Category: Cricket

COLOMBO: Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa’s four-wicket hauls skittled Ireland for a mere score as Australia started their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a 67-run win over Ireland in the 14th match here at the RPS Stadium on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, Australia racked up 182-6 in their 20 overs, despite the absence of their regular skipper, Mitchell Marsh, who was ruled out due to injury.

After losing Travis Head early in the piece, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis stabilized the innings with a brisk 49-run partnership off 23 balls.

The scorecard read 56 when Green was dismissed after managing 21 from 11 with the help of two sixes.

Ireland bowlers quickly maintained their composure to leave Australia in a mess with four down for 88 in 9.3 overs.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

George Dockrell and Harry Tector combined to dismiss Josh Inglis (37 from 17) and Glenn Maxwell (9).

After quick wickets, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Stoinis launched a recovery with a 61 run parntership.

The pair propelled the scorecard to 149 runs in 16.5 overs. The stand eventually culminated with Renshaw’s wicket, who made 37 from 33 balls.

Marcus Stoinis, meanwhile, with his blitz, ensured that Australia finished strong.

In reply, Ireland were bowled out for 115 in 16.5 overs.

Ireland suffered an early blow as their captain, Paul Stirling, went back to the pavilion after retiring hurt.

Australia pacer Nathan Ellis tore through the top and middle order, picking up four wickets for just 12 runs.

The early blows never allowed Ireland’s batters to settle as they were reduced to 43-5 in 6.5 overs.

George Dockrell and Lorcan Tucker tried to arrest the slide with a 46-run partnership. The pair brought the total to 89 in 13.4 overs.

The stand ended with Tucker’s wicket, who made 24 from 27 balls.

Following the wicket, Ireland’s innings quickly unraveled with Ellis taking the last wicket.

Besides Ellis, Zampa also shone with the ball, taking four wickets in his quota of four overs.

READ: Stokes provides surgery update after freakish injury

England Test captain Ben Stokes says that he has undergone successful surgery after being struck in the face by a cricket ball.

The 34-year-old all-rounder posted a picture on Instagram last week showing his eye heavily swollen and bruised, a graze on his cheek and lip, and a bandage stuffed in his nose.

“You should see the state of the cricket ball,” read the caption, alongside a laughing face emoji.

On Tuesday, he posted again from the hospital with a photo of his swollen face and the caption: “May not look like it but the surgery was a success.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Stokes is back in England following a woeful Ashes tour, which ended with a 4-1 series loss to Australia.

Although he has made it clear he wants to continue to captain the red-ball side, his position remains uncertain, and there is an England and Wales Cricket Board review.

Stokes is no longer a member of England’s white-ball set-up and isn’t at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

He could next play for Durham in the early rounds of the County Championship before England begin their home Test season against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4 — Stokes’s 35th birthday.

READ: Karachi Kings secure Warner, Salman and Azam in major squad boost

Karachi Kings bolstered their squad at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Player Auction with the addition of David Warner, Salman Ali Agha, and wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan.

David Warner returns to Karachi Kings for PKR 7.9 crore after captaining the side in PSL 10.

The dynamic left-hander was one of the team’s standout performers, scoring 368 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 33.45 and a strike rate of 153.97.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pakistan Super League (@thepsl)

Power-hitter Azam Khan was secured for PKR 3.25 crore. Azam began his PSL career with Quetta Gladiators before representing Islamabad United, featuring in 61 matches overall.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Karachi Kings (@karachikingsary)

He has accumulated 1,206 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 143.40. Behind the stumps, Azam has taken 27 catches and completed seven stumpings, adding further depth to Karachi Kings’ wicketkeeping options.

Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha was bought for PKR 5.85 crore.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Karachi Kings (@karachikingsary)

Currently leading the national side in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Salman brings valuable experience, having previously represented Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United in the PSL.

He has scored 730 runs in 36 matches and also contributed with four wickets.

Earlier, ahead of the PSL 11 Player Auction, Karachi Kings retained a strong core by securing Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), and Saad Baig (Emerging).

