Category: Sports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering recalling former captain Babar Azam to the T20 squad amid fitness concerns over Fakhar Zaman.

According to media reports, Babar’s return could come during the upcoming tri-nation series and the Asia Cup 2025. Fakhar suffered an injury during the T20I series against West Indies, ruling him out of both the T20 and ODI series.

The PCB has directed Fakhar to report to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, where he will undergo rehabilitation. His availability for the Asia Cup remains uncertain, and the board is closely monitoring his recovery while also exploring backup options.

Reports suggested that if Fakhar fails to regain full fitness in time, Babar is a strong contender to rejoin the T20 squad. However, his selection will depend on his performance in the ongoing ODI series against the West Indies. A strong showing could boost his chances of a T20 return.

Babar recently met with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the second T20I against West Indies, along with Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah.

The final squad for the Asia Cup is expected to be announced in the second week of August. The tournament kicks off on September 9 with a Group B match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Eight teams are divided into two groups. Pakistan and India are placed in Group A alongside UAE and Oman, while Group B includes Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

Pakistan will open their campaign against Oman on September 12, followed by a high-stakes clash with India on September 14. Their final group-stage match will be played against the UAE on September 17.

Pakistani cricketers Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim have officially signed with the Northern Superchargers for the 2025 season of The Hundred tournament.

According to reports, the duo has been brought in as replacements for Ben Dwarshuis and Mitchell Santner.

Earlier, concerns were raised over the participation of Pakistani players in the tournament, as several team owners have links to India. It was reported that Pakistani cricketers might be excluded due to political and commercial pressures.

These concerns grew after it was announced that the Northern Superchargers will come under the ownership of the Indian media group ‘Sun’ from October 1. Questions were raised regarding the future involvement of Pakistani players under the new ownership.

At the start of the year, it also came as a surprise that no Pakistani player was picked during the March draft, a stark contrast to previous seasons. This led to speculation that four of the franchises are owned by Indian business groups, while two others are held by Indian-American owners, and that this influence could have played a role in sidelining Pakistani talent.

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had dismissed such claims, assuring that no bias would be shown against Pakistani players.

Experts believe that Pakistan’s international commitments around the draft period, including the tour of the West Indies and a tri-series in the UAE, along with a dip in recent T20 performances, contributed to the lack of selections. 

Additionally, last-minute withdrawals by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah last year were also cited as contributing factors.

With the inclusion of Amir and Imad, the Northern Superchargers have strengthened their squad. The team also features England all-rounder Ben Stokes, although he has opted out of this season due to shoulder surgery.

AB de Villiers, one of the most dominant and fearless batters in world cricket, has named a surprising pick when asked about the one bowler he never wanted to face during the early days of his international career.

In a recent appearance on Subhankar Mishra’s YouTube podcast, the host asked, “Was there a bowler who troubled you so much that you hoped, I wish this bowler doesn’t come to bowl to me?”

To this, AB de Villiers responded candidly, “I think the Pakistani magician Muhammad Asif, when I was younger. I mean, to be fair to myself, I wasn’t really comfortable with my own technique at that time. I had some flaws. I was taking the bat behind my back.”

“I would have loved to face him now or when I was a bit older, very sound technically, knowing what I’m doing out there. But for him, to face him at that time, it was almost unfair. He just had too much skill. He was playing with me. It felt like a really, really good bowler,” he said.

AB de Villiers made his debut for South Africa in 2004, a time when the Pakistan pace attack featured names like Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif. Asif, in particular, was widely known for his control, movement off the seam, and ability to outthink batters without relying on express pace.

Reflecting on his early struggles, de Villiers said, “Probably I had a much higher bat lift, and that was the reason I was way too troubled by Asif.” He further added, “I would now love to play against the bowler after I have clarity over my batting technique.”

De Villiers, who played international cricket until 2018, enjoyed a highly successful career that spanned over 14 years. He scored 8,765 Test runs and 9,577 ODI runs, maintaining averages of 50.66 in Tests and 53.50 in ODIs. He remains one of the few cricketers to average over 50 in both formats.

The South African legend also left his mark in T20 leagues across the globe, most notably with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, where his explosive batting performances earned him a huge fan following.

Pakistan Champions team owner Kamil Khan has made it clear that he intends to bring his team back for the next season, despite the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to bar Pakistani players from participating in future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL).

In an interview after the tournament, Kamil expressed pride in the team’s performance, even though they fell short in the final against South Africa Champions.

“Just like the first season, Pakistan Champions performed very well in the second season too. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win the final, which we really wanted to win, and millions of Pakistanis were also hoping for that. But the team played well. One bad day doesn’t make a team bad,” he said.

He stressed that this one loss does not mean the end of the road for the franchise.

