Cricket

Pakistan's humiliating Test series defeat to Bangladesh has sparked widespread criticism, with former fast bowler Yasir Arafat launching a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Arafat slammed the PCB for prioritizing one-day matches over red-ball preparation ahead of the crucial Test series against England. He pointed out that Pakistan's bowlers were severely lacking in fitness and technique, and that the team had not played first-class cricket in over a year."This series is ending, and your grey areas have been highlighted," Arafat said. "Fitness issues, technique issues, and pitches. Today I heard Jason Gillespie and the high-performance coach are going back to Australia. You are conducting an ODI tournament. These decisions I don't understand. The PCB is a circus."Arafat's comments come as the PCB considers alternative venues for the Test series against England, with Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) being potential options. The original venue, Karachi National Stadium, is undergoing renovations for next year's Champions Trophy.The PCB's decision to shift the second Test to Rawalpindi was also met with criticism, as the pitch was deemed to be too flat and conducive to high-scoring draws.Pakistan's Test team has now lost four consecutive series, including a 3-0 whitewash against England last year. The team's poor form has put them almost out of contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is implementing stringent fitness tests as a prerequisite for awarding central contracts for the upcoming 12 months. This comprehensive assessment will encompass both current contracted players and potential candidates from international and domestic competitions.The fitness tests will be conducted from September 6 to 8 in Lahore under the supervision of white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, team physiotherapist, and trainer. The players will subsequently depart for Faisalabad to participate in the Champions Cup.According to a reliable source within the PCB, "The fitness tests will play a pivotal role in determining which players secure contracts this year, while performance will also be a key consideration." The source emphasized that both foreign coaches, Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, have prioritized fitness as a primary criterion for player selection.Gillespie expressed concerns regarding the fitness levels of certain players during the recent Test series against Bangladesh, noting their inability to maintain intensity and endurance throughout the matches. Kirsten echoed similar sentiments during meetings with selectors and board officials.The fitness tests will evaluate various aspects of a player's physical capabilities, including gym training, stamina and endurance runs, yo-yo tests, and other assessments.Currently, the PCB has awarded central contracts to approximately 27 players. However, indications suggest that the number may be reduced this time due to the national team's underwhelming performances across all formats in the past year.The recent 2-0 Test series defeat against Bangladesh has drawn significant criticism towards players and board officials, prompting the PCB to implement stricter fitness standards to enhance the team's competitiveness.

Pakistan's recent Test series defeat against Bangladesh has sparked widespread criticism, with former players and fans alike blaming the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its leadership for the team's decline. Ex-wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has singled out former PCB chairmen for their role in the team's struggles.Latif criticized the frequent changes in leadership, questioning the decisions to remove Babar Azam as captain and appoint Shan Masood in his place. He also questioned the appointment of Zaka Ashraf as PCB chairman, accusing him of dividing the team and making poor decisions.Ashraf, in his defense, claimed that the team's unity improved after Babar's removal as captain. However, Latif dismissed this, stating that the team began to disintegrate after Babar's resignation. He also criticized Ashraf for appointing Masood as captain, alleging that it was done to break the team.Latif further criticized the role of former captain and coach Misbah-ul-Haq, who returned to the PCB as an advisor and headed a cricket committee. He questioned Misbah's influence on team selection and captaincy decisions.The victory for Bangladesh, which came after they recovered from a precarious position in the second Test, highlighted the weaknesses in the Pakistani team. Rookie pacers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana combined to take nine wickets and bowl out Pakistan for 172, setting up an easy victory for the visitors.Latif called for accountability and transparency in the PCB, suggesting that the chairman's role should be limited and that they should not have the power to appoint captains or form selection committees. He also criticized the lack of cricket knowledge among PCB officials.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has secured a lucrative deal worth PKR 1 billion with a private bank for the naming rights of the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The five-year agreement will see the stadium, previously named after Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, bear the bank's name.This move follows a similar deal for the National Stadium in Karachi, which is now known as the National Bank Cricket Arena. The PCB has yet to officially announce the Gaddafi Stadium deal, but insiders have confirmed its completion."The deal is for one billion rupees, while the board had sold naming rights for the Karachi stadium for 450 million dollars," said an insider.The initiative to sell naming rights for cricket stadiums in Pakistan began in 2021 under former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja. The deal for the Karachi stadium was completed during his tenure.Now headed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB aims to use the revenue from such deals to manage renovation costs for three main stadiums in the country ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Additionally, Naqvi seeks to increase revenue streams to support domestic cricket, which is expected to benefit Pakistan cricket overall."Naqvi also wants to increase revenue streams to support domestic cricket, which will benefit Pakistan cricket," the source added.The Gaddafi Stadium, built in 1959, is one of the most iconic cricket venues in Pakistan. It has hosted numerous international matches, including the 1996 Cricket World Cup final. The stadium has a capacity of over 27,000 spectators and is known for its lively atmosphere.The naming rights deal is a significant development for the PCB as it seeks to generate additional revenue to support its operations and invest in the development of cricket in Pakistan.

