Cricket

Shaheen Afridi's rejection of the vice-captaincy offer for Pakistan's T20 side has cast a shadow over the team's preparations for the upcoming World Cup. ESPNcricinfo has revealed that the PCB selection committee approached Shaheen with the proposal, but the fast bowler declined.The decision stems from Shaheen's lingering resentment over being stripped of the T20 captaincy after just one series. He feels that the reasons for his dismissal were never adequately explained, and he is reluctant to accept another leadership role that could potentially be taken away from him.The PCB's handling of the situation has further strained the relationship between the board and Shaheen. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi hinted at Shaheen's possible replacement, and the PCB released a statement attributed to Shaheen offering support to Babar Azam. However, Shaheen later denied making those statements, leading to a confrontation with Naqvi.Despite the PCB's attempts to mend the rift, Shaheen's rejection of the vice-captaincy indicates that the truce remains fragile. He is a key member of the T20 side's leadership group, but he believes that he does not need an official role to demonstrate his influence.The PCB selection committee considered other alternatives for the vice-captaincy, including Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan. However, Shadab's inconsistent form and Pakistan's reluctance to use him as a top-order batsman raised concerns about his place in the XI. Rizwan was also considered, but the committee ultimately preferred a younger player for the role.Shaheen's decision has left the PCB with a dilemma. They must now find a suitable vice-captain who can support Babar Azam and provide leadership on the field. The team's performance in the upcoming World Cup could hinge on their ability to resolve this issue and create a harmonious environment within the squad.

Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist-spinner, is set to join India's T20 World Cup squad in the US, buoyed by a successful Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite Delhi Capitals' failure to reach the playoffs, Yadav's personal performance has given him the rhythm and confidence to excel in the upcoming ICC event.In a recent interview with Robin Uthappa, Yadav revealed a technical change he has implemented in his bowling to regain his peak form. "I have changed my rhythm," he explained. "Now that I have an aggressive rhythm, my ball is not dropping in a loop. It will go when I want it to; when I try to deliver like that, it will go, otherwise not."This adjustment has allowed Yadav to reduce the height of his deliveries while maintaining their effectiveness. "The rhythm that I have now, if I can turn that much in this rhythm, then I don't need to flight it that much," he said. "You can do that at times to trap the batsman, but can't deliver that way consistently."Yadav's 16 wickets in 11 innings for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, with an economy rate of 8.65 and strike rate of 16.12, demonstrate his improved form. He will join fellow wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, where the pitches are expected to favor slow bowlers.India's campaign begins against Ireland on June 5, followed by the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on June 9. USA and Canada are the other teams in India's group. Yadav's aggressive rhythm and newfound control will be crucial for India's success in the tournament.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs commenced on Tuesday with Qualifier 1 between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and SunRisers Hyderabad. However, KKR faced a setback with the absence of their explosive opener Phil Salt, who hails from England.Salt's absence is not an isolated case. Other teams like Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings are also missing key England players in the playoff stage. The reason behind this exodus is the departure of English players to join the national side ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.The decision has drawn criticism from former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan. However, former England captain Michael Vaughan has defended the move."If you are going back to represent your country, which England players have done, I think that's fair enough. They are playing a series against Pakistan. The England players wouldn't have gone back if it wasn't for the Pakistan series," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.Vaughan emphasized the importance of the Pakistan series for England's preparation for the 50-over World Cup. He believes that the five-match series will provide the team with an opportunity to build chemistry and work on their roles.Punjab Kings' all-rounder Liam Livingstone has also returned to England for knee rehabilitation ahead of the T20 World Cup. Other England players who have left the IPL include Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals), Will Jacks, and Reece Topley (Royal Challengers Bengaluru).The departures of these players have left a void in their respective IPL teams. KKR, in particular, will miss Salt's aggressive batting at the top of the order. Rajasthan Royals will be without their captain and star batsman Buttler, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be deprived of the services of Jacks and Topley.Despite the absence of these England players, the IPL playoffs promise to be an exciting affair. The remaining teams will be eager to seize the opportunity and secure a berth in the final.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad for 2024 has been announced, with Babar Azam once again leading the charge. The 15-member squad features a few surprises, including the omission of Hasan Ali, Irfan Khan, and Agha Salman.Abbas Afridi has made the final cut, giving Pakistan five specialist fast bowlers. Imad Wasim, who recently came out of retirement, will provide the left-arm spin option, while Abrar Ahmed is the lone specialist legspinner.The squad is as follows:* Babar Azam (captain)* Saim Ayub* Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper)* Fakhar Zaman* Azam Khan (wicket-keeper)* Usman Khan* Iftikhar Ahmed* Imad Wasim* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Shadab Khan* Mohammad Amir* Abbas Afridi* Naseem Shah* Haris Rauf* Abrar AhmedThe absence of Hasan Ali is a notable omission, as he has been a key member of Pakistan's bowling attack in recent years. However, his recent form has been poor, and he was released back to Warwickshire earlier this week.Irfan Khan and Agha Salman have also been left out, despite being part of the squad for the recent Asia Cup. Afridi's inclusion is a surprise, as he has not played for Pakistan since 2021.Pakistan will be hoping to improve on their performance at the 2022 T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by England. They will face a tough challenge in the 2024 tournament, which will be played in the USA and the Caribbean.

