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  • Pat Cummins’ respect for Usman Khawaja’s religion during Ashes trophy celebration wins hearts

    Pat Cummins’ respect for Usman Khawaja’s religion during Ashes trophy celebration wins hearts

    Australian Test Captain Pat Cummins has won heart of several fans around the world after a great gesture with Muslim batter Usman Khawaja during the Ashes trophy celebration.

    Australia defeated England 4-0 under the captaincy of fast bowler Cummins and successfully retained the Ashes.

    Spraying champagne all around the place and chugging is quite common during the trophy celebrations of Australian cricket team. But the moment which caught everyone’s attention was when Cummins could be seen calling back Khawaja to join the trophy celebrations and told his teammates to keep the champagne bottles away. Besides his on-field captaincy during the Ashes, the 28-year-old was praised for his incredible off-field gesture too.

    Several people lauded the pacer for his brilliant gesture on Twitter. Have a look:

    “Usman is obviously Muslim, so he doesn’t like champagne being thrown. I just made sure he got up there and no champagne was thrown,” Cummins told reporters after the match.

    While taking to Twitter, Usman thanked his teammates for stopping their usual champagne celebration for him. “Inclusivity in the game and our values as a sport are so important,” he wrote.

    Pakistan-born Khawaja is the first-ever Muslim to represent the Australian men’s team. He made a stunning comeback in the fourth Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) where he scored centuries in both innings.

  • Anushka Sharma praises Virat Kohli

    Anushka Sharma praises Virat Kohli

    Bollywood Actor Anushka Sharma has penned an emotional note on Twitter for her star-crickter husband Virat Kohli after his impressive stint in the PakVsIndia T20 worldcup.

    An explosive half-century by Virat and a century stand with Hardik Pandya helped India defeat Pakistan by four wickets in their Group 2, Super 12 match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

    Earlier this year, she wrote another message for Kohli, when he resigned from the Test captaincy after a series defeat in South Africa.

    Taking to Instagram, Anushka shared two beautiful pictures of Virat and herself. “I remember the day in 2014 when you told me that you have been made the captain as MS had decided to retire from test cricket. I remember MS, you & I having a chat later that day & him joking about how quickly your beard will start turning grey. We all had a good laugh about it. Since that day, I’ve seen more than just your beard turning grey. I’ve seen growth. Immense growth. Around you & within you. And yes, I am very proud of your growth as the captain of the Indian National Cricket team & what achievements the team had under your leadership. But I’m more proud of the growth you achieved within you,” she wrote about Virat’s growth after becoming the captain of Indian cricket team.

    Sharma’s note turned heartwarming as she hinted that all wasn’t right in Kohli’s decision to step down after India’s recent Test series loss against South Africa.

    “In 2014 we were so young & naive. Thinking that just good intentions, positive drive & motives can take you ahead in life. They definitely do but, not without challenges. A lot of these challenges that you faced were not always on the field. But then, this is life right? It tests you in places where you least expect it to but where you need it the most,” Sharma wrote.

    The “Pari” actor added that she was proud of Kohli for not allowing this to come in the way of his “good intentions”, stating that he led by example and gave it his all, for the love for the game “to the extent that after some losses I’ve sat next to you with tears in your eyes, while you wondered if there’s still something more you could have done.”

    Sharma continued that this was an ethic that Kohli expected from everyone involved as well. “You’ve been unconventional & straightforward. Pretence is your foe & this is what makes you great in my eyes & the eyes of your admirers. Because underneath all this were your pure, unadulterated intentions always. And not everyone will be able to truly understand that,” she wrote.

    Admitting that Kohli wasn’t without flaws himself, one of which has been a quick tempered demeanor that has been often written about in the media, she added: “What you did was to always stand up for doing the right thing, the harder thing, always! You held on to nothing with greed, not even this position & I know that. Because when one holds on to something so tightly they limit themselves & you, my love, are limitless. Our daughter will see the learning of these 7 years in the father that you are to her.”

    Sharma’s emotional statement comes at a time when many are questioning whether all was well between Kohli and the administration that led to his sudden decision to step down.

    Several cricketing greats, from Ravi Shastri to Sachin Tendulkar, have lauded Kohli as one of India’s best skippers, with a track record to prove, and many Bollywood stars have also come out in support for the former captain.

    While many celebs showered their love on Anushka’s post.

    Actor Vivek Anand Oberoi also lauded Kohli for his leadership. “It’s been a phenomenal journey to being the world’s #1 test team & making winning series overseas a wonderful habit, but as they say, all good things come to an end. Here’s to you Captain King Kohli, take a bow & now unleash your bat without the extra weight & flyy,” posted Oberoi.

    Arjun Rampal also chimed in to write: “Why yaar [friend]? @imVkohli you are an amazing captain and have served our nation so well. You have many many more years of cricket in you and a captains mind. I do hope this decision is short lived. Yet, one respects your decision. Thank you for all the incredible memories. #ViratKohli.”

    Earlier, Kohli posted a statement on social media announcing that he was stepping down as Test captain.

  • ‘Disappointed’: Djokovic reaches Dubai after deportation from Australia

    ‘Disappointed’: Djokovic reaches Dubai after deportation from Australia

    Serbian Tennis Ace Novak Djokovic has been deported from Australia after his visa was cancelled by the Australian government. The dream of his 10th Australian Open title was dusted when an Australian court upheld a government deportation order.

    As per details, three Federal Court judges on Sunday sided with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision made to cancel the Serb’s visa on public interest grounds.

    Shortly after the ruling, federal agents escorted unvaccinated Djokovic to the airport in Melbourne, where he boarded an Emirates flight bound for the United Arab Emirates.

    The 34-year-old landed in Dubai on Monday morning.

    Before his departure, Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed” by the Australian court’s ruling, but said he respected the decision.

    “I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open,” he said in a statement.

    “I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love,” he added.

    After landing in Australia, the Serb star fought for his visa for almost 11 days. The tennis ace was participating in the tournament eyeing his 21st Grand Slam Title.

    The country’s immigration minister cancelled his visa on the grounds that Djokovic’s presence in Australia may be a risk to the health and “good order” of the Australian public and “may be counterproductive to efforts at vaccination by others in Australia”.

    Djokovic was scheduled to play his first-round Australian Open match today (Monday).

  • VIDEO: Which cricketer became Shadab Khan’s driver from the airport?

    VIDEO: Which cricketer became Shadab Khan’s driver from the airport?

    Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan has come back to Pakistan from Australia after playing in the Big Bash League (BBL) for Sydney Sixers. A video of him is circulating on social media in which he can be seen coming out of the airport with bags in his hands.

    On his arrival, the Pakistan vice-captain was surprised by his best friend Hassan Ali who came to pick him up from the airport.

    Shadab initially struggled to recognize the pacer, who had disguised himself as a chauffeur driver holding Shadab’s name. However, after a brief moment of hesitation, Shadab finally got a hold of everything that was happening.

    Shadab featured for four matches for Sixers and was advised to head back due to increasing cases of Covid-19 and with Pakistan Super League (PSL) approaching.

    During the four games, Shadab scored 20 runs in total and returned the figures of 0/8 against Renegades, 1-36 against Scorchers, and 0-27 against Heat.

  • Video of young Babar Azam bowling in U19 World Cup goes viral

    Video of young Babar Azam bowling in U19 World Cup goes viral

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently shared a throwback video of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s bowling during the semi-final of the under 19 Cricket World Cup.

    “Do you remember when Babar Azam took a wicket in the semi-finals of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2010?” the ICC captioned the 11-year-old video.

    In the video, Babar can be seen bowling against a West Indies batter and managed to take a wicket as well.

    The video is doing the rounds on social media and fans are loving it.

  • Mohammad Rizwan reveals why he avoids taking pictures with girls

    Mohammad Rizwan reveals why he avoids taking pictures with girls

    Pakistan’s wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has recently revealed why he avoids taking pictures with girls.

    A video of Rizwan’s interview is doing the rounds on social media in which the opener is explaining the reason for not taking pictures with his female fans.

