Category: Sports

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced that it plans to launch a new national football league, taking a major step toward rebuilding and strengthening the sport across the country. 

The federation invited organizations and investors to submit Expressions of Interest along with detailed proposals before the deadline of December 6, 2025. 

PFF said it aims to create a professional, competitive and sustainable league system that will support local talent and improve football standards nationwide. The federation will share information about the league structure, format and partner evaluation after the submission deadline.

The announcement comes during a period of renewed activity for Pakistan football. 

Earlier this month, the PFF formed a partnership with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to upgrade Pakistan’s football infrastructure. The collaboration includes plans for a national training facility, FIFA-funded mini-pitches across the country and a modern academy system to support youth development and professional coaching.

FIFA Vice President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa visited Pakistan on Thursday and pledged complete support to revive football after years of administrative setbacks. Al Khalifa, a senior official from Bahrain, said FIFA will work closely with the PFF to develop infrastructure and create opportunities for young players.

Al Khalifa said he felt optimistic about the future of football in Pakistan. “I think the last high profile FIFA visit was in 2017, but I think I’ve come at the right time,” he said during a press conference. “We have an elected body at the PFF, led by President Syed Gilani, and we also see strong support from the government.”

He said he did not want to focus on past conflicts and instead wanted to look ahead. “What matters is the present and what we can do. We have a clear roadmap, and we all believe Pakistan has huge potential in football. Since development remained at a standstill for so many years, it is time to start moving forward.”

Al Khalifa said FIFA and the AFC will help Pakistan rebuild facilities and restart programs that were affected during the suspension. “We are here to help. We want to find the right solutions for the challenges we face,” he said. He also added that bringing international experts to guide Pakistan’s football system is among FIFA’s top priorities.

Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, thanked Al Khalifa for visiting and said the government aims to identify and train young athletes from all parts of the country. “Football has enormous potential in Pakistan,” he said. “Together with the PFF, we will identify talent, groom it and prepare stronger teams.”

He said the government is focusing on 23 sports and wants to develop athletes across all major disciplines. “Along with cricket, hockey and football, we are promoting gymnastics, athletics and other popular global sports,” he said.

FIFA has suspended the federation several times in recent years for third party interference, a violation that occurs when outside groups take control of a federation’s internal affairs.

FIFA imposed the most recent suspension in February 2025 when the PFF failed to adopt a FIFA approved constitution that would guarantee transparent elections. 

The ban ended a month later after the federation accepted the document and elected Syed Mohsen Gilani as the 17th president in May.

Pakistan Shaheens have announced the names of the players to be included in their squad for the Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, an eight team tournament that will take place in Qatar from November 14 – 23. 

Mohammad Irfan Khan will lead the squad as Pakistan prepare to compete in a fast paced T20 format event designed to showcase emerging talent from across Asia.

According to the schedule, Pakistan Shaheens feature in Group B with Oman, India A and the United Arab Emirates. Group A includes Afghanistan A, Bangladesh A, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka A. The T20 tournament will follow a straightforward format, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semifinals on 21 November. The final will take place on November 23. 

Pakistan Shaheens will open their campaign on November 14 against Oman. They will face India A on November 16 in what is expected to be one of the most watched matches of the group stage. The final group match for the Shaheens will be played on November 18 against the UAE.

Pakistan Shaheens squad for the tournament:

Mohammad Irfan Khan (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Moaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Naeem, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Shehzad, Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Shahid Aziz, Sufyan Muqeem, Ubaid Shah and Yasir Khan.

Pakistan Shaheens serve as the national A team and act as the main platform for young and emerging players moving toward international cricket.

Their biggest achievement came in July 2023, when they defeated India A by 128 runs in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup final in Colombo.

Tayyab Tahir smashed 108 off 71 balls, helping Pakistan Shaheens post 352 for 8.

India A struggled in the chase and were bowled out for 224, giving Pakistan a dominant victory and the Emerging Asia Cup title. Bowlers Sufyan Muqeem and Arshad Iqbal played key roles in the win.

The 2023 title win showed the strength of Pakistan’s bench and highlighted players who later broke into the senior side.

In the 2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, the Pakistan Emerging side produced a dominant tournament and defeated Bangladesh Emerging in the final to win the title. 

Pakistan Shaheens also delivered strong performances in previous A tours. They played competitive cricket on tours to Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, where several players recorded career-boosting performances. 

Many current Pakistan players, including Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Haris and Sufyan Muqeem, strengthened their careers through Shaheens-level tournaments.

Bangladesh women’s cricket fast bowler Jahanara Alam has accused former selector Manzoor Islam of sexual harassment during the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup. 

The cricketer said in a YouTube interview that she experienced repeated inappropriate behaviour and offensive advances and that senior officials ignored her complaints.

Jahanara, who stepped away from cricket because of mental health issues, said one member of team management made unethical proposals through a coordinator in 2021. She said the situation became worse when she refused.

“I tried to change the topic politely, but when I said no, the next day Manju bhai (Manzoor Islam) changed his behaviour toward me and tried to belittle me,” she said.

She added that the behaviour continued during the 2022 World Cup. Manzoor Islam tried to come close to her physically, she stated, and made offensive comments about her body.

“He put his hand on my shoulder, came too close and sometimes tried to hug me. All of us girls tried to avoid him,” she said. “Once he asked me, ‘How many days has it been since your period?’ I was shocked. I only said, ‘Sorry bhai, I didn’t understand.’”

Jahanara said she contacted several senior Bangladesh Cricket Board officials but received no action in response. She said she informed women’s committee head Nadil Chowdhury and BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury but nothing changed.

“They made inappropriate advances again and again,” she said. “When you work in a team, you cannot say everything openly. If your livelihood depends on it, it becomes difficult to protest.”

Manzoor Islam rejected all accusations. “I strongly deny these allegations. Ask other players what kind of a person I was,” he said. Another official named Babu also dismissed Jahanara’s claims and said she made up the story.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board responded to the interview and acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. BCB vice chairman Shakawat Hussain said the board will discuss the matter and decide the next steps.

“These allegations are very serious. We will sit together soon and decide what to do next. If needed, we will open a formal inquiry,” he said.

Jahanara is one of Bangladesh’s most experienced women’s cricketers. She represented her country for more than a decade in both ODI and T20 formats. 

She played in several ICC Women’s World Cups and T20 World Cups and remained one of the team’s leading fast bowlers. She was also part of the Bangladesh squad that won the Women’s Asia Cup in 2018, the country’s first major international title in women’s cricket.

Pakistan opened their Hong Kong Sixes campaign with a confident four wicket win against Kuwait on Friday.

Captain Abbas Afridi won the toss and opted to bowl first. 

Kuwait scored 123 for two in the allotted six overs. Opener Adnan Idrees made 17 while Bilal Tahir added 24. Meet Bhusra scored 41 and wicketkeeper batter Usman Patel contributed 31 as both remained unbeaten. 

Abbas Afridi and Moaz Sadaqat took one wicket each for Pakistan.

Pakistan chased the target comfortably and sealed the match with one wicket down. 

Khawaja Nafeh scored 25 not out and Shahid Aziz added 23 not out. Mohammad Shehzad retired hurt on 14 and left the field. Abdullah Samad returned for zero. Abbas Afridi played a brilliant knock of 55, smashing one four and eight sixes off just 12 balls. He earned the player of the match award.

Mohammad Shafiq claimed the lone wicket for Kuwait. 

Pakistan will face India in their next match today.

Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali headlines the shortlist for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for October 2025 after producing another dominant red-ball performance for Pakistan. 

This month’s nominees include three spinners who delivered standout performances in Tests and limited-overs cricket.

Noman enjoyed a strong Test series against South Africa and further strengthened his position as one of the top bowlers in world cricket. The ICC ranks him as the No.3 Test bowler, a ranking he lived up to by taking 14 wickets at an average of 23.07 across two matches.

In the first Test in Lahore, Noman delivered one of his best performances. He claimed 6/112 in the first innings and 4/79 in the second, securing his third 10-wicket haul in Test cricket. His efforts played a major role in Pakistan’s 93-run victory.

Noman remained effective in the Rawalpindi Test as well, where he picked up four more wickets and contributed 17 runs with the bat. His consistency made him the highest wicket-taker of the series and the leading Pakistani contender for the ICC award.

South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy is also in contention following an excellent Test series against Pakistan. The 31-year-old played a decisive role with both bat and ball as South Africa drew the series 1-1.

Muthusamy claimed 11 wickets at an average of 18.36, including a career-best 11/174 in the opening Test. Although South Africa lost that match, he remained the standout performer. In the second Test, his batting made the difference. He scored an unbeaten 89, stitched crucial lower-order partnerships and ensured South Africa secured a first-innings lead that eventually carried them to victory. His combined efforts earned him the Player of the Series award.

Afghanistan’s superstar Rashid Khan completes the trio of nominees after a sensational month in both T20Is and ODIs.

Rashid played five T20Is, taking nine wickets at an economy of 4.82, including 4/18 against Bangladesh and 3/9 against Zimbabwe. His impact in ODIs was even stronger. He picked up 11 wickets at an economy of 2.73, guiding Afghanistan to a 3-0 series win over Bangladesh. His best figures came in the second ODI, where he finished with a dominant 5/17. He also added useful runs in both formats.

All three spinners delivered high-quality performances across formats, but Noman Ali’s consistency, match-winning spells and status as the leading wicket-taker of the South Africa series place him firmly at the front of the race for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award.

The career of Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam continues to spark debates among retired cricketers, and Azam Khan believes he knows the real reason behind it: jealousy.

In a candid conversation on a recent Podcast, Azam Khan said many ex-cricketers praise or criticise Babar for one simple reason. They struggle to accept his massive success.

“He is the biggest batting talent we have produced in the last ten years. Pakistan cricket was famous because of fast bowling, but this guy made it famous because of batting,” Azam Khan said.

He also pointed out how Babar rose to the top without the kind of legendary support system other greats enjoyed.

“When Virat Kohli started, he had all these legends around him VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag, and Dhoni. Who was there for Babar Azam? No one,” he observed. 

“In the last ten years, it was Shahid Afridi who had the stardom that compelled people to watch him play. Now it’s Babar. When he comes in to bat, people cheer for him and I think some ex-players cannot digest that. They could have been this big had social media existed back then too,” he pointed out. 

Babar has regularly absorbed criticism from former cricketers like Mohammad Amir, Ahmed Shahzad, Imad Wasim and Shoaib Akhtar. They have often targeted his strike rate, captaincy choices and playing style.

Despite the negativity, Babar remains one of the most admired batters in world cricket. He recently became the highest run-scorer in T20Is and teams like the Sydney Sixers have given him superstar treatment ahead of the Big Bash League.

That attention grew even further after the Sydney Sixers rolled out a grand welcome for him ahead of the upcoming Big Bash League season. The franchise announced a special fan zone called Babaristan, designed to celebrate one of the world’s finest batters.

The Sixers revealed the tribute through their social media accounts with the caption, “Introducing Babaristan, A Fan Zone Like No Other.” The announcement created instant excitement among cricket fans in both Australia and Pakistan.

In its official statement, the franchise said, “We’re celebrating cricket culture like never before with Babaristan, a brand-new Sixers fan zone dedicated to welcoming one of the world’s greatest cricketers, Babar Azam.”

Fans will get their first look at Babaristan on December 17, when the Sixers face the Adelaide Strikers in their opening match, which will also mark Babar’s long-awaited BBL debut.

The 15th edition of the Big Bash League will feature 44 matches from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026. Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers will meet in the opening match at Perth Stadium.

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at soon retiring from professional football.

Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi club Al Nassr, revealed during an interview with British host Piers Morgan that he was thinking about stepping away from the game to spend more time with his family and prepare for the next phase of his life.

“It will be very difficult because nothing compares to the joy football gives me. But everything has a beginning and an end. I want more time for myself, my family and to raise my children,” the 40-year-old said.

Ronaldo shared that he has been planning his post-football life since he was 25 or 26, saying he felt mentally ready to handle the pressure that comes with retirement.

“There are many things in life I still want to experience,” he said, adding that football gave him a unique kind of happiness, but he knew leaving at the right time was important.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he now wants to focus on his children and personal life after spending most of his years traveling and playing football around the world.

Ronaldo also confidently ranked himself above the Inter Miami forward.

When Morgan asked if Messi was better than him, the 39-year-old immediately replied, “Is Messi better than me? I disagree. I don’t want to be humble.”

Despite his bold claim, Ronaldo said he has great respect for Messi, noting that their rivalry helped both of them achieve greatness. He has praised the Argentine on several occasions, even saying that he would like to have dinner with him someday.

The two football legends have dominated the sport for more than 17 years, battling for Ballon d’Or titles, breaking goal-scoring records, and defining an era of modern football.

With his latest brace for Al Nassr, Ronaldo now has 952 career goals, just 48 away from his dream milestone.

Messi, meanwhile, has 891 goals, trailing his longtime rival by 61, though he remains the only one between the two to have lifted the FIFA World Cup for his country.

Ronaldo began his professional career with Sporting CP in 2002 before achieving global fame with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Now, as one of football’s greatest icons, he continues to inspire millions while preparing for life beyond the game.

Pakistan’s rising star Saim Ayub has kept his crown as the world’s No.1 T20I all-rounder, according to the latest ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings released on Wednesday.

Saim continued to impress during Pakistan’s 2-1 series win over South Africa, playing a key role with both bat and ball. His unbeaten 71 in the second T20I helped Pakistan level the series and also boosted his batting ranking by 10 places to 39th.

Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and West Indies’ Roston Chase sit behind Saim in the second and third spots on the all-rounders’ table.

The latest ICC update brought plenty of movement for other Pakistani players as well. Babar Azam jumped nine places to 30th after his match-winning knock in the third T20I, while Sahibzada Farhan held firm at 11th. Captain Salman Ali Agha also gained 10 spots to reach 54th, but Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan slipped to 63rd and 42nd respectively.

Among bowlers, Abrar Ahmed stayed strong at eighth, and Shaheen Afridi moved up to 13th after consistent performances with the new ball. New pacer Salman Mirza made headlines by jumping a massive 98 places to 45th, while Faheem Ashraf climbed 50 spots to 51st.

In the all-rounders’ list, Mohammad Nawaz dropped to 10th, Faheem Ashraf improved to 30th, and Salman Ali Agha continued his rise to 63rd. Despite a slight drop to 56th, Shaheen Afridi also remained among the top-performing all-rounders.

The Indian government has refused to issue a visa to Masood Jan, a Pakistani coach appointed to train Nepal’s blind women’s cricket team for the upcoming Blind Women’s Cricket World Cup.

The tournament will begin on November 11 in India and Sri Lanka. Masood Jan, a former Pakistan international player and Pride of Performance award winner, was set to guide Nepal’s team but can no longer participate after being denied a visa. 

According to the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC), the decision has disappointed both Nepal and Pakistan. The council called it unfortunate that politics continues to affect sports events meant to promote inclusion and unity.

The tournament will go ahead as scheduled, but the absence of one of blind cricket’s most respected figures has dimmed the spirit of the competition.