Category: Sports

South Africa’s pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has praised Pakistan captain Babar Azam, calling him one of the toughest batters he has faced in international cricket.

Speaking on the Beard Before Cricket Podcast hosted by Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, Rabada described Babar as “a rock” at the crease, especially when playing in home conditions.

“Babar Azam is a rock, especially in Pakistan. It’s like, ‘Man, how do you get this guy out?’” Rabada said while reflecting on his toughest opponents.

The Proteas fast bowler also listed several batting greats he has struggled against over his career. He mentioned India’s Virat Kohli, England’s Joe Root, Australia’s Steve Smith and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson as among the most challenging.

Rabada, however, singled out Australia’s David Warner as the hardest of them all due to his aggressive and unorthodox style.

“I actually found David Warner quite tough to bowl to. I think he’s the hardest because he was so unorthodox. He used to cut a lot of balls, and whenever I dropped my length short, he would just latch onto it and cut,” Rabada said.

“He was the only guy who could do that against me. He was very hard. As much as I had a lot of success against him, I thought he was very tough to bowl to,” he added.

Rabada has represented South Africa in 71 Tests, 106 ODIs and 70 T20Is, taking more than 500 international wickets across formats.

England all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket.

Woakes, 36, represented England in 217 matches across all formats since his 2011 debut, scoring 3,705 runs and taking 396 wickets. He was also part of England’s 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup winning squads.

His final appearance came earlier this summer in the World Test Championship series against India, where he bravely batted with one arm in a sling after dislocating his shoulder.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has ruled that the Indian cricket team will not receive the Asia Cup 2025 trophy, keeping it instead at the council’s office in Dubai, local news channels have reported. 

Officials said the decision came in response to the Indian team’s refusal to accept the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi after the final.

India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the title clash but refused to take the trophy from Naqvi, delaying the post-match ceremony. Naqvi stood his ground and refused to compromise. Organisers eventually carried the trophy away as Indian players remained on the ground, expecting it to be handed over later.

Samaa, citing ACC sources, confirmed that India’s behavior cost them the trophy and that the decision will stand.

The trophy controversy spilled onto social media when Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill shared edited pictures showing themselves with a trophy, even though the team never received the original.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav faced tough questions from reporters after the final. When asked about the missing trophy, he dodged the matter and instead argued that his team had played good cricket. He admitted he had “never seen a winning team denied a trophy” but claimed his side had “felt the trophy” regardless.

The incident capped a tournament marked by India’s confrontational stance. 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.

Following Pakistan’s defeat to India in the Asia Cup final, cricketing fans on social media are demanding the return of former skipper Babar Azam to the team.

The team’s middle-order repeatedly collapsed during the tournament, leading to widespread frustration and calls for a change in leadership.

During the final on Sunday, Pakistan, batting first, managed to score only 146 runs in 19.1 overs. At one point, the team’s score was a promising 113 for 1, but a sudden collapse saw them lose nine wickets for just 33 runs.

India chased down the 147-run target with five wickets and two balls to spare. They stumbled early at 20 for 3, but Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma steadied the innings with a 57-run stand. After Samson fell for 24, Shivam Dube added 60 runs with Varma, who remained not out on 69 to seal the win.

The poor performance in the final left fans missing Babar’s steady presence and leadership.

Immediately after the loss, many fans criticised the current captain’s strategy and the middle order’s irresponsible batting.

A user wrote, “Please, it’s a request, we need Babar Azam back.” Another expressed their frustration, saying, “Please wake up Pakistan cricket is incomplete without Babar Azam, bring him back now!”

One tweet read, “Babar Azam ki bahut yaad a raahi hai [I am missing Babar Azam a lot].”

Prominent sports journalist Salim Khaliq also joined the debate, writing, “Bring Babar Azam back, make Shaheen Afridi captain.” 

Babar was dropped due to concerns over his strike rate 9 months ago, as it was deemed too low for modern T20s. However, after the dramatic collapse of the current lineup, many fans are pointing out that his strike rate is far better than those of the current middle-order batsmen who failed to contribute in the final among other Asia Cup matches.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has thrashed Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi over his tweet celebrating India’s Asia Cup victory.

“#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers,” Modi had said in a post on late Sunday night.

With the Indian premier’s choice of words drawing immediate criticism from the general public, Naqvi also didn’t hold back his punches.

“If war was your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at Pakistan’s hands. No cricket match can rewrite that truth. Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game,” he said in response.

If war was your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at Pakistan’s hands. No cricket match can rewrite that truth. Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game https://t.co/lqiUATm3wX

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) September 29, 2025

Naqvi also said that India had once again stained the true spirit of cricket, saying that the pain of defeat in past conflicts remained fresh.

Defence experts also criticised Modi, saying he tried to mislead the Indian public by portraying “Operation Sindoor” as a success despite the heavy losses suffered by India.

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team sparked fresh controversy by refusing to collect the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi.

The team’s stance delayed the post-match ceremony as Naqvi stood his ground. Organisers eventually carried the trophy away, while the Indian squad stayed on the field expecting the presentation to happen later.

It was later announced that the Indian team would not be collecting its awards. 

The incident followed earlier defiant acts during the tournament when Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, and captain Suryakumar Yadav avoided a pre-final photo with Pakistani skipper Salman Ali Agha.

The Pakistan cricket team has dedicated its entire match fee from the Asia Cup 2025 final against India to the victims of the May 7 missile attack that killed several civilians, including children.

In a statement on X, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said, “The Pakistan Cricket Team has dedicated its Asia Cup final match fees to the innocent victims martyred in the May 7 attack, in which civilians, including children, lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.”

The Pakistan Cricket Team has dedicated its Asia Cup final match fees to the innocent victims martyred in the May 7 attack, in which civilians, including children, lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 28, 2025

The decision came a day after the dramatic Asia Cup final in Dubai, where India edged Pakistan by five wickets in the last over. Despite the victory, the Indian team sparked controversy by refusing to collect the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who stood firm, forcing the ceremony to end without a presentation.

Earlier in the tournament, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav was fined for making political statements in a press conference. Following the final, he once again courted headlines by announcing that the Indian team would donate its match fees to the Indian Army.

The May 7 attack had triggered a major escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations. According to official reports, India’s strike killed multiple Pakistani civilians, prompting a strong retaliatory response from Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force downed seven Indian aircraft and destroyed several air bases in return.

The conflict pushed both countries to the brink of war before the United States intervened to secure a ceasefire. U.S. President Donald Trump has since repeatedly stated that Washington played a crucial role in preventing a wider conflict between the two sides.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has called for the suspension of the Indian cricket team after its refusal to collect the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi.

Taking to X after the final in Dubai, Latif said India’s conduct was a blatant violation of cricket’s spirit. “Indian cricket team a good candidate for suspension from @ICC after refusing to collect the #AsiaCup2025 trophy and awards from the ACC Chairman. In any other sport, this would have been an open and shut case. But with ICC Chairman, CEO, CFO, Commercial chief, and head of Events and Communications being Indians, suspension seems unlikely,” Latif wrote.

Indian cricket team a good candidate for suspension from @ICC after refusing to collect the #AsiaCup2025 trophy and awards from the ACC Chairman. In any other sport, this would have been an open and shut case. But with ICC Chairman, CEO, CFO, Commercial chief, and head of Events… pic.twitter.com/b27IBWMSZy

— Rashid Latif | (@iRashidLatif68) September 28, 2025

He further condemned the team’s attitude, calling it a dark chapter for the sport. “Ugly day for cricket as India once again breached the spirit and essence of the gentleman’s game, that too in broad daylight,” he added.

The controversy erupted after India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final but refused to take the trophy from Naqvi, delaying the post-match ceremony. Organisers eventually carried the trophy away as the Indian players stayed on the ground, expecting it to be handed over later.

The incident capped a tournament marked by India’s confrontational stance. 

