Pakistan Sports News & Cricket Updates

Ex-Pakistani coach Jason Gillespie criticizes Aqib Javed

September 4, 2026 by Sports Desk

KARACHI: Former Pakistan red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has strongly criticized national team selector Aqib Javed, accusing him of lacking a clear selection strategy and urging him to take responsibility for the team’s current situation.

Gillespie said the Pakistan team was playing with fear and that there appeared to be no clear selection policy in place. He also advised Javed to “look in the mirror” and assess his own role in the team’s struggles.

The former coach said Javed frequently changed his decisions and had been serving as chief selector for about two years. Gillespie said Javed had blamed him and former white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten for the team’s current situation despite both having left their respective roles some time ago.

Gillespie said Javed should accept responsibility for the problems facing the team. He also alleged that communication between Javed and the players was poor.

According to Gillespie, some players who were removed from the squad learned about their exclusion through family members, friends and the media rather than being informed directly by the team management.

The former coach described the failure to communicate such decisions directly to players as highly disrespectful, saying players deserved to be informed about their removal by the relevant officials.

‘Real King’: Babar Azam’s comment on King Charles delights fans

September 3, 2026 by Sports Desk

LONDON: Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam’s lighthearted comment after meeting Britain’s King Charles has gone viral on social media, drawing an enthusiastic response from fans.

King Charles hosted a reception for the Pakistan cricket team at Clarence House, where he met players and team officials. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was also present.

During the reception, King Charles encouraged the Pakistani players and, in his conversation with Naqvi, praised efforts aimed at promoting peace in Pakistan and stability in the region.

After the meeting, Babar Azam spoke warmly about the encounter and jokingly said, “It was great to meet the real king today.”

The remark quickly spread across social media and was particularly appreciated by cricket fans, who often refer to Babar as the “King Babar.” His playful reference to King Charles as the “real king” added to the appeal of the moment among supporters.

Pakistan cricket team meets King Charles in London

September 2, 2026 by Sports Desk

LONDON: British King Charles III met Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and discussed cricket as well as Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and maintain peace and security.

The meeting took place at Clarence House, the historic London residence of the British royal family, where the Pakistan cricket team and officials attended an event with the king.

King Charles spoke with Pakistani players and team officials during the gathering. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the event.

During his conversation with Naqvi, the British monarch discussed cricket and Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, according to the report.

King Charles also spoke about Pakistan’s efforts to restore and maintain law and order and promote peace in the country.

Test captain Babar Azam develops fever after Lord’s Test defeat

September 1, 2026 by Sports Desk

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has developed a fever following the team’s heavy 194-run defeat to England in the Lord’s Test, amid a period of intense pressure surrounding the squad in London.

According to sources, Babar, who scored 8 and 6 in the two innings at Lord’s, has been under significant pressure following Pakistan’s defeat and the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to send the head coach and seven players back home.

Sources said Babar is suffering from a high fever. However, team media manager Naveed Akram Cheema confirmed that the captain had informed him about his condition and said there was no reason for concern.

Cheema said Babar remains fit and that there is no need to worry about the fever. He added that the captain is expected to recover soon.

Lionel Messi announces retirement from International Football

September 1, 2026 by Sports Desk

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, bringing an end to one of the most decorated international careers in the sport.

Messi made the announcement Monday in an emotional post on Instagram, saying the decision was painful but that he believed the time was right to step away from the national team.

Messi’s announcement came after Argentina reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup final under his leadership before losing 1-0 to Spain after extra time.

Messi ends his international career with 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina, making him the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer.

He led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar and also helped the team win the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.

In his farewell message, Messi said he had always given everything for Argentina and wanted to bring happiness and pride to the country through football. He also acknowledged that a new generation of players was emerging.

The retirement marks the end of more than two decades of Messi representing Argentina and closes a remarkable chapter in the career of one of football’s greatest players.

Pakistan bowled out for 110, trail England by 180 runs at Lord’s

August 28, 2026 by Sports Desk

LONDON: Pakistan were bowled out for 110 in their first innings against England on the second day of the second Test at Lord’s, leaving England with a first-innings lead of 180 runs.

Azan Awais top-scored for Pakistan with 46 runs, while Saud Shakeel made 16. Captain Babar Azam scored eight, Mohammad Rizwan seven and Abdullah Shafique five.

