Category: Top News

READ: Rumman Raees urges Babar Azam to consider T20 retirement

Pakistan pacer Rumman Raees has offered a candid piece of advice to star batter Babar Azam, suggesting that the latter consider retiring from T20 cricket to refocus on the longer formats.

Speaking during a podcast appearance alongside Fawad Alam, Raees described his remarks as a “friendly suggestion,” emphasising that Babar’s dip in form in the shortest format could have a broader impact on his overall game.

“There is no doubt about his class or his batting,” Raees said. “But in T20 cricket, I feel he should respectfully consider retirement and focus on ODI and Test formats.”

The left-arm pacer, who represented Pakistan between 2016 and 2018, argued that struggles in one format can often spill over into others, particularly given the fast-paced and high-pressure nature of T20 cricket.

“When performance drops in one format, it can affect the others as well. T20 is short and sharp, but its impact reflects on your overall game,” he added.

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Babar Azam, widely regarded as one of the finest batters of his generation, has come under increasing scrutiny over his recent performances in T20 internationals.

Despite being among the leading run-scorers in the format globally, his returns in recent tournaments have failed to match expectations.

He was notably left out of Pakistan’s T20I plans in late 2024 and remained on the sidelines for a significant part of 2025, including the ACC Men’s Asia Cup.

Although he made a return later that year and featured in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, his campaign did little to silence critics. Babar managed just 91 runs in six matches during the tournament, averaging 22.75, with a highest score of 46.

READ: Maaz Sadaqat blazes into record books with 19-ball half-century

LAHORE: Maaz Sadaqat produced a sensational display of power-hitting to register one of the fastest half-centuries in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history during Hyderabad Kingsmen’s clash against Multan Sultans at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

The young top-order batter brought up his second PSL fifty in just 19 deliveries, equalling the joint third-fastest half-century in the league’s history alongside Luke Ronchi and Sam Billings.

The record for the fastest PSL fifty remains jointly held by Kamran Akmal, Asif Ali, Hazratullah Zazai and Rilee Rossouw, all of whom reached the landmark in 17 balls.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Fastest half-centuries in PSL

• 17 balls – Kamran Akmal (2018), Asif Ali (2019), Hazratullah Zazai (2021), Rilee Rossouw (2023)
• 18 balls – Paul Stirling (2022), Tim David (2022), Mohammad Haris (2022)
• 19 balls – Luke Ronchi (2018), Sam Billings (2025), Maaz Sadaqat (2026)

Sadaqat signalled his intent from the outset, launching the innings with a towering six off Shehzad Gul and maintaining an aggressive tempo throughout his stay at the crease. Mixing clean hitting with calculated strokeplay, he raced to his fifty with a single off Sultans skipper Ashton Turner.

The 20-year-old eventually fell after a scintillating 62 off just 26 deliveries, an innings decorated with 10 boundaries, including five sixes, before being dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz.

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His explosive knock laid the foundation for a commanding total, as Hyderabad Kingsmen piled up an imposing 225-5 in their 20 overs.

Veteran batter Sharjeel Khan provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, while Saim Ayub (27) and Usman Khan (25) chipped in with valuable contributions.

READ: Saim Ayub achieves THIS milestone during Multan Sultans clash

New Zealand batter Devon Conway has dismissed a viral social media post attributed to him regarding the Indian Premier League (IPL), clarifying that the statement was shared by an impersonator and not from any official account.

The controversy emerged earlier this week when a verified X (formerly Twitter) account, posing as the New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter, reacted to the Chennai Super Kings’ defeat against the Rajasthan Royals.

The post suggested Conway was frustrated at missing out on IPL action while being committed to the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he is representing Islamabad United.

“Hard to sit this one out… Watching CSK lose to Rajasthan Royals hurts. Right now I’m locked in with PSL duties, but revenge at Chepauk will always be on my mind,” the post stated.

