Current Final

Category: Sports

  • Devastating WTC loss leaves Indian cricketers empty handed; fined 100% of match fee

    Devastating WTC loss leaves Indian cricketers empty handed; fined 100% of match fee

    The World Test Championship (WTC) final saw Australia thrashing India on the fifth day, defeating them with a huge margin of 209 runs to lift the maze on Friday at The Oval in London. Unfortunately, both teams have been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for slow over-rate.

    The ICC declared that none of the players from the Indian team will receive their match fee. Meanwhile, the Australian team has been fined 80% of their match fee for slow over-rate.

    The Indian team reduced five overs, while the Australian team reduced four overs within the allotted time. According to ICC regulations, every player is fined for a slow over rate, with 20% of the match fee being imposed for each over.

    In addition, Indian opener Shubman Gill has also been fined. Gill criticized the umpire’s decision after getting out.

    Shubman Gill has been found guilty of violating ICC Article 2.4, resulting in a fine of 15% of the match fee.

  • British politician says celebration with alcohol ruined because of Muslim cricket player, Twitter roasts him, calls it ‘team spirit’

    British politician says celebration with alcohol ruined because of Muslim cricket player, Twitter roasts him, calls it ‘team spirit’

    Nigel Farage, former broadcaster and head of Brexit Party, has been roasted on Twitter for a tweet in which he berated the Australian cricket team for not celebrating “champagne style” after winning World Test Championship (WTC) because of Muslim opener Usman Khawaja.

    Farage posted a tweet on Sunday after Australia won the WTC at the Oval in London and chose not to celebrate with champagne, as teams traditionally do, out of respect for their Muslim teammate.

    “Once again the Australian cricket team do not celebrate in champagne style because 1 of the team members is a Muslim. Are we all to suspend normal life because of the minority,” he wrote.

    The tweet got slammed by fans of the game, with nearly every nationality joining in for a bit of Farage bashing.

    Cricket writer Kit Harris rebuked Farage in a scathing tweet that begun, “It’s called “mateship”. I know it doesn’t exist in politics, but it does in sport — especially Australian sport.”

    Indian fans jumped in too, though their team had just lost to Australia.

    Other tweeps were delighted with Australians uniting to respond to the ultra-right nationalist politician.

    Usman Khawaja himself posted what seems to be an indirect reply to Farage on Instagram, posting a picture of himself celebrating with a diet Coke.

  • ‘No issue, lelo tissue’ : Irfan Pathan is fed up of Pakistani trolling

    ‘No issue, lelo tissue’ : Irfan Pathan is fed up of Pakistani trolling

    Former Indian all-rounder, Irfan Pathan has expressed anger at being trolled by Pakistani fans on Twitter.

    Pathan, who regularly trolls Pakistani fans himself, became the target of trolling after India’s humiliating 209-run loss against Australia in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023 at the Oval Stadium, London.

    It has been a decade since India last succeeded in winning an ICC event.

    https://twitter.com/babarazamking_/status/1667894586050596864?s=20

    Pathan expressed his displeasure towards the Pakistan fans who flooded his social media timeline with celebrations of arch-rival India’s defeat.

    The former pacer recalled his previous ‘GRACE’ tweet during last year’s ICC T20 World Cup and confidently asserted that his assessment of Pakistan fans was entirely accurate.

    “Suddenly, all the padosi [neighbours] are entering my timeline with happiness cos team India lost the WTC FINAL. I was so right abt them..,” Pathan wrote.

    Last year, after Pakistan successfully qualified for the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 by defeating New Zealand, Pathan strongly criticized their fans for their lack of “grace.”

  • Australia crowned World Test Champions after thrashing India by 209 runs

    Australia crowned World Test Champions after thrashing India by 209 runs

    Australia thrashed India in the World Test Championship (WTC) in England, galloping to victory with a huge margin of 209 runs to bag the WTC mace.

    On day four at the Oval, the Indian team was unable to chase down the target of 444 runs, scoring only 243 runs, losing seven wickets on only 77 runs.
    Virat Kohli remains on top from the Indian side, scored 49 runs. Ajinkya Rahane scored 46 and captain Rohit Sharma managed to ass 43 runs to the total.


    For Australia, Nathan Lyon took four catches in the second innings while Scott Boland took 3 wickets, Mitchell Starc took two and Pat Cummins dismissed one.

    Australia had scored 469 runs in the first innings while the second innings was declared at 270 runs for 8 wickets after the Indian team was out by scoring 296 runs in the first innings.

  • Shoaib Akhtar is not interested in a second marriage

    Shoaib Akhtar is not interested in a second marriage

    Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar recently appeared on Hafiz Ahmed’s podcast where he opened up about whether he would get married for a second time.

