Category: Top News

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a show-cause notice to fast bowler Naseem Shah for an alleged breach of his central contract and the board’s media policy during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11.

According to the board, the notice has been served under its disciplinary framework, with the right-arm pacer required to submit a response within the stipulated time. The PCB will determine any further course of action after reviewing his reply.

While the board did not officially disclose the reason behind the notice, it is understood to be linked to a social media post that surfaced during the tournament opener between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen.

The controversy emerged after a post from Naseem’s account on X (formerly Twitter) gained traction online.

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The now-deleted message appeared as a quote repost of a PCB update featuring chairman Mohsin Naqvi welcoming Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at the venue.

“Why is she treated like the queen at Lords?” the message read, questioning the treatment of Maryam Nawaz at the event, drawing widespread attention on social media.

In response to the backlash, Naseem later issued a clarification, stating that the post was not made by him. He claimed that his account had been compromised and was only recently recovered after a security breach.

“This account of Naseem was recently hacked but now recovered successfully,” the statement read, distancing the player from the controversial remarks.

READ: PSL 11 unveils new rule to curb toss advantage

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has rolled out a significant change to its playing conditions for the ongoing season 11, allowing captains to submit two separate playing XIs before the toss in a move aimed at minimising the impact of the coin flip.

The regulation, which came into effect from the tournament opener between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen, enables teams to adapt more strategically depending on whether they bat or bowl first.

Both captains, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Marnus Labuschagne, submitted two different line-ups to the match referee before finalising their XI after the toss.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later confirmed the amendment through an official statement, clarifying that the provision falls under Clause 1.2.1 of the PSL playing conditions.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board has today confirmed an update in the Playing Conditions of the 11th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League, which has been in place since the opening match of the tournament between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen on Thursday,” the press release stated.

Under the updated rule, each captain can hand in two team sheets prior to the toss, with both containing 11 players and up to four substitute fielders.

Once the toss is completed, the captain must select one of the two line-ups and formally sign off on it. No further changes to the playing XI are permitted after that point without the opposition captain’s consent, except in the case of a concussion substitute.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The move is being seen as a progressive step, particularly in addressing the long-standing influence of dew in night matches. In such conditions, teams bowling second often struggle due to reduced grip for spinners and difficulty in controlling the ball, giving a notable edge to the side batting second.

By allowing captains to prepare two combinations, one tailored for batting first and another for chasing, the rule provides greater tactical flexibility.

Teams can now decide whether to strengthen their bowling attack or add batting depth based on real-time match conditions rather than being locked into a pre-toss decision.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi appoint Azhar Ali as fielding coach for PSL 11

LAHORE: A composed late assault from Moeen Ali, followed by a decisive four-wicket haul from Hasan Ali, powered Karachi Kings to a hard-fought 14-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in a thrilling Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Defending a competitive 182-run target, Karachi held their nerve to restrict Quetta to 167-7 despite a blazing start from the Gladiators’ top order.

Chasing the total, Quetta came out aggressively as opener Shamyl Hussain and captain Saud Shakeel stitched together a rapid 79-run stand in just seven overs.

Hussain led the charge with a scintillating 52 off 24 deliveries, laced with boundaries all around the park, before his dismissal triggered a shift in momentum.

The Kings struck back quickly through Salman Ali Agha and Adam Zampa, removing Hussain, Khawaja Nafay (3) and Shakeel in quick succession. Shakeel managed a steady 33 off 25 balls but struggled to maintain the required tempo.

A brief rebuilding effort from Rilee Rossouw and Hasan Nawaz added 29 runs, but the innings never truly regained control.

Hasan Ali then turned the contest decisively in Karachi’s favour with a match-defining penultimate over, dismissing Nawaz before removing Tom Curran and Ahmed Daniyal in quick succession.

Despite a late cameo from Ben McDermott (25*), Quetta fell short as Karachi Kings closed out a tense finish.

Hasan Ali finished as the standout performer with figures of 4-27, while Zampa, Moeen and Agha bagged one wicket each.

Earlier, Karachi Kings posted 181-7 after being put into bat, thanks to Moeen Ali’s quick cameo.

The Kings endured an early setback when Muhammad Waseem was dismissed for a three-ball duck in the opening over, leaving the side reeling at 3-1.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Salman Ali Agha and captain David Warner then steadied the innings with a 41-run stand. Agha struck a quickfire 22 off just 10 deliveries before being trapped lbw by Ahmed Daniyal.

Warner then anchored the innings alongside Saad Baig, adding 43 runs for the third wicket. Baig’s 30 off 23 balls ended at the hands of Daniyal, while Warner followed soon after with a measured 35 from 22 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and a six, as Karachi slipped to 100-4 midway through the innings.

The middle order, however, struggled to build sustained momentum. Azam Khan fell for 14 after being bowled by Usman Tariq, leaving the Kings in need of a late surge.

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That impetus came through Moeen Ali, who took control in the latter stages of the innings. He forged a crucial 39-run partnership with Khushdil Shah (12) before accelerating in the death overs.

Moeen remained unbeaten on a fluent 48 off 29 deliveries, striking four fours and three sixes, ensuring Karachi finished strongly at 181-7.

