Sports
True Challenge for Pakistan: Winning the Champions Trophy and Defeating Arch-Rival India, Says PM

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, emphasized the importance of not just winning the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, but also prioritizing a victory against arch-rivals India in their match scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.
“We have a strong team that has been performing well lately. However, the key objective is to not only secure the Champions Trophy title but also to overcome our historic rival, India, in the upcoming encounter in Dubai. The whole nation is behind them,” Sharif stated during the inauguration of the upgraded Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday.
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The cricket rivalry between Pakistan and India is well-known, with India generally holding the upper hand in ICC tournaments since the 1990s. Pakistan’s last victory against India in an ICC event was during the 2021 T20 World Cup held in Dubai.
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Following India’s decision to refrain from sending its team across the border for the ICC Champions Trophy, an agreement was reached between the two boards and the ICC to host the tournament under a hybrid model, allowing India to play its matches in the UAE.
Pakistan will enter the tournament as the defending champion, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 in England.
“It’s a significant occasion for Pakistan as we host a major ICC event for the first time in nearly 29 years,” Sharif remarked.
He expressed enthusiasm about hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan after such a long interval, praising the newly renovated stadium and enhanced facilities, which he believes embody the passion for cricket in the country.
“I have complete faith that our team will continue to make the nation proud during the upcoming Champions Trophy,” he affirmed.
The inauguration ceremony celebrated the completion of the Gaddafi Stadium renovations, which were achieved in just 117 days.
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Sports
Fatima Sana Appointed Captain of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers Tournament Team

Pakistan captain and fast-bowling all-rounder Fatima Sana has been named the captain of the Team of the Tournament for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup qualifiers, as announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday.
Joining her in the Team of the Tournament are teammates Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, and Sadia Iqbal. Bangladesh and the host nation have secured their places in the ODI World Cup, set to take place later this year in India.
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Alongside the Pakistani representatives, the team features West Indies’ captain Hayley Matthews, all-rounders Chinelle Henry and Aaliyah Alleyne, and Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana, along with Sharmin Akhter. Scotland’s Katherine Fraser and Kathryn Bryce round out the line-up, with Rabeya Khan of Bangladesh identified as the 12th player.
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Muneeba Ali impressed by scoring 223 runs, featuring half-centuries against Scotland and Bangladesh, and was selected as one of the openers alongside Hayley, who recorded an unbeaten century despite her team’s loss to Scotland in the opening match. Muneeba concluded the tournament with a remarkable performance, achieving the second-fastest half-century in women’s ODI history against Thailand, reaching the mark in just 21 balls on her way to a rapid 29-ball 70. Meanwhile, Hayley topped the wicket-taking charts with 13 wickets, including two four-wicket hauls against Scotland and Ireland.
Sharmin Akhter earned her place in the team after consistently scoring runs, including half-centuries against Thailand (94 not out), Scotland (57), and the West Indies (67), finishing with a total of 266 runs at an impressive average of 66.5. Following her is the top run-scorer and Player of the Tournament, Kathryn Bryce, who scored 91 against Pakistan, 60 against Thailand, and an outstanding 131 not out against Ireland—her first ODI century.
Kathryn also contributed with six wickets throughout the tournament, while Nigar Sultana took on the wicketkeeping duties after playing a key role in Bangladesh’s three victories that secured their place in the main event, scoring 101, 51, and 83 not out in consecutive matches.
Chinelle Henry made significant contributions with scores of 46 not out against Ireland and 51 not out against Bangladesh, in addition to a spectacular display of five sixes in a quick 17-ball 48 against Thailand. Aaliyah Alleyne was also a standout bowler, claiming 12 wickets, including a four-for-39 against Bangladesh, outperforming her counterparts Katherine and Nashra.
Katherine Fraser achieved three-wicket hauls against both the West Indies and Thailand, while Nashra Sandhu took wickets in every match, claiming three against both Ireland and Thailand. Sadia Iqbal rounded out the selections with nine wickets at an average of 16.22, maintaining an economical rate of 3.84 runs per over. Rabeya Khan, with three wickets in a crucial victory over Ireland, was named the 12th player.
2025 Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers Team of the Tournament: Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Muneeba Ali (Pakistan), Sharmin Akhter (Bangladesh), Kathryn Bryce (Scotland), Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh, wk), Fatima Sana (Pakistan, captain), Chinelle Henry (West Indies), Aaliyah Alleyne (West Indies), Katherine Fraser (Scotland), Nashra Sandhu (Pakistan), Sadia Iqbal (Pakistan), and Rabeya Khan (Bangladesh, 12th player).
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Sports
Odisha FC Unveils Squad for Kalinga Super Cup

