Category: Top News

74-year-old Pakistani welder, Naseemuddin, father of Rashid Naseem, has made history by completing a hat-trick of world records recognised by the Guinness World Records.

In his latest achievement, Naseemuddin broke 38 marble tiles while holding an egg in his hand, surpassing the previous record of 30 tiles.

The confirmation was officially received via email, and the record has also been updated on the Guinness World Records website.

Previously, Naseemuddin set remarkable records by cracking 163 walnuts with a single punch and crushing apples using one hand, further establishing his extraordinary strength and skill despite his age.

The legacy of record-breaking runs in his family, as his granddaughter, grandson, son, and daughter-in-law have also achieved world records for Pakistan.

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Notably, he is the father of Rashid Naseem, who holds the distinction of making the highest number of world records for Pakistan.

Speaking on his achievement, Naseemuddin dedicated his record to Palestine, the Pakistan Army, and the people of Pakistan who love their country.

He expressed pride in raising Pakistan’s name globally at the age of 74 and highlighted his family’s continuous efforts to bring international recognition to the country.

However, he also shared disappointment over the lack of government attention and stated his desire to meet with government officials, a wish that remains unfulfilled.”

READ: ‘I Want to be the best all-rounder’: Iftikhar Ahmed eyes Pakistan return

Multan Sultans have named Shan Masood as captain for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The outfit announced the news on social media handles with a video featuring Masood.

“Your Vice Captain – Shaan Masood. Back where he belongs,” the caption of the post read.

Pakistan Test captain Masood previously led the franchise in 2020, winning six out of 12 games and losing four, with a win percentage of 50.

 

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Under his leadership, Multan Sultans missed out on the trophy, losing to Peshawar Zalmi in the final by 47 runs.

Meanwhile, the 2021 winners will be led by Australian all-rounder Ashton Turner.

Turner a seasoned middle-order batter and five-time Big Bash League (BBL) champion has established himself as a T20 specialist across multiple global leagues, including the BBL, Men’s The Hundred, IPL, SA20, and the CPL.

Turner previously played for Multan Sultans in the last PSL season, appearing in three matches and scoring 15 runs.

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He now succeeds Mohammad Rizwan, who captained the Sultans in 58 matches, winning 33 and losing 25, with a win percentage of 56.89%.

Rizwan notably led the team to their maiden PSL title in 2021, defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final. However, in PSL 11, Rizwan will be leading the new PSL franchise Pindiz.

Notably, the revival of Multan Sultans for PSL 11 comes after a series of last-minute franchise changes.

The original Sultans franchise was acquired by the Walee Group and rebranded as Pindiz, initially raising doubts about the team’s participation.

However, on March 3, the PSL franchise formerly known as Sialkot Stallionz was rebranded as Multan Sultans following a majority takeover by CD Ventures.

Gohar Shah, CEO of CD Ventures, acquired the majority stake from OZ Developers, who had purchased the franchise for PKR 1.85 billion, raising the franchise’s annual valuation to PKR 2 billion.

Multan Sultans Squad for PSL 11:

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

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed is aiming to make a return to the national side with a strong performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Iftikhar, who last played a T20I for Pakistan in 2024, spoke to the media ahead of the start of the tournament.

“PSL preparation is going good,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be as enjoyable without the crowd, but now we have to enjoy without them. The people of Peshawar love cricket so much that the stadium was packed during the National T20 [Cup],” he continued.

The all-rounder also rued not having fans in the stadium for the PSL 11 amid the government’s decision.

“People were waiting for the PSL match, but now the government has decided that the match will not be played in Peshawar,” said Iftikhar.

“I am a professional player, and I plan to play for Pakistan. I want to be the best all-rounder in [PSL] so that I can make a comeback into the Pakistan team,” the 35-year-old maintained.

“Every franchise works professionally. I have played for Peshawar Zalmi before. I hope I will perform well.”

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He also declined any communication regarding comeback with head coach Mike Hesson.

“There has been no contact with Mike Hesson. If I perform, everyone will see it. Performances are not hidden,” he concluded.

Overall, Iftikhar Ahmed has played 78 matches for five PSL franchises, amassing 1134 runs alongside 13 wickets.

For the unversed, PSL 11 will begin on March 26 behind closed doors across two venues, Karachi and Lahore.

The upcoming edition is to be a landmark one, featuring eight teams for the first time, including debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen and RawalPindiz.

The tournament will comprise 44 matches spread across a 39-day window.

READ: PSL 11 official anthem ‘Khelenge Beat Pe’ released

Ben Stokes reckons the past three months have been the “hardest period” of his time as England captain, but is determined the current leadership group can oversee a revival in the Test team’s fortunes.

Earlier on Monday, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Richard Gould, confirmed that Stokes, managing director Rob Key, and coach Brendon McCullum would all remain in their posts despite the team’s 4-1 loss on their five-Test tour of Australia, which concluded in January.

Key denied suggestions that Stokes and McCullum had fallen out in Australia, despite the pair offering contrasting messages during a desperately disappointing series loss.

Stokes, in an emotional Instagram post, said he was determined to learn from his mistakes following the lowest period of his near four-year spell as England captain, with Key and McCullum still the right men to be alongside him.

“Being England captain is the greatest honour a player can be given, and I do not take it for granted,” Stokes wrote.

 

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“It has its highs, and it has its lows; it makes you want to smile, it makes you want to cry. It completely and utterly consumes you and feels like it’s the only thing in your life at times.

“The last 3 months has without a doubt been the hardest period of my captaincy journey, it’s tested me in so many different ways, and I’m sure every other captain has gone through this as well.

“Baz (McCullum), Rob and myself have the passion and desire to take this team forward, we are going to give you everything we have, we know we made mistakes along the way and we have learnt from those mistakes, you learn more from failure than success.”

In addition to England’s poor performances on the field, there were reports of excessive drinking by players on a break, raising concerns about the dressing-room culture.

Revelations followed that vice-captain Harry Brook had been involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer on the pre-Ashes visit to New Zealand.

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A midnight curfew has since been enforced, while the ECB are trying to recruit a new national selector after Luke Wright resigned for family reasons.

Ben Stokes has not played since suffering a groin injury in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney in January, but is set to feature for Durham in the County Championship ahead of this season’s home Test programme.

England have three Tests against McCullum’s native New Zealand in June, followed by a trio of matches against Pakistan in August and September.

“We all appreciate every single person who supports us. We do what we do for many reasons but one of those reasons is to bring our supporters and fans happiness and a sense of pride and we will aim to do those things as much as we can in the future,” Stokes said.

“See you all in June for the start of the Test Match summer.”

READ: PSL 11 official anthem ‘Khelenge Beat Pe’ released

The much-anticipated anthem for Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11, titled ‘Khelenge Beat Pe’, featuring Atif Aslam, Aima Baig, Sabri Sisters and Daniya Kanwal, was released on Tuesday.

The anthem premiered across PSL’s social media platforms, accompanied by the caption, “The wait is over. The official Pepsi x HBL PSL 11 Anthem has arrived to define a #NewEra. Ab rukna nahi hai, kyunke maidan main aag laga dein ge! Are you ready to Khelenge Beat Pe?”

“The anthem reflects the journey of the league across 10 years as it expands to eight teams for the first time,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

“As the HBL PSL has become a passion for the cricket fans throughout the country, Khelenge Beat Pe tells the story of the tournament that runs through the veins of a whole generation now.

“It is also a vivid rendition of Pakistan’s love for the game of cricket as the sport continues to rule the hearts of millions across the length and breadth of the country.

“And once every year since 2016, the whole nation comes together to celebrate the sport through its own world-class cricketing extravaganza, the HBL PSL.”

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Notably, Atif Aslam has brought his stunning vocals to the PSL for the second time after starring in the PSL 2022 anthem “Agay Dekh”.

Meanwhile, this season will mark Aima’s fourth appearance after entertaining the fans in the 2021 anthem “Groove Mera”, the 2022 anthem and the 2024 anthem “Khul ke khel”.

“The HBL PSL has always stood for world-class cricket, unforgettable entertainment and the incredible passion of our fans,” said PSL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer.

“As we step into Season 11, this anthem represents the evolution of the league and the exciting journey ahead. It reflects where PSL stands today: confident, dynamic and ready to inspire a whole new generation of players and fans.”

READ: Rawalpindiz reveal Jake Fraser-McGurk’s replacement for PSL 11

Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel has set his sights firmly on securing a place in Pakistan’s ODI World Cup 2027 squad, stating that the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 presents a crucial opportunity to impress selectors.

Shakeel has been a mainstay in Pakistan’s Test team; however, he failed to cement a regular place in the ODI format.

He has represented Pakistan in 19 ODI games since his debut in 2021, featuring in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

He has been out of the ODI team since the Champions Trophy match against arch-rivals India in February 2025.

Speaking ahead of the PSL 11, the left-handed batter made it clear that his performances in the league could play a defining role in shaping his international future.

“This season is very important for me. The ODI World Cup is coming up [next year], and I will aim to perform well to get the selectors’ attention,” Shakeel said.

Quetta Gladiators, who finished as runners-up in the previous edition after losing the final to Lahore Qalandars, will begin their campaign against Karachi Kings on March 27 in Lahore.

Under Shakeel’s leadership, the franchise will be looking to build on last season’s momentum while navigating a more competitive format.

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“We had a good performance in the last edition, but now we are starting afresh. Our effort will be to once again play a good brand of cricket,” he said.

Notably, preparations for the marquee event have taken a significant turn, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revising its initial plans.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, on Sunday, confirmed that the tournament will now be held across just two venues, Karachi and Lahore, and will be played behind closed doors without spectators.

Despite the absence of crowds, Shakeel remains optimistic about maintaining intensity and delivering quality cricket.

“Our passion and energy come from the fans. Unfortunately, they won’t be able to attend, but we would request them to watch from home and support us,” he said.

The upcoming edition marks a significant shift in the league’s structure, with eight teams participating for the first time, including debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz.

“Our aim will be to play a strong brand of cricket again. The competition will be tougher this time with more teams, but we are ready for the challenge,” he added.

With a relatively new pace attack in place, the Gladiators’ skipper also emphasised the importance of finding the right combination early in the tournament.

Quetta Gladiators will begin their PSL 11 campaign against Karachi Kings on March 27 in Lahore, as they aim to go one step further this time and clinch the title.

Quetta Gladiators squad for PSL 11

Saud Shakeel (c), Usman Tariq, Hasan Nawaz, Shamyl Hussain, Alzarri Joseph, Rilee Rossouw, Ahmed Daniyal, Jahanzaib Sultan, Jahandad Khan, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Wasim Akram Jnr, Khan Zeb, Bismillah Khan, Saqib Khan, Brett Hampton, Sam Harper, Bevon Jacobs, Abrar Ahmed, Ben McDermott and Tom Curran.

READ: T20 World Cup 2026 smashed viewing figures: ICC

Viewer figures of the T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 final smashed digital streaming records with 72.5  million peak users at the same time in India alone, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday.

Cricket commands an unrivalled following in the world’s most populous country with 1.4 billion people.

“The event was a showcase of just how much the sport is loved in cricket’s most passionate market,” ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta said, in a commentary published in WPP Media’s Sporting Nation.

More viewers watched the game on traditional broadcasters, as well as around the world.

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India, co‑hosts and pre‑tournament favourites, lifted the T20 World Cup for a record third time in the March 8 match, sweeping aside New Zealand by 96 runs.

“The final… hit 72.5 million digital concurrent users, breaking the global streaming record,” Gupta added, according to figures from Indian streaming partner JioHotstar.

That broke the previous record set three days earlier — the nerve-shredding semi-final in Mumbai when India beat England by seven runs.

That match drew 619 million views on streaming platform JioHotstar, according to the company, including a 65 million peak at the same time. Total viewing figures for the final are yet to be released.

READ: PSL 11: Rawalpindiz reveal Jake Fraser-McGurk’s replacement

Pakistan Super League (PSL) newcomers Rawalpindiz have confirmed the signing of New Zealand all-rounder Cole McConchie as a replacement for Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk ahead of the 11th season of the tournament.

The franchise announced the development on Monday, stating that Fraser-McGurk had withdrawn from the competition due to personal reasons, paving the way for McConchie’s inclusion.

The 34-year-old brings valuable experience to the squad, having represented New Zealand in 20 T20 Internationals since making his debut in 2021.

In those appearances, he has scored 188 runs and taken 12 wickets, showcasing his utility as a multi-dimensional player.

At the domestic level, McConchie boasts an impressive T20 record, amassing over 2,000 runs, including nine half-centuries, while also claiming 88 wickets in 141 matches.

Led by Mohammad Rizwan, Rawalpindiz will begin their PSL campaign on March 28 against Peshawar Zalmi.

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The 11th edition of the PSL is set to be a landmark one, featuring eight teams for the first time, including debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindiz. The tournament will comprise 44 matches spread across a 39-day window.

