Tag: South Africa

  • VIDEO: Two officers escape firing from robbers

    VIDEO: Two officers escape firing from robbers

    In a horrific video doing the rounds on social media, the dashcam footage shows the intense moment of survival of two private security members who escaped straight gunshots from gang members attempting to loot a cash-in-transit van.

    The event took place in South Africa, and the members of the private security company survived because of the bulletproofing of the van.

    As per details, they were transporting money in a truck in the northern city of Pretoria on April 22 when they were attacked by robbers.

    In the three-minute-long video, a security officer is driving with a colleague and both are wearing bulletproof vests. Suddenly, a round of gunshots was fired and the window on the driver’s side partially shattered from the bullet’s impact.

    The officers remained calmed and composed, and the one on the driving seat carefully manoeuvred the car out from the traffic. When he got the chance, he ramped up the van into the robber’s car.

    Meanwhile, the officer can be heard saying: “They’re going to shoot.” He then instructs his colleague in the passenger seat to pull out his rifle.

    The officers attempt to reach out to their colleagues for help, with the driver saying: “Phone Robbie, phone Josh, ask them where they are.”

    “The suspects fired several shots at the CIT vehicle in an attempt to stop it during a high-speed chase,” police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo confirmed on Friday.

    “The driver of the CIT vehicle managed to evade the robbers for a while but later stopped in wait for the robbers. The robbers fled without taking any money. No arrests have yet been made,” added Naidoo.

    Photos of the scene show the seriously damaged white security van, which appears to have been shot from the side and the front. It is unclear whether there were any deaths or injuries.

  • Fakhar, Faheem, Nawaz hand Pakistan T20I series

    Fakhar, Faheem, Nawaz hand Pakistan T20I series

    While both teams suffered collapses in the fourth and final T20I of the Pakistan-South Africa series, South Africa’s 145 target proved insufficient in the fourth T20I with Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz dragging a stumbling Pakistan to clinch a 3-1 series win.

    Pakistan pulled off back-to-back T20I series wins over South Africa, even though the team did not have their first-choice personnel at their disposal, and capped off their tour with a 3-1 win. Thanks to a strong bowling performance and despite a batting wobble, Pakistan made heavy work of chasing 145, and after coasting on 92 for 1 lost 6 for 37 to put South Africa on the brink of a series-levelling coup. Thanks to Fakhar’s much needed 60 off 34 balls and Nawaz’s sensible conclusion, scoring 25 and hitting a six to end the match.

    Not the highest quality of cricket from either of the team, but all the nerves and all the errors added up and gave us a thriller to end this series. Pakistan has been the better team, as the 3-1 scoreline shows, but still needs to do plenty of work in different departments of the team.

    Nonetheless, the tour has been hugely entertaining, and Pakistan has come out on top in both the ODI and T20I series. A big achievement from them, and some encouraging signs for South Africa as well.

    For his brilliant spell, giving only 17 runs off 4 overs and 3 wickets, Ashraf was named the Player of the Match.

    Babar Azam received Player of the series for his 210 runs, including his maiden T20I century.

    Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Babar said: “We’ve really enjoyed this tour, despite the quarantine and everything. It would be even better if our fans were here, but unfortunately, that was not possible because of COVID-19, but we got a lot of support on social media.”

    “Once the set batsmen got out, a bit of pressure came onto the middle order today. We’ll sit down and talk about it, and give the players confidence so they can make up for the mistakes they’ve made.”

    Read more – Babar Azam dethrones Virat Kohli to become number one ODI batsman

    The captain added: “When we left, we left with the idea that we had to win this series and give 110%, and that’s what we did. Fakhar performed brilliantly in the ODIs, the bowlers were outstanding overall. When players perform like that, results will follow.”

    Talking about his performance, Azam said: “As for my performance, it was all about giving 100%, enjoying my cricket, and doing what the team needs.”

    Meanwhile, notable people also congratulated team Pakistan on securing the feat.

  • South Africa outclass Pakistan in second T20I

    South Africa outclassed Pakistan with six wickets in the second T20I, equalling the four-match series.

    After opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to score 140 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. Babar Azam top-scored with run-a-ball 50, hitting five fours. Mohammad Hafeez contributed 32 off 23, striking six boundaries. The pair knitted 58 runs for the third wicket.

    For South Africa, George Linde and Lizaad Williams picked three wickets apiece. Linde with his left-arm spin accounted for Mohammad Rizwan (naught), Hafeez and Sharjeel Khan (eight off 12, one six).

    The hosts chased down the target in the 14th over for the loss of four wickets. Aiden Markram top-scored with a 30-ball 54, smashing seven fours and three sixes. Wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen returned undefeated on 36 off 21 balls. His innings included four fours and a six.

    For the visitors, Usman Qadir was the most successful bowler with two wickets for 26 runs in three overs.

    In an after-match discussion, Babar said: “Early wickets which we lost cost us the game. We didn’t have partnerships. Credit to the South Africa bowlers. The aggression cost us the game. The players were not complacent. It was a new wicket and they bowled well. I have confidence in my team and we will do well in the next match.”

    The visitors have 48 hours to bounce back for the third match of this series, scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

  • Why is the Pakistan cricket team so dramatic?

    Why is the Pakistan cricket team so dramatic?

    Pakistan may have won the match, beating South Africa with three wickets, but one thing is for sure: we don’t believe in an easy win.

    After such a painfully slow start, a crackling century by Babar Azam and all kinds of twists and turns, Pakistan’s win went right down to the very last ball.

    There were many dull parts of the game but it was the Babar century and the four-for from Nortje that lit the game up after Van Der Dussen gave South Africa something to defend with his maiden international century.

    There were clouds hovering in the chase for Pakistan but with a solid partnership between Babar and Imam ul Haq, it gave Pakistani side a better start despite Fakhar Zaman’s early fall of wicket. Sealing the deal for Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf hit a four to the covers and bagged the first win against Proteas in a three-match series.

    Meanwhile, Azam’s century puts him in a league of his own as the cricketer becomes the fastest batsman in the world to score 13 ODI centuries. It took the Pakistan captain only 76 innings to score 13 tons in the 50-over format.

    South Africa fought back through Nortje’s short balls and could have won it as well, had it not been for a no ball and free hit in the penultimate over. Always trust these two teams to make you bite your nails.

    Ramiz Raja, on commentary, saw the funny side to the happenings and reckoned why his team was so much in demand – they were entertainers through and through.

    Imam too saw the funny side. Speaking after the game, the cricketer said: “You know there’s this pandemic bringing everyone down these days and so we thought we’d entertain people a little.”

    Here are some reactions from experts, fans and notable people after a breathtaking win by Pakistan:

    https://twitter.com/Jadoon_hun/status/1378024435509248000?s=19

    https://twitter.com/oyee_khan/status/1378208940572442625?s=19

  • VIDEO: Younis Khan teaches Babar, squad fishing in South Africa

    VIDEO: Younis Khan teaches Babar, squad fishing in South Africa

    The Pakistan Cricket squad was spotted having a great time in a fun-filled fishing activity at the Centurion’s Irene Country Club in Pretoria, South Africa.

    Pakistan’s batting coach Younis Khan can be seen giving his fishing expertise to skipper Babar Azam and others in a video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    A South African native named Jack Jackie initially provided tips on how to catch fish from the pond which is part of the Pakistan team’s bio-secure bubble.

    On the other hand, Babar revealed that he usually enjoys his time with Younis and has also gone fishing two to three times in the past.

    Younis showed his brilliant fishing skills and caught a big catfish that weighs around 2 to 3 kgs. The team went on to celebrate and praises Khan for his expertise. He later released the fish back into the pond.

    Pakistan team reached South Africa on March 26 and had their first practice session yesterday at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

    Earlier, a 35-members squad, including 22 players and 13 officials had departed for South Africa after testing negative for COVID-19.

    In South Africa, Pakistan will play three ODIs from April 2-7, the matches will be counted in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. After that, the team will play four T20Is against the Proteas from April 10-16.

  • Pakistan Cricket Squad set to depart for South Africa Series after testing negative for COVID-19

    Pakistan Cricket Squad set to depart for South Africa Series after testing negative for COVID-19

    All 35 members of the Pakistan squad named for the Africa tour will depart for South Africa on Friday after the players tested negative for coronavirus, announced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    “All 35 members of the Africa-bound side, including 22 players and 13 officials, have tested negative and, as such, the side will depart for Johannesburg, South Africa, on a chartered flight on Friday morning,” said the PCB in a statement.

