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  • Pakistani Journalists furious over ‘Whatsapp’ solution by ICC for World Cup coverage

    Pakistani Journalists furious over ‘Whatsapp’ solution by ICC for World Cup coverage

    India has not granted a visa to any Pakistani journalist to cover the cricket World Cup 2023 yet and the International Cricket Council (ICC) has come up with a solution stating that questions can be asked via Whatsapp, provoking more anger.

    As a temporary solution while Pakistani journalists await clearance for World Cup coverage in India, the ICC has introduced a method for them to submit their questions to an ICC media manager via WhatsApp. These questions will then be presented to the Pakistani representative attending the media conferences.

    The ICC released a statement saying, “In addition to fielding questions from the present media, the Pakistani representative at the media conference will also respond to a selection of queries submitted by members of the Pakistani media who are still awaiting travel approval for the event.”

    Expressing their disappointment, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Recent reports indicate that no Pakistani journalist was present at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad when Pakistan kicked off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands last week.

    The PCB conveyed their disappointment in a letter to the ICC, stating, “The PCB is dismayed by the uncertainty faced by Pakistani journalists and fans in obtaining Indian visas to cover Pakistan’s opening game in the ICC World Cup. Pakistani journalists and fans are expressing deep concern, putting us under immense pressure.”

    In response, an ICC spokesperson commented, “We recognize the vital role played by journalists and passionate fans in elevating the spirit and ambiance of sporting events.”

    “This is an obligation of our host and they are working hard on it with our full support. Every effort is being made to get this sorted,” an ICC spokesperson told The Current.

    Pakistan Cricket Board Management Committee Chairman Mr. Zaka Ashraf has called upon Pakistan Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi and raised serious concerns and alarm over the delay in fans and journalists visas for India to cover the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. 

    The chairman also requested the Foreign Secretary to take up the issue with India’s Home Ministry through the Pakistan High Commission Office in New Delhi. The PCB has also taken serious notice of security threats being reported in Indian media and requested the government to evaluate player’s security in India. He emphasised that the well-being and safety of the Pakistan squad were of paramount importance.

    PCB is extremely disappointed to see that journalists from Pakistan and fans are still facing uncertainty about obtaining an Indian visa to cover Pakistan games in ICC World Cup 2023. In the meantime, PCB has again reminded ICC and BCCI of their respective obligations and terms and conditions stipulated in the Host agreement to guarantee visas for fans and journalists of participating teams.

    Pakistani Journalists are upset over this entire situation.

    Abdul Ghaffar, a sporta Journalist wrote took to X (formerly Twitter),

    “ICC instead of asking Pakistan Journo to send questions via Whatsapp must make sure well in advance that Pakistan Media gets visa on time and travelled,” he wrote.

    Another sports journalist, Ubaid Awan, withdrew his ICC media accreditation for World Cup 2023 in protest.

  • ‘Sports should be kept away from politics’; PM Kakar concerned over visa issue

    ‘Sports should be kept away from politics’; PM Kakar concerned over visa issue

    In the midst of a visa delay affecting Pakistani cricket fans and journalists attempting to attend the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup in India, Interim Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar emphasized the importance of keeping sports separate from politics.

    In a recent interview on the YouTube channel “Talk Shock”, the Premier talked to journalists Azaz Syed and Umer Cheema, staying that, “Sports should be kept away from politics.”

    He went on to express a sentiment of cooperation, saying that, “If the World Cup was held in Pakistan, we would’ve issued visas to India.”

    Prime Minister Kakar also extended his best wishes to the Pakistan cricket team, hoping that their performance would bring pride to the nation.

    Read More: Was there a five-ball over during the match between Pakistan and Netherlands?

    As of now, the Indian government has not granted visas to Pakistani cricket fans and journalists. This marks the first time since the 1975 World Cup that no Pakistani journalist is present in the press gallery at an ICC Cricket World Cup event.

  • Fan tries pitch-invasion during World Cup India-Australia match

    Fan tries pitch-invasion during World Cup India-Australia match

    On Sunday, Australia and India clashed in the cricket World Cup 2023 in Chennai. The happening match was disturbed by a British fan named Jarvo, who came onto the ground before the toss, wearing an Indian cricket jersey.

    However, security officers stopped Jarvo and pushed him out of the ground, while an unrelated person entering the players’ and officials’ area raised questions about World Cup security.

    Read More: Indian anti-minority lawyer targets a Pakistani over fake allegations

    The Indian cricket team itself was also angry when Jarvo entered the field. According to Indian media, ICC has banned this particular fan from coming to World Cup matches.

    It should be noted that Jarvo has previously attempted pitch invasions in England, earning himself a ban from British stadiums.

  • World Cup 2023: India defeat Australia by 6 wickets

    World Cup 2023: India defeat Australia by 6 wickets

    India made a winning start in the fifth match of the World Cup by defeating Australia by 6 wickets.

    The Australian captain won the toss and elected to bat first against India.

    Australia batted slowly, losing wickets at regular intervals. The Kangaroos were all out for 199 runs in the last over. From the Kangaroos side, Steve Smith scored 46 and David Warner scored 41 runs.

