Sports Bulletin

Lahore (Abdullah Asjad): Faheem Ashraf became the first-ever player to be auctioned for HBL PSL 11 and was plucked by Islamabad United for 8.5 crore after fierce round of bids starting from his base price of 4.2 crore. Mohammad Wasim Jnr (4.1 crores), Imad Wasim (2.2 crores), Haider Ali (1.5 crores) and Mehran Mumtaz (1.2 crores) also became part of the inaugural HBL PSL Champions. Pakistan U19 prodigy Sameer Minhas bagged 1.9 crores and will begin his HBL PSL career with Islamabad United. Mark Chapman was bought for seven crores by United, while they got Shamar Joseph for 1.1 crores. Dipendra Singh Airee will become first Nepal player to feature in HBL PSL as he was picked up for 60 lacs by United. Left-hand batter David Warner is set to rejoin Karachi Kings after being released. Kings made the winning bid for their former skipper at 7.9 crores. Azam Khan will also join Karachi Kings for the first time as he was sold for 3.25 crores.Kings also picked up Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha for 5.85 crores and brought in Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa for 4.5 crores, who is also set to make his HBL PSL debut. Fast bowler Naseem Shah became the first player to be bought by Rawalpindi as they made the highest bid of the Auction at 8.65 crore. Rawalpindi also made headlines by taking onboard the New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell for 8.05 crores, setting the tone for a highly anticipated campaign. Among other notable Rawalpindi picks were Mohammad Amir (5.4 crores) and left-arm spinner Asif Afridi (2.4 crores).Rilee Rossouw will play his 10th HBL PSL season and sixth for Quetta Gladiators as he was snapped for 5.55 crores. Rossouw is the leading run-scorer among the foreign players in the history of HBL PSL. Khawaja Mohammad Nafay was one of the most headlined picks by Quetta as he was bought for 6.5 crores, after his price ballooned from 1.1 crore base price. Test fast bowler Mohammad Ali became the first pick of Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen as they put out 2.15 crore for him. Kingsmen later also made some strong picks comprising player of the final in HBL PSL X Kusal Perera (3.1 crores) and Emerging player of HBL PSL 9 Mohammad Irfan Khan (2.9 crores). Haris Rauf will return to Lahore Qalandars as he pocketed a pay cheque of 7.6 crore from defending champions. They also bought back the second-leading run-scorer in HBL PSL history Fakhar Zaman for 7.95 crores. Two other notable picks for Qalandars were of leg-spinner Usama Mir (3.5 crores) and exciting fast bowler Ubaid Shah (2.7 crores). Sialkot Stallionz got Sahibzada Farhan for 5.70 crore. Ashton Turner (4.2 crore), Peter Siddle (2.5 crore), Tabraiz Shamsi (2.2 crores) and Josh Phillippe (2.3 crores) form a strong overseas core for the Stallionz. They also made sure to take up left-arm wrist-spinner Momin Qamar for 1.075 crores. Australia pacer Peter Siddle will also make his HBL PSL debut as he was snapped by Stallionz for 2.5 crores. Peshawar Zalmi bought a familiar local core of Aamir Jamal (1.90 crore), Khuram Shahzad (2.7 crore) and Mohammad Haris (2.2 crore) apart from buying Iftikhar Ahmed for 1.8 crores. Their foreign picks included Michael Bracewell (4.2 crores), Kusal Mendis (4.2 crores) and James Vince (3 crores). Final squads: (all values above and below are in PKR) Hyderabad Houston Kings Direct signing - Marnus Labuschagne (5.88 crore)Retained - Saim Ayub (12.6 crore), Akif Javed (1.96 crore), Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan (4.62 crore) Bought – Mohammad Ali (2.15 crore), Kusal Perera (3.1 crore), Muhammad Irfan Khan (2.9 crore), Hassan Khan (1.85 crores), Shayan Jahangir (60 lacs), Ottniel Baartman (1.1 crores), Hammad Azam (60 lacs), Riley Meredith (4.2 crores), Sharjeel Khan (60 lacs), Asif Mehmood (60 lacs), Hunain Shah (60 lacs), Rizwan Mehmood (60 lacs), Saad Ali (60 lacs), Tayyab Arif (60 lacs) Islamabad UnitedDirect signing – Devon Conway (6.3 crore)Retained – Shadab Khan (7 crore), Salman Irshad (1.2 crore), Andries Gous (1.4 crore) Bought - Faheem Ashraf (8.5 crore), Mehran Mumtaz (1.2 crore), Max Bryant (1.9 crore), Mark Chapman (7 crore), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (4.1 crores), Mir Hamza Sajjad (70 lacs), Sameen Gul (60 lacs), Sameer Minhas (1.9 crores), Shamar Joseph (1.1 crores), Imad Wasim (2.2 crores), Richard Gleeson (1.2 crores), Haider Ali (1.5 crores), Mohammad Hasnain (77.5 lacs), Dipendra Singh Airee (60 lacs) Karachi Kings Direct Signing – Moeen Ali (6.44 crore) Retained – Hasan Ali (4.76 crore), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (3.08 crore), Khushdil Shah (3.36 crore), Saad Baig (60 lac) Bought – David Warner (7.9 crore), Azam Khan (3.25 crore), Salman Ali Agha (5.85 crore), Shahid Aziz (92.5 lac), Mir Hamza (2.4 crore), Adam Zampa (4.5 crores), Hamza Sohail (60 lacs), Aqib Ilyas (60 lacs), Khuzaima Bin Tanveer (60 lacs), Johnson Charles (2 crores), Mohammad Waseem (1.1 crore), Ihsanullah (1.05 crores), Rizwanullah (60 lacs) Lahore Qalandars Direct Signing – Mustafizur Rahman (6.44 crore)Retained – Shaheen Shah Afridi (7 crore), Abdullah Shafique (2.2 crore), Sikandar Raza (2.8 crore), Mohammad Naeem (70 lac) Bought – Haris Rauf (7.6 crore), Usama Mir (3.5 crore), Fakhar Zaman (7.95 crore), Ubaid Shah (2.7 crore), Haseebullah (1.1 crore), Mohammad Farooq (60 lacs), Dasun Shanaka (75 lacs), Parvez Hussain Emon (60 lacs), Asif Ali (60 lacs), Hussain Talat (77.5 lacs), Tayyab Tahir (60 lacs), Gudakesh Motie (1.1 crores) Rawalpindi Direct Signing – None Retained – Mohammad Rizwan (5.6 crore), Sam Billings (3.08 crore), Zaman Khan (1.12 crore), Yasir Khan (60 lac) Bought – Naseem Shah (8.65 crore), Rishad Hossain (3 crore), Daryl Mitchell (8.05 crores), Mohammad Amir (5.4 crore), Abdullah Fazal (67.5 lac), Amad Butt (80 lacs), Dian Forrestor (60 lacs), Laurie Evans (1.1 crores), Asif Afridi (2.4 crore), Kamran Ghulam (65 lacs), Fawad Ali (60 lacs), Mohammad Amir Khan (60 lacs), Shahzaib Khan (60 lacs)Peshawar ZalmiDirect Signing – Aaron Hardie (6.3 crore)Retained – Babar Azam (7 crore), Sufyan Moqim (4.48 crore), Abdul Samad (2.8 crore), Ali Raza (1.96 crore)Bought – Aamir Jamal (1.90 crore), Khuram Shahzad (2.7 crore), Mohammad Haris (2.2 crore), Khalid Usman (60 lacs), Abdul Subhan (62.5 lacs), James Vince (3 crores), Michael Bracewell (4.2 crores), Kusal Mendis (4.2 crores), Iftikhar Ahmed (1.8 crores), Nahid Rana (60 lacs), Mirza Tahir Baig (60 lacs), Kashif Ali (60 lacs) Quetta Gladiators Direct Signing – Spencer Johnson (5.6 crore)Retained – Abrar Ahmed (7 crore), Usman Tariq (5.6 crore), Hasan Nawaz (3.92 crore), Shamyl Hussain (84 lac)Bought – Rilee Rossouw (5.55 crore), Faisal Akram (1.25 crores), Arafat Minhas (1.1 crore), Jahandad Khan (2.5 crore), Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (6.5 crore), Wasim Akram Jnr (77.5 lacs), Khan Zaib (60 lacs), Bismillah Khan (60 lacs), Saqib Khan (60 lacs), Brett Hampton (60 lacs), Sam Harper (60 lacs), Bevon Jacobs (60 lacs), Saud Shakeel (65 lacs), Ben McDermott (1.1 crores), Tom Curran (4.2 crores) Sialkot Stallionz Direct Signing – Steve Smith (14 crore)Retained – Mohammad Nawaz (6.16 crore), Mohammad Salman Mirza (3.92 crore), Ahmed Daniyal (2.24 crore), Saad Masood (84 lac) Bought – Jahanzaib Sultan (60 lac), Sahibzada Farhan (5.70 crores), Ashton Turner (4.2 crore), Peter Siddle (2.5 crore), Tabraiz Shamsi (2.2 crores), Lachlan Shaw (60 lacs), Delano Potgieter (60 lacs), Josh Phillippe (2.3 crores), Shan Masood (65 lacs), Momin Qamar (1.075 crore), Mohammad Awais Zafar (60 lacs) 

