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  • Andre Russell, Martin Guptill among lead names joining PSL6 in June

    Andre Russell, Martin Guptill among lead names joining PSL6 in June

    Andre Russell and Martin Guptill are leading the names among others signed by Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises for the competition’s resumption in June.

    In an online session held last evening, franchise representatives submitted names of the players they picked as replacements of those unavailable to feature in the upcoming matches.

    West Indies allrounder Russell will join Quetta Gladiators in the absence of England international batsman Tom Banton. New Zealand’s Martin Guptill has been picked by Karachi Kings, while Bangladesh allrounder Shakib al Hasan was selected by Lahore Qalandars. Australia’s Usman Khawaja was Islamabad’s pick to replace Alex Hales. Another fascinating pick by IU is South African player Janneman Malan.

    According to details, a total of 19 overseas players were chosen in the replacement draft, with three teams – Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta and Islamabad United reserving one further selection each, to be used at a later date.

    Most of the overseas players, who were around for the first set of games before the postponement, are missing for one reason or another. The English players are going to be busy with the Vitality Blast T20 tournament. Some others are on national duty. As a result, there was a mini draft, where the teams had to pick from 134 players, from Australia (10), New Zealand (12), South Africa (18), Bangladesh (7), West Indies (25), Sri Lanka (24), Zimbabwe (6), Afghanistan (16), Ireland (5), UAE (5), Scotland (4), Nepal (1) and Oman (1)

    https://twitter.com/HBLPSL6Official/status/1387315812059525121?s=19

    The PSL 6 was postponed after 14 matches on March 4 this year after a Covid-19 outbreak was reported in the tournament’s bio-secure bubble. The remaining 20 matches of the sixth edition will now be played at Karachi’s National Stadium from June 1-20.

    Read more – PCB books 300-room hotel in Karachi for PSL6

    FULL LIST OF PSL 2021 REPLACEMENT DRAFT PICKS

    Islamabad United: Usman Khawaja replaces Alex Hales, Janneman Malan replaces Lewis Gregory

    Karachi Kings: Martin Guptill replaces Colin Ingram, Thisara Perera replaces Mohammad Nabi, Najeebullah Zadran replaces Dan Christian, Litton Das replaces Joe Clarke

    Lahore Qalandars: Shakib al Hasan replaces Rashid Khan, James Faulkner replaces David Wiese, Joe Burns replaces Samit Patel, Callum Ferguson replaces Tom Abell, Seekkuge Prasana replaces Joe Denly

    Multan Sultans: Mahmudullah replaces Chris Lynn, Rahmanullah Gurbaz replaces James Vince, George Linde replaces Adam Lyth, Obed McCoy replaces Carlos Brathwaite

    Peshawar Zalmi: Fabian Allen replaces Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rovman Powell replaces Liam Livingstone, Fidel Edwards replaces Saqib Mahmood

    Quetta Gladiators: Andre Russell replaces Tom Banton

    Meanwhile, Malan found out what ‘Janneman’ means in Urdu – sweetheart – and he aspires to become a janneman to all Pakistanis with his performances.

    “Excited to join Islamabad United. Heard so many great things about the franchise,” said Malan. “I just found out what Janneman means in Urdu. I wish to be janneman to all Pakistanis with my performances in the PSL.”

    Usman Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan, also expressed his excitement, saying: “Pretty excited to be joining Islamabad United. I have played everywhere in the subcontinent except where I was actually born. So for me, this means a little bit more.”

    “Can’t wait,” he added.

    Commenting under his tweet, England player Sam Billings encouraged the cricketer, saying: “Great franchise, go well brother.”

  • Pat Cummins donates $50k for COVID-hit India

    Pat Cummins donates $50k for COVID-hit India

    Pat Cummins, who has enjoyed plenty of gripping battles with India on the cricket pitch, has delivered a classy show of unity with the struggling country as it faces one of the toughest fights in the nation’s history.

    The Australian fast bowler has pledged a generous $50,000 donation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘PM Cares Fund’ to supply oxygen to hospitals overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    In a touching message posted on social media, Cummins announced the donation and urged fellow cricketers to donate as well.

    “India is a country I’ve come to love dearly over the years and the people here are some of the warmest and kindest I’ve ever met,” said Cummins. “To know so many are suffering so much at this time saddens me greatly.”

    Talking about the ongoing edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), Cummins said: “There has been quite a bit of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue while COVID-19 infection rates remain high. I’m advised that the Indian government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country.”

    “As players, we are privileged to have a platform that allows us to reach millions of people that we can use for good. With that in mind, I have made a contribution to the ‘PM Cares Fund’, specifically to purchase oxygen supplies for India’s hospitals,” said Cummins, encouraging his fellow cricketers to contribute as well.

    “I will kick it off with $50,000,” said Cummins. “At times like this, it is easy to feel helpless. I’ve certainly felt that of late. But I hope by making this public appeal we can all channel our emotions into action that will bring light into people’s lives.

    “I know my donation isn’t much in the grand scheme of things, but I hope it will make a difference to someone,” he concluded.

    Cummins, who was the most-expensive foreign player purchased in the IPL auction, has repaid the faith with some impressive performances for the Knight Riders including striking an unbeaten 66 off 34 balls in a recent match.

    Meanwhile, India in the last four days has seen fresh COVID-19 cases numbering over 300,000 per day – the worst numbers of any country since the pandemic began. The nation has tallied nearly 17 million cases in total, and hospitals have been overrun in the latest wave of infections.

    While three Australian cricketers – Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, and Andrew Tye – abandoned the league and returned to Australia, Cummins opted to stay there and contribute towards the cause.

    IPL will continue its 2021 edition as per schedule, organisers said on Sunday, even as the tournament faced heavy criticism for the plan as India grapples with a massive surge in coronavirus cases.

  • Shoaib Akhtar says ‘Rizwan has proven to be an asset for Pakistan’

    Shoaib Akhtar says ‘Rizwan has proven to be an asset for Pakistan’

    Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has heaped praise on Mohammad Rizwan, saying the wicket-keeper batsman has proved that he is “an asset for Pakistan”.

    Pakistan were under the pump after being on the receiving end of a shocking 19-run loss in the second T20I, which was also Zimbabwe’s first-ever win over Pakistan in T20Is. Pakistan were given a paltry total of 119, but they collapsed to 99 all out to put series on the line.

    But on Sunday, the visiting side approached their batting with better intent and paced it better. Pakistan had added Sharjeel Khan in the side, which meant that Babar Azam was pushed to third spot while Rizwan and Sharjeel opened the batting.

    Sharjeel didn’t impress in his appearance but Rizwan stuck right till the end, notching up an extremely impressive 91 off 60 balls to get his side to 165.

    “Rizwan’s intent towards Pakistan is amazing. The way he is serving Pakistan, it’s fabulous to see that someone is playing for his side with this good intent,” said Akhtar on his YouTube Channel. “All of them play like this. 91 off 60, he’s proven that he is an asset for Pakistan.”

    Akhtar added that Pakistan needed to sort out its middle order, which has been under the radar for a while now. He said that Rizwan should contribute to Pakistan if the management requires him to bat in the middle order to sort out this crisis.

    “Rizwan should contribute for his side in the middle order if they require him in that role,” he continued. “Pakistan should improve their selection, they should sort out their middle order and the X-factor in the bowling should be brought back. Many congratulations to this side for winning.”

    Read more – Afridi wants PCB to review middle-order performances, suggests Shoaib Malik’s inclusion in T20Is

    There was a slight scare for Pakistan after Madhevere (59 off 47) and Marumani (35 off 26) were starting to find momentum in the run-chase. The 20-year-old Madhevere was impressive in his stroke-play but Pakistan bowlers, in particular Hasan Ali, did a good job to pull things back.

    For his career best four-wicket haul, Hassan received Player of the Match award.

    Shoaib said there was a slight doubt in his mind that Zimbabwe might win this and if that happened, the defeat would’ve been a hard pill to swallow. “There was a slight doubt in my mind that Zimbabwe might get away by chasing this total down, it would have been embarrassing. It wouldn’t have been easy to bear that.”

    Rizwan now holds the record for the most runs in 11 consecutive innings across T20Is. He has scored seven fifty plus scores in this period.

    The opener has also bagged his second consecutive Player of the Series award.

    Meanwhile, Azam has become the fastest batsman to reach 2000 T20I runs. He has taken only 52 innings to achieve the feat, beating Indian Cricket Team captain Virat Kohli. Babar reached to 2000 T20I runs four innings quicker than him.

    Pakistan and Zimbabwe will now go head-to-head in two-match Test series, which starts April 29.

  • Shoaib Malik blasts ‘unacquainted decision makers’ after humiliating defeat by Zimbabwe

    Shoaib Malik blasts ‘unacquainted decision makers’ after humiliating defeat by Zimbabwe

    Shoaib Malik has lambasted “unacquainted decision-makers” after a humiliating defeat by Zimbabwe in the second T20I at Harare Sports Club on Friday.

