Category: Cricket

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has slapped a two-year ban on Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for breaching his Pakistan Super League (PSL) contract with Islamabad United.

The 29-year-old pacer was bought by three-time champions United for PKR 1.1 crore for the 11th edition of the PSL; however, he later withdrew to join the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement for Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman.

The PCB, following a disciplinary review, announced that the Zimbabwean cricketer is declared ineligible to participate in the next two editions of the PSL, effective immediately.

The board maintained that professional cricket operates on the bedrock of trust and the certainty of agreements. In this instance, despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favour of a conflicting arrangement.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In a statement regarding the sanctions, the PSL emphasized that the integrity of the HBL PSL depends on the consistent and ethical behaviour of all participants:

“Professionalism in franchise-based leagues requires participants to act with transparency and consistency. Entering into a conflicting engagement while a prior binding agreement subsists represents a departure from the expected standards of the game.

“Such conduct, if left unaddressed, erodes the reliability of dealings and the confidence that franchises, regulators, and stakeholders place in professional engagements.”

READ: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi likely to make history with India debut: report

India’s rising teenage sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is on the verge of scripting history, with reports suggesting the 15-year-old could soon become the youngest player to represent the country at the international level.

The prodigious batter has been making waves with his fearless strokeplay, and his performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, for Rajasthan Royals, have only strengthened his case for national selection.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the youngster has been shortlisted for India’s upcoming two-match T20I series against Ireland in June, with selectors closely monitoring his progress.

He is also believed to be in contention for the subsequent three-match series against Zimbabwe in July.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

If handed a debut, Sooryavanshi would surpass the long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who was 16 years and 205 days old at the time of his international debut.

He would also go past Shafali Verma, who made her T20I debut at 15 years and 239 days in women’s cricket.

Notably, in the IPL 2026, Sooryavanshi has amassed 200 runs in five matches at an average of 40 and an astonishing strike rate of over 260, making him one of the standout performers of the season.

Overall, he has featured in 23 T20 matches, scoring 901 runs at an average of 40.95 and a blistering strike rate exceeding 215, including three centuries.

READ: Mitchell Starc, Deepti Sharma named as Wisden’s Leading Cricketers in the World

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been named the leading men’s cricketer in the world by Wisden Almanack, while India’s Deepti Sharma was named the leading women’s cricketer on Monday.

The UK-based Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, which dates back to 1864, is an annual record of all major cricket worldwide and is regarded as the sport’s “Bible”.

The publication named four Indian players who starred in a thrilling 2-2 drawn Test series in England last year among its five cricketers of the year.

Men’s Test captain Shubman Gill, spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj were all on the list.

The only English player in the group of five was former Test opener Haseeb Hameed, who led Nottinghamshire to the County Championship in 2025.

Players can only receive the award once in their careers, and it is based predominantly on performances during the previous English season.

Gill also received the Wisden Trophy for Test performance of the year after he scored 269 and 161 in the second Test at Edgbaston.

Deepti Sharma succeeds compatriot Smriti Mandhana as Wisden’s leading women’s cricketer of the year for her all-round performances in India’s 50-over World Cup triumph, with Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc receiving the men’s award.

Starc, 36, claimed 55 Test wickets at 17.32 in 11 Tests in the calendar year, including a career-best haul of 6 for 9 against West Indies.

He then backed that up with 18 wickets in the first two Tests of the 2025-26 Ashes, en route to a series-winning haul of 31 at 19.93.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Meanwhile, Sharma, 28, was India’s player of the tournament as they claimed their maiden 50-over women’s World Cup crown with a 52-run win over South Africa in the final in Navi Mumbai.

In the course of the campaign, she scored 215 runs at 30.71 alongside 22 wickets at 20.40, and excelled in the final with a run-a-ball 58 and a match-sealing haul of 5 for 39.

The prolific Abhishek Sharma was named Wisden’s leading T20 cricketer of the year.

