Cricket

Shadab Khan's Panthers emerged victorious in the Champions One-Day Cup final, defeating Markhors by a commanding margin. The triumph marked a significant milestone for the young side, as they focused on developing their players rather than chasing immediate results.Shadab, the captain of Panthers, played a pivotal role in their success. His all-round performance, including a crucial wicket and an unbeaten 14 runs, helped secure the victory. Despite facing challenges with his batting form, Shadab's determination and hard work paid off in the tournament.The Panthers' success was built on a solid bowling performance, with Shadab and his fellow bowlers restricting Markhors to a mere 140 runs. Shadab emphasized the importance of controlling the process rather than obsessing over the outcome. This approach allowed the team to remain focused and execute their plans effectively.Shadab praised the contributions of his young fast bowlers, Ali Raza and Mohammad Hasnain. Raza's maturity and bowling skills impressed Shadab, while Hasnain's return from injury was marked by a sensational performance that earned him the Player-of-the-Series award.Shadab's own journey as a young player under the spotlight has shaped his philosophy as a captain. He believes that youth is not a barrier to success, as evidenced by the Panthers' triumph. The team's inexperience did not prevent them from achieving their goal.Shadab's leadership and the Panthers' focus on development have set a positive example for Pakistani cricket. By prioritizing the process over the result, the team has created a foundation for future success and inspired young players to strive for excellence.

Imam-ul-Haq's Outburst Highlights Frustration in Pakistan's Champions One Day CupImam-ul-Haq's dismissal in Match 5 of Pakistan's Champions One Day Cup 2024 sparked a display of anger and disappointment from the left-handed batter. Playing for Lions, Imam had scored an impressive 62-ball 60, including five fours and two sixes, against Panthers.However, his innings came to an abrupt end when he was caught behind off the bowling of spinner Shadab Khan. The dismissal visibly upset Imam, who was recently a consistent presence in Pakistan's ODI and Test squads.In a moment of frustration, Imam hurled his helmet and bat before taking a seat. The incident occurred following the first delivery of the 23rd over during the Lions' batting stint. Shadab, who captains the Panthers, decided to bring himself on to bowl and made an instant impact.Imam edged the ball, which carried through to Usman Khan behind the stumps. Upon claiming the wicket, Shadab erupted in passionate celebration, clearly overjoyed with his immediate success.The Panthers managed to put up a formidable total of 283 runs on the scoreboard. In response, the Lions struggled to find their footing and were ultimately dismissed for a mere 199 runs, falling short of their target by a significant margin of 84 runs.Imam's outburst highlights the frustration and disappointment that can accompany a dismissal in a high-stakes match. As a key member of Pakistan's national team, Imam is expected to perform at a high level, and his dismissal in this match may have been a source of frustration for both himself and his team.

The Panthers roared to their maiden victory in the Champions One-Day Cup, crushing the Dolphins by 50 runs on the back of a century from Usman Khan and a five-wicket haul by Mohammad Hasnain.Batting first, the Panthers amassed a formidable 328, thanks to Usman's 111, Shadab Khan's 65, and Haider Ali's 63. The Dolphins' chase got off to a promising start with a 68-run opening stand, but Hasnain's pace and accuracy proved too much to handle.Usman and Haider's 103-run partnership laid the foundation for the Panthers' imposing total. Usman's century was a masterclass in timing and placement, while Haider's quickfire knock kept the scoreboard ticking.The Dolphins' bowlers struggled to contain the Panthers' onslaught, with Usman Qadir's three wickets in the final over coming too late to make a significant impact.In response, the Dolphins showed resilience, with Qasim Akram and Sahibzada Farhan scoring half-centuries. However, Hasnain's devastating spell of 5-74 shattered their hopes.Hasnain's pace and bounce proved too much for the Dolphins' middle order, as he ripped through the heart of their batting lineup. His five-for was a testament to his skill and determination.The Panthers' victory was a testament to their all-round strength. Usman's century provided the foundation, while Shadab and Haider's contributions kept the momentum going. Hasnain's five-wicket haul was the icing on the cake, securing the win for his team.

