Category: Sports

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is under fire for its latest promotional video for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final.

Rather than focusing on the players or the match itself, the 45-second video has turned into what many are calling a highlight reel of ICC’s Chairman Jay Shah.

Posted on June 17, the video quickly drew backlash from cricket fans and journalists around the world. It was originally uploaded a day earlier, but mysteriously got deleted, only to be reposted the next day without explanation.

A fantastic #WTC25 Final at Lord’s with the @proteasmencsa lifting the mace on day four after defeating the defending champions @CricketAus pic.twitter.com/sMlDXIhIVe

— ICC (@ICC) June 17, 2025

The promo features 23 total shots. Out of those, 11 are dedicated to Jay Shah alone. In contrast, South African captain Temba Bavuma is seen five times, Aiden Markram just twice, while Australian captain Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada barely make an appearance.

Cricket fans and media personalities did not pull back their verbal punches. 

One user pointed out, “In this 45-second micro video, ICC Chairman Jay Shah appears 11 times.”

Another mocked, “Did Jay Shah lift the World Cup?”

A Sri Lankan journalist sarcastically asked, “How many runs did Jay Shah score in the final? How many wickets did he take?”

Indian journalist Kuldeep Lal called the video unbelievable and questioned the ICC’s priorities.

British journalist Atif Nawaz joked, “Looks like Jay Shah shot and edited the video himself on his own phone.”

An Australian journalist added, “If you blink even once while watching this video, you’ll miss Pat Cummins entirely.”

One viewer commented, “Maybe people came to see Jay Shah and suddenly cricket broke out.”

Another user slammed the ICC, saying, “One of the worst ways to celebrate a team’s victory is by showing the ICC or BCCI representative too many times. This is the power of money, and it’s cheap.”

Someone else wrote, “It seems Jay Shah’s PR team is taking over this account. Dude, you are posting in the wrong account.”

British journalist Charlie Reynolds also took a dig. “Jay Shah appears 11 times in the video. That’s as many times as the entire South African team, who actually won the final.”

Journalist Pearl Radley gave her take, too, saying it felt like Jay Shah was the Man of the Match. “Even Aiden Markram didn’t get this much screen time.”

What should have been a celebration of South Africa’s historic win has turned into a PR blunder. Instead of honouring the players who fought for the trophy, the spotlight was grabbed by someone who never stepped on the field.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a number of new rule changes that will apply to all three formats of men’s international cricket: Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

Changes in ODI Ball Usage

Currently, a new ball is used from each end for 25 overs. Under the new rule, both balls will now be used until the 34th over. From the 35th over onward, teams must choose one of the two balls to continue with until the end of the innings.

If the match is reduced to 25 overs or fewer, only one ball will be used throughout the game.

The ICC says this change is aimed at helping bowlers, especially in the final overs of the game, by allowing reverse swing. This has become rare in recent years because of the constant use of newer balls.

Concussion Substitute Rules Updated

Under the latest change, teams must name five specific concussion substitutes before the toss. The list must include one batter, one all-rounder, one wicketkeeper, one fast bowler, and one spinner.

In the past, teams were allowed to name a concussion substitute during the match without sharing a list in advance.

Bunny Hop Catches Now Illegal

The ICC, along with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), has also changed the rule about airborne catches near the boundary, often called “bunny-hop” catches.

Now, any catch where a fielder jumps from beyond the boundary without first touching the ground inside the field and redirects the ball while still in the air will be considered illegal.

For a catch to be valid, the fielder must first touch the ground inside the field while making contact with the ball.

However, if a fielder touches the ball inside the field, goes outside the boundary due to momentum, and then comes back in to complete the catch, that will still be allowed.

This rule will officially come into effect in October 2026, but the ICC will start using it in match conditions starting next week.

When will the rules apply?

The new rules will be applied on different dates for each format:

Test matches: from June 17

ODIs: from July 2

T20 Internationals: from July 10

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the complete schedule for the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

 A total of 71 Test matches will be played over two years, with nine teams competing for the title.

This announcement comes after South Africa won their first WTC title by beating Australia in the final at Lord’s.

