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  • ‘Enough is enough’: Mo Salah urges world leaders to end violence in Palestine

    ‘Enough is enough’: Mo Salah urges world leaders to end violence in Palestine

    Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah has called on world leaders to “do everything in their power” to end the killing of innocent people in Palestine, where at least 36 people, including 10 children, have been killed by Israeli airstrikes. At least 250 others were injured.

    Salah’s appeal came as the Israeli military continued it’s bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip on Tuesday, targeting several areas after rockets were fired from the enclave.

    In a tweet on Tuesday, Salah specifically called on Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson “to make sure the violence and killing of innocent people stops immediately”.

    “I’m calling on all the world leaders including on the Prime Minister of the country that has been my home for the past 4 years to do everything in their power to make sure the violence and killing of innocent people stops immediately,” Salah said on Twitter.

    “Enough is enough,” he added.

    Meanwhile, West Indian cricketer and coach of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi Daren Sammy also condemned Israeli attacks in Palestine saying: “I just can’t understand why it is so difficult to treat others as you would want to be treated, or even better yet treat each others as human beings.”

    Similarly, Pakistan Cricket Team’s opening batsman Fakhar Zaman said: “Israeli forces continue to attack innocent worshipers at Al-Aqsa with illegal confiscation of lands evicting Palestinians from their homes with all illegal measures to undermine prospects for global peace.”

    “Sometimes I feel how unfair the World has become with selective justice,” he added.

    Ahmad Shahzad is also “devastated by the violence happening in Palestine.” He also demanded immediate action against this violence.

    Meanwhile, many celebrities from Pakistan and other parts of the world including Gigi Hadid have raised their voice against the brutality of Israeli forces in Palestine. From Mahira Khan to Asim Azhar and from Shahid Afridi to Babar Azam, all are raising their voice against the abominations of Israeli powers on Palestinians.

  • Babar Azam makes history, sweeps Zimbabwe Test series

    Babar Azam makes history, sweeps Zimbabwe Test series

    Babar Azam has become the first Pakistan captain to win his first four Tests as skipper as they swept the series against Zimbabwe 2-0 in Harare Sports Club on Monday.

    Azam lauded his players after they completed a successful southern Africa tour with a second straight innings victory over Zimbabwe then looked ahead to his team’s planned tour of the West Indies in July.

    It took Pakistan five overs to take the remaining Zimbabwe wicket to seal a win by an innings and 147 runs on the fourth day of the second Test. With the win, Azam also became the first Pakistan captain to win his first four Tests as skipper.

    Shaheen Shah Afridi had Luke Jongwe caught behind for 37 to complete a five-wicket haul. He took five for 52.

    Speaking at the post-match presentation, Babar said his players had shown character and he was particularly pleased with the performance of the batsmen, especially man-of-the-match Abid Ali, who scored 215 not out in Pakistan’s only innings.

    Abid, with his unbeaten double ton, received the Player of the Match award.

    Hassan Ali bagged Player of the Series award, after taking 14 wickets at an average of just 8.92.

    “The partnership between Abid and Azhar Ali was crucial,” he said. Azhar scored 126 in a second-wicket stand of 236.

    “The confidence of our batsmen will be high and we have an important series in the West Indies coming up,” said Babar.

    Meanwhile, Azam has been declared Player of the Month by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following his stunning performance in the ODI series against South Africa.

    Pakistan is due to play three Tests and three T20 Internationals (T20Is) in the Caribbean.

  • PCB completes first phase of COVID-19 vaccination for players, support staff

    PCB completes first phase of COVID-19 vaccination for players, support staff

    The Pakistan Cricket Board has completed the first phase of it’s  COVID-19 vaccination drive in collaboration with Pakistan government’s National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

    During this phase, Pakistan’s leading cricketers across all three formats and support staff were vaccinated.

    The PCB is one of the first cricket boards in the world to introduce a robust vaccination programme to ensure the health and safety of it’s players and support staff in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

    In the first phase, 57 men players, 13 officials of the men’s team and 13 NHPC men and women coaches were vaccinated. A number of franchise players and support staff besides PCB match officials involved in the February-March phase of the Pakistan Super League (three match referees, three umpires) were also vaccinated.

