ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - The resolution of the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy standoff a win? Not even close!

The cricketing world is abuzz with controversy as India refuses to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while Pakistan reciprocates by declining to visit India for the ICC World T20 2026. This tit-for-tat standoff has fans and analysts questioning the very role of the International Cricket Council (ICC). We've often heard whispers that the ICC has been reduced to a mere event management firm, but with these recent developments, can it even claim that title anymore? The tension between these two cricketing giants has thrown a wrench into the gears of international cricket, highlighting the ICC's struggle to manage and mediate between its member nations. The excitement of global tournaments is being overshadowed by political and diplomatic spats, leaving fans disheartened and the sport itself at a crossroads. As the ICC grapples with these challenges, one has to wonder: is it still the governing body we once revered, or has it become a powerless entity caught in the middle of geopolitical strife? The future of international cricket hangs in the balance, and the world is watching closely.

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Unveiling the Triple-Threat: An Analytical Dive into Test Cricket's Triple Hundreds

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Last month, my article on Test hat-tricks captivated readers by evaluating these rare feats based on the quality of batters dismissed and other pertinent factors. The overwhelmingly positive response suggested that I had created a definitive resource on the subject. Coincidentally, since the article's publication, England's Gus Atkinson has added another hat-trick to the records. Buoyed by the enthusiasm, I have embarked on a similarly anecdotal and analytical exploration of another fascinating cricketing milestone: Test triple-hundreds, henceforth referred to as triples. There is an abundance of data on this topic, and I have meticulously compiled and analyzed it to present a comprehensive and engaging article. As is my tendency, I delved deeply into the subject, resulting in a richly detailed piece brimming with intriguing insights. The article is divided into two parts. The first part features tables crafted from key analytical values essential for evaluating triples. Many of these metrics are unique to my data analysis approach. To aid new readers and refresh the memory of seasoned followers, I have included a support document explaining these metrics. In the second part, I delve into smaller analytical snippets that don’t require full tables but still offer fascinating insights. Additionally, I have unearthed some interesting nuggets from perusing scorecards of triples. The outcome is a multifaceted article that should appeal to all cricket enthusiasts. Minor errors might have crept in due to the extensive nature of this research, for which I seek your understanding. To date, 32 triples have been scored by 28 batters in 32 Tests, making triples rarer than hat-tricks, which have occurred 46 times. These innings vary widely, from one scored during a perilous 94 for 5 situation to another that was part of an almost 1000-run team total. In one instance, the opposition bowlers had minimal career wickets, while in another, a world-class bowling attack was at the crease. This diversity promises a treasure trove of insights, which this article aims to uncover through meticulous scorecard analysis. Now, let's embark on a data-mining expedition. 

Key Metrics Related to Triples 

1. Pitch Quality Index (PQI) 

Inzamam-ul-Haq's 329 in Lahore in 2002 stands out on a uniquely challenging pitch. It’s the only pitch in this analysis with a PQI below 50.0, indicating a slightly bowler-friendly surface. Examining the scorecards reveals why: New Zealand's scores of 73 and 246 significantly impacted the overall perception of Pakistan's 643, highlighting the difficulty of the pitch. Thus, Inzamam's innings gains additional luster. Similarly, John Edrich's 310 at Headingly in 1965, despite England's 546 for 4, was achieved on a neutral pitch, as indicated by New Zealand's scores of 193 and 166, resulting in a PQI of 56.4. Close behind is the more recent 2016 Dubai Test, where Azhar Ali's 579 for 3 preceded 30 wickets falling for scores of 357, 123, and 289, indicating a slightly batting-tilted pitch. 

Conclusion 

This analytical journey into the realm of Test triple-hundreds not only highlights the prowess of the batters but also the varied and challenging contexts in which these monumental innings were crafted. As we navigate through the data, we unearth stories of resilience, skill, and the ever-changing dynamics of cricket, mirroring the complex landscape of the sport itself.

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Shaheen Shah Afridi Left Out of Pakistan's Test Squad for South Africa Tour

