Day: May 6, 2024

Skipper Babar Azam shared his reasons for not picking death-bowling specialist Zaman Khan in Pakistan’s 18-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England.

The Pakistani captain also defended the inclusion of Hasan Ali during a pre-departure press briefing ahead of the team’s trip to Ireland. Babar reiterated that Hasan’s selection was intended as a backup option and not as a direct inclusion in the 15-player World Cup squad.

Babar Azam stated,

‘Zaman Khan is new ball bowler and we’ve enough options for that thing: while Hasan Ali has rich experience of world cricket.’

Babar’s comments raised some eyebrows in the cricketing fraternity as Zaman’s death bowling prowess is what made him famous in the first place. But, according to the team management he was their choice for the new ball.

However, amid the endorsement from the team management, concerns have been raised regarding Hasan’s selection and Zaman Khan’s exclusion. The young 22-year-old right-arm pacer is widely regarded as a
death bowler rather than a new ball bowler, which is why Babar’s comments about Zaman have raised a few eyebrows.

Meanwhile, Hasan Ali has been an out-of-form bowler, whose inclusion in the side has only created more confusion and frustration among fans. ‘It’s crucial to recognize that Hasan’s selection was a collective decision made by the selection panel, and it’s not solely based on the preference of one individual,’ Babar added, shedding light on the comprehensive evaluation undertaken by the selectors.

Pakistani batter Ahmed Shahzad voiced scepticism, suggesting that personal relationships might have played a role in Hasan’s inclusion rather than purely performance-based considerations.

In a candid interview with a local channel, Shahzad hinted at the influence of personal connections, citing Azhar Mahmood’s close rapport with Hasan Ali as a potential factor.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi also expressed surprise over Hasan Ali’s selection, citing a perceived lack of recent standout performanc
es.

‘While I understand the need for an experienced backup bowler, Hasan’s selection has raised eyebrows considering his recent performance levels,’ Afridi remarked, hinting at potential alternatives for consideration.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has raised concerns over Virat Kohli’s strike rate while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season.

Gavaskar expressed his views on Kohli’s performance, suggesting that a higher strike rate would be more beneficial for the team’s success in the tournament.

He emphasized the importance of accelerating the run rate, particularly in the T20 format, to keep up with the pace of the game.

However, former Pakistani captain Wasim Akram has come forward to defend Kohli’s batting style. Akram argued that the ultimate value lies in the runs a player contributes to the team emphasizing that if the other players are not performing then it is not his fault, as cricket is a team game.

Citing that if Virat is scoring 100 runs with a strike rate of 150, then that should be deemed sufficient.

‘What criticism is he getting? That his team is losing. If the guy is scoring 100 at a 150 strike rate, isn’t it fine? If the team had won
, there wouldn’t have been criticism.’ said the legendary fast bowler.

While strike rate is crucial in shaping the dynamics of a match, Akram’s stance underscores the significance of assessing a player’s role as an anchor of the team and his overall contribution to the team.

The contrasting opinions of Gavaskar and Akram provide an intriguing backdrop to the ongoing IPL season, where Kohli’s batting approach continues to be a subject of discussion.

Kohli, known for his consistency, has been under scrutiny by the Indian media for maintaining a strike rate of 148.08 in this IPL season, scoring 542 runs across 11 matches.

With teams scoring 280-plus scores in the IPL, it seems like the anchor role is now slowly diminishing in the shortest format of the game and even a strike rate of 150 is not enough anymore in the IPL.

Source: Pro Pakistani

In a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming tour of Ireland and England, Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball team, shed light on why Mohammad Haris and Aamir Jamal were not selected for the squad.

Addressing the exclusion of Mohammad Haris, Babar acknowledged Haris as a talented player but highlighted his lacklustre performances during Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 did not meet the team management’s expectations during the selection process.

The skipper noted that Pakistan already boasts strong top-order batters like Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Rizwan, which made it difficult for Mohammad Haris to get into the side.

He also clarified that while Aamir Jamal has shown promise in test cricket, his performances in the PSL did not impress the selection committee, which influenced the decision to leave him out of the team.