    Read more – PCB introduces parental support policy for cricketers

    The vaccination drive started on March 4 in Karachi and carried on for more than two months, before its conclusion on May 6 when eight players — part of Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing Test series against Zimbabwe — were given second doses in Harare.

    As per details, In the next phase, remaining domestic men cricketers, national women cricketers, age-group cricketers and support staff of the domestic, national women and age-group teams will be vaccinated. The second-phase is expected to commence shortly.

    PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer said: “The PCB has a duty of care towards its cricketers, especially in the ongoing pandemic, and keeping that in mind we requested the NCOC for vaccines during the Pakistan Super League 6. The vaccination drive started in Karachi and our first priority was to get the players and support staff involved in the tournament vaccinated.

    “After the initial round of vaccination in Karachi, we focused on getting the remaining members of the men’s squad, who were not involved in PSL 6, vaccinated before the tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

    “We remain grateful to the NCOC for recognising the importance of vaccines for our players and prioritising them for national interest as both players and support staff are constantly traveling for domestic and international cricket commitments and carry infection risks especially once outside the bio-secure bubbles.

    “The PCB is fully behind the government’s vaccination drive and once again urges people across Pakistan to get vaccinated in order to ensure the health and safety of their own selves and their families.

    “Our players — both men and women — and PCB management will continue to provide full support and backing to the NCOC vaccine awareness initiatives as they have done repeatedly since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.”

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Test Team, who is in Zimbabwe has elected to bat first against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club in the second Test Match, after defeating the hosts 1-0 in the two-Test series.

  • Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman among ICC ‘Player of the Month’ nominees

    Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman among ICC ‘Player of the Month’ nominees

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced nominees for April’s ICC Player of the Month Awards. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are among the nominated players.

    ICC introduced the award to recognise the best performances from both male and female cricketers across all formats of international cricket.

    In the month of April, Pakistan captain Babar Azam became the number one ranked batsman in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, ending Indian Cricket Team’s captain Virat Kohli’s long reign at the top of the charts.

    Babar’s match-winning 82-ball 94 in the third ODI against South Africa helped him gain 13 rating points to reach a career-best 865 points. He also contributed 122 from 59 balls in Pakistan’s successful chase in the third match of a T20I series against the same opposition.

    His compatriot Fakhar Zaman also produced a stellar showing during the month, scoring two centuries in the ODI series victory over South Africa, including a magnificent 193 in the second match in Johannesburg. 

    Completing the men’s shortlist, Nepal’s Khushal Bhurtel was the leading run-scorer as his team won a tri-series also featuring the Netherlands and Malaysia. His significant contribution with the bat totalled 278 runs, including four half-centuries in five matches.

    Meanwhile, Australia’s Alyssa Healy, her team-mate Megan Schutt and New Zealand’s Leigh Kasperek made it to the Women’s Player of the Month nominees.

    Winners will be announced every second Monday of the month on the ICC’s digital channels. 

    Fans can vote for their favourite players, both male and female on given links by ICC or directly by going to ICC’s website.

  • Shahid Afridi honoured to receive MCC’s ‘lifetime’ membership

    Shahid Afridi honoured to receive MCC’s ‘lifetime’ membership

    Shahid Afridi has said that he is honoured to receive Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC), which owns the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground and is the guardian of the sport’s laws, lifetime membership.

    VIDEO: The Current Life with Shahid Afridi

    “A big honour to receive Marylebone Cricket Club lifetime membership,” wrote Afridi on Twitter.

    Thanking MCC, Lala wrote: “I want to thank the most prestigious cricket club in the world for the respect and recognition. I would continue to play my part in promotion of this wonderful sport both on and off the cricket field.”

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1389527971367686144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1389527971367686144%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-4943728772336014564.ampproject.net%2F2104170104001%2Fframe.html

    Back in 2017, Afridi — along with Pakistan’s highest Test run-getter Younis Khan and current Pakistan team coach Misbah ul Haq — was made an “honourary life member”.

    MCC was founded in 1787, taking as its home a cricket ground set up by the ambitious entrepreneur Thomas Lord who had staged his first match on the ground on Dorset Fields in Marylebone in the UK.

    Soon after its founding, the club issued a Code of Laws for modern-day cricket, which it continues to do so till date.

  • BCCI suspends IPL 2021 indefinitely

    BCCI suspends IPL 2021 indefinitely

    The Board of Cricket Control India (BCCI) has indefinitely postponed the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) following several positive cases of COVID-19 across teams over the past couple of days.

