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ARY NEWS

Shahid Hashmi

  • Babar Azam reappointed as Pakistan captain in white ball cricket

    Babar Azam reappointed as Pakistan captain in white ball cricket

    Star batter, Babar Azam, has been reappointed as Pakistan captain in the white ball cricket ahead of the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand on home soil, ARY News reported.

    According to details, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took to X (formerly Twitter) and announced that “following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team.”

    Earlier, ESPN Cricinfo reported that Babar Azam has reportedly asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make him the captain of the national team in all three formats

    The report said that 29-year-old Azam asked the PCB to be appointed captain across all three formats if he is to consider a return.

    Following the conclusion of the ICC World Cup 2023, Babar was removed from the captaincy in all formats with Shaheen taking the realm of the shorter format and Shan Masood becoming Test captain while no skipper for ODIs was announced.

    The decision to replace Shaheen Afridi in shorter format came after Pakistan lost the T20I series against New Zealand 4-1 under his captaincy.

    Related: Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan’s all-format captain

    In red-ball format, Pakistan played just one series under Shah Masood’s captaincy against Australia in December 2023 and lost to Kangaroos by 3-0.

    It is worth mentioning that Babar Azam has so far captained Pakistan in five international tournaments —T20 World Cup 2021 and 2022, Asia Cup 2022 and 2023, and World Cup 2023.

    The men in Green have not won any ICC or Asia Cup titles under his captaincy.

  • Sarfaraz Ahmed being removed as Quetta Gladiators captain for PSL 9?

    Sarfaraz Ahmed being removed as Quetta Gladiators captain for PSL 9?

    Quetta Gladiators could play the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 with a new skipper as reports of wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed getting removed as team captain are making rounds.

    Watch ARY News live on live.arynews.tv 

    It is pertinent to mention that Sarfaraz Ahmed has led Quetta Gladiators since the inception of the cricket league in 2016. The side finished as finalist in the inaugural edition and won the tournament in the following season. 

    They were eliminated in the playoff stage in 2018, before winning their second title in the 2019 edition. Since then, they haven’t moved past the group stages in the past four editions. 

    According to reports, Quetta Gladiators are deliberating on appointing a new captain for PSL 9. The management is expected to announce its decision on Wednesday after a high profile meeting.

    Australia cricket Shane Watson, who serves as the Gladiators coach, has also arrived in Pakistan for the tournament. 

    The PSL 2024 will commence from February 17 at in Lahore. The defending champions Lahore Qalandars will face off against the 2016 and 2018 winners Islamabad United.

    Quetta Gladiators will start their campaign on the following day when they play Peshawar Zalmi at the same venue.

    The tournament will be played in four cities – Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi – with the final of at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on March 18.

    Related – Sarfaraz Ahmed always had plan unlike Babar Azam: Mohammad Amir

  • Mohsin Naqvi elected unopposed as PCB chairman

    Mohsin Naqvi elected unopposed as PCB chairman

    LAHORE: Mohsin Naqvi has been elected unopposed as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman on Tuesday, ARY News reported.

    As per details, the elections were held at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore, where Punjab’s caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi was elected unopposed as the 37th chief of the PCB.

    Naqvi will serve as Pakistan Cricket Board chairman for three years.

    Following the resignation of Zaka Ashraf as PCB chairman, caretaker PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar appointed Shah Khawar as the election commissioner of the Cricket Board.

    Pakistan Cricket Board’s official X account also shared picture of Naqvi after assuming charge of his office.

    “Mr Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi has been elected unanimously and unopposed as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s 37th Chairman today,” the post read.

    In January, after serving for at least seven months as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf stepped down from his position.

    Read more: Moin Khan joins PCB chairmanship race: sources

    Sources told ARY News that Zaka Ashraf submitted his resignation as Chairman Management Committee and Member Board of Governor (BoG).

    In a statement, Ashraf said he was working for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.

    However, expressing disappointment over the working conditions, he said he was unable to work amid such circumstances. “It’s not the prime minister’s prerogative to nominate new chairman,” he added.

  • Zaka Ashraf steps down as PCB Management Committee chairman

    Zaka Ashraf steps down as PCB Management Committee chairman

    LAHORE: Expressing disappointment over the working conditions, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf has stepped down from his post after serving for at least seven months.

    Sources told ARY News that Zaka Ashraf submitted his resignation as Chairman Management Committee and Member Board of Governor (BoG).

    In a statement, Ashraf said he was working for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.

    However, expressing disappointment over the working conditions, he said it was unable to work amid such circumstances. “It’s not prime minister’s prerogative to nominate new chairman,” he added.

    Ashraf-led PCB Management Committee was formed in July 2023 for a four-month period, by caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaarul Haq Kakar, using his prerogative as patron of the PCB.

    Later, the caretaker federal cabinet granted a three-month extension to the Pakistan Cricket Board Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf.

    According to the notification issued by the Inter-Provincial Coordination Ministry after the approval from the cabinet, the powers of the PCB Management Committee have been restricted.

    The notification states that the PCB Management Committee cannot make any high-level appointments, the Management Committee will conduct the election of the Board of Governors and the Chairman.

    The PCB Management Committee would deal with day-to-day affairs and cannot make policy decisions. The notification also stated that the PCB Management Committee would not get an extension beyond three months.

  • ‘Azam Khan should know difference between league and int’l cricket’

    ‘Azam Khan should know difference between league and int’l cricket’

    Pakistan Cricket Team’s newly inducted wicketkeeper Azam Khan has been criticised for his performance in the ongoing five-match Twenty20 International (T20I) bilateral series against hosts New Zealand.

    Watch ARY News live on live.arynews.tv 

    Azam Khan, son of legendary Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Moin Khan, was picked for New Zealand on the back of his impressive performances in the National T20 Cup 2023. However, he wasn’t able to replicate his impressive form in the ongoing series. 

     

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    A post shared by M Azam Khan (@azam77khann)

    The wicketkeeper batter scored 10 in the series opener at Auckland’s Eden Park. He was dismissed for just two in the following game at Hamilton. 

    Celebrated sports journalist Shahid Hashmi analyzed Azam Khan’s performance in the bilateral series. According to him, the wicketkeeper has been unable to differentiate between league and international cricket. 

    According to him, the youngster can score centuries and hit boundaries in the domestic circuit because the bowling quality is not up to the mark there. 

    He added that the wicketkeeper batter is misfiring in the international version of the game as bowling quality is high there. 

    Shahid Hashmi saw Azam Khan getting dropped from the team as he failed to capitalize on the chances.

    Related – Wahab Riaz opens up on picking Azam Khan over Mohammad Haris

  • ‘Babar Azam threw his wicket; no credit to bowler’

    ‘Babar Azam threw his wicket; no credit to bowler’

    Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam is in the news for his performance in the first Test against Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

    Watch ARY News live on live.arynews.tv

    Babar Azam, considered to be many as one of Pakistan’s best batters, amassed just 35 (21 and 14) runs in the fixture. However, his performance disappointed fans and experts.

    Now, senior sports journalist Shahid Hashmi shared his insights about the former captain’s performance. According to him, Babar Azam got dismissed because of his own mistakes in both instances and bowlers should not be given credit for the dismissals.

    Shahid Hashmi said the deliveries on which Babar Azam got dismissed were not good and extraordinary.

    Speaking on captain Shan Masood’s performance, the journalist said that he was expected to perform well as he scored 200 in the practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI.

    He lamented about Shan Masood not performing well against the likes of England, New Zealand and Australia despite him playing Test cricket regularly.

    He said the Pakistan captain has to give a strong message via solid performance.

    Shahid Hashmi also hit out at wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed’s poor display despite him touring Australia for the third time in his illustrious career.

    The journalist shared his views on the team selection for the three-match Test series Australia. According to him, the selectors picked too many batters for the squad.

    He said that the side could have opted for six specialist batters, a wicketkeeper and four to five bowlers for the series.

    Related – Ramiz Raja has an advice for Shan Masood, Babar Azam after Perth Test debacle

  • Usama Mir to replace Shadab Khan for Australia clash

    Usama Mir to replace Shadab Khan for Australia clash

    Pakistan would go head-to-head against Australia in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 fixture at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday and Vice Captain Shadab Khan is in the news regarding his participation in the match.

    Watch ARY News live on live.arynews.tv 

    Shadab Khan is not in the best of form since the Asia Cup 2023. The all-rounder has been criticized for his lacklustre performance by cricketing experts and a large section of social media.

    The 25-year-old is reportedly being dropped from the team due to health concerns.

    Sports journalist Shahid Hashmi shared an inside story about the bowling all-rounder’s inclusion in the playing XI for Friday’s encounter in the ARY News show ‘Har Lamhaa Purjosh’. He reported that all Pakistan players have made a full recovery from a mysterious illness.

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    A post shared by ICC (@icc)

    Pacer Shaheen Afridi and Abdullah Shafique underwent checkups and took part in the practice sessions after receiving clearance.

    However, Mohammad Haris – who was included in the World Cup 2023 squad as a travelling reserve – did not take part in the drills.

    Shahid Hashmi reported that Shadab Khan could be rested from the match owing to his inconsistent performance. He may be swapped with Usama Mir.

    Basit Ali, sharing his insights on the Pakistan-Australia encounter, said Pakistan have no other option but to beat Australia and improve their net run-rate in the tournament.