 Lahore (Sports Report): Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)’s pacers Aqib Khan (5-56) and Naqeebullah (5-59) pulled off a remarkable comeback to help their side to win the President’s Trophy grade-I final against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited’s (SNGPL) on the fourth day at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday morning.This was WAPDA’s maiden President’s Trophy Grade-I title.Resuming their innings from the overnight score of 181 for four and requiring 64 runs for victory, SNGPL looked to be in command of the chase with batter Omair Bin Yousuf unbeaten on 60 and Mubasir Khan on 21 off 14 including four boundaries.Aqib Khan bagged his fifth first-class fifer with figures of 14-2-56-5 while Naqeebullah picked up his third first-class fifer with figures of 20.1-5-59-5 as they two bamboozled SNGPL’s middle and lower order to reduce them to 209 all out in 49.1 overs, handing WAPDA a 35-run win.For aiding a remarkable comeback for his side, WAPDA’s Naqeebullah was awarded the player of the final.Scores in brief – Final – Day 4 of 5Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) beat Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) by 35 runs at Gaddafi Stadium, LahoreTarget for SNGPL: 245WAPDA 265 all out, 82.1 overs (Ayaz Tasawar 57, Bismillah Khan 56, Imran Dogar 38, Mohammad Ammar 31; Aamir Jamal 4-67, Shehzad Gul 3-69, Shahnawaz Dahani 2-33) and 96 all out, 33.5 overs (Khalid Usman 18, Bismillah Khan 15, Mohammad Akhlaq 15; Shahnawaz Dahani 4-23, Mohammad Ali 4-26, Aamir Jamal 2-26)SNGPL 117 all out, 45.1 overs (Azan Awais 48; Naqeebullah 4-20, Mohammad Zeeshan 3-47, Aqib Khan 2-29) and 209 all out, 49.1 overs (Omair Bin Yousuf 63, Abdul Samad 39, Mohammad Rizwan 23, Mubasir Khan 22; Aqib Khan 5-56, Naqeebullah 5-59)Player of the final: Naqeebullah (WAPDA)Best Wicket-keeper: Bismillah Khan (349 runs, 29 dismissals) (WAPDA)Best Bowler: Mohammad Hamza (47 wickets) (KRL)Best Batter: Abdullah Fazal (622 runs) (SBP)Player of the tournament: Ghazi Ghori (531 runs, 21 dismissals) (SBP) 

Lahore (Sports Report): The first-ever HBL PSL Player Auction is set to take place at the Expo Centre in Lahore with all eight franchises vying to fill their team rosters with exciting local and foreign players.In the registration window, more than 800 players registered their interest for the historic HBL PSL Player Auction. The following players have been shortlisted for the bidding rounds in the Auction after receiving feedback and interest of the all eight franchises.The remaining registered players will be presented for Auction only if any of the franchises show their interest on the spot.The list of the players to be presented in the Player Auction is given below:Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Asif Afridi, Hussain Talat, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Zeeshan, Mohammad Junaid, Shakib Al Hasan, Daniel Sams, Usama Mir, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Jahandad Khan, Ali Imran, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tom Curran, Michael Bracewell, David Willey, Jimmy Neesham, Shahid Aziz, Curtis Campher, David Warner, Muhammad Riazullah, Rilee Rossouw, Colin Munro, Saud Shakeel, Kyle Mayers, Kamran Ghulam, Omair Bin Yousuf, Jahanzaib Sultan, George Munsey, Fakhar Zaman, Daryl Mitchell, Rassie van der