The franchise also strengthened its lineup with the direct signing of an England all-rounder.

READ: T20 World Cup: Steve Smith earns surprise call-up to Australia squad

Veteran batter Steve Smith has been rushed into the Australia squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as a cover for skipper Mitchell Marsh, who is ruled out of their opening fixture against Ireland.

Marsh, 34, suffered a testicular injury after suffering a blow to the groin during his side’s training session.

Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that Marsh is injured, prompting them to bring Smith as a reserve.

“He is experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort, which is restricting his movement,” Cricket Australia confirmed.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Scans have confirmed internal testicular bleeding, and he will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. His return to play will be guided by symptom resolution and medical advice.”

“Standby player Steve Smith will travel to Sri Lanka as cover to acclimatise and prepare, should he be required,” the statement added.

The right-hander’s last appearance for Australia in the shorter format came in 2024 against New Zealand.

Overall, Smith has played 67 T20Is, accumulating 1094 runs at an average of 24.86 with the aid of five half-centuries.

Australia T20 World Cup squad

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

Australia World Cup Fixtures

February 11, Australia vs Ireland Group B, Premadasa, Colombo
February 13, Australia vs Zimbabwe, Premadasa, Colombo
February 17, Australia vs Sri Lanka, Kandy
February 21, Australia vs Oman, Kandy

READ: South Africa edge Afghanistan in double Super Over thriller

AHMEDABAD: South Africa survived a heart-stopping encounter against Afghanistan to emerge victorious in a match that stretched into two Super Overs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group stage on Wednesday.

After winning the toss, Afghanistan invited South Africa to bat first, but the Proteas made the most of the opportunity, posting a challenging 187-6.

Quinton de Kock led the charge with 59 off 41 balls, including five fours and three sixes, while Ryan Rickelton unleashed a blistering 61 from 28 deliveries, smashing four sixes and five fours.

Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan claimed two wickets each to keep the chase competitive.

Chasing 188, Afghanistan looked on course for victory thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who produced a sensational 84 off 42 balls, featuring seven sixes and four fours.

However, South Africa’s bowling, spearheaded by Lungi Ngidi, who took three wickets, ensured no other batter could threaten the total.

Afghanistan were eventually pegged back at 187 in 19.4 overs, forcing the first Super Over.

The drama continued in the first Super Over as Afghanistan posted 17 runs, largely thanks to Omarzai’s 16 off five balls.

South Africa matched the total, setting up a second Super Over.

In this decider, David Miller struck 16 off four deliveries to set Afghanistan a target of 24.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz came close to scripting another miracle, hitting 18 runs off four balls, but fell on the final delivery, needing a boundary to tie again. South Africa sealed the win.

The result leaves Afghanistan with a steep climb to reach the Super 8s. The team must now win their remaining two matches convincingly and hope for favourable results elsewhere.

READ: PSL 11 Player Auction: Gladiators buy Khawaja Nafay for PKR 6.5 crore

LAHORE: The first-ever Pakistan Super League (PSL) player auction concluded with all eight teams stacked up ahead of the landmark season 11.

The auction was held today at the Expo Centre, marking a major shift from the traditional draft system. Stay with us for live updates on every pick, price, and squad development.

09:40 PM — Auction concludes 🔴

💰 Tayyab Arif goes to Hyderabad Kingsmen for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Rizwanullah goes to Karachi Kings for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Saad Ali goes toHyderabad Kingsmen for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Mirza Tahir Baig goes to Peshawar Zalmi for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Gudakesh Motie goes to Lahore Qalandars for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore

💰 Tom Curran goes to Quetta Gladiators for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore

💰 Shahzaib Khan goes to Rawalpindi for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Rizwan Mehmood goes to Hyderabad Kingsmen for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Mohammad Awais Zafar goes to Sialkot Stallionz for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

Momin Qamar goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Sialkot Stallionz secure Momin Qamar for PKR 1.07 crore

