Former Team India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that KL Rahul should sit out if Shubman Gill is fit to play the second Test match against New Zealand. Shubman Gill missed out on the first Test match against New Zealand due to neck stiffness. The hosts suffered a loss in the opening game which was also their first defeat against New Zealand in India since 1998. KL Rahul departed early in both the innings as he registered the scores of 0 and 12 runs, respectively. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar said that the team should have KL sit out if Gill turns out to be fit for Pune Test. He also said that in case Gill is not fit, Virat should be called at number four since it would be unfair to keep playing him at a position where he has not scored many runs. He also called for KL to be shifted to number three if Gill does not play, in order to "free him up a bit". "Yes. I think that could be the call the team management will take if Gill is not fit. It is a little unfair for somebody like Virat to keep batting at number three. Maybe because KL is looking so lost (in the middle-order), maybe push him to number three and just free up a little bit and let Virat play at number four," said Sanjay Manjrekar. Also Read: IND vs NZ 2nd Test: The fight for the slot? Virat has batted at number three in five Tests, scoring 167 runs in eight innings at an average of 23.85 with just one fifty and best score of 70, which came during the second innings of the Bengaluru Test. His statistics at number four are far better and he has made 7,355 runs in 91 Tests and 148 innings at an average of 52.53, with 25 centuries and 21 fifties. His best score here is 254*. A move back to number four could help Virat regain his consistency back again. KL Rahul has been struggling to score consistent runs in Test cricket since 2022. His average has been 25.70 in 12 Test matches where he accumulated 514 runs. He has scored a century and three fifties, with best score of 101. He has not had much success as a number three in Tests, having made 88 in four Tests in five innings with a fifty. The majority of KL's Test success has come as an opener. He made 2,551 runs in 49 Tests and 75 innings at an average of 34.94, with seven tons and 12 fifties and the best score of 199. In the first Test, contributions from Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry and William O'Rourke shined in New Zealand's eight-wicket win over India at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswammy Stadium. Ahead of the second Test match, Team India has also included Washington Sundar in the mix. His inclusion comes following his outstanding performance in the Ranji Trophy match against Delhi. Sundar impressed with a remarkable 152 runs off 269 balls, featuring 19 fours and a six for Tamil Nadu. Batting at number three, a position different from his usual lower-middle-order slot, Sundar's innings was a pivotal moment in the match. Known for his all-round abilities, Sundar has proven his worth both as a spinner and a batter. In his Test career, he has scored 265 runs in four Tests and six innings, boasting an impressive average of 66.25. His achievements include three fifties, with a top score of 96 not out. India squad for second and third Test against NZ: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar. (With ANI Inputs)
22 October,2024 06:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNew Zealand will have to put the famous Bengaluru Test win aside and should quickly focus on the Pune Test, said all-rounder Daryl Mitchell. New Zealand defeated Team India in India for the first time in 36 years by taking a lead of 1-0 in the three-match Test series. The hosts are expected to bounce back and come stronger in the second Test match. "One thing we can't do is we can't change the surface, so for us, it's reacting to what's coming at us and adapting on the fly", Daryl Mitchell told the media after New Zealand's training session here on Tuesday. "As Kiwis, that's what we pride ourselves on is (that) we get stuck into the moment, we stay where our feet are and we be as present as possible." "We can't change the wicket. What will be, will be. But I'm sure we'll come up with a plan and find a way to take 20 wickets and hopefully score a few runs as well", he added. Daryl Mitchell stated that the "Black Caps" would want to move on from their first Test win. "Look, for us, it's another Test match now. It is (all about) what has been, has been. It is in the past. I'm obviously very grateful to win that Test match." Also Read: IND vs NZ 2nd Test: The fight for the slot? "But at the same time, it's a different ground, different surface and we'll just be ready to go for that first ball and get stuck in as the way we do", he said. New Zealand was not worried much even when Team India batsmen Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant were showcasing an aggressive brand of cricket in the first Test