Young Pakistani cricketers shine in India, do press-ups to celebrate tournament win

E-Paper | May 05, 2026

KARACHI: Just when Misbah-led Pakistan was being criticised for their "press-up celebrations" at Lord's after a massive thrashing of 330 runs by Alastair Cook-led England later in the tour, country's young talent emulated their heroes to celebrate Rajiv Gandhi Under-15 tournament victory in Chennai.

Customs Cricket Academy (CCA) U-15 cricket team recorded a convincing 42-run victory against a strong Tamil Nadu during Rajiv Gandhi U-15 Cricket Trophy at Marina Beach Ground to win the 12-team tournament.

The junior cricket tournament comprised of 1o Indian state teams and one team each from Bahrain and Pakistan.

CCA put up 129-run target for Tamil Nadu after opting to bat first.

Saim Ayub and Badar Qureshi were pick of the batsmen with their scores of 52 and 18 respectively.

In the bowling department, Qureshi bagged two scalps in three overs and Adnan registered two wickets.

Chasing the target, Tamil Nadu were all-out for just 87 runs, with Shayam Sunder scoring only 38 runs.

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Pakistan

Misbah says ‘no disrespect’ in press-up routine

Promised the army guys I'd do 10 push-ups if I scored a century: Misbah

I promised army guys to do press-ups at my hundred: Misbah

wow

Jul 28, 2016 06:14pm

Good work team Pakistan and thank you India for hosting our team!

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majid

Jul 28, 2016 06:20pm

Impressive!!

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Azad kashmir ousman

Jul 28, 2016 06:21pm

Well done lads, keep it up.

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dawn

Jul 28, 2016 06:21pm

Replace our team in England.

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Shampee

Jul 28, 2016 06:33pm

Congrats U-15 Pakistan, Work more hard in coming years to replace giants.

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Ahmad

Jul 28, 2016 06:38pm

Ideally Pakistan team Vs Indian State team. When there are 12 states involved that means all good players are spread into 12 teams but Pakistan had advantage of keeping all good players in one team. But still it is good that Indians and Pakistanis are playing together. Congrats Pakistan U-15 team.

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Yash

Jul 28, 2016 06:38pm

May be the younger generations from both India and Pakistan could resolve the our mutual problems. Let's give them a chance.

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nuzhat shireen

Jul 28, 2016 06:43pm

games can bring two nations into friendship knot.

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Jul 28, 2016 06:48pm

Congratulations - all the best again for under 17

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wellwisher

Jul 28, 2016 07:04pm

well done.Play hockey also

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Harinder Singh

Jul 28, 2016 07:20pm

Good work boys! Pakistan Zindabad

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Sri

Jul 28, 2016 07:28pm

Congrats boys !!

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joe

Jul 28, 2016 09:34pm

great news.. to find a mention here at DAWN this must be a great tournament,, Congratulation.. Let me check ..details..

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stranger

Jul 28, 2016 10:39pm

Press ups are good. Our way of celebrating. I am too old to perform press ups but all my moral support is with Pakistani sports teams for more and frequent press ups.

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raheel samad

Jul 28, 2016 11:18pm

dear indians winning is not important. what is important is that we should interact more at all levels and all different sports and activities so that we build greater ties of friendship. The more we build the ties of friendship, and jettison the past history the greater the chance for us to solve our political differences. Well done india for hosting a pakistani team.

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Hasan

Jul 28, 2016 11:55pm

@Ahmad The team was from just one academy in Pakistan; it's written quite clearly in the article. What that means is that they were in fact at a disadvantage, of ten teams to one, and still came out as the best. That's what makes the victory even sweeter - along with comments like yours. ;) Hasan

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Rashid Sultan

Jul 29, 2016 01:21am

And it is always good to see Indians supporting Pakistan in cricket.

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Naveed

Jul 29, 2016 01:27am

Wow. Congratulations. I met the team on ittehad airlines flight from Karachi. All the boys were very bright, well disciplined and cheerful. Wish you all success in your future endures!

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anony

Jul 29, 2016 01:34am

Excellent work lads.

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Onlooker (Sydney)

Jul 29, 2016 03:08am

Congratulations to Pakistan young team. There should more of this kind of events. It will be an excellent opportunity to create better understanding among youngsters from both countries, otherwise they are fed on highly biased news from across the borders.

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Naren

Jul 29, 2016 04:49am

Let the kids enjoy and for their sake let there be no politics. Well played do better. Register more wins and win our hearts too. God bless

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Mehak Gulab

Jul 29, 2016 06:26am

Great going guys. Cheers!

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Shashin

Jul 29, 2016 07:09am

Congratulations to Under 15 team of Customs cricket academy (club) vs chennai cricket Club

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Ajay

Jul 29, 2016 07:19am

well done. i wish both the nations shall perform well in upcoming Olympics also. rather than cricket both nations are giving very less importance to other sports and games. in fact love in cricket is killing the other games. i wish both Pak & India win better no of medals in Olympics in Rio.

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SSG Wazir

Jul 29, 2016 08:37am

Wow amazing . Proud of you kids

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Cricket-One

Jul 29, 2016 08:56am

Customs Cricket Academy is welcome in India but not the national team of Pakistan, where is the punch line ? I didn't get it.

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last comment

Jul 29, 2016 09:34am

Shabash !!

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sacchin

Jul 29, 2016 11:25am

@raheel samad Indeed Raheel, there is no platform for common citizens to interact. If not physically since visa issues will be a problem an online forum or forums in other nations in the region will be great. All universities and schools can have a participation program. I think it will be a good idea under SAARC. I think even media houses should make some initiatives. Right now I do not even know how it will be funded or operated, but this is just an idea. Im sure it will be a hit. Also have some target- e.g. 5000 students from both nations should get a chance to interact with each other. Over a period of years we will have about a lakh missionaries who can guide public perception and also positively engage.

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Sajid hASAN

Jul 29, 2016 11:56am

shabash...jeetey rahou...

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truth prevails

Jul 29, 2016 12:16pm

@raheel samad you are right. But whenever India tries to improve relations terrorist spoils the situation. During Bajpayeeji, Kargil happened. During Manmohan Singh, Mumbai happened. During Modi, Pathankot happened. It was a very big step by Modi to visit Pakistan for the better relations inspite of pressure from indian Media. But Pakistan dont reciprocate by eliminating terrorism completely. Otherwise people of both the countries want peace.

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Tota Ram Verma

Jul 29, 2016 12:28pm

@Ajay , none of Pakistani athletes has been qualified for Rio ..

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