Pakistan to Announce New White-Ball Captain After Kirsten's Departure

Pakistan to Announce New White-Ball Captain After Kirsten’s Departure

Pakistan’s limited-overs head coach Gary Kirsten has returned to South Africa, leaving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to finalize the successor to Babar Azam as white-ball captain. Kirsten’s departure follows a period of assessment and consultation in Lahore and Faisalabad, where he observed the Champions Cup and met with selectors and board officials.

Kirsten will rejoin the Pakistan squad in Melbourne on October 29 for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Pakistan will play a total of 18 matches, including nine ODIs and nine T20Is, during the tour.

Sources within the PCB indicate that wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi are the frontrunners to replace Azam as captain. Kirsten and former Australia coach Jason Gillespie have reportedly discussed the captaincy issue with the selection committee.

The decision will be based on long-term considerations, including the candidates’ behavior and recent performances. Rizwan is believed to be the favorite, with a younger player potentially serving as his deputy to manage his workload.

The PCB is expected to announce the new white-ball captain later this month. The appointment will be crucial as Pakistan prepares for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

PCB Blamed for Pakistan Cricket's Downfall, Tension Between Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi

PCB Blamed for Pakistan Cricket’s Downfall, Tension Between Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan cricket has been in a downward spiral, with lackluster performances at the 2023 ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup, as well as their first-ever Test series defeat to Bangladesh on home soil. Former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar blames the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the escalating tension between senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, which he believes has contributed to the team’s decline.

Nazar believes the PCB should have provided Babar with ample support and time to assert his leadership. He criticized the board for constantly changing the captaincy, which has created instability and uncertainty within the team. He also pointed out that Pakistan has an abundance of talented players, but they are becoming lost within the system.

Nazar compared Babar Azam to Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, stating that Kohli is undoubtedly one of the greatest in the history of the game, while Babar still has a long way to go to make a name for himself. He praised Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Kohli, expressing that he could watch them bat for hours.

Nazar’s comments highlight the need for the PCB to address the mounting issues within Pakistan cricket. The board must provide its captain with the necessary support and stability to lead the team effectively. It must also address the systemic issues that are hindering the development of talented players. Only then can Pakistan cricket regain its former glory.

Pakistan Recalls Afridi, Ali for England Test

Pakistan Recalls Afridi, Ali for England Test

Pakistan’s selectors have recalled left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the first Test against England, scheduled to commence on October 7 in Multan. Afridi’s inclusion comes after a brief omission from the team due to a decline in form.

Seasoned left-arm spinner Noman Ali has also been added to the squad, replacing pace bowler Khurrum Shehzad, who remains sidelined with an injury sustained during the Bangladesh series. All-rounder Aamer Jamal, who missed the Bangladesh series due to fitness concerns, has been retained following his recovery.

The remainder of the squad consists of players who featured in the recent Bangladesh series. Head coach Jason Gillespie has requested the withdrawal of selected players from the ongoing Champions Cup ODI event in Faisalabad to provide them with rest ahead of the England series.

Pakistan Test Squad:

* Shan Masood (Captain)
* Saud Shakil (Vice-Captain)
* Babar Azam
* Muhammad Rizwan
* Abdullah Shafique
* Muhammad Huraira
* Saim Ayub
* Salman Ali Agha
* Sarfaraz Ahmed
* Aamer Jamal
* Noman Ali
* Abrar Ahmed
* Mir Hamza
* Shaheen Shah Afridi
* Naseem Shah

Pakistan Captain Shan Masood Denies Rift with Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan Captain Shan Masood Denies Rift with Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan Captain Shan Masood Dismisses Rift Rumors with Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan cricket captain Shan Masood has vehemently denied rumors of a rift between him and star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. The speculations arose after Afridi was omitted from the playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh.

The rumors intensified when a video clip from the first Test emerged, showing Afridi seemingly brushing off Masood’s hand from his shoulder. However, Masood has clarified that there was no disagreement between the two.

“There are no issues between us,” Masood said. “Shaheen had his arms around my back, but he politely removed my hand from his shoulder because it was sore after being hit by a ball during our innings.”