Dussen, Tayyab Tahir, Humayun Altaf, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Zulkifal, Muhammad Amir Barki, Max Bryant, Mark Chapman, James Vince, Shan Masood, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Abdullah Fazal, Muhammad Shahzad, Ashton Turner, Avishka Fernando, Haris Rauf, Chris Jordan, Naseem Shah, Dilshan Madushanka, Ihsanullah, Mohaammad Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Rumman Raees, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Amir, Tymal Mills, Nahid Rana, Khurram Shahzad, Fawad Ali, Ubaid Shah, Riley Meredith, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani, Josh Little, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Azab, Rishad Hossain, Gudakesh Motie, Faisal Akram, Zahid Mehmood, Peter Hatzoglu, Ali Majid, Mirza Mamoon Imtiaz, Mehran Mumtaz, Momin Qamar, Arif Yaqoob, Sahibzada Farhan, Azam Khan, Johnson Charles, Ben McDermott, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dinesh Chandimal, Muhammad Akhlaq, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Litton Kumer Das, Haseebullah, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Dasun Shanaka, Liam Dawson, Will Sutherland, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Reeza Hendricks, Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Adam Zampa, Moises Henriques, Charith Asalanka, Dian Forrester, Evan Jones, Odean Smith, Jake Weatherald, Will Smeed, Usman Khawaja, Dawid Malan, Jason Roy, Peter Siddle, Reece Topley, Richard Gleeson, Saqib Mahmood, Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde, Asitha Fernando, Gideon Peters, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tanveer Sangha, Imran Tahir, Mitchell Hay, Josh Philippe, Tom Latham, Rubin HermannAccelerated roundAamer Yamin, Abu Zar, Abubakar, Adil Naz, Afaq Afridi, Afnan Khan, Ali Imran, Ali Usman, Amad Butt, Andre Fletcher, Aqib Ilyas, Arshad Iqbal, Asif Mehmood, Bas De Leede, Benny Howell, Bevon Jacobs, Billy Stanlake, Binura Fernando, Bismillah Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon McMullen, Brett Hampton, Chad Bowes, Chris Green, D’Arcy Short, Delano Potgieter, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dwaien Pretorius, Fabian Allen, Geroeg Garton, Hammad Azam, Hamza Nazar, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Harry Tector, Hasan Mahmud, Hassan Khan, Hilton Cartwright, Imran Butt, Imran Shah, Jack Wildermuth, Jason Smith, Jeffret Vandersey, Joel Davies, Jordan Hermann, Junaid Siddique, Kaleem Sana, Keemo Paul, Khalid Usman, Khawaja Arham, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lachlan Shaw, Laurie Evans, Liam Scott, Lizaad Williams, Lloyd Pope, Locan Tucker, Mark Adair, Mark Steketee, Max Chu, Mirza Tahir Baig, Mohammad Adil, Mohammad Akram, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Mohsin, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Mohsin Riaz, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Musa Khan, Nathan Sowter, Niaz Khan, Nisar Ahmed, Noman Ali, Obed McCoy, Ottneil Baartman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Paul Stirling, Paul Van Meekeren, Qasim Akram, Quentin Sampson, Rehan Afridi, Richard Ngarava, Rizwan Mehmood, Rizwanullah, Rohail Nazir, Saad Ali, Saad Khan, Sajid Khan, Sameen Gul, Samuel Harper, Saqib Khan, Shah Raza Naqvi, Shamar Joseph, Shamarh Brooks, Shamim Hossain, Sharjeel Khan, Sharoon Siraj, Shayan Jahangir, Shehzad Gul, Sheldon Cottrell, Shoriful Islam, Sirajuddin, Taimur Khan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Tawhid Hridoy, Tom Moores, Tony De Zorzi, Umar Siddiq, Viajayakanth Viyaskantha, Wasim Akram, Will Young, Zafar Gohar, Zain Abbas, Jalat