match. "Rishabh, he's a world-class player and I seriously respect how he goes about playing his cricket and it was a great partnership." "But for us, we know that at Bangalore, it's a fast-scoring ground. Where we were in the position of the game, we knew that we just need to keep trying to take wickets, keep trying to put pressure on them", Daryl Mitchell added. Mitchell said even though soil composition for the two Tests black soil in Pune and red in Mumbai respectively would come into play, he backed New Zealand to find a way. "Every country has its different challenges. Galle (in Sri Lanka) was a different spinning wicket again to what we'll receive here and the likes of here in Mumbai in the next Test as well." "Different soils, different clays. It's understanding the threats that each pitch will give you and trying to find ways to negate that." "But also try to find ways to put pressure back on the bowlers as well. That's the nature of playing spin over here. You've got to be confident in your plans and how you want to go about your business and try and repeat that for long periods of time", he added. New Zealand women won their maiden T20 World Cup hours after the men emerged victorious in Bengaluru, capping off a memorable Sunday for the sport in the country. "Obviously a pretty cool weekend or week for New Zealand sport, I guess. (It was) awesome to see the girls get up and win the T20 World Cup and all of us were cheering them on watching that on TV. Also for us to win a Test match here in India is always special", added Mitchell. (With PTI Inputs)
22 October,2024 05:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentStar batter Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the India A squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday. Abhimanyu Easwaran will be Gaikwad's deputy in their upcoming tour. Ishan Kishan and Abishek Porel will be the choice of wicketkeepers for Ruturaj Gaikwad's side. India A will be travelling to Australia with four seamers which includes Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, and Navdeep Saini. Meanwhile, India A will have two spinners, Manav Suthar and Tanush Kotian. Also Read: "No point sugarcoating, there's fight for a spot between Rahul and Sarfaraz": Ryan ten Doeschate BCCI said that the 15-member India A squad will be taking part in two first-class matches against Australia A. The statement added that the India A side will play against India's senior men's team ahead of their Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. "The Men's Selection Committee has picked a 15-member India A squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. India A will play two first-class matches against Australia A in Mackay and Melbourne respectively and then take part in a three-day intra-squad game against Team India (Senior Men) in Perth," BCCI stated. Mackay will host the first match between India A and Australia A from October 31 till November 3. The second first-class match will be played in Melbourne from November 7 to November 10. Meanwhile, the match between India A and India's senior men's team will lock horns on November 15 in Perth. India A squad for the tour of Australia: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan (WK), Abishek Porel (WK), Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
22 October,2024 04:22 PM IST | Mumbai | ANITeam India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan will fight for their slots in the side ahead of the second Test match against New Zealand. With Team India aiming to make a comeback from their eight-wicket loss against New Zealand, the focus will be on the team combination with Washington Sundar added to the squad. On the other hand, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant will be aiming to feature in the second Test by recovering from their injuries. "Yeah, there's no point in sugarcoating it, there's a fight for a spot," ten Doeschate told the media when asked if Rahul and Sarfaraz were battling for a place in the team, here at the MCA Stadium ahead of India's training session. "Sarfaraz was obviously brilliant in the last Test. I went to KL after the last Test (and) said how many balls do you play at (and) miss at? He didn't play at (and) miss at one ball and that's what tends to happen when you're not getting runs." "There's certainly no concerns about KL, he's batting nicely, he's in a good mental space. But we are certainly going to have to fit seven pieces into six spots for this Test and look at the pitch now and decide what's going to be best for the team", Ryan ten Doeschate said. Sarfaraz Khan smashed 150 runs in the second innings against the Kiwis, while KL Rahul struggled to accumulate many runs in both the innings. Considering that keeping KL Rahul out of the team in Test cricket, Ryan ten Doeschate said head coach Gautam Gambhir is keen to give KL a long rope. "It's not like we're worried about his form. If you go on just the past three