However, preparations for the marquee event have taken a significant turn, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revising its initial plans.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, on Sunday, confirmed that the tournament will now be held across just two venues, Karachi and Lahore, and will be played behind closed doors without spectators.

Rawalpindiz  Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Sam Billings, Jalat Khan, Yasir Khan, Naseem Shah, Rishad Hossain, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Amir, Cole McConchie, Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Dian Forrester, Laurie Evans, Asif Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Fawad Ali, Mohammad Amir Khan, Shahzaib Khan and Saad Masood.

READ: Richie Richardson set for PSL debut as PCB unveils match officials

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the match officials for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, with former West Indies captain Sir Richie Richardson set to make his debut in the tournament as a match referee.

Richardson, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, headlines a diverse officiating line-up for the 44-match tournament, which will be played across Lahore and Karachi from March 26 to May 3.

The veteran official is no stranger to Pakistan conditions, having previously overseen four Tests and three T20Is in the country between 2017 and 2024, including the historic T20I series between Pakistan and the World XI at Gaddafi Stadium.

The umpiring panel features a strong blend of elite international officials and experienced local names.

Members of the ICC Elite Panel, Ahsan Raza, Chris Gaffaney, Allahudien Palekar and Alex Wharf, will be joined by overseas umpires Sharfuddoula Saikat and Chris Brown.

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Palekar and Saikat are set to make their PSL debuts, adding further international flavour to the officiating group.

The domestic panel includes Asif Yaqoob, Rashid Riaz, Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Nasir Hussain, Zulfiqar Jan, Abdul Muqeet, Alay Haider, Imran Jawed and Tariq Rasheed.

Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka captain Roshan Mahanama will continue his long-standing association with the PSL, returning as a match referee.

Having officiated in 71 PSL matches since 2017, he will lead the playing control team, beginning with the tournament opener between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen.

For the opening fixture, Wharf and Ahsan Raza will serve as on-field umpires, with Asif Yaqoob appointed as the TV umpire and Tariq Rasheed taking on fourth umpire duties.

Match officials for PSL 11

Umpires: Ahsan Raza, Chris Gaffaney, Sharfuddoula Saikat, Allahuddien Palekar, Alex Wharf, Chris Brown, Asif Yaqoob, Rashid Riaz, Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Nasir Hussain, Zulfiqar Jan, Abdul Muqeet, Alay Haider, Imran Jawed and Tariq Rasheed

Match Referees: Roshan Mahanama, Sir Richard Richardson, Ali Naqvi, Kamran Chaudhary, Bilal Khilji, Iftikhar Ahmed, Aleem Moosa, Sohail Idrees

READ: PCB unveils star-studded commentary panel for PSL 11

France’s World Cup-winning striker Antoine Griezmann is to hold talks with Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Orlando City, having been permitted by his present side, Atletico Madrid, to go to the US during the international break, a source close to the player told AFP.

Should both parties agree on a deal, the 35-year-old would move to Orlando this summer after seeing out the present campaign with the La Liga outfit.

Griezmann “has been authorised by his club to travel to Orlando during his days off in order to make progress in the discussions linked to his future,” said the source on Monday.

A move to the MLS has been rumoured for years, with the 2018 World Cup winner known to be an admirer of other American sports leagues such as the NBA and NFL.

Atletico had shut the door on their all-time record goalscorer, who has scored 211 goals over two spells, moving this season with the MLS transfer window opening on March 26.

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Griezmann, who also played in the 2022 World Cup final defeat by Argentina, retired from the French national side in 2024, having made 137 appearances, scoring 44 goals.

Griezmann signed an extension last year to his present contract, taking him up to June 2027, but is no longer an automatic first choice for Atletico.

Despite falling down the pecking order, he has scored 13 times this season and can entertain hopes of ending his time with Atletico with one last hurrah.

They play Real Sociedad, the club he began his professional career with, in the final of the Copa del Rey on April 18, just after facing Barcelona in their two-legged Champions League quarter-final.

Griezmann inspired Atletico in his first spell to 2018 Europa League glory, but missed out on the biggest prizes, losing in the 2016 Champions League final and finishing runners-up in the title race in 2018 and 2019.

Orlando are badly in need of a cutting edge up front as in the present MLS campaign, they have won just one of their five matches, losing the other four.

READ: PCB unveils star-studded commentary panel for PSL 11