Tag: Sports

The chairperson of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalization Committee (NC) Haroon Malik has shown an interest in Karachi being one of the major cities where the Pakistan football team can play their upcoming home matches.

While conversing in the ProSports podcast, Malik confessed that People’s Football Stadium in Lyari, Karachi is his favorite.

In a recent interview, Malik stated, “People’s Stadium is a great facility which should host international matches if proper investment is made. Three to four things need to be fixed at the stadium which includes ground and seats. Within 6-8 months international football can return to Karachi.”

Pakistan hosted its first international football match last month as they hosted Cambodia in the first round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Jinnah Stadium Islamabad. The match was hosted at 2 pm on a weekday which caused some concern to the football fans in the country. Rather they want the matches to be held after office hours so they can come in soaring numbers.

Talking about Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, Haroon Malik said, “Jinnah Stadium’s lights are 350 lumens, but the international requirement is 1800. We have requested the Pakistan Sports Board, who have worked really hard to improve the facility, to upgrade the lights so that we can host night matches.”

Saudi Arabia is set to host Pakistan’s national football team at Damman Stadium on 16th November 2023 for their home leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2nd Round. Pakistan will then return home to face Tajikistan at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad on 21st November 2023.

Pakistan made history on 17th October 2023 when they defeated Cambodia 1-0 and qualified for the 2nd round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time in its 76 years of history.

You can watch the full ProSports podcast here:

Source: Pro Pakistani

Tauseef Ahmed has been appointed the temporary Chief Selector for the Pakistan Cricket Team.

In a significant development within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), former cricketer Touseef Ahmed has assumed the role of Chief Selector temporarily. This marks his inaugural assignment as the head of the selection committee, a task of great responsibility, as the committee selects the team for the forthcoming tour to Australia.

The newly formed selection committee includes notable members such as Tauseef Ahmed and Wajahatullah Wasti, with senior selectors assigned specific duties. Wajahatullah Wasti, along with Wasim Haider, is part of the National Men’s Selection Committee. At the same time, the Junior Selection Committee consists of Aamer Nazir, Javed Hayat, Mahmood Hamid, Naveed Latif, Salman Ahmed, and Sana Baloch.

The reconstitution of the selection committee took place on October 6th, indicating a fresh and dynamic approach to team selection. The new committee was formed after Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down from the role during the ODI World Cup 2023.

Source: Pro Pakistani

India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023 earlier today due to his inability to recover from an ankle injury he sustained while bowling against Bangladesh.

After gaining approval from the ICC’s Event Technical Committee, pacer Prasidh Krishna will step in to replace Pandya in the squad.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a press release, “The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has approved Prasidh Krishna as a replacement for Hardik Pandya in the India squad.”

ICC added in a press release, “The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.”

Hardik Pandya expressed disappointment on his X account (formerly Twitter) after being ruled out of the World Cup.

Hardik said, “Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. I’ll be with the team, in spirit, cheering them on every ball of every game.”

He added, “Thanks for all the wishes, the love, and the support has been incredible.”

India, leading the points table and having secured their spot in the semifinals, are scheduled to take on second-placed South Africa in Kolkata tomorrow.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) announced on Wednesday that fireworks will not be allowed at the ongoing ICC World Cup matches in Mumbai and New Delhi due to dangerous levels of pollution.

Concerns about air quality in the commercial capital of India forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India to take action.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement, “BCCI is sensitive to environmental concerns. I took up the matter formally with the ICC, and there won’t be any fireworks display in Mumbai, which can add to the pollution level.”

Jay Shah said, “The BCCI acknowledges the urgent concern surrounding air quality in both Mumbai and New Delhi.”

He added, “While we strive to host the World Cup in a manner befitting the celebration of cricket, we remain steadfast in our commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of all our stakeholders.”

The air quality in Mumbai, as per India’s National Air Quality Index, was categorized as “poor” at 18:30 local time when the team commenced their training. The concentration of pollutants in Mumbai exceeded the World Health Organization’s recommended limit by four times.

It should be noted that the host India is currently playing against Sri Lanka at Mum­bai’s Wankhede Stadium.

India and Sri Lanka were the finalists in the 2011 World Cup, which India won at the same venue, securing their second World Cup victory.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has achieved the coveted top spot in the ODI bowling rankings today, making this his inaugural instance of holding the top position in any cricket format.

For the first time in Pakistan’s cricket history, both the top, batting and bowling rankings are held by Pakistani players.

Skipper Babar Azam has held the top spot in the ODI batting rankings for over a year, and today, Shaheen Shah Afridi achieved his career-best ranking in ODI bowling, securing the top position.

