Category: Sports

Pakistan cricket team opener batsman Ahmed Shehzad has opened up about his issues with former captain Babar Azam.

Shehzad recently appeared on a podcast with Ahmed Ali Butt, where he shared his thoughts about not being part of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and his issues with Babar Azam.

“Babar Azam is my junior, and I have no personal issue with him. However, I think making him captain was the wrong decision. In Pakistan, decisions are made based on performance, but no one checks if the person has leadership qualities. PCB selectors often hide behind one player,” he said. 

He claimed Babar mostly performed against weaker teams. “When the pressure increased, big teams started visiting Pakistan, but their main players didn’t come.”

Ahmed criticized Babar’s captaincy, saying, “Babar has played four ICC events, but no one talks about his performance in those tournaments. My criticism is based on numbers, not personal grudges.”

He also accused Babar of keeping his friends in the team despite poor performances, saying, “For example, Abrar Ahmed was performing well now, but earlier, Shadab Khan was being kept in the team despite underperforming.”

Ahmed further said, “In ICC events, eight players dominate the team, which led to Pakistan losing matches. They silence criticism by dropping players temporarily and then bringing them back in the next series.”

He concluded by saying his main issue with Babar Azam and PCB is unfair decisions.

Babar Azam has been under criticism since the ODI World Cup 2023 after a spare of poor performances. Shehzad had spoken against Babar during that time on his YouTube channel and national television.

Marital discord has hit yet another Indian cricketer as rumors swirl that former batsman Virender Sehwag and his wife Aarti Ahlawat have separated after 20 years of marriage.

According to Indian media, the couple has unfollowed each other on Instagram, sparking speculation about their relationship. Sources claim that Sehwag and Aarti have been living apart for months and might separate officially.

The couple got married in 2004 and are parents to two sons, Aryavir and Vedant. They were seen as a strong pair who balanced Sehwag’s cricket career and family life.

During Diwali celebrations, Sehwag shared pictures on social media with his sons and his mother, but Aarti was noticeably absent, further fueling separation rumours.

So far, neither Sehwag nor Aarti have given an official statement about their relationship status. However, their recent actions have added weight to the rumours.

Industry experts believe that Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), the highly awaited sequel to 2013’s GTA 5, could cost between $80 and $100, breaking the usual price range for video games. 

Matthew Ball, CEO of Epyllion, predicts the game could set new pricing trends with the increasing development costs.

In a recent report on gaming trends for 2025, Ball explained that video game prices haven’t kept up with inflation over the years. 

For example, even a $70 price for GTA 6 would make it the “cheapest” game in the series in real terms since the inflation-adjusted average price for the franchise is about $91. He said, “The combination of growing production costs and slower player growth could make GTA 6 a key moment for the industry to raise prices.”

GTA 6, expected to launch in fall 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, could become the biggest entertainment release ever, with predictions of $3 billion in first-year revenue, including $1 billion from pre-orders. Analysts believe the game’s popularity and scale might justify a higher price.

However, this has sparked debate. Michael Douse, publishing director at Larian Studios, pointed out on social media that while inflation might support higher prices, developers must ensure their games meet player expectations and are worth the cost.

As game budgets grow and the industry slows down, GTA 6 could pave the way for higher prices.

Whether Rockstar will go beyond the current $70 standard is still uncertain, adding to the discussion about what modern games are worth.

Wasim Akram has always been one of the most stylish sportsmen of the subcontinent and now we have more proof that nothing can beat his swag. 

The Sultan of Swing looked like the Sultan of Style in a green shirt that he wore for a picture that he posted on Thursday on X (formerly Twitter). While the accompanying tweet was about his love for Dubai, his followers focused in on the shirt, a creative spin on Pakistan cricket team’s kits. 

“I wanna buy this sweater,” wrote one follower. 

Another fan wanted him to send the shirt to him in Kashmir. 

Another one called the shirt “simply wow”. 

We did a bit of digging and found the shirt. There are only two problems here- the shirt is quite expensive and its sold out. 

The shirt is by the uber-stylish Pakistani brand Rastah, a favourite among international celebrities including Justin Bieber.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to dedicate enclosures at the National Bank Cricket Stadium in Karachi, to two legendary cricketers from the coastal city: Boom Boom Shahid Afridi, fondly called Lala by his peers, and fan-favourite former captain Younis Khan.

Additionally, a newly constructed Patron Enclosure will be named in honour of cricketing greats Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan, further recognizing the contribution of iconic players to Pakistan cricket.

Both Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Bank Cricket Stadium in Karachi are undergoing significant renovations ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The seating capacity of Gaddafi Stadium has been increased to 35,000 with the installation of new seats throughout the venue. 

Additionally, 480 state-of-the-art LED lights have been added to enhance the broadcast quality and viewing experience. Two large digital replay screens will also be installed in the coming week, while the construction work is expected to be completed by the end of January.

Similarly, Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Stadium is being revamped. A new enclosure for players and officials has been built, alongside the installation of 350 LED lights. Two digital replay screens have already been installed, and 5,000 new chairs have been added to the seating arrangement. The PCB curators, led by Australian curator Tony Hemming, are also working to improve the pitches and outfields at both venues.

The  Champions Trophy, often referred to as a Mini World Cup, will begin on February 19, 2025, in Pakistan. 

