On April 27, 2025, the Indian government went ahead and banned 17 Pakistani YouTube channels, most of them centered around cricket, after the recent Pahalgam terror attack. This has created a lot of discussions, as these channels had over 83 million subscribers collectively, indicating a significant number of cricket fans worldwide viewed content from these ten creators or creators who broadcasted these channels. 

The Pahalgam terror attack, which preceded this action, raised tensions between India and Pakistan and came in good form for the Indian government, as several forms of Pakistani media endured measures and a rationale was created to take down the offending or anti-India media. This included YouTube channels and hundreds of media outlets in Pakistan, to which the usage of false information was used as justification for bans on media channels. The channels banned included a lot of known names in cricket journalism and commentary, inclusive of Geo News, ARY News, and SAMAA TV, as well as individual creators such as Irshad Bhatti and Raufar. 

List of Banned Channels

Below is a detailed list of the banned YouTube channels, their handles, and their subscriber counts at the time of the ban. These are a few other YouTube channels that have also been banned in India.

Total Subscribers: 33.623M

Watch the video here

Pakistani YouTube Channel which got Banned in India .
Thread 🧵-

1. Rizwan haider pic.twitter.com/w9CDXQIrl4

— JosD92 (@J0SD92) April 28, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025, Match 46: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Full Match Highlights

Impact on Cricket Fans

A cricket fan will be adversely affected in this case if a more subjective form of viewing or supporting is seen from channels and creators that received reliance, ideas, support, context, updates, summaries, and commentary in terms of Pakistan cricket news updates that included a heavier cargo channel such as Geo News (31.8M subscribers) and ARY News (14.6M subscribers) will be truly important as they received live updates for sports news and coverage of pressing ideas or coverage of some Pakistan cricket news, social media from players, pre- and post-match interviews, and highlights for every significant game they would have taken the time to broadcast and prepare in front of audiences. Small creators such as Muneeb (16K subscribers) and Samaa Sports (73.5K subscribers) had smaller audiences, but this did not matter to their niche study as creators in the cricket fan community.

The decision has generated mixed reactions. Some support the Indian government's position and say that these channels usually disseminated slanted commentary. Some, such as cricket fans and digital rights activists, argue that the ban is an abuse of power and that sport should remain apolitical. As well, the ban calls into question the access to content in a digital age, given that many of these channels were popular not just among people in Pakistan but also among Indian viewers and the diaspora around the world.

Following the unfortunate Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including a Nepalese citizen, the Indian government has acted swiftly to stop the spread of misinformation and inflammatory content. One of the steps taken is the blocking of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including that of ex-Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar.

The Ministry of Home Affairs suggested the ban based on concerns regarding the spread of inflammatory and communally sensitive material, false narratives, and disinformation aimed at India, its Army, and security agencies. This action seeks to preclude the instigation of communal tensions and maintain national security following the Pahalgam attack.

Shoaib Akhtar's sports analysis and commentary channel on YouTube was also blocked. Although Akhtar's videos were mostly sports-related, his channel was added to the ban as part of the larger effort to contain the dissemination of potentially provocative content during a sensitive time. To date, Akhtar has made no public statement about the ban.

Also read: IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant fined for slow over-rate offence against MI

Major Pakistani news channels blocked in India

These blocked channels collectively have about 63 million subscribers and include Pakistani news giants such as Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, Geo News, and Bol News. Channel owners who operate as individual creators like Wasay Habib, Arzoo Kazmi, and Syed Muzammil Shah also have their channels blocked for the Indian audience. Indian audiences trying to view these channels are greeted with a message saying that the material is not available because of a government directive regarding national security or public order.

This step is in line with a series of security and diplomatic steps initiated by India following the Pahalgam attack. Other actions include suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for the Pakistani nationals, shutting down the Integrated Check Post at Attari, and cutting the diplomatic staff at both countries' high commissions.The Indian government's crackdown on such YouTube channels demonstrates its resolve to battle against false news spread and national security. In action against such channels carrying inciting material, authorities want to prevent the surfacing of communal tensions and maintain public order in the times of sensitive post-poll politics. In addtion to it, channels of famous youtuber Wassey Iffi along with Rizwan Haider are the ones banned by Indian Government. 

