Category: Sports

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has finally broken his silence over recent speculation about his cricketing future.

In a statement shared on social media, Amir said, “For the past two or three days, I have been hearing that Mohammad Amir is making a comeback and taking back his retirement. No discussion has taken place with me about any comeback or withdrawing retirement, nor do I have any such plan. The decision I made regarding retirement is final.”

He added that while many fans wanted him to return, he believed it was time for Pakistan cricket to move forward. “My fans say that I should come back, but Pakistan cricket also needs to move forward,” he said.

Amir stressed the importance of giving young players consistent opportunities. “There are young players in the team. If the youngsters play consistently, in two or three years a strong team will be formed. I hope the team will be well-prepared for the World Cup. We played the Asia Cup final; now I hope we play the World Cup final and win as well,” he stated. 

Speaking about recent reports that former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed might become the next chief selector, Amir said that even if Sarfaraz does not get the top post, including him in the selection committee would still be a positive step. “He has played with the current players and understands them well. Sarfaraz is an honest and straightforward person, and such people can benefit Pakistan cricket,” he said.

The left-arm pacer also emphasized the need to involve more experienced cricketers in cricket administration and player development. “There should be good cricketers running cricket affairs. Many have come and gone, leaving things in a mess. Shoaib, Umar Gul, and Sohail Tanvir should be used in white-ball cricket, they have great expertise. Younis Khan should also be brought into the system; he is not a yes-man. We need to sit together and make decisions for the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” he said.

Mohammad Amir’s comments come after years of back-and-forth regarding his cricketing career. 

He first announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2020, citing issues with the team management and claiming he had suffered “mental torture.” In March 2024, he reversed that decision and made himself available for selection ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup.

However, after Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament, Amir once again announced his retirement in December 2024.

India on Sunday defeated Pakistan by 88 runs in their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 match at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana opted to bowl first. 

India posted 247 runs before being bowled out on the final ball of the 50th over, marking the first time the Indian women’s team was dismissed by Pakistan in an ODI.

Harleen Deol top-scored with 46, while Richa Ghosh added 35. Jemimah Rodrigues scored 32 and Pratika Rawal added 31. 

For Pakistan, Diana Baig was the standout performer with four wickets while Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana claimed two wickets each.

In response, Pakistan were bowled out for 159 in 43 overs, falling short by 88 runs. Sidra Ameen fought hard with an 81-run knock, and Natalia Parvez contributed 33. Sidra Nawaz was the only other batter to reach double digits with 14 runs before Pakistan were bowled out.

For India, Deepti Sharma and Karanti Goud picked up three wickets each while Sneh Rana took two.

Pakistan earlier lost their opening match to Bangladesh by seven wickets. 

They will next face Australia on October 8 in Colombo.

Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who became a viral sensation during Paris 2024 Olympics for his calm and casual shooting style, is back in the spotlight after leading Turkey to a clean sweep of gold medals at the European Champions League of Air Weapons.

Dikec, known for his relaxed approach and lack of protection gear, teamed up with Mustafa Inan to beat Germany’s Christian Reitz and Paul Frohlich 2-0 in the men’s team final in Istanbul.

“Representing my country in front of a home crowd, with the tournament being held in Istanbul for the first time, is a great honour,” Dikec told a foreign media outlet. 

“Winning gold here feels amazing, and it’s perfect preparation for the World Championships in Cairo this November,” he said.

Turkey also dominated the women’s events. Damla Kose and Elif Berfin Altun claimed gold in the 10m air rifle team event after beating Norway, while Esra Bozabali and Sevval Ilayda Tarhan triumphed over France in the 10m air pistol team final. With these victories, Turkey captures gold in all three team events.

Dikec first gained global attention at the Paris Olympics where he won silver in the mixed 10m air pistol event. Competing in a loose white T-shirt, track pants and yellow earplugs, he stunned audiences with his effortless precision and unbothered attitude. His minimalist style, with one hand in his pocket and no high-tech equipment, turned him into an online icon and a symbol of confidence under pressure.

