Posts in category: Sports

Pakistan cricketer Salman Ali Agha has been officially reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Test match against Bangladesh in Sylhet.

According to the International Cricket Council, Salman Agha was found to have breached a Level One offence, which relates to inappropriate conduct involving cricket equipment, ground equipment or other objects during a match.

The incident took place in the 82nd over of Pakistan’s second innings, when Salman Agha, after being dismissed, struck an advertising board with his bat in anger while walking back to the pavilion.

Following the act, the match referee took action against him. The ICC has also added one demerit point to Salman Agha’s disciplinary record.

This is his second offence in the last 24 months, taking his total number of demerit points to two. Earlier, in March, he was also found guilty of a similar breach during an ODI match against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Salman Agha admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Jeff Crowe, meaning there was no need for a formal hearing.

Pakistan’s bowling coach Umar Gul has broken his silence over reports of an alleged clash with Shaheen Shah Afridi.

In a press conference, Umar Gul said that he saw a social media post tagging him, claiming that Shaheen Afridi was not listening to the coach.

He clarified that the incident occurred when Hasan Ali had suffered an injury and was lying on the ground, while Shaheen Afridi was sitting outside. According to Umar Gul, Shaheen usually tapes his knee during bowling, and the discussion at that time was related to this.

The coach explained that he was having a routine conversation with Shaheen Afridi, asking him to step outside, when Sarfraz Ahmed came and informed them that Hasan Ali had injured his head.

Umar Gul emphasized that the incident was mistakenly portrayed as a clash, while in reality nothing of the sort happened. He added that the situation shown in the video was just a reaction, and he was unaware that the camera was recording the moment.

It is worth noting that after the video went viral on social media, users reacted with various speculations, suggesting a heated exchange between the coach and the player.

Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has received an official invitation to attend the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board Meeting and the Indian Premier League (IPL) final in India.

According to media reports, the ICC meetings this month will be held in two phases. The first session, the Chief Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, will take place online on May 21, while the ICC Board Meeting will be conducted in Ahmedabad, India, on May 30 and 31.

The upcoming board meeting will focus on potential changes to the World Test Championship format, which currently requires a minimum of two Test matches per series. Additionally, proposals to include Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan in the Championship will also be discussed.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to represent Pakistan at the board meeting; however, his travel to India will be subject to final approval from the Prime Minister.

Dhaka: Pakistan faced heavy penalties for a slow over rate in the first Test against Bangladesh, including a fine and a deduction of points in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed.

The ICC imposed a 40% match fee fine on the Pakistan team and deducted eight points from their WTC tally after the team fell eight overs short of the required target.

Following the points deduction, Pakistan has dropped further in the WTC standings and now sits eighth with just four points.

Pakistan have been docked vital #WTC27 points owing to slow over rate during the first Test against Bangladesh.

More details ⬇️https://t.co/wfvzY3zZZw

— ICC (@ICC) May 15, 2026

The penalty was imposed by ICC Elite Panel Match Referee Jeff Crowe. According to ICC regulations, teams are fined 5% of the match fee and one WTC point for each over short of the target.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood accepted the mistake and agreed to the proposed penalty, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.

Pakistan are likely to field three fast bowlers against Bangladesh in the first Test, which begins in Dhaka on Friday.

Sources said the Pakistan team management meeting concluded on Thursday and the playing XI for the opening Test had been finalised. Azan Awais is likely to receive his maiden Test cap in the first match, according to sources.

The probable Pakistan line-up includes Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood and Babar Azam. Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi are also expected to feature.

Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali are likely to be part of the side.

One of Sajid Khan or Nauman Ali is expected to be included in the final XI. The first Test of the Pakistan-Bangladesh series will begin on Friday.

Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh owing to a left knee injury.

The Pakistan cricket team have suffered a setback following his unavailability. The national side spokesperson has confirmed that Babar Azam has been ruled out of the opening Test. The medical panel was examining his condition.

Earlier, it is pertinent to note that Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood had said that Babar Azam remains Pakistan’s premier batter. He added that each time Babar Azam scores runs, it adds to his confidence.

Masood said he expected Babar Azam to reproduce the form he showed during the 2026 PSL season. He stated that working with coaches who were once teammates in the national side is an advantage.

He maintained that Bangladesh have their own strengths and weaknesses, and Pakistan are not taking any opposition lightly. He termed playing against Bangladesh in home conditions as a significant challenge.