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Tag: PCB

  • Rizwan, Iftikhar, Imad move up in ICC rankings

    Rizwan, Iftikhar, Imad move up in ICC rankings

    Pakistani opener Mohammad Rizwan has been rewarded for his excellent performance in the recently completed T20I series against New Zealand by gaining ground on India’s Suryakumar Yadav at the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20I Batting Rankings.

    Rizwan scored an unbeaten 98 during the fifth and final match of the T20I series against the Black Caps, ending the series as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer with a total of 162 runs.


    That helped Rizwan close the gap on Suryakumar to less than 100 rating points, with the dynamic India batsman still leading the way with 906 rating points while the Pakistani phenomenon rose from 798 to 811 points and maintains second place on the list.

    Pakistan skipper Babar Azam held onto the third spot despite the right-hander dropping 13 rating points to reach 756 points after he managed just 19 runs in the final match of the series.

    The big mover on the latest rankings for T20I batters was New Zealand dasher Mark Chapman, who moved up 45 places to a career-best 35th spot overall, following his match-winning century in that final game of the series in Rawalpindi.


    Another big mover for Pakistan was Iftikhar Ahmed, who scored 36 in the final match. He moved six places to joint-38th, his career-best position.

    One of Pakistan’s most impressive performers during that tied series was all-rounder Imad Wasim, with the experienced lefty producing enviable efforts with both bat and ball.

    Imad scored 31 in the fifth and final game of the series, but it was his eight wickets at an average of 10.37 that really stood, with the 34-yer-old rewarded on both the bowler and all-rounder rankings.

    Imad jumped inside the top 100 on the list for bowlers and also rose 44 spots to equal 24th on the latest rankings for T20I all-rounders.

  • Abhi tak captaincy nahi karni aie; Kamran Akmal slams Babar Azam

    Abhi tak captaincy nahi karni aie; Kamran Akmal slams Babar Azam

    Former batsman Kamran Akmal lost his cool and lashed out at captain Babar Azam after Pakistan cricket team was defeated in the fifth T20I against New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.


    Pakistan set what seemed like a huge total of 194 runs, however, the Kiwis chased it with ease, Akmal said.


    The former wicket keeper criticized the captaincy skills of the national team skipper Babar Azam, after suffering defeat at the hands of New Zealand.

    Taking to his YouTube channel, Akmal slammed Babar, observing that after four years of captaincy, he still doesn’t know how to take a quick decision.

    “He does not even know which bowler will change the game,” Akmal stated, adding that two left handers were chewing up the bowling line-up, then asked why Azam did not give the bowling to Iftikhar Ahmed.


    “Speaking of their mistakes, they deflect and accuse us of criticism. But our focus is on their captaincy, not their performance. We’re not blind to their abilities.

    He (Babar Azam) still doesn’t know how to do captaincy after four years – he doesn’t even know which bowler to send out at what time. It’s no surprise that they lost when they continue to make the same mistakes. We didn’t control our errors, and that’s why they [New Zealand] emerged victorious,” he said.

    The 41-year-old also slammed the skipper for giving the ball to Shadab instead of Iftikhar Ahmed in the fifth T20I game. He believed it was a logical choice to go with Ahmed when both left-handed batsmen were on the crease.

    “If both the left-handed batsmen were on the crease, the logical choice would have been to give the ball to Iftikhar Ahmed. But instead, we saw the leg-spinner Shadab Khan was given the over and was being continuously beaten by the Blackcaps batters.

    It would have been wise to rest him and bring in another all-rounder to give the team a chance to regain their footing,” he concluded.


    Akmal was also of the view that Shadab Khan’s dropped catch cost the match, pointing out that he drops catches in all the important matches and still Babar is not dropping him.

  • Har maidan main Fateh; King Babar is just one win away from breaking T20I record

    Har maidan main Fateh; King Babar is just one win away from breaking T20I record

    Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is just one win away from breaking another record in T20 internationals.

    Babar will have the opportunity to write his name in history as the captain with the most number of wins when his side meets New Zealand in the fourth T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday (today).

    Currently, Babar is the joint-holder of this record with Afghanistan’s Asghar Afghan and England’s Eoin Morgan after 42 wins. The 28-year-old has captained the Green Shirts in 69 T20 Internationals.

    Under his captaincy, Pakistan reached the semifinals of two successive T20 World Cups — 2021 and 2022 — and finished as runner-ups in the latter.

