ISLAMABAD: Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt has made a brilliant debut by winning a gold medal in the squat competition of the Commonwealth Powerlifting Classic and Equipped Championships held in South Africa, Pakistani state media reported on Thursday, with Butt etching his name in history as the country’s first powerlifting gold medalist.
The Commonwealth Powerlifting Classic and Equipped Championships is a premier powerlifting competition that brings together top athletes from across the Commonwealth nations. The event is organized by the Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation (CPF), which aims to promote drug-free powerlifting at the international level.
This year’s championships are taking place in Sun City, South Africa from October 4 till October 13, featuring classic and equipped powerlifting categories.
“It is a historic moment for Pakistan, as Nooh won the gold medal in his very first participation,” the state-run APP news agency reported.
Butt lifted an impressive 370kg in his maiden powerlifting competition, according to the report.
The competition includes various weight classes and age groups, with athletes competing in squat, bench press and deadlift events.
But is set to compete in the bench press and deadlift categories, where he is one of the favorites in the 120kg+ category.
Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Butt wins gold in Commonwealth powerlifting event debut
https://arab.news/56aqb
Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Butt wins gold in Commonwealth powerlifting event debut
- Butt lifted 370kg in his maiden powerlifting competition
- This year’s event is taking place in Sun City from Oct. 4-13
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.”
