Category: Sports

National cricketer Umar Akmal has openly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for excluding him from national team selection, accusing the board of age-based discrimination.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Umar claimed that players are being sidelined because of their age rather than their performance.

He said, “The PCB is biased in selection based on age,” he alleged, adding that players like him, Ahmed Shehzad, and Sohaib Maqsood are being ignored because they are around 34 years old.

“We’re told that we are too old to play or even become mentors, but then you see 43- and 45-year-old players still actively playing. What do you want us to do, shoot ourselves?” Umar said in frustration.

He also took a swipe at the fitness standards enforced by the PCB. “Some senior players and coaches have never even taken fitness tests, yet they talk about fitness all the time,” he said.

Umar didn’t hold back from criticising veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik either, stating, “Some senior players only prepare themselves to play in the PSL, leaving little room for emerging talent.”

He raised concerns about the lack of fan engagement in the stadiums, saying, “When popular players are not given a chance to play in the PSL, why would fans come to the stadium?”

Addressing Babar Azam directly, Umar advised him to bat at number 3. “Babar is a great cricketer, but if he doesn’t improve his performance, he could face challenges. PSL 10 is a crucial opportunity in his career,” he said.

Umar Akmal hasn’t played for the Pakistan national cricket team since 2019. He was suspended in February 2020 and later banned for three years by the PCB for violating the anti-corruption code. His ban was deemed to have come into effect on 20 February 2020.

Following Karachi Kings’ loss to Lahore Qalandars in their second PSL 10 match, vice-captain Hasan Ali addressed the media and apologised for his earlier “King kar lay ga” remark, saying, “If that was a big mistake, I apologise.”

Reflecting on the team’s inconsistent performance, he said, “We’ll review things. In one match, we dominated, and in the next, our batting flopped. We’ll learn from this.”

The fast bowler stressed that selection depends on performance. “If we perform, we will play. We’re still young, and I’ve been one of the best bowlers in T20 matches. I always train with the mindset of making a comeback. The rest depends on the national team selection committee and what they think,” he said.

Hasan also addressed the balance between local and foreign players in the squad, saying, “We’re not totally dependent on foreign players. Khushdil played well in the last match, but we lacked partnerships.”

Addressing public criticism, Hasan said he’s at a point where negativity doesn’t bother him. He stood by Babar Azam, calling him “the best.”

“I’m at an age and stage in my career where nothing really hurts me anymore. We’ve made Babar Azam our king, and we’re the ones standing behind him. If my ‘King kar lay ga’ statement was a big mistake, I sincerely apologise. But my stance remains the same: Babar was the best, is the best, and will come out of this tough phase,” he said.

Hasan added that the team is still testing combinations and may bring in spinner Mohammad Nabi in future matches.

“The tournament has just started. We’re analysing how we can build the best team. If we feel the need for a spinner in the middle order, we will definitely consider Mohammad Nabi,” he concluded.

In the match, Lahore Qalandars beat Karachi Kings by 65 runs, posting 201 for 6 and bowling out Karachi for 136 in 19.1 overs.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially announced the venue for cricket matches at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

According to media reports, the matches will be held at the Fairplex in Pomona, Southern California. Spread over approximately 500 acres, Fairplex is a multi-purpose venue that has served as a hub for concerts, shows, sporting events, and cultural activities in Los Angeles County since 1922.

CEO of the LA28 Olympic Games, Renaldo Hoover, stated: “We have promised the world an incredible Olympic Games, and we are working tirelessly to deliver just that.”

The announcement has been warmly welcomed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), with its chairman, Jay Shah, calling it a significant step in cricket’s return to the Olympics. He expressed hope that this inclusion will help the sport grow in popularity across the globe.

Just last week, the IOC confirmed that both men’s and women’s cricket competitions will be included in the LA 2028 Olympics. A total of six teams each will participate in both the men’s and women’s T20 events. Each team will consist of 15 players, making up a total quota of 90 players for each category.

This marks cricket’s return to the Olympics after an astonishing 128-year gap. The last time cricket was featured in the Olympics was in 1900, during the Paris Games.

Lahore Qalandars on Tuesday crushed Karachi Kings by 65 runs in the sixth match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, securing their second consecutive win of the season.

As per the details, Lahore won the toss and elected to bat first. Fakhar Zaman led the charge with a brilliant 76 off 47 balls, smashing six fours and five sixes. He was well supported by Daryl Mitchell, who played a blazing knock of 75 off just 41 deliveries, including seven fours and three sixers. Sam Billings chipped in with a quick 19 off 10 balls while Sikandar Raza added 10 off 5 to help Lahore reach 201 for 6 in their 20 overs.

Karachi Kings’ bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs. Hasan Ali was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets while Abbas Afridi took one wicket. 

Chasing 202, Karachi had a disastrous start, losing two batters in the very first over as Shaheen Afridi got David Warner and James Vince’s wickets to put Kings on the back foot right away.

They never recovered and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Khushdil Shah was the top scorer with 39 off 27 balls while Hasan Ali contributed 27 off 25. Tim Seifert and Shan Masood scored 18 each, and Adam Milne added a quick 16 off 7, but it wasn’t enough. Karachi Kings were bowled out for 136 in 19.1 overs.

Lahore’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance. Shaheen and Rishad Hossain took three wickets each, while Sikandar Raza grabbed 2. Asif Afridi and Haris Rauf chipped in with one wicket apiece to seal a convincing win.

Former Test cricketer and the world’s fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar has called for a new franchise to be added to the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

During a recent appearance on the show Dugout, Akhtar responded to a fan’s interesting question: “If you were to play in the PSL, which franchise would you represent?”

Shoaib Akhtar replied, “I wouldn’t play for any franchise — I would make my own team, filled mostly with fast bowlers.”

He went on to say, “A new PSL franchise named ‘Pindi Express’ should be introduced.”

Akhtar explained that the team would focus on promoting top-quality fast bowlers.

“The cricket culture of this franchise would be about finding high-quality pacers. PSL should be recognized through its fast bowlers,” he said.

He added, “This city has produced great talent in a short time, and I believe it deserves to have its own team.”

Shoaib Akhtar has not played for any PSL team, as he had already retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup.

Fawad Ali, the emerging player of the Karachi Kings, has expressed his heartfelt desire to provide a better and more comfortable life for his father, who works as a labourer.

In an exclusive conversation with a private news channel, Fawad shared details of his journey. Hailing from Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he was discovered during the Swat Talent Hunt Program in 2023.

Fawad revealed that basic cricket facilities were lacking in his hometown.

“There were no proper cricket facilities in our area, so I only played tape-ball cricket. But after being selected, I was called to Karachi, where my skills were polished and improved,” he said.

Fawad Ali made his PSL debut on 12 April at the National Stadium in Karachi during the Karachi Kings’ third match of the season against the Multan Sultans. Recalling the moment, he said, “I didn’t feel nervous during my debut match. Captain David Warner and Hasan Ali kept motivating me throughout.”

The young bowling all-rounder considers his place in the Karachi Kings squad a huge honour.

“It’s a privilege for me to be part of the Karachi Kings squad. I belong to Swat, and my father is a labourer,” Fawad shared.

“My biggest wish is to give my parents a life of comfort, and I’m giving my best to perform well for Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League,” he said.

The rising star was also part of the Karachi Kings squad last season as a replacement for Tim Seifert, who was unavailable due to national team commitments.

Chennai Super Kings’ veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mahendra Singh Dhoni, at the age of 43, made history during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 by becoming the oldest player to win the Player of the Match award in the tournament’s history.

On Monday, Chennai Super Kings secured their second win of the season by defeating Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets in a thrilling encounter played in Lucknow.

After winning the toss, Chennai opted to bowl first. Lucknow Super Giants posted a total of 166 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.

In response, CSK chased down the target in the final over, largely thanks to Dhoni’s explosive cameo. The former Indian captain remained unbeaten on 26 runs off just 11 balls, smashing four boundaries and a six, finishing the match with his signature calmness. Alongside him, Shivam Dube also played a crucial role with an unbeaten 43 off 37 balls.

Apart from his batting heroics, Dhoni also contributed with the gloves, executing two stumpings and one run-out, earning him the Player of the Match award.

With this performance, Dhoni set a new record, becoming the oldest cricketer in IPL history to receive the Player of the Match award, as confirmed by Indian media outlets.

Surprisingly, Dhoni appeared modest after receiving the award. During the post-match presentation, he said, “I was wondering why I’m getting this award. Noor bowled really well – I think he deserved it more than me.”

Despite the win, Chennai Super Kings are still struggling this season. So far, they have played seven matches, out of which they have lost five and won two, placing them at the bottom of the points table with four points.

Nonetheless, Dhoni’s form and presence continue to be a source of inspiration for fans and teammates alike.

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.