Tag: Cricket

  • Shahid Afridi honoured to receive MCC’s ‘lifetime’ membership

    Shahid Afridi honoured to receive MCC’s ‘lifetime’ membership

    Shahid Afridi has said that he is honoured to receive Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC), which owns the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground and is the guardian of the sport’s laws, lifetime membership.

    VIDEO: The Current Life with Shahid Afridi

    “A big honour to receive Marylebone Cricket Club lifetime membership,” wrote Afridi on Twitter.

    Thanking MCC, Lala wrote: “I want to thank the most prestigious cricket club in the world for the respect and recognition. I would continue to play my part in promotion of this wonderful sport both on and off the cricket field.”

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1389527971367686144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1389527971367686144%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-4943728772336014564.ampproject.net%2F2104170104001%2Fframe.html

    Back in 2017, Afridi — along with Pakistan’s highest Test run-getter Younis Khan and current Pakistan team coach Misbah ul Haq — was made an “honourary life member”.

    MCC was founded in 1787, taking as its home a cricket ground set up by the ambitious entrepreneur Thomas Lord who had staged his first match on the ground on Dorset Fields in Marylebone in the UK.

    Soon after its founding, the club issued a Code of Laws for modern-day cricket, which it continues to do so till date.

  • BCCI suspends IPL 2021 indefinitely

    BCCI suspends IPL 2021 indefinitely

    The Board of Cricket Control India (BCCI) has indefinitely postponed the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) following several positive cases of COVID-19 across teams over the past couple of days.

    The decision was taken in an emergency meeting called after players of Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad tested positive for COVID-19. Hyderabad’s Wriddhiman Saha and Delhi’s Amit Mishra were the players who had tested positive and have now been put into isolation.

    The BCCI had contemplated moving the whole tournament to one city but the coronavirus outbreak in the IPL setup left them with no choice but to cancel the event.

    In a media statement, the IPL said the decision was “unanimously” taken by the tournament’s Governing Council along with the top brass of the BCCI.

    “The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL,” the statement said. “This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind.”

    “These are difficult times, especially in India and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times,” read the statement further.

    “The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021,” it added.

    As per reports, IPL officials also consulted a few franchises for their take on the situation and it is believed that some suggested to call it off totally. Other reports have suggested that the tournament has been postponed for a few days only.

    Meanwhile, IPL chairman Brijesh Patel confirming the news said the decision was taken for the safety of all stakeholders as the number of cases in the tournament bubble continue to rise by the day.

    India on Tuesday reported 3,57,229 new case, taking the overall case count past the 2 crore mark to 2,02,82,833. 

  • IPL match rescheduled after two KKR players test positive for COVID-19

    IPL match rescheduled after two KKR players test positive for COVID-19

    The Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), scheduled to take place today (Monday) has been postponed after two players tested positive for COVID-19.

    According to details, spinner Varun Chakravarthy and seamer Sandeep Warrier from the Kolkata squad tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, the rest of the KKR squad has tested negative but are currently in isolation.

    Chakravarthy had recently left the IPL bio-bubble for a shoulder scan, which could have led to him being exposed to the virus.

    The event is currently being played behind closed doors and is due to end in late May.

    Read more – Pat Cummins donates $50k for COVID-hit India

    India on Monday reported more than 300,000 new coronavirus cases for a 12th straight day, taking its overall caseload to almost 20 million, as scientists predict a peak in infections in the coming days.

    With 368,147 new cases over the past 24 hours, India’s total infections stand at 19.93 million, while total fatalities rose by 3,417 to 218,959, according to data released by the health ministry.

    Medical experts say real numbers across the country of 1.35 billion may be five to 10 times higher than the official tally.

    Meanwhile, BCCI has also confirmed the rescheduling of the match.

    “IPL reschedules KKR-RCB match slated for May 3, 2021, after 2 KKR players test positive. Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier were found to be positive in the third round of testing in the last four days. All other team members have tested negative for COVID -19,” states a release. 

    “The Medical Team is also determining the close and casual contacts of the two positive cases during the 48 hours prior to collection of the sample that returned the positive test results.  The BCCI and the Kolkata Knight Riders prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved and all measures are being taken in that endeavour,” it adds.

    Later it was reported, three members of the Chennai Super Kings’ IPL contingent – chief executive officer K Viswanathan, bowling coach L Balaji and a bus cleaner – have also tested positive for COVID-19. It is understood that the rest of the group, which is currently in Delhi, has tested negative. The results emerged after the latest round of testing on Sunday.

    It must be noted that the ICC T20 World Cup is also scheduled to take place in India later this year.

  • Pakistan wins first Test by an innings and 116 runs

    Pakistan wins first Test by an innings and 116 runs

    Pakistan bowled Zimbabwe out for 134 to register a win in the first Test by an innings and 116 runs. They go 1-0 up in the two-Test series.

