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  • Imran beats de Villiers, Kohli and Lanning to win ICC ‘best captain’ poll

    Imran Khan, who led the Pakistani cricket team to victory in the 1992 world cup, has been voted as the ‘best captain’ in a poll tweeted by the International Cricket Council.

    In a tweet, the ICC had shared a list of the best captain that included India’s Virat Kohli, South Africa’s Ab de Villiers and Australia’s Meg Lanning and asked: “Who would you rate as the best among these giants?”

    People chose Imran over all these “legends”, who narrowly defeated India’s Kohli to come on top.

    The poll was created after the ICC shared statistics of these “extraordinary cricketers”. It said captaincy “proved a blessing” for Imran, de Villiers, Lanning and Kohli whose “averages improved as leaders” of their respective teams.

    WHO ARE THESE ‘PACESETTERS’?

    Virat Kohli:

    Virat Kohli is the captain of the India national team since 2013. He is regarded as one of the best contemporary batsmen in the world. In 2018, he became the first cricketer to be awarded the top three International Cricket Council (ICC) awards—Cricketer of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year and ODI Cricketer of the Year.

    Ab de Villiers:

    The South African skipper has been named as the ICC ODI Player of the Year three times during his 15-year international career. Cricinfo has described him as a “cricketer with overflowing talent and the temperament to back it up”.

    Meg Lanning:

    As the captain of the Australian women team, Lanning has multiple world cup titles in her name: one Women’s Cricket World Cup and four ICC Women’s World Twenty20 titles. She also holds the record of most ODI centuries.

    Imran Khan:

    Imran Khan was the captain of the Pakistani team that won the world cup. He is also the one who introduced reverse swing and popularised it.  Spot a left-arm pacer in Pakistan, you’ll glimpse a Wasim Akram; you spot a right-arm pacer in Pakistan, said an article in Cricbuzz.

    REACTIONS TO IMRAN AS THE BEST CAPTAIN:

  • Video of elderly lady who fails to recognise Shahid Afridi goes viral

    Video of elderly lady who fails to recognise Shahid Afridi goes viral

    There is no denying that Shahid Afridi is one of the most-recognised people in the word. The former captain of the Pakistan cricket team is well-known for his sixes on the field and charm off the field. However, social media is abuzz with a rare instance in which an old lady at the airport failed to recognise the cricket legend.

    In the video doing the rounds on social media, a woman is seen calling Afridi for a picture. 

    “Aray baita idhar aao. Yeh larkiyan keh rahi hain tum Shahid Afridi ho. Aik picture to lelo? [Hello son, please come here. These girls are saying you are Shahid Afridi. Please take a picture with us?]” the woman asked Afridi.

    Obliging to the request, Afridi went to the woman and took a picture with his fans. As the video made rounds on social media, netizens were seen praising the cricket legend for his humility and kind gesture.

    https://twitter.com/ItsMahah/status/1348937198918316033?s=20

    Read more – ‘Sorry Lala’: Haris Rauf apologises to Afridi for dismissing him

    Meanwhile, it is not clear where and when the video was shot.

  • Boxer Waseem to reportedly get married next month

    Boxer Waseem to reportedly get married next month

    Boxing champion Muhammad Waseem is all set to tie the knot on February 27, Geo News has reported. The wedding will be followed by a reception ceremony on March 1.

    According to details, Waseem’s fiancée’s name is Dr Tabinda.

    The 33-year-old, known for his quick and swift style of boxing, is popularly referred to as ‘Falcon Waseem’.

    Last month, the boxer won the first Boxing Professional Fight held at the Governor House in Lahore. The fight was organised by British-Pakistan boxer Amir Khan and attended by notable personalities including Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar, and Firdous Ashiq Awan.

  • PSL 2021: Interesting picks and drops

    The Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams on Sunday confirmed their line-ups for the sixth edition of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) marquee event, which will be held in Karachi and Lahore from February 20 to March 22.

    According to a press release issued on PSL’s website, in the Platinum Category, all-rounder Hasan Ali, who played the first five seasons for Peshawar Zalmi, was picked up by Islamabad United as a wildcard pick, Australia’s Chris Lynn moved from Lahore Qalandars to Multan Sultans, world’s number one T20I bowler Rashid Khan of Afghanistan was scooped by Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators went strong and snapped up England’s explosive Tom Banton and Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, while David Miller was snapped by Peshawar Zalmi as the left-hander is now set to become the latest South African to make his PSL debut.

