Argentina Observes Three Days of Mourning as Diego Maradonna Dies
It’s a sad day for football history! The passing of Argentinean footballer Diego Maradonna has hit fans hard.
Three days of national mourning have started in Argentina after Maradona passed away on Wednesday at the age of 60.
Maradona played for clubs including Barcelona and Napoli, was captain when Argentina won the 1986 World Cup, scoring the famous “Hand of God” goal against England in the quarter-finals. Former Tottenham midfielder Ardiles, who played alongside Maradona at the 1982 World Cup, said he was ‘a god’ in Argentina, in Naples and all around the world.
He further said that “Today’s football superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could not even dream of being admired as much as Diego Maradona was.”
“He will be remembered as a genius in football, you can see the extraordinary amount of interest that he generates,” he added.
More COVID Positives: Pakistani Cricket Players in Trouble!
Tensions rise for Pakistani cricket team, as six more players are positive for COVID-19 in New Zealand, PCB reports.
Cricket officials in New Zealand say players would be moved into quarantine, throwing preparations for the series into turmoil. The squad’s “exemption to train while in managed isolation has been put on hold until investigations have been completed.”
This is surely disappointing for the Pakistan squad because prior to leaving Lahore, all members of the Pakistan touring squad returned negative results on the four occasions they were tested.
The lack of proper testing shows how the Government system is working regarding testing for COVID19.
NZC has also been made aware separately that some members of the Pakistan team had infringed protocols on the first day of isolation. We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements.
Mike Tyson Prepares For a Fight with Roy Jones Jr.
Mike Tyson said he’s preparing to “disable” Roy Jones Jr. in their upcoming boxing exhibition at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Boxing officials for the show have announced that they are in their 50s, so they can only compete for eight two-minute rounds and are forbidden from hitting each other too hard.
Since the rules of the November 28 exhibition were announced, which is an unofficial bout that will not count on their professional records; there has been supposition as to whether the fighters will actually try to knock one another out or not.
“You got Mike Tyson and Roy Jones, and I’m coming to fight, and I hope he’s coming to fight. That’s all you need to know,” Tyson told reporters.
“My objective is to go in there with the best intentions of my life to disable my opponent,” he added.
Is Fakhar Zaman COVID-19 Positive Again?
The double-centurian cricket sensation Fakhar Zaman got ruled out for his New Zealand cricket tour with a fever.
The decision to keep Fakhar Zaman out was taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board as, “keeping the health of the rest of the squad members as a top priority.”
According to the PCB’s statement, the Pakistan batsman is currently in isolation in the team hotel but has returned negative for COVID-19. The player contracted the virus earlier in June.
“Fakhar’s COVID test report was received on Saturday which came out negative but today he picked up fever. As soon as his condition was reported, he was isolated from the rest of the squad in the team hotel,” said Sohail Saleem, the team doctor.
“We are constantly monitoring his condition and remain hopeful of his quick recovery; however he is not fit to travel with the squad and as such has been withdrawn from the touring party.”
Pakistan will play three T20Is and two Tests against New Zealand, starting 18 December. The tour will begin with two four-day warm-up games against New Zealand.
Pakistan Team Leaves for New Zealand Tour
The Pakistani cricket team left for Lincoln, New Zealand on Monday morning ahead of their Test and T20I series against New Zealand. The squad comprises of 35 Shaheens and 20 officials.
The three-match T20I series will be staged in Auckland (December 18), Hamilton (December 20) and Napier (December 22).
The players will observe 14 days of quarantine and spend three days isolation in Auckland, upon arrival, during which they will not be allowed to leave or meet each other.
A test will then be conducted on the fourth day after which groups of 15 individuals will be made which will include both players and support staff members. Members of those groups will live in their own separate areas and will not be allowed to interact with individuals of other groups for the rest of their quarantine periods.
Mikel Arteta is Sad over Mesut Ozil Exile
Arteta has revealed his decision to exclude Mesut Ozil from both Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads has caused him significant hurt.
