Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan (AP Photo)

A number of prominent figures from the cricketing world — including Indian icons Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar — have extended support to former Pakistan all-rounder Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated for more than two years. Reports suggest that Khan, Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, has nearly lost vision in one eye, allegedly due to medical negligence during his imprisonment. He was ousted from office following multiple corruption charges.The push for better treatment of Khan gathered momentum earlier this week when former Australia captain Greg Chappell initiated a petition urging authorities to ensure proper medical care for the jailed leader. The appeal has been endorsed by several former international captains.In a conversation with Australian journalists Gideon Haigh and Peter Lalor, Chappell explained what prompted him to take action.“And so, you know, I’ve been following and keeping in contact with him as much as possible, but since he’s been in jail, it’s been impossible. I’m in touch with one of his very best friends on a regular basis, and not even his family have been able to see him while he’s in jail. So, this has been sort of troubling me for a while, but I thought, well… What difference does one voice make? And it was in conversation with my friend [name not clear], and he said, Well, why don’t you talk to other captains, and see if you can get a group of captains that make a statement that that might carry a bit more weight.”Given the long-standing political tensions between India and Pakistan, and Khan’s firm stance toward India during his tenure as Prime Minister, public backing from Indian cricket greats was far from certain. Although Khan had visited India multiple times as both a cricketer and political leader and had forged personal bonds there, many of his Indian acquaintances had stayed silent following his imprisonment.Chappell admitted he was struck by how swiftly Gavaskar and Kapil agreed to support the initiative. “Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev probably had more pressure than the rest of us, but they both reacted instantly. You’ve probably seen Sunny’s comments… They’ve been friends for a long time,” he said.Earlier, Gavaskar had spoken about his long association with Khan in remarks that drew attention on both sides of the border. “I have known Imran since he was 17 years old, when India was playing at Worcester… after the Test series win at The Oval. He was trying to qualify as an overseas player for Worcestershire then. Whatever the political differences there, we believe that he should be looked after in a humane manner and given proper medical care,” he told The Indian Express.Others who have signed the petition include Ian Chappell, Clive Lloyd, Allan Border, Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Michael Brearley, David Gower, Steve Waugh, John Wright, Kim Hughes and Belinda Clark.

India’s Shivam Dube celebrates his half-century (ANI Photo)

Ahmedabad: For someone who would get picked for team India only if Hardik Pandya got injured and who even was struggling to find a place in the Mumbai team for one season, Shivam Dube has come a long way. His ability to tonk the spinners for big sixes earned him a recall for the 2024 T20 World Cup, with the selectors preferring him over well-known finisher Rinku Singh.

