Category: Sports

A lighthearted moment between Pakistani cricketers Shadab Khan and Babar Azam has gone viral on social media, offering fans a glimpse into the camaraderie shared by the national team players.

In a widely circulated video, Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan was seen chatting and joking with teammate Naseem Shah, Peshawar Zalmi’s Babar Azam and former legendary leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed. 

While talking to Ahmed, Shadab revealed the first prayer he made after seeing the Holy Kaaba. “They say the first prayer you make after seeing the Kaaba is accepted… so I prayed for his [pointing at Babar Azam] marriage,” he said.

At this, Babar responded with a laugh and said, “Haye yaar, no!” Shadab continued jokingly, “It’s time for both Babar and Saim [Ayub] now. That’s enough waiting.”

Mushtaq Ahmed then asked with a smile, “And what about Naseem Shah?”

To this, Shadab replied, “No, let him enjoy for now.”

Babar, playfully concerned, added, “Why? His leg isn’t working, and neither is his shoulder.” Shadab quipped in response, teasing Naseem, “Neither the shoulder is working nor is his bowling.”

The clip was reportedly recorded during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, where United secured a dominant 102-run victory.

Pakistani squash players delivered a remarkable performance at the Australian Junior Open Squash Championship in Melbourne, securing four gold medals and one silver across various categories.

According to reports, five Pakistani players reached the finals of different events, out of which four emerged victorious. The standout performers included the famous Ali Sisters from Peshawar, with two of the three sisters winning their respective finals.

All four Pakistani champions dominated their matches, winning in straight sets (3–0) without dropping a single game.

In the Girls’ U-17 final, top-seeded Mehwish Ali outclassed New South Wales’ Reden Alma Paulava, while in the Girls’ U-13 category, top-seeded Sehrish Ali comfortably defeated Queensland’s Rio Kawabata.

In the Boys’ U-17 category, second-seeded Azaan Ali Khan from Rawalpindi overcame New South Wales’ Henry Cross to clinch the title. Meanwhile, in the Boys’ U-12 final, second-seeded Ahmad Ali Naz defeated Flay from the USA to secure gold.

However, in the Girls’ U-15 final, second-seeded Sehrish Ali fell short in a tightly contested five-set match, losing 3–2 to Japan’s M. Emily Senior and settling for a silver medal.

It was only the third time that three real-life sisters played in the finals of an international platinum category championship—further underlining the exceptional talent coming from Pakistan.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Noor Zaman won the Under-23 World Squash Championship, defeating Egypt’s Karim El-Turki in a thrilling five-game final held at DHA Creek Club in Karachi on 10 April.

Gabonese football star Aaron Salem Boupendza has tragically lost his life after falling from the 11th floor of a residential building in China.

According to international media reports, Chinese police confirmed that Boupendza was in China for the Chinese Super League. The incident occurred on Wednesday in the city of Hangzhou, where the 28-year-old striker fell from the balcony of a rented apartment.

He was immediately rushed to the hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead by doctors.

Boupendza had played 35 international matches for the Gabon national team and scored eight goals during his international career. Known for his attacking prowess, he was a key player for his national side.

He had also featured in club football across the Middle East. During the 2022–23 season, Boupendza played for two major Arab clubs — Al-Arabi in Qatar and Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, Uruguayan footballer John Ezquerdo suffered a fatal heart attack during a match in Brazil. The game was immediately stopped after Ezquerdo collapsed on the field, and players gathered around him in distress. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he passed away en route.

Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal has finally opened up about the franchise’s decision to release star batter Babar Azam ahead of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) 2023 season. 

In a recent interview, Salman revealed that the decision was taken due to a disagreement over Babar’s preferred batting position. “We wanted him to bat at number three, but he was unwilling to change his role. That’s why we were left with no option but to let him go,” he said.

The 30-year-old batter has consistently preferred opening the innings throughout his T20 career — both at the international level and in franchise cricket. He has played the anchor role at the top, setting the momentum for his team. In 90 PSL innings, Babar opened in 76 matches, scoring 3,103 runs at an impressive average of 47.01 and a strike rate of 129.13. His record includes 28 half-centuries and two centuries.

However, despite his strong record, the former national skipper has been under scrutiny due to the longstanding dip in form. Apart from unsatisfactory performance for the national side, Babar has in the ongoing PSL 10 season also struggled as an opener – being dismissed for a duck in the opening match against Quetta Gladiators and managing to score just one run in the following game against Islamabad United.

Since his brilliant 151-run knock against Nepal in August 2023, Babar has also failed to score a century in any format. During the tri-nation ODI series involving New Zealand and South Africa, he was partnered with Fakhar Zaman at the top but could only produce unimpressive scores of 10, 23 and 29 — failing to make an impact.

