Legendary cricketer Javed Miandad criticized the appointments made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following a revamp of the entire coaching staff. Javed Miandad expressed disappointment over the selection of younger coaches for the national team.

Mohammad Hafeez has been appointed as the team director, succeeding Mickey Arthur. Hafeez will also serve as the head coach for the upcoming Test series against Australia. Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal will serve as fast and spin bowling coaches, respectively.

There Should Be A Significant Age Difference – Javed Miandad

While speaking to the media on Tuesday in Karachi, Miandad advocated for a significant age difference between coaches and players to ensure respect. He pointed out the removal of Babar Azam from the captaincy, stating that they lack an understanding of cricket.

“There should be a significant age difference between coaches and players. If there is no age gap, players will not respect the coach,” Miandad said, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

“Those who don’t understand cricket removed Babar Azam from captaincy,” he further added.

The board made changes following the team’s disappointing campaign in the recently concluded World Cup 2023. The Men in Green failed to qualify for the semi-finals and finished in fifth place. They also didn’t qualify for the finals during the Asia Cup 2023.

Sarfaraz Ahmed Should Have Been The Captain – Javed Miandad

Javed Miandad stated that wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed should be named as captain of the team for the red ball series against Australia due to his leadership experience.

“Sarfaraz Ahmed should not only be included in the team against Australia, but due to his experience, he should have been the captain,” Miandad further stated.

Babar Azam stepped down from the captaincy across all formats. Shan Masood was named as the Test captain ahead of Shaheen Afridi. Shaheen Afridi became the T20I captain, while the ODI captaincy is yet to be officially confirmed by the cricket board.

Pakistan Squad: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Also read: They Will Encounter Some Hostility In India: Javed Miandad’s Advice To Pakistan For World Cup

The post ‘Players Won’t Respect Coaches…’: Javed Miandad Blasts PCB’s Coaching Appointments appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan’s under-fire fast-bowler Haris Rauf raised a number of eyebrows by opting out of the upcoming tour of Australia. Pakistan are scheduled to play a three-match Test series in Australia in December and January.

The right-arm pacer has played only one Test so far and was given the opportunity to don the Test whites once again in the upcoming series. However, he decided against playing in Australia, making newly-appointed chief selector Wahab Riaz launch a scathing critique. Slamming Haris Rauf for not making himself available for the Test series, Riaz said that it would “hurt Pakistan cricket”.

“We spoke to Haris Rauf for this tour. When we spoke to him two days ago, he gave his consent to play Test cricket for Pakistan. But last night he changed his mind, and now he doesn’t want to be part of this Test series,” Riaz told the media after announcing Pakistan’s Test squad.

“Our physio spoke to him and said he wouldn’t expect any issue or injury. Of course there’s fatigue, but we were sure we could have managed that very well. But he pulled out at the last moment and he made himself unavailable. I think this will hurt Pakistan cricket,” he added.

PCB to take action against Haris Rauf?

After Riaz’s revelation, there were rumors suggesting that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might take action against Haris Rauf for opting out of the Test series. However, the PCB has decided against taking any action and has thrown its support behind the bowler.

The PCB has also made it clear that the pacer’s recent decision won’t impact his chances of getting a callup for the future series. PCB Director Media, Aalia Rasheed, in an interview, confirmed that Haris Rauf will be considered for the upcoming limited overs series against New Zealand.

“The decision to encourage Haris to play Test matches stems from the belief that players should strive to progress in every aspect of the game, rather than limiting themselves to specific formats,” Rasheed said.

“Players must be ready to represent the national team in all formats, as they are centrally contracted with the board,” she added.

Haris Rauf has had a forgettable campaign in the recently-concluded World Cup where he struggled throughout. In 9 games, the right-arm pacer picked up 16 wickets and conceded at almost 7 runs per over.

Pakistan Test squad:

Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

The post PCB Decides Haris Rauf’s Fate After Pacer Refused To Play Australia Test Series appeared first on CricketAddictor.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially stated that fast bowler Haris Rauf will not be penalized for opting out of the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia. Haris Rauf will be considered for selection for the limited-overs series against New Zealand.

Haris Rauf played only one Test for Pakistan, where he recorded figures of 1/78 in 13 overs against England last year. The tearaway pacer had a disappointing performance in the 2023 World Cup, securing 16 wickets with an average of 33 and an economy rate of 6.74.

Players Must Be Represent The National Team – PCB Director Media

PCB Director Media, Aalia Rasheed, confirmed in an interview that Haris Rauf will still be considered for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. She emphasized the importance of being ready to represent the national team in all formats.

“The decision to encourage Haris to play Test matches stems from the belief that players should strive to progress in every aspect of the game, rather than limiting themselves to specific formats,” Rasheed said.

“Players must be ready to represent the national team in all formats, as they are centrally contracted with the board,” she added.

Haris Rauf Pulled Out At The Last Moment – Wahab Riaz

In his first press conference as the chief selector, Wahab Riaz revealed that Haris Rauf initially agreed to play Tests for Pakistan but decided to opt-out at the last minute. Wahab stated that Rauf had given his consent to play Test cricket just two days prior.

“We spoke to Haris and he was worried about his body and fitness, as well as his workload. Mohammad Hafeez and I sat with him and tried to facilitate him in every way. We told him even if he didn’t perform well there, we would accept it. Our physio spoke to him and said he wouldn’t expect any issue or injury. Of course there’s fatigue, but we were sure we could have managed that very well. But he pulled out at the last moment and he made himself unavailable,” Wahab stated.

Pakistan Squad: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Also read: “On What Performance…”: Aaqib Javed Bashes PCB For Forcing Haris Rauf To Play Australia Tests

The post PCB Not To Take Action Against Haris Rauf Despite Opting Out Of Australia Tests appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Australia batter Usman Khawaja has set side retirement plans for now. Usman Khawaja only plays in Tests for Australia. However, he is a regular opener for the team in the longest format. He is currently 36 years old.

The left-handed batsman has played 66 Tests for Australia. In 117 innings, he has mustered 5004 runs at an average of 47.21. Khawaja has also hit 15 centuries and 24 half-centuries in Tests. He will be next seen in the upcoming home Test series against Pakistan next month.

Also Read: ‘Stats Said Bat First…’: David Warner Makes Huge Revelation On Australia Bowling First In CWC Final

Usman Khawaja Sets Aside Retirement Plans

While speaking on Australian Radio show Nova 106.9, Usman Khawaja was asked about his retirement plans. To this, Khawaja replied that it is not about age but more about how your body and mind are responding to playing.

“It’s a choice at the end of the day. I could have retired five years ago, I could retire now. There are some things that are out of your control, like how the body’s going. It’s also how the mind is. Are you able to go to competitive training every day? The hard yards that you did 10 years ago, are you still doing that?” Usman Khawaja said.

Also Read: Adam Zampa Brutally Savages Michael Clarke After Australia Overcome Poor Start To Win World Cup

The left-handed batsman also added that he is really enjoying the game and none of the factors for playing has dropped off so far.

“I’m still really enjoying the games, I don’t really have a finishing line. It’s not about what age I’m at, it’s more about the factors, if one of them drops off, then I’ll think maybe it’s time. It just hasn’t dropped off yet,” Khawaja further said.

Usman Khawaja will turn 37 in December. The left-handed batsman was also part of the Ashes 2023 and the Test series against India earlier in March. He is expected to be part of the forthcoming five Tests- three against Pakistan in December and two against West Indies in January.

Pakistan will tour Australia for a three-match Test series. The series commences with the opening game on December 14 in Perth.

The post “Could Retire Now”: Usman Khawaja Makes Colossal Remark On His Retirement appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan cricketer Aaqib Javed slammed PCB for forcing Haris Rauf to play Test cricket. He highlighted how the fast bowler got injured after playing one game in the longest format of the game and questioned why they wanted to play him. 

Haris Rauf has become the hot soup in Pakistan cricket after he made himself unavailable for the Test series against Australia. The fast bowler kept in mind his workload and body and decided to opt out of the series. 

PCB chief selector Wahab Riaz said they assured him that they would look after him and manage his workload. He mentioned that even physios were optimistic about his fitness, but the pacer didn’t agree and added his absence might hurt Pakistan. He stated: 

“We spoke to Haris Rauf about this tour 2 days ago, and he gave his consent to playing Tests for Pakistan. However, he changed his mind last night and didn’t want to be a part of this Australia Test series. He was worried about fitness issues and workload. 

“We gave him assurances that we will facilitate him and accept any potential failures. Our physio said he has no injury concerns. He is fatigued, but we could have managed him well. However, he pulled out and is unavailable for this tour. I think this could hurt Pakistan cricket.”. 

Keeping in mind Wahab Riaz’s statement, Aaqib Javed lashed out at the PCB, saying that he has been playing T20 cricket for the last one year and hasn’t played a single Test. Javed slammed them saying that on what basis they are picking him as there’s no logic behind his selection. He stated: 

“Haris Rauf has been playing T20 cricket, he hasn’t played Test cricket for a year, so how can they play him? Haris played one Test and got unfit. PCB claims they will respect players, on the other hand, they put pressure on them. Right now there is no logic that you are telling Haris to play Test cricket. On what performance are you telling Haris to play in the Australia series?” 

If Pakistan can avoid a whitewash in this series, it will be a big feat – Aaqib Javed 

Pakistan are first scheduled to have a training camp. It’ll take place in Rawalpindi from November 20. After that, they will travel to Australia for the Test series. The first match will be played in Perth from 14th December. The focus will then shift towards the second match, to be played from 27th December in Melbourne. The final match will happen in Sydney from 3rd January. 

Aaqib Javed highlighted the struggles of the Pakistan team in Australia over the past few years and said that it’ll be a big feat for the team. He added: 

“Pakistan teams with big names went to Australia but couldn’t win. If Pakistan can avoid a whitewash in this series, it will be a big feat.” 

Here’s Pakistan’s squad for the Test series against Australia: 

Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed

The post “On What Performance…”: Aaqib Javed Bashes PCB For Forcing Haris Rauf To Play Australia Tests appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi shared his verdict on pacer Haris Rauf pulling out of the Test series against Australia. He said that it wasn’t a correct decision by him as fast bowlers enjoy Australian conditions and he could’ve prepared well. 

Pakistan recently announced the squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia. However, one thing that caught the attention of many was Haris Rauf’s name not being there. This raised many speculations but later it was revealed that he himself opted out of the three-match Test series. 

Haris Rauf earlier was adamant to play in the series but on the eve of the squad announcement, he made himself unavailable. The fast bowler took the decision, keeping in mind his workload and fitness. The pacer conveyed to selectors that he was fatigued and needed a break. 

Haris Rauf’s decision to pull out of the Test series against Australia however has raised quite a few questions about his commitment to the team. This has now become a new debate in the Pakistan Cricket and the latest to join the bandwagon is Shahid Afridi. 

Shahid Afridi pointed out that had the Test series been slated to take place in Asia then he wouldn’t have picked Haris Rauf, but in Australian conditions, the pacer should’ve enjoyed and his decision is not correct at all. Speaking to Samaa TV, he explained: 

“If the Test series had been in Asia, I wouldn’t have taken Haris Rauf along. Haris Rauf is missing a big opportunity because Australian conditions are very good for the pacers. Fast bowlers enjoy playing in those conditions. He didn’t need to play all three games, had he played just one and along with training and practice sessions, he could’ve prepared well for the T20I sides against New Zealand, where conditions are different. He could’ve adjusted easily. I think refusing to tour Australia for the test series is not the correct decision by Haris Rauf.” 

Refusing to tour Australia for the test series is not the correct decision by Haris Rauf : Shahid Afridi pic.twitter.com/GU2OItsNcC

— TEAM AFRIDI (@TEAM_AFRIDI) November 20, 2023

I think this could hurt Pakistan cricket – Wahab Riaz on Haris Rauf opting out of the series 

Chief selector Wahab Riaz talked about Haris Rauf’s absence. He admitted that despite the management assuring him that they would manage his workload, the pacer didn’t agree. He also added that it’ll hurt the team. Speaking about the same, he explained: 

“We spoke to Haris Rauf about this tour 2 days ago, and he gave his consent to playing Tests for Pakistan. However, he changed his mind last night and didn’t want to be a part of this Australia Test series. He was worried about fitness issues and workload. 

“We gave him assurances that we will facilitate him and accept any potential failures. Our physio said he has no injury concerns. He is fatigued, but we could have managed him well. However, he pulled out and is unavailable for this tour. I think this could hurt Pakistan cricket.”. 

Here’s Pakistan’s squad for the Test series against Australia: 

Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed

The post Wrong Decision! Shahid Afridi Tears Apart Haris Rauf For Opting Out Of Australia Tests appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Continuing their overhaul of the Pakistan team’s backroom staff, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Tuesday (November 21), appointed former bowlers Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as the bowling coaches. The PCB has made a number of changes to the coaching staff after Pakistan’s disastrous performance in the recently concluded World Cup as well as the Asia Cup preceding it.

