Cricket

Texas Gladiators Dominate Atlanta Kings in National Cricket LeagueIn a resounding victory, Texas Gladiators crushed Atlanta Kings by 8 wickets in the National Cricket League on Saturday. The triumph was orchestrated by a stellar bowling performance and an explosive batting display.Atlanta Kings' batting lineup faltered under the relentless pressure of Texas Gladiators' bowlers. Wahab Riaz, Nisarg Patel, and Jason Behrendorff each claimed two wickets, while Ashmead Nedd, Usman Rafiq, James Fuller, and Shahid Afridi chipped in with one apiece. James Neesham emerged as the lone bright spot for Atlanta Kings, scoring 12 runs.The Kings' innings crumbled to a mere 61 runs in just 8.4 overs, leaving Texas Gladiators with a modest target to chase. Dawid Malan, the English batsman, once again showcased his exceptional talent, smashing 29 runs off 19 deliveries. His knock, which included four boundaries and a six, propelled Texas Gladiators towards victory.Nick Kelly provided valuable support, remaining unbeaten on 16 runs off 16 deliveries. Texas Gladiators reached the target in 8.3 overs, losing only two wickets. Angelo Mathews and Imran Tahir claimed one wicket each for Atlanta Kings.The victory solidifies Texas Gladiators' position as a formidable force in the National Cricket League. Their bowlers have consistently delivered impressive performances, while their batsmen have shown the ability to chase down challenging targets. Atlanta Kings, on the other hand, will need to regroup and address their batting woes if they hope to compete for the championship.

Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq, former Pakistan Test cricketers, have vehemently denied allegations of favoritism and coercion in the selection process for the T20 World Cup. The duo was dismissed as selectors by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday, sparking controversy.Wahab, who was perceived to be close to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, had held various roles within the board, including chief selector and senior team manager. However, allegations emerged that he had overlooked misconduct by pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi during the World Cup.In a statement, Wahab refuted these claims, emphasizing that decisions were made collectively by the seven-member selection panel. "Everyone's vote carries equal weight," he said. "We made selection decisions as a team and shared the responsibility equally."Razzaq echoed Wahab's sentiments, stating that the selectors reached consensus through majority votes. "How can I sway the other selectors while selecting the team?" he questioned.The PCB had appointed the selection committee in March without a designated chief selector. It comprised former cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq, along with Wahab, Razzaq, the head coach, captain, and data analyst Bilal Afzal.The board's analyst Hasan Cheema and director of international cricket operations Usman Wahla also attended selection committee meetings.The allegations against Wahab and Razzaq have raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the selection process. The PCB has not yet commented on the matter, but it is expected to investigate the claims.

Pakistan's cricket team has been embroiled in a controversy involving star seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is facing allegations of misconduct during the 2024 T20 World Cup. According to reports, Afridi's inappropriate behavior towards the national team's coaches and management has come under scrutiny, prompting an investigation into why no action was taken at the time.The incident was brought to light by former cricketer Wahab Riaz, who was recently removed from the national selection committee by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Riaz alleged that Afridi's behavior was unacceptable and that it had gone unpunished.The PCB has confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the facts surrounding the allegations. The board has also announced plans to restructure the selection committee, with new details about its composition to be revealed soon.Riaz's removal from the selection committee has sparked further controversy. The former fast bowler expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that he had served Pakistan cricket with dedication and sincerity. He also praised the coaching staff, led by head coach Gary Kirsten, for their vision for the team.The PCB's decision to remove Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committee follows Pakistan's disappointing performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team was eliminated in the Group Stage after defeats to the USA and India.The allegations against Afridi and the subsequent investigation have cast a shadow over Pakistan cricket. The PCB is under pressure to take swift and decisive action to address the issue and restore confidence in the team.

Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign has led to the dismissal of Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq as selectors for the national team. The departures, expected to be officially announced later this week, mark the first casualties in the fallout from the team's early exit from the tournament.Wahab's position as a selector had been under scrutiny following Pakistan's group stage elimination. Despite being removed as chief selector earlier this year, he was widely seen as the de facto head of the seven-member committee. This perception reportedly caused internal frustrations for Wahab, who bore the brunt of criticism for the committee's decisions.The nature of the selection committee is also likely to be revised, with the appointment of a chief selector expected. The number of selectors may also be reduced, making it unlikely that Wahab and Razzaq will be replaced.Wahab's departure is a significant setback for a man who was once considered close to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Wahab had served as caretaker sports minister in Naqvi's cabinet and followed him to the PCB, where he was initially appointed chief selector. He also traveled with the Pakistan team to the T20 World Cup as senior team manager.Naqvi is believed to have been keen to demonstrate that no one is immune from consequences. The decision to dismiss Wahab and Razzaq represents another U-turn in the PCB's selection process. The seven-member committee was only announced four months ago, with Wahab demoted from chief selector. At the time, Naqvi stated that the committee would make decisions based on debate and argument.The instability within the selection committee has been a persistent issue for the PCB in recent years. Six chief selectors have been appointed in the past four years, including Wahab, Haroon Rashid, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim, and Misbah-ul-Haq.The remaining five members of the selection committee include the head coach and captain of the respective formats, Mohammad Yousaf, Asad Shafiq, and data analyst Bilal Afzal.

Wahab Riaz's Dropped Catch Sparks Criticism as Pakistan Triumphs in WCLFormer Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz faced online backlash after dropping a straightforward catch during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) match against India at Edgbaston. Riaz, who currently serves as the chief selector of the Pakistan men's senior team, was visibly disappointed after failing to secure the catch.The incident occurred during the final over of India's innings, with Pakistan already assured of victory. Anureet Singh lofted Aamer Yamin's delivery high into the sky, giving Riaz ample time to settle and pouch the ball. However, the ball somehow slipped through his hands, leading to widespread criticism.Fans questioned Riaz's suitability as chief selector, citing his inability to execute a basic fielding task. Social media erupted with comments mocking Riaz's performance, with some suggesting that he should reconsider his role.Despite the dropped catch, Pakistan Champions secured a convincing 68-run victory over Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions. This marked their third consecutive win in the ongoing WCL 2024 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.Earlier, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 243/4, thanks to a 145-run opening partnership between Sharjeel Khan and Kamran Akmal. Khan scored a blistering 72 off 30 balls, while Akmal contributed 77 off 40 balls. Sohaib Maqsood also chipped in with a quickfire 51 off 26 balls.In reply, India started their chase aggressively but lost wickets at regular intervals. Suresh Raina top-scored with 52 off 40 balls, but his efforts were not enough to prevent Pakistan from securing a comfortable victory.