    The speedster rejected the idea of marrying again, saying that he would remain committed to his wife. The cricketer said that although Islam allows men to marry multiple times, it also encourages men to remain faithful and kind to their wives:

    “You can get married four times, but I believe that once you’re attached to someone, they have left their home for you so you should leave your things for them as well. Be nice to her, kind to her. You should be an inspiring figure to her. You should have a strong character and shouldn’t pressurise her to do anything. I’m always straight forward and honest, I take care of my children and teach them the Quran.”

    The cricketer, who tied the knot with Rubab Khan in 2014, talked about the arranged marriage his parents had set up for him, when they met his wife’s parents during Hajj:

    “My mother had met my wife’s mother during the time they were completing Hajj, and during this visit she had taken a lot of care of my mother. When my parents came back, during that moment my mother introduced me to a girl and told me ‘This is your wife’, and I agreed to marry her.”

    Akhtar said they had a simple nikkah ceremony, which wasn’t open to public, with just a few people from his family and from his wife’s family.

    Akhtar went on to reveal that he is quite different from his conservative wife because of his liberal views, but he has never pressurised her to do anything that she doesn’t want to, including asking her to make media appearances:

    “My family doesn’t like coming on tv. My wife is very conservative, even though I am very liberal, very open minded. I keep asking her to go out and eat something, and she refuses.”

    Akhtar also added that he respects his wife’s preference which is why he doesn’t speak about their personal life during media appearances, to keep supporting her choice to remain a private figure.

  • Asia Cup: Other boards may reject PCB’s hybrid model

    Asia Cup: Other boards may reject PCB’s hybrid model

    Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposed hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023 could be rejected by Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, as per reports. PCB is mulling boycotting the continental tournament slated for later this month. Pakistan is aware that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are not backing their hybrid model proposal for Asia Cup and the only option left for the board is to play the tournament at a neutral venue or withdraw.


    As Asia Cup 2023 deadlock continues, PCB chairman Najam Sethi has sent an SOS to the International Cricket Council (ICC). PCB wants ICC to force India to accept the hybrid model. While PCB had threatened to boycott the tournament if the hybrid model is not accepted, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) believes Pakistan will play the tournament.


    Najam Sethi initially threatened to boycott Asia Cup but there are reports in the media that Mr. Sethi has a plan B for Asia Cup. The Prime Minister of Pakistan fully supports Najam Sethi, asking him to not back off from the hybrid model.


    The model suggests that India can play their matches at neutral venue and the rest of the teams can play in Pakistan. Sethi proposed the model in initial meetings but braodcasters showed concerns over logistics. A Star Sports official asked Najam Sethi how it would be possible for the crew to travel between two countries with equipment.


    Now Najam Sethi has proposed a revised version of hybrid model in which first four group stage matches will be played in Lahore except the matches of India, and the rest of tournament will be shifted to a neutral venue.


    A BCCI official told Inside Sports yesterday at the World Test Championship,


    “Those are just immediate reactions. PCB very well knows what position they are in and any money that comes through is important for them. I don’t think Pakistan can boycott. They will play in Asia Cup and World Cup. For the moment, they are trying whatever they can to keep it but it’s not going to happen.”

  • PCB wants Emirates Cricket Board to reschedule ILT20

    PCB wants Emirates Cricket Board to reschedule ILT20

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to make changes to the schedule of the next edition of International League T20 (ILT20).

    The second edition of ILT20 is currently scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 12 in 2024. Considering the clash of dates between ILT20 and Pakistan Super League (PSL), PCB requested ECB to give 10 days concession to accommodate Pakistan cricket team players.


    In the previous edition of the ILT20, which took place from January 13 to February 12 earlier this year, Pakistan players were not allowed to participate despite attractive offers from the UAE-based league.

    As reported by Cricket Pakistan last month, ILT20 organizers offered top players, including Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan, substantial contracts, along with the opportunity to captain a team and sign a three-year contract.

    However, the PCB did not grant permission to its players to participate in the league. Former -PCB Chairman, Ramiz Raja had even requested compensation from the Emirates in return for releasing the players.


    In contrast, current PCB chief, Najam Sethi, has taken a more flexible approach towards the ILT20, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good relations with the UAE and suggesting that negotiations can be pursued based on the principle of ‘give and take.’ Hence, as reported by Cricket

    Pakistan, national team players are likely to take part in the next edition of ILT20.

    Last month, Cricket Pakistan also reported that there is a possibility of rearranging the home series against West Indies in 2024. PCB conveyed to the franchises during the recent PSL governing council meeting in Lahore that the mentioned series with West Indies might require rescheduling in order to accommodate PSL 9. The West Indies team is currently slated to come to Pakistan in February and March to play two Test matches and three T20I matches.

