Category: Sports

Former Kenya national team captain Victor Wanyama, the first from his country to join the English Premier League, announced his retirement from football at the age of 34.

The midfielder, whose career spanned nearly two decades, signed for Southampton from Scottish club Celtic for a reported fee of £12.5 million in July 2013.

He made 85 appearances for the Saints, scoring only four goals, before agreeing a £11 million move to fellow League side Tottenham in June 2016.

“Today I announce my retirement from football,” Wanyama said late Friday on X. “Four different countries, six different clubs, a boy from Muthurwa with a big dream, carrying a nation’s pride every time I stepped onto the pitch.”

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Victor Wanyama made 64 international appearances for Kenya before quitting as Harambee Stars captain in September 2021 after being overlooked for Kenya’s unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

He was called out of retirement by the current coach, Benni McCarthy, as the team prepared for the African Nations Championships, which was played in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in August 2025, but did not take up the offer.

In March 2025, Wanyama returned to the Scottish League when he joined Championship club Dunfermline Athletic on a short-term deal after a two-and-a-half spell with the Canadian Major League soccer (MLS) club Montreal Impact.

READ: Mohammad Naeem helps Lahore Qalandars thump Multan Sultans

LAHORE: A blistering half-century from Mohammad Naeem propelled Lahore Qalandars to a commanding victory over Multan Sultans in a rain-shortened Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

In a contest reduced to 13 overs per side due to persistent rain, the Qalandars produced a batting masterclass to post a daunting 185-5 after being put into bat by Sultans skipper Ashton Turner.

The defending champions came out all guns blazing, with Naeem and Parvez Hossain Emon dismantling the Sultans’ bowling attack in a breathtaking opening stand. The duo racked up 86 runs in just five overs, setting the tone for a massive total.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Emon was eventually dismissed for a fiery 45 off 19 deliveries, but Naeem continued the onslaught, anchoring the innings with a rapid 60 off 28 balls, laced with boundaries and clean hitting.

He found further support in Abdullah Shafique, who chipped in with a quickfire 33, as the Qalandars maintained their aggressive tempo.

Despite a couple of late breakthroughs, Lahore finished strongly, thanks to Sikandar Raza (13*), who ensured the total remained well beyond par in a shortened contest.

In reply, Multan Sultans struggled to keep pace despite a spirited effort. Early setbacks saw Steve Smith (9) and Josh Philippe (1) depart cheaply, putting the chase on the back foot.

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A counter-attacking knock from Shan Masood briefly revived hopes, as he struck a brisk 44 off 18 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan added 24. However, regular wickets prevented the Sultans from building sustained momentum.

Captain Turner led from the front with an unbeaten 52 off 22 deliveries and shared a fighting stand with Arafat Minhas, but the required rate proved too steep in the end as the Sultans finished on 165-5.

The defeat marked Multan’s first loss of the season, dropping them to third on the table, while Lahore Qalandars climbed to second with their second win.

READ: ‘Line crossed’: Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez dropped for two matches

Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez will miss Chelsea’s next two matches after he “crossed a line” with comments that cast doubt on his future at Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old, linked with Real Madrid, fuelled speculation by telling a podcast he would like to live in the Spanish capital.

Defender Marc Cucurella also spoke openly about “instability” at the club and questioned its recruitment strategy.

Fernandez’s remarks, however, were viewed as the most damaging and the strongest indication yet that he may be considering a move.

After Chelsea’s Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain last month, he said he did not know whether he would still be at the club next season.

Head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed Fernandez would not be part of the squad for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next weekend’s Premier League game against Manchester City.

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“I spoke with Enzo about an hour ago,” Rosenior said on Friday. “As a football club, with me as part of the decision, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game or Manchester City next Sunday.

“It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I have got no bad words to say about him, but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.”

Fernandez joined Chelsea for a then-British record £107 million in 2023 and was named vice-captain the following year. After a challenging start, he has become one of the club’s most influential figures both on and off the pitch.

“Enzo, firstly, as a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect,” said Rosenior. “He’s frustrated because he wants us to be successful.

“In terms of the decision, it’s not all about me, or the sporting directors, the ownership, the players; we are aligned in our decision. The door is not closed on Enzo. It’s a sanction. You have to protect the culture and, in terms of that, a line was crossed.”

READ: ‘Hard work is paying off’: Azam Khan opens up on fitness transformation

LAHORE: Persistent rain has forced a reduction in overs for the much-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 fixture between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans, with the contest now set to be played as a 13-overs-a-side match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

The toss, initially delayed due to steady showers in Lahore, is now scheduled for 8:30 PM local time, with the first ball expected to be bowled at 8:45 PM.

The weather interruptions come at a crucial stage of the tournament, with both teams eyeing momentum early in the campaign.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Multan Sultans, led by Ashton Turner, have made a strong start, winning both of their opening matches to sit second on the points table.