💰 Mohammad Amir Khan goes to Rawalpindi for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Hunain Shah goes to Hyderabad Kingsmen for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Fawad Ali goes to Rawalpindi for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Asif Mehmood goes to Hyderabad Kingsmen for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Dipendra Singh Airee goes to Islamabad United for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Tayyab Tahir goes to Lahore Qalandars for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Sharjeel Khan goes to Hyderabad Kingsmen for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

Mohammad Hasnain goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Islamabad United secure Mohammad Hasnain for PKR 77.5 lakh

Kamran Ghulam goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Rawalpindi secure Kamran Ghulam for PKR 65 lakh

Ihsanullah goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Karachi Kings secure Ihsanullah for PKR 1.05 crore

Hussain Talat goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Lahore Qalandars secure Hussain Talat for PKR 77.5 lakh

Haider Ali goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Islamabad United secure Haider Ali for PKR 1.5 crore

💰 Asif Ali goes to Lahore Qalandars for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

Asif Afridi goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Rawalpindi secure Asif Afridi for PKR 2.4 crore

💰 Parvez Hossain Emon goes to Lahore Qalandars for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Nahid Rana goes to Peshawar Zalmi for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Laurie Evans goes to Rawalpindi for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore

💰 Muhammad Waseem goes to Karachi Kings for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore

💰 Ben McDermott goes to Quetta Gladiators for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore

💰 Dian Forrester goes to Rawalpindi for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

Shan Masood goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Sialkot Stallionz secure Shan Masood for PKR 65 lakh

Saud Shakeel goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Quetta Gladiators secure Saud Shakeel for PKR 65 lakh

Josh Philippe goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Sialkot Stallionz secure Josh Philippe for PKR 2.3 crore

Iftikhar Ahmed goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Peshawar Zalmi secure Iftikhar Ahmed for PKR 1.8 crore

Johnson Charles goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Karachi Kings secure Johnson Charles for PKR 2 crore

💰 Richard Gleeson goes to Islamabad United for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore

💰 Imad Wasim goes to Islamabad United for a base price of PKR 2.2 crore

Kusal Mendis goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 2.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Peshawar Zalmi secure Kusal Mendis for PKR 4.2 crore

Dasun Shanaka goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Lahore Qalandars secure Dasun Shanaka for PKR 75 lakh

💰 Michael Bracewell goes to Peshawar Zalmi for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore

💰 Riley Meredith goes to Hyderabad Kingsmen for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore

James Vince goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 2.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Peshawar Zalmi secure James Vince for PKR 3 crore

Accelerated UNSOLD players 

08:10 PM — Auction resumes 🔴

06:40 PM — Remaining purse 💰

• Islamabad United: PKR 7.550 CR
• Karachi Kings: PKR 5.335 CR
• Lahore Qalandars: PKR 7.910 CR
• Quetta Gladiators: PKR 7.040 CR
• Peshawar Zalmi: PKR 19.935 CR
• Rawalpindi: PKR 8.025 CR
• Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen: PKR 9.640 CR
• Sialkot Stallionz: PKR 6.940 CR

06:30 PM — BREAK 🔴

💰 Hammad Azam goes to Hyderabad Kingsmen for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Ottneil Baartman goes to Hyderabad Kingsmen for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore

Khuzaima Bin Tanveer goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Karachi Kings secure Khuzaima Bin Tanveer for PKR 90 lakh

💰 Delano Potgieter goes to Sialkot Stallionz for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Lachlan Shaw goes to Sialkot Stallionz for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Bevon Jacobs goes to Quetta Gladiators for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Shamar Joseph goes to Islamabad United for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore

💰 Samuel Harper goes to Quetta Gladiators for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Shayan Jahangir goes to Hyderabad Kingsmen for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

Hassan Khan goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Hyderabad Kingsmen secure Hassan Khan for PKR 1.85 crore

💰 Brett Hampton goes to Quetta Gladiators for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

