Author: A Sports

Pep Guardiola has remained tight-lipped over his future at Manchester City, refusing to clarify whether he will continue beyond the ongoing season amid increasing speculation surrounding his long-term plans.

Reports, including one from ESPN, suggest the City boss was expected to make a decision during the recent international break regarding his stay at the Etihad Stadium, where he is currently contracted until 2027.

While the club is keen for him to remain in charge next season, there is also an acceptance internally that the 55-year-old could opt to step away earlier than expected.

Addressing the media on Friday, Guardiola avoided offering any fresh insight into his situation.

“I spoke many times about that,” he said, offering a brief response when questioned directly about his future.

Despite the uncertainty, Guardiola’s immediate focus remains firmly on the pitch, with City preparing for a crucial FA Cup quarter-final clash against Liverpool.

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The upcoming encounter presents a significant test, even though Liverpool arrive with inconsistent form, having managed just two wins in their last six matches across all competitions.

They also face a demanding schedule, including a UEFA Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

However, Pep Guardiola was quick to dismiss any notion of complacency, highlighting Liverpool’s pedigree and long-standing rivalry with his side.

“They have been the biggest rival,” he said. “It is a team that made an incredible investment last season to compete at the highest level for many years. They are a top contender with top-class players.”

He further stressed the importance of maintaining high standards, referencing the City’s recent performances as a benchmark.

“Hopefully we can perform at the level that we did against Arsenal to reach the next step,” he added.

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LAHORE: A blistering half-century from Mohammad Naeem propelled Lahore Qalandars to a commanding victory over Multan Sultans in a rain-shortened Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

In a contest reduced to 13 overs per side due to persistent rain, the Qalandars produced a batting masterclass to post a daunting 185-5 after being put into bat by Sultans skipper Ashton Turner.

The defending champions came out all guns blazing, with Naeem and Parvez Hossain Emon dismantling the Sultans’ bowling attack in a breathtaking opening stand. The duo racked up 86 runs in just five overs, setting the tone for a massive total.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Emon was eventually dismissed for a fiery 45 off 19 deliveries, but Naeem continued the onslaught, anchoring the innings with a rapid 60 off 28 balls, laced with boundaries and clean hitting.

He found further support in Abdullah Shafique, who chipped in with a quickfire 33, as the Qalandars maintained their aggressive tempo.

Despite a couple of late breakthroughs, Lahore finished strongly, thanks to Sikandar Raza (13*), who ensured the total remained well beyond par in a shortened contest.

In reply, Multan Sultans struggled to keep pace despite a spirited effort. Early setbacks saw Steve Smith (9) and Josh Philippe (1) depart cheaply, putting the chase on the back foot.

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A counter-attacking knock from Shan Masood briefly revived hopes, as he struck a brisk 44 off 18 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan added 24. However, regular wickets prevented the Sultans from building sustained momentum.

Captain Turner led from the front with an unbeaten 52 off 22 deliveries and shared a fighting stand with Arafat Minhas, but the required rate proved too steep in the end as the Sultans finished on 165-5.

The defeat marked Multan’s first loss of the season, dropping them to third on the table, while Lahore Qalandars climbed to second with their second win.

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LAHORE: Persistent rain has forced a reduction in overs for the much-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 fixture between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans, with the contest now set to be played as a 13-overs-a-side match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

The toss, initially delayed due to steady showers in Lahore, is now scheduled for 8:30 PM local time, with the first ball expected to be bowled at 8:45 PM.

The weather interruptions come at a crucial stage of the tournament, with both teams eyeing momentum early in the campaign.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Multan Sultans, led by Ashton Turner, have made a strong start, winning both of their opening matches to sit second on the points table.

The Sultans began their season with a comfortable win over Islamabad United, powered by Josh Philippe’s fluent half-century and a composed finish from Turner.

They followed it up with a remarkable chase of 226 against Hyderabad Kingsmen, thanks to a stunning unbeaten century from Sahibzada Farhan.

