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MIRPUR: Several Pakistan players, including Saud Shakeel and Noman Ali, suffered declines in the latest ICC Test rankings released on Wednesday following the team’s disappointing defeat against Bangladesh in Mirpur.

Pakistan lost the opening Test by 104 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, a result that significantly impacted multiple players across both batting and bowling rankings.

In the batting rankings, Saud Shakeel endured the biggest drop among Pakistan batters after slipping six places from ninth to 15th with 689 rating points. The left-hander managed only 15 runs across two innings during the Mirpur Test.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan retained his 21st position after scoring a half-century in the first innings.

Former captain Babar Azam, who did not feature in the opening Test, dropped one place to 23rd, while Salman Ali Agha also slipped two spots to 29th after scoring 84 runs in the match.

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood fell six places to 46th after a disappointing outing in which he scored just 11 runs.

Opener Imam-ul-Haq dropped four places to 53rd, while Abdullah Shafique, despite not being part of the Test squad, climbed one spot to 54th.

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Debutant Abdullah Fazal entered the rankings at 75th after impressing with twin half-centuries in his maiden Test appearance. Young batter Azan Awais, who scored a century in the match, is ranked 82nd.

On the other hand, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made significant gains after his century and half-century earned him the Player of the Match award. The left-hander jumped 16 places to move to 24th in the rankings.

England stars Joe Root and Harry Brook continue to occupy the top two positions in the Test batting rankings, while Travis Head remains third.

In the bowling rankings, Noman Ali slipped three places from second to fifth despite taking four wickets in the Mirpur Test. The spinner now has 825 rating points.

Fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Abbas retained their 24th and 28th positions, respectively. Meanwhile, Hasan Ali moved up one place to 40th after his performance in the series opener.

Spinner Asif Afridi dropped three places to 82nd, while Salman Ali Agha slipped four spots to 91st among bowlers.

India pacer Jasprit Bumrah remains the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, followed by Australia’s Mitchell Starc and New Zealand seamer Matt Henry.

READ: Hunain, Sufiyan included in Pakistan white-ball camp for Australia ODIs

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 28-player white-ball training camp ahead of the upcoming ODI series against Australia, with emerging stars Hunain Shah and Sufiyan Muqeem among the notable inclusions.

The camp, which will be held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, is scheduled to begin on May 15 and conclude on May 21.

According to the PCB, the seven-day camp will feature training sessions and practice matches as Pakistan intensify preparations for the three-match home ODI series against Australia.

Muqeem and Hunain earned selection following impressive performances in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11.

Left-arm spinner Muqeem finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets and played a key role in guiding Peshawar Zalmi to the title.

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Meanwhile, fast bowler Hunain claimed 17 wickets during the campaign to finish as the fourth-highest wicket-taker while representing runners-up Hyderabad Kingsmen.

The PCB further confirmed that the NCA coaching staff will work closely with Pakistan’s white-ball team management throughout the camp to monitor and prepare the players.

The training group also includes Pakistan Under-19 fast bowlers Abdul Subhan and Ali Raza, both of whom represented Pakistan in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup earlier this year in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Notably, underperforming opening batter Saim Ayub has been excluded from the camp.

Pakistan will host Australia for three ODIs in Rawalpindi and Lahore between May 30 and June 4. All three matches are scheduled to begin at 4:30pm local time, with the toss set for 4pm.

Players named in Pakistan white-ball camp: Aamir Jamal, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Hamza Nazeer, Haris Rauf, Hunain Shah, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Faik, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufiyan Muqeem and Usman Khan.

READ: Ayesha Zafar makes history with T20I century against Zimbabwe

Chelsea forward Estevao is set to miss the FIFA World Cup 2026 after reportedly being excluded from Brazil’s 55-man preliminary squad for the tournament.

According to ESPN, the teenager failed to make the expanded squad submitted by the Brazil football team ahead of the World Cup in North America.

Estevao’s participation in the tournament had been under serious doubt after suffering a muscle injury in his right thigh during Chelsea’s 1-0 Premier League defeat against Manchester United on April 18.

