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Tag: PSL

  • Shoaib Akhtar says Fakhar Zaman ‘does not have a brain’

    Shoaib Akhtar says Fakhar Zaman ‘does not have a brain’

    Former Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar has slammed Fakhar Zaman for being “reckless and not putting his hand up while performing for his side in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL)”.

    Akhtar’s remarks came after Zaman, who is playing for Lahore Qalandars, struggled to hit any form in the competition. The left-hander had scored 76 runs in four games, with an average of 24.66 and a strike-rate of 125.42 in the first three matches with 74 runs.

    “The person who doesn’t have a brain is Fakhar Zaman. When you have one player [Chris Lynn] who is already playing fast, then Fakhar needs to understand that he can slow down a bit,” Akhtar said in a YouTube video as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

    “Chris Lynn is not some Viv Richards. Lynn plays well where there is equal bounce like Australia. He is good aggressive player, but you need just one aggressive player like that.

    “Qalandars batting line-up is made up of similar kind of batsmen who just believes in senseless hitting. You can play aggressively and take chances in the powerplay, but in the next 14 overs you need to know how to anchor the innings, take quick singles and then finish well.”

    Shoaib Akhtar, who never minces his words, has been critical of Zaman earlier too. When Pakistan lost to India in the World Cup clash last year, he questioned his technique and the way Zaman reacted to pressure.

    Qalandars will tonight be playing two-time champions of the PSL, Islamabad United, for the second time in the ongoing tournament.

  • Sammy says no one can come between him and his ‘baby’

    Sammy says no one can come between him and his ‘baby’

    Peshawar Zalmi captain Daren Sammy has slammed rumours that implied that he has developed differences with the team owner Javed Afridi after he was rested for Monday’s game against Karachi Kings. Sammy asserted that no one can come between him and his ‘baby’.

    Rumours of differences began to emerge after Sammy posted a cryptic tweet after he was rested for the game. Wahab Riaz captained the team in Sammy’s absence.

    Following Sammy’s tweet, reports emerged that Sammy was upset with the decision to rest him. Zalmi had replaced Sammy with Carlos Brathwaite. The decision was allegedly taken after Sammy’s struggled for form and fitness because of which Zalmi have descended to the fifth position on the PSL 2020 points table.

    The decision to replace Sammy, however, did not work as well as the management expected. Brathwaite managed to score only 8 runs and Peshawar lost the match.

    Shoaib Akhtar, on the other hand, claimed that Sammy had a falling out with Afridi. Shoaib extended his support towards Sammy whom he termed a hero. Akhtar also commented that Shahid Afridi was also once part of the team.

    However, last week, Sammy and Afridi were spotted cruising on the streets of Islamabad.

    Later in the day (Tuesday), Zalmi head coach Mohammad Akram also held a media talk in Rawalpindi in which he refuted the resports and revealed that it was his decision to rest Sammy against Karachi, adding that Sammy, too, was in agreement that he needed rest.

    The head coach explained that resting players is nothing new, also saying that Sammy was given a break to “work on his form and fitness”.

    Meanwhile, Sammy has become the first international cricket player to receive the highest civilian award and honorary citizenship of Pakistan for his contribution to the development of cricket in the country.

    President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi will confer both the citizenship and award, the ‘Nishane Pakistan’, on March 23.

  • Grant Elliott is having a blast in Pakistan and here is proof

    Grant Elliott is having a blast in Pakistan and here is proof

    Former New Zealand cricketer, Grant Elliott, who made PSL history with his iconic bat drop during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2017 may not be making any sixes on the field for Lahore Qalandars this year but he’s definitely winning the Dubsmash game and is having a blast in Pakistan with his fellow commentators Azhar Ali and Fakhre Alam.

    Watch the video to see what we’re talking about.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zdhha0wrxg&feature=youtu.be

    In case your memory needs a refresher, here is his epic bat drop moment.

    Earlier, he had also posted a picture of himself after getting a haircut at Karachi’s renowned hair salon for men Clippers.

  • Australian journalist hosts ‘world’s biggest tea party’ in Abhinandan’s memory

    Australian journalist hosts ‘world’s biggest tea party’ in Abhinandan’s memory

    Australian cricket journalist Dennis Freedman, who is known for his love for Pakistan and trolling India over Twitter, has hosted “world’s biggest tea party” to mark the first anniversary of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s capture following an aerial dog fight in 2019.

    The nation on Thursday honoured the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which countered Indian strikes exactly a year ago in response to India’s violation of Pakistan airspace during the post-Pulwama stand-off.

    Ahead of the celebrations, a group of local and foreign media journalists visited for the first time, the area in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) where the air force downed an Indian aircraft near the Line of Control (LoC) last year.

    On February 27 last year, warplanes from both sides had engaged in a dogfight along the LoC in Kashmir. The PAF had downed an Indian aircraft and arrested Abhinandan. But a day later, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had announced his release as a goodwill gesture.

    With a viral video showing Abhinandan praising officers of the Pakistan Army for being “professional and thorough gentlemen” while having “fantastic” tea served to him under their custody, the words ‘tea’ and ‘fantastic’ repeatedly made headlines for their meanings being changed for good in Pakistan.

    The catchphrase also became the top trend on social media as Pakistan celebrated the first anniversary of the series of events from last year on Thursday, and Dennis, who is in the country to cover the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), tweeted a video saying he was hosting the “world’s biggest tea party”.

    https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1232749713016991746

    He said that people did not need to be in Pakistan with him to join the party, urging people to share their images and videos enjoying tea.

    https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1232966646240874496

    Here’s how Twitterati responded:

    https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1232911848787382272

    The government had earlier this month also decided to celebrate February 27 as “Surprise Day” to commemorate Operation Swift Retort against the IAF.

  • Maya Ali shares what makes her emotional during PSL matches

    Maya Ali shares what makes her emotional during PSL matches

    To be honest, all PSL matches make us emotional – whether we’re watching it in the stadium or at home in front of the TV screens.

    Maya Ali, who is also the celebrity ambassador of Quetta Gladiators, in a social media post, penned her feelings while watching a match at the stadium. Maya wrote: “The one thing I always witness during the PSL matches is that we all gather for Pakistan as a nation, and I get really emotional to see crowds saying Pakistan Zindabad and that moment makes me feel more proud being Pakistani.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B880aXzH5Hu/?utm_source=ig_embed

    The next Quetta Gladiators match is scheduled to take place on Thursday February 26 against Islamabad United.

  • Sammy to be granted highest civilian award, Pakistan citizenship on March 23

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced that West Indies cricketing star and Peshawar Zalmi skipper Darren Sammy will be the recipient of the highest civilian award and honorary citizenship of Pakistan for his contribution to the development of cricket in the country.

    President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi will confer both the citizenship and award, the ‘Nishane Pakistan’, on March 23, the board said on Twitter.

    The Windies player will be the first cricketer to receive the award.

    Following the announcement, Peshawar Zalmi’s franchise owner Javed Afridi said that the recognition of the side’s skipper would encourage other players to provide support. 

    “When Sammy was supporting Pakistan cricket, he did not do this for obtaining citizenship, but this award is in recognition of his services,” Afridi said, adding it would encourage everyone to support Pakistan cricket.

    Meanwhile, Sammy said that his support was in extension for his “love for the country” and that he did not seek any personal gains.

    “My love for Pakistan is natural, my contribution for this country is pure. I don’t need a passport to show my love for this country.  I didn’t do it for myself it is for my affection with the people and for the love I get from here,” Geo Super quoted Sammy as saying.

  • PSL: Traders gear up for daily losses worth around Rs23 billion

    As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gears up to host Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in Lahore, traders have said that strict security measures, such as sealing off markets and roads to facilitate the movement of the teams, are being taken by the government, which would ultimately cause a loss of at least Rs23 billion to local businesses every day, Profit reported.

    According to traders and office bearers at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), they are not against cricket matches as these activities “are very encouraging and aid in improving the image of the country”, but the closure of Liberty Market and others in surrounding areas for just one day will cause losses worth around Rs23 billion.

    “We are frequently in contact with the government and are also putting forth proposals to make a long-term strategy that can help the business community and locals,” the reported quoted them as saying during a press conference at LCCI on Tuesday.

