The anticipation for IPL 2026 is reaching a fever pitch as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare to defend their hard-earned crown. Following their historic maiden title win in 2025, the franchise is no longer the underdog but the target. Amidst this high-stakes environment, the heartbeat of the team, Virat Kohli, has sent social media into a frenzy by naming his all-time RCB XI.

In a newly surfaced video shared by RCB’s official handles, the 36-year-old maestro, who was instrumental in the 2025 triumph, looked back at the legends who built the foundation of the franchise. While the lineup is a ‘Who’s Who’ of T20 royalty, the most significant inclusion wasn’t a power-hitter, but a legendary leg-spinner: Anil Kumble. By slotting ‘Anil Bhai’ into the bowling attack, Kohli has bridged a decade-long gap, signalling a profound respect for the man who once led him in his formative years.

Virat Kohli picks his all-time RCB XI

Kohli’s selection is a tactical masterpiece, balancing the explosive ‘Big Three’ era with the grit of the 2025 champions. He chose himself and Chris Gayle to open the innings, a duo that holds some of the most prolific partnerships in T20 history. At the pivotal No. 3 spot sits AB de Villiers, the man Kohli often calls the most gifted player he’s played with.

The middle order reflects Kohli’s deep appreciation for technical prowess and local talent. KL Rahul, despite his move to Delhi Capitals for the 2026 season, earned the No. 4 spot for his stellar 2016 run. Interestingly, Kohli gave the nod to Rajat Patidar at No. 5, citing his “incredible ability to play spin,” followed by the evergreen finisher Dinesh Karthik.

However, the bowling department is where the real “heavy metal” resides. With a pace attack featuring Mitchell Starc and Dale Steyn, Kohli opted for pure intimidation. But the selection of Yuzvendra Chahal and Anil Kumble ensures that the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium’s small boundaries are defended by the highest level of craft.

Kohli’s chosen all-time RCB XI

Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, KL Rahul, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, Harshal Patel, Anil Kumble, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn, Yuzvendra Chahal

Also READ: Former RCB coach takes blind rank challenge, puts Virat Kohli at No. 5 among 6 IPL captains

The significance of the Anil Kumble-Kohli connection

The highlight of the reveal was undoubtedly the inclusion of Kumble at No. 8. For seasoned cricket fans, this isn’t just a tactical choice; it’s a sentimental one. The relationship between Kohli and Kumble has been a subject of intense scrutiny since 2017, following Kumble’s high-profile resignation as the Head Coach of the Indian National Team. At the time, Kumble described the partnership as “untenable,” sparking years of rumors regarding a rift between the two icons.

By naming Kumble in his greatest XI, Kohli has effectively silenced the ghosts of the past. It serves as a public acknowledgment of Kumble’s massive impact on RCB during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, where ‘Jumbo’ led the team with a fierce, competitive spirit that Kohli himself eventually adopted.

This gesture comes at a perfect time. As RCB gears up to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener, Kohli’s focus is clearly on legacy and unity. He isn’t just looking to defend a trophy; he is honouring the lineage of a club that took 18 years to reach the summit. With Anil Bhai leading the hypothetical spin attack, Kohli’s All-Time XI isn’t just a team, it’s a tribute to the resilience of the Bold Brigade.

Also READ: Explained: Virat Kohli’s absence from the T20 World Cup 2026 Final while MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma were in attendance

India captain Suryakumar Yadav with his teammates. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav believes the country’s talent pool in the shortest format has grown so vast that multiple international-quality teams could be formed at the same time — a reflection of the depth created by domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Suryakumar said the current generation of players represents perhaps the strongest T20 group India has produced, highlighting how franchise cricket and domestic competitions continue to produce new stars every season.“If you talk about talent, I feel you can find talent regularly. There is IPL cricket, franchise cricket, then there is domestic cricket. You can see how many players come every year,” Suryakumar said in a podcast interview with PTI Videos.

“So I feel talent is unlimited. If you can make two-three playing XIs, our base is so strong, of the Indian team. So this is not a modest and diplomatic reply. But now it is so strong, so there is no shame in telling the truth.”Since taking over the captaincy after Rohit Sharma stepped down following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in Barbados, Suryakumar has overseen a period of remarkable success. Under his leadership, India have won 42 of their 52 T20 Internationals, establishing themselves as one of the most dominant sides in the format.The 35-year-old credited the team’s impressive run to a collective mindset within the dressing room.“I don’t pay too much attention to statistics but I hate losing any game. If everyone in the dressing room moves in the same direction, only then can you achieve such a percentage,” he said, referring to India’s near 80 per cent win rate.Known for his innovative 360-degree strokeplay, Suryakumar also described T20 batting as largely instinctive and reactive once a player steps onto the field.“I feel batting is about 70–75 per cent reaction. The remaining 25 per cent is instinct, what you decide to do in the moment. Once you enter the ground, you are almost in autopilot mode. You try to bat with rhythm and according to the situation,” he explained.Suryakumar also highlighted his strong working relationship with India head coach Gautam Gambhir, revealing how closely aligned their thinking has been while building the current squad.“Out of 15 names we both suggested, 14 were common. That means the thinking was the same. When the goals are clear, there are no arguments, only discussions,” he said.

The accused also took the defence that the deceased was under the influence of alcohol and had ridden the motorcycle in a haphazard manner. (AI image)

The Karnataka High Court has set aside the conviction of a man for offences under Sections 279 and 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), holding that mere allegation of “high speed” cannot by itself establish rash or negligent driving in the absence of cogent evidence.Allowing a criminal revision petition, Justice Rajesh Rai K held that the prosecution failed to establish the essential ingredients of rash and negligent driving required to sustain conviction for causing death by negligence.Background of the CaseThe case arose from a road accident that occurred on 14.04.2018 near Ullala Bridge on NICE Road.According to the prosecution, the complainant (PW-1) and the deceased B.T. Dilip Kumar were returning to Bengaluru from Mysuru on a motorcycle after distributing housewarming invitation cards.At around 3:55 PM, they allegedly stopped their motorcycle on the extreme left side of the road to attend nature’s call. While PW-1 stepped away, the deceased remained seated on the motorcycle. At that moment, a Maruti Suzuki Celerio car allegedly driven by the accused collided with the rear portion of the motorcycle, causing the deceased to be thrown off the vehicle. Due to this, the deceased sustained grievous injuries and was taken to Victoria Hospital, where he later succumbed to the injuries.A complaint was subsequently lodged by PW-1 before Tavarekere Police Station, leading to registration of an FIR under Sections 279 and 304A IPAfter investigation, a charge sheet was filed against the accused.During trial before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru Rural District, the prosecution examined five witnesses and relied on documentary evidence including the complaint, FIR and post-mortem report.The trial court found the accused guilty of rash and negligent driving and convicted him under Sections 279 and 304A IPC.Accordingly, the accused was sentenced to:

The accused challenged the conviction before the VI Additional Sessions Judge, Bengaluru Rural District, but the appellate court dismissed the appeal and affirmed the conviction. The accused thereafter approached the High Court through a criminal revision petition.Arguments Before the High CourtThe petitioner argued that both the trial court and the appellate court had failed to properly appreciate the evidence on record. It was argued that PW-1, the complainant and alleged eyewitness, was not actually present at the scene of the accident.During cross-examination, PW-1 admitted that:

Based on these admissions, the defence argued that PW-1’s presence at the scene was doubtful and that he appeared to be a planted witness. It was also submitted that the prosecution failed to establish that the accused was driving the vehicle in a rash or negligent manner, which is an essential ingredient for offences under Sections 279 and 304A IPC.State’s SubmissionsOpposing the revision petition, the State argued that the trial court and the appellate court had carefully examined the evidence before recording conviction. The prosecution submitted that PW-1 was an eyewitness and that his testimony, along with medical evidence and other witness statements, clearly established that the accident occurred due to the accused’s rash driving.The State further argued that the post-mortem report confirmed that the deceased died due to injuries sustained in the road accident.High Court’s AnalysisAfter examining the evidence on record, the High Court noted that the fact of the accident and the death of the victim was not disputed. The post-mortem report indicated that the death occurred due to head injury and fractures sustained in the accident. However, the crucial question was whether the accused alone was responsible for the accident due to rash and negligent driving.The Court observed that the prosecution relied primarily on the testimony of PW-1, who was projected as the sole eyewitness. However, several aspects of his testimony created serious doubts about his presence at the spot.Justice Rajesh Rai K observed that PW-1 admitted he went to the hospital after receiving a call from the accused, who had himself taken the injured victim for treatment.The Court noted that PW-1 was also not present during the preparation of the spot mahazar and had signed the document at the police station.In these circumstances, the Court held that little evidentiary value could be attached to his testimony as an eyewitness.The Court observed:“In such circumstances, much credence cannot be attached to the evidence of PW-1 though an alleged eyewitness to the incident as per the prosecution.”The Court further noted that no other eyewitnesses had been examined by the prosecution.The accused also took the defence that the deceased was under the influence of alcohol and had ridden the motorcycle in a haphazard manner immediately before the accident.The High Court observed that the post-mortem report indicated the presence of strong traces of alcohol in the stomach contents of the deceased.In light of this medical evidence, the Court held that the defence version could not be ruled out and appeared reasonably probable.The Court also examined the prosecution’s allegation that the accused was driving the car at high speed. However, the Court observed that no evidence was placed on record to establish what “high speed” meant in the context of the accident.Referring to the Supreme Court decision in State of Karnataka v. Satish (1998) 8 SCC 493, the Court reiterated:“Merely because the truck was being driven at a ‘high speed’ does not bespeak of either ‘negligence’ or ‘rashness’ by itself.”The Court emphasised that in criminal trials, the burden of proving rash or negligent driving lies entirely on the prosecution.The High Court also explained the legal concept of negligence and rashness. The Court observed that negligence involves a breach of duty of care, while rashness implies reckless conduct coupled with conscious disregard of duty.Justice Rajesh Rai K noted that the determination of rashness and negligence depends heavily on the facts and circumstances of each case.The Court further observed that determination of negligence must be assessed in light of the “principle of foreseeability and proximity”, referring to Lord Atkin’s formulation in Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932 AC 562). The Court noted that liability for negligence arises where a person fails to exercise the level of care that a prudent person would adopt in similar circumstances. In the present case, since the accused was driving on the correct side of the road, it could not be reasonably anticipated that the deceased would suddenly appear before the vehicle.The Court also examined the spot sketch placed on record, which indicated that the accident had occurred on the left side of the road and the car was found positioned in the correct direction of travel. This circumstance further weakened the prosecution’s claim that the accused was driving rashly or negligently.Applying these principles, the Court held that the prosecution had failed to produce cogent evidence showing rash or negligent driving by the accused.Court’s DecisionThe High Court concluded that both the trial court and the appellate court had erred in convicting the accused without sufficient evidence establishing rash and negligent driving.Accordingly, the Court allowed the criminal revision petition and set aside the judgments of the courts below.The Court ordered:“The judgment of conviction dated 29 July 2019 passed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru Rural District, and the appellate judgment dated 30 January 2021 passed by the VI Additional Sessions Judge were set aside”The petitioner was acquitted of offences under Sections 279 and 304A IPC, and the fine amount, if already deposited, was directed to be refunded.CRIMINAL REVISION PETITION NO. 1004 OF 2021 – Harish vs State of Karnataka (Vatsal Chandra is a Delhi-based Advocate practicing before the courts of Delhi NCR.)

Election Commission

NEW DELHI: After the Election Commission (EC) ordered major transfers of top bureaucrats in West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress protested by walking out of the Rajya Sabha on Monday. This happened while voting was under way for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states.The EC, in a letter dated March 15, announced the transfer of West Bengal’s chief secretary and principal secretary of home and hill Affairs. The poll panel said the changes were made after reviewing the state’s preparedness for the upcoming assembly elections.

TMC MPs, including Sagarika Ghose, slammed the EC, saying, “The manner in which the Election Commission transferred the Bengal Home Secretary and Chief Secretary at 4 am in the dead of night is unacceptable. The Election Commission has these powers, but it is misusing them to damage the elected government in Bengal. That’s why our party walked out of Parliament for the entire day.”Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju defended the EC, saying it has the “constitutional authority” to make such transfers and criticized TMC for raising the issue in Parliament.

Who was transferred

The EC removed two top officials from Mamata Banerjee’s administration:

Other key postings include:

The EC’s letter, signed by secretary Sujeet Kumar Mishra, said these directions are effective immediately. The transferred officers will not be posted in any election-related work until the elections are over. Compliance reports are expected by 3 pm on March 16.The reshuffle comes after the EC announced the election schedule for four states—West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam—and one Union Territory, Puducherry. The West Bengal assembly polls will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting on May 4.The move is seen as an attempt to ensure administrative neutrality during the elections, especially after TMC’s repeated criticism of the EC over the ongoing Special Summary Revision exercise in the state.

