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Category: Sports

  • Sania Mirza seeks help from Indian sports ministry for son’s UK visa

    Sania Mirza seeks help from Indian sports ministry for son’s UK visa

    Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has sought help from the Indian Sports Ministry after her son, Izhaan Mirza-Malik, was denied a visa by United Kingdom (UK) authorities. 

    Mirza, who will be playing a couple of tournaments in the coming days in the UK, has been facing a dilemma after her two-year-old son and his caretaker were denied a visa, owing to travel restrictions imposed by the UK on Indian nationals. 

    The tennis sensation is scheduled to compete in the Nottingham Open (from June 6), Birmingham Open (from June 14), the Eastbourne Open (from June 20) and the Wimbledon (from June 28).

    The sports ministry said it was approached by Mirza, who said she could not leave a two-year-old child behind to take part in a month-long tournament. 

    “Sania, who is a part of the Sports Ministry’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), approached the Ministry requesting help with the visa of her son and his caretaker. Sania stated that she cannot leave a two-year-old child behind as she travels for a month,” said the ministry in a statement. 

    The ministry said it dispatched a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs in India, asking it to take the matter up on an urgent basis with the UK authorities through the Indian embassy in London.

    Read more – Sania Mirza is a ‘proud mumma’ after Izhaan Mirza Malik fluently recites his duas

    “The request was immediately taken up by the Sports Ministry and a letter has already been sent to MEA requesting them to take up the matter in the UK through the Indian Embassy in London,” stated the Indian ministry. 

    Indian Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed the hope that the UK will allow Mirza to travel with her child. 

    Rijiju, in a statement, said, “I have approved the request and Sports Ministry officials have initiated the process with the MEA. We are hopeful that the UK Government will see merit in this case and allow the child to travel with Sania.”

  • PCB gets the green light from Abu Dhabi authorities for remaining PSL matches

    PCB gets the green light from Abu Dhabi authorities for remaining PSL matches

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has gotten the green light from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government for the remaining 20 Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in Abu Dhabi.

    The PCB will now hold an online meeting with the six franchise owners later in the day to update them on the progress made and also to finalise details, which will be shared in due course.

    PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said, “We are delighted with this development as the remaining hurdles in the staging of the remaining HBL PSL 6 matches in Abu Dhabi have been overcome and all systems are now good to go.”

    “We are grateful to the UAE government, National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, Emirates Cricket Board and Abu Dhabi Sports Council for their support and patronage in ensuring all final obstacles were removed, which has firmly put us in a position to complete our marquee event,” he added.

    Read more – Andre Russell, Martin Guptill among lead names joining PSL6 in June

    “I take this opportunity to thank my staff for their untiring efforts and hard work that included sacrificing their Eid-ul-Fitr holidays in an effort to ensure the PCB honours its commitment to its fans to hold the remaining matches of the tournament in June,” Khan said.

    Khan also mentioned that the holding of the remaining matches in Abu Dhabi would allow fans follow and support their favourite players and teams through high-quality broadcast coverage.

    The PSL 6 was postponed after 14 matches on March 4 this year, after a Covid-19 outbreak was reported in the tournament’s bio-secure bubble.

  • Shahid Afridi shares heartwarming poem for Palestinian children

    Shahid Afridi shares heartwarming poem for Palestinian children

    Former Pakistan Cricket team captain Shahid Afridi has shared a heartwarming poem for the Palestinian children in solidarity.

    Read more – Asim Azhar, Shahid Afridi, Farhan Saeed call out Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians

    Afridi took to his social media and expressed his support for the victims of the deadly Israeli bombardment in Gaza City. He assured them that they are not alone amid this oppression.

    The poem read: “This message is for you, children of the land of Palestine. We are far away here, but our hearts beat with you, in the same way that the hearts of our fathers and their fathers, beat with your ancestors. All the knots of sorrow, anxiety, fear and worry are temporary. All avenues of grief are temporary!”

    Afridi shared two pictures with his daughter, in which they can be seen holding Palestinian flags in their hands.

    Israeli fighter jets continue to pound the Gaza City on Thursday. The death toll has increased to 227 Palestinians, including 64 children, in 11 days of violence.

    The United Nations Security Council’s effort for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza remains stalled, with the United States continuing to veto action on the issue.

