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LONDON: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and a host of other top-performing T20I players from Pakistan have signed up for the upcoming draft of ‘the Hundred’ – England’s first of its sort league.  A total of 57 players – international as well as local – from Pakistan registered themselves for the draft, which will take place on March 23. Apart from Babar and Shaheen, the list also includes Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Fakhar Zaman, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Diana Baig to name a few. According to the ‘the Hundred’ media release, a total of 881 players from 28 countries will be up for grabs ahead of the third year of the competition. The women’s competition is to stage a draft for the first time. Moreover, 113 players were retained by their respective franchises across the men’s and women’s tournaments, which means The Hundred Draft and the open market process in the women’s competition will fill up a further 135 spots. Among the other standout names ho...

ISLAMABAD: Karachi Kings’ captain Imad Wasim hoped to continue the momentum achieved after the sensational win in the last game and earn a spot in the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League season 8.  Talking to the media on Tuesday ahead of the Kings’ next PSL encounter against Peshawar Zalmi in Rawalpindi tomorrow, skipper Imad claimed that his side was playing a good brand of cricket overall and it was unfortunate that the team lost a few close-margin games. “We are still in the competition,” he said, believing that the tournament would take a sharp turn if the Kings win their remaining four matches. Commenting on his side’s strategy for the upcoming games in the event, he said, “We will try to cover those margins of two or three runs with our fielding.” With the action now being shifted to Rawalpindi and Lahore after the conclusion of the Karachi-Multan leg of the PSL 8 where the Kings enjoyed overwhelming support from the home crowd, the skipper urged the people of the twin...

LAHORE: Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Najam Sethi has decided to consult the federal government before going into the all-important ICC and ACC meetings next month.  The meetings will determine the fate of Pakistan’s hosting of the 2023 Men’s Asia Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. PCB interim head on Tuesday said he would approach the government and take their perspective on the issue before attending the crucial board meetings of the International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council in March. “Their (government’s) perspective is very important as the issues are directly linked to our national security,” said Sethi while talking to the media in Lahore during an exhibition cricket match between SJAL and UK media. However, he remained tight-lipped on how he would present his case in front of the two councils, saying the negotiation strategies cannot be discussed in public and such issues can only be resolved through dialogues. The uncertain...

DUBAI: Pakistan women’s cricket team have qualified for the next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup credit to being the highest-ranked team outside of six direct qualifiers and the host.  International Cricket Council named the eight automatic qualifiers for the next edition of the Women’s T20I megaevent on Tuesday as per the qualification process. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa booked direct qualifications for being the top three teams of Group 1 in the league stage of the recently-concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Similarly, England, India and the West Indies make it from Group 2. Bangladesh qualify as hosts of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup while Pakistan earn qualification by virtue of being the next highest-ranked team in the team rankings as of 27 February 2023. The remaining two spots of the 10-team tournament will be filled through a Global Qualifier to be held in early 2024. The dates and venues of this tournament will be announced later....

ISLAMABAD: English wicket-keeper batter Adam Rossington arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday and joined the Karachi Kings squad as a partial replacement for his compatriot James Vince in the ongoing Pakistan Super League season 8.  Rossington filled the void left by Vince who headed off to join the England team for its upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh on Monday. Taking to Twitter, Karachi Kings announced the arrival of the wicket-keeper batter in the capital city where the team has been staying for its Rawalpindi fixtures. JUST-IN: English wicket-keeper batter Adam Rossington arrives in Islamabad to join the #KingsSquad #YehHaiKarachi | #HBLPSL8 pic.twitter.com/0DxSw66vN2 — Karachi Kings (@KarachiKingsARY) February 27, 2023 Star opener Vince is set to miss at least the next three fixtures of the Kings due to his national duty. He is supposed to join the PSL again following the conclusion of the England tour of Bangladesh on March 14. The right-hander had been a mainst...

WELLINGTON: New Zealand beat England by just one run in the second-Test thriller on Tuesday to draw the series despite having been forced to follow on in Wellington. New Zealand set England a target of 258 runs to win, but the visitors were all out for 256 in dramatic scenes as the two-Test series finished 1-1. Neil Wagner took the decisive wicket of James Anderson as New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell pulled off a diving catch to make history. “Amazing achievement, hats off to everyone, everyone kept fighting.” said Wagner, who finished with 4-62. “That’s the characteristics of this team, they played well, credit where it’s due, but we found a way of contributing.” Blundell was delighted to hang on to the tumbling catch. “Saw it well and luckily it went in clean. Pretty happy,” said the wicketkeeper. It was only the fourth occasion a team has won a Test after being asked to follow on, and the first time for New Zealand. England managed it twice, against Australia in 1894 an...