    Read more – PTI’s Faisal Javed rubbishes Mohammad Asif’s claims of meddling in players’ selection process

    Pakistan’s struggles with the middle-order were laid bare in Harare as the team slumped to a 19-run defeat, with Zimbabwe bowling them out for 99. Wobbles in the middle order have been a worry for much of Pakistan’s tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe, but the side had, by and large, escaped paying for it until now.

    Pakistan captain Babar Azam was sufficiently alarmed by Pakistan’s showing with the bat to warn solutions had to be found swiftly, with time running out before this year’s T20 World Cup.

    Taking to Twitter, Malik thrashed the management, saying: “Unacquainted decision makers need to take a step back; Babar and Chief Selector [Mohammad Wasim] need to call the shots. In my opinion, we need an international white-ball coach who understands cricket inside out and grooms our captain whilst giving clarity to our players for coming time.”

    The cricketer further said: “When your management relies on likes and dislikes especially when your cricket is just in surviving mode, then what else do expect as a nation?”

    “On top of that when you don’t let your captain take decisions this is bound to happen,” he added.

    In the post-match presentation ceremony, Azam said: “It’s a very painful performance. In South Africa, we had chased down 200; similarly here, we should have won this game comfortably. But unfortunately, we played poor cricket and continued to struggle in the middle order. Today, it was not just the middle order, but our batsmen right through couldn’t perform the way we expect them to. It was a collective collapse and we lost as a group. But credit to Zimbabwe who came back so strongly today.”

    Azam refused to make excuses for the defeat. “The wicket was similar to the other day but it was suitable [for batters] and that is not an excuse anyway. As a professional, you adapt to every condition but I think we as openers didn’t give a good start from the top and then our middle order was struggling to step up. The World T20 is closing in and we have to sort this out as soon as possible. The next game we will come back and make a good combination.”

    Meanwhile, there has been no official reaction from the PCB to Malik’s tweets yet, but as the fallout from Pakistan’s defeat grows, there are signs a man who made his debut in 1999 may yet be relevant to them in 2021.

    Zimbabwe beat Pakistan for the first time in T20I cricket in their 16th attempt, registering their first T20I win at home since 2016. The three-match series is currently level at 1-1, with the final game being played on Sunday.

    While Pakistan former speedster Shoaib Akhtar said: “Vulnerability of middle order badly exposed. Batsmen couldn’t tackle slow wicket. Embarrasing defeat. Have to come back stronger in the 3rd match.”

    Earlier, former captain of the Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi had also raised the middle-order crisis in Pakistan Cricket Team.

    While congratulating the Pakistani team on winning the T20I against South Africa, he emphasised the need to work on middle-order performances.

    “Despite the victory, we need to review the middle-order performances where we seem to be struggling for a long time,” wrote the former all-rounder on Twitter.

    He also suggested that since it is the T20 World Cup year, the team should consider bringing Malik back.

  • European Super League: All six clubs withdraw from competition, Prince William concerned

    European Super League: All six clubs withdraw from competition, Prince William concerned

    All six Premier League clubs bowed to supporter pressure and have withdrawn from the European Super League (ESL).

    As per reports, Manchester City was the first club to pull out after Chelsea signalled their intent to do so by preparing documentation to withdraw. Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal all followed suit and confirmed they intended to withdraw from the project.

    Italian side Inter Milan are also set to withdraw as they no longer wish to be involved with the project. BBC Sport reported that bosses at the Serie A club are preparing for their exit following the dramatic developments.

    The 12-team Super League, set up by the seven aforementioned teams and Spain’s Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid and Italy’s AC Milan and Juventus was announced on Sunday to widespread condemnation.

    “Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due to the pressure put on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations,” the ESL said on Wednesday, adding it was “convinced that the current status quo of European football needs to change”.

    In an interview with Italian newspaper la Repubblica, Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli said the remaining clubs will “press ahead” and the project still had “a 100% chance of being a success”.

    Balague also says Atletico Madrid are meeting on Wednesday morning to review their position.

    Prince William, who is president of the Football Association (FA), also expressed his concern over the “damage” the plans risk causing to “the game we love”.

    “Now, more than ever, we must protect the entire football community – from the top level to the grassroots – and the values of competition and fairness at its core.” wrote William on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s official Twitter account. “I share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love.”

    William’s intervention comes as the royal family continues to mourn the death of his grandfather Prince Philip, whose funeral was held on Saturday.

