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Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub ruled out of Pakistan vs Australia ODI series

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Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub have been ruled out of Pakistan’s upcoming one-day international (ODI) series against Australia, the cricket board said on Wednesday. In a statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the opening batters “will not be available for selection for the upcoming three-match ODI series […] scheduled to begin on 30 May during Australia’s tour of Pakistan”. The board further noted that both players are currently recovering from injuries and have been advised to continue their rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of the PCB medical panel. “Consequently, they have been ruled out of selection for the ODI series. The PCB wishes both players a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing them return to competitive cricket at the earliest opportunity.” Further updates regarding the squad and player fitness, as mentioned in the statement, will be shared in due course. The ODI series will begin on Saturday, May 30, with the opening match sched...
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Bangladesh complete 2-0 Test series whitewash over Pakistan

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Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 78 runs in the second Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday to clinch the two-match series 2-0. Chasing a mammoth 437, Pakistan were bowled out for 358, handing the hosts a comprehensive victory and a series whitewash. After resuming on day five following a brief rain interruption, Mohammad Rizwan and Sajid Khan added valuable runs in quick time, putting together a key 50-plus stand that pushed the total beyond 350. The partnership was eventually ended by Taijul Islam, who removed Sajid Khan for 28 off 36 balls, a brisk innings featuring five fours. Soon after, Pakistan lost another wicket when Shoriful Islam dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for a superb 94 off 166 deliveries, an innings decorated with 10 boundaries. Taijul Islam then completed his six-wicket haul by cleaning up Khurram Shahzad for a duck, bringing the innings and the match to a close. The Green Shirts had a shaky start to the chase as both openers were removed for 41 runs...
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Taijul puts Bangladesh on brink of Test series win over Pakistan

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Bangladesh are three wickets away from a famous Test series win at home after spinner Taijul Islam took 4-113 to rattle Pakistan despite a rearguard by the opposition batters on Tuesday. Pakistan ended day four on 316-7, needing another 121 runs for victory in what would be a record chase of 437 on the fifth and final day in Sylhet. Mohammad Rizwan, on 75, and Sajid Khan, on eight, were unbeaten at the close of play. Left-arm spinner Taijul struck key blows, including Babar Azam for 47 and Salman Agha on 71, to keep Bangladesh in the hunt for their first-ever Test series win over Pakistan at home. Bangladesh, who won the opener of the two-match series, also closed in on back-to-back Test series victories over Pakistan —having whitewashed them 2-0 on Pakistani soil in 2024. Pakistan slumped to 162-5 and were heading towards a tame defeat before Rizwan and Agha put on 134 runs to raise hopes of Test cricket’s highest chase. Indies currently hold the record for the 418 they scored t...
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Govt slashes petrol, diesel prices by Rs5 per litre for next week

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The government on Friday slashed the price of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs5 per litre each for the next week. In a notification issued on Friday, the Petroleum Division said new fuel rates will come into effect from May 16. Following the decrease, the price of petrol stands at Rs409.78 per litre and HSD at Rs409.58. In the previous weekly review, the government raised the price of petrol by Rs14.92 per litre and HSD by Rs15. The government has been reviewing petroleum prices on a weekly basis since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28. The conflict also triggered a global fuel crunch after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass during peacetime. Global oil prices gained more than 3% on Friday, climbing more than $3 a barrel, after comments by US President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister further dented hopes of a deal to end ship attacks and seizures around the St...
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PCB set for 'major overhaul' in central contracts ahead of new cycle

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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to make major changes to national cricketers’ central contracts ahead of the new contract cycle beginning from July 1. According to the sources, the current financial model for central contracts will expire on June 30. The three-year financial structure was introduced in 2023 during former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf’s tenure and has remained unchanged under current chairman, Mohsin Naqvi. The sources said preliminary discussions regarding new central contracts are underway, while the final decision on the financial model will be taken by PCB Chairman Naqvi. Last year, the PCB awarded central contracts to 30 cricketers, with no player included in Category A for the first time. The new contracts are expected to feature large-scale changes based on players’ fitness and performances, with several cricketers likely to face promotion or demotion in categories. The sources added that the chances of Mohammad Nawaz, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, H...
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Physical tickets for Pakistan-Australia ODI series to go on sale next week

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday that physical ticket sales for the Pakistan-Australia ODI series will begin on May 22. Online tickets will also go on sale the same day via pcb.tcs.com.pk from 1pm onwards. The ODI series will begin on Saturday, May 30, with the opening match scheduled at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second and third ODIs will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on June 2 and 4, respectively. All matches will start at 4:30pm local time. Physical tickets will be available at 16 TCS Express Centres across three cities: eight in Lahore, five in Rawalpindi, and three in Islamabad. The PCB aims to ensure maximum fan attendance by keeping ticket prices affordable across all categories. General enclosure tickets will be priced at Rs200, first-class enclosures at Rs300, premium tickets at Rs400, and VIP tickets at Rs500. For the Rawalpindi fixture, VIP gallery seats will be available at Rs1,500. At Gaddafi Stadium, VIP enclosures at th...
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Pakistan inflict 153-run defeat on Zimbabwe in T20I series opener

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Pakistan secured a record 153-run victory over Zimbabwe following Ayesha Zafar's unbeaten century and Fatima Sana's three wickets during the first T20I at Karachi's National Bank Stadium on Tuesday. Set to chase a daunting 238-run target, the touring side could accumulate 84 before getting bowled out in 18.2 overs and thus registered their third-lowest total in the format. Right-handed batter Natasha Mtomba remained the top-scorer for Zimbabwe with her 20-ball 24, while Adel Zimunu (18) and Beloved Biza (10) were the only other batters to breach double figures against the disciplined Pakistan bowling attack. Captain Fatima spearheaded Pakistan's bowling charge with economical figures of 3/7 in her three overs, followed by Sadia Iqbal and Natalia Pervaiz with two scalps each, while Rameen Shamim chipped in with one. Opting to bat first, the home side piled up 237/5 in their 20 overs, which was their highest in the format, surpassing the previous best of 181/4, which ...
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