Gold started the week on a shaky note, slipping Rs 2,225 to hit Rs 1.56 lakh per 10 grams in Monday’s futures trade, dragged down by a firm US dollar and weak overseas markets. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, April gold contracts fell 1.4% to Rs 1,56,241 on a turnover of 7,881 lots. “Rising energy prices have strengthened the US dollar and raised doubts that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates,” said Manav Modi, analyst at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. Earlier hopes of a March rate cut have mostly faded, with the chances of reductions later this year now at 80%.Internationally, April gold on Comex dropped $54.31, or 1.07%, to $5,007.39 per ounce. “Gold stayed close to $5,000 after two weeks of losses, as oil volatility surged following the US strike on Iran’s Kharg Island, raising supply concerns,” said Jigar Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst, IndusInd Securities.The ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran, now entering its third week, continues to rattle markets. Trivedi noted that higher energy costs and inflation worries have dampened expectations for interest rate cuts, creating a headwind for non-yielding assets like gold.Here’s how much gold costs in your city today:

Gold price in Ahmedabad today

Gold in Ahmedabad is trading at Rs 15,920 per gram for 24K, Rs 14,595 for 22K, and Rs 11,943 for 18K.

Gold price in Bangalore today

In Bangalore, 24K gold is available at Rs 15,917 per gram. The 22K variety costs Rs 14,590, while 18K gold is priced at Rs 11,938 per gram.

Gold price in Bhubaneswar today

Bhubaneswar sees 24K gold at Rs 15,917 per gram. Prices for 22K and 18K gold stand at Rs 14,590 and Rs 11,938 per gram, respectively.

Gold price in Chennai today

In Chennai, 24K gold is quoted at Rs 16,101 per gram. 22K gold comes in at Rs 14,759, and 18K gold is Rs 12,399 per gram.

Gold price in Delhi today

Gold prices in Delhi are Rs 15,930 per gram for 24K, Rs 14,605 for 22K, and Rs 11,953 for 18K.

Gold price in Hyderabad today

Hyderabad’s 24K gold is trading at Rs 15,917 per gram. 22K and 18K gold are priced at Rs 14,590 and Rs 11,938, respectively.

Gold price in Jaipur today

In Jaipur, 24K gold costs Rs 15,930 per gram. The 22K variant is Rs 14,605, while 18K gold is available at Rs 11,953 per gram.

Gold price in Kanpur today

Kanpur reports 24K gold at Rs 15,930 per gram. 22K and 18K varieties are priced at Rs 14,605 and Rs 11,953 per gram, respectively.

Gold price in Mumbai today

In Mumbai, 24K gold is Rs 15,917 per gram, 22K is Rs 14,590, and 18K is Rs 11,938 per gram.

Gold price in Kolkata today

Kolkata has 24K gold at Rs 15,917 per gram. The 22K and 18K gold rates are Rs 14,590 and Rs 11,938 per gram, respectively.

Nomura has also trimmed its year end forecast for the Nifty 50, lowering the target to 24,900 from 29,300. (AI image)

US-Iran war shock for stock markets: Brokerages Citi Research and Nomura have lowered their year end forecasts for the key benchmark index Nifty50, pointing to growing risks to economic growth and corporate earnings as rising oil prices and supply disruptions linked to the intensifying Middle East conflict cloud the outlook for Asia’s third largest economy.

