Sports Bulletin

London (PR): The England Men’s selection panel has added Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer to the squad for the Rothesay second Test match against India at Edgbaston, starting on Wednesday 2 July 2025.England Men's Test Squad:Ben Stokes (Durham-Captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Sam Cook (Essex), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)The 30-year-old right-arm quick returns to the England Test set-up for the first time since February 2021 and will be looking to add to his 13 Test caps at Edgbaston next week.Schedule & Results:1st Test: England v India, 20-24 June 2025, Headingley, Leeds – England won by 5 wickets2nd Test: England v India, 2-6 July 2025, Edgbaston, Birmingham3rd Test: England v India, 10-14 July 2025, Lord’s, London4th Test: England v India, 23-27 July 2025, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester5th Test: England v India, 31 July-4 August 2025, Kia Oval, London

TAXILA (SBR): In a gripping encounter of the CAM Super League Edition II 2025, Faisal Hills Riders clinched a memorable victory over Faisal Hills Royals in Match #7, chasing down the target of 171 with five wickets in hand. The match, held at the Faisal Hills Sports Complex, showcased some exciting cricketing action, highlighted by a stunning innings from Talha Ashraf.Batting first, Faisal Hills Royals posted a fighting total of 170 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. The top contributors for Royals were Rohan, who scored a brisk 31, followed by Hazrat Ali with 22 and Najeeb chipping in with 19. The Riders' bowling unit kept the pressure on throughout, with Abdul Rehman Mani emerging as the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 key wickets. He was ably supported by Raees and Tahir Naqqash, who grabbed 2 wickets each, while Farman Senior bagged one.In reply, Faisal Hills Riders played fearless cricket, reaching the target in 18.2 overs with a total of 174 for 5. The chase was anchored by a sensational knock from Talha Ashraf, who hammered 85 runs off just 45 balls, including multiple boundaries and sixes. He was well-supported by Ashtar, who remained unbeaten on 34, and Abdul Rehman Mani, who finished the game with 14 not out, showcasing his all-round brilliance.The Royals' bowlers tried to defend the total, with Shah Mohammad, Qasim Iqbal, and Hazrat Ali each picking up a wicket, but were unable to stop the Riders' momentum. For his explosive batting performance, Talha Ashraf was rightly adjudged Player of the Match, while Hamza earned the title of Impact Player of the Match for his tight and economical spell that restricted the Royals’ scoring opportunities.

TAXILA(SBR): In a thrilling contest of the CAM Super League Edition II 2025, UR United Faisal Hills claimed a memorable 31-run victory over Faisal Hills Royals in the sixth match of the tournament, thanks to an explosive century by captain Habibullah.After winning the toss, UR United opted to bat first and posted a mammoth total of 261 for 6 in the allotted 20 overs. Leading from the front, Captain Habibullah delivered a breathtaking knock of 121 runs off just 50 balls, anchoring the innings with powerful strokeplay all around the ground. He was ably supported by Adeel KP, who hammered 54 runs off 27 balls, while Sher Jan added the finishing touches, smashing 28 runs from only 5 balls, pushing the total well beyond the 250 mark.On the bowling side, Faisal Hills Royals tried to contain the flow of runs, with Hamza being the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets. Raees, Muhammad Ali, and Qasim chipped in with a wicket each.In reply, Faisal Hills Royals made a fighting start and kept the chase alive with some aggressive batting. Hazrat Ali scored a solid 51, while Shah Muhammad (38), Shehzad (32), and Qasim Iqbal (28 off just 11 balls) kept the scoreboard ticking. Despite their efforts, Royals managed 229 for 7 in 20 overs, falling short by 31 runs.UR United bowlers held their nerves under pressure. Adeel KP was instrumental with the ball as well, taking 2 key wickets, while Asif Manzoor and Zohaib Abbasi contributed with 1 wicket each.For his extraordinary all-round performance, especially the whirlwind century, Captain Habibullah was rightfully named Player of the Match. His innings proved to be a decisive factor in UR United's victory and left the crowd thoroughly entertained.This high-octane match will be remembered not only for its record-breaking score but also for the fierce competition that added intensity and excitement to the CAM Super League 2025.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The full schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has officially been revealed today with renowned venues up and down the country set to host 24 days of thrilling international sport.The tournament will open with England taking on Sri Lanka under lights at Edgbaston on Friday 12 June, kicking off a whirlwind month of world-class action that will see 12 teams battling it out for the prestigious trophy, currently held by New Zealand.England captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, said: “World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different — it has the potential to be truly game-changing. It’s going to be a huge moment for our sport and a brilliant opportunity to inspire young people and captivate fans across the country. Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world, it’s going to be unmissable. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”Tournament Director, Beth Barrett-Wild, commented: “The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to transform a month of sporting excellence into a movement that will rewrite the narrative about women’s cricket. At iconic venues across the country, we’ll see incredible, world-class athletes battling it out in out in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, who with every ball bowled and run scored, will be contributing to lasting change. It’s our opportunity to give women’s cricket, and women’s sport, the stage it deserves.”ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Groups: Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Qualifier, QualifierGroup 2: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Qualifier, QualifierSchedule (ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026):Friday June 12: England v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston 18:30 BSTSaturday June 13: Qualifier v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 10:30 BSTSaturday June 13: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTSaturday June 13: West Indies v New Zealand, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BSTSunday June 14: Qualifier v Qualifier, Edgbaston 10:30 BSTSunday June 14: India v Pakistan, Edgbaston 14:30 BSTTuesday June 16: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Hampshire Bowl 14:30 BSTTuesday June 16: England v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BSTWednesday June 17: Australia v Qualifier, Headingley 10:30 BSTWednesday June 17: India v Qualifier, Headingley 14:30 BSTWednesday June 17: South Africa v Pakistan, Edgbaston 18:30 BSTThursday June 18: West Indies v Qualifier, Headingley 18:30 BSTFriday June 19: New Zealand v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BSTSaturday June 20: Australia v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 10:30 BSTSaturday June 20: Pakistan v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 14:30 BSTSaturday June 20: England v Qualifier, Headingley 18:30 BSTSunday June 21: West Indies v Sri Lanka, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BSTSunday June 21: South Africa v India, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTTuesday June 23: New Zealand v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BSTTuesday June 23: Sri Lanka v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 14:30 BSTTuesday June 23: Australia v Pakistan, Headingley 18:30 BSTWednesday June 24: England v West Indies, Lord’s Cricket Ground 18:30 BSTThursday June 25: India v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTThursday June 25: South Africa v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 18:30 BSTFriday June 26: Sri Lanka v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 18:30 BSTSaturday June 27: Pakistan v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BSTSaturday June 27: West Indies v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 14:30 BSTSaturday June 27: England v New Zealand, The Oval 18:30 BSTSunday June 28: South Africa v Qualifier, Lord’s Cricket Ground 10:30 BSTSunday June 28: Australia v India, Lord’s Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTTuesday June 30: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 1), The Oval 14:30 BSTThursday July 2: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 2), The Oval 18:30 BSTSunday July 5: TBC v TBC (The Final), Lord’s Cricket Ground 14:30 BST

London(SBR): South Africa ended 27 years of hurt by beating Australia at Lord’s to win the ICC World Test Championship 2025.Aiden Markram’s majestic 136 led the way as the Proteas sealed a five-wicket victory to lift this trophy for the first time and end a drought stretching back to the 1998 Champions Trophy.Australia did not give up without a fight, claiming the scalps of Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs before Markram was caught at mid-wicket with just six runs required having taken his side within touching distance.It was left to David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne to complete the job and spark joyous scenes from the sizable South African contingent inside the Home of Cricket, Verreynne hitting the winning runs to seal a memorable triumph.South Africa resumed on 213 for two, needing 69 more to seal the deal, and would have been pleased to see the early morning cloud give way to sunshine when they took to the field in North-West London.But Australia began in typically determined fashion and claimed the early breakthrough they required in the third over of the morning, Pat Cummins finding Bavuma’s edge when the Proteas skipper had added just a single to his overnight score of 65.The incoming Stubbs survived an Australian review for lbw when the ball was shown to be missing leg stump, with Markram dispatching the next ball to the mid-wicket boundary to take the runs required to 50.Australia’s bowlers continued to steam in and gave themselves a sniff when Starc delivered a beauty which cleaned up Stubbs and left South Africa 241 for four.The same bowler soon struck Bedingham on the pads and Australia again went upstairs. Replays showed the impact was outside the line of off-stump, however, and the 2023 champions found themselves out of reviews.Markram and Bedingham played sensibly to inch South Africa towards their place in the history books. The pair rotated the strike effectively and played with a calm which belied the pressure of the situation, Bedingham