Tag: Pakistan vs Pakistan

  • World Test Championship 2025: Check WTC Updated Points Table, Final Date, Venue, And More | cricket news

    WTC 2025: The race for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final is heating up, with teams jostling for a spot in the prestigious match set to take place at the iconic Lord’s Stadium in England. The latest developments in the WTC standings and the announcement of the final’s details have set the stage for an exciting conclusion to this global Test cricket event.

    Bangladesh Stuns Pakistan with Historic Series Sweep

    Bangladesh made headlines by achieving a historic 2-0 series sweep against Pakistan in their own backyard. In the second Test of the series, Bangladesh secured a convincing six-wicket victory, marking their first-ever clean sweep against an Asian side away from home. Pakistan, who had hoped to bounce back after a crushing 10-wicket defeat in the first Test, failed to deliver in the second match, further complicating their World Test Championship campaign.

    Impact on the World Test Championship Standings

    Pakistan’s disappointing performance has left them languishing in the eighth position on the WTC points table, with just 16 points from seven matches. This loss significantly hampers their chances of making it to the final, as they remain stuck in the second-to-last position. In contrast, Bangladesh’s impressive showing has propelled them to sixth place with 33 points from six matches.

    India continues to lead the WTC standings with 68.52 points from nine games, closely followed by Australia, who have amassed 62.5 points from 12 matches. These two cricketing powerhouses are currently the frontrunners for a spot in the 2025 WTC final.

    WTC Final Dates And Venue Announced

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the dates for the much-anticipated 2025 World Test Championship final. The match is scheduled to take place at Lord’s Stadium in London from June 11 to June 15, 2025, with June 16 reserved as a backup day in case of any disruptions.

    Past Champions Set the Bar High

    The WTC final has already produced memorable moments in its brief history. New Zealand emerged as the inaugural champions in 2021, defeating India by eight wickets. In the second edition, Australia claimed the title by beating India by 209 runs at The Oval in London. These thrilling finals have set high expectations for the 2025 edition, promising another exciting chapter in the championship’s history.

    India And Australia Lead The Charge

    India and Australia are currently the top contenders for reaching the WTC final once again. India’s consistent performance has placed them at the top of the table, while Australia is not far behind, making both teams the favorites for a rematch at Lord’s. With both teams showcasing exceptional form, the anticipation for the final is already building.

    Lord’s To Host Another Historic Final

    The decision to host the 2025 WTC final at Lord’s underscores the ICC’s commitment to celebrating Test cricket at historic venues. Known as the “Home of Cricket,” Lord’s has a rich history of hosting iconic matches, and the upcoming WTC final promises to be another landmark event. Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting what could be an unforgettable showdown between the sport’s giants.

    As teams continue to battle it out in the ongoing WTC cycle, all eyes will be on Lord’s in June 2025, where the world’s best Test teams will compete for the ultimate prize in the longest format of the game.

  • Shaheen Afridi Should Go And Play First-Class Cricket: Former Pakistan Cricketer Basit Ali Blasts After Big Loss To Bangladesh | cricket news

    Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali feels Shaheen Afridi should be rested after he delivered yet another underwhelming performance in the 10-wicket loss against Bangladesh in the opening Test. In the opening Test against Bangladesh, Shaheen picked up two wickets in the first innings while giving away 88 runs.

    After failing to make an impact with the new ball, Shaheen’s two scalps came towards the tail end. He opened his account by removing Mehidy Hasan Miraz and sent Hasan Mahmud back for an 18-ball duck.

    His dwindling form stretches back to the T20 World Cup earlier this year. The 24-year-old failed to deliver the goods and ended the campaign with five wickets in four matches, averaging 21.00.

    “Shaheen Afridi should be rested 100 per cent. He should go and play first-class cricket. He should be rested. Ali S put in a lot of effort. Pakistan failed in bowling, fielding and batting. They beat us in all departments. It is wrong to say that the team had a bad day,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.

    While Pakistan tried to figure out the various aspects that went wrong for them, Bangladesh celebrated a landmark moment in their history. Bangladesh’s win came after 14 encounters with Pakistan, where the Tigers had suffered 12 defeats and managed just one draw.

    India and South Africa are now the only teams that Bangladesh has yet to defeat in Test cricket.

    The match had a delayed beginning caused by a wet outfield, but by the fifth day, the entire affair had transformed into an enticing action-packed thriller.

    The emphatic 10-wicket triumph provided Bangladesh with a significant boost in the ICC World Test Championship standings. They leapfrogged Pakistan and South Africa to the sixth spot, tied on point percentage with Sri Lanka (40 per cent). As a result of the loss, Pakistan slipped down to eighth place with a 30.56 point percentage.

    After trailing 1-0, with an aim to go level in the series, Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on August 30.

