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Sports

Latest Pakistan cricket, football and sports news, match updates, team developments and analysis from Pakistan and around the world.

FIFA World Cup 2026 to be biggest ever with record prize money

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FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to become the largest sporting event in history, with 48 teams competing across the United States, Mexico, and Canada starting June 11, 2026.

For the first time, 48 nations will participate up from 32 in the 2022 edition making it the most expansive World Cup ever.

Defending champions Argentina will look to retain their title, while teams like Jordan, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, and Curaçao are set to make their historic debut appearances.

Beyond the expanded lineup, the tournament will also feature record-breaking prize money. FIFA has allocated a total prize pool of $871 million nearly double that of the 2022 World Cup.

Each team will receive $2.5 million for preparation and $10 million upon qualification, guaranteeing at least $12.5 million per team. Additional earnings will depend on performance throughout the tournament.

The winning team will take home $53.5 million, significantly higher than the $42 million awarded in 2022. The runner-up will receive $36.5 million, while third and fourth place teams will earn $32.5 million and $30.5 million respectively.

Teams finishing between fifth and eighth place will each receive $22.5 million, while those ranked ninth to sixteenth will get $18.5 million. Teams placed seventeenth to thirty-second will earn $14.5 million, and those finishing thirty-third to forty-eighth will receive $12.5 million.

The tournament will also feature 104 matches up from 64 in 2022 further highlighting the масштаб and global reach of the event.

PSL 11 team of tournament announced, Babar named captain

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PSL 11 team

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the Team of the Tournament for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League 11, featuring several top-performing local and international stars.

According to the announcement, Babar Azam has been rewarded with the captaincy for his outstanding batting performances and leadership throughout the season.

The squad features strong representation from the champions Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen, with three players each included in the lineup.

Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United have contributed two players each, while Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators have one player each in the selected XI.

Notably, no player from the Rawalpindi team managed to secure a place in the final twelve-member squad.

The selection highlights consistent individual performances and standout contributions across the tournament, with the PCB recognizing top performers from multiple franchises.

The selected squad includes prominent players such as Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, and Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis.

Other inclusions are Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, and Hassan Khan, alongside pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hunain Shah, and Sufiyan Muqeem.

England’s Richard Gleeson has also been named in the side, reflecting strong overseas representation in the lineup.

Meanwhile, Hassan Nawaz has been selected as the 12th player in the squad.

The selection highlights standout performances across franchises, recognizing both batting firepower and bowling excellence throughout the tournament.

YouTube partners with FIFA as preferred platform for World Cup 2026

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YouTube partners

YouTube has officially entered into a strategic partnership with the FIFA to become a Preferred Platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026, aiming to transform how fans around the world engage with the tournament through digital-first content and creator-driven integration.

For the first time, media partners will have the option to livestream the opening 10 minutes of every match on their official YouTube channels, marking a significant shift in sports broadcasting access. Select matches will also be available for full live streaming via designated media partners.

As part of the collaboration, FIFA will launch its Digital Archive on its official YouTube channel, offering fans access to full-length classic matches and iconic historical moments from past tournaments.

The partnership also enables broadcasters and media partners to distribute extended highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, and video-on-demand content. In addition, YouTube’s short-form vertical video format will be used to reach younger and mobile-first audiences more effectively.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström welcomed the development, saying the agreement will help unlock new opportunities for media partners and creators while engaging global fans in innovative ways.

The initiative is designed to align the World Cup experience with evolving media consumption trends, combining official match coverage with creator-led content to connect with the next generation of sports audiences.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Google is also exploring further sports collaborations, including partnerships with national teams such as Argentina and France, with additional announcements expected in the coming weeks.

Babar Azam eyes first PSL title as captain with Peshawar Zalmi

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Babar Azam

Pakistan former Test captain Babar Azam is set for a golden opportunity to win his maiden Pakistan Super League title as a captain, with Peshawar Zalmi reaching the final for the first time under his leadership.

Babar, who joined Zalmi in 2022 after leaving Karachi Kings, previously featured in the inaugural PSL season in 2016 with Islamabad United under captain Misbah-ul-Haq, where he played only two matches and was not part of the squad that lifted the title against Quetta Gladiators.

From 2017 to 2021, Babar represented Karachi Kings, who won their first PSL title in 2020 under captain Imad Wasim by defeating Lahore Qalandars at the National Stadium in Karachi.

In that championship-winning season, Babar was the standout performer, scoring 554 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 132.53.

In the current PSL season, Babar continues his strong form, amassing 588 runs in 10 matches at an impressive strike rate of 146.26, making him one of the key players heading into the final.

Palestinian FA Chief declines handshake with Israeli official at FIFA congress

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Palestinian FA Chief

At the 76th FIFA Congress, a moment of tension emerged when Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Federation, refused to pose for a photo or shake hands with an Israeli representative.

The incident occurred when Gianni Infantino invited Rajoub and Bassem Sheikh Suleiman, vice president of the Israeli Football Association, to join him on stage.

According to reports, Infantino gestured for Rajoub to come forward and even attempted to guide him by the arm, but the Palestinian official stood firm on his position and declined.

Vice President of the Palestinian Football Association, Susan Shalabi, later stated that Rajoub made it clear he could not shake hands with the Israeli official.

