Tag: Pakistani Cricketer

  • Babar Azam optimistic to turn the tables after three consecutive defeats

    Babar Azam optimistic to turn the tables after three consecutive defeats

    Karachi Kings has been unable to win a single match in the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) and their performance in the ongoing tournament wasn’t expected of them, especially after a change of leadership. But Pakistan’s all-format captain and Karachi’s first-time skipper Babar Azam is optimistic that the tables will be turned.

    Taking to his social media, Babar shared a picture of a team meeting and wrote: “Not the start we were preparing for but there’s a lot more to come and we believe we can turn this around. It’s never over until it’s over.”

    Kings have been failing miserably to defend their totals in the last matches played at the National Stadium in Karachi.

    They have lost by seven wickets to Multan Sultans, six wickets to Lahore Qalandars, and eight wickets to Quetta Gladiators.

  • Twitter lauds ‘Mardan ka’ Fakhar Zaman for his maiden PSL century

    Twitter lauds ‘Mardan ka’ Fakhar Zaman for his maiden PSL century

    Pakistan’s left-handed hitter Fakhar Zaman has been highly appreciated by the Pakistani Twitter after he has scored a century in the highly anticipated match between Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars at National Stadium Karachi on Sunday.

    Pakistani term clash between Lahore and Karachi as ‘Desi El Clásico’ while the power hitter scored 106 runs off 60 balls with the help of 12 fours and four sixes in this encounter, completing 15,00 runs in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    He has become the fourth cricketer to achieve the feat. Prior to him, Babar Azam, Kamran Akmal, and Shoaib Malik have achieved the feat. He also bagged Player of the Match award for his outstanding performance.

    In the post-match ceremony, the Captain of Lahore Qalandars, Shaheen Shah Afridi said: “Fakhar Zaman is improving day by day. We know he is a game-changer. He deserves a lot of credit for the way he managed the innings and his century. I pray that he continues to perform well for Qalandars and for Pakistan.”

    Netizens and his team mates of national team showered their praise to the cricketer for single handedly clinching the match from the Kings.

    https://twitter.com/MandyHox/status/1487852686871609345?s=20&t=PY2zP9O6OpxgQLc0CWdd9Q

  • Ayesha Omar reveals which cricketer took modelling tips from her

    Ayesha Omar reveals which cricketer took modelling tips from her

    Actor and Model Ayesha Omar has recently revealed who is her favourite cricketer in Pakistan. She also mentioned that which cricketer used to take modelling tips from her.

    In a candid interview on the Geo News programme ‘Jashan-e-Cricket’, Omar said star all-rounder Shoaib Malik is her favourite.

    The Karachi Se Lahore diva added that Malik is not only her favourite cricketer but is also her old friend.

    The actor also shed light on the photoshoot that the two friends did, which went viral on social media for all the wrong reasons.

    Omar, however, said that she enjoyed the shoot with Malik and that he used to take modelling tips from her during the time they worked on that shoot.

  • Anushka Sharma’s fans call out Shoaib Akhtar for his comments on Virat’s early marriage

    Former Pakistani cricketer, Shoaib Akhtar, recently commented on the marriage of former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli with Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma in an interview with an Indian outlet. Anushka’s fans are calling out the former Pakistan speedster for his remarks.

    Shoaib Akhtar remarked that Virat Kohli should not have married now in his career so that he could perform at maximum level at his peak cricket career.

    He said, “I would have not even married if I were in his place. I had just scored runs and enjoyed cricket, these 10-12 years of cricket are different time and doesn’t come again, I am not saying getting married is wrong but If you are playing for India, you would have enjoyed the time a little.”

    Meanwhile, fans of Anushka Sharma have shown anger over his remarks on Virat’s early marriage. Many of them commented not to compare someone’s professional career with their personal life and commitments.

    Another user added, “Sachin had no problem being married and having children and making runs and records.”

    Akhtar further added that married life increases the responsibility of a professional cricket player.

    “There is pressure from the children, of the family. As the responsibility increases, so does the pressure. Cricketers have a short career span of 14-15 years in which you stay at the peak for five-six years. Those years of Virat have passed, now he has to struggle.”

  • Shaheen Shah Afridi declared ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year

    Shaheen Shah Afridi declared ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year

    Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named as ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year. He is the first Pakistani and the youngest ever player to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy. Shaheen took 78 wickets in 36 internationals at an average of 22.20 with his best bowling figures of 6/51.

    The 21-year-old was on fire throughout 2021, knocking some of the best batters over across all three formats of the game. He especially had a year to remember in Tests and T20Is, reaching his peak during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in UAE where he impressed one and all with his sheer speed and skills.

    Shaheen took seven wickets in six matches during the tournament in Pakistan’s run to the semi-final. He ruled the shortest format throughout the calendar year, scalping 23 wickets in 21 matches with his death bowling improving rapidly.

    After a slow start to the year in Test cricket in New Zealand, Afridi turned the tables during the home series against South Africa. He continued his brilliant form throughout the rest of the year in the away tours of Zimbabwe, West Indies and Bangladesh. Overall, he claimed 47 wickets in only nine matches at a staggering average of 17.06.

