Category: Sports

A newlywed couple caught everyone’s attention during the second Test match between Pakistan and West Indies in Multan.

The bride, dressed in her wedding outfit, convinced her husband to take her to the stadium to watch the match live.

Speaking to Geo News, the bride said, “I have never seen a live match before, so I asked my husband to fulfill this wish, and he did.”

The groom, also in his wedding attire, added, “Today is our walima (reception), and I pray that Allah grants Pakistan a victory.”

West Indies was bowled out for 163 runs on the first day of the Multan Test. Noman Ali took six wickets for Pakistan.

Pakistan, chasing the score, lost four wickets for 70 runs.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the schedule for the tri-nation ODI series featuring Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand, set to begin on February 8.

The series will be hosted at two venues: Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and Karachi’s National Bank Stadium. Gaddafi Stadium will host matches between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 8 and New Zealand and South Africa on February 10.

The action will then shift to Karachi, where Pakistan will face South Africa on February 12. The final match of the series will also be played in Karachi on February 14.

PCB stated that the matches will help all three teams prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy. It will also be a great opportunity for PCB to showcase their newly renovated stadiums with world-class broadcasting facilities.

The upgrades at Gaddafi Stadium include increased seating capacity, 480 advanced LED lights, and two large digital replay screens. A new hospitality enclosure for players and officials is also near completion.

Similarly, Karachi’s National Bank Stadium has been equipped with 350 LED lights to improve broadcast coverage and a new hospitality enclosure for players and officials at the University End.

Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be played from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and UAE.

Islamabad is set to host one of the biggest marathon events in the country.

The Islamabad Marathon has grown exponentially over the years, and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The 2025 Islamabad Marathon will take place on January 26, 2025, marking the fifth edition of this iconic event. With participation numbers steadily rising every year, this marathon is expected to welcome over 3,000 runners from across Pakistan and beyond. Runners from major cities in the country, as well as participants from the diplomatic community in Islamabad, will come together for this highly-anticipated race.

The Islamabad Marathon offers a variety of race categories catering to all levels of fitness and experience. These include a 5km run for beginners and casual runners, a 10km race for intermediate participants, a half marathon covering 21.1km for seasoned runners, and a full marathon spanning 42.2km for those seeking the ultimate test of strength and determination. A dedicated kids’ race has also been organised for children under 12 years of age, encouraging an active lifestyle from a young age.

This year, the marathon is set to take place on a new route along the newly-built Iran Avenue, offering participants stunning views of the Margalla Hills. The change in route adds a fresh and scenic experience for runners, enhancing the appeal of the event.

Additionally, chip timing technology will be introduced to record the performance of each runner accurately, bringing the event in line with international standards.

Excitement is building across twin cities as Islamabad gears up for the event. The community is coming together to celebrate the spirit of running, with multiple shakeout runs taking place around the city in preparation for race day. There’s a palpable buzz in the air, and one can sense the anticipation as runners of all levels get ready to participate in this extraordinary event.

This marathon is a vibrant celebration of health and togetherness, inviting runners’ families and friends to cheer on participants and enjoy the festive atmosphere. A variety of food stalls and exciting activities will ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy, making the day memorable for all. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a beginner, this is your chance to be part of Pakistan’s biggest running event. Mark your calendars and register now to experience the spirit of Islamabad and the joy of community running.

The event is organised by the running group Islamabad Run with Us (IRU). Founded in 2016 by  Naz brothers, Qasim Naz and Hashim Naz, IRU has become a symbol of the city’s thriving fitness culture. The group’s dedication to promoting fitness and fostering a sense of community has been instrumental in bringing people together and organising running events around the year.

Pakistan’s all-rounder Shadab Khan shared his thoughts on Babar Azam being called a ‘King’ during the Geo News show Hasna Mana Hai.

When a fan asked if Babar Azam truly deserves the title ‘King,’ Shadab replied, “Babar is not a king; he’s human. I think calling him a king puts extra pressure on him. We should keep things normal.”

The host, Tabish Hashmi, reminded Shadab that Hassan Ali once called Babar “Bobzy the King.” Shadab joked, “Hassan was wrong there. I even saw a meme suggesting we ask Hassan to say Babar isn’t a king anymore so that Babar can perform freely.”

Shadab added, “Babar never asked for the ‘King’ title, but this tag has added unnecessary pressure on him. Removing this tag will help Babar perform better.”

He also explained that every player needs time to improve and that modern cricket demands consistency.

“Babar averages 50 with a strike rate of 130. If his average drops to 30, his strike rate will increase, but expecting him to perform in every match with a 170 strike rate is unrealistic,” Shadab said.

He asserted that players should be given time to improve instead of facing constant criticism.

It merits mentioning that Shadab Khan is considered a strong contender for the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Quetta Gladiators have announced that batsman Saud Shakeel will be the new captain of the franchise for the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Last year, Rilee Rossouw was appointed the captain, replacing outgoing skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed. However, for PSL 10, the team has decided to hand over the captaincy to Saud Shakeel.

The Gladiators announced the new appointment on their official X account, stating that Saud Shakeel is ready to take the team to new heights.

