Sufyan Moqeem, Babar Azam run away with top honours in PSL-11

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The duo Sufyan Moqeem and Babar Azam played the dominant role with the ball and the bat respectively to power Peshawar Zalmi to title triumph in the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) which concluded at the Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on May 3. They bagged the top individual awards. 

Left-arm wrist spinner Sufyan was declared Player of the Tournament as well as the Best Bowl for his rich haul of 22 wickets while Babar was adjudged as the Best Batsman for his mammoth aggregate of 588 runs. 

Their teammates Kusal Mendis won the award for the Best Wicketkeeper of the tournament, having scored 550 runs besides collecting 8 dismissals behind the stumps, while Farhan Yousuf was declared the Best Fielder for taking 10 catches during the tournament. 

Aaron Hardie, also from Peshawar Zalmi, earned Player of the Match award in the final to ensure that their team annexed the trophy after a gap of nine years. 

Islamabad United’s Shadab Khan was adjudged All-rounder of the Tournament for snatching 17 wickets and scoring 173 runs while Hyderabad Kingsmen’s fiery speedster Hunain Shah won the Emerging Player of the Tournament. 

The Spirit of Cricket Award went to debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen, who ended runners-up in the tournament among a record number of eight participants.

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Hardie’s all-round excellence enables Peshawar Zalmi to recapture PSL crown after nine years

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Aaron Hardie produced a sensational match-winning all-round show as Peshawar Zalmi ended a nine-year wait to reclaim the HBL PSL title with a five-wicket win over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final at the Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on May 3. 

The versatile Australian all-rounder claimed four wickets for 27 runs before hitting an unbeaten 56 off 38 balls with nine fours as Peshawar chased down the modest target of 130 in 15.2 overs before a 32,000-strong crowd. 

Walking in at 40 for four, Hardie steadied the chase with Muhammad Samad in an 85-run stand off 64 balls for the fifth wicket. Samad fell for 48 off 34 balls, hitting four sixes and three fours before getting caught at the boundary off Mohammad Ali. 

Chasing 130, Peshawar had slumped to 40 for four after a fiery opening burst from Ali. He removed Mohammad Haris before getting the prized scalp of Babar Azam first ball. Hunain Shah, Hyderabad’s hero in the Eliminator, kept his team in the hunt by accounting for the dangerous Kusal Mendis while Michael Bracewell edged Akif Javed to keeper Usman. 

Ali finished with the figures of three for 38 and but his effort was not enough to prevent in the inevitable. It, however, made sure that Peshawar did not scamper home without some anxious moments even in pursuit of a small target. 

Earlier, Hyderabad lost their way after a brisk start. They had raced to 69 for two in the powerplay before collapsing soon afterwards from 71 for two to 73 for six, losing four wickets for two runs in a matter of nine balls. 

Maaz Sadaqat struck a six and four before holing out to Abdul Samad off Mohammad Basit for 11. Skipper Marnus Labuschagne made 20 off 12 before edging Basit behind. Irfan Niazi was run out by Bracewell for 1, Glenn Maxwell fell first ball to Nahid Rana, and Kusal Perera was run out for 9. 

Saim Ayub top-scored with 54 off 50 balls, which remained his only fifty of the tournament. Hardie (4-27) and Nahid (2-22) were chiefly responsible for bowling Hyderabad out for a paltry 129 in 18 overs. 

The Peshawar captain, Babar Azam, received the glittering trophy from the PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, with handsome purse of PKR 140 million while the Hyderabad captain, Marnus Labuschagne, collected a cash purse of PKR 86 million with the runners-up trophy.

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Hunain’s sensational last over propels debutants Hyderabad into PSL final; eliminates Islamabad

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Paceman Hunain Shah delivered a sensational last over, while defending just six off as many balls, to lead Hyderabad Kingsmen to a most dramatic two-run victory over Islamabad United in the Eliminator-2 of the HBL PSL-11 final in front of a packed Qaddafi Stadium crowd on May 1. 

Making their maiden appearance in the PSL, Hyderabad Kingsmen have already created a history of sorts by going all the way to the final. They will now take on Peshawar Zalmi in the title-clash at the same venue on May 3. 

As anticipated, the encounter between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Islamabad United went to the wire. But not many people expected Hyderabad to win the game when Islamabad were just a stroke away from victory at the start of the final over. 

Defending six in the 20th over, Hunain held his nerve with dot, 1, dot, wicket, 1, 1lb to restrict Chris Green and Imad Wasim to three runs which was incredible to say the least as Islamabad were left stranded at 184 for seven while chasing 187. 

It turned out to be Hnain’s night. He became the hero after producing six tight deliveries on a trot and none of them could be connected by the batters in the desired manner. Islamabad lost the game which had seemed in their pocket. 

Earlier, Hyderabad recovered from 85 for four to post 186 for five after being sent in. Usman anchored the innings with an unbeaten 61 off 39 balls, hitting eight fours. He added 101 off 48 balls for the fifth wicket with Kusal Perera, who smashed 37 off 21. 

Hyderabad had slipped to 87 for three after Maaz Sadaqat fell for a duck to Richard Gleeson. Saim Ayub counterattacked with 38 off 27 balls, while skipper Marnus Labuschagne made 39. 

Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim got the prized scalps of Glenn Maxwell and Labuschagne in three balls. 

Mark Chapman’s 43 off 26 balls put Islamabad’s nose ahead while useful contributions from Devon Conway (30 off 22 balls), Haider Ali (31 off 16 balls) and Shadab Khan (22 off 24 balls) kept them in hunt. Chris Green (21 off nine balls) and Faheem Ashraf (19 off 11 balls) almost took them over the line until denied in the most dramatic final overs in memory.

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Return of spectators brightens PSL playoffs

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fulfilled its promise of allowing the spectators to witness all the four playoff matches of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). 

The entire league stage the PSL-11 was played behind closed doors in line with the government’s fuel conservation measures due to the West Asia crisis. It was also decided to limit the event only to Karachi and Lahore, whereas six cities were chosen to host it originally. 

The Qualifier between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United at the National Stadium, Karachi, on April 28 witnessed the return of the crowd and they brightened the proceedings with their active engagement in a game where they got to see a masterclass from Babar Azam. 

It was it the fitness of things that Babar, easily the greatest batsman of the country of his generation, produced one of his best innings to power his team Peshawar Zalmi into the final, with Islamabad now relegated to play one of the Eliminators. 

The action has now moved to Lahore where Multan Sultans and Hyderabad Kingsmen will be the two combatants in the Eliminator 1 on April 29 while their winners will be entitled to play Islamabad in the Eliminator 2 on May 1. 

The curtain will fall to the PSL-11 with the final at the Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on May 3. Peshawar Zalmi has already qualified for the title-clash while the winners of the Eliminator 2 will be the other finalists.

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Classy Babar’s delights buzzing crowd, takes Peshawar to PSL final

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Babar Azam, under fire for below par strike rate in the shortest format of the game, dispelled the impression of having lost his top form with a sizzling century which put his team, Peshawar Zalmi, into the final of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as they overwhelmed Islamabad United by 70 runs in the qualifier at the National Stadium, Karachi, under floodlights, on April 28. 

The former Pakistan captain smashed 103 off only 59 balls, treating the returning crowd to an exhibition of classy strokes. His blistering knock lifted Peshawar to a respectable 221 for seven, after being sent in to bat by Shadab Khan. 

Babar reached his 13th T20 hundred in style, launching paceman Richard Gleeson for a straight six to the cheers of a near-capacity crowd, who had braved massive hardships in securing tickets in sweltering heat before making their way into the stadium. 

Peshawar got off a flyer in the powerplay with Babar and his opening partner, Muhammad Haris, adding 72 runs in the first six overs. Wicketkeeper Haris smashed 16-ball 35 with the held of two sixes and five fours. 

The momentum was sustained by Kusal Mendis, who contributed 41 off 26 runs, with Babar going great guns at the other end. A mini-collapse saw Peshawar struggling at 164 for four after being in complete command at 156 for one little while earlier. 

The leg-spin of Shadab pulled it back for Islamabad United but it was going to be Babar’s night. He duly completed his century before perishing in the penultimate over. His knock allowed Peshawar Zalmi to post an emphatic total of 221 in the allotted overs. 

Openers Sameer Minhas (44 off 23 balls) and Devon Conway (20 off 14 balls) allowed Islamabad United to score 56 runs in the first five overs. But the plot was lost after eight overs which saw them slump to 113 for seven from 81 for one. 

Medium-pacer Aaron Hardie returned the figures of 3-24 in four tight overs with Basit Ali (2-19) and Sufyan Muqeem (2-25) also delivering tidy spells as Islamabad was bowled out for 151 in 18.2 overs.

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Rawalpindiz finally open account in PSL in ninth attempt

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

After having endured eight defeats on a trot, debutants Rawalpindiz finally registered their maiden win, overcoming former champions Islamabad United by six wickets in the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on April 23. 

In what turned out to be a lacklustre and low-scoring encounter at the National Stadium, Karachi, skipper Mohammad Rizwan led the successful run-chase for Rawalpindiz with 45 while Kamran Ghulam and Daryl Mitchell sustained the momentum with their knocks of 42 and 35 respectively. 

The enterprising Mitchell remained unbeaten on 32 off 25 balls, hitting two fours and a six. It was Dian Forrester, however, who struck Mohammad Hasnain for the winning boundary, finishing 13 not out. 

Captain Rizwan’s 45 came off 38 balls and it included five fours and a six, while Kamran Ghulam’s 42 off 31 balls contained five fours and a six. The pair, in control of the proceedings, added 78 runs in 56 balls for the second wicket after Abdullah Fazal was dismissed for a first-ball duck. 

Earlier, the Kiwi pair of Devon Conway and Mark Chapman added 49 runs for the fourth wicket after Islamabad United had slumped to 30 for three at the start of the seventh over. 

Opener Sameer Minhas fell for six, while Muhammad Faiq (5) and Shadab Khan (1) followed in quick succession. Conway top-scored with 40 off 33 balls, including three fours and two sixes, while Chapman made 23 off 18 balls with a four and a six. 

The decision of the Rawalpindiz captain, Rizwan, to insert the opponents into bat, after calling correctly, paid rich dividends as his bowlers kept chipping in with wickets regularly to prevent the Islamabad United batsmen from freeing their arms. 

Mohammad Amir, Saad Masood and Dian Forrester chipped in with two wickets each while Naseem Shah, Darryl Mitchell and Asif Afridi were also among the wicket-takers to send the Islamabad United outfit tumbling to 137 all out on the last ball of their innings.

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Usman, Labuschagne trump Smith’s ton as Hyderabad edge out Multan

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The enigmatic Usman Khan struck a scintillating century, while Marnus Labuschagne contributed a fluent 61, as Hyderabad Kingsmen pulled off an exciting four-wicket victory over Multan Sultans in the 33rd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season-11 at the National Stadium, Karachi, on April 22. 

