Category: Top Picks

DUBAI: Zimbabwean match referee Andy Pycroft has apologised to the Pakistan cricket team captain Salman Ali Agha, and team manager over the handshake row during the India-Pakistan ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 clash on September 14.

The uncertainty over the Pakistan-UAE clash surrounded due to the handshake row during the India-Pakistan clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 1

Shortly before the delayed toss between the teams, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement.

“The ICC’s match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team,” the board said in a statement.

“A result of miscommunication and apologised”, the statement added.

Despite this, Andy Pycroft will remain the match referee for the Pakistan-UAE clash.

Earlier, the Pakistan team arrived at the Dubai Stadium following the PCB chief’s directives.

“We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow,” he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, PCB spokesperson Amir Mir had announced that the delayed start of the match between Pakistan and UAE in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 has been

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The consultation process is ongoing, and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is discussing with former chairmen Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi and on the other hand, online negotiations are also going on with Dubai.

“Immediately, the match between UAE and Pakistan has been delayed by one hour,” he said in a short press conference.

The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan remained full of drama off the field. India chased down Pakistan’s 128-run target, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav sealing the win in the 16th over.

The post-match proceedings, however, took a controversial turn as unbeaten batters Yadav and Shivam Dube bypassed the customary handshake, opting for fist bumps before walking off, leaving Pakistan players waiting.

The PCB, on Monday, wrote to both the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), calling for Pycroft’s replacement following the controversial no-handshake episode in the high-profile clash against India.

The board argued that the referee’s directive to skip the traditional handshake at the toss, as well as post-match, undermined the spirit of cricket and violated the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB had stated in its letter, accusing Pycroft of failing in his responsibilities.

READ: Javelin ace Arshad books spot in World Athletics Championships final

TOKYO: Pakistan Javelin ace Arshad Nadeem’s 85.25m throw secured him a place in the final of the World Athletics Championships here at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

Arshad Nadeem finished in fifth place and qualified for the final round in his third attempt with his season’s best throw. The 28-year-old was not at his best with a 74.17m opening throw.

From Arshad’s group B, Grenadian Anderson Peters and Kenyan Julius Yego also advanced with 85.96m and 89.53m throws.  Later on, America’s Curtis Thompson also advanced with a throw of 84.72m.

Meanwhile, India’s Neeraj Chopra and the reigning champion finished behind Pakistan’s ace in his first attempt with an 84.85m throw.

Overall, 37 athletes competed in the qualifying round, with 12 of them advancing through to the final.

World Athletics Championships Finalists List

1. Anderson Peters, Grenada

2. Julian Weber, Germany

3. Julius Yego, Kenya

4. Dawid Wegner, Poland

5. Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan

6. Neeraj Chopra, India

7. Curtis Thompson, USA

8. Jakub Vadlejch, Czechia

9. Keshorn Walcott, Trinidad & Tobago

10. Sachin Yadav, India

11. Cameron McEntyre, Australia

12. Rumesh Pathirage, Sri Lanka

World Athletics Championships 2025 Men’s Javelin Throw Start List

Qualifiers Group A: Julian Weber (GER), Neeraj Chopra (IND), Keshorn Walcott (TTO), Jakub Vadlejch (CZE), Cyprian Mrzygłód (POL), Lassi Etelätalo (FIN), Edis Matusevičius (LTU), Yuta Sakiyama (JPN), Sachin Yadav (IND), Marc Anthony Minichello (USA), Roderick Genki Dean (JPN), Dawid Wegner (POL), Leandro Ramos (POR), Sumedha Ranasinghe (SRI), Haoran Hu (CHN), Sindri Hrafn Guðmundsson (ISL), Billy Julio López (COL), Keyshawn Strachan (BAH), Pedro Henrique Rodrigues (BRA)

Qualifiers Group B: Arshad Nadeem (PAK), Anderson Peters (GRN), Julius Yego (KEN), Luiz Mauricio da Silva (BRA), Oliver Helander (FIN), Curtis Thompson (USA), Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (SRI), Douw Smit (RSA), Artur Felfner (UKR), Simon Wieland (SUI), Marcin Krukowski (POL), Cameron McEntyre (AUS), Eemil Porvari (FIN), Yash Vir Singh (IND), Martin Konečný (CZE), Gen Naganuma (JPN), Rohit Yadav (IND), Lars Anthony Flaming (PAR)

READ: Pakistan to face India in London as FIH Pro League schedule announced

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has released the official schedule for the upcoming season of the Pro League, with arch-rivals Pakistan and India clashing in June next year.

The Pakistan hockey team secured their place in the Pro League after New Zealand, winners of the 2024–25 Nations Cup, declined their spot.

