Category: Sports

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings has landed in hot water after releasing a promotional banner for the upcoming Pakistan-India clash in the 2025 Asia Cup.

The match, scheduled to be played on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, was advertised with India’s logo and hashtag, but Pakistan’s name and logo were missing. 

Game 2️⃣ for the defending champions. Let’s goooo #AsiaCup2025 #INDv pic.twitter.com/BgeoRfJjMo

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) September 11, 2025

This move sparked outrage among fans, who accused the franchise of being politically motivated and disrespectful.

Sports journalist Faizan Lakhani joined the criticism with a witty take. He wrote, “Puraanay waqto main mashriqi khawateen apne husband ka naam nahee layti thee, sharma si jaati thee. @PunjabKingsIPL ne kuch aisa hee kaam kia hai, sharma gaye woh naam lainay main.”

Puraanay waqto main mashriqi khawateen apne husband ka naam nahee layti thee, sharma si jaati thee. @PunjabKingsIPL ne kuch aisa hee kaam kia hai, sharma gaye woh naam lainay main.

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) September 12, 2025

Cricket fans also flooded social media with sarcastic jabs. One user wrote, “Picture ki jaga 6-0 likh data.” Another commented, “PAF vs IAF 6-0.” A third added, “India vs Rafale Hunters.”

The reference to 6-0 points to Pakistan Air Force shooting down six Indian jets, including three Rafales, during aerial clashes in May.

Others mocked India’s nerves ahead of the contest. One fan wrote, “India Pakistan k flag se hi khof khata dar ka mahol.” Another added, “Empty mean Punjab trophy cabinet.”

This is not the first time politics has overshadowed a Pakistan-India game. Earlier this year, during the World Championship of Legends, India Champions refused to face Pakistan in both the group stage and semifinal, citing tensions between the two nations. Several former Indian cricketers have also pushed for boycotts against Pakistan across different forums.

On the cricketing front, India comes into Sunday’s clash full of confidence after thrashing the UAE by nine wickets in their opener. They bowled the hosts out for just 57 runs and chased the target in only 4.3 overs. Pakistan will launch their campaign on Friday against Oman at the same venue.

Overall, India and Pakistan have met 13 times in T20 internationals. India leads the rivalry 10–3. Their last meeting was during the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai earlier this year, where India won by six wickets.

Ticket demand has soared for the high-voltage Pakistan-India clash in the 2025 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

According to reports, organisers have said 90 percent of tickets have already been sold, with most seats in the general enclosure snapped up by eager fans.

Interestingly, this comes after earlier claims in the Indian media that nearly half of the tickets were still unsold. The latest update from the organisers directly contradicts those reports, confirming that demand has remained sky-high from the start.

As of Thursday evening, the cheapest ticket cost AED 750 (about PKR 57,000), while premium tickets were going for AED 3,500 (around PKR 270,000). Only a handful of premium seats remain available. Long queues continue to form at ticket counters near the stadium, while online sales are also moving fast.

To give fans one last chance, organisers opened a fresh online sales window on Thursday evening.

On the field, India heads into Sunday’s game after thrashing the UAE by nine wickets in their opening match. The Men in Blue bowled out the hosts for just 57 runs and chased the target inside 4.3 overs. Pakistan will begin their campaign on Friday against Oman at the same venue.

India and Pakistan have faced each other 13 times in T20 internationals, with India leading the head-to-head 10–3. Their last meeting came on February 23 during the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, where India won by six wickets.

After all-rounder Asif Ali and pacer Usman Shinwari, another Pakistani cricketer has decided to retire from international cricket. 

Left-arm fast bowler Waqas Maqsood, 37, announced his retirement on Thursday.

Maqsood made his only international appearance in November 2018, when he played a T20I against New Zealand. He bowled 1.5 overs in that match and took two wickets. Despite a promising debut, he was never called up to the national team again. 

He became the 80th player to represent Pakistan in T20Is. Outside international cricket, Maqsood had a long domestic career. Between 2011 and 2023, he featured in 81 first-class, 56 List A, and 68 T20 matches.

During the Pakistan Super League, he represented Karachi Kings and Islamabad United.

A heated argument broke out on the pitch after Italy edged past Israel 5-4 in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Debrecen, Hungary.

Israeli players alleged that the Italian team mocked and insulted them throughout the match, sparking tensions after the final whistle.

“An argument broke out, they were very, very emotional,” Israel captain Eli Dasa told a foreign media outlet. “They felt they were not in the game, and we deserved to win, and they tried to provoke a bit. It is part of football, so we moved on.”

Other Israeli players claimed the incident started with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Tay Brivo, and Shagiv Yehezkel, after the Italian goalkeeper allegedly teased them. “They cursed at us the whole game,” several players said. Reports suggested that some members of the Italian delegation later apologized to the Israelis for their behavior.

However, while Israeli media reported that officials from the Italian Football Association had apologized, Italy denied those claims, describing the clash as an “on-field matter.”

Off the pitch, Italian fans became immediate social media darlings by turning their backs during Israel’s national anthem and displaying banners that read “Stop”, referring to the genocide in Gaza. 

The two teams are scheduled to face each other again on October 14 in Udine.

Pakistan football has received a major boost as FIFA approves the change of sporting nationality for midfielder Etzaz Hussain. 

The 32-year-old, who once played alongside Erling Haaland at Molde FK, completed the switch after receiving confirmation from FIFA earlier this week.

Hussain secured a Pakistani passport earlier this year and had already expressed his dream of representing the Green Shirts. One of the most decorated players in Norwegian football, he has won four Eliteserien league titles and three Norwegian Cups with Molde, making him one of the club’s most successful players with seven trophies.

