humiliating Test series loss in Australia. The team's poor performance continued in the T20 World Cup, where they lost a thrilling Super Over match against the co-hosts, the USA, and were eventually eliminated from the group round after a defeat to India.In response to the string of disappointments, the PCB has announced a high-level Connection Camp aimed at creating a coherent and distinct vision for the future of the sport. Nine Pakistani cricketers, including Babar, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, will be present at the camp, along with head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has strongly advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against making any captaincy changes, emphasizing the need for players to improve their fundamentals to avoid costly mistakes.Akmal's comments come amidst reports that Babar Azam could be replaced as white-ball captain by Mohammad Rizwan. However, Akmal believes that such a move is unnecessary, especially considering Pakistan's recent struggles in major tournaments."Why they wanted to bring a change now if they did not do that after losing the Asia Cup, ODI World Cup, and T20 World Cup? What difference does it make [by the way]?" Akmal questioned.He pointed out that Pakistan's poor performances in these tournaments were not solely due to Babar's captaincy but rather a reflection of systemic issues within the team."Is it because the captain is not their favorite, and they want one of their choice? Do you think the new captain will bring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, or Mitchell Starc into the team to boost its performance?" Akmal asked.He stressed that the focus should be on improving the team's fundamentals, including batting, bowling, and fielding. "If they do not get their basics right, then such blunders will continue to happen, and replacing captains will make no difference," Akmal said.Akmal also suggested that the entire team, including the captain, coach, and selectors, should reassess their approach and make necessary changes."Everyone should set their direction right and reform their thinking," he said.It is worth noting that Babar had stepped down as captain of all formats after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, he was reinstated as white-ball captain ahead of the 2023 T20 World Cup, replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi.