Category: Sports

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a major setback in its sponsorship efforts after the new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 has severely impacted revenue streams for fantasy sports companies.

According to media reports, fantasy sports giant Dream11 has announced that it has stopped all real-money games following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which bans real-money online gaming. The company has also informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it will be unable to continue as the lead sponsor of the Indian cricket teams, as its primary revenue stream has taken a significant hit.

Dream11 currently holds a sponsorship deal worth approximately INR 358 crore (USD 44 million) with the BCCI for the 2023-2026 period. Together with My11Circle, another fantasy sports platform, these companies contribute nearly INR 1,000 crore to Indian cricket through team sponsorships and IPL partnerships.

See you in our second innings. pic.twitter.com/oEfBNiC4dd

— Dream11 (@Dream11) August 22, 2025

The new law clearly states that “no person shall offer aid, abet, induce, indulge, engage in offering online money gaming services nor shall involve in any advertisement which directly or indirectly promotes any person to play any online money game.” While BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia declined to comment, Indian media reports confirmed that Dream11 might not face a major penalty due to a specific clause in the contract that allows a waiver in case of a government regulation.

Dream11 issued an official statement saying, “This morning, we stopped all paid contests on Dream11 and pivoted entirely to a free-to-play online social game. When we started this journey 18 years ago as a Sports Tech company, we were not even 1% of the size of the USA Fantasy Sports industry. Dream11’s Fantasy Sports product was our way to ‘Make Sports Better’ for all of India. With this passion, belief, and the spirit of Made in India, for India, by Indians, we became the largest fantasy sports platform in the world.”

The company added, “We have always been and will always be a law abiding company, and have conducted our business in compliance with the laws. While we believe that progressive regulations would have been the right way forward, we will respect the law and will fully comply with ‘The Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Law, 2025’.”

Dream11 also highlighted its future plans beyond fantasy sports. “We are fortunate to have a portfolio of amazing Sports Tech businesses including FanCode, DreamSetGo and Dream Game Studios, along with our Dream Sports Foundation. These will continue to power our vision to ‘Make Sports Better’ and support our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s ambition of making India a global sporting superpower. Thank you for all your love and trust. See you in our second innings,” the statement concluded.

An industry expert said, “The writing was always on the cards once the real money gaming was banned in the bill. That itself accounts for at least 90% of the revenue of all major players in the fantasy market. The next interesting phase will be what My11Circle, which pays Rs 125 crore annually to BCCI for being the official fantasy partner of IPL, does. They might also have to go the Dream11 way.”

The ban will also impact individual endorsements of cricketers with fantasy gaming apps, which formed a significant part of their commercial deals.

The Pakistan Women’s National Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, scheduled from September 30 to November 2 in Sri Lanka and India. The same squad will also play a three-match ODI series against South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from September 16 to 22.

Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan in the World Cup for the first time. The 23-year-old all-rounder captained the team earlier this year in Lahore during the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier, where Pakistan booked their World Cup spot with an unbeaten run.

Right-handed wicketkeeper-batter Eiman Fatima, who recently made her T20I debut against Ireland, has earned her first ODI World Cup call-up. Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sadaf Shamas, and Syeda Aroob Shah will also feature in their maiden ODI World Cup.

The selectors made two changes from the Qualifier squad, bringing in Eiman Fatima and Sadaf Shamas, while dropping Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who have been named among the non-travelling reserves. Other reserves include Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.

Pakistan will play all their World Cup matches at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. If the team qualifies for the semi-final on October 29 or the final on November 2, those matches will also be held in Colombo.

Pakistan’s World Cup fixtures (Colombo, 3 PM)

October 2 – vs Bangladesh
October 5 – vs India
October 8 – vs Australia
October 15 – vs England
October 18 – vs New Zealand
October 21 – vs South Africa
October 24 – vs Sri Lanka

South Africa ODI series (Lahore)

September 16 – 1st ODI
September 19 – 2nd ODI
September 22 – 3rd ODI

15-member squad

Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqi (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eiman Fatima, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper), and Syeda Aroob Shah.

