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  • Umar Akmal was not selected because he plays for the country: Kamran Akmal

    Umar Akmal was not selected because he plays for the country: Kamran Akmal

    Kamran Akmal, hero of the 2009 T20 World Cup and former wicket-keeper batsman has backed his brother Umar Akmal stating that it is clear that there the criteria for team selection is not based on performance.

    There are players who have just 30 or 32 runs as their highest and they still got selected because they have strong friendships in Pakistani team, the batsman implied.

    Yesterday Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced squads for T20 and ODI against New Zealand in a series scheduled to begin on April 14. Babar Azam will be the captain and Shadab Khan will hold the vice-captaincy spot.
    PCB crushed all rumors of looking for a replacement for Shadab Khan after he lost a series as captain against Afghanistan in United Arab Emirates.

    Fans, however, are excited to see their favorite players back in the squad particularly Muhammad Rizwan, Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi who will lead the pace attack will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

    On the other hand senior player Kamran Akmal is not so happy with the selection of the squad, lashing out at the Pakistan cricket board management and selection committee for not selecting Umar Akmal in the T20 squad.

    “I am talking about Umar. They announced the T20 team and didn’t include him in the squad. Why? He played last year’s PSL and this year’s PSL in very tough conditions He tried his best to deliver whenever given an opportunity, a chance, limited amount of balls or overs, etc.,” Akmal said.

    “I don’t need to explain or tell anyone; everyone is well aware of the reality. Yet, I still cannot comprehend why he isn’t being given a chance in the national team, particularly on the batting number where almost every player has been tried,” he added.

    Kamran Akmal stressed that his younger brother doesn’t indulge in flattery, which is why he goes unnoticed.

    “The performance of all these players is crystal clear in front of everyone; despite that, you are still not including Umar because he isn’t in the likings or good books of the selection committee? Or maybe because he doesn’t greet you guys well, doesn’t invest a lot of time in flattering – this is what I can conclude as to why he isn’t a part of the national team.”

    Continuing in the same vein, Kamran Akmal said that it is crystal clear that performance is not the criteria for the selection, adding that one has to be a foot licker or employ flattery for selection in the Pakistan team.

    The 34-year-old Umar, who last played a T20I match against Sri Lanka way back in 2019, stated that his recent performances in domestic cricket are in front of everyone, and it’s up to the selection committee to pick him in the national side.

    “I leave the decision of selection for the upcoming series against New Zealand to the PCB and the selection committee. I take cricket very seriously, be it club cricket, domestic cricket, or international cricket. As you can see, I don’t miss a single club cricket game, and I always give my 100%. I will continue to perform like this till the end,” he said.

  • A friend in need’s a friend indeed: Babar Azam saves Shadab Khan as vice-captain

    A friend in need’s a friend indeed: Babar Azam saves Shadab Khan as vice-captain

    From the last couple of weeks speculation was rife in media reports that officials of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are not happy with the vice-captain of the national cricket team, Shadab Khan. Sources had told news media that PCB are looking for a new vice-captain while considering resting Shadab Khan for the New Zealand series.

    However, the management has followed the advice of captain Babar Azam and retained Shadab as vice-captain.

    Reportedly Babar Azam excluded Imad Wasim from the ODI squad but kept him in the T20 Squad with PCB backing the captain’s decisions.

    According to media reports, PCB initially planned to give rest to Shadab Khan while Usama Mir was under consideration to play in the home series against New Zealand.

    Shadab Khan’s relations with management seem to be rocky.
    Shadab was appointed as the stand-in captain for the Afghanistan series but the team suffered a historic defeat in the matches.

    Matters got worse when in the post-match press conference, Shadab said that now the management and nation will know the importance of key senior players.
    Higher authorities were purportedly displeased with the statement.

    Rumors of removing Khan from vice-captaincy faced backlash from former Test stars and social media with the hashtag #DestroyerNajamSethi trending on Twitter against the chairman of the PCB Management Committee.

    Sources reveal that the captain has reportedly urged the board to avoid further experimentation ahead of the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 scheduled in India.

    Given the current schedule, players cannot be afforded rest, and therefore, the decision was made to retain Shadab Khan as vice-captain due to his performance.

    However, all is not well, as Imad Wasim has expressed disappointment over Babar Azam’s alleged condition of being made captain of the PSL franchise Karachi Kings, and the subsequent lack of trust shown towards him in that role.

    However, Imad has reclaimed the reins of Karachi Kings following Babar’s move to Peshawar Zalmi, and his impressive performance in Sharjah makes it difficult for the team management to leave him out of the playing eleven.

