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Babar Azam to receive prestigious Civil Award in Pakistan

Babar Azam to receive Sitara-e-Imtiaz

The captain of Pakistan, will get the coveted civil award in recognition of his outstanding services to Pakistan’s cricket as a captain and a top batter.

The ace cricketer will get Sitara-e-Imtiaz at the young age of 28, honouring his excellent accomplishments.

Babar will now receive the Sitara-e-Imtiaz award, as previously announced by the Pakistani government. The award ceremony will commence on March 23, 2023, Pakistan Day.

The right-hand batter won’t be playing in the series against Afghanistan. Which is set to begin on March 24, so he will take a break from playing cricket to attend the ceremony.

A role model!

Babar Azam has established himself as a role model for young cricketers. Additionally, this accolade is a reflection of his commitment to and labour of love in the sport.

The Pakistani government has also awarded the renowned Sitara-e-Imtiaz title to a number of other outstanding cricketers from Pakistan.

Also Read: Babar Azam’s tweet in support of Virat Kohli takes Twitter on a storm

Importantly, this third-highest civil honor in the country has been given to Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, and Sarfraz Ahmed for their great services to cricket.

Only four other cricketers had previously won the Sitara-e-Imtiaz award for their outstanding athletic accomplishments. They include Inzamam ul Haq in 2005, Mohammad Yousuf in 2011, Saeed Ajmal in 2015, Javed Miandad in 1992.

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Shakib leaves Peshawar Zalmi due to family emergency

Shakib Al Hasan leaves Peshawar Zalmi

Shakib Al Hasan of Peshawar Zalmi has been replaced by Azmatullah Omarzai after having to leave the squad to attend a family emergency in the United States.

If Peshawar Zalmi were to advance, the Bangladesh all-rounder would return to the HBL Pakistan Super League for the playoffs.

Also Read: Shoaib Akhtar distances himself from biopic Rawalpindi Express

Shakib Al Hasan: “I have to temporarily leave the HBL PSL 8 to attend an important personal matter. I know I have a strong fan-base here and I was looking forward to playing all the matches in front of all the fans.

“But no need to be disappointed as I will be back at some stage during in the second half of the competition to play my part in Peshawar Zalmi’s campaign to reclaim the title.”

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Shoaib Akhtar distances himself from biopic Rawalpindi Express

Shoaib Akhtar walks out on Rawalpindi Express.

The Rawalpindi Express is no longer listed for making. Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar declared that he has legally revoked all rights to his life’s story and distanced himself from the “dream project.” He cited “constant contractual violations” and “failure to resolve differences amicably” as reasons for the breakup.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra praises Pakistan’s Oscar shortlisted film ‘Joyland’

On Saturday, he released his official statement on his Twitter account. “Very sadly, I would like to inform all of you that after careful consideration of months, I have decided to disassociate myself from the film Rawalpindi Express and its makers by terminating the agreement through my management and legal team,” he wrote.

A dream project rip to pieces…

Even though he made an effort to survive, he claimed that his biopic didn’t turn out as well as he had hoped.  “Definitely, it was a dream project and I tried a lot to prevent [this] and stay in the boat but unfortunately, things were not going well,” he said, explaining the reasons. “Failure to resolve disagreements amicably and constant contractual violations finally resulted in us to cut ties with them.”

Akhtar asserted that he has formally and legally quit the project. Moreover, he threatened to take legal action if the filmmakers decide to proceed. “I have abandoned the project after following all legal procedures to revoke the rights to my life’s story. If the creators of the biography film continue to use my name or the events from my life story in any way, severe legal action will be taken, he added.

Also Read: The top 10 most popular tv shows on Netflix right now

The first foreign film about a Pakistani sportsman was announced in July of last year. Furthermore, it was slated for release in November of this year. It felt like a dream come true for the director, Muhammad Faraz Qaiser, to be able to bring an idea from 2016 to fruition.

Rumors that singer-actor Umair Jaswal would be playing Akhtar were confirmed in November, but he soon changed his mind. Earlier this month, he announced on Instagram that he would not be portraying the former cricketer due to “creative and personal reasons.”

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Brazilian soccer legend Pelé dies at 82

The soccer legend Pele dies at 82

The first global icon of soccer, Pelé, a Brazilian legend who won three World Cups, has passed away at age 82.

