New Zealand’s fast bowler Matt Henry might miss the Champions Trophy 2025 final after sustaining a shoulder injury during the semi-final played on Wednesday in Lahore.
Henry, who is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, got injured while taking a catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen.
After the match, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner was hopeful that Henry would recover in time for the final. However, the team’s head coach has now stated that it is too early to confirm his availability 48 hours before the match.
The coach said, “We hope he will be fine. We have conducted scans and assessments, and we will give him every chance to play the final. But at this stage, it’s too early to say anything.”
Henry has been outstanding in the tournament, taking 10 wickets at an average of 16.70. If he is ruled out, New Zealand might include right-arm pacer Jacob Duffy in the playing XI.
Duffy has not played a single match in this Champions Trophy, but he featured in a tri-series against Pakistan before the tournament, where he took one wicket for 48 runs in seven overs.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has apologised for a social media post that joked about Pope Francis’ Ash Wednesday message by linking it to the Ashes cricket series.
The post was shared on the England Cricket team’s official social media account after Pope Francis, who is critically ill, delivered a message on Lent.
Pope wrote, “The #Ashes remind us of who we are, which does us good. It puts us in our place, smooths out the rough edges of our narcissism, brings us back to reality, and makes us more humble and open to one another. None of us is God; we are all on a journey. #Lent.”
The @englandcricket account then reposted it with the caption: “Even @Pontifex loves the Ashes.”
However, the joke was not well received, and the ECB deleted it a few minutes after posting.
A spokesperson for the ECB later said, “This was an ill-judged post and was swiftly deleted. We apologize for any offence.”
Pope Francis, 88, has been in a hospital in Rome for more than two weeks, battling double pneumonia. His condition worsened on Monday when he suffered two serious breathing issues, prompting doctors to remove mucus from his lungs.
The Vatican confirmed that the Pope was placed back on a breathing machine but remains awake and cooperative with doctors.
Despite efforts to recover, he has not been seen in public since being admitted to the hospital on February 14, fueling speculation about whether he might resign or if his condition is deteriorating.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day marking the start of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter. On this day, many Christians receive a cross made of ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of repentance and reflection.
South African star batter David Miller has revealed his favourite team for the Champions Trophy final, set to take place in Dubai on Sunday, March 9, between India and New Zealand.
In the second semi-final of the tournament, held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs to secure a spot in the final. The Proteas fell short while chasing a massive target of 363 runs, managing 312/9 despite Miller’s heroics.
David Miller played a sensational unbeaten century off just 67 balls, but his effort was not enough to secure victory for South Africa. After the match, Miller and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson exchanged smiles and shared a warm hug, showcasing great sportsmanship.
Speaking to the media after the game, Miller expressed his support for New Zealand in the final.
“I will be supporting New Zealand. Both teams are strong—India has been playing great cricket for years, and the final is going to be fantastic,” he said.
The Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand will be played in Dubai on Sunday, March 9.
Pakistan’s rising esports team, Xotics, has achieved a major milestone by qualifying for the 2025 PUBG Mobile Global Open (PMGO) Prelims in Uzbekistan.
The team is now actively seeking sponsorship to support its journey on the international stage.
Xotics is the only Pakistani team to qualify for the 2025 PMGO Prelims, making it a key contender in the competitive PUBG Mobile scene. Known for its exceptional skills, teamwork, and strategic gameplay, the team has gained a strong fanbase and continues to prove itself among the best in the region.
Apart from Xotics, another top-tier Pakistani PUBG Mobile team, 4Thrives Esports, is also actively looking for sponsors. The team has been making waves with its aggressive gameplay and strong performances in the competitive scene.
Recently, 4Thrives Esports made major roster changes that have caught the attention of the esports community. Four key players—FALAK, IQ, NOCKi, and T20 OP—have joined the team, bringing immense experience and firepower. FALAK, IQ, and NOCKi were previously part of i8 Esports, while T20 OP transitioned from Seventh Element. Notably, FALAK is currently ranked the No. 1 South Asian player.
With esports rapidly growing in Pakistan, brands and companies have a unique chance to partner with these rising teams and gain exposure to a dedicated and expanding audience.
Sponsorship can help these teams enhance their training, upgrade gaming equipment, and compete at the highest level in global tournaments.
Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami faced criticism from a Muslim cleric for not fasting during India’s semi-final match against Australia on Tuesday. The game was played during the holy month of Ramzan, a time when most Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi called Shami a “criminal” for skipping the fast, saying it was against religious teachings.
“In Islam, fasting is a duty. If someone deliberately skips the fast, they are a sinner. Cricketer Mohammed Shami also didn’t observe a fast. He has committed a sin. He is a criminal,” Bareilvi said in a video statement.
However, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, a scholar and executive member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, defended Shami. He explained that Islam allows people to skip fasting while travelling.
“Allah has clearly mentioned in the Quran that if a person is on a journey or unwell, they have the option not to observe Roza. In the case of Mohammed Shami, he is on a tour, so he has the option not to observe Roza. Nobody has the right to question him,” he firmly pointed out.
Shami’s family also supported him, urging him to focus on the upcoming Champions Trophy final. His cousin, Mumtaz, called the controversy unnecessary.
“He is playing for the country. Many Pakistani players have not kept ‘Roza’ and are playing matches, so this is nothing new. It is very shameful that such things are being said about him. We will tell Mohammed Shami not to pay attention to these things and prepare for the match on March 9.”
Shami’s coach, Mohammed Badruddin, also defended him, saying he did nothing wrong and had the full support of the country. He advised clerics to prioritize the nation above all.
“Desh ke aage kuch nahin (Nothing comes before the nation),” he said.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar also reacted to the controversy, saying religion and sports should not be mixed. He praised Shami for being a dedicated player who has contributed to India’s victories many times.
“If Shami felt fasting could even slightly affect his performance, he wouldn’t be able to sleep. He is a hardcore Indian who has made the team win many times. Religion should not be brought into sports, and if you ask any Muslim today, they will say they are proud of Mohammed Shami,” Pawar said.
Despite the controversy, Shami delivered a strong performance in the semi-final. Australia won the toss and batted first, scoring 264 runs. Led by Shami, the Indian bowling attack restricted them, with Shami taking three wickets in his 10-over spell, conceding only 48 runs.
India chased the target and won the match by four wickets, securing their place in the Champions Trophy final.
India will now face New Zealand in the final on March 9 in Dubai.
International Cricket Council (ICC) Safety and Security Manager Dr Dumesker has lauded Pakistan’s organisation of the Champions Trophy, calling it a resounding success.
Speaking about the tournament’s security arrangements on Thursday, he said, “I want to thank Pakistan’s police, Rangers, and Army for their efforts. The security agencies cooperated fully during the entire tournament. Initially, some teams had concerns about travelling to Pakistan.”
He also expressed his confidence in Pakistan’s professionalism, adding, “Personally, I had no doubts. The level of professionalism here was outstanding. This tournament will project a positive image of Pakistan, its people, and its security institutions across the world.”
Dr Dumesker concluded by emphasising the success of the tournament, saying, “It has been a fantastic event.”
It merits mention that Pakistan hosted an ICC event after 29 years but suffered a disappointing campaign, getting eliminated in the group stage without winning a single match.
Additionally, Pakistan lost the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy final, as India qualified for the final. India will face New Zealand on March 9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
If India had not qualified for the final, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore would have hosted the final.
Former cricketer Basit Ali has stated that he was unaware of Babar Azam’s father’s involvement in his cricketing career and has urged him to help Babar improve his batting technique.
Speaking on ARY’s program, Har Lamha Purjosh, the former Test batter, said, “We didn’t know that Babar Azam’s coach is his father. It’s a good thing that his father is coaching him, but I request him to work on Babar’s technique.”
