Author: A Sports

Former Pakistan U19 captain Hassan Khan has spoken about his decision to shift his professional cricket career to the United States of America (USA), clarifying that the move was not driven by frustration or disappointment over opportunities in Pakistan.

Hassan, who led Pakistan at the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup in 2018, made the switch to USA cricket in 2023 after going unsold in that year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) draft.

Since then, his career has taken a global turn, with appearances in multiple franchise leagues across continents.

After relocating, the all-rounder began his journey with the Chicago Kingsmen before earning a deal with Major League Cricket (MCL) side San Francisco Unicorns.

His performances soon opened doors to further opportunities, including stints in both the Big Bash League (BBL) and Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

He is currently part of the ongoing PSL season as an overseas player representing Hyderabad Kingsmen, thanks to his registration under USA cricket eligibility.

Addressing speculation around his move, Hassan insisted the decision was sudden and not the result of any long-term frustration or lack of opportunity.

“If I’m honest, there wasn’t any particular moment. It was all very sudden, and the decision was made quite abruptly. I didn’t really think it through in detail, like deciding to leave everything behind or anything like that,” he said while speaking during a training session.

“It wasn’t that sort of situation; I simply got an opportunity, quite unexpectedly. As far as I remember, it all happened within a period of about 10 to 15 days.”

Hassan Khan also reflected on his journey, suggesting that playing for Pakistan at the international level may not have been part of his destiny, while expressing gratitude for the path his career has taken.

“Perhaps it just wasn’t in my destiny to play for Pakistan. God has different plans for everyone. It was a slightly difficult path, but it’s the one I chose,” he said.

He added that he is content with his current career trajectory, highlighting the respect he has earned through franchise cricket around the world and expressing gratitude for his journey.

“By the grace of God, I’ve earned respect, and He continues to bless me with it. I’m playing in leagues around the world, and I have no complaints. Alhamdulillah, I’m satisfied with my decision and my cricket,” he said.

Before his move abroad, Hassan represented Quetta Gladiators across four seasons and also played one season for Lahore Qalandars, featuring in 28 matches where he took 16 wickets and scored 137 runs.

READ: Tamim Iqbal appointed Bangladesh Cricket Board President

Former national captain Tamim Iqbal has been appointed as the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following the dissolution of the previous board led by Aminul Islam.

The decision was taken by the government after a five-member investigation committee submitted its findings on alleged irregularities surrounding the BCB elections held in October last year.

Acting on the recommendations, the authorities moved to disband the existing board and install a new leadership structure.

At 37, Tamim becomes the youngest president in the board’s history and will head an 11-member ad-hoc committee tasked with stabilising cricket administration in the country.

The committee includes notable names such as former Bangladesh captain Minhajul Abedin and ex-international cricketer and commentator Athar Ali Khan, alongside several other members.

The National Sports Council (NSC) confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been formally informed about the decision. NSC sports director Mohammed Aminul Ahesan stated that the previous board was deemed improperly constituted and unable to function effectively.

“As part of the NSC’s responsibility, we have informed the ICC that this board of directors was not formed in a proper manner and is not able to complete its work accordingly,” he said, expressing confidence that the global body would support the move.

The development follows weeks of turmoil within the BCB, with mounting pressure from the sports ministry over concerns regarding the legitimacy of the last election, alleged political interference, and governance issues.

The situation was further aggravated by multiple resignations, with six board directors stepping down since January, including four in the past week alone.

Despite the growing crisis, former president Aminul Islam had earlier insisted he would not step down, even after the investigation report was submitted.

Widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest-ever batters, Tamim Iqbal represented Bangladesh in 391 international matches and captained the side to 21 wins in 38 games, including a historic ODI series triumph over South Africa in 2022.

After retiring from international cricket in early 2025, Tamim remained involved in the domestic circuit before a heart attack during a Dhaka Premier League match brought an abrupt end to his playing career.

