Pakistan

Azam, Pakistan's captain in all formats of cricket, was given the award by Governor of Pakistan's Punjab state Muhammad Baligh on Wednesday, according to information in the Pakistan media. At just 28 years old Babar Azam becomes the youngest recipient of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the reports said.

The board also named Mohammad Yousuf as the interim head and batting coach. Key players like regular skipper Babar Azam along with along with Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been rested, while Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain and Khushdil Shah failed to find a place in the squad.

The England batters warmed up for the knockout stages with a thrilling display, smashing Pakistan's attack to all corners of Newlands as they reached 213/5 in their 20 overs, reports ICC. And the reply never really got going as Pakistan ended their tournament in disappointing fashion, managing to avoid being bowled out, but finishing on 99/9.

"I think Babar's still got a little bit of improvement to come, which is a pretty scary thought with what he's been able to do, pretty much across all three formats over the last three, four years," Ponting said after Babar won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year for the first time and ODI Cricketer of the Year for the second straight year.

Bidding to build on their win over Ireland, West Indies, who won the title in 2016 in India, opted to bat and posted a below-par 116/6 at Boland Park here. Skipper Hayley Matthews took key Pakistan wickets early and late in the innings to inspire her side to a dramatic victory. Matthews and Rashada Williams flayed 15 from the bowling of Aiman Anwer in the fourth over but navigated the powerplay in a cagey fashion.

The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to be held in Pakistan in September. However, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), last year had made it clear that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the Continental championship and demanded that the event be moved to a neutral venue. Pakistan, on the other hand, have even threatened.

The wicketkeeper-batter became the first Pakistani woman to hit a hundred in a T20 international to propel her side to 165 for five in 20 overs. In reply, Ireland stuttered as Nashra Sundhu picked up four wickets for 18 from her four overs as Orla Prendergast and Eimear Richardson's contributions were not enough to stop the European team from slumping to its second defeat.

The inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) player auction in Mumbai on Monday saw 87 players picked up by five teams, out of which 30 were overseas cricketers, with INR 59.5 crore overall money spent in the auction. "It is extremely unfortunate to see Pakistan players missing out. Every opportunity must be fair and inclusive, and all opportunities are steps towards collectively.

Riding on brilliant performances by Bismah Maroof (68 not out off 55) and Ayesha Naseem (43 not out off 25), Pakistan posted a competitive total of 149-4 in stipulated 20 overs. Chasing 150, Shafali Verma was partnered by Yastika Bhatia for India at the top with Smriti Mandhana out injured. The duo put on 38 for the opening wicket before Yastike was dismissed by Sadia Iqbal in the final over of the Powerplay.

Two-time ICC Men's ODI Player of the Year Babar Azam has achieved almost everything possible in 50-over cricket over the last 24 months, but there is one more accolade the inspirational skipper is missing and dearly wants to achieve - leading Pakistan to the ICC Cricket World Cup title