Cricket

Karachi Kings' PSL Hopes Dashed by Peshawar Zalmi Despite Babar Azam's HeroicsIn a thrilling encounter at the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Karachi Kings fell agonizingly short of their target against Peshawar Zalmi on Monday. Despite chasing a modest total of 148, Karachi Kings succumbed to a two-run defeat.Peshawar Zalmi's innings was anchored by Babar Azam, who played a captain's knock of 50 runs to guide his team to a respectable score. In response, Karachi Kings' chase faltered despite a valiant 41 off 30 balls from Tim Seifert.Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, who recently made headlines for his separation from Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, contributed 22 runs off 25 balls before being dismissed by Afghanistan's Naveen-ul-Haq. Malik's wife, Sana Javed, witnessed the dismissal from the stands, her expression etched with disappointment.The match marked a bittersweet moment for Malik, who had announced his third marriage to Javed in January. The news of his separation from Mirza had sent shockwaves through the sports world, ending a high-profile union that had captivated fans from both India and Pakistan.Mirza, who retired from professional tennis last year, has remained tight-lipped about the split. However, she has hinted at personal struggles in recent social media posts.The Karachi Kings' defeat leaves them with a disappointing start to the PSL season. Despite the setback, the team will be hoping to bounce back and secure a playoff berth.

Babar Azam's Spidercam Scare: A Hilarious Moment in the 2024 PSLDuring the high-octane clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam found himself in an unexpected encounter with the spidercam. As Babar entered the field, the spidercam followed him closely, catching him off guard. Startled by the device's proximity, Babar swiftly dodged the camera, creating a hilarious moment that quickly went viral on social media.Despite the spidercam incident, Babar led Zalmi to a nail-biting victory over Karachi Kings by two runs, securing a spot in the playoffs of the 2024 PSL. Babar's gritty innings of 51 runs in 46 balls played a pivotal role in Zalmi's total of 147. With this win, Zalmi now top the table with 13 points from 10 games, although they have played one match more than Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators.Azam continues to dominate the 2024 PSL batting charts, leading with 498 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 62.25. His outstanding performances include one century and five half-centuries in the tournament. Multan Sultans, positioned second with 12 points in nine games, and Quetta Gladiators, currently standing third with 11 points from nine games, are closely trailing Zalmi in the points table. Islamabad United hold the third spot with 11 points in 10 games.Babar's spidercam scare has become a talking point among cricket fans, highlighting the unexpected moments that can occur during live sporting events. Despite the humorous nature of the incident, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions during live broadcasts.

Peshawar Zalmi Dominate Quetta Gladiators, Secure Playoff Berth in Pakistan Super LeagueRAWALPINDI, Pakistan - Peshawar Zalmi stormed into the playoffs of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with a resounding 76-run victory over Quetta Gladiators on Friday. The triumph was orchestrated by a brilliant batting performance from Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, who overshadowed Akeal Hosein's hat-trick.Quetta's batting woes continued as they were dismissed for a paltry 120 in 17.5 overs, chasing Peshawar's imposing total of 196-8. Ayub, who has excelled in his new all-rounder role, played a pivotal role in dismantling Quetta's top order, claiming the wickets of skipper Rilee Rossouw and Khawaja Nafay in quick succession.Babar Azam, the league's leading batter, continued his impressive form with a blistering 53 off 30 deliveries, studded with nine fours and a six. His innings propelled Peshawar to a formidable total.Despite Hosein's hat-trick in the final over, Peshawar's batting depth proved too much for Quetta. Ayub opened the innings with a brisk 30 off 14 balls, while Rovman Powell (28 not out) and Naveen-ul-Haq (10 not out) added a crucial 39 runs in the closing stages.The victory propelled Peshawar to second place in the standings, with a chance to secure a top-two finish in their final league game against Islamabad United on Sunday. Quetta, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle to reach the playoffs, needing to win at least one of their remaining two matches.

In a thrilling encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious over table-toppers Multan Sultans by a narrow margin of four runs. Despite a blistering 60 off 27 balls from Iftikhar Ahmed, Sultans fell short of their target of 205 runs, handing Zalmi their second win over the league leaders this season.Zalmi's chase got off to a strong start with captain Babar Azam and Saim Ayub putting on a 71-run partnership in the powerplay. Azam continued his impressive form, scoring 64 off 40 balls, while Ayub contributed 46 off 22 balls. However, Usama Mir's three-wicket haul, including the key wicket of Azam, slowed down Zalmi's progress.With 58 runs required off the last three overs, Iftikhar and Chris Jordan launched a counterattack, scoring 75 runs off just 28 balls. Jordan remained unbeaten on 30 off 12 balls, but Zalmi ultimately fell short at 200-5.Earlier, Sultans had posted a competitive total of 204-5, thanks to Azam's knock and Ayub's aggressive batting. However, Zalmi's rookie left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz impressed in the powerplay, dismissing Reeza Hendricks in his debut PSL over.Sultans' top-order struggled against Zalmi's bowling, with Mohammad Rizwan and Dawid Malan falling cheaply. Iftikhar and Jordan's late surge almost pulled off a victory for Sultans, but Zalmi's pacers held their nerve in the final overs to secure the win.With this victory, Zalmi moved closer to a place in the final four, while Sultans remained at the top of the table despite their second loss. The match showcased the exciting and unpredictable nature of the PSL, with both teams displaying their fighting spirit and determination.

