Latest news with #MohammedRizwan
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
If Pakistan is kept away from the Asia Cup, a public outcry is unlikely
Don't mix sport and politics, says Pakistan cricketer Mohammed Rizwan. It is the kind of statement made by those who understand neither politics nor sport. History has shown that sport is often politics by other means. Perhaps Rizwan fears that owing to his country's politics, international cricket might come to a standstill there. And if India refuse to play Pakistan on neutral territory, there will be a question mark over World Cups too. National coach and BJP politician Gautam Gambhir thinks India should not play Pakistan anytime anywhere. In India's plans to isolate Pakistan, cricket is a useful tool. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified that a decision has not yet been taken on the Asia Cup to be played here in September. But it's difficult to see either Pakistan coming to India or India accommodating Pakistan by playing in the UAE or Sri Lanka. It is too soon, and, as the government has said, Operation Sindoor is ongoing. The current cessation of hostilities is only a 'strategic pause.' For so long has cricket borrowed metaphors from the military that to see the traffic in the opposite direction (the IPL's 'strategic timeout') is startling. It might not be a bad idea to give cricket between the two countries a break from the jingoistic reactions either side of the border. In the current atmosphere, a public outcry is unlikely. Politics vs. commerce An Asia Cup without an India-Pakistan match is like Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark. It will be interesting to see the politics versus commerce argument unfold, since Sony has paid $170 million —for media rights for all Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments till 2031. This includes men's and women's tournaments in the Asia Cup, Under-19 and Emerging Nations competitions, the last of which is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka next month. So it is a question, as Rizwan might have realised by now, of mixing sport, politics and commerce. There is too the question of the ACC itself, currently headed by Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi who is the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The ACC, founded in 1983, was a useful body when Asia didn't have much of a voice in the International Cricket Council. But it might have overstayed its welcome. None of the full members seem to have the inclination of 'spreading the game' in the region with the kind of missionary zeal that was initially apparent. Fifteen per cent of the broadcasting income from the Asia Cup goes to each of the full members India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. India apart, none can afford to let that amount go. If India refuse visas to the Pakistan team – other countries are unlikely to complain to the International Cricket Council now headed by the son of India's Home Minister — the television rights amount might have to be readjusted. Indians keen to send the message to other countries that you support the enemy at your own peril, have made it a patriotic duty to stop visiting Türkiye or Azerbaijan, with a popular booking website saying 'In solidarity with our nation, we have discontinued all promotions and offers for travel to Azerbaijan and Turkey.' In the same spirit, it is possible that the BCCI might cancel India's tour of Bangladesh in August. A retired army official there was quoted as saying, 'If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy the seven states of North-East India. I think it is necessary to start a discussion on a joint-military system with China.' Competitive patriotism is a major sport in South Asia. Pull outs The Asia Cup has been buffeted by political winds before. In 1986, India pulled out of the tournament in Sri Lanka as relations with that country were at a low ebb. Pakistan pulled out in 1990-91 when it was held in India as political relations between the two were strained. In 1993, the tournament itself was cancelled for the same reason. Cricket has a knack of muddling through violence, wrote Gideon Haigh recently, recalling political assassinations or terrorist attacks that have left ongoing cricket unaffected. But this feels different. India hold all the cards, and as recent events have shown, they are not shy of playing them.
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Hans India
Bike thieves held, 50 vehicles recovered
Vijayawada: Kankipadu police nabbed a four-member gang and seized 50 two wheelers, which the gang have stolen in five districts during the past few years. The gang stolen vehicles in Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Eluru and Bapatla districts, under the limits of 17 police stations and the approximate value of seized vehicles is Rs 21.46 lakh. The gang members are identified as Mohammed Rizwan of Nizam Pet, Machilipatnam; Kesana Suresh, Shaik Ibrahim Basha and Kola Krishna Rao from Koduru mandal, Krishna district. The gang members mainly target worship places like temples, churches, mosques, function halls, hospitals and other public places and open the lock with the duplicate keys. They always wear helmets during robbery. They robbed vehicles under the police station limits, Kankipadu, Pedana, Bandar Taluka, Chilakalapudi, Inaguduru, R Pet, Gudivada two town, Gudivada rural, Gudlavalleru in Krishna district. Bhavanipuram, Machavaram, Vijayawada two town police station in Vijayawada. Kothapeta and Mangalagiri police stations in Guntur district, Eluru in Eluru district and Repalle in Bapatla district. Police have booked 34 cases in five districts on vehicles theft. As per specific information, Kankipadu police have nabbed the gang in Kankipadu on Saturday. Following the orders of Krishna district SP R Gangadhara Rao and under the supervision of Gannavaram DSP C H Srinivasa Rao, Kankipadu CI J Murali and his team successfully nabbed the gang and confiscated 50 vehicles. Krishna district SP R Gangadhara Rao has congratulated the Kankipadu police for arresting the gang and confiscating the stolen two wheelers.