This marks the first time since the 1996 ICC ODI World Cup and the 2008 Asia Cup that Pakistan will host a major ICC event.

India’s matches, however, will be played in the UAE due to a hybrid model agreement between Pakistan and the ICC. As per this agreement, all international events between Pakistan and India until 2028 will take place at neutral venues. India will play their opening match on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai.

India has not played a match in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and no bilateral series have been held between the two nations since Pakistan toured India in 2012-13. The 2023 Asia Cup also followed a hybrid model, with India’s matches played in Sri Lanka. 

Despite tensions, the PCB remains committed to delivering a successful tournament that adheres to international standards and protocols.

This Champions Trophy holds special significance for Pakistan, as the team enters the tournament as defending champions. Pakistan last won the event in 2017 under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed, defeating India in a historic final.

American YouTube streamer Darren Watkins, also known as IShowSpeed, with over 34 million subscribers, celebrated his 20th birthday on January 22, 2025. Fans from all over the world wished him, but the highlight was a special message from football player Cristiano Ronaldo.

The YouTuber posted photos of his birthday celebration on Instagram featuring two cakes: one inspired by Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece and the other dedicated to Ronaldo, with cutouts of the football star. He captioned the post, “Happy birthday to me, I’m 20 now.”

To Speed’s excitement, Ronaldo commented, “Happy Birthday, Speed! Hope your day was great. Stay wild and fast!”

Speed is a huge fan of Ronaldo and has often expressed his love and admiration for the football legend.

4Thrives Esports, one of the deadliest teams in the competitive PUBG Mobile scene in Pakistan right now, is actively looking for sponsors.

The team, known for its aggressive gameplay and strong performances, has recently made some exciting roster changes that have generated a lot of attention in the Esports community.

Four key players—FALAK, IQ, NOCKi, and T20 OP—have recently made moves from their former teams to join 4Thrives Esports. FALAK, IQ, and NOCKI left i8 Esports, while T20 OP shifted from Seventh Elements. 

The team is not only at the top in Pakistan but also has the number one South Asian player, FALAK.

As Esports continues to grow in Pakistan, partnering with a successful team like 4Thrives could provide brands with exposure to a dedicated and rapidly expanding audience. By joining forces with potential sponsors, 4Thrives aims to improve their training, equipment, and overall performance, taking their game to the next level.

For companies and brands looking to make their mark in the booming Esports industry, 4Thrives represents an exciting opportunity to support one of Pakistan’s most promising teams. 

Interested sponsors can reach out to the team directly through their social media accounts, including their official Instagram page, to explore partnership opportunities.

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Premier League club Manchester City, has accepted that his team did not deserve to win after a 4-2 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.

The loss at Parc des Princes puts City’s hopes of reaching the play-offs in danger.

City started strong, leading 2-0 by the 53rd minute with goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland. However, PSG fought back, with Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola equalising before Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos sealed the victory for the home side.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Guardiola said, “They were better. They were quicker, faster. They won the duels with the ball. They had one moment in the middle, and we could not cope with that. They are fast. I accepted the defeat because the best team won. If we don’t win, we don’t deserve it.”

Guardiola added, “We couldn’t control the game, keep possession, or defend the result. They attacked better, and that made it harder for us.”

The result leaves City in 25th place, two points behind the play-off spots, with only one game remaining in the league phase. 

Guardiola admitted their chances now depend on beating Club Brugge in the final match. 

The loss is City’s third in their last four Champions League games. Despite a recent six-game unbeaten run, their form in this competition has been inconsistent. 

City now face a must-win situation in their last match to keep their Champions League dreams alive.

South African cricketing legend AB de Villiers has hinted at returning to action once again.

The 41-year-old, who retired from cricket in 2021, has sparked excitement among fans with a recent statement given in an interview: “I still feel like I can play one-day cricket. Even my kids encourage me to make a comeback. Sometimes I feel like going to the nets and starting practice again.”

He also added, “If I enjoy playing again, I might return to play in the IPL or even for the South African team.”

AB de Villiers admitted that his left eye isn’t as strong as before, but his right eye is still in good shape. 

He is one of the most versatile and dynamic players in the game’s history. He played 114 Test matches, scoring 8,765 runs at an impressive average of 50.66, including 22 centuries and 46 half-centuries.

AB de Villiers represented South Africa in 228 matches, amassing 9,577 runs at an outstanding average of 53.50, with 25 centuries and 53 fifties. 

Known as “Mr. 360” for his innovative shots, de Villiers also shone in T20s, scoring 1,672 runs in 78 matches at a strike rate of 135.16.

Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek is crushing her opponents at the Australian Open, showcasing a level of control that has not been seen at Melbourne Park since Maria Sharapova in 2013.

She qualified for the semifinals, defeating No. 8 seed Emma Navarro 6-1, 6-2 in the final.

The No. 2 seed has not lost a set in the tournament and has dropped only 14 games so far. She is aiming for her first Australian Open title and sixth Grand Slam trophy. Sharapova was the last woman to reach the semifinals in Melbourne with fewer than 15 games lost.

Swiatek will face No. 19 seed Madison Keys from the USA on Thursday night for a spot in the final. The other semifinal features No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, against No. 11 Paula Badosa.