Shahid Afridi (L) and Gautam Gambhir© 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

Several Pakistan cricket greats such as Wasim Akram and Javed Miandad praised Indian stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for timing their retirement to perfection following the team’s triumph in the just-concluded T20 World Cup. India outwitted South Africa by seven runs in a topsy-turvy final at Barbados to lift their second T20 world title. “I have always been a fan of Rohit’s batting and try to follow him when matches are on TV. Kohli’s greatness is there for all to see his records speak for itself but Rohit I am happy that he could win the World Cup for his country,” yesteryear’s batting stalwart Zaheer Abbas said.

Javed Miandad, one of Pakistan’s greatest batters, said both the stalwarts had taken retirement at the right time.

“We will still see them in Test and 50-overs cricket but it is befitting for their career that they left T20 internationals in glory,” Miandad said.

He said both the players remained role models for any cricketing system.

“The discipline and professionalism and fitness of Kohli makes him a top role model to follow and his admirers will be as good as him as well,” he said.

Legendary pacer Waqar Younis said both Rohit and Kohli stood up for India in crunch situations and won matches for their country.

He also praised Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling throughout the World Cup and said he had become a pure match winner for India.

Rashid Latif said the credit of India’s success and the fact that they made three finals of the ICC events in the last one year suggested that their team management was in sync with the players.

“Rahul Dravid and his support team deserve a lot of credit for what India has achieved today. He has given a clear pathway to the Indian team and to the players,” Latif said.

Shahid Afridi said Rohit was an exceptional leader and Kohli had always been a big match performer.

“Both Rohit and Kohli have done the right thing to retire on a high after leading India to the World Cup title.” Mohsin Hasan Khan, the former Test batter, head coach and chief selector felt that Rohit and Kohli had set a very good example for young players.

“This is how you retire from any format in glory.” He said India now had the back-up talent in T20 cricket to fill in the gaps left by the retirements of Rohit and Kohli.

“But I am very impressed by the hunger of these two senior players, particularly the way Rohit led the side to finally win a World Cup.” Rohit’s five centuries in T20Is are unmatched and he now has two T20 World Cup titles, taking him to a league of his own.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is likely to take legal action against YouTubers and former cricketers who accused him of ‘misconduct’ during their campaign in the ongoing T20 World Cup, Geo News reported, citing sources. Babar and the Pakistan team were on the receiving end of criticism from former players and fans because of their World Cup campaign. Sources informed Geo News that during Pakistan’s campaign, a social media campaign was used to “target” Babar, which made him feel “disheartened.”

It was also reported that evidence related to statements made by YouTubers and former cricketers is being collected by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s legal department.

Some of the players and the officials arrived at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport via a private airline flight in the early hours of Wednesday.

The players who returned included Naseem Shah, Usman Khan, and senior manager Wahab Riaz. But, some of the players from the 15-member squad decided to extend their stay in the United States after their shocking early exit from the tournament.

Babar, along with Imad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Azam Khan, are expected to depart on Saturday.

Ahemd Shehzad, a former teammate of Babar at international and domestic level, has been critical of the Pakistan captain ever since the team crashed out of the T20 World Cup.

After featuring in the finals against England in the last edition of the competition, Pakistan crashed out of the ongoing World Cup in the group stage.

Pakistan ended their campaign with a three-wicket win over Ireland in Florida on Sunday, a dead rubber after India and the USA, from Group A, advanced to the Super 8 stage.

Placed in Group A, Pakistan endured back-to-back defeats against the co-hosts, the USA, and then their bitter rival, India.

They bounced back with two wins on the trot, but it wasn’t enough to turn their woeful campaign around and secure a spot in the Super 8.

Pakistan’s next white-ball series will be against Australia in November. The Men in Green will engage in a three-match ODI series, which will kick off on November 4.

