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Former AC Milan and Japan star Keisuke Honda said he wanted to set a new record after signing for a Singapore Premier League club, FC Jurong, on Friday to resume his colourful playing career aged 39.

FC Jurong announced that the attacking midfielder, who appeared and scored at three World Cups, would play for them next season.

Honda appeared most recently for the Bhutan club Paro FC, playing in two games and scoring two goals in the 2024/25 season.

Before that, he played for Lithuania’s FK Suduva in 2021 and has also turned out for clubs in Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Italy, Mexico, Australia, Brazil and Azerbaijan.

Honda said in a statement that he was “pursuing several personal challenges”, including trying to score in more domestic top leagues than anyone else.

“However, my primary goal with this club is to win the league title,” he said. “There are a couple of very strong rivals, so it will be a tough challenge, but I am determined to achieve it.”

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For the unversed, Keisuke Honda retired from the Japan national team with 98 caps and 38 goals after playing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Outside football, he heads a venture capital fund, owns a non-league club in Japan and has also dabbled in management, taking charge of Cambodia’s national team from August 2018 to January 2023.

FC Jurong, formerly known as Albirex Niigata Singapore, said bringing Honda to the club “goes beyond the signing of a single player”.

“To build a great castle, you need a solid cornerstone,” said Chairman Daisuke Korenaga.

“Into that cornerstone, we pour world-class experience, vision, and passion. Together with Keisuke Honda, we are determined to build a legacy that will carry this club forward for the next 100 years.”

READ: Babar, Mendis star in Peshawar Zalmi win over Karachi Kings

KARACHI: Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis’ sublime batting backed by a disciplined bowling effort powered Peshawar Zalmi to a resounding 159-run victory over Karachi Kings in the 17th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

Set a massive 247 to chase, Karachi Kings’ batting lineup faltered and were bowled out for 87 in 16.1 overs.

Kings were in early trouble right from the start as they lost both of their openers, Mohammad Waseem and David Warner, for ducks.

They were further pegged back when Salman Ali Agha was trapped lbw for five by Iftikhar Ahmed. As a result, they were reduced to 8-3 in 2.1 overs.

Following the early trouble, Saad Baig (14) and Azam Khan (25) tried to stabilize the innings with a brief 27-run partnership. However, a caught and bowled from Nahid Rana sent the former back to the pavilion.

The wickets continued to tumble as Kings never recovered in their big chase.

Eventually, Peshawar Zalmi bowled them out for a modest total and handed Kings their first defeat of the season.

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For Peshawar Zalmi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Nahid Rana, and Iftikhar Ahmed shared nine wickets between them.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi posted a mammoth 246 runs total in a commanding batting display after being invited to bat first.

The cornerstone of the big total was the record 191-run stand between Babar Azam and Kusal Mendis. The duo put on a batting masterclass after the early loss of Mohammad Haris, who was removed for a duck on the second ball of the opening over.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Babar scored 87 from 51 balls with the aid of two sixes and 10 fours, while Mendis scored his maiden PSL century, an innings of 109 off 52 deliveries, laced with 14 fours and four sixes.

Peshawar Zalmi were 197-4 in 17 overs when Abdul Samad provided a late surge. He smashed 40 off just 12 balls with the help of four sixes and three boundaries, propelling the total beyond the 240-run mark.

For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi picked up two wickets while giving away 55 in his quota of four overs.

READ: Devon Conway leads Islamabad United to victory over Lahore Qalandars

KARACHI: Devon Conway produced a composed unbeaten half-century to guide Islamabad United to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in a low-scoring Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a modest 101-run target, United made light work of the total, reaching it inside 11 overs with 58 balls to spare.

The only hiccup in the chase came early when Sameer Minhas was dismissed for five by Shaheen Shah Afridi in the third over.

From there on, Conway took complete control of the innings. The left-hander stitched together an unbeaten 93-run partnership with Mohammad Faiq, ensuring there were no further setbacks.

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Devon Conway remained unbeaten on 59 off 35 deliveries, striking seven fours and three sixes, while Faiq played an equally fluent hand with a 19-ball 34, laced with six boundaries.

Earlier, Islamabad United’s bowlers laid the foundation for the comfortable win by bundling Qalandars out for just 100 in 18.3 overs.

The innings unravelled right from the start when Imad Wasim dismissed Mohammad Naeem for a first-ball duck.

Although Haseebullah Khan (19) and Abdullah Shafique (10) attempted to stabilise things with a brief stand, regular breakthroughs kept Lahore on the back foot.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Imad struck again to remove Shafique, before Chris Green and captain Shadab Khan further dented the innings with timely wickets.

A short resistance from Sikandar Raza (25) and Asif Ali (15) failed to shift momentum, as the Qalandars kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Green was the pick of the bowlers with impressive figures of 3 for 19 in his four overs, while Imad, Shadab and Richard Gleeson chipped in with two wickets apiece to wrap up the innings.

READ: Tamim Iqbal-led BCB announces major pay hike for domestic cricketers

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), under its newly formed ad-hoc committee headed by Tamim Iqbal, has approved a significant increase in domestic match fees and monthly salaries, with a particular focus on improving earnings in women’s cricket.

The decision marks the first major policy move by the Tamim-led committee since it became operational earlier this week, signalling an early intent to reform player compensation structures across the board.

The revised package comes after the committee discovered that women cricketers in domestic one-day competitions had been earning as little as BDT 1,000 per match in previous years, a figure that was later marginally increased but still widely regarded as insufficient.

Under the new structure, women players will now earn BDT 10,000 per T20 match, BDT 15,000 for 50-over games, and BDT 20,000 for first-class fixtures.

In addition, the monthly salary for the top 36 women cricketers has been raised from BDT 30,000 to BDT 40,000.

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While acknowledging that the revised payments are still not ideal, Tamim Iqbal reportedly stressed that the move represents a necessary and meaningful step forward within existing financial constraints.

The committee has also implemented a parallel revision for men’s domestic cricket. Players in Category A will now receive BDT 65,000 per month, while Category B and C players will earn BDT 50,000 and BDT 40,000 respectively. First-class match fees for men have also been increased from BDT 70,000 to BDT 100,000.

The changes will officially come into effect from January 1, 2026.

Tamim highlighted that domestic players had long gone without meaningful pay increases and emphasised that those who sustain the structure of the game deserve fairer financial recognition.

The reforms come amid wider administrative restructuring within the board, as the BCB also begins defining roles for members of its 11-person ad-hoc committee.

Meanwhile, the board is also working to resolve ongoing disputes between club sides and the governing body, with plans underway to stage the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League in the coming weeks as part of efforts to stabilise domestic cricket operations.

READ: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick rages over VAR handball non-intervention

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was furious at the decision not to review a strange handball incident in his team’s 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Atletico defender Marc Pubill touched a ball passed to him by goalkeeper Juan Musso with his hand, to set it still in order to take the goal-kick himself, which Flick said should have been a red card and a penalty.

In the first half, VAR intervened to get referee Istvan Kovacs to review an incident involving Barca defender Pau Cubarsi, who was booked for fouling Giuliano Simeone as he ran through on goal.

After the review, Barcelona defender Cubarsi was sent off, leaving the Catalans with 10 men for the second half.

“The VAR was very focused today for Atletico, he’s a German guy, so thanks Germany,” former German national team coach Flick told reporters. “It’s for me a clear red card.”

In 2024, Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings was punished for a similar infringement in a Champions League defeat against Club Brugge.

Flick said the VAR officials should have asked Kovacs to review the incident.

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“For my perspective, it’s clear, he has to call and say okay come on, look at this, the same like before. I don’t understand,” added Flick.

“I haven’t spoken with the referee. I think it was better not to speak with him. We have to accept it, and focus in the match next Tuesday in Atletico. We have the quality, the players who can decide (this game), and we have to fight.”

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo said it was “absurd but a clear penalty”.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone said the officials were correct not to intervene.

“There’s common sense,” said the Argentine. “If Marc, who was supposedly receiving a pass to start the play, interpreted it the way he did, and the referee interpreted it the same way Marc did, it’s because there is only common sense about the play.”

Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth’s goals earned Atletico a significant advantage ahead of the second leg next Tuesday in the Spanish capital.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan released from Multan Sultans squad

KARACHI: Multan Sultans have granted opening batter Sahibzada Farhan a short break from the squad ahead of their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash against Peshawar Zalmi, scheduled to be played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on April 13.

According to the franchise, the decision has been taken as part of their internal workload and rest policy, which allows players to take time off during breaks in the tournament to recover physically and mentally.

A spokesperson for the Sultans said the move aligns with the team’s broader approach under owner Gohar Shah and head coach Tim Paine, who have emphasised player welfare and balanced workload management throughout the season.

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“As per the policy, players are given complete freedom to relax and spend personal time during rest periods,” the spokesperson stated.

The management believes the system helps players remain mentally fresh and better prepared for high-intensity matches.

Along with Sahibzada Farhan, batting coach Sohaib Maqsood has also been released from the squad for a short period under the same policy.

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Notably, Farhan has been one of the standout performers in PSL 11 so far, emerging as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

The right-hander has accumulated 232 runs in five matches at an impressive average of 58.00 and a strike rate of 181.25, including a century and a half-century.

The opener’s form has been a key factor in Multan’s strong campaign so far, with the side currently sitting at the top of the table. Led by Ashton Turner, the Sultans have won four of their five matches, collecting eight points with a healthy net run-rate of 0.941.

