Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi expressed hope that each of eight teams will be in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year. Taking to X, Shahid said that cricket is at a “crucial crossroads”, facing one of its “greatest challenges”. “Cricket is at a crucial crossroads, facing perhaps one of its greatest challenges since the late 1970s. Now is the time to put differences aside and let the game unite us. If countries once divided by history can come together in the Olympic spirit, why can’t we do the same for cricket – and for the Champions Trophy? As stewards of this game, we owe it to cricket to keep egos in check and focus on its growth and spirit. I hope to see every team in Pakistan for CT25, to experience our warmth and hospitality, and to leave with unforgettable memories that transcend the field,” Afridi said in a post on X.

Cricket is at a crucial crossroads, facing perhaps one of its greatest challenges since the late 1970s. Now is the time to put differences aside and let the game unite us. If countries once divided by history can come together in the Olympic spirit, why can’t we do the same for…

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 13, 2024

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking reasons behind India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan to play the ICC Champions Trophy next year, Geo News reported on Tuesday.

India conveyed its stance of not travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, citing security concerns.

ICC had recently conveyed to the PCB in writing that India won’t travel to Pakistan to participate in Champions Trophy which will be held in early 2025.

PCB consulted with the Pakistan government on the issue and is looking to present its stance.

“If India’s participation contributes to ICC’s revenue, the PCB’s role is equally crucial, and without Pakistan-India matches, the ICC revenues would suffer significantly,” sources told Geo News.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has requested the ICC to conduct the match of the Indian Cricket Team on a hybrid model.

India and Pakistan played their last bilateral series in 2012-13 in India, a white-ball series and now mostly play in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi praised skipper Mohammad Rizwan and the entire team following their nine-wicket victory over Australia in the second ODI at Adelaide on Friday. Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, and Abdullah Shafique led Pakistan’s dominant comeback, securing a powerful nine-wicket win over Australia to level the three-match series 1-1. After the match, Afridi took to X, expressing that “when a captain inspires, the team fires”. He also commended Rizwan, Haris, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saim, and Abdullah for their “marvellous” performances.

“When a captain inspires, the team fires! What a phenomenal comeback performance by Pakistan in Adelaide – securing our first-ever nine-wicket win over world champions Australia on their home turf! This victory is a huge confidence booster for the ODIs ahead. The word ‘marvellous’ barely does justice to today’s stellar display from Rizwan, Haris, Shaheen, Saim, and Abdullah. Lads, keep believing in yourselves, and inshallah, even more successes are just around the corner,” Afridi wrote in his post.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that worked in their favour. Except for Steve Smith (35 off 48 balls, with five fours and a six), no Australian batter could surpass the 20-run mark, with Australia bowled out for 163 in 35 overs.

Haris Rauf (5/29) bowled a superb spell across eight overs, while Shaheen took three wickets for 26 runs. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain chipped in with a wicket each.

Chasing 164, Saim Ayub (82 off 71 balls, with five fours and six sixes) and Abdullah Shafique (64* off 69 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) displayed brilliant batting, securing the win with nine wickets in hand and more than 23 overs to spare.

Rauf was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning performance.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has backed the selectors’ decision to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah from the squad for the remaining two Tests against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formed a new selection committee following the loss to England in the series opener in Multan. The new selection committee, comprising Aqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar, Hasan Cheema, and advisor Bilal Afzal, took the call to drop Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem. However, former pacer Javed insisted that the players have been rested, instead of them being dropped.

Shahid Afridi, who is the father-in-law of Shaheen, has now welcomed the decision to drop the trio. The 47-year-old feels the move will prolong the careers of the players and also allow the PCB to test, groom new talents.

“Supporting the selectors’ decision to give Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem a break from international cricket. This move not only helps protect and extend the careers of these champion players but also gives a great opportunity to test and groom emerging talent, building strong bench strength for the future,” the former Pakistan captain posted on X.

Supporting the selectors’ decision to give Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem a break from international cricket. This move not only helps protect and extend the careers of these champion players but also gives a great opportunity to test and groom emerging talent, building strong bench…

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 14, 2024

Meanwhile, it has been reported Pakistan captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie will no longer have final say in selection of the team or the playing eleven as PCB’s new selectors have cut down their powers.

A reliable source in the PCB told PTI that the role of the captain and head coach had been changed with neither of them having final say in selection matters or even finalising the playing eleven.

“The playing eleven for the second Test (against England) has been finalised after consulting Shan and Gillispie but like until the first Test they no longer have final say in the selection of the playing eleven,” the source said.

(With PTI Inputs)

Dawid Malan in action© NCL

File photo of Shahid Afridi© AFP

WCL 2024: India will look to avenge their loss against Pakistan in the group stage.© X (Twitter)

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.