Author: Mishaal Mubarak

We don’t have a name for that. We don’t even know if it can be called an approach. But Pakistan, at least for this Test match, have decided to do things in a new way. Yes, new way. It is not one of the regular ‘new ways’ Pakistan cricket introduces every few weeks. This one is insanely mind-blowing even by Pakistan’s standards. The defeat at England’s hands during the first Test game was what triggered the launch of this mission.  The board sacked the selection committee the very next day, materialized a new committee out of thin air, announced that…

Pakistan Cricket Board regularly drops new pieces worthy of discussion. Which, as a fan of their work, is an immense privilege. However, it does make the fans question their own sanity. Even get a few to think if they have followed the sport enough? Are they missing out on some big piece of information? Because the story is not aligning as it should. Ideally, the players that form the core of your team should not be forced out of the squad 48 hours before the game. But ideally, you also don’t sack the selection committee shortly after losing a match.…

Hyderabad witnessed an absolute carnage by Indian batters who thumped the visitors for 297 in the last T20I game. Hyderabad is famous for its flat decks, as was seen during the recent season of the Indian Premier League where seven out of twelve games hosted at the venue saw the teams scoring more than 200. However, what the Indian team did tonight at the venue, left all the previous records shattered. This is the second-highest total ever scored in a T20 International game, the highest if you only count full-member nations. India were 17 runs short of grabbing the highest-inning…

India have won the series 2-0, Bangladesh have recognized their weaknesses and per a few players, have also relayed their concerns and requirements to the board. But cricket has to be played anyway. Even if the match holds as much importance as a spinner on a pitch after rain, it has to be staged in front of the crowd, more like a show without a script. This game, though, could serve a few better purposes than being entirely a dead rubber, one of which is for Bangladesh to bid adieu to one of their veterans and a part of Poncho…

It’s all going downhill for Pakistan currently at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Piles of runs have been accumulated by the English batters especially, Joe Root and Harry Brook. Almost like an insult to the injury Pakistan is already suffering through. Blame it on Multan’s pitch or the frustrated Pakistan bowlers who could not extract so much as an ounce of assistance from their home turf, England have cashed the chance with both hands.  As if it was not enough, Pakistan’s usual third inning woes have come at them again, but this time a bit more harshly. Cherry on the top,…

Bangladesh veteran all-rounder, Mahmudullah, has decided to retire from the shortest format of the game after the conclusion of the ongoing T20I series against India. The decision was announced by the 38-year-old himself during a press conference in Delhi.  “I am retiring from T20I cricket after the last game of this series. I was pre-decided before coming here,” Bangladesh batter said. “I had a chat with my family. I spoke to the coach (Chandika Hathurusinghe), captain (Najmul Hossain Shanto), chief selector (Gazi Ashraf Hossain), and the board president (Faruque Ahmed) as well. I think it is the right time to…

For some time now, there has been quiet around this topic but to say that anyone has forgotten would be entirely wrong. It’s like the leftover food you stored to have later. Clings to your mind but you wait for the right time to devour it. However, a little peek into your refrigerator to see if it’s still there hurts no one. And these little peeks are what the cricket world wants regarding the question of India coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. For some, this is the calm that anticipates a storm. For the others, the silence is…

 Just a little more than a fortnight ago, plenty laid uncertain about the tour. The itinerary, what channel to tune in to watch the games, the captaincy conundrum for both teams and whatnot. But these were the least of concerns for both teams. England had an awful lot of cricket going on to keep them occupied and away from these uncomfortable questions. Pakistan had forced themselves into an out-of-the-thin-air domestic tournament, and off-field headlines worthy news. Eventually, the venues were decided, Sky Sports stepped ahead to acquire the hosting rights, one of the skippers stayed, the other succumbed to his…

The next T20 World Cup is in 2026, nearly 2 years from now. But India and Bangladesh will don their shortest-format jerseys to find answers. India are in the initial stages of building a new team of young but talented players. Knowing that most of their big guns will not stick around until 2026, the men in blue will have to prepare a team that will make their chances of defending the title more realistic on their home turf.  Bangladesh made it to the Super 8s for the second time during this year’s T20 World Cup. This fixture will be…

Ben Stokes’ time away from the team may be extended as the English cricketer is not certain about his recovery. Stokes, who was eyeing the tour against Pakistan, to make a comeback was seen practicing at Multan Stadium earlier today. Reportedly, he batted as well as bowled in the nets, albeit not more than half an hour. Although he had already confirmed that he would not fancy rushing back the process and in turn exacerbating his injury, there is some faint chance that he might still make it to the final XI. England will announce their squad for the first…