Ahmed Shehzad, a former Pakistani cricketer who was once compared to Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli, has ignited a firestorm in the cricketing world with his scathing criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In a series of tweets, Shehzad announced his withdrawal from the Domestic Cricket Champions Cup and expressed deep frustration with the current state of Pakistan cricket.Shehzad, now 32, accused the PCB of favoritism, false promises, and injustice towards domestic players. He criticized the board for squandering resources on "mentors for doing nothing" and rewarding players who, in his view, have contributed to Pakistan cricket's "all-time low.""In a time when Pakistan is struggling with inflation, poverty, and massive electricity bills, the PCB is wasting 5 million Rs on mentors for doing nothing and rewarding failed players in the current team who brought Pakistan cricket to an All-time Low," Shehzad tweeted.He further added, "As a Pakistani and true cricket lover, I cannot support a system that has no value for merit. I refuse to be a part of this failed setup."Shehzad's outburst came in the wake of Pakistan's humiliating 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, marking Bangladesh's first-ever Test victory over Pakistan on their home soil. Shehzad described the defeat as a "new low" for Pakistan cricket, expressing disbelief over the team's current state."Pakistan cricket has reached a point where today Bangladesh defeated Pakistan on home soil for the first time ever. I have never seen Pakistan cricket sink so low in my life," Shehzad said in a video posted on Twitter.Shehzad argued that the problem lies not with the players but with the PCB's lack of vision and poor selection policies. He suggested that the board's short-term decisions have pushed the team towards a decline similar to that of Pakistan's once-great hockey team."I don't blame the players. The fault lies with the Pakistan Cricket Board," he asserted.Shehzad's comments have sparked a debate about the future of Pakistan cricket and the role of the PCB in its decline. It remains to be seen whether the board will respond to Shehzad's criticism and take steps to address the issues he has raised.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing concerns over the prolonged recovery of young fast bowler Ihsanullah from an elbow injury that has sidelined him for over a year. The 21-year-old's recent behavior has raised questions about his commitment to his rehabilitation program.According to a reliable PCB source, senior officials are frustrated with Ihsanullah's actions, particularly his contradiction of a statement made by his father. Ihsanullah's father had visited Lahore to request that his son continue his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) rather than in his hometown of Swat. He also informed the media that Ihsanullah preferred to continue his rehab at the NCA.However, the next day, Ihsanullah tweeted that he was comfortable with continuing his rehabilitation in Swat and did not see the need to travel to Lahore. This directly contradicted his father's statement."The board officials are worried with the sincerity and hard work Ihsan is putting into his rehab program which was designed for him by experts after he was sent to the UK for an appointment with a specialist," the source said.The PCB had appointed an independent medical panel to review Ihsanullah's diagnosis and treatment. The panel recommended that he continue his rehab in Swat under the supervision of an assigned trainer.However, with fitness tests approaching before the Champions Cup domestic event, there are growing concerns about whether Ihsanullah is taking his rehab process seriously.Ihsanullah emerged as a promising talent for Pakistan during last year's Pakistan Super League. He was quickly integrated into the national white-ball squad for T20 and ODI matches before suffering his elbow injury.The handling of Ihsanullah's injury also led to the resignation of the PCB's head of the medical panel, Dr. Sohail Saleem.

