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KARACHI: Veteran all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed starred in Khan Research Laboratories’ (KRL) seven-wicket victory over Sahir Associates on the opening day of the President Cup 2025-26.

KRL chased down a mere total of 130 runs here at the Naya Nazimabad Cricket Ground on Monday, thanks to a half-century from Shahzaib Khan.

The southpaw hit three sixes and two fours on his way to 59* from 80 balls. Skipper Iftikhar Ahmed also contributed with the bat, scoring 24 from 24 with the aid of a boundary and a six.

For Sahir Associates, Mohammad Suleman picked up two wickets, whereas Saad Bin Athar managed to scalp one.

Earlier, after opting to field first, KRL skittled Sahir Associates for 129 in 33.5 overs as Iftikhar Ahmed and Hamza Nazar shared six wickets between them.

Fahad Usman top-scored with 41 from 47 balls in an otherwise shambolic batting display. The right-hander hit two sixes and a four in his knock.

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Meanwhile, Pakistan Television (PTV), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) also emerged victorious in their respective matches played here on Monday.

SNGPL sealed a 166-run win over Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) on the back of maiden List A centuries by Saad Khan and Muhammad Awais Zafar.

While OGDCL outplayed the defending champion State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in a close contest, thanks to Mohammad Sarwar Afridi’s blazing 82 not out at the UBL Sports Complex.

Shamyl Hussain continued his rich Quaid-e-Azam Trophy form and hit a maiden List A century, steering PTV to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Ghani Glass at the Oval Academy Ground.

Shamyl hit eight fours and half a dozen maximums in his 112 not out off 87 balls, taking his team over the line in the 31st over.

For Ghani Glass, Noman Ali picked up 2-23 in eight overs.

READ: Babar Azam calls PSL ‘stepping stone’ for young players

Mohamed Salah has been dropped from Liverpool squad for their Champions League tie away to Inter Milan following incendiary remarks about his relationship with manager Arne Slot and his treatment by the Premier League club.

The Egyptian forward was not included in the squad announced by Liverpool on Monday, despite training earlier in the day with the first team.

Salah said on Saturday he felt like he had been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and that he no longer had a relationship with Slot after he was left on the bench for the third consecutive game in a 3-3 draw at Leeds and not even introduced as a substitute.

But several British media reports said Salah’s omission for Tuesday’s game in Italy was not for disciplinary reasons but rather a selection decision.

The BBC said his removal from the squad was taken with the full support of Slot.

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It said that it is in the best interest of all parties involved for Salah to have a brief period away from selection, given the nature and timing of the player’s public comments.

The BBC added “it is understood this is a decision which relates solely to squad selection and there will be no formal disciplinary action taken by the club”.

After next weekend’s home match against Brighton, Salah is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 33-year-old is Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer of all time with 250 goals in 420 appearances for the club.

But Salah has been a shadow of his former self during Liverpool’s struggles this season — the Premier League champions are now ninth in the table — with a mere four goals in 13 top-flight appearances.

READ: Babar Azam calls PSL ‘stepping stone’ for young players

LONDON: Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam credited the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for playing a pivotal role in shaping his cricketing career, stating that it serves as a launchpad for youngsters to develop into professional players.

Speaking during the PSL roadshow at Lord’s, Babar reflected on his journey in the league over the years, admitting that the tournament has played a pivotal role in uplifting his professional career.

“Journey has been really good, and also the experience. As a youngster, when I played [in the PSL], the only thing on my mind was that ‘I should learn from the top players as much as I can’,” he said

And, I shared dressing room with many big players, and it helped me a lot as a person and as a cricketer,” Babar continued.

The right-handed batter also talked about sharing the dressing room with cricketing giants and the learning experience from the game’s greats.

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“I used to try to go and talk to established cricketers at that time like [Kumar] Sangakkara, Chris Gayle, [Andre] Russell, and Mahela Jayawardene.

To share dressing room with them, observe the way they talk and what they teach us, helped me a lot because they have a long journey behind them and plenty of experience,” Babar recalled.

He further said about his cricketing idol AB de Villiers, noting that, due to the PSL, he met him, and that the league now serves as a platform for youngsters.

“The main thing was that I met my idol because of the PSL, as he came to play in it. I asked him [a lot of things], and that was like a fan moment for me,” Babar shared.

“Means a lot. As a youngster, it was a platform for me. Now, as a senior player, having been through a long journey, I advise youngsters to take this as an opportunity, groom themselves as players, and learn as much as they can,” Babar Azam concluded.

READ: Mohsin Naqvi shares ‘vision’ to make PSL world’s No.1 league

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick claimed Monday his team’s defending is now on “another level” after a run of good results.

The Catalans have won three matches in a row after a 3-0 defeat by Chelsea in the Champions League near the end of November.

Barca face Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday in Europe as they fight for a top-eight finish in the league phase.

With several players back from injury last week, Barca beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 and Real Betis 5-3.

“Everyone knows what happened in the last three months, a lot of injuries, very important players out, the last weeks we have to manage the minutes, the load of every player,” Flick told a news conference.

The coach said although his team shipped three against Betis, the use of his high defensive line system was good and the players were tired in the final stages, when two of those goals were scored.

