Ramiz Raja Slams Pakistan Bowlers for Leaking Runs Against Ireland

Ramiz Raja Slams Pakistan Bowlers for Leaking Runs Against Ireland

Pakistan’s former cricket board chairman, Ramiz Raja, has expressed his disappointment with the performance of the team’s bowlers in the second T20I against Ireland. Despite Pakistan’s comprehensive victory, Raja criticized the bowlers for conceding 162 runs in the first innings.

Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, and Abbas Afridi combined to give away runs at a hefty economy rate, with Shaheen and Amir proving particularly costly. Shaheen conceded 49 runs in his four-over spell, while Amir gave away 44 runs.

Raja believes that Pakistan’s bowlers have been struggling since last year’s World Cup in India. He pointed out that the team’s success has been built on the strength of its pacers, but they have been inconsistent in recent times.

“Pakistan’s top bowlers giving away so many runs against Ireland, then it will become hard for the team in future,” Raja said. “Pakistan’s forte, and success are based on the bowlers, especially pacers, they have been struggling since last year’s World Cup in India. Two balls are good and then three deliveries are bad, this makes the situation tough.”

Pakistan’s decision to bowl first backfired as Ireland posted a competitive total of 193/7. Lorcan Tucker led the charge with 51 runs, while Harry Tector and Curtis Campher provided valuable support.

In reply, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman laid the foundation for Pakistan’s chase with half-centuries. Azam Khan then sealed the victory with three consecutive sixes.

The series is now level at 1-1, with the third and deciding match scheduled for Tuesday at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin.

Mohammad Rizwan Hailed as “Bradman of T20 Cricket” by Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi Hails Mohammad Rizwan as the “Bradman of T20 Cricket”

Pakistan’s star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has heaped praise on batter Mohammad Rizwan, calling him the “Bradman of T20 cricket” after he crossed the remarkable milestone of 3000 T20I runs.

Rizwan achieved this feat during the third T20I match against New Zealand, where he scored 22 off 21 deliveries before an unfortunate hamstring injury cut short his innings. Afridi’s heartfelt tribute to Rizwan on social media underscored the batsman’s transformative influence on the sport and his ability to silence doubters.

“Cheers to Muhammad Rizwan – the Bradman of T20 cricket and Pakistan’s SuperMan for hitting 3,000 T20I runs! Your impact has transformed the game and silenced the skeptics. Keep soaring, champion! You’re an inspiration to many,” Afridi’s post read.

Rizwan’s milestone not only marked a significant personal achievement but also saw him surpassing Indian cricketing stalwart Virat Kohli in reaching 3000 T20I runs. Rizwan achieved this feat in 92 matches and 79 innings, outpacing Kohli’s record of 87 matches and 81 innings.

Since his T20I debut against Bangladesh in 2015, Rizwan has been a linchpin in Pakistan’s batting lineup, featuring in 93 matches and 80 innings. With a strike rate of 127.42, he has amassed a total of 3048 runs, cementing his status as one of Pakistan’s premier batters in the shortest format of the game.

Rizwan’s success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in his abilities. Despite facing criticism and skepticism early in his career, he has proven his mettle time and again, becoming one of the most consistent and reliable batters in T20 cricket.

His ability to adapt to different conditions and situations, coupled with his exceptional shot-making skills, has made him a formidable force in the shortest format of the game. Rizwan’s contributions have been instrumental in Pakistan’s recent success in T20 cricket, including their triumph in the 2022 Asia Cup.

As Rizwan continues to scale new heights, he is sure to inspire a generation of young cricketers and leave an indelible mark on the sport. His achievements serve as a reminder that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

Shaheen Afridi's Controversial Comparison of Rizwan to Bradman Sparks Debate

Shaheen Afridi’s Controversial Comparison of Rizwan to Bradman Sparks Debate

Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi sparked controversy on social media after labeling teammate Mohammad Rizwan as the “Don Bradman of T20 cricket.” The comment came after Rizwan reached the milestone of 3000 runs in T20 international cricket, becoming the fastest player to achieve the feat in just 79 innings.

