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BELFAST: Afghanistan secured automatic qualification for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup after defeating Ireland by three wickets in the third ODI at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Monday. Rahmanullah Gurbaz starred with the bat, scoring a fluent 71, while Rashid Khan produced an impressive all-round performance to guide Afghanistan home and give them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Ireland, after being asked to bat first, were bowled out for 2

Former Pakistan batter Umar Akmal has opened up about his prolonged absence from competitive cricket, claiming that doors have repeatedly been closed on him at both domestic and franchise level despite his continued desire to represent Pakistan. In an extensive interview with Sports 21, Akmal spoke candidly about his career, his relationship with the Pakistan Cricket Board, fitness concerns, his exclusion from the PSL, former coaches and captains, and several incidents from h

LAHORE: Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has backed a group of young seamers and batters to play important roles for the national team in the coming years, highlighting Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Ali Raza, Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal as players to watch. Speaking during a recent podcast interview with an international sports platform, Amir was asked to name emerging Pakistani cricketers who may not yet be widely known among English-speaking audiences. The former left

Cricket Australia has confirmed that star all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Short will only be granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the SA20 after completing their Big Bash League (BBL) commitments in January. The decision means both players will remain available for their respective BBL franchises before joining their South African T20 League teams later in the season. Marsh is set to represent Sunrisers Eastern Cape, while Short will link up with Pretoria Capi

Pakistan cricketer Hamza Nazar has been banned from all domestic and international cricket for two years and fined PKR 1 million following a disciplinary inquiry conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to the information shared by the PCB, the investigation found that Nazar provided misleading and incomplete information during a visa application. The board concluded that his actions amounted to misrepresentation and non-disclosure, leading to strict disciplin

Pakistan bounced back emphatically to defeat the West Indies by eight wickets in the second Test, ending a miserable run of eight consecutive away Test defeats and leveling the series on a high note. Chasing a modest target of 75, Pakistan reached 77-2 in 23.3 overs with captain Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique guiding the visitors home in an unbeaten partnership. Babar remained not out on 24 from 30 deliveries, sealing the victory spectacularly with back-to-back sixes off sp

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has confirmed that he will register as an overseas player for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2027 auction after obtaining British citizenship, marking a significant change in his PSL status. The 34-year-old left-arm pacer, who currently represents Trent Rockets in The Hundred, revealed that his newly acquired British passport means he will no longer be classified as a local player in the PSL. The change also allows him to participate

Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has withdrawn from the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL), with his franchise confirming that the left-arm pacer will leave the tournament due to personal reasons. Shaheen’s exit comes after a challenging campaign in which he struggled to produce his usual match-winning performances. Across six appearances, the Pakistani speedster claimed seven wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate of over 10 runs per over. His figu

Former India all-rounder Dinesh Mongia has paid glowing tribute to Pakistan batting great Saeed Anwar, revealing that the legendary left-hander played a key role in shaping his batting during their time together in international cricket. Speaking in an interview with Saurabh Yadav, Mongia recalled that whenever he had the opportunity, he would approach the former Pakistan opener for advice on batting. He described Anwar as an elegant and classy batter whose calm presence at t

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has expressed concern over Shaheen Shah Afridi’s recent decline in form, attributing the left-arm pacer’s struggles to poor workload management rather than a lack of ability. Speaking during an interview, Amir recalled warning about Shaheen’s future as early as 2020 or 2021, saying he had experienced similar challenges during his own career. He claimed he had advised that continuously overplaying the young fast bowler could eventually

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has penalised Pakistan fast bowlers Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the opening Test of the ICC World Test Championship series against the West Indies in Tarouba. Khurram Shahzad was fined 15 per cent of his match fee, while Mohammad Abbas received an official reprimand after both were found to have violated Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to using language

Tarouba, Trinidad: Pakistan suffered a disappointing 90-run defeat to the West Indies in the opening Test of the two-match series at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, as a dramatic first-innings collapse and another batting failure in the run chase handed the hosts a 1-0 lead. Chasing 211 for victory on the fourth day, Pakistan were bowled out for just 120 despite an unbeaten 58 from Babar Azam. The former captain stood firm amid the collapse, but found little support from the

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to allocate more Test matches to Pakistan, saying the team’s inconsistent red-ball schedule makes it difficult for players to adapt and perform consistently. Speaking after Pakistan’s Test against the West Indies in Tarouba, Abbas agreed that Pakistan needs a busier Test calendar. “I am with you. I told you before as well, so I am requesting the ICC as well. Please give us more Test matc

Former Pakistan Test head coach Jason Gillespie has launched a scathing response to Pakistan’s chief selector Aaqib Javed, calling him a “muppet” and dismissing his recent claims as “nonsense” during an appearance on the Give Me a Spell podcast. Gillespie was responding to remarks made by Aaqib, who claimed that both Gillespie and former white-ball coach Gary Kirsten frequently overruled selectors and “had no plan” following Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test against England

Pakistan spin-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has accepted a three-month period of ineligibility for breaching the ICC Anti-Doping Code after testing positive for a prohibited Substance of Abuse during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The 32-year-old returned an adverse analytical finding for Carboxy-THC following a doping test conducted after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 7. Nawaz admitted to the anti-doping rul

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been appointed captain of the Desert Vipers for the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), replacing the injured Australian all-rounder Chris Green. The five-team tournament will begin on July 23 at Providence Stadium in Guyana, where the Desert Vipers will compete alongside defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors, Lahore Qalandars, Perth Scorchers, and San Francisco Unicorns. Reacting to his appointment, the 27-year-old

Pakistan have made a major leadership change ahead of their upcoming Test tours, with Babar Azam reappointed as the national Test captain, replacing Shan Masood. The decision comes after Pakistan endured a disappointing World Test Championship campaign under Masood, winning just four of his 16 Tests in charge and finishing at the bottom of the previous WTC cycle. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced the change on Sunday, with selector Aaqib Javed stating that the selection co

Pakistan cricket commentator and analyst Ali Younis has strongly condemned the online abuse and personal attacks directed at his wife, Aliya Riaz, following Pakistan’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. In an emotional video message, Younis accused sections of social media and former cricketers of fueling a toxic culture of hatred that has gone far beyond legitimate criticism of cricket performances. “Karma means that whatever you do, whatever you say,

Fast bowler Matt Henry produced a decisive spell late on day two to put New Zealand firmly in control of the second Test against England at The Oval on Thursday, after Glenn Phillips celebrated the first Test century of his career. England closed the day on 222-6 in reply to New Zealand’s first-innings total of 391, still trailing by 169 runs with only four wickets remaining. Henry, who had battled back spasms during the opening Test at Lord’s, dismissed stand-in captain Joe

Pakistan women’s cricket stalwart Nida Dar has announced her return to professional cricket, ending an indefinite break from the game that began in April 2025. The 39-year-old all-rounder revealed the news through a social media post, expressing her readiness to represent Pakistan once again after taking time away from the sport to focus on her mental well-being. “After taking time to focus on myself and regain my strength, I am happy to share that I am back and available for