Here are the ODI batting rankings:

Position Player Team Rating Points

1 Babar Azam Pakistan 818

2 Shubman Gill India 816

3 Quinton de Kock South Africa 765

4 David Warner Australia 761

5 Rohit Sharma India 743

6 Heinrich Klaasen South Africa 741

7 Virat Kohli India 735

8 Harry Tector Ireland 729

9 Rassie van der Dussen South Africa 706

10 Dawid Malan England 695

Babar Azam, the top-ranked batter, maintains a rating of 818, even though he hasn’t delivered his best performance in the current mega event. However, his achievements over the years have kept him at the top of the rankings.

Shaheen Afridi’s outstanding performance in the 2023 World Cup has earned him 673 points, placing him at the top. He delivered his best bowling performance of the tournament against Australia as he picked up a five-wicket haul. With 16 wickets to his name, he is currently the joint leading wicket-taker in the tournament.

Position Player Team Rating Points

1 Shaheen Afridi Pakistan 673

2 Josh Hazlewood Australia 663

3 Mohammed Siraj India 656

4 Keshav Maharaj South Africa 651

5 Trent Boult New Zealand 649

6 Rashid Khan Afghanistan 648

7 Kuldeep Yadav India 646

8 Mujeeb ur Rahman Afghanistan 641

9 Adam Zampa Australia 637

10 Mohammad Nabi Afghanistan 631

It should be noted that Shaheen Afridi achieved a historic milestone in yesterday’s match against Bangladesh by becoming the quickest bowler to reach 100 wickets in just 51 matches, surpassing Australian pacer Mitchell Starc.

Furthermore, two crucial matches remain against New Zealand and England, and Shaheen Afridi still has a chance to give his best performance by maintaining his bowling form.

Meanwhile, Skipper Babar Azam has yet to display his true class, as he is closing in on equaling Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 centuries with his current tally of 19 centuries in his career. Fans are eagerly anticipating a resurgence from Babar Azam, showcasing his exceptional batting skills, with the ultimate goal of not only reaching the semifinals but also clinching the World Cup for Pakistan.

Source: Pro Pakistani

In the world of cricket, the internationally acclaimed Babar Azam is a name that needs no introduction. A celebrated cricket sensation, Babar Azam is not only a master of the game but also a revered personality off the field. Recently, he joined the vivo’s bandwagon again as a brand ambassador for its newly launched V29 5G and V29e 5G smartphones, which combine innovation and style.

The cricket marvel Babar Azam spills beans on his most loved features of the vivo V29 5G and V29e 5G with a special focus on impressive camera capabilities, elegant designs, and commendable performance.

The first thing that caught his attention was the design of the vivo V29 5G. The stunning 120Hz 3D Curved Screen of vivo V29 5G is a technological marvel that elevates the overall aesthetics to a new level. The smooth and immersive display makes every interaction with the device an absolute pleasure. Babar appreciates the attention to detail in the design, especially the incorporation of innovative 3D magnetic particles for the Peak Blue variant and Fluorite AG Glass for the Nobel Black variant, adding a touch of sophistication and uniqueness.

Amongst the gamut of features, what really impressed Babar were the Smart Aura Light Portrait, 50MP AF Group Selfie, and 12Hz 3D Curved Screen. Expressing his views, Babar Azam said: “The 120Hz 3D Curved Screen is truly remarkable, displaying vibrant visuals that bring everything to life. V29 5G’s camera capabilities, with features like Smart Aura Light Portrait and the 50MP AF Group Selfie, make every captured moment an absolute masterpiece. It’s a complete package of elegance and innovation, leaving a lasting impression. I’m honored to associate with one of the pioneers who are driving the wave of innovation in Pakistan.”

As a prominent public personality, Babar Azam understands the significance of a good camera in a smartphone, especially in this social media era. He praises the vivo V29 5G and V29e 5G for their remarkable camera capabilities, explicitly highlighting the Smart Aura Light Portrait. It allows users to capture stunning portraits with exceptional clarity and detail, whether in low light or during the day.

The camera configuration truly amplifies the photography experience, making every moment memorable. The cricket sensation, Babar, resonates with vivo’s idea of adding an edge and staying ahead. This partnership allows vivo to connect with Pakistani consumers more profoundly and provide them with an exceptional smartphone experience.

Last but not least, Babar Azam appreciates the robust performance of the vivo V29 5G, made possible by the impressive 80W FlashCharge technology and a powerful 4600mAh battery. The combination ensures that users can stay connected and powered up throughout the day without interruptions, enabling a seamless smartphone experience.

Babar Azam’s association with the vivo V29 5G and V29e 5G smartphones is a testament to the smartphone’s remarkable design, camera capabilities, and performance. His experience with vivo V29 5G offers an insight into Pakistani consumers.

As Babar Azam proudly represents vivo, it is evident that the brand strives for innovation, ensuring users have access to premium-quality products and exceptional customer service.

Source: Pro Pakistani