Tag: Pakistani Cricketers

  • Sarfaraz bakes pasta for wife, tells journalist to ‘stay out of the conversation’

    Former Pakistan cricket team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed’s wife, Khushbakht Sarfaraz posted a video of her husband on twitter with the caption,”Perks of him being around”. The video went viral on social media, with fellow cricketers praising him for his baking skills.

    Cricketer Shadab Khan re-shared the video of Sarfaraz and wrote, “Bhabi aty sath he hamry kaptaan ko kaam paar laga deya.”

    Journalist Aalia Rasheed left a comment on a lighter note which Sarfaraz misunderstood and said to Aalia that Its better for her to keep her opinion limited to cricket only.

    Aalia then clarified that she was “just kidding.”

    Hassan Ali added on a humourous note saying, “yeh wala talent hume btya hi ni ap na.”

    Shadab was quick to put a request to Sarfaraz for chai.

    Inam-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz also left a comment under Sarfaraz’s video to which the latter decided to reply in a funny way.

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  • From Shahid Afridi, Junaid Khan to Fakhar Zaman, cricketers wish Pakistan a Happy Independence Day

    From Shahid Afridi, Junaid Khan to Fakhar Zaman, cricketers wish Pakistan a Happy Independence Day

    Pakistan is celebrating its 75th Independence Day today (Saturday) and while the pandemic is still raging, it hasn’t dulled our cricketers’ patriotic fervour.

    Several cricketers, including Shahid Afridi, posted beautiful and heartwarming Independence Day messages on social media.

    Taking to Instagram, former Pakistan captain Afridi shared a heartwarming video of himself holding the national flag and hoisting Kashmir’s flag with his daughters.

    Cricketer turned commentator Ramiz Raja, who is also celebrating his birthday, wished Pakistan, saying: “Happy Independence Day. So proud to be a Pakistani.”

    Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar turned to his Twitter and shared his pictures while wishing Pakistan.

    Umar Gul not only wished the nation but also prayed for it while posting a beautiful video.

    https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1426264309609472005?s=19

    Junaid Khan stepped a little forward and wrapped himself in the national flag and posted a picture on Instagram.

    Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman and others also turned to their social media accounts to wish the mother land on this Independence Day.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also shared a video of Pakistani cricketers recalling how they celebrated Independence Day.

    The video include captain of Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam, Azahar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf and members of Pakistan women cricket team.

  • Pakistan cricketers extend best wishes to Tokyo Olympics contingent

    Pakistan cricketers extend best wishes to Tokyo Olympics contingent

    Pakistani cricketers have extended best wishes to the national contingent taking part in the Tokyo Olympics.

    The quadrennial sporting extravaganza, initially scheduled for summer 2020, started on Friday with an opening ceremony without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi and women team’s all-rounders Aliya Riaz and Nida Dar gave their encouragement and support to their fellow national athletes who would be vying for glory in nine different events.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a video with messages of the seven men and two women players.

    Wishing good luck to the Tokyo Olympics contingent, all-rounder Aliya Riaz said: “Please enjoy yourself and give it your best shot; we are all behind you.”

    All-rounder Nida Dar said she was rooting for Pakistani athletes as it was a big occasion for them and vowed to give them all the support they needed.

    “I am backing the Pakistan Tokyo Olympics contingent to do well in the biggest sporting extravaganza. It is a big occasion for these athletes; we would be giving them all the support they need and would follow their progress,” she said.

    Especially wishing Mahoor Shahzad, Bisma Khan, and Arshad Nadeem the best of luck, former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed hoped the athletes would bring glory to the country.

    “I want to wish Pakistan’s Tokyo Olympics contingent the very best. My best wishes are with all the athletes, especially Mahoor Shahzad, Bisma Khan, and Arshad Nadeem. I am sure you all will give it your best to bring glory to the country,” Sarfaraz said.

    Shadab Khan, expressing his support, said: “My best wishes are with all the athletes who are representing Pakistan in the Tokyo Olympics. Go well.”

    “Good luck to the entire Pakistan Tokyo Olympics contingent, especially Shah Hussain and Talha Talib,” pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi said.

    Wishing the best for the athletes, Faheem Ashraf said: “My best wishes are with Pakistani athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics. Good luck and go well.”

    Batsman Fakhar Zaman said: “I want to wish the very best to Pakistan’s Tokyo Olympics contingent, especially Mahoor Shahzad and Najma Parveen.”

    Asking the players to enjoy themselves while they are out there and assuring that the whole country was backing them, Hasan Ali expressed his confidence in the contingent.

    “My best wishes are with our Tokyo Olympics contingent. Please […] enjoy yourself and give your best. The entire country is backing you,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Mohammad Hasnain added: “My best wishes are with the athletes and officials representing Pakistan in the Tokyo Olympics, especially Arshad Nadeem and Bisma Khan.”

    Pakistan athletes would be competing in 200 metre Athletics, Badminton – Women Singles, Judo – 100 Kg, Shooting – 10 metre Air Pistol, Swimming 100 metre Freestyle Men’s and 50 metre Women’s, and 67kg Weightlifting.

