Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar criticised star batter Babar Azam for his slow and conservative knock against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy opener, saying that the batter has “no intention to improve”. Babar’s sluggish approach in ODIs made headlines as he made a 90-ball 64 against NZ while chasing 321 in the Champions Trophy opener. His strike rate was extremely underwhelming at 71.11, leaving Pakistan 60 runs short of a win and their net run rate slipped to -1.20. Their next match against arch-rivals India on Sunday has become a virtual knockout.

Speaking in the post-match analysis show ‘Game On Hai’ as quoted by Wisden, Shoaib said, “Babar Azam has become the product he had to become; it is visible; what can I debate about it?. You saw it (against New Zealand). There is no intention to improve.”

“You cannot run a team by acting like Maula Jatt (violent Pakistani fictional character) – ‘Bring this, do this, do that’ etc. You’re not playing T20. You can play T20 cricket with T20 skills, but in longer formats you need awareness, intelligence and method as well. How do you create this package?”

“They used to teach us way back in the 80s and 90s in club cricket how to play run-a-ball. Even us tailenders knew that we have to play run-a-ball,” he concluded.

Babar’s knock of 64 in 90 balls, was his fifth-slowest 50-plus score in ODIs, with his slowest being an 86-ball fifty against NZ back in 2023. While Babar was no doubt at fault, he did not get much support from top order, who also played extremely conservative cricket, with Saud Shakeel (6 off 19), Mohammad Rizwan (3 off 14), and Fakhar Zaman (24 off 41) failing to fire. In the middle order, Salman Agha (42 in 28 balls, with six fours and a six) and Khusdil Shah (69 in 49 balls, with 10 fours and a six) did come good, but it was not enough as Pakistan was bundled out for 260 in 47.2 overs.

In contrast, Kiwis had well-made centuries from Will Young (107 in 113 balls, with 12 fours and a six) and Tom Latham (118 in 104 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes) and an explosive 61 in 39 balls by Glenn Phillips, which had three fours and four sixes.

In his last 10 ODIs, Babar has scored 354 runs in 10 innings at an average of 44.25, with a strike rate of over 76 and three fifties, with best score of 73. He has not scored an international ton since his century against Nepal in August 2023 during the Asia Cup.

Despite the arch-rivalry, the mutual respect that Indian and Pakistan cricketers have for each other often comes to the fore. Their rivalries aside, the cricketers from both sides often praise each other. Once Virat Kohli said how fearsome it must have been to face Shoaib Akhtar in his heydays. The latter, on his part, often praised the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag for their fearless batting. Recently, at an event, Shoaib Akhtar met viral Dolly Chaiwala, a tea seller from Nagpur whose real name is Sunil Patil. The two had a fun-filled interaction.      

“Dolly have seen my matches?” Shoaib Akhtar tells Dolly. 

“Yes, I have seen many of your matches,” came the reply. 

“Did you have fun?” Akhtar asked again. 

“Yes sir. You are such a fast bowler, it seemed you are not bowling, but you are throwing the ball at somebody,” Dolly replied.   

“When I dismissed Sachin Tendulkar, did you feel bad?” Akhtar asked. 

“What can I do, It’s Sachin,” Dolly replied.

Ran into Dolly Chaiwala at the stadium. What a lovely character with an inspiring story pic.twitter.com/W7lJ1Usefc

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 31, 2025

Shoaib Akhtar believes that Kohli will be back in form during the match against the Asian neighbour. He recalled Kohli’s famous Melbourne knock from 2022 T20 World Cup that the star batter played against Pakistan. “If you want to wake Virat Kohli up, tell him that there is a match against Pakistan. He will wake up. We have seen it often. He played a top knock in Melbourne. He will get up and running,” Akhtar told Aaj Tak.

Akhtar hopes for an evenly fought contest between India and Pakistan.

“India is a strong side. I would love to see Rohit, Kohli, Jasprit and all these guys to go out and perform their best, but I really want Pakistan to win.