In the Asia Cup, the Men in Green failed to qualify for the finals after suffering crushing defeats at the hands of eventual winners India and Sri Lanka. It was followed by a poor campaign in the World Cup where they failed to advance ahead of the league stage under the captaincy of Babar Azam.

Pakistan began their campaign with two wins before four successive losses completely derailed their campaign. They did win two more games but failed to advance to the semifinals. The 1992 World Cup winners eventually finished in the fifth spot with just 4 wins from 9 games. After the tournament, Babar Azam stepped down as captain in all three formats.

PCB appoints Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as bowling coaches:

Umar Gul has been named as the fast-bowling coach of Pakistan while Saeed Ajmal will be the spin-bowling coach. Earlier this month, former South Africa pacer Morne Morkel resigned as the bowling coach of Pakistan after the dismal show in the World Cup. Both Gul and Ajmal were important members of the Pakistan team that won the T20 World Cup in 2009 and the Asia Cup in 2012.

Earlier this year, Gul had served as the bowling coach for Pakistan during the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, and the subsequent series against New Zealand at home. He has also plied his trade as the bowling coach of PSL outfit Quetta Gladiators and Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2022. On the other hand, Ajmal served as the spin bowling coach of PSL franchise Islamabad United.

“I am pleased to join as the bowling coach of Pakistan team and feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to contribute to Pakistan cricket by Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf. Having had previous working experience with the men’s side, I will bring my coaching expertise with the aim of elevating Pakistan’s bowling prowess to new heights,” said Gul.

“I am truly honoured and grateful for the opportunity provided by Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf to serve as the spin bowling coach. I am delighted to contribute to the development of spin bowling talent within the Pakistan national team. I believe my career and coaching experience will help enhance the spin bowling arsenal of the team,” said Ajmal.

🚨 Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal have been appointed as the Fast Bowling and Spin Bowling Coaches, respectively, for the Pakistan Men’s Team

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/0rPdPWlvGm pic.twitter.com/FB4sak7sFW

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 21, 2023

Earlier, the PCB had appointed former captain Mohammad Hafeez as the Director of Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team. He replaced Mickey Arthur whose last assignment was the World Cup. As per reports, Hafeez is also likely to serve as the head coach of the team for the upcoming series against Australia.

Former 🇵🇰 captain Mohammad Hafeez has been given the responsibility of Director – Pakistan Men's Cricket Team.

The PCB has changed the portfolio of the Pakistan coaching staff. All coaches will continue to work in National Cricket Academy while PCB will announce the new coaching… pic.twitter.com/zwwnsj5lzs

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 15, 2023

The post Umar Gul And Saeed Ajmal Given Key Positions In Pakistan Cricket appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan’s new chief selector Wahab Riaz has provided updates on the fitness of key Pakistan pacers like Naseem Shah, Ihsanullah, and Mohammad Hasnain. All three of them are in the recovery process and will take time to be back on the field.

Naseem Shah, Ihsanullah, and Mohammad Hasnain are three crucial pacers for Pakistan. While Naseem Shah is an experienced one and a regular member of the national side, Ihsanullah and Mohammad Hasnain are emerging pacers.

Naseem Shah Will Be Able To Bowl At 50-60% After 3 Weeks: Wahab Riaz

While speaking to the press, Wahan Riaz said that Naseem Shah will be able to bowl 50-60% after 3 weeks. He also added that Ihsanullah is undergoing rehab.

“Naseem Shah will hopefully be able to bowl at 50-60% after 3 weeks. Mohammad Hasnain has started running and sprinting. He started bowling last week but he’ll need two weeks to build up his workload. Ihsanullah continues to undergo rehab,” Cricket Pakistan quoted Wahab Riaz as saying.

Also Read: ‘You Look At The Money For Their Players..’- Wasim Akram On Indian Cricket

Naseem Shah sustained a shoulder injury ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023. His absence also hurt Pakistan’s performance in the tournament. Shah underwent shoulder surgery earlier. Mohammad Hasnain sustained an ankle injury during the Sri Lanka Premier League in August. Ihsanullah is recovering from an ankle injury and has been off the field since April 2023.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is set to take Australia in a three-match Test series next month. During the away tour, Shan Masood will lead the side. He was appointed as Pakistan’s new Test skipper after Babar Azam quit captaincy from all three formats.

Also Read: Heartbroken Yuzvendra Chahal Breaks Silence With Cryptic Post After Being Snubbed For Australia T20Is

Pakistan squad for Australia Tests: Shan Masood (C), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

The post When Will Naseem Shah Return To International Cricket? Wahab Riaz Provides Scintillating Update appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan’s newly appointed chief selector Wahab Riaz revealed why Haris Rauf wasn’t named in the squad for the Test series against Australia. He said that the fast bowler pulled out from the series at the last minute as he was worried about his workload. 

Pakistan announced a strong 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia. The series will begin on 14th December in Perth and will conclude on 7th January. Shan Masood will captain the team and it’ll be his first assignment as a leader of the team. 

Saim Ayub and Khurram Shahzad have received the maiden call-up whereas the rest of the names are pretty similar. But one thing that caught the attention of many was the absence of Haris Rauf from the team. The pacer has been the backbone of the team and his pace on Australian wickets would’ve been handy. 

Haris Rauf’s absence from the squad raised quite a few eyebrows. But the reason behind him not being there has been known now. The pacer has himself made unavailable for the series, keeping in mind his workload and fitness. 

Wahab Riaz talked about Haris Rauf’s absence and said that he was ready to play in Australia but on the eve of the squad announcement, he made himself unavailable. He admitted that despite the management assuring him that they would manage his workload, the pacer didn’t agree. Speaking about the same, he explained: 

“We spoke to Haris Rauf about this tour 2 days ago, and he gave his consent to playing Tests for Pakistan. However, he changed his mind last night and didn’t want to be a part of this Australia Test series. He was worried about fitness issues and workload. 

“We gave him assurances that we will facilitate him and accept any potential failures. Our physio said he has no injury concerns. He is fatigued, but we could have managed him well. However, he pulled out and is unavailable for this tour. I think this could hurt Pakistan cricket.”. 

Pakistan squad and schedule for the Test series against Australia

Here’s Pakistan’s squad for the Test series against Australia: 

Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed 

Here’s the schedule for the Test series against Australia:

1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium
2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

The post “Haris Rauf Was Worried About…”- Wahab Riaz Reveals Why Pacer Skipped Australia Tests appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan Cricket Team have announced their squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia. Shan Masood, who was recently appointed as the skipper will lead the strong 18-member squad in his first assignment as a captain of the Test Team. The series between the two teams will kick start on 14th December in Perth.

Pakistan has given a maiden call-up to Saim Ayub, who is touted as one of the finest talents in the country. Apart from him, Khurram Shahzad is also called up for the first time. The squad was picked by newly appointed chief selector Wahab Riaz. PCB made massive changes to the management after they suffered disappointing losses in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Babar Azam will be there as a pure batter. Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq have also made the cut into the team after having decent outings in the ICC World Cup 2023. Pakistan have also named Abrar Ahmed, and Nauman Ali as two spinners on the team. Haris Rauf made himself unavailable for the series, which Wahab Riaz touted as a big loss for the team.

Mohammad Rizwan and Sarfaraz Ahmed are the two keepers in the team alongside Saud Shakeel, who is the middle-order batter in the team- the fast bowling department has pretty similar names in it. Shaheen Afridi will lead the lack, which has the likes of Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mir Hamza, and Hasan Ali. Apart from Faheem Ashraf is also in the team as a fast bowling all-rounder.

Here’s Pakistan’s squad for the Test series against Australia: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed 

Pakistan’s schedule for the Test series against Australia 

Pakistan are first scheduled to have a training camp. It’ll take place in Rawalpindi from November 20. After that, they will travel to Australia for the Test series. Here’s the schedule for the Test series against Australia:

• 1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium 

• 2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) 

• 3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

The post Pakistan Test Squad for Australia Announced, Haris Rauf Ditches PCB At The Last Moment appeared first on CricketAddictor.

While the Pakistan team was expected to come up with a superb show in ICC World Cup 2023, they couldn’t perform up to the mark and failed to reach the semi-finals. After ICC World Cup 2023, Pakistan is scheduled to play some series in the near future.

Babar Azam has quit Pakistan’s captaincy from all formats. Pakistan will play under new skippers after the ICC World Cup 2023. Shan Masood will lead the Test side while Shaheen Afridi will lead the ODI and T20I teams.

Also Read: Mohammad Amir Shuns Babar Azam And Mohammad Rizwan To Pick Pakistan’s New Opening Pair In T20Is

Pakistan will play a Test series against Australia in December 2023. Later, they will also tour New Zealand in January. In May 2024, Pakistan will tour England for a T20I series.  Below is the Pakistan team’s full schedule after the ICC World Cup 2023.

Also Read: PCB Finally Starts Clearing Pakistan Players’ Salaries After Not Paying Them For 5 Months: Reports

Pakistan Cricket Team Schedule After World Cup 2023 Till ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Pakistan vs Australia (December 2023)

Pakistan will tour Australia in December 2023 for a Test series. Pakistan faced a defeat against the Aussies in ICC World Cup 2023. They will aim for revenge. However, Aussies are quite powerful in Tests on their home soil and the men-in-green might have a hard time.

Pakistan vs New Zealand (January 2024)

Later in January next time, Pakistan will travel to New Zealand for a T20I series. Pakistan will play five T20I games against New Zealand.

Also Read: Watch: Pakistan’s New Test Captain Shan Masood And Sarfaraz Ahmed Involved In Nasty Collision

Pakistan vs England (May 2024)

In May 2024, Pakistan will travel to England for a T20I series. England is known to dominate on the home soil. Pakistan will have a challenge against the hosts. Both teams will play 4 T20I games during the series.

The post Pakistan Cricket Team Schedule After World Cup 2023 Till ICC T20 World Cup 2024 appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar talked about Babar Azam stepping down as the skipper for the team in all three formats.  He said that the treatment that the Pakistan Cricket Board gave to him was unjust and he shouldn’t have been pushed to resign.

Pakistan’s poor outing in the  ICC World Cup 2023 made Babar Azam step down as the captain of the team in all three formats of the game. The right-hander gave his resignation after reaching back home and said that he would continue to give his best as a player to the team.

Various reports suggested that PCB wanted Babar Azam to captain in the Test but he didn’t want to do it in one format. Therefore he had to step down. There was a lot of external pressure on him as well as many lashed out at him for the team’s ouster in the tournament.

Shoaib Akhtar said that Babar Azam shouldn’t have been removed from the Test captaincy even though he didn’t want to captain in all three formats. He explained (as quoted by Cricket Pakistan):

“The treatment with Babar Azam was unjust. I categorically say that in such a short time, he should not have been removed from the captaincy of Test matches. Even though he said he didn’t want captaincy of all formats and the board was insisting on him captaining Test matches, he shouldn’t have resigned, and he shouldn’t have been pushed out.”

They should have given him 1.5 months – Shoaib Akhtar on Babar Azam

Shoaib Akhtar further said that PCB should’ve given Babar Azam 1.5 months before taking the captaincy from him. He highlighted how similar things have been happening in Pakistan cricket in the past. He concluded by saying that had he been there, he would’ve given him time to resolve the issues. He elaborated:

“They should have given him 1.5 months without saying a word, but the board didn’t do that. We are experts in removing someone from their position and this is how the entire management of Pakistan works, just remove and banish. There has been injustice with Babar. If I were there, I would have given him this month and then worked on a new strategy because now there will be talk of resolving the rift.”

After Babar Azam stepped down as the leader of the team, PCB immediately named Shaan Masood as the Test captain and Shaheen Afridi as the T20I skipper.

The post ‘Treatment With Babar Azam Was Unjust’ – Shoaib Akhtar Slams PCB  appeared first on CricketAddictor.

On Saturday, November 18, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the appointment of the legendary batsman Mohammad Yousuf as the head coach of the Pakistan U19 Team.

Mohammad Yousuf is regarded as one of the greatest ever to represent Team Pakistan in international cricket. He was a prolific player and one of the most elegant batters of his time. The 49-year-old represented Pakistan in international cricket from 1998 to 2010.

Overall, Mohammad Yousuf scored 7,530 Test runs and 9,720 ODI runs in his legendary career. He still holds the record for the most Test runs in a calendar year as he had scored 1788 Test runs in the year 2006.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Yousuf has already worked as the batting coach of the Pakistan National Cricket Team as well as the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

I am pleased to join as Pakistan U19 head coach –

In an official statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohammad Yousuf said that he is honored to be given the job of the head coach with the U19 Team. He also expressed his excitement over starting his tenure as the coach with the young players. He elaborated:

“I am pleased to join as Pakistan U19 head coach and feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to contribute to Pakistan cricket by Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf.

