Inzamam-ul-Haq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Mohammad and Saeed Anwar have been named as new inductees into the Hall of Fame constituted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The PCB said in a statement that the legendary quartet was voted into the select club by an 11-member independent panel that included fellow Hall of Famers, women international cricketers and journalists, adding that four inductions were made for 2024 after no one was included in for 2023. “The four stalwarts will be formally inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame during the course of the year when they will be presented with commemorative caps and specially designed plaques,” it further said.

Inzamam, Misbah, Mushtaq and Anwar are joining Abdul Qadir, AH Kardar, Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Younis Khan and Zaheer Abbas in the illustrious group.

Inzamam played international cricket for Pakistan from 1991 to 2007 and was a member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team, apart from being their leading 50-over run-scorer and being their captain. Later, he also held the post of Pakistan’s chief selector twice and coached Afghanistan too.

Misbah, whose international career ran from 2001 to 2017, was part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 winning squad and guided the team to pole position in the ICC Test Team Rankings in 2016. Misbah served as head coach of Pakistan from 2019-2021, and was also chief selector in 2019-2020.

On the other hand, Mushtaq, one of the four Mohammed brothers to play Tests, played for Pakistan from 1959 to 1979 and captained the team to its first-ever Test win in Australia in 1977, as well as featured in the inaugural 1975 ODI World Cup in England before coaching the national side to 1999 ODI World Cup final in England.

Meanwhile, Anwar represented Pakistan from 1989 to 2003, and rose to being their batting mainstay by amassing a total of 31 centuries and 68 half-centuries, including three centuries and three half-centuries across the 1996, 1999 and 2003 ODI World Cups.

“This honour represents a tribute to their outstanding contributions to Pakistan cricket and to the global game. These four giants of the game hold a special place in Pakistan’s rich cricketing history. Their contributions not only elevated the sport within Pakistan but also inspired future generations to pursue excellence.”

“Their talent, charisma and unwavering commitment have made them true ambassadors of cricket and the PCB takes immense pride in honouring their accomplishments. Pakistan is fortunate to have produced such extraordinary players who have showcased their skill and sportsmanship on the global stage.

“I hope that our aspiring cricketers will look up to these icons and strive to follow in their footsteps, carrying forward their legacy and continuing to strengthen Pakistan’s position as a cricketing powerhouse,” said PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed five former stalwarts of Pakistan cricket to mentor their domestic and international cricketers, in preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Champions One-Day Cup will be held in Pakistan between five domestic teams, with the intention of featuring not only the best domestic performers in Pakistan but also senior team players who are centrally contracted. In light of this, the PCB has named Waqar Younis, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Saqlain Mushtaq as mentors for the teams during the Champions One-Day Cup.

Following a loss to Bangladesh in the first Test – their first-ever Test defeat to them – the PCB seems to be in no mood to take preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy lightly, even more so as it is being held on home soil.

“These five mentors will play a pivotal role in the development and progression of our emerging cricketers. They will guide strategic planning and team-building processes, while also providing support in leadership and personal development,” said PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in a press release.

The Champions One-Day Cup will start on September 12, just over a week after the end of Pakistan’s two-match Test series against Bangladesh. It will be held at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, which will see a return of One-Day cricket after more than two years.

Naqvi reiterated that the five mentors had been selected after a robust recruitment process, with the aim of reducing the quality gap between domestic and international cricketers.

“These individuals bring a wealth of cricketing experience, knowledge and expertise, which, combined with their passion for the game we all love, will help the Pakistan Cricket Board identify, develop and nurture the next generation of cricketers across all formats,” Naqvi emphasised.

The five share more than 32,000 runs and 1,500 wickets between them across all forms of international cricket.

File image of Waqar Younis© AFP

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has made another scathing attack at current Pakistan captain Babar Azam, stating that it is time for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to look at a new captain. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Afridi stated that enough time has been given to Babar as captain, and that now a new captain should be appointed and backed. Afridi stated that Babar has already received a lot more backing than any captain during his own era, but with little success to show for it.

“As far as Babar is concerned, no captain has received such a prolonged opportunity. I’ve captained Pakistan, as has Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, none of us got such a long chance to captain. As soon as a World Cup would get over, we would be removed from captaincy,” said Afridi.

Recent reports surrounding Pakistan cricket has stated that PCB chairman is unlikely to introduce the ‘major surgery’ that he had earlier promised in order to avoid conflicts with senior players.

