Category: Sports

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, Sialkot Stallionz, has officially been rebranded as Multan Sultans following a majority takeover by CD Ventures, PSL CEO Salman Naseer confirmed on Tuesday.

The development was announced during a joint press conference in Lahore attended by Naseer, franchise owner Hamza Majeed and CD Ventures chief Gohar Shah.

CD Ventures has acquired a majority stake in the franchise, originally purchased by OZ Developers for Rs 1.85 billion during the PSL auction in January.

Naseer revealed that following the latest developments, the franchise’s valuation has now increased to Rs 2 billion annually.

“Gohar Shah requested to change the franchise’s name after becoming CEO, and that request has been accepted,” Naseer said. “Sialkot Stallionz will now compete as Multan Sultans.”

Majeed described the arrangement as a strategic partnership approved by both the PCB and the PSL.

“With PCB and PSL’s approval, this strategic partnership has been finalised,” Majeed said. “CD Ventures’ Gohar Shah is now our strategic partner and will serve as the franchise’s CEO going forward.”

He praised Shah’s enthusiasm, adding, “Gohar Shah’s passion and drive are even greater than mine. Seeing his energy makes me happy, and I welcome him to our league.”

Speculation had surrounded the Sialkot franchise in recent weeks amid reports that OZ Developers had offloaded a significant portion of their shares after one of their partners withdrew shortly after the PSL auction.

There were also unverified claims of financial trouble within the parent company, which Majeed publicly denied last week, confirming only that talks with CD Ventures were ongoing.

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Speaking at the press conference, Gohar Shah confirmed he has officially joined the franchise as CEO and expressed his desire to restore South Punjab’s representation in the league.

“A stallion alone cannot win the PSL. To move forward, a stallion needs a sultan, and we have come as Sultans,” he remarked.

He added that retaining the Multan identity was important to him.

“It was my wish that the name Multan Sultans remain, and for me it was necessary,” he added.

Shah outlined his broader cricketing vision, stating that he has named it “Total Cricket.”

“Cricket should be played in a way that serves Pakistan cricket’s needs. In my opinion, the squad selected is correct. Final decisions on the playing XI and other matters will be taken once the camp begins,” he said.

Despite the name change, Majeed assured Sialkot supporters that their backing would not be forgotten.

“We are grateful to Sialkot Stallionz fans for their encouragement,” he said. “There will still be an element of the Stallionz identity visible in our campaign.”

He also confirmed that transport arrangements will be made for Sialkot fans to attend Multan Sultans matches during the season.

The rebranding marks a significant shift ahead of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, which is scheduled to commence on March 26 across five venues in the country.

READ: Aleem Dar resigns from PCB selection committee: sources

Real Madrid fell to a damaging 1-0 defeat by Getafe at home in La Liga on Monday, leaving them four points behind leaders Barcelona.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, beaten by a superb volley from Martin Satriano, suffered a second consecutive loss in the Spanish top flight for the first time since 2020.

Madrid forward Franco Mastantuono was sent off in stoppage time for apparent dissent to make a bad night worse for Los Blancos.

“Obviously, it’s a match where we could have done things better, but I think my players tried and we had more clear chances than them,” Arbeloa told reporters.

“However, in football, deserving isn’t enough, and Getafe played a great game.”

With French superstar Kylian Mbappe in France to treat a knee sprain, Madrid lined up with Gonzalo Garcia in attack alongside Brazil star Vinicius Junior at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid were beaten at Osasuna last weekend, allowing rivals Barca to overtake them in the title race, and Hansi Flick’s side stretched their lead by thrashing Villarreal on Saturday.

Vinicius, in excellent form in 2026 after an inconsistent start to the season, spurned a fine early chance.

The winger burst through on goal, but David Soria saved well with his leg.

A brilliant roulette from Arda Guler nearly earned Madrid the breakthrough, but Soria tipped over the Turkish forward’s strike.

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Getafe were upset by a painful collision between Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger and Diego Rico, in which the German’s knee knocked the Spaniard’s head.

Uruguayan forward Satriano broke the deadlock with a delicious strike from the edge of the box after compatriot Mauro Arambarri nodded the ball into his path.

Soria, who had a fine game, saved from Vinicius in the second half, and the Brazilian called for more support from Madrid’s fans.

However, the team were not giving them much to get excited about, although Rudiger came close to levelling with a header.

It was a disjointed display from a Madrid side who visit Celta Vigo on Friday in La Liga, before hosting Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League last 16, unsure if top scorer Mbappe will be fit to play.

In stoppage time, Mastantuono was dismissed, seemingly for something he said to the referee, before Getafe were also reduced to 10 men when Adrian Liso kicked the ball away and was shown a second yellow card.

“Nobody here is throwing in the towel, this is Real Madrid, you don’t give up until the last game,” added Arbeloa.

“Four points is a distance that we can cut back, and we will fight for that.”

Jose Bordalas’s Getafe rose to 11th and were able to celebrate their first win at the Bernabeu since 2008.

“It’s very hard to get points when you come here. I have to congratulate the team for the work in defence, then we got our goal, and we could even have scored another in the end,” said Getafe defender Kiko Femenia.

READ: Haris Rauf among 14 Pakistan players in The Hundred auction

LONDON: Pacer Haris Rauf has been named a ‘marquee player’ in The Hundred inaugural auction, one of 14 Pakistani players on the list.  

The list revealed on The Hundred’s official website features 14 Pakistan players, including Rauf.

“The longlist for The Hundred Auction have been revealed, with the likes of Joe Root, Davina Perrin, Nadine de Klerk and Shaheen Shah Afridi set to go under the hammer at Piccadilly Lights on 11 and 12 March,” the press release wrote.

“With nearly 1,000 players registering themselves for consideration for the Auction, the eight men’s and women’s teams were required to nominate up to 100 players they’d be interested in purchasing. Any player with at least one nomination has been included on the longlists,” it added.

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Two weeks earlier, the BBC reported that the four Indian-owned franchises of the eight-team competition, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds, were not considering Pakistani players for next month’s auction.

However, last week the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued a statement reaffirming, stating that The Hundred is an inclusive competition, open to all players.

“All eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team,” the statement read.

Besides Rauf, other prominent players on the men’s longlist include pacers Shaheen Afridi, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, and Usman Tariq.

For the unversed, the Hundred will be played from July 21 to August 16, 2026.

Men’s Hundred Pakistan players

Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Tariq, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Zaman Khan, Imad Wasim, Usama Mir, Akif Javed, Salman Mirza

Women’s Hundred Pakistan players

Fatima Sana, Sadia Iqbal.

READ: Pakistan reach FIH Hockey World Cup qualifiers semi-final

ISMAILIA: Pakistan’s hockey team continued their strong form by defeating Malaysia 5-3 in their second game of the FIH World Cup Qualifiers 2026.

This was Green Shirts’ second win of the tournament, propelling them into the semi-final.

Goals from Rana Waheed Ashraf, Ahmed Nadeem, and Sufyan Khan played a decisive role in the team’s victory.

Malaysia made a solid start as Abdul Rauf pierced the net in the 11th minute of the game. However, Rana Waheed quickly responded and levelled the score line in the very next minute.

But the 12th-ranked Malaysia regained the lead in the last minute of the first quarter.

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Pakistan started the second quarter on a positive note with Hayat Zikriya levelling the scoreline once again. The first half of the game ended 2-2.

In the third quarter, Malaysia struck first in the 39th minute, only for Ahmed Nadeem to equalize for Pakistan in the 44th minute.

The Green Shirts finally pulled ahead in the last quarter, with Sufyan Khan scoring in the 48th minute and Muhammad Ammad sealing the win in the 59th  minute.

For the unversed, Pakistan are slotted alongside China, Malaysia, and Austria in pool B of the Hockey World Cup qualifiers.

The top four teams from the overall tournament will earn qualification spots for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

READ: Rosenior issues discipline warning to Chelsea players

Liam Rosenior on Monday demanded an improvement in discipline from his Chelsea players after Pedro Neto became their ninth player to be sent off this season, threatening to drop players who do not show greater control.

Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium means Chelsea have won just two of their past six matches in all competitions.

They are sixth in the Premier League table ahead of Wednesday’s match at fourth-placed Aston Villa, three points behind Liverpool in the battle for Champions League football next season.

Ill-discipline has been costly for Chelsea this season, with Neto the seventh Stamford Bridge player to be shown a red card in the Premier League.

Chelsea boss Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca in the hot seat in January, said Neto had apologised to his teammates after he was dismissed in the 70th minute.

“My job is to create a culture of accountability, where if you make a mistake, it’s OK, you hold your hands up and you make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said the English manager.

“But you have to hold your hands up to the original mistake. If I make the wrong team selection, or I get something wrong, my job is to be accountable, and it’s the same for my players in that moment.”

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Rosenior said Portugal winger Pedro, who will miss this week’s match at Villa Park, had apologised to his teammates.

“I just need to see an improvement in the behaviour now,” he said.

“And it’s not just Pedro. We’ve had bookings. People speak about dissent. We’ve had needless bookings in terms of fouls. If we are to improve and get to where we want to be, we have to make a conscious step now to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

The Chelsea boss said there were different approaches to tackling the issue.

“Sometimes it’s not a stick, it’s showing what the value of not having a red card is,” he said. “If you look at our stats, when we have 11 men on the pitch, before my job here and after my job here, our percentage chance of winning goes through the roof.

“So that needs to be motivation in itself, to make sure we stay disciplined in key moments, reacting to setbacks. Sometimes a setback is giving the ball away, sometimes a setback is a referee making a decision you disagree with.

“In that moment you have to react positively and you have to think of the next thing. Those are the things we have to go after in order for our discipline to improve.”

Rosenior added: “You pick players who are showing that improvement. I can’t afford to go through a season every two games or every three games with a red card, it’s just not possible.

“So I need to see improvement in that and I need to adjust my team selection based on who’s showing those capabilities.”

READ: Slot makes candid admission about Premier League

LAHORE: In the aftermath of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup exit, former international umpire and national selection committee member Aleem Dar has decided to step down from his role.

According to the sources privy to the matter, Dar, 57, decided to leave the role after Pakistan’s poor performance in the T20 World Cup.

Aleem Dar was appointed as a selector on October 11, 2024, alongside former pacer Aqib Javed, ex-Test captain Azhar Ali, and analyst Hasan Cheema in a revamped selection panel.

It is worth mentioning that Aleem Dar officiated in a record 435 men’s Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, including four World Cup finals, before calling time on his career.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board has also imposed a fine of Rs5m on each player following a disappointing campaign in the mega event.

Sources confirmed that the board made it clear to the players that financial benefits will now be strictly tied to performance.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-final as their campaign ended in the Super Eights stage of the tournament.

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In their final match, the Green Shirts secured a narrow five-run victory over Sri Lanka but failed to progress to the semi-finals as New Zealand advanced on the basis of a superior run rate.

Earlier, in the group stage, Pakistan won three out of their four matches. They opened their tournament with an unconvincing win against the Netherlands, following it up with a decisive victory over USA. However, they were completely outplayed by their bitter rivals, India, by 61 runs.

They won their last fixture against Namibia to advance to the Super Eights. But a washout against New Zealand and a subsequent defeat to England ultimately left their semi-final hopes hanging in the balance.

READ: Pakistan players fined Rs5m after World Cup exit: sources

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to impose a fine of Rs 5 million on each player following the national team’s disappointing campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

According to sources, the board has made it clear to the players that financial benefits will now be strictly tied to performance.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-final as their campaign ended in the Super Eights stage of the tournament.

In their final match, the Green Shirts secured a narrow five-run victory over Sri Lanka but failed to progress as New Zealand advanced on the basis of a superior run rate.

Earlier, in the group stage, Pakistan won three out of their four matches. They opened their tournament with an unconvincing win against the Netherlands, following it up with a decisive victory over USA.

However, they were completely outplayed by their bitter rivals, India, by 61 runs.

They won their last fixture against Namibia to advance to the Super Eights. But a washout against New Zealand and a subsequent defeat to England ultimately left their semi-final hopes hanging in the balance.

For those unaware, an A-category player receives a monthly salary of 4.5 million rupees plus 2.07 million rupees as a share from ICC revenue. Meanwhile, Match fees are separate.

B-category players receive 3 million rupees monthly and 1.5525 million rupees as ICC share.

C-category players get 1 million rupees monthly and 1.035 million rupees ICC share. D-category players earn 750,000 rupees monthly and 517,500 rupees ICC share.

Notably, under the current central contracts (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026), no player has been placed in the A category.

READ: Slot makes candid admission about Premier League

Liverpool boss Arne Slot said Monday that the growing reliance on set pieces in the Premier League has sucked some of the joy out of football but accepts it is the new reality.

Last season’s champions struggled with dead-ball situations both defensively and in attacking areas earlier in the campaign.

But seven of their past nine Premier League goals have come from set pieces, including three following corners in Saturday’s 5-2 win against West Ham at Anfield.

Premier League leaders Arsenal are renowned as the set-piece kings and on Sunday scored their 16th goal from a corner this season — equalling the league record.

“First of all, you have to accept it. I think it’s mainly here in the Premier League,” Slot told reporters on Monday.

“If I watch other leagues, I don’t think there’s so much emphasis on set pieces.”

The Liverpool manager said he felt goalkeepers in the Premier League were given less protection by match officials than those in other leagues, such as the Dutch top division.

