Category: Sports

The large number of Pakistani cricketers making it to the Australian Big Bash League (BBL) this year is no coincidence. Improved relations between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia have played a key role, with both boards working closely to remove previous hurdles, such as delays in issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

In the past, players often had to wait until the last moment for clearance; however, sources reveal that this time, Pakistani cricketers received their NOCs well ahead of the BBL draft. According to ESPNcricinfo, seven Pakistani players have already been selected in the latest draft.

The PCB’s High Performance Department has been actively engaging with countries like Australia for broader collaboration, not only to for league participation but also to arrange future tours involving Pakistan’s A team, Under-19 squad, and women’s team. Talks are currently underway, with both boards showing interest in long-term planning.

Officials within the PCB confirm that Director High Performance Aaqib Javed is exploring opportunities for international exposure in Australia, England, and other countries. The goal is to provide players with more chances to grow in diverse playing conditions, which requires strong international relationships.

With trust between the two boards improving, more Australian players are expected to be available for the next edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). A few days ago, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley also confirmed that the Australian national team will tour Pakistan again next year.

The PCB is also working on launching academy exchange programs with top cricketing nations, further strengthening ties between Pakistan and the international cricket community. These recent developments indicate that renewed confidence between Pakistan and Australia is already producing results, both on and off the field.

The Indian cricket team created an unwanted Test record after losing to England in the first match at Headingley, Leeds, on Tuesday.

Despite scoring five individual centuries across both innings, the Indian team failed to win or draw the match, becoming the first side in the 150-year history of Test cricket to lose after such a remarkable batting performance.

India batted first and put up a massive 471 runs in their first innings, followed by 364 in the second. In reply, England scored 465 runs in their first innings and successfully chased the 371-run target in the fourth innings, finishing at 373 for 5 to win the match by five wickets.

However, the defeat was marked not by the individual brilliance of Indian batters but by the unprecedented outcome, as no team in Test history had ever scored five centuries in a single match and still ended up on the losing side.

India’s first innings saw centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), Shubman Gill (147), and Rishabh Pant (134). In the second innings, Pant scored another century with 118 runs while KL Rahul added 137. Yet all this effort went in vain as the bowlers failed to defend a large target in the final innings.

Before this, the highest number of centuries by a team in a losing cause was four. That happened almost a century ago in 1929, when Australia lost to England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground despite scoring four centuries.

There have also been 11 instances in Test history where a team scored three centuries and still lost. However, India’s feat of scoring five and still losing stands out as a new and unfortunate first.

Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Butt has refused to attend a luncheon hosted by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), citing a lack of proper travel allowance.

As per the details, the PSB had offered Butt only Rs5,600 for travelling to Islamabad, an amount he said was not enough to cover even basic expenses. “This amount barely covers the toll expenses,” Butt said while turning down the invitation.

The luncheon was arranged to honour national athletes from different sports. Other than Butt, six members of the hockey team, including Sufyan Khan, Rana Waheed, Abdullah, Muneeb ur Rehman and Hannan Shahid, were invited. Other top athletes like Olympic javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and Commonwealth Games gold-medalist weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt were also on the guest list.

The situation has raised concerns about the treatment of sporting heroes, especially after Pakistan’s spectacular display at the FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia where the team reached the final after defeating giants, but lost 6-2 to a dominant New Zealand side.

New Zealand scored early and took a 5-0 lead by halftime. Pakistan’s Zikriya Hayat and Sufyan Khan managed to score in the second half but it was not enough to make a comeback.

Despite the loss, Pakistan’s performance throughout the tournament was seen as a positive step forward for the national hockey team.

Pakistan’s sailing team won one gold and one bronze medal at the 31st Al Bareh Sailing Regatta in Bahrain after a strong performance.

Muzammil Hassan won the gold medal in the ILCA 7 class, one of the top Olympic-level sailing events. He performed consistently throughout the races and finished ahead of many experienced competitors from the region.

Hamza Ejaz added to Pakistan’s success by securing a bronze medal in the same category, helping the national team end the event on a high note.

Young sailor Muhammad Suleman finished in fourth place in the under-15 Optimist class. He competed well under pressure and just missed out on a podium finish.

Another young sailor, Muzammil Hussain, finished sixth in the ILCA 4 category, showing promise for the future. Both junior sailors are part of Pakistan’s training program focused on preparing young talent for major competitions.

The Al Bareh Regatta is one of the top sailing events in the region, organised by the Bahrain Maritime Sports Association. It is known for its tough winds and race conditions.

Despite a loss to New Zealand in the final of the Nations Cup, Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the FIH Pro Hockey League have brightened once again.

The Pakistani national hockey team, which made a dramatic run to the final of the Nations Cup, had to face defeat at the hands of hosts New Zealand. However, after defeating a much stronger French team in the semi-final, the morale of the Green Shirts remains high.

Although New Zealand emerged as champions of the Nations Cup, their participation in the upcoming Pro Hockey League appears unlikely due to a severe financial crisis. In New Zealand, hockey is largely considered an amateur sport, and the national federation continues to struggle under financial pressure. Last year, the team missed out on the Pro League despite winning the Nations Cup.

A crucial meeting is scheduled next month between New Zealand hockey officials and government representatives. The outcome of the meeting is expected to decide whether the team will participate in the 2025–26 Pro League.

If New Zealand officially withdraws from the league, Pakistan may qualify in their place. As per FIH rules, if the winning team withdraws, the runner-up team holds the right to take their spot in the competition.

