Category: Sports

Get the latest sports news, opinion, analysis, player rankings, scores and updates.

  • World Cup 2023: India defeats Sri Lanka by huge margin of 302 runs

    World Cup 2023: India defeats Sri Lanka by huge margin of 302 runs

    In the 33rd match of the ICC World Cup, India qualified for the semi-finals by defeating Sri Lanka by a huge margin of 302 runs in a one-sided match.

    Sri Lankan captain Kaushal Mendes won the toss and invited Indian captain Rohit Sharma to bat first. Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started the innings on behalf of India, but the openers of the unbeaten team of the tournament could not provide a long partnership in front of the Sri Lankan bowlers.

    Sri Lankan bowler Madhushanka bowled Indian captain Rohit Sharma on the second ball of the first over and sent him to the pavilion with just four runs. After the fall of one wicket, a wonderful partnership of 189 runs was established between Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. India’s second wicket was Shubman Gill on 193 runs when Madushanka caught him on 92 runs, after which Madushanka himself sent Virat Kohli to the pavilion for 88 runs.

    Shreyas Iyer played a brilliant inning of 82 runs off 56 balls, KL Rahul 21, Surya Kumar 12, Jadeja 35 and Mohammad Shami got out after scoring two runs.

    The Indian team scored 357 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 50 overs.

    For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madhushanka dismissed five players while Chimera took one wicket.

    Chasing India’s target of 358 runs, Sri Lanka’s batting line proved to be a wall of sand, collapsing in spectacular fashion. None of the batsmen could play in front of the devastating bowling. Chasing 358 runs, the Sri Lankan team collapsed for 55 runs in 19.4 overs. Kasan Rajitha scored 14 runs and Angelo Mathews scored 12 runs, while Madhushanka was dismissed for five runs.

    Mohammad Shami dismissed five players by while Mohammad Siraj took three wickets for 16 runs. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja took one wicket each.

  • Pakistani PUBG players facing visa issues on a global stage

    Pakistani PUBG players facing visa issues on a global stage

    Pakistan has produced many gems in E-sports like Arslan Ash, Atif Butt, Khan (Tekken players), and many more, while in PUBG (Player unknown battlegrounds) we have one of the finest players like Cryptoo, Falak, and others who have proved themselves on the global stage.

    However, these Esports players always face visa issues when they are traveling to other countries. Now Pakistan’s one of the best PUBG teams, Agonxi8, who have qualified for the PMGC (Pubg mobile global championship) is facing visa issues due to a weak Pakistani passport. PMGC is a LAN (Local Area Network) event in Malaysia, starting from November 2, having a prize pool of $3 million.

    Agon’s five players along with their owner and coach Trynda (in-game name) applied for visas but only three players were able to get visas. According to the rules, at least three players from the team should be at the event’s venue otherwise, they could get disqualified and all efforts of an entire year could be wasted. Now their three players will be playing from the venue while the remaining two players will be able to play from Pakistan. PUBG Mobile has dedicated a referee to maintain the fair competition for both players.

    Another problem is that the player has to play their PMGC matches on the devices provided by the PUBG mobile organizers. Other teams from different countries already have traveled to Malaysia and gotten their devices, and they have ample time to practice on these new devices before their matches. Pakistani players have reached Malaysia just 2-3 days before the starting date and players who are playing from Pakistan will receive their devices on the game day. They only have a few hours to practice on new devices which will create difficulties during the game for them as compared to their opponents.

    E-sports is a huge income source for the young generation but our visa policies and weak passport makes it difficult for them to compete on international forums. Even our government is not showing any interest in E-sports while other countries like India have many big organizations to provide facilities to e-sports players.

  • Chances of rain in Bangalore during Pak-New Zealand match

    Chances of rain in Bangalore during Pak-New Zealand match

    As the race for World Cup 2023 semi-finalists takes shape, Pakistan will compete in a make-or-break match against New Zealand in Bangalore on Saturday before playing their last match against England.

