Tag: Cricket

  • Babar Azam scores a century against West Indies, breaking Virat Kohli’s ODI record

    Babar Azam scores a century against West Indies, breaking Virat Kohli’s ODI record

    Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has surpassed Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, as the fastest to 1000 ODI runs as a captain.

    On Wednesday night at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Pakistani captain Babar Azam made history by smashing a century against West Indies in the first ODI, his 17th in the 50-over format, to set a new record.

    He became the first Pakistani batsman to achieve 1000 runs. It took only 13 innings for the world’s number one ODI batsman to achieve this milestone.

    Kohli was the first captain to score 1000 runs in his 17th innings, followed by AB De Villiers (20 matches) and Kane Williamson (22 matches).

    Babar is also the only batsman in ODI history to score three centuries in a row twice. He previously accomplished this feat against the West Indies in 2016, but this time he did so with a century against the West Indies, followed by two hundreds in the second and third home ODIs in April of 2022.

    Babar’s third successive century in ODIs came against Australia in Lahore earlier this year, when he scored 114 and 105 to help Pakistan win the series. It’s worth noting that Babar is now ranked first in the ICC hitters rankings for T20Is and ODIs.

  • Cricket fraternity mourns the death of former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds

    Cricket fraternity mourns the death of former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds

    Former Australia cricketer Andrew Symonds died in a car crash in Queensland today (May 15) at the age of 46.

    “We are shocked and saddened by the loss of the loveable Queenslander, who has tragically passed away at the age of 46,” Cricket Australia announced his death in a poignant message.

    The all-rounder played 26 Tests, 198 One-Day internationals and 14 Twenty20s for Australia between 1998 and 2009.

    Cricketers expressed their shock and paid glowing tributes to Symonds.

    Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said he was devastated to hear the news. “We shared a great relationship on & off the field.”

    Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said, “If Roy shook your hand you had his word, that’s the sort of bloke he was and that’s why I always wanted him on my team.”

    Former Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: “Not only was he a brilliant all-rounder, but also a live-wire on the field.”

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1525771814575677440

    Symonds’ death has shocked the cricketing world. His tragic demise follows the death of former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, who died at the age of 52 earlier this year in March.

  • ‘My mother always told me never ever sell your country,’ says Shoaib Akhtar

    ‘My mother always told me never ever sell your country,’ says Shoaib Akhtar

    The former Pakistani pacer, Shoaib Akhtar in an interview stated that his mother constantly counseled him to protect Pakistan’s pride.

    Akhtar also revealed that 12 of his fellow players had been engaged in match-fixing but he said nothing.

    “I can’t stand lying, so I’ve never fixed or even considered fixing a game,” he explained. “Match-fixing was a problem for 12 of my former teammates. I was aware, but I said nothing. ‘Never ever sell your nation,’ my mum used to say “cricketer-turned-YouTuber expressed his sentiments.

    Conversely, Akhtar, who is known for his strong words and anger, claimed that he have hit the umpires and batters with the bat at least 30-40 times.

    Shoaib Akhtar reflected on his background and said he had seen a lot of unfairness. He mentioned the 1999 World Cup, when Steve Waugh was plumb out but the umpire denied the appeal, provoking him to kick his leg and even scream at him.

  • Babar Azam proposes a 20 per cent raise in cricketers’ salaries

    Babar Azam proposes a 20 per cent raise in cricketers’ salaries

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) met with officials, including captain Babar Azam and head coach Saqlain Mushtaq, to review the specifics of the new central contracts.

    As the players’ current central contracts will be expiring on June 30, discussions on new central contracts have begun at PCB Headquarters.

    According to sources, Babar Azam and Saqlain Mushtaq have proposed a 20 per cent raise in salaries. They have also provided opinions on the cricketers’ potential and participation in future plans.

    The details for the next cricket season, including contract contracts, budgets, and player categories, were discussed at the conference. The increase in monthly compensation for centrally contracted players was also a topic of discussion.

    Read more: Shoaib Akhtar reveals he was his mother’s driver for 11 years, pays tribute

    The new contracts will be finalised soon by the PCB, but the official list of new central contracts will be issued on July 1st. Major changes are predicted in the new central contracts, according to reports, with numerous superstars losing their contracts.

