Category: Top News

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam fell for a golden duck against Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The right-hander was caught on the first ball he faced under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium, attempting a cut shot off a wider delivery from Mohammad Ali.

As a result, Peshawar Zalmi were reduced to 7-2 in the first over, marking an end to an impressive over for Ali.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Aaron Hardie wreaked havoc with the ball, dismantling Hyderabad Kingsmen for a mere total.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pakistan Super League (@thepsl)

Asked to bat first, Hyderabad Kingsmen collapsed from 71-3 to 129 all out in 18 overs.

Maaz Sadaqat was caught for 11 in the second over off Mohammad Basit’s bowling. Following an early blow, skipper Marnus Labuschagne and Saim Ayub batted with responsibility.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The pair shared a 35-run stand off 20 balls, bringing the score to 51 in 4.4 overs.

Aaron Hardie provided Zalmi the much-needed breakthrough, removing Labuschagne, who made 20 off 12 with the aid of a six and three fours.

However, the momentum quickly shifted in the sixth over as Kingsmen lost Usman Khan and Irfan Khan in succession.

In the very next over, Nahid Rana got the prize scalp of Glenn Maxwell (0), caught at mid-wicket without scoring.

Saim Ayub remained the only solid batter, scoring an anchoring half-century. He made 54 off 50 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes.

For Peshawar Zalmi, Aaron Hardie starred with the ball, taking four wickets in his quota of four overs.

Playing XIs

Hyderabad Kingsmen: Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (capt), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Kusal Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Irfan Khan Niazi, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Farhan Yousuf, Michael Bracewell, Aaron Hardie, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Sufyan Moqim, Basit Ali, Nahid Rana

READ: Salman Ali Agha reflects on Haris Rauf’s bowling in Asia Cup final

World number one Jannik Sinner dispatched Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday to win the Madrid Open for the first time.

The Italian claimed a record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title and stretched his winning streak to 23 matches with a superb display in the Spanish capital.

Only tennis greats Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic had managed to win four titles at this level in a row.

Sinner has been in impeccable form and broke world number three Zverev’s first service game before consolidating for a 3-0 lead.

The Italian, who also won the eight prior meetings against Zverev, secured another break and eased into a 5-0 advantage on his serve.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In the sixth game Zverev produced his first hold, but there was nothing the 29-year-old could do about Sinner’s powerful serving.

The four-time Grand Slam winner has ben working on increasing his variety and a drop shot left Zverev scrambling before Sinner clinched the first set with an ace.

World number two Carlos Alcaraz’s wrist injury has left Sinner with no realistic rival in the weeks ahead, leading to Roland Garros.

Sinner broke in the third game of the second set to tighten his grip on the title.

Zverev, a two-time Madrid winner who thrives at altitude, showed more fight than in the first stanza but could not stop his opponent.

Sinner hammered down a forehand winner for another break to take a 5-2 lead and serve for the championship.

The Italian sealed his triumph serving to love to wrap up a a sublime fortnight in Madrid where nobody has come close to stopping him.

READ: Salman Ali Agha reflects on Haris Rauf’s bowling in Asia Cup final

Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha opened up about a costly decision during the Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rivals India. 

During the final, Haris Rauf gave 50 runs in just 3.4 overs and remained wicketless against India in the final.

At an important stage of the game, when India were reeling at 83-4 after 14 overs, Haris was brought back into the attack by Agha. However, he conceded 17 runs in an over, which shifted the momentum in India’s favor.

After an expensive over, he was taken off the attack but was later brought back into the 18th over, where he conceded another 13 runs. This left India needing 17 runs from 12 balls.

Speaking on the ARY Podcast, Agha recalled the Asia Cup 2025 final against India, admitting that mistakes were made during the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.

“There are a lot of things. One year has passed since I began to captain, and that too in two tournaments. So many mistakes must have happened. If our results weren’t good, then mistakes would have happened,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“In the Asia Cup final, I decided that if I had continued with Abrar, I never know what would have happened to the result. That is one thing I would like to change,” he added.