Chad Bowes, Will Young, Lloyd Pope, George Garton, Binura Fernando, Mark Steketee, Harry Trector, Keemo Paul, Mark Adair, Shoriful Islam, Blessing Muzarabani, Junaid Siddique, Dwaine Pretorius, Tony De Zorzi, Tawhid Hridoy, Paul Stirling, Richard Ngarava, Sheldon Cottrell, Parvez Hossain Emon, Shamim Hossain, Shamarh Brooks, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Tom Moores, Paul Van Meekeren, Jason Smith, D’arcy Short, Liam Scott, Andre Fletcher, Brandon McMullen, Hilton Cartwright, Kaleem Sana, Lorcan Tucker, Nathan Sowter, Fabian Allen, Lizaad Williams, Billy Stanlake, Dushan Hemantha, Laurie Evans, Dunith Wellalage, Jack Wildermuth, Benny Howell, Hasan Mahmud, Muhammad Waseem, Chris Green, Max Chu, Obed McCoy, Rohid Khan, Vijayakanth Viyaskantha, and Jefferey Vandersey go UNSOLD

05:55 PM — Accelerated round (overseas players)  🔴

Abdul Subhan goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Peshawar Zalmi secure Abdul Subhan for PKR 62.5 lakh

💰 Sameen Gul goes to Islamabad United for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Saqib Khan goes to Quetta Gladiators for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

Sameer Minhas goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Islamabad United secure Sameer Minhas for PKR 1.9 crore

💰 Mohammad Farooq goes to Lahore Qalandars for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Aqib Ilyas goes to Karachi Kings for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Khalid Usman goes to Peshawar Zalmi for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Bismillah Khan goes to Quetta Gladiators for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

💰 Hamza Sohail goes to Karachi Kings for PKR 62.5 lakh

Mir Hamza Sajjad goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Islamabad United secure Mir Hamza Sajjad for PKR 70 lakh

💰 Khan Zaib goes to Quetta Gladiators for a base price of PKR 60 lakh

Wasim Akram Jnr goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Quetta Gladiators secure Wasim Akram Jnr for PKR 77.5 lakh

Amad Butt goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Rawalpindi secure Amad Butt for PKR 80 lakh

Naqeebullah Khan, Aizaz Habib Khan, Saeed Ali, Ahmed Khan, Saqlain Nawaz, Mohammad Ammar, Sameer Saqib, Yahya Bin Abdul Rehman, Abbas Ali, Abdul Faseeh, Raja Hamza Waheed, Mohammad Ilyas Khan, Sharoon Siraj, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Ahmed Hussain, Tayyab Abbas, Saad Khan, Obaid Shahid, Ali Razzaq, Mohammad Imran, Rizwanullah, Afaq Afridi, Abu Zar, Imran Shah, Muhammad Huraira, Mohammad Shahbaz, Parvaiz Ahmed, Shahzaib Khan, Sirajuddin, Arshad Iqbal, Noman Ali, Abubakar, Faham-ul-Haq, Mohammad Taha, Umar Siddiq, Aamir Yamin, Mohammad Akram, Ali Shabbir, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Rameez Jnr., Hamza Nazar, Mohammad Awais Zafar, Khawaja Arham, Mohammad Ismail, Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Sayyam, Ahmad Hassan, Azan Awais, Imran Butt,  Israr Hussain, Mirza Tahir Baig, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohsin Riaz, Nisar Ahmad, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi, Afnan Khan, Asif Mehmood, Farhan Yousaf, Huzaifa Ahsan, Niaz Khan, Rizwan Mehmood, Shah Raza Naqvi, Adil Naz, Mohammad Mohsin, Fahad Amin, Mohammad Suleman, Umar Zaib, Qasim Akram, Sajid Khan, Musa Khan, Rohail Nazir, Zafar Gohar, Shehzad Gul, Zain Abbas, Rehan Afridi, Razaullah, Taimur Khan, and Riwayat Khan go UNSOLD

05:00 PM — Accelerated round (local players)  🔴

Tom Latham, Josh Philippe, Rubin Hermann and Mitchell Hay go UNSOLD

04:46 PM — Wicketkeeper-batters  🔴

💰 Tabraiz Shamsi goes to Sialkot Stallionz for a base price of PKR 2.2 crore

Imran Tahir, Tanveer Sangha and Keshav Maharaj go UNSOLD

04:44 PM — Overseas spin bowlers 🔴

Peter Siddle goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 2.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Sialkot Stallionz secure Peter Siddle for PKR 2.5 crore

