Huzaifa Gaba, Author at ASports.tv

Babar Azam becomes fifth Pakistani player to achieve THIS landmark

FAISALABAD: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam reached yet another career milestone on Saturday, becoming only the fifth player from the country to surpass 15,000 runs in international cricket.

The 31-year-old achieved the feat during the ongoing third and final ODI against South Africa at Iqbal Stadium, working a single off Bjorn Fortuin to move to 23.

The shot not only brought applause from the crowd but also took his overall tally to 15,000 international runs, an achievement that places him among Pakistan’s batting greats.

With this, Babar joins an illustrious list featuring Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, and Javed Miandad, the only other Pakistan batters to have reached the landmark.

Among them, Inzamam leads the charts with 20,541 runs across formats, followed by Younis (17,790), Yousuf (17,134), and Miandad (16,213).

Most international runs for Pakistan

Inzamam-ul-Haq – 20541 runs in 547 innings

Younis Khan – 17790 runs in 491 innings

Mohammad Yousuf – 17134 runs in 426 innings

Javed Miandad – 16213 in 407 innings

Babar Azam – 15004 runs in 370 innings

Babar, having reached 15,004 runs in just 370 innings, has achieved this milestone faster than most of his predecessors, further underscoring his consistency across formats.

Babar’s milestone, however, came in a bittersweet moment as his innings was cut short on 27 off 32 balls. His knock included five boundaries.

When this report was filed, Pakistan were 120-2 in 22 overs, with opener Saim Ayub (74*) and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (17*) steering the chase.

READ: Abrar Ahmed leads spin charge as Pakistan dismantle South Africa

South Africa suffer major blow ahead of Pakistan ODIs

FAISALABAD: South Africa have been dealt a major setback ahead of their three-match ODI series against Pakistan, with middle-order batter Dewald Brevis ruled out due to a shoulder injury.

The 22-year-old sustained the injury during the third T20 International at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Subsequent scans revealed a low-grade shoulder muscle strain, forcing him out of the 50-over leg of the tour.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed the news through an official statement, adding that Brevis will remain with the squad in Pakistan to continue his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Proteas medical team.

“Brevis will undergo rehabilitation with the Proteas Men’s medical team in Pakistan in preparation for the upcoming Test tour of India,” CSA said.

The board also stated that Brevis’ replacement for the ODI series will be announced in due course.

Dewald Brevis, often dubbed ‘Baby AB’ for his stroke-making resemblance to AB de Villiers, has represented South Africa in six ODIs, scoring 110 runs at an average of 22.00 and an impressive strike rate of 159.42.

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The ODI series begins today at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, marking the venue’s return to international cricket after 17 years. The last ODI here was played between Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2008.

The remaining two ODI matches will be held on November 6 and 8, respectively.

The Test leg between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw, while Pakistan clinched the T20I series 2-1, showcasing strong all-round performances at home.

READ: Wasim Akram tips THIS pacer as Pakistan’s next fast-bowling sensation

Rohit Sharma becomes No.1 ODI batter for the first time

DUBAI: Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma has added another feather to his illustrious cap, becoming the top-ranked ODI batter in the world for the first time in his career, according to the latest ICC Men’s Rankings released on Wednesday.

The Indian captain climbed two spots to claim the No.1 position after a match-winning, unbeaten century in the final ODI against Australia in Sydney, where India cruised to a nine-wicket victory.

Rohit’s dazzling 113* off 93 balls, laced with 13 boundaries and three towering sixes, guided India to a commanding victory in the dead-rubber match.

However, this innings propelled him past Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran and teammate Shubman Gill in the ICC Men’s Batting Rankings.

It marks a landmark moment for the 38-year-old, who has spent nearly a decade as a consistent presence in the top 10 but had never before reached the summit.

Rohit Sharma wasn’t the only Indian to make strides in the rankings update.

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel made notable progress, rising six places to 31st among ODI bowlers and climbing to eighth in the all-rounders’ chart, just behind Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner moved up three places to fourth in the ODI bowlers’ rankings, while Australia’s Josh Hazlewood gained two spots to reach eighth.

England’s Harry Brook, meanwhile, made a significant leap of 23 places to 25th among ODI batters following a string of consistent performances.

