Category: Sports

Former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson has emerged as a strong contender to replace Aaqib Javed as the interim head coach of the Pakistan cricket team.

According to reports, Hesson is currently serving as the head coach of the Pakistan Super League franchise Islamabad United. He has reportedly been approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the role. Sources reveal that the PCB is actively engaged in discussions with him.

This isn’t the first time the PCB has contacted Hesson. Last year, the board had also reached out, but Hesson declined the offer due to prior commitments.

While former Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq was also in the running, sources suggest that Mike Hesson now appears to be the frontrunner for the position.

According to insiders, the PCB is once again leaning towards appointing a foreign head coach. The job requires a Level 3 coaching qualification, and applications have been invited until 4 May.

With limited options available, the PCB is reportedly focusing more on foreign candidates for the role.

Mike Hesson was appointed as New Zealand’s head coach in July 2012, replacing John Wright. He also has prior coaching experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has emphasised the importance of physical fitness and dietary discipline for young wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan, urging the 26-year-old to take his professional responsibilities more seriously if he hopes to succeed at the highest level.

Speaking in a recent interview with a local news channel, Younis addressed concerns about Azam Khan’s fitness in a direct yet relevant tone.

“We all enjoy burgers, I do too,” said Younis. “But as professional athletes, we must show restraint. At this level, you cannot compromise on dietary discipline.”

He further advised the young athlete to prioritise his fitness if he intends to prolong his career and perform consistently at the international level. “If Azam wants to extend his career and perform at a high level, he has to prioritise fitness. There are no shortcuts here.”

Despite his concerns over fitness, Younis supported Islamabad United’s decision to promote Azam Khan up the batting order.

“Sending Azam to bat in the top order is a fresh, unconventional approach,” said Younis. “It gives him more time at the crease and allows him to face the fielding restrictions, which could suit his power-hitting ability. It’s a smart way to challenge him and encourage growth,” he said.

Younis also pointed out a key technical flaw in Azam’s batting, particularly against pace bowling.

“Whether it’s the PSL or overseas leagues, fast bowlers immediately test him with short-pitched deliveries,” he noted.

He said, “They’ve done their homework. They know it’s an area where he struggles, and they are exploiting it effectively. It’s concerning, and he must fix it quickly.”

Younis concluded by saying, “Azam needs to turn his weaknesses, especially against short balls, into strengths. If he doesn’t, bowlers will continue to target him and repeatedly expose the same flaws.”

Azam Khan plays domestically for Islamabad United and the Sindh team. However, on the international stage, he has yet to prove himself, as he has not been consistent in his performance for the national team.

As a wave of grief and anger grips India over the deadly Pahalgam attack in Occupied Kashmir, the sporting community has also strongly reacted to the incident with a former Indian cricketer going on to level baseless allegations against Pakistan.

At least 26 people, including an Indian Navy officer, were killed Tuesday when terrorists opened fire at popular tourist spot in southern Kashmir – some 90 kilometres from Srinagar.

While condemnations and messages of support pour in from around the world, Indian media has alleged Pakistani involvement – a claim that has been rejected by Islamabad as baseless while expressing grief over the loss of lives.

Despite a little-known group, the Kashmir Resistance, claiming responsibility for the attack in a social media message, baseless Indian reports has led to a propaganda campaign against Pakistan.

“SAY NO TO CRICKET! This is exactly why I say – you don’t play cricket with Pakistan. Not now. Not ever,” former Indian cricketer Shreevats Goswami said in a post rooted in the baseless allegations.

“Now… this bloodshed again. It breaks something inside you. It makes you question how many more times we’re expected to stay silent, stay ‘sporting,’ while our people die. No more. Not this time,” he added.

Other cricketing stars, however, did not jump the propaganda bandwagon.

Former India captain and spinner Anil Kumble also offered condolences, saying, “Innocent lives lost to senseless violence. Praying for strength and peace for the affected families. Let’s stand together against hate.”

Indian opener Shubman Gill wrote, “Violence like this has no place in our country,” while KL Rahul said, “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the Pahalgam attack. My thoughts are with the families of the victims.”

Former India coach Ravi Shastri called it a moment for national unity, writing, “A ghastly, cowardly act that should unite the nation fully, bar none.”

Former spinner Harbhajan Singh also shared his thoughts, stating, “My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives. This can’t be forgiven.”

Cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan wrote, “Such acts of violence have no place in our society. May peace prevail,” while his brother Irfan Pathan added, “Every time an innocent life is lost, humanity loses.”

Parthiv Patel expressed disbelief at the tragic incident, saying, “Shocked and angry to hear what happened in Kashmir. There’s a numb disbelief at the terrible acts and how it all happened.”

Former Australian Test cricketer Michael Slater has been sentenced to a four-year partially suspended prison term after being found guilty of domestic violence. However, having already served over a year in custody following a bail denial in 2024, Slater is now expected to be released.

A partially suspended sentence means the convicted individual serves part of their jail term behind bars, with the remainder suspended under certain conditions.

As per the details of Slater’s case, he faced seven charges, including two counts of choking a woman and sending her offensive messages. The court found him guilty on all counts.

During the sentencing, Judge Glenn Cash noted Slater’s struggle with alcohol addiction, calling it a significant part of his life. “It is clear that you are dealing with a serious drinking problem, and addressing it won’t be easy,” the judge remarked.

In April 2024, Slater collapsed in court after a Queensland judge denied him bail. Officers had to assist him in standing, after which he was taken into custody and remained behind bars for more than a year.

During his cricketing career, Slater scored over 5,000 runs for Australia, including 14 centuries and 21 half-centuries. He also played county cricket for Derbyshire in England and later became a prominent cricket commentator.

The Pakistan eSports Federation (PESF) is once again in hot water as controversy brews over the exclusion of Team i8 eSports from the upcoming Esan Asian PUBG Mobile Showdown, which it says was done with national representation in mind and not affiliations.

As per the details, the uproar began when PESF selected 4Thrives – a new team that includes former i8 players – over i8 eSports – a squad widely regarded as one of the most consistent and accomplished PUBG Mobile teams in the country.

Team i8’s owner Shehbaz Mengal (Trynda) didn’t hold back and took to Instagram to voice his frustration. He said that PESF had “once again ignored” i8’s achievements and provided “no reasonable explanation”. Trynda also claimed that in the past, PESF had demanded sponsorship in exchange for tournament slots and even threatened to hand over i8’s spot to another team when refused.

“Now, there was an invited event for Pakistan, and based on achievements, our team deserves to get the invite. If the players are changed, it doesn’t mean giving the slot to another team… PESF is very unprofessional. If it’s us today, it will happen to other teams tomorrow, and we will stay quiet no more.”

Joining the protest, another top-tier team, 141 eSports, announced an official boycott of PESF. In a statement, the team accused the federation of “unethical behaviour” and “lack of transparency”.

“Last year, PESF approached our owner for sponsorship in exchange for tournament privileges, threatening to revoke our slot upon refusal. This year, despite consistent performance and no roster changes, we were unfairly denied entry to a national event,” it said.

Amid all the backlash, The Current reached out to PESF for an official response.

“Just to clarify… the slot was officially allocated to PESF. After thoughtful consideration and discussions, a decision was made to form a lineup that we believe could best represent Pakistan on an international level,” a spokesperson told this scribe.

“This team wasn’t selected based on club affiliations but with the broader vision of national representation in mind,” he added.

The spokesperson also said that Team i8 must provide evidence that the slot was awarded to them and also substantiate the claims they have made on social media. “Team i8 should prove that this slot was indeed awarded to Asi8 and that PESF communicated to Esan that the team should be changed. If they can demonstrate this, we will allow them to participate in the event. However, they must prove the authenticity of the claims they have made on social media.”

“Secondly, PESF is a sole entity, and after extensive discussions, we concluded that since this is a third-party tournament, we should select the team based on recent performances. The players announced were deemed the best at that time. It’s also important to note that this slot was allocated two weeks ago. Many things can be misrepresented on social media, and any manipulations will be addressed accordingly,” he added.

This isn’t the first time PESF has faced such allegations. In 2024, Team i8 won both the national and regional qualifiers for the World eSports Championship (WEC), but PESF replaced them with 52 eSports without initially offering any explanation.

Later, PESF claimed that i8 had a scheduling conflict with the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC), but critics said the federation should have waited for PMGC group draws or allowed i8 to send a backup lineup. Trynda also alleged that PESF had attempted to limit i8’s branding and demanded sponsorships just for logo usage, raising serious questions about the federation’s conduct.

While PESF has made its stance clear, it continues to face public backlash for not establishing transparent qualification criteria.

Multan Sultans’ fast bowler Obaid Shah accidentally slapped his wicketkeeper, Usman Khan, in a moment of emotional celebration during the 12th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025.

The incident took place at Multan Cricket Stadium, where the home team posted an imposing total of 228 runs in their allotted 20 overs. In response, Lahore Qalandars could only manage 195 for 9, handing Multan Sultans a comfortable 33-run victory.

The unusual moment unfolded in the 14.5th over when Obaid Shah dismissed Lahore’s batter Kamran Ghulam. Overcome with excitement, Obaid turned to celebrate and, in a burst of enthusiasm, unintentionally struck Usman Khan in the face. The force of the slap knocked the wicketkeeper to the ground, leaving players and fans momentarily stunned.

