Category: Sports

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  • Babar Azam rejected $450,000 offer from BBL, claims Dr. Nouman Niaz

    Babar Azam rejected $450,000 offer from BBL, claims Dr. Nouman Niaz

    Pakistan sports journalist Doctor Nouman Niaz has claimed that former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam, rejected an offer worth 450,000 Australian dollars from Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

    While talking to Pakistan former wicketkeeper batsman Rashid Latif, Niaz said in a live stream on YouTube channel ‘Caught Behind’, “I want to mention that Babar Azam has rejected Australian $450,000 offer from Big Bash League (BBL), and we should acknowledge that this is the type of players Pakistan has, who play for their country.”

    However Babar Azam has not mentioned such an offer or confirmed whether he received it.

  • Seven students arrested in occupied J&K for celebrating India’s World Cup defeat

    Seven students arrested in occupied J&K for celebrating India’s World Cup defeat

    Seven students of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, occupied Jammu and Kashmir, were arrested under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for raising pro-Pakistan slogans on India’s defeat against Australia in ODI World Cup final.

    According to ‘Times Now’ sources, a student from India’s Punjab filled a complaint against Kashmiri students stating that he was “threatened and abused” by Kashmiri student after India’s defeat in the World Cup final.

    The student who filed the complaint mentioned that ‘We were all watching the World Cup final between India and Australia, and I was watching as an Indian cricket team fan. When India lost the match, some Kashmiri students names, Umar, Asif, Mohsin, Tauqeer, Khalid, Sameer and Ubaid Gulzar started abusing me for being an Indian fan. They even threatened me and ask to shut my mouth otherwise I will be shot. They didn’t stop there even they started raising pro-Pakistan slogans Jeve Jeve Pakistan.”

    Indian police has arrested the students under UAPA act and detained them at a local police station in Ganderbal district.

    India’s Bhartiya janta party (BJP) applauded the police act. BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said, “Those who celebrated India’s loss are not less than a terrorist and should be booked.”

    On the other hand People Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the police act. PDP spokesperson Rauf Bhatt said “This barbaric and such act won’t be tolerated and it’s unfortunate, it is injustice with those seven students.”

    Remember that in the ODI cricket World Cup final Australia defeated India by six wickets at Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19.

  • Police officers alleged to have taken money from national cricketers arrested, suspended

    Police officers alleged to have taken money from national cricketers arrested, suspended

    Update:

    Four police officers who allegedly forced national cricketers Sohaib Maqsood and Amir Yameen to give them money have been arrested and suspended.

    According to Geo,’ SSP Haider Raza has said that on the orders of IG Sindh, action was taken against police officials who took money from cricketers. DIG Shaheed Benazirabad has compiled an inquiry report on the issue .

    According to the DIG, four policemen of Sakrand police station were found involved, and legal action is being taken against them. Sindh police officials say that the SHO and chief secretary of Sakrand police station have been suspended for neglect of duty and the inquiry report is being sent to IG Sindh.

    Cricketers allege Sindh Police forced them to pay bribes

    Pakistani cricketers Aamir Yameen and Sohaib Maqsood have alleged that Sindh police asked them for bribed, refusing to let them go until they did so.

    On November 27, national cricketer Sohaib Maqsood wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “We are very lucky to live in Punjab and not in Sindh, for the first time in my life I am traveling from Karachi to Multan by road and the Sindh police are so corrupt that after every 50 km they stops you and asks for money, If you don’t pay, you are threatened to be taken to the police station without any reason.”

    In another of his tweets, he said, “If you gave them money, after 50 km you will be stopped again, we told them that we are international cricketers who are going to Multan after our match in Karachi. Still, they took 8,000 rupees and then let us go.”

    Aamir Yameen also narrated the same incident on X, detailing how he was harassed by Sindh Police during the journey.

    IG Sindh Rifat Raja took notice of the tweets and DIG Shaheed Benazirabad has been ordered to investigate immediately.

    IG Sindh said, “Strict action should be taken against the officials involved in the incident.”

    Sohaib Maqsood and Aamir Yameen were representing the Multan region in the National T20 Cup.

  • PCB lifts fine over Azam Khan on Palestinian flag

    PCB lifts fine over Azam Khan on Palestinian flag

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lifted a fine it imposed on batsman Azam Khan for displaying the Palestine flag on his bat in a National T20 tournament match played in Karachi on Sunday.

    Karachi Whites player Azam Khan was fined 50 per cent of his match fee by officials for violating PCB’s code of conduct during the National T20 Cup match against Lahore Blues.

    Azam Khan violated Article 2.4 of the PCB’s Code of Conduct, failing to adhere to the code of conduct despite being directed to do so by an umpire.

    It should be noted that players and team officials are not permitted to wear and display any such item or convey personal messages through their equipment, subject to the approval of the player or Team Officials Association, and the PCB Cricket Operations Department’s prior approval is required.

  • How was Babar Azam removed from captaincy?

    When was the proposal to remove Babar from the captaincy considered by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)? The inside story has been revealed by Abdul Majid Bhatti of Geo News.

    During the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI World Cup held in India, Pakistan team performed poorly, while Babar Azam could not fulfill expectations.

    Abdul Majid Bhatti has written, “During the World Cup, the proposal was under consideration in the PCB circles that Babar Azam should step down from the leadership so that he could focus on his batting, but the final decision to remove him from the captaincy was not taken. PCB officials wanted to give him a break from captaincy due to his arbitrariness and defensive style.”

    At the time when Inzamam-ul-Haq was the chief selector, Babar Azam’s captaincy was under scrutiny, but after the departure of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mickey Arthur and interim selectors Tauseef Ahmed, Wajahatullah Wasti and Wasim Haider considered a proposal to change the captain. However, Shan Masood was not among the names of replacements.

