Category: Sports

A video showing Telangana Chief Minister (CM) Anumula Revanth Reddy struggling to complete simple passes to Lionel Messi at Hyderabad’s Uppal Stadium has taken social media by storm, with users across platforms sharing hilarious reactions to the awkward exchange.

In the viral clip, CM Reddy attempted several passes to Messi, with the ball repeatedly missing its target.

Reacting to the video, social media users wasted no time roasting the moment. Troll Football, an account with over 4 million followers on X, wrote, “The chief minister of Telangana couldn’t even make a simple pass to Messi “

Other users joined in with their own commentary. “This brother can NOT be real ,” one person commented, while another joked, “He is a fan of Ronaldo; that’s why.”

Some users offered sympathetic explanations. “Maybe he was nervous,” one supporter suggested. Another chimed in, “Bro fumbled his moment “

One user even defended the CM, writing, “No, Messi was unable to take that pass.”

The video came as Messi’s three-day GOAT India Tour continued across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.  The tour started on December 13 and concluded on December 15, marking Messi’s first return to India in 14 years.

He was accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.

The visit started on a chaotic note in Kolkata, where angry fans vandalised Salt Lake Stadium after Messi appeared for only five minutes instead of the scheduled full time. Fans who paid hefty amounts for tickets alleged they barely got a glimpse of the star.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee apologised to fans and formed a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident.

During the trip, Messi also met Indian cricket legends Sourav Ganguly in Kolkata and Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai. Bollywood celebrities, including Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff, also attended events to meet the football icon.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed dates for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during a roadshow in New York, marking the first time the league hosted such an event in the United States (US).

As per the announced dates, the league will start on March 26 with the final scheduled for May 3.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that Faisalabad will host 11 matches this season, adding a new venue to the tournament’s roster.

“We are committed to making PSL the world’s number one cricket league,” he said.

Earlier, the New York roadshow brought together Naqvi, T20 captain Salman Ali Agha and other cricketers, namely Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel and Shan Masood. Cricket legends Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja also attended the event.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Rizwan Saeed Sheikh also spoke at the event.

“Sports serve as a tool for diplomacy and cultural identity,” he said at the roadshow that aims to attract international investors ahead of the auction for two new PSL franchises on January 8.

Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel talked about how the tournament had shaped their careers while Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf and Saim Ayub highlighted the league’s importance for cricket in Pakistan.

Former captains Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja also praised the tournament for the impact it has had. “PSL provides the best platform for young cricketers,” they noted.

It merits a mention that the event was organised by PCB following successful cricket diplomacy efforts in England.

PSL 11 will mark a major expansion for the league with the board set to add two new franchises.

The PCB has shortlisted six cities for the same, namely Hyderabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad and Sialkot.

Reports suggest that Gilgit and Faisalabad have emerged as the leading candidates for the new teams, however, the PCB has not officially confirmed it. 

Auction for the two new franchises will take place on January 6.

England cricketer David Willey has praised the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over the Indian Premier League (IPL), giving the Pakistani tournament a significant endorsement.

In an interview with Indian media, Willey highlighted that PSL offers foreign players better assurance of playing time and security of playing compared to the IPL.

“You don’t know what the auction will look like in the IPL. However, players get more security and assurance of playing time in the PSL,” Willey said.

He explained that different players have different priorities when choosing between leagues. “Every player has their own situation. Some feel they will get more playing opportunities in the PSL rather than sitting on the bench in the dugout for 10 or 11 weeks,” Willey added.

Several prominent cricketers have already announced their decision to skip the IPL in favor of the PSL.

South African captain Faf du Plessis and England all-rounder Moeen Ali have both confirmed they will leave the IPL to play in Pakistan’s premier T20 league.

Australia’s Glenn Maxwell has also announced he will not play in the IPL this year. Reports now suggest Maxwell is considering joining the PSL, which would add another major name to the tournament’s roster.

Pakistan suffered another defeat in the Pro Hockey League, losing 7-3 to the Netherlands in their third match of the tournament in Santiago, Argentina.

The Netherlands dominated the match, scoring seven goals against Pakistan’s three. Muhammad Sufyan Khan scored two goals for Pakistan while Rana Waheed Ashraf added one, but their efforts could not prevent the heavy defeat.

Pakistan will play its fourth match on December 15 against host nation Argentina.

Pakistan has now lost all three of its matches in the first phase of the Pro Hockey League. The team previously lost to host Argentina 3-2 in their second match, while their opening fixture saw the Netherlands defeat them 5-2.

The consistent losses have put Pakistan under pressure as they prepare to face Argentina next. The team will need to regroup and improve their performance to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has drawn criticism after releasing a promotional poster for T20 World Cup 2026 ticket sales, featuring captains from five nations but excluding Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha.

As per the details, the ICC on Thursday launched ticket sales for the upcoming tournament and shared a poster on social media displaying captains from India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia and England. The Pakistani skipper, however, was noticeably absent from the promotional material.

Reacting to the move, sports journalist Syed Yahya Hussaini wrote: “A surprising and confusing matter! Why is Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s picture not included on ICC T20 World Cup match and tickets poster?”

“ICC drops the T20 World Cup 2026 poster and not a single Pakistani cricketer is featured, what a joke,” wrote a Pakistani fan.

Another wrote, “No Pakistan Captain in ICC Tickets Poster. No Pakistani player in this poster. This is a big injustice. ICC has really become the Indian Cricket Council now [sic].”

A third user said, “ICC at its lowest. Deliberately not included Pakistan in the poster.”

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place from February to March next year, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The cricket watchdog has set entry-level ticket prices at just $1.11 (approximately Rs311) in India and $3.26 (approximately Rs916) in Sri Lanka. 

The Pakistan-India match on February 15 has already generated the highest ticket demand among cricketing fans worldwide.

Pakistan will play all their group stage matches in Sri Lanka as part of a hybrid model amid tensions with India.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has launched the sale of ticket for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, setting entry-level prices at just $1.11 (approximately Rs311) in India and $3.26 (approximately Rs916) in Sri Lanka.

As per the details, the tickets are live as of 6:15 (Pakistan Standard Time) through the official tournament website, with more than two million tickets available for the 10th edition of the tournament.

India and Sri Lanka will co-host the event from February 7 to March 8, with matches across eight venues, namely the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

Pakistan draws Group A alongside India, the United States (US), Namibia and the Netherlands. The team will play all group stage matches at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. 

The tournament opens with Pakistan facing the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7 with the much-awaited Pakistan-India clash scheduled for February 15.

As many as 20 teams will compete in 55 matches in the month-long tournament.

The 20 teams have been split into four groups of five for the group stage (February 7-20). The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage (February 21-March 1).

The top two from each Super Eight group will reach the semi-finals scheduled for March 4 and 5.

The final will take place on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, it will be shifted to Sri Lanka if Pakistan reach the final.

Pakistan’s esports icon and World Tekken star Arslan Siddique, popularly known as Arslan Ash, has welcomed a baby boy.

The gaming star shared the joyful news with his fans on Instagram, posting a black-and-white photo showing four hands, his, his wife’s, his daughter’s, and the newborn’s.

Announcing the birth, Arslan wrote, “Alhamdulillah, we have been blessed with a baby boy.”

He also revealed the name of his son, writing, “Welcome to the world, Muhammad Ayaan, our family is complete.”

Arslan Ash, who hails from Lahore, is already a father to a two-year-old daughter.

The Tekken prodigy began playing at local gaming arcades at the age of eight, later rising to international fame with his consistent dominance in global Tekken tournaments.

Earlier this year, in August, Arslan achieved another major milestone by winning the seventh EVO Championship Series (EVO) title at EVO 2025, held in Las Vegas.

Pakistan will play six T20 International matches in January 2026 as preparations intensify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The team will tour Sri Lanka for three matches before hosting Australia for another three-match series.

The Men in Green will face Sri Lanka on January 7, 9, and 11 at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan will then host Australia for three T20Is on January 30, February 2, and February 5.

The Sri Lanka series holds special significance for Pakistan. The team will play all their World Cup fixtures in Sri Lanka under the hybrid model arrangement, making the Dambulla tour essential for adapting to local conditions.

Pakistan draws Group A alongside India, the United States, Namibia, and the Netherlands. The team will play all group stage matches at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Pakistan-India clash takes place on February 15.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features 20 teams competing from February 7 to March 8. India and Sri Lanka co-host the tournament across eight venues.

India hosts matches at five stadiums: Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, and Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Sri Lanka hosts matches at three venues: R. Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

The 20 teams split into four groups of five for the group stage (February 7-20). The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Eight stage (February 21-March 1).

The top two from each Super Eight group reach the semi-finals on March 4 and 5.

The final takes place on March 8 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Pakistan women’s football team has achieved a historic milestone by securing a spot in FIFA Series.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced that FIFA has granted approval for the women’s team to participate in the biennial invitational football tournament promoted by FIFA, which features international friendlies between national teams from different confederations.

“Pakistan Women’s National Team has been accepted into the FIFA Series for the first time ever, a landmark step for women’s football and a huge achievement for the Pakistan Football Federation. A new era begins,” PFF said in a social media post.

The inclusion represents a major breakthrough for women’s football in Pakistan. Players will now compete at the international level alongside teams from around the world.

FIFA will host the series in March and April 2026, with the women’s tournament taking place in Brazil, Ivory Coast and Thailand. 

Officials expect to announce all the women’s FIFA Series groups in early 2026.