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Tag: Pakistan Cricket Team

  • Pakistan cricket fights back…hard

    Pakistanis are on a high these days after Pakistan cricket team’s three consecutive wins at the T20 World Cup. Pakistan is on the top in their group with three out of three wins against India, New Zealand and Afghanistan. We still have to play the remaining two matches against Namibia and Scotland next week (November 2 and 7) before the semi-finals.

    Pakistan cricket team broke its jinx by beating India for the first time in a World Cup match. And what a win it was! We restricted the India side to just 151 runs and we chased the score without losing a single wicket. The second match against New Zealand was even more special as this had come after the team pulled out of its tour to Pakistan last month.

    In September, cricket fans across Pakistan were heartbroken after New Zealand’s disappointing decision to abandon the Pakistan series over “security threats” just minutes before the first One-Day International (ODI) match was about to begin in Rawalpindi. Following New Zealand’s unilateral decision, England also decided to cancel their men’s and women’s teams’ tour to Pakistan in October. New Zealand was to play in Pakistan after almost 18 years while England’s men have not played an international match in Pakistan since 2005 and their women’s team were to visit the country for the first time.

    It was not just the cricket fans who were disappointed; apart from the huge financial loss to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) because of these cancellations, it must have affected the Pakistan cricket team as well. After the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2009, Pakistan has had to play their ‘home series’ away from home for many years. Cricket came back to Pakistan due to the efforts of Najam Sethi and others at the PCB.

    We Pakistanis criticise our team a lot when they don’t perform well but we need to understand what our players have been through for more than a decade now. They have been away from their families for months on end due to home series in the UAE; they have had to rebuild the team after the 2010 spot-fixing scandal; Pakistanis are kept out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to political reasons; and they have had to face discrimination in cricket because of India’s influence at the International Cricket Council (ICC) – Pakistan does not get enough bilateral series and enough international matches to compete with other teams. Under such difficult circumstances, our team has won the ICC Champions Trophy, ruled the Test rankings, made the Pakistan Super League (PSL) a huge international success and much more. We are proud of our Men in Green. They have cheered us up in the most depressing of times. Pakistan Zindabad.

  • ‘Disgrace to journalism, cricket’: Netizens lash out at Pakistani journalist for asking political questions from Mohammed Nabi

    ‘Disgrace to journalism, cricket’: Netizens lash out at Pakistani journalist for asking political questions from Mohammed Nabi

    A Pakistani journalist in a post-match press conference asked Afghan skipper Mohammad Nabi about the country’s political relations with Pakistan. The journalist continued by asking that if the new friendly relationship with Pakistan will help Afghanistan cricket flourish.

    Nabi refused to answer the question saying that he will only answer cricket-related questions.

    People on social media called out the journalist for the inappropriate question. Have a look at some of the Twitter reactions:

    https://twitter.com/woruksha/status/1454169244078387206

    Read more- ‘Aik over main 25 bhi kar leinge’: Asif Ali to Shoaib Malik

    Pakistan beat Afghanistan yesterday by five wickets in their Group 2 Super 12 match of the ICC T20 World Cup.

  • ‘Good relations’: Williamson hopes there are no grudges between Pak-NZ

    ‘Good relations’: Williamson hopes there are no grudges between Pak-NZ

    The captain of the New Zealand Cricket team, Kane Williamson, on Monday said that he hopes Pakistan cricket team will keep no grudges against New Zealand.

    Read More – ‘A real shame’: NZ captain displeased with his team’s decision

    Addressing a press conference in Sharjah, he said that Pakistan and New Zealand enjoy good relations and that the upcoming T20 World Cup match between two teams “will be played in right spirits”.

    Kane Williamson’s comments came in response to the question asked if he expects any acrimony or grudges following the last-minute pullout of the New Zealand cricket team from their Pakistan tour.

    Replying to the question, the NZ skipper said that the situation was very disappointing. “I know the team members were very much looking forward to the occasion and playing cricket in Pakistan, and it was ‘a real shame’ that it wasn’t able to go ahead,” he said on the eve of the match.

    “The focus now is here at the T20 World Cup and no doubt after last night’s performance, Pakistan have some momentum and are feeling pretty good about their cricket,” he said.

    “But there are also a lot of good relations within the two teams. Over the years, they have played a lot against each other, and several players have played with each other, as well. I am sure it will be played in the right spirit,” Williamson said.

