Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday announced that former South Africa top-order batter Gary Kirsten and ex-Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie had been appointed the head coaches for the men’s national team for white and red-ball, respectively.

He made the announcement while addressing a press conference in Lahore alongside PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salman Naseer and Azhar Mehmood — who was announced as the assistant coach in all formats.

A separate press release issued by the PCB said the three appointments had made for a two-year period following a recruitment process.

“Kirsten will take charge of the side immediately after completing his assignment in the Indian Premier League,” the PCB said.

During his tenure, besides the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and other bilateral white-ball series, Kirsten will also be in charge of the side for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, ACC T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, it said.

It further said that Gillespie would assume responsibilities for the ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh (at home in August), which would be followed by Tests against England (at home in October) and South Africa (away in December) in the 2024-25 season.

In the press release, Naqvi congratulated the two foreign coaches on their appointments, saying their “stellar track records precede them”.

“I have every confidence that their expertise will guide our players to reach new heights, aligning with their inherent talent and the expectations of our passionate fans. These high-quality appointments also present a remarkable opportunity for our players to glean insights from these seasoned professionals, refining their skills and fortifying their cricketing acumen,” he said.

“The PCB is unwavering in its commitment to furnish the national team with top-tier resources and facilities, fostering an environment conducive to unlocking their full potential and consistently delivering stellar performances,” he added.

The press release also had quotes from the two new head coaches. Gillespie said he was grateful to the PCB “giving me the honour of coaching one of the most highly-regarded and talented cricket teams in the traditional format of the sport”.

“Within Pakistan we have a number of high-quality fast bowlers and being able to utilise them will be a key part of any success we enjoy. But we have quality in all departments — pace, spin, batting and keeping. We have all bases covered. It is exciting to know we have that talent and I am looking forward to working with such talented players,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kirsten said his goal was to “unite the Pakistan men’s white-ball team, harnessing their considerable talents towards a common objective, and achieving success together on the field”.

“My perspective on Pakistan cricket has remained consistent over time. There’s always an inherent expectation for the team to perform at a high level consistently. However, in team sports, maintaining peak performance is not always guaranteed. As a coach, it’s immensely gratifying to assist players in unlocking their full potential. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with the individual players and the team, facilitating their growth and development,” he said.

“My primary objective is to ensure the team operates at its optimal level. Success on the field is contingent upon the team performing at its best. Consistency and continuity are values I hold dear. While player form fluctuations are inevitable, maintaining a stable environment is crucial. I am committed to supporting players through their ups and downs, prioritising continuity in selections whenever possible,” he said.

During the press conference, Naqvi said that Kirsten and Gillespie were world famous coaches and their arrival gave “100 per cent confirmation” of the trust they had in the team.

Talking about Azhar, Naqvi said that his family was settled in the United Kingdom yet he left them and a “very good offer” behind to serve Pakistan.

“The Pakistani nation should know that Azhar came here purely for Pakistan and the Pakistan team and I am hopeful that he will play his role. He will be a [bond] between Test cricket and white-ball cricket,” he said.

He said that the purpose of bringing in the coaches was to give the Green Shirts the “best of the best”. Giving an example, he said there was a small device, which was expensive, that was required by physiotherapists.

“This was pending for so long. Yesterday when I was standing with the physiotherapists […] they were so happy that we had gotten the device for them […] the cricket board’s job is not to accumulate money in the bank, its job is to spend the money on cricket and the team […].”

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More to follow

https://www.dawn.com/news/1830180/pcb-pick-gary-kirsten-and-jason-gillespie-as-coaches-for-white-red-ball-cricket

LAUSANNE: The head of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach has backed the World Anti-Doping Agency in a row over its handling of positive drug tests by 23 Chinese swimmers.

“We have full confidence in WADA and the regulations and that WADA have followed their regulations,” Bach told AFP in an exclusive interview on Friday at the committee’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

WADA has faced criticism since media reports last weekend revealed that the Chinese swimmers tested positive for heart drug trimetazidine (TMZ) — which can enhance performance — ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The swimmers were not suspended or sanctioned after WADA accepted the explanation of Chinese authorities that the results were caused by food contamination at a hotel where they had stayed.

The head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Travis Tygart, has called the situation a “potential cover-up” with the positive tests never made public at the time.