The silver medal was Turkey’s first-ever Olympic medal in shooting and made Dikec the oldest Olympic medallist in the country’s history.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken strict measures to avoid any controversy during the much-anticipated Pakistan-India match at the Women’s World Cup.

After tensions between the two nations during the Asia Cup earlier this year, the ICC has reportedly issued clear media guidelines to keep politics out of the tournament.

When Pakistan captain Fatima Sana began her pre-match press conference, journalists attempted to ask about the ongoing political situation between the two countries. 

However, ICC media manager Sepo Qazi immediately intervened, reminding reporters that only cricket-related questions would be allowed. She also made it clear that there would be no questions about handshakes or political matters.

Once the briefing resumed, Fatima Sana focused entirely on cricket, saying her team was fully prepared for the high-pressure game.

“We have prepared well for the match against India. Our focus is only on cricket, and we are here to play the game,” she said. “We can’t reveal our playing XI yet, but the team is ready.”

Responding to Pakistan’s earlier loss to Bangladesh, Fatima stressed that the team was still confident. “We are not out of the event. Everyone is motivated, and we will make a comeback,” she added.

Fatima also reflected on how team dynamics have changed over time. “Earlier, there used to be more interaction between teams, which felt good, but now the focus is purely on cricket. We know what’s happening outside, but our attention remains on the game,” she said.

The Pakistan skipper expressed gratitude for the support of senior players, adding, “I have received many honours at a young age, and the senior players in the team always support me. We play as one unit.”

Pakistan Women will face India on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Shubman Gill as the new captain of India’s ODI team, replacing Rohit Sharma ahead of the upcoming series against Australia starting October 19.

Gill, 26, now leads India in both Tests and ODIs and serves as vice-captain in T20Is, marking a major step in his rise as a multi-format leader. The decision reflects the board’s long-term plan to build a side for the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Rohit Sharma’s captaincy had been under review for months, especially after his retirement from Tests and T20Is. Since taking charge in December 2021, he led India in 56 ODIs, winning 42 of them and guiding the team to Asia Cup titles in 2018 and 2023. His most recent success came in March 2025, when India won the ICC Champions Trophy.

Rohit will continue as a senior batter in the squad. Both he and Virat Kohli are set to return to action in the Australia series after a seven-month break from international cricket.

Gill has captained India in 11 matches before, but the upcoming series marks his first as a full-time ODI captain. India’s tour of Australia includes three ODIs on October 19, 23, and 25, followed by five T20Is from October 29 to November 8.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the names of match officials for Pakistan’s upcoming home series against South Africa, with one notable exception. Zimbabwe’s Andy Pycroft has been removed from the panel following a recent controversy.

Pycroft was initially named as match referee for the series, which runs from 12 October to 8 November, but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) raised a formal objection to his inclusion. According to reports, the PCB’s decision came after Pycroft’s conduct during the 2025 Asia Cup, where he allegedly instructed Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha not to greet India’s Suryakumar Yadav.

Although Pycroft later apologised, Pakistani authorities reportedly denied him entry for the upcoming series.

Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle will serve as the match referee now, bringing experience and credibility to the high-profile contest.

The series includes two Tests, three T20Is, and three ODIs, which are part of Pakistan’s World Test Championship campaign and preparations for next year’s global events. Matches will take place in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad.

Rumors are swirling that Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed is all set to tie the knot.

According to several media reports and social media posts, a mehndi ceremony was held last night for the 27-year-old cricketer.

Abrar also shared a photo on Instagram wearing a green shalwar kameez, further fueling speculation about his wedding.

Reports claim that Abrar’s nikah has already taken place, and he will be bringing his bride home today in Karachi, while the walima ceremony is scheduled for October 6.

