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  • ICC, India accept PCB demands on Champions Trophy: reports

    ICC, India accept PCB demands on Champions Trophy: reports

    Indian media has claimed that Champions Trophy 2025 will be held under the hybrid model, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) and India have accepted all the conditions of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

    With the approval of the hybrid model, the Champions Trophy matches will be held in Pakistan and Dubai. An unofficial meeting of the board was held in which the ICC approved the hybrid model, and an agreement, in principle, was reached between Pakistan and India, Indian media claims this.

    The Pakistan team will not go to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, while the Pak-India league match will be played in Colombo. 

    Pakistan will host the ICC Women’s tournament after 2027, while the issue of the knockout matches of the 2026 T20 World Cup will be decided later. No written agreement has been reached. 

    The final decision regarding the Champions Trophy will be made today (Saturday). A three- year fusion model is likely to be approved by the ICC. 

    Under the fusion formula, Pakistan is talking to Dubai, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka for five matches, while Indian media has named Dubai as the venue. 

    According to sources, the ICC offered Pakistan compensation for the transfer of matches from Pakistan; however, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not talk about additional compensation at the meeting.

    Sources say that negotiations were held between the Pakistan and Indian cricket boards to finalize the matter. Almost all the issues have been finalized in the talks. A formal announcement is expected today after all stakeholders’ approval.

    ICC sources say that discussions are ongoing on the issue of the Champions Trophy, and an announcement will be made through a press release as soon as the issues are finalized. The whole matter will come to light in the next 24 hours.

    Australia, New Zealand and South Africa react to Champions Trophy deadlock

    With the deadlock between Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the hosting of Champions Trophy 2025 continuing, Australian, New Zealand and South African cricket boards have reacted to the impasse.


    According to reports, the three cricketing boards have expressed displeasure and asked the ICC to put an end to uncertainty surrounding the event. They have said that all boards should be given an update and the matter should be resolved at the earliest.


    “The schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 has not been announced yet; the ICC should now decide what will happen in the Champions Trophy and the next tournaments. If India is refusing to go to Pakistan this time, it [ICC] can forbid it from going to any country in the future. A solution should be found for this,” reports quoted a joint statement as saying.


    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) maintains that Pakistan will not back down from its position until the BCCI accepts the demands in writing. The Pakistani government does not want to take any kind of risk this time and the matter will move forward if a written guarantee is received, reports said.

    Champions Trophy 2025 is about to start in February in Pakistan, but the schedule has yet to be decided.

  • Imad Wasim bids farewell to international cricket

    Imad Wasim bids farewell to international cricket

    Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday. 

    Imad wrote in a message on Instagram, “To all fans & supporters. After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from international cricket. Representing Pakistan on the world stage has been the greatest honour of my life, and every moment wearing the green jersey has been unforgettable.”

    He further wrote, “Your unwavering support, love, and passion have always been my biggest strength. From the highs to the lows, your encouragement has pushed me to give my best for our beloved country. While this chapter comes to an end, I look forward to continuing my journey in cricket through domestic and franchise cricket, and I hope to keep entertaining you all in new ways. Thank you for everything. Pakistan Zindabad.”

    Imad Wasim had withdrawn his retirement before the T20 World Cup 2024.

    Imad has represented Pakistan in 55 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 75 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He has not played any Test matches for the national team.

    Imad made his ODI debut on July 19, 2015, against Sri Lanka in Colombo, and his T20I debut on May 24, 2015, against Zimbabwe in Lahore.

  • Esports World Cup 2025: Life changing opportunity for Esports athletes

    Esports World Cup 2025: Life changing opportunity for Esports athletes

    The Esports World Cup 2025 is set to be one of the most significant events in the world of competitive gaming following the success of the 2024 tournament. This annual event continues to grow in prestige and popularity, engaging the best gamers from around the world to compete for massive prize pools and the honour of being the world’s best.

    Esports World Cup 2024

    The 2024 edition of the Esports World Cup was nothing short of spectacular. The event was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 3 to August 25, 2024.

    It consisted of a combined prize pool of over $60 million featuring 22 video games. This staggering amount was distributed across various games, making it one of the largest prize pools in esports history.

    Saudi Arabia’s Esports team, the Falcons, won the Esports World Cup 2024. The world competition, held for the first time in Riyadh, saw Team Falcons scoring 5665 points.

    The Falcons had strengthened their lead by winning the Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile Championship in Week 1 and Free Fire in Week 2, earning them 1,000 points for each tournament.

