Category: Sports

Get the latest sports news, opinion, analysis, player rankings, scores and updates.

  • Former PFF president banned for life with 22 others

    The Normalization Committee of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has banned 22 people, including former President Ashfaq Hussain, for life for taking the PFF House and creating a parallel organization.

    Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah, Zahir Shah, Amir Dogar, and Sardar Naveed Haider are among those banned by the PFF’s Normalization Committee. In addition, Sharafat Hussain Bukhari, Naveed Akram, Rahim Baloch, Dost Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Nauman, Rana Ashraf, Saeed Rasool, Azizullah, Faqir Mohammad, Farzana Rauf, Mohammad Saleem, Fanwaz Aziz, and Siddiq Shaikh have also been banned for life.

    The Committee has ordered all these persons to return all PFF assets, including official vehicles, within seven days; otherwise, criminal cases will be filed against them.

    After a detailed investigation, the Committee concluded that these individuals had violated Article 70 of the PFF Constitution by forming a parallel organization that clearly breached the rules and regulations. The officials are now banned from any football-related activities, being declared ‘Persona non grata’.

    Disciplinary action has been taken against those involved in the attack on the PFF House on March 27, 2021. This attack not only led to the suspension of Pakistan’s international football but also caused significant damage to the country’s image.

    The verdict said that the attack resulted in the illegal seizure of PFF property, embezzlement of over four million rupees and destruction of essential assets.

    The PFF has directed all its concerned units and departments to strictly implement the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and warned that if any concerned person tries to establish contact with these banned persons, they will be punished.

    Those affected by the decision have the right to appeal within 15 days, but they must complete the appeal process in accordance with the procedures provided under the PFF Disciplinary Code and Ethics.

  • National hockey team went to China on loaned tickets, says PHF president

    National hockey team went to China on loaned tickets, says PHF president

    Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Tariq Bugti has revealed that the national hockey team has gone to China using loaned tickets to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy.

    He said, “The Congress has approved strict action against parallel federation builders. I will withdraw the charge of the Edhi Hockey Stadium and establish the writ of the federation. IG Sindh is writing a letter to take charge of the stadium.”

    Bugti demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif give a special grant to promote hockey and said, “Hockey is not being given the status and respect that this national sport deserves. There is a dire need to focus on the national game now.”

    Hockey is Pakistan’s national sport, but inattention and vested interests have seen the game languish. The four-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist team could not even participate in the Paris Olympics 2024.

  • Indian Jay Shah elected unopposed chairman of ICC

    Jay Shah, the current secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been elected the new, unopposed chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He will officially assume his position on December 1, 2024.

    At this moment, he said, “I am honoured to be nominated as the Chair of the International Cricket Council.”

    “I am dedicated to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to expand cricket globally. We are at a crucial moment where it’s essential to balance various formats, embrace new technologies, and bring our key events to new international markets. We aim to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever,” he said.

    “While we will build on what we’ve learned, we must also embrace new ideas and innovation to grow the love for cricket worldwide. Including cricket in the LA 2028 Olympics is a major milestone, and I’m confident it will help cricket advance in exciting new ways.”

    Former ICC Chairman Greg Barclay announced on August 20 that he won’t contest again for his post to seek an extension of his tenure and will step down in November.

  • PCB has exciting news for young cricket lovers

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a special offer for cricket-loving students. They will be allowed free entry to the second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

    To take advantage of this offer, students need to bring their educational institution ID cards and attend in their school or college uniform.

    This free entry policy, however, does not extend to the PCB Gallery or Platinum Box areas.

    The Board will also provide a free shuttle bus service for fans.

    The second Test will take place in Rawalpindi from August 30 to September 3.

  • Lionel Messi out of Argentina World Cup qualifiers squad

    Lionel Messi out of Argentina World Cup qualifiers squad

    Lionel Messi is out of Argentina’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia after sustaining ankle injury.

    He has yet to play for Inter Miami since their victory over Colombia in the Copa America final. Coach Lionel Scaloni has recalled Roma forward Dybala, but he has not made an international appearance since March 2023.

    Argentina is at the top of South America, qualifying for the 2026 tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The top six teams out of 10 will be eligible for the finals.

    Argentina’s Squad

    Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Walter Benitez, Juan Musso

    Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Valentin Barco, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, German Pezzella

    Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez, Rodrigo De Paul, Ezequiel Fernandez, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister

    Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolas Gonzalez, , Giuliano Simeone, Valentin Castellanos, Matias Soule, Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martinez, Valentin Carboni, Julian Alvarez

  • Mohsin Naqvi shares update on surgery in cricket team

    Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi has shared an update on the surgery on the Pakistan cricket team.

    While addressing a press conference in Lahore on Monday, he said, “People talk about surgery and want to cut the throats of four or five, that doesn’t happen. Let the pool be made first; then, there will be a backup, and surgery will be done. The surgery is still pending, let the instruments be completed first.”

    He said, “I will fix all cricket issues. I don’t have any magic wand to wave.”

    Talking about Bangladesh’s defeat, he said, “The defeat against Bangladesh is very disappointing. The Champions Cup will be completed at the end of September, and then performers will come forward. The selection committee has picked the boys. There are 17 players now, and it is the job of the coach and captain to make a strong lineup.”

    “Waqar Younis has helped in terms of mentors; he was supposed to take over a team, but now he will take over the team regularly. It’s been 5-7 months, and I’m trying to improve the situation.”

    Regarding the Rawalpindi Test, he further said, “We have requested the pitch report and will receive it by tomorrow, regretting the defeat. Trying to improve will take some time, but it will all get better. The players’ central contract will also be announced in the next few days.”

    Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 10 wickets in Rawalpindi on August 25 in the first Test of a three-match Test series.

  • Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 schedule announced

    Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 schedule announced

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 schedule.

    ICC has divided 10 teams into two groups. Group A includes India, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, while Group B includes South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Scotland.

    Pakistan will start their campaign on October 3 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. They will play their second match against traditional rivals India on October 6 in Dubai. Pakistan will face Australia in the third match on October 11, while New Zealand will face it on October 14.

    The event’s semi-finals are scheduled for October 17 and 18 in Dubai and Sharjah respectively. The final match of the Women’s T20 World Cup is scheduled for October 20 in Dubai.

    Before the event, warm-up matches will also be played from September 28 to October 1, and the national women’s team will play two warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh.

  • Pakistan heavily penalised for slow overrate in Pindi Test

    Pakistan heavily penalised for slow overrate in Pindi Test

    Pakistan and Bangladesh have been fined for a slow overrate in the World Test Championship (WTC) in Rawalpindi.

    Pakistan bowled six overs, while Bangladesh bowled three slow overs, resulting in Pakistan losing six points and Bangladesh losing three.

    The Pakistan team has been fined 30 per cent of their match fee, while Bangladesh will pay 15 per cent. Despite the victory, Pakistan will remain in eighth place in the WTC points table, while Bangladesh has moved from sixth to seventh.

    Bangladesh made history on August 25 in Rawalpindi by winning the first Test against Pakistan by 10 wickets.

  • Waqar Younis likely to step down from PCB role

    Waqar Younis likely to step down from PCB role

    Former Pakistan cricketer Waqar Younis is ready to step down from his post as Cricket Affairs Advisor to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi just a few days after his appointment.

    According to ARY, a new cricket advisor could be appointed in place of Younis. Some officers refused to cooperate with the former fast bowler, an act that left him bitter. He is now reportedly ready to resign from the post. He has been absent from the post since several days.

    The former captain has been appointed a mentor in the Champions Cup starting next month, along with Misbah ul Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfraz Ahmed, and Shoaib Malik.

    Sources say Waqae’s tenure as Advisor Chairman of the PCB was until August 19. He was appointed for a short period.

    Waqar Younis’s appointment was also challenged three weeks ago in the Lahore High Court (LHC). The petition challenged the PCB’s decision to make the appointment without advertisement.

  • Dutch footballer, fired by team for being pro-Palestine, sues and wins big

    Dutch footballer, fired by team for being pro-Palestine, sues and wins big

    Dutch football player Anwar El Ghazi has announced that he will donate 500,000 euros to the children of Gaza who are victims of Israel’s genocide.

    The footballer was suspended last year by his club, FSV Mainz 05, for raising his voice in favour of Palestine in 2023, which resulted in the termination of his contract.

    Ghazi appealed in court against the football club’s decision, where he got justice. The German court declared the club’s decision illegal. The club was ordered to pay the last nine months’ salary, which is worth a total of €1,700,000.

    The Dutch footballer wrote on social media, “After receiving a substantial payment today from Mainz, I would like to make clear that my legal battle with Mainz has never, for me, been about money.”

    He further wrote, “I would like to take this moment to thank Mainz for two things. Firstly, for the substantial financial payoff, €500k of which will be used to fund projects for the children in Gaza. I hope Mainz, despite their repeated failed attempts to avoid making the due payment, takes solace from the knowledge that they have, through me, contributed financially in trying to make life a little more bearable for the children of Gaza.”

    “Secondly, in attempting to silence me, making my voice even louder for the oppressed and voiceless in Gaza.”

    The footballer signed a contract with Championship team Cardiff City this month and had a contract with Mainz until 2025.