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  • Shoaib Akhtar thinks Babar can’t break Tendulkar’s record but Kohli can

    Shoaib Akhtar thinks Babar can’t break Tendulkar’s record but Kohli can

    Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has said that Pakistan skipper Babar Azam cannot break Sachin Tendulkar’s record, but India’s Virat Kohli can surpass Tendulkar’s record.

    Talking to Geo News in ‘Jashn-e-Cricket’, Akhtar said: “I don’t think Babar can break Tendulkar’s record. Only Kohli can break Tendulkar’s record.”

    “Babar will have to work hard to get ahead of Virat Kohli,” Shoaib added.

    The legendary right-arm quick predicted that Kohli would score more than 100 centuries before retirement.

    In One-Day Internationals, Kohli has completed 43 centuries and 64 half-centuries in 259 matches, while Babar has scored 14 centuries and 17 half-centuries in 83 matches.

    Read More – Shoaib Akhtar believes Shahid Afridi will ‘100 per cent step into politics’

    Earlier, Akhtar had also said that Kohli should not have married “too soon”.

  • Rashid Khan is a fan of Lahori food, reveals favourite dish

    Rashid Khan is a fan of Lahori food, reveals favourite dish

    Afghan spinner Rashid Khan, who is part of Pakistan Super League (PSL 7) team Lahore Qalandars, has said that he has eaten Karachi food but Lahore food is very different.

    Speaking on Lahore Qalandars’ show, Rashid said that during his stay in Lahore, he will definitely get a chance to eat and he will go for it. “I like Lahore’s fish and will definitely eat Lahore’s fish,” he said. He further added that when he came with the U19 team, they stayed at the National Cricket Academy and ate fish. Until now they have not forgotten the fish and other items they ate.

    He said: “Lahore fans are getting a chance to see their team Lahore Qalandars in action after a break, we will give our best performances which cricket fans will enjoy.”

    Rashid Khan said: “I enjoy wherever I am playing, having fun with Lahore Qalandars, giving performances makes me more active.”

    While talking about his viral snake style, he said: “Celebration style is for fun, now the snake style has gone viral.” adding, “the style of playing the shots is not thoughtfully adopted, it just happens on the ground.”

    Talking about Shaheen Shah Afridi, he said: “Shaheen Afridi impressed me a lot. Did not think that he would become a very good captain. He keeps himself in control and makes decisions calmly, we all support him.”

  • VIDEO: Police officer slaps citizen outside Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

    VIDEO: Police officer slaps citizen outside Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

    A video of an on-duty police officer is doing the rounds on social media in which he can be seen slapping a citizen outside Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Thursday.

    As per journalist Qadir Khawaja, the police officer in the video was DSP Gulberg Amir Abbas, who was stopping the man in the video from going into the wrong lane.

    In the video, the man can be seen leaving without saying anything after happened to him.

    According to details, Inspector General of Punjab Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan took notice of the incident of violence against staff/citizens by DSP Gulberg and sought a report from CCPO Lahore.

    According to a handout, the Punjab police chief directed DIG operations to personally conduct inquiry into the incident and submit a report to him at the earliest.

    He said incidents of indecent or immoral behaviour with subordinate staff and citizens are not acceptable and further action would be taken in light of the inquiry.

    The IG issued special instructions to Lahore Police on the occasion of Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore for the security of players and spectators and for better traffic management.

    IG Punjab directed them to ensure best security to cricket fans coming to watch PSL matches. He also directed police personnel to perform their duties with diligence and treat citizens with courtesy.

    Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that implementation of an approved traffic plan should be ensured for the convenience of the citizens and smooth flow of traffic.

    In this regard, additional wardens should be posted on the roads of alternative routes to control the additional traffic congestion.

    IG Punjab said that there should be no obstruction in the movement of emergency services vehicles, ambulances, fire brigade, etc., and diversions should be made for the transportation of teams and no road should be closed unnecessarily.

    Rao Sardar directed senior officers to review traffic management themselves and ensure smooth flow of traffic in all cases.

    He said that the citizens should be made aware of the traffic situation through the Rasta app, Rasta FM 88.6 social media and media.

    IGP also directed Dolphin teams to provide assistance to the traffic police in controlling the traffic whereas extensive parking arrangements for cricket fans should be carved out.

    Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that during the PSL matches, all the police teams should be on high alert and perform their duties and play their responsible role in the journey of revival of cricket in Pakistan and also provide a peaceful environment to cricket fans.

    He directed that lady police personnel should be deployed for the security and checking of female spectators.

    Meanwhile, on Thursday, PSL franchise Multan Sultans registered a 42-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi.

