Cricket

England's head coach, Brendon McCullum, has defended the decision of legendary pacer James Anderson to delay his arrival in Pakistan for the ongoing Test series. Anderson, who is now the team's bowling coach, is participating in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a pro-am golf competition in Scotland.As a result, Anderson missed the pre-series presentation for the three Tests in Pakistan and will not arrive until October 8, the second day of the first Test match. However, he has maintained contact with the English pacers, an inexperienced line-up led by veteran Chris Woakes and featuring youngsters Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse.McCullum defended Anderson's delayed arrival, saying, "Two months ago, you guys were saying he did not deserve to be the coach. Now we are missing him. That is affirmation of how good an impact Jimmy Anderson has made in the short period of time [during] his transition from player to coach."He also emphasized that Anderson has made a huge transition from a bowler to coach following a career over two decades and that his role is not full time.Pakistan is currently playing England in a three-match series, with the first Test at Multan starting today. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first.England is at the fourth place in the ICC World Test Championship standings with eight wins, seven losses, and a draw after series wins against West Indies and Sri Lanka. Pakistan is eighth in the standings after their series loss to Bangladesh at home.

Pakistan's Shan Masood Breaks Four-Year Century Drought in Emotional Return to FormAfter a grueling 1524-day wait, Pakistan captain Shan Masood finally ended his Test century drought, reaching the milestone against England in the first Test in Multan on Monday. This century marked a significant moment for Masood, who has endured a challenging four-year period marked by inconsistency and setbacks.Masood's last Test hundred came in 2020, when he scored a magnificent 156 against England in Manchester. Since then, he has faced a turbulent period, being dropped from the national squad before eventually taking on the added pressure of leading the side as captain.Despite the challenges, Masood remained determined to regain his form. He worked tirelessly on his technique and mental approach, and his efforts paid off in Multan. The left-hander reached his century in style, clipping a ball behind square off Chris Woakes to collect a single.The crowd erupted in applause as Masood raised his bat to acknowledge the moment. His batting partner, Abdullah Shafique, embraced him to share in the special occasion. Masood's century was a testament to his resilience and unwavering belief in his abilities.Masood's Test centuries:* 100* vs England, Multan, 2024* 156 vs England, Manchester, 2020* 100 vs Bangladesh, Karachi, 2019* 135 vs Sri Lanka, Karachi, 2019* 125 vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele, 2015Masood's century has given Pakistan a solid foundation in the first Test against England. The hosts will be hoping to build on this momentum and secure a victory that would boost their confidence ahead of the upcoming World Test Championship matches.

Pakistan vs England 1st Test Day 1: Pakistan Aims to End Home Test Losing StreakPakistan and England will clash in the first Test of a three-match series in Multan, Pakistan. The hosts, Pakistan, are eager to break their dismal streak of losing their last 10 home Tests. They will face an England team without their star all-rounder and captain, Ben Stokes, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.Pakistan's batting lineup will be led by Babar Azam, the world's top-ranked Test batsman. He will be supported by Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, and Saud Shakeel. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who will be looking to exploit the Multan pitch's expected spin-friendly conditions.England, under the leadership of Ollie Pope, will be aiming to continue their impressive form in Test cricket. They will rely on the experience of Joe Root and the in-form Harry Brook to anchor their batting. The bowling attack will be led by Chris Woakes and Jack Leach, who will be tasked with containing Pakistan's dangerous batting lineup.The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Pakistan will be determined to end their home Test losing streak, while England will be looking to extend their dominance in the format.

Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali expressed astonishment at the contrasting performances of the Bangladesh cricket team, which recently suffered a humiliating 2-0 Test series defeat against India after registering a historic Test series win in Pakistan.Ali questioned the Bangladesh team's lackluster display in the Test series against India, saying, "Is this the same Bangladesh team that whitewashed Pakistan (2-0)? You saw in the Test matches (against India). They lost the first one and then were defeated in virtually two days, even the rain could not save them."Ali attributed India's dominance to their exceptional depth, highlighting the performance of the young Indian Premier League (IPL) stars led by Suryakumar Yadav. "India have changed cricket (with their dominance). Bangladesh is just an appetizer (for them)," he said.The T20I retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja has created opportunities for new players in the Indian team. Ali noted the absence of several key players from the playing XI in the match at Gwalior, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Ravi Bishnoi."Yeh IPL eleven hai, India ki team nahi hai," said Ali, emphasizing the strength of the Indian team's bench. "And still they hammered them in just 11-something overs, finishing with a six from (Hardik) Pandya."Ali praised the performances of debutants Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made their first international appearances in the match. He particularly lauded Yadav's impressive pace, saying, "There were two debuts, but it was a dream debut for Mayank Yadav. The first over was a maiden, including a 149.8 kmph delivery."Ali expressed hope that Yadav remains fit for India's upcoming tour of Australia, saying, "I pray that this kid remains fit and goes on the Australia tour."After the T20I series against Bangladesh, India will face New Zealand in a three-Test series before traveling to Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which will be contested over five Test matches.

