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Tag: babar azam

Sports

Watch: Ahmed Shehzad bowled out three times in an over by a local resident in Chitral | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad, who had slammed Pakistan captain Babar Azam throughout the recently held T20 World Cup, was at the receiving end of some 'unplayable' deliveries himself.A video is doing the rounds on the internet in which Ahmed Shehzad is shown batting during a street game in Pakistani city of Chitral in which a chair is used as a wicket.The video shows Ahmed Shehzad facing four deliveries from a local bowler who is not even in proper cricket.After boasting that he will hit sixes, Ahmed Shehzad is clean bowled three times out of those four deliveries as he looks to heave the ball across the line to mid-wicket, failing miserably. The former Pakistan batsman only manages to play one ball and that too is a mistimed shot.Ahmed Shehzad played 13 Tests, 81...
Politics

‘It is now up to…’: Pakistan Cricket Board on India’s participation in 2025 Champions Trophy | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has left it up to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to convince the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, scheduled for the first quarter of next year. The event's budget was recently approved during recent ICC meetings in Colombo but the schedule and format were not discussed at all, a PCB source said."The PCB now has done what was required of it as hosts of the Champions Trophy. It has submitted the draft schedule and format for the event and also submitted budget for the event,” news agency PTI quoted a PCB insider as saying."It is now up to the ICC how soon they circulate, discuss and finalize the schedule of the Champions Trophy. The PCB for its part in the draft schedule...
Sports

‘Chances of India travelling to Pakistan for Champions Trophy are very slim’ | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Khalid Mahmood has expressed doubts that India will participate in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan early next year, highlighting the potential financial and operational repercussions for both the PCB and ICC if India doesn't attend."They are very very slim chances they will agree to play in Pakistan," Mahmood, who is a retired senior bureaucrat, said.He mentioned that India's absence could set a precedent for other cricketing nations, further complicating the event's logistics and profitability."India is the richest cricket board and carries a lot of clout. If they don't send their team to Pakistan I foresee even countries like Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh following their path," news agency PTI quoted Mahmood as saying."Thi...
Sports

Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi unlikely to get NOC for Global T20 Canada | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: According to sources who spoke with Geo News, Pakistan's top three players, Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi, are unlikely to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for playing in the forthcoming Global T20 Canada.In order to prevent any conflicts with Pakistan's international calendar, the sources told Geo News that the players will not receive a nod of clearance despite the league schedule.The two-match Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will begin on August 21. Play in the Canadian League begins on July 25 and runs until August 11, as per ANI.It was also claimed that players participating in all formats will not receive the certificate in accordance with policy, which is the likely cause for the NOC's denial. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) oppos...
Sports

Watch: Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman struggling against the bowling of Naseem Shah’s younger brother Ubaid Shah | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket team may not be as formidable as they used to be in yesteryears, but the tradition of churning out one fast bowler after the other continues unabated.Ubaid Shah is the younger brother of Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah and like his brother, is a right arm medium fast bowler who plays for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and has also represented Pakistan under-19 cricket team.In a video that is doing the rounds on the internet, Ubaid Shah is seen bowling to Pakistan captain Babar Azam during a training session.With fine wrist position, Ubaid Shah pitches the ball outside off-stump, Babar Azam looks to leave the delivery, but the ball, bowled at fine pace, come back in and goes over the stumps.Babar Azam then tries to hook a short-pitched delivery...
Sports

Babar Azam hilariously trolled for ‘gaffe’ in James Anderson’s retirement social media post | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Legendary seamer James Anderson bid farewell to an illustrious Test career that spanned 188 matches and more than two decades as England secured a resounding innings and 114-run victory against West Indies on Friday.Following Anderson's retirement, the cricket community took to social media to pay tribute to the swing master's remarkable achievements.Pakistan's T20 captain, Babar Azam, also took the opportunity to congratulate Anderson on his outstanding career. However, Babar faced criticism for his post on the social media platform 'X', which led him to delete the original message.In the deleted post, Babar wrote, "It was a privilege to face your cutters, Jimmy! The beautiful game will now miss one of its greatest. Your incredible service to the sport has been nothing short...
Sports

‘As captain, Babar Azam hasn’t won anything but he is the best’ | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan's captain Babar Azam has been facing constant criticism following the team's disappointing performances at the ODI and T20 World Cups.While in the ODI World Cup last year in India, Pakistan failed to qualify for the semis, in the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the Americas, Babar and Co. didn't even make it to the Super 8 stage.At the recent ICC's cricketing extravaganza, Babar, the batter, failed as well as he managed a lowly 122 runs in 4 group-stage matches. However, all-rounder Hassan Ali on Thursday came to his defence, expressing his unwavering support for the embattled batsman. In an interview with Cricket Pakistan on YouTube, Hassan defended Babar Azam while hailing the under-fire batsman as "the King of Pakistan"."I have certainly noticed how much abuse...
Sports

