Sports

Mohammad Yousaf endorses Ramiz Raja’s statement about home pitches

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

After Raja, Yousaf emphasises making most of pitches for home series.
“Every home team makes pitches favourable for their players, so did we,” the batting coach reiterates.
“We had a look on the pitch today during training and it looks good,” says Yousaf regarding Karachi pitch.

KARACHI: Pakistan team’s batting coach Mohammad Yousaf has backed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja’s statement regarding taking “home advantage” while making pitches.

The first Test of the Pakistan vs Australia series in Rawalpindi ended in a draw and was followed by immense criticism due to the batting-friendly behaviour of the pitch throughout the tournament.

After Raja, Yousaf has also emphasised taking “home advantage” while making pitches for the series.

“Every home team makes the pitches favourable for their players, so did we,” the batting coach reiterated while talking to the press via a video link.

“Heavy rollers taken by Australia and the lack of sunlight are also the reasons behind such behaviour of the pitch. But teams prepare pitches at home according to their strength and our batters performed up to our expectations,” he shared.

Imam, Abdullah partnership

Yousaf praised the opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique and said that “Pakistan’s Test batting future is bright”.

“Imam and Abdullah were absolutely fantastic with their batting performance,” he said while acknowledging their records.

The former cricketer revealed his coaching mantra and also shared his conversation with Abdullah after which the youngster scored his maiden Test hundred.

“I always believe in listening to the players more than telling them about the game. Abdullah and I had a conversation before the second innings and I tried to listen to him.

“He was keen towards his technique but just needed a breakthrough which he got in his second chance. And now, the results are in front of you,” the legendary cricketer told reporters.

Karachi Test

Yousaf predicted a result-oriented second Test after looking at the pitch during their training session here on Thursday.

“We examined the pitch today during training and it looks good. Karachi pitches have given results in the recent past and I hope the same happens this time around, too,” he said.

“Our preparations are complete and we are really looking forward to continuing our momentum. This Test championship series is important for both the teams and players know it very well,” he concluded.

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Changes to Pakistan’s Test team could be significant for the Bangladesh series.

Published

17 hours ago

Farwa

Major changes to Pakistan’s team are anticipated ahead of the forthcoming Test series against Bangladesh, sources in Lahore have revealed.

As the team gets ready for the series, meetings with the players are planned for next week.

It is predicted that the Test squad would undergo several changes. The team’s lineup is expected to be strengthened by the likely inclusion of Muhammad Huraira. Key players like Faheem Ashraf, Wasim Jr., Saim Ayub, and Nauman Ali, whose contributions are vital to the team’s success, struggle to get a spot on the squad.

Furthermore, according to sources, Imamul Haq or Sahibzada Farhan are anticipated to be added to the team, subject to additional assessment. Furthermore, following a fitness assessment, Amir Jamal and Hasan Ali’s futures will be determined.

The ultimate selection for the Test team will take place following Red Ball head coach Jason Gillespie’s return to Pakistan. The ultimate squad that will play Bangladesh in the forthcoming Test series will be greatly influenced by his assessments and thoughts.

Pakistan is scheduled to visit New Zealand in March and April of 2025, according to the country’s official cricket schedule, which was released earlier this month.

Throughout their visit, the Pakistan cricket team will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in an exciting series.

The T20I series, which starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on March 16, will serve as the tour’s opening event.

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The PCB will send Wahab Riaz to the Maldives to attend the ICC’s coaching course.

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is scheduled to conduct a two-day High-Performance workshop in Maldives on 29-30 July. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Wahab Riaz, a retired Test cricketer, and Shahid Anwar, a former international cricketer and current head coach of the National Cricket Academy, will be taking part in the next workshop.

The workshop’s objective is to offer insights into the most up-to-date coaching approaches, as well as strategies for recognising and nurturing talent starting from its early stages.

In addition, Dr. Imran Abbas, the General Manager of Academies, will participate in a four-day training course for ICC Level-2 Tutors in Malé, starting on July 24.

The workshop is an integral component of ICC’s training and education initiative aimed at providing member countries with proficient Level 2 tutors who would subsequently instruct coaches.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) appointed Iqbal Sikander, a former cricketer from Pakistan, and Amin-ul-Islam, a former captain of the Bangladesh Test team, to lead the training.

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Following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dismissed Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz from the selection committee on July 10.

Wahab was dismissed from his role as senior team manager, and Mansoor Rana was terminated from his post as team manager.

After being removed, Wahab utilised social media to release a message, expressing his appreciation for his time on the selection committee. He emphasised that he has many thoughts to share but prefers not to engage in finger-pointing or assigning blame.

“Wahab, in the caption of his social media post, expressed that he has a lot to say but does not wish to engage in the act of assigning blame,”

“My tenure as a member of the selection committee for PCB has concluded. I want to inform my fellow countrymen that I have dedicated myself to serving the game I am passionate about with unwavering commitment and honesty. I have exerted maximum effort to improve the state of cricket in Pakistan.”

“Being a part of the selection panel has been a great privilege.” Being part of the seven-member panel responsible for selecting the national team was a privilege. Each member’s vote held equal importance, and we made decisions collectively as a team. We also shared the responsibility of the selection process equally.

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Pakistan has advanced to the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 semifinals.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

GreenshirtsWith a 10-wicket victory over the UAE, the Pakistani women’s cricket team advanced to the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 semifinal. Target: 104 runs in 14 overs were pursued by the Greenshirts.

When playing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Pakistani women’s team won the toss and chose to field.

Captain Nida Dar of the Pakistan women’s cricket team remarked, “The bowlers’ performance in the last match was excellent, and the win against Nepal boosted morale.”

Pakistan’s starting eleven remains unchanged.

Dambulla, a town in Sri Lanka, is the site of the match.