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Sports

FIFA World Cup 2026 official song “Dai Dai” released worldwide

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FIFA World Cup

The official song for the FIFA World Cup 2026, titled “Dai Dai,” has been officially released, FIFA announced.

The track has been created by Colombian singer Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy as part of the tournament’s official music campaign.

According to FIFA, the song has been released in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, with proceeds dedicated to improving access to education for children around the world.

Shakira has pledged her royalties from the song to the education fund, while the music production company has also contributed an initial donation of $250,000.

FIFA said the track is now available on all major streaming platforms, with additional songs expected to be released in the coming weeks as part of the official World Cup album.

The governing body also confirmed that the 2026 World Cup final will feature a halftime show for the first time in tournament history, with Shakira among the performers expected to take part.

Pakistan Hockey Federation invites South Korea for four-match Test series

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Pakistan Hockey

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has invited South Korea to tour Pakistan for a proposed four-match Test series, officials said.

PHF President Muhammad Uddin Wani said during an appearance on a local sports program that discussions are still in the early stages.

He expressed hope that the series could be held in Pakistan in the last week of July, depending on final agreements between both sides.

Wani said consultations are ongoing regarding venues, adding that matches could either be played in a single city or hosted across multiple cities.

He said the series, if finalized, would mark an important step toward reviving international hockey in Pakistan and help strengthen the country’s presence in global hockey.

Pakistan is ranked 12th in the world, while South Korea holds the 20th position. Officials noted that South Korea has not qualified for the upcoming Hockey World Cup scheduled to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The proposed series is expected to serve as preparation for Pakistan ahead of major international competitions later this year.

Pakistan penalized for slow over-rate in first Test

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Pakistan penalized

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan cricket team has been penalized for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first Test against Bangladesh, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed.

According to the International Cricket Council, match referee Jeff Crowe of the ICC Elite Panel imposed sanctions after Pakistan failed to bowl the required overs in the allotted time.

The ICC said the team was found eight overs short, leading to action under Article 2.22 of the code of conduct. Under the regulations, players are fined 5% of their match fee for each over short.

In addition to financial penalties, Pakistan also lost eight World Test Championship points under Article 16.11.2, which deducts one point per over short.

Captain Shan Masood accepted responsibility for the offence, after which the ICC deemed a formal hearing unnecessary.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Kumar Dharmasena, third umpire Allahudien Paleker and fourth umpire Ghazi Sohel.

Pakistan had earlier suffered a defeat in the Dhaka Test, while the second match of the two-Test series against Bangladesh is scheduled to begin in Sylhet.

Major shake-up expected in Pakistan cricketers’ central contracts

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Major shake-up

LAHORE: Significant changes are expected in the central contracts of national cricketers as the Pakistan Cricket Board prepares to revise its financial model ahead of the new cycle starting July 1.

The current central contract financial structure is set to expire on June 30, after which a new framework will come into effect. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to take key decisions regarding the revised model.

The previous three-year financial model was introduced in 2023 during the tenure of former PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf and has remained largely intact, although player categories have been adjusted based on fitness and performance.

Last year, 30 players were awarded central contracts, with no cricketer placed in Category A for the first time.

Sources suggest the upcoming contracts may see major restructuring, with several players likely to be promoted or demoted across categories based on performance.

Players including Mohammad Nawaz, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat and Khushdil Shah are reportedly less likely to be included in the new list, while domestic performers such as Azaan Awais and Abdullah Fazal may earn inclusion.

Officials say preliminary discussions regarding player selection and category adjustments are currently underway as the board finalizes the new contract cycle.

Bangladesh’s Nahid Rana wins ICC player of the month award

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Bangladesh’s Nahid

DUBAI: Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana, who impressed with a standout performance against Pakistan in the first Test match, has been named the ICC Player of the Month for April.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the monthly award, recognizing Rana’s exceptional bowling displays in recent international fixtures.

According to details, the young pacer delivered a brilliant performance in the ODI series against New Zealand in April, taking eight wickets in three matches and playing a key role in his team’s success.

Rana had earlier also showcased his talent during the ODI series against Pakistan in March, where he once again claimed eight wickets, establishing himself as a rising force in international cricket.

This marks the first time Nahid Rana has won the ICC Player of the Month award. He has also become only the second male cricketer from Bangladesh to achieve this honor after Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

It is worth noting that Rana produced a match-winning spell in the second innings of the first Test against Pakistan, turning what appeared to be a drawn contest into a memorable victory for Bangladesh.

Receiving Pakistan’s civil award is honor beyond words, says Afridi

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Receiving Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi said that receiving the Hilal-i-Imtiaz from the President of Pakistan is a great honor and a recognition shared by the entire nation.