‘Hamare time par captain ke upar churi feri jati thi’: Shahid Afridi asks for Babar Azam’s removal as Pakistan captain | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: On the sidelines of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), Shahid Afridi, plying his trade for Pakistan Champions, has called for the removal of Babar Azam as Pakistan's captain. This comes after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated early following losses to the USA and India, respectively.Afridi pointed out that Babar has been given ample opportunities as captain, having led the team in multiple World Cups, Asia Cups, and T20 World Cups."As far as Babar's captaincy is concerned. I have also captained, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, all have captained. No other captain has been given such an open chance. As soon as the World Cup ends, the captain is blamed. He has had 2-3 World Cups, 2-3 Asia Cups, T20 World Cup, he has had enou...
Sports

‘Bohot zyada khich khich…’: Ramiz Raja backs opening duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam despite T20 World Cup disaster | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain and PCB chairman Ramiz Raja staunchly defended the opening partnership of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam despite Pakistan's disappointing performance in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, where they faced an early elimination after losses to USA and India, respectively.Speaking on his YouTube channel "Ramiz Speaks", Raja expressed unwavering support for the duo, stating, "The Rizwan-Babar opening pair—we kept insisting on removing them without any real reason.I know there is nothing else after them. When there's nothing, if not them, don’t mess with what is already working."Raja emphasized the duo's crucial contributions, highlighting their roles in Pakistan's journey to the final of previous tournaments. "Their techniques might need some fine-tuning, b...
Sports

National teams are not where you question a player’s value: Jason Gillespie | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Jason Gillespie, the newly appointed head coach of Pakistan's cricket team, emphasized the importance of fitness and the responsibility of players to demonstrate their worth to the national side during a press conference on Sunday, shortly after his arrival in Pakistan.The former Australian fast bowler stated, Once a player was selected to play for the national team, there should never be any questions over his fitness, skill levels or mental approach."National teams are not where you still question a player's value. If there are any perceptions about a player's place, he has to change it with his performances and attitude," Gillespie told, as quoted by PTI, reporters."My mantra is that we should only have fit, robust and strong players in the Test side because in modern day ...
Sports

‘Virat Kohli bhi time leta hai, Rohit Sharma ne bhi…’: Former Pakistan cricketer defends Babar Azam after T20 World Cup fiasco | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan had a disastrous T20 World Cup campaign as they faced an early elimination after two back-to-back group-stage defeats at the hands of the USA and India, respectively. Despite scoring 122 runs in four games, Azam has had to face severe criticism due to his moderate strike rate of just 101.66.Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, former Pakistani cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed drew a comparison between Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli and Azam while defending the latter's batting approach.He said, "That (taking time) is his strength. Virat Kohli bhi time leta hai, woh konsa time nahi leta (Virat Kohli also takes time, he is also the same). If you put aside the last two or three matches, Rohit Sharma was scoring 20-25 runs. But I have seen a change of intent in Babar's game. He has...
Sports

Despite T20 World Cup debacle, ‘major surgery’ unlikely in Pakistan Cricket; only ‘cosmetic changes’ | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unlikely to make major changes to the national cricket team despite their poor performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the Americas. Sources said that the decision aims to avoid potential confrontation with senior players. The PCB governing board will meet on Saturday to review reports by head coach Gary Kirsten and senior team manager Wahab Riaz, but substantial changes are not anticipated.Sources indicated that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is cautious about provoking a confrontation with senior players so with a few changes, the same set of players will be in the Pakistan team for coming games as well across formats. Following Pakistan's defeat to India in the World Cup, Naqvi had mentioned the need for a 'major surgery' in th...
Sports

‘We deserve this criticism’: Mohammad Rizwan on Pakistan’s poor T20 World Cup show | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan's opener Mohammad Rizwan reflected on his team's poor performance at the ICC T20 World Cup held in the West Indies and the USA. He acknowledged that the team deserves criticism for failing to advance in the tournament and recognized Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi's right to decide the future composition of the team.Pakistan concluded their World Cup campaign with a three-wicket win over Ireland in Florida during the Group Stage. This match was a dead rubber as India and the USA had already secured advancement to the Super 8 stage from Group A.Placed in Group A, Pakistan suffered consecutive defeats against co-hosts USA and then against their arch-rivals India. The team managed to bounce back with victories over Canada and Ireland. However, these wins...
Sports

