Category: Sports

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) held its draft for the 10th edition, with all franchises selecting their players. The event took place at Hazoori Bagh in Lahore, attended by coaches and players from each team who completed their squads.

Platinum Category-Round 1

Lahore Qalandars selected Daryl Mitchell.
Karachi Kings picked David Warner.
Quetta Gladiators chose Mark Chapman.
Peshawar Zalmi selected Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
Multan Sultans picked Michael Bracewell.
Islamabad United went with Matthew Short.

Platinum Category-Round 2

Quetta Gladiators used a wildcard to include Faheem Ashraf and also picked Finn Allen.
Karachi Kings selected Abbas Afridi and Adam Milne.

Diamond Category

Karachi Kings added Khushdil Shah to their squad.
Peshawar Zalmi picked Corbin Bosch.
Islamabad United chose Jason Holder.
Lahore Qalandars selected Kusal Perera.
Peshawar Zalmi also picked Mohammad Ali.

Gold Category Picks

Peshawar Zalmi used a wildcard to select Abdul Samad.
Multan Sultans picked Mohammad Hasnain.
Islamabad United selected Ben Dwarshuis.
Karachi Kings added Aamer Jamal to their team.
Multan Sultans also picked Kamran Ghulam, while Peshawar Zalmi selected Naheed Rana.

Silver Category 

Multan Sultans picked Akif Javed.
Karachi Kings selected Mir Hamza.
Islamabad United went with Salman Irshad.
Lahore Qalandars picked Asif Afridi.
Quetta Gladiators chose Khurram Shehzad.
Peshawar Zalmi added Ahmed Daniyal.

Emerging Category 

In the first round, Quetta Gladiators selected Hassan Nawaz, and Peshawar Zalmi chose Muaz Sadaqat.

Karachi Kings picked Riazullah, Multan Sultans selected Shahid Aziz, Islamabad United went with Saad Masood, and Lahore Qalandars picked Momin Qamar.

In the second round, Karachi Kings selected Fawad Ali, and Lahore Qalandars picked Muhammad Aazib.

Supplementary Category 

In the first round, Islamabad United selected Riley Meredith.
Multan Sultans picked Johnson Charles.
Lahore Qalandars chose Tom Curran.
Quetta Gladiators selected Kusal Mendis.
Peshawar Zalmi picked Alzarri Joseph, while Karachi Kings chose Kane Williamson.

The teams are now ready for an exciting PSL season with these fresh additions to their squads.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a major decision regarding the future of underperforming captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli. 

According to reports, both players have been instructed to return to domestic cricket following their poor performances against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia.

The BCCI held a review meeting to discuss the Indian team’s recent struggles in Test cricket, especially during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia. Both players’ lackluster performances were a key topic during said meeting, report said, claiming it led to the decision that all players must now play domestic cricket, such as the Ranji Trophy, to be eligible for national selection.

BCCI has made it clear that past performances, seniority or star power will no longer guarantee Indian cricketers a spot on the Test team, it was reported.

While the new policy marks the end of picking players based on their reputation alone, fans are in for a treat as they will get to see Sharma return to the Ranji Trophy after 10 years and Kohli after 13 years.

Kohli last played a match of India’s premier domestic first-class cricket championship in November 2012 and hasn’t participated in any domestic tournament since 2013. Sharma’s last Ranji Trophy appearance was in 2015, and he hasn’t played domestic cricket since 2018.

Earlier, Kohli scored a mere 190 runs in five matches during the Australian tour whereas Sharma only scored 31 runs in three matches. The unsatisfactory performances were yet another episode of the series of disappointments for Indian cricketing fans.

Former cricket captain Mohammad Hafeez has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for accepting the hybrid model for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. 

Speaking to the media at the National Stadium’s Oval Ground in Karachi on Sunday, the 44-year-old former all-rounder said, “The PCB did not stick to its original principled stance. India is not coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. It’s unfortunate that after the 1996 World Cup, ICC events haven’t been held in Pakistan for a long time. However, it’s a positive sign that the Champions Trophy is happening now, and we should convey a positive message.”

Hafeez also praised young batter Saim, saying, “Injuries are part of the game, but Saim Ayub’s case should be handled properly. I am hopeful he will recover soon and be available for the Champions Trophy.”

“If Fakhar Zaman returns for the ICC mega event, it will be a good sign for Pakistan,” he added.

He criticized the ongoing practice of sending players from first-class cricket to the Strikers’ Camp. “Players in this camp should not be given spots in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and such camps should not be held during the season,” he suggested.

Hafeez also expressed disappointment over the lack of facilities in the ongoing President’s Cup, saying, “There were no proper facilities at the Oval Ground, National Stadium. The teams didn’t get clean drinking water, there were no proper dressing rooms, and the washrooms were substandard.” 

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to begin on February 19, 2025. Under the hybrid model, matches involving the Indian team will be held in UAE, while the rest of the tournament will take place in Pakistan.

A recent incident involving former mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has gone viral on social media after he was offloaded from a plane. 

A video shows Khabib facing an unpleasant situation on Sunday on an Alaska Airlines flight.

The incident took place at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, where Khabib was preparing to fly to Los Angeles. He was asked to leave the plane after a disagreement with the flight crew.

During the interaction, a flight attendant told Khabib, “We can’t allow you to sit in the emergency row. I’ll call my supervisor. You can either take another seat, or we will have to ask you to leave the plane.”

Khabib expressed frustration, calling the decision unfair. “This is not right,” he said. He also mentioned that during check-in, he was asked if he spoke English, to which he responded yes, yet he was still asked to change seats.

Despite the manager offering Khabib an alternative seat and suggesting he take another flight, Khabib and his companions were eventually removed from the plane.

The video shows Khabib picking up his luggage and exiting the aircraft.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has revealed exciting news about the Pakistan Super League (PSL), saying, “We will auction two new teams for the next PSL season.”

During a ceremony in Sialkot on Sunday, Naqvi said, “We have decided to introduce two new teams in the next PSL season, and we think that one team will belong to Sialkot. The auction process will be transparent, and we are confident this will make the league more competitive and entertaining.”

“We are committed to upgrading cricket venues across the country to ensure they meet international standards,” Naqvi added.

The current PSL format features six teams, including Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators. 

With the addition of new teams next season, the league is set to grow, promising even more excitement and opportunities for players and fans alike.

Australia has announced its squad for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which will be held in Pakistan and the UAE.

Pat Cummins will lead the Kangaroos. The squad includes Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, and Mitchell Marsh. Other notable names like Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, and Adam Zampa are also part of the team.

Afghanistan’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Just a day earlier, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) revealed its squad for the same tournament. However, star spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman was not included as he is recovering from an injury. Mujeeb, who was a key part of Afghanistan’s squad during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, has been advised to focus on T20s for now to ensure a full recovery before returning to One Day Internationals (ODIs).

ACB’s interim chief selector, Ahmad Sulaiman Khil, explained that Mujeeb was not available for selection due to medical advice. He missed the recent ODI series against Zimbabwe for the same reason.

Meanwhile, right-handed opener Ibrahim Zadran has made a comeback to the team after recovering from an ankle injury sustained last year.

Afghanistan will be making its debut in the Champions Trophy and will start its campaign against South Africa on February 21 in Karachi. Following that, they will face England and Australia on February 26 and 28 in Lahore.

Afghanistan’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain)
Ibrahim Zadran
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Sediqullah Atal
Rahmat Shah
Ikram Alikhil
Gulbadin Naib
Azmatullah Omarzai
Mohammad Nabi
Rashid Khan
AM Ghazanfar
Noor Ahmad
Fazal Haq Farooqi
Fazal Rahman Malik
Naveen-ul-Haq

The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to start on February 19, with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad for the two Test matches against West Indies, scheduled from January 17 to 21 and January 25 to 29 in Multan.

Seven changes have been made to the 15-member squad that toured South Africa.

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Nauman Ali, and Salman Ali Agha have been retained.

Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed joins off-spinner Sajid Khan and left-arm spinner Nauman Ali. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Huraira replace the injured Saim Ayub and the out-of-form Abdullah Shafique.

Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza, and Naseem Shah have been rested. Khurram Shehzad is retained, while Mohammad Ali returns, and uncapped Kashif Ali is included.

Former Pakistan U19 and Shaheen’s captain Rohail Nazir has been added to the squad in the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah.

Pakistan full squad:

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper/batter), Nauman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper/batter), Sajid Khan, and Salman Ali Agha.

After Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma, another Indian cricketer and his wife are rumoured to be heading for a divorce.

Indian media reported that cricketer Manish Pandey, who has played 29 ODIs and 39 T20 Internationals for India, and his wife actress Ashrita Shetty, are facing marital discord. The couple has unfollowed each other on Instagram, adding fuel to the rumours.

Speculations started when both of them deleted pictures of each other from their Instagram accounts, leading to talks of an impending separation.

Manish Pandey and Ashrita Shetty were last seen together a while ago, and rumours suggest their differences started after the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in December 2019.

Previously, cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his wife Dhanashree Verma were also rumoured to be separating, but they denied it through their Instagram stories without any official statement.

Recently, Dhanashree posted about facing difficult times, saying false rumours about her character have caused distress for her and her family.

Chahal also thanked his supporters and criticized false rumours, urging respect for their privacy.

Both expressed disappointment over the spread of unverified news and requested that their personal life be respected.

Pakistan’s star batter Saim Ayub, who suffered an ankle injury during the Test against South Africa on January 3, might not be able to recover in time for the upcoming Champions Trophy, his doctor has said.

As per the details, reports quoted renowned sports orthopedic Dr Lucky Jeyaseelan, who reviewed Saim’s test results and reports, as advising the opening batsman to rest completely for six months.

Another doctor, however, said Saim’s ankle was healing well and he was now able to bear weight on his foot. Dr David Redfern also said that the batter’s test reports will be sent to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) medical panel for further evaluation.

Meanwhile, it was reported that a panel of doctors will continue to monitor Saim’s condition, review his reports, X-rays and other factors for a final decision on his recovery and return to the national squad.

The conflicting claims regarding Saim’s recovery come while he is in London with Pakistan coach Azhar Mahmood.

“Thank God, the situation has improved significantly. Whether surgery is needed and when it might happen will be determined by the medical panel. The examination report will be available soon,” Mahmood said after accompanying Saim on his visit to a London clinic for a second assessment of the injury.

Pakistan’s opener batter Saim Ayub was injured while fielding in the second match of the series at Cape Town on Friday.

The opener was taken off the field with the help of his teammates.

Aatif Rana, the owner of Lahore Qalandars, shared his thoughts on David Warner’s inclusion in the team for Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 during a special interview on Samaa Digital’s show Zor Ka Jor.

When asked about including top players like Warner in Lahore Qalandars, he explained, “Big names are needed when your league isn’t strong enough. But now, all teams, including Lahore Qalandars, have become brands.

“I have a deep passion for cricket. Our cricketers, like Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, are stars in their own right. If our brand needs bigger names, we are always open to welcoming them, whether it’s Chris Gayle or AB de Villiers. Lahore Qalandars have always embraced big names.”

Rana also acknowledged PCB’s policies, saying, “Big names are now prominent in PSL. We work hard for 11 months, carrying out talent hunts and development programs and showcasing our talent during PSL. Our team has become a family, and we make decisions together about which players the team needs. There are so many great names that it’s hard to decide who to drop and who to pick.”

Speaking about teamwork and leadership, he said, “In any workplace, everyone has different opinions, but we have to move forward together.” He praised Salman Naseer (CEO of PSL), stating, “Whenever we made a suggestion, he welcomed it.”

He also highlighted the importance of improving the fan experience, saying, “The most important thing is fan following. The chairman’s decision to upgrade the stadiums to improve the fan experience is fantastic.”

He recalled a time when, during matches at Qaddafi Stadium, “over 500,000 people” across the city would be disturbed because of security measures disrupting the city’s routine.

“People used to argue with me, saying, “You don’t win matches,” but now, after the last four seasons, they say they can’t get tickets,” he said, lightheartedly adding, “Salman Naseer told me that people only ask for Lahore Qalandars tickets.”

Rana also discussed the unique strengths of PSL and compared it to the Indian Premier League (IPL).

“The speciality of our neighbouring country’s IPL is its Bollywood, while PSL’s unique feature is its young talent.” He went on to highlight that players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Fakhar Zaman gained recognition because of PSL.

Qalandars had a rough start in the PSL, failing to make the playoffs in their first two seasons in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, their performance improved slightly, but they still did not qualify. However, in 2019, Lahore Qalandars made a strong comeback, and since then, they have consistently performed better, winning the PSL championship in 2022 and 2023.