Sarfaraz Ahmed will now take over as the head coach, replacing Shane Watson. Meanwhile, Moin Khan is expected to take on the role of Director of Cricket.

Currently, Sarfaraz is working as a mentor for the Champions Cup but is allowed to work with PSL franchises under his contract.

National cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has expressed that being good-looking has caused him problems in his career, as, according to his claims, senior and former players envy him.

Recently, he spoke about this issue on a podcast hosted by actor Ahmed Ali Butt. 

Shehzad said, “Being good-looking has cost me a lot. In our field, if you look good, know how to dress, and speak well, senior and former players start getting jealous.”

He added, “I didn’t know this before. I’ve been playing cricket since childhood, and I never thought people would judge you for things like looking good. You end up making enemies in places you can’t even imagine.”

Shehzad is one of the cricketers who became very popular because of his personality.

Female teams competing at the National Ice Sports Championship are thriving in Hunza’s safe atmosphere as they compete for medals. The National Ice Sports Championship highlighted this empowerment as women showcased their skills in ice hockey, figure skating, and relay races. 

The Gilgit-Baltistan Winter Sports Association (GBWSA) won the women’s ice hockey championship, while GB Scouts took the men’s title.

In speed skating, GB Scouts won the men’s competition, and GBWSA claimed gold in the women’s event.

Sindh earned gold in the women’s figure skating category, while GB Scouts won the men’s figure skating competition.

In relay races, GB Scouts won the men’s event, and GBWSA secured the women’s title. For curling, KP won the men’s competition, and PAF took the women’s title.

As the host province, Gilgit-Baltistan was allowed to have two men’s and two women’s teams in the championship.

The championship ended with a closing ceremony on Wednesday in Naltar, celebrating the players’ achievements and the success of the national event.

The National Ice Sports Championship, which features exciting competitions like ice hockey, speed skating, curling, figure skating, and relay races, concluded in the picturesque Naltar Valley. 

A total of 12 teams, including seven men’s and five women’s teams from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, GB Scouts, and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) showcased their talent in the thrilling event.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2024, featuring a mix of rising stars and experienced players.

No Indian players were able to secure a place in the team.

ICC included three Pakistanis, four Sri Lankans, one West Indian, and three Afghan players on the team.

Saim Ayub from Pakistan made an immediate impact, scoring 515 runs in new nine matches, with three centuries and a high score of 113*. His incredible batting earned him a spot in the team after his debut in November 2024.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Afghanistan also impressed with his attacking style, amassing 531 runs in 11 matches, including three centuries. Azmatullah Omarzai, his teammate, stood out as an all-rounder, scoring 417 runs and taking 17 wickets in 12 matches, playing key roles in several victories.

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka had an outstanding year, scoring 694 runs in 12 matches, including a huge 210* against Afghanistan. Alongside him, Kusal Mendis scored the most runs in 2024—742 from 17 matches—with one century and six half-centuries.

Charith Asalanka also played a key role, contributing 605 runs in 16 matches. Sri Lanka’s bowling attack was led by Wanindu Hasaranga, whose 7/19 against Zimbabwe was one of the best ODI bowling performances ever, finishing the year with 26 wickets.

In the West Indies, Sherfane Rutherford was a standout, scoring 425 runs in now nematches at an average of 106.2, with a strike rate of 120.1. Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf were also featured on the team for their key bowling performances, with Afridi taking 15 wickets in six matches and Rauf picking up 13 wickets in eight matches.

Finally, AM Ghazanfar from Afghanistan made a mark with 21 wickets in 11 matches, including two five-wicket hauls, showing his potential as a top-class spinner.

This year’s team highlights both emerging talents and established players who have excelled in ODIs, setting high standards for international cricket.

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic faced boos from spectators after leaving the court following an injury during his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic, aiming for his 11th Australian Open title, retired after losing the first set 7-6 (7-5) in a tough 80-minute battle. The 37-year-old had heavy tape on his left leg to shore up the injury he sustained during his quarter-final match against Carlos Alcaraz.

“I tried everything to manage the muscle tear, but by the end of the first set, the pain became too much for me to handle,” Djokovic said.

After missing a volley on set point, Djokovic walked over to shake Zverev’s hand, waved to the crowd, and gave a thumbs up, even as some fans booed him.

“I knew even if I won the first set, it would be very hard to keep up physically for hours against him,” he added. “I just didn’t have the energy today.”

Zverev, the German second seed, is still chasing his first Grand Slam title after losing two major finals before. He will play either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton in Sunday’s final.

Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi has decided to do something special for the labourers upgrading Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Reports have said that Mohsin Naqvi will host a special lunch for the workers on February 7, 2025, to honour them for their hard work on the stadium’s renovations.

Additionally, the workers will be invited to watch the first match at Gaddafi Stadium after its upgrade. Naqvi will personally thank those who have been working day and night on the project.

Meanwhile, Gaddafi Stadiums’ upgrades are in the final phase of implementation. 

The stadium will host two matches of the Tri-Nation Series, along with the first match of the Champions Trophy between Pakistan and New Zealand, to be played on February 22, 2025.