Tag: Cricket Pakistan

  • Fawad Chaudhry welcomes Australian team, recommends Lahore and Karachi’s desi food

    Fawad Chaudhry welcomes Australian team, recommends Lahore and Karachi’s desi food

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has welcomed the Australian cricket team to Pakistan after they confirmed their tour to Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. Australia will play a full-fledged series in three Tests, three ODIs and a solitary T20I on their tour starting March 4.

    The minister also recommended the Australian team to try desi food in Lahore and Karachi.

    Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “Welcome to Pakistan a beautiful country of ours, May you enjoy your trip and do try Our very Desi food in Karachi and Lahore.”

    Rawalpindi will host the tour-opening first Test, swapping with Karachi, which will now host the second Test from March 12.

    The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be the venue for the final Test.

    The schedule has been revised to ease logistical and operational challenges as well as to avoid Pakistan Day rehearsals, which usually commence in Islamabad in the second week of March.

    The two cricket boards have also agreed that the Australia Test side will complete their isolation in Australia, before arriving in Islamabad on February 27 on a chartered flight. After a one-day room isolation, they will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

    Australia’s white-ball players are expected to arrive in Lahore on March 24 following isolation in Australia. After a one-day isolation upon arrival, they will integrate with other members of the side and travel to Islamabad for the first ODI in Rawalpindi on March 29.

  • PCB announces revised schedule of Australia’s tour to Pakistan

    PCB announces revised schedule of Australia’s tour to Pakistan

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the revised schedule of Australia’s tour to Pakistan. The tour will comprise of three Tests, three ODIs, and one T20I.

    The tour will now start and end in Rawalpindi with the opening Test to be played from March 4-8 and the four white-ball matches to be played from March 29 to April 5.

    The change in the first Test venue means that the second Test will be played in Karachi from March 12-16 and the third in Lahore from March 21-25.

    PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain said: “We are pleased that the Cricket Australia Board has formally approved their side’s five-week tour itinerary and confirmed that their best available players will visit Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. We are really excited to host Pat Cummins and his players, and look forward to a competitive series that will comprise three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I.”

    “While Australia will arrive at the back of strong performances in their home series against England, our team has been playing excellent cricket resulting in our players sweeping the ICC Awards. This braces for a keenly contested series, something that the fans will thoroughly enjoy and remember for a long time,” he added.

    The schedule has been revised to ease logistical and operational challenges as well as to avoid Pakistan Day rehearsals, which usually commence in Islamabad in the second week of March.

    The two cricket boards have also agreed that the Australia Test side will complete their isolation in Australia, before arriving in Islamabad on February 27 on a chartered flight. After a one-day room isolation, they will hold training sessions at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

    Australia’s white-ball players are expected to arrive in Lahore on March 24 following isolation in Australia. After a one-day isolation upon arrival, they will integrate with other members of the side and travel to Islamabad for the first ODI in Rawalpindi on March 29.

    The Tests will be part of the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs are linked to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League from which the top eight sides, including hosts India, will qualify directly for the 2023 50-over World Cup.

    Earlier, Australia’s Test team captain Pat Cummins had said that a near full-strength squad will tour Pakistan as only a few players have security concerns for the forthcoming tour.

    Revised schedule:

    Feb 27 – Arrival in Islamabad

    Mar 4-8 – 1st Test, Rawalpindi

    Mar 12-16 – 2nd Test, Karachi

    Mar 21-25 – 3rd Test, Lahore

    Mar 29 – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

    Mar 31 – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi

    April 2 – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi

    Apr 5 – one-off T20I, Rawalpindi

    Apr 6 – Departure

  • PSL ‘not far off the IPL’ in terms of quality of cricket, says Michael Vaughan

    PSL ‘not far off the IPL’ in terms of quality of cricket, says Michael Vaughan

    Pakistan is hosting the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the excitement on social media is something that cannot be missed. Former English captain Michael Vaughan is quite impressed with the PSL and has said that it is the second-best league in the world after the Indian Premier League (IPL).

