LAHORE, Oct 9(ABC): Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has made rapid progress from a knee injury and will be “battle-ready” for their Twenty20 World Cup opener against arch-rivals India this month, the country’s cricket board chief, Ramiz Raja, said. Afridi has been sidelined since sustaining a ligament injury to his right knee during a test match in Sri Lanka …

MELBOURNE, Oct 9(ABC): England captain Jos Buttler has declared himself fit for Sunday’s opening Twenty20 International against Australia but Liam Livingstone’s ankle injury makes the all-rounder doubtful for their World Cup opener later this month. Buttler, recovering from a nagging calf injury, watched from the sidelines as England beat Pakistan 4-3 before flying into Australia, where they play three 20-overs …

Oct 9(ABC): Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has emerged as the world’s highest-paid soccer player, according to Forbes magazine, the first time a player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the list in eight years. Mbappe, 23, is estimated to earn $128 million for the 2022-23 season before agents’ fees, a record for Forbes’ annual rankings, with PSG teammate …

KARACHI, Oct 9(ABC):Glorifying his role in the development of the national cricket team, Ramiz Raja Saturday said his achievements as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman were unmatchable. “None can do, what I have done. I do not care about political pressure,” Raja said during the Geo News’ programme “Naya Pakistan.” “To me, the team’s loss is my loss,” Raja said. He said …

SYLHET, Oct 7(ABC): In a major upset, Pakistan on Friday defeated India by 13 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup — the third time in their history of T20 cricket that they have managed to beat the arch-rivals. Batter Nida Dar set up the victory for her team after scoring a fifty and picked two wickets at crucial junctures. The …

Oct 7(ABC): Pakistan won the first match of the T20I tri-nation series by 20 runs after posting 167-5, thanks to wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan who continued his rich form and scored another half-century Friday. Rizwan batted through the innings in cold, difficult conditions at Hagley Oval, tallying seven fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 78. His 50-ball knock dominated the …

LAHORE, Oct 7(ABC): In a landmark development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Thursday presented the country’s first-ever franchise cricket league for women cricketers. During the opening ceremony of the first-of-its-kind Pakistan Junior League (PJL) season one, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja shared the first look at “The Women’s League”. The Women’s League will take place from March 3 to 18, 2023, …

Oct 7(ABC): In an upset, Thailand women’s team beat Bismah Maroof-led Pakistani side by four wickets to hand Pakistan their first loss in the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS). Chasing a modest 117-run target, Pakistan bowlers kept Thailand batters in check but Thailand chased down the target on the penultimate ball of the …

Oct 7(ABC): The trophy for the triangular series featuring Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand has been unveiled two days ahead of the first match, scheduled to be played on September 7. The series will kick off with the match between Bangladesh and Men in Green, who reached New Zealand yesterday (September 4). Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday released pictures …

DUBAI, Oct 7(ABC):  The International Cricket Council (ICC) has nominated Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan for the Men’s Player of the Month (September). Rizwan, who finished as the top run-scorer in the home T20I series against England, joined Australia’s Cameron Green and India’s Axar Patel in the list of nominations. Rizwan scored 316 runs in six matches at an average …