READ: Fakhar Zaman opens up on T20I retirement plan

Lahore Qalandars opener Fakhar Zaman has dismissed ongoing speculation surrounding his future in T20 International cricket, confirming that he has no immediate plans to retire from the format.

The left-handed batter, who has been a consistent performer for both Pakistan and in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), clarified that while he had briefly considered stepping away after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, he ultimately decided against it.

“After the World Cup, I had decided to retire from T20 cricket. However, I no longer intend to retire and want to finish my T20 career on a high note,” Fakhar stated, putting an end to speculation about his future.

Fakhar remains one of Pakistan’s most experienced batters in the shorter format, having featured in 120 T20I matches and scoring 2,494 runs at a strike rate of 132.51, including 14 half-centuries.

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At the franchise level, he has been equally influential for Lahore Qalandars, where he has represented the side for 11 consecutive seasons.

In 99 PSL appearances, he has accumulated 3,018 runs at a strike rate of 141.82, including 24 fifties and two centuries, cementing his status as one of the league’s most dependable openers.

However, his campaign has recently been disrupted, as Fakhar is currently serving a two-match suspension after being found guilty of ball tampering during a PSL 11 clash against Karachi Kings last week.

READ: Steve Smith hails Sahibzada Farhan as key to Multan Sultans’ strong start in PSL 11

Multan Sultans batter Steve Smith has praised opening partner Sahibzada Farhan for his consistent performances and growing influence at the top of the order in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Farhan has been one of the standout performers of the season so far, sitting second on the run-scoring charts with 164 runs in four matches at an impressive average of 154.66.

A strong opening combination between Smith and Farhan has played a major role in Multan Sultans’ rise to the top of the points table, with the pair delivering consistent starts across the campaign.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Reflecting on their partnership after a convincing win over Quetta Gladiators, Smith highlighted the growing understanding between the two at the top of the order.

“My combination with Farhan has become quite strong. Our starts have been good. Farhan is a quality player,” Smith said during a post-match interaction with teammate Peter Siddle.

The duo have already produced significant opening stands this season, including a 104-run partnership while chasing 226 against Hyderabad Kingsmen and a 71-run stand in the win over Quetta Gladiators, setting the platform for successful chases.

Steve Smith also praised the team’s all-round performance, particularly highlighting the impact of the bowling unit in restricting opposition totals.

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“The spin bowling was very good. First, Mohammad Nawaz bowled well, and then Arafat Minhas produced an extraordinary spell. Our captain also bowled well. The opposition could have scored over 160, but we managed to restrict them and then chased the target well,” he noted.

In addition, Smith lauded the contributions of Multan Sultans vice-captain Shan Masood, praising his composed batting and leadership qualities.

“Shan is getting better with every game. He has immense power in his shots. He waits for the right ball and it was a good chase,” Smith added.

READ: Rawalpindiz suffer major blow as Naseem Shah ruled out of PSL 11

The Rawalpindiz have suffered a significant setback in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 after premier fast bowler Naseem Shah was ruled out of action due to injury.

According to a statement issued by the franchise, the right-arm pacer sustained a side strain during their recent match against Karachi Kings, forcing him to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The team’s medical staff are currently monitoring his recovery closely, with management hoping for a potential return towards the latter stages of the tournament, subject to progress in rehabilitation and final fitness clearance.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Despite the setback, the franchise expressed full support for the 23-year-old, describing him as a key member of the squad and stressing their commitment to his recovery process.

The management added that they are hopeful of seeing him return stronger once fully fit.

Naseem’s injury comes at an unfortunate time, as he endured a difficult start to the campaign, managing just one wicket in his outing against Karachi Kings after going wicketless while conceding 51 runs in the opening match.

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The development further compounds a challenging start for Rawalpindiz, who have struggled for form in PSL 11.

The side has lost all three of their opening fixtures and currently sit seventh on the points table, just above fellow winless debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Rawalpindiz squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Sam Billings, Jalat Khan, Yasir Khan, Naseem Shah, Rishad Hossain, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Amir, Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Dian Forrestor, Asif Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Razaullah, Mohammad Amir Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Cole McConchie, Usman Khawaja, Saad Masood

READ: Abbas Afridi opens up on Umar Gul’s influence on his career

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday unveiled the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month for March 2026, with India’s star duo Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson joined by South Africa’s emerging wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen.