    Afridi’s perfect spell against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 was the cherry on the top, taking 3 wickets of just 31 runs. Afridi sent then captain Virat Kohli, openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma to the pavillion.

    Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), taking to Twitter, said: “incredible3 The world of cricket is richer and so watchable because of you. A proud moment for the fans who through you can now see a new beginning… @iMRizwanPak @babarazam258 @iShaheenAfridi @ICCAwards.”

    Several people congratulated the cricketer on his achievement, including the PCB and former captain Shahid Afridi.

    https://twitter.com/AhmadDaniyal33/status/1485549184858136583?s=20

  • Babar Azam named ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year

    Babar Azam named ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year

    Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam has been named the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for his achievements as a captain of Pakistan cricket team and his individual performances.

    Babar scored 405 runs in six matches at an average of 67.50 with two centuries. He played only six ODIs in 2021, but he made vital contributions in the two series that Pakistan played this year.

    He was the second-highest run-scorer with 228 runs and was the Player of the Match in both of Pakistan’s wins in the 2-1 series victory against South Africa. The architect of Pakistan’s chase of 274 in the first ODI, Babar made a century and laid the foundation with an 82-ball 94 in the final ODI where the visitors posted 320 batting first.

    He was the lone warrior for Pakistan when they were swept by England 3-0. He accumulated 177 runs in three games but found no support as none of the other batters managed to score more than 100 in the series.

    Azam’s best performance this year came in a losing cause in the final ODI against England.

    With the series already lost, Pakistan were playing for pride as well as crucial ICC Cricket World Cup Super League points in the third ODI at Birmingham. Put in to bat first, Pakistan posted 331, with Babar scoring close to half of the team’s runs.

    Read More – ICC receives criticism for not naming Babar Azam T20 World Cup ‘Player of the Tournament’

    Not only in ODIs but Babar was also good with the bat in the ICC T20I World Cup 2021. Azam registered the most number of runs in a maiden T20 world cup with 303, which makes him the first batsman to score 300 runs in the T20 World Cup 2021.

    Twitter is flooded with congratulatory notes for the 27-year-old skipper. We have collected a few, have a look:

    https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1485513152708157443?s=20

    https://twitter.com/AhmadDaniyal33/status/1485514895932248067?s=20
  • Wahab Riaz reveals his favourite movie, drama during interaction with fans

    Wahab Riaz reveals his favourite movie, drama during interaction with fans

    The Pakistan National Cricket Team pacer Wahab Riaz has recently interacted with his fans on social media and answered several questions. The speedster revealed many things including his favourite Hindi movie and his favourite Pakistani drama.

    Read More – Peshawar Zalmi to reveal kit for seventh edition of PSL tonight

    One of the fans asked Riaz which Pakistani drama is his favourite? Replying to the social media user, he replied that Meray Paas Tum Ho is his favourite drama. The drama features actors Humayun Saeed, Ayeza Khan and Adnan Siddiqui in lead roles.

    Another fan wanted to know about his favourite movie. Wahab said that it’s 3 Idiots. The movie is a Bollywood hit which features Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani in the lead roles.

    As Wahab Riaz is also leading Peshawar Zalmi in the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), a fan had a question about Wahab’s team, Peshawar. The fan wanted him to explain the team in one word. Replying to the fan, he said that Peshawar Zalmi is like a ‘family’ to him.

    Riaz hilariously replied to a fan who asked which batter does he like bowling the most? To which Wahab replied: “Jera pehli gaind tey out ho Javay. (The one who gets out on the first ball.)”

    Wahab also revealed that wicket-keeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and Test player Azhar Ali are his best friends in the team.

    He also shared his plan to visit the Northern areas of Pakistan, Naran and Kaghan, once the quarantine for PSL ends.

    One of the fans wished him luck to win the trophy of PSL 7 to which Wahab said: “We will give it our best Insha Allah (IA). Looking forward to PSL 7.

    Concluding the interaction, Wahab thanked all his fans, saying that “it was great chatting with you all”.

  • ‘No shoes’, PCB shares Shahnawaz Dahani’s story of becoming a cricketer

    ‘No shoes’, PCB shares Shahnawaz Dahani’s story of becoming a cricketer

    Shahnawaz Dahani is a young Pakistani cricketer, born near a village in Larkana. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shared his story of becoming a cricketer through a video ahead of the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    In the video, the journey of Dahani from playing in his village to the PSL is shown where it can be seen that he was opposed by his late father when he wanted to play cricket.

    Lack of proper facilities might have stopped the young Shahnawaz to get opportunities at a young age, just like many other boys from the city. But Shahnawaz seems to be making up for lost time. His story is one for the ages as someone who found it difficult to buy shoes to play cricket and is now one of the most celebrated young players.

    Ahead of the sixth edition of the PSL 2021, he was picked up as an emerging player by the Multan Sultans and the decision proved to be worth it. He ended up becoming the first emerging player to become the highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history.

