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Sports

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

Faheem Ashraf’s blistering knock seals thrilling win for Pakistan over Netherlands

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Faheem Ashraf

COLOMBO: Pakistan registered a narrow three-wicket victory over the Netherlands in a thrilling opener of the ICC T20 World Cup, powered by Faheem Ashraf’s explosive late-innings performance.

Chasing the target set by the Netherlands, Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start as Saif Ayub fell for 24 runs off 13 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six. Sahibzada Farhan and captain Salman Ali Agha also fell cheaply, with Agha contributing just 12 runs to the total of 53 before being caught by Aryan Dutt. Farhan added 46 runs but was dismissed alongside Usman Khan, both falling to Paul van Meekeren in the same over. Babar Azam was caught by Van der Merwe in the following over, leaving Pakistan in trouble.

Middle-order contributions were limited, with Mohammad Nawaz (6 off 13 balls) and Shadab Khan (8 off 12 balls) failing to stabilize the innings.

Pakistan had lost seven wickets when Faheem Ashraf unleashed a stormy knock of 29 runs off 11 balls, smashing three sixes and two fours to steer his team to its first victory of the tournament.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had won the toss and elected to field, putting the Netherlands in to bat first.

Netherlands Innings:

Openers Michael Leut and Max O’Dowd gave the Dutch team a solid start with 28 runs, but O’Dowd fell for 5 to Salman Mirza. Leut was dismissed for 24 runs by Mohammad Nawaz, while Colin Ackermann (20) and Bas de Leede (30) were also among the key wickets, with de Leede falling to Nawaz.

Pakistan’s bowlers staged a remarkable comeback, taking six wickets for just 20 runs in the latter stages. Salman Mirza claimed three wickets, Saif Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz took two each, and Shaheen Afridi added one wicket via a catch by Agha. The Netherlands were bowled out for 147 runs, well short of an expected 160–170.

Top scorers for the Netherlands were captain Scott Edwards (37), Bas de Leede (30), Michael Leut (24), and Colin Ackermann (20).

Pakistan will now look to carry this momentum into their upcoming group-stage matches against Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to shine on and off the pitch at 41

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Cristiano Ronaldo

World-renowned football star Cristiano Ronaldo has celebrated his 41st birthday, yet continues to maintain an elite status in world football thanks to his exceptional fitness, consistent performances, and strong market value.

Despite his advancing age, Ronaldo remains one of the most valuable and high-profile footballers globally, defying conventional expectations about longevity in professional sports.

Currently, Ronaldo is associated with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, where he is playing under a lucrative contract. Reports suggest that he earns millions of pounds on a daily basis, placing him among the highest-paid athletes in the world.

Beyond football, Ronaldo’s personal life has frequently attracted media attention. He was in a high-profile relationship with Russian supermodel Irina Shayk from 2010 to 2015. The two reportedly met during a campaign for a leading fashion brand and were considered one of the most influential celebrity couples of their time before parting ways in 2015.

At present, Georgina Rodríguez is Ronaldo’s long-term partner, and the couple is known to share a stable and prosperous family life.

Even at 41, Ronaldo’s global popularity, peak physical condition, and relentless passion for football continue to serve as an inspiration for younger players around the world, reinforcing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Sourav Kumar Yadav reacts to Pakistan’s refusal to play in ICC T20 World Cup

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Sourav Kumar Yadav

Mumbai: Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, Indian captain Sourav Kumar Yadav responded to Pakistan’s decision not to play against India in the tournament, clarifying that the choice was made by Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan, not by the Indian team.

Pakistan, under government instructions, will not face India on February 15, 2026, in the World Cup. Speaking at a media briefing in Mumbai before the tournament, Yadav said, “Whether the match happens or not, the Indian team will go to Colombo. We did not refuse to play against Pakistan; the refusal came from their side.”

Yadav explained that the ICC set the schedule, after which the BCCI and Indian government decided, in consultation with ICC, to play at a neutral venue. He confirmed, “Our flight to Colombo is booked, and we are going. What happens next will be seen later.”

Discussing the team’s schedule and preparation, Yadav said India’s plan is clear: first, the February 7 match, then February 12 against Namibia, followed by departure to Colombo.

He emphasized that the decision regarding the February 15 match is not in their hands, adding, “If we are asked to play on that day, we will certainly do so.”

This situation mirrors last year’s Asia Cup, when political tensions between India and Pakistan affected the event.

During that tournament, under Indian government instructions, the team avoided shaking hands with Pakistan players, and India did not collect the trophy from ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, despite winning the Asia Cup.

ICC T20 Rankings: Saim Ayub returns to no.1 position

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ICC T20 Rankings

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the latest T20 International player rankings ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, with several Pakistani players making notable gains across categories.

Pakistan’s Saim Ayub has once again claimed the top spot in the ICC T20I all-rounders rankings, reaffirming his dominance in the shortest format. Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza slipped one place to second position.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz moved up one spot to fourth, while Shadab Khan made a significant jump of 13 places to reach 26th position.

In the T20I batters rankings, India’s Abhishek Sharma retained the number one position. England’s Phil Salt remained second, while his teammate Jos Buttler climbed one place to third.

Among Pakistani batters, opening batter Sahibzada Farhan dropped two places to seventh position. Saim Ayub showed impressive progress, climbing eight places to reach 28th.

Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha made a major leap, gaining 12 places to move to 29th position. Former captain Babar Azam slipped three places to 34th.

Fakhar Zaman, who is part of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, dropped five places to 74th position.

In the bowlers rankings, India’s Varun Chakravarthy secured the top position. Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed climbed two places to second, pushing Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan down to third.

Mohammad Nawaz improved by eight places to claim seventh position, while Shaheen Shah Afridi moved up five places to 19th. Shadab Khan made a remarkable jump of 33 places to reach 72nd position.

The latest rankings highlight Pakistan’s strong presence across all departments as teams gear up for the T20 World Cup.

PSL sets new record with 149% surge in international media rights value

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PSL sets new record

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has created fresh history after witnessing a landmark surge in the value of its international media rights, recording a massive 149 percent increase compared to last year.

A Pakistani company has acquired the international media rights for the HBL Pakistan Super League at a record-breaking price, setting a new benchmark for the league’s commercial growth.

The winning bid surpassed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) reserve price, underlining the tournament’s rising global appeal.

The sharp increase in valuation highlights the PSL’s expanding popularity and strengthening brand value on the international stage.

PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said the league is steadily cementing its position among the world’s leading T20 competitions.

He added that the significant jump in international media rights reflects strong global confidence in the HBL PSL, driven by competitive, high-quality cricket that continues to attract fans worldwide.

Salman Naseer further noted that the new agreement boosts confidence in the league’s long-term business growth and positions the PSL for even greater international recognition in the years ahead.

Peshawar Zalmi to retain Babar Azam, Saim Ayub released

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Peshawar Zalmi

KARACHI: In the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Peshawar Zalmi has decided to retain captain Babar Azam for the upcoming season, sources confirmed.

According to insiders, the franchise has chosen to release Saim Ayub, who, along with Babar Azam, was listed in Peshawar Zalmi’s Platinum category. PSL rules allow franchises to retain only one player per category, making this a strategic decision.

Sources added that Saim Ayub will now be available for selection by other franchises in the PSL players’ draft.

Franchises are expected to finalize their retention decisions today, determining which players will remain with their teams for PSL 11.

Ahead of the 11th season of the PSL 11, franchises have announced their player retentions as the league introduces a major change in the player selection process.

For the first time in PSL history, the traditional draft system has been replaced with an auction-based model. Under this system, franchises can now retain only one player per category instead of eight, while remaining players will be added to their squads through the auction.

Retentions by Franchises:

Lahore Qalandars – The defending champions have retained captain Shaheen Afridi in the Platinum category. They released Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman from Platinum. In other categories, Abdullah Shafiq (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), and Mohammad Naeem (Silver) were retained, while several players including Salman Mirza, Zaman Khan, Jahandad Khan, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Mohammad Ikhlaq, and Mohammad Azab were released.

Karachi Kings – The franchise retained fast bowler Hasan Ali in Platinum, Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), and Saad Baig (Emerging).

Islamabad United – Shadab Khan remains in Platinum, Salman Irshad in Gold, and Andres Goos in Silver. The team released players including Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Haider Ali, Roman Rais, Mohammad Faiq, and Haneen Shah across various categories.

