Category: Sports

Pakistan and all stakeholders, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), have reached an agreement on the neutral venue for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Geo reported that there is a strong possibility that all stakeholders will agree on the neutral venue of Dubai, and a final decision  is likely to be made soon.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is also expected to announce the schedule of the Champions Trophy soon, with Colombo also being seriously considered as the neutral venue.

A few days ago, the ICC approved a fusion plan on the issue of hosting the Champions Trophy, according to which Pakistan and India will not play matches in each other’s countries for three years, and the neutral venue for the Champions Trophy will be selected at the discretion of the host country.

ICC finally resolves Champions Trophy 2025 conflict

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally resolved the long-standing impasse over the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Under the agreement, India’s matches in the eight-team event will be played at a neutral venue, while in return, ICC events hosted by India will also be played at neutral venues.

According to the press release issued by the ICC, “The ICC Board has today approved that matches between India and Pakistan played at ICC Events during the current rights cycle from 2024 to 2027 (which are to be hosted in India or Pakistan) will be played at a neutral venue proposed by the tournament host. This will apply to the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (Pakistan), ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (India) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (India and Sri Lanka).”

“In addition, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been awarded hosting rights of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply. Cricket Australia has also been awarded hosting rights for one of the senior ICC women’s events during the period 2029 to 2031.”

“The match schedule for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will be confirmed in the coming days.”

Pakistan will host another ICC event after 4 years, in which Pakistan has been awarded the hosting of the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup.

The 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup will be the first ICC event of the next cycle, and the Pakistan-India fusion formula may also be applied to the Women’s T20 World Cup.

According to the report, in addition to this, until 2027, both teams will play ICC event matches in each other’s country at neutral venues, and the host board will select the neutral venue.

India is hosting the Women’s World Cup 2025 and the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The cricket website report states that the ICC Board will formally approve the agreement between Pakistan and India.

The ICC has also agreed to a proposal for a tri-nation T20 series involving Pakistan, India and any other Asian full-member or associate-member team.

The series will also be held at a neutral venue, a proposal that has been put forward as compensation for Pakistan not being able to host India’s matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

National cricketer Ahmed Shehzad, who has been making statements on social media away from the cricket field, has presented a strange and unique logic for cricket matches between Pakistan and India.

On his YouTube channel, the 33-year-old has suggested building a stadium on the border to host cricket matches between the two countries.

Shehzad sarcastically said, “A cricket stadium should be established on the border, with one door opening in India and the other in Pakistan, and the players of each team should enter the stadium through their door.”

He further said, “After the hybrid model was confirmed in the Champions Trophy 2025, the chances of India coming to Pakistan in the near future have disappeared. Now forget that the Indian cricket team will come to Pakistan. The ICC could not back down from the decision of all the cricket boards to host the Champions Trophy 2025.”

However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally resolved the long-standing impasse over the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Under the agreement, India’s matches in the eight-team event will be played at a neutral venue, while in return, ICC events hosted by India will also be played at neutral venues.

The bank balance of the current richest cricketing body in the world, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has shocked the cricketing world.

According to reports, BCCI has a whopping balance of INR 20,686 crores (over PKR 66,000 crores or $2.4 billion), after having recorded an increase of INR 4,200 crores in 2024.

A major part of the BCCI’s revenue comes from the sale of media rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and bilateral series. The BCCI is also given the largest share of the revenue received from the International Cricket Council (ICC), followed by England, Australia and Pakistan.

In June 2022, the Indian board sold media rights of IPL for 5 years for INR 48,390 crores. During fiscal year 2025-26, the BCCI is expected to earn around 10,540 crores, while its own budget stands at a mere INR 2,348 crores.

Out of all this income, the board also pays a massive amount in the form of annual grants to all 38 states of the country.

A heated exchange between Pakistan skipper Muhammad Rizwan and South African batsman Heinrich Klaasen has gone viral over the internet.

As per the details, a video of the exchange showed Rizwan losing his cool during the second Pakistan-South Africa One Day International (ODI) at Newlands Cricket Ground which marked yet another successful ODI campaign under the wicketkeeper-batsman’s leadership.

The exchange took place during the 26th over of the match that Pakistan won by 81 runs.

It had followed Haris Rauf’s bouncer against Klaasen on the last ball of the over, triggering the South African.

Klaasen and Rizwan were calmed down by umpires and other players on the field.

Earlier, Klaasen played a remarkable innings, scoring 97 runs off just 74 balls. He fell victim to Naseem Shah and failed to lead his team to victory.

Playing first, Pakistan had scored 329 runs in 50 overs. Proteas, on the other hand, could only score 248 runs before all their batsmen returned to the pavilion, securing Pakistan a 2-0 lead against South Africa.

While Greenshirts have claimed the ODI series, they lost last week’s three-match T20 series 2-0, with one of the matches rained out.

 PAK vs SA T20 series

South Africa secured a 2-0 victory in the three-match T20 series against Pakistan, with the final match abandoned due to rain.

1st T20I: Durban

In the opening match at Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa elected to bat first and posted a competitive total. Reeza Hendricks was the standout performer, contributing significantly to the team’s score. Pakistan’s chase was thwarted by disciplined South African bowling, leading to a victory for the hosts.

2nd T20I: Centurion

The second match at Centurion Park was a high-scoring affair. Pakistan, batting first, set an imposing target of 206/5, with Saim Ayub remaining unbeaten on 98. South Africa’s response was led by Reeza Hendricks, who scored a blistering 117 off 63 balls, his maiden T20I century, featuring 10 sixes. His partnership with Rassie van der Dussen, who remained not out on 66, guided South Africa to a seven-wicket victory with three balls to spare, clinching the series.

3rd T20I: Johannesburg

The final match in Johannesburg was abandoned due to persistent rain, resulting in a no-result.

South Africa’s series win highlighted their batting prowess, particularly the form of Reeza Hendricks, and effective bowling strategies. Pakistan showed moments of brilliance, notably Saim Ayub’s performance, but were unable to secure a win in the series.

The drafts of the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be hosted by the port city of Gwadar, Balochistan, for the first time. 

An announcement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) states, “The Pakistan Cricket Board today announces the port city Gwadar as host for the Player Draft of 10th edition of HBL Pakistan Super League. The ceremony that kicks off the league’s festivities will take place on Saturday, January 11 2025. The start timing of the event will be shared in due course.”

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi said, “Gwadar, with its magnificent coastline and strategic importance, is the heart of Pakistan’s economic future. By hosting the HBL PSL Player Draft here, we aim to highlight its cultural and economic importance.”

“I look forward to welcoming all the franchises and relevant stakeholders to the beautiful city of Gwadar on January 11 as we take a major step towards the start of the 10th edition of Pakistan’s biggest sporting event,” he added.

PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said, “I am very proud to announce Gwadar as the host city for the Player Draft. This move reflects our commitment to expanding the reach of PSL to every corner of Pakistan and showcasing the beauty of Pakistan to the world.”

The PCB did not share the time and venue of the opening ceremony in its press release. The relegation and retention of players will be announced in late December.

Mountaineer Samar Khan is on the verge of another incredible milestone — scaling Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America.

However, despite securing a fully funded scholarship from Summit Scholarship Foundation for the expedition, she faces a major roadblock: a $4000 round-trip air ticket.

Samar, who is known for her groundbreaking achievements, including being the first Pakistani woman to summit a 7000-meter peak on a bicycle, took to social media to highlight her predicament. She wrote on Instagram that while her scholarship covers most of the expedition expenses, the cost of airfare remains out of reach, putting her participation at risk.

“I need to fly on 25th December to join the group, but I can’t afford the $4000 ticket. If anyone can help sponsor my round-trip for promotions, it would mean the world to me,” Samar wrote in her heartfelt appeal.

Mt. Aconcagua, standing at 6,962 meters, is a formidable challenge for any climber. Scaling the peak would not only be a personal achievement for Samar but also a proud moment for Pakistan. However, without timely support, her dream might remain unrealized.

The date for the much-awaited Pak-India match in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025 has been revealed.

Reports claim that the biggest clash of the Champions Trophy is expected to be held on February 23, 2025, in either Dubai or Colombo. The complete schedule of the Champions Trophy will be released after the venue is decided.

The ICC has confirmed the neutral venue for matches between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan and India will not play in each other’s country for the next three years. The Champions Trophy will be played in a neutral venue in Pakistan. The schedule of the Champions Trophy will be released soon.

ICC finally resolves Champions Trophy 2025 conflict

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally resolved the long-standing impasse over the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Under the agreement, India’s matches in the eight-team event will be played at a neutral venue, while in return, ICC events hosted by India will also be played at neutral venues.

According to the press release issued by the ICC, “The ICC Board has today approved that matches between India and Pakistan played at ICC Events during the current rights cycle from 2024 to 2027 (which are to be hosted in India or Pakistan) will be played at a neutral venue proposed by the tournament host. This will apply to the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 (Pakistan), ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (India) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (India and Sri Lanka).”

“In addition, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been awarded hosting rights of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also apply. Cricket Australia has also been awarded hosting rights for one of the senior ICC women’s events during the period 2029 to 2031.”

“The match schedule for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will be confirmed in the coming days.”

