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  • Pakistan demolish Australia to win by nine wickets in the second ODI

    Pakistan demolish Australia to win by nine wickets in the second ODI

    Pakistan has defeated Australia by nine wickets in the second ODI match in Adelaide.

    Chasing the Kangaroos’ target of 164 runs in the match being played in Adelaide, national team openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq gave Pakistan a 137-run start. Fours were included. Abdullah Shafiq remained unbeaten with 64 runs, and Babar Azam scored 15 runs.

    Australia’s only wicket came to Adam Zampa.

    While batting first, the Australian team was all out by scoring 163 runs in 35 overs. The openers tried to play an aggressive game, but Jack Fraser-McGurk fell victim to Shaheen by scoring 13 runs on a total score of 21; Matthew Short also scored 19 runs. Banakar had returned to the pavilion.

    Australian batters Josh Ingles, 18, and Marinus Labuschagne, 6; Steve Smith, 35; Aaron Hardie, 13; Glenn Maxwell, 16; Pat Cummins, 13; Adam Zampa, 18, and Mitchell Starc were guests for one run.

    On behalf of Pakistan, Haris Rauf took five wickets; Shaheen Afridi took three wickets, while Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah took one wicket each.

    Earlier, national team captain Muhammad Rizwan won the toss and decided to field first against Australia. He said that he would try to win the match and level the series.

    Mohammad Rizwan said that no changes have been made to the team, and they want to give the players a chance.

    On this occasion, Australian team captain Pat Cummins said that they want to ensure victory in the series with the victory in the match. He said that there has been a change in the playing eleven; Josh Hazlewood has returned instead of Sean Abbott.

    Pakistan Squad:

    Captain Muhammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafiq, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Muhammad Hasnain.

    Australia Squad:

    Captain Pat Cummins, Matt Short, Jack Fraser-McGurk, Steven Smith, Josh Ingles, Marence Labuchin, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardy, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood.

  • Muhammad Rizwan equals record for most catches in a match

    Muhammad Rizwan equals record for most catches in a match

    Pakistan cricket team captain Muhammad Rizwan has equalled the record for most catches in a match.

    During the second ODI match against Australia, Rizwan took six catches, coming tantalising close to a world record if he had not dropped the catch of Adam Zampa.

    Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher, Alec Stewart, Matt Prior, Jos Buttler, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Quinton D Cook, and Matthew Cross have six catches in a match.

    The second match of the three-match ODI series is being played in Adelaide, where Australia has set Pakistan a target of 164 runs to win.

    Australia defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the first match of the series.

  • Pakistani pace shines in Adelaide: Australia bowled out at 163

    Pakistani pace shines in Adelaide: Australia bowled out at 163

    The second match of the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Australia is underway in Adelaide today, with Australia setting Pakistan a target of 164 runs to win.

    Pakistan won the toss and invited Australia to bat. In the third over, with a total score of 21, Jack Fraser McGurk was dismissed lbw by Shaheen Afridi after he scored 13 runs off ten balls. 

    Mathew Short also fell victim to Afridi’s balling with a total score of 41 in the seventh over. He scored 19 runs off 15 balls and was caught out by Babar Azam.

    Josh Ingles scored 18 runs off 25 balls, while Marnus Labuchagne scored six runs off 11 balls and was dismissed in the 16th over by Haris Rauf. 

    In the 21st over, when Australia’s score was 101, Steven Smith also returned to the pavilion. He scored 35 runs off 48 balls and was caught out by Mohammad Rizwan off Mohammad Hasnain.

    Australia’s sixth wicket fell in the 26th over at a total of 121 when Aaron Hardie scored 13 off 29 balls and was caught out by Mohammad Rizwan off Haris Rauf. In the 28th over, Glenn Maxwell also returned to the pavilion. He scored 16 runs off 21 balls and was bowled by Haris Rauf. 

    In the next over, Australia’s total score had just increased by one run when Mitchell Starc scored a run and was caught out by Mohammad Rizwan off the ball of Naseem Shah.

    Adam Zampa scored 18 runs and was dismissed by Shaheen in the 35th over.

    Haris Rauf took five, while Shaheen Afridi took three wickets for Pakistan. Naseem Shah and Muhammad Hasnain took one wicket each.

  • PCB considering ASP Sheharbano Naqvi for head of women’s cricket: report

    PCB considering ASP Sheharbano Naqvi for head of women’s cricket: report

    Female police officer ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi is one of the candidates in line to assume the role of the Head of Pakistan Women’s Cricket.

    Geo Super report reveals that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking for a Head of Women’s Cricket, with some government officials being considered strong candidates for the job.

