Cricket

Pakistan's Test woes continue to draw criticism from former players, with legendary batsman Younis Khan launching a scathing attack on the team's captain, Shan Masood.Younis, without naming Masood directly, questioned his leadership abilities, stating that he lacks the necessary qualities and was appointed primarily due to his communication skills. "There are no qualities to lead a team in an individual, neither he is a leader material... still he has been given the responsibilities," Younis said.He criticized the mindset of appointing captains based on their ability to communicate effectively rather than their leadership potential. "Just because the people feel that ye hamari sunta hai, achha padha likha hai, ye English, Urdu, Pashto achhi bolta hai toh isko kaptaan bana do (He may not be a good player but if he listens to us, and speaks good English, Urdu and Pashto, so let's make him the captain). Please, get rid of this thinking," he added.Younis's comments come after Pakistan's heavy defeat to England in the first Test in Multan, which extended their losing streak to six consecutive Tests. The team's performance has raised concerns about their ability to compete at the highest level.In a further blow to Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dropped former captain Babar Azam from the squad for the second and third Tests against England. Azam, who has been struggling for form, managed just 35 runs across both innings in the first Test.The PCB has also rested frontline pace duo Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah for the Tests. The selection committee's decision to rest key players has raised questions about Pakistan's strategy for the remaining matches of the series.

Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam, facing a challenging period in his career, has sought solace in faith amidst mounting pressure. On the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, Babar shared a message on social media, referencing Prophet Muhammad's teachings of compassion.Babar's post comes during a period of poor form with the bat, following Pakistan's recent struggles on the international stage. Since the ICC World Cup in India last year, Babar has endured a series of disappointing outings, including scores of 0, 22, 11, and 31 in the recent two-Test series against Bangladesh.Pakistan's loss in the series, coupled with Babar's exclusion from the ICC top 10 rankings for batters for the first time in years, has intensified scrutiny around his leadership and form. This slump follows Pakistan's exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, where the team failed to make it past the group stages after consecutive defeats to the USA and India, raising questions about Babar's captaincy in white-ball cricket.Amid this turbulence, former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan has offered advice to Babar, urging him to take inspiration from Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli. Younis emphasized that while social media can offer a platform to connect with fans, a cricketer's real answers come through performance on the field."Players should use social media wisely, but their real answers should come through their performances with the bat and ball," Younis remarked.Younis encouraged Babar to focus on his fitness and work ethic, noting that these moments of challenge are rare opportunities for growth. Drawing parallels with Kohli, Younis added, "Look at Virat Kohli. He chose to step down from captaincy on his own terms and now he's breaking records worldwide."Babar's recent struggles have sparked concerns among Pakistan cricket fans and experts. However, the captain remains determined to overcome this challenging phase and regain his form. With the support of his team and the guidance of experienced mentors like Younis Khan, Babar aims to lead Pakistan to future success on the international stage.

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has launched a scathing attack on star batter Babar Azam and other top players, accusing them of prioritizing personal gains over team goals. Younis's criticism comes amid Pakistan's recent struggles in both Test and white-ball cricket.Younis highlighted the team's failure to win games, stating that Babar and others talk more than they perform. He urged Babar to learn from Virat Kohli, who stepped down from India's captaincy to focus on his batting."If Babar and other top players deliver on the field, then results will be clear to everyone. Humare players khelte kam, bolte zyada hai (I have observed that our players tend to talk more than they perform)," Younis said.Younis also suggested that Babar focus on his fitness and work ethic, emphasizing that opportunities like these don't come around often. He added that players should use social media wisely and let their performances on the field do the talking.Pakistan's head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have advised against hasty captaincy changes, despite recent poor performances. However, there have been calls for the removal of Shan Masood as Test captain after Pakistan's 0-2 series defeat to Bangladesh.A PCB source has denied media speculations about Masood and Babar's sacking, stating that the decision on captaincy rests with the coaches and selectors.Younis's criticism reflects the growing frustration among former players and fans over Pakistan's recent performances. The team's inability to win consistently has raised questions about the leadership and commitment of the players.