    He was a key member in the Sultans’ impressive turnaround and helped them clinch their maiden title. Now, Dahani is one of the most celebrated young cricketers. Yet, just a few years back, he was like any other young Pakistani boy, living in a small village near Larkana, dreaming to play cricket for Pakistan.

    Read more – Shahnawaz Dahani to make his T20I debut today against Bangladesh

    The 23-year-old made his international debut for the Pakistan cricket team in November 2021 in a series against Bangladesh.

    The young speedster is set to represent his franchise Sultans again in the latest edition of the league, starting from January 27 in Karachi.

  • Babar declared captain of ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year, Rizwan, Shaheen included

    Babar declared captain of ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year, Rizwan, Shaheen included

    International Cricket Council (ICC) has recognised 11 cricketers from different teams for their exceptional performance in cricket. Pakistan all-format skipper Babar Azam has been declared the captain of the team after his prolific stint in the ICC T20 World Cup.

    Pakistan’s star players, wicket keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and bowling sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi, also made it to the team.

    In a statement issued for the announcement of Men’s T20I Team of the Year, the ICC said that it is to recognise 11 outstanding individuals who have impressed one and all, “be it with the bat, the ball or their all-round exploits in a calendar year.”

    Here is a look at the players who made it to the team from Pakistan.

    Babar Azam

    The Pakistan skipper was at his classy best in the shortest format in 2021, leaving his best at the T20 World Cup where he ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer.

    Overall, Babar played 29 matches and aggregated 939 runs at an average of 37.56 with one century and nine half-centuries. His captaincy was also praised as he led his team to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.

    Mohammad Rizwan

    The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter ruled the roost in 2021 when it came to the shortest format of the game. Aggregating a staggering 1,326 runs in only 29 matches, Rizwan struck at an average of 73.66 and a strike-rate of 134.89.

    Apart from his exploits with the bat, he was as solid as ever behind the stumps, playing a key role in Pakistan’s run to the semis during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, where he ended up as the third-highest run-scorer.

    Shaheen Afridi

    It was a year to remember for Shaheen Afridi, especially in the shortest form of the game. Extracting brilliant movement with the new ball and reversing it with the old, Afridi picked up 23 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 26.04 and an economy of 7.86.

    Still only 21, Shaheen will likely lead the Pakistan pace bowling unit for years to come and with already rapid improvements in his bowling, he will undoubtedly prove to be a fearsome prospect.

    The others include Jos Buttler of England, Aiden Markram of South Africa, Mitchell Marsh of Australia, David Miller of South Africa, Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka, Tabraiz Shamsi of South Africa, Josh Hazlewood of Australia, and Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh.

  • ‘No infrastructure’: Hafeez questions PM Khan over no focus on sports

    ‘No infrastructure’: Hafeez questions PM Khan over no focus on sports

    Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Mohammad Hafeez has some reservations with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government over no clear sports policies for athletes in the country.

    Talking to Cricket Pakistan, the former cricketer said that it is a big question mark on “sportsman” Imran Khan that there are no special arrangments for sports in Pakistan by him.

    “Personally, I am disappointed with the current government,” Hafeez said.

    “No infrastructure has been set where sportsperson in our country can excel. This is a huge setback for me. I know our prime minister is a sportsman and if there is no focus on sports in his tenure, then this is a huge question mark,” Hafeez added.

    The 41-year-old cricketer further talked about Khan’s decison to shut down departmental cricket while he also praised the former head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and Test player Azhar Ali for raising the matter.

    “I am proud of them. They took a big step and sincerely raised concern for others. Pakistan is not yet a welfare state and departments were catering to many players, they were fulfilling financial needs. No alternative has been found yet either.”

    Meanwhile, Hafeez urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) not to call back players from franchise leagues as they receive huge contracts and calling them back damage their reputation.

    “Calling back players from leagues put a dent on a player’s portfolio. Recently, Pakistan players were called back from BBL. I want PCB to revisit this process. When players get NOC, he must play completely as his and Pakistan’s reputation is at stake.” Hafeez emphasised as he has been called back from leagues midway on many occasions in the recent past.

    Hafeez also lauded skipper Babar Azam for brilliantly leading the national team.

    The cricketer also cleared the air about his clashes with the board. “There was no rift with anyone but yes, I had some principle stances on which I don’t compromise. I stood tall against the things and raised my voice. People were unhappy with it and they took some decisions which were felt that my relationships were not on good terms with higher authorities.”

    Hafeez recently announced his retirement from cricket and said that he had planned to announce it after the 2020 World Cup but it got delayed due to Covid and then he announced it after playing the T20 World Cup in 2021.

    Hafeez said that he will happily serve Pakistan cricket in the future in any capacity but won’t run after money as a job-seeker in the cricket board.

    He concluded by hailing Shaheen Shah’s growth as a pacer and is looking forward to playing under him for Lahore Qalandars in the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), starting from January 27 at the National Stadium Karachi.