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PCB comes out in support of underfire Babar Azam & Co

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday came out in support of underfire captain Babar Azam and team management following three back-to-back losses at the World Cup.

While acknowledging the “emotions and sentiments” of fans, the board, in its statement, hoped that the cricketing fraternity and fans would continue to back the Babar Azam and the team in a “challenging environment”.

“The national team still has four crucial matches remaining in the round-robin stage, and the PCB is optimistic that the team will regroup, overcome the setbacks and perform positively and effectively in the upcoming fixtures,” said the sport’s governing body in Pakistan.

On the media scrutiny, the PCB stated that “successes and defeats are part of the game”.

“Captain Babar Azam and Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023,” said the PCB.

The board also stated that in the future it would “make decisions in the best interest of Pakistan cricket based on the team’s performances in the World Cup”.

“At present, the PCB encourages fans, former players and stakeholders to rally behind the team as they strive to make a triumphant comeback in the mega-event,” said the PCB. 

The Green Shirts stand in fifth position on the points table after having suffered defeat at the hands of Afghanistan, Australia, and India, with them needing to win all remaining matches for a chance to qualify for the semi-finals of ICC’s marquee event.

Pakistan now face South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 27, Friday. The Proteas have been a formidable side in the mega tournament, winning four out of the five matches they’ve played.

After suffering three consecutive defeats, the morale within the Pakistan camp was a point of concern.

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Derailment in Adelaide caused by Rauf and Shaheen

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Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and chose to field first in the pivotal second ODI against Australia at Adelaide Oval. The visitors confront a critical must-win scenario after being behind 0-1 in the three-match series.

Pakistan: (2 overs, 50 balls, Target: 164) 10 divided by 0

Australia: (35 overs, 50 overs) 163 runs

Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Adam Zampa, culminating in a significant triumph for Pakistan by reducing Australia to their lowest-ever ODI total against them. Afridi’s last delivery dismissed Zampa for 18 runs, concluding Australia’s innings at 161 in 34.6 overs.
Pakistan’s fast bowlers excelled, with Haris Rauf taking four wickets, while Naseem Shah and Afridi each secured two. Zampa, after exhibiting resilience with two boundaries and a six, succumbed to Afridi’s precise bowling. Naseem’s intense bowling performance featured a series of near misses, including a missed catch by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, which almost established a world record for the most dismissals by a keeper in an ODI.

Pakistan’s unyielding pace attack constrained Australia, resulting in a record low score and a momentous victory for Pakistan in Adelaide.

The pace attack of Pakistan, spearheaded by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, disassembled Australia’s batting order in a commanding performance at Adelaide. Rauf excelled, taking four wickets for only 27 runs in six overs, while Naseem offered vital assistance by removing Mitchell Starc for his inaugural wicket of the match.

By the 29th over, Australia had deteriorated to 131/8, as Pakistani bowlers adeptly capitalized on the conditions with precision and energy. As wickets fell consistently, highlighted by five catches from Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s bowlers maintained intense pressure, causing Australia to struggle to endure till the conclusion of the innings.

The Pakistan squad retains their prior lineup, demonstrating faith in the team after their initial defeat. Australia enhances their bowling lineup by substituting seasoned bowler Josh Hazlewood for Sean Abbott.

The Australian batting lineup will depend on the powerful opening duo of Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, succeeded by the robust middle order including Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell. Pat Cummins directs the home team’s bowling contingent, aided by Mitchell Starc and spin expert Adam Zampa.

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A significant boost is given to Pakistan before their second ODI match against Australia.

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The speed bowler Naseem Shah’s injury recovery gave Pakistan a big boost ahead of the second ODI against Australia, which is set to take place here on November 8.

In Melbourne during the first ODI against Australia, Naseem had to leave the field after cramping two balls into his eighth over.

Although his health for the second ODI was questioned, the right-arm bowler and the rest of the team nonetheless showed up for the training session at the Adelaide Oval.

He is in good physical shape and has fully healed, according to the reports, thus he is prepared and qualified to be selected for the second ODI.

At the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Pakistan had a strong showing with the ball but lost the opening ODI by two wickets.

On the other hand, Naseem Shah received recognition for his performance throughout the game, as he took out Australian opening batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk and played a vital innings of 40 runs.

On November 10, after the second ODI, Perth will host the third ODI. A three-match T20I series will follow the ODI series, with play starting on November 14.

The inaugural T20I will be held in Brisbane, and the subsequent games are set for November 16 and 18 in Sydney and Hobart, respectively.

Josh Inglis, the wicketkeeper, will captain Australia for the first time. He will lead the team in the upcoming T20I series and the third ODI match against Pakistan.

Australia vs. Pakistan ODI Series squad
Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Mohammad Hasnain, and Shaheen Shah Afridi were among the people that worked.

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The PCB chief discusses Pakistan’s performance in the opening ODI against Australia.

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Pakistan’s batting lineup was dismissed for a pitiful 203 runs at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) after being asked to bat first. But as they struggled to defend the low mark, the bowlers kept Pakistan in the game.

Because of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s outstanding speed bowling, the hosts fell from 113-2 to 155-7.

Nevertheless, Australian captain Pat Cummins remained composed and led his team to an exciting two-wicket triumph with an undefeated 32-run innings.

The Pakistani players’ courageous performance in spite of the loss was commended by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

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He praised the performance on his official X (formerly Twitter) account and expressed his desire that the team will win the series outright.

“Good job, Pakistani team! You put up a great fight against Australia! You guys did everything you could to fight as best you could. Even in this first game, we know you will make us proud. Never give up,” Naqvi wrote.

Notably, the third ODI of the series will be held in Perth on November 10th, while the second match will take place in Adelaide on November 8th.

A three-match T20I series will follow the ODI series, with play starting on November 14.

The inaugural T20I will be held in Brisbane, and the subsequent games are set for November 16 and 18 in Sydney and Hobart, respectively.

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