“Imagine Virat Kohli scoring runs for India, Babar Azam scoring for Pakistan, Shaheen and Naseem bowling well for Pakistan, Jasprit Bumrah firing for India,” he said.

File photo of Virat Kohli.© AFP

Legendary pacer Shoaib Akhtar has urged star India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to focus on shorter formats of the game. Bumrah is arguably the best all format bowler in the world at the moment, but his injury record is not the best. He single-handed won India the first Test against Australia in Perth last month, returning match-figures of 8/72. He bagged another four-wicket haul in the first innings of the 2nd Test last week, but India went on to lose the match.

Despite his impeccable record in Test cricket, Akhtar made a weird remark that Bumrah lacks pace to succeed furhter in the format. He suggested that even if Bumrah manages to add that extra injection of pace in his bowling, the chances of him picking up injuries will only increase.

“You know, in Test cricket, you have to bowl longer spells. The batters don’t try to attack you, so length becomes irrelevant. You struggle if the ball doesn’t seam then. When you start struggling, the team will start questioning. I think he is a good enough fast bowler to take wickets in Test cricket,” Akhtar said on TNKS Podcast.

Akhtar said that if he was in Bumrah’s position, he would focus on playing white-ball cricket.

“Although he didn’t do much in the Test series against New Zealand, it happens. But if he wants to continue playing Test cricket, he has to increase pace. With the injection of increasing pace, he has a high risk of getting injured. If I was Jasprit Bumrah, I’d stick to shorter formats. It only depends on how I feel,” he added.

Since making his Test debut in 2018, Bumrah has been pivotal in the team’s rise in the format, most importantly under the leadership of Virat Kohli.

In 42 Tests (before the ongoing game in Brisbane), he has picked up 185 wickets, including 11 five-wicket hauls.

Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam is yet to find his lost rhythm back and former skipper Shoaib Akhtar has now given him a final ultimatum. Despite being the top ranked ODI batter in the world, Babar is time and again failing to register a big knock. After a poor show in the first Test against, Babar was dropped from the squad for the rest of the two games and Pakistan clinched the three-match series 2-1. Later, the 30-year-old batter played in the white-ball series against Australia but returned with only 47 runs in three T20Is and 80 runs in as many ODIs.

As Pakistan now have a new white-ball coach, Aqib Javed, Akhtar stated that Babar needs to prove himself again in order to protect his place in the team.

“He is our star player. I back him, but the thing is with the new management, new mindset, he has to change his neurological wiring because the new management will not consider him in T20s, as a matter of fact, even for the ODIs,” said Akhtar during an interaction on a Pakistani TV channel. 

“Babar Azam will not be considered in Pakistan white-ball team. He needs to score 3 match winning hundreds in Champions trophy to prove himself in the fornat.”

Shoaib Akhtar on Babar Azam’s future

pic.twitter.com/rIfViDvt3s

— Abu Bakar Tarar (@abubakartarar_) December 2, 2024

The former paceman also stated that Babar needs to hit at least match-winning centuries for Pakistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to take place in February 2025.

“Otherwise the Champions Trophy is the time and the place where Babar needs to be on the forefront for Pakistan. He should dominate the tournament and needs to score three match-winning hundreds in the Champions Trophy to prove himself in the format. Otherwise, the path will be very difficult,” he said.

Pakistan are the original host of the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy but are likely to agree to conduct it in a hybrid model after the Border of Control for India (BCCI) informed the ICC that the Indian government has refused to allow the team to travel across the border to play in Pakistan.

About PCB’s threat that Pakistan will not travel to India to play ICC events in future, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh said they are free to make their own call.

“If Pakistan does not want to travel to India in the future, it is their call. Tournaments will happen without their participation as well,” Harbhajan Singh had told IANS.

