Sports Bulletin

Abu Dhabi (Sports News): Abu Dhabi has taken a major step toward strengthening the future of the Abu Dhabi T10 League by assuming majority ownership and commercial rights control of the tournament, turning it into a fully Abu Dhabi-owned and managed sporting property.The move was announced by Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH), which will now oversee the long-term development of the world’s fastest cricket format with the support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).Officials described the transition as the beginning of a new era for the Abu Dhabi T10, aimed at enhancing governance, expanding the tournament’s global reach, and positioning Abu Dhabi as the home of T10 cricket.Chairman of ADCSH and General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, His Excellency Aref Al Awani, said the tournament had already achieved significant global recognition in a short period and would now move into a stronger phase of international growth.According to an independent GSIQ report, the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi T10 generated US$512 million in media value and recorded 687 million social media impressions worldwide, highlighting the league’s rapidly growing popularity.The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament will be held from 7 to 20 November at the iconic Zayed Cricket Stadium, marking the first edition under the new ownership structure.Emirates Cricket Board Vice Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni welcomed the new framework, saying the tournament had become an important part of the international cricket calendar and would continue contributing to the UAE’s sporting landscape.T10 founder and Mulk International Chairman Shaji Ul Mulk also praised the development, calling it an important step toward unlocking the tournament’s full global potential.Meanwhile, ADCSH CEO and newly appointed Abu Dhabi T10 CEO Matt Boucher said efforts would now focus on strengthening governance, player structures, commercial growth, and broadcast innovation to take the league to the next level.As franchise discussions begin under the new structure, Abu Dhabi has made it clear that the future of the Abu Dhabi T10 is being built for long-term international success.

Rawalpindi (faisal)The National Men’s Selection Committee has named a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia commencing on 30 May. The ODI series between Pakistan and Australia will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 30 May to 4 June.Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir are the three players selected in the squad who are yet to represent Pakistan in ODI cricket.Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the side, while Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim, who were not part of the away ODI series against Bangladesh in March have been recalled to the side.Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir have been named as the two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad after Usman Khan was not considered for selection due to illness. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were also not considered for selection as they had earlier been ruled out due to injuries and will continue their rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of the PCB medical panel.The 16-member squad will assemble in Islamabad later today and will train under the coaching staff from Saturday, 23 May. The media advisory regarding the camp will be shared in due course.Australia men’s team will arrive in Islamabad on 23 May. They will also take part in training sessions at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, details of which will be announced in due course.16-member squad:Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan MoqimTeam Management:Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Hanif Malik (batting coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Iftikhar (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Col. Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)Series schedule (All matches to begin at 4.30pm local time):23 May – Australia arrive in Islamabad30 May – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium2 June – 2nd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore4 June – 3rd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Lahore (Sports News):: The opening batters, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, will not be available for selection for the upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against the Australia national cricket team, scheduled to begin on 30 May during Australia’s tour of Pakistan.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that both players are currently recovering from injuries and have been advised to continue their rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of the PCB medical panel. Consequently, they have been ruled out of selection for the ODI series.The PCB wishes both players a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing them return to competitive cricket at the earliest opportunity.

