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Tag: T20 World Cup

  • ‘Not happy’: Shahid Afridi schools Shaheen for bad bowling in semi-final

    ‘Not happy’: Shahid Afridi schools Shaheen for bad bowling in semi-final

    Former Pakistan captain and T20 World Cup winner, Shahid Afridi is upset by the dismal performance of Shaheen Shah Afridi, as the young pacer conceded three back to back sixes off Matthew Wade, who guided Australia to their first T20 World Cup Final on Thursday.

    Read More – ‘No one should point fingers, I back everyone’: Babar Azam talks to team after losing semi-final

    The former all-rounder asserted that even if Hassan Ali dropped an important catch, it doesn’t mean that Afridi should have lost hope.

    “I am not happy with Shaheen in one area. Okay, so Hassan Ali dropped a catch but that does not mean you will bowl badly and get hit for three successive sixes,” Shahid Afridi said on Samaa TV.

    “Shaheen has so much pace and he should have used it sensibly. Even if the catch was dropped. He should have used his head and tried to bowl outside off stump fast Yorkers with his pace. He is not that sort of bowler to be hit like that,” the former Pakistan captain said.

    Shaheen set the World Cup on fire when he got rid of top players like Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul with a new ball in Pakistan’s big match against India. In the semi-final against Australia, he sent back the Australian captain Aaron Finch in the first over.

    Cracking the three balls for sixes, the Australian keeper-batter sealed their spot in the final.

    Read More – Hayden lauds ‘warrior’ Rizwan, who was in hospital the night before Pak-Aus match

    Australia will be facing New Zealand in Final of the T20 World Cup 2021 on Sunday at Dubai International Stadium.

  • ‘No one should point fingers, I back everyone’: Babar Azam talks to team after losing semi-final

    ‘No one should point fingers, I back everyone’: Babar Azam talks to team after losing semi-final

    Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has given a pep-talk to the team in the dressing-room after they lost the semi-final to Australia in Dubai on Thursday. The young captain stressed it’s important to not point fingers at each other and that the entire team failed to play up to its potential in the heartbreaking loss on Thursday.

    Read More – Hayden lauds ‘warrior’ Rizwan, who was in hospital the night before Pak-Aus match

    Talking about unity in the team, Babar said: “Everybody is sad, everybody is feeling the pain. We need to figure out where we went wrong and where we have to improve. No one will tell us this, we all know this. But we have to learn from this.”

    “We have created a unit at the World Cup and this shouldn’t break. There should be no finger-pointing. We should not go into saying ‘he did this, he did this and all that’. We, as a team, did not play well. No one should point fingers at any other person.”

    “We lost, it’s okay but we have to learn from this. We will. In the times to come, we shouldn’t make the same mistakes,” added the captain.

    “I am telling you again, we shouldn’t let the unit break. We have worked hard to create this. One loss shouldn’t force anyone to leave this unit. As a captain, I am backing everyone. We have created a very good atmosphere in the dressing room, one that feels like family. Everyone has put in the effort. Every match, every player has taken up responsibility,” said Babar.

    “We will put in the effort, that is in our hands but the result is not. I know everyone is sad. But this will last for a short while. We will start thinking about where we went wrong and where we should have improved. Don’t get bogged down. Try lifting each other. Learn, there is a bit of sadness but we have to overcome that,” Babar concluded.

    Pakistan posted 176 runs for the loss of 4 wickets on the board in their quota of 20 overs, thanks to fifties from Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman. However, defending a total in Dubai proved difficult yet again as Pakistan paid the price for some ordinary effort with the ball and on the field.

    Australia will face New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup in Dubai on Sunday

  • Video: Mehwish Hayat, Sadia Khan spotted dancing at Dubai’s nightclub

    Video: Mehwish Hayat, Sadia Khan spotted dancing at Dubai’s nightclub

    A-list actresses Mehwish Hayat and Sadia Khan partied together at a club in Dubai. The Jawani Phir Nah Aani diva even danced to her hit track from Fahad Mustafa starrer Load Wedding with stylist Rao Ali Khan and actor Momin Saqib.