‘Pakistan players deserve this’: After early exit, Mohammad Rizwan says team should accept country’s anger

In the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies one-time champion Pakistan has been eliminated from the group stage. The performance of Babar Azam’s men was underwhelming. In their opening fixture they could not hold their nerve and lost to the USA in Super Over and later chasing 120 against India they crumbled under pressure falling six runs short. The team has received a lot of slack from the former Pakistan players. Keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan said the criticism towards the team is reasonable. “The criticism the team is facing is justified and we deserve this since we didn’t perform in accordance with expectations. Players who can’t face criticism won’t be able to succeed,” he said speaking to the media. After losing the first two games Pakistan ha...
Sports

‘Humara best player kaun hai…’: Babar Azam can’t fit in any top international side, says Shoaib Malik | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Criticism continues to flow in after Pakistan's dismal show in the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies.Pakistan were stunned by the US losing in the Super Over and also went down to archrivals India by 6 runs.Pakistan defeated Canada and Ireland but that wasn't enough to take them through the Super Eights stage.And as the case has always been, it's the captain of the ship that gets the most criticism and in this case Babar Azam has been copping flak from all over, for his batting and captaincy as well, specially the way they pressed the panic button against India after cruising at one stage.Now a video has surfaced in which former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik has slammed Babar Azam saying that the Pakistan can't fit in any top international side.Speaking at ...
Sports

‘Legend’ Virat Kohli should not be compared to any cricketer, let alone Babar Azam: Ahmad Shahzad | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team was lauded all over the world by winning the T20 World Cup title.In a thrilling final, Rohit Sharma and his men edged out South Africa by 7 runs at Barbados on Saturday.Virat Kohli proved his big-match credentials, with his 59-ball 76 in the final clash -- after he managed just 75 runs in seven innings during the competition until the finale and was named the man of the match.Lauding the Indian cricket star, former Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad said that India would have never won the T20 World Cup final without Virat Kohli's innings, adding that no one should compare Babar Azam or any other cricketer to the former Indian captain.In a viral video, Shahzad says, "Virat Kohli is a legend of our generation and he is leaving behind a legacy in T20I cric...
Politics

Shahid Afridi lauds India skipper Rohit Sharma, questions Babar Azam’s leadership | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi commended the positive attitude displayed by Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian team, throughout their successful campaign in the T20 World Cup. Rohit's leadership played a crucial role in guiding India to their second title in the tournament's history.In contrast, Afridi raised questions about Babar Azam's captaincy during Pakistan's disappointing performance in the event held in the Americas.The team failed to advance to the Super 8s after suffering unexpected defeats against the United States, a newcomer to the tournament, and their long-standing rivals, India, during the Group stage.India claimed the championship after a thrilling seven-run victory against South Africa in Bridgetown, Barbados."Look, the role of a leader is al...
Sports

Skipper Rohit Sharma overtakes Pakistan’s Babar Azam to become the most successful T20I… | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Team India on Thursday thrashed defending champions England by 68 runs in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup to book their place in Saturday's final against South Africa.Defending 171 in Guyana, bowlers put up a stupendous show as the Englishmen were stopped at 103 all out inside 17 overs.With the win, India entered their third T20 World Cup final after 2007 and 2014.The victory was also special for skipper Rohit Sharma as he became the most successful T20I captain with 49 wins.With the victory over England in the semis, Rohit overtook Pakistan's Babar Azam (48) for most wins as T20I captain.Put into bat in the rain-hit match at the Providence Stadium, 2007 champions India posted 171 for seven with skipper Rohit Sharma (57) and Suryakumar Yadav (47) scoring bulk of th...
Sports

Suryakumar Yadav knocked off the top spot in ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings by Australia’s… | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In the latest update to the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings, there has been a significant shift at the top, with Suryakumar Yadav of India being displaced from the number one position. Yadav, who has been the leading T20 batsman since December 2023 and has previously held the top spot, has been overtaken after outstanding performances by Australia's Travis Head during the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points Table | StatsHead has ascended to the number one ranking following a series of impressive performances, notably his remarkable 76-run innings against India, despite the team's defeat and early exit on Monday. This performance, among others, has facilitated his jump of four places to claim the top spot, resulting in Yadav, along with Phil Salt, Bab...
Sports

After taking India to T20 World Cup semis, Rohit Sharma equals Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s record for… | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has recently made significant strides in the T20 International (T20I) format, both as a captain and a batsman. With the T20 World Cup win against Australia on Monday, he has equalled Pakistan captain Babar Azam's record for the most victories as a captain in this format. T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points Table | StatsAdditionally, surpassing his fellow teammate Virat Kohli, Sharma now holds the record for the most runs scored in T20Is. In terms of captaincy, Sharma has led India to 48 wins in the T20I format, a record he shares with Babar Azam, who also has 48 wins as captain of the Pakistan team. Sharma's leadership was particularly notable during India's recent 24-run victory over Australia, a match that was his 60th as captain and in...
Sports

