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Category: Sports

  • Shoaib Malik becomes ‘Zalmi Rapper’, Sania Mirza reacts

    Shoaib Malik becomes ‘Zalmi Rapper’, Sania Mirza reacts

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) is just around the corner and teams are getting ready for the seventh edition of the country’s biggest cricket tournament.

    The official anthem for the T20 tournament has not been released and neither do we know who will be singing it, but Peshawar Zalmi’s Shoaib Malik has shared a photo, in which it seems that he will be singing for his franchise.

    “The Zalmi rapper,” Malik wrote, sharing a photo on Instagram, where he can be seen wearing accessories on his hands and fancy ‘espouse style’ sunglasses.

    Commenting under his post, Indian tennis ace and Shoaib’s wife Sania Mirza wrote: “Not bling at all.”

    Shoaib’s sister-in-law Anam Mirza, Pakistani actor Ushna Shah and Pakistani pacer Usman Shinvari praised the cricketer for his look.

    “Where’s the ice,” wrote Shah.

    Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi also revealed the franchise’s kit for the latest edition of the league.

    Last year, Zalmi’s anthem “Kingdom” for PSL 6 was sung by Abdullah Siddiqui and it also featured Turkish actor Esra Bilgic. Pakistani stars Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Rehman were also featured in it.

  • ‘That’s me’: ‘Phuppo ki beti’ with Babar Azam revealed

    ‘That’s me’: ‘Phuppo ki beti’ with Babar Azam revealed

    A picture of a girl buttoning up Pakistan all-format cricket Skipper Babar Azam’s coat has been widely shared on social media and netizens are making assumptions about who the girl is. It has been revealed that the girl is Abeeha Mamoon, a Dubai based stylist and makeup artist.

    Commenting under The Current’s post on Instagram, the girl said: “That’s me! A stylist and makeup artist from Dubai. Was working on a shoot with him!”

    Reacting on the post, she said that “this is hilarious”.

    Babar is in Karachi and will soon enter quarantine for the upcoming seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The 27-year-old cricketer will be leading Karachi Kings in this edition.

  • ‘Phupho ki beti?’: Twitter confused over picture of girl with Babar, buttoning up his coat

    ‘Phupho ki beti?’: Twitter confused over picture of girl with Babar, buttoning up his coat

    Pakistani Twitter is confused after two pictures of Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam with a girl, who is buttoning up his coat, starting circulating on the social media. Netizens are confused about who the girl is. Babar is currently single.

    Tweeple have writen some very cool assumptions about who the girl can be.

    https://twitter.com/kashafayy/status/1479331481847803906?s=20

    One user wrote that if she’s a stylist.

    https://twitter.com/AsiaShahid18/status/1479339364484272130?s=20

    The another one wrote: “I think ye Babar ki phopho ki beti hai. Jis se uski mangni honey wali thi. (I thinks she is Babar’s aunt’s daughter to whom he was getting engaged).”

    https://twitter.com/KhazranSays/status/1479342376783163394?s=20

    One of the user asked the girl to follow Covid-19 SOPs.

    https://twitter.com/MasomAriba/status/1479183826010136576?s=20

    Earlier, the 27-year-old cricketer was accused by a girl of sexual harassment but in a massive relief for Babar, the Pakistan cricket team captain was cleared of all allegations as the woman who had complained withdrew the allegations.

    It was also reported earlier that Babar had gotten engaged to his paternal cousin. The news was not officially confirmed but it was also reported that Azam will tie the knot next year, adding that the decision was taken after the two families agreed to the proposal.

  • Most Valuable Cricketer: Mohammad Rizwan shines in PCB Awards

    Most Valuable Cricketer: Mohammad Rizwan shines in PCB Awards

    Pakistan wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan had an exceptional year with the bat, behind the wicket as well in T20 cricket. The star cricketer bagged two awards in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) annual awards. Rizwan has been given Most Valuable Cricketer Of The Year and T20 Cricketer Of The Year awards.

    There were a total of 10 categories identified with eight player’s categories and two special categories, including Spirit of Cricket and Umpire of the Year.

    Following is the complete list of winners in all categories announced by PCB in a press release issued after the online award ceremony:

    Impactful performance of the Year: Shaheen Shah Afridi

    Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Wasim Jnr

    ODI Cricketer of the Year: Babar Azam

    Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Nida Dar

    Test Cricketer of the Year: Hassan Ali

    T20I Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Rizwan

    Spirit of Cricket: Pakistan cricket team’s visit to the Namibia cricket team’s dressing room following their 45 runs victory to congratulate the Namibia side for qualifying for their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and then progressing to the Super-12 Stage.

