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Not Zaheer Khan, Kapil Dev Or Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami Picks These Two As “Favourite Bowlers Of All Time”

admin — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 02:31:37 +0000

The likes of Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan have etched their names in the history books for the kind of performances they put for India. While Kapil, an all-rounder in true sense, is among the legendary players of the nation, Zaheer, a left-arm pacer, was also superb with his skill set during his playing days. Come 2024 and Jasprit Bumrah has established himself as a modern day great in bowling. However, these three are not the only names, who have produced scintillating bowling performances for India. Former spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh alongside off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin are find their names in the list of India’s top performing bowlers.

However, when India pacer Mohammed Shami was asked to pick his “favourite bowler of all-time”, he named two greats, who are not from India.

“There are a lot of them. But if you are asking for names, then I like Waqar Younis and Dale Steyn more,” said Shami in a rapid-fire Question and Answer session on Star Sports.

What is #MohammedShami‘s nickname? Who does he enjoy bowling to?

Watch the star answer these Qs and more, on his birthday today!

Don’t forget to wish the Indian speedster a #happybirthday in the comments#Cricket #HappyBirthdayMohammedShami pic.twitter.com/NWjjyqyDWb

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 3, 2024

Indian all-format pace veteran Shami has stood up as the match-winner across all three formats by delivering numerous memorable performances and has been the national team’s go-to man in the ODI World Cups.

Ever since his memorable debut in international cricket back in 2013 — where he picked up nine scalps in Eden Gardens — Shami has made a name for himself with his pace, toe-crushing yorkers and ability to step up his game in big games.

Delivering match-winning performances through major ICC tournaments for India, particularly, the 50-over World Cups, despite battling injuries, the pacer has gained a massive following for himself.

He forms a formidable pace duo with Bumrah in all formats of the game.

With 448 international scalps in 188 games including 229 in Tests, 195 in ODIs and 24 in T20Is, Shami is one of the best modern-era pacers to have graced the sport.

(With ANI Inputs)

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Ex-Pakistan Star Blasts Waqar Younis Over Selection Call, Says “Will Ruin…”

admin — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 10:42:45 +0000

Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in the first Test match in the two-game series on Wednesday. Following the disappointing show at the T20 World Cup 2024, the Pakistan cricket team has come under a lot of criticism and the series against Bangladesh will be very important in their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. However, the decision to drop spinner Abrar Ahmed and batter Kamran Ghulam has once again sparked a controversy. Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed took a huge dig at Waqar Younis, who was appointed as the advisor to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, and the Pakistan cricket team selection committee to exclude the two players from the squad for the first Test match.

Dekha ap logon ney ye waqar younis or selection commeette ki waja say Abrar Ahmed or kamran ghulam ko test matches say farigh kardiya against bangladesh rahi sahi jo pakistan ki cricket ha ye waqar younis barbad karey ga

— Tanveer Says (@ImTanveerA) August 17, 2024

Tanvir took to social media to be critical of the selection decision.

“Have you all seen? Waqar Younis and the selection committee have removed Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam from the Test matches against Bangladesh. Waqar Younis will ruin whatever that is left of Pakistan’s cricket,” Tanvir posted on X (formerly Twitter), as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

Sharam ani chahiye is selection third class commeette ko jis ney Abrar ko or kamaram ghulam ko team say drop kiya ha kahan ha ye waqar younis jo bara legend bana phirta ha kaise ye dono drop howey hain

— Tanveer Says (@ImTanveerA) August 17, 2024

“This third-class selection committee should be ashamed that has dropped Abrar and Kamran Ghulam from the team. Where is this Waqar Younis who keeps portraying himself as a big legend? How have these two been dropped?” he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s pace attack has taken a major hit just before their two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home. Fast bowler Aamir Jamal has been released from the squad due to ongoing fitness issues, further impacting Pakistan’s lineup for the crucial series.

Jamal, who suffered a back injury while playing County cricket in England earlier this year, was initially included in Pakistan’s squad for the ICC World Test Championship series, pending a fitness clearance.

Pakistan Test Squad Against Bangladesh

Shan Masood (C), Saud Shakeel (VC), Aamir Jamal (subject to Fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

(With ANI inputs)

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Waqar Younis Likely To Become PCB’s Chief Cricket Officer

admin — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 16:35:05 +0000

Fast-bowling great Waqar Younis is likely to become the new Chief Cricket Officer (CCO) of the Pakistan Cricket Board, having joined the PCB as an advisor to the chairman of cricket affairs temporarily. A source aware of the developments said that the former captain had joined the board in a paid position and not in any advisory position. “Presently, he has been given the title of advisor to the chairman on cricket affairs. But, a new position similar to the one that Rob Key has in the English cricket board is being created for him and would be approved by the Board of Governors,” the source said.

