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Category: Sports

  • Mohsin Naqvi urges fans to support, not troll, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Haris

    Mohsin Naqvi urges fans to support, not troll, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Haris

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has called on cricketing fans to stop trolling national team players Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Haris, who have faced heavy criticism on social media in recent days.

    Naqvi posted his remarks on X, formerly Twitter, emphasising the need for unity and support for the players during the ongoing T20I tri-series against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    “Salman and Haris deserve support, not social media trolling,” Naqvi wrote after a viral video of Haris during a rapid-fire interview sparked backlash from fans.

    In the video, Haris was asked if Babar Azam should change his T20 batting style. “Yes,” he said in response. When asked whether it should be faster or slower, Haris replied, “Faster.”

    The lighthearted exchange triggered strong reactions from Babar’s supporters online, leading to harsh criticism against Haris. Many accused him of disrespecting a senior player and the backlash reportedly left Haris frustrated. The same was witnessed during the match against UAE when Haris broke his bat in anger, further fueling the debate.

    Salman Ali Agha has also faced scrutiny since being appointed Pakistan’s T20I captain. Critics are comparing his performance and leadership with Babar’s record, questioning his credentials. 

    The timing of Naqvi’s statement coincides with Pakistan’s strong start in the T20I tri-series. The national team has secured back-to-back wins against Afghanistan and the UAE, leading the table with four points. Pakistan will look to continue its winning form in the third match against Afghanistan today.

  • Rashid Khan creates history in T20Is

    Rashid Khan creates history in T20Is

    Afghan captain and all-rounder Rashid Khan has created history by becoming the highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals.

    In the third match of the tri-nation series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Rashid claimed three wickets for 21 runs to set the new world record.

    The 26-year-old became the first bowler to take 165 wickets in T20 internationals. During the same match, he equaled Tim Southee’s record before surpassing it.

    New Zealand’s Tim Southee had taken 164 wickets in 126 matches whereas Rashid achieved the milestone in just 98 matches.

    Meanwhile, Afghanistan defeated UAE by 38 runs in the third match of the series played in Sharjah. Chasing a target of 189 runs, UAE managed to only score 150 for eight wickets in the allotted overs.

    For UAE, captain Muhammad Waseem scored 67 runs while Rahul Chopra made 52, but their efforts went in vain. Rashid and Sharafuddin Ashraf picked three wickets each for Afghanistan.

    Afghanistan will face Pakistan in the fourth match of the tri-series today.

  • Mitchell Starc retires from T20Is

    Mitchell Starc retires from T20Is

    Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20 Internationals to concentrate on Test and ODI cricket, Cricket Australia confirmed on Tuesday.

    Starc, who played 65 T20Is and claimed 79 wickets, said Test cricket has always been his main focus.

    “I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way,” he said in a statement.

    Starc added that he wanted to remain fresh for the major upcoming events.

    “Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns. It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that tournament,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has announced the squad for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand in Starc’s absence. Pat Cummins will not feature in the series as part of his management plan.

    According to Cricket Australia, Cummins is dealing with lower back soreness and is under assessment. He will also not be considered for the limited-overs series against India.

    Mitchell Marsh will lead the team in the three-match T20 series against New Zealand starting for October 1.

  • Asif Ali bids farewell to international cricket

    Asif Ali bids farewell to international cricket

    Pakistani star batter Asif Ali has officially announced his retirement from international cricket.

    Asif announced his decision in a social media post, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to represent Pakistan.

    “Today, I announce my retirement from international cricket. Alhamdulillah, wearing the Pakistan jersey has been the greatest honour of my life and serving my country on the cricket field has been my proudest chapter,” he wrote.

    Thanking those who supported him throughout his journey, Asif added, “To my fans, teammates, and coaches, thank you for your love, belief, and support through every high and low. To my family and friends, who stood with me in moments of joy and in the deepest of trials, including the loss of my beloved daughter during the World Cup, your strength carried me forward.”

    “I retire with immense gratitude, and InshaAllah will continue to share my passion for the game by playing domestic and league cricket worldwide. Pakistan Zindabad,” he added.

    Asif Ali was known for his explosive hitting in the lower order and his ability to finish matches.

    His most memorable performance came during the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup against Afghanistan, where he smashed 25 not out off just seven balls, including four sixes in a single over to seal victory for Pakistan. This innings remains one of the most iconic moments of his career and showcased his finishing skills under pressure. Earlier in the same tournament, he also played a crucial knock against New Zealand, scoring 27 off 12 balls with three massive sixes, which helped Pakistan secure another important win.

