Category: Sports

Australian cricket presenter and fan-favourite host of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Erin Holland is currently in Lahore and something exciting seems to be in the works as PSL matches are too far for her to be in Pakistan.

The beloved Aussie personality, known for her lively presence and deep appreciation of Pakistani culture, teased fans with a surprise visit to Lahore, sharing stunning images from a mystery shoot. “Quick stop in Lahore on my way home for a little hosting & a shoot… stay tuned. How beautiful is #desi fashion, seriously,” she wrote in the caption of her Instagram post.

Erin dazzles in a variety of Pakistani outfits in the post, including a black chiffon saree paired with a multi-coloured embroidered blouse, a sleek black beaded gown, and a celadon green ensemble adorned with silver sequins, a look that radiates traditional Pakistani glamour. One of the slides also shows her in the makeup chair, preparing for the shoot.

Erin’s visit sparked excitement across social media, with Pakistani actress Mariyam Nafees commenting, “You gorgeous in everything,” to which Erin warmly replied, “You too kind babe.”

Adding more fuel to the intrigue, Erin shared a candid picture with fellow cricket presenter Zainab Abbas, captioned, “Been a hot second @zabbasofficial,” taken outside a café in Lahore.

Famous for seamlessly blending into Pakistan’s cricketing culture, Erin has consistently won hearts during her multiple stints hosting the PSL, often donning traditional attire with effortless grace. Earlier this year, she joined the trending #Farshi fashion wave, posting a photo in a farshi shalwar by brand Haseens, saying, “A lil late to #farshi club, but thanks to @haseensofficial for my farshi shalwar look for tonight!!”

Details of her latest project remain under wraps.

Erin is also a model who won the prestigious Miss World Australia Competition in 2013. While she later started hosting and now she is a permanent part of Pakistani cricket every year.

Cape Verde has made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, sparking massive celebrations across the island nation.

The streets of the capital city, Praia, turned into a carnival after the Blue Sharks defeated Eswatini 3-0 at the Cape Verde National Stadium to secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States (US), Canada and Mexico.

Fans poured out of the stadium, waving flags, honking car horns and setting off fireworks as reggae and local funana music filled the streets. “It’s an incredible moment,” said 37-year-old fan Jorge Junior Livramento.

“I don’t have words. I was at the stadium and supported our team unconditionally.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Cape Verde on what he called a “historic moment”, saying the team’s success would inspire a new generation of football fans across the nation.

With a population of just 550,000, Cape Verde is the smallest African country ever to qualify for the World Cup. It also becomes the second-least populous nation in history to reach the tournament after following Iceland, which qualified for the 2018 World Cup with a population of just over 350,000.

Pakistan bowled out South Africa for 269 in their first innings, taking a 109-run lead in the ongoing Lahore Test.

South Africa started the third day on 216/6 while chasing Pakistan’s total of 378, struggling against the host country’s spin attack. Tony de Zorzi began the day on 81 with Senuran Muthusamy on 6. Muthusamy added only five more runs before Sajid Khan dismissed him for 11.

Tony de Zorzi played a solid knock of 104 runs but lost his wicket while attempting a big shot off Nauman Ali, with Shaheen Afridi taking the catch. After that, Kagiso Rabada fell for a duck to Sajid Khan, triggering the final collapse.

Nauman Ali led Pakistan’s bowling with six wickets, while Sajid Khan claimed three and Salman Ali Agha took one.

Pakistan scored 378 in their first innings, with Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha contributing 93 runs each.

Former Pakistani Test cricketer Wazir Mohammad has passed away in Birmingham at the age of 95, his family confirmed on Monday.

Wazir was part of Pakistan’s first-ever Test squad that toured India in 1952, marking the beginning of his international career. Between 1952 and 1959, he represented Pakistan in 20 Test matches and scored 801 runs, including two centuries and three half-centuries.

Born in 1929, Wazir was the eldest of the famous Mohammad brothers, a legendary cricketing family that also included Hanif Mohammad, Raees Mohammad, Mushtaq Mohammad and Sadiq Mohamma – all of whom represented Pakistan in Test cricket.

The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) has imposed a lifetime ban on Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem’s coach Salman Iqbal Butt for “gross misconduct and violation of the federation’s constitution”.

According to an official notification, Butt, who served as president of the Punjab Athletics Association (PAA), and Syed Habib Shah, the association’s former secretary, were found guilty of holding illegal elections for the Punjab Athletics Association.

The issue began when Butt and Shah announced the Punjab Athletics Association elections on August 29, 2025, giving only one day’s notice. The elections were held on August 31 in clear violation of the AFP’s constitutional election procedures. Despite receiving an official warning on August 30 to stop the process and follow the proper legal framework, both officials went ahead with the elections.

An inquiry committee was formed by the federation on September 24 to investigate the matter. The committee summoned both individuals to present their explanation but neither appeared nor submitted a written reply. After reviewing all available records, the committee presented its report to the Executive Committee.

In its meeting on October 10, 2025, the AFP Executive Committee concluded that Salman Butt and Habib Shah had deliberately violated the federation’s constitution, disobeyed lawful directives, and acted against the integrity and harmony of the sport’s administration.

The federation declared the Punjab Athletics Association elections held on August 31 as null and void and announced that fresh elections will be conducted under the AFP’s supervision.

The AFP also directed all affiliated member units to end official dealings with Salman Butt and Habib Shah and to comply fully with the new directive.

Copies of the decision have been shared with World Athletics, Asian Athletics, and the Pakistan Sports Board, while Shah has also been banned for 10 years.

A rare and rather awkward moment unfolded at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday during the opening day of the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa. The home crowd erupted in cheers, not for a boundary or a wicket of the opposition, but for the dismissal of their own captain, Shan Masood.

