Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad compares IPL with PSL, calls it retired cricketers’ league | Cricket News – The Times of India
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Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad compares IPL with PSL, calls it retired cricketers’ league | Cricket News – The Times of India


Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad compares IPL with PSL, calls it retired cricketers’ league | Cricket News – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Veteran Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad has openly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after the team’s recent poor performances. He also drew a stark comparison between player quality in the IPL and PSL.“If you look at the IPL, they’ve got many superstars in their league who make the league competitive. Teams there invest for years, building strength,” Shehzad said on his YouTube channel.“On the other hand, PSL has hired retired players and commentators and made them superstars over the last 3–4 years; even retired players become your brand faces. They get money, but what have they actually built? I think this sums up what PSL has become.”

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In the T20 World Cup, Pakistan failed to reach the semifinals and then suffered a disappointing ODI series defeat against Bangladesh, prompting a strong reaction from the cricketer. He described the current phase as one of the weakest he has seen and blamed both players and management for the decline.

Strong criticism of players and PCB

Shehzad questioned the quality and impact of the current group of players, especially those who have been consistently backed by the board. He said, “The calibre of your players is not at that level, which was built up as a brand by the Pakistan Cricket Board for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5 and 7 years ago. These 6-8 boys… they are also the face of the PSL. They are also the face of our Pakistan team. Will they change Pakistan’s destiny?”He further accused the PCB of heavily investing in a small group of players without getting results. “You provided all the sponsorships to those boys, endorsed them, and invested money in them. You gave them captaincies in the PSL, right? You made them the thumb of the Pakistan team. You handed over the entire Pakistan cricket team to those 6 boys and their agents. And what have they done now? The fire they have lit in the jungle, the fun and parties they have had, the pockets they have filled, the enjoyment they have had… they haven’t given Pakistan any wins by doing so,” he added.

‘PCB looks weak, players not accountable’

Shehzad also slammed the players for not taking responsibility and said the board appears powerless in front of them. “Such is the audacity (of the players) that even today, they are not ready to admit that we are responsible. Not a single one of those players. Even today, they play the blame game. Even today, their ego is such that it isn’t breaking. So weak is the Pakistan Cricket Board now,” he said.He concluded with a harsh take on PCB’s functioning, adding, “Whenever you talk about any player, they start spinning stories. I have never seen the Pakistan Cricket Board this weak in my life, as weak as this PCB is. They have power, right? But in their decision-making, they appear to be kneeling before their players. This PCB can’t do anything. The work they were supposed to do — bringing in new faces — they didn’t. What they do is, after every event, they try to pull a new trick, but the public has now caught their pattern.”

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PCB under fire after report claims Babar, Fakhar played World Cup injured | Cricket News – The Times of India
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PCB under fire after report claims Babar, Fakhar played World Cup injured | Cricket News – The Times of India


PCB under fire after report claims Babar, Fakhar played World Cup injured | Cricket News – The Times of India
Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

Pakistan cricket team has been hit by a fresh controversy after questions were raised over the fitness of senior players Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman during the T20 World Cup selection process.According to a PTI report, the issue came to light following post-tournament medical evaluations conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical panel. Concerns were flagged by Dr Javed Mughal, a UK-based specialist in sports physiotherapy and medicine, who joined the board earlier this year as director of sports exercise and medicine.

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The matter had already been alluded to by chief selector Aaqib Javed while announcing the ODI squad for the Bangladesh series, where both Babar and Fakhar were left out. He had confirmed that the board would review the circumstances surrounding their fitness clearance.The situation intensified when it emerged that both players were dealing with injury concerns even after the World Cup. Babar later withdrew from the National T20 Championship due to a hamstring problem, while Fakhar was also managing a similar issue.“When Babar was examined, his injury turned out to be more serious than initially diagnosed, while Fakhar has been struggling with the same problem for months now,” a source said.The report also stated that the national selectors were informed by the team management that both players had been cleared to play by team physiotherapist Cliffe Deacon. However, Deacon has previously faced criticism over allegedly approving players despite minor injuries, reportedly due to his close association with members of the squad.At present, Babar is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy under the PCB medical panel and is expected to regain fitness in time for the Pakistan Super League, where he is set to lead Peshawar Zalmi. The tournament is scheduled to begin on March 26.Fakhar, meanwhile, has already returned to action in the National T20 Cup and indicated on social media that although he was not fully fit during the Bangladesh ODI series, he is now in a position to take part in the ongoing competition.

