Pakistan-India Archives

FIH Pro League: Pakistan set to face India at neutral venue

Arch-rivals Pakistan and India are set to square off in the Pro League with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) unveiling the schedule of the marquee event on Monday.

According to the schedule, the nine-team tournament will consist of 144 matches, hosted in 10 countries, across three rounds.

“This season will see the arrival of Ireland women and Pakistan men, both making their debut in the competition, having been promoted via the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2024-25, adding further depth and excitement to the Pro League,” the federation said in a statement.

Pakistan will kick off their campaign in Argentina with the matches against the home side before taking on the defending champions, the Netherlands, from December 9 to December 14.

In the second round, Pakistan will head for Australia, where they will be playing against the home side and Germany between February 10 and 15.

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The third round will be played in Belgium from June 13 to 21, 2026, where they will face Spain and Belgium.

Finally, Pakistan will travel to England from June 23 to 28, where they will play the home side and arch-rivals India.

Two months earlier, the Pakistan hockey team received a formal invitation from the FIH to participate in the Hockey Pro League, scheduled to take place in December this year.

The invitation followed New Zealand’s decision not to participate in the FIH Hockey Pro League due to financial constraints.

Consequently, the FIH gave PHF a deadline to inform about its decision to accept or decline the invitation.

Eventually, Green Shirts’ spot in the marquee event came after the federal government approved a financial assistance package of Rs 250 million.

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Shahid Afridi slams Indian journalists amid rising tensions

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has launched a scathing attack on Indian media outlets, referring to them as ‘Cartoon Network’ in response to their coverage of India’s recent Military actions against Pakistan.

The tensions between India and Pakistan escalated in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

This incident has increased the already fragile relationship between the two countries.

On early Wednesday, India launched a “cowardly” missile attack on Pakistani territory, firing from across the Line of Control, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

DG ISPR confirmed that the missiles targeted areas including Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Ahmedpur Sharqia, Bagh, and Muridke.

The Pakistan armed forces responded swiftly and successfully intercepted the threat and prevented Indian aircraft from breaching Pakistani airspace.

In retaliation, Pakistan’s military shot down five Indian aircraft, including Rafale and destroyed a brigade headquarters across the border, according to ISPR.

Shahid Afridi expressed his thoughts that Indian media resembles Cartoon Network, describing it as lacking seriousness when it comes to facts.

“Indian media reminds me of Cartoon Network. Always loud, animated, and never serious about facts,” he wrote on X

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan and India have postponed their T20 leagues, Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Indian Premier League (IPL), due to rising tensions.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the postponement of the remaining eight matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

“The last 24 hours have seen a worsening of the situation on the LOC, increased incursion of 78 drones, and the firing of surface to surface missiles from India,” PCB said in a statement.

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Former, current cricketers react to escalating Pakistan-India tensions

In the wake of rising tensions between Pakistan and India, former and current cricketers have expressed their thoughts, declaring their unwavering resolve against aggression.

The statements came after India’s “cowardly” missile attack on Pakistani territory on early Wednesday, firing from across the Line of Control, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR),

DG ISPR confirmed that the missiles targeted areas including Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Ahmedpur Sharqia, Bagh, and Muridke.

The Pakistan armed forces responded swiftly and successfully intercepted the threat and prevented Indian aircraft from breaching Pakistani airspace.

In retaliation, Pakistan’s military shot down five Indian aircraft and destroyed a brigade headquarters across the border, according to ISPR.

Amid the attacks, former and current Pakistan cricketers have voiced their thoughts on social media, reiterating the nation’s resolve in the face of India’s aggression.

Pakistan’s ODI captain, Mohammad Rizwan, shared a powerful message on Pakistan-India tensions.

“We have learned from Allah’s Book not to fight, but do not back down if the war is imposed on you,” he wrote in a post on X.

“Pakistan has been the victim of terrorism for a long time. Our generations grew up hearing the sounds of bullets and blasts. A nation like this cannot be defeated. Every war imposed on them makes them more united, vigilant, and strong,” Mohammad Rizwan added.

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Former all-rounder Shahid Afridi also condemned reckless Indian aggression, calling it a deliberate effort to target people of Pakistan.

“Let the world bear witness. One side chose to violate the territorial sovereignty of its neighbor, launching a reckless act of aggression under the cover of darkness—deliberately targeting civilians, including women and children,” he said.

“Pakistan’s response was both measured and resolute—a reflection of military professionalism and moral responsibility in the face of unlawful, civilian-targeted aggression,” Shahid Afridi added.

Former pacer Rumman Raees also expressed his thoughts on Pakistan-India rising tensions.

“Super proud of resilient people of my Country, the Armed forces, specially the rulers of the skies, the Pakistan Air Force. The whole nation backs you for your responses and defense against the evil of tyrants. Pakistan kal, aaj, aur kal, hamesha Zindabad InshAllah,” he wrote.

Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed shared a heartfelt post expressing his pride in the armed forces of Pakistan.

“Salute to our courageous forces for protecting our homeland against India’s unprovoked aggression. If India has evidence, show it. Otherwise, stop the lies and provocations. We stand united, resilient, and ready,” Iftikhar wrote.

All-rounder Shoaib Malik expressed gratitude towards the people and armed forces, stating, “We are united.”

“Proud of my country – our people and our armed forces – for being united in protecting our motherland. Hum Aik Hain! Pakistan Zindabad, now and always.”

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PCB addresses PSL 10 speculation amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially addressed the growing speculation regarding the continuity of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, amid rising tensions with India.

The clarification comes in the wake of a serious security development. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), India launched a “cowardly” missile attack on Pakistani territory late last night, firing from across the Line of Control.

The missiles targeted areas including Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Ahmedpur Sharqia, Bagh, and Muridke, DG ISPR confirmed.

The Pakistan armed forces responded swiftly and successfully intercepted the threat and prevented Indian aircraft from breaching Pakistani airspace.

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In retaliation, Pakistan’s military shot down five Indian aircraft and destroyed a brigade headquarters across the border, according to ISPR.

As the news spread, social media was quickly flooded with concerns about the fate of the ongoing PSL 10, particularly since matches are being played in cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan, some of which are located near the affected zones.

However, putting all doubts to rest, the PCB issued a clear and firm statement confirming that the tournament will proceed as planned.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed that HBL Pakistan Super League X will continue as planned, with Islamabad United set to take on Quetta Gladiators later today at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium,” the PCB said in a press release.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The toss for tonight’s game is scheduled for 7:30 PM, with the first ball to be bowled at 8:00 PM.

It’s worth noting that tonight’s clash marks the return of the PSL to Rawalpindi, where four matches are lined up on 7, 8, 9, and 10 May. The final group-stage match is set to be held in Multan on 11 May.

The playoffs will begin with the Qualifier in Rawalpindi on 13 May, followed by both Eliminators and the grand finale in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on 14, 16, and 18 May, respectively.

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Pakistan’s Shahir Afridi knocks out unbeaten Indian boxer in Thailand

Pakistani middleweight boxer Shahir Afridi made headlines in Thailand after delivering a commanding performance to knock out India’s unbeaten Tarjot Singh Bawa in a high-stakes bout.

The fight came to an abrupt end in the fourth round after the referee stepped in for a technical knockout, following a dominant display by Afridi in the third.

Bawa, who had entered the ring undefeated in his professional career, had no answers to the sustained onslaught.

With this victory, Shahir Afridi, a commando in the Sindh Police, now holds an impressive record of 16 wins in 18 fights, with one draw and a solitary defeat.

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The triumph not only handed Bawa his first professional loss but also catapulted Afridi into the top 50 of the global middleweight boxing rankings — a landmark moment for the Karachi-based fighter.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was quick to celebrate Afridi’s achievement, announcing rewards from the provincial government and hailing him as a source of pride for both Sindh and Pakistan.

“Shahir Afridi has raised the flag of Sindh and Pakistan high by knocking out the Indian boxer,” the chief minister said in a statement. “Sindh Police is proud of him.”

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Shahid Afridi reveals how he took pity on Harbhajan Singh

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi revealed an interesting story from his playing days about feeling sorry for Harbhajan Singh during a match between Pakistan and India.

Afridi, known for his explosive batting, disclosed that Harbhajan pleading eyes on him during a game in Kanpur, India, in April 2005 was the turning point for him.

Afridi said during an interview that he was batting on 96 in Kanpur, when he gently pushed the ball towards mid-on, resulting in a four which brought up his century.

The former captain expressed regret, saying that rather than attempting to defend the next ball of Harbhajan, he ought to have hit it for a six.

After scoring a century, he was cleaned bowled by Harbhajan, resulting in his crucial wicket for the team.

Shahid Afridi jokingly said that he should not have felt sorry for Harbhajan Singh, who had looked at him with ‘desperate’ eyes after the century.

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For the unversed, Afridi was named the Player of the Match for his wonderful century in the fifth ODI played between the arch-rivals. Following the match, Pakistan also took an unaccessible ODI series lead of 3-2 courtesy of Afridi’s great knock.

Earlier in June 2024, Harbhajan Singh opened up on how Shahid Afridi used to threaten the opposition with his batting including India

While discussing the impact and aggressive nature of Afridi’s batting, the former spinner said that the former Pakistan captain had that knack that could snatch the game from the opposition in a short period.

“It doesn’t matter how much time he spent on the wicket, but he added the duration of our team meeting. I can remember the 2007 World Cup match. If Shahid Afridi is still to bat, there would be fear in the opposition,” Singh said.

According to the Indian spin bowler, the explosive batter could change the course of the match even if he played only 15 balls due to his style of batting.

“He had the ability to take the game deep” concluded Harbhajan.

Singh also disclosed that the Indian team was concerned regarding Afridi’s major role during the final between Pakistan and India in T20 World Cup 2007.

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Shahid Afridi reacts to Rohit Sharma’s Pakistan-India Test comment

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has reacted to Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s statement regarding the resumption of bilateral Test series between the arch-rivals.

Rohit Sharma recently commented on the potency of the Test series with Pakistan during an appearance on the Club Prairie Fire podcast, saying that he would ‘love’ to play against the arch-rivals on a regular basis.

His statement was welcomed by Afridi, stating that bilateral series between Pakistan and India can play a significant role in the relationship between the neighbouring countries.

“Great reply. The series needs to be scheduled. An encouraging word from the Indian captain,” Afridi said while talking to a local channel.

“It is also the case that he represents India. As we have always stated, sports, particularly cricket, have had a significant influence on the relationship between Pakistan and India.

“In the past, we toured India to play cricket. These activities build relationships, and it is the right of neighbours to get along.”

The Indian captain regarded the Pakistan bowling attack as a formidable force in world cricket while responding to a question in the Club Prairie Fire podcast, co-hosted by former England captain Michael Vaughan and former Australian prolific opener Adam Gilchrist.

He said that it would be a good contest if the two teams faced each other at a neutral venue.

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“Do you think Test between Pakistan and India could benefit the longest format of the game hugely and it would be fantastic for Test cricket?” asked Michael Vaughan.

Rohit Sharma did not hesitate to answer and said, “I totally believe that, they (Pakistan) are a good team. They have got superb bowling line-up. I think I will be a good contest especially if you play in overseas conditions, it will be awesome,”

He said that Pakistan and India last played Test cricket against each other way back in 2007.

“I would love to,” Rohit Sharma replied when asked by Michael Vaughan if he would like to play the Test series against Pakistan regularly.

“At the end of the day, we want to be in contest and I think it will be a great contest between the two sides. We anyway play them in ICC trophies, so it doesn’t really matter. It’s just pure cricket that I’m looking at.

“I’m not interested in anything else. It’s pure cricket game between bat and ball. It’ll be a great contest, so why not.”

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan and India have not played a Test since 2007/08 and a bilateral series in any format since 2012/13 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

The fierce rivals, however, only came face to face in multi-national events like Asia Cup and ICC World Cups.

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