Cricketing Trends on Social Media Today

Azhar Ali stole the limelight on Day 3 in the third and final Test between England and Pakistan. Hosts England, after batting first, amassed a dominant 583-run total on the back of Zak Crawley’s maiden double century in the traditional format. Jos Buttler also received applause for his vital contribution (152) in the first innings.

Pakistan, in response, lost wickets cheaply, leaving them in a spot of bother. However, it was Azhar Ali who rose to the occasion and smalled a century to save Pakistan’s sinking ship. He was also helped by Mohammad Rizwan, who struck a resilient 53 off 113 deliveries. Jimmy Anderson’s four-wicket haul decimated Pakistan but Ali’s ton provided them much-needed resistance.

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar also lauded skipper Azhar’s knock and Rizwan’s supporting role. However, he also questioned the Pakistan team’s decision to not send a nightwatchman instead of Babar Azam. Being 1-0 down in the series, the visitors are eagerly trying to save the series before they head into the three-match T20I series.

Wishes also poured in for Jacques Kallis, Lisa Sthalekar, and Zaheer Abbas as they were inducted into ICC Hall of Famers on Sunday. The names were announced by Alan Wilkins, Sunil Gavaskar, Mel Jones and Shaun Pollock ICC’s social media channels.

1. Shoaib Akhtar lauds Azhar Ali and Mohammad Rizwan

Solid fighting 100 by @AzharAli_ & great support by @iMRizwanPak .
Keep going guys. #ENGvPAK

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 23, 2020

2. PCB heaps praise on skipper Azhar Ali’s inning

A true captain's knock! 17th Test 💯comes up for @AzharAli_ 👏👏👏 #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/OyZDf6BMMG

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 23, 2020

3. Azhar Mahmood praises Azhar Ali’s knock under pressure

What a great knock @AzharAli_ – leading from the front under so much pressure. Congrats on your ton. Furthermore Well done on your 6000 runs accolade, great achievement young man.

— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) August 23, 2020

4. Ravi Shastri congratulates Lisa Sthalekar 

Congratulations Lisa 🙌🏻
Great achievement and well deserved https://t.co/35MMWNoefy

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) August 23, 2020

5. Shoaib Akhtar questions Pakistan’s decision to send Babar Azam instead of a nightwatchman

Why didn't we save Babar Azam today by sending a nightwatchman? #PakvsEng

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 22, 2020

6. Ishant Sharma expresses gratitude after being conferred with Arjuna award

Thank you so much dada 😊😊🇮🇳 https://t.co/ZR5GqWpH0g

— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) August 23, 2020

7. Mohammad Hafeez lauds Azhar Ali for scoring 17th Test ton

Congratulations @AzharAli_ on scoring 17th Test 💯 😍👏🏼 innings from a Strong character, Well done 6000 Test runs & many more to come 🤲🏼 Stay Blessed

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) August 23, 2020

8. Mahela Jayawardene congratulates Jacques Kallis, Zaheer Abbas and Lisa Sthalekar for getting inducted into ICC Hall of Fame

Congratulations to best all rounder I played against @jacqueskallis75 @sthalekar93 and #ZaheerAbbas getting inducted to #ICCHallOfFame.. 👍 https://t.co/HSXCVgkXKN

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 23, 2020

9. Mithali Raj congratulates Lisa Sthalekar

Congratulations Lisa . Well deserved 💫👏

— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) August 23, 2020

10. Ravichandran Ashwin congratulates ‘legend’ Jacques Kallis

The hall of fame club must be delighted to welcome @jacqueskallis75 into their mix. Absolute legend 👑 💯💯💯👏

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 23, 2020

11. Rahul Chahar shares a picture all the way from UAE

Not complaining about the view #quarantine #Day2 #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/lIL9rjSAEC

— Rahul Chahar (@rdchahar1) August 23, 2020

12. Lisa Sthalekar thanks everyone for their wishes

Thank you to everyone for your messages. Completely blown away by the 💓you are sending & this honour. To all my teammates, coaches & support staff thank you for making me the player I was. To my family, your love & support has always been cherished. #extremelygrateful @icc pic.twitter.com/92jZ9ElmTl

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) August 23, 2020

13. ICC reveals Class 2020 of ‘Hall of Fame’

🎖️ #ICCHallOfFame | Class of 2020 ⭐

🇿🇦 Jacques Kallis
🇦🇺 Lisa Sthalekar
🇵🇰 Zaheer Abbas pic.twitter.com/Wtc9qxkTeL

— ICC (@ICC) August 23, 2020

14. Ravindra Jadeja shares video of quarantine workout

#quarantine #workout #csk pic.twitter.com/BiUaMdz8j5

— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) August 23, 2020

15. Azhar Mahmood congratulates Zaheer Abbas

So very proud of the legend Zaheer Abbas’s induction in the #HallOfFame ! Thoroughly deserved & what a story. The only asian to have 100 FC centuries and much more to his name !

— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) August 23, 2020