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PAK vs BAN, 2nd ODI: Maaz Sadaqat’s heroics help Pakistan thump Bangladesh, level series 1-1 | Cricket News – The Times of India
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PAK vs BAN, 2nd ODI: Maaz Sadaqat’s heroics help Pakistan thump Bangladesh, level series 1-1 | Cricket News – The Times of India


PAK vs BAN, 2nd ODI: Maaz Sadaqat’s heroics help Pakistan thump Bangladesh, level series 1-1 | Cricket News – The Times of India
Maaz Sadaqat (Agency Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Pakistan national cricket team beat the Bangladesh national cricket team by 128 runs via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method in the rain-hit second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday, levelling the three-match series 1-1 with a dominant performance.The star of the match was Maaz Sadaqat, who shone with both bat and ball. He first smashed a quick 75 off 46 balls and later returned to pick up three wickets to help Pakistan seal the victory.

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Pakistan were bowled out for 274 in 47.3 overs after strong contributions from several batters. Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan gave the visitors a flying start, putting together a 103-run opening partnership inside 13 overs. Farhan made 31, while Salman Agha later added 64 and shared a 109-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 44.Chasing the target, Bangladesh’s innings got off to a poor start. Tanzid Hasan fell for 1, Saif Hassan scored 12, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was dismissed for a duck by Shaheen Shah Afridi, leaving the hosts at 27 for 3 in 6.3 overs. At that stage, a sudden thunderstorm with rain and hail forced the players off the field for about two hours.When play resumed, the target was revised to 243 in 32 overs under the DLS method. Litton Das tried to fight back with an attacking 41, hitting a few boundaries and two sixes, while Towhid Hridoy made 28.However, once Litton was dismissed lbw by Sadaqat, Bangladesh quickly collapsed. Haris Rauf and Sadaqat picked up three wickets each, bowling Bangladesh out for 114 in 23.3 overs and sealing a comprehensive win for Pakistan.

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Shoaib Akhtar’s meltdown after Pakistan loss goes viral: From ‘if India get knocked out’ to ‘Salman is not captaincy material’ | Cricket News – The Times of India
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Shoaib Akhtar’s meltdown after Pakistan loss goes viral: From ‘if India get knocked out’ to ‘Salman is not captaincy material’ | Cricket News – The Times of India


Shoaib Akhtar’s meltdown after Pakistan loss goes viral: From ‘if India get knocked out’ to ‘Salman is not captaincy material’ | Cricket News – The Times of India
Shoaib Akhtar (Video grab)

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar unleashed a furious on-air rant after Pakistan’s heartbreaking defeat to England in the T20 World Cup Super 8s, questioning captain Salman Ali Agha’s leadership and lamenting his team’s fading semi-final hopes.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Even before the match, Akhtar had revealed his emotional investment and rivalry-fuelled hopes on the ‘Game On Hai’ show. “I just hope England play poorly so we can take the two points happily,” he had said. “Our joy will know no bounds if India get knocked out and we make it to the semi-finals.”

T20 World Cup: Shaheen Shah Afridi press conference after England vs Pakistan

But those hopes were shattered in dramatic fashion in Pallekele as England pulled off a tense chase of 166, powered by captain Harry Brook’s stunning 100 off 51 balls — the first century by a captain in T20 World Cup history.Pakistan had England in trouble at 58/4, but Brook’s composure and key partnerships turned the match on its head, sealing England’s semi-final spot and leaving Pakistan’s campaign hanging by a thread.The defeat triggered an emotional meltdown from Akhtar, who openly questioned Salman’s credentials.In a viral reaction, Akhtar suggested Salman was “not captaincy material,” a remarkable U-turn given he had earlier supported the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to appoint him.Pakistan’s situation is now precarious. Following the loss and an earlier washout against New Zealand, their semi-final fate is no longer in their own hands. They must beat Sri Lanka and hope other results go their way.Two wins for New Zealand would eliminate Pakistan outright, while other combinations could bring net run rate into play.


PAK vs NZ Rain Washout: Who benefits and who is in danger in T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s? | Cricket News – The Times of India
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PAK vs NZ Rain Washout: Who benefits and who is in danger in T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s? | Cricket News – The Times of India


Rain threat adds uncertainty ahead of Pakistan-New Zealand encounter

Groundsmen cover the field in Colombo (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

NEW DELHI: Rain became the biggest talking point around the Pakistan vs New Zealand Super 8 match in Colombo on Saturday, and a complete washout means it will shake up the race for the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. With both teams seen as strong contenders, fans are wondering who benefits and who could be in trouble if no ball is bowled.

Rain threat adds uncertainty ahead of Pakistan-New Zealand encounter

T20 World Cup: Pakistan coach Mike Hesson on Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha and Shaheen Shah Afridi

As the match is washed out, Pakistan and New Zealand will get one point each. On paper, that sounds fair, but it actually makes the group more complicated. Both teams would then have only two matches left to secure a top-two finish.For Pakistan, the equation is simple but tough. They still have to play England and Sri Lanka. If they win both games, they will reach five points, which should almost guarantee a semi-final spot. But if they lose even one match, things get risky. One win and one loss would leave them on three points, and then they would need other results to go their way. If they lose both games, Pakistan will be out of the tournament.New Zealand face a similar situation. A washout gives them a point, but they will also need wins in their remaining matches to stay in control. If they slip up, they too could be dragged into a tight points race.So who benefits from a washout? Teams like England and Sri Lanka could quietly benefit because it keeps the group open. If Pakistan and New Zealand drop points due to rain, other teams can catch up with wins and put pressure on the favourites.Who is in danger? Both Pakistan and New Zealand lose a chance to get ahead early. In short tournaments like the Super 8s, every point matters, and rain can change everything.


‘Drop them’: Shahid Afridi slams son-in-law Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam after 61-run defeat | Cricket News – The Times of India
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‘Drop them’: Shahid Afridi slams son-in-law Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam after 61-run defeat | Cricket News – The Times of India


‘Drop them’: Shahid Afridi slams son-in-law Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam after 61-run defeat | Cricket News – The Times of India
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi and teammate Usman Tariq leave the field after Pakistan lost their T20 World Cup game against India (AP Photo)

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi launched a scathing attack on the senior core of the Pakistan national cricket team after their crushing 61-run defeat to India national cricket team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at R Premadasa Stadium.Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India dominated the Group A clash on Sunday, handing Pakistan a heavy blow and leaving them in a must-win situation against Namibia to have any chance of reaching the Super 8s.

T20 World Cup: India humiliate Pakistan again

Afridi, speaking on Samaa TV, did not hold back and urged the team management to make bold calls ahead of the crucial fixture. He called for the exclusion of senior players including Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, stating that they had been given ample opportunities over the years without delivering consistent results. Notably, Shaheen is married to Afridi’s daughter Ansha.“Drop Shaheen, drop Shadab, and drop Babar. Try fresh faces against Namibia and give the new players a chance to build confidence. They’ve been playing for a long time. Whenever we expect them to perform, they don’t. If these senior players aren’t giving us the performances we desire, then play the juniors who are sitting on the bench. What is the difference?”, Afridi said during a Live show.Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha admitted after the match that the spinners failed to deliver on a surface that offered assistance.“We were believing in our spinners, and they had an off day today. Execution was missing in some parts of the game. We were obviously going to always believe our spinners, because they’ve done really well in last six month. And with the batting I think we didn’t start well and in T20 games if we lose 3 or 4 wickets in powerplay, you are always chasing the game,” he said in the post-match presentation ceremony.Salman also criticised the batting unit for not adapting to the conditions.“I think, to be very honest, like in first inning it was a bit tacky. The ball was gripping as well. So, the execution was, I think, missing when it comes to bowling, but I think the pitch better played better in the second inning than first inning. But our bowlers like, we didn’t bowl according to the situation. And when it comes to batting, we didn’t apply ourselves and gave us a chance to go deep in the game,” he said.