  • Rizwan, Dahani’s video from sixth victorious match goes viral

    Rizwan, Dahani’s video from sixth victorious match goes viral

    A video clip from a match between Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans has been circulating on social media in which Sultans’ captain Mohammad Rizwan can be seen diving to catch the bowl but he ended up colliding with pacer Shahnawaz Dahani. Though the catch was safely taken by Dahani, netizens cannot stop praising both Rizwan and the 23-year-old speedster for their dedication and perfection.

    In the video, we see Kamran Akmal hitting the ball in the air off Blessing Muzarabani’s bowling. The wicket-keeper-batter and the pacer were both getting under it to take the catch.

    Even the Sultans’ all-rounder Khushdil Shah shared the video on Twitter and said that he loved the reaction of Dahani after catching the ball.

    One of the users termed Sultans as the “cutest team to exist”.

    One user said: “Really loved the reaction of Rizwan, many could have lost it at that moment but he showed once again why he is a very good leader.”

    While former cricketer Azhar Mahmood’s wife Ebba Qureshi said that she can watch this video on loop.

    Multan took their unbeaten streak to six wins from as many games by securing a 42-run win over Peshawar Zalmi in Lahore.

    Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention here that Sultans became the first team to qualify for the play-offs in the ongoing seventh edition of the PSL.

    The defending champions kicked off their PSL 7 campaign from where they left last season, and till now they are the only team to have defended successfully. They are comfortably sitting at the top of the table with 12 points.

    The Sultans’ players also took to Twitter to celebrate their sixth consecutive win in the league.

  • Australia prioritises Pakistan tour over IPL, players to miss a few matches

    Australia prioritises Pakistan tour over IPL, players to miss a few matches

    The Australian team will prioritise their national duty and several prominent players from Australia will miss out the first few matches of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 action due to the series against Pakistan.

    Read More – Australia announces full-strength squad for Pakistan tour

    Australian skipper Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, David Warner and others are all included in the auction. Cricket Australia (CA) laid down a strong ruling that their players were not allowed to abandon international duty for the IPL.

    Earlier, George Bailey, Australia’s chairman of selectors had said that IPL is a good enough “development opportunity” but CA would not release players when Australia was playing.

    “We do see the IPL as a really good development opportunity when it fits, but there’s obviously a huge amount of cricket with a series (in Sri Lanka) planned for immediately-post the IPL as well.”

    He later reiterated and passed a clear ruling on the matter.

    “So, it will be about working with the individuals to ensure they’re getting the preparation they need, but we certainly won’t be releasing players to the IPL while Australia are playing.”

    The Test leg of Australia’s tour of Pakistan, featuring three matches, is scheduled to end on March 25. Australia will then play a three-match ODI series in Rawalpindi, which will also host the only T20I on April 5. In an e-mail to the franchises on Wednesday, the IPL said Cricket Australia had permitted players who were part of both the Test and white-ball leg in Pakistan, to travel from April 6.

    This is a clear statement to IPL and to world cricket that Australia has refused to surrender to BCCI’s foothold in the cricketing world.

    The series is set to kickoff with the first Test match to be played on March 4 in Rawalpindi.

  • Selected schools in Lahore to be closed due to PSL at 1pm from today

    Selected schools in Lahore to be closed due to PSL at 1pm from today

    With the Lahore-leg of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 slated to kick-off from today (February 10), the deputy commissioner (DC) of Lahore has ordered the closure of schools at eleven different streets of the city at 1pm.

    Read More – Here is how to avoid traffic jams in Lahore during PSL matches

    As per details, the DC has sent a letter to the director colleges and other officers in view of the matches.

    According to the letter, the decision has been taken to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

    Educational institutions on Davis Road, Main Boulevard, Wahdat Road, Shimla Pahari, Canal Road, and Zahoor Elahi Road will be closed at 1pm.

    The Lahore-leg matches will be held from February 10 to 27, and preparations are in full swing ahead of the first match today, which will see Peshawar Zalmi locking horns against the in-form Multan Sultans.

    In their last encounter in the Karachi leg, Sultans beat Gladiators by six runs.

  • Is Shahid Afridi going to cook in his restaurant ‘Lala Darbar’?

    Is Shahid Afridi going to cook in his restaurant ‘Lala Darbar’?

    Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has announced that he will be opening a restaurant, ‘Lala Darbar’, in Dubai. He has also shared a video in which he can be seen wearing an apron and slicing tomatoes.

    Sharing the video, Afridi wrote: “One step closer to the big announcement. Revealing Soon.”

    Afridi further added: “Get ready to give your taste buds a mouth-watering triple tarka!”

    Afridi asked his followers to follow it on social media and he also revealed that the restaurant will be in Dubai.

    This is not the first time that the former all-rounder has tried a venture. He had opened a restaurant ‘Splice’ in Lahore and earlier in March 2021, he had also launched a range of skincare products. Announcing the news on social media, Afridi shared that the new line, from the world of Hope Care, is named ‘Ooh Lala‘.