    The LCCI president was of the view that revival of international cricket in Pakistan was a healthy sign and would promote a soft image of the country, but economic activities carried equal importance, therefore, the government should make a plan in consultation with all stakeholders to hold sporting events without affecting businesses.

    He maintained that during cricket matches in the recent past, Liberty and other markets, as well as restaurants adjacent to the Gaddafi Stadium, were shut down, resulting in significant losses to businesses, not only to the traders, but also daily wagers.

    The LCCI president said that the business community was ready to cooperate with the government to ensure all necessary security measures during these matches, but they also wanted that adjacent markets and restaurants not be forced to remain shut because, on top of all the losses, it would create the impression that security conditions are not normal yet.

    “A state-of-the-art luxurious hotel should be built as soon as possible within the premises of Gaddafi Stadium Lahore for guest teams because it is the only solution to address all concerns,” he added.

  • ‘I’m sorry’: Asim Azhar responds to backlash on PSL anthem

    ‘I’m sorry’: Asim Azhar responds to backlash on PSL anthem

    With Pakistan Super League right around the corner, fans are waiting with bated breaths for the fifth edition to start. What’s even more special about this season is the fact that all matches will be played in Pakistan.

    The team behind the league kick-started this season by releasing the PSL anthem. The song Tayyar Hain featured veterans Arif Lohar, Ali Azmat and Haroon along with Azhar. However, the song failed to impress the audiences who took to social media to voice their criticism.

    In a note posted to Twitter, Asim talked about the PSL anthem, the sentiments attached to it and apologised to those who didn’t like it. He also requested people not to resort to personal attacks. However, Azhar added that the memes were great and he enjoyed those.

    Read more – ‘Tayyar Hain’ gets the ball rolling for PSL V

    Haroon endorsed Asim’s statement and said that he personally loved the new PSL song, adding that it will “sound huge in a stadium”.

    https://twitter.com/TheRealHaroon/status/1223277094928560133?s=20

    Tayyar Hain has been composed by Xulfi, while Kamal Khan of Laal Kabootar fame has directed the music video which also features star cricketers including Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood.

    According to the press release, “A total of 22 instruments have been used in creating Tayyar Hain, including indigenous instruments such as tumba, chimta, rubab and harmonium“.

    In case you missed it, watch the song here:

  • Here’s the list of all places where you can buy PSL 5 tickets

    Here’s the list of all places where you can buy PSL 5 tickets

    The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5 is scheduled to start from 20th February with the first match between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United at National Stadium Karachi.

    And if you are planning to go to the stadium to watch the match of your favorite team. Here is the list of all express centers selling PSL 5 tickets.

    Tickets are on sale at all these TCS Express Centers. You can also buy from Yayvo.

    Each customer can buy up to 7 tickets per match on his CNIC so don’t forget to take your CNIC with you when you go to buy your tickets from a nearby Express Centers.

  • Cricket fans can now buy PSL 5 tickets online

    Cricket fans can now buy PSL 5 tickets online

    Tickets for the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) are now available for sale. The tickets are also available online at www.yayvo.com.

    With one month to go before the fifth edition of the cricket festival comes to Pakistani grounds, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced ticket prices and purchase details.

    All 34 matches of the HBL Pakistan Super League will be played in Pakistan with Karachi to host nine matches, Lahore 14 matches, Multan three matches and Rawalpindi eight matches from February 20 to March 22.

    The first batch of tickets were available for purchase starting at 8 pm Pakistan Standard Time Monday night via Yayvo. General sale of tickets will start on Tuesday, Jan 28 through TCS Express Centres across 38 cities of the country. Each customer can buy up to seven tickets per match on one CNIC.

    A dedicated 24/7 TCS helpline will also provide support to the customers throughout the ticketing process. In addition, a webchat customer support desk (www.tcsexpress.com) and a WhatsApp number (+92-316-112-3456) will remain active during this time to address requests.

    For the grand opening ceremony and opening match in Karachi that is on Feb 20, tickets have been priced between Rs1,000 to 6,000. The ticket price range for the final match on March 22, in Lahore, will be from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000.

    The 2020 edition of the 20-over tournament kicks off on February 20 with defending champions Quetta Gladiators playing two-time champions Islamabad United at Karachi’s National Stadium. 

    Schedule with ticket prices: