Cricket

Viv Richards and Carl Hooper have vehemently denounced claims made by Brian Lara in his autobiography, "Lara: The England Chronicles." Lara alleged that Richards intimidated players on the West Indies cricket team, causing Hooper to cry "once a week."In a joint statement, Richards and Hooper expressed their dismay at the "gross misrepresentations" in Lara's book, which they believe distort their off-field relationship. They categorically deny Lara's assertion that Richards was aggressive towards Hooper, causing him emotional distress."Such descriptions paint Sir Vivian as a perpetrator of emotional abuse – an assertion that is not only baseless but also deeply hurtful to both parties," the statement reads.Richards, Hooper's first captain, has always been a supportive mentor, according to the statement. Their nearly 40-year relationship is built on mutual respect and camaraderie.The statement demands a public retraction and apology from Lara for the harm caused by his false claims. "It is crucial for the integrity of public discourse and their personal and professional lives that the truth is set right," it adds.Lara's allegations have sparked controversy and raised questions about the culture within the West Indies cricket team. Richards and Hooper's response highlights the importance of addressing such issues and ensuring a respectful and supportive environment for all players.

Brian Lara's autobiography, "LARA: The England Chronicles," has sparked controversy with its claims about former West Indies captain Viv Richards. Lara alleges that Richards was an intimidating and abusive leader, causing him and teammate Carl Hooper to cry.Richards and Hooper have vehemently denied these accusations, releasing a joint statement condemning Lara's "gross misrepresentations." They assert that Richards was never aggressive towards Hooper and instead acted as a supportive mentor.Lara's book claims that Richards' "intimidating tone of voice" could affect anyone who was "not strong." However, Richards and Hooper maintain that their relationship was built on mutual respect and camaraderie.The controversy stems from an excerpt in Lara's book where he writes, "Viv used to make me cry every three weeks, but he would make Carl cry once a week. Viv's tone of voice is intimidating and if you're not strong enough, you can take that personally and be affected by it."Richards and Hooper have demanded a public retraction and apology from Lara, stating that his claims have caused undue distress to them and their families.Lara and Richards were teammates in only one match for the West Indies, while Lara played under Hooper's captaincy and later led the team that included Hooper.The controversy has raised questions about the nature of leadership in sports and the impact of verbal abuse on players. It has also highlighted the importance of accurate and respectful representation in autobiographies and other public accounts.

Viv Richards and Carl Hooper have vehemently denounced Brian Lara's "gross misrepresentations" in his autobiography, "Lara: The England Chronicles." In a joint statement, the former West Indies captains refuted Lara's claim that Richards made Hooper "cry once a week," labeling it "categorically false."Richards and Hooper expressed deep dismay over the allegations, which they believe distort their relationship and damage their reputations. They emphasized that Richards has always been a supportive mentor to Hooper, providing encouragement and unwavering support throughout their nearly 40-year friendship.Lara's assertion that Richards' words in the dressing room could "intimidate" players was also challenged by Hooper. He stated that Richards' tone of voice was never intended to cause distress and that he always had the best interests of the team at heart.The duo condemned Lara's attempt to profit from "such deceit," considering it "inconceivable" given his stature in cricket. They demanded a public retraction of the false claims and a sincere apology for the harm caused.Richards and Hooper's statement highlights the importance of integrity in public discourse and the need to protect personal and professional reputations. They emphasized that the truth must be set right to ensure the well-being of all parties involved.

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.

The India-Pakistan rivalry extends beyond the cricket field, with off-field banter and mischief adding to the intensity. Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina recently took a playful jab at Pakistani great Shahid Afridi during the IPL commentary.When asked if he would consider coming out of retirement, Raina quipped, "Suresh Raina hu, Shahid Afridi nahi." The comment drew laughter from fellow commentators, referring to Afridi's history of retiring and then making U-turns.Meanwhile, Pakistan is reportedly in talks with West Indies legend Viv Richards to serve as team mentor for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Richards' vast experience and knowledge of Caribbean conditions make him an attractive candidate.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen to secure Richards' services, despite his existing media commitments. The move is inspired by Richards' successful stint as a mentor for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League.Pakistan has undergone a significant revamp of its white-ball setup since the departure of former director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez. Former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten was recently appointed as head coach for limited-overs cricket.Kirsten, who guided India to the 2011 World Cup victory, will aim to inspire Pakistan to similar success. The team's upcoming four-match T20I series against England will serve as preparation for the World Cup.