Pakistan has won the Blind T20 Cricket World Cup on Tuesday, defeating Bangladesh by ten wickets in the final.
Playing first, the Bangladesh blind team scored 139 runs for the loss of 7 wickets, with Arif Hussain’s 54 runs making him the top scorer.
The national blind team achieved the target in the eleventh over, with Nisar Ali remaining unbeaten on 72 runs for Pakistan. Muhammad Safdar played an innings of 47 runs.
Babar Ali of the Pakistan Blind team took two wickets, while Muhammad Salman and Matiullah took one wicket each.
Pakistan’s Muhammad Ibrahim has achieved a great feat, becoming the world’s youngest Guinness Record holder.
Ibrahim has become the youngest martial arts player in the world to set a Guinness World Record individually, achieving the global record at the age of six.
“I wish that the Governor of Sindh and the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the President of Pakistan invited me,” he said in a statement.
Guinness World Records has informed him through email and has also updated the details on its website, according to which Muhammad Ibrahim successfully opened 45 bottle caps (bottle caps unscrewed with a kick) in one minute through martial arts kicks.
Earlier, this record was for opening 40 bottles with kicks.
Pakistan rickshaw driver and martial artist breaks India’s Guinness World Record
Pakistani martial artist Arshad Mehsood, a rickshaw driver from South Waziristan, broke the Guinness World Record previously held by Indian Chinmay Sharma.
Indian martial artist had 334 elbow strikes in one minute, while Arshad Mehsud of Pakistan broke the Indian record by a large margin by making 373 elbow strikes.
Talking to Geo News, Arshad said, “My father has passed away. I belong to Upper South Waziristan, and now I go to the fight club every day after driving a rickshaw in Dera Ismail (DI) Khan.”
Arshad is a disciple of Presidential Award Winner and Guinness World Record Holder Irfan Mehsood.
More than 20 Irfan students have made Guinness World Records.
Pakistani girl makes the Guinness world record for donating most hair
In August 2021, a Pakistani girl, Zahab Kamal Khan, set a world record by donating her 5’1″ long hair. She donated her hair to a non-profit organisation.
Zahab took to her Instagram to share the picture with the caption, “My Dad’s idea changed my life❤️ our 18 year dream finally coming true.”
“Today i am a Guinness world record holder,” she added.
Zahab further added, “Today I am very happy to be working with Children with hair loss and grateful to know that my hair is going to help.”
Former Indian Test cricketer Harbhajan Singh has once again politicised sports, calling the current situation in Pakistan unsuitable for the Indian team to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The 44-year-old former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh said in an interview with Indian outlet Sports Today, “If you (Pakistani) don’t want to come to India, then don’t, we don’t have a problem. If Pakistan doesn’t come to India, it won’t make much difference. You can ask current cricketers, and they will have the same opinion.”
The former cricketer had previously referred to the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team and said, “If the situation in Pakistan had been better, things could have been different.”
He recalled, “When I went to Pakistan, we were hosted wonderfully. When we went to the market, they didn’t charge us for food, and people gave us gifts.” However, he added, “Fans in Pakistan are unable to see Indian superstars like Virat Kohli play in their country, which saddens us, but India cannot send its team to Pakistan at this time.”
The former Indian cricketer, keeping silent on the Indian refusal, advised Pakistan not to conflate the issue of the Champions Trophy.
“You cannot stop the tournament by remaining stubborn; there are many countries that want to host the event,” he sarcastically remarked.
There is an ongoing separatist movement in India’s states of Manipur and Mizoram, while riots have erupted in Sambhal over the temple-mosque dispute, in which more than six Muslims were martyred. The Indian cricketers, however, remain silent about the religious tensions and violence spreading across their country.
Meanwhile, the dispute between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the hosting of the upcoming Champions Trophy continues.
The ICC is considering various options, including shifting some matches to neutral venues, but a final decision is yet to be made.