    Pakistan demolished Zimbabwe for the second time in three days just over half an hour after tea. Zimbabwe lasted all of 105.3 overs in the match while Pakistan batted 133 in their only innings.

    Zimbabwean openers went on scoring 36/0 before walking out for lunch. Kasuzu was not out for 21 whereas Tarisai Musakanda remained not out for 14.

    Returning from lunch, Zimbabwe started losing wickets with Hasan taking charge. The proceedings started with Hasan bagging Kevin Kasuza at 48. Tarisai Musakanda scored 48 before being run out.

    Brendan Taylor tried hard to rescue his team but he managed to score just 29 runs. Regis Chakabva made 14.

    Earlier, Fawad Alam got out for an unbeaten 140 that led Pakistan to gain the 250-runs lead against hosts.

    Resuming Day 3 at 374-6, Pakistan lost Hasan Ali and Nauman Ali in quick succession to suffer at 395-8. Hasan scored 30 runs off 26 balls with the help of three boundaries and two sixes.

    Sajid Khan got out after scoring 7 runs whereas Fawad ended his long run at 140 off 204 balls laced with 20 boundaries. Pakistan added 48 runs on Day 3 finishing their turn at 426-10.

    Blessing Muzarabani bagged four wickets while Donald Tiripano took three wickets for Zimbabwe. Richard Ngarava took two wickets while Tendai Chisoro managed to take a wicket.

    Meanwhile, Hassan managed to get nine wickets in the match, scores his fourth Test five-for and completed 50 Test wickets in just 12 matches. He also bagged Player of the Match award for his extraordinary performance.

  • Babar Azam hits back at Shoaib Malik on team selection criticism

    Babar Azam hits back at Shoaib Malik on team selection criticism

    Babar Azam has hit back at Shoaib Malik for his criticism that former has no control over team selection.

    While addressing a virtual press conference on Wednesday, Babar addressed Malik’s comments and firmly told everyone to put an end to this discussion.

    “This debate should end now. The same thing is repeated in every press conference that I have no control over selection,” said Babar Azam. “You can see on the field that I handle everything. I decide the playing 11. Management give their input. I know my responsibilities as a captain.”

    Read more – Afridi wants PCB to review middle-order performances, suggests Shoaib Malik’s inclusion in T20Is

    Malik had also said that the Pakistan team needs an international level white-ball coach while stating that the current team management relies on likes and dislikes.

    “I don’t have any problem with the coach. This is the domain of PCB. Team management is fully supporting every player, so I am happy,” said Azam while purportedly addressing Malik’s remarks about head coach Misbah-ul-Haq.

    Read more – Why is the Pakistan cricket team so dramatic?

    Malik’s comments had come after Pakistan’s humiliating defeat by Zimbabwe during the second T20I in Harare last week.

    Later in the third T20I, Pakistan had clinched the series 2-1 with a comfortable 24-run win.

  • Shoaib Akhtar says ‘Rizwan has proven to be an asset for Pakistan’

    Shoaib Akhtar says ‘Rizwan has proven to be an asset for Pakistan’

    Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has heaped praise on Mohammad Rizwan, saying the wicket-keeper batsman has proved that he is “an asset for Pakistan”.

    Pakistan were under the pump after being on the receiving end of a shocking 19-run loss in the second T20I, which was also Zimbabwe’s first-ever win over Pakistan in T20Is. Pakistan were given a paltry total of 119, but they collapsed to 99 all out to put series on the line.

    But on Sunday, the visiting side approached their batting with better intent and paced it better. Pakistan had added Sharjeel Khan in the side, which meant that Babar Azam was pushed to third spot while Rizwan and Sharjeel opened the batting.

    Sharjeel didn’t impress in his appearance but Rizwan stuck right till the end, notching up an extremely impressive 91 off 60 balls to get his side to 165.

    “Rizwan’s intent towards Pakistan is amazing. The way he is serving Pakistan, it’s fabulous to see that someone is playing for his side with this good intent,” said Akhtar on his YouTube Channel. “All of them play like this. 91 off 60, he’s proven that he is an asset for Pakistan.”

    Akhtar added that Pakistan needed to sort out its middle order, which has been under the radar for a while now. He said that Rizwan should contribute to Pakistan if the management requires him to bat in the middle order to sort out this crisis.

    “Rizwan should contribute for his side in the middle order if they require him in that role,” he continued. “Pakistan should improve their selection, they should sort out their middle order and the X-factor in the bowling should be brought back. Many congratulations to this side for winning.”

