Tag: Cricket

  • ‘Where’s the fat?’ Umar Akmal bares all in fitness test

    ‘Where’s the fat?’ Umar Akmal bares all in fitness test

    The Akmal brothers are not only notorious for their on-field shenanigans but their off-field actions often make it to the headlines as well.

    And it appears that Umar Akmal has found himself in trouble once again after he reportedly misbehaved with staff during a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

    According to reports, the 29-year-old batsman exposed himself amid a bout of anger during a fitness test.

    “Where’s the fat?” questioned Akmal as he took off all his clothes after failing the skin-fold test. It is pertinent to mention here that while some reports say that Akmal completely removed his clothing, others say that he only took off his shirt.

    Read more – Hero aise zaleel nahi hotay: Kamran Akmal

    Meanwhile, Kamran Akmal defended his brother’s actions saying that the entire episode was just a “misunderstanding”, and that Umar had done it in “mischief”.

    Kamran also reportedly failed his fitness tests by substantial margins. He skipped two fitness tests, before finally making it to the third one only to fail in nearly all departments. And in an interactive session on Twitter later in the day, Kamran remarked that other than fitness, skills and performance are also important for selection.

  • ‘It was a sarcastic post’: Danish Kaneria on ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ meme fiasco

    ‘It was a sarcastic post’: Danish Kaneria on ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ meme fiasco

    Danish Kaneria, who is only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan after his maternal uncle Anil Dalpat, was recently involved in a meme fiasco after the protagonist Danish (played by Humayun Saeed) in the blockbuster drama Meray Paas Tum Ho passed away in the final episode. Soon after the episode aired, people began to discuss the drama serial and its end on social media.

    Amidst all that, one social media user remarked that he was upset to hear about ‘Danish Kaneria’s’ death. Kaneria responded to the user saying that he is well and alive.

    Following that, on Thursday, Kaneria decided to hold an interactive session with his fans on the microblogging website and the hashtag #AskDanish began to trend on Twitter.

    A Twitter user couldn’t help but ask the Kaneria about the drama and Danish’s death. In response, the cricketer said that it was a “sarcastic post” and that he was not aware of the drama.

    Kaneria also answered a plethora of questions and appealed to the Pakistan Cricket Board to facilitate him in his comeback.

    If things were not clear enough already.

    He shared that Test Cricket is his favourite format.

    His love for Pakistan.

    Kaneria was all praises for Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    He even spoke about the controversy that followed when Shoaib Akhtar has claimed that he faced discrimination at the hands of a few Pakistani cricketers, who were reluctant to even eat with him because he is a Hindu.

    Kaneria, now 39, was found guilty of spot-fixing alongside Mervyn Westfield while playing for Essex against Durham in 2009.

    The leg-spinner was found to have convinced Westfield to concede 12 runs during the one-day game. Westfield was handed a four-month prison sentence and ECB banned him for five years.

    Kaneria admitted to spot-fixing in 2018 after six years of denial.

  • Shoaib Malik becomes the first Pakistani to play international cricket over four decades

    Shoaib Malik becomes the first Pakistani to play international cricket over four decades

    Shoaib Malik, whose surprise return to the squad and unbeaten half century – which helped Pakistan chase down Bangladesh’s 142-run target at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday – has become the first Pakistani and eighth player to play international cricket over four decades.

    Other players who have played over four decades include Wilfred Rhodes, Brian Close, Frank Woolley, Sachin Tendulkar, Jack Hobbs, George Gunn and Sanath Jayasuriya, according to sports journalist Saj Sadiq.

    Despite earlier criticism, Malik manged to win his fans and hearts of the cricket audiences when he led the host team to victory by scoring a match-winning 58 not out in the first T20I. The win further consolidated Pakistan’s chances of hanging on to their world No. 1 ranking in the shortest format.

    Following his successful innings at the match, Malik shared a picture of himself with his Man of the Match trophy.

    The 37-year-old, who made his debut in 1999 against West Indies in an ODI, played his 434th international game on Friday in Lahore.

    Malik is, however, only the third Pakistan player to play over 20 years. The other two are Imran Khan and Mushtaq Mohammad. Prime Minister Imran played for 20 years and 218 days while Mushtaq played for 20 years and 3 days.

  • I have more money than he has hair: Shoaib Akhtar about India’s Sehwag

    I have more money than he has hair: Shoaib Akhtar about India’s Sehwag

    Former Pakistani bowling star Shoaib Akhtar has dismissed former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag’s claim that Rawalpindi Express showers praise on India because “it makes business”.

