Sports
Ashab Irfan, Asim Khan reach Johns Creek Open semifinals
KARACHI: Pakistan’s squash stars Ashab Irfan and Asim Khan produced commanding performances to secure semifinal berths at the ongoing Johns Creek Open in the United States.
Top seed Asim Khan overcame a tough challenge from Egypt’s Omar El Kattan, clinching a 3–1 win in 46 minutes. After dropping the first game 10–12, Khan rebounded strongly to take the next three 11–3, 11–3, and 13–11.
Meanwhile, Ashab Irfan cruised past Mexico’s Cesar Segundo with a straight-games victory. He wrapped up the quarterfinal 11–3, 11–8, 11–3 to advance in dominant fashion.
With these wins, both Ashab Irfan and Asim Khan secured their places in the top four of the $12,000 prize money event.
Earlier, Asim and Ashab booked their spots in the quarterfinals after impressive second round victories on Thursday.
Top seed Asim defeated Egypt’s Kareem Badawi 11-3, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8 in a 45-minute battle.
The Pakistani star dominated the opening two games with precise length and controlled rallies before Badawi fought back to claim the third.
Second seed Ashab Irfan produced a commanding performance to dismantle the United States’ Christopher Gordon in just 20 minutes, winning 11-2, 11-4, 11-4.
Ashab’s aggressive shot-making and high pace left the American struggling to find any rhythm.
However, seventh seed Ahsan Ayaz’s campaign ended in a gripping five-game contest against Egypt’s Omar ElKattan. Ahsan took the opening game 11-4 but narrowly lost the second 12-10 and the third 11-9.
He levelled the match by winning the fourth 11-8, yet ElKattan held his nerve in the decider to prevail 11-8 after 58 minutes of intense play.
Pakistan’s Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim also bowed out in the round of 16, falling to Brazil’s third seed Diego Gobbi 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6 in 47 minutes.
Huzaifa started strongly by claiming the first game but was unable to maintain the momentum against Gobbi’s pace and consistency.
Sports
PM Shehbaz allows spectators at PSL 11 playoffs as well: Naqvi – SUCH TV
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Monday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted approval for public attendance in all three playoff matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi wrote on his official X handle.
However, Naqvi cautioned that the permission “comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimise fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing national austerity efforts”.
Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well.
However, this comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to… pic.twitter.com/SXtyhrIBpF
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) April 27, 2026
“He also conveyed his best wishes to all four teams competing in the PSL playoffs. Looking forward to some exciting and entertaining cricket ahead,” he added.
Sports
PM Shehbaz allows spectators at PSL 11 playoffs as well: Naqvi
- Approval follows earlier clearance for PSL final attendance.
- Franchise owners pushed for reversal of no-crowd policy.
- Online sale of tournament’s final tickets goes live today.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Monday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted approval for public attendance in all three playoff matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi wrote on his official X handle.
The development comes two days after the premier had already approved spectator presence for the tournament final following a request from franchise owners.
The federal government had earlier restricted crowd attendance for the ongoing eight-team tournament under austerity measures, aiming to conserve resources amid the regional fuel crisis linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
Under this arrangement, 40 matches were held without spectators, with the tournament now set to conclude with just four remaining fixtures, including a qualifier, two eliminators, and the final.
However, Naqvi cautioned that the permission “comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimise fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing national austerity efforts”.
“He [PM Shehbaz] also conveyed his best wishes to all four teams competing in the PSL playoffs. Looking forward to some exciting and entertaining cricket ahead,” Naqvi added.
The decision to allow spectators came after several franchise owners publicly urged the government to reconsider the no-crowd policy, arguing the league felt incomplete without fans and that spectator presence was central to the tournament’s atmosphere and identity.
Some franchise representatives had appealed directly to the premier, as well as provincial chief ministers, to permit crowds during the ongoing edition.
Meanwhile, the online sale of the PSL 11 final tickets went live today, with physical sale slated to commence on Tuesday.
With fans now allowed for all the remaining four matches of the eight-team tournament, the PCB has yet to share the ticketing details.
Sports
TNA wrestling star Xia Brookside gets baptized: ‘A new chapter’
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Xia Brookside certainly has made an impact on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) over the last few weeks.
As Brookside climbs the ladder to get back into the TNA Knockouts World Championship, she appeared to make an enemy along the way. Brookside helped Arianna Grace retain the title over Lei Ying Lee at Rebellion when she put Grace’s foot on the rope to break up the pin attempt.
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Xia Brookside attends the “Freelance” screening at Regal Waterford Lakes in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 24, 2023. (Jose Devillegas/Getty Images)
Brookside was far from finished with Lee. Last week, Lee wanted answers from Brookside. The English wrestler gave Lee a hug in the middle of the ring, but assaulted her. Their feud is heating up.
Outside of the ring, Brookside revealed on Sunday she was starting “a new chapter.” She posted a video of herself getting baptized.
“Something I’ve been considering for a very long time, after getting consistent in going to church weekly, reading daily and the incredible support from my man, it felt like the easiest decision I’ve ever made,” she wrote on X. “Thank you to everyone that came to support me.”
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Candice LeRae and Xia Brookside compete during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 2, 2025. (Matt Pendleton/WWE)
Brookside, whose real name is Xia-Louise Brooks, is the daughter of retired pro wrestling star Robbie Brookside. He currently works as a trainer and producer for WWE NXT.
She started her pro wrestling career in the United Kingdom and worked her way through the independent scene, eventually joining WWE in 2018. She was featured in WWE NXT UK before she joined Stardom in Japan and eventually TNA.
She’s held championships in International Pro Wrestling United Kingdom and Rise Wrestling during her career. She was also ranked No. 91 on Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s list of top women’s wrestlers in 2019.

Mina Shirakawa enters the ring during the women’s pro-wrestling event Stardom at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Dec. 29, 2022. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
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Brookside is back to making an impact on TNA again and is sure to be in line for the knockouts title down the line.
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