    Umpire of the Year: Asif Yaqoob

    Domestic Cricketer of the Year: Sahibzada Farhan

    Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Rizwan

    The independent panel that selected the winners included Rashid Latif, Marina Iqbal (former international cricketers), Tariq Saeed (broadcaster), Mazher Arshad (statistician), Majid Bhatti, Mohammad Yaqoob, Mohi Shah, Rizwan Ali, Shahid Hashmi and Sohail Imran (journalists).

    Rizwan won the PCB’s Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year award following a stellar 2021 in which he scored 455 Test, 134 ODI and 1,326 T20I runs, besides accounting for 56 batsmen behind the wickets across all formats.

    For the Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year award, Rizwan beat the strong competitors like Babar Azam, Hassan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who also had an impressive and outstanding year, which is reflected through Pakistan’s overall performance in 2021.

    “I feel humbled and honoured to have been adjudged Pakistan’s Most Valuable Cricketer of 2021. This is the PCB’s most prestigious award and to be recognised for my contributions in the team’s superlative performances across all formats in 2021 in such a way gives me tremendous satisfaction and happiness,” Rizwan said.

    “I thought I had an exceptional year in the shortest format of the game when I was able to hit a century early in the year against South Africa and then carry that confidence and momentum for the rest of the year. I give a lot of credit to our bowlers who bowled their hearts out and didn’t let the pressure get onto the batters by maintaining sustained pressure on opponents throughout the year.”

    Speaking on the ocassion, Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja said: “PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “On behalf of the PCB, I want to congratulate each award winner. They deserve all the applause and accolades for their tremendous consistency across all formats in difficult times that inspired their sides to outstanding performances throughout 2021, which have been widely acknowledged by the Pakistan cricket fans.”

  • Abid Ali set to fly back after ‘post operational rehab’

    Abid Ali set to fly back after ‘post operational rehab’

    Pakistan Test opener Abid Ali is flying back home to his family in Lahore after completing his two-week post operational rehab in Karachi. The cricketer posted the update about his health on Twitter.

    “Alhumdulilah, by the grace of Allah Almighty, I have completed my two-week post operational rehab in Karachi. The medical staff was amazing there. I am flying back to Lahore tomorrow to meet my family,” he tweeted while sharing a picture with his medical team.

    He thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the help and requested his fans to “keep praying”.

    Abid was taken to the hospital during a match of Quaid-e-Azam trophy in Karachi after he complained of chest pain. The cricketer was later dignosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

    Abid underwent two heart procedures, two stents were put into his blocked arteries through angioplasty.

    Earlier, the cricketer updated his fans about his improving health and said that he is getting better.

  • ‘Rules are rules’, Australia cancels Novak Djokovic’s visa, #BoycottAustralianOpen trends

    ‘Rules are rules’, Australia cancels Novak Djokovic’s visa, #BoycottAustralianOpen trends

    Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has had his visa to enter Australia dramatically revoked on his arrival in Melbourne.

    The world number one was held on the city’s airport for several hours before border officials announced he had not met entry rules and would be deported.

    Djokovic was then taken to a government detention hotel. His lawyers have launched an urgent appeal in court.

    The decision follows a massive backlash over a vaccine exemption Djokovic said he got to play in the Australian Open.

    The Serbian player has not spoken about his vaccination status, but last year said he was “opposed to vaccination”.

    As per reports, Tennis Australia said his medical exemption had been granted by two independent medical panels, but border officials said he had “failed to provide appropriate evidence” for entry after arriving on Wednesday from Dubai.

    “Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia,” the Australian Border Force (ABF) said in a statement.

    The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has reported that two other people were now having their medical exemptions reviewed.

    Meanwhile, The Federal Circuit Court adjourned Djokovic’s legal challenge after two brief administrative hearings.

    “Rules are rules,” the Australian PM said, about Novak Djokovic being deported.

    Djokovic is now at a hotel in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton which is used for immigration detention. The facility has been the site of Covid-19 outbreaks and a recent fire.

    Outside the hotel, supporters of Djokovic were angry at his treatment. His fans took to Twitter and expressed their anguish over the decison.

    One of the user said: “Australia denied entry to Djokovic, the defending champion, even though he provided medical exemption as they requested.

    “Other players have to decide whether to participate or boycott the tournament. A choice between eternal shame or honor,” he added.

    https://twitter.com/DrEliDavid/status/1478855930485878785?s=20

    While several people Tweeted on a trend #BoycottAustralianOpen.

    https://twitter.com/zmajdragacevac/status/1478884906650546178?s=20
    https://twitter.com/mikiwieczorek/status/1478994659103985664?s=20

    The 34-year-old Serb was Australian Open champion in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021. His hopes of another title in 2022 were derailed after his visa was cancelled.