In his address, Infantino urged both sides to work together, calling for cooperation within global football.

However, Shalabi criticized the move, saying Rajoub’s intended message—focused on rules and justice—was overlooked.

It is worth noting that the Palestinian Football Association has recently filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking action against Israeli clubs operating in settlements in the West Bank.

FIFA introduces new yellow card rules for 2026 World Cup

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FIFA introduces

ZURICH: FIFA has announced significant changes to yellow card regulations for the FIFA World Cup 2026, aiming to ensure greater player availability during crucial knockout matches.

Under the revised rules, players’ disciplinary records will be reset twice in the tournament to reduce the risk of suspensions.

According to FIFA, all single yellow cards accumulated during the group stage will be cleared at its conclusion, allowing players to enter the knockout rounds without the burden of prior cautions.

A second amnesty will be granted after the quarter-finals, meaning players who reach the semi-finals will no longer face suspension due to earlier yellow cards.

Previously, yellow cards were only wiped after the quarter-finals to prevent players from missing the final due to bookings in the semi-final.

 However, with the expanded 48-team format and additional knockout rounds in the 2026 edition, the governing body has introduced further flexibility.

FIFA also announced an increase in financial incentives, raising the total prize fund for all 48 participating teams by 15 percent to $871 million.

Pakistan street child football team to compete in 2026 World Cup in Mexico

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Pakistan street child

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Street Child Football Team is set to depart for Mexico on Friday to participate in the Street Child World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place from May 5 to 15, featuring teams from 30 countries.

The tournament will include separate events for both boys and girls and serves as a global platform advocating for the rights, protection, and identity of street-connected children through youth-led initiatives.

The Pakistan team, participating under the banner of Muslim Hands an organization dedicated to promoting education and social change through sports will also attend a session of the United Nations General Assembly during their visit.

It is worth noting that Pakistan secured the silver medal at the Street Child Football World Cup 2022 held in Qatar, finishing as runners-up in the international tournament.

Ronaldo hits 970 career goals as Al Nassr strengthen Saudi Pro League lead

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Ronaldo hits 970

Cristiano Ronaldo has added another major milestone to his legendary career, scoring his 970th professional goal as Al Nassr secured a 2-0 victory over Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Wednesday.

The match remained goalless until the second half, before Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with a decisive strike. Kingsley Coman later sealed the win with a late goal in the 90th minute.

The result keeps Al Nassr firmly at the top of the Saudi Pro League table with 79 points from 26 wins, one draw, and three defeats, extending their eight-point lead over Al Hilal.

Ronaldo was named Player of the Match and celebrated the victory on social media, posting: “YALLA!! WE ARE AL NASSR.”

The club’s remarkable form continues, with a 20-match winning streak across all competitions that began in January.

Al Nassr are now preparing to face Al Qadsiah on May 3 in the 31st league round, followed by a high-profile fixture against Gamba Osaka in Riyadh on May 16. With momentum on their side, the team remains strong favourites to maintain their title charge.

Batter Hasan Nawaz says India matches bring extra motivation

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Batter Hasan Nawaz

KARACHI: Pakistani middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz has said that matches against India naturally create an aggressive mindset and extra motivation for players.

Speaking to a local news channel, Hasan Nawaz said that when playing against India, cricketers feel an added intensity and tend to play more attacking cricket.

He remarked that he personally feels a strong urge to score against their bowlers, adding in an emotional statement that he “dislikes all their bowlers.”

However, the batter also clarified that modern-day cricket is not about targeting any specific opposition player but is instead focused on adapting to match situations.

He explained that batting strategy depends largely on the required run rate rather than focusing on individual bowlers, noting that at the highest level all players are world-class and preparation is made accordingly.

Hasan Nawaz further said that whether the required rate is 10, 12, or 15 runs per over, the objective remains to score as many runs as possible against any bowler.

The young batter made his T20 debut in 2025 against New Zealand and has so far scored 457 runs in international matches, including two half-centuries and one century, at an average of 20.77 and a strike rate of 154.39.

Peshawar Zalmi beat Islamabad United by 70 runs to qualify for PSL final

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Peshawar Zalmi

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi secured a comprehensive 70-run victory over Islamabad United in the Qualifier of the Pakistan Super League Season 11, booking their place in the final.

Batting first after Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan won the toss and opted to field, Zalmi posted a strong total of 221 for 7 in 20 overs.

Babar Azam led the charge with a brilliant 103 off 59 balls, marking his 13th T20 century and fourth PSL century. Mohammad Haris contributed 35 runs, while Kusal Mendis scored 41 and Aaron Hardie added 20 runs.

For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan took 3 wickets, while Richard Gleeson claimed 2 wickets.

In reply, Islamabad United were bowled out for 151 runs, falling well short of the target. Sameer Munir top-scored with 44 runs.

Zalmi’s bowlers dominated, with Aaron Hardie taking 3 wickets, while Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit picking up 2 wickets each.

With this win, Peshawar Zalmi have qualified for the PSL 11 final for the fifth time, becoming the most frequent finalists in the tournament’s history.

Despite the loss, Islamabad United are not eliminated and will get another chance to qualify for the final through the next stage of the competition.