He also said that he had given Haris Rauf the ball because he was Pakistan’s main bowler in that match. However, he could not rise to the occasion, reflecting that Abrar might have changed the course of the game.

“If you see the other side, I gave Haris the ball; he was our main bowler in that match. He couldn’t bowl well, couldn’t execute his plans properly,” Agha explained.

“I feel that if I continue with Abrar, you never know what would have happened to the game,” Agha concluded.

READ: Babar Azam responds to Hafeez’s ‘advertised superstars’ remark

Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam has responded to remarks by former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez about players performing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). 

Hafeez previously criticized the hype surrounding players performing in PSL, suggesting that the cycle of promotion and star-driven continues without genuine change in content or direction.

“The whistles will blow again — the stage will be set once more — the advertised superstars will come out — because our foundation is the PSL,” Hafeez had said during the T20 World Cup 2026 transmission.

Speaking on “Off Topic Podcast”, Babar said that Hafeez’s statement was his personal mindset.

“I can’t say anything about this because it is Mohammad Hafeez’s own mindset,” he said.

The 31-year-old emphasized that PSL is significant for players when representing a franchise, while the approach remains competitive.

“PSL is one of the best leagues in Pakistan, and every player gives their best. It’s not like you play differently when you are in the Pakistan team. However, this is franchise cricket, and entertainment plays a bigger role here,” he continued.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He explained that team combinations and player distribution in franchise cricket make consistent performances difficult, saying that Mohammad Hafeez’s remarks were likely meant differently.

“In the Pakistan team, you always try to ensure that all 11 players perform. But in the PSL, players are divided into different teams. If someone is your best player, he might perform in one out of 10 matches,” Babar said.

“That’s why Hafeez’s way of saying it was different. How people interpret it is a different matter.”

Peshawar Zalmi captain pointed out that the ongoing PSL season has seen emerging and overseas players dominate performances, while highlighting Sahibzada Farhan’s consistency.

“If you look at PSL 11, most of the performers are youngsters or foreign players. The same players are not performing, although Sahibzada Farhan has maintained his form. There are always new faces, and every season brings new players — this process will continue.”

“Hafeez’s way of saying it was different, but people understood it differently,” Babar concluded.

READ: Rajasthan Royals sold for whopping price in mega IPL deal

Indian steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal and family, alongside vaccine billionaire Adar Poonawalla, have struck a $1.65 billion deal for Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals, a joint statement said on Sunday.

The IPL is the world’s richest cricket tournament and mixes sport and show business in a glitzy format. It is broadcast around the world and features top international stars, with some teams fronted by Bollywood superstars.

The Mittal family will own about 75 percent of the franchise following completion, with Poonawalla holding around 18 percent, the statement said.

The remainder will stay with approved existing investors, including seller Manoj Badale.

As well as the IPL team, Rajasthan Royals also owns Paarl Royals in South Africa and Barbados Royals in the Caribbean.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The transaction consideration is approximately $1.65 billion and represents the enterprise value of Rajasthan Royals’ men’s franchise, Paarl Royals and Barbados Royals,” the statement said.

Rajasthan have not won a trophy since 2008, when late Australian great Shane Warne led them to the inaugural title.

“I love cricket and my family is from Rajasthan, so there is no IPL team that I would rather be part of than the Rajasthan Royals,” Mittal said in a statement.

Poonawalla said he looked forward to supporting the franchise’s long-term growth.

“Rajasthan Royals is a premier IPL franchise with a strong legacy,” he said.

Badale, who has been involved with the Royals since their inception, will remain a shareholder and join the board alongside the new investors.

“We are delighted to welcome the Mittal Family and Adar Poonawalla as the new owners of the Rajasthan Royals,” he said.

