Latest news with #CT2025
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First Post
05-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
India continue dominance in annual ICC rankings update, Pakistan slip across all formats
India continue to dominate the ICC rankings in white-ball formats after their recent Champions Trophy and bilateral, wins. Meanwhile, Pakistan have dropped in all three formats reflecting their inconsistent performances onto the ICC standings. Australia are leading in Tests with England rising to a surprising second spot. read more India have once again proven why they are considered one of the top cricket teams in the world. In the latest ICC team rankings update, India continued their dominance in the shorter formats of the game, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is). Meanwhile, Pakistan have suffered a drop in rankings across all three formats. This comes amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan over the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India No.1 in ODIs and T20Is India are sitting comfortably at the top of both the ODI and T20I team rankings. In ODIs, their recent ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory in Dubai helped boost their rating to 124, up from 122. They are ahead of second-placed New Zealand, who lost the CT 2025 final, and third-placed Australia. In T20Is, reigning world champions India remain number one as well. However, their lead over Australia has slightly reduced from 10 points to 9. Even so, they continue to be the best team in the world in the shortest format, backed by consistent performances both at home and away. Pakistan drop down the table It's not been a great update for Pakistan. In Tests, they remain at number 7, far behind the top teams. In ODIs, they have slipped to 5th place, losing ground to Sri Lanka, who moved ahead after strong series wins against India and Australia. In T20Is, things are even worse for Pakistan. They dropped to 8th place, falling behind Sri Lanka, who are now 7th. This shows Pakistan's struggles across all formats in recent years. They recently failed to qualify for the knockouts of the Champions Trophy despite being the host of the tournament. Australia still top in Tests, England rise While India are currently dominating white-ball cricket, Australia continue to lead in the Test format. They have a rating of 126 and are still on top, although England have closed the gap and are now second. India, who were previously second, have fallen to fourth place behind England and South Africa. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Australia and South Africa are scheduled to play the final of the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle in June this year. India played the first two finals of the WTC but lost on both occasions, first to New Zealand in 2019-21 and then to Australia in 2021-23. India finished third this year.
Express Tribune
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
NA committee seeks details on cricket stadium renovations
The beautifully renovated Gaddafi Stadium will have the honour of hosting ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifiers next month. PHOTO: AFP Listen to article The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has requested a comprehensive expenditure report from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding the renovation and reconstruction of cricket stadiums across Pakistan. According to Express News, the committee has also asked the PCB to provide a formal briefing on the ongoing 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). Naqvi is expected to present an overview of the PCB's performance over the past six months. PCB upgraded stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi to improve facilities for spectators and align with international standards for CT 2025. In a related development, the PCB is set to begin the second phase of renovations at Karachi's National Bank Stadium immediately after the conclusion of PSL Season 10. The revamp includes re-profiling of spectator stands and major redevelopment to bring the stadium up to global benchmarks. The renovation plan, prompted in part by low attendance during PSL 2025 matches, will focus on enhancing seating comfort, venue aesthetics, crowd movement, parking facilities, and accessibility.
Express Tribune
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
CT debacle was big setback: Iqbal Qasim
Bangalore hero Iqbal Qasim feels Pakistan team, coaches should have learned from the tri-series defeats to prepare well for CT 2025. PHOTO: AFP Former Test cricketer and chief selector Iqbal Qasim has highlighted the national team's sketchy performance on the field as well as the blunders made in selection as the prime causes of the hosts' poor campaign in the recently-concluded ICC Champions Trophy. Speaking exclusively to Iqbal Qasim, popularly known as the Bangalore Test hero, said he was extremely disappointed by the national team's lacklustre show in the mega event. "The ICC Champions Trophy was such a golden opportunity for Pakistan to make a huge impact on the world stage with their performance, but they unfortunately fell at the first hurdle and bowed out at the group stage," said Iqbal. "Despite the crucial injury to opener Fakhar Zaman, we still had good players like Babar, Rizwan, Saud, Shaheen, Naseem and Haris but they failed to put in their best against New Zealand and also in the all-important clash against India which greatly disappointed the fans and experts alike." Iqbal pointed out that the earlier losses to New Zealand in the tri-nation series should have been an eye opener for the national team but it did not happen. "Pakistan players, the think tank and coaches should have devised a sound strategy and should have worked on the team's weak areas that were exposed in the tri-nation defeats to New Zealand. "This is what professionalism is all about. Good teams learn from their mistakes and regroup to bounce back strongly, but we failed to do that in the Champions Trophy. There was a lot of shuffling in batting order and the bowlers did not bowl intelligently." "I certainly expected our leading players like Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan, Naseem and Saud to excel on the home turf and show more responsibility. They are world class players but lack consistency," lamented Iqbal. A brilliant spinner who played 50 Tests matches for Pakistan during the 1970s and '80s and also served as chief selector, Iqbal said Pakistan, perhaps, started on the wrong foot when the squad selected for the mega event left a lot to be desired. "I fail to comprehend the logic or criteria which was adopted by Aaqib Javed and fellow selectors in selecting the CT squad," said Iqbal. "Selecting just one spinner in Abrar Ahmed and so many fast bowlers, given the pitches and home conditions made little sense to be honest," observed Iqbal. Look how New Zealand had planned things when they brought in two spinners in skipper Santner and Bracewell who propelled them to reach the CT final. Even South Africa had Maharaj and Shamsie but we chose to go in with just one. In my opinion," said Iqbal. He regretted that a few top performers of the domestic season and the Under-19 team were yet again ignored for the upcoming New Zealand tour. "Talented players like batter Yasir Khan and spinner Usman Tariq who topped the Champions Cup averages as well as prolific players from the under-19 side like batter Shahazaib Khan and fast bowlers Ali Raza and Mohammad Zeeshan have been left out of the New Zealand tour for reasons best known to the selectors," Iqbal concluded.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Sarfaraz backs Pak team after CT debacle
Ex-Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed poses with 2017 ICC Champions Trophy which Pakistan won in England. The former skipper has been named by ICC among the four ambassadors for CT 2025 commencing from Feb 19. PHOTO: AFP Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has defended the national team after their disappointing performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan, the defending champions, had a tough tournament, losing to New Zealand and arch-rivals India. Their last group-stage match against Bangladesh was washed out without a ball being bowled. This result left Pakistan at the bottom of Group A with just one point. Despite the poor showing, Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to Champions Trophy glory in 2017, urged for fair and balanced criticism of the team. "It is often said that the team didn't play well. Former cricketers, management, and coaches know that no team plays to lose," Sarfaraz said. He also called for constructive discussions when analyzing performances. "When criticizing players, it's important to maintain balance in the discussion. Those sitting on TV have also gone through those phases," he added. Looking ahead, Sarfaraz expressed confidence in Pakistan's young squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand. He acknowledged the challenges but urged fans to continue supporting the team. "The Pakistan team for the New Zealand tour consists of young players. I hope the results will be in our favour, but the conditions in New Zealand have always been challenging," he said. "I would like to tell the nation that you have always supported the team. I urge you to continue standing by the team. I hope the future will bring good things for Pakistan cricket," he concluded.