    An old video, showcasing Sehwag, had recently resurfaced and made waves on social media in which the former Indian sportsman says Akhtar praises cricket rivals as it would make him a quick buck, The News reported.

    Akhtar, while speaking to a private media outlet on Wednesday, explained that the video was taken out of proportion and sarcastically remarked that he had “more money than Sehwag had hair on his head”.

    “Sehwag is a great friend of mine. He spoke these words in a light-heartened way but people were quick to take things out of context,” he said. “I mean, I have more money than he has hair on his head.”

    Furthermore, Akhtar clarified that other big names in Pakistan cricket would share kind words for the neighbours and added that “jealous” people want to divide the two cricket nations.

    “I have fans across the world, not just in India. That’s why I have the fastest growing YouTube channel. It does not mean that I’m looking to make money if I compliment them. Ramiz Raja and Rashid Latif say good things about India as well.”

    “I do think that there is a factor of jealousy, I have been targeted time and time again we are already politically divided but now people want to divide cricket as well,” he said.

  • Cricketer Bilal Asif is releasing his first music video

    Cricketer Bilal Asif is releasing his first music video

    Pakistani cricketer Bilal Asif is releasing a music video. He not only sang the song but also wrote it’s lyrics.

    Sharing a poster of his upcoming song Akhiyan, Bilal said that he was “super thrilled” about it and that he hopes everyone will like it.

    Earlier, Bilal was often seen singing and his videos went viral a couple of times. 

    Bilal made his ODI debut in 2015 against Zimbabwe. He has played three ODI matches and five Tests for Pakistan to date.

  • Mother-daughter duo plays T20 match together

    Mother-daughter duo plays T20 match together

    The ongoing National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship at Karachi’s National Stadium saw a mother-daughter duo take to the field together.

    While daughter Kainat Imtiaz, a Pakistan international, donned the PCB Dynamites’ colours, her mother Saleema Imtiaz is carrying out match officials’ duties.

    Saleema was passionate about cricket and played it in the
    streets while growing up. She couldn’t play it on the grounds but it was her
    love for the cricket that brought her towards the profession of umpiring in
    2006.

    “Kainat is fulfilling my dream,” says Saleema. “My childhood dream was to represent Pakistan. She is not only a good daughter but also a great cricketer.”

    Kainat, who made her Pakistan debut in October 2010, said her mother inspired her to pursue this profession.

    “I feel proud when I look at my mom. She took up umpiring to fulfill her passion to be in the ground,” said the cricketer. “Growing up there was a lot of interest in cricket in my house as my both parents are sports instructors. They used to be at my school so all of my sporting activities have been under them right from the beginning.”

    The duo has not been involved in the same match played under the auspices of the PCB but Kainat has played with her mother as an umpire in local matches.

    “There is more pressure on both of us when we are involved in the same match,” says Kainat.

    “I have been umpiring since 2006 and I want to be in ICC’s umpiring panel. I wish to preside international matches and make a name for my country,” Saleema remarked. 

  • Hero aise zaleel nahi hotay: Kamran Akmal

    Hero aise zaleel nahi hotay: Kamran Akmal

    Head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq on Thursday announced Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming T20Is against Bangladesh. While Babar Azam has been appointed captain, the experienced middle-order duo of Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik have also returned to the team.

    Meanwhile, none of the Akmal brothers were part of the squad and Kamran took to social media to express his hurt and disappointment.

    Kamran, who recently turned 38, last played an international game in 2017 but has been in impressive form lately and is the all-time scorer in the Pakistan Super League.

    When sports journalist Shoaib Jatt commented that the batsman is a hero, Akmal replied, “Hero aise zaleel nahi hotey.”

    Kamran also replied to other Twitter users and shared that though he doesn’t quite understand what the selectors want, he won’t give up and will continue to give his best.

    Kamran also congratulated his colleagues Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik on their selection.

    The full squad includes Babar Azam, Ahsan Ali, Ammad Butt, Haris Rauf, Ifthikar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Usman Qadir

    Meanwhile, in an interview with The Current in September 2019, Akmal had said that he felt that he was “invisible to the selectors”.

    When asked why he wasn’t selected for the team, Akmal had replied, “I think I was invisible to the selectors. They were unable to see my performance. That’s all I’d say. The selectors and board can tell you better.”

    Akmal had also shared his everyday fitness routine.