    Read More: How much will the cricket team earn under new contract?

    In the second inning, India lost 3 early wickets for 2 runs. After that, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul took over, steering the team to a decent total.

    Virat Kohli scored 85 runs and KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 97 to lead the team to victory. Indian batsmen completed Australia’s target of 200 runs in the 42nd over.

  • World Cup 2023: Records tumble as South Africa defeats Sri Lanka

    Many records were broken in just one match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 played between South Africa and Sri Lanka on Saturday.

    South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 102 runs, but that is not the whole story.

    The following records were broken in the match:

    Three Centuries in one inning

    Three centuries were scored by South Africa’s side, a first in the history of the World Cup, and only the fourth time in the history of ODI cricket that three centuries have been scored in one innings. Three out of four times this feat has been done by South Africa and once by England.

    South African batsmen scored three centuries against West Indies in January 2015 and India in October 2015 while England scored three centuries in an innings against the Netherlands in 2022.

    Highest total in World Cup history

    South Africa set the highest total of the World Cup, putting up 428 runs for Sri Lanka to chase. Before this Australia scored 417 against Afghanistan in the 2015 World Cup.

    Read More: Indian anti-minority lawyer targets a Pakistani over fake allegations

    Highest total of both innings

    A total of 754 runs was scored by both Sri Lanka and South Africa. Previous highest total from both teams was 714 which was scored in a match between Australia and Bangladesh.

    Fastest century from any player

    Aiden Markram scored the fastest century of the ICC World Cup, taking only 49 balls. Kevin’O Brien had previously scored a century in 50 balls against England in the 2011 World Cup.

  • India receives e-mail threat of bomb blast to blowup PM Modi, Narinder Modi Stadium

    India receives e-mail threat of bomb blast to blowup PM Modi, Narinder Modi Stadium

    Indian police have received an email threatening to blow up Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his namesake stadium in Ahmedabad.

    According to Indian media, the email, sent by a terrorist group, threatened to blow up Indian PM Narendra Modi and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with bombs.

    The terrorists reportedly demanded 500 crore INR (Indian Rupees) as ransom and the release of gangster Ravi Bishnoi.

    People have been deployed to attack the Narendra Modi stadium, the email reportedly said, adding that the Prime Minister will also be attacked.

    Indian police have said that they have received the email from the National Investigation Agency, and have issued an alert to all security agencies including NIA Ahmedabad.

    Read More: Why is India hosting the World Cup with empty stadiums?

    Indian police said while trying to trace the ID from which the email was sent, it seemed that the email came from Europe. The police say that they will review security for the upcoming matches of the World Cup, and if necessary, increase it.

    Indian police have blamed Khalistan Tehreek leader Gurptunt Singh Pannu for threatening to attack during World Cup matches

  • How much will the cricket team earn under new contract?

    How much will the cricket team earn under new contract?

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a much anticipated central contract on Wednesday. This central contract will run for three years from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026 in which 25 players will be offered a deal. According to PCB, match fees have been hiked by 12.5% for T20, 25% for ODI (One Day International) and 50% for test matches. The salaries of Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi increased by 200% according to the new central contract.

    All players included in the central contract are divided into four categories.

    A category:
    Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are placed in category A. They will get Rs 6 million per month according to the new central contract.

    B category:
    Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, and Nasim Shah are placed in category B. They will get Rs 4.1 million per month.

    C category:
    Abdullah Shafiq and Imad Wasim are placed in the C category where they will get Rs 1.75 million per month.

    D category:
    Iftikhar Ahmed, Hassan Ali, Fahim Ashraf, Muhammad Haris, Ihsanullah, Wasim Jr, Saim Ayub, Shahnawaz Dahani, Agha Salman, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shan Masood, Usama Mir, Saud Shakeel and Muhammad Zaman are placed in D category. They will get Rs 1.13 million.

    Read More: Human trafficked beggars from Pakistan arrested in alarming numbers abroad

    Remember that all players are allowed to play two foreign leagues in the season while PCB will review the player’s performance every 12 months.

  • Indian anti-minority lawyer targets a Pakistani over fake allegations

    Indian anti-minority lawyer targets a Pakistani over fake allegations

    A lawyer of the Supreme Court of India, Vineet Jindal, has filed a complaint against Pakistani cricket presenter Zainab Abbas over alleged old ‘Anti-Hindu’ tweets which have gone viral on X (formally Twitter).

    Zainab Abbas is currently in India as a presenter of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

    According to Vineet Jindal, the anti-Hindu tweets were posted approximately 9 years ago by the user name Zainablovesrk which is now changed to ZAbbas Official, the currently used X account of Zainab Abbas.

    Remember that ICC (International Cricket Council) picked Zainab Abbas as the Presenter of the ICC Cricket World Cup. She is now promoting “Cultural Similarities” between Pakistan and India, while on the other hand, she is facing this type of propaganda.

    Read More: World Cup 2023: Pakistan defeats Netherlands by 81 runs

    However, some Twitter users have said that the screenshots are fake as no such tweets were posted from her account.

