'His fitness is always going to be under the scanner': Salman Butt's blunt take on Pakistan's Azam Khan | Cricket News

‘His fitness is always going to be under the scanner’: Salman Butt’s blunt take on Pakistan’s Azam Khan | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: After Pakistan‘s seven-wicket loss to England in the fourth T20I match, former cricketer Salman Butt advised wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan to improve his fitness, warning that it will be “very difficult” for him to continue playing otherwise.Azam had a poor performance in the fourth T20I, getting dismissed for a five-ball duck in the 11th over by Mark Wood.Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Butt noted that Azam’s eyes were closed when he was dismissed by Wood, and emphasized that Azam’s fitness will always be under scrutiny.“People are going to speak about him. The way he got out today, his eyes were closed while facing the short ball, and then his wicketkeeping. His fitness is always going to be under the scanner. I think he has to decide on his career. He should work on his fitness, otherwise, it is going to be very difficult for him to play,” Butt said.Butt added that the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter invites criticism due to his fitness levels.“Everything related to Azam Khan will be criticized whenever he doesn’t perform. This is because what he presents is open to criticism. He invites criticism with the kind of fitness he carries. He had problems against the short ball,” he added.Recapping the match, the hosts won the toss and decided to field first. The England bowlers faced some aggressive batting from the opening pair of skipper Babar Azam (36 off 22 balls, with five fours and a six) and Mohammed Rizwan (23 off 16 balls, with three fours).However, spinners Adil Rashid (2/27) and Moeen Ali (1/23) applied pressure, reducing Pakistan to 86/5. A brief fightback from Usman Khan (38 off 21 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Iftikhar Ahmed (21 off 18 balls, with two fours) helped Pakistan reach 157/10 in 19.5 overs.In addition to Rashid and Moeen, Mark Wood (2/35) and Liam Livingstone (2/17) also performed well with the ball.Chasing 158 runs, England dominated with a powerplay assault by Phil Salt (45 off 24 balls, with six fours and two sixes) and skipper Jos Buttler (39 off 24 balls, with seven fours and a six), making 78 runs in the powerplay.A brief comeback spell from pacer Haris Rauf (3/38) delayed England’s victory. However, Jonny Bairstow (28* off 16 balls, with a four and three sixes) and Harry Brook (17* off 14 balls, with a four and a six) finished the match in 15.3 overs, with seven wickets remaining.Adil Rashid was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his outstanding spell.(With ANI inputs)

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Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Women Today Match Prediction & Live Odds - Semi Final Asia Cup 2024

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Women Today Match Prediction & Live Odds – Semi Final Asia Cup 2024

Get to Know Who will win SLW vs PAKW Semi Final Women’s Asia Cup 2024 Match and toss Prediction with Head to Head stats, Playing 11, CBTFJSK Tips, Live score & winning percentage. 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 : Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Women𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : Jul 26, 2024𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 :19:00 IST / 13:30 GMT𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 : Rangiri Dambulla Stadium – Dambulla, Sri Lanka 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : Semi Final Asia Cup 2024 Sri Lanka vs Pakistan WomenBetting Tips Chamari Athapaththu has hit scores of 49 not out and 119 not out from her last two innings and we recommend backing her to be Sri Lanka Women’s highest run scorer against Pakistan Women.Kavisha Dilhari has a strike-rate of 12 in the tournament and she is a strong choice for Sri Lanka Women’s top wicket taker in this game.Gull Feroza comes into this game after making scores of 62 not out and 57 in the last two games and we expect her to be Pakistan Women’s highest run scorer in this semi-final. Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Women TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Women Match Prediction & Betting Tips – Semi Final Women’s Asia Cup 2024 Bangladesh Women will take on India Women at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in the first semi-final of the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup. This game gets underway at 14:30 local time on Friday 26th July 2024. SLW vs PAKW, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla Pitch Report Although we have seen some high totals in a couple of games, overall it is the bowlers, both spin and pace, who have enjoyed the conditions in Dambulla.

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Is 'Vice-Captain' Pandya Really A Certainty For T20 World Cup 2024?

Is ‘Vice-Captain’ Pandya Really A Certainty For T20 World Cup 2024?

Hardik Pandya’s possible inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad has sparked debate among cricket experts and fans of late. The 30-year-old has been a major talking point during the first three weeks of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Ever since Pandya was announced as Mumbai Indians’ new captain in place of India’s all-format skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of IPL 2024, the controversial decision has received widespread disappointment from fans. MI’s newly-appointed captain has been booed heavily at various stadiums, including at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad as well at Mumbai’s home ground – the Wankhede Stadium. Furthermore, MI started their IPL 2024 campaign with three consecutive losses under Hardik’s leadership although the five-time IPL winners have bounced back with back-to-back wins in their next two games. Fitness and finishing ability concerns Apart from Hardik’s captaincy, his all-round form and finishing ability have been under scanner in the ongoing IPL. Indian cricket team’s limited-overs vice-captain, Hardik has scored 129 runs in five matches for MI this season. The hard-hitting batter showed glimpses of regaining form after he slammed an unbeaten 21 runs off just six balls against Royals Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to help MI chase down 197 in just 15.3 overs at the Wankhede on Thursday. Additionally, there have been questions about Hardik’s fitness for ICC’s marquee T20 tournament. The Indian all-rounder has endured his fair share of fitness concerns over the years and has cut down on his workload with the ball to get the best out of him from an all-round perspective. The Gujarat-born cricketer has bowled just eight overs in five matches in IPL 2024, picking just a solitary wicket at an economy of 11.13. Hardik recently made a comeback in IPL 2024 after he was ruled out of ICC ODI World Cup 2023 having sustained an ankle injury against Bangladesh in October. The Rohit Sharma-led India, of course, will need a fully-fit Hardik at the T20 World Cup 2024 to be held in the West Indies and the United States. In-form Shivam Dube could pip Hardik Pandya While Hardik’s all-round capabilities provide Team India great balance in the T20 format, if he’s not fully fit then the likes of Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh could be better picks as finishers in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad has voiced support for Shivam Dube’s inclusion in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. “Shivam Dube for his striking ability against spinners, Surya for being the best T20 international batter and Rinku Singh for his exceptional finishing ability. It will be great if India finds a way to have these 3 in the 11 in the T20 WC. With Virat and Rohit, this will leave a spot for just a keeper batsman. Interesting to see how it pans out,” Prasad posted on X (formerly Twitter). Chennai Super Kings’ Shivam Dube has been in impressive form in IPL 2024. Batting in the middle-order, Dube has amassed 176 runs in five matches at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 160. He has hit 10 fours and 13 sixes so far. Apart from Prasad, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has stated that Dube must be included in India’s T20 World Cup squad. “Good to watch@IamShivamDube clearing the field with ease!! I feel he has to be in the World Cup squad. Has got the skill to be the #gamechanger,” Yuvraj wrote on X. Earlier, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin urged India to pick Dube in the T20 World Cup squad after his brilliant performances against Afghanistan in a three-match series in January. “Hardik Pandya is an indispensable member of the Indian team. However, with Shivam Dube’s emergence, especially in conditions similar to CSK in the West Indies, he becomes a spin-hitting monster,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “I can proudly call him a ‘Yuvraj Singh lite’ package. There are so many facets of Yuvraj Singh that I see in his game – the downswing, the height, and the reach. I’m not saying he’s exactly like Yuvraj Singh, but he reminds me a lot of him. The beauty here is that he hits spin straight down the ground,” Ashwin added. With Hardik facing strong competition from Shivam Dube, he will need to prove his fitness as well as impress the selectors with his all-round game in the remaining games for MI before the squad is finalised. The Indian cricket team’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is likely to be announced in the last week of April and vice-captain Hardik’s spot still remains uncertain as of now. While a return to form and maintaining his fitness will most likely see Hardik make the cut for the T20 World Cup, judging by the all-rounder’s recent form when batting in death overs as well as his fitness issues, it’s safe to say that the 30-year-old’s inclusion in the squad is certainly not a given. Topics mentioned in this article

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Virat Kohli: T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli tops the list of leading run-getters, Jos Buttler leads batters with best strike rates | Cricket News

Virat Kohli: T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli tops the list of leading run-getters, Jos Buttler leads batters with best strike rates | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: The T20 World Cup has become a premier event in the world of cricket, exhibiting the best of the game’s shortest format. As the ninth edition of the tournament approaches, it is an opportune moment to examine the leading run-getters and the batters with the highest strike rates, who have left an indelible mark on the competition.Virat Kohli stands out as the leading run-scorer in the T20 World Cup history.With 1141 runs across five editions, Kohli has consistently delivered match-winning performances under immense pressure, cementing his reputation as one of the finest batters in T20 cricket. His record of 319 runs in the 2014 edition and his impressive tally of 296 runs in 2016 further underscore his dominance in the tournament. SEE ALSO: T20 World Cup Schedule Mahela Jayawardene, the retired Sri Lankan legend, follows closely with 1016 runs, having played a pivotal role in his country’s success in the T20 World Cup. His consistent scoring across five editions has been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s triumphs.Chris Gayle has amassed 965 runs in the T20 World Cup, establishing himself as one of the most destructive and entertaining hitters in the game’s history. His performances, particularly during the West Indies’ maiden title win in 2012, have made him a fan favourite and a crucial player for his team.Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been a key player for his team in the T20 World Cups, scoring 963 runs, including 91 fours, at a strike rate of 127.88. His ability to score big runs and provide stability at the top of the order has been crucial for India’s success in the tournament.Tillakaratne Dilshan was the leading run-scorer in the 2009 edition with 317 runs from seven matches. His aggressive batting style and ability to provide quick starts at the top of the order made him a vital cog in the Sri Lankan team’s lineup across six editions, accumulating 897 runs. When it comes to the highest strike rates in the T20 World Cup, Jos Buttler of England leads the pack with an impressive 144.48. Regarded as one of the most dynamic and destructive batters, Buttler’s ability to score rapidly has fetched him 799 runs in 27 matches.AB de Villiers, the retired South African legend, boasts a remarkable strike rate of 143.40, reflecting his ability to score quickly and decisively. With 717 runs in 29 innings, including 51 fours and 30 sixes, de Villiers was one of the most feared batters in the tournament.Chris Gayle’s unparalleled fearlessness and confidence translated into an amazing strike rate of 142.75 in the T20 World Cups. The Jamaican always backed himself to take on any bowler, becoming the only player to score two centuries in the event, both of which were match-winning efforts.Mahela Jayawardene’s impressive average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 134.74 reflect his ability to score quickly while maintaining consistency, making him a valuable asset for Sri Lanka.David Warner’s aggressive approach has been crucial for Australia, with his ability to score runs quickly and efficiently earning him a strike rate of 133.22 in the T20 World Cups. His explosive batting has made him one of the most exciting and effective batters in the tournament.(Inputs from ANI)

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Perth Scorchers Women vs Brisbane Heat Women, WBBLT20, Today Match Prediction

Perth Scorchers Women vs Brisbane Heat Women, WBBLT20, Today Match Prediction

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 : Perth Scorchers Women vs Brisbane Heat Women𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : November 05, Tuesday𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 14:40 PM IST​​ 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 : Western Australian Cricket Association, East Perth, Australia𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 :​​ Womens Big Bash League, 2024 Brisbane Heat Women have won three of their last five encounters against Perth Scorchers Women. Perth Scorchers Women vs Brisbane Heat Women TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. PRSW vs BHW Match Prediction & Analysis The 14th match of the 2024 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) will see a clash between Perth Scorchers Women and Brisbane Heat Women at the W.A.C.A. Ground this Tuesday. Perth are in the fifth position after two games with 2 points and an NRR of -0.193. Meanwhile, Brisbane are in third place with 4 points from three games and an NRR of 0.665.  TEAMS PREVIEW Perth Scorchers Preview Perth Scorchers started their WBBL 10 campaign with a 13-run win against Melbourne Stars, but suffered a defeat Melbourne Renegades in their next fixture. Batting first at the Junction Oval, they managed to put on just 140 on the board and lost the game by 6 wickets.  Brisbane Heat Preview Brisbane Heat Women suffered their first defeat of the season in their previous game after winning two back-to-back games. Batting first at the Junction Oval, they put on a healthy 173-5 on the board against Hobart Hurricanes Women, but that didn’t prove to be enough as Hobart romped home with two balls and 7 wickets to spare. Weather Conditions Once known as the fastest pitch in the world, the W.A.C.A. Ground in Perth nowadays usually offers a pretty even surface in domestic games. The deck still has good bounce and carry, and seamers will enjoy bowling here throughout. Batters will need to see off the first few balls before they can start getting comfortable. The new ball will pose a challenge in both innings. PRSW vs BHW Pitch Report The average first innings score at the W.A.C.A. Ground is 140. Last season, the highest total posted here was Brisbane Heat Women’s 197-5 versus Perth Scorchers Women. They won that match by 67 runs. In the first match of the season played here, Perth Scorchers Women posted 122-8 while batting first versus Melbourne Stars Women and won the game by 13 runs.  Toss: To Bat The first match of WBBL 10 played at the W.A.C.A. Ground in Perth saw the team batting first register a comfortable 13-run win. This will play on both captain’s minds and both are likely to bat first here.

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Pakistan vs South Africa Women 3rd ODI Match Prediction

Pakistan vs South Africa Women 3rd ODI Match Prediction

Get to Know Who will win PAKW vs SAW 3rd ODI match and toss Prediction with Head to Head stats, Playing 11, Pitch Report Prediction, Betting Rates, Live score & winning percentage. MATCH: Pakistan vs South Africa WomenDATE: Sep 14, 2023TIME: 16:00 IST / 10:30 GMTVENUE: National Stadium – Karachi, Pakistan TOURNAMENT: PAKW vs SAW 3rd ODI PAKW vs RSAW Betting Tips Marizanne Kapp has batted well in both games. She scored 100 in the first game and scored an unbeaten 29 in the second ODI. Back her as South Africa women’s top batter.Bismah Maroof will be key if Pakistan women have to make a comeback in the final ODI. She is the most experienced Pakistan batter and can be backed to top score for Pakistan women.South Africa women are a better team on paper and have plenty of depth in batting. Expect them to hit more than 21.5 fours in the match. Pakistan vs South Africa Women TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Euro Sports Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the K9WIn Cricket Exchange India and website. PAKW vs SAW 3rd ODI Match Prediction & Betting TipsPakistan women will look to avoid the clean sweep when they take on South Africa women in the 3rd ODI on September 14. The match will be played at the National Stadium, Karachi and will start at 4: 00 p.m. IST. PAKW vs SAW 3rd ODI, National Stadium, Karachi Pitch ReportThe pitch is a belter to bat. There is no help for the fast bowlers while spinners have also looked helpless on the surface. Good lines and length are necessary to restrict the batters from scoring big. Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds, and match prediction for Pakistan vs South Africa Women 3rd ODI 2023

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Roma Spoil Olivier Giroud's AC Milan Farewell In Perth

Roma Spoil Olivier Giroud’s AC Milan Farewell In Perth

Veteran French striker Olivier Giroud bid farewell to AC Milan in subdued fashion as they slipped to a 5-2 defeat at the hands of AS Roma in an entertaining post-season friendly in Perth on Friday. Just days after the Serie A season ended, Roma had the edge in a high-octane contest in front of 56,522 fans at the Optus Stadium. All eyes were on 37-year-old Giroud as he leaves Europe, where he has played at the top level in France, England and Italy, to head next season to Los Angeles FC. The 2018 World Cup winning striker is France’s record goalscorer with 57 in 131 internationals and will have a chance to add to that tally at the Euros later this month, after which he will bow out of international football. “I learned so much from him. He is such a legend,” said Swiss striker Noah Okafor, who replaced Giroud at half-time. “Big respect that he can perform at that age. I’m going to miss him….just going to enjoy these last hours together.”  Giroud, who won the Champions League with Chelsea and the Serie A title with Milan in 2021-2022, signed off from league duty in Italy with a goal in a 3-3 draw with Salernitana on Saturday. He almost replicated that effort in the 30th minute against Roma, only to hit the post.  But Giroud struggled to get involved and was constantly crowded out by Roma defenders aiming to deny him a farewell flourish, and he was substituted at half-time.  Roma midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, firing past Marco Sportiello.  Giroud almost equalised straight away, but it was French left-back Theo Hernandez who tied things up with a fierce shot from outside the area in the 37th minute. Roma reclaimed the lead just before half-time through England international Tammy Abraham, who has been linked with a return to the Premier League after being made available for transfer.  It was all-out attack in the second-half, with both teams having made a slew of changes.  Angelino made it 3-1 early in the half and although Okafor pulled one back for Milan, Paulo Dybala and Sardar Azmoun rounded out the victory for Roma. It was the only match of the tour with the teams set to fly out of Perth just hours after the game, having arrived on Wednesday morning. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

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Colombo Strikers vs Kandy Falcons Today Match Prediction & Live Odds - LPL 2024