driving Cummins gloriously down the ground to move the target within 20.Australia took the new ball with 14 required and Markram greeted it dismissively, whipping Hazlewood through the leg-side for four from the first delivery of the 81st over.That brought South Africa to the brink but Markram was unable to finish the job he had played such a key role in orchestrating, chipping Hazlewood to Travis Head.Verreynne joined Bedingham and the wicketkeeper struck the final blow in the 84th over, driving Starc through the off-side to begin the celebrations and ensure these 11 names will be etched into South African cricketing folklore for generations to come.Scores in briefAustralia v South Africa – ICC World Test Championship Final 2025, Lord’s – Day FourAustralia 212 all out in 56.4 overs (Beau Webster 72, Steve Smith 66; Kagiso Rabada 5/51, Marco Jansen 3/49) and 207 all out in 65 overs (Mitchell Starc 58 not out, Alex Carey 43; Kagiso Rabada 4/59, Lungi Ngidi 3/38)South Africa 138 all out in 57.1 overs (David Bedingham 45, Temba Bavuma 36; Pat Cummins 6/28, Mitchell Starc 2/41) and 282/5 in 83.4 overs (Aiden Markram 136, Temba Bavuma 66; Mitchell Starc 3/66, Josh Hazlewood 1/58)Result: South Africa win by five wickets

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Nathan Lyon believes the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 represents a significant step in Australia's quest to become one of the all-time great Test teams.The 37-year-old off-spinner is part of Andrew McDonald’s squad to take on South Africa at Lord’s in the finale of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.Australia will be looking to defend the title they won in 2023 after beating India by 209 runs at The Oval, and Lyon, who took the match-winning wicket of Mohammed Siraj in that victory, wants to build on the progress that has been made since then.“It is important that we look at this week as a celebration piece,” he said.“We’ve done incredibly well over the last couple of years, at home and away, and that is something that as a team, we should be really proud of.“In my eyes, we’re on a journey to becoming a great Australian team. We’re not there yet, I’m well aware of that, but that’s our goal too.“This game is another step up that ladder.”Australia finished second in the league table during the 2023-25 WTC cycle, having claimed 67.54 per cent of the points on offer to them.They were also the only nation not to lose a series in that time, winning four of the six series they played.Their percentage was only bettered by the table-topping Proteas’ 69.44 per cent.Lyon, a New South Wales native, has taken 56 wickets against South Africa in 18 matches during his career and expects nothing less than a fierce contest with the side captained by Temba Bavuma.“Yes, we’ve been here before, but South Africa qualified first during this World Test Championship,” he continued.“Throughout these two years, they’ve done something really well to finish top, and so they deserve that home changing room leading into this game.“It’s international cricket. We’re expecting an extremely hard challenge and there’s going to be a lot of problems out there, but we’re going to have to be good enough to solve those problems ASAP.”Australia have plenty of firepower within their bowling ranks for this match, with five of those selected within the top 14 of the ICC Men’s Test Bowling rankings.Lyon himself sits fifth on that list, with captain Pat Cummins in third, Josh Hazlewood in fourth, with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in 11th and 14th, respectively.Cummins (73), Starc (72) and Lyon (66) also currently occupy positions two through four on the leading wicket-takers list for this edition of the WTC, with only India’s Jasprit Bumrah ahead of them with 77 wickets.The presence of multiple experienced and skilled bowlers in the Australian camp is only improving the standards in training, revealed Lyon.“As a bowling squad, we are very proud of where we are currently at,” he said.“But we’re not leaving any stone unturned and we’re still trying to get better as a bowling group.“I feel that spurs each and every one of us on to get better.”Australia last played Test cricket in England during the 2023 Ashes series – the opening contest of the 2023-25 WTC cycle – but many from the squad have since taken the opportunity to return to play on the shores of the old rival.Lyon played for Lancashire in 2024, while Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green and Beau Webster have represented Glamorgan, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire, respectively, this season.Green’s stint in England has been particularly impressive, with the all-rounder plundering 467 runs in just five County Championship Division 2 matches at an average of 66.71.He has also scored three hundreds, including match-winning knocks of 128 and 67 not out against Kent in mid-May.And Lyon feels the 26-year-old will learn a lot from his stint in the West Country.“It’s been amazing to have Greeny over here,” he added.“I think he’s played four or five games for Gloucestershire and done really well. So, hopefully, that gives him the confidence to pick things up from where he left off.“It’s important, especially for the younger players, like Greeny, to come over here and play county cricket.“I feel like you get a lot of understanding of how the game is played over here in these conditions, how the Dukes ball moves around and how the overhead conditions play a role.”

