Cricket

Mohammad Amir, the Pakistani pacer, has faced renewed criticism for his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal. Despite serving a five-year ban and expressing remorse, Amir's integrity has been questioned by fans and former players.During the ongoing T20 World Cup in the Americas, a fan heckled Amir with the word "fixer" as he walked near the boundary line. The incident sparked outrage on social media, with many condemning the fan's behavior.Amir has previously expressed frustration over the continued criticism, stating that he has paid the price for his mistake. He has also defended his selection in the T20I side, citing his performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL)."I have done penance for that big mistake," Amir said. "I have lost nine years of my career, but I accept it as God's will and I have moved on."Amir's critics argue that his involvement in the spot-fixing scandal has tarnished his reputation and that he should not be representing Pakistan. However, others believe that Amir has served his punishment and deserves a second chance.The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the redemption of athletes who have been involved in scandals. While some believe that athletes should be forgiven for their past mistakes, others argue that their actions should have lasting consequences.

The India vs USA T20 World Cup 2024 match result has provided a significant boost to the Babar Azam-led Pakistan Cricket team. After suffering two losses in three matches, Pakistan's chances of qualifying for the Super Eight stage looked bleak. However, India's comprehensive victory over USA has improved their prospects.Pakistan has so far lost to USA and India, while defeating Canada for its maiden win in the T20 World Cup 2024. In Group A, which also includes Ireland, Pakistan's loss to USA complicated matters for Babar Azam and co. Before the India vs USA match, India led the group with four points in two games (NRR +1.455), while USA was second with four points in two games (NRR +0.626). Pakistan was third with two points in two games (NRR +0.191).After Wednesday's match, India continues to lead Group A with six points from three games (NRR +1.137). The Rohit Sharma-led side is assured of a Super 8 berth. USA remains second with four points from three games, but their NRR has reduced to +0.127. This is a major positive for Pakistan, as their NRR is now better than USA's.This means that Pakistan can qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight stage even if they beat Ireland by a narrow margin in their last Group A match on Sunday, provided USA loses to the same team on Friday.In the India vs USA match, Arshdeep Singh and Suryakumar Yadav played pivotal roles in India's seven-wicket victory. Suryakumar made a well-judged unbeaten 50 off 49 balls, while Shivam Dube contributed a laborious 31 off 35 balls as India chased down USA's 110/8 in 18.2 overs. India ended up at 111/3.Earlier, pacer Arshdeep was brilliant with the ball, taking four wickets as India restricted the USA to 110/8. Nitish Kumar (27, 23b, 2x4 1x6) batted well for the USA, but Arshdeep (4/9) and Hardik Pandya (2/14) were the best in the park for India, picking up six wickets between them.

Pakistan's cricket team has faced a tumultuous start to the T20 World Cup 2024, losing its first two matches against the USA and India. However, they managed to secure their first victory by defeating Canada on Tuesday. Despite this win, Pakistan's qualification for the Super 8 remains uncertain, as they rely on favorable results from other teams.Amidst the team's struggles, accusations have been hurled at the players by the Pakistani media and former cricketers. A TV anchor recently criticized Iftikhar Ahmad for liking a video that praised Imad Wasim's slow innings against India. The video's caption labeled Wasim's performance as a "masterclass," despite Pakistan's failure to chase a low target of 120.Former Pakistan captain Saleem Malik has also accused Wasim of deliberately wasting balls during the match against India. Malik claimed that Wasim's 23-ball 15 appeared to be an attempt to sabotage the team's run-chase. However, former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist has criticized Malik's comments, calling them ironic given Malik's own history of match-fixing.The accusations against the Pakistan team have sparked controversy, with former captain Rashid Latif sharing Gilchrist's video and condemning Pakistani ex-cricketers for their "international embarrassment." The team's performance and the ongoing allegations have cast a shadow over Pakistan's hopes of advancing in the tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 be held entirely in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. The PCB has rejected the idea of a hybrid model, where India's matches would be played at neutral venues, as was done for the Asia Cup 2023.The PCB's proposal includes hosting matches in three major Pakistani cities: Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. Karachi will host the tournament opener and a semifinal, while Lahore will host the final and at least seven other matches. Rawalpindi will host at least five matches, including a semifinal.The PCB has expressed confidence in its preparations for the tournament, with ICC officials reportedly satisfied with the arrangements during a recent visit. However, the PCB's stance against a hybrid model is likely to face resistance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The BCCI had previously suggested a hybrid model, with India's matches being played outside of Pakistan due to security concerns. The Indian team has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.The PCB has proposed a compromise, suggesting that India's matches could be played exclusively in Lahore, which is close to the Wagah Border crossing. This would minimize logistical and security challenges for the Indian team.The decision on whether India will participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan will ultimately be made by the Indian government. The government has been opposed to the cricket team crossing the border due to Pakistan's alleged involvement in supporting terrorism within India's borders.If India does not participate, it would be a major blow to the tournament and to Pakistan's hopes of hosting a successful international cricket event. The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy would be the first time Pakistan has been the sole host of a major international cricket event.

Pakistan's dismal performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup has drawn sharp criticism from former players, including Salman Butt. The team's hopes of reaching the 'Super 8' stage now hinge on favorable results from other matches.After a shocking defeat to USA in their opening match, Pakistan lost to India despite being in a commanding position for much of the game. They managed to beat Canada in their third match, but with only two points from three games, they need to win their remaining match against Ireland and hope for other results to go their way.Butt has slammed captain Babar Azam and his team for their lackluster performances. He questioned their self-proclaimed status as "king" and "world's best fast bowler," referring to Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, respectively."Are you able to win a match on your own? Is there a standing of our team?" Butt asked. "It's similar to those YouTube thumbnails that you are enticed to click and open once."Butt also criticized the influence of social media campaigns on decision-making in Pakistan cricket. "Besides its good things, one bad thing about social media is that you can get anything done by paid campaigns...your decisions are based on paid campaigns," he said.He urged the team to "stay who they are" and focus on winning matches before making grand proclamations. "First win a match, a big tournament, fight it out to win against a big team, finish a match single-handedly, then think what you want to proclaim," Butt added.Butt highlighted the mental toughness of the Indian team, which he believes Pakistan lacks. "India is very different from us...Their mental superiority is winning them matches...They don't feel the pressure now like they used to earlier," he said."But we haven't grown. There are changes in cricket every year, but we are not growing with that, so we are getting weaker. The other teams are growing, mentally as well."

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan Equals Rohit Sharma's Record, Sets Unwanted Mark in T20 World CupPakistan's Mohammad Rizwan has etched his name alongside India's Rohit Sharma in the annals of T20 international cricket. During Pakistan's emphatic seven-wicket victory over Canada in the T20 World Cup, Rizwan equaled Sharma's remarkable record of most half-centuries as an opener in the format.Rizwan's 50-run knock in just 71 innings propelled him to the milestone, matching Sharma's tally of 30 fifties. However, Rizwan achieved this feat in significantly fewer innings than Sharma, who required 118 innings to reach the same landmark.While Rizwan's achievement is a testament to his consistent brilliance, he also inadvertently set an unwanted record in the T20 World Cup. His 52-ball half-century against Canada became the slowest fifty (by balls faced) in the tournament's history.South Africa's David Miller previously held the record for the slowest fifty in the T20 World Cup, having scored a 50-ball half-century against the Netherlands earlier this year.Despite the slow pace of his innings, Rizwan's contribution was crucial in Pakistan's victory. His opening partnership with Babar Azam laid the foundation for a comfortable chase, with Azam scoring a blistering 53 off just 38 deliveries.Pakistan's captain Babar Azam remains third on the list of most half-centuries as an opener in T20Is, with 28 to his name. Australia's David Warner, with 27 half-centuries in 98 innings, rounds out the top four.Rizwan's record-equaling performance and unwanted milestone highlight his status as one of the most prolific batters in T20 cricket. As Pakistan continues its T20 World Cup campaign, Rizwan will be looking to add to his tally of half-centuries and help his team achieve success on the global stage.

In a thrilling encounter at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, India's bowlers, led by the exceptional Jasprit Bumrah, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Pakistan in the Men's T20 World Cup.Chasing a modest target of 120, Pakistan appeared to be cruising at the halfway stage, sitting comfortably at 57/1. However, the Indian pace attack, spearheaded by Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, turned the tide dramatically.Bumrah, in particular, was sensational, bowling an incisive spell of 3/14, including 15 dot balls. His wickets included the crucial scalp of Pakistan's captain, Mohammad Rizwan. Pandya also chipped in with 2/24, while Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Axar Patel took a wicket each.Pakistan's batting implosion was a stark contrast to their promising start. After losing Babar Azam early, Rizwan and Shan Masood put on a 50-run partnership. However, once Rizwan departed, the Pakistani innings crumbled, with wickets falling in quick succession.Pakistan great Waqar Younis was scathing in his criticism of his team's performance. "India is such a good balanced side. If they don't bat well, they know they have got Bumrah, they have got Siraj, they have got Jadeja. They have got their bowling also really really covered and fielding also. They are a super team. And Pakistan if you can't win this game, then what should I say? This was in the plate given to you and you really spilled it," Younis said.Bumrah's performance was a testament to his status as one of the world's best bowlers. His ability to bowl with accuracy, pace, and swing proved too much for the Pakistani batsmen.India's victory was a remarkable turnaround after their disappointing batting performance. Rishabh Pant top-scored with 42 off 31 balls, but the rest of the Indian batsmen struggled against the Pakistani bowlers.Despite their batting woes, India's bowlers showed their resilience and determination. They never gave up on the game, even when Pakistan seemed to be in control. Their performance was a testament to the team's fighting spirit and their belief in their abilities.

Former Pakistan cricketer Ijaz Ahmed has sparked controversy with his derogatory remarks about the Pashtun community in Pakistan. During a discussion on Pakistan cricket on ARY News, Ahmed made disparaging comments about the education and work ethic of Pashtun players."Look at the [Pakistan] cricket team now, 80% of it has gone to remote areas like KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). If you select a team right now, 6-8 players are Pathans, who do not have education. They wake up in the morning to go for namaz with their relatives or brothers and return back, and then they don't leave their homes after that. When there is pressure on them [during matches], they cannot handle it," Ahmed said.Ahmed's comments drew swift condemnation from the Pakistan cricket community. Salman Iqbal, founder and CEO of ARY DIGITAL Network, distanced himself from the remark, stating that it was not acceptable by ARY management. Former Pakistan player Junaid Khan also called for Ahmed to apologize.The social media was full of other strong reaction too. Many users condemned Ahmed's comments as racist and discriminatory. Some users also pointed out that Ahmed's comments were particularly insensitive given Pakistan's recent defeat against India in the T20 World Cup.Ahmed's comments have sparked a wider debate about ethnic discrimination in Pakistan. Some commentators have argued that Ahmed's comments reflect a deep-seated prejudice against Pashtuns in Pakistani society. Others have argued that Ahmed's comments were simply a reflection of his personal views and do not represent the views of the majority of Pakistanis.Regardless of Ahmed's intentions, his comments have caused significant harm to the Pashtun community in Pakistan. They have also damaged the reputation of Pakistan cricket and raised questions about the country's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam expressed relief after their first victory in the T20 World Cup, acknowledging the challenging pitch conditions that hindered their chase of 107 runs. Having suffered consecutive defeats against USA and India, the match against Canada was crucial for Pakistan's hopes of advancing in the tournament.Chasing a modest target, Pakistan relied on Mohammad Rizwan's unbeaten 53 and Babar's 33 to secure the win in 17.3 overs. "It's good for us, we needed this win," Babar said at the post-match presentation. "We started well with the bowling, in the first six overs we knew we had to be up to the mark."Babar admitted that they had aimed to surpass USA's net run rate by completing the chase before 14 overs, but the pitch made it difficult. "It was in our mind to win before 14 overs, but the pitch made it difficult," he explained.India currently leads Group A with two wins, followed by USA with the same number of victories. Pakistan has climbed to third place with two points from three games, ahead of Canada and Ireland.Canada's captain, Saad Bin Zafar, expressed disappointment with the result, citing the challenging batting conditions. "Definitely, it was a bit disappointing," he said. "We wanted to play a positive brand of cricket, but I think the wicket was not very helpful. It was difficult to bat early on - not a good toss to lose. We were about 25 to 30 runs short."