Category: Sports

  • Did Shahid Afridi’s daughter send flowers, balloon to Shaheen Afridi on Valentine’s Day?

    Did Shahid Afridi’s daughter send flowers, balloon to Shaheen Afridi on Valentine’s Day?

    Lahore Qalandars’ skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi received a bouquet of red roses and flowers with a “Happy Valentine’s Day” card and a balloon on Valentine’s Day evening and the cricketer shared a snippet of the gift with a caption: “Thank you my love.”

    Now the social media users are wondering if the flowers and the balloon were sent by former cricketer Shahid Afridi’s daughter, who is engaged to Shaheen Afridi.

    https://twitter.com/Its_meHamid/status/1492960773739782144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1492960773739782144%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.tv%2Flatest%2F399083-shaheen-shah-afridis-valentines-day-gift-what-is-twitter-thinking

    Shaheen-led Qalandars on Monday defeated Quetta Gladiators in the 20th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 by eight wickets and Shaheen not only received flowers and balloon but he also bagged the Player of the Match award for his exceptional spell in which he conceded only 27 runs in four overs. Not only this but he managed to take Quetta’s batters Jason Roy and James Vince’s crucial wickets on duck.

    The 21-year-old pacer will marry Shahid Afridi’s daughter. The news was confirmed by both families last year.

  • Twitter all praises for Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam after they lead Qalandars to fifth victory

    Twitter all praises for Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam after they lead Qalandars to fifth victory

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars saw another victory on Sunday against Quetta Gladiators. The Qalandars beat Gladiators by eight wickets with the help of opening batter Fakhar Zaman and one-down batter Kamran Ghulam’s half-centuries.

    Read More – ‘Cannot bear it anymore’: Shahid Afridi bids goodbye to PSL

    Quetta failed to get a good start as Lahore’s skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed back-to-back wickets of batters Jason Roy and James Vince in the first over. They posted a total of 141, thanks to Iftikhar Ahmed’s half-century.

    The recovery came initially through another little cameo from Umar Akmal, and then a 51-run stand between Iftikhar and Hassan Khan. Iftikhar scored a 39-ball 52 to ensure the Gladiators would have something to bowl at, but needed to bat through the innings to really give them a defendable total. Once he holed out in the 18th over, the innings deteriorated.

    The Qalandars didn’t go hard in the powerplay, but only because they didn’t especially need to. Ghulam Mudassar removed Abdullah Shafique early but Fakhar’s sensational inning showed no mercy on the opposition’s bowling attack. The opener struck six boundaries during a 42-ball 53, and even when he top-edged one-off Noor Ahmed to end his knock, his side required just 24 more in 27 balls.

    Then came Hafeez and clinched the match with Ghulam, who scored an unbeaten 55 on 39 balls.

    Twitterati couldn’t stop lauding Fakhar’s consistent stint at this year’s PSl.

    Former cricketer Rashid Latif took to Twitter and shared Fakhar’s picture and wrote: “Sar Fakhar se buland ho gaya.” (The head is raised with pride.)

    https://twitter.com/iRashidLatif68/status/1492958323796291591?s=20&t=0kReg72tcG4h_orlOTY0qA

    While several showered praise sharing Fakhar’s stats in the seventh edition of PSL.

    https://twitter.com/CricRajdeep/status/1492916862593552387?s=20&t=0kReg72tcG4h_orlOTY0qA

    Fakhar has become only the second player in the history of PSL to score six fifty-plus scores in a single season, Babar Azam holds the record of seven in 2021. Fakhar stands on top of the table of players with 469 runs. Multan Sultans’ Shan Masood is behind him with 351 runs while Multan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan is following Shan with 269 runs.

  • ‘Cannot bear it anymore’: Shahid Afridi bids goodbye to PSL

    ‘Cannot bear it anymore’: Shahid Afridi bids goodbye to PSL

    Quetta Gladiators’ veteran Shahid Afridi has announced his exit from the remainder of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022, citing a back injury that has gone to an “intolerable” level.

    In a video message posted on his YouTube channel, Lala said he had been carrying his lower-back injury for more than 15 years, adding it was now causing unbearable pain to his entire body.

