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  • Shahid Afridi says India needs a ‘miracle’ to qualify for T20 World Cup semi-final

    Shahid Afridi says India needs a ‘miracle’ to qualify for T20 World Cup semi-final

    Former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi has said that India have an outside chance of qualifying for the semis but with how they have played their two big games in the event, it would be nothing but a miracle to see them qualify.

    The former captain’s statement came after New Zealand crushed India by eight wickets on Sunday.

    Azhar Ali and Shoaib Akhtar also took to Twitter to express their displeasure on the performance of India.

    A timid India could only manage a below-par 110 for 7 in their crucial match and then saw New Zealand chase down the target of 111 with 33 balls to spare.

    Trent Boult took three wickets, while Ish Sodhi grabbed two crucial wickets of Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He also bagged Player of the Match award for his classic performance with the ball.

    India is still mathematically alive in this tournament but even three crushing wins against Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia would not guarantee qualification for the semi-finals.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan is on the top of the table in Group 2 with six points, Afghanistan stands second with four points, beating India with a big margin, the Black Caps are on third position with 2 points in their bucket.

    India will play Afghanistan on Wednesday in their next match of the Super 12 stage.

  • ‘Bunch of spineless people’: Virat Kohli slams trolls who abused Shami

    ‘Bunch of spineless people’: Virat Kohli slams trolls who abused Shami

    Indian skipper Virat Kohli lashed out on Saturday at the “spineless people” who abused pacer Mohammad Shami on social media after Pakistan defeated India on Sunday, in their first clash in the T20 World Cup.

    “There’s a good reason why we are playing on the field and not some bunch of spineless people on social media that have no courage to actually speak to any individual in person,” said Kohli while talking to reporters in a presser.

    Kohli said that social media trolls were “literally the lowest level of human potential that one can operate at.”

    He further said: “Attacking someone over their religion is the most, I would say, pathetic thing that a human being can do.”

    The 32-year-old said that online abuse had become a “source of entertainment in today’s world” and that he was confident the episode would not affect the dressing room atmosphere.

    “We stand by him fully. We are backing him 200 per cent. Our brotherhood, our friendship within the team, nothing can be shaken,” he added.

    The Indian team as well as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had stayed silent after the incident.

    However, several former Indian players like Irfan Pathan, Virendar Sehwag and others had spoke against the abuse on social media.

    Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Rizwan also extended his support to Shami on social media.

    Team India lost the match by 10 wickets. Babar Azam and Rizwan’s prolific innings lead Pakistan to the record-breaking victory at the Dubai International Stadium.

  • ‘Bought an old motorcycle with my first cheque’: Asif Ali’s old interview goes viral

    ‘Bought an old motorcycle with my first cheque’: Asif Ali’s old interview goes viral

    An old video clip of Pakistani hitter Asif Ali’s interview is circulating on social media in which he is sharing the story of his new Honda bike and his love for old bikes. Soon after the clip resurfaced, it was widely shared by people on social media.

    In the interview, Asif said: “My name came in the list for Faisalabad team for the first time in Karachi tournament. We defeated Sialkot in the final. I was part of this team but I did not play.”

    Asif Ali said that he had received a cheque for Rs55,000 for winning the final and at that time his salary was Rs5,000. He said that he slept with the cheque in his pocket so that it would not get stolen.

    The national cricketer said that with this money he bought a motorcycle (125) worth Rs50,000. While his love for his old Yamaha was still there, which used to get stuck anywhere on the road. It was his grandfather’s bike that he used to ride.

    He further said: “I went to play the match and came back home after a few days, but my grandfather’s motorcycle was not there. The elder brother said that he sold it for Rs5,000.”

  • ‘Disgrace to journalism, cricket’: Netizens lash out at Pakistani journalist for asking political questions from Mohammed Nabi

    ‘Disgrace to journalism, cricket’: Netizens lash out at Pakistani journalist for asking political questions from Mohammed Nabi

    A Pakistani journalist in a post-match press conference asked Afghan skipper Mohammad Nabi about the country’s political relations with Pakistan. The journalist continued by asking that if the new friendly relationship with Pakistan will help Afghanistan cricket flourish.

    Nabi refused to answer the question saying that he will only answer cricket-related questions.

