Tag: Michael Clarke

Former Australian captains Aaron Finch and Michael Clarke have expressed surprise over the exclusion of Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf from the squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Rauf was one of the standout performers in the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL) season 15 for the Melbourne Stars, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets in 11 matches, averaging 16.75.

However, the right-arm speedster failed to make Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad for the mega event, scheduled to be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

During a recent discussion on a local sports platform, Finch admitted he was taken aback when he saw Rauf’s name missing from the squad, stressing that T20 cricket often comes down to match-winning “impact” players.

“Yeah, I thought… I was really surprised when I saw that he wasn’t in the squad. I thought he brings that X-factor,” Finch said.

The former Australia opener further explained that even if a bowler can be expensive at times, having someone who can take wickets in every phase of the innings is a massive asset in the shortest format.

“Yes, he can be costly at times, but when you’ve got a genuine wicket-taker in all three phases of the game, that is the most important thing for me in T20 cricket, finding a way to get wickets, particularly on some flat surfaces as well. So, yeah, I was really surprised by that,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Michael Clarke also admitted the decision was unexpected but suggested the omission likely reflects Pakistan’s selection approach, prioritising conditions and specific roles over performances in overseas domestic leagues.

“Surprised, but again, it’s another indication that playing in Australia is very different from playing in Sri Lanka and India,” Clarke said.

“You pick your squad for conditions, for the role you’re going to play in that team. So they obviously don’t see him playing a role like he did in the BBL.”

However, Clarke also pointed out that current form and momentum should still matter when finalising squads for ICC events.

“But I think form is important as well. When you’re picking a World Cup squad, you’d rather have players going into the tournament with some cricket and good form under their belt. So let’s see what happens,” he added.

Notably, Haris Rauf last played a T20I for Pakistan in the Asia Cup final against India on September 28, 2025, where he endured a tough outing, conceding 50 runs in 3.4 overs while defending a target of 146.

Since then, the pacer has remained out of the T20I setup, having been excluded from Pakistan’s squads for the away series against Sri Lanka, the upcoming home series against Australia, and now the T20 World Cup 2026 as well.

READ: Hesson reveals reason behind Haris Rauf’s T20 World Cup exclusion

Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has revealed that he has undergone another surgery for skin cancer, reigniting concern about the widespread health issue in the country.

The 44-year-old shared the update on his social media accounts, posting a photo from a hospital bed with a bandage on his nose. In his message, Clarke stressed the importance of regular health check-ups.

“Skin cancer is real! Especially in Australia. Another one cut out of my nose today. A friendly reminder to get your skin checked,” he wrote.

“Prevention is better than cure but in my case, regular check-ups and early detection is key.”

He also expressed gratitude to his Sydney-based specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon. “So grateful that Dr. Bish Soliman got it early,” he added.

Michael Clarke was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006 and has since undergone multiple treatments.

He has often used his platform to raise awareness, reminding fans about the significance of prevention and early detection.

In 2023, he admitted that his skin cancer scares had left him fearful about not being around for his daughter, Kelsey Lee.

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“It does scare me. I am a dad – I don’t want to go anywhere,” Clarke told the Daily Telegraph at the time. “The most important thing in the world is making sure I help my seven-year-old daughter and set a good example for her.”

Widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest batters, Clarke represented his country in 394 international matches between 2004 and 2015, amassing 17,112 runs across formats.

He captained Australia in 74 Tests, winning 47 and losing 16, while also leading in 139 ODIs. Under his leadership, Australia reclaimed the Ashes 5-0 in 2013-14 and lifted the ICC World Cup in 2015.

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Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has urged India to make a key change to their playing XI in the second Test against England, starting from 2 July at Edgbaston.

Speaking on his YouTube channel ahead of the second Test, Clarke advocated for the inclusion of left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav into the India playing XI.

“Bowling-wise, I do not want to be hard on any individual, but I think they’ve got to play Kuldeep Yadav. I think it is an absolute no-brainer. I think he’s a wicket-taker and would have offered a lot more than what he saw the attack did in this Test match,” he said.

Michael Clarke emphasised the importance of wicket-taking ability, noting that Indian bowlers should find more ways of taking wickets.

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Bumrah’s a star, he’s leading that attack. But the other three fast bowlers, yes at stages bowled well, but they need to find more ways of taking wickets, more options, and their execution has probably got to be better,” he said

The 44-year-old shed light on Ravindra Jadeja’s form while mentioning his second innings performance against England in the opening Test.

“Jadeja didn’t have the impact that I thought he might have. Particularly in the second innings I thought there was lot of rough to the left-hander.

I thought he bowled a little bit straight. He could have been a bit wider into the rough, and even to the right-hander, utilise over the wicket into the rough looking for that LBW in front of the stumps,” Michael Clarke concluded.

For the unversed, England defeated India by five wickets at Leeds, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series.

Ben Duckett starred for the home team with a 149-run knock, while India became the first team to suffer defeat despite five players scoring hundreds.

READ: Jofra Archer named in England squad for second Test against India

Former Australian World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke has recently revealed his favorites to win the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Clarke, who led Australia to World Cup glory in 2015, named his semi-finalists, finalists, and the tournament winners of the Champions Trophy during a podcast with sports presenter Erin Holland.

According to the former skipper, arch-rivals India and Pakistan, along with Australia and New Zealand, are the teams to reach the final four of the tournament due to their strong squads and past performances in the ICC events.

“India, Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand are the teams I’ve got in my top four,” said Clarke.

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While discussing hosts and defending champions Pakistan, he highlighted the home advantage and the rivalry with India as the main reasons for their inclusion in the knock-out stage.

“The rivalry between Pakistan and India is unbelievable. If they face each other in the tournament, or even in the final, it would be massive,” said Clarke.

“Pakistan has a balanced squad and playing in home conditions gives them a significant advantage. If they play their best cricket, they are good enough to win the tournament,” remarked the former batter.

However, the 43-year-old also doubted the Pakistan team’s ability to thrive under pressure in crucial matches.

“My fear with Pakistan is whether they can handle the pressure. This has always been a concern when playing against them. I’ve seen them have a better team on multiple occasions, but they have struggled under pressure,” explained Clarke.

“It will be interesting to see how they cope with expectations, especially while playing a major tournament at home,” said Clarke.

Michael Clarke further named India and Australia as the teams to face each other in the all-important encounter.

“My fingers are crossed for Australia, so I’m going to say Australia will be one of the finalists. And I think they will face India in the final,” he added.

Finally, Michael Clarke also picked India as the team to clinch the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“I think India is going to beat Australia in the final. I can’t believe that just came out of my mouth,” Clarke concluded.

READ: Former pacer backs New Zealand for Champions Trophy glory

Former captain Michael Clarke has slammed the decision of Cricket Australia (CA) to rest key players for yesterday’s third ODI against Pakistan.

Australia ODI captain Pat Cummins as well as star players Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith did not feature in the series-deciding final ODI against Pakistan Perth in order to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Test series against India.

Josh Inglis stepped in to lead the Australian side, who suffered an eight-wicket defeat in the third ODI in Perth, losing their first home series against Pakistan since 2002.

Notably, Pakistan lost the first match of the three-match series by two wickets, however, they staged an impressive comeback to win the series 2-1.

After Australia’s defeat, Michael Clarke voiced his disappointment and noted that there was an 11-day gap between the third ODI against Pakistan and the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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“I’m just a bit confused. So 11 days between now and the first Test [in Perth], why can’t the Aussie boys who are part of this Test series play in the [third] one-dayer” the former captain questioned during a radio show on Monday.

The 2015 World Cup-winning captain expressed that the series was levelled and the third match held significant importance.

However, the cricket board seemed indifferent, showing a lack of enthusiasm for prioritizing the ODI series.

“If Australia had won the first two games, then you can understand why they rest their big fish, but it was [the] series on the line,” Michael Clarke stated.

“You can’t expect the fans to want to come and watch one-day cricket,” he added. “I feel like we obviously don’t care about losing that series. If you’re not going to care, we’re not going to care.”

READ: Rashid Latif credits Rizwan’s leadership for Pakistan’s win over Australia

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke revealed his battle with a mental disorder, sharing he suffered extreme sadness and lack of motivation.

Clarke, who hung up his boots after leading Australia to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2015 triumph, has emerged as a new voice in the sport after taking up commentary.

While speaking to the Mental as Anyone podcast, Michael Clarke shared that even though he never sought medical attention or went for a diagnosis but was sure battling a mental disorder which causes extreme sadness.

The World Cup-winning captain further revealed that he experienced “sadness” such that he could not move for days.

“I have never been checked; I think it is a given. It is like ADD [attention deficit disorder, it’s a given. Definitely, ask my parents; you don’t need to take me to a doctor. I’ve certainly been extremely sad, devastated, floored, can’t move for days, and can’t get out of bed.

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“I’ve lost family members and a couple of my closest friends, so I think I’ve felt the deepest sadness, but I think it was sadness.

“I don’t know if it was depression. I’ve never gone to a doctor to be diagnosed with depression, for example, or to seek medication for depression.

Michael Clarke then went on to claim that he was not embraced as much as some other Australian greats like Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor, because some of his choices did not go well with the fans.

“I don’t think any of those three have tattoos, have an earring, dye their hair, or, you know, play a handful of Test matches and want a Ferrari, so I went and bought one. I did what I felt. Those decisions that I made that probably people didn’t agree with were fair enough as well,” said Clarke.

READ: Shaheen Shah Afridi breaks silence on captaincy snub

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke is all set to travel to Pakistan to brace the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 with his commentary skills.

Taking to Instagram, Clarke shared a picture of his luggage with the caption, that read: “It’s that time, [The PSL]”.

Clarke is all set to make his PSL debut behind the mic as he joins a star-studded commentary panel.

The 42-year-old Clarke has been an active broadcaster after hanging up his boots as a player.

Besides Michael Clarke, PSL 9 commentary panel features foreign commentators like the dynamic Ian Bishop, known for his insightful and gripping commentary, along with Danny Morrison, Simon Doull, Pommie Mbangwa, Mark Butcher, Dominic Cork and Mike Haysman.

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The Pakistani commentators also make up an exciting lineup with Ramiz Raja, Waqar Younis, Bazid Khan, and Aamir Sohail joining Urooj Mumtaz, Sana Mir and Marina Iqbal.

Tariq Saeed and Ali Younis will call the action in Urdu. Erin Holland and Zainab Abbas will be the presenters during the course of PSL 9.

For the unversed, the ongoing ninth edition of the PSL has entered the second leg with Rawalpindi and Karachi, set to host the remaining matches.

After the conclusion of 18 matches, 2021 champions Multan Sultans sit at the summit of the standings with 10 points in six matches, closely followed by 2019 champions Quetta Gladiators, second with nine points in as many matches.

Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi are third in the PSL 9 standings with seven points in six matches, two points clear of two-time champions Islamabad United.

2020 champions Karachi are fifth with two victories in five outings while defending champions Lahore Qalandars are yet to taste a triumph.

READ: Usman Khawaja forced to remove ‘dove’ sticker on bat