Wisden editor Lawrence Booth, however, criticised the increasing Indian influence on English domestic cricket’s Hundred, with four of the eight franchises now linked to owners of Indian Premier League teams after a huge influx of private investment.

“The competition’s new ownership structure risks turning The Hundred into an IPL proxy event, more for the benefit of Indian businessmen than English cricket,” wrote Booth.

He also pulled no punches in labelling England’s woeful Ashes campaign as “feckless, reckless and legless”.

England, humiliated 4-1 by Australia, were criticised for insufficient planning, confused tactics and an over-relaxed approach to off-field behaviour, highlighted by reports of excessive drinking during a mid-tour break.

“In the game’s long history, it is hard to think of a privilege so carelessly squandered, a chance so blithely spurned,” wrote Booth.

“England were feckless, reckless and legless. These were the wing-and-a-prayer Ashes and England got what they deserved. What a waste. What a shame.”

READ: Babar Azam reflects on Peshawar Zalmi’s unbeaten run in PSL 11

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam expressed confidence in maintaining the team’s winning momentum in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

Zalmi’s 24-run victory over Multan Sultans marked their fifth win in the tournament, strengthening their top position on the points table.

The stars of the match were Kusal Mendis and Sufiyan Muqeem, with the former top-scoring with 68 while the latter returned with a three-wicket haul.

Speaking to the media after the match, Babar praised the players for their impressive performances.

“I am thoroughly enjoying playing this season. Our players are working hard in every department,” he told reporters.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The plan is for the top three batters to provide a strong start, after which the other players should take the score forward,” Babar revealed.

The skipper termed every match important, noting that they have learned from past mistakes.

“Our effort is to perform well in every match. We have learned a lot from our mistakes,” Babar maintained.

He talked about conditions and highlighted the different nature of the game, which could vary depending on the opposition.

“The aim is to maintain the strong performances from the last five matches. It is my opinion that conditions are not the same every day, and it is not easy to understand conditions on a daily basis.”

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Regarding strike rate, Babar said maintaining a strike rate can be challenging sometimes, while emphasizing the role of partnerships.

“We have to play according to the team’s requirements. I know if I am coming in the power play, I have to utilize the fielding restrictions. ”

“Sometimes it is not easy to maintain the strike rate. Partnerships are for this purpose because if one batter is struggling, then the other could assist him,” he concluded.

READ: PSL 11: Naqvi to request PM Shehbaz for fan attendance in stadiums

KARACHI: Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi on Monday said he would request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reconsider the decision regarding fan attendance for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Speaking to the media after the Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans clash, Naqvi addressed the question regarding the fans’ entry in stadiums.

The appeal was made while Season 11 of the prestigious tournament was taking place behind closed doors in Karachi and Lahore, in line with the government’s official resource conservation initiatives.

Before the start of the PSL season 11, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi announced that PSL matches would be held without spectators as part of the government’s austerity measures amid the ongoing regional crisis.

“I would request the Prime Minister to permit fans to come to the stadium,” he said.

“We are making decisions keeping the current situation in mind,” he added, saying that the decisions are taken in accordance with the prevailing situation.

Chairman PCB also dismissed comparisons with India, where fans are allowed to watch IPL 2026 matches, asserting that the conditions in Pakistan are different.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“We do not have a situation like India in our country,” he remarked.

Mohsin Naqvi also confirmed that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will proceed as planned.

“The PSL will continue as per the scheduled plan,” he said.

Chairman PCB further pointed out the need for improvements in the National Bank Stadium facilities and revealed that plans are under consideration to completely demolish the venue.

“The second phase of the upgradation will begin after the PSL ends. We need to bring changes to the stadium infrastructure. Our plan is to rebuild the stadium after demolition, but it depends how much change will it bring [to the overall structure],” he concluded.

