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Karakoram Plus, Gilgit (2025)

04/08/2025

Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub laid a solid foundation with a 138-run opening partnership as Pakistan defeated the West Indies by 13 runs on Sunday to clinch their T20 International series. Pakistan had taken the first match by 14 runs but lost the second by two wickets, setting up a decider at Lauderhill, Florida.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan were off to a flying start thanks to the efforts of Farhan and Ayub. The team posted a total of 189 for four. Farhan played a blistering knock, scoring 74 off 53 deliveries, which included five sixes and three fours. Ayub anchored the innings well, staying at the crease for 19 overs and contributing 66 runs off 49 balls with two sixes and four boundaries.

Farhan’s innings came to an end in the 17th over when he was caught at long off by West Indies skipper Shai Hope off a delivery from Shamar Joseph. Hasan Nawaz came in next but managed only 15 runs before being caught by Romario Shepherd at long off from Roston Chase’s bowling in the 18th over. Mohammad Haris was run out for just two runs at the start of the 19th over, and Ayub was dismissed on the final ball of the penultimate over, caught by Sherfane Rutherford at sweeper cover off Jason Holder.

Chasing a target of 190, the West Indies made a fast start, scoring 30 runs off the first 10 balls bowled by Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz. Their first setback came when Jewel Andrew, who had scored 24 runs, was caught at long on by Hasan Ali off Haris Rauf, with the total at 44. Shai Hope was dismissed in the ninth over, caught by Ayub off Nawaz’s bowling, contributing just seven runs as the hosts still required 116 to win.

Alick Athanaze provided resistance, scoring 60 runs before he was caught by Khushdil Shah off Ayub, with the score at 110 and 80 runs still needed from 42 balls. Roston Chase was dismissed on the last ball of the 17th over, and Jason Holder, who had played a match-winning role the night before, was bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem two balls later without scoring, leaving the West Indies needing 41 runs from the final 16 deliveries.

Sherfane Rutherford brought some late excitement by smashing a six to complete his half-century with seven balls left, but was dismissed shortly after for 51. The West Indies failed to mount another dramatic last-over finish, handing Pakistan a well-earned series victory.

03/08/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus In a proud moment for Pakistan football, Better Future Pakistan clinched the Norway Cup 2025 title in the Boys Under-15 category, defeating Norwegian side FK Gjøvik-Lyn 2-0 in a commanding performance during Saturday’s final in Oslo. The young Pakistani team wrapped up their campaign in spectacular fashion, finishing the tournament with a flawless record: nine consecutive wins, 38 goals scored, and only five conceded. Their consistent dominance cemented their place as one of the most formidable sides in the tournament’s prestigious history. In front of a passionate crowd, the team displayed maturity and discipline beyond their years. They controlled the final with composure, scoring twice and keeping a clean sheet against the local opponents. Their performance was a testament to the balance they maintained throughout the tournament—solid in defence and sharp in attack. Their journey started in Group 6, where they cruised past Norwegian sides Stabæk Fotball 2 with an 8-0 win, Bergen Nord with a 3-0 scoreline, and Krokelvdalen Idrettslag 2 with a 5-0 victory. They topped their group with a massive +16 goal difference. In the knockout stages, Better Future Pakistan continued their winning run with a 4-0 victory over Levanger FK, followed by back-to-back 4-2 wins against Skeid in the Round of 16 and Greåker IF in the quarterfinal. They secured their place in the final with a 4-1 win over Gjelleråsen in the semifinal. The team’s attack ranked second overall in total goals scored and their conduct on the field was equally admirable. They were awarded 16 green cards for fair play, showcasing their commitment not just to winning but to upholding sportsmanship throughout the tournament. This victory stands as a landmark achievement for the Better Future Foundation, a grassroots initiative dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth in Pakistan through football. The foundation’s Oslo-based wing has been participating in the Norway Cup for several years, and this triumph adds a new chapter of success to their story. The exceptional performance by these young players has sparked new hope for the development of youth football in Pakistan. In the absence of a strong domestic structure, this group could become the foundation for the country’s future national squads, provided they receive the necessary support and nurturing in the years to come.