READ: New Zealand crush England to seal ODI series in Hamilton

Test Twenty explained: the game-changing fourth format of cricket

The game of cricket is set to welcome its fourth format, called ‘Test Twenty’, a hybrid that blends the strategy of Test cricket with the intensity of T20s.

The goal is to maintain the tactical depth of the longest format while presenting it as a fast, one-day spectacle. Let’s explore what this new format is and how it will be played.

A new kind of contest

Test Twenty will be an 80-over match, played and completed in a single day. Each team will bat twice, with two innings of 20 overs each, and the first innings’ score will be carried forward.

The game allows for every possible result: win, loss, tie, or draw. If the aggregate scores are level, a Super Over decides the outcome.

But if the batting side survives the entire innings with five wickets in hand, they can choose to settle for a draw.

The idea behind it

The format is the brainchild of Gaurav Bahirvani, Founder and CEO of Test Twenty.

It was officially launched on Thursday with the backing of cricket legends AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, Harbhajan Singh, and Sir Clive Lloyd, all of whom endorsed the innovation as cricket’s “next chapter.”

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Its first major event, the Junior Test Twenty Championship, is set to debut in 2026, featuring players aged 13 to 19.

The idea is to provide young cricketers with a global platform that assesses their skills and temperament, rather than just their ability to slog.

Global selection and franchise setup

The championship will feature six franchises, three from India and three international (London, Dubai, and a US city).

Each team will have 16 players, evenly split between Indian and international talent.

Selections will happen through two main routes:

Direct Entry: For players recommended by recognised cricketers, coaches, or administrators.
Standard Entry: Open trials powered by AI and motion sensors to ensure transparency and fairness.

Players will be assessed through the Test Twenty Intelligence Index (TTII), a data-driven system measuring decision-making, temperament, and overall cricketing IQ.

Out of 1,000 shortlisted players, the top 300 will advance, and then 96 players will be drafted by the six founding franchises.

Adding to the glamour, these franchises will reportedly be co-owned by celebrity and sporting families, those who, as the organisers say, “grew up with the game in their blood.”

The rules of the game

Test Twenty introduces several tweaks to traditional laws of the game:

Powerplay: One per match, lasting four overs, taken at the captain’s discretion. If not taken, it will be enforced between overs 7 and 10 of the second innings.
Follow-on: Can be enforced if the second-batting side trails by 75+ runs after the first innings.
Early Collapse Clause: If a team is bowled out before 10 overs in their first innings, the opponent gains three extra overs.
Bowling Restrictions: Only five bowlers allowed per side, with a maximum of eight overs each across both innings.
Wides & No-Balls: Standard T20 rules apply, but three or more in one over adds a three-run penalty.
Over-rate Penalty: Slow over-rates cost five runs and a lost timeout.
Super Session: In case of a tie, one-over eliminator decides the result; if still level, the team with more boundaries wins.

READ: India-Pakistan World Cup clash becomes most-watched women’s match in history

Pakistan and Sri Lanka Fight for Asia Cup 2025 Survival

Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the wounded Shaheens and the wounded Lions respectively, are set to lock horns today in Abu Dhabi in what is shaping up to be a virtual knockout in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four.

Both sides arrive licking fresh wounds, Pakistan from a crushing defeat to India, and Sri Lanka from being outplayed by Bangladesh.

Another loss here will all but end the loser’s journey. Yes, a mathematical chance might still linger, but realistically, survival demands nothing less than victory.

For Pakistan, the scars of Sunday’s loss to their arch-rivals are raw. Their batting order crumbled, their self-belief dipped, and the questions around their firepower grew louder.

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Sri Lanka, too, face their own crisis of confidence after faltering against a spirited Bangladesh. Both teams are not just fighting for progression; they are battling for pride.

Pakistan are likely to bring back middle-order batter Hassan Nawaz to the Playing XI, while Sri Lanka might be considering bringing spinner Maheesh Theekshana to challenge Pakistan’s already struggling batting line-up.

Notably, Pakistan have a slight edge historically, winning 13 games, while Sri Lanka managed 10 victories.

However, Sri Lanka have won the last five T20Is against Pakistan since October 2019.

