Tag: Babar Azam

Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam as well as star pace bowler Mohammad Amir and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan are set to play for GT20 Canada franchise Vancouver Knights in the upcoming edition.

Vancouver Knights, who got knocked out by champions Montreal Tigers in the playoff, bolstered their squad for the 2024 season by signing Amir and Babar in the GT20 Draft. Meanwhile, Rizwan was retained after representing the franchise in the 2023 edition.

The inaugural champions also acquired the services of Pakistan’s aggressive middle-order batter Asif Ali and Nepal’s master-blaster Dipendra Singh Airee as well as star spinner Sandeep Lamichhane.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s premiere left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi was roped in by Toronto Nationals, along with all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz. The Nationals’ squad also features New Zealand’s Colin Munro and South Africa’s star batter Rassie Van Dussen.

The fourth season of the GT20 will run from July 25 until August 11. The six-team tournament will be played at TD Cricket Arena in Brampton.

The inaugural edition was played in 2018, followed by the second edition in 2019. However, the third season, which was scheduled for 2020, was postponed due to COVID-19.

Ultimately, the GT20 Canada returned for the third season in 2023, where Montreal Tigers defeated Surrey Jaguars in the final to clinch their first title.

READ: Kyle Mayers replaces injured Brandon King in West Indies T20 World Cup squad

DUBAI: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan held on to their spots in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20I Batting Rankings.

Pakistan’s star duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan clung on to the third and fourth spot respectively while India’s Suryakumar Yadav continued his stay at the rankings summit.

England’s hard-hitting opener Phil Salt remained second in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings.

West Indies’ opener Nicholas Pooran, who played a swashbuckling 98-run knock against Afghanistan, rose to the 11th rank while Australia’s opener Travis Head jumped five places to fifth.

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However, in a most notable change, Australia’s Marcus Stoinis replaced Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi as the top-ranked all-rounder in T20Is at the back of his all-round exploits in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“Mohammad Nabi’s stay at the top of the ICC Men’s T20I All-rounder Rankings has been short, with some stunning performances boosting Australia’s Marcus Stoinis to the summit,” stated ICC in a press release.

“The world’s new top-ranked all-rounder took six wickets and made three impressive contributions with the bat as Australia cruised through to the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a perfect record.

“His 2/9 helped his side to a hammering of Namibia, but he saved his most important contribution until last in the group stage, hitting an inspired 59 from 29 balls to steer Australia to a win over Scotland that looked a long way off when he came to the crease at 60/3 in the ninth over.

“Wanindu Hasarang and Shakib Al Hasan make up the top three, with Nabi slipping down the rankings but still close behind in fourth.”

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Legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag lambasted Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam following the national team’s group-stage exit from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan captain Babar had a tournament to forget as he only managed 122 runs at a dismal strike rate of only 101.66 with the best score of 44 which came in a losing cause against the United States of America (USA).

Commenting on Pakistan’s early exit, Virender Sehwag stated if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decides to remove Babar Azam as white-ball captain then he should not be considered for selection in T20Is.

“But as a leader you have to think whether this game is useful for his team. If not, then demote yourself and send someone who can play big shots in the six overs and get the team 50-60 runs,” stated Sehwag.

“I may sound harsh, but if the captain changes, Babar doesn’t deserve a place in the T20 team. His performances are not as per the demands of today’s T20 cricket,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Babar Azam broke silence on his future as Pakistan captain after the national team bowed out of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a consolation victory over Ireland.

“When I gave up the captaincy [in 2023], I thought that I shouldn’t be doing it now, that’s why I left it and I announced it myself,” Babar Azam said. “Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB.”

The right-hander then addressed the speculations about him leaving captaincy, stating that he is currently not thinking about it.

“When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here. And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly. I will not hide behind anything. Whatever happens will happen in the open. But for now, I have not thought about it. It is eventually PCB’s decision,” he added.

READ: Kane Williamson steps down as New Zealand captain

Pakistan captain Babar Azam broke silence on his future in the leadership role after his side’s early exit from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The Green Shirts were knocked out of the group stage of the marquee event for the first time due to embarrassing losses against the United States of America (USA) and India.

They defeated Canada to maintain their Super 8s hopes, but the crucial match between the USA and Ireland was rained out, leading to the USA’s qualification for the next round.

