Blog

Pakistan secured a 2-1 T20I series win against South Africa on October 31, with debutant bowler Usman Tariq grabbing all the attention with his unique bowling action.

Usman’s unusual action involves a slight pause before releasing the ball, a method that impressed onlookers as he took two wickets in the series-deciding match. While captain Salman Ali Agha lifted the trophy, social media began buzzing over Usman’s bowling style, with some fans questioning its legality.

However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already cleared his action after biomechanical testing. Usman’s distinctive delivery style, which first raised eyebrows during PSL 2024, was later approved after multiple reviews.

Speaking in an interview before his debut, the 27-year-old said he received the selection call at an unexpected moment. “I was sleeping when I got the call, and it was the day of my mehndi ceremony,” Usman said with a smile. “When they told me I had been selected, I couldn’t believe it.”

He added, “Our regional president, Gohar Ali, called me to share the news. There was a family event going on at home, and everyone was so happy.”

Instagram Post

Usman said he had continued playing cricket alongside his job in Dubai before deciding to return to Pakistan. “God gave me talent, and I kept playing even while working in Dubai,” he said. “The dream I saw while sitting at home is finally coming true.”

The young spinner thanked Quetta Gladiators for giving him a platform in the Pakistan Super League, which helped him reach the national side.

Explaining his unusual bowling style, Usman revealed in an earlier interview that it comes from a physical condition. “My action looks different because I have two elbows,” he said. “Doctors have confirmed that my arm cannot straighten completely. It’s a natural condition, and my body structure is different from a normal person’s.”

The PCB later confirmed that Usman Tariq cleared his bowling assessment at the board’s approved biomechanics lab in Lahore, making him eligible to represent Pakistan.

Pakistani athletes delivered an impressive performance at the annual Istanbul Marathon held on Sunday. The event is known as the world’s only intercontinental marathon, connecting Asia and Europe.

A total of 12 athletes represented Pakistan in the 42.195-kilometer full marathon. Mubarez bin Rafiq led the pack with a strong finish, completing the race in 3 hours 21 minutes and 30 seconds. He was followed by Mujtaba Ahsan, who clocked 3 hours 23 minutes, while Ismail Khan, who lives in Istanbul, secured third place among the Pakistani runners with a time of 4 hours 3 minutes.

Geo News Deputy Sports Editor Faizan Lakhani also participated in his first-ever marathon, completing the full distance in 5 hours 13 minutes.

In the women’s category, Sehar Ali Janjua led the way by finishing in 4 hours 22 minutes, followed by Hina Malik, who completed the race in 4 hours 49 minutes.

Other Pakistani participants included Umar Rasheed, Zain Ahmed, Kashif Raza, Mehr Wish Hanif, Sadaf Saad, and Haziq Khalid.

All the runners wore green shirts to represent Pakistan, and they received a warm welcome from spectators as they crossed the iconic Bosphorus Bridge.

More than 41,000 runners from 126 countries took part in the Türkiye İş Bankası 47th Istanbul Marathon, organized by Spor İstanbul. The race holds World Athletics’ prestigious Gold Label status and featured 5,976 runners in the 42-kilometer category, 12,440 in the 15.5-kilometer run, 18,000 in the Corporate Run, and 5,000 in the Public Run.

The route began on the Asian side of the city, 250 meters behind the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, and ended at Sultanahmet Square on the European side.

In the men’s elite race, Kenya’s Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo claimed victory with a time of 2 hours 10 minutes 12 seconds. Last year’s winner, Dejene Debela of Kenya, finished second in 2 hours 10 minutes 23 seconds, while Ethiopia’s Sufaro Woliyi took third in 2 hours 10 minutes 26 seconds.

In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Bizuager Aderra won the race in 2 hours 26 minutes 19 seconds, followed closely by compatriot Sofia Assefa at 2 hours 26 minutes 21 seconds. Kenya’s Joan Jepkosgei secured third place with a time of 2 hours 26 minutes 36 seconds.

Winners received $50,000 for first place, $20,000 for second, and $10,000 for third, with prize money awarded down to eighth place, who earned $1,000.

Separate awards were given to the top Turkish runners, with the top five in both men’s and women’s categories sharing a total of $9,515. The first-place Turkish athlete received $1,428, followed by $1,190, $952, $714, and $476.

In the wheelchair category, the top four finishers earned $714, $595, $476, and $357, respectively. Additional prizes were distributed across various age groups, ranging from 35–39 up to 85 and above.

Overall, organizers distributed around $226,000 in prize money across all categories.

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from T20 cricket.

New Zealand Cricket confirmed the news in a post on X, stating that Williamson will not participate in the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies, and the star batter wants to focus on the Test series scheduled for December.

Williamson is the second-highest run-scorer for New Zealand in T20s. Since making his T20I debut in 2011, he represented the Black Caps in 93 matches, scoring 2,575 runs with 18 half-centuries.

Under his leadership, New Zealand reached the T20 World Cup semifinals twice and made it to the final once, marking one of the most successful eras in the country’s limited-overs history.

Pakistan on Saturday defeated South Africa by four wickets in the third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, clinching the three-match series 2-1.

After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to field first. South Africa posted 139 for 9 in their 20 overs with Reeza Hendricks scoring 32, Corbin Bosch 30 and Donovan Ferreira adding 29 runs.

For Pakistan, Shereef Sheem starred with the ball, taking three wickets while Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq picked up two each. Salman Mirza and Mohammad Nawaz claimed one wicket apiece.

In response, Pakistan successfully chased down the target, finishing at 140 for 6. Babar Azam top-scored with 68 while skipper Salman Ali Agha contributed a valuable 33 runs.

Earlier in the series, Pakistan lost the opening match by 55 runs in Rawalpindi but bounced back with a nine-wicket win in the second T20I in Lahore.

The two sides will now face off in a three-match ODI series scheduled from November 4 to 8 in Faisalabad.

Barcelona and Spain’s star footballer Lamine Yamal has been diagnosed with a chronic groin injury that doctors say could trouble him for the rest of his career.

Media reports citing experts said that this could trouble him long-term and may prevent him from ever being 100 percent again.

The 18-year-old sensation has taken the football world by storm over the past two years, playing a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and helping Barcelona win a domestic treble last season. His brilliant form earned him second place in the 2025 Ballon d’Or and made him the first-ever two-time winner of the Kopa Trophy for the world’s best young player.

However, Spanish media reports have now revealed that Yamal has been quietly dealing with pubalgia, a long-term condition that causes constant pain in the pubic and groin area. The problem became more noticeable during El Clasico, where fans saw him struggling to move freely.

Physiotherapist Lluis Puig told Spanish outlet that pubalgia is not a typical muscle injury but a chronic issue that needs lifelong management. “This isn’t an injury that heals in a month. He will have to live with it and do continuous preventative work to stay fit,” Puig explained.

Barcelona’s medical team has created a special plan for Yamal to control the pain and maintain top performance levels without worsening the injury.

Interestingly, Lionel Messi faced the same issue early in his Barcelona career and overcame it through years of disciplined training and recovery.

Fans are now hoping Yamal can do the same. At just 18, he has already achieved what most players can only dream of. 

If he manages to overcome this challenge, it could mark the beginning of another inspiring chapter in his journey to greatness.