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Abrar Ahmed overtakes Rashid Khan to become top ranked T20I bowler

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Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed has risen to the top of the ICC T20I bowling rankings, becoming the world’s No 1-ranked bowler in the latest update. Abrar climbed to the top of the rankings with 736 rating points, dethroning Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, who dropped to second place. Australia’s Adam Zampa moved up one place to claim third position. Among other Pakistan bowlers, Mohammad Nawaz retained eighth position with 658 points, while Salman Mirza slipped one place to 18th with 636 points. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi also dropped one place to 33rd with 602 points. Meanwhile, Usman Tariq made significant progress, climbing two places to 57th with 524 points, while Sufiyan Muqeem moved up one place to 63rd with 510 points. Pakistan batter Saim Ayub climbed one place to 71st with 492 points, while Shadab Khan retained his 77th position with 485 points. Haris Rauf gained two places to move up to 86th with 448 rating points. In the T20I batters’ rankings, Pakistan opener Sahibzada...
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PCB introduces first-ever central contracts for U19 players

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a significant step for young players’ development by awarding central contracts to U19 players for the first time to recognise their achievements and foster the growth of emerging talent. The decision was announced after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met the Pakistan Under19 squad following the team's impressive performances in England, where they clinched the four-match one-day series 3-1. During the meeting, Naqvi interacted with the young players individually and praised their efforts, while encouraging them to continue working hard and progressing in their careers. Pakistan Under19 head coach Shahid Anwar welcomed the introduction of central contracts at the junior level, describing it as a positive step that would motivate young cricketers to perform better. "Rewarding good performances boosts the confidence of young players, while the encouragement from the PCB chairman is a source of strength for both the players and coaching s...
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Wasim Akram questions Babar Azam's decision to accept Test captaincy

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Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said that Babar Azam should have remained a player rather than taking over the Test captaincy. Akram made the comments while speaking alongside former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis at a charity fundraising event in Manchester. "I do not want to blame anyone, and I could be wrong as well," Akram said. "But in my opinion, Babar should not have taken the captaincy. All of this was unnecessary." Akram was referring to the events surrounding Pakistan’s Test tour of England, where the team underwent a major overhaul following defeats in the first two Tests. During the toss ahead of the third Test in Birmingham, Babar was asked about the decision to send seven players home and make changes to the coaching staff. The captain replied that he was unaware of the changes. Recalling the moment, Akram sarcastically questioned Babar’s role as captain if he was unaware of such major decisions. “Babar Azam said he did not know. If you don’t kn...
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NCCIA probes financial dealings linked to Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan: sources

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The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is carrying out forensic and technical analysis of mobile phones belonging to Pakistan cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan, sources said on Friday. According to sources, the investigation is primarily focused on financial matters and suspected transactions involving the two players. The financial dealings of Imam and Rizwan before and after the ongoing Test series against England are also being examined, with details of their bank accounts under scrutiny, sources said. According to sources, transactions made through their accounts during the relevant period are being reviewed. If any suspicious transaction is identified, investigators will examine the source of the funds and determine where the money was transferred, they said. Suspected payments made by any company, individual or organisation are also being scrutinised as part of the investigation, sources said. The insiders said that data recovered from the players...
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Very hot drinks may increase oesophageal cancer risk

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Drinking very hot tea and coffee may significantly increase the risk of developing oesophageal cancer, according to a major UK study involving nearly one million people. Researchers found that people who preferred their drinks “very hot” had around three times the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared with those who drank them warm, although experts stressed that the overall likelihood of developing the disease remains relatively low. The study, led by Dr Keren Papier, senior nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford’s population health department, analysed hot-drink habits and health outcomes among 977,282 middle-aged adults. Participants were asked how they preferred to drink hot beverages, choosing between “very hot”, “hot”, “warm” or “do not drink hot drinks”. Their responses were based on their own perception of temperature rather than precise measurements. The findings showed that drinking beverages at a “very hot” temperature was associated ...
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England close in on Test series sweep against Pakistan

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England moved inexorably towards a crushing series whitewash against Pakistan on Thursday with three days still remaining in a one-sided third Test at Edgbaston. Joe Root's men have totally dominated the three-match contest against the hapless tourists and did not relinquish their grip during a fast-paced second day in Birmingham. The home side raced to 453 at more than five runs an over in response to Pakistan's paltry first-innings total of 133 to make victory almost inevitable. But worse was to come for the much-changed visitors, who found themselves 0-2 after four balls of their second innings, with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique back in the pavilion, both dismissed by Ollie Robinson. That raised the embarrassing spectre of a two-day defeat for a side that is a pale shadow of the great Pakistan teams of the past. But Azan Awais and the experienced Shan Masood ensured there was no more immediate drama, steadying the ship to reach 46-2 after 11.4 overs as rain stopped p...
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Dressing room leaks: Rizwan, Imam ‘questioned' by NCCIA

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Former Pakistan white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq appeared before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore at 3pm on Thursday, sources said. The two cricketers were questioned by the NCCIA for about two hours at its Johar Town office in Lahore about alleged dressing-room leaks during the England series, the sources added. They were also asked about their contacts and meetings during practice sessions and matches in England. The duo sought more time to submit further responses to the NCCIA, sources added. 34-year-old Rizwan, who hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is among the seven cricketers who were suddenly dropped from the Pakistan squad on an emergency basis following the team’s defeat in the Lord’s Test. He travelled from London to Islamabad after being dropped from the squad. Rizwan, who has represented Pakistan in 47 Tests, 103 ODIs and 106 T20Is, reportedly contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before appearing before the NCCIA at i...
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