“Losing one final doesn’t mean Pakistan Champions is over. It doesn’t mean the team won’t return. We have seen the news and read reports saying Pakistan Champions will not be back, but I don’t know where that news came from. If it came from PCB, then I don’t know why,” he stated.

Kamil also clarified that the team is independently owned and not controlled by the PCB.

“This is our own Pakistan Champions team. I own this team. This is a private league, and I am the owner. PCB does not own it. There are many private leagues happening around the world, and no one can stop us from naming our team after our country. Pakistan is our pride,” he said.

He further explained that their participation was fully authorised.

“We took NOCs from the PCB for all players. We also went to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who actually supported and assisted us. I am very thankful to him for backing Pakistan Champions,” he added.

However, he revealed that there has been no communication from the board since the event.

“There was no contact from the PCB before or after the tournament. This is our national identity, and we named our team accordingly. We didn’t use the PCB logo or any of their branding just their players, and only after obtaining official clearance.”

When asked what would happen if the PCB refuses to issue NOCs next year, Kamil remained unfazed: “I have no such information right now, nor have we had any such discussion. So there is no point talking about what will happen or not happen. As of now, there is no barrier.”

Looking ahead, he made his intentions clear: “As long as I don’t win, I’ll keep coming back. I brought Pakistan Champions last time, we reached the final. I’ll bring the team again, and this time we’ll come to win the final.”

Kamil Khan’s statements come in response to the PCB’s strong stance, issued after its 79th Board of Governors meeting. The board had cited “hypocrisy, bias, and political interference” in WCL’s handling of matches and communications involving Pakistan, particularly around the cancellation of the high-profile match against India.

The PCB has declared it will no longer allow its players to be part of events where, in its words, “the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics that undermines the very essence of sportsmanship.”

Despite the board’s position, Kamil Khan appears determined to carry the Pakistan Champions legacy forward with or without official backing.

World Championship of Legends (WCL) owner Harshit Tomar is facing backlash after proposing to presenter Karishma Kotak during a live broadcast following the tournament’s final match.

“When this is over, I might just propose to you,” he said in response to the presenter asking him how he planned to celebrate the successful completion of the league. A visibly shocked Karishma could only say, “Oh my God.”

WCL owner proposing Anchor on live after SA became champions pic.twitter.com/o8fnjBGpb8

— Div (@div_yumm) August 2, 2025

With the video of the exchange quickly going viral over the internet, some viewers found it sweet while many others called it awkward, attention-seeking and inappropriate for a professional setting.

One user wrote, “Chichora spotted.” Another commented, “SIMP ULTRA PRO MAX.” A third user remarked, “Money can’t buy you class.” Another called it “cringe af”.

Several users also called out the tone and setting of the proposal. “Creep,” said one.

While the internet remained divided, the moment has become one of the most talked-about clips from the WCL.

It merits mention that South Africa Champions won the tournament, defeating Pakistan Champions in the final held on Saturday.

Pakistan’s PUBG Mobile team, 4Thrives, continues to impress on the global Esports stage by securing seventh place at the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) 2025.

In the grand finals, 4Thrives earned 109 points and walked away with $80,000 in prize money. Combined with their group stage performance, where they finished second overall and secured $77,000, the team ended the tournament with total earnings of $157,000 (over 4 crore Pakistani rupees).

In the PMWC final, FALAK stood out individually, finishing as the sixth top fragger and the third highest in total damage dealt.

Their journey to the PMWC finals began in the survival stage, where they delivered a consistent and confident performance to qualify directly for the grand finals. In the group stage, 4Thrives had taken the second position in the overall standings with 111 kills, 65 eliminations, and two Chicken Dinners.

It merits mention that this was the first time a Pakistani team reached the finals of an S-tier PUBG Mobile tournament.

The lineup includes Falak Sher “FALAK,” Sameer Khan “Nocki,” Hasnain Rehman “T24OP,” Shayan Asad “IQ,” and Niash Hassan “CAIRO.” Usman Tariq “SHAHEEN” serves as the team’s manager and analyst.

IQ is the IGL (in-game leader) of the team, while FALAK is the team’s owner.

Formed on December 1, 2024, the team is less than nine months old and competes without any sponsorship. Unlike most top-tier teams backed by major organisations, 4Thrives made their mark through raw talent, hard work, and self-management.

Their breakthrough came earlier this year when they finished third at PMSL CSA Spring 2025, securing $18,750 and becoming the first Pakistani team to qualify for the Esports World Cup. Their steady rise through domestic and regional tournaments like PMNC Pakistan laid the foundation for this global success.

Looking ahead, 4Thrives is are strong contender to receive a partner team slot in the upcoming PMSL Fall 2025. With the PMGC points they have earned, they are also likely to qualify for the prestigious PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2025.

PMWC is part of the larger Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, which features a total prize pool of $70 million across various popular titles including Tekken, Free Fire, Dota 2, Valorant, and others. The PUBG Mobile World Cup itself offered a massive $3 million prize pool, attracting the best teams from around the globe.