ISLAMABAD: Karachi Kings’ squad on Monday reached here to play their last four matches before the playoffs during the Rawalpindi-Lahore leg of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8. According to the details, the Kings’ squad checked in at the Islamabad International Airport before reporting at the team hotel here on Monday evening, ahead of their clash with Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi. Following their arrival, captains of both sides will hold pre-match press conferences ahead of their anticipated clash, scheduled on Wednesday. Taking to Twitter, the Kings shared footage of their journey from Karachi to here. 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙙 #YehHaiKarachi | #KingsSquad | #HBLPSL8 pic.twitter.com/GYbxWZxcWt — Karachi Kings (@KarachiKingsARY) February 27, 2023   It is pertinent to mention that the Kings, on the winning track with their dominating 66-run victory over leaders Multan Sultans on Sunday, will be aiming to continue their momentum against Zalmi. The...

Armand Duplantis of Sweden set a new world pole vault record of 6.22 metres at an indoor meeting in France on Saturday, describing it as “almost an out-of-body experience”. Olympic champion Duplantis improved his own record of 6.21m that he set in winning the world title outdoors in Oregon last year. Competing at the All-Star Perche meeting in Clermont-Ferrand, central France organised by 2012 Olympic pole vault champion Renaud Lavillenie, Duplantis cleared the new record at his third attempt to the delight of the 4,000-strong crowd. Duplantis, 23, said: “When you have moments like this, when the energy is so high, and you’re going down there for the record, it feels like levitating, it feels like my body never even touched the ground the whole jump. “There’s something about it that just feels overwhelming right now, and I really think it’s because Renaud means so much to me, he’s meant so much to me since I first started, he’s been my biggest inspirati...

ALMERIA: Barcelona faced a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Almeria in the top Spanish League on Sunday thanks to the winner scored by El-Bilal Toure.  La Liga leaders Barcelona wasted the opportunity to extend their lead to 10 points over arch-rivals and second-placed Real Madrid who finished a tense 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on Saturday. The disappointing result ended the seven-game winning streak of the Catalan Giants in La Liga and came just days after the team was knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday by Manchester United. Almeria capitalized on the home advantage and proved their dominance n the first half with a goal in the 24th minute when Luis Suarez sent a superb long pass to Toure who was ghosting behind the opponents’ defence. The Malian forward rushed towards the area and hit a tremendous strike in off the crossbar. It was only the eighth goal Barcelona conceded in the current season. Barcelona made five substitutions in the second but failed to find...

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ opener James Vince took a leave from the ongoing Pakistan Super League season 8, on Monday, to fulfil his national duty.  Vince signed out of the PSL to join the England team for the upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh which will take place from March 1 to 14. Taking to Twitter, Karachi Kings bid farewell to its star batter on his departure from Pakistan. “Wishing good luck to @vincey14 as he heads off to join the England team for their international assignment. You’ll be missed on the pitch but we know you’ll do us proud. All the best Vincey” it said. Wishing good luck to @vincey14 as he heads off to join the England team for their international assignment. You'll be missed on the pitch but we know you'll do us proud. All the best Vincey #YehHaiKarachi | #KingsSquad | #HBLPSL8 pic.twitter.com/Dd59LhM5ru — Karachi Kings (@KarachiKingsARY) February 27, 2023 It is pertinent to mention here that Vince has been a mainstay of the Karachi Ki...

KARACHI: Karachi Kings’ captain Imad Wasim told Sharjeel Khan and Haider Ali, who were left out of the team during Sunday’s clash against Multan Sultans, not to lose hope and remain prepared for the opportunity that may come at any time in the Pakistan Super League season 8 remainder. Karachi Kings sealed a sensational 66-run win against Sultans in their final home game yesterday to avenge their earlier loss to the side on the latter’s home soil. Following their sensational win, skipper Imad delivered a dressing room speech in which he congratulated his team for the amazing victory, and also lifted the confidence of the dispirited players in the squad. “Please do not give up” he requested Haider and Sharjeel. “The team might need you at any moment so keep practising,” he added. He also thanked young pacer Mohammad Musa for his efforts in the game despite not bowling a single over on a spin-friendly surface. “I still believe this is a champion side,” said the skipper in his post-ma...