READ: Mohammad Haris achieves THIS milestone during Multan Sultans clash

KARACHI: Kusal Mendis half-century and Sufiyan Muqeem’s three-wicket haul helped Peshawar Zalmi ease past Multan Sultans in the 22nd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Monday.

Chasing 197, Multan Sultans batting lineup crumbled under pressure and could only muster 172-8 at the end of 2o overs.

Sahibzada Farhan and Steve Smith were quick off the blocks in the chase, adding 30 in 2.4 overs.  However, Iftikhar Ahmed removed him for 17 to lift Peshawar Zalmi.

Following the wicket, Josh Philippe joined hands with Smith. The pair made the chase look easy, particulary the former who hit 32 from 17, hitting seven fours.

As a result, Multan Sultans were well poised at 85 in 9.3 overs before a double-wicket over from Sufiyan Muqeem changed the momentum. Smith made 31 from 29, including three fours.

It was Muqeem again who provided his side’s breakthrough in the 13th over. Ashton Turner was bowled for 20, leaving the Sultans four down for 123 runs in 13.3 overs.

Meanwhile, Shan Masood tried to put chase back on track with a quick-fire 35 on 19 deliveries, but his dismissal dashed the Sultans’ hopes of winning the game.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Sufiyan Muqeem scalped three, whereas Iftikhar Ahmed took two wickets.

The victory kept Peshawar Zalmi at the top spot with 11 points out of six games.

Earlier, Mohammad Haris’ gritty innings, ably backed by Kusal Mendis half-century, propelled Peshawar Zalmi to a big total

Put into bat first, Peshawar Zalmi racked up 196-6 in their 20 overs.

Mohammad Haris gave a flying start, scoring the bulk of runs in the opening overs, bringing the score to 48 in 4.3 overs. The right-hander took Mohammad Nawaz to the cleaners, accumulating nine and 21 runs in his first and third over, respectively.

Haris (38 off 17) departed to Peter Siddle after hitting three sixes and four boundaries.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

His wicket, however, did not stem the flow of runs as Babar Azam and Farhan Yousuf stitched a brief partnership of 24. The duo brought the score to 72 in 7.5 overs before Nawaz dismissed Babar cheaply.

The skipper made 18 off 20 with the aid of a single boundary.

With Peshawar Zalmi two down, in came youngster Farhan Yousaf, who put on a 63-run stand off 39 balls with Kusal Mendis to put his side into a strong position. The pair brought the team’s total to 135 in 14.2 overs.

Yousaf made 30 from 22 balls with the help of three sixes, while Mendis continued on his merry way and reached his third consecutive half-century.

Peshawar Zalmi eventually ended their innings with a big total on the board. Kusal Mendis top-scored with 68 from 40 balls, including three maximums and six fours.

For Multan Sultans, Muhammad Ismail and Peter Siddle took two wickets each.

READ: Mohammad Haris achieves THIS milestone during Multan Sultans clash

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris on Monday completed 1000 runs in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The right-hander reached the landmark during his side’s clash against Multan Sultans here at the National Bank Stadium.

Haris required 19 runs before the clash, and he did it in style by tonking Mohammad Nawaz for a six on the fifth ball of the third over.

Following this, he became the 31st player in the tournament’s history to reach the 1000-run mark, a list that also includes Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The batter was instrumental in Peshawar Zalmi’s strong start. He made 38 off 17 balls, striking three sixes and four boundaries.

Mohammad Haris was eventually dismissed by veteran pacer Peter Siddle with a short ball in the fourth over.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Haris’s PSL runs tally rose to 1021 in 42 innings at an average of 24.30 and a strike rate of 164.59, including four half-centuries.

Playing XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousaf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Michael Bracewell, Abdul Samad, Aamer Jamal, Sufiyan Muqeem, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana.

Multan Sultans: Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Ashton Turner (c), Shan Masood, Josh Philippe (wk), Muhammad Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Peter Siddle, Muhammad Waseem Jnr, Muhammad Ismail, and Faisal Akram.