    However, weather forecasts show that Bangalore will receive rain on Saturday afternoon, with a 70 to 80 per cent chance of rain in the city from 2 pm onwards on Saturday.

    If the match is washed out due to rain, both teams will get one point each, leaving the net run rate unaffected.

  • #Qudrat ka Nizam trending, South Africa’s win over Kiwis getting hilarious reactions

    #Qudrat ka Nizam trending, South Africa’s win over Kiwis getting hilarious reactions

    South Africa defeated New Zealand by a massive margin of 190 runs. Pakistani fans were praying for Africa’s win because Pakistan’s cricket team is now dependent on the wins and losses of other teams. South Africa’s win over New Zealand can help Pakistan to reach Semi-Finals

    Pakistan fans are thanking South Africa and their captain Timba Bavuma. A storm of memes is seen on social media after Africa’s win over New Zealand.

    These are some of the most interesting reactions:

  • World Cup 2023: South Africa defeats New Zealand by 190 runs

    World Cup 2023: South Africa defeats New Zealand by 190 runs

    In the 32nd match of the ICC World Cup, South Africa defeated New Zealand by a huge margin of 190 runs after a one-sided contest, paving the way to reach the semi-finals with their sixth win in the event.

    Captain Tamba Bavuma and opening batsman Quinton de Kock started the innings on behalf of South Africa, but Bavuma could not give his team a big partnership in front of the Kiwis bowlers and got out for 24 off Boult.

    After the first wicket fell on 38 runs, Quinton de Kock and Vander Dussen put on a brilliant batting partnership of 200 runs, both also scoring centuries. Vander Dussen scored 133 runs while de Kock was dismissed for 114 runs. David Miller played a brilliant innings of 53 runs off 30 balls. Henrik Klaasen scored 15 runs off seven balls and Markram remained unbeaten on six runs. South Africa scored 357 runs for four wickets in the allotted 50 overs.

    For New Zealand, Tim Southee took two wickets while Trent Boult and James Neesham got one wicket each.

    Chasing South Africa’s target of 358 runs, Kiwi batsmen could not stay on the wicket. South African bowlers bowled brilliantly, picking one wicket after another.

    Glenn Phillips 60, Will Young 33, and Daryl Mitchell 24 were the standout batsmen. Chasing the target, the entire New Zealand team was bowled out for 167 runs in 35.3 overs.

    On behalf of South Africa, Keshav Maharaj took four wickets while Marco Jansen took three, Coetzee two, and Rabada took one wicket.

    South Africa’s win over New Zealand has helped the struggling Pakistan team to get a shot at reaching the semi-finals, but it is still a difficult journey for Babar XI.

  • Palestine flag hoisted in Eden Garden during Pak-Bangladesh match

    Palestine flag hoisted in Eden Garden during Pak-Bangladesh match

    The Palestinian flag was hoisted in the stadium during the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh on October 31 in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup in India.

    According to the Indian news website India TV, the police detained four people for waving the flag in the match played in Kolkata yesterday.

    “Out of the persons detained from the Eden Gardens Stadium, two belong to Jharkhand and two are residents of Kolkata itself,” Indian police said, adding that two persons have been detained from Gate No. 6 while the other two persons have been detained from Block G1.

    Kolkata police said, “A preliminary investigation has revealed that the four persons, who are in their 20s, were protesting against Israel.”

  • Indian artist paints Babar Azam picture during Pak-Bangladesh World Cup match

    Indian artist paints Babar Azam picture during Pak-Bangladesh World Cup match

    An Indian artist named Parish Maity painted Babar Azam’s picture during the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh played at Eden Garden in Kolkata yesterday.

    Parish said. “He was invited by ICC (International Cricket Council) to capture four live matches in Kolkata and to capture the level of excitement in front of thousands of people.”