#Pahalgam These Pakistani YouTube channels have been banned by MHA for deciminating anti India content pic.twitter.com/sjROUSEoic

— Anupam Mishra (@Anupammishra777) April 28, 2025

T20 has been presented as a batsman game but it's a real skill and testament of both ball and bat. We have been talking about some exciting shots and ramp shots too, but the real competition lies in bowling, to analyse how the batsmen will reciprocate and hit the ball, it's not been said that batting is easy but compared to bowling it has quite high charge. Some bowlers are even good with their tight lines and the most accurate aspect of the game. 
IPL has given a significant setup to balance both aspects and we have seen bowlers change and not even that it has given unknown bowlers an edge to shine up. In another aspect, we can say it's bowlers who win you the game. Taking a wicket is exceptional in T20 cricket but if you go more than that it means you have done a special job for your team which just equalises you from others. Many bowlers have done this job but doing it in your debut match makes it so special for you and your team too. 

Read more: Top Three Players To Watch Royal Challengers Banglore Vs Gujarat Titans
In today's article, we are going to witness a few of these players who have taken four wickets in IPL that too in their debut match itself. 
4  Ashwani Kumar
 Ashwani Kumar is a young dynamic left arm medium fast bowler who plays Ranji for Punjab. He was scouted by Mumbai Indians who made his debut for Mumbai Indians against KKR. Mumbai won the toss and chose to bowl first where this young man arose for the occasion and took 4 wickets giving only 27 runs in his 4 overs, it was the best spell by any of Mumbai Indians bowlers to date. 
3. Shoaib Akhtar
 Who doesn't know about this legend The Rawalpindi Express who just dismantled every batsman in his playing time? It was the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League where KKR played against Delhi  Daredevils, he bowled an impressive spell, gave just 11 runs and took 4 wickets of Delhi batsmen which is still been remembered by KKR fans to date. 
2. Andrew Tye
 Australian pace bowler just delivered an excellent spell for Gujarat Lions against Rising Pune Super Giants. He took 5 wickets of RPSG batsmen only giving 17 runs in his spell. It was really an important match for Gujarat where Tye's spell helped them to reach the playoffs of the IPL. 
1. Alzaari Joseph
 The West Indian fast bowler gave an inspirational spell for Mumbai Indians against Sunrises Hyderabad in 2019, it was peak year for Mumbai Indians. However, that match was quite an interesting one where they won the toss and chose to bat first but didn't get the desired score for them. But the spell of Alzaari Joseph just changed the match where he took 6 wickets giving only 11 runs and that spell is considered the best spell in IPL history. 

Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar congratulated their victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025. As Pakistan being host nation why did no official attended the final ceremony of Champions Trophy that was his take which he conveyed in his You Tube channel recently.Pakistan was the hosting nation for Champions trophy but India refused to travel Pakistan citing security reasons and played all their matches in Dubai.

While India went to knockout stages of champions Trophy and Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage. I was amazed there were no PCB officials on the ground what was wrong. Highlighting the match proceedings New Zealand won the huge toss and elected to bat first, seeking to add on the score board pressure in an important final. 

Rachin Ravindra and Will Young had an excellent 57 run opening partnership where India faulted with many missed catches at the start. 

Read more: India Wins The Third ICC Champions Trophy

India Battled Out Their Rivals

Soon Kuldeep and Chakravarthy applied breaks to the ongoing kiwis innings where they removed Young, Williamson and Rachin Ravindra where New Zealand were 75/3.Bracewell and Mitchell gave their best to move the score card above where Mitchell scored 63 runs of 101 balls and Bracewell too completed his 53 runs of 40 balls, giving a fighting total of 251 runs against India. 

Kuldeep and Varun claimed two wickets each and in the end, Shami too added his name to the wickets list but conceded 74 runs in 9 overs. In reply India started graciously where Rohit Sharma and Subhman Gill paced India's innings, both giving 105 runs partnership stand.  But soon Virat, Rohit and Gill were removed in quite successive intervals. Rohit scored a brilliant 74 runs and Gill scored 31 runs.

