The second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to be played today at 10:30 am in the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
However, Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been experiencing intermittent rain since morning, and the Meteorological Department has predicted cloudy skies till the afternoon of the first day of the match.
Rain water has accumulated on most of the outfield of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and the groundskeepers will soon start working to dry it.
The toss is likely to be delayed due to rain and a wet outfield while the pitch has been completely covered.
In the first match of the two-test series, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 10 wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
President Asif Ali Zardari announced a reward of 10 crore rupees for Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, after he won the gold medal for Pakistan in the Paris Olympics.
The President also awarded the athlete the Hilal-e-Imtiaz. The ceremony was held at the President’s House in Islamabad.
On this occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari said, “Arshad Nadeem made the country proud by setting an Olympic record and also inspired countless young athletes of the country.”
Appreciating Arshad Nadeem’s outstanding success, continuous hard work, and dedication, the President said, “Scholarships should also be given to the children of the players. I would like to contribute 250 million rupees to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Endowment Fund. I hope that Arshad Nadeem will continue to shine the name of the country in the future.”
The President also appreciated the services of coach Salman Iqbal Butt for guiding Arshad to success. Arshad thanked the President for giving him the Hilal-e-Imtiaz Award.
The star Javelin thrower won the gold medal by throwing 92.97 meters in the javelin throw competition of the Paris Olympics 2024, winning Pakistan’s first medal in the event after 32 years.
Shannon Gabriel, who represented West Indies for 12 years, announced his retirement through an Instagram post.
He wrote, “It has been an immense pleasure to play the beloved sport of cricket at the highest level, but as the saying goes, all good things come to an end, so I am also announcing my retirement from international cricket.”
He also thanked the West Indian Cricket Board.
36-year-old Shannon represented West Indies in 59 Tests, 25 ODIs and 2 T20 Internationals.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated Jay Shah (son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah) on becoming the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman.
The post read, “Congratulations, Union Home Minister! Your son has not become a politician but the ICC Chairman—a post much more important than most politicians’ !! Your son has indeed become very, very powerful, and I congratulate you on this most elevated achievement. Kudos!”
In response, people had things to say.
An ‘X’ user wrote, “Start by congratulating your brothers, BOA President Ajit Banerjee and Joint Secretary Babun Banerjee, for their outstanding performance in the Paris Olympics.”
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have planned to modernize the Gaddafi Stadium and change its name before the Champions Trophy 2025.
In October 2022, Karachi’s National Stadium was named the National Bank Stadium under a five-year agreement.
According to Express News, a few sponsors have shown interest after the PCB issued a formal tender for renaming the Stadium. Initial paperwork has been completed, but final approval is yet to be given.
The stadium was named Gaddafi Stadium after the then Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi on March 19 1972, by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
After that, a campaign was launched to change the name of Gaddafi Stadium, which was met with much opposition. These days, construction work is going on day and night to give the Gaddafi Stadium a new look. The PCB chief has set a deadline for December 31.
The Gaddafi Cricket Stadium, along with the National Bank Stadium Karachi and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, will host the Champions Trophy. The mega event is scheduled for February and March 2025.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hired five mentors who have decided to pay 50 lakh rupees per year. Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq will be available for the entire year under a three-year deal and will also act as advisors.
They will be accompanied by a 10-member support staff including head coach, batting coach, bowling coach and fielding coach who will be posted in Lahore, Pindi, Sialkot, Multan and Karachi. Mentors will also provide support to the coaching staff of the Pakistan team.
They will not only work for the teams, but will also be in touch with the board regarding the form and fitness of the players. The mentors have been hired primarily for the Champions Cup which is said to be a ‘game changer tournament’. No further details about the tournament are currently available.
President Asif Ali Zardari will present Hilal-e-Imtiaz to Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem today in a special ceremony at the President’s House. The ceremony of awarding the Halal-e-Imtiaz will be telecast live.
Arshad set a world record by throwing the javelin to 92.97 meters in the javelin throw game of the Paris Olympics 2024 and won the gold medal for Pakistan for the first time in athletics.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Tariq Bugti has revealed that the national hockey team has gone to China using loaned tickets to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy.
He said, “The Congress has approved strict action against parallel federation builders. I will withdraw the charge of the Edhi Hockey Stadium and establish the writ of the federation. IG Sindh is writing a letter to take charge of the stadium.”
Bugti demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif give a special grant to promote hockey and said, “Hockey is not being given the status and respect that this national sport deserves. There is a dire need to focus on the national game now.”
Hockey is Pakistan’s national sport, but inattention and vested interests have seen the game languish. The four-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist team could not even participate in the Paris Olympics 2024.
In the 2nd eliminator of Pakistan Super League 9, Islamabad United defeats Peshawar Zalmi by 5 wickets in National Stadium Karachi.
Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss and decides to bowl first.
Peshawar Zalmi inning
Playing first Peshawar Zalmi scored 185 runs for the loss of five wicket in allotted 20 overs. Peshawar Zalmi openers took very good start putting 72 runs on the board for the first wicket partnership. Saim Ayub scored 73 runs, Captain Babar Azam scored 25, Muhammad Haris 40, Tom Kohler Cadmore 18 and Aamir Jamal remained unbeaten with 17 runs.
From Islamabad United side, Naseem Shah took three wickets while Shadab Khan and Obed McCoy took one wicket each.
Islamabad United inning
Chasing the target of 186 runs, Islamabad took very poor start. Saim Ayub dismissed Alex Hales in the first over and Salman Ali Agha in third over on just 5 runs. Islamabad lost their 5 wickets for 91 runs but Imad Wasim and Haider Ali took the charge scoring 59 and 52 runs respectively.
Islamabad United chase down the target in 19 overs.
From Peshawar Zalmi Saim Ayub took two while Luke Wood, Mehran Mumtaz and Khurram Shehzad took one wicket each.
Islamabad will face Multan Sultans in final on March 18.
Heath Streak heard about reports of his death at his home in Zimbabwe. These rumours quickly spread, leading to global tributes. However, Streak clarified to Sportstar that he’s actually in “good health, recovering from cancer.” He expressed disappointment at the careless spread of such rumours, emphasising his ongoing recovery from cancer.
Earlier, Henry Olonga, a former colleague, wrongly announced Streak’s death on social media. Since Streak lacks a social media account and has been battling colon cancer since May, he couldn’t counter the false news.
Streak mentioned that he is recuperating from cancer, acknowledging some strain due to treatment but overall feeling fine. He clarified that, despite the social media reports, he is very much alive and on the path to recovery.
Later, Olonga retracted his statement and apologised for the earlier post. A renowned figure in Zimbabwe cricket, Streak was banned by the ICC in 2021 for breaching the anti-corruption code in 2018. Streak achieved 216 Test and 239 ODI wickets. Following his international cricket career, he coached various international teams, including Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and IPL teams like the Kolkata Knight Riders and the now-defunct Rajkot franchise.
Streak’s cricketing achievements include being the first Zimbabwe player to secure 100 wickets in Tests and ODIs. He’s the sole cricketer from Zimbabwe to achieve the 100 Test wickets and 1,000 Test runs milestone, as well as amassing 2,000 runs and taking 200 wickets in ODIs.
Streak debuted in Test and ODI formats in 1993 and became the team’s captain during the 1999–2000 season.