Abrar, who’s about to begin a new chapter in his life, grabbed attention during the Asia Cup 2025 when he and Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga celebrated wickets by mimicking each other’s signature styles. The lighthearted exchange continued after the match as the two were seen sharing smiles and a friendly handshake.

Abrar Ahmed is part of Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa, starting October 12.

Abrar first appeared in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2017, representing Karachi Kings, and made his Test debut against England in 2022, where he made an instant impact by taking seven wickets in his very first match.

FIFA has unveiled Trionda, the official match ball for the 2026 World Cup, and it has been proudly manufactured in Sialkot, Pakistan by Forward Sports. 

Designed by Adidas, the ball represents the unity of the three host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The achievement marks another milestone for Sialkot, which continues its remarkable legacy of producing official FIFA World Cup balls for 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026, solidifying Pakistan’s reputation for sporting excellence on the global stage.

The name Trionda, meaning “three waves” in Spanish, reflects the collaboration between the host countries. Its red, green, and blue color scheme draws inspiration from their national colors, while gold details represent the FIFA World Cup Trophy. The design also includes a maple leaf for Canada, an eagle for Mexico, and a star for the United States.

Built with a new four-panel structure, Trionda offers greater flight stability and grip in all weather conditions. It also features advanced technology, including a 500Hz motion sensor chip that records every movement of the ball. This data will connect directly to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system to improve officiating precision, especially for offside calls.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and expanded to 48 teams, will be the largest in history.

India’s ambition to host the Olympics took a hit this week after stray dogs attacked two foreign coaches during the ongoing World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi on Friday. 

The incident has sparked global embarrassment and raised serious questions about safety at international sporting events.

The attack happened on Friday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where Japanese coach Meiko Okumatsu and Kenyan coach Dennis Maragia were training athletes on the practice track. Both were bitten and injured by stray dogs. They received first aid at the stadium’s medical room before being taken to Safdarjung Hospital for treatment and later returned to their hotels.

According to Indian media reports, this was the fifth dog attack since the championship began. Earlier incidents involved a security guard and two Indian nationals, further highlighting the dire situation around major sports venues.

The Organising Committee said it had requested the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in August to clear stray dogs from the venue. Dog-catching vehicles were stationed at the stadium from the beginning of the event, but despite these efforts, locals feeding the animals nearby allowed them to return. The committee said this negligence led to the October 3 attack on the two coaches.

The problem of stray dogs in Delhi has become a national concern. In August 2024, the Indian Supreme Court ordered that all stray dogs be placed in shelters, but the decision triggered protests from animal welfare groups. 

The court later revised its ruling, directing that stray dogs should instead be sterilised, vaccinated, and released, while only aggressive or rabid dogs should remain in shelters.

As India promotes its vision of hosting future Olympic Games, the recurring dog attacks during a world event have become a stark reminder that the country’s infrastructure and management still face serious challenges, even before reaching the global stage.

Namibia and Zimbabwe have booked their places at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after winning their semi-final clashes at the Africa Regional Final in Harare on Thursday.

In the first semi-final, Namibia defeated Tanzania to claim qualification. The Eagles were in trouble at 41/4 before JJ Smit and Gerhard Erasmus steadied the innings with an 88-run partnership. Erasmus scored 55 off 41 balls, while Smit smashed 61 not out off 43 deliveries. Smit then starred with the ball as well, taking 3/16 to dismantle Tanzania’s batting order.

Zimbabwe sealed the second qualification spot with a seven-wicket win over Kenya later in the day. Rakep Patel’s 65 off 47 was the lone highlight for Kenya as they were restricted to 122. Brian Bennett led Zimbabwe’s reply with a blistering 51 off 25 balls, ensuring a comfortable chase.

Namibia have now qualified for their fourth straight T20 World Cup, while Zimbabwe return after missing the 2024 edition. 

With the African qualifiers decided, only three spots remain from the Asia-EAP pathway for next year’s tournament in India and Sri Lanka.