    Fans of the “Big Six” Premier League teams were left upset and disappointed by the Super League announcement, having not been informed of the plans. Coaches and players were also not aware of the situation.

    In the hours following the confirmation of the Super League, fans of the Premier League “Big Six” took to their stadiums to protest the announcement, with Liverpool fans hanging banners and flags outside of Anfield.

    Chelsea supporters then voiced their concerns at Stamford Bridge in numbers prior to their Premier League game against Brighton. 

    Liverpool supporters’ groups also made the decision to remove their flags from The Kop, protesting the owners’ decision to “put financial greed above integrity of the game”.

  • PCB books 300-room hotel in Karachi for PSL6

    PCB books 300-room hotel in Karachi for PSL6

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has booked a complete hotel for the remaining matches of Pakistan Super League (PSL 6). The 300-room hotel will accommodate all six teams, officials and commentators.

    According to details, all rooms, halls, conference rooms and restaurants will be fully managed by the PCB. Hotels, transport, ground staff and broadcasters will remain inside the bubble under COVID-19 protocols.

    PCB has also settled a deal with a British company to maintain the bio-secure bubble for PSL. The Board has prepared the agreement documents and has sent them to a UK-Based company named Restrata.

    After seeing the company’s performance in the PSL, talks will be held with the company for the country’s next cricket season.

    The bio-bubble protocols of the competition will be decided by Restrata. It will be their responsibility to fully implement the protocols, monitor and manage the bio-secure and have a response and reaction to positive tests.

    The board will formally announce the company’s deployment after they sign the agreement.

    It must be noted here that PSL 6 was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the bio-secure bubble. As many as six cricketers and a staff member had tested COVID-19 positive.

    PCB announced last week that the remaining matches of the competition will be held from June 1-20 at the National Stadium in Karachi. All participants will be required to observe a seven-day quarantine period, which will commence from May 22 in one hotel. Following three days of training sessions, HBL PSL 6 matches will resume on June 1 with the final scheduled for June 20.

  • VIDEO: David Warner, Kane Williamson observe Ramzan fast

    VIDEO: David Warner, Kane Williamson observe Ramzan fast

    David Warner and Kane Williamson observed the fast alongside Rashid Khan to celebrate the holy month of Ramzan during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). In a video posted by Khan, Warner can be heard saying that he is very hungry.

    Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) Australian captain Warner and New Zealand batsman Williamson kept a fast alongside Afghan team-mates Rashid, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman to observe the holy month of Ramzan.

    In a video shared by Rashid on his Instagram, he can be seen interacting with Williamson and Warner at what seems to be a restaurant where the cricketers may have gathered to break their fast.

    “Two legends were fasting with us today,” Rashid had captioned the Instagram Story.

    The 22-year-old can be heard asking Warner and Williamson about their fasting experience.

    “David, how is your fasting today?” Rashid Khan asked Warner in the video.

    “Good, but I am very thirsty and very hungry today. My mouth is so dry,” said Warner in response.

    Khan then turned the phone camera towards Williamson and asked him the same question.

    “Very good, thanks,” said Williamson, flashing a thumbs-up.

    “These two legends are observing the fast today. It is a pleasure to have them at the table,” said Rashid.

    The video went viral on social media and people couldn’t stop praising the two for expressing solidarity with their Muslim teammates.

    Sharing the video on Twitter, a former cricketer and journalist Isabelle Westbury revealed that Warner also celebrates Eid with his Australian teammate Fawad Ahmed.

    Westbury said that Ahmed “always cites him as a particularly understanding mate regarding cultural differences.”

    Read more – Afridi ‘sad to see’ South Africa release players for IPL amid Pakistan series

    The 2021 edition of IPL is currently ongoing with the matches taking place in Chennai and Mumbai.

  • Afridi wants PCB to review middle-order performances, suggests Shoaib Malik’s inclusion in T20Is

    Afridi wants PCB to review middle-order performances, suggests Shoaib Malik’s inclusion in T20Is

    Former captain of the Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi, while congratulating the Pakistani team on winning the T20I against South Africa, emphasised the need to work on middle-order performances.

    “Despite the victory, we need to review the middle-order performances where we seem to be struggling for a long time,” wrote the former all-rounder on Twitter.

    He also suggested that since it is the T20 World Cup year, the team should consider bringing Shoaib Malik back.

    On Friday, Pakistan defeated South Africa by three wickets in the last fixture of the four-match T20I series at the Supersport Park in Centurion and clinched the series 3-1.