    The decision was taken in an emergency meeting called after players of Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad tested positive for COVID-19. Hyderabad’s Wriddhiman Saha and Delhi’s Amit Mishra were the players who had tested positive and have now been put into isolation.

    The BCCI had contemplated moving the whole tournament to one city but the coronavirus outbreak in the IPL setup left them with no choice but to cancel the event.

    In a media statement, the IPL said the decision was “unanimously” taken by the tournament’s Governing Council along with the top brass of the BCCI.

    “The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL,” the statement said. “This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind.”

    “These are difficult times, especially in India and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times,” read the statement further.

    “The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021,” it added.

    As per reports, IPL officials also consulted a few franchises for their take on the situation and it is believed that some suggested to call it off totally. Other reports have suggested that the tournament has been postponed for a few days only.

    Meanwhile, IPL chairman Brijesh Patel confirming the news said the decision was taken for the safety of all stakeholders as the number of cases in the tournament bubble continue to rise by the day.

    India on Tuesday reported 3,57,229 new case, taking the overall case count past the 2 crore mark to 2,02,82,833. 

  • ‘Blood on your hands’: Michael Slater slams Australian PM

    ‘Blood on your hands’: Michael Slater slams Australian PM

    Former cricketer Michael Slater, who is currently part of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) commentary panel, has slammed his country’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison for not allowing its citizens to return from COVID-19 hit India, calling the travel ban a “disgrace”.

    Australia has shut its borders and is not allowing any commercial flights from India because of the massive COVID-19 surge which has left players, support staff and commentators, who might have wanted to leave the IPL in a fix.

    Meanwhile, the Indian government has made it clear that Australians who are engaged in the IPL will have to make their own arrangements.

    “If our government cared for the safety of Aussies they would allow us to get home. It’s a disgrace,” wrote Slater on social media. “Blood on your hands PM. How dare you treat us like this. How about you sort out [a] quarantine system.”

    “I had government permission to work on the IPL but I now have government neglect,” he added.

    The former cricketer further said: “And for those who think this is a money exercise. Well, forget it. This is what I do for a living and I have not made a penny having left early.”

    “So please stop the abuse and think of the thousands dying in India each day. It’s called empathy. If only our government had some,” he remarked.

    Threatening a five-year jail term or a hefty fine, the Australian government temporarily barred its citizens from entering the country if they happened to be in India within 14 days of their intended arrival.

    The decision was announced after a meeting of the National Cabinet last Friday and came into force from Monday.

    The move aims at keeping the COVID-19 spread in check in Australia as India is facing a surge in cases.

    The decision was also based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia, who have contracted the infection in India, according to Health Minister Greg Hunt.

    Three Australian players left the IPL before the travel ban came into force. The ban is due to end on May 15.

    Meanwhile, as many as 14 Australian players are playing in IPL.

    The competition has also been heavily hit by the virus. Earlier, Monday’s match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) was suspended after KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive for coronavirus. Three members of the Chennai Super Kings’ IPL contingent – chief executive officer K Viswanathan, bowling coach L Balaji and a bus cleaner – have also tested positive for the virus.

    Furthermore, five Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) ground staff have tested positive. DDCA will be hosting IPL 2021 matches until May 8.

  • IPL match rescheduled after two KKR players test positive for COVID-19

    IPL match rescheduled after two KKR players test positive for COVID-19

    The Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), scheduled to take place today (Monday) has been postponed after two players tested positive for COVID-19.

    According to details, spinner Varun Chakravarthy and seamer Sandeep Warrier from the Kolkata squad tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, the rest of the KKR squad has tested negative but are currently in isolation.

    Chakravarthy had recently left the IPL bio-bubble for a shoulder scan, which could have led to him being exposed to the virus.

    The event is currently being played behind closed doors and is due to end in late May.

    Read more – Pat Cummins donates $50k for COVID-hit India

    India on Monday reported more than 300,000 new coronavirus cases for a 12th straight day, taking its overall caseload to almost 20 million, as scientists predict a peak in infections in the coming days.

    With 368,147 new cases over the past 24 hours, India’s total infections stand at 19.93 million, while total fatalities rose by 3,417 to 218,959, according to data released by the health ministry.