He emphasised that fixing technical issues is in Babar’s hands, adding, “We wish him well. When Babar was the captain, Usama Mir’s name was not even considered for the T20 World Cup.”
He further pointed out that Usama Mir had performed exceptionally well in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) but was overlooked for selection. “Usama Mir’s parents must have prayed for him too. His family must have felt heartbroken when he was dropped from the squad,” he said.
“Every player’s parents pray for them and also feel disappointed when things don’t go their way. All cricketers should be given equal opportunities in the national team,” he added.
Meanwhile, former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal also weighed in on the matter, stating, “Every father loves his son. Some fathers openly express their feelings, while others leave it to fate. Babar needs to improve himself further, according to modern-day cricket. Posting statements after a player is dropped is not a good practice.”
He further criticised social media posts made by players’ family members, saying, “When a player’s father or brother makes such posts, it disrespects the institution. The people Babar’s father is referring to have always supported him.”
A day earlier, Babar Azam’s father, Azam Siddique, defended his son amid widespread criticism over his recent poor performances, particularly during the Champions Trophy.
In a social media statement, Siddique addressed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to rest Babar for the upcoming series against New Zealand, emphasizing that his son was dropped despite being named in the ICC T20 Team of the Year.
He assured fans that Babar would make a strong comeback through performances in the National T20 Cup and PSL and urged former cricketers to be mindful of their words. “I request ex-players to choose their words carefully. If someone responds, you may not be able to tolerate it. You are the past and will never play again,” he wrote.
Siddique also responded to criticism regarding his public support for Babar. “People say ‘the father’ talks too much. I am Babar’s first and last coach. I am his spokesperson and mentor. Above all, I am his well-wishing father.”
Taking a swipe at critics, he added, “Those who are making noise should check their performances from their playing days. Just visit PCB’s website once—hints are enough for the wise.”
Australia’s Glenn Maxwell has shared a funny story about how Indian cricket star Virat Kohli once blocked him on Instagram. The two players, who have now forged a close friendship after playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, didn’t always get along.
When RCB bought Maxwell for INR 14.25 crore ahead of IPL 2021 season, he had an impressive run, scoring over 500 runs and helping the team reach the playoffs.
Maxwell, Kohli, and former RCB player AB de Villiers formed a powerful trio in the IPL, with their friendship was evident on the field. However, there was a time when things weren’t so friendly between them.
In an interview in October 2024, Maxwell opened up about how Kohli had once blocked him on Instagram after an on-field incident in 2017. When he joined RCB, he tried to follow Kohli on Instagram but couldn’t find his profile.
Maxwell recalled, “When I knew I was going to RCB, Virat was the first guy to message me and welcome me to the team. When I arrived for the pre-IPL training camp, we started chatting and spent a lot of time training together. Then I thought of following him on social media, but I couldn’t find his profile.”
He continued, “I thought maybe he wasn’t active on Instagram, but then someone told me that if you can’t find someone, it usually means they’ve blocked you. I was like, ‘Surely not!’”
“Then I went and asked him, ‘Have you blocked me on Instagram?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, probably. It was when you mocked me during that Test match. I think I got the sh* and decided to block you.’** I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s fair enough.’ So, he unblocked me, and we became great friends after that,” Maxwell shared with a laugh.
Despite their past differences, the two have since developed a strong friendship and played key roles in RCB’s success. However, after a disappointing IPL 2024 season, where Maxwell managed just 52 runs, his stint with RCB came to an end.
Maxwell is now set to play for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has been marred by logistical challenges due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan.
As a result, a hybrid model was adopted, with India’s matches being played in Dubai while other teams had to shuttle between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) multiple times besides playing matches in different Pakistani cities. This travel-heavy schedule has sparked debates about fairness, with players expressing concerns over fatigue and competitive disadvantages.
Based on a report by the Reddit page r/Cricket (1.7 million members), here is how much teams travelled during the event, and the disparity is striking.