  • Pakistan vs Bangladesh: Second Test In Karachi To Be Held Without Spectators- Here’s Why | cricket news

    The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to hold the second Test against Bangladesh at Karachi’s National Stadium behind closed doors due to ongoing construction work. Ticket sales are suspended, and refunds will be issued.

    |Last Updated: Aug 14, 2024, 05:44 PM IST|Source: PTI

  • Pakistan’s Test Captain Shan Masood’s Angry Response To Match-Fixing Allegations At Press Conference | cricket news

    Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has firmly denied any allegations of match-fixing within the team as they gear up for their two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Following Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, rumors of discord and internal conflicts in the dressing room have fueled speculation about possible misconduct. However, Masood was quick to address these rumors, emphasizing the team’s unity and their focus on the upcoming series.

    During a press conference ahead of the Test series, a journalist inquired about Masood’s message to the team in light of Arshad Nadeem’s historic gold medal at the Paris Olympics. The journalist compared Nadeem’s remarkable achievement to the rewards of bringing national pride, suggesting that such honors are far more significant than any illicit gains from match-fixing.

    In his response, Masood stressed the importance of integrity and pride in representing Pakistan. He encouraged his players to draw inspiration from Nadeem’s success and to maintain their focus on excelling on the field.

    “I would never question anyone’s intentions. The term ‘match-fixing’ is completely out of place in our current cricket setup. There is nothing to suggest that such activities are taking place here, and I firmly reject these claims,” ​​Masood stated.

    He also addressed the need to separate different formats of the game, pointing out that the T20 World Cup is now in the past. “You have to look ahead. This is a Test team. Although we played good cricket in the last series, we were unable to secure victories. Now, with the upcoming home series, we have an excellent opportunity to showcase our style of cricket and win matches for Pakistan,” he added.

    Masood also praised Arshad Nadeem, who won the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw at the Paris Olympics, setting a new record with a throw of 92.97 meters. Masood referred to Nadeem as a “national hero” and expressed pride in his achievement. “Nadeem’s success has elevated his status and brought immense pride to the nation. We will certainly draw inspiration from his remarkable accomplishment and aim to achieve similar glory for Pakistan,” Masood concluded.

  • Shaheen Afridi set to be dropped for Bangladesh tour after misconduct in training | Cricket News

    In an unexpected turn of events, Pakistan’s premier fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, is on the verge of being dropped from the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. This decision follows reports of his misconduct during training sessions, a development that has sent ripples through the cricketing community. Shaheen Afridi’s troubles began during Pakistan’s recent tour of England. While preparing for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afridi was found consistently overstepping the crease, bowling no-balls in the nets at Headingley. Mohammad Yousuf, the team’s batting coach, pointed out the issue, hoping to correct the pacer’s technique. However, Afridi’s response was anything but professional. He bluntly told Yousuf, “Let me practice for now and don’t talk in the middle.”

    Also Read: Shaheen Afridi’s Love Story With Wife Ansha Afridi: How Pakistan’s Star Pacer Fell In Love With Shahid Afridi’s Daughter – In Pics

    This dismissive attitude sparked a heated exchange between Afridi and Yousuf, leading to a reprimand from the team’s management. Afridi was eventually made to apologize in front of the entire squad, an action that seemed to close the matter, albeit temporarily.

    A Troubled Year for Shaheen Afridi

    Afridi’s recent conduct appears to be part of a larger pattern of discord. The 2024 cricket season has been particularly tumultuous for him, starting with the loss of his T20I captaincy after just one series. This demotion came amidst allegations from Afridi that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had forged quotes in his name on their official website, adding to the growing tensions within the team. Rumours of a rift between Afridi and Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam have also been circulating, further fueled by the team’s poor performance at the T20 World Cup. Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament, failing to make it past the group stage, has only intensified scrutiny on the team’s dynamics and leadership.

    PCB’s Response and Future Plans

    In light of these incidents, the PCB is reportedly considering excluding Afridi from the squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. This series, which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, is seen as a crucial opportunity for the team to rebuild and integrate new talent.

    With several senior players, including Afridi, potentially sidelined, the PCB plans to focus on emerging talent from the domestic circuit. A training camp in Rawalpindi is scheduled to identify and prepare these players for the two-match series. This strategic shift is also set to mark the first overseas assignment for Pakistan’s new head coach, Jason Gillespie, and the first Test series under the captaincy of Shan Masood.

    Implications for Pakistani Cricket

    Shaheen Afridi’s potential exclusion represents a significant shift in Pakistan’s cricket strategy. Afridi, who has been a mainstay in Pakistan’s bowling attack, is known for his ability to deliver breakthroughs and maintain pressure on opposing batsmen. His absence will undoubtedly be felt, but it also opens the door for young talent to step up.

    This move could signal a broader attempt by the PCB to instill discipline and professionalism within the squad. By taking a firm stance against misconduct, the board is sending a clear message that no player, regardless of their stature, is above the team’s code of conduct.