Cricket

Wasim Akram's Cat Haircut Extravaganza: A Tale of Feline Indulgence and Financial MisadventureLegendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram recently shared a hilarious anecdote during commentary duties for the third and final Australia vs. Pakistan one-dayer. The story revolved around an exorbitant cat haircut that left Akram feeling "robbed."Akram's wife had taken their cat to a salon in Australia for a routine trim. To their astonishment, they were presented with a bill of 1,000 Australian dollars. The bewildered commentators initially dismissed Akram's claim as an exaggeration, but he promptly produced the receipt, leaving them in disbelief.The invoice revealed a breakdown of the charges: A$105 for a medical check-up, A$305 for anesthesia, A$40 for the haircut, A$120 for post-procedure care, and A$251 for a cardio test on the feline."I had a cat haircut yesterday. I had to pay 1000 dollars for it. They had to sedate the cat, they had to keep the cat, they had to feed the cat. I said I would have bought 200 cats in Pakistan for that money," Akram quipped on air.The fellow commentators couldn't help but laugh at Akram's misfortune, acknowledging that he had been "ripped off."Meanwhile, Pakistan emerged victorious in the decider against a weakened Australian side, clinching their first-ever ODI series win Down Under in 22 years. Australia had won the opener by two wickets, but Pakistan bounced back to seal the second and third ODIs by 8 and 9 wickets respectively.

Pakistan's fielding woes have been a persistent issue, and the dropped catch by Shaheen Shah Afridi during the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide served as a glaring example. Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram, who was commentating on the match, had just been discussing Pakistan's fielding lapses when Shaheen's error occurred.Akram explained that during his playing days with Waqar Younis, they relied heavily on LBW and bowled dismissals due to Pakistan's poor fielding. "We didn't trust our fielders (laughs). That was one of the reasons. We only heard from slip cordon... Sorry, didn't see the ball. Every time," Akram said.The dropped catch by Shaheen came in the fourth over of Australia's innings. Naseem Shah bowled a short ball to Matthew Short, who pulled it straight to Shaheen at deep backward square-leg. Shaheen attempted a reverse-cup catch, but the ball burst through his hands and rolled to the boundary.Despite the fielding error, Pakistan went on to thrash Australia by 9 wickets in the second game, taking the series into a decider. Haris Rauf (5/29) and Shaheen (3/26) starred with the ball, claiming 8 wickets combined. Openers Saim Ayub (82) and Abdullah Shafique (64 not out) then hit fifties to guide Pakistan to victory within 27 overs.Pakistan's fielding has been a major concern for years, and the dropped catch by Shaheen highlighted the need for improvement. The team will need to address this issue if they want to compete with the top teams in the world.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has expressed optimism that India will participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year, emphasizing the positive vibes from the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Akram believes that India's presence would be a significant boost for cricket and Pakistan.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed hosting all of India's matches in Lahore, which is close to the Indian border, to facilitate logistics and security. The PCB has also pledged to provide 17,000 visas to Indian fans.Akram highlighted the importance of people-to-people contact in the current era of social media negativity. He believes that India's participation would foster goodwill and promote cricket.India has not played an international match in Pakistan since 2008, and the UAE is considered a potential alternative venue if any part of the Champions Trophy is moved out. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has stated that the tournament will not proceed without India's involvement.The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa. The tournament will be played in a group stage format followed by semi-finals and a final.

Pakistan's seasoned spinner Sajid Khan has become a sensation with his witty response to a question about the "scare" he was giving to England batters in the third Test at Rawalpindi.Khan, along with fellow spinner Noman Ali, wreaked havoc on England's batting lineup, reminiscent of the legendary Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis duo. When asked about this comparison in a post-match press conference, Khan delivered an epic reply."I didn't scare anyone," Khan said with a chuckle. "You guys are saying that I did. God has given me such a look that even if I laugh, people get scared."Khan's humor aside, his partnership with Ali proved decisive in Pakistan's first series win in four attempts. The duo combined for 39 wickets in the second and third Tests, including crucial contributions with the bat.Khan praised Ali as Pakistan's most experienced spinner and declared that he deserved the Man of the Series award alongside him. "Noman bhai is a great mate and has served well," Khan said. "He deserved this award with me."Pakistan's captain, Shan Masood, also expressed his delight at the series victory, which ended his wait for his first as Test captain. "Thankful to God for the series win," Masood said. "There was no pressure as such. I was making a comeback, but there were people who backed me."Khan's return to the side was a major factor in Pakistan's success. He thanked God for the 2-1 series win and expressed gratitude to those who supported him. "I was making a comeback, but there were people who backed me," Khan said.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's recent visit to the National Cricket League (NCL) in Dallas, USA, has sparked excitement among cricket enthusiasts. Tendulkar, a co-owner of the NCL, was joined by fellow Pakistani cricket icons Wasim Akram, Zaheer Abbas, and Moin Khan.Akram shared a photo on social media, capturing the moment with the caption, "With 2 Asian greats @sachin_rt & #ZaheerAbbas and of course one of the best wicket-keepers from Pakistan #MoinKhan at NCL."The NCL, played in the T10 format, aims to promote cricket in the United States. Tendulkar's involvement as a co-owner is a testament to his commitment to expanding the sport's reach.During his stay in the US, Tendulkar was honored at a Dallas Cowboys NFL game, where team owner Jerry Jones presented him with a custom No. 10 jersey. This gesture highlights the growing popularity of cricket in America.Tendulkar's presence at the NCL and his involvement in promoting cricket in the US are significant steps towards introducing the sport to new audiences. Through the NCL's innovative format, he is working to make cricket more accessible and engaging for American fans.The NCL's T10 format, with its fast-paced and exciting gameplay, is particularly well-suited to attract new viewers. The league's focus on entertainment and community engagement is also helping to build a strong foundation for cricket in the United States.Tendulkar's passion for cricket and his commitment to its growth are evident in his involvement with the NCL. His presence at the tournament and his collaboration with other cricket legends is a testament to his dedication to promoting the sport globally.