Individually, the openers from both sides are in the spotlight. Pathum Nissanka and Sahibzada Farhan are the tournament’s second and third-highest run-scorers so far, while Kusal Mendis sits fifth.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

On the bowling front, Wanindu Hasaranga looms as Pakistan’s biggest headache. His record against them is devastating: 14 wickets in just five games at an average of 9.07. Pakistan’s well-documented struggles against quality wrist spin only magnify his threat.

Abrar Ahmed offers Pakistan their own spin option, but against Sri Lanka, a side raised on turning tracks, the real damage must come from Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf with the new ball.

Then there is the matter of Pakistan’s batting order. Against India, the constant chopping and changing backfired spectacularly. T20I is often a game of controlled chaos, but there must be a method to the madness.

Without clarity and intent at the crease, Pakistan might as well start packing their bags for an early flight home.

READ: Dunith Wellalage pays tribute to late father with emotional note

Pakistan seek redemption against India after handshake row

Pakistan and India are set to meet again on Sunday, September 21, in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025, exactly one week after their previous encounter and the infamous handshake controversy.

India had won convincingly at the same Dubai venue, but what followed has turned this into far more than a cricket match.

The September 14 fixture was the first meeting between Pakistan and India since cross-border tensions resurfaced in May, and the unease was evident even before a ball was bowled.

Both captains skipped the customary handshake at the toss, something the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) alleged was instructed by match referee Andy Pycroft. According to the PCB, this move violated the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

India’s seven-wicket win was quickly overshadowed by what came next. After sealing victory, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked straight off as the rest of the Indian players celebrated in their dugout, refusing to acknowledge Pakistan.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

Salman Ali Agha’s men stood waiting in line for the traditional handshake, only to be left stranded. Head coach Mike Hesson later admitted the team felt insulted, and in protest, Pakistan’s captain skipped the post-match presentation.

Suryakumar, meanwhile, dedicated the win to victims of the Pahalgam attack and the Indian armed forces, a pointed reminder of the political backdrop.

The PCB responded with a formal complaint to both the ICC and MCC, demanding Pycroft’s removal from the Asia Cup. They even suspended their own Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, for delaying the official protest.

Behind the scenes, Pakistan threatened to boycott the tournament altogether. The standoff eventually eased after Pycroft privately apologised before Pakistan’s match against the UAE, but the damage was already done.

And so, tomorrow’s clash carries all that baggage. We know there will be no handshakes, no pretence of sportsmanship. This is shaping up to be a war on the field.

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For Pakistan’s players, the sting of insult is real, and they will want to respond. But here’s the truth: the only meaningful reply won’t come in press conferences or protests; it has to come through victory.

That is where the real concern lies. Amid all the drama, Pakistan’s on-field performance has been overlooked. Their performance against India was toothless, and even against minnows UAE, they barely scraped through.

Unless they lift their game dramatically, passion and politics will count for little.

So what can we expect on Sunday? High tensions, maybe a few flashpoints reminiscent of Afridi versus Gambhir, and certainly no handshakes.

But for Pakistan, the only response that truly matters, the only way to change the story, is to defeat India. Because in the end, nothing stings the opposition more than defeat.

Squads

India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk).

Pakistan: Salman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.

READ: Suryakumar Yadav snubs Pakistan again

India vs Pakistan: New Faces, Same Old Fire in Asia Cup 2025

Cricket’s biggest rivalry is set to ignite once again as Pakistan and India face off in a thrilling Asia Cup 2025 match at the Dubai Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14.

On paper, it’s just another Asia Cup clash. In reality, it’s so much more, an event laced with emotion, history, politics, and a touch of destiny.

The forecast for the day is hot and humid, with temperatures soaring above 40°C, but the real heat will be inside the stadium. When Pakistan and India meet, the thermometer isn’t needed; the rivalry itself raises the temperature.

A Rivalry Beyond Borders

This time, the match comes with extra spice. Relations between the two nations have been tense in recent months, and this is the first cricketing meeting since the cross-border standoff in May.

It’s no surprise then that fans and players alike see this as more than just another contest.

The rivalry has given us some unforgettable memories. Who can forget Shahid Afridi’s two towering sixes off a young R. Ashwin in Dhaka back in 2014, a moment still etched into the hearts of fans?