    In the Diamond Category, Karachi Kings opted for two all-rounders – world-ranked Mohammad Nabi and Dan Christian of Australia; Peshawar Zalmi strengthened their side by snapping up T20I bowler Mujeeb Ur Rehman of Afghanistan and then added Guyana’s all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford to their roster, while Islamabad United picked up Somerset all-rounder Lewis Gregory.

    In the Gold Category, Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings picked Samit Patel and Chadwick Walton, respectively, Peshawar Zalmi took Amad Butt, Usman Shinwari was relocated from Qalandars to Gladiators, while Islamabad United picked Phil Salt.

    In the Silver Category, Islamabad United picked Iftikhar Ahmad, Reece Topley and Rohail Nazir; Karachi Kings opted for Danish Aziz, Joe Clarke, Mohammad Ilyas and Zeeshan Malik; Lahore Qalandars snapped up Mohammad Faizan, Tom Abell, Salman Ali Agha and Zeeshan Ashraf; Multan Sultans selected Adam Lyth, Mohammad Rizwan, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohaibullah and Sohail Khan; Peshawar Zalmi went for Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Saqib Mahmood and Umaid Asif, while Quetta Gladiators strengthened their side with Abdul Nasir, Cameron Delport and Qais Ahmed.

    Final squads (in alphabetical order):

    Islamabad United – Ahmed Saifi Abdullah (emerging); Alex Hales (Platinum; traded from Karachi Kings); Akif Javed (supplementary); Asif Ali (gold); Chris Jordon (supplementary); Colin Munro (diamond); Faheem Ashraf (diamond); Iftikhar Ahmed (silver); Hasan Ali (platinum), Hussain Talat (gold, brand ambassador); Lewis Gregory (diamond); Mohammad Wasim Jnr (emerging); Musa Khan (silver, successful relegation request); Phil Salt (gold); Rohail Nazir, Reece Topley (both silver); Shadab Khan (platinum); Zafar Gohar (silver, successful relegation request)

    Karachi Kings – Amir Yamin (gold); Arshad Iqbal (emerging); Babar Azam (platinum); Colin Ingram (platinum, traded from Islamabad United); Chadwick Walton (gold); Dan Christian (diamond); Danish Aziz (silver); Imad Wasim (diamond, successful relation request); Joe Clarke (silver); Mohammad Amir (platinum); Mohammad Nabi (diamond); Mohammad Ilyas (silver); Noor Ahmed (supplementary); Sharjeel Khan (gold), Qasim Akram (emerging); Waqas Maqsood (silver, brand ambassador); Zeeshan Malik (silver)

    Lahore Qalandars – Ahmed Danyal (supplementary); Ben Dunk (gold); David Wiese (diamond); Dilbar Hussain (gold); Fakhar Zaman (diamond, brand ambassador); Haris Rauf (diamond); Maaz Khan (emerging); Mohammad Faizan (silver); Mohammad Hafeez (platinum); Joe Denly (supplementary); Rashid Khan (platinum); Samit Patel (gold); Shaheen Shah Afridi (platinum); Sohail Akhtar (silver, successful relegation request); Tom Abell, Salman Ali Agha (both silver); Zaid Alam (emerging); Zeeshan Ashraf (silver)

    Multan Sultans – Adam Lyth (silver); Carlos Brathwaite (supplementary); Chris Lynn; Shahid Afridi (both platinum); Imran Tahir (diamond, mentor); Imran Khan Snr (supplementary); James Vince (gold); Khushdil Shah (diamond); Mohammad Rizwan (silver); Mohammad Umar (emerging); Rilee Rossouw (platinum); Shahnawaz Dhani (emerging), Shan Masood (gold, successful relegation request); Sohaib Maqsood, Sohaibullah; Sohail Khan (all silver); Sohail Tanvir (Diamond, brand ambassador); Usman Qadir (gold)

    Peshawar Zalmi – Abrar Ahmed (emerging); Amad Butt (gold); David Miller (platinum); Haider Ali (gold); Imam-ul-Haq (silver); Kamran Akmal (diamond, successful relegation request); Liam Livingstone (gold); Mohammad Amir Khan (supplementary); Mohammad Irfan Snr; Mohammad Imran; Mohammad Imran Randhawa (all silver); Mujeeb Ur Rehman (diamond); Ravi Bopara (supplementary); Saqib Mahmood (silver); Sherfane Rutherford (diamond); Shoaib Malik (platinum); Umaid Asif (silver); Wahab Riaz (platinum)