Reports suggest there was initial optimism that the 19-year-old could recover in time for what would have been his first World Cup appearance.

However, medical staff from both Chelsea and Brazil were reportedly unable to guarantee the winger’s full recovery before the tournament.

Sources further claimed the player himself had accepted that his World Cup hopes were fading and appeared visibly disappointed when he recently arrived at former club Palmeiras for treatment.

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Despite Estevao’s omission, veteran forward Neymar was included in Brazil’s preliminary squad as he continues his push for a fourth World Cup appearance.

The 34-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, had previously been left out of every squad named by head coach Carlo Ancelotti since the Italian took charge in June.

Teams participating in the FIFA World Cup were required to submit preliminary 55-player squads by Monday, with final 26-man squads to be selected from those lists closer to the tournament.

Before suffering the injury, Estevao had been widely considered a certain selection for Brazil, particularly with Ancelotti reportedly a strong admirer of the youngster.

The highly rated attacker joined Chelsea from Palmeiras last summer in a deal worth £29 million and has scored eight goals in 36 appearances across all competitions since arriving in England.

READ: Australia reveal squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

Australia fast bowler Darcie Brown was a surprise omission from the 15-player squad, named on Wednesday, for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.

The squad will be captained by experienced all-rounder Sophie Molineux in the first World Cup since the retirement of Australia great Alyssa Healy, with Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath as deputies.

“Darcie Brown was unlucky to miss out, but the decision was based on the conditions we’re expecting and the make-up of the side,” selector Shawn Flegler said.

“These squads are never easy to select, but we’re confident with the balance and stability we’ve got across the group.”

Left-arm fast bowler Lucy Hamilton comes in for her first World Cup in place of Brown.

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“With at least six right-arm pace options in the mix and raw pace expected to be less effective, we opted to go with Lucy Hamilton, who offers something different as a left-arm quick,” said Flegler.

“Grace Harris comes into the side having missed the recent series against the West Indies. She’s a handy all-round option and someone who can take the game away from an opposition.”

New Zealand were shock winners in 2024 but did so without having to face Australia or England, the world’s two top-ranked T20 teams.

The tournament takes place in England beginning on June 12. The final is at Lord’s in London on July 5.

Australia are in Group A with South Africa, India, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Pakistan. They will open their campaign against South Africa at Old Trafford in Manchester on June 13.

Australia women’s T20 World Cup squad

Sophie Molineux (captain), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

READ: Ronaldo left waiting for Saudi Pro League title after goalkeeping gaffe

Cristiano Ronaldo will have to wait a bit longer for his first Saudi Pro League title after Al Nassr conceded a bizarre own goal in the final seconds on Tuesday.

Second-placed Al Hilal grabbed a 1-1 draw in Riyadh when home goalkeeper Bento fumbled a long throw-in into his own net in the eighth minute of added time to leave Ronaldo and the Al Nassr fans stunned.

“The dream is close,” the 41-year-old wrote on X to his 107.5 million followers, his side having been seconds from glory. “Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing support tonight!”

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Al Nassr, with just one game left this season, remain five points ahead of Al Hilal, who have a game in hand. Al Nassr can seal the title when they play Damac next week.

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward Ronaldo is yet to taste domestic honours in Saudi Arabia since signing a lucrative contract in 2023.

His move ignited interest in Saudi football and inspired a wave of big-name signings including Neymar and Al Hilal’s Karim Benzema.

READ: Hansi Flick extends contract with Barcelona

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada led an inspired pace attack to power Gujarat Titans to the top of the IPL 2026 table with an 82-run thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Hosts Gujarat defended 168 in Ahmedabad as Rabada took 3-28 and, with his fellow quicks, bowled out Hyderabad for 86, their lowest ever score in the IPL.

Fellow quick Jason Holder cleaned up the Hyderabad middle and lower-order to claim 3-20 from his four overs.

Former champions Gujarat leapfrogged Hyderabad and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to top the 10-team table, moving closer to a playoff spot.

