Category: Sports

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Cricket craze is evolving at a rapid pace across the globe and it is a sport that chases highest ideals. International cricket is a game for the elite nations and our nation has proved it by bringing the game back to our country! The confirmation of PAK vs WI Series from Pakistan Cricket Board came as a reprieve for cricket lovers after the abrupt withdrawal of New Zealand team from a white ball series in September when they returned home without playing a match. Since at the mercy of fate, West Indies team is coming to our homeland to play the nation’s favorite game. We as a nation need to play our role in making the game even more valuable by filling the stadiums to back both teams. So what are you waiting for? Book your ticket now from Bookme.pk and show your game spirit to the world. West Indies team will be playing ODIs for the first time in Pakistan after December 2006. Notably, this season the series will feature 3 ODIs (One Day International) and 3 T20 matches in Karachi.

Bookme being the official ticketing partner of PCB, invites you all to support the Green and Carribean team. The T20Is will be happening on 13,14 and 16th of December, and the ODIs will be on 18th, 20th and 22nd of December. So mark your calendars and get yourself ready to roll the stadiums. Log on to www.bookme.pk or download the Bookme App to book your tickets today!

Bookme CEO, Mr Faizan Aslam quote, PCB has shown solidarity with world cricket and has worked really hard to bring the game back to the country. The West Indies vs Pakistan series is another chance for us as a nation to prove our stance to the world. We, at Bookme, will try our best to make it a hassle free experience for cricket lovers to buy tickets online conveniently and escape the queues of the stadium.

 

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan’s right-arm off-break bowler Sajid Khan single-handedly propelled Pakistan into the driving seat of the rain-hit Dhaka Test Wednesday after he finished with figures of 8/42. 

After rain hampered play for a day-and-a-half in Dhaka, the Test match was headed for a certain draw, given Pakistan declared their first innings on Day 4. However, Sajid Khan breathed life back into the game, taking six quick wickets on Day 4 and then two again the next day, to finish with eight wickets. 

Pakistan have enforced a follow-on against Bangladesh and are eyeing a victory against the hosts. Taking eight wickets is no easy feat and by achieving it, Sajid has etched his name in history alongside some of the greatest of the game that Pakistan has ever produced. 

Here’s a brief look at the most number of Test wickets taken in an innings by Pakistani bowlers:

Pakistan’s most prolific leg-spinner, Abdul Qadir, took 9/56 against England in the 1987/88 series. 

In March 1982, now Prime Minister Imran Khan, once Pakistan’s most celebrated cricketer, ran through a Sri Lankan batting order in Lahore to finish up with figures of 8/58. 

In the 2000/2001 England vs Pakistan Test series, former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq bagged figures of 8/164 in the first Test of the series. 

Former right-arm fast bowler Sikander Bakht, now a prominent cricket analyst, took 8/69 against India in the second Test match of the 1979 series, in Delhi. 

Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz ripped through an Australian Test batting line-up in the 1978/79 series when he took 9/86 to hand Pakistan a 71-run victory over the Aussies. 

***********

Lahore (NUT-SPORTS)

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has allowed full capacity crowd at the National Stadium Karachi to enjoy the upcoming matches between Pakistan and West Indies.

The country’s top platform overseeing Covid response increased the number of spectators to 100 per cent on the request of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Citizens aged above 12 years will have to bring their Covid vaccination certificate for entry to the stadium with mask wearing and use of sanitizers made mandatory for all spectators and organisers.

The NCOC called for tickets and invitations to be linked to mandatory Covid vaccination certificate and instructed that foolproof security be ensured at the stadium.

West Indies cricket team will tour Pakistan this month. The tour features three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is) to be played from Dec 13 to 22 at the National Stadium Karachi.

The NCOC will take a decision about the number of spectators to be allowed to watch the Pakistan Super League 7 (PSL) matches in the third weak of December.

 ************

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pak Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi added another feather to his cap Sunday when he became the leading wicket-taker in Test matches this year. Shaheen Afridi currently has 44 Test wickets this year from only eight Test matches, the most by far by any other bowler in 2021.

The lanky left-arm pacer expressed happiness at the decision, saying that he always tries to get Pakistan to win matches through his bowling. He spoke about hunting batters with bowling partner Hasan Ali, who is also in spectacular form these days.

“I enjoy bowling with the new ball. We [Shaheen and Hasan] back each other and try to get wickets while bowling in tandem. Even in the second innings, we kept the pressure from both ends,” he said.

Shaheen Afridi said the Pakistani bowlers will do their utmost to ensure Bangladesh are dismissed for a low score Monday on a pitch that has more to offer to bowlers than batters.

“We hope to take early wickets Monday morning and restrict the hosts to a low total in the second innings on a track where batting is not all that easy,” he said.

He added that the ball has already started turning. “Spinners are getting help from the wicket which is keeping low also.”

***********

(NUT-SPORTS)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Thursday announced the 12-man squad for the first Test match against Bangladesh. The Men in Green will clash with hosts Bangladesh in Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Friday, November 26. 

Here is the squad, led by skipper Babar Azam:

• Babar Azam – Captain
• Mohammad Rizwan – Vice captain (wicketkeeper)
• Abdullah Shafique
• Abid Ali
• Azhar Ali
• Faheem Ashraf
• Fawad Alam
• Hasan Ali
• Imam-ul-Haq
• Nauman Ali
• Sajid Khan
• Shaheen Shah Afridi

• “Our team is impressive and this time around, will make a good impression in the Test Championship,” said skipper Babar Azam during a press conference today. 
• Azam acknowledged that the team had had less time to adjust to Test cricket after months of playing T20 matches. 
• The Pakistani skipper said his team was not taking Bangladesh lightly. “Conditions here are different [than Pakistan is used to] hence we cannot take Bangladesh lightly,” he said. “These conditions are a bit difficult and batters have to stick around on the crease to get settled.”
• Babar Azam said the Men in Green will have to play with focus and patience to do well in the series. 
• The two sides will follow up the first Test match with another on Saturday, December 4 at the Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium Mirpur, Dhaka. 
• Pakistan will be brimming with confidence when they take the field tomorrow against Bangladesh. The visitors completed a 3-0 whitewash over the hosts last week, winning the third and last T20 match of the series in thrilling fashion. 

 ***********

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan have become the team to win the most matches in the ongoing calendar year after they whitewashed Bangladesh in a three-match series in Dhaka — proving that they are performing tremendously.

Mohammad Nawaz struck a boundary off the last ball as Pakistan overcame late drama to beat Bangladesh by five wickets in Monday’s third T20I for a series whitewash.

Pakistan are on top, with 17 wins from 26 matches. They have lost six and tied three matches. South Africa rank second, with 15 wins and eight losses from 23 matches.

New Zealand are third, with 13 wins and 10 losses, from 23 matches. Bangladesh are fourth, while England rank fifth. India are not in the top five — they rank seventh.

Pakistan had performed well in the recently concluded T20 World Cup and were the only Asian team to have made it to the semi-finals. However, a five-wicket defeat from Australia in the semis ended their World Cup campaign in a heartbreak.

Ahead of the series against Bangladesh, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam wanted the Men in Green to keep up the T20 World Cup momentum and play aggressive cricket in the series against the Tigers.

And the Men In Green did not disappoint their skipper in the T20I series. Pakistan will play a series of two Test matches from November 26 to December 4 against Bangladesh.

*********

LAHORE (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik will not play today’s match and will leave the squad to see his son, who is ill, in Dubai.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a statement today (Monday) confirmed that Shoaib Malik will not be available for the third T20I match against Bangladesh. 

Iftikhar Ahmed will most likely replace him in the playing XI. PSL star Shahnawaz Dahani is also expected to make his debut today.

The former Pakistan captain will depart for Dubai at 10:00am local time.

The PCB said that the national Twenty20 squad will leave Dhaka via Dubai tomorrow at 6:30 pm after the conclusion of the T20 series.

Spinners Imad Wasim and Usman Qadir will return home after staying with their families in Dubai for a few days.

The Test squad, which reached Bangladesh on Sunday, will leave Dhaka for Chittagong tomorrow at 3:00pm. The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played in Chittagong from November 26

The PCB added that bowling consultant Vernon Philander will leave the squad after the first Test. He will fly to South Africa on December 1.

The second and final Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played in Dhaka from December 4

 *************

LAHORE (NUT-SPORTS)

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who is well-known across the globe as “Rawalpindi Express” for his running speed, will no longer be able to run.

Taking to Instagram, the former cricketer revealed that his “running days are over” as he is going for a “total knee replacement in Australia Melbourne very soon.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWixN3bMn2w/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=e938b19a-aaef-4d94-8a20-b9152d37179f

Akhtar also uploaded a picture of himself along with the news. Within minutes of uploading, the post started getting responses from fans and followers who prayed for his swift recovery and wished him good luck with the surgery. 

“Those knees did wonders! May Allah grant you a speedy recovery,” one of his fans wrote. 

“Really sad but hope for speedy recovery boss,” another follower chimed in.

“Really sad for you champ and for your TKR surgery,” a third commentator posted, using a crying emoji.

It is worth noting that the pacing legend holds the record for bowling the fastest ball at 161.3 kph and it is next to impossible to bowl at a speed of 219kph.

He is considered one of the fastest bowlers in cricket’s history along with Australia’s Brett Lee. 

***************

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) The franchises of the Lanka Premier League confirmed the make-up of their squads in the Lanka Premier League 2021 ‘Player Draft’ on Tuesday. Each of the five franchises which include Colombo Stars, Dambulla Giants, Galle Gladiators, Jaffna Kings and Kandy Warriors have packed their teams with a host of explosive and international cricket stars.

The Galle Gladiators have acquired Mohammad Hafeez, Isuru Udana, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kusal Mendis, Mohammad Amir, Samit Patel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Anwar Ali, DH Ashan Pulina Tharanga, Nuwan Thushara, Lahiru Madushanka, Dilshan Madushanka, Ashian Daniel, Kevin Koththigoda, Mohammed Shamaaz, Suminda Lakshan and Angelo Jayasinghe.

The Colombo Stars will receive the services of Chris Gayle, Dushmantha Cheemara, Ahmed Shehzad, Dilshan Munaweera, Mohammad Irfan, Al Amin Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Pathum Nissanka Silva, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna, Manpreet Singh, Gihan Rupasinghe, Lahiru Gamage, TM Sampath, Nuwanidu Fernando, Jehan Kieth Zeon Daniel, Malindu Maduranga, Nalin Priyadarshana, Hashan Dumindu Ranasinghe and Kanagarathinam Kabilraj.

Meanwhile, the Dambulla Giants have picked Imran Tahir, Dasun Shanaka, Rilee Rossouw, Chamika Karunaratne, Sohaib Maqsood, Odean Smith, Josh Little, Niroshan Dickwella, Nuwan Pradeep, Ramesh Mendis, Najibullah Zadran, Tharindu Ratnayake, Lahiru Udara Igalagamage, Sacha DeAlwis Seneveratne, Muditha Lakshan, Kalana Perera, Sachitha Jayathilake, Madushan Ravichandrakumar, Janith Liyanage and Chamikara Edirisinghe.

While the Jaffna Kings have picked up Faf du Plessis, Thisara Perera, Wahab Riaz, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Avishka Fernando, Upul Tharanga, Chaturanga de Silva, Jayden Seales, Suranga Lakmal, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Gunasekara, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Theivendiram Dinoshan, Ashan Randika, Rathnaraj Thenuradan and Wijesuriya Arachchige Krishan Sanjula.

The Kandy Warriors have acquired the services of Rovman Powell, Charith Asalanka, Cameron Delport, Lahiru Kumara, Mohammad Mithun, Nazmul Islam Apu, Mehedi Hasan Rana, Angelo Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Milinda Siriwardana, Amjad Khan, Ishan Jayaratne, Binura Udara Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Ayana Siriwardene, Nimesh Vimukthi, Udara Jayasundara, Shashika Dulshan and Kalhara Senarathna.

Jawad Ghulam Rasool, Managing Partner & COO, IPG Group, said “We are proud to see the long list of international cricket stars participating in this season of Lanka Premier League 2021. Selections made by the teams look well balanced and the competition will be fierce. The performance displayed by the Pakistani players during the ICC World Cup has been phenomenal and we are excited to see them showcase the continued power play during the LPL 2021.”

A total of 600 players, consisting of 300 overseas and 300 Sri Lankan players featured in the ‘Player Draft,’ which was organized virtually with the participation of five franchise owners and the SLC officials. The draft consisted of 20 rounds, covering several player categories, such as ‘Local and Overseas Icon Player’, ‘Local and Overseas Diamond Player’, ‘Local and Overseas Gold Player’, and ‘Local and Overseas Classic Player’. And there was also the ‘Local Emerging’ and ‘Supplementary Local’ rounds focusing on selecting Sri Lanka’s young talent.

The Lanka Premier League 2021 is set to be held from 05th December 2021 to 23rd December 2021.