As runners-up, Pakistan were extended an invitation by FIH, which they accepted following financial backing from the government.

“FIH can confirm that the Pakistan men’s hockey team, nicknamed the Green Shirts, have accepted the invitation to participate in the upcoming season of the FIH Hockey Pro League,” the federation said in a statement.

The seventh edition of the competition will feature nine teams: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, and Pakistan, with Ireland relegated after finishing bottom last season.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The highlight of the season will undoubtedly be the clash between Pakistan and arch-rivals India, set to take place in London on June 23 and 26, 2026.

Pakistan will begin their campaign in Rosario, Argentina, where they face the Netherlands on December 10, followed by hosts Argentina on December 12. The Green Shirts will play 16 matches in total across four international legs.

Their second assignment takes them to Hobart, Australia, in February, where they go head-to-head with the hosts and Germany.

In June, Pakistan will feature in the European leg of the tournament with fixtures against Belgium and Spain in Wavre, before moving to London for the final round against England and India.

Pakistan’s FIH Pro League Schedule

December 2025 – Rosario, Argentina

Dec 10: Netherlands vs Pakistan (03:00)

Dec 12: Argentina vs Pakistan (03:00)

Dec 13: Pakistan vs Netherlands (03:00)

Dec 15: Argentina vs Pakistan (03:00)

February 2026 – Hobart, Australia

Feb 10: Australia vs Pakistan (11:00)

Feb 11: Pakistan vs Germany (13:30)

Feb 13: Australia vs Pakistan (11:00)

Feb 14: Germany vs Pakistan (10:00)

June 2026 – Wavre, Belgium

Jun 13: Belgium vs Pakistan (18:30)

Jun 14: Pakistan vs Spain (18:30)

Jun 19: Belgium vs Pakistan (00:00)

Jun 20: Spain vs Pakistan (18:30)

June 2026 – London, UK

Jun 23: Pakistan vs India (18:30)

Jun 24: England vs Pakistan (17:30)

Jun 26: India vs Pakistan (22:00)

Jun 27: England vs Pakistan (20:00)

READ: Suryakumar Yadav will not collect Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

India captain Suryakumar Yadav has reportedly requested that if his side wins the Asia Cup 2025, he does not want the trophy to be presented to him by Mohsin Naqvi.

Naqvi, in his role as the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), will present the winners’ trophy to the victorious team.

According to a report by NDTV, Yadav has formally requested not to receive the trophy from Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“India captain Suryakumar Yadav has also made it clear that he doesn’t want the Asia Cup trophy to be handed to India by Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, if the team emerges triumphant in the final. This message has also been delivered to the ACC,” the report stated.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Notably, Yadav was criticised by many Indian fans back home after he was seen shaking hands with Naqvi in the Asia Cup 2025 trophy unveiling ceremony.

However, in the high-octane clash against Pakistan, Yadav did not engage in a customary handshake with his counterpart, Salman Ali Agha, after the toss.

The incident did not end there. After hitting the winning runs, the Indian skipper exchanged fist bumps with fellow batter Shivam Dube and walked straight to the dressing room.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan players lined up and waited for the customary handshake, only to see the Indian team retreat to their dressing room and close the doors.

READ: Struggling Saim Ayub continues to rise in ICC T20I Rankings

DUBAI: Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has climbed to the top of the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings on Wednesday, capping off a remarkable year with his maiden No.1 spot.

The 34-year-old becomes only the third Indian bowler to achieve the milestone, joining Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi in the elite list.

Chakaravarthy, who cemented his place in India’s T20I setup over the past 12 months, leapfrogged New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy to secure the top position.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

His consistency has been backed by notable performances, including a five-wicket haul against England earlier this year and tidy spells at the ongoing Asia Cup, where he has claimed two wickets from as many matches against the UAE and Pakistan.

The rankings update sees Duffy slip to second, West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein steady at third, and Australia’s Adam Zampa climbing to fourth.

Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara also surged six places to sixth, while India’s Kuldeep Yadav made a significant leap of 16 spots to 23rd.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

On the batting front, Abhishek Sharma continues to lead the T20I rankings following his 31-run knock against Pakistan.

England’s Phil Salt and Jos Buttler trail closely in second and third, while South Africa’s Dewald Brevis (up to 11th) and Aiden Markram (up to 30th) also made gains.

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka moved up to sixth, Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz rose to 19th, and Shubman Gill entered the top 40.

Among all-rounders, Hardik Pandya retained his top spot, with Pakistan’s Saim Ayub (now joint-fifth) and Abhishek Sharma (14th) making significant progress.

