Author: Mishaal Mubarak

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…

Pakistan’s stalwart batter and former captain, Babar Azam, has called it quits on his stint as the team’s white-ball captain. The news came as a surprise for the fans as the right-handed batter broke the news through a statement shared on his X account. However, the fact that Babar might be counting his last days as the leader of the team was not unknown to anyone. Ever since Pakistan’s horrible crash out of the group stage in the T20 World Cup in June this year, Babar’s flaws as a captain started getting highlighted more. His lean patch with the bat…

The English Test team is set to depart for Pakistan within the next 48 hours for a three-match Test series. However, England’s interim coach Marcus Trescothick expressed his concerns regarding the difference in weather in both countries. The Three Lions will leave a dark, relatively cold, and wet England to come to Multan where the temperature rises up to 40 degrees. Barring a couple of times, England have always toured Pakistan during fall or winter season. Those too, usually, in relatively cooler parts of the country. This time, however, things will definitely be difficult for England.  Talking in this regard,…

Cricket is a game that never quite had any regard for national boundaries. The taking over of a majority stake in Hampshire County by GMR, the co-owners of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Delhi Capitals, makes a piece of good evidence for the statement. This deal has made Hampshire the first county to be owned by a foreign company.  As per the contract, GMR has agreed to the acquisition of control in stages. This will see the Indian infrastructure company initially holding a 53% stake in the county’s parent company, Hampshire Sport and Leisure Holdings Ltd, followed by a…