Tag: Wahab Riaz

  • Wahab Riaz slammed for calling Dhani’s behavior inappropriate

    Wahab Riaz slammed for calling Dhani’s behavior inappropriate

    Chairman Selection Committee for the national cricket team, Wahab Riaz, is facing criticism for calling fast bowler Shahnawaz Dhani’s behavior inappropriate.

    While speaking on a Geo News on Thursday, Wahab Riaz said, “There were complaints about Shahnawaz Dhani’s behaviour, that he did not want to bowl during net practice and tried to avoid it.’

    The pacer was defended by former Local Government Minister of Sindh and leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Nasir Hussain Shah. “The management should not make such statements about the players. Shahnawaz Dhani is an excellent bowler, he was also the man of the match in the final of the National Cup. Surprisingly, you are calling Shahnawaz Dhani unfit,” the PPP leader said  to Geo Super.

    Social media was also up in arms about Wahab Riaz’s criticism of the beloved bowler. Here is how social media is reacting;

  • ‘PCB should delete the video and apologise,’ Wasim Akram shocked at cricket tribute video ‘minus the great Imran Khan’

    On Pakistan’s Independence Day, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), paying tribute to Pakistan cricket over the years. “Making history isn’t just about one day, it’s about the legends we create and the tales we script…Pakistan Cricket Team – a legacy that echoes through time,” tweeted PCB with the video.

    https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1691091543350771712

    Interestingly, the video did not show former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan except for a short glimpse. You’d probably miss him if you blinked. Sports journalist Faizan Lakhani noticed this “bareek kaam”.

    PCB has come under fire since posting the video.

    Former cricket captain and one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Wasim Akram, slammed PCB in a tweet.

    “After long flights and hours of transit before reaching Sri Lanka, I got the shock of my life when I watched PCB’s short clip on the history of Pakistan cricket minus the great Imran Khan… political differences apart but Imran Khan is an icon of world cricket and developed Pakistan into a strong unit in his time and gave us a pathway… PCB should delete the video and apologise,” tweeted Wasim Akram on X (former Twitter).

    Caretaker Sports Minister and former pacer Wahab Riaz also criticised the PCB in a press conference.

    “We can never forget the ’92 World Cup. We can never forget the captain. We have always idealised him [Khan] and Insha’Allah, I believe the young generation will also idealise their stars,” said Wahab Riaz.

    Imran Khan is considered to be one of the best and most iconic players in Pakistan’s cricket history. Khan played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs for Pakistan. Khan also led Pakistan to its first series victory in England in 1987 and under his captaincy, Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup.

    Former Captain Pakistan Women’s Cricket Urooj Mumtaz Khan took a dig at PCB and posted, “Imran Khan will go down in history as one of the greats of the global game!”

    Here are some other reactions from users on X (former Twitter):

  • Najam Sethi wants Wahab Riaz to take oath as Punjab sports minister after PSL

    Najam Sethi wants Wahab Riaz to take oath as Punjab sports minister after PSL

    Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi has called Punjab caretaker Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi to request him to delay the oath-taking ceremony of left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz as the caretaker Sports Minister of Punjab.

    The chairman was of the view that Riaz needs concentration as he is the only bowler to complete a century of wickets.

    Subsequently, Naqvi accepted Najam’s request, hence Riaz will take oath after the PSL’s eighth edition, which is going to start on February 13.

    Wahab Riaz is the new Punjab sports minister

    Last month, Riaz was named as the sports minister.

    The left-arm bowler has 237 wickets in 156 matches across cricketing formats. It is important to note that the 37-year-old bowler played for his country in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy

  • Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik, Haris celebrate after winning hat-trick in PSL

    Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik, Haris celebrate after winning hat-trick in PSL

    In the 24th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022, Peshawar Zalmi defeated Islamabad United by 10 runs. This was the third consecutive win for Wahab Riaz’s team. In this match, wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Haris of Zalmi also scored a half-century in 18 balls.

    Haris smashed Islamabad’s bowling attack with a knock of 70 off 32 balls. In this exceptional innings, he completed his half-century in 18 balls, which is the joint-third fastest 50 in PSL history. After this, Yasir Khan (35) and Shoaib Malik (38) also made important contributions, taking Peshawar’s score to 200. Peshawar set a decent target of 207 runs for Islamabad to chase.

    Islamabad had a magnificent start by reaching 50 in the fourth over but opener batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz (46 off 19) got hitched by Salman Irshad. Then United wicketkeeper Azam Khan took the lead, who played an innings of 85 runs in 45 balls. But apart from him, no other batsman could do anything special. After holding the innings till the end, Azam Khan became the victim of Wahab Riaz on the first ball of the 19th over.