Jos Buttler, England's wicketkeeper-batsman, has decided to continue keeping wickets at the upcoming T20 World Cup despite the risk of over-rate penalties. Buttler believes that the superior view he gets from behind the stumps outweighs the potential consequences.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has implemented stricter over-rate regulations in recent years, including a five-run penalty for teams that fail to complete their overs within the allotted time. However, Buttler is confident that he can manage the risk by relying on his vice-captain, Moeen Ali, to relay messages to bowlers.Buttler has previously handed over the gloves to Phil Salt in certain matches, but he has decided to take on the wicketkeeping role full-time for the next six weeks. This decision will place a greater emphasis on Moeen's role as vice-captain, as he will be responsible for communicating with bowlers in the outfield.Moeen is confident in his ability to support Buttler and ensure that England's over-rate remains within acceptable limits. He believes that his presence at mid-off allows him to provide a different perspective and assist bowlers in making informed decisions.Buttler's decision to keep wickets also stems from his belief that it gives him the best view of the game. He can observe the opposition's tactics and make quick calls, which he considers to be a significant advantage.Despite the potential for over-rate penalties, Buttler is confident that England can adapt and find ways to slow down the game without compromising their performance. He emphasizes that he has the ability to communicate with bowlers from behind the stumps and can also use other tactics to manage the pace of play.Buttler's personal life may also impact his availability for the World Cup. His wife is heavily pregnant with their third child, and he has confirmed that he will be present for the birth. This could potentially cause him to miss a match, but Moeen is prepared to step in as captain if necessary.England have three remaining matches before the start of the World Cup, which Moeen believes will be sufficient to fine-tune their approach and prepare for the tournament. He emphasizes the importance of clarity and commitment to a specific style of play, whether it be aggressive or cautious.Moeen also expresses confidence in England's chances at the World Cup, citing their experience and comfort level in the T20 format. He believes that the team is more settled and confident than they were heading into last year's ODI World Cup in India.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has halted the announcement of the T20 World Cup squad due to concerns over the selection process. Sources within Geo News report that Naqvi expressed dissatisfaction with the selectors' failure to hold a meeting to discuss the players for the tournament.Despite not objecting to the specific names of the players, Naqvi emphasized the importance of proper consultation and deliberation. The PCB is expected to announce the squad by the end of the day, ahead of the May 25 deadline set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).Pakistan is the only team among the 19 participating nations that has yet to announce its 15-player squad. They are placed in Group A alongside the USA, India, Canada, and Ireland. Their campaign will commence on June 6 against the USA, followed by a highly anticipated clash with India on June 9.Meanwhile, the PCB is exploring the possibility of appointing former West Indies legend Viv Richards as the team mentor for the T20 World Cup. Richards' successful stint as a mentor for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has reportedly inspired the PCB's decision.However, the PCB faces a potential obstacle in securing Richards' services due to his existing media commitments for the event. The Pakistan squad for the ongoing T20I series against England includes Babar Azam (C), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Usman Khan.

Defending T20 World Cup champions England have enlisted the services of renowned psychologist David Young for their upcoming campaign in the Americas. Young, who played a pivotal role in England's triumphant 2019 World Cup victory, has rejoined the team for the shortest format showpiece after their disappointing ODI World Cup performance in India last year.Young's impressive track record with Manchester City, where he helped the club secure four consecutive Premier League titles, has earned him a short-term appointment with the England cricket team. He previously worked with the team from 2016 to 2020 and is currently part of the support staff for the T20I series against Pakistan.England white-ball coach Matthew Mott praised Young's contributions, stating, "He's previously been with the team and he's already been a great ally in messages back to me, making sure my messages are clear." Mott emphasized the importance of having an external perspective to ensure that the team's messages are effectively communicated.Following their disappointing group stage exit at the 50-over World Cup, Mott acknowledged the need for the team to become more vulnerable and supportive of each other. "When you've had the kick in the pants like we've had, you can't just go 'business as usual'," Mott said. "You have to redefine how you go as a team."The team has made a conscious effort to foster a more open and supportive environment, recognizing that their previous insular approach contributed to their struggles in India. "We've made a commitment to be a bit more open in and around our training sessions, to help each other out a bit more," Mott explained. "In India, all of us were guilty of being a bit insular, and trying to problem-solve ourselves. We've made a commitment to open up and be a bit more vulnerable as a group so that we're helping each other."England will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Scotland on June 4 in Bridgetown, Barbados. With Young's expertise and the team's renewed commitment to vulnerability and support, they will aim to defend their title and reclaim their status as the world's leading T20 side.