Odisha FC has revealed their squad for the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, just a day before their match against Punjab FC scheduled at the Kalinga Stadium on Monday.
The Kalinga Warriors, who finished as runners-up in the prior edition of the tournament, are eager to hit the field and aim for an even better performance this year.
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This edition of the cup will be hosted in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, for the second consecutive time, commencing on Sunday. Odisha FC will kick off their campaign with an exciting first match against Punjab FC.
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The tournament will see participation from 15 top clubs across India, which includes 13 Indian Super League (ISL) teams and two I-League clubs. This year, the competition will adopt a knockout format, promising thrilling matches as teams compete for glory.
The champions of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 will earn the prestigious opportunity to compete in the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) Playoffs, allowing Indian clubs the chance to flaunt their skills on the continental stage.
Since their debut in the Kalinga Super Cup in 2023, the Juggernauts have established themselves as a formidable presence in the tournament. They emerged as champions in 2023 and were runners-up in 2024, making this tournament their top priority.
In the previous year, East Bengal FC claimed the trophy by defeating Odisha FC 3-2 after a thrilling extra-time finale. The Red and Gold Brigade ended their 12-year wait for a national title and are eager to defend their crown on the same ground.
Odisha FC Squad for Kalinga Super Cup 2025:
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Anuj Kumar, Manas Dubey
Defenders: Narender, Amey Ranawade, Carlos Delgado (Spain), Mourtada Fall (Senegal), Jerry Lalrinzuala, Saviour Gama, Ricky Meetei, Subham Bhattacharya, Tankadhar Bag
Midfielders: Rohit Kumar, Lalthathanga Khawlring, Hugo Boumous (France), Raynier Fernandes, Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, Narendra Naik
Forwards: Diego Mauricio (Brazil), Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Rahim Ali, Aphaoba Singh, Rahul KP, Dorielton Gomes (Brazil)
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Sports
Barcelona Striker Robert Lewandowski Likely Out of Copa del Rey Final

FC Barcelona’s forward Robert Lewandowski has suffered an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left thigh, putting his participation in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid on April 27 (IST) in jeopardy.
While the club hasn’t officially provided a timeline for his recovery, it is anticipated that Lewandowski will be sidelined for two to three weeks, potentially missing the upcoming semifinal against Inter Milan, with the first leg scheduled for May 1 (IST).
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According to the club’s statement, “Tests conducted on Sunday confirmed that Robert Lewandowski sustained an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left thigh. His return to team training will depend on the recovery process of the injury.”
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This injury caused the top scorer to miss out on marking his 100th La Liga appearance with a goal, a milestone he achieved in his third season with the club, having played in Barcelona’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday.
During his 77 minutes on the field, the Galician side successfully contained the Polish striker. He had an early opportunity with a curling shot that didn’t find the target, which could have marked his 100th goal for FC Barcelona.
Lewandowski is experiencing his most fruitful season in a Barca shirt, scoring 40 goals across 48 appearances in La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup: 25 in La Liga, 11 in the Champions League, 3 in the Copa del Rey, and 1 in the Super Cup.
With 25 league goals, he currently leads the race for the Pichichi trophy, outpacing Kylian Mbappe by three goals, Ante Budimir by nine, and Raphinha and Oihan Sancet by ten. Only time will reveal how much further the FC Barcelona striker, now a La Liga centurion, can enhance his goal tally.
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