Tag: Wasim Akram

Pakistan’s legendary pacer Wasim Akram provided a much-needed Florida weather update ahead of the crucial ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 between the co-host United States of America (USA) and Ireland.

Akram, who is in Florida to commentate during the aforementioned clash, shared that the chances of rain were low but the outfield was wet.

“Clear skies in Port Lauderdale but outfield is quite wet. Let’s hope for the best,” wrote Wasim as he shared a picture of Central Broward Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida on his social media handles.

For the unversed, the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 clash between the USA and Ireland is crucial for former champions Pakistan.

If the match between the USA and Ireland gets washed out it would mark the end of Pakistan’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 as the two teams would share a point each.

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As a result, the USA will qualify for the Super 8s stage with five points in four matches while Pakistan could attain a maximum of four points if the 2009 champions manage to beat Ireland in their final group-stage fixture, scheduled on June 16.

USA are second in Group A standings with four points in three matches. Whereas, Pakistan are third with two points in as many matches, closely followed by Canada, who boast a similar record but an inferior net run rate.

Meanwhile, inaugural champions India, who are at the summit of Group A standings with six points after three matches, have already booked their spot in the Super 8s.

READ: Pat Cummins denies Australia manipulating England’s World Cup exit

NEW YORK: Legendary pacer Wasim Akram expressed his disappointment over Pakistan’s performance during the blockbuster ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 clash against arch-rivals India on Sunday.

Set to chase 120 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan only managed 113 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

This was Pakistan’s second loss in the tournament as they previously lost to co-hosts United States of America (USA) in the Super Over.

Akram, while speaking to an Indian channel, did not mince his words in criticising the national team’s performance.

“Pakistani players think that if they don’t perform well, the coaches will be sacked, and nothing will happen to them. It is time to keep the coaches and change the entire team,” Akram said.

Wasim Akram also questioned the game awareness of experienced batters Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman.

“Iftikhar Ahmed knows only one shot on the leg side. He has been a part of the team for years but doesn’t know how to bat. I can’t go and tell Fakhar Zaman about the game awareness,” he said.

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“They have been playing cricket for 10 years, and I can’t teach them. Rizwan has no game awareness. He should have known that Bumrah was given the ball to take wickets and that the wise thing would have been to play his deliveries cautiously. But Rizwan went for a big shot and lost his wicket,” he added.

Pakistan had a cautious start to the pursuit as their decorated opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan added 26 runs to the total before the former fell victim to Jasprit Bumrah in the fifth over after scoring 13.

Rizwan then put together an important partnership with Usman Khan as the duo added 31 runs to the total, taking Pakistan’s total to 57 at the halfway mark.

After Usman’s dismissal, Rizwan was involved in yet another crucial partnership for Pakistan when he put together 26 runs for the third wicket with Fakhar Zaman.

However, both batters perished in quick succession as Pakistan slipped to 80/4 in 14.1 overs. The back-to-back dismissal halted the flow of runs for the Green Shirts and the new pair of Imad Wasim and Iftikhar Ahmed found it tough to score freely.

Iftikhar perished on the last delivery of the penultimate over after scoring a nine-ball five while Imad followed on the next delivery, walking back after a scratchy 15 which came off 23 deliveries.

Naseem Shah tried to pull off the impossible for Pakistan with his 10-run cameo but Arshdeep Singh held his nerves under immense pressure to steer India to a hard-fought victory.

Pakistan will play their next match against Canada on June 11.

READ: Sandeep Lamichhane to join Nepal T20 World Cup squad in West Indies

DALLAS: Legendary pacer Wasim Akram termed Pakistan’s performance “pathetic” as they succumbed to a shock loss in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign opener against the United States of America (USA) on Thursday.

Akram, while speaking to an Indian channel, did not mince his words in criticising the national team’s performance before praising the associate nation for playing well in tense situations.

“Pathetic performance. They were playing against the USA. I was confident, that Pakistani supporters were confident that they would win but credit to the USA for the way they played their cricket,” stated Akram.

“The first innings, the second innings when they came out to chase and then of course the Super Over. I mean 19 runs in Super Overs is like getting 36 runs in an over. So well done USA,” he added.

