Cricket

Pakistan's cricket captain, Babar Azam, faces an uncertain future following the team's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup. Despite recently reassuming the captaincy, Babar has come under intense scrutiny for the team's performance.Babar has stated that he will not make any decisions regarding his captaincy until after meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to review the World Cup. He emphasized that he had previously relinquished the captaincy due to personal reasons and that the PCB's decision to reinstate him was their own.When asked about his responsibility for the team's early exit, Babar acknowledged that the team's performance was a collective failure. He stressed that he cannot play in every player's place and that all 11 players have a role to play.Babar refused to single out any individual for blame, stating that the fault lies with the entire team. He expressed disappointment in the team's inability to meet expectations and acknowledged that they had not played well as a unit.Babar emphasized that he will provide feedback to the PCB decision-makers and that the ultimate decision regarding his captaincy rests with them. He reiterated that he will not hide behind anything and will announce any decision openly.The PCB has not yet made any official statement regarding Babar's future as captain. However, the team's performance in the World Cup has raised questions about his leadership and the direction of Pakistan's white-ball teams.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment as they crashed out of the tournament despite a consolation victory over Ireland. Captain Babar Azam expressed regret over the team's mistakes in crucial matches against India and the United States.Babar played a key role in Pakistan's chase of 107 against Ireland, remaining unbeaten on 32. However, the pursuit was far from smooth, with Pakistan nearly squandering the opportunity to secure the win."We made few mistakes in the matches against the USA and India. When you lose wickets, the pressure is on you," Babar said. "We couldn't finish off close games, and as a team we weren't good."Pakistan's tournament started with defeats against India and the USA, but they managed to bounce back with wins against Canada and Ireland. Despite the early setbacks, Babar expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, particularly their ability to conclude the tournament on a positive note."We took early wickets with the ball. But with the bat, we didn't finish well. We lost back-to-back wickets, but got over the line in the end."Babar acknowledged that Pakistan need to bounce back swiftly from this setback. However, he remained uncertain about his future as the team's skipper."Let's see, what team needs, I'll be okay with it. We have a good bunch of players, we've to go home, chat and see where we lacked, and then come back," he added.Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who received the player of the match award, admitted that throughout the tournament, the team failed to exhibit the appropriate style of cricket that was expected of them."We haven't played the kind of cricket our country demands, have a few areas to improve on. It's tough (the result)," said Afridi.Ireland captain Paul Stirling admitted that the team struggled to find the optimal combination of players throughout the tournament."It's getting that balance right. T20...we probably haven't got that this time around. It's been a difficult couple of weeks. We'll go back, regroup and see if we can come back stronger," he noted.

Pakistan's Babar Azam has etched his name into the annals of T20 World Cup history by surpassing legendary MS Dhoni as the tournament's leading run-scorer among captains. During Pakistan's narrow three-wicket victory over Ireland in Lauderhill, United States, Babar's unbeaten 32 propelled him to the top of the all-time list.Despite chasing a modest target of 107, Pakistan's batting woes continued as they stumbled to 62 for six in 11 overs. However, Babar and Abbas Afridi's crucial 33-run partnership rescued the team, guiding them to a hard-fought victory.Babar's remarkable achievement is a testament to his exceptional leadership and batting prowess. With 549 runs in just 17 innings, he has established himself as a formidable force in the T20 format. His elegant stroke play, impeccable timing, and ability to handle pressure have made him a cornerstone of Pakistan's batting lineup.Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, remains a revered figure in the game. His 529 runs in 29 innings as captain showcase his finishing prowess and strategic acumen. Dhoni's calm demeanor and ability to guide India through tight contests made him one of the most feared finishers in the world.New Zealand's Kane Williamson, with 527 runs in 19 innings, is another notable name on the list. His tactical brilliance and ability to adapt to different match situations have been key to New Zealand's success. Williamson's composed and technically sound batting style has made him a reliable leader and a vital run-scorer for his team.Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene, with 360 runs in just 11 innings, showcased his class and elegance. Despite playing fewer matches, his impact was profound, often leading from the front and guiding his team through challenging phases with his experience and skill.South Africa's Graeme Smith, with 352 runs in 16 innings, rounds off this elite group. Smith's aggressive and fearless approach set the tone for his team, providing quick starts and building solid foundations for South Africa's innings.These captains have demonstrated remarkable skill and composure under pressure, etching their names into the history of the T20 World Cup with substantial run tallies. Babar Azam's achievement is a testament to his exceptional leadership and batting prowess, solidifying his status as one of the greatest T20 players of all time.

New Zealand, a team once considered among the favorites in T20 cricket, faces Papua New Guinea in their final match of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The match, scheduled for June 17 at Tarouba, holds significant implications for both teams.For New Zealand, it's a chance to end their disappointing tournament on a high note. The team, featuring a golden generation of players, has struggled to find form, with none of their senior batters performing consistently. Trent Boult, their star bowler, has confirmed that this will be his last T20 World Cup, adding to the sense of urgency.Papua New Guinea, on the other hand, will be looking to exit the tournament with a memorable performance. They have shown glimpses of their potential, giving co-hosts West Indies a scare in their opening match. Their spinners have been impressive, and their fast-bowling unit has been consistent.The match will be the first-ever encounter between the two teams. New Zealand will be heavily favored, but Papua New Guinea will be determined to prove that they belong on the world stage.

