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  • Here’s how the PSL players are keeping themselves entertained in their bubble

    Here’s how the PSL players are keeping themselves entertained in their bubble

    Cricket players who are in currently in Karachi for Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) remaining matches were seen spending their free time playing indoor games.

    With COVID-19 still a threat, players are required to stay in their bio-secure bubble in order to stay safe from the virus. This means that they are not allowed to leave the premises of hotel and stadium. All matches will also be behind closed doors.

    After practice sessions, the players were seen enjoying their free time playing snooker, indoor cricket, jenga and board games.

    Babar enjoying snooker
    Chadwick playing Table Tennis

    The official handle of Karachi Kings also shared a video in which Babar bowled to Wahab Riaz in the corridor while Imam ul Haq cheered for them.

    Meanwhile, the playoffs and final of the fifth edition of PSL will be played from November 14 to 17 in Karachi.

  • PSL 2020: Strict security arrangements in Karachi cause discomfort to citizens

    PSL 2020: Strict security arrangements in Karachi cause discomfort to citizens

    Strict security arrangements in place for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoff matches in Karachi, starting on November 14, have become a cause of discomfort for citizens of the metropolis.

    According to reports, a large area around the National Stadium Karachi (NSK) was cordoned off on Wednesday by security forces for the practice match between Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans. A huge contingent of police and other law-enforcing agencies was deployed inside and outside the venue hindering the movement of residents in the surrounding areas.

    According to details, authorities have also blocked the road from Karsaz to the stadium for heavy traffic, and no public transport is allowed on that road. The entry points at the KDA scheme along the Karsaz Road have also been sealed with the help of heavy containers.

    People living in the surrounding areas have been restricted to their homes for the last three to four days causing them a lot of inconvenience. People argued that if there was no audience attending the matches, then why was the need for the areas to be sealed.

    The PSL playoffs were suspended on March 17 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Initially, the play-offs were scheduled in Lahore but were shifted to Karachi due to weather issues.

    In the qualifier, on November 14 the table-toppers Multan Sultans will face second-placed Karachi Kings. In the first eliminator, former champions Peshawar Zalmi will lock horns with the third-placed Lahore Qalandars.

    The second eliminator will be held on November 15 between the losers of the qualifier and winners of the first eliminator. The final take place on November 17.

  • Younis to remain batting coach for two years

    Younis to remain batting coach for two years

    Former captain Younis Khan will continue as the men’s batting coach of Pakistan until the Twenty20 World Cup in 2022, the Pakistan cricket board (PCB) said on Thursday.

    Younis is the only Pakistani batsman in Test cricket’s 10,000-run club and accompanied the side on their tour of England this summer.

    “The PCB will also be utilising Younis Khan’s expertise and skills when he’s not on national duty as he will help local batsmen hone their skills,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said in a statement.

    “This is part of the PCB’s strategy to appoint highly-qualified and respected coaches across all major centres of the country so that we can start producing cricketers who can represent Pakistan with distinction.”

    The board said the appointment of Younis will be “until, at least” the 2022 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Australia in October-November.

    Younis scored 10,099 runs and 34 hundreds in 118 Tests, and also played 265 one-dayers and 25 T20 internationals for Pakistan.

    The 42-year-old said he was pleased to take up the job on a long-term basis.

    “I am particularly happy that my scope of work has been extended beyond the national duties,” he added.

    “I am equally interested and keen at working at the domestic level by identifying potential batsmen and then helping them improve their skills.”

  • Are IPL’s Mumbai Indians the greatest domestic T20 side ever?

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

    Mumbai Indians on Tuesday defeated Delhi Capitals in the final of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 becoming the most successful IPL team in history. The defending champions lifted the trophy of IPL for the fifth time, following which the International Cricket Council (ICC) asked their followers if the team was “the greatest domestic T20 side ever.”

    Soon after the post by ICC, a debate erupted in which some Twitter users pointed out that the council is forgetting Sialkot Stallions, the most successful Pakistani domestic team, which under Imran Nazir and Shoaib Malik’s captaincy has six National T20 Cup wins in Pakistan. This record is jointly held by Pakistan’s Sialkot Stallions and South Africa’s Titans.

    Many teams have registered pretty long winning streaks in recent times but have fallen a long way behind the biggest winning streak ever recorded in Twenty20 cricket but Stallions hold the record as they won 25 consecutive matches in the T20 format which they played across six domestic competitions. The dream run came to a tragic end in October 2010 when Sialkot fell 14 runs short of a 198-run chase against Rawalpindi Rams.