For Quetta Gladiators, Ahmed Daniyal was the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets for 36 runs in his four overs. Alzarri Joseph provided solid support with two wickets, while Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with one apiece.

READ: Argentina head coach opens up on Messi’s 2026 World Cup participation

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that captain Lionel Messi is yet to make a final call on his participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, with just over 80 days remaining before the defending champions begin their title defence.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Scaloni made it clear that while he is keen to have Messi lead the side once again, the ultimate decision rests solely with the player.

“As far as I’m concerned, you already know where I stand,” Scaloni said.

“I’ll do everything I can to make sure he’s there. I believe that, for the sake of football, he has to be there. It’s not me who decides. It’s up to him, his state of mind, his physical condition.”

The Argentina boss stressed that Messi has earned the right to take his time and decide his international future without external pressure, adding that the team will respect whatever choice he makes.

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Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and won the Golden Ball, remains the country’s all-time leading scorer with 115 international goals. His potential participation in the 2026 edition, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, continues to be a major talking point in world football.

Scaloni also highlighted the global anticipation surrounding Messi’s decision, noting that fans across the world, not just in Argentina, are eager to see the iconic forward grace the tournament once again.

Despite the uncertainty over the World Cup, Messi is expected to feature in Argentina’s upcoming international friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia at the iconic La Bombonera, although it remains unclear whether he will start.

Meanwhile, a proposed Finalissima clash between Argentina and Spain in Qatar has been shelved due to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East.

READ: Klopp hails Salah as one of Liverpool’s ‘all-time greats’

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Karachi Kings in the second match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday. 

PLAYING XIs

Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Muhammad Waseem, Salman Ali Agha, Saad Baig, Moeen Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Khushdil Shah, Shahid Aziz, Hasan Ali, Adam Zampa and Mir Hamza.

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Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c), Shamyl Hussain, Rilee Rossouw, Hassan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay, Ben McDermott (wk), Tom Curran, Ahmed Daniyal, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.

HEAD TO HEAD

Karachi and Quetta have faced each other in 20 matches, with the latter holding a lead with 13 victories. Meanwhile, the Kings have secured seven wins.

Matches 20, Karachi Kings 7, Quetta Gladiators 13

LAHORE: Karachi Kings fast bowler Abbas Afridi has set his sights on delivering another impactful season as he aims to play a key role in the franchise’s title push in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Speaking ahead of the team’s opening match against Quetta Gladiators, Abbas expressed his desire to replicate last year’s performances and contribute significantly to the team’s success.

“My goal for PSL 11 is simple: to perform the way I did last season and deliver consistent performances for my team,” Abbas said.

The right-arm pacer was instrumental in Karachi Kings’ campaign in PSL 10, where the side reached the playoffs under the captaincy of David Warner.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

In his debut season for the franchise, Abbas picked up 17 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 23.52, emerging as one of the team’s key bowlers.

Reflecting on the team environment, Abbas Afridi highlighted the positive morale within the squad and the collective ambition to lift the trophy.

“The team’s morale is high. We will try to give our best performances and aim to win the PSL title this season,” he added.

Abbas emphasized that his primary focus remains on his bowling, with the objective of contributing to the team’s victories through strong individual performances.

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“My focus is on my bowling, to perform as well as I can and play my part in the team’s success,” he said.

The 24-year-old also backed Karachi Kings to make the most of their home conditions, pointing out the familiarity and advantage it brings.

“Karachi is our home ground, and the conditions suit us. InshaAllah, we will try to deliver strong performances there,” he noted.

Abbas further underlined his personal ambition for the season, making his intentions clear ahead of PSL 11.

“My personal goal is to help Karachi Kings win the title with my bowling,” he concluded.

READ: PSL 11: Peshawar Zalmi appoint Azhar Ali as fielding coach

LAHORE: Former champions Peshawar Zalmi have bolstered their coaching setup for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 by appointing former national captain Azhar Ali as their fielding coach.

The franchise confirmed the development through their official social media platforms shortly after the tournament opener, welcoming the experienced batter into their setup for the upcoming edition.

“We are pleased to welcome Azhar Ali, former Pakistan captain, as our fielding coach for PSL 11,” the franchise announced.

Highlighting his credentials, Zalmi added, “Armed with a compact technique and immense patience, Azhar Ali brings a composed and disciplined approach, along with vast international experience that will strengthen our fielding unit and elevate our intensity on the field. We are delighted to have you join the Zalmi family as we continue to raise the bar.”

 

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Peshawar Zalmi are set to begin their campaign against tournament debutants Rawalpindiz on Saturday at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Despite his long and decorated international career, Azhar’s involvement in the PSL as a player was limited to the inaugural edition, where he represented Lahore Qalandars.

He featured in seven matches, scoring 183 runs at a strike rate of 106.39, including one half-century, while also leading the side during that season.

