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  • Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan wins the title of IBSF World Snooker Championship

    Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan has won the title of the IBSF World Snooker Championship which was held in Doha, Qatar. He defeated Iranian player, Amir Sarkhos.

    Ahsan, 16, becomes the youngest snooker player from Pakistan to win the title after Muhammad Asif, who won the title in 2012 and 2019 while veteran Mohammad Yousuf won the title of the World Snooker Championship in 1994.

    In the final match, Ramzan was leading the game with 2-0. He scored 63-60 and 91-0 in the first two frames. However, Amir Sarkhos won the four frames consecutively to put more pressure on Ramzan. Amir led with 2-4 in the game after 6 frames.

    Ahsan Ramzan was emotional after winning the final and his senior Mohammad Asif lifted him on his shoulders.

    Pakistan has won the IBSF World Snooker Championship for the fourth time.

    While talking to the media, Ahsan Ramzan expressed his joy. “I started playing snooker at the age of 6 or 7. It wasn’t an easy sail for me to get out of my home first to the streets of my vicinity, then to main roads of my city, and then play provincial and national championship before qualifying to get here.”

    He also highlighted his journey of struggle and thanked all his family, friends, and seniors for their unconditional support.

    “People usually see just one player on a snooker table, but there’s a long struggle and journey behind that one player,” he added.

    Ahsan Ramzan requested the Pakistani government and society to treat cueists with respect as they give to cricketers.

    “I wish that when I go back home, I also get the heroic welcome that any other world champion would receive, it is my wish that we — snooker players — also get the same treatment from the society that our cricketers receive from them.”

    “I want the government to support snooker; I want society to support snooker.”

    Ahsan Ramzan defeated world defending champion, Mohammad Asif, who is also a Pakistani, to reach the final.

  • Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan reaches final of IBSF World Snooker Championship

    Pakistan’s Ahsan Ramzan reaches final of IBSF World Snooker Championship

    Pakistan’s 16-year-old Ahsan Ramzan has qualified for the finals of the IBSF World Snooker Championship, which is being played in Qatar.

    Ahsan Ramzan defeated world defending champion, Mohammad Asif, who is also a Pakistani, to reach the final.

    Ramzan got emotional after beating his senior, Mohammad Asif with deciding frames 5-4 in the semi-final match.

    Mohammad Asif was leading a game with 2-0. However, the game became crucial in the third frame. The margin of victory in the frame decreased drastically as Ahsan Ramzan leveled the score with 2-2. He knocked out Asif in the ninth set.

    Ahsan Ramzan will play the final match today with Iranian player, Amir Sarkhosh who defeated Pakistani player with 5-4.

    Mohammad Asif was leading a game with 2-0. However, the game became crucial in the third frame. The margin of victory in the frame decreased drastically as Ahsan Ramzan levelled the score with 2-2. He knocked out Asif in the ninth set.

    Ahsan Ramzan will play the final match today with Iranian player, Amir Sarkhosh.

  • ICC rates Pindi wicket below average, Babar Azam defends

    The Inter­national Cricket Council (ICC) rated the first Test match between Pakistan and Australia pitch “below average” and penalised it with one demerit point after the match ended in a dull draw earlier this week in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

    In a report, Ranjan Madugalle, the ICC match referee for the Pak-Aus Test series said, “The pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners. In my view, this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball. Therefore, in keeping with the ICC guidelines, I rate this pitch as below average.”

    In response, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed that no Pakistani venue has received a demerit point before. However, it accepts ICC’s decision and has given assurance of the quality of pitches in upcoming matches.

    It is pertinent to mention that demerit points remain active for a rolling five-year period. When a venue gets five demerit points, it is suspended from hosting international cricket matches for one year.

    Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has defended the Rawalpindi pitch. The cricketer said that no matter how a pitch is it is important for players to perform on it.

    However, Australian opener David Warner said that he is hopeful of a result-producing wicket in Karachi Test against Pakistan which is going to be played tomorrow (Saturday).

    After the Rawalpindi draw match, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry criticised PCB for “choosing a dead wicket” in the historic Test Match.

  • Marylebone Cricket Club bans use of saliva to shine ball

    Marylebone Cricket Club bans use of saliva to shine ball

    Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has said that using saliva to shine the ball would be treated as an unfair practice.

    “The new laws will not permit the use of saliva on the ball, which also removes any grey areas where fielders eating sugary sweets alter their saliva to apply to the ball,” the MCC said in a statement.

    “Using saliva will be treated the same way as any other unfair method of changing the condition of the ball.”

    In the new rules approved by the MCC, cricketers will not be allowed to use saliva to shine the ball, and the “Mankad” method of dismissing batters will not be classed as unfair play.

    The basic meaning of the term “Mankad” is that a bowler can run out the non-striker batsman if he tries to step out of the crease when the bowler releases the ball.

  • Pak vs Aus: Fawad Chaudhry hits out at PCB for ‘choosing a dead wicket’ in historic Test match

    Pak vs Aus: Fawad Chaudhry hits out at PCB for ‘choosing a dead wicket’ in historic Test match

    Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for “choosing a dead wicket” in the historic Test Match between Australia and Pakistan.

    “Test match after 24 years and look at the pitch,” Fawad tweeted. He said that the Pakistani pace attack did not need such dead pitches and hoped that the PCB will “give positive cricket a chance in next matches”.

    Australian leg-spinner and batter Steve Smith described the Rawalpindi wicket as “dead” and “benign”. He said it offered little to the seamers.

