After being dropped for the England Tests, former captain Babar Azam and pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah return to the Pakistan team for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia. The selectors have also announced many new faces in the squads, while senior players like Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan have been left out. The PCB is also set to announce new captains for the limited-overs formats, with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha expected to lead the team. Additionally, bold steps have been taken as the selectors plan to use the ODIs and T20s in Zimbabwe to test new players.
Pakistan's New-Look Squad Returns for Australia Series
Pakistan's cricket team has undergone a significant shake-up, with the return of former captain Babar Azam and two star pacers, alongside the introduction of several new faces, for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia.
Squad Changes
Captaincy Updates
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce new captains for the limited-overs formats, with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha considered as frontrunners.
Testing New Players
The selectors aim to use the ODI and T20I matches in Zimbabwe to evaluate potential players for future assignments. This bold move demonstrates the PCB's commitment to developing a deep talent pool.
Background
Pakistan finished second in the recent T20 World Cup in Australia. However, the team's Test performances against England have raised concerns, leading to the changes in the squad.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why were Babar Azam and Afridi rested for the England Tests?
PCB rested the key players to manage their workload and avoid burnout.
2. Who are the new players in the squad?
Spinner Abrar Ahmed and fast bowler Haris Rauf are among the uncapped players included in the squad.
3. Who will captain Pakistan in the white-ball series?
The PCB is expected to announce new captains, with Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha as potential candidates.
4. What is the significance of the Zimbabwe series?
The selectors intend to use the matches to test new players and assess their potential for future assignments.
5. What is the current status of Pakistan's cricket team?
Pakistan are ranked 5th in the ICC Test rankings and 3rd in the T20I rankings. The team has shown signs of improvement but still faces challenges in consistency.
New Zealand's cricket captain Tom Latham credits team's aggressive approach and luck in crucial tosses for their impressive 2-0 series win over India. With a 113-run victory in the second Test, New Zealand put an end to India's remarkable 18-series unbeaten streak at home. Latham highlights the importance of making the first move during the series, while reflecting on their memorable win over the Indian team.
Radha Yadav's exceptional fielding skills were on full display as she took two breathtaking catches and also dismissed Suzie Bates with a sharp catch off her own bowling. Her spectacular efforts contributed to India's victory over New Zealand in the 2nd ODI. Radha's incredible catches left fans in awe and propelled India one step closer to clinching the series against the T20 World Champions.
The highly anticipated 3rd match of the Women’s Big Bash League 2024/25 will see Perth Scorchers Women taking on Melbourne Stars Women on Sunday. With Perth Scorchers missing their captain Sophie Devine who is on National duty, Beth Mooney will lead the team while Melbourne Stars Women will be captained by Annabel Sutherland. The match will be played at the pace and bounce-friendly Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, making chasing a favorable option. Perth Scorchers Women are expected to have an upper hand in this match based on their recent form.
In a must-win match for New Zealand, skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and chose to bat first against India in the 2nd Women's ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In the previous match, India won by 59 runs thanks to strong performances by debutant Tejal Hasabnis and all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who scored 42 and 41 runs, respectively. The Indian team will look for a repeat performance to secure the series win.
The Catalan giants, led by coach Hansi Flick, showcased an impressive performance as they defeated Real Madrid with an astonishing score of 4-0. This win solidifies Barcelona's position at the top of La Liga, six points clear from their rival. Flick praised his team's flow and mentality, but reminded them to stay focused for the upcoming matches. The team is on a roll, winning 10 out of 11 league matches despite missing key injured players.
In Saturday's El Clasico, Barcelona dominated Real Madrid with a stunning 4-0 victory. The highlight of the match was 17-year-old Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest player to ever score in El Clasico history. Barcelona's win put them at the top of La Liga with 30 points, while Madrid fell behind with six points gap due to injury struggles. The Brazilian winger Raphinha also had a stellar performance, scoring a hat-trick midweek in the Champions League and sealing the deal with the fourth goal against Real Madrid.
In a highly anticipated match between Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, it was the former who came out on top with a convincing 4-0 win. Two goals from star striker Robert Lewandowski and additional strikes from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha sealed the deal for Barcelona, who ended Madrid's 42-match unbeaten streak in La Liga. The win also solidified Barcelona's lead at the top of the league standings, showcasing their dominance under coach Hansi Flick. Meanwhile, Los Blancos' star player Kylian Mbappe had a frustrating Clasico debut, with two of his goals disallowed for offside.
Real Madrid faced a crushing defeat against their bitter rivals Barcelona in a LaLiga Clasico match yesterday. Despite playing with intensity in the first half, missed opportunities and two quick goals from Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski in the second half sapped the energy from the Madrid side. Ancelotti expressed his disappointment at the result but added that there is still room for improvement and the season is yet long.
Real Madrid's Brazilian player Vinícius Júnior has been garnering attention for his impressive performances on the field, leading many to believe he will take home the Ballon d'Or award next week. After scoring a hat-trick in a recent Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, Vini Jr. has solidified his position as a rising star in the world of football. His skills and abilities are setting the bar high for other young players, such as Kylian Mbappé, proving that the Messi-Ronaldo era may finally be coming to an end.