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  • Quinton de Kock reverses retirement, returns for Pakistan tour

    Quinton de Kock reverses retirement, returns for Pakistan tour

    South African wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock has come out of retirement from ODI cricket to take part in both ODI and T20I squads for the Pakistan tour.

    De Kock had retired from 50-over cricket after the 2023 ODI World Cup, and his last white-ball game for South Africa was the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados. While he never officially retired from T20Is, he was not included in any of South Africa’s squads and former coach Rob Walter was unsure of his long-term plans. In the meantime, he has been active in T20 leagues around the world, including the recently-concluded CPL.

    Current head coach Shukri Conrad has discussed the matter with de Kock and said he has committed to the national team again.

    “Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us,” Conrad said. “When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country. Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team.”

    At the time of his ODI retirement, de Kock had hinted that he might be convinced to come back, with South Africa’s home World Cup in 2027 on the horizon. “At this point, I don’t foresee it happening. But you never know. Strange things happen in life. It could be a possibility but I don’t think so,” he had said.

    De Kock has played 155 ODIs, in which he has 6770 runs at an average of 45.74 and a strike rate of 96.64. In 92 T20Is, he has 2584 runs at a strike rate of 138.32. He has played three ODI World Cups – 2015, 2019 and 2023 – and the only ICC tournament he missed after his retirement was the Champions Trophy earlier this year where South Africa were knocked out in the semi-final.

    It is worth mentioning that Quinton de Kock once cleverly played a role in the dismissal of Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman, who was batting on 193 in an ODI match. Zaman’s brilliant innings came to an end on the first ball of the final over, when a direct hit from Aiden Markram at long-off caught him short of his ground at the striker’s end.

    However, the legality of the dismissal raised questions. De Kock was seen gesturing with his arms, possibly suggesting that the throw was headed to the non-striker’s end, which may have contributed to Zaman hesitating and ultimately being run out.

  • Pakistanis react to Shubman Gill’s ‘Game speaks, not words’ post

    Pakistanis react to Shubman Gill’s ‘Game speaks, not words’ post

    Pakistan might have lost to India in the Super Fours clash of the Asia Cup, but no one can outwit them, especially when it comes to social media banter.

    After a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Indian batter Shubman Gill posted pictures of the match with the caption, “Game speaks, not words”.

    As expected, it wasn’t much later that Pakistani social media users reminded him of the defeat India faced in May’s military clash against the country.

    “6-0 is permanent,” wrote one user.

    “Match tha is liye haar gaye. Jung hoti to!!!!!!!! Urha k rkhty,” another commented.

    A third said, “You won the game, we won the war.”

    Meanwhile, some pointed out Fakhar Zaman’s controversial dismissal by the umpires. “Game speaks, but with the support of umpiring decisions,” wrote one.

    Another user reminded Gill of his wicket falling to Faheem Ashraf, saying, “So How was That Game Delivery of the Match? Takleef Toh Hoi Hogi Jab Aesa Bowled Howay Hogay [sic].”

    One user went on to share an edited image of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah signaling six-zero to Gandhi.

    Earlier, Pakistani batter Sahibzada Farhan also allegedly paid homage to the Pakistani military after scoring his half-century against India, firing shots in the air pretending his bat was a gun.

    Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf, on the other hand, responded to Indian spectators’ jeers by making hand gestures in reference to the downing of Indian jets by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in May.

    The match was filled with drama, as Rauf, Gill and Abhishek Sharma also engaged in heated exchanges on the field. Pakistani bowlers were particularly animated during the celebrations of Gill and Sharma’s wickets.

    Batting first, Pakistan had scored 171 runs. India began their chase with an aggressive start but stumbled midway, losing four wickets in quick succession. However, steady middle-order batting guided India to a six-wicket win, securing the victory with seven balls to spare.

  • ‘Same energy, different battlefield’: Netizens react to Harif Rauf silencing Indian fans, Farhan’s celebration

    ‘Same energy, different battlefield’: Netizens react to Harif Rauf silencing Indian fans, Farhan’s celebration

    Social media users are in fits over Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf’s response to jeers from Indian spectators and Sahibzada Farhan’s fifty celebration against India during the Super Fours clash at the Asia Cup.

    Despite Pakistan’s six-wicket defeat, its second loss in the tournament, it was the players’ behaviour that stole the spotlight.