The shortlist reflects standout performances during a high-stakes month of T20 cricket, headlined by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Sanju Samson emerged as one of the biggest stories of the tournament, turning his late inclusion into a dream run.

The right-hander delivered under pressure with an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in a must-win Super Eight clash, before producing back-to-back 89s in the semi-final against England and the final against New Zealand.

His remarkable consistency not only powered India to a successful title defence but also earned him the Player of the Tournament award.

Across three matches in March, Samson piled up 275 runs at an astonishing average of 137.50, coupled with a strike rate nearing 200, underlining his dominance on the biggest stage.

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Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile, once again proved why he is regarded as one of the finest bowlers in world cricket. The pace spearhead played a decisive role in India’s title-winning campaign, delivering crucial spells in the knockout stages.

He struck twice against the West Indies in the Super Eight, including the key wicket of Shimron Hetmyer, before producing a disciplined outing in the semi-final against England, where he stood out in a high-scoring contest.

Bumrah then delivered a match-winning performance in the final, claiming four wickets for just 15 runs against New Zealand to seal the trophy and earn Player of the Match honours.

Completing the trio is Connor Esterhuizen, who enjoyed a breakthrough month in international cricket. The Proteas batter impressed in his debut T20I series against New Zealand, amassing 200 runs in five matches at an average of 50.

After starting with an unbeaten 45, he registered his maiden T20I half-century with a 57 off 33 deliveries.

He capped off the series with a blistering 75 in the decider, guiding South Africa to a 3-2 series victory and earning multiple Player of the Match awards.

READ: Hardik Pandya targets ODI comeback ahead of 2027 World Cup: report

Pakistan’s top-order batter Imam-ul-Haq has moved to clear the air after his recent social media post, regarding marriage, sparked widespread speculation about his personal life, insisting that his remarks were taken out of context.

Earlier this week, the left-handed opener shared a story on Instagram, describing marriage in the current era as “actually scary.”

The post quickly went viral, prompting fans to speculate about potential issues in his marriage, with some even suggesting that he had unfollowed his wife, Anmol Mehmood, on social media.

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However, Imam has now issued a clarification, stating that his post was merely a general observation about trends he has noticed online and not a reflection of his own relationship.

“You [all] took that post way too seriously just to clarify my recent post was a general observation about what we’re seeing on social media these days, not about my own marriage,” he wrote on Instagram.

He further reassured fans that his personal life remains stable, adding, “Everything’s perfectly fine on my side, Alhamdulillah,” while urging people to avoid jumping to conclusions or spreading unverified rumours.

Imam-ul-Haq, who got married in November 2023, has been a regular feature in Pakistan’s batting lineup across formats since making his debut in 2017.

The 30-year-old has represented the national side in 26 Tests, 75 ODIs and two T20Is, amassing 4,860 runs with 12 centuries and 30 half-centuries to his name.

READ: Karachi Kings provide update on Waseem, Khuzaima return

KARACHI: Karachi Kings are set to receive a timely boost as United Arab Emirates (UAE) players Muhammad Waseem and Khuzaima Bin Tanveer are expected to rejoin the squad ahead of their next fixture in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Team director Haider Azhar confirmed that both players will arrive back in Karachi on Tuesday and will be available for selection for the Kings’ upcoming clash against Peshawar Zalmi at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

The duo had earlier left the PSL midway after being recalled by the Emirates Cricket Board to participate in the domestic D50 tournament.

The directive required both players to return immediately and feature in the ongoing 50-over competition in the UAE.

However, in a development that comes as a relief for the Kings, Waseem and Khuzaima have now been granted permission to rejoin their franchise after completing two matches in the domestic tournament.

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Waseem has already featured in three matches this season, registering mixed returns with scores of 0, 38 and 23. Meanwhile, Khuzaima is yet to make his debut in the ongoing edition.

