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Tag: sports

  • Pakistan will not visit India for WC 23 if India does not come for Asia Cup 2023

    Pakistan will not visit India for WC 23 if India does not come for Asia Cup 2023

    Chairman Pakistan Cricket board Najam Sethi has talked about the controversy surrounding India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. India has threatened Pakistan several times that their cricket team will not come to the neighbouring country, pressurising the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to change the venue and shift the tournament to UAE.


    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi on Monday said that the government will take a final decision on whether the national team will travel to India for this year’s World Cup.


    Sethi stated unequivocally that PCB will deal on a vice versa basis with the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) which has said that it will not send its team to Pakistan to feature in the Asia Cup ahead of the World Cup.

    Pakistan is also due to host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and clarity on what happens is due to come during meetings of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the ACC in the United Arab Emirates on March 20.

    “Our stance is that if the BCCI continues to take a stand against Pakistan, we will also boycott to visit India,” Sethi told reporters at a news conference. “It is an unsolved matter. We have to speak with the ACC and ICC and take a position. I have asked to the Govt to take the decision about visiting India.


    “India says that there are security issues in Pakistan whilst teams from the entire world have no issues with it. If I say that we also have security threats in India due to communal environment there, it carries weight. It’s a complex issue and we have to keep in front the input of the government and our security agencies.”


    Recently Indian former opening batter and misanthropist against Pakistan Gautam Gambhir say “Personally I think Jawans are more important than a cricket match 2 points are matter nothing, Country comes first.”

  • Kings vs Zalmi: stats you need to know

    Rawalpindi cricket ground will host its first match of HBL PSL 8 on Wednesday, between rivals Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings. Both teams are currently placed at the bottom of the points table.

    Babar Azam, top run scorer for Zalmi and the captain of the team, was previously a core member of Karachi Kings and leading the team in the last season. But the team did not perform well under his captaincy and lost all the important matches of PSL 7.

    Mohammad Amir, Karachi Kings’ frontline pace bowler, has been overtly critical of Babar Azam in several live televsion shows and on micro-blogging site Twitter. Even Imad Wasim, skipper of Karachi Kings, took a dig at Azam’s batting and leadership skills without being too vocal.

    The verbal gymnastics before the start of this PSL season renders the match between KAR and PES all the more interesting.

    It is too early to gauge their current position in the table. Ideally, both teams would want to earn two crucial points to stabilise their standing. Historically, when it comes to their head-to-head in the last five meetings, Zalmi have enjoyed an upper hand while winning all five encounters between the two.

    The Imad Wasim-led Karachi Kings will aim to overcome their failures and try to obtain a result in their favour in the much-awaited clash.

    Experts says that Peshawar Zalmi will be the favourite of today’s match but Imad led Kings will also fight for  crucial points to strengthen their place.

    Playing XI for Peshawar Zalmi

    Mohammad Haris (wk), Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, James Neesham, Dasun Shanaka, Wahab Riaz, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Qadir, Arshad Iqbal

    Playing XI Karachi Kings

    P Matthew Wade (wk), James Vince, Tayyab Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim (c), Ben Cutting, Irfan Khan, Aamer Yamin, Muhammad Musa, Tabraiz Shamsi, Akif Javedlaying XI for Karachi Kings

  • Ask Nadeem Umer to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of Quetta: Shahid Afridi

    Ask Nadeem Umer to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of Quetta: Shahid Afridi

    Former captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi has shown concern on consecutive defeats of Quetta Gladiators. Talking on a TV show, Afridi said that Sarfaraz Ahmed has to step down as captain of Quetta Gladiators.

    He said that Sarfaraz should play only as a team member and focus on his own performance first to manage the pressure upon him. Afridi added that the responsibility for Quetta’s consecutive defeats lies on team management who has no alternative captain.

    Responding to a question about Sarfaraz’s performance, Afridi cited an example from Islamabad United and said: “There should always be a player standing by on the bench who can take the place if the team falls short of any player.”

    “This strategy is nowhere to be seen in Quetta Gladiators”, he added.

    The former star cricketer also mentioned that several changes had been made in the team.

    While citing another example from Karachi Kings, he said that the team is not performing exceptionally well, however, its captain Imad Wasim can be seen performing and leading his team.

    The captain’s performance has an important role in the team’s performance, Afridi emphasised.

    He further added that Sarfaraz has played a number of matches for Pakistan and he performed very well in those matches.