    Mehwish Hayat Partying With Her Friends In Dubai | Dope Desi

    The Dil Lagi star even went to the stadium to watch the semi final of T20 World Cup with her brother Danish Hayat and other friends.

    Saida is currently vacationing in Dubai, the Khuda Aur Mohabbat star met a spree of Bollywood celebrities there. From Aishwarya Rai to Jaaved Jaafery and Amaal Malik.

    Sadia Khan narrates her cutest fan moment with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

    On the work front, Mehwish is all set to play the role of Pakistan’s first and only female Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in her forthcoming film. She will also be seen next in Humayun Saeed’s London Nahi Jaunga.

  • Hayden lauds ‘warrior’ Rizwan, who was in hospital the night before Pak-Aus match

    Hayden lauds ‘warrior’ Rizwan, who was in hospital the night before Pak-Aus match

    Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan played a sensational innings of 67 runs in a high-pressure semi-final against Australia in Dubai on Thursday.

    Ahead of the semi-final, Rizwan’s availability for the big game against Australia was in doubt due to illness.

    Thankfully for Pakistan, he was declared fit and made a massive impact after being put in to bat first by the opponents.

    After the innings, Matthew Hayden revealed just how special a performance it was from Rizwan.

    “Rizwan, you probably didn’t know was actually in hospital just a night ago suffering with some sort of lung condition. This is a warrior,” Hayden said.

    “He has been brilliant through it (the campaign) and he’s got great courage, as has Babar. Fantastic tonight from him.”

    Rizwan struggled initially to find his touch, but Babar Azam at the other end kept the scoreboard ticking. Soon, Rizwan got going after smacking Josh Hazlewood for a six in the fourth over.

    Once Babar was dismissed, he ensured that he batted as deep into the innings as possible, keeping one end tight till the 18th over. Thanks to some fiery shots by Fakhar Zaman in the end, Pakistan set a target of 177 for Australia to chase down.

    Playing in the first ICC semi-final of his career, Rizwan made his night even more memorable. En route his 67, he also became the first player in the history of the game to score 1,000 T20I runs in a calendar year.

    He also broke the record England’s Jos Buttler had just set for the most runs by a keeper in a Men’s T20 World Cup. Buttler, who broke Craig Kieswetter’s record from 2010 in this year’s edition, had scored 269 runs to his name before England crashed out last night in the semi-final.

    Rizwan now has 281 and is only behind his fellow opener Babar Azam for most runs in this year’s T20 World Cup.

    Fellow cricketers and people from the cricket fraternity took to their social media to praise the 29-year-old cricketer.

    Meanwhile, Matthew Wade commended his batting partner Marcus Stoinis for the way he took on Haris Rauf in the 17th over and said that was indeed the turning point of the match. The slog overs also saw Hassan Ali dropping Wade off Shaheen Afridi in the 19th over, with the keeper-batter cracking the next three balls for sixes to seal their spot in the final.

  • Mohammad Rizwan gifts Matthew Hayden a translation of the Quran

    Mohammad Rizwan gifts Matthew Hayden a translation of the Quran

    Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan has gifted an English translation of the Holy Quran to consultant coach Matthew Hayden.

    Hayden has revealed in his latest interview that he was curious about Islam and Rizwan gifted him the Holy Quran with English translation.

    “It was Rizzy (Mohammad Rizwan) and I have to say it was a beautiful moment I will never forget. I am curious about Islam even though I am a Christian. One follows Christ and the other Muhammad and in a sense never shall meet but he presented me with an English version of the Quran. We sat on the floor for half an hour and talked through it. I am reading a bit of it each day. Rizzy is one of my favourite individuals, a champion human being,” Hayden said.

    As per reports, Matthew Hayden has been impressed by the humbleness of the Pakistan cricket team, saying that they connect to a higher level.

    “I was taken aback by how neutral and humble these guys are. How everything is just meant to be. It has been great fun. They are really coachable athletes as well. It stems from a deep sense of spirituality. As a westerner, you don’t realise the implications of having that commitment and faith. Even their salat – their five different prayer sessions a day. You can be outside a lift or even in a lift and if it is time for salat, that is what happens. These guys connect at a higher level. It’s not like ‘how ya going, today mate?’” Hayden added.