Mohammad Abbas scored two runs, while Ali Usman, Shan Masood and Khurram Shahzad contributed one each. Imam-ul-Haq did not bat because of an injury.

For England, Ollie Robinson took four wickets, Jofra Archer claimed three and Josh Tong took two.

England resumed the second day at 248-9 and were eventually bowled out for 290 in their first innings.

England will now begin their second innings with a 180-run lead over Pakistan.

Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas reaches 900 first-class wickets

August 27, 2026 by Sports Desk

LONDON: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas reached a major career milestone on Thursday by completing 900 wickets in first-class cricket during the second Test against England at Lord’s.

Abbas achieved the landmark in his 222nd first-class match. He dismissed England opener Ben Duckett for 17 during the opening session to claim his 900th first-class wicket.

The 36-year-old has maintained an impressive first-class record, with a bowling average of 20.43. He has taken 57 five-wicket hauls and 15 10-wicket match hauls in his career.

Abbas also moved to fifth on the list of leading first-class wicket-takers in the 21st century. England’s James Anderson leads the list with 1,157 wickets, followed by South Africa’s Simon Harmer with 1,056, Sri Lanka’s Malinda Pushpakumara with 1,010 and England’s Tim Murtagh with 959.

Abbas made an immediate impact in the opening session at Lord’s, claiming four England wickets as the hosts reached 248 for 9 after 56 overs. He also dismissed England captain Joe Root, adding a major wicket to his impressive spell.

Babar Azam backs selection changes ahead of Lord’s Test

August 26, 2026 by Sports Desk

LONDON: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam said Wednesday there was nothing wrong with leaving a senior player out of the team if it was in the team’s best interest.

“Anyone who is good for the team will play,” Babar said at a news conference in London ahead of the second Test.

Babar acknowledged that Pakistan has struggled to maintain partnerships, with wickets often falling in quick succession after promising stands. He said the team was working to address the issue.

He said a new batter’s arrival at the crease can sometimes coincide with the dismissal of a set batter, making it difficult for the team to build long partnerships.

Babar said the pitch at Lord’s appeared to have grass on it and that the playing XI would be decided later. He added that no player was unimportant and that opportunities were sometimes given to players to build confidence.

Babar also said wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was under no pressure.

The captain said responsibility rested with the entire playing XI and that Pakistan could not expect its bowlers to take all 20 wickets while the batters failed to contribute.

Babar said he was fully fit and would play in the Lord’s Test. He added that Pakistan would aim to complete a hat trick of victories at the venue.

Big Bash League removes mandatory overseas player requirement

August 26, 2026 by Sports Desk

Australia’s Big Bash League has introduced several changes, including removing the requirement for teams to sign overseas players for the next two seasons of the men’s and women’s competitions.

Under the previous rules, BBL teams were required to have at least two or three overseas players on their rosters. The new changes will also remove the requirement for one overseas player to be selected in the Gold or Platinum category.

Players in the Gold category previously received up to $300,000, while Platinum players could earn up to $420,000.

The BBL will also scrap its draft system and introduce an open-market model for overseas player recruitment. Cricket Australia is expected to open a contract window for clubs under the new system.

Officials said removing the mandatory overseas-player requirement could provide greater financial opportunities for local Australian players. Under the previous rules, the combined salary cap for a club’s top six marquee players was set at $1.7 million.

From next season, the marquee player category will be reduced from six to four players. Officials said the change would allow the league’s top performers to earn more, regardless of their nationality.

Carse misses Pakistan Test as ECB investigates nightclub incident

August 24, 2026 by Sports Desk

LONDON: England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been ruled out of the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s after a video emerged showing him in handcuffs outside a nightclub in Derby, the England and Wales Cricket Board said Monday.

Carse was reportedly seen surrounded by police officers outside a nightclub on Saturday night after Durham’s County Championship victory over Derbyshire in Derby.

The incident prompted the ECB to launch an investigation and refer the matter to the independent cricket regulator.

The cricket regulator has also confirmed that it is investigating the incident. The ECB said Carse will not be available for the second Test until the investigations are completed and the facts of the incident are established.

Fast bowler Sonny Baker has been added to England’s Test squad as Carse’s replacement.

Reports said Carse was not arrested or charged with a criminal offense in connection with the incident. Derbyshire Police have not issued an official statement about what happened.

The second Test between England and Pakistan is scheduled to be played at Lord’s.