    Mumbai now needs only one more title to equal the aforementioned record. Though Mumbai has two Titles of Champions trophy, it does not fall under the domestic radar. Hence, it is premature to announce them the greatest domestic T20 side ever.

    Meanwhile, check out some arguments on Twitter below:

  • Kyun Nikala?: ‘Misbah Saab he bataa saktay hain,’ says Mohammad Amir

    Kyun Nikala?: ‘Misbah Saab he bataa saktay hain,’ says Mohammad Amir

    Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Malik and Asad Shafiq have been dropped from the 35-member squad announced for Pakistan’s upcoming tour of New Zealand, stirring up a debate on social media. The tour is scheduled to take place in December.

    According to a press release, the management wants to give a fair chance to youngsters like 20-year-old Shafique in the T20 format, which is why they decided to drop the three senior players. Babar Azam, who is now the captain across all formats, will lead both the T20I and Test sides in New Zealand.

    Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq, explaining the decision said: “There are three major omissions from the side that toured England. Shafiq has been left out due to lack of form after he managed 510 runs in his last 15 innings, including a total of 67 runs in England.”

    “Malik and Amir are not part of the white-ball matches as for this tour we have opted to invest, develop and focus on the promising and emerging players who are likely to be available to Pakistan for all formats,” he added.

    Meanwhile on the other hand, the board has shown their confidence in other senior players like Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Hafeez.

    When asked why he was left out of the team, Amir responded: “Misbah saab hi bata sakte hain, but good luck for team green.”

    Later, when a journalist remarked that this was Amir’s ‘Mujhe Kyun Nikala‘ moment, Amir said: “Hahaha, good one.”

    Later, responding to another tweet, Amir said that he has placed his trust with God and not with people.

    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.

  • Babar Azam is Pakistan’s new Test captain

    Babar Azam is Pakistan’s new Test captain

    Babar Azam has been appointed as Pakistan Test captain, which now makes him the captain across all three formats. He replaces Azhar Ali, who last captained Pakistan against England this summer.

    Babar’s first assignment will be to captain Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship fixtures against New Zealand, which will be played in Mount Maunganui and Christchurch from December 26-30 and January 3-7, respectively.

    https://twitter.com/ICC_TODAY/status/1326198521125609472?s=20

    PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani confirmed the appointment following a meeting with Azhar on Tuesday evening in which he also thanked him for his contributions as a captain. The PCB Chairman subsequently spoke with Babar following his side’s eight wickets in the third T20I against Zimbabwe and congratulated him on his appointment.

    PCB Chairman said, “I want to thank Azhar for stepping up last year by captaining the side in what was a historic first home Test series in over a decade. I believe Azhar still has a lot of cricket left in him and Pakistan cricket can continue to make the best use of his experience and knowledge as specialist top-order batsman moving forward.”

    Mani further said, “Babar was identified at a very young age as a future leader and as part of his progression and development, he was appointed white-ball captain last year. With his consistent performance and leadership skills, he has demonstrated that he is ready to take on the additional responsibilities of a captain.”

    The chairman concluded by saying, “As we are looking into the future, it is appropriate that we appoint him the captain now so that he continues to grow stronger with every match.”

    Meanwhile, Babar while sharing his thoughts on his appointment said, “I feel truly honoured to have been appointed Test captain and join some of the most iconic players who have captained Pakistan in the purest format of the game. I can now say with conviction that dreams can come true only if you chase them with honesty, dedication and commitment.”

    “I am ready and prepared to take up the additional responsibility and the fact which gives me additional confidence is that I can do the job is the experience that is available to me in the changing room in the shape of the players and support staff,” he added.

    Babar also thanked Azhar for the way he captained the team in the last season, which according to him was a challenging task.

  • Virat Kohli to take paternity leave for baby’s birth

    Virat Kohli to take paternity leave for baby’s birth

    Indian captain Virat Kohli will play the test series against Australia next month before taking paternity leave and missing the rest of the matches.

    According to details, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued a statement on Monday confirming that it had granted Kohli’s request for paternity leave during the upcoming series.

    Kohli is expected to play in the limited-overs section of the tour and the day-night test match from December 17-21 before returning to India to be with his wife Anushka Sharma, who is expecting the couple’s first child in January.

    Meanwhile, Anushka shared Virat cleaning his shoes for the tour.