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
The agony & heartbreak of a millennial cricket fan
From 1999 to 2025, Pakistan cricket's cycle of heartbreak continues. Will there ever be an end to this agony? As I sat in front of the TV, watching Pakistan's CT 2025 campaign come to a screeching halt, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions: shock, disappointment, and heartbreak. Being a millennial, I've always been obsessed with cricket, particularly Pakistan's team. Growing up, I experienced the highs of winning the 2009 T20 World Cup, as well as the lows, including the 1999 World Cup defeat, when then-captain Wasim Akram made the shocking decision to bat first on a wet surface. This was followed by the 2003 exit, which was particularly significant because Pakistan's three cricket legends announced their retirements: Wasim Akram (who was the leading wicket-taker in World Cups with a tally of 55), Waqar Younis, the then-captain, and Saeed Anwar. The 2007 World Cup was another disappointment, as Pakistan failed to advance beyond the group stage after being knocked out by Ireland and even a greater tragedy occurred with the sudden death of Head Coach Bob Woolmer a day after the defeat. Although Pakistan managed to win the 2009 T20 World Cup, hopes were dashed again when the team lost the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup against India in Mohali. Now, the most painful heartbreak is undoubtedly the early exit of Team Green from the ICC CT 2025, an event that Pakistan was hosting after a gap of three decades. Pakistan's 1999 World Cup final nightmare relived It's the second time, like me, among many countrymen are facing the similar heartbreaks, 26 years later. I still remember, I was a kid at that time, and we had recently bought a 14-inch color television at home. I didn't even know how to operate the remote panel, but after fixing the terrestrial antenna, I sat down on the sofa and started watching the 1999 World Cup final. The game progressed — remember, we had been world champions just seven years earlier and, at that time, we were the strongest side in '99 world cup. We had Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, who scored back-to-back hundreds, Shoaib Akhtar, with the strongest middle-order pair of Inzamam-ul-Haq and Ijaz Ahmed, and the trio of all-rounders: Azhar Mahmood, Abdul Razzaq, and Shahid Afridi. And of course, Saleem Malik and Saqlain Mushtaq, making a solid balance to the batting and bowling departments. Alas, we couldn't grasp the trophy, as Team Pakistan crumbled against the Australian bowling attack and were all out for 132. What? 132 all out! The grief still haunts me, and the agony is beyond words. I couldn't watch the remaining game. I went to sleep and only woke up to the news while preparing my school bag next day: the Aussies had won. Twenty-six years ago, that crushing defeat left an indelible mark on my heart, and the pain still lingers. And now, again, Pakistan has made an early exit from the Champions Trophy, a tournament the nation has had to wait 29 years to host. It's beyond words to explain the feelings of Pakistani cricket enthusiasts, who have been left reeling from the team's dismal performance. A cricket passionate nation with illussions & paranoia Our generation has suffered many setbacks at the hands of the national team, and now we don't have the courage to endure more. It's time for the cricket board to prepare for surgery on the Green Shirts. We don't need these Kings - Babar, Speed Guns Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah, and Haris Rauf. Hot take: their central contracts should be terminated, and they should be sent back to domestic cricket. If they perform well there, we can consider their return to the team; otherwise, let them go. Pakistani cricket needs to transform itself according to the demands of modern cricket. We're still stuck in the 90s, while the world has moved far ahead. India is a clear example; their cricket and infrastructure are at least a decade ahead of us. Pakistani cricket has a long journey ahead, and it needs to start today. Otherwise, the decline of Pakistani cricket, which has begun with this Champions Trophy, will only worsen, and Pakistani cricket fans will never want that to happen. We have a rich cricket legacy, how can we watch it disappear before our eyes? For Pakistan... all is on the line! But we must not lose hope. Instead, it's time for us to come out in large numbers to fill the stadiums to capacity for each remaining game, regardless of the fact that home team has been knocked out of the tournament. If we fail to do so, which I doubt, it will be a setback not only for Pakistan cricket but also for future generations. Cricket is a shared passion, and we must live in the moment and graciously accept defeat with open hearts. Whether we win or lose, we shouldn't lose our spirit, because, as they say: 'all is on the line'.