    The team was awarded $7,000,000 (1.93 billion PKR) in prize money and the World Cup trophy at the closing ceremony on Sunday, August 25, which was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who presented the trophy to the team.

    Team Falcons’ participation and success in the eight-week-long Esports World Cup event reflected the significant investment made in Saudi Arabia’s gaming sector.

    The second place in the tournament was secured by the Netherlands’ Liquid, which won $4,000,000 (1.1 billion PKR), followed by Team BDS in third place, winning $2,000,000 (55 crore PKR).

    The Free Fire team HotShot from Pakistan participated in the event but was eliminated during the league stage. Eight Pakistani players competed in Tekken, with four of them qualifying for the top eight. However, they were unable to win the trophy, as South Korea’s Ulsan defeated Pakistan’s Atif Butt 5-0 in the Tekken 8 final.

    Esports World Cup 2025

    The excitement among esports fans is already building, with many now looking forward to the 2025 edition. The tournament is set to take place once again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from June to August 2025, promising another thrilling summer of competitive gaming.

    The prize pool is expected to exceed $60 million this time, continuing the trend of substantial financial incentives for participants – underscoring the growing importance and recognition of esports as a legitimate competitive sport again.


    Games and Competitions

    The Esports World Cup 2025 will feature a diverse lineup of games catering to a wide range of gaming enthusiasts. Some of the games expected to be included are:

    Dota 2
    Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
    PUBG Mobile
    Honour of Kings
    Apex Legends
    Rainbow Six Siege

    This diverse selection will cater to fans of various genres, from first-person shooters to multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs), offering something exciting to watch and cheer for.

    The upcoming event could feature 24 games, two more than the previous edition, but the final decision has yet to be made.

    The Esports World Cup is more than just a tournament; it’s a celebration of the global gaming community. It brings together players, teams, and fans from all corners of the world, fostering a sense of unity and shared passion for gaming. The event also highlights the immense talent and dedication required to excel in esports, providing a platform for players to showcase their skills on an international stage and offering them an opportunity to change their lives.


    Chances for the Pakistani Esports teams

    Teams from Pakistan will also participate in national qualifiers for various games.

    The Free Fire Esports World Cup 2024 featured a Pakistan qualifier, where the top teams advanced to the next stages. Similar qualifiers are expected to be held for other games in 2025.

    The top teams will compete in regional competitions after the national qualifiers. Success in these events will earn them points and an opportunity to advance to the global stage.

    Teams can also accumulate points by performing well in international tournaments throughout the year. This year, for instance, the top six teams from PMSL 2024 qualified for the Esports World Cup 2024.

  • Babar-Rizwan opening creating problems for middle order, says former cricketer

    Babar-Rizwan opening creating problems for middle order, says former cricketer

    Questions are often raised about the performance of the Pakistan cricket team’s middle-order batting line. Former national player Sohaib Maqsood has shared his thoughts on the root cause, opining that the main problem is not the batters coming to play in the middle but the method of arranging the players. 

    Sohaib Maqsood has released a short video on X (Previously Twitter) in which he highlights the problems of the Pakistani middle order.

    He said, “We have been hearing for years that Pakistan’s middle order is useless. The same middle order is fine in ODIs and Tests, but the problem arises in T20s where the problem is not the players but the method of playing is wrong. The problem is the roles given to the middle order, due to which their performance is criticized.”

    Explaining his point, Maqsood said, “Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan are very big players, but I had said earlier that the team’s middle order will not develop until both of them open together in T20 because when both of them are in form, they play 14 to 15 overs together. In this case, the player who comes in fourth and fifth position gets to play only 9 to 10 balls on average. In such a situation, when a match is lost, the debris falls on the middle order, and if the opposing team chase the target, the bowlers come under criticism. Whose responsibility is it to win the game now, those who played 15 overs or those who got only 10 balls?”

    Explaining the solution, he said, “I conditionally say that you change the way you play T20 cricket like other countries, which will start developing our middle order, and eventually you will have proper middle-order performers in 12 to 16 months.”

    The Pakistan cricket team has faced several issues with their middle order in recent matches against Australia and South Africa.

    Recently, during the T20I series against South Africa, Pakistan lost the first match by 11 runs due to the middle order’s inability to capitalize on a strong start by Mohammad Rizwan. In an effort to address these issues, Aaqib Javed has been appointed as the interim red-ball coach after Jason Gillespie’s resignation on Thursday. 

    Promising new players like Muhammad Irfan Khan, Usman Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem have also been selected for the squad.