LAHORE: Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique struck blistering half-centuries to power Lahore Qalandars to post the third-highest Pakistan Super League (PSL) total against Peshawar Zalmi in the 15th match of the ongoing eighth edition. Opting to bat first, the Qalandars piled a mammoth 241/3 in their quota of 20 overs at the back of scintillating knocks by Fakhar and Abdullah. Earlier, the home side had a scratchy start as Wahab Riaz castled young opener Tahir Baig (5) to draw the first breakthrough for the Zalmi. Following an early setback, Fakhar and Abdullah settled things down as they took the Qalandars to 36/1 in the powerplay before launching a ruthless counterattack on the Zalmi bowlers. The duo turned things around for the home side with belligerent hitting with Abdullah leading the charge of the stand. The right-handed batter smashed five boundaries and as many sixes amid his magnificent knock before Wahab struck again in the 13th over for Zalmi. Abdullah scored a quickfire...

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Sunday provided a much-anticipated update regarding the future of the Lahore and Rawalpindi leg of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) eight. Taking to Twitter, Sethi revealed that the caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi has agreed to share the cost of lighting routes during PSL 8 matches here. “Good news: CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi Saheb has been kind enough to agree to share cost of lighting routes during PSL matches in Lahore,” wrote Sethi. “HBL PSL8 matches in Lahore and Pindi shall continue as scheduled,” he added. Good news: CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi Saheb has been kind enough to agree to share cost of lighting routes during PSL matches in Lahore. HBl PSL8 matches in Lahore and Pindi shall continue as scheduled. — Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) February 26, 2023   A deadlock emerged between the PCB and the caretaker Punjab government over the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season ...

LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars have won the toss and elected to bat first against Peshawar Zalmi in the 15th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight on the double-header Sunday. PLAYING XIs Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Sam Billings (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Rashid Khan, David Wiese, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jimmy Neesham, Wahab Riaz, Saad Masood, Arshad Iqbal, Salman Irshad HEAD TO HEAD Matches 15, Peshawar Zalmi 9, Lahore Qalandars 6 The post PSL 8: Lahore Qalandars win toss, opt to bat first against Peshawar Zalmi appeared first on ASports.tv . from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/vOweNx0

MADRID: Alvaro Rodriguez rescued Real Madrid from embarrassment at home with a late equalizer yet 10-man Atletico Madrid handed a severe blow to the defending champions’ La Liga title hopes after a tense 1-1 draw on Saturday. The shared points between the two Madrid clubs after the derby give Barcelona a chance to extend their lead to 10 points over Real Madrid when they face Almeria on Sunday. Currently, the holders are second on the table with 52 points, seven behind leaders Barcelona. Atletico sit on fourth with 42 points. Real Madrid dominated the opponent at the start on a freezing afternoon and light snow but the home team remained unable to convert their on-paper superiority into scoring opportunities. Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio unleashed the attack up front but could not find a way to break the deadlock as Atletico held the fort with a five-man defence. Atletico opened the scoring when defender Jose Maria Gimenez netted a header from an Antoine Gr...

KARACHI: Tayyab Tahir smashed an impressive fifty on his debut to help Karachi Kings set a respectable 168-run target against Multan Sultans in the 14th match of the Pakistan Super League on Sunday.  More to follow… The post Tahir shines on debut as Karachi Kings set Sultans to chase 168 appeared first on ASports.tv . from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/o2jwfED

KARACHI: Multan Sultans won the toss and elected to bowl first against Karachi Kings in the 14th match of the Pakistan Super League season 8. Playing XIs:  Karachi Kings: James Vince, Tayyab Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim (c), Matthew Wade, Ben Cutting, Irfanullah Niazi, Aamer Yamin, Akif Javed, Musa Khan, Tabraiz Shamsi. Multan Sultans: Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan (c), Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Khushdil Shah, Carlos Braithwaite, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Ihsanullah, Akeal Hossein, Anwar Ali The post Multan Sultans win toss, elect to bowl first against Karachi Kings appeared first on ASports.tv . from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/6H4snXY