    “Pakistan Super league is the 2nd best T20 Tournament in the World .. it’s not far off the IPL either .. Outstanding standard of cricket,” Vaughan wrote on Twitter.

    Multan Sultans posted 217 runs, the highest total of PSL history on Tuesday and Shadab Khan’s fighting 91 off 42 balls went in vain for Islamabad United, as Sultans maintained their perfect start to the season by clinching a high-scoring match by 20 runs in Karachi.

    Shadab’s high-octane innings, in which he cracked five fours and nine sixes, tried to keep his side floating in the massive chase but the Sherus kept on losing wickets at regular intervals.

    Earlier, Tim David and Rilee Rossouw set Sultans up for a huge total by adding 110 for the fourth wicket in less than eight overs. David hammered 71 from only 29 balls on his way to smashing six fours and sixes each, while Rossouw hit an unbeaten 67 off 35 deliveries with four fours and six maximums.

    PSL and IPL are two of the biggest cricket leagues in the world with big names playing in the leagues. The quality of cricket that is played is also something to look out for.

  • Pak U19 CWC journey ends in quarter-finals defeat by Australia

    Pak U19 CWC journey ends in quarter-finals defeat by Australia

    Pakistan’s journey ended in U19 Men’s World Cup 2022 as Australia beat the national side with a margin of 119-run in a quarter-final match on Friday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.

    Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first but the decision turned out to be a bad one as the Australian side set a huge target of 277 to reach the semi-final.

    For Pakistan, Captain Qasim Akram took three wickets for 40 runs. Awais Ali took two while Mehran Mumtaz and Zeeshan Zameer took a wicket apiece.

    In reply, Pakistan lost openers Muhammad Shehzad and Haseebullah in 4.1 overs. Abdul Faseeh and Irfan Khan added 50 runs for the third-wicket which turned out to be Pakistan’s best partnership in the match. Faseeh fell for 28 while shortly after Irfan was dismissed for 27.

    Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals before being bowled out for 157 in 35.1 overs. Mehran top-scored with 29 off 19 balls.

    For Australia, William Salzmann took three while Tom Whitney and Jack Sinfield took two wickets each.

    Pakistan, meanwhile is the third most successful side after India and Australia in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, which was launched in 1988 before becoming a biennial event in 1998.

    The boys in green have won titles in 2004 and 2006, finished runners-up thrice in 1988, 2010 and 2014, and achieved third positions in 2000, 2008, 2018 and 2020.

    Qasim Akram and Zeeshan Zameer will join their teams Karachi Kings and Islamabad United respectively in the ongoing seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) after coming back. The players will have to get negative Covid-19 results and complete mandatory quarantine to play in the tournament.

  • Who designed Atif Aslam’s PSL outfit? He says it’s someone ‘beautiful’

    Who designed Atif Aslam’s PSL outfit? He says it’s someone ‘beautiful’

    Pakistani superstar Atif Aslam has praised his wife Sara Bharwana for her style sense, while announcing that she designed his outfit for the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) anthem.

    Taking to Instagram, Atif shared some clicks from the PSL 7 anthem Agay Dekh and credited the people who made him look good.

    “Thank you so much for all the love and respect I knew my wife’s sense of style was a class apart when she chose to marry me. Styled by my beautiful wife Thank you Sara,” quipped Atif.

    He added: “What a video – considering the short amount or time we had. Well done @zparwez The powerful sound scape @abdullah.s.siddiqui.”

    Agay Dekh is sung by Aima Baig alongside Atif and is composed by budding music producer Abdullah Siddiqui.

    This is the first time that the Aadat singer has sung a song for PSL. Atif’s fans are gushing over his new style in the video and many are showering their love on his PSL debut.

    Check out the song here:

  • VIDEO: PM Imran Khan has a message for all PSL teams

    VIDEO: PM Imran Khan has a message for all PSL teams

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has a special message for all the teams of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as the seventh edition of the league is set to begin in two days.

    In a video, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja and PM Khan can be seen launching the tournament together.

    “Together [with Ramiz], I am opening the PSL,” Imran Khan said. “I hope that every team will fight till the end and entertain the public,” he added.

