Day: October 28, 2021

Pakistan’s explosive start in the 2021 T20 World Cup has opened the eyes of the cricketing fraternity all across the world. While many former cricketers considered Pakistan an underdog prior to the start of the tournament, their opinions have changed after Pakistan’s victories against India and New Zealand in their first two matches of the mega event.

The Men in Green’s performances so far in the tournament have been appreciated by the cricketing fraternity, and they are now considered among favorites to lift the T20 World Cup. Former Indian cricketer and current commentator, Aakash Chopra, is one of the cricketing experts who have highly appreciated Pakistan’s magnificent performances in the two matches.

Chopra said that the Pakistan team is looking as good as gold and praised the excellent team combination. Chopra said that Pakistan’s success is due to several match-winners within the team and lauded the contribution of every player in the team’s success.

The former opener said, “In the first match, it was Shaheen Shah Afridi with the ball, and with the bat, it was Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. When the second match came in Sharjah against New Zealand, Haris Rauf performs with the ball, Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik with the bat.”

Chopra added that Pakistan has had six different heroes in the two matches, and if they can continue their form, then the semi-final spot is almost confirmed.

Pakistan currently sits at the top of Group B and are in pole position to qualify for the semi-final with only three matches left in the Super 12s stage. Pakistan’s next match is against Afghanistan, which also promises to be a highly-contested match. The match will be played on 29 October at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Source: Pro Pakistani

According to sources, former South African opener, Gary Kirsten is one of the leading candidates to become the permanent head coach of the Pakistan cricket team. It is reported that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized their shortlist for candidates for the permanent head coach role which includes Gary Kirsten, Peter Moores, and Simon Katich.

Currently, former Pakistan off-spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq has been appointed as the interim head coach for the 2021 T20 World Cup but his contract will be over once the mega event ends. Pakistan have had a strong start to their T20 World Cup campaign under the leadership of Saqlain Mushtaq, winning their opening two encounters against India and New Zealand.

It is expected that PCB will look to hire a foreign coach once the tournament ends with former South African and Indian coach, Gary Kirsten, seen as the ideal candidate for the role. Kirsten was India’s head coach in their 2011 ICC World Cup-winning campaign and is highly regarded as one of the finest coaches in the world.

Former Australian opener, Simon Katich, is also highly appreciated by the higher-ups in the PCB while former England coach, Peter Moores has also been in the rumor mill.

PCB has been on the hunt to appoint a new permanent head coach ever since the sudden resignation of former head coach, Misbah-ul-Haq, just before the start of the T20 World Cup. Misbah, along with former bowling coach, Waqar Younis, resigned days before the appointment of Ramiz Raja as the new PCB chairman.

Source: Pro Pakistani

People arrested for celebrating Pakistan’s victory over India in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, could face sedition charges, the authorities said on Thursday.

The statement comes a day after UP police detained three college students in Agrah for celebrating and praising arch-rival Pakistan’s clinical win over India on social media.

Pakistan on Sunday thrashed India by 10 wickets to register the first-ever win over the neighboring country in any World Cup contest.

The resounding win triggered celebrations at home and in Muslim-majority Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK).

“Those celebrating Pakistan’s victory will face sedition,” the office of Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh, said on Twitter, sharing a screenshot of a news report.

The offense, if proved, carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Earlier, Adityanath’s office had directed state police to take action depending on the circumstances in each case. The state information official, Navneet Sehgal, had said that police would decide the level of charges after completion of investigation in each case.

Three students, hailing from Occupied Kashmir, were arrested late on Wednesday, said city police official, Saurabh Singh, on charges of promoting enmity between different groups.

Similarly, six people had been detained in the occupied valley where people celebrated Pakistan’s win with firecrackers and Pakistan Zindabad slogans.

Source: Pro Pakistani