PARIS: Just like in the World Cup final, Paris Saint-Germain teammates Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe go up against one another for The Best FIFA Men’s Player prize for 2022 on Monday, with Ballon d’Or Karim Benzema the other contender. The ceremony takes place in Paris, and Messi appears as the favourite to add another individual gong to his collection after leading Argentina to glory over Mbappe’s France in that epic encounter in Qatar. Messi has won the Ballon d’Or seven times and claimed the FIFA award -– inaugurated in 2016 following FIFA’s split with Ballon d’Or organisers France Football –- once in 2019. In the last two years Messi has made the podium as Robert Lewandowski has won the title, but the 35-year-old’s career-crowning World Cup triumph was the defining moment of 2022. The winner is decided by a jury comprised of the coach and captain of every men’s national team and one journalist from each country, but fans can also vote. Mbappe became the first player to score ...

LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Afridi has revealed his plans to get the crucial wicket of Babar Azam in his side’s first home game in the Pakistan Super League season 8 against Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday.  Pace spearhead Shaheen said he would bowl his signature yorker deliveries to the  Peshawar Zalmi captain and try to get an early breakthrough for the side in his face-off against Babar. “Babar is a world-class player and he is everyone’s favourite. I mentioned this earlier as well, I enjoy bowling him in the nets,” he said in a scheduled press conference in Lahore on Saturday. “Babar and Rizwan are the players whom I enjoy bowling to, but it’s a challenge too. It’s not easy. Even coaches are giving an example of Babar’s cover drive while teaching. Of course, we will plan for him and do well” he said When asked if he had his yorkers loaded for the Peshawar Zalmi captain, Shaheen replied in affirmation and said: “As a player and a captain, I will try to give my te...

RIO DE JANEIRO: World number two Carlos Alcaraz clawed back a break in both sets and dominated the tiebreaker to beat Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) on Friday in the ATP Rio Open quarterfinals. The 19-year-old Spaniard notched his third win in three matches against 32-year-old Lajovic, including a quarterfinal win over the 80th-ranked Serbian in the quarterfinals at the Argentina Open last week. Alcaraz went on to win that title to cement his return from a four-month injury layoff that saw him miss the Australian Open. In the semifinals on Saturday, Alcaraz will face Chilean Qualifier Nicolas Jarry, who toppled sixth-seeded Sebastian Baez of Argentina 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). Alcaraz is seeking to defend the title that made him the youngest-ever winner of an ATP 500 tournament last year. Second-seeded Briton Cameron Norrie booked his semifinal berth with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Bolivian Hugo Dellian. Norrie, trying to reach his third final of the year, will face Spain’s B...

KARACHI: Islamabad United’s Azam Khan coined his father Moin Khan an inspiration for backing him despite all the odds following his match-winning knock against Quetta Gladiators in the 13th fixture of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight. Azam stole the limelight with his astounding 97-run knock that fired the United to post a mammoth 220/6 against his former PSL franchise Gladiators. The right-handed batter baton charged the Gladiators’ bowlers as he smashed them all over the park amid his magnificent knock that featured eight boundaries and nine gigantic sixes. The young wicketkeeper batter has often been at the receiving end of criticism for his poor fitness despite his power-hitting abilities. Meanwhile, following his match-winning knock, Azam praised his father Moin, the head coach of the Gladiators for backing him despite all the odds and making him mentally strong to face the criticism. “When I met him [Moin] after the match, he praised my innings and asked me to co...

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators’ bowling coach Umar Gul has expressed hope for his team’s comeback in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight. The Gladiators, who succumbed to their fourth defeat of the ongoing season following a crushing 63-run defeat against Islamabad United on Friday have sunk to the bottom of the points table with only two points in five matches. The 2019 champions now need to win all their remaining five matches to make a case for themselves to make it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, amid his side’s dismal campaign in the ongoing PSL 8, bowling coach Gul is still optimistic about his side’s comeback. “We are too disappointed with this performance,” said Gul in the post-match press conference at National Bank Cricket Arena. “I think we are still very much in the tournament. We still have a complete chance to make a comeback from here,” he added. “We have told players that still five matches are left. If we play according to our strength, we will be in the...

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Friday named a 17-member squad, including two rookie players, for a two-match Test tour of New Zealand after more than four years. Dimuth Karunaratne’s team will feature Nishan Madushka, 23, and Milan Rathnayake, 26, making their national Test squad debuts, Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement. The team will leave for New Zealand on Monday. Sri Lanka’s last Test tour of New Zealand was in December 2018, when the hosts won the second game by 423 runs and the first match was a draw. New Zealand visited Sri Lanka for two Tests in August 2019 with both teams winning one each. Sri Lanka Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt),  Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Nishan Madushka, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando and Milan Rathnayake. READ: Openers, Khaka power South Africa into Women’s T20 ...