In the 2026 T20 World Cup, the Mumbai and Chennai Super Kings allrounder is turning out to be a ‘silent’ (not in the limelight), but violent (highly explosive) hero for India. In a tournament where India’s top order has largely struggled to get going against spinners, Dube’s impactful presence and contributions are worth their weight in gold. On Wednesday night at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Dube enhanced his credentials as a premier power-hitter in world cricket with a match-winning knock of 66 off just 31 balls, which included half a dozen powerfully struck sixes, against the Netherlands in India’s last league stage match of the T20 World Cup. Unlike the modern T20 specialist batter, Dube doesn’t look to improvise much. Standing still at the crease, the Mumbaikar employs his long levers, timing, and raw power to give the ball a good whack if it is pitched in his arc. Coming into this game, the 32-year-old had produced crucial cameos of 23 (off 16 balls) and 27 (off 17 balls) against Namibia and Pakistan in his previous two outings in the 2026 T20 World Cup. In the build-up to the T20 World Cup, Dube had hammered 65 off 23 balls against New Zealand in the fourth T20I at Vizag last month. On Wednesday, Dube took time to get his eye in and was slightly fortunate to survive a close lbw appeal, which was reviewed by the Dutch, off off-spinner Aryan Dutt. He scored just six off 11 balls before exploding in typical fashion. “It was a little tough on the wicket, but this is the situation I love to bat and I was enjoying it, although I was under pressure for some time. The offspinner [Colin Ackermann] bowled really well to me and four dot balls, a good over from my side, but I knew that I’m going to cover up later. [Some balls] were skidding as well as keeping low. One of the balls spun as well. So, for me, it was like, yes, I can hit him, but at that time the situation demanded something else. So, I had to play at that time,” Dube said at the post-match press conference on Wednesday. Since he knows he has the ability to unleash big sixes, Dube doesn’t get fazed by a few dot balls while starting off. “Yes, obviously when you play dot balls in T20, you feel pressure. But as a player, as a batsman, I know at that time that maybe right now if I am at 2 runs in 10 balls, in the next 5 balls, if I hit two sixes, it will be covered. So that thought always stays in my mind. Yes, the wicket was gone so it is important that we build partnerships, so for that even if 2-4 balls are dot balls it is fine, but later it gets covered,” said Dube, radiating a smile after bagging the Player of the Match award. A few years back, Dube carried an unwanted reputation of being someone who would be uncomfortable against the short ball and genuine pace. However, over time, the left-hander worked on improving his weakness, turning into a better player each year. On Wednesday, he smashed three sixes off Dutch pacer Logan van Beek. Quizzed about how he climbed the learning curve and removed his drawbacks, Dube said, “When you play in those situations, you learn. So, I have become a little smart in that situation. I know, yes, this bowler can come to me on this ball, or a fast bowler can bowl short or slower balls – I’ve worked on those things. And now I’m getting better. Game awareness is important and it has gotten better from my side,” Dube said. “When I [first] came to CSK [Chennai Super Kings], there was something I was struggling with. It was important to come back strong, because I know I can dominate. I worked really hard on the short ball. I knew it’s not going to be easy [to make the changes], but I had to give it extra time and play extra balls. That’s what I did.” “I know all the bowlers, they’re going to [try and] block me as well,” Dube said. “They’ll not bowl me yorkers or length balls. They’re going to come short. They’re going to bowl me slower balls. So I prepared myself, so I was waiting for that. When I came today, it was not that I can take the strike rate high [immediately], but at some time there was something I thought, this is the time I can go now. I knew today was my day.” Until the 2024 T20 World Cup, Dube’s strike rate against pace in T20Is was 134, but now it’s gone up to 172. Aware that pacers are going to aim to give him some ‘chin music’, Dube is ready for the challenge. “I know all the bowlers, they’re going to [try and] block me as well,” Dube said. “They’ll not bowl me yorkers or length balls. They’re going to come short. They’re going to bowl me slower balls. So I prepared myself, so I was waiting for that. When I came today, it was not that I can take the strike rate high [immediately], but at some time there was something I thought, this is the time I can go now. I knew today was my day,” Dube said. Beaming when told that this was his maiden T20 World Cup fifty, Dube chose to bat for some of his hyped-up teammates as well. “It’s about who has the day,” Dube said, striking a philosophical tone. “I think in our team all of us are match-winners, anyone can hit big sixes on any day, and I felt today is the day, so I need to be a little smart, push myself, stay till the end, but I also need to regain my strength as well. That’s what I did. That’s why I’m a power hitter,” Dube said. Besides his batting, Dube’s bowling – thanks to many useful sessions with bowling coach and former South African pacer Morne Morkel – has also improved significantly. After his heroics with the bat, he took two for 35 in three overs on Wednesday night. Reflecting the team’s confidence in his seam bowling, skipper Suryakumar Yadav turned to Dube when the Netherlands needed 28 in the final over. The Dutch got 10, and Dube took a wicket.

Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan (AP Photo)

Sahibzada Farhan etched his name into the record books with a maiden T20I century during Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash against Namibia on Wednesday. However, while the milestone was significant, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan was not entirely impressed with how the opener approached the closing moments of the innings. Farhan reached his hundred in the penultimate over but did so in a manner that raised eyebrows. On the second ball of the 20th over, he calmly pushed the delivery towards long-on for a single to bring up the landmark. In doing so, he became only the second Pakistan batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in the T20 World Cup.

Pathan, though, questioned the timing and intent behind the approach, suggesting that the team’s total should have been the sole focus in the final over. “He definitely has scored a century, but taking a single? Unbelievable. Unbelievable. You would be happy that you have scored a century and that Pakistan have reached 199,” Irfan said on air. “But in the last over, you play a defensive shot, then you leave the last ball. Kamaal hai,” he added. Farhan also failed to capitalise on the final delivery of the innings, unable to reach a wide ball bowled by Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus. The last over wasn’t fully maximised, and had Shadab Khan not struck two crucial sixes, Pakistan may not have pushed their total to 199. The 29-year-old eventually finished unbeaten on 100 from 58 balls, an innings decorated with 11 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 172.41. In the broader context of the match, Farhan’s century laid the foundation for Pakistan’s imposing 199/3 in Colombo. Captain Salman Ali Agha contributed 38, while Shadab remained unbeaten on 36 to provide a late flourish. In reply, Namibia were outclassed as Usman Tariq’s mystery spin (4/16) dismantled the middle order and Shadab claimed 3/19. Namibia were bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs, handing Pakistan a commanding 102-run victory and confirming their place in the Super 8 stage.

Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi and teammate Usman Tariq leave the field after Pakistan lost their T20 World Cup game against India (AP Photo)

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi launched a scathing attack on the senior core of the Pakistan national cricket team after their crushing 61-run defeat to India national cricket team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at R Premadasa Stadium.Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India dominated the Group A clash on Sunday, handing Pakistan a heavy blow and leaving them in a must-win situation against Namibia to have any chance of reaching the Super 8s.

Afridi, speaking on Samaa TV, did not hold back and urged the team management to make bold calls ahead of the crucial fixture. He called for the exclusion of senior players including Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, stating that they had been given ample opportunities over the years without delivering consistent results. Notably, Shaheen is married to Afridi’s daughter Ansha.“Drop Shaheen, drop Shadab, and drop Babar. Try fresh faces against Namibia and give the new players a chance to build confidence. They’ve been playing for a long time. Whenever we expect them to perform, they don’t. If these senior players aren’t giving us the performances we desire, then play the juniors who are sitting on the bench. What is the difference?”, Afridi said during a Live show.Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha admitted after the match that the spinners failed to deliver on a surface that offered assistance.“We were believing in our spinners, and they had an off day today. Execution was missing in some parts of the game. We were obviously going to always believe our spinners, because they’ve done really well in last six month. And with the batting I think we didn’t start well and in T20 games if we lose 3 or 4 wickets in powerplay, you are always chasing the game,” he said in the post-match presentation ceremony.Salman also criticised the batting unit for not adapting to the conditions.“I think, to be very honest, like in first inning it was a bit tacky. The ball was gripping as well. So, the execution was, I think, missing when it comes to bowling, but I think the pitch better played better in the second inning than first inning. But our bowlers like, we didn’t bowl according to the situation. And when it comes to batting, we didn’t apply ourselves and gave us a chance to go deep in the game,” he said.

Pakistan’s Usman Tariq, left, celebrates with teammates (AP/PTI)

Sahibzada Farhan’s blistering fifty and a clinical spin attack propelled Pakistan to a convincing 32-run victory over the United States in their Group A T20 World Cup clash at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Tuesday. Farhan was the star with the bat, smashing 73 off just 41 balls to guide Pakistan to a competitive 190 for nine. His aggressive innings, which included multiple towering sixes, gave Pakistan the platform to post a strong total despite losing early wickets. Babar Azam (46 off 32) supported him well, adding 81 runs for the third wicket after Pakistan slipped to 56 for two in the Power Play.

The USA openers, Shayan Jahangir (49 off 34) and Andries Gous (13 off 13), offered a solid start, reaching 50 for one after five overs. But once Pakistan’s spin quartet – Abrar Ahmed (1/30), Mohammad Nawaz (1/21), Shadab Khan (2/26), and Usman Tariq (3/27) – was introduced, the US innings struggled. Seven of the eight wickets to fall were claimed by Pakistan’s spinners, preventing any sustained partnerships. Skipper Monank Patel fell cheaply to Shadab, and Jahangir’s lofted shot was well caught by Shaheen Afridi at mid-wicket. Shubham Ranjane (51 off 30) and Milind Kumar (23) fought back with a fourth-wicket stand of 66, but the required run rate proved too steep, leaving the USA short of the target. Earlier, Pakistan had lost Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha to Shadley van Schalkwyk’s fiery spell (4/25) in the sixth over, but Farhan’s muscle-bound assault kept the innings on track. Even as wickets fell at the back end, Shadab’s 30 off 12 balls ensured Pakistan finished with a formidable total. The win marks Pakistan’s second straight victory, taking them to the top of Group A with four points. Brief Scores: Pakistan 190/9 (Sahibzada Farhan 73, Babar Azam 46; Shadley van Schalkwyk 4/25) beat USA 158/8 (Shubham Ranjane 51, Shayan Jahangir 49; Usman Tariq 3/27) by 32 runs.