Usman rode his luck as he was initially caught behind for naught off Muhammad Ismail, but Multan failed to review. He went on to become the hero, smashing a dominant 101 off 47 balls, including ten towering sixes and five fours. It was his record fourth ton in the PSL. 

In a tense finish, Hassan Khan chipped in with an unbeaten 24 off just six balls, featuring three sixes and a four, as Hyderabad chased down the target with three balls to spare. 

Hyderabad reached the target of 214 for the loss of six wickets in 19.3 overs with Peter Siddle (3-39) and Muhammad Ismail (3-42) being the successful bowlers for Multan. Usman and Labuschagne added 123 runs off just 64 balls for the fourth wicket after Hyderabad had slumped to 43 for three inside the powerplay. 

Earlier, Steve Smith hammered a brilliant unbeaten 106 off just 50 balls, studded with 12 boundaries and six sixes, to dominate the Hyderabad bowling attack, but his effort ultimately went in vain. 

Opening the innings alongside Sahibzada Farhan, the vastly experienced Smith powered Multan to a fiery start of 132 runs off just 75 balls. 

Pakistan’s premier opener Sahibzada Farhan lent him admirable support, scoring 66 off 43 balls, laced with four fours and five sixes. 

Smith, known and feared the world over for his ability of changing gears at will, also plundered 28 runs in one over from pacer Kunain Shah, striking 4, 4, 6, 4, 6, 4. 

Multan had finished with an impressive total of 213 for seven in the 20 despite Akif Javed picking up three wickets in quick succession.

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Ali Asghar Valika laid to rest at Noor Bagh Graveyard

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s distinguished sports administrator and former President of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika, was laid to rest at Noor Bagh Graveyard in Karachi on October 11. Also having served as President of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) two times, he had passed away at the age of 78, after a prolonged illness, a day earlier. 

His funeral was attended by a large gathering of sports officials, colleagues, and admirers, including the Karachi Club President, Irfan Moten, ex-PBSA President and Karachi Club Secretary, Jawed Karim, former PBSA President, Alamgir Shaikh, former Karachi Gymkhana President Fawad Malik, members of the PBSA Executive Committee, club staff, friends, relatives, and well-wishers. 

"We are grateful to all those, who supported us in the time of grief,” his younger brother Abbas Valika acknowledged. 

Pakistan’s three-time world snooker champion Muhammad Asif expressed deep sorrow at Asghar Valika’s passing, paying tribute to his “tremendous service for the development of snooker across the globe.” Asif described him as a “visionary patron who discovered, promoted, and guided players to reach world-class levels.” 

Condolences also poured in from Pakistan cricket greats Wasim Bari, Asghar Valika’s former schoolmate, and Iqbal Qasim, ex-chief selector and left-arm spinner currently in South Africa, who expressed his thoughts via video link. Both of them recalled lifelong contribution to sports administration and his pivotal role in nurturing international champions such as Muhammad Yousuf and Muhammad Asif. 

Widely regarded as the Father of Pakistan Snooker, Asghar Valika transformed the cue sport from a recreational pastime into a competitive discipline. He served as PBSA President for over two decades from 1988, during which Pakistan hosted multiple Asian and World Snooker Championships, including the historic 33-nation IBSF World Championship in Karachi in 1993, a milestone in the country’s sporting history. 

Under his leadership, Pakistan achieved its first Asian Games Gold Medal in Snooker at Bangkok in 1998 through Shaukat Ali, and several other podium finishes followed in subsequent editions. He also helped secure major sponsorship from Red & White and Jubilee Insurance, ensuring the sport’s financial sustainability and growth for a long time. 

Beyond his administrative acumen, he was a mentor and visionary, credited with introducing Pakistan’s ranking system and bringing televised snooker to national audiences. His efforts expanded the sport from elite clubs to every corner of the country, inspiring generations of young cueists.

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Sports fraternity mourns demise of Asghar Valika

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s veteran sports administrator and former President of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika, passed away in Karachi on October 10 after a prolonged illness. He was 78, his younger brother Abbas Valika confirmed. 

Widely regarded as the Father of Pakistan Snooker, Asghar Valika played a pioneering role in transforming snooker from a recreational pastime into one of the country’s most competitive and organised sports. 

He served as the PBSA President for over two decades from 1988 and also held key international offices, including Senior Vice President of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) and President of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS). 

Under his leadership, Pakistan successfully hosted multiple Asian and World Snooker Championships, including the landmark 33-nation IBSF World Championship at Karachi in 1993. He was instrumental in securing major sponsorship, notably from Red & White and Jubilee Insurance, which revitalized the sport’s profile nationwide. 

He is also credited for nurturing cueist Mohammad Yousuf, who went on to win the 1994 IBSF World Snooker Championship in Johannesburg, a defining moment in Pakistan’s sporting history. 

A businessman by profession and Managing Director of Valika Industries, Asghar Valika was also associated with early cricket development in Dubai during the 1970s. His passing away marks the end of a golden chapter in Pakistan’s sports administration. He is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.

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Non-presence of hosts PCB at CT presentation ceremony astonishing

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan were the hosts of 9th edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with the majority of its matches were staged at the three major venues of the country, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) invited and hosted the top officials of the International Cricket Council (ICC) during the course of the tournament. The Vice of President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla, also came over to Lahore to watch one of the matches. 

It was astonishing, however, not to find any representative of the PCB at the podium during the glamorous presentation ceremony of the Champions Trophy, soon after the conclusion of the final between India and New Zealand, in Dubai on March 9. 

