Author: Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri was associated with Pakistan’s largest media network ARY Digital Network as Web Editor Sports. He also played a vital role in reporting Sports News for A Sports.

Pakistan Table Tennis team departs for Islamic Games

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

KARACHI:  National Table Tennis departed for Konya, Turkey on Friday to partake in the forthcoming Islamic Solidarity Games, scheduled to commence on August 9.

The national table tennis contingent, which comprised four players including Hoor Fawad, Haiqa Hassan, Fawad Khawaja, and Taimur Khan, departed for Konya on Friday morning.

Coach Aijaz Ali and manager Yasrab Shah will accompany the participating players throughout the international event, scheduled to take place from August 9 to 18.

In a bid to perform well in the event, national players Hoor and Haiqa remained involved in busy training at the Islamia Club here.

Hoor, 13, while speaking on the sidelines of her training camp with this reporter expressed her goal to do well in the international event and also to claim the gold medal for the country.

“I am well prepared for the Islamic Games as I’ve been practising with Sir Aarif since last month and my ultimate goal is to make my country proud by winning a gold medal,” Hoor stated.

It is pertinent to mention here that the national Table Tennis contingent for the Islamic Games received little to no financial support from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and was forced to seek sponsors for their travelling and accommodation in the host country.

READ: Pakistan squad for Netherlands ODIs reports at NHPC

PAK vs SL: Netizens irked over Fawad’s exclusion from the Playing XI

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

KARACHI: Several cricket fans have expressed their disappointment over the exclusion of left-handed batter Fawad Alam from Pakistan’s recently-announced Playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Fawad, who had been an integral part of the Green Shirts’ red ball team since his historic return to international cricket in 2020 after a gap of almost 11 years, has now been dropped from the national side for the first Test, scheduled to commence on Saturday.

The left-handed batter, who just had one century to his name before his iconic return, smashed four centuries in just 18 innings and strengthened his spot in the team.

The 36-year-old then had a series to forget when Australia toured Pakistan after a gap of 24 years in April this year. The left-handed batter could only manage to score 33 runs in two matches.

As a result of his slump, the left-handed batter has remained unable to earn a spot in the team’s Playing XI as Salman Ali Agha will be making his Test debut tomorrow.

Following this, several cricket fans have taken to Twitter and questioned his exclusion from the Playing XI.

A Sports Journalist questioned the take on backing struggling pacer Hasan Ali while dropping Fawad after failing just against Australia.

“Back Hasan Ali and drop Fawad Alam? Why this facility is not available to every player? Fawad only failed against Australia and got dropped? If there are decisions based on malice, then the destination will be difficult, friendship and make decisions out of malice, brother,” he wrote.

 

On the other hand, a cricket fan expressed his joy over Agha’s Test debut while also lamenting the fact that Fawad did not receive the support he deserved from Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Another cricket fan questioned the wisdom of the choice after mentioning Fawad’s recent performance.

A cricket fan criticized Babar for motivating Virat Kohli, while, on the other hand, benching Fawad after two bad matches.

A number of netizens quoted Babar’s message for the former Indian captain Kohli “This too, shall pass. Stay Strong” while expressing solidarity with Fawad on being dropped from the national side.

READ: Agha to debut as Pakistan unveils Playing XI for first Test against Sri Lanka

Records tumble as England thrash India after historic run chase

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

BIRMINGHAM: Various records tumbled during the rescheduled fifth Test between England and India as the hosts defeated India by seven wickets on the back of an astounding unbeaten partnership between Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.

As England displayed sheer dominance over the Indian bowling attack; chasing their highest ever total in the history of Test cricket. The hosts have registered several records from their incredible victory.

England’s successful 378-run chase against India in the fifth Test is the highest chase by any team against India. Their remarkable run chase is also the second highest on English soil.

 

The hosts, who levelled the four-match series 2-2 after being down 2-1 before the final Test, following an astounding display of aggressiveness also made it to the list of the highest chase in the history of red-ball cricket as they successfully chased down the eighth-highest total.

Under the new leadership of skipper Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, England have also become the first team to pull off 250-plus run chase in four consecutive Tests.

The rescheduled fifth Test also marked the first instance for India to lose a match after securing a hundred-plus lead in the first inning.

READ: Shan Masood wins PCA Player of the Month Award for the second time

Look at the records tumble during Pakistan-West Indies second ODI

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

MULTAN: Pakistan cricket team set numerous records following their victory over the West Indies in the second ODI, here on Friday.

Pakistan’s triumph over the West Indies in the second ODI helped the Green Shirts to maintain their superior record over the latter in ODI cricket as Pakistan have now won 10 consecutive series against the Caribbeans; winning the last ODI series in 1992.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and the left-handed batter – who are in sublime form in the ODIs have marked themselves again into the record’s book as the two batters have joined Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf and eight batters to score six consecutive half-centuries just after the legendary batter Javed Miandad, who scored a record nine fifties.

Babar, who enjoyed a successful Australia tour carried on his wonderful in the home ODI series against the West Indies as the right-handed batter has scored nine consecutive half-centuries across all formats which is the longest streak of fifty-plus scores for any batter in men’s international cricket.

Babar and Imam as a pair too were impressive as the dynamic duo of Pakistan equalled the record of legendary batters Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf for the second-most century-plus partnerships for Pakistan in ODIs with eight stands. The pair of Younis Khan and Yousuf, however, led the way with the nine century-plus partnerships for Pakistan in ODIs.

Pakistan’s hero with the ball against the West Indies in the recently-concluded second ODI Mohammad Nawaz became just the second Pakistan bowler after Mohammad Hafeez to concede less than 20 runs in an ODI after 10 overs. Hafeez conceded 15 runs and took two wickets against Bangladesh in 2011, while Nawaz claimed four wickets for 19 runs.

https://twitter.com/aryzappk/status/1535338564166340609

 

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan defeated West Indies by a massive margin of 120 runs following brilliant half-centuries of Babar and Imam before Nawaz shone with the ball with his career-best bowling figures of 4-19.

READ: Bowlers shine as Pakistan thump Windies to take an unassailable 2-0 lead

Records tumble as Pakistan thump Sri Lanka at the back of Sidra’s ton

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

KARACHI: Various records tumbled during the second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka as the Green Shirts defeated Sri Lanka by 73 runs on the back of a brilliant century of Sidra Ameen.

Pakistan’s in-form batter, Sidra, who shone in the second ODI with a brilliant century knock of 123 runs, registered herself in various records.

With her two centuries in Women’s ODIs, Sidra has become just the second Pakistani batter to score two centuries in the format. The batting all-rounder Javeria Khan was the first to achieve this feat.

Furthermore, Sidra’s 123 in the recently-concluded second ODI, is the second-highest individual score by a Pakistani batter in Women’s ODIs, just behind Javeria Khan’s 133, who scored the highest individual score by a Pakistani batter in 2014. Both the batters scored big against Sri Lanka.

Sidra and her opening partner Muneeba Ali, as a pair too, were splendid as they claimed two records with their astounding 158 runs opening partnership in the second ODI.

With their 158 runs opening partnership, Sidra and Muneeba registered the first century-plus opening stand for Pakistan in Women’s ODIs. Their astonishing partnership is also the second-best overall stand for Pakistan in ODIs. Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar’s 181-run partnership against Ireland in 2013 is the highest overall for the side.

Pakistan captain Bismah, on the other hand, also achieved a milestone in her anchoring knock of 36 as she surpassed Javeria to become the country’s leading run-scorer in women’s ODIs.

It is apropos to mention here that Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 73 runs in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series. Green shirts’ opening batters Sidra and Muneeba shone with a century and a fifty respectively, while the right-arm pacer Fatima Sana wreaked havoc over the Sri Lankan batting lineup with the ball; taking four wickets for a mere 26 runs.

READ: PAKvsWI: PCB keeps affordable ticket prices to attract maximum crowd

Arslan Ash lifts the Combo Breaker 2022 title for Tekken 7

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

ILLINOIS: Pakistan’s renowned gamer Arslan Ash added another feather to his cap as he claimed the Combo Breaker 2022 title for the Tekken 7, here on Monday.

Arslan, who is representing Red Bull and FATE as his Esports team, lifted the Combo Breaker Trophy after a resounding run in the tournament. The gamer outclassed his opponent in the Grand Finale by 3-0.

The three-day video gaming event and tournament series also included a losers’ bracket but, Arslan remained too good throughout the tournament as he excelled through the Top 96, Top 24, and Top-Eight with ease and made sure of not dropping down to the losers’ bracket.

In the winners’ final, the Pakistani gamer locked horns with his Community Effort Orlando (CEO) final rival RB Anakin and thumped the latter again to qualify for the Grand Finale.

The 26-years-old gamer then completely outclassed his Japanese counterpart Gen by 3-0 and added another trophy to his cabinet.

Taking to Twitter, Arslan shared his excitement about winning the Combo Breaker 2022, stating that he is so happy.

 

“I’m just soooo happy, Alhamdulillah for everything,” Arslan wrote on his Twitter.

It is pertinent to mention here that Arslan has already won three major titles so far in his prolific gaming career, having won CEO 2021, Evo Japan 2019, and Evo 2019.

READ: Sergio Perez wins Monaco Grand Prix in a rain-affected race

Mountaineer Naila Kiani gets sponsor for her upcoming K2 expedition

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

KARACHI: In an attempt to become the first Pakistani female mountaineer to summit the world’s second-highest peak – K2, Naila Kiani got a sponsor for her upcoming expedition.

Naila, who has climbed the 13th highest peak, Gasherbrum II (8,035 meters), has acquired a sponsor as BARD Foundation will now bear all the expenses during her upcoming expedition.

Following this, the mountaineer can become the first Pakistani mountaineer to summit the “Savage Mountain” – The K2. Whereas, Pakistan’s Shehroz Kashif is the youngest climber to summit the peak.

Naila shared her excitement for her future voyage while also seeking to encourage other female adventurers.

“I am indebted to my nation, especially the mountain climbing community, for always honouring my humble efforts,” Naila stated.

“This pursuit will act as a beacon for other Pakistani female adventurers and encourage them to explore the mesmerizing beauty of the world’s highest peaks in Pakistan,” she concluded.

Naila was also nominated for the ‘Hamaray Heroes Awards’ – a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initiative to promote and acknowledge local talent during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) – and earned a state-level award in 2021.

READ: ICC announces qualification pathway for 2025 Women’s World Cup

Singer-turned-swimmer Cody Simpson qualifies for World Championship

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

ADELAIDE: The Australian singer-turned-swimmer Cody Simpson continued his astonishing rise in the sport as he secured a spot in Australia’s team for the FINA World Championship and Commonwealth Games in the 100m butterfly event, here on Wednesday.

The 25-years-old former singer finished third in the 100m butterfly to secure a dream call-up to the Dolphins at the Australian Swimming Championships.

Simpson swam and finished exactly at the point required to qualify for the national team (51.96), finishing third behind winner Matthew Temple (51.50) and Kyle Chalmers (51.67).

With Chalmers set to miss the World Championships, Simpson is likely to make it into the side despite finishing third behind the former.

It is apropos to mention here that Simpson was a talented young swimmer in his early life and his coaches had a little doubt that he was good enough to compete at the highest of levels.

The young swimmer, however, got swept in a musical journey from playing the guitar and singing on YouTube to releasing a top 10 Billboard album.

READ: PMLN Leader Rana Mashhood hints Ramiz’s sacking by the government

Brathwaite bags golden duck, car stolen on English Club Cricket debut

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

BIRMINGHAM: The West Indian all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, had a disastrous debut for Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club in the Birmingham & District Premier League.

The 2016 World Cup-winning all-rounder, who made his Birmingham & District Premier League debut on Saturday, had a dreadful afternoon on and off the field in the league’s opening match.

Brathwaite, who last represented West Indies in 2019, returned to action six months after recovering from the injury and went wicketless in four overs and conceding 31 runs.

Later coming out to bat, Brathwaite scooped a long hop into the hands of a fielder on his first ball in English club cricket, as he was out for a golden duck. The all-rounder later revealed he also had his car stolen.

Taking to Twitter, Brathwaite reflected on his bizarre afternoon.

“What a day yesterday – First time bowling in a game after injury for six months. First ball duck from a long hop. Car stolen,” he shared.

“But you know what woke up this morning, Sun is shining and giving thanks,” he added.

It’s worth noting that Brathwaite joined Knowle & Dorridge after signing with the Birmingham Bears in the county T20 competition last year.

READ: Babar, Rizwan get reward of their match-saving knocks in Karachi Test 

Babar Azam completes one year as World No.1 ODI batter

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

KARACHI: Pakistan’s all-format captain and the top batter Babar Azam has completed one year as the top-ranked ODI batter, today on April 14th 2022.

Following his sensational performance in Pakistan’s famous series win against South Africa in April 2021, scoring 228 runs including a century in the first ODI. The right-handed batter surpassed his then Indian counterpart, Virat Kohli by eight rating points; securing his career-best 865 points.

With his surge to the top spot, Babar ended Virat’s 41-month reign as the top ODI batter, who replaced South Africa’s AB de Villiers in October 2017.

Babar has played six ODIs since claiming the top spot in the ODI batting rankings and has scored 453 runs at an astonishing average of 90.3 with the help of three centuries and a half-century.

In an away three-match ODI series against England in 2021, he scored 177 including his highest individual score of 158 in the third ODI.

The 27-year-old enjoyed another successful ODI series as he piled up runs in the recently concluded home series against Australia. He scored 276 runs at an average of 138 including two centuries and a fifty.

It is pertinent to mention here that Babar became just the fourth Pakistan batsman to attain the top ranking after Zaheer Abbas (1983-84), Javed Miandad (1988-89), and Mohammad Yousuf (2003).

READ: ‘He is Don Bradman or Brian Lara of this era’ Rashid Latif on Babar Azam