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Tag: Babar Azam

  • PAK vs ENG 3rd Test 2024 Preview: Check Pakistan, England’s Probable XI, Venue, Squads, Live Streaming, Match Details, Timing And More | cricket news

    PAK vs ENG 3rd Test: Pakistan finally ended their 11-match and three-year winless streak at home by defeating England in the second Test at Multan by 152 runs, leveling the series at 1-1. The decisive third Test is set to begin on Thursday, October 24, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. With both teams aiming to secure the series, Rawalpindi’s pace-friendly pitch could play a crucial role in shaping the outcome.

    Rawalpindi’s Pace-Friendly Conditions

    After a spin-dominated second Test at Multan, the teams are set to face a completely different challenge at Rawalpindi, where the conditions will favor pace bowlers. This is a welcome relief for England, who struggled against spin in the second Test, losing all 20 wickets to Pakistan’s spinners.

    England’s Changes: Focus on Spin Despite Pace-Friendly Pitch

    Despite Rawalpindi’s reputation for assisting fast bowlers, England have made a surprising choice to bolster their spin attack. Rehan Ahmed, a promising leg-spinner, has been included in the playing XI for the third Test. Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts will make way for Rehan and Gus Atkinson, with the latter returning to add pace firepower to England’s bowling unit. England hopes their aggressive “Bazball” batting approach will be more effective on a quicker surface.

    Pakistan’s Strength in Pace, But Inconsistent Batting Remains a Concern

    Pakistan has traditionally been known for producing quality fast bowlers, and the Rawalpindi conditions should suit the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. However, their batting lineup has shown signs of inconsistency, which could spell trouble if the England pacers find movement early on. With captain Shan Masood and the experienced Mohammad Rizwan in charge, Pakistan will aim to put up solid batting performances to support their bowling attack.

    Pakistan vs England 3rd Test: Probable Playing XI

    Pakistan Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (w), Agha Salman, Kamran Ghulam, Aamer Jamal, Nauman Ali, Naseem Shah, Sajid Khan.

    England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.

    Match Details: Pakistan vs England 3rd Test

    Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2024 Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Toss Time: 10:00 AM IST Match Start: 10:30 AM IST

    ENG vs PAK 3rd Test: Live Telecast And Streaming Information

    Unfortunately, the Pakistan vs England 3rd Test will not be available for live telecast in India. However, fans can catch the action live through streaming on the FanCode app and website. With the series on the line, both teams will look to exploit the pace-friendly conditions in Rawalpindi, setting up an intriguing decider between Pakistan and England.

  • Virender Sehwag Advises Babar Azam: Play Domestic Cricket, Work On Fitness For Comeback | cricket news

    Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag took a dig at Pakistan batsman Babar Azam’s recent performance in international cricket and asked him to work on his fitness. Ahead of the second Test match against England in Multan, Pakistan’s selection committee took everyone by surprise after dropping the former Pakistan captain Babar Azam from the final two long-format matches of the series against the Three Lions.

    Kamran Ghulam was handed his maiden Test cap and placed to fill Babar’s position as Pakistan hunted to level down the series. The batting all-rounder was at the receiving end of criticism from some sections of fans before and during the Test.

    Despite a tough time, the 29-year-old showed grit and resilience against a fierce English bowling line-up to keep Pakistan in the thick of the action. With an array of shots, he kept the opposition on their toes and smashed 118 off 124 deliveries.

    Speaking on Shoaib Akhtar’s official YouTube channel, Sehwag said that Babar should take part in domestic cricket now and then make a comeback in international cricket as a mentally stronger player.

    “Babar Azam should play domestic cricket now. He should work on his fitness, spend some time with family, then come back to international cricket as a physically fitter and mentally stronger player,” Sehwag said.

    The former India cricketer added that the former Pakistan skipper has been more impacted mentally. The 46-year-old also asked Babar to be mentally strong. “With expectations from Babar decreasing and his resignation from captaincy, it seems he has been more impacted mentally than in terms of technique. He needs to stay mentally strong. He’s a talented player, and players like him tend to bounce back quickly,” he added.