Despite his struggles, the team management continued to back him as an opener in the recently concluded ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.  Babar, however, couldn’t deliver significant performances, scoring 64 against New Zealand and 23 against India during the group stage.

In the wake of growing concerns over potential match-fixing and illegal activities during the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a strong warning to all stakeholders involved in the tournament.

According to Indian media reports, the BCCI has warned IPL franchises about a possible threat posed by a businessman with alleged links to bookies. The individual, reportedly based in Hyderabad, is believed to have a history of involvement in corrupt practices and may attempt to befriend people associated with the league.

The Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of the IPL has taken the lead in this matter, issuing a formal warning to team owners, players, coaches, support staff, officials, and commentators. The ACSU fears that the businessman may attempt to lure individuals by offering expensive gifts, jewellery, and invitations to private parties.

The BCCI has directed all teams and personnel to remain cautious and report any form of contact or suspicious behaviour linked to the said individual. It has also been reported that this person has been seen around team hotels and match venues, raising further concerns about his intentions.

Furthermore, the ACSU has urged IPL participants to immediately report any attempt at forming a relationship or receiving gifts from this individual. His methods allegedly include gaining trust by offering lavish gifts and involving family members of team players and staff in social events.

The BCCI has reiterated the importance of upholding the integrity of the tournament and has assured that strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty of breaching the league’s anti-corruption protocols. As the IPL progresses, the spotlight is now firmly on maintaining the sport’s sanctity and protecting it from external threats.

Following India’s 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the Indian cricket dressing room has come under intense scrutiny — not only for the team’s on-field performance but also amid a string of off-field controversies. After the team’s poor performance under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, a series of leaked reports emerged from within the camp, raising questions about discipline and internal unity.

Among the many rumours that surfaced after the series, one particularly shocking claim was that a player had expressed interest in becoming interim captain. A report alleged that head coach Gautam Gambhir had blamed middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan for leaking dressing room conversations to the media, but the claim has not been officially verified.

Now, in a new twist, an Indian media outlet has reported that the BCCI has sacked assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, who joined the team only eight months ago. While there has been no official confirmation from the board yet, the move reportedly comes in response to the dressing room unrest and information leaks.

The same report also suggests that the BCCI has recently issued a notice stating that any support staff who have been with the national side for over three years could be relieved of their duties. Accordingly, fielding coach T. Dilip and trainer Soham Desai have also been removed from their roles.

In the wake of these changes, the BCCI has decided not to make fresh appointments for Nayar and Dilip’s positions. Instead, domestic cricket veteran Sitanshu Kotak will continue his involvement with the team. The responsibilities of strength and conditioning coach will now fall to South Africa’s Adrian Le Roux, who is currently associated with Punjab Kings in the IPL. Le Roux, who previously worked with Kolkata Knight Riders (2008–2019) and even had a short stint with Team India in 2002–03, is expected to join after the ongoing IPL season.

Meanwhile, head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the ongoing unrest during a pre-match press conference, calling for internal matters to remain private. “Debates between coach and player should stay in the dressing room,” Gambhir said, downplaying the reports as mere speculation.

He further emphasised the importance of honesty and performance in team dynamics. “Indian cricket will be in safe hands as long as honest people remain in the dressing room. The only thing that keeps you in the setup is performance,” he stated. 

Gambhir also reiterated the need for a “team-first” approach, insisting that while players can express themselves, they must adapt to the team’s needs when required.

As of now, fans await an official word from the BCCI, especially regarding the reported sacking of Abhishek Nayar and the reshuffling of the support staff.

Rumours about the engagement of world-renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and his long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez have once again started making headlines.

The speculation began after Georgina shared a story on Instagram. The story featured a close-up shot of her hand, showcasing a beautiful diamond ring worn on the same finger typically associated with engagement rings.

Adding fuel to the rumours, the Instagram story was captioned in Arabic, which roughly translates to: “Protect us from the evil eye, Ameen.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, and Georgina Rodriguez, 31, have been together since 2016. The couple has two daughters together — Alana Martina (born in 2017) and Bella Esmeralda (born in 2022). In total, Ronaldo is a father to five children: Cristiano Jr., twins Eva and Mateo, and the two daughters he shares with Georgina. Tragically, the couple lost their newborn son during childbirth in 2022, when Bella Esmeralda was born.

Georgina’s latest social media post comes just days after Cristiano appeared in a Netflix show where he opened up about why he hasn’t married Georgina yet, despite being in a long-term relationship and raising children together.

Ronaldo explained that he was waiting for the right moment to propose. “I’m waiting for the perfect time. Just like with other important things in life, when I feel the time is right, I will marry her. That time could come in a few days, weeks, months, or even years — and Georgina understands that well,” he said in the interview.

Following this interview, Georgina’s Instagram story has reignited rumours that the couple may have secretly gotten engaged.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time such speculation has surfaced. Back in 2022, similar engagement rumours made the rounds online when Georgina posted a photo flaunting a ring on the same finger.

