Tag: T20 cricket

  • ‘Babar Badshah is back’: Twitter is in awe of Babar-Rizwan partnership

    ‘Babar Badshah is back’: Twitter is in awe of Babar-Rizwan partnership

    Records tumbled left, right and center as Pakistan on Thursday outclassed England comprehensively to win the second T20 of the series. Pakistani Skipper Babar Azam hit an incredible unbeaten century to storm back into formidable form as Pakistan chased down England’s target of 200 to level the T20 series without losing a single wicket.

    Shaking off his recent poor form, the star batsman managed to score 105 runs off 64 balls, becoming the top player to hit most international centuries as the Pakistan captain. Babar has now also become the first Pakistani to score two centuries in T20 Internationals.

    Pakistan’s opening duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have become the most successful batting partners as they are the first-ever batting pair in T20Is to amass 1,800 runs as batting partners.

    Shortly, after the victory, Twitter was in all praise for the two.

    https://twitter.com/babarazam100/status/1573008544651149312?s=20&t=31THXIcTMBHOS8WK96ACZQ

    https://twitter.com/hamzabutt61/status/1573007395407757313?s=20&t=31THXIcTMBHOS8WK96ACZQ

  • Australia’s squad for ODI, T20 arrives in Lahore

    Australia’s squad for ODI, T20 arrives in Lahore

    Australian team of 14 members for One Day International (ODI) and T20 matches has arrived in Lahore. According to details, the team landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport on a chartered flight.

    Three ODIs and one T20 match are scheduled between Pakistan and Australia which will start by next week. The squad will start training on Sunday for the ODI Series. The ODI series will start from March 29.

    According to the Australian Cricket Board, Aaron Finch will lead the squad, while David Warner, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Starc, and Glenn Maxwell will not be part of the squad for International ODIs and one T20 match.

    Kane Richardson who got injured last week will be replaced by Ben Dwarshuis.

    Australia’s ODI and T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Ben Dwarshuis, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

    Last week, Pakistan also announced its squad for ODIs and one T20 match. Babar Azam will lead the team in both series.

  • Babar Azam is the best player in the world, says Saqlain Mushtaq

    Babar Azam is the best player in the world, says Saqlain Mushtaq

    Head Coach of Pakistan cricket team Saqlain Mushtaq has said that Babar Azam is the best player in the world.

    The head coach of the national team said that when cricket started, it was his dream to play for Pakistan. He wanted to serve Pakistan even after retirement.

    While talking about Australia’s tour to Pakistan, he said that the arrival of the Australian cricket team in Pakistan is welcome, for which he is grateful to Australia and Government of Pakistan. Saqlain said the whole nation is looking forward to this tour.

    Mushtaq said that they will form their own team keeping in view the Australian team, the home series is beneficial for the national side but Australia is the top team at the moment, they are planning for the series.

    In response to a question, the head coach said: “Captain Babar Azam is the best player in the world, he has given very good performances in the past also, Babar Azam plays every format and bowling well.”

    He said that if there are no good spinners now, then there will be in the future. “My thinking about spinners is very positive.” He also added that we will see which pitch will support us.

    Talking about Mohammad Yousuf, he added that he believes in his expertise, he is also working for high performance center. “We have to complete our preparations.”

    The Australian cricket team is scheduled to tour Pakistan in March and April 2022 to play three Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and one Twenty20 International (T20I) match.

  • Rizwan misses ‘fighter’ Shahid Afridi ahead of PSL 7

    Rizwan misses ‘fighter’ Shahid Afridi ahead of PSL 7

    The seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to kick off from January 27 and skipper of PSL franchise Multan Sultans, Mohammad Rizwan, has said that he will miss the “fighter” all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

    The phenomenal all-rounder moved to Quetta Gladiators for the PSL 7, which would be his last tournament.

    Rizwan, while speaking to Cricket Pakistan, said that the global superstar’s absence will always be felt.

    “Last year he also got injured and we missed him dearly then as well,” Rizwan said. “He is a superstar of the country and his absence is always going to be felt. I talk to him time and time again as he makes things easier.”

    The wicket-keeper-batter, who was named the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, also recalled the time that he spent with Afridi on the pitch.

    He said that Shahid is a fighter and he plays with passion and he never gives up. “I remember we were playing a match together and we needed 120-odd runs from 50-odd balls,” he said. “Our entire top-order had collapsed and batting together with him made me realise that he never gives up. When we would meet in the middle, he would tell things we need to do to turn the match around and that, for me, defines him as a person and a player,” he added.

    Sultans will be in action against Karachi Kings in the PSL 2022 opening match, which will be played at the National Stadium Karachi tomorrow (January 27).