The Sultans began their season with a comfortable win over Islamabad United, powered by Josh Philippe’s fluent half-century and a composed finish from Turner.

They followed it up with a remarkable chase of 226 against Hyderabad Kingsmen, thanks to a stunning unbeaten century from Sahibzada Farhan.

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In contrast, defending champions Lahore Qalandars, under the leadership of Shaheen Shah Afridi, have had a mixed start.

They opened their title defence with a commanding win over Hyderabad Kingsmen, but fell short in a closely fought contest against arch-rivals Karachi Kings in their second outing.

READ: ‘Hard work is paying off’: Azam Khan opens up on fitness transformation

Karachi Kings wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has opened up on his fitness and weight loss journey, crediting months of disciplined training for his resurgence after delivering a match-winning performance in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Azam played a pivotal role in Karachi’s victory over Rawalpindiz, smashing a blistering 74 off just 34 deliveries to guide his side to a five-wicket win.

After the game, Azam, while reflecting on his journey, revealed that the past several months had been both challenging and transformative.

“Since last year’s PSL, I haven’t played much professional cricket, but I’m in a good zone because I’ve trained really hard over the past few months, and it’s showing on the ground,” he said.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The right-hander shared that relocating from Karachi to Lahore proved to be a turning point in his routine, as he became more disciplined and has been training regularly at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

“The last seven to eight months have been tough. I have shifted to a different city. I live in Karachi, but now I have moved to Lahore. I have been training at the National Cricket Academy. I’ve been putting in daily effort, repeating drills, and that’s really helped my confidence,” he stated.

“When you shift to a different city, you have to work hard enough and be more disciplined. So I have felt that I have been more disciplined with my training as well as my diet.”

According to Azam Khan, a significant part of his improvement has come through a stricter approach to fitness and diet. He admitted to working closely with professionals to address his weight and conditioning.

“I had to make serious changes, hire a dietician, consult doctors for my weight loss, and stay disciplined with my diet. There are cheat days, of course,” he joked, “but overall, I’ve lost a lot of weight, and I’m moving much better on the field.”

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Azam acknowledged that his previous fitness levels had impacted key aspects of his game, particularly his ability to run between the wickets and his wicketkeeping mobility.

“Last year, I was slow while running, and my lateral movement behind the stumps wasn’t great. Now, I feel quicker and more agile, which is very satisfying,” he noted.

Interestingly, the change in physique has also influenced his equipment and approach at the crease.

“I had to reduce the weight of my bat after losing weight. Like when I was heavy i was using a heavier bat, but when I got lighter, I had to change my bat weight as well, but I haven’t lost any power. In fact, I don’t get tired as much while batting now, and I feel more comfortable overall,” he explained.

READ: PSL 11: Toss of Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans delayed

LAHORE: The toss for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans has been delayed due to persistent rain at Gaddafi Stadium here on Friday.

Notably, Ashton Turner-led Multan Sultans have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, sitting second on the points table with two wins from two matches.

The new-look Sultans kicked off their PSL 11 campaign with a dominant five-wicket victory over Islamabad United, courtesy of the brilliant batting efforts of Josh Philippe (55) and Turner (43*).

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In their second match of the season, Sahibzada Farhan smashed an unbeaten 106 to help the Sultans chase down a 226-run target against Hyderabad Kingsmen.

In contrast, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars find themselves in the fifth position with one win and one loss.

They commenced their title defence with a thumping 69-run victory over the Kingsmen, thanks to a combined team effort. However, they suffered a four-wicket defeat against arch-rivals Karachi Kings in their second match.

SQUADS

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah, Mohammad Farooq, Daniel Sams, Parvez Hussain Emon, Asif Ali, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan, Ryan Burl, Shahab Khan

Multan Sultans: Ashton Turner (c), Shan Masood (vc), Mohammad Nawaz, Shehzad Gul, Faisal Akram, Imran Randhawa, Arafat Minhas, Sahibzada Farhan, Steve Smith, Peter Siddle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lachlan Shaw, Delano Potgieter, Josh Philippe, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Shahzad, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ismail, Atizaz Habib Khan

READ: David Warner dismisses Moeen Ali ‘fight’ after viral clip sparks debate

LAHORE: Karachi Kings captain David Warner has brushed aside speculation of a rift with teammate Moeen Ali after a viral clip during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash against Rawalpindiz triggered debate on social media.

The video, widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), showed an animated Warner walking towards Moeen before Karachi’s team director Haider Azhar intervened and led the Australian opener away. The brief exchange was quickly interpreted by fans as a sign of tension within the Kings’ dressing room.

“BIG FIGHT BETWEEN DAVID WARNER & MOEEN ALI. During the match session, a heated argument broke out between Moeen Ali and David Warner,” the video caption stated.

However, Warner moved swiftly to shut down the rumours, clarifying that the moment had been taken out of context.