The source added that Waqar, once given his new position, would also be part of the national selection committee and involved in issues linked to central contracts.

He said that Waqar had agreed to join as an advisor but first wanted to get acclimatised to his new role on the board.

He recently worked with various departments to learn about all the cricket-related matters, including international and domestic schedules, preparations and strategies for the coming international games and tests etc.

The fast bowler, who has been the bowling coach and head coach of the Pakistan team several times, agreed to join the PCB after relocating from Australia to Lahore with his family.

“He relocated last year to Lahore,” the source said.

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“India Too Hot To Handle”: Pakistan Great’s Ultimate Praise For Rohit Sharma And Co After Win vs England

admin — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 17:08:05 +0000

Team India defeated England by 100 runs to register their sixth victory on the trot at the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. The hosts posted a total of 229/9 in 50 overs with skipper Rohit Sharma playing a crucial knock of 87 runs. Later, pacers Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah scalped four and three wickets respectively as England got bundled out for 129. This was England’s fifth defeat out of six matches, which brought them down at the bottom of the points table.

Team India has been receiving praises from all over the world for their exemplary performance in the ongoing event. Former Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis also did not shy away from praising the 2011 champions.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Waqar wrote, “Batters Win you matches but bowlers Win you Trophies. India too Hot to handle. Rohit Sharma excellent Leader.”

Batters Win you matches but bowlers Win you Trophies. India too Hot to handle. Rohit Sharma excellent Leader. #CompletePackage #CricketWorldCup23 pic.twitter.com/M8dl5FQUEO

— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) October 29, 2023

Chasing a tricky 230 for victory in Lucknow, England collapsed to 129 all out in 34.5 overs to suffer their fifth defeat in six matches and leave their title defence at the mercy of a mathematical miracle.

The hosts have six wins in as many games and are virtually assured of a semi-final place.

Skipper Rohit Sharma led the charge with 87 as India posted 229-9, a total that looked below par but proved enough for a struggling England side on a sluggish pitch.

“It was a great performance and we would take that win any day,” said man-of-the-match Rohit.

Shami returned figures of 4-22 while fellow quick Jasprit Bumrah took three wickets to wrap up the match as fireworks lit up the sky.

(With AFP inputs)

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“This Is Pathetic”: Waqar Younis Fumes As Alleged Babar Azam Chat Is Leaked On TV, Social Media

admin — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 08:49:23 +0000

Pakistan cricket team skipper Babar Azam has been in the line of fire, owing to his team’s poor show in the Cricket World Cup 2023. As Pakistan’s semi-finals qualifcation chances hang in balance, certain reports have suggested that the relationship between Babar and Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Zaka Ashraf have gone sour. There are rumours that Ashraf isn’t even answering Babar’s phonecalls. As a Pakistan tv channel shared an alleged WhatsApp chat with Babar on a show, legendary cricketer Waqar Younis took to social media to slam those leaking personal chats on TV.

There are suggestions that Babar’s captaincy is under the line of fire, with the PCB contemplating if the skipper needs to be replaced at the end of Pakistan’s World cup campaign. As speculations on social media continue to spread, Waqar wasn’t happy seeing an alleged ‘personal chat’ being made public.

The text, as displayed by the Pakistani channel, read:

“Babar, there’s also been this news circulating on TV and social media that you have been calling Chairman and he’s not answering. Have you called him recently?”, the sender by the name of Salman wrote.

The receiver by the name, whose name was saved as ‘Babar Azam New’ responded saying,”Salam Salman bhai, ma ny to sir ko koi call nai ke (Hello brother, I did not call sir).”

“Ya kya Karna ki koshish kar raha ho aap loog??? This is pathetic !!! Khush ho gaya aap loog. Please leave @babarazam258 alone He’s an asset of Pakistan Cricket @TheRealPCB @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL @Salman_ARY,” Waqar wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

they just showed babar azam’s priv whatsapp convo with someone on live tv without his consent. this is pakistan’s captain. how can you stoop so low @Shoaib_Jatt and how can you approve to show this on your show @WaseemBadami, expected better from you. ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC. LANAT. pic.twitter.com/N1uuqMeLZh

— عثمان (@usmssss) October 29, 2023

Having already lost 4 of their 6 matches, Pakistan only have an outside chance when it comes to World Cup 2023 semi-final qualification. Babar Azam and his players have received plenty of criticism over the last couple of weeks, with some of their former players also asking for the skipper to be sacked.

