West Indies captain Kieron Pollard withdrew Sunday from the upcoming white-ball tour of Pakistan after failing to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021. Wicket-keeper batsman Shai Hope will be leading the side in the PAK vs WI 2021 ODI series, in the absence of Pollard.

Pollard will be reassessed a few weeks ahead of the upcoming home series against Ireland and England in January 2022, Cricket West Indies said.

The West Indies are scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs against Pakistan, starting December 13. All six matches will be played at the Karachi National Stadium, Karachi.

Also Read: Ashes 2021, 1st Test: Australia announces their playing eleven

The ODI Series will be West Indies' fourth series of 12 in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League. Meanwhile. the top 7 teams can secure automatic qualification for the tournament in India.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors have dropped the veteran trio of Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, and Sarfaraz Ahmed. They also rested Hasan Ali and Mohammad Hasnain for the T20I series. Pacer Hasan will take a rest from the ODI series. The selectors have included Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah for the three 50-overs series.

Read Also: Most T20I runs by a Captain in a Calendar Year

PAK vs WI 2021: T20I & ODI squad of West Indies for the Pakistan tour :

T20I: Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Rovman Powell.

ODI: Shai Hope (c & wk), Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Nicholas Pooran, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr, Devon Thomas.

Read Also: Chris Gayle hopes for a farewell game in Jamaica

Fixtures :

T20Is: December 13, 14, and 16 at National Stadium, Karachi.

Matches start 8:30 PM IST/ 08:00 PM local.

ODIs: December 18, 20, and 22 at National Stadium, Karachi.

Matches start 1:30 PM IST/ 1:00 PM local. 

The air around Pakistan Cricket is thick with anticipation. Unconfirmed but strong reports indicate that Pakistan Cricket Board (PSB) is set to make a major leadership change, with Salman Ali Agha likely to take over Pakistan's all-format captaincy.

This is not just a routine captaincy change; it's a strategic move by PCB that could fundamentally change the team's trajectory.

What does this decision truly signify for the Green Shirts? Find out.

The current captains: Where do they stand?

Pakistan's captaincy landscape is currently questionable, influenced by their recent performances.

1. Shan Masood (Test Captain)

Appointed in November 2023, Shan Masood's captaincy has been challenging. The team suffered a 3-0 whitewash in Australia (Dec 2023- Jan 2024) which placed his position under significant threat.

Additionally, they also lost 2-0 to Bangladesh (Aug-Sept 2024) which almost marked the end of his captaincy tenure.

2. Mohammad Rizwan (ODI Captain)

Named full-time ODI captain in 2024, Mohammad Rizwan's tenure is also under review. While he had initial success, his position came under threat after their early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, despite being the defending champions.

This include big losses to New Zealand and India in the tournament.

3. Salman Ali Agha (T20 Captain)

Appointed T20 captain in March 2025, Agha has been impressive. Under his brief leadership, the T20I side has reportedly shown "newfound intent" while batting. 

He has impressed both the selection committee and PCB chairman.

PCB's decision to change:

The PCB's move towards an all-format captain, particularly Salman Ali Agha, signals a desire for greater stability, a unified vision, and a fresh approach after a period of mixed results and frequent leadership changes.

The performances under Masood and Rizwan, especially in critical series and tournaments, have undeniably shaped the board's apparent decision towards a new captaincy structure and implement a new era under a single leader.

In a dramatic turn of events, overseas players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) faced harrowing experiences due to escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to the indefinite postponement of the tournament.

The crisis, sparked by India’s strategic response to a terror attack in Palalgam on May 7, 2025, which claimed 26 civilian lives, left players like New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell vowing never to return to Pakistan and England’s Tom Curran in tears after a close call at the airport.

Read Also | In a first, 10 UAE batters retire out in ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025

PSL Halted Amid Regional Tensions

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially planned to relocate the remaining PSL matches to the UAE after tensions escalated. However, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) rejected the proposal, leaving the PCB with no choice but to cancel the tournament.

The announcement came shortly after the BCCI postponed the IPL for a week due to the same geopolitical concerns.