    While the Pakistani team seemed to have entered the field with renewed energy, possibly owing to the handshake controversy during the September 14 matchup against India, it was Farhan’s half-century celebration that first caught netizens’ attention.

    After completing his fifty in 34 balls, the batsman celebrated it by mimicking a gunshot with his bat.

    “This Sahibzada Farhan’s celebration after cooking India just added 4 years to my life, WOWZERSSS!” wrote a user.

    “What a celebration by Sahibzada Farhan… Sahibzada Farhan displays years of hard grinding in first-class cricket. Majestic stroke making. Go well boy,” said the second user.

    “SAHIBZADA FARHAN TEARING APART INDIAN BOWLERS. WHAT A KILLER CELEBRATION,” wrote another netizen.

    But that wasn’t all…

    Rauf, standing at the boundary in the second innings, made a dramatic hand move, purportedly gesturing a jet that crashes – in alleged connection to India’s loss of jets during aerial skirmishes with Pakistan in May this year.

    He also signaled a “6-0” to Indian fans, which was in line with Pakistani claims of destroying six Indian Air Force (IAF) planes while losing none.

    Reacting to the fast bowler’s gestures, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif wrote that India would never forget the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) 6-0 victory during Marka-e-Haq.


    “Haris Rauf pointing to Rafale downing by PAF during the India-Pakistan war. He was responding to the India crowd teasing him with Kohli chants,” journalist Waseem Abbasi wrote.


    “Haris Rauf never disappoints, specially, with 6-0,” wrote another journalist Ihtisham Ul Haq


    “We lost the match but this aggressive attitude of King HARIS RAUF will remain forever in our hearts ‘HR’” said one of the users.


    Another said, “LOL! Haris Rauf reminded Indian fans last night how PAF turned IAF jets into fireworks. Same energy, different battlefield! PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.”

    One of the users maintained, “Pakistani cricketer Haris Rauf reminded malicious Indian fans of how the Pakistan Air Force shot down an Indian Rafale. After that, the bells stopped ringing.”

  • Despite Pakistan’s objections, Andy Pycroft returns as match referee for Super 4 India clash

    Despite Pakistan’s objections, Andy Pycroft returns as match referee for Super 4 India clash

    Andy Pycroft, the match referee at the centre of the controversy during the Pakistan-India clash on September 14, will once again officiate Sunday’s high-voltage Super Four encounter between the two arch-rivals.

    The Sept 14 Asia Cup clash had sparked a storm when Pycroft requested both captains, Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav, to skip the customary handshake at the toss. It was a move that infuriated the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which promptly demanded his “immediate removal”.

    The fallout continued into Pakistan’s next match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the team delaying their arrival and the match start time amid behind-the-scenes negotiations with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

    Tensions only eased after a last-minute meeting between Pycroft and Pakistan’s team management ahead of that match — a meeting that itself stirred further controversy over conflicting reports of an alleged apology by the referee.

    Now, with Pycroft officially retained as match referee for the upcoming clash, the high-octane rivalry resumes in a charged atmosphere. India, however, are steering clear of the off-field drama.

    “We’re just focused on our game,” Indian skipper Yadav said on Saturday. “Preparations have been good, and we’re sticking to our strengths. Past results don’t give us an edge… it’s a fresh game, and both teams will need to start strong.”

    India arrived back in Dubai early Saturday after their game against Oman, and will have an optional practice session. Pakistan are scheduled to have a full training session at the ICC Academy today.

    The match will be played at 7:30 pm, Pakistan Standard Time.

  • Imran Khan wrote THIS legendary cricketer’s name on a pillow, punched it hard after India loss

    Imran Khan wrote THIS legendary cricketer’s name on a pillow, punched it hard after India loss

    Former cricketer and ex-Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja has said that Imran Khan wrote a legendary cricketer’s name on the pillow and punched it hard when the latter got out against India, leading Pakistan to lose a One Day International (ODI) match. 

    “We played six ODIs and won five of them in India. We lost [a] match when Abdul Qadir got out [at the moment] when the score was level,” he said while appearing on a private media outlet on Wednesday, adding that, despite the match being tied, India won as Pakistan lost more wickets than India.

    Raja said Khan told Abdul Qadir, “I wrote your name on the pillow and punched it hard,” leaving the host in stitches.

    He was referring to Pakistan’s visit to India in 1987, when both teams played six ODIs. Pakistan lost only one match, played on March 20 in Hyderabad, with a score of 212/7. Despite the match being tied, India won, as it had lost only six wickets.

