Category: Sports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come under heavy criticism after suspending the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) of top national players, stopping them from participating in foreign leagues. 

The decision that came a day after Pakistan’s loss to India in the Asia Cup final has sparked widespread debate among fans and experts.

The board had initially cleared several cricketers to play in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), but those approvals have now been revoked. The move directly impacts Pakistan’s biggest names, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf.

The decision drew sharp criticism as both Babar and Rizwan were not even part of the squad that lost the Asia Cup final. Many questioned why they were being penalised for a defeat they had no role in.

One fan on X questioned the fairness of the decision, writing, “Not giving NOC to the ones who weren’t even part of the Asia Cup squad? Yeh kahan ka insaaf hai, or should I specifically ask what are they punishing Babar for?”

Another user called it a disappointing move, saying, “No NOC for Babar Azam to play in BBL. A player of his class deserves global exposure, not restrictions. This only hurts Pakistan cricket’s image.”

“Bad decision by PCB to not give NOC. Muhammad Rizwan and Babar Azam were not even in the Asia Cup squad,” wrote a third.

Another reaction highlighted the board’s inconsistency, saying, “If the PCB forced Babar Azam not to play in the BBL, then he seriously needs to take bold steps. He wasn’t even in your T20I team because of your ego, so what’s the point of cancelling everyone’s NOC? Cancel the NOC of those who were playing for your favourite team instead.”

Others expressed concern over Pakistan’s relations with foreign boards. One user directly tagged the PCB and wrote, “Who is taking such decisions in the PCB? How will this help relations with other boards i.e. Cricket Australia who have signed on Babar, Shaheen etc. for big money for Big Bash? Why were NOCs issued in the first place?”

Former PTI leader Asad Umar also weighed in, calling the decision “insane”.

“Stopping Pak players from playing in best leagues is insane. It denies them the chance to play against the best and with the best support staff to develop their game. Plus it is their right to make halal paisa—or do you want them to make money from bookies?” Umar wrote in a post on X.

Stopping Pak players from playing in best leagues is insane. It denies them the chance to play against the best & with the best support staff to develop their game. Plus it is their right to make halal paisa or do you want them to make money from bookies?? @babarazam258…

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 3, 2025

The decision has now turned into a major talking point, with fans demanding clarity from the board on why players, who were not even part of the Asia Cup squad, were punished.

Former Pakistan women’s cricket captain Sana Mir has hit back at criticism from Indian media, calling the campaign against her “unfortunate and unnecessary.”

The controversy began during her commentary on the Paksitan vs Bangladesh match at the Women’s ODI World Cup on Thursday, when she referred to cricketer Natalia Pervaiz’s hometown as Azad Kashmir. 

Several Indian media outlets accused Mir of raising political issues during the broadcast and demanded that the ICC take action against her.

Rahul Rawat, who works with India Today, AajTak, and Sports Tak, accused Sana Mir of creating controversy by mentioning Azad Kashmir on air. He posted on X, “Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir has stirred a hornet’s nest by bringing up the Kashmir issue during live commentary today. She referred to a Pakistan player as hailing from ‘Azad Kashmir.’ India is the host for this Women’s World Cup and the ICC is expected to act against Sana Mir.”

Soon after, senior Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta also jumped in, tagging the ICC and BCCI. He retweeted a post saying, “What the hell is ‘Azaad Kashmir’ @ICC @BCCI. You must take a stern action against this Pakistani commentator and send her back packing from India @JayShah @MithunManhas.”

Amid the uproar, Natalia Pervaiz’s CricInfo profile was quietly edited. It originally listed her birthplace as Bandala, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, but was later changed to Pakistan-administered Kashmir, a move that fueled further debate around the controversy.

Responding to the backlash, Mir shared her statement on X, clarifying her intent. “It’s unfortunate how things are being blown out of proportion and people in sports are being subjected to unnecessary pressure. My comment about a Pakistan player’s hometown was only meant to highlight the challenges she faced and her incredible journey. It is part of the storytelling we do as commentators. I did that today for two other players as well. Please don’t politicise it,” she wrote.

It’s unfortunate how things are being blown out of proportion and people in sports are being subjected to unnecessary pressure. It is sad that this requires an explanation at public level.