Gujarat have 16 points with eight wins from 12 matches and are favourites to finish in the top two after the league stage.

The top four will make the playoffs, with the top two getting an extra chance to make the final in Ahmedabad on May 31.

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Gujarat pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj struck in the first over of the Hyderabad chase as he dismissed Travis Head for a duck with the fourth ball of the innings.

In the next over, Rabada removed the dangerous Abhishek Sharma for six before striking twice in his next two overs, having skipper Ishan Kishan (11) caught behind by Jos Buttler, followed by Ravichandran Smaranto (9) miscuing to Shubman Gill at mid-off.

Wickets kept tumbling as Holder took two in one over, including Heinrich Klaasen, who made 14 to regain top spot in this season’s IPL batting chart with 508 runs.

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan trapped Praful Hinge lbw for the final wicket as Gujarat bowled out Hyderabad in 14.5 overs.

The batters set up victory after Sai Sudharsan, who made 61, and Washington Sundar put on 60 for the fourth wicket to lift Gujarat from early trouble to 168-5.

Hyderabad pace bowler Hinge struck two early blows including skipper Gill (5) and Buttler (7) to put Gujarat on the backfoot.

Sudharsan counter-attacked as he struck five fours and two sixes in his 44-ball knock, and after his departure, fellow left-hander Sundar steered the team to a challenging total with his 33-ball 50.

READ: Ayesha Zafar stars as Pakistan thump Zimbabwe in first T20I

KARACHI: Ayesha Zafar’s record-breaking century secured a comprehensive win for Pakistan over Zimbabwe in the first T20I at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday. 

Set 238, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 84 in 18.2 overs, handing Pakistan women a 153-run victory — their biggest win in T20Is.

Pakistan bowlers piled on the pressure from the outset, never allowing Zimbabwe batters to get going. Natasha Mtomba remained the top-scorer with 24 off 20 balls, including four boundaries.

For Pakistan, Fatima Sana starred with the ball, taking three wickets in three overs while giving away just seven.  Natalia Pervaiz and Sadia Iqbal also chipped in with the ball, picking up two wickets each.

Earlier, Pakistan’s decision to bat first paid dividends as they posted a record 237-run total in their 20 overs.

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After losing Muneeba Ali in the second over, Gull Feroza and Ayesha Zafar had a 34-run partnership for the second wicket. Feroza made 37 off 19 deliveries, laced with eight fours.

Zimbabwe tried to make a comeback with quick wickets, however Ayesha carried on and kept the visiting team bowling attack at bay. She formed a string of partnerships that laid the foundation for a big total.

The right-hander first stitched a 67-run partnership with Aliya Riaz, who made 48 off 23 balls, striking four sixes and four boundaries. The duo’s explosive batting display propelled the scorecard to 167 in 15.3 overs.

Following Aliya’s dismissal, Ayesha was joined by skipper Fatima Sana. The pair raised an unbeaten 70-run stand off just 27 balls, helping their side to reach a commanding total.

Ayesha made 102* from 47 balls peppered with 15 fours and two sixes while Fatima struck three fours in her 21 off 13  balls.

For Zimbabwe, Nomvelo Sibanda scalped two wickets.

READ: Ayesha Zafar makes history with T20I century against Zimbabwe

KARACHI: Pakistan batter Ayesha Zafar entered the record books with an unbeaten century against Zimbabwe in the first T20I at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.

The right-handed batter came out to bat in the second over when Pakistan’s score stood at 23-1.

The top-order batter finished with an unbeaten 102 off just 47 balls, including 15 fours and two sixes. Her record-breaking knock helped Pakistan post a massive total of 237 in 20 overs.

Hundreds for Pakistan in Women’s T20Is

• Muneeba Ali – 102 against Ireland in 2023

• Muneeba Ali – 100 not out against Ireland in 2025

• Ayesha Zafar – 102 not out against Zimbabwe in 2026

With her century, Ayesha became only the second Pakistani batter to score a century in Women’s T20Is after Muneeba Ali, who achieved the feat twice.