    In that series, Abdul Qadir was the second-highest wicket-taker (eight). Meanwhile, Javed Miandad was the leading scorer with 229 runs.

    Responding to the Indian media reports suggesting that if India wins the final of the Asia Cup 2025, the team perhaps would not take the winning trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Raja described the idea as “meaningless” and went on to say that he has no idea about such a development.

    Ramiz Raja’s remarks came in the backdrop of September 14’s Pakistan-India clash in the Men’s Asia Cup in Dubai, when the former lost by seven wickets.

    Pakistan will face India again on September 21, as both teams have qualified for the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup.

  • ‘Small mistake can be costly’: India’s Kuldeep sees Shaheen as a threat ahead of Super Four clash

    ‘Small mistake can be costly’: India’s Kuldeep sees Shaheen as a threat ahead of Super Four clash

    India’s left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has sounded a note of caution ahead of the high-stakes Super Four clash against Pakistan at the Asia Cup, highlighting the threat posed by pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi.

    Speaking to media ahead of the much-anticipated showdown on September 21 in Dubai, Kuldeep praised the in-form left-arm pacer, saying, “Shaheen is bowling really well at the moment. A small mistake against him can prove very costly.”

    “Matches against Pakistan are always high-intensity. The motivation levels are naturally high, and every player wants to give their best,” he said, reflecting on the importance of the rivalry.

    The two teams last met on Sept 14 in their Group A clash where India comfortably chased down Pakistan’s 128-run target to win by seven wickets.

    Although the final Group A match between India and Oman is scheduled for today at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, both Pakistan and India have already secured qualification for the Super Four stage.

    Meanwhile, Group B fixtures wrapped up on Thursday with Sri Lanka finishing at the top of the table with three wins from as many games. Bangladesh claimed the second spot with two victories, despite a negative net run rate.

    The Super Four stage kicks off on Saturday with Bangladesh taking on Sri Lanka. The much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash follows on Sunday, also in Dubai. Monday will serve as a rest day before Pakistan face Sri Lanka at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sept 23.

  • ‘I know I let you all down’: Arshad Nadeem opens up after World Athletics Championship exit

    ‘I know I let you all down’: Arshad Nadeem opens up after World Athletics Championship exit

    Pakistani javelin star Arshad Nadeem has shared an emotional message with fans after missing out on a top slot at men’s javelin final of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

    In a heartfelt note posted on X (formerly Twitter), Nadeem expressed deep gratitude for the nation’s unwavering support, even as he admitted falling short of expectations. “Dear Pakistanis, I want to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering support and love throughout the World Athletics Championships. Although I couldn’t achieve the result I had hoped for in the final, I am proud to have represented our nation on the biggest stage.”

    “Your prayers, messages, and encouragement mean the world to me. I know I let you all down, but I promise to come back stronger and work even harder to make you proud,” he added, thanking fans for their support and encouragement with a promise to come back stronger.

    Talking about his injury, he said he had been dealing with an injury since July 4, which had affected his preparation and fitness level.

    “Despite this challenge, I gave it my all, and I appreciate the experience,” he said in reference to the calf surgery he underwent in the UK to address the recurring injury.

    Pakistan’s medal hopes were dashed on Thursday when Nadeem failed to make it into the top eight after four attempts. His best throw of 82.75 metres wasn’t enough to secure a place in the final rounds.

    Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago claimed the gold with a throw of 88.16 metres – his first major title since winning Olympics gold in 2012. Grenada’s Anderson Peters secured silver with 87.38 metres while the United States’ (US) Curtis Thompson won bronze with 86.67 metres — the country’s first men’s javelin medal in nearly two decades.

  • Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage leaves Asia Cup to attend father’s funeral

    Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage leaves Asia Cup to attend father’s funeral

    Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage has flown back home early Friday after the unexpected passing of his father Suranga Wellalage.

    The 22-year-old, who featured in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup Group B victory against Afghanistan in Dubai, departed Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways flight EY-392, arriving in Katunayake.

    Suranga Wellalage, a former cricketer, died on September 18 at the age of 54, reportedly losing his life to a sudden heart attack. Dunith was informed of the tragic news after the match, which Sri Lanka won by six wickets with eight balls to spare, securing their spot in the Super Four stage.

    Wellalage immediately left the team camp to return home, and his participation in the remainder of the tournament now appears highly unlikely.