Khaleej Times
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan win toss, elect to bat against India
Pakistan skipper Mohammed Rizwan won the toss and elected to bat first against arch-rivals India in their second clash of Group A at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Team India will lock horns against arch-rivals Pakistan in their second Group A clash at the Dubai International Stadium today in order to book their spot in the semifinals of the ongoing competition. The last time India and Pakistan clashed in a Champions Trophy event was during the 2017 edition's final, when Virat Kohli-led star-studded unit was humbled by Men in Green at the peak of star batters' run-chasing powers, being skittled out for 158 runs while chasing a mammoth 338 runs which Pakistan reached on the back of a century from Fakhar Zaman. Avenging this would be fresh on the minds of players who were part of this heart-wrenching defeat, and their fans would no doubt relish every moment of India dominating Pakistan with bat or ball. "Will bat first, looks like a good surface. Want to put up a good target. Every match is important in ICC events, we will keep things normal. The boys are familiar with these conditions, we have done well here and we want to do our best today. We lost our last game, but it is past for us now. One change - Fakhar is out, Imam is in," Rizwan said after winning the toss. Men in Blue skipper Rohit Sharma said that there is no change in the team for this match. "Doesn't really matter, they won the toss so we'll bowl first. Looks similar to the last game, the surface is on the slower side. We have an experienced unit in batting, so we know what we need to do if the pitches get slower. Need an overall performance from the team - with bat and ball. The last game wasn't an easy one for us, which is always nice. You want to be under pressure and test yourself. We are playing the same team," Rohit said. Teams:
Reuters
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Buoyant India, beleaguered Pakistan clash in Champions Trophy blockbuster
DUBAI, Feb 22 (Reuters) - The lop-sided nature of arguably cricket's fiercest rivalry in recent years notwithstanding, emotions in both countries will run high when bitter neighbours India and Pakistan clash in a Champions Trophy blockbuster in Dubai on Sunday. India prevailed in seven of the eight completed ODIs in the last decade against rivals they play only in multi-team events because of a strained political relationship between the two countries. India, who refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy citing government advice, will be playing all their matches in Dubai and kicked off their Group A campaign with a six-wicket victory against Bangladesh. Pakistan's title defence, meanwhile, look in disarray after their comprehensive defeat by New Zealand and the team led by Mohammed Rizwan need a drastic turnaround against Rohit Sharma's India. Hype has built around the match but India vice captain Shubman Gill sought to underplay it. "It doesn't change anything for us, honestly," the opener, who smashed a match-winning hundred against Bangladesh, told reporters on Saturday. "We play every match to win the match and this is no different for us." "India-Pakistan has a long history. It's an exciting contest when both these teams play. Everyone enjoys watching it." India arrived without Jasprit Bumrah but did not miss their pace spearhead as Mohammed Shami claimed five wickets against Bangladesh. Pakistan's batting mainstay Babar Azam drew flak for lacking intent even though he managed a fifty against New Zealand. Fellow opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering an during that match. "It is a big match, but I think the biggest match would obviously be the final," Gill said. "By no means we are going to take them as a lesser side. I think they have got a good side and it is important for us to bring our A game tomorrow."
Int'l Cricket Council
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Pakistan take on New Zealand in Champions Trophy opener: Match Preview
Pakistan kick off their Champions Trophy campaign with a firm test against New Zealand in Karachi. The hosts have a stacked squad with talent in all departments with Mohammed Rizwan leading the charge. Rizwan's side was tipped by former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Khan, who won the competition in 2017, to defend their title in 2025. 'Pakistan have a really good chance of defending that title and I think they have a strong team. Some of the boys from 2017 are still there and we're talking about some of the best – especially Babar Azam,' Sarfaraz said in his exclusive column for the ICC. On the other hand, New Zealand have been plagued with injury issues especially in the bowling department, with Lockie Ferguson (foot injury) joining Ben Sears in being ruled out of the tournament. The experienced Matt Henry will now be at the helm of the pace attack, with the onus on replacements, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy, to take their opportunity and help the Kiwis make their mark on the event. Squads: Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi. New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy. Recent form: The two sides recently met in the Tri-Nation Series in Pakistan in the leadup to the Champions Trophy. The Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand showed great form, winning all their fixtures including the final to take the trophy. In the two games that the Men in Green faced off against the Black Caps, the latter came out on the top by five wickets in the group encounter and by 78 runs in the final. While this gives a much-needed boost to New Zealand, it leaves Pakistan with some work to do ahead of the Champions Trophy opener. Players to watch out for: Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan) : The all-rounder has been in incredible form with the bat as he finished as Pakistan's top run-getter in the Tri-Nation series against New Zealand and South Africa. Agha scored 219 runs across three innings at an average of 73 and a strike rate of 100 with a highest score of 134, which came in Pakistan's highest-ever ODI chase. Along with Mohammed Rizwan, Salman helped his side chase down 352 against South Africa. Salman is also handy with the ball as a part-time spin option, making him a valuable asset for Pakistan. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) : A modern-day great of the game, Kane Williamson showed great touch in the Tri-Nation series, being the second-highest run scorer. Williamson scored 225 runs across three innings at an astounding average of 112.50, striking at 89.64 with a highest score of 133* against South Africa. His crucial knocks throughout the series helped New Zealand secure the trophy, giving his side much-needed momentum ahead of the Champions Trophy. How to watch: India: JioStar (Live streaming on Jio Hotstar, Television coverage on Star and Network 18 channels) Pakistan: PTV and Ten Sports, Streaming options: Myco and Tamasha app UAE and MENA: CricLife Max and CricLife Max2, Streaming option: STARZPLAY UK: Live broadcasting on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action, Digital coverage via SkyGO, NOW and Sky Sports App USA and Canada: WillowTV, Streaming on Willow by Cricbuzz app (Hindi coverage available) Caribbean: ESPNCaribbean on TV, Streaming via ESPN Play Caribbean app Australia: PrimeVideo (coverage available in Hindi too) New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ, digital coverage via Now and SkyGo app. South Africa and sub-Saharan territories: SuperSport and SuperSport App Bangladesh: Nagorik TV and T Sports for linear broadcast, digital via Toffee app Afghanistan: ATN Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV (TV1 on Linear), Digital via Sirasa The games will also be featured live on (in select territories) ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 News New Zealand Pakistan