The ICC Chairman, Jay Shah, dominated the proceedings alongwith the BCCI President, Roger Binny. 

It was also noted that the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, was not present on the occasion. According to reports, the PCB Chief Executive, Sumair Ahmed, was available at Dubai International Cricket Stadium but he was not invited at the podium. 

The experts as well as cricket enthusiasts in Pakistan could not comprehend the reasons of the non-presence of the hosts at the podium during the presentation ceremony. It could not be ascertained whether this was done by mutual understanding or not. 

Pakistan’s speed merchant, Shoaib Akhtar, famously known as the Rawalpindi Express, also expressed his surprise at not finding the presence of any PCB official at the podium, despite being the hosts.

Earlier during the India-Bangladesh match in Dubai, the name of hosts was found missing. The ICC officials regretted the mistake when the matter was taken up by the PCB.

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Rohit Sharma’s captain knock helps India recapture Champions Trophy crown

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, under fire for not producing big knocks on a consistent basis of late, silenced his critics by smashing a spectacular 76 off 83 balls to lead India to their second ICC Champions Trophy crown in 12 years with a hard-fought four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final on March 9. 

Sharma, eager to dominate from the outset, shared a superb century opening stand with Shubman Gill to set the tone for victory as India, chasing a target of 252, overhauled it for the loss of six wickets with one over to spare at Dubai International Stadium. 

It was India’s second successive title victory in an ICC event, under the leadership of Sharma, after having won the ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies last year. 

New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, deserved the credit for not only reaching the final but also giving the hot-favourites India a run for their money in the title clash despite defending a below par total. 

They had a consolation when their rising star all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was named player of the tournament for his 263 runs in the competition. 

As expected, it was the brilliant fielding which brought the New Zealanders back in the hunt after an early finished loomed on the horizon after the sensational start given by Sharma and Gill. 

The Indian openers were milking runs at will, playing risk-free cricket after the early onslaught. Gill cover drove Santner uppishly with usual power but Glenn Phillips brought off an unbelievable sort of catch to break the threatening partnership against the run of play. 

Virat Kohli, in sublime form after match-winning knock in the semifinal, timed the first delivery he faced with perfection to get off the mark right away. 

But he was undone on the very next ball as off-spinner Michael Bracewell struck with his opening delivery. The capacity crowd went silent as even the review could not save Kohli. 

Perturbed by the loss of two wickets in three balls, Sharma went into a shell which allowed the spinners, even part-timers, to dictate terms. The skipper was stumped, trying to break the shackles, and the match became wide open with India sliding to 122 for three in the 27th over. 

Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62 balls) and Axar Patel (29 off 40 balls) added 61 runs for the fourth wicket to put the Indian innings back on track. After their departure in quick succession, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya batted well to sustain the momentum. 

Yet again, Rahul demonstrated patience and played intelligently to remain undefeated on 34 off 33 balls with one four and six. Pandya left after scoring 18 off as many balls.

Coming into bat at number eight, Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning boundary to the delight and cheers of jampacked stadium. The victory was completed in the penultimate over. Once again, the Indians managed to chase successfully despite the pitch having become slow in the second half of the match.

Earlier in the afternoon, after crawling in the middle overs, New Zealand mustered 251 for seven in their 50 overs thanks to rapid unbeaten 53 off 40 balls by Micheal Bracewell and a somewhat struggling 63 off 101 balls from Daryl Mitchell. 

Benefitting from a couple of dropped catches, New Zealand picked up momentum with Ravindra, the beneficiary on both occasions, taking 16 runs off a Hardik Pandya over with two boundaries and a six. They raced to 69 for one in powerplay which was quite a decent effort. 

It was left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav who dented New Zealand with the key wickets of Ravindra and Kane Williamson in his opening burst. He was summoned into the attack earlier than usual, after pacemen Mohammad Shami and Pandya leaked far too runs with the new ball. 

The Blackcaps were forced to rebuild their innings after being reduced to 75 for three in the 13th over. Tom Latham and Mitchell were content in pushing for singles as the quartet of Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jadeja and Patel suffocated them with very tight and smart bowling. 

Phillips, having scored briskly throughout the tournament, played a few aggressive shots before being cleaned by Chakaravarthy. Mitchell was unable to dominate the spinning quartet who conceded 144 runs in 38 overs between them, taking five wickets. Yadav captured two wickets for 40 runs while Chakaravarthy got two wickets for 45 runs. 

New Zealand's eventual total got some respectability as they added 79 runs in the last 10 overs with Bracewell, riding his luck, to do bulk of the scoring. He was particularly severe on India’s spearhead Shami, who uncharacteristically, went for 74 runs in his nine overs.

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Williamson, Ravindra tons take New Zealand into Champions Trophy final; South Africa choke yet again

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra smashed enterprising tons and skipper Mitchell Santner captured three key wickets, besides containing the power-hitters, as New Zealand overpowered chokers South Africa by 50 runs in the second semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on March 5. 

With their commanding victory, New Zealand have set up their title clash with India at Dubai on March 9. It will be a repeat of the Champions Trophy final in 2000 when both teams had made it at Nairobi, Kenya. 

David Miller smashed a fighting rapid-fire unbeaten 100 on the last ball of the innings but his grand effort went in vain as South Africa, chasing a record total of 363 for victory, were restricted to 312 for nine at the end of 50 overs. 

Left-handed Miller’s explosive century came off 67 balls and it was spiced with ten sizzling boundaries and four sixes. The writing, however, seemed very much on the wall for the South Africans, when the New Zealand captain, Santner, with his accurate left-arm spin, removed the dangerous duo of Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klassen in quick succession. 

