During the opening match of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand, star Pakistani batter Fakhar Zaman had to leave the field after suffering an injury during fielding.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first in the tournament’s inaugural match. During the very first over, Fakhar injured himself while attempting to stop a boundary and was forced to leave the field.
Pakistan’s fast bowler Hasan Ali has accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of favouritism, claiming that some players receive special treatment while others are neglected.
In a podcast on the YouTube channel ‘Cricwick’, Hasan Ali expressed his concerns over the differential treatment given to players recovering from injuries. He specifically pointed out that opener Saim Ayub has been provided “VIP protocol” for his injury, while other players, including himself, were not given similar care.
Reflecting on his injury struggles, Hasan stated, “I was away from cricket for a long time due to a back injury, but no one from the Pakistan Cricket Board came to support or guide me regarding my treatment. Saim Ayub is injured, and it is the board’s responsibility to take care of him. But can someone tell me if I was not a member of the team in 2020? Was I playing for India?”
Despite his criticism, Hasan wished Saim well but reiterated his concerns about fairness in player treatment. “You are giving him VIP treatment right now, but if someone else gets injured in the future, will you provide the same level of care? No, you won’t. May Allah bless him with health and fitness, and may he win many matches for Pakistan. But every rise has a fall. If Saim Ayub gets injured again, will you treat him the same way?”
Hasan Ali suffered a back injury in 2020, which kept him out of action for several months. He was ruled out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and international cricket for an extended period.
Pakistan is set to face New Zealand in the first match of the Champions Trophy at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Venue: National Stadium Karachi
Date: February 19, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm (PST), 2:30 pm (IST), 9:00 am (GMT)
Earlier this month, New Zealand defeated Pakistan twice in the tri-nation series at the same venue. However, as the home team, Pakistan is still considered the favourite for this match.
Both teams have faced each other in 118 ODI matches. Pakistan have the upper hand over New Zealand, winning 61 matches. While the BlackCaps have managed 53 victories, one game has been tied, with three games ending without a result.
Mohammad Rizwan will play a crucial role as Pakistan’s captain, leading from the front with the bat and behind the stumps. Babar Azam, one of the most consistent batters, will be key in anchoring the innings, while Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive approach at the top can put pressure on New Zealand early on. Shaheen Afridi’s ability to strike with the new ball and Naseem Shah’s swing will be vital for Pakistan’s bowling attack.
For New Zealand, Kane Williamson’s experience and ability to control the game make him their most important batter. Mitchell Santner, leading the side, will play a big role both as an all-rounder and captain. Matt Henry’s wicket-taking ability in ODIs against Pakistan makes him a key bowler, while Rachin Ravindra’s all-round skills provide balance to the side.
Pakistan
Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Usman Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
New Zealand
Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (C), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Michael Bracewell, Will O’Rourke
Pakistan – TV: PTV Sports, Ten Sports | Live Streaming: Myco, Tamasha
India – TV: Star Sports, Sports18 | Live Streaming: JioHotstar
Bangladesh – TV: Nagorik TV, T Sports | Live Streaming: Toffee
UAE – TV: CricLife MAX, CricLife MAX2 | Live Streaming: STARZPLAY
UK – TV: Sky Sports | Live Streaming: SkyGo Now, Sky Sports App
USA & Canada – TV: Willow TV
Australia – TV: Amazon
New Zealand – TV: Sky Sport NZ
Sri Lanka – TV: Maharaja TV | Live Streaming: Sirasa
Caribbean – TV: ESPN Caribbean | Live Streaming: ESPN Play
The pitch at Karachi is expected to be batting-friendly for the opening match of the Champions Trophy. With a flat surface and even bounce, batters are likely to dominate, making it ideal for a high-scoring encounter. Bowlers will need to rely on variations and accuracy to contain the opposition, while spinners might get some assistance as the game progresses. Dew could also play a factor under lights, making chasing a preferred option.
The long wait for cricket fans is finally over. After 29 years, an International Cricket Council (ICC) event is set to take place in Pakistan as the Champions Trophy kicks off today (Wednesday), featuring eight top teams battling for the prestigious title.
The opening match of the Trophy will see host nation Pakistan take on New Zealand at Karachi’s National Stadium. All preparations have been finalised, and now, fans eagerly await the moment when the teams take the field.
A large number of cricket enthusiasts are expected to gather at the National Stadium to witness the opening match. To ensure a smooth event, strict security measures have been implemented.
To avoid any inconvenience, cricket fans should be aware that certain items are strictly prohibited inside the stadium.
Here’s a list of things you should not bring with you:
Spectators are not allowed to carry power banks inside the National Stadium. Security personnel will prevent entry for those carrying these devices.
AirPods, headphones, or hands-free devices are not permitted inside the stadium. To avoid trouble, fans should leave these items at home.
Bringing betel nuts (chalia), paan, or gutka into the stadium is strictly prohibited.
Spectators will not be allowed to bring water bottles, chips, soft drinks, or any other food items inside the stadium.
The highly anticipated opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy between Pakistan and New Zealand will begin at 2:00 PM Pakistan time.
Pakistan cricket team captain Mohammad Rizwan has expressed confidence in his team’s chances at the ICC Champions Trophy. He also confirmed that Babar Azam will open the innings.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Karachi, Rizwan said, “We are optimistic about winning the Champions Trophy. Babar Azam is our strongest player for the opening slot, and he will open the innings, but it is not necessary for him to do so against New Zealand.”
The captain provided an update on pacer Haris Rauf, who was injured during the recent tri-series, clarifying that “Haris is bowling with full energy in practice. He has declared himself fit and assured us that he is not experiencing any discomfort while bowling.”
Rizwan also emphasised the importance of teamwork and shared responsibility among all players. “We are playing as a team, and for me, all 15 players are captains. But senior players carry more responsibility for performance. We have different options, and we make decisions based on conditions. We are working on correcting our mistakes.”
The Pakistan captain also highlighted the significance of hosting an ICC event after nearly three decades. “Pakistan is hosting an ICC event after 29 years. During this time, we have achieved many successes. We have won the Champions Trophy and have been the number-one Test team. There should be no doubts about our abilities. The entire nation should enjoy the Champions Trophy,” he said.
Discussing team strategy, Rizwan stated, “On match day, we focus on eliminating any shortcomings. We are in learning mode, and our playing XI will be selected according to home conditions.”
Defending the decision to bat first in the tri-series final against New Zealand despite the loss, he explained, “We chose to bat first in the final to identify our weaknesses. We targeted our shortcomings in that game and hope to correct them in the upcoming matches. Moving forward, we need to play our best cricket.”
Acknowledging areas for improvement, Rizwan noted, “In some areas, we need to improve our professionalism. In the future, we need a full-time opener. There are players in Pakistan from whom we have high expectations.”
When asked about any potential surprises in the upcoming match, he responded, “No player can be perfect. We don’t plan on doing anything drastically different in tomorrow’s match.”
Pakistan lost two matches against New Zealand in the tri-series, including the final. Their first match of the Champions Trophy will also be against the Kiwis tomorrow (Wednesday).
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a slight U-turn on its policy regarding players’ families accompanying them on foreign tours.
Initially, the Indian cricket team was not allowed to bring their wives and families to the Champions Trophy, but the BCCI has now allowed players to have their families with them, albeit with a condition.
According to Indian media, players have been given permission to bring their wives and families along during the Champions Trophy, but only for one match. This decision marks a softening of the earlier stance, where it was confirmed that the Indian team would travel without their families, and no player would be allowed to bring them along.
The latest update reveals that the BCCI has granted players the option to have their families join them in Dubai during the Champions Trophy, but with strict conditions. According to reports, each player is allowed to have family members accompany them for one match, and they must consult with fellow players before informing the board about their decision.
Under the previous policy, which was in place for tours longer than 45 days, players were permitted to have their families accompany them for up to two weeks. The new family policy was introduced after the Test series against Australia.
It remains unclear which match the Indian cricketers will choose to have their families attend.
However, the Indian team has already arrived in Dubai for the Champions Trophy.
The highly anticipated Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and India is set to take place on February 23 in Dubai. Cricket fans eagerly await this fierce rivalry as the tournament begins in Pakistan tomorrow. However, tickets for this monumental clash have already become a scarce commodity, with many fans unable to secure their seats.
The tickets for the much-awaited match sold out within hours, leaving many fans disappointed and empty-handed. Now, these tickets are being resold on the black market at exorbitant prices.
According to media reports, the price for a ticket to the Grand Lounge of the Dubai Stadium, offering the best view of the match, has reached up to 1.5 million rupees in the black market. The same was originally priced at 7.4 million Pakistani rupees.
Reports indicate that fans who missed out on purchasing tickets initially are now turning to black-market dealers, willing to pay hefty sums for a chance to witness the historic encounter. The price for a ticket to the Grand Lounge of the Dubai Stadium, offering the best view of the match, has reached up to 1.5 million rupees.
The trend of selling Pakistan-India match tickets at inflated prices on the black market is not new. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, tickets for this high-stakes match soared to nearly 5 million rupees on the black market.
Cricket fans are in for a treat as a brand-new sports show, ‘The DP World Dressing Room’ is set to hit the screens, featuring legendary Pakistani cricketers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, along with renowned host Fakhare Alam.
But what’s even more exciting is that an Indian cricketer is also apparently joining the star-studded lineup.
The show, which will be broadcast exclusively on Ten Sports during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, promises to take fans behind the scenes into the dressing room atmosphere, where cricket’s biggest secrets and most memorable moments will be revealed.
In a recent teaser for the show, the panel engaged in a lively discussion about cricket, with jokes and friendly banter setting the tone for what’s to come. One of the highlights was the discussion about “dressing room secrets”, leaving fans eager to know what inside stories will be revealed on air.
During the teaser, Akram playfully hinted at a mystery guest by saying, “I’ll tell you who it is… but first, take out your phone and dial an international number… plus nine one [+91].”
The biggest question on everyone’s mind remains — who is the Indian cricketer joining this dynamic trio? While an official announcement is yet to be made, speculation is rife, with fans guessing names like Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh or Virender Sehwag.
While there is no official confirmation on who the Indian star might be, fans are excited to see someone from across the border on the show’s panel alongside Pakistani cricketing stars.
The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to injury.
Ferguson experienced discomfort in his leg during a warm-up match, and after a medical assessment, New Zealand Cricket confirmed that he will not be fit for the tournament.
As his replacement, Kyle Jamieson has been added to New Zealand’s squad.
Just a few days ago, another New Zealand fast bowler, Ben Sears, was also ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury sustained during a training session in Karachi.
Injury concerns continue to affect several teams ahead of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan’s Saim Ayub and India’s Jasprit Bumrah have also been ruled out due to injuries, while Australia’s fast bowler Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the tournament for personal reasons.
Additionally, Afghanistan’s spinner A.M. Ghazanfar is unavailable due to fitness issues, and South Africa will be without fast bowler Anrich Nortje.
The ICC Champions Trophy is set to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.
The provincial capital of Punjab on Sunday hosted the much-anticipated Lahore Marathon 2025, marking the final event in the series of three major city marathons held across Pakistan.
Following the success of marathons in Karachi and Islamabad, the Lahore Marathon capped off the nationwide series, which continues to grow in popularity year after year.
This year’s event saw an unprecedented turnout, with participants traveling from all across Pakistan, including Karachi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, KP and Quetta, with the largest number of runners coming from Islamabad.
The marathon also attracted international participants, including diplomats and athletes from around the globe, showcasing the international appeal of the event. This year also saw the first use of RFID chips for a running event in Lahore, ensuring that the race met international standards for timing and results.
The race kicked off early at 6 am, a welcome change that allowed runners to compete in cooler temperatures. The timely start was appreciated by participants, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to respecting the athletes and celebrating their hard work.
Falcon Triathlon Club FTC, the team behind the marathon, focused on punctuality and also race day experience as a top priority, and the success of the event was a testament to this dedication.
The marathon featured several categories, including the full marathon, half marathon and 5km race for both male and female competitors, along with a kids’ fun run. The event was a true celebration of athleticism, unity and community, drawing people from diverse backgrounds.
Israr Khattak (IRC) claimed the top spot in the full marathon, finishing first, followed by Mubariz Bukhari (IRC) in second place and Mumtaz Khan (KJFC) securing third.
Christina from Austria finished in first place for the female full marathon.
Kamran Sahi (KJFC) clinched the first position in the half marathon whereas Muhammad Ijaz (KJFC) and Umar Zaman (IRU) secured the second and third spots, respectively.
In the female half marathon, Livia emerged as the winner while Aqsa Jafar (Punjab Athletics Academy) took second and Khadija Afiyat (Punjab Athletics Academy) finished third.
Muhammad Bilal from Punjab Athletics Academy triumphed in the 5km male category, followed by Muhammad Arfan (KJFC) in second place and Abdul Wahab (Punjab Athletics Academy) in third.
The top spot in the 5km female race went to Irum Shahzadi from KJFC, with Mahnoor Afzal (KJFC) finishing in second place and Kashaf Shafeeq (Punjab Athletics Academy) securing third.
Apart from runners from Belgium, Russia, Thailand and the United States (US), a large number of expats also participated in the marathon that was declared a resounding success by visitors and spectators alike.
While the punctuality of the event, attention to detail and the ability to celebrate each runner’s achievements all added to a great experience for participants, it also went on to reflect the budding culture of running in Pakistan.