  • Smith, Babar, Kohli ‘once in a lifetime’ trio, says Mathew Hayden

    Smith, Babar, Kohli ‘once in a lifetime’ trio, says Mathew Hayden

    In the build-up leading to World Test Championship final between India and Australia, former left-hand test great Mathew Hyden opened up about the strength of both teams.

    When asked about the advantage Australia might have over India, Hayden highlighted the importance of putting runs on the board, and in doing so, he praised the batting prowess of Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, and Babar Azam, whom he considers modern-day greats.


    Hyden praised the techniques of Babar Azam, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, describing them as “once in a lifetime and once in a generation cricketers,” indicating that their abilities and achievements set them apart from their peers.

    Hayden also acknowledged the significance of Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins in the Australian team. Labuschagne’s emergence as a reliable batsman and Cummins’ dual role as a captain and a potent fast bowler add further strength to the Australian lineup.


    “In a big game, it is about runs on the board. Steve Smith is a maestro. When you think about the modern-day greats, Smith, Kohli, Babar Azam, these are once in a lifetime and once in a generation cricketers. So obviously in combination with Labuschagne, those two are extremely critical for Australian batting line-up. And then Pat Cummins as a captain and as a bowler as well,” Hayden said.


    Smith, known for his unorthodox yet effective batting style, has been a key figure in Australia’s batting line-up for several years. His ability to consistently score runs and dominate opposition bowlers has earned him a reputation as one of the best batsmen of his generation.

    Kohli, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has been a dominant force in world cricket for over a decade. Known for his aggressive and passionate style of play, Kohli is regarded as one of the finest batsmen in contemporary cricket.


    Babar, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has risen through the ranks to become one of the most exciting batsmen in international cricket. His elegant strokeplay, impeccable timing, and ability to play long innings make him a delight to watch. Babar’s impressive statistics and consistent performances have cemented his place among the top batsmen in the world.

  • Babar Azam moves up in ICC test rankings

    Babar Azam moves up in ICC test rankings

    In the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Test batsmen rankings, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has moved up to the fourth position after the conclusion of a one-off Test match between England and Ireland.

    Despite Joe Root’s commendable performance in the one inning he played during the aforementioned Test, where he scored 56 runs, he experienced a slight drop in his rating points.

    Root’s rating points decreased from 871 to 861, causing him to slip to the fifth position in the rankings. In the meantime, Babar Azam managed to surpass Root with 862 rating points, securing the fourth spot in the ICC Test batsmen rankings.

    Celebrating a double century was Ollie Pope, jumping 10 places to 23rd (637) as a result, with fellow centurion Ben Duckett moving to 34th (up eight spots) with a rating of 602.


    Ireland showed resistance with the bat in response, and a number of players saw jumps in their player rankings as a result. Andy McBrine’s 86* saw him go up 28 places (282 points), with Mark Adair’s 88 (76*) resulting in a 32-spot climb.

    Looking forward to the World Test Championship Final at The Oval, the top-ranked Test players of each rankings discipline are set to feature, as well as a number of players poised to move higher.

    Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne goes into the winner-takes-all showdown as the top-ranked batter in the world, with teammate Steve Smith in third position, 43 rating points behind Labuschagne’s aggregate of 915.

  • ‘India vs Pakistan would be louder’; Kohli on watching the FA Cup final

    ‘India vs Pakistan would be louder’; Kohli on watching the FA Cup final

    Indian batting virtuoso Virat Kohli has expressed his thoughts after watching FA Cup final in United Kingdom.

    Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma recently had the opportunity to witness the highly anticipated FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

    Virat and Anushka were seen cheering for Manchester City.

    The Indian cricket team is on tour to the United Kingdom for the final of World Test Championship.

    In a video posted by Manchester City on their official Twitter account, Kohli shared his thoughts on the experience and the electrifying atmosphere at the stadium.

    “The atmosphere during India’s premier matches clashes, like with Pakistan, is similar to what fans experience during the football games here [in UK]. India versus Pakistan during a World Cup would be louder, but the passion and support of fans here is incredible to watch,” Kohli said.

    Kohli also expressed his admiration for Manchester City as a team, mentioning that he follows their performances closely.

    “Watching Manchester City play is a great thing because I follow the team pretty closely ever since I had a chat with Pep to understand his mindset,” he added.

    Kohli delivered a memorable performance in the T20 World Cup 2022 by playing an outstanding innings against Pakistan. Scoring an unbeaten 82 runs off 53 balls, he showcased one of his finest T20 international innings to date.