Tag: asia cup

  • India thrashes Sri Lanka to win Asia Cup title for 8th time

    India won the Asia Cup title for a record eighth time by defeating defending champions Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday. India easily chased down Sri Lanka’s target of just 51 runs in 6.1 overs, winning the match by 10 wickets to become Asian champions.

    Shubman Gul and Ishan Kishan remained unbeaten on 27 runs and 23 runs respectively for India.

    It should be noted that India has won the title of Asia Cup the most times.

    In the final played at Wilambo, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat against India, which turned out to be the wrong decision.

    The Lankan batting started with a delay due to rain, but as soon as the match started, the Sri Lankan batting line-up was decimated, with 6 wickets down for just 12 runs. Sri Lankan players could not even enter double figures, with Kaushal Mendes becoming top scorer with 17 runs. Five Sri Lankan players were bowled out for zero.

    India captain Rohit Sharma said on the occasion of the toss that if his team had won the toss, they would have batted first.

    Read More: Did we lose the match because of Shehbaz’s tweets? X users say yes

  • Naseem Shah’s international career at risk as cricket board awaits crucial scans

    Naseem Shah’s international career at risk as cricket board awaits crucial scans

    Pakistan’s fast bowler, Naseem Shah, is facing the grim prospect of missing the entire World Cup due to a severe right shoulder injury that has been revealed to be more serious than initially anticipated. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is actively considering seeking a second medical opinion, but initial scans conducted in Dubai indicate that this injury may sideline him for the remainder of the year. 

    If subsequent medical assessments corroborate the initial findings, Naseem could potentially face an extended period of absence from the cricket arena. His participation in the upcoming Test series in Australia, scheduled for the beginning of the year, now hangs in the balance. Furthermore, there is a growing concern that he might also be unavailable for the next edition of the Pakistan Super League in 2024. 

    Naseem Shah’s injury ordeal commenced during Pakistan’s recent clash against India in the Asia Cup. He had to leave the field during the 46th over on the reserve day designated for that game and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament.

    The PCB had advocated for the inclusion of the reserve day in the schedule, particularly for the India match, as a concession following the decision not to move the matches to Hambantota, a venue expected to offer drier conditions. It was on this very reserve day that Naseem sustained the injury, specifically to a muscle located just below his bowling shoulder. This injury is distinct from any prior shoulder issues he may have had. 

    According to ESPNcricinfo, Naseem Shah’s absence from the World Cup, along with his uncertain participation in the upcoming Australian series, represents a significant setback for Pakistan. In the past year, Naseem has transitioned from being a specialist red-ball bowler to becoming an integral part of Pakistan’s bowling attack across all formats. His current form indicates that he is the standout performer among Pakistan’s highly regarded trio of fast bowlers, which includes Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. 

    The PCB is expected to make an official decision once they receive the results of his follow-up scans in the coming days. During his absence from the Asia Cup, Naseem Shah was replaced by Zaman Khan, while Mohammad Hasnain, another potential replacement, is currently nursing an injury. 

    Naseem has grappled with injury issues early in his cricketing career. A back injury, sustained just a year into his international career when he was only 17, sidelined him from the sport for a lengthy 14 months. Six weeks after his return, he suffered a shoulder injury during his debut in the County Championship with Gloucestershire, which kept him out of action for another month. 

    Over the past 18 months, Naseem’s workload has considerably increased. Initially regarded as a red-ball specialist, he has evolved into a crucial bowler for Pakistan in all formats of the game. Since his ODI debut, he has emerged as Pakistan’s most potent bowler, amassing 32 wickets in just 14 matches at an impressive average of under 17. 

    Additionally, Naseem has been in high demand on the T20 circuit, recently participating in the LPL. His inclusion in the SA20 auction shortlist on Friday is now a likely casualty of his unfortunate injury situation. 

  • Did we lose the match because of Shehbaz’s tweets? X users say yes

    Did we lose the match because of Shehbaz’s tweets? X users say yes

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is a big sports fan and tweets about cricket and tennis quite often. His tweets full of excitement during the Asia Cup about Pakistani cricketers created quite a stir, but not for the right reasons. Twitter (now X) users are blaming Shehbaz for Pakistan’s loss. Here’s why.

    On September 2 when Pakistan played its first match against India in Asia Cup 2023,Shehbaz tweeted that the Indians “CANNOT PLAY’ Shaheen Shah Afridi.

    However, in the next match between Pakistan and India, Shaheen’s performance was so bad that even his father-in-law Shahid Afridi was not happy with his performance.

