Author: Wasim Sarwar

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has said that Hassan Ali hasn’t been selected by one person, seven selectors made the decision.

In a pre-departure press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, a journalist asked Babar Azam, “Wasim Junior and Zaman Khan were in the team since the last two years, but now Hassan Ali is selected along with Haris Rauf. Do you think Hassan is a better death-over bowler than Zaman Khan?”

In response to the question, Babar Azam said, Hassan Ali hasn’t been selected by one person, seven selectors made the decision. Selectors brought him in as the backup bowler, he is an experienced bowler but Zaman Khan is also a good bowler but he is less experienced.”

“He is not in 15-member squad, he is a part-time bowler. It’s not like someone has selected him, there are seven selectors and they took that decision that is better for Pakistan cricket.”

In response to a question on rotation policy in the upcoming series, Babar said, “I think now the World Cup is near and there is less time for rotation policy. We will try to make the best playing eleven.”

In response to a question on injustice with Muhammad Ali selection in the team, Babar said, “He is a new bowler. During the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he was struggling outside Multan, I think he needs more time, he is part of our plans.”

Pakistan will play a three-match T20 series against Ireland on May 10 and also play a four-match T20 series against England from May 22 to May 30.

Senior journalist and Bureau Chief of Dawn News, Iftikhar Shirazi, has claimed that batting maestro Babar Azam, along with fellow cricketers, told the Chief of Army staff of Pakistan (COAS) General Asim Munir during the April 8 iftar dinner that former Prime Minister Imran Khan is our ideal cricketer and national star who won the World Cup for Pakistan. “It doesn’t feel good that he is in jail,” Babar allegedly said.

COAS Asim Munir invited Pakistan cricket team to an iftar party on April 8 after the training camp of the national cricket team in Kakul.

Babar himself has neither denied nor confirmed the statement as yet.

Former England captain and commentator Michael Vaughan has predicted that Pakistan and India will not reach the semi finals of upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

Tweeting on X (Twitter), Michael Vaughan jotted down his top four teams in the T20 World Cup 2024 and called hosts West Indies, England, South Africa and Australia strong contenders to play the semi-finals.

Yesterday, the Indian board announced its squad for the mega event, in which Rohit Sharma has been given the command of the Indian team while Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the vice-captain.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not announced its squad for the T20 World Cup yet, but the green shirts squad for the series against Ireland and England will be announced tomorrow (Thursday).

The Gamer Galaxy E-Sports Festival became the site of a huge upset when Nauman Chaudhry defeated the uncrowned king of Tekken, Arslan Ash, on Friday night.

A large number of qualified youths from all over the country participated in online games in the E-Sports Festival organized at Expo Center Lahore and won their favorite games like FIFA, Free Fighters, Tekken 8 and PUBG mobile.

Punjab Sports Minister Faisal Khokhar, well-known boxer Aamir Khan and Fakhr e Alam took special part in the e-Sports Festival.

All the champions of the event were given prize pool money and winning trophies.

Musician Rehan Darabuk and Karachi’s famous rap stars Young Stunners performed at the event.

Pakistani-born British former boxer Aamir Khan has reportedly left Pakistan after his $100,000 academy got shut down. He was also disappointed at the lack of boxing competitions in Pakistan.

Aamir Khan said in a video message, “I keep coming to Pakistan, earlier I had an academy here. Now children are messaging me that we have to train, have a boxing fight, why is there no boxing in Pakistan?”

He said, “I spoke to the officials and the government but still nothing happened, my gym was completely new and very clean, but it was closed.”

“I am very disappointed with the government’s lack of attention to other sports including boxing in Pakistan. I will be flying back to England tomorrow, very upset that over a hundred thousand dollars I spent on the gym are now ruined.”

Four time EVO champion Arslan Ash will not be able to participate in the EVO championship this year due to a visa issue.

