Category: Sports

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

  • Umar Akmal was not selected because he plays for the country: Kamran Akmal

    Umar Akmal was not selected because he plays for the country: Kamran Akmal

    Kamran Akmal, hero of the 2009 T20 World Cup and former wicket-keeper batsman has backed his brother Umar Akmal stating that it is clear that there the criteria for team selection is not based on performance.

    There are players who have just 30 or 32 runs as their highest and they still got selected because they have strong friendships in Pakistani team, the batsman implied.

    Yesterday Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced squads for T20 and ODI against New Zealand in a series scheduled to begin on April 14. Babar Azam will be the captain and Shadab Khan will hold the vice-captaincy spot.
    PCB crushed all rumors of looking for a replacement for Shadab Khan after he lost a series as captain against Afghanistan in United Arab Emirates.

    Fans, however, are excited to see their favorite players back in the squad particularly Muhammad Rizwan, Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi who will lead the pace attack will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

    On the other hand senior player Kamran Akmal is not so happy with the selection of the squad, lashing out at the Pakistan cricket board management and selection committee for not selecting Umar Akmal in the T20 squad.

    “I am talking about Umar. They announced the T20 team and didn’t include him in the squad. Why? He played last year’s PSL and this year’s PSL in very tough conditions He tried his best to deliver whenever given an opportunity, a chance, limited amount of balls or overs, etc.,” Akmal said.

    “I don’t need to explain or tell anyone; everyone is well aware of the reality. Yet, I still cannot comprehend why he isn’t being given a chance in the national team, particularly on the batting number where almost every player has been tried,” he added.

    Kamran Akmal stressed that his younger brother doesn’t indulge in flattery, which is why he goes unnoticed.

    “The performance of all these players is crystal clear in front of everyone; despite that, you are still not including Umar because he isn’t in the likings or good books of the selection committee? Or maybe because he doesn’t greet you guys well, doesn’t invest a lot of time in flattering – this is what I can conclude as to why he isn’t a part of the national team.”

    Continuing in the same vein, Kamran Akmal said that it is crystal clear that performance is not the criteria for the selection, adding that one has to be a foot licker or employ flattery for selection in the Pakistan team.

    The 34-year-old Umar, who last played a T20I match against Sri Lanka way back in 2019, stated that his recent performances in domestic cricket are in front of everyone, and it’s up to the selection committee to pick him in the national side.

    “I leave the decision of selection for the upcoming series against New Zealand to the PCB and the selection committee. I take cricket very seriously, be it club cricket, domestic cricket, or international cricket. As you can see, I don’t miss a single club cricket game, and I always give my 100%. I will continue to perform like this till the end,” he said.

  • Mai un sab se bohot behtar hoon aur zindagi mein unse aagay hoon: Azam Khan hits back at critics

    Mai un sab se bohot behtar hoon aur zindagi mein unse aagay hoon: Azam Khan hits back at critics

    Azam Khan, Pakistan’s most powerful full hard and key middle-order batsman, has hit back at critics with a heated remark in a recent interview.

    “I believe that I am better than those who criticize me and spread negativity against me. I know I am way ahead in life as compared to them,” the crowd favourite said, lashing out at the critics who compare his fitness with his form.

    The 24-year-old’s comments showcase his confidence and determination to focus on his own growth as a player, rather than getting bogged down by negative criticism.

    “Those who label me as a Pindi-pitched-based batsman should also observe my recent performances. While I respect their opinion, I do not play cricket to prove them wrong. Rather, I play cricket for my own satisfaction, and as long as that satisfaction remains within me, I will continue to play,” said Azam.

    Previously, former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed had expressed concerns over the fitness levels of players representing Pakistan in international cricket.

    “I am not sure what sort of experiment this was. It’s clear to me that no consideration was taken when selecting the squad for this series about what standard of skills and fitness levels are needed to represent Pakistan,” said Javed.

    “If I was a player in that squad, I would have refused to play with this team. First, at least attain some levels of fitness before playing. Hopefully, they will have learned from this,” he concluded.

    Many former cricketers criticize Azam Khan’s fitness. Former Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja once said in a press conference about Sharjeel Khan and Azam Khan that “if they want to play cricket first they should be fit and be like proper athletes.”

