Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam (AFP Photo)

The Pakistan Cricket Board is set to conduct an inquiry into the injuries of star batters Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman after concerns emerged over their fitness following the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Pakistan selector and former fast bowler Aaqib Javed revealed during a press conference that the selection committee had requested the PCB to investigate how both players sustained injuries and why the issue only came to light after the tournament.

Selectors raise concerns over injury updates

Speaking alongside fellow selection committee members Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq, Aaqib Javed said the selectors were unaware that Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman were carrying injuries during the World Cup.The selectors have now asked the PCB to review the circumstances surrounding the injuries and whether proper fitness updates were communicated during the tournament.“Fakhar is also injured – on this, we have also requested the cricket board for an inquiry. How can it be that Fakhar is also unfit and we only found out after the World Cup ended?” Aaqib said.“When you go to a World Cup, whatever health or injury issues there are, your head coach and physio should keep everyone updated. As selectors, we should know these things.”

Babar Azam ruled out of Bangladesh series

Aaqib Javed also clarified why Babar Azam was not included in Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing ODI series against Bangladesh national cricket team. According to the selector, the former Pakistan captain is currently dealing with an injury that has prevented him from participating in both the Bangladesh series and the domestic National T20 Cup.“Babar Azam is facing an injury, which is why he wasn’t included against Bangladesh. He also wanted to play the National T20 Cup, but his health condition didn’t allow him,” Aaqib explained.“Whether it was visible to you or to me is not important. But if a player gets injured in practice or a match, how it happens and when it happens should be known.”Aaqib even questioned whether the players would have been declared fit had Pakistan progressed further in the tournament.“Today the situation is that Babar Azam is not fit to play and Fakhar Zaman is not fit to play. If we had made the semifinal, would they have suddenly become fit? That is the question.”

Young players given opportunities

Aaqib also revealed that the team management had already planned to send a younger squad for the Bangladesh series following the World Cup. The selection committee has been experimenting with emerging players in recent bilateral series, similar to the approach used during Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2024.“We had already decided before the World Cup that we would not send a full-strength squad here. We wanted to give opportunities to younger players so we have more options going forward,” he said.

As far as Glenn McGrath is concerned, Sachin Tendulkar was out that day. Even though the rest of the world thinks differently. The date was December 13, 1999 and the venue was the Adelaide Oval. India, in pursuit of 396 to win, fell by the wayside in their second innings with Tendulkar falling lbw to McGrath on the penultimate day of the Test match. The ball was short and hit Tendulkar on the shoulder, and umpire Daryl Harper raised his finger in the blink of an eye, to the utter dismay of Indian fans.

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Many have since given their verdict on the dismissal, and an overwhelming majority thinks Tendulkar was not out, including Pakistan legend Wasim Akram. But 27 years on, McGrath is adamant. At an event hosted by Sportstar, the former Aussie pacer not for a moment hesitated and asserted Tendulkar was out for sure.

“From where I was looking, I saw Sachin squat down. I could see the bails over the top of his head. So I thought that ball’s clearly hitting the stumps. And it’s, I think it was Daryl Harper. It was an Australian umpire, Daryl Harper, who actually gave it out, and Sachin and I have been discussing that dismissal for a long time,” he said.

He added, “He thinks it was clearly going over the stumps by a good foot and a half. I still think the ball was tapering off and going to hit the stumps. And 18 months ago, I got the opportunity to do a TV commercial with Sachin here in India.

“And the whole part of the TV commercial is Sachin thinks I need to get my eyes checked because obviously that was clearly not out. No, it was having a bit of fun and, yeah, I still think that was out. Sachin still thinks it was clearly not out, and I think we’ll continue to have that discussion.”

India were whitewashed 3-0 in the Test series at a time when many thought skipper Tendulkar was at the height of his powers.

NEW DELHI: Indian long jumper Lokesh Sathyanathan achieved a major breakthrough by winning the men’s long jump gold at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The young athlete, who studies at Tarleton State University, secured victory with a jump of 8.21m, setting a new Indian indoor record. The effort also placed him third on India’s all-time long jump list behind Jeswin Aldrin and Murali Sreeshankar.Lokesh produced the winning leap on his fourth attempt in the final. He narrowly edged past De’Aundre Ward of the University of Southern Mississippi, who jumped 8.20m, while Tafadzwa Chikomba from Kansas State University finished third with 8.15m. The victory made Lokesh only the fourth Indian athlete after Mohinder Singh Gill, Vikas Gowda and Tejaswin Shankar to win this prestigious NCAA indoor title.Speaking after the win, Lokesh credited his faith, family and coach for the achievement. “I’m grateful and thankful to God because I know nothing is possible without Him and of course my family back home (in Bengaluru) and my coach, who is my family here,” he said, as quoted by PTI.Reflecting on the competition, he explained how his winning jump came at the perfect moment. “I think 26’11” was the leading jump until the fourth (attempt) and then I got 26’11-1/2″, which is like 8.21m — which is my personal best as well… so that is it,” he said.The win also carried deep personal meaning for him. Lokesh dedicated the achievement to his mother, who passed away from COVID-19 in 2021. He added, “It’s got to be a very special moment because I always dedicate everything for my mom up there… My mom would be proud; I’m know she is proud up there.”Recalling her encouragement before he left to pursue athletics abroad, he said: “go follow your dreams” and prove what he could achieve. Now, with a national title and record jump, Lokesh believes even bigger achievements are ahead.