“The last 10 minutes, they were exhausted,” reasoned Flick, whose side also let in three at Club Brugge in a 3-3 draw earlier in November.

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“I said this morning to them, the (back) line is doing really good, we’re getting pressure on the ball, we are connected. This is what we need.

“And the (high) line, they play it on another level than maybe one month, five weeks ago.”

The win over Betis left Barca four points clear at the top of La Liga, with attention turning to the clash against Frankfurt.

In 2022, Barcelona suffered a humiliating Europa League elimination at the hands of the German side, whose fans filled the stands at Camp Nou.

Barcelona restricted access to tickets as a result this year, anxious to avoid similar scenes at their reopened stadium.

That defeat was arguably the club’s lowest ebb, but in the years since, they have risen sharply, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

The Frankfurt match will be the club’s first game in the competition at Camp Nou since October 2022.

“For everyone it was a dream to come back and play in Camp Nou,” said Flick.

“It’s also important for the Champions League. It’s a really important match for us tomorrow.

“We have to win, we want to win three points. We want to show our best level.”

The coach said goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen may return to the squad after injury, but made clear Joan Garcia “is number one”.

READ: India receive major boost ahead of South Africa T20Is

India’s T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill and ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya are set to return to the side ahead of the T20I series against South Africa.

Speaking ahead of the first T20I, Suryakumar said both Pandya and Gill are fit ahead of the series opener.

“Both [Gill and Pandya] are looking healthy and fit,” Suryakumar said.

Shubman Gill was ruled out of the second Test and ODI series against South Africa after suffering a neck injury. Hardik, who last played in the Asia Cup, remained out of the action due to a quadriceps injury.

The skipper hailed the all-rounder for bringing variety into the lineup and called his inclusion an equalizer for the team’s combination.

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“What you saw in the Asia Cup also, when he [Hardik] was bowling with the new ball, he opened up a lot of options, combinations for us with respect to the playing XI,” he said.

“That’s what he brings to the table. His experience, the way he has done well in all big games, all ICC events, ACC events. I think that experience will count a lot and his presence will definitely give a good balance to the side,” Surykumar Yadav concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that South Africa clean-swept India in the two-match Test series. However, they were humbled by India in the ODI series after losing 2-1.

The first of the five-match T20I series fixture will be played tomorrow at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.

India squad for T20I series against South Africa:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar

READ: Mohsin Naqvi shares ‘vision’ to make PSL world’s No.1 league

LONDON: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday vowed to make the Pakistan Super League (PSL) one of the best T20 leagues in the world.

Naqvi expressed these thoughts during the PSL roadshow at the home of cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The PSL roadshow was organized to highlight the league’s growth over the years and attract investors.

“To make this league [PSL] the world’s No.1 league. That’s the vision,” he said during the panel discussion alongside former cricketers Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja.

“And with so many people around like Ramiz and Wasim. I don’t think so, it’s a difficult task, and I’m very much sure that we will make this league’s world No.1,” he maintained.

The chairman mentioned some of the suggestions he received from the players and former cricketers.

“Last night, Ramiz was giving us some amazing advice. Even today, when we were sitting with Babar, Haris , and Farhan, they were advising us on some things. So this advice are worth implementing,” Naqvi revealed.

Mohsin Naqvi also recalled the inaugural edition of the PSL and revealed that he was among those who wanted to buy an outfit in Pakistan’s marquee league.

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“I can only advise, but the decision is yours. Yes, I was one of those who were very keen to get the team when the teams were being auctioned, Mohsin Naqvi recalled.

He stated that it was his mistake to go for only one team when there were five while emphasizing the outcome for the owners who will buy a franchise in the upcoming years.

“My mistake was that I was ready to spend money on just one team, on one name. If I had bid for all the teams, I would have got one.

But anyways, that’s the mistake, and still I feel bad because the price of the team that the owners got at that time and now, is I don’t know how many times more,” Naqvi explained.

“So, think about one thing, whatever you’ll be investing now, after 10 years, I can tell you one thing, it will be worth it.  So, my advice is, take the risk, get the team, and I am sure you will be one of the very lucky ones who will feel really good after getting a team,” he suggested.

For the unversed, PSL, which began in 2016 with five outfits, is set to expand with the addition of two new teams.

Notably, the league expanded to five teams in 2018 with the inclusion of Multan Sultans.

With the addition of two new teams in the upcoming edition, the league will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, taking the total to eight teams.

READ: Arshad Nadeem claims javelin gold at National Games

SANTOS: Brazil forward Neymar Jr. is set to undergo knee surgery, putting his participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in doubt.

The 33-year-old played full 90 minutes through pain on Sunday as Santos secured a vital 3-0 win over Cruzeiro at the Urbano Caldeira Stadium, ensuring the club avoided an immediate return to Brazil’s second division.

Neymar has scored five goals in his last four league games since returning to his boyhood club in January after a stint in Saudi Arabia.

“I came for this, to try to help the best way I can. These have been tough weeks for me,” Neymar said after the match.

“I thank those who were with me to lift me up.

