Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been highly critical of the New Zealand cricket team after it abandoned its tour of Pakistan back in September. The Black Caps cited ‘security threats’ as a reason for pulling out of the tour. Thereafter, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) arranged a chartered flight for the Kiwis’ contingent for their return back home.

Later, Akhtar posted a video where he asked Pakistan to go berserk against New Zealand in their T20 World Cup 2021 clash. The Rawalpindi Express said that New Zealand Cricket had “killed Pakistan cricket”. Before Pakistan’s clash with the Kiwis on October 26 in Sharjah, Akhtar didn’t forget to take a sarcastic jibe at their opponent.

“I request all Pakistan fans to remain silent and not enjoy too extravagantly. There is every chance that New Zealand may ask for the match to be called off due to too much noise inside the stadium, if not for security concerns,” Akhtar wrote.

In what can be called a significant development, Quinton de Kock might receive a shocking lifeline from Australia’s primary T20 tournament, Big Bash League (BBL). The South African wicketkeeper-batter ignited a controversy by pulling out of his side’s T20 World Cup 2021 fixture against West Indies. De Kock apparently took the decision after Cricket South Africa made it compulsory for players to take a knee before the match in order to showcase solidarity towards the Black Lives Matter (BLM) moment.

Although team skipper Temba Bavuma said he respects De Kock’s decision, there’s a possibility of the southpaw not representing South Africa ever again in international cricket. He is even unlikely to take part in the remainder of the tournament. Amidst this controversy, at least one BBL team has reportedly approached De Kock’s management in order to bring him in Australia’s top T20 competition.

The report, which was brought out by Daily Telegraph, even claims that Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai .