New Zealand completely dominated Pakistan in the first T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. The Kiwi bowlers dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup, restricting them to just 91 runs. Pakistan couldn’t even complete their 20 overs, getting bowled out in 18.4 overs.
Pakistan’s Embarrassing Performance
Khushdil Shah was the highest scorer for Pakistan with 32 runs. For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy took four wickets, Kyle Jamieson claimed three, Ish Sodhi picked up two, and Zachary Foulkes took one. Pakistan handed debuts to Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, and Mohammad Ali, but none of them could make a significant impact.
Lowest T20I Score Against New Zealand
This was Pakistan’s lowest-ever T20I total against New Zealand. For the first time, all 11 Pakistani batters combined failed to score even 100 runs. Their previous lowest total against New Zealand in T20Is was 101 runs, recorded in 2016.
Horrible Start for Pakistan
Pakistan got off to a disastrous start at Hagley Oval. New Zealand bowlers applied pressure right from the beginning. Kyle Jamieson struck early, taking three wickets and breaking Pakistan’s batting backbone. Mohammad Haris got out for a duck, while Irfan Khan managed only one run.
Debutant Hasan Nawaz was dismissed on his second ball by Jacob Duffy. Shadab Khan also failed to make an impact, scoring just three runs before getting out to Jamieson. Pakistan was reeling at 11/4 in 4.4 overs. Captain Agha Salman and Khushdil Shah tried to stabilize the innings with a 46-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, Ish Sodhi dismissed Agha Salman for 18, breaking the stand. Pakistan was at 57/5 in 11.1 overs.
Khushdil Shah played aggressively, scoring 32 runs, including three sixes. By 15.3 overs, Pakistan was at 80/7. Jahandad Khan scored 17 but was dismissed by Zachary Foulkes. Shaheen Afridi managed just one run, while Abrar Ahmed was out for a duck. Eventually, Pakistan was bowled out for 91 runs in 18.4 overs.
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag recently took a jab at Pakistan batter Babar Azam’s performance in international cricket, suggesting he should focus on improving his fitness. Ahead of the second Test match against England in Multan, Pakistan’s selection committee made a bold decision by dropping former captain Babar Azam from the final two matches of the series. Kamran Ghulam was handed his debut Test cap, stepping in for Babar as Pakistan aimed to level the series. Babar had been under scrutiny from some fans even before the Test began.
Despite the pressure, the 29-year-old displayed determination and resilience against England’s strong bowling attack, keeping Pakistan in contention with a brilliant knock. He smashed 118 off 124 deliveries, showcasing his class and an array of strokes that kept England on their toes.
Speaking on Shoaib Akhtar’s YouTube channel, Sehwag advised that Babar should take some time off from international cricket, participate in domestic matches, and return stronger, both mentally and physically.
“Babar Azam should play domestic cricket now. He should focus on his fitness, spend time with his family, and then come back to international cricket as a fitter and mentally stronger player,” Sehwag remarked.
Sehwag further emphasized that Babar’s challenges seem to be more mental than technical, especially after stepping down from captaincy. He encouraged Babar to stay mentally tough.
“With the reduced expectations and stepping down from captaincy, it seems Babar is more affected mentally than technically. He needs to be mentally strong. He’s a gifted player, and such players often make quick comebacks,” Sehwag added.
In the second Test, while Kamran Ghulam’s debut innings laid a solid foundation, it was the spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan that turned the game in Pakistan’s favor. Their combined efforts took all 20 England wickets, leaving the visitors in disarray. Sajid’s impressive 7/111 in the first innings and Noman’s outstanding 8/46 in the second helped Pakistan secure a commanding 125-run victory, leveling the series at 1-1.
Babar Azam’s exclusion from Pakistan’s Test squad for the second match against England shocked the cricketing world. The star batter was dropped due to inconsistent performances as the newly appointed national selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board took swift action. However, Pakistan cricket legend Ramiz Raja criticized the selectors, calling it a ‘knee-jerk reaction.’ According to Ramiz, Babar’s absence is illogical, as he is not only a key player but also a major draw for Pakistan cricket, helping generate revenue.
“I think it was a knee-jerk reaction by the new selectors. The general opinion was that he needed rest, and he was removed from the squad entirely,” Ramiz commented on Sky Cricket. “We must remember that he sells cricket for Pakistan. There’s always this ongoing debate in Pakistan—whether Babar Azam will fail again or make a comeback—and that keeps things exciting,” he added.
Babar wasn’t the only star to be dropped; Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah were also left out. Ramiz expressed concern over Pakistan’s squad for the second Test, suggesting that without these three players, the team lacks marketable talent, which could impact sponsorship.
“At the moment, I don’t see any sellable commodity in this Pakistan team. Sponsors are wary because, firstly, Pakistan has been on a losing streak, and secondly, there are no real superstars playing in this Test match.”
