The onus will be on Pakistan's top batsmen to post competitive totals against England but batting coach Younis Khan said the team will need "a fighting tail" to win the series. Given the team is prone to inexplicable batting collapses, Pakistan roped in former captain Younis to help their batsmen for the three-Test series beginning in Manchester on Wednesday.
"I would like those who are not playing IPL, especially Pujara, to go and play county cricket in England. He would encounter different types of wickets especially in April and May which will give good experience and exposure," Azhar said.
Former captain Mohammad Azharuddin said that even though India's 15-man squad for the upcoming World Cup looks balanced, the bowling attack does seem to pose a worry for the Virat Kohli-led team.
After receiving sanction under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the NIA will name Azhar, his brother Rauf Asghar, and handlers of four terrorists -- Qashif Jan and Shaid Latif in the chargesheet to be filed soon, official sources said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is holding negotiations with legendary West Indian batsman Sir Vivian Richards to appoint him as mentor of the national team for the forthcoming Asia Cup and ICC World T20 in Bangladesh and India. A highly placed source in the Board confirmed to PTI that talks were being held with Richards as the PCB was keen to have him on board as mentor for the two premier T20 events. "Yes the board is very impressed with the way Richards has worked as mentor with the Quetta Gladiators team in the Pakistan Super League and also want him to mentor the Pakistan squad in the Asia Cup and World T20," the source said. He said one obstacle in the appointment of Richards as mentor was that he had some media commitments in the ICC World T20. "They are trying to find a solution because the Board is keen Richards should mentor the Pakistan team but he has not agreed to anything as yet," the source said. Richards himself this week expressed interest in any assignment with Pakistan cricket.
The government has given no reason regarding withdrawing of the security of Chaudhry Azhar, who is also a special prosecutor of the Federal Investigation Agency.
MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said Pakistani forces have continued to engage in unprovoked ceasefire violations, often from civilian areas, to support infiltration of terrorists across the LoC.
The home ministry said these individuals are operating from Pakistan and other foreign soil and involved in various acts of terrorism.
Chief Pakistan prosecutor in the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, Chaudhry Azhar says the bail will lead to unusual delays in the case. Shahzad Raza reports from Islamabad.
In a departure from its earlier stand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has extended an invitation to Mohammed Azharuddin for the Indian cricket team's historic 500th Test match and the former captain has accepted it. Azhar, who will be reuniting with his former teammates Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar in Kanpur, said that the 500th Test was a special occasion to celebrate Indian cricket.
Azhar Mahmood (3/20) registered his best bowling performance for Kings XI Punjab in the present edition of the IPL.
Australia's Matthew Wade struck his maiden one-day century to help secure a comprehensive 92-run victory over a disjointed Pakistan in the first one-day international in Brisbane on Friday.
MS Dhoni or Sachin A Billion Dreams? Dangal or Mary Kom?
Two bodies were recovered after a day-long encounter that broke in Chaanketaar village of Tral in Pulwama district.
Debutant spinner Ajaz Patel claimed five wickets in the second innings as New Zealand beat Pakistan by four runs on a dramatic fourth day of the opening Test in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
In a departure from its earlier stand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has extended an invitation to Mohammed Azharuddin for the Indian cricket team's historic 500th Test match and the former captain has accepted it.
The selectors have also put Bilal Asif, Imran Butt, Musa Khan and Mohammad Nawaz on standby to cover for any player who fails pre-tour COVID-19 Testing scheduled later this month.
Pakistan reached 142 for four wickets before play was abandoned due to rain after tea on day one of the second Test against Australia in Melbourne on Monday.
The experts said the terror strike shows the United States has failed to persuade Pakistan to act against Jaish-e-Mohammad and other terrorist groups.
Foreign Office spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said on Thursday that "there was no pressure on Pakistan at all regarding the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan."
How Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa deals with the ensuing reshuffle of lieutenant generals would be interesting to watch, notes Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at the Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency.
Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at the Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency, on the latest changes among Pakistan's top generals.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is expected to raise the issue of China blocking India's bid to ban Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar by the United Nations with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi,.
Ahmed Shehzad struck his third Test century as Pakistan completely dominated the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi to reach 269 for one and stay on course for a mammoth first-innings total on Sunday.
Fast bowler Mohammad Amir was named in the Pakistan squads on Friday for the limited over New Zealand tour, marking a return to the national team after serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said bilateral ties with China faced 'some challenges' in the recent past.
England looked all but beaten when they stumbled to 117-5 in their pursuit of a 277-run target set by Pakistan in the first Test at Old Trafford but captain Joe Root felt confident about his team's battling qualities.
Naseem Shah removed Najmul Hossain, Taijul Islam and Mahmudullah before Bangladesh finished day three of the opening Test
Citing Mahendra Singh Dhoni's lack of form, former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin has said that India's ODI skipper is "no longer the player he used to be".
'Listing Masood Azhar as a 'global terrorist' was done with Islamabad and Imran Khan's concurrence.' 'It was not prompted by the so-called 'Wuhan spirit'.' 'The relationship between the two 'iron brothers' has not been dented,' points out former RA&W officer and China expert Jayadeva Ranade.
Batsman Fawad Alam, who was also named in the 20-member squad along with two specialist spinners could make a comeback to Pakistan's Test team after 11 years.
Pakistan's seam attack dragged their side back into the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday by capturing seven wickets before lunch, bowling the hosts out for 200 on the third day. Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Amir shared the wickets as the hosts were bundled out with a lead of 67 runs. New Zealand had bowled Pakistan out for 133 before tea on Friday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The visit will be followed by the return visit of the Indian delegation to Islamabad on March 28.
Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a double setback ahead of the eighth season of the Indian Premier League when New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and Australia's Chris Lynn were ruled out of the forthcoming T20 tournament with injuries.
They will need to bat the entire final day on a deteriorating Bay Oval pitch in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday to stop the hosts taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Opener Azhar Ali was unbeaten on 85 as Pakistan crawled to 169 for two on a rain-affected first day of the series-deciding third Test against West Indies in Dominica on Wednesday.
Empowerment of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with extra territorial jurisdiction and declaration of Maulana Masood Azhar, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Dawood Ibrahim as terrorists after legislative amendment were counted among its achievements by the MHA, headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
There were no reports of anyone getting hurt in these clashes.
Two history sheeters, allegedly involved in issuing threats to former Indian skipper Mohd Azharuddin, have been arrested by Maharashtra police, police sources said in Hyderabad.
IMAGES from Day 5 of the 3rd and final Test played between England and Pakistan played at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday.
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