Khan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Abdul Subhan, Ahmad Hassan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Shabbir, Azan Awais, Fahad Amin, Faham-ul-Haq, Farhan Yousuf, Haroon Arshad, Huzaifa Ahsan, Israr Hussain, Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Ismail, Mohammad Salman, Mohaammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Sameer Minhas, Shahzaib Khan, Umar Zaib, Naqeebullah, Khan Zeb, Rewayat Khan, Ali Razzaq, Saqlain Nawaz, Saeed Ali, Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Ammar, Sameer Saqib, Yahya Bin Abdul Rehman, Obaid Shahid, Abbas Ali, Abdul Faseeh, Raja Hamza Waheed, Mohammad Ilyas Khan, Wasim Akram Jnr, Maaz Khan and Syed Tayyab Abbas.

Potchefstroom (Sports Report): :Debutant Kayla Reyneke’s all-round performance and Laura Wolvaardt’s 61 sealed South Africa women’s victory over Pakistan in a 181-run chase on the final delivery of the game, trumping Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana’s effort of 90 in first T20I here at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Tuesday night.In pursuit of the target, South Africa got off to swift start as they raced to 54-1 after six overs, powered by Tazmin Brits (16, 14b, 2x4s) and Sune Luus (32, 20b, 5x4s). Skipper Wolvaardt top-scored with a 38-ball 61 hitting eight fours and one six, setting up the chase. Reyneke remained unbeaten on 29 off 16 balls after walking in at 147-5, hitting a six off the final delivery of the match to take her side home.South Africa needed 79 off the remaining 60 balls at the halfway mark. Nashra Sundhu removed Wolvaardt in the 15th over, while two wickets including one run-out came in Ayesha Zafar’s subsequent over. The equation came down from 34 off last four overs to 10 needed off the final over. Debutant Humna Bilal, who had earlier drawn the first blood for Pakistan removing Tazmin Brits, gave away six runs off the first three balls before South Africa needed two off the last ball.At the start after opting to bat first, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and slipped to 25-3 in 3.4 overs and then 64-6 in 9.4 overs.Captain Fatima, batting at no.8, then held the innings together with a vital 74-run stand alongside Umm-e-Hani (13). The partnership ended in the 17th over when Umm-e-Hani fell, with Pakistan at 138-7. Fatima went on to register a career-best T20I 90 off 41 balls, smashing nine fours and seven sixes, getting to her maiden T20I half-century. This was also the second-highest individual score for Pakistan Women’s in T20Is besides Muneeba Ali’s 102 against Ireland in South Africa in 2023. Pakistan’s skipper brought up her half-century off 27 balls, registering the second-fastest fifty for her country. From 103-6 at the end of 15 overs, Pakistan surged to 180-9, plundering 77 runs in the last five overs, powered largely by Fatima’s late onslaught. 40 of those came in the 16th and 17th overs combined. For South Africa, Ayanda Hlubi bagged 3-41 in her four overs while Kayla Reyneke (2-13) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (2-40) shared four wickets among them.Scores in brief:Pakistan 180-9, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 90, Natalia Parvaiz 20; Ayanda Hlubi 3-41, Kayla Reyneke 2-13, Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-40)South Africa 185-5, 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 61, Sune Luus 32, Kayla Reyneke 29 not out; Nashra Sundhu 1-14, Humna Bilal 1-18