    It must be noted that PSL 7 is starting from January 27 in Karachi. Defending champions Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings will play the opening match at the National Stadium.

    Karachi-leg will conclude on February 7. The Lahore-leg will start from Febraury 10 at Gaddafi Stadium, including the Final.

  • Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen have a message for fans after receiving ICC awards

    Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen have a message for fans after receiving ICC awards

    Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam, wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi have a message for their fans after receiving ODI Cricketer of the Year, T20I Cricketer of the Year and ICC Player of the Year awards respectively. All three cricketers took to their social media to express their gratitude for achieving the feat.

    Read More – Babar Azam named ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year

    Taking to Twitter, Babar expressed his gratitude for being named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year 2021.

    “I am thankful to Almighty, my family, friends, and fans who always push me to do better with all their love and trust,” he said in a tweet.

    This is the third mention of Babar Azam in the ICC Awards 2021. He was earlier announced as the captain of the T20 and ODI teams of the year by the ICC.

    Similarly Rizwan, after being declared the T20I Cricketer of the Year, took to Twitter to thank the Almighty.

    “Alhumdulillah. Bus Allah se hota hai. Allah k ghair se nahi hota,” he wrote.

    He further added: “I am grateful to everyone for their support and love. In sha Allah, the journey has just started. This award is dedicated to Pakistan and the beautiful people of Pakistan.”

    The player aggregated a staggering 1,326 runs in only 29 matches at an average of 73.66 and a strike-rate of 134.89 last year.

    Read More – ‘Sirf Allah se hota hai’: Mohammad Rizwan after scoring 2,000 record T20 runs in a year

    According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Rizwan was “as solid as ever behind the stumps”, playing a key role in Pakistan’s run to the semi-final during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, where he ended up as the third-highest run-scorer.

    Pakistan’s “tall boy” Afridi, as noted by ICC, also joined Babar and Rizwan in expressing his joy and gratitude by posting a tweet.

    “Almighty has been very kind to me. I’m extremely grateful for all the love sent my way,” he wrote.

    Afridi took 78 wickets in 36 internationals at an average of 22.20 with the best bowling figures of 6/51.

    The 21-year-old speedster was on fire throughout 2021, knocking some of the best batters over across all three formats of the game.

    He especially had a year to remember in Tests and T20Is, reaching his peak during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in UAE where he impressed one and all with his sheer speed and skills. His exceptional spell against India in the ICC T20 World Cup was the cherry on the top for the Pakistan cricket fans. He sent Indian openers KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli to the pavillion in the clash with India. He conceded only 31 runs in his four overs.

  • Moin Khan addresses Mohammad Hasnain’s ‘nice throw, mate’ bowling controversy

    Moin Khan addresses Mohammad Hasnain’s ‘nice throw, mate’ bowling controversy

    Former Captain of Pakistan Cricket Team and the Head Coach of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators Moin Khan has addressed Mohammad Hasnain’s bowling action controversy after his action was reported by the on-umpires of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).

    Hasnain will get his bowling action test done in Lahore today (Wednesday) to see whether his action comes within the permissible 15-degree limit.

    “Sometimes these things are done to bring players under pressure. He [Hasnain] has been playing all over the world for the past five to six years and no such thing was reported,” Moin Khan told Samaa TV.

    “Maybe, he tried to change his action to improve his bowling which resulted in this problem,” he added.

    “Otherwise, I think he is a very fair action bowler and I don’t think it will affect his participation for Quetta Gladiators in PSL this season.”

    The Hyderabad-born pacer’s action came under the radar on January 15 in the match against Sydney Sixers.

    Read More – VIDEO: Wow triple wicket maiden in Mohammad Hasnain’s first over in BBL

    During the first innings, he hurled a shape bumper that Moises Henriques found it hard to face and there was a heated exchange as Moises remarked ‘nice throw, mate’, implying his action to be illegal.

    The result of the bowling action test could take up to 14 days which means Hasnain’s availability for the first few matches of the PSL 7 is not going to be affected. Having said that, if his action comes out to be illegal then he would be suspended from bowling any further in any form of cricket until he fixes his action.

    The seventh edition of the PSL is set to begin from January 27 while the first match will be played between the defending champions Multan Sultans with former winners Karachi Kings.

    Taking to former Pakistan cricketer and bowling coach Waqar Younis said he did not find any issue with Hasnain’s bowling action when he was the coach of national team.

  • Most Valuable Cricketer: Mohammad Rizwan shines in PCB Awards

    Most Valuable Cricketer: Mohammad Rizwan shines in PCB Awards

    Pakistan wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan had an exceptional year with the bat, behind the wicket as well in T20 cricket. The star cricketer bagged two awards in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) annual awards. Rizwan has been given Most Valuable Cricketer Of The Year and T20 Cricketer Of The Year awards.

    There were a total of 10 categories identified with eight player’s categories and two special categories, including Spirit of Cricket and Umpire of the Year.

    Following is the complete list of winners in all categories announced by PCB in a press release issued after the online award ceremony:

    Impactful performance of the Year: Shaheen Shah Afridi

    Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Wasim Jnr

    ODI Cricketer of the Year: Babar Azam

    Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Nida Dar

    Test Cricketer of the Year: Hassan Ali

    T20I Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Rizwan

    Spirit of Cricket: Pakistan cricket team’s visit to the Namibia cricket team’s dressing room following their 45 runs victory to congratulate the Namibia side for qualifying for their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and then progressing to the Super-12 Stage.

    Umpire of the Year: Asif Yaqoob

    Domestic Cricketer of the Year: Sahibzada Farhan

    Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Rizwan

    The independent panel that selected the winners included Rashid Latif, Marina Iqbal (former international cricketers), Tariq Saeed (broadcaster), Mazher Arshad (statistician), Majid Bhatti, Mohammad Yaqoob, Mohi Shah, Rizwan Ali, Shahid Hashmi and Sohail Imran (journalists).

    Rizwan won the PCB’s Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year award following a stellar 2021 in which he scored 455 Test, 134 ODI and 1,326 T20I runs, besides accounting for 56 batsmen behind the wickets across all formats.

    For the Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year award, Rizwan beat the strong competitors like Babar Azam, Hassan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who also had an impressive and outstanding year, which is reflected through Pakistan’s overall performance in 2021.

    “I feel humbled and honoured to have been adjudged Pakistan’s Most Valuable Cricketer of 2021. This is the PCB’s most prestigious award and to be recognised for my contributions in the team’s superlative performances across all formats in 2021 in such a way gives me tremendous satisfaction and happiness,” Rizwan said.

    “I thought I had an exceptional year in the shortest format of the game when I was able to hit a century early in the year against South Africa and then carry that confidence and momentum for the rest of the year. I give a lot of credit to our bowlers who bowled their hearts out and didn’t let the pressure get onto the batters by maintaining sustained pressure on opponents throughout the year.”

    Speaking on the ocassion, Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja said: “PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “On behalf of the PCB, I want to congratulate each award winner. They deserve all the applause and accolades for their tremendous consistency across all formats in difficult times that inspired their sides to outstanding performances throughout 2021, which have been widely acknowledged by the Pakistan cricket fans.”

  • U19 squad departs for World Cup after Asia Cup semi-final defeat

    U19 squad departs for World Cup after Asia Cup semi-final defeat

    The Pakistan U19 team has departed for West Indies to play the International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 Cricket World Cup after they lost to Sri Lanka in the U19 Asia Cup in Dhaka this week.

    Read More – Pakistan turns out victorious in group-stage matches of U19 Asia Cup

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informed media that except Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, who contracted with Covid-19, all the players have departed for West Indies via Dubai. Bangalzai will remain isolated for ten days under the supervision of Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).

    Gazi Ghouri and Mohammad Zeeshan are travelling as reserves for the mega event. A replacement for Bangalzai will be made according to the need.

    It must be noted here that Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka in U19 Asia Cup’s semi-final. India beat Sri Lanka to win the Asian tournament for eighth time.

    The mega event is slated to be starting from January 14.