(With Added Inputs)

Shahid Afridi has lashed out at Babar Azam for accepting the captaincy role.© AFP

Denying rumours of groupism within the Pakistan camp, former captain Shahid Afridi labelled newer fans on social media as having “born during Covid times”. After Pakistan’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, reports of the dressing room being divided into three groups has been rife. However, Afridi dismissed such claims. He blamed it on poor performances and poor captaincy, and rubbished conspiracies about groups within the team. In particular, Afridi was highly critical about Babar Azam‘s captaincy as the main reason.

Appearing on Samaa TV, a Pakistani news channel, Afridi said, “No group exists within the team. There never has been any. 2019, 20, 21, 22, 23, we never spoke about groups. Only now are groups coming?”

“If groups are being formed, that is a clear sign of weak leadership,” he said. “Only when performances are bad, that’s when the groups can be seen,” he added.

Afridi did not shy away from blaming fans on social media in believing and spreading rumours about groupism.

“This is the age of social media. All the kids born in the Covid era have no idea about things. They only know how to use phones, they are not educated (about cricket),” blasted Afridi.

“We’re simply not playing good enough cricket. Our batsmen and bowlers are not performing well,” said Afridi.

Pakistan have endured a dismal 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, losing their first two matches to co-hosts USA and then India. The abandonment of USA’s game against Ireland confirmed Pakistan’s group stage exit, as they can now neither match India nor USA’s points tally.

Criticism has come from several stalwarts of Pakistan cricket, from Wasim Akram to Shoaib Akhtar. Babar Azam’s batting and captaincy has been heavily criticised.

Pakistan face Ireland in their final Group A game on Sunday, June 16, in what will be a final chance for them to get some pride back.

File photo of Virat Kohli (left) and Rohit Sharma.© AFP

Match 36 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024 has Pakistan taking on Ireland at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida on 16th June 2024 at 08:00 PM IST.

Tournament Standings

Pakistan: Played three matches, currently ranked third on the points table.

Ireland: Played two matches, currently in fifth place on the points table.

Last Encounters

The two teams last faced each other in the 3rd T20I of the Pakistan in Ireland series in 2024. In that match, Babar Azam led Pakistan with 117 fantasy points, while Lorcan Tucker was Ireland’s standout player with 106 fantasy points.

Recent Performance

Pakistan: Defeated Canada by seven wickets in their last match. Mohammad Rizwan was the top fantasy player with 85 points.

Ireland: Lost to Canada by 12 runs in their last match. Mark Adair was Ireland’s top fantasy performer with 76 points.

Key Players to Watch

Pakistan

Shaheen Shah Afridi

Shaheen Shah Afridi has two wickets in his last two matches. Afridi’s left-arm pace makes him a consistent wicket-taker, and he will be a valuable weapon for Pakistan in this match.

Babar Azam

Babar Azam has scored 90 runs in his last three outings, at an average of 30. Babar’s steadiness in the top order makes him an invaluable asset, both as captain and as a vital run-scorer.

Mohammad Rizwan

Mohammad Rizwan is a top wicketkeeper batter. Rizwan has scored 93 runs in the current World Cup at an average of 46.5. Rizwan’s versatility as a top-order hitter and wicketkeeper makes him a well-rounded choice for Pakistan. His contribution in terms of runs and dismissals is significant.

Ireland

Mark Richard Adair

Mark Richard Adair is one of Ireland’s top bowling all-rounders. He has taken two wickets and scored 37 runs in this World Cup and will be hungry to contribute more against Pakistan.

Gareth James Delany

Gareth James Delany has scored 29 runs and taken one wicket in his past two matches. Delany, known for his leg-break googly, has already demonstrated consistency and success against Pakistan, making him a strategic choice.

Curtis Campher

Curtis Campher has scored only 16 runs in this World Cup. Although Campher’s recent batting form is shaky, he was extremely economical in the last two matches. This is a great opportunity for him to showcase his talent on the biggest stage of world cricket.

Shahid Afridi feels PCB cannot drop Babar Azam as they don’t have a replacement for him.© X (Twitter)