Babar Azam created several records as Pakistan defeated the West Indies by eight wickets at Queen’s Park Oval. The victory levelled the two-Test series 1-1 and ended Pakistan’s eight-match losing run in away Tests. Babar shared the Player of the Series award with West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves. The Pakistan captain scored 192 runs across four innings. His tally included 22 and an unbeaten 58 in the first Test, followed by 88 and 24 not out in Port of Spain. The award marked Babar’s first Player of the Series honour in Test cricket. It also took his overall tally across formats to 10. That put him level with Imran Khan and Wasim Akram for the most such awards by a Pakistan player. Imran collected eight awards in Tests and two in ODIs. Wasim won seven in Tests and three in ODIs. Babar’s collection now includes one Test award, four in ODIs and five in T20Is. Waqar Younis follows with nine. Captaincy Record Strengthens The result gave Babar his ninth away Test victory in 12 matches as Pakistan captain. His away win-loss ratio now stands at 3.00. That is the best among captains who have led in at least 12 away Tests, moving him ahead of Australia’s Steve Waugh. Read More: Pakistan Set Unwanted Away Test Record After West Indies Loss Pakistan had lost the opening Test by 90 runs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The defeat extended their record away losing streak to eight matches. However, Babar’s side answered strongly and secured Pakistan’s first overseas Test win since July 2023. “You are always satisfied when you win,” Babar said after the match. He also praised the team for executing its batting and bowling plans under pressure. Abdullah and Sajid Power Comeback West Indies scored 344 in their first innings, but Pakistan replied with 387. Abdullah Shafique led the response with an unbeaten 160, while Babar contributed 88 from 147 balls. Their partnership helped Pakistan earn a crucial 43-run advantage. “This comeback match felt like a debut for me,” Abdullah said after receiving the Player of the Match award. His innings also made him Pakistan’s first batter since 1977 to score more than 150 in a Test innings in the West Indies. Read More: Babar Azam Joins Elite List After Stunning PSL Final Victory Sajid Khan led the bowling attack. The off-spinner claimed four wickets in each innings and finished with eight in the match. Debutant left-arm spinner Ali Usman supported him as Pakistan dismissed West Indies for 117 in their second innings. Pakistan needed 75 runs to win. They lost Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais before Babar and Abdullah completed the chase. Babar sealed the victory with consecutive sixes off Jomel Warrican as Pakistan reached 77 for two. The result marked the third consecutive 1-1 Test series between the teams. Pakistan will next face England in a three-Test series starting at Headingley on August 19.
Social Media Search Helps Bring Wasim Akram’s Puppy Home
Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram’s missing German Shepherd puppy, Duke, has returned safely after a public search in Karachi. Two individuals received the announced Rs250,000 reward for helping recover the dog, according to MM News. The report did not name the recipients or explain how they located Duke. It also did not say whether they divided the reward. However, the recovery ended a widely shared search effort that began after Duke disappeared from DHA Phase 8. Public Appeal Triggers Search Across DHA Akram and his wife, Shaniera Akram, turned to social media after their five-month-old puppy went missing on Sunday. They posted an urgent notice through their official Instagram accounts and asked Karachi residents to help bring him home. The family described Duke as a black, long-coated German Shepherd with no visible markings. Their notice said, “Duke was last seen in DHA Phase 8,” and offered Rs250,000 for reliable information leading to his safe return. Read More: Former England Captain Warns ECB Over Pakistani Players’ Fate in The Hundred The couple asked people in Phase 8 and nearby neighbourhoods to search streets, parks, gardens, rooftops and garages. They also requested support from security guards and other residents familiar with the area. The family asked social media users to “share only verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports.” The warning sought to keep the search focused and prevent false sightings. Police Join Effort to Locate Puppy The family also lodged a formal missing complaint, according to reports published before Duke’s recovery. Local police then began search efforts while residents circulated the notice online. Shaniera expressed concern that the puppy might feel frightened and distressed while away from home. She urged people to check quiet or enclosed places where a young dog could hide. Read More: Which Teams Will Play Cricket at LA28? ICC Reveals the Full Plan The search gained attention because of Akram’s public profile, but the family kept its appeal centred on practical local help. Posts carrying Duke’s description and the reward amount spread across Pakistani news pages and social media accounts. Before the recovery report emerged, several outlets said the family had not confirmed Duke’s whereabouts. MM News later reported on Thursday that Duke had been found and two people received the promised reward. Recovery Details Remain Limited The report provided no information about where Duke was found, how long he remained missing or what condition he was in. It also did not identify the police station handling the complaint. No public statement from Akram or Shaniera had explained the circumstances of the recovery at the time of reporting. The available report only confirmed Duke’s return and payment of Rs250,000. Duke’s recovery closed an anxious episode for the family. It also highlighted how community alerts can mobilise residents when a pet disappears in a densely populated city.
