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[ad_1] Shaheen Afridi, the newly-appointed captain for Pakistan in T20 Internationals, has indicated that the team will experiment with various player combinations during the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.  While speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Afridi emphasized the importance of determining the ideal positions for each player in the team. “Some young players are making a comeback like Azam Khan, Aamer Jamal and Sahibzada Farhan and there are some new players like Haseebullah and Abbas Afridi. We are hoping to give them a chance in these five T20Is and upcoming T20I matches ahead of World Cup,” Afridi said. While affirming Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as the best opening pair for Pakistan, Afridi stressed the need to assess different combinations in the 17 matches leading up to the World Cup. "Babar and Rizwan will always be the best opening pair for Pakistan. I think we have 17 matches before the World Cup, and we should try differe...

[ad_1] The Pakistan cricket team (PCB) has added another pacer to their ongoing training camp at the Pindi Stadium for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia.  Today marks the third day of the intensive camp, where players are fully immersed in honing their skills and tactics. Pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr. has formally joined the camp, accompanying three additional pacers who participated in the training session on the inaugural day at the Pindi camp.  The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) previously added three more fast bowlers, specifically Sameen Gul, Ali Shafique, and Muhammad Ali, to the camp roster. As part of the rigorous training regimen, players are set to engage in a two-day scenario match, scheduled for today and tomorrow.  Pakistan squad for Australia Tests: 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...

[ad_1] Rashid Latif expressed his views on the selection of wicketkeeper Muhammad Haris for Asia Cup and the exclusion of former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.  In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan , Latif acknowledged Haris' talent but questioned the timing of his induction into the ODI format. "We respect all the decisions that have been made, but no one can stop us from giving an opinion. Haris is an excellent player who has performed brilliantly in T20 lately. Moreover, he's a dangerous powerplay player; his strike rate is outstanding. But I believe his career in ODIs will start after World Cup. It is possible that he'll perform extraordinarily in Asia Cup, too; however, in today's date, Sarfaraz is an experienced player, and he should've been selected in the squad. It looks very convenient to sideline a player and pave the way for the newer one," Latif said. Latif emphasized the importance of Sarfaraz's experience, particu...

[ad_1] Pakistan veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has stated that skipper Babar Azam is working on the things that Shoaib Akhtar pointed out. In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan , Malik spoke about Shoaib Akhtar's recent controversial comments regarding Babar’s communication skills. ALSO READ:  Never asked Babar for my inclusion in Pakistan team: Shoaib Malik “It's his [Akhtar] opinion, and yes, we should respect that, only if that opinion is not hurting the sentiment of an individual player. After hearing that statement, the thing that came in my mind was that he gives his statements bluntly. He has a clean heart, and always speaks positively about everyone," he said. "His statement was not meant to hurt anyone. I understood from his statement that he was only trying to say that it's the demand of modern cricket to groom your personality along with your cricket skills to become a better brand. I know Babar is working on things that Akhtar has...

[ad_1] Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator, Aakash Chopra, showered praise on the exceptional performance of Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi throughout the ongoing ICC 2023 World Cup scheduled in India.  Unlike the statement expressed by former Indian cricketer, Ravi Shastri, Chopra lauded Afridi for his remarkable achievements so far he has accomplished. While speaking on his Youtube channel, the former cricketer highlighted Afridi's impressive numbers against Bangladesh and commended his swift journey to the milestone of 100 One Day International (ODI) wickets.  "The way Shaheen started here, his numbers are very good against Bangladesh, he is doing very well in this tournament and has reached the landmark (100 ODI wickets) very quickly. He picked up wickets with the new ball and the way he dismissed Mahmudullah with the old ball, I thought that was beautiful," Chopra said. The 46-year-old was notably captivated by the left-arm pacer's excepti...