Overseas players were swiftly evacuated to Dubai via charter flights, from where they caught connecting flights to their home countries. Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, part of the Lahore Qalandars squad, recounted the terrifying ordeal, revealing that the airport they departed from was struck by a missile just 20 minutes after their plane took off.

“After landing in Dubai, we heard that a missile struck the airport 20 minutes after we left. The news was scary and sorrowful, but we felt relieved to be safe in Dubai,” Rishad told Cricbuzz.

Read Also | Foreign players asked to return to their country as IPL 2025 postponed for a week due to India-Pakistan tension

Daryl Mitchell’s Vow and Tom Curran’s Distress

Rishad shared the palpable fear among foreign players, including Sam Billings, Daryl Mitchell, Kushal Perera, David Wiese, and Tom Curran.

“Landing in Dubai, Mitchell told me he would never go to Pakistan again, especially in this kind of scenario. They were all horrified,” Rishad said.

Recounting Tom Curran’s emotional breakdown, Rishad added, “Tom went to the airport, but heard it was closed. He started crying like a little child, and it took two or three people to console him.”

Read Also | India-Pakistan War: How Indian athletes reacted to it

Family Worries and Player Anxieties

Rishad also spoke about the anxiety his family felt during the crisis. “Whenever I play, my family worries about the situation. When they heard about the bomb blasts and missile strikes in Pakistan, they were naturally tense. I tried to console them and assure them I was safe,” he said.

PCB’s Failed Attempt to Salvage the Tournament

According to Rishad, the PCB chairman attempted to convince players to continue the tournament in Karachi, downplaying the severity of the situation.

“The chairman tried to hide that there were two drone attacks the day before, which we later learned about. Almost all foreign players agreed that Dubai was the only safe option,” Rishad revealed.

The PCB eventually facilitated the players’ safe evacuation to Dubai, a move Rishad credited to the board’s efforts. “Thanks to the PCB chairman and the Pakistan Cricket Board, we reached Dubai safely by the grace of Almighty Allah,” he said.

"Catches win matches" is a well-known proverb that is crucial in terms of cricket. Having exceptional fielders who would get to any extent to grab match-winning catches is a blessing for teams.

IPL has witnessed some unbelievably good fielding efforts from players across the globe. Here's the ones that stood out for their consistency, having the most catches in IPL history.

Virat Kohli (117 catches)

Virat Kohli is one of the fittest athletes in the world and is also considered as an expectional fielder for India. He always lits up the stadium with his energy and agility while fielding for his team.

Kohli has taken a total of 117 catches in 263 matches so far, which is the highest in IPL history. He is barely seen missing or letting the ball go off his hand.

His contributions in aspect of taking catches remains hard to beat, and hopefully there are more to come in the upcoming matches in IPL for RCB.

Read Also: Most Sixes in an innings by an Indian in IPL

Suresh Raina (109 catches)

Suresh Raina's contribution in IPL goes beyond his batting performance. He has taken 109 catches in 205 matches for Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions.

Raina ended his IPL journey in 2021 and still his second place in the list of most catches stays unbeaten. He is among the top Indian fielders who took some match-winning catches.

Ravindra Jadeja (108 catches)

Ravindra Jadeja is one name that everyone anticipates when it comes to the category of fielding and catching. His quick reflexes and fielding abilities made him one of the best fielders in the history of not only IPL, but also Indian cricket. 

Jadeja has taken 108 catches in 251 matches for CSK, GL, KTK, and RR. He consistently worked towards taking important wickets for the team and saving boundaries when needed. 

Jadeja also played a crucial role in CSK's success over the years.

Kieron Pollard (103 catches)

Kieron Pollard has served as a fielding pillar for Mumbai Indians throughout his IPL career. He often changed the course of the game in favour of his team by taking difficult catches.

Pollard has taken 103 catches in 189 matches for MI, and some of them were too good to be true! His athleticism proved to be beneficial everytime he is on field, specially near the boundary.

Read Also: Cricket Stats: most catches by a keeper in tests

Rohit Sharma (102 catches)

Rohit Sharma is another Indian player having a catch count of more than hundred in IPL. He has taken 103 catches in 267 matches for MI and DCH. He has proved to be a dependable fielder for his team throughout.