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

India on Sunday defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a last-over nail-biter to claim their ninth Asia Cup title.

The match started with India winning the toss and opting to field.

After the toss, both teams did not shake hands, but a new tradition appeared as Pakistani commentator spoke with captain Salman Agha while an Indian commentator spoke with Suryakumar Yadav.

Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman gave Pakistan a strong start with an 84-run partnership. Farhan scored 57 off 38 balls with five 4s and three 6s, while Zaman hit 46 off 35 deliveries. After Farhan’s dismissal, Pakistan collapsed and lost all ten wickets for just another 62 runs. Eight batsmen failed to reach double figures as Saim Ayub scored 14, Salman Agha managed eight and Mohammad Nawaz added six.

Kuldeep Yadav led India’s bowling attack with four wickets for 30 runs. Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each. Pakistan were bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs, setting India a target of 147 runs.

Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill opened for India. Faheem Ashraf struck early, dismissing Sharma for five with the total at just seven runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Suryakumar Yadav in the third over, caught brilliantly by Salman Agha. Ashraf struck again in the fourth over, sending Gill back for 12.

India stood at 54 for 3 after nine overs. Samson tried to stabilise the innings but Abrar Ahmed removed him for 24, leaving India 78 for 4 in the 13th over. Pakistan created more chances but Hussain Talat dropped a simple catch, enabling Tilak Varma to take control, building partnerships and pushing the scoreboard forward.

He received good support from Shivam Dube, who smashed 33 off 22 balls before Ashraf dismissed him in the 19th over. India needed only 17 runs from the last two overs and crossed the finish line comfortably with five wickets in hand.

Pakistan’s batting collapse cost them dearly after a strong opening stand. India showed composure under pressure, with Varma guiding the chase in style. 

With this victory, India lifted their ninth Asia Cup trophy, strengthening their dominance in the tournament’s history.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh’s inappropriate gestures.

According to reports, the PCB has in the complaint maintained that Arshdeep violated the ICC code of conduct, making inappropriate gestures towards the crowd after the match on September 21.

The PCB argued that such gestures were unethical and damaged the spirit and reputation of the game. 

The board demanded strict action against the Indian pacer for his misconduct, a video of which had gone viral over the internet.

Earlier, the PCB also wrote a detailed letter to the ICC against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, accusing him of dragging politics into cricket and harming the sport’s image. 

Reports confirm that the ICC has accepted PCB’s stance in the case and Yadav has been told to avoid passing political comments.

The decision was taken after a hearing conducted by ICC match referee Richie Richardson, wherein Yadav was also fined 30 percent of his match fee.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha spoke with confidence and aggression during the pre-match press conference on Saturday ahead of the Asia Cup final against India in Dubai.

Facing sharp questions from journalists, Salman stayed composed and answered with authority. 

On the handshake controversy, he stated, “Pakistan and India have had tense relations before, but the tradition of not shaking hands never existed. This is not good for cricket.” He added that even his father, a keen cricket follower, always encouraged handshakes.

When asked about the traditional pre-final trophy photoshoot, Salman responded firmly: “We are ready as per the rules of the game. Whoever wants to come can come, whoever doesn’t want to, that’s their choice. We don’t car.”

The captain admitted his own performances had not matched the expectations of a skipper. “Yes, my strike rate needs improvement, and I should perform better as a captain. But my focus, and the team’s focus, is only on winning the Asia Cup,” he said.

Taking a dig at the Indian media, Salman remarked, “I don’t care about what the Indian media says. Both teams are under pressure, but we will give our best to win.”

He also backed young opener Saim Ayub, saying, “Saim will be Pakistan’s top performer for the next 10 years. He may not be shining with the bat right now, but in bowling and fielding he is contributing a lot, and soon he will shine in batting as well.”

In an emotional tone, Salman highlighted the passion behind Pakistan’s campaign: “If a cricketer cannot show emotions on the field, then where else can he? What happens outside the field does not concern us. Our only aim is to play the best cricket and lift the Asia Cup trophy.”

The final between Pakistan and India is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.