    “Prior to the start of the league, I had talked to Nadeem Umar. He asked me for some advice. I had said the same then: Remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of Quetta as soon as possible but keep him as a team member so that as a player he could perform well and he could absorb the pressure of his own performance and enjoy his game-play’.”


    Quetta Gladiator squad for PSL 8
    Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Jason Roy, Mohammad Hasnain, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Naveen ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Will Smeed, Naseem Shah, Odean Smith, Mohammad Hafeez, Umaid Asif, Muhammad Zahid, Abdul Bangalzai, Aimal Khan, Martin Guptill, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qais Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Dwaine Pretorius (partial replacement for Odean Smith), Will Jacks (partial replacement for Jason Roy), Nuwan Thushara (partial replacement for Naveen ul Haq)

  • PSL 8: Karachi emerges as potential host city amid bill dispute

    PSL 8: Karachi emerges as potential host city amid bill dispute

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued an ultimatum to the Punjab government regarding the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight matches scheduled to be held in the province.

    Sources indicate that the PCB is contemplating relocating the Punjab-leg of PSL 8 to Karachi after receiving a bill of Rs450 million from the provincial government, which the PCB and PSL franchises have unanimously decided not to pay.

    If the bill is not waived before the deadline tomorrow, the matches will be officially moved to Karachi. A meeting between PCB and the Punjab government is scheduled for later today to address the matter.

    The PCB has reportedly started preparations for holding additional matches in Karachi, and the revised schedule has been discussed with the franchises. The deadlock may also result in white-ball matches between Pakistan and New Zealand in April and May being moved out of Punjab.

    Currently, Rawalpindi is set to host 11 fixtures and Lahore nine matches, including the closing ceremony, playoffs, and the final. The victorious team will not only lift the Supernova Trophy but will also receive a cheque of Rs120 million, while the runners-up will receive Rs48 million.

    Lahore Qalandars will attempt to achieve a back-to-back title win, while Islamabad United will strive to become the most successful side by winning the trophy for the third time.

  • Video: Sania Mirza bids emotional farewell to tennis

    Video: Sania Mirza bids emotional farewell to tennis

    India’s greatest-ever woman tennis player Sania Mirza on Friday bid farewell to grand-slams. The 36-year-old Mirza, India’s most prominent female player, returned to Melbourne Park for one last hurrah and made it all the way to the decider on Friday.


    Mirza was in tears during the post-match presentation ceremony.


    Sania begun her speech with tears in her eyes, “If I cry, these are happy tears. I don’t want to take away the moment from Matos-Stefani who deserved this. I’m still going to play a couple more tournaments but my career started in Melbourne in 2005 when I played Serena as an 18-year-old. I have had the privilege of coming back here again and again and winning tournaments here and playing some great finals here. Rod Laver Arena has been a really special life. I couldn’t think of a better arena to finish my last Grand Slam.” She also thanked Rohan Bopanna for playing by her side.

  • Mega event set to start: Franchises finalise their squads for PSL 2023

    Mega event set to start: Franchises finalise their squads for PSL 2023

    The replacement draft of Pakistan Super League (PSL) eighth edition was held online on Wednesday. All six franchises in the league finalised their squads for the mega event, scheduled to take place from February 13 to March 19.


    The franchises picked their replacements against the cricketers who are fully or partially not available for the tournament. In the draft, each side could pick a maximum of one foreign cricketer in the two supplementary rounds.
    Last year, player retentions for the sporting event were announced in November, while the draft took place on December 15.

    Pakistan’s mega cricket tournament will begin with defending champions Lahore Qalandars taking on the 2021 champions Multan Sultans in the inaugural game at the Multan Cricket Stadium following a celebratory ceremony.

    Fixtures will be staged across four venues in Pakistan with 11 in Rawalpindi, nine matches each in Karachi and Lahore, while Multan will host five games.