  • Arslan Ash once again takes Tekken trophy at EVO Japan 2023

    Arslan Ash once again takes Tekken trophy at EVO Japan 2023

    Pakistan gamer Arslan “Ash” Siddique has won the Tekken 7 competition at EVO Japan 2023 on Sunday after beating South Korea’s Meo-IL.

    The Lahore-based player has now won three EVO titles. In 2019, he won the Tekken 7 tournament in Japan as well as the Evolution Championship Series in the United States.

    In August last year, he finished third in the EVO 2022 Tekken 7 competition.

    On Sunday, Siddique played as Zafina to dominate Meo-IL, who was using Geese Howard, 3-0 in the tournament’s final leg.

    Arslan Ash is a well known taken 7 player. He represents Pakistan at different platforms of E- gaming.

    His third trophy win at EVO Japan 2023 for Tekken 7, is now in direct competition for Knee’s record. Jae-Min “Knee” Bae holds the record for three EVO wins. He won his first back in 2013 at the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 event and subsequently, 2 more at EVO 2018 and 2022.

    Previously, Pakistan’s Arslan Ash won EVO Japan 2019 and the EVO Championship series. He went toe-to-toe against Rangchu for the upper bracket finals and Meo-IL in the Grand Finals. He mained Zafina, showcasing some flashy moves.

    This was the last time we’ll see Tekken 7 at an EVO event. Bandai Namco is planning full steam ahead for a Tekken 8 release. We don’t know when we’ll get our hands on those juicy Heat Smashes, Heat Bursts, and new juggle combos. But we’re eagerly waiting.

    Ash thanked his sponsors, fans, and the growing Pakistani Tekken Community for achieving this milestone in his eSports career. We might get to see him at EVO Las Vegas, adding another trophy to his name.

  • Babar Azam shares pictures from Masjid-e-Nabawi ahead of New Zealand series

    Babar Azam shares pictures from Masjid-e-Nabawi ahead of New Zealand series

    Skipper of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam, has shared pictures from Masjid-e-Nabawi on Thursday.

    In the photos, the star batsman is standing in the courtyard of Masjid-e-Nabawi, the second holiest place for Muslims worldwide. In 2022, pictures of Babar Azam performing Umrah also went viral on social media.

    He surprised his fans by sharing recent pictures of his spiritual trip to Masjid-e-Nabawi. Babar, who was earlier scheduled to participate in a Ramadan tournament in Lahore, will perform Umrah in the ongoing holy month.

    Fans congratulated him for performing Umrah again and asked him to pray for winning the World Cup.

    Meanwhile, Babar’s teammate Haris Rauf also performed Umrah on Thursday and shared his picture on Twitter.

    Test Cricketer Muhammad Abbas also performed Umrah this year. Babar, Shaheen, and Muhammad Rizwan were on rest during the Afghanistan series, and now the Men in Green are preparing for the New Zealand series.

    New Zealand is scheduled to play four T20, five ODI’s, and three test matches in Pakistan. The current Pakistan versus New Zealand schedule is as follows:

    April 14 – 1st T20I, Lahore

    April 15 – 2nd T20I, Lahore

    April 17 – 3rd T20I, Lahore

    April 20 – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi

    April 24 – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi

    April 26 – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

    April 30 – 2nd ODI, Karachi

    May 3 – 3rd ODI, Karachi

    May 5 – 4th ODI, Karachi

    May 7 – 5th ODI, Karachi

  • BCCI sources say entire Asia Cup to be shifted to UAE or Qatar

    BCCI sources say entire Asia Cup to be shifted to UAE or Qatar

    Sources within Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have denied media reports that Pakistan will likely play their World Cup 2023 matches in Bangladesh.

    According to media reports, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has been continuously pressurised by BCCI to shift Asia Cup to a neutral venue, however Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stuck to its stance that if they are deprived of hosting Asia Cup, then they will boycott the tournament and will not travel to India for World Cup 2023.

    PCB has dragged BCCI towards a ‘hybrid model” for the tournament.