Dubai (Sports News): All-rounder Esha Oza will lead the UAE Women’s National Team in the eight-team DP World Asia Cup Rising Stars Women’s 2026 tournament which will be played in Bangkok, Thailand. UAE Women’s squad: Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Archara Supriya, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Janani Thirukkumaran, Keziah Sabin, Rinitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) and Vaishnave Mahesh. Support Staff: Andrew Russell (team manager), Ahmed Raza (head coach) and Merin Saji (physiotherapist). UAE match schedule:Friday, 13 February – India A vs UAE – 2:00pm local timeSunday, 15 February – UAE vs Nepal – 9:30am local timeTuesday, 17 February – Pakistan A vs UAE – 2:00pm local time Friday, 20 February – Semi-Finals Sunday, 22 February – Final                             

Lahore (Sports News): Table-toppers Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) will lock horns in the final of the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2025-26, scheduled from 8-12 February at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. SNGPL sealed their spot at the top with five wins and 137 points, while WAPDA secured the second final berth with four wins and 120 points after the seven-round league phase.SNGPL enter the title clash on the back of a hard-fought 23-run win over OGDCL in the final round, with Sajid Khan playing a key role in the victory. Meanwhile, WAPDA qualified despite a defeat in their last league game against State Bank of Pakistan in a match where Nabi Gul’s 72 stood out in the chase.The two finalists have already faced each other once this season, when WAPDA beat SNGPL by eight wickets at the SBP Stadium in Karachi, with captain Khalid Usman earning the player of the match award.SNGPL’s Shehzad Gul is the second highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 38 wickets. With the bat, Azan Awais (394 runs) and Shan Masood (356 runs) have been key contributors for SNGPL. Mohammad Ammar (458 runs) has been WAPDA’s leading run-getter, while Sharoon Siraj (368) and skipper Khalid Usman (359) have provided crucial support. With the ball, Naqeebullah has spearheaded the attack with 32 wickets.Mohammad Rizwan, SNGPL’s stand-in captain: “It’s unfortunate for us to miss skipper Shan Masood due to injury, but this is also an opportunity for the rest of the squad to step up. The belief in the dressing room is very strong.“We’ve been the most consistent team in the league phase, and we want to carry that same intent into the final; bowl in partnerships, field hard, and bat with clarity.“WAPDA are a balanced unit, so we know we’ll have to work for every run and every wicket. If we keep things simple and win sessions, the result will follow.”Khalid Usman, WAPDA’s captain“We’ve played consistent cricket across the season and the boys have earned this final. In a first-class game, discipline is everything; we want to win the key sessions and stay patient.”“SNGPL are a strong side and they’ve topped the table for a reason. For us, it’s about starting well then backing up a good start when we get in.”“Finals are about handling pressure. We’ve got experience in the group, and the message is simple; to play good cricket and leave it all on the field”SNGPL Squad:Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdul Samad, Abid Ali, Ali Zaryab, Awais Zafar, Azan Awais, Bilawal Bhatti, Mohammad Ali, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Salman, Omair Bin Yousaf, Saif Ullah Bangash, Sajid Khan, Shahnawaz Ali Dahani and Shahzad GulWAPDA Squad: Khalid Usman (captain), Akif Javed, Aqib Khan, Ayaz Tasawar, Bismillah Khan, Imran Dogar, Malhar Rasool, Mohammad Adil, Mohammad Akhlaq, Mohammad Ammar, Mohammad Asghar, Mohammad Naveed, Mohammad Zeeshan, Mujtaba Khan, Naqeebullah, Nabi Gul, Rafay Rana, Rehan Afridi, Sharoon Siraj and Usman Iqbal.

