ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hopes to bag another medal at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday after its athlete, Shajjar Abbas, entered men’s 200 meters final with a third-place finish a day before.
The country’s wrestlers, Muhammad Inam and Zaman Anwar, won two silver medals on Friday after being overpowered by rival athletes in +86- and +125-kilogram categories.
Prior to that, another wrestler, Inayatullah, secured a bronze medal in the +65-kilogram competition.
So far, Pakistan’s weightlifter, Nooh Dastagir Butt, is the only one who has brought a gold for his country and made a new record by lifting 173 kilograms, with people now pinning their hopes on Abbas to win another medal.
“Pakistan’s tally of medals in the Commonwealth Games 2022 mounted to five, owing to the three medals bagged by wrestlers,” reported Geo News. “Friday was the day when Pakistan’s wrestlers — Zaman Anwar, Inam Butt and Inayatullah — won medals and brought happiness to the faces of Pakistanis.”
Pakistani athletes have been striving to perform in the international arena in recent years.
Last month, Arshad Nadeem became the first athlete from his country to secure fifth position in men’s javelin competition at the World Athletics Championship held in the United States.
Nadeem was also considered a favorite during the Olympics held in August 2021, though he could not reach the victory stand.
Pakistan’s women cricketers also participated in the Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom, though they could not go too far in the competition.
Pakistan hopes for another medal at Commonwealth Games as Shajjar Abbas enters men’s 200m final
https://arab.news/2vjrv
Pakistan hopes for another medal at Commonwealth Games as Shajjar Abbas enters men’s 200m final
- The country has so far secured five medals after three of its wrestlers won silver and bronze on Friday
- Pakistan’s only gold medal has been won by its weightlifter, Noor Dastagir Butt, who also made new record
Babar Azam dropped for scoring too slowly, says Pakistan coach Hesson
- Shaheen Shah Afridi was left out after conceding 101 runs in three matches
- Pakistan will now face New Zealand in the opening match of the second phase
COLOMBO: Batting great Babar Azam was dropped for Pakistan’s final T20 World Cup group game against Namibia for scoring too slowly, said head coach Mike Hesson on Friday.
Azam, who is the highest run-scorer in T20 international history with 4,571 runs, was left out for the must-win game against Namibia as Pakistan racked up 199-3 and secured a place in the Super Eights by 102 runs.
The 2009 champions face New Zealand in Colombo on Saturday in the opening match of the second phase.
“I think Babar is well aware that his strike rate in the power play in the World Cup is less than 100 and that’s clearly not the role we think we need,” Hesson told reporters after Pakistan’s final practice session on Friday was washed out by rain.
Pakistan left out Azam for the same reason at last year’s Asia Cup and even after dismal showing in the Big Bash League, he was still selected for the T20 World Cup.
“We brought Babar back in for a specific role post the Asia Cup,” said Hesson.
“We’ve got plenty of other options who can come in and perform that role toward the end.
“Babar is actually the first to acknowledge that.
“He knows that he’s got a certain set of skills that the team requires and there are certain times where other players can perform that role more efficiently.”
Hesson also defended dropping pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi after he conceded 101 runs in three matches, including 31 in two overs against India.
“We made a call that Salman Mirza was coming in for Shaheen, and he bowled incredibly well,” said Hesson.
“To be fair, he was probably really unlucky to not be playing the second and third games.”
Hesson was wary of Pakistan’s opponents on Saturday.
“New Zealand have played a huge amount in the subcontinent in recent times so we have to play at our best.”