    Related – ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Mohammad Hafeez has a piece of advice for Shadab Khan

  • Pakistani sports presenter Zainab Abbas leaves India

    Pakistani sports presenter Zainab Abbas leaves India

    ICC World Cup 2023 presenter Zainab Abbas has left India after an Indian lawyer filed a complaint against her over alleged “anti-India” tweets.

    Indian lawyer Vineet Jindal formally lodged a complaint against Zainab Abbas highlighting a series of older tweets that resurfaced on the social media platform ‘X’ formerly known as Twitter. The lawyer in her complaint accused the presenter of issuing “anti-Hindu” and “anti-India” statements.

     

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    A post shared by Zainab Abbas (@zabbasofficial)

    The sports presneter has now confirmed to a number of sources that she has left India and currently is in Dubai and dismissed deportation reports.

    Read more: Zainab Abbas didn’t marry a cricketer for this reason

    It is to be noted that Zainab Abbas was in India as one of the International Cricket Council (ICC) panel as a presenter for the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

    The ICC has not officially commented on the matter as of now.

    Zainab Abbas is one of Pakistan’s most celebrated sports journalists and has covered a number of international cricketing events in the past. Her last big assignment before World Cup 2023 was Asia Cup 2023.

    Prior to departing India, Zainab wrote on Twitter that she is keen to explore India’s culture and is thrilled to be presenting at the showpiece event.

    “There was always intrigue on what lies on the other side, more cultural similarities than differences, rivals on the field but camaraderie off the field, the same language & love for art & a country with a billion people, here to represent, to create content & bring in expertise from the best in the business. Humbled to be presenting in India at the Cricket WC2023 for the @ICC again, a journey away from home of 6 weeks starts now.”

  • Arshad Nadeem wins silver at World Athletics Championship 

    Arshad Nadeem wins silver at World Athletics Championship 

    BUDAPEST: National athlete and Olympian Arshad Nadeem won silver medal in the final of the men’s javelin throw at World Athletics Championship, ARY News reported.

    The 26-year-old athlete finished second while India’s Neeraj Chopra won gold. Arshad Nadeem made his best throw of 87.82m in third round.

    The Pakistani athlete made a record-breaking performance at the South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal. Nadeem won the men’s gold on day 7 with a new event record distance of 86.29 metres.

    It is pertinent to mention here that National athlete and Olympian Arshad Nadeem shone at the final of the Javelin throw despite the injury to claim a historic gold medal for Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games 2022.

    Arshad, who earned the direct qualification to the finals of the Javelin throw, set a new record to claim a historic gold medal for Pakistan.

    The star athlete, coping with an elbow and knee injury, stunned his competitors with a national and Commonwealth Games record throw of 90.18 metres.

    Arshad succeeded to throw at 86.81 in his first attempt in the final, which was his career-best throw and a new national record for Pakistan until his fifth attempt at the event.

    In his third attempt, Arshad bettered his newly-set record as he threw at 88 metres. However, remained unable to carry the same momentum in his fourth as he could only amass 85.70 metres.

    Following his slump, Arshad’s opponent Anderson Peters managed to dethrone the former from the top position in the standings as he threw 88.64 metres.

    Arshad, however, did not hold back and stunned his competitor with an astounding throw of 90.18 metres and yet again bettered his own record to get his hands on the Commonwealth Games gold.

    It is worth noting that Arshad is Pakistan’s first gold medalist in Commonwealth Games athletics since 1962.

  • ACC President Jay Shah unveils Asia Cup schedule before PCB

    ACC President Jay Shah unveils Asia Cup schedule before PCB

    NEW DELHI: Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah on Wednesday unveiled the anticipated Asia Cup schedule, minutes before the schedule and trophy unveiling ceremony called by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), ARY News reported.

    Taking to Twitter, Jay Shah unveiled the schedule of the continental event, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.

    “I am happy to announce the schedule for the highly anticipated Men’s ODI [Asia Cup 2023], a symbol of unity and togetherness binding diverse nations together! Let’s join hands in the celebration of cricketing excellence and cherish the bonds that connect us all,” wrote Shah.

    It is worth mentioning that Shah’s tweet came just around half an hour prior to PCB chair Zaka Ashraf’s press conference to announce the schedule of the tournament, followed by a trophy unveiling ceremony.

    As per the schedule shared by Jay Shah, this year’s Asia Cup will kick off with host Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

    Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture.

    India’s group stage matches including the anticipated clash against Pakistan, scheduled on September 2, will be held in Kandy while the rest of the Super 4s matches, including the final will be played in Colombo.

    The arch-rivals Pakistan and India will come face to face again on September 10 in Colombo if both manage to qualify for the Super 4s.

    Read More: Asia Cup 2023: ACC accepts PCB’s hybrid model

    Like the previous edition, the Asia Cup schedule holds a possibility of treating the cricket fans with a maximum of three Pakistan-India matches in a single tournament if both arch-rivals, in a first, simultaneously qualify for the final.

    The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

    Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

    The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.