Suresh Raina, the former Indian cricketer, recently engaged in a witty exchange with a Pakistani journalist who attempted to troll him over his comments on Shahid Afridi. The journalist's post on social media, which referenced Afridi's appointment as an ICC ambassador for the 2024 T20 World Cup, prompted Raina to deliver a savage response.Raina, known for his quick wit, reminded the journalist of India's victory over Pakistan in the 2011 World Cup semifinal, which was played in Mohali. "I'm not an ICC ambassador, but I have the 2011 World Cup at my house. Remember the game at Mohali? Hope it brings back some unforgettable memories for you," Raina tweeted.The exchange stemmed from Raina's commentary duties on Jio Cinema, where he was asked by Aakash Chopra if he had any plans to revoke his retirement. Raina's cheeky response, "Suresh Raina hu, Shahid Afridi nahi," referencing Afridi's multiple retirements, left the commentary box in splits.Raina, who announced his retirement from international cricket alongside MS Dhoni in 2020, has since been active in commentary. He retired from the IPL after the 2021 season, when CSK won their fourth title.Raina's response to the Pakistani journalist's troll attempt has garnered praise from fans and fellow cricketers alike. It highlights his sharp wit and his unwavering pride in his achievements with the Indian cricket team.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled an illustrious commentary panel for the upcoming Men's T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place across nine venues in the USA and West Indies. This year's panel boasts a star-studded lineup of cricket legends and renowned broadcasters, promising an unparalleled viewing experience.Leading the commentary team are stalwarts Ravi Shastri, Nasser Hussain, Ian Smith, Mel Jones, Harsha Bhogle, and Ian Bishop. They will be joined by former Men's and Women's T20 World Cup champions, including Dinesh Karthik, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite, Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, and Lisa Sthalekar.Former 50-over World Cup winners Ricky Ponting, Sunil Gavaskar, Matthew Hayden, Ramiz Raja, Eoin Morgan, Tom Moody, and Wasim Akram will lend their expert analysis to the tournament. American commentator James O'Brien, known as Jomboy, will make his World Cup debut, providing insights tailored to American audiences.Other prominent figures in the commentary team include Dale Steyn, Graeme Smith, Michael Atherton, Waqar Younis, Simon Doull, Shaun Pollock, and Katey Martin, alongside renowned broadcasters such as Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Natalie Germanos, Danny Morrison, Alison Mitchell, Alan Wilkins, Brian Murgatroyd, Mike Haysman, Ian Ward, Athar Ali Khan, Russel Arnold, Niall O'Brien, Kass Naidoo, and former West Indies skipper Daren Ganga.Aaron Finch, who led Australia to victory in 2021, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "This is a special event and one that promises a lot of excitement with 20 teams competing and many thrilling contests lined up. I look forward to bringing all my experience as a player to my commentary during the tournament.”Carlos Brathwaite shared his excitement about the tournament's location, stating, "The T20 World Cup is a tournament very close to my heart, and I'm thrilled this edition is being played in the West Indies and for the first time in the USA. I can't wait for my stint as a commentator at this event, and I hope this is a truly memorable one."Katey Martin highlighted the tournament's potential for surprises, "This tournament always promises a few surprises. With 20 teams participating, it will be exciting to see some of the Associate teams have a crack at the bigger sides. I am fortunate to be part of such a fantastic team of broadcasters, and I'm looking forward to an incredible event."Dinesh Karthik emphasized the unique aspects of this year's tournament, "This tournament will be different in many ways, which makes it even more exciting. With 20 teams, 55 matches, and some new venues, it's a thrilling combination, and I can't wait to dive in. Being part of such a high-class commentary team is a fantastic feeling, and commentating on players I have recently played with makes it even more interesting."Ebony Rainford-Brent praised the growing quality of ICC events, saying, "This is the year of ICC T20 World Cups, with an exciting 20-team men's tournament coming up and the women's tournament following in Bangladesh later. Sharing my views alongside the best from around the world is an incredible opportunity. I can't wait to get started!"Dale Steyn looked forward to the diverse tactics teams would employ, "The Men's T20 World Cup, with its new format and more teams competing, is a fantastic opportunity to spread the game. I'm sure both old and new cricket fans will be eager for the action to begin. I will be watching every team closely, and it will be fascinating to see the different tactics that come into play."The ICC's coverage will span 28 days, featuring pre-match shows, innings interval programs, and post-match wrap-ups. In collaboration with Disney Star, Quidich Innovation Labs, and NEP, ICC TV will introduce an AI-supported vertical feed for the T20 World Cup, marking a world first for cricket.The Men's T20 World Cup kicks off on June 1, with co-hosts USA facing Canada at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, setting the stage for an exciting and historic event in cricket.