Bach stressed that WADA was run independently, despite being funded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and he said he had learned of the positive tests via the media.

The IOC was awaiting the results of a new investigation ordered by WADA on Thursday, but Bach said the Chinese swimmers could compete at the Paris Olympics this year if cleared.

“If the procedures are followed, there is no reason for them not to be there,” the 70-year-old former German fencer added.

The Paris Games are set to be important to “revive the Olympic spirit” after the last Covid-affected edition in Tokyo in 2021 saw sport play out in empty stadiums, Bach said.

The hugely ambitious opening ceremony being planned by French organisers remains one of the biggest doubts, with infrastructure for the Games either already built or on track.

Instead of a traditional parade through the athletics stadium on the first night, teams are set to sail down the Seine on a flotilla of river boats in front of up to 500,000 spectators.

Worries about a terror attack have led to persistent speculation that the ceremony might need to be scrapped or scaled back dramatically.

“The very meticulous, very professional approach (from French authorities) gives us all the confidence that we can have this opening ceremony on the river Seine and that this opening ceremony will be iconic, will be unforgettable for the athletes, and everybody will be safe and secure,” Bach said.

Recent grumbling from Paris residents and negative media reports were typical of the run-up to any Olympics, he said, and also a symptom of broader anxiety.

“It’s part of our zeitgeist because we are living in uncertain times. And there are people who are sceptical. Some are even scared. Some are worried about their future,” the IOC president said.

DIPLOMATIC TIGHTROPE

As with previous Olympics, international politics and diplomacy are set to intrude on the world’s biggest sporting event.

Bach reinterated his support for the IOC’s policy of excluding Russia from the Paris Games over the “blatant violation” of the Olympic charter when it annexed Ukrainian sporting organisations.

A small number of Russian athletes will be able to compete as neutrals in Paris, providing they have not declared public support for the invasion of Ukraine or are associated with the security forces.

Any Russian athlete that expressed political views on the field of play, including the “Z” sign that has come to symbolise Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war, could be excluded.

“Immediately a disciplinary procedure would be opened and the necessary measures and or sanctions be taken,” Bach said, adding: “This can go up to immediate exclusion from the Games.”

Addressing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, he said between six and eight Palestinian athletes were expected to compete in Paris, with some set to be invited by the IOC even if they fail to qualify.

Bach dismissed any suggestion that the IOC had treated Russia differently over its invasion of Ukraine compared with Israel and its war in Gaza.

“The situation between Israel and Palestine is completely different,” he said.

He said he had been even-handed in his public statements on Ukraine, the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza.

“From day one, we expressed how horrified we were, first on the seventh of October and then about the war and its horrifying consequences,” Bach said.

Bach is in the last year of what should be a second and final four-year term according to IOC rules.

But some IOC members have suggested changing the organisation’s statutes to enable him to stay at the helm — an issue he declined to address.

“The IOC Ethics Commission has given me the strict recommendation not to address this question before the end of (the) Paris (Olympics) and I think they have good reasons for this,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2024

https://www.dawn.com/news/1830070/ioc-chief-bach-backs-world-doping-body-over-positive-chinese-tests

LAHORE: It proved a perfect series finale, having almost everything in it.

Amid loud cheers from boisterous crowd at a jam-packed Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan kept their cool to avoid what would have been an absolutely shocking series loss to a significantly under-strength New Zealand side.

Though the two run-outs in the very last over — of tailenders Ben Sears and William O’Rourke — bowled by an intelligent Mohammad Amir ended the game in an unexpected fashion, the Michael Bracewell-led tourists stretched Babar Azam and his men almost to the fullest before falling short by nine runs in the end.

First it was opener Tim Seifert and then late-order batter Josh Clarkson who gave goosebumps to the home fans — who were duly expecting their team to at least square the five-match series — as the tourists looked to chase a tough-looking 179 on a tricky wicket that had something for everyone.

While pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who earned both player-of-the-match as well as the player-of the-series award, looked tip-top during his 4-30 show, all other bowlers raised their game just when it was required.

After conceding a four in the opening over of the innings, Shaheen went through Tom Blundell’s defences with a beautiful delivery that moved very slightly away to disturb the timber.

But Seifert had other ideas as the right-handed opener kept playing belligerent strokes. He welcomed Mohammad Amir with a first-ball straight six in the fourth over and followed it up with two fours. The wicket-keeper/batter in the next over greeted Abbas Afridi in the same manner on his very first ball and backed it with a four, giving a clear message to the opposition that he means swift business.

New Zealand raced to 63-1 in the first six overs. Seifert completed a 29-ball fifty in the seventh over, his ninth in T20 Internationals, but was soon cleaned up excellently by leg-spinner Usama Mir on his very first delivery of the match as Pakistan took a sigh of relief. When dagerman Mark Chapman (12 off 12) was bowled by Usama while trying a sweep with New Zealand sitting nicely at 97-2 in the 11th over, it caused a mini collapse for New Zealand and gave Pakistan the conviction that they can do it.

In the very next over, the tourists received another jolt when Bracewell (23 off 21) was caught by Babar at short mid-wicket off Shadab and Cole McConchie (one) was trapped in front by left-arm spinner Imad Wasim on his very first ball of the 13th over to leave New Zealand at 103-5.

The 15th over bowled by Shaheen dented New Zealand further as the lanky pacer sent experienced James Neesham (16 off eight) and Zakary Foulkes (duck) back on back-to-back deliveries. Ish Sodhi became Shaheen’s fourth victim in the 17th over as the leg-spinning all-rounder was trapped and New Zealand slipped further to 137-8.

It looked almost over for New Zealand. But there was one man left in the hut about whom not many in Pakistan and the rest of the cricketing world currently know — Clarkson. Batting at number seven, he from nowhere smashed an unbeaten 38 off 26 with the help of three fours and two sixes keeping thousands at the ground and millions across Pakistan at the edge of their seats.

Usama’s 2-21 off four overs was equally important for Pakistan to sneak through.

Earlier after being put in to bat, Babar and Fakhar Zaman steered Pakistan to a solid-looking 178-5.

Saim Ayub’s struggles in the series continued as the left-handed opener tried to lift pacer William O’Rourke in the second over of the innings but mistimed it and was caught at mid-off by New Zealand skipper Bracewell. Babar was then joined by Usman Khan.

Having got off the mark with a boundary over square leg in the first over bowled by Zakary Foulkes, Babar cracked some exquisite shots including a huge six off the same bowler in the third over. The Pakistan captain then struck fast bowler Ben Sears for three fours — including his signature flick through midwicket — in the very next over that fetched the hosts 16 runs.

Pakistan reached 51-1 in the powerplay as Babar and Usman gradually developed their partnership amid cheers from a near-capacity crowd.

Right-handed Usman, who failed to impress after making T20I debut earlier in this series, finally made amends at least some while making a 29-ball 31.

The 28-year-old smashed a straight six off off-spinner Bracewell followed by a four through square leg in the eighth over that cost the tourists 15 runs. But the 28-year-old was magnificently caught by Bracewell at extra cover off veteran leg-spinner Ish Sodhi in the very next over. Usman added 73 with Babar off 44 balls. Fakhar Zaman came in to bat number four.

Babar meanwhile continued with his impressive strokeplay and in the process completed his half-century, the batter’s 34th in T20 Internationals.

Pakistan brought up their 100 in the 13th over bowled by Sodhi who in the same over was belted for a six by Babar.

Left-handed Fakhar, who made 43 off 33, took his time before starting to unleash strokes.

Ben Sears was smashed by Fakhar for a four in the 15th over but the paceman came back in the same over by penetrating a rock-solid strong defences of Babar with a superb yorker that crashed into the middle stump. The batter collected a 44-ball 69 studded with six fours and a couple of maximums.

Fakhar struck a couple of fours and a characteristic six over mid-wicket on a short-pitched ball by Sears in the 18th over which produced 19 runs. He was magnificently caught at the boundary in the final over of the innings

While Iftikhar Ahmed (six) was undone by Neesham in the 19th over, Shadab’s cameo (15 not out off five) made sure Pakistan get a fighting total in the end.

Fakhar was magnificently caught by Chapman at the boundary in the final over off Foulkes.

