'Pak needs to be ruthless against Eng'

Pakistan's red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie said on Saturday that the national cricket squad required "a bit more ruthlessness" and can't afford to be complacent when they take on England in the upcoming three-match Test series next month.

Speaking to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Gillespie noted that while Pakistan played impressive cricket with both bat and ball in the series, it allowed Bangladesh to "get into the game" and capitalize at key moments during the series.

"So, what we need is a bit more ruthlessness," he said. "When we're ahead, we need to stay ahead and make sure we really drive home that advantage."

The former Australian fast bowler said Pakistan needs to "minimize those poor periods and maximize the good ones."

"It boils down to being disciplined, patient, and ready to strike when the opportunity presents itself," Gillespie said. "When we see the gap, we need to go for it and capitalize on those key moments."

As criticism over the recent string of poor performances by the Pakistan team mounts, Gillespie urged fans and critics both to back the national squad during its tough time.

"These players are very, very talented cricketers," he said. "We just need to give them the backing, love and support to show them that we're right behind them. It's an exciting time."

Pakistan's upcoming three-match Test series is set to begin on October 7, 2024.

As Pakistan gears up to face England, Gillespie expressed excitement for the series but acknowledged the challenge. He believes that Pakistan matches up well against England but must stay focused on playing disciplined cricket.

"We know it's going to be a great challenge, and we're really looking forward to it. I've spoken to the players over the last little while and they love playing Test cricket for Pakistan. They take pride in representing their country and want to inspire the Pakistani supporters. They're excited to be playing Test cricket against England - that's a wonderful challenge," he added.

England will be missing bowlers like James Anderson, Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson. However, Gillespie stated that Pakistan must be prepared to play against the team selected, no matter who is absent. He emphasized the importance of preparing and playing to their strengths, especially with the series at home.

"We can only prepare to play against the players that England has selected. While some of their players might be a bit inexperienced, they've shown that they can perform at the Test level. "We need to ensure that we are as well-prepared and focused as possible to go out and deliver our best. We're playing at home and we believe that we match up well against England. We're excited about the opportunity," he added.

The Aussie, however, expressed his dislike towards the term 'bazball' which is used to describe the England team's aggressive style of play.

PCB Chief wants committees formed for CT

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has instructed for the immediate formation of committees to ensure smooth preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as reported by a local news channel.

The decision was made during a meeting held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, where Naqvi reviewed key aspects of the tournament's preparations.

Discussions also covered the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup in Faisalabad and the progress of stadium upgrades.

Naqvi emphasized the urgency of establishing committees with clear roles and responsibilities to kickstart preparations.

"With the world's top teams participating, our arrangements need to be flawless," Naqvi said.

He also urged officials to speed up the stadium renovations, aiming for completion within the set deadlines to enhance the match experience for fans.

"Once the renovations are done, spectators will enjoy the matches even more," Naqvi added.

The meeting was attended by key PCB officials, including Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer, Chief Financial Officer Javed Murtaza, and all PCB directors.