Pakistan's domestic 50-over competition, the Champions One-Day Cup, has unveiled its captains and mentors, with each side led by a Pakistan international. Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lions), Mohammad Rizwan (Wolves), Shadab Khan (Panthers), Saud Shakeel (Dolphins), and Mohammad Haris (Stallions) will lead their respective teams.Haris' appointment as Stallions captain, chosen by mentor Shoaib Malik, marks a significant return to favor with the PCB. After being left out of Pakistan's World Cup squad and losing his place in the T20 side, Haris now captains a team that includes Babar Azam, Pakistan's white-ball captain.Unlike previous tournaments, the PCB has ensured maximum participation of its top players. With no international cricket coinciding with the competition, almost every fit centrally contracted player is taking part. Misbah-ul-Haq, mentor of the Wolves, emphasized that unfit players would be excluded.All games will be played in Faisalabad from September 12-29, with playoffs instead of semi-finals. The tournament concludes eight days before the start of the first Test between Pakistan and England.Each side has announced extended squad lists, which will be trimmed by September 10. The teams do not have affiliated city names but have historical links to previous domestic cup sides: Lahore for Lions, Karachi for Dolphins, Peshawar for Panthers, Faisalabad for Wolves, and Sialkot for Stallions.Sarfaraz Ahmed is the only player-mentor, operating with the Dolphins. Misbah (Wolves), Malik (Stallions), Saqlain Mushtaq (Panthers), and Waqar Younis (Lions) are the other mentors.

Pakistan's star all-rounder Shadab Khan has opened up about his recent struggles with the bat and ball on the international circuit. Despite his impressive performances in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) Season 5, Shadab admits to facing challenges in delivering for the Pakistan team.In his LPL debut, Shadab made an immediate impact by claiming a hat-trick against the Kandy Falcons. He has since continued to excel, becoming the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps. However, Shadab acknowledges that his success in the LPL does not fully reflect his recent struggles at the international level."I was struggling for three months. I hadn't taken a wicket in the last seven international games," Shadab said. "I came here, started bowling, and am now always taking wickets. That is the beauty of cricket. You have to enjoy these types of scenarios as well... sometimes you perform, sometimes you don't. But the process that you follow has to be consistent."Shadab believes that the pitch conditions in the LPL have been favorable for spinners, but he emphasizes the importance of variations for T20 bowlers. "The pitch was helping us as it was a bit slow and gripping a bit... But T20 cricket is very hard nowadays, as 200 is easily changeable. As a spinner, you have to have your variations because on flat tracks, if you don't have variations, you can go for runs. But if you have variation, you can take wickets as well as contain runs," he said.Despite his recent struggles, Shadab remains determined to contribute as an all-rounder for his franchise, the Colombo Strikers. "I am performing for my team, and that is a good sign. I am the main bowler, and if I am taking wickets, that is a positive sign for me and my team. I want to contribute in all three phases. So far, I am contributing in two as a bowler and fielder. Hopefully, I can contribute with the bat too," he concluded.Shadab's recent performances in the LPL have served as a reminder of his immense talent. As he continues to work on his game, he will be eager to replicate his success at the international level and help Pakistan achieve its cricketing goals.

Pakistan's experienced pacer Mohammad Amir has expressed confidence in his teammates Shadab Khan and Azam Khan, who have been struggling for form ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan will kick off their campaign against co-hosts USA at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Thursday.Amir acknowledged that both Shadab and Azam are key middle-order players for Pakistan and are capable of turning their fortunes around quickly. "They are one game away - the kind of players that they are, they can single-handedly win the match for you," Amir said.Shadab has been particularly out of touch, scoring just three runs in two matches against England and failing to make an impact with the ball. Azam, on the other hand, managed only 11 runs in two innings.Despite their recent struggles, Amir believes that both players have the ability to regain their form and make a significant contribution to Pakistan's World Cup campaign. "I always say that the player who has performed and proved himself never doubts his ability," Amir said. "Yes, there is a bad patch in cricket. And this happens with every cricketer. All the legends also if you see in the past, sometimes even they can't perform well."Amir, who reversed his retirement to feature in the World Cup, will be a key part of Pakistan's bowling attack alongside four other pacers. The 31-year-old has been in good form in the build-up series against Ireland and England.Pakistan will be hoping that Shadab and Azam can rediscover their form in time for the World Cup opener against USA. The Men in Green have been struggling to find the right balance and combination in the team, and a strong performance from their middle-order will be crucial to their chances of success.