At the toss for the second Test, Pakistan captain Shan Masood acknowledged the absence of the three stars, noting that some things are beyond his control.
“Playing a Test match for Pakistan is a huge opportunity for any aspiring cricketer, so we’re excited, and there’s renewed energy in the camp,” said Shan Masood. “Certain matters are out of our hands, but we can control how we perform on the field. We’re very positive and glad the conditions suit our spinners, as we have some good ones to showcase,” he concluded.
Pakistan has decided to exclude Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah from their squad for the remainder of the Test series against England following a humiliating innings defeat in the first Test. This marks the first significant decision made by the team’s management since the selection team was overhauled shortly after their loss in Multan.
Both England and Pakistan have announced their playing elevens for the second Test, with England captain Ben Stokes returning to the side after missing the first match due to injury. During a media interaction, Stokes was asked about the absence of Pakistan’s three key players for the remainder of the series. He responded, “That’s Pakistan cricket’s issue, nothing to do with me.”
‘Rested’ Not ‘Dropped’
Pakistan’s assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood, clarified that the trio has only been “rested” and not “dropped.” He stated that the management aims to keep these players fit for the upcoming white-ball matches. “Babar is our No. 1 player in terms of technique and ability,” Mahmood said. “With so much cricket coming up, the selection committee decided to give Babar a rest because we need to prepare for tours to Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.”
He further explained that they announced the team for just one Test because they anticipated changes. “We knew we’d have to rest Shaheen and other important players due to the continuous cricket over the next six months.”
However, there is skepticism surrounding Mahmood’s justification. Critics argue that none of the upcoming white-ball tours are as critical as securing a Test series victory against England at home, especially considering Pakistan hasn’t won a Test series at home since early 2021. The team has faced a series of setbacks, including a loss to Bangladesh and their historic defeat prior to this match. They also became the first team to suffer an innings defeat after scoring over 500 runs in their first innings against England in the first Test. A defeat in the second Test would mean losing their second consecutive Test series at home against England.
Pakistan’s limited-overs cricket team was left without a captain on Wednesday after Babar Azam stepped down, deepening the ongoing management crisis that experts say has severely impacted the team’s international performance. The team has struggled across formats after several disappointing losses, with constant leadership changes and accusations of nepotism harming the sport. Azam announced his resignation via social media late on Tuesday night, with an official statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following more than 12 hours later.
Over the past two years, Pakistan cricket has gone through four coaches, three board heads, and four captains, all while falling down the international rankings. Former captain Rashid Latif described the situation as a “leadership crisis,” saying, “Pakistan cricket is in the ICU with no specialist for treatment.”
Azam’s resignation came just before England arrived on Wednesday for a three-match Test series, following Pakistan’s 2-0 home series defeat to the lower-ranked Bangladesh. This was Azam’s second stint as captain after previously resigning in all formats following Pakistan’s early exit from the ODI World Cup in November.
Although he returned in March to lead the white-ball teams, Azam’s second term lasted only six months, leaving Pakistan without a leader just ahead of four major series and the upcoming Champions Trophy. He was also captain when Pakistan was eliminated from the T20 World Cup after a heavy defeat to the United States.
Azam said he resigned to focus on his role as a batsman, with the PCB stating that dedicating himself to his batting could help him contribute more decisively in shorter formats. However, Latif argued that Azam should not have accepted the captaincy again, noting that both the team’s performance and Azam’s form had suffered. The PCB announced that the national selection committee would soon begin searching for a new captain.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is considered the leading candidate to replace Azam. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood, who has overseen five consecutive losses since taking the role last year, is also under pressure to step down.
Babar Azam announced late Tuesday night that he is resigning from his position as the white-ball captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Previously the all-format captain, Babar had stepped down after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Following that, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi briefly took over as the T20I captain, but Babar was reappointed in March 2024.
Unfortunately, Babar’s second tenure was also marked by setbacks, culminating in Pakistan’s early exit from the group stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team suffered losses to the USA, a much lower-ranked side, and was defeated by India despite being in a strong position during the match. The pressure on Pakistan cricket has intensified, particularly after their recent home Test series loss to Bangladesh.
In his retirement post on X, Babar Azam wrote:
Dear Fans,
“I have some news to share with you today. I have decided to step down as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, effective from my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month.
“It has been an honour to lead this team, but now is the time for me to focus on my playing role.
“Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it has also added significant pressure. I want to prioritize my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy.
“By stepping down, I hope to gain clarity for the future and devote more energy to my game and personal development. I am truly grateful for your unwavering support and belief in me. Your enthusiasm has meant the world to me.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to continuing to contribute to the team as a player.