Karachi (SB Report): Fatima Sana was at her brutal best as she blazed the fastest half-century in women’s T20I internationals off just 15 balls in her fiery 19-ball 62 not out to propel Pakistan to 223-4 in 20 overs against Zimbabwe women in the third T20I here at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Friday night.In turn, Left-arm spinners Sadia Iqbal (3-20) and Nashra Sundhu (2-21) shared five wickets to skittle Zimbabwe for 90 all out in 17.1 overs as Pakistan secured a 133-run win – their third largest winning margin by runs in the format.Pakistan also concluded the first-ever white-ball bilateral series against Zimbabwe women with an emphatic manner winning all six games across the ODI and T20I series. This is only the fourth time that Pakistan has complete a series sweep in a three-match WT20I series.Earlier, Pakistan opted to bat first and posted their second-highest total in the format and only the second total in excess of 200-run mark. The highest came in the first match of the series with the hosts posting 237-5 in the allotted 20 overs.Fatima walked in to bat when Pakistan were 152-4 in 16.2 overs after the departure of Iram Javed (29, 20b, 2x4s, 1x6). She blazed a total of 10 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 71-run fifth-wicket stand off just 22 balls with Saira Jabeen, who notched her maiden half-century finishing 50 not out off 32 balls on the back of eight fours.Saira’s contribution in the breezy partnership was only seven off three as Fatima dominated the last three overs. Pakistan skipper opened her account with a boundary and didn’t look back as she struck Kudzai Chigora for five fours in the 18th over and her counterpart Nomvelo Sibanda for three fours and two sixes in the penultimate over.Fatima made the world record for the fastest women’s T20I fifty and joint-fifth fastest in all T20Is including men’s cricket her own on the second ball of the last over taking a two off Adel Zimunu. The record was previously jointly held by Sophie Devine of New Zealand, Phoebe Litchfield of Australia and Richa Ghosh of India, who all got to the milestone off 18 balls.At the start of the innings, player of the series Ayesha Zafar (45, 28b, 9x4s) and Muneeba Ali (22, 17b, 3x4s) put on a 58-run opening stand in 6.1 overs. Both the openers were pinned leg-before by Lindokuhle Mabhero as she finished with two for 36.Ayesha collected 150 runs in the series including a record-breaking century in the opening match of the series along with one scalp against her name. After Natalia perished for one and Pakistan 93-2 in 10.2 overs, Saira and Iram joined forces to stitch a 59-run stand off 36 balls to steady the innings.In reply to Pakistan’s total Zimbabwe raced to 36-1 in 2.3 overs with opening batter Kelis Ndhlovu scoring 32 off 14 balls striking six fours and one six before Sadia Iqbal struck twice in the third over to stop the visitors run flow.Zimbabwe slipped from their powerplay score of 44-3 to 90 all out in 17.1 overs with Pakistan spinners applying the squeeze as Tuba Hassan (3-0-8-1) and Rameen Shamim (4-1-11-1) only gave away 19 runs in their seven overs combined.Scores in briefPakistan 223-4, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 62 not out, Saira Jabeen 50 not out, Ayesha Zafar 45, Iram Javed 29, Muneeba Ali 22; Lindokuhle Mabhero 2-36)Zimbabwe 90 all out, 17.1 overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 32; Sadia Iqbal 3-20, Nashra Sundhu 2-21)Player of the match – Fatima Sana (Pakistan women)Player of the series – Ayesha Zafar (Pakistan women)Tour results:1st ODI – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 168 runs2nd ODI – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 206 runs3rd ODI – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets1st T20I – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 153 runs2nd T20I – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 67 runs3rd T20I – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 133 runs

Lahore (Sports News): Asian Champions Pakistan U19 will embark on a tour of England in September to feature in a bilateral series. The tour includes one four-day match and four one-day matches between Pakistan U19 and England U19, scheduled to take place from 2 to 16 September.The only four-day match will be played from 2 to 5 September in Arundel, while the first one-day match of the series will also be held at the same venue on Wednesday, 9 September. The second one-day match will take place in Guildford on Saturday, 12 September.The third and fourth one-day fixtures of the series will be played in Wormsley on 14 and 16 September, respectively.Pakistan U19 in their recent assignments defeated India by 191 runs in the final in Dubai on 21 December 2025 to lift the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup trophy. The side then went on to win the tri-series in Zimbabwe, featuring Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe in January 2026.Pakistan U19 also featured in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia earlier this year, where they played five matches and won three of them.Tour schedule:2-5 Sep – Four-Day match, Arundel9 Sep – First One-Day, Arundel12 Sep – Second One-Day, Guildford14 Sep – Third One-Day, Wormsley16 Sep – Fourth One-Day, Wormsley