“Calm down, mate. You have zero context. Our manager always wants to shake hands first. Has nothing to do with Mo – it’s called team banter,” Warner responded to the above-mentioned video.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 calm down mate. You have zero context. The 🤡 our manager always wants to shake hands first . Has nothing to do with Mo 🤣🤣 it’s called team banter

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 3, 2026

Azhar also backed the skipper’s version, dismissing the claims of any disagreement and insisting the moment was light-hearted.

“Not true! Both of them were making fun of me!” he added.

The off-field chatter, meanwhile, did little to overshadow Karachi’s strong showing on the field.

Warner led from the front with a composed 50, while Azam Khan produced a blistering 74 as the Kings chased down a daunting 198-run target to secure a five-wicket victory.

The duo’s crucial 76-run stand for the third wicket proved decisive, guiding Karachi to their third consecutive win in the tournament.

READ: Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane ruled out of Freiburg clash

Harry Kane will miss the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Freiburg this weekend but should be fit for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid next week, coach Vincent Kompany said Friday.

Kane missed England’s friendly defeat by Japan this week with an ankle problem and has not recovered in time to face Freiburg on Saturday.

Bayern take on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.

“Harry trained well until Sunday, then he felt something in his ankle while with the national team,” Kompany told reporters.

“That will have an impact on tomorrow’s game — he won’t be available. Nevertheless, I’m positive about Tuesday. It’s not great, I’d like him to play against Freiburg, but as things stand today, that won’t be possible.”

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Bayern lead second-placed Borussia Dortmund by nine points in the Bundesliga and can take another step towards a second straight title this week. But they will be without Kane and his suspended understudy, Nicolas Jackson.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund also confirmed that Raphael Guerreiro will leave the club at the end of the season, with Juventus reportedly interested in signing the Portugal full-back.

“Rapha will be leaving us. It wasn’t easy because he’s a great lad, has played a lot of good games, is very versatile – a great strength of his,” said Freund.

“But we’ve always said that when we make a decision, we tell the lads, so that’s what we’ve done now.”

Guerreiro has scored 12 goals in 89 appearances for Bayern since signing from Dortmund three years ago.

READ: Gennaro Gattuso resigns as Italy coach after World Cup flop

Gennaro Gattuso quit as Italy coach on Friday as the Azzurri failing to reach a third straight World Cup continued to send shockwaves through Italian football.

A World Cup winner in 2006, Gattuso leaves after less than a year in charge of Italy, a team which has fallen far behind historic rivals like France and Spain in the last two decades.

Defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Hercegovina in Tuesday’s qualification play-off final ended up costing Gattuso his job, as the man who hired him also stepped down as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

Gabriele Gravina had asked Gattuso to stay on immediately after elimination in Zenica, but his departure, and that of national team general manager Gianluigi Buffon, paved the way for the 48-year-old to resign.

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Gattuso took charge of Italy in June last year following the sacking of Luciano Spalletti, himself a victim of a dismal title defence at Euro 2024 and a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Erling Haaland’s Norway in their first World Cup qualifier.

His record is impressive on paper, with six wins, one defeat and one draw in eight matches with 22 goals scored and 10 conceded.

But that draw was the 1-1 with Bosnia, which preceded a penalty shoot-out in which Italy missed twice, while the loss was another humiliating one to Norway, this time 4-1 at the San Siro.

Gattuso was considered by many a strange choice to replace Spalletti due to his spotty club coaching record, and he was heavily criticised after Tuesday’s elimination.

READ: PSL 11: Weather forecast for Lahore Qalandars-Multan Sultans clash

LAHORE: The upcoming match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans is likely to be affected by weather concerns here on Friday.

A light drizzle had already set in by the evening, forcing ground staff to swiftly cover the pitch and outfield at the LCCA Ground as a precautionary measure, raising concerns over a potential delay or interruption.

According to weather forecasts, conditions in Lahore remain far from ideal for cricket. At around 6:00 PM local time, thunderstorms were reported with temperatures hovering at 19°C but feeling closer to 15°C due to the wind chill.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Winds from the south-west, coupled with high humidity levels touching 85%, have added to the discomfort, while over 12 mm of rainfall has already been recorded.

Visibility has also been significantly reduced, with dense cloud cover and a low ceiling contributing to gloomy playing conditions. Air quality remains unhealthy, further compounding the challenges for players and officials.

While a slight improvement is expected by 7:00 PM, with rainfall predicted to ease and temperatures dipping marginally, the overall outlook still suggests unstable weather.

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Cloud cover is set to remain heavy, and visibility is unlikely to improve substantially, keeping the possibility of interruptions alive.

Notably, Ashton Turner-led Multan Sultans have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, sitting second on the points table with two wins from two matches.

In contrast, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars find themselves in the mid-table with one win and one loss.

READ: Fakhar Zaman’s appeal rejected as PSL committee upholds two-match ban