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.
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.
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.
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.
'...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.'
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.
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson slams Shere Bangla pitch after T20I loss; Bangladesh disagree
The Australians will reach Lahore on January 28 for the short series.
After veiled boycott threat, Pakistan name 15-member squad for T20 World 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.
Hesson wants Babar Azam and Rizwan back in T20 set up
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has offered "full support" to the Pakistan cricket team ahead of the Asia Cup.
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.
Experienced wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan's captaincy in the 50-overs format could be on the line when a joint meeting of the national selection committee and advisory board of the Pakistan Cricket Board is held on Monday in Lahore.
Coach Hesson defends Pak batters against spin doubts.
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.
The Pakistan Cricket Board announced that Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead Pakistan in the three-match ODI series against South Africa in Faisalabad from November 4-8.
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.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson expressed disappointment about India refraining from engaging in the customary handshake when his side made attempts towards it after the end of the match.
'We got to the end of the powerplay and we were in the game and then we got squeezed and that built up a lot of pressure during the middle overs.'
Former all-format captain Babar Azam is being tipped to make a comeback to Pakistan T20 squad while speculations are rife about the PCB deciding to replace Muhammad Rizwan as the captain of the one-day side.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav closely inspected the pitch of the Dubai International Stadium on the eve of their highly-debated Asia Cup clash against Pakistan.
Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha broke the silence about playing the format without the nation's batting bigwigs Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.
Meanwhile, Pakistan team management has decided not to interact with media ahead of the Super4 contest.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday defended its media manager filming a meeting between match referee Andy Pycroft and team officials ahead of their Asia Cup game against the UAE, maintaining that the action was within ICC protocols.
'My request to Babar Azam and Rizwan is that if you feel your respect is not intact, then consider retiring from international cricket.'
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said Babar Azam has been asked to improve certain aspects of his game.
Firing the first salvo ahead of high profile Asia Cup clash against arch-rivals India, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson on Thursday termed left-arm spinner Mohammed Nawaz as the "best spinner in world cricket".
The seasoned Kiwi coach came under criticism from several former players such as Rashid Latif, Basit Ali, Mohsin Khan, Moin Khan, and Sikander Bakht when media reported said he had asked Babar to keep wickets in the shortest format.
'They insulted themselves more after filing the complaint. The complaint shows how immature and juvenile they are.'
Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema lodged a "formal protest" against match referee Andy Pycroft alleging that he asked both captains not to shake hands during the toss.
Asia Cup: Hardik Pandya goes past Chahal to become second-highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is
'RCB will make decision regarding captaincy after mega auction'
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed match referee Andy Pycroft amid Pakistan's criticism in the post-match handshake controversy, saying the Zimbabwean official is not a "school teacher" and was only doing his job to avoid an unnecessary spectacle.
Having pulled off a thrilling win over Bangladesh, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha said such victories make him believe it is a "special team" and added his side has the quality to beat anyone, including India, in the Asia Cup final.
Pakistan have lodged a protest with the Asian Cricket Council over the Indian players' refusal to shake hands with them following their Asia Cup match.
According to Samaa TV, the Pakistan management claimed the TV umpire did not examine all available angles before announcing its decision. Pakistan's protest emphasised how the evidence was not "clear and conclusive" to justify ruling Fakhar out, and the umpire's call favoured the fielding side despite replays showing a margin of uncertainty.
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