Category: Featured

Pakistan Champions have officially lifted the curtain on their new jersey ahead of the second season of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), scheduled to run from July 18 to August 2, 2025, in Birmingham.

The franchise took to social media on Thursday, unveiling the kit with a powerful visual that captures both legacy and energy.

The jersey features Pakistan’s iconic green base, complemented by vibrant yellow accents along the sides and sleeves.

“Proud to unveil the official jersey of the 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 for the World Championship of Legends 2025! Led by legends, built with passion,” the team captioned the reveal, signaling intent for the season ahead.

During the inaugural season, Younis Khan-led Pakistan Champions were among the standout teams, producing dominant performances throughout the group stage.

They opened their campaign with a clinical win over Australia before thrashing the West Indies.

One of the tournament’s most iconic moments came in their clash against India, where Pakistan racked up a mammoth 243/4 and then restricted their arch-rivals to 175/9.

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Their only group-stage defeat came against South Africa, but the Men in Green bounced back strong, sealing a semi-final win against the West Indies by 20 runs to set up a high-stakes final against India.

Despite a spirited effort, Pakistan Champions fell just short in the final. After setting a target of 157, they couldn’t prevent India from chasing it down with five wickets and five balls to spare.

The second edition of the WCL will kick off on July 18 2025, featuring cricketing legends from Pakistan, India, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies. The final is scheduled for August 2.

READ: Pakistan Champions reveal new logo ahead of WCL 2025

The highly anticipated India-Pakistan showdown in the ACC Asia Cup 2025 is likely to take place on September 7 in Dubai, with Indian media on Wednesday revealing tentative dates and venue details for the tournament.

Despite India being the official hosts, the tournament is expected to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to ongoing political tensions between the two arch-rivals.

Reports suggest that the Asia Cup 2025 is likely to begin around September 4 or 5, with the final pencilled in for September 21.

The recurring deadlock between the BCCI and PCB has led to the “fusion formula,” under which both boards reportedly agreed not to visit each other’s home soil for multi-nation events for the next three years.

Instead, their matches would be staged at neutral venues. That’s why the 17th edition of the continental event will see the arch-rivals clash in Dubai.

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It’s worth noting that the Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format and is expected to see India and Pakistan face off at least twice, first in the group stage, and potentially again in the Super Four round, depending on results.

Six teams will participate in the tournament: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE. The structure will follow the traditional format of a group stage leading into the Super Four, similar to previous editions.

An official announcement from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) regarding the final schedule is expected in the second week of July.

Meanwhile, promotions are already in full swing, with teasers airing on Indian television and circulating across digital platforms.

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: Shubman Gill drops major hint on India Playing XI for second Test

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to announce the national squad for the Bangladesh T20Is this week, with no significant changes expected, apart from a surprise inclusion.

According to the reports, ace batter Babar Azam and ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan and fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, who last played for Pakistan during the New Zealand tour, are not under consideration.

However, left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem could be added as a surprise pick for the Bangladesh series. The 25-year-old featured in the five-match away series against the Black Caps.

Despite returning with the figures of 6-2 in two overs, Sufiyan Muqeem was left out of the T20I series against Bangladesh at home.

Pakistan will arrive in Dhaka on 16 July before taking on the Bangladesh cricket team in the first T20I on Sunday, 20 July.

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The second T20I will take place on Tuesday, 22 July, with the third and final match of the series scheduled for Thursday, 24 July.

Notably, all three T20Is will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, with the first ball of each match scheduled to be bowled at 6:00 PM local time.

The two teams recently faced each other in a three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium, where Pakistan achieved a clean sweep against Bangladesh.

Pakistan won the opening match by 37 runs, thanks to Shadab Khan’s outstanding all-round performance. He scored a rapid 48 runs off 25 balls and took two crucial wickets.

In the second T20I, Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Nawaz both made significant contributions with quick half-centuries, leading Pakistan to victory.

Meanwhile, the star of the third match was Mohammad Haris, who scored a blazing unbeaten century.

Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I Series Schedule 

20 July – First T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

22 July – Second T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

24 July – Third T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Monday, announced former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the national men’s team.

Azhar will serve in this role until the conclusion of his current contract. It’s worth noting that he previously served as an assistant coach for the national side.

However, he was not part of the coaching panel for the Bangladesh series following Mike Hesson’s appointment as the white-ball head coach.

“A seasoned cricketing mind, Azhar Mahmood steps into the role with an impressive portfolio of experience,” the PCB stated in a press release.

“Having served as the assistant head coach of the national side, Azhar has long been a pivotal part of the team’s strategic core.

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“His deep knowledge of the game, combined with hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit, makes him exceptionally well-suited for this position.

“His red-ball pedigree is underscored by two County Championship titles—an achievement that speaks volumes about his leadership, tactical acumen and unwavering commitment to excellence.

“The PCB is confident that under Azhar’s guidance, the red-ball squad will continue to grow in strength, discipline and performance on the global stage.”

It’s worth noting that the cricket board was looking for a permanent head coach for the red-ball team since the resignation of former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie in late 2024.

