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Shahid Afridi calls on Babar Azam to move down the order

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Pakistan skipper Babar Azam should stand aside and give Mohammad Haris his opener slot to boost their top-order firepower in Wednesday’s T20 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, former captain Shahid Afridi said.

Pakistan, the 2009 champions, looked set to exit the competition until the Netherlands pulled off a major upset by beating South Africa on Sunday.

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar went into the tournament ranked as the top two T20 batters but neither has managed a fifty in the tournament so far. Rizwan has scored at a run-a-ball rate while Babar, Pakistan’s premier batsman, has a strike rate of 61.90.

Both will have to up their game against last year’s runners-up New Zealand in the first semi-final in Sydney. India play England in the second semi in Adelaide on Thursday.

“Babar Azam needs to listen to suggestions,” former all-rounder Afridi told a private TV channel.

“We need to use Mohammad Haris with fielding restrictions. Babar Azam should drop to number three.”

Afridi said Pakistan’s top order should play with more intent and be as aggressive as middle-order batters Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood.

“You look at Iftikhar or Shan Masood and you can see their intention in their body language, that they are looking to hit the ball. We need that kind of intention, that kind of cricket.

“What’s the point of scoring a run-a-ball 30 or 35 if you can’t finish the game having used up that many deliveries?” the 42-year-old added. 

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Today marks the end of the Champions Trophy tour in Pakistan.

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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 worldwide trophy tour concluded Monday in Pakistan. It is planned that the trophy trip will include the transportation of the prized silverware to Afghanistan.

The trophy took a journey of adventure during its stay in Pakistan, passing through several beautiful cities. After starting its tour in Islamabad, the capital, it traveled to the picturesque slopes of Murree and Nathia Gali.

The trophy went on to visit Taxila, Khanpur Dam, Abbottabad, and Karachi. Following a fast-paced trip, it has now concluded its leg in Pakistan by returning to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) headquarters in Lahore.

From December 15 to 22, the trophy will continue its global celebration after landing in South Africa.

After that, from December 25 to January 5, the Champions Trophy will travel to Australia, captivating cricket fans, before traveling to New Zealand from January 6 to January 11.

Fans will have the opportunity to interact with the trophy at the journey’s next stop in England, which is scheduled for January 12 to 14.

From January 15 to 26, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be on display in India as the grand finale of this thrilling worldwide trophy tour.

Schedule of Trophy Tour of Champions Trophy 2025

  • 16 – 25 November: Pakistan
  • 26-28 November: Afghanistan
  • 10 – 13 December – Bangladesh
  • 15 – 22 December – South Africa
  • 25 December – 5 January – Australia
  • 6 – 11 January – New Zealand
  • 12 – 14 January: England
  • 15-26 January, India
  • 27 January: event start: Pakistan

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Sumair Ahmad is named the 2025 Champions Trophy Director by PCB.

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PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi commented on the appointment, saying, “Sumair is a highly organized professional with a wealth of administrative expertise.” He will undoubtedly give players, officials, and fans alike an amazing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, especially when combined with his unshakable love for cricket.

He continued, “The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to showcase Pakistan’s ability to host world-class cricketing events, welcoming players and fans from around the globe to experience the country’s renowned hospitality and passion for the game.”

The BCCI informed the ICC earlier this month that it will not be sending a side to the event, which is set for 2025 in Pakistan during the February–March season.

After the PCB asked for clarity in its letter regarding the BCCI’s unwillingness to tour Pakistan, the ICC requested India’s justifications for not inviting Pakistan to compete for the Champions Trophy.

The broadcasters, meanwhile, reportedly pushed the ICC to make the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule available right away.

Due to the Indian government’s refusal to send a delegation to Pakistan for the event, the schedule that was supposed to be issued on November 12 was postponed.

The broadcasting rights, which were given to broadcasters for a record $3 billion until 2027, are heavily dependent on the success of the main events, especially those involving India and Pakistan, which regularly attract the largest audiences.

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India withdraws from the World Cup of Blind T20 Cricket in Pakistan

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Adding to the issue surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Indian government refused to allow their squad to travel to Pakistan for the Blind Cricket T20 World Cup, which is set to start in Lahore on November 23.

According to Indian media, India, the reigning champion, would not go to Pakistan to play in the Blind T20 World Cup 2024 since the government has not given its approval.

Lahore and Multan are set to host the Blind T20 World Cup 2024 from November 23 to December 3.

The general secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA), Sailendra Yadav, recently discussed the upsetting news about the blind cricket team’s upcoming trip to Pakistan in an interview with India Today.

The team was given a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Sports Ministry, but the Ministry of External Affairs finally refused to allow them to enter the border, Yadav revealed.

Yadav stated, “We have been waiting for the government to give us permission to travel to Pakistan for the past 25 days.”

“We will not be receiving any authorization to travel to Pakistan, and we can cancel your tournament,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed us over the phone.

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