    Quetta Gladiators (retained) – Abdul Nasir (silver); Anwar Ali (silver, successful relegation request); Arish Ali Khan (emerging); Azam Khan (gold); Ben Cutting (diamond); Cameron Delport (silver); Chris Gayle (platinum); Dale Steyn (supplementary); Mohammad Hasnain (diamond); Mohammad Nawaz (diamond); Naseem Shah (gold); Qais Ahmed (silver); Saim Ayub (emerging) Sarfaraz Ahmed; Tom Bantan (both platinum); Usman Khan (supplementary); Usman Shinwari (gold) and Zahid Mahmood (silver, brand ambassador)

    Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention that big names including Ahmad Shahzad, Junaid Khan and Hammad Azam have been left out of the tournament. Even the youngster, Kamran Ghulam was not picked despite his exceptional performance in domestic cricket.

    As per the PSL 6 schedule, the tournament will be fully hosted in Pakistan. Teams will play each other twice in the league format before the top four teams qualify for the playoffs. The tournament will be played between February and March 2021. This is the second time that all matches are scheduled to be played in Pakistan including the 3 playoffs and the final match. The 30-day 34-match tournament will culminate with the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 22 March, marking the first time the venue will stage the final since 2017.

  • Shoaib Malik reportedly involved in car crash after PSL Drafts

    Shoaib Malik reportedly involved in car crash after PSL Drafts

    Shoaib Malik’s car reportedly met with an accident after Pakistan Super League (PSL) Drafts 2021 at Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The cricketer, fortunately, escaped unhurt and is safe.

    According to details, Malik left the National High-Performance Centre at high speed and hit a truck, parked on the roadside outside Qaddafi Stadium. Eye witnesses claim that the cricketer was unable to control his car, which ended up skidding on the road and hitting the truck.

    While Malik is safe and unhurt, his car has been badly damaged due to the high speed. He was returning to his hotel after attending the PSL 2021 drafts in Lahore.

    He was later taken to the hotel where he staying by fielding coach Abdul Majeed.

    Later, in a tweet, the all-rounder said that he is perfectly fine.

    “It was just a happenstance accident and Almighty has been extremely Benevolent. Thank you to each one of you who’ve reached out. I am deeply grateful for all the love and care,” wrote Malik.

    Read more – Shoaib Malik reveals his two favourite things

    Meanwhile, some reports have also claimed that Malik was racing with Wahab Riaz, which caused him to lose control of the car and crash.

  • Junaid Khan reportedly quitting Pakistan cricket

    Social media is abuzz with reports that Pakistani fast bowler Junaid Khan is considering quitting Pakistan cricket as he has offers from the USA and UK.

    According to numerous sports journalists, the left-arm fast bowler has offers from USA and UK for commercial cricket and he is going to meet top officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before taking a big step.

    Another sports journalist claimed that domestic teams, KPK and Central Punjab preferred youngsters over Junaid and Kamran Akmal. Young pacers from KPK took their team into the finals this season while Akmal has been left out due to his relatively poor form.

    The pacer has represented Pakistan in 22 Test matches, 76 ODIs and 9 T20Is.

    Earlier, Kamran Akmal was also disappointed by the behavior of PCB as he was also left out of Pakistan Cup.

    Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir was not satisfied with the behaviour of PCB either and he announced his retirement from Pakistan cricket in December 2020. Sami Aslam had left Pakistan cricket in December and joined hands with USA cricket.

  • ‘I rest my case to Allah’: Kamran Akmal shocked over PCB ignorance

    ‘I rest my case to Allah’: Kamran Akmal shocked over PCB ignorance

    Veteran wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal is shocked and disappointed over ignorance by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    Taking to Twitter, Akmal expressed his feelings and wrote: “Shocked and disappointed. As a senior and season[ed] player, I have not been treated well.”

    Akmal also requested PCB and Director Domestic Cricket Nadeem Khan to look into the matter.

    “Cricket is my passion and I want to play it but…I rest my case to My Allah,” he added.

    Later, while replying to Twitter users, the cricketer further expressed his disappointment over his non-selection.

    Kamran has been left out of Pakistan Cup, which started today in Karachi. He was also not included in the Quaid-e-Azam 2020 Trophy Final.

    The 38-year-old cricketer has represented Pakistan in 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20Is. He represents Peshawar Zalmi in Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Read more – Hero aise zaleel nahi hotay, says Kamran Akmal

    Meanwhile, Akmal has been keeping himself busy in the gym and with his YouTube channel. He has interviewed many cricketers on his channel, including Mohammad Amir and Imam-ul-Haq.

