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THE DAILY PULSE
Pakistan’s middle-order woes under spotlight after T20 World Cup 2026 exit
Pakistan’s campaign at the T20 World Cup 2026 has come under sharp scrutiny, with former cricketers and analysts pointing to repeated middle-order collapses as the primary reason behind the team’s struggles in crucial matches. A social media post by former cricketer Rashid Latif highlighted Pakistan’s underwhelming returns from the middle order (positions 4–7), claiming that consistent failures in this phase cost the team dearly in high-pressure encounters. According to stat
Feb 262 min read
ECB, The Hundred franchises reaffirm commitment to inclusivity amid nationality debate
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and all eight franchises of The Hundred have issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to inclusivity, stressing that players must not be excluded on the basis of nationality. In a comprehensive declaration, the governing body and team franchises emphasized that The Hundred remains a competition designed to be “inclusive, welcoming and open to all.” The statement underlined that from its inception, the tournament was cre
Feb 252 min read
Imad Wasim questions senior players’ impact, calls set batter’s dismissal ‘criminal’
Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has stirred debate with blunt remarks about senior players’ performances, questioning their ability to deliver in decisive moments and demanding greater accountability within the team setup. Speaking during a discussion on recent performances, Imad said he believes he has “more experience than Shaheen and Babar,” referring to fellow internationals Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam . He expressed frustration over what he described as repeated
Feb 252 min read
Heated exchange between Mohammad Hafeez and Saqlain Mushtaq over Shadab Khan after Pakistan’s defeat to England
A tense debate erupted on a post-match television show after Pakistan’s defeat to the England cricket team, as former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez and former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq engaged in a heated exchange over Shadab Khan’s role in the side. The discussion initially revolved around the reasons behind Pakistan’s loss, with several analysts questioning team balance and individual performances. Hafeez bluntly suggested that confusion over Shadab Khan’s primary role in the X
Feb 252 min read
“Aim is to score the most runs and win matches for Pakistan,” says Sahibzada Farhan amid the comparisons with Virat Kohli
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has set his sights high for the ongoing T20 World Cup, declaring that his primary objective is to help Pakistan win matches and finish as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. Speaking during a press interaction in Kandy, Farhan made it clear that while he does not focus heavily on personal statistics and records, he remains determined to make a significant impact with the bat. “I don’t take stats and records seriously. However, my aim is to s
Feb 231 min read
“Batters need to take responsibility,” says Sahibzada Farhan ahead of Pallekele clash against England
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has called on the team’s batting unit to step up and shoulder greater responsibility as they prepare for their upcoming fixture in Pallekele. Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Farhan acknowledged the bowlers’ consistent performances in recent games but stressed that the batters must now play their part in delivering complete team results. “Our bowling is doing well, but our batters need to take responsibility. We’re fully focused on t
Feb 231 min read
“Fix domestic cricket first”: Mohammad Amir outlines bold reforms if he becomes Pakistan Cricket Board chairman
Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has called for sweeping reforms in the country’s cricket structure, stating that if he were given the opportunity to serve as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for even one year, his top priority would be to eliminate fear and financial insecurity among players. Speaking candidly about the challenges faced by cricketers in Pakistan, Amir stressed that frequent changes in team combinations, coaching staff, and management wil
Feb 232 min read
“On slow pitches, he’s worth his weight in gold”: Faf du Plessis backs Babar Azam amid T20 strike-rate debate
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has offered a balanced and thoughtful assessment of Babar Azam’s evolving role in T20 international cricket, acknowledging both the challenges and the continued value the Pakistan star brings to the format. Speaking about the modern demands of T20 cricket, du Plessis noted that the format has changed dramatically in recent years — particularly when it comes to strike rates in the powerplay. While Babar has long been regarded as one o
Feb 222 min read
‘Strike Rate Below 100’: Mike Hesson clears the air around Babar Azam’s batting position ahead of the NZ clash
Colombo: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has made a candid assessment of Babar Azam , revealing that the former captain’s strike rate in the powerplay is below 100 — a key reason behind his demotion in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 . Pakistan secured their Super 8 qualification with a win over Namibia, but it raised eyebrows when Babar did not come out to bat. Instead, Khawaja Nafay and Shadab Khan were promoted up the order, while Babar remained sidelined throughout t