Babar has received significant criticism from several former cricketers, experts and fans after Pakistan exited the 2024 T20 World Cup in the group stage. Now, Afridi has pointed out that a new captain should be elected and stuck with.

Shahid Afridi : “Jitne chances @babarazam258 ko as a captain milay hain, aur kisi ko nahi mile Aur Selection Committee 6/7 Logon Ki Thi, @WahabViki Aur @ARazzaqPak Ki He Surgery Kun Huwi” pic.twitter.com/JSY29zykiB

— Thakur (@hassam_sajjad) July 9, 2024

“Babar Azam has gotten plenty of opportunities: two or three World Cups, two or three Asia Cups. In my opinion, whoever you bring in now should be fully backed,” said Afridi.

“I believe that any decision that is taken should be given a lot of time, be it the captain, coach or system,” said Afridi.

Babar Azam had resigned from captaincy after Pakistan failed to make the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, new white-ball captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was given only a few months, after which Babar was reinstated by the PCB.

Shaheen Afridi also happens to be Shahid Afridi’s son-in-law, having married his daughter Ansha in 2023.

Shahid Afridi also expressed confusion at the PCB’s decision to sack only Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committee, when the entire committee consists of seven members.

India Champions vs Pakistan Champions Live Streaming, World Championship of Legends 2024 Live Telecast: India vs Pakistan transcends to another sphere of cricket, as India Champions, led by Yuvraj Singh, takes on Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends 2024. India Champions, boasting star names like Yuvraj, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh and the Pathan brothers, have won both their opening games, and are on top of the WCL table. The likes of Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq headline the Pakistan team, who’re also unbeaten so far. The legends tournament has caught a lot of fanfare so far.

When will the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match take place?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match will take place on Saturday, July 6.

Where will the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match be played?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

What time will the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match start?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match will start at 9:00 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match will be telecast on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match?

The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions, WCL 2024 match will be streamed live on the Fancode app.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

India Champions Squad: Robin Uthappa, Naman Ojha(w), Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh(c), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Vinay Kumar, Harbhajan Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rahul Shukla, RP Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Anureet Singh, Rahul Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Pawan Negi

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has opened up on star batter Virat Kohli‘s form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). The former batter praised Kohli for his strong mentality, especially in crunch games against the best teams in the world. Amid debate over his strike-rate and batting intent in IPL 2024, Misbah threw his weight behind the RCB icon, and explained what makes Kohli a match-winner. Kohli is leading run-getter in this season’s IPL so far, amassing 661 runs at a strike rate of 155.16 from 13 matches.

Despite the IPL 2024 Orange Cap sitting on his head, experts have often criticised Kohli for his batting intent. Even former India captain Sunil Gavaskar questioned his strike-rate after RCB had lost seven of their first eight league matches.

However, Misbah refused to side with the critics as he praise Kohli for putting up outstanding numbers every season.

“Virat Kohli performed well in all the matches, against many teams, and especially against Pakistan. He played such an innings at a crucial stage that he caused a lot of damage to Pakistan. So even in Pakistan’s mind, there is a mentality, there’s a supremacy, and even in Kohli’s mind, he knows that he can perform well against Pakistan. He’s such a player that when the occasion is big, instead of taking pressure, he takes motivation from it. Whenever there was a pressure situation and the team was in a bad situation, I used to feel like I had to do something. And this is a factor in Virat as well, and he is a top-class cricketer. So to play against a team like India, like we did in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan or any team has to get him out early,” Misbah said on ‘Star Sports Press Room’.

The 49-year-old also slammed Kohli’s critics and said that when he is in the middle, the opposition is always under pressure.

“You can talk about strike rates as much as you want, but he’s a player who knows how to win a match and is used to it. If he is at the crease, then there is no situation or position where you are safe,” he added.

With India and Pakistan set to face off in the T20 World Cup next month, Misbah signed off by saying: “Everyone feels the pressure of playing in the India-Pakistan match. Whenever I used to play against India, if the start was good, I was confident and comfortable that I would perform. It’s in the player’s muscle memory and mind that when you perform well, you really have a big impact on the match, and the position you are in during the match also has an influence,” Misbah further explained.

File photo of Indian cricket team and Misbah-ul-Haq.© AFP and X

Ball-tracking in action during Pakistan’s review for the wicket of Tabriaz Shamsi.© X (formerly Twitter)