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Category: Sports

  • ‘The man who made spin cool’: Cricket legend Shane Warne passes away at 52

    ‘The man who made spin cool’: Cricket legend Shane Warne passes away at 52

    Australian cricket legend Shane Warne died on Friday at the age of 52.

    Warne’s management released a brief statement confirming the news. “Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” said the statement.

    “The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”

    Warne is regarded as one of the finest leg-spin bowlers of all time, bagging 708 Test wickets in a career that spanned from 1992 to 2007.

    Following the news of Shane Warne’s death, cricketers and fans from all over the world started expressing their grief and sadness over his demise.

    Pakistan captain Babar Azam, tweeted, “He literally inspired generations with his magical leg-spin. You’ll forever be missed.”

    Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi tweeted, “The game of cricket has lost what I consider a university of leg-spin bowling today. I was inspired by his bowling from the start of my career and it was always a privilege to play against him.”

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1499756145371668485

    Pakistan’s former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in a video message said, “It’s going to take a long time to get over this loss.”

    Australia opener David Warner grieved the loss of “two legends” — Warne and Marsh — saying that they had left too soon.

    “I’m lost for words, and this is extremely sad,” he tweeted.

    Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag said: “One of the greatest spinners, the man who made spin cool, superstar Shane Warne is no more.”

    West Indian cricketer Chris Gayle tweeted, “RIP LEGEND.”

    Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara also expressed disbelief, saying that he was “absolutely shocked and gutted” to hear about the death of a “legend and friend”.

    Waqar Younis shared similar sentiments and said it was a “very, very sad day for our cricket community. The biggest superstar of my generation [is] gone”.

  • ‘Come play in Pakistan,’ Fawad Chaudhry invites Indian cricket team

    ‘Come play in Pakistan,’ Fawad Chaudhry invites Indian cricket team

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said today (March 4) that the Indian cricket team should visit Pakistan and play cricket here.

    “Indians are still reeling from their loss to Pakistan in Dubai, they have not recovered yet,” said Fawad.

    Last year, Pakistan defeated India for the first time in a World Cup fixture by 10 wickets on October 24 at the ICC Cricket T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai.

    “The Indian cricket team should come to Pakistan and play cricket here. Instead of indulging in efforts to undermine and stop international cricket in Pakistan, India and Pakistan should support cricket in each other’s countries. I think we should leave aside our issues and instead sports should be prioritised,” said Fawad.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1499639038776688640

    Fawad Chaudhry said that he wants cooperation between India and Pakistan in cricket, music and films.

    “Some 65 per cent people did not vote for Modi. Why should they suffer due to Modi’s policies? We want more people-to-people contact between the two countries. I am sure there are voices in India that will denounce Modi’s extremism,” added Fawad Chaudhry.

    Last month, Adviser to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Commerce, Textile, Industry, and Production, and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said that trade with India is the need of the hour and beneficial to both countries.

  • ‘Historic moment in Pakistan cricket,’ says PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain as Pakistan and Australia series kicks off

    ‘Historic moment in Pakistan cricket,’ says PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain as Pakistan and Australia series kicks off

    After 24 years, Pakistan and Australia are playing the first Test match of the PakvsAus series today (March 4) in Rawalpindi. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. Team Australia arrived in Pakistan on Sunday (February 27) for their first tour since 1998 and will play three Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and a T20I.

    “The pitch looks nice so we’ll try to put runs on the board,” said Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. He also predicted that our spinners would play a key role in the first match of the three-Test series.

    Babar Azam and Pat Cummins are leading their sides in the first Test of the three-match Benaud-Qadir ICC World Test Championship series match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Faisal Hasnain said in a press conference today (Friday) that Pakistani cricket fans have waited 24 years for this moment. He expressed gratitude to the Australian Cricket Team for their tour to Pakistan.

     Naseem Shah has been included in the squad for the first Test against Australia after bowler Haris Rauf tested positive for Covid-19.

    Test squads for Rawalpindi match

    Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah

    Australia: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

    Test schedule:
    • 1st Test, Rawalpindi: March 4-8
    • 2nd Test, Karachi: March 12-16
    • 3rd Test, Lahore: March 21-25
  • Zalmi owner to buy Chelsea Football Club: How much will it cost Javed Afridi?

    Zalmi owner to buy Chelsea Football Club: How much will it cost Javed Afridi?