Pakistan Cricket Expert Slams Comparisons Between Babar Azam and Sachin TendulkarPakistan YouTuber and cricket expert Wasay Habib has vehemently denounced comparisons between Babar Azam and legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. During an analysis on GTV News, Habib expressed his disbelief at the notion of comparing the two players."First [comparison of Babar Azam with] Virat Kohli, then Shubman Gill, and now you have jumped to Sachin Tendulkar! Have you seen Sachin play? Khuda ka khauf kare (Have the fear of God please). Please don't ask me such a question; I am a passionate cricket fan. Who are these people asking such questions? How is Babar and Tendulkar comparisons even possible?" Habib exclaimed in a viral clip.Habib's outburst stems from the recent trend of comparing Azam, Pakistan's current captain, to some of the greatest cricketers of all time. Earlier, legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram had mentioned Brian Lara and Tendulkar while discussing Azam's batting prowess."Babar is a very good player. He is among the three best batters in the world right now and he plays proper cricketing shots. Had he been a pinch hitter, then the bowler would know that he has a chance to get him out," Akram said.However, Habib believes that such comparisons are premature and disrespectful to Tendulkar's legacy. "Sachin Tendulkar is a legend. He has achieved so much in his career. Babar Azam is still a young player. He has a long way to go before he can be compared to someone like Tendulkar," Habib argued.Habib's comments have sparked a debate among cricket fans, with some agreeing with his stance and others believing that Azam has the potential to reach the same heights as Tendulkar. Regardless of the differing opinions, it is clear that Azam has established himself as one of the most talented batsmen in the world and has the potential to become a legend in his own right.

In a thrilling encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Karachi Kings secured their first victory in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8, defeating Peshawar Zalmi by a convincing seven-wicket margin. The match witnessed a remarkable batting display from Kieron Pollard, who overshadowed Babar Azam's landmark achievement, while Peshawar Zalmi's batting lineup faltered under pressure.Chasing a modest target of 155 set by Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings openers James Vince and Sharjeel Khan provided a solid start, putting on a 43-run partnership before Khan departed for 21. Vince continued his steady knock, accumulating 38 runs off 34 balls, while Babar Azam's younger brother, Umar Akmal, chipped in with a quickfire 20 off 13 deliveries.However, it was the power-hitting of Kieron Pollard that propelled Karachi Kings to victory. The West Indian all-rounder entered the crease with his team needing 73 runs off 48 balls and proceeded to unleash a brutal assault on the Zalmi bowlers. Pollard smashed four towering sixes and four boundaries in his blistering 21-ball 49, taking Karachi Kings home in just 16.5 overs.Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi, after being put into bat, struggled to build substantial partnerships. Babar Azam, the star batsman, played a lone hand, scoring 72 off 51 balls, including seven boundaries and two sixes. However, he lacked support from his teammates, as the Zalmi innings revolved around his brilliance.The Karachi Kings bowlers, led by left-arm pacer Mir Hamza, kept the Zalmi batters in check. Hamza claimed three wickets for 28 runs, including the prized scalp of Babar Azam, while Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz picked up two wickets each.With this victory, Karachi Kings have two points from two games, while Peshawar Zalmi remains winless after two matches. The tournament promises to deliver more exciting contests as the teams vie for a place in the playoffs.

In a remarkable achievement, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has etched his name in the history books by becoming the fastest batter to reach the milestone of 10,000 runs in the T20 format. This extraordinary feat was accomplished in a mere 271 innings, surpassing the previous record held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who took 285 innings to reach the same milestone. India's batting maestro Virat Kohli stands third on the list, having taken 299 innings to achieve this remarkable feat.Babar's journey to this historic milestone was marked by consistency and brilliance. Playing for Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), he needed just six runs to set the world record. With nerves of steel and unwavering focus, he successfully achieved this milestone during a match against Karachi Kings, while also leading his team as captain.It is noteworthy that Babar narrowly missed reaching the milestone in the previous game against Quetta Gladiators, where he was dismissed for 68 runs. However, his determination and unwavering focus propelled him to become the 13th player overall to reach the coveted 10,000-run mark in the T20 format.Babar's achievement is even more remarkable considering that he is still only 28 years old, with many more years of cricket ahead of him. His ability to score runs at a rapid pace, coupled with his consistency and adaptability, makes him one of the most exciting and dangerous batters in the world today.Chris Gayle, the previous record holder, remains the leading run-scorer in T20 cricket, with an impressive tally of 14,562 runs. However, Babar's rapid ascent up the ranks suggests that he could potentially challenge Gayle's record in the years to come.Babar's achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the sport. It is a moment of pride for Pakistan cricket and a reminder of the immense talent that exists within the country.