Tag: pitch

  • ICC rates Pindi wicket below average, Babar Azam defends

    The Inter­national Cricket Council (ICC) rated the first Test match between Pakistan and Australia pitch “below average” and penalised it with one demerit point after the match ended in a dull draw earlier this week in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

    In a report, Ranjan Madugalle, the ICC match referee for the Pak-Aus Test series said, “The pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners. In my view, this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball. Therefore, in keeping with the ICC guidelines, I rate this pitch as below average.”

    In response, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed that no Pakistani venue has received a demerit point before. However, it accepts ICC’s decision and has given assurance of the quality of pitches in upcoming matches.

    It is pertinent to mention that demerit points remain active for a rolling five-year period. When a venue gets five demerit points, it is suspended from hosting international cricket matches for one year.

    Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has defended the Rawalpindi pitch. The cricketer said that no matter how a pitch is it is important for players to perform on it.

    However, Australian opener David Warner said that he is hopeful of a result-producing wicket in Karachi Test against Pakistan which is going to be played tomorrow (Saturday).

    After the Rawalpindi draw match, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry criticised PCB for “choosing a dead wicket” in the historic Test Match.

  • Pak vs Aus: Fawad Chaudhry hits out at PCB for ‘choosing a dead wicket’ in historic Test match

    Pak vs Aus: Fawad Chaudhry hits out at PCB for ‘choosing a dead wicket’ in historic Test match

    Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for “choosing a dead wicket” in the historic Test Match between Australia and Pakistan.

    “Test match after 24 years and look at the pitch,” Fawad tweeted. He said that the Pakistani pace attack did not need such dead pitches and hoped that the PCB will “give positive cricket a chance in next matches”.

    Australian leg-spinner and batter Steve Smith described the Rawalpindi wicket as “dead” and “benign”. He said it offered little to the seamers.

    Earlier, The Australian’s chief cricket writer, Peter Lalor, also remarked that the Rawalpindi pitch is “as dry as the local hotels”.

    Team Australia arrived in Pakistan for their first tour since 1998. and will play three Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and a T20I.

    The first Test match played in Rawalpindi between the two sides ended in a draw. The next Test match will begin in Karachi on Saturday (March 12).

  • Shaheen Afridi on controlling his anger during a match

    Shaheen Afridi on controlling his anger during a match

    Pakistan Cricket team frontline pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has recently talked about controlling his anger on the pitch during a match. Fast bowlers are known for their aggression and newly appointed Lahore Qalandars captain shared how he controls his anger after being given a leadership role.

    Talking to the media after a training session for the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) seventh edition, Shaheen said: “I must maintain my composure while working diligently to enhance my performance. If my performance improves, I will then be able to speak to others regarding their performance.”

    The 21-year-old speedster stated that as a captain, he makes sure that the entire team follows suit. “The responsibility increases,” he said, adding that while there is no pressure, the responsibility must still be taken up by the captain.

    “I am receiving a lot of assistance from Muhammad Hafeez. He is a senior member of the team. I ask him and learn what is favourable for me,” said the fast bowler.

    Speaking about the Lahore Qalandars’ pre-camp, Afridi stated that the camp was helpful because it allowed him to gain a better understanding of the players and their personal qualities, as well as to better understand him.

    Meanwhile, Afghan star Rashid Khan while talking to a private news channel, said that he is excited to play under Afridi’s leadership. “I will try to help him control his emotions during the match since he is also a Pathan,” he said.

    Rashid further added: “I will guide him on the field using my experience of leading Afghanistan in the past.”

    Last year in December, the pacer was appointed as the captain of the PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars ahead of the seventh edition of the league.

  • VIDEO: Parachutist lands on pitch during soccer match

    VIDEO: Parachutist lands on pitch during soccer match

    A parachutist landed in the middle of a football pitch during a soccer match in Poland.

    Video doing rounds on social media shows the man lands on the half-way line on the pitch wearing a black and green jumpsuit.

    The players from Olimpia Elbag and PISA Primavera Barczewo stopped the match while the referee amused the crowd by showing the parachutist a yellow card. 

    Read More: Man kills co-worker with slap in face

    A man then rushed onto the pitch and helped the parachutist with the fall. The game continued after the intruder with the help of the staff gathered up his parachute and left the field.