Extracting substantial amount of turn to keep the batters guessing, Santner first castled der Dussen who was looking dangerous with 69 off 66 balls. 

It brought to the crease Klassen, arguably the cleanest hitter in the game at the moment. But he was sent back before he could explode on a night which wasn’t going to be his. 

With the asking rate mounting with every passing over, Miller, also a famed destructive batter, revived some hopes but the mammoth chase proved took its toll and proved too much for his team. 

Santner took three wickets for 43 runs in ten overs, which was an incredible effort in high-scoring match. He lived up to his big reputation and led by example in the high-voltage game.

Glenn Phillips, whose electric fielding and catch remind the present generation of one Jonty Rhodes, was in the business again. His acrobatic saves kept the South Africans under pressure. He then picked up a couple of wickets with his off-spin to seal the fate of the match. 

Earlier, veteran Williamson and youthful Ravindra both showed their prime form with centuries as New Zealand posted the highest-ever total of 362 for six in the history of the tournament. 

Ravindra smashed his second century of the event and Williamson followed his 81 against India two days ago with supreme 108. It was their 164-run second wicket stand which laid the foundation for a massive total after opener Will Young (21) went in the 8th over. 

The Kiwis reached their 100 in 18th over and 200 in 32 overs. Ravindra perished in the 34th over after making a superb 108 off 101 balls, studded with 13 fours and a six. 

Quite astonishingly, it was his fifth century in the ICC events, as he had hit as many as three in the ICC World Cup 2023. Williamson, batting in his trademark style, was more aggressive of the two, scoring 102 off 94 balls with 10 boundaries and two sixes. 

He was dismissed in the 40th over, with New Zealand firmly placed for a final assault in the last 10 overs. The New Zealanders made the most of the solid platform laid by Ravindra and Williamson. They were in full flow while plundering 111 in last ten overs. 

Both Daryl Mitchell and Philips destroyed the South African bowling. Phillips banged left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen in 46th over for four boundaries in a row which cost 19 runs. Similarly, in the 48th over from top pacer Rabada was smashed for 19 runs with a four and six by the rampaging Philips, who returned undefeated on 49 off 27 balls. 

Daryl Mitchell also contributed in the run feast, with an aggressive 49 off 37 balls. Paceman Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers as he captured three wickets but he was also taken for 72 runs in his quota of 10 overs. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj went wicketless, as did part-timer Aiden Markram.

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Steve Smith’s surprise call to retire from ODI

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The decision of the acting Australian captain, Steve Smith, has come as a bit of surprise following the four-wicket defeat at the hands of India in the first semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4. 

Smith, who was captaining the Aussies in the Champions Trophy in place of the injured Pat Cummins, had batted pretty well in the semifinal to emerge as the leading scorer for his side but he was reported to have informed teammates about his decision to hang his boots from ODIs soon after the loss to India. 

He, however, will continue playing Test cricket for his country, declaring his availability for T20Is too, if required. He may surely remain a part and parcel of the national team in the Test arena for a few more seasons but he is unlikely to be picked again for the shortest format of the game where the mantra has been to blood youngsters. 

Smith’s call to quit ODIs immediately after playing another fighting knock in the semifinal does surprise many but the decision could also have been prompted by the fact that, at 34, he stood very little chance of continuing until the next World Cup due to be held in the African continent in 2027. 

Having debuted in ODI against the West Indies at Melbourne in 2010, he played in 170 matches, aggregating 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28. He scored exactly a dozen centuries and 35 half-centuries. He also claimed 28 wickets at an average of 34.67 as a part-time leg-spinner.

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Majestic Kohli, sensational Shami eliminate Australia, take India into Champions Trophy final at Dubai instead of Lahore

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Top batter Virat Kohli hit a brilliant 84 off 98 balls in yet another successful run chase while pace spearhead Muhammad Shami bowled exceedingly well to claim three wickets as India overpowered Australia by four wickets in the first semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4. 

Following the Indian triumph in the first semifinal, Dubai will now stage the final on March 9 instead of Lahore. India will take on winners of the second semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa due to be staged at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on March 5. 

Team India lived upto its big reputation with the bat and the ball and advanced to the final without hiccups. 

Their only cause of concern was the poor catching and Shami was himself was guilty of dropping caught and bowled chances offered by the likes of Travis Head and Steve Smith, the two most experienced batsmen in the Australia line-up. 

Head, who has been a source of constant and serious headache for the Indians across formats, was reprieved when he had still not opened his account. 

He was looking to get into his elements more before being safely pouched by Shubman Gill in the deep in the very first over delivered by the reinvented leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy. He scored 39 off 33 balls with the help of two sixes and five fours. 

India lost yet another toss, 14th on a trot in One-day Internationals and fourth in as many matches of the ongoing tournament but skipper Rohit Sharma didn’t show any kind of reaction at the outcome, passing the impression that he was not thinking much about it. 

Smith, on the other hand, was mighty pleased to have called correctly which allowed him the freedom to choose in the do-or-die contest. His decision to bat first was not unexpected, after having watched the fate of New Zealand in the previous game at the same venue, where the gamble of Mitchell Santner to insert the Indians had backfired. 

The Australians realized very quickly, in fact from the opening over, that the pitch at Dubai International Stadium was entirely different in nature to what they had found during league matches in Pakistan. The bounce, and the lack of it, didn’t let them blast the bowlers mercilessly. 

Makeshift opener Cooper Connolly couldn’t touch a single delivery before edging the ninth one to wicketkeeper K L Rahul. Head lived dangerously but found boundaries, aided by good fortune. 

Smith dropped anchor and kept rotating the strike in the company of Marnus Labuschagne. With the spinners failing to dislodge the stubborn pair, the Indian skipper recalled Shami who came very close to striking right away. 

After playing and missing a few deliveries, Smith ventured driving him but the resulting return catch, hardly a difficult one, was not accepted by the bowler. Labuschagne (29 off 36 balls) was undone by Ravindra Jadeja but Smith and wicketkeeper Alex Carey took the total to the region of 200 in the 37th over when the skipper was finally castled by Shami for 73 off 96 balls. 

This proved to be a critical breakthrough and Australia, looking good for 300, crashed to 265 all out despite Carey’s 61 off 57 balls. Shami (3-48) was the pick of the Indian bowlers while Jadeja (2-40) and Chakravarthy (2-49) also bowled admirably in crunch situations. 

Left-arm spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav sustained the pressure by not allowing easy runs while Hardik Pandya, entrusted with the new ball, kept the pressure by his pace variations. 

The target of 265 was never going to be easy in a knockout game and India lost both the openers after a brisk start. It was left to Kohli and Shreyas Iyer to repair the damage and they rose to the occasion by adding 91 for third wicket. 

After Iyer’s departure for 45 off 62 balls in the 27th over, Kohli found a reliable partner in Patel and they inched towards victory. 

Having smashed an unbeaten century against arch-rivals Pakistan in league outing at the same venue, Kohli again reaffirmed his unmatched class under pressure with another match winning 84. 

He was dropped by Glenn Maxwell which was a tough chance. He looked set for his 52nd ODI hundred but got himself out in the 43rd over. It was a rather unusual shot from the master craftsman, spooning a simple catch to long on.

Pandya’s breezy 28 off 24 balls brought India withing a stroke of victory and the job was completed by Rahul in the following over. 

The wicketkeeper-batter, often under fire for his inconsistency despite possessing enormous talent, silenced his critics by remaining unconquered on 42 off 34 balls with the winning runs coming with as many as 11 deliveries to spare. 

Australia's inexperienced and second-class bowling attack in the absence of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood struggled to keep the Indians in check and the ensuing consecutive partnerships denied any drama or tension in the final overs.

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Chakravarthy’s magical spell stuns New Zealand, sets up India-Australia clash in semifinals

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Leg-spinning sensation, Varun Chakravarthy, during his maiden outing in the tournament, captured five wickets to spin India to 44-run victory over New Zealand in the last league encounter of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Stadium on March 2. 

Having topped the Group A, with six points, Rohit Sharma’s Indian team will now clash with Steve Smith-led Australian side in the first semifinal at the same venue on March 4 while South Africa will take on New Zealand in the other semifinal at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on March 5. 

Proving a mystery for the batsmen, Chakravarthy grabbed five wickets for 42 runs in his quota of ten overs as the Blackcaps, chasing 250 for victory, were bowled out for 205 in the 46th over. 

Master craftsman, Kane Williamson, following a couple of low scores in the earlier games, made amend a defiant 81 off 120 balls with seven boundaries before being stumped by K L Rahul off Axar Patel. 

He seemed set to be playing another match-winning knock before charging down the wicket in pursuit of another aggressive shot. Later, captain Mitchell Santner kept the contest alive by hitting a quick 28 off 31 balls with two towering sixes and a four before he was foxed by Chakravarthy. And the writing was on the wall after his dismissal. 

This was India’s sixth successive victory over New Zealanders in One-day Internationals. This also ended also ended New Zealand’s winning streak of six straight victories including three in Tri-Series in Pakistan during last few weeks. 

Earlier, India recovered from a horrible start to reach 249 for nine in their 50 overs after being sent to bat first in the last league outing of the Champions Trophy. 

The batting in the initial overs was very challenging as the conditions were conducive to swing and seam bowling. The pace trio of Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke were right on the money and even the celebrated Indian top-order was rattled. 

Shubman Gill (2), Rohit Sharma (15) and Virat Kohli (11), all of them world-class batters, perished inside the first seven overs and India struggled at 30 for three. The collapse was reminiscent to the one the Indians had suffered at the hands of the same opponents in the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup. 

Opener Gill was trapped leg before by Henry in the third over and even the review failed to save the top-ranked ODI batter in the world at the moment. 

Skipper Sharma dared played a few productive shots before being caught brilliantly by Will Young off Jamieson trying to pull. He made 15 with a six and a four. Kohli was astonished when Glenn Philips took a spectacular catch at deep gully area. 

Having smashed a match-winning unbeaten 100 against Pakistan in the previous game, the champion batter could make just 11 with the help of two fours. 

The Indian batting line-up looked like sinking but it went to the credit of Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel to have abandoned their natural game in order to come to terms with the tight bowling and superb fielding and incredible catching by the New Zealanders. 

The rate of scoring dipped considerably for a while as they chose to dig deep and play the waiting game, realizing that it was a 50-over contest, not another T20 shootout which is more common these days. 

They, however, changed gears after settling down. With their eyes in, they were able to rotate strike regularly besides punching the loose balls to the boundary. 

The partnership was heading towards mammoth proportions, when part-time spinner Rachin Ravindra provided the breakthrough with Williamson taking another fine catch. 

Left-handed Patel, played the role of a floater with the bat, hit four fours and brace of sixes in his run a ball 45. He and Iyer added 98 runs for the fourth wicket to retrieve the situation. 