As of now, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Georgina Rodriguez has officially confirmed the engagement. However, the buzz surrounding the story has once again drawn attention to their relationship, leaving fans wondering if wedding bells might finally be on the horizon.

The Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team has officially qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, which will be held later this year in India. The team secured its spot by finishing in the top two of the qualifying tournament held in Lahore, remaining unbeaten throughout the campaign.

Despite the tournament taking place in India, it has been confirmed that Pakistan’s matches will not be held in the host country. Instead, all of Pakistan’s World Cup fixtures will be played at a neutral venue outside India.

This will be the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, and the fourth time India will serve as host, following previous editions in 1978, 1997, and 2013. The tournament will be held from 29 September to 26 October and will be the last time the competition features just eight teams.

A total of 31 matches will be played, with defending champions Australia aiming for their eighth title after winning in 2022.

Pakistan defeated the West Indies by 65 runs in their final match, having earlier beaten Ireland by 38 runs and Scotland by six wickets. With three wins in three matches, Pakistan finished second on the points table with six points.

Bangladesh also qualified for the World Cup, topping the table with six points and a better net run rate than Pakistan. Both teams now look forward to competing on the world stage in one of the most anticipated women’s cricket tournaments.

During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur, the bats used by Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje failed the official size check.

The first incident happened before KKR started chasing PBKS’s target of 111 runs. Outside the playing area, reserve umpire Saiyed Khalid checked the bats of a few KKR players.

When he tested Narine’s bat, the thickest part of the blade was too wide and couldn’t pass through the measuring gauge. Narine, who was opening the batting for KKR, had a short chat with the umpire about it. On the other hand, the bat of Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who was standing next to him, passed the test.

Narine, who earlier bowled well and took two wickets for 14 runs in three overs, only scored five runs in the chase. Raghuvanshi ended up as KKR’s top scorer with 37 runs off 28 balls.

Later in the game, KKR’s fast bowler Anrich Nortje also faced a similar issue. When he came out to bat in the 16th over as the last man, on-field umpires Mohit Krishnadas and Saidharshan Kumar checked his bat and found it to be too thick.

The match had to be stopped briefly while substitute player Rahmanullah Gurbaz brought out other bats for Nortje. The new bat passed the test, but Nortje didn’t get a chance to use it, as Andre Russell was bowled immediately after.

This was Nortje’s first match of the season after returning from a back injury he suffered during SA20. He bowled well and picked up one wicket for 23 runs in his three overs.

In previous IPL seasons, such bat checks usually took place inside the dressing room. But recently, including in Sunday’s matches (RR vs RCB and DC vs MI), umpires have started checking bats on the field. According to IPL rules, a bat should not be more than 96.4 cm long, the blade should not be thicker than 6.7 cm, the edge must not be wider than 4 cm, and the face should not exceed 10.79 cm in width.

Both Narine’s and Nortje’s bats went beyond the allowed size limits, leading to these unusual stoppages in the game.

Barcelona have reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time in six years, winning 5-3 on aggregate against Borussia Dortmund after losing 3-1 in the second leg on Tuesday.

Dortmund’s striker Serhou Guirassy scored all three goals in the match, completing a hat-trick and handing Barcelona their first loss in any competition this year. However, the Spanish giants had already built a strong 4-0 lead from the first leg, which helped them progress to the next round.

Barcelona will now face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, depending on the result of Wednesday’s match between the two.

After the game, Barça coach Hansi Flick said, “Dortmund did very well. It wasn’t our best performance. I had a feeling this would be a tough game because I know this stadium well. Still, we’re in the semi-finals, and that makes me very happy.”

Dortmund started strongly, needing a big win to overturn the first-leg result. Guirassy gave them the lead in the 11th minute with a clever chipped penalty. They continued to pressure Barcelona and dominated most of the first half, while the Spanish side struggled to finish their chances.

Just four minutes into the second half, Guirassy scored again with a header after a corner, raising hopes of a dramatic comeback. But that hope was quickly dampened when Dortmund’s Ramy Bensebaini accidentally scored an own goal under pressure from Robert Lewandowski, making it 2-1 on the night.

Barcelona nearly added another goal when Fermín López missed a chance in the 64th minute.

Guirassy completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute after a defensive mistake, becoming the first Dortmund player to score 13 goals in a single Champions League campaign. However, with Dortmund still needing two more goals to force extra time, their energy faded in the final minutes.

Dortmund midfielder Pascal Groß said, “We wanted to play with more courage and support each other more. We did that today, it was a completely different game compared to the first leg. It’s just a shame we didn’t play like this earlier.”

Despite the loss on the night, Barcelona celebrated a major step forward as they moved one step closer to Champions League glory.