Category: Sports

New Zealand-based former Pakistani Test cricketer Khalid Ibadullah has passed away at the age of 88.

Khalid represented Pakistan in four Test matches from 1964 to 1967 and was the first Pakistani batsman to score a century on his Test debut, a record made in 1964 against Australia in the first Test match played in Karachi.

The former Test cricketer was born on December 20, 1935 in Lahore and was known as Billy in cricket circles in England. He was associated with the English county Warwickshire for a long time.

Mohammad Haris has been appointed the Pakistan Shaheens white ball team captain.

During this tour, from 4 to August 18, Pakistan Shaheens will also play two 50-over matches and a top-end T20 series with nine teams.

Mohammad Haris last captained the Pakistan Shaheens in the ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup 2023, which was held in Colombo. In the final, the Pakistan Shaheens successfully defended the title by defeating India by 128 runs.

Pakistan Shaheens are already in Darwin, where they have to play two four-day matches against Bangladesh A, which will be played from July 19 to 22 and from July 26 to 29.

The Pakistan Shaheens’ squad, led by Muhammad Haris, includes a strong lineup of players such as Abdul Faseeh, Arafat Minhas, Arif Yaqub, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Kashif Ali, Muhammad Harira, Muhammad Imran Jr., Umair bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Shahnawaz Dhani, and Usman Khan.

Spain once again took the reins of European football after defeating England. With a 2-1 victory in the Euro Cup 2024 final, Spain became the most successful team to win the Euro Cup four times.

Neither team could score in the first half of the final in Berlin, Germany, but in the second half, the game picked up, and both teams attacked each other. Nico Williams scored a goal in the 47th minute to give Spain the lead, which England’s Cole Palmer equalized in the 73rd minute.

Just before the end of the game, Mikel Oyarzabal put the ball into the net to give Spain the lead again. Spain’s second goal in the 86th minute proved to be the decisive goal, with Spain becoming the champions of Euro 2024.

This is Spain’s fourth Euro title, making it the team with the most European Championship wins. England also became the first team to lose two consecutive Euro finals.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to limit the No Objection Letter (NOC) for national cricketers playing all three formats. The policy aims to protect all format cricketers from injuries and fatigue. Due to continuous cricket this year, the NOC policy is now further restricted.

The policy for all format players was decided in a meeting between Chairman Mohsin Naqvi with Head Coaches and the International Department.

From the Bangladesh series next month to the Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan team has to play nine Tests, 14 ODIs, and nine T20 matches.

Naseem Shah has also not been issued a NOC for ‘The Hundred League’. Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan have contracts for the Global T20 League, but Global T20 has not yet been approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Players’ NOCs will be considered after the ICC’s approval. The Global T20 League is scheduled in Canada from July 25 to August 11. PCB’s policy is to play two foreign leagues along with the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

If the Indian cricket team does not agree to come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will have to consider other options.

Pakistan is all set to host the the Champions Trophy in February 2025. Eight teams will participate in the ICC tournament but the Indian team has not yet confirmed its participation.

If the Indian cricket team does not participate in the tournament in Pakistan, then it is possible that Sri Lanka will be included in the series in place of India.

Sri Lanka finished ninth in the group stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup points table, which means they do not qualify for the Champions Trophy.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may request the ICC to host the tournament in Sri Lanka or UAE as proposed for the Asia Cup 2023 edition.

The Asian Cricket Council had accepted a hybrid model with Pakistan and Sri Lanka co-hosting the tournament but this is unlikely to happen for the Champions Trophy.

Two days ago, Indian media claimed that the Indian team would not go to Pakistan to play next year and that the event would be held under a hybrid model, but the BCCI has denied these claims.

Rohit Sharma, India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain, preferred attending the Wimbledon semi-finals over the Ambani family wedding.

The Ambani family reportedly held their wedding ceremony at the convention centre in Mumbai on June 12.

Instead of attending the wedding with fellow cricketers, Rohit chose to watch the Wimbledon semifinal at the centre court.

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik also attended the Wimbledon semi-final with his wife, squash champion Deepika Pallikal.

Cricketers who attended the wedding included MS Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir, Jasprit Bumrah, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, and others.

The probable reason behind not attending the wedding:

One possible reason for Rohit Sharma’s absence at the wedding could be the recent change in the Mumbai Indians’ leadership. Before the IPL 2024 season, Hardik Pandya was appointed captain, replacing Rohit Sharma.

The Ambani family owns the Mumbai Indians franchise.

Two key International Cricket Council (ICC) officials have resigned over the mismanagement during the T20 World Cup 2024.

According to media reports, Head of Events Chris Tetley and GM Marketing and Communications Claire Furlong have resigned from their posts ahead of the ICC Annual Meeting starting on July 19 in Colombo.

Both resigned in the midst of demands for an investigation, but the world cricket body did not issue any statement regarding the resignations.

The World Cup, held in the USA and West Indies, was reportedly marred by several complaints from board members. ICC director Pankaj Khimji called for an inquiry into the over budgeting and increased expenditures of the T20 World Cup. He sent a letter to all board members requesting a review and audit, resulting in a number of resignations.

According to the report, substantial sums of money were spent during the T20 World Cup, leading to decreased revenue. The USA, as co-host, observed the event as a spectator, while all responsibilities rested with ICC officials, including those appointed for T20 USA. CEO Brett Jones had a close relationship with Chris Tetley.

Media reports suggest that this matter will be discussed in detail at the ICC annual meeting and that an investigation into the budget is possible.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2025 Olympics esports games.

A 12-year partnership with Saudi Arabia has also been announced. IOC President Thomas Bach said, “Saudi Arabia has a lot of expertise in the field of e-sports with all its stakeholders.”

On the other hand, Saudi Sports Minister Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud said, “Saudi Arabia is excited to partner with the IOC and welcome a completely new era for international sports. Participating in the Olympic Games is a great honour for any athlete.”

Saudi Arabia is currently hosting the eSports World Cup in Riyadh. The event features 21 different video games and draws participation from various eSports teams representing different countries.

Former Pakistani hockey Olympian Zahid Sharif has offered to sell his kidney to pay the electricity bill due to financial difficulties.

According to ‘Aaj News’, 56-year-old Zahid Sharif has appealed for help from the President, Prime Minister, Army Chief, and Punjab Chief Minister, stating, “I am suffering from financial problems at the moment; I cannot even afford to pay the electricity bill. I have a kidney apart from the medals, which I am willing to sell.”

Zahid is a former Pakistani international hockey player who represented Pakistan from 1987 to 1991.