Category: Sports

Former Pakistani middle-order batter Umar Akmal has expressed frustration after his name did not appear in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 auction list, saying he even reached out to franchises and league officials for clarification.

Speaking during a recent podcast, Akmal said he made direct efforts to ensure his inclusion in the draft and even contacted key officials regarding the issue.

“This is my phone. I can even open WhatsApp and show you which franchises I was in contact with. They were saying that my name was not showing on the screen, so how could they pick me in the auction? This is what I am talking about,” he said, further claiming that he personally registered ahead of the auction but still found his name missing from the final list.

“I personally went and got my name registered. There were around 850 players in total, but my name was not included. My wife even told me that my name was not showing. I had an argument with her about it,” he added.

Akmal said he contacted Pakistan Super League officials, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer, to resolve the issue. “During the auction… I am ready to say it… I was in contact with several franchises through WhatsApp messages and calls. I even contacted Salman Naseer, the PSL CEO, via calls and messages. ‘For God’s sake, just include my name. If no team wants to pick me, that’s fine but at least let my name appear’.”

“Don’t force me to speak about things that could hurt the little cricket remaining in our system because fans are already a bit disappointed,” he added.

The cricketer also spoke about his family’s support during difficult phases of his career, saying his wife and children continued to encourage him despite setbacks.

Umar Akmal has recently been active on social media, posting training clips, but he has not featured in any major domestic competitions in recent years.

During his international career, Akmal represented Pakistan across all formats. 

He played 16 Test matches and scored 1,003 runs, including three centuries. In One Day Internationals, he featured in 121 matches and scored 3,194 runs with two centuries. In T20 Internationals, he played 84 matches and scored 1,690 runs.

Franchise owners of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have jointly urged Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif to allow spectators back into stadiums during the ongoing 2026 season.

The tournament has shifted to empty venues due to the ongoing Middle East crisis. Organisers have also reduced the number of venues, with all matches now taking place in Lahore and Karachi instead of the originally planned six cities. 

However, after seeing empty stadiums, PSL franchises have called for fans to return, saying matches without crowds feel like practice games.

Several team owners shared their concerns on social media, highlighting the absence of fans and its impact on the league’s atmosphere.

“PSL has grown into a celebration of cricket, powered by its people. But without fans, it feels incomplete. The fans are the true spirit of the Pakistan Super League. We respectfully urge Honourable Prime Minister to allow supporters back into stadiums,” Lahore Qalandars owner Atif Rana wrote on X.

Peshawar Zalmi Chairman Javed Afridi also called for reconsideration. “The PSL is an inseparable part of the lives of millions of Pakistanis and a powerful source of unity for the entire nation. The passion, colours and presence of our fans are the true soul of this league. Without them, its spirit feels diminished.”

“We deeply missed the energy of the crowd in our first PSL game. While the teams bring the heat, it’s the fans in the stands who bring the passion and heart to the league. I humbly request the Honourable Prime Minister to allow fans back into the stadium,” Hyderabad Kingsmen owner Fawad Sarwar said.

Islamabad United owner Ali Naqvi said that the energy of fans in the stadium had always been the heartbeat of the PSL. “The PSL is not complete without its fans in the stadium.”

Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal said that as a founding team owner, it pained him to see empty stadiums. “The league depends on public energy, so let the people be part of the game again.”

Multan Sultans owner Gohar Shah expressed his support in a brief statement, writing, “1000%, we need fans back!”

Rawalpindiz owner Ahsan Tahir said there was no cricket without fans. “Cricket belongs to the people, and it thrives on their energy.”

The ongoing season, running from March 26 to May 3, for the first time features eight teams competing for the title.

Cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has landed in legal trouble after repeatedly levelling allegations against a former national team captain.

According to media reports, authorities have initiated action under cybercrime laws as Shehzad made a series of comments in recent days regarding a former captain, including claims linked to the exclusion of a particular player from the team. 

The repeated nature of these remarks reportedly prompted a legal response.

The former captain decided to pursue the matter through legal channels, reports said, adding that a complaint has now been registered, leading to the formal start of an inquiry under cybercrime regulations.

