Current Final

Category: Sports

  • Dale Steyn announces retirement from cricket

    Dale Steyn announces retirement from cricket

    South African fast bowler Dale Steyn announced his retirement from all formats of cricket on Tuesday.

    He told ESPNcricinfo that his decision was prompted partly by the Covid-19 pandemic, and partly because, at 38, he is looking forward to “life starting again” after 18 years of professional cricket.

    “I guess Covid-19 kind of made me see things differently, it wasn’t fun anymore. And if it’s not fun then it’s not worth doing,” Steyn said.

    “Bittersweet but grateful,” he wrote in his social media post, as he thanked his family and teammates as well as journalists, fans.

    “It’s been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feet, jet lag, joy, and brotherhood. There are too many stories to tell. Too many faces to thank.”

    “It’s been an incredible journey together,” he added.

    Replying to the speedster, South African goat Ab Devilliars said: “Great player, great man, amazing memories! You picked a good song to sign off my bud. Legend forever!”

    Steyn, South Africa’s highest Test wicket-taker with 439 strikes in 93 games, made his professional debut in 2003 in a first-class game for Northerns. He stepped away from the longest format two years ago, to concentrate on white-ball cricket. Since then, he has not played in any ODIs and only three T20Is, though he did have plans of playing in one more T20 World Cup.

    Many cricketers and notables related with cricket wrote comments for the South African great.

  • Sarfaraz bakes pasta for wife, tells journalist to ‘stay out of the conversation’

    Former Pakistan cricket team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed’s wife, Khushbakht Sarfaraz posted a video of her husband on twitter with the caption,”Perks of him being around”. The video went viral on social media, with fellow cricketers praising him for his baking skills.

    Cricketer Shadab Khan re-shared the video of Sarfaraz and wrote, “Bhabi aty sath he hamry kaptaan ko kaam paar laga deya.”

    Journalist Aalia Rasheed left a comment on a lighter note which Sarfaraz misunderstood and said to Aalia that Its better for her to keep her opinion limited to cricket only.

    Aalia then clarified that she was “just kidding.”

    Hassan Ali added on a humourous note saying, “yeh wala talent hume btya hi ni ap na.”

    Shadab was quick to put a request to Sarfaraz for chai.

    Inam-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz also left a comment under Sarfaraz’s video to which the latter decided to reply in a funny way.

    J

  • Kohli gets angry at a presser after a pricking question from a journalist

    Kohli gets angry at a presser after a pricking question from a journalist

    After a humiliating defeat by an innings and 76 runs in the third Test against England, Indian captain Virat Kohli was being asked sharp questions in the press conference and he got angry and ignored a pricking question by a reporter.

    In a viral video, a reporter questioned Kohli about playing on the backfoot. To this, Kohli replied: “I don’t know how to answer this question? How can you play every ball on the backfoot? Unless it is according to his length.”

    Even before Kohli could complete his point, the journalist started saying: “Due to playing less on the back foot, Team India missed the opportunity to score more runs.” There was a bit of anger on Kohli’s face here, but he answered while calmly handling himself: “Yes, thank you!” The video of this moment is going viral on Twitter.

    In the post-match presentation ceremony, Kohli said: “When you get out within 80 runs (in the first innings) then it is the pressure of the scoreboard and after that the opponent team makes such a big score.” The Indian team had scored 215 runs for two wickets on the third day, due to which it was in good condition. Kohli said, “But we played well yesterday to stay in the match, we tried as much as we could and also gave ourselves a chance.”

    Regarding the England bowlers, he said: “But today the England bowlers put a lot of pressure and in the end got the result they wanted.” Kohli said: “The first innings score was very bad, it can happen in this country, the whole innings collapses like a pack of cards.”

    On the fourth day’s play, he said: “We thought the pitch was good for batting. But the disciplined bowling forced them to commit mistakes and the pressure was too much. When you are not scoring runs, it is very difficult to get over the pressure. Due to this the batting collapsed.”

    After third Test, the series delicately poised at 1-1, the action now moves to The Oval in London for the fourth Test.

  • India suffers defeat by innings and 76 runs in Headingley

    India suffers defeat by innings and 76 runs in Headingley

    India suffered a humiliating defeat by an innings and 76 runs in the third Test match against England at the Headingley Cricket ground on Saturday.

    “Basically down to scoreboard pressure. Always up against it when you get out for under 80, and the opposition puts up such a big score. But we did well to stay in the game yesterday, fight back as much as we could, and gave ourselves a chance. But the pressure today was outstanding from the England bowlers and eventually they got the results they wanted,” said Virat Kohli in the post-match presentation ceremony.

