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World Cup: Pakistanis believe Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan to be top run scorers

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As the thrill of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has taken over the country, Pakistani fans have revealed who they think will take the crown for “Batsman with Most Runs” this year.

A recent survey carried out by Ipsos, a multinational market research firm, reveals that the majority of Pakistanis have predicted that Babar Azam will make the most runs in this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup amassing a whopping 42% of votes, despite his below average performance in the mega event so far.

Mohammad Rizwan follows the team’s skipper with 37% votes while 7% of Pakistani cricket fans believe India’s Virat Kohli will take the title.

The survey also included predictions for other titles including “Most Wicket-Taking Bowler”, “Wicket Keeper with Most Catches”, “Best Fielder”, and more.

Fans abuzz with cricket fever have been closely observing and analysing every move made by their favourite players on the pitch.

Based on their analysis or sheer admiration for the players, Pakistanis have predicted that Shaheen Shah Afridi, the young speedster, will become the “Most Wicket-Taking Bowler” with a whopping 47% of votes.

He is followed by teammates Haris Rauf with 19% of votes, Hassan Ali with 14% and Shadab Khan with 8%.

Pakistans Shaheen Afridi celebrates after taking the wicket of Indias Shubman Gill, caught by Shadab Khan (not seen in the picture) during India v Pakistan match in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India on October 14, 2023. — Reuters
Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi celebrates after taking the wicket of India’s Shubman Gill, caught by Shadab Khan (not seen in the picture) during India v Pakistan match in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India on October 14, 2023. — Reuters

According to the survey, it seems that 65% of Pakistanis believe Rizwan, who is a keen wicket-keeper, is the “Wicket Keeper with Most Catches” for this year’s World Cup.

For the title of “Best Fielder”, 21% fans predicted that Shahdab Khan will be winning the title, with the most catches and run-outs in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Additionally, for the “Best Player of World Cup”, Babar once again takes the lead, this time getting 34% of the votes in the survey.

He is followed by Muhammad Rizwan with 26% votes and Virat Kohli with 14%.

Furthermore, it is important to note that cricket matches are incomplete without commentators and fans charged with the cricket frenzy.

As cricket commentators have a fandom of their own, the survey included a “Preferred Commentators” category and it revealed that Ramiz Raja stood out to be the preferred commentator for 58% of respondents.

He was followed by Waqar Younis with 19% votes, Ravi Shastri with 6% votes, and any other commentator with 3% votes.

At last, the Ipsos survey revealed that a whopping 82% of respondents favoured Pakistan in response to the question about who would win if Pakistan and India ended up in the World Cup final against each other.

Additionally, 15% respondents favored India while 3% are uncertain of the outcome of this scenario.

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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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Aaqib Javed designated as interim head coach for white-ball formats of Pakistan

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On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the hiring of former fast bowler Aaqib Javed as the interim head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team till the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Throughout this period, Aaqib will maintain his role as a senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee and will be allocated more responsibilities upon the completion of the eight-team tournament.

The PCB will commence the recruitment process for a permanent white-ball head coach, with the objective of finalising the appointment before the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place from 19 February to 9 March.

The white-ball coaching position became available with Gary Kirsten’s departure last month, prior to the current tour of Australia.

In Kirsten’s absence, red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie led the team during the tour of Australia and will now return for the forthcoming two-Test series in South Africa.

The Pakistan men’s team is set to compete in three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5, followed by an equal number of white-ball matches in South Africa from December 10 to 22.

Prior to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan will host New Zealand and South Africa for an ODI triangular series from February 8 to 14.

Aaqib Javed had considerable coaching expertise, having formerly held the position of Pakistan’s bowling coach during their triumphant ICC T20 World Cup campaign in 2009. Earlier this year, he served as the bowling coach for the Sri Lanka men’s squad.

Before that, he managed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in achieving ODI status and qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2015 in Australia during his term as head coach.

Additionally, the right-arm fast bowler served as the coach of Pakistan’s Under-19 squad during their victory in the U19 World Cup in 2004.

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