Scoreboard

PAKISTAN:

Saim Ayub c Bracewell b O’Rourke 1

Babar Azam b Sears 69

Usman Khan c Bracewell b Sodhi 31

Fakhar Zaman c Chapman b Foulkes 43

Iftikhar Ahmed c Bracewell b Neesham 6

Shadab Khan not out 15

Imad Wasim not out 4

EXTRAS (LB-1, NB-1, W-7) 9

TOTAL (for five wickets, 20 overs) 178

DID NOT BAT: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-8 (Saim), 2-81 (Usman), 3-123 (Babar), 4-159 (Iftikhar), 5-171 (Fakhar)

BOWLING: Foulkes 4-0-35-1 (3w, 1nb), O’Rourke 4-0-25-1 (2w), Sears 4-0-46-1 (2w), Bracewell 3-0-28-0, Sodhi 4-0-30-1, Neesham 1-0-13-1

NEW ZEALAND:

T. Seifert b Usama 52

T. Blundell b Shaheen 4

M. Bracewell c Babar b Shadab 23

M. Chapman b Usama 12

Cole McConchie lbw b Imad 1

J. Neesham c Shadab b Shaheen 16

J. Clarkson not out 38

Z. Foulkes b Shaheen 0

I. Sodhi lbw b Shaheen 3

B. Sears run out 7

W. O’Rourke run out 0

EXTRAS (LB-2, NB-1, W-10) 13

TOTAL (all out, 19.2 overs) 169 FALL OF WICKETS: 1-5 (Blundell), 2-81 (Seifert), 3-97 (Chapman), 4-97 (Bracewell), 5-103 (McConchie), 6-125 (Neesham), 7-125 (Foulkes), 8-137 (Sodhi), 9-168 (Sears)

BOWLING: Shaheen 4-0-30-4 (2w), Saim 2-0-20-0 (1nb), Amir 3.2-0-41-0 (4w), Abbas 2-0-24-0 (2w), Usama 4-1-21-2 (1w), Iftikhar 1-0-11-0, Shadab 1-0-6-1, Imad 1-0-5-1

RESULT: Pakistan won by nine runs.

PLAYER-OF-THE-MATCH: Shaheen Shah Afridi

SERIES: Five-match series tied 2-2.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2024

https://www.dawn.com/news/1830073/shaheen-inspired-pakistan-square-series-against-gutsy-new-zealand

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said he was proud of the way his inexperienced side bounced back to draw their Twenty20 series with Pakistan even if it is unlikely that many of the tourists will make his World Cup squad.

The Black Caps fell short of clinching the series when they were unable to chase down 179 for victory in Lahore on Saturday and lost by nine runs to share the series 2-2.

Stead, who will name his squad for June’s World Cup in the United States and Caribbean on Monday, was content with that turnaround after a seven-wicket thrashing in the first match to be completed in Rawalpindi.

“I’m very proud of the way our team played,” Stead told reporters from Lahore. “We had a disappointing first hit out and where we were soundly beaten but to bounce back from that I thought was really pleasing and I think there’s a few young guys that have certainly increased their stocks over here.

“Let’s not forget Pakistan only two years ago were World Cup finalists and … for us to compete with them I think was really, really pleasing for us.” With nine first-choice players unavailable because of Indian Premier League (IPL) duties and test skipper Tim Southee rested, the touring squad was pretty much a second-string outfit.

Promising opener Tim Robinson won his first T20 cap on the tour and scored 51 off 36 to anchor New Zealand’s innings in the fourth match but missed Saturday’s clash with a groin injury.

Seamer Will O’Rourke also impressed in his first T20 international series with a Man of the Match performance in the fourth match, taking 3-27 from his four overs.

Stead said all players in the international set-up needed to keep working even if they missed out on the World Cup squad on Monday given that replacements were likely to be needed at some stage.

“We’ve obviously got a number of guys in the IPL that will either join us when they get knocked out of the IPL or join us immediately after that when we travel to the West Indies,” he said.

“So the guys will still be working hard. There’ll be a number of fringe players who miss selection who will want to keep training as well just in case of injury,” he said.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1830148/new-zealand-coach-proud-of-t20-fightback-in-pakistan

LONDON: Liverpool’s fading Premier League title hopes were dealt a near-fatal blow on Saturday as West Ham United rescued a draw against Jurgen Klopp’s men while Sheffield United were relegated in ignominious fashion.

Manchester United’s push for Europe was dented by Burnley, who secured a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, keeping alive their hopes of survival.