According to some reports, PCB has agreed on the hybrid model under some conditions. Under this model, for all the upcoming matches for the next three years, Pakistan and India will play in a neutral venue. Pakistan is hosting the Champion Trophy 2025, and India will be hosting the T20 World Cup 2026.
Yesterday, Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, has taken charge of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) chairmanship.
In a statement, the cricket watchdog confirmed that Shah had started working as its chairman.
“I am proud to take over the post of ICC chairman and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC directors and member boards. This is an exciting moment for the game. We are preparing for the 2028 Olympics… we are trying to make cricket more interesting for the fans and we are at an important juncture where different formats exist together,” Shah said at the occasion.
“The development of women’s game needs to be accelerated. Cricket has immense potential at the global level and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team as well as member countries to take the game to new heights,” he added.
Earlier, it was reported that outgoing ICC boss Greg Barclay’s term may be extended by one month amid the deadlock between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the BCCI on the issue of Champions Trophy 2025.
Five rugby players, formerly with French side Grenoble, are facing trial for raping or failing to protect a student from alleged sexual assault in a hotel in 2017.
The trial in the southwestern French city of Bordeaux was to begin in June but was delayed after one of the defendants, Irish national Dennis Coulson, was seriously injured in a traffic accident.
One of his lawyers said that Dennis Coulson was still quite weak but would appear in court. The 30-year-old former prop is accused of gang rape, as are New Zealander Rory Grice, 34, and Frenchman Loic James, 30.
Farrell and Hayes are accused of failing to prevent the crime. The presiding judge barred media from covering the proceedings at the request of the alleged victim’s lawyers.
One of the victim’s lawyers said she was terrified of facing her attackers and repeating the whole ordeal.
In March 2017, the student, identified only as V, left a hotel on the outskirts of Bordeaux in tears where the Grenoble team had spent the night after losing a top-14 match to local team Bordeaux Beagles.
The then-20-year-old filed a police complaint, saying, “I met the players in a bar with two friends and went with them to a nightclub where there was plenty to drink. I did not remember how I got from the club to the hotel. When I woke up, I was naked on a bed with something inserted into my private parts. I saw two men in the room, naked and one fully clothed.”
Coulson, James and Grice said, “We had sexual relations with V, but the relationship was consensual, and the student-initiated it.”
Dreyfus-Schmidt said, “The girl may not have wanted what happened, but her behaviour did not make the boys, or at least my client, feel that she did not consent. When you go to a nightclub and drink too much, that means having relations with boys.”
V’s lawyer Anne Cadiot-Feidt argued that the players acted “like thugs.” In court, Gros added, “It’s plain to see that she was in no state to give her consent as these men who carried her, who were with her, know perfectly well.”
Based on statements and a sex tape, investigators found incidents of fellatio and object insertion. A toxicology report showed her blood alcohol level was dangerously high, between 2.2 and 3 grams. CCTV footage showed her struggling to stand and being helped by a player.
Cadiot-Feidt dismissed the players’ version, saying her client shouldn’t be expected to be perfect all the time. While V chose to drink, it didn’t give anyone the right “to do whatever they wanted with her body.” The lawyer said the players had a duty to protect her, not exploit her state of weakness.
The three main defendants left Grenoble in 2017 after the accusations to continue their careers elsewhere.
Rape accusations have recently rocked international rugby. The French trial is happening just before an Argentine judge decides whether to drop charges against two French rugby players accused of raping a woman in Argentina. Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, both 21, were held in Argentina after the alleged assault in July.
Last month, a Fijian player at the French club Dax received a one-year suspended prison sentence for sexual assault and violence during a night of heavy drinking.
Champions Trophy 2025 is about to start in February in Pakistan, but the schedule has yet to be decided.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed strong reservations about travelling to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns and lack of permission from the Indian government.
The BCCI has requested that the ICC consider a hybrid model, where India’s matches could be played in a neutral venue, such as the UAE or Sri Lanka. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has insisted that the tournament should be held entirely in Pakistan.
