Pakistan News World

Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva were looking to steer Sri Lanka out of the doldrums before the day two of the first Test against Pakistan ended on Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Earlier, after the Green Shirts decided to declare on 434-9, Sri Lanka faced early hiccups as they lost two early wickets for 12. Pasindu Sooriyabandara was the first one to depart on (0), followed with the dismissal of Sri Lanka’s most experienced batter in Dinesh Chandimal, who made his way back to the pavilion. It was Mohammad Abbas, who struck first by dismissing Sooriyabandara. Subsequently, it was Dinesh Chandimal, who lost his wicket on 1 and he was removed by debutant Saqib Khan, who also removed the settled batter in Lahiru Udara (42). After the 53-run stand between Udara and Mendis broke, the latter stitched an unbeaten 49-run partnership with de Silva. The pair will start the proceedings for Sri Lanka on day three on 114/3 (27.1). Kamindu Mendis has remained unbeaten on 40, lac...

Cristiano Ronaldo said on Thursday he was retiring from the Portugal team, bringing the curtain down on one of the most illustrious international careers in the history of football. The 41-year-old announced that he would 'hand back the number 7 shirt' after the November international break. Ronaldo captained Portugal to their first major trophy at Euro 2016 and helped them win the 2019 and 2025 Nations Leagues. "It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with the heart," said Ronaldo. "If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it." Ronaldo thanked his family, the Portuguese people and the teammates, coaches and staff he worked with over his 23-year career with national team. "Portugal will always be a part of me," he captioned the announcement video. Ronaldo has made 234 appe...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the formulation of a comprehensive and coordinated strategy, in consultation with all four provinces, within a week to eradicate polio from the country. He was chairing a review meeting on polio eradication in Islamabad today. The Prime Minister stressed the need to ensure the complete eradication of polio from Pakistan through close consultation with the provinces and a joint strategy involving all stakeholders. He said achieving a polio-free Pakistan is a major challenge, but the nation's determination and resolve are stronger than the challenge. Shehbaz Sharif directed the Federal Minister for National Health Services, Minister of State, Federal Secretary for National Health and members of the Polio Eradication Team to immediately visit all four provinces and hold meetings with the respective Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries. The Prime Minister expressed concern over the recent polio cases reported in the country and called fo...

Explosive batsman Glenn Maxwell announced his international retirement Tuesday after being overlooked for Australia's upcoming Twenty20 series against England. The mercurial 38-year-old, who had not played a Test since 2017, called time on his one-day career last year but kept the door open for T20s. He has not been picked since the World Cup in Sri Lanka in February, with selectors bypassing him for a series against Bangladesh in June. Maxwell was again overlooked for the squad named Monday to play England in November, with a host of younger players instead preferred. "A little bit sad and a little bit inevitable too, but I'm announcing my retirement from international cricket," Maxwell said on the Final Word podcast. "We probably had numerous discussions before and after the T20 World Cup," he added of talks with selectors. "And it was pretty open-ended. "There wasn't any pressure from (Australia team management), and we decided to sort...

Pakistan have been fined 5% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during the final of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series against Sri Lanka in Lahore on Saturday. The hosts were found to be one over short after time allowances were taken into account by match referee Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel. The offence falls under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with minimum over-rate offences. Under the provision, players are fined 5% of their match fee for every over their team fails to bowl within the allotted time. On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Wayne Knights, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Rashid Riaz levelled the charge. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi pleaded guilty and accepted the proposed sanction, avoiding a formal hearing. Pakistan won the tri-series final by three wickets, chasing Sri Lanka's total of 325 for eight with nine balls to spare. Fakhar Zaman led the c...

Pakistan defeated Oman by 18 runs in the Plate final of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 to claim the second-tier title after failing to retain their championship crown at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok on Sunday. Batting first, the Men in Green posted an imposing 154-4 in their allotted six overs, with captain Abbas Afridi leading from the front with a blistering 73 off just 16 deliveries, featuring one four and 11 sixes. He subsequently retired before returning to the crease in the final over. Abdul Samad chipped in with 26 off five deliveries, including two boundaries and three sixes, while opener Khawaja Nafay scored seven off three balls, including a six. Ahmed Daniyal added a quickfire 25 off five deliveries, smashing four sixes, while Muhammad Shahzad contributed 13 off four balls, including two sixes. Irfan Niazi, meanwhile, was dismissed for a first-ball duck. In reply, Oman managed 136-4 in their allotted six overs despite a dominant opening partnership between Usman Ali and Zoh...