The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports of 'discipline and conduct' issues during the ongoing tour of England, which saw seven players recalled after successive Test losses.
Senior Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq will miss the upcoming domestic first-class tournament. While the official reason cites missed fitness tests, sources indicate they are under investigation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for alleged dressing-room leaks, leading to their exclusion from domestic matches.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam attributed his team's 194-run defeat against England in the second Test at Lord's primarily to their batting failures in both innings, despite winning the toss and opting to bowl first.
Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched an inquiry into alleged dressing-room leaks involving senior players Mohammad Rizwan and Imam ul Haq. This follows a complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) amidst disciplinary issues during a Test tour of England. The players' phones have been handed over, and they have requested more time to respond to queries.
India will play defending champions Sri Lanka in the Women's Asia Cup final on Sunday. Sri Lanka secured their spot by defeating Pakistan in a thrilling semifinal, chasing down 131 with a strong recovery after early wickets. India, having a dominant run, aims for a record eighth title, while Sri Lanka seeks to defend their maiden title won against India in the previous edition.
The captains of India and Pakistan women's cricket teams, Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana, once again refrained from shaking hands at the toss during their Women's Asia Cup 2026 match in Dubai.
India, already qualified for the semifinals of the Women's Asia Cup, are set to face traditional rivals Pakistan in their final league game. While India is considered the overwhelming favourite, the match offers both teams an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies. India aims to strengthen its power-hitting and fast bowling, while Pakistan needs significant improvement in its batting to challenge stronger opponents.
Shree Charani and Prema Rawat wreaked havoc with the ball as a dominant India trounced Pakistan by seven wickets in a one-sided match in the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai on Saturday.
Any military response to a cross-border terror attack from Pakistan will have to take into account the new alignments beginning to take shape in the region, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
India secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in an inconsequential Women's Asia Cup T20 match.
A question has been raised whether the Mecca Pact will have a negative impact on our doctrine that the Operation Sindoor has only been suspended and that it would be resumed if Pakistan engages in terrorism in the future. But the Mecca Pact only speaks of aggression, not defence against terrorism, points out Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
Babar Azam said Pakistan's sweeping squad changes came as a surprise, defended the team's selection decisions, urged a fearless approach at Edgbaston, while the PCB launched disciplinary inquiry.
Wednesday's India-Pakistan World Cup match in Amstelveen saw players exchange handshakes, a gesture that has become contentious in India-Pakistan sporting encounters, particularly in cricket. While the Indian team dominated on the field, winning 5-3, the post-match handshakes led to mixed reactions online, highlighting the differing approaches to rivalry in hockey versus cricket.
India's Women's Junior Hockey team delivered a dominant performance, defeating Pakistan 19-0 to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the Women's Junior Asia Cup. The team showcased relentless attacking prowess, scoring consistently throughout the match and converting multiple penalty corners.
Senior Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma expressed confidence ahead of India's Women's Asia Cup match against Pakistan, highlighting India's consistent performance against their rivals. She emphasised the team's balanced batting and bowling units and their focus on playing good cricket. Deepti also praised young spinners Shree Charani and Prema Rawat for their talent and contributions.
Pakistan's interim red-ball head coach Mike Hesson has distanced himself from the decision to drop senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, and Imam-ul-Haq from the Test squad, stating they were already released when he took charge.
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has returned home from England amidst a PCB inquiry into his calf muscle injury, which is suspected to be faked. This follows the team's poor performance and drastic measures taken by the board, including sending players home and replacing coaches. Imam-ul-Haq has a history of similar injury allegations.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam is expected to return for the second Test against England at Lord's after recovering from a finger injury. His potential comeback offers a significant boost to the team, which suffered a heavy defeat in the first Test, as England leads the three-match series 1-0.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Rashid Khan has sarcastically suggested that senior selector Aaqib Javed be made the non-playing captain for all formats, following Javed's public criticism of the team's captain, coaches, and player selections. Khan expressed anguish over the current state of Pakistan cricket and questioned the PCB chairman's actions regarding player morale.