Non-traveling reserves

Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar.

Support staff

Manager: Hina Munawar; Head coach: Mohammad Wasim; Assistant coaches: Junaid Khan, Tahir Khan; Fielding coach: Abdullah Saad; Media manager: Mohammad Rafiuallah; Strength and conditioning coach: Mohammad Asfandyar; Analyst: Waleed Ahmed; Physiotherapist: Tahreem Sunbul; Massage therapist: Kiran Shahzadi; Team doctor: To be announced.

South Africa have created an unwanted record in their ODI history after a crushing defeat to Australia in the third and final match of the series on Sunday.

Australia thrashed the visitors by 276 runs at Mackay, handing South Africa their biggest loss in ODI history. Despite the humiliating defeat, South Africa claimed the three-match series 2-1 after winning the first two games.

Batting first, Australia piled up a massive 431 for 2. The top three batters dominated the bowlers, each scoring a century. Openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh stitched a brilliant 250-run stand for the first wicket. Head smashed 142 runs off 103 balls, while Marsh scored exactly 100 from 106 deliveries.

Cameron Green played the most explosive innings of the day, blasting an unbeaten 118 from just 55 balls with six fours and eight sixes. Alex Carey supported him with 50 not out as the pair added 164 runs for the third wicket.

Chasing 432, South Africa collapsed to 155 all out as they failed to counter Australia’s bowling attack. Cooper Connolly stole the show with the ball, taking 5 wickets for just 22 runs. Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett grabbed two wickets each.

The 276-run defeat is now South Africa’s heaviest loss in ODIs by margin of runs. Their previous worst came in 2023 when India beat them by 243 runs.

Despite this record-breaking loss, South Africa can take consolation from winning the series 2-1.

Pakistani bodybuilders delivered an impressive performance at the 57th Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship in Bangkok, securing two gold medals for the country.

The championship, which runs from August 21 to 25, features top athletes from across Asia. Pakistan’s Ijaz Ahmed and Firasat Ali Khan claimed the top spots in their respective weight categories.

Ijaz Ahmed dominated the Masters category (ages 50 to 60) and the 80 kg weight division, leaving his Indian rivals behind. Vietnam secured second place in this category, while Malaysia finished third. 

Despite reaching the finals, two Indian bodybuilders could only secure fourth and fifth positions.

In the 75 kg weight category, Firasat Ali Khan outperformed strong competitors to claim gold. He defeated three Indian athletes and one Afghan contender to take the top spot on the podium.

A total of nine Pakistani bodybuilders are participating in the event, representing the country on the international stage. The strong start has boosted team morale, and hopes are high for more victories in the coming days.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to produce a documentary on the 10 years of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

According to reports, the documentary will cover the league’s journey from 2016 to 2025, showcasing its highs and lows as well as key achievements.

The film will dive into major moments, including the transition of PSL from Dubai to Pakistan and the efforts to bring international players into the country.

Reports revealed that the documentary will also discuss the challenges PSL faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the league managed to keep the tournament going in tough times.

The documentary will further shed light on how PSL climbed to the top among the world’s leading T20 leagues, becoming a global cricketing brand.

Pakistan’s middle-order batter Umar Akmal has sparked speculation about a cricket comeback after sharing a training video from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) on social media.

Umar posted a clip showing him working out on X (formerly Twitter) along with a post thanking High-Performance Center Director Aaqib Javed. 

His post immediately created buzz among fans, with many urging him to return to professional cricket.

thank you very much, Aqib bhai #nca pic.twitter.com/5IYoYi2dAB

— Umar Akmal (@Umar96Akmal) August 21, 2025

One fan wrote, “This is the energy we wanted to see! Come back stronger, bro.” Another added, “Fitness is the key. You still have the shots, now prove the critics wrong.” A cricket enthusiast commented, “Please make it count this time. You’ve got the talent, now show the commitment.”

Some fans even showed their excitement with heartfelt messages: “We miss you on the field. Start with domestic cricket and make a statement.” Another said, “Strong comeback loading… Best of luck, champ!”

Umar has expressed his frustration over his professional struggles many times. In a private TV interview, he said, “I don’t want my son to play for Pakistan because of what I went through. I don’t want him to face the same treatment.”

In another interview, Umar made a bold claim, saying he faced pressure from higher authorities during his playing days. “There used to be calls telling captains not to include me in the team. I can even give you the number of one captain, Raza Ali Dar. You can call him and confirm,” Umar said.

He added that the captain stood firm for him. “He told them, how can I drop Umar Akmal? How can I keep a player like him out?”

With Umar Akmal now training at NCA and thanking Aaqib Javed, fans believe the 34-year-old is preparing for a strong comeback, possibly starting with domestic cricket. 

For now, Umar has kept everyone guessing, but his recent activity shows he isn’t done with cricket just yet.

South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke continued living his dream start in ODI cricket, smashing 88 runs in the second match against Australia to extend his record-breaking run. The 25-year-old opener dominated the Australian attack with eight boundaries and two sixes, showcasing complete control at the crease.

Breetzke, who scored 150 on debut against Pakistan, the highest ever score in a first ODI, has now added 83, 57, and 88 in his next three innings. This remarkable sequence makes him the first player in history to register 50-plus scores in each of his first four ODIs.

India’s Navjot Singh Sidhu had previously managed four consecutive fifties in his debut series, but he achieved the feat in five matches during the 1987 World Cup. Breetzke also holds the record for the most runs across a player’s first three ODI innings.

In the second ODI, Breetzke anchored South Africa’s innings after early setbacks, building crucial partnerships with Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs. His 89-run stand with Stubbs ensured the Proteas posted a competitive 277.

Having crushed Australia by 98 runs in the first ODI, South Africa will clinch the series if they seal victory in the second match.

Pakistan’s javelin thrower Muhammad Yasir Sultan won a bronze medal at the Asian Throwing Championships in Mokpo, South Korea, on Friday with a season-best throw of 77.43 meters.

The 27-year-old achieved his season’s longest throw on his sixth and final attempt, surpassing his earlier best of 76.07m set at the Asian Athletics Championships in May.

Sri Lanka’s Pathirage Rumesh Tharanga dominated the event, throwing 82.05m to claim gold and becoming the only athlete to cross the 80m mark. Japan’s Gen Naganuma secured silver with a throw of 78.60m.

Yasir started his series with a foul before hitting 75.79m on his second attempt. He then produced two throws in the 72m range, followed by another foul on his fifth attempt. On his final throw, he launched the javelin to 77.43m to seal the bronze medal.

Last year, Yasir won silver at the same event with a 78.10m throw and bagged bronze in 2023 with a personal best of 79.93m. Despite consistent podium finishes, the javelin ace still chases the elusive 80m mark.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has engaged Ernst & Young (EY) to assess the valuation of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises. The firm’s report will help determine revised fees, along with other key terms for existing teams.

The PSL has reached its 10-year milestone, and the board will now renew all franchise agreements. PCB officials expect at least a 25 percent increase in the current franchise fees.

According to media reports, the PCB recently invited bids for an audit firm and received a proposal from EY, which has now taken up the task. The firm will begin work next month and complete the audit within six weeks before submitting its report.

EY will collect financial data from franchises and the PCB. While franchises are not legally bound to share their account details, their refusal could lead the firm to rely on its own estimates, which may hurt the teams financially.

Although franchises are required to submit annual accounts to the PCB, most rarely comply.

The PCB plans to finalise revised fees for existing teams and set prices for two additional franchises after receiving the report in October.

Under Salman Naseer’s leadership, league operations have slowed. The board has yet to finalise new commercial deals, form a proper working team, or deliver on its promise to announce dates for the 11th edition.