Quetta Gladiators – The franchise retained Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hassan Nawaz (Gold), and Hussain (Emerging). Players released include Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Khurram Shehzad, Hasibullah Khan, Khawaja Nafees, Danish Aziz, and Mohammad Zeeshan.

The retentions mark the first step in the PSL 11 preparations, with the new auction-based player draft set to determine final team squads for the season.

India faces $1.4 billion loss as Pakistan skips T20 World Cup clash

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India faces $1.4 billion

KARACHI: Pakistan’s announcement to not play against India in the ICC T20 World Cup has caused a stir in India and across the cricketing world, largely due to the massive commercial value associated with the high-profile clash.

In modern cricket, certain matches outweigh the tournament itself in significance, and a Pakistan-India T20 match is not just a game—it is a major commercial event.

Reports indicate that the match generates roughly $50 million (around PKR 140 billion) in revenue, including broadcast rights, advertising premiums, sponsorship activations, ticket sales, and legal betting activities.

The fixture injects energy into the tournament, with broadcasters paying premium prices for rights, while the ICC financially supports boards that may otherwise not generate such revenue.

The match is often referred to as the “golden goose” for broadcasters. A 10-second ad slot during a Pakistan-India T20 match can cost between INR 2.5–4 million (PKR 7.6–12.2 lakh), significantly higher than ad rates for India’s other matches.

According to Indian media, the primary financial loss from the cancellation will fall on the rights holders. During a Pakistan-India match, advertising alone typically generates an estimated INR 300 crore (PKR 9.2 billion).

If the match does not take place, broadcasters may seek compensation from the ICC, creating a ripple effect that impacts payments not only to Pakistan and India but also to other full and associate member boards, posing significant challenges for the ICC’s financial framework.

ICC releases official song for Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

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ICC releases official

Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the anthem for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The ICC unveiled the tournament’s official song titled “Feel the Thrill,” which reflects the excitement, energy, and global passion associated with T20 cricket.

The anthem has been composed and performed by renowned musician and singer Anirudh Ravichander and has been officially launched worldwide.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held from February 7 to March 8 across India and Sri Lanka, with the anthem expected to further elevate enthusiasm among cricket fans around the globe.

ICC names Afridi among iconic performances in T20 World Cup history

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ICC names Afridi

LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its list of iconic performances in the history of T20 World Cups, featuring former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi among the legends of the tournament.

According to the ICC, Afridi’s outstanding all-round display in the 2009 T20 World Cup has been declared iconic.

 During the semi-final, Afridi scored 51 runs and took two crucial wickets, guiding Pakistan into the final. He then played a match-winning knock of 54 runs off 40 balls in the final, helping Pakistan clinch the title.

As per the list, Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over during the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup were also termed an iconic moment in cricket history.

The ICC further included Mike Hussey’s explosive 60 off 24 balls against Pakistan in the 2010 T20 World Cup among the memorable performances.

From the 2012 edition, West Indies spinner Sunil Narine’s figures of three wickets for just nine runs earned a place on the iconic list, while Rangana Herath’s five-wicket haul in the semi-final of the 2014 T20 World Cup was also recognized.

The list also highlights Carlos Brathwaite’s four consecutive sixes in the final of the 2016 T20 World Cup, Mitchell Marsh’s 77-run innings in the 2021 World Cup final, and Ben Stokes’ match-winning 52 runs against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

In the most recent 2024 T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli’s brilliant 76-run innings has also been officially added by the ICC to the list of iconic performances.

Ali Tareen looks to regain ownership of Multan Sultans

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Ali Tareen

LAHORE: Former owner of the Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen, is reportedly keen to buy back the Pakistan Super League(PSL) team.

Sources indicate that Ali Tareen has decided to participate in the bidding process for the Multan franchise and has submitted the necessary documents for consideration.

Earlier, Tareen had declined to retain ownership of Multan SultanS and had also expressed interest in bidding for two new PSL teams, though he withdrew at the last moment.

Commenting on his withdrawal from the new team bids, Tareen had stated that if he returns to PSL, it would be for Southern Punjab.

The auction for the Multan franchise is expected to take place on 8th or 9th February.