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  • Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko asks Coca-Cola and Heineken to contact him after Ronaldo, Locatelli’s snub

    Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko asks Coca-Cola and Heineken to contact him after Ronaldo, Locatelli’s snub

    After Ukraine’s win against North Macedonia, footballer Andriy Yarmolenko mocked Cristiano Ronaldo in front of the media, and also took a chance to promote himself, asking Coca-Cola and Heineken to contact him.

    The Ukrainian player was in a funny mood after Ukraine’s 2-1 win against North Macedonia in their UEFA Euro 2020 Group C encounter, at Bucharest’s National Arena on Thursday. At his post-match press conference, the Ukrainian star took a dig at Ronaldo in front of the media, by putting both Coca-Cola and Heineken bottles in front of him.

    Earlier this week, the Portugal captain had hit the headlines when he removed two bottles of Coca-Cola out of the camera’s sight during a press conference. The Portuguese skipper had also asked the reporters to drink water instead.

    Read more – Italian footballer, Locatelli, latest player to snub Coca-Cola

    Yarmolenko scored a goal for the second consecutive game in Euro 2020, and also assisted against North Macedonia. He also scored in his side’s earlier 3-2 defeat to Netherlands. At his post-match press conference, the West Ham attacker cheekily mocked Ronaldo and even made an attempt to promote himself for potential sponsors.

    Can I do something? I’ve seen Ronaldo putting away Coca-Cola bottles recently”, he asked the reporters.
    He added, “I’ll put Coca-Cola here. I’ll put Heineken right here up front! Guys, contact me!”
    Earlier, France midfielder Paul Pogba had also displayed a similar approach as he picked up a Heineken beer bottle and placed it behind the news conference table.
    Meanwhile, UEFA had warned that the teams could be fined if they move drinks at Euro 2020 news conferences.

  • Italian footballer, Locatelli, latest player to snub Coca-Cola

    Italian footballer, Locatelli, latest player to snub Coca-Cola

    Italian footballer Manuel Locatelli is the latest footballer to snub Coca-Cola in a press conference.

    It’s been quite an intriguing journey for Coca-Cola, one of the sponsors of Euro 2020 tournament. After being snubbed by Cristiano Ronaldo at a press conference ahead of Portugal vs Hungary match, the soft drink company was subjected to a similar rejection by Italy’s midfielder.

    Locatelli arrived at the post-match news conference after producing a Man-of-the-Match performance against Switzerland in Italy’s 3-0 win. On spotting the two Coca-Cola bottles placed in front of him, the midfielder decided to remove them from the sight. Locatelli also chuckled a little as he took the bottles out of focus, aware of the stir such an act had created when Ronaldo had done the same a couple of days ago.

    The Italian midfielder, who scored two goals for Italy in the team’s second group-stage match, then picked up a water bottle and put it right in the middle, echoing Ronaldo’s sentiments that one should be drinking water over aerated drinks, but in a subtle manner.

    Earlier, Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola snub had hurt the beverage maker’s brand value quite significantly. It was reported that soon after the Portuguese footballer’s act, Coca-Cola’s stock prices crashed and the brand ended up losing a whopping USD 4 billion from its market value. As Ronaldo urged the world to adopt a healthier lifestyle, the move had huge repercussions.

    Ronaldo and Locatelli aren’t the only ones to snub an official sponsor of the European championships. France midfielder Paul Pogba displayed a similar approach as he picked up a Heineken beer bottle and placed it behind the news conference table.

    After Ronaldo’s gesture, Coca-Cola was forced to release a statement saying: ‘Everyone is entitled to their drink preferences’ and that people have their ‘tastes and needs’.

    Even a Euro 2020 spokesperson addressed the chatter around the topic saying: “Players are offered water, alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, on arrival at our press conferences.”

    Meanwhile, UEFA warned that the teams could be fined if they move drinks at Euro 2020 news conferences.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo removes Coca-Cola bottles at Euro 2020 presser, prefers water

    Cristiano Ronaldo removes Coca-Cola bottles at Euro 2020 presser, prefers water

    Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo removed Coca-Cola bottles placed in front of him in a pre-match Euro 2020 press conference on Monday before holding up a bottle of water to the room and declaring people should drink water instead.