India: 0 KM (All matches played in Dubai) England & Afghanistan: 1,020 km Bangladesh: 1,953 km Australia: 2,509 km Pakistan: 3,133 km South Africa: 3,286 km New Zealand: 7,048 km
While finalists New Zealand, in particular, faced the biggest travel burden, covering over 7,000 km, India made it to the final, comfortably in Dubai without any travel stress.
Pakistan, despite being the official host, had to travel over 3,100 km, while Australia also endured over 2,500 km of travel before the crucial knockout matches.
Australian captain Pat Cummins has openly commented on the situation, suggesting that India’s fixed location gave them an advantage over other teams.
He criticised the arrangement, calling it a major advantage for India. “I think it’s great that the tournament is moving forward, but India playing all their matches at one venue gives them a big edge,” he said.
Similar concerns were echoed by other players, with South African and New Zealand cricketers reportedly frustrated over the constant back-and-forth movement. A level playing field should have been ensured by either having all teams travel equally or keeping the entire tournament in one country, reports quoted them as saying.
Frequent travel not only affects player performance but also adds logistical and security complications. Teams had to adjust to different pitches, climates and conditions while battling fatigue.
With the Champions Trophy nearing its climax, the debate around India’s home-like advantage remains a hot topic.
Former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammad Hafeez has taken a dig at cricketers from the 1990s, claiming they left no legacy behind as they failed to win any ICC tournaments for Pakistan.
Speaking on a TV program, Hafeez criticised their poor performances in the 1996, 1999, and 2003 ICC events, saying, “We could have won at least one final, but it didn’t happen.”
He acknowledged, “Past players were mega superstars, but they failed to inspire by winning an ICC trophy. Things improved later, and in 2009, we won an ICC event under Younis Khan’s captaincy.”
Hafeez further stated, “If people look up to Babar Azam today, it is because he was part of the 2017 Champions Trophy-winning team, which played a huge role in reviving Pakistan cricket.”
He expressed disappointment, saying, “Unfortunately, cricketers from the 90s failed to fulfil Pakistan’s dream of winning major ICC tournaments.”
Sitting alongside Hafeez in the studio was former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, who was not pleased with the remarks and responded, “Hafeez has generalised all players, but let me remind him—those 73 ODI wins that put us above India today, we were the ones who won them!”
Earlier, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt spoke out against Shoaib Akhtar’s harsh criticism of Babar Azam following his poor performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Earlier, Akhtar had called Babar a “fraud” after the batsman went through a dip in form, blaming him for not leading the team properly.
Known for his blunt remarks, Shoaib Akhtar suggested that Babar’s struggles were not just temporary but a result of deeper flaws in his technique. He also compared Babar to Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli, pointing out that Kohli’s inspiration was Sachin Tendulkar, who had 100 international centuries. Akhtar had said, “Who was Babar Azam’s role model? Let’s not name any cricketer, but he had chosen the wrong role models. His thought process was wrong. He was a fraud from the beginning.”
Salman Butt, who had played alongside Shoaib Akhtar in the past, strongly disagreed with the speedster. He defended Babar, saying that every player went through tough phases, and it was unfair to judge him based on a temporary slump.
Speaking on a private TV channel, Butt said, “Shoaib was one of the best talents Pakistan ever produced, and if he had reconsidered what he said, he would have called it the heat of the moment. But he shouldn’t have said that.”
Salman vociferously defended the beleaguered batsman, saying, “Babar was struggling with form, and more than his technical issues, we had gotten into his head. His talent was superior to that of every other batter we had, and we had even wasted it because of all this criticism. He was not Kohli, he was not Root, and he was not Williamson, but he was the best we had.”
Babar had often been the main target of criticism whenever the Pakistan team underperformed, even though the entire squad struggled.
Interestingly, while Pakistani experts continued to criticize him, cricketing legends from other countries defended him.