    This is not the first time that he is targeting someone over baseless allegations. He undermines the cast issue in India.

  • Was there a five-ball over during the match between Pakistan and Netherlands?

    Was there a five-ball over during the match between Pakistan and Netherlands?

    Pakistan defeated the Netherlands by 81 runs in the second match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Friday.

    However, the match was unique because during the first innings, when the Pakistan team was batting, an umpiring error allowed a five balls over. This happened during the 14th over when Saud Shakeel scored a boundary and completed his fifty runs on the second last ball of the over. Then both standing umpires ended the over.

    The laws on Lord’s official website state that clause 17.5 of THE OVER, SCORING RUNS, DEAD BALL AND EXTRAS deals with the umpires’ miscounting, and explains that any revisions are not possible after a ball is bowled.

    Clause 17.5.1 states, “If the umpire miscounts the number of valid balls, the over as counted by the umpire shall stand.”

    Read More: Big blow for Indian team, star batsman infected with Dengue

    Another mistake was made by umpires in the 8th over of the innings when an extra fielder was set outside the circle. Muhammad Rizwan signaled to the umpire and the ball was given a free hit.

    This is not the first time a miscalculated over has been bowled in cricket history. During the match between Pakistan and India in the Women’s T20 World Cup, India was given an over with seven balls.

  • World Cup 2023: Pakistan defeats Netherlands by 81 runs

    World Cup 2023: Pakistan defeats Netherlands by 81 runs

    Team Pakistan started their campaign in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in Hyderabad Deccan today, where Netherlands won the toss and decided to field first against Pakistan.

    In the second match of the ICC Men’s World Cup, Pakistan got off to a winning start in the event by easily defeating the Netherlands by 81 runs.

    In the first inning, Pakistan set a target of 287 runs, after having scored 286 runs in 49 overs. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan were the top scorers, scoring 68 and 68 runs respectively. Van de Leede took four wickets each.

    The Netherlands team was bowled out for 205 runs in 41 overs. Bes de Leda scored 67 runs and Vikramjeet Singh scored 52 runs. Haris Rauf took three wickets.

    Live Update:

    Pakistan won by 81 runs

    NETHERLANDS 205 After (42 Overs)

    Haris Rauf bowled out van Makereen on 7 runs.

    NETHERLANDS 202/9 After (40 Overs)

    NETHERLANDS 186/9 After (37.1 Overs)

    Hassan Ali bowled out Aryan Dutt on 1 run.

    NETHERLANDS 176/8 After (36 Overs)

    Netherlands has lost his 8th wicket. Van de Merve run out on 4 runs by Babar Azam+Rizwan.

    NETHERLANDS 164/7 After (33.2 Overs)

    What a bowled by Muhammad Nawaz. Bas de Leede bowled out on the second ball of 34th over. He scored 67 runs on 68 balls.

    NETHERLANDS 158/6 After (32.2 Overs)

    Shaheen Afridi gets his first wicket as Zulfiqar got LBW on the first ball of 33rd over.

    NETHERLANDS 137/5 After (28 Overs)

    Haris Rauf back-to-back wickets, Teja Nadamanuru and Scot Edwards return towards pavilion.

    NETHERLANDS 120/3 After (24 Overs)

    Pakistan gets its much needed wicket of Vikramjeet Singh. Fakhar Zaman caught a good running catch on the ball of Shadab Khan.

    NETHERLANDS 98/2 After (20 Overs)

    NETHERLANDS 60/2 After (15 Overs)

    NETHERLANDS 50/2 After (11.1 Overs)

    Second Wicket down! Iftikhar bowled out Ackeremann on first ball of 12th over.

    NETHERLANDS 47/1 After (10 Overs)

    NETHERLANDS 28/1 After (6 Overs)

    Netherlands loses its first wicket as Max O’Dowd caught on 5th ball of sixth over on the ball of Hassan Ali.

    PAKISTAN 286 After (49 OVERS)

    Pakistani team all out on total of 286 runs in 49 overs. Muhammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel were top Scorer with 68 runs each. Bas de Leede took 4 wickets from Netherlands side.

    PAKISTAN 258/8 After (45 OVERS)

    PAKISTAN 227/6 After (40 OVERS)

    PAKISTAN 199/6 After (36 OVERS)

    PAKISTAN 170/4 After (30 OVERS)

    PAKISTAN 135/3 After (24 OVERS)

    PAKISTAN 78/3 After (15 OVERS)

    PAKISTAN 43/3 After (10 OVERS)

    Imam ul Haq caught out by Van Meekeren on 15 runs.

    PAKISTAN 34/2 After (8.3 OVERS)

    Pakistan loses its second wicket as Babar Azam was caught out on the 3rd ball of eighth over by Ackermann.

    PAKISTAN 18/1 After (5 OVERS)

    PAKISTAN 16/1 After (4 OVERS)

    Pakistan loses its first wicket as Fakhar Zaman was caught out on the 3rd ball of fourth over by Vaan Beek.

    Netherlands wins the toss, decides to bowl first.