Colombo Strikers vs Kandy Falcons Today Match Prediction & Live Odds – LPL 2024

Get to Know Who will win CLS vs KFS LPL 2024 Match and toss Prediction with Head to Head stats, Playing 11, CBTFJSK Tips, Live score & winning percentage. 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 : Colombo Strikers vs Kandy Falcons𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : Jul 02 , 2024𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 19:30 IST / 14:00 GMT𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 : Pallekele Cricket Stadium – Kandy, Sri Lanka𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : LPL 2024 Colombo Strikers vs Kandy Falcons Betting Tips Dinesh Chandimal had a great start to the tournament and scored 65 against Dambulla. He is a veteran cricketer and knows the conditions well. He is a player who can play match winning innings day in and out and Kandy will rest a lot of hopes on him. Dinesh Chandimal is our pick for B-Love Kandy top scorer.Wanindu Hasaranga went wicketless against Dambulla but he is arguably the best spinner in Sri Lanka. Back him as Kandy’s top bowler in the match.Kandy Falcons have a lot of big hitters in the team. Kandy hit as many as nine sixes in the last game against Dambulla. Comparing both teams, we feel Kandy will hit more sixes in the match. Colombo Strikers vs Kandy Falcons TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. Colombo Strikers vs Kandy Falcons Match Prediction & Betting Tips – LPL 2024Colombo Strikers will take on Kandy Falcons in the third match of the Lanka Premier League. The match will be played at Pallekele International Stadium and will start at 7:30 PM IST. Colombo Strikers vs Kandy Falcons, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele Pitch ReportThe pitch will be great for batting. The previous game here saw 180 being chased easily so anything under 200 should not be competitive. Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds, and match prediction for Colombo Strikers vs Kandy Falcons, Lanka Premier League 2024

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Ireland vs England, IRE-W vs ENG-W 2024, Today Match Prediction

Ireland vs England, IRE-W vs ENG-W 2024, Today Match Prediction

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 : Ireland vs England​​ Women𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : Sep 9, Monday𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 15:15 PM IST​𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 : Civil Service Cricket Club, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : 2nd ODI 2024 England Women eye a series-winning lead Ireland vs England​​ Women TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. IREW vs ENGW Match Prediction & Analysis In a match dominated by the bowlers, both Ireland and England Women struggled with the bat. Ireland Women lost early wickets and after a good partnership in the middle that helped their comeback, the hosts suffered another collapse. TEAMS PREVIEW Ireland Preview Ireland Women should be pleased with their bowling effort against a strong team like England. They made the run chase seem quite difficult for the visitors. Orla Prendergast is a key bowler for Ireland Women in the powerplay. She delivered two early wickets putting England Women on the backfoot early in the run chase. The bowlers did pretty well to pick up 6 wickets in the match but there were just not enough runs on the board for them to pull off a win here. England Preview England Women will be confident after the win in the opening match of the series. A win here will seal the series for them. Kate Cross has led the side with a brilliant all-round performance in the first ODI. Weather Conditions There will be cloudy skies over Belfast on the match day with a high of 16 degrees Celsius. It should work in favor of the swing bowlers who could get some movement through the air with the new ball. There is no prediction for rain and we expect a complete match without losing any overs. IREW vs ENGW Pitch Report It is a bowling-friendly wicket that offers plenty of help for the seamers. Fast bowlers will be the key to gaining the upper hand in the contest. The average 1st innings score at this venue is 197 runs from 39 ODIs. 250+ runs should be the minimum the team batting first will need to be in a winning position in this match.

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PCB Announces Massive Reward To Each Player If Pakistan Win T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy

PCB Announces Massive Reward To Each Player If Pakistan Win T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy

Representative image© AFP Each member of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad will get USD 100,000 if the team wins the ICC event in June in Americas, the country’s cricket board announced on Sunday. The announcement was made by the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi after spending nearly two hours with the players here before their departure for the away T20 series against Ireland and England on Monday night. Naqvi also said that the prize money held no importance compared to lifting the trophy, expressing the hope that the team would raise the Pakistan flag. “Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi announced to give 100,000 dollars prize to every player for winning the T20 World Cup,” the PCB posted on social media. He also told the players “not to care about anyone” but to just play for Pakistan and demonstrate teamwork, and, “God willing”, victory will be gained by the team. Naqvi further said that all the players were united while also expressing the hope that fast-bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi would deliver a great performance in the tournament. “The country has a lot of expectations from you. You have to fulfil them,” he told the players. During his visit, the PCB chairman also handed out special shirts to players for achieving milestones. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohamad Rizwan was awarded a shirt for completing 3,000 T20 runs while pacer Naseem Shah was awarded a shirt for taking 100 T20 wickets. Topics mentioned in this article

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