Category: Sports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come under criticism for removing sports reporter Asher Butt from its official media WhatsApp group, allegedly for asking questions about a recent audit report that allegedly exposed embezzlement worth billions of rupees.

As per the details, senior journalist Ansar Abbasi has claimed that the removal came over Butt’s attempt to get the board’s version for his news story.

“It is shocking that our senior sports journalist Asher Butt was removed from PCB’s media WhatsApp group just because he tried to get PCB’s side on my PCB audit story,” he claimed in a post on X, going on to question if PCB treated all journalists the same way for doing their job.

Journalist Shahid Aslam also claimed that PCB’s incumbent media director had Butt removed from the group for asking questions about the auditor general’s report on the cricketing board’s accounts.

“Arrogance is never good, but journalists doing government jobs should definitely leave it at home. One’s stature is defined not by age, position or work but by character,” he said in a post on X.

While the board is yet to respond to the claims, the same come days after an audit report reportedly found financial irregularities to the tune of more than Rs6 billion and governance issues within the PCB dating back two years.

The Auditor General of Pakistan’s report for the 2023-24 financial year was published in The News and highlighted the non-recovery of outstanding sponsorship worth Rs5.3 billion as the major discrepancy identified.

The report also questioned the Rs63.39 million the PCB spent on meals for police and law enforcement personnel assigned for the security of foreign teams during international matches in Pakistan. The auditors said providing security was the responsibility of governments, and disagreed with the PCB’s explanation that visiting international teams were given extra safety guarantees that required heavy police deployment.

The audit report also flagged the hiring of three junior regional coaches who didn’t meet the eligibility criteria and the appointment of a media director outside the proper procedure.

Compensation paid to cover utility charges, fuel and accommodation for the PCB chairman between February and June of last year was also highlighted as unauthorised because the incumbent board chairperson received that as part of his government benefits.

The auditors rejected the board’s response that the PCB chairman “was authorised for utility expense as per bylaws”.

The PCB has not yet commented on the audit report either.

Players of Pakistan’s national hockey team are still awaiting their pending daily allowances despite repeated delays.

According to media reports, the issue has sparked growing frustration and anger within the squad as the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) remains silent on the matter.

Pakistan hockey team players are frustrated at the callousness of the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Weeks have passed, yet the PHF has not paid daily allowances to players. With no central contracts or stable income, these allowances are the players’ only incentive. Denying them…

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) July 16, 2025

Each player is reportedly owed around Rs 500,000 for recent international and domestic assignments. This includes unpaid daily allowances for the FIH Nations Cup and two separate training camps held in Islamabad.

As per the current structure, players are entitled to Rs 30,000 per day for international events and Rs 3,000 per day for domestic training camps. With no central contracts or fixed salaries, these allowances remain their primary source of income.

Players have accused the PHF of callousness and poor communication, saying that officials have stopped responding to their queries about the pending payments. Many team members feel demoralised, pointing out that the unpaid allowances reflect the federation’s disregard for athletes who represent the country at the highest level.

Despite repeated requests for clarity and immediate disbursement, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has yet to issue any official statement regarding the overdue payments.

It merits mention that Pakistan reached the final of the Hockey Men’s Nations Cup 2025 but lost to New Zealand by 2-6.

West Indies Cricket Board (CWI) has called an emergency meeting following their embarrassing collapse against Australia in the Test match, where they were bowled out for just 27 runs in Jamaica, resulting in a 0-3 series whitewash.

CWI President Kishore Shallow took immediate action, inviting some of the region’s greatest former players for urgent discussions to assess the disastrous performance and plan concrete steps for improvement.

Country’s legends Brian Lara, Clive Lloyd and Sir Vivian Richards have all been invited to share their insights. Other respected former cricketers, including Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Desmond Haynes and Ian Bradshaw, will also attend the high-level meeting.

“The defeat hurt me deeply, just like every West Indies fan. But this is not the time for blame — it is a test of our strength and unity. We must work together,” Shallow said while announcing the meeting.

He added that the session would not be a mere formality but would lead to real, practical actions to revive West Indies cricket. The focus will be on rebuilding the team’s mindset, with special emphasis on developing young players and putting the team in a strong position before the next white-ball series against Pakistan.

The former players are expected to offer realistic and workable recommendations, drawing on their wealth of experience to guide the struggling side back on track.

Former West Indies fast bowler and renowned commentator Ian Bishop has compared Pakistan’s left-arm pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi to Australia’s Mitchell Starc, calling him a “baby Starc” for his ability to consistently uproot stumps.

Bishop made the remark on Tuesday during the third and final day of the third Test between West Indies and Australia, when Starc ripped through the home side’s top and middle order, grabbing five wickets in just 15 balls.

Sharing his analysis in the commentary box, the veteran pacer advised batters to guard their stumps carefully when facing Starc and Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi.

“Mitchell Starc and Shaheen Shah Afridi are well known for this. Watch your stumps and protect them,” Bishop warned while on air.

He also spoke about some of the greatest pacers in cricket history, praising legends like Australia’s Glenn McGrath and West Indies’ Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh for intimidating batters with relentless line and length.

“What I love about international cricket is how bowlers like Glenn McGrath frightened batters around the world with their line and length. Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh were the same. Josh Hazlewood is similar now,” Bishop added.

Speaking about Shaheen’s bright future, Bishop said, “Then you have Shaheen Afridi, the young upcoming star pacer. I thought he is their very own baby Starc. Quite different but very similar in effect.”

Since making his international debut against the West Indies in 2018, Shaheen Afridi has represented Pakistan in 31 Tests, 64 ODIs, and 79 T20Is, claiming an impressive 345 wickets across formats, including seven five-wicket hauls in an innings.

The left-arm quick was named the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year in 2021 for his stellar performances across formats, most notably his fiery spells in the 2021 T20 World Cup that helped Pakistan reach the semi-finals.

Spanish authorities have launched an investigation into Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal after a disability rights group accused him of an act they described as “intolerable” and harmful to the dignity of individuals with dwarfism.

According to the Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE), part of the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), people with dwarfism were hired purely for promotional and entertainment purposes during Yamal’s 18th birthday party on July 13.

“It’s unacceptable that in the 21st century, people with dwarfism continue to be used as entertainment at private parties,” said ADEE president Carolina Puente. “The dignity and rights of our community are not entertainment for anyone, under any circumstances.”

The Association warned that such behaviour has an even bigger impact when it involves high-profile figures like Yamal, as it shapes social attitudes among younger generations.

ADEE has called for legal and public action over the incident, arguing that it reinforces harmful stereotypes about people with dwarfism and other skeletal dysplasias.

Lamine Yamal has yet to respond publicly to the criticism. The Spain international, who recently turned 18, enjoyed a strong season with Barcelona, helping the club secure both LaLiga and Copa del Rey titles. He is expected to wear the club’s iconic No.10 shirt next season.

Pakistan T20 captain Salman Ali Agha has confirmed that the team management has finalised a pool of 25 players in line with the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Speaking to the media during the national team’s final practice session before they departed for Bangladesh on Monday, Agha said that strengthening the bench is a top priority. “We are working on building our bench strength so that every player is ready to become part of the team at any time,” he said.

He explained that the team has a clear strategy for the future. “A pool of 25 players has been formed and these players will be seen in action until the World Cup,” he added. He confirmed that seniors like Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are included in this core group. “Shaheen Afridi’s performance is no secret; he is one of Pakistan’s most important players,” he said.

Talking about the balance between formats, Agha said, “If our team performs well in Test cricket, other teams will also want to play more Tests with us, but since the T20 World Cup is near, our main focus is on T20 matches right now.”

On Mohammad Nawaz’s return, Agha said, “Due to Shadab Khan’s injury, we needed a replacement like him, so Nawaz was included in the team. Performance can go up and down, but you cannot ignore any player’s abilities.”

Regarding the Karachi training camp, he said, “The camp was set up keeping in mind the conditions of current and upcoming matches because here the conditions were favourable for spinners. The team is leaving for the next series with full preparation.”

When asked about his own captaincy, Agha said, “I do not think about whether I will be captain in the next series or not. My full focus is always on the present series and my aim is to get the best performance out of the players.”

He acknowledged that Bangladesh could pose a real challenge. “Bangladesh can be a tough team in their home conditions and they have defeated big teams on their grounds in the past,” he said.

In closing, Agha stressed the importance of consistency and patience in Pakistan cricket. “Consistency in captaincy, coaching and the system is necessary. You cannot prove anything in one or two months. Wherever Pakistan cricket should be, I am ready to play my role for that,” he said.

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled from July 20 to 24.

Australia crushed West Indies by 176 runs in the third and final day-night Test cricket, completing a dominant 3-0 series sweep. The Caribbeans were bowled out for just 27 runs in their second innings.

This was the second-lowest completed Test innings total recorded in the past 70 years.

The Caribbeans were very close to matching the infamous record set by New Zealand back in 1955, when they were bowled out for just 26 by England in Auckland. South Africa has twice been dismissed for 30 runs, but West Indies’ collapse now sits right among these historic batting disasters.

In this horror show, seven West Indies batters were dismissed for ducks while four of them fell for golden ducks (bowled out on the first ball), adding more embarrassment to an already forgettable outing.

Australia’s bowlers were ruthless under lights. Fast bowler Scott Boland claimed a stunning hat-trick. Starc claimed the fastest five-wicket haul in Test cricket history, taking five wickets in just 15 balls on July 14 to rewrite the record books. He also crossed 400 Test wickets and was named player of the match for his career-best figures of six wickets for nine runs.

Australia scored 225 in their first innings and added 121 in the second. West Indies managed 143 in their first innings but the historic collapse in the second innings left them with just 27 on the board.

This dominant performance sealed a clean sweep for Australia, winning the three-match Test series 3-0 against the West Indies.

Cricket fans can not get over how England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir took the final wicket, crushing India’s hopes of a thrilling chase in the third Test at Lord’s.

The 21-year-old England off-spinner, who once faced visa issues for his Pakistani roots while travelling to India, took the lead despite a fractured little finger on his non-bowling hand. India were chasing 193 and had fought their way to 170 for nine, with Ravindra Jadeja steady at 61 and Mohammed Siraj defending every ball.

Just after the tea break on the final day, Bashir came back to bowl, got Siraj to defend a ball, and watched it roll back onto the stumps, sealing England’s nail-biting 22-run win.

England are now up 2-1 in the five-match series, but Pakistani fans say it is Bashir’s ‘visa revenge’, leaving the internet in splits. 

Earlier in 2024, India reportedly delayed his visa due to his family roots in Mirpur, Pakistan.

One user shared a meme of Bashir in a Pakistan army uniform with the caption, “How Indians see Shoaib Bashir today.” Another wrote, “India denied him the visa but he denied them the match. Shoaib Bashir’s revenge completed.”

Some have dubbed him “Major Shoaib Bashir” while others joked, “Didn’t watch a single second but so glad it was Bashir who finished it off with a broken finger.”

Unfortunately for England, their hero will miss the rest of the series as he has been ruled out of the upcoming matches due to that finger injury.