    Williamson praised the spectacular performance of Pakistan against India. “It was a fantastic performance. I think Pakistan has come to the T20 World Cup full of confidence, having played in these conditions more than most.”

    “They certainly put it on the show last night and showed why they are one of the favorites in the competition,” he said shedding light on Pakistan’s performance against India.

    “Tomorrow, I am sure they’ll be very strong again, so, for us, it is focusing on the cricket that we want to play and trying to adjust to conditions,” he added.

    Pakistan is set to play New Zealand in their second match of Super 12s today (Tuesday).

  • Pakistan crushes India: All the memes you cannot miss

    Pakistan crushes India: All the memes you cannot miss

    History has been made. Pakistan defeated India for the first time in a World Cup fixture by 10 wickets after losing 12 straight matches to the Men in Blue.

    While chasing 152, Pakistani openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan played till the end. Shaheen Shah Afridi remained in the limelight by taking three blue wickets, including skipper Virat Kohli’s at 57.

    Since Sunday night, hashtags related to the match have been trending as Pakistanis were cheering the brilliant victory of boys in green.

    Memes were all over Pakistani Twitter so here are all the MUST-SEE memes that you cannot miss.

    Sorry neighbour, we rock!

  • Sohaib Maqsood replaced by Shoaib Malik after back injury

    Sohaib Maqsood replaced by Shoaib Malik after back injury

    Sohaib Maqsood has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 due to a lower back injury and has been replaced by Shoaib Malik.

    As per a press release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Sohaib underwent MRI scans for the lower back on Thursday after picking up the injury during October 6 match against Northern and consequently missed October 7 match against Central Punjab.

    Chief selector Muhammad Wasim said: “Sohaib is devastated to miss out on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as he had worked hard for this event and was in sparkling form. We feel for him but injuries are part and parcel of the sport. I am sure after undergoing rehabilitation, he’ll fully recover to be available for future assignments.”

    “In his place and following discussions with the team management, we have decided to include Shoaib Malik in the side. I am sure Shoaib’s experience will be handy for the entire squad,” he added.

    Shoaib Malik captained Pakistan in the inaugural T20 World Cup event in 2007 and was a member of the side that won the tournament in 2009. After missing the West Indies event in 2010, he featured in the 2012, 2014 and 2016 tournaments.

    The Pakistan squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 will depart for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on October 15. They will play two warm-up matches against the West Indies and South Africa on October 18 and 20, respectively before taking on India in a Group-2 fixture on October 24 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

    Pakistan squad include Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shoaib Malik.

    Travelling reserves are Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir.

  • ‘They would not have done this to India’: Holding criticises ECB’s decision over not touring Pakistan

    ‘They would not have done this to India’: Holding criticises ECB’s decision over not touring Pakistan

    Former West Indies pacer Michael Holding has strongly criticised England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the cancellation of the scheduled tour of Pakistan, saying it smacks of ‘western arrogance’.

    “What that signal sends to me is the same western arrogance,” said Holding while receiving Peter Smith Award.

    Read More – ‘Mujhe afsos hai, England’s tour not cancelled over security’: British High Commissioner

    “I will treat you how I feel like treating you – it doesn’t matter what you think, I will just do what I want.”

    “Four days in Pakistan [was all they would have spent], I am absolutely sure they would not have done that to India.”

    “You know why? Because India is rich and powerful. I am in total agreement with Mike Atherton and [cricket writer] George Dobell, who wrote articles condemning England and the ECB,” he added.

    Holding reminded ECB about Pakistan’s last tour of England during Covid-19 peak.

    The former cricketer further said: “They were going for four days. Pakistan went to England [in 2020] before vaccines were available for six, seven weeks, something like that. They stayed, they played their cricket, they were in that bubble.”

    Read More – ‘Decision of England board is cowardly, was made out of fear of the players and India’: British author

    “I was in that bubble and it wasn’t fantastic but it was better than going out into society, where we know Covid was and without any vaccinations available to anyone.”

    “They stayed, they played, and honoured what England wanted them to honour, and now you have an opportunity to try and repay them to a small degree,” he concluded.

  • Pakistan vs India match tickets sold out within hours

    Pakistan vs India match tickets sold out within hours

    Tickets for the much-anticipated T20 World Cup contest between Pakistan and India were sold out within hours.