    “I have painted nine more paintings of this World Cup at nine different venues. In this painting, I have tried to capture the whole match action on one canvas,” he said.

    He painted Bangladesh’s Muhammadullah, Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan. Babar Azam signed the canvas after it completed.

    Here are some reactions on social media:

  • ‘Bat laga hai ya pad’; commentators laugh at Rizwan’s question to batsman

    ‘Bat laga hai ya pad’; commentators laugh at Rizwan’s question to batsman

    During Tuesday’s ICC ODI World Cup match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Shaheen sent the ball to Taskin Ahmed, who was caught behind by wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan.

    Shaheen Afridi thought that the ball was ‘caught behind’, meaning Rizwan caught the ball after it hit the bat and the batsman was out.

    He appealed for an out verdict from the umpire but did not get it. Shaheen, along with captain Babar Azam, asked Rizwan whether a review should be taken or not.

    Rizwan then turned and asked batsman Taskin Ahmad, “Is the ball on the pad or on the bat,” in response to which the Bangladeshi batsman replied, “On the pad.”

    Rizwan turned to Babar and Shaheen and said “He is saying that the ball is on the pad.”

    Commentators were forced to laugh Rizwan’s question.

    The video of the hilarious interaction is going viral on social media.

  • ‘Zaka Ashraf Sahab Apnay Kaam Say Kaam Rakhein’; Twitter loves Shahid Afridi’s statement

    ‘Zaka Ashraf Sahab Apnay Kaam Say Kaam Rakhein’; Twitter loves Shahid Afridi’s statement

    Former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi has lashed out at the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Zaka Ashraf, while talking in program Zor Ka Jor on Samaa TV.

    Shahid Afridi criticized PCB management committee for mishandling cricket affairs amid the Men in Green’s below-par performance in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.

    Afridi believes that Ashraf should focus on his job rather than giving pointless statements.

    “Zaka Ashraf is the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, not of a club. I’m surprised why is he calling owners of media houses about people who are talking against him,” Afridi said.

    “For God’s sake, you are the chairman, just deliver results and do your job. People are only talking about you because you are giving them this opportunity. Zaka Ashraf Sahab, stick to what you are supposed to do. The team is playing a World Cup and you are giving one statement after the other. Sometimes it is about Babar and sometimes it is about someone else,” he added.

    Social Media users took to X (formerly Twitter) and supported Shahid Afridi’s statement.

    Senior Editor, ESPNCricinfo, Osman Samiuddin tweeted, “Don’t hold board elex, throw own team under bus, leak whatsapp messages from captain, live for junkets & photo ops, be in charge of absolute clown admin, get away with all of it.”

    Aspiring Cricket analyst Syed Ali Imran tweeted, “Media houses kay owners ko phone? Shahid Afridi hits back at Zaka Ashraf who most probably exerted pressure on him via Aleem Khan owner of SAMAA TV.”

    Farid Khan, COO CricketRPlus tweeted, “Shahid Afridi grills PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf once again! What a statement by Lala “

    X user Maham Gillani tweeted, “A very clear message from Shahid Afridi to Zaka Ashraf. Lala is always behind Babar Azam. Off the field sixer from Boom Boom Afridi.”

  • Shaheen Afridi become No.1 ODI bowler in new ICC rankings

    Shaheen Afridi become No.1 ODI bowler in new ICC rankings

    Pakistan left arm pacer Shaheen Afridi become the Number one bowler in ODI (One Day International) rankings.

    Shaheen Afridi is now on the first spot with 673 points, followed by Australia’s Josh Hazzelwood on second spot with 663 and India’s Muhammad Siraj on third spot with 656 points. Shaheen Afridi also became the fastest pacer to complete 100 wickets in ODI’s during the match with Bangladesh, a feet he achieved in 51 matches.

    In the ODI batting rankings, Babar Azam is still on top with 818 points while India’s Shubman Gill is just two points short with 816 points.