    Asif Ali made his T20 International debut for Pakistan on April 1, 2018, against West Indies, and just a few months later, he made his One-Day International debut on July 13, 2018, against Zimbabwe. He was considered a power-hitter and a valuable asset for Pakistan in limited-overs cricket. However, despite occasional match-winning performances, consistency remained a challenge in his career.

    He played his last ODI for Pakistan on April 2, 2022, against Australia. His final T20I appearance came on October 7, 2023, against Bangladesh during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. After that, he fell out of favor with selectors due to inconsistent performances and the emergence of younger players, which limited his chances in the national team setup.

    In total, Asif Ali represented Pakistan in 21 ODIs and 58 T20Is, scoring 382 runs in ODIs at an average of 25 and 577 runs in T20Is at an average of 15.

  • Wasim Akram urges Pakistan to use Babar Azam as anchor in T20 cricket

    Wasim Akram urges Pakistan to use Babar Azam as anchor in T20 cricket

    Former Pakistan captain and Sultan of Swing Wasim Akram has urged the national team to include Babar Azam as an anchor in the middle order for upcoming T20 challenges. Akram believes Pakistan needs a technically strong batter with an attacking mindset for high-pressure situations in big tournaments.

    During an appearance on Geo News’ program ‘Hasna Mana Hai’, Akram shared his thoughts on the challenges Babar faces. 

    “Okay, we are coming from Bangladesh after winning the series 2-1 against West Indies. But I feel there is still a little inconsistency. Now, the big series are coming up, the Asia Cup is coming up, then the World Cup next year. Now my concern is that at number three or four, if you have to chase 140 or 145 in a knockout game, for example, against Australia, India, or England, then you need an anchor, an anchor but with a good strike rate, someone who has good technique and can also play attacking shots,” Akram said.

    He further suggested Babar for this role based on his previous performances. “ In T20s, if you play him (Babar Azam) at number three, like he played for Somerset with a strike rate of 140, then he can play his natural game,” he added.

    Akram also shared advice for the former captain, who is currently out of the T20I squad. “Babar Azam is our superstar and a top player in world cricket. I would just advise him to stay calm, ignore unnecessary press conferences, and remember that ‘Form is temporary, class is forever.’ Keep going, and you will return to the top of world cricket again,” Akram said.

    Babar, currently second on the list of all-time leading T20I run-scorers, has been out of favor in the shortest format since Pakistan’s three-match series against South Africa in December last year. He was also not included in the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, as Pakistan focuses on grooming youngsters ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

    Currently, the Men in Green are competing in a tri-nation T20I series against the UAE and Afghanistan. Pakistan has won both of their matches so far in the series, which runs from August 29 to September 7, concluding just before the Asia Cup 2025 begins.

    The Asia Cup will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, UAE, and Oman, while Group B consists of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. The tournament starts on September 9 with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong.

    Pakistan will open their campaign against Oman on September 12, face arch-rivals India on September 14, and play their final group-stage match against hosts UAE on September 17. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage, which could set up another Pakistan-India clash on September 21.

    Pakistan Squad for Tri-Nation Series and Asia Cup 2025 includes Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem.

  • ‘Life is first come, first served’: Polish CEO defends snatching hat from child

    ‘Life is first come, first served’: Polish CEO defends snatching hat from child

    A shocking moment at the US Open turned into a viral scandal when Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek grabbed a cap that tennis player Kamil Majchrzak gave to a young boy, and later brazenly defended his actions. 

    A viral video shows Szczerek quickly taking the hat before a child named Brock could receive it. The clip spread across social media, causing outrage after chalking up millions of views.

    After the backlash, Majchrzak reached out to Brock, met him in person, and gave him an autographed hat. The player shared the moment on Instagram, saying he did not realize the boy missed out and wanted to make things right.

    Szczerek, however, refused to apologize. In a post on GoWork, he wrote, “The recent incident at the tennis match has caused a disproportionate online uproar. It’s all about the famous hat, of course. Yes, I took it. Yes, I did it quickly. But as I’ve always said, life is first come, first served.”

    He added, “It’s just a hat. If you were faster, you would have it… In the end, chin up, hats off, less venom, more sportsmanship.”

    His comments fueled more anger online. People flooded his company Drogbruk’s page with negative reviews, dropping its rating to 1.4 stars. 

    Hundreds of comments calling him out were posted on the forum, claiming the CEO is a “thief”, “embarrassing” among more colorful language. All of his social media has since been deleted.