Pakistan's humiliating defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test has ignited a firestorm of criticism, prompting former cricketer Basit Ali to urge the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to emulate India's domestic system. Ali lamented the PCB's decision to host a One-Day tournament after the Bangladesh Tests, emphasizing the need for a stronger focus on red-ball cricket."Pakistan has copied systems from England, Australia, and New Zealand in the past, but right now, they should look at India and try to mimic their domestic system," Ali said. "India is right next to us, please copy their system too. You need intelligence in copying as well. Just copy what India is doing. The Duleep Trophy is about to begin. Is it a T20 or One-Day tournament? It is a four-day tournament. They are focused on making their base stronger, which is why they are so successful."In response to the criticism, the PCB has recalled Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam to the Test squad for the second Test against Bangladesh. Both players had been released from the squad for the first Test but have since impressed in a four-day match for Pakistan Shaheens against Bangladesh 'A'.Abrar, a leg-spinner, is expected to provide Pakistan with additional spin options, while Kamran, a middle-order batsman, brings depth and stability to the batting lineup. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's spearhead fast bowler, has also rejoined the squad after being released at the conclusion of the first Test.The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 30 to September 3. Pakistan will be desperate to level the series and avoid a humiliating defeat to their neighbors.

Pakistan's cricket team has come under intense scrutiny after suffering a humiliating 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test of their two-match series. This marks Pakistan's first-ever loss to Bangladesh in the longest format of the game.The defeat has reignited concerns about the team's performance, which has been plagued by poor decision-making and questionable team selection. Pakistan has undergone significant changes since their disappointing performances in the ODI and T20 World Cups, but these changes have yet to yield positive results.Former England captain Kevin Pietersen expressed shock at Pakistan's dismal display, questioning the current state of cricket in the country. He praised the high standard of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) but wondered what had gone wrong since then.Ahmad Shehzad, a former Pakistan star who was overlooked for the Test series, also criticized the team's performance, calling it an "all-time low." He blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the team's struggles, accusing them of favoring established players over domestic talent.Shehzad questioned the PCB's decision-making, arguing that they have failed to develop a strong domestic system that can produce players capable of replacing the current underperforming squad. He believes that the PCB's short-term decisions have contributed to the team's decline.Pakistan's batting, bowling, and fielding have all been criticized for their poor performance in the first Test. The team's inability to adapt to the conditions and execute their plans effectively has raised concerns about their preparation and tactical awareness.The defeat to Bangladesh has dealt a major blow to Pakistan's confidence and has put the team under immense pressure. They will need to regroup and find a way to bounce back in the second Test if they want to avoid a series defeat and further damage to their reputation.

Pakistan's humiliating 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Rawalpindi has sparked outrage among fans and former players alike. Ahmad Shahzad, a veteran Pakistani cricketer, has taken to social media to criticize Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his handling of the team.Shahzad questioned Naqvi's understanding of cricket and expressed disappointment with his leadership decisions. He highlighted Pakistan's historic first-ever Test defeat to Bangladesh as a testament to Naqvi's ineffectiveness."This is what happens if you don't make changes in time. You got scared and you did not make decisions," Shahzad tweeted.Shahzad continued his criticism by questioning Naqvi's effectiveness since assuming the role of PCB chairman earlier this year. "I was told that Mohsin Naqvi was a brave, resolute, and shrewd man with extreme power when he became the PCB chief. It was being said that if anyone could change the PCB, it would be Naqvi. But we have not seen it yet, and whatever he has done so far, this much is clear that Mohsin Naqvi has absolutely no idea about cricket," Shahzad wrote.Naqvi took over the PCB with promises of significant changes following Pakistan's disappointing performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, especially after their loss to India. However, Shahzad pointed out that Naqvi's promises of reform have not materialized."When you lost to India in the T20 World Cup 2024, to keep people quiet, you said that you will do a surgery on Pakistan cricket. But you failed to do it. You lied to people just like others in the past. What did you think? That you would buy time? That after you beat Bangladesh in the Test series, people will go a little quiet and then you will implement your changes, but that did not happen," he said.The defeat has increased scrutiny on Pakistan's cricket setup, as they have now lost four consecutive Test matches, including a 3-0 series whitewash against Australia earlier this year. Their last home Test win was against South Africa in early 2021. These ongoing struggles have led to growing frustration among fans and commentators, questioning the direction of the team under current management.Shahzad also criticized the enduring influence of certain individuals within Pakistan cricket, suggesting a stagnation in the sport's governance. "The people that have been running Pakistan cricket for the last 12-15 years, they are still calling the shots. It has culminated in Bangladesh beating Pakistan for the first time in a Test match. I have never seen this in my life," he remarked.