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  • Australia announces full-strength squad for Pakistan tour

    Australia announces full-strength squad for Pakistan tour

    Cricket Australia (CA) has named a full-strength squad for their first tour to Pakistan in 24 years, with Ashton Agar the only addition from the extended group of players that won the Ashes.

    The CA announced the team after it’s Executive Board’s endorsement for the tour following a schedule change agreed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) due to logistical challenges.

    Mitch Marsh, Josh Inglis, and Mitchell Swepson have all been named in an 18-man squad for the historic three-Test tour of Pakistan.

    According to Australian website Cricket.com.au, while squads for the limited-overs matches that will follow the Tests are yet to be named, the fact that no Test players have pulled out is a vote of confidence for the tour.

    Thorough security assessments were conducted by the security experts hired by the Australian board before the tour was given the go-ahead.

    The report stated that Jhye Richardson is the only player of note to miss the trip as Australia manages the body of the 25-year-old fast bowler, who has struggled with injuries over his career.

    “This squad covers all scenarios, including the conditions given that it has been such a long time since Australia was last in Pakistan,” selection chief George Bailey said.

    “With several subcontinent tours and a one-day World Cup in India on the near horizon, this is a great first test challenge for the group after the successful home Ashes series.”

    “It’s also a very historic tour given the length of time since an Australian side last toured Pakistan.”

    Australia Test squad:

    Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

  • Pak-Ind October T20 WC match tickets sold out within minutes

    Pak-Ind October T20 WC match tickets sold out within minutes

    Tickets of the most anticipated match of the T20 World Cup 2022 between arch-rivals Pakistan and India have been sold out minutes after the online sale started. Both the teams will kickoff their campaign in the clash against each other at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23rd.

    According to the data available on the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC), all the categories of the league match have been booked by the cricket fans, which shows the excitement among cricket lovers when both these countries face each other on the cricket field.

    Pakistan registered a thumping win against India in Dubai in the T20 World Cup 2021 clash, India was defeated by Pakistan by a margin of 10 wickets. But the campaign of Men in Green was cut short by the eventual champions, Australia, in the semi-finals.

    Meanwhile, tickets for the men’s T20 World Cup in Australia have gone on sale, giving fans an opportunity to secure their seats for the event scheduled from October 16 to November 13.

    Tickets are available on t20worldcup.com from Monday for all 45 matches, including the final, which will be played at the MCG on November 13.

  • ‘A remarkable start in Khi’: Rizwan on five out of five wins

    ‘A remarkable start in Khi’: Rizwan on five out of five wins

    Pakistan’s wicket-keeper-batter and captain of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans has turned to his social media after winning five out of five matches in the Karachi leg of PSL 7. He has also thanked all team members and the management of the franchise for their contribution to the victorious start.

    “Alhumdulillah 5/5. A remarkable start in Khi by @MultanSultans in @thePSLt20. Each member of this team is a match-winner. Grateful to entire management, coaching staff & owners for the trust, support and freedom to operate,” he said in a tweet.

    He also promised to repeat the winning streak in Lahore as well. He added: “One game at a time, Champs!”

    While in a later tweet, Rizwan thanked his fans and requested them to remember Sultans in their prayers.

    Sultans crushed Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday with a 57-run victory. Zalmi didn’t have a good beginning to the mammoth 223 run-chase.

    Multan was given a solid opening start of 85 runs from Shan Masood and Rizwan, which provided a solid foundation for a huge total. Afterwards, it was Tim David’s blistering innings that stole the show.

    Rizwan bagged the Player of the Match award for his prolific 82-run inning.

    For Sultans, Imran Tahir and Shahnawaz Dahani were able to take three wickets, while Blessing Muzarabani and Abbas Afridi took a wicket each.

  • NCOC allows 50 per cent crowd in Lahore leg of PSL, children under 12

    NCOC allows 50 per cent crowd in Lahore leg of PSL, children under 12

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has allowed 50 per cent crowd for Lahore leg of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after a session chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar was held. The forum discussed the pandemic data, national vaccination progress, inbound health protocols and second leg of the ongoing PSL.

    Read More – PSL teams to arrive in Lahore today and tomorrow

    As per NCOC, “PCB has been allowed to conduct PSL Lahore matches with 50% stadium capacity for fully vaccinated spectators till February 15, 2022, however, from February 16 onwards 100 % stadium capacity for fully vaccinated spectators will be allowed. Children under 12 years of age (un-vaccinated) will also be allowed.”