    “If we ball like Naseem Shah in initial overs, the situation could have been different. Shaheen’s line and length were not good, he gets frustrated if he doesn’t get wickets in early overs because he is known as a wicket taker in the first over,” said Shahid about Shaheen.

    Pakistan lost the match to India by 228 runs.

    Pakistan lost the crucial Super 4 match against Sri Lanka yesterday and thus couldn’t qualify for the Asia Cup final.

    Shehbaz Sharif was quick to buck up the Boys in Green.

    “That was an incredible last over, Zaman. A great game of cricket indeed.”

    X users were quick to point out that after Shehbaz praised Shaheen, he performed badly and now that he has praised Zaman Khan, his career may be over. One user told Shehbaz to “stay away from cricket”.

    Here are some tweets:

  • Naseem out, Zaman in; Rauf to possibly play today against Sri Lanka

    Naseem out, Zaman in; Rauf to possibly play today against Sri Lanka

    Right-arm fast bowler Zaman Khan has replaced Naseem Shah in today’s Asia Cup 2023 match against Sri Lanka.

    According to a press release issued by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Naseem Shah got injured on Monday in the last match against India. Pakistan team’s medical panel is continuously monitoring his health as the upcoming one-day international World Cup is going to start on October 5.

    Zaman Khan joined the team on Thursday and will bowl against Sri Lanka in today’s crucial match.

    PCB also said about pacer Haris Rauf that he “continues to recover well” after he felt discomfort in his right flank in the match against India.

    “These two fast bowlers are our assets, and the team’s medical panel will provide them the best possible care ahead of the all-important World Cup,” the press release quoted the team’s doctor, Sohail Saleem, as saying.

    Shahnwaz Dhani also joined the 17-player squad on Thursday.

  • Venkatesh Prasad deletes viral tweet about Jay Shah, abuses Muslim journalist for sharing screenshot

    Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad on Saturday tweeted what many social media users believe was a cryptic tweet targeting Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah, who is also secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

    “It takes one corrupt, arrogant guy to take away the hard work of an organisation that is generally non-corrupt and get a stamp of corruption on the whole leadership, not just on a micro level but at a large level.”

    Prasad’s tweet made many X (former Twitter) users speculate if the former cricketer had targeted BCCI and Jay Shah, son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah. However, Prasad soon deleted his tweet.

    Indian journalist and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair posted a screenshot of the tweet deleted by Prasad.

    AltNews co-founder Zubair was not the only one who posted a screenshot of Prasad’s deleted tweet. Many news outlets did a story on it as well. However, Prasad chose to target and abuse Zubair in a racist and bigoted tweet.

    Prasad quote-tweeted Zubair and wrote: “Haha.. Says a serial hate- monger, who has put so many lives in danger for his agenda. You disguising as a fact-checker is like Terrorists talking about peace. Now post that you need money to survive and ask for donation for your website, no shame in living off by fooling people.”

    In response, Zubair said that he hopes Prasad will be forgiven for his tweet on BCCI by his “political masters for compensating by abusing and comparing” him to “terrorists”.

    One user pointed out that Venkatesh Prasad’s manager is Amritanshu Gupta, a known right-wing BJP supporter, which is why Prasad’s language is of right-wing trolls.

    Many X users called out the former Indian cricketer for his bigoted and hateful tweet against a Muslim journalist in India.

    Prasad posted a new version of his deleted tweet a day later.

  • Nepal, Pakistan: anything better than cricket to bring people together?

    Nepal, Pakistan: anything better than cricket to bring people together?

    Pakistan v Nepal from Moorhead to Multan: A Journey of Friendship and Fervour

    Picture this: a chilly midnight in Moorhead, a tiny university town near Fargo. Amidst the freezing air, two cricket fanatics — me and my Pakistani roommate, Shehzad — walk to the end of 20th Street just off campus to a house full of friends from Nepal. Our connection with these guys? Cricket. We had known each other through an indoor tape ball cricket tournament we played together.

    It was the turn of the millennium; TV apps and online streaming weren’t a thing back then. These guys from Nepal were our cricket saviours, the only ones in the area with Direct TV and video on demand available to watch Pakistan vs India 2004 Test series. I remember the first Test was in Multan. Sehwag smashed a triple ton and Tendulkar 194 to stamp their authority on the game. India won the match by an innings and also the series 2-1.

    Even though we had great respect for each other, there were moments when we had tempers flared during this series as all of these guys were rooting for India. That’s the nature of this encounter, it’s an emotional rollercoaster. People from Pakistan and India living abroad will relate: no matter how close you are with each other, this game will always get your emotions out of control.