  • Amir Khan banned from all sport after failing dope test

    Amir Khan banned from all sport after failing dope test

    Amir Khan banned from all sport after failing dope test

    British boxing star Amir Khan has been banned for two years after an anti-doping test revealed the presence of a prohibited substance.

    The former light-weight world champion tested positive for ostarine, a drug mainly used to boost testosterone (male hormones). The UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) website states that


    Amir Khan retired from boxing in May but he accepted that he was using the prohibited substance, however, it was not intentional.
    An independent tribunal accepted that argument, ruling out “deliberate or reckless conduct” by the 36-year-old.

    In October, British sprinter CJ Ujah was banned for 22 months after he tested positive for two banned substances, including ostarine, at the Tokyo Olympics.

    “This case serves as a reminder that UKAD will diligently pursue anti-doping rule violations in order to protect clean sport,” chief executive Jane Rumble said.

    “Strict liability means athletes are ultimately responsible for what they ingest and for the presence of any prohibited substances in a sample.”

    The ban from all sports is deemed to have begun on 6 April 2022 and expires on 5 April 2024.

    Khan, who won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics as a 17-year-old, was beaten by Brook via sixth-round knockout in what proved to be his final professional bout.

    He retired from the sport three months later, finishing his career with 34 professional wins and six losses, having turned professional in 2005.

  • Mai un sab se bohot behtar hoon aur zindagi mein unse aagay hoon: Azam Khan hits back at critics

    Mai un sab se bohot behtar hoon aur zindagi mein unse aagay hoon: Azam Khan hits back at critics

    Azam Khan, Pakistan’s most powerful full hard and key middle-order batsman, has hit back at critics with a heated remark in a recent interview.

    “I believe that I am better than those who criticize me and spread negativity against me. I know I am way ahead in life as compared to them,” the crowd favourite said, lashing out at the critics who compare his fitness with his form.

    The 24-year-old’s comments showcase his confidence and determination to focus on his own growth as a player, rather than getting bogged down by negative criticism.

    “Those who label me as a Pindi-pitched-based batsman should also observe my recent performances. While I respect their opinion, I do not play cricket to prove them wrong. Rather, I play cricket for my own satisfaction, and as long as that satisfaction remains within me, I will continue to play,” said Azam.

    Previously, former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed had expressed concerns over the fitness levels of players representing Pakistan in international cricket.

    “I am not sure what sort of experiment this was. It’s clear to me that no consideration was taken when selecting the squad for this series about what standard of skills and fitness levels are needed to represent Pakistan,” said Javed.

    “If I was a player in that squad, I would have refused to play with this team. First, at least attain some levels of fitness before playing. Hopefully, they will have learned from this,” he concluded.

    Many former cricketers criticize Azam Khan’s fitness. Former Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja once said in a press conference about Sharjeel Khan and Azam Khan that “if they want to play cricket first they should be fit and be like proper athletes.”

  • #DestroyNajamSethi trends on social media amid rumors of Shadab Khan removal

    #DestroyNajamSethi trends on social media amid rumors of Shadab Khan removal

    Since the last couple of weeks there is speculation in media reports that the Vice- Captain of Pakistan Cricket Team, Shadab Khan, is going to be removed as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) searches for a competent player to replace him.

    Imad Wasim’s and Shan Masood’s names are under consideration, reportedly.

    While there has been no official confirmation, cricketing fans were quick to respond, slamming team management on social media, demanding that PCB support cricketers after defeat instead of pressurising them

    After the Afghanistan series loss in United Arab Emirates, some fans defended Shadab and criticizing management in the context of why they have rested all key senior players and some reactions were opposing Khan’s poor approach and irresponsible decisions on field.


    After the series failure, in the post-match press conference, Shadab Khan said that now management will realise the importance of master batsmen Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan.


    “We have achieved our motive,” the stand-in captain said, further murking up the waters.

    Media reports have stated that after the series failure, the Board is thinking closely about appointing a new vice-captain for the shorter format series against New Zealand in April.


    Usama Mir is likely to replace Shadab in the upcoming home series against the Kiwis.

    Former wicket-keeper batter Rashid Latif added fuel to fire by commenting on his Youtube Channel that PCB may be trying to punish Shadab for speaking truth.


    The analysis by the former cricketer put PCB management and Najam Sethi into hot waters. As soon as Latif comments on the debate showed up on social media, #DestroyNajamSethi started trending.


    Clearly, fans are not happy with speculations that Shadab Khan will be replaced. There seems to be general consensus that Shadab is a crucial player in the team and is an essential part of the team’s leadership.