The ICC has been caught in the middle of this dispute, with both Boards presenting their cases. The ICC held a meeting on November 29, 2024, to discuss the matter, but no resolution was reached. The ICC has given the PCB a day to accept the hybrid model or risk losing hosting rights for the tournament.
The ICC is considering various options, including shifting some matches to neutral venues, but a final decision is yet to be made.
According to some reports, PCB has agreed on the hybrid model under some conditions. Under this model, for all the upcoming matches for the next three years, Pakistan and India will play in a neutral venue. Pakistan is hosting the Champion Trophy 2025, and India will be hosting the T20 World Cup 2026.
Yesterday, Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, has taken charge of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) chairmanship.
In a statement, the cricket watchdog confirmed that Shah had started working as its chairman.
“I am proud to take over the post of ICC chairman and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC directors and member boards. This is an exciting moment for the game. We are preparing for the 2028 Olympics… we are trying to make cricket more interesting for the fans and we are at an important juncture where different formats exist together,” Shah said at the occasion.
“The development of women’s game needs to be accelerated. Cricket has immense potential at the global level and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team as well as member countries to take the game to new heights,” he added.
Earlier, it was reported that outgoing ICC boss Greg Barclay’s term may be extended by one month amid the deadlock between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the BCCI on the issue of Champions Trophy 2025.
However, reports now claim that the issue is expected to be resolved by tomorrow (Monday).
If the ICC and BCCI accept Pakistan’s formula, for the next three years, neither the Indian team will come to Pakistan to play, nor will the Pakistani team go to India for any cricketing event.
The other option being considered is the hybrid model, under which, India’s Champions Trophy matches will be held out of Pakistan. The same has been rejected by PCB.
Apart from this, India will host the Champion Trophy 2029 and ODI World Cup 2031 with Bangladesh.
Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, has taken charge of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) chairmanship.
In a statement, the cricket watchdog confirmed that Shah had started working as its chairman.
“I am proud to take over the post of ICC chairman and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC directors and member boards. This is an exciting moment for the game. We are preparing for the 2028 Olympics… we are trying to make cricket more interesting for the fans and we are at an important juncture where different formats exist together,” Shah said at the occasion.
“The development of women’s game needs to be accelerated. Cricket has immense potential at the global level and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team as well as member countries to take the game to new heights,” he added.
Earlier, it was reported that outgoing ICC boss Greg Barclay’s term may be extended by one month amid the deadlock between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the BCCI on the issue of Champions Trophy 2025.
However, reports now claim that the issue is expected to be resolved by tomorrow (Monday).
If the ICC and BCCI accept Pakistan’s formula, for the next three years, neither the Indian team will come to Pakistan to play, nor will the Pakistani team go to India for any cricketing event.
The other option being considered is the hybrid model, under which, India’s Champions Trophy matches will be held out of Pakistan. The same has been rejected by PCB.
ICC meeting postponed
A crucial International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting, scheduled for Saturday to decide on the fate of the Champions Trophy hosting, was postponed again.
Yesterday’s ICC board meeting on the venue of the Champions Trophy failed to reach a decision, leading to the meeting being postponed until today.
However, ICC sources later confirmed that the Board meeting would not be held. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stood by its stance, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requested more time after Pakistan refused to yield to pressure.
According to Geo, the ICC board meeting was expected to be held within the next 48 hours. Additionally, the term of ICC Chairman Greg Barclay was extended by one month.
Greg Barclay’s term as ICC Chairman had been scheduled to end on November 30, with India’s Jay Shah set to take over from December 1.
A decision was supposed to be made at the ICC board meeting regarding whether the Champions Trophy would be held in Pakistan or not.
Pakistan had demanded an acceptable formula for the tournament before the board meeting, with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi clearly conveying Pakistan’s stance to the ICC.
Earlier, Mohsin Naqvi had stated that the Board would bear the consequences but would not compromise its honour. The PCB had nearly completed all arrangements for the Champions Trophy.
