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  • Babar Azam is the best player of Pakistan but is afraid of getting out: Simon Doull

    Babar Azam is the best player of Pakistan but is afraid of getting out: Simon Doull

    Kiwi Commentator Simon Doull has landed in hot waters after his sharp criticism of Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

    Opening up about the one on one conversation he had with Babar Azam during the Pakistan super league match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, Doull said in a video that he thinks Babar Azam is afraid of getting out and that is where he needs to work.


    “I told Babar that you are the best player in the country but you are afraid of getting out. At some point of your innigns you need to play aggressive cricket and that was kind of the gist of my whole chat with him,” Doull said in the clip.


    “Someone texted me yesterday that Quinton de Kock slows down his innings while close to 100, did they win? Yes it’s ok to slow down the innings when you have a solid start and you are chasing at the home conditions but it’s not a good approach when there is not a set target ahead of you and you slow down the innings just for your personal milestone,” he added.


    “That was the whole crux of the comment. At times it gets blown out of proportion.

    I’ll never ever hide behind anything that I say. I said it at the time, I stuck by it, and I have no issue that I said it,” Simon concluded.

    Babar was criticised by Doull for slowing down to complete his maiden PSL century during the match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators in PSL. Doull got a lot of flak from the star batsman’s fans.

  • BCCI sources say entire Asia Cup to be shifted to UAE or Qatar

    BCCI sources say entire Asia Cup to be shifted to UAE or Qatar

    Sources within Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have denied media reports that Pakistan will likely play their World Cup 2023 matches in Bangladesh.

    According to media reports, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has been continuously pressurised by BCCI to shift Asia Cup to a neutral venue, however Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stuck to its stance that if they are deprived of hosting Asia Cup, then they will boycott the tournament and will not travel to India for World Cup 2023.

    PCB has dragged BCCI towards a ‘hybrid model” for the tournament.


    Under this proposed model, other teams would play their Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, while the Indian team would play their matches in another country. Now, according to media reports, Pakistan is also considering the possibility of playing their World Cup matches at a neutral location.


    However according to sources in BCCI that talked tto Press trust of India (PTI), these are just pressure tactics from PCB, while there is a probability of shifting entire Asia Cup to Qatar or United Arab Emirates.

    “We understand that this is a kind of pressure tactic applied by PCB because of the Asia Cup issue. But let me tell you, ultimately, Asia Cup will also be played in UAE or Qatar and probably Pakistan will also have to play its matches in one of these countries,” BCCI source said.

    “As far as Pakistan playing its Asia Cup games in Pakistan is concerned, the budget for the tournament is passed by the Asian Cricket Council. If ACC says that it’s not a commercially viable proposition to hold Asia Cup in two countries, how can Pakistan play its games at home? ACC, for all you know, might not pass the budget,” the BCCI source added.

  • Is Ihsan Ullah the next Shoaib Akhtar?

    Is Ihsan Ullah the next Shoaib Akhtar?

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) pick, right hand pacer Ihsan Ullah had a fabulous debut against Afghanistan in the three match T20 series held in United Arab Emirates. In the first match, at Sharjah cricket stadium, Ihsan Ullah picked two wickets in his debut over.


    Ihsan Ullah is the product of PSL franchise Multan Sultans and had a great tournament, becoming one of the leading wicket takers of the PSL 8th season. His recent domestic performance was enough to earn a pick for the Afghanistan series at Sharjah.


    Despite losing the first two matches, the men in green managed to prevent a whitewash. Pakistan team bowlers defended a total of 183 runs in the last T20I at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.


    The only pacer who bowled magnificently in all the three matches and stood out was Ihsan ullah.


    During the 11th over of the third T20 the pacer left Najibullah’s chin bleeding with a sharp bouncer, preventing the player from continuing the match.

    Najibullah was stable but could not resume his innings.

    Soon, Ihsanullah’s delivery went viral as social media users began comparing the firey bowler with former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, who was known for his aggressive bowling style.

    Netizens gushed over Ihsanullah, saying the young fast bowler reminded them of the Pakistani great fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.


    See how netizens react on Ihsan ullah’s quick delivery.

  • ‘Hamara Maqsad pura hogaya’; Shadab Khan after Afghanistan series

    ‘Hamara Maqsad pura hogaya’; Shadab Khan after Afghanistan series

    Shadab Khan, skipper for the Afghanistan T20 series, has said that even though Pakistan lost, the team achieved its goal of getting experience under the belt of the younger lot of players.

    “The conditions are really tough and it is not easy to bat in such conditions but I am happy that youngsters learned a lot from this series and they are quick learners,” said the substitute captain.

