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.
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.
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.
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.
Sydney: Australia have announced their playing XI for the third Test of the Ashes series, making two changes to the side.
According to Cricket Australia, captain Pat Cummins has returned to the playing XI, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has also been included in the team. Cummins had missed the first two Tests of the Ashes series due to a back injury.
Fast bowlers Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett have been left out of the final XI, while senior batter Usman Khawaja has once again been overlooked despite having fully recovered from a back issue sustained during the Perth Test.
Cricket Australia confirmed that Khawaja is now fully fit but has not been recalled for the Adelaide encounter.
The third Test of the Ashes series is set to begin tomorrow in Adelaide. Australia currently lead the five-match series 2–0.
On the other hand, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced its men’s team’s playing XI for the must-win third Ashes Test against Australia, scheduled to commence on December 17 here at the Adelaide Oval.
The touring side, trailing 2-0 in the blockbuster five-match away series, made just one change to their lineup, replacing Gus Atkinson with Josh Tongue.
Atkinson has been struggling on the Australia tour as he could pick up three wickets in the first two fixtures at a dismal bowling average of 78.66, the worst amongst the England bowlers.
Meanwhile, Tongue, who has represented England in six Tests since making his debut in 2023, has taken 31 wickets in the longest format at an average of 30.
His last appearance for the Three Lions came in the final match of the home Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India, concluded in August, while he last played against Australia at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in the last Ashes, where he picked up five wickets across the two innings, including dismissing Steve Smith twice.
Although Tongue only managed to take two wickets in the tour matches, England prioritised him over Shoaib Bashir despite an anticipated spin-friendly pitch, due to which Australia brought back their experienced spinner Nathan Lyon.
Notably, despite their struggles in the batting department, England decided against making any changes after head coach Brendon McCullum publicly backed their top seven.
England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.
Brisbane: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has expressed his excitement about playing in the Australian Big Bash League (BBL), representing Brisbane Heat.
In a recent interview, Afridi said that Australia has a large number of Pakistani fans, and many Pakistani cricketers are already participating in the league.
He added that he has not had the opportunity to play in the BBL for a few years, but is now eager to take part, with no national duties during the league period. “I hope to get the chance to play the full season,” he said.
Afridi also spoke about his teammates in the Pakistan national team and PSL, mentioning that he has played alongside Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam for several years.
He praised Babar Azam as a world-class player who has scored numerous runs for Pakistan, highlighting Babar’s preference for strike rotation and his elegant cover drives.
On Mohammad Rizwan, Afridi noted that he prefers fast bowling and bats differently from Babar, but both players have consistently delivered strong performances for Pakistan. He added that net practice sessions often feel like real matches when facing them.
Reflecting on his experience in Brisbane, Afridi said he has played international matches at The Gabba, noting the pitch offers significant bounce, unlike the flatter pitches he expects in the BBL.
Afridi also shared insights on leadership, revealing that he had not captained in domestic cricket before joining the Pakistan Super League. He credited Thameem Rana for guidance, stating that leadership should be calm and not authoritative, as being overly harsh does not create a good impression.
Mumbai: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and global football icon Lionel Messi met at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, where the two sporting greats shared warm exchanges and gifts in a memorable moment for fans.
During the meeting at the famous cricket venue, Tendulkar presented Messi with his cricket jersey, while the Argentine World Cup winner gifted Tendulkar a football signed from his World Cup triumph. Both legends extended best wishes to each other, celebrating mutual respect across sports.
VIDEO | Maharashtra: Amid loud cheers, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar gifts Argentine football icon Lionel Messi the 2011 World Cup jersey, calling it a golden moment for Mumbai and India.
Speaking at the ceremony held at Wankhede Stadium, Sachin Tendulkar said he had experienced some incredible moments at the venue, recalling historic memories, including India’s 2011 World Cup victory on the same ground.
Commenting on Messi, Tendulkar said that discussing the footballer’s greatness required no special platform.
“Everyone knows what people say about him,” Tendulkar remarked. “Messi has achieved everything. We are all truly inspired by his dedication, determination, and commitment.”
The meeting of two of the greatest athletes in sporting history was widely praised by fans, symbolising the unifying power of sport beyond boundaries and disciplines.
Sydney/Adelaide: Australian authorities have decided to significantly increase security for the third Ashes Test between Australia and England following the recent deadly shooting incident in Sydney.
The third Test of the Ashes series is scheduled to begin on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval. According to Australian media reports, officials have confirmed the deployment of additional security measures in and around the stadium.
South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the specially trained Security Response Section will be deployed for the match. He explained that officers in this unit are highly trained and equipped with additional firearms to respond swiftly to any potential threat.
The police commissioner noted that the Response Section, established several years ago, regularly performs duties at public venues. He added that the unit will be stationed around the Adelaide Oval to ensure the safety of spectators and players.
The decision comes amid heightened security concerns after the shooting at a Sydney beach, where at least 16 people have been killed so far.
Authorities have assured cricket fans that all necessary steps are being taken to maintain public safety during the high-profile international fixture.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed the auction for two new PSL 11 franchises by one week, with the event now scheduled for December 22, 2025..
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated on social media platform X that the extension has been granted due to the growing global popularity of the PSL, giving investors more time to participate in the bidding process.
The PCB has also reportedly tripled the valuation of the six existing PSL franchises. For the two new teams, the reserve price has been set at PKR 1.3 billion per year.
While official confirmation on the final prices is yet to be made, media reports suggest the valuations are likely to be higher than previous seasons.
Notably, unlike 2016 when franchise prices were quoted in US dollars, all financial transactions for PSL 11 will now be conducted in Pakistani rupees.
To attract investors for the new teams and the Multan Sultans, the PCB recently organized a roadshow in London.
Six cities in Pakistan—Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Hyderabad, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit—have been shortlisted, with two cities to be selected for the new franchises, expanding the PSL from six to eight teams.
SANTIAGO: In the ongoing Pro Hockey League in Santiago, Argentina, Pakistan faced its third consecutive defeat during the first phase of the tournament.
The Netherlands defeated Pakistan 7-3 in the third match, adding to Pakistan’s earlier losses against Argentina (3-2) and Netherlands (5-2).
During the match, Muhammad Sufyan Khan scored two goals and Rana Waheed Ashraf added one, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
Pakistan is scheduled to play its fourth match against host Argentina on December 15, aiming to recover in the tournament.
The team has struggled to find form, facing tough competition from both the Netherlands and Argentina, as they look to improve results in upcoming matches.