Karachi (Sports News): Pakistan women’s team continued to dominate Zimbabwe women in the ongoing white-ball tour as they clinched a 67-run victory in the second T20I taking an unassailable lead in the three-match series here at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Thursday night.Pakistan – after opting to bat first – posted 170-4 in the allotted 20 overs and then restricted Zimbabwe to 103-8 in 20 overs with the incoming Nashra Sundhu picking up two for 18. The Fatima Sana-led outfit have now won all five white-ball matches on the trot against Zimbabwe including a three-nil win in the ODI series.The triumph in the second T20I for the hosts was headlined by maiden international half-century for 21-year old Eyman Fatima – playing her fifth game of the shortest format besides the three ODI caps – as she finished unbeaten with 79 off 43 balls hitting 10 fours and four sixes.Eyman walked in to bat when Pakistan were 46-3 in 7.4 overs and had lost three for 19 in previous 3.1 overs with opener Gull Feroza, first T20I’s centurion Ayesha Zafar and the incoming batter Iram Javed – playing her first game for Pakistan since October 2024 – falling for single-digit scores.Pakistan reached halfway mark with 60-3 on the board and Eyman changing gears to hit her first four and six on consecutive balls to go from two off nine to 12 off 11. She smashed another six and four to get the 46-run fourth-wicket stand going with opening batter Muneeba Ali (36, 33b, 4x4s).Muneeba fell to Lindokuhle Mabhero (1-20) on the second ball of the 14th over with 92 runs on the board. Pakistan collected 78 runs off the remaining 40 balls on the back of a fiery stand between Eyman and Natalia with the former contributing a breezy total of 50 runs off 21 balls in this phase.Eyman brought up her half-century in the 17th over off 32 balls before helping her team finish strong with a six and a four-laden 20th over, which yielded 15 runs. Natalia remained unbeaten for 24 off 19 balls striking three fours. For Zimbabwe, Precious Maranage and Michelle Mavunga also picked up one wicket each.In turn, Zimbabwe lost six wickets and stitched together 51 runs in the first 50 balls of the chase with spinners Nashra, Tuba and Sadia applying the squeeze following Fatima Sana’s first strike to remove Beloved Biza in the third over.Zimbabwe never threatened to hunt down the total as they managed to add only 53 more runs to the total in the remaining 11.4 overs with skipper Sibanada (18 not out, 37b) adding 22 and 20 runs with Mabhero (12, 16b, 1x4) and Kudzai Chigora (14 not out, 11b, 3x4s), respectively for the eighth and ninth wickets.Apart from Nashra’s two wickets, Fatima, Sadia, Tuba, Ayesha and Natalia accounted for one batter each. The third T20I of the series will be played on Friday at the same venue with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 7.30pm PKT.Scores in briefPakistan 170-4, 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 79 not out; Muneeba Ali 36, Natalia Parvaiz 24 not out; Lindokuhle Mabhero 1-20)Zimbabwe 103-8, 20 overs (Nomvelo Sibanda 18 not out, Kudzai Chigora 14 not out; Nashra Sundhu 2-18)Player of the match – Eyman Fatima (Pakistan women)

Ahmedabad (PR): Adani Sportsline today announced the appointment of veteran Australian cricket strategist Simon Helmot as Head Coach of Gulf Giants ahead of the upcoming season of the DP World UAE ILT20.Helmot brings more than two decades of experience across domestic, international and franchise cricket, including assignments in some of the world’s leading T20 leagues. He has been associated with the Hyderabad side in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2013 and has contributed to multiple title-winning campaigns across leading T20 tournaments in Australia, the Caribbean and the UAE. Over the years, he has earned a strong reputation for building high-performance team environments and maximising player potential in pressure situations.Prior to this appointment, Helmot completed a five-season tenure with Melbourne Renegades, leading the team to its maiden Women’s Big Bash League title in 2024.As part of his onboarding with Gulf Giants, Helmot recently met Mr Pranav Adani, Director, Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), in Ahmedabad to discuss the long-term vision for Gulf Giants and the franchise’s preparations for the upcoming ILT20 season.Speaking on his appointment, Helmot said: “I’m excited to join Gulf Giants and be part of the next phase of the franchise’s journey in the UAE ILT20. My discussions with Mr Pranav Adani reflected Adani Sportsline’s long-term commitment towards building strong sporting ecosystems, nurturing talent and creating competitive teams. I look forward to working closely with the players and support staff as we build towards a successful season.”Pranav Adani said: “We are pleased to welcome Simon to Gulf Giants and the Adani Sportsline family. Simon brings deep experience across global franchise cricket, a strong understanding of the T20 ecosystem and a proven ability to build competitive, high-performing teams. His leadership approach and focus on player development align closely with our long-term vision for Gulf Giants, and we look forward to the upcoming season under his guidance.”Since its launch in 2023, the UAE ILT20 has quickly emerged as one of the world’s leading franchise T20 leagues, featuring top international players, coaches and franchises from major cricketing nations.Gulf Giants also thanked former Head Coach Jonathan Trott for his leadership and contribution during the previous season and wished him continued success for the future.About Adani Sportsline Adani Sportsline is the sports arm of the diversified Adani Group, which has a presence in ports, logistics, energy, utility, infrastructure, electric power generation and transmission, mining, airport operations, natural gas, and food processing.Formed in 2019, Adani Sportsline has an overarching philosophy to inculcate a culture of sports at the grassroots level and create globally competitive opportunities for future champions in India. In line with the group’s vision of nation-building, the company aims to build a world-class ecosystem that nurtures sporting talent, accelerates the sports economy and plays the role of an enabler in India’s journey to become a leading sporting nation.

