"It's Not Like We Have Lionel Messi On Bench": Ramiz Raja On Criticism Of Pakistan's Batting Unit

10.10.2022 - 04:51 sports.ndtv.com

Pakistan cricket team has been subjected to plenty of criticism of late, especially after the manner in which they lost the Asia Cup 2022 final to Sri Lanka.

While the openers -- Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan -- have been delivering on a consistent basis, the middle order looks far from settled.

Talks of bringing a veteran player like Shoaib Malik back into the team, just like last T20 World Cup, have also surfaced. When Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja was asked about the same, he had quite a unique take on the matter.

Heading into the T20 World Cup 2022, Pakistan haven't been at their best. After failing to win the Asia Cup, Pakistan were also beaten at home by England in a 7-match T20I series, 3-4.

cricket Pakistan Cricket Team on Lionel Messi Ramiz Raja Babar Azam Asia Cup Shoaib Malik New Zealand Sri Lanka Bangladesh Pakistan

An unbeaten 82 from Virat Kohli led India to a stunning last-ball win over Pakistan to supercharge their bid for a first Twenty20 World Cup crown since 2007 in front of 90,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Pakistan likely to pull out of ODI World Cup if India do not travel for Asia Cup

Pakistan, on Tuesday, threatened to pull out of next year's World Cup in India, reacting strongly to BCCI secretary Jay Shah's statement that they would prefer to play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue. Pakistan is scheduled to host the next edition of Asia Cup next year as per Asian Cricket Council's executive board's decision. Incidentally Shah is the president of Asian Cricket Council. After the BCCI AGM in Mumbai on Tuesday, Shah in an informal gathering of reporters stated that "India will play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue."

India Won't Travel To Pakistan For Asia Cup 2023, Says Jay Shah

The Indian cricket team won't be travelling to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup, Asian Cricket Council chief Jay Shah said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 91st BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on Tuesday. The 2023 Asia Cup is slated to be hosted by Pakistan and sources had earlier said that the BCCI was open to sending Team India to participate in the tournament. Shah, who is also the BCCI secretary, said that the 2023 Asia Cup may be played in a neutral venue and not Pakistan.

World Cup Win Is Also Not Very Far Now: Deepti Sharma After Asia Cup Triumph

A World Cup win is not very far now, India's star all-rounder Deepti Sharma declared after the team's record-extending seventh Women's Asia Cup title triumph on Saturday. Barring an aberration against Pakistan that came courtesy some bizarre planning and experiments, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side ruled the roost in the continental T20 tournament. The final against Sri Lanka turned out to be a one-sided affair as they restricted the islanders to a below-par 65/9 en route to an eight-wicket victory.

"I'm Not Against Anyone": Pakistan Star Opens Up After T20 World Cup Snub

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said that he has no problem with anyone, despite being overlooked for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. Malik played an integral part in Pakistan's excellent run in the T20 World Cup last year, which ended with a defeat in the semi-final to eventual champions Australia. His exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad has been one of the talking points, especially with Pakistan's current middle-order under the scanner. However, Malik said he has no problem with anyone while backing the current squad.

India Have Bench Strength To Cover Injuries: Rohit Sharma Ahead Of T20 World Cup

India has the bench strength to make up for the absence of its injured stars when its T20 World Cup campaign gets under way against archrivals Pakistan, skipper Rohit Sharma said Saturday. Mohammed Shami has been added to India's 15-man squad to replace pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who is out with back issues, for the marquee tournament in Australia starting Sunday. Key all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is also missing the tournament due to injury, but Rohit insisted the team was ready for the challenge with the players at hand.