Category: Sports

Tensions between Pakistan and India have risen, causing serious concerns for the ongoing 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

On May 8, the match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) was halted midway at the Dharamshala stadium in Himachal Pradesh. However, media outlets later clarified that the blackout was a result of a technical failure and not caused by any government orders over fears of a possible retaliatory strike from Pakistan.

Reports suggest that Australian players are worried about their safety in India. Many are reportedly considering leaving IPL 2025 early. Star players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Travis Head are currently playing in the league, while Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, and Brad Haddin are involved in coaching roles.

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal told PTI that the BCCI is closely monitoring the situation. So far, the Indian government has not issued any special instructions. The board will take a final decision after assessing safety conditions and consulting all stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already shifted the remaining Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches to Dubai. Now, there’s a possibility that the IPL could also move its remaining fixtures to South Africa if the situation worsens.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially confirmed that the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 will be moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to escalating tensions between Pakistan and India.

As per the details, the final eight matches of the tournament will now be played in the UAE with the fixtures rescheduled, and new dates will be announced soon.

Reports said that the decision was made following the recent rise in hostility and cross-border aggression from India. As a result, the matches are expected to be held in Dubai, with a possible delay of six to seven days in the league schedule.

Foreign players will be flown to the UAE on earliest available flights, and the PCB remains committed to completing the tournament within this month.

This development comes after a match between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi, scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi on Thursday, was cancelled due to security concerns stemming from the ongoing tensions.

On Thursday, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was hit by a drone hours before a match of the Pakistan Super League. The match between PSL teams Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings was scheduled for today at the stadium, but has now been postponed.

The PCB is now working on revised dates and is finalising logistics to ensure smooth continuation and conclusion of the league.

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., the eldest son of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, has been selected for the Portugal Under-15 national team.

The 14-year-old forward, who currently plays for Al Nassr’s youth team in Saudi Arabia, was included in the 22-player squad for an international tournament in Croatia, as reported by ESPN.

The Vlatko Markovic tournament will take place from May 13 to 18. Portugal will play against Japan on May 13, Greece on May 14, and England on May 16. The final match is scheduled for May 18.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored a record 934 goals in his career, celebrated his son’s achievement on Instagram, saying: “Proud of my son!”

Earlier this year, Ronaldo shared that he hopes to play alongside his son one day. Back in 2022, Cristiano Jr. told his father to keep playing for a few more years so they could be on the field together. However, Ronaldo has said he will never force his son to play football and will support him no matter what career he chooses.

Cristiano Jr. began playing football in Real Madrid’s youth academy while his father was at the Spanish club between 2009 and 2018. He won the 2017 Copa Junior there and was the top goal scorer in the tournament.

When Ronaldo moved to Juventus in 2018, his son joined the club’s youth team as well. He made an immediate impact, scoring 58 goals and giving 18 assists in just 28 games for the U9 side during the 2018–2019 season.

Later, in 2021, Cristiano Jr. followed his father to Manchester United and joined the club’s academy. At just 11 years old, he signed an official contract in early 2022 and kept scoring regularly.

Cristiano Jr. could have played for several countries, Portugal, England, Spain, the United States, or Cape Verde, but he chose to represent Portugal, just like his father.

Cristiano Ronaldo himself started his journey with the Portugal U15 team in 2001, scoring in a match against South Africa.

Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam has suffered an injury, putting his participation in an upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) match in doubt.

According to reports, the star batter sustained a blow to his finger during a practice session yesterday. Following the incident, Babar was taken to the hospital, where he underwent scans to assess the extent of the injury.

Initial reports suggest that Babar Azam may have fractured his finger, making his availability for the match against Karachi Kings uncertain. Reports further claim that due to the seriousness of the injury, there is a possibility that he could be ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

Peshawar Zalmi is expected to issue an official update soon about Babar Azam. 

Peshawar Zalmi is scheduled to face Karachi Kings later today.

Rockstar Games has officially announced that the release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) has been delayed to May 26, 2026. The company expressed regret over pushing back the launch of the long-awaited game, which fans have been eagerly anticipating for years.

To soften the blow, Rockstar surprised fans with the second official trailer for GTA 6. The nearly three-minute video dives deeper into the game’s vibrant world, set in Vice City, a fictional metropolis inspired by Miami. It also introduces the main characters, Jason and Lucia, a duo bonded by both love and a life of crime.

This trailer follows the new release date announcement and arrives more than a year after the first trailer dropped in December 2023.

Alongside the trailer, Rockstar also launched a dedicated GTA 6 website, revealing key story details for the first time. The game is set in Leonida, a fictional state based on Florida, with Vice City at its centre. The storyline follows Jason and Lucia as they navigate the dangerous underworld together.

The website features character bios, offering fans an inside look at the leads and other key players in the upcoming game.

Rockstar confirmed that all footage in the new trailer was captured on a PlayStation 5, highlighting the game’s impressive graphics and immersive open world.

Fans haven’t been this excited since 2023, when GTA 6’s first trailer leaked online. Rockstar responded by releasing the official version 15 hours earlier than planned. That 90-second clip confirmed the return to a Miami-style setting and introduced Lucia as the first female protagonist in the GTA series.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has strongly criticised Mohammad Rizwan’s leadership, saying the Multan Sultans skipper is not fit for captaincy and should not be given such authority in the future.

Speaking on a private TV channel, Kamran said, “I feel this management and captain, if the PCB dares to make a decision, should never be given such authority again. He was never fit for captaincy.”

He heavily criticised Rizwan’s tactics in Multan’s recent match against Peshawar Zalmi, calling the team selection and overall strategy confusing and disappointing.

“The way he fielded the team against Peshawar and the approach he took in the game was beyond understanding,” he added.

Kamran further pointed out that Multan Sultans had already lost seven out of their nine matches before the Peshawar game, yet no one raised concerns about their playing strategy or mindset. However, their most recent performance finally sparked discussions.

“They lost seven out of nine matches earlier, but no one questioned Multan Sultans’ approach. Now, after what they did against Peshawar Zalmi, everyone is talking about it,” he said.

“Everyone says building the PSL brand was a collective effort. Why is its image being damaged now? Will the PCB reflect on this?” Kamran questioned.

Sports journalist Shahid Hashmi also criticised the team’s management, quoting Multan’s power-hitting coach Julian Wood.

“Julian Wood said we couldn’t recover after the first match. What kind of management was this that ruined all ten matches after just one game?”

Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali raised eyebrows over Multan’s squad decisions, questioning why key players were dropped.

“Who told Multan Sultans to drop Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, or other players?” Basit asked.

So far in PSL 10, Multan Sultans have managed to win only one match out of nine, making it one of their worst campaigns to date.

Senior member of the Indian cricket team, Mohammed Shami, has received death threats demanding one crore Indian rupees during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The star fast bowler, who is playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in this year’s tournament, was sent threatening emails warning of possible harm to his life.

According to media reports, Shami, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, received multiple threatening emails while participating in the league. His brother Haseeb Ahmed then filed a police complaint at the local police station, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered.

Police authorities are now investigating the matter, and additional security measures may be taken to ensure Shami’s safety during the remainder of the tournament.

Mohammed Shami is one of India’s most experienced fast bowlers. He has taken 133 wickets in IPL, while in international T20s, he has represented India in 25 matches and taken 27 wickets. His ODI record stands at 206 wickets, and he has claimed 229 wickets in Test cricket.

This is not the first time a high-profile Indian cricketer has received such threats. Previously, the team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir was also sent a threatening email. After a police investigation, a suspect was arrested and later identified as a mentally disturbed individual. 

The suspect’s family apologized to Gambhir and informed authorities about his medical condition.