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".
Seldom has an India vs Pakistan clash played with such a volatile backdrop, where cricket seems inseparably knotted with off-field tension, provocative gestures, and fines slapped on both camps.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.
Despite over-utilising his craft, Bumrah chased shadows of his past self and returned with figures of 0/45.
There are many Indian fans in Dubai, who, as a mark of protest, have decided to give this match a miss.
Latif slammed Pakistan's middle order for their timid approach, accusing them of 'giving up' when the game demanded urgency.
Pakistan's ODI campaign ended in embarrassment as they collapsed to 92 all out in the series decider against the West Indies
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
'Pakistan can beat any team on any given day'
Abhishek Sharma was brutal and beautiful in equal measure during his scintillating 74 as India made a tricky chase look comfortable, winning an ill-tempered Super 4 contest of the Asia Cup against Pakistan by six wickets in Dubai on Sunday.
Spinners of both sides will have a significant role to play considering that Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi are the only specialist pacers who will be seen in action in Sunday's match.
On Sunday, in the crucible of Dubai, it all comes down to a single question: Who will seize their moment and become a hero for a nation?
Haris Rauf was named in Pakistan's 15-member squad, which will be led by star batter Babar Azam.
Dhoni and Gambhir have not had the smoothest of relationships as teammates and it will be interesting to see how this pair goes on if Dhoni were to accept the offer to mentor the team at the T20I World Cup.
Social media was quick to react, urging the former captain to 'focus on his batting' rather than engaging in photo sessions.
Pakistan completed a clean sweep of their One-day International series in South Africa with victory by 36 runs in the third and final clash at The Wanderers on Sunday.
'I think he is going to carry Yuvraj's legacy forward. He is a phenomenal talent.'
Bosch's knock, which included 15 boundaries, helped South Africa to 301 all out at tea and a handy lead over the tourists, who scored 211 in their first innings.
'He has been working hard on his bowling. This was a perfect game for him.'
'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.'
Saim Ayub and Khurram Shahzad received their debut call-ups to Pakistan's squad for the three-match Test series against Australia.
The team management and selectors have faced backlash over squad selection for the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said Babar Azam has been asked to improve certain aspects of his game.
'We have to forget this game because we have one the day after tomorrow. We're looking forward to delivering a better performance there.'
Pakistan survived a wonderful spell from an enraged spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in an intense Super 4 match to stay alive in the Asia Cup, in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed five wickets as Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan for 274 on the second day of their rain-hit second Test at Rawalpindi
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 2nd Test played between Pakistan and England in Multan on Tuesday.
Pakistan captain Muhammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have been dropped from the T20 squad for the upcoming five-match series in New Zealand.
'The way Abhishek and Shubman bat, it is like fire and ice.'
They are afraid of grass pitches: Basit Ali's surprising take on Pakistan batters ahead of England Test series
Former captain Babar Azam, pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah returned to the Pakistan team for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia.
Pakistan selectors want Babar Azam to open in CT, hope star batter will emulate Sachin Tendulkar
Mohammed Rizwan said that the win is a special moment for him and lauded his bowlers for their performances.
Pakistan have made four changes to the side for the second Test against England after resting senior cricketers including former captain Babar Azam from the rest of the series.
Fast bowler Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas have been named in Pakistan's team for the first Test starting on Thursday in Centurion - the first red-ball assignment for newly-appointed interim coach Aqib Javed.
Opener Reeza Hendricks smashed 117 runs from 63 balls to guide South Africa to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Twenty20 International at Centurion Park on Friday as they claimed the three-match series 2-0 with a game to spare.
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.
IMAGES from Day 3 of the 2nd Test played between Pakistan and England in Multan, on Thursday.
Ponting believes Saim Ayub is worth keeping an eye on during the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan now face a must-win encounter against India to keep their semi-final hopes alive in the ICC Champions Trophy.
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