Following his departure, the PCB named former fast bowler Aqib Javed as interim head coach for the two-match Test series against South Africa, which ran from December 20, 2024, to January 7, 2025.

READ: Pakistan-India set to clash as Asia Cup 2025 likely to begin on This date

The tentative date for the commencement of the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 has been revealed, with arch-rivals India and Pakistan set to face off in a high-stakes encounter, Cricbuzz reported.

According to the report, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is set to release the schedule for the six-team tournament at the start of July.

Moreover, the tournament is set to commence in the second week of September in the T20 format. With nothing official yet, the most probable date for the start of the Asia Cup 2025 is 10 September.

The teams featuring in the tournament include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Since India is the official host for this year’s event, the tournament is likely to be played in the UAE, which is expected to host the tournament due to political tensions in the region, with discussions surrounding a hybrid format.

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Earlier, there were speculations that India would withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 due to soaring tensions with Pakistan.

A few days ago, the Indian media reported that India and Pakistan will not face off in the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with the source close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealing that this issue will be discussed at the annual ICC conference.

For the unversed, the tensions between India and Pakistan escalated in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

It is worth noting that the strained ties between the PCB and BCCI have been well documented in recent years, with the latest flashpoint being India’s decision to skip the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan.

The deadlock eventually led to a “fusion formula,” under which both boards reportedly agreed not to visit each other’s home soil for ICC events for the next three years. Instead, their matches would be staged at neutral venues.

READ: MLC 2025: Shimron Hetmyer stars as Seattle Orcas clinch back-to-back thrillers

DALLAS: Shimron Hetmyer 64* and Aaron Jones’ gutsy 73 powered Seattle Orcas to a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 at Grand Prairie Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a daunting 203-run target, Seattle Orcas hit the winning runs on the last ball of the penultimate over with five wickets in hand.

The winning team required five from the last over; however, Shadley van Schalkwyk gave only two in the first four balls, making the match tense.

Nonetheless, it was Shimron Hetmyer again who hit the winning runs with a maximum of the last ball.

In pursuit of the target, opener Josh Brown was sent packing for a golden duck on the very second ball of the first over. But, Shayan Jahangir and incoming batter Aaron Jones steadied Orcas’ ship with a mammoth 119-run partnership in just 11 overs.

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Just when Orcas were cruising, Jones was caught after scoring an explosive 73 off 38 balls, peppered with 10 boundaries and two maximums.

The Knight Riders made a roaring comeback in the match with successive wickets in the 12th over, reducing Seattle Orcas to 127-4.

Shayan, who scored 43 off 31 deliveries with the help of three sixes and two fours, was the first to go, while explosive batter Henrich Klaasen could only manage to score five.

Despite the wickets tumbling in a heap, Shimron Hetmyer kept his nerve and took his team home in another scintillating innings. The south paw unbeaten knock featured four boundaries and half a dozen towering maximums.

For the Los Angeles Knight Riders, Tanveer Sangha and Jason Holder picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, after being put into bat, the Los Angeles Knight Riders posted 202-4 in their allocated 20 overs.

Knight Riders scored a mammoth total despite losing 48-3 in 7.4 overs, with Andre Russell and Saif Badar scoring the bulk of runs in an 81-run stand.

Russell smashed 65 off 39 deliveries, an innings laced with four sixes, while Badar’s brisk 41-run knock featured two fours and an equal number of sixes.

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With Knight Riders 129-4 in  14.3 overs, Rovman Powell partnered with Russell in a blazing stand. Powell smashed four sixes and two boundaries in his 43-run knock.

In another match, Washington Freedom secured a 12-run win over table toppers San Francisco Unicorns, thanks to a fiery five-wicket haul from Mitchell Owen.

Chasing a challenging 170-run target, Unicorns crumbled under pressure and could only manage to score 157-9 in their 20 overs.

For Washington, Freed Glenn Phillips starred with the bat, scoring 58 off 39 balls, while Mitchell Owen shone with the ball, taking five for 17 in three overs.

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Pakistan Champions is set to lock horns against India on July 20 at Edgbaston in the second season of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) as the complete schedule of the tournament featuring six teams has been announced. 

The tournament is scheduled to take place in England from July 18 across five venues, with the final of this marquee event set for August 2.

The tournament will feature legendary cricketers from India, Pakistan, the West Indies, Australia, South Africa, and England.

The opening match of the tournament will be played between last year’s runners-up, Pakistan, and England on July 20 at Edgbaston, while the high-stakes encounter between defending champions India and Pakistan will take place at the same venue.

For the unversed, the World Championship of Legends (WCL) is an exhilarating T20 tournament that showcases an impressive lineup of retired and non-contracted cricket players, representing their national teams.

The upcoming edition marks the second instalment of the WCL, following the inaugural tournament held in 2024, where the Indian team, led by the legendary Yuvraj Singh, emerged as champions.

