Category: Sports

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  • U19 CWC: Pakistan qualifies for quarter-finals after beating Afghanistan

    U19 CWC: Pakistan qualifies for quarter-finals after beating Afghanistan

    The Under 19 Pakistan cricket team has qualified for the quarter-finals of the U19 Cricket World Cup after winning two matches, defeating Afghanistan by 24 runs in the second match at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad.

    Pakistan skipper Qasim Akram elected to bat first and his side scored a good total of 239 runs. Last match’s star Haseebullah Khan failed to impress fans, scoring only two runs while Muhammad Shehzad scored 43.

    Shehzad shared a 60 partnership with number three Abdul Faseeh who made 68 off 95 balls with the skipper Qasim adding 38 from number five.

    Maaz Sadaqat played a gem of an innings with 42 not out off just 37 balls, including seven fours, to drag his side up to 239 for nine from their 50 overs.

    Despite a slow start, Afghanistan took the contest deep, although their innings was characterised by some wild running between the wickets, with three runouts as well as a number of near misses. The Afghan team managed to score 215 for the loss of nine wickets.

    Awais Ali, who took six wickets in the match against Zimbabwe, took three wickets by conceading only 36 runs in nine overs.

    The Green Shirts’ next game of the group stage is against Papua New Guinea, scheduled to be played on Saturday, January 22.

  • PM Khan predicts winning team of PSL 7

    PM Khan predicts winning team of PSL 7

    Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has met a delegation of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Qalandars Atif Rana met the PM with newly appointed Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi.

    During the meeting, PM Khan wished the franchise good luck and predicted that they can win this edition of PSL.

    Imran Khan said that the decision of making a young captain can be fruitful for the team. The youth has always made difference in changing the results.

    PM has said that the franchise has adapted a unique style among the other franchises. Finding the talent from grass-root level is the USP of Qalandars.

    On this occasion, the CEO Atif Rana informed the PM about the services of the franchise in the past while he also briefed him about the franchise’s future plans.

    PM Khan said that the contribution of this talent hunt in the Kamyab Nojawan Programme is admirable.

    Along with Atif and Shaheen, Director Cricket Operation Aqib Javed and Special Assistant to PM Usman Dar were also present at the meeting.

    The seventh edition of the league is set to begin from January 27, with the first match to be played between former champions Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings at National Stadium Karachi.

  • ICC T20 World Cup: When will Pakistan play arch-rival India?

    ICC T20 World Cup: When will Pakistan play arch-rival India?

    Arch-rivals Pakistan and India will start their 2022 ICC T20 World Cup campaign by having a clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, October 23 2022.

    Both sides are placed together in group 2 in the Super 12 round for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 to be played in Australia. They will be joined by Bangladesh, South Africa and two teams from the first round in the group.

    The schedule for the T20 World Cup 2022 was announced on Friday by the ICC which confirmed that the 16-team tournament will be played from October 16th to November 13th at different venues of Australia.

    Hosts and defending champions Australia will play New Zealand in the opening match of the Super 12 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday, 22 October in a re-match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 final.

    Pakistan will kick off its World Cup 2022 campaign with a match against India on October 23 in Melbourne. The match will start at 1pm PKT.

    On October 27, Pakistan will face the winner of the first round’s Group B, which most likely can be the West Indies. On October 30, the green shirts will take on runner up of first round’s Group A, which – going by seedlings – can be Namibia.

    The semi-finals will be played at the SCG and Adelaide Oval on November 9 and 10, respectively. It will be the first time the Adelaide Oval will host a World Cup semi-final.

    The MCG will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 final, which will be contested under lights on November 13, 2022.

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    Meanwhile, on their last encounter in the 2021 T20 World Cup, Pakistan thrashed India by winning from 10 wickets. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan produced a magnificent batting performance as they remained unbeaten on 68 and 79 respectively to chase down the target with 13 balls remaining.

