Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has announced revised prize money for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) edition set for April 2026.
“Complementing the Pakistan Super League’s growth, I am thrilled to announce a new reward for franchises in the forthcoming editions,” he said in a post on X.
The champions will take home $500,000, the same as the 2025 edition, while the runner-up team will take home $300,000, which is an increase of the previous year’s $200,000 reward.
Additionally, a $200,000 reward will be given to the best franchise contributing towards cricket development.
Separately, PCB confirmed that the auction for the two new PSL franchise teams will take place on January 6, 2026, while the decision for which cities have been shortlisted, will be made after December 15.
“This marks a significant milestone in the league’s continued expansion and its commitment to expanding its footprint across Pakistan,” the board said.
“The addition of two new teams will also create fresh commercial, sporting and fan engagement opportunities,” it added.
PSL, which started in 2016 with five teams, expanded to six franchises with the addition of Multan Sultans in 2018.
The inclusion of another two teams would mark its first major restructuring in seven years.
After a dominating win against Sri Lanka in the tri-series, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has revealed the bigger challenge his side is eyeing.
Talking to media persons after the win, Raza said that they are looking forward to meeting hosts Pakistan once more and that they have a plan for victory after coming close in the series opener.
Pakistan on Nov 18 won the first match of the series by five wickets. Despite the result, Raza’s team was competitive throughout and caused plenty of trouble with both bat and ball.
Zimbabwe has beaten Pakistan twice in the last five meetings, giving Raza’s comments credibility.
The team bounced back in their second game against Sri Lanka, dismantling their opponents by 67 runs to move to the top of the points table.
Pakistan and Zimbabwe will meet again this Sunday. For Pakistan, it may appear to be a routine match, but Zimbabwe, under a highly-motivated Raza, will enter the rematch with a point to prove.
Per the details the Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe clash, Sri Lanka’s batting imploded in the face of a disciplined Zimbabwe attack. They were bowled out for 95, chasing a target of 163.
For Zimbabwe, it was the perfect response to their opening game defeat to Pakistan.
Pakistan dominated the men’s javelin throw final at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh as Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem defended the top slot and Muhammad Yasir won silver.
Arshad was in a league of his own headed into the seven-man event; his personal best of 92.97m, which won him gold and the games record at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was head and shoulders above the rest of the field.
Predictably, he had the lead from the start and was the only competitor to throw more than 80m though he looked disappointed after most of his throws.
The 28-year-old took home gold with a modest 83.05m throw on his second attempt, well below his 88.55m throw at the previous edition, which won gold and broke the games record.
Yasir, on the other hand, shifted gears in the sixth and final throw to win silver in 76.04m after overtaking Nigeria’s Samuel Adams Kure, who won bronze with a 76.01m throw.
The Pakistani duo’s medals took the country’s tally at the games to four after boxers Fatima Zahra and Qudrat Ullah both won bronze medals in their respective categories.
A sparse audience at the Prince Faisal Bin Stadium was seen clustered behind the javelin throwing sector, waving Pakistani flags and holding up their mobile phones to get a picture of the javelin superstars in action.
Earlier, Arshad opened his campaign with a low 75.44m first throw before breaching the 80m mark on his second and third throws. However, by his fourth throw, he had come back to 77.06m and had a no-throw on his fifth attempt.
The gold medal comes months after the reigning Olympic Champion struggled in the final of the World Athletics Championships with a best throw of 82.75 meters, resulting in his elimination after the fourth round.
He has himself stated his struggle with a calf injury and post-op recovery as to why he is not at his best.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has called for a more ruthless mindset in the powerplay overs after a nervy five-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the opening match of the T20I tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Put into field, Pakistan were immediately under pressure as Zimbabwe’s openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Bennett raced to 59 without loss in the powerplay — the Chevrons’ second-highest against Pakistan in T20Is. However, the visitors faltered once Mohammad Nawaz led a spirited fightback, restricting them to 147/8.
“It was a close game. We didn’t start well with either bat or ball, and when you don’t start well, the game tends to get close,” Agha admitted during the post-match presentation.
The skipper credited Pakistan’s spinners for turning the tide, highlighting their consistent performances over the past few months. He revealed that the team had anticipated a low-scoring contest after assessing the pitch conditions.
“The spinners have been doing well for the last 4–5 months. They were the ones who put us back in the game,” Agha said. “When we saw the pitch last night, I knew it wasn’t going to be high scoring. It looked like a 160–180 kind of wicket, but we bowled really well. I was very happy chasing 147.”
