'I had planned to dismiss Virat but he is the NO 1 player. There is no difference in the batting of Babar and Virat.'
Pakistan team has recently lost the three-Test series against Australia 0-3, before going down 1-4 in the five-match T20 series against New Zealand.
Shaan Masood also didn't agree that the last two Tests were the darkest days of Pakistan cricket over three decades.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam rued the mistakes his side made against India and the United States of America in their earlier Group A matches, even as the former champions bid adieu to the T20 World Cup with a consolation three-wicket victory over Ireland at Lauderhill, Florida, on Sunday.
With just a week to go until the start of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE, it sets up a tight race for the premier position for batters in 50-over cricket during the eight-team tournament.
USA caused the biggest upset of the T20 World Cup when they shocked former champions Pakistan via the Super Over.
Ramiz Raja points out Pakistan's tactical blunder during Super Over against USA
For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan were pick of the bowlers as they scalped two wickets each.
Babar Azam is set to return as Pakistan skipper for their home series against New Zealand, starting April 14.
Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir slammed compatriot Virat Kohli for his poor shot selection during India's high-octane clash against arch-rival Pakistan.
Featuring Hardik Pandya, Mohammad Nabi, Phil Salt, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, the film showcases the immense stakes faced by players as they put everything on the line to claim the Champions Trophy and the unique White Jackets, the ICC said.
Haris Rauf was named in Pakistan's 15-member squad, which will be led by star batter Babar Azam.
Young blocked the first ball of the Abrar Ahmed over for a dot before sweeping the ball to square leg to bring up his century.
Images from the T20 World Cup Group A match between India and Pakistan in New York on Sunday.
A Pakistani media baron, the 45-year-old is the 37th full-time chairman of the PCB.
Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam was conspicuous by his absence from the team's training and there was no clarity on his availability for the Champions Trophy clash against India in Dubai on Sunday, even as the country's cricket board chief Mohsin Naqvi urged the side to win "at any cost".
Pak pace trio a far more potent attack on flat wickets: Dinesh Karthik
India's pace talisman Jasprit Bumrah's absence will certainly hurt India, but the team's quality batting and spin bowling make them title contenders alongside South Africa and Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.
Sealing their second T20 World Cup, England are now the first nation to hold both global white-ball trophies, having won the 50-over World Cup on home soil in 2019.
India captain Rohit Sharma says he wouldn't mind playing Tests against Pakistan at a neutral venue as it would be a "great contest" against the "superb bowling line-up" of the arch-rivals.
But in a video that has gone viral on social media, India fans were seen engaging in a fun banter with Pakistan ace Shaheen Afridi in New York.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes Virat Kohli needs to relax and not overthink his form ahead of India's crucial Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan.
Shaheen's father Ayaz Khan also confirmed that he had sent the proposal to Afridi's family for his son and it has been accepted.
Pakistan's experienced wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed laid out the team's plans to ruin Australia's star batter David Warner's farewell Test series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has delayed the announcement of its World Cup squad until late May due to fitness and performance issues with some players.
Rohit's men start overwhelming favourites but Shaheen, rain pose threat
Shaheen Shah Afridi returned with a four-wicket haul, but picked Rohit Sharma's wicket as his prized scalp.
Kohli, who has a stellar record against Pakistan, registered his lowest individual score against the Men in Green on Saturday.
Young wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan is also all focus before India and Pakistan cricketers put on an entertaining evening of ODI cricket in Pallekele.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI against Pakistan on Sunday?
Pakistan cricket team's director Mohammed Hafeez is reportedly making a lot of players in the side "restless" and the major reason behind the simmering disquiet is his tendency to hold "long meetings and lectures".
Who will win these contests on Saturday?
Aiming for their second Cricket World Cup title, Pakistan will be led by Babar Azam and are armed with a strong batting unit that includes Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq, Mohammed Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Salman Agha.
Matthew Hayden wants India skipper Rohit Sharma to negotiate Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi's first three overs with "caution".
A confident and well-adjusted India would look to capitalise on an unpredictable Pakistan during Sunday's T20 World Cup match.
Pakistan have won their first two World Cup matches but the lack of depth in the bowling is a concern
Pakistan cricketers floored by 'unexpected' welcome, hit nets 12 hours after arrival
Shubman Gill said India's batters will have to dominate unlike last time when the top order was blown away for 66.
A thumping seven-wicket win over Bangladesh has certainly uplifted the mood in Pakistan's camp.