    India were skittled out of 278 after resuming the day at 215/2. In what was expected to be easy batting conditions on a sunny day at Headingley, England bowlers were ruthless in their approach and finished the match in the first session of the day to jump to 14 points on the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 table.

    With a clinical five-for England bowler Ollie Robinson bagged Player of the Match Award, taking seven wickets overall.

    With the series delicately poised at 1-1, the action now moves to The Oval in London for the fourth Test.

  • ‘That moustache is not coming home’: Shaniera warns Wasim

    ‘That moustache is not coming home’: Shaniera warns Wasim

    Shaniera Akram, who is currently stuck in Australia due to Covid-19 restrictions, has warned her husband to remove his moustache before going there.

    Taking to Instagram, Wasim Akram, who is quarantining in Melbourne, posted a video of himself and shared that it’s his eighth day in quarantine and he has grown a moustache.

    While commenting on his post, Shaniera said: “That moustache is not coming home with you.”

    The former cricketer reached Autralia last weak and posted, saying: “Day 6th in quarantine 8 more days to go . I look and feel like total junglee and before you ask I am in Melbourne to be with my wife and little princess.”

    Replying to her husband, Shaniera said: “We love you and can’t wait to see you! Countdown is on. Aiyla and I are waiting for you. You are our absolute Hero.”

    Earlier, Shaniera posted an emotional note for Akram on being away for 145 days. Shaniera, who is originally from Melbourne, Australia, went to her home city in January and due to the coronavirus pandemic, she could not return to Karachi where she lives with her husband and children.

  • PM Khan thanks Ehsan Mani for his ‘contribution to cricket’

    PM Khan thanks Ehsan Mani for his ‘contribution to cricket’

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has thanked Ehsan Mani for his contribution to cricket in Pakistan during his three-year tenure as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman.

    Taking to Twitter, PM Imran Khan said: “I especially appreciate his setting up, for the first time, a regional domestic cricket structure in Pakistan and his role in bringing back international cricket teams to Pakistan.”

    Earlier, PM Khan approved a framework for the promotion of School Cricket in particular and Domestic Cricket in general, advising the Central Punjab Cricket Association for implementing the model in its entirety.

    The prime minister took a presentation on Domestic Cricket in Pakistan, with a special focus on School Cricket. The presentation was made by the Chairman of Central Punjab Cricket Association (CPCA), Abdullah Khan Sumbal.

    As per details, the prime minister appreciated the model developed by CPCA, an organisation that works under the PCB, and called for its replication all over Pakistan strategically.

    He asserted his total support to the School Cricket Championship beginning in Central Punjab from September 15 and stated that School Cricket had immense potential to generate and groom real cricketing talent.

    “Pleased to review efforts of Punjab for revival of school cricket, especially role of Central Punjab Cricket Association,” he said in a tweet.

    “870 schools and 231 college grounds, 355 sports facilities developed across Punjab. I urge all provinces to focus on reviving sports & providing sports facilities for our youth,” he added.

    Chief Secretary Punjab highlighted the significant role of the Punjab Government in this major initiative.

    The meeting was also attended by Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza, Special Assistant to PM Dr Shahbaz Gill, CEO PCB Wasim Khan and CEO CPCA Khurram Niazi.

    Meanwhile, Mani resigned on Thursday and PCB will elect its 36th chairman on September 13 in Lahore.

  • Shahid Afridi advises girls to live life according to the teachings of Islam

    Shahid Afridi advises girls to live life according to the teachings of Islam

    Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has advised girls to live their lives according to the principles of Islam.

    According to a local news agency, this was said by the all-rounder as he visited the Bakhtawar Girls Cadet College in Nawabshah on Wednesday. Afridi was invited to visit the college by its principal Brigadier (Retd) Dr Muhammad Amin, reported Geo News.

    Afridi was accompanied by members of the Tableeghi Jamaat as well during his trip to the college.

    During his visit to the college, Afridi lectured the female cadets on women’s rights in Islam and urged them to adopt Islamic principles in life. He spoke at length about his life as a cricketer and then how he turned towards preaching religion.

    He urged female cadets to study hard but also partake in sports at the same time.

    “Focus on your studies, social media and mobile phones are time wasting tools,” he said.

    Speaking about his life as a cricketer, Afridi said at one point during his career, he thought about leaving the sport as certain captains wanted to end his career.

    “However, I got a lot of help from Islam and Tableegh,” he said.

    While sharing his thoughts on the appointment of the new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Afridi said he expected Ramiz Raja to lead Pakistan cricket in a positive direction.

