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  • End of tour? Six Pakistan cricketers test positive for COVID-19 in New Zealand

    At least six members of the Pakistan Cricket Team — that is under managed insolation facility — have tested positive for coronavirus in Christchurch, confirmed the New Zealand Cricket and International Cricket Council.

    Two of the six results had been deemed “historical”, while four are dubbed as fresh cases. It is not clear at this stage if the six who tested positive are players, staff members, or others in the touring party. They will move into quarantine in the managed isolation facility.

    “All six squad members would be moved to the quarantine arm of the managed isolation facility, while the team’s exemption to train had been put on hold until investigations had been completed,” reports in foreign media stated.

    Pakistan, who arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday, were set to face the Black Caps in three T20s and two test matches, starting on December 20. However, the team was supposed to go under a two-week isolation period as a precautionary measure against coronavirus. According to the NZ cricket board, some of the Pakistan players also flouted the restrictions on their first day of managed isolation.

    “We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements,” the board said.

    “While this is disappointing for the Pakistan squad, the testing outcomes and the actions taken show the Government system is working,” NZC said in a statement. It further added that the health and safety of the touring teams was of paramount importance.

    In September, the NZ sports minister had said that if a player “tests positive it would probably mean the end of the tour as games couldn’t be played”.

  • Football legend Maradona passes away at 60

    Football legend Diego Maradona of Argentina passed away at the age of 60 on Wednesday.

    According to reports, the 1986 World Cup winner passed away at home in Tigre after suffering a heart attack.

    Maradona was recovering at home following brain surgery in Buenos Aires, where he was successfully treated for a possible bleeding on the brain earlier this month.

    Last Friday, Maradona was sedated by medics after the former footballer suffered issues related to alcohol dependency following his surgery, with doctors describing the legend as suffering from a “mix” of serious issues, including cardiovascular and liver issues.

    It was stated that Maradona would require constant support, including admission to an alcohol addiction clinic, following his discharge from hospital.

    However, according to Argentinian newspaper Clarín, while recovering at home, Maradona suffered a heart attack and passed away shortly afterward.

    A national hero in his home country, Maradona also captained Argentina to the 1990 World Cup final in defence of their title, losing to West Germany.

    Domestically, he won two Series A titles with Napoli, including a league and cup double in 1987, as well as the UEFA Cup, his only European trophy. 

    A short tenure at Camp Nou with Barcelona nevertheless saw the barrel-chested Maradona win three domestic cups in 1983, before falling out with management.

    He is celebrated as one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced the field.

  • Hafeez says his 12-year-old son has better game awareness than Ramiz Raja

    Hafeez says his 12-year-old son has better game awareness than Ramiz Raja

    Mohammad Hafeez’s induction into Pakistan’s squad for the New Zealand tour has led to a rift between the all-rounder and cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja.

    According to reports, the war of words got intensified after Hafeez stated that his 12-year-old son has better game awareness than Raja.

    The episode began after Ramiz Raja showed disinterest over Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) backing experienced players and not giving enough chances to the youth ahead of the upcoming men’s T20 World Cup in India.

    The former Pakistan cricketer asked senior cricketers like Hafeez to retire gracefully and give opportunity to the youngsters to showcase their skills on a stage like the upcoming World Cup.

    Disagreeing to Raja’s views, Hafeez gave a controversial statement during a conversation with Cricket Pakistan.

    “I acknowledge Ramiz [Raja] services for Pakistan cricket as a player. I respect his opinion but I have reservations over his cricketing sense and game awareness. If you talk to my 12-year-old son, even his game awareness is better than Ramiz Bhai,” Hafeez told Cricket Pakistan.

    “If Ramiz bhai wants to continue saying such things to boost his YouTube channel, then I can’t stop him but I will continue to play for Pakistan as long as I’m fit and performing,” he further added.

    Hafeez asserted that as long as he is fit and performing on the field, he deserves a place in the Pakistan dressing room.

    “If I’m unable to meet the fitness and performance standards, or believe there is a better product ready for Pakistan, I’d happily leave. I’m very satisfied with my cricketing career,” Mohammad Hafeez said.

  • Pakistan cricket team departs for NZ without Fakhar Zaman

    The Pakistan cricket team departed for their month-long tour of New Zealand in the wee hours of Monday. Upon arrival, the team will enter a two-week quarantine period in Lincoln in line with the New Zealand government’s COVID-19 protocols.

    The 54-member squad includes 34 players and 20 officials.

    Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests during the tour. The T20 matches will be played on December 18, 20 and 22 whereas the two Test matches are scheduled to be played on December 26 and January 3.

    According to details, the squad will be in isolation for the first three days after arriving in NZ. After the first phase of COVID-19 testing, the players will be divided into groups and all activities, including training, will continue in those respective groups.

    During quarantine, there will be three rounds of COVID-19 tests and after 14 days, the squad will be allowed to move around freely.

    Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tour to New Zealand after showing symptoms of COVID-19 before the squad’s departure. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a press release, confirmed that Fakhar has fever and is yet to recover in time for the Pakistan squad’s departure for the tour.

    The board said the decision to withdraw Fakhar from the tour was made keeping the health of the rest of the squad members as a top priority.

    “Fakhar has been isolated in the team hotel in Lahore as soon as his condition was detected and the PCB’s medical panel is now monitoring him,” stated PCB.

    Earlier on November 11, Head Coach Misbah-ul-Haq had announced the 35-player squad for Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand.

  • Women’s T20 championship offers hefty incentives to players

    The National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket championship is scheduled to kick off on Sunday at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. The championship will run from November 22 to December 1.

    Read more – Women cricketers travel to Karachi ‘in bags’

    As per details, 42 players will take part in the championship, which will be played on a double-league basis with the top two teams competing in the final on December 1.

    Following a 100 percent increase in their domestic match-fee, women cricketers will have an added incentive to bring out the best performances as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has doubled the prize money for the event from the last season.

    The top-run getter and player of the tournament in the last edition will be eager to defend the title with Rs 1million up for grabs for the championship winners. The runner-up will pocket Rs 500,000.

    Rs 50,000 will be awarded to the player of the championship, while player of the match will get Rs 20,000.

    Aliya Riaz , Ramin Shamim and Muneeba Ali will captain PCB Blasters , PCB Dynamites and PCB Challengers respectively.

    The championship will be live streamed on PCB’s YouTube channel through a nine-camera production. Keeping in view the COVID-19 situation special guidelines for media have also been issued by PCB.

  • Babar Azam oozes swag in new video

    Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam is oozing swag in a new video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The video, which has been released, just before the team departs for New Zealand, shows the captain at his stylish best at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

    “Presenting to you the all-format Pakistan captain,” said PCB in the caption.

    Meanwhile, in a press conference, Babar said that the team was fully prepared to face New Zealand on its upcoming tour and expressed confidence in the team.

    “Our team is very excited to go on its New Zealand tour and players are in the right frame of mind to perform to the best of their ability and potential,” said the cricketer.

    The batsman said that though the team was taking New Zealand as a challenge, it was not under pressure.

    “We will enjoy the tour and make efforts to play a good game,” said Azam.

    The skipper said that all the players included in the team were capable and try to deliver their best performances.

    “We always face challenges and playing abroad is a difficult task, but we have been playing well when abroad. For example, we showed a good performance in England,” he said. At the same time, however, he stressed that players must work hard and stay in form to prove themselves. He said that while younger players should learn from seniors on the team, the latter should “demonstrate their best performance”.

    Azam rubbished reports of “grouping” among players, saying that the team was a single unit whose “objective is to play for Pakistan and strive to achieve glory for the country”.

    He also thanked former captains Sarfaraz Ahmed and Azhar Ali, both of whom were removed by PCB, and said that he has learned from both his predecessors and will consult them whenever needed.

    “I am the one responsible for making decisions but I will consult them too,” he maintained.

    Pakistan will leave for New Zealand on November 23 and will complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine period in Lincoln.

    The three-match T20 series between Pakistan and New Zealand will start on December 18 and end on December 22.

    The ICC World Test Championship fixtures will be played in Mount Maunganui and Christchurch from December 26-30 and January 3-7, respectively.

  • England to tour Pakistan after 16 years

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the England cricket team will visit Pakistan for a short tour in October 2021.

    According to details, England’s men’s team will make their first visit to Pakistan in 16 years for a two-match T20 International series next October. The two games, to be held in Karachi on October 14 and 15, will be part of the 2021 T20 World Cup build-up.

    England will arrive in Karachi on October 12, and both the sides will depart for India on October 16 for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the end of the series.

    Sharing his thoughts on the development, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “I am delighted to confirm that England will be touring Pakistan to play two T20Is in October 2021. This will be their first visit to Pakistan for 16 years and will open the door for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season.”

    He added, “The ECB’s confirmation further endorses Pakistan as safe and secure. Importantly, this announcement speaks volumes for the relationship that we have with the ECB and I would like to thank the ECB for their strong will and desire to make this short tour a reality.”

    Meanwhile, Chief Executive of England Cricket Board Tom Harrison said that it is “a real pleasure” to announce the tour.

    “This will be the first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan and, as such, it represents a significant moment for both nations,” said Harrison.

    England last toured Pakistan in 2005 when they played three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. The subsequent series between the two sides in 2012 and 2015 were played in the United Arab Emirates.

    PCB announces Super League fixtures against England

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team will be touring England and Wales in July 2021. The tour will comprise three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODIs and as many T20Is.

    As per the press release, the ODIs will be played in Cardiff, London (Lord’s) and Birmingham on July 8, 10 and 13 respectively while the T20Is will be held in Nottingham, Leeds and Manchester on July 16, 18 and 20 respectively.

