TOP STORIES
“I was forcefully made to open”: Former Pakistan cricketer predicts Babar Azam’s excuse

With a fortnight to go for the Champions Trophy, Pakistan’s squad for the mega event has been a big talking point, with Saim Ayub having been ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury. Star batter Babar Azam is likely to open the innings for the team alongside Fakhar Zaman.
For Pakistan, Saim Ayub’s absence is a big blow considering his recent performances in white-ball format. Fakhar Zaman, on the other hand, has made his return to the side after a long period. Amid the reshuffling, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has said that Babar Azam will have an excuse ready if he fails to perform in the champions Trophy as an opener. He further said that regardless of Babar’s performance, his position in the side remains intact.
“Babar's place in the team will remain unaffected, irrespective of his performance in the Champions Trophy. If he performs, he will say 'I played for Pakistan'. If he doesn’t perform, he will say 'I was forcefully made to open'," Ali said on his YouTube channel.
Pakistan, who will be captained by Mohammad Rizwan, will kick off their campaign on February 19 by clashing with New Zealand in Karachi. And their keenly awaited face-off against India will be held on February 23 in UAE. Pakistan will enter Champions Trophy on the back of ODI series victories against Australia and South Africa.
Tags
More News

"I'm very lucky to have all these boys": Suryakymar Yadav lauds Indian contingent
After lifting the T20I World Cup title in the Caribbean & USA last year, India have carried forward that momentum, winning every T20I series they’ve contested since the World Cup. But even this dominance doesn’t lull Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav into complacency, as he feels that you learn from every game you play. However, he lauded both the batting and bowling departme...

AUS vs IND: Fifth T20I abandoned, India walk away 2-1 winners
The fifth and final T20I between India and Australia at The Gabba on Saturday was abandoned after just 4.5 overs of play, handing India the series victory by 2-1. India, having already secured a 2-1 lead heading into the final game, were asked to bat. They got off to a promising start, cruising to 52/0 in 4.5 overs.
Opener Shubman Gill was unbeaten on 29 ...

India’s batting firebrand Abhishek Sharma breaks new ground, creates history in T20Is
India's young left-handed dynamo, Abhishek Sharma, accomplished the 1,000-run milestone in T20Is, becoming the fastest batter in the world in terms of balls faced to reach 1,000 T20I runs.
Sharma reached the 1,000-run landmark in just 528 deliveries, breaking the previous record of 573 balls held by Suryakumar Yadav. By innings, he reached 1,000 runs in just 28 innings, m...

WBBL|11 : Brisbane Heat face Melbourne Renegades in the opener
Brisbane Heat are set to open their 2025-26 campaign in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL|11) with a blockbuster rematch of last season’s final, facing Melbourne Renegades on Sunday (9 November) at Allan Border Field in Brisbane. Last season, the Renegades claimed their maiden WBBL title by defeating the Heat in the final.
Heading into the opener, Heat face a massive chal...

Injury scare for Rishabh Pant ahead of India’s Test series
Ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant gave India an injury scare after he had to retire hurt during the second unofficial four-day fixture between India A and South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, on Saturday.
He came into bat but was struck on multiple occasions by fast bow...

Android App
iOS App
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram