Cricket

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razaaq's absence from the Pakistan Champions' playing eleven in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) final against India on Saturday was overshadowed by his recent removal from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection panel.Razaaq and his former teammate Wahab Riaz were dismissed from the PCB selection committee after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, where they failed to advance past the group stage. Allegations of favoritism have been leveled against the duo, which they have denied.During a talk show on a Pakistani TV channel, Razaaq was asked if the PCB had promised any support or prize money to the team if they defeated India in the WCL final. Razaaq's response drew laughter from the panel and social media users."We received a termination letter," Razaaq quipped, referring to his dismissal as a selector.Razaaq has previously defended the selection decisions made for the T20 World Cup, stating that they were made collectively by the committee.Meanwhile, in the WCL final, India Champions defeated Pakistan Champions by five wickets. Led by Yuvraj Singh, India chased down a target of 157 runs in 19.1 overs. Ambati Rayudu (50) played a key role with a quickfire half-century, while Yusuf Pathan (30*) and Gurkeerat Singh Mann (34) made valuable contributions.

Irfan Pathan's Hilarious Meme Captures the Essence of Sibling RivalryFormer Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has shared a hilarious meme on Instagram that perfectly captures the dynamics of sibling relationships. The meme features a video clip of Pathan and his brother Yusuf Pathan having a verbal spat during a World Championship of Legends (WCL) match against South Africa.In the video, the brothers can be seen arguing while attempting a run. The caption reads, "Brothers when they are alone." The video then cuts to a scene of Irfan and Yusuf sharing a hug, with the caption "Brothers in front of parents."Pathan's meme has resonated with many siblings, who can relate to the nature of fights between brothers and sisters. In the caption, Pathan wrote, "Brothers can you relate?"The meme has garnered over 100,000 likes and thousands of comments, with many users sharing their own experiences of sibling rivalry.

Wahab Riaz's Dropped Catch Sparks Criticism as Pakistan Triumphs in WCLFormer Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz faced online backlash after dropping a straightforward catch during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) match against India at Edgbaston. Riaz, who currently serves as the chief selector of the Pakistan men's senior team, was visibly disappointed after failing to secure the catch.The incident occurred during the final over of India's innings, with Pakistan already assured of victory. Anureet Singh lofted Aamer Yamin's delivery high into the sky, giving Riaz ample time to settle and pouch the ball. However, the ball somehow slipped through his hands, leading to widespread criticism.Fans questioned Riaz's suitability as chief selector, citing his inability to execute a basic fielding task. Social media erupted with comments mocking Riaz's performance, with some suggesting that he should reconsider his role.Despite the dropped catch, Pakistan Champions secured a convincing 68-run victory over Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions. This marked their third consecutive win in the ongoing WCL 2024 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.Earlier, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 243/4, thanks to a 145-run opening partnership between Sharjeel Khan and Kamran Akmal. Khan scored a blistering 72 off 30 balls, while Akmal contributed 77 off 40 balls. Sohaib Maqsood also chipped in with a quickfire 51 off 26 balls.In reply, India started their chase aggressively but lost wickets at regular intervals. Suresh Raina top-scored with 52 off 40 balls, but his efforts were not enough to prevent Pakistan from securing a comfortable victory.

Pakistan cricket legend Shahid Afridi's much-anticipated appearance in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) match against India at Edgbaston was met with a thunderous reception from the 22,000 spectators. However, his performance on the field failed to live up to expectations, as he was dismissed for a golden duck.After Pakistan champions were put into bat by India champions, openers Sharjeel Khan and Kamran Akmal laid the foundation for a match-winning total with a 145-run partnership. Sharjeel (72) and Akmal (77) set the stage for Sohaib Maqsood to add a quickfire 50 to the team's tally.With the departure of the trio, it was Afridi's turn to entertain the crowd. The former Pakistan captain was greeted with deafening chants of "Afridi, Afridi" at the famous venue. However, his explosive batting style failed to materialize, as he was dismissed by Dhawal Kulkarni in the 18th over.Afridi's golden duck sparked a social media meltdown, with fans expressing their disappointment and amusement. The incident became a trending topic on Twitter, with users sharing memes and jokes about the former batter's unfortunate dismissal.Despite Afridi's disappointing performance, the match between India and Pakistan was a highly anticipated event. All 23,000 seats at Edgbaston were sold out, and members of both teams expressed their excitement and determination to give their all.The World Championship of Legends, which got underway at Edgbaston on July 3, will run through July 18. The tournament, approved by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), features some of the greatest cricketers of all time.