Pakistan will host another ICC event after 4 years, in which Pakistan has been awarded the hosting of the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup.

The 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup will be the first ICC event of the next cycle, and the Pakistan-India fusion formula may also be applied to the Women’s T20 World Cup.

According to the report, in addition to this, until 2027, both teams will play ICC event matches in each other’s country at neutral venues, and the host board will select the neutral venue.

India is hosting the Women’s World Cup 2025 and the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The cricket website report states that the ICC Board will formally approve the agreement between Pakistan and India.

The ICC has also agreed to a proposal for a tri-nation T20 series involving Pakistan, India and any other Asian full-member or associate-member team.

The series will also be held at a neutral venue, a proposal that has been put forward as compensation for Pakistan not being able to host India’s matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli and his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, have decided to leave India.

Kohli’s former coach, Raj Kumar Sharma, has reportedly confirmed that the couple will soon relocate to London with their children, Vamika and Akay.

Sharma did not provide further details but only hinted that Kohli plans to move to London, soon after retirement to settle there.

The couple has been spotted in London in recent years.

Raj Kumar Sharma said, “Apart from cricket, Kohli is currently spending most of his time with his family.”

Kohli was in London after the T20 World Cup and returned for the series against Sri Lanka. He then went back to the UK, where he stayed until August.

At the start of the home season, Virat came back to India, staying here after the series against Bangladesh and the Test series against New Zealand, during which he celebrated his birthday with his fans.

Kohli is currently busy playing the Test series in Australia. If India reaches the final of the Champions Trophy, he will be part of the team. While it is unclear when his next visit to London will be, he is expected to travel to the UK in early 2025.

Virat Kohli loses cool in heated argument with Australian reporter

Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli had a heated exchange with the Australian media upon his arrival in Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test.

According to reports, Kohli confronted media personnel at the airport, believing that they were filming his family without permission. The former Indian captain made it clear that his family’s privacy must be respected, stating, “You just can’t film without asking me,” as per the report.

Channel 7 reporter Theo Doropoulos explained that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding. Kohli reportedly became upset after spotting video cameras, assuming they were pointed toward his children. “It was upon seeing the waiting cameras that Kohli became a little heated over what is largely a misunderstanding when he thought the media was filming him with his children,” Doropoulos said.

The journalist and cameraperson later clarified to Kohli that they were not filming his family members. Kohli then shook hands with the Channel 7 cameraperson and walked away.

Pakistan’s cricket team has become the first team of the 21st century to win three ODI series in South Africa.

Pakistan defeated South Africa by 81 runs in the second match of the three-match ODI series to clinch the series.

Pakistan batted first, scoring 329 runs in 49.5 overs, and then bowled out the South African team for 248 runs.

Earlier, Pakistan had defeated South Africa in the ODI series in 2013, 2021, and now in 2024.

Pakistan has played a total of seven bilateral ODI series in South Africa. The team, overall, is the second to win an ODI series in South Africa three or more times. Australia has also won three ODI series in South Africa, having played ten series there and being successful in 1997, 2002, and 2011.

Match Summary

In the match played in Cape Town, South Africa was bowled out for 248 in 43.1 overs in pursuit of 330 runs set by Pakistan.

Henrik Klaasen’s 97-run innings could not save South Africa from defeat; opener Tony de Zuuzy was dismissed for 34 runs, and Shaheen Afridi dismissed aggressive batter David Miller for 29 runs.

Captain Temba Bawma returned to the pavilion after scoring 12 runs, Russ van der Dussen lost his wicket for 23 runs, and Abrar Ahmed dismissed Aiden Markram for 21 runs.

Shaheen Shah Afridi took four wickets for Pakistan, Naseem Shah took three, and Abrar Ahmed took two wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan’s team was all out for 329 runs in 49.5 overs while batting first and gave South Africa a target of 330 runs to win.

Captain Muhammad Rizwan played a brilliant innings of 80 runs, Babar Azam stood out with 73 runs, and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha was dismissed for 33 runs.

Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli had a heated exchange with the Australian media upon his arrival in Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test.

According to reports, Kohli confronted media personnel at the airport, believing that they were filming his family without permission. The former Indian captain made it clear that his family’s privacy must be respected, stating, “You just can’t film without asking me,” as per the report.

Channel 7 reporter Theo Doropoulos explained that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding. Kohli reportedly became upset after spotting video cameras, assuming they were pointed toward his children. “It was upon seeing the waiting cameras that Kohli became a little heated over what is largely a misunderstanding when he thought the media was filming him with his children,” Doropoulos said.

The journalist and cameraperson later clarified to Kohli that they were not filming his family members. Kohli then shook hands with the Channel 7 cameraperson and walked away.