Islamabad(Sports Desk): South Africa’s 15-man squad for their first-ever appearance in an ICC World Test Championship final contains a mixture of youth and experience.Here is a rundown of the Proteas players gunning for glory at Lord’s.Temba BavumaBavuma arrives at Lord’s fresh from an excellent home summer, scoring centuries against Sri Lanka and Pakistan during series victories which booked his side’s place at Lord’s.The 35-year-old made his Test debut on Boxing Day of 2014 against the West Indies and is currently listed sixth in the ICC’s men’s Test batting rankings.Tony de ZorziDe Zorzi captained South Africa at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2016 but has had to be patient to make his mark on the senior international stage.His first Test century was in Chittagong in October 2024, a sparkling 177, and his command of the pull shot makes the left-hander an attractive player to watch. The 27-year-old is also a fine short leg fielder.Aiden MarkramAnother to have led South Africa at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, lifting the trophy in 2014, Markram is closing in on 3,000 Test runs and has seven centuries to his name in the longest format.The top-order batter captains the Proteas in T20 cricket and guided them to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup last year, in which they were beaten by India.Wiaan MulderA seam bowling all-rounder, Mulder is no stranger to English conditions having represented Kent and Leicestershire in recent years – scoring a career best 235 not out for the latter in 2022.The 27-year-old was still at school when he made his first-class debut in 2016 and was promoted up the order in South Africa’s most recent Test against Pakistan, batting at number three having never previously come in higher than six.Marco JansenThe giant 2.06m left-armer averages under 22 with the ball after 17 Tests, with the highlight coming in Durban last year when he ripped through Sri Lanka with seven for 13 as the Proteas skittled their opponents for just 42.Jansen is also handy with the bat and blasted a 16-ball half century against India in November 2024. His twin brother, Duan, is also a professional cricketer.Kagiso RabadaAn elite pace bowler, Rabada is fifth on South Africa’s all-time list of Test wicket takers and arrives at Lord’s three shy of levelling Allan Donald’s tally of 330.He is ranked second in the world in Tests – with only Jasprit Bumrah ahead of him – and he is already on the honours board at the Home of Cricket after taking five for 52 against England in 2022.Keshav MaharajSouth Africa’s most successful ever spinner in Test cricket, Maharaj is two shy of reaching 200 wickets and his average is on the right side of 30.The slow left-armer made his Test debut in Perth in 2016 but will be looking to improve on a modest record against this summer’s final opponents – he has taken 22 scalps at 45 in nine Tests against Australia.Lungi NgidiThe 29-year-old seamer is making a well-timed return from injury having sat out the home summer in South Africa with a groin problem.He announced his arrival on to the Test scene in style with six for 39 against India in 2018 and currently averages a shade over 23 after 19 appearances.Corbin Bosch has two Test tons to his name and an average of 33.33, while he has excelled in South Africa’s domestic red ball competition and remains a key part of his nation’s limited overs sides.Ryan RickeltonThe stylish left-hander made a dream start to 2025, scoring 259 against Pakistan at Newlands during his first innings as a Test opener before winning the SA20 with MI Cape Town.An all-round sportsman growing up, Rickelton has been in and out of the Test side since his debut in 2022 but will hope that New Year’s knock – the joint-seventh highest Test score by a South African – will cement his place for Lord’s.Senuran MuthusamyA very useful player with bat and ball, left-arm spinner Muthusamy claimed a memorable scalp for his first Test wicket when he held on to a return catch to dismiss Virat Kohli in October 2019.He has played just three more Tests since but is a reliable operator for Dolphins, with eight first-class centuries and more than 250 wickets to his name.Dane PatersonNo-one has had a closer view of Lord’s in the build-up to the ICC World Test Championship final Islamabad(Sports Desk): South Africa’s 15-man squad for their first-ever appearance in