His daughter Kely Nascimento captioned a photo of her and her family holding Pele’s hands on Instagram, “Everything that we are, is thanks to you.”

You have our utmost love. Peace be with you. Late in November. Pelé was hospitalised in So Paulo for complications from colon cancer and a respiratory infection. His health had gotten worse as his cancer got worse, the hospital reported last week. According to a statement from Albert Einstein Hospital, he passed away on Thursday. As a result of multiple organ failure brought on by the progression of colon cancer.

Soccer has been associated with Pelé for more than 60 years. The only player in history to participate in all four World Cups and win three of them. He left a lasting legacy that went far beyond his collection of awards and exceptional goal-scoring stats.

“I was born to play football, just like Beethoven was born to write music and Michelangelo was born to paint,” Pelé famously said.

Tributes from legends themselves for Pele!

Tributes have been pouring in for the soccer legend. Pelé’s first club, Santos FC, responded to the news on Twitter with the words “eternal” shared next to an image of a crown.

Football player Neymar from Brazil claimed Pelé “changed everything.” He stated: “He turned football into art, into entertainment,” in a post on Instagram. Also, he gave the underprivileged, black people, and most importantly, Brazil, a voice. Brazil and football have improved thanks to the King! Added he.

Portuguese star forward Cristiano Ronaldo sent his condolences to Brazil in a post on Instagram, saying “a mere “goodbye” to the eternal King Pelé will never be enough to express the pain that currently engulfs the entire football world.”

Kylian Mbappé of Paris Saint-Germain said of Pelé’s death: “The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten.”

Moreover, Messi paid his tribute on social media,

The funeral services

According to a statement released by Santos FC on Thursday, a public wake for Pelé will be held on Monday at the Urbano Caldeira stadium. It is popularly known as Vila Belmiro and home to Santos football club, in Brazil’s So Paulo state.

Moreover, Pele’s body will be transported from the Albert Einstein Hospital to the stadium at sunrise on Monday. The casket of the late soccer great will be positioned in the middle of the field.

The funeral procession will continue to the Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica cemetery in Santos, where a private service will be held just for family members.

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Argentina win incredible World Cup final in shootout

Argentina wins the FIFA world cup 2022!

LUSAIL, Qatar, December 18: In an extraordinary World Cup final on Sunday, Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties. Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-3 tie and Kylian Mbappe notched a hat-trick to rescue the defending champions from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2.

Stand up for the champions

The tournament’s two star players gave commanding performances on the biggest stage possible. Moreover, capping an incredible night of drama, high emotion, and fluctuating fortunes with one of the all-time great finals.

The nerve-wracking penalty shootout!

Messi’s penalty and Angel Di Maria’s outstanding goal in the first half gave Argentina what appeared to be a one-sided victory.

However, Mbappe’s conversion of a penalty in the 80th minute forced extra time.

Kylian Mbappe an unsung hero!

Messi gave Argentina the lead once more. However, Mbappe equalised with another penalty. He becomes the second player, after England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966, to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.

Emiliano Martinez of Argentina stopped Kingsley Coman’s attempt in the shootout, and Aurelien Tchouameni missed. Gonzalo Montiel, a substitute fullback who gave away the penalty for France’s third goal, was now given the opportunity for the ultimate atonement, which he duly accepted by coolly sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way.

Also Read: FIFA World cup 2022: France qualifies to the final after beating Morocco

It meant that Messi, 35, finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy after playing in a record-tying 26 World Cup games, five times in a row. This elevated him to the same status as Diego Maradona, Argentina’s first football god, who led his nation to their stirring second victory in 1986 after their first in 1978.

Also Read: Karim Benzema wins Ballon d’Or award for the first time

I wanted to close my career with this, it was the one that was missing so I can no longer ask for anything else,” said Messi, who has played 172 times for his country.

The victory seems all the more unbelievable coming a month after his team lost to Saudi Arabia to start the tournament, which is statistically the biggest upset in World Cup history.

Congratulations to team Argentina! cheers.

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FIFA World cup 2022: France qualifies to the final after beating Morocco

France qualifies to FIFA world cup 2022 finals

France advanced to the FIFA World Cup 2022 final for the fourth time in the last seven tournaments after defeating Morocco 2-0 in the semifinals at Qatar’s Al Bayt Stadium.

