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Head coach Mikel Arteta has addressed Arsenal contract ahead of the clash against Bournemouth on Saturday. 

Arteta’s side host Bournemouth on Saturday and second-placed City travel to Chelsea on Sunday as the title race approaches a pivotal moment.

The Gunners are nine points ahead of City, having played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s team.

That lead would increase to 12 points if Arsenal defeat Bournemouth, putting City under intense pressure to take maximum points from their tricky trip to Stamford Bridge.

Asked how important it would be to move further ahead of City, Arteta told reporters on Friday: “The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases, obviously, and tomorrow is a big day for us.

“The players know it, our supporters know it, it’s early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner, as you say in England, and let’s go all together for it because it has to be a big day.”

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After losing to City in the League Cup final and to second tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal bounced back with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg on Tuesday.

The Gunners are chasing a first English title in 22 years, as well as their maiden Champions League crown.

And Arteta is convinced that they can finish the season with both trophies, which would finally end their six-year silverware drought since lifting the FA Cup.

“First of all, the capacity we have as a club and as a team, the will to win,” Arteta said to explain his belief.

“We recognise the opportunity ahead and we are going to do our best to achieve it.”

Arteta’s Arsenal contract expires in 2027, and the Spaniard remains fully committed to the club after reports of talks over a new deal.

“There’s no news on that. We have no time to discuss that now. The full focus is on what we have to do from here until the end of the season,” he said.

“I am fully committed and really happy and I feel good. My family is good and I still have so much ambition to do with this football club, and for now we are in a good place.

“This job is about the present and what you do on the day. Give your very best and feel that you are the person that can lead and inspire the group to achieve great things for the club.”

READ: Jannik Sinner romps into Monte Carlo semi-final

Jannik Sinner brushed aside Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets on Friday to set up a Monte Carlo Masters semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

The Italian extended his winning run at Masters 1000 events to 20 matches by seeing off his Canadian opponent 6-3, 6-4.

“I feel like it was a step forwards today,” said Sinner, whose record streak of 36 consecutive sets won in Masters tournaments was snapped by Tomas Machac in the last 16.

“It was a very tough match. I knew I had to get better in certain areas. The serve is not there yet, where I would love it (to be), but all things considered I’m very happy…

“But in any case, very happy to be back in the semis.”

Sinner has never won one of the elite tournaments on clay but will be a strong favourite when he plays Zverev, who edged out Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, after winning their last seven meetings.

The world number two, who completed the ‘Sunshine double’ with wins at Indian Wells and the Miami Open, is still on track for a possible first clash of the year with Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

Sinner dropped just seven points on serve in a dominant opening set which he took courtesy of a break in the sixth game.

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The four-time Grand Slam champion also powered through the second set, wrapping up his fifth consecutive win over seventh-ranked Auger-Aliassime.

World number three Zverev sealed a battling 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3 victory over Fonseca to reach the semi-finals in Monaco for the third time.

Zverev is targeting his first ATP title since winning in Munich 12 months ago.

The German could also complete a career sweep of the clay-court Masters 1000 events, having previously won both the Italian Open and Madrid Open twice each.

Big-hitting 19-year-old Fonseca was playing in his first Masters quarter-final but pushed his opponent for long periods.

Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Zverev broke in the 11th game and then served out the opening set to love, before breaking again at the start of the second.

Fonseca reeled off four straight games from 3-1 down to tee up the chance to serve for the set, but he failed to take that opportunity.

The world number 40 found his rhythm in the tie-break, though, reeling off a string of magnificent groundstrokes to force a decider.

But Fonseca could not maintain that level as Zverev improved.

The 28-year-old broke in the sixth game and confidently served out victory, reaching his third straight Masters 1000 semi-final this year.

Later on Friday, world number one and reigning champion Alcaraz takes on Alexander Bublik, before Alex de Minaur plays Valentin Vacherot.

READ: WATCH: Fakhar Zaman responds to Mohsin Naqvi’s birthday wish

Opening batter Fakhar Zaman has thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his heartfelt birthday wish.

Earlier today, Mohsin Naqvi sent Fakhar a bouquet with a heartfelt note.

“Warmest Happy Birthday Fakhar Zaman from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi”, the note on the bouquet read.

The left-hander who turned 36 today has represented Pakistan in three Tests, 92 ODIs, and 120 T20Is.