KARACHI: Wicketkeeper batter Azam Khan wreaked havoc over Quetta Gladiators’ bowling attack as he fired Islamabad United to a mammoth 220/6 with a quickfire 97-run knock in the 13th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight. Opting to bat first, the United posted a massive 220/6 at the back of an astounding 97-run knock by Azam despite a dismal start. Earlier, the United got off to an unlikely start as the side was four down for 71 runs inside 10 overs before Azam turned things around with his belligerent hitting. With the side at 77/4 in the first 10 overs, Azam stitched a match-defining partnership with Asif Ali and launched a counterattack on the Gladiators’ bowlers. The pair added brisk 98 runs in just 45 deliveries with Azam being the core aggressor of the game-changing spell. Naseem then finally managed to break the partnership in the 18th over when he dismissed Asif, who scored 42 off just 24 deliveries with the help of a boundary and four sixes. Asif’s dismiss...

KARACHI: Islamabad United have won the toss and elected to bat first against Quetta Gladiators in the 13th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight. PLAYING XIs Quetta Gladiators: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Jason Roy, Will Smeed, Martin Guptill, Iftikhar Ahmed, Odean Smith, Muhammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Aimal Khan, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain Islamabad United: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan, Asif Ali, Mubasir Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Fazalhaq Farooqi HEAD TO HEAD Matches 15, Quetta Gladiators 8, Islamabad United 7 The post PSL 8: United win toss, elect to bat first against Gladiators appeared first on ASports.tv . from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/F3KV1BG

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators’ players paid a visit to the young cancer patients here ahead of their Pakistan Super League (PSL) fixture against Islamabad United on Friday. According to the details, Gladiators’ captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, alongside Mohammad Hafeez, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah met the young patients and extended their support for the children. The young patients were over the moon by meeting their favourite stars. The Gladiators took pictures with the children and gave their autographs. Furthermore, the players also gave the children their signed bats and Gladiators’ jerseys. Earlier, PSL 8 observed childhood cancer awareness day on February 16. The day was observed when 2020 PSL champions Karachi Kings played Islamabad United in the fourth match of PSL 8 at National Bank Cricket Arena here. Players from both sides donned golden caps and ribbons to promote awareness of the disease. It is pertinent to mention that the Gladiators will lock horns with Is...

SYDNEY: Australia skipper Pat Cummins will not be part of the third Test of the series against India in Indore as he decided to stay home due to a family emergency.  The fast bowler returned to Australia just hours after the second Test in Delhi to be with his mother who is in critical health condition. He was supposed to come back and join the team in Indore before the third Test, scheduled from March 1 to 5. Cricket Australia has now confirmed that Cummins will remain in the country, citing his mother’s illness and palliative care as a reason. “I have decided against returning to India at this time as my mother is ill and in palliative care. I feel I am best being here with my family,” Cummins said in a CA statement on Friday. “I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from Cricket Australia and my team-mates. Thanks for your understanding.” In the absence of Cummins, vice-captain Steve Smith will lead the side in Indore with visitors trailing 2-0 in the series a...

WELLINGTON: Red-hot Harry Brook made a majestic 184 not out to put England firmly in control against New Zealand in Wellington on Friday in the second Test. Joe Root was unbeaten on a classy 101 as the tourists rampaged their way to 315-3 before rain ended the opening day of the series decider early. Brook’s breathtaking display at the Basin Reserve made him the first player to score 800 or more runs in his first nine Test innings. The 24-year-old came to the crease with England wobbling at 21-3 inside the first seven overs. The hosts won the toss and elected to bowl on a green wicket. That decision paid instant reward as New Zealand quickly dismissed England’s top order of Zak Crawley (two), Ben Duckett (nine) and Ollie Pope (10). Matt Henry and skipper Tim Southee did the early damage for the hosts under expectedly blue skies. Henry, back after missing the first Test with the birth of his child, forced Crawley into being caught behind as the opener’s sticky run continued. All...

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam commented on his defensive approach in the death overs amid his side’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) fixture against Islamabad United, stating that his side kept losing wickets. Zalmi’s skipper Babar, who amassed his half-century in just 33 deliveries, struggled in the second phase of his knock as the right-handed batter could score 25 runs in as many deliveries, on his way to an unbeaten 75. Babar struggled against a disciplined United bowling attack in the death overs and could not power his side to a defendable total as Zalmi could amass 156/8 in 20 overs despite a flying start. Meanwhile, Babar interacted with the media here following his side’s six-wicket defeat against Islamabad United and revealed the reason behind his defensive approach in the death overs of the first innings. “We started off well but could not finish it in the same way. Our goal was to execute our plan in the first six overs. But, we lost back-to-back wickets after ...

CAPE TOWN: Left-handed opener Beth Mooney’s magnificent half-century and skipper Meg Lanning’s brisk 49 propelled Australia to accumulate 172/4 in the first semi-final of the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup against India. Opting to bat first, Australia piled a mammoth 172/4 in their allotted 20 overs at the back of brilliant knocks by Mooney and Lanning. Earlier, Australian openers chipped in on the big stage as the pair laid a solid foundation for a big total by putting on a vital 52-run partnership before Radha Yadav provided a breakthrough to India by removing Alyssa Healy, who could score 25 off 26. Following Healy’s dismissal, Mooney then partnered with skipper Lanning and added 36 runs for the second wicket before Deepti Sharma redeemed her dropped catch by dismissing the left-handed opener. Mooney top-scored for Australia with 54 off 37 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries and a six. Australia continued to dominate the Indian bowling attack despite Mooney’s dismissal as La...

KARACHI: Islamabad United have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Babar-Azam led Peshawar Zalmi in the 12th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight. Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka, Jimmy Neesham, Wahab Riaz, Usman Qadir, Arshad Iqbal, Sufyan Muqeem. Islamabad United: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Asif Ali, Mubasir Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees HEAD TO HEAD Matches 19, Peshawar Zalmi-9, Islamabad United-9, No Result-1 The post Islamabad United win toss, opt to bowl first against Peshawar Zalmi appeared first on ASports.tv . from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/tNJIlec

MULTAN: After a nail-biting first clash on Wednesday, Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans departed for the former’s home city to lock horns with each other for the second time in the Pakistan Super League season 8.  Multan Sultans defeated Karachi Kings by three runs in a nerve-wracking contest yesterday, despite fighting knocks by James Vince and captain Imad Wasim. The Kings will play in front of their home crowd for one last time in the tournament when they host the Sultans on Sunday. The match will also mark the end Karachi-Multan leg of the megaevent and the action then gets shifted to Lahore and Rawalpindi. READ: ‘Incentivize footballers’ urges President in meeting with PFF, national teams The post PSL 8: Kings, Sultans depart for second clash in Karachi appeared first on ASports.tv . from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/EuSDwaf

MILAN: Romelu Lukaku boosted Inter Milan’s chances of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in over a decade after scoring the only goal in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Porto. Belgium forward Lukaku struck with four minutes remaining of the first leg at the San Siro on the rebound from his own header to decide an absorbing encounter at the San Siro. Simone Inzaghi’s side travel to Portugal next month to decide who will go through to the last eight with a slight advantage thanks to Lukaku’s second goal in as many games in all competitions. The 29-year-old, who has struggled with injury all season, struck his first league goal since August at the weekend and came off the bench in the second half to ensure Inter will have a lead to protect in the second leg as they seek a first quarter-final tie since 2011. “Winning is the most important thing… I’m focusing on trying to do what’s best for Inter,” said Lukaku to Amazon Prime. “I’m pleased for the win, let’s h...

SYDNEY: Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh are set to return from their injuries when Australia play three One-Day internationals in India next month.  Australia named a strong 16-member squad for the ODI series on Thursday which included all-rounders Maxwell (broken leg) and Marsh (ankle injury) following their lengthy layoffs due to injuries. Pacer Jhye Richardson has also returned to the side from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, David Warner, who left for the country midway through the ongoing Test tour in India, has also been named in the ODI squad. Josh Hazlewood, however, will miss the ODI tour with the Achilles injury that forced him out of the Test series. Pat Cummins will continue to lead Australia in India during the white-ball series as well, with experienced batters Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne also included in the squad. According to chief selector George Bailey, the series will be important to prepare Australia  for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup that i...