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The message quickly gained traction, particularly given Conway’s association with Chennai in previous IPL seasons, sparking debate among fans over whether players should publicly comment on rival leagues while they are under ongoing commitments.

However, Devon Conway moved swiftly to set the record straight. Taking to Instagram, he urged fans to disregard the circulating post and clarified that he does not maintain a presence on X or Facebook.

“Please ignore this X account impersonating me. I am not on X/Facebook, and this account is not affiliated with me in any way,” Conway stated.

He also confirmed that he has reported the impersonating account and expressed hope that it would be taken down promptly.

“I have reported it, and hopefully it can be taken down as soon as possible,” he added.

READ: Saim Ayub achieves THIS milestone during Multan Sultans clash

LAHORE: Saim Ayub achieved a significant personal milestone on Wednesday as he crossed 1,000 runs in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during Hyderabad Kingsmen’s clash against Multan Sultans.

The left-handed opener brought up the landmark in style, dispatching the very first delivery of the innings, bowled by Shehzad Gul, to the boundary, becoming the 28th batter to enter the elite 1,000-run club in the tournament’s history.

Ayub now joins an illustrious list of Pakistani T20 performers, including Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shoaib Malik and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Despite representing his third franchise in the PSL, Ayub has built the bulk of his tally during his time with Peshawar Zalmi, where he scored 860 runs across three seasons between 2023 and 2025.

He had earlier made his debut for Quetta Gladiators in the 2021 edition, enduring a modest start to his career with 114 runs in seven innings.

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In addition to his contributions with the bat, the 23-year-old has also chipped in as a bowler, claiming 14 wickets in the league at a respectable average of 30.42 and an economy rate of 7.88.

However, the landmark moment did not translate into a substantial innings in the ongoing fixture, as Ayub was dismissed for a short-lived 27 off 20 deliveries.

READ: Adam Zampa reveals why he opted for PSL instead of IPL

LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen have won the toss and decided to bat first against Multan Sultans in the eighth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday. 

Playing XIs

Adam Zampa has revealed his all-time favourite Pakistani cricketer, naming legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi as the player who left the biggest impression on him growing up.

Currently featuring for Karachi Kings in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, the Australian leg-spinner shared his admiration during a recent podcast appearance, recalling how Afridi’s fearless style shaped his early love for the game.

“I just loved watching Shahid Afridi, not even because he was a leg-spinner, but because of the way he swung his bat,” Zampa said on ARY Podcast.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a batter. The way he entertained people really stood out.”

Zampa also highlighted a current star who has caught his attention during the PSL, Shaheen Shah Afridi. The leg-spinner, who recently faced Shaheen in a PSL fixture, was full of praise for the left-arm pacer’s match-winning ability and on-field presence.

“One player I really enjoy watching is Shaheen Afridi. I played against him recently, and he was outstanding, took four wickets and maintained great rhythm,” Zampa noted.

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“It always feels like something is happening when he’s bowling.”

Adam Zampa further underlined Shaheen’s ability to consistently trouble batters, describing him as a bowler with both skill and instinct.

“He clearly knows what he’s doing and has a real knack for taking wickets. Facing him isn’t easy, most of the time, you’re just trying not to get hurt,” he added with a smile.

READ: Adam Zampa reveals why he opted for PSL instead of IPL

Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another as Argentina thrashed Zambia 5-0 on Tuesday in the South Americans’ final game on home soil before launching the defence of their World Cup crown.

Messi, restored to the starting line-up by coach Lionel Scaloni after Argentina’s lacklustre win over Mauritania last Friday, made an immediate impact in Tuesday’s friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.

The 38-year-old superstar set up the opening goal for Julian Alvarez before bagging his 116th goal for Argentina with an individual strike just before half-time.

Tuesday’s game marked a World Cup send-off for the reigning world champions, who will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J of the finals in June.

Argentina will also play a friendly against Serbia in June, and are seeking to arrange another warm-up fixture before the tournament.