    Geo Super quoted sources saying that ASP Shehrbano Naqvi who has been in the limelight since February this year when she rescued a woman from a mob in Lahore’s Ichra Bazaar. Earlier, she was involved in launching a unique initiative for pets. ASP Sheharbano Naqvi, along with the IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar, inaugurated one-of-a-kind Pet Park to Lahore.

    Lately, the female ASP surfaced online to present the stance of Lahore police on the alleged rape case of Punjab College.

    Among other candidates for the slot is former Lahore deputy commissioner (DC) Dr Rafia Haider, a PCB official told The Current. They also said that the former Lahore DC, and not ACP Shehrbano, was likely to replace Tania Mallick who stepped down on Wednesday to pursue new career opportunities.

    Mallick had started her job at the board in October 2021.

    PCB COO Salman Naseer stated in a presser, “Sohaib Sheikh and Tania Mallick were key members of the PCB management team, making meaningful contributions to our progress as an organisation. Sohaib was part of the core team that launched the HBL PSL in 2016, successfully delivering four seasons, and he returned to produce another high-quality event earlier this year.”

    He appreciated the erstwhile officer, stating: “Tania worked with dedication to uplift women’s cricket in Pakistan, making strides at the grassroots level to expand the pool of players. Alongside PCB’s ongoing support, her efforts were recognised internationally by the ICC, where she served as one of the two Full Member representatives on the ICC Women’s Committee.

    “The PCB appreciates their hard work, dedication and contributions, and we wish both Sohaib and Tania every success in their future endeavors.”

    Among other candidates is a former deputy commissioner of Lahore who served in the city during Mohsin Naqvi’s tenure as caretaker Chief Minister Punjab, but the process of selection is underway.

  • Babar Azam’s bat to go up next to Don Bradman, Brian Lara’s bats at MCG

    Babar Azam’s bat to go up next to Don Bradman, Brian Lara’s bats at MCG

    Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s bat will be put up for display at the Long Room of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

    According to reports, MCG officials have asked Babar Azam to donate a bat of his for the Long Room, after which Babar donated the bat he used in the 2022 T20 World Cup final.

    The bats of cricketing legends Don Bradman, David Bone, Jack Hobbs and Brian Lara are also on display in the MCG Long Room.

    “It is an honor for my bat to be showcased in the Long Room. I have a lot of memories associated with the MCG. It is one of the best grounds with the bats of the greatest batsmen of the world. It is an honor to have my bat put up for display [here],” Babar said.

    Steeped in history and tradition, the Long Room is iconic in every sense. The famous leather couches offer premium views of the hallowed turf and are complimented by a fine selection of sporting memorabilia on display.

    The Long Room was earlier known as the “Members’ Lounge” with the back section of the room known as the “Members’ Dining Room”. The area was renamed the “Long Room” in 1958.

    The foundation stone from the second pavilion is located in the centre of the Long Room. It also houses portraits of a number of past presidents, a vice-president and secretaries of the club.

  • Wasim Akram opens up about why he did not accept PCB’s job offer

    Wasim Akram opens up about why he did not accept PCB’s job offer

    Former Pakistan cricket team captain Wasim Akram has opened up about why he declined a job offer from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    During an online press conference in Melbourne, he said, ” I received a job offer, but I’m not someone who can work a 9 to 5 job.”

    Talking about the Champions Trophy 2025, he said, “Positive signals are coming from India regarding the Champions Trophy. The PCB has made several offers to the Indian Board, and India should come to Pakistan.”

    Akram highlighted the massive fan following that Indian players have in Pakistan, saying, “Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav have many fans here. Fans are eagerly waiting for them. People from both countries should interact more, and India should consider this.”

    On his personal experiences, he mentioned, “I haven’t been to India for six or seven years, and I miss the food and people there. Indian players would enjoy coming to Pakistan.”

    Discussing the upcoming series in Australia, Akram noted, “Conditions in Australia are tough, and it won’t be easy for Pakistan. Winning even one ODI would be a significant achievement, and the T20 series should be good.”

    Akram praised Fakhar Zaman, stating, “Fakhar Zaman is an impact player. I’m sure Fakhar didn’t write the social media statement himself. Whoever wrote it should have informed him about the potential issues related to the central contract. This is a lesson for Fakhar to be more mindful of his social media posts, and the PCB was right to be upset about the matter.”
    The former national team captain also praised Mohsin Naqvi, saying, “Mohsin Naqvi is doing excellent work for cricket and can run the cricket board professionally.”

    In response to a question about Rizwan’s captaincy, Akram said, “Mohammad Rizwan has captaincy experience and is a good choice. He should focus on his game.”

    Regarding criticism of creating pitches for home advantage, Akram remarked, “We don’t need enemies when we have enough critics within. Criticism of home advantage is incomprehensible. I’ve been advocating for turning pitches for the past 5-6 years, even if it means losing. I’m glad that someone finally considered this, and after losing three consecutive Test matches, we won two consecutive Tests.”

