Author: Shahid Hashmi

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has released the official schedule for the upcoming season of the Pro League, with arch-rivals Pakistan and India clashing in June next year.

The Pakistan hockey team secured their place in the Pro League after New Zealand, winners of the 2024–25 Nations Cup, declined their spot.

As runners-up, Pakistan were extended an invitation by FIH, which they accepted following financial backing from the government.

“FIH can confirm that the Pakistan men’s hockey team, nicknamed the Green Shirts, have accepted the invitation to participate in the upcoming season of the FIH Hockey Pro League,” the federation said in a statement.

The seventh edition of the competition will feature nine teams: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, and Pakistan, with Ireland relegated after finishing bottom last season.

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The highlight of the season will undoubtedly be the clash between Pakistan and arch-rivals India, set to take place in London on June 23 and 26, 2026.

Pakistan will begin their campaign in Rosario, Argentina, where they face the Netherlands on December 10, followed by hosts Argentina on December 12. The Green Shirts will play 16 matches in total across four international legs.

Their second assignment takes them to Hobart, Australia, in February, where they go head-to-head with the hosts and Germany.

In June, Pakistan will feature in the European leg of the tournament with fixtures against Belgium and Spain in Wavre, before moving to London for the final round against England and India.

Pakistan’s FIH Pro League Schedule

December 2025 – Rosario, Argentina

Dec 10: Netherlands vs Pakistan (03:00)

Dec 12: Argentina vs Pakistan (03:00)

Dec 13: Pakistan vs Netherlands (03:00)

Dec 15: Argentina vs Pakistan (03:00)

February 2026 – Hobart, Australia

Feb 10: Australia vs Pakistan (11:00)

Feb 11: Pakistan vs Germany (13:30)

Feb 13: Australia vs Pakistan (11:00)

Feb 14: Germany vs Pakistan (10:00)

June 2026 – Wavre, Belgium

Jun 13: Belgium vs Pakistan (18:30)

Jun 14: Pakistan vs Spain (18:30)

Jun 19: Belgium vs Pakistan (00:00)

Jun 20: Spain vs Pakistan (18:30)

June 2026 – London, UK

Jun 23: Pakistan vs India (18:30)

Jun 24: England vs Pakistan (17:30)

Jun 26: India vs Pakistan (22:00)

Jun 27: England vs Pakistan (20:00)

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DUBAI: Pakistan team management reportedly plans to keep the same playing XI for the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 match against arch-rivals India.

Pakistan kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 on September 12 with a thumping victory against Oman.

According to team sources, selectors and management have agreed to stick with the winning combination that helped Pakistan seal a commanding victory in their opening fixture.

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The only potential change they might make is including fast bowler Haris Rauf in the lineup.

The final decision regarding his inclusion will be made after evaluating the pitch conditions at the Dubai International Stadium later today.

Likely Playing XI of Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris, Fakhar Zaman, skipper Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

It’s worth noting that the hype surrounding the fixture is at its peak, with both sides entering the contest in strong form.

Just like Pakistan, India also kicked off their campaign on high after bowling out the UAE for just 57 runs before racing to the target in 4.3 overs.

In head-to-head T20I history, India hold the edge with 10 wins in 13 encounters.

Their last meeting in the format was during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in New York, where Rohit Sharma’s men prevailed in a tense, low-scoring contest against Babar Azam’s side.

India squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

READ: Shoaib Malik shares key advice for Pakistan ahead of India clash

BIRMINGHAM: Tensions between two neighbouring nations on the cricket field have flared up again as India has reportedly refused to play against Pakistan in the forthcoming semi-final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, according to Indian media reports.

The high-stakes semi-final between the Pakistan Champions and the India Champions is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Birmingham.

However, according to Indian media sources, Indian players have decided to not participate in the match.

Two weeks ago, the India Champions, who are also the defending champions, refused to play a group stage fixture against Pakistan. As a result, one point was awarded to both teams.

If India Champions withdraws from the semi-final, Pakistan will advance to the final of the WCL 2025.

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Meanwhile, the tournament officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding the India-Pakistan semi-final.

India Champions WCL campaign started on a poor note, and despite languishing at the bottom of the points table, they managed to qualify for the semi-final. They defeated the West Indies Champions in a thrilling chase to set up a showdown against Pakistan.

The Men in Blue were required to chase down the target of 145 runs in only 14.1 overs to qualify, and they did so, thanks to Stuart Binny’s half-century and Yousuf Pathan’s cameo.

Pakistan Champions, who were the runners-up of the last edition, remained dominant throughout the league stage fixtures, winning all of their games and finishing at the top of the points table.

Pakistan Champions routed Australia Champions for 74 runs in WCL 2025 last league game, thanks to Saeed Ajmal’s explosive six-wicket haul.

Consequently, Pakistan Champions chased down the target without losing any wickets in the eighth over of the match.

READ: Pakistan likely to miss out on cricket event at 2028 Olympics: reports

 DHAKA: The tentative dates for the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 have been announced, featuring a high-stakes match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, as reported by ARY News on Thursday. 

According to sources, the tournament is expected to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 8 to 28, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi likely to serve as host cities.

In a significant development during the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) annual meeting in Dhaka, it was decided that the upcoming edition will feature eight teams, up from six in the previous edition.

The five full-member nations, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, will be joined by the UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, the top performers from the ACC Premier Cup.

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The Asia Cup 2025 will be held in the T20 format, keeping in line with the build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

If the draw falls as expected, fans could witness at least two high-voltage India–Pakistan clashes, one in the group stage and potentially another in the Super Four phase.

Originally, India was designated as the host, but ongoing political tensions with Pakistan have led to a neutral venue arrangement.

The tournament’s shift to the UAE continues a broader diplomatic compromise between the PCB and BCCI, reportedly agreeing to avoid bilateral travel for ICC events over the next three years.

An official announcement from the ACC is expected soon, confirming dates, fixtures, and venues.

It is worth noting that India are the defending champions, having crushed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the ODI-format final of the previous edition.

READ: ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi urges members to keep politics out of cricket

The Pakistan hockey team has reportedly been invited to participate in the upcoming season of the FIH Pro League after New Zealand withdrew due to financial constraints.

According to the sources, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) reached out to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) with a formal invitation, opening the door for the Men in Green to feature in the prestigious global event.

This marks a significant opportunity for Pakistan to climb the international rankings and re-establish its presence on the world stage.

New Zealand had earlier secured qualification for the Hockey Pro League by defeating Pakistan in the final of the FIH Nations Cup held in Malaysia.

However, with the Black Sticks pulling out, Pakistan have now been offered their spot.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan’s recent campaign at the FIH Nations Cup ended on a bittersweet note, as they finished runners-up after a 6-2 defeat to New Zealand in the final.

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Despite a strong start to the tournament, the Pakistan hockey team were outplayed in the title clash.

New Zealand had two early goals disallowed but eventually broke through in the sixth minute via a penalty corner from Scott Cosslett. Sam Hiha added another just before the first quarter ended.

The Kiwis then tightened their grip in the second quarter, adding three more goals through Dylan Thomas, Sean Findlay, and Scott Boyde to take a 5-0 lead into half-time.

The Pakistan hockey team mounted a fleeting resurgence in the third quarter, spurred on by a striking goal from Zikriya Hayat that momentarily ignited hopes for a turnaround.

However, their struggles became evident as they failed to capitalise on five crucial penalty corners, a missed opportunity that ultimately proved costly.

Cosslett added his second of the night in the final quarter to make it 6-1, before Sufyan Khan scored a late consolation.

READ: Pakistan captain Ammad Butt declines PSB luncheon over THIS reason

Islamabad United have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 fixture against Quetta Gladiators, with skipper Shadab Khan ruled out of the match due to a groin injury.

The highly anticipated encounter is set to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.

However, Islamabad United will take the field without their captain, who experienced discomfort while batting during Friday night’s game against Peshawar Zalmi.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The franchise confirmed that Shadab underwent a precautionary scan following the match, with the medical team monitoring his condition closely.

While the scan results are still awaited, the management has decided to rest him for the Quetta clash as a preventive measure.

“Shadab Khan felt pain while batting, so we have opted for a cautious approach and had him scanned. He would not be part of the lineup for today’s game against Quetta,” said a United spokesperson.

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In the absence of Shadab Khan, all-rounder Salman Ali Agha, who is Pakistan’s T20I skipper, is expected to step in as stand-in captain for Islamabad United today.