  • ‘Thora sa Shehzad Roy aap mein bhi hai,’ Twitter reacts to Wasim Akram’s picture

    ‘Thora sa Shehzad Roy aap mein bhi hai,’ Twitter reacts to Wasim Akram’s picture

    Former Pakistan captain and bowling ace Wasim Akram on Saturday shared two pictures with the caption: “Almost 30 years apart.”

    In the throwback picture, Akram can be seen wearing a brown jacket and shades while he is casually walking. In the latest picture, Akram is seen standing in front of a window with a blue jacket.

    Netizens reacted to Wasim Akram’s tweet in awe. One user wrote:

    “Thora sa Shehzad Roy aap mein bhi hai. Not aging at all.”

    PML-N Miftah Ismail also reacted.

    Another user commented that Akram’s taste in clothing was far better back then. What happened Wasim.”

    One user suggested that Akram should pose for a picture with the same dress and style that he wore 30 years ago.

    Recently, Wasim Akram was seen wearing a suit in a swimming pool in a video with a special message for trolls.

    Wasim said that last year he posted a video in a swimming pool, and some people started criticising him for being shirtless

    “Are you happy now? I’m swimming wearing a suit,” said Wasim to his trolls.

  • Babar Azam and Shadab Khan caught being themselves

    Babar Azam and Shadab Khan caught being themselves

    Babar Azam, the Men in Green’s all-format captain, and Shadab Khan, the white-ball vice-captain, have demonstrated their leadership talents on the cricket field, they have also demonstrated their humanitarian abilities by distributing food items for Iftar to unprivileged people on the streets of Lahore.

    Following the distribution of Iftar, both cricket stars spoke to the media. Babar and Shadab were both in good spirits as they joked around with the press. Fans praised the duo’s generous gesture as the video of them serving food to the needy went viral on social media.

    Babar joked that journalists should refrain from asking any cricket-related inquiries.

    https://twitter.com/stzarak/status/1512166793367879693?t=UGki58_mcV3eIulRTomYlg&s=08

    After a busy home season that featured the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Australia’s historic trip to the country, Pakistan’s national team players got some well-deserved respite.

    The Green Shirts’ next international assignment will be versus the West Indies in June 2022, when they visit Pakistan for a three-match One-Day International series.

  • Javed Miandad inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame

    Javed Miandad inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame

    Former Cricketer and coach, Javed Miandad have officially inducted into the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Hall of Fame on Saturday. The Chief Executive of PCB, Faisal Hasnain presented a commemorative cap and plaque to him at his residence.

    Miandad thanked the board for appreciation and said, “I feel humbled and honoured to have been inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame.”

    He continued, “It is appropriate that these inductions are taking place when an international cricketer is at the helm of Pakistan cricket affairs as he understands better than anyone else the hard work and sacrifices a cricketer makes to reach the top pedestal. Every time I stepped onto the field of play, I wanted to contribute to my team and country through my performance.”

    While congratulating Miandad on his contribution to cricket, Faisal Hasnain said, “On behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board, I want to congratulate Javed Miandad on his induction into the PCB Hall of Fame. This small gesture is a reward and recognition of his immense services towards Pakistan cricket and for providing unprecedented happiness to cricket fans all over the world.”

    Javed Miandad,67, has played cricket for Pakistan from 1975 to1996. He has scored 16,213 international runs with 31 centuries in 357 matches.

    He has played the first cricket world cup in 1975 when he was only 18 years old. He has played in six world cups in total. He was also a part of the team in the 1992 World cup which Pakistan unexpectedly win under Imran Khan’s captaincy. He has scored 1,083 runs at an average of 43 overs in 33 world cup matches.

    Javed Miandad has made his test debut in 1976 in Lahore against New Zealand in which he scored a century (163). He has scored 8,832 runs in his Test career.

    Miandad hit a memorable six on the last ball bowled by Indian player Chetan Sharma and contributed to a historic win against India in the finals of the Austral-Asia Cup in Sharjah. In this match, he played a match-winning innings by scoring 116 runs.