    Fast-forward to 2023. Two decades later, Asia Cup is being co-hosted in Pakistan. The venue for the first game was Multan where Nepal faced Pakistan head to head for the first time. I have been in touch with these guys on and off, mostly through Facebook. As the national anthem of Nepal was being played, I dropped a one-liner message about the clash to Pawan Adhikari, now living in Houston, Texas. His response, I can feel, triggered a cascade of emotions for him just like it did for me. Memories flood in of chai-fuelled nights, banter, and heated arguments at his apartment.

    This particular game in Multan seemed to create a nostalgia that’s etched in our memories. For me this wasn’t just a game where Pakistan was playing a minnow, it was a symphony of emotions that cricket had orchestrated two decades ago. This memory and this game flung the door open to tomorrow, to the possibility of sitting with old mates, Pawan, Neeraj, Prajowl, and Shehzad; watching Nepal and Pakistan take on the world in the West Indies and Americas next year.

    From that viral image of a packed cricket ground in Katmandu of their famous victory, Nepal’s cricketing journey is a tale of resilience, a narrative that echoed the nation’s spirit, much like conquering the Everest.

    In a world often divided, cricket emerges as the unifier, a magical thread that weaves tales transcending time zones and cultures. From Moorhead’s chilly cold streets to Multan’s scorching heat, this is more than just a cricket story; it’s a tale of friendships woven by cricket’s tapestry. It’s a reminder that amidst the chaos, there’s a language we all speak, a language that unites us, This is why we love this game.

  • After beating Nepal, Pakistani team is ready for India

    After beating Nepal, Pakistani team is ready for India

    After beating Nepal on Wednesday, captain Babar Azam has said that the Pakistani cricket team is ready to beat India on Saturday’s Asia Cup match, Dawn has reported.

    Iftikhar Ahmed scored an unbeaten 109 and Babar scored a masterful 151 runs in yesterday’s match held at Multan.

    Tournament co-hosts Pakistan bowled out Asia Cup debutants Nepal for 104 in 23.4 overs in their third-biggest victory in a one-day international.

    “This game was good preparation for the India game because it gave us confidence,” Babar, who was named Player of the Match for his 19th one-day hundred, said.

    “India-Pakistan will always bring high intensity. We want to give 100 percent in every match, and we hope to do that there as well.”

    “When I went in, the ball wasn’t coming on properly, so I was trying to build an innings with Rizwan,” Babar explained.

    “Iftikhar also played a great inning when he came on. I told him to play his natural game, and he was comfortable after hitting two-three boundaries,” the batting maestro stated.

  • Zaka Ashraf, likely new PCB Chairman, rejects hybrid model approved by ACC

    Zaka Ashraf, likely new PCB Chairman, rejects hybrid model approved by ACC

    Zaka Ashraf, the probable future Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has rejected the Asia Cup Hybrid Model proposed by Najam Sethi and approved by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) with some amendments.

    All the controversies surrounding the matter of the Asia Cup appeared to have been resolved. However, Zaka Ashraf, likely the upcoming Chairman of the PCB, issued a statement on Wednesday while speaking to media in Islamabad, stating that the Hybrid Model is unfair to Pakistan and he has rejected it.

    “The first point is that I had rejected the hybrid model [for the Asia Cup] from the beginning because I disagree with it. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) board had decided that the tournament should be held entirely in Pakistan. However, major matches are being held elsewhere, and only minor teams like Nepal will play in Pakistan. Injustice has been done to Pakistan,” said Zaka during a media interaction.

    “As the hosts, the entire event [Asia Cup] should take place in Pakistan.”

    Zaka Ashraf’s election to the top position in the PCB is expected since Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif appointed him as a member of the PCB Board of Governors. However, the election itself is yet to take place.

    “If weak teams like Nepal and Afghanistan are the only ones playing their matches in Pakistan, then I firmly believe that the Hybrid Model is disadvantageous for Pakistan. I will make changes to the Hybrid Model accordingly,” he added.

    “I am unaware of the decisions made by the previous management as I don’t have access to that information. I will go and see, and try to act in the best interest of Pakistan as quickly as possible,” he said.

    “There are many pending issues, but I am not delving deep into them since I haven’t officially taken over,” he added, expressing his intention to engage with the Indian leadership.

    As per reports cited in Indian media outlets, a senior board member of ACC ridiculed Zaka Ashraf’s statement while talking to Press Trust of India.
    “He is a free man (Zaka Ashraf) and can say whatever he wants. The statement shows his mentality. ACC approved Hybrid Model for Asia Cup and it will be held as per schedule. No further changes and amendments will take place further on this matter, the file is closed.”