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has urged star batsman Babar Azam to emulate Indian cricketing icon Virat Kohli's approach to leadership and performance. Younis's comments come amid growing pressure on Babar, who has faced scrutiny both on and off the field.Younis emphasized that Babar's appointment as captain was based on his exceptional talent. However, he stressed that players must prioritize performance over social media presence. "Players should use social media wisely, but their real answers should come through their performances with the bat and ball," Younis said.He highlighted the importance of fitness and work ethic, noting that opportunities like Babar's captaincy do not come often. "He has achieved a lot at such a young age, but what he needs to know what he wants to achieve in the future. Captaincy is a small thing, performance is what matters," Younis added.Drawing a parallel with Kohli, Younis praised the Indian batsman's decision to step down from captaincy to focus on his performance. "Look at Virat Kohli. He chose to step down from captaincy on his own terms, and now he’s breaking records worldwide. This shows that playing for the country should be the priority. If there’s any energy left, then play for yourself."Babar's recent form has been a cause for concern, with his scores in the recent Test series against Bangladesh leading to his drop from the ICC top 10 rankings for batters. This slump has intensified scrutiny over his leadership in white-ball cricket, particularly after Pakistan's disappointing exit from the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024.Younis urged Babar to focus on his fitness and work ethic, and to learn from the example of Kohli. "He needs to focus on his fitness and work ethic because opportunities like these don't come around often," Younis said.

Pakistan's hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy have ignited uncertainty over India's participation due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations. Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been suspended since 2013, leaving the BCCI facing the prospect of not receiving travel clearance from the Indian government for the tournament in Pakistan.However, Pakistan's recent visit to India for the 2023 fifty-over World Cup has sparked discussions about a potential thaw in relations. The initial Champions Trophy schedule designates Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium as the venue for all of India's matches, including the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan.Amidst the ongoing debate, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has implored India to travel to Pakistan, emphasizing that it is the "only thing left" in Virat Kohli's illustrious career. Kohli, who made his international debut in 2008, has never played a Test match against Pakistan and has not played a bilateral series in the country since 2006.The BCCI has reportedly proposed a hybrid model similar to the one used for last year's Asia Cup, where India's matches were held in Sri Lanka. The PCB has entrusted the ICC with the responsibility of persuading the BCCI to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.According to a PCB source, the budget for the tournament has been approved, but the schedule and format have yet to be finalized. The PCB has proposed hosting all of India's games in Lahore, including a potential semi-final and final if India qualifies.The outcome of the Champions Trophy hosting rights for Pakistan hinges on the BCCI's decision, which will be influenced by the political climate between the two countries. If India does not participate, it would be a significant blow to the tournament and a missed opportunity for fans to witness some of the world's best cricketers in action.

Legendary Pakistani cricketer Younis Khan has extended an invitation to Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. Khan believes that Kohli's presence in Pakistan would be a significant milestone in his illustrious career.Kohli has never played in Pakistan with the senior Indian national team, although he toured the country with the India U-19 team in 2006. However, he has faced Pakistan in numerous ICC tournaments and boasts an impressive record against the arch-rivals."Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. It's our wish too. I think the only thing left in Kohli's career is to tour Pakistan and perform in Pakistan," Younis told News24.India and Pakistan have not engaged in any bilateral cricket series since 2012, and the participation of India in the Champions Trophy remains uncertain due to the BCCI's firm stance against sending their players to compete in Pakistan.The PCB has placed the responsibility on the ICC to persuade the BCCI to send their team to Pakistan for the forthcoming Champions Trophy, which is planned to take place in the initial months of the following year.A source from the PCB revealed that although the budget for the Champions Trophy was approved during the recent ICC meetings held in Colombo, the schedule and format of the tournament were not discussed at all."The PCB now has done what was required of it as hosts of the Champions Trophy. It has submitted the draft schedule and format for the event and also submitted a budget for the event," a PCB insider said."It is now up to the ICC how soon they circulate, discuss and finalize the schedule of the Champions Trophy. The PCB for its part in the draft schedule has suggested hosting all of India's games in Lahore including a semi-final (if India qualifies) and final," he said.