Babar Azam’s side then registered a consolation victory over Ireland in their last match, with the star batter leading the run-chase with an unbeaten 32 off 34 deliveries.

During the post-match press conference, Azam opened up on his decision to reaccept captaincy after leaving the post after the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.

“When I gave up the captaincy [in 2023], I thought that I shouldn’t be doing it now, that’s why I left it and I announced it myself,” Babar Azam said. “Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB.”

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The right-hander then addressed the speculations about him leaving captaincy, stating that he is currently not thinking about it.

“When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here. And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly. I will not hide behind anything. Whatever happens will happen in the open. But for now, I have not thought about it. It is eventually PCB’s decision,” he added.

While answering a question about Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament, the captain stated that the team did not perform well collectively, and no single person can be blamed for the defeat.

“I told you that we did not lose this because of one particular person. We win and lose as a team. You are pointing out that [I am] the captain, but I cannot play in every player’s place,” he asserted.

“There are 11 players, and each of them has a role. That’s why they came here to play the World Cup. I think we have not been able to play well as a team. We have to settle down and accept that we didn’t play well as a team,” he further added.

READ: Sri Lanka thump Netherlands to seal consolation victory in T20 World Cup

DUBAI: Pakistan players including white-ball captain Babar Azam excelled in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20I Rankings, updated Wednesday.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who scored a run-a-ball 33 in a tense run chase against Canada on Tuesday, jumped a spot to claim the third spot in the T20I batting rankings. Whereas, wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan slipped to fourth.

Returning pacer Mohammad Amir registered a significant rise in the bowling rankings by jumping up 65 spots to 82nd while Naseem Shah moved up 21 spots to joint 43rd.

Furthermore, left-arm spinner Imad Wasim, jumped five places to claim the 34th rank. Imad also jumped one spot to 11th in the T20I all-rounder’s rankings whereas Shadab slipped three places to 14th.

On the contrary, Pakistan’s ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has been far from his best, has slipped a spot to 12th in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings. Whereas, right-arm speedster Haris Rauf slipped two places to 26th.

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According to the apex cricketing body, Afghanistan’s veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi was the “big winner” in the latest rankings update as he claimed the top spot in the T20I all-rounders rankings, following his two wicket-haul against New Zealand.

“Veteran Mohammad Nabi is the big winner in the latest rankings update, with the 39-year-old rising to the No.1 spot on the list for all-rounders following his recent two-wicket haul against New Zealand in Guyana,” stated ICC in a press release.

“Nabi jumps up two places to first on the updated T20I rankings for all-rounders, with Australia’s Marcus Stoinis rising three places to claim second spot and previous No.1-ranked player Shakib Al Hasan drooping four rungs to fifth as a result of the major shake-up at the top.

READ: Simon Doull backs Pakistan’s approach in run-chase against Canada

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has criticized the national team’s white-ball captain Babar Azam for his performance as captain after a shocking loss against the United States (USA) in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan endured a five-run defeat against the co-hosts in the Super Over as they failed to chase down the 19-run target.

Senior pacer Mohammad Amir bowled the Super Over for Pakistan and conceded 18 runs. In response, the Green Shirts only managed 13/1.

After the match, Malik, who also played under Azam, stated that the right-handed batter has not evolved as a captain and makes predecided decisions on the field rather than improvising according to the situation.

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“This captaincy talk, I would like to go into its depth. You [Babar Azam] have set a blockage in your mind, that is the problem. If you have decided that Shadab [Khan] has to bat at a certain number, and Azam [Khan] and Iftikhar [Ahmed] have to bat in the last overs, and you do that exactly, these are the blockages,” said Malik while talking on a local channel.

“The most important thing which needs to be fixed is Babar’s captaincy from four years ago and now, I cannot see any difference.

“If someone is improving then you give them time because the results will be seen in the long run but in Babar’s case, as a leader, he is still where he was four years ago.”

The Green Shirts will face arch-rivals India in the most anticipated match of the T20 World Cup 2024 on 9 June in New York.

READ: Bangladesh edge past Sri Lanka in a thrilling T20 World Cup clash

DALLAS: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam opened up after Pakistan’s upset defeat against the United States of America (USA) in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan endured a five-run defeat against the co-hosts in the Super Over as they failed to chase down the 19-run target.

Senior pacer Mohammad Amir bowled the Super Over for Pakistan and conceded 18 runs. In response, the Green Shirts only managed 13/1.

