Throughout its storied history, cricket has produced numerous exceptional players, sparking endless debates over who deserves the title of the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). From legendary batters who have dominated bowling attacks to bowlers who have rattled the ??best of lineups, the discussion over the ultimate cricketer remains a never-ending topic. While some argue in favor of all-rounders who have excelled in multiple aspects of the game, others highlight the impact of specialist players who redefined their roles.

Shoaib Akhtar names the GOAT cricketer

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar recently shared his thoughts on the GOAT cricketer and named Saqlain Mushtaq as ??his top pick. Speaking on Tapmad, Akhtar praised the legendary off-spinner for his revolutionary contributions to the game.

“I had not seen the talent that existed at that time. We used to think of winning the final in every tournament at that time. We have played many finals in our time. You see Saqlain Mushtaq… he invented the Doosra. It had never been invented in cricket. Saqlain Mushtaq proved it. I consider him the greatest of all time, I have never seen an off-spinner like him till date,” Akhtar said.

Also READ: Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik reveals three most explosive batters in world cricket

Akhtar on the talent in the 90s era

Akhtar also reflected on the immense talent in Pakistan’s squad during the 1990s, calling it the most dangerous team of its time. He pointed out that Pakistan had multiple match-winners, including Wasim Akram across all departments.

“The talent that I saw in the Pakistan team in the 90s and mid-90s is not there now. The Pakistan team of that time was the most dangerous. I have not seen such talent in any team till date. All the players in the team at that time were match winners. Shahid Afridi was winning matches. Wasim Akram was winning matches. Waqar was winning matches. Saqlain Mushtaq was winning matches with his bowling,” he added.

Also READ: Aussie legend Ricky Ponting names the Greatest Cricketer ??of All? Time

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Pakistan‘s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign ended in heartbreak as the defending champions were knocked out in the group stage following New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh on Monday (February 24).

Pakistan’s early exit sealed after New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh

With this result, Pakistan had no mathematical chance of making it to the semi-finals, marking an abrupt end to their hopes of retaining the title they won in 2017 under Sarfaraz Ahmed. Pakistan’s journey in the tournament was filled with struggles, as they failed to win a single match in the group stage. Their campaign began with a 60-run loss to New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi, followed by a six-wicket defeat to India, where Virat Kohli‘s century and a dominant bowling performance exposed Pakistan’s vulnerabilities.

These consecutive defeats left them dependent on other results, but New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh ultimately confirmed their elimination. This early exit has led to heavy criticism from experts, former players, and fans, who are questioning Pakistan’s preparation, squad select??ion, and overall performance in the tournament.

Cricket experts analyze Pakistan’s disappointing performance

Following Pakistan’s elimination, several cricketing experts weighed in on their struggles. During the match between England and Afghanistan on Wednesday (February 26), veteran commentators Ian Bishop, Nasser Hussain and Ian Smith shared their thoughts on why Pakistan failed t?o make an impact in? the Champions Trophy 2025. Bishop emphasized that Pakistan possesses some exciting young fast bowlers but lacks proper squad depth.

“They’ve got some good young fast bowlers around this country. Really good bowlers, got to groom them well. There’s hope, there is talent,” Bishop said during the commentary.

Also READ: Ricky Ponting reveals key rea??sons?? behind Pakistan’s elimination from Champions Trophy 2025

Ian Bishop picks the batter who could revive Pakistan’s white-ball cricket

Former England captain Hussain highlighted the injuries to key openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, which severely impacted Pakistan’s chances. Without reliable opening partnerships, Pakistan struggled to get solid starts in crucial matches, putti?ng their middle order under pressure.

Bishop, however, responded by stressing that squad depth is key in modern-day cricket. He pointed out how New Zealand and India have successfully built strong reserve players, which allows them to remain competitive even when their first-choice players are unavailable. He also singled out Mohammad Haris as a potential game??-changer for Pakistan’s white-ball cricket. He believes that Haris, despite his inconsistent performances, has the aggressive style that modern cricket demands and could be a valuable asset if developed properly.

“Even on that, Nasser, it’s strength in depth. That’s what New Zealand have going for them, for example, very well. It’s what India have going for them very well. There’s a young man called Mohammad Haris around Pakistan here, who I think…he’s inconsistent but he’s exactly what white-ball cricket needs. How can you build a guy like that?,” Bishop concluded.

Haris made his international debut in 2022 and has played six ODIs and nine T20Is. However, his performances so far have been underwhelming, with low averages of 7.5 in ODIs and 14 in T20Is. His most recent ODI appearance came against Sri Lanka in 2023, where he managed just three runs.