    Read More – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 schedule announced

    According to details, International Cricket Council (ICC) put the tickets for T20 World Cup up on sale on Sunday with a maximum capacity of 70 per cent crowd following Covid-19 protocols.

    Within hours, the tickets for Pakistan vs India were sold out, as expected. The high-octane clash is scheduled for October 24 at Dubai International Stadium.

    Read More – Pakistan, India placed in same group in T20 World Cup

    The arch-rivals will meet after almost three years. They last played against each other in Asia Cup 2018.

    The T20 World Cup is to be played in the UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

  • NZ coach urges players to block out noise around T20 World Cup opener against Pak

    NZ coach urges players to block out noise around T20 World Cup opener against Pak

    New Zealand cricket team coach Gary Stead urged his players to block out the noise around the upcoming Twenty20 (T20) World Cup opener against Pakistan.

    According to Stuff, Stead said, “Certainly, being that it’s Pakistan, people will hype that up, but for us, it’s no different to any other match we play against them.”

    The Kiwis will begin their World T20 campaign against Pakistan on October 26 at Sharjah after cancelling the tour of Pakistan minutes before the first One-Day International (ODI), citing a ‘security threat’.

    Stead admitted that the decision to abandon the tour was disappointing for Pakistan but explained that it was not the team’s decision to make.

    “Sometimes you don’t get made aware of everything, either. It’s really hard for me to comment on,” he said.

    Following New Zealand’s abrupt decision, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also called off their Pakistan tour.

  • PCB to take tough stance against New Zealand

    PCB to take tough stance against New Zealand

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to take a tough stance against the New Zealand Cricket Team (NZC) at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting, according to Geo News’ sources.

    The board has decided to contact influential players and commentators from around the world and seek their support in this matter.

    The ICC board meeting will be held during the upcoming T20 World Cup. The World Cup is scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

    Prior to this Prime Minister, Imran Khan spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and informed her that Pakistan has one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team, PCB has confirmed.

    Earlier, Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja had said that New Zealand will hear Pakistan at the ICC meeting. Terming the abrupt decision as a “crazy day”, the chairman added that he felt sorry for fans and the players.

    Last week, PCB, in its press release, revealed that New Zealand Cricket authorities unilaterally called off the ODI and T20 series without taking them into confidence and had not shared any details about the threats with the board or Pakistan’s security agencies.

  • Matthew Hayden, Vernon Philander new Pakistan coaches for T20 World Cup

    Matthew Hayden, Vernon Philander new Pakistan coaches for T20 World Cup

    Pakistan’s cricket team will be coached by Australian Matthew Hayden and South African Vernon Philander during the T20 World Cup, the newly elected Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja said in a press conference on Monday.

    Hayden and Philander will be taking over from the pair of Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis, who resigned from their posts one month ahead of the T20 World Cup.

    Speaking about Hayden, Raja said: “The Australian can bring some aggression into the team. He has experience of World Cups and was a world-class player himself. Having an Australian in the dressing room will be of great benefit for us.”

    On Philander he said: “I know him well, he understands the nuances of bowling and he has a great record in Australia.”

    The development of adding Hayden and Philander to the Pakistan side comes after the sudden resignations of Misbah and Waqar.

    According to ESPNcricinfo, “Hayden and Philander have exceptional credentials as cricketers, but neither has any substantive coaching experience. Philander only retired from international cricket in 2020, and was due to take part in the South African domestic season which begins on September 24 this year. Hayden retired in 2009, and has taken on occasional media work, but his assignment with Pakistan at the World Cup is his first major coaching assignment.”

    PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja also announced that 192 cricketers with domestic contracts will see an increase of PKR100,000 in monthly retainers across all rungs. This means that domestic men’s cricketers in the 2021-22 season, which begins with the Cricket Associations T20, the Second XI competition, from September 15 at Quetta’s Bugti Stadium, will now earn between PKR140,000 to PKR250,000 per month, which is an increase of 250 per cent for the players in the D category, which is the lowest category.

    Earlier, the PCB announced that Misbah and Waqar have resigned and that former Pakistan Test players, Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq would be interim coaches for the time being.

    Read More – Pakistan squad for New Zealand, England and ICC T20 World Cup announced

    The Pakistan team is in Rawalpindi and are practicing ahead of their One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand.

    Meanwhile, the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be the seventh ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament, with matches taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman from October 17 to November 14, 2021.