    Pakistan, like South Africa, suffered a middle-order collapse as they went from 92-1 to 129-7.

    However, Mohammad Nawaz kept his cool in the end and was aided by some poor bowling by the hosts, allowing the tourists to cap the tour with a 3-1 T20I series win to go with the ODI triumph earlier this month.

    Pakistan will now depart for Zimbabwe on Saturday where they will play three T20Is on April 21, 23 and 25, followed by two Tests, which will be played from April 29 to May 3 and May 7-11.

    Malik went past 10,000 T20 career runs when he scored 74 in a domestic game in Rawalpindi in October 2020. He is the third batsman to have reached the landmark after Kieron Pollard (10,370 runs) and Chris Gayle (13,296 runs).

    The 39-year-old cricketer made his T20 debut in 2005 for Sialkot Stallions and has played 417 T20s in his career, scoring his 10,488 runs at an average of 37.06, with 64 half-centuries. He also has 151 wickets at 27.15, at an economy rate of 7.02.

    In his international career, Malik has played 116 T20Is, scoring 2,335 runs at an average of 31.13, with 8 half-centuries. He has 28 wickets at 23.53, at an economy rate of 7.08.

    Malik became the third batsman to reach 2000 runs in T20 Internationals after Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill. He reached the milestone during his 92nd T20 innings against Zimbabwe in Harare. While Mohammad Hafeez became the second Pakistani player to reach 2000 run-mark, number ninth in total.

    The 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in October and November 2021 in India.

  • Fakhar, Faheem, Nawaz hand Pakistan T20I series

    Fakhar, Faheem, Nawaz hand Pakistan T20I series

    While both teams suffered collapses in the fourth and final T20I of the Pakistan-South Africa series, South Africa’s 145 target proved insufficient in the fourth T20I with Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz dragging a stumbling Pakistan to clinch a 3-1 series win.

    Pakistan pulled off back-to-back T20I series wins over South Africa, even though the team did not have their first-choice personnel at their disposal, and capped off their tour with a 3-1 win. Thanks to a strong bowling performance and despite a batting wobble, Pakistan made heavy work of chasing 145, and after coasting on 92 for 1 lost 6 for 37 to put South Africa on the brink of a series-levelling coup. Thanks to Fakhar’s much needed 60 off 34 balls and Nawaz’s sensible conclusion, scoring 25 and hitting a six to end the match.

    Not the highest quality of cricket from either of the team, but all the nerves and all the errors added up and gave us a thriller to end this series. Pakistan has been the better team, as the 3-1 scoreline shows, but still needs to do plenty of work in different departments of the team.

    Nonetheless, the tour has been hugely entertaining, and Pakistan has come out on top in both the ODI and T20I series. A big achievement from them, and some encouraging signs for South Africa as well.

    For his brilliant spell, giving only 17 runs off 4 overs and 3 wickets, Ashraf was named the Player of the Match.

    Babar Azam received Player of the series for his 210 runs, including his maiden T20I century.

    Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Babar said: “We’ve really enjoyed this tour, despite the quarantine and everything. It would be even better if our fans were here, but unfortunately, that was not possible because of COVID-19, but we got a lot of support on social media.”

    “Once the set batsmen got out, a bit of pressure came onto the middle order today. We’ll sit down and talk about it, and give the players confidence so they can make up for the mistakes they’ve made.”

    Read more – Babar Azam dethrones Virat Kohli to become number one ODI batsman

    The captain added: “When we left, we left with the idea that we had to win this series and give 110%, and that’s what we did. Fakhar performed brilliantly in the ODIs, the bowlers were outstanding overall. When players perform like that, results will follow.”

    Talking about his performance, Azam said: “As for my performance, it was all about giving 100%, enjoying my cricket, and doing what the team needs.”

    Meanwhile, notable people also congratulated team Pakistan on securing the feat.

  • Bismah Maroof takes a break from cricket to welcome baby

    Bismah Maroof takes a break from cricket to welcome baby

    Captain of the Pakistan national women’s cricket team Bismah Maroof has announced that she is taking a break from cricket due to her pregnancy.

    “I am delighted to announce that I am entering a new chapter in my life as motherhood beckons,” wrote Maroof on Twitter. “I would like to wish the Pakistan women’s team the very best as I take an indefinite break from cricket.”

    “Request for prayers and support,” she added.

    Earlier, Maroof had also withdrawn from the tour to South Africa in January due to family reasons. Javeria Khan had led the team in her absence.

    Maroof had gotten married to her cousin Abrar Ahmed in November 2018. This is their first child.