  • Five Covid-19 cases reported in three different franchises ahead of PSL 7

    Five Covid-19 cases reported in three different franchises ahead of PSL 7

    Five cases have been reported from as many as three franchises of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) seventh edition which is set to start from January 27 in Karachi.

    As per details, two of the officials for the PSL 2022 season have now tested positive for Covid-19 which is not a piece of ideal news for the board.

    According to reports, West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer, Australian all-rounder James Faulkner and England left-arm seamer Luke Wood have all tested positive for Covid-19 and are placed in isolation. They were expected to arrive in Karachi but their arrival has now been delayed and they will also miss the first game for the Quetta Gladiators against the Peshawar Zalmi.

    The majority of the players and all of the officials are expected to join the bio-bubble in Karachi by tonight, which has been set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to conduct Covid-19 tests as the majority of the personnel have been engaged in cricketing activities; this might result in additional Covid-19 positive cases being reported.

    As per Cricket Pakistan, a couple of PCB officials have also fallen prey to the pandemic whereas some players’ families have also reported testing positive for Covid-19.

    All the matches of the upcoming edition of PSL will be held in just the two venues of Lahore and Karachi to reduce the possibility of players contracting the virus through travel. The crowd capacity for the matches has been reduced to 25 percent and this will be a huge responsibility for the PCB to ensure the tournament is conducted according to safety measures.

    Chairman PCB, Ramiz Raja already had measures in place for the Covid-19 scenario and the franchises have agreed to take the field if each of the squad has 13 players available in order to ensure that the matches are not skipped.

  • Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic owns biotech firm developing Covid drug

    Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic owns biotech firm developing Covid drug

    Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic owns a majority stake in a biotechnology firm, which is working on a way to immunise people against Covid without a vaccine. The Serbian tennis star has been vocal in his opposition to jabs, and appears to be actively invested in finding a way for others like himself to be protected without the need for a needle.

    It was revealed by Reuters on Wednesday that Djokovic has purchased an 80% share of QuantBioRes, which is headquartered in Copenhagen.

    The firm is working on a way to counter the virus without the need for people to get the vaccine against coranavirus.

    The company’s chief executive Ivan Loncarevic told Reuters that Djokovic made the investment more than a year ago, clarifying that it was not a response to his recent saga in Australia.

    He subsequently told the Financial Times that he had not spoken to Djokovic, who has won more than $150m in prize money, since November and that the tennis star was “not anti-vax”.

    Djokovic travelled to Australia at the start of the month with the plan of taking part in the Australian Open, but was held at the airport in Melbourne over a visa issue.

    Eventually, the day before the tournament began, the Federal Court upheld the Australian government’s decision and deported the world number one tennis player.

    Djokovic, who may also be barred from defending his French Open title in Roland Garros in May after the French government ruled on Monday that all athletes will have to be vaccinated in order to attend and compete in sporting events, acquired his stake in the company in June 2020.

  • Shoaib Akhtar to initiate career opportunities for Pakistani footballers

    Shoaib Akhtar to initiate career opportunities for Pakistani footballers

    Former Pakistani Pacer Shoaib Akhtar has reportedly initiated a life-changing career opportunity for 20 of Pakistan’s most outstanding football players. The initiative is led by the Global Soccer Ventures (GSV) in collaboration with Jawan Sports Drive.

    With GSV, Akhtar will also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of football in Pakistan. GSV is heavily investing in the trials in Pakistan, giving the first UEFA scouting examination on a national level in Pakistan to identify talent in 10 cities across 11 sites, with the goal of offering life-changing professions through professional football contracts in Ireland.

    Under St Patrick’s Football Club’s development programme, the visit also includes four masterclasses in major cities including Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta, and Lahore to enhance local football coaching expertise to European levels.

    At least 15-25 coaches have been shortlisted based on merit to attend masterclasses to improve their skills as a trainer with the aim of becoming certified trainers who would train other trainers.