  • Liverpool sign Alexander Isak in record £130m transfer from Newcastle

    Liverpool sign Alexander Isak in record £130m transfer from Newcastle

    Premier League champions Liverpool have completed a sensational deal to sign Swedish striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a British record fee of £130 million.

    The 25-year-old will undergo a medical before signing a six-year contract with the Reds. The transfer fee surpasses the previous record of £116 million that Liverpool paid for Florian Wirtz earlier this summer.

    Isak joins Liverpool after an outstanding season with Newcastle, where he scored 23 Premier League goals and cemented his reputation as one of the league’s top strikers. His exit had been expected in recent weeks after he voiced frustration with the club, posting on Instagram that “promises were broken.” 

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe later admitted that selling Isak might be necessary to comply with Profit and Sustainability Regulations following their own big-money signing of German forward Nick Woltemade.

    For Liverpool, this is another major statement in a summer of heavy investment. Along with Isak, the champions have added Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez to their squad. The team has started the new season strong, winning all three of their opening matches.

  • Asia Cup 2025 match timings changed; here’s when exactly the matches will be broadcast

    Asia Cup 2025 match timings changed; here’s when exactly the matches will be broadcast

    The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced changes to the match timings for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

    According to the new schedule, all matches will now begin at 6:30 PM local time in the UAE and 7:30 PM Pakistan Standard Time.

    On September 15, the tournament will feature double-header matches. The first match between the UAE and Oman will start at 4:30 PM in Abu Dhabi, while the second match between Sri Lanka and Hong Kong will take place in Dubai at 6:30 PM local time.

    The ACC stated that the adjustment has been made considering the weather conditions and the convenience of fans attending the matches.

    Previously, the Asia Cup matches were scheduled to start at 6:00 PM local time.

  • Afghan fans break designated gate, storm Sharjah Cricket Stadium without tickets

    Afghan fans break designated gate, storm Sharjah Cricket Stadium without tickets

    The opening match of the Tri-Nation T20 Series between Pakistan and Afghanistan turned chaotic as Afghan fans reportedly forced their way into the Sharjah Cricket Stadium without tickets, creating a security scare before the game began.

    According to media reports, a dedicated entry gate for Afghan supporters collapsed after ticketless fans pushed through. Security officials struggled to control the surge, raising serious questions about the arrangements for this high-voltage clash.

    Organizers had anticipated trouble and introduced strict measures to avoid confrontations between rival fans. They assigned separate enclosures, different entry points, and even distinct ticket colors green for Pakistan supporters and blue for Afghan supporters.

    Earlier, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan had urged fans to stay calm and avoid ugly scenes ahead of the series. Despite his appeal, chaos erupted minutes before the toss, overshadowing what was expected to be a thrilling contest.

    On the field, Pakistan dominated. Men in Green crushed Afghanistan by 39 runs, making a strong start.

    The tri-series continues today, with Pakistan taking on hosts UAE in Sharjah. Organizers now face the heat to prevent another security breach, especially with more Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes likely, including a possible final.

  • Pakistan crush Afghanistan by 39 runs in tri-series opener

    Pakistan crush Afghanistan by 39 runs in tri-series opener

    Pakistan started their UAE T20 Tri-Series campaign with a strong win, defeating Afghanistan by 39 runs in Sharjah on Friday.

    Chasing a target of 183, Afghanistan were bowled out for 143 runs in 19.3 overs.

    After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first and posted a competitive total of 182 for 7 in their 20 overs.

    Captain Salman Ali Agha played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 53 runs off 33 balls, hitting three sixes and three fours. Sahibzada Farhan and Mohammad Nawaz scored 21 runs each whereas Fakhar Zaman added 20 runs. Mohammad Haris contributed 15, Faheem Ashraf and Saim Ayub scored 14 each, and Hasan Nawaz scored 9 before getting out.

    For Afghanistan, Fareed Ahmad was the most successful bowler with two wickets while Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Azmatullah Omarzai took one wicket each.

    In response, Afghanistan struggled to chase the target and managed only 143 runs before losing all their wickets in 19.5 overs. Skipper Rashid Khan top-scored with 39 runs followed by Rahmanullah Gurbaz with 38. Sadiqullah scored 23 and Darwish Rasooli added 21, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to make an impact.

    Haris Rauf starred with the ball for Pakistan, claiming four wickets. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz and Sufiyan Muqeem picked up two wickets each to ensure a comfortable victory for the Men in Green.