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Sports

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

Saim Ayub continues to lead ICC all-rounders rankings

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Saim Ayub

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the latest player rankings across formats, with several notable movements involving players from Pakistan, India, England, and New Zealand.

In the Test batters’ rankings, England’s Joe Root has retained his position at the top. Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel moved up one place from 10th to 9th, while New Zealand’s David Conway made a significant jump of seven places to reach 34th.

In the Test bowlers’ rankings, India’s Jasprit Bumrah continues to hold the No. 1 position. Australia’s Mitchell Starc climbed from third to second place. New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy registered a major rise, moving up 15 places to 48th.

Among Test all-rounders, India’s Ravindra Jadeja remains firmly at the top of the rankings.

T20 Rankings

In the ICC T20I batters’ rankings, India’s Abhishek Sharma has maintained his position at No. 1. Fellow Indian batter Tilak Varma climbed two spots to fourth. New Zealand’s Tim Seifert also improved by two places to ninth.

Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan slipped one place to sixth, while Babar Azam dropped one position to 31st. South Africa’s Dewald Brevis fell seven places to 15th, whereas Aiden Markram surged eight spots to reach 29th.

In the T20I all-rounders’ rankings, Pakistan’s Saim Ayub continues to dominate at the top, with Mohammad Nawaz holding steady at fifth place. India’s Shivam Dube moved up four positions to claim 16th spot.

The latest rankings reflect shifting performances across international cricket, highlighting strong showings by players from South Asia and beyond.

Pakistan announces squad for ICC under-19 World Cup

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Pakistan announces

LAHORE: The Pakistan Under-19 cricket team has been announced for the upcoming tri-nation series and the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Farhan Yousuf will continue as captain, with only one change in the squad: Umar Zubair replaces Mohammad Huzaifa.

The squad includes captain Farhan Yousuf, vice-captain Usman Khan, Abdul Subhan, Ahmad Hussain, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, and Umar Zubair.

Additional members are Hamza Zahoor, Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Siyyam, Mohammad Shayan, Naqab Shafiq, and Sameer Minhas.

Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals of the Under-19 Asia Cup after defeating the UAE by 70 runs.

The tri-nation series will be held in Zimbabwe from December 25 to January 6, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and host Zimbabwe. Pakistan’s Under-19 team is expected to play at least four matches in the series.

The ICC Under-19 World Cup will take place from January 15 to February 6 in Namibia and Zimbabwe, with both tournaments played in the 50-over format.

India–South Africa fourth T20 match called off due to fog

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India–South Africa

LUCKNOW: The fourth T20 International between India and South Africa, scheduled to be played in Lucknow, was abandoned due to dense fog and extremely poor visibility.

According to reports, severe fog enveloped the ground, making it impossible to proceed with the match. While air pollution levels in Lucknow were also alarmingly high during the game — with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded above 400 — umpires were primarily concerned about the dangerously low visibility on the field.

Match officials conducted six inspections in an attempt to start play. During one inspection, an umpire stood near the square boundary and tried to spot a white ball raised by a colleague standing close to the pitch, but the ball could not be clearly seen due to the thick fog. Following repeated failed inspections, the match was officially called off.

As a result of the abandonment, India, who hold a 2-1 lead after three matches, extended their tally of unbeaten T20I series victories to 15. The series-deciding fifth and final match is scheduled to be played on Friday in Ahmedabad.

Cricketing icon Javed Miandad hospitalised for heart issues

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Cricketing icon

KARACHI: Pakistan’s cricketing icon Javed Miandad was admitted to a hospital due to heart-related discomfort, according to private media reports.

Following a thorough examination, doctors cleared him to return home.

The former Test captain visited the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Karachi, where doctors conducted necessary tests, including an angiography. After reviewing the results, they confirmed that Miandad was in stable condition.

Miandad expressed satisfaction with the facilities and treatment provided at NICVD.