    Talking about the initiative, the chairman of GSV Yasir Mahmood said: “Football is here to stay for the right reasons to develop and provide an opportunity for Pakistani players. With Akhtar as an iconic cricket legend well regarded around the world will help play a transitional role in making football become on top of the minds of our nation.”

    Meanwhile, CEO of GSV Zabe Khan said: “The only lifeline a player has and that is to play. Pakistan has seen nothing but football being swiped off its so-called grassroots.”

    “I welcome Shoaib Akhtar standing shoulder to shoulder with GSV offering a new hope for Pakistan’s next-generation football players,” he added.

    British Deputy High Commissioner Allison Blackburne said: “Football is not just a sport, for many in the UK it’s a way of life, and it would be great to see it become more popular in sport-loving Pakistan.

    He further said: “I’m delighted that talented young players here in Pakistan will have this opportunity provided by GSV to learn from some of the best UEFA coaches through St Patrick’s Athletic Football Club.”

    On the other hand, Belgian UEFA licensed coach Karel Freaye said: “Football is for everyone and I am looking for talent with the potential to develop and grow into professional players in Europe.

    With the trial registrations rising by the hour, he said that he is excited to see what football technical excellence Pakistan has to offer.

    On the other hand, SAPM on Youth Affairs and Chairman Kamyab Jawan Program Usman Dar said: “The revival of sports is the top priority of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Government. I welcome GSV in their efforts for reviving football in Pakistan.

    “PM’s Kamyab Jawan Programme together with GSV will ensure that through football talent hunt we will produce the next football Kamyab Jawan heroes who will represent Pakistan nationally and internationally,” he expressed.

    President of St. Patrick’s Football Club Garret Kelleher expressed: “It is simply wonderful that the resources are now being put in place in Pakistan to allow football inspiring those with a passion for the game to fulfil their dreams and aspirations just like Shoaib Akhtar has in the world of cricket representing Pakistan at the highest level.”

    Talking about the sports, CEO of Itel Zeeshan Yousuf said: “What excites me the most about this legacy project of GSV is the prospect of changing lives of 20 successful kids who will be on a life-changing journey to Europe.

  • FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tickets go on sale

    FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tickets go on sale

    Tickets for the FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) World Cup Qatar 2022 have been put on sale which is set to be played from November 21 until December 18 2022.

    Qatari residents will benefit from subsidised tickets, with prices starting from just under $11 (Rs1,938). However, for international fans prices are starting from $69 (Rs12,158) that go up to $1,607 (Rs283,175). There will also be cheaper accessibility tickets available for those with disabilities.

    Fans applying for tickets until February 8 will go into a draw with those who are successful to be notified by March 8.

    It is reported that seven stadiums in Qatar have been purpose-built and one refurbished for the World Cup but as there will not be enough hotels some fans may have to stay on cruise ships for the event.

    Qatar is the first Arab and Middle Eastern country to be hosting the biggest event of football. However, it has not yet been announced by either FIFA or the local organising committee how many fans will be allowed into stadiums.

    Currently, the Arab country has imposed tight restrictions on visitors including quarantine for new arrivals.

  • ‘Getting older’: Sania Mirza opens up about retirement plan

    ‘Getting older’: Sania Mirza opens up about retirement plan

    Indian tennis player Sania Mirza on Wednesday (January 19) announced that 2022 will be her final season on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour after her first-round loss in women’s doubles at the Australian Open.

    The 35-year-old Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok suffered an opening-round loss in the women’s doubles event of the ongoing Australian Open.

    “There’s a few reasons for it. It’s not as simple as ‘okay I’m not going to play’. I do feel my recovery is taking longer, I’m putting my 3-year-old son at risk by travelling so much with him, that’s something I have to take into account. I think my body is wearing down,” the 35-year-old said.

    “My knee was really hurting today and I’m not saying that’s the reason we lost but I do think that it is taking time to recover as I’m getting older,” said Mirza on Wednesday.