    People on social media called out the journalist for the inappropriate question. Have a look at some of the Twitter reactions:

    https://twitter.com/woruksha/status/1454169244078387206

    Read more- ‘Aik over main 25 bhi kar leinge’: Asif Ali to Shoaib Malik

    Pakistan beat Afghanistan yesterday by five wickets in their Group 2 Super 12 match of the ICC T20 World Cup.

  • ‘Aik over main 25 bhi kar leinge’: Asif Ali to Shoaib Malik

    ‘Aik over main 25 bhi kar leinge’: Asif Ali to Shoaib Malik

    Asif Ali clinched the match for Pakistan, beating Afghanistan with five wickets.

    At the post-match ceremony Asif said: “The boundary was small from this end so I told Shoaib Malik that I’d go for it this over. Thank God we pulled it off.”

    He further said: “I look at the situation and what it demands and which bowler has overs remaining, and the field setting.”

    “I told Shoaib [Malik] that Naveen was bowling well, and from this end I could even score 25 in an over. So I planned for it,” he concluded.

    “The bowlers bowled brilliantly at the start, but I think we gave 10-15 runs too many away,” said Babar at the post-match ceremony.

    “We didn’t quite use the Powerplay as well as we hoped but Asif and Shoaib Malik at the death were brilliant. The way Asif has played many innings at the PSL, I was very confident he’d get us out of any trouble we find ourselves in,” he added.

    Babar also said: “I wanted to stay till the end but got out, unfortunately. So credit to Asif Ali.”

    Pakistan needed 24 runs in the last two overs. Hitting four sixes in the 19th over, Asif sealed the deal for Pakistan.

    Many notables, cricketers and Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter to congratulate Pakistan and thank Asif for the win. Here are a few Tweets:

    https://twitter.com/76Shadabkhan/status/1454144930318852096?t=tOzd5GoPIMRudKDQzXldbA&s=19

    While former Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif wants to make a flyover in Asif Ali’s name.

    England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes took to Twitter and wrote: “Remember the name @AasifAli2018.”

    Meanwhile, the power hitter took to Twitter and wrote: “Aur koi hukam Pakistan? Shukriya @isbunited aur woh sub log jinho ne mere per belief rakha mere mushkil waqt mai. #PakistanZindabad.”

  • ‘Hilarious, Who are they to off-air me’: Shoaib Akhtar reacts to PTV taking him off-air

    ‘Hilarious, Who are they to off-air me’: Shoaib Akhtar reacts to PTV taking him off-air

    Shoaib Akhtar has reacted to the news of PTV Sports’ decision to take him and Dr Nauman Niaz off-air after the on-air spat between the two.

    Shoaib Akhtar tweeted: “Well, that’s hilarious. I resigned in front of 220 million Pakistanis & billions across the world. Is PTV crazy or what? Who are they to off-air me?”

    Earlier it was reported that PTV has taken Dr Nauman Niaz off-air after he had a hot exchange of words with Shoaib Akhtar during the live transmission of the Pakistan and New Zealand match, sources have revealed to Geo News.

    Read more- ‘I resign from PTV’: Shoaib Akhtar, Nauman Niaz exchange hot words on air

    The judgement was made based on the recommendations of a PTV inquiry committee set up to look into the issue.

    As per Geo News, the recommendation to take Dr Nauman off air was presented during a meeting of the inquiry committee in which the managing director of the state broadcaster, along with other higher-ups, was present. The inquiry committee had interviewed both Shoaib Akhtar and Dr Nauman.

    The committee was formed after Dr Nauman Niaz and Shoaib Akhtar indulged in a tense and aggressive banter in a live show, after which Shoaib resigned on air.

    Read more- Shoaib Akhtar vs Nauman Niaz: Whose side is Twitter is on?

    Akhtar was giving his opinion on Haris Rauf and mistakenly took Shaheen Shah Afridi’s name. Nauman corrected him and after a heated exchange, Nauman asked the former pacer to leave. Shoaib resigned from the show and later he explained the reason why he did that on social media.

  • ‘Will take the knee’: Quinton de Kock apologises after ignoring team directives

    ‘Will take the knee’: Quinton de Kock apologises after ignoring team directives

    South African wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock has apologised to his teammates and fans for the “hurt, confusion, and anger” he caused by refusing to follow a CSA directive to take the knee at the T20 World Cup and sitting out the game against the West Indies, reported ESPN Cricinfo.