Pakistan's Test squad for the first match against England has been announced, with all-rounder Aamer Jamal making a long-awaited return. Jamal's inclusion allows Pakistan to field a balanced attack, featuring Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed. This is the first time in over a year that Pakistan's full first-choice bowling contingent is available.The batting lineup remains unchanged, with Abdullah Shafique retaining his place despite recent struggles. Captain Shan Masood expressed confidence in Shafique, stating that the team is leaving the pitch preparation to the groundsman.Pakistan's batting has been a concern, with several batters underperforming. The match-up against England's inexperienced bowling unit in these conditions presents an intriguing challenge. England's decision to field a bowling combination of Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir has raised eyebrows, but it aligns with their aggressive "Bazball" approach.Masood acknowledged the impact of "Bazball" on world cricket, emphasizing the importance of finding new ways to play. However, Pakistan has vowed not to be drawn into England's style, preferring to absorb pressure and make amends for a difficult year."There is a lot of hurt within the players," said Masood. "We want to see our fans happy. We believe in this set of players and with Jason Gillespie, we wanted to create a squad mentality."Pakistan's squad for the first Test:* Saim Ayub* Abdullah Shafique* Shan Masood (capt)* Babar Azam* Saud Shakeel* Mohammad Rizwan (wk)* Salman Ali Agha* Aamer Jamal* Shaheen Afridi* Naseem Shah* Abrar Ahmed

England's Test tour of Pakistan, commencing on Monday, evokes memories of their remarkable 3-0 sweep in 2022. However, the tourists face a Pakistan team reeling from a humiliating defeat to Bangladesh. Here are some key talking points for England ahead of the series:Stokes Factor:Ben Stokes, England's talismanic captain, misses the first Test due to a hamstring injury. His absence alters the team's balance, as he could potentially replace a top-order batsman upon his return. However, England may opt for four specialist bowlers and rely on Joe Root's off-spin.Bazball Mark II:England's "Bazball" approach, characterized by aggressive batting, proved successful in their 2022 Pakistan tour. While they have since refined their style, Stuart Broad believes it will still be effective in Pakistan. England's batting lineup boasts exceptional spin-playing abilities, allowing them to maintain a high tempo.Inexperienced Attack:England's pace attack is undergoing a transition, with Chris Woakes as the senior figure. However, his overseas record is underwhelming, and Mark Wood is unavailable. Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, and Brydon Carse have limited experience, while the spin attack is also inexperienced. Jack Leach returns after being overlooked during the English season, but Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed have limited Test exposure.Broad's Warning:Stuart Broad cautions that England's inexperience could prove costly. He emphasizes the importance of having experienced bowlers to prevent a rapid collapse in the event of a spinner's failure.

Former Indian cricketer and selector Jatin Paranjape has hailed skipper Rohit Sharma's aggressive approach in the recent Test series against Bangladesh, particularly in the Kanpur Test. Paranjape believes this match will be remembered as a turning point in Indian cricket history.Despite losing two days of play due to rain, India managed to secure a 2-0 series victory. In the Kanpur Test, Bangladesh was bowled out for 233 on day four, allowing India to post 285/9 and take two wickets. On the final day, India dismissed Bangladesh for 146 and chased down the target of 95 runs.Paranjape praised Rohit's leadership, stating that his attacking mindset has permeated the team. "Since Rohit has become the captain, the intent and DNA of the team have become attack-orientated," he said. "They have decided that their DNA is to attack, their natural instinct has become attacking, and they would not abandon it."Paranjape believes this aggressive approach will continue in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. "I think this is just a trailer of what we will see in Australia later this year," he said. "They will play such a way, irrespective of the opposition."Paranjape also highlighted the talent of Mumbai batter Prithvi Shaw, calling him "the most talented player in India." He expressed confidence that Shaw will have a successful season in the upcoming Ranji Trophy.Regarding spin all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, Paranjape believes his best years are ahead of him. "Nothing short of fantastic (his performances against Bangladesh)," he said. "He is a legend. He writes his name into the list of legends of Indian cricket. I think his best five years are ahead of us."Ashwin won the 'Player of the Series' award against Bangladesh, scoring 114 runs and taking 11 wickets. He became the joint-most 'Player of the Series' winner in Test cricket, alongside Muttiah Muralitharan.

Team India's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the second Test has sparked widespread praise for skipper Rohit Sharma's leadership. Under his guidance, the Indian team displayed an aggressive approach and unwavering determination to secure a positive outcome.Rohit's leadership has been lauded for its attacking mindset, which has instilled a sense of confidence and purpose within the team. India's dominant performance in Kanpur not only resulted in a resounding victory but also sent a clear message to the cricketing world.While Rohit's leadership has garnered significant attention, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has emphasized the legacy of Virat Kohli's captaincy. Harbhajan believes that Kohli's leadership style brought about a transformative shift in Indian cricket."Kohli's captaincy may not have yielded a World Cup victory, but that doesn't diminish his stature as a captain or player," Harbhajan stated. He highlighted Kohli's bold approach, exemplified by India's willingness to chase down a daunting target of 400 in the fourth innings of a Test in Australia.Harbhajan praised Kohli's ability to ignite a fire within the team, instilling a belief that they could overcome any challenge. He credited Kohli for fostering a mindset that has been evident in the performances of young players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant."The determination to fight till the end, which Shubman and Rishabh displayed to win the Test in Gabba, was a testament to the change in the team's thinking," Harbhajan concluded.Despite India's lack of ICC titles under Kohli's captaincy, Harbhajan remains positive about his leadership style. He believes that Kohli's legacy lies in the transformation he brought to the Indian team, which has been carried forward by Rohit Sharma and the current generation of players.

Pakistan cricket legend Zaheer Abbas, renowned as the "Asian Bradman," has expressed deep concern over the decline of Pakistan cricket, attributing it to the excessive emphasis on T20 cricket and the influx of money that has shifted players' focus away from the game.Speaking at the 'Cricket Predicta Conclave' in Bahi Ajman Palace hotel, Abbas lamented, "There's too much T20 cricket being played in Pakistan, and because of that, our players have forgotten the essence of Test cricket. This is why we're not performing well in the longer format."Abbas's comments highlight the growing debate in the cricketing world about the imbalance between different formats, with T20 cricket drawing widespread attention at the cost of the traditional Test format.Abbas, who led Pakistan cricket to unprecedented heights during his playing days, expressed dismay over the modern players' preoccupation with financial gain. "So much money has come into cricket that the players today are only focused on making money, and their attention is diverted from the game itself," he remarked.This shift, according to Abbas, is one of the key reasons Pakistan has struggled to maintain its once-dominant position in international cricket, particularly in Test matches.The former Pakistan captain did not mince words when speaking about the leadership within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). "It is the misfortune of Pakistan cricket that those who run it do not understand cricket," he said, expressing frustration with cricket administration in the country."We took Pakistan cricket to great heights. The world admired our cricket. But today, those in charge are only concerned with their own interests, not with cricket or the players."Abbas also touched upon the much-anticipated 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan. Advocating for a smooth cricketing exchange between India and Pakistan, Abbas said, "The Indian team should tour Pakistan, as it will promote cricket in the subcontinent, especially in Pakistan."He stressed that India's presence in Pakistan would be a positive development, adding, "The Indian team is a great ambassador of cricket. If they come and play in Pakistan, it will take cricket forward in our country."The strained relationship between India and Pakistan has impacted their cricketing ties, with bilateral series between the two sides on hold for several years. Abbas's appeal reflects a desire for renewed engagement between the neighboring countries, which would help revive cricket in Pakistan.Despite his own status as one of cricket's all-time greats, Zaheer Abbas still holds Sir Gary Sobers in the highest regard. "Gary Sobers is the greatest cricketer in the world, in my eyes," said Abbas, reminiscing about his dream of playing alongside Sobers.That dream came true when Abbas was selected for the World XI in 1971-72, with Sobers as captain. "I was so happy to know that Gary was my captain. It was a moment I could hardly express," Abbas recalled with admiration.During this period, the World XI played 16 matches, including five against Australia that were initially granted official Test status, although this status was later revoked. "Gary was not only a great cricketer and a brilliant captain but also a wonderful human being," Abbas said, underscoring the profound influence Sobers had on his career.Abbas also recounted a humorous yet unforgettable incident from a Test match against India in 1978, when he was on 96 runs and faced an unexpected bowler--Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar."When I saw Gavaskar coming to bowl, I thought it would be tough for me. I wasn't taking him seriously," Abbas chuckled. However, his light-hearted approach cost him dearly. "I played a shot, it went in the air, and I was caught," he said.That moment marked Gavaskar's only wicket in Test cricket, a fact the Indian great would later fondly recall. "Gavaskar said he'll always be proud of the fact that his first and only Test wicket was that of Zaheer Abbas," Abbas shared with a smile.