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“If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have played these matches because of these injuries, this knee problem. I need to rest, and then we will have this knee surgery.”

However, he did not reveal details about the surgery or a recovery timeline.

Notably, Neymar has not featured for the national team in over two years due to a succession of injuries, with his last appearance coming in a defeat to Uruguay in October 2023.

With the World Cup scheduled in Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, doubts have emerged over Neymar’s availability.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti recently stated that the forward must regain full fitness to be considered for the squad.

READ: Mitchell Marsh likely to retire from first-class cricket

Australia’s white-ball captain Mitchell Marsh is reportedly preparing to retire from Sheffield Shield cricket, according to a report by Sydney Morning Herald.

According to the report, the 34-year-old has informed teammates that this season will likely be his last in red-ball cricket for Western Australia.

His return to the Shield circuit earlier this summer, aimed at keeping himself in the Ashes conversation, didn’t go to plan.

Marsh managed just two single-digit scores against Victoria, and with limited red-ball appearances since 2019, this comeback might well be his final outing at state level.

If confirmed, the decision would formally end a first-class chapter that began back in 2009, but Marsh is reluctant to close the door on his Test career.

Despite a lack of domestic red-ball cricket, the all-rounder still believes he can contribute to Australia’s Test side, and key figures in Australian cricket aren’t ruling it out either.

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Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald said earlier in the season that the selectors would not hesitate to pick Marsh straight out of white-ball cricket if they felt he added value to the Test setup.

“We would be comfortable picking someone, and if you want to put a name to it, Mitch Marsh, out of white-ball cricket if we felt like that was going to benefit the Test team,” McDonald said.

“He’s the captain of the white-ball team. It’s very hard for him to vacate and balance out Test preparation, if he was to be in the window for that. We still haven’t given up on Mitch Marsh’s Test career.”

Chief selector George Bailey echoed that sentiment, suggesting Mitchell Marsh could still feature at some point in the upcoming Ashes summer, even if he wasn’t part of the early plans.

“He’s got a game that could provide an injection, a different look at how he might attack it,” Bailey said. “It’s not the path we’re going down to start the series, but what it looks like later on, we’ll see.”

Since debuting in 2014, the all-rounder has played 46 Tests, scoring 2,083 runs at 28.53 and taking 51 wickets.

READ: Arshad Nadeem claims javelin gold at National Games

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem reaffirmed his supremacy in javelin on Monday, clinching the gold medal at the 35th National Games with a commanding 81.1m throw.

Representing WAPDA, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion surged to the top of the leaderboard with his very first big effort, and no competitor came close to threatening his mark for the remainder of the competition. His throw stood unchallenged as the winning distance.

The silver medal also went to WAPDA through Yasir Sultan, whose best attempt of 70.77m placed him comfortably ahead of the rest but well short of Arshad’s benchmark. Pakistan Army’s Abrar secured bronze with a throw of 67.68m.

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Arshad, who became Pakistan’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medallist last year, is also serving as the flag-bearer for the National Games.

“Honoured to be the Flag Bearer at the National Games 2025 in Karachi,” he wrote on social media, lauding the electric atmosphere. “Amazing crowd and unforgettable energy.”

The star athlete performed a ceremonial throw at the glittering opening ceremony attended by Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Sports Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar, and several prominent political figures, including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

READ: Shakib Al Hasan withdraws retirement, eyes all-format home return

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has reversed his retirement from Tests and T20Is, confirming that he is “officially not retired from any format” and intends to play one final all-format home series before ending his international career.

Speaking on the Beard Before Wicket podcast alongside Moeen Ali, the former Bangladesh captain said he wants to return to the country, feature in a full series comprising ODIs, Tests and T20Is, and retire immediately after.

“My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series of ODI, Test, and T20, and retire,” Shakib said.

“It can start from T20I, ODI and Test, or Test, ODI, T20I. Either way, I’m fine, but I want to play a whole series and retire.”

Shakib has not played for Bangladesh since October 2024, when he featured in the second Test against India in Kanpur.

His long absence has been tied to political unrest in Bangladesh, where the Awami League, the party he represented as an MP, was ousted from power in August.

After the regime change, Shakib remained outside the country while continuing to feature in away Tests in Pakistan and India.

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Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return, Shakib appeared optimistic.

“I am hopeful,” he said when asked about returning home. “That’s why I’m playing T20 leagues. I think it will happen.”

The all-rounder, widely regarded as Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer, said he wants his farewell to be about gratitude rather than performance pressure.

“It doesn’t matter if I play well or not. I don’t need to continue after that,” he stated.

“It’s just a nicer way to say bye to the fans who supported me always, to give something back by playing a home series.”

Shakib Al Hasan had previously announced a step back from T20Is and said he wished to play his final Test during the home series against South Africa last October.

However, protests around the Shere Bangla National Stadium and security concerns led the BCB, under the interim government, to omit him from the squad.

When asked about his long-term plans, Shakib hinted that his political career may continue once cricket ends.

“[I have] done my cricketing part. Maybe the political side is left. It’s something I want to do for the people of Bangladesh and Magura. That was my intention, and it still is.”

READ: Rohit Sharma joins Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar in elite list