  • Pakistan’s Rizwan nominated for ICC T20 cricketer of the year award

    Pakistan’s Rizwan nominated for ICC T20 cricketer of the year award

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced Mohammad Rizwan, Jos Buttler, Wanindu Hasaranga and Mitchell Marsh as the four nominees for the Men’s T20 Cricketer of the Year Award.

    Read More – Rizwan chasing number one Babar, succeeds to register name at third position in T20Is

    The ICC Awards 2021 will recognise the outstanding achievements and feats in cricket over the past year.

    Pakistan’s wicket-keeper-batter Rizwan 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 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.

    Pakistan cricketer Fatima Sana among nominees for ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Year.

    During 2021, the 20-year-old took 20 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 24.90 with one five-wicket haul. She also scored 132 runs at an average of 14.66.

    Apart from Sana, South Africa’s Lizelle Lee, England’s Tammy Beaumont and West Indies’ Hayley Matthews are the other contenders in line to win the award.

    Earlier, Pakistani Twitterati expressed their disappointment with the ICC for not including Shaheen Shah Afridi in Test Player of the Year nominees.

    The winner of the award will be announced on January 23.

  • Babar Azam celebrates Pakistan’s 20th T20I win in a year, clean sweep

    Babar Azam celebrates Pakistan’s 20th T20I win in a year, clean sweep

    Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam took to his social media to celebrate the 20th T20I win of the team in a calendar year. The 27-year-old batter was also happy for winning the three-match T20I series with a clean sweep against West Indies in Karachi on Thursday.

    Taking to Twitter, the skipper wrote: “One more in the collection, Alhumdulillah.”

    He also thanked Windies team for their tour despite difficult times of Covid-19. “Special mention to West Indies team for making this tour possible in difficult times. Our whole nation graciously thank you,” he wrote.

    Babar and Rizwan, after winning the 20th T20I in a year, shared their views about the national side. Babar credited Pakistan team for their successful run in T20Is in 2021. The captain also showered praise on his opening partner.

    Calling him a wonderful human being and speaking about the way Rizwan has improved his game, Babar said: “According to me, I’m privileged to have such a talented cricketer, a wonderful human being, someone who gels everyone together and someone who is looked up to by everyone.”

    “The way Rizwan improved his game, confidence levels and belief in himself is evident for everyone to see in the last one year. I’m happy that he is the leading T20I run-scorer in 2021,” he added.

    He credited the entire team for the success and noted: “The credit goes to the team and the players for their efforts, and believing in themselves. Communication and backing the players has been quite helpful for us. Every player in our dressing room is a match-winner.”

    Mohammad Rizwan finished 2021 as the leading run-scorer in T20Is with 1,326 runs in 29 matches at an average of nearly 74. He also became the first cricketer to score over 2,000 T20 runs (2,036 runs) in a calendar year.

    Rizwan and Babar powered Pakistan to their highest successful chase in T20I cricket as well as beating West Indies by seven wickets in the third T20I in Karachi. Babar contributed 79 off 53 balls, while Rizwan was the aggressor, hitting 87 off just 45 with the help of ten fours and three sixes.

    At the end, Asif Ali hit a flurry of boundaries to level the scores and sealing the deal for the national side, scoring 21* off just 7 balls.

    All-rounder Shadab Khan, pacer Haris Rauf and power hitter Asif also took to their social media to express their joy after winning the series with a clean sweep.

    Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja also lauded both the openers and team for the achievement.

  • Hassan Ali charged for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in first T20I

    Hassan Ali charged for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in first T20I

    Pakistani pacer Hassan Ali has been charged for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first T20I against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday.

    As per details, Hassan was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

    In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Hassan, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 17th over of Bangladesh’s innings, when Hassan gave an inappropriate sendoff to batter Nurul Hasan after dismissing him behind the wicket.

    Meanwhile, in the same match the Bangladesh team has been fined 20 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate in the match as they were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

    Read More – Pakistan seals victory against Bangladesh in first T20I

    Hassan and Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Neeyamur Rashid of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees and ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the Covid-19 interim playing regulations. There was no need for formal hearings.

    On-field umpires Sharfudoulla Ibne Shahid and Masudur Rahman, third umpire Gazi Sohel and fourth official Tanvir Ahmed levelled the charges. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

  • Afghanistan demolishes Scotland at T20 World Cup, wins by 130 runs

    Afghanistan demolishes Scotland at T20 World Cup, wins by 130 runs

    Afghanistan cricket team has opened their World Cup campaign with a bang on Monday, beating Scotland by 130 runs.

