Sports

At the New York roadshow, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that HBL Pakistan Super League 2026 will start on March 26, with the final scheduled for May 3. Faisalabad will host 11 matches for the first time, alongside Karachi, Lahore, and other venues.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has suffered a 20% drop in brand value, falling to $9.6 billion from $12 billion in 2025, according to Indian media reports. The decline comes amid geopolitical tensions and the departure of star cricketers, with franchises like Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals facing steep losses.

Mitchell Starc has overtaken Wasim Akram’s record of 414 Test wickets. Yet even as Australia celebrates, Starc himself admits Akram remains the greatest, a testament to Pakistan’s fast‑bowling legacy shaped by Imran Khan and his successors.

Pakistan Super League Season 11 was showcased at London’s historic Lord’s Cricket Ground with a vibrant roadshow featuring PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, former chairman Ramiz Raja, and ex‑captain Wasim Akram. The event, broadcast live on PTV, highlighted ambitions to make PSL the world’s top league and celebrated its role in producing cricket stars.

Karachi’s National Stadium hosted the grand opening of the 35th National Games on Saturday, marking Sindh’s return as host after 18 years. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended as chief guest alongside Governor Kamran Tessori, provincial ministers, senior officials, and sports dignitaries. Thousands of students, athletes, and officials witnessed the ceremony featuring march pasts, oath‑taking, a torch‑lighting by Olympian Arshad Nadeem, and cultural performances.

Pakistan clinched the T20I tri‑series title with a six‑wicket win over Sri Lanka, thanks to a disciplined bowling attack and a steady chase led by skipper Babar Azam. Sri Lanka were restricted to just 114 runs after Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz shared six wickets, while Kamil Mishara top‑scored with 59.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has signed a historic MoU with the Italian Cricket Federation to promote cricket development in Italy, including coaching exchanges, training programs, and youth initiatives.

The Lahore Qalandars have signed a new 10‑year agreement with the Pakistan Super League (PSL), strengthening their role as one of the league’s most successful and influential franchises.

Pakistan Shaheens booked their place in the Asia Cup Rising Stars final after defeating Sri Lanka A by 5 runs in Doha. Ghazi Ghori’s unbeaten 39 and Saad Masood’s all‑round performance guided the team to a tense victory, setting up a title clash against Bangladesh A tomorrow.

Bangladesh A defeated India in a dramatic Super Over at the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 semi‑final in Doha, booking their place in the tournament’s final.