Author: Shahid Hashmi

Pakistan football team participation has been confirmed for the inaugural edition of the FIFA Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Cup following an invitation from the global football governing body.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup is a newly established, official regional national football tournament organized by FIFA in collaboration with the ASEAN.

The tournament will be held in Indonesia from September 21 to October 6 and will feature teams from across the region in a landmark competition aimed at expanding international football opportunities.

According to reports, Pakistan will participate in the event alongside Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

This will mark a landmark moment for Pakistan as they will participate for the first time in a FIFA tournament outside pf qualification competitions for the FIFA World Cup and continental events.

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The tournament also presents a major opportunity for Pakistan to test itself against established regional opponents and gain valuable international exposure at a time when football in the country is seeking renewed momentum.

Reports said Pakistan’s invitation followed growing engagement between FIFA and PFF President Mohsen Gilani, which helped facilitate the country’s inclusion in the tournament.

For the unversed, the Pakistan Football team triumphed over Afghanistan in the Diamond Jubilee International Tournament in Male.

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It marked the first time the Green Shirts have prevailed in a senior men’s international final after the 1991 Asian Games.

Additionally, Pakistan also won their first-ever standalone international football tournament since sharing the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament crown with India in 1952, a round-robin tournament.

Shayek Dost and Harun Hamid scored goals in the final, and the team finished the four-nation event undefeated, conceding none.

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LAHORE: Pakistan have suffered a significant setback ahead of their upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia, with opening batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub ruled out due to injuries.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Wednesday that both players are currently undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the board’s medical panel and will not be available for selection for the three-match ODI series.

“The PCB wishes both players a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing them return to competitive cricket at the earliest opportunity,” the board said in an official statement. “Further updates regarding the squad and player fitness will be shared in due course.”

The series against Australia is scheduled to begin on May 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the remaining two matches will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and 4.

Saim Ayub’s absence comes as a major blow for Pakistan after the young opener enjoyed a remarkable rise in ODI cricket since making his debut in 2024.

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The left-handed batter has amassed 751 runs in 17 ODIs at an impressive average of 46.93 and a strike-rate of 100, including three centuries and three half-centuries.

Meanwhile, experienced opener Fakhar Zaman has been one of Pakistan’s key ODI batters since debuting in 2017 and has scored 3,861 runs in 92 matches at an average of 45.42, registering 11 centuries and 19 fifties.

On the other hand, Cricket Australia (CA) have named a relatively inexperienced squad for the Pakistan tour, with teenage batter Oliver Peake and all-rounder Liam Scott earning maiden international call-ups.

Regular captain Pat Cummins, along with senior fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, were omitted from the squad as Australia opted to test their bench strength in the 50-over format.

Mitchell Marsh will lead the side, which also includes Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne, among others.

Australia ODI squad for Pakistan series

Mitchell Marsh (captain), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake and Adam Zampa.

READ: Bangladesh script home whitewash over Pakistan despite Rizwan’s 94

The sun was blazing as the Karachi Kings squad went through its preparations ahead of the Pakistan Super League’s 10th season in Karachi. Near the boundary that separates the media from the players, a tall, strapping youngster approached me. He seemed certain I could help him get a step closer to the action.

With quiet confidence, he introduced himself and spoke from the heart.

“I want to bowl to David Warner and others in the nets,” Rizwanullah said, with the conviction of a genuine fast bowler. “I have come from far-flung Landhi and want to make a name for myself in cricket.”

I reached out through my contacts and returned to the young net bowler with good news—his wish would be granted the very next day. True to his word, he arrived early, long before others, and spent the day doing exactly what he had dreamed of. What stood out immediately was his determination—and the raw pace he generated.

By the end of the season, Rizwanullah had already caught the attention of Karachi Kings’ assistant coach Masroor Ahmed, whose sharp eye for talent had once again delivered. During the off-season, Masroor invited him to train across various venues, working on his lengths, speed, and variations.

