Pakistan’s ODI team could soon witness a change in its batting order as former captain Mohammad Hafeez proposed two potential replacements for Babar Azam at the crucial No 3 position. Hafeez’s comments came in the wake of Babar’s underwhelming form in the 50-over format, which recently led to his exclusion from Pakistan’s ODI squad during their tour of Bangladesh.

Pakistan suffered a 2–1 series defeat in the three-match ODI contest, and Babar’s absence reignited discussions around the team’s middle-order stability. Amid the debate, Hafeez suggested that the team management should start exploring alternative options ahead of the next major ICC event.

Mohammad Hafeez names 2 picks as replacement of Babar Azam in ODIs

Taking to social media, Hafeez named Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique as two players capable of filling the No 3 role in ODIs if Babar is unavailable due to injury, rest, or form. According to Hafeez, Pakistan must think proactively about its batting combination with long-term goals in mind, particularly the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 scheduled to be held in South Africa.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Hafeez wrote that Masood, who boasts an impressive List A average above 50, could be a strong candidate for the position. He also mentioned Shafique as another technically sound batter who could slot into the role if the team decides to move beyond Babar temporarily.

“Shaan Masood (53 Ave) or Abdullah Shafiq could be better option as no3 batter in ODI format if Babar Azam is injured or rested for some reasons. Considering next World Cup in South Africa,” Hafeez wrote on X.

Also READ: Pakistan lodge complaint over controversial DRS call as Bangladesh clinch series with thrilling win in 3rd ODI

Babar’s dip in ODI form raises concerns

Babar has long been regarded as Pakistan’s premier batter in limited-overs cricket, but his recent numbers in ODIs have raised concerns among fans and analysts. Once ranked among the top ODI batters in the world, the right-hander has struggled to maintain the high standards he set earlier in his career.

Although Babar finally ended a lengthy international century drought with a hundred against Sri Lanka in November 2025, his overall performance across recent ODI innings has been below expectations. Over his last 30 ODI innings, he has averaged around 35 with a strike rate of 78.55—figures that fall short of his outstanding career average of 53.73. Such numbers have inevitably triggered debate about whether Pakistan should experiment with new players in key batting positions.

Also READ: Pakistan selector questions undisclosed injuries of Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman during T20 World Cup 2026

NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: A day after it substituted Bengal chief secretary and principal secretary (home) with its own choices, EC Monday replaced the DGP and Kolkata Police commissioner, among others. Hours after announcing the assembly poll schedule for Bengal along with those of three other states and a UT, the poll panel late Sunday night shunted out Bengal chief secretary Nandini Chakravorty, replacing her with 1993-batch IAS officer Dushyant Nariala. Principal secretary (home) Jagdish Prasad Meena was replaced with 1997-batch IAS officer Sanghamitra Ghosh. Chakravorty took over as chief secretary on Jan 1 and was the first woman appointed to the post in WB. She was also the state’s first woman home secretary. This is the first time WB’s top bureaucrat has been changed ahead of an election. On Monday, EC ordered another reshuffle, shunting out DGP Peeyush Pandey and replacing him with 1992- batch IPS officer Siddh Nath Gupta. Kolkata Police commissioner Supratim Sarkar was replaced by Ajay Kumar Nand, a 1996-batch IPS officer. EC’s overriding powers to shift officers directly engaged in the conduct of polls stem from Article 324 of the Constitution, which places the entire election machinery in a poll-going state or UT under its “superintendence, direction and control”. The 2021 assembly and 2024 LS polls in Bengal also saw transfers of the DGP and senior officials identified as “too close to the party in office”.

“CEC Gyanesh Kumar had at the EC presser Sunday assured that elections in Bengal would be violence-free and peaceful. In pursuance of this objective, EC appointed/ transferred senior police officials, including the DGP and Kolkata Police commissioner,” an EC official told TOI. Sources indicated more transfers at the district level in the days to come, to be done in consultation with Bengal special observer N K Mishra.Also making a change in the crucial post of ADG and IGP (law and order) — with a direct role in curbing political clashes and violence as well as ensuring judicious deployment of security forces for poll security — Election Commission replaced incumbent Vineet Goyal with 1995-batch IPS officer Ajay Mukund Ranade. Natarajan Ramesh Babu, a 1991-batch IPS officer, was ordered to be posted as DG correctional services. In its orders, EC made it clear that these officers have been barred from all work related to the Bengal elections. Changes in the police setup during an election season are not unprecedented. Before the 2019 LS polls, the commission had replaced Anuj Sharma with Rajesh Kumar as Kolkata Police commissioner. Since the 2016 assembly polls, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has brought back transferred officers to their previous posts after the elections were over.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Monday said it will frame a standard operating procedure (SOP) on the honorarium paid to gold valuers by banks, following concerns raised in the Legislative Council over low fees and rising risks faced by jewellers engaged in gold loan assessments.Cooperation minister Pankaj Bhoyar was responding to a calling attention motion moved by MLC Chitra Wagh, who highlighted that valuers — largely jewellers — are underpaid despite bearing significant financial and legal responsibility in gold loan transactions.Bhoyar said the government would consult legislators before finalising the SOP on honorarium. However, he indicated that direct intervention in fee structures may be limited, noting that such charges are typically decided between banks and valuers.Raising Calling Attention Notice No. 609 under Rule 101, Wagh pointed out that gold valuers play a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability in gold loan disbursal, as they are solely responsible for assessing the purity and authenticity of pledged ornaments.She said that with gold prices rising and compliance requirements becoming stricter — including fraud prevention, ownership verification and KYC norms — the burden on valuers has increased substantially.Despite this, the remuneration remains low. For instance, valuers earn around ₹350 for assessing gold worth ₹10 lakh, she said, adding that private banks have reduced fees by nearly 60% in recent years without consultation.Wagh argued that given the heightened risks, including liability and insurance in case of incorrect valuation, fees should be increased by at least 30%. She also called for removal of “unlimited indemnity” clauses and sought clearly defined, reasonable liability limits in agreements.No clear guidelines yetIn his reply, Bhoyar said the state government has not issued specific guidelines on gold loan transactions, which are governed primarily by norms set by the Reserve Bank of India.He noted that gold loans are extended by a range of institutions including nationalised and private banks, cooperative banks, rural banks, cooperative credit societies and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs).As per RBI guidelines, banks can lend up to 65% of the gold value for loans up to ₹2.5 lakh and up to 75% for loans up to ₹5 lakh, with a typical repayment period of one year.The minister added that while some large banks use machines to test gold purity, many continue to depend on valuers. However, there are no prescribed norms by either the RBI or the state government on the fees payable for such services.Fee burden may hit borrowersBhoyar cautioned that any increase in valuation fees could ultimately be passed on to borrowers, making gold loans costlier for customers. “Since the fee charged by valuers is often recovered from borrowers, recommending an increase may not be appropriate,” he said.He reiterated that matters such as valuation fees are considered contractual between banks and valuers, and hence outside the scope of direct government regulation.Demand for broader reformsWagh also pressed for standardised loan agreements in Marathi, balanced contractual terms between banks and valuers, and stricter implementation of documentation and KYC norms to curb fraud.She claimed that proper verification and documentation could reduce instances of fake jewellery being pledged by up to 10%.While the government stopped short of announcing immediate regulatory changes, the proposed SOP — to be drafted after consultations — signals a possible framework to address concerns over compensation, accountability and risk-sharing in the gold loan ecosystem.For thousands of jewellers working as valuers across Maharashtra, the move is likely to be closely watched as they seek fair pay in a business that underpins a key segment of retail lending.

Following a comprehensive 80-run demolition of the visitors in the series opener, the White Ferns head to Hamilton with immense momentum. For South Africa Women, the second T20I at Seddon Park is a must-win to keep the five-match series from slipping away early.

The first T20I at Bay Oval was a one-sided affair. New Zealand posted a formidable 190/7, powered by a massive 146-run stand between captain Amelia Kerr (78 off 44) and Georgia Plimmer (63 off 44).

South Africa’s response never gained traction. They were strangled by Sophie Devine, who rolled back the years with a career-best 4/12, and Jess Kerr (2/13). The Proteas finished on a meager 110/7, highlighting a significant gap in intent and execution that they must bridge quickly.

NZ-W vs SA-W, 2nd T20I: Match details

• Date and Time: March 17; 7:15 am IST / 1:45 am GMT / 2:45 pm Local
• Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton

NZ-W vs SA-W, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

Matches played: 18 | South Africa won: 13 | New Zealand won: 4| No result: 1

Seddon Park Pitch Report

Seddon Park is traditionally a paradise for batters, characterized by its true bounce and consistent pace that allows for free-flowing strokeplay. The ground’s unique, circular dimensions featuring particularly short straight boundaries make it difficult for bowlers to defend even well-executed deliveries. While the surface usually offers a hint of emerald green to assist seamers with the new ball under the afternoon sun, it quickly flattens out into a belter. Spinners may find some grip as the match progresses, but they will need to be precise with their lengths to avoid being targeted over the short ropes. Expect a high-scoring encounter where winning the toss and batting first to put scoreboard pressure on the opposition remains the preferred strategy.

Squads:

South Africa: Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Laura Wolvaardt (c), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayanda Hlubi, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Dane van Niekerk

New Zealand: Georgia Plimmer, Isabella Gaze (wk), Amelia Kerr (c), Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Sharp, Jess Kerr, Suzie Bates, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing, Nensi Patel, Polly Inglis

Also READ: Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine lead New Zealand to comfortable win over South Africa in 1st T20I

NZ-W vs SA-W, 2nd T20I: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• South Africa wins the toss and bats first
• South Africa’s powerplay score: 50-60
• South Africa’s total score: 180-190

Case 2:

• New Zealand wins the toss and bats first
• New Zealand’s powerplay score: 60-70
• New Zealand’s total score: 200-210

Match result: Team batting first to win the contest.

Also READ: New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu retires from ODI cricket with record-breaking legacy

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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