an ICC World Test Championship final contains a mixture of youth and experience.Here is a rundown of the Proteas players gunning for glory at Lord’s.Corbin BoschTook to Test cricket like a duck to water on his debut against Pakistan in last year’s Boxing Day Test, grabbing a wicket with his first ball – and going on to take four for 63 – before striking an unbeaten 81 from number nine.The son of former Proteas Test player Tertius, Bosch’s brother Eathan is also a full international having made his ODI debut in February.Kyle VerreynneThe wicketkeeper-batter announced himself in Test cricket in February 2022 with a sparkling unbeaten 136 which helped the Proteas level a series in New Zealand.He has become acclimatised to English conditions in the past two summers during spells with Nottinghamshire and began his latest stint with a ton against Essex at Trent Bridge in April.David BedinghamAnother player to have excelled in English domestic cricket, Bedingham scored nearly 200 runs more than anyone else in Division One of the County Championship last season and his 279 against Lancashire was the highest score in Durham’s first-class history.The 31-year-old right-hander, who can also keep wicket, scored his first – and so far, only – Test century against New Zealand in February 2024.Tristan StubbsThe only way was up for Tristan Stubbs after his Test bow, which saw him become just the second player in history to be dismissed twice on the first day of his debut.The aggressive, inventive batter now has two Test tons to his name and an average of 33.33, while he has excelled in South Africa’s domestic red ball competition and remains a key part of his nation’s limited overs sides.Ryan RickeltonThe stylish left-hander made a dream start to 2025, scoring 259 against Pakistan at Newlands during his first innings as a Test opener before winning the SA20 with MI Cape Town.An all-round sportsman growing up, Rickelton has been in and out of the Test side since his debut in 2022 but will hope that New Year’s knock – the joint-seventh highest Test score by a South African – will cement his place for Lord’s.Senuran MuthusamyA very useful player with bat and ball, left-arm spinner Muthusamy claimed a memorable scalp for his first Test wicket when he held on to a return catch to dismiss Virat Kohli in October 2019.He has played just three more Tests since but is a reliable operator for Dolphins, with eight first-class centuries and more than 250 wickets to his name.Dane PatersonNo-one has had a closer view of Lord’s in the build-up to the ICC World Test Championship final than Dane Paterson, who has started the season with Middlesex in England’s County Championship.Appearances have been sporadic over his eight-year international career, but the 36-year-old impressed in last year’s Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, taking five for 61 – his best figures in the format. Dane Paterson, who has started the season with Middlesex in England’s County Championship.Appearances have been sporadic over his eight-year international career, but the 36-year-old impressed in last year’s Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, taking five for 61 – his best figures in the format. his side’s place at Lord’s.The 35-year-old made his Test debut on Boxing Day of 2014 against the West Indies and is currently listed sixth in the ICC’s men’s Test batting rankings.Tony de ZorziDe Zorzi captained South Africa at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2016 but has had to be patient to make his mark on the senior international stage.His first Test century was in Chittagong in October 2024, a sparkling 177, and his command of the pull shot makes the left-hander an attractive player to watch. The 27-year-old is also a fine short leg fielder.Aiden MarkramAnother to have led South Africa at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, lifting the trophy in 2014, Markram is closing in on 3,000 Test runs and has seven centuries to his name in the longest format.The top-order batter captains the Proteas in T20 cricket and guided them to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup last year, in which they were beaten by India.Wiaan MulderA seam bowling all-rounder, Mulder is no stranger to English conditions having represented Kent and Leicestershire in recent years – scoring a career best 235 not out for the latter in 2022.The 27-year-old was still at school when he made his first-class debut in 2016 and was promoted up the order in South Africa’s most recent Test against Pakistan, batting at number three having never previously come in higher than six.Marco JansenThe giant 2.06m left-armer averages under 22 with the ball after 17 Tests, with the highlight coming in Durban last year when he ripped through Sri Lanka with seven for 13 as the Proteas skittled their opponents for just 42.Jansen is also handy with the bat and blasted a 16-ball half century against India in November 2024. His twin brother, Duan, is also a professional cricketer.Kagiso RabadaAn elite pace bowler, Rabada is fifth on South Africa’s all-time list of Test wicket takers and arrives at Lord’s three shy of levelling Allan Donald’s tally of 330.He is ranked second in the world in Tests – with only Jasprit Bumrah ahead of him – and he is already on the honours board at the Home of Cricket after taking five for 52 against England in 2022.Keshav MaharajSouth Africa’s most successful ever spinner in Test cricket, Maharaj is two shy of reaching 200 wickets and his average is on the right side of 30.The slow left-armer made his Test debut in Perth in 2016 but will be looking to improve on a modest record against this summer’s final opponents – he has taken 22 scalps at 45 in nine Tests against Australia.Lungi NgidiThe 29-year-old seamer is making a well-timed return from injury having sat out the home summer in South Africa with a groin problem.He announced his arrival on to the Test scene in style with six for 39 against India in 2018 and currently averages a shade over 23 after 19 appearances.Corbin BoschTook to Test cricket like a duck to water on his debut against Pakistan in last year’s Boxing Day Test, grabbing a wicket with his first ball – and going on to take four for 63 – before striking an unbeaten 81 from number nine.The son of former Proteas Test player Tertius, Bosch’s brother Eathan is also a full international having made his ODI debut in February.Kyle VerreynneThe wicketkeeper-batter announced himself in Test cricket in February 2022 with a sparkling unbeaten 136 which helped the Proteas level a series in New Zealand.He has become acclimatised to English conditions in the past two summers during spells with Nottinghamshire and began his latest stint with a ton against Essex at Trent Bridge in April.David BedinghamAnother player to have excelled in English domestic cricket, Bedingham scored nearly 200 runs more than anyone else in Division One of the County Championship last season and his 279 against Lancashire was the highest score in Durham’s first-class history.The 31-year-old right-hander, who can also keep wicket, scored his first – and so far, only – Test century against New Zealand in February 2024.Tristan StubbsThe only way was up for Tristan Stubbs after his Test bow, which saw him become just the second player in history to be dismissed twice on the first day of his debut.The aggressive, inventive batter now has two Test tons to his name and an average of 33.33, while he has excelled in South Africa’s domestic red ball competition and remains a key part of his nation’s limited overs sides.Ryan RickeltonThe stylish left-hander made a dream start to 2025, scoring 259 against Pakistan at Newlands during his first innings as a Test opener before winning the SA20 with MI Cape Town.An all-round sportsman growing up, Rickelton has been in and out of the Test side since his debut in 2022 but will hope that New Year’s knock – the joint-seventh highest Test score by a South African – will cement his place for Lord’s.Senuran MuthusamyA very useful player with bat and ball, left-arm spinner Muthusamy claimed a memorable scalp for his first Test wicket when he held on to a return catch to dismiss Virat Kohli in October 2019.He has played just three more Tests since but is a reliable operator for Dolphins, with eight first-class centuries and more than 250 wickets to his name.Dane PatersonNo-one has had a closer view of Lord’s in the build-up to the ICC World Test Championship final than Dane Paterson, who has started the season with Middlesex in England’s County Championship.Appearances have been sporadic over his eight-year international career, but the 36-year-old impressed in last year’s Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, taking five for 61 – his best figures in the format.