    Batting first, the Afghans posted a gigantic total of 190 runs. The chasing team was limited to 60 runs with all wickets gone in just 10.2 overs.

    Mujeeb-ur-Rehman took five wickets and bagged Player of the Match award for his performance with the ball.

    Afghanistan’s next clash is with the Green Shirts. Pakistan will be playing its second match of the T20 world Cup with New Zealand today (Tuesday), while their encounter with the Afghans will be on Friday.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated the Afghanistan team for their “convincing win against Scotland.”

    He also said that despite all trials and tribulations in their country they showed great strength and and determination.

    Meanwhile, the Taliban have congratulated the Afghan cricket team after they defeated Scotland.

    Taking to Twitter, Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid felicitated the team and wished them good luck for the rest of the tournament.

    “Congratulations to all Afghans on the victory of the Afghan team in the ongoing World Twenty20, Mujahid wrote. “Wish them more success in the future.”

  • Babar vs Kohli: Who is the better player? Pak-Ind experts weigh in

    Babar vs Kohli: Who is the better player? Pak-Ind experts weigh in

    As cricket fever reaches its peak, fans around the world are looking forward to the upcoming Pakistan-India blockbuster T20 World Cup match.

    Geo News brought together cricketing legends from both countries for two high-octane exchanges on Saturday.

    Veterans like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Ahmed and Sohail Tanveer where Pakistani panelists and host was Shahzad Iqbal, while Indian side had Sunil Gavaskar, Harbhajan Singh and Madan Lal on the Geo News/Aaj Tak ‘taakra’.

    When the question was asked by Shahzad that who is the better player among both skippers Babar Azam and Virat Kohli in T20 cricket, all the panelists gave their opinions on it.

    Madan Lal said: “Virat is way ahead than Babar as we all have witnessed his performance in all three formats of cricket and it has always been better than Babar.”

    While Sunil said: “Virat has played a lot of cricket so he has a better record but the talenr Babar holds, gives him a better chance to him to get more runs in the future.”

    He also added that Virat used to score 60, 70 runs but after when he scored centuries, he was also counted in great players. Babar has the potential as he is a very good batsman and easily scores 60, 70 runs but then get out after that. When he will score hundreds in Tests and One Days, he will be counted among number one batsmen. He has that potential.

    “Virat Kohli is a great player and I think he is a legend in modern day cricket. Yes Babar need some time to get to that mark but but he has that game and definitely he can become one of cricketing greats of Pakistan like Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Anwar,” said former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh.

    Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said: “Babar Azam and Virat Kohli are both great players, but the way Babar is batting, I think he will break all records.”

    He further added: “Kohli has given a lot of performances for his country, but Babar’s record is better than Kohli’s in terms of the amount of cricket he has played, Babar has yet to reach the heights of his career, Babar’s best game is yet to come. Babar’s hunger for runs makes him better than others. I have never seen such hunger for runs in any other batsman. Virat has a lot of aggression. If I compare the technique, Babar’s technique looks better than Kohli’s.”

    “I agree with Inzi and Sunny (Inzamam and Sunil) that both are great players. Virat’s stats are very strong and Babar is still not there but I’ll agree with Inzi that Babar can be at number one forever,” said Pakistan’s great spinner Mushtaq Ahmed.

    While Tanveer said that it took a long time for Kohli to become what he is and if we take a look at current form and performances of last three-four years of Babar, “He has that guts and he has all the skills to become world number one player and has become the number one.”
    “By the time and experience he will become more confident and his abilities will also come to the fore,” he added.

    It’s pertinent to mention here that the arch-rivals will be facing each other on Sunday 7pm PST at the Dubai International Stadium.

  • Pakistan announces 12-men squad for clash against India

    Pakistan announces 12-men squad for clash against India

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the 12-men squad for the clash between Pakistan and India at the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 on Sunday.

    According to the press release shared by PCB, the players that will be included in the match are: Babar azam (c), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

    Pakistan and India first met in T20 format in the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 in Durban, which India won in Bowl-Out after both the sides ended up on 141 runs each. Since then, the two sides have played each other four more times – including the 2007 edition’s final – in the T20 World Cup.

    After Sunday’s fixture, Pakistan will play New Zealand on Tuesday, Afghanistan on Friday, while their next week’s matches will be against Namibia on November 2 and Scotland on November 7.

    Meanwhile, apart from a mission of beating India for the first time in the ICC T20 World Cup, the other incentive for Pakistan will be their victory will narrow the gap between the two sides to one point with India dropping to 264 points and Pakistan rising to 263 points. A win on Tuesday over New Zealand will potentially put Pakistan in second place on the ICC T20 Team Rankings.

    The match between the two former champions will commence at 7pm PST.