    Back in August, Anushka and Virat had announced on social media that they will soon be turning into a family of three. The couple had shared an adorable picture that had sent their fans and fan clubs into a frenzy.

    View this post on Instagram

    And then, we were three! Arriving Jan 2021 ❤️?

    A post shared by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma) on

    Virat recently celebrated his 32nd birthday in Dubai with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team and Anushka by his side. The couple’s photos as well as Anushka’s appearances at the IPL matches went viral on social media.

  • PSL5: Sania Mirza lands in Karachi to cheer on Shoaib Malik

    PSL5: Sania Mirza lands in Karachi to cheer on Shoaib Malik

    The fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which was was suspended back in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, is all set to resume on November 14.

    International players for the remaining matches have started to arrive in the country and it has emerged that Shoaib Malik’s wife Sania Mirza has also arrived in the country to cheer on her husband and his team Peshawar Zalmi.

    Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandar’s Australian cricketer Ben Dunk has also arrived in Karachi.

    South African players Dan Velas and Cameron Delport, England’s Ravi Bopara , Alex Hales and West Indies’ Chadwick Walton have also reached Karachi.

    Liam Livingstone has been replaced by Saqib Mahmood in the Peshawar Zalmi squad. The replacement has been made after Livingstone became unavailable following his selection in the England’s ODI squad for the South Africa tour.

    Peshawar Zalmi’s West Indies duo Darren Sammy and Carlos Brathwaite are expected to join their respective squad today.

    Multan Sultans’ all-rounder Mahmudullah has been ruled out of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 playoffs after the all-rounder tested positive for COVID-19 in the pre-departure test that was conducted in Bangladesh.

    It should be noted that the cricketers arriving in Karachi will have to undergo coronavirus tests while the matches of the event will be played on November 14, 15 and 17.

    Due to the bad weather conditions, matches from Lahore are relocated to Rawalpindi and Karachi.

  • ‘Among us’: ICC challenges cricket fans to spot the imposter

    ‘Among us’: ICC challenges cricket fans to spot the imposter

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday released a series of images on Twitter featuring famous cricketers alongside their Among Us avatars.

    Among Us is an online multiplayer game centered around a space-theme. Players are given either the role of crew mate or imposter and the objective of the game is to find the imposter before all the crew mates are killed.

    Part of the game includes a wide range of customisation one can do with their avatar and it looks like the ICC had a great time customising avatars. Check them out below:

    While Babar Azam was given a green and yellow avatar, Bismah Maroof got one with a cowboy hat.

    Chris Gayle’s and Andre Russell’s blond hair avatars were the funniest among all.

  • Brother of Pakistani-Australian cricketer jailed over fake terror plot

    Brother of Pakistani-Australian cricketer jailed over fake terror plot

    The brother of Pakistani-Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has been jailed for at least two years and six months for causing a co-worker to be locked up in a maximum-security jail by framing him with fake terrorism claims.

    Arsalan Tariq Khawaja admitted forging entries in the notebook of his UNSW colleague Kamer Nizamdeen in August 2018 after being jealous of his contact with a mutual woman friend, reported an Australian news agency.

    The entries included death threats against then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and the governor-general, as well as lists to attack police stations, an Anzac Day ceremony, the Boxing Day Test match and landmarks including St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.

    In the NSW District Court on Thursday, Judge Robert Weber jailed the 40-year-old for four years and six months with a non-parole period of two years and six months.

    The term was backdated to when he first went into custody, meaning he will be eligible for release on parole in June 2021.

    Khawaja pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and dishonestly influencing a public official.

    He also asked the judge to take into account further matters of forging a document for a public official to accept it as genuine and inducing a witness to give false testimony.

    After Khawaja presented the authorities with the notebook, Nizamdeen was arrested and held in a high-security jail for one month until the truth was discovered.

    Describing his victim impact statement as “compelling evidence of the trauma and emotional harm” suffered by Nizamdeen, the judge noted he was unable to go back to his job and has returned to Sri Lanka.

    His report of having serious flashbacks to his time in prison was hardly surprising, given the innocent man spent part of his time in an isolation cell in a maximum security prison, the judge said.

    Khawaja also admitted that in 2017 he phoned authorities about another innocent man of whom he was jealous and made visa and terrorism accusations, including that the man had trained overseas.

    In the call he named his famous brother as a possible target of the man.

    The judge accepted psychiatric evidence that Khawaja had a borderline personality disorder which provided some explanation as to why such an intelligent man resorted to such “unforgivable” behaviour.