One of the biggest fighting game tournaments EVO Japan is set to take place this weekend at Ariake GYM-EX, Tokyo. Tekken 8 will be a big game in the event but one of the best Tekken players in the world, Arslan Ash will not be able to participate due to visa issues.

In a recent tweet shared on X (formerly Twitter), Arslan Ash said, “It’s official! No Pakistan reps at Evo JP this year. Insha’Allah next year!”

This year including Arslan Ash two Pakistani PUBG mobile teams (AsAgi8 and 52 Esports) could not participate in the PUBG mobile global open (PMGO).

Here are the top five Pakistani esports players with highest earnings. These talented individuals have showcased their skills on the global stage and secured huge earnings along the way.

1-Sumail Hassan

Sumail Hassan is a Pakistan Defense of the Ancients (DOTA 2) player currently playing for Nigma Galaxy, an Emirates esports organization.

SumaiL was featured in Time Magazine’s top 30 influential teenagers of 2016. He holds the record for the most kills (31) in a single game at The International (TI).

His total earning are $4,013,648 (1.1 billion Pkr).

2-Yawar Hassan

Yawar Hassan is the older brother of Sumail. He is also a DOTA 2 player but currently not playing for any team. Last time he played for Wildcard Gaming.

His total earnings are $628,259 (17.4 crore Pkr).

3-Arslan Ash

Arslan Ash Siddique is Pakistani Tekken player currently playing from Twisted Minds. He is known as Tekken best player in the world having four time EVO titles as well as Tekken World Tour (TWT).

Arslan gained worldwide recognition with an unexpected victory at EVO Japan 2019. He defeated renowned players like Knee, Chanel, Book, LowHigh (EVO 2018 Champion), Jimmyjtran, and finally AK, securing a bracket reset to emerge victorious in the entire tournament.

His total earnings are $331,485 (9.1 crore Pkr).

4-Atif Butt

Atif Butt is Pakistani Tekken player currently representing FATE esports. He is known for being able to play with many characters at top level in Tekken.

He is the champion of Tekken World Tour 2022, taking title while undefeated through out the tournament.

His total earnings are $244,522 (6.7 crore Pkr).

5-Khan

Khan is also a Pakistani Tekken player currently representing FATE esports.

His total earnings are $173,420 (4.8 crore Pkr).

A record number of Pakistani runners from different areas of the world took part in the London Marathon 2024.

32 Pakistanis from Karachi, Islamabad, Dubai, United States, United Kingdom and Norway took part in the marathon.

From Pakistan, Usman Muhammad and Aisha Qamar completed the race in three hours. Miqdad Muhammad finished in three hours and 15 minutes and Sara Lodhi finished in three hours and 22 minutes.

Many talented individuals, including Abdul Sami, Yawar Siddiqui, Muhammad Babar Ali, Bilal Ehsan, Ahmed Zubair, Mohammad Aurangzaib, Faisal Shafi, Raees Ebrahim, Shah Faisal, Muhammad Ali, Zohaib Moin, Shariq Samad, Fawad Karim, Babar Ghias, Ammar Mumtaz, Miqdad Mohammad, and Nazakat Ali, delivered impressive performances.

Here is the result of the Pakistani runners:

In the men’s race, Alexander Mutiso finished first while Kenisa Beckley finished in second. British athletes, Emile Careys finished third with a brilliant run, while his teammate Mahamed Mahamed finished fourth.

In the women’s race, Olympic champion Perez Gipturcher set a new world record in the women’s single race by winning the competitive race. Perez Gipturcher finished the race in an impressive two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds.

Wheel chair racers also took part in this race. Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won the men’s race for the fourth consecutive year, crossing the line in one hour, 28 minutes and 35 seconds. American Daniel Romchuk finished in second and Brian David Weir in third.

In the women’s wheelchair category, Switzerland’s Catherine Debruner emerged victorious in the women’s wheelchair in 1 hour 38 minutes and 54 seconds.

The first London Marathon was held in the capital city in 1981 with a distance of 26.2 miles. It starts at Greenwich Park and ends at The Mall.