    The hashtag #DestroyerNajamSethi is a straight-up depiction of the fact that Pakistan cricket fans are frustrated, exasperated and angry with the chairman and management of the cricket board.

    A large pool of fans firmly believes that such decisions are an attempt to break the national team’s bench and won’t be advantageous for the team as well as the fans.

  • ‘Zip your lips’; Rashid Latif thinks Shadab’s statement angered PCB

    ‘Zip your lips’; Rashid Latif thinks Shadab’s statement angered PCB

    Former captain and wicketkeeper batsman Rashid Latif has said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that may be trying to punish Shadab Khan for speaking the truth.

    After losing the second T20 match against Afghanistan, Shadab Khan said that team management will now realise the importance of Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, both of whom were rested for the series.

    The statement raised eyebrows among commentators, being interpreted as Shadab blaming the management for not sending star batsmen Babar and Rizwan for the series.


    Rashid Latif thinks that the statement has angered the Board and they now want to punish Shadab Khan by removing him as Vice-Captain.


    Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, and wicketkeeper, Mohammad Rizwan were rested from the recently-concluded Afghanistan series which Pakistan lost by 1-2.

    While reacting to the aforementioned news on his YouTube channel, Latif slammed the board for mentally torturing Pakistan cricketers.

    “One person is trying to speak the truth but they [PCB] are trying to zip his lips. Disturb him so much that he leaves cricket and makes him a psycho.

    Why do 90 percent of Pakistan players become psycho after leaving cricket? They become psycho because of Pakistan Cricket Board,” Latif said.

    “I don’t understand who brings these people on the board,” he concluded.

    Babar will once again be in the driving seat of Pakistan’s cricket team, resuming his responsibilities as captain in the series against New Zealand.
    The Kiwiswill arrive in Lahore and play three T20Is from 14-17 of April before traveling to Rawalpindi, where the final two T20Is and first ODI will be played from 20-26 of April.

    The tour will culminate in Karachi, with the remaining four ODIs to be played from April 30 to May 7.

  • Muhammad Amir gears up to comeback in international cricket

    Muhammad Amir gears up to comeback in international cricket

    Selectors of the national cricket team have hinted that left-arm fast bowler Muhammad Amir is gearing up to wear the Pakistan cricket team kit once again.

    Sources have said that an important official of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently met Muhammad Amir’s manager and gave a green signal to the left-arm pacer by advising him to be prepared while gearing up for a comeback.


    According to a media report, the selector has warned Amir to just focus on his cricket and avoid giving unnecessary statements in the media, which might create controversy.

    The report further added that he will soon be asked to take his retirement back, so he needs to keep practicing and keep himself fit till then.

    Amir called time on his international career in 2020 in protest over the treatment he had received from the then-management, led by Misbah ul Haq.

    However, after Najam Sethi took charge of PCB, the management committee chairman said in a media interaction that Amir would be considered for selection like other players, if he takes his retirement back.

    “Mohammad Amir can play international cricket for Pakistan if he takes his retirement back. I always took a strong stance against match-fixing. I believe no convicted player should be spared, but at the same time, a player should be allowed to resume international cricket once he has completed his years of penalty,” said Sethi.


    Muhammad Amir is the key-bowler for Karachi Kings. The bowler’s remarks often land him into controversy.

    Despite retiring, Amir continues to play in leagues around the world and recently represented Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League (PSL).
    Recently Pakistan’s former captain wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed praised Amir, stating that he is better than any other left-arm pacer on the team right now.

  • Arslan Ash once again takes Tekken trophy at EVO Japan 2023

    Arslan Ash once again takes Tekken trophy at EVO Japan 2023

    Pakistan gamer Arslan “Ash” Siddique has won the Tekken 7 competition at EVO Japan 2023 on Sunday after beating South Korea’s Meo-IL.

    The Lahore-based player has now won three EVO titles. In 2019, he won the Tekken 7 tournament in Japan as well as the Evolution Championship Series in the United States.

    In August last year, he finished third in the EVO 2022 Tekken 7 competition.

    On Sunday, Siddique played as Zafina to dominate Meo-IL, who was using Geese Howard, 3-0 in the tournament’s final leg.

    Arslan Ash is a well known taken 7 player. He represents Pakistan at different platforms of E- gaming.

    His third trophy win at EVO Japan 2023 for Tekken 7, is now in direct competition for Knee’s record. Jae-Min “Knee” Bae holds the record for three EVO wins. He won his first back in 2013 at the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 event and subsequently, 2 more at EVO 2018 and 2022.