[ad_1] Quetta Gladiators has appointed former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, as the head coach for the franchise in the upcoming 2024 PSL edition.  This marks the first coaching change for Gladiators since the inception of the tournament.   🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 𝙎𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙀 𝙒𝘼𝙏𝙎𝙊𝙉 𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝘿 𝘼𝙎 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝘿 𝘾𝙊𝘼𝘾𝙃 The Quetta Gladiators owner and the team management has decided to appoint Former Australian all-rounder and Gladiators’ best run-getter in the PSL, @ShaneRWatson33 as head coach of the team.… pic.twitter.com/Ig7SEWQWTZ — Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) December 6, 2023 Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Moin Khan, who held the coaching position for eight years, will now assume the role of team director for the side. The Gladiators emerged as the most reliable team in the PSL throughout the initial four editions. They secured a spot in the final three times and clinched the title in 2019.  Watson, who became a key player for the Gladiators...

[ad_1] Pakistan's pre-World Cup team-bonding trip to Dubai has been canceled due to unforeseen delays in obtaining travel visas for their visit to India in order to participate in the mega-event that is about to commence next month. The initial plan for the Pakistan team was to depart for the UAE next week, spending a few days there before heading to Hyderabad. This was in preparation for their inaugural warm-up match against New Zealand scheduled for September 29. However, due to ongoing visa delays, the team is now set to depart from Lahore to Dubai early next Wednesday and then proceed to Hyderabad for their preparations.  This unforeseen situation has raised concerns within the team, highlighting the complexities and challenges surrounding travel and diplomacy between Pakistan and India. According to ESPNcricinfo, Pakistan is the sole team among the nine sides traveling to India for the World Cup still awaiting visas, shedding light on the strained political relatio...

[ad_1] Former legendary Pakistan pacer, Wasim Akram, has extended his heartfelt wishes to the national cricket team as they set out on their tour to Australia for a three-match Test series. In a recent social media video shared on platform 'X,' Akram specifically highlighted the newly appointed leadership, emphasizing the need for patience and decisiveness in their roles. He also expressed his well wishes, particularly to the "new boys" in key positions, including Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz and Kamran Akmal, among others.  “Pakistan team has reached Australia, wish them all the luck, especially to the new boys. By new boys I mean Mohammad Hafeez who joined as Team Director/Head Coach, Wahab [Riaz] as chief selector, Kamran Akmal and others, give them time,” Wasim Akram said. The left-arm pacer also provided valuable advice to the newly appointed officials, cautioning against excessive media interactions. “They are present cricketers, it is their time. Le...

[ad_1] The star-stubbed commentary panel for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 has been announced, featuring experienced commentators from different countries.  India contributes five, Pakistan four, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand each offer one.  Notably, former Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ramiz Raja, returning after a hiatus, joins Pakistan's lineup along with the legendary duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.  Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris  will also add a neutral voice to the panel. The tournament is set to commence on August 30, featuring the host team Pakistan in the inaugural match against Nepal in Multan. This year's Asia Cup will be played in the 50-overs format, featuring 13 matches. Commentary panel for Asia Cup 2023: Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Manjrekar, Russel Arnold, Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan, Scott Styris, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Athar Ali Khan, Deep Dasgupta, Ramiz Raja, Bazid Khan. Asia Cup 2023 Schedule: 30 Aug –...

[ad_1] The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed the team management for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 that will be played in India in October and November. Pakistan begin their campaign on 6 October when they play the Netherlands in Hyderabad.  Player support personnel: Rehan-ul-Haq (team manager), Mickey Arthur (Director – Pakistan men’s team), Grant Bradburn (head coach), Andrew Puttick (batting coach), Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Aftab Khan (fielding coach), Abdul Rehman (assistant coach), Dr Sohail Saleem (team doctor), Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi (media and digital content manager), Usman Anwari (security manager), Maqbool Ahmad Babri (psychologist), Talha Ejaz (analyst) and Malang Ali (masseur). Pakistan are scheduled to depart for Hyderabad in the wee hours of Wednesday. Babar Azam’s side will play their first warm-up on 29 September against New Zealand and the second and last against A...