Looking ahead, Agha stressed the importance of sharper starts in both batting and bowling. “We need to start well, bowling or batting. In the powerplay, we need to be ruthless. That’s what I’m going to talk about,” he said.
Pakistan’s chase was anchored by a crucial 61-run stand between Fakhar Zaman (44 off 32) and Usman Khan (37* off 28) while Nawaz capped his all-round display with 21* off 12 balls to seal victory with four deliveries to spare.
The tri-series continues in Rawalpindi with Zimbabwe set to face Sri Lanka on Thursday, before Pakistan meet Sri Lanka in their second fixture on Saturday.
Seasoned Pakistani cueist Asjad Iqbal has continued his impressive run at the IBSF Snooker World Cup 2025, reaching the semi-finals after a series of dominant victories at the Active Oman Sports and Entertainment Hub.
According to reports, the 34-year-old former national champion defeated India’s Pankaj Advani 4-0 in the quarter-finals after opening with an 81 break to take the first frame 100-0, followed by a 92-37 win in the second.
He went on to score a 68 break in a 117-16 third-frame victory and sealed the match 83-21 in the fourth.
Asjad’s campaign began in the last 32 round, where he beat India’s Hussain Khan 3-0 (53(53)-44, 90-41, 93(84)-9). In the same round, Egypt’s Mina Awad defeated Pakistan’s Mohammad Hasnain 3-1, while Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif overcame Khalid Kamali of the UAE 3-2 (71(70)-77, 17-70(54), 77-74, 61(51)-45, 84-38).
In the pre-quarterfinals, Asjad beat Mina Awad 4-1 after losing the first frame 62-21. He bounced back with wins of 72(72)-11, 69(52)-29, 58-29, and finished with a 104(104)-0 clearance. Meanwhile, Mohammad Asif fell 4-2 to France’s Nicolas Mortreux (74-49, 46-57, 72(68)-28, 9-106(83), 73(73)-65(60), 85(55)-43).
Asjad will face Mortreux in the semi-finals, aiming to improve on his bronze medal finish from the previous edition and keep Pakistan’s hopes alive in the prestigious tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in danger of missing at least Portugal’s opening match at next year’s World Cup after being shown a red card in Thursday’s 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland.
According to Reuters, Ronaldo was initially shown a yellow card after elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during the match in Dublin.
However, it was upgraded to a red card, and Ronaldo was sent off for the first time in his international career after the referee reviewed the contact on a pitch-side video monitor.
“When he tries to get away from the defender, I think the action looks worse than what it actually is,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. “I don’t think it’s an elbow, I think it’s a full body. But from where the camera is, it looks like an elbow. We accept it.
It could be a red card, but for the right reasons.”
Ronaldo will serve his mandatory one-game suspension when Portugal plays host to Armenia on Sunday. Portugal, which still leads Hungary by two points in Group F, can clinch a spot in next year’s World Cup with a victory.
However, FIFA disciplinary rules state that a ban of at least two matches is required for “serious foul play” and for at least three matches for “violent conduct,” or for “an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.”
Pre-World Cup exhibitions would not count towards serving a potential match ban, and it could be three weeks before FIFA issues a verdict.
It is the first red card Ronaldo has received in the record 226 games he has played for Portugal.
“He is just a captain that has never been sent off before in 226 games,” Martinez said. “I think it was a bit harsh because he cares about the team.”
Pakistani film ‘Nayab’ has won the ‘Best Foreign Film’ award at World Film Festival in Cannes. The film, directed by Umair Nasir Ali, also won the Best First Time Film Maker award in the feature film category. The film is written by Basit Naqvi, Ali Abbas Naqvi
The story of the film is centered around a young woman determined to break stereotypes by playing cricket for Pakistan’s national team. Her brother, who was once a rising star himself, struggles with his past.
The director posted a picture on Instagram with the caption, “Happy to share our film “Nayab” won Best Foreign Film and Best First Time Filmmaker (Feature) at the World Film Festival in Cannes – Remember the Future! April 2024 -Despite limited festival opportunities after commercial theatrical release locally and globally, these awards bring us great joy. Thanks to the entire Nayab Team for making “Nayab” possible! Specially @rumina_umair @aliabbasnaqvi88 & @m.basit.naqvi for being there since the inception of the idea which we started in 2019.”
Yumna Zaidi who played the character of Nayab also posted a picture on her Instagram with the caption, “Nayab” my real star ”
Note: The prestigious Cannes Film Festival ended on May 25. Don’t confuse it with the World Film Festival in Cannes, a separate monthly competition held in the same city.