    Under this proposed model, other teams would play their Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, while the Indian team would play their matches in another country. Now, according to media reports, Pakistan is also considering the possibility of playing their World Cup matches at a neutral location.

    However according to sources in BCCI that talked tto Press trust of India (PTI), these are just pressure tactics from PCB, while there is a probability of shifting entire Asia Cup to Qatar or United Arab Emirates.

    “We understand that this is a kind of pressure tactic applied by PCB because of the Asia Cup issue. But let me tell you, ultimately, Asia Cup will also be played in UAE or Qatar and probably Pakistan will also have to play its matches in one of these countries,” BCCI source said.

    “As far as Pakistan playing its Asia Cup games in Pakistan is concerned, the budget for the tournament is passed by the Asian Cricket Council. If ACC says that it’s not a commercially viable proposition to hold Asia Cup in two countries, how can Pakistan play its games at home? ACC, for all you know, might not pass the budget,” the BCCI source added.

  • Is Ihsan Ullah the next Shoaib Akhtar?

    Is Ihsan Ullah the next Shoaib Akhtar?

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) pick, right hand pacer Ihsan Ullah had a fabulous debut against Afghanistan in the three match T20 series held in United Arab Emirates. In the first match, at Sharjah cricket stadium, Ihsan Ullah picked two wickets in his debut over.

    Ihsan Ullah is the product of PSL franchise Multan Sultans and had a great tournament, becoming one of the leading wicket takers of the PSL 8th season. His recent domestic performance was enough to earn a pick for the Afghanistan series at Sharjah.

    Despite losing the first two matches, the men in green managed to prevent a whitewash. Pakistan team bowlers defended a total of 183 runs in the last T20I at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.

    The only pacer who bowled magnificently in all the three matches and stood out was Ihsan ullah.

    During the 11th over of the third T20 the pacer left Najibullah’s chin bleeding with a sharp bouncer, preventing the player from continuing the match.

    Najibullah was stable but could not resume his innings.

    Soon, Ihsanullah’s delivery went viral as social media users began comparing the firey bowler with former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, who was known for his aggressive bowling style.

    Netizens gushed over Ihsanullah, saying the young fast bowler reminded them of the Pakistani great fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

    See how netizens react on Ihsan ullah’s quick delivery.

  • Islamabad Police appoints Haris Rauf as honorary Deputy Superintendent

    Islamabad Police appoints Haris Rauf as honorary Deputy Superintendent

    The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police, commonly known as the Islamabad Police, have conferred the honorary title of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) upon the celebrated Pakistani fast bowler, Haris Rauf.

    The appointment was marked by a ceremony held by the ICT in Islamabad, during which Rauf was attired in police uniform and the title was bestowed upon him by the IG of the Islamabad Police, Dr Akbar Nasir Khan.

    Rauf expressed his enthusiasm at being appointed as the goodwill ambassador of the ICT Police on Twitter.

    Rauf has made significant contributions to the Pakistani cricket team by claiming 72 T20I wickets and 30 ODI wickets. Recently, he was also spotted at the Wagah Border with the PSL 8 Trophy, which he won with the Lahore Qalandars.

    It is noteworthy that this trend of police departments appointing Pakistani pacers as goodwill ambassadors seems to be gaining traction, as earlier this year, Naseem Shah was also conferred with the DSP rank and appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Balochistan Police. The event was marked by a function held at the IG Balochistan Police Office in Quetta.

  • Did skipper Babar Azam really perform Umrah this Ramadan?

    Did skipper Babar Azam really perform Umrah this Ramadan?

    Ace batsman and new recipient of one of the most important civilian awards, Babar Azam, is in the limelight again after a picture of him performing Umrah has gone viral.

    Netizens are claiming that the captain of the cricket team is performing umrah again this Ramadan.

    In the photo, the skipper can be seen wearing the Ahram at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca. After the picture surfaced online, fans congratulated Babar for performing another Umrah as the latter was in Saudi Arabia last Ramadan too.

    Now Geo News has said that the this is fake news and Babar Azam is not performing Umrah this year. He was resting, having skipped the Afghanistan three-match T20 series too Sources told Geo Super that Babar Azam is not in Saudi Arabia and currently he is at his home in Lahore.