Speaking after his side’s shocking defeat, Pakistan captain Babar Azam asserted that the team lacked intent in the batting powerplay.

“In the first six overs, we didn’t capitalise. Back-to-back wickets always put you on the back foot, as a batter you need to step up and build partnerships,” stated Babar.

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The Pakistan captain also blamed the spinners for providing the team breakthroughs in the middle overs.

“We were not up to the mark in the first 6 overs with the ball. Our spinners also did not take wickets in the middle overs so these things cost us,” he added.

“All credit to the USA, they played better than us in all three departments. Little bit of moisture in the pitch, it was also two-paced. As a professional you need to assess the conditions,” he concluded.

The narrow victory left Pakistan in a tough situation as the former champions now need to win all their remaining group-stage fixtures to qualify for the Super 8s.

Pakistan next face arch-rivals India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 9.

Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub.

READ: Spirited USA upset Pakistan to claim historic victory in Super Over

DALLAS: Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has been ruled out of the Green Shirts’ opening match against the United States of America (USA) in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan and USA are scheduled to square off in the 11th match of the T20 World Cup on June 6 (tomorrow) at Grand Prairie Stadium.

The left-handed all-rounded is suffering from a side injury, due to which he also missed the fourth T20i against England in the recently concluded series.

Babar Azam confirmed Wasim’s unavailability during a media interaction here on Tuesday

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“Imad Wasim is suffering from a side strain, which means he won’t be able to play in our opening match,” said Azam.

The skipper shared that the medical panel has advised against playing Wasim as a precaution so he can be available for the remaining matches in the mega event.

Following the USA clash, the Green Shirts will face arch-rivals India in a blockbuster clash on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The 2009 champions will then take on Canada on June 11 before locking horns with Ireland in their last group-stage fixture on June 16.

Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2024: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

READ: Persistent rain washes out England-Scotland T20 World Cup 2024 clash

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has expressed his aim to lift the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, after coming up short in previous editions.

The Green Shirts under Babar Azam played the semi-final and final of the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cup respectively.

The star batter opened up about his desire during an appearance on PCB Podcast, stating that he wants to spread happiness across the nation with the T20 World Cup victory.

“I want to give happiness to the nation by winning the T20 World Cup. We came very close in the last two World Cups but failed to win,” said Azam.

“As a captain, I regret not winning an ICC event so far. This time we have to win and for that, we have to play as one unit.”

Upon being asked about the preparations for the high-octane clash against arch-rivals India on June 9, Azam stressed that every game is important and the team is preparing accordingly.

“Not only the India match but all the matches are important for us. In order to lift the trophy, we have to overcome every opposition,” said the right-hander.

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The star batter also shed light on his training and preparation for the mega-event as a batter.

“I do not play for my personal record, the first priority is the Pakistan team. I have done a lot of work on improving my strike rate,” he stated.

“I bat according to the team’s situation. Everyone has a different batting style and my game is not to start hitting sixes from the word go.”

The Green Shirts will start their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against the USA on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India in a blockbuster clash on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The 2009 champions will then take on Canada on June 11 before locking horns with Ireland in their last group-stage fixture on June 16.

Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2024: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

READ: USA’s Aaron Jones creates history during T20 World Cup win over Canada

DALLAS: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam met India’s legend Sunil Gavaskar here ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Taking to Instagram, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared footage of the interaction between Babar and Gavaskar.

“Babar Azam interacts with cricketing icon Sunil Gavaskar,” wrote PCB.

 

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The Pakistan Men’s cricket team reached Dallas on Friday to participate in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan have been struggling to get on the winning track ahead of this year’s mega event.

The Green Shirts played three bilateral T20I series in a bid to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024 but could not produce the desired results.

The former champions played out a 2-2 draw against an inexperienced New Zealand side in a five-match home series before registering a 2-1 away series win over Ireland.

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In their last assignment before the World Cup, Pakistan succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in the four-match away series against England.

But the biggest setback for Pakistan was the shock loss against Ireland in the first T20I.

Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Ireland, Canada and co-host USA.

The Green Shirts will start their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against the USA on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India in a blockbuster clash on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The 2009 champions will then take on Canada on June 11 before locking horns with Ireland in their last group-stage fixture on June 16.

Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2024: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

READ: Sourav Ganguly warns India of Pakistan threat in T20 World Cup 2024