LEIPZIG: RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol scored a second-half header, cancelling out Riyad Mahrez’s strike to earn a 1-1 with Manchester City in their Champions League last 16 clash on Wednesday. One of the breakout stars of the Qatar World Cup as the cornerstone of Croatia’s miserly defence, Gvardiol showed his attacking flair, launching himself above the City defence to head in the equaliser in the 70th minute. City took the lead after 27 minutes through Mahrez and looked on course for a comfortable away win but their fluency deserted them after the interval in the first leg tie. The home side, who have only lost once in their past 20 games, found their zip in the second half and looked the team most likely to head to the Etihad for the return leg with a victory under their belt. City’s star striker Erling Haaland suffered for a lack of service, with the Norwegian clearly missing ill midfielder Kevin de Bruyne. City dominated possession in trademark fashion for the first q...

LAHORE: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) on Wednesday announced Quetta as the host of the upcoming 34th National Games, scheduled to take place from May 15 to 23. According to the notification issued by the POA, a copy of which is available with ARY News, this year’s National Games will feature 31 games with over 30,000 athletes anticipated to participate. “It is hereby notified for the information of all concerned that following sports disciplines have been finalized for the contest of the 34 th Chapter of National Games scheduled to be held from 15 – 23 May 2023 in Quetta ,” stated POA in the official notification. “The events of individual sports disciplines are being circulated separately. Provincial Olympic Associations / Islamabad Olympic Association / Services / Departments and National Sports Federations concerned are requested to take appropriate action for preparation, participation and conduct of the games in a befitting manner,...

MULTAN: Multan Sultans’ skipper Mohammad Rizwan struck a magnificent century after Shan Masood’s half-century to bolster the home side to 196/1 against Karachi Kings in the 11th match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight. Put into bat first by the Kings, the Sultans piled up a mammoth 196/1 in their set of 20 overs with their skipper Rizwan leading the charge with a magnificent century. The home side started off well against the Kings as their openers Masood and Rizwan laid a solid foundation for a massive total with a solid 85-run opening partnership with Masood scoring his first half-century of the ongoing season. Experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik then provided a much-needed breakthrough to the Kings as he removed Masood soon after the latter got to his fifty. He scored 51 off 33 deliveries with the help of six boundaries and a six. More to follow… The post Rizwan’s ton, Masood’s fifty power Sultans to 196/1 against Kings appeared first on ASports.tv . ...

MULTAN: Karachi Kings have won the toss and elected to field first against home side Multan Sultans in the 11th match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight on Wednesday. PLAYING XIs Karachi Kings: James Vince, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim (c), Matthew Wade, Ben Cutting, Irfanullah Niazi, Aamer Yamin, Akif Javed, Mohammad Umer, Imran Tahir. Multan Sultans: Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan (c), Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Kieron Pollard, Khushdil Shah, Carlos Braithwaite, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ilyas, Ihsanullah HEAD TO HEAD Matches-11, Karachi Kings-5, Multan Sultans-4 The post PSL 8: Karachi Kings win toss, elect to bowl first against Multan Sultans appeared first on ASports.tv . from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/R1yEQxN

CAPE TOWN: England sent a strong warning signal to their yet undecided opposition for the semifinal as they outclassed Pakistan in every sphere and sealed a dominant 114-run win in the Group B match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, here on Tuesday.  Electing to bat first, Nat Sciver-Brunt led the batting charge with a sensational knock of 81 not out from 40 balls to help England post a mammoth 213/5 – the highest total by any team in T20 World Cups. In reply, Pakistan scored a paltry 99 for the loss of nine wickets in the 20 overs to end their World Cup campaign on a disappointing note. England bowlers wreaked havoc on Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup which lacked its regular captain Bismah Maroof and all-rounder Ayesha Naseem due to injuries. The Green Shirts struggled in their chase right from the start when Katherine Brunt struck on the very second delivery of the inning to dismiss Sadaf Shams on duck.  Pakistan lost its top three batters inside the first five overs ...

SYDNEY: Australia opening batsman David Warner will return home from India and miss the last two Tests after an elbow fracture and concussion, Cricket Australia said Tuesday. It is the second injury blow in two days for struggling Australia, who are 2-0 down in the four-Test series. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was sent home Monday after failing to recover from an Achilles tendon injury. Warner was hit on the helmet shortly after being struck on the elbow on the opening day of the second Test defeat in Delhi. He was replaced by concussion substitute Matt Renshaw. Warner, who scored just 26 runs as Australia lost both of the opening two matches, will miss the third and fourth Tests at Indore and Ahmedabad but it is hoped he can return for the subsequent one-day series. “David Warner has been ruled out of the Test tour of India and will return home,” a Cricket Australia statement said. “After further assessment, he will require a period of rehabilitation which will preclude any furth...