The Asia Cup has often been the stage for such iconic flashes of brilliance, even if the final has strangely eluded the two sides.

Despite 17 editions of the tournament, Pakistan and India have never met in an Asia Cup final, a statistical oddity that frustrates both sets of supporters.

Head-to-Head

When it comes to Asia Cup history, India clearly lead the way. Out of 19 meetings, India have won 10, Pakistan six, and three ended without a result.

In the T20I format overall, India also have the upper hand. Since the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, both teams have met 13 times in T20Is, with India winning 10.

Pakistan, though, will take heart from the fact that two of their three victories have come in Dubai – the same venue as this upcoming clash.

Changing of the Guard

But this encounter will feel different from the past. For the first time in decades, the rivalry is missing its biggest stars.

India no longer have Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, both of whom retired from T20Is after lifting the 2024 World Cup.

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Pakistan are without Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, left out since December, as the new management banks on youth and fresh intent.

It’s the end of one era and the beginning of another. A fresh chapter, where young blood carries the burden of old expectations.

India Favorites, Pakistan Rebuilding

India walk into this clash as favorites. Their squad looks balanced, experienced, and confident after a dominant start against the UAE. Under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, they have lost just three of their last 20 T20s, a staggering record.

Pakistan, meanwhile, are still searching for stability. Under Salman Ali Agha, the team has shown flashes of promise, even clinching a tri-series recently, but consistency remains an issue.

They’re in a rebuilding phase, and facing India this early in the tournament could either shatter confidence or ignite momentum.

Form Guide

India are on a roll in T20Is. Since lifting the T20 World Cup in June 2024, they have lost just three of their 20 matches. Their recent 4-1 series win over England only underlines their dominance.

Last five results: W-W-W-L-W

Pakistan, on the other hand, have picked up form at the right time. They have won three of their five series this year and head into this clash with a confidence-boosting series victory.

Last five results: W-W-L-W-W

Squads

READ: Pakistan players to watch out in Asia Cup 2025 clash against India

Pakistan players to watch out in Asia Cup 2025 clash against India

DUBAI: The biggest rivalry in world cricket returns as India and Pakistan are set to lock horns in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The game comes with added spice as it will be the first meeting between the two neighbours since the cross-border tensions earlier this year, heightening the stakes even further.

India hold the edge historically, with 10 wins in 19 Asia Cup encounters, while Pakistan have won six, and three ended without result. In the T20I Asia Cup, India lead 2-1.

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On paper, Suryakumar Yadav’s side look favourites, but when it comes to India-Pakistan contests, unpredictability is the norm.

Despite the absence of big names like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan still possess enough firepower to hurt India on their day.

Here are five Pakistani players who could tilt the balance.

Fakhar Zaman

Big matches and Fakhar Zaman often go hand in hand. His match-winning hundred in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India remains fresh in memory.

While his T20I record against India is modest, just 38 runs in three innings, Fakhar has the ability to flip a game in one burst of form. India know well that if he gets going, he can be destructive.

Saim Ayub

Saim Ayub would be playing his first India clash, a true test of temperament at the highest stage.

With 318 runs in 14 innings this year at a strike rate of 134.17, Saim has shown flashes of brilliance.

He hasn’t set T20Is alight yet, but this is the kind of occasion where careers are defined. If he finds rhythm, India’s attack could be in trouble.

Mohammad Nawaz

Just months ago, Mohammad Nawaz wasn’t in Pakistan’s plans, struggling for form and consistency.

But since returning to the side after Shadab Khan’s injury, he has been outstanding, 20 wickets in 11 games at an average of 10.90, including a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul in the same match against Afghanistan.

Nawaz also has a history against India. In the 2022 T20 Asia Cup, he first rattled them with 3-33 in the group stage, including key wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and then turned match-winner in the Super Four with a blistering 42 off 20. On current form, he can be a game-changer.

Shaheen Shah Afridi

Few Indian batters need reminding of what Shaheen Afridi can do with the new ball. His spell in the 2021 T20 World Cup, dismissing Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and later Virat Kohli, is etched in Indo-Pak cricketing folklore.

If conditions offer him any swing, Shaheen remains Pakistan’s biggest weapon and India’s biggest worry.

Haris Rauf

Mercurial but dangerous, Haris Rauf is the kind of bowler who can leak runs or rip through a line-up.

Against India, he has already taken seven T20I wickets in five matches. If his pace and yorkers click, he could easily tilt the contest Pakistan’s way. India will be wary of underestimating him.

While India are heavy favourites heading into Sunday’s blockbuster, Pakistan’s unpredictability means they can never be written off. With players like Fakhar, Saim, Nawaz, Shaheen, and Haris in their ranks, a surprise is never out of the question.

READ: Former captain picks key players for Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 clash against India

Schedule of South Africa’s tour of Pakistan revealed: sources

The schedule for the all-format series between South Africa and Pakistan has been finalized, with the Proteas set to visit next month, sources confirmed on Thursday.

The tour will feature two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. According to the sources, the red-ball leg begins in Lahore on October 12, with the second Test to be played in Rawalpindi from October 20.

The series will also mark the start of Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.

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After the Tests, the focus will shift to white-ball cricket. The ODI series is scheduled for October 28 and 30, with the final match on November 2, all to be staged in Rawalpindi.

The T20I series will then follow on November 5, 8, and 9, with Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium likely to host the matches. The T20Is will serve as vital preparation for both sides ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

This will be South Africa’s second visit to Pakistan in 2025, following their participation in the February tri-nation series alongside New Zealand.

Tentative schedule of Pakistan-South Africa series

1st Test: October 12–16, Lahore
2nd Test: October 20–24, Rawalpindi
1st ODI: October 28, Rawalpindi
2nd ODI: October 30, Rawalpindi
3rd ODI: November 2, Rawalpindi
1st T20I: November 5, Faisalabad
2nd T20I: November 8, Faisalabad
3rd T20I: November 9, Faisalabad

READ: Tanvir Ahmed questions Rizwan’s exclusion amid Haris’ struggles

Shadab Khan named Pakistan’s T20I vice captain – but is he the right candidate?

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been named vice-captain for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

This would mark his return to the national side after being dropped following Pakistan’s disastrous ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.

However, his appointment raises a crucial question: Has Shadab Khan done enough to warrant a return to the team, that too as a vice-captain?

If he was truly the best candidate, why was he sidelined for the Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa tours? A closer look at his performances over the last two years paints a concerning picture.

Shadab’s T20I Numbers Tell a Different Story

Shadab Khan has been a mainstay of Pakistan’s white-balls teams since his debut in 2017, however, his T20I performances over the last two years paint a concerning picture of his form.

As a batter, his numbers have been far from convincing. In 2023, he managed 93 runs in eight matches at an average of 18.60 with a strike rate of 113.41.

However, things worsened in 2024, where he featured in 12 matches and managed just 110 runs at a poor average of 13.75, despite an improved strike rate of 150.68.

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His bowling stats are even more alarming. In 2023, he took six wickets in eight matches at an average of 32.66 and an economy of 7.53.

However, his form completely dipped in 2024, where he played 12 matches and picked up just three wickets, averaging a staggering 73.66 with an economy of 9.60.

With both bat and ball, Shadab Khan has struggled to make an impact for Pakistan. His inconsistency ultimately led to his exclusion from the national side after the T20 World Cup.

Domestic Form: Not a Strong Case for a Comeback

If an out-of-form player is making a return, it is usually based on strong domestic performances. But has Shadab Khan done enough at the domestic level to justify his recall?

In the Champions T20 Cup, he played six matches and managed just 24 runs at an average of 6, with a strike rate of 70.58—numbers that hardly make a case for selection as a specialist batter.

As for his primary skill—leg-spin—he barely bowled in the tournament. Some reports suggest he was carrying an injury, which explains his limited bowling. However, if he wasn’t fit to bowl, did he at least prove his worth as a batter? Clearly not.

Well, there is no denying Shadab’s talent. At his best, he is a genuine all-rounder who can deliver four quality overs, pick up crucial wickets, contribute with the bat, and field exceptionally well.

But talent alone isn’t enough after eight years of international cricket. At this stage, selection should be based on form, not reputation.

READ: PCB announces free Iftar for fans at Champions Trophy semi-final in Lahore