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  • Pakistan squad announced for Australia, Zimbabwe tour

    Pakistan squad announced for Australia, Zimbabwe tour

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squad for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe. The Pakistan team will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is) in Australia, while the tour of Zimbabwe will also feature three ODIs and three T20Is.

    According to a statement by the PCB, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi will be rested for the tour of Zimbabwe, while PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will announce the captain for the white-ball teams.

    Performers from domestic cricket have been given more importance for the Zimbabwe tour.

    For the Australia tour, the ODI squad includes Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Additionally, Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Hasnain are part of the team. Haseebullah, Mohammad Irfan Khan, and Naseem Shah.

    The T20 squad includes Babar Azam, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, and Jehandad Khan. Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Umair bin Yousaf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem and Usman Khan.

  • PCB excludes star players from 2024-25 central contracts

    PCB excludes star players from 2024-25 central contracts

    The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a central contract for 25 national players, but many important players failed to get the contract.

    PCB has offered central contracts to 25 national players, including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, in the A category, while Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have been placed in the B category.

    Apart from this, the players who have been offered a central contract include Haris Rauf, Salman Ali Agha and Shan Masood. Sajid Khan, who bowled brilliantly in the Test series against England, has also been offered a C category, while Noman Ali’s offer of central contract is subject to fitness.

    However, some important players have failed to get the national central contract this time.

    All-rounder Muhammad Nawaz, former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and all-rounder Imad Wasim did not get the central contracts. Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed and Ehsanullah have also been dropped from the central contracts.

    Apart from this, Tayyab Tahir, Shahnawaz Dhani, Mohammad Haris and Zaman Khan have also lost their contract. Arshad Iqbal, Hasan Ali, Osama Mir, Fakhar Zaman and Imamul Haq also could not get the contract.

    The fitness tests of Fakhar Zaman, Imamul Haq, and Usama Mir will be retaken in a few days. Three players are not in the central contract after failing the initial fitness test, the inclusion of the three players in the contract will be reviewed after the fitness test.

    Sources say that till now, there is no such player who has refused to take the central contract.

  • PCB to announce separate captains for T20, ODI

    PCB to announce separate captains for T20, ODI

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to appoint separate captains for T20 and ODI formats. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha is expected to be named the ODI captain.

    According to ARY, a selection committee and management meeting chaired by the PCB Chairman was held, where wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was decided to be given the T20 captaincy.

    Sources have indicated that the squad for the series against Australia and Zimbabwe will be announced tomorrow, and discussions are ongoing regarding the inclusion of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah.

    The meeting also covered central contracts and player selection for the Australia and Zimbabwe series, with suggestions given by the selection committee regarding the team and captain.

    After the meeting chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, he met with cricketer Salman Agha. Later, he also summoned Mohammad Rizwan for a meeting, which was attended by the coaches as well. The PCB Chairman will announce the decisions in a press conference tomorrow afternoon.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo seeks help from fans to find emotional fan

    Cristiano Ronaldo seeks help from fans to find emotional fan

    Cristiano Ronaldo has reached out to his fans for help in finding the guy who was seen crying with joy at a recent Al-Nassr FC match.

    The emotional moment it happened during the AFC Champions League game between Al-Nassr and Esteghlal on October 22, 2024. The fan, wearing Ronaldo’s jersey, went viral after being spotted in tears, leading Ronaldo to try and arrange a personal meeting with them. The touching video of the fan watching Ronaldo from the stands spread quickly online.

    Ronaldo, known for his strong bond with his fans and appreciation for their support, expressed his wish to meet the fans and thank them personally. This is not the first time Ronaldo has used his platform to connect with a special admirer.

    His social media post generated a huge response, with many users sharing the video and providing information to help locate the fan. Playing for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo showed gratitude for the support and is eager to meet the fans to show his appreciation.

  • Sajid, Noman’s performance exposed many faces: M Hafeez

    Sajid, Noman’s performance exposed many faces: M Hafeez

    Former Pakistani captain Mohammad Hafeez has congratulated the team on their victory in the Test series against England but has also posted a controversial message.

    The former Test player congratulated the Pakistani team for winning a home series after more than three years. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “The impressive performances of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali played a crucial role in Pakistan’s victory over England in the home series after more than three years. More importantly, their performances have exposed many faces.”

    After the first Test loss to England, Mohammad Hafeez had heavily criticized the national team, saying they were searching for a win on home ground.

    However, following the series win, Hafeez wrote on social media, “Credit goes to the new selectors who took the responsibility of making tough decisions, well done.”

    In another tweet, Mohammad Hafeez wrote, “Special note: Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, and Shan Masood are all top performers at the domestic level.”

    Pakistan defeated England 2-1 in the three-match Test series, winning the third Test by nine wickets.

  • Pakistan defeat England in Test series after 9 years

    Pakistan defeat England in Test series after 9 years

    Pakistan defeated England by nine wickets in the third Test in Rawalpindi, clinching the series by 2-1.

    Shan Masood scored 23 runs, Abdullah Shafique 5, while Saim Ayub was dismissed for eight runs.

    England’s second inning:

    England have been bowled out for a mere 112 runs in the second innings, setting a 36-run target for Pakistan.

    On the third day, England started their second innings at 24 for 3 with Joe Root on five and Harry Brook on 3. Noman Ali dismissed Harry Brook for 26 and then sent captain Ben Stokes back to the pavilion for just three runs.