    Pakistani businessman and Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) Team Peshawar Zalmi Owner Javed Afridi is reportedly interested in buying Chelsea Football Club which costs more than seven billion dollars.

    The current owner of Chelsea Roman Abramovich who is a Russian billionaire said he would sell the football club for $7.35 billion and promised to donate money from the sale to help victims of the war in Ukraine.

    Abramovich, who had bought the club in 2003 put the club up for sale after receiving pressure over his position amid Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.

    Khaleej Times reported that Afridi met with a sports and legal agency in the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday, reportedly to consult on buying the club. However, negotiations are underway.

    Besides Afridi, who also has stakes in Morris Garages (MG) Motors and Haier Pakistan, there are several other investors who are interested in buying one of the biggest and most famous football clubs in the world.

    Chelsea has won five Premier League titles and Football Association Challenge Cup (FA) Cup Trophies and won the Champions League twice.

  • ‘Ab toh sahi wali bata day Lala,’ Shoaib Akhtar asks Afridi for his actual date of birth, deletes tweet

    ‘Ab toh sahi wali bata day Lala,’ Shoaib Akhtar asks Afridi for his actual date of birth, deletes tweet

    Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi celebrated his 42nd birthday yesterday (March 1).

    Many cricketers and fans wished the cricket superstar. Boom Boom Afridi thanked his fans, friends and former colleagues on social media by individually responding to their tweets.

    Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar also wished Afridi on Twitter and wrote, “Happy Birthday @SAfridiOfficial . Ab toh sahi wali bata day lala.”

    Afridi thanked his former teammate and said: “Thank you Shabi…Time is running brother “

    Akhtar later deleted his tweet.

    According to ESPNcricinfo, Afridi revealed in his autobiography “Game Changer” that he was born in 1975. However, Afridi’s official date of birth is March 1, 1980.

  • ‘As dry as local hotels,’ remarks Australian’s chief cricket writer on Rawalpindi pitch

    ‘As dry as local hotels,’ remarks Australian’s chief cricket writer on Rawalpindi pitch

    The Australian’s chief cricket writer, Peter Lalor, remarked on Tuesday that a 22 yard patch of the Rawalpindi pitch is “as dry as the local hotels”. He shared a picture of the pitch at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where the first match of the Test series between Pakistan and Australia will be played on March 4.

    https://twitter.com/plalor/status/1498535983809282048
    Historic series

    Team Australia arrived in Pakistan on Sunday for their first tour since 1998. They are scheduled to play three Tests, three ODIs and one T20I.

    Tickets

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the availability of Pakistan-Australia Test series tickets online. The matches will be played in several cities of Pakistan— Rawalpindi (March 4-8), Karachi (March 10-12) and Lahore (March 21-25 ). According to the board, the ticket price for the general enclosure has been fixed at Rs 100, a first-class ticket at Rs 200, a premium ticket at Rs 350 and VIP Enclosure ticket at Rs 500.

    NCOC allows 100 per cent crowd capacity for Australia series

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said on Tuesday that 100 per cent crowd capacity is allowed for the upcoming Australia series.

    “The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is allowed to conduct Pakistan vs Australia cricket matches scheduled from March 4 to April 5, 2022 at 100% of the stadium capacity,” said the NCOC.

  • Medvedev slams his way to the top, replaces Djokovic as world number one

    Medvedev slams his way to the top, replaces Djokovic as world number one

    Daniil Medvedev replaced Novak Djokovic as world number one on Monday. Djokovic held the top spot in men’s tennis for a record 361 total weeks. In January, Rafael Nadal beat Medvedev in a nail-biting Australian Open final.

    US Open champion Medvedev is the third Russian man after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin, and 27th player overall, to rise to the top of the ATP rankings.

    “Of course I am happy to reach number one. It was my goal since I was young and especially my goal in the latest times,” said Medvedev.

    The 26-year-old Russian was guaranteed to move above Djokovic after the Serb’s quarter-final loss in Dubai. 

    Rafael Nadal rose one place to fourth after claiming his third title of the season and 91st of his career.

  • ‘Snipers blow off head’, Pak exposes India’s ploy to stop Australian players

    ‘Snipers blow off head’, Pak exposes India’s ploy to stop Australian players

    Pakistan intelligence agencies have successfully thwarted India’s bid to spoil the historic Australian tour to Pakistan as they tracked down ‘threatening messages’ generated from the Indian state of Gujarat, reported Samaa News.