France’s quest to repeat as World Cup champion reached a climax today when Les Bleus defeated Morocco, 2-0, on goals from Théo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani to advance to the World Cup final.

France became the first nation in more than two decades to qualify for consecutive finals after denying tournament favourite Morocco an improbable berth in the final match. Brazil, which made three straight from 1994 to 2002, was the most recent.

France vs Morocco in highlights

France took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a strike from inside the box from Theo Hernández. It was Morocco’s second goal of the World Cup, the first being an own goal. Morocco then attempted to score several times but were unsuccessful. The team had more than 60% of the possession in the game, but France won with a late goal in the 79th minute from substitute Randal Kolo Muani.

The French team will face Argentina in the finals on Sunday, 18th December, 2022. Meanwhile Morocco will take on Croatia on Saturday in the third-place game

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FIFA world cup 2022: Argentina qualifies for final after 3-0 win against Croatia in semis

Argentina qualifies for FIFA world cup 2022 semi finals

The song books have run their course, and their voices are hoarse, but they can’t stop singing about the man who refuses to let them down. For Lionel Messi, the long-unfulfilled promise of a shiny World Cup trophy motivates him to play his best, unearthing previously hidden weapons from his arsenal. Argentina qualifies for the FIFA world cup finals 2022!

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Morgan Freeman and BTS’ Jung Kook headline opening ceremony

In Lusail, the city of dreams, he scored one and created another, as he and his beloved Argentina found an extra gear to see off Croatia’s challenge and advance to the final for a chance to avenge the eight-year-old heartbreak.

The match in highlights!

Argentina claimed a 3-0 win over Croatia on Tuesday to advance to the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.  The team was awarded a penalty after Julian Alvarez was brought down by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic at Lusail Stadium in Al Daayen. Lionel Messi converted the penalty kick in the 34th minute. After five minutes, Argentina doubled the lead when forward Alvarez made a close-range finish.

The first half ended 2-0 in favor of the Albiceleste. Furthermore, in the 69th minute, Messi dribbled past the Croatian defenders and found Alvarez in the area. Alvarez fired a right-footed shot from the penalty box to beat Livakovic, making it 3-0. Meanwhile, Croatia’s assistant coach Mario Mandzukic was shown a straight red card in the 35th minute.

Also, With 11 World Cup goals, Messi surpassed Argentina legend Gabriel Batistuta to become the country’s all-time leading scorer. The team will face the winner of the match between France and Morocco. On Sunday, the final will be held at Lusail Stadium.

Also Read: Karim Benzema wins Ballon d’Or award for the first time

With this result, Messi advanced to the second World Cup final in his career. In the 2014 World Cup final, Messi’s Argentina suffered a 1-0 loss against Germany.

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Stomach bug hits about half of England team before 1st test vs Pakistan

England team suffers from a stomach bug

Despite the touring party bringing their own chef, England team cricketers, have been struck down with a suspected stomach bug. This happened on the eve of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. The unveiling of the series trophy by the two captains on Wednesday was postponed to allow Stokes time to recover.

Also Read: England defeats India to advance to the T20 World Cup final against Pakistan

England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement,

“Several players and staff members, including England captain Ben Stokes, are feeling unwell. Also they have been advised to stay at the hotel to rest up.”

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Morgan Freeman and BTS’ Jung Kook headline opening ceremony

According to reports in the British press, the players were suffering from viral food poisoning.

How many players got the stomach bug?

According to the BBC, roughly half of the playing squad of 16 has been hit, with only five taking part in an optional training session and around 14 members of the travelling party, including coaches and backup staff, advised to stay at the team hotel.

Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, and Keaton Jennings were among the players at training on Wednesday, as was head coach Brendon McCullum. On Tuesday, the entire squad had practised. Eventually, the virus outbreak may force England to change the team announced on Tuesday for the Test.

Also Read: Didn’t win the trophy, but still won: Pakistan team outplayed themselves in the T20 World Cup final!

Lancashire all-rounder Liam Livingstone will make his Test debut on Thursday, while opener Ben Duckett has been recalled for the first time in six years. England is on their first Test tour of Pakistan in 17 years, after their Twenty20 side won the series 4-3 in seven matches there two months ago.

