With the word divided on Pakistan's leadership in 2015 World Cup between Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Aridi, former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said that it's too late to meddle with the national captaincy with just over a 100 days remaining for the showpiece event.
Misbah-ul-Haq felt that players while training in isolation will have ample time to adjust and it is also a good opportunity for the young players in the side to gain exposure.
Azhar Ali's superb unbeaten 146 led Pakistan to a commanding 279 for one on the first day of the first test against West Indies in Dubai on Thursday. Azhar shared an opening partnership of 215 with Sami Aslam, who was bowled by Roston Chase for 90 in the final session to give the Caribbean side their only success of the day.
A selection of musings from around the cricket World Cup.
Pakistan's former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has advised captain Misbah-ul-Haq to become stern.
Azhar Ali struck his maiden Test double hundred and Asad Shafiq registered his sixth century as Pakistan took firm control of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur, Dhaka , on Thursday.
Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq scored a majestic 91 not out to lead Pakistan to a thrilling four-wicket victory over England in their final World Cup warmup at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Virat Kohli scored an imperious century to steer India to a thumping 76 runs victory over Pakistan in their opening World Cup match at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. After putting up an imposing 300 for seven, they shot out their arch-rivals for only 224 to begin the defence of their crown on a rousing note.
Pakistan's jinx against India in World Cup continues
Pakistan continued to dominate at their adopted home in the United Arab Emirates by defeating New Zealand by 248 runs in the opening Test of the three-match series in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Starting the day needing two wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series, Pakistan, who are forced to host matches in the UAE due to security concerns back home, dismissed the visitors for 231 in the second innings on the fifth morning.
Pakistan's cricket board (PCB) have backed struggling Test and one-day skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to lead the team at next year's World Cup but have considered potential replacements should he decide to stand down from his role as captain.
The start to the 13 Tests long season could not have been better for India. A convincing win in their 500th Test over New Zealand with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja weaving their magic on a turning track to hand India a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq receiving the Test mace for their meteoric rise to No.1 ranking in cricket's traditional format. Also, football took precedence once again, a struggling Manchester United ran riot at Old Trafford as they beat Premier League champions Leicester 4-1. An outstanding first-half performance by Arsenal helping them beat London rivals Chelsea. Other top teams like Manchester City and Liverpool also taking full points.
Khurram Manzoor and Younus Khan scored half centuries as Pakistan made a strong reply to Zimbabwe's first innings total of 294 on the second day of the second Test at the Harare Sports Club, on Wednesday. At the close, Pakistan were 163 for 3, with Younus unbeaten on 52 and captain Misbah-ul-Haq on 27.
South Africa will have to dig deep if they are to avoid defeat in the first Test after being reduced to 72 for four wickets in their second innings, still trailing Pakistan by 121 runs, in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq paid tribute to his batsmen after beating England by 178 runs in the second Test on Monday.
The Pakistan cricket fraternity showered the Indian team with praise for their incredible run to the final of the ODI World Cup, with the legendary Wasim Akram saying their cricket "is in a good place" despite the loss to Australia in the title clash.
Pakistan veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi said that the Misbah-ul-Haq led team has the ability and confidence to break the World Cup jinx against defending champions India in the much-anticipated upcoming clash at Adelaide on Sunday.
The former Pakistan captain said he is aware that expectations would be high but he is confident he can work well with some of the most talented and exciting cricketers in the country.
Shan Masood was wrongly adjudged LBW in 2nd Test vs New Zealand in Dubai last month.
Play was called off in the third Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Sharjah on Thursday following the death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes.
Pakistan clinched their first ever series win in the Caribbean when they beat West Indies in a thrilling finish to the third Test in Dominica on Sunday, giving Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq a perfect retirement present.
Younis Khan and Azhar Ali struck centuries to punish a sloppy Bangladesh and power Pakistan to a strong 323 for three wickets on the first day of the second and final Test on Wednesday.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq admitted being under tremendous pressure to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals but felt the burden now shifts to their last-eight opponents and tournament co-hosts Australia.
Images from Pakistan's 129-run victory over the UAE in Wednesday's World Cup Group B match in Napier.
Joginder Sharma bowled a memorable final over to help India edge Pakistan by five runs in a thrilling final and win the inaugural T20 World Cup in Johannesburg in 2007.
PCB CEO Wasim Khan told the media that he and Chairman Ehsan Mani would be meeting with Misbah very soon to discuss his performance.
Ahmed Shehzad hit a career-best 176 while Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq struck unbeaten centuries before Pakistan declared their first innings on 566 for 3 wickets in the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Pakistan's senior batsman and former captain Shoaib Malik has said maverick all-rounder Shahid Afridi is the best person to replace Misbah-ul-Haq as skipper for next year's World Cup.
Amir had announced his retirement last month after being dropped for tour of New Zealand.
The national team, captained for the bulk of those years by Misbah Ul Haq, hosted its 'home' games in the United Arab Emirates and remained relatively successful until fixtures trickled back onto Pakistani soil in 2018.
Opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad struck his maiden Test hundred but Pakistan's hopes of a series-equalling victory looked distant on the third day of the third and final Test on Saturday.
Former captain Misbah applies for Pakistan head coach role
Amid a cloud of uncertainty over resumption of Indo-Pak cricketing ties, Pakistan's coach Waqar Younis has said he is optimistic about a bilateral series in December and firmly believes regular cricket can help reduce tensions between the two countries.
Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh will be among a host of former stars in the India Maharaja team which will take part in the inaugural edition of the Legends League Cricket (LLC), starting on January 20 in Oman.
Australia have named the unchanged 12-man squad for the second Test of the three-match series against Pakistan beginning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day. The Steve Smith-led side are going with the same side that clinched a nail-biting 39-run win after Pakistan's epic run chase in the opening day and night Test at the Gabba, cricket.com.au reported.
Having conceded a 121-run lead in the first innings, the Caribbean side began their charge in the final session on Day 4.
Former players are of the opinion that if Amir is available and fit, then he should also be considered for the Test series against England.
'We all want to do well for Pakistan but at times some of the criticism and tongue lashing on the channels is below the belt and its affects the players'
Opener Ahmed Shehzad missed out on a deserved century but Pakistan cruised past United Arab Emirates by 129 runs in their ICC World Cup Pool B clash.
The recall of Steve O'Keefe for a twin-spin attack and inclusion of debutant batting all-rounder Hilton Cartwright gives Australia the look of a team getting an early start on preparations for a tour of the sub-continent.
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