Also READ: Pakistan’s? Shoaib Malik reveals thr??ee most explosive batters in world cricket

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Pakistan’s hopes of securing the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 came to an early end after back-to-back defeats against New Zealand and India. The team’s inconsistent performances, coupled with key injuries, resulted in their elimination from the tournament. Their batting unit struggled under pressure, while the bowling ?attack failed to contain opposition batters in crucial mom??ents. The early exit has led to questions about the team’s leadership and future squad composition.

Injury blow to Fakhar Zaman suffered Pakistan campaign

Fakhar Zaman’s return to the national team in the home tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa brought hope for Pa?kistan. However, just when he looked set to make an impact, his Champions Trophy 2025 campaign was cut short due to an unfortunate injury.

In Pakistan’s opening match of the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, Fakhar suffered a setback while fielding in the first over. He fell awkwardly and had to leave the ground for medical attention. Though he briefly returned, persistent discomfort forced him off again. Scans later confirmed an oblique tear, ruling him out of the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) then announced Imam-ul-Haq as his replacement.

Fakhar on retirement speculations

Following Pakistan’s exit, speculation began to circulate regarding Fakhar’s future in international cricket. Howev??er, the left-handed opener has firmly denied any plans of retirement?.

“There is no truth in the retirement news. I will be fully fit and join the team soon,” Fakhar stated, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan. His clarification comes after reports suggested that he was contemplating stepping away from international cricket after missing the to??urnament due to injury.

Also READ: ???Ricky Ponting reveals key reasons behind Pakistan’s elimination from Champions Trophy 2025

Focused on recovery and comeback

Currently, Fakhar is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Laho?re. The left-hander is focused on regaining full fitness and making a strong return to international cricket. His presence at the top order has been instrumental for Pakistan in recent years, and fans will be hoping for his swift recovery ahead of the upcoming international assignments.

Also READ: Sana Mir tears into Pakistan’s squad selection after h??osts�elimination from Champions Trophy 2025

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England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, has voiced his disappointment following the team’s early elimination from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Their campaign ended in heartbreak after an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan in Lahore on Wednesday. This marks the third consecutive ICC tournament where England, under Buttler’s leadership, has failed to progress past the early stages, following their struggles in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India and the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA.

Jos Buttler on missed opportunities and praise for Joe Root

Reflecting on the defeat, Buttler acknowledged England’s failure to capitalize on crucial moments. He lauded Joe Root’s brilliant century, which kept the team in the hunt while chasing Afghanistan’s 326. The total was powered by a stunning 177-run knock from Ibrahim Zadran. Despite R?oot’s efforts and a late surge from Jamie Overton, England fell short, getting bowled out for 317 with just one ball remaining.

“Disappointing to be knocked out of the tournament early. We had our chances in the game and we didn’t take them. Root played an unbelievable innings, and we needed one of the top six batters to stay with him. The last 10 overs got away from us a bit. Credit to Ibrahim, he played a fantastic innings. 113 off the last 10 pushed them up to a very good score on that pitch,” Buttler said in the post-match presentation.

Also READ: Fans go berserk as Afghan??istan survive Joe Root scare to knock England?? out of Champions Trophy 2025

Buttler opens up on personal form

Buttler also addressed his own struggles with form, admitting that his performances have not met e?xpectations. He praised Root ?for his consistency and ability to handle pressure in crucial moments.

“He (Root) has been a brilliant player in all formats and showed us the way to handle the pressure. His ODI record is fantastic. If I knew I wouldn’t be playing the way I am (referring to his bad form), being one of the best players in the world, it is disappointing when you don’t perform. Don’t want to make any emotional decisions,” he added.

Also READ: Highest in??dividua??l scores in Champions Trophy �Ibrahim Zadran sets new benchmark

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Pakistan’s campaign in the Champions Trophy 2025 has come to an end. After their disappointing defeat against New Zealand in the opening encounter of the tournament, Pakistan faced a crushing defeat against India at the Dubai International Stadium to mark an end to their title reig??n in the C??hampions Trophy.

A central figure in Pakistan’s dreadful reign in the tournament was the slow and lethargic pace with which Babar Azam scored runs throughout the competition. Seeing his struggles with form in the recent past, Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has come up with some valuable advic?e for the Pakistani batter.

Sunil Gavaskar’s advice to Babar Azam

Babar has not been spared from criticism despite his mixed performances, including a solid 64-run knock against New Zealand. While his innings against the Mitch Santner-led side was deemed too slow, Babar also faced backlash for failing to capitalize on a promising start against India just four days later. His inability to build on early momentum has sparked debate, with critics highlighting his tendency to fall short when in good positions. ??Despite h?is undeniable talent, these inconsistencies have left many questioning his form in key matches.

