Category: Sports

Ritika Sajdeh, wife of former Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, is being slammed  on social media after she referred to cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal as a “cartoon” during a YouTube show.

The comment was made during a segment on Harbhajan Singh and Geeta Basra’s YouTube show. The hosts displayed pictures of various cricketers and asked Rohit and Ritika to share their first thoughts upon seeing them.

The first image shown was of Shikhar Dhawan, to which Rohit reacted by calling him “Jatt.” However, when Chahal’s photo appeared, Rohit remained silent but Ritika immediately said, “Cartoon,” and added, “He’s usually like a cartoon.”

Rohit Sharma’s wife called Yuzvendra Chahal a cartoon. Is this the way she respects an indian player?

Imagine if Anushka Sharma calls an Indian player a cartoon like this? pic.twitter.com/z962NpiCqa

— Honest Cricket Lover (@Honest_Cric_fan) June 22, 2025

The clip quickly went viral on social media and sparked a wave of outrage. Many users called the comment disrespectful, especially since Chahal is known for his cheerful nature and contributions to Indian cricket.

Several users lashed out in the comments. One wrote, “Horrible.” Another said, “Such a shame, she herself looks like a cartoon.” Others called her remarks inappropriate and unnecessary.

Critics argue that public figures should be more careful with their words, especially when speaking about fellow athletes on a public platform.

Helena Gholami, a renowned karate athlete from Iran’s Lorestan province, has been killed in the recent Israeli airstrikes.

The Iranian Karate Federation confirmed her death and expressed deep sorrow and condolences. Helena was not only a skilled karate player but was also considered a role model for many young athletes across the country.

Her death has led to widespread mourning in Iran’s sports community, with athletes and fans sharing heartfelt tributes.

It merits mention that Israel launched attacks against Iran on June 13, 2025. These strikes occurred during ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States regarding a new deal over Tehran’s nuclear program and uranium enrichment.

According to the Iranian government spokesperson, at least 224 people have been killed in the attacks so far, including 74 women and children. The Ministry of Health has reported that more than 1,800 people have been injured.

Pakistan’s PUBG Mobile team 4Thrives has made history by becoming the first team from the country to qualify for the Esports World Cup 2025.

They achieved this remarkable feat by finishing as the second runner-up in the PMSL CSA Spring 2025, competing against some of the best teams from Central and South Asia.

The team was formed in December 2024 and features a group of determined and highly skilled players. The team includes five players: CAIRO, FALAK, IQ, NOCKi, and T24OP.

4Thrives achieved this feat without a sponsor. Unlike most successful teams, which are backed by big organisations, these five young players fought their way to the top purely through talent, dedication, and teamwork.

In less than a year, 4Thrive has gone from newcomers to international contenders. Their consistent rise through tournaments like the PMNC Pakistan and other regional events set the stage for their success at PMSL CSA.

The PMSL CSA Spring 2025 had a total prize pool of $200,000. 4Thrives secured third place in the tournament, earning $18,750 for their impressive performance.

Now, they are set to represent Pakistan on the global stage at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. 

The Esports World Cup 2025 is one of the biggest global gaming events, featuring top teams from around the world across multiple titles. The total prize pool for the entire event is over $70 million, making it the largest in esports history. For PUBG Mobile, a dedicated prize pool of $2 million has been set, drawing fierce competition from every region.

The final match of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Men’s Hockey Nations Cup 2025 will be played today, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST).

The winning team will also secure a valuable spot in the FIH Pro League, the highest level of international men’s hockey.

Pakistan reached the final after a thrilling penalty shootout win against France, a team that remained unbeaten until the semi-final. Now, they face New Zealand, the only side to defeat Pakistan in the group stage with a narrow 4-3 victory. New Zealand also had an exciting semi-final, coming from behind to beat South Korea.

Where to Watch the Final in Pakistan

If none of the available TV channels in Pakistan broadcast the match live, hockey fans in Pakistan can still stream the final online via the Tapmad app or website.

Tapmad is covering the tournament for Pakistani viewers.

