Author: News Desk

A recent report by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has revealed that at least nine professional footballers in the UK have tested positive for banned substances since 2022. The list includes players from the Premier League, but none of them have faced any suspensions so far.

According to the report, all the affected players were allowed to continue playing as the Football Association (FA) accepted that the substances were either used for medical reasons or taken through permitted methods.

These cases are separate from high-profile doping incidents involving players like Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk and former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, both of whom have faced official disciplinary action.

The report disclosed that the banned substances found in these players include Tamoxifen, Triamcinolone, and Amphetamine — drugs known to assist in weight loss, muscle gain, endurance, and overall physical performance, without necessarily enhancing raw strength.

A UKAD spokesperson clarified that a positive test does not always indicate wrongdoing. If a player requires a banned substance for genuine medical reasons, they may apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), which grants legal permission.

Mykhailo Mudryk tested positive for a banned substance in December 2024 before an international match, but denied knowingly taking any performance-enhancing drugs. The Ukrainian Football Association is still considering whether to impose a ban on him.

Meanwhile, Paul Pogba tested positive for DHEA — a testosterone-boosting substance — while playing for the Italian club, Juventus. Initially handed a four-year ban, his suspension was reduced to 18 months on appeal. Juventus terminated his contract in November 2024.

The UKAD report also highlighted a worrying rise in addiction and drug use within English football. More than 500 players are reportedly undergoing treatment for issues related to drugs, alcohol, or gambling.

Just last season alone, 80 professional players received treatment for substance-related issues, including cocaine, nitrous oxide, sleeping pills, and alcohol. The report also mentioned that some players are acquiring powerful sedatives like Zopiclone from the black market — a drug known for its high potential for addiction.

The revelations have sparked fresh concerns about the mental and physical health of players, as well as the effectiveness of existing safeguards within professional football in the UK.

Islamabad United’s young star, Sahibzada Farhan, has etched his name in the record books with a brilliant century against Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium during the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

His outstanding performance not only guided his team to a commanding total but also marked a major milestone in his T20 career.

Farhan’s century places him in an elite group of T20 batters who have scored four centuries in a single calendar year. This prestigious list includes legendary names like Chris Gayle (2011), Virat Kohli (2016), Jos Buttler (2022), Shubman Gill (2023), and now Sahibzada Farhan (2025).

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Farhan is the only Pakistani batter to have reached this milestone in just nine innings.

In the match against Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United posted a mammoth total of 243 for 5. Farhan played a pivotal role in this dominant performance, smashing his maiden PSL century off just 49 balls. With this, he equalled the record for the fastest century by an Islamabad United batter in PSL history.

In response, Peshawar Zalmi could not take control during the chase. Skipper Babar Azam fell early for just one run, and Saim Ayub also managed to score only six off eight balls. Mohammad Haris was the lone warrior with the bat, scoring an impressive 87 off 47 balls, hitting 12 fours and four sixes.

However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to support him. Mitchell Owen made 10 off 7, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 8 off 10, and Hussain Talat 13 off 11, while the rest of the line-up collapsed without much resistance. Zalmi were bowled out for 141 in 18.2 overs.

Islamabad United registered a dominating 102-run win over Peshawar Zalmi in the fifth match of PSL 10 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

After winning the toss, Islamabad chose to bat first and delivered a powerful performance, scoring 243 runs for the loss of five wickets.

Sahibzada Farhan was the star of the show, smashing a brilliant 106 off just 52 balls. His innings included 13 fours and five sixes. He got good support from Colin Munro, who scored 40 off 27 balls, while Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 30 off 15. Towards the end, Jason Holder added 20 off 11 balls, and Ben Dwarshuis remained not out on 18 off 6, taking Islamabad’s total to a massive 243 for 5 in 20 overs.

Peshawar Zalmi’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs. Alzarri Joseph and Hussain Talat picked up two wickets each while Tom Kohler-Cadmore took one wicket. 

In response, Peshawar Zalmi never looked in control during the chase. Skipper Babar Azam fell early for just one run and Saim Ayub also managed only 6 off 8 balls. Mohammad Haris was the lone warrior with the bat, scoring an impressive 87 off 47 balls, hitting 12 fours and four sixes. 

However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to support him. Mitchell Owen made 10 off 7, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 8 off 10, and Hussain Talat 13 off 11 while rest of the lineup collapsed without much resistance. Zalmi were bowled out for 141 in 18.2 overs.

For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim and Ben Dwarshuis took two wickets each. Naseem Shah, Jason Holder and Saad Masood took one wicket each to wrap up a comprehensive bowling performance.

Islamabad have so far won both their matches whereas Babar’s XI has lost both.

Shoaib Malik is 43-years-old, yet he’s still active in franchise cricket, playing for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the moment. However, his involvement in PSL has raised eyebrows, especially after he was named as a mentor for a domestic team last year.

Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf has questioned whether Malik should still be playing in the league. Speaking on a cricket show on Samaa TV, Yousuf said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needs to decide who should be allowed to play in the PSL.

“The PCB needs to draw a line regarding Shoaib Malik playing the PSL. If you ask me to play, even I’ll play,” said Yousuf.

“I think the Board needs to decide who can play and who can’t. The board needs to make some decisions. Everyone wants to play,” he added.

For context, Shoaib Malik was appointed as a mentor for the domestic team Stallions during the Champions One-Day Cup last year. Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed were also named mentors. Now, his return as a player in the PSL is being viewed by some as a conflict of interest.

During the TV show, the host asked Yousuf and Shahid Afridi, “When will Shoaib Malik stop playing cricket,” leading to the discussion.

However, Shahid Afridi responded in Malik’s favour, saying, “He can play till whenever he wants to. I recently met him at Moin Khan Academy. He was coming back from training. At that time, the National T20 Cup was going on. Shoaib Malik can play some matches, but he should also miss a few games so that youngsters get their chance as they have performed well to get here.”

The anchor then argued, “What will happen to the kid who is missing out? Shoaib Malik is playing in his place. A line must be drawn. You are the mentor, and you must decide whether you want to be a mentor or play.”

To this, Afridi replied, “Yes, you are right. What else can I say?”

So far in PSL 2025, Malik has played two matches but hasn’t performed well. He has scored only 14 runs and hasn’t taken any wickets with the ball.

Malik last played for Pakistan in 2021 in a T20I against Bangladesh.