Tag: English Cricketer

  • ‘Nothing compares to what Roy delivered for us,’ Shahid Afridi on Roy’s innings for Quetta

    ‘Nothing compares to what Roy delivered for us,’ Shahid Afridi on Roy’s innings for Quetta

    Former Pakistan captain of Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi, who is currently representing Quetta Gladiators in the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), praised Jason Roy’s magnificent 116-runs knock against Lahore Qalandars on Monday.

    Taking to Twitter, Afridi lauded the outstanding knock that steered the Gladiators to the victory in the 15th match of the PSL 7. The match was the last of the Karachi leg.

    “I have seen some amazing innings in the PSL, but nothing compares to what [Jason Roy] delivered for us,” the star all-rounder wrote.

    Roy, who played his first match of the PSL 7 last night, stormed himself into the record book as the batter smashed the second-fastest century of the PSL. He took just 49 balls to reach the triple-figures.

    In his astonishing inning, the right-handed batter smashed 11 boundaries and eight sixes. He also scored the third-highest individual score of the PSL history, scoring 116, led by the then Karachi Kings’ batter Colin Ingram, who scored an unbeaten 127 against the Gladiators.

    West Indian legend Sir Vivian Richards also praised the batter for his innings.

    Taking to Twitter, Roy wrote: “That one felt extremely special. Thank you to everyone for the kind words and support. @TeamQuetta @thePSLt20.”

  • ‘Made zero sense to me’: Alex Hales on England cancelling Pakistan tour

    ‘Made zero sense to me’: Alex Hales on England cancelling Pakistan tour

    England’s opening batter Alex Hales has criticised the English Cricket Board for cancelling their scheduled tour to Pakistan last year, saying that the cancellation made zero sense to him.

    Hales, who last represented England in 2019, is currently playing for Islamabad United in the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He said that Pakistan helped England in challenging times during the pandemic but the ECB did not reciprocate.

    “Pakistan came to England during Covid, helped out the ECB massively, so for them to cancel that tour made absolutely zero sense to me whatsoever,” he said.

    Hales, who has toured the country numerous times, said ‘it’s a great place to come and play cricket’, and also lauded the hospitality and passion of the people.

    “I have been here four or five times now and get looked after really well,” he said.

    “Every time we come here, the people are very hospitable and the cricket is always really good. The fans here are crazy for it. So it’s a great place to come and play cricket,” he added.

    It is should be noted that both England’s men’s and women’s sides were set to play two T20Is, with the latter staying on for three ODIs in September 2021.

    The ECB cited protecting ‘the mental and physical well-being’ of its players and staff as well as “increasing concerns about travelling to the region” as reasons for opting out in a statement explaining the cancellation.

    Earlier, it was announced that England will play two additional Twenty20s during their tour to Pakistan this year. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chief Executive Tom Harrison promised in his tour to Pakistan.

  • Peshawar Zalmi’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore ‘happy’ to be in Karachi, isolating in hotel room

    Peshawar Zalmi’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore ‘happy’ to be in Karachi, isolating in hotel room

    English cricketer Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who will be playing for Peshawar Zalmi, has arrived in Karachi for the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and he has said in a video message that he is happy to be here.

    The right-handed batter is in the madatory quarantine in the team hotel room in Karachi and has recorded a message for his fans.

    “It’s been a long journey but happy to be here and can’t wait to go out of the isolation in three-days time and meet up with the lads and get going in the competition,” said Tom in a video shared by Zalmi.

    Pakistan national team pacer Wahab Riaz is leading the Peshawar franchise. According to former Pakistan cricket team captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Zalmi along with Lahore Qalandars have the best team combinations.

    Peshawar had earlier announced that the franchise has retained Liam Livingstone, Wahab Riaz, Haider Ali, Sherfane Rutherford, Shoaib Malik, Saqib Mahmood, and Tom.

    The 2017 champions also picked fast bowler Arshad Iqbal, wicket-keeper-batter Kamran Akmal, and spinner Usman Qadir.

    Akmal, however, was unhappy over being picked in the Silver category and announced his withdrawal from the tournament.

    But Peshawar Zalmi and Kamran Akmal resolved the dispute between them a few days later as Akmal agreed to play for Zalmi in the seventh edition of the PSL.

    Usman Qadir joined Zalmi from Multan Sultans.

    Zalmi will kick off their PSL 7 campaign by taking on Quetta Gladiators on January 28 with the tournament set to be starting from January 27 at the National Stadium Karachi.

  • ‘The word ‘Paki’ was used constantly’: Azeem Rafiq tells MPs of racism at Yorkshire

    ‘The word ‘Paki’ was used constantly’: Azeem Rafiq tells MPs of racism at Yorkshire

    English cricketer Azeem Rafiq has told MPs that racist terms were “used constantly” across his two spells at Yorkshire and no one in the leadership challenged them.

    Rafiq first alleged racial harassment and bullying against the county and accused them of institutional racism in September last year, with the club launching an investigation soon afterwards. However, their handling of it has been heavily criticised. They finally published summary findings of the investigation in September this year and, while the investigation found there was “no question” Rafiq had been subjected to racial harassment and bullying, no individuals faced disciplinary action.

    Rafiq told the digital, culture, media and sport committee on Tuesday: “Pretty early on at the club, I joined a dressing room full of my heroes, Michael Vaughan, Matthew Hoggard, part of the 2005 Ashes team. And it was just the most surreal moment for me.

    “Pretty early on, me and other people from an Asian background … there were comments such as ‘you’ll sit over there near the toilets’, ‘elephant washers’. The word ‘Paki’ was used constantly. And there just seemed to be an acceptance in the institution from the leaders and no one ever stamped it out.”

    Rafiq added: “All I wanted to do is play cricket and play for England and live my dream and live my family’s dream. In my first spell, I don’t really think I quite realised what it was. I think I was in denial.”

    While talking in a presser, he said: “I should never ever get treated the way I was treated. When I spoke, I should have been listened to. The game as a whole has a problem, with listening to the victim. There is no yeah buts to racism and there is no two-sides when it comes to racism.”

    Rafiq said the problem at Yorkshire was replicated “up and down the country”.

    Former England batter Ballance admitted using a “racial slur” towards Rafiq in a lengthy statement issued earlier this month, apologising but framing it as part of a long and deep friendship.

    Rafiq also alleged former England batter Alex Hales was involved.

    He said: “Gary and Alex Hales got really close to each other when they played for England together. I wasn’t present in that dressing room, but what I understand (is) that Alex went on to name his dog ‘Kevin’ because it was black. It’s disgusting how much of a joke it was.”