    Previously, Pakistan’s Arslan Ash won EVO Japan 2019 and the EVO Championship series. He went toe-to-toe against Rangchu for the upper bracket finals and Meo-IL in the Grand Finals. He mained Zafina, showcasing some flashy moves.

    This was the last time we’ll see Tekken 7 at an EVO event. Bandai Namco is planning full steam ahead for a Tekken 8 release. We don’t know when we’ll get our hands on those juicy Heat Smashes, Heat Bursts, and new juggle combos. But we’re eagerly waiting.

    Ash thanked his sponsors, fans, and the growing Pakistani Tekken Community for achieving this milestone in his eSports career. We might get to see him at EVO Las Vegas, adding another trophy to his name.

  • Najam Sethi denies talks with ICC about Pakistan’s World Cup matches

    Najam Sethi denies talks with ICC about Pakistan’s World Cup matches

    Najam Sethi has denied speaking to International Cricket Council (ICC) about playing World Cup 2023 matches in Bangladesh. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has clarified that the ‘hybrid model’ was strictly pertaining to the Asia Cup since India will not travel to Pakistan.


    “Referring to the media talk in Rawalpindi/Islamabad on Thursday, Mr. Najam Sethi said he had briefed the media on the hybrid model he had presented to the Asian Cricket Council officials for the ACC Asia Cup to end the impasse that had been created following the BCCI’s decision to not send its team to Pakistan.

    “This proposal – to play India’s matches at a neutral venue and the rest in Pakistan – is under discussions within the ACC,” a PCB media release stated.

    Sethi said that he was misquoted by a section of the media.

    “At no stage during Thursday’s media interaction, did I give any reference to the ICC or made any remarks on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is scheduled in October. This matter has not been mooted or discussed at any ICC forum so far,” Sethi said in the press release.
    The PCB through media release gave a rejoinder to one of its local English news agency.

    “In this background, the PCB is disappointed that a leading English language newspaper has misquoted, misinterpreted, and misrepresented Mr. Sethi’s comments and gave the impression that PCB’s hybrid model was presented and discussed at the ICC, which is factually incorrect.
    “At this stage, the PCB is only in discussions with the ACC over the hosting of the ACC Asia Cup and no discussions regarding the World Cup have taken place with the ICC.” However, to pacify the country’s media, PCB in its press release did mention that the concept of a ‘hybrid model’ could be discussed later but even the bigwigs know that any such recommendation will be rejected at the onset. “This is not to say that the hybrid model will not be advocated at the proper ICC forum at the right time,” it stated in the end.

    It must be mentioned that there is very little chance that Asian Cricket Council will pass the budget to allow Pakistan to play its Asia Cup matches at home instead of UAE or Qatar.
    The only possibility will be that PCB will have to bear the entire cost, including the logistics of the broadcasters in order to host matches in their country.

  • Babar Azam shares pictures from Masjid-e-Nabawi ahead of New Zealand series

    Babar Azam shares pictures from Masjid-e-Nabawi ahead of New Zealand series

    Skipper of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam, has shared pictures from Masjid-e-Nabawi on Thursday.

    In the photos, the star batsman is standing in the courtyard of Masjid-e-Nabawi, the second holiest place for Muslims worldwide. In 2022, pictures of Babar Azam performing Umrah also went viral on social media.


    He surprised his fans by sharing recent pictures of his spiritual trip to Masjid-e-Nabawi. Babar, who was earlier scheduled to participate in a Ramadan tournament in Lahore, will perform Umrah in the ongoing holy month.

    Fans congratulated him for performing Umrah again and asked him to pray for winning the World Cup.


    Meanwhile, Babar’s teammate Haris Rauf also performed Umrah on Thursday and shared his picture on Twitter.

    Test Cricketer Muhammad Abbas also performed Umrah this year. Babar, Shaheen, and Muhammad Rizwan were on rest during the Afghanistan series, and now the Men in Green are preparing for the New Zealand series.


    New Zealand is scheduled to play four T20, five ODI’s, and three test matches in Pakistan. The current Pakistan versus New Zealand schedule is as follows:

    April 14 – 1st T20I, Lahore


    April 15 – 2nd T20I, Lahore


    April 17 – 3rd T20I, Lahore


    April 20 – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi


    April 24 – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi


    April 26 – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi


    April 30 – 2nd ODI, Karachi


    May 3 – 3rd ODI, Karachi


    May 5 – 4th ODI, Karachi


    May 7 – 5th ODI, Karachi