READ: Desert Vipers pick Shadab Khan for Global Super League 2026

KARACHI: Multan Sultans have won the toss and have decided to bowl first against Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Monday.

Head to Head

Both teams have faced each other 16 times. Multan Sultans lead with 11 wins, while Zalmi have managed five wins.

Matches: 16 Multan Sultans: 11 Peshawar Zalmi: 5

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Playing XIs

Peshawar Zalmi XI: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousaf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Michael Bracewell, Abdul Samad, Aamer Jamal, Sufiyan Muqeem, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana

Multan Sultans XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Ashton Turner (capt), Shan Masood, Josh Philippe (wk), Muhammad Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Peter Siddle, Muhammad Waseem Jnr, Muhammad Ismail, Faisal Akram

READ: Desert Vipers pick Shadab Khan for Global Super League 2026

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been roped in by Desert Vipers for the fifth edition of the Global Super League 2026.

The tournament is set to be played in Providence Stadium in Guyana from July 23 to August 1.

Besides Shadab, the other prominent players in the squad are New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, USA Andries Gous, and West Indies all-rounder Kyle Mayers.

The 14-member side will be captained by Chris Green, with Khuzaim Bin Tanveer bolstering the pace attack.

The upcoming edition will be Shadab’s first appearance in the tournament, having played numerous leagues around the globe.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The 27-year-old has played 349 T20S, picking up 379 wickets, including a five-wicket haul. Besides bowling, he also has 3815 runs to his name at an average of 19.36 with the aid of 13 half-centuries.

Notably, Shadab is one of the most successful captains in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He has lifted Islamabad United to title glory in 2024 and has won 40 out of 69 games for the franchise.

The Mianwali-born cricketer has also proved his credentials as an all-rounder in PSL , amassing 1,486 runs in 98 matches at a strike rate of 142.20 alongside 112 wickets — third on the list of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament.

Desert Vipers squad for GSL 2026

Andries Gous, Vritty Aravind, Zachary Carter, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Mayers, Daryl Mitchell, Shadab Khan, Sanjay Pahal, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Chris Green (c), Jason Behrendorff, Khary Pierre, Ramon Simmonds, and Mattiullah Khan.

READ: Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal stresses importance of strong team culture

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a record-breaking prize money pool for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, with the tournament set to feature expanded participation and increased financial rewards for teams.

The total prize fund for the 2026 edition has been set at US$8,764,615, marking a 10 per cent increase from the 2024 tournament and highlighting the continued commercial growth of women’s cricket globally.

The competition will also expand to 12 teams for the first time in its history.

Under the revised structure, the champions will receive US$2,340,000, while the runners-up will earn US$1,170,000.

Both losing semi-finalists will take home US$675,000 each, and every group-stage win will be rewarded with US$31,154. All participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of US$247,500.

ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta welcomed the announcement, calling it a significant milestone in the continued rise of the women’s game.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The growth of women’s cricket continues to accelerate, and the expansion of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to 12 teams, combined with a record prize pool, underlines our commitment to building a stronger, more competitive global game,” the CEO said.

“The continued rise of women’s cricket through increased investment and opportunity reflects the growing influence and impact of female athletes on the global stage.”

He further said the expanded format and increased financial incentives reflect the ICC’s long-term commitment to building a more competitive and globally inclusive cricket ecosystem, while also recognising the growing impact of female athletes on the world stage.

Alongside the prize money announcement, the ICC also launched the official trophy tour, which began in London.

The trophy will be showcased at the centre of the square at Lord’s Cricket Ground, where a visual projection of its silhouette will be displayed on the iconic pavilion.

The tour will then travel across qualified European nations, including the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland, before moving through host cities across England in the lead-up to the tournament’s opening on June 12.

READ: Karachi Kings owner Salman Iqbal stresses importance of strong team culture