Cricket

Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has called for immediate changes to the national team following their disappointing loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup. In a video posted on his social media account, Akram expressed his frustration with the team's performance and urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take action."Enough is enough. We need changes now. Enough with you guys. Bring a new team, bring 6-7 new players. If we lose, we'll lose with them," said Akram.Akram criticized the team's lack of situational awareness and their inability to chase down a modest target on a pitch that was conducive to batting. He also questioned the role of captain Babar Azam and coach Saqlain Mushtaq in guiding the team."The captain and the coach cannot teach you situational awareness and how to chase! How long can they be spoon-fed?" blasted Akram.Akram's comments come after Pakistan's six-run defeat to India, which left them on the brink of elimination from the tournament. Despite a win against Canada, Pakistan's qualification hopes now rest on India or USA losing their remaining games.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has also acknowledged the need for changes following the India loss. "The team requires major surgery," Naqvi said.Akram's call for new players and a fresh approach has been echoed by many fans and experts. Pakistan has struggled to find consistency in recent years, and their performance in the T20 World Cup has been particularly disappointing.With the next T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026, the PCB has a crucial opportunity to rebuild the team and address the issues that have plagued them in recent years. Akram's comments have sparked a much-needed debate about the future of Pakistan cricket, and it remains to be seen whether the PCB will heed his advice and make the necessary changes.

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.

Afghanistan is poised to secure a berth in the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup with a victory over Papua New Guinea in Tarouba. This triumph would also eliminate New Zealand, the 2021 finalists, who have suffered two consecutive defeats.Afghanistan's success has been driven by the exceptional performances of Rahamanullah Gurbaz and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Gurbaz leads the tournament in runs scored, while Farooqi has taken the most wickets. Their contributions have been instrumental in Afghanistan's impressive run in the competition.In contrast, Papua New Guinea faces an uphill battle against a formidable Afghanistan side. Despite their spirited efforts, they lack the experience and depth to overcome Afghanistan's all-round strength.Meanwhile, Pakistan's fate in the tournament hangs in the balance as they anxiously await the outcome of the USA-Ireland match in Lauderhill, Florida. A victory for the USA would end Pakistan's World Cup campaign, while a win for Ireland would keep their hopes alive.In a separate development, England's title defense is on the brink of collapse. They must win their remaining matches by a significant margin and hope that Scotland loses badly to Australia to have any chance of advancing.

Yuvraj Singh, the legendary Indian cricketer, recently found himself in an unusual situation when a New York-based vlogger failed to recognize him. The incident occurred on the streets of New York City, where Yuvraj was swarmed by fans seeking selfies.In a viral video posted by the vlogger, Yi Wang, he asked his audience to identify the person in the crowd. The video quickly went viral, with Indian Instagram users flooding the comments section with compliments and accolades for Yuvraj."Michael Jordan of cricket," exclaimed one user, comparing Yuvraj to the iconic American basketball player. "The guy who made Stuart Broad, Stuart Little," joked another, referring to Yuvraj's unforgettable six sixes off Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup.Numerous comments highlighted Yuvraj's remarkable recovery from cancer, a testament to his resilience and determination. Some users playfully provided incorrect names, such as "MS Dhoni" and "Narendra Modi," adding a touch of humor to the situation.The outpouring of love and admiration for Yuvraj was overwhelming, with the video garnering over 10,000 comments and 2 million likes. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2019, Yuvraj remains a beloved figure in India, having played a pivotal role in the country's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 Cricket World Cup victories.Yuvraj's presence in New York City is in anticipation of India's highly anticipated clash against Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup on Sunday, June 9. India enters the match with momentum after a convincing win against Ireland, while Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from a surprising defeat to hosts USA.

New Zealand's disappointing performance in their T20 World Cup 2024 opener against West Indies has prompted skipper Kane Williamson to demand improvement from his team. The Kiwis fell short by 13 runs in a match where they struggled to chase down the Windies' total of 149/9.Williamson, who managed just 1 run before being dismissed by Gudakesh Motie, acknowledged the need to adapt to the conditions at the Brian Lara Stadium. "Conditions here are what they are and we can't make excuses," he said. "We need to keep getting better and keep finding a way."The Kiwi skipper emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes and bouncing back in their next match. "The learnings are important and we need to pick ourselves up and go again," he added.West Indies' victory was largely due to the heroics of Sherfane Rutherford, who smashed an unbeaten 68 off just 39 balls, including six sixes. Nicholas Pooran also contributed with a quickfire 17.Trent Boult led the New Zealand bowling attack with three wickets, while Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson claimed two each. However, the Kiwi batters failed to capitalize on their efforts, with only Glenn Phillips (40) offering any significant resistance.Alzarri Joseph was the star of the Caribbean bowling attack, taking four wickets, while Motie chipped in with three. Rutherford's all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.Williamson acknowledged the need to improve their batting performance, particularly in the middle overs. "We need to find a way to get through those middle overs and build a platform," he said. "We're not far away, but we need to be smarter and execute better."The Kiwis will have a quick turnaround as they face Scotland in their next match on October 20. Williamson will be hoping for a much-improved performance from his team as they look to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