    Pakistan’s last Olympics medal was the bronze the national hockey team achieved in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The last individual medal was the bronze grabbed by boxer Hussain Shah in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

    Pakistan Tokyo Olympics contingent (athletes):

    Arshad Nadeem – Javelin Throw

    Bisma Khan — Swimming 50 metre Freestyle women

    Ghulam Mustafa Bashir — Rapid Fire Pistol 25 metre

    Gulfam Joseph — Shooting 10 metre Air Pistol

    Mahoor Shahzad — Badminton Women’s Singles

    Muhammad Khalil Akhtar — Rapid Fire Pistol 25 metre

    Najma Parveen — Athletics 200 metres

    Shah Hussain Shah — Judo 100 Kg

    Syed Muhammad Haseeb Khan — Swimming 100 metre Freestyle Men’s

    Talha Talib — Weightlifting 67kg

  • Abdul Razzaq faces backlash over sexist remarks about a female cricketer

    Former cricketer and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq recently appeared in a TV show hosted by Nauman Ijaz with Pakistan women’s cricket team’s Nida Dar, where he passed sexist comments about her.

    During the show, one of the members interrupted Dar while she was talking about her profession and said that women cricketers leave their profession and get married.

    Abdul Razzaq was quick to jump in, saying, “Oh, they don’t get married.”

    “Their field is as such. When they become cricketers, they strive to be as equal as their male counterparts, if not better than them. They want to prove that not only men, but they can also do it as well. The feeling [to get married] is gone [by the time they excel].”

    “Aap inko hath mila kay dekh lein, yeh larki to nahi lagtein,” said Razzaq. (If you shake her [Dar’s] hand, she is anything but feminine).

    https://twitter.com/emclub77/status/1415197775998951428

    People on social media are calling out Razzaq over his sexist comments.

    https://twitter.com/talkingcurves/status/1415549722450874372

  • Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam saddened by the demise of Dilip Kumar

    Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam saddened by the demise of Dilip Kumar

    Pakistani veteran cricketer Shahid Afridi and the current captain of Pakistan’s cricket team Babar Azam are saddened by the demise of the legendary Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar.

    “Indeed to Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return. A huge loss for Yousuf Khan sahib’s fans from KPK to Mumbai and across the globe. He lives on in our hearts. Deepest condolences to Saira Banu Sahiba”, wrote Afridi while sharing his thoughts on social media.

    Azam also took to social media and wrote: “A legend who will be remembered forever and will always be an inspirational figure in the world. From Qissa Khawani Bazar Peshawar, Pakistan to Mumbai, India – your fragrance has surrounded everyone. You will be missed, sir. A huge loss indeed.”

    Social media is flooded with tributes from every corner of the subcontinent for the legendary actor’s demise.

    Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez also paid tributes to “the quintessential tragedy king.”

  • Younis Khan breaks silence on feud with Hassan Ali

    Younis Khan breaks silence on feud with Hassan Ali

    Younis Khan has finally broken his silence on a feud with Hassan Ali.

    According to reports, Khan said Ali had apologised to him after their heated exchange of words, and that the two had moved past the incident.

    “Hassan Ali apologised to me, and I had forgiven him,” Younis Khan said in a statement. “To play up the Hassan Ali incident [and use it] as a possible reason for my resignation comes as a surprise to me,” he added.

    Speaking about his resignation, Khan said he had kept silent over the matter in the larger interest of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistani cricket. Khan clarified that it was PCB’s Strength and Conditioning Coach Yasir Malik who had requested him to speak to Hassan Ali about taking an ice bath.

    “I have never looked towards the PCB for a job or for any position,” he said. “I was approached for the position [of batting coach] by the Board,” added the former batsman.

    Senior Pakistan sports reporter Saj Sadiq tweeted about the spat between Younis Khan and Hassan Ali a few days ago, stating that a verbal fight between the two took place when Ali refused to take an ice bath as suggested by Khan.

    As per Sadiq, the altercation got to the point where the two had to be separated by coaching staff members and other team players. 

    A day earlier, Sadiq spoke more about the incident, saying that Khan had allegedly locked himself in a room and refused to talk to Ali, even after the fast bowler had apologised to him.

    The news of the heated exchange between the two was reported after Khan stepped down from his position as batting coach a few days ago.

  • Shaheen Shah apologises after verbal spat with Sarfaraz Ahmed

    Shaheen Shah apologises after verbal spat with Sarfaraz Ahmed

    Lahore Qalandars’ pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has apologised after his verbal spat with Quetta Gladiators’ skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed during Tuesday’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six clash.

    Taking to Twitter, Shaheen wrote he always had respect for Champions Trophy-winning skipper. “Saifi Bhai is the pride of all of us. He was and will always remain a captain for me. Whatever happened in the game that day was the heat of the moment. I should have stayed quiet in respect of him. I have always respected my seniors and pray and wish the best for Sarfaraz Bhai,” he penned.