    Mickey Arthur and the national selectors formed a similar team to the Test team announced for the tour of Australia by Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, and Shaan Masood. Haris Rauf was also included in this team but later withdrew from visiting Australia.

  • Pakistan’s Anita Karim wins two MMA gold medals in Thailand

    Pakistani female Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Anita Karim has won two gold medals at the Siam Cup in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Anita Karim won medals in the 55 kg/lightweight category as well as in the ‘Absolute’ category. In the lightweight category, she won against Japan’s Mayo Suzuki, Thailand’s Chutima Sala, and Sefa Phatidi.

    She won the first two bouts by submission and the last by one point. In the absolute category, Anita Karim defeated Thailand’s Chautima Sala Sasethun Yahi and Tanyapuran Mangkalkeri. The first and third fights were won by submission while the second was won on points. Anita Karim is Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter to compete internationally.

    Her brother Uloomi Kareem himself is an MMA fighter who recently fought on November 25, 2023, against Mohammad Mahdi of Iran on the same day as his sister.

    Anita Karim’s six wins also resulted in her promotion to purple belt. She fought these fights as a blue belt but was promoted to purple after winning. 27-year-old Anita Karim has come a long way for a country like Pakistan where women’s participation in sports is minimal.

  • Social media slams PCB over fining Azam Khan for supporting Palestine

    Social media slams PCB over fining Azam Khan for supporting Palestine

    Pakistan cricket team fans have expressed anger on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over fining Azam Khan for displaying the Palestine flag on his bat during a match of National T20 tournament in Karachi on Sunday.

    Azam Khan was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for beaching the clothing and equipment regulation (Displaying unapproved logo/political message).

    According to GEO, Azam was summoned by match referee Muhammad Javaid, but Azam replied that all of his bats have same stickers.

    Before this, Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan was criticized by the Indian media and fans for dedicating his performance during Pakistan’s victory against Sri Lanka to Gaza during the ODI World Cup 2023. International Cricket Council (ICC) said at the time, “It is outside of the field of play and not in our domain”

    PCB said in a statement that, “This is their (players) personal decision, the board is responsible for the on-field activities not out-field.”

    Journalist Faizan Lakahni wrote on social media platform ‘X’, “We all are hating PCB for its action against Azam Khan, but I think they opted for this being a signatory to ICC regulations (which apply on all official cricket) because the game was live broadcast on TV. Azam displayed the same flag in previous games (non-broadcast), nobody said anything earlier.”

    However social media users continue slamming the Board for taking action against Azam Khan. Here are some reactions:

  • Imam-ul-Haq’s wife’s bridal look: all we know, including the price

    Imam-ul-Haq’s wife’s bridal look: all we know, including the price

    Pakistani cricketer Imam-ul-Haq has become the latest member of the Green Shirts to sign off on bachelorhood and settle down with his sweetheart. The cricketer made social media swoon with the wholesome dedication he wrote to his “best friend” and his forever home, Anmol Mehmood. Rumi who?

    “Today, we’ve not only become partners for life but have also solidified the bond of best friendship, which has always been the foundation of our love story. Today, I not only married my best friend ,but also found my forever home in your heart. Forever grateful for a love that feels like a friendship and a friendship that is our greatest blessing. This journey is uniquely ours, a beautiful symphony of love, laughter, and endless dreams, In Sha Allah. Keep us in your prayers,” wrote Imam.

    Looking back at the lavish three day celebrations, we are in awe of Anmol’s taste in clothing. Here we will break down every look the bride wore for her four day celebrations.

    Starting with the Mehendi, which was held in Norway, Anmol donned a maroon farshi gharara adorned with gold patterns, that had splashes of green, purple and yellow to add colour to the look. The outfit was from HSY, reportedly costing more than Rs 1.5 million.

    For the Qawwali night, Anmol left social media awestruck, once more picking HSY’s lilac gown adorned with silver designs paired with silver bangles. According to GEO, the price of the outfit was Rs 850,000.

    On her Valima, Anmol wore fashion brand Lajwanti. She wore a pastel gharara, detailed with gold designs, and a matching dupatta. Speaking to GEO, a spokesperson for Lajwanti revealed that the ensemble cost Rs 17 lakhs.

  • Zaka Ashraf ineligible to contest PCB election

    Zaka Ashraf ineligible to contest PCB election

    Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Zaka Ashraf is not eligible to contest the Board’s election due to not having a BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree, Urdupoint has reported.

    A BA degree has been made mandatory for PCB chairmanship, but sources say that Zaka Ashraf is not participating in the election as he does not have one. The caretaker federal government has recently approved a three-month extension in Ashraf’s tenure.

    Former Attorney General Shah Khawar was appointed Chief Election Commissioner of the Pakistan Cricket Board, and he is responsible for conducting the Pakistan Cricket Board elections before February 4, 2024.

    Urdupoint reported that Shah Khawar will be the chairman of the PCB and will be responsible for elections of the various regions. Shah Khawar is also the special prosecutor in the cipher case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

  • Faheem Ashraf’s valima attended by sportsmen, politicians

    Faheem Ashraf’s valima attended by sportsmen, politicians

    The valima ceremony of Pakistani all-rounder Faheem Ashraf was held with great pomp in his native village Phool Nagar with many important people from local political, social, and sports circles in attendance, including current and former players.

    Former Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, former Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, and many local political and social personalities participated in the celebration of the national all-rounder, while former national cricket team captains Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Azhar Ali, Abdul Rahman, along with Fahim Ashraf’s friends and relatives also participated in the ceremony.

    Faheem Ashraf has married the daughter of Rana Shabbir of Narowal. His in-laws also gifted him a car.

    The nikah ceremony was held in Narowal on November 25, Saturday.