Pakistan's all-rounder Shadab Khan's recent form has raised concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup. In his last two T20I outings, Shadab has conceded 109 runs at an economy rate of over 12 without taking a wicket. With only one official game remaining before their tournament opener against the USA on June 6, Pakistan's preparations have been hampered by weather disruptions.On Tuesday, Shadab faced an awkward encounter with a female fan in Cardiff. In a viral video, the fan questioned Shadab's recent performances, urging him to improve his wicket-taking ability and reduce his run concessions.Meanwhile, Pakistan's World Cup preparations suffered another setback due to inclement weather. The third T20I in Cardiff was abandoned without a ball being bowled, following a similar washout in the first match of the series at Headingley. England currently lead the series 1-0, with one match remaining at The Oval on Thursday.The latest abandonment comes just a week before England's T20 World Cup title defense begins against Scotland in Barbados on June 4. Rain in Cardiff started falling an hour before the scheduled start, forcing the umpires to abandon the match due to a saturated outfield and persistent rain.Pakistan, the 2009 T20 World Cup winners, will now travel to London for Thursday's finale at The Oval, hoping for a chance to gain some competitive action before the tournament. The team will face co-hosts the United States in their opening match in Dallas on June 6.

Pakistan's star all-rounder Shadab Khan faced an unexpected and embarrassing moment when a fan confronted him with a blunt question about his recent poor form. The incident occurred during Pakistan's ongoing T20I series against England, where the team has struggled to find its footing.In a video that has gone viral on social media, a female fan approached Shadab for a picture. However, after posing for the photo, she abruptly asked, "Aaap chhakke kyu kha rahe hain itne (why are you getting hit for so many sixes)?"Shadab, known primarily for his leg-spin bowling, was visibly taken aback by the question. He remained silent and embarrassed, unable to respond to the fan's direct criticism. The fan continued, "Form mei wapis aayein, perform karein. Wickets leni hain aapne (return to form, perform, you have to take wickets)."The incident highlights the pressure and scrutiny that professional athletes face from fans. Shadab has been under fire for his inconsistent performances in recent matches, particularly his inability to contain the opposition's batsmen. The fan's question served as a stark reminder of the expectations placed on him as a key member of the Pakistan team.Despite the embarrassing encounter, Shadab remains a vital part of Pakistan's squad. His all-round abilities, including his batting and fielding, make him a valuable asset to the team. However, he will need to find his form quickly if Pakistan is to have any chance of success in the upcoming T20 World Cup.The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, is scheduled to begin on June 2. Pakistan will be hoping to put their recent struggles behind them and perform well in the tournament. Shadab's form will be crucial to their chances of success.

Islamabad United's relentless pursuit of a playoff berth culminated in a thrilling three-wicket victory over league leaders Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The two-time champions showcased their resilience and firepower in a high-scoring encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats.Colin Munro, the New Zealand opener, set the tone for Islamabad's chase with a blistering 84 off just 40 deliveries. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he dispatched the Multan bowlers to all corners of the ground. Captain Shadab Khan provided able support, contributing a valuable 54 off 31 balls.The duo's 141-run partnership laid the foundation for Islamabad's victory. However, the Sultans fought back valiantly, with Usman Khan leading the charge with an unbeaten century. The left-hander struck 15 fours and three sixes in his 50-ball knock, anchoring Multan's innings and setting a formidable target of 228 for 7.Despite the early loss of Alex Hales and Agha Salman, Munro and Shadab kept Islamabad's hopes alive. Their aggressive approach put pressure on the Sultans' bowlers, who struggled to contain the onslaught. Imad Wasim's unbeaten 30 in the latter stages of the chase proved crucial, as Islamabad reached the target with three wickets to spare.The victory propelled Islamabad United into the playoffs, where they will face the Karachi Kings in the first eliminator. Multan Sultans, despite the loss, remain atop the standings with 12 points and a game in hand.