Klopp’s glittering reign at Anfield appears to be ending on a flat note after they dropped points for the fourth time in five league games at the London Stadium.

Just weeks ago Liverpool, who won the League Cup in February, were on course for a quadruple of trophies but that is now a distant memory after FA Cup and Europa League exits and a string of damaging league results.

Liverpool would have moved level on points with leaders Arsenal with a victory, at least temporarily, but they failed to make the most of their chances despite a stirring second-half fightback.

The Gunners are on 77 points, two clear of Liverpool with a game in hand, while defending champions City have 76 points with two games in hand on the Reds.

Jarrod Bowen put David Moyes’ West Ham ahead shortly before half time but Liverpool looked a different side in the second period, taking the lead through Andy Robertson before an own goal from West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

But West Ham levelled in the 77th minute when Bowen wriggled free down the right and lifted a cross towards Michail Antonio, who headed home.

A downbeat Klopp, in the final weeks of his time at Anfield, said he did not want to talk about his side’s title chances.

“I’m not in the mood to talk about that to be honest or look at that at all,” he told TNT Sports.

“We had to win here, we knew that, and we didn’t, and now we have a little bit more time between now and the next game. We try to get the boys ready again and we will go again.”

The German bemoaned his side’s squandered chances, which have cost them dear in recent weeks.

“When we are 2-1 up we could control it, and still, as I said, in a lot of moments playing really well but the final situation we didn’t take,” he said. “That has been the story of the last four weeks.”

Klopp attempted to play down a touchline spat with Mohamed Salah, who was left out of the starting line-up, but the Egypt forward fanned the flames.

“There’s going to be a fire today if I speak,” he told reporters.

Pep Guardiola’s City, who play relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Sunday, are hot favourites to secure an unprecedented fourth straight English top-flight title.

Arsenal, who led the way for much of last season, are firmly in the hunt but face a tough away day at Tottenham Hotspur, also on Sunday.

In the day’s later match, Newcastle United’s 5-1 win against bottom club Sheffield United strengthened their push for European football next season but sent Chris Wilder’s team down to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.

Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the visitors an early lead at St James’ Park but two goals from Alexander Isak either side of a Bruno Guimaraes header turned it around.

An own goal by Ben Osborn deepened the woe for Sheffield United and Callum Wilson smashed in a fifth.

Newcastle remain in seventh place but are just one point behind Manchester United, who conceded a late penalty in a draw against Burnley.

Brazilian winger Antony scored his first Premier league goal of the season but Zeki Amdouni levelled from the spot in the 87th minute to leave the home side ruing missed chances.

Burnley are two points below Forest, who are just outside the relegation zone, and one point behind Luton Town.

Meanwhile, Hwang Hee-chan and Toti Gomes scored as Wolverhampton Wanderers deepened Luton’s woes with a 2-1 win and Fulham drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2024

https://www.dawn.com/news/1830074/liverpool-premier-league-title-hopes-suffer-blow-sheffield-relegated

KARACHI: West Indies women stunned Pakistan as they edged the hosts by one in a last-ball thriller here at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

Pakistan, chasing a seemingly easy target of 123 runs, were cruising towards it until a trigger was collapsed and the West Indies ensured they made the most of it.

The Nida Dar-led side had got off to a decent start in terms of runs but lost openers Gul Feroza and Sidra Ameen and Ayesha Zafar by the halfway stage.

The incoming Nida arrived right in the midst of the crisis and started Pakistan’s rescue mission. She first combined with Muneeba Ali for 22 runs off 20 balls before accumulating 28 off 26 with fellow veteran Aliya Riaz.

However, when Karishma Ramharack got Aliya to leave Pakistan at 104-5 at the start of the 18th over, things got out of control for the home side. The bowler took two more wickets in the same over, first that of Fatima Sana and then Nida herself, leaving Pakistan in tatters.

Yougsters Najiha Alvi and Tuba Hassan still took Pakistan far enough that they needed two runs off the last ball, which Najiha missed and still tried to complete a desperate single in an attempt to tie the match and take it to the super over, but West Indies wicket-keeper Shemaine Campbell hit the stumps to run Tuba out.

Ramharack finished with four wickets for 15 runs, while Qiana Joseph, Hayley Matthews and Afy Fletcher took a wicket each.