Before leaving the hospital, he said, “I am feeling much better. By the grace of Allah and with the prayers of the nation, my health will continue to improve.”

FIFA introduces $60 supporter tickets after fan backlash over prices

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FIFA introduces $

PARIS: World Cup organisers unveiled a new lower-priced ticket category for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following widespread criticism from fans over soaring ticket prices for the tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In a statement, football’s global governing body FIFA announced the introduction of a limited “Supporter Entry Tier,” priced at a fixed $60 for all 104 matches, including the final. FIFA said the initiative is aimed at supporting travelling fans who wish to follow their national teams throughout the competition.

According to FIFA, the $60 (€51) tickets will be reserved exclusively for supporters of teams that have qualified for the tournament and will account for 10 per cent of each national federation’s ticket allocation.

However, fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which last week described ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup as “extortionate” and “astronomical,” said the move falls short of addressing the wider issue of affordability.

“While we welcome FIFA’s apparent recognition of the damage its original plans were likely to cause, the revisions do not go far enough,” FSE said in a statement.

FSE had earlier noted that ticket prices for 2026 are nearly five times higher than those at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, calling FIFA’s pricing strategy a “monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup.” The group estimated that a fan following their team from the opening match to the final would need to spend at least $6,900, despite a 2018 bid document promising ticket prices starting from $21.

Reacting to Tuesday’s announcement, FSE described FIFA’s decision as an appeasement measure in response to global backlash, arguing that ticket pricing had been set hastily and without proper consultation.

 The group also warned that only a few hundred fans per match and team would realistically benefit from the $60 tickets, while most supporters would still face record-high prices. FSE further criticised the lack of provisions for supporters with disabilities and their companions.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed those concerns, saying FIFA should do more to ensure affordability. “I welcome FIFA’s announcement of some lower priced supporters tickets,” Starmer wrote on X, “but I encourage FIFA to go further so that the World Cup does not lose touch with the genuine supporters who make the game so special.”

FIFA said national federations have been asked to ensure the discounted tickets are allocated to loyal supporters closely connected to their national teams. It also announced that fans who purchase knockout-stage tickets but see their team eliminated earlier will have administrative fees waived when refunds are processed.

The governing body added that the announcement comes amid unprecedented global demand, with around 20 million ticket requests already submitted. The first-round draw for tickets across all price categories is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 13.

Drama in Ashes: Steve Smith pulled out 20 minutes before toss

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Drama in Ashes

SYDNEY: Australia suffered a major blow ahead of the third Ashes Test after star batter Steve Smith was ruled out due to an ear-related issue.

Cricket Australia confirmed that Smith failed a fitness test after experiencing discomfort in his inner ear and was forced to withdraw just 20 minutes before the toss.

Following the late development, Usman Khawaja was recalled to the squad at the eleventh hour. Khawaja replaced Smith in the playing XI and batted at number four.

Speaking at the toss, Australian captain Pat Cummins said Smith had made an effort to play on the morning of the match but did not feel fit enough to take the field. Cummins added that the team was fortunate to have an experienced player like Khawaja available to step in at short notice.

Australia went on to announce their playing XI for the third Test of the Ashes series. At the Adelaide Test, the hosts won the toss and elected to bat first.

Usman Khawaja played a crucial innings, scoring 82 runs off 126 deliveries, including 10 boundaries. Australia were struggling at 94 for four when Khawaja stitched together a vital 91-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Alex Carey.

It is worth noting that Khawaja had suffered a back injury during the first Test and was not considered for selection in the second and third Tests initially.

Australia currently lead the five-match Ashes series 2-0.

Samina Baig achieves another historic milestone for Pakistan

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Samina Baig

KARACHI. Pakistan’s renowned female mountaineer Samina Baig has taken another major step toward completing the prestigious Explorer Grand Slam after successfully reaching the South Pole.