    “Goodbye to PSL. My body is in serious pain,” wrote Afridi in his tweet.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1492780664940281857?t=Q4xSmvTQgjizDpWsFwYYSw&s=19

    “I cannot bear it anymore,” Afridi said.

    The star-allrounder thanked Gladiators’ owner Nadeem Omar for his all-out support to him.

    “I want to apologise to fans for not being able to play the entire PSL and sign off on a good note”.

    He hoped to undergo the rehabilitation process and expressed his desire to return to the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) and other T10 leagues in time to come.

    Afridi said his welfare foundation was his “second innings and the most important one” to him.

    He urged fans to pray for his health. “With the grace of God, I will appear in another league [soon],” said the former captain.

    In his last game against Islamabad United yesterday, Afridi bowled four overs and got two wickets for 27 runs. However, he was yet to bat when the team chased down the 205-run target with the loss of five wickets.

    He also had back issue in the same match. After he picked up Muhammad Akhlaq’s wicket, Afridi did his signature pose and leaned back, his back started hurting and it was evident as he applied pressure and bent forward to ease the pain.

    It is pertinent to mention here that this was the last PSL season for Afridi as he had announced it last year.

    Afridi last played international cricket more than five years ago, but continued to take part in the PSL ever since its inception. He led Zalmi in the first season and was part of the team that won the title the following year.

    Pakistan Cricket team’s front line pacer and Afridi’s son-in-law to-be Shaheen Shah Afridi took to Twitter and wrote: “Your presence will be missed in the PSL Lala @SAfridiOfficial. You are the pride of Pakistan for a reason. Get well soon. #HopeNotOut #Forever”

  • ‘Na Jaa Yar’: Sarfaraz Ahmed disheartened after Mohammad Nawaz’s injury

    ‘Na Jaa Yar’: Sarfaraz Ahmed disheartened after Mohammad Nawaz’s injury

    Quetta Gladiators all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz’s injury left team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed disheartened as he expressed his sadness on Twitter.

    Taking to Twitter Sarfaraz wrote: “Na jaa yar. (Don’t go mate). Get well soon.”

    Replying to his team’s captain, Nawaz said: “I wish skipper. Ameen.”

    On Friday, Gladiators suffered a huge blow as Nawaz was ruled out of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) seventh edition due to an injury.

    Nawaz’s injury was another big setback as earlier pacer Mohammad Husnain was banned.

    After his injury, Nawaz took to Twitter and wrote: “I’m absolutely gutted on leaving my team during @thePSLt20 due to an ankle injury. Now I’ll be cheering for #PurpleForce from my home @TeamQuetta.”

    According to reports, Nawaz has suffered a navicular bone nondisplaced fracture.

    Ever since the first PSL edition in 2016, Nawaz has been an instrumental part in Gladiators’ success both with the bat and ball, as well as with some great fielding as well.

    Gladiators are yet to play some crucial PSL matches as Sarfaraz-led side is still struggling to get into the play-offs. They have played five matches and only won two out of them.

    Meanwhile, the former champions will be locking horns with Islamabad today (Saturday) at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

  • Qalandars’ Fakhar Zaman breaks Sultans’ winning streak

    Qalandars’ Fakhar Zaman breaks Sultans’ winning streak

    The defending champions Multan Sultans saw their triumphant beginning snapped by the dominant Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Friday.

    Read More – Rizwan, Dahani’s video from sixth victorious match goes viral

    A 52-run victory for Shaheen Shah Afridi’s men, playing their first game in front of their home crowd, not only underlined the Qalandars’ Pakistan Super League (PSL) title credentials but also showed why they have the most dangerous bowling attack as they defended 182.

    Sultans’ big-hitters Tim David and Rilee Rossouw were unable to perform. Captain Mohammad Rizwan couldn’t find his strokes. Shan Masood never got going. In fact, no one got going for the Sultans as they were bundled out for 130.

    Qalandars’ Fakhar Zaman had set the platform for a big total and Qalandars reached it thanks to a 60-run partnership between Hafeez (43) and Phil Salt (26 not out) in the last five overs.

