While Amir Khan is desperate to regain his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles, he is also concerned by the demise of the sport in Pakistan, the land of his ancestors, and wants to help the local boxers prepare for the 2016 Olympics.
The Bolton-based boxer expressed his disappointment as Pakistan failed to confirm even a single berth for the 2012 London Olympics, a similar tale to the 2008 Beijing Games.
“It’s very disappointing that nobody qualified for the mega event,” Amir told The Express Tribune. “We have great talent in Pakistan but I think we need to invest in improved facilities and coaching.
“Keeping that in mind, I’m available if Pakistan boxing needs any help. I offered my gym in Bolton to the Pakistan boxers ahead of their qualifiers too. This offer will always be open to them.” (Source)
Pakistan Premier League (PPL): Coming soon to a pitch near you…
Four companies have reportedly agreed to buy teams in the new Pakistan Premier League, formed by the Pakistan Cricket Board to replace the current Faysal Bank Twenty-20 League. The first edition of the tournament is expected to begin in October 2013. The PCB was one of the first cricketing bodies to develop a professional T20 league in 2004, with teams being directly owned by the PCB. The newer “franchise” model is based on the EPL, Pro20 and Big Bash leagues abroad. The Pakistan Premier League will also be including teams from Afghanistan (Kabul Cheetahs) and expected to include a team from China (Beijing Warriors) and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai Rangers).
Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya and retired Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds both agreed to be part of the league straight away. The name of West Indian legend Brian Lara has already been linked with PPL as well as Chris Gayle.
The Red Bull X-Fighters Jam has come to Karachi where four international and top FMX riders dare to pull off their exciting stunts. This event features bikers from Australia, New Zealand, Belgium and America. The riders featuring in this event are Martin Koren, Nick de Wit, Jimmy Verburgh and Nick Franklin.
The event is being held at Moin Khan Academy where local riders will also showcase their performance.
Saeed Anwar’s 194 is obviously the best, followed by MS Dhoni’s belligerent 148 at Viazg. Shoaib Mallik’s 143 comes next after which, we again have another Saeed Anwar special of 141 at Dhaka. Sourav Ganguly also once made 141 against Pakistan at Adelaide.
Highest totals :
For India - 356 for 9 at Vizag 2004, 349 for 7 at Karachi 2003 & 328 at Peshawar 2005.
For Pakistan - 344 for 8 at Karachi 2003, 329 for 6 at Rawalpindi 2003 & 327 for 5 at Chennai 1997
Lowest totals :
By India - 79 at Sialkot 1978, 112 Lahore 1989, Sharjah 125 in 1984
By Pakistan - 87 at Sharjah 1984, 116 Toronto 1997 & 134 Sharjah 1983
Centuries :
20 centuries for India. Tendulkar has 5 centuries against Pakistan while Virender Sehwag, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Rahul Dravid, Md Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly have 2 each.
35 centuries for Pakistan. 5 for Salman Butt and 4 each for Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar and Shoaib Mallik.
Highest Partnerships :
India = 231 is the best for 2nd wicket between Sachin Tendulkar & Navjot Singh Sinhu at Sharjah.
Pakistan = 230 is the best for 3rd wicket between Saeed Anwar & Ijaz Ahmed at Dhaka.
Best bowling figures :
India = 5 wickets for 16 runs by Sourav Ganguly in 1997 at Toronto. 5 wicket hauls for Arsad Ayub, Venkatesh Prasad & Sachin Tendulkar as well.
Pakistan = 7 wickets for 37 runs by Aaqib Javed at (venue) Sharjah in 1991 remains the best bowling with Imran Khan’s 6 for 14 & Rana Naved-ul-Hasan’s 6 for 27 at Jamshedpur..a total of 10 Pakistan bowlers have recorded 5 wickets in an innings against India.
“How can you not be inspired when you are walking every single day of your early life in the shadow of the greatest mountains on planet earth, be it Rakaposhi or Nanga Parbat?” says Nazir Sabir.
Sitting in a crowded lobby of a local hotel, it might seem hard to distinguish Sabir from average middle aged Pakistani men but what sets him apart from others is his resolve for climbing and the laurels he brought to the country in the niche sport of mountaineering.
From sharing camaraderie and climbing with one of the greatest climbers in the world, Reinhold Messner, to scaling the Everest, the path Sabir chose not only defied convention, but also proved to be an inspiration to many all over the world.
Born in a small hamlet called Ramanji in Chiporsun, upper Hunza, Sabir says he was fascinated by the stories about the ‘big mountains’ which porters from that area shared. (Complete article)
Her world is mysterious, her friends are rainbow-bright and her passion runs deep; meet Rosheen Khan, Pakistan’s first female diving instructor. Having achieved the prestigious status of Master Scuba Diving Trainer, Rosheen now trains diving enthusiasts in Pakistan. We invite you to explore the seas with her as she takes us through the fascinating world of the underwater. (via umalik)
Being handicapped is not disability — the polio-stricken Farhan Saeed, representing Pakistan with a crutch, illustrates that aptly as he runs in to bowl fast.
The physical handicap is easily overcome through hard work and determination, proving his ability just like any other. The 26-year-old isn’t as fast and fearsome as Shoaib Akhtar was but is not short on resolve, showing not just the handicapped that there is life beyond the disability but also able individuals who have given up on life following minor setbacks.
Farhan is not the only one showing courage beyond his limitations, the whole team is. But the sight of him – a fast-bowler – amazes spectators when he hops, part runs, in, maintaining his balance with utmost ease despite the use of a crutch as he gets into his delivery stride.
With a humble background, Farhan, aged two, had the added worries when polio tendered his left leg unusable. But, instead of adding to his woes, it proved to be the direct opposite.
“My disability has actually given me strength,” said Farhan, who is part of Pakistan’s disabled squad currently playing a one-day series against England. “I couldn’t have achieved all this success without it.”
This blog aims at telling you the "truth" about Pakistan. Unfortunately, today the news emerging from Pakistan on the Western media are so much polarized that it gives a very unreal image of Pakistan.
At "What no one told you about Pakistan", we aim at telling you the real stories about Pakistan.