Hailing from Gilgit, Samina Baig traveled to the South Pole via the Union Glacier, undertaking the journey using a challenging skiing route. Her brother and fellow mountaineer, Mirza Ali, confirmed that the expedition involved demanding conditions, making the achievement even more significant.

Upon reaching the South Pole, Samina Baig proudly hoisted the Pakistani flag along with a community flag, marking the milestone with a powerful symbol of national pride.

Samina Baig is now just one step away from completing the Explorer Grand Slam, a rare achievement that requires climbers to scale the highest peaks of all seven continents—known as the Seven Summits—and reach both the South and North Poles. To complete the challenge, she now needs to successfully reach the North Pole.

It is worth noting that Samina Baig has already made history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to complete the Seven Summits, having conquered the highest peaks across all seven continents.

Ex-tennis star Sania Mirza opens up about battling depression

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Ex-tennis star

Mumbai: Former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has revealed that she struggled with depression at the height of her career due to personal life challenges.

Mirza shared her experiences in a recent interview, praising cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues for openly discussing her anxiety during the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-final. Mirza said such candid conversations are vital to raising awareness about mental health issues.

“I realized the importance of mental health much later in life because I lacked awareness,” Mirza said. She added that over the past 8–10 years, society has begun to give mental health the attention it deserves, breaking previous misconceptions and stigma.

Mirza emphasized the responsibility of public figures to speak on topics often left unaddressed. “I am glad I spoke up. People like us, whose voices are more heard, have a duty to shed light on these issues,” she said.

Reflecting on her personal struggles, Mirza revealed, “There was a time when I was dealing with depression. Outside the tennis court, I faced numerous personal challenges, even at the peak of my career. Back then, I could not speak about it, but I am glad Jemimah has spoken openly.”

She noted that showing vulnerability while the world’s eyes are on you takes courage, especially during peak professional moments, and expressed empathy for Rodrigues.

Mirza hopes that Jemimah’s courage will encourage other athletes to understand that seeking help for mental health is not a weakness or a source of shame.

PCB announces dates and format for 11th edition of PSL

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PCB announces

ISLAMABAD: The schedule and format for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have been revealed. PSL 2026 will be held from March 26 to May 3, 2026, across five cities in Pakistan, featuring a total of 44 matches.

Sources confirmed that the tournament will feature eight teams competing in a single-league format, with each team playing a minimum of 10 matches. The entire PSL 11 will be completed over 39 days.

According to the plan, the first phase of the tournament will consist of 28 matches. In the second phase, the eight teams will be divided into two groups of four, and each team will play four matches within their group.

The Super Four stage will see each team play three matches, totaling 12 matches. The top two teams from each group in the Super Four stage will advance to the playoffs, ultimately deciding the PSL 2026 champion.

This edition promises exciting cricket action, with fans looking forward to high-quality matches and competitive encounters among all eight franchises.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup–winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga likely to be arrested

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Sri Lanka’s World Cup

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s former cricket captain and 1996 World Cup–winning hero Arjuna Ranatunga is likely to face arrest in connection with an alleged corruption case involving oil procurement, Sri Lankan media reported.

According to the reports, Ranatunga, who previously served as the country’s Minister of Petroleum, has been accused of financial irregularities in oil purchases. He is currently outside Sri Lanka, and a Colombo magistrate has ordered his arrest upon his return to the country.

The oil corruption scandal has already led to the arrest of Ranatunga’s elder brother, further intensifying scrutiny of the case.

It is noteworthy that during Sri Lanka’s political crisis in 2018, Ranatunga was also arrested on charges related to firing and murder.

An incident of gunfire in Colombo at the time resulted in one death and injuries to two others, with police describing Ranatunga’s role in the incident as significant.

Arjuna Ranatunga captained Sri Lanka to its historic Cricket World Cup victory in 1996, a landmark achievement in the country’s sporting history. Following his retirement from cricket, he entered politics and has held several key positions since 2001.