Team Sialkot Ownership Shake-up: New Strategic Partner Set to Buy 90% Stake in PSL Franchise
Team Sialkot, the newest franchise in the expanded Pakistan Super League (PSL), is on the verge of a major ownership change just weeks before its debut season. A new investor has agreed to purchase over 90% of shares in the team after financial issues hit its original owners. This move will significantly reshape the administrative control of the franchise. The PSL expanded from six to eight teams for the 2026 season, and Sialkot was awarded one of the new slots at a high-profile auction in January. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that OZ Group secured the franchise for Rs1.85 billion. The team will be known as Sialkot Stallionz and is set to compete alongside established sides such as Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United and Karachi Kings. Read More: Game-Changer for PSL 11: Steve Smith Joins Sialkot Stallionz in Landmark Deal Despite the early excitement, OZ Group soon faced financial difficulties. After the successful bid, its local and Swiss partners withdrew due to concerns about the high purchase price and future obligations. This left the franchise struggling to meet payment deadlines and fulfill franchise requirements. Initially, OZ Group had planned to transfer a 75% stake to another investor. A press event was held in Lahore and Karachi to announce the new partner, Muhammad Shahid, but no funds were ever received. When that arrangement collapsed, PCB began searching for another qualified and financially stable investor. According to trusted sources close to the negotiations, a party that had not succeeded in the original bidding process has now agreed to buy more than 90% of the franchise shares. This deal would effectively remove OZ Group’s administrative control. Under PSL rules, however, a full 100% ownership transfer cannot occur until three years have passed since the initial sale. The incoming investor is expected to act as a strategic partner, bringing fresh capital and stability to the Sialkot franchise. Read More: From Domestic Legends to PSL Debut: Sialkot Stallionz Announced The PCB also investigated the existing ownership group and found that one of the original owners had previously declared bankruptcy. This raised concerns about long-term financial sustainability and added urgency to secure a more credible backer. The new investor is reportedly financially stable, and officials expect an official announcement within the next week. The ownership turmoil has also impacted leadership roles. Veteran fast bowler and former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram had been named president of Sialkot Stallionz as part of an earlier proposed 75% stake deal. However, he confirmed that no formal agreement was ever finalized, and he is no longer associated with the franchise. As PSL 11 approaches, Sialkot’s ownership changes will be closely watched. Fans and analysts hope that new investment will ensure a stable future for the team and strong competition on the field. With cricket fever building across Pakistan ahead of the March 26 season kick-off, Sialkot’s journey into the league promises to be one of the most talked-about stories of the year.