Afridi’s tweet, which read, “Cheers to Muhammad Rizwan – the Bradman of T20 cricket and Pakistan’s SuperMan for hitting 3,000 T20I runs! Your impact has transformed the game and silenced the skeptics. Keep soaring, champion! You’re an inspiration to many,” drew criticism from fans who questioned the comparison to the legendary Australian batsman.

Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest batsman of all time, dominated Test cricket with an astonishing batting average of 99.94. His dominance in the longer format of the game stands in stark contrast to Rizwan’s achievements in T20 cricket, a shorter and more explosive format.

Fans took to Twitter to express their disapproval of Afridi’s comparison. “Is this a sarcastic post, or do you really mean it?” asked one user. Another commented, “Bradman hit a total of 6 sixes in his entire career and he played test matches only. Rizwan is definitely the Bradman of T20.”

Despite the controversy, Rizwan’s achievement remains a significant milestone in his career. He has established himself as one of the most consistent and prolific batters in T20 cricket, with an impressive average of over 50 and a strike rate of over 130.

While Pakistan celebrated Rizwan’s achievement, they suffered a disappointing defeat in the third T20I against New Zealand. The Kiwis secured a comfortable 7-wicket victory, leaving Pakistan with a 1-2 deficit in the series.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his disappointment with the team’s performance, saying, “We were 10 runs short unfortunately. I think Shadab recovered well and built a good partnership. I think 180-190 was a par score according to me. We tried to play according to the situation.”

Pakistan will look to bounce back in the fourth T20I on April 24th as they aim to level the series and avoid a series defeat.

Babar Azam Set to Reclaim Pakistan White-Ball Captaincy

Babar Azam Set to Reclaim Pakistan White-Ball Captaincy

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s brief tenure as Pakistan’s T20I captain is nearing its end, with Babar Azam set to reclaim the white-ball captaincy. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has offered the role to Babar, who has yet to accept.

Babar’s reluctance stems from his removal as captain across all formats following Pakistan’s disappointing 2023 ODI World Cup campaign. He has requested the PCB to appoint him captain in all three formats if he is to return.

Afridi’s leadership has come under scrutiny after Pakistan’s 4-1 T20I series loss to New Zealand and Lahore Qalandars’ dismal performance in the PSL, where they finished bottom of the table. However, Afridi may feel aggrieved, given Naqvi’s previous comments about Pakistan seeking a long-term captain.

Babar’s demand to be Test captain could put pressure on Shan Masood’s position as red-ball skipper. Masood has also led Pakistan for just one series, with the team losing all three games in Australia.

The captaincy saga highlights the PCB’s instability over the past 18 months. Multiple chief selectors and selection committees have been appointed, with Zaka Ashraf’s decision to sack Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn being the most high-profile.

The current selection committee consists of four selectors, with no chief selector. Decisions are made by vote, with 4-3 majorities carrying the day.

Pakistan’s next series, against New Zealand in April, is expected to be led by Babar. The PCB is still searching for a head coach, with Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten among the candidates being considered.

Shaheen Afridi's Captaincy Under Fire Amid Lahore Qalandars' PSL Struggles

Shaheen Afridi’s Captaincy Under Fire Amid Lahore Qalandars’ PSL Struggles

Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy has come under scrutiny following Lahore Qalandars’ dismal performance in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). After leading the franchise to consecutive titles in the previous two seasons, Shaheen has failed to inspire his team this year. Lahore Qalandars have won only one match and are languishing at the bottom of the points table.

According to Cricket Pakistan, Shaheen is likely to lose his position as captain of Pakistan’s T20 team. The report suggests that Shaheen, at 23 years old, is too young to handle the responsibility. “PCB’s new chairman Mohsin Naqvi has been receiving suggestions for a change in captaincy. Some believe that 23-year-old Shaheen is too young for this responsibility and needs more maturity,” the report states.

Pakistan is scheduled to face New Zealand in a T20 series next month, and the decision on Shaheen’s future as captain will be made by Naqvi before then, with the upcoming T20 World Cup in mind. However, some board members believe that changing the leadership close to the World Cup could negatively impact the team’s performance.