    Sri Lanka is scheduled to face Bangladesh on September 20, Pakistan on the 23rd, and India on the 26th.

    This was Wellalage’s debut appearance in the Asia Cup and just his fifth T20 International. He has represented Sri Lanka in 31 ODIs, with a standout performance of 5 for 27 against India in Colombo in August 2024. He also took 5 for 40 against India in a 2023 Asia Cup match, when the tournament was played in the ODI format. He was the equal-second wicket-taker in that tournament, claiming 10 dismissals at an average of 17.90.

  • Shaheen’s pace has dropped since injury, he has forgotten bouncer: Bazid Khan

    Shaheen’s pace has dropped since injury, he has forgotten bouncer: Bazid Khan

    Former Pakistan cricketer and renowned analyst Bazid Khan has raised concerns over ace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi’s declining pace and diminished use of the bouncer, attributing the changes to his return from injury.

    Speaking on PTV Sports during a post-match analysis show hosted by Zainab Abbas, Bazid suggested that the left-arm pacer no longer possesses the same fear factor that once made him a standout performer in world cricket.

    “His pace was noticeably higher before the injury,” Bazid noted. “His inswingers were sharper and more impactful. Since returning, he hasn’t quite regained that intensity.”

    Bazid pointed out that Shaheen appears overly reliant on attempting yorkers too early in his spell, rather than building pressure with short-pitched deliveries. “He’s pitching the ball up too much with the new ball. Given his height, he could be far more effective by setting up batters with short-of-a-length deliveries,” Bazid explained.

    The analyst also expressed surprise at the pacer’s reluctance to bowl bouncers, especially in the initial overs. “I honestly can’t recall the last time he bowled a bouncer early in the innings. It’s surprising for someone of his stature. In the match against India, after getting hit for boundaries, I thought a bouncer in frustration was the natural response. Bouncer… I think he has forgotten? But it seems like it doesn’t even cross his mind anymore.”

    Despite the criticism, Bazid acknowledged that Shaheen has started to employ a shorter length more frequently, which he believes is a step in the right direction.

    The discussion followed Pakistan’s 41-run win over the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup 2025.

    Batting first, Pakistan overcame a mid-innings collapse to post 146-9 in their 20 overs. Contributions from the lower order proved crucial, with Shaheen Afridi delivering a valuable cameo of 29 runs off 14 balls to push the total beyond reach.

    With the ball, Shaheen made an impact as well, claiming two important wickets and earning the Player of the Match award for his all-round performance. His spell helped Pakistan restrict UAE effectively and secure their place in the Super Four stage of the tournament.

  • Spain considers World Cup boycott if Israel qualify

    Spain considers World Cup boycott if Israel qualify

    Spanish government officials have hinted they may pull their national team from the 2026 World Cup if Israel qualifies and competes in the tournament, foreign media reports said.

    The suggestion stems from Spain’s call for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions as penalty for its genocide in Gaza.

    Spain, a favorite to win the upcoming tournament, holds a strong position in qualifying. Despite this, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has pushed for Israel’s exclusion, comparing the situation to the ban imposed on Russia by FIFA and UEFA after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

    Sanchez, speaking to his Socialist Workers’ Party, stated, “Israel cannot continue to use any international platform to whitewash its image.” His comments follow a UN commission report that concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe Israel has carried out four of the five acts of genocide defined under international law in Gaza.

    The ongoing conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel’s subsequent military actions have resulted in a significant number of Palestinian deaths. 

    Patxi Lopez, a spokesperson for the Socialist Group in Spanish Congress, suggested the government could vote to boycott the World Cup if Israel competes. He echoed Sanchez’s sentiments, urging sports associations to “exclude” Israel.

    When asked about a potential withdrawal, Lopez said they would “consider it later” and could make a formal request “at the appropriate time” if no action is taken.

    Spanish government spokesperson and Minister of Sports, Pilar Alegria, also called for Israel’s exclusion, stating that “Sport is not, and cannot be, an island independent of what happens in the real world.”

    Other European nations have also considered similar actions. A prominent Spanish broadcaster has threatened to boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates, a move that follows similar announcements from organizations in the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland.

    Israel is currently third in its qualifying group for the World Cup, a position that keeps its hopes for a play-off spot alive. 

    FIFA and UEFA have not yet publicly responded to the Spanish officials’ comments.