Tag: Former Pakistani Cricketer

  • Shahid Afridi lauds Shaheen Afridi for ‘great display of captaincy’

    Shahid Afridi lauds Shaheen Afridi for ‘great display of captaincy’

    Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has lauded Lahore Qalandars’ skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi for a “great display of captaincy” after Qalandars reached the final of the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    On Friday, David Wiese’s last-over heroics at the Gaddafi Stadium against Islamabad United took Qalandars to a six-run victory in the second eliminator of the tournament. 

    The do-or-die match between the two sides was a treat to the eye as both the teams fought for the slot in the final till the last moment.

    Taking to Twitter, Boom Boom Afridi posted photos of him watching the match between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United along with his friends.

    “Today I witnessed one of the best matches in the PSL history. Congratulations Lahore Qalandars on a well-deserved win!”

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1497277439575216134

    Afridi also hailed Shaheen’s captaincy throughout the PSL 7 and wished good luck to the finalists.

    “Great display of captaincy by Shaheen throughout the tournament. Good luck to both of the finalist teams,” he wrote.

    Defending champions Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars will lock horns on Sunday for PSL 7 title.

    Earlier in December, Afridi had said that Shaheen did not pay heed to his advice regarding accepting the leadership role.

    Afridi had said: “I had advised Shaheen to wait for a year or two before accepting captaincy so that he can focus more on his bowling. But since he is also an Afridi, he didn’t listen to me.”

    “Having said that, I’m happy that he has decided to accept this responsibility and I hope that he proves me wrong,” the former skipper had said.

    Sultan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan also congratulated Shaheen for reaching the Final.

    “What a thriller it was! Enjoyed every second of it. Congratulations @iShaheenAfridi & @lahoreqalandars for finals. You put everything into this,” he wrote.

    While commenting on Shadab Khan, he added: “@76Shadabkhan & @IsbUnited, keep your head high. I know k aap Himmat nahi haare ga (I know you will not lose hope) and will come back stronger. #LevelHai #PSL7.”

  • Mushtaq Ahmed likens Rizwan’s leadership to Imran Khan

    Mushtaq Ahmed likens Rizwan’s leadership to Imran Khan

    Defending champions of Pakistan Super League (PSL), Multan Sultans, have gained a lot of praise for their commendable cricket under the leadership of wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. Former Pakistan cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed has said Rizwan’s leadership qualities are just like former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan.

    Talking to Cricket Pakistan in an interview, Sultans’ assistant coach Mushtaq Ahmed addressed their remarkable win-ratio in PSL 7. He said that the credit lies entirely with the Almighty and the players for their efforts.

    “One of the most important things when it comes to winning is the leadership quality and Rizwan is a great leader. He keeps everyone in loop and works with the players to execute the game plans,” he said.

    When inquired about whether the change in captaincy was the turning point for Sultans, Ahmed said that there are many more factors at play than just the captaincy.

    “There are a lot of factors which come into play and you just don’t focus on one element; for the players to trust their captain, the chemistry between the players and the captain. When players respect you as a captain or as a coach, they will automatically give more value to your opinions and will try to carry out the plans,” he explained.

    “I remember when I conceded 70-odd runs in Brisbane and Imran bhai came up to me and backed me for trying my level best. I think it is important to back your players as a leader because it gives you the desire to go out there and prove their belief in you. Rizwan is exactly this way and his leadership is a huge positive,” concluded Mushtaq.

    The team has won 10 out 11 matches they have played in PSL 7 and qualified for the Final.

  • Shahid Afridi praises Shahnawaz Dahani for ‘incredible potential’, Dahani reacts

    Shahid Afridi praises Shahnawaz Dahani for ‘incredible potential’, Dahani reacts

    Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi has praised young Multan Sultans’ pacer Shahnawaz Dahani for his performance in the Qualifier match of Pakistan Super League (PSL). Sultans defeated Lahore Qalandars with 28 runs to reach the Final for the second consecutive time on Wednesday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    Taking to Twitter, Afridi lauded “champions” Multan Sultans for their outstanding performance. While talking about Dahani, he wrote: “So pleased to see Dahani deliver to his incredible potential today just the way he performed last year.”