Legendary Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has launched a scathing attack on Pakistan captain Babar Azam, urging him to consider retiring from T20 cricket. Srikkanth's criticism stems from Azam's poor form and slow approach in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024."I don't think Babar should play T20 cricket," Srikkanth said on Star Sports. "You can't do this tuk-tuking all the time. They say Babar scored 4,000 runs like Virat or Rohit, but his strike rate is only 112-115. What are you talking about?"Srikkanth's comments come after Pakistan's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup. The team suffered consecutive defeats in their opening games against the USA and India, failing to qualify for the Super 8 stage.Azam's captaincy has also come under scrutiny. Sources have indicated that Shan Masood will retain the Test captaincy for Pakistan's upcoming series against Bangladesh, while Jason Gillespie will take over as the red-ball head coach.Azam's brief tenure as T20I captain ended in April this year after a 4-1 series defeat to New Zealand. He was reinstated as the white-ball skipper before the T20 World Cup, but the team's poor performance has led to renewed calls for his removal.Srikkanth's criticism is not the first time Azam's approach has been questioned. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has also expressed concerns about his slow batting style."Babar Azam is a very good player, but he needs to improve his strike rate," Afridi said. "He needs to be more aggressive and take more risks."It remains to be seen whether Azam will heed the advice of his critics and make changes to his game. However, it is clear that his captaincy and batting form are under intense scrutiny.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged India to make a bold move and open the batting with young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. Vaughan believes that Jaiswal's exceptional batting skills and left-handedness would provide India with a much-needed advantage.During India's group stage matches, star batter Virat Kohli was promoted to open with captain Rohit Sharma. However, Kohli has struggled to find form, scoring only 1, 4, and 0 in the three games. Vaughan suggests that Kohli should return to his preferred position at number 3, allowing Jaiswal to take on the opening role.Vaughan also advocates for Rishabh Pant to bat at number 5 in the Super 8 matches, which will be played in the Caribbean. Pant has been batting ahead of Suryakumar Yadav in the group stage, but Vaughan believes that his aggressive style would be more effective in the middle order."I love Yashasvi Jaiswal, I'd want him to be opening the batting. Virat or Rohit at No.3, I'm not too bothered by which right-hander goes to No.3. Shivam Dube is at No.5 but in the Caribbean I'd have Rishabh Pant in there. Yashasvi is an incredible player. He is such a good batter, I would want him in," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.Vaughan emphasizes the importance of having left-handed batters in the team, a mistake he believes India has made in the past. Jaiswal's left-handedness would provide a different dimension to India's batting lineup and make it more difficult for opposing bowlers to contain.India's final group match against Canada was washed out, but they still finished top of Group A with 7 points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.137. They will now face the second-placed team from Group B in the Super 8 stage.

Pakistan's dismal performance at the Twenty20 World Cup has resulted in their earliest-ever elimination from the tournament. The 2009 champions suffered a humiliating first-round exit after the USA-Ireland match was abandoned due to rain.Pakistan's campaign began with a shocking defeat against the debutant USA team, leaving fans and experts in disbelief. Their struggles continued as they succumbed to a loss against arch-rivals India.Former India opener Virender Sehwag has criticized Pakistan's performance, highlighting their inability to win against first-timers and chase down 120 against India. "You can't blame the rain. Even if you had won, you didn't deserve to go ahead," Sehwag said.Sehwag also questioned the ICC's strategy of keeping India and Pakistan in the same group during World Cups. "In 2007, neither India nor Pakistan qualified for the second round. We were in different groups back then. Now, ICC will rethink on keeping India and Pakistan in a group," he said.The ICC's decision to group India and Pakistan together is influenced by the massive television audience that tunes in to watch these high-stakes matches. However, Sehwag believes that the ICC needs to reconsider this strategy to ensure that teams that perform well are not eliminated early.Pakistan's early exit from the tournament has raised questions about the team's preparation and strategy. The team's inability to adapt to different conditions and play consistently has been a major factor in their poor performance.As Pakistan looks ahead to the next T20 World Cup in 2024, they will need to address these issues and make significant improvements to their team if they want to avoid a similar fate.

Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, opted to field first in their final T20 World Cup match against Ireland in Lauderhill, Florida. The match marked the only T20 World Cup game to be played in Florida during this tournament.Pakistan made one change to their lineup, bringing in fast bowler Abbas Afridi for Naseem Shah. Ireland also made a single substitution, with Ben White replacing Craig Young.Both teams' hopes of advancing to the Super Eight stage were dashed after the washout between USA and Ireland confirmed the hosts' qualification. Pakistan had only one victory, against Canada, while Ireland remained winless after losses to India and Canada.Pakistan's batting lineup featured Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Amir.Ireland's batting order included Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little, and Ben White.The match commenced with Ireland batting first, aiming to post a competitive total against Pakistan's formidable bowling attack. Pakistan, on the other hand, sought to restrict Ireland's scoring and secure a victory to end their tournament on a positive note.

Suryakumar Yadav's Fine-Leg Dominance Earns Praise from Navjot Singh SidhuFormer Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has lauded Suryakumar Yadav for his unbeaten half-century against the United States in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite a slow start in the first two matches, Suryakumar bounced back with a 50-run knock off 49 balls, which included two fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 102.04.Sidhu highlighted that a significant portion of Suryakumar's runs against the USA came in the fine-leg area. "He has made areas where playing shots was considered a crime. Almost 40 per cent of the runs in his innings were in the fine-leg area. He is playing in the reverse V. He is doing a 360-degree attack. So you cannot set a field. When you cannot set a field, you are left stunned," Sidhu said.The former Indian opener also emphasized Suryakumar's scoring pace, suggesting that if he surpasses the 50-run mark, he can lead his team to victory. "The pace at which he scores, if he scores more than 50, he will win the match. Very few players play at that pace. Maybe Hardik Pandya and Travis Head, that too with the new ball against the short ball. There are very few game-changers," the commentator added.India finished the first round atop Group A with seven points, having already secured their spot in the Super 8 after defeating the co-hosts USA. The Rohit Sharma-led team is set to face Afghanistan in their first Super 8 match on Thursday at Kensington Oval Barbados.