months since Gauti has been in here, he's keen to give him (Rahul) as much rope as we can. We have a lot of faith in him," he said. Also Read: Not Kohli or Smith, Cook names player who stands closest to Joe Root in Tests "But at the same time, it's a very competitive environment, with Sarfaraz getting 150 plus runs (222 not out) in the Irani Trophy final. The decision will be what's best for the team, but we'll certainly back all the guys in", Ryan ten Doeschate added. Pant, who did not keep wickets for a significant part of the opening Test, and Shubman Gill, who missed the match due to stiffness in his neck, are close to attaining their full fitness. "Rishabh is pretty good. I think Rohit (Sharmna) touched on it the other day. He was having a little bit of discomfort at the end range of his movement with the knee. But fingers crossed, he'll be good to keep in the Test as well," he said. "He (Gill) looks so (available for this Test). He has batted last week in Bangalore, he had a few nets, he's got a little bit of discomfort, but I think he'll be good to go for the Test," he added. Ten Doeschate said the addition of Washington Sundar is "no desperate measure" but to add a bowling option who would take the ball away from the Kiwis' left-handers. "Definitely not. They (New Zealand) are filled with four left-handers in the XI. We've had Washy around the white-ball squad for a while and we like the way he operates. It's also nice to see that guys are getting rewarded for Ranji Trophy performance as well." "We just want to make sure we're absolutely prepared for conditions here and if that does mean taking the ball away from the left-hander, we want that option", he added. Ryan ten Doeschate said Mohammed Siraj could be going through a wicket drought but there was nothing to suggest that he was struggling for rhythm. "Siraj bowled beautifully in the second innings. That hour of Test match cricket on the last morning was really high quality", Ryan ten Doeschate said. "It maybe wasn't a nicking wicket, which is obviously his big strength, particularly to left-handers when he moves the ball across. There's nothing there to say like he's not bowling well or his rhythm is not good." "Maybe he's just going through a little bit of a wicket drought. But no concerns again", he said. India will have to play according to the conditions and not against fast bowling in particular, the coach said. "I don't think specifically to fast bowlers and when the ball is new, but playing a bit more to conditions is something we want to work on", he said. "Obviously, that first innings was ridiculously tough with the ball seaming around. There will be other times when fast bowling is the right option to go after it", Ryan ten Doeschate added. (With PTI Inputs)
22 October,2024 04:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer England captain Alastair Cook believes that in form Joe Root is only matched by New Zealand's stalwart Kane Williamson. Joe Root and Williamson is among the "Fab Four" which also include Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. With the time passing by, Joe Root has showcased his exceptional skills in Test cricket. Joe Root is considered to be the player who can go past Sachin Tendulkar in Test cricket history. Currently, the Englishman has 12,716 runs to his name and is just shy of 3,206 runs to overtake Tendulkar for becoming the highest run-scorer in Test cricket. Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024-25 | 'Little overweight, disciplinary issues': Prithvi Shaw's omission from Mumbai squad involves factors beyond just fitness Over the years, Joe Root has always dominated the game whenever he has stepped onto the crease. As he continues to enchant the world of cricket with his fathomable prowess, Cook sees only one player close to his friend. "I think at this precise moment in time, I find it hard to see anyone playing as well as Joe Root. Over the last year or so of the so-called 'Big Four', I think Williamson and him are probably in the best form at the moment," Cook said during a round-table interview hosted by the ICC. "They're all wonderful, wonderful players, all very different, actually, in their methods and ways of playing. But one thing which, kind of unites them is that hunger and desire to keep improving and keep churning out the runs," he remarked. Root is currently featuring in the ongoing three-match Test series against Pakistan. Williamson has been named in the New Zealand's squad for the three Tests against India. However, he missed out on the Kiwis series opener in Bengaluru due to a groin strain. He will even miss out on the second Test after coach Gary Stead confirmed his unavailability. Joe Root is the second-highest run-scorer after the first two Tests against Pakistan in Multan. He has garnered 314 runs, averaging 104.67. He will be keen to improve his tally during the series decider in Rawalpindi, beginning on Thursday. (With ANI Inputs)