    While Ghulam’s knock set the tone of the Test for Pakistan, it was Noman Ali and Sajid Khan who dictated the outcome with their spin prowess.

    The duo took all 20 wickets in the second Test, leaving England completely baffled in the process. While Sajid starred with his figures of 7/111 in the first innings, the plaudits belonged to Noman in the second innings for his splendid effort of 8/46.

    With a 125-run victory, Pakistan leveled the series at 1-1, taking the series decider to Rawalpindi, beginning on October 24.

  • India-Pakistan To Resume Bilateral Cricket? Pak Journalist Makes Big Claim | cricket news

    The India vs Pakistan rivalry is one of the biggest sporting events in the history of cricket. Fans of both ends of the borders are equally crazy about the game. But because of terrorism chaos, India has stopped playing Pakistan in a bilateral series. Both India and Pakistan only play against each other in the ICC events.

    But a piece of good news is likely coming in for the fans of both countries. As per Geonews, India has agreed to start the discussion on cricket resumption. If this happens, then fans can once again witness India and Pakistan locking horns in a bilateral series. However, there are no official confirmation from either the PCB or the BCCI. In fact, the respective governments are also yet to confirm any such development.

    .Breaking: #Pakistan #India agreed to first talk on #cricket resumption. Details will be finalized later. For more details of my news keep watching geonews_urdu and #TalkShock on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/jn6Vbm0UdM — Azaz Syed (AzazSyed) October 16, 2024

    Pakistan has been trying a lot to resume cricket with India as it will have significant commercial value for the PCB. But, India had made it clear that it would engage with Pakistan only if it stopped carrying out terrorist activities across the border.

    “The BCCI decided long ago that it will not play any bilateral matches with Pakistan until they stop terrorism. We will not resume our cricketing ties with Pakistan unless they stop carrying out attacks across the border or infiltration incidents,” Anurag Thakur, a former BCCI. president said.

    “The Modi government has taken massive steps against terrorism. Terror incidents have come down in the last nine years. What has happened in Kashmir is unfortunate and very sad. We will give the terrorists a befitting reply,” he said.

    The last time when India and Pakistan took part in a bilateral series was back in 2012–13 amid strained ties. After that, both nations have only played against each other in ICC events and the Asia Cup. The last time when India visited Pakistan for a bilateral series was back in 2006.

  • R Ashwin: Babar Azam And Virat Kohli Shouldn’t Be Mentioned In The Same Line | cricket news

    Indian spin veteran Ravichandran Ashwin said on Tuesday that star Pakistan batter Babar Azam “should not be mentioned in the same line” as Indian icon Virat Kohli, delivering an interesting take in favor of his compatriot in the never-ending debate about two batting superstars of. the modern era.

    Ashwin was speaking at his Youtube Channel on Tuesday. Speaking on his channel, Ashwin backed an out-of-form Babar, who is currently rested from the remainder of the home series against England, to score runs but picked Virat’s side while comparing both.

    “Definitely, if he is given a chance, he will score runs. If there is class, that is okay. I feel we should end this debate once and for all. First of all, across the border, Babar Azam and Virat Kohli shouldn ‘t be mentioned in the same line,’ Ashwin said.

    The all-rounder said that while he rates Babar as “outstanding”, Virat’s credentials are “something else”.

    “I am very sorry, I really rate Babar Azam as an outstanding player, but Virat Kohli’s credentials are something else. Across terrains, across times, across pressure situations, the kind of heists he has done, no one has done that in world cricket. As far as I know, at this point, if anyone comes close, it is Joe Root in Test cricket,” he added.

