Cricket

Darren Gough, the former England fast bowler, has emerged as the frontrunner to become the head coach of Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Gough's appointment as head coach of Qalandars in the Global Super League (GSL), which begins in Guyana on November 26, is seen as a stepping stone towards a permanent role in the PSL.Aaqib Javed, who served as head coach and director of cricket operations for Qalandars for eight years, resigned last month to join the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as a member of the selection committee for the Pakistan men's national team. Qalandars won back-to-back PSL titles in 2022 and 2023 but finished bottom of the table this year.Gough, who retired in 2006 as England's leading ODI wicket-taker, is eager to take on the role. The GSL is seen as an opportunity for him to gain experience before a permanent decision is made.Gough previously served as managing director at his former club, Yorkshire, after being appointed in December 2021 following the racism allegations that rocked the club. He parted ways with Yorkshire in March this year. Before that, he had a stint as England's bowling consultant in 2020.In 2021, Yorkshire launched a partnership with Qalandars aimed at "nurturing talent [by] reducing barriers to entry" following the racism crisis."I'm really excited about this opportunity because I've been fortunate to work with the Qalandars in Lahore on several occasions, assisting with their PDP [player development programme]," Gough said in a statement. "We know that Lahore Qalandars are all about giving young players opportunities they've never had before -developing their skills and shaping them into players who can go on to represent the Qalandars, and hopefully make Pakistan cricket proud."Sameen Rana, co-owner of Qalandars, said Gough's vision aligned "seamlessly with our commitment to player development", referring to the appointment as an embarkation on "a new journey".The GSL will feature five teams: Qalandars, Hampshire Hawks from the T20 Blast, Rangpur Riders from the BPL, Victoria from Australia, and the hosts, Guyana Amazon Warriors. The final will take place on December 7.

In a resounding victory, Stallions crushed Dolphins by a massive 174 runs in Faisalabad, extending Dolphins' losing streak to three consecutive matches. Babar Azam's unbeaten century and Jahandad Khan's early wickets proved decisive in the lopsided encounter.Stallions, electing to bat first, got off to a solid start with Shan Masood and Yasir Khan amassing 76 runs in the opening 13 overs. However, Faheem Ashraf's dismissal of Masood slowed the scoring pace. Yasir soon followed suit, but Babar Azam remained steadfast, anchoring the innings with a composed 104 off 100 deliveries.Babar's partnership with Tayyab Tahir yielded 57 runs, propelling Stallions to 150 in the 30th over. Dolphins employed six bowlers, each claiming a wicket, but Babar remained unyielding. By the 40th over, he had reached a half-century off 65 balls.In the final ten overs, Babar unleashed his power, smashing 54 runs off 35 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes. His blistering knock propelled Stallions to a formidable total of 271 for 7.Dolphins' hopes of breaking their losing streak were quickly dashed by Jahandad Khan's devastating opening spell. With the second ball of the innings, he dismissed Muhammad Hurraira for a duck. In his third over, he trapped Umar Amin lbw, leaving Dolphins reeling at 15 for 2.Sahibzada Farhan and Saud Shakeel briefly threatened with five fours in 20 balls, but Jahandad struck again, removing Shakeel. Haris Rauf then dealt Dolphins a double blow, dismissing Sarfaraz Ahmed and Qasim Akram in quick succession.From 60 for 5, Dolphins' resistance crumbled. The lower middle order offered little resistance against the spin duo of Abrar Ahmed and Mehran Mumtaz, who shared five wickets. Dolphins were eventually bowled out for a paltry 97, handing Stallions a comprehensive 174-run victory.

Pakistan Cricket's Decline: Kevin Pietersen Expresses Shock and ConcernFormer England captain Kevin Pietersen has expressed shock and concern over the recent downturn in performance by the Pakistan cricket team. Pietersen, who played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), highlighted the sharp contrast between the team's current struggles and the promising young talent he witnessed during his time in the league."What happened to cricket in Pakistan? When I played the PSL, the standard of that league was tremendous, the players had a very good work ethic and the youngsters on display were magic. What's happening there?," Pietersen wrote on social media.Pakistan's recent struggles have been evident in their Test series loss to Bangladesh, their elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024 in the initial round, and their poor home Test record since 2022. The team's decline has been compounded by a series of defeats against lower-ranked teams, including Ireland and the USA.Pietersen emphasized that Pakistan has always been a formidable force in cricket, and their current struggles are concerning. He questioned the team's work ethic and the development of young players, suggesting that these factors may be contributing to their poor performance.Pakistan's recent setbacks have raised concerns about the future of cricket in the country. The team's inability to compete with top-ranked teams and their struggles against lower-ranked opponents have raised questions about the team's direction and the effectiveness of their coaching staff.As Pakistan looks to rebuild and regain its former glory, it will need to address the issues that have led to its recent decline. The team will need to improve its work ethic, develop its young players, and find a way to regain its winning mentality.

Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwean all-rounder, has established himself as one of the most talented players in the country's cricketing history. Since his international debut in 2013, Raza has made significant contributions across all formats, including 17 Tests, 142 ODIs, and 91 T20Is.Beyond his international exploits, Raza has also showcased his skills in domestic leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL). His versatility as a batsman and bowler has made him a valuable asset to any team.Recently, Raza's loyalty to Zimbabwe Cricket was questioned on social media. A fan inquired if he had ever considered playing for Pakistan, his country of birth. However, Raza remained steadfast in his commitment to Zimbabwe, expressing his gratitude for the support and investment the board had made in his career."I will only and ever represent Zimbabwe," Raza stated. "They spent time and money on me, and I am only trying to repay their faith. Whatever I achieve will never even get close to repaying it. Zim is mine, and I am theirs fully."In a separate post, Raza revealed his admiration for several international players, including India's Jasprit Bumrah, Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi, and former West Indies all-rounder Sunil Narine. He also named Abdullah Shafiq, Craig Ervine, and Rohit Sharma as his favorite batsmen.Raza's leadership qualities were evident during Zimbabwe's recent T20I series against India, where he captained the team. Despite taking an early lead, Zimbabwe ultimately lost the series 4-1.Statistically, Raza has amassed 1187 runs and 34 wickets in Tests, 4154 runs in ODIs, and 2037 runs in T20Is. In the IPL, he has represented Punjab Kings, scoring 182 runs and taking three wickets in nine matches.Raza's unwavering loyalty to Zimbabwe Cricket, combined with his exceptional talent and leadership abilities, solidifies his status as one of the most respected and influential players in the country's cricketing history.