    Words were exchanged between Sarfaraz and Shaheen after the pacer hit the Quetta skipper on his helmet with a bouncer, during the first innings. It sparked controversy on media. Cricketers and people criticised the young bowler for disrespecting the senior wicket-keeper batter.

    Senior cricketer Mohammad Hafeez also lauded the pacer for his apology, saying: “Shabash. Stay blessed.”

    Replying to Shaheen on Twitter, Sarfaraz wrote: “It’s all good bro. Whatever happened in the field, it should stay in the field,” adding, “You are the star of Pakistan too. May Allah give you more success in life.”

    “You are little brother to me. All is well,” added Sarfaraz.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the Gladiators got eliminated from the tournament after they were beaten by Multan Sultans with the historic margin of 110 runs.

  • VIDEO: Pakistani cricketers praise Fahad Mustafa’s batting skills

    VIDEO: Pakistani cricketers praise Fahad Mustafa’s batting skills

    Pakistani cricketers including Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq and legendary former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar have praised Fahad Mustafa for his exceptional batting skills after he posted a video of himself playing spectacular drives in nets.

    Champions Trophy-winning captain Sarfaraz invited Fahad to come with them to Abu Dhabi as they prepare for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six remainder.

    “Bhi wah wah Fahad bhai, sath aajaye aap be Abu Dhabi,” wrote Sarfaraz.

    On the other hand, Akhtar jokingly said, “Fahad, you are in the wrong profession.” He continued by saying that he wants Fahad to play for the Pakistan cricket team, however, first, he has to face the world’s fastest pacer in nets.

    Replying to Akhtar, Fahad said: “Na Karen won’t be able to sleep for sometime.”

    Imam also commented on Fahad’s video, saying: “Masha Allah Sadkay.”

  • Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman among ICC ‘Player of the Month’ nominees

    Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman among ICC ‘Player of the Month’ nominees

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced nominees for April’s ICC Player of the Month Awards. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are among the nominated players.

    ICC introduced the award to recognise the best performances from both male and female cricketers across all formats of international cricket.

    In the month of April, Pakistan captain Babar Azam became the number one ranked batsman in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, ending Indian Cricket Team’s captain Virat Kohli’s long reign at the top of the charts.

    Babar’s match-winning 82-ball 94 in the third ODI against South Africa helped him gain 13 rating points to reach a career-best 865 points. He also contributed 122 from 59 balls in Pakistan’s successful chase in the third match of a T20I series against the same opposition.

    His compatriot Fakhar Zaman also produced a stellar showing during the month, scoring two centuries in the ODI series victory over South Africa, including a magnificent 193 in the second match in Johannesburg. 

    Completing the men’s shortlist, Nepal’s Khushal Bhurtel was the leading run-scorer as his team won a tri-series also featuring the Netherlands and Malaysia. His significant contribution with the bat totalled 278 runs, including four half-centuries in five matches.

    Meanwhile, Australia’s Alyssa Healy, her team-mate Megan Schutt and New Zealand’s Leigh Kasperek made it to the Women’s Player of the Month nominees.

    Winners will be announced every second Monday of the month on the ICC’s digital channels. 

    Fans can vote for their favourite players, both male and female on given links by ICC or directly by going to ICC’s website.

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

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

    Former captain of the Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi, while congratulating the Pakistani team on winning the T20I against South Africa, 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 Shoaib Malik back.

    On Friday, Pakistan defeated South Africa by three wickets in the last fixture of the four-match T20I series at the Supersport Park in Centurion and clinched the series 3-1.

    Pakistan, like South Africa, suffered a middle-order collapse as they went from 92-1 to 129-7.

    However, Mohammad Nawaz kept his cool in the end and was aided by some poor bowling by the hosts, allowing the tourists to cap the tour with a 3-1 T20I series win to go with the ODI triumph earlier this month.

    Pakistan will now depart for Zimbabwe on Saturday where they will play three T20Is on April 21, 23 and 25, followed by two Tests, which will be played from April 29 to May 3 and May 7-11.

    Malik went past 10,000 T20 career runs when he scored 74 in a domestic game in Rawalpindi in October 2020. He is the third batsman to have reached the landmark after Kieron Pollard (10,370 runs) and Chris Gayle (13,296 runs).

    The 39-year-old cricketer made his T20 debut in 2005 for Sialkot Stallions and has played 417 T20s in his career, scoring his 10,488 runs at an average of 37.06, with 64 half-centuries. He also has 151 wickets at 27.15, at an economy rate of 7.02.

    In his international career, Malik has played 116 T20Is, scoring 2,335 runs at an average of 31.13, with 8 half-centuries. He has 28 wickets at 23.53, at an economy rate of 7.08.

    Malik became the third batsman to reach 2000 runs in T20 Internationals after Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill. He reached the milestone during his 92nd T20 innings against Zimbabwe in Harare. While Mohammad Hafeez became the second Pakistani player to reach 2000 run-mark, number ninth in total.

    The 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in October and November 2021 in India.