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PSL 2021: Sarfaraz Ahmed refuses to shake hands with Mohammad Haeez

The Pakistan Super League has already seen its fair share of drama but none bigger than the tiff going on between former Pakistan captains Mohammad Hafeez and Sarfaraz Ahmed. After the infamous banter on Twitter not long ago, the duo was involved in another altercation during the PSL group clash between Quetta Gladiators and the Lahore Qalandars. 

After the conclusion of the match, the players were seen shaking hands with each other but Sarfaraz refused to share pleasantries creating a fresh controversy. On the back of a good knock from Sarfaraz Ahmed of 40 of 33 deliveries, the Gladiators posted a decent score on the board. However, they were blown away by two special knocks from Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez. While Fakhar smashed 82 in 52 deliveries while Hafeez chipped in with a whirlwind 73 0f just 33 deliveries. 

Recently the duo had a heated exchange on Twitter. Hafeez had taken to his Twitter handle and congratulated Mohammad Rizwan on his match-winning performances against South Africa. "Congratulations @iMRizwanPak on scoring T20. U r a Star shining star Glowing star Wonder how long u need to prove that u r NO1 wicketkeeper/Batsman in Pakistan in all formats of the game. Just asking,” wrote Hafeez. 

Sarfaraz who is no more the first choice wicket-keeper batsman for Pakistan reacted to the post and wrote, “Hafeez bhai Sb, whoever has played for Pakistan from Imtiaz Ahmed, Wasim Bari, Tasleem Arif to Saleem Yousuf and from Moin Khan, Rashid Latif to Kamran Akmal and even Rizwan right now has always been number ONE for the country and have been respected accordingly." He further added that a senior player like Hafeez should always look to spread positivity besides mentioning that they are all behind Rizwan. 


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BCB to draft fresh contracts with players after Shakib’s IPL fiasco

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Ishant Sharma hails Bumrah as leader of attack, says winning WTC as good as World Cup

Starting out as a fiery right arm fast who could clock up to 150 kilometres an hour, Ishant Sharma later graduated to become a ‘workhorse’ who could challenge batsmen for long periods of time. Although the wickets column continued to dry, Ishant kept his spot based on India's demand for a bowler who could continue to bowl hard lines and length with the same energy and intensity throughout the day. His persistence with the back of length made him look lethal and always kept him in the game, but more often than not the barren wicket column made him earn the tag of being ‘unlucky’ even when he bowled with utmost control. Now, on the verge of a remarkable milestone that has been achieved only once by an Indian pacer before him, Ishant sat down to look back on his career, and gave an outlook of how he sees the Indian team going forward in the near future. 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"Maybe not playing three formats has helped me play 100 but I don't think I wouldn't have got there if I was playing other formats. I am only 32 after all, and not 42. Maybe I wouldn't have got there this early, but I am sure the amount of time I have played and the way I stay fit and look after my conditioning, I would have played 100." Ishant was certain to play his 100th Test in Australia where his rise in international cricket began some 12 years ago, but the ankle injury prevented his plans and he, understandably, is pragmatic about things out of his control. He pointed out the skills of forgetting things and moving on in life and game in order to regain focus on what lies ahead otherwise being stuck in past will surely affect future performances. "I'd have loved to go to Australia and complete my 100 Tests there but there are things that are not in your control. Because of Covid restrictions, I couldn't have made it in time. But the sooner you forget things and move on in life, the better it is for you. This is the biggest lesson I have learned. If you are stuck on the past, you can't move ahead. The next match can also get affected by your past performance. I only keep trying to forget what has happened and focus on what lies ahead,” Ishant said on missing the Australia tour. Ishant has spearheaded the Indian pace attack since the retirement of Zaheer Khan, who he credits a lot for guiding at the start of his career. He still remembers the words of encouragement he received from Zaheer when he was coming up through the ranks. Now, Ishant sees that form of Zaheer Khan in Jasprit Bumrah who guides his teammates as per their strengths. Ishant hailed Bumrah as the leader of the attack and suggested that the pacer who has emerged as one of the main bowlers in the last few years has to be the leading guide for pacers after his departure from the game. "I learnt a lot from Zak [Zaheer Khan]. 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After 3 days in office, Chaminda Vaas resigns as Sri Lanka bowling coach

Sri Lanka bowling legend Chaminda Vaas has resigned from his position as Sri Lanka’s bowling coach citing a pay dispute with Sri Lanka Cricket. He was appointed to the position, three days ago. "It is particularly disheartening to note that in an economic climate such as the one facing the entire globe right now, Mr. Vaas has made this sudden and irresponsible move on the eve of the team's departure, based on personal monetary gain," SLC said in a press release post the fiasco. Vaas, who has 355 scalps in Tests and 400 in ODIs also resigned from his position as the SLC Academy coach. His resignation puts the team’s immediate future in jeopardy given SL have been forced to leave for West Indies without a bowling coach. The situation did not go down well with the board as they termed his decision equal to holding the game in Sri Lanka at ransom. "It is extremely disheartening that a legend such as Chaminda Vaas has resorted to holding the administration, the cricketers, and indeed the game at ransom, by handing in his resignation at the eleventh hour, citing the administration's refusal to accede to an unjustifiable demand for an increased (USD) remuneration...," SLC's statement read. The Sri Lankan team plays its first T20I game on March 3 at Antigua. Dasun Shanaka has been appointed as the skipper of the Sri Lanka T20I side. Sri Lanka T20 and ODI squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (ODI captain ), Dasun Shanaka (T20 captain), Danushka Gunathilake, Pathum Nissanka, Ashen Bandara, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Thisara Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananajaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilshan Madushanka, Suranga Lakmal