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas expressed deep concern over the team's persistent issues, including poor fielding and an inexperienced pace attack, following their heavy 194-run defeat to England at Lord's, marking their 10th loss in 11 away Tests.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has come under fire from former players after sacking head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, and sending back seven players, including national T20 captain Salman Ali Agha, in the middle of their Test series against England. The drastic changes followed Pakistan's heavy defeats in the first two Tests, prompting widespread condemnation for the timing and impact on team morale and stability.
Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja has issued a stark warning that the national team's consistent poor performances are causing a significant decline in its fan base. He emphasised that while fans don't expect wins every time, they demand a fighting spirit and competitive attitude, which the team is currently lacking, leading to growing disinterest among supporters.
We are back to the 1971 moment with both China and the US supporting Pakistan, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee and received one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the Women's Asia Cup match against India, after gesturing towards opener Shafali Verma upon her dismissal.
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has resigned from the men's national selection committee and as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy.
Former Pakistan hockey players have expressed deep concern over the national team's poor performance at the World Cup, advocating for an immediate injection of fresh talent and a focus on the upcoming Asian Games. They attribute the sport's decline to cricket's dominance and a failure to adapt to modern hockey, urging the federation to prioritise competitive success to regain public interest.
Babar Azam's fever adds to Pakistan's mounting troubles before the Edgbaston Test, with the PCB overhauling the squad and coaching staff after England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Muhammad Yousuf branded Pakistan's coaches "poison for the game", blaming their lack of vision for neglected batting flaws that worsened over years and contributed to the team's decline.
Visitors Pakistan replaced seven players and their head coach on Monday, after suffering two heavy losses to England in their ongoing three-Test series.
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq has sustained a low-grade calf strain during the second Test against England, making his continued participation in the match uncertain. He is currently receiving treatment from the Pakistan medical team.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly undertaking a major "clean-up" operation, which could see senior selector Aaqib Javed removed and a new selection committee formed. This follows the controversial return of players Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Ali Agha from England, with concerns raised over their form and behaviour. The PCB is also reviewing coaching staff and player conduct.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has instructed its players participating in the Test series against England to refrain from commenting on the imprisonment of former captain Imran Khan. This directive follows attempts by British media to elicit comments and a Sky Sports interview with Khan's sons, which the PCB deemed political. The board prioritised diplomatic relations and the ongoing series despite its displeasure.
A Pakistani court has ordered the return of 21-year-old Hindu girl Shirimati Reeta to her parents after she was allegedly lured, pressured to convert to Islam, and marry a Muslim man. Reeta, who had gone missing from Sindh, was recovered by police in Punjab and stated in court her desire to return home, highlighting the ongoing issue of forced conversions among minority girls in Pakistan.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has declared himself 90 percent fit and available for the second Test against England at Lord's, aiming to lead a rejuvenated side after their innings defeat in the first match. He emphasised the need for senior players, including himself, to take responsibility and hinted at potential changes if performance doesn't improve.
England closed in on a first home Test series win for two years as Pakistan slumped to 53/3 at lunch on the fourth day of the second Test at Lord's on Sunday.
England seized total control at Lord's after bowling Pakistan out for 110, building a 261-run lead as Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer dismantled their batting.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Khan has criticised the current generation of pacers for their lack of skill development, attributing it to Pakistan's decline in Test cricket. He emphasised the importance of artful bowling over mere speed and highlighted how T20 cricket and internal politics are hindering player development.
Pakistan is set to host the 14th South Asian Games in April next year across Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar, after a six-year delay. While the South Asia Olympic Council has approved the dates and venues, India's participation remains uncertain due to political tensions, despite its representative attending the planning meeting.
'It beggars belief that Saudi Arabia would deploy military force against India, a top partner and market.'
India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in their final Pool D match of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, with Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scoring two goals each. Vice-captain Hardik Singh also contributed to India's victory, while Pakistan managed to reduce the margin with goals from Hannan Shahid and Sufyan Khan.