    The tennis star added that it’s difficult for her to find motivation everyday to come out. The energy is not the same anymore.

    “There are more days than there used to be where I don’t feel like doing that. I’ve always said that I will play until I enjoy that grind, the process which I’m not sure I’m enjoying as much anymore,” the athlete said.

    “Having said that, I still want to play the season because I’m enjoying it enough to play the year. I’ve worked very hard to come back, get fit, lose weight and try to set a good example for mothers, new mothers to follow their dreams as much as they can. Beyond this season, I don’t feel my body doing it,” Mirza added

  • Wahab Riaz reveals his favourite movie, drama during interaction with fans

    Wahab Riaz reveals his favourite movie, drama during interaction with fans

    The Pakistan National Cricket Team pacer Wahab Riaz has recently interacted with his fans on social media and answered several questions. The speedster revealed many things including his favourite Hindi movie and his favourite Pakistani drama.

    Read More – Peshawar Zalmi to reveal kit for seventh edition of PSL tonight

    One of the fans asked Riaz which Pakistani drama is his favourite? Replying to the social media user, he replied that Meray Paas Tum Ho is his favourite drama. The drama features actors Humayun Saeed, Ayeza Khan and Adnan Siddiqui in lead roles.

    Another fan wanted to know about his favourite movie. Wahab said that it’s 3 Idiots. The movie is a Bollywood hit which features Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani in the lead roles.

    As Wahab Riaz is also leading Peshawar Zalmi in the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), a fan had a question about Wahab’s team, Peshawar. The fan wanted him to explain the team in one word. Replying to the fan, he said that Peshawar Zalmi is like a ‘family’ to him.

    Riaz hilariously replied to a fan who asked which batter does he like bowling the most? To which Wahab replied: “Jera pehli gaind tey out ho Javay. (The one who gets out on the first ball.)”

    Wahab also revealed that wicket-keeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and Test player Azhar Ali are his best friends in the team.

    He also shared his plan to visit the Northern areas of Pakistan, Naran and Kaghan, once the quarantine for PSL ends.

    One of the fans wished him luck to win the trophy of PSL 7 to which Wahab said: “We will give it our best Insha Allah (IA). Looking forward to PSL 7.

    Concluding the interaction, Wahab thanked all his fans, saying that “it was great chatting with you all”.

  • ‘No shoes’, PCB shares Shahnawaz Dahani’s story of becoming a cricketer

    ‘No shoes’, PCB shares Shahnawaz Dahani’s story of becoming a cricketer

    Shahnawaz Dahani is a young Pakistani cricketer, born near a village in Larkana. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shared his story of becoming a cricketer through a video ahead of the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    In the video, the journey of Dahani from playing in his village to the PSL is shown where it can be seen that he was opposed by his late father when he wanted to play cricket.

    Lack of proper facilities might have stopped the young Shahnawaz to get opportunities at a young age, just like many other boys from the city. But Shahnawaz seems to be making up for lost time. His story is one for the ages as someone who found it difficult to buy shoes to play cricket and is now one of the most celebrated young players.

    Ahead of the sixth edition of the PSL 2021, he was picked up as an emerging player by the Multan Sultans and the decision proved to be worth it. He ended up becoming the first emerging player to become the highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history.

    He was a key member in the Sultans’ impressive turnaround and helped them clinch their maiden title. Now, Dahani is one of the most celebrated young cricketers. Yet, just a few years back, he was like any other young Pakistani boy, living in a small village near Larkana, dreaming to play cricket for Pakistan.

    Read more – Shahnawaz Dahani to make his T20I debut today against Bangladesh

    The 23-year-old made his international debut for the Pakistan cricket team in November 2021 in a series against Bangladesh.

    The young speedster is set to represent his franchise Sultans again in the latest edition of the league, starting from January 27 in Karachi.