    “RAT test for Inbound Passengers on arrival at Pakistani airports has been abolished with effect from February 8, however, RAT test will continue to be conducted for deportees from foreign countries and for non-vaccinated individuals arriving from land border terminals,” added NCOC in its statement.

    Days before the start of the PSL’s seventh edition, the NCOC had reduced the crowd capacity to 25 per cent in light of rising coronavirus cases. But now, as the positivity rate lowers, the forum has revised its decision.

    The Lahore leg matches will be staged completely under the lights of the Gaddafi Stadium. The matches will kickstart on February 10, with the unbeaten Multan Sultans facing off against Peshawar Zalmi.

  • PSL teams to arrive in Lahore today and tomorrow

    PSL teams to arrive in Lahore today and tomorrow

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams will be arriving in Lahore today for the second leg of the tournament. The teams will be arriving in Lahore through chartered flights in two phases on Monday and Tuesday.

    As per reports, the teams that will be arriving today are Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United.

    The remaining teams — Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings — will reach Lahore on February 8.

    The teams will practice in High-performance Centre and LCCA grounds. The Lahore leg will start on February 10 with the final to be played in the Gaddafi Stadium on February 27.

    It should be noted that the last match of the Karachi leg will be played today between Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars. English cricketer Jason Roy will join the Gladiators today.

    The match between Gladiators and Qalandars will be played at the National Stadium Karachi. Both the teams have played four matches each from which Lahore has won three and Quetta has managed to win only one match.

  • Pakistan captain Babar Azam, others extend condolences on the demise of ‘unparalleled icon’ Lata Mangeshkar

    Pakistan captain Babar Azam, others extend condolences on the demise of ‘unparalleled icon’ Lata Mangeshkar

    Indian music icon Lata Mangeshkar passed away on Sunday at the age of 92. Condolence messages for the legendary singer poured in from all over the world. Pakistan captain Babar Azam along with several people from the Pakistan cricket fraternity took to social media to pay their tributes to the late singer, who touched the lives of millions across the globe.

    Read More – Fact Check: Did SRK really spit on Lata Mangeshkar’s body?

    “End of a golden era. Her magical voice and legacy will continue to live in the hearts of millions worldwide. An unparalleled icon! RIP Smt. Lata Mangeshkar Ji,” he wrote sharing a picture of Mangeshkar.

    Similarly, Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja took to his Twitter and wrote: “Lata Mangeshkar was the epitome of grace, humility and simplicity and therefore greatness.. a lesson for all. Kishore Kumar and now her death has left me music broken!”

    Sri Lanka batter Dimuth Karunaratne took to social media to mourn the loss of the legendary Indian singer.

    Former West Indies batter Darren Ganga said: “RIP Lata Mangeshkar, I grew up in the Caribbean listening to your timeless music. Your music shall live on!!!”

    Other notable cricketers also extended their condolences on their social media.

    Members of India’s senior national men’s cricket team wore black arm bands when they stepped on the field at the Narendra Modi Stadium for the first of a 3-match ODI series against the West Indies on Sunday.

    The Indian government announced two days of mourning for the legendary singer, whose fame has transcended generations. Lata Mangeshkar, who began singing during her teenage days, has worked in more than 1,000 films and sang close to 30,000 songs in a number of Indian and foreign languages.

    Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan said on Sunday that with her death, the subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known.

    “With the death of Lata Mangeshkar, the subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known. Listening to her songs has given so much pleasure to so many people all over the world,” Khan said in a tweet.

  • Pakistani sportsmen extend support to Kashmiris as Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day

    Pakistani sportsmen extend support to Kashmiris as Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day

    The nation on Saturday observed Kashmir Solidarity Day and expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Pakistani sportsmen, including cricketer Shahid Afridid and boxer Mohammad Waseem extended their support to the people of Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) who are living under atrocities of Indian government and army.

    Taking to Twitter, Shahid Afridi shared poetry and wrote: “On this #KashmirDay, I stand with all my brothers and sisters who continue to fight for their rights and freedom as a Nation. May Allah give us the strength to facilitate our brethren in need.”

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1489887400167985156?t=WKu7bjfWSQHdFfHi5_28mA&s=19

    Similarly, boxer Mohammad Waseem took to Twitter and wrote: “I express all my support and extend sincerest prayers for the courageous people of Kashmir. May they be blessed with their much longed right of freedom and peace ameen.”