(With IANS Inputs)

Champions Trophy 2025: File photo of Virat Kohli and Shoaib Akhtar© AFP/Twitter

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding India’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025. While there were doubts about their travel plans, India have made it clear that they will not be coming to Pakistan for the competition. There were proposals of a hybrid model where India play their games in Dubai but it was rejected by Pakistan. With both BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) adamant on their stands at the moment, there is no clarity over the future of the competition. However, legendary Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar fired a grave warning to both PCB and International Cricket Council (ICC) as he reminded them that without India, they stand to lose $100 million (around Rs 844 crore).

“If Pakistan is not able to bring India to our country, or to a neutral venue, two things will happen. First, we will lose about $100 million from sponsorship which ICC and the hosting country receive. Second, it will be so much better that India comes to Pakistan, plays in Lahore and win or lose, whatever may be the scenario,” Shoaib Akhtar said on a Pakistan channel.

The Indian blind cricket team will not compete in the T20 World Cup as the government has denied the permission to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns, the national federation said on Tuesday.

The Indian team was supposed to cross the Wagah border on Wednesday for the event, scheduled to be held from November 23 to December 3.

The team had got a No Objection Certificate (NOC), at no-cost to the government, from the sports ministry to participate in the tournament but apparently couldn’t get clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

“We have been told unofficially that the blind team will not be permitted to travel to Pakistan. We were scheduled to travel to Wagah border tomorrow.

“But as of now, no clearance has come from the ministry officials. So, we are a bit disappointed,” Shailendra Yadav, General Secretary of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), told PTI.

Yadav said that the decision could have been conveyed to the team a tad earlier so that they could have spared of the efforts to pick the team from a selection trial.

“They are saying when the mainstream cricket team is not safe how can you be safe there. Of course, we will accept the decision.

“But why hold the decision till the last minute, why not inform us a month or 25 days back. There is a process,” Yadav added.

The blind cricket is currently staying back in New Delhi, where they had conducted a 25-day training camp before selecting the World Cup squad.

(With PTI inputs)

Former Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was all praise for the youngsters as Pakistan registered a historic ODI series victory over Australia. Pakistan won the final ODI encounter by 8 wickets to clinch the three-match series 2-1 to register their first ODI series win on Australian soil in 22 years. Akhtar praised fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah for their impressive performances and recalled his experiences of 2002 – the last time when Pakistan won in Australia.

“Outstanding win. After 22 years, we won against Australia. In 2002, I remember I was there. We had won a series in Gabba, and it took us 22 years for the players to win the series. And they did an amazing job. They played really well. There was an attitude change. Rizwan changed the attitude. Naseem, Haris, Shaheen. All of them played really well and at the same time they did a comprehensively good job,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan praised bowlers for their 2-1 ODI series win over Australia after beating Australia by eight wickets in the third and final match at Perth Stadium on Sunday.

This was Pakistan’s first ODI series win over the hosts in 22 years. Chasing a modest 141 target, Pakistan openers, Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37) added 84-run partnership for the first wicket. Rizwan (30 not out) and Babar Azam (28 not out) knitted an unbroken 58-run partnership for the third wicket to take the side over the line in 26.5 overs.

Earlier, after being put into bat, Australia were bowled out for 140 in 31.5 overs. Sean Abbott (30) was the top run-getter for the losing side. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah bagged three scalps each while Haris Rauf ended up taking two wickets.

“Special moment for me, the nation will be very happy today, we didn’t perform as per expectations in the last couple of years. I’m the captain only for the toss and presentations – everyone gives me suggestions on the field, the batting group and the bowling group,” Rizwan said in the post-match presentation.

“All the credit to the bowlers, Australia in Australia isn’t easy, the conditions suit their style of playing, but the bowlers were outstanding. Also credit to the two openers, they made the chases easy. They (fans) don’t care a lot about the results, but the people back home are always behind us and I want to dedicate this victory to them,” the wicketkeeper-batter added.