Rohit's game awareness and experience played a crucial role in his fielding, which also aligned with the field setup and his captaincy. He is the 5th player to have 100+ catches in IPL history.

Mumbai Indians are one of the most successful teams in IPL history. They’ve won the title five times and are known for having some of the best bowlers in the league.

Throughout the seasons, MI has produced some of the finest bowling talents of the modern era. The combination of legendary pacers and crafty spinners has played a huge role in their success.  

Read Also | Fastest 50 IPL Wickets Among Pacers (by Matches)

1. Jasprit Bumrah (2013-present, 174* wickets)

Since his debut in 2013, Jasprit Bumrah has been the leader of MI's bowling attack. He is known for his pin-point yorkers, deceptive slower balls and as a death over specialist. With 174 wickets, Bumrah has surpassed Lasith Malinga as the highest wicket taker for MI including his best figures 5/10.

2. Lasith Malinga (2009-2019, 170 wickets)

Slinga Malinga is undoubtedly MI's one of the most iconic players. Known for his deadly yorkers and unorthodox bowling action, Malinga was MI's leading wicket taker throught the seasons. With the best figures of 5/13, he was the purple cap holder in the 4th edition of the IPL.

3. Harbhajan Singh (2008-2017, 127 wickets)

The Turbanator, Harbhajan Singh was a crucial bowler during his tenure in MI. Being an experienced off-spinner, he provided control and important break-throughs in the middle overs. His best bowling figures of 5/18 came in the 4th edition and he also played an important role in MI's 1st title.

4. Mitchell McClenaghan (2015-2019, 71 wickets)

McClenaghan was known for aggressive bowling which helped him bag wickets during crucial moments. With his fierce pace, the kiwi added firepower to MI's bowling attack. He has the best bowling figure of 4/21 against Gujrat Lions in the 2016 season.

5. Kieron Pollard (2010-2022, 69 wickets)

Being an all-rounder, Kieron Pollard has made some key contributions as a medium pacer for MI. Often called the "man with the golden arm", Pollard had knack for breaking partnerships during crunch situations. He has his career-best figures of 4/44 against the Rajasthan Royals.

6. Hardik Pandya (2015- 2025, 65* wickets)

The current captain of MI, Hardik Pandya is known for his versatility in his bowling. Though he can be expensive at times, Pandya has delivered wickets during the powerplay, middle overs, and at the death. With the best figures of 5/36, he has been one of the key players for MI over many years.

Read Also | IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya becomes the new captain of Mumbai Indians

7. Krunal Pandya (2016-2021, 51* wickets)

Krunal Pandya was known for his tight bowling during the middle overs. With his economical bowling, he had the ability to control the run-rate and bowl during pressure situations. Krunal proved to be a valuable asset to the MI's squad and has the best bowling figures of 5/36.

In a T20 tournament like IPL, it is important for every team to have a quality set of players who can score runs at a fast pace. Particularly, this is most required in the death overs when the team is looking to score quick runs. These big hitters play a crucial role in the campaign of all the teams in each IPL season.

One of the most basic criteria for judging a batter for his fast scoring is his strike rate.

In this particular article, we will be discussing the IPL facts about 10 batters who have registered the highest strike rate in the cash rich league. These include the players who have scored a minimum of 2000 runs in the tournament history.

Also Read: Best Strike Rate in IPL (Minimum 1000 Runs)

IPL Facts | Highest Strike Rate in IPL History

10. Suryakumar Yadav | 145.32

The Indian Cricket Team T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav's success on the international stage is built on the foundation of his IPL career, particularly his stint with the Mumbai Indians (MI), where he made his reputation as a versatile and reliable middle-order batter. 

Through his 150 IPL matches, SKY has accumulated 3594 runs while maintaining an outstanding strike rate reaching 145.32. His significant fifty and two double hundred scores have consistently helped Mumbai Indians during crucial moments.

9. Hardik Pandya | 145.61

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder and Mumbai Indians (MI) captain holds the 9th position in this list. In his IPL career of 137 matches, Pandya has scored a total of 2,525 runs with 10 half-centuries. His strike-rate reads 145.61.