    Besides this new skincare line, Afridi also has a clothing brand, ‘Hope Not Out’.

  • Saqlain to continue as Pakistan head coach, Shaun Tait appointed fast-bowling coach

    Saqlain to continue as Pakistan head coach, Shaun Tait appointed fast-bowling coach

    Former Pakistan cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq will continue as Pakistan’s head coach on an interim basis for another 12 months, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also named former Australia quick Shaun Tait as fast-bowling coach for 12 months.

    Read More – Pakistan announces squad for Test series against Australia

    Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf has been roped in as batting coach for the Australia series, which is scheduled to begin on March 4 in Rawalpindi.

    Saqlain, along with Abdul Razzaq, was appointed as interim coach following Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis’ resignations in September last year.

    The PCB had given an advertisement for five coaching positions — national high performance, batting, bowling, power-hitting and fielding — in December last year and had set a deadline for application as late January.

    As per reports, Tait is the only one to have taken up the position via this process for now, the other appointments were made on the basis of internal arrangements — instead of hiring new coaches based on the advertisement, the PCB promoted coaches from the high-performance centre to the national set-up on an interim basis. There were at least 12 applications for the various coaching roles overall but only the individuals who had applied for the role of bowling coach were shortlisted and interviewed, out of which Tait was finalised.

    Read More – Australia announces full-strength squad for Pakistan tour

    Since Ramiz Raja’s appointment as the chairman of PCB, there have been many changes in the set-up starting with Misbah and Waqar leaving their roles ahead of the home series against New Zealand. Saqlain, who was the head of international players’ development at the high-performance centre in Lahore at that time, was promoted as head coach but his initial tenure ended with the Bangladesh tour in December.

    Earlier, Saqlain had submitted his resignation following the tour but Ramiz persuaded him to continue in the role for another year, with at least eight assignments including the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup coming up. While Yousuf and Abdul Majeed (fielding coach) have been appointed just for the upcoming series, it is understood the PCB will make assessments during the Australia series before appointing anyone on a full-time basis.

    The position of a power-hitting coach is yet to be filled. While it was rumored earlier that former captain Shahid Afridi will be joining the national side for the role of power-hitting coach.

  • Video: Shahnawaz Dahani seen cleaning chairs at Gaddafi Stadium

    Video: Shahnawaz Dahani seen cleaning chairs at Gaddafi Stadium

    A video of the young Pacer of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, Shahnawaz Dahani, is doing the rounds on social media in which he can be seen cleaning the chairs in the pavilion at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

    Sultan’s right-handed fast bowler Dahani has been unable to impress the fans with his bowling in the seventh edition of the league but the young pacer is known for his humble nature and unique celebrations on the field. The cricketer is also termed as “foreign minister” for his good relations with the foreign players in the PSL.

    During the first practice session of Multan Sultans at the Gaddafi Stadium, Dahani was seen cleaning chairs while batter Sohaib Maqsood captured the moment on his camera and uploaded the video on social media, reported Geo News.

    Dahani has only managed to take five wickets for Sultans in the tournament so far. His best spell was against Peshawar Zalmi in which he amassed three wickets, conceding 41 runs. He was highly criticised in the match against Quetta Gladiators in which he conceded 33 runs in two overs. He was also expensive against Lahore Qalandars and conceded 44 runs in his four overs.

    Dahani, however, was the highest wicket-taker for Sultans in the sixth edition of PSL. He took 20 wickets in 12 matches.

  • Pakistan announces squad for Test series against Australia

    Pakistan announces squad for Test series against Australia

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced 16 players and five reserves for the three Tests against Australia, which will be played in Rawalpindi (March4-8), Karachi (March 12-16) and Lahore (March 21-25).

    Test players who are not involved in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 will assemble in Karachi on Wednesday, February 16, for a training camp that will be held at the National Stadium.

    From the series against Bangladesh, three changes have been made in the national squad.

    Haris Rauf, who was in the side for South Africa and Zimbabwe Tests in 2021, has returned to replace off-spinner Bilal Asif, while Shan Masood, who last played in New Zealand in the 2020-21 season, has taken over from Abid Ali, who is completing his rehabilitation after being diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome. Yasir Shah has been added to the reserve pool.

    Chief selector Muhammad Wasim in a statement said: “We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where absolutely necessary. This is to give the boys confidence, reward them for their impressive performances in the longer version of the game in 2021 and continue to build the side for the future.”

    “These are the best available, most talented and in-form players in the domestic circuit. I am confident they will put up an impressive performance against a formidable Australia side,” he added.

    Test squad:

    Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid Mahmood.

    Reserves players selected for the tour are Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Yasir Shah.

    Cricket Australia announced the full-strength squad for Pakistan tour on Tuesday. While squads for the limited-overs matches that will follow the Tests are yet to be named, the fact that no Test players have pulled out is a vote of confidence for the tour.