Mohammad Rizwan is a potential candidate to replace Shaheen as captain, with former skipper Babar Azam also in contention. Shaheen took over as Pakistan’s T20 captain after Babar stepped down following the ODI World Cup last year. Babar had relinquished his role after Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.

Shaheen led Pakistan in a five-match series in New Zealand earlier this year, but the visitors lost the series 1-4. Meanwhile, Rizwan and Babar will aim to guide their respective PSL franchises to the title. Rizwan’s Multan Sultans finished the group stage at the top of the table, while Babar’s Peshawar Zalmi also qualified for the playoffs. Babar is the leading scorer in the tournament with 498 runs in nine matches.

Inzamam-ul-Haq Slams Shaheen Afridi's Batting Position in PSL

Inzamam-ul-Haq Slams Shaheen Afridi’s Batting Position in PSL

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has joined the chorus of criticism against Lahore Qalandars skipper Shaheen Afridi’s decision to promote himself to No. 5 in the batting order during Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches.

Inzamam’s criticism comes after Afridi’s quickfire half-century off 28 balls against Quetta Gladiators on Sunday. However, the former captain expressed concern that Afridi and Abdullah Shafique had used up too many deliveries, preventing the team from posting a higher total.

“This partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Shaheen Afridi… if you look at the scorecard, then it looks very impressive, scoring 55 off 34 balls and the other scoring 59 off 39 balls. But the scorecard doesn’t do justice to it. They played all the overs – almost 14 – and all you could take the total to was 167, whereas it should have been 200-plus,” Inzamam said.

Inzamam also questioned Afridi’s decision to bat at No. 5, arguing that it was not beneficial for the team, especially when there were specialist hitters like David Wiese and Sikandar Raza available.

“Shaheen coming in to bat at No. 5 but scoring at that pace is not good for the team. When you have specialists such as David Wiese and Sikandar Raza, the score could have been better,” Inzamam said.

Afridi’s decision to bat at No. 5 has also drawn criticism from legendary Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram. After Afridi’s dismissal for only 1 against Karachi Kings, Akram said that Afridi needed to be told that he had not yet become an all-rounder.

“Shaheen scored 1 off 3, while Raza scored 22 off 16 & Wiese 24 off 9. They took the score to 177. It’s not mandatory that if you are captain you have to come out to bat. Observe the situation & whether there are better players & hitters in the dugout. If Shaheen had done that maybe they would have made 190,” Akram said.

Shaheen Afridi and Wasim Akram: A Clash of Legends in Pakistan Cricket

Shaheen Afridi and Wasim Akram: A Clash of Legends in Pakistan Cricket

Shaheen Afridi and Wasim Akram: A Tale of Two Legends

The Pakistan cricket fraternity has been abuzz with a captivating narrative involving two legendary figures: Shaheen Afridi and Wasim Akram. The saga began when Akram, a former Pakistan captain and one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, criticized Afridi’s batting prowess after the latter promoted himself up the order in a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match.

Akram’s comments, which suggested that Afridi should focus on his bowling rather than batting, sparked a response from the young pacer. In the following match, Afridi struck a blistering 34-ball 55, batting at number 5, and celebrated with a pointed “shut up” gesture, widely interpreted as a retort to Akram’s criticism.

The drama continued as Akram further criticized Afridi’s bowling in the death overs, highlighting his inability to execute effective yorkers and slower cutters. Akram emphasized that batsmen have become accustomed to Afridi’s tactics and are now better prepared to counter them.

Afridi’s struggles in the death overs were evident in a crucial match against the Quetta Gladiators, where he conceded a last-ball six that resulted in a six-wicket defeat for his team. Akram’s analysis of Afridi’s bowling technique and his suggestion that the young pacer needs to adapt to the evolving game have sparked a debate among cricket experts and fans alike.

While some have defended Afridi, arguing that he is still a young player with immense potential, others have echoed Akram’s concerns, emphasizing the importance of versatility and adaptability in modern cricket. The ongoing narrative between Afridi and Akram has become a fascinating subplot in the PSL, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament.

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