Pakistan's Cricket Woes: A Tale of Missed OpportunitiesFormer Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has lamented the stark contrast between the cricketing landscapes of India and Pakistan, highlighting the missed opportunities that have hindered Pakistan's progress.Latif's comments stem from India's recent dominance in white-ball cricket, including their undefeated triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. In contrast, Pakistan suffered an early exit in the group stages, exposing the deep-rooted issues plaguing their cricket system.Latif attributed India's success to their strategic approach, which has transformed cricket into a lucrative industry. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a global powerhouse, attracting top players and generating immense revenue. In comparison, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has struggled to evolve, with a limited salary cap and a lack of international appeal."India, just like their film industry, developed a cricket industry. We treat cricket as a hobby that's why we couldn't turn it into a business," Latif said. "PSL is still there from where it had started. The highest salary cap is $1.40 lakh. Why can't they push it further? Why can't we have players like Mitchell Starc or Pat Cummins? Because we don't have the money so there's no business."Latif also emphasized the importance of learning from foreign coaches and investing in grassroots development. India has benefited from the expertise of renowned coaches like John Wright and Gary Kirsten, while Pakistan has often relied on homegrown coaches with limited international experience."It's not that India became a reckoning force in world cricket recently, after the World Cup. Go back to 2007, 2011, 2015. They have gained so much knowledge from the foreign coaches and at the same time, they are working at the grassroots level without being noticed. And then IPL came into play. And now, they have all the best minds with them. They have Ponting with DC, Hussey, and Bravo. But hum kya kar rahe hain," Latif added.Pakistan's recent struggles in major cricket tournaments underscore the need for a comprehensive overhaul of their cricketing infrastructure. Latif's remarks serve as a wake-up call, highlighting the challenges that Pakistan cricket faces in creating a sustainable business model and achieving international success.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to expand to eight teams from 2026, marking a significant milestone in the league's history. This expansion was officially confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a media release, with the upcoming 2025 season being the "last six-team event."The expansion will be the first time new teams have joined the PSL since 2018, when the Multan Sultans were added. The process for selecting the cities that will represent the new teams has yet to begin.The year following the tenth season could bring significant changes to the PSL, as the ten-year lease ownership agreements with franchise owners expire in 2025. All six current owners have the right of first refusal, meaning they can match any offers for their franchises.However, a more contentious issue is the timing of the PSL in relation to the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Champions Trophy will be played in the traditional PSL window in February-March, and with the ILT20 and SA20 also competing for attention, the PCB is seeking a more reliable window.The PCB's preferred solution is to move the PSL to April and May, creating a six-week window from April 7 to May 20 next year. This would directly clash with the IPL, and the PCB aims to make this the PSL's permanent window.Most PSL franchises initially opposed this idea due to concerns about player availability and the potential for the PSL to be overshadowed by the IPL. However, the PCB remains confident that the franchises will eventually agree.To address concerns about player availability, the PCB has offered to tweak player recruitment rules and allow franchises to sign one marquee player independently of the draft. The league's expansion to eight teams would also necessitate a larger window, with the three-month window currently carved out for the IPL providing enough time for a slightly extended PSL.However, this also means that the PSL will likely only have overseas players available who go unselected at the IPL, given the large financial disparity between the two leagues.The PCB is also exploring the possibility of hosting the playoffs and final of PSL 2025 in the UK if the April/May window is finalized. This move would mitigate against the unseasonably hot weather in Lahore in mid-May and also globalize the reach of the PSL.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering a series of significant changes to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) that could reshape the tournament's landscape. These proposals, if approved, would aim to enhance the PSL's competitiveness and global appeal.One of the most notable changes being considered is shifting the league's schedule from its current December-February window to April-May. This move would align the PSL with the Indian Premier League (IPL), the world's most popular T20 league. The PCB believes that this would allow the PSL to "co-exist" with the IPL rather than "compete" with it.Another proposed change is the introduction of a marquee player rule. This would allow franchises to sign a single player outside the salary cap, potentially offering contracts worth over USD300,000. This move is aimed at attracting top international talent to the PSL and increasing its global visibility.The PCB is also considering moving the PSL playoffs to a neutral venue. The United Kingdom is being considered as a potential host, as it would provide a central location for fans from both Pakistan and other countries. This would create a more festive atmosphere and enhance the overall experience for spectators.These proposals are currently in the discussion stage, with a final decision expected to be made at a governing council meeting between the PCB and franchises in May. The PCB is eager to move the PSL away from its current crowded window, which clashes with several other T20 leagues and the international cricket calendar.The proposed changes are part of the PCB's broader strategy to elevate the PSL's status and make it a more competitive and attractive tournament. By aligning with the IPL, attracting top international talent, and creating a more fan-friendly experience, the PCB hopes to establish the PSL as a global cricketing powerhouse.

Mohammed Amir, the Pakistani fast bowler who served a five-year suspension and a four-year international hiatus for his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, has expressed his frustration over the constant criticism he faces from former Pakistani stars.Amir, who was only 19 at the time of the scandal, was banned along with fellow pacer Mohammed Asif and former skipper Salman Butt for deliberately over-stepping at the behest of Butt. All three were briefly jailed in the UK, where fixing is a crime."I have done penance for that big mistake," Amir said. "I was banned from 2010 to 2015 and took retirement from 2020 to 2024. I have lost nine years, but I accept it all as God's will and I have moved on."Amir made a successful return to international cricket in 2017 and was a key player in Pakistan's Champions Trophy triumph over India. However, he retired from all forms of international cricket in 2020 after differences with then-PCB chief Ramiz Raja.Raja and other Pakistani players have been vocal about the Pakistan cricket establishment giving Amir a second chance after his involvement in corruption. Amir has also faced criticism for being brought out of retirement and directly given entry into the Pakistan team without playing domestic cricket."There has been a lot of criticism by some people on me and Imad being selected without playing domestic cricket," Amir said.Amir countered the criticism by pointing out that he and Imad Wasim have regularly played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which he considers a domestic tournament."I ask them what is Pakistan's premier domestic T20 event? The PSL. And both of us (Imad) have played and performed in the PSL besides appearing regularly in other leagues. So what is wrong with selecting us for the T20 format?"Amir emphasized that if the selectors had picked him and Imad for Tests or ODIs, it would have been wrong."I myself have always said players must get experience in domestic first class and other events to be considered for the national team. But in our case, we are only playing T20 cricket and our form and fitness is there for all to see."Amir also revealed that former Test captain Muhammad Hafeez had called him last year to inquire about his willingness to come out of retirement."It was nice of him (he was director of Pakistan team) and he said I could still play for Pakistan, but I told him that given the uncertainty in the cricket board and team, I would prefer to remain out of international cricket."