    Read more – Eriksen collapses during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland

    Then, for dramatic effect, he rolled his eyes and said with borderline disgust, “Coca-Cola”.

    The brand is an official sponsor of the tournament, but as Ronaldo took his seat in front of reporters, he almost immediately looked uncomfortable.

    https://twitter.com/goal/status/1404716751988928515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1404716751988928515%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-3752715264888482453.ampproject.net%2F2106030132000%2Fframe.html

    Ronaldo is not just health-obsessed but has previously revealed that it irritates him when his son drinks fizzy drinks.

    Ronaldo is one of the most supremely fit footballer even at the age of 36 years. Heading into his 50th Euro Championship, Ronaldo still remains one of the most feared strikers in the world.

    Meanwhile, Portugal begin their play in Group F on Tuesday against Hungary before facing Germany on Saturday and France next Wednesday.

  • Eriksen collapses during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland

    Eriksen collapses during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland

    Denmark star Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field in the first half of his team game against Finland at Euro 2020 on Saturday in Copenhagen.

    Eriksen was walking alone near the sideline of the ground in the 42nd minute when he stumbled and then fall forward.

    His teammates immediately sensed trouble, rushing to him and waving frantically for trainers to come to his aid.

    Eriksen’s teammates, some of them in tears, then formed a circled to shield him as the medical team tried to resuscitate Eriksen with CPR and a defibrillator on the field.

    This went on for nearly 20 minutes before Eriksen was transferred to a stretcher and was carried off the field.

    The match was initially suspended but later it was decided that it would resume.

    Eriksen was taken to a hospital and is said to be stable now.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with Christian Eriksen and his family,” Cristiano Ronaldo said on Instagram. “The world of football stands together hoping for good news. I’m counting on finding you soon back on the pitch, Chris! Stay strong!”

    Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza was also heartbroken to know about this incident.

    As per reports, Eriksen had a Facetime call with his teammates from the hospital and asked them to play the game tonight, as “he feels better now.”

  • VIDEO: Parachutist lands on pitch during soccer match

    VIDEO: Parachutist lands on pitch during soccer match

    A parachutist landed in the middle of a football pitch during a soccer match in Poland.

    Video doing rounds on social media shows the man lands on the half-way line on the pitch wearing a black and green jumpsuit.

    The players from Olimpia Elbag and PISA Primavera Barczewo stopped the match while the referee amused the crowd by showing the parachutist a yellow card. 

    Read More: Man kills co-worker with slap in face

    A man then rushed onto the pitch and helped the parachutist with the fall. The game continued after the intruder with the help of the staff gathered up his parachute and left the field.

  • David Warner’s face swap video with Tiger Shroff creating waves on social media

    David Warner’s face swap video with Tiger Shroff creating waves on social media

    Australian cricketer David Warner, who knows how to entertain his followers on social media, recently shared a face swap video in which he superimposed his face on actor Tiger Shroff’s and the clip is creating waves on the social media.

    “Back by Popular demand,” wrote Warner while sharing the clip on Instagram.

    David used a snippet from The Hook Up song from the movie Student of The Year 2, which also features actress, Alia Bhatt.

    Former Pakistan cricketer and commentator Ramiz Raja had also shared a video of himself on social media, swapping his face with Johnny Depp from his movie Pirates of the Caribbean film series.

    “Got this sent and was gobsmacked (Face without a mouth). So intriguing and amusing what an app can do. Could really have been a real me in terms of roughness if that quarantine had continued any longer,” wrote Raja while sharing the clip on Twitter.

    His comments section was filled with hilarious reactions from netizens.

  • ‘Unreal feeling,’ Azam Khan overjoyed at being selected for England, West Indies tour

    ‘Unreal feeling,’ Azam Khan overjoyed at being selected for England, West Indies tour

    Azam Khan is overjoyed at being selected for England and West Indies tour’s squad.

    “Unreal feeling right now. Literally overwhelmed! Representing your country is the ultimate goal of any professional athlete,” said Azam while expressing his happiness on his Twitter.

