skywritg.com – Today’s Pulse & News Briefings

Former skipper Rashid Latif blasted Pakistan’s “timid” batting after their Super 4s loss to India, saying the middle order lacked intent and wasted overs. He criticised Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat, and Mohammad Nawaz for slow scoring, adding, “Better to get out playing shots than waste time. That’s why I don’t trust their batting or bowling."

Following Pakistan's six-wicket defeat to India in the Asia Cup Super Four clash, captain Salman Agha acknowledged the debatable Fakhar Zaman dismissal but emphasised that the team's batting performance was the primary cause of the loss. He admitted that the team fell short of the expected score, while praising the team's bowling effort.

The ICC rejected PCB's request to replace match referee Andy Pycroft during the Asia Cup after Pakistan alleged he instructed their captain to avoid handshakes with India's captain. The ICC clarified that ACC officials informed Pycroft about the no-handshake policy.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has formally complained to the ICC regarding missing handshakes during the Asia Cup clash with India, demanding the removal of the Match Referee. The PCB alleges violations of the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC Laws, claiming the referee instructed their captain to avoid shaking hands.

India's Asia Cup victory over Pakistan was marred by controversy as Pakistan's coach, Mike Hesson, expressed disappointment over India's refusal to shake hands post-match. Despite Suryakumar Yadav's match-winning performance and dedication of the win to armed forces, the absence of the customary handshake and an anthem mix-up added fuel to the rivalry.

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq believes Pakistan has a golden opportunity in the upcoming Asia Cup clash against India. He suggests Virat Kohli's absence makes India's batting line-up vulnerable if Pakistan's bowlers strike early. India's recent Asia Cup opener saw a dominant win against UAE, fueled by Kuldeep Yadav's spell and quickfire batting.

Aishanya Dwivedi, widow of a victim in the Pahalgam terror attack, has passionately appealed for a boycott of the upcoming India-Pakistan Asia Cup match, criticising the BCCI's decision and the silence of Indian cricketers. She questions the sponsors and broadcasters, urging fans to abstain from watching the game, fearing revenue will fund terrorism.

Pakistan's women's cricket team will not attend the ICC Women's World Cup opening ceremony in India, aligning with a recent agreement between the two nations to avoid cross-border travel for ICC tournaments. Political tensions continue to impact sporting relations, as evidenced by India's previous decision to skip the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Afghanistan's cricket captain, Rashid Khan, faced a personal tragedy with the recent passing of his elder brother, Haji Abdul Halim Shinwari. Despite his grief, Rashid led his team in the ongoing tri-series in Sharjah, receiving heartfelt support from the cricketing community. The Pakistan team paid their respects, and condolences poured in from teammates and former captain Asghar Afghan.