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  • Pakistan wins T20 series in Bangladesh

    Pakistan wins T20 series in Bangladesh

    The Pakistan cricket team has won the T20 series in Bangladesh in a 109-run chase as Pakistan won the second T20I by eight wickets to secure a 2-0 series win with one match of the three-match T20I series to spare against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium Mirpur, Dhaka on Saturday.

    Player of the match Fakhar Zaman who scored 34 runs in yesterday’s four-wicket win at the same venue, top-scored with a blazing unbeaten 57 off 51 balls while Mohammad Rizwan contributed 39 off 45 balls as Pakistan went past the target in the 19th over with 11 balls to spare.

    Fakhar finished the match in the company of Haider Ali. Rizwan and Fakhar added 85 for the second-wicket after the tourists lost captain and opener Babar Azam for one in the third over of the innings.

    Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first scoring 108 runs.

    For Pakistan, Shaheen and Shadab took two wickets each, Wasim, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz took a wicket apiece.

    The third and final match of the series will be played at the same venue on Monday, 22 November.

  • Hassan Ali charged for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in first T20I

    Hassan Ali charged for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in first T20I

    Pakistani pacer Hassan Ali has been charged for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first T20I against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday.

    As per details, Hassan was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

    In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Hassan, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 17th over of Bangladesh’s innings, when Hassan gave an inappropriate sendoff to batter Nurul Hasan after dismissing him behind the wicket.

    Meanwhile, in the same match the Bangladesh team has been fined 20 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate in the match as they were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

    Read More – Pakistan seals victory against Bangladesh in first T20I

    Hassan and Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Neeyamur Rashid of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees and ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the Covid-19 interim playing regulations. There was no need for formal hearings.

    On-field umpires Sharfudoulla Ibne Shahid and Masudur Rahman, third umpire Gazi Sohel and fourth official Tanvir Ahmed levelled the charges. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

  • Babar Azam, Pakistani cricketers pen heartfelt notes for AB de Villiers after his retirement

    Babar Azam, Pakistani cricketers pen heartfelt notes for AB de Villiers after his retirement

    Following AB de Villiers announcement about his retirement, cricket-lovers around the world are expressing their love for one of the finest players to have emerged from South Africa.

    Among those who paid tributes to ABD was Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and other Pakistani cricketers, who also took to their social media handles to share how the star player has inspired them.

    “You were my childhood inspiration and I always tried to learn from your charismatic approach,” Babar wrote on Twitter.

    Recalling his first interaction with De Villiers, he added: “I still remember the first time I met you and how welcoming you were.”

    “You have inspired many generations of cricket. Wish you the very best and a happy retirement.”

    Shoaib Malik, Hassan Ali, Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman also lauded the South African, among others.

    De Villiers, who announced his retirement from cricket on Friday, will be remembered as one of the sport’s great entertainers and one of the finest players to represent South Africa.

    He was an outstanding batsman in all forms of international cricket, averaging more than 50 in both 118 Test matches and 228 One-Day Internationals.

  • Did Hassan Ali make the fastest ball record, leaving Shoaib Akhtar behind?

    Did Hassan Ali make the fastest ball record, leaving Shoaib Akhtar behind?

    Hassan Ali bagged Player of the Match award during Pakistan’s first T20 international of their three-match series against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday, which the Men In Green won by four wickets.

    It seems that even the technical team at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium were impressed. So much so that they ended up making an error while recording his bowling speed, reporting it as 219kph.

    Pakistan’s legendary speedster Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for bowling the fastest ball at 161.3 kph and it is next to impossible to bowl at a speed of 219kph.

    Meanwhile, Ali did become the player to take the most number of international wickets in 2021, including Tests, T20Is, and ODIs as he reached the mark of 64 after he picked up 3-22, helping Pakistan restrict Bangladesh to 127-7.

    Shaheen Shah Afridi is right behind him with 62 wickets, while Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera and South Africa’s Tabriz Shamsi have taken 50 wickets each.

    Meanwhile, netizens were sure that the world record has been made. Here are a few tweets:

    https://twitter.com/pakhtoon_lad/status/1461640955824640008?s=20
    https://twitter.com/FahadKhilji02/status/1461679953108512782?s=20
  • Pakistan seals victory against Bangladesh in first T20I

    Pakistan seals victory against Bangladesh in first T20I

    Pakistan has sealed their first victory against Bangladesh after Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah and Shadab Khan contributed in clinching the match from the home team.

    Bangladesh posted a total of 127 runs but it became tense in the middle after Pakistan lost Fakhar’s wicket on his 36-balls’ 34. But with the vital hits from Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, they sealed the game for Pakistan with four balls to spare.

    Captain Babar Azam posted 7 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan could only score 11 runs. Khushdil Shah also posted 34 runs off 35 balls, contributing a decent share in the total.

    Pakistan needed 2 runs in the last over and Shadab hit a six to seal the deal for the Men in Green.

    Hassan Ali, with a comeback performance, took 3 wickets while giving just 22 runs in his 4 overs and bagged Player of the Match award.

    Pakistan will be playing their next match of the series tomorrow, November 20.

  • Tim Paine resigns ahead of Ashes after sending explicit messages to female co-worker

    Tim Paine resigns ahead of Ashes after sending explicit messages to female co-worker

    Australian cricketer Tim Paine has quit as Test captain less than three weeks before the men’s Ashes after the emergence of an investigation four years ago by Cricket Australia for sending explicit messages to a female co-worker.

    Paine, who had been facing a race against time to be fit for the first Ashes Test on December 8, was named in a News Corp report as being at the centre of the case.

    He faced the media in Hobart on Friday to announce he was resigning but will remain available for selection for the Ashes. The messages date back to 2017, months before Paine was recalled to the Test team after a seven-year absence, and a joint Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania investigation cleared him at the time.

    “Today, I’m announcing my decision to stand down as the captain of the Australian men’s test team. It’s an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket,” Paine said as he read out a statement.

    “As a background on my decision, nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague. At the time, the exchange was the subject of a thorough CA Integrity Unit investigation, throughout which I fully participated in and openly participated in.

    “That investigation and a Cricket Tasmania HR investigation at the same time found that there had been no breach of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct. Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today. I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support. We thought this incident was behind us and that I could focus entirely on the team, as I have done for the last three or four years.

    “However, I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public. On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community. I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and pain that I have caused to my wife, my family, and to the other party. I’m sorry for any damage that this does to the reputation of our sport.”

    Read More – Australia announces squad for the Ashes

    He added that he felt resignation was his only option and apologised to team-mates and supporters.

    “I believe that it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain, effective immediately,” he said. “I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes series.”

    “It’s been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men’s test team. I’m grateful for the support of my team-mates and proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together.

    “To them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. To Australian cricket fans I’m deeply sorry that my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the Ashes. For the disappointment I have caused to fans and the entire cricket community, I apologise.

    “I will remain a committed member of the Australian cricket team and look forward with anticipation to what is a huge Ashes tour.”

    A subsequent statement by Cricket Tasmania said the allegations had only been brought to their attention when theft charges were laid against the employee in mid-2018 and that no complaint had been made at the time of the messages in November 2017.

    Paine was elevated to the captaincy in March 2018 following the explosive fallout from the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Fast bowler Pat Cummins is Australia’s current vice-captain and had been tipped to assume the role once Paine retired. If Paine was not to play the series, Alex Carey would be the frontrunner to take the gloves.

    The board accepted Paine’s resignation and has said that process of identifying and appointing a new Test captain will be accelerated.

  • ‘That flame no longer burns’: AB de Villiers announces retirement from all forms of cricket

    ‘That flame no longer burns’: AB de Villiers announces retirement from all forms of cricket

    Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers took to social media to announce his retirement from all forms of cricket.

    AB de Villiers made the announcement on Friday, November 19, marking an end to an incredible career that spanned over a period of more than 18 years.

    “It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket,” ABD wrote on Twitter. “Ever since the back yard matches with my older brothers, I have played the game with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. Now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly.

    “That’s the reality I must accept – and, even if it may seem sudden, that is why I am making this announcement today. I’ve had my time. Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me,” he wrote in another Tweet.

    Having made his international debut in 2004, AB de Villiers represented South Africa in 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is. Across formats, he amassed 20,014 runs, averaging more than 50 in both Tests and ODIs. He retired from international cricket in May 2018.

    England’s batter Jos Buttler also extended his wishes for the veteran cricketer, saying that he used to “turn on the tv just to watch” him bat.

