Bad news for Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 as…
Bad news for Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 as…
New Delhi: The T20 World Cup 2026 is near and it is almost certain that a new-look Pakistan cricket team will represent the country in this mega event. Big names like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi have led the team in the last few years, but the performances have not lived up to expectations. Due to this, the team had to face criticism at the international level. In such a situation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) now seems serious towards change, especially in the T20 International format. Out of T20, focus on Tests and ODIs
According to a PTI report, PCB selectors Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, and new head coach Mike Hesson have informed Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen that their services are not required in the T20 format at the moment. They have been dropped from the team for the upcoming two T20 series against West Indies and Bangladesh. All three players have been told to now focus on Test and ODI cricket.
This decision is not surprising, as Babar and Rizwan were earlier left out of the New Zealand tour this year. After that Shaheen Afridi was also dropped in the Bangladesh series. Preparing for the future with the new team
The Pakistan team will play three T20s and three ODIs on the West Indies tour in the last week of July. After this, the team will play three T20 matches in Bangladesh, but it has also been suggested to extend this series to five matches. If the team performs well in these series, then the chances of Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen returning seem very low, especially when the T20 World Cup is just a few months away. Mixed reactions of fans and coach's strategy
Fans are divided in opinion about this decision. Some are considering it a positive step for the future, as the star players were not able to perform according to their reputation in the T20 format. At the same time, some fans believe that by removing all three players together, the team may suffer from lack of experience.
A source close to a national selector said that coach Mike Hesson wants to give young players a chance for a long time so that they can prove themselves. He said, 'If the situation worsens, the selectors can include Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen in the team again.' Interestingly, Shaheen has recently led Lahore Qalandars to the PSL title for the third time in five years. Permission granted to play BBL
Meanwhile, the PCB has also given No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen to play in the Big Bash League (BBL).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
WTC Final: Australia Bowling Coach Daniel Vettori Eyes Early Breakthrough On Day 4
Australia bowling coach Daniel Vettori believes the only way back into the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 lies in breaking South Africa's resolute third-wicket stand between Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma. Speaking after Day 3 at Lord's, Vettori acknowledged the formidable challenge ahead of Australia, who trail by just 69 runs but have only managed two wickets while the Proteas march steadily toward a historic Test title. "We understand the main task, 8/70 is incredibly tricky, and conditions wouldn't have to go our way, but I think with the nature of where the ball is at and the surface, it's a difficult task," Vettori said. Despite Australia's slim advantage at 70/2 during the second session on Friday, Markram and Bavuma showcased extraordinary composure and skill to shift the game firmly in South Africa's favour, compiling a 143-run stand that now looms large. The surface, according to Vettori, also played its part in aiding South Africa's fightback. "The wicket is slow. And you would've seen over the course of the game, that the boundaries are probably lower than what we would've expected than previous Test matches here. So it is difficult scoring here, but South Africa made the most of those [improved] conditions." He praised the duo's approach: "Exceptional partnership. Navigated any tricky times, and then managed to put pressure back on us, through their running, their ability to dissect the field. It was a real clinic from those two." Drawing inspiration from past comebacks, including the Edgbaston Ashes Test and the 2023 World Cup thriller against Afghanistan, Vettori highlighted the team's grit: "It is a task that the group has probably done at times throughout the last three or four, and for some of them, even longer six or seven years." Asked about bowling variations, Vettori revealed a cautious strategy: "There is sometimes an appetite for that, but there is a concern for score running away from us. Sometimes when you go for short ball stuff, it is difficult to control the scoreboard. [We believed that] if we could hang on in those areas, something would happen... but it wasn't to be." While South Africa has a history of last-minute heartbreaks in ICC tournaments, Vettori refused to read into the past. "It is always difficult to label or tag teams, because teams change... it is difficult to assign to a group that hasn't been in this situation in terms of World Test Championship Final." As Day 4 looms, Vettori remains hopeful: "I think the hope for us is that we get a wicket or two in the morning, and then see what it looks like. That's the main challenge for us." The final day promises high drama at Lord's, with Australia banking on early breakthroughs to deny South Africa their long-awaited silverware.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What is the ‘bunny hop' catch which MCC, ICC has deemed as illegal?
In a groundbreaking move, the MCC will be updating its law on boundary catches, and will be making the bunny hop move illegal. The new rule will be operational later this month. The bunny hop catch was supported by the existing Law 19.5.2, which states that the fielder's last contact with the ground before they first touch the ball must be within the boundary (this portion will remain in the new update). The fielder cannot touch the ball and the ground outside the boundary at the same time. If he or she complete the catch within those set criteria, then it is legal. Now the MCC has called it unfair, and also sent a note to ICC earlier this year, calling for a rule change. The new change will also now rule out spectacular catches which were accepted earlier. According to the MCC, the update would 'rule out some spectacular fielding that feels like it is now fully part of the game. Examples include catches from Harleen Deol (vs England in 2021) and Alex Hales (in BBL 2020), where the fielders don't reground themselves inside the boundary before taking the catch, but land inside the boundary to complete it.' The MCC further added, 'MCC has devised a new wording where the 'bunny hop' wholly beyond the boundary is removed, but these catches where the fielder pushes the ball up from inside the boundary, steps outside and then dives back in to catch the ball, are permitted.' 'Our solution has been to limit any fielder who has gone outside the boundary to touching the ball while airborne only once, and then, having done so, to be wholly grounded within the boundary for the rest of the duration of that delivery.'
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Gillespie reveals how PCB chairman Naqvi ignored 'connection camp' despite being just 20 minutes from venue: 'I flew in from Australia'
Jason Gillespie latest allegations raises serious questions over PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi's administration as the Pakistan cricket team continues to struggle for form in international cricket. read more Former Pakistan cricket team coach Jason Gillespie has launched a fresh attack on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi as he revealed that the administrator showed little interest in team-building sessions during the Australian's tenure with the Men in Green. Gillespie has been at crossroads with PCB since resigning as Pakistan's red-ball coach in December 2024, less than a year after his appointment. He has also alleged that PCB is yet to pay him completely for his work with the team. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gillespie criticises PCB chairman Naqvi In his latest allegation levelled against PCB, Gillespie said that during his tenure a 'connection camp' was organised for the Pakistan men's cricket team for which he flew in from Australia while the then white-ball coach Gary Kirsten came from South Africa, but Naqvi failed to show up, despite being in Lahore and only 20 minutes away from the venue. 'Gary came up with this great idea of a connection camp. Everyone in Pakistan cricket basically shared their experiences in that meeting. I flew in from Australia, Gary flew in from South Africa, the Chairman Mohsin Naqvi dialed in on Zoom,' Gillespie said on The Howie Games podcast, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan. 'He is based in Lahore, but he did not come, while Gary came in from Africa. We both felt that the Chairman could not even drive 20 minutes to come here - that was a bit unusual,' he added. The connection camp, reportedly on 23 September 2024, aimed to improve communication and team bonding in the national team. Star players like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan and Shan Masood had also attended the session. The connection camp, however, clearly didn't work, as news of infighting in the Pakistan team has kept coming out, while Kirsten and Gillespie resigned from their posts soon after.