“If you ask me, I will tell Babar just one thing. Right now, his stance is quite spread out. If he can reduce the width between his feet, then two things will happen: One, when your feet are spread out, then you face difficulty going on back foot and front foot but when you are more balanced, then you also gain a bit of height, while you are a bit down with feet spread out,” Gavaskar told Basit Ali in a video that was posted on the latter’s YouTube channel.

Also Read: Ricky ??Ponting reveals key reasons behind Pakistan’s elimination from Champions?? Trophy 2025

Babar Azam’s horror-show in the recent past

Babar’s recent batting performances have been disappointing, with a string of low scores across various formats. In the 2024 ODI series against South Africa, he could only manage 52 and 23 runs, despite Pakistan’s series win. Earlier in the year, during the Test series against the West Indies, Babar registered scores of 31, 1, 8, and 5, further highlighting his inconsistency. These underwhelming displays have raised concerns about his ability to anchor the batting order. While his talent is unquestionable, Babar’s recent struggles emphasize the urgent need for him to return to his prolific form to strengthen Pakistan’s batting lineup.

Also Read: Pakistan actress Rabya Kulsoom criticizes cricketers as brand faces, suggests actor ??for the captaincy role

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The latest update in the ICC ODI batting rankings has brought significant changes, with Virat Kohli reclaiming his spot in the top five and Shubman Gill solidifying his position as the world’s number one ODI batter. These developments come on the heels of impressive performances by both players at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Virat Kohli’s return to form

Kohli, one of the most prolific batters in cricket history, has once again proven his mettle by scoring his 51st ODI century against Pakistan in Dubai. This unbeaten 100 not out off 111 deliveries not only helped India secure a crucial win but also propelled Kohli to the fifth spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings, overtaking New Zealand‘s Daryl Mitchell. This resurgence is particularly notable as Kohli had been facing scrutiny over his recent form, especially against spin bowling. His masterful display against Pakistan has silenced critics and reaffirmed his status as one of the world’s best batters.

Shubman Gill’s dominance continues on the top spot

The young Indian vice-captain, has further cemented his position at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings. His match-winning 101 not out against Bangladesh and a fluent 46 against Pakistan have extended his lead over Babar Azam to 47 rating points. Gill’s rise to the top spot was facilitated by his exceptional performances in the ODI series against England, wh??ere he scored a century and two h??alf-centuries, showcasing his consistency and skill.

Also READ: Shreyas Iyer shares the special drill??s Virat Kohli undertook to excel against Pa??kistan in Champions Trophy 2025

India’s strong presence in the rankings

With Kohli’s return to the top five and Gill’s continued dominance, India now boast three batters in the top five of the ICC ODI batting rankings. Rohit Sharma maintains his third position, while Kohli has moved into fifth place, alongside Heinrich Klaasen of South Africa. This strong representation underscores India’s batting depth and their potential to perform well in major tournaments.

Babar Azam’s struggles continues

The former Pakistan captain,? has been facing a lean patch, which has seen him struggle to replicate his usual form. De??spite being in the second spot, his recent performances have been underwhelming, including a 90-ball 64 against New Zealand and a dismissal for 23 against India. This dip in form has allowed Gill to widen the gap between them in the rankings.

Other notable movements

Several other players have made significant gains in the latest rankings update. Will Young of New Zealand jumped eight places to 14th after scoring a century against Pakistan, while Rachin Ravindra moved up 18 places to 24th following his ton against Bangladesh. KL Rahul also rose two spots to 15th after contributing an unbeaten 41 against Bangla???desh.

India’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign going strong

India’s strong batting performances have been instrumental in their successful campaign at the Champions Trophy. With a semifinal berth already secured, the team will look to maintain momentum heading into the knockout stages. The upcoming match against New Zealand will be crucial for India to fine-tune their preparations before the business end of the tournament.

Also READ: IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli? survives ‘obstructing the field�due to no appeal from Pakistani players in Champions Trophy 2025

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Pakistan and Bangladesh will face off against each other for their final match of the Champions Trophy 2025. Although this match is just a formality for both the teams after India and New Zealand managed to outperform both these? teams and secured a place in the semi-?finals. Both sides will however, look to end their campaign with a win.

The Pakistan horror-show in Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan entered the tournament as the defending champions. However, due to a disappointing performance in the opening encounter of the tournament against New Zealand followed by another disappointing display against India, they became the first team to be eliminated from the competition. During their group ??stage fixtures, Pakistan lacked game plan and played too slow thus failing to leave a mark with the bat. The bowling unit, too, was unable?? to restrict rival batters from rotating strikes and proved out to be too costly during the course of the tournament.

