Category: Sports

Pakistan is quickly upgrading its stadiums for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025. LED lights have been installed at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium to make the experience more exciting for spectators.

Fans will enjoy a spectacular light show during key moments of the matches played at the stadium. Testing for the light show has already started. Floodlight towers at Gaddafi Stadium now feature modern LED lights, as workers race to finish upgrades in time for the mega tournament. 

Previously, floodlight towers at the stadium were upgraded as part of the preparations for the Champions Trophy. All six towers now have new LED lights.

The ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on February 19 in Karachi, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opening match. 

India’s matches will be played at a neutral venue, but if India doesn’t make it to the final, the final will be held at Gaddafi Stadium in  Lahore.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will take control of two renovated cricket stadiums—National Stadium in Karachi (NSK) and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore—on February 5. Both the arenas have been upgraded just two weeks before the Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin on February 19.

According to reports, the PCB has spent PKR 12 billion on upgrading the stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. 

The stadiums have been revamped to meet international standards, with improvements being tested during a tri-series featuring Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand. 

Despite ongoing work, PCB officials are confident the renovations will be complete by the end of January.

A new five-story building at NSK includes modern facilities like anti-corruption units, physio rooms, and updated dressing rooms. Additional upgrades include better seating, new washrooms, a pedestrian bridge, digital scoreboards, and advanced LED floodlights.

Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has undergone similar improvements, ensuring a better experience for players and fans. These changes mark a big step in improving cricket infrastructure in Pakistan ahead of the mega event.

Ireland Women U-19 has defeated Pakistan by 13 runs on the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method in the ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.

The match was reduced to just nine overs per side after  it rained. Ireland batted first and managed to score 69 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Alice Walsh played a key role for Ireland, scoring 31 runs on 19 balls.

In response, Pakistan’s batters struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Despite some resistance from their lineup, the team could only score 59 runs for seven wickets in their nine overs. 

With this win, Ireland secured an important victory in the tournament, while Pakistan has been ruled out of the World Cup.

The rain may have shortened the game, but it did not take away the excitement, as both teams fought hard to claim victory.

FC Barcelona made an incredible comeback against Benfica to secure their spot in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. After being 2-4 down in the 75th minute, Barcelona scored three goals in the last 20 minutes to complete a remarkable turnaround. 

Brazilian winger Raphinha played a key role, scoring twice, including the dramatic winner in the 96th minute, while Robert Lewandowski also scored two goals. The win pushed Barcelona up to second place in their Champions League group.

Barcelona started poorly, conceding a goal just two minutes into the match, with Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis scoring. Although Lewandowski equalised from the penalty spot 10 minutes later, things got worse for Barcelona in the first half. 

Pavlidis took advantage of a mistake by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to score into an empty net, making it 2-1. Soon after, Pavlidis completed a hat trick by converting another penalty, leaving Barcelona 3-1 down after the first 30 minutes.

In the second half, Raphinha equalised in the 64th minute after intercepting a poor goal kick from Benfica and scoring with a header. However, Barcelona’s hopes of a comeback seemed dashed when Ronald Araujo scored an own goal, leaving Barcelona trailing 4-2. 

But Barcelona wasn’t done yet. Lewandowski scored another penalty in the 78th minute, and Eric Garcia equalised with a header from a Pedri cross in the 86th minute, making it 4-4.

The match reached its dramatic conclusion in the 96th minute. Despite only four minutes of stoppage time being added, Barcelona continued playing after a Benfica corner, with Raphinha breaking free on the counter. 

He showed great composure to cut inside and score the winner, securing Barcelona’s place in the Round of 16 alongside Liverpool.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to prioritise long-term relationship with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over players’ No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for Pakistan Super League’s tenth season.

The PSL has become a key event on Pakistan’s cricket calendar, attracting talent from around the world. However, recent changes in the ECB policy have created challenges for the league. 

The ECB has denied permission for their red-ball players to participate in the PSL during the domestic season but has allowed them to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the same.

James Vince has decided to skip first-class cricket to ensure his availability for the PSL. Other players, including Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, and Ben Duckett, also wanted to join the PSL, but the ECB will not issue them a NOC, reports said.

PSL franchises were informed before the draft that these players would not be available. Some players were ready to confront the ECB, with Bairstow even considering retirement from international cricket, but he has not taken that step yet.

According to reports, an ECB official told Pakistan that even if the players took action, the issue would remain unresolved until the PSL ends. Therefore, the PCB has decided to prioritize its long-standing relationship with the ECB over the potential conflict. It means not being able to have some English players in this year’s PSL.

The PCB believes that when the PSL returns to its original February-March window, English players will not face issues in getting approval. Similar challenges may arise in the future, and damaging relations with the ECB would not be wise.

As a result, several English stars will not participate in this year’s PSL.

PSL’s new chairman, Salman Naseer, recently visited England but was unable to convince the ECB to change its NOC policy. 

The PSL season 10 will take place in the April-May window.

The selection process for Pakistan’s squad for the Champions Trophy is underway with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) poised to make a major change in the team ahead of the mega event.

The Champions Trophy will start on February 19. Before that, Pakistan will play a tri-series at home against South Africa and New Zealand.

According to reports, Saim Ayub’s fitness is still a concern, and no decision has been made about him yet. If a decision on Saim is made, the team selected for the tri-series will likely be the same for the Champions Trophy.

Sources also indicate that selectors have already decided on a replacement if Saim Ayub remains unfit.

Fakhar Zaman is confirmed for the 15-member squad, while Imam-ul-Haq and Haseebullah are also being considered. However, Abdullah Shafique and Usman Khan are likely to be dropped.

Possible Squad for Champions Trophy:

Fakhar Zaman
Imam-ul-Haq (under consideration)
Haseebullah (under consideration)
Saim Ayub (fitness dependent)
Abdullah Shafique (likely to be dropped)
Usman Khan (likely to be dropped)
Mohammad Rizwan
Babar Azam
Kamran Ghulam
Salman Ali Agha
Tayyab Tahir
Irfan Khan
Mohammad Hasnain
Naseem Shah
Shaheen Afridi
Haris Rauf
Abrar Ahmed
Sufiyan Muqeem

All other teams have already announced their squads, while Pakistan has only submitted a preliminary list to the ICC. The final squad must be announced by February 11, with the first match of the tri-series on February 8.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has dismissed Indian media claims that Pakistan’s name has been removed from the Champions Trophy jerseys.  

According to reports, the ICC clarified that all teams are required to display the tournament logo on their shirts, which includes the name of the host country. If any team fails to comply with this rule, the ICC may take action against it.  

The official logo for this year’s tournament, designed by the ICC, includes “Pakistan 2025.” Indian media, however, claims that India will avoid wearing shirts with Pakistan’s name during the tournament.  

Meanwhile, sources from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) clarified that no official had spoken to the Indian media regarding the removal of the logo.  

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on the other hand, has refused to send captain Rohit Sharma to the tournament’s opening ceremony and captains’ meeting.  

In light of India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, the Champions Trophy will follow a hybrid model. India will play its matches in Dubai, and if the country qualifies, the semi-finals or finals will also be held there.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 this year, with Pakistan as the host and defending champion.

Pakistan’s young opener Saim Ayub’s inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad will be decided next week. 

According to reports, doctors have said that surgery is not needed, displaying confidence that Saim can recover fully with proper rehab. His selection will depend on doctors’ advice.

The Selection Committee has already identified backup openers if Saim Ayub is not fully fit. Fakhr Zaman’s inclusion in the squad is certain, while Imam-ul-Haq and Haseebullah are also being considered.

Saim injured his right ankle while fielding on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa on January 7, ruling him out of the match. Doctors initially advised six weeks of rest.

Meanwhile, sources indicate that key players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and others are likely to be part of the squad. 

The final team announcement will be made after reviewing Saim’s full medical reports and consulting with doctors. The squad must be finalized by February 11, according to international Cricket Council (ICC) rules.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) has thrown yet another tantrum  before the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025.

According to media reports, BCCI is objecting to printing “Pakistan” (the host country) on their team’s jerseys, angering cricket fans.

The Indian team will play their matches in Dubai using the hybrid model. However, ICC rules state that the host country’s name must be printed on tournament jerseys. BCCI’s refusal to print “Pakistan” on their jerseys is seen as a political move.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official, in a conversation with news agency IANS, accused the BCCI of bringing politics into cricket, saying, “This is an attempt to mix politics with cricket, especially as India also plans to skip the opening ceremony and captain’s meeting in Pakistan. We will respond to this unnecessary controversy.”

India refused to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns, triggering widespread condemnation. They pushed for the tournament to be held as part of a hybrid model, with India’s matches to be played in Dubai. 

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

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, the ex-wife of former Pakistan cricket team captain Shoaib Malik, has become the centre of attention again.

Rumours are circulating about a potential relationship between Sania Mirza and UAE business tycoon Adeel Sajan.

According to Indian media reports, Sania Mirza is currently living in Dubai with her son, Izhaan Mirza Malik.

While it is said that Adeel Sajan, a well-known billionaire businessman, is designing Sania’s villa in Dubai, according to reports, there may be more than just a professional relationship between them.

Both Sania Mirza and Adeel Sajan have chosen to remain silent about these rumours for now.

Previously, after her separation from Shoaib Malik, there were speculations that Sania was in a relationship with Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami, though those rumours were later denied.

Adeel Sajan, the son of Indian business tycoon Rizwan Sajan, serves as the Managing Director of a private group in the UAE. Known for his luxurious lifestyle, he has a net worth of $1.3 billion. His group is involved in the property business and also sponsors tennis tournaments and Filmfare Awards.

This latest speculation has added to the buzz around Sania Mirza’s personal life, though neither party has confirmed or denied the reports.