Masood also refuted claims that Afridi was dropped for the second Test due to the incident. “We had a good discussion with Shaheen,” Masood explained. “We told him he remains our best bowler and needs to work on finding his best rhythm and form.”

The Pakistan captain also dismissed suggestions that he was concerned about his future as Test captain. “I don’t think about these things,” Masood said. “Being made captain is a privilege, and until I am captain, my only focus is to take the team forward.”

Masood acknowledged the team’s disappointing performance in the Bangladesh series, which they lost 2-0. “Losing to Bangladesh is totally unacceptable for us,” he said. “We need to improve our performance and work hard to regain our winning ways.”

Pakistan vs Bangladesh: Hosts Seek Redemption in Second Test After Humiliating Defeat

Pakistan vs Bangladesh: Hosts Seek Redemption in Second Test After Humiliating Defeat

Pakistan’s cricket team, reeling from a humiliating defeat in the first Test against Bangladesh, will seek redemption in the second and final Test at Rawalpindi, starting August 30, 2024. The hosts suffered a historic 10-wicket loss in the series opener, prompting a shake-up in the squad.

Marquee pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of the second Test due to the birth of his son. Khurram Shahzad or Mohammad Ali is expected to replace him in the lineup.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, has received a boost with the inclusion of all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, who was initially doubtful due to an ongoing murder case against him.

The second Test will be a crucial encounter for both teams. Pakistan will be desperate to avoid a series whitewash, while Bangladesh will aim to consolidate their historic victory and secure their first-ever Test series win over Pakistan.

The match will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, starting at 10:30 AM IST. It will not be telecast live in India, but fans can follow the live streaming on the TamashaWeb app and website.

Pakistan Unveils Playing XI for Bangladesh Test Opener

Pakistan Unveils Playing XI for Bangladesh Test Opener

Pakistan Announces Playing XI for First Test Against Bangladesh

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its playing eleven for the first Test match against Bangladesh, scheduled to commence on August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This two-match Test series marks the debut of Jason Gillespie as Pakistan’s Test coach.

Pakistan’s pace attack will be spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Ali. Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha will provide spin support.

Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub will open the batting for Pakistan, followed by captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam in the middle order. Mohammad Rizwan will don the wicketkeeping gloves.

Aamir Jamal has been released from the squad due to ongoing fitness issues. The 28-year-old fast bowler suffered a back injury while playing County cricket in England earlier this year and has been sent to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore for rehabilitation.

Pakistan Retains Senior Trio for Bangladesh Test Series

Pakistan Retains Senior Trio for Bangladesh Test Series

Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh has been announced, with senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi retained despite calls for a significant overhaul following a disappointing T20 World Cup performance.

The decision to retain the experienced trio was influenced by the advice of foreign head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, who recommended a more gradual approach to rebuilding the team. The PCB had initially indicated a need for “major surgery” after Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, but has opted to avoid drastic measures for now.

Shan Masood will continue as captain for the red-ball format, with Saud Shakeel promoted to vice-captain in place of Shaheen Shah Afridi. The squad includes two uncapped players, Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam, who have been rewarded for their consistent performances in domestic cricket.

Kamran Ghulam, who was previously included in the Test squad but did not make his debut, has been recalled. Pacer Mohammad Ali, after playing only two Tests against England in 2022, has also been selected again. Most of the squad for Pakistan’s opening Test series of the 2024-25 season remains consistent with the 13 players involved in the last series against Australia at the end of 2023-24.

Players dropped from the previous Test series include opener Imam ul Haq, spinners Noman Ali, Muhammad Nawaz, and Sajid Khan, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, and pacer Hasan Ali. Mohammad Waseem junior is unavailable due to injury. All-rounder Aamir Jamal has been included in the squad, pending his clearance of fitness tests.

Pakistan will face Bangladesh in two Tests beginning August 21 as part of the ICC Test Championship schedule. In the upcoming season, the national team is set to play nine Tests, 14 T20 Internationals, and 17 One-Day Internationals at home and abroad.

