Category: Cricket

Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the club’s manager on Sunday on a four-year deal from next season with the Spaniard the latest coach tasked with turning around the club’s fortunes.

The Blues lost the FA Cup final to Manchester City on Saturday and lie ninth in the Premier League with two games of the campaign to go.

Alonso rose to prominence as one of Europe’s brightest coaches by guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten German league and cup double in the 2023/24 season.

However, he lasted just seven months in the Real Madrid hotseat. Appointed last year, he departed the Spanish giants in January.

“Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as manager of the men’s team,” Chelsea said in a statement.

“The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.”

Alonso faces a huge task to get Chelsea back in the running for major honours.

Chelsea did win the Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League last year but have little else to show for well over one billion pounds ($1.35 billion) of spending on players since US consortium BlueCo took over in 2022 following Roman Abramovich’s trophy-laden ownership of the club.

Defeat at Wembley on Saturday means they have now gone eight seasons without a domestic trophy.

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“Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club,” said Alonso.

“From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.

“There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies.”

Fans have continuously protested against BlueCo, who have embarked on a scattergun approach to hoovering up young talent from across the globe.

That policy has secured some notable successes such as England international Cole Palmer.

But a lack of experience in both the playing squad and the coaching staff has been blamed for a lack of consistency.

Alonso becomes the sixth permanent manager to take charge at Stamford Bridge in the past four years after Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.

Rosenior was sacked after less than four months in charge in April after Chelsea lost five consecutive league games without scoring for the first time since 1912.

Interim boss Calum McFarlane guided them into the FA Cup final, but Chelsea are winless in seven league games and at risk of missing out on European football entirely next season.

Alonso has a point to prove after a turbulent short spell in Madrid, but his arrival is a coup for Chelsea’s much-criticised owners.

Many Liverpool fans were desperate for him to return to Anfield, where he starred for five years as a player between 2004 and 2009, to succeed the under-fire Arne Slot.

READ: Babar Azam extends lead in decade run charts with special milestone

SYLHET: Pakistan batter Babar Azam on Sunday crossed the 9000 international runs mark in this decade during the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Babar’s fluent 68 off 84 deliveries, decorated with 10 boundaries, made him the only batter to breach the 9,000 runs milestone in international cricket in the 2020s.

The 31-year-old crossed the barrier in his 212th international appearance of the 2020s, showcasing his batting prowess across the formats.

Overall, Babar has now scored 9060 runs at an average of 42.53, including 17 centuries and 67 fifties. England ace batter Joe Root is on number two spot with 9060 runs to his name, while Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan sits third on the list with 7779 runs in the same period.

Most International Runs in Current Decade (2020s):

Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 9060 runs
Joe Root (England) – 8305 runs
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – 7779 runs
Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 7046 runs
Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – 6873 runs
Virat Kohli (India) – 6771 runs
Litton Das (Bangladesh) – 6763 runs

It is worth mentioning that, since making his debut in 2015 against Zimbabwe, Babar has become one of the top performers for the national team across all three formats.

Overall, he has played 347 matches for Pakistan, amassing 15531 runs at an average of 45.27, including 32 centuries and 107 fifties. He is also on the verge of breaking the record for the most ODI centuries for Pakistan, currently tied with Saeed Anwar at 20.

READ: Babar Azam enters WTC record books during Bangladesh Test

SYLHET: Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam joined Steve Smith in the World Test Championship (WTC) record books with a half-century in the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Stadium on Sunday.

Babar brought up his 20th WTC fifty and moved into a joint-third position on the all-time list of WTC half-centuries, alongside Steve Smith and England’s Zak Crawley.

England veteran Joe Root sits second with 22 half-centuries, while Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne leads the list with 24 fifties.

Most half-centuries in WTC history:

Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) – 24
Joe Root (England) – 22
Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 20*
Steve Smith (Australia) – 20
Zak Crawley (England) – 20

Pakistan were dismissed for 232 in 57.4 overs, with Babar Azam top-scoring for the visitors with 68.

Resuming after Tea at 206-8 and trailing by 71 runs, Pakistan lost Khurram Shehzad (10), adding just a single run to the team’s total. Sajid Khan then offered brief resistance with a fighting 38 off 28 balls, striking four sixes and two fours, including three consecutive sixes off Nahid Rana.

However, Rana had the final say, dismissing Sajid to wrap up the innings and give Bangladesh a first-inning lead.

For Bangladesh, Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam led the attack, sharing six wickets between them, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up two each.

Sajid Khan and Khurram Shehzad remained at the crease, both scoring six and 10 runs respectively.

Babar Azam had earlier held the innings together with a fluent 68 off 84 balls, striking 10 fours. He shared a 63-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha after Pakistan were in early trouble.

But once Babar was removed, Pakistan lost their way in the middle. He was caught at mid on in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings. He looked in fine touch, scoring 68 off 84 balls, including 10 fours.

Rana broke the stand, brought back by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in a decisive move that got the prized wicket of Babar.

READ: Rana, Taijul rattle Pakistan to take big lead in second Test

SYLHET: Bangladesh ended day two of the second Test on high against Pakistan at the Sylhet International Stadium on Sunday after securing a vital first innings lead of 46. 

The hosts ended the day in a strong position, leading by 156 runs after reaching 110-3 at stumps, with the wicket of Mominul Haque bringing the day’s play to a close.

Pakistan struck in the fourth over of Bangladesh’s innings as Khurram Shehzad removed debutant Tanzid Hasan for four.  Yet, it was Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s brisk half-century that asserted home-side dominance. He forged a 76-run stand alongside Mominul Haque, propelling the score to 91 at the end of the 17th over.

The stand culminated in the form of Joy’s dismissal, caught at deep square leg off Mohammad Abbas’s bowling. He hit 10 fours in his 52 from 64 balls.

Skipper Najmul Hossain joined Mominul as both batters negotiated the final overs until Shehzad sent him back with a hard length delivery, pitched outside off stump. He made 30 with the help of three fours, whereas Shanto remained unbeaten on 13.

For Pakistan, Khurram Shehzad picked two while Mohammad Abbas managed to scalp one.

Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan soon after Tea on Day 2 to take a 46-run lead in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan were dismissed for 232 in 57.4 overs, with Babar Azam top-scoring for the visitors with 68.

Resuming after Tea at 206-8 and trailing by 71 runs, Pakistan lost Khurram Shehzad (10), adding just a single run to the team’s total. Sajid Khan then offered brief resistance with a fighting 38 off 28 balls, striking four sixes and two fours, including three sixes off Taijul Islam over.

However, Rana had the final say, dismissing Sajid to wrap up the innings and give Bangladesh a first-inning lead.

For Bangladesh, Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam led the attack, sharing six wickets between them, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up two each.

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Earlier, Pakistan had slipped into trouble during the post-lunch session. They were reduced to 206-8 at Tea, still trailing by 71 runs, after a dramatic collapse.

Sajid Khan and Khurram Shehzad remained at the crease, both scoring six and 10 runs respectively.

Babar Azam had earlier held the innings together with a fluent 68 off 84 balls, striking 10 fours. He shared a 63-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha after Pakistan were in early trouble.

But once Babar was removed, Pakistan lost their way in the middle. He was caught at mid on in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings. He looked in fine touch, scoring 68 off 84 balls, including 10 fours.

Rana broke the stand, brought back by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in a decisive move that got the prized wicket of Babar.

Salman Ali Agha also threw his wicket away, trying to slog sweep Taijul Islam and ended up being caught on the boundary. He made 21 with the help of two fours.

Soon after, Mohammad Rizwan was cleaned up by Taijul to leave Pakistan reeling at 174-7. He made 13 from 27 deliveries.

Hasan Ali tried to resist, scoring 18 from 37, striking three fours and helped reduce the deficit to under the 100 run mark. But his resistance came to an end, courtesy of a juggling catch from Nahid Rana.