Akram also predicted that the Babar Azam-led Pakistan would struggle to qualify for the Super 8s, given the current situation of Group A.

“Pakistan will struggle from here onwards to qualify for the Super 8s because they have to play India and two other good teams too.”

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Wasim Akram also highlighted the turning point of the match before pointing out the errors, the national team made.

“I think turning point of the game… was the way they got early wickets. They had one little partnership between Shadab and Babar and then nobody looked comfortable. The fielding was average, overall cricket was very average by Pakistan.

“Winning and losing is a part of it, we all know it but till the last ball, show some fight, put some dives. Catches are being dropped, wickets are tough to get. So yeah, it was a bad day for Pakistan I suppose,” Akram concluded.

Former champions Pakistan had a disastrous start to their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign as they endured a shock loss against the USA in the Super Over as they failed to chase down the 19-run target.

Senior pacer Mohammad Amir bowled the Super Over for Pakistan and conceded 18 runs. In response, the Green Shirts only managed 13/1.

READ: Former cricketers lash out at Pakistan after shock loss against USA

Former captains Wasim Akram and Mohammad Hafeez opened up about players’ activities in the dressing during the rain break.

Akram, while responding to a question in the A-Sports show ‘The Pavilion,’ shed light on what players used to do in rain break during his playing days.

“I am not aware of the mindset now but phones are not allowed inside the dressing room and players usually talk during the break,” he said. “In my playing days, we used to play cards or some other games.”

Hafeez, who recently served as the director of Pakistan’s men’s cricket team, reflected on the reasons for not allowing phones in the dressing room and shared what players generally do inside the dressing room during rain break.

“I think it is good [to not allow phones in the dressing room] for the game and also for the players to stay away from the hurdles of Anti-Corruption,” the former all-rounder said.

What do players do in the dressing room while it's raining? Our experts answer.

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“There is a bit of frustration [during rain] because as a player, you always want to have a game. It is tough when the break is longer but if it is short, mostly they talk with each other and have a cup of coffee or tea,” he added.

The discussion was followed by two washed-out matches in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The bottom-ranked Lahore Qalandars was slated to square off against Peshawar Zalmi, while the home team Islamabad United was set to face Quetta Gladiators.

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Former captain Wasim Akram has raised questions over Shadab Khan’s decision to bat at number seven during Islamabad United’s match against Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.

Akram, while speaking during The Pavillion, expressed disappointment over Islamabad United’s captain coming to bat in the lower order despite showing good form in the last match.

Shadab Khan came in to bat at number three during the opening PSL 9 game against Lahore Qalandars and led his team to victory with a blistering half-century.

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However, in yesterday’s match, he came in to bat at number seven and scored a meagre 11 runs from nine balls before his team bundled out at 144.

“When you have a captain who is in form and scored 74 in 41 balls in the previous match, why didn’t he come in to bat at three or four?” Akram questioned.

“He [Shadab] said in the post-match press conference that the wicket was a bit difficult which is why I wanted to send in a proper batter.

"Don't they assess the pitch condition?" #WasimAkram questions #IslamabadUnited's batting strategy.#ASportsHD #ThePavilion #HBLPSL9 #WasimAkram #MohammadHafeez #MisbahUlHaq #AzharAli #FakhareAlam #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/4WacknvnW4

— ASports (@asportstvpk) February 20, 2024

“I hope that was a language barrier because if that’s the case it means that he will come out to bat early when the pitch is easy but send anyone else if that’s not the case.”

For the unversed, Multan Sultans defeated Islamabad United by five wickets courtesy of Reeza Hendricks’s second consecutive half-century.

READ: Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul out of fourth England Test

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has heavily criticized the Pakistan cricket team after an upset loss at the hands of Afghanistan in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.

While talking to ‘The Pavilion,’ Wasim Akram slammed the Greenshirts for their below-par performance in the field, owing to their substandard fitness levels.

“It was embarrassing today, look at the fielding, and the fitness levels. We’ve been screaming for the last 3 weeks that these players haven’t undergone a fitness test in the last two years,” said Wasim Akram.

He further emphasized the significance of being physically fit to perform well in the field.

“Fielding is all about fitness and that’s where we are lacking. Now we have reached that same position, where we will pray for ifs and buts to happen,” he further added.

Legendary pacer @wasimakramlive lashes out at the Pakistan cricket team following their upset defeat against Afghanistan.#ASportsHD #ARYZAP #ThePavilion #CWC23 #ShoaibMalik #MoinKhan #FakhreAlam #MisbahUlHaq #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/RZSaVDSXIS

— ASports (@asportstvpk) October 23, 2023

Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the ICC World Cup 2023 match yesterday.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah scored sensible half-centuries after Noor Ahmad’s 3/49 led Afghanistan to upset Pakistan.

The eight-wicket victory marked Afghanistan’s first over Pakistan in ODIs. The two sides had come face to face on seven occasions in the 50-over format.

Set to chase 283, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a solid start to the team. The pair put together a century-plus stand as both scored half-centuries before Usama Mir dismissed Gurbaz in the 22nd over.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim stood his ground firm and was involved in another anchoring partnership when he added 60 runs for the second wicket with Rahmat Shah before Hasan Ali got rid of him in the 34th over.

He top-scored for Afghanistan with 87 in 113 balls, hitting 10 boundaries.

Shah was then joined by his skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and the duo knitted a sensible 96-run partnership to steer Afghanistan to a historic victory with an over to spare.

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Rahmat Shah scored an unbeaten 77 off 84 deliveries, laced up with five boundaries and two sixes while Shahidi scored 48 not out in 45 balls with the help of four boundaries.

For Pakistan, only Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali could pick up a wicket each while the rest of their bowlers went wicketless against Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, in the first innings Pakistan opening batters Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq justified their captain’s decision to bat first by putting up a 56-run partnership.

Azmatullah Omarzai gave the first breakthrough to Afghanistan by sending Imam-ul-Haq back ending his brief innings of 17 off 22.

Babar Azam then joined Abdullah Shafique and piled up 54 runs for the second wicket, before Noor Ahmad dismissed the latter to claim his first World Cup wicket.

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Shafique scored 56 off 75, knitted with five boundaries and two sixes.

Babar Azam played a cautious 74-run knock from 92 deliveries, with the help of four boundaries and one six, before falling to Noor Ahmad.

Iftikhar Ahmed then joined Shadab Khan at a total of 206 in the 42nd over and attacked Afghanistan bowlers with a blistering innings of 42 off 27, featuring two boundaries and four sixes.

Together they added 73 runs off 45 balls to lift Pakistan’s total to 282, before falling in the final over.

Noor Ahmad returned with figures of 3-49 for Afghanistan, while Naveen-ul-Haq picked two wickets.

The sensational eight-wicket victory ascended Afghanistan to sixth in the ICC World Cup 2023 standings while Pakistan managed to hold on to their fifth position.

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The star-studded commentary panel for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023 has been unveiled, featuring renowned voices from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

The Asia Cup 2023 commentary panel features five from India, four from Pakistan and one each from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja, who returned to commentary after an almost two-year hiatus during Pakistan’s two-match away Test series against Sri Lanka last month, is also named in the panel.

Soon after assuming the charge of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ramiz took a break from the commentary and remained involved in running the affairs of the cricketing body till his ouster in December 2022.

Despite his ouster, Ramiz Raja did not immediately return to the commentary role and missed the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the home series against New Zealand.

Meanwhile, he will be accompanied by legendary Pakistan pacers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis alongside Bazid Khan.

Notably, New Zealand’s Scott Styris was named in the panel as a neutral voice.

Commentary panel for Asia Cup 2023:

Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Manjrekar, Russel Arnold, Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan, Scott Styris, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Athar Ali Khan, Deep Dasgupta, Ramiz Raja, Bazid Khan.

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.

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.

READ: Asia Cup tickets to go on sale from Saturday: PCB

KARACHI: Pakistan great Wasim Akram shared a piece of advice regarding the national cricket team’s participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India, scheduled to commence on October 5.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, while speaking at a private ceremony here, opined that the national side should play their World Cup matches as scheduled on the announced venues.