READ: Struggling Saim Ayub continues to rise in ICC T20I Rankings

DUBAI: Pakistan top-order batter Saim Ayub continued his rise in the latest ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounder Rankings on Wednesday.

The recent rankings update saw Pakistan players suffering a decline in the charts, owing to the crushing defeat in the high-octane Asia Cup 2025 clash against arch-rivals India.

In the batting rankings, discarded batter Babar Azam remained Pakistan’s highest-ranked player despite dropping two places to 26th with 580 rating points.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan, who is also out of the side, is the second-best from the country, occupying 33rd spot.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

Saim Ayub, who registered back-to-back ducks in the Asia Cup 2025, slipped to 46th place after dropping five spots, followed by Hasan Nawaz at 47th.

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha dropped ten spots, slipping to 67th, and senior batter Fakhar Zaman slipped one place to 69th.

Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 40 off 44 against India, is the only Pakistan batter to make some gains as he jumped 18 places to 56th.

On the bowling front, spinners Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed made significant progress, moving up to the 11th and 16th spots, respectively.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi fell five places to 27th, while all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz dropped to the 33rd spot.

Fast bowler Haris Rauf, who has yet to play in the Asia Cup 2025, also dropped two spots to 37th place.

Meanwhile, Saim Ayub, having taken five wickets in the tournament so far, jumped four places to reach 6th spot in the ICC T20I All-Rounder Rankings.

He was Pakistan’s only wicket-taker in the match against India, returning with figures of 3-35.

READ: Jose Mourinho likely to take over as Benfica coach: reports

Benfica sacked coach Bruno Lage following Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to minnows Qarabag, the club announced, with some media reports claiming that Jose Mourinho is in line to take over.

Mourinho actually began his coaching career at Benfica but quit after just two and a half months before making his name at the Lisbon giants’ arch rivals, Porto.

He was dismissed by Fenerbahce last month after just over a year in the job following the Turkish side’s elimination from the Champions League qualifying competition, ironically at the hands of Benfica.

The Eagles led 2-0 early on at home to Azerbaijan’s Qarabag on Tuesday before falling to a shock 3-2 reverse in their opening league stage game.

“We have just reached an agreement with Bruno Lage, who today leaves his post as Benfica coach,” former Portugal midfielder Rui Costa, the club’s president, told reporters late Tuesday.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Lage, who was in his second spell at Benfica, was already under pressure after his team dropped their first league points of the season away to Santa Clara at the weekend.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Costa said that Benfica expected to have their new coach in charge in time for Saturday’s league encounter with AVS.

All three of Portugal’s sports dailies mentioned 62-year-old Mourinho as a possible successor.

A Bola said that Benfica wanted to negotiate with the self-styled “Special One”.

Mourinho’s previous spell at Benfica lasted just 11 matches at the back end of 2000. Still, after impressing at Uniao de Leiria, he joined Porto and guided them to back-to-back league titles and the Champions League crown in 2004.

That set him on the path to a hugely successful career coaching Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid before his fortunes started to nose-dive after joining Manchester United in 2016.

Lage won the Portuguese Primeira Liga in 2019 in his first spell with Benfica, while last season he guided them to Portuguese Cup success.

READ: Kylian Mbappe penalty double gives Real Madrid opening win over Marseille

Kylian Mbappe slammed home two penalties for Real Madrid as the record 15-time winners opened their Champions League campaign with a controversial 2-1 comeback win over Olympique Marseille on Tuesday.

Timothy Weah opened the scoring for the French visitors before Mbappe levelled from the spot and Madrid defender Dani Carvajal was sent off for headbutting Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

Roberto De Zerbi’s enterprising Marseille were well placed to push for a famous win at the Santiago Bernabeu until Facundo Medina was harshly penalised for a handball and Mbappe converted his second penalty.

“For me it’s a penalty, but I understand there are people who don’t (think so), we’re all lost with this rule,” Mbappe, who reached 50 goals for the club, told Movistar. “They say it’s a penalty, I shoot it and put it in, that’s all.”

Madrid coach Xabi Alonso was dealt an early blow on his first European game at the helm of the Spanish giants when Trent Alexander-Arnold limped off with a thigh injury, and had to scrap with 10 men after Carvajal’s dismissal.

“The two goals came from penalties and our performance deserved more than that… we should have won by more goals and (not doing that) made the game tougher for us,” Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois told Movistar.

“It was a good win to start with, but it got tricky.”

Alonso benched Vinicius Junior among several changes to the side, which beat Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday to continue Madrid’s 100 percent start in La Liga.

They had a short pre-season following the Club World Cup, giving Alonso more incentive to shuffle his pack, while the coach has also insisted he will keep as many players involved as possible.

