Pakistan Cricket

Pakistan's cricket decline began under PM Imran Khan's tenure: Najam Sethi

Ex-PCB chairman Najam Sethi has indirectly blamed former Prime Minister Imran Khan for triggering the downslide of Pakistan cricket. In a post on X, Sethi whose last PCB stint was from December 2022 to June 2023, said the nation is justifiably angry at the performance of the national team. Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan are out of the tournament after back to back defeats. The cricket fraternity says Pakistan has hit rock bottom. How come a cricket team that was once no 1 in T20s (2018) and Tests (2016) and ODIs (1990 and 1996), which won the WC in 1992 and CT in 2017, is today equated with Zimbabwe? According to Sethi, the downfall started in 2019 when a new management under a new PM/Patron (Imran Khan was prime minister at that time and had brought in Ehsan Mani as PCB chairman) changed the domestic cricket structure that had served Pakistan reasonably well for decades and replaced it with an ill-suited Australian hybrid model. Political interference continued; contradictory PC

Champions Trophy: PAK will find it hard to beat India's B team - Gavaskar

Pakistan's cricket team continued to invite scathing criticism a day after being knocked out of the Champions Trophy with the great Sunil Gavaskar saying that it would struggle to beat even a second-string Indian team. India, the 2023 ODI World Cup finalists, defeated defending champions Pakistan by six wickets in the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday, continuing their dominance over the arch-rivals. "I think a B team (from India) certainly (can give Pakistan a run for their money). C team, I am not too sure. But a B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form," Gavaskar said on 'Sports Today'. Pakistan, hosting an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996, were knocked out of the Champions Trophy after New Zealand beat Bangladesh in another Group A match. Pakistan are still winless in the event. Since winning the Champions Trophy in 2017, Pakistan's cricketing fortunes have declined, with the team finishing fifth in the last two ODI World Cups. "I

From 2004 to 2017: History of India-Pakistan matches in Champions Trophy

Champions Trophy has witnessed five India-Pakistan clashes out of which the Men in Green have a lead over the Men in Blue by 3-2

IND vs PAK tickets price, how to buy tickets for Champions Trophy 2025

The tickets for the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy are set to go live on Tuesday, January 28

PCB appoints Razzaq to lead nationwide T20 talent scouting program

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has picked former Test all-rounder Abdul Razzaq to head a country-wide scouting program to find new talent for the national T20 squad. The program titled "Strike Force" aims to unearth hidden talent from all corners of Pakistan where T20 remains a popular format. An official of the PCB said that Razzaq has been given the task of initially spotting 50 players and shortlisting them so that some of them can go on to play for Pakistan. "We have been struggling in T20 cricket for a while and the idea is that with so much T20 cricket being played in the country, and Razzaq himself being a class hitter and all-rounder, can unearth some unknown talent," the official said. Pakistan is presently lagging in the eighth position in the ICC T20 rankings and has lost the recent T20 series in Australia and South Africa besides losing a match in Zimbabwe. Tape Tennis ball cricket matches in Pakistan are a big hit and some unknown players even command a good fee to

Jason Gillespie resigns as Pakistan red-ball coach; Aaqib Javed steps in

Jason Gillespie stepped down from his role as Pakistan's Test team coach and former pacer Aaqib Javed has replaced the Australian for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa, PCB announced on Thursday. Pakistan will play two Tests against the Proteas from December 26, and they are already in the Rainbow Nation for the white-ball leg of the tour. Aaqib is currently the interim coach of Pakistan white ball outfits. Gillespie, whose contract was set to expire in 2026, resigned after the Pakistan Cricket Board didn't review the contract of Tim Nielsen, who was brought in on the recommendation of the former Aussie quick, as the high performance coach of the team. Gillespie was also peeved at the PCB's decision to absolve him of the powers of team selection and involvement in pitch preparation. It may be recalled that Gary Kirsten, who joined as the white ball side's coach along with Gillespie, had resigned before Pakistan left for the series in Australia, Zimbabwe and South

From cricket hero to Pakistan's ousted PM: Imran Khan's tumultuous journey

From captaining Pakistan's national team to its first World Cup victory in 1992 to leading protests and facing legal battles, here's a look at Imran Khan's career

India vs Pakistan: A cricket rivalry shaped by politics, wars and diplomacy

The intense India-Pakistan cricket rivalry has been shaped by historical events, political tensions, and moments of cricket diplomacy, from partition in 1947 to ongoing issues over hosting matches

Coach Gary Kirsten resigns after Rizwan replaces Babar as Pakistan captain

Rizwan was named Pakistan's ODI and T20 captain, replacing Babar Azam. Salman Ali Agha was made vice-captain for all future ODI and T20 international assignments.

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman to escape with a reprimand for criticising PCB

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is likely to escape with a reprimand for criticising the PCB ahead of the squad announcement, where it planned to drop former skipper Babar Azam for two Tests against England. Azam, along with several senior players, got eventually dropped for two Test days after Fakhar expressed his displeasure on social media. Fakhar was issued a show-cause notice by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after he tweeted his views where he compared Azam's run drought with India's Virat Kohli, who went through a lean patch between 2020 and late 2022. "It's concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn't bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively," Fakhar wrote on 'X'. "If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic butt

Women's T20 World Cup 2024 points table: IND, PAK, SL rankings in Group A

In Group A, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are fighting to finish as the top two teams to book their place in the semifinal. Check ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 key stats here

