It’s unfair to compare me with Kohli, says Umar Akmal

March 13, 2015

Adelaide, Mar 13: Pakistan’s young middle-order batsman Umar Akmal reckons it is unfair to compare him with India’s Virat Kohli, noting both bat at different positions.

“It is always my effort to deliver 100 per cent for the team and Pakistan but I know people compare me to Kohli which is not right because he bats higher up the order,” Umar told Pakistani reporters in Adelaide on Thursday, according to Press Trust of India.

Umar Akmal

“I should not be compared to Kohli because if he came in to bat at six or seven and performed than I would understand and accept the comparisons. If I get a chance to bat higher up I believe I can perform better than what I do and get big innings,” he said.

The right-handed batsman pointed out that one must keep in mind that he mostly comes in to bat at number five, six or seven.

Asked if he had discussed his desire to bat at number three or four with the team management, Umar shrugged off the question simply saying that he could talk to them if they watched domestic cricket back home.

“They have not watched me bat at number three in domestic first-class cricket, that is where I bat most of the time. I can only say they will soon trust me and allow me to bat higher up the order where I feel more comfortable,” he said.

Umar however made it clear that whatever position he was sent into bat, he tried his best and tried to get big scores.

He said he was not complaining because he was ready to deliver 100 per cent at any position.

“Even now, I am working hard with my coaches to get this knack of converting good starts into big scores. I know I can do that but sometimes the situations I come in to bat I don’t have time to play long innings.”

Asked how difficult it was for him to do wicket-keeping and also bat in limited overs cricket, Umar said it was difficult to perform both roles satisfactorily.

“I never kept in first-class cricket. I used to bowl a bit but I made my debut as batsman. So at times it is difficult to deal with both roles but I do it because of team requirement.”

He said he was disappointed himself that he had not won a single man-of-the-match award in the World Cup so far.

“I am happy for Ahmed Shehzad and Sarfraz Ahmed, they won these awards but I am also looking to deliver man of the match material performances in the remaining matches of World Cup.

“Because I want people to remember me for my performances in such a big tournament,” Umar concluded.

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News Network
May 9,2020

May 9: Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has donated an undisclosed amount to financially help 4,000 underprivileged people, including children from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tendulkar made the donation to the Hi5 Foundation, a non-profit organisation based out of Mumbai.

“Best wishes to team Hi5 for your efforts in supporting families of daily wage earners,” Tendulkar tweeted.

The organisation, through a tweet, thanked Tendulkar for doing his bit for the needy.

“Thanks @sachin_rt for proving once again that #sports encourages compassion! Your generous donation towards our #COVID19 fund enables us to financially aid 4000 underprivileged people, including children from @mybmc schools. Our budding sportspersons thank you, Little Master!”

The legendary batsman had earlier contributed Rs 25 lakh each to Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the country’s fight against COVID-19. Tendulkar had earlier pledged to bear the cost of feeding 5,000 people for a month in a couple of areas in Mumbai.

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News Network
January 10,2020

Jan 10: Australian cricketer Shane Warne’s prized 'baggy green' cap raised more than A$1 million ($686,000) on Friday for bushfire relief efforts after the former leg-spinner donated it for auction.

Twenty-seven people have been killed and thousands made homeless in recent months as huge fires scorched through more than 25.5 million acres of land, an area the size of South Korea.

The baggy green is presented to Australian players when they make their Test debut and they receive just one for their entire career. The Aussie cricketer donated the cap to an online auction site on Monday. The auction closed at 10 a.m. on Friday (2300 GMT Thursday) with a final public bid of A$1,007,500.

"Unbelievable … so generous from everyone. Totally blown away," Warne said on Twitter shortly before the auction closed.

The auction attracted global interest and the price eclipsed the A$425,000 achieved by the late Don Bradman's baggy green when it was sold in 2003.

"We have been overwhelmed and it is a fantastic result," Marc Cheah, head of marketing for auctioneers Pickles, said.

"Other baggy greens have been auctioned and Don Bradman’s got $425,000 about 15 years ago, but the Don is the Don. He’s the greatest cricketer that ever lived," Cheah said in relation to the widely held recognition Bradman was the best batsman the game has produced.

"But Shane is also right up there and that drove a lot of traffic and momentum, while the cause is also very worthwhile."

Warne, 50, is one of many local and international athletes to support the fundraising for bushfire victims with several cricketers promising to donate a sum based on the number of sixes they hit in Australia’s Big Bash Twenty20 competition.

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News Network
February 18,2020

New Delhi, Feb 18: Skipper Virat Kohli has become the first Indian to reach the 50M followers mark on social media platform Instagram. Kohli, who is breaking cricketing records with each passing match, has a great social media following.

The 31-year old has so far made 930 posts on the platform and his social media posts continue to enthrall fans worldwide. Overall, Instagram's official account has the most number of followers and it is followed by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 200M followers.

In terms of Indians with most number of followers, Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra is on the second spot with 49.9 followers while Deepika Padukone is on the third place with 44.1 followers.

Last year, Kohli had become the most successful Indian Test captain, surpassing Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Currently, Kohli is in action against New Zealand and his side would take on the hosts in the two-match Test series, slated to commence from February 21.

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