Courtesy: Geo News/PCB

Disciplinary committee fines pacer Rs20 million, Naseem terminates social media adviser

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the outcomes of disciplinary committee proceedings pertaining to breaches of various clauses of Naseem Shah’s central contract and the board’s social media guidelines.

The PCB had issued a show-cause notice dated 27th March 2026 outlining the violations and sought a response from Naseem.

A personal hearing was then held by a three-member disciplinary committee on 30th March 2025 after Naseem’s reply had been received and reviewed.

Pursuant to the hearing and evaluation of Naseem’s submissions, the Committee has determined as follows:

Whilst noting the unconditional apology tendered, Naseem is found to have breached various clauses of his central contract and a fine of Rs20 million has been imposed.

It was noted that Naseem’s social media adviser has already been terminated by him and shall be blacklisted by the PCB from associating with any player falling under the PCB’s jurisdiction.

The PCB remains committed to upholding professional standards, contractual obligations and the integrity of the game.

The controversy stemmed from the opening ceremony of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Thursday, which Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz graced as the guest of honour.

During the event, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the chief minister and introduced her to the franchise owners participating in the tournament.

She extended her best wishes to all competing teams. The chief minister was also introduced to the players from both sides ahead of the curtain-raiser.

Shortly afterwards, a post appearing from Naseem’s X account drew significant attention. The post was a quote retweet of a PCB media post showing Chairman Naqvi greeting the CM.

His comment quickly sparked widespread engagement across social media, generating lively debate and diverse opinions among fans and the cricketing community.

Addressing the controversy, the right-arm pacer had moved to reassure followers that the post was not intentional, explaining that his account had been hacked.

“This account of Naseem was recently hacked but now recovered successfully,” he wrote, clarifying that the issue was the result of a security breach rather than a personal statement from the player.

1- Header image: Pakistani fast bowler Naseem Shah gestures during a match. — PCB/File

Courtesy: Geo News/Reuters/AFP

Mitchell Starc now has 84 wickets in day-night Tests — the most by any bowler globally

BRISBANE: Australia’s Mitchell Starc on Thursday broke Pakistan legend Wasim Akram’s long-standing record to become the most prolific left-arm quick in Test history during the ongoing Ashes Test against England at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.

Starc, who claimed the crucial wickets of Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in the day-night clash, has now become the highest-wicket taker among left-arm pacers in Test cricket.

Akram previously held the record with 414 wickets in 104 Tests, while Starc surpassed him with 415 wickets in just 102 matches.

Starc produced a sensational opening spell, dismissing Duckett and Pope for ducks, putting England under early pressure and setting the tone for the day.

His remarkable performance helped him achieve more milestones in the format.

England won the toss and elected to bat, while the hosts fielded an all-pace attack, resting veteran spinner Nathan Lyon for only the second time at home since 2012, with Pat Cummins unavailable.

Starc struck on the final ball of his first over, sending Ben Duckett back for a golden duck with a full outswinger that edged to Marnus Labuschagne at slip.

In his next over, he dismissed Ollie Pope, who chopped the delivery onto his stumps for another duck.

With Duckett’s wicket, Starc now has 84 wickets in day-night Tests — the most by any bowler globally — 41 ahead of teammate Pat Cummins, who is second with 43 wickets.

The left-arm pacer also became the first bowler in history to take more than 20 wickets against a single team (England) in pink-ball Tests.

When this news was filed, England were 181-4 in 41 overs. Opening batter Zak Crawley led the innings with 76 runs off 93 balls, including 11 fours.

After Duckett and Pope were dismissed early, Joe Root and Harry Brook steadied the innings with a crucial partnership, with Root unbeaten on 61 off 99 deliveries and Brook contributing 24 runs.

Brook was later dismissed for 31 off 33 balls, with captain Ben Stokes and Joe Root currently at the crease.