When the PSL auction came around in February, Rizwanullah’s name appeared on the list—and he was picked by Karachi Kings as an emerging player. His journey, from net bowler to franchise cricketer, remains one of the most inspiring pathways in modern cricket.

Such transitions demand resilience, discipline, and the ability to seize opportunities when they arrive.

Cricket history offers several examples. West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph famously impressed Australian coach Justin Langer during a net session in the Caribbean. India’s T Natarajan is another modern-day story of rise—from obscurity to international recognition through sheer persistence.

Karachi Kings, too, have previously unearthed talent such as Mushtaq Kalhoro and Fawad Ali. So when Rizwanullah was promoted to the main squad, there was both excitement and expectation.

Masroor Ahmed himself was optimistic.

“I watched him in a local match and was impressed by his pace and control. I invited him to Karachi Kings’ training sessions and worked on refining his strengths and weaknesses,” he said.

Before his PSL induction, Rizwanullah had made his T20 debut for Karachi Whites in the National T20 2026, though he managed just one wicket in two matches. In his debut outing, he bowled a solitary over, conceding just six runs.

Soon after his elevation, Rizwanullah expressed his joy at joining the Karachi Kings setup for PSL 11.

“Everyone was very welcoming. They gave me the kind of support a young player needs. I knew I would get a chance, so I stayed ready and waited with full focus,” he said.

His opportunity finally came in Lahore against the Qalandars, where he was handed his Karachi Kings debut cap. Nerves did not seem to trouble him. Although his three overs went for 41 runs, he picked up a key wicket—Abdullah Shafique—in a five-wicket victory for his side.

Showing quick learning and composure, he bounced back strongly in his second outing, returning figures of 2 for 28 against Quetta Gladiators, dismissing in-form batters Saud Shakeel and Hasan Nawaz.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” Rizwanullah said. “The first experience has been a positive one. I will work even harder so that in the next PSL I can get more chances and take more wickets. My aim is to play a leading role in helping my team win the trophy, In Shaa Allah.”

READ: Shaheen Afridi targets WTC final as Pakistan gear up for Bangladesh Tests

LAHORE: In the aftermath of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup exit, former international umpire and national selection committee member Aleem Dar has decided to step down from his role.

According to the sources privy to the matter, Dar, 57, decided to leave the role after Pakistan’s poor performance in the T20 World Cup.

Aleem Dar was appointed as a selector on October 11, 2024, alongside former pacer Aqib Javed, ex-Test captain Azhar Ali, and analyst Hasan Cheema in a revamped selection panel.

It is worth mentioning that Aleem Dar officiated in a record 435 men’s Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, including four World Cup finals, before calling time on his career.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board has also imposed a fine of Rs5m on each player following a disappointing campaign in the mega event.

Sources confirmed that the board made it clear to the players that financial benefits will now be strictly tied to performance.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-final as their campaign ended in the Super Eights stage of the tournament.

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In their final match, the Green Shirts secured a narrow five-run victory over Sri Lanka but failed to progress to the semi-finals as New Zealand advanced on the basis of a superior run rate.

Earlier, in the group stage, Pakistan won three out of their four matches. They opened their tournament with an unconvincing win against the Netherlands, following it up with a decisive victory over USA. However, they were completely outplayed by their bitter rivals, India, by 61 runs.

They won their last fixture against Namibia to advance to the Super Eights. But a washout against New Zealand and a subsequent defeat to England ultimately left their semi-final hopes hanging in the balance.

READ: Pakistan players fined Rs5m after World Cup exit: sources

KANDY: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has addressed his captaincy future following his side’s elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, despite a narrow win over Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight fixture on Saturday.

The 2009 champions entered the contest knowing that victory alone would not suffice; they needed a massive margin to overhaul New Zealand’s superior net run rate (NRR) and join England in the semi-finals.

Pakistan posted an imposing 212-8 in their 20 overs and went on to secure a five-run win. However, they were required to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or below to qualify. Falling short of that benchmark meant their campaign ended at the Super Eight stage.

Reflecting on the tournament, Salman Ali Agha did not shy away from criticism, admitting that Pakistan underperformed across departments.

“If I have to sum up the whole tournament, I think we played below-average cricket,” he said at the post-match press conference.

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“We couldn’t bat well throughout the tournament. If Sahibzada Farhan had more support, it would have been better. The middle order has been a problem for a few years now, and we’ll have to look at that.”

He also stated that both he and head coach Mike Hesson would take full responsibility for the team’s performance.

“We haven’t qualified for the semi-finals in the last four ICC tournaments because we haven’t made the right decisions at crucial moments. The coach and I will take full responsibility for this performance,” he said.

Salman Ali Agha also made it clear that he will not make an immediate decision on his captaincy.

“If I decide about my captaincy right now, it would be an emotional decision. I will go back, take a few days, and then see what decision I make,” he said.

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COLOMBO: Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan responded to criticism from former cricketers following the team’s loss to India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, insisting the focus remains on the bigger goal of winning the tournament.

Speaking after the match against Namibia, Shadab reminded that they have achieved what many former cricketers could not — defeating India in a World Cup match.

“Criticism is not in our hands. Former cricketers have their own opinions. They were legends, but even they could not do what we have done. We have beaten India in a World Cup,” he said to reporters.

The skipper insisted the team remains focused on winning the tournament rather than dwelling on a single defeat that has dominated discussion.

“There has been too much talk about one match. It was a big game and we should have won it. We made mistakes that should not have happened. But our goal is to win the World Cup and we are following our process,” Shadab Khan added.

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He stressed that Pakistan are moving in the right direction and must continue the positives, particularly with the bat.

“We are on the right track. We need to continue the good things we have been doing. Our batting must carry on in the same way. Sahibzada Farhan is in good form,” Shadab said.

Looking ahead to the Super Eight stage, Shadab acknowledged the competition they will face from other teams.

“The Super Eight will be difficult. These will be high-pressure matches.”  “Ramadan has begun, and it will be like our 12th player,” he concluded.

Earlier, Pakistan defeated Namibia by a hefty margin of 102 runs to qualify for the Super Eight of the mega event.

The Green Shirts will play New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka in their Super Eight fixtures.

READ: Pakistan Super Eight schedule confirmed after Namibia rout

Pakistan men’s cricket team is set to tour Bangladesh following the conclusion of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with a three-match ODI series scheduled in March.

The ODI series will be played in Dhaka on March 12, 14 and 16, marking the start of Pakistan’s white-ball assignment in Bangladesh.

The Green Shirts will return home and will tour Bangladesh again in May after the completion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11.

The two sides will meet for a two-match Test series in May, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.

The first Test is slated to take place in Dhaka from May 8 to 12, while the second Test will be held in Chattogram from May 16 to 20.

Pakistan’s visit forms part of Bangladesh’s packed home international calendar for the 2026 season.

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The Tigers are scheduled to host four Tests, 12 ODIs and nine T20Is across the year, beginning with Pakistan’s tour immediately after the T20 World Cup.

After Pakistan ODIs, the New Zealand men’s cricket team will arrive for a white-ball series starting April 17.

Later in the season, Australia are also set to tour Bangladesh for three ODIs and three T20Is, with matches scheduled around mid-June.

Bangladesh are further expected to host India for a limited-overs series in August-September 2026, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is, following a two-match Test series against the West Indies men’s cricket team under the WTC.

However, uncertainty surrounds India’s tour after recent tensions, including Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup in India, where they were replaced by Scotland.

Schedule of Pakistan-Bangladesh series

• First ODI – March 12
• Second ODI – March 14
• Third ODI – March 16
• First Test – May 8 to 12
• Second Test – May 16 to 20

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Australia-based Alpha Sports Group on Monday decided to partner with OZ Group, which bought the newly inducted Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Sialkot Stallions at the league’s team auction held on January 8.

Alpha Sports Group is Australia’s largest wholesale distributor of sports medicine, physiotherapy, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and first aid products.

The Group has acquired a 75 per cent stake in Sialkot Stallions.