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: As part of the ongoing trophy tour celebrating their recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) title win, Lahore Qalandars owner Atif Rana visited the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and met with Chargé d'Affaires, Natalie A. Baker.The visit served as a goodwill gesture, bringing together representatives of Lahore Qalandars and members of the U.S. Embassy’s cricket team and fan community. During the meeting, Mr. Rana presented a signed Lahore Qalandars jersey to Baker as a token of appreciation. The two sides shared their mutual passion for cricket and discussed the sport’s growing influence across cultures and borders.Baker had attended two Qalandars matches this season, including the thrilling final and has been enthusiastic about team’s energy, resilience, and eventual become a title triumphant. “Watching cricket live has been such an exciting experience,” said Ms Baker “I was thrilled to see such a huge fan base and such a crowd at Gaddafi Stadium the other night. As an American, I grew up around baseball, and it’s fascinating to see the parallels and passion that cricket inspires. With both sports now part of the Olympics, I look forward to seeing them spark even greater global connection. I want to sincerely thank the Lahore Qalandars for welcoming me and making me feel like part of their family.”Rana expressed gratitude for the embassy’s engagement with cricket and extended appreciation to Ms. Baker for her support. “I’m truly delighted to see cricket sparking conversations at the U.S. Embassy and to witness the enthusiasm of American friends toward this beautiful game,” he said. “We’re especially thankful to Baker for attending our matches. She will forever be a part of the Qalandars family—as we say, once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar.”Fresh off their PSL title victory, Lahore Qalandars continue to use the trophy tour to connect with fans and promote cricket development at home and abroad.Lahore Qalandars have emerged as one of the most successful franchises in PSL history, winning three titles in four last years. They also hold the distinction of being the only team to win back-to-back championships, achieving this rare feat in 2022 and 2023.

 Lahore(SBR):The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle, who is a member of ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control teams for the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Lahore.Madugalle, who has also officiated the most international cricket matches (804) across three formats as Match Referee, also led playing control teams in seven matches of the recently concluded HBL PSL X.For the first T20I, Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz – both part of the PCB International Panel of Umpires, will be the on-field umpires. Ahsan Raza, member of ICC Elite Panel of Umpires will be the third umpire, while Faisal Khan Aafreedi – an ICC International Panel Umpire, will act as the fourth umpire.In the second T20I, Rashid Riaz will join Faisal Khan Aafreedi to perform the on-field duties while Ahsan Raza will be the third umpire. Asif Yaqoob will be the fourth umpire.For the third T20I, Ahsan Raza will be joined by Asif Yaqoob to perform on-field duties, while Faisal Khan Aafreedi will be the third umpire. Rashid Riaz will work as the fourth umpire for the final T20I of the series.

TAXILA(SBR):Koliyan Eleven emerged as champions of the Fourth HMC Hard Ball Cricket Tournament after defeating Strikers Cricket Club by six wickets in a thrilling final held at the HMC Cricket Ground. The highlight of the match was a breathtaking innings by Usman Shah, who was named Player of the Match for his explosive 83 runs off just 34 balls.Batting first, Strikers Cricket Club posted a competitive total of 183 runs in their allotted 20 overs, losing all wickets. Ismail played a responsible knock, scoring 50 runs off 40 balls, while Ahsan Saleem added 38, and Rana Fasih smashed a quickfire 29 from just 15 deliveries. For Koliyan Eleven, Haji Usman and Usman Shah both took two wickets, with Umar Khabbhi contributing one.In response, Koliyan Eleven chased down the target in 18 overs, losing only four wickets. Usman Shah's aggressive batting set the tone for the successful run chase, supported by a solid 35 off 26 balls from Shani DSP and an impressive 30-run contribution by Naveed. Ismail claimed two wickets for Strikers, while Rashid Latif and Rana Fasih picked up one each.Following the match, the chief guest, renowned social figure of Taxila, Malik Sohail Akhtar, distributed prizes and encouraged the players. In a major announcement welcomed with loud cheers, Malik Sohail pledged to install a dedicated practice net for hardball cricket at the ground, fulfilling a long-standing dream of local cricketers.The winning team, Koliyan Eleven, was awarded a trophy along with a cash prize of PKR 40,000, while the runner-up, Strikers Cricket Club, received a trophy and PKR 20,000. Additionally, the organizing committee was rewarded with PKR 50,000 for their efforts..