My comment about a Pakistan player’s hometown was only meant to highlight the challenges… pic.twitter.com/G722fLj17C

— Sana Mir ثناء میر (@mir_sana05) October 2, 2025

She stressed that her words carried no political agenda. “As a commentator on the World Feed, we are meant to focus on the sport, teams, and players, highlighting inspiring stories of grit and perseverance. There is no malice in my heart or any intention to hurt sentiments,” Mir added.

The former captain also posted a screenshot of CricInfo, where she researched players’ backgrounds before the site updated Pervaiz’s profile.

Mir, who captained Pakistan to historic wins and later became an ICC Hall of Fame inductee, urged everyone to let cricket remain a unifying sport. 

She reminded fans that commentators have to tell stories of players’ journeys and struggles.

Indian left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav praised Pakistan’s fighting spirit after his team clinched a thrilling five-wicket win in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai. 

Kuldeep, who played a match-winning role with the ball, said it always feels special to beat a quality side like Pakistan.

“We enjoyed a lot after the victory. It always feels good when you defeat a good team. We cannot deny the fact that they also played brilliantly. We were three down for just 20 runs, and they had a terrific start with the bat. But we must appreciate the comeback made by our team. All the players contributed equally to the win,” Kuldeep said in an interview with an Indian media outlet after the final.

#AsiaCup | “Nothing beyond one’s contribution in team’s success”: Indian Cricketer Kuldeep Yadav@vimalsports pic.twitter.com/ufyu768jc5

— NDTV (@ndtv) September 29, 2025

Kuldeep starred with four wickets, helping India bowl Pakistan out for 146. But he shifted focus away from his own performance to credit the collective effort. 

“There’s nothing bigger in this world than contributing to the team’s victory. Everyone saw how Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma performed, but Axar Patel’s role with the ball, Sanju Samson’s partnership with Tilak, and two wickets from Varun Chakaravarthy were equally important. It was truly a team effort,” he said.

Sanju Samson’s 24-run knock in a 57-run stand with Tilak Varma proved crucial, steadying India after an early collapse. Tilak, however, was the star of the chase, finishing unbeaten on 69 to guide India home with just two balls left. Kuldeep called Tilak’s innings “brilliant,” comparing it to his match-winning knocks in the IPL.

The 30-year-old refrained from commenting on India’s refusal to accept the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi but stressed that players remained focused on their cricket. “Whenever we play, we only think about the temperament of the team and how to approach the game,” he said.

The final itself was a rollercoaster. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman gave Pakistan a dream start with an 84-run opening stand, but India hit back hard. After Farhan’s 57 and Zaman’s 46, Pakistan collapsed, losing ten wickets for 62 runs. Kuldeep grabbed four scalps, while Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel shared the rest.

Chasing 147, India slipped to 20 for 3 after Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf rocked the top order. Samson and Tilak steadied nerves before Shivam Dube’s 33 off 22 balls tilted the chase back in India’s favor. 

India crossed the finish line in the last over, sealing their ninth Asia Cup title.

Friendship took center stage as Pakistan’s Fatima Sana and Bangladesh’s Nigar Sultana Joty prepared to lead their sides in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

The two captains share a bond that has grown beyond cricket, yet both know they must put rivalry first when they walk out in Colombo.

The bond began at the FairBreak Invitational in 2023, where they shared the same dressing room and exchanged tips. Since then, their friendship has blossomed even more. 

“We are very much buddies. Whenever we get to play together we talk too much and have so much fun,” Nigar said. 

Fatima echoed the sentiment, saying, “She’s my good friend. A lot of the time she asks about batting because she’s a batter and I want to become a good all-rounder, so she gives me a lot of tips. She gives me confidence in my batting.”

That camaraderie was most evident during the World Cup Qualifier earlier this year. Bangladesh lost to Pakistan and felt qualification hopes had slipped away. Nigar, too dejected to watch the West Indies chase in the following match, hid in her room. When West Indies fell short and Bangladesh qualified, the first call Nigar received was from none other than Fatima Sana. 

“I was like, ‘Really?’ and they said, ‘Yes, you guys qualified.’ I went out from my room and everyone in the Bangladesh squad was running towards me and hugging, laughing. It was a beautiful moment,” Nigar recalled.