Read more: Indian Team Fielding Resides Poor Display In Champions Trophy Final

India stuck into the middle phase but Axar and Iyer played well to retaliate, Shreyas scored a well-made 48 runs ticking the score board both scored a 61-run partnership but eventually Iyer lost his wicket and then Rahul and Axar carried forward the innings. India lost Axar too in quick succession but Pandya and Rahul ensured to bring the match too close. In the end, Jadeja ended the match preceding the boundary where India won by 4 wickets. 

PCB Shouldn't Have Done This

 Though India didn't visited Pakistan its about political issues and I won't go into it it was your tournament our tournament, we fought for it, to get happen in our country. It was really strange for me there were no PCB persons took their involment. Why there was no one from PCB managment to give away the prizes and the trophy. 

This is literally beyond my understanding.
How can this be done???#championstrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/CPIUgevFj9

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 9, 2025

I am feeling down to see what our management had done, I didn't expect from the top management, which he expressed in this video via Twitter.

It's almost quater half of Champions Trophy and semi finalists have been drawn to respective groups. India And New Zealand have qualified for the semi-finals. Where Bangladesh and Pakistan have been officially out from the Champions Trophy. 

After the loss against India, Pakistani fans have lashed out at their team. Even former Cricketers like Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raza, and Mohammad Hafeez also showed their disappointment in the team. Spending 12 million on renovation the performance of the team has been mediocre which is unacceptable for anyone. 

Read More: Virat Kohli Would Have Been Given Out For Obstructing The Field An Opportunity Missed By Pakistan

Shoaib Akhtar Lashes Out at Babar Azam

 The loss against India has devasted the Pakistan nation even in their difficult times. It has created a great choice. Even the Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar couldn't hold his anger back, giving an interview to a local channel he says he does not want to speak about Pakistan team which is drowned at its bottom. 

Even people here who consider Babar Azam a king should close this call he is nothing in front of the real king Virat Kohli who had chased the target and scored a brilliant century tell me when did your Babar Azam make your team win or what his contribution to the team for the last 10 years. I would consider him a big fraud who just makes his runs and gets out. Let me give you an example Virat Kohli idolizes Sachin Tendulkar who has 100 centuries beneath him and Virat Kohli is a modern great who is following his footsteps now consider your standards. 

Read More : Its India Vs Pakistan The Greatest Rivalry Of Cricketing Nations

PCB Is Under Utter Shell

TThere have been talks that some of Pakistani players carry injuries but still they play because they think if once they are out from team they can't get into the team back. Shoaib condemns that you are such a team where you change your team combination, your captain, your coaches in every series then what type of stability you possess. 

Players don't have unity within them, there is no backing what you want me to say you include Imam ul Haq who just has an average of 12 against India. You missed out carrying a spinner in a sub-continent side where other teams carry two spinners, Check yourself where you stand. I am in a lot of control with my words. Now you have been out whom you are going to blame. 

Sohaib says the cycle gonna continue till the next ICC tournament and nothing going to change because the management itself is in nuttshell. 

Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh, father of the legendary Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, has once again hit the trending page but for a slightly different reason. Recently, he slammed former Pakistan cricket stars Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar for criticising the Pakistan team.

India vs Pakistan cricket matches have the same old craze, but the recent on-field performances have shown clear differences between both teams. India are dominating the world cricket with on-field performances, while the Pakistan cricket team lacks seriousness on the field. The differences between teams are clearly visible as India have recently dominated Pakistan in every competition. While they don't play bilateral series due to political issues, they only face each other in the ICC or ACC tournaments, and since 2022, India have always dominated. 

See Also: They Were Eating Plate Full Of Bananas In Drinks Break Which Shocked Me Says Wasim Akram

I challenge you—bring Pakistan a World Cup. If you can’t, step away: Yograj Singh on Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar

In the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India thrashed the hosts and defending champions Pakistan by six wickets at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. While Pakistan players completely struggled against the Indian team, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar both heavily criticised Pakistan players for their poor performances. Both the former Pakistan stars seemed frustrated with the lack of seriousness for the game. 

However, Yograj Singh slammed Akram and Akhtar for their comments on Pakistan players. Yograj believes that it is better to work for them and bring a world cup for the country. 

Yograj was quoted saying to SportsNext, “Wasim Akram, a player of such stature, making such degrading remarks? And people around him laughing? They should be ashamed. Shoaib Akhtar, you are comparing Pakistan’s players with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli? Instead of sitting in a studio, go back to your country and train young cricketers. I challenge you—bring Pakistan a World Cup. If you can’t, step away.”

