Cricket

England vs Pakistan T20I Abandoned Due to Persistent RainThe highly anticipated first T20I between England and Pakistan was unfortunately called off before the scheduled start time due to incessant rain that drenched Leeds throughout the day. The ground was saturated with puddles, leaving the umpires with no choice but to abandon the match.This match was crucial for both teams as it was their last opportunity to assess their players before finalizing their squads for the upcoming T20 World Cup. England was particularly eager to give Jofra Archer a game before the squad announcement deadline on Saturday, but the rain dashed those hopes. England will now have to make a decision on Archer's inclusion without seeing him play a competitive match.Pakistan, on the other hand, remains the only team among the 20 World Cup participants to have not announced their provisional squad. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had intended to finalize the squad after the first T20I against England, but the rain prevented them from doing so.The inclement weather in Yorkshire also thwarted Pakistan's plans to give their players a final look before selecting the traveling party for North America. The two teams are scheduled to play three more games before departing for the World Cup: at Edgbaston on Saturday, Cardiff on Tuesday, and The Oval on June 2.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad announcement delay has raised concerns among cricket enthusiasts, with former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja expressing his dissatisfaction. Pakistan remains the only team yet to reveal its lineup for the highly anticipated tournament, scheduled for June.Raja criticized the management's indecisiveness, stating that every player seems to be on trial as they struggle to assess their potential. He emphasized the need for a swift squad announcement, as the team cannot afford to experiment indefinitely.The Pakistani pacers have faced challenges in finding rhythm throughout their recent tour of Ireland. Shaheen Shah Afridi, despite taking wickets, has been expensive, while Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah have struggled to make an impact. Hasan Ali's performance in the third T20I was particularly disappointing, conceding 42 runs in just three overs.Raja also questioned the body language of some bowlers, particularly Hasan Ali and Mohammad Amir. He expressed concerns about the role of Abbas Afridi, who has conceded 43 runs in two matches.Despite the bowling woes, Pakistan managed to avoid a series defeat in Ireland, winning the third T20I by six wickets. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan played key roles with the bat, scoring 75 and 56 runs respectively.Raja praised Azam's strike rate but questioned the inclusion of Saim Ayub, who has failed to provide a solid start for the team. He suggested that Ayub's confidence could be damaged if he continues to struggle.With the T20 World Cup approaching, Pakistan faces pressure to finalize its squad and address its bowling concerns. The management must make decisive decisions to ensure the team's competitiveness in the tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed the announcement of its T20 World Cup squad until late May, citing fitness and performance concerns surrounding several players. The PCB intends to reveal its squad on May 23 or 24, adhering to the ICC's deadline for teams to adjust their squads without consulting the WC Technical Committee.The management and selectors are closely monitoring the niggling injuries of Muhammad Rizwan, Azam Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, and Haris Rauf. Their performances, along with others, during the tours of Ireland and England will be scrutinized before finalizing the squad.The selectors will first announce the squad for the forthcoming tours, after which the team management and selectors will evaluate the fitness and performance of the chosen players before making the World Cup squad public. India, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand have all announced their WC squads to date."It (delay) doesn't matter because all these teams can change their entire squad by 24th May after that changes can only be allowed on fitness or injury basis with approval of the technical committee," a PCB source said. "That is why the PCB and selectors have decided to hold off until after the first match in England."The source emphasized that the selectors aim to provide Babar Azam and other players with ample time to re-establish their camaraderie and cohesion in the dressing room before unveiling the World Cup squad. This extended period will enable the team to foster the kind of unity and synergy crucial for a successful campaign. The selectors are keen on creating an environment where players feel comfortable and connected, laying a strong foundation for the challenges ahead in the World Cup."For the time being we have sent a provisional squad to the ICC for public relations and promotion purposes," the source said.

India's T20 World Cup Squad Announcement Imminent: All the Latest UpdatesThe highly anticipated BCCI selection committee meeting to finalize India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is expected to take place today. Timesofindia.com will provide comprehensive coverage of the event, bringing you the latest updates and insights as the 15 players who will represent the nation are announced.The T20 World Cup is scheduled to commence shortly after the conclusion of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), which culminates on May 26. The tournament will feature some of the world's top cricket teams competing for the coveted title.Key Considerations for the Selection CommitteeThe selection committee will have several factors to consider when finalizing the squad. The team's recent performances in the IPL will be a major factor, as will the players' overall form and fitness. The committee will also need to balance experience with youth, ensuring a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent.Contenders for SelectionSeveral players have emerged as strong contenders for selection based on their impressive performances in the IPL. These include:* Batsmen: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant* All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel* Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra ChahalExpectations and PredictionsIndia is one of the favorites to win the T20 World Cup, given their strong batting lineup and experienced bowling attack. However, the competition will be fierce, with other top teams such as England, Australia, and Pakistan also vying for the title.