Still, both captains know friendship has limits on the field. “See, when I get over the line, I think I don’t know who Fatima Sana is, because she’s trying to get me out,” Nigar said. 

Fatima, who took Nigar’s wicket in the 2022 World Cup, admitted, “We have a lot of rivalry matches, but she’s my good friend, we have a good connection off the field.”

Fatima, who rose to captaincy before her 23rd birthday, credited former skipper Bismah Maroof for teaching her composure. “She was the best to play under. I learned a lot, especially calmness in the 50-over format because 50 overs demands discipline and calmness. There are a lot of high-pressure matches, so we want to be calm at all times,” Fatima said.

Nigar praised Fatima’s rapid growth. “She’s very young and she’s learning and will do better in the future, definitely. But how she’s doing, and how they’ve kept the team in a line and how they performed in the Qualifier, shows they are aligned.”

Both sides understand the importance of Thursday’s clash. Bangladesh lost only twice to Pakistan in the last four years, but Pakistan’s recent form under Fatima has boosted their belief.

The much-anticipated match between Pakistan and Bangladesh begins today in Colombo, with both teams knowing a win would be vital for a semi-final spot.

Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla has resumed duties after facing suspension over the “handshake” controversy during the Asia Cup.

According to journalist Saleem Khaliq, Wahla on Wednesday attended a meeting regarding Pakistan’s upcoming series against South Africa.

Earlier, the PCB had suspended Wahla for delaying the board’s response to the controversial incidents in the first high-voltage Pakistan–India clash in Dubai on September 14. Reports said the board was unhappy with the delay in filing a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The controversy erupted when match referee Andy Pycroft instructed both captains to skip the customary handshake at the toss. The situation worsened after India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav led his players straight to the dressing room following a seven-wicket win, refusing the post-match handshake. Pakistan players waited on the field and were left visibly disappointed.

The PCB reacted strongly, filing an official complaint with the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The board demanded Pycroft’s immediate removal, arguing his directive violated the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC’s laws.

ICC referee Andy Pycroft later issued an apology to the Pakistan team over his decision to stop the pre-toss handshake.

The Asia Cup, however, remained marred by other controversies. India defeated Pakistan in the final but refused to accept the trophy from ACC president and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The ceremony ended without a handover, and the trophy stayed with ACC officials in Dubai. 

During a subsequent ACC meeting, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla reportedly demanded that the trophy be delivered directly to India, but Naqvi dismissed the demand and said the captain must collect it personally from ACC headquarters.

New reports later revealed that the ACC had split into two blocs amid rising tensions. Pakistan and Bangladesh stood together on one side while Sri Lanka had aligned itself with India. Afghanistan was shifting its stance between both camps.

Reports also said that Naqvi became a major irritant for India, with talk of a possible no-confidence motion against him.

USA Cricket, the national governing body for the sport, filed for financial reorganization under Chapter 11, Subchapter V of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on Wednesday.

CEO Johnathan Atkeison said the move will give the organization time to stabilize finances, address concerns raised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), and protect the future of the game in the United States. Atkeison, who joined in 2024, previously helped USA Rugby through a similar restructuring.

USA Cricket cited its troubled partnership with American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) as a major reason for the filing. The board terminated its 50-year agreement with ACE in August, accusing the company of failing to honor financial commitments, withholding payments, and blocking sponsorship and broadcast opportunities.

The body also accused ACE of failing to deliver promised infrastructure, noting that the company committed to building six ICC-grade stadiums by 2025 but completed only one.

General Counsel Corey MacDonald said ACE used its financial strength to pressure USA Cricket. “We have been forced into bankruptcy protections because ACE has weaponized its financial muscle to frustrate our ability to govern the sport,” he said.

Atkeison added that the Chapter 11 filing will help USA Cricket fix contracts, reorganize finances, and pursue governance reforms with a long-term focus on the LA 2028 Olympics.

Earlier, on 23 September 2025, the ICC suspended USA Cricket’s membership for repeated breaches of the ICC Constitution, including failure to establish a functional governance structure and lack of progress toward recognition by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

The suspension does not bar U.S. teams from competing in ICC events. The ICC has temporarily taken charge of national teams management to protect player interests and ensure continuity during the reorganization.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has split into two blocs amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Asia Cup trophy row, Express News has reported.