READ: Rashid Khan may miss India Test as red-ball future remains unclear

Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan has admitted that playing Test cricket on a regular basis may no longer be realistic for him, as he continues to manage ongoing back issues that have significantly shaped his workload across formats.

The 27-year-old, one of the most influential white-ball bowlers in world cricket, said medical advice has played a key role in his decision to step back from red-ball cricket, with a long-term focus now on preserving his career in limited-overs formats.

Speaking after a match-winning spell for the Gujarat Titans against the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 in Delhi, Rashid opened up about the physical challenges that have forced him to rethink his involvement in Test cricket.

“Red-ball cricket is a little difficult because that was the first thing my doctor told me to stay away from red-ball cricket,” Rashid said. “I still went ahead and played.”

He revealed that following his back surgery in 2023, he was specifically advised to avoid the longest format due to the strain it places on his body.

“The doctor told me that if you don’t want to play cricket, you can keep playing red-ball cricket. He said it’s not going to help me and that I won’t be able to play for long,” he added.

Rashid Khan, who captains Afghanistan in T20Is, underwent surgery in the United Kingdom after playing through the ODI World Cup in 2023 while carrying an injury.

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Although he made a return to competitive cricket in 2024, the demands of continuous franchise and international cricket soon took a toll again, forcing him to reassess his schedule.

The spinner also reflected on the workload he has carried in the longest format, revealing how physically demanding his limited Test experience has been.

“In my last two Test matches, I bowled 126 overs, which is simply too much,” he said. “If I bowl a spell of 20–25 overs, I have to bowl the whole day. You can’t do that to yourself.”

Rashid has now indicated that he may restrict himself to just one Test per year, while prioritising ODI cricket and major tournaments such as the 2027 World Cup, where Afghanistan will be looking to build on their recent progress in the format.

“So yes, I will think about it. But ODI cricket, I really enjoy that format. I am in good shape to play ODIs for a longer period for Afghanistan,” he said. “Red-ball cricket is something that looks a bit difficult for me.”

Since Afghanistan gained Test status in 2017, opportunities in the format have been limited, and Rashid Khan himself has played only six Tests, though he has still managed to take 45 wickets at an impressive average of 20.44.

He briefly returned to red-ball cricket in early 2025 against Zimbabwe, where he produced a standout performance with 11 wickets in the match, but recurring back problems soon resurfaced later in the season, again affecting his rhythm.

READ: Daryl Mitchell backs Rawalpindiz to bounce back despite winless PSL start

KARACHI: New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell remains optimistic about Rawalpindiz’s chances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, despite the franchise’s winless start to the season.

The 34-year-old, who is featuring for Rawalpindiz, said he is hopeful the team can turn things around in the coming matches and build momentum as the tournament progresses.

“It’s awesome to be back here,” Mitchell said while speaking to PCB Digital. “I’m really happy to be back in Pakistan. The people here are very welcoming, and I’ve really enjoyed my time so far.”

Rawalpindiz have endured a difficult start, losing all four of their matches to sit at the bottom of the points table. However, Mitchell is backing his side to bounce back and keep their playoff hopes alive.

“Hopefully we can get off the mark in the next game and get on a bit of a roll,” he said. “You never know what might happen in a tournament like this.”

Mitchell also believes that adapting to conditions and building a better understanding within the group will be key moving forward.

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“It’s always challenging cricket coming here,” he noted. “Conditions can vary, from fast and bouncy to slow and turning, so as a cricketer, trying to adapt is always a challenge, but it’s also good fun.”

Daryl Mitchell, who made his PSL debut last season with eventual champions Lahore Qalandars, has so far scored 124 runs in four matches this season at a strike rate of over 150.  Last year, he accumulated 241 runs in nine games, playing a key role in Qalandars’ title-winning campaign.

Sharing his thoughts on Pakistan’s cricketing landscape, the right-hander was full of praise for the country’s fast-bowling depth, calling it one of the most impressive aspects of the PSL.

“Pakistan has some of the best fast bowlers in the world,” he said. “Every season, a new bowler seems to come through. I don’t know what it is, tape ball or whatever, but it’s incredible to see.”

Mitchell added that overseas players have an important role in guiding younger cricketers, particularly in a competitive league like the PSL.

“As overseas players, we try to share our experience with the younger guys to help them improve and take their game to another level,” he said.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The New Zealand international also spoke about settling into a new environment, highlighting the importance of building team chemistry early in the tournament.

“The first week is about getting to know the players and understanding how they operate,” he explained.

“You try to have some fun along the way, and as the tournament goes on, you start having more conversations about the game and how to improve together.”

Reflecting on his favourite PSL memory, Mitchell pointed to Lahore Qalandars lifting the trophy last season as a special moment, even though he missed the final stages of the tournament.

“Anytime you’re winning games is special,” he said. “Watching Lahore lift the trophy last year was a great moment, especially seeing some close friends succeed.”