From Rs400 to Rs25,000: Full Ticket Details for Pakistan-Australia T20Is
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced ticketing details for the upcoming three-match T20 International series between Pakistan and Australia, confirming that online ticket sales will begin on Friday. Fans can purchase tickets digitally through the official portal pcb.tcs.com.pk, while physical tickets will be available from Monday, January 19, at designated TCS Express Centres across the country. Ticket counters will open daily from 10am. Pakistan will host Australia for three T20Is on January 29, January 31, and February 1 at Gaddafi Stadium. All matches are scheduled to start at 6pm. Ticket prices for the first T20I (January 29) For the opening match, ticket prices have been set across multiple enclosures. VIP enclosure tickets for Fazal Mahmood and Imran Khan stands will be available at Rs800. Premium enclosures, including Rajas and Saeed Anwar, will cost Rs600, while First Class enclosures—Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Abdul Qadir, Javed Miandad, and Sarfaraz Nawaz—are priced at Rs500. General enclosures such as Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Saeed Ahmed will be available for Rs400. Tickets for Pakistan 🆚 Australia T20I series to go on sale from 16 January 📢🎟️ Physical tickets can be bought at TCS Express Centres from 19 January 🏟️🔗 https://t.co/r1Y5gXriiG#PAKvAUS | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/S2nsvjan4m— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 15, 2026 Additional VIP seating options include the Iqbal End (Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram enclosures), priced at Rs1,500, while VIP tickets at the Jinnah End (Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas enclosures) will be sold for Rs2,000. Hospitality Gallery tickets for the first T20I have been fixed at Rs5,000. Ticket prices for the second and third T20Is For the remaining two matches, VIP enclosure tickets will be priced at Rs1,000, Premium seats at Rs700, First Class at Rs600, and General enclosure tickets at Rs500. At the Iqbal End, VIP tickets for the second and third T20Is will cost Rs2,000, while Jinnah End VIP seats will be available for Rs2,500. Hospitality Gallery tickets for these matches are priced at Rs6,000 each. The PCB also confirmed pricing for the exclusive 24-seat Hospitality Box at the Iqbal End. A single seat in the box will cost Rs20,000 for the first T20I, while tickets for the second and third matches will be priced at Rs25,000 per seat.
Record-Breaking PSL Auction Brings Hyderabad and Sialkot On Board
The auction process for the addition of two new teams to the Pakistan Super League has concluded, with Hyderabad and Sialkot officially confirmed as the league’s seventh and eighth franchises. The Hyderabad franchise was secured by FKS Group for Rs1.75 billion, while OZ Developers acquired the Sialkot franchise for a record Rs1.85 billion, the highest price paid for a PSL team so far. 🚨 SOLD – the magic moment! 🔨 FKS with the successful bid for Team No. 7️⃣ of #HBLPSL 👏 📺 Watch LIVE on the PSL YouTube channel & the PCB Live app (UK region) 🔗 https://t.co/HNapgvqIg2 pic.twitter.com/k7TaOZrlfL — PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 8, 2026 Following the auction, FKS Group selected Hyderabad as its team name, while OZ Developers opted for Sialkot from the list of cities made available by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). FKS Group is a leading Southeast Asia–based conglomerate with major operations across food and agriculture, logistics, and real estate. Headquartered in Indonesia, the group has recently begun expanding into sports investments, and the acquisition of a PSL franchise marks its first entry into professional cricket ownership. PKR 1️⃣8️⃣5️⃣ crores – A historic moment to witness! Celebrations galore as OZ Group become a part of the #HBLPSL family 📺 Watch LIVE on the PSL YouTube channel & the PCB Live app (UK region) 🔗 https://t.co/HNapgvqaqu#NewEra pic.twitter.com/eo0ozr8ipk — PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 8, 2026 The bidding for the seventh team proved particularly competitive. In the opening round, FKS Group and I2C Group went head-to-head, with bidding starting at Rs1.10 billion before FKS eventually emerged victorious. The contest for the eighth franchise unfolded in the second round, featuring OZ Developers and I2C Group. OZ Developers ultimately outbid competitors to secure the Sialkot team at the highest valuation in PSL auction history. A total of nine business groups participated in the auction after former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen chose not to take part in the bidding process. Speaking after the auction, PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said the league continues to grow in strength and stature. “We are not just surviving; we are moving forward,” Naseer said, adding that the PSL has achieved multiple milestones over the years. He credited franchise owners and sponsors for playing a central role in the league’s sustained success. PCB officials also acknowledged the importance of fan support, stating that the passion and loyalty of supporters have been key to the PSL’s continued expansion. The auction ceremony was held at Islamabad’s Jinnah Convention Centre, where the formal bidding process for the two new franchises took place. Earlier in the ceremony, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi awarded Rs90 million to the team that won the Rising Star Asia Cup, while the champions of the Hong Kong Sixes received a cash prize of Rs18.5 million. With Hyderabad and Sialkot now officially added, the PSL enters a new phase of expansion, further strengthening its footprint across Pakistan’s major cricketing centres.