    Fellow cricketer, Mohammad Hafeez showed his support amd wished Kamran good luck for his future.

  • England women cricket team to make maiden tour of Pakistan in October

    England’s women cricket team will make its first tour to Pakistan this year in October, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced. As per details, two Twenty20 Internationals and three one-day internationals will be played between both sides.

    The team will play Twenty20 matches on October 14 and 15 along with their men’s side while the one-day internationals will be played on October 18, 20 and 22.

    All the five matches will be played at Karachi’s National Stadium.

    “World champions England accompanying their men’s side for their first-ever tour to Karachi is an extremely powerful and strong announcement for Pakistan, our women’s cricketers, as well as for the global sport,” said PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan, in a statement.

    “The three ODIs against the world champions will assist the Pakistan women’s side to access, gauge and fine-tune their ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 preparations as they aim to produce improved performances than in the past,” he added.

    Talking about the tour ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said: “We are absolutely delighted to be making this historic announcement today.”

    “The England Women’s cricket team has never toured Pakistan before so this is another important step in our history and journey,” she said further.

    England’s men cricket team will also visit Pakistan after 15 years for a short tour. Unlike the women’s cricket team they will only play two Twenty20 matches.

  • Foreign coach to reportedly replace Misbah after South Africa series

    Foreign coach to reportedly replace Misbah after South Africa series

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to remove Misbah-ul-Haq and bring in a foreign coach after the home series against South Africa.

    According to reports, Gary Kirsten and Grant Flower are likely to replace Misbah.

    It must be noted here that Misbah had already been removed from chief selector and batting coach’s posts. The head coach received immense backlash after Pakistan badly lost two-matches Test series against New Zealand.

    Misbah took charge in 2019 and under his coaching, Pakistan has only won home Tests against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The green shirts lost the home T20I series against Sri Lanka immediately after he took charge.

    It is pertinent to mention that the former cricketer recently parted ways with Pakistan Super League (PSL’s) team Islamabad United.

    IU’s official Twitter account said that he wanted to focus on commitments with the National side.

  • PAK vs NZ Test: Best vs worst performances

    PAK vs NZ Test: Best vs worst performances

    New Zealand bowled out Pakistan by 186 runs in the second Test match at Christchurch on Wednesday, beating by an innings and 176 runs to sweep the series 2-0 and top the world rankings for the first time.

    The home team presented their career best performances while the visitors show-cased their career worst performances. Meanwhile, Shan Masood led the board with his quacktrick.

    https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1346406792020967426?s=08

    Kyle Jamieson took three of the four dismisals after lunch as Pakistan went to tea on day four in Christchurch at 134 for seven, needing a further 228 runs to make New Zealand bat again.

    The 2.3 metre (6ft 8in) Jamieson had figures of six for 38 to go with his five for 69 in the first innings to become the first bowler to take more than 10 wickets in a Test at Hagley Oval.

    The Kiwi bowler with his 11 wickets was the nightmare for the opponent team as he became the first bowler to take more than 10 wickets in a Test at Hagley Oval, leading him to win the Player of the Match award.

    Meanwhile, the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson with Man of the Series performance led from the front taking his team to not only a series victory but also the number one ranked Test team in the world right now.

    The 30-year-old scored 388 runs in the two Tests at a whopping average of 129 including a double ton in the same match.

    There was resistance from Azhar Ali (37), Abid Ali (26) and later Faheem Ashraf (28) and Zafar Gohar (37), but the batsmen couldn’t stitch together partnerships big enough to demotivate New Zealand, and that proved to be their undoing.

    Zafar Gohar, the debutant, resisted well thereafter, but Williamson got into the act with the ball at the other end, dismissing Shaheen Afridi (7). When Gohar then holed out off Boult, history was sealed.

    Williamson is also crowned as the first centurion of 2021.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan’s performance was the worst. Worst bowling, fielding and performances by the players except for Muhammad Rizwan, who tried his best in both the matches with his three half-centuries.

    Netizens criticised Masood for his performance in the Tests – the left-handed Pakistan opener scored a pair of ducks in the second Test against New Zealand, which when paired with his duck from the second innings of the previous Test gave him three straight failures.

    Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi also expressed his disappointment over the national squad’s hapless performance in the second Test at Christchurch, describing it as “very poor”.

    His comments come in the wake of Pakistan’s crushing defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the second Test match at Christchurch by an innings and 176 runs.