According to details, Bangladesh and Pakistan stand on one side, while Sri Lanka has aligned itself with India. Afghanistan continues to shift its position, sometimes siding with one bloc and sometimes with the other. Sources said the division has deepened since the Asia Cup final controversy, and the trophy matter still remains unresolved.

ACC President and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly become a major irritant for India, with reports claiming that a no-confidence motion against him is expected. Indian media ran stories alleging that Naqvi apologized to the BCCI on Wednesday, but he firmly rejected the claims.

Taking to X, Naqvi said, “Indian media thrives on lies, not facts. Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologized to the BCCI nor will I ever do so.” He described the reports as “fabricated nonsense” and “cheap propaganda” aimed at misleading the Indian public.

Naqvi also reiterated his stance on the trophy handover. “As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me,” he wrote.

The controversy began after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final but refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi. The ceremony ended without a handover, leaving the trophy with ACC officials. 

Earlier in the event, Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, while their captain avoided a pre-final photo with Pakistan’s skipper.

During a recent ACC meeting, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla reportedly demanded that the trophy be delivered to India, but Naqvi maintained the matter was not on the agenda and insisted the Indian captain should personally collect it from ACC headquarters.

As of now, the Asia Cup trophy remains in the ACC office in Dubai.

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has strongly criticized India for bringing politics into cricket during the Asia Cup.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers said politics should never interfere with sport. “Politics should be kept out of sport,” he said. “Cricket is a separate thing, and its celebrations should remain that way.”

De Villiers added that he was disappointed by what he witnessed at the closing ceremony. “It seemed the Indian team was unhappy about who was handing them the trophy. I don’t think that has anything to do with cricket,” he said. 

“Watching everything at the closing ceremony was disappointing. I hope the matter is resolved soon. This situation puts players and the game in a difficult position, and I hate seeing that. In the end, it just didn’t feel right,” he added.

The controversy began after India defeated Pakistan in the final but refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. 

The ceremony ended without a handover, leaving the trophy with ACC officials. Earlier in the tournament, Indian players avoided handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts, while their captain skipped a pre-final photo with Pakistan’s skipper.

Pakistan hockey’s road to the 2026 FIH World Cup has been defined with a decisive three-match series against Bangladesh in Dhaka this November.

The series will take place on 13, 14, and 16 November, with the winner advancing to the World Cup Qualifiers in February.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) arranged the playoff for Pakistan after the team failed to qualify directly due to its withdrawal from the Hockey Asia Cup in India. Bangladesh, who finished sixth in that tournament, secured the playoff against Pakistan.

The winning side will join 15 other teams in the qualifiers, where only seven will book a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Opponents in the qualifying round will include Canada, Chile, the United States, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Austria, England, France, Poland, China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and one African team yet to be confirmed.

For Pakistan, victory in Dhaka is vital. A win would revive hopes of reaching the World Cup and provide a much-needed boost for hockey at home, where the sport continues to struggle for recognition and resources.

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi has strongly rejected Indian media reports that claimed he had apologised to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the Asia Cup trophy controversy.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), to reply to a tweet of the report posted by India Today,  Naqvi wrote, “Indian media thrives on lies, not facts. Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologized to the BCCI nor will I ever do so.”

Indian media thrives on lies, not facts. Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologized to the BCCI nor will I ever do so.

This fabricated nonsense is nothing but cheap propaganda, aimed only at misleading their own people. Unfortunately,… https://t.co/kHwBkEeQC2

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) October 1, 2025

He called the reports “fabricated nonsense” and “cheap propaganda” aimed at misleading the Indian public. “Unfortunately, India continues to drag politics into cricket, damaging the very spirit of the game,” he added.

Naqvi reiterated his stance on the trophy handover. “As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me,” he wrote, adding a cricket emoji.

The controversy began after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final but refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The presentation ended without a handover, leaving the trophy with ACC officials.

During a recent ACC meeting, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla reportedly pressed for the trophy’s delivery, but Naqvi maintained that the issue was not on the agenda and insisted the Indian captain should collect it directly from ACC headquarters.

The Asia Cup trophy is still at the ACC office in Dubai.