Earlier, West Indies struggled with the bat after winning the toss as they lost their in-form captain Matthews on the second ball of their innings.

Their highest scorer was Joseph, who added 34 off 36 to the total, while Stafanie Taylor scored 30 off 32.

The two had combined for a run-a-ball 55-run partnership after the dismissal of openers Matthews and her partner Campbell. But after that, none of the West Indies batter could drag the visitors out of trouble.

Pacer Fatima took three wickets for 24 in her four overs, while spinner Sadia Iqbal, who had made the first breakthorugh, bagged two scalps.

Diana Baig, Nida and Tuba took a wicket each.

Scores in brief: WEST INDIES 122-9 in 20 overs (Qiana Joseph 34, Stafanie Taylor 30; Fatima Sana 3-24); PAKISTAN 121-8 in 20 overs (Nida Dar 27, Sidra Ameen 23; Karishma Ramharack 4-15).

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2024

https://www.dawn.com/news/1829813/west-indies-edge-pakistan-in-last-ball-thriller-to-clinch-first-womens-t20

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA: A wounded world champion roared back on Friday, Francesco Bagnaia lowering his own lap record in practice at Jerez for this weekend’s Spanish MotoGP.

The factory Ducati rider, champion in 2022 and 2023, won the opener in Qatar yet has subsequently fallen to fifth in the championship standings coming into this fourth round of the season.

But the Italian sent out a warning to the pretenders to his crown by dominating the Friday practice with a sizzling late lap of 1min 36.025 to better his own previous best time at the circuit in Andalusia of 1min 36.170 set in 2022.

He topped second practice ahead of Maverick Vinales, the Aprilia rider on a cloud after his heroics at the Grand Prix of the Americas, where he won both the sprint and the race itself off a record pole.

In third came Marc Marquez, who briefly led the US race before abruptly parting company with his Ducati satellite Gresini bike.

Jorge Martin, who leads this season’s championship by 21 points (30 clear of Bagnaia), posted the fifth fastest time, four tenths of a second quicker than teenaged rookie sensation Pedro Acosta.

The top 10 automatically go through to the second qualifying session shaping the first four rows of the grid on Saturday, this group joined by the two fastest riders from the first session.

Saturday qualifying is followed by the 12 lap sprint race, with the 25-lap main event on Sunday where Bagnaia is seeking a third consecutive win.

In the championship Martin leads on 80 points, from Enea Bastianini (59 pts), Vinales (56), Costa (54) and Bagnaia (50).

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2024

https://www.dawn.com/news/1829810/bagnaia-hits-back-with-record-jerez-practice-lap

LAHORE: The upcoming T20 World Cup remains Pakistan focus despite their loss to a depleted New Zealand side in the fourth Twenty20 International here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

The result confirmed the hosts would not be able to win the five-match series even if they trump New Zealand in the final match at the same venue on Saturday. A victory for Pakistan would see the series end 2-2, with the two teams sharing the winners’ trophy.

After their seven-wicket defeat in the third match in Rawalpindi, Pakistan had gone into the first fixture in Lahore with five changes, with mainstays Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah not featuring.

While the changes may have had a role in Pakistan’s four-wicket loss, for the national side’s management, testing less experienced players to strengthen the bench means more with the World Cup less than two months away.

“When your main players don’t play it does make a difference,” Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman, whose effort of 61 off 45 went in vain on Thursday, admitted. “But we are focusing on the World Cup, which is why we’re making changes in every match.”

New Zealand are touring Pakistan with their first-choice players absent, majorly due to their involvement in the ongoing Indian Premier League. Led by off-spinner Michael Bracewell, the BlackCaps contingent are being considered as second, if not third-string. Their opponents’ standing has made defeats in the last two matches embarrassing for Pakistan.

“No one likes to lose a match at the international level but again for each one of us the World Cup and finding the right combination for it matters the most,” Fakhar noted. “Meanwhile, we will try our best to win the next match.

“Both things are important, the World Cup comes after a long gap, but it is also important to win individual matches at the international level.”

A newly-formed selection committee and a revamped coaching setup ahead of the New Zealand series has adopted a rotation policy focused on preparing Pakistan for the World Cup — to be held in the United States and the West Indies in June.