“Their passion for cricket, their connection to Rajasthan and India, and their long-term ambition for the franchise make them ideal custodians.”

The announcement comes after a group of investors, including US asset management giant Blackstone, bought reigning IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.77 billion in March.

The IPL is a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India and was estimated in 2020 to generate more than $11 billion a year for the Indian economy.

READ: Sajid Khan highlights lack of T20 opportunities from Peshawar region

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal is set to miss the El Clasico against arch-rivals Barcelona on May 10 after suffering a toe injury, the Spanish club said on Saturday.

The veteran right-back is set to miss the next two weeks, according to Spanish media and could return for the club’s final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid, second, are 11 points behind league leaders Barcelona, who could clinch La Liga this weekend with a win at Osasuna, if Los Blancos drop points at Espanyol on Sunday.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Dani Carvajal will be out for the Clasico clash at Barcelona next Sunday, which may be his last match as a Real Madrid player.

The defender, who has won six Champions League titles and four La Liga titles with Madrid, is out of contract at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old had hoped to form part of Spain’s World Cup 2026 squad this summer, but after an injury-hit season, his chances were already slim before his latest setback.

READ: Sajid Khan highlights the lack of T20 opportunities from the Peshawar region

KARACHI: Pakistan Test spinner Sajid Khan has opened up about his struggles to break into white-ball cricket, highlighting a lack of opportunities at the domestic level despite consistent performances in red-ball formats.

The off-spinner, currently part of Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, addressed the media during a training session at the National Stadium, where he reflected on his recent cricketing journey.

Sajid maintained that he has been among the top-performing bowlers in domestic cricket over the past five to six years but believes he has been typecast as a red-ball specialist.

“People have labelled me as a red-ball cricketer, but that’s not my concern. My focus has always been on performance,” he said.

He, however, expressed frustration over not getting enough chances in white-ball competitions, particularly from his regional side, Peshawar.

“Unfortunately, I am not finding a place in white-ball teams because many players are already playing One-Day and PSL cricket. I don’t get enough opportunities from the Peshawar region in T20s. This season as well, I was on the bench in the National T20,” he added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Sajid Khan emphasised that the lack of game time at the domestic level makes it difficult for players to showcase their abilities and attract franchise interest.

“If I don’t get to play for my region, how will I perform and come up the ranks? If my own region doesn’t pick me, how can a PSL franchise consider me? I can’t complain about the PSL because it all starts from domestic cricket,” he explained.

The 32-year-old has 46 wickets in 46 List A games at an average of 33.71, while in T20s, he has taken a mere 10 wickets in 15 games at an average of 35.10.

Moreover, Sajid expressed satisfaction with the training camps held in Lahore and Karachi for the upcoming tour, noting that the conditions in Karachi closely resemble those expected in Bangladesh.

“We had a good camp in Lahore and then here in Karachi. The weather here is quite similar to Bangladesh, which is why this camp was important,” he said.

Looking ahead to the Test series, the spinner acknowledged Bangladesh’s strength in pace bowling but remained confident about Pakistan’s readiness.

“Bangladesh have quality fast bowlers and rely on pace-friendly conditions. We will get a better idea once we arrive there, but regardless of the pitch, we are prepared to deliver strong performances,” he concluded.

READ: Sajid Khan makes bold prediction about PSL 11 final

KARACHI: Test spinner Sajid Khan has weighed in on the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final, offering his prediction on the highly anticipated clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen.

The title decider is scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, with both teams entering the contest on the back of impressive campaigns.

Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, have topped the group stage with 17 points and carried that form into the playoffs, defeating Islamabad United in the Qualifier to book a direct spot in the final.

In contrast, PSL debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen, under Marnus Labuschagne, recovered from four consecutive defeats early in the tournament to script one of the most remarkable turnarounds.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

They won four matches on the trot to stay in contention before another setback as they suffered a humbling defeat against United. They ultimately sealed their playoff berth with a dominant victory in their final group game over Rawalpindiz.

The Kingsmen then carried that momentum into the knockout stage, eliminating Multan Sultans in Eliminator 1 and Islamabad United in a last-over thriller in Eliminator 2 to reach their first-ever PSL final.

Speaking on the sidelines of Pakistan Test team’s training camp at the National Stadium, Sajid Khan avoided outright favouritism but admitted Hyderabad’s current form gives them an edge.

“My best wishes are with both teams. Whoever plays better on the day deserves to win, but the way Hyderabad are playing and the momentum they have, they look like the favourites right now,” he said.

READ: PSL 11: Mohammad Ali fined for code of conduct breach in Eliminator 2

LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen pacer Mohammad Ali has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for breaching the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Code of Conduct during the Eliminator 2 clash against Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The 33-year-old fast bowler was found guilty of a Level 1 offence following an on-field altercation with United batter Mark Chapman during the 16th over of the innings.

The incident involved a heated exchange between the two players, drawing the attention of match officials.

According to the official statement, Ali was found to have violated Article 2.21 of the HBL PSL Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that brings the game into disrepute.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He admitted the offence and accepted the sanction without contest.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Shahid Saikat, with match referee Roshan Mahanama imposing the penalty.

Despite the disciplinary action, Ali featured prominently in the match, returning figures of 2 for 44 from his four overs. However, he was also the most expensive bowler for Hyderabad in what turned out to be a tense, last-over contest.

The Kingsmen eventually edged past Islamabad United in a thrilling finish, with Hunain Shah successfully defending six runs in the final over to seal victory and book a place in the PSL 11 final, eliminating the three-time champions from the tournament.

READ: Islamabad United owner breaks silence following PSL 11 Exit

Leeds United all but secured their place in the Premier League next season with a 3-1 win over already-relegated Burnley on Friday.

Goals from Anton Stach, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin took Daniel Farke’s side nine points clear of the relegation zone with just four games remaining for those below them.

Leeds failed to reach their first FA Cup final since 1973 in a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Wembley last weekend.

But they are now up to 14th in an impressive first season back in the top flight, along with Sunderland, bucking the trend of promoted sides falling straight back to the second tier.

“The three points are massive for us,” said Farke. “The job is not done yet. We will celebrate properly when it’s mathematically done. But 43 points is good.”

Staying up would also be huge for Farke in his bid to silence his doubters at the Premier League level.

Twice, the German led Norwich to the English top-flight but was unable to keep the Canaries in the top flight.

“Of course, it was a massive step for us tonight,” he added. “To deliver 10 points out of the last four games in a nervy period, as a newly-promoted side, is second to none.”

Burnley were only pipped to the Championship title by Leeds United on goal difference last season.

But the Clarets have struggled much more with the step up, as they have been relegated for the third time in as many seasons in the Premier League.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Burnley parted company with manager Scott Parker on Thursday despite his exceptional record of achieving promotion from the Championship with three different clubs.

The difference in what was at stake for both clubs was clear in the opening stages as Leeds burst out of the blocks.

Stach fired the home side in front after just eight minutes as Martin Dubravka got down slowly to the German’s low drive.

Leeds dominated the rest of the first half but had to wait for a two-goal burst in four minutes just after the break to seal the points.

A brilliant move was finished off by Okafor after Calvert-Lewin’s backheel picked out Jayden Bogle.

The Swiss forward has scored six goals in his last seven league games to see Leeds over the line in the relegation battle.

But it was Calvert-Lewin’s goals that kept his side afloat earlier in the campaign.

The England striker prodded home his 13th goal of the season from close range after Dubravka could only parry Ao Tanaka’s strike.

Burnley salvaged some pride from Mike Jackson’s first match in interim charge when Loum Tchaouna blasted in a late consolation.

READ: Jannik Sinner to face Alexander Zverev in Madrid Open final