Cricket

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has criticized Babar Azam for accepting the captaincy role after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) removed Shaheen Afridi from the position following a disappointing series loss in New Zealand. Afridi believes that Babar should have supported Shaheen and declined the offer to lead the team at the T20 World Cup, arguing that it would have earned him respect.Afridi's comments stem from the PCB's decision to appoint Shaheen as captain for the New Zealand series, only to remove him after a 4-1 defeat. Babar, who had resigned as captain after the ODI World Cup last year, was then reappointed for the T20 World Cup. However, Pakistan's failure to progress beyond the group stage has led to scrutiny of Babar's leadership.Afridi contends that Babar should have prioritized Shaheen's development as captain and supported him through the difficult period. He believes that Babar could have set an example by demonstrating loyalty and unity within the team."If the decision on Shaheen's captaincy had been made and you [PCB] had stated that he will remain the captain till the [T20] World Cup, then I think Babar [Azam] should have supported Shaheen there and should have said that 'no, if you have made him [Shaheen] the captain, then we are ready to play under his captaincy because Shaheen has been playing with me for a long time. If he is made captain and the selection committee has made him the captain, then yes I will support him and play under his captaincy'," Afridi said on his YouTube channel.Afridi also criticized the PCB's handling of the captaincy situation, suggesting that some selectors had questioned Babar's abilities as a leader. He labeled Babar as a "pathetic" skipper, highlighting the lack of support he received from within the selection committee."But this was not entirely the fault of Babar because some of the blame lies with the selection committee too since some of the selectors on record said that Babar is a pathetic captain and he doesn't know how to do captaincy," Afridi added.Afridi's comments have reignited the debate over Pakistan's captaincy, with many questioning whether Babar is the right man to lead the team. The PCB will need to carefully consider its options and make a decision that is in the best interests of Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to reinstate Babar Azam as captain has backfired spectacularly, leading to the team's premature exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. Babar's reappointment, following a brief stint by Shaheen Afridi, has drawn widespread criticism, with former players questioning his leadership abilities.Amidst the ongoing debate, former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has launched a scathing attack on Babar, accusing him of neglecting to inform Shaheen about PCB's offer to him. "If Babar Azam wanted to become captain again, he should've called Shaheen Afridi and said that I've got the offer," Basit said on ARY News.Basit also highlighted the example of Younis Khan, who declined the captaincy offer after Misbah-ul-Haq's removal. He believes Babar should have followed suit or at least consulted Shaheen, as his actions have strained their friendship.PCB is reportedly considering drastic measures in the wake of the T20 World Cup debacle, with reports suggesting that up to 9 players, including Babar and Shaheen, could be axed from the squad. The board's decision-making process has come under scrutiny, with many questioning the rationale behind Babar's reappointment and the subsequent sacking of Shaheen.As the dust settles on Pakistan's disappointing World Cup campaign, PCB faces a crucial task in rebuilding the team and restoring its former glory. The board's decisions in the coming months will shape the future of Pakistan cricket and determine whether they can regain their status as a cricketing powerhouse.

Pakistan's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup has sparked a fiery outburst from former batsman Ahmed Shehzad, who has launched a scathing attack on the team's senior players. In a viral rant, Shehzad has called for the removal of captain Babar Azam, star pacer Shaheen Afridi, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, and others, accusing them of underperformance and groupism.Shehzad's tirade stems from Pakistan's failure to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament, despite being one of the favorites. He believes that the senior players have been given ample time to prove their worth but have consistently failed to deliver."For the past 4-5 years, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, and Haris Rauf have been playing regularly for Pakistan," Shehzad said. "They've been given ample time to perform. Because of the groupism in the team, they've been defending each other and saying 'we are learning from our mistakes.' What are you exactly learning?"Shehzad specifically targeted Babar Azam, accusing him of indulging in favoritism and protecting his close friends within the team. He also criticized Azam's leadership abilities and fitness levels."You speak about leadership, but you don't have any," Shehzad said. "You are just a social media generated king. You got 4-5 years to improve, but you didn't win us anything. Your fitness levels are also not up to the mark. You guys are playing politics in the team. Your cricket is declining."Shehzad also took aim at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing them of mishandling the situation and blaming young players for the team's failures. He urged the PCB to take strict action against the senior players and break up the alleged groupism within the team."You are only good at making friendships," Shehzad said to the PCB. "Since becoming the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi has made two big blunders. First, by re-appointing Babar as captain. Secondly, making Wahab Riaz as chief selector. He has been very unprofessional in his decision making and management."Shehzad's outburst has sparked a heated debate in Pakistan, with many fans and experts weighing in on the issue. Some have supported Shehzad's call for change, while others have defended the senior players and criticized Shehzad for his harsh words.