    Thanking his supporters and critics, the batsman said: “I want to thank both my supporters and critics for motivating me throughout my journey. Work hard and dream big. Pakistan zindabad.”

    https://twitter.com/MAzamKhan45/status/1400742994857369600?s=20

    Pakistan cricket selectors have recalled four experienced players and included uncapped Azam in the squad. The side will play three ODIs and as many T20Is in England from July 8-20, before taking on world champions West Indies in five T20Is that will be followed by two Tests.

    According to details, middle-order batsman Haris Sohail has been named in the ODI side, while Imad Wasim has returned to bolster the T20I side. Fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah have returned to the Test side.

    Yasir Shah’s inclusion is subject to fitness as the wrist spinner is yet to fully recover from the knee injury that sidelined him from the Zimbabwe Tests. The selectors have retained leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood along with left-arm spinner Nauman Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan for the Jamaica Tests.

    Uncapped Saud Shakeel has also reclaimed his spot after missing South Africa ODIs due to an injury. Salman Ali Agha, who has lost his Test spot, has been called-up for ODIs.

    Fakhar Zaman has maintained his place in the original squad after being drafted as an additional player for Zimbabwe T20Is following a stellar performance in South Africa.

    Quetta Gladiators’ Azam Khan, the 22-year-old hard-hitting batsman, is the new face in the T20I squad.

    Squads

    ODIs: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Haris Sohail (Balochistan), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Salman Ali Agha (Southern Punjab), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper) (Sindh), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab).

    T20Is: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain) (Northern), Arshad Iqbal (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Azam Khan (Sindh), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imad Wasim (Northern), Mohammad Hafeez (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Hasnain (Sindh), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper) (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sharjeel Khan (Sindh) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab).

    Tests: Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Abid Ali (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imran Butt (Balochistan), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper) (Sindh), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh), Yasir Shah (Balochistan, subject to fitness) and Zahid Mahmood (Southern Punjab).

    Pakistan will be touring England from June 25 to July 20 and will be visiting West Indies from July 21 to August 25.

  • Daren Sammy gets his own perfume

    Daren Sammy gets his own perfume

    Daren Sammy has collaborated with a brand to get his very own perfume ’88 Special’.

    Asgharali Perfumes has collaborated with the former West Indian captain to release a cologne honouring him called ’88 Special’.

    “Infinite doses of passion. Available in UAE and Pakistan and coming soon to the USA & Caribbean,” wrote Sammy while introducing his fragrance on social media.

    But this isn’t the first time that Sammy has talked about launching his fragrance. While talking to The Current in an exclusive interview, Daren said: “I am super happy to partner with Asgharali to create this amazing fragrance. I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people through my playing and in the stadiums. It is my goal to continue this connection by creating a scent that will exhibit the passion, power, and pleasure that is within us all.”

    “My desire is that people will feel like a champion; like everything is possible and that no matter where you started in life; greatness is in you. I’m already very happy with the new signature scents for men and women that Asgarali has created and the exquisite packaging design. I can’t wait to share it with you all,” he had added.

    However, the new deal under the Daren Sammy trademark will include a signature fragrance for men and women.

    Read more – Sanam Jung launches fragrance line with three scents

    Pakistan’s speedster Wahab Riaz has thanked Daren Sammy after receiving the new fragrance as a present.

    “Thank you Skipper @darensammy88 for this lovely fragrance, I loved the packing and the bottle is as classy as you’re. Congratulations and all the best for this new innings. I’m sure you’ll rock it too, wrote Riaz on his Twitter. 

    https://twitter.com/WahabViki/status/1400369592908673028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1400369592908673028%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-34132563012871410441.ampproject.net%2F2105210438003%2Fframe.html
  • Five glorious achievements of birthday boy Wasim Akram’s career

    Five glorious achievements of birthday boy Wasim Akram’s career

    Wasim Akram, popularly known as the Sultan of Swing, is a former Pakistan cricket team captain. Born on June 3, 1966, he is regarded as one of the best bowlers to have graced the sport. Today, on his birthday we would like to share five glorious moments of his life that his fans would love to rejoice.