Over his career, Hussain has made nearly 300 professional appearances. His journey includes spells in Turkey with Sivasspor, Croatia with NK Rudeš, Cyprus with Apollon Limassol and most recently with Norwegian side Odd.

Born in Oslo to parents from Kharian, Gujrat, Hussain began his football career at Langhus before joining Manchester United’s youth academy in 2009. Although he never broke into the first team, he called his time at Old Trafford “an experience for life”.

He made his professional debut with Fredrikstad in 2011 and went on to play a crucial role at Molde under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, scoring in both domestic and European competitions. He also represented Norway at youth levels up to U23 but remained eligible for Pakistan as he never played senior competitive football for Norway.

With his eligibility now confirmed, Hussain is expected to bring much-needed experience and stability to Pakistan’s midfield ahead of international fixtures.

“This is a very important development for Pakistan football,” reports quoted an official as saying. “Having a player of Etzaz Hussain’s caliber and experience will inspire the team and fans alike.”

Hussain has often spoken with pride about his Pakistani heritage and was honoured by the Pakistan Embassy in Oslo during Independence Day celebrations in 2021.

The Indian Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea to ban the Asia Cup 2025 match between Pakistan and India, observing it was “just a match”.

A bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Vijay Bishnoi gave the remarks after activist Ketan Tirodkar approached the court, demanding that the September 14 clash in Dubai be declared unconstitutional. 

Tirodkar argued that given the recent hostilities between the two countries, cricket ties should not continue. He also claimed the match violated Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.

The judges dismissed the plea and made it clear they would not hear the matter.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reiterated its stance that it follows the central government’s policy. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said India’s current policy did not restrict the team from participating in international or multi-nation tournaments.

Pakistan and India are both in Group A of the Asia Cup. The two sides are set to meet on September 14 in Dubai.

Pakistan on Wednesday evening continued preparing for the Asia Cup 2025 with a training session at the ICC Academy in Dubai, but captain Salman Ali Agha could not participate because of a neck spasm.

Salman arrived at the academy with the team, wearing a bandage around his neck. While the players went through stretching and football exercises during warm-up, the captain stayed cautious and avoided strenuous activity.

According to reports, Salman only has a mild spasm and there is no major concern about his fitness. He skipped the training session as a precaution and is expected to resume full practice with the team soon.

Team management also remains confident that Salman will be fully available for the tournament’s matches.

The 15th edition of the Men’s Asia Cup is being played in the T20 format, featuring eight teams: Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Oman, UAE and Hong Kong.

Pakistan is in Group A alongside Oman, India and hosts UAE. Group B includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. The top two teams from each group will move into the Super Four with the leading two sides from that round contesting the final on Sept 28.

Since its launch in 1984, the Asia Cup has staged 16 editions. India leads the list with eight titles, winning in 1984, 1988, 1990–91, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018 and 2023. Sri Lanka has claimed the trophy six times in 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014 and 2022. 

Pakistan has lifted the cup twice, first in 2000 and again in 2012.

Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan has announced that more than 50 million young Pakistanis are associated with Esports. 

“We are establishing the country’s first esports federation and a game development center,” he said on Wednesday.

He revealed the plan while presenting the annual performance report of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme on Wednesday, highlighting that the government is working to empower youth in multiple areas including education, sports, technology, and employment.

He said, “The Youth Programme is following a policy based on engagement, employment, environment, and education. We are providing scholarships and platforms for young people to present their ideas, and we have launched National Innovation Awards.”

Talking about climate change, he said, “It is a major challenge. We have set up Green Youth Clubs in universities to raise awareness among the youth.”

He stressed the importance of volunteerism and capacity building. “We had initially planned to train two hundred thousand young people in disaster risk management, but now we will train two million in the next three years,” he said.

Rana Mashhood added, “Across the world, young volunteers are the first to step forward in times of natural disasters. We are focusing on technical education in fields like hospitality, health, and information technology. A modern software is being developed to prepare our youth in these areas.”

Sharing details about digital initiatives, he said, “We have established a Digital Youth Hub where six hundred thousand young people have registered. More than three thousand national and international companies, including federal, provincial, and private institutions, are also on board. At present, there are one hundred thousand job opportunities available on this hub.”

He explained that the platform also features opportunities in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other technologies. “We are giving our youth merit-based opportunities in education, sports, and other sectors without discrimination,” he said.

The chairman revealed that the government consulted more than two hundred thousand young people while drafting the country’s first National Youth and Adolescent Policy. “The government is working day and night to empower the youth, and this will give them the chance to move forward,” he stated. 

The Youth Programme’s Talent Hunt Sports included twenty-three games. “We want as many young athletes as possible to step forward. We are establishing sports academies and sports technology labs in the country,” Rana remarked.

Next week’s Pakistan-India clash at the Asia Cup has triggered controversy after a petition in the Indian Supreme Court (SC) sought a ban on the match.

The petition, filed by Pune-based social activist Ketan Tirodkar, argued that the game goes against Article 21 of the Constitution, which ensures every citizen’s right to life and dignity.

Urging the court to declare the match “unconstitutional” and asking the government to enforce the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, it also sought to bring the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under the National Sports Federation and National Sports Board to ensure accountability.

In the petition, Tirodkar said that staging the match sent the wrong message to Indian citizens and could demoralise soldiers who were serving the country.

A bench of the top court, led by the chief justice will hear the case on Friday – two days before Sunday’s match.

The Indian government has already cleared the BCCI to participate in the tournament, and the clash on Sept 14 will be the first between the two sides since military clashes in May. 

Separately, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has come under fire after shaking hands with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi during the unveiling of the Asia Cup 2025 trophy.

Yadav has drawn the ire of thousands of Indians, leaders and general public alike, for shaking the hand of the ACC chief who is also Pakistan’s interior minister besides being chairperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).