    Earlier, The Australian’s chief cricket writer, Peter Lalor, also remarked that the Rawalpindi pitch is “as dry as the local hotels”.

    Team Australia arrived in Pakistan for their first tour since 1998. and will play three Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and a T20I.

    The first Test match played in Rawalpindi between the two sides ended in a draw. The next Test match will begin in Karachi on Saturday (March 12).

  • Praise for Imam-ul-Haq after he sets record in Pak-Aus Test match

    Praise for Imam-ul-Haq after he sets record in Pak-Aus Test match

    Former Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar praised left-handed batsman Imam-ul-Haq for scoring centuries in both innings and Shafique for his maiden Test century against Australia in Rawalpindi.

    Imam scored 111 runs while Shafique scored 136 runs.  

    After five days on the cricket field, the first Test match ended in a draw.

    Meanwhile, Twitter was all praise for Imam-ul-Haq.

  • Pak vs Aus: Imamul Haq, Shafique create Test record against Australia

    Pak vs Aus: Imamul Haq, Shafique create Test record against Australia

    Imam-ul-Haq created a Test record and his opening partner Abdullah Shafique hit a maiden hundred as Pakistan’s first home Test against Australia in 24 years ended in a tense draw in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

    Imam-ul-Haq was the Player of the Match for scoring hundred in both the innings. He said that he has been working hard for the last couple of years and he feels good to score centuries in both the innings, especially against a team like Australia.

    Shafique finished on 136 as Pakistan were 252 without loss when the match ended without a result.

    The home team led by 208 runs after dismissing Australia for 459 in the morning session. Pakistan declared 476-4 in their first innings.

    Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali grabbed four wickets on Monday and finished with career-best figures of 6-107 in 38.1 overs — his third five-wicket haul in eight Tests. Shaheen Afridi bowled really well.

    The second Test of the series will begin on Saturday, March 12.

    The Australian cricket team is in Pakistan for its first tour of the country in 24 years.

    Pakistani authorities aren’t taking any risks and have deployed 4,100 security personnel, army snipers and road closures for the players.

  • Australia’s tour is “huge message” to the world: Wasim Khan

    Australia’s tour is “huge message” to the world: Wasim Khan

    Former CEO of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wasim Khan called it a delight and a privilege to welcome Australia to Pakistan and termed it a “huge occasion” for not only cricket fans in Pakistan but also around the globe.

    Speaking to Geo News, Wasim Khan said that he “gets very excited about the tour like all other Pakistanis and cricket lovers as it is a huge occasion for the whole nation”.

    He said that this will send out a “huge message” to the world.

    He admitted there had been concerns about touring Pakistan from the players a few months ago, but they had all been put away by Pakistan’s security arrangements.

    “Hockley thanked me for all the hard work that was done for nearly 18 months to finalise the details of the tour,” said Wasim.

    Wasim said that it wasn’t just a single person’s work but a team effort as many people played their part to make this possible. “I have been in regular contact with Cricket Australia’s management and also players like Usman Khwaja,” he added.

    Wasim Khan said that there are many people on both sides that have worked tirelessly over the months to make this tour a reality. “This tour also sends out a strong and positive message to the entire world.” And he is confident that when the Australian team returns home, they will leave with fond memories.

    Last year, England and New Zealand cricketers didn’t play in Pakistan because of security concerns.

    Wasim added that there is no reason left for both England and New Zealand to not tour Pakistan later this year.

    “It feels so great that such positive news is coming out of Pakistan. The statements from Australians are very encouraging, which is a real proud moment for Pakistan.”

    “I was personally very disappointed, in fact, everyone was, as all of us put so much effort to make that possible,” he said.

  • Being a father of 5 wonderful girls, I can proudly say women have the strength to move the world: Shahid Afridi

    Being a father of 5 wonderful girls, I can proudly say women have the strength to move the world: Shahid Afridi

    Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has shared a special message on International Women’s Day. Afridi shared a picture with his wife and daughters on his Instagram along with a special message.

    “You are the nourishing power of the Universe, You make it come alive, more colourful & inspirational. Being a father of 5 wonderful girls, I can proudly say women have the strength to move the world; let’s celebrate them every day & support them to #BreakTheBias. Happy WomensDay,” wrote Boom Boom Afridi.

    International Women’s Day is being observed worldwide to honour the outstanding contributions and achievements of women, who constitute a major part of society in all fields of life.

  • Aussies vs Aussie: Pakistan’s new bowling coach Shaun Tait to arrive in Pakistan on March 9

    Aussies vs Aussie: Pakistan’s new bowling coach Shaun Tait to arrive in Pakistan on March 9

    Pakistan’s newly-appointed bowling Coach Shaun Tait is set to arrive in Pakistan on March 9. His first assignment will be Pakistan’s home series against Australia. Tait will join the Pakistani squad after a three-day mandatory isolation period.

     Shaun Tait is a former Australian professional cricketer. He is considered one of the fastest bowlers in the world.

    He has been appointed by The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the bowling coach for the national squad for a one year period.

    Tait is very excited that he is the new bowling coach and says that Pakistan has several great fast bowlers and it’s a big responsibility to be a bowling coach for Pakistan. In a video statement, Tait said, “Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Hassan Ali and Mohammad Abbas, are some of the names of the great bowlers in Pakistan and I am passionate to work with them,” he said.

    He further said that he can’t wait anymore to “avail the opportunity to work with the Pakistan team.”

    Tait’s father passed away last month, due to which his arrival to Pakistan was delayed.