Bangladesh’s disappointing run 

Much like Pakistan, Bangladesh too have failed to impress the cricketing world. They put up a lethargic display with the bat against India and then were dominated by the Blackc?aps who ruled them out of?? the tournament. In their final match of the competition, they would like to utilize the vulnerabilities of the Pakistani side to their advantage and end their campaign on a high.

Analyzing Rawalpindi weather for the Pakistan-Bangladesh match 

The weather forecast for?? Rawalpindi tomorrow, where the highly anticipated Pakistan vs Bangladesh match will take place, predicts rain and cooler temperatures. With a temperature of around 17°C, the day is expected to remain cloudy with precipitation levels at 65%. The humidity will be high at 73%, and moderate winds at 18 km/h could further impact play. There’s a significant chance of rain throughout the day, especially with the forecast indicating scattered showers with varying intensity at intervals. While there may be brief dry spells, the match could face interruptions if the rain persists. Given these weather conditions, both teams and spectators should prepare for the possibility of delays or a reduced overs game. The situation could evolve quickly, so teams will need to adapt their strategies accordingly.

Also Read: Sana Mi?r tears?? into Pakistan’s squad selection after hosts�elimination from Champions Trophy 2025

Squads:

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi.

Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Sh?anto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana

Also Read: Pakistan actress ??Rabya Kulsoom criticizes cricketers as brand faces, suggests actor for the captaincy role

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Cricket has seen several destructive batters who have changed the course of matches with their fearless approach. The debate over the most explosive batters in the game has always sparked interest among fans and experts, with names like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and Virender Sehwag often being mentioned in discussions. Power-hitting, aggressive stroke play, and the ability to dominate any bowling attack are key characteristics that define such players. Recently, former Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik shared his perspective, nami??ng three batters he believes ha?ve redefined aggressive batting in international cricket.

Shoaib Malik picks his three most explosive batters

During a conversation on Tapmad, Malik identified Australia’s Travis Head and David Warner, along with India’s Sehwag, as the most explosive batters in cricket history. He highlighted their fearless mindset, which?? has allowed them to take on the best bowlers across formats.

“Look, to play all three formats, the mindset of the players should be strong. If you are strong mentally, you can play any format. You have to mold the bowlers of the opposing team to your style,” Malik explained.

He fur??ther elaborated on why he picked these three players, ??citing their ability to put bowlers under pressure from the very start.

“Travis Head plays all three formats. Is he technically better? Then there’s David Warner, who hits drives while staying on the back foot. And, of course, Virender Sehwag,” he added.

Malik believes that while these players ma??y not alway??s be technically perfect, their approach to the game makes them stand out in the history of cricket.

Also READ: Champions Trophy 2025: Wasim Akram reveals the ‘biggest?? player�in world cricket right now

Malik reveals why the trio has been successful

Malik emphasized that the success of these batters is not solely based on technical c?orrectness but rather on their mindset and fearless approach.

“These players may not be technically sound, but their mindset has created panic in the opposition camp. The fear they instill in bowlers is due to the way they approach the game,” Malik added further.

He further explained that players like Sehwag, Head, and Warner have a unique ability to take control of the game early, forcing the opposition to adapt to their s??tyle rather than the other way around. Their aggressiv??e batting not only puts bowlers on the back foot but also shifts the momentum of the game in their team’s favor.

Also READ: Aussie legend Ricky P??onting names the greatest batter in ODI cricket

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Pakistan’s hopes of winning the Champions Trophy 2025 came crashing down as they failed to qualify for the semi-finals after suffering defeats against New Zealand and India. The team, which has historically been known for its unpredictability, failed to deliver under pressure, raisi??ng serious questions about their approach and execution in high-stakes encounters.

Despite boasting a squad filled with talent, Pakistan struggled to put together match-winning performances. Their batting unit, particularly the experienced duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, could not prod??uce t?he kind of impact that was expected of them. With the bowlers also unable to make significant breakthroughs at crucial junctures, Pakistan’s exit from the tournament was inevitable.

Ricky Ponting highlights key reasons for Pakistan’s exit

Former Australian captain and renowned cricket analyst Ricky Ponting, speaking on The ICC Review, dissected Pakistan’s shortcomings and pointed to their inability to utilize key players effectively. ??According?? to Ponting, the team’s over-reliance on Babar and Rizwan backfired, as both failed to rise to the occasion when it mattered the most.

“Th?ey haven’t been able to give their best to the team. Those two guys had to step up and score big runs,�/em> Ponting stated.