  • Pakistan announces team for first T20I against Bangladesh

    Pakistan announces team for first T20I against Bangladesh

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the 12-member team for the first T20I of the three-match series against Bangladesh.

    Pakistan cricket team flew directly to Dhaka from Dubai for the bilateral series against Bangladesh after extremely good performance at the T20 World Cup 2021. Pakistan will be playing three T20 Internationals and Two Test matches in Bangladesh.

    The first T20I will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium on Friday, November 19. While the second and third T20Is will be played at the same venue on November 20 and 22.

    Pakistan’s T20I Squad:

    Babar Azam (Captain)

    Shadab Khan (Vice Captain)

    Fakhar Zaman

    Haider Ali

    Haris Rauf

    Hasan Ali

    Khushdil Shah

    Mohammad Nawaz

    Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)

    Mohammad Wasim Jr.

    Shaheen Shah Afridi

    Shoaib Malik

  • Indian government has apprehensions about participation in 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan

    Indian government has apprehensions about participation in 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan

    Pakistan has recently been awarded the rights to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Just a day has passed and the Indian government expressed apprehensions about participation in the international tournament. India’s Sports Minister and Former BCCI President, Anurag Thakur on Wednesday, said that the Indian government will monitor the security situation at the time in Pakistan before taking a decision on whether the India team will travel for the eight-team global tournament.

    “The Indian government had earlier also made its decision,” Thakur said while talking to reporters in Delhi on Wednesday. “When such global tournaments happen several factors are considered.”

    He added: “Even in the past, you would have seen many countries have pulled out to go there (Pakistan) and play because the situation there is not normal. Security is the main challenge there, like teams have been attacked in the past, which is a concern. So when the time comes, the Indian government will take a decision depending on the circumstances then.”

    Read More – Threatening e-mail was sent to New Zealand cricket team from India: Fawad

    The Champions Trophy is the first ICC tournament that will be hosted in Pakistan since the 1996 men’s ODI World Cup which was co-hosted by two other countries: India and Sri Lanka. No Indian team has played cricket in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.

    The two neighbours have not played any bilateral cricket in Pakistan since Rahul Dravid’s side travelled to Pakistan in 2005-06 for a full tour comprising three Tests and five ODIs. Pakistan toured India for a reciprocal tour in 2007-08 but the strained political equation between their governments since then has restricted ties to one white-ball bilateral series in 2012-13 in India and games between the two in ICC tournaments. Pakistan traveled to India to play in the 2011 ODI World Cup semi-final and later to participate in the 2016 T20 World Cup.

    The 2023 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in India during October and November. Earlier, the global tournament was shifted from India to UAE and Oman citing fears of the second wave of Covid-19 in the country.

  • Australia announces squad for the Ashes

    Australia announces squad for the Ashes

    The T20 World Cup winners Australia is set to host the Ashes this winter. Cricket Australia on Tuesday announced the squad for the clash with England at home.

    As per details, the Aussies named a 15-player squad for the first two Tests of this summer’s Men’s Ashes, alongside an extended player list from which an Australia A team will be selected for a tour match against the English Lions.

    Read More – ‘Too old and slow’: David Warner’s wife Candice slams trolls after Australian star helps team lift WC title

    This will be Australia’s first Test series since last summer’s Border-Gavaskar campaign, Usman Khawaja and Jhye Richardson both return to the team.

    Chair of selectors George Bailey indicated Marcus Harris would open the batting with David Warner, retaining his spot as the incumbent.

    Australia:

    Tim Paine (captain), Pat Cummins (vice captain), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.

    Additional Australia A players:

    Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street

    On the other hand, team England’s Test specialists were to fly out to Queensland on November 4, with five players involved in the T20 World Cup – Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Woakes and Wood – will be joining them after completing their quarantine.

    The squad includes10 players who have never played a Test in Australia. Ben Stokes has made himself available for the five-Test series that starts in Brisbane on December 8, giving a massive shot in the arm to the chances of Joe Root’s team regaining the Ashes over the coming weeks.

    England’s 2021-22 Ashes squad

    Joe Root (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

    Men’s Ashes fixtures

    First Test: December 8-12 – The Gabba, Brisbane

    Second Test: December 16-20 – Adelaide Oval

    Third Test: December 26-30 – Melbourne Cricket Ground

    Fourth Test: January 5-9 – Sydney Cricket Ground

    Fifth Test: January 14-18 – Perth Stadium