    Read more – Afridi wants PCB to review middle-order performances, suggests Shoaib Malik’s inclusion in T20Is

    There was a slight scare for Pakistan after Madhevere (59 off 47) and Marumani (35 off 26) were starting to find momentum in the run-chase. The 20-year-old Madhevere was impressive in his stroke-play but Pakistan bowlers, in particular Hasan Ali, did a good job to pull things back.

    For his career best four-wicket haul, Hassan received Player of the Match award.

    Shoaib said there was a slight doubt in his mind that Zimbabwe might win this and if that happened, the defeat would’ve been a hard pill to swallow. “There was a slight doubt in my mind that Zimbabwe might get away by chasing this total down, it would have been embarrassing. It wouldn’t have been easy to bear that.”

    Rizwan now holds the record for the most runs in 11 consecutive innings across T20Is. He has scored seven fifty plus scores in this period.

    The opener has also bagged his second consecutive Player of the Series award.

    Meanwhile, Azam has become the fastest batsman to reach 2000 T20I runs. He has taken only 52 innings to achieve the feat, beating Indian Cricket Team captain Virat Kohli. Babar reached to 2000 T20I runs four innings quicker than him.

    Pakistan and Zimbabwe will now go head-to-head in two-match Test series, which starts April 29.

  • Shoaib Malik blasts ‘unacquainted decision makers’ after humiliating defeat by Zimbabwe

    Shoaib Malik blasts ‘unacquainted decision makers’ after humiliating defeat by Zimbabwe

    Shoaib Malik has lambasted “unacquainted decision-makers” after a humiliating defeat by Zimbabwe in the second T20I at Harare Sports Club on Friday.

    Read more – PTI’s Faisal Javed rubbishes Mohammad Asif’s claims of meddling in players’ selection process

    Pakistan’s struggles with the middle-order were laid bare in Harare as the team slumped to a 19-run defeat, with Zimbabwe bowling them out for 99. Wobbles in the middle order have been a worry for much of Pakistan’s tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe, but the side had, by and large, escaped paying for it until now.

    Pakistan captain Babar Azam was sufficiently alarmed by Pakistan’s showing with the bat to warn solutions had to be found swiftly, with time running out before this year’s T20 World Cup.

    Taking to Twitter, Malik thrashed the management, saying: “Unacquainted decision makers need to take a step back; Babar and Chief Selector [Mohammad Wasim] need to call the shots. In my opinion, we need an international white-ball coach who understands cricket inside out and grooms our captain whilst giving clarity to our players for coming time.”

    The cricketer further said: “When your management relies on likes and dislikes especially when your cricket is just in surviving mode, then what else do expect as a nation?”

    “On top of that when you don’t let your captain take decisions this is bound to happen,” he added.

    In the post-match presentation ceremony, Azam said: “It’s a very painful performance. In South Africa, we had chased down 200; similarly here, we should have won this game comfortably. But unfortunately, we played poor cricket and continued to struggle in the middle order. Today, it was not just the middle order, but our batsmen right through couldn’t perform the way we expect them to. It was a collective collapse and we lost as a group. But credit to Zimbabwe who came back so strongly today.”

    Azam refused to make excuses for the defeat. “The wicket was similar to the other day but it was suitable [for batters] and that is not an excuse anyway. As a professional, you adapt to every condition but I think we as openers didn’t give a good start from the top and then our middle order was struggling to step up. The World T20 is closing in and we have to sort this out as soon as possible. The next game we will come back and make a good combination.”

    Meanwhile, there has been no official reaction from the PCB to Malik’s tweets yet, but as the fallout from Pakistan’s defeat grows, there are signs a man who made his debut in 1999 may yet be relevant to them in 2021.

    Zimbabwe beat Pakistan for the first time in T20I cricket in their 16th attempt, registering their first T20I win at home since 2016. The three-match series is currently level at 1-1, with the final game being played on Sunday.

    While Pakistan former speedster Shoaib Akhtar said: “Vulnerability of middle order badly exposed. Batsmen couldn’t tackle slow wicket. Embarrasing defeat. Have to come back stronger in the 3rd match.”

    Earlier, former captain of the Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi had also raised the middle-order crisis in Pakistan Cricket Team.

    While congratulating the Pakistani team on winning the T20I against South Africa, he emphasised the need to work on middle-order performances.

    “Despite the victory, we need to review the middle-order performances where we seem to be struggling for a long time,” wrote the former all-rounder on Twitter.

    He also suggested that since it is the T20 World Cup year, the team should consider bringing Malik back.

  • MS Dhoni to produce India’s first animated spy series ‘Captain 7’

    Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s production house Dhoni Entertainment has announced that it will produce India’s first animated spy series Captain 7 in collaboration with Indian brand licencing company Black White Orange (BWO). According to reports, Captain 7 will feature India’s captain cool in whole a new avatar.