    Expressing his happiness about the future of Pakistani cricket, Akram added, “I’m pleased that young players are being given opportunities to prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Players like Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah should focus on their game, leave social media, go home after playing cricket, and enjoy. Babar Azam should also forget about captaincy, play cricket, and score runs.”

    Pakistan will be hosting the Champions Trophy next year in February and March.

  • Ben Stokes’ house robbed during Test series against Pakistan

    Ben Stokes’ house robbed during Test series against Pakistan

    English Test captain, Ben Stokes’ home was robbed by masked individuals who stole jewellery and valuable, rare items.

    The English Test captain has appealed for help on social media from the relevant authorities to recover the items. The robbery occurred on October 17 in Castle Eden while Ben Stokes was playing a Test series in Pakistan.

    In a message he posted on the social networking site X (formerly Twitter) he wrote, “My wife and two children were at home when the robbery took place, but the family remained safe.” Many of the stolen items hold significant emotional value for him and his family, making the losses irreplaceable.

    Stokes shared the details of the incident and pictures of the stolen items on his X account, including an OBE award given in 2019, a Christian Dior handbag, an England cricket signet gold ring, and some bracelets.

  • Indian team’s unique move to avoid whitewash against New Zealand

    Indian team’s unique move to avoid whitewash against New Zealand

    Indian cricket team has made a unique move to avoid whitewash against New Zealand at home.

    At Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Rohit Sharma’s men will be facing Tom Latham’s 11 Kiwis, and the Indian team is desperate to avoid a whitewash on home ground. In a unique move, the Indian coach and captain have called up 35 bowlers for net bowling.

    Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma pressured the Mumbai Cricket Association to arrange 35 net bowlers for India’s practice session.

    After the defeat in the second consecutive Test in Pune, this was India’s full-fledged training session after a two-day break. India made a special request for extra bowlers for this session.

    In this session, the Indian batters focused on facing spinners and practised playing spin bowling as Mitchell Santner had wreaked havoc in the last Test by taking 13 wickets.

    Earlier, India suffered a Test defeat on home soil for the first time in 12 years. They lost to New Zealand after winning 18 consecutive Test series at home, while New Zealand achieved success in a Test match in India after 36 years.

  • Saud Shakeel, Noman Ali jump to top 10 in ICC Test rankings

    Saud Shakeel, Noman Ali jump to top 10 in ICC Test rankings

    In the new International Cricket Council (ICC) player rankings, the national Test team’s vice-captain Saud Shakeel and spinner Noman Ali have made a significant jump into the top 10.

    Saud Shakeel has moved up 20 spots to the 7th position, while Noman Ali has moved to the 9th spot.

    Saud Shakeel recently scored 280 runs in the three-Test series against England, including a century and a half-century in five innings, earning him the title of the series’ best player.

    Pakistani spinner Noman Ali, after his stellar performance in the third and final Test of the recent series, has also made it into the top ten. Noman took nine wickets in the match and moved up eight spots to reach a career-best 9th position, while fellow spinner Sajid Khan also improved his career rating by 12 places.

    Jasprit Bumrah’s reign as the number one Test bowler has ended, with South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada becoming the number one bowler in the latest ICC Test player ranking. Rabada took nine wickets in the first Test against Bangladesh. Hazlewood is now second in the Test bowlers ranking, with Bumrah in third and Ashwin in fourth.

    Among Test batters, England’s Joe Root maintains the top position, followed by New Zealand’s Kane Williamson in second place. India’s young Yashasvi Jaiswal has moved up one spot to third, while Virat Kohli has dropped six spots to 14th.

    New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra has also entered the top ten, moving up eight spots to 10th.

  • National legendary athlete Muhammad Younis passes awaay

    National legendary athlete Muhammad Younis passes awaay

    Legendary athlete Muhammad Younis, who won 27 gold medals in international competitions for Pakistan, has passed away at the age of 77. According to the Athletics Federation, Malik Muhammad Younis is considered one of the top athletes in the 800 and 1500-meter races.

    Muhammad Younis won the gold medal in the 1500-meter race at the 1974 Asian Games held in Iran. He also won silver medals for Pakistan in the 1970 and 1978 Asian Games.

    According to the Athletics Federation, Younis also won a gold and a silver medal for Pakistan in the 1973 Asian Track and Field Championship.

    In the 1970s, many of the national records set by Muhammad Younis still stand today. His 1500-meter record set in 1970 remains unbroken by any Pakistani, and his records in the 3000 and 5000-meter races also remain intact.

    The Athletics Federation reports that his athletics career came to an abrupt end in 1979 following an accident. In 1991, Muhammad Younis was awarded the Pride of Performance by the Government of Pakistan.