Author: A Sports

India cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has submitted a petition in the Delhi High Court over alleged use of his identity through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology.

According to Indian news outlets, Gambhir has stated in his petition that his name, voice, image, and overall persona have been widely exploited across social media platforms and e-commerce websites without his consent.

The plea submitted against 16 defendants, including social media accounts, intermediaries, and e-commerce platforms, requests a permanent ban from using or commercialising his identity without authorisation.

Gautam Gambhir has also sought interim relief, requesting that the court order the takedown of all infringing content and prevent its further circulation.

Moreover, the 44-year-old is also seeking damages of Rs25 million.

According to the petition, there has been a notable increase in false digital content created with AI tools such as face-swapping and voice cloning at the end of 2025.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The plea mentioned several fake videos that falsely depict him announcing his resignation and making fabricated remarks about senior cricketers.

These videos have reportedly garnered millions of views, diverting the public and damaging his reputation.

Gambhir further alleged that his identity has been commercially exploited through the sale of unauthorised merchandise online without any licensing or approval.

He argued that his persona has been “weaponised” by anonymous accounts to spread misinformation and generate revenue, raising serious concerns about dignity and legal protection in the AI era.

The petition also invokes provisions of the Copyright Act, the Trade Marks Act, and the Commercial Courts Act, while relying on judicial precedents recognising personality and publicity rights.

READ: PSL 11: Javed Afridi confirms full availability of Peshawar Zalmi’s overseas players

Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi has put an end to speculation surrounding the availability of key overseas players ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, confirming that all contracted foreign stars will be available for the full tournament.

In a recent Instagram Q&A session, Afridi dismissed widespread reports suggesting limited participation of several players.

Rumours had indicated that Nahid Rana would feature only in the initial matches, Aaron Hardie might miss the season entirely, while Kusal Mendis and Michael Bracewell were expected to be unavailable for parts of the competition.

However, Afridi categorically rejected those claims with a brief but clear response, confirming that all four players will be available throughout the tournament.

The development comes as a significant boost for Zalmi, who are aiming to mount a strong campaign in the expanded eight-team edition of the league, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Adding to the excitement, Zalmi are also set to mark a historic milestone this season. For the first time, the franchise will play a home fixture in Peshawar, with the Imran Khan Stadium hosting its maiden PSL match.

The landmark encounter is scheduled for March 28, when Zalmi will take on Rawalpindiz in an afternoon clash.

Led by Babar Azam, Zalmi’s squad features a mix of international experience and domestic talent, including names such as Hardie, Bracewell, Mendis, James Vince and Iftikhar Ahmed.

Peshawar Zalmi squad for PSL 11

Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, James Vince, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mirza Tahir Baig, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousaf, Muhammad Basit and Shoriful Islam.

READ: PSL 11 squads locked in as trade window closes

The squads for all eight franchises competing in Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 have been finalised following the conclusion of the week-long trade window, setting the stage for the historic eight-team tournament.

The window, which opened on March 12, allowed teams to reshuffle combinations through player trades, direct signings and replacements under the league’s regulations.

It proved particularly active for Multan Sultans, who were involved in multiple deals across franchises.

Multan completed a player swap with Quetta Gladiators, bringing in Ahmed Daniyal and Jahanzaib Sultan in exchange for Faisal Akram and Arafat Minhas.

They also secured Mohammad Wasim Jr from Islamabad United, while sending Salman Mirza and Nisar Ahmed the other way.

In a separate move, the Sultans executed a player-for-money trade, transferring emerging all-rounder Saad Masood to RawalPindiz for PKR 500,000.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Franchises were permitted three types of trades during the window: player-for-player, player-for-money, and hybrid deals, giving teams flexibility to fine-tune their squads ahead of the new season.

Beyond trades, several teams strengthened their line-ups through direct signings.

Multan added all-rounder Imran Randhawa, while Peshawar Zalmi brought in U19 captain Farhan Yousuf alongside Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam.

Injury replacements also saw movement, with Lahore Qalandars and RawalPindiz drafting in Shahab Khan and Jalat Khan respectively.

PSL 11 marks a historic expansion to eight teams, with new entrants RawalPindiz and Hyderabad Kingsmen joining the competition.

The 44-match tournament will run from March 26 to May 3, with each team playing 10 matches in the league stage before the top four progress to the playoffs.

PSL 11 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, Dasun Shanaka, Parvez Hussain Emon, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan and Shahab Khan.

Hyderabad Kingsmen: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Usman Khan, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Hassan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Glenn Maxwell, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, Tayyab Arif and Ahmed Hussain.

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (c), Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Max Bryant, Mark Chapman, Nisar Ahmed, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameen Gul, Sameer Minhas, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Dipendra Singh Airee, Mohammad Faiq and Mohammad Salman Mirza.

Karachi Kings: David Warner (C), Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig, Moeen Ali, Azam Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shahid Aziz, Mir Hamza, Adam Zampa, Mohammad Hamza Sohail, Aqib Ilyas, Khwaja Bin Tanveer, Johnson Charles, Muhammad Waseem, Ihsanullah and Rizwanullah.

Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c), Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz, Shamyl Hussain, Alzarri Joseph, Rilee Rossouw, Ahmed Daniyal, Jahanzaib Sultan, Jahandad Khan, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Wasim Akram Jnr, Khan Zeb, Bismillah Khan, Saqib Khan, Brett Hampton, Sam Harper, Bevon Jacobs, Abrar Ahmed, Ben McDermott and Tom Curran.

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

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, James Vince, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mirza Tahir Baig, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf and Shoriful Islam.

RawalPindiz: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Sam Billings, Jalat Khan, Yasir Khan, Naseem Shah, Rishad Hossain, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Amir, Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Dian Forrestor, Laurie Evans, Asif Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Fawad Ali, Mohammad Amir Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Saad Masood.

READ: England cricket chiefs to face media over Ashes debacle

PESHAWAR: The glittering trophy of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 ‘Infinity’ arrived in the city of flowers here on Thursday.

‘Infinity’ was presented for the exhibition as part of the PSL 11 trophy tour.

The silverware was displayed at the iconic Imran Khan Cricket Stadium and other notable places in Peshawar.

The PSL 11 trophy tour officially began last week with its first stop at the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum, where a special photoshoot of the trophy was also held.

The trophy will be transported to Hyderabad on Friday, where it is planned to be displayed at Niaz Stadium and various other spots throughout the city.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pakistan Super League (@thepsl)

For those unaware, the glittering silverware was unveiled at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi last week.

The trophy showcases an elegant, modern design with a tall, sleek golden structure emerging from a round base.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The central section features sparkling stones or crystals in vertical arrangements, creating a glittering effect when lit. Two curved golden arms rise from the sides and converge at the top.

The top of the trophy features a prominent crescent and star, drawing inspiration from Pakistan’s national flag.

The crescent features small crystals embedded within, and a polished metallic star rests just above it, forming a visually striking and symbolic crown.

The trophy’s base is gold-plated and sits on a black cylindrical pedestal featuring PSL branding.

The 11th edition of the tournament will be played from March 26 to May 3 across six venues in Pakistan.

Overall, 44 matches will be played in the tournament, with the opening match scheduled between the defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen, making their debut.

READ: Paul Stirling quits as Ireland T20I captain

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been ranked third among the top 10 franchise leagues around the globe, according to rankings released by the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) on Thursday.

According to the WCA, England’s ‘The Hundred’ and South Africa’s ‘SA20’ were ranked first and second, respectively.

India’s marquee T20 competition earned the most points for average payment and payment reliability, but it could not secure the top spot due to lagging in areas like ‘right to organize’ and ‘dispute resolution’.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) held the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

After rankings were announced, WCA CEO Tom Moffat highlighted the growth of domestic leagues while stressing the need for improvement.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“WCA is fortunate to have a birds eye view of the global game, and daily engagements with players competing in leagues around the world. The growth of the domestic leagues landscape has been overwhelmingly positive for our sport, but it has the potential to be even better,” he said.

“We want all sanctioned leagues to be successful, and to provide fair protections and standards for people within them,” Moffat added.

He further remarked on reaching out to each league to work on the sport’s betterment and to promote its ongoing professionalisation.