In the morning session, Pakistan had also lost quick wickets with Taskin Ahmed removing promoted opener Abdullah Fazal (9) and Azan Awais (13) in quick succession.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood (21) and Babar Azam rebuilt the innings with a brief 38-run partnership. The visitors’ woes compounded when they lost Saud Shakeel as well, leaving them 79 for four before Lunch.

READ: WATCH: Nahid Rana delivers massive blow with Babar Azam’s wicket

SYLHET: Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana dismissed well-set Pakistan batter Babar Azam to lift Bangladesh during the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Babar was caught at mid on in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings. He looked in fine touch, scoring 68 off 84 balls,  including 10 fours. However, Rana was brought back by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in a decisive move that got the prized wicket of Babar.

Babar arrived at the crease early on the second day’s morning with his side in deep trouble at 26-2. Despite losing wickets around him, the 31-year-old remained firm and played fluently for his 68.

Pakistan lost their opening wicket in just the second over of the day as Taskin Ahmed removed promoted Abdullah Fazal. The left-hander only managed nine after impressive outings in the first Test.

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The home side tightened their grip on the match when Taskin struck again to remove Azan Awais for 13. After the early blows, Pakistan captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam rebuilt the innings with a brief 38-run partnership.

The scorecard read 61 when Shan (21) departed off Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s bowling. The visitors’ woes compounded when they lost Saud Shakeel as well, leaving them 79 for four before Salman Ali Agha and Babar stitched a 63-run partnership to steady the innings.

But once Babar was removed, Pakistan lost their way in the middle. Salman Ali Agha threw his wicket away, trying to slog sweep Taijul Islam and ended up being caught on the boundary. He made 21 with the help of two fours.

Soon after, Mohammad Rizwan was cleaned up by Taijul to leave Pakistan reeling at 174-7. He made 13 from 27 deliveries.

READ: Pakistan make steady start after Litton Das’ century in Sylhet Test

SYLHET: A composed century by Litton Das put Bangladesh in a strong position, but Pakistan made a steady start in reply to reach 21-0 at stumps on Day 1 of the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Pakistan’s openers, Azan Awais (13) and Abdullah Fazal (8), negotiated a brief evening spell without loss, finishing the day safely after Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 278 in their first innings.

Bangladesh’s total was built around a superb 126-run knock from Litton Das, who held the innings together after Pakistan’s pace attack repeatedly struck at regular intervals.

Khurram Shahzad finished as Pakistan’s most successful bowler with four wickets, while Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali claimed three and two wickets respectively.

Hasan Ali wrapped up the innings by striking twice in the same over during the closing stages of the day.

He first dismissed the well-set Litton Das, who smashed 126 off 159 deliveries, laced with 16 fours and two sixes, before removing last man Nahid Rana for a duck.

Shoriful Islam remained unbeaten on 12 as Bangladesh’s innings came to an end.

Litton’s century proved crucial after Bangladesh found themselves in serious trouble during the second session.

The wicketkeeper batter initially rebuilt the innings alongside Taijul Islam, with the pair adding a valuable 52-run unbeaten stand before Tea.

Taijul, however, departed early in the final session after scoring 16, but Litton continued to frustrate Pakistan’s bowlers with counter-attacking cricket. He then stitched together a 38-run partnership with Taskin Ahmed, who contributed seven runs.

After Taskin’s dismissal, Litton found another useful ally in Shoriful Islam as the duo added 64 runs for the ninth wicket, with the experienced batter dominating the scoring.

Earlier, Bangladesh resumed the second session on 101-3 after Lunch with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim at the crease.

Mohammad Abbas provided Pakistan the breakthrough soon after Lunch by dismissing Shanto for 29 off 74 deliveries.

Khurram Shahzad then struck twice in quick succession to further dent Bangladesh’s innings. The right-arm pacer first removed Mushfiqur Rahim for 23 before sending back Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who could manage only four runs.

With Bangladesh under pressure, Litton Das took responsibility and countered the Pakistani attack with confidence, while Taijul Islam played a supporting role to guide the hosts safely to Tea without any further setbacks.

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Earlier in the day, Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that paid immediate dividends.