03/08/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a blanket ban on its players’ participation in all future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), citing hypocrisy and biased conduct by the tournament’s organizers. The decision followed the PCB's 79th Board of Governors (BoG) meeting, held virtually under the chairmanship of PCB head Mohsin Naqvi. In a strongly worded statement, the PCB expressed deep disappointment over the WCL’s decision-making, particularly highlighting the incident where points were awarded to a team that had intentionally forfeited a match. The board also took serious exception to what it called “hypocritical and biased” language in WCL’s official press releases, especially in the context of the cancelled high-profile clash between Pakistan and India legends.
According to the PCB, the WCL’s press statements reflected a double standard in how they applied the theme of “peace through sport,” accusing the tournament of prioritizing political agendas and commercial interests over genuine sporting spirit. The situation escalated after the India Champions refused to play against Pakistan in a group stage match on July 20. The WCL management responded by awarding shared points to both sides — a decision that enabled India to reach the semi-finals. However, India again refused to play at that stage, automatically sending Pakistan to the final. The PCB condemned what it described as a violation of sporting neutrality, arguing that the WCL’s reasoning lacked merit and was influenced by non-sporting factors. The board noted that the WCL’s apology for “hurting sentiments” was not only insincere but also an implicit admission that the match cancellation was driven by political motives, not cricketing reasons. Such an approach, the PCB said, sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting world. Highlighting its consistent stance on separating sports from politics, the PCB said it found it troubling that even events involving retired players were not immune to external influence. It reiterated that cricket should serve as a platform for goodwill, mutual respect, and healthy competition, and that undermining this principle in any capacity is unacceptable.
Given what it termed as “a clear and intolerable pattern of external influence” and disregard for fair play, the PCB concluded it could no longer endorse its players' involvement in a tournament that compromises the fundamental principles of fair and unbiased administration. The board reaffirmed its commitment to promoting global cricket and fostering healthy rivalries but stressed it would not allow its players to participate in events where political interference overshadows the true spirit of the game. The virtual meeting was attended by Sumair Ahmed Syed, Salman Naseer, Zaheer Abbas, Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Sajjad Ali Khokhar, Zafarullah Jadgal, Tanveer Ahmed, Tariq Sarwar, Muhammad Ismail Qureshi, Anwaar Ahmad Khan, Adnan Malik, Usman Wahla (as special invitee), and Mir Hassan Naqvi.

03/08/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson praised emerging power-hitter Hasan Nawaz, calling him a “quality player on the rise” in an Instagram story where he shared a statistical graphic by a cricket news outlet. The post highlighted the stark contrast in Nawaz’s batting performances during the powerplay and post-powerplay phases in T20Is this year. According to the stats, Nawaz averages 35.4 and strikes at 162.8 during the powerplay but has also been dismissed for a duck five times in that phase. In contrast, he shines in the post-powerplay, averaging 49 with an impressive strike rate of 172.9 and no ducks to his name. Reacting to these numbers, Hesson lauded the young batter, who has accumulated 284 runs in 12 T20I matches so far, including a century and a half-century. “Certainly a quality player on the rise,” Hesson wrote in his story. Hasan Nawaz made his international debut earlier this year during Pakistan’s T20I tour of New Zealand. His start was far from ideal, getting out for a duck in both of his first two matches — a rare and unfortunate feat that made him only the sixth player ever, and the second Pakistani, to record back-to-back ducks at the beginning of a T20I career. However, the 22-year-old responded in sensational fashion in the third T20I, blasting a 44-ball century — the fastest ever by a Pakistani batter in T20Is — to guide his team to a commanding nine-wicket win over New Zealand. Despite this breakout performance, consistency has eluded him, as he has since added four more ducks to his record, making him joint-second on Pakistan’s all-time list of most ducks in men’s T20Is.

03/08/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus West Indies held their nerve in a tense finish to edge past Pakistan by two wickets in the second T20 International on Sunday, levelling the three-match series 1-1 at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground. Chasing a modest 134-run target, the hosts stumbled early but recovered in the closing stages, thanks to a composed unbeaten knock by Jason Holder and a handy contribution from Romario Shepherd. The victory sets up a thrilling series decider scheduled for Monday at the same venue. Earlier in the day, Holder starred with the ball, delivering a brilliant spell of 4 for 19 to help restrict Pakistan to 133 for 9 after the visitors chose to bat first. He later returned with the bat to steer the nervy chase with an unbeaten 16, sealing the win by striking the final ball to the boundary. Pakistan began strongly with the ball as left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz removed Alick Athanaze for 2 in the second over and then dismissed debutant Jewel Andrew (12) in the fourth. The visitors tightened their grip when Saim Ayub, introduced in the middle overs, removed Sherfane Rutherford and Roston Chase, reducing West Indies to 61 for 5 by the 13th over. A crucial turning point came when left-hander Gudakesh Motie counterattacked with a brisk 28 off 20 balls, smashing two sixes off Hasan Ali in the 16th over. His vital innings gave West Indies a chance before a mix-up led to his run-out by Mohammad Haris. At 98 for 7 in the 17th over, the match was hanging in the balance. With 36 runs required from the last 18 balls, Holder and Shepherd kept their composure. A wayward 19th over from Hasan Ali allowed Holder to capitalize with a boundary and a six, leaving just eight needed from the final over. Shaheen Shah Afridi managed to dismiss Shepherd (15 off 11) in the last over, but Holder’s calm demeanor under pressure proved decisive, as he guided West Indies home off the last delivery. Nawaz was the standout bowler for Pakistan, delivering a miserly four-over spell of 3 for 14. Saim Ayub chipped in with 2 for 20, while Muqeem and Shaheen took one wicket each. Earlier, Pakistan’s innings faltered against disciplined West Indies bowling. Holder struck early, removing openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan cheaply, while Akeal Hosein dismissed Mohammad Haris, reducing Pakistan to 21 for 3. Captain Agha Salman and Fakhar Zaman tried to rebuild the innings, but Roston Chase broke their 32-run partnership by dismissing Fakhar for 20. Salman then found support in hard-hitting youngster Hassan Nawaz, who added momentum with a fiery 40 off just 23 balls, including three sixes in a single over. The pair added 60 runs before Holder returned to dismiss Hassan in the 16th over. Motie struck twice in quick succession, removing Salman (38 off 33) and Faheem Ashraf on consecutive deliveries, while Holder claimed his fourth wicket by getting rid of Mohammad Nawaz. Shamar Joseph cleaned up the tail by dismissing Hasan Ali for eight. Pakistan ended their innings on 133 for 9, with Shaheen Afridi (2*) and Usama Muqeem (1*) unbeaten at the crease.

03/08/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus Rovman Powell, the West Indies batter, has been officially ruled out of the T20I series against Pakistan due to a wrist injury sustained during the previous series against Australia. The West Indies team has decided not to name a replacement for him. The 32-year-old picked up the injury while attempting a catch in the fourth T20I against Australia on July 26 in St Kitts. As a result, he missed the fifth and final T20I of that series and was also absent from the first T20I against Pakistan, which took place on July 31 in Lauderhill, Florida. West Indies lost that match by 14 runs. The two teams are set to meet again on August 2 and 4 to complete the three-match T20I series in Lauderhill. Following the T20Is, both sides will travel to Tarouba in Trinidad & Tobago for a three-match ODI series beginning on August 8. Powell is unlikely to be part of the ODI squad, as he last featured in the format in 2023.

02/08/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus South Africa Champions delivered a clinical performance to defeat Pakistan Champions by nine wickets in the WCL 2025 Final, successfully chasing a target of 196 with 19 balls remaining. Batting second, AB de Villiers turned back the clock with a sensational unbeaten 120 off just 60 deliveries, decorated with 12 fours and 7 sixes. He found strong support in Jean-Paul Duminy, who contributed a fluent 50 off 28 balls, as the pair combined for a commanding 125-run partnership for the second wicket. Earlier in the match, Pakistan Champions put up a total of 195 for 5, anchored by a blazing 76 from Sharjeel Khan. Contributions from Umar Amin (36) and Asif Ali (28) added valuable runs in the latter stages of the innings. However, their efforts were ultimately overshadowed by South Africa’s dominant batting display. The Pakistani bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, and South Africa cruised to victory. With this emphatic triumph, South Africa Champions secured their maiden WCL title, making a powerful statement in the final and underlining their supremacy in the tournament.

02/08/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus New Zealand captain Mitch Santner credited a "great collective performance" for the Black Caps’ dominant nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on the third day of the first Test at Queens Sports Club. While praising the bowlers, Santner noted that the batting effort left room for improvement. New Zealand's win was powered by fast bowler Matt Henry, who took nine wickets for 90 runs across both innings and was named player of the match. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 149 and 165, leaving New Zealand needing just eight runs to win after securing a first-innings lead of 158.
"There was more in it (the pitch) than we thought. We held our lengths and lines," said Santner, who was leading the side for the first time in a Test match due to Tom Latham’s absence with a shoulder injury. It was New Zealand’s first Test of the year, and Henry’s standout performance followed his success in the recently concluded triangular Twenty20 series in Harare, where he was named player of the tournament. "With the chop and change in formats, you've got to trust the work you've put in," said Henry. "When you have assistance (from the conditions), it was great we were able to exploit it." New Zealand posted 307 in their only innings, with significant contributions from Devon Conway, who scored 88, and Daryl Mitchell, who added 80. Despite the solid total, Santner felt the batting unit could have done better. "We could have batted a bit better," he admitted. "We had good intent. We talked about getting partnerships together but didn't have many significant ones." Santner also expressed concern over the fitness of seamer Nathan Smith, who had figures of three for 20 in the first innings but was unable to take the field in the second innings due to an abdominal injury. "I feel for him. He bowled so well in the first innings but it doesn't look good for him," he said. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine acknowledged an improved effort from his side's batting compared to their performances in the recent Tests against South Africa in Bulawayo. "There was a fair bit in the wicket but the guys tried to grind it out," he said. Ervine highlighted the opening stand between Conway and Will Young on the first evening, which yielded 92 runs without loss, as a turning point in the match. "I haven't seen as much lateral movement as there was here for a while. We could have easily picked up two or three (wickets)," he added.