Jude Bellingham was named on the bench for the first time after undergoing shoulder surgery in July, but neither he nor the returning Eduardo Camavinga made it onto the pitch.

Mbappe, who watched former side Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) win the Champions League last season after he left for Madrid, almost opened the scoring with a spectacular overhead effort which dropped just wide.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Alexander-Arnold limped off after just three minutes, to be replaced by veteran Carvajal.

Franco Mastantuono, Real Madrid’s youngest Champions League starter at 18 years and 33 days, hit the inside of the near post as both teams sought to break the deadlock.

Rulli made a fine save from a fierce Mbappe strike before Weah opened the scoring. Mason Greenwood picked Arda Guler’s pocket and fed the US international, who slammed past Courtois at the near post for his first Marseille goal.

The Belgian goalkeeper denied Weah from distance as the Juventus winger, on loan in France, impressed. Real Madrid equalised when Geoffrey Kondogbia clumsily bundled over Rodrygo Goes in the box.

Mbappe, in fine form at the start of the season, dispatched the penalty past Rulli’s outstretched arm.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang drilled just wide and then tested Courtois in the second half as Marseille continued to give as good as they got.

Madrid finished the second game running with 10 men after Carvajal squared off with Rulli and then pushed his head into the goalkeeper’s.

However, just as they did against Real Sociedad after Dean Huijsen’s red card, they finished with three points.

Medina slid in to challenge Vinicius, and the ball hit his arm, with the referee awarding a penalty, which Mbappe gratefully dispatched to claim a fifth victory for Los Blancos in five games across all competitions.

It brought up Mbappe’s milestone of 50 goals in 64 appearances, the quickest a Madrid player has hit that tally since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2010.

“He’s in a good moment both personally and in a footballing sense, and I’m happy to be working with him,” said Alonso.

READ: Abdullah’s hat-trick seals Pakistan’s win over Bhutan in SAFF U17 Championship

DUBAI: The team management of India has instructed its players to maintain distance from Pakistani net bowlers during practice sessions at the ICC Academy, sources confirmed on Tuesday.

The directive follows the fallout from the handshake controversy during the Pakistan-India clash at the Asia Cup 2025.

The fixture, played under a tense backdrop, witnessed unusual scenes from the start, with both captains skipping the customary handshake at the toss.

Later, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who struck the winning runs, celebrated with teammate Shivam Dube before both walked straight to the dressing room.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

While Indian players congratulated each other at the dugout, they refrained from acknowledging or shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts.

Pakistan’s players, meanwhile, lined up and waited for the customary handshake, only to see the Indian team retreat to their dressing room and close the doors.

However, earlier, during the trophy unveiling ceremony, Yadav was seen shaking hands with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

Following these controversies, the Indian camp has banned its players from interacting with net bowlers from Pakistan.

Notably, at the ICC Academy, net bowlers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India are routinely brought in to support teams during training.

This time, however, the Indian camp has barred such interactions. Sources revealed that players have been explicitly told to avoid casual conversations or photographs with Pakistani net bowlers.

To enforce the rule, the net bowlers are also required to surrender their mobile phones before practice, with devices returned only after sessions conclude.

READ: PCB rejects ICC inquiry, insists on Andy Pycroft’s removal: sources

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has doubled down on its demand for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, warning that the team will not play under his supervision.

According to board insiders, the PCB has written a second letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), adopting a hardline stance after its initial request was not entertained.

In the strongly worded response, the PCB rejected the ICC’s decision not to take action against Pycroft and labelled the inquiry into his conduct as nothing more than a formality.

Sources revealed that the board categorically stated it would boycott matches officiated by the controversial referee and maintained its stance that Pakistan’s participation hinges on Pycroft’s removal.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The letter further argued that the ICC inquiry neither examined all aspects of the controversy nor engaged with the relevant stakeholders.

“Pakistan has urged that all concerns be fully addressed. Only after the official acceptance of our demand will Pakistan agree to play,” a PCB insider confirmed.

This development comes as Pakistan prepares to face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their final group match on Wednesday in Dubai.

However, PCB spokesperson Aamir Mir clarified on Tuesday that consultations are still ongoing, and a final decision on Pakistan’s participation will be announced before the match.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

“The decision will be taken keeping Pakistan’s interests in mind,” Mir said.

The saga stems from the no-handshake controversy in the India clash, where both captains skipped the customary gesture at the toss, and Indian players walked off without acknowledging their rivals after the match.

The PCB has held Andy Pycroft responsible for the incident, calling his directives a breach of cricket’s spirit and traditions.

READ: Sidra Amin achieves major milestone with century against South Africa