READ: Babar Azam brushes off Virat Kohli comparisons after Hyderabad Kingsmen victory

KARACHI: Babar Azam chose to steer clear of comparisons with Virat Kohli, responding firmly to a question on the subject after his team, Peshawar Zalmi, registered a tense last-ball victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium.

Chasing a modest yet tricky 146-run target, Zalmi were pushed to the limit on a challenging surface before eventually getting over the line on the final delivery with four wickets in hand.

Babar played a key role in the chase with a composed 43 off 37 balls but fell at a crucial juncture, leaving his side needing 30 runs from the final five overs.

The post-match press conference, however, shifted focus from the result to an all-too-familiar debate of Babar’s ability to finish games and his frequent comparisons with Kohli.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The Zalmi skipper appeared unimpressed with the line of questioning and quickly dismissed the comparison.

“Leave that topic. You can end it there,” Babar said, cutting short the question before elaborating on his approach instead.

He emphasised that match situations, rather than comparisons, dictate his style of play, highlighting the importance of reading conditions and building partnerships.

“The main thing is the scenario, what the team requires, what the run rate is, how to play, and how the pitch is behaving. You have to plan your game accordingly and build partnerships for the team,” he explained.

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Babar Azam also pointed out that execution is not always straightforward, especially on difficult surfaces where even well-timed shots may not yield results.

“Sometimes you think it is an easy pitch, but you cannot execute, shots are hit, but not finding the gaps. You try but do not get the runs,” he said.

Reflecting on criticism around his finishing ability, the right-hander insisted that improvement is a gradual process and backed his record in pressure situations.

“In those moments, I remind myself of my strengths and my game plan, my best way of playing. Improvement comes with time; sometimes it takes months. I have finished a lot of matches; you may think I have not, but I have finished many,” he added.

READ: Hassan Khan breaks silence on decision to leave Pakistan for USA

Holders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) took a 2-0 lead over Liverpool in their Champions League quarter-final tie as Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in Wednesday’s first leg in the French capital.

Doue’s shot in the 11th minute looped over goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and, thanks to a big touch off Ryan Gravenberch, Kvaratskhelia then rounded his compatriot to double PSG’s lead 65 minutes into a game they bossed from start to finish.

It only remains to be seen whether the reigning European champions, who had a second-half penalty in their favour overturned after a VAR review, might regret not scoring more goals against a Liverpool side that lined up with three centre-backs and were run ragged.

Liverpool’s game plan could not stop them slumping to a second emphatic loss in five days, even if the scoreline was not as bad as the 4-0 mauling inflicted by Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend.

It is just one win in six in all competitions for Liverpool, and this was a 16th reverse in total in a difficult campaign.

Slot’s team must try to repeat what they did in the last 16, when they overturned a 1-0 first-leg loss away to Galatasaray by winning 4-0 in the return.

This will be a far tougher task, however, as the sides clash again next Tuesday on Merseyside, where PSG won 1-0 in the second leg of their last-16 tie last season before advancing on penalties.

That was a significant step on their way to winning the Champions League, coming after they somehow lost 1-0 at the Parc des Princes despite completely dominating.

A string of Alisson Becker saves helped Liverpool smash and grab their way to victory a year ago, but the Brazilian was absent here, meaning Mamardashvili started in goal.

Mohamed Salah was also left out of the line-up by Slot, instead taking a place on the bench alongside Alexander Isak with the Swede involved again after suffering a leg fracture in December.

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Hugo Ekitike started up front for Liverpool against the club where he spent 18 months earlier in his career and failed to escape the shadows of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Joe Gomez slotted in alongside Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk as a third central defender, as Liverpool set out to press high but spent the night chasing the ball.

PSG were well in control before they scored, as Doue collected the ball just outside the box, advanced into the area and tried a shot which struck Gravenberch’s boot and took a looping trajectory which left the goalkeeper flummoxed.

Mamardashvili did later save from Kvaratskhelia and Doue, meaning there was just one goal in a one-sided first half in which PSG had 70 percent possession, and Liverpool’s only attempt came from Jeremie Frimpong when he was offside.

The pattern of the contest did not really change after the break, with Ousmane Dembele blazing over before the second goal arrived.

A superb Joao Neves pass released Kvaratskhelia through the inside-left channel, and the Georgian held off Gravenberch before rounding the goalkeeper to tuck in.

Liverpool were then rescued by the Spanish referee’s decision to change his mind after initially awarding a penalty when Konate brought down Warren Zaire-Emery, while also taking the ball.

Small mercies for Slot, who sent on Isak in a quadruple substitution on 78 minutes, but left Salah on the bench.

Dembele hit the post late on for PSG, although they are firmly in control after a ninth win in a game against Premier League opposition since the start of 2025.

READ: Atletico Madrid punish Barcelona in Champions League quarter-final