The reason was simple, Babar Azam was next in to bat.

Masood had been playing beautifully, scoring 76 runs and sharing a solid 161-run stand with Imam ul-Haq, who made 93. But when he was trapped leg-before by South African spinner Prenelan Subrayen, the atmosphere in the stadium changed in a surprising way. Instead of disappointment, loud cheers echoed around the ground as fans eagerly awaited Babar’s arrival at the crease.

When the big screen confirmed the umpire’s decision, the crowd once again cheered, celebrating Masood’s dismissal so they could finally see Babar bat. 

The reaction stunned many, including South African commentator Shaun Pollock, who couldn’t hide his amusement.

Shaun Pollock: Baz,They Are Pakistan Supporters Why Are They Disappointed (On Catch Drop) ?

Bazid Khan: I Think You Haven’t Seen The Scorecard,Who’s Coming Next.

Pollock: Now I Understand.

Insane Aura Babar Man Insane Aura pic.twitter.com/qxZxkmssB3

— Alyan (@32ndwhenn) October 12, 2025

“Baz, they are Pakistan supporters. Why are they disappointed on that dropped catch?” Pollock asked during commentary.

Bazid Khan replied, “I think you haven’t seen the scorecard. Guess who’s coming next.”

Pollock laughed and said, “Now I understand.”

Babar walked in to a thunderous reception, with fans chanting his name and waving flags. However, their excitement didn’t last long as the former captain fell soon after for 23. Following his dismissal, many fans started leaving the stadium.

At stumps on day one, Pakistan reached 313 for 5, with Imam scoring 93, Shan Masood 76, Mohammad Rizwan not out on 62, and Agha Salman not out on 52. 

For South Africa, Senuran Muthusamy picked up 2 wickets for 101 runs. 

Day two of the Test is currently underway in Lahore.

Namibia created history on Saturday by defeating South Africa by four wickets in a thrilling T20I encounter at the Namibia Cricket Ground (NCG) in Windhoek. 

The hosts chased down a target of 135 on the final ball of the match, securing their first-ever win against a full-member nation.

Earlier, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first but struggled to find rhythm on a tricky batting surface. 

Quinton de Kock’s international comeback ended quickly as he was dismissed for just one run. Namibia’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings, restricting the Proteas to 134 for 8. 

For South Africa, Jason Smith top-scored with 31 and Bjorn Fortuin added 19 runs, while Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rubin Hermann made brief contributions.

Ruben Trumpelmann led the attack with three wickets, while Max Heingo clinched two. Gerhard Erasmus, Ben Shikongo and JJ Smit chipped in with a wicket each.

In response, Namibia made a steady start and kept the chase alive despite regular setbacks. They reached 51 for 3 after seven overs before losing Malan Kruger at 101 in the 17th over.

With 34 runs needed off the final three overs, Zane Green and Ruben Trumpelmann formed a crucial 37-run partnership off just 21 balls. Their fearless batting carried Namibia home, with the winning runs coming on the very last ball.

Defending a modest total, South Africa’s bowlers fought hard despite the injury to Gerald Coetzee, who managed to bowl only nine legal deliveries. Nandre Burger and Andile Simelane took two wickets each, while Bjorn Fortuin picked up one.

The victory marked a historic moment for Namibia, as it was South Africa’s first-ever defeat against an associate nation in T20I cricket. The match also served as a memorable inauguration for the Namibia Cricket Ground, which hosted its first international fixture.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram said on Saturday that Babar Azam’s wicket will be the key for his side as they prepare to face Pakistan in the upcoming Test series starting Sunday.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Lahore on Saturday, Markram praised the Pakistani captain, calling him a world-class player. “Babar Azam needs no introduction. His wicket is always the most important,” he said.

The Proteas skipper added that the pitches in Pakistan would favour spin bowling, and his team had prepared accordingly. “The pitches here will suit the spinners, and we have focused on playing spin,” he stated. 

Markham noted that South Africa had a strong run in the previous World Test Championship and his squad was eager to continue their momentum: “The last Test Championship season went well for us, and we are very excited for the new one.” 

Markram also mentioned the absence of Temba Bavuma. “Temba Bavuma is our leader, and we will definitely miss him,” he said.

On the other hand, Pakistan captain Shan Masood said his side aims to start the World Test Championship campaign on a positive note.

“We will try to start the Test Championship well,” Shan said during his press conference. “The PCB has done a lot of work for red-ball cricket this time. Camps were held, and players also played county cricket.”

Acknowledging South Africa’s strength, Shan said, “South Africa are a champion team. We will give our best to lift our morale. To win a Test match, you have to take 20 wickets.”

He stressed the importance of home conditions and adaptability. “Home series are always very important in the Test cycle. The last Test Championship didn’t bring great results, but we learned positive things. We’ll try to start this one well,” he said.

Talking about the conditions in Lahore, Shan added, “There will be new conditions at Gaddafi Stadium, and we’ll try to understand them quickly. Sajid Khan is a key bowler for us in these conditions, but unfortunately, he was down with viral flu. We’ll select the team based on fitness.”

He also shared his thoughts on playing surfaces and strategy. “On flat tracks, if both teams score 600 runs, there’s no benefit. For good results, sometimes you have to sacrifice personal milestones. Runs depend on conditions; scoring a century in every match isn’t necessary.” 

The Test captain added that Pakistan would look to make the most of home conditions. “Every team prepares conditions that suit them. We included the factor of reverse swing while forming the team,” he stressed. 

The first Test takes place from October 12 to 16 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, and the second Test runs from October 20 to 24 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. 

The tour will include three T20Is from October 28 to November 1 and three ODIs from November 4 to 8.