    Shadab stressed that as captain his only demand from youngsters is that they should have never give up, adding that his team really impressed him in the third match.

    “The motive of this series was to prepare our bench strength and we have achieved this motive,” he said in a post-match press conference after Pakistan sealed a consolation win in the third T20I on Monday.
    “Unfortunately the young players could not perform as we expected from them but definitely this new talent will prove beneficial for Pakistan in the future.”

    Joined by Saim Ayub, who scored 49 from 40 to help Pakistan set a massive 183-run target, the Pakistan captain hailed youngsters for their outstanding fightback under pressure and for outclassing the opponents in the competition.


    “We’re happy that we prevailed in this match and answered the criticism happening against us in the media”
    Saim, however, disclosed that the captain and team management had given constant support to the youngsters throughout the series.
    “Obviously one undergoes a tremendous amount of pressure when he plays for his country for the first time,” said the 20-year-old.


    “But I am happy that finally, I was able to score some runs after failures in the first two matches” he added.

    The skipper, however, went on to suggest that the top performers of the series should be given a chance in the future as well.

    “We must continue to support these new players as they all are very highly talented,” he requested to the nation.

    It may be noted here that left-handed opener Saim Ayub’s sensible knock and a combined dominant effort by the bowlers led Pakistan to a 66-run victory in the third T20I and finished the series 2-1 against Afghanistan.

    The national team suffered consecutive defeats after the inexperienced batting lineup slumped to batting collapses in the first two T20Is.

  • Islamabad Police appoints Haris Rauf as honorary Deputy Superintendent

    Islamabad Police appoints Haris Rauf as honorary Deputy Superintendent

    The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police, commonly known as the Islamabad Police, have conferred the honorary title of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) upon the celebrated Pakistani fast bowler, Haris Rauf.

    The appointment was marked by a ceremony held by the ICT in Islamabad, during which Rauf was attired in police uniform and the title was bestowed upon him by the IG of the Islamabad Police, Dr Akbar Nasir Khan.

    Rauf expressed his enthusiasm at being appointed as the goodwill ambassador of the ICT Police on Twitter.

    Rauf has made significant contributions to the Pakistani cricket team by claiming 72 T20I wickets and 30 ODI wickets. Recently, he was also spotted at the Wagah Border with the PSL 8 Trophy, which he won with the Lahore Qalandars.

    It is noteworthy that this trend of police departments appointing Pakistani pacers as goodwill ambassadors seems to be gaining traction, as earlier this year, Naseem Shah was also conferred with the DSP rank and appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Balochistan Police. The event was marked by a function held at the IG Balochistan Police Office in Quetta.

  • Did skipper Babar Azam really perform Umrah this Ramadan?

    Did skipper Babar Azam really perform Umrah this Ramadan?

    Ace batsman and new recipient of one of the most important civilian awards, Babar Azam, is in the limelight again after a picture of him performing Umrah has gone viral.

    Netizens are claiming that the captain of the cricket team is performing umrah again this Ramadan.

    In the photo, the skipper can be seen wearing the Ahram at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca. After the picture surfaced online, fans congratulated Babar for performing another Umrah as the latter was in Saudi Arabia last Ramadan too.

    Now Geo News has said that the this is fake news and Babar Azam is not performing Umrah this year. He was resting, having skipped the Afghanistan three-match T20 series too Sources told Geo Super that Babar Azam is not in Saudi Arabia and currently he is at his home in Lahore.


    The right-handed batsman will be participating in a first-ever Ramadan Cricket Tournament in Lahore, starting tomorrow. Reliable sources said that the cricketer is planning to perform Umrah later this Ramadan.

    Meanwhile, on Monday evening Babar shared a video while playing golf in Lahore.


    The superstar is set to lead the Ghani Institute of Cricket (GIC) in a Ramadan tournament. His team will also feature Shadab Khan, Hussain Talat, Usama Mir, and Abbas Afridi.

  • Nation will understand the value of Babar-Rizwan after this series says Shadab Khan

    Nation will understand the value of Babar-Rizwan after this series says Shadab Khan

    Afghanistan thrashes Pakistan and leading the three match series by 2-0 by defeating Pakistan in the second T20 at Sharjah cricket ground. Rashid khan led Afghanistan cricket team exposed the young Pakistan cricket team’s weaknesses.

    Shahdab Khan the substitute captain for Afghan series while talking to media in post-match press conference says “Nation will now give more respect and honor yo our legends after this series.

    Whenever Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan not performing or even when they are performing the sword of strike rate is hanging on their head now when they are not with us in the team we have all seen the importance of Babar and Rizwan.”