“We have reached out to each league, inviting them to work with us to meet best practice benchmarks, and to continue to advance the professionalisation and growth of our sport,” he continued

“We intend to provide consistent updates, including on both good practice, and on issues, as they arise during the year,” he concluded.

Top 10 franchise leagues

The Hundred – 75.2
SA20 – 68
IPL – 62.6
BBL – 62.5
PSL – 48
MLC – 43
ILT20 – 39.1
CPL – 38.9
Abu Dhabi T10 – 30.1
BPL – 22.6

READ: Paul Stirling quits as Ireland T20I captain

DUBLIN: Paul Stirling has stepped down as Ireland T20I captain, ending his three-year term.  

The decision came on Thursday after a month of Ireland’s T20 World Cup campaign.

Stirling’s campaign ended prematurely after he sustained a right knee injury during the Australia clash, ruling him out of the tournament. In his absence, Lorcan Tucker led the side.

Following the announcement, he expressed pride in leading Ireland in T20Is and thanked his fellow players for their support during his tenure as captain.

“It has been a tremendous honour to lead Ireland in this format and something I have been incredibly proud to do,” he said in a statement.

“Captaining your country is a privilege that carries great responsibility, and I’m very grateful for the trust and support I have received during my time in the role,” the most capped player in T20I history continued.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Despite relinquishing the captaincy, the 35-year-old still aimed to lead the side in the 50-over format.

“While I will be stepping away from the T20 captaincy, I remain fully committed to the Ireland team and will continue in my role as ODI captain.”

I still have a huge amount of ambition as a player and feel this decision will allow me to fully focus on being the best version of myself and making the strongest possible contribution on the field,” he concluded.

Overall, Paul Stirling captained Ireland in 48 T20Is, winning 20 and losing 26, with two fixtures ending in no results.

The Belfast-born batting all-rounder led the side in 2024 and 206 T20 World Cups, with the team exiting in the group stage on both occasions.

READ: Bangladesh players receive conditional NOCs for PSL 11

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has granted No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its players for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, but with strict conditions to ensure national commitments remain unaffected.

According to reports, the board has issued partial NOCs, making it clear that player participation in the T20 league will be subject to availability for Bangladesh’s crucial home ODI series against New Zealand.

A BCB official underlined the importance of the 50-over fixtures, stating that the series carries significant weight in the context of World Cup qualification, prompting the board to carefully manage player workloads and availability.

New Zealand are scheduled to play three ODIs in Bangladesh on April 17, 20 and 23, followed by a three-match T20I series on April 27, 29 and May 2.

The national side’s preparatory camp is set to begin on March 27, which means several players will initially miss out due to PSL commitments.

Six Bangladesh players, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Shariful Islam, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan and Rishad Hossain, have secured PSL contracts and will feature in the early phase of the tournament.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

However, the board has imposed clear timelines on their participation. Mustafizur Rahman’s NOC has been split into two phases, allowing him to play from March 26 to April 12 before returning for national duty.

He will then be exempt from the T20I series against New Zealand and is expected to rejoin the PSL from April 24 to May 3.

Meanwhile, Tanzid Hasan, Shariful Islam, Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain have been granted NOCs only until April 12, ensuring their availability for the ODI series.

Parvez Hossain Emon has received a slightly extended window, with clearance valid until April 21.

“The board has issued partial NOCs to all the players. They have been instructed to remain available for the ODI series,” a BCB official confirmed.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi unveil ‘Next Gen’ jersey ahead of PSL 11

Former champions Peshawar Zalmi have unveiled their new jersey for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, introducing a bold “Next Gen” design that reflects a shift towards modern aesthetics and digital culture.

The franchise revealed the jersey through a video on their official social media platforms, highlighting a striking blend of neon and electric gradients combined with a hexagonal matrix pattern.

“Presenting the “𝐙𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐢 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧” Jerseys for #HBLPSL11. Knitted with a bold fusion of neon & electric gradients and a hexagonal matrix, which is very tactically designed to reflect the art of digital illustration and the fearless, energetic colors of generationZ,” the video caption stated.