“Pakistan should play wherever their matches are scheduled. Playing at any venue should not be an issue,” opined Wasim Akram.

He further backed his opinion by citing his experience of touring India as a player and as a commentator.

“I have had a good experience as a commentator and a former player in India. Anyone who travels to India, be it an actor or a sportsperson, gets a good response,” shared Akram.

Wasim Akram then once again expressed his belief in the current team’s ability to foster in the upcoming World Cup and claimed that the Indian conditions would also favour them.

“Pakistan team is talented enough to progress ahead into the tournament. We are also well aware of the playing conditions in India,” Akram stated.

Akram then also lauded Babar Azam’s captaincy skills and also urged cricket fans to let the latter enjoy it.

“There is no problem with Babar Azam’s captaincy. Let him enjoy it,” he said.

Legendary pacer Wasim Akram also spoke highly of Pakistan’s ace speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi and termed him a world-class bowler.

“Shaheen Afridi is still young. The more he plays the more it will benefit him and I think, he is a world-class bowler,” stated Akram.

It is worth mentioning here that the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the anticipated schedule of the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 earlier today.

As per the ICC-released schedule, a total of 10 teams will participate in the mega event – featuring 45 matches – and compete for the prestigious silverware across 10 venues from October 5 to November 19.

Like the previous edition, the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 will also be played in a round-robin format – each team playing nine matches with the rest of the opponents.

The top four teams by the end of the group stage will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled to be held in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16.

Whereas, the final of the tournament will take place on November 19 at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Notably, all three knockout matches of the ICC Men’s World Cup will have a reserve day.

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RIYADH: Former Pakistan captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram met Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation (SACF) chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud here to discuss promoting the sport in the kingdom and to introduce their cricket league.

Saudi Arabia, well-known for their love for Football, shook the world when their national side stunned star footballer Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the group fixture of last year’s FIFA World Cup.

The side, however, failed to make it to the Round of 32 but indicated a promising future ahead for the kingdom in the most popular sport.

The football-crazed Kingdom, however, has turned its attention towards cricket as Saudi Prince Saud Mishal held a meeting with legendary pacer Akram in a bid to promote the sport and also discussed the potential of starting a new cricket league.

Following their meeting, the Saudi Prince also honoured the legendary pacer with a custom jersey.

Taking to Facebook, the legendary pacer shared a picture of him and Saudi Prince Saud Mishal posing with the jersey and thanked the Saudi prince for the gift and expressed his excitement for the upcoming Saudi league.

“What a trip to Riyadh had a great meeting with HH Saudmishal and talked about cricket in Saudi Arabia and so looking forward to starting a Saudi league Insha Allah very soon and thanks for this lovely gift, your highness. Hopefully, see you soon,” wrote Akram.

It is pertinent to mention that Akram, who is the President of the most followed franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Karachi Kings will continue to coach the former champions in the upcoming eighth edition of the marquee league, scheduled to commence on February 13 in Multan.

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KARACHI: Legendary fast bowler and Karachi Kings President, Wasim Akram, has disclosed that his franchise will pick the players in today’s PSL Draft according to their team plans devised for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League. 

The much-awaited players’ Draft for the eighth edition of the PSL will begin shortly as the players and management of all six franchises have gathered in Karachi.

In an exclusive talk with ARY News before the Draft, Karachi Kings President said every team would be trying to pick the best players for their side.

“We will try to pick players according to our plans,” he said.

Wasim, popularly known as Sultan of Swing added that in franchise cricket, the teams kept on switching players and experimenting with new names.

Karachi Kings have already recruited veteran Shoaib Malik and promising Haider Ali with last season’s skipper Babar Azam in a trade with Peshawar Zalmi. Meanwhile, it has retained Imad Wasim, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Amir, Qasim Akram, Aamir Yamin and Mir Hamza.

Furthermore, Karachi Kings President hailed the marquee tournament for reaching new heights of popularity, saying PSL has become a big brand now around the globe.

“This time more prominent names are joining the Pakistan Super League,” he said.