Mohammad Abbas struck on the second delivery of the innings by removing opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy to hand Pakistan a dream start.

Debutant Tanzid Hasan and Mominul Haque then attempted to stabilise the innings with a cautious 44-run partnership for the second wicket. However, Abbas returned to dismiss Tanzid Hasan after the opener scored 26 off 34 balls.

Khurram Shahzad added to Bangladesh’s troubles by clean bowling Mominul Haque for 22, leaving the hosts reeling at 63-3 before Lunch.

Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim then combined to steady the innings briefly and ensured Bangladesh avoided further damage before the interval.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Azan Awais, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Abdullah Fazal, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Khurram Shahzad, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Abbas.

Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumar Das (wk), Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana.

READ: Pakistan squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 revealed

KARACHI: Fatima Sana will lead the Pakistan squad in the tri-series in Ireland and the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales, the country’s cricket board announced on Saturday.

Pakistan will feature in a tri-series in Ireland, which also involves the West Indies women’s team. The tri-series will be played in Dublin from 28 May to 4 June, with Pakistan set to play four matches in the event.

The tournament will help Pakistan and the other two sides gear up for the 12-team ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place from 12 June to 5 July.

Among the 15 players selected, Eyman Fatima, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Saira Jabeen and Tasmia Rubab will feature in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time.

24-year-old Fatima, who will feature in her third ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, will captain the side for the second successive T20 World Cup after having led the team in the previous edition held in the UAE in 2024.

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Pakistan recently enjoyed a successful T20I series against Zimbabwe in Karachi, where the hosts secured a convincing 3-0 clean sweep. The series provided players with an opportunity to showcase their skills and prepare for the upcoming tournaments.

Ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales, Pakistan women’s team will play two warm-up fixtures against Sri Lanka on Saturday, 6 June and Scotland on Tuesday, 9 June. Both matches will take place in Derby.

Pakistan will begin their campaign against arch-rivals India on 14 June at Edgbaston in Birmingham.  They will take on South Africa in their second fixture on 17 June at the same venue.

Pakistan will then travel to Southampton to face Bangladesh at the Hampshire Bowl on 20 June. Their fourth fixture will be against Australia at Headingley in Leeds on 23 June, while their final group-stage match will be against the Netherlands at the Bristol County Ground in Bristol on 27 June.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for 30 June and 2 July, respectively. The final will be staged at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on 5 July.

Pakistan squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan

Reserves: Amber Kainat, Momina Riasat, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani

Player support personnel: Ayesha Ashhar (manager), Wahab Riaz (mentor/head coach), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Muhammad Arslan (media manager for tri-series only), Raza Kitchlew (media manager for World Cup), Waleed Ahmed (analyst), Moeen (strength and conditioning coach), Alveena Awan (team doctor), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist) and Kiran Shahzadi (masseuse)

Pakistan fixtures in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

14 June v India, Birmingham

17 June v South Africa, Birmingham

20 June v Bangladesh, Southampton

23 June v Australia, Headingley

27 June v Netherlands, Bristol

READ: Mohsin Naqvi receives invitation for ICC meeting, IPL final in Ahmedabad: sources

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly received an invitation to attend the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting and the final of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season in Ahmedabad later this month.

According to sources, the ICC is set to hold a series of meetings, including sessions of the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) and the board, where discussions regarding the future structure of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) are expected to resume.

The CEC meeting is scheduled to take place virtually on May 21, while the in-person board meetings are planned for May 30 and 31 in Ahmedabad.

The IPL 2026 final is also set to be held on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

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Sources added that Naqvi would ordinarily be expected to attend the ICC Board meeting in person. However, the strained political and cricketing relations between Pakistan and India have cast uncertainty over his possible visit.

According to reports, the PCB chairman has forwarded the invitation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who will decide whether Naqvi will travel to India for the meetings and the IPL final.

The upcoming ICC meetings were originally scheduled to take place in Doha earlier this year but were postponed due to regional conflicts.