Following the partnership, Alpha Sports and OZ Group will work together on the franchise’s overall growth, team formation, and performance improvement.

Following the announcement, Alpha Sports Group expressed excitement about the partnership, noting that both partners will aim to build Stallionz into a strong, competitive team.

It is worth noting that both Alpha Sports Group and OZ Group are based in Australia and hold prominent positions in the sports management and investment sectors.

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The new partnership is being termed a positive and welcome development for the PSL’s upcoming seasons, with the move generating fresh excitement among Sialkot Stallions fans.

For those unware, the development came just weeks after Sialkot Stallionz were officially introduced as one of the two new franchises ahead of the PSL 11.

The team’s ownership rights were acquired by OZ Developers, owned by Hamza Majeed and Kamil Khan, during the historic PSL 2026 auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on January 8.

OZ Developers sealed the deal with a record bid of Rs 1.85 billion, making it the most expensive franchise purchase in PSL history.

The eighth team, PSL 11, is set to start on March 26 across five venues in the country.

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The Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) newest franchise, Sialkot Stallionz, have reportedly secured the services of former Australia captain Steve Smith ahead of the 11th edition of the marquee league, sources told on Tuesday.

According to reliable sources, Smith has been directly signed by the Sialkot-based outfit before the PSL’s first-ever player auction, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 11.

The development comes just weeks after Sialkot Stallionz were officially introduced as one of the two new franchises in the PSL.

The team’s ownership rights were acquired by OZ Developers, owned by Hamza Majeed and Kamil Khan, during the historic PSL 2026 auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on January 8.

OZ Developers sealed the deal with a record bid of Rs 1.85 billion, making it the most expensive franchise purchase in PSL history.

The Stallionz had earlier appointed former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Tim Paine as their head coach, and sources suggest Smith will now play under his former international teammate in PSL 11.

Notably, Smith has never featured in the PSL before.

However, the veteran batter arrives with strong T20 form, having enjoyed a sensational outing in the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL) season 15, where he represented Sydney Sixers.

Smith played six matches, scoring 299 runs at an average of 59.80 and a strike rate of 167.97, including a blistering 42-ball century.

Overall, Smith has played 272 T20 matches, scoring 6,242 runs at an average of 32.68 and a strike rate of 131.38, including five centuries and 30 half-centuries.

It is pertinent to note that under PSL 11 regulations, each franchise is allowed one direct signing of a foreign player who did not feature in PSL 10, a clause that appears to have been utilised by Sialkot Stallionz to land the Australian star.

READ: T20 World Cup: $500m at stake if Pakistan skips India clash

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is set to hold a meeting with the national cricket team, recently picked for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is slated to start next month.

According to the sources, the chairman will brief the players about participation in the World Cup and share the strategy with them.

The decision on Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup will be made after consultation with the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

A day earlier, Mohsin Naqvi said that the final call on the national team’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be taken by the federal government.

Naqvi’s remarks came after International Cricket Council (ICC) had replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the upcoming World Cup following Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India for the event.

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The ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had been engaged in prolonged discussions over the issue, resulting in the latter’s pull out from the mega event.

Against that backdrop, sources had suggested that Pakistan could also consider boycotting the tournament after Bangladesh’s decision.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Mohsin Naqvi made it clear that the PCB would not act independently on the matter and would align itself with the government’s position.

“The prime minister [Shehbaz Sharif] is currently not in the country. Once he returns, we will announce a final decision,” Naqvi said when asked about Pakistan’s stance following the ICC’s decision on Bangladesh.

The PCB chairman openly criticised the ICC’s handling of the situation, accusing the governing body of applying double standards and treating Bangladesh unfairly.

“Bangladesh has been treated unjustly. I raised the same point during the ICC board meeting,” Naqvi said.

“You cannot have a situation where one country is allowed to make decisions whenever it wants, while another is denied the same consideration.”

Earlier today, Pakistan revealed their 15 member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. The mega event will be played from 7 February to 8 March across Sri Lanka and India.

Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad

Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (WK), and Usman Tariq.