22 October,2024 03:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndia's Jemimah Rodrigues’ membership at Mumbai's Khar Gymkhana has been terminated due to her father's religious activities, as reported on Tuesday. According to the Indian Express, the club, one of Mumbai’s oldest, cancelled Rodrigues’ membership after her father, Ivan, utilised the club's facilities for 'religious' activities. Also Read: Prithvi Shaw's omission from Mumbai squad involves factors beyond just fitness Neither Jemimah nor her father have commented on the matter. “The honorary three-year membership given to Ms Jemimah Rodrigues was revoked pursuant to a resolution passed by the members who attended the general meeting held on October 20, 2024,” Khar Gymkhana president Vivek Devnani told The Indian Express. Ivan is a renowned local cricket coach in Mumbai and was instrumental in shaping up Jemimah as a cricketer in Mumbai. Also Read: Women's cricket in Asia struggles to match Western standards Jemimah became a member of Khar Gymkhana in 2023 following an invitation. She was recently part of the Indian women’s cricket team, which was eliminated from the group stage of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Very recently, ahead of the Women's World Cup, Jemimah elucidated how she still receives feedback from her father Ivan after every match. “I get feedback from my father after every game. He knows my game inside out and he also knows how I feel, what I think, because he’s seen me up close and personal. One thing I know about him is that he’ll not say things just for the sake of saying things. It’s very raw and he is very honest and that’s what I like." "Before any match, I call him and we pray together. Even before practice sessions, he’ll call me, and he’ll ask me to practice certain things that might help me in the match,” she said in the latest episode of the DC podcast.
22 October,2024 02:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer England captain Alastair Cook is hopeful about Joe Root going all the way to becoming the leading run-scorer in the history of Test cricket by dethroning the legendary Sachin Tendulkar from the summit. Cook's former compatriot Root eclipsed him to become England's leading scorer in Test cricket during the ongoing PAK vs ENG Test series in Multan. After watching his friend go past him to become England's most decorated batter, the 39-year-old struggled to sum up his feelings in words and ended up ringing Root to congratulate him for his massive feat. "I watched the moment, then I rang him after the end of the play," Cook said during a round-table interview hosted by the ICC. "I couldn't think of the right words to write in a text message. So I thought I'd just ring him, see what he was up to, and make sure he had a beer in his hand, which I think he did," he added. The 33-year-old's current run tally now stands at a whopping 12,716, just 3,206 runs shy of going past India's 'God of Cricket' to become the most decorated batter in Test history. Also Read: Will Joe Root fix the anomaly? With each passing Test, the world of cricket has started to fathom the responsibility of watching a record tumble that was once considered to be untouchable. Before he sets his sights on toppling Sachin's record, Root still has six players to overtake in the process before changing the course of history. Cook remains hopeful about Root overtaking the Master Blaster's record in the amount of time that has left in his career. "I think Joe Root could set a mark, certainly on an English side, that'll be very hard to beat. But you just never know. I hope he can get very close, if not be the first person who scores 16,000 Test runs. It'd be a great achievement," Cook added. Root will continue his hunt to get closer to that elusive feat during the third match of the PAK vs ENG Test series in Rawalpindi, beginning on Thursday. (With agency inputs)
22 October,2024 01:33 PM IST | London | mid-day online correspondentTop-order batter Prithvi Shaw has been left out of the Mumbai squad for their next Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Tripura owing to fitness and disciplinary issues. The match is scheduled to be played in Agartala from October 26 to 29. The right-handed opening batter, who has played five Tests, six ODIs and one T20I for India, seems to have run into trouble. "We discussed him [Shaw] with the coaches and the selection committee and decided to give him a break along with a programme to improve his fitness. His fitness is affecting his form. He needs to work on that. He should improve his fitness to make a comeback to the team,” MCA Secretary Abhay Hadap told mid-day on Monday. It is reliably learnt that the 24-year-old does not regularly attend the team's training sessions and has also appeared a 'little overweight'. "You have to look at his fitness and his running when he is on the field. The MCA has a rich history and there cannot be exceptions for a certain player," an official from