“I am eagerly looking forward to the upcoming U19 Asia Cup and ICC U19 World Cup tournaments, which are crucial to the players’ growth and we will be aiming to do our best in these events.

“Having had the privilege of working with the senior men’s side, I will bring my coaching experience to the U19 set-up, providing a nurturing environment for the young talents to thrive and make a mark on the international level.

“Harnessing the skills of young players is crucial for Pakistan cricket and I am dedicated to fulfilling my responsibility in helping identify, improve and nurture future stars.”

Mohammad Yousuf’s first assignment as the Pakistan U19 head coach will be the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023 in the UAE in December. Following that he will manage the team in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 in Sri Lanka in January-February

The post PCB Appoints Mohammad Yousuf As Pakistan U19 Head Coach appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan seamer, Mohammad Amir, has suggested a reconstruction in Pakistan’s T20 International (T20I) opening pair. Amir shared his opinion on a local news channel expressing his preference for a change in the opening combination. Currently, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan open the innings for Pakistan in T20Is.

Mohammad Amir chose Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman to open the innings in T20Is. According to Amir, impact players should bat at the top of the order as the initial overs are crucial in T20s.

Mohammad Amir emphasized the need for impact players at the top of the order citing the significance of the initial overs in a T20 match. “I’ll pick Fakhar and Saim as openers, I won’t even keep Babar and Rizwan as openers. Because in T20, six overs of batting and six overs of bowling are extremely important,” Amir said.

The post Mohammad Amir Shuns Babar Azam And Mohammad Rizwan To Pick Pakistan’s New Opening Pair In T20Is appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan is expected to take up a coaching role for Pakistan’s junior teams. He would be focusing on grooming and development of new talents in Pakistan Cricket. According to reports, following a recent meeting with PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf, it was agreed that Younis Khan would be taking responsibility for coaching and developing the junior teams. However, the final confirmation for the same is pending. It will be finalized when both Younis and Ashraf return from their respective trips to Dubai and India.

Younis Khan has shown his interest in nurturing junior players’ talent through his coaching. It is expected that the contract details for the same which have been verbally agreed upon, will be officially announced upon his return. Younis Khan led Pakistan in the 2009 T20 World Cup where Pakistan clinched the title.

The former Pakistan skipper is considered the greatest-ever test batter in the nation’s history. He is the only Pakistani batter with more than 10000 runs in test cricket. Younis Khan recorded 34 centuries in his test career, the most by any Pakistan player. He is also the only player to score test hundreds in all 11 nations.

Younis Khan As Coach Can Revive The Pakistan Cricket Team

Younis Khan is known for his leadership as he was a successful captain for Pakistan. His coaching might be something that could be the need of the hour for Pakistan Cricket. The Former Pakistan Skipper will nurture the young prospects and prepare them for the senior national team.

Meanwhile, the PCB has appointed former Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir as the head of the junior selection committee. Tanvir’s first assignment as the head of the junior selection committee will be selecting the Pakistan U19 squad for the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023 which will be held in December 2023 in UAE.

Pakistan U19 will later take part in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 from 13 January to 4 February in Sri Lanka. Pakistan is the only nation to win consecutive Under-19 World Cup titles in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Under the coaching of Younis Khan, they can look to win the title for a third time.

The post PCB To Appoint Younis Khan As The New Coach For Pakistan Junior National Team appeared first on CricketAddictor.

On Friday, November 17, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the appointment of the former Pakistan player Sohail Tanvir as the head of the junior selection committee.

The 38-year-old represented Pakistan National Cricket Team from 2007 to 2017 and he was part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad in the year 2009. Overall, he represented the Men In Green in 2 Tests, 62 ODIs and 57 T20Is, picking up 130 wickets.

The appointment of Sohail Tanvir is part of the wholesale changes in Pakistan cricket following their early World Cup 2023 exit. Babar Azam has stepped down as all-format captain and has been replaced by Shaheen Afridi in T20Is and Shan Masood in Tests.

The entire coaching staff has been sacked and Pakistan director of cricket Mickey Arthur has been replaced by Mohammad Hafeez, who will serve as the team’s head coach in a temporary capacity for the tours of Australia and New Zealand.

Also, Wahab Riaz has been appointed the new chief selector of the senior men’s team, replacing the legendary Inzamam-ul-Haq, who stepped down from the position in the middle of the World Cup 2023.

“I am truly honored and grateful for the opportunity provided by Chairman PCB” – Sohail Tanvir

In an official statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Sohail Tanvir said that he is truly honored to get the opportunity to become the head of the junior selection committee. He elaborated:

“I am truly honoured and grateful for the opportunity provided by the Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf to serve as head of the junior selection committee. Being appointed chairman of this committee is a huge responsibility and I am looking forward to this exciting challenge.

“I believe in the potential of our young talent and we collaboratively aim to build a pathway for success from the grassroots to the international level. Our first task will be the selection of the U19 squad for the upcoming ACC U19 Asia Cup, as we prepare to build a strong team to compete in the ICC U19 World Cup later next year.”

🗣️ Sohail Tanvir reflects on being named chairman of the junior selection committee and his upcoming assignments in this position.

Read more: https://t.co/kGA72SyMBW pic.twitter.com/1u4Q3y5ipy

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 17, 2023

The first task for Sohail Tanvir will be to pick the squad of the Pakistan Under-19 team for the upcoming Asian Cricket Council U19 Asia Cup 2023, which will be played in December in the UAE. Following that, the Pakistan Under-19 team will also take part in the ICC U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in January.

The post Sohail Tanvir Named Head Of Pakistan’s Junior Selection Committee appeared first on CricketAddictor.

After facing flak from several quarters, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally started clearing the dues of Pakistan’s centrally contracted players. The salary of the players was held up for a few months because of the standoff on the central contract between the board and the players.

The PCB faced criticism after former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif stated that the players had not received their salaries from five months as he defended them after their poor performance in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. However, a PCB official has now confirmed that the dues of the majority of the players had been cleared dating back to June.

“A few who have not signed as yet will do so in the next two days and their dues will also be cleared swiftly,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.

The previous central contracts had ended in June and the new contract was not signed until late September as the players and the board failed to reach an agreement. Babar Azam & Co. left for the World Cup without receiving their salaries. The board eventually accepted the players’ proposal and announced a big hike in salary. The PCB also confirmed that the players would receive a three percent share annually from the ICC revenue.

Pakistan’s poor performance in World Cup:

Talking about Pakistan’s performance in the ongoing World Cup, they failed to make it to the semifinals for the third time in a row. The Babar Azam-led side began their campaign with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka before their campaign got completely derailed.

The 1992 World Cup winners lost four games in a row including a first-ever ODI loss to Afghanistan. They did win two games towards the end but it did not make of a difference. In the end, Pakistan finished in the fifth spot with just 4 wins and 5 losses.

Following the poor show in the World Cup, Babar Azam recently stepped down as the captain in all three formats. Shan Masood has replaced him as the Test captain while Shaheen Afridi has been named as the T20I captain.

The post PCB Finally Starts Clearing Pakistan Players’ Salaries After Not Paying Them For 5 Months: Reports appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan’s newly-appointed Test captain Shan Masood suffered a nasty collision with Sarfaraz Ahmed on Friday (November 17) during the second semifinal of the ongoing Pakistan Cup 2023-24. They were playing for Karachi Whites against Multan in Rawalpindi.

The incident took place in the 9th over of Multan’s innings. On the second ball of the over, Sohaib Maqsood struck the ball high into the air. Both Shan Masood and Sarfaraz Ahmed went for the catch and the miscommunication resulted in a severe collision.

Fortunately, Sarfaraz Ahmed managed to get back on his feet soon after the collision but Shan Masood looked in discomfort. He was seen grimacing while clutching his ankle. The Test captain soon walked off the field in worrying signs for Pakistan.

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Test Captain Shan Masood had a rough collision on the field. pic.twitter.com/d71LOyFdIz

— Thakur (@hassam_sajjad) November 17, 2023

Earlier in the game, Shan Masood scored 41 runs off 38 balls as Karachi Kings scored 280 runs. Saim Ayub top-scored for Karachi with 95. For Multan, Mohammad Imran picked up three wickets. In reply, Multan finished their innings on 229 for 9 despite an unbeaten 106 from Haseebullah Khan as Karachi registered a 43-run win (DLS method) to storm into the final.

Shan Masood eyes historic Test series win:

Pakistan will be hoping that the injury is not serious and Shan Masood leads them in the upcoming Test series in Australia. He was recently appointed as the Test captain after Babar Azam stepped down from the post in all the three formats. The three-match Test series against Australia is scheduled to start from 14 December, 2023.

Pakistan have endured a tough time in Australia in the last couple of decades or so. Since 1999, they have lost 14 Tests in a row in Australia including five consecutive series whitewashes.  Shan Masood will be eyeing history and guide his team to a famous Test series win. In T20Is, Pakistan have appointed Shaheen Afridi as the captain after Babar Azam’s resignation.

Babar resigned after Pakistan’s poor show in the ongoing World Cup. Despite being one of the favourites, the Men in Green once again failed to make it to the semifinals and finished at the fifth spot. They managed to win only 4 of their 9 league games.

The post Watch: Pakistan’s New Test Captain Shan Masood And Sarfaraz Ahmed Involved In Nasty Collision appeared first on CricketAddictor.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has roped in former fast-bowler Wahab Riaz as the new chief selector of the Pakistan men team’s selection committee. The PCB confirmed the appointed on Friday (November 17).

He has replaced former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq as the chief selector. Inzamam resigned from the post after conflict of interest allegations emerged. He also faced criticism for poor selection calls as Pakistan struggled to do well in the ongoing World Cup.

Wahab Riaz had announced his retirement from international cricket in August this year after representing Pakistan in 27 Tests, 91 ODIs and 36 T20Is. The former left-arm pacer picked up 237 wickets and scored 1200 runs across the three formats.

His last appearance for Pakistan came in December 2020. Wahab Riaz’s first assignment as the chief selector will be to pick the Test squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia as well as the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

Wahab Riaz honoured:

Speaking after his appointment, Wahab Riaz stated that he is honoured to be appointed as the chief selector of Pakistan. He also praised the PCB for roping in former players as he vowed to work for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.

“I am honoured to assume the role of chairperson for the national men’s selection committee and I extend my gratitude to Chairman PCB Management Committee, Mr Zaka Ashraf, for entrusting me with this responsibility. The decision to involve former players in cricketing matters is commendable and I am willing to work for the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” said Wahab Riaz.

Wahab Riaz opens up about his appointment as chief selector and outlines his priorities in this role 🎙️🏏

More details ➡️ https://t.co/3uhDwHUhIB pic.twitter.com/qfuv0Y9Bdm

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 17, 2023

“Heading a selection committee is a challenging task. We have a significant Australia tour coming up that is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle and a T20I series against New Zealand that will allow us to develop a formidable unit leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June next year.

“I have a good rapport with the Pakistan Men’s Team Director Mohammad Hafeez and we will be working closely for the success of Pakistan cricket. My primary goal would be to give weightage to the top performers in domestic cricket and announce well-rounded squads equipped with the necessary skillsets. I will always be available to the players for feedback and advice,” he added.

The PCB has taken some big calls following Pakistan’s disastrous show in the ongoing World Cup. The Men in Green once again failed to make it to the semifinals and finished at the fifth spot. They managed just 4 wins in 9 league games.

The post Wahab Riaz Replaces Inzamam-ul-Haq As Pakistan’s Chief Selector appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan did not have a memorable ICC Cricket World Cup 2o23. They crashed out after suffering five defeats in their nine league-stage matches which included defeats against their Asian rivals India and Afghanistan. The Men In Green failed to perform in all aspects and had to face severe repercussions for the results, especially skipper Babar Azam.

Babar Azam resigned as the skipper of the Pakistan Men’s National Cricket Team and former Australia opener Matthew Hayden came in support of Babar Azam saying that his record as a captain is phenomenal. Firstly, Hayden talked about the issues that led to an early exit for Pakistan in the World Cup. He mentioned the absence of Naseem Shah as one of the reasons alongside the bad form of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman.

“Firstly, they didn’t have Naseem (Shah). They had, I believe some concerns over their world-class left-arm pacer. Shaheen came in, and we watched him closely during the Asia Cup, he was a little underdone. Fakhar Zaman didn’t really arrive at this tournament, and then when he did, it was probably too late for Pakistan,” said Matthew Hayden.

Watch- Matthew Hayden Explaining Pakistan’s Poor Show In The World Cup

"They've potentially shot the gun a little bit early in terms of his leadership capabilities"@haydostweets discusses Babar Azam stepping down as Pakistan's captain 🗣 https://t.co/aXy2I16Ygu #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/8Rem4w8jtc

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 17, 2023

The Former Australian opener went on to add the poor show of spinners Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan who failed to create an impact. He also said that the main problem for Pakistan is not having a conducive high-performing culture.