    From here the match changed and Zalmi’s return was made by Wahab, who took Azam’s wicket. Islamabad’s team scored 196 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 7 wickets and fell 10 runs behind the target. Fast bowler Salman Irshad took three and Riaz took two wickets. Talat and Cutting also got one wicket each.

    In this match, Wahab took his 100th wicket and became the first PSL bowler to reach the milestone.

    Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “Alhamdulilah for our 3rd consecutive win!”

    Praising Haris, he added: “Really happy with our brand of cricket and especially @iamharis63 has made a lot of difference with his batting.”

    He further added that he is looking forward to reach the play offs as well.

    Shoaib Malik also took to Twitter to congratulate Wahab and Haris.

    “Congratulations @PeshawarZalmi, truly a team effort today, great knock by youngster #Haris. Congratulations @WahabViki on your wickets century, keep going strong guys,” he wrote.

    Haris also took to his Twitter and wrote: “Hat-trick of wins for us. Alhamdulilah for another player of the match award.”

    Haris bagged Player of the Match award and its his second award in the three matches he played in PSL 7.

  • Pakistani sportsmen extend support to Kashmiris as Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day

    Pakistani sportsmen extend support to Kashmiris as Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day

    The nation on Saturday observed Kashmir Solidarity Day and expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Pakistani sportsmen, including cricketer Shahid Afridid and boxer Mohammad Waseem extended their support to the people of Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) who are living under atrocities of Indian government and army.

    Taking to Twitter, Shahid Afridi shared poetry and wrote: “On this #KashmirDay, I stand with all my brothers and sisters who continue to fight for their rights and freedom as a Nation. May Allah give us the strength to facilitate our brethren in need.”

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1489887400167985156?t=WKu7bjfWSQHdFfHi5_28mA&s=19

    Similarly, boxer Mohammad Waseem took to Twitter and wrote: “I express all my support and extend sincerest prayers for the courageous people of Kashmir. May they be blessed with their much longed right of freedom and peace ameen.”

    Other Pakistani cricketers also shared their thoughts and extended solidarity with the Kashmiri people on Twitter.

    In a statement on Twitter, Prime Minister Imran Khan slammed the incumbent Indian PM Narendra Modi’s policies in IOJK and paid tributes to the Kashmiri brethren.

    “It is time the world takes notice of India’s grave human rights violations in IIOJK which include crimes against humanity, war crimes & genocidal acts as well as the threat of forced demographic change,” he said in a series of tweets.

  • Wasim Akram, Wahab Riaz, Haider Ali test positive for Covid ahead of PSL 7

    Wasim Akram, Wahab Riaz, Haider Ali test positive for Covid ahead of PSL 7

    Former cricketer and Karachi Kings’ President Wasim Akram and two Peshawar Zalmi’s players — Wahab Riaz and Haider Ali — tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    As per The News, Wasim Akram and the players of the PSL franchise have quarantined themselves after their test for the virus came back positive.

    It is a big blow for Zalmi as its two key players tested positive for the virus days before the start of the mega event.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the total toll of coronavirus positive players for the Zalmis has reached four as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday confirmed the franchise’s Kamran Akmal and Arshad Iqbal had tested positive for Covid-19 and were replaced by players from the reserves pool.

    The replacement, according to the PCB, will be temporary and the replaced players can re-integrate into the squad after completing isolation and receiving negative PCR results.

    On January 21, the PCB had confirmed that three cricketers and five members of the support staff from different franchises had contracted the virus.

    Earlier, 40 staff memebers of the hotel reserved for PSL 7 bio-secure bubble had tested positive for Covid-19.

    The seventh edition of the PSL is scheduled to kickoff at Karachi’s National Stadium from January 27. The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had allowed 25 per cent crowd attendance for the Karachi-leg of the tournament after the surge in cases in the city. NCOC will make a decision closer to the time for the Lahore-leg matches scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium from February 10-27.

  • Wahab Riaz reveals his favourite movie, drama during interaction with fans

    Wahab Riaz reveals his favourite movie, drama during interaction with fans

    The Pakistan National Cricket Team pacer Wahab Riaz has recently interacted with his fans on social media and answered several questions. The speedster revealed many things including his favourite Hindi movie and his favourite Pakistani drama.

    Read More – Peshawar Zalmi to reveal kit for seventh edition of PSL tonight

    One of the fans asked Riaz which Pakistani drama is his favourite? Replying to the social media user, he replied that Meray Paas Tum Ho is his favourite drama. The drama features actors Humayun Saeed, Ayeza Khan and Adnan Siddiqui in lead roles.

    Another fan wanted to know about his favourite movie. Wahab said that it’s 3 Idiots. The movie is a Bollywood hit which features Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani in the lead roles.

    As Wahab Riaz is also leading Peshawar Zalmi in the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), a fan had a question about Wahab’s team, Peshawar. The fan wanted him to explain the team in one word. Replying to the fan, he said that Peshawar Zalmi is like a ‘family’ to him.

    Riaz hilariously replied to a fan who asked which batter does he like bowling the most? To which Wahab replied: “Jera pehli gaind tey out ho Javay. (The one who gets out on the first ball.)”

    Wahab also revealed that wicket-keeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and Test player Azhar Ali are his best friends in the team.

    He also shared his plan to visit the Northern areas of Pakistan, Naran and Kaghan, once the quarantine for PSL ends.

    One of the fans wished him luck to win the trophy of PSL 7 to which Wahab said: “We will give it our best Insha Allah (IA). Looking forward to PSL 7.

    Concluding the interaction, Wahab thanked all his fans, saying that “it was great chatting with you all”.

  • Wasim Akram disappointed with facilities provided by National Cricket Academy

    Wasim Akram disappointed with facilities provided by National Cricket Academy

    Pakistan’s former captain Wasim Akram, talking about the standards of National Cricket Academy (NCA) and its gyms, has said that he is disappointed with the facilities provided to our athletes.

    Akram, while talking to host Fakhr-e-Alam on A sports, said: “I was invited by a club in Australia, it was a football club and I saw their gym and swimming pool inside the ground where they practice. It was out of this world and the gyms in NCA Lahore, which is operational from when I used to play, has just been renovated and only a few dumbbells have been added and that too one-one set each. When you buy dumbbells, you buy two or three sets of each pair because when the team comes to practice, more people can use them instead of waiting for the other guy to finish. So, we still have the old machines installed since 2001 and look at how much we earn from cricket.”

    Pakistan national cricketer Wahab Riaz also said the place was just renovated recently and said that one or two new machines have been installed and agreeing with Akram, he said that since 2001, only one pair of dumbbells are available in the gyms provided to the players.

    The host then asked Wahab if you compare the gym of NCA with any private gym, what kind of difference do they see?

    Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq dived in and said that he would rather gym at his house than doing it there.

    Wasim Akram added: “So many chairmen came but no one thought about this issue.”

    Have a look:

  • Fahad Mustafa sends pillows, mattress to Wahab Riaz

    Fahad Mustafa sends pillows, mattress to Wahab Riaz

    National cricket team player Wahab Riaz has thanked Pakistani actor Fahad Mustafa for sending him a mattress, two pillows and a blanket.

    The cricketer shared a screenshot of his conversation with the actor and extended love to him for the unique gift.

    He wrote: “Thank you @fahadmustafa26 bhai for the mattress, pillow and the blanket. You’re love!!”

    Fahad had asked Riaz if he needs anything. As a response, the cricketer requested the actor to send him mattress, two pillows and blanket in the studio.

    Wahab is currently doing sports transmission on A Sports with cricket greats Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq.

  • VIDEO: Daren Sammy plays tape ball on the streets of Lahore

    VIDEO: Daren Sammy plays tape ball on the streets of Lahore

    Peshawar Zalmi Head Coach Daren Sammy was spotted playing cricket with locals on the roads of Lahore.

    After the abrupt end of the PSL 2021 due to an outbreak of COVID-19, Sammy is also an honorary citizen of Pakistan, opted to stay back in the country and experience it as a tourist. And one of those experiences include playing street cricket.

    In a video posted on Peshawar Zalmi’s official account, the former West Indies player can be seen playing tape-ball cricket.

    “Peshawar Zalmi Head Coach Daren Sammy stops on his way to play cricket with young cricketers in Lahore,” read the caption.

    https://twitter.com/PeshawarZalmi/status/1368943213961240579?s=20

    As soon as the former West Indies captain came out of his car, he was given a rousing welcome by the locals.

    The Zalmi head coach could be seen enjoying the few balls he played and even called for a free hit when he got a ball above the waist.

    Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi also thanked him for his contribution to portray Pakistan as a welcoming and peaceful country.

    “Thank you brother. Pakistan is indebted for your contribution,” wrote Afridi.

    Sharing pictures, Sammy said: “Played some street tape ball cricket earlier in Lahore. Where’s next?”

    Earlier, Afridi hosted a dinner in honour of Sammy and South African cricket great Hashim Amla. Captain of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Wahab Riaz and Kamran Akmal were also present at the feast.