Islamabad United currently sit at the top of the PSL 10 points table with five wins from seven matches. With the playoff race heating up, the defending champions will look to maintain their momentum despite the absence of their regular leader.

Islamabad United squad for Quetta Gladiators clash

Imad Wasim, Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Haider Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Azam Khan, Rumman Raees, Salman Irshad, Saad Masood, Colin Munro, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Andries Gous, Ben Dwarshuis, and Riley Meredith.

READ: Asia Cup 2025 under threat amid rising India-Pakistan tensions: reports

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC), on Tuesday, reprimanded the Pakistan men’s cricket team for maintaining a slow over-rate during the opening ODI of their three-match series against New Zealand.

According to the ICC, match referee Jeff Crowe from the Elite Panel imposed the sanction after Pakistan fell two overs short of the required target, even after considering time allowances.

Under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for each over their side fails to complete in the stipulated time.

Given that Pakistan were two overs behind, the team has been handed a 10 per cent match fee deduction.

Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, accepted the charges and penalties, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.

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It’s worth noting that after a disappointing 4-1 loss in the T20I series, Pakistan stumbled in the ODI opener as well, suffering a 73-run defeat.

New Zealand, batting first, posted a daunting total of 344, powered by Mark Chapman’s 132 and a rapid 24-ball fifty from debutant Muhammad Abbas.

In response, Pakistan made a strong start and reached 249-3 in the 39th over. However, a sudden collapse saw them crumble to 271 all out, missing out on what once seemed like a competitive chase.

The second ODI of the series is set to take place in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Pakistan Squad for Second ODI Against New Zealand

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Haris Rauf.

READ: PSL 10 anthem ‘X Dekho’ to be released tomorrow

Former Australian opener David Warner has been appointed as the captain of Karachi Kings for Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10.

The left-hander, known for his explosive batting and fearless approach, brings a wealth of leadership experience and a reputation for winning big games.

The experienced Warner, a winner of both the ODI and T20 World Cups, is regarded as one of the most dangerous T20 openers and has captained several major cricket leagues over the past decade, including the Big Bash League (BBL).

Karachi Kings selected Warner as their first pick in the Platinum category during the PSL 10 Players Draft, which took place on January 13, 2025, at the historic Hazoori Bagh in Lahore.

Karachi Kings management expressed heartfelt gratitude to last season’s captain, Shan Masood, for his invaluable contributions in leading the team in a new direction.

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Shan Masood’s strategic leadership in PSL 9 laid a strong foundation for Karachi Kings, fostering a remarkable blend of young and experienced players. The franchise appreciated his professionalism, tactical understanding, and efforts to create team harmony.

Karachi Kings’ owner, Salman Iqbal, stated: “We warmly welcome David Warner to the Karachi Kings family as our captain. His leadership and match-winning performances align perfectly with our team’s vision.”

“At the same time, we sincerely appreciate Shan Masood’s exceptional captaincy last season. His efforts have built a strong foundation for Karachi Kings, and we are delighted that he remains an integral part of the team.”

Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 is set to begin on Friday, April 11, 2025, while Karachi Kings will play their opening match on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at their home ground, National Bank Stadium, Karachi, against Multan Sultans.

READ: Tamim Iqbal suffers heart attack during DPL match

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has served a legal notice to South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch for breaching his contractual obligations with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Sunday.

Corbin Bosch was selected by Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL player draft on January 13 in Lahore.

However, Indian Premier League (IPL) Mumbai Indians had also signed him as a replacement for his compatriot injured Lizaad Williams.

Bosch’s signing means he will forgo his PSL contract, as the IPL begins on March 22 and overlaps with the PSL’s April-May schedule.

According to the report, the player is alleged to have violated the terms of his contract. Pakistan Cricket Board has sent a legal notice to all-rounder Corbin Bosch through his agent.

The PCB management has outlined the implications and potential consequences of his withdrawal from the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League.

“Bosch was picked by Peshawar Zalmi in the Diamond category during the tenth edition of HBL PSL Player Draft, held in Lahore on 13 January,” the PCB said in a statement on Sunday.

“The legal notice was served through his agent, and the player has been asked to justify his actions of withdrawing from his professional and contractual commitments.”

For the unversed, the PSL 10 will begin on Friday, 11 April, with defending champions Islamabad United taking on champions Lahore Qalandars two times at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The six-team tournament will see 34 matches from 11 April to 18 May, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium set to host 13 matches, including two Eliminators and the final.

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Also, the upcoming edition will feature an exhibition match, which will be played on 8 April in Peshawar. The teams of the match will be confirmed in due course.

According to the PSL 10 schedule, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, including Qualifier 1 on 13 May. Karachi’s National Bank Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium will host five matches each.

The marquee event will also feature three double-headers, with two matches on weekends (Saturday) and one on a national holiday (Labour Day).

Karachi Kings, the winners of the league’s fifth edition, will begin their campaign on 12 April in their own backyard against runners-up of the last edition, Multan Sultans.

The first PSL 10 match in Multan will be played on 22 April between the Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars.

The newly constructed Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will welcome the tenth edition of the PSL on 24 April with home side Qalandars, winners of the seventh and eighth editions, taking on Peshawar Zalmi.

Peshawar Zalmi, champions of the PSL 2017, will play their five matches at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the winners of the fourth edition, Quetta Gladiators, will play five matches at the Gaddafi Stadium.

READ: Khushdil Shah defends Pakistan’s batting approach after New Zealand loss

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Friday, revealed the schedule of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, starting from 11 April 2025.

The PSL 10 will begin from Friday, 11 April with defending champions Islamabad United taking on two times champions Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The six-team tournament will see 34 matches from 11 April to 18 May, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium set to host 13 matches, including two Eliminators and the final.

Also, the upcoming edition will feature an exhibition match, which will be played on 8 April in Peshawar. The teams of the match will be confirmed in due course.

According to the PSL 10 schedule, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 matches, including Qualifier 1 on 13 May. Karachi’s National Bank Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium will host five matches each.

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The marquee event will also feature three double-headers, with two matches on weekends (Saturday) and one on a national holiday (Labour Day).

Karachi Kings, the winners of the league’s fifth edition, will begin their campaign on 12 April in their own backyard against runners-up of the last edition, Multan Sultans.

The first PSL 10 match in Multan will be played on 22 April between the Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars.

The newly constructed Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will welcome the tenth edition of the PSL on 24 April with home side Qalandars, winners of the seventh and eighth editions, taking on Peshawar Zalmi.

Peshawar Zalmi, champions of the PSL 2017, will play their five matches at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the winners of the fourth edition, Quetta Gladiators, will play five matches at the Gaddafi Stadium.

“We are thrilled to officially announce the schedule for the historic 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League. Over the past decade, the HBL PSL has grown into a globally recognised tournament, showcasing the best of Pakistan’s cricketing talent,” said PSL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer.

“The fans in this year’s tournament will not only see high-profile international cricketers but will also witness 34 high-octane matches across four major cities—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.

“As part of our commitment to expanding the reach of the HBL PSL, we are delighted to host an exhibition match in Peshawar before the start of the tournament, which is a significant step in bringing top-tier cricket to Peshawar, a city with a deep-rooted love for the game.

“We remain dedicated to enhancing the experience for players, fans, and stakeholders, who have witnessed some breathtaking contests in the league over the years.”

Schedule of PSL 10

11 April – Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

12 April – Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium; Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans, National Bank Stadium, Karachi

13 April – Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

14 April – Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

15 April – Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars, National Bank Stadium, Karachi

16 April – Islamabad United v Multan Sultans, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

18 April – Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators, National Bank Stadium, Karachi

19 April – Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

20 April – Karachi Kings v Islamabad United, National Bank Stadium, Karachi

21 April – Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi, National Bank Stadium, Karachi

22 April – Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars, Multan Cricket Stadium

23 April – Multan Sultans v Islamabad United, Multan Cricket Stadium

24 April – Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

25 April – Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

26 April – Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

27 April – Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

29 April – Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

30 April – Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

1 May – Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings, Multan Cricket Stadium; Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

2 May – Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

3 May – Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

4 May – Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

5 May – Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Cricket Stadium

7 May – Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

8 May – Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

9 May – Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

10 May – Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Multan Cricket Stadium; Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

13 May – Qualifier 1, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

14 May – Eliminator 1, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

16 May – Eliminator 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

18 May – Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

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