Babar Azam emphasized the importance of consistent performance, particularly in the T20 format, when it comes to national team selection.

The captain’s comment
s underline the selectors’ focus on current form and adaptability to specific formats, aiming to field a balanced and competitive squad for the T20 World Cup ahead.

Pakistan’s tour of Ireland and England presents a crucial opportunity for the team to fine-tune its lineup and gear up for the T20 World Cup in June.

The team is scheduled to depart for Dublin on 7 May, where they will play three T20Is at Clontarf on 10, 12, and 14 May 2024. Following this the team will take on England in a four-match T20 series in the last week of May that will conclude on May 30.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Australia’s national volleyball team is set to contest a three-match series against Pakistan at the end of May in Islamabad. The anticipated series will span from May 28 to May 30, marking a significant event for both teams.

The Australian team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on May 26th to prepare for the upcoming matches. Following their arrival, they will conduct grueling training sessions on May 27th to acclimate themselves to the local conditions.

The action-packed series will kick off on May 28th with the first match between the two teams while the second match will take place on May 29th, followed by the final match of the series on May 30th.

These games promise to showcase top-tier volleyball skills and intense competition between the Australian and Pakistani squads.

To ensure widespread viewership and support for this international sporting event, the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) is working to ensure live television coverage of the matches.

Pakistan will also take part in the Asian
Challenge Cup which will be held in Bahrain during the first week of July and the Volleyball Pro League is also in the works behind the scenes. The Federation aims to start the league in September-October.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 is set to commence its grand opening ceremony on April 7, 2025, and the first match is scheduled to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The defending champions, Islamabad United, will begin their campaign against Peshawar Zalmi in the inaugural match of the PSL season 10. This clash between two formidable teams will kickstart the tenth year of the Pakistan Super League.

The opening ceremony itself is anticipated to be a star-studded affair, where renowned artists and performers add glamour and excitement to the event. The apex cricket board of the country promises a spectacle that will celebrate both cricket and Pakistani culture.

PSL 10 marks ten years of excellence for franchise cricket in the country, showcasing top brass of domestic and international talent.

According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will kickstart the PSL season 10 campaign in Rawalpindi closely with local authorities to implement strict protocols and guidelines.

In the past the
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has never been selected to host the opening ceremony, however, the tenth edition of the league will be used as a venue to kick off the PSL season.

One of the PSL franchise owners confirmed that the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar will not be in operation at the start of the PSL 10 campaign and it is likely that it will not host any matches next season.

After the 10th edition, it is expected that the PSL might host the matches on six venues in Pakistan while two more franchises can be added to the league after 2026 to make it more competitive.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Eight formidable teams have clinched their spots in the quarterfinals of the National Challenge Cup, after intense matchups in the group stages.

KRL (Khan Research Laboratories), Navy, Army, Wapda, PAF, HEC (Higher Education Commission), SA Gardens, and WSTC have made it to the last eight of the competition, showcasing skilful gameplay.

The National Challenge Cup, renowned as Pakistan’s premium football cup competition, witnessed high-stakes clashes as teams battled for supremacy to gain spots in the quarterfinals.

Pakistan Army exhibited exceptional form throughout the group stage, securing three victories out of three while demonstrating their determination to claim the title.

NAVY, with its disciplined approach and tactical acumen, proved to be a force to reckon with, solidifying its position in the knockout rounds. Similarly, KRL showcased grit and resilience, leveraging their teamwork and defensive strength to secure 6 points in group stages.

HEC, showcasing excellence on the football field, surpri
sed many with their impressive performance, earning their ticket to the quarterfinals with 6 points.

The quarterfinal lineup promises electrifying encounters as these formidable teams gear up for the next phase of the tournament. Football enthusiasts across Pakistan eagerly anticipate the matches ahead, expecting exhilarating displays of talent and determination from these top-tier teams.

The National Challenge Cup, organized by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), will help Stephen Constantine to select local players for the national training camp that will begin on May 15.

With KRL, Navy, Army, Wapda, Air Force, and HEC leading the charge, the competition intensifies as the quest for glory in Pakistan’s premier football cup reaches a pivotal stage.

Source: Pro Pakistani