England team revival towards health

Food issues and player illness during the Twenty20 series prompted the decision to bring in a chef, Omar Meziane. Moreover, the chef who previously worked with the England men’s football team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and at Euro 2020.

England and Pakistan will play a three-Test series, with the second starting on December 9 in Multan and the third from December 17-21 in Karachi.

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FIFA World Cup 2022: Morgan Freeman and BTS’ Jung Kook headline opening ceremony

FIFA World Cup 2022 begins!

The opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar provided fans around the world with a visual spectacle. The narrator in the beginning was Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman, who extended one yellow-gloved hand to a FIFA World Cup ambassador suffering from a rare spinal disorder in an image meant to represent inclusion in a country facing international criticism for its human rights record.

Onstage, Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi performed a new tournament song called Dreamers.

Additionally, Qatar’s ruler then declared the World Cup open, urging people of all races and sexual orientations to put aside their differences.

How social media reacted on the FIFA world cup 2022

The opening ceremony was held at Al Bayt Stadium ahead of the first game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador (11 a.m. ET/4 p.m. GMT), and the social media world took notice.

Gab Marcotti, an ESPN senior writer, was present:

Morgan Freeman, who was a delegate for the United States when it lost the 2022 bid to Qatar, took the stage to narrate the event and speak about “a common thread of hope, jubilation, and respect.”

As the event concluded, there were plenty of fireworks.

The ban on Alcohol at FIFA during the games

The Qatari royal family decided to ban alcohol inside stadiums just two days before the tournament began on Friday. Following discussions with the hosts, FIFA announced that beer would not be sold to fans near any of the eight World Cup stadiums.

Also Read: Karim Benzema wins Ballon d’Or award for the first time

According to reports, fans can purchase alcohol in fan zones, and individuals are limited to four drinks each. Alcohol is also available in the stadium’s hospitality boxes.

According to FIFA, beer sales would be concentrated in fan zones and licenced venues, “removing beer sales points from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters.” It gave no reason for the unexpected decision, but media reports said Qatar’s ruling family intervened.

Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo back in Manchester United training after exile

Following the decision’s announcement, FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated on Saturday that World Cup fans can go three hours without beer after sales were prohibited around stadiums. “I personally believe that if you cannot drink a beer for three hours a day, you will survive,” he said at his opening press conference in Doha. “The same is true in France, Spain, and Scotland,” Mr Infantino continued.

The game: Hosts Qatar lose 2-0 to Ecuador in the opening World Cup match, as Enner Valencia scores both goals.

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Didn’t win the trophy, but still won: Pakistan team outplayed themselves in the T20 World Cup final!

Disappointed love!

Pakistani cricket fans sat with mixed emotions on the 13th November in the T20 world cup final, hoping to see history repeat itself after the men in green qualified for the finals for the first time in 13 years. But even reaching the finals was a big accomplishment for us, and fans are proud of their team as always!

The T20 World Cup final between Pakistan and England deserved a lot of shock and excitement, comparisons to the 92 World Cup (while ignoring 2009’s win), a gazillion memes, and a generous helping of positivity.

What really happened on the pitch?

When star pacer Shaheen Afridi walked off the field with a knee injury near the end of the run-chase, Pakistan suffered a significant setback. The lanky pacer could only bowl 2.1 overs

Despite India’s humiliating semifinal loss to England, Pakistanis had high hopes for the Green Shirts. While their batting was disappointing, their bowling attack more than compensated. The exit of Shaheen Shah Afridi, according to netizens, was the game’s turning point.

shaheen shah afridi injury

The love and support for Shaheen Shah Afridi

Despite losing to England in the T20 World Cup 2022 grand final, netizens and cricket community applauds Pakistan’s efforts.

Not just that, the love for Naseem Shah was indescribable on Twitter!

Also Read: Winning shot of Naseem Shah takes Pakistani team to Asia Cup final

Umar Gul also shared his thoughts on Twitter

Also Read: England defeats India to advance to the T20 World Cup final against Pakistan

Also Read: Meet Pakistan’s rising cricket star, Abdullah Shafique

Tum jeetou ya haarou suno, humey tumse pyaar hai!

We just hope and pray for Shaheen’s quick recovery and we also hope that the player is not taking it too hard on himself.

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