This final is a major opportunity for Pakistan to return to top-level international hockey after several years. A win today would be a significant step forward for the national team. For New Zealand, it’s a chance to prove themselves again as one of the top sides in world hockey.

Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Butt unleashed a storm on social media after his side’s thrilling victory over France in the semi-final of the Nations Hockey Cup in Kuala Lumpur. 

Shortly after the intense match, Ammad shared an Instagram story with the caption, “Rafale down again.”

The remark wasn’t just a celebration of the win but also a pointed reference to past military tensions between Pakistan and India. 

During the military clashes in May, Pakistan shot down at least four Indian Rafale fighter jets, which are French-made. Ammad drew a sharp parallel between national pride in sport and moments of military history.

Pakistan booked their place in the final of the Nations Hockey Cup after a nail-biting 3-2 win over France in a penalty shootout during the first semi-final in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Both teams started aggressively, creating chances early in the first quarter, but neither could break the deadlock. In the second quarter, France took the lead in the 10th minute, then doubled their advantage early in the third quarter to go 2-0 up.

That’s when Pakistan roared back. Rana Waheed Ashraf pulled one back just three minutes later. The momentum shifted, and in the 12th minute of the third quarter, Sufiyan Muqeem converted a crucial penalty to level the score. Just a minute later, Rana Waheed struck again, giving Pakistan a 3-2 lead.

But France refused to back down. With seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, they equalised through Charlotte Victor to push the match into a dramatic shootout.

Under pressure, Pakistan held their nerve. Goalkeeper Muneeb ur Rehman delivered a heroic performance, saving three French attempts. On the other side, Afraz, Shahid Hanan, and Rana Waheed coolly converted their penalties, sending Pakistan to the final.

Pakistan will now face New Zealand in the final on Saturday.

Pakistan’s aggressive wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris has broken his silence after being overlooked in the Big Bash League (BBL) Season 15 draft.

Among the 74 Pakistani players registered for the draft, only seven managed to secure spots in various franchises. Haris, who was not picked, acknowledged the importance of leagues but emphasized his current commitment to the national team.

“BBL is a great tournament and I wish all the participating players the very best,” said Haris. “League opportunities come and go, but right now my focus is on performing while representing the national team.”

He also praised the ongoing skills development camp, calling it a valuable opportunity to identify and fix past mistakes. “The camp is really helping us identify our errors and correct them. We are working on the areas highlighted by the coaching staff,” he said.

Haris further added, “At the moment, I’m focusing on improving my defensive technique, which is essential for all formats.”

While Haris missed out, Pakistani cricketers were otherwise in high demand at the BBL Season 15 overseas draft, with six players selected from over 600 international registrations.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was the first overall pick by Brisbane Heat, while Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shadab Khan were also picked by different teams. 

Shaheen Shah Afridi was picked by Brisbane Heat, while Haris Rauf was selected by Melbourne Stars. Mohammad Rizwan joined Melbourne Renegades, and Shadab Khan was drafted by Sydney Thunder. Babar Azam, who was pre-signed, will represent Sydney Sixers, and Hasan Ali was picked by Adelaide Strikers.

Pakistan had the most players selected among overseas nations after England. With several of their top T20 stars available for the full season, BBL franchises were quick to secure their services. Shaheen and Rauf will spearhead the fast bowling attacks, while Rizwan and Babar are expected to strengthen the top order.

Other Pakistani players like Saim Ayub, Hassan Nawaz, Imad Wasim, and Salman Ali Agha were not picked in the main draft but may still be added later if teams decide to fill more slots.

With Pakistani players now part of six different BBL teams, the upcoming season is expected to attract strong interest from both Australian and Pakistani fans.

Pakistan’s opening batter Hassan Nawaz has tied the knot in a private ceremony.

The 22-year-old cricketer, who recently made headlines for scoring the fastest T20 century against New Zealand, shared the happy news with fans on social media.

Posting photos from the ceremony, Hassan wrote, “Alhamdulillah, a new journey begins!” Fans flooded the comments with congratulatory messages and prayers.

The wedding took place in Layyah, Punjab, attended by close friends and family.

Pakistan booked their place in the final of the Nations Hockey Cup after a thrilling 3-2 win over France with a penalty shootout during the first semi-final held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Both teams started aggressively in the first quarter, attacking each other’s goalposts with intensity, but neither side managed to score.

In the 10th minute of the second quarter, France broke the deadlock and took a 1-0 lead. The French side extended their advantage early in the third quarter, making it 2-0. However, Pakistan responded quickly as Rana Waheed Ashraf scored the first goal just three minutes later.

The momentum shifted further when Pakistan earned a penalty. Sufiyan Muqeem converted it in the 12th minute of the third quarter, and only a minute later, Rana Waheed struck again to give Pakistan a 3-2 lead.

In the dying moments of the fourth quarter, France equalised through Charlotte Victor, making it 3-3 and pushing the match into a penalty shootout.

Pakistan held their nerve in the shootout. Goalkeeper Muneeb ur Rehman played a heroic role by saving attempts from Luke Wood Victor, Tineus Etienne, and Esmenjod Xavier. On the other end, Afraz, Shahid Hanan, and Rana Waheed successfully converted their penalties to seal Pakistan’s place in the final.

Pakistan will now await the winner of the second semi-final between Korea and New Zealand.

One of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) top teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad, is facing serious allegations of financial misconduct and money laundering involving its ownership.

According to Indian media, Dayanidhi Maran, founder of Sun TV Network and a former government minister, has accused his brother, Kalanithi Maran, chairman of Sun Group and owner of the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise. Kalanithi is also the father of Kavya Maran, the team’s CEO.

In a legal notice, Dayanidhi claimed that Kalanithi manipulated the family’s media empire to take full control. According to him, this plan started in 2003 when their father, Murasoli Maran, was severely ill and the family was in a vulnerable position.

Dayanidhi alleged that Kalanithi allotted 1.2 million shares to himself at only ₹10 per share (approximately PKR 33), even though the actual market value at the time was between ₹2,500 and ₹3,000 per share (around PKR 8,200 to PKR 9,800). As a result, the family’s ownership dropped from 50 percent to just 20 percent, causing a financial loss of around ₹3,498.8 crore (roughly PKR 115 billion).

He further claimed that Kalanithi used the illegally obtained funds to buy several companies and assets, including Sun Direct TV, SpiceJet, South Asian FM, Sun Pictures, Kal Airways, and the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise. He also pointed to investments in T20 leagues in South Africa and the United Kingdom.

The notice also stated that Sun TV falsely reported paying ₹10.64 crore (about PKR 351 million) in dividends to their mother in 2005, which Dayanidhi says never happened.

He alleged that the purchase and funding of the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise were carried out using illegal money, which qualifies as a crime under the anti-money laundering law. Dayanidhi demanded that Kalanithi Maran and his wife Kavery Maran return all shares and assets to their original 2003 state, along with the profits they earned, or face civil and criminal cases.

He also revealed that their sister Anbukkarasi was paid ₹500 crore (around PKR 16.5 billion) in 2024 through a private settlement to stop her from pursuing legal action.

This case is no longer just a family inheritance dispute. The accusations involve corporate fraud, corruption, and money laundering that could seriously impact the future of Sun TV and its associated companies, including the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Former Pakistan captain and currently out-of-form batter Babar Azam has defeated aggressive opener Fakhar Zaman in a unique power-hitting challenge held during the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) skills camp.

The contest was organised by batting coach Hanif Malik at the National Cricket Academy’s indoor facility. It focused on two metrics: vertical bat movement speed and power factor hitting.

A video released by the PCB shows both players facing one another. Fakhar Zaman’s swing speed was recorded at 74 kilometres per hour, with a power movement score of 761.

When it was Babar Azam’s turn, he immediately impressed. On his very first ball, his bat movement speed reached 89 kilometres per hour, and his power factor was recorded at 1,027.

By the final ball, Babar maintained a bat speed of 89 kilometres per hour, while his power factor climbed to an impressive 10,137, comfortably surpassing Fakhar Zaman’s numbers.