Footage of the incident quickly went viral across social media platforms, sparking a mix of amusement and concern among cricket fans. While it was evident the act wasn’t deliberate, many viewers noted the importance of players maintaining composure during high-intensity moments.

Obaid Shah’s passionate celebration was likely meant to fire up his teammates, but it unexpectedly became one of the most talked-about moments of the match.

Despite the mishap, Multan Sultans secured a convincing win, continuing their strong run in the tournament.

Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni, who retired from international cricket a few years ago, is currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings. He has also cleared up some funny myths behind his brilliant performances during a conversation with the media.

Following an injury to the regular captain this season, Dhoni has once again taken on the team’s leadership responsibilities. He recently attended a promotional event where he made some interesting revelations about himself. When asked about the weirdest rumour he had ever heard, he responded with a smile: “That I drink five litres of milk every day.” The anchor, clearly surprised, clarified that it was indeed a false rumour.

He went on to explain, “I might drink one litre throughout the day, but saying I drink five litres is way too much.”

In a lighter moment, the anchor brought up another rumour claiming the star cricketer used to make lassi in a washing machine. He laughed and quickly replied, “No, I don’t even drink lassi.”

According to reports, when Dhoni made his international debut in 2004-05, it was widely believed that his incredible energy came from drinking five litres of milk daily, a myth the cricketer has now officially debunked.

Dhoni enjoys a massive fan following in India, with many still considering him a lucky and successful captain. Fans hope to see him lead CSK to more victories, just as he did in the past. However, this season has been challenging for the franchise, with the team currently languishing at the bottom of the points table, having secured just one win from eight matches.

Renowned for his leadership skills, he has led India to numerous prestigious titles, including the World Cup and the Champions Trophy. Under his captaincy, Chennai Super Kings have also won the IPL title five times, cementing his legacy as one of cricket’s greatest leaders.

Multan Sultans on Tuesday registered their first win of the tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with a 33-run victory over Lahore Qalandars at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Sultans, playing this season’s first game at home, bounced back after losing their three opening matches over the past two weeks. Yasir Khan’s explosive batting and Ubaid Shah’s brilliant bowling were the standout performances of the night.

After winning the toss, Multan opted to bat first and posted an imposing total of 228 in their 20 overs. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Yasir Khan got the team off to a flying start, putting up a record 89-run partnership for the first wicket – the highest opening stand in this year’s PSL.

Rizwan scored 32 runs off 24 balls with a six and four 4s before being bowled by Asif Afridi. Yasir Khan was the top scorer with a scintillating 87 off 44 deliveries, smashing six 6s and six 4s before being caught by Abdullah Shafique off Sikandar Raza.

Usman Khan contributed 39 runs, sharing a 70-run stand with Yasir for the second wicket. Iftikhar Ahmed added late fireworks with an unbeaten 40 off just 18 balls, including three 6s and three 4s.

Rishad Hossain was the pick of Lahore’s bowlers, claiming two wickets for 45 runs.

In response, Qalandars could only manage to score 195 runs in their 20 overs with one wicket remaining.

Fakhar Zaman looked dangerous early on with 32 off 22 balls, hitting three sixes and two fours, but Ubaid Shah struck to dismiss him at a crucial time. Earlier, Mohammad Naeem fell cheaply for 11 runs to Michael Bracewell.

Bracewell further dented Lahore’s chase by removing Abdullah Shafique for 18, ending a promising 36-run stand with Daryl Mitchell. Ubaid Shah returned to remove both Sam Billings and Mitchell, crushing any hopes of a late comeback.

Despite Sikandar Raza’s valiant 50* off 34 balls, Lahore fell short. 

Ubaid Shah ended with figures of 3 for 37, while Bracewell and Usama Mir picked up two wickets apiece.

Multan now move to their next game against Islamabad United, which will also be played in Multan today (Wednesday).

Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has taken legal action against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), claiming over $5 million in unpaid dues.

In a recent interview with a local social media platform, Gillespie revealed that the PCB had still not paid his outstanding payments. He expressed disappointment over the situation but hoped it would be resolved soon.

The PCB strongly refuted former Test head coach Jason Gillespie’s allegation of unpaid dues for his nine-month tenure, stating that the claim is untrue and that Gillespie violated the terms of his contract.

However, the matter has now escalated, as Gillespie has filed a case with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Dispute Resolution Chamber. According to reports, he alleges that the PCB failed to honour the terms of his coaching contract.

Sources within the PCB have confirmed that their legal advisors are preparing a response to the case. A PCB spokesperson commented, “We respect the legal process. This is a standard contractual dispute and will be resolved soon.”

The ICC has reportedly issued notices to both parties, with a hearing expected next month.

Meanwhile, this issue could negatively impact the PCB’s reputation on the international stage.