  • Indian teen becomes world’s youngest chess champion

    Indian teen becomes world’s youngest chess champion

    Newly crowned world chess king Gukesh Dommaraju said becoming a champion was a dream that was more than a decade in the making, as he underlined his ambition to strive for “greatness”.

    Gukesh was just seven when he watched compatriot Viswanathan Anand lose the world chess title in November 2013 to challenger Magnus Carlsen of Norway — a match that fired up his dream to bring the crown back to India.

    Eleven years later, on Thursday, in Singapore, the 18-year-old beat China’s Ding Liren after a gruelling tournament of 14 match days to become the youngest undisputed world chess champion.

    Speaking to reporters after the match, Gukesh cited the 2013 game as a defining episode for his success.

    “I was in the stands and I was looking inside the glass box (where the players were) and I thought it will be so cool to be inside one day,” he said of the tournament in his hometown of Chennai.

    “When Magnus won, I thought I really want to be the one to bring back the title to India. And this dream that I had more than 10 years ago has been the most important thing in my life so far,” he added.

    “I’ve been dreaming about… living this moment for like more than 10 years.”

    And this is just the beginning, Gukesh said, underlining his plan to be more than a one-hit wonder.

    He wants to stay at the top “for the longest time possible”, to ultimately attain Carlsen’s eminence as the highest rated chess player in history.

    The teenager said he felt the jitters in the opening game in Singapore on November 25 which his more experienced opponent won.

    But as the tournament wore on, he gained more confidence, winning a total three matches, including the dramatic final game, and settling for a draw in nine.

    Thursday’s final match was already heading for a draw and most pundits and spectators at Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa were resigned to the tournament extending to rapid-fire tiebreaker games on Friday, which would have favoured Ding.

    The Chinese grandmaster became world champion last year in similar fashion by beating Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi in Kazakhstan in the quick-fire playoffs — akin to a penalty shootout in football.

    But the teenager tenaciously pressed on, forcing a blunder by Ding.

    Gukesh admitted that it was “humiliating” losing the first game.

    “No matter how you prepare for it, you come here as an 18-year-old and you lose the first game like the way I did… It was quite tough to handle that,” he said.

    But he chanced upon his idol Anand in the lift who told him he had 13 more games to go.

    “It was a nice reminder… I needed some mental toughness at that point,” he said.

    Former five-time world chess champion Anand was among the first to congratulate the young champion, along with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    “It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India… and for me, a very personal moment of pride,” Anand said in a post on X.

    Modi described Gukesh’s feat as a “remarkable accomplishment” which he said was “the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination”.

    Ding resigned after making an endgame blunder, and took home $1.15 million while Gukesh got $1.35 million of the $2.5 million prize fund.

    But the teenager underlined that the world title crown was just part of a bigger dream.

    “Becoming world champion does not mean I’m the best player in the world,” said Gukesh.

    “Obviously, there’s Magnus. So it’s also a motivating factor that… there is someone at a very, very high level and someone that will keep me doing the right things, working hard and trying to reach the level of greatness that Magnus has achieved.”

  • Jason Gillespie resigned after pay demands not accepted: Geo

    Jason Gillespie resigned after pay demands not accepted: Geo

    Pakistan’s national cricket team’s red ball head coach Jason Gillespie has resigned from his post on Thursday. 

    Details about why he resigned have also emerged.

    After Gillespie’s resignation,  the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Aqib Javed as the interim head coach of the red ball (Test Format). Aqib Javed is also the interim head coach of white ball (ODI and T20).

    According to Geo, Gillespie was unhappy with the board for not retaining his part of the selection committee and later decided to resign when his demands were not accepted.

    Jason Gillespie wanted to become the head coach of both formats after his part of the selection committee had not been retained. Along with becoming the coach of both formats, he also demanded more compensation.

    Sources said that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi refused to accept Jason Gillespie’s demand for an increase in compensation.

    The PCB asked Jason Gillespie to stay in Pakistan longer, which he did not agree to. Gary Kirsten also refused to stay in Pakistan except for the series. Gary and Gillespie also demanded support staff of their choice.

    Gary Kirsten also resigned before the tour of Australia, while Jason Gillespie resigned before the Test series against South Africa.

    Jason Gillespie was supposed to arrive in South Africa today and supervise the pre-Test series camp.

    The Pakistan team is currently playing a three-match T20 series in South Africa, after which a three-match ODI series will be played.

    Earlier, news had emerged that Pakistan cricket team head coach Jason Gillespie has refused to go to South Africa.

    Jason Gillespie was supposed to arrive in South Africa tomorrow to oversee the pre-Test camp.