    Earlier, one member of the squad tested positive for coronavirus days before the team was supposed to enter the bio-secure bubble set up for the tour.

    “A total of 35 tests were conducted on the South Africa-bound Pakistan men’s national cricket team on Tuesday, 16 March. All squad members have tested negative, except for one player,” said the PCB in a press release.

    The PCB did not identify the player who tested positive. While the social media reports suggested that it was Hassan Ali.

    Following the negative tests, the team entered the bio-secure bubble last week and trained at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    In South Africa, Pakistan will play three ODIs from April 2-7, the matches will be counted in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. After that, the team will play four T20Is against the Proteas from April 10-16.

    After the end of the South Africa tour, the team will then go to Harare, Zimbabwe, where they will play three T20Is and two Tests. The squad will then return to Pakistan on May 12.

    Squads:

    T20I: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Arshad Iqbal, Asif Ali, Danish Aziz, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sharjeel Khan and Usman Qadir.

    ODI: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Danish Aziz, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Qadir.

    Test: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imran Butt, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tabish Khan and Zahid Mahmood.

    Players Support Personnel: Mansoor Rana (Manager), Misbah-ul-Haq (head coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Col (retd) Khalid Mahmood (security manager), Malang Ali (masseur), Raza Kitchlew (Digital and media manager), Dr Riaz Ahmed (team doctor), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Waqar Younis (bowling coach), Yasir Malik (strength & conditioning coach) and Younis Khan (batting coach).

    Cricket South Africa also announced their ODI and T20I squads for the series, here are the details:

    Proteas ODI squad:

    Temba Bavuma (Captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Beuran Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts, Rassie van der Dussen, Junior Dala, Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Mulder, Sisanda Magala, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Lizaad Williams

    Proteas T20 squad:

    Temba Bavuma (Captain), Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Rassie van der Dussen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Pite van Biljon, Migael Pretorius, Lizaad Williams, Wihan Lubbe.

    South Africa tour schedule:

    April 2 – 1st ODI; SuperSport Park, Pretoria

    April 4 – 2nd ODI; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

    April 7 – 3rd ODI; SuperSport Park, Pretoria

    April 10 – 1st T20I; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

    April 12 – 2nd T20I; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

    April 14 – 3rd T20I; SuperSport Park, Pretoria

    April 16 – 4th T20I; SuperSport Park, Pretoria

  • Hafeez returns to Pakistan squad for Zimbabwe, South Africa tours

    Hafeez returns to Pakistan squad for Zimbabwe, South Africa tours

    Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim on Friday announced the Pakistan squad for the upcoming tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe in a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    Pakistan is scheduled to play three one-day internationals and four Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against South Africa from April 2 till April 16. After the South Africa tour, the team will depart for Zimbabwe, where they will play two Tests and three T20Is against the Chevrons.

    In the T20I squad, Mohammad Hafeez and Shadab Khan have returned to the team after being dropped for the matches against South Africa in Pakistan.

    Opener Sharjeel Khan has also returned to the squad, while emerging players Mohamamad Wasim Jr and Arshad Iqbal have been called up following their strong performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Interestingly, Mohamamad Wasim Jr has also been named in the ODI squad.

    On the other hand, Pakistan’s star leg spinner Yasir Shah has been excluded from the Test squad due to an injury.

    Multan Sultans bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, who picked up quite a lot of accolades during PSL 6, has been given his maiden Test call.

    Read more – From Larkana to PSL6: All you need to know about Shahnawaz Dahani

    T20I squad

    Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohamamad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Hasan Ali, Arshad Iqbal, Usman Qadir.

    ODI squad

    Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Haider, Danish Aziz, Saud Shakil, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shadab Khan, Mohammad, Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir.

    Test squad

    Babar Azam, Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Tabish Khan, Hasan Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Nauman Ali, Zahid Mehmood, Sajid Khan.

  • Pakistani climber becomes first Asian to scale Mount Kilimanjaro in 20 hours

    Pakistani climber becomes first Asian to scale Mount Kilimanjaro in 20 hours

    Pakistani mountaineer Asad Ali Memon became the first Pakistani and Asian to summit Mount Kilimanjaro the highest peak (5,895 meters or 19,341 ft) in the continent of Africa within 24 hours.