    Virat is an all-format great and one of the best batsmen of all time, with 27,041 runs in 535 international matches at an average of 53.23, with 80 centuries and 140 fifties. His best score is 254*. Having captained his side to number one ICC Test team ranking, secured the ICC U19 World Cup, ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy and ICC T20 World Cup as a player, it is safe to say he has completed the sport in terms of trophies. . He is the fourth-highest run-getter of all time across all formats.

    While the 35-year-old has an incredible record across all formats, his ODI stats make him perhaps the greatest to play the 50-over format. In 295 matches, he has scored 13,906 runs at an average of 58.18, with 50 centuries and 72 fifties. His best score is 183.

    On the other hand, Babar, who debuted in international cricket in 2015, seven years after Virat, is barely halfway through Virat’s numbers. In 294 matches, he has scored 13,836 runs at an average of 47.54, with 31 centuries and 94 fifties. His best score is 196. ODIs remain his strongest format too, having made 5,729 runs in 117 ODIs at an average of 56.72, with 19 centuries and 32 fifties and best score of 158.

    However, currently, Babar is not having the best of times in Test cricket. Ahead of the second Test against England at home, the cricketing world was up for a shock as Babar was rested for the remaining two Tests along with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Babar made scores of 30 and five across the two innings of the first match. He was adjudged lbw to Chris Woakes in the first innings and edged wicket-keeper Jamie Smith off the bowling of Gus Atkinson in the second.

    His last 50-plus score in the format came back in December 2022, and in his last 17 Test innings, he averages just 20.70. In his last eight innings on home soil, where runs have flowed for others, Babar has averaged just 18.75.

  • PAK Vs ENG 2nd Test Live Streaming: When And Where To Watch Pakistan Vs England Second Match Live On TV, Mobile Apps, Online | cricket news

    PAK vs ENG: The second Test between Pakistan and England is set to begin in Multan today, Tuesday, October 15, as the home side looks to recover from a heavy defeat in the series opener. England took a commanding win in the first Test by an innings and 47 runs, despite Pakistan scoring over 500 runs in their first innings. The victory handed England a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.

    Ben Stokes Returns

    Ahead of the second Test, England has been boosted by the return of their captain, Ben Stokes. The star all-rounder missed the first match due to a hamstring injury but has been declared fit to play in Multan. Stokes’ return will further strengthen an already dominant England side, who are in good form as they sit fourth on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points table with 93 points from 17 matches.

    Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi Dropped From Pakistan’s Squad

    In a surprising move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made significant changes to the squad, resting several senior players. Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed have been dropped, allowing some fresh faces to step up. Kamran Ghulam, Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, and Sajid Khan have been called up to the squad, while spinners Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood make a return after being released following the first Test.

    Here are all the details about livestreaming the Pakistan vs England 2nd Test:

    When is the Pakistan vs England 2nd Test match?- Date

    The Pakistan vs England 1st Test match will be played on Tuesday, October 15.

    When will the Pakistan vs England 2nd Test match take place?

    The Pakistan vs England 2nd Test match will begin at 10:30 AM (IST).

    Where is the Pakistan vs England 2nd Test match going to be played?

    The Pakistan vs England 1st Test match will be played at Multan Cricket Stadium.

    PAK Vs ENG Test Live Streaming: Where to watch the live broadcast of the Pakistan vs England 2nd Test match?

    Sky Sports Network has acquired broadcasting rights for England vs Pakistan Test series 2024. They will also be available for live streaming on Sky Sports Main Event.

    PAK Vs ENG Test Live Streaming: How to watch the live-streaming of the Pakistan vs England 2nd Test match?

    The Pakistan vs England 2nd Test match can be live-streamed on FanCode app, TamashaWeb app and website in India.

    With England’s impressive performance in the first Test and the return of their captain, Ben Stokes, Pakistan faces an uphill battle to level the series. The second Test in Multan promises to be a crucial encounter as the home side looks to regroup and fight back against a formidable England side.