Pakistan’s next confirmed international assignment is the Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in India between August and September this year. However, simmering tensions between the two arch-rivals makes Pakistan’s participation in the tournament remains uncertain.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation is reportedly making efforts to have the Asia Cup shifted to a neutral venue. This would help ensure Pakistan’s participation in the important qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in February 2026.

Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan has made headlines after signing two Pakistani cricketers for his Caribbean Premier League (CPL) team, Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR). The signings were made during the CPL 2025 draft and have excited cricket fans, especially in Pakistan.

The two Pakistani players joining TKR are experienced fast bowler Mohammad Amir and emerging off-spinner Usman Tariq. Mohammad Amir, a left-arm pacer famous for his swing and control in the death overs, brings a strong T20 resume. He has already played in four CPL seasons, taking 51 wickets in 39 matches at an average of 18.09. His inclusion is expected to boost TKR’s bowling unit and provide valuable guidance to younger bowlers.

Usman Tariq will be making his debut in the CPL this season. He delivered an impressive performance in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) while playing for Quetta Gladiators. He picked up 10 wickets and showcased great control in just five matches. His spin bowling will be a key asset for TKR during the middle overs.

Despite their international experience, Pakistani players, including Mohammad Amir, are still banned from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid political tensions between Pakistan and India. Shah Rukh Khan, who owns Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket in the USA, continues to promote talent from across the globe through his franchises.

Trinbago Knight Riders are one of the most successful teams in CPL history, having won the championship four times in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020. With the addition of Amir and Tariq, the team is expected to be a strong contender once again in the 2025 season.

Pakistan has reached the final of the inaugural Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Nations Cup Volleyball Tournament after a stunning 3-0 win against Qatar in the semi-final.

Held in Bahrain, the tournament saw Pakistan overpower a much higher-ranked Qatar side. Ranked 43rd in the world, Pakistan defeated 23rd-ranked Qatar and secured at least a silver medal.

Pakistan began strong by winning the first set 25-22, setting the tone for the match. The second set followed the same pattern with another 25-22 win. In the third and final set, Pakistan maintained their momentum and clinched it 25-21 to book a spot in the final.

Earlier in the tournament, Pakistan defeated 62nd-ranked Indonesia 3-1 in the quarter-final to secure a place in the semi-final. Before that, they topped Group C after victories over the Philippines and Chinese Taipei, finishing as group champions.

Pakistan’s consistent and impressive performance in the tournament has earned them a place in the final, raising hopes for a historic title win.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticised the decision to name the ongoing Test series between India and England the ‘Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy’, stressing that his compatriot Sachin Tendulkar’s name should have come first in the title.

In his column for Mid-day, Gavaskar accepted that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has the right to rename the series, but he questioned the order of the names.

“The ECB is fully entitled to call the series by any name they choose,” Gavaskar wrote. “But for most, if not all, Indian cricket lovers, it is jarring to know that Anderson’s name comes first.”

Gavaskar argued that Tendulkar deserves more respect and should be named first because of his legendary status, seniority, and unmatched cricketing achievements.

“Not only is Sachin Tendulkar along with Kapil Dev the greatest Indian cricketer, but also senior to Anderson by more than a dozen years,” he noted.

“He is number one as far as runs and centuries are concerned in Test cricket but also at the one-day level too he has more runs than anybody else. Anderson is third in the list of wicket takers in Test cricket and his record is nowhere as good as Tendulkar in one-day cricket.”

He further mentioned Tendulkar’s contribution to India’s 2011 World Cup win and pointed out that Anderson has never been part of a World Cup winning side.

“Tendulkar is also part of a World Cup winning team which Anderson has not been. Jimmy Anderson was a terrific bowler but mainly in English conditions and his record away is nowhere near as good as Tendulkar’s is. I also urge all Indian cricket lovers including the India media to call it the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.”

Previously, the Test series held in England between the two nations was played for the Pataudi Trophy. It was named after Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who played Test cricket for both India and England. His son, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, also captained India and left a lasting legacy in Indian cricket.

The Pataudi Trophy was introduced in 2007 to mark the 75th anniversary of the first Test match between India and England. Meanwhile, the series played in India has traditionally been called the Anthony De Mello Trophy.

Gavaskar had earlier criticised the decision to remove the Pataudi name, calling it “a total lack of sensitivity to the contribution made by the Pataudis to cricket in both England and India” in a column for Sportstar.

Canada have secured their spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding victory over the Bahamas in the Americas Regional Qualifier.

Hosts Canada bowled out the Bahamas for just 57 runs, thanks to impressive bowling performances by Kaleem Sana and Shreyas Sharma, who both took three wickets each. In reply, Dilpreet Bajwa smashed an unbeaten 36 off just 14 balls, helping Canada chase down the target in only 5.3 overs.

Canada remained unbeaten throughout the qualifier, winning all five of their matches. Their campaign included dominant victories over Bermuda by 110 runs, the Cayman Islands by 59 runs, and an earlier 10-wicket win against the Bahamas. In the second round, they also beat the Cayman Islands in a rain-affected five-over match by 42 runs.

Under the captaincy of Nicholas Kirton, Canada had also participated in the previous T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies in 2024.

With this win, Canada join 11 teams that have already qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup: India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, and Pakistan.

The remaining seven spots will be decided through regional qualifiers in Europe, Africa, and Asia-East Pacific. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka.