Fast Bowler Faces Legal Bouncer: Shoaib Akhtar’s Defamation Dilemma
Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar finds himself entangled in a legal tussle after receiving a defamation notice from PCB’s legal advisor, Tafazzul Rizvi. The controversy ignited when Akhtar labeled Rizvi as “inept” on his YouTube channel while criticizing the three-year ban imposed on Umar Akmal. Rizvi responded by demanding an unconditional apology and Rs 10 million in damages, asserting that Akhtar’s remarks were defamatory.
Akhtar, standing firm, dismissed the notice as “legally defective” and insisted his comments were aimed at highlighting issues within Pakistan cricket. He emphasized that his critique was based on personal experiences and intended for the betterment of the sport. The PCB, while distancing itself by stating Rizvi acted in a personal capacity, expressed disappointment over Akhtar’s choice of words.
Overton’s Injury Forces Exit from England’s West Indies Series
England all-rounder Jamie Overton has been ruled out of the remaining matches in the home series against the West Indies due to a broken right little finger, sustained during the first One-Day International (ODI) at Edgbaston. The injury occurred on Thursday while Overton was attempting to take a catch during his bowling spell. Despite receiving treatment and returning to complete the match with a heavily wrapped finger, he will now begin a rehabilitation process under the supervision of the England medical team. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that no replacement will be added to the ODI squad, although Matthew Potts will step in for Overton in the second ODI to be played on Sunday.
Litton Das Joins Bangladesh’s T20I Centurion Club
Litton Das has etched his name in history by becoming only the fourth Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100 T20 Internationals. He joins the elite group alongside Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, and Mushfiqur Rahim. This milestone highlights Das’s consistency and importance in the national setup. Among them, Mahmudullah leads with the most T20I appearances—141 matches. The achievement marks a proud moment in Das’s cricketing journey.
Pakistan Clinches T20I Series with Dominant Win Over Bangladesh
Pakistan secured the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh with a commanding 57-run victory in the second game at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Opener Sahibzada Farhan led the charge with a blistering 74 off 41 balls, while Hasan Nawaz contributed an unbeaten 51, propelling Pakistan to a formidable total of 201/6. In response, Bangladesh struggled against Pakistan’s diverse bowling attack, managing only 144 runs in 19 overs, with Abrar Ahmed claiming three wickets for 19 runs. Despite a valiant 50 from Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Bangladesh couldn’t recover from early setbacks. This victory, following a 37-run win in the first match, gives Pakistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The final match is scheduled for Sunday, where Pakistan will aim for a clean sweep.