Authorities have already called Shehzad to Lahore for questioning and will review his response before deciding on further action. If they find the explanation unsatisfactory, they could proceed with the registration of a formal case.

Reports citing a source close to the former captain said, “If the discussion stays limited to cricket, there is no issue. However, allegations damage reputation. Even if something is not true, repeating it again and again makes people believe it. That is why action became necessary.”

Shehzad now runs his own YouTube channel and also appears on various television shows. He often makes headlines for his comments on Pakistan cricket and players.

During his international career, Shehzad represented Pakistan in all formats. He played 13 Test matches and scored 982 runs, including three centuries. In One Day Internationals, he featured in 81 matches and scored 2,605 runs with six hundreds. In T20 Internationals, he played 59 matches and scored 1,471 runs.

Indian football head coach Khalid Jamil and several players faced an unusual situation on Thursday when they could not enter the stadium for their scheduled press conference ahead of the Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong.

According to reports, the incident took place at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where India are set to play their upcoming home fixture. Officials stopped the team from entering the venue, which forced the pre-match press conference to be called off.

Reports added that the issue arose because the Kerala Football Association did not pay a mandatory security deposit to the local authorities that manage the stadium. Indian media reported the development, quoting an official from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Despite the disruption, the AIFF expressed confidence that the situation would be resolved in time for the match.

“We have full faith that the formalities will be completed by the Kerala Football Association with the local authorities,” the federation said in a statement on X.

The incident has added to recent criticism surrounding the AIFF. Earlier this month, the Indian women’s team faced issues during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup when they received undersized kits, forcing staff to arrange replacements locally.

On the field, India’s men’s team has struggled in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. The team sits at the bottom of its group and has already been eliminated from contention.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved a new policy that limits eligibility for women’s events at the Olympic Games to biological females. The rule will take effect from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and will not apply to past competitions.

According to reports, the decision came from the IOC Executive Board on Thursday. Under the new framework, athletes must undergo a one-time genetic test to check for the SRY gene, which is usually found on the Y chromosome and linked to male sex development.

The IOC confirmed that athletes who test negative for the SRY gene will remain eligible to compete in women’s events for their entire careers. Officials said the test can be done through saliva, a cheek swab or a blood sample, and it will only be repeated if questions arise about the result.

Athletes who test positive for the SRY gene will not be allowed to compete in women’s categories at IOC events. However, the policy includes limited exceptions for athletes with certain medical conditions, such as Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, where no performance advantage is linked to testosterone exists.

Those athletes can still take part in other categories, including men’s events, mixed competitions in male-designated positions, or open categories where available.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said that the decision focuses on fairness and safety in elite sport.

“As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition,” she said. “It would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category, and in some sports it would simply not be safe.”

She added that athletes must be treated with dignity and respect, with proper education, counselling and medical support throughout the process.

The IOC reviewed the policy between September 2024 and March 2026. The process included input from medical, legal and ethical experts, along with feedback from more than 1,100 athletes.

A working group formed in 2025 concluded that male sex provides clear advantages in sports that rely on strength, power and endurance. The group recommended using biological sex as the basis for eligibility and identified SRY gene screening as the most accurate and least intrusive method available.

The IOC expects international federations and other governing bodies to adopt the new framework when setting rules for Olympic events. The policy replaces earlier guidelines on gender identity and sex variations.

Officials clarified that the rules apply only to elite competitions under the IOC. They do not cover grassroots or recreational sports.

The organisation also stressed the need to protect athlete privacy and mental health. It has asked national federations and Olympic committees to ensure confidentiality and provide proper support during the screening process.

Inter Miami are preparing a move for Mohamed Salah as the forward nears the end of his time at Liverpool, according to media reports.

Salah, 33, will leave Liverpool as a free agent after both sides agreed to part ways at the end of the season, bringing an end to his nine-year spell at Anfield. The Egyptian forward remains one of the highest-paid players at the club, but his recent performances and Liverpool’s overall dip in form played a role in the decision.