    Posting a picture on Instagram, the mountaineer wrote, “Alhumdulillah, I became the only Asian & Pakistani to climb [Mount] Kilimanjaro in less than 24 hours,”.

    Memon shared that it took him only 20 hours to summit and return to the gate of Africa’s highest mountain.

    The young climber started his push for the summit from the Umbwe Gate (start point) early Monday morning and went for the most challenging route to the summit, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission in Tanzania.

    “His mission to traverse the summit and return within one day (24 hours) has been achieved well within the time limit despite being a snowy and rainy weather during the day,” the statement said.

    The high commission said: “His solo summit of Uhuru peak will contribute to opening new vistas of collaboration in adventure sports and tourism between Pakistan and Tanzania.”

  • Here’s why you were stuck in traffic in Lahore despite South Africa playing Test in Rawalpindi

    Massive jams in major parts of Lahore on Thursday spelt misery for citizens on the second consecutive day with little or no public knowledge regarding the jams except assumptions that the South African cricket team was in town.

    According to the details of the jam, the city’s arteries, including Jail Road, Canal Bank Road and The Mall, remained blocked for traffic as contingents of police and rangers barred motorists from movement on the said roads.

    As a result, all routes leading to the aforementioned major roads also remained choked with traffic jams in Shadman, Shah Jamal, Gulberg, Mozang, Upper & Lower Mall, Lytton Road, Liberty Chowk, Kalma Chowk and Davis Road among other adjoining areas.

    But what could have been the cause, especially when the South African team is currently playing its second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi?

    Well, a separate Proteas T20 squad arrived in Lahore on Wednesday for three-match series against the Green Shirts.

    Security before the movement of the team was beefed up in the Punjab capital and the guests were shifted to the hotel in the fully escorted motorcade.

    Heinrich Klaasen will lead the South Africa squad in the three fixtures which will be played on February 11, 13, and 14. The first practice session is scheduled for Friday.

    The series will start at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on February 11, and so, the current traffic situation is likely to prevail until February 15, after which the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches could add to motorists’ woes.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat in the second and final Test in Rawalpindi against South Africa on Thursday.

    Pakistan retained the playing XI which won the first Test by seven wickets inside four days at Karachi last week.

  • First day of PAK vs SA ends in distress despite ‘Super Rizwan’

    First day of PAK vs SA ends in distress despite ‘Super Rizwan’

    The Pakistan vs South Africa series kickstarted on Tuesday with a Test match at the National Stadium Karachi. While the day began with cricket aficionados witnessing some great wicketkeeping by ‘Super Rizwan’, it ended with four out after making just 33 runs. SA, on the other hand, had a score of 220-10.

    Muhammad Rizwan’s exceptional wicketkeeping abilities left everyone in awe during the first session of the first test between Pakistan and South Africa. Middle-order batsman Van der Dussen was run out by a quick throw from Babar Azam and excellent work with the gloves from Rizwan.

    With an excellent speed, Rizwan broke the wickets in seconds. The skipper’s throw in the right direction helped Rizwan run out the South African Middle-order batsman at 17 runs.

    This Test series is very important for Pakistan Cricket as the green shirts have faced a humiliating defeat in New Zealand.

    Pakistan’s 11 initially appeared strong with its two debutants, Nauman Ali and Imran Butt, but opener Imran, couldn’t do anything promising with the bat. Earlier in the day, Younis Khan and Yasir Shah had presented both Ali and Butt their first Test cap.

    The visiting team opted for batting after winning the toss. They had a strong start but lost Markram early after which they could not construct a lasting partnership. The highest individual score from a South Africa batsman came from the blade of Dean Elgar, who scored a well-made 58. The visitors could only post a total of 220.

    For Pakistan, with the ball, the spinners rose to the occasion. Yasir Shah was the highlight, with 3 wickets to his name, while debutant Nauman Ali snared two. The pacers had 3 wickets to their names. And then, Pakistan stepped out to bat, in their first innings. It was a horror start with the bat though, as they lost Abid Ali early and saw further collapses, including the skipper at 7.

    In the end, they closed out Day 1, at 33 for 4, and probably have to thank the sun for setting down, rather than any of their batsmen. However, if one exception were to be made, one can say that Azhar Ali is gritting it out there – he is the man the visiting team would hope to snare as they resume play on Day 2.

    Pakistan will need 187 runs to opt for a lead tomorrow with six wickets in hand.