India’s refusal to play in Pakistan had complicated the matter, and the PCB maintained that a match with India at a neutral venue under a hybrid model was unacceptable.
India had been lobbying to move the entire Champions Trophy out of Pakistan, but the PCB prepared to counter these efforts. The Pakistan Cricket Board did not accept any option that did not align with its conditions.
A crucial International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting, scheduled for Saturday, to decide on the fate of the hosting of the Champions Trophy has been postponed again.
Yesterday’s ICC board meeting on the venue of the Champions Trophy could not be decided, after which the meeting was postponed until today.
However, ICC sources now say that the Board meeting will not be held today. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is standing by its stance, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked for more time after Pakistan’s refusal to buckle to pressure.
According to Geo, the ICC board meeting is likely to be held in the next 48 hours, while the term of ICC Chairman Greg Barclay is also likely to be extended by one month.
ICC Chairman Greg Barclay’s term was scheduled till November 30. India’s Jay Shah was to take over as ICC Chairman from December 1.
A decision was to be made at the ICC board meeting today on whether the Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan or not.
Pakistan had asked for an acceptable formula for the trophy before the board meeting, and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi informed the ICC of Pakistan’s clear stance.
Earlier, Mohsin Naqvi had said that the Board will bear wounds, but will not let their honour be compromised. PCB has almost completed all the arrangements for the Champions Trophy.
India’s refusal to come to Pakistan has complicated the matter, and PCB says that a match with India at a neutral venue under a hybrid model is not acceptable.
India is lobbying to take the entire Champions Trophy out of Pakistan, but PCB has prepared to block Indian tactics. The Pakistan Cricket Board will not accept any option without its conditions.
How much will PCB get from hosting the Champions Trophy?
Pakistan is set to host the Champions Trophy 2025, but do you know how much money the country will get to host the mega event?
According to reports, Pakistan will get $6 million for hosting rights to the ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan will also have to pay $1.2 to $1.3 million as a premium to the insurance company to insure the tournament. Pakistan will get more dollars from gate money and hospitality, thus deducting the insurance amount and getting about $6 million.
The ICC provides Pakistan with two instalments of $13 million from its income every year in January and July, while India gets 38 per cent of the annual share of ICC income, which is $90 to $95 million.
Bad news has come out for the Australian team before the second Test match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against India after Josh Hazlewood suffered an injury and got ruled out of the second Test.
Cricket Australia has announced that Shane Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been included in the Australian squad to fill the gap left by Hazlewood, who will be with the team in Adelaide.
The second day-night Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy will be played in Adelaide from December 6, with India leading the five-Test series by one-nil.
On the other hand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given a strict deadline for Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami to return to the team. Shami has less than a week to convince the selectors to select him for the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
He has recently returned to cricket after an injury and is reportedly being closely monitored by the BCCI medical team.
After an impressive performance in his first Ranji Trophy match for Bengal, Shami will be evaluated in some Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches. It is also reported that Shami needs to lose some weight and regain fitness.
The BCCI medical team feels that he will start losing weight as he continues to play matches, which will help increase his endurance.
The first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series took place at Optus Stadium in Perth from November 22 to 25, 2024. India delivered a commanding performance, defeating Australia by 295 runs and taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Match Summary
India began the match with a modest first innings total of 150, with Australia’s Josh Hazlewood leading the attack, claiming 4 wickets for 29 runs. In reply, Australia faltered, managing only 104 in their first innings, as Jasprit Bumrah wreaked havoc with figures of 5/30.
In their second innings, India declared at 487/6, showcasing a superb century by Yashasvi Jaiswal (161) and a resilient knock by Virat Kohli (100*). This set Australia a daunting target. Despite a valiant effort, the Australian batsmen crumbled, posting 238 in their second innings, with Bumrah taking another 3 wickets for 42 runs. India secured a comprehensive victory, winning by 295 runs.
South African police have arrested three former South African cricketers in a corruption case.
