Pakistan News World

Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s hockey event at the 20th Asian Games on Monday after defeating Oman 7-2 in their final Pool B match in Japan. Pakistan dominated the contest at Kawasaki Juko Stadium to finish their pool campaign with four wins from five matches, having suffered their only defeat against Malaysia. Sufyan Khan opened the scoring for Pakistan in the 22nd minute through a penalty corner before Oman’s Al-Bara Al-Nofali levelled the score in the 28th minute. Sufyan restored Pakistan’s lead later in the same minute to give the Green Shirts a 2-1 advantage. Pakistan extended their lead before the end of the second quarter to take a 3-1 lead into half-time. Rana Waheed Ashraf added to Pakistan’s tally in the 34th minute before Oman’s Mudit Aiman pulled one back two minutes later. Rana Waheed completed his hat-trick, while Ghazanfar Ali and Muhammad Imad also found the net as Pakistan sealed a 7-2 victory. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 1, wit...

Pakistan's boxing sensation Usman Wazeer extended his unbeaten professional record to 19-0 after defeating Indonesian boxer Ari Agustian in his 19th international world ranking fight in Thailand. Wazeer dedicated the victory to the martyrs of Pakistan, saying the win carried significance beyond the boxing ring. In a post on Instagram, the boxer said he was proud to dedicate the victory to those who had sacrificed their lives while protecting the country. "I fight for the green and white, and for the heroes who keep us safe," Wazeer wrote, while thanking his supporters for their continued backing. The victory also saw Wazeer qualify for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Gold title fight. The latest victory builds on Wazeer's previous international performances, with the Pakistani boxer maintaining an unbeaten professional record throughout his career. In his 18th professional bout, Wazeer faced India's Baljit Singh and stopped him in the first round. The vic...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Tuesday said he was unaware of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to overhaul the squad during the ongoing Test series against England. The Green Shirts, who entered the England tour with a 1-1 series draw away against West Indies, were blown away by the hosts in the opening fixture, which the latter won by an innings and 103 runs. The subsequent match at Lord's, where Pakistan had not lost since 2010, saw them suffer an equally gruelling defeat by a substantial margin of 194 runs. Following the back-to-back defeats, the PCB forced an overhaul, replacing seven members of the squad, including the senior trio of Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, while also bringing in white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and assistant coach Ashley Noffke for the ousted duo of Sarfaraz and Umar Gul, respectively. Pakistan captain Babar, who managed to hold on to his place in the squad, was asked on the eve of the third Test against England wheth...

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and eight Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise owners have discussed moving next year's tournament to January, ESPNcricinfo reported on Saturday. The proposal was discussed at the PSL Governing Council meeting held in London on September 1, with media rights holder Walee Technologies reportedly pushing for an earlier window. The report said Walee proposed moving the PSL to January over concerns about limited advertising revenue during the April-May window. The period comes after Ramadan, when companies are understood to have already spent a significant portion of their marketing and television advertising budgets. Franchise owners, however, have raised concerns over whether they would receive their full share of broadcast revenue regardless of when the tournament is held, particularly amid questions over Walee's advertising returns. Under the existing agreement, the eight franchises receive 95% of broadcast revenue from the central revenue...

Former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie said on Friday chairman of selectors Aaqib Javed needs to "look at himself in the mirror" with the national team "playing with fear". In a shock move, Pakistan this week replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and pace-bowling chief Umar Gul, and sent seven players home from England, in a dramatic response to successive Test thrashings. Australia's Gillespie, who led the side for eight months in 2024, including a 2-1 Test series win against England, said it was sad to see. "I feel for the players, this is these guys' livelihoods," he told The Australian newspaper. "From the outside, it looks like they are playing with fear." "Salman Ali Agha goes from captaining the team in the first Test against England to out of the team for the second Test and on the plane home before the third Test. "How does that work?" He laid the blame firmly at the door of Javed. "It's pretty clear th...

Argentine football star Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of thirty-nine. He made the announcement on social media, saying the decision was painful but the time had come to step aside and give young players an opportunity. Messi played 207 matches for Argentina and scored 125 goals since making his international debut in 2005. He led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title in 2022 and won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024. via Original Source

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has decided to resign from the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) selection committee, sources close to the former cricketer said on Tuesday. Sources said that Misbah has informed the PCB about his decision and will serve a notice period before formally stepping down from his role. The development comes a day after the cricket board announced that seven players alongside two coaches, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul, have been released from the Pakistan Test squad ahead of the Third Test against England in Birmingham. Those released included Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad, according to a press release issued by the cricket board. The PCB has named seven replacements, comprising five players yet to make their Test debuts and two capped players, ahead of the third Test against England in Birmingham. According to the cricket board, Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will repla...

England beat Pakistan by 194 runs in the second Test of the three-match series at Lord’s on Sunday, taking an unassailable lead of 2-0. Chasing a mammoth target of 389, Pakistan were bowled out for 194 despite an exceptional 97 from Saud Shakeel, which ultimately went in vain, while opener Imam-ul-Haq did not come out to bat in the second innings due to injury. Pakistan endured a disastrous start to their chase. Opening batter Azan Awais became the first wicket to fall on the third delivery of the fifth over, with Robinson trapping him leg before wicket for six off 14 deliveries, including one boundary. Robinson struck again on the final delivery of the same over, removing Abdullah Shafique for a duck. Pakistan were subsequently reduced to 14/3 after 7.1 overs when Jofra Archer dismissed captain Babar Azam for six off eight deliveries, with the right-hander hitting one boundary. Pakistan then showed resilience in the second session as Shakeel produced an impressive batting display,...

Pakistan finished 11th at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 on Friday after beating South Africa 4-3 on penalties in the classification match at Wagener Stadium. The 11th-place finish marked the Green Shirts' best in 20 years as they secured 12th spot in the 2010 and 2018 editions of the mega event, while failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2014 and 2023. Their previous best finish came at the 2006 edition, when they secured sixth place. The enthralling fixture got off to a contrasting start as South Africa took an early lead in the eighth minute through Trevor de Lora, while Dayaan Cassiem doubled their advantage three minutes into the second quarter. Pakistan, however, staged a remarkable comeback in the second quarter, scoring through Afraz and Mohammad Ammad to neutralise South Africa's lead heading into halftime. Rana Waheed Ashraf pulled Pakistan ahead in the second minute of the penultimate quarter, which, however, concluded with the scoreboard reading 3-3 as Mustaph...

Pakistan’s bowlers struck at regular intervals to put England under pressure on a rain-hit opening day of the second Test at Lord’s, with Mohammad Abbas leading the attack with four wickets. Only 56 overs could be bowled during the opening day, which got off to a delayed start due to the rain, and ultimately came to a close around an hour before the scheduled time due to the bad light. At the stumps, the home side were reeling at 248/9 with lower-order batters Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue, unbeaten on 34 and one, respectively. The final session, comprising just 12 overs, saw Pakistan force their comeback through their pace trio of Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad and Abbas, respectively, as England could muster 68 runs for the loss of four wickets, including that of both set batters, Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith. Cox and Smith resumed England's first innings in the final session from 180/5 and could add seven more to their sixth-wicket partnership before the former was dismissed by ...

Pakistan are considering changes to their playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord's after suffering a heavy defeat in the series opener at Headingley, sources said on Sunday. England defeated Pakistan by an innings and 120 runs in the opening Test on Friday. Pakistan, who faced a 238-run deficit after England's first innings, were bowled out for 118 in their second innings as the hosts secured a convincing victory. The second Test of the three-match series is scheduled to begin at Lord's Cricket Ground, London, on August 27. The sources said the team management is considering changes to the line-up following the defeat, with the playing XI expected to be finalised after assessing conditions in London. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could be rested for the second Test, sources said, while the management is hopeful of star batter Babar Azam returning to the side after he missed the first Test due to a finger injury. If Babar returns, top-order batter ...

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a packed international home schedule featuring Sri Lanka and England from October 9 to November 21, with Pakistan set to host an ODI tri-nation series alongside a bilateral T20I and Test series against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka will be the first team to arrive, with the visitors taking on Pakistan in a three-match T20I series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 9, 11 and 13. England will then join Pakistan and Sri Lanka for a seven-match ODI tri-nation series from October 18 to 31. The opening three matches will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium before the tournament moves to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the remaining league fixtures and the final. The tri-series will begin with Pakistan facing Sri Lanka on October 18, followed by Pakistan's clash against England on October 20. Sri Lanka and England will meet on October 22 before the action shifts to Lahore, where Pakistan will again face England on October 25 and Sri Lanka on...

Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi successfully defended his ITF Masters World Championships Mixed Doubles title, partnering Austria’s Nina Hermann to defeat top seeds Fred Gil and Rita Freitas of Portugal 6-4, 6-3 in the final. The victory added another gold medal to Pakistan’s impressive campaign in Lisbon, where the country secured four medals across the ITF Masters World Team and Individual Championships. Aisam and Aqeel Khan also won silver in the Men’s 45+ Doubles, losing a closely contested final to France’s Jacques Glay and Jean-Baptist Renault 1-6, 7-6, [10-7]. Aqeel added a bronze medal in the 40+ Mixed Doubles alongside Germany’s Eileen Aranas-Roth. Pakistan had earlier reached the Men’s 45+ World Team Championship final, securing another silver medal. The four-medal haul comprised gold in the 40+ Mixed Doubles for Aisam and Nina Hermann, silver in the Men’s 45+ Doubles for Aisam and Aqeel, bronze for Aqeel and Eileen Aranas-Roth, and silver in the Men’s 45+ World Team Ch...