Since the poor performance of T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan Cricket Board has been taking big decisions one after the other. Now PCB has given a big decision against Pakistan captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. These three players have not been given permission to play in a foreign cricket league. In such a situation, these players will have to face a loss of lakhs.
Pakistan Cricket Board has not given NOC to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi to participate in the Global T20 Canada League. The Global T20 Canada League is scheduled to be held from 25 July to 11 August. The schedule of the league is not clashing with any series or match of Pakistan. Despite this, the players will not get NOC. Earlier, Naseem Shah was also not given NOC to participate in The Hundred.
PCB issued a press release and announced its order
The Pakistan Cricket Board said in its statement, “The PCB had received NOC requests from Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi among other players for the global T20 event. Taking into account Pakistan’s busy schedule during August 2024 to March 2025, after consultation with the three players as well as the National Selection Committee, it has been decided to decline their requests.”
Pakistan will host nine ICC World Test Championship matches and next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The statement further said, “The three players play for Pakistan in all formats and will be needed during the next eight months. It is in the best interest of Pakistan cricket and the players that they skip the upcoming tournament in Canada, so that they are in their best mental and physical condition for the season, which begins with a two-Test series with Bangladesh.”
NOC given to these players
On the other hand, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Nawaz have been given NOC. PCB said that PCB has approved NOC for Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Nawaz. All four players are primarily white-ball cricketers, while Iftikhar and Nawaz are centrally contracted players.
The Global T20 Canada will run from July 25 to August 11. Pakistan’s next international tour is to Bangladesh, where they will play two Test matches from August 21 to September 3. England will tour Pakistan to play three Test matches in October, after which Pakistan will tour Australia to play three ODIs and as many T20Is from November 4 to 18.
Recently, there has been a stir in the Pakistan cricket world regarding the captaincy of Babar Azam. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) President Mohsin Raza Naqvi had recently called a meeting in Lahore in this regard. Let us tell you that at present Babar Azam is the captain of the Pak team in the limited overs format and Shan Masood is the captain of the Test team. Especially due to not reaching the Super-8 of T20 World Cup 2024, there are question marks on Babar’s captaincy. Mohsin Naqvi’s big statement has come out in this regard.
Consultation taken from 15 cricketers
According to media reports, Mohsin Naqvi called 15 international cricketers and consulted them in view of the preparations for the next T20 World Cup. These 15 cricketers included big names like Salman Butt, Ijaz Ahmed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Basit Ali, Intikhab Alam, Asim Kamal. In this meeting, the topic was discussed as to what should be the team combination and what should be the selection process. Apart from this, the issue of not having any reliable batsman in the opening combination and middle order was also raised.
Mohsin Naqvi’s statement
When a journalist asked the PCB chairman a question about Babar Azam’s captaincy, Mohsin Naqvi said – this topic has not been discussed clearly yet. Naqvi definitely told that in the meeting with the former cricketers, the emphasis was laid on the structure of the team and the strategies to improve it fundamentally. For the time being, the issue of Babar Azam’s captaincy has not been raised, which seems as if his captaincy is safe for the time being. Babar scored 122 runs in 4 matches of T20 World Cup at a strike rate of only 101.67.
15 former cricketers also raised questions on the selection committee and said that the current selectors are having a negative impact on the team. The constant changes in captaincy were also cited as the reason for the team’s poor performance. After the meeting, Mohsin Naqvi said that efforts will be made to improve the team fundamentally in the future.
June 9 was a proud day for every Indian cricket fan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, when Pakistan suffered a humiliating 6-run defeat against India on Sunday. Pakistan’s fast bowlers dominated the batting order of the Men in Blue, but the Indian bowlers destroyed it. After the match, captain Babar Azam mentioned the reasons for the defeat against India.
After scoring an impressive 81/3 in the first 10 overs, the Indians were bundled out for just 119 runs, this was the first time India was bowled out by Pakistan in a T20I. What looked like an easy win for Pakistan turned into a nightmare as pacer Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya also devastated Pakistan’s batting order, leading to a 6-run defeat in the end.
Babar said in a post-match interview, “We bowled well. In batting, we lost two wickets in a row and had too many dot balls. Our strategy was simple, play normally. Just maintain strike rotation and hit some boundaries. But at that crucial time, we played too many dot balls.”
Despite the fall of wickets, Pakistan were still on course to win the match, needing 37 runs from the final 5 overs. But, when Bumrah dismissed bowlers like Rizwan in the 14th over, the batting order faltered and they could not reach their target.
Babar said, ‘We cannot expect much from the tailenders. Our mind was on batting in the first overs. But after losing a wicket, we again could not perform well in the first six overs. The pitch was looking good, the ball was coming well. It was a bit slow, and some balls had extra bounce. But, now we have to win the last two matches. We will sit and discuss our mistakes.’
Naseem Shah was in a bad state after the defeat against India, the bowler cried bitterly in the middle of the field Babar Azam was seen avoiding giving a precise answer to the question asked in the post-match presentation and it seemed that he wanted to finish the interview in a hurry by giving a vague answer.
Babar Azam, born on October 15, 1994, is a Pakistani cricketer known for his prowess in batting. He has served as the captain of the Pakistan national cricket team across all formats. Azam is highly esteemed as one of the premier batters in contemporary cricket. Notably, he holds the unique distinction of being ranked in the top 10 across all formats, currently occupying the number one position in ODIs, fifth in T20Is, and eighth in Tests. Additionally, he leads the Peshawar Zalmi team in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Babar Azam PSL Career
Babar Azam began his Pakistan Super League (PSL) journey with Islamabad United in the inaugural season. Ahead of the 2017 PSL players’ draft, he transferred to Karachi Kings, where he showcased strong performances. In the 2017 season, he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer, behind his cousin Kamran Akmal, with 291 runs at an average of 32.33. Babar’s consistent form led to his retention by the Kings for the 2018 season, where he ranked as the third-highest run-scorer, tallying five half-centuries.
He continued with Karachi Kings for the 2019 PSL season and was subsequently appointed vice-captain before the 2020 season. Babar excelled in the 2020 PSL, topping the run charts with 473 runs at an impressive average of 59.12, guiding his team to victory in the final and earning accolades as the Player of the Tournament. His stellar performances continued in the 2021 season, where he set a new record for the most runs in a single PSL edition with 554 runs at an average of 69.25.
Despite his remarkable feats, his record was surpassed in the following season by Fakhar Zaman. In December 2021, Babar was appointed as the captain of Karachi Kings for the 2022 PSL season. However, prior to the 2023 PSL, he was traded to Peshawar Zalmi, where he not only joined the team but also assumed the role of captaincy, replacing Wahab Riaz.
Babar Azam PSL Records & Stats
In his Pakistan Super League (PSL) career, Babar Azam has played a total of 79 matches. He has scored a total of 2935 runs, with his highest score being 115 runs in a single innings. Babar has achieved one century (100 runs or more) and 28 half-centuries (50 runs or more) throughout his PSL career. His batting average stands at 43.80, indicating his consistency in scoring runs, and he has maintained a strike rate of 124.84, reflecting his ability to score runs at a brisk pace. Overall, Babar Azam’s record in PSL matches showcases his significant contributions and proficiency as a batsman in the tournament.
Babar Azam has etched his name in cricket history with a series of remarkable achievements:
He’s the third-fastest Pakistani batsman to reach 1000 runs in ODIs, achieving it in just 21 innings.
Azam shares the record for being the joint fastest Pakistani to reach 2000 runs in ODIs, accomplishing it in 45 innings alongside Zaheer Abbas.
He’s the second fastest Asian batsman to reach 3000 runs in ODIs, achieving this milestone in 68 innings.
Setting a new benchmark, Azam became the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in ODI cricket, achieving it in just 97 innings.
Azam holds the record for scoring the most runs (1306 runs) in the first 25 innings of his ODI career.
He’s the only cricketer to score five consecutive centuries in a single country (United Arab Emirates).
Babar holds several records for being the fastest batsman to score multiple ODI centuries.
With 19 ODI centuries, he has the second most centuries for a Pakistani batsman, trailing only Saeed Anwar.
Azam is the only player in history to score three consecutive centuries twice.
As a captain, he reached 1000 ODI runs in just 13 innings, making him the fastest captain to achieve this milestone.
In the 2021 T20 World Cup, he amassed 303 runs, the highest for Pakistan.
He holds various records in T20Is, including being the fastest batsman to reach 1000 runs.
Azam holds the record for the most runs by a Pakistani in a single World Cup (474 runs in 2019).
He’s been Pakistan’s top ODI scorer in multiple years and also the leading Test scorer for Pakistan.
Azam has achieved numerous milestones in captaincy, including leading Pakistan to victory against India in a World Cup match and winning the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award twice.
He has the highest individual score for a Pakistani captain in ODIs (158 against England in 2021).
Babar is the fastest batsman to reach 2000 and 2500 T20I runs.
He’s one of only three Pakistani batsmen to score a century in all formats and has the highest T20I score for Pakistan.
In the PSL, he’s the highest run-scorer in the 2020 and 2021 seasons and holds the record for the league’s all-time leading run-scorer.
Azam was the first Pakistani and fourth overall captain to score a century in every format.
He holds records for his performances in Test matches, including facing the fourth most balls in the fourth innings of a Test match.
Azam has the joint most international centuries by a Pakistani captain.
In 2022, he surpassed Ricky Ponting’s record for the most fifty-plus scores in a calendar year.
At the age of 28, Babar Azam became the youngest cricketer to be honored with the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s third highest civilian award.