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Waqar Younis Shell-Shocked As Pakistan’s Poor Start In Cricket World Cup Gets Worse. Watch

admin — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:05:43 +0000

Afghanistan put on a superb batting and bowling display to hand Pakistan a stunning eight-wicket defeat in the Cricket World Cup 2023 on Monday. Chasing a 283-run target at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Afghanistan were lifted by Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmat Shah (77 not out) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) as they scored 286 for 2 in 49 overs. Pakistan had made 282-7 in their 50 overs with 74 from skipper Babar Azam and 58 from opener Abdullah Shafique but the total did not prove tough enough for a clinical Afghanistan.

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi hit the winning run that was followed by a heartfelt celebration from the side. Meanwhile, Pakistan legend Waqar Younis, who was commentating for the game, was shell-shocked over the result.

With former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa describing the final scenes from the commentary box, Younis, who was sitting next to him, stayed tightlipped for a fair amount of time.

Watch the viral reaction here:

With the win, Afghanistan improved upon their highest ODI chase of 274 against the UAE in Dubai in 2014.

The win is Afghanistan’s first-ever over Pakistan in eight ODIs and came eight days after their shock victory over defending champions England in Delhi.

“This win tastes nice,” said Shahidi. “The way we chased was very professional and the way we did that will help us going into our other games now.

“We are playing quality cricket. We have always had belief and at the start of the tournament I told my team I wanted to make it a historic one for our country and our people. We did that against England and now today against Pakistan.”

The defeat leaves Pakistan’s World Cup campaign in disarray with three defeats in five games and a formidable South Africa to face at the same venue on Friday.

In contrast, Afghanistan’s campaign is slightly revived with two wins in five matches and struggling Sri Lanka as their next opponents in Pune on Sunday.

The win was greeted with celebratory gunfire, cheers and fireworks across the Afghan capital Kabul for at least 15 minutes after the match concluded.

(With AFP Inputs)

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Pakistan Legend Tells Shaheen Afridi To Copy Jasprit Bumrah Cricket World Cup 2023 Blueprint

admin — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 12:16:36 +0000

Pakistan legend Waqar Younis on Monday advised misfiring strike bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi to learn from India seamer Jasprit Bumrah if he wants to make an impact at the Cricket World Cup 2023. Shaheen is struggling with his pace and fitness and has been unimpressive in all three games at the World Cup where his four wickets have come at a cost of 139 runs. “I don’t know if there is a problem with his fitness,” Waqar, who is India as a commentator, told AFP. “The missing link in his bowling is discipline and he is over trying to get wickets. “When you do the same thing again and again, like Shaheen is bowling to get his yorker going, then batsmen know that and they are ready for it.”

Waqar suggested Shaheen should follow the example set by Bumrah who he described as a “top bowler.”

The Indian spearhead is joint top wicket-taker in the World Cup with eight wickets at just 11.52.

New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner and fast bowler Matt Henry also have eight victims each.

India thumped Pakistan by seven wickets in Ahmedabad on Saturday, with Shaheen unable to help Pakistan defend a meagre 192-run target.

In contrast, Bumrah dismissed Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan with two well executed deliveries to finish with 2-19 in seven overs.

“Bumrah is creating pressure and his line is top of the off stump. He bowled so well against Pakistan and created pressure to get wickets,” said Waqar.

Shaheen, 23, has been leading Pakistan’s new-ball attack since taking 16 wickets in five World Cup games in the United Kingdom four years ago.

He has been likened to former great Wasim Akram who with 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets was regarded as one of the best left-arm pacers to have played cricket.

But former India allrounder Ravi Shastri blasted the comparison during the Pakistan-India match, saying: “Shaheen is no Wasim Akram”, claiming that the Pakistan star is “not special.”

Waqar believes that the absence of regular new-ball partner Naseem Shah — ruled out of the World Cup with a shoulder injury — may have had a detrimental effect on Shaheen’s performances so far.

“Naseem is a good bowler and doesn’t give many runs away,” said Waqar of the 20-year-old.

“When Naseem creates pressure, batsmen take chances with other bowlers and they get wickets.”

Waqar said Pakistan’s bowling was “lacking discipline” at the World Cup where three games have yielded two wins and one loss.

“I don’t think it’s because of missing just one bowler, but it’s because they are not keeping it simple.”

Pakistan, who beat the Netherlands and Sri Lanka before losing to India, next face Australia in Bengaluru on Friday.