Reports suggest Inter Miami want to bring Salah to Major League Soccer and pair him with Lionel Messi in a high-profile move. The deal would require changes to their current squad structure, as MLS rules allow only three Designated Players whose salaries fall outside the league’s cap.

At present, Inter Miami’s Designated Player slots are occupied by Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Germán Berterame, meaning the club would need to reshuffle its roster to accommodate Salah.

Clubs from the Saudi Pro League have also shown strong interest in Salah for several years. Al Ittihad previously made a £150 million bid in 2023, which Liverpool rejected, while Al Hilal has emerged as another potential destination.

Liverpool confirmed Salah’s departure in an official statement.

“Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season. The forward has reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield.”

“Salah expressed his wish to make this announcement to the supporters at the earliest possible opportunity to provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them.”

Salah’s exit comes during a difficult period for Liverpool, with recent results increasing pressure on head coach Arne Slot.

Media reports also indicate that Saudi clubs continue to target key figures behind the scenes at Liverpool, including senior management, as they look to strengthen their football operations.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday shared the ticket refund policy for Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, which kicks off today.

All ticket holders who purchased their HBL PSL 11 tickets online will receive refunds automatically through the same payment method used during booking. This includes debit and credit cards as well as mobile payment platforms like JazzCash and Easypaisa.

The refund process will begin on 30th March 2026 and is expected to be completed within 15 working days. Timelines may vary slightly depending on the bank or payment service provider. Ticket holders do not need to take any action to receive their refunds.

The PCB advised, “In case of any delays beyond the stated timeframe, customers should contact their respective bank or payment platform for further assistance.” Ticket holders can also reach out via email at ticketing.psl@pcb.com.pk for any refund-related queries.

HBL PSL 11 will feature eight teams competing for the title for the first time. All 44 matches will be held behind closed doors, with Lahore and Karachi serving as the only venues for the season.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been sold for a record $1.78 billion, making it the biggest deal in Indian Premier League (IPL) history.

According to reports, a consortium led by Aditya Birla Group has secured the franchise, along with partners including The Times Group, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone. 

Bidding for RCB attracted strong interest from multiple groups. A consortium led by Ranjan Pai, backed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Temasek, stayed in contention. Another bid came from a partnership between EQT and Premji Invest.

The winning group strengthened its position after initially exploring a deal for Rajasthan before shifting focus to Bengaluru. 

Aryaman Vikram Birla will take charge as chairman, while Satyan Gajwani will serve as vice chairman. The ownership group also includes David Blitzer and Viral Patel.

RCB has come a long way since its early days. Vijay Mallya bought the franchise in 2008 through United Breweries Group for $111.6 million. The latest valuation reflects a rise of around 1,360 percent from that original price. Mallya stepped down in 2016 after financial troubles, while ownership stayed with United Spirits, a part of Diageo.

The team enters this new phase on the back of major success. It won the Women’s Premier League title in 2024 and lifted its first IPL trophy in 2025. The squad features star players such as Virat Kohli and Smriti Mandhana, adding to its strong brand value.

In another major development, a group led by Kal Somani has reportedly secured Rajasthan Royals in a separate deal worth $1.63 billion, marking another big investment in the league.

England opener Ben Duckett has pulled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, choosing to prioritise his international career over a rather lucrative deal.

Duckett confirmed his decision in an interview with The Telegraph, explaining that representing England remains his top goal.

“Growing up as a kid, I dreamt of playing cricket for England, and that was it,” he said.

The 31-year-old said he had secured a contract with Delhi Capitals but has already informed the franchise that he will not take part in the upcoming season.

His withdrawal means he will give up a deal worth $200,000 (over PKR 55 million) and could face a three-year ban from the league.

“It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming,” he said.

Duckett also appreciated the opportunity offered by the franchise after being picked in the auction.

“I felt it was going to be a great opportunity when I put myself in the auction, and for a franchise like Delhi to pick me up was amazing. I was buzzing. It’s the best competition in the world with the best players, and it would have been an amazing experience,” he added.