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Babar Azam confident of Pakistan’s prospects in World Cup 2023

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2 years ago

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  • Babar’s remarks comes amid doubts over Pakistan’s particpation in World Cup.
  • “We can’t say anything about that, but wherever we get a chance to play, we will play,” he says.
  • Pakistan beat a depleted New Zealand 4-1 in the five-match series.

KARACHI: Skipper Babar Azam assured the cricket fans that the “dominant” one-day series win over New Zealand has set Pakistan up nicely for the World Cup.

Babar’s remarks comes amid doubts over Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup in October-November because of tensions with hosts India.

Despite the looming uncertainty and defeat in the final match on Sunday, Babar was in buoyant mood.

A day earlier, Pakistan beat a depleted New Zealand 4-1 in the five-match series and on their way briefly reached the top of the one-day rankings for the first time.

Pakistan scored 337 in the second match — their second-highest successful chase in one-day internationals — and Babar became the fastest player to 5,000 ODI runs en route to his 18th century in the format.

Opener Fakhar Zaman meanwhile achieved the distinction of hitting hundreds in three successive ODIs, firmly establishing his place in Pakistan’s top three, which also includes opener Imam-ul-Haq.

“Winning the series is great and so is achieving number one ranking that has set us in a good position for the World Cup,” said the skipper.

Asked if the uncertainty over participation was worrying for the Pakistan team, Babar said: “We can’t say anything about that, but wherever we get a chance to play, we will play.”

The stand-off started last year when India announced it would not send a team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in September, a month before the World Cup.

In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to pull out of the World Cup.

There are signs of a thaw, however. Last week Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Goa — the first visit by a senior Pakistani official in years.

No easy win

Babar refused to accept that in missing eight of their top players — mostly due to Indian Premier League duty — New Zealand were easy to beat.

“You don’t play an international team thinking that they are a junior team,” said Babar.

“You have to give 100% to win against an international team, so we played better and dominated.”

Pakistan won the first two matches by five and seven wickets in Rawalpindi before clinching the next two by 26 and 102 runs in Karachi.

New Zealand took the final game by 47 runs, also in Karachi.

Stand-in New Zealand skipper Tom Latham said the series was useful despite the results.

“We wanted to expose players to different roles and I think it was a great opportunity for all of them to experience these conditions,” he said.

New Zealand are sweating on the fitness of regular skipper Kane Williamson, who injured his knee during the IPL and looks likely to miss the World Cup.

New Zealand were runners-up in the last two World Cups, in 2015 and 2019.

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Global boards, ICC, PCB, and BCCI compete for the Champions Trophy in an attempt to end the standoff.

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19 hours ago

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are at odds over the hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, and the matter is still unresolved.

Cricket boards from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa have also entered the debate, according to sources, and are pleading with the ICC to settle the issue as soon as possible.

The ICC was apparently approached by the three boards to voice their worries on the tournament’s uncertainty. They underlined the need of being clear about the hosting arrangements and schedule.

Sources claim that the boards have also endorsed Pakistan’s position and warned of the consequences if India keeps declining to compete in tournaments held in Pakistan.

The PCB has reaffirmed that it will not bend its stance unless the BCCI offers formal assurances that it will be able to participate. Before proceeding, the federal government of Pakistan has cautioned against taking any chances and demands unambiguous promises from India.

The situation has fueled concerns among cricketing nations about future tournaments.

Several boards have reportedly urged the ICC to establish clear guidelines to avoid similar disputes. While everyone waits for a resolution, tensions continue to rise.

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PCB releases the South Africa series squads, including the comeback of key players.

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7 days ago

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On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed the teams for the forthcoming series against South Africa, which is set to start on December 10.

With the announcement that the series will be played in both red-ball and white-ball forms, several important players who had been sidelined because of injuries or workload management have made their comebacks.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, a fast bowler, will return to the white-ball team after missing the last two Test matches against England. His inclusion is thought to be a crucial step in guaranteeing optimal fitness prior to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. In the ODIs and T20Is against South Africa, Afridi, who has been recuperating from workload-related issues, will be hoping to contribute.

The seasoned fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who was called up to the Test team following an outstanding showing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, is another important addition.

Abbas demonstrated his excellent form and made a compelling argument for his selection with an outstanding 31 wickets in five games. Abbas, who hasn’t played Test cricket since 2021, will give Pakistan’s bowling attack vital depth in the red-ball format.

Naseem Shah is back in the ODI and Test squads after missing the most recent England series owing to injury. Pakistan will rely heavily on the 21-year-old’s speed and ability to disrupt top-order batsmen in both formats.

Along with the seasoned players, a number of fresh talents have been called up. After making an impression with the Pakistan Shaheens, Khurram Shahzad has won a position in the Test team, while Mir Hamza also returns. Following impressive performances in the T20I series, left-arm wrist spinner Sufyan Moqim was called up for the first time for the 50-over format and was added to the ODI squad.

On the other hand, off-spinner Sajid Khan has been excluded despite playing well in the England series. Only one specialist spinner, Noman Ali, has been chosen by the selectors to be a member of the Test team.

Pakistan test squad:

  • Shan Masood (captain)
  • Saud Shakeel (vice-captain)
  • Aamir Jamal
  • Abdullah Shafique
  • Babar Azam
  • Haseebullah (wk)
  • Kamran Ghulam
  • Khurram Shahzad
  • Mir Hamza
  • Mohammad Abbas
  • Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
  • Naseem Shah
  • Noman Ali
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha

Pakistan ODI Squad:

  • Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk)
  • Abdullah Shafique
  • Abrar Ahmed
  • Babar Azam
  • Haris Rauf
  • Kamran Ghulam
  • Mohammad Hasnain
  • Muhammad Irfan Khan
  • Naseem Shah
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi
  • Sufyan Moqim
  • Tayyab Tahir
  • Usman Khan (wk)

Pakistan T20I Squad:

  • Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk)
  • Abrar Ahmed
  • Babar Azam
  • Haris Rauf
  • Jahandad Khan
  • Mohammad Abbas Afridi
  • Mohammad Hasnain
  • Muhammad Irfan Khan
  • Omair Bin Yousuf
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi
  • Sufyan Moqim
  • Tayyab Tahir
  • Usman Khan (wk)

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With a resounding victory, Pakistan wins the Blind T20 World Cup.

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1 week ago

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Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by a resounding 10-wicket margin in the final to win the Blind T20 World Cup. In just 11 overs, the home team chased down a target of 140 runs, demonstrating their superior skill and coordination.

The game’s star was Nisar Ali, who gave an incredible batting effort. He ensured a smooth and conclusive victory for Pakistan by smashing an undefeated 72 runs off just 31 balls.

With the win, Pakistan’s stellar record in blind cricket gains yet another honor, solidifying its supremacy in the game.

Supporters nationwide rejoiced after the team’s outstanding accomplishment.

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