Pakistan cricket has been plagued by a persistent cycle of changes, with coaches, captains, players, selectors, and even board chairmen coming and going. Despite these constant shifts, the team's problems remain unresolved.The latest shake-up came after Pakistan's loss in the opening Test against England, prompting a change in the selection committee and the benching of key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah. However, former England captain Nasser Hussain believes the blame lies not with these individuals but with the systemic issues within Pakistan cricket."The issue is not Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, or Naseem Shah," Hussain said. "The issue is behind the scenes in the way Pakistan cricket runs."Hussain pointed out that Pakistan has used 26 different selectors for the senior men's national team, a staggering number that highlights the lack of stability and continuity. He emphasized that no sport or business can function effectively with such frequent changes."If you keep changing selectors, coaches, captains—constantly shuffling leadership—it's impossible to plan ahead," Hussain said. "No successful business or sports team works that way."Hussain also acknowledged the financial challenges faced by Pakistan cricket, but he stressed that the team's self-inflicted problems have exacerbated the situation."They shoot themselves in the foot," Hussain said. "Their cricket and some of it, you give them a bit of leeway because of the way the finances of the world game have gone with the big three, and they're picking up the scraps like other nations are."Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram echoed Hussain's sentiments, saying that he and Atherton "are onto something."As Pakistan prepares for the second Test against England without Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem, the team faces an uphill battle to turn its fortunes around. The constant changes and lack of stability have created a culture of short-term thinking and unpreparedness that has hindered the team's progress.

The National Cricket League's (NCL) Sixty Strikers has taken the United States by storm, captivating fans with its star-studded roster and thrilling T10 format. Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has showcased his brilliance on the pitch, while other international stars have unleashed their explosive power.Behind the scenes, Pakistan's legendary paceman Wasim Akram revealed the genesis of the league. Organizer Arun Agarwal approached Akram during the 2024 T20 World Cup, held in the USA and West Indies. Initially skeptical due to the tight timeframe, Akram was impressed by the organizers' execution."This is amazing," Akram said. "When Arun Agarwal met me during the T20 World Cup, he asked me to join this tournament. I was not sure if such a league could be organized in such a short time, but I must say he has done a fantastic job."Akram praised the facilities provided to players and the high-quality cricket on display. "This gives fans another chance to see their favorite players in action," he said.The Sixty Strikers tournament has adopted the drop-in pitch concept used in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Akram expressed hope that the wickets would continue to hold up well."I congratulate the organizers for starting the league with such renowned players," Akram said. "I hope the drop-in pitch remains in good condition for the next 10 days."Cricket's popularity in the USA has surged since the 2024 T20 World Cup. "After the World Cup, there has definitely been an interest in cricket here," Akram said. "Cricket has got a boost. People here are now more aware of the game and its nuances."With the addition of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar to the league, Akram believes its popularity will skyrocket. "Sachin's presence will give this tournament immense recognition and credibility," he said. "I am excited to meet him and relive our on-field rivalry."

Pakistan's star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has dismissed concerns about his workload, stating that legendary bowlers like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis bowled significantly more in their time. Afridi's comments come after head coach Gary Kirsten expressed concerns about the potential impact of Afridi's heavy workload across formats."If I'm said to have bowled the most in the world, that's three times more, but in the past, our legends like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis bowled much more," Afridi said. "I don't understand why workload has become such a big issue in the past year."Afridi emphasized the importance of mental and physical fitness for cricketers. "It depends on the individual how they approach each format," he said. "You need to be mentally strong and fit. If you're lazy, you won't perform. Your body will tell you when you're not performing well. That's when you need support from management and loved ones."Meanwhile, Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has denied reports that Babar Azam will continue to lead the team in white-ball cricket until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. "The reports about Babar Azam leading Pakistan in white-ball cricket until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are false," Shehzad said.In September, speculation about a change in Pakistan's captaincy emerged, with Mohammad Rizwan tipped as Babar's successor in limited-overs formats. However, recent developments suggest that Babar may retain the white-ball captaincy.

India's bowling attack has drawn comparisons to Pakistan's legendary fast-bowling trio of Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Waqar Younis, according to former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali.Ali's praise comes after India's comprehensive 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai. India's pacers, led by Jasprit Bumrah (4/50), Mohammed Siraj (2/30), and Akash Deep (2/19), outclassed Bangladesh's batting lineup, dismissing them for a meager 149 in the first innings.Bumrah's four-wicket haul and Akash Deep's early breakthroughs, combined with Siraj's consistency, left Bangladesh reeling. The dominant performance has drawn comparisons from Basit, who likened India's current pace attack to Pakistan's legendary fast-bowling trio."The Indian bowling unit is so impactful that they are on the level with pacers Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Waqar Younis. Right now, Mohammed Shami is not even playing," Basit remarked on his YouTube channel.Basit also expressed excitement about India's emerging pace talent, particularly 22-year-old Mayank Yadav. The young speedster impressed during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), clocking the fastest delivery of the season at 156.7 kph for Lucknow Super Giants. Basit believes Mayank's pace could be a game-changer in India's upcoming Test assignments, specifically against Australia."Mayank Yadav's ball is very dangerous. His bouncer is accurate. I wish to see him play a Test match in Australia," Basit said.With India's established pacers performing brilliantly, all eyes will be on how the selectors integrate budding talents like Mayank Yadav into the squad for future challenges.