Richard Gleeson, Asitha Fernando, Gideon Peters, Reece Topley, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Forde, and Jayden Seales go UNSOLD

04:39 PM — Overseas fast bowlers 🔴

Dian Forrester, Odean Smith, Evan Jones, Moises Henriques, Charith Asalanka, Will Smeed, Dawid Malan, Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald and Jason Roy go UNSOLD

04:35 PM — Overseas all-rounders and batters 🔴

Adam Zampa goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Karachi Kings secure Adam Zampa for PKR 4.5 crore

William Sutherland, Liam Dawson, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Reeza Hendricks, Dasun Shanaka, Evin Lewis, and Brandon King go UNSOLD

04:28 PM — Highest base price players in auction pool 🔴

Mir Hamza goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Karachi Kings secure Mir Hamza for PKR 2.4 crore

Mohammad Wasim Jnr. goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 2.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Islamabad United secure Mohammad Wasim Jnr. for PKR 4.1 crore

Shahnawaz Dahani, Josh Little, Riley Meredith, Mohammad Azab, Mir Hamza and Hunain Shah go UNSOLD

04:13 PM — Released fast bowlers category 3 🔴

💰 Ashton Turner goes to Sialkot Stallionz for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore

Mark Chapman goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Islamabad United secure Mark Chapman for PKR 7 crore

Abdullah Fazal goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰SOLD: Rawalpindi secure Abdullah Fazal for PKR 67.5 lakh

Irfan Khan Niazi goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Hyderabad Kingsmen secure Irfan Khan Niazi for PKR 2.9 crore

Mohammad Shahzad, Haider Ali, Shan Masood, Asif Ali, Avishka Fernando, and James Vince go UNSOLD

04:00 PM — Released batters category 3 🔴

Shahid Aziz goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Karachi Kings secure Shahid Aziz for PKR 92.5 lakh

Curtis Campher, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, David Willey, Tom Curran and James Neesham go UNSOLD

Released all-rounder category 3

03:50 PM — Auction resumes 🔴

The momentum of the auction was largely broken as the teams broke away for nearly an hour and a half.

02:49 PM — LUNCH BREAK 🔴

💰 Haseebullah Khan goes to Lahore Qalandars for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore

Khawaja Nafay goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Quetta Gladiators secure Khawaja Nafay for PKR 6.5 crore

Mohammad Haris goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Peshawar Zalmi secure Mohammad Haris for PKR 2.2 crore

Kusal Perera goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 2.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Hyderabad Kingsmen secure Kusal Perera for PKR 3.1 crore

Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Litton Kumar Das, Kusal Mendis go UNSOLD

02:30 PM — Released wicket-keeper batters category 2 🔴

Ubaid Shah goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Lahore Qalandars secure Ubaid Shah for PKR 2.7 crore

Mohammad Amir goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Rawalpindi secure Mohammad Amir for PKR 5.4 crore

Khurram Shahzad goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Peshawar Zalmi secure Khurram Shahzad for PKR 2.7 crore

Tymal Mills, Nahid Rana, and Alzarri Joseph go UNSOLD

02:14 PM — Released fast bowlers category 2 🔴

Max Bryant goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Islamabad United secure Max Bryant for PKR 1.950 crore

Daryl Mitchell goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Rawalpindi secure Daryl Mitchell for PKR 8.05 crore

Fakhar Zaman goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Lahore Qalandars secure Fakhar Zaman for PKR 7.95 crore after an interesting bidding war with Peshawar Zalmi

Humayun Altaf, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Amir Barki, Mohammad Zulkifal, Fawad Ali, Nahid Rana and Rassie Van Der Dussen go UNSOLD

01:53 PM — Released batters category 2 🔴

Salman Ali Agha goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Karachi Kings secure Salman Ali Agha for PKR 5.85 crore