  • Pak vs Aus: Fawad Chaudhry hits out at PCB for ‘choosing a dead wicket’ in historic Test match

    Pak vs Aus: Fawad Chaudhry hits out at PCB for ‘choosing a dead wicket’ in historic Test match

    Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for “choosing a dead wicket” in the historic Test Match between Australia and Pakistan.

    “Test match after 24 years and look at the pitch,” Fawad tweeted. He said that the Pakistani pace attack did not need such dead pitches and hoped that the PCB will “give positive cricket a chance in next matches”.

    Australian leg-spinner and batter Steve Smith described the Rawalpindi wicket as “dead” and “benign”. He said it offered little to the seamers.

    Earlier, The Australian’s chief cricket writer, Peter Lalor, also remarked that the Rawalpindi pitch is “as dry as the local hotels”.

    Team Australia arrived in Pakistan for their first tour since 1998. and will play three Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and a T20I.

    The first Test match played in Rawalpindi between the two sides ended in a draw. The next Test match will begin in Karachi on Saturday (March 12).

  • ‘Historic moment in Pakistan cricket,’ says PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain as Pakistan and Australia series kicks off

    ‘Historic moment in Pakistan cricket,’ says PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain as Pakistan and Australia series kicks off

    After 24 years, Pakistan and Australia are playing the first Test match of the PakvsAus series today (March 4) in Rawalpindi. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. Team Australia arrived in Pakistan on Sunday (February 27) for their first tour since 1998 and will play three Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and a T20I.

    “The pitch looks nice so we’ll try to put runs on the board,” said Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. He also predicted that our spinners would play a key role in the first match of the three-Test series.

    Babar Azam and Pat Cummins are leading their sides in the first Test of the three-match Benaud-Qadir ICC World Test Championship series match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Faisal Hasnain said in a press conference today (Friday) that Pakistani cricket fans have waited 24 years for this moment. He expressed gratitude to the Australian Cricket Team for their tour to Pakistan.

     Naseem Shah has been included in the squad for the first Test against Australia after bowler Haris Rauf tested positive for Covid-19.

    Test squads for Rawalpindi match

    Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah

    Australia: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

    Test schedule:
    • 1st Test, Rawalpindi: March 4-8
    • 2nd Test, Karachi: March 12-16
    • 3rd Test, Lahore: March 21-25
  • Mohammad Rizwan named captain of PSL 2022 team, bags two awards

    Mohammad Rizwan named captain of PSL 2022 team, bags two awards

    Multan Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan has been named as captain of the Team of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 7, which was selected by the members of the commentary team.

    Rizwan, who was adjudged player of the tournament, is one of the four Multan Sultans players who has been selected. The other three are: Rilee Rossouw, Tim David and Khushdil Shah.

    Lahore Qalandars, who won their maiden title with a 42-run victory over the Sultans, is also represented by four players – Fakhar Zaman, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Zaman Khan. While Peshawar Zalmi (Shoaib Malik), Islamabad United (Shadab Khan) and Quetta Gladiators (Naseem Shah) have one player each.

    No player from Karachi Kings, the side that lost nine matches in the seventh edition, was shortlisted.

    Under Rizwan, Multan Sultans won 10 matches out of 11 played in the PSL 2022 and were the favourites to defend the trophy.

    Not only this but Rizwan has also been named Player of PSL 2022 award. He also bagged the Wicket-keeper of PSL 2022 award. In 12 matches, he accounted for nine batters behind the stumps.

    In the 12-member squad, the top-four batters are from four different sides, while Sultans dominate the middle-order, Qalandars provide the bowling firepower.

    • Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans) (captain & wicket-keeper)
    • Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars)
    • Shoaib Malik (Peshawar Zalmi)
    • Shadab Khan (Islamabad United)
    • Rilee Rossouw (Multan Sultans)
    • Tim David (Multan Sultans)
    • Khushdil Shah (Multan Sultans)
    • Rashid Khan (Lahore Qalandars)
    • Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars)
    • Zaman Khan (Lahore Qalandars)
    • Naseem Shah (Quetta Gladiators)
    • Shan Masood (Multan Sultans) (12th)