Hardik has also contributed to his team's bowling department by taking 64 wickets with an economy rate of 9.09.

Besides representing MI, Pandya also led Gujarat Titans to the title in their maiden IPL season (2022). He returned the MI setup following the 2023 season, in a record all-cash trade.

8. Kieron Pollard | 147.32

Mumbai Indians legend Kieron Pollard holds the 8th position in this list. Known for striking the ball hard, Pollard was one of the tournament’s finest power hitters.

Since his debut in 2010, Pollard competed in 189 matches while scoring 3412 runs. He managed to put up these numbers at an impressive strike rate of 147.32 with 16 half-centuries.

Pollard was one of Mumbai's batting mainstays throughout his career. His best performances for them came in 2013, where he scored 420 runs in the season, and in 2015, where he smashed 419 runs. Both were seasons where Mumbai lifted the trophy as well.

7. Jos Buttler | 147.92

Jos Buttler holds the seventh position in this list. He has been a consistent performer for Rajasthan Royals ever since he signed for the team before the Indian Premier League 2018 season.

Before joining the Royals, Buttler represented Mumbai Indians in the 2016 and 2017 seasons and while he fared decently with them, it was after joining the Royals that the Englishman truly hit his stride in the IPL.

Buttler scored 3582 runs in 107 games at an average of 38.10 and a strike rate of 147.92. His first season with the Royals saw him score 548 runs at an average of 54.80 and strike rate of 155.24. The tally included five half-centuries.

6. Rishabh Pant | 148.93

Rishabh Pant, who made his IPL debut in 2016, has played 111 matches in the Indian Premier League so far scoring 3284 runs with an average of 35.31 and strike rate of 148.93. He has one century and 18 half-centuries to his name.

Pant joined the Delhi Capitals in 2016 after he performed exceptionally in the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, where India finished as the runners-up under Ishan Kishan’s leadership. Pant was a teenager then and from there on he did not look back.

During the 2018 Indian Premier League, Rishabh Pant scored an unbeaten 128 from 63 balls for Delhi Capitals in IPL. It is Pant's highest-ever individual score in IPL.  

5. Chris Gayle | 148.96

Chris Gayle has been the most destructive batter in the T20 set-up. Gayle is the fifth-highest batter with best strike rate in IPL (minimum 2000 runs).

In a career spanning from 2009-2021, the left-handed batsman has amassed 4,965 runs from 142 matches at an incredible average of 39.72. He owns a strike rate of 148.96.

Gayle scored 193 runs in ten games in IPL 2021.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Who was hit the most sixes in IPL History? Top 10 list

4. AB de Villiers | 151.68

AB de Villiers had a 13-year-long career in the IPL where he played for two teams, namely Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

He's counted among one of the greatest players to have played in the tournament, being the fourth-highest batter with best strike rate in IPL.

de Villiers scored 5162 runs in his IPL career from 184 matches (170 innings) at an average of 39.70 and a strike rate of 151.68 with three hundreds and 40 fifties.

3. Virender Sehwag | 155.44

The cricket community is aware of what Virender Sehwag has achieved in his career. He was one of the best openers India ever had. But in the IPL, he had a different aura. 

Sehwag played for teams like Delhi Daredevils (DD) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and scored 2728 runs in 104 games. Indeed, he has also slammed a century in the tournament. Interestingly, his strike rate in the league is 155.44.

2. Glenn Maxwell | 156.73

The second name in this list is Glenn Maxwell in terms of keeping the highest strike rate in the IPL.

Maxwell began his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils in 2012. The Australian all-rounder then represented Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab, before landing with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The 36-year-old has turned out in 134 IPL matches, scoring 2771 runs at a strike rate of 156.73. He has also picked 37 wickets at an economy rate of 8.28.

1. Andre Russell | 174.92

Andre Russell has the highest strike rate in IPL for a batter with minimum 2000 runs. His figures are much more impressive considering his long career with KKR and the innings he has played. 

Playing 127 IPL matches, Russell has scored 2484 runs at a commendable strike rate of 174.92. 

He has eleven half-centuries with a high score of 88 not out in the IPL. Russell has many times won games for KKR on his own in very difficult situations.