Colombo (Sports News): Faheem Ashraf’s cameo of 11-ball 29 ensured Pakistan survived a late scare to achieve the 148-run target with three balls to spare against Netherlands in the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Saturday afternoon.With 29 required from the final two overs, Faheem clobbered three sixes and one four off the penultimate over which fetched 24 runs, before hitting one over covers in the final over to seal the win with three wickets in handEarlier, Pakistan opening batters provided their side with a brisk start as Saim Ayub departed after a quick-fire 24 off 13 balls aided by four fours and a six. Top-scorer Sahibzada Farhan fell three runs short of his ninth T20I fifty, scoring 47 off 31, hitting four fours and two sixes.Pakistan were 61-2 after the powerplay and cruising at 98-2 after 11 overs. However, the Green Shirts lost five wickets for the next 16 runs, slipping to 114-7 after 16.1 overs.For Netherlands, Aryan Dutt and Paul van Meekeren bagged two wickets each.After being put in to bat, Netherlands were dismissed for 147 in 19.5 overs, with captain Scott Edwards top-scoring with a 29-ball 37 that included four boundaries.The Dutch got off to a decent start as they scored 31 in 4.1 overs, led by opener Michael Levitt’s quick-fire 24 off 15 balls (three fours,one six), while Bas de Leede contributed 30 off 25 with four fours.Mohammad Salman Mirza (3.5-0-24-3) provided Pakistan with the breakthrough, after which the spinners kept the scoring in check through the middle overs. With Netherlands on 127-4 in 15.5 overs, Abrar Ahmed (4-0-23-2) sparked a late collapse by removing Edwards.From there, Netherlands slumped to 147 all out, losing their last six wickets for 20 runs with Saim taking two wickets in his only over, while Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed one and Salman Mirza added two more to wrap up the innings.Scores in brief:Pakistan beat Netherlands by three wickets at Sinhalese Sports Club, ColomboNetherlands 147 all out, 19.5 overs (Scott Edwards 37, Bas de Leede 30, Michael Levitt 24, Colin Ackermann 20; Mohammad Salman Mirza 3-24, Saim Ayub 2-7, Abrar Ahmed 2-23, Mohammad Nawaz 2-38)Pakistan 148-7, 19.3 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 47, Faheem Ashraf 29 not out, Saim Ayub 24; Paul van Meekeren 2-20, Aryan Dutt 2-33)Player of the match – Faheem Ashraf (Pakistan)

Islamabad (Faisal): Lahore Qalandars, one of the most successful franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), is proud to announce the signing of Mustafizur Rahman as a direct signing for PSL 11.The Bangladeshi star, originally picked by the Qalandars in 2016 and 2018, is now set to don the Qalandars' colors once more. The signing was agreed at PKR 6.44 crore.Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar. Mustafizur is not just a player; he’s a brother, a key part of our family who never left,” said Sameen Rana, Owner, Lahore Qalandars. “We are thrilled to welcome him back to our dressing room. His talent, experience, and dedication will be invaluable as we aim to defend our title and make a statement in PSL 11.”Earlier, Qalandars had retained captain Shaheen Afridi, key batter Abdullah Shafique, dynamic all-rounder Sikandar Raza, and skilled youngster Mohammad Naeem. This strategic move strengthens the team’s core ahead of the big auction and sets the stage for a strong campaign.With this signings, Lahore Qalandars aim to continue their legacy of excellence in PSL 11, determined to defend their title and give fans another season of high-quality cricket and unforgettable moments.

Islamabad (Sports News): A magnificent hundred from Aaron George saw India pull off a record chase and beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 semi-finals.Faisal Khan and Uzairullah Niazai had each reached three figures for Afghanistan as they made 310 for four from their 50 overs.That left India needing to pull off the biggest chase in the history of the competition to progress, and they did just that.George was the star of the show, scoring a sensational 115, having earlier played second fiddle to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and then Ayush Mhatre.Although he could not quite see India home, the job was effectively done as they sealed a date with England in Friday’s final with 8.5 overs to spare.George piles up the runs in brilliant batting displayAfter winning the toss, Afghanistan elected to bat, with Khalid Ahmadzai (31) and Osman Sadat (39) starting strongly as they put on 53 for the first wicket.Osman kicked on after being joined by Faisal Khan, with the pair adding a further 64.Faisal, who already has two fifties and a hundred to his name in the tournament, was in exquisite form, and he and Uzairullah Niazai timed their innings to perfection.Faisal hit 15 boundaries in his 110 and he and Uzairullah combined to take Afghanistan to 265 for three with their 148-run stand.Even before Deepesh Devendran removed Faisal, Uzairullah had started to up the ante, going after the Indian bowling.And he ramped it up and matched his batting partner in making it to three figures, only the second time in the tournament’s history that two batters had hit centuries in the same innings of a knockout clash.With Uzairullah finishing unbeaten on 101, Afghanistan completed their innings on 310 for four, leaving India with history to make to progress to the final.India’s chase needed a fast start and in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, they had just the man to send them on their way.The 14-year-old showed intent from the off and hammered four sixes in his 33 balls at the crease on his way to a blistering 68.He was given one life, when put down on 22, while opening partner Aaron George was on 20 when Wahid Zadran spilled a chance he had offered up.Sooryavanshi brought up his half-century in 25 deliveries and had brought the required rate down to a manageable level when he top-edged one to midwicket off Nooristani Omarzai.By that point, India had 90 on the board inside 10 overs, and the arrival of Ayush Mhatre did nothing to slow the chase.The skipper got off the mark with a six and took full advantage of good batting conditions as he and George put on 114 for the second wicket.Mhatre (62) fell to Nooristani (2/64) with 107 still required but Vihaan Malhotra quickly settled in alongside George.He got one life when he appeared to have been caught and bowled by Abdul Aziz, only to earn a reprieve thanks to a no-ball.George finally departed for 115 off 104 deliveries with 300 on the board, but Malhotra quickly wrapped things up on his way to 38 not out.Scores in brief: Afghanistan 310/4 in 50 overs (Faisal Khan 110, Uzairullah Niazai 101 not out; Kanishk Chouhan 2/55, Deepesh Devendran 2/64)India 311/3 in 41.1 overs (Aaron George 115, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 68, Ayush Mhatre 62; Nooristani Omarzai 2/64, Wahid Zadran 1/67)Result: India win by seven wickets

Lahore (Sports News): Six franchises including defending champions Lahore Qalandars have unveiled their retentions for the HBL PSL season 11, while Multan Sultans have not retained any players from their previous squad, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday.All franchises except Islamabad United have retained four players each. United have kept hold of three players. The two new franchises Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad are set to announce their retentions by Saturday, 7 February.The only captain to win HBL PSL three times, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been retained in Platinum category, while Abdullah Shafique has been retained in Diamond category by Lahore Qalandars.Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza will also stay with Qalandars in Gold category. Emerging player of the HBL PSL X Mohammad Naeem has been retained by the reigning champions in Silver category.Quetta Gladiators have retained mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed in Platinum category, Usman Tariq in Diamond, HBL PSL X player of the tournament Hasan Nawaz in Gold and left-handed batter Shamyl Hussain in emerging category.Babar Azam, the leading run-getter of the HBL PSL history and one of the only two players to feature in 100 HBL PSL games, has been retained by 2017 champions Peshawar Zalmi. They have also kept left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim in Diamond, Abdul Samad in Gold and pacer Ali Raza in Emerging category.Shadab Khan’s nine-year long journey with Islamabad United will reach the decade-mark as he has been retained by the three-time HBL PSL champions in Platinum category.Fast bowler Salman Irshad in Gold and USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous in Silver categories are the other two retentions by Islamabad United.Hasan Ali – the leading wicket-taker in HBL PSL history – will continue to star for Karachi Kings as he has been retained in Platinum category. Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah and Saad Baig have been retained in Diamond, Gold and Emerging, respectively by the 2020 champions.Full retentions:Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold) and Mohammad Naeem (Silver)Quetta Gladiators: Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hasan Nawaz (Gold) and Shamyl Hussain (Emerging)Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (Platinum), Salman Irshad (Gold) and Andries Gous (Silver)Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (platinum), Sufyan Moqim (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold) and Ali Raza (Emerging)Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali (platinum), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold) and Saad Baig (Emerging)Multan Sultans: Zero retentions