“They had their spinners, Nawaz and Shadab, who both were finding it really difficult in 2023, firstly to retain their spot, which they didn’t in the World Cup. So there were lots of challenges in and around the actual setup. I always sense, that with Pakistan, it has never to do with the actual leadership of the group itself. It’s more just the overall game, having a structure that’s conducive to a high-performance culture which is the most challenging element, I feel, for Pakistan cricket,” he added.

The Former Australian Supports Babar Azam

Matthew Hayden then talked about Babar Azam’s performance as a captain and how the reaction shocked him. He mentioned Babar’s average being more than 50 as a captain and condemned the management for firing the gun way too early.

“Whoever was doing the numbers clearly wasn’t looking at them, when it came to Babar’s performances as non-captain and captain. He actually had better numbers as a captain. We’re talking an average of 50, plus more. So he was a natural leader, a good choice. I think they’ve potentially shot the gun a little bit early in terms of his leadership capabilities. He’s still a young player, a dominant player in World cricket. So I’m a little disappointed and a little shocked about the reaction,” Hayden concluded.

Pakistan will now face Australia in a three-match test series in Australia starting from December 2023. The Men in Green will have to get back up after their disappointing performance in the World Cup. Meanwhile, Australia and India will face each other in the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not announced the new skipper for Pakistan’s ODI team but there are speculations that Shaheen Afridi might take over the leadership role. Shaheen Shah Afridi is the captain of his PSL side Lahore Qalandars and has led his team to two consecutive PSL titles in 2022 and 2023.

The post “He’s Natural Leader” – Matthew Hayden Shocked & Disappointed After Babar Azam’s Resignation appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan’s new Test team captain, Shan Masood, acknowledged Babar Azam’s extensive experience and leadership qualities. Shan Masood credited Babar Azam for his significant contributions to the team’s progress and expressed confidence in taking the team forward.

Babar Azam resigned from the captaincy across three formats after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the 2023 World Cup. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named Shan Masood as the Test captain ahead of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Rizwan.

Babar Azam Had A Major Contribution – Shan Masood

Shan Masood expressed strong confidence in Babar Azam‘s leadership capabilities and highlighted his significant role in guiding the team’s progress. Masood stated that Azam remains the team’s leader even when he is not officially captaining the side.

“Babar has a vast experience since he has captained the side for four years and even when he isn’t the captain, he still is the leader of the team,” Masood said.

“He had a major contribution in taking this team forward. I think he will take this team forward from now onwards,” Masood asserted confidently.

Extremely Grateful To The PCB – Shan Masood

Shan Masood expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Pakistan team in red-ball cricket. He acknowledged the challenges of Test cricket and emphasized the responsibility of creating a unique identity and playing a brand of cricket that excites fans.

“It’s an honour and privilege to even play for Pakistan. As far leading Pakistan is concerned, I am extremely grateful to the cricket board, all stakeholders who saw the acumen in me to take this responsibility and take the team forward.”

“There will be challenges, red-ball cricket is the toughest format and I think it’s an onus on all of us to take Pakistan forward in red-ball cricket, create our own identity, formulate a blueprint, play a certain brand of cricket that excite our fans and when other teams play us, Pakistan will be recognized with that identity and brand of cricket.”

The opening batter represented the Pakistan team in 30 Test matches. The southpaw amassed 1,597 runs in 56 innings at an average of 28.51, with a best score of 156 runs. He has recorded four centuries and seven half-centuries in his red-ball international career.

Also read: Shaheen Afridi Named Pakistan T20I Captain, Shan Masood To Lead In Tests

The post “Babar Azam Still Is The Leader Of The Team” – Shan Masood appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan’s Right-arm fast bowler Naseem Shah, who joined PSL franchise Quetta Gladiators in the year 2019, is going to end his association with the franchise ahead of the ninth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to a media source, Naseem Shah has attributed personal reasons for his decision to part ways. He won the PSL title with the franchise in 2019.

The report further informs that there is a keen interest from both Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi in claiming Naseem Shah’s services for the upcoming edition of the league. Naseem Shah might enter the draft or may be involved in a trade deal as his move has gained a lot of attraction and speculations regarding his move have already started.

During a match in the PSL season 8 between Quetta Gladiator and Lahore Qalandars, Naseem was seen frustrated prompting the fans that he is not happy with the franchise. Naseem Shah is one of the best fast bowlers currently in the Pakistan team. However, an injury ruled him out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Naseem got injured during the Asia Cup, ruling him out of the World Cup 2023. Following the injury, the fast bowler underwent shoulder surgery in October and is presently rehabilitating, expecting a quick return to the squad.

Naseem Shah’s Injury Was A Big Blow For Pakistan

Pakistan did not have a memorable World Cup 2023 campaign. They lost five matches out of nine and were eliminated, failing to qualify for the semi-finals. The Men In Green definitely missed the services of Naseem Shah who has been their best bowler in 2023. Hasan Ali replaced Naseem Shah in Pakistan’s World Cup squad but he was not able to deliver an impactful performance.

Pakistan’s bowling was one of the main reasons for their early exit from the tournament. Pacer Haris Rauf gave over 500 runs in this World Cup. This tally is more than what any Pakistan batter scored in this tournament, showing Pakistan’s lack of performance in bowling.

Naseem Shah will be a prized asset for whichever team he plays in the Pakistan Super League. Currently, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi are in the race for Shah. However, a player like Naseem will attract a lot of teams to go for him.

The post Naseem Shah To Leave Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United And Peshawar Zalmi In The Race To Get The Young Pacer appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has dismissed rumors of his involvement in discussions or efforts to promote pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as the T20I captain. Shahid Afridi clarified that he had no role in Shaheen Afridi’s appointment as Pakistan skipper.

Shaheen Afridi was appointed as the T20I captain on November 15, following Babar Azam’s resignation from leadership across formats. Speculations arose that Shaheen’s father-in-law, Shahid Afridi, might have influenced the decision to secure the speedster’s captaincy.

Always Has Been In The Favor Of Mohammad Rizwan – Shahid Afridi

While talking on a local news channel, Shahid Afridi opened up about the speculations surrounding his alleged influence on captaincy decisions, stating that he always supported Mohammad Rizwan for the leadership role.

“I always have been in the favor of Mohammad Rizwan. I swear, I never talked about making Shaheen the captain, nor did I ever lobby. I am not involved in these things. I don’t have to, and I don’t like it either,” Afridi said.

Babar Azam Should not Be Removed From The Captaincy – Shahid Afridi

Afridi disclosed that he advised PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf to retain Babar Azam as the captain. He emphasized his preference to keep Shaheen Afridi away from the captaincy role. He emphasized that captaincy changes are inevitable and part of the game.

“I said that Babar should not be removed from the captaincy. I wanted to keep Shaheen away from the captaincy. It has to happen; this is what happens to the captain in the end,” he further added.

Entirely Mohammad Hafeez’s Decision – Shahid Afridi

“Shaheen as captain is entirely Mohammad Hafeez’s and the PCB chairman’s decision. I have nothing to do with that. I never lobbied for Shaheen’s captaincy. In fact, I have always wanted to keep Shaheen away from the captaincy.”

The PCB appointed senior batter Shan Masood to replace Babar Azam in Test cricket. The decision to replace Babar Azam came after Pakistan’s inconsistent performance in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, where they failed to secure a berth in the knockout stage.

Also read: Shahid Afridi Wants Abdul Razzaq To Apologize For ‘Distasteful’ Remarks On Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

The post “Never Asked Shaheen Shah Afridi To Become Pakistan Captain..’- Shahid Afridi appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim and former cricketer Mohammad Amir made bold claims about ace batter Babar Azam’s future in the shorter format of the game. Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir stated that Babar doesn’t deserve a place in Pakistan’s T20I side.

Babar Azam represented the Pakistan cricket team in 104 T20I matches, scoring 3485 runs at an impressive average of 41.49. The right-handed batter has smashed three centuries and 30 half-centuries. However, Babar’s strike rate (128.41) and slow approach were criticized.

It Is A Tough Call, But – Imad Wasim

Speaking on a local news channel, Imad Wasim emphasized that Babar Azam might not deserve a spot in the T20I squad, expressing that the decision is a “tough call.” Mohammad Amir echoed Imad’s sentiment, stating that Babar doesn’t deserve a spot in Pakistan’s T20I squad.

“It is a tough call but Babar doesn’t deserve a place in T20,” Imad said.

“Babar doesn’t deserve to be in T20,” Amir echoed Imad’s sentiment.

Babar Azam holds the record for the most wins as captain in the shorter format, securing the 42nd win out of 71 matches under his leadership. The 29-year-old shares the top spot with former England captain Eoin Morgan and former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan.

Babar Azam Is Truly A World-Class Player – Zaka Ashraf

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed as the new captain of Pakistan’s T20I team, replacing Babar Azam. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made an announcement on Wednesday, November 15, following Pakistan’s early exit from the World Cup 2023 group stage.

“Babar Azam is truly a world-class player and we want him to continue to thrive as a player. He is one of the best batters Pakistan has ever produced. He is our asset, and we will continue to support him. His batting prowess is a testament to his dedication and skill. He is a role model for the present generation,” Ashraf said.

“We want to see him grow as a great batter and now without his additional burden of the captaincy, he can focus more on his performances to reach even greater heights. We respect his decision and will continue to back him,” he added.

The Men in Green’s next T20I assignment is against New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, scheduled to begin on January 12, 2024, in Auckland. The team will play more T20I matches next year as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Also read: Babar Azam Quits Pakistan Captaincy After World Cup Disaster

The post ‘Babar Azam Doesn’t Deserve..’- Mohammad Amir And Imad Wasim Thrash Former Pakistan Captain appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Babar Azam is reportedly contemplating legal action to sue those who leaked his private conversation with a senior official from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last month. Pakistan’s campaign in the 2023 World Cup was rocked due to a major controversy that erupted after Rashid Latif claimed that Babar Azam had fallen out of favor with some senior PCB officials.

The former Pakistan wicketkeeper claimed that PCB officials, including CEO Zaka Ashraf, were not responding to calls and messages from Babar Azam. With the PCB officials facing the heat from the fans, Ashraf shared a WhatsApp conversation between Babar Azam and PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, Salman Naseer, with a sports journalist.

The leaked chat showed Naseer questioning the former Pakistan captain about rumors surrounding unsuccessful attempts to contact the chairman. In response, Babar Azam dismissed all the rumors. But the controversy further escalated when a Pakistani news channel aired a screenshot of the chat, allegedly with permission from  Ashraf. The PCB, however, had distanced itself from the controversy.

Babar Azam to take legal actions:

Babar Azam is in no mood to let the matter go and is considering legal action against the perpetrators. According to a report from Cricket Pakistan, before his meeting with the PCB head at Lahore’s National Cricket Academy (NCA), Babar Azam engaged in consultations regarding the possibility of taking legal action in response to the breach of his privacy.

In another major development, he has also stepped down as Pakistan’s captain in all formats. The star batsman took the decision after his team’s poor show in the World Cup. Pakistan finished at the fifth spot with just 4 wins and 5 losses as they missed out on the semifinal spot for the third time in a row.

“Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call.I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication.

“I want to express my sincere thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for entrusting me with this significant responsibility,” said Babar Azam.

The post Babar Azam Set To Take Legal Action Against Zaka Ashraf appeared first on CricketAddictor.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced former captain Mohammad Hafeez as the director of the Pakistan Men’s cricket team on November 15. The board assigned the responsibility to Mohammad Hafeez following Pakistan’s poor World Cup campaign. Additionally, Mohammad Hafeez will also be taking up the Head Coach responsibility on the Pakistan tour of Australia later this year.

Mohammad Hafeez, a recent member of the PCB’s technical committee, has assumed the role of director for the Pakistan Men’s cricket team, succeeding Mickey Arthur. The 43-year-old played a significant role in Pakistan’s victorious 2017 Champions Trophy campaign.

Mohammad Hafeez Has Been Given The Responsibility – PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board has made a significant decision to dismiss the entire coaching staff, including Mickey Arthur. The board is expected to reveal a new coaching staff for the national men’s team ahead of the upcoming series in Australia and New Zealand.

“Former Test captain Mohammad Hafeez has been given the responsibility of Director – Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team. Mohammad Hafeez has featured for Pakistan in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs and 119 T20Is and has scored 12,780 runs and has taken 253 wickets,” the PCB release stated.

“The PCB has changed the portfolio of the Pakistan coaching staff. All coaches will continue to work in National Cricket Academy while PCB will announce the new coaching staff in due course for the upcoming series in Australia and New Zealand,” the statement added.