The return of the two players strengthens an already in-form Karachi Kings side, led by David Warner, who currently sit in the second position of the points table with three wins from three matches and a net run rate of 0.486.

READ: Pakistan’s Samar Khan finishes 300km Fjällräven Polar 2026 expedition

India’s premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya has set his sights on a return to the ODI setup as he looks to secure a place in the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, according to a report by the Times of India.

Pandya, who has not featured in an ODI since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand, is understood to have communicated his intentions to the selectors and team management.

The 32-year-old has reportedly been working over the past few months to rebuild his bowling fitness, which remains the key factor in his comeback bid.

During the Champions Trophy campaign, Pandya’s bowling workload was carefully managed as he delivered just 24.3 overs across five matches and did not complete his full quota in any game.

Concerns over his ability to consistently bowl 10 overs have since influenced selection decisions.

Earlier this year, Pandya was omitted from India’s ODI squad for the home series against New Zealand, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirming that he had not yet been cleared by the Centre of Excellence to handle a full bowling workload.

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However, with the World Cup 2027 set to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, where conditions traditionally favour seam bowling, the team management sees Hardik Pandya as a potentially crucial asset if he can meet fitness expectations.

“He can lend the perfect balance, but he has to convince the selectors and the team management that he will be available to bowl 10 overs,” a BCCI source told TOI.

“He may not be required to do so in every match. The captain may end up bowling him for 6-7 overs in most matches. But he should be available if the captain needs more from him.”

Notably, Hardik Pandya has reportedly intensified his preparations, focusing on increasing his bowling workload and refining his skillset. He has also worked on adding variations, including developing an inswinger, while maintaining his pace.

“Hardik has been increasing his workload. He has worked on his action to bowl in-swingers as well without compromising on pace,” the source further added.

“He feels his body is ready to cope with the rigours of bowling 10 overs in ODIs. He understands his body well enough and is working towards staying fit to bowl 10 overs.”

Since making his ODI debut in 2016, Pandya has played 94 matches, scoring 1904 runs and picking up 91 wickets, underlining his value as a genuine all-rounder when fully fit.

READ: Virat Kohli comments on being called RCB’s ‘overseas player’ in IPL 2026

Indian batting icon Virat Kohli has responded with humour to the viral chatter labelling him as an “overseas player” for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

The light-hearted debate gained traction among fans due to Kohli’s increased time spent in London with his family in recent years, leading to jokes that RCB are effectively fielding an extra overseas player.

Despite scaling down his international commitments, having stepped away from Tests and T20Is and now featuring only in ODIs, the former India captain continues to remain a central figure for his franchise.

Addressing the speculation in a video shared by RCB, Kohli was quizzed by content creator Danish Sait, known for his popular ‘Mr. Nags’ persona.

The host referenced fan claims about RCB playing with “five overseas players,” prompting a witty response from Kohli.

“I don’t know why you’re asking me. Ask the overseas players. I am not an overseas player,” Virat Kohli said with a laugh, before playfully turning the question back, “Am I an overseas player?”

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The 37-year-old began the ongoing IPL season in commanding fashion, scoring an unbeaten 69 to guide RCB to victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening fixture as defending champions.

Reflecting on last season’s long-awaited title triumph, Kohli admitted the victory brought a sense of relief after years of near misses with the franchise he has represented since the league’s inception.

“That night, I really felt what it means. Everything became light,” he said, describing the emotional weight lifted after finally securing the title.

He also offered insight into his mindset around success and failure, emphasising the importance of perseverance.

“Victory is the accumulation of hard work, all the sacrifices you’ve made, to be committed to the sport. It all comes together as a form of assurance, a reward, to know that you haven’t wasted your time,” Kohli added.

“A lot of people learn from losses, but a lot of people can get very disheartened as well. So when you win after a lot of hard work, it makes you feel a sense of justice for the work that you put in, and also gives you motivation to work harder.”

READ: Azam Khan opens up on fitness transformation