    Zaman bagged Player of the match for his blistering 37-ball 60 runs.

    Fakhar Zaman is also the highest scorer of the PSL’s seventh edition. He is standing on top with 416 runs while Multan’s Shan Masood and captain Rizwan are following him with 351 and 269 runs, respectively.

    Talking in the post-match presentation ceremony, Fakhar said: “I am trying to bat ball to ball and play a long innings. If I get through the initial phase, I aim to bat for at least 10 overs and build from there.”

    Talking about the difference in the pitch, he added: “The pitches in Karachi were more conducive for batting, here in Lahore one needs to spend more time and adapt to the conditions. This is a huge win for us as we strongly felt we could beat Multan, it was an incredible atmosphere and we always enjoy playing in front of the Lahore crowd. I am sure once we have 100 % crowds, the atmosphere would be even better.”

    Meanwhile, despite the loss, Sultans retains the top position on the points table with 12 points from seven games, Qalandars have now surged to the second spot with eight points (four wins) in six games.

  • Shoaib Akhtar thinks Babar can’t break Tendulkar’s record but Kohli can

    Shoaib Akhtar thinks Babar can’t break Tendulkar’s record but Kohli can

    Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has said that Pakistan skipper Babar Azam cannot break Sachin Tendulkar’s record, but India’s Virat Kohli can surpass Tendulkar’s record.

    Talking to Geo News in ‘Jashn-e-Cricket’, Akhtar said: “I don’t think Babar can break Tendulkar’s record. Only Kohli can break Tendulkar’s record.”

    “Babar will have to work hard to get ahead of Virat Kohli,” Shoaib added.

    The legendary right-arm quick predicted that Kohli would score more than 100 centuries before retirement.

    In One-Day Internationals, Kohli has completed 43 centuries and 64 half-centuries in 259 matches, while Babar has scored 14 centuries and 17 half-centuries in 83 matches.

    Read More – Shoaib Akhtar believes Shahid Afridi will ‘100 per cent step into politics’

    Earlier, Akhtar had also said that Kohli should not have married “too soon”.

  • Rashid Khan is a fan of Lahori food, reveals favourite dish

    Rashid Khan is a fan of Lahori food, reveals favourite dish

    Afghan spinner Rashid Khan, who is part of Pakistan Super League (PSL 7) team Lahore Qalandars, has said that he has eaten Karachi food but Lahore food is very different.

    Speaking on Lahore Qalandars’ show, Rashid said that during his stay in Lahore, he will definitely get a chance to eat and he will go for it. “I like Lahore’s fish and will definitely eat Lahore’s fish,” he said. He further added that when he came with the U19 team, they stayed at the National Cricket Academy and ate fish. Until now they have not forgotten the fish and other items they ate.

    He said: “Lahore fans are getting a chance to see their team Lahore Qalandars in action after a break, we will give our best performances which cricket fans will enjoy.”

    Rashid Khan said: “I enjoy wherever I am playing, having fun with Lahore Qalandars, giving performances makes me more active.”

    While talking about his viral snake style, he said: “Celebration style is for fun, now the snake style has gone viral.” adding, “the style of playing the shots is not thoughtfully adopted, it just happens on the ground.”

    Talking about Shaheen Shah Afridi, he said: “Shaheen Afridi impressed me a lot. Did not think that he would become a very good captain. He keeps himself in control and makes decisions calmly, we all support him.”

  • VIDEO: Police officer slaps citizen outside Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

    VIDEO: Police officer slaps citizen outside Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

    A video of an on-duty police officer is doing the rounds on social media in which he can be seen slapping a citizen outside Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Thursday.

    As per journalist Qadir Khawaja, the police officer in the video was DSP Gulberg Amir Abbas, who was stopping the man in the video from going into the wrong lane.

    In the video, the man can be seen leaving without saying anything after happened to him.

    According to details, Inspector General of Punjab Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan took notice of the incident of violence against staff/citizens by DSP Gulberg and sought a report from CCPO Lahore.

    According to a handout, the Punjab police chief directed DIG operations to personally conduct inquiry into the incident and submit a report to him at the earliest.