“Thank you very much, Chairman [Mr Mohsin Naqvi], for such a wonderful gesture. Your kind birthday wishes and the beautiful flowers truly meant a lot. Grateful for your warmth and thoughtfulness,” Fakhar said in a video message.

Thank you very much, Chairman @MohsinnaqviC42 Sb for such a wonderful gesture. Your kind birthday wishes and the beautiful flowers truly meant a lot. Grateful for your warmth and thoughtfulness. pic.twitter.com/Rh3k1ojt15

— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) April 10, 2026

For the unversed, Fakhar was penalised by the PCB after being found guilty of a Level 3 breach of the tournament’s Code of Conduct, relating to ball-tampering during Lahore Qalandars’ clash against Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium.

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The left-handed batter had denied the charge and opted for a full disciplinary hearing, which was conducted by match referee Roshan Mahanama. Following a review of the evidence and Fakhar’s defence, the referee imposed a two-match suspension, the maximum penalty for a first Level 3 offence.

In response, Fakhar Zaman lodged a formal appeal, seeking a reassessment of the decision.

The matter was then revisited by the PSL Technical Committee, which conducted a fresh review before arriving at the same conclusion. The board confirmed that the original sanction would stand.

Following this, Fakhar missed Lahore Qalandars’ upcoming fixtures, including their match against Multan Sultans on April 3 at Gaddafi Stadium, followed by an away game against Islamabad United on April 9.

Fakhar Zaman will return to action for Lahore Qalandars against Peshawar Zalmi here at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.

READ: Nuwan Thushara issues apology to Sri Lanka Cricket

KARACHI: Rilee Rossouw’s half-century and a dominant bowling performance helped Quetta Gladiators defeat Rawalpindiz by 61 runs in the 18th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

Set a stiff 183 to chase, Rawalpindiz innings folded on a mere 121 run total in 17.3 overs.

The chase started on a shaky note as skipper Mohammad Rizwan was sent back for a golden duck on the first ball of the innings.

After an early wicket, opener Yasir Khan decided to take on the bowlers and accumulated 14 runs in the second over.

Rawalpindiz were 27 in 2.5 overs before Usman Khawaja (7) was run out, putting them in further trouble.

Meanwhile, Yasir continued on as Rawalpindiz reached 45 in the fifth over. However, his innings ended on 22 after holing out to deep wicket.

With Rawalpindiz in deep trouble, Daryl Mitchell and Abdullah Fazal came to the fore, putting the chase back on track with a 33-run partnership.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

The scorecard read 77 in 11 overs when Usman Khan removed Abdullah Fazal ( 20) to break the threatening stand.

In the very next over, Saud Shakeel picked up two wickets, removing Daryl Mitchell (30 off 32) and Sam Billings for one run to put Quetta Gladiators into a winning position.

Rawalpindiz innings quickly unraveled after the quick wickets as they lost control of the game and were bowled out for a modest score.

For Quetta Gladiators, Saud Shakeel, Usman Tariq, and Jahandad Khan picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, Rilee Rossouw composed half-century and Hassan Nawaz’s blistering knock powered Quetta Gladiators to a strong total.

Asked to bat first, Quetta Gladiators managed to post 182-6 on the board in their 20 overs.

After a quiet power play, Rilee Rossouw and skipper Saud Shakeel added 87 off 67 balls for the second wicket partnership to put the Gladiators in a strong position.

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Rossouw made 53 off 42 with the aid of six boundaries and a maximum before getting caught off Mubasir Khan’s bowling.

Saud Shakeel soon followed him after scoring 42 from 39, including three boundaries.

At this stage, Gladitors were 123-3 in 15.3 overs with Hassan Nawaz at the fore.

The right remained instrumental in helping his side reach a commendable total. He struck five sixes on his way to 39 from only 16 balls.

For Rawalpindiz, Ben Sears picked up three wickets in his quota of four overs.

READ: Abrar confident of Quetta Gladiators comeback after shaky start

KARACHI: Rawalpindiz have won the toss and have decided to bowl first against Quetta Gladiators in the 18th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

This will be the first time the two teams will be facing each other, with Rawalpindiz playing in the tournament for the first time.

Quetta Gladiators have won only one out of three matches while Pindiz are in search of their first win.