    Other Pakistani cricketers also shared their thoughts and extended solidarity with the Kashmiri people on Twitter.

    In a statement on Twitter, Prime Minister Imran Khan slammed the incumbent Indian PM Narendra Modi’s policies in IOJK and paid tributes to the Kashmiri brethren.

    “It is time the world takes notice of India’s grave human rights violations in IIOJK which include crimes against humanity, war crimes & genocidal acts as well as the threat of forced demographic change,” he said in a series of tweets.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Afridi denies rumours of request to be rested

    EXCLUSIVE: Afridi denies rumours of request to be rested

    Pakistan’s star all-rounder Shahid Afridi has denied the rumours of his request of being given rest. Earlier, The News reported that Afridi had requested Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators to give him rest for some days after a bad spell against Islamabad United on Thursday.

    Shahid Afridi told The Current that he has not asked to be rested, in fact, he is anxiously looking forward to the next matches.

    Afridi had conceded 67 runs in a four-over spell against Islamabad United on Thursday and became the most expensive bowling figure in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Earlier, Islamabad United’s Zafar Gohar held the record of conceding the most runs, 65.

    It was also reported that Afridi did not attend the practice session at the High-Performance Centre, the report added.

    On February 3, Afridi, who had returned to the squad after completing Covid-19 isolation, could not bowl up to mark.

    Read More – Shahid Afridi recovers from Covid-19, announce Quetta Gladiators

    The former Pakistan skipper bowled a total of four overs, where he conceded 67 runs and managed to take only one wicket. His most expensive over was the last over (20th), where he conceded 20 runs.

    It should be noted that this was Afridi’s first match of his farewell PSL, after missing the initial games due to Covid-19, but was thrashed by the United batters Colin Munro and Azam Khan during his four-over spell.

    Twitterati extended support to the all-round cricketer.

    https://twitter.com/mmustafa_abid/status/1489307976364175365?t=dHvv5PdY5wu5V5b6qVoVdw&s=19
  • Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch ‘can’t wait’ to tour Pakistan

    Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch ‘can’t wait’ to tour Pakistan

    Australian captain Aaron Finch has said that he cannot wait to go to Pakistan for the white-ball leg, consisting of three ODIs and one T20I.

    “As a player, I can’t wait to go to Pakistan for the white-ball leg,” said Finch, according to Sportstar.

    The right-handed batter said that Pakistan has not been able to play cricket at home for a long time.

    “That’s one part of the world that’s been deprived of (international) cricket for a long time now, and world cricket’s in a much better place when Pakistan’s thriving as a cricket nation,” he added.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia (CA) on Friday announced the revised schedule of the Australia men’s cricket team’s tour of Pakistan in 2022.

    The Australian cricket team will arrive in Pakistan in the last week to play three Tests, three ODIs, and one T20I at three different venues Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore.

    It will be Australia’s first tour of Pakistan after 24 long years. The Aussies’ last tour of Pakistan was in 1998 when they won the three-match Test series by 1-0 as two matches were drawn.

  • Angry Inzamam schools Babar after Karachi Kings’ fourth consecutive defeat

    Angry Inzamam schools Babar after Karachi Kings’ fourth consecutive defeat

    Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Inzamam-ul-Haq has schooled Karachi Kings captain Babar Azam for not finishing the match on Friday despite playing complete 20 overs against Peshawar Zalmi at National Stadium Karachi.

    Kings’ poor performance continued to frustrate the fans in the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) as the Babar-led side has lost all their matches in the tournament.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Jashn-e-Cricket’, former chief selector Inzamam criticised Babar for not being able to finish the match with a win.

    “If you are the world’s number one cricket player and stands on wicket throughout 20 overs, then you should be finishing the match, otherwise get out without playing complete overs,” said Inzamam after the Kings failed to achieve the target of 174.

    Azam’s 63-ball 90 included 12 fours and a six.

    The former captain was also not pleased with the home team’s selection and batting order in the PSL 2022.

    Inzamam-ul-Haq also criticised Australian authorities for declaring Mohammad Husnain’s bowling action illegal.

    “Hasnain has been playing cricket for 2-3 years and his bowling action did not seem to be illegal,” he said.

    “Why do 90% of players get banned after going to Australia?” he questioned.

    Inzamam said that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should have sorted out Hasnain’s bowling action issue before the start of PSL.

    Meanwhile, PCB has said in a statement that the board will work on the young pacer’s bowling action and get it cleared as soon as possible.