(With IANS inputs)

Pakistan’s red-ball format head coach, Jason Gillespie has urged former cricketers to avoid unwarranted criticism of the national team as he believes it can deeply affect the players. Gillespie admitted that the comments former players made in TV shows and Youtube channels indeed bruised the cricketers. “I’m very protective of players and very protective of staff I work with and just want to make sure that the environment that we’re trying to create is a safe space for everyone and if that gets eroded then that can lead to a bit of frustration,” Gillespie told Sky Sports.

The former Australian quick asked the players of yesteryears to be more judicious while airing their opinion, especially in social media.

“A lot of former players have their own space on social media – YouTube, whatever, and they’re paid to have an opinion. One thing that I have noticed here is that the players notice everything and if they get some positive feedback from former players they idolised as kids, that goes a long way when they get some positive reinforcement.

“But it can have the opposite effect too if there’s a lot of criticism by those former players,” he added.

Gillespie also admitted that he felt frustrated over his reduced role as the head coach.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had stripped Gillespie and Test skipper Shan Masood their place in the selection committee, besides taking away the say in pitch preparation.

“I think there’s always frustration from time to time. For me, when I came on board with Pakistan cricket, I was told there was a long-term plan, and we need to make sure our communication’s spot on.

“I made that a real focus and so you can get frustrated if those things aren’t done how you would like,” Gillespie said.

The New South Welshman admitted that the recent changes in the selection panel have limited his influence.

“It wasn’t what I signed up for, I’ll be completely honest. But this is one of those situations in which you just need to go with the flow. As I said, I’m in a different environment and things are done differently.

“One can agree or disagree with how things are done, but, ultimately, I’m here to help the Pakistan team do well – help the players get better. So, I’ve put all my focus and energy into that,” he said.

Gillespie said the fact that PCB has already formed the third selection panel since his appointment as head coach was an indication of a different environment.

“Since I’ve been involved, we’re already on our third selection panel. These are the things you just have to take it in your stride and understand that we’re in a different environment and go with the flow.

“I ask a lot of questions and ask for clarity, which as head coach I’m well within my rights to ask,” he said. PTI Corr UNG 7/21/2024

Legendary pacer Shoaib Akhtar lost his cool on live television after Pakistan suffered yet another Test defeat, going down to England by an innings and 47 runs in Multan on Friday. Addressing the crisis in Pakistan cricket, Akhtar didn’t mince his words while calling out the players and management. The former pacer suggested Pakistan’s cricket has been on a downward trajectory over the last decade or so, and even went on to claim that the current crop of players are “not good enough”.

“You will reap what you sow. Over the decades, I have seen the decline. The situation is disappointing. Losing is fine, but the game should be close. However, what we saw over the past two days, they completely gave up hope. This shows that we aren’t good enough. England scored 800+ and Bangladesh also beat you,” Akhtar said during a live discussion on PTV Sports.

Akhtar also addressed the possibility of Pakistan losing its Test status, calling the situation as “disheartening”. He also warned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), urging chairman Mohsin Naqvi to take harsh steps for the betterment of cricket in the country.

“Fans are saying that Pakistan should withdraw from WTC. I saw some comments. ICC must be thinking ‘should we send teams to Pakistan and keep their Test status alive’. It’s just disheartening. This is going to hurt Pakistan cricket, fans and the upcoming talents. I want to request the PCB to sort out this mess,” he added.

Pakistan’s cricket has been hampered by the reports of groupism within the team, mainly due to multiple players eager to take over captaincy.

Speaking on the matter, Akhtar admitted that when the management is afraid of the captain, issues like groupism will continue to harm the progress of the team.

“If your management and captain are weak, there will be groupism. If the captain is selfish, there will be groupism. Same is the case if the coaches are afraid of the captain. The captain calls the shot when it comes to selection. This has been the culture since my playing days,” Akhtar further explained.

It’s been 1,331 days since Pakistan last won a Test match. One would have to go back to February 2021 for Pakistan’s last Test win, which came at home against South Africa in Rawalpindi, under the leadership of Babar Azam.