PCB, franchise owners yet to reach consensus on PSL 2025 scheduling

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and franchise owners in the Pakistan Super League are yet to reach a consensus on the scheduling of next year's T20 tournament, which will clash with the IPL if held in the proposed April-May window. The next PSL can't be held in its normal time frame of February-March due to the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and other international commitments at home. The franchise owners are also waiting for their share of money from the central pool of revenues earned from the last PSL this year where poor crowds at some venues led to concerns. "Holding the PSL in the same window as the IPL is a huge risk and the main issue could be availability of premium players, plus eyeballs on TV and digital media for the PSL matches," an official with a franchise said. He said the PCB had discussed a possible April-May window for the PSL 2025 but the franchise owners still had reservations about the tournament clashing with the IPL which attracts the world's best player

T20 World Cup 2024: Shahid Afridi suggests changes in Pakistan playing XI

Pakistan's struggle to find balance and the correct combination has led to their consecutive defeats in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024

T20 World Cup 2024: Wasim Akram tears Pakistan team apart after loss vs USA

With Pakistan losing their opening encounter, they now have to win their remaining three fixtures to qualify for the Super 8 round without depending upon the match results of other teams in Group A

T20 World Cup 2024 points table Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, IRE rankings

Pakistan need to win their remaining three matches to keep their hopes alive for qualification in T20 World Cup's next round, Super 8s. Check the Group A leaderboard and team rankings here

T20 World Cup 2024: USA pull-off major upset, beat Pakistan in Super Over

Newcomers USA on Thursday shocked former champions Pakistan via the Super Over to record their biggest win in a T20 World Cup match that reflected the shambolic state of affairs in the Asian giants' cricket. The result was reminiscent of Pakistan's three-wicket loss to Ireland in the 2007 ODI World Cup in the West Indies, which knocked them out of that tournament. USA thus jumped to the top of Group A with two wins from as many games ahead of the clash against India. USA had defeated Canada by seven wickets in their opener. Opting to field, left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige scalped three wickets for 30 runs as Pakistan found it difficult to press the accelerator and were restricted to 159 for seven. While chasing, USA ended on the same score, reaching 159 for 3 with skipper Monank Patel (50 off 38), Aaron Jones (36 not out of 26) and Andries Gous (35 off 26) leading from the front. In the Super Over bowled by Mohammad Amir, USA piled up 18 runs, eight of which came from ...

Pakistan's Azam Khan courts controversy by wiping sweat with dollar note

Young Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has landed himself in controversy after he was being seen wiping his eyebrow with an US dollar currency on social media platforms. The video, also featuring Pakistan captain Babar Azam and some other players, has drawn backlash with Pakistani cricket fans criticising Azam and other players for their insensitivity, given the country's economic situation. The video captures a lighthearted moment among the national players and Azam is seen holding US dollars while engaging in a casual chat with Babar, who is behind the camera along with other team members. Babar laughingly asks Azam, "What happened Abba?", who responded: "Bohat garmi hai (It is too hot here)," while wiping sweat with the dollar note leading to laughter from teammates. "Apart from a rare few in Pakistan's sporting history, none have the charisma, impact and influence of any kind, nothing for a young kid to aspire to. The current lot is just hopeless," wrote a user on social

Imad Wasim's omission from Pakistan team questioned by former players

Imad Wasim's omission has been questioned by former players after the all-rounder was left out of Pakistan team for the first T20I against New Zealand, having come out of retirement to play international cricket again. Wasim and left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir came out of retirement ahead of the T20 World Cup in June this year after much convincing, but the spin bowling all-rounder did not find a place in the eleven on Thursday. Only two balls were bowled as incessant rains washed out the first T20I here, with Pakistan handing debuts to UAE-based off-spinner Usman Khan, middle-order batter and seamer Irfan Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed. Former Test player Iqbal Qasim said, (It) makes no sense to me, honestly, Imad should have played in place of Shadab Khan." Mohsin Khan, former player, head coach and chief selector said players such as Imad and Amir must play all games to overcome rustiness'. So much hue and cry over bringing back Imad and Amir and they must get maximum match

Azhar Mahmood likely to be named Pakistan's assistant coach across formats

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood is likely to be named assistant coach of the national team across formats. Mahmood was on Monday named the interim head coach for the home series against New Zealand beginning April 18 as the board is yet to announce finalise long-term deals with foreign coaches Australian Jason Gillespie and South African Gary Kirsten. While Gillespie has been picked to be head coach for the red-ball format, Kirsten will be head coach for the white-ball formats. Indications are that Mahmood will be assistant coach to both of them in all three formats.. Mahmood, who has worked as bowling coach with the Pakistan team, is based in the United Kingdom and is a certified coach with English and Wales Cricket Board. Besides Mahmood, the board has also named Muhammad Yousuf, who is also a national selector, as batting coach for the New Zealand series. And interestingly it has named two managers for the five-match series with a special post of senior team manager

Former Pakistan Test captain Saeed Ahmed passes away at the age of 86

Saeed Ahmed, the former Pakistan Test captain and a dashing batsman of his time, passed away here after leading a largely reclusive life away from cricket since his retirement. He was 86. Ahmed played 41 Test matches, scoring 2,991 runs with five centuries and 16 half-centuries. He also took 22 wickets with his off-spin bowling. Ahmed made his Test debut against the West Indies during the famous drawn Bridgetown Test in 1958 when he was 20 and played his last Test for Pakistan in Melbourne against Australia during the 1972-73 tour. However, his Pakistan career had an undignified end during that tour. The Pakistan board believed that Ahmed faked a back injury to avoid playing against Dennis Lillee on a green top at Sydney after his altercation with the pacer in that Melbourne Test. Ahmed was subsequently recalled from the tour on disciplinary grounds and he was never selected for Pakistan again. But before that Ahmed was known for his elegance, particularly those drives down the .