Messi is firmly expected to captain Argentina into what will be a record sixth World Cup finals as the South American giants target back-to-back titles.

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The Inter Miami playmaker once again demonstrated his enduring influence on the Albiceleste with a typically decisive contribution in a comfortable win.

Alvarez fired Argentina into the lead after just four minutes when Messi effortlessly controlled a lofted pass on the edge of the area and then threaded a pass into the feet of the Atletico Madrid striker to score.

Messi doubled Argentina’s lead with the 902nd goal of his career two minutes before half-time, working a clever one-two with Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister before tucking a low finish past Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza.

Messi could have added to his goals tally just after half-time when Argentina were awarded a penalty following Albert Kangwanda’s foul on Thiago Almada.

But rather than take the spot kick himself, Messi handed the ball to veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, and the 38-year-old made no mistake from the spot for a 3-0 lead.

An own goal from Dominic Chanda in the 68th minute put Argentina 4-0 up, before rising star Valentin Barco completed the scoring in stoppage time to make it 5-0.

READ: Glenn Maxwell axed as Cricket Australia unveil central contract list

Young opening batter Sam Konstas and veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell were axed on Wednesday as Cricket Australia (CA) announced a list of 21 nationally contracted players for the 2026-27 season.

Australia, who will play 20 Tests in a 12-month period from August, have opted to go with opener Jake Weatherald, 31, instead of the out-of-form 20-year-old Konstas.

With Australia facing such a Test-heavy schedule, white-ball specialists Maxwell and Matt Short were also dropped from last year’s list, along with retired opener Usman Khawaja and injured fast bowler Lance Morris.

A surprise was the omission of fast bowler Jhye Richardson, who played his first Test in four years in the Boxing Day Ashes clash.

The 29-year-old had been touted as one of the natural successors to Australia’s ageing pace stalwarts Mitchell Starc (36), Josh Hazlewood (35) and Scott Boland (36).

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Cricket Australia (CA) instead opted to reward fellow Ashes-winning quick bowlers Brendan Doggett, who is 31, and the 36-year-old Michael Neser.

“The next 12 months encompasses a busy Test schedule across a range of conditions and challenges,” said chair of men’s selectors George Bailey. “This is reflected in the contract list through a predominance of Test and multi-format players for this cycle.”

Australia start their 2026-27 season with a two-match home series against Bangladesh in August. They will travel for three ODIs in Zimbabwe, plus three ODIs and three Tests in South Africa during September and October.

Australia return home for a white-ball series against England followed by 10 Tests in 14 weeks, starting with four at home to New Zealand in December and January.

A five-Test tour of India begins on January 21, and the season will end with the 150th anniversary Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March 2027.

Cricket Australia central contract list for 2026-27

Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa

READ: Adam Zampa reveals why he opted for PSL instead of IPL

The India cricket team is set to tour Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series in July, the country’s cricket board said on Wednesday, packing more matches into their already-busy calendar.

The matches will all be played in Harare, on July 23, 25 and 26,  before the teams meet again in January next year for three ODI matches in India.

India last toured Zimbabwe in 2024, winning a five-match T20 series 4-1.

Top-ranked India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, won the T20 World Cup last month at home.

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Zimbabwe are a lowly 11th in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings but were a surprise package at the World Cup, topping their group to make it through to the second stage.

“Matches against India always generate enormous interest, and this is a fantastic opportunity for our players to test themselves against the world champions on home soil,” said Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Managing Director Givemore Makoni.

“Following our encouraging performances at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, this series gives us a strong platform to build momentum and continue growing as a competitive force in international cricket.

“We are looking forward to competitive and high-quality cricket and we believe this engagement will further strengthen the relationship between the two cricketing nations while providing invaluable exposure for our team.”

Zimbabwe-India T20I Series Schedule

1st T20I – July 23

2nd T20I – July 25

3rd T20I – July 26

READ: Fakhar Zaman challenges ban over ball-tampering allegation: sources