READ: Virat Kohli open to 2027 World Cup if he can still ‘add value’

Australian opener Mitchell Marsh missed out on a second IPL century in three innings, though his brutal 90 was the foundation around which Lucknow Super Giants eked out a seven-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings on Friday.

Marsh, who had lashed 111 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru last Thursday, hammered nine fours and seven sixes in his 38-ball blitz in Lucknow as the home side made light of Chennai’s 187-5, built around a fluent 71 by Kartik Sharma and a grandstand finish from Shivam Dube, whose unbeaten 32 came off 16 deliveries.

Chennai, whose late surge after a poor start netted them three consecutive victories coming into this fixture, must have fancied their chances on a surface that offered considerable bounce and was superbly exploited by Lucknow left-arm quick Akash Singh.

The 24-year-old Akash, playing his first game of the season, winkled out Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson and Urvil Patel during an unchanged four-over new-ball burst of three for 26 before Kartik and Dube hauled the five-time former champions to what seemed to be a challenging total.

Marsh, however, made it appear positively miniscule with a breathtaking onslaught.

The Australian T20 skipper got the chase underway with two fours in the first over, from Mukesh Choudhary, before using his trademark power to brazen effect.

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He unloaded a series of bruising pulls while fellow Australian and opener Josh Inglis was largely content to watch the entertainment from the best seat in the ground.

Marsh was particularly severe on Anshul Kamboj, Chennai’s leading wicket-taker who was smashed for four sixes and a four in the fifth over.

With their best bowler neutralised, Chennai caved in, their designs of breaking into the top four for the first time since the tournament began emphatically dashed.

Inglis and Marsh raced to an opening alliance of 135 in just 70 deliveries when, against the run of play, the former was caught in the deep off Choudhary.

One brought two when Marsh was dismissed next ball. New batter Nicholas Pooran’s straight drive was deflected on to the stumps at the non-striker’s end by the bowler with Marsh, backing up, well short of his ground, 10 short of a third IPL hundred.

Lucknow, already eliminated from the play-off race, weren’t to be denied as Pooran applied the finishing touches.

Their fourth win notwithstanding, they still remained rooted to the bottom of the table.

READ: Fatima Sana stars as Pakistan seal series sweep over Zimbabwe

KARACHI: Fatima Sanas’ all-round display powered Pakistan Women’s team to a 3-0 sweep over Zimbabwe in the T20I series at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

Set a daunting 224, Zimbabwe’s batting lineup faltered and were bowled out for 90 in 19.1 overs.

After losing a wicket early, Opener Kelis Ndhlovu tried to put pressure back on Pakistan. However, her dismissal in the third over sparked a collapse from which the visitors never recovered.

She remained the top scorer with 32 off 13 balls, including six fours and a maximum, in an otherwise shambolic display. The slide continued until the 17th over, as the Chevrons were bundled out well short of the 100-run mark.

For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal starred with the ball, picking up three wickets.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan posted their second-highest T20I total, finishing the innings on 223-4 in 20 overs.

Openers Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar laid a solid foundation for a big total with a 58-run partnership in the first six overs.

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Both Muneeba and Ayesha were trapped lbw after scoring 22 and 45, respectively.

Zimbabwe briefly fought back in the ninth over with two quick wickets, but Iram Javed (29) and Saira Jabeen stitched a steady 59-run partnership to steady the innings.

The final flourish came through Fatima Sana and Saira Jabeen’s unbeaten 71-run partnership from just 22 balls, which proved to be the final nail in the coffin.

Fatima remained 62* not out from 19, striking 10 fours and two sixes. In doing so, she also became the fastest half-century in Women’s T20I cricket. Meanwhile, Saira Jabeen scored his maiden half-century, remaining unbeaten on 50 off 32 balls, including eight fours.

For Zimbabwe, Lindokuhle Mabhero scalped two wickets.

With this win, Pakistan ended a dominant home series, winning all six games — completing a 3-0 ODI series followed by a 3-0 T20I whitewash.

READ: Fatima Sana creates world record during Zimbabwe T20I