    “Inside the changing room I’ve never seen a more disciplined and more humble approach to winning,” he added.

    The former Australian cricketer also lauded Babar and Rizwan in a previous interview, saying: ” Babar and Rizwan have created a unique opening for themselves.”

    In 2021, skipper Babar and Rizwan have amassed 826 runs in 14 Twenty20 international partnerships. They put on an unbroken 152-run stand, their third as an opening pair, as Pakistan trounced India in Dubai by 10 wickets. This is their first win over their arch-rivals in 13 World Cup matches.

    Now both Babar and Rizwan are the heart and soul of the Pakistan team as they target a second T20 World Cup title.

    The Green Shirts will be facing Australia in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. If they’ll win this match, they will be playing against New Zealand in the finals.

  • Pakistan set to face Australia in semi-finals, Shaniera is clear who is she supporting

    Pakistan set to face Australia in semi-finals, Shaniera is clear who is she supporting

    The second semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 will be played today at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, will lock horns with Australia for a place in the summit clash.

    Read More – Shoaib Malik has ‘butterflies’ over facing Australia

    Pakistan’s bhabhi Shaniera Akram has said that she’d love Pakistan to win and nothing will make her happier but she’ll be happy too if Australia wins.

    Taking to Twitter she wrote: “My answer is I’d love PAK to win because nothing would make me happier than to see the cricket fanatic country I have grown to love go the distance. Lifting the #t20WorldCup would be a dream come true for Pakistan! But if Australia win, Of course I’d be really happy too #PAKvAUS.”

    She also said that whoever wins today, the match must be an entertainer.

    British High Commisioner Christian Turner, who said the England vs New Zealand match was a “rollercoaster”, also turned to his Twitter, wishing Pakistan luck for their semi-final match against Australia, saying: “I wait for my other team to go through – good luck Flag of Pakistan! Ab sab umeed Pakistan par hai!”

    He also congratulated the Black Caps for winning the first semi-final against England by five wickets and becomming the first team to reach in T20 World Cup’s finals this year.

    Babar Azam led team have been unstoppable in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 so far. They won all five of their Super 12 matches to finish at the top of the Group 2 points table. Meanwhile, Australia finished second in Group 1, recording four wins in five matches.

    Many fans will remember Australia and Pakistan battling in an ICC T20 World Cup semi-final match 11 years ago in the West Indies, where the Aussies emerged victorious. Pakistan will look forward to avenging that defeat today in Dubai.

  • Fiery batter of Pakistan Asif Ali voted ICC Player of the Month

    Fiery batter of Pakistan Asif Ali voted ICC Player of the Month

    Fiery Pakistan hitter Asif Ali has been voted as the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Player of the Month for October 2021, after his match-winning performances against New Zealand and Afghanistan a few days ago.

    Asif smashed 12-balls for 27 in Pakistan’s clash with New Zealand, hitting three sixes when they mattered the most.

    In Pakistan’s next game against Afghanistan, the Men in Green were once again in trouble, struggling against Afghanistan’s spin maestro Rashid Khan.

    However, in came Asif again, with the team needing 24 runs off 12 balls. Asif did not come under pressure, hitting the ball with a straight bat and hit four sixes to ensure Pakistan’s victory.

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

    In total, he scored 52 runs without defeat across three matches for Pakistan in October at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scoring at a strike rate of 273.68.

    ICC Voting Academy member Irfan Pathan said helping Pakistan win, especially from the “jaws of defeat” is what makes Asif Ali special.

    “Although he scored considerably less than other two nominated players, the contribution he made and the pressure situations from where he snatched the victories made all the difference,” added Pathan.

    From the women’s cateogry, Irish skipper Laura Delany bagged the Player of the Month for October award.

    Delany’s performance in Ireland’s 3-1 ODI series win over Zimbabwe was brilliant. The all-rounder impressed with the bat and the ball, scoring 189 runs at 63, and taking four wickets at 27.

    Delany posted scores of 88, 35 and 68 in her three innings, scoring at a strike rate of 108.62. In the lone match where she was not required with the bat, she still contributed with the ball, taking 1/22.