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“What If Shaheen Afridi’s Carrying A Niggle?”: Pakistan Great Warns Management Ahead Of India World Cup Clash

admin — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 12:35:19 +0000

Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis has raised concerns over the fitness of star pacer Shaheen Afridi amid his slow start in the World Cup in India. In Pakistan’s first two games so far, Shaheen has picked up just two wickets, conceding 103 runs in the process. The legendary pacer pointed out how Pakistan’s success depends on Shaheen’s ability to consistently grab early wickets, adding that the management needs to figure out the reason behind his struggles.

“Pakistan’s success has come when Shaheen really picks up early wickets and over the years, he’s done it many times and, uh, and he’s got capacity, capability, but at the moment he’s trying too hard. He’s just falling all over the place, you know, bowling on the pads, outside the off stump he’s tried around the wicket over the wicket, nothing really worked for him, and I’m sure he will even sit back with Morne Morkel,” Waqar said on Star Sports.

With Pakistan set to square off with India on October 14 (Saturday), Waqar feels the team would need Shaheen’s services against Rohit Sharma and his men.

“And they’ll probably work out what is going wrong. I think there might be, uh, some action problem. What if he’s carrying any niggle or anything? If he can fix this issue and with that left arm ball coming in, you know, early doors, You know, against India, we’ll be needing his services at the most because he has done it, uh, against India a few matches previously,” he added.

So far, Pakistan have won two games out of two, and pulled off the biggest World Cup chase in their last match against Sri Lanka.

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Pakistan Great Has A Huge Prediction For Virat Kohli, Makes Sachin Tendulkar Reference

admin — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:38:47 +0000

Virat Kohli (L) and Sachin Tendulkar© File Photo

The comparisons between Virat Kohli and Indian cricket team legend Sachin Tendulkar has been dominating headlines for quite some time now. Both experts and fans have their own opinions regarding the two greats and a majority believe that Kohli will end up breaking the impressive records that currently belong to Sachin. In an interaction on Star Sports, former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis weighed in on the topic and said that he expects Kohli to play for some more years and end up with many more hundreds.

“The difference between him and other players, even Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin Tendulkar, when he finished, had 49 hundreds (ODIs). I can promise you Virat is a long way from finishing his career or being done with cricket. He will end up with a lot more (hundreds) than anybody can think,” Waqar said.

Earlier, Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to achieve a sensational record in ODI cricket during the Asia Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan on Monday.

The 34-year-old became the fastest to reach 13,000 runs in ODI cricket as he reached the milestone in his 267th innings.

The world record previously belonged to legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar, who achieved the feat in 321 innings but Kohli was able to shatter the existing record with a brilliant knock against Pakistan.

Australia great Ricky Ponting is third in the list as he took 341 innings to score 13,000 ODI runs.

Virat Kohli ultimately stayed unbeaten on 122 (94b) while KL Rahul ended on an unbeaten 111 (106b) as India scored a massive 356/2 in 50 overs. India ultimately won the match by a record 228-run margin – their biggest win over Pakistan in terms of runs.

(With PTI inputs)

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Haris Rauf Equals Waqar Younis To Achieve This Rare Feat For Pakistan

admin — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:58:04 +0000

Haris Rauf took a four-wicket haul against Bangladesh© AFP

Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf tied with former pacer Waqar Younis to become the third-fastest bowler to 50 ODI wickets for the nation. Rauf who is known for his prowess with the ball claimed the wicket of young right-handed batter Towhid Hridoy to reach 50 ODI wickets in 27 matches. In Pakistan’s Asia Cup Super 4 opening clash, Rauf dislodged the bails off the stumps to send the batter to the dugout for a score of 2(9). Hasan Ali holds the record for claiming the fastest 50 ODI wickets for Pakistan. He achieved the remarkable feat in 24 matches.

Rising pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, holds the second position by reaching the 50-wicket mark in 25 matches.

Talking about the match, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in the Super 4 Asia Cup clash on Wednesday.

Haris Rauf bowled a couple of hostile spells, while Imam-ul-Haq struck a silken 78 as Pakistan secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory.

Rauf (6-0-19-4) proved to be too quick for the Bangladeshi batters, who were also troubled relentlessly by Naseem Shah (5.4-0-34-3) after Shakib-Al-Hasan opted to bat.

Bangladesh were eventually bundled out for a paltry 193 in just 38.4 overs, despite a 100-run stand and twin half-centuries by Shakib (53 off 57 balls) and former captain Mushfiqur Rahim (64 off 87 balls).

The target was never going to pose a problem for the hosts, who knocked it off in just 39.3 overs.

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