In addition, Ayesha also equaled Muneeba’s record for the highest individual score by a Pakistani batter in the format.

Fastest centuries for Pakistan in Women’s T20Is

Ayesha Zafar – 47 balls against Zimbabwe in 2026
Muneeba Ali – 66 balls against Ireland in 2023
Muneeba Ali – 68 balls against Ireland in 2025

Overall, Ayesha is now the joint fifth-fastest centurion in the Women’s T20I format. The fastest century record belongs to the West Indies Deandra Dottin, who reached the feat in 38 balls in 2010.

Fastest hundreds in WT20Is

Deandra Dottin – 38 balls against South Africa in 2010

Alyssa Healy – 46 balls against Sri Lanka in 2019

Tammy Beaumont – 47 balls against South Africa in 2018

Laura Wolvaardt – 47 balls against India in 2026

Ayesha Zafar – 47 balls against Zimbabwe in 2026

READ: Pep Guardiola backs Man City in Premier League title race

The Pakistan football team has qualified for the semi-finals of the Street Child World Cup, currently underway in Mexico.

The Green Shirts continued their impressive run in the tournament, sealing an 8-1 win over Mexico to storm into the semi-finals. Kashif Shinwari scored twice, while Essa Khan, Shahid, and Mustafa each scored one goal.

Earlier, Pakistan also defeated Borussia Dortmund with 6-1 and suffered only a defeat at the hands of Brazil. Pakistan football team commenced their campaign with a dominant 8-1 win over Wales.

Following the triumph, team management congratulated the players on this historic achievement, praising their discipline, unity, and commitment to representing Pakistan with pride and dignity.

Speaking on the occasion, Rehan Tahir expressed gratitude, lauding players for delivering throughout the tournament.

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“Reaching the semi-final is a proud moment for Pakistan. Our players have shown incredible courage and determination throughout the tournament, and we are grateful for the prayers and support of the entire nation,” he said.

For the unversed, the tournament features teams from 30 countries and includes boys’ and girls’ events.

It is part of a global youth-led movement focused on protecting the rights, identity, and welfare of street-connected children, using sport as a tool for education and social change.

Pakistan’s participation in the event is supported by the organization Muslim Hands UK, which works in education and social development through sports initiatives.

It is worth noting that Pakistan had previously won the silver medal at the 2022 Street Child Football World Cup in Qatar.

READ: Pep Guardiola backs Man City in Premier League title race

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City do not feel extra pressure even though they realistically need to beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday to keep their Premier League title hopes alive.

City, with three games left, are five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.

Failure to win at the Etihad would mean Mikel Arteta’s side could clinch their first Premier League title for 22 years against Burnley on Monday.

Guardiola was asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday how much pressure City were under after recent results, including last week’s damaging 3-3 draw at Everton.

“Same one, two days, three days, four days ago, one week, two weeks, same one,” he said.

The City boss, chasing a seventh Premier League title in nine seasons, said he had not seen his players to gauge their mood since the dramatic end to Arsenal’s match at West Ham on Sunday.

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The Gunners won 1-0 after relegation-threatened West Ham’s last-gasp equaliser was ruled out following a lengthy VAR check.

“I learned from my career as a manager, what you cannot control, forget about it,” said Guardiola.

“(Focus) and do better what we have not done better this season to fight for the Premier League. We are still fighting and (next it is) Crystal Palace.”

Palace host Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season, just days before they face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final, but Guardiola said he was not concerned at the prospect they could field a weakened team.

“They are so professional, the teams,” he said. “Crystal Palace will play top. We saw Leeds yesterday against Spurs (a 1-1 draw), how even being out of the relegation battle… how they compete.”

Guardiola said Rodri and Abdukodir Khusanov were both “better” and that he would decide after training on Tuesday whether either were ready to return to action.

City face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday, still in the running for a domestic treble after winning the League Cup earlier this season.

READ: Hansi Flick extends contract with Barcelona