    The right-handed batsman will be participating in a first-ever Ramadan Cricket Tournament in Lahore, starting tomorrow. Reliable sources said that the cricketer is planning to perform Umrah later this Ramadan.

    Meanwhile, on Monday evening Babar shared a video while playing golf in Lahore.

    The superstar is set to lead the Ghani Institute of Cricket (GIC) in a Ramadan tournament. His team will also feature Shadab Khan, Hussain Talat, Usama Mir, and Abbas Afridi.

  • Afghanistan brutally exposed new-look Pakistan team with T20 series win

    Afghanistan cricket team on Sunday beat Pakistan’s PSL- pick young team in the second T20 by seven wickets to lead the three match series by 2-0 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.

    This is a historic moment for Afghanistan, marking the first time they have beat Pakistan in any format or in any series they have played against the men in green.

    In an attempt to chase a 131-run target, Afghanistan played mature cricket, slowly working their way towards the target with one ball to go.

    PSL’s Lahore Qalandars death over specialist Zaman Khan was unable to save 5 runs as Najibullah Zadran hit four on the second ball of the over.
    Opener Rahamanullah Gurbaz set the tone for Afghanistan’s chase with 44 off 49 balls, courtesy of only one six and two fours.

    Ibrahim Zadran then contributed an important 38 runs off 40 balls at the one-down position with three fours to his name.

    When asked to finish the match, veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi produced 14 off just 9 balls to take the Afghans to the finish line and make sure they broke the tape before Pakistan.

    For Pakistan, only Zaman Khan and Ihsanullah were able to bag one wicket apiece.

    Earlier, Pakistan batted first and all thanks to Imad Wasim’s 64 off 57 balls, were able to post a reasonable 131-run target on the board. Captain Shadab was the second-best batter with his 32 off 25 balls.

    Pakistan started their innings by losing two wickets for zero after Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled a double-wicket maiden.
    Saim Ayub was caught behind the wicket by keeper superbly on the second ball of Pakistan’s innings.

    Incoming batter Abdullah Shafique was once again caught LBW, after losing his wicket in the same fashion in the first T20.

    Farooqi brought the ball swinging back into the right-handed batter, who was unable to predict the movement while trying to play across the line.

    Right-handed opener Mohammad Haris tried to give Pakistan the much-needed push with six and two fours. However, his innings of intent came to a premature end when he edged one to the keeper for an easy catch off pacer Naveenul Haq.

    Tayyab Tahir, another youngster in the Pakistan squad, tried to protect his wicket to give the Men in Green a dependable option in the middle-order, but he also couldn’t lengthen his stay after scoring 13 off 23 balls.

    Big-hitter Azam Khan was dismissed by Afghan captain Rashid after facing four deliveries for only one run.

    Farooqi was the hero for Afghanistan with the ball bagging two wickets off four overs, giving one maiden and 19 runs.

    Naveen, Rashid, and Karim Jannat bagged one wicket each for Afghanistan.
    The last T20I of the three-match series will be played at Sharjah again, on Monday, March 27.

  • Zalmi baazi le gaye, isloo ko bheja ghar, Peshawar Zalmi register 50th win in PSL

    Zalmi baazi le gaye, isloo ko bheja ghar, Peshawar Zalmi register 50th win in PSL

    Peshawar Zalmi registered their 50th win in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), defeating Islamabad United on Thursday night, becoming the first team to reach the milestone.

    Karachi Kings, holders of the record for most losses in PSL have lost in 50 out of 85 matches that they have played for all eight seasons.

    So far, Peshawar Zalmi have played 92 matches and won 50 of those. Out of the 50 victories, Zalmi had clear wins in 49 of those games while one was decided in a super over.

    According to Geo news, Peshawar Zalmi has a success rate of 54.39% in the PSL and is the only team that has reached the playoff stage of all eight editions of the marquee event.

    Last night, Zalmi knocked Islamabad United out of the tournament during the first eliminator of the eighth season of the PSL and lived to fight another day.

    Zalmi set a 184-run target for United in the match played at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.

    They will now take on Lahore Qalandars and fight for a spot in the final. The second eliminator will be played at the same venue today.