    “For me, women are very respectable and I don’t consider myself worthy to take pictures with my mothers or sisters when they ask me to take pictures with them. The standard of these women is very high to me,” he said.

    The cricketer also wished that “my mothers and sisters, who are my fans, would not be angry with me over this act, there are some things I try to do to keep myself safe.”

    There is no doubt that Rizwan had an exceptional year in T20 cricket but during Pakistan vs West Indies second T20I match in December, a female fan of his got attention of social media from the crowd holding a banner saying: “Rizwan please adopt me.”

    She was photographed wearing a green jersey and a huge smile on her face during the match at the National Stadium in Karachi.

    Fans also gushed over Rizwan’s pictures with his pillow on different international tours.

  • PCB to award cash incentives to 15 cricket players

    PCB to award cash incentives to 15 cricket players

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will be giving cash incentives to 15 Pakistani cricket players in recognition of their outstanding performance throughout 2021.

    Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja is expected to present the cash prize of Rs1.5 million to each of the top 15 players who remained an integral part of the unit in all three formats of the game.

    Two Test specialists Abid Ali and Sajjid Khan have also been invited apart from 18 players (three reserves) for their exceptional show in the longer version of the game.

    “The reception to honour the top cricketers is meant to recognise the services of all those cricketers who have helped the team stand tall in almost all the formats of the game,” a PCB official said in a statement.

    “Barring some brief hiccups, the team members have given exceptional performance throughout the year. Be it T20 World Cup performance, Test matches performance at home and abroad, the team has shown exceptional courage in all the departments of the game.”

    “Beating South Africa at their own soil and later sweeping through Bangladesh in their own backyard were exceptional achievements that needed to be recognised,” the PCB official said.

    Pakistan won 20 of 29 T20Is during the year which also saw them putting up some resolute show in the T20 World Cup. The team that was unbeaten eventually lost to Australia in the semi-finals but not before winning many hearts for the competitive element that was on display.

    The reception which will only be attended by the PCB high-ups is supposed to improve morale of the team members in front of the hectic season that also incorporates some important series and T20 World Cup to be held in Australia in October/November.

    Pakistan may also host leading international outfits including Australia, England, New Zealand, and West Indies through the coming season.

    Every player in the 15-man squad would receive Rs1.5 million each as cash incentive while the rest of the five including three reserves and two Test specialists will also be awarded.

  • Australia cancels unvaccinated Tennis Star Novak Djokovic’s visa, reportedly lied on visa application

    Australia cancels unvaccinated Tennis Star Novak Djokovic’s visa, reportedly lied on visa application

    Australia has cancelled Serbian Tennis ace Novak Djokovic’s visa for a second time in a row over his right to remain in the country unvaccinated.

    The decision by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke means that the 34-year-old tennis star will be deported.

    However, Djokovic can still launch one more legal challenge to remain in the country.

    The men’s tennis number one was scheduled to play in the Australian Open, which is set to begin on Monday.

    “Today I exercised my power… to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so,” the minister said in a statement.

    The move also means Djokovic likely faces a three-year ban on obtaining a new Australian visa.

    Djokovic’s visa was first revoked shortly after his arrival in Melbourne on 6 January, after Australian border Force officials said he had “failed to provide appropriate evidence” to receive a vaccine exemption.

    After a legal battle in Australia, the star player’s visa was reinstated by a judge, who ordered his release, ruling that border officials ignored correct procedure when he arrived.

    But on Friday evening in Melbourne, Mr Hawke cancelled Djokovic’s visa under separate powers in Australia’s Migration Act.

    As per details, the act allows him to deport anyone he deems a potential risk to “the health, safety or good order of the Australian community”, however Djokovic can still appeal this.

    It comes after Djokovic addressed allegations that he had made a false declaration on his travel form which stated that he had not travelled in the 14 days prior to his arrival in Australia, when in fact he had been to Spain.

    He said the mistake was made by his agent, calling it “human error” and adding that it was “not deliberate”.

    He also admitted meeting a journalist and having a photoshoot after testing positive for Covid-19.