    Read more – Are IPL’s Mumbai Indians the greatest domestic T20 side ever?

    England leads the points table of the qualification league for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with 30 points from two three-ODI series. Pakistan shares the second spot with Australia on 20 points following a 2-1 series win over Zimbabwe, while Zimbabwe and Ireland are on 10 points each.

    The remaining eight sides in the 13-team competition are yet to play their opening fixtures in the Super League from which the seven top-ranked sides and World Cup hosts India will progress directly for the event proper to take place in October/November 2023.

    The ODI series against England will be one of Pakistan’s three away fixtures in 2021 with the other two being against South Africa (April 2021) and Afghanistan (September 2021). In addition to these away series, Pakistan will play two home Super League fixtures against New Zealand and the West Indies in October and December 2021, respectively.

    Pakistan is presently sixth in ODIs behind England, India, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, while Babar Azam’s side is ranked fourth behind Australia, England and India in T20Is. Pakistan sits seventh in Tests.

  • ‘Please bowl slow to me next time,’ Afridi tells Rauf

    Shahid Afridi has responded to Haris Rauf’s yorker that dismissed him on duck.

    In an interview with ESPN Cric Info Haris, while talking about the ball and his apology to Lala, said, “I have an aggressive style of celebration after taking a wicket, but when I dismissed Shahid Bhai yesterday, it was different as he is a superstar. He has given a lot of performances and won matches for Pakistan. So, it was essential for me to give him respect. I was not apologising, I was giving him respect.”

    In response to the interview, Afridi remarked: “It was a great and unplayable yorker, Haris. Very well bowled.”

    “Please bowl slow to me next time,” he added.

    Afridi also congratulated Qalandars for their win and hoped for an exciting final between Lahore and Karachi. He also thanked his fans for supporting Multan Sultans this season.

    Earlier in another interview, Rauf also said that Lahore versus Karachi is like an India-Pakistan match.

    Lahore and Karachi will be battling tonight (November 17) for half a million dollars and glittery golden PSL Trophy.

  • ‘Sorry Lala’: Haris Rauf apologises to Afridi for dismissing him

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

    Power hitter, Shahid Khan Afridi got clean-bowled on a duck by Haris Rauf’s yorker in a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans. After dismissing the legend, Haris apologised to the senior player, the video of which went viral on social media.

    https://twitter.com/thePSLt20/status/1328038153790304256?s=20

    Afridi is nowhere close to the explosive big hitter he once was. There’s little need to get excited by him walking out to bat; he might once have been a trailblazer, but several around the world have mastered and bettered, the art. At 40, any exploits off Afridi’s bat are very much dying embers of a flame that once burned brightly, but Haris may just have snuffed them out in the eliminator match.

    In the 14th over when Afridi walked out to bat, Rauf bowled a yorker first up tailing into middle stump. Few might have kept it out, but Afridi was notably slow in getting his bat down, the ball, whistling through his legs and onto the base of middle stump.

    As Afridi began to walk off, Rauf clasped his hands together by way of apology. It was Rauf’s 50th T20 wicket this year and the 27-year-old is now the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket this year (50 wickets from 31 games).

    Later, in field when asked by the commentator via spider cam that why did he do that, on which he said: “He is a senior player and I came to play with this intention that if I’ll take Shahid bhai’s wicket, I will do this style.”

    VIDEO: ‘Family Guy’ features Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings joke in new episode

    Meanwhile, the biggest rivalry in PSL’s history is about to go down on Tuesday’s (November 17) match as both the teams [KK & LQ] will now get their first chance to snatch the trophy.

  • Return of PSL: Which foreign cricketers are playing today?

    All eyes will be on Karachi’s National Stadium as HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 returns this afternoon.

    Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi are all set to battle for the glittering trophy and a prize of $500,000 as the cricketing tournament returns after an eight-month gap caused due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

    While all four squads have been rejigged with international and local stars joining the sides, the following foreign players will be satisfying cricketing fanatics until the final scheduled for Tuesday (Nov 17).

    Karachi Kings

    Alex Hales (England), Cameron Delport (South Africa), Chadwick Walton (West Indies), Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies) and Wayne Parnel (South Africa).

    Lahore Qalandars

    Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh), David Wiese (South Africa), Samit Patel (England), Ben Dunk (Australia) and Dane Vilas (South Africa).

    Multan Sultans

    Adam Lyth (England), Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe), Imran Tahir (South Africa), Joe Denly (England), Ravi Bopara (England) and Rilee Rossouw (South Africa).

    Peshawar Zalmi

    Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies), Faf du Plessis (South Africa), Hardus Viljoen (South Africa) and Saqib Mahmood (England).

    As for today’s clashes, Sultans will be facing Kings in the qualifier at 3 pm, whereas underdog Qalandars will be taking on former champions Zalmi in the first eliminator at 8 pm.

    The second eliminator is scheduled for Sunday evening.