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PCB appoints Wasim Akram as PSL brand ambassador | The Express Tribune

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PCB appoints Wasim Akram as PSL brand ambassador | The Express Tribune


PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi says Akram to actively work for promotion of PSL and attend auction of two new PSL franchises


LAHORE:

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the appointment of former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram as the brand ambassador of the HBL Pakistan Super League.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said Wasim Akram will actively work for the promotion of the PSL and will also be present during the auction of two new PSL franchises scheduled for January 8.

PCB is now fully focused on the upcoming auction, said Naqvi, noting that there is tremendous interest from investors. He expressed confidence that the teams would be sold at strong prices. The PCB chairman revealed that 10 parties have qualified to participate in the bidding process for the two new franchises, which will take place in Islamabad on January 8.

Naqvi also announced that the Multan Sultans franchise will be auctioned after the conclusion of upcoming PSL, while the team will be operated by the PCB itself during PSL 11. He clarified that if Ali Tareen succeeds in bidding for a new team, he would be able to become its owner.

Discussing the tournament schedule, Naqvi said the PCB is considering to start PSL from March 23 instead of March 26, adding that the final decision will be taken after consultation with all franchises.

Commenting on recent developments in international cricket, Naqvi highlighted that the PCB has written a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the inappropriate conduct of Indian players during the Under-19 Asia Cup. He said that if Indian players are unwilling to shake hands with Pakistani players, “we too are not eager for handshakes.”

A day ago, the Pakistan Cricket Board shortlisted 10 bidders for the sale of two new HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise teams, who will now participate in the auction, scheduled for January 8.

According to a PCB statement, posted on X, the PCB Bid Committee has successfully completed the technical evaluation of proposals, submitted by interested parties, for the sale of the two new HBL PSL franchises.

A total of 12 proposals were received from bidders from across the globe and were scrutinised by the PCB Bid Committee, the statement said. Following a thorough and transparent evaluation process, the PCB Bid Committee qualified 10 bidders who met the technical criteria and have now advanced to the second stage, it added.

These 10 technically qualified bidders will proceed to participate in the auction scheduled for January 08, 2026, at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.

At the auction, the successful bidders will have the right to choose their franchise team names from among the following cities: Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad and Sialkot.



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Cristiano Ronaldo goal tracker: Road to 1,000 career goals

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February 15, 2026

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Cristiano Ronaldo goal tracker: Road to 1,000 career goals


Feb 15, 2026, 08:17 AM ET

Cristiano Ronaldo is chasing what no soccer player — despite Pelé and Romário claiming otherwise when adding in friendly matches — has ever officially achieved in competitive games: The ultimate milestone of 1,000 career goals. It’s the summit of statistical greatness, a record that would redefine the limits of individual excellence in the sport.

Throughout his career, the Portugal superstar has broken most of the records and won most of the trophies he could have won, but being able to officially score 1,000 goals will put him in a pantheon of his own among athletes.

Ronaldo is already the leading men’s international scorer with 143 goals from 225 games, while the rest of his domestic career total over his two-decade career have come in the club game for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now at Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.

So, as he nears an extraordinary landmark, ESPN will track every goal on his journey toward 1,000 — one strike at a time — until he reaches the magic number.

Ronaldo’s goal tally:

  • Games played: 1,306

  • Goals: 962

  • Ratio: 0.74 per game

Goal No. 962 | Feb. 14: Al Fateh 0-2 Al Nassr

Ronaldo missed Al Nassr’s last two Saudi Pro League games due to a short-lived dispute over the club’s transfer policy. However, he didn’t take long to let the club know what they missed, taking just 18 minutes to open the scoring by diverting Sadio Mane’s low cross into the far corner of the goal.

Goal No. 961 | Jan. 30: Al Kholood 0-3 Al Nassr

Four wins in a row for Al Nassr and it’s another goal for Ronaldo — his 17th of the season — as he scored the opener in their 3-0 win over Al Kholood after combining well with João Félix with a tidy finish inside the box.

Goal No. 960 | Jan. 21: Damac FC 1-2 Al Nassr

40 goals to go! Ronaldo got his 960th career goal giving Al Nassr their second consecutive win of the season, with the Portuguese scoring the winning goal by drilling a shot into the bottom corner.

Goal No. 959 | Jan. 12: Al Hilal 3-1 Al Nassr

Ronaldo was on the scoresheet and opening the match up in this huge clash against Al Hilal. However, second place Al Nassr was unable to cut the cap as the league leaders scored three times in the second half to get all three points.

Goal No. 958 | Jan. 8: Al Nassr 1-2 Al Qadsiah

It’s a new year but it’s the same old Ronaldo as he scored his first goal of 2026, making it 24 straight calendar years with at least one goal, as he scored a penalty but was unable to help Al Nassr beat Al Qadsiah.