Mohammad Hafeez has an impressive career record in international cricket, scoring nearly 13,000 runs and securing over 250 wickets in 392 games. The former all-rounder represented the national cricket team in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20I matches.

Babar Azam Steps Down From Captain In All Three Formats

Pakistan faced disappointment in both the Asia Cup and the World Cup. The Men in Green finished at the bottom of the Super Four stage in the Asia Cup. They failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023, securing fifth place in the 10-team points table.

Following a revamp in the Pakistan coaching staff, Babar Azam resigned from the captaincy, leading to the appointment of Shaheen Afridi as the T20I captain and Shan Masood as the Test skipper. However, the ODI captain is yet to be confirmed by the cricket board.

Also read: “One Of My Better Shots…”- Michael Vaughan Drowns Mohammad Hafeez With Latest Jibe

The post Mohammad Hafeez Named Pakistan Team Director, To Act As Head Coach On Australia Tour appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has raised questions about Babar Azam’s decision to step down as Test captain, as the latter relinquished the captaincy in all three formats.

Ending all speculations surrounding his future as Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam resigned as captain in all formats on Thursday (November 15). A change in captaincy was very much anticipated after Pakistan’s failure in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 as well as the Asia Cup.

Pakistan entered the World Cup as one of the favorites and kicked off their campaign with a couple of wins. However, their momentum was abruptly halted after suffering four consecutive defeats, including a historic first-ever ODI loss against Afghanistan. Although the Babar Azam-led side managed to secure victories over Bangladesh and New Zealand, it proved too late to salvage their campaign.

Rashid Latif furious with captaincy change:

Pakistan eventually finished their campaign at the fifth spot with 4 wins and 5 defeats as they missed out on a semifinal spot for the third time in a row. Throughout the tournament, Babar Azam faced severe criticism for his leadership as not only fans but several former players also openly called for his sacking.

Reports also suggested that there was a rift in the dressing room and the star batsman was also not on good terms with some senior PCB officials. And on Thursday, the right-handed batsman decided to resign as the captain of the Pakistan team in all formats.

“Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call. I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication. I want to express my sincere thanks to the PCB for entrusting me with this significant responsibility,” he said.

However, his decision to give up Test captaincy has not been well-received by Rashid Latif. The former cricketer believes there is more than meets the eye. He took to X to question Babar Azam’s decision and stated that a dressing room split could be the reason. He shared a comprehensive list detailing the tumultuous history of Pakistan cricket, writing:

“Rebellions, Division, Fixing, Surrogate and revolts not uncommon to Pakistan Cricket. Why Babar Azam refuse to Lead the Test Format?”

Rebellions, Division , Fixing , Surrogate and revolts not uncommon to Pakistan Cricket.

Why Babar Azam refused to Lead Test Format?

Time to Time Historical Facts of Division | Revolts | Rebellions | Sacking & resignations

1981 Revolt against Javed Miandad
1992 World Cup… pic.twitter.com/voo0KrBD0y

— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) November 15, 2023

The post “Pakistan Team Split In Two Groups..”- Rashid Latif appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sacked the entire coaching staff after the team’s poor performance in the ICC World Cup 2023. The governing body released the official statement and stated that the entire staff along with Director of cricketer Mickey Arthur will no longer serve for the national team.

The coaches who were part of the team will now continue doing their job at the National Cricket Academy. PCB will soon announce the new coaching staff ahead of the Test series against Australia followed by the New Zealand series. 

“The PCB has changed the portfolio of the entire coaching staff including Director Cricket Mickey Arthur. All coaches will continue to work in National Cricket Academy while PCB will announce the new coaching staff in due course for the upcoming series in Australia and New Zealand,” PCB said.

The entire Pakistan team came under scrutiny after the team’s debacle in the ICC World Cup 2023. The Men in Green faced thrashing losses against India, Australia, Afghanistan, South Africa, and England. They managed just 4 wins and ended 5th on the points table. 

Recently a lot of developments have been happening in the Pakistan Cricket. Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down as the chief selector and Babar Azam also left the captaincy of all three formats of the game. 

Babar Azam was asked by PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf asked him to continue as Test captain but he didn’t want to do that. Speaking on the batter, the Chairman stated: 

“Babar Azam is truly a world-class player and we want him to continue to thrive as a player. He is one of the best batters Pakistan has ever produced. He is our asset, and we will continue to support him. His batting prowess is a testament to his dedication and skill. He is a role model for the present generation. 

“We want to see him grow as a great batter and now without his additional burden of the captaincy, he can focus more on his performances to reach even greater heights. We respect his decision and will continue to back him.” 

PCB Appoints Shan Masood as Test captain and Shaheen Afridi as T20I captain 

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the new captains for the Test and the T20I format after Babar Azam stepped down. Shan Masood has been named as the leader in the longest format of the game whereas Shaheen Afridi will captain the T20I team. 

It’ll be the toughest assignment for Shan Masood to begin with as he will captain the team in Australia for the Test series. They will first have a training camp in Rawalpindi from November 20. After that, they will travel to Australia for the Test series, to be played from 14th December to 7th January.

The post PCB Sacks Entire Coaching Staff After World Cup 2023 Debacle appeared first on CricketAddictor.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Shaheen Afridi as the new T20I captain of Pakistan National Cricket Team and Shan Masood has been handed the leadership duties of Test cricket.

This comes after the resignation of Babar Azam as the all-format captain. PCB sacked Babar Azam as the white-ball captain after the World Cup disaster but asked him to continue as the red-ball captain. However, Babar Azam consulted his family and decided to relinquish the all-format captaincy.

In an official statement issued by the PCB, Zaka Ashraf labeled Babar as a world-class player and was hopeful of him reaching new heights as a batter after quitting the captaincy. He elaborated:

“Babar Azam is truly a world-class player and we want him to continue to thrive as a player. He is one of the best batters Pakistan has ever produced. He is our asset, and we will continue to support him. His batting prowess is a testament to his dedication and skill. He is a role model for the present generation.

“We want to see him grow as a great batter and now without his additional burden of the captaincy, he can focus more on his performances to reach even greater heights. We respect his decision and will continue to back him.”

PCB Hands Leadership To Shaheen Afridi And Shan Masood

After the resignation of Babar Azam, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handed the T20I captaincy to Shaheen Afridi. The left-arm quick is a highly successful captain as he has led the Lahore Qalandars to back-to-back titles in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Shan Masood, on the other hand, is a promising player and it will be a huge responsibility for him to lead Pakistan in red-ball cricket following the poor performances of the Test team in the last home season. No ODI skipper has been named as of yet.

“Presenting our captains 🇵🇰@shani_official has been appointed Test captain while @iShaheenAfridi will lead the T20I side,” Pakistan Cricket Board posted on X.

Presenting our captains 🇵🇰@shani_official has been appointed Test captain while @iShaheenAfridi will lead the T20I side. pic.twitter.com/wPSebUB60m

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 15, 2023

Under Babar Azam’s leadership, Pakistan played 43 ODIs and won 26 while losing 15. In T20Is, Babar Azam led Pakistan to 42 wins out of 71 matches with the side suffering losses in 23 matches. Also, he led Pakistan in 20 Tests, out of which the side won 10 and lost 6.

The post Shaheen Afridi Named Pakistan T20I Captain, Shan Masood To Lead In Tests appeared first on CricketAddictor.

In a major development, the Pakistan National Cricket Team all-format captain Babar Azam has stepped down from his position across all three formats of the game following the World Cup debacle.

The decision comes after the poor performance of Team Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The Men In Green were expected to dominate in both competitions considering their strong team and the familiar sub-continent conditions. However, they performed poorly.

The Babar Azam & Co. finished at the 4th and last position on the Asia Cup Super Four stage points table and in the 5th position in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 points table, with just 4 wins.

Pakistan started off their World Cup 2023 on high, thoroughly winning back-to-back matches. But after that, they went on a 4-match losing streak, which jeopardized their semi-final chances.

In their last World Cup 2023 group stage game, the Men In Green needed to chase down the target of 338 runs against England in 6.4 overs to overtake the Net Run Rate of New Zealand and seal a semi-final spot. However, they only managed to score 30/2 after 6.4 overs, to get knocked out of the competition. In the end, they faced a 93-run loss in the game.

Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats – Babar Azam

Babar Azam took to his official X handle to state that he has experienced many highs and lows during his tenure as the all-format captain of Team Pakistan. Babar Azam credited the team management, coaches, and players for Pakistan reaching the No.1 spot in the ICC ODI Rankings under his tenure.

He further announced that he was stepping down as captain and stated that he was ready to provide all his support to the newly appointed skipper of the side. Babar Azam elaborated:

“I vividly remember the moment when I received the call from PCB to lead Pakistan in 2019. Over the past four years, I’ve experienced many highs and lows on and off the field, but I wholeheartedly and passionately aimed to maintain Pakistan’s pride and respect in the cricket world.

“Reaching the number 1 spot in the white-ball format was a result of the collective efforts of players, coaches, and management but I’d like to express my gratitude to passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their unwavering support during this journey.

“Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call. I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication. I want to express my sincere thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for entrusting me with this significant responsibility. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.”

pic.twitter.com/8hZqS9JH0M

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) November 15, 2023

Under Babar Azam’s leadership, Pakistan played 43 ODIs and won 26 while losing 15. In T20Is, Babar Azam led Pakistan to 42 wins out of 71 matches with the side suffering losses in 23 matches. Also, he led Pakistan in 20 Tests, out of which the side won 10 and lost 6.

The post Babar Azam Quits Pakistan Captaincy After World Cup Disaster appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has proposed a player who could replace Babar Azam as skipper of the team in both white-ball formats. However, Shahid Afridi highlighted that Babar Azam should continue leading the national cricket team in red ball cricket.

The Babar Azam-led team had a disastrous campaign in the World Cup 2023, failing to qualify for the semi-finals for the third consecutive edition. Pakistan managed to secure just four wins out of nine matches. They ended the tournament in fifth place in the points table.

Babar Azam Should Remain Pakistan’s Test Captain – Shahid Afridi

Speaking to Samaa News, Shahid Afridi has suggested that Mohammad Rizwan should take over the captaincy for Pakistan in ODIs and T20Is while emphasizing that Babar Azam should retain the leadership role in Test cricket.

“Mohammad Rizwan should be Pakistan’s ODI and T20I captain, Babar Azam should remain Pakistan’s Test captain,” Shahid Afridi said.

Babar Azam assumed the role of white-ball captain in 2019, succeeding Sarfaraz Ahmed, and later became the Test captain in 2021. Pakistan reached the semi-finals and finals of the last two T20 World Cups. He also guided the team to the No. 1 ranking in ODI cricket.

We Have Seen A Lot Of Mistakes – Shahid Afridi

Earlier, Afridi expressed disappointment over Babar Azam’s captaincy in the 2023 World Cup. Afridi had hoped that Azam’s leadership would improve over his 3–4 years as captain, but he observed mistakes and unmet expectations.

“I am a big fan of Babar and so are many others. People criticized me for criticizing Babar’s captaincy (aap Babar ki kaptani ke piche pade hain). Babar has always been like a younger brother to me,” said Afridi, as quoted by The Times of India.

“I wanted Babar to be on the list of top captains. He has been captaining for 3-4 years. During this period, there was never a sword hanging over his captaincy. We all supported him. We thought in 3-4 years his grooming would make him better. He would be able to prove himself as a captain and a leader but that hasn’t happened. We have seen a lot of mistakes.”

Also read: Shoaib Akhtar Condemns Abdul Razzaq’s Comments On Aishwarya Rai Bachchan; Targets Shahid Afridi

The post Not Shaheen Afridi Or Shan Masood! Shahid Afridi Suggests New White-Ball Captain For Pakistan Team appeared first on CricketAddictor.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to sack Babar Azam as the captain from all formats. Speculations are rife that the under-fire star batsman is set to be sacked as the captain across formats after Pakistan’s poor show in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

While he led the team to the number one spot in the ICC rankings earlier this year, he could not guide them to the semifinals of the World Cup. Pakistan were one of the pre-tournament favorites but failed to live up to the expectations in an ODI World Cup once again. They finished at the fifth spot with 4 wins and 5 defeats and missed out on a semifinal spot in an ODI World Cup for the third time in a row.

Babar Azam’s captaincy was questioned throughout as not only fans but several former cricketers have also openly urged the PCB to sack him. A few former players such as Kamran Akmal have also advised the right-handed batsman to give up captaincy in order to focus more on his batting. He failed to live up to the expectations as a batsman as well. In 9 games, the right-handed batter scored 320 runs at an average of 40 and a strike rate of just over 80.

PCB all but sacks Babar Azam:

While the PCB is yet to give an official update on Babar Azam’s fate as the captain of the Pakistan team, Pakistani news outlet Geo News has reported that the board is all set to sack the batter as the captain. Quoting a source, the news outlet stated that the PCB would accept the batter’s resignation; otherwise, they would sack him from the post.