In the 2nd eliminator of Pakistan Super League 9, Islamabad United defeats Peshawar Zalmi by 5 wickets in National Stadium Karachi.
Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss and decides to bowl first.
Peshawar Zalmi inning
Playing first Peshawar Zalmi scored 185 runs for the loss of five wicket in allotted 20 overs. Peshawar Zalmi openers took very good start putting 72 runs on the board for the first wicket partnership. Saim Ayub scored 73 runs, Captain Babar Azam scored 25, Muhammad Haris 40, Tom Kohler Cadmore 18 and Aamir Jamal remained unbeaten with 17 runs.
From Islamabad United side, Naseem Shah took three wickets while Shadab Khan and Obed McCoy took one wicket each.
Islamabad United inning
Chasing the target of 186 runs, Islamabad took very poor start. Saim Ayub dismissed Alex Hales in the first over and Salman Ali Agha in third over on just 5 runs. Islamabad lost their 5 wickets for 91 runs but Imad Wasim and Haider Ali took the charge scoring 59 and 52 runs respectively.
Islamabad United chase down the target in 19 overs.
From Peshawar Zalmi Saim Ayub took two while Luke Wood, Mehran Mumtaz and Khurram Shehzad took one wicket each.
Islamabad will face Multan Sultans in final on March 18.
Every year, PSL songs take the limelight as fans get divided over the best Pakistan Super League song, comparing them to previous years, while artists take it as a challenge to put up their best.
This year, The Current has exclusive insights to a new controversy, which involves a seasoned artist – Ali Zafar.
A source who spoke to us claimed that Ali Zafar was, once again, trying to lobby for the PSL anthem.
According to a source, PCB was in talks with Ali Zafar to sing this year’s anthem but some PSL franchises pushed back saying the artist would tarnish the PSL brand because of the controversies surrounding him.
In response to our article previously published, Ali Zafar had this to say:
“I was indeed officially contacted by PCB to create the PSL anthem for this year. After working on it for two months, hiring musicians and music producers at my personal expense, I came up with three different versions of the anthem for the PCB to choose from. After one of them was finalized and the release was being planned, I was informed that PCB can’t go ahead with the anthem for reasons that I would not like to disclose at this point.
I wish the next team all the best with their endeavours.”
What Happened?
To show his social media strength and popularity to counter PCB’s reasoning, Ali Zafar went over to social media with a plan.
On January 12, Zafar posted on X (formerly Twitter), asking if an anthem by him will “enhance the image of the brand of PSL and PCB, deepen the connection with people, and bring more financial benefit to all stakeholders or will it prove to be otherwise?”.
Do you think that if I did the anthem of PSL this year, it will enhance the image of the brand of PSL and PCB, deepen the connection with people, and bring more financial benefit to all stakeholders or will it prove to be otherwise? Be honest with your votes. I have no ego and I…
This was followed by a poll, adding that “I will explain later, why I have posted this tweet”.
But when the results started to apparently turn against him, Zafar deleted his poll. This was followed by a post claiming that the polls were rigged with the help of bots.
“Told you to wait to see why I started the poll”, he said.
X users started trolling Ali Zafar because in the screenshots of polls he shared, the time stamp is the same throughout, indicating, according to users, that the pictures were photoshopped.
X (formerly Twitter) Reacts
Bhai images pe time stamps tau sahi tarah photoshop kar letay fazool excuses banaaney se pehlay.
Had to delete your own poll after your terrible plan backfired.
In January 2016, while performing at the launch event of the team Islamabad United, Ali Zafar released the team anthem “Chakka Choka” and performed it in the opening ceremony of PSL 2016 the following month.
Then in 2017, Zafar released the anthem for that year’s PSL “Ab Khel Jamay Ga”.
Controversy
In 2018, singer Meesha Shafi accused Ali Zafar of sexual harassment which Zafar denied, taking the matter to court and filing a defamation case against Shafi for slander.
While the case is still ongoing, Ali Zafar has been under heavy criticism for his condescending tone towards Shafi in interviews, while award shows and the entertainment industry has been condemned for engaging him.
After India’s historic loss against Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup final, fans were devastated. Some chose to lash out at Australian players, posting misogynistic and degrading slurs on the Instagram profiles of Australian cricket players Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell as well as their wives.
An Indian firm named Marketing Moves is going viral after they offered a day off to their employees to recover from India’s loss.
“Hi team,” the message read. “In light of India’s loss in the recent WC, we recognise the impact on our team members. To offer some support during this time, the company has decided to grant a one-day leave relaxation. We believe this will provide an opportunity for everyone to regroup and recover. Let’s come back stronger.”