  • Kohli ranks below Babar across all three cricket formats in ICC rankings

    Kohli ranks below Babar across all three cricket formats in ICC rankings

    Indian Test captain Virat Kohli has dropped below Pakistan Cricket Team Skipper Babar Azam in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) batting rankings across all three formats of cricket Test, ODI, and T20I.

    Kohli was already below Babar in the ODI and T20I rankings, but after the latest rankings were released, the Indian batter slipped two positions and is now at the ninth spot, with 747 rating points.

    The ex-Indian ODI and T20I captain managed to score 53 runs in the Centurion Test against South Africa — averaging only 26.50.

    Kohli was two places above Babar, who gained a spot, and is now at the eighth spot, with 750 rating points in the Test category.

    The Indian batter, in the ODI rankings, is at second place, a spot below Babar, who is at the top of the list. The Pakistan batter has 873 rating points, while Kohli has 844.

    In the T20I rankings, Babar is sitting at the top spot, with 805 rating points, equalling Dawid Malan, while Kohli is not even in the top 10. The Indian batter is at the 11th spot, with 657 rating points.

  • Peshawar Zalmi to reveal kit for seventh edition of PSL tonight

    Peshawar Zalmi to reveal kit for seventh edition of PSL tonight

    The wait for Peshawar Zalmi’s fans is over as the franchise announced to reveal the playing kit for the much-awaited seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), starting January 27.

    Read More – ‘Pick me’: Namibia captain asks to be picked in PSL after Kamran Akmal backs out

    The announcement was made on the official Twitter account of Peshawar Zalmi on Wednesday, according to which the kit will be unveiled today at 8pm.

    “Zalmi Fans! The wait is almost over. Playing Kit Reveal at 8 PM tonight,” read the Tweet which accompanied a video trailer.

    The trailer featured Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal among other players of the franchise.

    Zalmi announced their squad after the PSL player drafts which took place in Lahore in December. Earlier, Akmal said that he would not take part in the league after he was demoted in silver category by Zalmi but later the wicket-keeper batter agreed to represent his franchise.

    The seventh edition of the tournament is set to be played from January 27 while the final will be played on February 27 in Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

    The first match will be staged in National Stadium Karachi (NSK) where defending champion Multan Sultans will face former champs Karachi Kings.

  • Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic gets green signal to play Australian Open

    Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic gets green signal to play Australian Open

    Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic received a medical exemption on Wednesday which will allow him to attend the upcoming Australian Open despite being unvaccinated against Covid-19. ⁣
    ⁣
    Many people on social media found the exemption unfair. Cities like Melbourne, which hosts the tournament, were under the world’s longest lockdown in 2020, with many Australians unable to visit their families. But organisers of the tournament say the decision has come after a ‘rigorous review process’ conducted by a panel of medical experts.

    Taking to Twitter, Djokovic wrote: ” Happy New Year! Wishing you all health, love & joy in every moment & may you feel love & respect towards all beings on this wonderful planet.”

    “I’ve spent fantastic quality time with loved ones over break & today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022,” he added.

    Djokovic has already won nine Australian Open titles and will be bidding for his 21st Grand Slam.

    The tournament is set to begin from January 17.

    Earlier, Australia’s Indian Premier League (IPL) cricketers had been left in limbo after the tournament was suspended in response to India’s Covid-19 crisis.

    More than 30 people abandoned in India were unable to fly home after the Australian government had imposed a travel ban and threatened citizens who attempt to return with a hefty fine or even jail. The players were later allowed to land in Sydney after two weeks of the league’s suspension.

    Players, coaches and commentators caught a charter flight from the Maldives that touched down at Sydney Airport.

  • BBL 11: Fakhar’s Heat and Shadab’s Sixers match postponed after Covid chaos

    BBL 11: Fakhar’s Heat and Shadab’s Sixers match postponed after Covid chaos

    Covid chaos has again rocked the Big Bash League (BBL) with a clash between the Pakistani batter Fakhar Zaman’s Brisbane Heat and all-rounder Shadab Khan’s Sydney Sixers called off after 12 Brisbane players tested positive to the virus.

    “Twelve Heat players today returned positive PCR tests for Covid-19 and are currently isolating,” the BBL confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.

    “Despite its best endeavours, the club was unable to recruit enough replacement players in the 24 hours since the first case was identified to make up the required squad of 13 for tonight’s match.”

    The earlier game between the Adelaide Strikers and the Hobart Hurricanes at the Adelaide Oval will go ahead, but the time has been pushed back a little given that the play will go late in the Test at the SCG.

    The development came on the back the crisis that has seen the Melbourne Stars forced to field a second string team with skipper Glenn Maxwell, the latest player to test positive in their camp.

    The post also read that the league will advise a new date for the match and ticket holders will be contacted for the refunding process.

    More than half the BBL’s teams have now reported positive cases.