  • When Shoaib Akhtar gave Sachin Tendulkar a broken rib

    When Shoaib Akhtar gave Sachin Tendulkar a broken rib

    Record-breaking Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar has opened up about the time when a delivery by Shoaib Akhtar gave him a broken rib.

    Speaking during a session on Unacademy, Tendulkar recalled that the injury happened during Pakistan’s India tour of 2007.

    “I got hit in my rib cage in 2007,” shared Tendulkar. “We were playing Pakistan in India and in the first over itself I got hit in the rib cage off a Shoaib Akhtar ball. It was quite painful. For a month and a half or two months, I was not able to cough or sleep on my tummy.”

    Interestingly, the cricketer continued to play despite considerable pain as he had no idea that he had fractured his rib.

    “I continued playing like that and had designed my own chest guard. I played the remaining four ODIs and the Test series. Before going to Australia as well, I played whatever cricket there was,” said Sachin.

    After hosting Pakistan for three Tests and a five-match ODI series in 2007, India then toured Australia for four Tests and VB tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka. Tendulkar was part of both the tours.

    In Australia, he suffered a groin injury following which he underwent a full-body scan after returning home. It was then the doctor told Tendulkar he may also have a broken rib.

    “When I went to Australia, I played the whole series – we played the VB series and towards the end of it, I had a groin injury. I came back to India and we did a full body scan. At that time, it was the doctor who told me about it,” Tendulkar recalled.

    “I did not ask him about my rib, I was worried about my groin injury because the Indian Premier League (IPL) was going to start. But I couldn’t get fit in time and missed the first seven matches. But the doctor told me that there was a hotspot. You must have broken your rib at some stage. It troubled me for two months,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the former captain of the Indian cricket team also revealed that he struggled with anxiety for much of his career, often suffering sleepless nights before a game.

    The ‘Little Master,’ who accumulated more Test and one-day runs than any other player, said he would shadow bat, watch TV and play video games in the small hours when he was unable to sleep.

    “In my mind the match started long before I entered the ground. The anxiety levels were very high,” said Tendulkar.

    “I felt anxiety for 10 to 12 years, and had many sleepless nights before a game. Later on I started accepting that it was part of my preparation.

    “Then I made peace with the times I was not able to sleep at night. I would start doing something to keep my mind comfortable.” Mental health has become a key consideration among athletes, including cricketers and especially during the pandemic when many are spending long periods in bio-secure “bubbles”.

    Tendulkar, who played 200 Tests and 463 ODIs during a 24-year international career, said it was vital to accept first that there is a problem.

    “When there is an injury, physios and doctors examine you and diagnose what is wrong with you. Same is the case with mental health,” he said.

    “It is normal for anyone to go through ups and downs and when you hit those lows you need people around.

    “Acceptability is the key here. Not just for the player, for people around him also. Once you have accepted you start looking for solutions. “

  • ‘Enough is enough’: Mo Salah urges world leaders to end violence in Palestine

    ‘Enough is enough’: Mo Salah urges world leaders to end violence in Palestine

    Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah has called on world leaders to “do everything in their power” to end the killing of innocent people in Palestine, where at least 36 people, including 10 children, have been killed by Israeli airstrikes. At least 250 others were injured.

    Salah’s appeal came as the Israeli military continued it’s bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip on Tuesday, targeting several areas after rockets were fired from the enclave.

    In a tweet on Tuesday, Salah specifically called on Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson “to make sure the violence and killing of innocent people stops immediately”.

    “I’m calling on all the world leaders including on the Prime Minister of the country that has been my home for the past 4 years to do everything in their power to make sure the violence and killing of innocent people stops immediately,” Salah said on Twitter.

    “Enough is enough,” he added.

    Meanwhile, West Indian cricketer and coach of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi Daren Sammy also condemned Israeli attacks in Palestine saying: “I just can’t understand why it is so difficult to treat others as you would want to be treated, or even better yet treat each others as human beings.”

    Similarly, Pakistan Cricket Team’s opening batsman Fakhar Zaman said: “Israeli forces continue to attack innocent worshipers at Al-Aqsa with illegal confiscation of lands evicting Palestinians from their homes with all illegal measures to undermine prospects for global peace.”

    “Sometimes I feel how unfair the World has become with selective justice,” he added.

    Ahmad Shahzad is also “devastated by the violence happening in Palestine.” He also demanded immediate action against this violence.

    Meanwhile, many celebrities from Pakistan and other parts of the world including Gigi Hadid have raised their voice against the brutality of Israeli forces in Palestine. From Mahira Khan to Asim Azhar and from Shahid Afridi to Babar Azam, all are raising their voice against the abominations of Israeli powers on Palestinians.

  • Babar Azam makes history, sweeps Zimbabwe Test series

    Babar Azam makes history, sweeps Zimbabwe Test series

    Babar Azam has become the first Pakistan captain to win his first four Tests as skipper as they swept the series against Zimbabwe 2-0 in Harare Sports Club on Monday.

    Azam lauded his players after they completed a successful southern Africa tour with a second straight innings victory over Zimbabwe then looked ahead to his team’s planned tour of the West Indies in July.

    It took Pakistan five overs to take the remaining Zimbabwe wicket to seal a win by an innings and 147 runs on the fourth day of the second Test. With the win, Azam also became the first Pakistan captain to win his first four Tests as skipper.

    Shaheen Shah Afridi had Luke Jongwe caught behind for 37 to complete a five-wicket haul. He took five for 52.

    Speaking at the post-match presentation, Babar said his players had shown character and he was particularly pleased with the performance of the batsmen, especially man-of-the-match Abid Ali, who scored 215 not out in Pakistan’s only innings.

    Abid, with his unbeaten double ton, received the Player of the Match award.

    Hassan Ali bagged Player of the Series award, after taking 14 wickets at an average of just 8.92.

    “The partnership between Abid and Azhar Ali was crucial,” he said. Azhar scored 126 in a second-wicket stand of 236.

    “The confidence of our batsmen will be high and we have an important series in the West Indies coming up,” said Babar.

    Meanwhile, Azam has been declared Player of the Month by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following his stunning performance in the ODI series against South Africa.

    Pakistan is due to play three Tests and three T20 Internationals (T20Is) in the Caribbean.

  • PCB completes first phase of COVID-19 vaccination for players, support staff

    PCB completes first phase of COVID-19 vaccination for players, support staff

    The Pakistan Cricket Board has completed the first phase of it’s  COVID-19 vaccination drive in collaboration with Pakistan government’s National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

    During this phase, Pakistan’s leading cricketers across all three formats and support staff were vaccinated.

    The PCB is one of the first cricket boards in the world to introduce a robust vaccination programme to ensure the health and safety of it’s players and support staff in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

    In the first phase, 57 men players, 13 officials of the men’s team and 13 NHPC men and women coaches were vaccinated. A number of franchise players and support staff besides PCB match officials involved in the February-March phase of the Pakistan Super League (three match referees, three umpires) were also vaccinated.

    Read more – PCB introduces parental support policy for cricketers

    The vaccination drive started on March 4 in Karachi and carried on for more than two months, before its conclusion on May 6 when eight players — part of Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing Test series against Zimbabwe — were given second doses in Harare.

    As per details, In the next phase, remaining domestic men cricketers, national women cricketers, age-group cricketers and support staff of the domestic, national women and age-group teams will be vaccinated. The second-phase is expected to commence shortly.

    PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer said: “The PCB has a duty of care towards its cricketers, especially in the ongoing pandemic, and keeping that in mind we requested the NCOC for vaccines during the Pakistan Super League 6. The vaccination drive started in Karachi and our first priority was to get the players and support staff involved in the tournament vaccinated.

    “After the initial round of vaccination in Karachi, we focused on getting the remaining members of the men’s squad, who were not involved in PSL 6, vaccinated before the tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

    “We remain grateful to the NCOC for recognising the importance of vaccines for our players and prioritising them for national interest as both players and support staff are constantly traveling for domestic and international cricket commitments and carry infection risks especially once outside the bio-secure bubbles.

    “The PCB is fully behind the government’s vaccination drive and once again urges people across Pakistan to get vaccinated in order to ensure the health and safety of their own selves and their families.

    “Our players — both men and women — and PCB management will continue to provide full support and backing to the NCOC vaccine awareness initiatives as they have done repeatedly since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.”

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Test Team, who is in Zimbabwe has elected to bat first against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club in the second Test Match, after defeating the hosts 1-0 in the two-Test series.

  • Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman among ICC ‘Player of the Month’ nominees

    Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman among ICC ‘Player of the Month’ nominees

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced nominees for April’s ICC Player of the Month Awards. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are among the nominated players.

    ICC introduced the award to recognise the best performances from both male and female cricketers across all formats of international cricket.

    In the month of April, Pakistan captain Babar Azam became the number one ranked batsman in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, ending Indian Cricket Team’s captain Virat Kohli’s long reign at the top of the charts.

    Babar’s match-winning 82-ball 94 in the third ODI against South Africa helped him gain 13 rating points to reach a career-best 865 points. He also contributed 122 from 59 balls in Pakistan’s successful chase in the third match of a T20I series against the same opposition.

    His compatriot Fakhar Zaman also produced a stellar showing during the month, scoring two centuries in the ODI series victory over South Africa, including a magnificent 193 in the second match in Johannesburg. 

    Completing the men’s shortlist, Nepal’s Khushal Bhurtel was the leading run-scorer as his team won a tri-series also featuring the Netherlands and Malaysia. His significant contribution with the bat totalled 278 runs, including four half-centuries in five matches.

    Meanwhile, Australia’s Alyssa Healy, her team-mate Megan Schutt and New Zealand’s Leigh Kasperek made it to the Women’s Player of the Month nominees.

    Winners will be announced every second Monday of the month on the ICC’s digital channels. 

    Fans can vote for their favourite players, both male and female on given links by ICC or directly by going to ICC’s website.

  • Shahid Afridi honoured to receive MCC’s ‘lifetime’ membership

    Shahid Afridi honoured to receive MCC’s ‘lifetime’ membership

    Shahid Afridi has said that he is honoured to receive Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC), which owns the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground and is the guardian of the sport’s laws, lifetime membership.

    VIDEO: The Current Life with Shahid Afridi

    “A big honour to receive Marylebone Cricket Club lifetime membership,” wrote Afridi on Twitter.

    Thanking MCC, Lala wrote: “I want to thank the most prestigious cricket club in the world for the respect and recognition. I would continue to play my part in promotion of this wonderful sport both on and off the cricket field.”

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1389527971367686144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1389527971367686144%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-4943728772336014564.ampproject.net%2F2104170104001%2Fframe.html

    Back in 2017, Afridi — along with Pakistan’s highest Test run-getter Younis Khan and current Pakistan team coach Misbah ul Haq — was made an “honourary life member”.

    MCC was founded in 1787, taking as its home a cricket ground set up by the ambitious entrepreneur Thomas Lord who had staged his first match on the ground on Dorset Fields in Marylebone in the UK.

    Soon after its founding, the club issued a Code of Laws for modern-day cricket, which it continues to do so till date.

  • PCB introduces parental support policy for cricketers

    The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a parental support policy for cricketers under which, women cricketers are entitled to take up to 12 months of paid maternity leave and will be guaranteed a contract extension for the following year. On the other hand male cricketers, who are expectant or new fathers, will also be entitled to up to 30 days of fully paid leave.

    According to a press release, the policy allows gives women cricketers “the option to transfer to a non-playing role until the commencement of their maternity leave leading up to the birth of their child.”

    Upon conclusion of the maternity leave, the player will be reintegrated into cricketing activities and provided adequate medical and physical support in respect to their post-childbirth rehabilitation.

    Similarly, if a woman player is required to travel for cricketing activities, the PCB will support the player by allowing her to travel with a support person of her choice to assist in caring for her infant child, with the travel and accommodation costs to be shared equally.

    Men players can take a fully paid leave within 56 days of the birth of their child.

    “The PCB has a duty of care towards its cricketers and at every turn, it has taken measures to support them. In this relation, it is appropriate that we have a player-friendly parental support policy so that our professional cricketers can feel fully supported during an important stage in their lives, without worrying about their careers,” said PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan in a statement.

    “To have this policy for our women cricketers was even more significant,” continued Khan. “Women play a pivotal role in the development of a society and our women cricketers have brought us laurels and recognition at the world stage.”

    “Now that we have a maternity leave policy, I am hopeful that it will attract more women and girls to take up the sport as this will help them strike the crucial work-life balance,” he added.

    Former captain of Pakistani women cricket team Sana Mir appreciated the decision taken by the board and congratulated everyone involved.