The new cycle will begin on June 17 with a match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle. Australia will play the most matches in this cycle, with 22 games lined up. England will play 21 matches, while India is set to play 18.

India will begin their campaign with a five-match away series against England starting June 20 at Headingley. Under the leadership of new captain Shubman Gill, India will also host the West Indies, South Africa, and Australia while touring Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

South Africa, which has remained unbeaten since August 2024 under captain Temba Bavuma, will start their title defence with a two-Test series in Pakistan in October. South African fans will have to wait until September 2026 to see their team play at home when they host Australia.

The historic Ashes series between Australia and England will take place later this year in Australia. Pakistan will play 13 Tests, including a home series against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand.

While the number of matches varies, the ICC has tried to keep the number of series balanced for each team. The top teams like Australia, England, and India have a heavier schedule due to their strong Test cricket depth and global following.

Here is the team-wise match breakdown for the 2025–27 WTC cycle:

 
 
 
Team
 
Matches
 
Home Series
 
Away Series
 
 
 
 
 
Australia
 
22
 
England (5), New Zealand (4), Bangladesh (2)
 
West Indies (3), South Africa (3), India (5)
 
 
 
Bangladesh
 
12
 
Pakistan (2), West Indies (2), England (2)
 
Sri Lanka (2), South Africa (2), Australia (2)
 
 
 
England
 
21
 
India (5), New Zealand (3), Pakistan (3)
 
Australia (5), South Africa (3), Bangladesh (2)
 
 
 
India
 
18
 
West Indies (2), South Africa (2), Australia (5)
 
England (5), Sri Lanka (2), New Zealand (2)
 
 
 
New Zealand
 
16
 
West Indies (3), India (2), Sri Lanka (2)
 
England (3), Australia (4), Pakistan (2)
 
 
 
Pakistan
 
13
 
South Africa (2), Sri Lanka (2), New Zealand (2)
 
Bangladesh (2), West Indies (2), England (3)
 
 
 
South Africa
 
14
 
Australia (3), Bangladesh (2), England (3)
 
Pakistan (2), India (2), Sri Lanka (2)
 
 
 
Sri Lanka
 
12
 
Bangladesh (2), India (2), South Africa (2)
 
West Indies (2), Pakistan (2), New Zealand (2)
 
 
 
West Indies
 
14
 
Australia (3), Sri Lanka (2), Pakistan (2)
 
India (2), New Zealand (3), Bangladesh (2)
 
 
 

With new captains, team changes, and matches in different conditions, this WTC cycle will test every team’s skills and consistency.

The final of this WTC edition is expected to take place in mid-2027. The venue has not been confirmed yet.

Pakistan’s Tekken star Atif Butt has secured a major victory at CEO 2025 by defeating South Korea’s ULSAN in a thrilling grand final.

Atif won the Tekken 8 championship title and a prize of $6,195 after a hard-fought 3-2 win, once again proving Pakistan’s strength in the international Tekken scene.

Representing Team Falcons, Atif remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, staying strong in the upper bracket. In the final, he used Anna Williams (Game Character) to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five match. ULSAN made a strong comeback to level the score at 2-2, but Atif kept his calm and secured the final round to take home the title.

The win earned Atif 560 EWC points, adding to his ranking for the upcoming Esports World Cup 2025, for which he had already qualified. 

Arslan Ash also impressed fans. He was knocked into the lower bracket after losing to ULSAN earlier in the tournament, but fought back by eliminating fellow Pakistani player Farzeen and then South Korea’s JeonDDing. In a rematch with ULSAN, however, Arslan lost 3-0, ending his run just short of the final.

Despite the loss, Pakistan’s players left a strong mark. Three out of four Pakistani participants, Atif, Arslan Ash, and Farzeen, finished in the top six. Bilal, the fourth representative, also showed great skill in the tournament.

With CEO 2025 now over, all eyes are on the Esports World Cup, where Atif, Arslan Ash, ULSAN, and Farzeen are already confirmed to compete.

Sydney Sixers have signed Pakistan star batter Babar Azam for the upcoming season, as preparations for the 2025 Big Bash League (BBL 15) are in full swing in Australia. 

