LAHORE: In a meeting with domestic officials, Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) – Ramiz Raja had a detailed discussion to execute an attacking mindset among the players.
Following the less-result-oriented matches in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22, the PCB chairman discussed bringing foreign coaches in domestic cricket.
According to sources, a proposal has been presented to appoint foreign coaches in the domestic circuit. Raja conducted a detailed conversation with board officials on this proposal.
It should be noted here that only four of the 18 matches in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy were result-oriented.
READ: PCB calls important meeting as ‘omicron’ looms over WI tour of Pakistan
LAHORE: Pakistan’s test cricketer Azhar Ali shared his thoughts on being removed from the captaincy multiple times while giving interview in the ARY News’ program Bouncer.
Azhar, who is currently playing for Pakistan in the test format disclosed that the former captain felt really gutted when he was removed from the captaincy and did not feel that to be a right decision.
“I was given the responsibility of the captaincy after the 2015 WC in which Pakistan team did not perform well and we had to rebuild a team. There is no uncertainty that our performance was not good and we were thrashed by most of the teams but that was the rebuilding phase and I think when the team came on the right track I was removed from the captaincy.” Azhar said.
” I am not a yes-man, being a diplomat is good. I feel one should not make noise if the work can be done silently.” he added.
“I think it is unfair to label players for certain things, I was labelled as a test player and was assumed as if I can not make an impact in T20s which I feel was wrong.” Azhar said further.
Azhar also admitted that he and Asad Shafique faced unnecessary criticism after the departure of Misbah and Younis. “Despite my good performance, I was mistreated. Asad Shafiq was unnecessarily criticized and sidelined. He is a good player.”, he concluded.
READ: ‘We have made strong position in the game’ Abid Ali
LAHORE: Pakistan’s former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq believes that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan need to improve batting in the powerplay.
Speaking exclusively in ARY News’ show Bouncer, Inzamam said Babar and Rizwan have achieved several records but they could have done more better according to their strength.
“Babar and Rizwan are no doubt, world-class batsmen, currently. They have achieved so much in the recent past together and leading Pakistan’s batting quite well. But, I think they need to improve their batting in the powerplay and later on till 10th over,” he said.
“If you take an example of our semi-final against Australia, the way Warner batted in first 10 overs, it made a major difference. In modern-day cricket, you have to be aggressive in initial overs especially in the T20 format. The first 10 overs are too crucial for any team to change the game,” he explained.
Babar’s inspiration
Inzamam refused that Babar is continuously in contact with him. “I haven’t contacted Babar throughout this T20 World Cup. I don’t know who is saying that Babar is in contact with me or I contact him, but it is untrue,” he said.
Credit to Saqlain
The former Test cricketer gave full credit to Pakistan’s interim coach Saqlain for the team’s performance in the mega event.
“Saqlain has more coaching experience than Matthew Hayden. He has done a great job with the team and all credit goes to him,” he said.
“Saqlain doesn’t like to come in the limelight to take the credit. It is his way of working and he does it so well,” Inzamam praised.
KARACHI: Experienced cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has withdrawn from upcoming tour of Bangladesh, sources told this correspondent.
According to the sources, the veteran cricketer has told Chief selector Mohammad Wasim to try youngsters on Bangladesh tour.
“Youngsters should be given chance against a team like Bangladesh,” Hafeez told Wasim as per sources.
Sources further shared that Iftikhar Ahmed will replace Hafeez in the national team who will leave for Dhaka from Dubai.
It must be noted here that Pakistan is qualified for T20 World Cup’s semi-finals. They will play against Australia in the second semi-final of the mega event on November 11. Pakistan is the only unbeaten team in the extravaganza.
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared that three members of the national women’s team tested COVID-19 positive in a routine test taken during the ongoing training camp here at National Stadium.
The PCB didn’t mention the name of players in press release but sources told this correspondent that team captain Javeria Khan, Omaima Sohail, and Diana Baig are those three cricketers.
The COVID-19 positive players are sent into quarantine for 10 days, which ends on 6 November. Rest of the squad will remain in isolation till 2 November and undergo tests every alternate day, starting tomorrow, to stem any potential spread of the virus.
Pakistan and West Indies will play three ODIs on 8, 11 and 14 November here at the National Stadium.
KARACHI: U19 coach Ijaz Ahmed forced a cricketer Zeeshan Zameer to play a match during the junior players’ training camp despite having a fracture in his left ankle.
According to the details, Zeeshan’s injury was put at risk by the training camp’s coach Ijaz and the doctor after he played the practice match, as result, his ankle bone got broken which now needs surgery.
Zeeshan is a son of labour who can’t afford surgery expenses, hence the young cricketer is seeking help to get it done for the sake of his future.
Karachi: Experienced Mohammad Sajjad has won the 46th National Snooker Championship by defeating Ahsan Ramzan in the final.
Sajjad claimed a thrilling win after a great contest with Ahsan. The winner was decided in the 13th and final frame. Sajjad won by a 7-6 margin.
It must be noted that Ahsan is the youngest ever to play in the final of the National Snooker Championship. Ahsan, 16, hails from Lahore and has won many championships at the junior level.
KARACHI: Pakistani bodybuilder Irfan Asghar and coach Waleed claimed that Indian judges cheated and took away an opportunity from them to win medals at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship.
Irfan, in his statement to ARY News, said that Indians in the judges’ panel cheated on them. “We were way better than our counterparts but Indian judges cheated to push us out of medals’ race,” Irfan claimed.
“We didn’t expect cheating in such a big competition. I was pushed out of the top five, otherwise, would have won a medal for Pakistan,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, coach Waleed said the tournament’s official told them that Indian judges were cheating against Pakistan. “Officials told us that Indian judges were cheating. Otherwise, Ramiz Ibrahim and Irfan could have won medals for Pakistan,” he shared.
It must be noted here that the Pakistan bodybuilding team reached Karachi on Sunday after winning three Silver and a Gold medal in the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship.
TASHKENT: Pakistan has won one more medal at the ongoing World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship.
Shehzad Qureshi won a silver medal for Pakistan as he finished second in the 80 KG event. Pakistan now has three medals, one gold and two silver.
Shehzad, in his first attempt, bagged a silver medal and is hopeful to win gold next year.
Pakistan’s ambassador Syed Asad Ali Gilani also reached at the event to congratulate Shehzad.
TASHKENT: World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (WBPSF)’s president Datuk Paul Chua feels that Pakistan is safe to host international events.
Speaking to ARY News exclusively here on the sidelines of the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship, Chua said they are ready to give the hosting rights of Asian and South Asian events to Pakistan in near future.
“Pakistan is a safe country to host sporting events and I have personally visited there,” he shared. “Yes, they can host any kind of event and we will talk to give them hosting rights of Asian and South Asian events first,” he added.
The president said he doesn’t want politics to involve in the game, hence Pakistan should ensure visas for the Indian team if they host any international event. “We love this sport and we don’t want politics into it. I am sure Pakistan will ensure visas issuance to team India if they host any international event in near future,” he concluded.