If I go there, I will make the team better within a year: Yograj Singh

Yograj further added that he would make a better team within a year with passionate training and commitment. 

Former Indian cricketer commented, "If I go there, I will make the team better within a year. You will all remember me for it. Training is about passion, about dedicating your time to the players. I give 12 hours a day to training. That’s the commitment needed.”

Legendary Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram, who was an important name for Pakistan's World Cup 1992 trophy success, previously worked for Pakistan fast bowling coaching. He also worked for several Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams. Just like him, another former Pakistan cricketer Waqar Younis, also worked with the Pakistan cricket team.

Not long ago, Pakistan cricket had the coaches like Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie. However, the situation in the Pakistan cricket team is only getting worse with time, despite several big changes inside the team. 

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and legendary all-rounder Wasim Akram strongly criticized Pakistan's team management after their loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The defeat at the Dubai International Stadium has almost ended Pakistan’s chances in the tournament.

A frustrated Akhtar didn't hold back, openly expressing his disappointment. "If I wasn’t getting paid, I wouldn’t even talk about Pakistan cricket. Honestly, I have nothing to do with them anymore. I come here because I’m asked to, not because I want to criticize them. Why should I waste my time?" he said in a video that quickly went viral on social media.

Shoaib Akhtar slams Pakistan’s selection choices, criticizing their lack of clear direction, skillset, and strategic planning in comparison to India.#TOKSports #ShoaibAkhtar #PAKvIND #ICCChampionsTrophy #tokct25 pic.twitter.com/Xa3ODOKgFh

— TOK Sports (@TOKSports021) February 24, 2025

Akhtar slammed Pakistan's management and Pakistani team, calling them "brainless and clueless" for picking only five bowlers when most teams use six bowlers on their team. "You go with two all-rounders, but this is just poor management. I'm disappointed," he said.  

Shoaib Akhtar rips into Babar Azam & Pakistan after dismal show against India! 🤯🇵🇰#PAKvIND #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/wYWYrr5rCh

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) February 24, 2025

He also blamed the team's struggles on weak Captaincy and a lack of player form in the team. Wasim Akram backed Akhtar and called for big changes to rebuild Pakistan’s white-ball team. "We've been playing old-fashioned cricket for years, and it needs to change. Bring in fearless young players. If you need to make five or six changes, do it. Even if we lose for six months, that's fine, but start preparing for the World T20 2026 now," Akram said on the show Dressing Room after the defeat against India.

ALSO READ: Record-Breaking Viewership

#INDvsPAK #ChampionsTrophy | #Pakistan are all but out of the Champions Trophy 2025 after their limp defeat to India.

Legendary fast bowler @shoaib100mph lashed out at the team, highlighting the lack of winning culture.

Akhtar slammed the Pakistan team management for playing… pic.twitter.com/zoXoQycYIR

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) February 24, 2025

He was also worried about Pakistan’s bowling and shared some shocking stats. "Enough is enough. These bowlers have been treated like stars, but in the last five ODIs, they’ve taken just 24 wickets, giving away 60 runs per wicket. Our bowling average is even worse than Oman and the USA. Out of the 14 teams playing ODIs, Pakistan’s bowling is the second worst." After Pakistan’s poor performance, Akhtar had great things to say about Virat Kohli, who scored an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls to lead India to win. "Hats off to him, he's a superstar and a modern-day great. I really hope he reaches 100 international centuries," Akhtar said. 

India's new batting star Abhishek Sharma has been terrorizing the cricketing fraternity with his bold strokeplay and brave shot-making. The left-hander's bold strategy as an opening batsman has been a revelation, and with two T20I centuries already in his kitty, he has become one of India's most promising young stars. A viral video in Dubai has been sweeping across social media, capturing the moment Wasim Akram meets Abhishek Sharma and showering praise on him for his sparkling ton against England.

Wasim Akram appreciating Abhishek Sharma in Dubai. ❤️pic.twitter.com/zMi9KnXEZX

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 24, 2025

ALSO SEE: Watch: Pakistani Fan Switches to Indian Jersey Mid-Match After Humiliating Performance

Men in Blue's emerging star was present for the thrilling Champions Trophy 2025 match between India and Pakistan in Dubai, where he met two Pakistani greats across the border – Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar.