Former Pakistan fast bowler and current national chief selector Wahab Riaz has come under fire for his poor fielding effort during the 'World Championship of Legends' match against India in Birmingham on Saturday.Riaz, who led the selection committee that picked Pakistan's squad for the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup, dropped a simple catch while fielding for Pakistan Champions. The incident occurred in the last over of India Champions' innings, with Pakistan on the verge of a massive victory.Chasing Pakistan Champions' mammoth total of 243/4, India Champions were struggling at 169 for 9. Aamer Yamin was bowling the final over when Anureet Singh hit the ball high into the air. Riaz got underneath it but spilled the catch, much to the disappointment of Pakistan fans.The dropped catch drew heavy criticism from fans on social media, who accused Riaz of lacking focus and commitment. Some even questioned his suitability for the role of chief selector, given his poor fielding display.Despite the fielding error, Pakistan Champions secured a significant 68-run victory over the Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions. However, Riaz's performance on the field has raised concerns about his ability to lead Pakistan's selection process.Under Riaz's tenure as chief selector, Pakistan failed to progress to the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup. The Babar Azam-led side lost to co-hosts United States and India in the Group stage of the tournament.The Pakistan Cricket Board appointed Riaz as the head of the selection committee in November last year, replacing the legendary Inzamam-ul-Haq. Riaz's appointment was met with mixed reactions, with some questioning his experience and qualifications for the role.The dropped catch incident has further fueled doubts about Riaz's suitability for the position. It remains to be seen whether the Pakistan Cricket Board will take any action in response to the criticism.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing a crucial decision regarding the future of white-ball captain Babar Azam and the selection committee following Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. Head coach Gary Kirsten and selector Wahab Riaz have submitted their tour reports to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, outlining their assessments of the team's performance.Pakistan's early exit from the tournament, with defeats to the USA and India, sparked widespread criticism in the country. The selection committee, led by Wahab, faced scrutiny for its decisions, particularly the non-selection of specialist legspinner Abrar Ahmed despite Shadab Khan's poor form.The PCB has opted to take its time before making any major decisions. Pakistan does not have any white-ball engagements until November, allowing the board to carefully consider the reports submitted by Kirsten and Wahab.Sources indicate that the PCB is open to changing the captaincy, but Babar remains a strong contender. The lack of obvious candidates to replace him has been a factor in the board's hesitation.The reports submitted by Kirsten and Wahab will provide valuable insights into the team's performance and areas for improvement. The PCB is expected to make a decision on the future of Babar and the selection committee in the coming weeks.However, the board has emphasized that it will not rush into any decisions and will prioritize making well-informed choices that will benefit the team in the long run.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing a dilemma as it grapples with the team's disappointing performance in the recent T20 World Cup. Sources within the board indicate that major changes to the national squad are unlikely, despite calls for a "major surgery" from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.The PCB governing board will convene on Saturday to review reports submitted by head coach Gary Kirsten and senior team manager Wahab Riaz. However, insiders suggest that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is wary of provoking a confrontation with senior players. As a result, only superficial adjustments are anticipated."The reports by Kirsten and Riaz will help the Governing Board and chairman Naqvi decide the next course of action, but all indications are there Naqvi doesn't want a confrontation with senior players," a source told PTI.The question of Babar Azam's captaincy in white-ball formats remains a contentious issue. While some former Test captains and a faction within the board favor Shaheen Afridi as a replacement, the names Shan Masood and Muhammad Rizwan have also emerged as potential candidates.Kirsten's report echoes his post-match discussions with players during the World Cup, emphasizing the need for players to adapt new skills and improve their game awareness. He warned that failure to do so would result in them being left behind.Wahab Riaz's report, on the other hand, outlines personality clashes within the team during the World Cup. His assessment aims to provide further context as the governing board and chairman Naqvi deliberate on the next steps.Pakistan's upcoming cricket commitments include a two-Test series against Bangladesh followed by three Tests against England. It is expected that senior players like Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan will not opt for breaks during these important fixtures.The PCB governing board meeting is expected to result in minor adjustments and a renewed focus on the overall structure of domestic cricket. However, the primary core of the team is expected to stay intact.The upcoming months appear critical for the PCB, as they navigate through internal and external pressures in hopes of improving team performance without unsettling senior members.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is poised to overhaul its seven-member selection committee following Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. The board will conduct a thorough review to identify areas of improvement, with streamlining the selection process a top priority.Sources within ESPNcricinfo indicate that the number of selectors will be reduced, and the PCB is considering reinstating the position of a chief selector. The current committee, unveiled less than three months ago, has operated without an official head, with each member holding an equal vote.Wahab Riaz, who previously served as chair, is unlikely to regain that role if it is recreated. There is growing frustration within the PCB, including from Riaz himself, over the perception that he wields undue influence as the de facto head of the committee. His departure from the committee altogether remains a possibility.The review will also consider the future of Babar Azam as captain. Despite the emotional fallout from Pakistan's World Cup exit, the PCB is not expected to make an immediate decision. Pakistan's next white-ball match is not scheduled until November.Head coach Gary Kirsten's feedback will be crucial in the review process. Kirsten, appointed in April after an extensive search, has expressed concerns about the lack of unity within the team. His tour report to the PCB could shape the direction of future changes.If no public announcements are made by the time players' central contracts expire on June 30, revisions to the contracts could indicate further changes to the national setup. Players can be moved up or down in categories or even dropped altogether based on their performances. Currently, Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are in the highest category.