Kent skipper Sam Billings learnt a lot from experience of helping Lahore Qalandars retain their Pakistan Super League title
Kent captain Sam Billings learnt a lot amid a successful first experience in Pakistan.
Shaheen Shah Afridi Sport News
Shadab leads Pakistan's consolation T20I win, Afghanistan take series
Stand-in skipper Shadab Khan gave an all-round performance to guide Pakistan to a consolation 66-run win in the third and final Twenty20 international in Sharjah on Monday, but Afghanistan took the series 2-1.
"You Have No Clue": Ex-Pakistan Captain Slams Shadab Khan After Afghanistan Loss
Following Pakistan's defeat to Afghanistan in the first T20I on Friday, Shadab Khan, who is leading the team in the absence of Babar Azam, has come under scathing criticism from former players. With five key players -- skipper Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf rested for the series -- Pakistan handed T20I debuts to batters Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir and fast bowlers Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan. However, Pakistan were restricted to 92/9 in 20 overs after electing to bat.
Watch: Haris Rauf Takes Pakistan Super League Trophy To Wagah Border. Indian Flag Can't Be Missed
The Shaheen Afridi-led Lahore Qalandars were recently crowned the Pakistan Super League. Lahore Qalandars became the first team to win back-to-back Pakistan Super League titles on Saturday, beating Multan Sultans by one run in a thrilling final. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi took 4-51 after smashing a rapid 44 not out but had to effect a run out at the bowler's end as Multan's Khushdil Shah tried to make a third run to force a super over. Qalandars had scored 200-6 in their 20 overs before a packed 25,000 Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Sultans finished on 199-8.
Post Suryakumar Yadav's Twin Ducks, Dinesh Karthik Makes Huge Mitchell Starc Statement
Hailed as the finest T20 batter in the world by many, Suryakumar Yadav finds himself in the line of fire after being dismissed for first-ball ducks in the first and the second ODIs against Australia. It was pacer Mitchell Starc who got the better of him on both occasions. While Surya's form in ODIs is up for debate among fans and experts, veteran wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik doesn't feel Surya's place needs to be scrutinised. In fact, it is Mitchell Starc who earned the ultimate praise from the Indian cricketer, suggesting he is the 'best white-ball pacer in the world'.
Watch: Shadab Khan's Firm Response To Reporter On Calling Babar Azam 'Former' Captain
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) brought about a change in the squad for the Afghanistan T20I series, with skipper Babar Azam being rested. The decision prompted the board to assign the captaincy to Shadab Khan for the series. Though it's a change made only for the Afghanistan series, the chatter around Babar being permanently replaced as T20I captain has gained momentum. Shadab Khan, attending a Pakistan Super League (PSL) press conference, even had to remind a journalist that Babar isn't a 'former captain' but has only been rested from the Afghanistan series.
"Rest In Peace Pakistan Cricket": Rashid Latif Launches Scathing Attack At Board
No matter what goes around, Pakistan cricket often manages to make headlines for the wrong reasons. The change in management at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was supposed to take cricket in the country to new heights but under the leadership of Najam Sethi, many former cricketers of the nation have raised questions on the way the governing body is being run. Pakistan legend Rashid Latif, on Tuesday, launched a scathing attack at the PCB, even suggesting that the Pakistan team can now 'rest in peace'.
No Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi As Pakistan Pick Shadab Khan As Captain For Afghanistan T20Is
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.