    In a statement released on Thursday morning, de Kock explained that his decision not to take the knee on Tuesday was a response to feeling “like my rights were taken away when I was told what we had to do in the way that we were told” by the CSA board. However, after an “emotional” conversation between the board and the players last night, he has a “better understanding of their intentions” and “will love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again”.

    It means de Kock has made himself available for selection for the rest of the tournament, which for South Africa, resumes on Saturday against Sri Lanka.

    He recognised that he has dominated the cricket conversation in the last 48 hours, although he said that was unintentional. “I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue,” de Kock’s statement read. “I understand the importance of standing against racism, and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example. If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so.”

    De Kock was the only player in the South African squad who had previously chosen not to make any gesture in support of anti-racism and said that that was because he “didn’t understand why I had to prove it (his feelings on antiracism) with a gesture, when I live and learn and love people from all walks of life every day,” he said.

  • Twitter calls out Harbhajan Singh for abusing Pakistani woman journalist

    Twitter calls out Harbhajan Singh for abusing Pakistani woman journalist

    Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh triggered anger, disgust and outrage after he abused a Pakistani woman journalist on Twitter.

    Harbhajan Singh and Mohammad Amir have been engaging in a Twitter spat, hurling abuses at one another after the latter took a dig at the former in a couple of tweets.

    The Pakistani woman journalist tagged Harbhajan Singh in a video from the Lahore Test match that was played between India and Pakistan in 2006.

    One of the most memorable events from the match was former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi dismantling Harbhajan in an over, hitting him for four consecutive sixes in an over.

    “For your reference, highly educated cricketer,” tweeted the woman journalist.

    Harbhajan Singh shot back with a very rude response.

    After his brutal reply, Twitterati called out the former cricketer.

    Here are a few reactions:

    https://twitter.com/Nimrrraa/status/1453608031183310849?s=20

    In another video that he uploaded on Twitter to clarify the Mohammad Amir controversy, Harbhajan Singh took aim at Pakistani journalists as well.

    “You [Mohammad Amir] sold the country and these [Pakistani] journalists are supporting him,” he said in the video.

    “Well done,” he said, clapping. “It shows what you are.”

    “Learn something from Dhoni and Dravid on how to be a gentleman,” tweeted another Indian woman.

    He also misbehaved with another journalist after she said that the whole Sikh community would feel ashamed of him for his “dirty comments”.

  • T20 World Cup: Mohammad Amir, Harbhajan Singh’s war on Twitter

    T20 World Cup: Mohammad Amir, Harbhajan Singh’s war on Twitter

    After Pakistan demolished Indian team on Sunday in the T20 World cup, former left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir took a dig at Harbhajan Singh on social media.

    Read More – ‘This is for you’: Babar Azam dedicates the win to Pakistani fans

    Amir took to Twitter on Monday and asked, “Harbhajan Paa ji ne TV to nai tora apna? (Did Harbhajan broke his TV?).” The comment was made over the taunts of Indians about Pakistani fans breaking their television sets after losing to India in the past editions of world cups.

    To this, Singh replied on Twitter saying, “Ab Tum bi bologe @iamamirofficial. Yeh 6 ki landing tumhare ghar k tv par to nahi hui thi ?? Koi nahi hota hai end of the day it’s a game of cricket as you rightly said” which loosely translates to “Now you will also say things? Did this six land on your TV at home?” With this tweet he attached a video of him hitting a last over six against Pakistan.

    Things just kept on escalating from there as the two cricketers tweeted out replies to each other with Amir taunting the Indian spinner with a video of him conceding 4 sixes off 4 balls from Shahid Afridi.

    Read More – Mohammad Rizwan backs Shami after Indian social media abuse

    Not one to back down, Harbhajan Singh slammed Amir for the ‘Lord’s Test No-Ball’ spot fixing incident in 2010 to which Amir replied with “Bare hi dheet ho talking about my past wouldn’t change the fact that tumko 3 din pehle moun ki khani pari, and how about your illegal bowling action mate. Ab nikal or humko WC win karta dekh. Walk over tu nhi mila jao Park me walk karo u’ll feel better @harbhajan_singh.” (Talking about my past won’t change the fact that you lost on Sunday. And what about your illegal bowling action mate? Now, just watch us lift the World Cup. You didn’t get a walkover, now go and walk in the park.”)

    Harbhajan fired back with the same video of him hitting the six in the last over to win the match for India. And simply tweeted, “Fixer ko sixer, chal daffa ho ja” along with the aforementioned video.