    The messages were sent to left-arm spinner Ashton Agar’s wife on Instagram stating that “snipers will blow his head”.

    The  message read: “Hey Madeleine, I hope you are well. This is a warning for your husband Ashton Agar if he comes for a tour against Pakistan. He won’t come alive. Long live TTP (Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan) and Taliban.”

    “Your children will miss their father if he comes to Pakistan, our snipers will blow his head inshallah.”

    During the investigation, it was revealed that the person sending the messages was using VPN (virtual private network) to avoid getting traced. However, the agencies used their advanced system to track down the original source.

    As per Samaa News, the messages were sent from account ‘jyot.isharma391’, and it was being used by Mridul Tiwari, who lives in the Indian state of Gujarat.
    Interestingly, Tiwari is an environmental officer in the IMC limited.

    Team Australia arrived in Pakistan on Sunday for their first tour since 1998. They are scheduled to play three Tests, the same number of ODIs and a T20I.

    Last year in September, New Zealand abandoned their tour of Pakistan just hours before the first ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium citing security concerns. Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry later revealed that a threatening e-mail was sent to New Zealand from India.

    “I would just like to remind you that both Pakistan and New Zealand’s security agencies had probed and arrived at the conclusion that the threats issued on August 19, 21 and 24 were all fake,” he noted.

    Meanwhile, Cricket Asutralia (CA) has confirmed in a statement that a social media post was sent. The governing body says the threat is “not a risk”.

  • Army Chief, President Alvi watch PSL 7 final at Gaddafi Stadium

    Army Chief, President Alvi watch PSL 7 final at Gaddafi Stadium

    February 27 was a night to remember for Lahorites as Qalandars finally bagged their maiden title while President Dr Arif Alvi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also watched the final clash of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday.

    The stadium was packed with full capacity crowd while the country’s top commander and President, along with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja, were present to enjoy the much-anticipated game.

    According to reports, General Bajwa was accompanied by Corps Commander Lahore Lieutenant General Muhammad Abdul Aziz.

    Meanwhile, strict security measures were made for the final game. The top police command of Punjab inspected the security arrangements, while adjourned areas leading to the stadium were closed an hour before the beginning of the match.

    Special commandos were also put on high alert on the routes of the guests, reports said.

    The seventh edition of the country’s flagship tournament, which commenced on January 27 at seaside metropolis Karachi, came to a successful end on Sunday, February 27.

  • Mohammad Rizwan named captain of PSL 2022 team, bags two awards

    Mohammad Rizwan named captain of PSL 2022 team, bags two awards

    Multan Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan has been named as captain of the Team of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 7, which was selected by the members of the commentary team.

    Rizwan, who was adjudged player of the tournament, is one of the four Multan Sultans players who has been selected. The other three are: Rilee Rossouw, Tim David and Khushdil Shah.

    Lahore Qalandars, who won their maiden title with a 42-run victory over the Sultans, is also represented by four players – Fakhar Zaman, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Zaman Khan. While Peshawar Zalmi (Shoaib Malik), Islamabad United (Shadab Khan) and Quetta Gladiators (Naseem Shah) have one player each.

    No player from Karachi Kings, the side that lost nine matches in the seventh edition, was shortlisted.

    Under Rizwan, Multan Sultans won 10 matches out of 11 played in the PSL 2022 and were the favourites to defend the trophy.

    Not only this but Rizwan has also been named Player of PSL 2022 award. He also bagged the Wicket-keeper of PSL 2022 award. In 12 matches, he accounted for nine batters behind the stumps.

    In the 12-member squad, the top-four batters are from four different sides, while Sultans dominate the middle-order, Qalandars provide the bowling firepower.

    • Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) (captain & wicket-keeper)
    • Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars)
    • Shoaib Malik (Peshawar Zalmi)
    • Shadab Khan (Islamabad United)
    • Rilee Rossouw (Multan Sultans)
    • Tim David (Multan Sultans)
    • Khushdil Shah (Multan Sultans)
    • Rashid Khan (Lahore Qalandars)
    • Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars)
    • Zaman Khan (Lahore Qalandars)
    • Naseem Shah (Quetta Gladiators)
    • Shan Masood (Multan Sultans) (12th)