Jahandad Khan goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Quetta Gladiators secure Jahandad Khan for PKR 2.5 crore

Usama Mir goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 2.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Lahore Qalandars secure Usama Mir for PKR 3.50 crore

💰 Arafat Minhas goes to Quetta Gladiators for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore

Aamir Jamal goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Peshawar Zalmi secure Aamir Jamal for PKR 1.9 crore

Shakib Al Hasan, Daniel Sams, and Ali Imran go UNSOLD

01:35 PM — Released all-rounders category 🔴

Faisal Akram goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Quetta Gladiators secure Faisal Akram for PKR 1.25 crore

Mehran Mumtaz goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 60 lakh
💰 SOLD: Islamabad United secure Mehran Mumtaz for PKR 1.20 crore

01:20 PM — Mirza Mamoon Imtiaz, Ali Majid, Momin Qamar, Peter Hatzoglou, Arif Yaqoob, Zahid Mehmood, Gudakesh Motie go UNSOLD

Rishad Hossain goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Rawalpindi secure Rishad Hossain for PKR 3 crore

Released spin bowlers category 🔴

Sahibzada Farhan goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Sialkot Stallionz secure Sahibzada Farhan for PKR 5.7 crore

Azam Khan goes under the hammer for a base price of PKR 1.1 crore
💰 SOLD: Karachi Kings secure Azam Khan for PKR 3.25 crore

Mohammad Akhlaq, Ben McDermott, Dinesh Chandimal and Bhanuka Rajapaksa go UNSOLD

01:04 PM — Released wicket-keepers category 🔴

12:59 PM — Naseem Shah goes under the hammer for base price: PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Rawalpindi secure Naseem Shah for PKR 8.65 crore

Haris Rauf to go under the hammer for base price: PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Lahore Qalandars secure Haris Rauf for PKR 7.6 crore

Mohammad Ali to go under the hammer for base price: PKR 1.10 crore
💰 SOLD: Hyderabad Kingsmen secure Mohammad Ali for PKR 2.15 crore

12:55 PM — Mohammad Hasnain, Rumman Raees, Dilshan Madhushanka go UNSOLD

12:40 PM — Released fast bowlers category 🔴

💰 SOLD: Jahanzaib Sultan goes to Sialkot Stallionz for base price PKR 60 Lakh

Rilee Rossouw to go under the hammer for base price: PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Quetta Gladiators secure Rilee Rossouw for PKR 5.550 crore

David Warner to go under the hammer for base price: PKR 4.2 crore
💰 SOLD: Karachi Kings secure David Warner for PKR 7.9 crore after an interesting bidding war with Peshawar Zalmi

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Asif Afridi, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Zeeshan, Kyle Mayers, Colin Munro, Mohammad Riazullah, Chris Jordan, Omair Bin Yousuf, George Munsey, Ihsanullah, Saud Shakeel and Hussain Talat also go UNSOLD

Imad Wasim is the second player, but attracts no buyers, goes UNSOLD

Faheem Ashraf is the first player to go under the hammer 🔨
Base price: PKR 4.2 CRORE
💰 SOLD: Islamabad United secure Faheem Ashraf for PKR 8.5 crore

12:20 PM — Auction kicks off 🔴
Last season’s released players are first on the block.

For context, each franchise has been allocated a total budget of PKR 45 crore (PKR 450 million) for squad building, along with an additional PKR 5.5 crore reserved for direct signings.

All franchises, including the two new teams, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen and Sialkot Stallionz, have already confirmed their retentions and direct signings.

Following retentions and direct signings, Islamabad United will enter the auction with a remaining purse of PKR 34.60 crore.

Karachi Kings head into the bidding with PKR 32.26 crore, while Rawalpindi also retain PKR 34.60 crore.

Among the remaining teams, Lahore Qalandars have PKR 31.36 crore left, Peshawar Zalmi hold PKR 27.96 crore, and Quetta Gladiators have PKR 27.54 crore.

Meanwhile, the two new franchises, Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen, will start the auction with PKR 23.34 crore and PKR 21.94 crore, respectively.