    Medical experts say real numbers across the country of 1.35 billion may be five to 10 times higher than the official tally.

    Meanwhile, BCCI has also confirmed the rescheduling of the match.

    “IPL reschedules KKR-RCB match slated for May 3, 2021, after 2 KKR players test positive. Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier were found to be positive in the third round of testing in the last four days. All other team members have tested negative for COVID -19,” states a release. 

    “The Medical Team is also determining the close and casual contacts of the two positive cases during the 48 hours prior to collection of the sample that returned the positive test results.  The BCCI and the Kolkata Knight Riders prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved and all measures are being taken in that endeavour,” it adds.

    Later it was reported, three members of the Chennai Super Kings’ IPL contingent – chief executive officer K Viswanathan, bowling coach L Balaji and a bus cleaner – have also tested positive for COVID-19. It is understood that the rest of the group, which is currently in Delhi, has tested negative. The results emerged after the latest round of testing on Sunday.

    It must be noted that the ICC T20 World Cup is also scheduled to take place in India later this year.

  • Muslim football player Wesley Fofana opens Ramzan fast during game

    Muslim football player Wesley Fofana opens Ramzan fast during game

    Muslim football player Wesley Fofana was given permission to break his Ramzan fast during a match of the English Premier League (EPL) on Monday. Fofana later thanked the EPL management and the Crystal Palace FC team for allowing him to do so.

    Halfway through Leicester’s 2-1 win, the Crystal Palace FC goalkeeper waited to take a goal kick to allow Fofana to drink some liquids before returning to play.

    The short in-game delay was agreed upon in the captain’s meeting prior to the game. 

    Thanking the management, Fofana wrote: “Just wanted to thank the Premier League as well as CPFC, Vicente Guaita [and] all the Foxes for allowing me to break my fast tonight in the middle of the game.”

    “That’s what makes football wonderful,” added the French footballer.

    Fofana was able to play the entire game after previously playing 61 minutes in a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion — all while fasting. 

    “He’s a young player in the middle of Ramadan so he’s obviously not eating during the day,” Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers told reporters. “I think it’s absolutely remarkable.”

    Meanwhile, it is believed to be the first time in Premier League history that a game has been paused to allow Muslim players to eat and drink mid-game.

  • Sana Mir praises Yasmin Rashid’s dedication towards duty while battling cancer

    Sana Mir praises Yasmin Rashid’s dedication towards duty while battling cancer

    Former captain of the Pakistan Women Cricket Team Sana Mir has praised Punjab Minister for Health Dr Yasmin Rashid for her dedication towards her duty, despite being a cancer patient.

    “Huge respect for Dr Yasmin Rashid for her commitment to her responsibility. This is true leadership and service. Both my parents and so many elders got their vaccination from Lahore and the arrangements were very good,” wrote Mir on Twitter.

    “May you get complete shifa,” she prayed.

    Dr Yasmin Rashid underwent breast cancer surgery at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in December last year. As per reports, the surgery was successful and she is currently recovering from the disease.

    After pictures of Dr Rashid looking weak and unwell recently went viral on social media, users are praising her for working tirelessly to deal with the COVID-19 emergency in Punjab and thanked her for her efforts. They also prayed for the minister’s swift recovery.

    https://twitter.com/wakeelshb/status/1387446537375059971?s=19
    https://twitter.com/OsamaBolo/status/1387612229822976005?s=19

    Pakistan is currently battling a deadly third wave of COVID-19. According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Pakistan has recorded 151 deaths and 5480 positive cases in the last 24 hours with a positivity ratio of 9.61 percent.

    Meanwhile, it is also being reported that cities with high positivity ratios would be put under complete lockdown to control the spread of the disease.

    Yasmin Rashid took to Twitter to thank the people for their wishes. “I want to thank each one of you for your kind words of support. Jazakallah kher. They mean a lot,” she wrote.

    Later, in another tweet, Dr Yasmin Rashid thanked everyone for the love and prayers, saying: “For all the love and prayers pouring on my Time Line, I am humbled and grateful.”

    “In sha Allah I will continue to fulfil my duties to the best of my abilities,” she added.

    Speaking about the healthcare facilities, she said: “The turnaround of better public healthcare is already taking place and In sha Allah we will ensure it’s completion.”