The report also added that Shan Masood is a strong candidate for the captain’s slot in the upcoming Test series against Australia. On the other hand, pacer Shaheen Afridi is leading the race to become the captain of the T20I side. With Pakistan’s next ODI assignment set for November next year, the PCB is likely to delay the announcement of a new ODI captain.

The post Shan Masood To Captain Pakistan Test Team, Shaheen Afridi To Lead T20Is As Babar Azam Sacked By PCB- Report appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan Cricketer Sikander Bakht lashed out at 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev for supporting Babar Azam after speculations to sack Babar from his position as the captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team rose. Sikander Bakht talked about how India changed Virat Kohli after India crashed out at the 2021 T20 World Cup in the group stage.

Pakistan had a terrible outing in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as they again failed to qualify for the semi-finals. The Men In Green under the leadership of Babar Azam, lost four consecutive matches for the first time in World Cup history which included defeats against India, Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa. After losing their last league match against England, they ended their campaign with just four wins to their name out of nine matches.

Babar Azam has faced a lot of criticism from fans and pundits alike, for his poor performance as a batter and as a captain. He scored 320 runs in 9 matches with an average of 40.0. It was 154 runs less than his debut World Cup campaign in 2019.

Sikander Bakht lashed out at Kapil Dev saying “My brother Kapil Dev, you changed Virat Kohli after he lost against Pakistan, which means if India does this, it is right and if we do it, we talk about changing things then why they have a problem? Didn’t they (India) change Sachin and Virat? In the last five years, they have changed two captains. Why? because it did not look like they were captain materials.”

Watch- Sikander Bakht Replying To Kapil Dev Supporting Babar Azam

Why Kapil Dev trying to support Babar Adam ?? Didn’t India changed Kohli & Sachin in the Past ??@TheRealPCBMedia @TheRealPCB @babarazam258 #sikanderbakht #PakistanCricket @therealkapildev #PakistanCricketTeam #AUSvsPAK pic.twitter.com/MWWiiyLfGV

— Sikander Bakht (@Sikanderbakhts) November 14, 2023

Babar Azam is set to meet PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf in order to discuss his future as the captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team. It is highly speculated that Babar will be stepping down as captain and he will be replaced by Shan Masood in the red-ball format and Shaheen Shah Afridi will be leading in T20s. As far as ODIs are concerned, PCB will reveal the names soon for Babar’s replacement as captain.

Babar Azam was made the limited-overs captain in 2019 and test captain in 2021. During his stint, Pakistan became the No.1 T20I side and No.1 ODI side but he failed to win any multi-nation tournament as Pakistan’s skipper. He may be leaving Pakistan’s captaincy but he will always be a leadership figure in the team and will be leading Pakistan’s batting.

The post “You Changes virat Kohli When He Lost To Pakistan..”- Sikander Bakht’s Open Challenge To Kapil Dev appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar talked about comments made by Abdul Razzaq on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during a recent interaction. He condemned the comments made by Razzaq and also lashed out at Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul for laughing and clapping at his statement. 

Abdul Razzaq came under a lot of scanner for his comments on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. During the interaction, he said that the current team doesn’t have good intentions. He also made a distasteful remark about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. He stated: 

“Younis Khan had good intentions as a captain and it gave me confidence to perform better. Everyone over here is talking about the intention and Pakistan’s team. Actually, we don’t have good intentions to develop and polish players in Pakistan. If you think that by marrying Aishwarya Rai, a good and pious kid would be born, it would never happen.”

Following his comments, he received a lot of backlash from the people. Even many former cricketers slammed him and the latest to join the bandwagon is Shoaib Akhtar. He while talking about Razzaq’s comments said that no woman should be disrespected. 

He added that Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul, who were sitting there and laughing at his comments, should raise their voice. Taking to his X account, he stated: 

“I highly condemn the inappropriate joke/comparison made by Razzaq. No woman should be disrespected like this. People seated beside him should have raised their voice right away rather than laughing & clapping.” 

I highly condemn the inappropriate joke/comparison made by Razzaq.
No woman should be disrespected like this.
People seated beside him should have raised their voice right away rather than laughing & clapping.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) November 14, 2023

Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul Admit That Abdul Razzaq was wrong 

After receiving a lot of criticism, Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul opened up about Abdul Razzaq’s comments. Afridi mentioned that he would make sure that the former cricketer apologized for the comments that he made. Speaking on the TV show, he explained: 

Shahid Afridi says he will ask Abdul Razzaq to apologize for his comments on Aishwarya Rai. Lala says he didn't know what Razzaq said at that time but saw the clip once he reached home. Well done, Lala 💯👏🏼👏🏼 @SAfridiOfficial pic.twitter.com/w9wcf2Lzp2

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 14, 2023

Umar Gul on the other hand, accepted that what they did was ethically and morally wrong. Taking to his X account, he explained: 

“Dear brother, @SAfridiOfficial bhai and I did not clap in the clip to endorse what Abdul Razzaq said but it was in sarcasm. No1 there appreciated or endorsed what was said by him. It was ethically n morally wrong. Everyone has a different perspective and it’s always wrong to name people who r not even a part of the conversation.”

Dear brother, @SAfridiOfficial bhai and I did not clap in the clip to endorse what Abdul Razzaq said but it was in sarcasm. No1 there appreciated or endorsed what was said by him. It was ethically n morally wrong. Everyone has a different perspective and it’s always wrong to name…

— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) November 14, 2023

The post Shoaib Akhtar Condemns Abdul Razzaq’s Comments On Aishwarya Rai Bachchan; Targets Shahid Afridi appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi opened up about Abdul Razzaq’s comments on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan which he made during an event. He said that he didn’t notice what his teammate said and he would make sure that Razzaq apologized for his comments.

During an event in Pakistan, former cricketers were assessing the team’s performance during the ICC World Cup 2023. While every expert present there talked about where the team lacked in the tournament, Abdul Razzaq made a distasteful remark.

Abdul Razzaq’s comments triggered a lot of fans. He targeted the team with their intentions. He said that before doing anything we need to make our intentions clear. He cited the example of his playing days, saying that he knew Younis Khan had a desire to take the team forward, and then only he gave his best. Speaking during the event, he said:

“Younis Khan had good intentions as a captain and it gave me confidence to perform better. Everyone over here is talking about the intention and Pakistan’s team. Actually, we don’t have good intentions to develop and polish players in Pakistan. If you think that by marrying Aishwarya Rai, a good and pious kid would be born, it would never happen.”

After his comments circulated on the internet, he received a lot of criticism for it. Shahid Afridi, who was present there, also was at the receiving end of a lot of criticism as he was seen laughing when Abdul Razzaq made the comment.

I will just text him to apologize – Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi has now cleared why he laughed that time. He said that when Abdul Razzaq took the mic, he knew that Razzaq would say something stupid. Afridi added that when he saw the video later on, he realized that Razzaq said wrong. Speaking on the TV show, the legendary all-rounder said he will make sure that Razzaq issues an apology.

Here’s the video:

Shahid Afridi says he will ask Abdul Razzaq to apologize for his comments on Aishwarya Rai. Lala says he didn’t know what Razzaq said at that time but saw the clip once he reached home. Well done, Lala 💯👏🏼👏🏼 @SAfridiOfficial pic.twitter.com/w9wcf2Lzp2

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 14, 2023

Umar Gul also reacted to the viral clip and he stated: “Dear brother, @SAfridiOfficial bhai and I did not clap in the clip to endorse what Abdul Razzaq said but it was in sarcasm. No1 there appreciated or endorsed what was said by him. It was ethically n morally wrong. Everyone has a different perspective and it’s always wrong to name people who r not even a part of the conversation.”

Dear brother, @SAfridiOfficial bhai and I did not clap in the clip to endorse what Abdul Razzaq said but it was in sarcasm. No1 there appreciated or endorsed what was said by him. It was ethically n morally wrong. Everyone has a different perspective and it’s always wrong to name…

— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) November 14, 2023

The post Shahid Afridi Wants Abdul Razzaq To Apologize For ‘Distasteful’ Remarks On Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf is looking for a new chief selector for the Pakistan Cricket Team. As per the reports in Cricket Pakistan, it is learned that Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez are the top contenders to take up the role.

This comes are Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down from the position and his resignation was accepted. After that, Tauseef Ahmed was in charge of the selection committee and was expected to announce the squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia. However, the entire committee has been sacked now.

With PCB in the hunt for a new committee, the names of Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez have popped up. It is learned that one among them will be made the chief. The reports suggested that the new selection committee will discuss about the squad for the Australia series.

Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez have been great servants of the Pakistan Cricket Team. Under the former, the team won T20 World Cup in 2009 whereas on the other hand, Hafeez has a great track record as a captain of the team.

PCB is likely to make the official announcement soon. The governing body is aiming to ensure that the newly elected chief selector is well-equipped to navigate the challenges posed by the dynamic landscape of modern-day cricket.

Apart from this, some other changes related to the team are also expected. This comes after Pakistan’s poor outing in the ICC World Cup 2023. They won just 4 games and lost against India, Australia, Afghanistan,  South Africa, and England.

Pakistan’s schedule for the Test series against Australia; Mohammad Hafeez or Younis Khan likely to select squad

Pakistan are first scheduled to have a training camp. It’ll take place in Rawalpindi from November 20. After that, they will travel to Australia for the Test series. Here’s the schedule for the Test series against Australia:

• 1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium

• 2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

• 3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

The post Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez In Contention For Chief Selector Job After Selection Committee’s Sacking – Reports appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former fast bowler Umar Gul has expressed excitement about the potential opportunity to become the bowling coach for Team Pakistan. Umar Gul has stated that it would be an honor for him to serve as the bowling coach of the Pakistan national cricket team.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is all set to part ways with the coaching staff following the team’s failure to qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup. Bowling coach Morne Morkel has already resigned from his post after being appointed on a six-month contract.

It Will Be An Honour For Me – Umar Gul

While speaking at a local event, Umar Gul responded to speculations about becoming the next Pakistan bowling coach, stating that the Pakistan Cricket Board has not officially approached him for the role.

“Pakistan Cricket Board hasn’t contacted me yet for the bowling coach role, it will be an honour for me if I am appointed as the bowling coach of the Pakistan team,” Umar Gul said as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

Morne Morkel, who joined the Pakistan team on a six-month contract in June, resigned from his role as the bowling coach. His resignation came after the Pakistani bowlers faced challenges in the World Cup and were expensive with their bowling throughout the event.

Umar Gul Previously Worked Pakistan Team Bowling Coach

Umar Gul is the preferred choice for the role of bowling coach for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia. The board will announce his replacement in due course before the Test series scheduled from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024, in Australia.

Umar Gul previously took on the role of bowling coach for the Afghanistan team in 2022. Additionally, the former pacer served as the interim bowling coach for the Pakistan team during the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The 41-year-old featured in 47 Tests, 130 ODIs, and 60 T20Is. He bagged impressive bowling figures with 163 wickets in Tests, 179 wickets in ODIs, and 85 wickets in T20Is. The former right-arm fast bowler played a key role in Pakistan’s triumph in the 2009 T20 World Cup.

Also read: PAK vs BAN: ‘What Kind Of Injury He Had Sustained?’- Sohail Tanvir And Umar Gul Accuse Shadab Khan Of Faking Injury Against South Africa

The post Umar Gul Responds To Speculations Over Becoming Pakistan Bowling Coach appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Babar Azam failed to end Pakistan’s long wait for the World Cup title as their campaign in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 ended in a disappointing way.

The Men in Green have not won the coveted title since 1992 when Imran Khan led them to their maiden title. They have not qualified for the final since 1992 while they last appeared in the semifinals in 2011. Expectations were sky-high from Babar Azam after he led the team to the number one rankings in ODIs earlier this year.

He, however, failed to lead the team to the knockouts. Pakistan crashed out at the league stage after managing just 4 wins in 9 games. They began their campaign with 2 wins before losing 4 games in a row. It was followed by two more wins before England inflicted a 93-run defeat on the Babar Azam-led side.

Kamran Akmal takes shots at fans:

Following Babar Azam’s failure as a captain in the World Cup, Kamran Akmal has come down heavily on him. The former wicketkeeper-batsman launched a scathing attack at the under-fire Pakistan captain while speaking at a recent event. He opined that Babar’s predecessors would have led the team to glory had they received the same support he has. He indirectly targeted the fans too for not showing the same support to former captains.

“The amount of support Babar and this team got from fans in the last three years, had they shown the same support to Younis (Khan), Shahid (Afridi), Misbah (Misbah ul Haq), these guys would have won you a World Cup,” said Kamran Akmal.