In a post on X , Afridi shared a photograph with his wife and daughter and expressed gratitude for the love, prayers, and support he has received throughout his career.

“This is not just Shahid Afridi’s honor, but an honor for the entire Pakistani nation. It is your love, prayers, and support that brought me to this point,” he wrote.

Afridi dedicated the award to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country, adding, “May Allah always protect Pakistan.”

Earlier in the day, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the Hilal-i-Imtiaz on Shahid Afridi during a special investiture ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in recognition of his outstanding services to sports.

Litton Das’ comments on Mohammad Rizwan go viral

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Litton Das’ comments

MAIRPUR: Cricketer Litton Das has found himself at the center of social media attention after a video surfaced online allegedly showing him making remarks about Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.

The incident came shortly after Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, secured a memorable 104-run victory over Pakistan national cricket team in the first Test, taking a 1–0 lead in the two-match series.

The win marked Bangladesh’s third consecutive victory over Pakistan, continuing their strong recent record against the Shan Masood-led side. The last time both teams met in 2024, Bangladesh had also claimed a 2–0 Test series win.

In the viral clip, Litton Das can allegedly be heard making critical remarks about Mohammad Rizwan’s reputation in Pakistan, suggesting that the wicketkeeper-batter’s standing in the country has declined and referencing his struggles with form.

The comments have sparked widespread debate on social media, with users sharing mixed reactions to the video.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan’s recent form has been under scrutiny. He has experienced a dip in performance over the past few years and has also lost the captaincy role. Reports indicate that his batting average across formats has dropped significantly since 2023.

In the first Test against Bangladesh, Rizwan scored 59 runs in the first innings and 16 in the second, before being dismissed while attempting to accelerate the scoring.

Nauman Ali climbs past Saqlain and Kaneria in 100-test wicket race

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Nauman Ali

LAHORE: Test spinner Nauman Ali has achieved a major career milestone by completing 100 Test wickets, surpassing the records of legendary spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Danish Kaneria in the process.

The left-arm spinner picked up three wickets in the second innings of the first Test against Bangladesh, bringing up his 100-wicket landmark in just his 22nd Test match.

With this achievement, Nauman Ali has moved to third place among Pakistan’s fastest bowlers to reach 100 Test wickets in terms of matches played.

He has also become one of the most efficient spinners in terms of reaching the milestone, further strengthening his position in Pakistan’s Test bowling lineup.

The record for the fastest 100 Test wickets for Pakistan national cricket team is held by Yasir Shah, who achieved the feat in just 17 matches.

He is followed by Saeed Ajmal, who reached the milestone in 19 Tests.

Nauman Ali now sits third on the list, ahead of both Saqlain Mushtaq and Danish Kaneria, who each completed 100 wickets in 23 matches.

Bangladesh defeat Pakistan by 104 runs in first Test match

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Bangladesh defeat

MIRPUR: Pakistan suffered a 104-run defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test, as the visitors struggled while chasing a target of 268 runs.

In the final innings, Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed and the team was bowled out for 163 runs. The first wicket fell at just 3 runs, putting early pressure on the batting side.

Pakistan national cricket team continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Arafat Owais scored 15 runs before getting out, while captain Shan Masood managed only 2 runs.

 Debutant Abdullah Fazal played a fighting knock of 66 runs, and Salman Ali Agha contributed 26 runs. Saud Shakeel scored 15, Noman Ali 4, and Hasan Ali 1 run.

Earlier, Bangladesh national cricket team set a challenging target after declaring their second innings at 240 for 9 on the fifth day of the match in Mirpur.

Bangladesh’s innings was highlighted by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 87 and Mominul Haque’s 56.

For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali took three wickets each, Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed two, and Muhammad Abbas took one wicket. Notably, Noman Ali completed 100 Test wickets in his career during the match.

Batting first, Bangladesh scored 413 runs, while Pakistan replied with 386 in their first innings before collapsing in the final chase.

Mohammad Abbas surpasses Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis in Test bowling average

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Mohammad Abbas

DHAKA: Mohammad Abbas has eclipsed legendary fast bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in terms of Test bowling average following another impressive performance against Bangladesh national cricket team in Dhaka.

The 36-year-old seamer delivered a superb spell in the first Test, claiming five wickets for 92 runs in Bangladesh’s first innings.

Playing his 28th Test match, Abbas has now taken 105 wickets at an outstanding average of 22.95, giving him a better bowling average than two of Pakistan’s greatest pace icons.

In first-class cricket, Abbas has enjoyed a remarkable career, collecting 880 wickets in 216 matches at an average of 20.34. His five-wicket haul in Dhaka was the 56th of his first-class career.

The latest milestone further underlines Abbas’s reputation as one of Pakistan’s most effective red-ball bowlers, known for his precision, consistency, and ability to exploit seam movement.