Tag: Javed Miandad

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has sparked controversy with his recent comments questioning Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup 2025, leading to backlash from cricketing icons, including Javed Miandad.

In an interview with an Indian news outlet, Gavaskar hinted that political tensions between India and Pakistan could overshadow the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

He pointed to the BCCI’s historic alignment with the Indian government’s stance, suggesting that if the current political climate doesn’t shift, Pakistan might not feature in the tournament.

“BCCI’s stance has always followed the Indian government’s direction. If the situation hasn’t changed, I don’t see Pakistan taking part in the Asia Cup,” said Sunil Gavaskar.

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He went a step further, even speculating on the future of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), suggesting it could be dissolved in favour of tri-series or four-nation tournaments depending on how “regional dynamics” evolve.

“It’s possible that the Asian Cricket Council could be dissolved. Instead, we might see a tri-series or a four-nation event. What happens next will depend on how things unfold in the coming months,” Gavaskar added.

The remarks didn’t sit well with Pakistan’s cricket fraternity. Javed Miandad, who shares a long-standing camaraderie with Gavaskar and has often praised him for his dignified demeanour, seemed taken aback.

“I can’t believe Sunny bhai said that,” Miandad responded. “He’s always been a respectful, down-to-earth person who stayed away from political talk.”

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Former left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim echoed the sentiment, initially suspecting that Gavaskar had been misquoted.

“He’s a responsible figure, respected on both sides of the border. Politics should never mix with sports,” Qasim said, calling for cricket to remain a unifying force rather than a divisive tool.

But the strongest reaction came from Basit Ali, who didn’t mince his words. “Stupid comments,” he said bluntly. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Cricket should stay above political hostilities.”

The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams, the five full members of the ACC (Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan) alongside Hong Kong, Oman, and the UAE, who qualified through the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup.

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Legendary Pakistan cricketers including Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq reacted to the national men’s team’s first-ever Test series defeat against Bangladesh.

The Green Shirts succumbed to a 2-0 loss in the two-match series against Bangladesh, which culminated at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Bangladesh outclassed Pakistan by six wickets in the second Test to complete the clean sweep. The touring side had won the first Test thumpingly by 10 wickets.

Former Test captain Javed Miandad, known for his blunt remarks, expressed his disappointment specifically with the team’s batting woes while lauding the touring side for their disciplined performances.

“It is hurting that our cricket has come to this stage. Bangladesh deserve credit for their disciplined performances. But the way our batting has collapsed in this series is a bad sign,” said Miandad.

Another former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq expressed his concerns over the team’s struggle in home conditions.

“Home series were always considered our best chance of beating the best sides in the past. But for this to happen the batsmen need to get runs,” Inzamam said.

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Pakistan’s leading century-scorer in Test cricket Younis Khan emphasized that the national players need mental strengthening to overcome the losing streak at home.

“Our batters have got runs in the past but right now I think they need mental strengthening and a clear mind to overcome this crisis,” stated Younis.

Former Pakistan Test spinner Iqbal Qasim, on the other hand, asserted that the national team needs to improve in the spin-bowling department, highlighting that the national team does not feature great pacers like Wasim Akram.

“We don’t have bowlers of the calibre of Sarfaraz Nawaz, Wasim Akram, Waqar or Shoaib now. So, we should be banking on our spinners to win us Tests at home,” he said.

READ: Bangladesh captain imitates Lionel Messi after series victory over Pakistan

Sri Lanka’s batting prodigy Kamindu Mendis equalled a record held by Pakistan’s former captain and legendary batsman Javed Miandad for the most Test runs after four innings with a stunning display of skill in the game.

The 25-year-old batter has scored 419 runs in the first four innings of his Test career, equaling Javed Miandad’s achievement from 1976.

Kamindu Mendis made his Test debut against Australia in Galle in 2022, scoring 61 runs in the first inning,  and did not have to come to bat for the second time as Sri Lanka thrashed the visitors by an inning and 39 runs.

Mendis hammered 102 and 164 in the second Test of his career against Bangladesh at Sylhet. The 25-year-old batter narrowly missed the third consecutive ton as he made an unbeaten 92, missing partners from the other end.

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He missed an opportunity to tie with Mohammad Azharuddin for the most centuries after four test innings as he ran out of partners in the fourth innings.

Kamindu Mendis has amassed an incredible 419 runs, matching the record held by Javed Miandad, with scores of 61, 102, 164, and 92 not out.

In the series against Bangladesh, his only failure came in the second inning of the second Test inning when he was only able to score nine runs.

Pakistan’s former captain and legendary batsman Javed Miandad had also scored 419 runs in his first four Test innings. In his first four innings of the Test, Miandad scored 163, 25 not out, 25, and 206.

READ: Sri Lanka on top in Bangladesh Test despite 2nd innings batting blues

Prominent Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has expressed his desire to meet Pakistan’s cricket legend Javed Miandad.

In a video message for the former skipper of the national cricket team, Javed Miandad, Bollywood celebrity Sanjay Dutt extended his greetings and expressed his desire to meet him soon in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

In the clip, Sanjay Dutt, who has recently joined the Lankan Premier League as the co-owner of the T20 franchise team, B Love Kandy, shared his fondness for Javed Miandad and the mentor of the team. “It feels so good to see you after this long. See you soon in Kandy,” Dutt addressed Miandad in the video.

Sharing the clip on his Twitter handle, the cricket icon wrote, “Thank you Dear @duttsanjay and @OmarKhanOK2 for all the love, anxiously waiting to join @BLoveKandy in August 2023 in #LPL2023.”

Thank you Dear @duttsanjay and @OmarKhanOK2 for all the love, anxiously waiting to join @BLoveKandy in August 2023 in #LPL2023. pic.twitter.com/we3Y0aPFBY

— Javed Miandad (@Javed__Miandad) July 11, 2023

It is pertinent to mention that the fourth edition of LPL, the T20 franchise cricket tournament in Sri Lanka, is scheduled to be played between five teams, from July 31 to August 22.

A total of 13 Pakistan cricketers were roped in for the upcoming fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in the player auction which took place last month.

Notably, before the auction took place, some of Pakistan’s notable cricketers had already found new homes in the LPL. Leading the charge is the formidable Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, who will be representing the Colombo Strikers.

Joining Babar in the LPL was the young and fiery fast bowler, Naseem Shah, who had also been acquired by the Colombo franchise.

Another key addition to the LPL is the explosive batsman, Fakhar Zaman, who will be donning the colours of the B-Love Kandy team.

Pakistan Players to participate in LPL 2023

B-Love Kandy: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Asif Ali, Mohammad Haris, Aamer Jamal

Colombo Strikers: Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Wahab Riaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz

Jaffna Kings: Shoaib Malik, Zaman Khan.

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KARACHI: Legendary Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad has issued a clarification on his health condition from the hospital, saying he is feeling much better now and threre is nothing serious to worry about. 

Miandad, 65, who was taken to a local hospital in Karachi earlier today, said it was just a routine checkup for which he was admitted to the hospital and told his well wishers not to worry much about his health condition.

“The news about my detriorating health has spread all over the media” he said in a video message from the hospital bed.

“I want to assure my friend, relatives and fans that there is nothing to worry about. It is just a routine checkup.”

Batting legend Miandad was Pakistan cricket’s heartbeat from 1975-1996, during which he scored 16,213 international runs with 31 centuries in 357 matches. In a 402-match first-class career from 1973-74 to 1993-94, Miandad scored 28,663 runs at an average of over 53 with 80 centuries and 139 half-centuries.

Miandad played in the 1975 World Cup as an 18-year-old and then went to participate in five more World Cups, winning the 1992 event in Australia under Imran Khan. In 33 World Cup matches, Miandad scored 1,083 runs at an average of over 43.

Miandad scored a century (163) on Test debut in Lahore in the first Test against New Zealand in 1976 and then scored first of his six double-centuries (206) in the third Test in Karachi. In his 100^th Test in Lahore in 1989, Miandad scored 145 to become only the second batter (other being Gordon Greenidge) to score centuries in debut and 100^th Test.

Miandad scored over 1,000 Test runs against Australia (1,797 in 25 Tests), England (1,329 in 22 Tests), India (2,228 in 28 Tests) and New Zealand (1,919 in 18 Tests), while he scored over 1,000 ODI runs against Australia (1,019 in 35 matches), India (1,175 in 35 matches), Sri Lanka (1,141 in 35 matches) and West Indies (1,930 in 64 matches).

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KARACHI: Former Pakitan captain Javed Miandad has been shifted to a local hospital in Karachi on Friday after suffering a health complication. 

According to the details, Miandad, 65, was moved to the hospital after his health suddenly deteriorated.

Legendary batter Miandad was Pakistan cricket’s heartbeat from 1975-1996, during which he scored 16,213 international runs with 31 centuries in 357 matches. In a 402-match first-class career from 1973-74 to 1993-94, Miandad scored 28,663 runs at an average of over 53 with 80 centuries and 139 half-centuries.

Miandad played in the 1975 World Cup as an 18-year-old and then went to participate in five more World Cups, winning the 1992 event in Australia under Imran Khan. In 33 World Cup matches, Miandad scored 1,083 runs at an average of over 43.

Miandad scored a century (163) on Test debut in Lahore in the first Test against New Zealand in 1976 and then scored first of his six double-centuries (206) in the third Test in Karachi. In his 100^th Test in Lahore in 1989, Miandad scored 145 to become only the second batter (other being Gordon Greenidge) to score centuries in debut and 100^th Test.

Miandad scored over 1,000 Test runs against Australia (1,797 in 25 Tests), England (1,329 in 22 Tests), India (2,228 in 28 Tests) and New Zealand (1,919 in 18 Tests), while he scored over 1,000 ODI runs against Australia (1,019 in 35 matches), India (1,175 in 35 matches), Sri Lanka (1,141 in 35 matches) and West Indies (1,930 in 64 matches).

READ: New Zealand-England finely poised after Blundell century

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and legendary batter Javed Miandad lashed out at arch-rivals India amid the ongoing controversy regarding the hosting of this year’s Asia Cup.

The controversy came to light last year amid the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup when the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) announced that their national men’s team will not tour Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023.

According to the Indian, the decision was taken following the 91st BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the reports further suggested that BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) hinted at shifting the tournament to a neutral venue.

“Neutral venue for Asia Cup is not unprecedented and we have decided that we will not travel to Pakistan,” Shah stated.

“I have decided that we will play at a neutral venue,” he maintained.

Following BCCI Secretary’s unilateral decision, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wrote a formal complaint to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and requested the ACC to call an emergency meeting in light of the current situation.

The PCB management then also hinted at pulling out of the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, scheduled in India as an act of protest against Shah’s remarks.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s batting great Miandad reacted to the ongoing controversy and did not mince his words as he lashed out at the arch-rivals India.

“I have always been saying, if India doesn’t want to come, we don’t care. They can go to hell. We are getting our cricket. It’s ICC’s job to control such things, else there’s no point of having a governing body,” Miandad said while speaking to the media.

“ICC should have one rule for every country. If such teams don’t come, no matter how strong they are, you should remove them.

“They should play, why aren’t they playing? They are afraid of consequences.

“Even in our times, they would not play because they were afraid of consequences. India’s crowd is ‘nasty’. Whenever India would lose, no matter against whom, they would burn houses. That’s what they are afraid of.”

It is pertinent to mention here that India last toured Pakistan in 2008 to partake in the Asia Cup.

The two sides last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for three T20Is and as many ODIs.

Since then, the two arch-rivals did not play a bilateral series and only met in ICC and ACC events.

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LAHORE: Former Pakistan Test cricketers Javed Miandad and Rashid Latif gave lectures in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Level 3 Coaching Course here on Friday.

According to the details, the ICC Coaching Course is underway here at the National High-Performance Centre where two legendary cricketers of Pakistan participated and shared valuable tips with the participants.

Legendary batter Miandad shared valuable information regarding batting coaching with the participants, while former captain Latif lectured on wicketkeeping coaching.

It is pertinent to mention that numerous former cricketers including Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar, Zulfiqar Babar and Mohammad Yousuf were among the participants in the ongoing Coaching Course.

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KARACHI: Pakistan former Test player and legendary batter Javed Miandad came out in support of opening batter Shan Masood for being neglected by the selectors as he urged the media to highlight the issue.

Miandad in a media talk put his weight behind the left-handed batter who scored two double centuries in the recently concluded County Championship representing Derbyshire.

“If a player is performing consistently and still does not get selected, it is an injustice,” said Miandad while claiming that Masood should have been in the team.

“The media should also highlight Shan Masood’s case,” he added.

The former captain also extended his support for the incumbent Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Raja Raja, criticizing the government for asking him to leave the position.

” If Ramiz Raja does not have any issues he must continue with his job,” said Miandad.

“Ramiz Raja shouldn’t have been asked to resign,” he claimed. “Former cricketers are running the cricket boards all around the world.”

The legendary batter also expressed his views on the departmental structure of first-class cricket as he deemed the departmental teams vital for the financial well-being of local players.

” A significant number of players are dependent on departmental cricket for employment opportunities,” said Miandad.” Departmental cricket has produced a number of players for the national team.”

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KARACHI: Sri Lanka Women’s National Cricket Team’s head coach Hashan Tillakaratne’s desire to meet the legendary Pakistani batter Javed Miandad has been fulfilled as he met the latter at his residence here.

Hashan, in a scheduled press conference earlier this month ahead of his team’s T20I series against the home side Pakistan, expressed his desire to meet the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Hall of Famer Javed.

The PCB officials fulfilled Hashan’s wish as a meeting was organized by the cricket board between the two former cricketers at Javed’s residence here.

https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1531326585579659265

 

The Sri Lankan women’s team assistant coach and trainer also accompanied Hashan in the meeting while Pakistani Test cricketer and nephew of Javed – Faisal Iqbal – was also present at the meeting.

It is apropos to mention here that Hashan termed Javed his favourite cricketer and idol in a scheduled press conference ahead of his team’s T20I series against the Green Shirts.

READ: PCB announces squad for the Commonwealth Games 2022