Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson acknowledges India as the benchmark in white-ball cricket but expresses confidence in his team's ability to challenge them at the Asian Games. He also defended Pakistan's T20 performance, highlighting their improved ranking and series wins, while downplaying captaincy speculation for Sahibzada Farhan.
Pakistan's interim red-ball head coach Mike Hesson has distanced himself from the decision to drop senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, and Imam-ul-Haq from the Test squad, stating they were already released when he took charge.
Pakistani cricketers will not receive their central contracts until after the ongoing ODI tri-series and potentially the Test series against Sri Lanka. The delay is due to head coach Mike Hesson and selectors wanting to assess player performance in current matches and the domestic season before finalising the new specialised format contracts.
Former Pakistan captain Shan Masood is racing against time to recover from a calf muscle injury ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. His place in the playing XI is uncertain, especially with selectors and coach Mike Hesson looking to introduce younger players into the Test squad for the next World Test Championship cycle. Masood, who had an unsuccessful run as Test captain, fears his injury might be used as a reason to sideline him.
Experienced all-rounder Shadab Khan is expected to take over Pakistan's T20 captaincy from Salman Ali Agha, who faces removal from the shortest format squad. Major changes are anticipated in the Pakistan T20 team ahead of the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, with young players being prioritised and key bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf potentially rested.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly undertaking a major "clean-up" operation, which could see senior selector Aaqib Javed removed and a new selection committee formed. This follows the controversial return of players Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Ali Agha from England, with concerns raised over their form and behaviour. The PCB is also reviewing coaching staff and player conduct.
Babar Azam's fever adds to Pakistan's mounting troubles before the Edgbaston Test, with the PCB overhauling the squad and coaching staff after England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is poised for a significant overhaul under chairman Mohsin Naqvi, with anticipated changes to the national selection committee and the release of key personnel like Aqib Javed and Wahab Riaz. This comes amidst a losing streak and internal turmoil, prompting radical measures to improve the team's performance and administrative efficiency.
Visitors Pakistan replaced seven players and their head coach on Monday, after suffering two heavy losses to England in their ongoing three-Test series.
'There is no harm in sending young players to show the world that Pakistan cricket still has talent.'
Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board's director of high performance, Aaqib Javed, over his comments regarding the team's major shake-up during the Test series against England.
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has resigned from the men's national selection committee and as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has come under fire from former players after sacking head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, and sending back seven players, including national T20 captain Salman Ali Agha, in the middle of their Test series against England. The drastic changes followed Pakistan's heavy defeats in the first two Tests, prompting widespread condemnation for the timing and impact on team morale and stability.
Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid is reportedly a contender for the England Test coach position, following Brendon McCullum's removal. Dravid, known for his meticulous approach, is considered an attractive candidate despite his stated preference against full-time coaching. Other prominent names like Andy Flower and Richard Dawson are also in consideration for the role.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched a new central contracts system, categorising players based on their specialisation in red-ball, white-ball (ODI/T20), and T20/franchise cricket. This new structure aims to provide clear pathways, improve financial benefits for red-ball players, and ensure transparency in selection through data analysis.
Pakistan's star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is expected to miss upcoming Test series against West Indies and England due to workload management, a decision he is reportedly unhappy about. This move aims to focus him on white-ball cricket and provide opportunities for other pacers.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to significantly increase match fees and monthly retainers for centrally contracted players, particularly those in the red ball Track A category, for the 2026/27 cycle. The new contracts also introduce format-based categories and substantial bonuses for winning ICC and Asia Cup events.
The top officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board are set to meet over this weekend here to decide on the future of Test captain Shan Masood and head coach Sarfaraz Khan.
Pakistani national selectors are reportedly unhappy with the level of authority given to white-ball head coach Mike Hesson in player selection, prompting calls for a review of the current selection structure.
Tensions flared in the dugout as Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was seen in a heated exchange with head coach Mike Hesson during their must-win T20 World Cup clash against Namibia at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Aleem Dar, a senior member of the Pakistan Cricket Board's selection committee, has resigned following the national team's disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, citing disagreements over team selection and the head coach's influence.
Pakistan is set to drop senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi from their next T20 World Cup match against Namibia after the duo's failure to come good in the high-stakes game against India in Colombo, a reliable source in the team management said on Monday.
Similar to PSG finding their Messiah in Luis Enrique in 2023, the same year as Andy Flower joined the Bengaluru side, RCB found theirs in the Zimbabwean - a no-nonsense cricketing brain who believes in structure and cohesion to bring in desired results.
Pakistan's white-ball coach Mike Hesson defends the exclusion of senior players from the ODI series in Bangladesh, stating it's an opportunity to test young talent rather than a punishment for T20 World Cup performance. He also addresses reports of disagreements with selectors.
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson credits Ishan Kishan's blistering 77 as the turning point in India's 61-run T20 World Cup win in Colombo, urges team to bounce back.
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson says Babar Azam's demotion and Shaheen Afridi's omission after India defeat were tactical moves ahead of T20 World Cup Super 8.
Confusion surrounds Babar Azam's exclusion from the ODI series in Bangladesh, with conflicting statements from selectors, the coach, and Babar himself.
The Australians will reach Lahore on January 28 for the short series.
Pakistan's cricket fraternity expresses disappointment over the national team's performance in the T20 World Cup, with former players calling for radical decisions and criticizing player selection and performance.
After veiled boycott threat, Pakistan name 15-member squad for T20 World Cup.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has offered "full support" to the Pakistan cricket team ahead of the Asia Cup.
Pakistan is expected to field four specialist bowlers, including two spinners and two pacers, in their crucial T20 World Cup match against India in Colombo.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday dismissed the impression that the announcement of the World Cup squad meant that the country has decided to take part in next month's ICC mega event.
A look at five possible mouth-watering match-ups in the upcoming India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup in Colombo on Sunday.
'...the only match that really counts is the one at the end. And that will be our focus. Trying to play our best game when it counts.'
The source said the selectors might ask Shadab to join the team for the ongoing home series against Sri Lanka to get back to full match fitness under the supervision of the national team management.
Tensions have emerged within Pakistan cricket after Shadab Khan's response to criticism following the team's defeat to India in the T20 World Cup. His remarks have drawn criticism from former players and prompted a response from the PCB and Shahid Afridi.
Defending champions India look to do something they have never done in World Cups and retain the trophy.
Mike Hesson is free to rank Pakistan left-arm spinner Mohammed Nawaz as high as he wants but India know where their spinners are placed in the world order.
Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson will take charge of Pakistan's limited-overs sides from May 26, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Tuesday.