    Shadab khan more said that nation and media was forcing to take youngster in the team who have just perform in one PSL edition and some ex-players forcing management to give rest to the senior players like Babar and Rizwan now they will know the value of our legends.

  • Afghanistan brutally exposed new-look Pakistan team with T20 series win

    Afghanistan cricket team on Sunday beat Pakistan’s PSL- pick young team in the second T20 by seven wickets to lead the three match series by 2-0 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.


    This is a historic moment for Afghanistan, marking the first time they have beat Pakistan in any format or in any series they have played against the men in green.


    In an attempt to chase a 131-run target, Afghanistan played mature cricket, slowly working their way towards the target with one ball to go.

    PSL’s Lahore Qalandars death over specialist Zaman Khan was unable to save 5 runs as Najibullah Zadran hit four on the second ball of the over.
    Opener Rahamanullah Gurbaz set the tone for Afghanistan’s chase with 44 off 49 balls, courtesy of only one six and two fours.

    Ibrahim Zadran then contributed an important 38 runs off 40 balls at the one-down position with three fours to his name.

    When asked to finish the match, veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi produced 14 off just 9 balls to take the Afghans to the finish line and make sure they broke the tape before Pakistan.

    For Pakistan, only Zaman Khan and Ihsanullah were able to bag one wicket apiece.

    Earlier, Pakistan batted first and all thanks to Imad Wasim’s 64 off 57 balls, were able to post a reasonable 131-run target on the board. Captain Shadab was the second-best batter with his 32 off 25 balls.

    Pakistan started their innings by losing two wickets for zero after Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled a double-wicket maiden.
    Saim Ayub was caught behind the wicket by keeper superbly on the second ball of Pakistan’s innings.


    Incoming batter Abdullah Shafique was once again caught LBW, after losing his wicket in the same fashion in the first T20.

    Farooqi brought the ball swinging back into the right-handed batter, who was unable to predict the movement while trying to play across the line.

    Right-handed opener Mohammad Haris tried to give Pakistan the much-needed push with six and two fours. However, his innings of intent came to a premature end when he edged one to the keeper for an easy catch off pacer Naveenul Haq.


    Tayyab Tahir, another youngster in the Pakistan squad, tried to protect his wicket to give the Men in Green a dependable option in the middle-order, but he also couldn’t lengthen his stay after scoring 13 off 23 balls.

    Big-hitter Azam Khan was dismissed by Afghan captain Rashid after facing four deliveries for only one run.

    Farooqi was the hero for Afghanistan with the ball bagging two wickets off four overs, giving one maiden and 19 runs.

    Naveen, Rashid, and Karim Jannat bagged one wicket each for Afghanistan.
    The last T20I of the three-match series will be played at Sharjah again, on Monday, March 27.

  • ‘Amazing, fulfilling’; Tennis star Sania Mirza shares clip while performing Umrah

    Sports star and television host Sania Mirza shared a video clip of her trip to the holy city of Mecca to perform Umrah. In the caption, Mirza had written that she was thankful for the experience:

    “It has been the most amazing and fulfilling time here .. may Allah call us back again and again .. In sha Allah .. Allhamdulillah for everything .. ya Rabb tera shukar hai “

    Mirza also shared some other pictures with her children of her visit

  • Afghanistan hails maiden T20 win against Pakistan

    Afghanistan hails maiden T20 win against Pakistan

    Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has shown concerns over the top order batters of his team even after a maiden win against Pakistan in the series opener T20 on Friday night in Sharjah.

    Rashid said that their top order needs to improve their strategy for the upcoming 50 overs World Cup.

    Rashid and his teammates won their maiden T20 by thrashing a new-look Pakistani team, which was missing most of its stars who had opted to rest after the conclusion of a hectic Pakistan Super League.

    They restricted the young Pakistan side, led by Shadab Khan, to 92-9 and chased down the target with 13 balls to spare with Mohammad Nabi making an unbeaten 38 in the low-scoring contest to go with his two wickets with the ball.

    In the post-match conversation, Rashid said that it was his dream to beat Pakistan and it’s a pleasure to win against them. “We always lost against them previously, sometimes with a very low margin,” the Afghan captain said.

    “Happy for the win, and we hope to continue the momentum,” he stated.

    It was not an easy chase though as Afghanistan slumped to 27-3 before Nabi rescued them.

    Rashid said that their top order needed to perform better in the ongoing three-match series and maintain form heading into the ODI World Cup in October-November.

    “We need to improve not just for this series but as we get to the World Cup,” Rashid said.

    “From now on, we need to put effort day by day and game by game, so that by the end of the year, when we go for the World Cup, we’ll have a fully prepared squad.”

    The second T20 is scheduled for Sunday.