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In contrast, defending champions Lahore Qalandars, under the leadership of Shaheen Shah Afridi, have had a mixed start.

They opened their title defence with a commanding win over Hyderabad Kingsmen, but fell short in a closely fought contest against arch-rivals Karachi Kings in their second outing.

READ: ‘Hard work is paying off’: Azam Khan opens up on fitness transformation

Karachi Kings wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has opened up on his fitness and weight loss journey, crediting months of disciplined training for his resurgence after delivering a match-winning performance in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Azam played a pivotal role in Karachi’s victory over Rawalpindiz, smashing a blistering 74 off just 34 deliveries to guide his side to a five-wicket win.

After the game, Azam, while reflecting on his journey, revealed that the past several months had been both challenging and transformative.

“Since last year’s PSL, I haven’t played much professional cricket, but I’m in a good zone because I’ve trained really hard over the past few months, and it’s showing on the ground,” he said.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The right-hander shared that relocating from Karachi to Lahore proved to be a turning point in his routine, as he became more disciplined and has been training regularly at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

“The last seven to eight months have been tough. I have shifted to a different city. I live in Karachi, but now I have moved to Lahore. I have been training at the National Cricket Academy. I’ve been putting in daily effort, repeating drills, and that’s really helped my confidence,” he stated.

“When you shift to a different city, you have to work hard enough and be more disciplined. So I have felt that I have been more disciplined with my training as well as my diet.”

According to Azam Khan, a significant part of his improvement has come through a stricter approach to fitness and diet. He admitted to working closely with professionals to address his weight and conditioning.

“I had to make serious changes, hire a dietician, consult doctors for my weight loss, and stay disciplined with my diet. There are cheat days, of course,” he joked, “but overall, I’ve lost a lot of weight, and I’m moving much better on the field.”

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Azam acknowledged that his previous fitness levels had impacted key aspects of his game, particularly his ability to run between the wickets and his wicketkeeping mobility.

“Last year, I was slow while running, and my lateral movement behind the stumps wasn’t great. Now, I feel quicker and more agile, which is very satisfying,” he noted.

Interestingly, the change in physique has also influenced his equipment and approach at the crease.

“I had to reduce the weight of my bat after losing weight. Like when I was heavy i was using a heavier bat, but when I got lighter, I had to change my bat weight as well, but I haven’t lost any power. In fact, I don’t get tired as much while batting now, and I feel more comfortable overall,” he explained.

READ: PSL 11: Toss of Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans delayed

LAHORE: The toss for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans has been delayed due to persistent rain at Gaddafi Stadium here on Friday.

Notably, Ashton Turner-led Multan Sultans have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, sitting second on the points table with two wins from two matches.

The new-look Sultans kicked off their PSL 11 campaign with a dominant five-wicket victory over Islamabad United, courtesy of the brilliant batting efforts of Josh Philippe (55) and Turner (43*).

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In their second match of the season, Sahibzada Farhan smashed an unbeaten 106 to help the Sultans chase down a 226-run target against Hyderabad Kingsmen.

In contrast, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars find themselves in the fifth position with one win and one loss.

They commenced their title defence with a thumping 69-run victory over the Kingsmen, thanks to a combined team effort. However, they suffered a four-wicket defeat against arch-rivals Karachi Kings in their second match.

SQUADS

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah, Mohammad Farooq, Daniel Sams, Parvez Hussain Emon, Asif Ali, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan, Ryan Burl, Shahab Khan

Multan Sultans: Ashton Turner (c), Shan Masood (vc), Mohammad Nawaz, Shehzad Gul, Faisal Akram, Imran Randhawa, Arafat Minhas, Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Peter Siddle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lachlan Shaw, Delano Potgieter, Josh Philippe, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Shahzad, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ismail, Atizaz Habib Khan

READ: David Warner dismisses Moeen Ali ‘fight’ after viral clip sparks debate

LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner has brushed aside speculation of a rift with teammate Moeen Ali after a viral clip during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash against Rawalpindiz triggered debate on social media.

The video, widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), showed an animated Warner walking towards Moeen before Karachi’s team director Haider Azhar intervened and led the Australian opener away. The brief exchange was quickly interpreted by fans as a sign of tension within the Kings’ dressing room.

“BIG FIGHT BETWEEN DAVID WARNER & MOEEN ALI. During the match session, a heated argument broke out between Moeen Ali and David Warner,” the video caption stated.

However, Warner moved swiftly to shut down the rumours, clarifying that the moment had been taken out of context.

“Calm down, mate. You have zero context. Our manager always wants to shake hands first. Has nothing to do with Mo – it’s called team banter,” Warner responded to the above-mentioned video.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 calm down mate. You have zero context. The 🤡 our manager always wants to shake hands first . Has nothing to do with Mo 🤣🤣 it’s called team banter

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 3, 2026

Azhar also backed the skipper’s version, dismissing the claims of any disagreement and insisting the moment was light-hearted.

“Not true! Both of them were making fun of me!” he added.

The off-field chatter, meanwhile, did little to overshadow Karachi’s strong showing on the field.

Warner led from the front with a composed 50, while Azam Khan produced a blistering 74 as the Kings chased down a daunting 198-run target to secure a five-wicket victory.

The duo’s crucial 76-run stand for the third wicket proved decisive, guiding Karachi to their third consecutive win in the tournament.

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LAHORE: The upcoming match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans is likely to be affected by weather concerns here on Friday.

A light drizzle had already set in by the evening, forcing ground staff to swiftly cover the pitch and outfield at the LCCA Ground as a precautionary measure, raising concerns over a potential delay or interruption.

According to weather forecasts, conditions in Lahore remain far from ideal for cricket. At around 6:00 PM local time, thunderstorms were reported with temperatures hovering at 19°C but feeling closer to 15°C due to the wind chill.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Winds from the south-west, coupled with high humidity levels touching 85%, have added to the discomfort, while over 12 mm of rainfall has already been recorded.

Visibility has also been significantly reduced, with dense cloud cover and a low ceiling contributing to gloomy playing conditions. Air quality remains unhealthy, further compounding the challenges for players and officials.

While a slight improvement is expected by 7:00 PM, with rainfall predicted to ease and temperatures dipping marginally, the overall outlook still suggests unstable weather.

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Cloud cover is set to remain heavy, and visibility is unlikely to improve substantially, keeping the possibility of interruptions alive.

Notably, Ashton Turner-led Multan Sultans have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, sitting second on the points table with two wins from two matches.

In contrast, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars find themselves in the mid-table with one win and one loss.

READ: Fakhar Zaman’s appeal rejected as PSL committee upholds two-match ban

LAHORE: Blistering half-centuries from David Warner and Azam Khan propelled Karachi Kings to a hard-fought five-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a challenging 198-run target, the Kings crossed the finish line with four balls to spare, registering their third consecutive win in the tournament.

The run chase saw an early setback when Muhammad Waseem departed for 23 in the third over with 27 runs on the board.

However, Salman Ali Agha steadied the innings alongside Warner, adding a crucial 43-run stand before falling for 29.

The turning point came when Azam joined Warner in the middle, as the duo stitched a decisive 76-run partnership for the third wicket, shifting the momentum firmly in Karachi’s favour.

Warner played an anchoring yet fluent knock of 50 off 36 deliveries, laced with six fours and a six, before being dismissed by Daryl Mitchell in the 16th over.

Azam, meanwhile, took charge with an aggressive approach, smashing 74 off just 34 balls, including six fours and six towering sixes. His innings brought the Kings within touching distance before he fell to Mohammad Amir in the penultimate over.

With the equation down to the final over, Abbas Afridi sealed the win in emphatic fashion, launching a six early in the over to take Karachi Kings home.

Earlier, Rawalpindiz posted a competitive 197-6 after being put into bat, recovering strongly from early setbacks.

Hasan Ali struck early to remove skipper Mohammad Rizwan (21), while Khushdil Shah dented the top order further by dismissing Yasir Khan (8) and Kamran Ghulam (10), reducing them to 55-3.

The innings was then revived by a superb 120-run partnership between Mitchell and Sam Billings, both of whom registered half-centuries. Billings scored 58 off 35 deliveries, while Mitchell top-scored with 65 off 41 balls.

Hasan eventually broke the stand in the death overs, finishing as the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Khushdil claimed two and Mir Hamza chipped in with one.

READ: Fakhar Zaman’s appeal rejected as PSL committee upholds two-match ban

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) Technical Committee has upheld the two-match suspension of Fakhar Zaman, dismissing the Lahore Qalandars opener’s appeal against the sanction imposed earlier this week.

Fakhar was penalised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after being found guilty of a Level 3 breach of the tournament’s Code of Conduct, relating to ball-tampering during Lahore Qalandars’ clash against Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The left-handed batter had denied the charge and opted for a full disciplinary hearing, which was conducted by match referee Roshan Mahanama. Following a review of the evidence and Fakhar’s defence, the referee imposed a two-match suspension, the maximum penalty for a first Level 3 offence.

In response, Fakhar Zaman lodged a formal appeal, seeking a reassessment of the decision.

The matter was then revisited by the PSL Technical Committee, which conducted a fresh review before arriving at the same conclusion.

According to the PCB, the committee, comprising Professor Javed Malik, Dr Mumraiz Naqshband, and Syed Ali Naqi, carried out a de novo inquiry, examining all available evidence and hearing submissions from relevant parties before dismissing the appeal.

“Pursuant to conducting a de novo inquiry, reviewing all evidence, and hearing submissions from relevant individuals, the Committee has dismissed the appeal and upheld the two-match ban imposed by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama,” the cricket board stated.

The board confirmed that the original sanction would stand, meaning Fakhar will now miss Lahore Qalandars’ upcoming fixtures, including their match against Multan Sultans on April 3 at Gaddafi Stadium, followed by an away game against Islamabad United on April 9.

READ: Minhas, Shadab star as Islamabad United secure first win in PSL 11

LAHORE: A sensational unbeaten partnership between Sameer Minhas and captain Shadab Khan powered Islamabad United to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a challenging 184-run target, United made light work of the total, reaching the finish line in the 19th over with eight wickets in hand, courtesy of a dominant batting display led by their in-form duo.

The innings began on a positive note as Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas put together a brisk 44-run opening stand, with the latter taking the aggressive route.

However, Abrar Ahmed struck twice in quick succession to remove Conway (18) and Andries Gous (2), leaving United at 61-2 inside seven overs.

From there on, it was all about Minhas and Shadab, who combined to produce a match-winning, unbeaten 128-run partnership. The pair blended composure with calculated aggression, ensuring there were no further hiccups in the chase.

Minhas led the charge with a superb 82 not out off 48 deliveries, striking eight fours and three sixes, while Shadab complemented him with an equally impressive unbeaten 69 off 39 balls, decorated with five fours and four sixes.

Earlier, Quetta Gladiators posted a competitive 183-5 after opting to bat first, thanks to strong contributions from both their top and middle order.

Openers Shamyl Hussain and skipper Saud Shakeel provided a solid platform with a 50-run stand before Salman Irshad dismissed Hussain for 21.

Shadab then made an impact with the ball, removing Shakeel for a brisk 42, followed by quick strikes that left the Gladiators reeling at 93-5. Imad Wasim also chipped in with a crucial wicket during the middle overs.

A late recovery was orchestrated by Hassan Nawaz and Tom Curran, who stitched together an unbeaten 90-run partnership. Nawaz remained not out on a fluent 64 off 35 balls, while Curran added a steady 29 to push the total to 183-5.

READ: Saad Baig lauds David Warner’s leadership at Karachi Kings