Pakistan’s Tekken sensation Arslan Ash has once again cemented his legacy as the undisputed king of the fighting game world, clinching his sixth Evolution Championship Series (EVO) title with a flawless run in Las Vegas on Monday.

Representing Twisted Minds, Arslan defeated fellow Pakistani star Atif Butt in a thrilling all-Pakistan Grand Final to win the Tekken 8 crown at EVO 2025. He pocketed $12,000 in prize money along with 800 global tour points.

The highly anticipated final saw two of Pakistan’s finest go head-to-head after dominating the international field. Arslan made his way through the upper bracket while Atif stormed through the lower bracket. Atif struck first by taking the opening set, but Arslan’s trademark composure and impeccable spacing led to a 3-1 victory in the reset.

EVO 2025’s final standings reflected a major shift in Tekken’s global power balance. Japan’s Chikurin finished third, earning $4,500, while South Korea’s Mulgold took fourth place and $3,000. South Korean players LowHigh, Meo-IL, and JDCR, along with Japan’s NOBI, completed the top eight.

  

    

      
Place
      
Player
      
Country
      
Character
      
Prize
      
Points
    
  
  

    

      
1st
      
Arslan Ash
      
Pakistan
      
Anna, Nina
      
$12,000
      
800
    
    

      
2nd
      
Atif
      
Pakistan
      
Anna
      
$6,000
      
560
    
    

      
3rd
      
Chikurin
      
Japan
      
Clive
      
$4,500
      
400
    
    

      
4th
      
Mulgold
      
South Korea
      
Claudio
      
$3,000
      
300
    
    

      
5th
      
LowHigh
      
South Korea
      
Bryan
      
$1,800
      
220
    
    

      
5th
      
NOBI
      
Japan
      
Lars
      
$1,800
      
220
    
    

      
7th
      
Meo-IL
      
South Korea
      
Jack-8
      
$450
      
180
    
    

      
7th
      
JDCR
      
South Korea
      
Dragunov
      
$450
      
180
    
  

This latest triumph further strengthens Arslan Ash’s reputation as one of the greatest fighting game players in history. With six EVO titles across both Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, he has not only dominated individually but also helped put Pakistan on the global esports map. 

Pakistan’s rise in competitive gaming does not stop there. On Sunday, PUBG Mobile team 4Thrives Esports also made headlines by finishing seventh at the Esports World Cup, highlighting the country’s rapid growth in the global esports scene.

Pakistan has defeated West Indies by 13 runs in the third and final T20I of a three-match series held in Lauderhill, Florida, on Monday.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bat first.

The visitors posted a strong total of 189 for 4 in their 20 overs. The innings was powered by brilliant half-centuries from Saim Ayub, who scored a fiery 66, and Sahibzada Farhan, who contributed 74 runs. Hasan Nawaz chipped in with 15, Khushdil Shah made 11, and Faheem Ashraf added 10 runs.

For West Indies, Jason Holder, Roston Chase, and Shamar Joseph took one wicket each.

In reply, West Indies managed 176 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs, falling short by 13 runs. Despite a few promising starts, the required run rate kept climbing, and the Pakistani bowlers tightened their grip in the death overs.

Pakistan’s Hasan Ali, Harish Rauf, Muhammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub and Sufiyan Muqeem took one wicket each.

With this win, Pakistan has clinched the T20I series 2-1 and will head to the Asia Cup with momentum on their side.

Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series against West Indies starting August 8.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a complete ban on Pakistani player’ participation in any future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), citing what it called was the “hypocrisy, bias, and political interference” in the tournament’s handling of matches involving Pakistan.

The decision was made during the 79th Board of Governors (BoG) meeting held virtually under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi.

In an official statement, the PCB strongly condemned WCL’s “appalling conduct” in awarding points to a team that “willfully forfeited” a match and criticised the “hypocritical and biased” language used in press releases regarding the cancellation of Pakistan versus India fixtures.

“The contents of the said press release highlight a duality where the narrative of ‘peace through sport’ is selectively applied, and sporting events are held hostage to political expediency and narrow commercial interests,” the PCB said.

Reaffirming its longstanding position, the board stated, “The PCB has always advocated for the separation of sports and politics. Cricket should serve as a platform for goodwill, healthy competition and mutual respect.”

The statement also described WCL’s apology for “hurting sentiments” as “farcical” and an indirect admission that the match cancellations were driven by nationalist narratives rather than sporting merit.

“This bias masquerading as sensitivity sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community,” the board added.

Citing external pressure and violations of neutrality and fair play, the PCB concluded that it could no longer allow its players to participate in events where such fundamental principles were compromised.

“We cannot allow our players to be part of events where the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics that undermines the very essence of sportsmanship and the gentleman’s game,” the board stated.