    King Of Hat-tricks

    Akram has four hat-tricks at the highest level, two in Tests and two in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). His ODI hat-tricks came in 1989 and 1990, both at Sharjah. In 1999, he took two hat-tricks in back-to-back Tests against Sri Lanka and helped Pakistan win the Asian Test Championship.

    First Man To Take 500 ODI Wickets

    In 2003, Akram became the first man to take 500 ODI wickets. This record was later broken by Sri Lankan spin bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan.

    Most Successful Left Arm Bowler

    He is ranked amongst the most successful left arm bowlers of all time.

    Won 17 Man of the Match Awards In 104 Tests

    He has won 17 Man of the Match awards in Test cricket which is the joint-third highest number of awards.

    Wasim Akram leading wicket taker in 1992 World Cup and man of the match of 1992 World Cup Final

    First bowler to take 400 wickets in ODIs and Tests

    He is the first bowler in international cricket to take more than 400 wickets in both ODI and Tests.

    The cricketer-turned commentator has represented Pakistan beyond his bowling and batting abilities by having taken up commentary as well and these are not the only achievements he bagged.

    Former Pakistani speedster also got lucky in love when he tied the knot with Shaniera Thompson, who now is known as Shaniera Akram, on August 12, 2013.

    “Happy birthday to the love of my life. A man that proves age just really is a number”, Shaniera wrote on social media.

    She then took to her Instagram to write a lovely birthday love note to her husband, who is celebrating 55 years of success and health, along with an adorable photo of the two.

    The social media activist said: “Heroes come and go but legends are forever! You truly are an inspiration to not only our little family but to the world. You prove that age is only a number and that it’s possible to keep getting better with time. I feel you are younger than when we first met but wiser than ever before, and they are the ingredients to life we all strive for!”

    “I’m so proud of the person you were before we met and the man you have since become. A true trailblazer, a stand-alone asset to this world and a truly remarkable man in and out of the public eye. You make me want to be a better human and teach me that the real meaning of happiness is by living in the moment and making every bit of those moments count. I know we are not together today for your birthday but you have made it seem as though we have never even been apart for a minute,” added Shaniera.

    Extending further prayers to Akram, the Shaniera added: “I wish you a long life, a happy one, and the more we keep laughing the faster the time will go till we are back in each other’s arms. You’re are and always will be the best thing that has happened to me. I love you now and for always.”

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), his contemporaries and juniors have wished the former cricketer on his birthday. Here are a few wishes from the social media:

    https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1400367308464439297?s=20

  • PSL set to resume on June 9, final on June 24

    PSL set to resume on June 9, final on June 24

    The sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will resume from June 9, with the final match set to take place on June 24.

    The tournament will be played in Abu Dhabi, despite speculation in recent days that it was going to be moved to Sharjah. The compressed schedule means there will be as many as six double-headers, with the early games starting at 5pm Abu Dhabi time, and the evening matches at 8pm local time.

    Faizan Lakhani, a sports journalist, took to Twitter and wrote: “Its official now: PSL6 remainders from 9th to 24th June in Abu Dhabi. 6 double headers to be played. Matches to start at 9pm PKT. Double headers to be played at 6pm and 11pm PKT.”

    Ramiz Raja also confirmed the news on Twitter, saying: “Finally dates are out for HBLPSL6 – 9th to 24th- probably 4 double-headers. A journey full of twists and turns comparable to James Bond whirling around in his Aston Martin!”

    “The remaining matches of HBL PSL 6 will be played in Abu Dhabi from June 9 to 24,” said the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) spokesperson.

    “Six double-headers will be played during the event, including qualifier and element one. The matches of the tournament will start at 8 pm UAE time (9 pm Pakistan time). The first match on the day of double-headers will start at 5 pm UAE time (6 pm Pakistan time). On the day of double-headers, the second match will start at 10 pm (11 pm Pakistan time). The full schedule of the remaining matches of the tournament will be released shortly,” added the spokesperson.

    First Match will be played between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

    The series witnessed a halt earlier this year after the Covid-19 bio-bubble was breached, and many positive cases emerged amongst the players and support staff members.