Feb 202 min read
Shahid Afridi reminds Shadab Khan of past support, urges him to let performances do the talking
Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has further weighed in on the ongoing debate sparked by all-rounder Shadab Khan's comments, advising the leg-spinner to respond to criticism with performances rather than words. The controversy began after Shadab remarked in a press conference that former cricketers who frequently criticize the current side were themselves unable to defeat India in a World Cup match, adding that while the stars of the 1990s were individually brilliant,
Feb 192 min read
‘Pressure is created by spectators, not inside the team’: Usman Tariq breaks silence after India defeat
Pakistan’s emerging pacer Usman Tariq has dismissed suggestions of panic within the dressing room following the high-profile defeat to India, insisting that the narrative of “pressure” is largely driven by outside noise rather than internal turmoil. Speaking at a post-match press conference, Usman addressed a wide range of questions — from team strategy and criticism of senior players to his own performance and growing spotlight — in what turned out to be a candid and compose
Feb 173 min read
Shoaib Akhtar takes dramatic U-turn within 24 hours over remarks on PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has sparked fresh controversy after appearing to reverse his stance within 24 hours regarding his criticism of Pakistan Cricket Board leadership and senior players. Morning Firestorm on Indian TV While speaking to an Indian news channel earlier in the day, Akhtar delivered scathing remarks that were widely interpreted as indirect criticism of Mohsin Naqvi , the current Chairman of the PCB. Without naming him in every instance, Akhtar
Feb 172 min read
“Babar Azam looks ordinary, and that hurts”: Harsha Bhogle expresses his disappointment on Pakistan Cricket’s decline
Renowned Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle has delivered a brutally honest assessment of Pakistan’s recent struggles, expressing concern over the visible dip in form of two of the country’s biggest cricketing icons — Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi . Speaking after Pakistan’s latest outing, Bhogle admitted that watching Babar look “ordinary” was disappointing for cricket fans across the globe. “I’ve been an admirer over the years of Babar Azam,” Bhogle said. “It doesn’t m
Feb 172 min read
Lahore Region Blues clinch the National U15 One-Day cup title
Lahore Region Blues emerged victorious in a thrilling final of the National U15 One-Day Cup 2025-26, defeating Karachi Region Whites by 29 runs at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday. The win earned Lahore Region Blues a prize of PKR 1 million, while Karachi Region Whites took home PKR 0.5 million. Electing to bat first, Lahore Region Blues posted a competitive total of 246-7 in their allotted 50 overs. Muhammad Mubashir was the star of the innings, crafting a classy 95 off
Feb 162 min read
Salman Butt questions Salman Agha’s tactical blunders after toss strategy backfires
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt criticized Pakistan’s tactical awareness after their defeat to India, questioning the decision to bowl f
Feb 162 min read
Shoaib Akhtar slams Naqvi’s appointment as the chairman of PCB, takes a dig at Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar launched a scathing attack on the leadership of the Pakistan Cricket Board, questioning the appointment
Feb 163 min read
Mohammad Amir questions Abhishek Sharma’s impact ahead of India–Pakistan clash
With India set to face Pakistan on February 15, former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has ignited debate by questioning the impact of young opener Abhishek Sharma in the Indian playing XI. Speaking during a recent cricket discussion, Amir did not mince his words when assessing the left-hander’s batting credentials. “He is not a proper batsman; he is a slogger,” Amir said. “He is just there to hit left, right, and centre. He doesn’t have a solid technique. If a bowler comes up w
Feb 132 min read
Ashwin suggests tactical mind game to counter Usman Tariq’s stop-start action
“If he comes and stops for bowling, the batsman has the right to move away. He can say, ‘I thought he was stopping.’ That will be a huge hea
Feb 132 min read
HBL PSL makes history with first-ever player auction as franchises finalise squads for season 11
Lahore, 11 February 2026: The HBL PSL ushered in a new era on Tuesday as the league conducted its first-ever Player Auction ahead of Season 11, with a total of 103 players sold and eight franchises completing their squads for the upcoming edition. Set to take place from 26 March to 3 May, HBL PSL 11 will mark a significant shift in the league’s structure, with the auction model replacing the traditional draft system. Three teams — Rawalpindi, Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad H
Feb 123 min read
Former Pakistan cricketer Nasir Jamshed seeks forgiveness, reflects on difficult jail term
Former Pakistan cricketer Nasir Jamshed has revealed that he went through an extremely difficult period during his time in prison and has now appealed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to forgive the remaining year of his ban. In an interview with Geo News, Jamshed admitted that he deeply regrets his involvement in spot-fixing and said he has paid a heavy price for his mistakes. He claimed that poor legal advice worsened his situation, adding that had he received proper gui
Feb 112 min read
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