Citi has revised its Nifty target to 27,000 from the earlier estimate of 28,500. The new projection suggests a potential upside of about 17 percent from the index’s last closing level. The brokerage also reduced the target valuation multiple for the index to 19 times one year forward earnings, compared with its earlier assumption of 20 times.Nomura has also trimmed its year end forecast for the Nifty 50, lowering the target to 24,900 from 29,300. The revised estimate implies a possible upside of around 7.5 percent.Also Read | Crude shock for stock markets! Investors lose Rs 34 lakh crore since start of US-Iran war; where should they put money now?“The current geopolitical escalation is ⁠more concerning than the Russia-Ukraine conflict as the Strait of Hormuz accounts for 20%-25% of global trade in oil and LNG vs Russian supplies of 8%-10%,” said Saion Mukherjee, analyst at Nomura according to a Reuters report. Nomura added that a further correction of about 5 percent in the near term remains a distinct possibility. It warned that small and mid cap stocks could face greater downside risk as there are no clear signs that the disruptions will end anytime soon.Citi estimates that if supply disruptions continue for three months, India’s economic growth in fiscal year 2027 could decline by 20 to 30 basis points. According to the Reuters report, the brokerage also expects inflation to rise by 50 to 75 basis points, the fiscal deficit to widen by around 10 basis points and the current account deficit to increase by about $25 billion.Citi added that the Reserve Bank of India is likely to keep interest rates unchanged in April. However, the central bank’s policy stance could lean more toward supporting growth if fiscal measures are able to absorb much of the inflationary pressure.The US-Israeli conflict with Iran, now in its third week, has continued to unsettle global commodity, currency and equity markets.Benchmark indices, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, confirmed a technical correction last week after falling 10 percent from their record highs. Since the conflict began, both indices have dropped about 8 percent as of last Friday’s close, while the Indian rupee has weakened to record low levels.Citi said the conflict is no longer just an energy price shock but is gradually turning into a wider supply disruption. According to the brokerage, the impact is extending beyond crude oil to products such as LPG, LNG, fertilisers, petrochemicals and aluminium, increasing input costs and tightening supply across industries.Citi said fertilisers and petrochemicals are among the sectors most vulnerable to the crisis due to India’s reliance on imports from the Middle East.The brokerage also lowered its rating on the automobile sector to “neutral” from “overweight”, citing risks from higher crude and gas prices as well as the possibility of semiconductor supply disruptions. It removed automaker Mahindra & Mahindra from its list of top picks and dropped Mahanagar Gas from its preferred mid-cap selections.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has voiced his support for Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season, saying the veteran leg-spinner still has plenty to prove despite not being a regular member of the Indian team in recent years.Speaking on Star Sports, Pathan said Chahal would be determined to make a strong statement in the IPL after spending a long time outside the national setup.

“He is the most successful bowler in IPL history, and he has not got to play for India on a regular basis. So this thought will always remain in his heart, and it should be there for any player, Yuzi must also be thinking that he was doing commentary with us, and whenever an active player does commentary, fans start believing he might be stepping away from cricket. But Yuzi is fully focused and ready for this IPL season. He will step onto the field to prove a point.” Pathan said.

Chahal’s impressive IPL numbers

There is little doubt about Chahal’s stature in IPL history. The leg-spinner currently holds the record for the most wickets in the tournament. So far, Chahal has played 174 IPL matches and taken 221 wickets, making him the highest wicket-taker in the league’s history. His ability to pick wickets consistently in the middle overs has made him one of the most valuable spinners in the competition.With the 19th edition of the IPL approaching, Chahal will be looking to add more wickets to his tally while representing Punjab Kings.

Despite his outstanding IPL numbers, Chahal has not been a regular feature in the Indian side recently. The leg-spinner last represented India national cricket team in a T20 International against the West Indies on August 13, 2023. He also last played an ODI for India earlier that year against New Zealand on January 24, 2023.Since then, the competition among spinners in the Indian squad has increased, with players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi frequently featuring in the limited-overs setup.

Chance to prove a point in IPL 2026

With IPL 2026 around the corner, Chahal now has another opportunity to remind selectors of his abilities. Strong performances for Punjab Kings could strengthen his case for a return to the Indian team.

India’s rising batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has set his sights on one of the most iconic records in T20 franchise cricket ahead of IPL 2026. The Rajasthan Royals star revealed a special record he would like to target in the cash-rich league.

Suryavanshi made the revelation during an interaction on the sidelines of the BCCI Naman Awards, where he was honoured along with the India Under-19 squad for winning the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 in Zimbabwe. The young batter has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in Indian cricket, and his bold ambition reflects the fearless approach that has already made him a fan favourite.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi honoured for India’s sixth U-19 World Cup triumph in Naman Awards

The awards ceremony celebrated the success of the Indian Under-19 team, which secured the country’s sixth U-19 World Cup title earlier this year. Suryavanshi played a key role in the tournament and was recognised alongside his teammates during the event.