    England lost their sixth wicket at 75 runs, with Jamie Smith scoring just three runs before being dismissed by Sajid Khan. The seventh wicket fell at 85 runs, with Noman Ali sending Joe Root back after scoring 33. England’s ninth wicket fell at 106 runs, with Rehan Ahmed scoring dismissed by Sajid Khan.

    Noman Ali took six, while Sajid Khan dismissed four players for Pakistan.

    England scored 267 runs in their first innings against Pakistan, and in reply, Pakistan scored 344 runs, gaining a 77-run lead.

    The three-match Test series is currently tied at one win each. In the first Test, England defeated Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs, while in the second Test, Pakistan won by 152 runs.

  • Noman, Sajid’s destruction in Pindi: England bowled out for 112 runs

    England have been bowled out for a mere 112 runs in the second innings, setting a 36-run target for Pakistan.

    On the third day, England started their second innings at 24 for 3 with Joe Root on five and Harry Brook on 3. Noman Ali dismissed Harry Brook for 26 and then sent captain Ben Stokes back to the pavilion for just three runs.

    England lost their sixth wicket at 75 runs, with Jamie Smith scoring just three runs before being dismissed by Sajid Khan. The seventh wicket fell at 85 runs, with Noman Ali sending Joe Root back after scoring 33. England’s ninth wicket fell at 106 runs, with Rehan Ahmed scoring dismissed by Sajid Khan.

    Noman Ali took six, while Sajid Khan dismissed four players for Pakistan.

    England scored 267 runs in their first innings against Pakistan, and in reply, Pakistan scored 344 runs, gaining a 77-run lead.

    The three-match Test series is currently tied at one win each. In the first Test, England defeated Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs, while in the second Test, Pakistan won by 152 runs.

  • ‘We fooled English bowlers with false messages,’ reveals Sajid Khan

    Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan has revealed that he fooled England’s bowlers with false messages in Urdu.

    Mostly, he confuses them with his spin angles and flighted deliveries. But on Friday, he used another tactic: speaking Urdu to confuse the English bowlers Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed, who understand the language.

    After the fourth ball of the 86th over, Saud Shakeel turned the strike over to Sajid. They discussed their strategy loudly in Urdu, not caring if the stump mic picked it up. Sajid was supposed to play out the last two balls, but instead, he charged down the pitch and hit Shoaib Bashir over midwicket for a six.

    Sajid later explained, saying, “We speak loudly in Urdu to deceive Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir, who understand the language. We wanted the bowlers to think we were only looking for a single, which made them bring the field up and fly the ball. Saud then told me to go for big shots.”

    Sajid followed the plan, hitting two sixes and a boundary in the next over, scoring 19 runs off it. Even though Rehan kept him quieter later, Sajid still managed to clear the boundary comfortably. By this time, England’s bowling effort was falling apart, and Pakistan’s lead was growing.

    Rehan acknowledged Sajid’s good batting but dismissed his claims of fooling them. He laughed, saying, “He didn’t fool me at all; he just said it for the media. I didn’t even hear him. I knew he was going to try and scoop me, but it didn’t really work. He batted well and hit some big shots, but he didn’t fool me or Bash.”

    Sajid scored 48 runs in the second innings of the second Test, hitting 4 sixes and two boundaries.

  • VIDEO: England postpones team meeting to facilitate Muslim players

    VIDEO: England postpones team meeting to facilitate Muslim players

    Young English spinners Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir have expressed their heartfelt thanks to the England cricket team.

    They also thanked the Pakistan cricket team for inviting them to a memorable cultural and spiritual experience by participating in Friday prayers during the current Test series.

    In a gesture of friendship and respect, the Pakistan squad welcomed the two England players of Pakistani descent to join their prayer gathering, creating a unique bond between the two teams beyond the cricket field.

    In an interview with BBC Sports, Rehan Ahmed thanked his team for allowing them to practice in Friday prayer. He mentioned, “We performed the Friday prayer with the Pakistan team. We went to their hotel, and Rizwan led the prayer. A week earlier, we went to the mosque. The England team rescheduled a meeting by two hours to ensure we could pray and then return.”

    “As young cricketers joining the team, this has never been questioned. It’s something we appreciate greatly. The players understand us; McCullum, Stokes, and the management have always prioritized our prayers and whatever needs to be done first, then cricket comes later. We couldn’t ask for more. We are forever grateful for this”, he added.

    Shoaib Bashir said, “This is an excellent gesture by the England team. We are allowed to practice individually, which is important. This is what brings out the best in us and gives us confidence going into games. People’s perspectives have changed now. After these events, there has been a positive development. Let’s hope it continues.”

    Currently, Rehan and Shoaib are representing England in the third Test match in Rawalpindi.

  • Champions Trophy: India left with ‘no reasons’ to not come to Pakistan

    Champions Trophy: India left with ‘no reasons’ to not come to Pakistan

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) held a meeting in Dubai on October 21, where they discussed arrangements for Champions Trophy and team security. According to the details, no member country raised any question regarding the event.

    Next year, Pakistan will host the prestigious Trophy. The Indian team, along with the board, has no valid reason to refuse participation. Teams from other countries are satisfied with the preparations.

    Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently visited Pakistan and praised the hospitality, while the English team is also currently in Pakistan.

    However, there is speculation that the Indian board might use government clearance as an excuse not to send the team, which is why the event’s schedule hasn’t been finalized yet. The Indian government has remained silent on the matter.

    A meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials was expected but was cut short due to political relations, preventing any discussion.

    Previously, during the Asia Cup 2023, India tried to convince its close allies to withdraw from the tournament due to security concerns, resulting in the tournament being held under a hybrid model.