PSL 11 team retentions

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)
Direct signing: Mustafizur Rahman

Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)
Direct signing: Spencer Johnson

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)
Direct signing: Devon Conway

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Muqeem (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)
Direct signing: Aaron Hardie

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)
Direct signing: Moeen Ali

Sialkot Stallionz: Mohammad Nawaz (Platinum), Salman Mirza (Diamond), Ahmed Daniyal (Gold), Saad Masood (Emerging)
Direct signing: Steve Smith

Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen: Saim Ayub (Platinum), Usman Khan (Diamond), Akif Javed (Gold), Maaz Sadaqat (Emerging)
Direct signing: Marnus Labuschagne

READ: Rawalpindi franchise unveil retentions ahead of PSL player auction

India opener Abhishek Sharma has been hospitalised with a stomach infection, casting serious doubt over his availability for Thursday’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 fixture against Namibia in the capital, according to Indian media reports.

The left-handed batter has reportedly been admitted to a private hospital in New Delhi for the past two days, where medical tests are ongoing to determine the exact nature of his illness.

“Abhishek has been admitted to a private hospital in Delhi due to a stomach infection,” a source close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was quoted as saying.

“Some tests are being conducted to ascertain the exact problem. It is still unclear whether he will be discharged today. As of now, his participation in the match against Namibia looks doubtful.”

Concerns over Abhishek’s health first emerged during India’s tournament opener against the United States in Mumbai.

After being dismissed for a first-ball duck, the opener did not return to the field during the USA’s chase. India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate later confirmed that the batter had been dealing with a stomach bug.

“Abhi still has a few issues with his tummy,” ten Doeschate had said at the time, expressing hope that the youngster would recover in time for the next match.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Should Abhishek fail to regain fitness, India could reshuffle their top order, with wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson emerging as a potential opening option.

Samson recently lost his place as the first-choice wicketkeeper to Ishan Kishan after a lean run of form during the New Zealand series.

“We’re waiting on Abhi’s fitness more than anything, and that could open up a few different combinations,” ten Doeschate added during the same press conference.

Meanwhile, India have received encouraging news on the injury front, with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah set to return.

Bumrah missed the opening match against the USA due to illness but trained at full intensity in Delhi on Tuesday, signalling his readiness for the Namibia clash.

All-rounder Washington Sundar has also rejoined the squad after recovering from a side strain suffered during the New Zealand series.

He bowled in the nets and faced throwdowns late in Tuesday’s training session, indicating he is close to full match fitness.

READ: Rawalpindi franchise unveil retentions ahead of PSL player auction

LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Rawalpindi on Wednesday announced their retained players ahead of the highly anticipated player auction for season 11, marking a new chapter following a historic ownership change.

Earlier this week, Walee Technologies secured the rights to the Multan franchise with a record bid of PKR 2.45 billion, the highest in PSL history, and subsequently rebranded the team as Rawalpindi.

The franchise retained former Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan in the Platinum category for PKR 5.60 crore.

England’s hard-hitting batter Sam Billings was picked in the Diamond category for PKR 3.08 crore, while pacer Zaman Khan was placed in the Gold category for PKR 1.12 crore.

Young batter Yasir Khan completes the retained list in the Silver category for PKR 60 lakh.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Following these retentions, Rawalpindi have PKR 34.60 crore remaining in their purse as they head into the PSL 11 player auction scheduled later today.

For context, each franchise has been allocated a total budget of PKR 45 crore (PKR 450 million) for squad building, along with an additional PKR 5.5 crore reserved for direct signings under the league’s newly introduced auction-based system.

PSL 11 marks a historic shift as the tournament moves away from its traditional draft model to a full-fledged auction for the first time.

All other franchises, including the two new teams, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen and Sialkot Stallionz, have already confirmed their retentions and direct signings.