Then KL Rahul joined Iyer and they built a 44-run fifth wicket stand. After Iyer left after scoring 79 off 98 balls, it was all-rounder Hardik Pandya (45 off 45 balls) who stretched the Indian total to a fighting 249. 

With so much depth in their batting, India could have added a few more only to be denied by the returning Henry, who claimed five wickets in the game, including a couple in the final over.

The New Zealanders bowled and fielded brilliantly to contain the mighty batting line-up and they looked like the happier side at the halfway stage of the match. That their own batters faltered in the examination at the hands of the spinners later in the evening was another matter.

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South Africa become group champions by thrashing England; fiery spell from Jansen

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

South Africa stormed into the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 when they thrashed England by seven wickets at National Stadium, Karachi, on March 1 in what turned out to be a one-sided encounter. 

Playing excellent cricket, the South Africans also became the Group B champions with their tally of five points, relegating Australia to the runners-up slot who aggregated four points. 

England ended pointless after suffering their third successive defeat. Overall, it was their seventh defeat in a row in One Day Internationals, already leading to the resignation of their captain, Jos Butler, a day before the third and final league fixture. 

For the rampaging South Africans, batters Heinrich Klassen and Rassie van Der Dussen scored enterprising half-centuries after their lanky left-arm speedster Marco Jansen picked up top three wickets in a fiery spell. 

Chasing a modest victory target of 180, they romped home with more than 20 overs remaining. They lost openers Tristan Stubbs for duck and Ryan Rickelton for 27, both of them to the giant fast bowler, Jofra Archer. 

But der Dussen and Klassen repaired early damage and later charged with brutal power-hitting. The pair put on 127 runs for third wicket to lay the foundation for another comfortable victory. 

Klassen went after making a fluent 64 off 56 balls laced with 11 sizzling boundaries under dazzling lights in the 29th over. Dussen finished undefeated on 72 and his 87-ball knock was studded with six fours and three sixes. 

Electing to bat first, England were jolted by southpaw Jansen, who delivered a sensational opening spell, claiming three wickets in rapid succession. His lethal bouncers proved too hot to handle for the English batters. Later, Wiaan Mulder, a medium-pacer, caused the middle-order wobble with the figures of 3 for 25 and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets for 35 runs as England disappointingly got bowled out for 179 in the 39th over. 

Opener Phil Salt hit a couple of boundaries in Jansen’s first over. But on the last ball, he topedged his shot to be neatly caught Dussen for eight. Jamie Smith went for duck after facing just three balls caught by Aiden Markaram off Jansen.

Before England could recover from the setback, in-form opener Ben Duckett also topedged a bouncer. It was a big blow to their chances of compiling a decent score as they crashed to 37 for three in the 17th over. 

Trying to put England innings on track, Joe Root and Harry Brook added 50 runs for the fourth wicket off 52 balls. But Brook’s indifferent form continued as he was brilliantly caught by Jansen for 24. He hit four boundaries in his 21-ball knock. 

Root, when looking good, was bowled by Mulder 37. He clubbed five fours and a six in his 44-ball 37. Liam Livingstone followed him quickly stumped by Dussen. He made only nine. Archer showed flashes of brilliance while making 25 but England’s final total of 179 was below par on a pitch which had plenty of runs. 

Butler’s last outing as captain of England turned out to be a nightmarish one. His job was on the line after the dismal results under his command and he chose to quit voluntarily when his team was knocked out of the event after losing to Afghanistan.

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Australia enter Champions Trophy semis after washout, Afghanistan’s chances nosedive

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

World Champions Australia booked their spot in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 while Afghanistan were left at the brink of elimination after their last league tie at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, was abandoned due to rain on February 2. 

Openers Matthew Short and Travis Head provided Australia a whirlwind start of 44 in 4.3 overs before the former was caught by Gulbadin Naib off Azmatullah Omarzai, chasing 274 for victory in 50 overs. 

The Aussies, over the years, do have a habit of getting off to flyers but they seemed to have pressed the accelerator more powerfully in view of the inclement weather which could have brought D/L formula into the equation if their innings went past 20 overs. 

Head, in particular, batted in his typical attacking fashion and punished both the pacers, Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi with his brutal approach. Rain, however, became heavier at the ground in the 13th over and the umpires had to stop play. 

The resumption never looked in sight in the damp conditions and the match was eventually called off. The Australians were in commanding position as Head finished unbeaten on 59 off 40 balls with nine sizzling boundaries and a six. Captain Steve Smith hit two fours in his unbeaten 19 off 22 balls. 

Both Australia and Afghanistan shared the point. With an aggregate of four points from three league outings, Australia progressed to last four round. The washout left Afghanistan stranded at three points and they were expected to be overtaken by South Africa against whom they had lost the opening game. 

Afghanistan, opting to bat first, mustered 273 all out with number three Sidequllah Atal and all-rounder Omarzai hitting sparking half centuries. After losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the fiery opening over from Spencer Johnson, the Afghans battled it out grimly in the next few overs. 

Sediq was subdued initially but went on to score a fighting 85 off 95 balls with six fours and three sixes. Omarzai, as in the previous match, played another brilliant knock. He made a rapid 67 off 63 balls hoisting five sixes, rescuing his team from a precarious 199 for seven. 

Opener Ibrahim Zadran, who registered a record-breaking 177 against England in the previous outing, perished after making 22 off 28 balls as his prized scalp was claimed by Adam Zampa, Australia’s only specialist spinner. 

After the departure of the well-set Sediq, it was Omarzai who defied the Australian bowlers and took the score to 272 before Ben Dwarshuis removed him in last over. Dwarshuis picked up three wickets in the innings while Johnson and Zampa took two each. 

The target of 273 was unlikely to test the experienced Australian batting line-up and the exhilarating start provided by Head and Short increased their chances of recording yet another victory which was prevented by the rains. 

Meanwhile, South Africa will be pitted against England in the last Group B fixture at National Stadium, Karachi, on March 1. Having lost both their matches, England have already been knocked out of the tournament but South Africa, having whipped Afghanistan at the same venue, are the favourites to advance to the semifinals with an outstanding net run rate. Afghanistan can only qualify if South Africa lose the match by a margin of more than 200 runs against the struggling England side which seems extremely unlikely.

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Pakistan-Bangladesh tie also washed out in Champions Trophy

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

It may not be possible to figure which of the teams, Pakistan or Bangladesh, were happier at the abandonment of game in Rawalpindi due to persistent rain on February 27. 

Apparently, both teams could have felt equally relieved at the outcome because they had already been knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after having lost their first couple of matches. 

The cricket fans were obviously anxious to see some action at the ground and that was not to be. It was the successive game at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to have been washed out without a ball bowled. Earlier, the much-awaited fixture between Australia and South Africa had also met with similar fate. 

In both the abandoned games, there were hopes for the rain to subside leading to shortened contests. The spectators were left to wait in the rain until the official announcement which obviously caused disappointment for them. 

Unlike Australia and South Africa, both of whom are thought to be among the frontrunners to annex the title, Pakistan and Bangladesh had nightmarish run in the event and neither of them gained any point from their first games.

The washed-out encounter allowed them to open their account in the Group A but a solitary each was of little or no use. Because of the inferior run-rate, the hosts and the defending champions, Pakistan (-1.087) were relegated to the last position in the points table, just behind Bangladesh (-0.443) who finished third despite having same number of points. 

India and New Zealand have already booked their spots in the semifinals and the result of their league fixture on March 2 will determine the group champion. 

It is the third successive ICC tournament in which Pakistan failed to go beyond the first round following the exit in the 50-over ODI World Cup in 2023, followed by the debacle in the T20 World Cup last year.

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Afghanistan, aided by Zaradan’s record score, oust England from Champions Trophy

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Opener Ibrahim Zadran smashed a record-breaking 177 and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai bagged five wickets, besides scoring 41, as Afghanistan knocked out England from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after a tense and dramatic eight-run victory at Gaddafi Stadium on February 26. 

Chasing a challenging 326 for victory, England were bowled out for 317 in thrilling finale with one ball to spare despite a defiant century by Joe Root (120). He played sheet-anchor role but his departure in the 48th over proved decisive in the end. 

Omarzai, with his lively medium-pace, bowled intelligently in the crunch situation to snare five wickets for 58 runs in 9.5 overs as the Afghanistan players were not overawed by the magnitude of the event, unlike in the past when they used to falter near the closing stages after competing bravely earlier in the game. 

For a change, it was England’s turn to be at the receiving end in this particular match. After suffering their second defeat in as many outings, they have been eliminated from the semifinal race. Afghanistan, however, kept their chances alive as they take on Australia in the final league Group B fixture to decide their fate in the tournament. 

England, like Afghanistan, also made poor start to their innings with loss of wickets upfront. After the early departure of opener Phil Salt (12) and Jamie Smith (9) in seventh over, it was the vastly experienced Root who held the innings together with yet another classy knock. 

Opener Ben Duckett, who had posted a record score of 165 in the previous game against Australia, was unable to reproduce the same kind of heroics but he stood in the middle long enough to revive England’s hope after losing early wickets. 

Skipper Jos Butler, under fire for not delivering the goods, was in the process of taking England close to the target in the company of Root. 

But his departure opened up the game again and Afghanistan sustained the pressure by bowling in good areas which didn’t allow the much needed acceleration in the final overs. It was anybody’s game when England needed 90 off the last 10 overs to stay afloat in the tournament. 

Runs kept coming but wickets also tumbled at regular intervals to keep the contest alive until the very end. Afghanistan did not choke under pressure to complete one of their most famous victories. 

Earlier in the day, Afghanistan elected to bat first after winning the toss. They found themselves reeling at 37 for three in 8.5 overs with fiery speedster Jofra Archer taking all wickets. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was bowled by Archer for 6 while Sediqullah Atal (4) was trapped leg before and Rahmat Shah (4) was caught by Adil Rashid. 

Opener Zadran, however, made this match the most memorable of his career with his highest-ever score in Champions Trophy. He made a wonderful 177 off 146 balls, having clubbed a dozen boundaries and hoisting half a dozen sixes against the powerful pace-cum-spin attack. His heroics eventually won the day for his team. 

Zardan, batting with enormous confidence, shared two century stands to change the complexion of the game. He added 103 for fourth wickets with Omarzai, who hit a breezy 41 off 31 balls with three sixes and a four. 

Later, he and veteran all-rounder Muhammad Nabi put on fiery 111 runs in rapid time and their sixth wicket partnership helped Afghanistan reach a very competitive score which could have been higher.

Afghanistan, after hammering more than 100 runs inside nine overs of the final powerplay, appeared poised to extend their total in the vicinity of 340 but, rather surprising, they were undone by part-time spinner Liam Livingstone in the last over of the innings which yielded only a couple of runs and they had to settle with a score 325 for seven in their quota of 50 overs. 

The unexpected debacle in the final over during which they lost two wickets, including that of the well-set Zardan, could have cost Afghanistan the game which they narrowly won in the end after probably the closest finish yet in the tournament.

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