Tag: Australia

  • Examinations will be held on time despite new covid variant: Shafqat Mahmood

    Examinations will be held on time despite new covid variant: Shafqat Mahmood

    Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said on Monday that the government has no plans to suspend educational activities. He said that examinations will be taken on time and the full curriculum will be covered in it, reports Geo.

    When he was asked about the policy of the education department regarding precautionary measures against the Omicron variant, the federal minister said, “I don’t know about the new variant of coronavirus in detail, but the government wants to continue educational activities.”

    The new variant named Omicron, which was first discovered in South Africa is spreading drastically into various parts of Europe including Canada and Australia. On Saturday, Pakistan imposed a complete ban on direct/indirect inbound flights from six African countries and Hong Kong.

    Moreover, while talking about the smog situation in Lahore, Shafqat Mahmood said it will decrease by the closure of private and government schools thrice a week.

  • Australia announces squad for the Ashes

    Australia announces squad for the Ashes

    The T20 World Cup winners Australia is set to host the Ashes this winter. Cricket Australia on Tuesday announced the squad for the clash with England at home.

    As per details, the Aussies named a 15-player squad for the first two Tests of this summer’s Men’s Ashes, alongside an extended player list from which an Australia A team will be selected for a tour match against the English Lions.

    Read More – ‘Too old and slow’: David Warner’s wife Candice slams trolls after Australian star helps team lift WC title

    This will be Australia’s first Test series since last summer’s Border-Gavaskar campaign, Usman Khawaja and Jhye Richardson both return to the team.

    Chair of selectors George Bailey indicated Marcus Harris would open the batting with David Warner, retaining his spot as the incumbent.

    Australia:

    Tim Paine (captain), Pat Cummins (vice captain), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.

    Additional Australia A players:

    Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street

    On the other hand, team England’s Test specialists were to fly out to Queensland on November 4, with five players involved in the T20 World Cup – Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Woakes and Wood – will be joining them after completing their quarantine.

    The squad includes10 players who have never played a Test in Australia. Ben Stokes has made himself available for the five-Test series that starts in Brisbane on December 8, giving a massive shot in the arm to the chances of Joe Root’s team regaining the Ashes over the coming weeks.

    England’s 2021-22 Ashes squad

    Joe Root (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

    Men’s Ashes fixtures

    First Test: December 8-12 – The Gabba, Brisbane

    Second Test: December 16-20 – Adelaide Oval

    Third Test: December 26-30 – Melbourne Cricket Ground

    Fourth Test: January 5-9 – Sydney Cricket Ground

    Fifth Test: January 14-18 – Perth Stadium

  • ‘A little disgusting’: Shoaib Akhtar takes a dig at Australia’s celebration after T20 World Cup win

    ‘A little disgusting’: Shoaib Akhtar takes a dig at Australia’s celebration after T20 World Cup win

    Former cricketer turned analyst Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his displeasure with the way the Australian team celebrated after their T20 World Cup win.

    Read More – ICC receives criticism for not naming Babar Azam T20 World Cup ‘Player of the Tournament’

    Akhtar took to his social media accounts to react to the viral video of Aussie stars Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis chugging beer from a shoe. The former cricketer reckoned it was a ‘disgusting way of celebrating’ their most recent accomplishment.

    He wrote: “A little disgusting way of celebrating no??”

    The Australian men’s cricket made history on Sunday, November 14, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium by clinching their maiden T20 World Cup title.

    The Aussie batters showcased exemplary batsmanship against a formidable Kiwi bowling attack to chase down a stiff total of 172 in the final clash.

    Mitchell Marsh starred with the bat for Australia with his unbeaten 77 and David Warner’s 53 off 38 balls helped the team down the Black Caps’ 173-run target. Marsh bagged Player of the Match award while Warner was awarded ‘Player of the Tournament’ award.

    The Rawalpindi Express was also present at the Dubai International Stadium to witness the final between the Aussies and Kiwis.

  • ‘Too old and slow’: David Warner’s wife Candice slams trolls after Australian star helps team lift WC title

    ‘Too old and slow’: David Warner’s wife Candice slams trolls after Australian star helps team lift WC title

    Autralian batter David Warner’s wife Candice Warner has slammed the trolls after his crucial 92-run stand with Mitchell Marsh to guide Australia to an 8-wicket victory against New Zealand in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

    Warner was awarded ‘Player of the Tournament’ for his efforts as he ended the World Cup as the second highest scorer behind Pakistan captain Babar Azam, with 289 runs in 7 innings at a strike-rate of 146.70.

    Warner bagged three half-centuries in the tournament and was the biggest reason behind Australia’s maiden global title in cricket’s shortest format.

    His wife Candice taunted the critics in an Instagram post, which she captained as, “Out of form, too old and slow!”

    The post had the photo of Warner with ‘Player of the Tournament’ written on it. She also tagged her husband in it.

    She also congratulated the “champions” for achieving the milestone.

    Warner was unstoppable on Sunday as he hit four boundaries and three sixes in his 38-ball knock. His effortless stroke play also gave confidence to Mitchell Marsh, who stayed on the crease after Warner’s dismissal to finish the job for his team.

    Marsh stayed unbeaten on 77 off 50 balls to complete the job in a season that has seen him become the backbone of Australia’s batting in T20 cricket.

  • Pakistan set to face Australia in semi-finals, Shaniera is clear who is she supporting

    Pakistan set to face Australia in semi-finals, Shaniera is clear who is she supporting

    The second semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 will be played today at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, will lock horns with Australia for a place in the summit clash.

    Read More – Shoaib Malik has ‘butterflies’ over facing Australia

    Pakistan’s bhabhi Shaniera Akram has said that she’d love Pakistan to win and nothing will make her happier but she’ll be happy too if Australia wins.

    Taking to Twitter she wrote: “My answer is I’d love PAK to win because nothing would make me happier than to see the cricket fanatic country I have grown to love go the distance. Lifting the #t20WorldCup would be a dream come true for Pakistan! But if Australia win, Of course I’d be really happy too #PAKvAUS.”

    She also said that whoever wins today, the match must be an entertainer.

    British High Commisioner Christian Turner, who said the England vs New Zealand match was a “rollercoaster”, also turned to his Twitter, wishing Pakistan luck for their semi-final match against Australia, saying: “I wait for my other team to go through – good luck Flag of Pakistan! Ab sab umeed Pakistan par hai!”

    He also congratulated the Black Caps for winning the first semi-final against England by five wickets and becomming the first team to reach in T20 World Cup’s finals this year.

    Babar Azam led team have been unstoppable in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 so far. They won all five of their Super 12 matches to finish at the top of the Group 2 points table. Meanwhile, Australia finished second in Group 1, recording four wins in five matches.

    Many fans will remember Australia and Pakistan battling in an ICC T20 World Cup semi-final match 11 years ago in the West Indies, where the Aussies emerged victorious. Pakistan will look forward to avenging that defeat today in Dubai.

  • Shaniera Akram tells Australia, England what they should be worried about when touring Pakistan

    Shaniera Akram tells Australia, England what they should be worried about when touring Pakistan

    Shaniera Akram, who is a humanitarian, environmentalist and wife of legendary Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram, has told Australian and English cricket teams what they should be worried about when touring Pakistan.

    Taking to Twitter, Shaniera wrote: “The only thing Australia & England should be worried about when coming to play cricket in Pakistan is The Pakistan Cricket Team!”

    “Thank you @CricketAus and @ECB_cricket for this opportunity,” she wrote, adding, “Like we always do, Pakistan & @TheRealPCB will welcome both teams with open arms & hearts!”

    Australian and English Boards have announced a visit to Pakistan. Yesterday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja met England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman. The series was discussed. Two additional matches were also announced after the meeting.

    The schedule of Australia’s visit to Pakistan has also been released two days ago, this will be Australia’s first visit to Pakistan after 1998.

    Fans are eager to know whether Shaniera, who lives in Pakistan but is of Australian origin, will be supporting Pakistan or Australia during the T20 World Cup semi-final.

    “Million dollar question: I’m deeply interested in knowing that who would @iamShaniera Bhabhi be supporting at #PAKVSAUS in the 2nd #SemiFinal of #T20WorldCup?” asked Twitter user Samra Tariq.

    At this, Shaniera did not give a clear response.

    “I want to know from all of you ??? Which team do you guys think I will cheer for???” Shaniera said.

    Pakistan will face Australia in the semi-final in Dubai on November 11. Pakistan remained undefeated in the Super 12 and ended the stage on a high.

  • Shoaib Malik has ‘butterflies’ over facing Australia

    Shoaib Malik has ‘butterflies’ over facing Australia

    Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has admitted that the semi-final match against Australia is giving him “butterflies”.

    Pakistan completed the Super 12 stage with five wins in as many games with a clinical 72-run win over qualifiers Scotland in Sharjah on Sunday.

    Shoaib smashed 18-ball 54 not out, the fastest half century of the tournament as Pakistan scored 189-2 in 20 overs before keeping Scotland down to 117-6.

    Pakistan is all set to play a semi-final against Australia in Dubai, a repeat of the 2010 T20 World Cup last-four, which the Australians won on the last ball in St Lucia.

    “Of course, we are watching Australia play good cricket and so are we, so it will be a tough match for both teams,” said the 39-year-old cricketer after his man-of-the-match knock, which contained six sixes and a four.

    “It will be a tough challenge for both teams and will give us butterflies but that is always encouraging.”

    Shoaib, who has played in all seven editions of the T20 World Cup, said: “We will take the semi-final as just another game and I think if we do that then we will be able to plan things in a better way.”

    Australia finished runners-up in Group 1, winning four of their five matches, but losing out on top spot to England on net run-rate.

    Having not won a Twenty20 World Cup yet, the Australians are peaking at the right time with opener David Warner returning to form, scoring 89 not out against the West Indies on Saturday.

    Read More – Australian Cricket team to tour Pakistan in March-April 2022

    “We will have a good rest, we are the form team so we need to plan well for the semi-final and this rest will surely help in doing that,” added Shoaib.

    “I am enjoying cricket and keeping fit, always love to come to the ground and do my best for my country and today’s innings was like that, highly enjoyable and it helped the team.”

    Shoaib, who was not part of the initial squad and was only included when Sohaib Maqsood was ruled out with a back injury, said that the omission had hurt.

    After his smashing win against Namibia, Malik took to Twitter and said that he dedicate this win to his team memebers.

    Meanwhile, Indian cricket commentator Aakash Chopra told Pakistan to “keep the trophy in the subcontinent”.

  • VIDEO: Wasim Akram reunites with daughter after 10 months

    VIDEO: Wasim Akram reunites with daughter after 10 months

    Former cricket legend Wasim Akram finally reunited iwith his wife Shaniera Akram and daughter Aiyla after 10 long months in Melbourne, Australia.

    Wasim shared a beautiful video clip on Twitter of the reunion with his daughter and we can’t stop thinking about how cute it is.

    In the video, Aiyla can be seen rushing towards the door to meet her father. She opens it and joyfully jumps into her father’s arms for a long hug.

    “Finally seeing my daughter after 10 months apart! Thank you @iamshaniera for raising such a beautiful little princess while we have been apart #HappyDays #Australia,” the former cricketer captioned the emotional reunion video.

    Wasim can be heard saying he missed her very much.

    Pakistan-based Australian Shaniera Akram retweeted her husband’s post, captioning it, “MashAllah”.

    Shaniera also shared the clip on her Instagram stories, saying: “In each other’s arms after 10 months apart. Excuse my emotional scream.”

    While she also shared a heartwarming picture of the father daughter duo.

    Shaniera and daughter Aiyla have been stranded in Australia for the last 11 months, while Wasim was in Pakistan. The former cricketer, however, is now in Melbourne with his family.

  • Fawad Chaudhry faces backlash, NA members demand draft of proposed media authority

    Fawad Chaudhry faces backlash, NA members demand draft of proposed media authority

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry faced a hard time in the committee as members demanded to see the draft law of the Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA), reported Kalbe Ali for Dawn.

    Spokesperson of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Marriyum Aurangzeb, demanded that the draft of the law should be presented for the establishment of the authority instead of a verbal briefing by the minister.

    Adding to her point, Aurangzeb said, “The attitude of the information minister was dictatorial.”

    Fawad Chaudhry said that some people did not want to have any regulations in the media industry, adding that Pakistan cannot turn a blind eye to conspiracies being formulated against it.

    “It is important to regulate the media,” the minister said, adding: “We have studied the laws of the United Kingdom (UK), India, Australia, Singapore, and European nations before formulating the draft PMDA law.”

    “But most of all, there will be no compromise over the rights of media workers and against floating of fake news and there was a severe pressure against the Authority regarding these two things,” said Fawad.

    After reflection on the proposed PMDA, the chairman of the committee PML-N’s Mian Javed Latif decided to form a subcommittee, which will be headed by Aurangzeb with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Kanwal Shauzab and Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Nafisa Shah as its members.

  • ‘That moustache is not coming home’: Shaniera warns Wasim

    ‘That moustache is not coming home’: Shaniera warns Wasim

    Shaniera Akram, who is currently stuck in Australia due to Covid-19 restrictions, has warned her husband to remove his moustache before going there.

    Taking to Instagram, Wasim Akram, who is quarantining in Melbourne, posted a video of himself and shared that it’s his eighth day in quarantine and he has grown a moustache.

    While commenting on his post, Shaniera said: “That moustache is not coming home with you.”

    The former cricketer reached Autralia last weak and posted, saying: “Day 6th in quarantine 8 more days to go . I look and feel like total junglee and before you ask I am in Melbourne to be with my wife and little princess.”

    Replying to her husband, Shaniera said: “We love you and can’t wait to see you! Countdown is on. Aiyla and I are waiting for you. You are our absolute Hero.”

    Earlier, Shaniera posted an emotional note for Akram on being away for 145 days. Shaniera, who is originally from Melbourne, Australia, went to her home city in January and due to the coronavirus pandemic, she could not return to Karachi where she lives with her husband and children.