Presenting the “𝐙𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐢 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧” Jerseys for #HBLPSL11

Knitted with a bold fusion of neon & electric gradients and a hexagonal matrix, which is very tactically designed to reflect the art of digital illustration and the fearless energetic colors of generationZ.… pic.twitter.com/1XX05mBhLq

— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) March 18, 2026

The concept, described as “Zalmi Next Gen,” is designed to capture the energy and creativity associated with Generation Z, while incorporating elements inspired by digital illustration.

Zalmi’s traditional yellow remains the base of the home kit, now enhanced with vibrant shades of purple, pink and cyber tones.

According to the franchise, the updated palette symbolises a transition from tradition to technology, with neon accents representing innovation and evolving digital culture.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Alongside the home jersey, the team confirmed they will retain their black away kit, while also revealing a green training jersey as part of their updated lineup for the season.

Beyond the kit launch, the franchise is also set to mark a historic milestone during PSL 11. For the first time, Zalmi will play a home fixture at their home, Imran Khan Stadium, as Peshawar prepares to host its maiden PSL match.

The venue will stage an afternoon clash on March 28, where Zalmi are scheduled to face Rawalpindiz, making it a landmark occasion for cricket fans in the region.

Peshawar Zalmi squad for PSL 11

Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, James Vince, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mirza Tahir Baig, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousaf, Muhammad Basit and Shoriful Islam.

READ: Fakhar Zaman addresses fitness concerns after National T20 Cup participation

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has addressed the fitness concerns that sparked a public debate over his omission from the national side’s recent ODI series against Bangladesh.

The left-handed batter found himself at the centre of controversy after Pakistan’s selection committee, represented by Aaqib Javed, cited fitness issues as the reason behind his exclusion.

The matter gained traction when former pacer Abdur Rouf questioned the decision publicly, after Fakhar participated in the ongoing National T20 Cup.

Fakhar Zaman, while playing for Abbottabad Region, took a brilliant diving catch against Lahore Whites at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Rouf had taken to social media to criticise the selectors, highlighting what he perceived as a contradiction between Fakhar being declared unfit and his on-field participation.

“A day ago, our selection committee declared him injured and demanded an inquiry. What a great mind and visionary people we have to run our cricket,” Rouf wrote with the picture of Fakhar’s diving catch.

Responding directly, Fakhar clarified that he was not fully fit for the demands of 50-over cricket at the time the ODI squad was finalised. He explained that his return to competitive cricket only came after successfully clearing fitness tests.

“Abdur Rouf Bhai, I was not 100% fit to play 50-over games. In that case, Aaqib Javed was right. I am playing these games after clearing the fitness tests on the 15th,” Fakhar stated.

His response effectively defended the selection committee’s stance, suggesting that the timing of his recovery played a crucial role in his omission.

The exchange between the two cricketers concluded on a positive note, with Rouf acknowledging Fakhar’s commitment and reiterating support for national players.

He also indicated that player well-being remains the top priority, moving to defuse the situation.

“Great catch anyway. No need to worry. We are here to support our players like you. Nothing is more important than you guys. I am deleting [the post],” he stated.

READ: Champions League: Bayern Munich edge Atalanta to set up Real Madrid clash

Arch-rivals Pakistan and India have been drawn into the same pool for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the complete schedule for the mega event.

The 16-team tournament co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands will be played from August 15 to 30.

The event will begin with the opening match scheduled between India and England at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen.

Pakistan are slotted alongside England and Wales, India in Pool B.

Following the annoucement, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) stated about the team’s upcoming fixture in the mega event.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The Pakistan hockey team has been placed in the challenging Pool ‘D’, where they will face formidable opponents including traditional rivals India, England, and Wales,” the PHF stated.

Pakistan will face fierce rival India on August 19 at 6pm PKT.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to the next stage, where the eight teams will be reorganized into two new groups of four.

The final of the event is scheduled on August 30 at the Belfius Hockey Arena.

FIH World Cup pools:

Pool ‘A’: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan

Pool ‘B’: Belgium, Germany, France, and Malaysia

Pool ‘C’: Australia, Spain, Ireland, and South Africa

Pool ‘D’: India, Pakistan, England and Wales.

READ: Atif Aslam to light up PSL 11 with official anthem