Goal No. 957 | Dec. 30: Al Ettifaq 2-2 Al Nassr

Ronaldo surely didn’t want to end the year without a goal, and he was able to do it — with the help of a deflection off compatriot João Félix — as Al Nassr ended 2025 by snatching a point.

Goal No. 956 | Dec. 27: Al Nassr 3-0 Al Okhdood

Another strike that was all about timing and positioning, Ronaldo guided home a low cross from the right at close range to double his side’s lead and help seal a 10th consecutive win for Al Nassr.

Goal No. 955 | Dec. 27: Al Nassr 3-0 Al Okhdood

You’d think a defender would know better than to let Ronaldo have a free run into the six-yard box at a corner, but that’s what he got to tap home a flick-on at the far post and open the scoring.

Goal No. 954 | Nov. 23: Al Nassr 4-1 Al Khaleej

As pretty as any of the 953 goals that came before it. The 40-year-old got on his bike to connect with a floated cross from the right flank and deliver an exquisite right-footed bicycle kick into the top corner.

It also just happened to be the last action of the game.

Goal No. 953 | Nov. 8: Neom SC 1-3 Al Nassr

A penalty in the 65th minute… but it was dispatched with calmness as CR7 did a little stutter-step, waited for the goalkeeper to dive to his right and then slotted it home down his left side.

That’s now a cool 100 goal involvements in the Saudi League in 85 matches.

Goals No. 951 & 952 | Nov. 1: Al Nassr 2-1 Al Fayha

Another game, another two goals for the Portugal legend.

Ronaldo was in fine form on Saturday as Al Nassr came back from a goal down to defeat Al Fayha at the King Fahd International Stadium.

After slipping behind early, the 40-year-old latched on to a through-ball from Kingsley Coman to restore parity for the hosts in the 37th minute. Ronaldo then kept his cool to slot home the winner from the penalty spot to ensure Al Nassr kept a flawless seven-in-seven record to start the Saudi Pro League season.

Goal No. 950 | Oct. 24: Al Hazem 0-2 Al Nassr

The 40-year-old was on the scoresheet as he, and compatriot João Félix, helped Al Nassr beat Al Hazem to continue their perfect start in the Saudi Pro League with six wins from their first six matches of the season.

Following a great ball from teammate Wesley, Ronaldo was able to score with ease inside the box with a great strike and now needs just 50 goals to reach a four-digit total.





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T20 World Cup Pakistan Take the Field First After Toss Victory Over India – SUCH TV

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February 15, 2026

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T20 World Cup Pakistan Take the Field First After Toss Victory Over India – SUCH TV



Pakistan have elected to field first against India in the 27th match of the Men’s T20 World Cup in Colombo on Sunday. 

According to details surfaced on Sunday, the Green Shirts will look to continue the momentum, they got after thumping Netherlands and USA.

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed

India XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah



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Sanjay Manjrekar criticises India over handshake row

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February 15, 2026

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Sanjay Manjrekar criticises India over handshake row


Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar seen in a file photo. — AFP

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the defending champions over the recent “no-handshake” controversy involving Pakistan during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup, terming the gesture unnecessary and against the true spirit of the game.

The two Asian giants will face off in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash here on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium, with fans eagerly waiting to see whether the two captains shake hands.

Taking to the social media platform X, the former cricketer-turned-commentator expressed concern over what he termed an unbecoming trend that contradicts cricket’s long-standing traditions of sportsmanship.

“This ‘no shaking hands’ is such a silly thing that India has started. It’s unbecoming of a nation like ours. Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don’t play at all,” he wrote.

The absence of the customary post-match handshake has continued in recent encounters between the arch-rivals. 

Players from both sides have avoided traditional interactions since their group-stage clash at the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai last year.

The issue first drew widespread attention during that fixture when Suryakumar Yadav did not greet Agha Salman at the toss. 

After India sealed victory, Suryakumar and teammate Shivam Dube walked back to the pavilion immediately after scoring the winning runs, further fuelling debate.

India and Pakistan faced each other twice more in the tournament — in the Super Four stage and the final — but handshakes were again notably absent on both occasions.

Moreover, after defeating Pakistan in the final, the Men in Blue refrained from receiving the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and President of the Asian Cricket Council.

The practice has not been limited to senior men’s cricket. 

Similar scenes were witnessed during their meeting at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, as well as in age-group and emerging competitions, including the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship and the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup.

In the recently concluded ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, India captain Ayush Mhatre and Pakistan skipper Farhan Yousaf also avoided shaking hands following their match, highlighting how the controversy has extended across different levels of international cricket.

The practice remained the same during the recently concluded match between Pakistan A and India A in the ACC Asia Cup Rising Stars Women’s 2026 on Sunday.





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