  • ‘Too old, should retire’: Asim Azhar slams Shoaib Malik’s trolls after his quickfire half-century

    ‘Too old, should retire’: Asim Azhar slams Shoaib Malik’s trolls after his quickfire half-century

    Singer Asim Azhar has praised cricketer Shoaib Malik after he scored a fiery 54-run spell while batting against the Scots on Sunday, making his 50 the joint-fastest of the 2021 World Cup alongside Indian cricketer KL Rahul’s, which was also against Scotland.

    Many took to Twitter to congratulate Malik for the achievement. The Tum Tum singer also lauded the all-rounder, saying: Too old, not good enough, he should retire. Shoaib Malik: the fastest 50 of the #T20WorldCup.”

    Pakistan completed the Super 12 stage with five wins in as many games with a clinical 72-run win over qualifiers Scotland in Sharjah on Sunday.

    The Green Shirts are set to face the Australian cricket team in the semi-final on Thursday, November 11.

    Earlier in July 2021, the Jo Tu Na Mila crooner tweeted a humorous post for the local team.

    'B team se aise khelte hain jaise wo A hain aur A team se aise jaise wo B hain': Asim Azhar on Pakistan's T20 win
  • Video: Ravi Shastri saying goodbye to Indian cricketers, Kohli goes viral

    Video: Ravi Shastri saying goodbye to Indian cricketers, Kohli goes viral

    A video with emotional scenes of Head Coach of India Ravi Shastri’s farewell meeting with the players and Virat Kohli at the end of the tour after India’s last group match in the T20 World Cup went viral.

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a video of the players embracing each other after the match between India and Namibia on Wednesday.

    In the video, Kohli first hugged Shastri and then hugged the rest of the players by shaking hands. The video showed Shastri’s close-up, showing how sad he was at the team’s poor performance.

    This match was the last match for Ravi Shastri as head coach and for Virat Kohli as captain and this was the reason why clouds of sadness were seen on the faces of both the players.

    When the video went viral on social media, Indian social media users could not control their emotions and started posting pictures of the two embracing each other, at the same time the fans also took to Twitter to share their sentiments.

  • Shoaib Malik has ‘butterflies’ over facing Australia

    Shoaib Malik has ‘butterflies’ over facing Australia

    Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has admitted that the semi-final match against Australia is giving him “butterflies”.

    Pakistan completed the Super 12 stage with five wins in as many games with a clinical 72-run win over qualifiers Scotland in Sharjah on Sunday.

    Shoaib smashed 18-ball 54 not out, the fastest half century of the tournament as Pakistan scored 189-2 in 20 overs before keeping Scotland down to 117-6.

    Pakistan is all set to play a semi-final against Australia in Dubai, a repeat of the 2010 T20 World Cup last-four, which the Australians won on the last ball in St Lucia.

    “Of course, we are watching Australia play good cricket and so are we, so it will be a tough match for both teams,” said the 39-year-old cricketer after his man-of-the-match knock, which contained six sixes and a four.

    “It will be a tough challenge for both teams and will give us butterflies but that is always encouraging.”

    Shoaib, who has played in all seven editions of the T20 World Cup, said: “We will take the semi-final as just another game and I think if we do that then we will be able to plan things in a better way.”

    Australia finished runners-up in Group 1, winning four of their five matches, but losing out on top spot to England on net run-rate.

    Having not won a Twenty20 World Cup yet, the Australians are peaking at the right time with opener David Warner returning to form, scoring 89 not out against the West Indies on Saturday.

    Read More – Australian Cricket team to tour Pakistan in March-April 2022

    “We will have a good rest, we are the form team so we need to plan well for the semi-final and this rest will surely help in doing that,” added Shoaib.

    “I am enjoying cricket and keeping fit, always love to come to the ground and do my best for my country and today’s innings was like that, highly enjoyable and it helped the team.”

    Shoaib, who was not part of the initial squad and was only included when Sohaib Maqsood was ruled out with a back injury, said that the omission had hurt.

    After his smashing win against Namibia, Malik took to Twitter and said that he dedicate this win to his team memebers.

    Meanwhile, Indian cricket commentator Aakash Chopra told Pakistan to “keep the trophy in the subcontinent”.