Sports
PCB unveils new central contracts, Babar and Rizwan dropped from Category A – SUCH TV
Two senior cricketers, Mohammad Rizwan and former captain Babar Azam, who were previously placed in Category A, have been moved down to Category B in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) central contracts for the 2025–26 season.
Shan Masood, who was earlier in Category B, has been relegated further to Category D.
In its announcement on Tuesday, the PCB confirmed that 30 players have been granted central contracts, effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
This time, ten players each have been slotted into Categories B, C, and D, while notably, no player has been included in Category A.
The new roster is larger than last year’s list of 27 contracted players, with 12 fresh names making the cut: Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.
Meanwhile, five players have earned promotions due to their performances over the past year Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan, who have all moved from Category C to B.
Nine others have retained their spots in the same categories, including Abdullah Shafique, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Eight players have missed out this year. Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Usman Khan all previously in Category D have not been offered contracts.
The final list for 2025–26 places Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi in Category B.
Category C includes Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Sajid Khan and Saud Shakeel.
Category D comprises Ahmed Daniyal, Hussain Talat, Khurram Shahzad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Shan Masood and Sufyan Moqim.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
NFL legend J.J. Watt took the opportunity to roast himself during the CBS broadcast of a Week 6 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
The broadcast featured a photo of Watt from when he was in the trenches with the Wisconsin Badgers. The photo that was shown was from Wisconsin’s media day in 2008. He was unable to play that season after he transferred to the school from Central Michigan.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Wisconsin Badgers defensive tackle J.J. Watt (99) celebrates following the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 27, 2010. (Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports)
Play-by-play broadcaster Ian Eagle asked Watt, “What exactly was going on?”
“Oh my gosh! I was fat, and I had a weird facial-hair situation going on. … I (didn’t) know how to tie a tie. I have a chinstrap going on,” Watt said. “That is a bad look. A lot of Mickies Dairy Bar in my system.”
Watt played two seasons with the Badgers, recording 11.5 sacks in 26 games. He entered the NFL Draft after the 2010 season and the Houston Texans made him the No. 11 overall selection.
J.J. Watt in attendance of the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 26, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
He went on to become one of the greatest players in Texans history and is likely to become a Hall of Famer once he’s eligible.
For now, Watt can be heard on the CBS broadcast. Sunday wasn’t the only time this season his appearance has been mentioned. The former defensive lineman debuted a new hairstyle. CBS called it “feathered and lethal.”
FILE – In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers had 235 passing yards and two touchdown passes as the Steelers defeated the Browns 23-9. DK Metcalf and Connor Heyward had the touchdown grabs.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Australia defeated India by three wickets in a record run chase in the women’s ODIs during the World Cup 2025 match at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, on Sunday.
Australia successfully chased down a massive 331-run target with six balls to spare.
Earlier, India posted an imposing 330 all out in 48.5 overs, powered by a superb opening stand between Smriti Mandhana (80 off 66) and Pratika Rawal (75 off 96).
The duo’s 142-run partnership provided a commanding platform before middle-order contributions from Harleen Deol (38), Jemimah Rodrigues (33 off 21), and Richa Ghosh (32 off 22) lifted India to their highest-ever World Cup total.
Annabel Sutherland grabbed five wickets for 54 while Sophie Molineux struck crucial blows to India by dismissing three batters.
In reply, Alyssa Healy led from the front with a match-winning 142 off 107 balls, laced with 21 fours and three sixes.
She found solid support from Phoebe Litchfield (40), Ashleigh Gardner (45), and Ellyse Perry, whose unbeaten 47 guided Australia home in style.
Despite Shree Charani’s three wickets and Amanjot Kaur’s two, India could not halt the Australian charge.
The victory marked the highest successful run chase in ICC Women’s World Cup history, reaffirming Australia’s dominance and depth under pressure.
Whom should you start? Whom should you sit? To help you set your fantasy football lineups and avoid starting an offensive player who won’t be in the lineup, we’ll post fantasy-relevant updates and analysis here as NFL teams release their official inactives lists.
Official Sunday inactives begin coming in approximately 90 minutes before the scheduled kickoff times: look for them around 2:30 p.m. ET for the late-afternoon games.
Refresh often for the latest information.
Darnell Mooney, WR, ATL (hamstring) was ruled out for “Monday Night Football” after not practicing in either week since his Week 4 injury.
Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL (hamstring) will miss at least one more week. The Ravens are on a bye week in Week 7. Cooper Rush gets the start.
Jalen Coker, WR, CAR (Quad) was ruled out after a full practice on Friday, so he may be available in Week 7.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR (calf): Rico Dowdle starts against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (ankle) still has not practiced since the injury in Week 3.
Miles Sanders, RB, DAL (knee/ankle, IR) was placed on IR after not practicing all week. Jaydon Blue will continue to be the backup for Javonte Williams.
KaVontae Turpin, WR, DAL (foot) has been ruled out after not practicing all week. This will be his second missed game.
Christian Watson, WR, GB (ACL – PUP): The Packers have opened Watson’s practice window, and he will need to be activated within three weeks or be ruled out for the rest of the season. But this is not the week in which he will return.
Spencer Shrader, K, IND (knee, IR) is out for the season with ACL and MCL tears suffered in Week 5 vs. the Raiders.
Brenton Strange, TE, JAC (quadriceps, IR) was injured on Monday night and is expected to be out more than the minimum four weeks.
Brock Bowers, TE, LV (knee) will miss at least one more week. Michael Mayer returns from a concussion and will assume top tight end targets.
Omarion Hampton, RB, LAC (ankle, IR): Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are expected to operate as a committee.
Antonio Gibson, RB, NE (knee, IR) is out for the season with a torn ACL suffered in Week 5 vs. the Bills.
Calvin Austin III, WR, PIT (shoulder) is ruled out after not practicing all week. He had 17 targets in four games this season.
Brock Purdy, QB, SF (toe): Mac Jones is expected to start, though he is questionable with a knee injury.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF (knee): The Niners remain thin at wide receiver with Jauan Jennings a game-time decision
Mike Evans, WR, TB (hamstring) has still not practiced, even in limited capacity, since his Week 3 injury.
Chris Godwin Jr., WR, TB (fibula) returned from injury in Week 4 and also played in Week 5 but is back on the shelf for now.
Bucky Irving, RB, TB (shoulder/foot): Rachaad White will be the main ball carrier again this week.
Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (quad) will miss his third game in a row after being ruled out for “Monday Night Football.”
New Meghan Markle show falls flat as expert says royal drama can’t be repeated
NFL legend JJ Watt roasts himself during Steelers-Browns broadcast
Paris Hilton calls her dogs ‘first babies’
-
Tech6 days agoI’ve Tested Countless Mesh Systems. Here Are the Routers I Recommend
-
Tech1 week agoAmazon Prime Big Deal Days Is Next Week, but We Already Found 40 Early Deals
-
Tech1 week agoAmazon is overhauling its devices to take on Apple in the AI era
-
Tech1 week agoAll Hail the Surprisingly Versatile Packing Cube! These Are Our Favorites
-
Tech6 days agoJony Ive Says He Wants His OpenAI Devices to ‘Make Us Happy’
-
Tech1 week agoAI in an ‘industrial bubble’ but will benefit society: Bezos
-
Business1 week agoInvestors are packing up; Pakistan must ask why | The Express Tribune
-
Tech1 week agoCombat Dry Indoor Winter Air With a New Humidifier