Mumbai Cricket Association told PTI. Also Read: From prodigal talent to fitness issues: Prithvi Shaw’s rise and falling apart Besides, Shaw's habitual lateness to net sessions has become a significant concern for the MCA. A Cricbuzz report indicated that the 24-year-old opener does not approach these sessions with the seriousness they require and is often irregular in his attendance. Shaw's form has been a concern given that he has scores of 7, 12, 1 and 39 not out in the two rounds of Ranji Trophy. The decision to drop him has been taken by the Mumbai senior men's selection panel owing to his fitness and 'general conduct'. The Mumbai selectors have named 29-year-old left-handed opening batter Akhil Herwadkar as replacement. Herwadkar has played 41 first-class matches and averages 36.51 with seven centuries and 10 fifties. Also, middle-order mainstay and India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav has been rested from the Mumbai squad. Suryakumar scored seven in his only outing for Mumbai in their nine-wicket win over Maharashtra. Mumbai's Ranji 2024-25 squad Ajinkya Rahane (c), Ayush Mhatre, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Akhil Herwadkar, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhesh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Hardik Tamore (wk), Sidhaant Addhatrao (wk), Shams Mulani, Karsh Kothari, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, Juned Khan, Royston Dias
22 October,2024 01:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndian middle-order batting veteran Cheteshwar Pujara continues pushing his case for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 selection, as he overtook England legend Herbert Sutcliffe to become the player with the fourth-highest double centuries in first-class cricket. During the Elite Group D match against Chhattisgarh on Monday, Pujara scored 234 in 383 balls, with 25 fours and a six. His runs came at a strike rate of 61.09. His knock helped Saurashtra score 478/8 in reply to Chhattisgarh's first innings total of 578/7 declared, which came due to a fine century from Sanjeet Desai (146) and a double ton from skipper Amandeep Khare (203*). The match ended in a draw. This is Pujara's 18th double ton in first-class cricket, the most by an Indian. He has overtaken Sutcliffe (17 double tons) to reach at fourth spot in the all-time first-class cricket double-ton scoring list. At the top is Australian legend Don Bradman (37 double tons), followed by England legend Wally Hammond (36 double centuries) and England's Elias Hendren (22 double tons). Pujara last played a Test match for India in June last year, during the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia in the UK, which India lost. Pujara, along with Ajinkya Rahane was the backbone of Indian middle-order batting from the early 2010s to the early 2020s. Also Read: Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: 'Pain-free' Mohammed Shami optimistic about selection for Australia Tests Pujara has represented India in 103 Tests, scoring 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries and 35 fifties in 176 innings. His best score is 206*. Pujara has also played five ODIs for India. However, since India's historic win over Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane in January 2021, his statistics took a huge nosedive. Since that iconic victory, which also helped India gain an inspirational series win in Australia, Pujara represented India in 22 Tests further, scoring just 1,084 runs at an underwhelming average of 29.29, with just a century and seven fifties to show in 40 innings. Owing to these poor performances, he was dropped from the team. However, his first-class cricket form this year could help him get back into the reckoning for the Indian team. In 16 first-class matches for Saurashtra and Sussex this year. Pujara has scored 1,580 runs in 25 innings at an average of 68.69, with six centuries and three fifties, with the best score of 243*. He is the third-highest run-getter in the format this year. His vast experience in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting from November 22 this year, could be helpful for India, having made 2,033 runs in 24 matches at an average of 50.82, with five tons and 11 fifties in 43 innings, with the best score of 204. In 11 Tests played in Australia, he has made 993 runs at an average of 47.28, with three tons and five fifties in 21 innings, with the best score of 193. However, the players standing in his way are likes of youngsters like Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan, who have filled up the crucial spots of number three and number five recently with their fine performances. At number three, a spot where Pujara thrived, Gill has made 782 runs in 12 matches and 21 innings at an average of 43.44, with three tons and two fifties. His best score is 119*. In Tests this year, Gill has scored 662 runs at an average of 50.92, with three centuries