Karachi (Sports Report): Ayesha Zafar struck an unbeaten 47-ball 102 not out to lead Pakistan to 237-5 in 20 overs – their highest-ever total in WT20Is - as the hosts thumped Zimbabwe in the opening match of the three-game T20I series by a record margin of 153 runs here at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday night.Zimbabwe were bundled out for 84 in 18.2 overs in reply to Pakistan’s mammoth total with skipper Fatima Sana leading the charge with miserly figures of 3-0-7-3 including an early double strike in the third over, while Sadia Iqbal and Natalia Parvaiz also chipped in with two wickets each.It is Pakistan’s largest winning margin by runs, overtaking their 147-run thumping of Malaysia in 2018 in Kuala Lumpur. The second and third T20Is of the series will take place on 14 and 15 April at the National Bank Stadium with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 7.30pm PKT.Ayesha walked in to bat in the second over after Pakistan lost Muneeba Ali to Nomvelo Sibanda for two with 23 runs on the board. Ayesha and Gull Feroza (37, 19b, 8x4s) then shared a 34-run stand off 16 balls to set the foundation of the big total.Zimbabwe removed Gull and debutant Saira Jabeen – who became 59th WT20I cap for Pakistan – in a space of six balls to reduce Pakistan to 68-3 in 5.4 overs. Pakistan were 101-4 in 10 overs after Natalia’s departure, which brought Aliya Riaz to the middle.That Pakistan were able to ransack 136 runs off the last 60 balls in their innings was due to Ayesha’s 35-ball 67-run stand with Aliya (48, 23b, 4x4s, 4x6s) and then a fiery unbeaten 27-ball 70-run partnership with captain Fatima (21 not out, 13b, 3x4s).Ayesha’s 47-ball unbeaten century – the fastest besides Muneeba Ali’s two centuries in the format for Pakistan and joint-third fastest overall – came after she accelerated brilliantly in the last three overs of the innings going from 67 off 38 to 102 unscathed. Ayesha was on 90 with three balls left in the innings when she struck Sibanda for a six, a double and a memorable four on the last ball to bring up her first international century in style.Pakistan’s total is also the third-highest WT20I score by a full member nation in the format besides Bangladesh’s 255-2 in 2019 against Maldives and England’s 250-3 in 2018 against South Africa. Meanwhile, Ayesha’s 15 fours and two sixes are the most boundaries by a Pakistan batter in WT20Is to go with 37 boundaries overall in innings – the most by hosts in the format as well.In turn, only Natasa Mtomba (24, 20b, 4x4s) Adel Zimunu (18, 34b, 1x4) and Beloved Biza (10, 7b, 2x4s) managed to enter double figures for Zimbabwe. Fatima’s three strikes also made her the leading wicket-taker among pacers for Pakistan in WT20Is as she now has 46 scalps in the format after overtaking Asmavia Iqbal’s tally of 44 wickets.Apart from Sadia and Natalia’s two wickets each, Rameen picked up one, while another debutant Amber Kainat – WT20I cap 60 for Pakistan – bowled two overs of right-arm pace for 14 runs. Scores in briefPakistan 237-5, 20 overs (Ayesha Zafar 102 not out, Aliya Riaz 48, Gull Feroza 37, Fatima Sana 21 not out; Nomvelo Sibanda 2-59)Zimbabwe 84 all out, 18.2 overs (Natasha Mtomba 24; Fatima Sana 3-7, Natalia Parvaiz 2-3, Sadia Iqbal 2-14)Player of the match – Ayesha Zafar (Pakistan women)Tour schedule:1st ODI – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 168 runs2nd ODI – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 206 runs3rd ODI – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets1st T20I – Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 153 runs2nd T20I – 14 April3rd T20I – 15 April