Kamran Akmal says had Pakistan fans supported Shahid Afridi, Misbah Ul Haq and Younis Khan for 3 years like they supported Babar Azam throughout, they would have won the World Cup for Pakistan which Babar failed too 🇵🇰👀 #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/SoujUOM17J

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 13, 2023

With several reports suggesting that Babar is likely to be sacked as the team’s captain, Akmal stated that the batter should choose between captaincy and batting. He also advocated for different captains for different formats.

“He has to make up his mind. What the Pakistan Cricket Board decides is something different. But he has to realise that captaining the team and being the main batsman is not everyone’s cup of tea.

“I think we need to have separate captains for red and white-ball formats,” said Akmal.

The post ‘Had Shahid, Misbah Got Same Support…’ – Kamran Akmal Blasts Fans For Supporting Babar Azam appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan cricketer Aaqib Javed lashed out at Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for Pakistan’s flop show in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals and was knocked out of the tournament after winning just four out of their nine league matches.

Aaqib slammed Babar and said that Shaheen Shah Afridi should replace him as Pakistan’s captain. Aaqib cited the example of Virat Kohli as a captain and said that Babar, like Kohli, has not won any major tournament.

“They are saying ‘Oh don’t say anything to Babar’. If he is a good captain, has he won anything at any level? You can’t make a captain. It’s either he is a captain or he is not. Virat Kohli was captain for so long, but has he won anything?” said Javed on SUNO NEWS.

Aaqib Javed called Rohit Sharma a good captain because of his five IPL titles as captain. Rohit has also won two Asia Cups as captain of the Indian Cricket Team. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has a good record as a captain but still, he was somehow not able to win any multi-nation tournament as India’s captain.

“Rohit Sharma is a good captain because he has won five titles in the IPL. Kohli has done nothing in the IPL nor with the national team. The same is true with Babar, he has not won a single trophy in PSL nor with the senior team,” added Javed.

Aaqib Javed cited Sarfaraz Ahmed’s achievements as captain and compared him to Babar Azam’s not-very-magnificent record as Pakistan’s captain. Babar Azam has never even won a PSL trophy as captain and has failed to win any multi-nation tournament as Pakistan’s captain.

“Sarfaraz won the U-19 World Cup in 2006, and then the Champions Trophy in 2017. he led Quetta to the tile in the PSL. Has Babar at any stage shown any glimpse of a good captain? Shaheen has won two titles in the PSL. We have picked the entire team from the PSL but not the captain. We must change the captain and Babar must realise has he done justice to the captaincy,” said Aqib on SUNO NEWS.

Aaqib Javed Recalls When He Was Lynched By A Mob After The 1996 World Cup

Aaqib Javed also recalled a horrific incident when he was almost lynched by a mob after returning to his country following a defeat against India in the 1996 World Cup quarter-finals. Aaqib said that the players these days are lucky as they get away with mere words of criticism. He revealed that he was hit with eggs and tomatoes after his return to Pakistan after the 1996 World Cup.

“Now, we can’t even criticize this team after their poor display in the World Cup. They are lucky. After the 1996 World Cup what happened to me was a horrible experience. We were scared when we left India,” Aaqib added.

“At the airport, even security people were not there to help us out. We were not sure how we would reach home. Stones were pelted at my house, mob tried to burn my house down. I was hit with eggs and tomatoes on the head,” recalled Javed.

Aaqib, a member of the 1996 World Cup team, said that he was scared to death after a mob tried to lynch him after his arrival in Pakistan.

“Our bus stopped. I stepped out of it and, I saw people running towards me. The bus driver started the bus. I was standing there with my bag and started running. Suddenly, a Jeep came, four people pushed me inside and I thought I was dead. Luckily, It was my cousin, who was in the police, he came there to rescue me,” said Javed.

Aaqib Javed drew a comparison to the treatment his 1996 World Cup teammates received and the treatment that Babar Azam and company are receiving after having an early exit in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

“In comparison to us, no one has done anything to this team. People are saying we criticize a lot. It’s nothing. We create a false hope before every big tournament but deep down we know that this team will finish fifth or sixth. They have proved this in the past three World Cups,” he said.

Pakistan lost four consecutive matches for the first time in World Cup history under the leadership of Babar Azam which included an embarrassing defeat against Afghanistan. Reports suggest that Babar Azam will meet the PCB chairman with regard to his captaincy future.

The post Rohit Sharma Won 5 IPL Titles – Aaqib Javed Attacks Babar Azam Giving Virat Kohli’s Example appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir has proposed three potential leaders for the national team who could succeed Babar Azam across different formats. Amir emphasized the need for strategic changes in leadership to enhance Pakistan’s overall performance.

Babar Azam came under scrutiny following the Pakistan team’s disappointing performances in the 2023 World Cup. The cricket team failed to advance to the semi-finals for the third consecutive edition, securing just four wins out of nine matches in the tournament.

Imad Wasim Should Lead Pakistan In T20I Format – Mohammad Amir

In a recent World Cup special show on a local media channel, Mohammad Amir proposed a split captaincy for the Pakistan cricket team. Amir recommended appointing Imad Wasim as the T20I captain, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching.

“If you want to prepare any youngster for Test captaincy, Sarfaraz still has 2 years left in cricket, so appoint him as the captain along with a youngster as vice-captain,” he concluded.

The upcoming challenge for the team involves a three-match Test series against Australia in away conditions, followed by a five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Babar is unlikely to lead the team in the white ball series, but he could lead the team in Tests.

Also read: IND vs SA: ” Virat Kohli Would Have Broken Sachin Tendulkar’s Record By Now…” – Mohammad Amir Makes A Sensational Revelation

The post Mohammad Amir Predicts 3 Players Who Will Be The Next Pakistan Captain appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan cricketer Azhar Ali has come out in support of Babar Azam‘s captaincy amid criticism over the team’s disappointing ICC World Cup 2023 campaign. Azhar Ali highlighted that Babar Azam should continue as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team.

Pakistan’s World Cup campaign concluded with a 93-run defeat to England, preventing them from reaching the top four and advancing to the semifinal stage. Babar’s failures with the bat have raised concerns about his leadership role, putting his position in jeopardy.

The Men in Green started with back-to-back victories against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. However, they suffered four consecutive losses, including one against Afghanistan. They ended up winning only four of their nine games and finishing fifth on the points table.

Every Captain Was Given Time To Prove Himself – Azhar Ali

Speaking to a local news channel, Azhar Ali suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should continue with Babar Azam, urging them to engage in discussions about his mindset. He emphasized the importance of giving Babar the opportunity to prove himself.

“Babar Azam should remain captain of Pakistan. The PCB has already invested three years in him, they should sit down with him and ask him to work on his mindset/strategy. Every great captain was given time to prove himself and we should do the same,” said Azhar Ali, as quoted by a user on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Babar Azam faced challenges under the burden of captaincy pressure, scoring 320 runs at an average of 40 during the World Cup without securing any centuries. The right-handed batter failed to guide the team in crucial encounters in the marquee tournament in India.

Babar Azam Will No Longer Continue As The Captain – Basit Ali

However, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has revealed that Babar Azam will step down as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, emphasizing that the change in PCB leadership will not impact this decision.

“It has been decided that Babar Azam will no longer continue as the captain. I am openly saying today, Babar (will) step down. Whoever becomes the PCB chairman will not matter. Babar is not the captain anymore,” Basit said, as quoted.

Also read: “Was It The System Who Asked Babar Azam To Bench Fakhar Zaman?” Mohammad Amir Punches Pakistan Captain In The Face

The post “PCB Should Sit Down With Babar Azam And Ask Him To Work On His Mindset…”- Azhar Ali appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Speculations are rife that Babar Azam might be sacked as the captain of the Pakistan team after the poor show in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The Pakistan captain’s leadership skills have been questioned by several quarters as he failed to lead his team from the front in the marquee event. Not very long ago, the Men in Green were the number one side in the world and were one of the favorites to win the World Cup. However, they failed to live up to the expectations and finished their campaign in a disappointing manner.

The 1992 World Cup winners once again failed to progress ahead of the league stage. They finished their campaign with just 4 wins and 5 defeats to end up at the fifth spot in the ten-team competition. Throughout the competition, Babar Azam faced severe criticism for his captaincy. His poor performance with the bat only added pressure on him.

Kamran Akmal urges Babar Azam to leave captaincy:

In 9 games, Babar Azam managed to score 320 runs at an average of 40 and a strike rate of just over 80. Many experts have attributed his failure to bat aggressively as one of the reasons behind Pakistan’s struggles. The right-handed batsman was also accused of favoritism in the team. Reports also suggest that the Pakistan captain has fallen out of favor with top PCB officials.

And as the Pakistan batter star faces the heat, former wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has urged him to quit captaincy. Speaking at a recent event, the former Pakistan cricketer stated that Babar would have to give up captaincy if he wanted to excel as a batsman in international cricket.

“‘Babar Azam is my brother and it’s my advice to him to quit captaincy. If he wants to score 25,000 international runs and if our nation wants him to do it, he has to play as a batter only,” said Kamran Akmal.

'Babar Azam is my brother and it's my advice to him to quit captaincy. If he wants to score 25,000 international runs and if our nation wants him to do it, he has to play as a batter only' – Kamran Akmal 👀 #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/m7QwgVyEH6

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 14, 2023

Talking about the World Cup, India, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand have qualified for the semifinals. In the first semifinal, India will take on New Zealand in Mumbai before South Africa and Australia lock horns in Kolkata.

The post “If Babar Azam Wants To Score 2500 Runs, He Should Quit Captaincy..”- Kamran Akmal appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Shoaib Malik has shown interest in being part of Pakistan’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The former Pakistan skipper last played international cricket back in November 2021 against Bangladesh. Shoaib Malik has over 2400 runs in T20 internationals and he wishes to break Chris Gayle’s record of scoring most runs in T20 cricket.

Pakistan had a terrible outing in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as they finished fifth in the points table with only four wins to their name in nine matches. They lost four consecutive matches in a World Cup event for the first time in history. Shoaib Malik was one of the experts who criticized Pakistan’s performance in the World Cup and showed interest in taking part in the upcoming T20 World Cup in June 2024.

Shoaib Malik, however, stated that he is not just playing cricket for taking part in the T20 World Cup. He said that he is playing cricket with great passion and because he is enjoying it and because he can play it. Malik stated that if he is given clarity, he will consider playing in the World Cup in 2024.

“I am playing Cricket with great passion and my goal is to become the best batter in the world and break Chris Gayle’s record with around 2000 runs more to go. I have no issues with my physical fitness. If I am given clarity, I will definitely consider it but I am not playing cricket because I want to play the 2024 World Cup. I am playing cricket because I enjoy it and I can play,” said Shoaib Malik.

Watch: Shoaib Malik Talking About Returning To International Cricket

Shoaib Malik 🗣️
“I’m still playing and if Pakistan want me in the 2024 World Cup, I want clarity. I want to break Chris Gayle’s record of most runs in the T20s”. #BabarAzam #ShoaibMalik pic.twitter.com/q7b2miHxFd

— Cricket with Anas (@CricketwithAnas) November 13, 2023

Pakistan is currently ranked fifth in the ICC rankings for T20, and were the finalists in the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022. They will definitely benefit from the experience of Shoaib Malik in the 2024 T20 World Cup. It is not a new thing for Pakistan cricketers to be back in the international team after a span of two or three years.

Shoaib Malik, who will turn 41 in February, has already announced his retirement from tests and ODIs. However, the  batting all-rounder has still not given up the shortest format and is eyeing a return in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The post ‘My Goal Is To Break Chris Gayle’s Record..’- Shoaib Malik appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Babar Azam is not the only member of the Pakistan team who is in danger of losing his post in the wake of his team’s horror show in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also set to sack all the foreign coaches as well.

Pakistan’s aspirations to reach the ODI World Cup semifinals for only the second time this century ended in a disappointing manner. One of the pre-tournament favorites, the Men in Green began their campaign in India with a couple of impressive wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. They, however, could not sustain the winning momentum and suffered losses in the following four games.

It was followed by a couple of wins but the damage was already done. In their final league game, the Babar Azam-led side suffered a crushing 93-run defeat at the hands of England to bow out of the World Cup. They finished the competition at the fifth spot with 4 wins and 5 defeats.

PCB to sack Pakistan’s foreign coaches:

In the aftermath of the World Cup debacle, the PCB is poised to take action by dismissing the foreign coaches of the team. As per Pakistani news outlet Samaa TV, Pakistan head coach Grant Bradburn, team director Mickey Arthur, and batting coach Andrew Puttick are likely to be released in the coming days.

The report also stated that PCB chief Zaka Ashraf is set to hold an emergency meeting with former captain Younis Khan on Tuesday and announce the decision. Earlier this week, former South Africa pacer Morne Morkel resigned as Pakistan’s bowling coach. The likes of Morkel, Arthur, Bradburn, and Puttick were appointed as coaches earlier this year.