  • ‘Chaos In Pakistan Cricket’: Fans In Frenzy After Pakistan Selection Committee Eliminates Babar Azam From England Test | cricket news

    Fans were shocked after the Pakistan selection committee decided to drop the likes of Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi from the squad for the upcoming second Test against England in Multan. PCB decided to come up with this change after the team’s humiliating defeat against England in the first Test.

    Pakistan name squad for second and third Tests against England #PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/EHS9m84TXK

    — Pakistan Cricket (TheRealPCB) October 13, 2024

    Babar was going through a lean patch in the red ball format and in the last 17 innings, his average dropped down to just 20.70. Babar could only score 30 and 5 in both innings in the first Test against England. Pakistan selection committee led by Aqib Javed stated that they decided to make changes in order to maintain the balance in the team.

    Fans were shocked to see the changes made by the Pakistan selection committee as they flooded social media with their reactions.

    Chaos in Pakistan Cricket.

    — Arham Hamid (arham_hamid_) October 13, 2024

    Pakistan cricket chaos, brilliance or disaster. — Charlie (cas_rasen) October 13, 2024

    I agree, Babar Azam’s release from the Test squad seems hasty. Every player goes through tough phases, and it’s important to support him rather than sidelining him. Let’s hope for better decisions that nurture our talent! #BabarAzam #PakistanCricket — Doctor Fatima (Doc_fatima_) October 13, 2024

    Everything is possible in Pakistan cricket team (gautamhere_) October 13, 2024

    No one is interested. In Sha Allah a heavy defeat is loading — Hassan Abbasian (HassanAbbasian) October 13, 2024

    Pakistan Squad (for 2nd and 3rd Tests): Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.

  • ‘Babar Azam Should Be Dropped’: Ex-Pakistan Legend Calls For Star Batsman’s Exclusion From Test Squad | cricket news

    Former Pakistan cricket legend Zaheer Abbas, famously known as the “Asian Bradman,” has made a bold statement regarding Babar Azam’s place in the Pakistan Test team. Speaking at the Cricket Predicta Conclave in Ajman, UAE, during the 100th episode celebration of the international cricket talk show, Zaheer voiced his opinion on Babar’s recent struggles.

    “Babar Azam should be dropped from the team if he’s not scoring runs. He’s our main batsman, and if he’s out of form, he should be out of the team,” said Zaheer. His remarks come after Babar’s string of low scores in Pakistan’s recent Test series against Bangladesh, where he managed just 0, 22, 11, and 31, contributing to Pakistan’s defeat in the series.

    Adding to the pressure on Babar, his name was recently removed from the ICC top 10 Test batsmen rankings for the first time in years. This slump in form has ignited debates about Babar’s place in the team, especially after Pakistan’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they suffered defeats to the USA and India, leading to their group-stage elimination.

    Zaheer also dismissed ongoing comparisons between Babar and Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli, calling them “pointless” given their current form. “The comparisons are meaningless. Virat Kohli scores in every match; Babar doesn’t score in any match. So how can you compare? The one who scores is the bigger player,” Zaheer added.

    With Pakistan’s next assignment being the Test series against England as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, starting in Multan on October 7, all eyes will be on Babar’s performance.

    Babar Azam Steps Down As White Ball Captain

    In a surprising move that has once again shaken the Pakistan cricket world, star batsman Babar Azam has stepped down as the captain of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams for the second time in less than a year. Babar, who announced his resignation on social media on October 2, 2024, cited the increased workload of captaincy as the key reason behind his decision. His departure from the leadership role has ignited widespread discussions about his form, future, and the trajectory of Pakistan cricket.

    In his statement, Babar emphasized his desire to prioritize his performance, stating, “By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game.” For Pakistan cricket fans, the hope is that this move will allow Babar to once again rise to the top as one of the game’s premier players.