1- Header image: This collage of pictures shows Australia’s Mitchell Starc (left) and former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram. — Reuters/AFP

Courtesy: Geo News/AFP

Salman Agha retained as T20I captain; Shaheen Afridi to lead national team in ODIs for first time

• Usman Tariq earns his maiden call-up in T20I squad.
• Naseem, Abdul Samad make return to shortest format.
• Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah recalled in ODIs.

LAHORE: Former captain Babar Azam has made a comeback to Pakistan’s T20I squad as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced squads for the upcoming white-ball home series with South Africa, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Babar last represented the national side in T20Is against South Africa in Centurion in December 2024 and had been sidelined for the series against Bangladesh, West Indies, and the Asia Cup 2025.

A 15-member squad has been named for the T20I series against South Africa and the subsequent tri-nation event, while a 16-member lineup has been selected for the ODIs against South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha has been retained as the T20I captain, and  Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the national team in ODIs for the first time. In the T20I squad, Abdul Samad and Naseem Shah also made their return, while Usman Tariq earned his maiden call-up.

For the ODIs, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, and Haseebullah have been recalled to the national setup.

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa will be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 28 October to 1 November, followed by a three-match ODI series in Faisalabad from 4 to 8 November.

Pakistan will then host Sri Lanka for another ODI series in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15, before turning their attention to the T20I tri-series (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe) from November 17 to 29 .

Pakistan T20I squad (15-member):

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicket-keeper), Usman Tariq.

Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim.

Pakistan ODI squad (16-member):

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.

Schedule

South Africa T20I

Oct 28 – Pakistan v South Africa, 1st T20I, Rawalpindi

Oct 31 – Pakistan v South Africa, 2nd T20I, Lahore

Nov 1 – Pakistan v South Africa, 3rd T20I, Lahore

South Africa ODIs

Nov 4 – Pakistan v South Africa, 1st ODI, Faisalabad

Nov 6 – Pakistan v South Africa, 2nd ODI, Faisalabad

Nov 8 – Pakistan v South Africa, 3rd ODI, Faisalabad

Sri Lanka ODIs

Nov 11 – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

Nov 13 – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi

Nov 15 – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi

T20I Tri-Series (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe)

Nov 17 – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi

Nov 19 – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi

Nov 22 – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore

Nov 23 – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Lahore

Nov 25 – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Lahore

Nov 27 – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore

Nov 29 – Final, Lahore

1- Header image: Pakistan’s Babar Azam plays a shot during the ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2022 cricket final match between England and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 13, 2022 in Melbourne. — AFP

Courtesy: Dawn News/Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first footballer to reach billionaire status, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which has valued the Portugal great’s net worth at an estimated $1.4 billion.

The 40-year-old striker’s financial ascent comes after he signed a new contract with Saudi side Al-Nassr in June reportedly worth more than $400 million.

Bloomberg said that Ronaldo earned more than $550m in salary between 2002 and 2023, supplemented by a decade-long Nike deal worth nearly $18m annually, and lucrative endorsements with Armani, Castrol and others that added more than $175m to his fortune.

Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr from Manchester United in 2023 had already made him the highest-paid player in football history, with an annual salary of 177m pounds ($237.52m), plus bonuses and a reported 15 per cent share in his Saudi Arabia club.

Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has earned more than $600m in pre-tax salary during his career.

Ronaldo’s billionaire status places him among a rare group of athletes that includes basketball greats Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James, golfer Tiger Woods and tennis player Roger Federer.

Ronaldo suggested he is not considering retirement any time soon.

“I still have a passion for this,” he said at the Portugal Football Globes gala on Tuesday. “My family says it’s time to quit and they ask me why I want to score 1000 goals if I’ve already scored 900-something. But I don’t think that way inside.

“I’m still producing good things, I’m helping my club and the national team. Why not continue? I am sure that when I finish I will leave full because I gave everything of myself. I know I don’t have many years left to play, but the few I have left, I have to enjoy them to the fullest.”

1- Header image: Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after the match at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on September 26, 2025. — Reuters