Reports also suggest that Babar Azam is likely to face the axe too. There have been calls from several quarters to remove the star batsman as the captain of the team after the poor outings in the World Cup as well as the Asia Cup.

The post Pakistan Cricket Board Set To Sack Mickey Arthur And Other Foreign Coaches: Report appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Babar Azam received a lot of slamming for his poor captaincy in the ICC World Cup 2023. Pakistan had a forgettable ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. They lost five out of their nine matches in the round-robin league stage of the tournament, and finished 5th, a place below the top four, and hence were eliminated without reaching the semi-final of the World Cup for a third consecutive time. The team has received a lot of criticism from fans and pundits alike for the kind of cricket they played.

There are reports that suggest that the star batter would step down as Pakistan’s captain after returning home, and the latest developments now will further fuel these rumors.

According to sources, Babar Azam is set to meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf to discuss the future of his role as a captain across all formats for Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman had earlier said that it is not entirely his decision to decide the future of Babar Azam’s leadership roles. He will consult the PCB technical committee comprising of Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez.

“It is not my decision, there is a full technical committee in which Misbah-ul-Haq and Hafeez are present. We will move forward based on their advice. This decision is not the chairman’s alone; we will proceed based on the consultation of technical experts who are also cricketers,” Zaka Ashraf said.

Zaka Ashraf Praises Babar Azam As A Player And Captain

Ashraf also said that Babar Azam is a great player and a great captain and he would pray for his success. “Babar Azam is a great captain and a very good player. We pray that he succeeds and brings a trophy for Pakistan,” he concluded.

Pakistan had a flying start to their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign with two consecutive wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. They then went on to lose four games on the trot against India, Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa. The Men In Green then had a mini resurgence with consecutive wins over Bangladesh and New Zealand but a defeat in their final league game against England knocked them out of the tournament.

Pakistan will now gear up to tour Australia for a three-match test series. There are a lot of major steps that need to be taken in order to reform the state of affairs of Pakistan Cricket. Hopefully, they will rise from this horrific World Cup show and thrive to become better in the coming days.

The post Babar Azam To Leave Captaincy, Set To Meet PCB Chairman To Finalize Details- Reports appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Following Pakistan’s poor performance in the ICC World Cup 2023, internal conflicts and accusations have escalated within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). There are allegations suggesting players pushed for a pay increase, with the blame directed at them for placing financial gain above their commitment to national duties.

As per Cricket Pakistan, the national cricket team players are all set for a substantial increase in their salaries, including elite-level players potentially receiving a pay rise of over 200%. The report highlights that the players were firm in their stance for an improved pay structure ahead of their participation in the ICC World Cup 2023.

PCB Divide Centrally Contracted Players Into Four Categories

Players in the top category like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are expected to see a substantial 202% rise in their monthly salary, potentially reaching 45 lakh Pakistan rupees, according to specific details reportedly disclosed by a PCB source.

Players in various categories are on the verge of significant pay hikes in their central contracts. B-category players such as Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, and Shadab Khan are expected to receive a 144% increase, bringing their monthly salary to 30 lakh PKR.

Players in the C category, such as Imad Wasim and Noman Ali, will receive a 135% hike, totaling around 17.60 lakh Pakistani rupees. D-category players, which include Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf, can expect a 127% rise, with a monthly pay of 11.32 lakh Pakistani rupees.

We Have Reached A Fair And beneficial agreement – Babar Azam

Babar Azam, a pivotal figure in the negotiations for revised contracts, hailed the deal as historic and expressed great satisfaction, highlighting that the agreement was fair and beneficial for both the players and the PCB.

“It is by far a historic deal. I am extremely happy and satisfied that we have reached an agreement with the PCB. It has been a lengthy and, at times, challenging negotiation process, but I believe we have reached a fair and beneficial agreement for both parties,” Babar said before the World Cup.

Pakistan Central Contracts List

Category A: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Category B: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shadab Khan

Category C: Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Imad Wasim and Noman Ali

Category D: Aamir Jamal, Arshad Iqbal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir and Zaman Khan.

Also read: PCB Set To Sack Babar Azam As White-Ball Captain, Local Coaches Likely To Replace Overseas Coaches: Report

The post PCB Leaks Central Contract Details On Pay Hike Dispute After Pakistan Players Return Home From A Disastrous World Cup appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Legendary Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev has come to Pakistan skipper Babar Azam‘s defense amidst criticism over his captaincy in the ICC World Cup 2023. Kapil Dev emphasized Babar Azam’s previous success in leading Pakistan to the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings.

The Babar Azam-led team faced immense criticism after losing five out of nine games, including defeats against India and Afghanistan. The Men in Green failed to advance to the ODI World Cup semi-finals for the third consecutive edition, finishing fifth on the table.

Babar Azam failed to deliver with the bat during the marquee tournament. The right-handed batter scored 320 runs at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 82.90, managing four fifties and no centuries. However, his three half-centuries came in losing matches.

Don’t Look At Just Current Performance – Kapil Dev

Speaking on a YouTube podcast, Kapil Dev emphasized the importance of considering Babar’s approach to the game and his overall passion and talent. He urged people to recognize the broader context and potential they bring to the team.

“If you say that Babar Azam is not the right choice [for captaincy] today, it is because you are looking at just his current performance. He was the same captain, who made Pakistan team No.1 [in ICC ODI rankings] six months ago,” said Kapil, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

“When someone gets out for zero, 99 percent of the people would want him to be dropped. If an ordinary player comes and scores a brilliant hundred, then they call him a superstar. So don’t look at just current performance. Look at how he has approached the game, how much passion and talent he has,” he added.

Following Pakistan’s rise to the top of the ODI rankings during the Asia Cup, the team’s performance has drastically declined. They failed to advance to the finals of the continental tournament, finishing in last place in the Super Four stages of the event.

Pakistan Media Have Targetted Certain Players – Ramiz Raja

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja expressed concern about Babar Azam potentially stepping down from his captaincy due to the immense pressure and backlash from the Pakistani media.

“There’s so much pressure on him that he may leave the job. Back home there has obviously been a massive backlash, as expected. The Pakistan media have targeted certain players, and especially Babar Azam,” Raja told the BBC’s Test Match Special.

“It’s just a World Cup so you have to take the heat somehow. The problem with this team is it has the potential to play modern-day cricket but they have been a bit shy and timid with their approach,” Raja added.

Also read: IND vs PAK: Rohit Sharma Breaks Kapil Dev’s Record To Become Fastest Indian Batter To Score A Hundred In World Cup History

The post “Babar Azam Was The Same Captain Who Made Pakistan…” – Kapil Dev appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is known for making bizarre and crass remarks from time to time, and he was at it again during a recent event. From calling Jasprit Bumrah a ‘baby bowler’ to openly mocking Hardik Pandya, the Pakistan great rarely misses an opportunity to grab the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

In the latest turn of events, Abdul Razzaq ended up making a vulgar comment for actress Aishwarya Rai. He recently attended an event with some of his former teammates. During the event, the former cricketers talked about the reasons behind Pakistan cricket’s poor displays in recent times.

Pakistan recently crashed out of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 after failing to qualify for the semifinals. The Men in Green have not made it to the semifinals of an ODI World Cup since 2011. They have also not won a World Cup in any format since Younis Khan led them to a historic title in the 2009 T20 World Cup in England.

In the ongoing tournament, the Babar Azam-led finished at the fifth spot after managing only 4 wins from 9 games. They began their campaign with 2 wins before suffering four defeats in a row. The poor run pretty much derailed their campaign. Even though they won two more matches, the 1992 World Cup winners were never really in contention to progress to the semifinals.

Abdul Razzaq’s shameful remark:

During a media interaction, Abdul Razzaq used a shocking example to express his disappointment with the perceived lack of ‘good intention’ in Pakistan cricket. In an attempt to clarify his point, the former cricketer made an utterly shameful statement about Aishwarya Rai. The likes of Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul and few other former cricketers’ reaction was also surprising as they were seen laughing and clapping.

“Younis Khan had a good intention as a captain and it gave me confidence to perform better. Everyone over here is taking about the intention and Pakistan’s team. Actually, we don’t have good intention to develop and polish players in Pakistan. If you think that by marrying Aishwarya Rai, a good and pious kid would be born, it would never happen,” he said.

Abdul Razzaq has doubted Babar Azam's intentions towards Pakistan 👀
He says Younis Khan's niyat was saaf and he believed in polishing the right players, but the current captain lacks that. That's a huge statement! #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/0WZH3xvCQh

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 13, 2023

The post “Babar Azam Doesn’t Have Good Intentions For Pakistan..”- Abdul Razzaq appeared first on CricketAddictor.

Former Pakistan cricketer Abdul Razzaq made a bold claim after the team’s debacle in the ICC World Cup 2023. He said that we don’t have the intention to polish the national cricket team and develop the players.

Pakistan’s disappointing outing in the ICC World Cup 2023 hurt many back home. Following their losses in the tournament many questions have been raised on the team management, coaches, players, and even the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Many of the members of the board, Babar Azam‘s spot as a leader, and Micky Arthur’s position are under serious scrutiny. Former cricketers of the team have left no stone unturned in lashing out at the current team.

Abdul Razzaq made a bold claim, targeting the team with their intentions. He said that before doing anything we need to make our intentions clear. He cited the example of his playing days, saying that he knew Younis Khan had a desire to take the team forward, and then only he gave his best. Speaking during the event, he explained:

“When I talk about intentions, I knew my captain Younis Khan had good intentions. I took confidence from this thing, if my captain’s intentions were good and if he wanted to do good for the team then I also got the motivation to deliver for my team.

“There are lots of talks about the Pakistan Cricket Team and players, the thing is we don’t have good intentions to polish the team and develop the players. If your thinking is ‘I would marry Aishwarya Rai and then get a good baby from her’ this won’t happen. You need to correct your intentions.”

India is making the most of the home condition – Abdul Razzaq

Abdul Razzaq recently praised the India Cricket Team for making good use of the home conditions. He highlighted how India had their game plan set against South Africa. He explained:

“India is making the most of the home condition. The way they started against South Africa in the first ten overs, it gave them the edge. Then from 11-30, they were happy taking three-four runs per over. In the last 10 overs, they again upped the ante. They knew on this pitch 250 would be enough, but still played the aggressive brand of cricket.”

India has produced a dominating performance in the league stage of the tournament They remained unbeaten in the league stage and won 9 out of the 9 games in the tournament. They will be next seen in action when they will take on New Zealand in the semi-final on Wednesday (15th November) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The post “I Would Marry Aishwarya Rai And Get A Good Baby From Her..”- Abdul Razzaq appeared first on CricketAddictor.

The former Pakistan skipper opened up about the leadership of Babar Azam. He admitted that the right-hander made a lot of mistakes as a captain of the team and he didn’t groom well in the 3-4 years he has been the leader of the team. 

Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC World Cup 2023 has put captain Babar Azam under a lot of scanner. He has been criticized a lot for his poor performances as a leader of the team and also there have been various talks about sacking him from the post. 

Babar Azam’s Men suffered thrashing losses in the World Cup against India, Australia, Afghanistan, South Africa, and England and failed to qualify for the semi-final. The Men in Green struggled with both bat as well as the ball and ended with just four wins 

Clouds are hovering over the place of Babar Azam as a leader of the team. Many reports have suggested that PCB might sack him as a captain. Also, there were some reports which suggested that he himself would step down as a white-ball captain of the team. 

Shahid Afridi said that when he raised questions over Babar Azam’s captaincy, people criticized him but they need to realize that he didn’t step up. He admitted that the right-hander is good and he wanted him to be a good captain but that didn’t happen. Speaking during an event, he explained: 

“I am a big fan of Babar and so are many others. People criticized me for criticizing Babar’s captaincy (aap Babar ki kaptani ke piche pade hain). Babar has always been like a younger brother to me. I wanted Babar to be on the list of top captains. He has been captaining for 3-4 years. During this period, there was never a sword hanging over his captaincy.” 

We have seen a lot of mistakes – Shahid Afridi on Babar Azam’s captaincy 

Shahid Afridi further went on to say that they all expected him to prove himself as a leader but that didn’t happen. He while highlighting the role of a leader admitted that Babar Azam made a lot of mistakes. He elaborated: 

“We all supported him. We thought in 3-4 years his grooming would make him better. He would be able to prove himself as a captain and a leader but that hasn’t happened. We have seen a lot of mistakes. Leader has to be strong. He has to take everyone along with him. A leader does not have one or two players. He has 7-8 performers, who take them together forward.” 

Babar Azam also didn’t have a great outing with the bat in the ICC World Cup 2023. He scored 320 runs in 9 games and scored just four fifties.

The post Babar Azam Accused Of Creating A Lobby Of Players In Pakistan Team By Shahid Afridi appeared first on CricketAddictor.