    However, sources said that head coach Jason Gillespie has refused to go to South Africa. He decided not to go after the PCB did not extend the contract of Red Ball team coach Tim Nelson.

    According to sources, Gillespie told the board that he would not go to South Africa due to personal reasons.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board had decided not to give Jason Gillespie any future responsibilities, and according to sources like Gary Kirsten, Jason Gillespie also decided to resign prematurely.

  • Pakistan lose by 11 runs in first T20I against South Africa

    Pakistan lose by 11 runs in first T20I against South Africa

    The South African cricket team defeated Pakistan by 11 runs in the opening match of the three-match T20 series.

    Batting first, South Africa set Pakistan a target of 184 runs to win. The Pakistan team, in response, managed to score 172 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.

    The first T20I between Pakistan and South Africa took place in Durban, where South African captain Heinrich Klaasen won the toss and chose to bat.

    South Africa out up 183/9 in their 20 overs. David Miller and George Linde were the top scorers, with 82 and 48 runs, respectively.

    Heinrich Klaasen was dismissed for 12, Reeza Hendricks for 8, and Rassie van der Dussen for seven.

    For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed each took three wickets. Abbas Afridi claimed two wickets, while Sufyan Muqeem took one.

    Pakistan’s squad for the first T20I against South Africa included captain Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, and Mohammad Irfan Khan Niazi. In addition, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Muqeem, and Abrar Ahmed were also part of the national team for this match.

    Chasing the target of 184 in the second innings, Pakistan’s response fell short as they finished with 172/8 in their 20 overs.

    Captain Mohammad Rizwan was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring 74 runs off 62 balls. Saim Ayub contributed 31, while Tayyab Tahir added 18 runs.

    Babar Azam was dismissed without scoring, and no other Pakistani batsman reached double figures.

    George Linde took four wickets for South Africa, while Migael Maphaka claimed two. Othniel Baartman and Andile Phehlukwayo each took one wicket.

    Shaheen Afridi makes history as the first Pakistani to take 100 wickets in every format

    Pakistan cricket team’s fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, became the country’s first player to take 100 wickets in T20 Internationals.

    He achieved this feat in the first T20I against South Africa in Durban on December 10, becoming the third Pakistani player to take 100 wickets in men’s T20 Internationals.

    In addition to his T20I success, Shaheen has claimed 112 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 116 wickets in Test cricket.

    The other two Pakistani bowlers to reach a 100-wicket mark in T20 Internationals are Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan.

    The match

    The first T20 match between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled for today, December 10, 2024, at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The game will start at 9:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time.

    Heinrich Klaasen will lead the Proteas side, as Aiden Markram is being rested to focus on the upcoming Test series. Key players Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Tristan Stubbs are also being rested for the T20 series but will participate in the One-Day Internationals. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi return to the T20 squad, with George Linde making a comeback after three years.

    On the other hand, the Pakistani squad is led by Mohammad Rizwan, with notable players including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. The team aims to build on recent performances and start the series on a positive note.

  • Shaheen Afridi makes history as first Pakistani to take 100 wickets in every format

    Shaheen Afridi makes history as first Pakistani to take 100 wickets in every format

    Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has become the country’s first player to take 100 wickets across all formats of international cricket. 

    He achieved the feat in the first T20I against South Africa in Durban on December 10, becoming the third Pakistani player to take 100 wickets in men’s T20 Internationals.

    In addition to his T20I success, Shaheen has also claimed 112 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 116 wickets in Test cricket.

    The other two Pakistani bowlers to reach the 100-wicket mark in T20 Internationals are Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan.

    T20I: Pakistan vs South Africa

    The first T20 match between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled for December 10, 2024, at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. 

    Heinrich Klaasen led the Proteas side, as Aiden Markram is being rested to focus on the upcoming Test series. Key players Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Tristan Stubbs were also rested for the T20 series but will participate in the One-Day Internationals. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi return to the T20 squad, with George Linde making a comeback after three years.

    On the other hand, the Pakistani squad was led by Mohammad Rizwan, with notable players including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. The team aimed to build on recent performances and start the series on a positive note.

    Head-to-Head in T20s:
    Total Matches: 22
    Pakistan won: 12
    South Africa won: 10


    Pitch Report:

    The pitch at Kingsmead in Durban was excellent for batting, with good pace and bounce. Batters can trust the surface and play their shots with confidence. The ball comes onto the bat nicely, making it easier to score runs. This ground has seen some high-scoring games before, and we can expect the same this time.

    For bowlers, hitting the right length consistently is key to extracting any help from the pitch. In the final overs, however, they’ll need to vary their deliveries, using different lengths and lines to remain effective.