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In a surprising move, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been excluded from Pakistan's squad for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa in December and January. Despite being released from Pakistan's Test side following their defeat in the first Test against England in October, Afridi remains part of the white-ball squads for the tour. However, his absence from the Test matches indicates that the red-ball format is becoming less of a priority for him, a decision that might have long-term implications for his career. When Afridi was initially dropped in October, many believed that the pace-friendly surfaces in South Africa, where he played his second and third Test matches five years ago, would suit him better as he sought to regain form. Since his return from a knee injury sustained during a Test in Sri Lanka in July 2022, Afridi has struggled to make an impact in Tests, taking only 17 wickets at an average of 45.47 in six matches. His omission from the South Africa Tests now casts doubt on his chances of being included in Pakistan's home Test series against the West Indies in January, after which Pakistan has no Test matches scheduled until October 2025. Mohammad Abbas returns to the Test side, having last played in 2021. Known for his accuracy and ability to seam the ball, Abbas is the only fast bowler from the squad that toured South Africa in 2018-19. The decision to include him suggests that Pakistan is banking on experience to navigate the challenging conditions in South Africa. Notably, Sajid Khan has been left out of the squad. Despite his crucial role in Pakistan's series against England, where he and Noman Ali helped turn the series around with their spin bowling, Pakistan has opted to travel with just one spinner for the South Africa series, choosing Noman's left-arm orthodox spin over Sajid's off-spin. Abrar Ahmed, once considered Pakistan's premier Test spinner, has also been omitted. Khurram Shahzad's return to the Test side is another significant development. After a rib injury sidelined him following Pakistan's home Tests against Bangladesh in August, Shahzad has made a strong comeback, taking 13 wickets in two Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches and another 15 in three innings against Sri Lanka A. Pakistan's Test squad appears to lack high pace, a critical asset in South African conditions. Naseem Shah remains the only true fast bowler, while the rest of the squad comprises Aamer Jamal, Shahzad, Abbas, and Mir Hamza. This contrasts sharply with South Africa's fast-bowling arsenal, known for its pace and aggression. The white-ball squads for the South Africa tour remain relatively stable, with few changes from the teams that played in Australia. Sufiyan Muqeem's impressive performances in Zimbabwe have earned him a spot in both the ODI and T20I squads. Omair Yousuf also retains his place in the T20I squad. Pakistan's tour of South Africa includes three T20Is and three ODIs between December 10 and 22, followed by two Test matches in Centurion and Cape Town starting on December 26 and January 7. Historically, South Africa has been a challenging venue for Pakistan, with only two Test victories and no series wins. 

Pakistan Squads for South Africa Tour 

Test Squad: - Shan Masood (capt) - Saud Shakeel (vice-capt) - Aamir Jamal - Abdullah Shafique - Babar Azam - Haseebullah (wk) - Kamran Ghulam - Khurram Shahzad - Mir Hamza - Mohammad Abbas - Mohammad Rizwan (wk) - Naseem Shah - Noman Ali - Saim Ayub - Salman Ali Agha 

ODI Squad: - Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk) - Abdullah Shafique - Abrar Ahmed - Babar Azam - Haris Rauf - Kamran Ghulam - Mohammad Hasnain - Muhammad Irfan Khan - Naseem Shah - Saim Ayub - Salman Ali Agha - Shaheen Shah Afridi - Sufiyan Muqeem - Tayyab Tahir - Usman Khan (wk) 

T20I Squad: - Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk) - Abrar Ahmed - Babar Azam - Haris Rauf - Jahandad Khan - Mohammad Abbas Afridi - Mohammad Hasnain - Muhammad Irfan Khan - Omair Bin Yousuf - Saim Ayub - Salman Ali Agha - Shaheen Shah Afridi - Sufyan Moqim - Tayyab Tahir - Usman Khan (wk) 

In last resort

The exclusion of Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test squad raises questions about the future direction of Pakistan's cricket strategy, especially in the red-ball format. The team management must address these issues and ensure a balanced and competitive squad for future tours.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - fight between Pakistan's partnership model vs India's hybrid model

Even today, Pakistan and India have been clashing as if fighting for a profound cause. However, Pakistan's fight is more legitimate since this is the first ICC tournament to be hosted on Pakistani soil since 1996—nearly 30 years since our last ICC event. 

But why?

India is capitalizing on its cricket economy, but what is Pakistan offering? Are we investing in media or other areas that could strengthen our negotiating position? It seems not. If we look at Karachi, for instance, we see roads being built, demolished, and repaired again just to show some semblance of activity, creating a superficial justification for actions. In contrast, Indian YouTube videos highlight a win-win situation for India, leaving Pakistan embarrassed.

We are giving chances to our opponents instead of negotiating effectively and timely. 

Learning from our opponents is something we are currently missing. One major aspect ruling the cricketing world is broadcasting. Unfortunately, the official broadcaster for ICC is the same as for BCCI, and similarly, Sri Lanka's and Bangladesh's official broadcasters are also associated with India. We need to understand how India built its cricket economy while Pakistan acts like our elderly individuals obsessed with real estate, turning Karachi into a real-estate wasteland. Benefitting from real estate doesn’t mean a one-size-fits-all solution.

Consider cricket's broadcast. 

Even England’s tour to New Zealand featured acknowledgements in New Zealand's local language, yet Pakistan's broadcasts lack such representation of Urdu or domestic languages. We need to promote Urdu and other Pakistani languages in our broadcasts.

Regarding Pakistan’s innovations, uniqueness catches the eye, but our broadcasts have been monotonous and lacking in continuous improvements, such as incorporating technical innovations to captivate TV audiences. Our infrastructure woes are evident; Pakistan's cricket stadiums often look caged, especially Karachi's, unlike the upgraded Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which now resembles the open look of NMS in Ahmedabad. We need to focus on optics and presentations, not just in broadcasting but also in the appearance of our cricket grounds to international viewers.

We need unique broadcasts with statistically accurate information associated with Pakistan. A continuous training mechanism for cricket broadcasters should be implemented. We know Harsha Bhogle and Ravi Shastri, but apart from Ramiz Raja, who do we know in Pakistan?

Documentaries are another area where we lag. SuperSport, Willow TV, and Sky Sports (both British and New Zealand Cricket) rely on documentaries. During the recently concluded England tour to Pakistan, Sky Sports made documentaries, but nothing came from Transgroup (the official broadcaster of Pakistan cricket). During Australia's tour to South Africa, Steve Smith and David Warner were documented amid the ball-tampering scandal, yet we, Pakistanis, fail to document our own stories, preferring noise over substance.

India can harness the hybrid model because they have a checkmate over Pakistan. Pakistan didn’t create alternative mechanisms, allowing India to capitalize on its authority. It’s time we teach positive intentions instead of superficial show-offs. We need a strategic and assertive approach to reclaim our standing and ensure our rightful place in the global cricketing arena.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - and Pakistani media شعبدے بازی

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As I have mentioned in one of my previous blog posts, media, especially Pakistani media has been responsible for creating this mess, because while reports are being released regarding Mohsin Naqvi Sahab's visit to Dubai regarding the ICC meeting, end up face-saving because he is not only PCB's chief but also part of a political party currently ruling Pakistan, has an excuse for creating a goodwill for him in Pakistan.

Although I might be sounding like an Indian, but...

I agree with one of the Indian anchors that after 1996, how many multi-national tournaments have we hosted? apart from the recently coming NZ and South Africa tri-nation series? I personally observed a lack of intention from Pakistan, although there is an excuse that from 2009 to 2019, Pakistan couldn't host a game on its soil, but still, related to South Africa's apartheid, they invested in their infrastructure, did we reciprocate accordingly? and worked on our infrastructure? I remember India started upgrading their majority stadiums for the 2011 ICC CWC in 2008, whereas we started 4 months ago, whereas today's first of December, so it is evident that we Pakistanis only believe in شعبدے بازی instead of constructive criticism
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Postponement of Sri Lankan A team tour of Pakistan

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As a proud Pakistani, the indefinite postponement of Sri Lanka A's tour of Pakistan due to mass protests in Islamabad is a critical blow to our international image. This incident, stemming from political unrest led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters and their leader, former captain and prime minister Imran Khan, casts a shadow over our nation's ability to host international events smoothly and securely. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) attributed the postponement to "political activity" in Islamabad, our nation's capital, and Rawalpindi's twin city. "The Pakistan Cricket Board, in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket, has postponed the last two 50-over matches of the Pakistan Shaheens-Sri Lanka A series due to political activity in the federal capital," stated the PCB. The two matches, initially set for Wednesday and Friday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, are now in limbo as both boards scramble to finalize new dates. This disruption follows the PCB's earlier move to relocate the first one-dayer to Islamabad Club, away from Rawalpindi Cricket Ground, due to escalating concerns over the PTI protests. Despite these preventive measures, the subsequent games on November 27 and 29 were also jeopardized by the continued unrest. The protests, which have effectively paralyzed the capital, underscore a tense standoff between Imran Khan's supporters and the federal government, diverting crucial attention from sporting events. This situation is not merely an inconvenience; it is a stark reminder of the volatile political climate that can disrupt even the most meticulously planned international fixtures. The presence of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the country's Interior Minister, in managing this crisis highlights the intersection of sports and politics that Pakistan must navigate. The postponement tarnishes Pakistan’s efforts to rebuild its image as a safe and welcoming destination for international sports. Our successful lead in the one-day series, with a decisive 108-run victory in the first match and a 1-0 win in the preceding two-match first-class series, is overshadowed by this turmoil. To regain our standing, we must demonstrate stability and ensure that political conflicts do not undermine our commitments to the international sporting community. Only by addressing these challenges head-on can we reaffirm Pakistan's resilience and dedication to hosting world-class events.

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