  • Babar Azam, Shan Masood Among Senior Players To Attend PCB Workshop On Pakistan Cricket’s Future | cricket news

    Captains Babar Azam and Shan Masood, along with other senior players, will attend a day-long workshop on Monday, convened by the PCB to outline the future vision for Pakistan cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board has named the day-long workshop the “Strategic Connection Camp,” to be held at a local hotel. Along with captains Babar Azam and Shan Masood, senior players Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi will be in attendance.

    The meeting will also be joined by national team head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, and High Performance specialist David Reid. (WTC Points Table 2023-25: India Tightens Grip On No. 1 Spot After 280 Run Victory, Bangladesh Slips To 6th Position)

    “We aim to identify key issues, foster open dialogue and collectively agree on a strategic path forward to successfully reshape Pakistan cricket.” PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement.

    “The Connection Camp is a critical step toward unifying our approach to restore Pakistan cricket to its former glory. Our aim is to identify key issues, foster open dialogue and collectively agree on a strategic path forward. The PCB remains optimistic that this session, which builds on prior discussions with former cricketers, will lead to a results-driven strategy that improves both player management and team performance.”

    Pakistan Test captain Masood said the session will focus on setting performance benchmarks, developing player development programs, and formulating strategies to enhance grassroots cricket.

    Red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten have also expressed optimism that the meeting will be beneficial.

    “We’re all striving toward the same goal – raising the standard of Pakistan cricket and creating a culture of winning.” Gillispie said. (‘Pakistan Samjhe The Kya,’ Fans Can’t Keep Calm After Team India Crushes Bangladesh In 1st Test)

    Kirsten said the focus is on refining the approach to white-ball cricket, building a team that can consistently perform at the highest level and bringing joy to the fans who support them. The PCB leadership group will also attend the meeting besides the national selectors.

    This is not the first time the PCB is hosting such a meeting/workshop as in the past also previous Chairmanmen have followed the same path in a bid to identify key issues in Pakistan cricket and to reach a consensus on a strategic path forward. Unfortunately the success rate and outcome of such meetings has not been high.

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz Surpasses Babar Azam, Equals Virat Kohli’s Record with Seventh ODI Century | cricket news

    AFG vs SA: Afghanistan’s explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz surpassed Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and equaled India stalwart Virat Kohli’s record for scoring most ODI centuries before turning 23. It was Gurbaz who laid a solid foundation for Afghanistan to seal a historic ODI series win over South Africa. . Their first series win against a top-five-ranked team in the ICC standings.

    Gurbaz added another dimension to the game and derailed South Africa’s bowling plan in the second ODI in Sharjah. He breezed past South African bowlers effortlessly while relying on his impeccable stroke play to pick up boundaries. He raced to his seventh ODI century for Afghanistan, the most scored by any batsman in the nation. He also surpassed Babar, who garnered six centuries before turning 23 in the ODI format.

    Gurbaz now stands level with Kohli, who also struck seven hundred in the 50-over format before turning 23.

    With the third ODI to be played on Sunday, Gurbaz will have the opportunity to go level with ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar and South Africa’s Quinton de Kock. Both batsmen racked up a whopping eight centuries in the ODI format before turning 23.

    Apart from notching up his seventh ODI century, Gurbaz forged a crucial 88-run opening partnership with Riaz Hassan. Throughout his stay at the crease, Gurbaz scored boundaries according to his will and found the ideal support from his compatriots.

    Scoring at a strike rate of 95.45, Gurbaz amassed 105 runs off 110 deliveries, laced with 10 fours and three maximums. His flourishing time on the crease ended after Nandre Burger’s delivery breached past Gurbaz’s tired-looking shot and crashed onto the stumps.

    After his departure, Azmatullah Omarzai played an influential cameo of 86*(50) to propel Afghanistan’s score to 311/4.

    In reply, South Africa fell short in front of Rashid Khan’s spin magic and succumbed to a 177-run defeat. Rashid, who was dealing with a hamstring injury during his nine-over spell, picked up a five-wicket haul while giving away just 19 runs.

    After taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, Afghanistan and South Africa will play the third ODI on Sunday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.