Ozil also showed his disappointment over social media last month at being exiled from the squad, as he blasted the club for showing a lack of loyalty.
“I’m hurt because I don’t like any player in my squad not to have the possibility to participate, or to compete, for me it is really sad because I don’t think anybody deserves that, “Arteta said in an interview with beIN SPORTS.
“But at the end of the day I’m sitting here to make decisions, to make the decisions that, in my opinion, are the best for the football club. And this is what I have to do,” he added.
Ozil, who is set to depart the Emirates when his contract expires next summer – hasn’t played a competitive game under his former team-mate since March.
Lionel Messi is Tired of Being the Problem Over Barca-Drama
Lionel Messi has frustratingly admitted that he is tired of being blamed for problems at Barcelona after he was accused by Antoine Griezmann’s former agent of making life difficult for the French striker at the La Liga club.
This happened after teammate Antoine Griezmann’s uncle recently suggested that the Argentina international has made life hard for his nephew since moving to Camp Nou last year.
Eric Olhats had accused Messi of having too much control at the club, saying his ‘reign of terror’ had made life difficult for Griezmann to adapt since his arrival last year.
Messi has returned to Barcelona from international duty with Argentina on Wednesday when he was approached by reporters at the airport.
“The truth is that I’m a little tired of always being the problem for everything at the club,” Messi spoke to Spanish media. “On top of that, after a 15-hour flight, I had the tax authorities waiting for me. It’s madness.”
With one year left on his contract, Lionel Messi tried to activate a disputed clause to leave Barcelona for free in the off-season, but eventually decided to stay as he did not want to face a legal battle with the club.
Cricket Fans Rejoiced as Chacha Cricket is not Dead
Our very own Sufi Abdul Jalil aka “Chacha Cricket” is very much alive and kicking.
In a recent video, he shuts all the rumours down assuring his fans and followers that he is alive and in good health!
“Death is a reality, it will come and no one will save [me] from it,” he says in the video. “Whoever posted my picture on Facebook and spread this fake news [of my death], may Allah give him hidayat (guidance) as well. I am alive and well.”
Chacha Cricket is recognised by his long white beard and his all Pakistani appearance in every cricket match of Pakistan. He has been sponsored by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to follow the Pakistan team around the world since 1998, receiving a monthly stipend of 26,000 rupees. He has been a super fan of the Pakistan cricket team for the past five decades and has travelled around the globe to support the men in green.
PSL2020 Finale: Karachi Kings Wins the Pakistan Super League Title
While chasing a target of 135, Kings were dealt an early blow as they lost left-hand opener Sharjeel for 13 in the fourth over.
One of the world’s leading batsmen, Babar Azam knocked a spectacular half-century to help his side win their first championship in five years at Karachi National Stadium.
Azam knocked seven boundaries in his 49-ball 63, and Imad Wasim hit the winning boundary to help the Kings overhaul a modest 135-run target in 18.4 overs.
The Final had become one of the most anticipated matches in PSL history, given the rivalry between the two biggest cities that too was played after a long gap of eight months due to Coronavirus pandemic.
The Kings will take home a magnificent trophy plus a $500,000 prize, while Lahore received $200,000.
Cheers to Karachi Kings for the win!
England Cricket Team to Set Foot in Pakistan After 16 Years!
Good news for all the crazy cricket fans out there! England cricket team is coming to Pakistan to mark their first visit to the country since 2005.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the tour on Tuesday evening following last month’s invite by the PCB for a short tour in January 2021. PCB also announced Super League fixtures against England today.
PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said, “I am delighted to confirm that England will be touring Pakistan to play two T20Is in October 2021. This will be their first visit to Pakistan for 16 years and will open the door for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season.”
“The full-strength England squad will arrive at the backend of our home series against New Zealand. We also expect Australia to visit Pakistan for their FTP commitment in the 2021-22 season, with England returning for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season.” he added.
In a press conference, ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said, “It’s a real pleasure to announce that the England men’s T20I squad will be playing in Pakistan in October 2021. This will be first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan and, as such, it represents a significant moment for both nations.”