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All-rounder Shadab Khan has been named Pakistan captain for the Twenty20 series against Afghanistan in the absence of regular skipper Babar Azam who has been rested along with several other senior players, the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Monday.
Senior Pakistan cricketers, including captain Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, have been rested for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, beginning in Sharjah on March 24. The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) national selection committee has also not included opener Muhammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf and veteran batter Fakhar Zaman in the squad to be led by all-rounder Shadab Khan. Four new faces -- fast bowlers Ihsanullah, Zaman Khan and batters Tayyab Tahir and Saim Ayub -- have been included along with sidelined players Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim.
Quetta Gladiators chased down a target of 241 runs against Peshawar Zalmi in a run-fest in the Pakistan Super League on Wednesday. It was Babar Azam's 115 off 65 that helped Zalmi post a daunting total of 240 for 2 in 20 overs. In the first half, it seemed that the game was all but over for Gladiators, but then Jason Roy happened. The right-handed England batter tore apart the opponent's bowling attack with his masterclass 145 not out off only 63 balls. His innings was laced with 20 fours and 5 sixes as Gladiators successfully completed the third-highest chase ever in T20 cricket history with 10 balls to spare.
It isn't often that you see players scoring hundreds being talked about in negative light. But, when Babar Azam scored a century for Peshawar Zalmi, it was former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull who launched a scathing attack at the superstar batter for putting his 'personal ambitions' ahead of the team's. During live commentary, Doull took a sharp swipe at Babar, and the video of the incident went viral on social media in little time.
Quetta Gladiators chased down a target of 241 runs against Peshawar Zalmi in a run-fest in the Pakistan Super League on Wednesday. It was Babar Azam's 115 off 65 that helped Zalmi post a daunting total of 240 for 2 in 20 overs. In the first half, it seemed that the game was all but over for Gladiators, but then Jason Roy happened. The right-handed England batter tore apart the opponent's bowling attack with his masterclass 145 not out off only 63 balls. His innings was laced with 20 fours and 5 sixes as Gladiators successfully completed the third-highest chase ever in T20 cricket history with 10 balls to spare.
Franchise leagues give players a unique opportunity to play against opponents they otherwise would not be able to. In the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Haris Rauf got such an opportunity to play against the national team skipper Babar Azam. The match between Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars saw the two stalwarts come up against each other, and Haris finally was able to get the better of Babar, a batter whose wicket he was desperate to get for a long time.
Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar hasn't been mincing his words while criticising Pakistan skipper Babar Azam over his poor communication skills. He has been hitting out at the young batter, stressing that he can never become a "brand" in the country, as he doesn't know how to express himself in front of the media. However, on a lighter note, Akhtar recently shared an old incident about him bowling to a young Babar in the nets during his coaching days. He revealed how the Pakistan skipper had hit him for a straight drive, which had left him fuming in anger.
Pakistan cricket team batsman Shan Masood said that the entire team is completely behind skipper Babar Azam and even claimed that the players are “ready to give their lives” for him. In the recent past, a number of ex-cricketers have criticised Babar and even hinted towards a possible rift in the Pakistan team. However, in a recent interaction, Masood completely denied any such reports and said that the team is more united than ever and are ready to perform under Babar's leadership.