The management, Fakhar revealed, has clearly communicated to players about their roles and the number of opportunities they will be provided.

“If I talk about myself, the management had informed me before the series that I will not play the first three matches,” said the flamboyant southpaw. “Similarly, each player was given clarity over the matches they will feature in and the ones they won’t play.”

MARGINAL ERRORS

Pakistan head coach Azhar Mahmood, who has taken up the role on a consultancy basis only for the New Zealand series, believed the two teams were separated in the fourth match only by margins.

The former all-rounder pointed out at intricate details that gave New Zealand the edge throughout the match, while hoping Pakistan will work on their shortcomings.

“There were a few positives for us as we scored more boundaries than New Zealand,” Azhar said. “We also bowled more dot balls but they just took more doubles than us. These are areas of concern for us and we’re constantly working on it.”

The 49-year-old was did not seem to be worried about Pakistan losing three wickets in the powerplay, which saw Saim Ayub and Usman Khan — both being tested as potential first-choice players — along with captain Babar Azam depart early.

For Azhar, the intent to score mattered more than keeping wickets in hand.

“We always talk about showing intent,” he observed. “The way Usman Khan showed intent today was pleasant to watch. He played some good shots but couldn’t perform the way we wanted him to. But intent-wise, he was spot on.”

While Pakistan will be desperate to win the final match and draw the series, there are chances of rain playing spoilsport. Clouds hovered over the city after a storm followed by a spell of rain on Friday.

New Zealand were to go for an optional practice session but that was also called off due to rain. Meanwhile, Pakistan chose to rest on Friday.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2024

https://www.dawn.com/news/1829820/t20-world-cup-remains-pakistans-focus-despite-possibility-of-series-defeat-against-new-zealand

ATHENS: Greece on Friday handed over the Olympic flame of the 2024 Games to Paris organisers in a ceremony at the Athens marble stadium where the competition was revived nearly 130 years ago.

Hellenic Olympic Committee chairman Spyros Capralos handed the torch to Paris Olympics chief organiser Tony Estanguet at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896.

Estanguet in a speech said the goal for Paris was to organise “spectacular but also more responsible Games, which will contribute towards a more inclusive society.”

Organisers want to ensure “that the biggest event in the world plays an accelerating role in addressing the crucial questions of our time,” said Estanguet, a member of France’s Athens 2004 Olympics team who won gold in the slalom canoe event.

A duo of French champions, Beijing 2022 ice dance gold medallist Gabriella Papadakis and former swimmer Beatrice Hess, one of the most successful Paralympians in history, carried the flame during the final relay leg into the Panathenaic Stadium.

Nana Mouskouri, the 89-year-old Greek singer with a worldwide following, performed the anthems of France and Greece at the ceremony.

After spending the night at the French embassy in Athens, the flame on Saturday will begin its journey to France on board the 19th-century three-masted barque Belem.

On Sunday, the ship will pass from the Corinth Canal — a feat of 19th century engineering constructed with the contribution of French banks and engineers.

The Belem is set to reach Marseille — a city founded by ancient Greek colonists around 600 BCE — on May 8.

Over 1,000 vessels will accompany its approach to the harbour, local officials have said.

French swimmer Florent Manaudou will be the first torch bearer in Marseille. His sister Laure was the second torch bearer in ancient Olympia, where the flame was lit on April 16.

Ten thousand torchbearers will then carry the flame across 64 French territories.

It will travel through more than 450 towns and cities, and dozens of tourist attractions during its 12,000-kilometre (7,500-mile) journey through mainland France and overseas French territories in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific.

On July 26, it will form the centrepiece of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

A French historical monument launched just weeks after the Athens 1896 Games were held, the Belem carried out trade journeys to Brazil, Guyana and the Caribbean for nearly two decades.

Hours before the handover ceremony, the flame passed from Marathon, the town where the classic 42-kilometre endurance race, a key Olympic event, sets off annually.

The torch harks back to the ancient Olympics when a sacred flame burned throughout the Games. The tradition was revived in 1936 for the Berlin Games.

During the 11-day relay on Greek soil, some 600 torchbearers carried the flame over a distance of over 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles) through over 50 towns and cities.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2024

https://www.dawn.com/news/1829821/greece-hands-olympic-flame-to-paris