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ICC reprimands Suryakumar Yadav over political remarks after Pakistan clash: sources

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) formally reprimanded Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav over his political statements after their Asia Cup game against Pakistan on September 14, sources said on Thursday. The ICC held a hearing on an official complaint filed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in which it reportedly advised Yadav to refrain from making political statements in the future. The controversy stems from his post-match comments after India defeated Pakistan in the group stage of the Asia Cup on September 14. The PCB, in its complaint, accused the Indian captain of politicising cricket and violating the ICC’s code of conduct on neutrality. Sources said the PCB submitted a detailed letter demanding strict action, claiming that Yadav’s remarks were against the spirit of the game and harmed cricket’s reputation. The issue arose during the high-profile game between the arch-rivals, which drew significant attention both on and off the field. Tensions had heightened at the toss when both teams skipped the traditional handshake, reportedly at the match referee's advice. India won the group-stage match by seven wickets, but Yadav’s comments have continued to attract criticism, with pundits calling them “unprecedented” and “detrimental to the spirit of the game.” Separately, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lodged a formal complaint with the ICC against Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their on-field gestures during the Asia Cup Super Fours clash in Dubai last Sunday. The complaint, reportedly submitted via email on Wednesday, highlights Farhan’s animated celebration after reaching his half-century and Rauf’s gestures toward fans while fielding at the boundary, incidents that went viral on social media and sparked widespread debate. If the players deny the allegations, the ICC is expected to hold a hearing, where they could appear before match referee Richie Richardson. Andy Pycroft is also serving as a match referee for the tournament. Both Pakistan players are scheduled to appear before the ICC governing body on Friday.

9/25/2025, 5:45:00 AM

Saim Ayub surpasses Shahid Afridi on unwanted record list

Pakistan's Saim Ayub plays a shot during their ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours match against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 21, 2025. — AFP Pakistan's batter Saim Ayub surpassed former captain Shahid Afridi on an unwanted record list after getting a duck during their Super Fours clash against Bangladesh in the T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.The left-handed batter fell for a three-ball duck, his fourth in the ongoing continental tournament. The 24-year-old scored ducks in all three of Pakistan's group-stage matches against Oman, arch-rivals India, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), respectively. Ayub fell victim to Mahedi Hasan on the fourth delivery of the second over as he smashed a flighted delivery straight into the hands of Rishad Hossain at mid-on. This was his eighth duck in T20Is, which took him past former captain and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi on the list of most ducks by a Pakistan batter in the shortest format, led by out-of-favour middle-order batter Umar Akmal. Star batter Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, and Kamran Akmal are joint fourth on the unwanted list with seven ducks each. Most ducks for Pakistan in T20Is Umar Akmal – 10 ducks in 84 matches Saim Ayub – 9 ducks in 47 matches Shahid Afridi – 8 ducks in 98 matches Kamran Akmal – 7 ducks in 58 matches Mohammad Hafeez – 7 ducks in 119 matches Babar Azam – 7 ducks in 128 matches Earlier in the tournament, Ayub also became the 62nd batter in men's T20Is to bag three consecutive ducks, featuring compatriots Mohammad Hafeez and Abdullah Shafique. Shafique is at the top of the unwanted list with four consecutive ducks in the shortest format.

9/24/2025, 5:44:00 AM

Asia Cup 2025: Bangladesh win toss, opt to field first against Pakistan

9/24/2025, 5:00:00 AM

Alcaraz expects Sinner to come back stronger after US Open loss

"I know he's going to change something from the last match," says World number one Carlos Alcaraz By AFP | September 24, 2025 TOKYO: World number one Carlos Alcaraz said Wednesday that he will have to prepare for a new and improved Jannik Sinner after beating his great rival in the US Open final. Italy's Sinner admitted he needed to overhaul his "predictable" game after losing to Alcaraz in New York earlier this month in the latest of a string of recent defeats to his Spanish nemesis. Alcaraz is playing at the Japan Open in Tokyo this week, while Sinner will compete at the China Open in Beijing in his first appearance since the US Open. Alcaraz said he would need to be ready for a different Sinner next time he faces the world number two on the court. "I know he's going to change something from the last match," said Alcaraz. "It's the same thing that I did when I lost to him a couple of times, I tried to be a better player the next time I was going to face him. "I have to be focused and I have to be ready for that change," he added. Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated men's tennis this season, with the pair contesting all four Grand Slam finals, winning two each. Alcaraz is only 22 and Sinner is just two years older, and the two look set to monopolise the sport's top titles for years to come. "Our rivalry is getting better, which for me and for tennis I would say is great," said Alcaraz. "We will see in the future how many times I'm going to play against him and which circumstances we will play. "Right now, it's going great." Alcaraz heads to Tokyo coming off a surprise loss to American world number five Taylor Fritz at the Laver Cup in San Francisco last week. Fritz is the number two seed in Tokyo, where Denmark's Holger Rune, Norway's Casper Ruud and the Czech Republic's Tomas Machac will also compete. Alcaraz has won the French Open as well as the US Open this year and he said it had been "the best season that I've ever done". "I've seen myself that I've grown up a lot as a player on the court," he said. "For me, it could be better, of course it could be better, but I can't complain about the season I'm having so far." Alcaraz is playing at the Japan Open for the first time in his career. He said he wanted to play in Tokyo to "see the culture and see everything here". "I'm really excited about playing in different places, in different stadiums, and feel the energy from the Japanese people," he said.