Wasim Akram with Abhishek Sharma
The retired fast-bowling legends didn't mince words in their appreciation of the young man, giving him credit for his century against England at Wankhede as phenomenal.

When Wasim Akram opens his mouth, the cricketing fraternity listens. And when the Sultan of Swing goes out of his way to personally acknowledge a young cricketer, it says something about the ability and potential the player has.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar recently praised a young Indian cricketer who has recently become a star in the Indian jersey with his aggressive batting performances in the T20I format. 

Shoaib Akhtar praised Abhishek Sharma

Shoaib Akhtar has praised Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma, who has been in the news recently for his outstanding batting performances in the T20I format. The 24-year-old has already put a special mark among Indian cricket fans, and Akhtar is also impressed with him. On his social media accounts, Akhtar posted a video in which he praised Sharma in front of him and wished him the best of luck for his bright future. 

Just ran into an exceptional talent Abhishek Sharma here in Dubai. He'll do wonders in years to come. pic.twitter.com/8u6RNMZooS

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) February 22, 2025

See Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India vs Pakistan - Check long list of prohibited for spectators

Abhishek Sharma is in dream form

The 24-year-old Abhishek Sharma is a left-handed batter and left-arm spinner. After his international cricket debut in July 2024 during the Zimbabwe tour, Sharma has played 17 T20Is, where the left-handed batter scored 535 runs with an average of 33.43 and a strike rate of 193.84, including two centuries and two half-centuries. Also, as a left-arm spinner, he picked up six wickets in his T20I career. 

After scoring a duck on his T20I debut, Sharma scored a 47-ball 100 in his second T20I. During the Centurion T20I last November, Sharma scored 25-ball 50 runs. He has now become a dependable opener for the Indian T20I side. 

Before the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Sharma finished as the leading run-scorer in the five-match home T20I series against England, which India won by 4-1. Sharma scored 279 runs in that series. After scoring a stormy 79 off 34 balls in the T20I series opener at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Sharma recorded the highest T20I score by an Indian with 135 runs from 54 balls in the last game of the T20I series at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. 

Sharma is in blistering form with the bat at present. Recently, in domestic cricket, he recorded the joint second-fastest T20 century and Punjab's highest-ever List A score (170). 

There's a major issue when India and Pakistan play cricket against each other. Everyone gets extremely happy and is very eager to see what'll happen because they don't play each other that much just in major championships called ICC and ACC. And every time they do, all the fans everywhere think it's incredible to see. They made a new movie on Netflix that makes people remember how great this rivalry is.

India and Pakistan Cricket Rivalry: Fierce Battles and Lasting Friendships

The famous players such as Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, and Shoaib Akhtar ,there's even a part where Ganguly notes the time both countries played, but called it the Friendship Series, which is kind of amusing, because, be that as it might, they were really trying utterly hard or difficult to win not simply be friends.  Ganguly makes a joke about how it was called Friendship but jokes, Oh really, with Shoaib bowling inordinately speedily balls at me, it didn't seem like we were friends. And it's as if he's saying, discursively hinted, how they were all just trying to win hard. But then Shoaib says nice things back about Ganguly on the X (Twitter), praise is situational currency in today's world.

Dada @SGanguly99 you're awesome. Indian cricket is incomplete without you. pic.twitter.com/tRtb58EGp2

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 29, 2025

ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma Shine in Latest ICC T20I Rankings

Akhtar says Ganguly is exceptionally wonderful and Indian cricket isn't the same without him. It shows they really respect each other even though they were rivals. Even though they work really hard to win against each other in the games, and there are some very near and thrilling endings, sometimes they do good deeds also.

Clearly showing that the game isn't the only important thing. For abject reason, they can still be peers. Like this one time, Virat Kohli gave his bat to Mohammad Amir, or when they hug after playing really tough games. It tells us that cricket can make people be friends even if they are from different places. The world stops to watch whenever India and Pakistan play each other, and they are going to do it again in Dubai on February 23. It's going to be a really cool Match, It's not only just about winning or losing, it's also about the two teams that have been rivals for so many years. They play very strongly but they also respect each other. Everyone can't wait to see what happens in the game, it's very thrilling.