    Replying to Afridi, Dahani said: “It’s always pleasing to receive an appreciation from a legend like you Lala @SAfridiOfficial bhai. Thank you so much for your wishes for our team @MultanSultans & kind words for me.”

    Before the Qualifier match, Afridi had advised Dahani to focus on his game rather than wasting time on celebrations. “First you do something in life and then celebrate like that. It will have more impact then,” Afridi said on Samaa TV.

    Dahani picked up three crucial wickets of Harry Brook (13), Phil Salt (1) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (1) to finish with figures three of 19. He was given Player of the Match award for his outstanding figures.

    He also took a sublime catch of Samit Patel to bring the match closer into Sultans’ grasp.

    Now the Sultans will take Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi or Lahore Qalandars in the final of PSL 2022 on February 27.

    Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketer and Pakistan cricket team coach Waqar Younis took to his Twitter to laud the young pacer.

    “Impossible to catch Dhani @ShahnawazDahani when he’s on the roll. Wonderful spell of bowling and exceptional energy on the field,” Waqar wrote.

    Waqar also congratulated Multan and Mohammad Rizwan for reaching the Final.

  • Shoaib Akhtar believes Shahid Afridi will ‘100 per cent step into politics’

    Shoaib Akhtar believes Shahid Afridi will ‘100 per cent step into politics’

    Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar has said that former all-rounder of Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi will follow the steps of Imran Khan and step into politics.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Jashan-e-Cricket’, Akhtar, who has earlier said he would have a huge vote bank if he contests elections, stated his mother had prohibited him from entering into politics.

    While he said that he is 100 per cent sure that Afridi will step into politics following PM Khan.

    Talking about the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he said he will turn it into an even bigger brand than the Indian Premier League (IPL) if he becomes the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    He also urged the Lahore Qalandars’ management to sell the franchise to him. “If I played PSL, I would opt to play for Lahore Qalandars.”

    The former cricketer advised PM Imran Khan and the government on some political issues recently, including focusing on fixing “the problems of old Pakistan” instead of focusing on Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari and on the Murree tragedy.

    The former pacer also predicted that the Qalandars, who are currently in a fine position, will get into a difficult situation in PSL seven’s Lahore leg.

  • Is Shahid Afridi going to cook in his restaurant ‘Lala Darbar’?

    Is Shahid Afridi going to cook in his restaurant ‘Lala Darbar’?

    Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has announced that he will be opening a restaurant, ‘Lala Darbar’, in Dubai. He has also shared a video in which he can be seen wearing an apron and slicing tomatoes.

    Sharing the video, Afridi wrote: “One step closer to the big announcement. Revealing Soon.”

    Afridi further added: “Get ready to give your taste buds a mouth-watering triple tarka!”

    Afridi asked his followers to follow it on social media and he also revealed that the restaurant will be in Dubai.

    This is not the first time that the former all-rounder has tried a venture. He had opened a restaurant ‘Splice’ in Lahore and earlier in March 2021, he had also launched a range of skincare products. Announcing the news on social media, Afridi shared that the new line, from the world of Hope Care, is named ‘Ooh Lala‘.

    Besides this new skincare line, Afridi also has a clothing brand, ‘Hope Not Out’.

  • ‘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.”

  • EXCLUSIVE: Afridi denies rumours of request to be rested

    EXCLUSIVE: Afridi denies rumours of request to be rested

    Pakistan’s star all-rounder Shahid Afridi has denied the rumours of his request of being given rest. Earlier, The News reported that Afridi had requested Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators to give him rest for some days after a bad spell against Islamabad United on Thursday.