    During the second T20I against the Black Caps, Babar scored his third T20I century at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    Babar is close to breaking the record of Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma, who currently tops the International Cricket Council (ICC) list with four centuries.

    He is the only Pakistan batter with more than one ton in the format. The hundred puts Babar close to the top of the list of batters with the most T20I tons.

    During the match, Babar managed to score a half-century on merely 36 balls and then slammed 51 runs off the next 22 deliveries, including 36 runs off the last three overs.

    Babar smashed James Neesham for two fours and a six in the last over, completing 100 runs off the final ball of the innings.

  • Former cricketer Rashid Latif points out Babar Azam’s weaknesses

    Former cricketer Rashid Latif points out Babar Azam’s weaknesses

    Former Test cricketer Rashid Latif has picked out what he thinks is a weakness in current captain Babar Azam’s batting.


    The former wicketkeeper said that the margins are the area where Azam can improve significantly, pointing out that the chances of dismissal are higher in the area where the ball swings the most.


    Babar Azam was dismissed for one run by Adam Milne in the third T20I against New Zealand on Monday at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    “Babar and Virat Kohli face almost the same problem. Both of them do not take the entire foot forward and strike the ball with the body, rather than holding it upwards. Chances of dismissal are higher in the area where the ball swings the most.

    Even when he [Babar] hit the last stroke to complete his century, the ball crossed over the gully point – so he needs to stay a little cautious in that area,” Latif said.


    “Woakes, when he came here for the T20I series, worked on his bowling as well and quickly figured out that if the swing isn’t working, then transitioning it into a slower ball might help you in claiming Babar’s wicket,” he further added.

    In Monday’s match, New Zealand, after winning the toss, decided to bat first and scored 163 runs after losing five wickets. In reply, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Iftikhar Ahmed’s fast-paced knock brought the men in green close to the target, eventually falling short by just four runs.

    Pakistan are currently ahead in the series with a margin of 2-1.

  • Jo raaz meray pass hain agar mai bata doon, log cricket dekhna chorr deinge; Umar Akmal threatens to reveal all

    Jo raaz meray pass hain agar mai bata doon, log cricket dekhna chorr deinge; Umar Akmal threatens to reveal all


    Former middle-order batsman Umar Akmal discussed his leaked dance video in a podcast with YouTuber Nadir Ali, saying that he has respect for those ex-cricketers who are continuously bashing him on the media for no reason.

    “I beg that please don’t humiliate me anymore, I have a family too and I am not a youngster. When my family listens to someone humiliating me, they will also get hurt,” he said.The cricketer said that he knows many secrets.

    “So please, if you don’t want to lose your respect then keep quiet,” he warned.

    Continuing in the same vein, he said that if he leaked the secrets of those players their families will also get hurt. “The people of Pakistan will stop watching cricket and will hate those ex-cricketers,” he stated.


    While asked about Babar Azam, Umar Akmal said that he will pay the consequences if the captain takes his name on camera. “You should ask Babar if that was me who did not give him shoes, then I will pay the consequences.”

    Umar also disclosed that he has rejected international leagues just to play domestic cricket in Pakistan to set an example for juniors.


    “There is a lot of discrimination against me and some people have personal issues with me. I think that’s why even with these brilliant performances in domestic cricket, I am not selected for the New Zealand series,” he observed.

  • Why was Iftikhar sent at number 8? Babar Azam reveals secret strategy

    New Zealand has won the third T20 in the bilateral series with Pakistan in front of a full capacity Gadhafi Stadium Lahore on Monday evening.

    The Kiwis set a target of 163 in 20 overs, winning the match by 4 runs in the last over.

    Pakistan’s batting line up collapsed yet again, as one by one batsmen failed to score after Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Rizwan fell.
    Young star batter Saim Ayub also failed to hit the shots he is known by, scoring only 10 runs off 9 balls.


    Surprising many, hard hitting all-rounders Iftikhar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf came to bat in at number 7 and 8 while full time bowler came to bat prior to them with Shadab Khan.

    Babar Azam revealed why he sent Iftikhar Ahmed in at number 8 when asked by the media. The skipper explained that the team are trying a flexible batting line up so everyone can bat according to the situation, stressing that number does not matter and Iftikhar Ahmed can bat at at any number. “There is a proper role for everyone in the team,” he said.

    Iftikhar and Faheem almost turned the game on its head, when Pakistan was 88/7 playing brilliant cricket in the death overs.
    Needing 15 to win from Neesham’s final over, Iftikhar hit a six and a four to reduce the target to five off the last three deliveries.

    But Neesham had Ahmed caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell and then after a dot ball dismissed last man Haris Rauf in the same manner.

    Iftikhar led the fightback with Faheem as the pair added 61 for the eighth wicket, with Ashraf holing out after a 14-ball 27 studded with two sixes and as many fours.

    Iftikhar smashed six sixes and three fours.

    The victory means New Zealand trail the five-match series 2-1 after Pakistan won the first two games, by 88 and 38 runs, also in Lahore.

    The last two matches are in Rawalpindi on April 20 and 24.

  • Next-level troll; Shaheen trolls former Pacer Shoaib Akhtar in his recent talks with local media

    Next-level troll; Shaheen trolls former Pacer Shoaib Akhtar in his recent talks with local media

    Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s ace fast bowler, has trolled former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in a recent interview.


    Shoaib Akhtar had once criticized Shaheen Afridi when the latter was injured in the final match of the T20 World Cup. “If I was in that situation, I will take an injection and go back to the field. I would never step back if my team needs me, no matter how much pain I am in.”


    The former pacer also gave sharp comments on current skipper Babar Azam in an interview with a private news channel. Stating that Babar Azam should have be the biggest “brand” in Pakistan, the speedster said that it was but unfortunate that he cannot express himself well.

    In an exclusive interview with a local media channel, Shaheen Afridi, an integral part of Babar Azam’s close knit squad, was asked about the qualities of Shoaib Akhtar that he admires the most.

    To which the pacer replied, “He makes good brands (Brand ache se banate hain),” in a clear jibe at Akhtar’s comments about Babar.

  • Shaheens blows away Kiwis in opener of T20 series

    Shaheens blows away Kiwis in opener of T20 series

    Pakistan bowled out New Zealand for just 94 runs while celebrating skipper Babar Azam’s 100th match with a boombastic win in the first match of the T20 series.

    The Shaheens set a target of 184 before blowing away the Kiwis with a thumping 88 runs victory.

    Captain Babar Azam scored only nine runs but Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub stabilised the team, scoring 47 runs each while putting up a 79-run partnership for the third wicket to anchor Pakistan to 182 all out in 19.5 overs.

    Fast bowler Haris Rauf, one of five players who returned after being rested in Pakistan’s last series against Afghanistan, took career best figures of 4-18 as New Zealand were 94 all out in 15.3 overs.

    Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim finished with 2-2 in his only over — taking both his wickets off successive deliveries.

    Mark Chapman top-scored for the Kiwis with a 27-ball 34, inclusive of four boundaries and a six, while skipper Tom Latham made a 24-ball 20.

    Rauf’s previous best T20 figures of 4-22 had also come against New Zealand in Sharjah in 2021.

    Azam heaped praise on his bowling unit for sending the Kiwis back to the pavilion.

    “The pitch was assisting the bowlers so it was a good batting performance to get that total and then our complete bowling unit was excellent,” said Azam, happy at reaching the personal landmark of 100 T20 matches.

    “I had never expected this. I still remember the journey of starting off here as a ball-boy on the side-lines, and to now be here, it is a huge honour,” said Azam of serving as a ball-boy during the 2007 series against South Africa.

    Latham said his team did not adapt to the different conditions.

    “We did not quite adapt to the conditions early enough,” said Latham whose team are missing top eight players due to the Indian Premier League.

    “On that surface, the score was slightly above-par. We did not build partnerships with the bat.”

    Earlier, Zaman and Ayub lifted Pakistan from a poor start after they won the toss and chose to bat.

    Pakistan lost both their openers — Mohammad Rizwan leg-before for eight and then Azam bowled at 9– to pacer Adam Milne by the fifth over for just 30.

    Ayub lifted the tempo with two boundaries each off Milne and Ben Lister before he and Zaman hit a six each off spinner Ish Sodhi in the tenth over.

    Zaman struck four boundaries and two sixes in his 34-ball knock while Ayub’s rapid 28-ball innings featured two sixes and six fours.

    Ayub was run out while taking a second run before Zaman was caught at deep square-leg off Sodhi.

    Faheem Ashraf hit a 16-ball 22 while Wasim scored 16 off 13 balls to help Pakistan add 47 runs in the last five overs.

    New Zealand pacer Matt Henry took a hat trick in his figures of 3-32.

    Henry dismissed Shadab Khan (five) and Iftikhar Ahmed (nought) off the last two deliveries of his third over and then Shaheen Shah Afridi with the first of his fourth.

    Lister had figures of 2-30 while Milne finished with 2-51.

    The remaining four matches are in Lahore on April 15 and April 17 and Rawalpindi on April 20 and 24.

  • Babar Azam ka match say pehlay 100; Skipper becomes third Pak player to feature in 100th T20I

    Babar Azam ka match say pehlay 100; Skipper becomes third Pak player to feature in 100th T20I

    Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is all set to host the first T20 International (T20I) match between Pakistan and New Zealand on Friday night. Team Green and the Black Caps are all geared up to put up a brilliant game for their fans.

    When Pakistan captain Babar Azam takes the field on Friday night, he will become the third Pakistan player to feature in 100 Men’s T20Is.

    Shoaib Malik (123) and Mohammad Hafeez (119) are the two other Pakistanis who have reached this milestone in men’s T20Is.

    Fans will be expecting Babar Azam to hit his trademark cover drives and classy shots along with Muhammad Rizwan, his partner in many run chases.

    New Zealand will play five T20Is and five One-Day Internationals (ODI) in Pakistan starting from today.


    New Zealand captain Tom Latham has emphasized that Pakistan have a bunch of match winning players who can lead the team to victory in every sort of conditions.


    The Kiwi captain acknowledged his opponent team’s fast bowlers, quality spinners and a formidable batting lineup that could pose a threat to his team.

    “You can look at everyone across the Pakistan squad, they’ve got guys who bowl fast, quality spinners and obviously with the bat they have many match winners. So we have to play really well to beat them but it is an opportunity that the guys are really looking forward to play against this quality Pakistan side,” he said.

    The 31-year-old is optimistic about his team’s chances in the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan despite the absence of key players due to Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments.


    “Pakistan is a quality side, they have come off the back of their Pakistan Super League (PSL) tournament just recently and they’ve picked guys who are in form, so even though we are missing a few players due to IPL commitments, that presents an opportunity to the other players,” he observed.

    Admitting that some players in the New Zealand team haven’t played “huge amounts of cricket”, Latham stressed that they still have players who have played a lot of T20 cricket.

    “So it is an exciting opportunity for this group to come here and to explore conditions where we haven’t played a lot in before and hopefully we can put up a good performance on the board,” he concluded.

  • Fans back skipper Babar Azam over captaincy issue

    Fans back skipper Babar Azam over captaincy issue

    Babar Azam fans have slammed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi over speculation that the board is likely to change the captain of Pakistan cricket team, putting skipper Babar Azam out to pasture.

    Media reports have said that Najam Sethi has asked Mickey Arthur, former head coach, whether he wants one captain or two to lead the team, opening up the possibility of having different captains for different formats.


    After Najam Sethi took charge of the Management Committee at the Board, rumors of his alleged disliking for Babar Azam made the rounds.


    Matters heated up when Shadab Khan replaced Babar Azam as temporary captain for the Afghanistan series held in March. Khan, a strong contestant for the captain’s post, unfortunately could not lead his team to victory.

    The official account from PCB was that Babar, along with some other big names, had been rested for the Afghanistan series because they had been playing non-stop cricket for last two years and needed a well-deserved break.

    Sethi reportedly offered assurances that there is not even a remote threat to Babar’s captaincy and that he rules millions of hearts – he shall stay the captain of all three formats as long as he wants.

    Babar Azam was then recalled for the home series against New Zealand. But now there is a question mark on Babar Azam’s future as the national team’s skipper.

    Few days back, Sethi, in one of his interviews, subtly hinted that the interim selection committee- which was formulated in order to lead the selection of the test series against New Zealand – wanted a captaincy switch.

    Refuting this statement, Shahid Afridi, who was then leading the interim selection committee, said that it wasn’t him who suggested PCB to replace Babar as captain.


    Najam Sethi then took to Twitter and wrote about the future of Pakistan’s cricket.


    The controversial statements, the cover-ups, and the blame game disturbed cricket fans, especially Babar’s fandom. #StayInYourLimitsNajamSethi and #BabarAzamIsOurRedLine started trending on Twitter.


    Fans have gradually started to believe that an agenda has been plotted against Babar by the current board regime.


    Pakistan cricket team bears too many damages from the sudden changes in leadership and if this will happen again, it will destroy the unity of Pakistan team.
    Ahead of World Cup 2023 it is not in Pakistan’s favour to change captain or even think about it.