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to field first against Lahore Qalandars in the 10th match of the Pakistan Super League season 8 on Tuesday.  Playing XIs:  Quetta Gladiators: Sarfaraz Ahmed (C,WK), Jason Roy, Wahid Bangulzai, Martin Guptill, Iftikhar Ahmed, Odean Smith, Muhammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Qais Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi (C), Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Shai Hope (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese Rashid Khan, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan   The post PSL 8: Quetta Gladiators win toss, elect to bowl first against Qalandars appeared first on ASports.tv . from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/G2InUdf

Pakistan women’s cricketers Nida Dar and Muneeba Ali achieved career-high numbers in the ICC T20I players’ rankings following their record-breaking performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup.  Although Pakistan fail to progress into the semifinal stage of the tournament, Dar and Muneeba made record feats during the event. Muneeba scored 102 not out against Ireland on February 15 to become the first T20I centurion of Pakistan while Dar levelled with West Inides’ Anisa Mohammad as the joint-leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals. In the latest rankings updates by the ICC, Muneeba jumped 10 places to a career-best 64th position on the T20I batters’ list. Veteran Dar also moved two places on the all-rounders’ list to reach a new career-high mark. It may be noted here that Dar has an opportunity to breach the 125 wickets mark and go past Anisa when Pakistan face England in their last match of the T20 megaevent today. READ: Bismah, Ayesha out of Pakistan’s last T20 World Cup mat...

CAPE TOWN: Pakistan women’s team captain Bismah Maroof and all-rounder Ayesha Naseem will not be available to the side for today’s Group B match against England in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Bismah sustained a niggle in the groin during her 33-ball 26 against the West Indies on Sunday. Vice-captain Nida Dar will lead the Green Shirts in their final match of the mega event today at the Newlands. Moreover, the PCB medical panel has advised four to six weeks of rest to Ayesha Naseem, who pulled her hamstring in the match against Ireland on 15 February. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan are already eliminated from the tournament as England and India confirmed the semi-final spots from Group B. READ: Rashid Khan joins Lahore Qalandars’ squad for PSL 8 remainder The post Bismah, Ayehsa out of Pakistan’s last T20 World Cup match appeared first on ASports.tv . from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/uaIFTob

KARACHI: Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan has joined Lahore Qalandars’ squad for the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League season 8.  According to the detail, star spinner Rashid arrived in Karachi from Dubai in the wee hours of Tuesday morning to play the PSL after missing the first two games of his side. He will be available for Lahore Qalandar’s third PSL encounter today against Quetta Gladiators. Scenes Kuch Aisay Hain – @rashidkhan_19 #QalandarHum #QalandarsCity #HBLPSL8 #sochnabemanahai pic.twitter.com/tEwP5Sqh5H — Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) February 21, 2023 Defending champions Qalandars faced a major blow yesterday when all-rounder Liam Dawson was ruled out of the PSL due to an ankle injury. He will travel back to England where he will undergo his rehabilitation. The side currently sits at the bottom of the PSL 8 standings with two points. They won the opening match against Multan Sultans before facing a crushing defeat to Karachi Kings. REA...

KARACHI: Lahore Qalandars’ all-rounder Liam Dawson has been ruled out of the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight due to an injury. According to the details, Dawson suffered an ankle injury amid his side’s clash against Karachi Kings on Sunday. The all-rounder was then taken to a local hospital here and after examining him, the doctors advised Dawson to a four to six weeks rest. Taking to Twitter, Dawson’s PSL franchise Qalandars confirmed that the all-rounder sustained an ankle injury due to which he has been ruled out of the ongoing season. “Liam Dawson ruled out from [PSL 8] due to an ankle injury. We wish him a speedy recovery,” wrote Qalandars on Twitter. Liam Dawson ruled out from #HBLPSL8 due to an ankle injury. We wish him a speedy recovery. #QalandarsCity #QalandarHum pic.twitter.com/GP1VBvPkVx — Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) February 20, 2023   Consequently, Dawson will travel back to England where he will undergo his rehabilitati...