Three duels to savor in Rugby World Cup final
PARIS: Defending champions South Africa and New Zealand battle it out on Saturday bidding to become the first team to win the Rugby World Cup four times.
Pakistan Sport News
Gautam Gambhir Says Afghanistan Are 'No Longer The Underdogs'. Naveen-ul-Haq's Reaction Can't Be Missed
Former India opening batter Gautam Gambhir reserved high praise for Afghanistan after their win over Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup on Monday. Chasing a target of 282, Afghanistan stunned Pakistan by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This was Afghanistan's first win over Pakistan in ODIs, and their second overall in the World Cup this time, having humiliated England a few days. Taking to Instagram, Gambhir praised the Afghanistan team, saying that they cannot be considered as "underdogs" anymore.
"Whole Nation Will Forgive Him" If...: Pakistan All-Rounder On Babar Azam Facing Criticism
Pakistan are having a nightmare at the ongoing ODI World Cup as the Babar Azam-led team has lost three out of it's first five matches. Their chance of qualifying into the semi-finals stage look grim as they are on the verge of elimination. Due to the team's forgettable performance, skipper Babar is receiving a lot of backlash from many former cricketers. Many of them have suggested that the 29-year-old batter should be removed from the position of the captain. However, Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim stated that Babar can still earn everyone's forgiveness by winning the World Cup.
"Criticising Is The Easiest Thing": Pakistan Star Hits Back Amid Team's Struggles At Cricket World Cup 2023
A defeat against South Africa on Friday will virtually knock them out of the World Cup but Pakistan team is not thinking that option as yet with vice-captain Shadab Khan instead hoping for a return to winning ways for his side. With just four points from five matches, it is a must-win game for Pakistan against South Africa at the Chepauk. Shadab admitted do-or-die matches are generally pressure situations but said it could be different for some teams. "It depends on individual and team. I think that reduces the pressure because you have no option, nothing to lose. If you lose, you're obviously out of tournament. So, the more positive things you bring to the match, the more you benefit," he said at the pre-match press conference.
South Africa's Predicted XI vs Pakistan, Cricket World Cup 2023: Temba Bavuma Or Aiden Markram - Who Will Lead Proteas?
The South African cricket team has established itself as one of the most formidable contenders in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. They have secured four victories in five matches, with only one loss. Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen have been standout performers in the batting department, receiving timely support from stand-in skipper Aiden Markram. When it comes to their bowling, pacers Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee have been exceptional, consistently dismantling rival batting lineups. This presents a significant challenge for the Pakistan batters, even on the slow MA Chidambaram Stadium surface. (World Cup 2023 points table)
'I had to Google the word!': Bavuma wary of 'mercurial' Pakistan threat
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma admitted on Thursday that he was so stunned by seeing Pakistan described as "mercurial" that he had to "Google the word" out of respect for his opponents ahead of their World Cup clash.
New Zealand Great Picks Netherlands Star Ahead Of Babar Azam As 'ODI World Cup Captain'
The captaincy of Babar Azam has come under severe scrutiny since Pakistan's eight-wicket loss to Afghanistan in Cricket World Cup 2023. With it, the Babar-led side suffered its third consecutive defeat in the ongoing tournament. It was a good start for Pakistan in the tournament with two wins in as many games but Rohit Sharma-led Indian team broke the Asian neighbour's winning run before the side also suffered defeats at the hands of Australia and Afghanistan. Babar has been at the receiving end of all the backlash.
Sultan Johor Cup Hockey: Indian Colts To Face Pakistan In Opener
Indian hockey colts, following their title-winning feat in the men's Junior Asia Cup earlier this year, will look to continue their fine run when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the Sultan of Johor Cup opener in Johor on Friday. India are placed in Pool B along with Malaysia, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Pool A features Germany, Australia, South Africa and Great Britain. The last time the Johor Cup defending champions India faced Pakistan was during the Junior Asia Cup in June, where they defeated the neighbours 2-1 to win the tournament a record fourth time.