    Probable Playing XI:

    Pakistan:
    Muhammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafiq, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usman Khan, Salman Ali Aghaz, Abbas Afridi

    South Africa:
    Heinrich Klaasen (C), Dewald Ferreira, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Hendrik van der Dussen, Matthew Breetzke, Peterson Kruger, OEG Baartman, George Linde, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

    T20 Series Schedule:

    1st T20I: December 10, Durban
    2nd T20I: December 13, Centurion
    3rd T20I: December 14, Johannesburg

    During the tour of South Africa, Pakistan played three T20s, three ODIs, and two Test matches.

  • Nooh Dastagir Butt sets new record at Asian Powerlifting Championship

    Nooh Dastagir Butt sets new record at Asian Powerlifting Championship

    Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt has set a new record in the Asian Powerlifting Championship, currently being held in Uzbekistan.


    According to reports, Pakistani powerlifting star Butt has set an Asian record by lifting 400kg in squats at the championship.


    Butt also won the first gold medal in the 120+ kg category.


    Meanwhile, medals for bench press, deadlift and overall events are yet to be decided.
    Previously, the trailblazer weightlifting pro won the title of the Commonwealth Powerlifting Champion in the 120kg category. The tournament was held in South Africa.


    He won a total of four, three gold and one bronze, medals in said championship.


    Back in October, Butt also excelled in the bench press and squat categories, winning the gold medal in the 120kg open category. 


    He also won the gold medal in the squat category by lifting a weight of 370kg, while in bench press, he bagged another gold medal by lifting a weight of 210kg.


    He collected a bronze medal in the deadlift category by lifting 280kg. However, in the open category, he lifted a total weight of 860kg and won the title.


    It merits a mention that Butt has won several medals for Pakistan in weightlifting, but after differences with the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, he switched from weightlifting to powerlifting.

    Pakistani weightlifter expressed disappointment over the lack of support and opportunities provided to him to qualify for the prestigious sporting event of the Olympics. 

    He highlighted the disparity between his achievements and the support he has received from the authorities as he pointed out that a New Zealand athlete whom he defeated at the Commonwealth Games was able to secure a spot in the Olympics.

    In an interview with the Express Tribune, Nooh said, “When my path in weightlifting was closed, I had no choice but to go for powerlifting, and that’s where I also won medals at the national level twice before and won my third title this year.”

     “My next plan is going ahead in powerlifting, I must pursue a career in that,” he said with determination. 

    After this, he started venturing out in powerlifting from there on while aiming to secure a place in the Pakistan squad for the next Olympics, which are to be held in 2028.

  • Champions Trophy’s future is likely to be decided by tomorrow

    Champions Trophy’s future is likely to be decided by tomorrow

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to continue pressuring the International Cricket Council (ICC) over its demand for the Champions Trophy. The final decision on the hosting of the Champions Trophy and the hybrid model is expected to be made on Wednesday, 11 December.

    There is a strong likelihood that the tournament will follow the hybrid model, which will also apply to all events scheduled in India until 2027.

    Meanwhile, the PCB has taken a firm stance in while advocating for the hybrid model, arguing that India’s security concerns about sending a team to Pakistan are unfounded. The PCB has stated that if India does not send its team to Pakistan, it will not send its own team to India for any future ICC events.

    According to an informal agreement between the two boards, the hybrid model will be used for all ICC tournaments. This will include the Champions Trophy, the Women’s World Cup, and the T20 World Cup in 2026, all of which will follow the same format.

    The PCB has also demanded that the issues between the Pakistan and India boards regarding the ICC Champions Trophy be incorporated into the host agreement, though no further details have been disclosed.

    The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan in February and March next year, in 2025, but the final schedule has not yet been confirmed as India has refused to participate.

    However, with the deadlock between Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the hosting of Champions Trophy 2025 continuing, Australian, New Zealand and South African cricket boards have reacted to the impasse.


    According to reports, the three cricketing boards have expressed displeasure and asked the ICC to put an end to uncertainty surrounding the event. They have said that all boards should be given an update and the matter should be resolved at the earliest.


    “The schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 has not been announced yet; the ICC should now decide what will happen in the Champions Trophy and the next tournaments. If India is refusing to go to Pakistan this time, it [ICC] can forbid it from going to any country in the future. A solution should be found for this,” reports quoted a joint statement as saying.


    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) maintains that Pakistan will not back down from its position until the BCCI accepts the demands in writing. The Pakistani government does not want to take any kind of risk this time and the matter will move forward if a written guarantee is received, reports said.