    He said incidents of indecent or immoral behaviour with subordinate staff and citizens are not acceptable and further action would be taken in light of the inquiry.

    The IG issued special instructions to Lahore Police on the occasion of Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore for the security of players and spectators and for better traffic management.

    IG Punjab directed them to ensure best security to cricket fans coming to watch PSL matches. He also directed police personnel to perform their duties with diligence and treat citizens with courtesy.

    Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that implementation of an approved traffic plan should be ensured for the convenience of the citizens and smooth flow of traffic.

    In this regard, additional wardens should be posted on the roads of alternative routes to control the additional traffic congestion.

    IG Punjab said that there should be no obstruction in the movement of emergency services vehicles, ambulances, fire brigade, etc., and diversions should be made for the transportation of teams and no road should be closed unnecessarily.

    Rao Sardar directed senior officers to review traffic management themselves and ensure smooth flow of traffic in all cases.

    He said that the citizens should be made aware of the traffic situation through the Rasta app, Rasta FM 88.6 social media and media.

    IGP also directed Dolphin teams to provide assistance to the traffic police in controlling the traffic whereas extensive parking arrangements for cricket fans should be carved out.

    Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that during the PSL matches, all the police teams should be on high alert and perform their duties and play their responsible role in the journey of revival of cricket in Pakistan and also provide a peaceful environment to cricket fans.

    He directed that lady police personnel should be deployed for the security and checking of female spectators.

    Meanwhile, on Thursday, PSL franchise Multan Sultans registered a 42-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi.

  • Rizwan, Dahani’s video from sixth victorious match goes viral

    Rizwan, Dahani’s video from sixth victorious match goes viral

    A video clip from a match between Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans has been circulating on social media in which Sultans’ captain Mohammad Rizwan can be seen diving to catch the bowl but he ended up colliding with pacer Shahnawaz Dahani. Though the catch was safely taken by Dahani, netizens cannot stop praising both Rizwan and the 23-year-old speedster for their dedication and perfection.

    In the video, we see Kamran Akmal hitting the ball in the air off Blessing Muzarabani’s bowling. The wicket-keeper-batter and the pacer were both getting under it to take the catch.

    Even the Sultans’ all-rounder Khushdil Shah shared the video on Twitter and said that he loved the reaction of Dahani after catching the ball.

    One of the users termed Sultans as the “cutest team to exist”.

    One user said: “Really loved the reaction of Rizwan, many could have lost it at that moment but he showed once again why he is a very good leader.”

    While former cricketer Azhar Mahmood’s wife Ebba Qureshi said that she can watch this video on loop.

    Multan took their unbeaten streak to six wins from as many games by securing a 42-run win over Peshawar Zalmi in Lahore.

    Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention here that Sultans became the first team to qualify for the play-offs in the ongoing seventh edition of the PSL.

    The defending champions kicked off their PSL 7 campaign from where they left last season, and till now they are the only team to have defended successfully. They are comfortably sitting at the top of the table with 12 points.

    The Sultans’ players also took to Twitter to celebrate their sixth consecutive win in the league.

  • Shoaib Akhtar believes Shahid Afridi will ‘100 per cent step into politics’

    Shoaib Akhtar believes Shahid Afridi will ‘100 per cent step into politics’

    Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar has said that former all-rounder of Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi will follow the steps of Imran Khan and step into politics.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Jashan-e-Cricket’, Akhtar, who has earlier said he would have a huge vote bank if he contests elections, stated his mother had prohibited him from entering into politics.

    While he said that he is 100 per cent sure that Afridi will step into politics following PM Khan.

    Talking about the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he said he will turn it into an even bigger brand than the Indian Premier League (IPL) if he becomes the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    He also urged the Lahore Qalandars’ management to sell the franchise to him. “If I played PSL, I would opt to play for Lahore Qalandars.”

    The former cricketer advised PM Imran Khan and the government on some political issues recently, including focusing on fixing “the problems of old Pakistan” instead of focusing on Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari and on the Murree tragedy.

    The former pacer also predicted that the Qalandars, who are currently in a fine position, will get into a difficult situation in PSL seven’s Lahore leg.