(Source X)
The Pakistan Cricket Team is currently under intense scrutiny due to their lackluster performances, particularly highlighted during the recent ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Iftikhar Ahmed have been under the spotlight.
Following Shaheen Afridi’s alleged altercation with Pakistan team coaches, which made headlines, Iftikhar Ahmed has once again drawn attention for his disappointing displays. Recently, he faced heavy criticism for his batting failures in practice sessions, where he reportedly fell victim to a young, inexperienced fast bowler.
Iftikhar Ahmed’s mishap in club cricket becomes an internet sensation.
As Pakistan readies for their upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh on home turf, several players, including Iftikhar Ahmed, opted for club cricket to gain match practice ahead of the WTC series.
In a recent club cricket outing in Peshawar, Iftikhar Ahmed faced a humiliating moment. The renowned right-handed batsman, known for his explosive batting, was dismissed without scoring—a golden duck. Fans expressed their disappointment as the viral video captured his grand entrance to the crease followed swiftly by his swift exit after just one ball, caught out amid cheers from the opposing club cricketers. It was a stark moment of embarrassment for the seasoned player who has represented his nation at the highest international levels.
Well, the fans left no stone unturned in expressing their anger, calling Iftikhar a “club-level cricketer,” “destroyer of Pakistan cricket,” and “actor” on the microblogging site X. Some users also mocked the Pakistani batter for his bizarre run-up, with some urging fans to stop paying attention to Iftikhar.
Pakistan to start camp for Bangladesh Tests on August 6: Jason Gillespie
Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for the Pakistan cricket team ahead of their upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Jason Gillespie, the red-ball head coach, has disclosed plans to initiate a camp commencing August 6 to ready the squad for the home series. Additionally, he confirmed that the list of potential players for the Bangladesh Test series will be finalized and announced by the month’s end.
Gillespie was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan: “We will also assess the pressure on the batters. We aim to prepare a backup. A camp will be set up from August 6 for preparations for the series against Bangladesh. We will announce the problems for the series by the end of this month.
It has not been decided yet who will be given rest. Shan Masood will lead the Test team. He is currently playing county cricket in England. Although we have not met, we stay in touch over the phone.”
Shan Masood remains steadfast as Pakistan’s Test captain, while questions linger regarding Babar Azam’s tenure as the captain for white-ball formats. The PCB has refrained from confirming Azam’s continuation nor provided clarity on potential changes ahead of their upcoming limited-overs series scheduled for October-November in Australia. The team’s last international appearance was in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they faced Ireland on June 16.