    Earlier, Geo News reported that Raja has accepted the post of Chairman PCB.

    PCB will elect its 36th chairman on September 13 in Lahore.

  • Olympian Neeraj Chopra disappointed with ‘vested interest’ of Indian Media

    Olympian Neeraj Chopra disappointed with ‘vested interest’ of Indian Media

    Indian Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has come out in defence of his fellow javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem saying that there was nothing wrong in what Nadeem did on the field.

    He slammed netizens and Indian media for spreading propaganda.

    Chopra tweeted a video with the caption:”I would request everyone to please not use me and my comments as a medium to further your vested interests and propaganda. Sports teaches us to be together and united. I’m extremely disappointed to see some of the reactions from the public on my recent comments.”

    In the video, Neeraj says, “I want to say that one issue has come up about something I said in an interview; that I took the javelin from Arshad Nadeem, the Pakistani javelin thrower. So, a huge controversy is being created around this statement.

    “It’s a very simple thing. We (javelin throwers) keep our personal javelins at the field and everyone and anyone can use that javelin. It is a rule. So, there’s nothing wrong in it. He was just preparing for his throw with that javelin and then I asked for the javelin back.

    “So it is not such a big thing, and I am very sad that some people are using my name to create a big issue about it. I request you to not do it. Sports teaches all of us to walk together.”

    Neeraj also requested people not to use his name as a medium to further their vested interests and propagandas. “I would request everyone to please not use me and my comments as a medium to further your vested interests and propaganda. Sports teaches us to be together and united. I’m extremely disappointed to see some of the reactions from the public on my recent comments.”

    “All of us javelin throwers share a lot of love. We all have good conversations. So please refrain from saying things that will hurt us,” Neeraj concluded.

    The 23-year-old athlete is the first Gold medal winner after the 2008 Beijing Olympics for India. Abhinav Bindra was the last person to win a Gold medal for India, while Arshad stood fifth in the contest.

  • Ehsan Mani resigns, Ramiz Raja will reportedly be the new PCB Chairman

    Ehsan Mani resigns, Ramiz Raja will reportedly be the new PCB Chairman

    Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ehsan Mani has resigned from the post according to reports and the new Chairman will be former cricketer Ramiz Raja.

    As per reports, Mani has told Prime Minister and PCB Patron-in-chief Imran Khan to appoint someone else as he cannot work anymore.

    It must be noted that PM Khan was satisfied with Mani’s performance and insisted that he continues as chairman. They both met for two consecutive days — Monday and Tuesday.

    Ramiz also met the premier on Monday where the two former cricketers discussed the possible candidate for chairmanship and options to improve Pakistan’s cricket.

    As per latest updates, Raja has been given an important post, but there is no official announcement from the board or Raja yet.

  • Babar Azam praises Fawad Alam after a comfortable win against West Indies

    Babar Azam praises Fawad Alam after a comfortable win against West Indies

    Pakistan captain Babar Azam praised his teammate and experienced batsman Fawad Alam after his side defeated West Indies by 109 runs in the second Test to level the two-match series.

    Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “A remarkable victory to draw the series. Absolutely brilliant game from @iShaheenAfridi, @iamfawadalam25, and @RealHa55an. Most importantly everyone from the team chipped in and tried to give their best. More power to you guys!”

    Fawad had scored an unbeaten 124 in the first innings of the Test to help Pakistan recover from 2/3 and post 309/9 in the first innings. Fawad’s inning was also backed by Babar who had scored 75.

    In a post-match statement released to the media, the Pakistan captain said that his partnership with Fawad laid the foundation for Pakistan’s success in the game.

    He also hailed the 35-year-old batsman and advised that all batsmen in the team should learn from him.

    “It was a great team effort specially after losing quick wickets on day one. Fawad and I managed to fight back through our partnership and then Shaheen Shah bowled outstandingly to put pressure on West Indies. We played according to our plan in the second innings and added quick runs to take advantage of the last session on day 4,” Babar said in the presentation ceremony.

    “Fawad Alam is an experienced player. He has scored tons of runs in first class cricket. He has handled the conditions and pressure well and set an example for all batsmen. We all must learn from him. He has proved himself which is an outstanding thing,” the Pakistan captain added.

    Babar also praised young fast bowler Shaheen Shah, saying that the 21-year-old left-arm fast bowler is improving every day and showing great confidence.

    “I am lucky to have a bowler like him in my squad,” he said.

    “Winning a match always give you confidence as a captain. The players gave their 100 per cent and remained confident throughout the Test,” said Babar.