Afghan Fan Misbehaves with Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi in Dublin

Afghan Fan Misbehaves with Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi in Dublin

Pakistan Pacer Shaheen Afridi Faces Misbehavior from Afghan Fan in Dublin

During Pakistan’s second T20I match against Ireland in Dublin, an Afghan fan reportedly engaged in inappropriate behavior towards star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. The incident occurred as Afridi made his way from the dressing room to the field.

Initially, Afridi ignored the fan’s foul language. However, when the fan persisted, Afridi alerted security personnel. The security team swiftly intervened and removed the fan from the ground.

The incident marred an otherwise successful outing for Pakistan. Babar Azam’s team chased down Ireland’s competitive total of 193/7 with ease, thanks to a 140-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan (75*) and Fakhar Zaman (78). The victory marked a record-breaking 45th T20I triumph for Babar Azam as captain.

Afridi also achieved a significant milestone during the match, reaching 300 wickets in international cricket. He dismissed Ireland captain Paul Stirling to reach the landmark. Overall, he finished the game with figures of 3/40 in his four-over spell.

Despite Babar Azam’s early dismissal, Rizwan and Fakhar took control of the chase. Fakhar showcased his power-hitting abilities with six sixes, while Rizwan provided steady support. The pair put up 140 runs in quick succession, effectively ending Ireland’s hopes.

Fakhar’s dismissal in the 15th over gave Ireland a glimmer of hope, but Azam Khan’s unbeaten 30 from just 10 deliveries guided Pakistan home. The seven-wicket win leveled the series 1-1.

The series will be decided in the third and final game, which will be played in Dublin on Tuesday.

Afridi, Erasmus, Waseem Shortlisted for ICC Player of the Month Award

Afridi, Erasmus, Waseem Shortlisted for ICC Player of the Month Award

Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus, and UAE’s Muhammad Waseem have been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for April 2024.

Afridi’s nomination stems from his exceptional bowling performances in Pakistan’s drawn T20I series against New Zealand. He was instrumental in both of Pakistan’s victories, taking 3-13 in the second T20I and 4-30 in the fifth and final match. His eight wickets in the series at an average of 10.00 earned him the Player of the Series award.

Erasmus played a pivotal role in Namibia’s series victory in Oman. He amassed 145 runs and picked up eight wickets, including two Player of the Match performances. In the second match, he scored a controlled half-century, while in the decider, he blasted an eye-catching 64 not out in 29 balls and took two wickets to seal the series win.

Waseem, UAE’s opening batter, impressed in his side’s run to ACC Premier Cup triumph. He scored 269 runs at an average of 44.83, including a century in the final against Oman. His consistent performances throughout the tournament have earned him a nomination for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award.

The winner of the award will be announced on May 10, 2024.

Pakistan Players to Receive USD 100,000 Each for T20 World Cup Victory

Pakistan Players to Receive USD 100,000 Each for T20 World Cup Victory

Pakistan’s cricket board has announced a hefty incentive for its T20 World Cup squad, promising each player a staggering USD 100,000 if they emerge victorious in the tournament scheduled for June in the Americas. The announcement was made by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi during a meeting with the team before their departure for the away T20 series against Ireland and England.

Naqvi emphasized that the prize money was secondary to the ultimate goal of lifting the trophy, expressing his confidence in the team’s ability to bring glory to Pakistan. “Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi announced to give 100,000 dollars prize to every player for winning the T20 World Cup,” the PCB posted on social media.

The PCB chief urged the players to focus solely on their performance and teamwork, assuring them that victory would follow. He also expressed his belief in the unity of the team and the exceptional abilities of fast-bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. “The country has a lot of expectations from you. You have to fulfill them,” Naqvi told the players.

During his visit, Naqvi also recognized the achievements of wicketkeeper-batter Mohamad Rizwan and pacer Naseem Shah, presenting them with special shirts for reaching milestones of 3,000 T20 runs and 100 T20 wickets, respectively.

The announcement of the prize money has generated excitement among the players and fans alike, raising expectations for Pakistan’s performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The team will be looking to build on their recent successes, including their victory in the Asia Cup 2022, as they aim to bring home the coveted trophy.

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