    Previously, the management led by Najam Sethi was negotiating with the Secretary of the Indian board and ACC Chairman Jay Shah regarding the hosting rights of the Asia Cup 2023, which officially belonged to Pakistan. However, due to security concerns, BCCI and the Indian government dif not allow their team to travel to Pakistan. PCB then proposed two Hybrid Models. The first one was immediately rejected by broadcasters and the Indian Cricket Board. This model suggested that the Indian cricket team would play their matches at a neutral venue, which would be decided by the PCB, while the rest of the tournament would take place in Pakistan. The second Hybrid Model, proposed during the second meeting with official broadcasters (Star Sports) and Pankaj Khimji, Vice President of ACC, stated that the first four matches, excluding India’s matches, would be held in Pakistan, while the remainder of the tournament would be shifted to Dubai.

    However, the other cricket boards rejected Dubai or the UAE as the neutral venue, and a decision was made for Sri Lanka to co-host the tournament with Pakistan.

  • Asia Cup 2023: Get ready Pakistan, ACC announces dates and venues

    Asia Cup 2023: Get ready Pakistan, ACC announces dates and venues

    Asia Cup 2023 will be held in a hybrid model with four matches taking place in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka.

    The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced last night that the tournament will take place from August 31 to September 17 later this year. The tournament will feature top teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, competing in 13 thrilling ODI matches.

    Nepal’s participation is particularly significant as it marks their first-ever appearance in an Asian event.

    Under the hybrid model, Pakistan will host matches between Pakistan and Nepal, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.

    The 2023 edition will have two groups, with two teams from each group progressing to the Super Four stage.

    The top two teams from the Super Four stage will then face each other in the final. This tournament holds great importance for the Asian teams as it will provide valuable preparation for the ICC World Cup, which will take place in India.

    Previously, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup due to security concerns.

    To ensure the hosting rights of the event were preserved, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed two options in a hybrid model. The first option suggested that India play their matches at a neutral venue, while all other matches would be held in Pakistan.

    The second option proposed playing four group stage matches in Pakistan and moving the subsequent phase, including matches with the Indian team and the final, to a neutral venue. Ultimately, the second option of the hybrid model was accepted. The organizers will soon announce the complete schedule of the tournament, providing further details on the matches and venues.

  • Clear roadmap for Pakistan’s World Cup journey to India

    Clear roadmap for Pakistan’s World Cup journey to India

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to the hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023. Now, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), in a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other cricketing boards, has approved the model with slight amendments.

    Asia Cup 2023 is all set to be played with PCB’s hybrid model, while Pakistan retains the hosting rights.

    The PCB favors the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the neutral venue, considering it a smart and effective revenue gateway for Pakistan. However, other boards, including the Indian Cricket Board, argued for an alternative venue. Consequently, the ACC has finalized Sri Lanka as the neutral venue for the tournament. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now co-host the Asia Cup 2023.

    According to the proposed hybrid model, the first four or five matches will be played in Pakistan, with the remainder of the tournament moving to Sri Lanka, where India will have the opportunity to play their group matches.

    The PCB had been ready to show flexibility over a tit-for-tat stance for the World Cup had the Indian board rejected the hybrid model. The former had also expected the Pakistan government to grant approval for the country’s team to travel to India for the 50-over showpiece “much easily” if the proposed model was accepted.

    It is, therefore, understood that Pakistan will feature in India for the first time since 2016. Whether they take on the hosts, their arch-rivals, in Ahmedabad as proposed in a draft schedule sent by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to the boards of the participating sides is also to be decided by the country’s government.

    As per media reports, the PCB, having received the draft schedule as well, has started it’s consultations with the government over the fixture list and a decision is expected to be made in the coming week.

    That would also mean that the official schedule of the World Cup will be released just over three months ahead of the first game of the tournament on October 5.

    According to the draft schedule, Pakistan will kick off their campaign on October 6 against one of the teams coming through from the preceding qualifying round in Hyderabad before taking on another qualifier at the same venue on October 12.

    The Babar Azam-led unit is scheduled to fly out to Ahmedabad for the high-octane clash against India on October 15 before playing Australia five days later in Bengaluru and Afghanistan and South Africa in Chennai on October 23 and 27.

    After locking horns with Bangladesh in Kolkata four days later, Pakistan will return to Bengaluru for their match against New Zealand on November 5 before concluding the league stage with their fixture against England in Kolkata on November 12.

    The dates and venues for the tournament’s semi-finals and final have not been included in the draft schedule