Younis Khan, Pakistan's legendary batsman and former captain, has expressed his belief that the nation's cricket would have achieved remarkable success if the late head coach, Bob Woolmer, had lived longer. Woolmer's untimely demise in 2007 left a profound void in Pakistan's cricketing landscape, and Younis' words suggest that his presence could have steered the team towards greater heights.Woolmer's impact on Pakistan's cricket during his tenure as head coach was undeniable. He instilled a sense of discipline and professionalism within the team, and his tactical acumen helped Pakistan achieve some of its most memorable victories. Younis, who was a member of the squad in 2007, recalled Woolmer's daily routine of sitting down with players after matches to discuss cricket.The tragic passing of Woolmer and the subsequent stress endured by the players during their time in the West Indies led Younis to reconsider his decision to captain Pakistan for an extended period. He felt that the authorities should have provided more assistance to the team during that challenging period.Following the incident, the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government dispatched their own security personnel to the Caribbean to collaborate with the Jamaican police. The investigation ultimately concluded that Woolmer's death was due to natural causes.Younis revealed that Woolmer had been preparing him mentally to assume the role of Pakistan's captain across all formats following the World Cup. However, after what happened in the tournament, Younis changed his mind and became a reluctant captain with no long-term tenure in mind.The team was relocated to a different island after Woolmer's passing, where they were interrogated by local authorities for three days. Younis described this experience as "torture" and emphasized that while players have responsibilities as ambassadors of their country, authorities must also look after their well-being.

Pakistan cricket legend Younis Khan's premature declaration of "revenge" against India backfired spectacularly as his Pakistan Legends team succumbed to a comprehensive defeat in the final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) to Yuvraj Singh's India Legends.In the league stage of the tournament, Pakistan Legends had triumphed over India Legends, prompting Younis to proclaim it as retribution for Pakistan's loss to India in the T20 World Cup 2024. However, when the two teams clashed again in the final, India Legends emerged victorious with ease.Following the WCL final loss, Younis acknowledged the superiority of the Indian team, praising their performance in all aspects of the game. "Congratulations to India, they played like true legends," Younis remarked. "They excelled in all three departments. Our game plan was to build a defendable total, but crucial partnerships are essential in finals. India formed the partnerships needed to chase down our score, something we failed to do, unlike in the semi-finals where we had strong partnerships."The inaugural WCL league concluded in Birmingham with the final match. "The level of cricket was outstanding. My expectations before the tournament were different, but I'm proud of our team's effort," Younis added.Earlier, after Pakistan Legends' victory against India Legends in the league stage, Younis had boldly stated, "We took the revenge by defeating India."Chasing a target of 157 runs, India overhauled the total with five balls to spare. Despite losing Robin Uthappa early, Ambati Rayudu's explosive 50 off 30 balls laid the foundation for the chase. Suresh Raina's dismissal for 4 in the same over provided Pakistan with a glimmer of hope. However, a strong partnership between Rayudu and Gurkeerat Singh Maan (34 off 33) kept India on track.Rayudu and Mann departed in quick succession, but the momentum remained firmly in India's favor with Yusuf Pathan's blistering 30 off 16 balls. With captain Yuvraj Singh (15*) and Irfan Pathan (5*) at the crease, India sealed the win, finishing at 159 for 5 in 19.1 overs.

Irfan Pathan's Iconic In-Swinger Strikes Again, Reminiscent of Historic Hat-TrickIn a thrilling display of nostalgia, Irfan Pathan's legendary in-swinging delivery made a triumphant return in Birmingham on Saturday. During the final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) between India and Pakistan, Pathan's signature ball pierced through the defenses of Pakistan Champions skipper Younis Khan, echoing his famous hat-trick in the 2006 Karachi Test.Attempting to drive the ball on the on-side, Khan was caught off guard by Pathan's late in-swinging delivery, which found the gap between bat and pad. The sound of timber reverberated through the stadium as the stumps behind Khan were shattered.Eighteen years prior, Pathan had etched his name in cricket history with a remarkable hat-trick in the third Test of India's tour of Pakistan. Coincidentally, Younis was the second victim of that hat-trick, which remains the only instance of a hat-trick in the opening over of a Test match.While the mode of dismissal differed on Saturday, with Khan being clean bowled instead of adjudged lbw, the impact of Pathan's delivery was undeniable. The in-swinging ball, reminiscent of his prime, reminded fans of his exceptional bowling prowess.In the 2006 Karachi Test, Pathan's hat-trick also included the dismissals of Salman Butt and Mohammad Yousuf. On Saturday, India Champions emerged victorious in the WCL final, defeating Pakistan Champions by five wickets. Led by Yuvraj Singh, India successfully chased down a target of 157 runs in 19.1 overs.Ambati Rayudu's quickfire half-century (50) laid the foundation for India's victory, while Yusuf Pathan (30*) and Gurkeerat Singh Mann (34) made crucial contributions. Irfan Pathan's iconic in-swinging delivery not only secured a wicket but also evoked memories of his legendary hat-trick, showcasing the enduring legacy of one of India's finest bowlers.