Fakhar Zaman drew criticism on social media after suggesting that Babar Azam should not be dropped from the Pakistan squad for the remaining Tests against England, despite his poor performance. The opener compared Babar's lean patch with Virat Kohli's tough period between 2020-2023, when he averaged only 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50. The post received negative responses from netizens and Babar was eventually dropped from the squad.
Fakhar Zaman, the Pakistani opener, has drawn criticism on social media after suggesting that Babar Azam, Pakistan's Test captain, should not be dropped from the squad for the remaining Tests against England, despite his poor performance.
The controversy arose when Zaman defended Azam's place in the team, comparing his lean patch with Virat Kohli's tough period between 2020-2023, when he averaged only 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50. Zaman argued that even great players go through such phases and that Azam should be backed.
However, Zaman's post received negative responses from netizens, who pointed out that Kohli's slump was not as prolonged as Azam's and that Kohli was still performing well in T20 cricket during that period. They also argued that Azam's poor form has negatively impacted the team's performance.
In the wake of the controversy, Babar Azam was eventually dropped from the Test squad for the remaining matches against England.
Background:
Babar Azam has been under scrutiny for his poor form in Test cricket, averaging only 19.50 in his last 10 innings. His struggles have coincided with Pakistan's poor run in the format, with the team losing 6 of their last 8 Tests.
Zaman's comments ignited a debate about the importance of patience and support for out-of-form players versus the need for accountability and performance.
Top 5 FAQs:
The second day of the first Test between South Africa and Bangladesh saw a dominant performance by the Proteas, led by Kyle Verreynne's century. Despite a few hiccups, South Africa ended the day with the first-innings advantage, thanks to Verreynne and Dane Piedt's strong stand. Bangladeshi batsmen struggled against the South African bowlers, but Mahmudul Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim's partnership brought stability to their team before the close of the day.
Mumbai's selection panel has dropped Prithvi Shaw from their team for the Ranji Trophy game against Tripura due to his lack of attendance at practice sessions and being overweight. The 24-year-old, who scored a hundred in his debut Test against West Indies, has faced off-field issues and injuries that have hindered his career progress. Former Australia player Ricky Ponting, who worked with Shaw at Delhi Capitals, also spoke about the batter's problems. Shaw's attitude and weight issues seem to have cost him potential spots in both domestic and national teams.
The eleventh season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL 11) is underway and the excitement is palpable. With all the teams playing their opening games and no draws yet, the competition is fiercer than ever. After securing a hard-fought win against Bengal Warriors, the Jaipur Pink Panthers will face off against Telugu Titans, who have a mixed record so far. The Pink Panthers will look to continue their momentum, while the Titans will aim for a comeback after a loss to Tamil Thalaivas. With a history of close matches between the two teams, this is definitely not one to miss.
The former Australian opener, who announced his retirement earlier this year, has expressed his willingness to return to the national team for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. With Australia needing a strong start in the series, Warner's availability could prove to be a game changer. The 37-year-old pointed out that he has had a similar preparation as the other players and will use his time in the Sheffield Shield to regain his form and fitness.
Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich is set to face his former coach, Hansi Flick, when his current team takes on FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. With his contract expiring soon, Kimmich has been linked to the Catalan giants for over a year. The player himself has admitted that this match will be special for him, not only because of his potential transfer, but also due to the reunion with Flick, who played a pivotal role in his growth as a versatile player. Kimmich also compared his former teammate, Robert Lewandowski, with his current teammate, Harry Kane, highlighting the different styles they bring to their respective teams.
After suffering their first defeat of the season to Bournemouth, Arsenal are gearing up to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the newly revamped Champions League League Phase. The Gunners may be without Bukayo Saka due to a hamstring injury, while captain Martin Ødegaard is also currently unfit. As both teams fight for a top spot in the league, fans can catch the match for free.
Bangladesh is fighting to save the first Test against South Africa as they reached 101-3 at stumps, still needing 101 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Mahmudul Hasan Joy (38) and Mushfiqur Rahim (31) showed resilience and remained unbeaten at the end of play, with their 42-run stand for the fourth wicket. Additionally, Mushfiqur became the first Bangladeshi to cross 6,000 career Test runs. South Africa's Kyle Verreynne's century helped the visitors secure a 202-run lead with a total of 308 in their first innings.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) in England has proposed a non-contact version of rugby to be introduced in schools as a way to tackle declining youth participation and concerns over head injuries. An independent review found that many schools with strong rugby traditions are no longer playing the sport due to safety concerns. This move aims to make the game more accessible and inclusive, while still retaining traditional elements such as line-outs and scrums. The RFU also plans to continue offering full-contact rugby for older players.
Glasgow, Scotland has been selected to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, bringing the multi-sport event back to their city after a successful 2014 run. With a focus on accessibility and showcasing top athletes, Glasgow 2026 will feature a compact programme of 10 sports across four venues. The event is expected to bring in over £100 million in investment and is set to have a unique branding that highlights the Commonwealth Games' role in the larger Commonwealth Sport Movement.
Central Coast Mariners are looking to turn around their underwhelming start in the AFC Champions League as they face off against Shanghai Port, managed by former A-League title winner, Kevin Muscat. With both teams desperate for a win, the stakes are high as Mariners coach, Mark Jackson, remains confident after their recent A-League draw against Melbourne Victory. However, Port will be looking to bounce back after a costly defeat in the Chinese Super League, slipping to second place in the standings.