9/23/2025, 9:40:00 PM

Abrar Ahmed breaks into ICC T20I top five rankings

Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed and Sahibzada Farhan have achieved notable gains in the latest ICC T20I player rankings, following their recent performances in the ongoing ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. Spinner Abrar Ahmed made the biggest headlines, jumping 12 places to break into the top five for the first time. In the batting charts, opening batter Farhan rose 31 places to 24th position with 589 points. His climb follows a crucial knock of 58 runs in Pakistan’s recent Super Four clash against India. Skipper Salman Ali Agha and opener Fakhar Zaman also improved, moving up three places each to 64th and 66th respectively. Meanwhile, senior duo Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan continued to slip down the charts, having last featured in a T20I for Pakistan in 2024. Babar dropped nine places to 35th, while Rizwan fell five spots to 38th. Struggling opener Saim Ayub slid eight places to 55th, middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz dropped 11 spots to 58th, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris slipped one place to 90th. India’s Abhishek Sharma retained his position as the No. 1 T20I batter, followed by England’s Phil Salt in second, while Tilak Varma leapfrogged Jos Buttler to claim third. He now sits in fourth with 703 points, edging closer to a top-three finish. Pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf also rose in the standings, climbing to 25th and 28th, respectively, after strong performances in recent matches. However, not all bowlers fared well. Spinner Sufiyan Muqeem slipped three places to 14th, Mohammad Nawaz dropped 13 spots to 46th, and pacer Abbas Afridi fell three places to 44th. India’s Varun Chakaravarthy remains the top-ranked T20I bowler, followed by New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy in second and the West Indies’ Akeal Hosein in third. In the all-rounders’ rankings, Saim Ayub held on to his fifth position with 201 points, while Mohammad Nawaz rose one place to 17th. Shadab Khan dropped five places to 35th, while Faheem Ashraf surged 12 places to 39th. Shaheen Afridi and Agha Salman both climbed 14 and 11 places respectively, now tied at 71st. India’s Hardik Pandya continues to lead the all-rounders’ chart, with Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi second and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza third.

9/23/2025, 6:00:00 AM

Japanese climbers summit 6,080m high Hasho Peak II

Japanese rock climbers Yudai Suzuki, Genki Narumi, and Hiroki Yamamoto successfully summited Hasho Peak II (also known as Ilford Peak, 6,080m) in the Karakoram range of Pakistan. On their arrival at the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), Karrar Haidri, Vice President ACP, welcomed the team, congratulated them on their summit, and discussed opportunities for future collaboration. The climbers shared that it was a wonderful experience to climb peaks in the Karakoram and praised Pakistan’s unique mountain landscapes. Genki Narumi, an IFMGA-certified mountain guide, expressed his commitment to cooperate with ACP to help train mountain guides in Pakistan. On behalf of President ACP, Irfan Arshad Khan, a commemorative shield was presented to the Japanese team as a token of appreciation for their successful expedition and visit to Pakistan.

8/21/2025, 5:05:00 AM

Skipper Agha confident of Pakistan win against India in Asia Cup final

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha has said that the national team players have capability to face any challengers and beat them, following their 11-run triumph over Bangladesh in Dubai that sealed them a spot in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 final. The Green Shirts qualified for the summit clash after securing a hard-earned 11-run victory over Bangladesh in the high-stakes Super Four clash, which was concluded earlier today here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Put into bat first, Pakistan could accumulate 135/8 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris, who top-scored with a 23-ball 31, comprising two fours and a six. All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz (25) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (19) made handy contributions to Pakistan’s total. In response, Bangladesh amassed 124/9 in their set of 20 overs despite Shamim Hossain’s gutsy 30-run knock and thus succumbed to a campaign-ending defeat. Shaheen and Haris Rauf jointly led Pakistan’s bowling charge with two wickets, followed by Saim Ayub with two, while Nawaz chipped in with one scalp. Reflecting on the victory at the post-match presentation, Pakistan captain Agha admitted room for improvement but remained confident in his team to come good in the historic final, scheduled to be played at the same venue on Sunday. “If you can win these kinds of games, you must be a special team. Everyone chipped in. The way Shaheen bowled and the way Haris bowled up front, it was special,” Agha said. “We are finding ways to win. There are ways to improve but we will be better in the final,” he added. After walking out to bat at number six, with the scoreboard reading 33/4 in 8.1 overs, wicketkeeper batter Haris held Pakistan’s innings together with a sensible knock, which eventually culminated in the 18th over. “He is a special player. He is not batting in his number. He never moaned. He said whatever the team needs, he will do it. He is contributing every single game and I am very happy,” Agha lauded Haris for his anchoring knock. Although Pakistan successfully defended the 136-run target, their captain Agha rued that they were around 15 runs short. He, however, praised the bowling unit for creating pressure by bowling well, especially with the new ball. “We were 10-15 runs short - no way I am going to deny that. If we bowl the way we did up front, we will create pressure,” Agha continued. “When you create pressure up front, it is tough to chase it down. Bowled well with the new ball and once you bowl like this with the new ball, you win more often,” he added. The Green Shirts were equally productive in the fielding department, with Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz taking sky-high catches with precision at crucial junctures of the low-scoring, and Agha termed it the outcome of their hard work and credited coach Shane McDermott. “We have been fielding really well. Since Shane came, we have been working really hard. Mike, our coach said whoever cannot field, cannot be in the team - so everyone is working very hard with Shane and I am happy with how everyone is fielding,” said Agha. Salman Ali Agha then went on to share his excitement for the blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rivals India, stating that they are aware of the requirements and will strive to win the summit clash. “Very excited. We know what we need to do, and we are a good enough team to beat anyone, and we will come on Sunday and try to beat them.”

8/6/2025, 6:34:00 AM