    Shahid Afridi told The Current that he has not asked to be rested, in fact, he is anxiously looking forward to the next matches.

    Afridi had conceded 67 runs in a four-over spell against Islamabad United on Thursday and became the most expensive bowling figure in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Earlier, Islamabad United’s Zafar Gohar held the record of conceding the most runs, 65.

    It was also reported that Afridi did not attend the practice session at the High-Performance Centre, the report added.

    On February 3, Afridi, who had returned to the squad after completing Covid-19 isolation, could not bowl up to mark.

    Read More – Shahid Afridi recovers from Covid-19, announce Quetta Gladiators

    The former Pakistan skipper bowled a total of four overs, where he conceded 67 runs and managed to take only one wicket. His most expensive over was the last over (20th), where he conceded 20 runs.

    It should be noted that this was Afridi’s first match of his farewell PSL, after missing the initial games due to Covid-19, but was thrashed by the United batters Colin Munro and Azam Khan during his four-over spell.

    Twitterati extended support to the all-round cricketer.

    https://twitter.com/mmustafa_abid/status/1489307976364175365?t=dHvv5PdY5wu5V5b6qVoVdw&s=19
  • Angry Inzamam schools Babar after Karachi Kings’ fourth consecutive defeat

    Angry Inzamam schools Babar after Karachi Kings’ fourth consecutive defeat

    Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Inzamam-ul-Haq has schooled Karachi Kings captain Babar Azam for not finishing the match on Friday despite playing complete 20 overs against Peshawar Zalmi at National Stadium Karachi.

    Kings’ poor performance continued to frustrate the fans in the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) as the Babar-led side has lost all their matches in the tournament.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Jashn-e-Cricket’, former chief selector Inzamam criticised Babar for not being able to finish the match with a win.

    “If you are the world’s number one cricket player and stands on wicket throughout 20 overs, then you should be finishing the match, otherwise get out without playing complete overs,” said Inzamam after the Kings failed to achieve the target of 174.

    Azam’s 63-ball 90 included 12 fours and a six.

    The former captain was also not pleased with the home team’s selection and batting order in the PSL 2022.

    Inzamam-ul-Haq also criticised Australian authorities for declaring Mohammad Husnain’s bowling action illegal.

    “Hasnain has been playing cricket for 2-3 years and his bowling action did not seem to be illegal,” he said.

    “Why do 90% of players get banned after going to Australia?” he questioned.

    Inzamam said that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should have sorted out Hasnain’s bowling action issue before the start of PSL.

    Meanwhile, PCB has said in a statement that the board will work on the young pacer’s bowling action and get it cleared as soon as possible.

  • Shahid Afridi to miss the first few matches of PSL 7 due to back injury

    Shahid Afridi to miss the first few matches of PSL 7 due to back injury

    Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who is repsenting Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiators this season, is expected to miss the first few matches of the highly-anticipated league, starting tomorrow.

    The veteran power-hitter Afridi sustained a back injury in a practice session on Tuesday. He was also not part of the training session of Quetta Gladiators. Afridi was hopeful of being fit in time for season seven but he is not 100 percent fit yet.

    As per Geo Super, Afridi requested Quetta to excuse him from the bio-secure bubble. Along with the back pain, a relative of Afridi’s wife has passed away so the cricketer has to attend to personal matters as well.

    Sarfaraz Ahmed, who will be leading Quetta, said they will use their marquee player judiciously and make sure he doesn’t aggravate his injury.

    Afridi was unavailable for the UAE-leg of the PSL 6 because of back injury while representing Multan Sultans.

    The T20 bigwig has piled up 4,395 runs in 326 matches and has maintained a stupendous strike rate of 154.21. He has shed 344 wickets in the shortest format.

    The top-flight bowling all-rounder Afridi alongside England stylish batter James Vince will play for Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2022 edition.

    Afridi played four matches for Sultans in last year’s edition that was played in Karachi and UAE. The veteran shed two wickets and made three runs.

  • 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.