India-born American medium pacer Saurabh Netravalkar's heartwarming reunion with Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav after the T20 World Cup match in New York was a testament to their shared past and the enduring bonds of cricket. Netravalkar, who has been a standout performer for the USA in the tournament, reminisced about his playing days with his former Mumbai teammates, recalling jokes, casual conversations, and dressing room banter.Netravalkar's journey to the international stage has been a unique one. After representing India in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, he shifted his focus to pursue higher education in the US, where he now works as a software engineer at Oracle. However, his passion for cricket remained strong, and he found a new outlet in the USA national team, which comprises players from India, Pakistan, and the West Indies.Netravalkar's performances at the T20 World Cup have been nothing short of exceptional. He played a pivotal role in the thrilling Super Over victory against Pakistan and dismissed Virat Kohli for a golden duck, showcasing his skill and determination. Reflecting on his bowling strategy, Netravalkar credited the pitch conditions for assisting the bowlers, emphasizing the importance of hitting the top of the stumps and letting the pitch create the variation.Despite his success on the field, Netravalkar remains grounded and values his career at Oracle. He finds joy in balancing both aspects of his life, recognizing the importance of both his professional and sporting pursuits.Netravalkar's journey is a testament to the challenges and decisions that shape our paths. He made a practical call to pursue higher education when he wasn't making it big in India, but his love for cricket never waned. He is grateful for the opportunity to represent the USA and is determined to make the most of his second chance to pursue his passion.

Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the 'Super 8s' stage of the T20 World Cup received a boost after India's victory over USA on Wednesday. Pakistan's chances of progressing are now dependent on favorable results in the remaining matches of Group A.Currently, India leads the group with six points, followed by USA with four points and a net run rate (NRR) of +0.127. Pakistan sits in third place with two points and an NRR of +0.191, while Canada and Ireland have two and zero points, respectively.Pakistan's qualification hinges on the outcome of the following matches:* USA vs Ireland (June 14): If USA wins, they will qualify for the 'Super 8s' along with India.* Ireland vs USA (June 14): If Ireland wins, Pakistan's chances will improve as USA's NRR will worsen, making the Pakistan vs Ireland match a direct shootout for a spot in the 'Super 8s'.* India vs Canada (June 15): This match will become irrelevant if USA beats Ireland on June 14. However, if Ireland wins, Canada must upset India to tie with USA at four points.* Pakistan vs Ireland (June 16): This result will be crucial only if USA loses to Ireland on June 14. A Pakistan win will take them to second place on the points table, edging out USA on NRR.A washout in the USA vs Ireland match will give USA five points, securing their qualification. A washout in the Pakistan vs Ireland match will result in Pakistan finishing with three points, allowing USA to advance even if they lose their last match against Ireland.Pakistan's fate now rests on the performances of other teams in Group A. A win over Ireland on June 16 will be crucial, but they will need favorable results in the other matches to secure a spot in the 'Super 8s'.

Sri Lankan Cricket Team Stranded in Fort Lauderdale Amidst Devastating FloodsFort Lauderdale, Florida, has declared a state of emergency due to life-threatening flash floods that have crippled the city. The torrential downpours have grounded hundreds of flights, including those carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team, which is currently participating in the T20 World Cup.The team was scheduled to depart from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean islands on Wednesday, but the heavy rain and flooding have forced them to delay their departure. The first game in Fort Lauderdale, Sri Lanka vs Nepal, was also washed out due to the inclement weather.Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida issued the declaration, stating that the rainfall and flooding have significantly impacted critical infrastructure, including major interstates, roadways, airports, and schools.The Sri Lankan team is expected to fly out on Thursday, but their departure remains uncertain as the flooding continues to affect the city's operations.Meanwhile, the Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale is set to host key games this week, with Pakistan and USA vying for a place in the next round from Group A.USA will face Ireland on Friday, while Pakistan will take on the same opponents on Sunday. If USA defeats Ireland or the match is washed out, they will join India as the second team from Group A to qualify for the Super 8. This would render Pakistan's game on Sunday irrelevant.However, if USA loses to Ireland, Pakistan will have a chance to secure their own destiny when they face the Irish on Sunday.India currently leads Group A with six points from three games, while USA is second with four points. Pakistan's NRR is now better than USA's, meaning they can qualify for the Super Eight stage even if they beat Ireland by a narrow margin on Sunday, provided USA loses to Ireland on Friday.The flooding in Fort Lauderdale has not only stranded the Sri Lankan team but has also cast doubt on the upcoming matches scheduled to be played in the city. The safety and well-being of the players and spectators remain paramount, and the authorities will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions accordingly.

Shivam Dube, the big-hitting all-rounder from India, has struggled to adapt to the two-paced tracks at the T20 World Cup in New York. Accustomed to the belters in India, Dube found the conditions in Nassau County so challenging that he likened it to playing a Ranji Trophy game.Despite his initial struggles, Dube regained some form with a composed 35-ball 31 in India's seven-wicket win over the USA. The victory propelled India into the Super Eight stage of the tournament, which will be played entirely in the West Indies."I was struggling with my form and focusing on my process," Dube said about his previous failures against Ireland and Pakistan. "But here, there was no pressure. All the support staff and coaches backed me and told me, 'It's difficult, but you have the ability to hit sixes, so apply it.'"Dube acknowledged that the conditions in New York require a different approach than what he is used to in the Indian Premier League (IPL). "These conditions do not demand what I've done at CSK. These conditions require a different approach, so I was batting differently today," he said.Despite his struggles with the bat, Dube has enjoyed bowling on these tracks. "It's definitely better to bowl here," he said. "I would have bowled more but was hit for a six and didn't get the opportunity."Dube also commented on the difficult conditions for batting in the makeshift stadium without proper stands for spectators. "Because of the backdrop, it's a bit difficult. Moreover, there is a lot of light, so it's a bit difficult to judge the ball," he said.Regarding Virat Kohli's poor form, Dube said, "There is nothing I can say about Virat Kohli because I'm not Virat Kohli. His bad patch means he got out cheaply a couple of times but will come back scoring hundreds in the next three matches. We all know his game and how he plays."