    Read more – MS Dhoni spotted polishing military boots in occupied Kashmir

    Speaking about his upcoming venture, Dhoni, in a statement said: “The concept and story is great. It will bring to life my other passions along with cricket.”

    Dhoni’s wife and co-producer and director of Dhoni Entertainment Sakshi Singh Dhoni added: “When BWO came to us with the concept of an animation fiction show based on Mahi, we were on board. A whole lot of adventure awaits you with Captain 7.”

    The announcement was also made through the official Twitter account of Dhoni Entertainment. The first season of the series is scheduled to release next year.

    “Creating aspirational Indian brands was one of the core thoughts when we started BWO,” said Founder and CEO of BWO Brands Bhavik Vora.

    “While our focus has been licensing, we’ve always explored clutter-breaking new avenues. This is our first foray into original content and what better way than to take MSD’s legacy forward,” he added.

  • Pakistan Test team’s record win on this day in 1988

    Pakistan Test team’s record win on this day in 1988

    On this day in 1988, Pakistan became the first visiting team to win a Test in the Caribbean in ten years. Pakistan won the Georgetown Test by nine wickets, under the leadership of [Prime Minister] Imran Khan.

    As per details, the Pakistan cricket team toured the West Indies from March to April 1988 and played a three-match Test series against the West Indies cricket team which was drawn 1–1.

    The First match was played from April 2 to 6 in Georgetown. Batting first in the first innings, Windies got all out on just 292 runs. Khan took seven wickets, sending more than half of the team to the pavilion. Later, Pakistan scored 435 runs with the help of Javed Miandad’s heroic ton, giving Pakistan a lead of 143 runs.

    Read more – Why is the Pakistan cricket team so dramatic?

    In the second innings, Windies only managed to get 172 runs due to Khan’s majestic four-for. Later, with the fall of only one wicket, Pakistan chased down the score in just 3.3 overs, breaking a ten-year record. Khan was declared Man of the Match for his 11-121.

    While Khan led the Pakistan side, the West Indies was led by Gordon Greenidge and legendary Sir Vivian Richards.

    The second Test match was drawn and West Indies beat Pakistan in the third match.

    Though the series may have been drawn at the end it was a huge record by a visiting team to win in the Caribbean in the 10-year history of Test matches at that time.

  • Twitter angry over de Kock’s ‘fake fielding trick’ in Fakhar Zaman’s run out controversy

    Fakhar Zaman, who played one of the best innings in the history of the 50-over game, fell to a cheeky run out trick initiated by South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock on the second one-day international of the three-match series.

    Just before getting ‘out’, the Pakistani batsman’s score was 193 and he was on his way to making a double-century when de Kock ‘tricked’ him into getting out. The incident has sparked outrage on social media and the ‘spirit of cricket’ has been summoned in the form of a Twitter debate.

    The moment arrived on the first ball of the last over when Zaman, batting on 192, hit the ball to long-off. Aiden Markram, who was stationed there, saw the batsmen going for a second run after a slight stutter and decided to have a go at Zaman’s end.

    Quinton appeared to suggest that the ball was going towards the non-striker end which prompted Zaman to slow down. By the time he realised the ball is coming his way, he was too late as Aiden’s throw hit the stumps directly, bringing his innings to an end.

    Pakistan eventually fell short of their target of 342 and lost the match by 17 runs. However, it is Zaman’s run out that has sparked a huge Twitter debate, with most netizens calling for Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)’s Law 41.5.1 to be invoked.

    The law reads: “It is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball.”

    Check out what other cricketers and experts have to say on the matter:

    https://twitter.com/SRutherford50/status/1378757675933122562?s=19
    https://twitter.com/SRutherford50/status/1378746158378594304?s=19

    https://twitter.com/sawerapasha/status/1378775399941947392?s=19

    However, Zaman, after the match, said the fault was his and not de Kock.

    “The fault was mine as I was too busy looking out for Haris Rauf at the other end as I felt he’d started off a little late from his crease, so I thought he was in trouble. The rest is up to the match referee, but I don’t think it’s Quinton’s fault,” he said.

    “I’m not bothered about missing out on a score of 200. The only thing I am disappointed about is not winning the match. I would have been much happier had I scored less and we won the game,” added the cricketer.

    Read more – Why is the Pakistan cricket team so dramatic?

    MCC on Monday morning weighed in on the incident through two tweets.

    The first tweet stated MCC’s Law 41.5.1 while the second gave MCC’s stance on the incident.

    “The Law is clear, with the offence being an ATTEMPT to deceive, rather than the batsman actually being deceived.”

    It’s up to the umpires to decide if there was such an attempt. If so, then it’s Not out, 5 Penalty runs + the 2 they ran, and batsmen choose who faces next ball,” MCC said in the Tweet.

    Meanwhile, the Twitter also celebrated Zaman’s heroic knock.