PSL 11 team retentions

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), Mohammad Naeem (Silver)
Direct signing: Mustafizur Rahman

Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold), Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)
Direct signing: Spencer Johnson

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold), Andries Gous (Silver)
Direct signing: Devon Conway

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (Platinum), Sufyan Muqeem (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), Ali Raza (Emerging)
Direct signing: Aaron Hardie

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (Platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), Saad Baig (Emerging)
Direct signing: Moeen Ali

Sialkot Stallionz: Mohammad Nawaz (Platinum), Salman Mirza (Diamond), Ahmed Daniyal (Gold), Saad Masood (Emerging)
Direct signing: Steve Smith

Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen: Saim Ayub (Platinum), Usman Khan (Diamond), Akif Javed (Gold), Maaz Sadaqat (Emerging)
Direct signing: Marnus Labuschagne

READ: PSL 11: Peshawar Zalmi sign Australian all-rounder to replace Gurbaz

Peshawar Zalmi has named Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie as a direct signing for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

The signing was confirmed via the franchise’s social media accounts.

“After much anticipation, we are proud to announce Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie as our direct signing for PSL11. A proven match-winner, Hardie brings balance, power, and versatility to the squad.” the caption of the post read.

Hardie, 27, has represented Australia in 15 ODIs and 16 T20Is. Overall, he has played 99 T20s, scalping 56 wickets and scoring 1855 runs.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Peshawar Zalmi (@peshawarzalmipk)

A few days earlier, the franchise had picked Afghanistan’s opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz as a direct signing. However, he opted out of the league, citing personal commitments.

The 24-year-old Afghan opener confirmed his unavailability through a message in Pashto.

“After the World Cup, I won’t be available for the PSL this season due to my schedule,” Gurbaz said. “I will be focusing more on my foundation work in Afghanistan. Thank you for all the love and support.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

His sudden withdrawal prompted a detailed response from the 2017 PSL champions, who clarified that Gurbaz’s signing had been completed strictly in accordance with league regulations and after obtaining the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).

“We would like to clarify to our valued and loyal fan base that the recent direct signing of Afghanistan cricketer Mr Rahmanullah Gurbaz was completed strictly after he received full NOC clearance from both the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Afghanistan Cricket Board,” the franchise stated.

Peshawar Zalmi emphasised that Gurbaz was selected purely on professional and cricketing grounds and was among the top options available on the official player list provided to franchises.

“At the time of selection, he was among the best available options on the official list provided, and his signing followed the prescribed process accordingly,” the statement added.

“This decision was taken purely on professional and cricketing grounds, in full compliance with PSL regulations, PCB guidelines and the established framework of the HBL PSL. No consideration beyond merit, team requirements, and due process was involved.,” it concluded.

For the unversed, the PSL 11 will kick off on March across five cities in Pakistan.

READ: T20 World Cup: New Zealand suffer major injury blow

COLOMBO: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha stressed the importance of bowling better in the Powerplay despite a resounding 32-run win over the USA in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan outplayed USA by 20 runs in their second match of the mega event while chasing a daunting 191.

Sahibzada Farhan starred with the bat, scoring 73 from 41 balls. His batting performance was backed by a disciplined bowling display with Usman Tariq taking three wickets.

Babar Azam and Shadab Khan also chipped in with the bat, powering Pakistan to a strong total of 190-9.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Agha lauded a resounding performance, noting that they have quality bowlers in the lineup who could defend totals.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Clinical performance, we started well with the bat and batted really well in the middle. When we come to bowling, we have a world-class attack and scoring 190, we know we could defend that,” he remarked.

“I would have batted as well, if we score 160-170, we know we can defend that. We are Pakistani, we do it differently. We are comfortable chasing, but we try to bat first and put up above par, then try to defend,” he added.

The skipper emphasized the middle-order, stressing the need to bowl better in the Powerplay.

“We have a flexible order, first three ready to go and then finishers can go early, or if we lose wickets we have batters who can take the game deeper. Always room for improvement, we’d like to bowl better in the powerplay, be more clinical. These are the things we want to improve,” he explained.

Pakistan will play their next fixture against India at RPS, Colombo on Sunday, February 15.

READ: T20 World Cup: New Zealand suffer major injury blow