Pakistan News World

Cricket fans will be allowed into the stadium for the final of the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave a go-ahead, reversing earlier restrictions imposed under austerity measures. An announcement in this regard was made by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday. According to Mohsin Naqvi, he had requested the prime minister to allow fans into the stadium for the final match. Naqvi said the prime minister was in favour of permitting spectators and approved the decision following requests from franchise owners. He added that the prime minister had emphasised the importance of austerity measures but agreed to allow fans to attend the final as a special case. Naqvi thanked the prime minister for the decision. The PSL 11 final is scheduled to be held in Lahore on May 3. Earlier, as part of cost-cutting measures, spectators had not been allowed to attend PSL matches this season. via Original Source

New Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten says understanding the island's cricketing identity will be central to rebuilding the team for the World Cup. The 58-year-old former South Africa opener started last week on a two-year contract that will see him in charge for the 50-over World Cup next year. "I need to understand the culture really well, understand what makes the players tick, understand the environment," Kirsten told reporters in Colombo. "I've got a lot of learning to do as I go through this journey." Kirsten was India coach from 2008 to 2011, taking them to World Cup glory, then coached South Africa from 2011 to 2013. He was appointed by Sri Lanka after Sanath Jayasuriya left the position before his term was due to expire at the end of June. Sri Lanka co-hosted the T20 World Cup with eventual winners India but crashed out at the Super Eights stage, their fate sealed by a 61-run defeat to New Zealand. Kirsten said he would work with translator...

All-rounder Muhammad Nawaz on Wednesday tested positive for recreational drug use. The development has put him under the scanner of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The 32-year-old all-rounder, who is currently representing Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, was reportedly flagged during testing conducted at the T20 World Cup earlier this year. A PCB spokesperson confirmed that the matter has been formally taken up after communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC). “The ICC has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about this matter, and the PCB has begun the due process. The results of this process will be communicated to the ICC today,” the spokesperson stated. As a result, he will no longer be able to play for Surrey for England’s T20 Blast. Nawaz, who has represented Pakistan in 98 T20 internationals, is currently playing for Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season. via Original Source

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a one-year ban on Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka from participation in the next edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), citing contractual violations. Shanaka was signed by defending champions Lahore Qalandars for Rs7.5 million in the accelerated round of the inaugural players auction, held in February this year. But just three days before the commencement of the ongoing PSL 11, the franchise confirmed that the Sri Lankan all-rounder has withdrawn due to personal reasons and was replaced by Australia's Daniel Sams in the squad. In a statement, the PCB said it conducted a comprehensive assessment of recent contractual developments involving Shanaka and Lahore Qalandars, after the player withdrew from the tournament on March 21, 2026. The board concluded that the unilateral withdrawal amounted to a clear breach of the player registration terms and the tripartite agreement. It further noted that the reasons cited for the withdrawal...

Multan Sultans beat Karachi Kings by 11 runs by an exceptional batting display and disciplined bowling in the 28th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Karachi's National Bank Stadium on Sunday. Chasing 208, Kings were bowled out for 196 in 19.4 overs as Sultans produced an exceptional bowling display to defend the target. The team got off to a solid start with openers Saad Baig and Jason Roy setting the tone, as runs flowed freely in the early stages of the game. However, Arafat Minhas provided the breakthrough for Multan as he claimed his first wicket and ended the 29-run opening stand, with Roy dismissed after scoring 16 off nine deliveries, including two fours and a six. Arafat struck again in the fifth over as Salman Ali Agha's poor run with the bat continued after being dismissed for two off five deliveries, leaving the team at 41-2 in 4.1 overs. Karachi Kings were three wickets down inside the powerplay as Peter Siddle picked up his first wicket by dismi...

A supplier of baby food jars in Austria is recalling a line saying a lethal substance may have been introduced through tampering. The HiPP brand said it was recalling its "entire line of baby food jars sold at SPAR Austria" as "it cannot be ruled out that a hazardous substance was introduced into the 'HiPP Carrot/Potato - 190 grams' product through tampering, and consumption could be fatal." Customers were asked not to consume the product, which can be identified by a white label with a red circle on the bottom of the jar, and instead return it to the store of purchase. Police in the eastern Burgenland region have put out a call for witnesses, according to the statement, but declined to comment when contacted by AFP. No further details were available, notably regarding the nature of the deadly substance mentioned and the events which sparked the investigation. In February, French food giant Danone recalled more than 120 batches of infant milk formula ...