Pakistan Cricket Team: Allegations of Rift Between Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi DismissedAmidst Pakistan's disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, rumors of a rift between captain Babar Azam and star pacer Shaheen Afridi have surfaced. However, Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has vehemently denied these claims.Following Pakistan's consecutive defeats against the United States and India, legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram alleged that all was not well within the team, with Babar and Shaheen reportedly not speaking to each other. However, Mahmood has refuted these allegations, stating that the two players are "definitely talking" and remain close friends."Wasim (Akram) must have said that, but I don't know. I didn't see it. Shaheen and Babar are definitely talking, they are good friends. They are both part of the Pakistan team," Mahmood said during a pre-match press conference.Akram had been highly critical of the Babar Azam-led side after their defeat against India. "There are players who don't want to talk to each other. This is international cricket, and you play for your country. Make these players sit at home," Akram said on Star Sports.Mahmood acknowledged that Pakistan has not performed to its potential in the tournament thus far and took responsibility for the team's performances. "Now when you ask who will take responsibility – I think we all, as a team management will take responsibility. We have not lost because of anyone, it is our mistake too," he said."We are not hiding any players, everyone is there. Everything is there. I said earlier that we are a team. Obviously, we're sitting here, and it's our responsibility. We're not delivering. That's why I'm sitting here. Yesterday, Gary was sitting here. So definitely, it's not like we're hiding a player. They're part of us," he added.Pakistan will face Canada in their next Group A match, hoping to turn their fortunes around and qualify for the Super 12 stage.

Pakistan vs. Canada: A Clash of Titans in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to witness a thrilling encounter between Pakistan and Canada at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 11 at 08:00 PM IST. Both teams will be eager to secure a victory in this crucial match.Pakistan's journey in the tournament has been challenging thus far, having lost both of their opening matches. However, they remain a formidable opponent with a star-studded lineup. Canada, on the other hand, has had a mixed performance, winning one match and losing the other.The last time these two teams met was in the Canada Cup Four Nation 20/20 in 2008, where Pakistan emerged victorious by 35 runs. Pakistan will be looking to maintain their dominance, while Canada will be determined to pull off an upset.Pakistan's recent performance against India was a close encounter, with the team narrowly losing by six runs. Naseem Shah was the standout performer for Pakistan, accumulating 115 fantasy points due to his impressive bowling performance.Canada, in their latest outing, secured a victory against Ireland by 12 runs. Nicholas Kirton shone for Canada, scoring 76 fantasy points for his all-round contribution.Players to Watch Out For:Pakistan:* Shaheen Afridi: A left-arm fast bowler who has been a consistent wicket-taker.* Babar Azam: A top-order right-handed batter who has been reliable with the bat.* Mohammad Rizwan: A top-order right-handed batter and wicketkeeper who adds value to the team.Canada:* Kaleem Sana: A left-arm medium-fast bowler who has been in excellent form.* Nicholas Kirton: A top-order left-handed batter who has been a vital part of Canada's batting lineup.* Dilon Heyliger: A right-arm medium bowler who has taken nine wickets in his last five matches.Conclusion:As both teams prepare for this important clash, fans can expect a thrilling contest filled with competitive cricket. Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from their recent losses, while Canada will be aiming to continue their impressive run. The match promises to be a close and exciting affair, with both teams having the potential to emerge victorious.

The highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is set to take place on Sunday at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York. The match promises to be a high-voltage affair, with both teams boasting a massive fan base and a history of intense rivalry.India, led by Rohit Sharma, will enter the match with confidence after their emphatic eight-wicket victory over Ireland. The team will be looking to continue their dominance against Pakistan, who suffered a humiliating defeat against co-hosts USA.Pakistan, on the other hand, will be desperate for redemption after their disappointing start to the tournament. Led by Babar Azam, the team will be hoping to rely on their star pacer Shaheen Afridi to make an impact against India.Ahead of the blockbuster clash, Afridi had a light-hearted interaction with Indian fans in New York. In a video that went viral on social media, the fans teased Afridi, asking him to consider Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as his friends."Rohit aur Virat ko apne acche dost samjho (Consider Rohit and Virat as your good friends)," said one fan.Another fan hilariously requested Afridi, "Please kal acchi bowling mat karna (Please don't bowl well tomorrow)."Afridi, who proved to be a thorn in India's side in the 2021 T20 World Cup, will be looking to repeat his heroics and help Pakistan open their win tally in the tournament.Speaking about the match, India skipper Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of collective effort. "I don't want to rely on one or two individuals to win us the game. I think all 11 of us need to contribute," he said.With both teams eager to prove their supremacy, the T20 World Cup 2024 clash between India and Pakistan is set to be a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans around the world.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's left-arm pace spearhead, has emerged as a formidable force in international cricket, particularly in limited-overs formats. Known for his exceptional ability to swing the ball both ways and generate significant pace, Afridi has been instrumental in Pakistan's success in T20Is and ODIs.Against arch-rivals India, Afridi has played two T20Is, with his best performance being a match-winning spell of 3/31 in the 2021 T20 World Cup clash in Dubai. Pakistan went on to win that match by 10 wickets.Ahead of the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday, a video has surfaced online showing Indian fans interacting with Afridi in New York. The fans expressed their excitement about the upcoming match and jokingly asked Afridi not to bowl well against India.Afridi responded with composure and humor, acknowledging the fans' request and wishing for the best team to win. The video highlights the camaraderie and sportsmanship between the two nations despite their intense rivalry on the field.India and Pakistan will face off at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday. India began their campaign with an eight-wicket win against Ireland, while Pakistan suffered a shock defeat via the Super Over against the United States.Afridi's performance in this match will be crucial for Pakistan's chances of victory. His ability to swing the ball and generate pace could prove decisive against India's formidable batting lineup.