and two fifties. with best score of 119*. Also, making his much-anticipated India debut this year, Sarfaraz has scored 350 runs in four Tests at an average of 58.33 in seven innings, with a strike rate of 77.77. He has made a century and three fifties, with the best score of 150. He has batted at number four, five and six for India so far. Coming to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India, after the first Test at Perth, the second Test, scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format under the stadium's lights. After that, fans will turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, which will be held from December 14 to 18. The customary Boxing Day Test, set for December 26 to 30 at Melbourne's storied Melbourne Cricket Ground, will bring the series to its penultimate stage. The fifth and final Test, taking place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, will serve as the series climax, promising a dramatic conclusion to an exciting contest. (With agency inputs)
22 October,2024 11:38 AM IST | Rajkot | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants are among the IPL franchises who have submitted bids to acquire teams in the English Cricket Board-run The Hundred, according to a report. The GMR Group, recently named the new owner of Hampshire, and Avram Glazer, co-owner of Manchester United Football Club, also submitted bids before the ECB's October 18 deadline for potential investors, reported ESPNCricinfo. The ECB has invited bids for a 49 per cent stake in each of the eight franchises, with the board retaining majority control. "Expressions of interest could be for all eight teams, which would be culled to four in the next step which will start in November when the investors get to meet the host counties of each Hundred franchise," stated the report. "Following that, investors would need to prune their wishlist to four teams, as part of the second stage, which will then come down to two teams of which they would need to make their final choice." Also Read: From prodigal talent to fitness issues: Prithvi Shaw’s rise and falling apart The ECB is aiming to finalise investors by early 2025 but is committed to a deliberate approach to avoid "underselling what it believes is a valuable product". ECB chairman Richard Thompson has also mentioned the possibility of a "hybrid" ownership model, where some teams remain under ECB control while others are sold to private investors. The report further says while several IPL franchises showed early interest, not all followed through with bids for The Hundred. "Punjab Kings opted out, while there has been no confirmation on whether five-times IPL champions Chennai Super Kings and equity major CVC Capital Partners, which owns Gujarat Titans, have submitted bids," it added. "Global sports investors INEOS, owned by Jim Ratcliffe, which owns a 27% stake in Manchester United and run the football club's operations wing, have also opted out of bidding." One of the main concerns for IPL franchises was whether they would be "happy being passive investors". (With agency inputs)
22 October,2024 11:13 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is likely to escape with a reprimand for criticising the PCB ahead of the squad announcement, where it planned to drop former skipper Babar Azam for two Tests against England. Azam, along with several senior players, got eventually dropped for two Test days after Fakhar expressed his displeasure on social media. Fakhar was issued a show-cause notice by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after he tweeted his views where he compared Azam's run drought with India's Virat Kohli, who went through a lean patch between 2020 and late 2022. "It's concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn't bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively," Fakhar wrote on 'X'. "If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them." Also Read: MCA secy Hadap cites poor fitness as reason for Prithvi Shaw's omission England are touring Pakistan for three Tests, with the hosts levelling the series in the second Test after the side, led by Ben Stokes, won the opener in Multan. Babar, along with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed were eventually dropped. Fakhar was sent a show-cause notice and asked why disciplinary action should not be taken against him as he had clearly breached a clause of his central contract by criticising the PCB and its selection policy. A source in the board said that Fakhar had sent in his reply before the October 21 deadline and explained he had only spoken in favour of a teammate and colleague and he had no intention of challenging the authority of the PCB. "Fakhar has said that he has utmost respect for the PCB as it is his institution which employs him and runs the sport in Pakistan," the source added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 October,2024 09:14 AM IST | Lahore | PTIADVERTISEMENT