READ: Marnus Labuschagne breaks silence on Maaz Sadaqat’s exclusion

World number one and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka powered past second-ranked Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday to line up a Miami Open title clash with Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka, who fell to Rybakina in the Australian Open final before turning the tables on the Kazakh in the Indian Wells title match earlier this month, broke the big-serving Rybakina twice in each set to come out on top in the blockbuster semi-final and keep her bid for the “Sunshine Double” of Indian Wells and Miami on track.

“I think I did everything right,” said Sabalenka, who applied ruthless pressure on Rybakina’s serve while delivering a sterling service performance that featured nine aces — including four in a row across the seventh and ninth games of the opening set.

“She’s an incredible player, always pushes me to the limit,” Sabalenka said. “With her, you have to bring your best tennis, and that’s why I was able to pull out such great tennis today.”

Sabalenka had to save a match point to beat Rybakina in Indian Wells, but she was on the front foot on Thursday, seizing a break for a 3-1 lead in the opening set.

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Rybakina recouped the break immediately, but Sabalenka broke again to pocket the set and took command in the second with a break for 2-0 in a game which Rybakina led 40-0.

Trailing 0-4, Rybakina clawed back a break for 4-1, but Sabalenka wouldn’t flinch again. Rybakina saved one match point on her own serve before Sabalenka served it out with a love game punctuated by a fierce forehand winner.

The match marked the first time outside the WTA Finals that the world’s two top-ranked players met before a final since Martina Hingis and Jana Novotna in the 1998 US Open semi-finals.

It could only come about because Rybakina was seeded third, her rise to second in the rankings on Monday coming a day after the Miami draw was made.

READ: Klopp hails Salah as one of Liverpool’s ‘all-time greats’

Jurgen Klopp believes Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool as one of the “all-time greats”, with his “unmatched numbers” likely to prove tough to top for future generations at Anfield.

Egypt forward Salah announced on Tuesday he would bring the curtain down on a brilliant nine years with Liverpool at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old arrived from Roma in 2017 and has made 435 appearances for Liverpool to date, scoring 255 goals to be third on the club’s list of all-time goalscorers behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.

“In the moment when you work with him, it is the same as every other player: ‘You can’t lose the ball here, you have to defend here’, all these kind of things,” Klopp told the Anfield Wrap on Thursday.

“But with the bigger view, it is just ridiculous. Unmatched numbers — will we be talking in 10 years and someone else has them? (Hugo) Ekitike or whoever. I think it will be really difficult (to surpass Salah).

“I think he is one of the all-time greats.”

Under Klopp, Salah won the Champions League, Premier League, three domestic cups, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.

The bulk of those trophies came with Salah on the right of a front three also featuring Brazilian Roberto Firmino and Senegal’s Sadio Mane.

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Together, the trio scored 338 goals in five seasons. Mohamed Salah led the way with 156 of those goals,  49 more than Mane and 81 ahead of Firmino.

“He (Salah) was part of the best front three in world football for a long time — the one with the most numbers. That says something,” said Klopp.

“It is not easy to be slightly above the other two guys. They all had their specific skills, but Mo was the one for the final moment. He wanted it more than anybody.”

Klopp stunned Liverpool fans two years ago by announcing he would resign at the end of the 2023/24 season after “running out of energy”.

He went on to receive an emotional farewell from the Anfield faithful following his last game in charge, at home to Wolves.

Klopp now hopes Salah gets a similar reception come his last game for Liverpool.

“We (Salah and Klopp) texted last night,” said the former Reds boss. “I really hope he enjoys the rest of the season. I know Mo will only enjoy it if he is winning football games and scoring.

“I hope on this last matchday you (Liverpool fans) all will have a smile on your face and just be happy and thankful that you were part of one of the most incredible careers we will ever be part of.”

READ: Marnus Labuschagne breaks silence on Maaz Sadaqat’s exclusion

LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne has clarified the absence of promising youngster Maaz Sadaqat from his side’s playing XI in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 opener, confirming the batter was ruled out due to injury.

The Kingsmen made their much-anticipated debut against defending champions Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday but endured a difficult start, suffering a heavy 69-run defeat.

However, the omission of Maaz Sadaqat, one of Pakistan’s most talked-about emerging talents, drew significant attention even before the first ball was bowled.

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The top-order batter, known for his aggressive stroke play and useful spin bowling, has been making headlines following his performances for Pakistan Shaheens and his recent ODI debut.

Addressing the situation in the post-match press conference, Labuschagne confirmed that the youngster was unavailable due to a side strain.

“Yeah, he was injured with… I don’t know if I’m meant to say what sort of injury that was,” Labuschagne said.
“A side. He had a side strain. I don’t know the severity, but hopefully we’ll have him back very soon.”

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Hyderabad’s struggles on the field only amplified the impact of his absence, as their batting unit faltered in pursuit of a daunting 200-run target.

Labuschagne himself top-scored with a cautious 26 off 22 deliveries, while Riley Meredith contributed an unbeaten 19 from the lower order. Apart from them, only Saim Ayub (17), Hammad Azam (10) and Mohammad Ali (10) managed to reach double figures in an underwhelming chase, as the Kingsmen were bundled out for 130.

READ: Dominant Lahore Qalandars thump Hyderabad Kingsmen in PSL 11 opener