Playing XIs

Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (capt), Sam Harper, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Rilee Rossouw, Jahandad Khan, Khalil Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed, Kashif Bhatti, Usman Tariq

RawalPindiz: Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk), Usman Khawaja, Yasir Khan, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, Abdullah Fazal, Saad Masood, Mubasir Khan, Asif Afridi, Ben Sears, Mohammad Amir

READ: Abrar confident of Quetta Gladiators comeback after shaky start

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators spinner Abrar Ahmed has expressed confidence in his side’s ability to recover from a shaky start in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

While giving an interview on a private channel, Abrar expressed confidence in the team despite winning only one out of three matches in the Lahore leg.

“We have left the previous stage behind because it wasn’t good for us. Now we want to begin again from here,” he said.

“We were winning some matches but lost them due to mistakes in the middle order. In a couple of games, including against Islamabad and Karachi Kings, we had control but couldn’t finish,” he added.

The mystery spinner is hopeful of lifting the trophy for his side with a strong bowling performance.

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“My personal goal is simple — to win the trophy for Quetta Gladiators,” he explained.

Maintaining a good economy rate and bowling consistently matter more than topping the wicket charts if it helps the team reach the final.

Abrar remarked about bowling with a plan and expressed hope that he would soon see the crowd in the PSL.

“You have to read the wicket, understand the batter, and adjust your plans accordingly. Everything is about situation-based bowling,” Abrar maintained.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“The crowd makes the game more alive. Hopefully, things improve and we see fans back in the stands soon.”

The 27-year-old said his focus is solely on playing cricket, regardless of the venue anywhere in the world.

“My job is to play cricket. Whether I play here or anywhere in the world, my focus remains only on the game,” he concluded.

Quetta Gladiators will face winless Rawalpindiz in the 18th match of the PSL 11.

READ: Moeen Ali highlights rhythm issues after long break

Pace bowler Nuwan Thushara has issued an apology to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and expressed his willingness to withdraw legal proceedings following a dispute over the denial of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

In a formal email addressed to SLC Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva, with copies sent to board president Shammi Silva and another senior official, the fast bowler clarified that his actions were never intended to escalate the matter into a legal confrontation.

“My sole intention throughout this process has been to seek fairness and justice, as I genuinely feel that I have been treated unfairly in this matter,” Thushara wrote.

He further emphasised that his initial steps were motivated by a desire to have his concerns heard, rather than to create conflict or damage the reputation of the board.

“The steps I initially considered were driven by a desire to have my concerns heard and addressed appropriately, rather than to create conflict or bring disrepute to the organization,” he added.

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Nuwan Thushara also expressed regret over any inconvenience caused to the board and its officials during the ongoing dispute.

“I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience, misunderstanding, or distress that my actions may have caused to Sri Lanka Cricket and its officials,” he stated.

In the same communication, the pacer indicated that he remains open to an amicable resolution and is prepared to withdraw legal action altogether.

“With this in mind, I would like to express my willingness to withdraw any legal action and instead seek an amicable resolution to this matter. I remain hopeful that we can move forward in a positive and constructive manner,” he said.

The right-arm fast bowler had earlier approached the Colombo District Court, seeking an order compelling SLC to issue him an NOC for franchise opportunities abroad, including the IPL.

However, the request was rejected by SLC because he had not met the board’s newly introduced fitness requirements, which led to the escalation of the dispute.

READ: Moeen Ali highlights rhythm issues after long break

KARACHI: Karachi Kings all-rounder Moeen Ali has admitted that his side failed to adapt to conditions and were outplayed in their 159-run defeat to Peshawar Zalmi in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday night.

Karachi endured a tough evening after Zalmi posted a towering 246 for 3, driven by a record-breaking 191-run partnership between Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam.  In response, the Kings collapsed for just 87 in 16.1 overs, marking a heavy setback in their campaign.

Speaking after the match, Moeen pointed to poor adaptation to conditions as a key factor behind the defeat.

“The pitch was fine, we just did not play well, probably did not adapt to the conditions or wicket as much as we should have,” Moeen said in the post-match press conference.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Reflecting on the batting collapse during the massive chase, Moeen stressed the importance of intent in the powerplay while acknowledging the difficulty of balancing aggression with caution.

“You need to have a good start, a good power play. We needed to get off to a flying start and not lose many wickets, which is always difficult when you are playing aggressive cricket,” he said.