    “I undergo physical training for an hour or two every day in the ground with my brothers Umar and Adnan. Then we take rest for an hour or so and later come here… to the club.”

    Kamran also chose Misbah over Shahid Afridi.

    “Both are good,” he had said. “But how Misbah led the team for five or six years as the captain; took the team to the top. His and the team’s performance in Test matches was outstanding.”

    Watch the full interview here:

  • VIDEO: Haris Rauf adabs as he scores a hat trick

    VIDEO: Haris Rauf adabs as he scores a hat trick

    Haris Rauf on Wednesday became the first Pakistani to bag a hat-trick in the Big Bash League (BBL) while playing against Sydney Thunder.

    The pacer who was playing for Melbourne Stars celebrated his hat trick with an adab on field.

    Watch video at 0:40 seconds for the adab.

    The fast bowler grabbed the wickets of Daniel Sams, Matthew Gilkes and Callum Ferguson and finished with figures of 3/23 with one if his deliveries clocking in at a staggering 151.3km/hr. He was also declared the player of the match.

    He currently stands among the highest wicket-takers in the league.

    Previously, the fast bowler was heavily criticised for his cut-throat style celebration. Rauf later apologised for it and adopted a more ‘viewer-friendly’ celebration style in his recent match.

    A discovery of the Pakistan Super League team Lahore Qalandars, Rauf has made waves ever since he came on field.

  • Twitter goes crazy after Indians use hair dryers, steam irons to dry pitch

    Twitter goes crazy after Indians use hair dryers, steam irons to dry pitch

    Twitter on Sunday lost it after the staff at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, India used hair dryers and steam irons to dry the pitch after rain delayed the start of the first Twenty International (T20I) between India and Sri Lanka.

    As per the details, in the beginning, it just looked like a passing shower, but then it was pouring down minutes. Around 8 pm though the heavens relented, the rain had already affected the state of the pitch with wet patches.

    Just when ground staff started its repair work, rain returned to make things worse. This time though, more care was taken with an extra cover being placed on the 22 yards. However, the damage was already done, and when it all cleared around 8:45 pm, the ground staff much to everyone’s surprise brought out a hair dryer, steam iron, and vacuum cleaner to dry the wet patches.

    Here’s what Twitter has to say about it:

    https://twitter.com/DTRomesh/status/1213851204993867778

    Indian captain Virat Kohli had opted to field first after winning the toss. However, just as pacer Jasprit Bumrah was getting ready to bowl the first delivery, rain arrived and stopped the play.

    The match was eventually called off due to a damp pitch. The teams now head to Indore for the second T20I on January 7.

  • PCB will deduct players’ salaries if they don’t meet fitness standards

    PCB will deduct players’ salaries if they don’t meet fitness standards

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that it will deduct salaries of the players who do not meet the fitness requirements.

    According to a press release by the cricket board, “A player failing to meet the minimum fitness requirements will be fined 15 per cent of his monthly retainer, which will remain effective until he achieves the standards. Player failing consecutive tests will risk the chances of retaining his central contract category and may face demotion.”

    All centrally contracted players have to undergo the fitness test which will be held on January 6 and 7. The available players will attend the two-day testing, which is aligned to their contracts.

    Meanwhile, “Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir and Shadab Khan, who will be occupied with their commitments in the Bangladesh Premier League, will undergo the tests on 20 and 21 January.“

    Players will be tested in five major areas namely fat analysis, strength, endurance, speed endurance and cross-fit, with all areas carrying equal marks.

    Currently 19 top players are under contract in A, B and C categories and get monthly salaries ranging from 1.1 million to 0.5 million rupees based on their contract.

    Director of International Cricket PCB Zahir Khan said that the players have been informed about the board’s expectations and sanctions, adding, “This time we have decided to enforce penalties, which is in accordance with the contracts, as part of our objective to make the players more accountable and responsible for maintaining high fitness standards throughout the year.”

    Meanwhile, Imam ul Haq posted a picture of himself with his teammates “getting ready for the fitness test” while enjoying the winter sun and fresh oranges.

    Centrally contracted players:

    Category A – Babar Azam (Central Punjab), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh) and Yasir Shah (Balochistan)

    Category B – Asad Shafiq (Sindh), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Haris Sohail (Balochistan), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Shadab Khan (Northern) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (Northern)

    Category C – Abid Ali (Sindh), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Imad Wasim (Northern), Mohammad Amir (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Southern Punjab), Usman Shinwari (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Wahab Riaz (Southern Punjab)