    Partial replacements of all teams HBL PSL 8:


    Lahore Qalandar:
    Shane Dadswell and Sam Billings, Kusal Mendis

    Peshawar Zalmi:
    Richard Gleeson

    Quetta gladiators:
    Dwaine Pretorius, Will Jacks and Nuwan Thushara

    Multan Sultans:
    Wayne Parnell and Izharulhaq Naveed

    Karachi Kings:
    Faisal Akram

    Islamabad United:
    Tymal Mills and Gus Atkinson

  • ‘Thank-you qudrat’: Pakistan making it to the semi final triggers meme fest

    ‘Thank-you qudrat’: Pakistan making it to the semi final triggers meme fest

    Pakistan has defeated Bangladesh and made its way to the semi finals of the T20 World Cup on Sunday, booking a spot in the last four after all odds seemed against the team.
    Afridi took 4-22 as Bangladesh posted 8-127, setting up an easy chase with Pakistan scoring 5-128 to win Sunday’s Adelaide Oval encounter with 11 balls to spare.
    Pakistan join India, New Zealand and England as semi-finalists.


    Earlier today, Netherlands opened the door to the possibility of Pakistan making it to the semi finals by defeating South Africa by 13 runs in the final match of Group 2 league.
    Pakistan’s unexpected inclusion in the final four triggered a meme fest on twitter. Have a look at the memes:

    https://twitter.com/gayomarlic/status/1589170378735165442?s=46&t=a6LoVmyECZlFqbIR2SKbIQ
  • Indian cricket team to visit Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023

    Indian cricket team to visit Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that the Indian cricket team will most likely visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.

    The Pakistan tour for the 2019 Asia Cup is on the BCCI’s agenda before its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 18, according to a report on an Indian website.

    According to the report, India was willing to fly to Pakistan to take part in the competition. A BCCI source told the publication, “However, India’s visit will be subject to the clearance of the government.”

    “There is always the possibility of staging the event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as was done for this year’s Asia Cup, but the BCCI memo appears to indicate otherwise,” the report stated.

    Prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup in India, which is slated for October and November 2023, Pakistan will host the 50-over Asia Cup. In order to compete in the Asia Cup, India last travelled to Pakistan in 2008.

    On October 23, at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Pakistan will play India in the tournament’s opening matchup for the T20 World Cup 2022.

  • Women’s Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan beats India by 13 runs

    Women’s Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan beats India by 13 runs

    On Friday, Pakistani women defeated Indian women in the Women’s Asia Cup T20 match in Sylhet.

    Following a shocking loss to Thailand on Thursday, Pakistan came back with a 13-run victory to stay in the competition. Pakistan and India each have six points after four games in the competition.

    India’s winning streak of five straight T20I matches dating back to 2016 was broken against Pakistan. During the Women’s T20 World Cup in Delhi on March 19, 2016, India suffered its most recent loss to Pakistan. In T20Is, India still has an advantage over Pakistan because of 10 victories in 13 games.

    India has two games left in the group stage, taking on Bangladesh on Saturday and Thailand on Monday. Pakistan’s last group matches will pit it against Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.

    The semifinals will thereafter be attended by the top four teams from the group round. The final will take place on October 15 at the same location.

  • Rafael Nadal posts heartfelt tweet for Roger Federer on retirement from tennis

    Rafael Nadal posts heartfelt tweet for Roger Federer on retirement from tennis

    Along with Novak Djkovic, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal have battled to become among the best tennis players in the world.

    The 40 meetings between the Swiss and Spanish stars, with Nadal winning most of them and always in the championship rounds of tournaments, did not result in any off-court animosity between them.

    Off the court, Rafa and Roger have a close friendship and respect for one another.

    Because of this, Nadal’s answer to Federer’s retirement announcement on Thursday was especially anticipated, and his written words clearly reflect his true feelings.

    Nadal’s message to Federer:

    “Dear Roger, my friend and rival.”

    “I wish this day had never come. It is a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.”

    “It has been a pleasure but also an honor and a privilege to share all these years with you, living so many incredible moments on and off the court.”

    “We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still many things to do together, we know that.”

    “For now, I really wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your children, your family and enjoy what lies ahead.”

    “I will see you in London at the Laver Cup.”

    Since July 2021, Roger Federer has not participated in an official match because of injuries that prohibited him from being ready to play in Grand Slam competitions and retire at the top as he had hoped.

    Rafa Nadal has long been a favourite of the Swiss, and one of the last occasions he mentioned the Spaniard was following the most recent Roland Garros.

    “It’s incredible what Rafa has achieved. Pete Sampras’ record, which I beat, was 14 Grand Slam titles, and he already has 22,” he said.

    “Rafa has won Roland Garros 14 times. It’s unbelievable. I’m very happy that he did it. I take my hat off to him.”

    “After the tenth, the eleventh…I was already thinking, ‘This can’t be.’ But he keeps raising the bar. He’s gigantic.”