During the ceremony, former Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson also shared a popular anecdote about Suryavanshi’s first meeting with legendary Indian cricketer and coach Rahul Dravid. According to Samson, the youngster impressed everyone with his fearless attitude even during that initial interaction, a trait that has since become a defining feature of his cricket.

The recognition at the awards further underlined Suryavanshi’s rapid rise in the game, especially after his impressive performances at both domestic and international youth levels.

Vaibhav on the record he is eyeing ahead in IPL 2026

While interacting with veteran cricket presenter Harsha Bhogle, Suryavanshi was asked to choose a record he would most like to achieve in the IPL. The options included hitting 6 sixes in an over, scoring the fastest century in IPL history, or surpassing legend Chris Gayle’s monumental 175-run innings.

Without hesitation, the young batter selected Gayle’s record-breaking knock as his dream milestone. Notably, Gayle’s 175 not out for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Pune Warriors in 2013 remains the highest individual score in IPL history and is widely viewed as one of the most destructive T20 innings ever played. By naming that record as his target, Suryavanshi signaled his intent to push the boundaries of power-hitting in the tournament.

Here’s the video:

Boss Baby has his eyes set for this one! 👀

Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi achieve this feat in the #TATAIPL 2026 ✍️👇

Watch BCCI Naman awards 👉https://t.co/8W5zMWhfvk pic.twitter.com/CZ3xnzqifF

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 15, 2026

Also READ: Aakash Chopra points out the ‘weakness’ of Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2026

Breakout IPL season raised expectations

Expectations surrounding Suryavanshi heading into IPL 2026 are extremely high, largely due to his sensational debut season in the tournament.

Playing for Rajasthan, the young opener delivered several match-winning performances and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most explosive batters. His standout moment came when he smashed a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans, becoming the youngest centurion in IPL and men’s T20 history.

That blistering hundred was also the second-fastest century in IPL history, trailing only Gayle’s record-breaking effort. Suryavanshi’s fearless batting style and ability to dominate bowling attacks earned him the Super Striker of the Season award, cementing his reputation as a breakout star.

With his growing stature and remarkable performances, Suryavanshi is expected to play a crucial role for Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming IPL season. He is widely tipped to become the team’s permanent opening batter, particularly following the departure of Samson.

Also READ: Robin Uthappa explains why IPL 2026 will be a challenging season for Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson (R) with Shaheen Afridi during a practice session. (PTI Photo)

Former Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad launched a blistering attack on the team’s leadership after Pakistan slumped to a 2-1 ODI series defeat against Bangladesh, warning that Pakistan cricket was slipping to alarming levels.Speaking after Pakistan’s 11-run loss in the third and final ODI in Dhaka, Shehzad criticised captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and head coach Mike Hesson, accusing the management of making excuses instead of addressing deeper issues within the team.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“After the pathetic T20 World Cup campaign, you did not make any changes. You brought youngsters out of nowhere. Now you have lost the series and you are giving excuses of having youngsters in the playing XI,” Shehzad said on his YouTube channel. “When you don’t accept your mistakes, you will never move ahead in life.”Pakistan were without senior batters Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman during the series, with conflicting explanations offered by the team management. While Afridi and Hesson said the pair had been rested, chief selector Aaqib Javed claimed the duo had sustained injuries during the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Shehzad also questioned Pakistan’s tactical decisions, particularly Afridi’s call to bowl first in the series decider.“When you won the toss, why did you decide to bowl? It was a good pitch. You should have batted and put runs on the board, then bowled under lights,” he said. “When your senior players behave like this, what do you expect from the youngsters?”Bangladesh secured the series thanks to a standout performance from Tanzid Hasan, who smashed a run-a-ball 107 to guide the hosts to 290 for five at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Pakistan’s chase was led by a fighting 106 from Salman Ali Agha, but the visitors were eventually bowled out for 279, with Taskin Ahmed claiming four wickets.The defeat follows Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage — their fourth consecutive ICC event without reaching the semi-finals.Shehzad dismissed the management’s attempts to downplay the setbacks. “You say you beat Australia and South Africa, but they never played their full-strength teams. If you wanted to fix Pakistan cricket, you would have done it by now.”In his harshest criticism, Shehzad warned that Pakistan’s standing in international cricket was slipping dramatically.“You are becoming an associate team,” he said. “People are now treating Pakistan like Zimbabwe. And then you say we crashed out of the World Cup due to run rate. Have some shame.”