World Championship of Legends (WCL) T20 League Schedule

England Champions vs Pakistan Champions – Birmingham – July 18, 2025

West Indies Champions vs South Africa Champions – Birmingham – July 19, 2025

England Champions vs Australia Champions – Birmingham – July 19, 2025

India Champions vs Pakistan Champions – Birmingham – July 20, 2025 

India Champions vs South Africa Champions – Northampton – July 22, 2025

England Champions vs West Indies Champions – Northampton – July 22, 2025

Australia Champions vs West Indies Champions – Northampton – July 23, 2025

England Champions vs South Africa Champions – Leicestershire – July 24, 2025

Pakistan Champions vs South Africa Champions – Leicestershire – July 25, 2025

India Champions vs Australia Champions – Leeds – July 26, 2025

Pakistan Champions vs West Indies Champions – Leeds – July 26, 2025

South Africa Champions vs Australia Champions – Leeds – July 27, 2025

India Champions vs England Champions – Leeds – July 27, 2025

Australia Champions vs Pakistan Champions – Leicestershire – July 29, 2025

India Champions vs West Indies Champions – Leicestershire – July 29, 2025

WCL 2025 Knockout Stage

SF1 vs SF4 – Birmingham – July 31, 2025

SF2 vs SF3 – Birmingham – July 31, 2025

WCL 2025 Final

Finalist 1 vs Finalist 2 – Birmingham – August 2, 2025

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The Pakistan hockey team’s participation in the upcoming FIH Pro League hangs in the balance due to severe financial constraints, despite receiving an official invitation from the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

The FIH extended the invitation to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) following New Zealand’s withdrawal from the league’s upcoming edition.

New Zealand, who secured their Pro League qualification by winning the FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia, have reportedly pulled out due to undisclosed reasons.

As runners-up of that tournament, Pakistan have now been offered a spot in the elite league.

However, the PHF is reportedly facing a major hurdle as the estimated cost of participation exceeds Rs 500 million, and the federation currently lacks the financial resources to proceed.

The PHF has been requested to submit its initial response to the FIH by Friday, June 27.

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If the federation confirms its participation but fails to meet its financial commitments, it may face penalties and possible sanctions from the international governing body.

The development comes at a critical juncture for Pakistan hockey, with the Pro League offering a golden opportunity to regain lost ground on the international stage.

The national team, currently ranked 17th in the world, has not featured in recent editions of the Pro League, a key factor behind its slide in the global rankings.

The next edition of the FIH Pro League is scheduled to begin in February 2026.

A formal confirmation from the FIH regarding Pakistan’s inclusion is expected in the coming days, but unless emergency funding is arranged, the country’s long-awaited return to top-tier international hockey may be in jeopardy.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the schedule for the national team’s tour to Bangladesh next month for a three-match bilateral T20I series.

Pakistan will arrive in Dhaka on 16 July before taking on the Bangladesh cricket team in the first T20I on Sunday, 20 July.

The second T20I will take place on Tuesday, 22 July, with the third and final match of the series scheduled for Thursday, 24 July.

Notably, all three T20Is will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, with the first ball of each match scheduled to be bowled at 6:00 PM local time.

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The two teams recently faced each other in a three-match T20I series at the Gaddafi Stadium, where Pakistan achieved a clean sweep against Bangladesh.

Pakistan won the opening match by 37 runs, thanks to Shadab Khan’s outstanding all-round performance. He scored a rapid 48 runs off 25 balls and took two crucial wickets.

In the second T20I, Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Nawaz both made significant contributions with quick half-centuries, leading Pakistan to victory.

Meanwhile, the star of the third match was Mohammad Haris, who scored a blazing unbeaten century.

Pakistan-Bangladesh series schedule

20 July – First T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

22 July – Second T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

24 July – Third T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

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Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas and India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan shared a heartwarming moment during Nottinghamshire’s County Championship clash against Yorkshire, drawing widespread admiration from fans across both countries.

The duo, currently playing together for Nottinghamshire, celebrated a wicket with a handshake and hug, a rare sight considering the long-standing on-field rivalry between Indian and Pakistani cricketers.

The moment came on the second day of the match when Abbas dismissed Yorkshire opener Adam Lyth for a duck.

The left-hander edged a delivery from Mohammad Abbas, which was safely pouched by Ishan Kishan behind the stumps.

The two cricketers then came together for a brief but emotional celebration, which was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media.

Nottinghamshire’s official social media handles shared the clip, which was widely praised by fans and cricket followers from both sides of the border.

“This is the true beauty of county cricket. I love and admire this game for moments like these,” commented a fan, Khawaja Naeem Akbar.

Another user wrote that seeing Abbas and Kishan playing together increased their respect for both players, while others described the moment as “special” and “beautiful.”

Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan impressed with the bat in Nottinghamshire’s first innings, scoring a fluent 87 off 98 deliveries, including one six and 12 fours.

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Mohammad Abbas, on the other hand, bowled an economical spell, finishing with figures of 1 for 19 from 10 overs, including four maidens.

It’s worth noting that more India-Pakistan pairings are expected later in the County Championship season, with India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad set to join Yorkshire in July.

Meanwhile, Pakistan batter Abdullah Shafique has also signed with the same franchise and is expected to feature in the tournament once his visa issues are resolved.

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