Dubai (Media Release): The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed that the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees will remain unchanged for the 2026-2027 international cricket season, following its annual review and selection process.After a comprehensive assessment conducted by the ICC’s Umpire Selection Panel, it has been determined that the current group of elite umpires will continue in their roles, reflecting the organisation’s satisfaction with their strong contribution over the past year.The decision reflects the ICC’s commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence, with the panels’ consistency and high standards demonstrated by members at the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and in men’s bilateral cricket across the previous calendar year.The umpires’ outstanding on-field performances, professionalism, decision-making accuracy, and third umpiring have contributed significantly to the quality and integrity of international cricket.The Umpire Selection Panel, comprising ICC General Manager – Cricket Wasim Khan (Chair), former English Premier League referee Mike Riley, former international umpire and umpire coach Peter Manuel, and former international player and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, considered the performances of umpires and referees from across the international game before deciding to retain the existing panel.Similarly, the concurrent ICC management review of the elite referees showed that their management and leadership had been strong across the year.ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta said: “The decision to retain the Emirates ICC Elite Panels for the 2026-27 season reflects the consistency and high standards that have come to define officiating at the international level. Over the past year, the panels have demonstrated a strong blend of accuracy, composure and professionalism, which is critical to maintaining the integrity of the game.“What stands out is not just the quality of decision-making, but the ability to operate with clarity and confidence in high-pressure situations, across formats and conditions. That consistency provides assurance to players, teams and fans alike.“On behalf of the ICC, I would like to congratulate all members of the panels on their re-selection. Their performances over the past season have fully justified this continuity, and we look forward to seeing them build further on these standards in the year ahead.”Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees (2026-27): Jeff Crowe (New Zealand), Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka), Andrew Pycroft (Zimbabwe), Richie Richardson (West Indies), Javagal Srinath (India).Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires (2026-27): Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka), Christopher Gaffaney (New Zealand), Adrian Holdstock (South Africa), Richard Illingworth (England), Richard Kettleborough (England), Nitin Menon (India), Allahuddien Paleker (South Africa), Ahsan Raza (Pakistan), Paul Reiffel (Australia), Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (Bangladesh), Rodney Tucker (Australia), Alex Wharf (England).

Pakistan Women completed a 3-0 series sweep over Zimbabwe Women with a nine-wicket victory in the third and final ODI at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi here on Saturday, with another record-breaking opening partnership setting the platform.The result also lifted Pakistan to second spot in the ICC Women's Championship 2025-29 points table with eight points from six matches.It was only the third time Pakistan Women have completed a 3-0 sweep in a bilateral ODI series, after their wins over Sri Lanka in 2017-18 and Ireland in 2022-23.Both sides will now feature in a three-match T20I series commencing at the same venue from 12 May.Chasing 223 to win, Sadaf Shamas (90, 98b, 13x4s) and Gull Feroza (106 not out, 92b, 16x4s) put on 220 for the opening wicket — Pakistan women's second-highest partnership for any wicket in ODIs and the duo's third consecutive 150-plus opening stand of the series.The pair equalled the record for most century opening partnerships by a Pakistan Women's combination (3, joint with Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin), while their 571 runs aggregated across the three matches stand as the most by any opening pair in a bilateral ODI series.Gull broke her own record for the fastest ODI century by a Pakistan women's batter, reaching three figures off just 83 balls — three days after she had set the record with a 93-ball hundred in the second ODI of the series. She also became the second Pakistan women's batter to score back-to-back centuries in ODIs. Across the series, Gull aggregated 256 runs in three matches at an average of 128 and a strike rate of 103.64.Sadaf, who fell 10 runs short of consecutive hundreds when she was caught by Adel Zimunu off Kudzai Chigora at 220 for one in the 32nd over, became the first Pakistan women's batter to register 50-plus scores in five consecutive ODI innings. She finished the series as the leading run-getter with 289 runs in three matches at an average of 96.33 and was declared player of the seriesPakistan also recorded their best-ever powerplay total in Women's ODIs, racing to 89 for no loss in the first 10 overs. The 7.07 runs-per-over rate at which Pakistan completed the chase is the highest scoring rate by any side in a successful chase of a 200-plus target in Women's ODIs.Stand-in captain Muneeba Ali (4 not out) joined Gull to seal the win in 31.5 overs. Gull was named Player of the Match.Earlier, after Zimbabwe Women captain Nomvelo Sibanda chose to bat, the visitors posted 222 for nine in their 50 overs. Beloved Biza top-scored with 73 off 88 balls hitting 12 fours, while Kelis Ndhlovu made 51 off 72 balls with eight boundaries. Sibanda remained unbeaten on 35 off 55 balls featuring two fours in the lower order, while Adel Zimunu chipped in with 23 off 30.Tasmia Rubab led the Pakistan attack with three for 49 in 10 overs, while Ayesha Zafar returned figures of 6-2-13-2. Momina Riasat, Syeda Aroob Shah and Natalia Pervaiz picked up one wicket each.