Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Pakistan leave Amir out of World Cup preliminary squad

Pakistan selectors on Thursday left out pace spearhead Mohammad Amir from the preliminary 15-man squad for next month's World Cup to be held in England.

The 27-year-old has been in wretched form since guiding Pakistan to win over India in the Champions trophy final in June 2017, with just four wickets in 14 matches.


But the left-arm fast bowler, who missed the 2011 and 2015 World Cup due to a five-year ban on match fixing imposed in 2010, has a lifeline as teams can be changed until May 23 -- seven days before the ten-team event starts.

Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said Amir's form was concerning.

"Amir had not performed as well as was expected of him," said Inzamam, who was part of Pakistan's World Cup winning team in 1992.

Amir is included in the 17-man squad for the five-match one-day series against England from May 5-19, and can regain his World Cup place if he performs well.

"We have included Amir for the England series with a hope that he regains his rhythm and wicket-taking ability in the series," said Inzamam.

Allrounder Mohammad Hafeez was included in the World Cup squad subject to fully recovering from a fractured thumb injury he sustained during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in February this year.

There was a surprise World Cup call-up for 19-year-old rookie fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, who bowled at 150kph in the PSL earlier this year.

"Hasnain is exciting and can be a surprise package of the World Cup," said Inzamam of the paceman, who played three one-day internationals against Australia last month, taking two wickets.

Sarfraz Ahmed will lead both the squads.

Another left-arm pacer, 29-year-old Junaid Khan, was preferred over Amir.

Opener Abid Ali, 31, also earned a call-up after scoring a debut hundred against Australia.

The squad is largely comprised of young players, with only a handful of veterans -- Sarfraz and Haris Sohail, who played in 2015, as well as Shoaib Malik, who played in 2007, and Mohammad Hafeez, who took part in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments.

Pakistan will leave for the UK on Tuesday and play three one-day matches against county teams before taking on England in the five-match ODI series from May 5.

They will play two warm-up World Cup games against Afghanistan on May 24 and Bangladesh on May 26, before taking on the West Indies in their first World Cup match in Nottingham on May 31.

All ten teams will play each other in the first stage, with the top four playing the semi-finals.

Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain

Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali

More For You

Apollo-BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said the new contract with Apollo Tyres runs until March 2028. (Photo: BCCI)

Apollo Tyres replaces Dream11 as Team India’s lead sponsor until 2028

INDIAN cricket has signed Apollo Tyres as its new lead sponsor after fantasy sports platform Dream11 ended its contract following a government ban on online gambling.

The men's team travelled to the United Arab Emirates for the ongoing Asia Cup without a sponsor on their shirts after Dream11 exited the deal, which was worth about $44 million and was set to run until 2026.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sydney Sweeney

Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026

Getty Images

Sydney Sweeney offered £45m to star in big-budget Bollywood film

Highlights:

  • Sydney Sweeney reportedly offered £45m for a leading role in a major Bollywood film
  • The package includes £35m in fees and £10M in sponsorship deals
  • Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026 across New York, Paris, London, and Dubai
  • The project could make Sweeney one of the highest-paid Hollywood stars to join Indian cinema

A record-breaking offer

Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney has reportedly been approached with a staggering £45M deal to star in one of the most expensive Bollywood films ever produced.

The 28-year-old Euphoria and The White Lotus star is said to have been offered £35m in fees plus an additional £10m through sponsorship agreements.

Keep ReadingShow less
Toshi.bet: Revolutionizing Crypto Gaming with High Rewards and Innovative Gameplay

Toshi.bet: Revolutionizing Crypto Gaming with High Rewards and Innovative Gameplay

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of crypto casinos, one platform is standing out for its innovative gameplay, unmatched rewards, and community-driven growth — Toshi.bet. Recognized by CoinMarketCap as a pioneer in crypto gaming, Toshi.bet is transforming how players interact with digital assets while gaming.

Why Toshi.bet Is Leading the Crypto Casino Industry

1. Best Rewards in Crypto Gaming

Keep ReadingShow less
China Nvidia chip ban

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports

iStock

China reportedly bans Nvidia chip sales as CEO expresses disappointment

Highlights:

  • China’s Cyberspace Administration has reportedly ordered tech firms to stop using Nvidia’s AI chips
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says he is “disappointed” but will remain “patient”
  • Huang is visiting the UK alongside other tech leaders during Donald Trump’s state visit
  • Nvidia became the world’s first $4tn company earlier in 2025 amid the AI boom

Huang responds to reported China directive

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports that China has told its leading technology firms to halt purchases of the company’s artificial intelligence chips.

Speaking to reporters in the UK, Huang added that he would remain “patient” in light of the reported order from China’s internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration. “There are a lot of places we can’t go to, and that’s fine,” he said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tagenarine Chanderpaul,

Tagenarine Chanderpaul. (Photo by PAT HOELSCHER/AFP via Getty Images)

Chanderpaul, Athanaze return as West Indies name squad for India tour

BATSMEN Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze were recalled to the West Indies ranks when they were named in the squad to tour India on Tuesday (16) while left-arm spinner Khary Pierre is included for the first time.

The two-Test series, with matches in Ahmedabad and Delhi, marks the West Indies' first tour to India since 2018 and forms part of the World Test Championship.

Keep ReadingShow less