[ad_1] Misbah-ul-Haq, the former captain of Pakistan's cricket team, has been appointed as an advisor to Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee, with a focus on cricket affairs. He also has been given the leading role to head the cricket committee. In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, PCB chair Ashraf told that the cricket committee was formed to look after all crucial matters and to pan out better suggestions for the improvement of Pakistan cricket. "I formed a cricket committee as soon as I held the office, which is headed by Misbah-ul-Haq. The committee will look after all the cricketing matters," Ashraf said. The 70-year-old also stated that for now, the coaching staff is performing well so far, but PCB is banking on the Misbah-led committee to decide the coaching staff's future. "To me, it doesn't matter whether the coaches are local or foreign; whoever will perform well to me that is b...

[ad_1] The upcoming Asia Cup 2023 has become a source of concern for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the Indian team has refused to play in Pakistan, threatening the event's significance.  The Pakistan Cricket Board is currently exploring the possibility of relocating the upcoming Asian tournament from its originally scheduled host and is evaluating potential alternate venues in the UAE or Sri Lanka ALSO READ:  Asia Cup: PCB retains hosting rights, Indian matches likely to be held in UAE The Asia Cup is set to take place in the month of September, but with India's reluctance to participate, the PCB may have to find a solution soon. The boycott of the ICC World Cup 2023 scheduled in India is also not feasible due to the expected loss of billions of rupees. PCB officials are looking for a way to salvage the Asia Cup without jeopardizing their position on the Indian team's boycott.  The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee, Najam Set...

[ad_1] The Pakistan cricket team have kicked their training camp at the Pindi Cricket Stadium for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, starting from December 14, 2023.  The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has included three more pacers, namely Sameen Gul, Ali Shafique, and Muhammad Ali, to the camp. Chief Selector Wahab Riaz had already announced the inclusion of seven additional players to join the training camp, when he revealed the 18-member Test squad for Australia series. Those players include Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usama Mir, and Usman Qadir. However, fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani is declared unfit bowl and PCB has made the decision to send Dahani to the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation, aiming for his swift recovery. The board has also granted permission to former skipper Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmad, and Usman Qadir to attend Imam-ul-Haq's wedding after today’s practice. However, these thr...

[ad_1] Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, set the tone for his team's ambitions, making it clear that their goal is to secure victory in the 2023 World Cup and not settle for a top-four finish. During the pre-departure conference for the World Cup 2023 on Tuesday in Lahore, Babar was asked about whether they are envisioning finishing in the top-four of the mega-event. To which skipper Babar replied, "The top-four is a small goal for us. We want to come out as winners. We did not have enough time to put together a camp before the World Cup because we had been playing for too long continuously. We wanted to give the players a break so they come back refreshed and with the hunger to win. You play well when you have that hunger." Acknowledging the honor of representing Pakistan at the World Cup, even though they haven't played in India previously, the 28-year-old conveyed that the team isn't burdened by excessive pressure.  "All of us are proud of travelli...

[ad_1] Former Pakistan fast bowler, Mohammad Amir, faced an onslaught from the Indo-Pak duo of Mohammad Hafeez and former Indian all-rounder, Yusuf Pathan in a thrilling Qualifier-1 match against Durban Qalandars on Friday in the ongoing ZimAfro T10 League 2023. Both Hafeez and Yusuf seemed unstoppable against Amir, as they consistently hammered him all around the ground. The brutal assault left the former Pakistan pacer struggling to find any answers. After being asked to bat first, Durban Qalandars set a formidable target of 140 runs, losing just four wickets in their allotted overs.  Asif Ali played an unbeaten aggressive innings and scored 32 runs off just 12 deliveries, which included five boundaries and one six. In the thrilling chase of 141 runs, Hafeez began in a fiery fashion, opening the innings with a boundary. He continued his assault by smashing a remarkable 17 runs in the very first over bowled by Amir in the final innings. Hafeez wins his battle against Am...

