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PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi defends Pakistan’s Test squad shake-up, calls decision “essential”
Karachi [Pakistan], September 2 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi defended the drastic changes made to the Test squad during the ongoing England series, calling them “essential", according to Geo News.
Pakistan made major changes to their Test set-up ahead of the third and final Test against England from September 9, replacing almost half of their squad and releasing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul following heavy defeats in the first two Tests against Three Lions, according to Cricinfo. The changes come after Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat in the second Test, allowing England to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. In the first Test, Pakistan had lost by an innings margin.
PCB released seven players from the squad, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad after the loss at Lord’s. In their place, Pakistan have brought in five uncapped players along with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have a combined experience of just 10 matches. The five uncapped players added to the squad are Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah. The PCB also roped in Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who are part of Pakistan’s white-ball coaching set-up as head coach and bowling coach, respectively. liveiplscore.homes
According to Geo News, Naqvi said the decisions taken during the England tour were necessary. He added that he was also looking into issues beyond the team’s performance, but said it was not the appropriate time to discuss matters unrelated to cricket.
PCB have been met with categorical criticism from former Pakistan cricketers, fans and analysts alike.
However, Naqvi brushed aside the criticism, saying he had never shied away from scrutiny and telling his detractors to compare Pakistan’s rankings before he assumed office. While admitting that the team’s Test performances have been disappointing, he highlighted the progress made in white-ball cricket during his tenure.
“I have never been afraid of criticism, and I never will be. Those who say cricket has been destroyed since I came — look at what the rankings were before," he said as quoted by Geo News. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
Esha Singh preparing for every eventuality as Asian Games pressure mounts
Boria Majumdar
Sports is as much about awareness as anything else. You always need to have a Plan B, for things generally don’t ever go to plan on the big stage. There will be some issue that you haven’t really anticipated, and it can’t come as a surprise. When it comes to shooting, for example, there could be a bad shot, which creates self-doubt. People can scream just when you are taking the shot, and you might lose focus as a result. With the sport being made more viewer-friendly, such things are now par for the course. There could be an equipment malfunction in an extreme scenario. What the fans will look out for is the medal, and no one will care about what happened to the athlete. That’s what makes the process challenging and what the athlete has to brace for.
Esha Singh and Ronak Pandit are doing exactly that. They are preparing for every situation and trying to anticipate everything that can go wrong. That’s what makes Esha a very strong medal contender and one of India’s best shooters at the moment.
“You have to do it,” said Ronak. “You can’t assume that because you are very well prepared, everything will go to plan in Nagoya. It won’t. Something or the other always happens. For example, we have even discussed where she is to look in between shots so that she doesn’t get distracted. Should she look at the gun or in front? You don’t always want her to look back at her coach.”
Esha, who has always shot well in finals, knows what it takes to stay in control despite things not always going to plan. “We train for every situation,” she said. “And now that I have been playing for a long time, I know what all can happen. Also, I have played at an Asian Games in the past and have done well. That makes things a teeny bit easier as well. But the idea always is to prepare for everything that can go wrong so you are not left with any surprises on the day that matters.”
Esha is competing in two events in Nagoya and, if you add the team medals, she could win as many as four medals for India. In the form that she is in, it is a very real possibility, and she knows it well.
“Medals are the end product,” said Ronak. “You don’t go in thinking about medals. Suppose the shooter next to you is shooting brilliantly, you can’t get impacted by that. In fact, it is not your concern. All you need to do is focus on your process, your shooting and your methods. Are you doing what has been discussed and what you have prepared for? Are you following the routine? That’s what you need to do and not focus on others.”
Having followed the duo very closely in the last few months, I have every reason to believe that Esha will be one of the success stories for India at the Asian Games. And yes, we will then celebrate together with some excellent Japanese food!
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Asia Cup: India need to address batting issues against Hong Kong
India will need to sort out their batting frailties for a more complete performance when they face Hong Kong in their second match of the Women's T20 Asia Cup here on Thursday. The seven-time champions, who won four Asia Cup titles in the ODI format and three in the T20 format, survived some anxious moments after a batting collapse in the second half of the first innings in their opening match against Thailand.
Sitting pretty at 101 for two after 10 overs, India were looking good for a 200-plus total but lost seven wickets for just 29 runs to finish at 159. Although it did not affect the outcome of the match as India comfortably defeated Thailand by 94 runs, the collapse left them with a lot to ponder, as against a top team, it could prove costly.
However, Hong Kong being a minnow team, India will have more leeway to iron out their issues ahead of bigger battles, including against Pakistan in their last Group A game. For India, Shafali Verma shone brightly with a quick-fire 64, while Deepti Sharma too proved her mettle, taking three wickets without conceding a run to emerge as the highest wicket-taker in women's T20Is.
But Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, who was included in place of the injured Jemimah Rodrigues, will hope to convert their starts and give a better account of themselves. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur too will want to get back among the runs to address questions over her form and future in the shortest format.
After the Asia Cup, India will head into the Asian Games in Japan and will need to be at their absolute best before that, especially after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. Hong Kong, on the other hand, suffered a narrow six-run defeat to Thailand in the tournament opener. Chasing 121, they fell just short at 114 for seven.
However, their bowling unit showed incredible grit, particularly pacer Marina Lamplough, who recorded stunning figures of 4/11. If Hong Kong are to put up a fight, Marina will have to find a way to keep India's explosive top order in check. Kary Chan is another experienced all-rounder who showed intent with a quick-fire 28 off 20 balls in the first match and will need to anchor the middle order.
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