Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh recently made a pointed remark after India secured a spot in the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The bowling allrounder reminded Pakistan that they would not be hosting the title match, as India had already confirmed their place in the summit clash. The final of the tournament, set for March 9, will take place in Dubai, marking India’s participation in all its matches at neutral venues. This arrangement was made prior to the tournament, as it was decided that if India advanced beyond the group stage, their semi-final and final would be moved…
Author: Sports Desk
New Zealand on Wednesday set a new record for the highest team total in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy, surpassing Australia’s previous mark. The Blackcaps posted an impressive 362/6 in their allotted overs during the second semi-final against South Africa, with significant contributions from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson. Ravindra led the charge, scoring a solid 108 off 101 balls, while Williamson added a well-crafted 102 from 94 deliveries. The partnership between the two set the tone, and with vital contributions from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, New Zealand finished with a remarkable total. Interestingly, the previous two…
The Scottish government and Police Scotland are reportedly open to considering pilot projects that would permit the sale of alcohol at football matches. A briefing for First Minister John Swinney before the Scotland v Croatia match in November suggested limited pilot projects to assess alcohol sales’ impact on matchdays. According to the briefing, while Police Scotland expressed willingness to engage in discussions on the matter, the Scottish government had not yet planned any legislative review. The sale of alcohol at Scottish football matches has been prohibited since 1981 following incidents of rioting during the previous year’s Scottish Cup final. Documents…
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, set for Sunday, March 9, at Dubai International Stadium, has seen overwhelming demand, with all 25,000 tickets selling out rapidly. Ticket prices ranged from AED 250 for general admission to AED 12,000 for exclusive Sky Box hospitality, generating an estimated AED 9 million (PKR 685 million) in revenue. Dubai Cricket stadium management highlighted the swift sellout as a reflection of global cricket fans’ excitement for the high-stakes final. With a seating capacity of 25,000, the iconic stadium will host spectators from around the world, creating an electrifying atmosphere. Gates open at 10:00 AM, with…
Pakistani players have seen a decline in the latest ICC ODI rankings following their underwhelming performances in the recent tri-nation ODI series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Fakhar Zaman, who returned to the ODI format during the tri-nation series, played only one match in the ongoing tournament against New Zealand before being ruled out due to injury. His performance in the series was disappointing, leading to a drop in the rankings. He now sits at 19th, down from 17th, with 621 points. Mohammad Rizwan dropped to 21st with 616 points, while Imam-ul-Haq retained 32nd, and the injured Saim Ayub…
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that Aiden Markram is fit for selection ahead of the crucial semi-final match against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Markram, who had experienced discomfort in his hamstring during the final group-stage match against England on Saturday, had walked off the field as a precaution. He was serving as stand-in captain in the absence of regular skipper Temba Bavuma. During his absence, wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen assumed leadership duties. The injury update was confirmed by commentators, and CSA responded promptly by calling up spin-bowling all-rounder George Linde as a precautionary cover. However, CSA…
Interim head coach Aqib Javed has attributed the team’s underwhelming performance in the Champions Trophy 2025 to the fast bowlers’ inability to meet expectations. Speaking to the media, Aqib reflected on Pakistan’s struggles, particularly against India, stressing that the lack of bowling pressure had been a decisive factor in their defeats. He pointed out that conditions in Karachi and Dubai were usually conducive to reverse swing and that he had advised Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi to refine their skill sets in this area. The former pacer admitted that Pakistan traditionally won against India by taking wickets but felt the…
Following exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Australian Stand-in captain Steve Smith has announced his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs). The decision marks the end of an illustrious 50-over career for the experienced batter who represented Australia in 170 ODI matches scoring 5800 runs at an average of 43.28. In a statement released by Cricket Australia on Wednesday, Smith reflected on his time in ODI cricket, describing it as a memorable journey. The right-handed middle -order batter expressed gratitude for the experiences he had, emphasizing that he had enjoyed every moment on the field . Smith highlighted winning…
Indian batting great Virat Kohli delivered yet another masterclass, guiding his team to victory against Australia in the first semi-final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The right-handed batter played a match-winning knock of 84 runs off 95 balls, anchoring the chase with a composed innings featuring five boundaries. Kohli walked in with India struggling at 30 for one after Shubman Gill’s dismissal. Soon after, he saw skipper Rohit Sharma depart, leaving the team at 34 for two. However, he steadied the innings, forging a crucial 91-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer to keep India’s hopes alive in the marquee event.…
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that spectators attending the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium will receive free iftar. According to the PCB, fans with valid match tickets will be provided with an iftar box containing dates, juice, and a mini pizza. The initiative has been introduced to enhance the match-day experience for those observing fasting during Ramadan. Additionally, a variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase at the stadium’s food stalls. The semi-final is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM, with iftar expected at 6:05 PM. The…