    Earlier, a conversation between two Australian newsreaders on Novak Djokovic’s visa saga had gone viral, after a video of it was leaked online. In the video, the newsreaders can be heard talking against the tennis star while saying that “he’s going to get away with this”.

  • Furious Kohli, unhappy Indian team hitting out at review system, broadcasters in South Africa Test

    Furious Kohli, unhappy Indian team hitting out at review system, broadcasters in South Africa Test

    A number of Indian players, Captain Virat Kohli among them, made public their displeasure and anger about the South Africa broadcaster, SuperSport, with respect to the use of technology after Dean Elgar was given not out on review on the third day of the final Test in Cape Town.

    It was in the 21st over of the final innings of the match, with South Africa on 60 for one chasing 212 to win the series, when R Ashwin hit Elgar on the pads. South Africa’s captain was given out lbw by Marais Erasmus, the on-field umpire, but the decision was overturned on review with ball-tracking showing the ball going over the stumps.

    The ball-tracking technology is authorised by HawkEye, an independent body, which relays the data to the host broadcaster, in this case SuperSport.

    A visibly irritated Kohli walked up to the stumps, and spoke into the mic, saying: “Focus on your team while they shine the ball. Not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time.”

    Kohli wasn’t alone. Vice-captain KL Rahul was heard saying: “It’s the whole country against 11 guys.” While Ashwin seemed to be taunting the broadcasters directly, saying: “You should find better ways to win, SuperSport.”

    The Indian players were not the only ones who didn’t agree with the decision. Erasmus could be seen shaking his head as the pictures played out on the screen at the venue, and was heard saying, “That’s impossible”.

    After the day’s play, when Lungi Ngidi was asked if he trusted DRS to do its job as expected, he said, simply, “Yes”. When asked why, he elaborated: “We’ve seen it on numerous occasions being used all around the world. It’s the system in place. That’s what we use as cricketers.”

    But the Indians were not on the same page.

    Paras Mhambrey, the bowling coach of India, said in his press conference: “We saw it, you saw it. I’ll leave that for the match referee to have a look at it. There’s nothing I can comment on it now. We’ve seen it all, just want to move on with the game now.”

    Elgar was eventually dismissed on the stroke of stumps, and DRS was in the picture again. This time, it was after India reviewed a not-out decision from the other umpire, Adrian Holstock, for a catch to the wicketkeeper off Jasprit Bumrah. It was a full delivery going down leg, and Elgar looked to flick but only managed to nick it, and Rishabh Pant took a diving catch to his right.

    India reviewed, and Kohli was heard saying, “Wonder how they’re going to show that.” As it transpired, UltraEdge showed a spike as ball passed bat and Elgar was given out.

  • Atif Aslam, Aima Baig to sing PSL Seven’s anthem

    Atif Aslam, Aima Baig to sing PSL Seven’s anthem

    Famed pop-singers Atif Aslam and Aima Baig will be singing this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) anthem which has been produced and composed by budding artist Abdullah Siddiqui. The anthem will be released during an event next week.

     It is pertinent to mention that it will be the first time that Atif will be singing the PSL’s main song, while Aima already featured in last year’s “Groove Mera”.

    As per Abdullah, “the song’s premise is encouraging and motivational, with words and music intended at elevating the spirits of fans.”

    Atif is one of the most popular Pakistani singers, who has recorded numerous chart-topping songs for local as well as the international film industry. In 2008, the singer was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan, while also receiving over 50 different awards from within and outside Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, Baig is one of the most popular female singers in the country and she has a number of hits released over the years. Baig has won several awards both locally and Internationally.

    Speaking about the event, Abdullah said: “Getting to produce this anthem is a dream for any musician, and I’m very honoured and thankful to the PCB for the opportunity this year.”

    “Both Atif Aslam and Aima Baig are undeniably the best and working with them has been a privilege. I’m very excited for fans to hear what we have come up with,” he added. 

    The producer further said: “We have tried to produce a song that captures the spirit of the game in a meaningful way, while still being very fun and catchy.”