[ad_1] Two-time World Cup winner and ICC Hall of Famer Lisa Sthalekar has revealed the first five players she would select if choosing a dream ODI XI. Sthalekar knows what it takes to win a World Cup having tasted success with the powerful Australian teams in 2005 and 2013 and keeps a close eye on the modern-day game in her role as a commentator. Ahead of the start of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India in October, Sthalekar nominated the five players she would choose first if compiling a dream ODI XI. 1. Jasprit Bumrah - India "I have to go Jasprit Bumrah at No.1. "An opening bowler is very important as you need to pick up wickets early, but then also be able to bowl at the death when the players are going hard.  "He is someone that can be used in the middle overs as well, so is a handy bowler across all the three different phases." 2. Virat Kohli - India "From a batting point of view, I am going to go with Virat Kohli at No.2. "...

[ad_1] Quetta Gladiators captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, blamed his bowlers for the team's poor performance in their recent match against Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi cricket stadium. During the post-match conference, Sarfaraz appeared frustrated with the team's lack of runs on the scoreboard but quickly shifted the blame onto his bowlers.  ALSO READ:  Waqar slams Sarfaraz Ahmed's batting approach against Qalandars He stated that the bowlers had let the team down by conceding too many runs even after taking early wickets inside the first ten overs. "We made a lot of mistakes. We didn't ball well in the first ten overs, even after taking seven wickets. It was a complete setback performance from our team. We aimed to restrict Lahore under 100 runs, but it didn't happen as we didn't ball at the right areas," he said. "We gave away 52 runs in the next six overs, which easily shifted the momentum towards the Qalandars," he added. Sarfar...

[ad_1] Former captain, Rashid Latif, met with the newly appointed Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board management committee, Zaka Ashraf, yesterday at the PCB headquarters in Lahore.  Rashid spoke to Cricket Pakistan, stated that he received a call from Ashraf, expressing a desire to meet and discussed the matters pertaining to Pakistan cricket.  Acknowledging the importance of such discussions, Latif highlighted that he shared his insights and suggestions based on his vast experience in the game.  The 54-year-old also expressed his enthusiasm to contribute towards rectifying the affairs of the sport and offered valuable suggestions to enhance the performance and overall management of the cricketing setup. When questioned about the possibility of accepting a position within the board, Rashid Latif clarified that no formal offer had been extended to him. He also mentioned that due to pre-scheduled commitments, he does not have sufficient time to devote all his attention t...

[ad_1] Former Pakistan captain, Mohammad Hafeez, has shown no interest in taking on the role of Chief Selector of the national cricket team.  After the departure of Haroon Rasheed from the position, the new management committee under the leadership of Zaka Asharaf is actively searching for a suitable candidate to fill the important role. Discussions were held with Hafeez in the past few days regarding the position of Chief Selector. However, the former cricketer has expressed his desire to work at the grassroots level instead, focusing on nurturing young talent and contributing to the development of cricket from the ground up. Another prominent former cricketer, Rashid Latif, has declined any position in PCB at this time, citing prior engagements and commitments that prevent him from taking on the role. The name of former Pakistan wicket-keeper, Moin Khan, was also presented to the board officials as a potential candidate for Chief Selector by individuals close to him, alt...

[ad_1] The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is displeased with Sri Lanka Cricket expressing their interest in hosting the entire Asia Cup 2023 and, as a result, has rejected their proposal for an ODI series in the Lankan home soil. The relationship between the PCB and SLC intensified when the latter voiced their preference to host the Asian tournament instead of following Najam Sethi's proposed 'Hybrid Model'. This model suggested holding four matches in Pakistan initially and then moving the second phase to UAE. ALSO READ:  Rashid Latif points out three young batters for Sri Lanka Test tour According to a report by Press Trust of India (PTI), the strained relations between the two boards is the reason why PCB rejected Sri Lanka's proposal to play a few ODI matches alongside their two-Test series in July this year, which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC).  "It is a clear indication that the PCB is not happy with the Sri Lankan board stepping in to ...