02/08/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Islamabad on Saturday following his visit to Lahore, where he paid tribute at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal. Upon his arrival at Noor Khan Air Base, he was warmly received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and other senior officials. A 21-gun salute was accorded to the visiting dignitary, who is accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and a high-level delegation. Earlier, President Pezeshkian began his two-day official visit to Pakistan — his first since assuming office — by landing at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. He was welcomed by Pakistan Muslim League-N President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. During his time in Lahore, the Iranian president visited the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal, where he laid a wreath and offered Fateha, led by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and Khateeb of Badshahi Masjid. Accompanied by Maryam Nawaz, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari, President Pezeshkian also signed the visitors’ book, where he lauded Iqbal’s visionary contributions to Islamic philosophy and the Pakistan Movement.
According to the Foreign Office, President Pezeshkian is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his stay. Ahead of his visit, he told the media that the main purpose of the trip was to boost trade and economic cooperation between Iran and Pakistan. He mentioned that discussions would also cover border security and regional peace, highlighting the potential of cross-border markets and enhanced connectivity to create new opportunities for collaboration.
President Pezeshkian expressed hope of increasing bilateral trade to US$10 billion and reaffirmed Iran’s keen interest in taking an active role in the China–Pakistan Belt and Road Initiative. He described the initiative as a bridge that could link Iran to Europe and emphasized that any efforts to disrupt Pakistan–Iran Islamic unity would not succeed. In May, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had paid a two-day visit to Iran as part of his regional outreach to friendly nations, aimed at expressing appreciation for their support during Pakistan’s conflict with India. During that visit, he met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Pezeshkian. Their discussions centered on strengthening Pakistan-Iran ties, with a particular focus on trade and regional connectivity. Both leaders also discussed broader regional challenges and acknowledged Iran’s role in promoting peace during the India-imposed war on Pakistan.

01/08/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus President of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to undertake a two-day state visit to Pakistan starting Saturday. The visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and marks Dr. Pezeshkian's first official visit to Pakistan since assuming office as President of Iran. Accompanying the Iranian President will be a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, senior ministers, and other top-ranking officials. During the visit, President Pezeshkian will meet with President Asif Ali Zardari and hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This visit follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's own trip to Iran on May 26 earlier this year. The Iranian President’s visit is expected to deepen the longstanding brotherly ties between the two neighboring countries and enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

01/08/2025

Follow Karakoram Plus Half-centuries from JJ Smuts and Morne van Wyk, followed by a disciplined bowling performance, helped South Africa Champions edge out Australia Champions by just one run in a thrilling second semi-final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 at Edgbaston on Thursday. The narrow win secured South Africa's place in the final, where they will face Pakistan Champions at the same venue on Saturday. Chasing a stiff target of 187, Australia Champions fell just short, finishing at 185 for 7. Despite a six off the first ball of the final over, Wayne Parnell held his nerve to defend 14 runs and seal the win for South Africa. Dan Christian fought hard for Australia with an unbeaten 29 off 29 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. Chris Lynn and D’Arcy Short also contributed with 35 and 33 runs, respectively. South Africa's bowling was a combined effort, with Parnell and Hardus Viljoen claiming two wickets each, while Duanne Olivier and Imran Tahir picked up one apiece. Earlier, after choosing to bat first, South Africa Champions posted a competitive total of 186 for 8 in their 20 overs. Their innings got off to a shaky start when AB de Villiers was dismissed for just six in the second over, leaving them at 13 for 1. However, van Wyk and Smuts steadied the innings with a crucial 111-run stand for the second wicket. Smuts was eventually dismissed for 57 off 41 balls, hitting eight fours and a six. Van Wyk continued to anchor the innings, adding a brief 13-run stand with Sarel Erwee before being dismissed by Brett Lee in the 16th over. He top-scored for South Africa with a blistering 76 off 35 balls, including seven fours and five sixes. Following his dismissal, South Africa lost quick wickets, adding just 28 runs while losing four more wickets in the final overs. Peter Siddle led the Australian bowling attack with four wickets, while D’Arcy Short took two. Brett Lee and Dan Christian picked up one each.

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