PCB set for overhaul; code of conduct for Pakistan players after chaotic T20 World Cup campaign | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to undergo significant changes and introduce a code of conduct for players following the team's dismal performance in the T20 World Cup held in the USA.The team's early exit from the tournament has drawn criticism from various quarters, with players facing backlash for bringing their families along and engaging in paid promotional events during the competition.According to a reliable PCB source, chairman Mohsin Naqvi is furious with the performance of certain senior officials and holds them accountable for the lack of discipline within the team.The PCB is likely to take stringent measures to address these issues and ensure that players prioritise their on-field performance and maintain a professional approach throughout future tour...
Sports

‘People make fun of us in world cricket’: Wasim Akram slams PCB for removing Shaheen Afridi as captain after one series | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram has expressed his disappointment with the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to remove Shaheen Afridi as captain after just one series. In a viral video, Akram criticized the management for their lack of consistency and stability in leadership roles."They replaced Babar with Shaheen as Pakistan captain.The latter lost one series and the chairman got changed during that phase. The newcomer asked to change the captain and got it done. This is just not on. People make fun of us in world cricket. They don't get it. If you have made (Shaheen) Afridi the captain, give him a year," said Akram.T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points Table | StatsAkram further added that he and other former cricketers are fortunate to be away from Pakistan cricket, ...
Sports

‘Ridiculous and dangerous’: Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood to take legal action against false allegations | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan men's team assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has announced plans to take legal action against those spreading false allegations about his family following Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup. Mahmood expressed his distress over these claims and emphasized their baseless nature, urging people to avoid engaging with such narratives.T20 World Cup Schedule | Points Table | Stats"I have heard some false allegations and narratives circulating on social media and other media platforms. I categorically state that these allegations are entirely baseless and false, and it is extremely upsetting to hear them," Mahmood wrote on X.Mahmood warned that speaking without evidence and misconstruing facts is a criminal offense. He criticized the culture of gaining media attention ...
Politics

‘Sirf aapke sentiments hurt huye…?’: Ahmad Shahzad slams Babar Azam – Watch | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Amidst reports that Babar Azam is preparing to take legal action against YouTubers and former cricketers who have accused him of misconduct during the T20 World Cup, another video is doing the rounds where former cricketer Ahmad Shahzad is criticising the Pakistan cricket captain for the same.T20 WORLD CUP: SCHEDULE | POINTS TABLEDuring a talk show in Pakistan Shahzad says, "Former players that he (Babar) is talking about, they should also file a case on him asking when you had a team for 5 years, where have you brought the team, to the 7th spot.Then the 25 crore fans whose sentiments also got hurt, they should also ask what results have you produced."Shahzad continues, "The domestic cricketers whom you didn't select for the team, you went ahead with one group, kept on saying...
Sports

‘Jalsa rakhe, kaghaz lehra kar bole…’: Skipper Babar Azam roasted in Pakistan parliament after early T20 World Cup exit. Watch | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan's disastrous T20 World Cup campaign in the USA has expectedly triggered a backlash against the players and skipper Babar Azam, in particular, has found himself in the eye of the storm, receiving flak from all quarters.From questions being raised over his return as captain to his poor run with the bat amid Pakistan's early exit from the cricketing extravaganza, under-fire Babar has been receiving criticism left, right and centre.And Pakistan's horror show also recently came up in the national parliament when Abdul Qadir Patel of Pakistan National Assembly roasted Babar over the team's debacle showpiece event. Referring to former Pakistan's cricket team captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan's 2022 move of waving a document at a rally, days before his ouster, Abdul Qadi...
Sports

Furious Shoaib Akhtar wants to know ‘who was the Einstein’ that brought Babar Azam back as captain | – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Amid Pakistan's early exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup in the Americas, former speedster Shoaib Akhtar feels Babar Azam is not a captaincy material if he does not come down the order and finish matches for the team going forward, he won't be able to keep his place in ODI and T20I teams. The 2009 champions and also the finalists of 2007 and 2022 editions, lost to USA and India in their first two group games to exit the tournament even before the Super Eights.Babar, who earlier relinquished captaincy, was brought back as skipper in March, ahead of the cricketing extravaganza. And since Pakistan's ouster Babar has been facing massive criticism from former players and fans.However, Babar has said he hasn't thought about quitting captaincy again and it is the board's call. "Who...