“Here you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face and the referee still says just go on,” said the Dutchman.

“Do I like it? My football heart doesn’t like it.”

Slot said he used to look forward to watching the great Barcelona side of Pep Guardiola, who were renowned for their silky, possession-based football.

“Now, most of the games I see in the Premier League are not for me a joy to watch,” he said.

“But it’s always interesting because it’s so competitive, and that is what makes this league great, because there’s so much competitiveness, everyone can beat everyone.”

Slot, whose team travel to face bottom side Wolves on Tuesday, said the set-piece trend was here to stay.

“Maybe in five or ten years’ time things will change again, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you go to an under-16 game somewhere… I wouldn’t be surprised if you see teams completely being focused, 16-year-olds on set-pieces,” he said.

“That’s the new reality, and I have my opinion about it, but it doesn’t change.”

Fifth-placed Liverpool, who have won seven of their past nine games in all competitions, are in a strong position to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz is expected to miss the Wolves match and Friday’s FA Cup game against the same opponents, both taking place at Molineux, due to a back issue.

The German missed Liverpool’s wins against Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

READ: Pakistan avoid whitewash against South Africa with massive win

DURBAN: Pakistan women’s team sealed a commanding 119-run win over South Africa in the third ODI to avoid a whitewash here at the Kingsmead on Sunday. 

Asked to bat first, Pakistan racked up 306-8 on the back of impressive half-centuries from Sadaf Shams and skipper Fatima Sana in their 50 overs.

Shamas anchored the innings with a superb 97 off 82 balls, striking 16 fours and a six, while Sana injected late momentum with a rapid 60 off just 41 deliveries, laced with five sixes and three fours.

Shamas, who fell just short of a century, was named Player of the Match for her composed knock at the top.

She received valuable support from Sidra Amin (41) and wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi (36), ensuring Pakistan posted a formidable total.

For South Africa, Sune Luus returned figures of 3/42 in nine overs, while Nonkululeko Mlaba claimed two wickets. Ayanda Hlubi, Annerie Dercksen, and Chloe Tryon picked up one each.

Chasing a stiff 307-run target, the hosts endured a disastrous start, losing three wickets for just seven runs inside two overs.

Annerie Dercksen attempted to revive the innings, first sharing a 90-run third-wicket stand with Faye Tunnicliff before Nashra Sandhu dismissed the latter for 47.

Dercksen then added another crucial 50-run partnership with Sinalo Jafta, but their departures in quick succession left South Africa reeling at 147/6.

Dercksen top-scored with a fighting 54 off 67 balls, while Jafta contributed 33, but the lower order failed to mount further resistance.

Pakistan’s bowlers capitalised on the momentum, bowling out South Africa for 187 in 36.2 overs.

Sadia Iqbal led the bowling effort with figures of 3/41, while Nashra Sandhu, Umme-Hani and captain Sana claimed two wickets apiece.

Tasmia Rubab chipped in with one to seal a comprehensive win for the visitors.

READ: FIH World Cup Qualifier: Pakistan prevail over China in thrilling win

ISMAILIA: Pakistan’s men’s hockey team sealed a thrilling 5-4 win over China in their opening game of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. 

The Green Shirts bagged crucial three points with captain Ammad Butt leading from the front and earning the Player of the Match award.

It was Pakistan who struck first, with Sufyan Khan scoring the first goal in the seventh minute of the game. The first half belonged to Pakistan.

However, China made a comeback in the second quarter as Shihao DU got one through the nets to level the score.

Soon after, Pakistan doubled the score line with back-to-back goals in the 19th and 20th minutes of the game. Rana Waheed Ashraf and Muhammad Ammad were the goal scorers.

The second half ended with the scoreline of 3-1.

Pakistan further consolidated their grip in the match as Abu Mahmood found the back of the net to give his side a 4-1 lead in the 34th minute of the match.

But China broke the deadlock with two goals, making a strong comeback as Shihao and Quyang Guan pulled their side back into contention.

However, the response was immediate. Just under a minute later, RanaWaleed restored the two-goal cushion with a decisive finish at 42:37, taking the score to 5-3.

China piled the pressure on Pakistan with an early fourth-quarter strike, but the Green Shirts held firm to clinch a thrilling victory despite conceding two late penalty corners.

For the unversed, Pakistan are slotted alongside China, Malaysia, and Austria in pool B of the Hockey World Cup qualifiers.

The top four teams from the overall tournament will earn qualification spots for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

READ: Holder, Powell lift West Indies to strong total