“Maybe we should have been a bit smarter with the run rate. But it’s still early in the tournament, winning games is the most important thing. You cannot really think too much about the run rate at this stage.”

He also credited Peshawar Zalmi’s bowling unit for executing their plans effectively.

“I thought they bowled really well. It was just a bad day in the office for us,” he added.

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The England all-rounder further reflected on the challenge of maintaining rhythm in a tournament schedule, especially after Karachi’s seven-day gap between matches, having last played on 2 April before returning to action on 9 April.

“A seven-day break is quite long. It is difficult for players because we cannot really go anywhere, and it can affect rhythm,” Moeen explained.

“Having said that, we still have to be professional, train well, and perform. You can get into bad habits during long breaks, so we have to be careful. But these things can happen in cricket. we just need to come back strong in the next game.”

READ: PCB reveals schedule for Zimbabwe women’s first-ever Pakistan tour

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the schedule for Zimbabwe women’s first-ever tour of Pakistan for a six-match white-ball series later this month.

The tour will feature three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals, all scheduled to be played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

Zimbabwe are set to arrive on 29 April, with both teams slated to undergo training sessions from 30 April to 2 May ahead of the series opener.

The ODI leg, which forms part of the ICC Women’s Championship, will be played on 3, 6 and 9 May, with each match starting at 3:30pm local time. The T20I series will follow on 12, 14 and 15 May, with evening starts at 7:30pm.

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Pakistan currently sit fifth on the ICC Women’s Championship standings, having earned two points from their only series so far, a three-match ODI tour of the South Africa women’s cricket team earlier this year.

Beyond the bilateral contest, the T20Is will hold added significance for Pakistan as they gear up for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July.

As part of their preparations, Pakistan will also participate in a T20I tri-nation series in Ireland, alongside the hosts and the West Indies women’s national cricket team, with matches set to take place from 28 May to 4 June.

Series schedule (all matches at National Bank Stadium, Karachi):

• 29 April – Zimbabwe arrive in Karachi
• 30 April – 2 May – Training sessions for both teams
• 3 May – 1st ODI
• 6 May – 2nd ODI
• 9 May – 3rd ODI
• 12 May – 1st T20I
• 14 May – 2nd T20I
• 15 May – 3rd T20I

READ: Karachi Kings’ David Warner sees wake-up call in Peshawar Zalmi defeat

KARACHI: David Warner has termed the Karachi Kings’ crushing defeat to Peshawar Zalmi as a potential turning point, suggesting that such setbacks can help revive the squad’s energy during a long tournament.

The Karachi Kings suffered a humbling 159-run loss in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 encounter at the National Bank Stadium, after conceding a record 246 for 3 and then being bowled out for just 87 in reply.

Reflecting on the defeat, Warner admitted that his side failed to execute their plans, particularly during the middle phase of the innings when the game slipped away.

“I think our decision to bowl first was what we wanted to do and intended to do. But when you allow two stroke-makers time to settle and hit boundaries consistently every over, it becomes really difficult to pull things back,” Warner said after the match.

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The Kings’ captain pointed out that the contest was still evenly poised at one stage before a costly passage of play shifted momentum decisively in Zalmi’s favour.

“I thought at the 10-over mark we were still in the game, but in the next three overs they scored around 50-60 runs, which is unacceptable at this level,” he added.

David Warner also acknowledged that despite a promising start with the ball, his side failed to maintain pressure, allowing the opposition to fully capitalise.

“In the first six overs, you’ve got to try and stay positive. A couple of good balls led to wickets, and there was also some good fielding in the outfield. But credit to them, they came out and put serious runs on the board,” he noted.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Chasing a daunting target, Karachi never looked in contention, eventually collapsing for their lowest total in PSL history. Warner admitted the scale of the target made the chase increasingly difficult.

“Credit to them, they came out and put serious runs on the board. It was always going to be a tough chase,” he said.

Despite the heavy defeat, their first of the campaign, Warner remained optimistic, insisting that such results can sometimes serve as a catalyst for improvement.

“In tournaments like these, sometimes you need a loss like this to bring the energy back into the group,” he remarked.

“When you’ve had six or seven days off, it can take a bit of time to get back into rhythm. But the boys are in good spirits, we’ve got a great group, and we will take the positives. We will enjoy tomorrow off and come back stronger.”

READ: Peshawar Zalmi rewrite record books in PSL win over Karachi Kings