Police say that Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thami Tsolekile, along with former Titans bowler Ethy Mbhalatiare are accused of match-fixing. These three players were suspended from cricket in 2017.
Earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Tribunal had banned two players after match-fixing allegations were proven true.
Emirati players Mohammed Naveed and Shaiman Anwar were found guilty of match-fixing by the ICC.
United Arab Emirates cricket team captain Mohammed Naveed and batsman Shaiman Anwar were accused of corruption in 2019, and according to the allegations leveled by the ICC, the had offered match-fixing to players of the Emirati team that qualified for the 2019 T20 World Cup.
The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) later charged Naveed in two corruption cases related to the T10 League.
Emirates bans Usman Khan for five years
Earlier, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) had imposed a five-year ban on top-order batsman Usman Khan for violating their contract.
In a statement issued by the UAE Cricket Board, it was said that Usman Khan misrepresented to the ECB and took advantage of the facilities, he was bound to play for the UAE but now he is not doing so.
ECB had also given an annual contract to Usman Khan while he played as a local player of the Emirates in the recent ILT Twenty20.
According to the ECB, Usman Khan violated the contract with it, as a result of which he will not be able to participate in any event under the UAE Board for five years.
Usman Khan represented Multan Sultans in the PSL as an overseas player, after which the Pakistan Cricket Board included Usman Khan in the camp of the Pakistan team.
After coming to the Pakistan camp, Usman Khan sent a notice to the UAE to terminate the agreement.
Afghanistan board bans three cricketers
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has banned Mujeeb ur Rehman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, and Naveen ul Haq for two years.
A dispute has arisen between the players and the Afghan Cricket Board for not signing the central contract.
The three players decided to prefer foreign T20 leagues instead of giving priority to their national team, prompting the Board to take strict action against them. The Afghan Cricket Board has now imposed a two-year ban on Mujeeb ur Rehman, Fazl Haq Farooqi, and Naveen ul Haq while also denying them the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for any T20 league for two years after being banned.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting to decide the fate of Champions Trophy 2025 has ended without a resolution, as Pakistan stood firm on its stance against the hybrid model for hosting the tournament.
According to Geo, the meeting held today was short-lived, getting postponed until tomorrow. Both parties presented proposals in today’s meeting, which will be discussed in detail at the meeting tomorrow.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remained steadfast on the issue of the hybrid model. Pakistan briefed the Board regarding its position and showed no flexibility. An acceptable formula regarding the Champions Trophy is likely to be revealed by tomorrow.
Pakistan had asked for an acceptable formula for the trophy before the board meeting, with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi informing the ICC of Pakistan’s clear position.
He said, “We will bear wounds, but we will not let our honour be compromised. The PCB has almost completed all the arrangements for the Champions Trophy.”
India is lobbying to move the entire Champions Trophy out of Pakistan, but the PCB has also completed preparations to block Indian tactics. PCB will not accept any option without its own conditions.
Pakistan is not ready to accept the proposal to play the match against India at a neutral venue, while broadcasters have opposed the proposal to keep Pakistan and India in separate groups. Pakistan has expressed its displeasure over the delay in resolving the Champions Trophy crisis in a timely manner.
How much will PCB get from hosting the Champions Trophy?
Pakistan is set to host the Champions Trophy 2025, but do you know how much money the country will get to host the mega event?
According to reports, Pakistan will get $6 million for hosting rights to the ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan will also have to pay $1.2 to $1.3 million as a premium to the insurance company to insure the tournament. Pakistan will get more dollars from gate money and hospitality, thus deducting the insurance amount and getting about $6 million.
The ICC provides Pakistan with two instalments of $13 million from its income every year in January and July, while India gets 38 per cent of the annual share of ICC income, which is $90 to $95 million.
Earlier, Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear to the ICC that the Pakistan Board is firm on its stance regarding the Champions Trophy and that they will bear the scars and not allow themselves to be dishonoured.