The Sixers have signed Babar as a pre-draft signing, which means he will play the full BBL season and make his Big Bash debut this year. Although his salary has not been revealed yet, there is strong speculation about how much he might earn.

According to the BBL rules, each team can sign one international player before the draft. The highest-paid overseas player in the draft can get up to AUD 420,000. However, Babar’s deal is slightly different as he was signed before the draft.

It’s expected that Babar will receive a salary close to but slightly less than AUD 420,000. In Pakistani rupees, this amount is around 7.7 crore. This is still a huge amount and reflects Babar’s high value as a top T20 cricketer.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to play in one of the world’s best T20 leagues and to be a part of such a successful and respected franchise. I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s success, building a strong connection with the fans, and sharing this experience with my friends, family and supporters at home in Pakistan,” said Azam.

By adding Babar to their squad, the Sydney Sixers have boosted their batting strength. With players like Steve Smith already in the team, their batting lineup looks strong and balanced. 

Now, all eyes are on how Babar performs and how the Sixers play in BBL 2025.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning to introduce a new rule that will ban the popular but controversial ‘bunny hop’ style of boundary catches.

The move comes after eye-catching catches by players like Michael Neser, Tom Banton, and Matt Renshaw in different Big Bash League (BBL) seasons. One of the most talked-about moments was Neser’s catch during BBL 2023, where he caught the ball near the boundary, jumped in the air, threw the ball while still airborne beyond the boundary, landed outside the field, jumped again to tap the ball back in, and finally completed the catch inside the field. Banton and Renshaw made similar catches.

While the efforts amazed fans, many felt such catches looked strange and unfair. As a result, the ICC has decided to tighten the rules. According to new conditions, which will be added later this month, a fielder can only touch the ball once while they are outside the boundary. To complete a legal catch, the player must return to the field of play before catching the ball again.

The rule will also be added to the official Laws of Cricket by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in October 2026. In a note sent to ICC member boards, the MCC said that while the old rule led to some stunning fielding moments, it also allowed for catches that many cricket fans thought did not seem fair.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly close to appointing a new red-ball head coach, with a former all-rounder leading the race for the role.

According to reports, the PCB is considering Azhar Mahmood for the position. He is already under a two-year contract signed earlier this April. Although initially appointed as an assistant coach, his responsibilities were reduced after Mike Hesson was hired as the white-ball head coach.

Since Jason Gillespie stepped down as Test coach, no permanent replacement has been named. However, Azhar Mahmood has emerged as the top candidate to fill that vacancy. His deep understanding of Pakistan cricket and strong relationships with senior players are seen as key advantages. He has previously played a supporting role during several transitional phases for the national team.

While he was not part of the coaching setup during the recent series against Bangladesh, his availability and Test experience make him a strong contender. Reports suggest that his appointment would provide the PCB with a stable option during a time of uncertainty.

Pakistan does not have any Test matches scheduled until October, giving the board time to ensure a smooth transition. If appointed, Azhar would become the first permanent red-ball head coach since Gillespie’s departure. Aaqib Javed has been serving as the interim coach in the meantime.

Reports also suggest that potential changes in captaincy could follow, further highlighting the need for a steady presence in the dressing room.

New Zealand’s cricketer Finn Allen has set a new world record after hitting the most sixes in a single T20 innings.

While playing in the USA’s Major League Cricket (MLC), Allen smashed 19 sixes in an explosive knock, breaking the previous record of 18 set by West Indies legend Chris Gayle.

Representing San Francisco Unicorns, Allen scored a blistering 151 runs off just 51 balls against Washington Freedom.

During his innings, Allen also achieved the record for the fastest 150 in T20 cricket, reaching the milestone in just 49 balls. This also makes him the first New Zealander to score a T20 century in just 34 balls.

San Francisco Unicorns defeated Washington Freedom by 123 runs. The Unicorns posted a massive total of 269 for 5, while Washington Freedom were bowled out for 146 in 13.1 overs.

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf starred with the ball, taking three wickets for the San Francisco Unicorns in the match.