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  • Karachi Kings spinner Imad Wasim fined for breaching PSL Code of Conduct

    Karachi Kings spinner Imad Wasim fined for breaching PSL Code of Conduct

    Karachi Kings’ former captain Imad Wasim has been fined five per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 one of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Code of Conduct during his team’s clash against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday.

    Read More – Quetta’s Jason Roy fined for breach of code of conduct

    The incident happened in the first over of the match when Imad Wasim used inappropriate language after dismissing opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who had earlier hit him for a couple of sixes. Wasim was found to have violated Article 2.5 of the PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.

    While he also celebrated in a teasing style when he got the wicket of Islamabad captain Shadab Khan.

    The Article relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during a PSL Match”.

    Meanwhile, Imad admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed to be imposed by the match referee Ranjan Madugalle and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

    The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Richard Illingworth, third umpire Rashid Riaz and fourth umpire Nasir Hussain.

  • Fakhar Zaman kisses and tells: reveals reason behind flying kiss in PSL match

    Fakhar Zaman kisses and tells: reveals reason behind flying kiss in PSL match

    Pakistan cricket team’s hard-hitting batter Fakhar Zaman has revealed why he blew a flying kiss in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 match against Quetta Gladiators after he scored his sixth 50-plus score.

    Zaman grabbed the attention of all his fans when he sent a flying kiss after completing his half-century.

    Fans were quick to notice Fakhar’s actions and kept speculating the story behind the “flying kiss celebration”. However, the star batter revealed that the celebration was as per the instructions of his son, Zain.

    In a video shared by the Lahore Qalandars’ official Twitter handle, Fakhar said: “The flying kiss was for my son Zain. He sent me a voice note along with a video of a cartoon where a character sends a flying kiss. He had asked me to do this for him when I score a half-century.”

    “I sent the voice note to Shaheen Afridi, Rashid Khan, and Haris Rauf and did the celebration for my son. Zain was watching in the stands when I did the celebration and was covering his face,” Fakhar said.

    Speaking about Qalandars’ performance during the ongoing season, Fakhar urged fans to keep on supporting the team.

    “Keep supporting Lahore Qalandars,” he said, adding that Qalandars’ fans are happy with their performance.

    “We will try our best to make our fans happy. Ups and downs are part of the game, so always support us.”

    Fakhar Zaman has been exceptional in the ongoing seventh edition of the PSL, scoring five half-centuries and a ton. The left-handed batter is currently the top scorer of the PSL.

  • Djokovic says he’s not anti-vax ‘but will sacrifice trophies if told to get jab’

    Djokovic says he’s not anti-vax ‘but will sacrifice trophies if told to get jab’

    Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic has said he was not against vaccination but would skip Grand Slam tournaments if he was forced to take the jab against Covid-19.

    Read More – Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic owns biotech firm developing Covid drug

    Djokovic, who is unvaccinated and according to Reuters, was deported from Australia after an 11-day rollercoaster experience involving two visa cancellations, two court challenges and five nights in two stints at an immigration detention hotel where asylum seekers are held.

    “Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” the 34-year-old Serbian told the BBC, adding that he was aware that he would not be able to travel to most tournaments in the world currently because of his unvaccinated status.

    The 20-times major champion is set to return to competitive action at an ATP tournament in Dubai next week for the first time since he was deported ahead of the Australian Open, this year’s first tennis Grand Slam.

    Another win at Melbourne Park, where Djokovic has won nine titles, could have taken him to a men’s record 21 major titles, but instead it was his long-time rival Rafa Nadal who stepped ahead by lifting the trophy last month.

    Read More – ‘Proud to share this era’: Roger Federer congratulates Rafael Nadal on winning 21st grand slam title

    Djokovic said he was ready to sacrifice his shot at the milestone over the “freedom of choice” but he was keeping an open mind about taking the jab in the future.

    “I was never against vaccination,” he said, adding that he took vaccines as a child. “But I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.

    “I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus.”

  • Seventh consecutive loss: New record for Karachi Kings

    Seventh consecutive loss: New record for Karachi Kings

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Karachi Kings has set a new record of losing in the history of PSL. This year, the Babar Azam-led Kings lost their seventh consecutive match against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Monday.

    Read More – All you need to know about today’s PSL fixtures

    Chasing 192, Kings were given a boost when two key Islamabad United bowlers, Shadab Khan and Zeeshan Zameer, were forced off the field with injuries, leading to Asif Ali needing to bowl three overs, and taking two wickets in his first over.

    It was some generous fielding from United at the death and a spirited stand between Imad Wasim and Qasim Akram that even made this game a contest.

    It came down to a nail-biting final over from Waqas Maqsood, in which Kings needed eight. A boundary off the second ball brought it down to a run-a-ball, but two wickets took the game right down to the final delivery, off which the Kings needed two. Chris Jordan spooned it back to Waqas, who somehow dropped it, but managed to gather and effect a direct hit at the non-striker’s end.

    Jordan was inches short of the crease that would have guaranteed the Kings a Super Over, and United had just about a hold on to victory in a game they should have sealed long ago.

    Karachi remains without points after seven matches in the ongoing tournament. Before this, the unwanted record of most consecutive defeats in a single edition of PSL was with Lahore Qalandars. Qalandars were beaten in six consecutive games in the 2018 season of PSL.

  • All you need to know about today’s PSL fixtures

    All you need to know about today’s PSL fixtures

    The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is moving forward in full swing and is almost about to complete its second leg.

    Former PSL champions Peshawar Zalmi will be taking on Quetta Gladiators today at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore at 7:30pm.

    United are placed on the third position of the points table with eight points to their name as they have won four games from the seven they have played so far.

    Their last encounter with the Kings last night was a nail-biter but they managed to defend their total on the last ball.

    Meanwhile, Kings are at the last position of the points table with zero points, as they have lost all seven games played so far.

  • Quetta’s Jason Roy fined for breach of code of conduct

    Quetta’s Jason Roy fined for breach of code of conduct

    Quetta Gladiators’ batter Jason Roy has been fined five per cent of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Code of Conduct during his team’s eight-wicket defeat against Lahore Qalandars in the 20th match of PSL 7 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Sunday.

    Roy was found to have violated Article 2.21 of the PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that brings the game into disrepute”, following his reaction after he was adjudged caught behind by Asif Yaqoob off Shaheen Shah Afridi.

    In the video, posted by PSL official Twitter account, he can be seen misbehaving with the umpire despite the fact that he had the option to challenge the umpire’s decision of giving him out.

    England’s cricketer accepted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed to be imposed by Roshan Mahanama and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

    The charges were levelled by the on-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Michael Gough, third umpire Rashid Riaz and fourth umpire Waleeed Yaqoob.

    All first-time offences of Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official warning and/or imposition of a fine of up to 25% of the applicable match fee.

    It was also reported that Roy had reported Shaheen’s bowling action but the reports were denied by the Quetta Gladiators.

  • ‘When I first saw Shahid Afridi’: Wasim Akram pens heartfelt note for Afridi

    ‘When I first saw Shahid Afridi’: Wasim Akram pens heartfelt note for Afridi

    Shahid Afridi, one of the most popular cricketers of this era, bid goodbye to his career in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to long-lasting back pain. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram penned a heartfelt note for his former colleague.

    In his tweet, Wasim shared the first memory of Afridi: “The first time I saw @SAfridiOfficial was in the nets in 1996 and he impressed us, apart from his bowling, with his batting. He smashed the then fastest hundred and became a big mega star. Had won Pakistan so many matches and is hugely popular.”

    He further wished him luck for his future and praised Afridi for his various match-winning performances.

    Former pace ace Shoaib Akhtar tweeted: “Araam kero Lala. Is umar main ye ishq nahi asaan.” (Take a break Lala, it is hard to have a love for the game at this age.)

    Other cricketers like Rumman Raees and Anwar Ali Khan also took to their social media to share their thoughts about Shahid Afridi and prayed for his health.

    Earlier, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi while replying to Shahid Afridi’s tweet in which he said goodbye to PSL, said that Afridi’s presence will be missed in the PSL. He added that Afridi is the “pride of Pakistan” and wished him to get well soon.

    Quetta Gladiators’ Afridi played his last PSL game against Islamabad United on February 12 where he got two wickets for 27 runs in his four overs and ran Azam Khan out with a direct hit.

  • Did Shahid Afridi’s daughter send flowers, balloon to Shaheen Afridi on Valentine’s Day?

    Did Shahid Afridi’s daughter send flowers, balloon to Shaheen Afridi on Valentine’s Day?

    Lahore Qalandars’ skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi received a bouquet of red roses and flowers with a “Happy Valentine’s Day” card and a balloon on Valentine’s Day evening and the cricketer shared a snippet of the gift with a caption: “Thank you my love.”

    Now the social media users are wondering if the flowers and the balloon were sent by former cricketer Shahid Afridi’s daughter, who is engaged to Shaheen Afridi.

    https://twitter.com/Its_meHamid/status/1492960773739782144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1492960773739782144%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.tv%2Flatest%2F399083-shaheen-shah-afridis-valentines-day-gift-what-is-twitter-thinking

    Shaheen-led Qalandars on Monday defeated Quetta Gladiators in the 20th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 by eight wickets and Shaheen not only received flowers and balloon but he also bagged the Player of the Match award for his exceptional spell in which he conceded only 27 runs in four overs. Not only this but he managed to take Quetta’s batters Jason Roy and James Vince’s crucial wickets on duck.

    The 21-year-old pacer will marry Shahid Afridi’s daughter. The news was confirmed by both families last year.

  • Twitter all praises for Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam after they lead Qalandars to fifth victory

    Twitter all praises for Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam after they lead Qalandars to fifth victory

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars saw another victory on Sunday against Quetta Gladiators. The Qalandars beat Gladiators by eight wickets with the help of opening batter Fakhar Zaman and one-down batter Kamran Ghulam’s half-centuries.

    Read More – ‘Cannot bear it anymore’: Shahid Afridi bids goodbye to PSL

    Quetta failed to get a good start as Lahore’s skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed back-to-back wickets of batters Jason Roy and James Vince in the first over. They posted a total of 141, thanks to Iftikhar Ahmed’s half-century.

    The recovery came initially through another little cameo from Umar Akmal, and then a 51-run stand between Iftikhar and Hassan Khan. Iftikhar scored a 39-ball 52 to ensure the Gladiators would have something to bowl at, but needed to bat through the innings to really give them a defendable total. Once he holed out in the 18th over, the innings deteriorated.

    The Qalandars didn’t go hard in the powerplay, but only because they didn’t especially need to. Ghulam Mudassar removed Abdullah Shafique early but Fakhar’s sensational inning showed no mercy on the opposition’s bowling attack. The opener struck six boundaries during a 42-ball 53, and even when he top-edged one-off Noor Ahmed to end his knock, his side required just 24 more in 27 balls.

    Then came Hafeez and clinched the match with Ghulam, who scored an unbeaten 55 on 39 balls.

    Twitterati couldn’t stop lauding Fakhar’s consistent stint at this year’s PSl.

    Former cricketer Rashid Latif took to Twitter and shared Fakhar’s picture and wrote: “Sar Fakhar se buland ho gaya.” (The head is raised with pride.)

    While several showered praise sharing Fakhar’s stats in the seventh edition of PSL.

    https://twitter.com/CricRajdeep/status/1492916862593552387?s=20&t=0kReg72tcG4h_orlOTY0qA

    Fakhar has become only the second player in the history of PSL to score six fifty-plus scores in a single season, Babar Azam holds the record of seven in 2021. Fakhar stands on top of the table of players with 469 runs. Multan Sultans’ Shan Masood is behind him with 351 runs while Multan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan is following Shan with 269 runs.

  • ‘Cannot bear it anymore’: Shahid Afridi bids goodbye to PSL

    ‘Cannot bear it anymore’: Shahid Afridi bids goodbye to PSL

    Quetta Gladiators’ veteran Shahid Afridi has announced his exit from the remainder of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022, citing a back injury that has gone to an “intolerable” level.

    In a video message posted on his YouTube channel, Lala said he had been carrying his lower-back injury for more than 15 years, adding it was now causing unbearable pain to his entire body.

    “Goodbye to PSL. My body is in serious pain,” wrote Afridi in his tweet.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1492780664940281857?t=Q4xSmvTQgjizDpWsFwYYSw&s=19

    “I cannot bear it anymore,” Afridi said.

    The star-allrounder thanked Gladiators’ owner Nadeem Omar for his all-out support to him.

    “I want to apologise to fans for not being able to play the entire PSL and sign off on a good note”.

    He hoped to undergo the rehabilitation process and expressed his desire to return to the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) and other T10 leagues in time to come.

    Afridi said his welfare foundation was his “second innings and the most important one” to him.

    He urged fans to pray for his health. “With the grace of God, I will appear in another league [soon],” said the former captain.

    In his last game against Islamabad United yesterday, Afridi bowled four overs and got two wickets for 27 runs. However, he was yet to bat when the team chased down the 205-run target with the loss of five wickets.

    He also had back issue in the same match. After he picked up Muhammad Akhlaq’s wicket, Afridi did his signature pose and leaned back, his back started hurting and it was evident as he applied pressure and bent forward to ease the pain.

    It is pertinent to mention here that this was the last PSL season for Afridi as he had announced it last year.

    Afridi last played international cricket more than five years ago, but continued to take part in the PSL ever since its inception. He led Zalmi in the first season and was part of the team that won the title the following year.

    Pakistan Cricket team’s front line pacer and Afridi’s son-in-law to-be Shaheen Shah Afridi took to Twitter and wrote: “Your presence will be missed in the PSL Lala @SAfridiOfficial. You are the pride of Pakistan for a reason. Get well soon. #HopeNotOut #Forever”