India-Pakistan Rivalry: Five Memorable T20 MatchesThe upcoming T20 World Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan marks the 13th encounter between the two nations in the shortest format of cricket. Despite political tensions, the two nuclear-armed countries only face each other in international tournaments. India holds a slight edge in their T20 head-to-head record with nine wins to Pakistan's three, but the last four matches have been evenly split.1. Wily Dhoni's Bowl-Out Triumph (2007)In the inaugural T20 World Cup, India and Pakistan's first encounter ended in a dramatic tie. After Pakistan restricted India to 141-9, India skipper MS Dhoni surprised the opposition by choosing non-specialists to bowl in the bowl-out. Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, and Harbhajan Singh all hit the stumps, while Pakistan's top bowlers missed, giving India a unique victory.2. Misbah's Misfire in the Final (2007)Ten days after their group stage encounter, India and Pakistan met again in the final. Pakistan needed 13 runs off the final over, but Misbah-ul-Haq's ill-advised scoop shot landed in the hands of S. Sreesanth, handing India a five-run victory and the World Cup title.3. Shaheen Afridi's Masterclass (2021)In the 2021 T20 World Cup, Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi stunned India by dismissing Rohit Sharma for a first-ball duck and rattling the top order. Afridi's 3-31 helped Pakistan secure a 10-wicket victory, their first ever World Cup win against India.4. Nawaz's All-Round Heroics (2022)In the 2022 Asia Cup Super Four, Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz played a crucial role in their five-wicket victory over India. After restricting India to 181-7, Nawaz took 1-25 with his spin bowling and then hammered a 20-ball 42 to guide Pakistan to victory with one ball to spare.5. 'King Kohli' at the MCG (2022)In a thrilling encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Pakistan posted 159-8. India struggled at 31-4 before Virat Kohli played a magnificent unbeaten 82 off 53 balls. Kohli's partnership with Hardik Pandya helped India chase down the target with four wickets and one ball to spare.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's star fast bowler, has withdrawn from the Hundred tournament to potentially join Canada's Global T20 league. This move comes as a significant blow to the Hundred, which is set to clash directly with the Global T20 in 2024.Afridi, who played for Welsh Fire in the Hundred last year, was retained on a £100,000 contract for the 2024 season. However, he has now pulled out, citing a desire to spend time with his family.The ECB confirmed Afridi's withdrawal on Monday, expressing disappointment but understanding his decision. Afridi stated, "I'm sad to miss out on playing for Welsh Fire this year. I enjoyed the Hundred a lot last season, and I was excited about being back in Cardiff."According to ESPNcricinfo, Afridi's official explanation to the ECB was his reluctance to commit to spending four weeks away from his family. The Hundred runs from July 23 to August 18, requiring players to report a few days before their opening match.Pakistan players are limited to two No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) per season for foreign leagues due to their central contracts with the PCB. Afridi has already committed to the Desert Vipers in the UAE's ILT20.Instead of using his second NOC on the Hundred, Afridi is considering the Global T20, which is set to return for a fourth season in 2024. The league is expected to run from July 25 to August 11, a slightly shorter window than the Hundred.The Global T20 has faced some challenges in the past, including reports of late or non-payment issues. FICA recommends that players request advanced payment before participating.Matt Henry, the New Zealand seamer, has been confirmed as Afridi's replacement at Welsh Fire. He may miss the start of the tournament if his MLC franchise reaches the play-offs.The ECB's decision to open the Hundred up to private investment is partly driven by the need to compete with salaries offered in other leagues. Four other Pakistan players are under contract in the men's Hundred for 2024: Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim, and Usama Mir.