Cricket

Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Afridi's captaincy has come under scrutiny following Lahore Qalandars' dismal performance in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). After leading the franchise to consecutive titles in the previous two seasons, Shaheen has failed to inspire his team this year. Lahore Qalandars have won only one match and are languishing at the bottom of the points table.According to Cricket Pakistan, Shaheen is likely to lose his position as captain of Pakistan's T20 team. The report suggests that Shaheen, at 23 years old, is too young to handle the responsibility. "PCB's new chairman Mohsin Naqvi has been receiving suggestions for a change in captaincy. Some believe that 23-year-old Shaheen is too young for this responsibility and needs more maturity," the report states.Pakistan is scheduled to face New Zealand in a T20 series next month, and the decision on Shaheen's future as captain will be made by Naqvi before then, with the upcoming T20 World Cup in mind. However, some board members believe that changing the leadership close to the World Cup could negatively impact the team's performance.Mohammad Rizwan is a potential candidate to replace Shaheen as captain, with former skipper Babar Azam also in contention. Shaheen took over as Pakistan's T20 captain after Babar stepped down following the ODI World Cup last year. Babar had relinquished his role after Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.Shaheen led Pakistan in a five-match series in New Zealand earlier this year, but the visitors lost the series 1-4. Meanwhile, Rizwan and Babar will aim to guide their respective PSL franchises to the title. Rizwan's Multan Sultans finished the group stage at the top of the table, while Babar's Peshawar Zalmi also qualified for the playoffs. Babar is the leading scorer in the tournament with 498 runs in nine matches.

Shoaib Malik's Disappointing Outing in PSL Match Draws Attention to Wife Sana Javed's ReactionAmidst the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik faced a disappointing outing during his side Karachi Kings' clash against Peshawar Zalmi on Monday. In a thrilling match that Karachi narrowly lost by 2 runs, Malik managed a mere 22 runs off 25 balls before being dismissed by Naveen-ul-Haq in the 17th over of the chase.Malik's dismissal sent shockwaves through the stadium and social media, as his wife Sana Javed's stunned reaction became a focal point. A dejected look washed over her face as she covered her eyes, while Malik made his way back to the pavilion.The incident sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many expressing sympathy for Malik and admiration for Javed's unwavering support. The couple's marriage in January 2023, following Malik's divorce from Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, had been widely publicized.Javed's previous marriage to Pakistani actor, singer-songwriter, and music producer Umar Jaswal ended in divorce in 2023. Malik's marriage to Javed marks his third, after his previous unions with Ayesha Siddiqui and Mirza.Malik's disappointing performance in the PSL match has raised questions about his form and future in the tournament. The 41-year-old all-rounder has been a key figure in Pakistan's cricket team for over two decades, but his recent outings have been less than impressive.Despite the setback, Malik remains a respected figure in the cricketing world. His experience and leadership qualities could still prove valuable to the Karachi Kings as they navigate the remainder of the PSL season.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken disciplinary action against Islamabad United pacer Naseem Shah and Multan Sultans for breaches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Code of Conduct.Naseem Shah was fined 10% of his match fee for kicking the stumps after the final ball of Multan Sultans' innings during their match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. The charge was imposed under Article 2.2, which deals with abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings. Naseem pleaded guilty to the charge and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Roshan Mahanama.Multan Sultans were also fined for maintaining a slow over rate during the match. Each player in the team was fined 10% of their match fees as they were ruled to be one over short of their target.In a separate incident, Lahore Qalandars all-rounder Sikandar Raza was fined 10% of his match fee for showing dissent at the umpire's decision during their clash against Quetta Gladiators. Raza raised his arms, shook his head, and gestured that the delivery should have been called a wide ball on three different occasions, violating Article 2.8 of the PSL Code of Conduct.The PCB has emphasized the importance of adhering to the Code of Conduct and maintaining sportsmanship on the field. These disciplinary actions serve as a reminder to players and teams to respect the rules and regulations of the game.

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.

Quetta Gladiators secured a playoff berth in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after a thrilling six-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars on Sunday. The win marked the Gladiators' first playoff appearance in four years.Mohammad Wasim played the hero for Quetta, smashing a last-ball six off Shaheen Shah Afridi to seal the victory. The left-arm pacer had earlier bowled a superb spell, taking 2 for 30 and putting pressure on the Gladiators' chase.Saud Shakeel anchored the Gladiators' innings with an unbeaten 88 off 65 balls. The opener hit two boundaries off Afridi in the final over before Wasim's match-winning six. Khawaja Nafay also contributed with a valuable 26.Earlier, Lahore Qalandars chose to bat first and posted 166 for 4. Afridi, who promoted himself to No. 5, top-scored with 55 off 33 balls, including four sixes. Abdullah Shafique provided solid support with an unbeaten 59 off 39 deliveries.The Gladiators' victory leaves the Qalandars with only one win in ten league games, a disappointing end to their title defense. Quetta, meanwhile, has 11 points and could still finish among the top two if they beat Multan Sultans in their final league game on Tuesday.

Islamabad United's relentless pursuit of a playoff berth culminated in a thrilling three-wicket victory over league leaders Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The two-time champions showcased their resilience and firepower in a high-scoring encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats.Colin Munro, the New Zealand opener, set the tone for Islamabad's chase with a blistering 84 off just 40 deliveries. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he dispatched the Multan bowlers to all corners of the ground. Captain Shadab Khan provided able support, contributing a valuable 54 off 31 balls.The duo's 141-run partnership laid the foundation for Islamabad's victory. However, the Sultans fought back valiantly, with Usman Khan leading the charge with an unbeaten century. The left-hander struck 15 fours and three sixes in his 50-ball knock, anchoring Multan's innings and setting a formidable target of 228 for 7.Despite the early loss of Alex Hales and Agha Salman, Munro and Shadab kept Islamabad's hopes alive. Their aggressive approach put pressure on the Sultans' bowlers, who struggled to contain the onslaught. Imad Wasim's unbeaten 30 in the latter stages of the chase proved crucial, as Islamabad reached the target with three wickets to spare.The victory propelled Islamabad United into the playoffs, where they will face the Karachi Kings in the first eliminator. Multan Sultans, despite the loss, remain atop the standings with 12 points and a game in hand.

Karachi Kings Snatch Thrilling Victory Over Lahore Qalandars in PSLIn a nail-biting encounter at the National Stadium in Karachi, the Karachi Kings emerged victorious over the Lahore Qalandars by three wickets in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday. The win keeps Karachi's playoff hopes alive, while Lahore's elimination was confirmed.Chasing a challenging target of 178, Karachi's openers James Vince (42) and Tim Seifert (36) provided a solid start with a 59-run partnership. However, Lahore fought back with the wickets of Kieron Pollard (3) and Seifert, who was run out due to a misunderstanding with Shoaib Malik.Irfan Khan's quickfire 35 off 16 balls kept Karachi in the hunt, but Shaheen Shah Afridi's dismissal of Khan in the penultimate over left the Kings needing three runs off the final delivery.With nerves jangling, Malik (27 not out) stepped up to the plate and drove Zaman Khan's low full toss through point to seal a dramatic victory for Karachi.Earlier, Lahore had posted a competitive 177-5 thanks to half-centuries from Abdullah Shafique (55) and Fakhar Zaman (54). Karachi captain Shan Masood's decision to demote himself to No. 3 proved fruitful, as the opening pair of Vince and Seifert provided a solid foundation.

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.