Former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal came under fire for making sexual comments to him during an episode of Har Lamha Purjosh on ARY News, where he was a guest host with ex-teammate and former captain Shoaib Malik. The panel talk was supposed to cover the T20 Cricket World Cup that was happening but quickly changed to talk about Kamran’s clothes.

The situation started when Shoaib opened up the floor for one of his guests to make a comment, and instead of providing commentary on the World Cup or anything regarding the game, the panelist made a derogatory reference to Kamran’s pink jacket and said that if Kamran were wearing that in America, he would be referred to by other names. The reference was inappropriate and drew everyone's attention because it was not related to cricket and was inappropriate in nature.

In an effort to keep his composure, Akmal responded with comments about how he was wearing his jacket in Pakistan and that these types of remarks would not be tolerated at home, while also mentioning that in America people would probably refer to him as ”cute.” Viewers were left shocked when Malik chimed in to say that what was being said could also have been applied to Pakistan, which caused everyone in the studio to laugh and added to the furious backlash from fans on social media; videos of both players' antics became viral almost immediately.

Live insult of kamran akmal on har lamha purjosh set.. pic.twitter.com/HH41qZktnk

— Maaz (@IsThatMaaz) February 25, 2026

Also read -Watch: “I Will Repay My Father’s Loan” – 21-year-old Rajasthan star gets emotional remembering his journey ahead of IPL 2026

On-Air Clashes Overshadow Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Campaign

Heated exchanges between former cricketers are not a new occurrence during this year's T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 season, as there have been numerous examples of heated arguments between players from teams throughout the tournament. Just recently, former teammates Mohammad Hafeez and Saqlain Mushtaq had an intense discussion on Game On Hai on PTV News regarding Shadab Khan's performance; while Hafeez was questioning Shadab's place in the team, Saqlain was defending him.

In the meantime, Pakistan still has an outside chance to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals after New Zealand won its last match against Sri Lanka by a significant margin—which now means that for the Men in Green to qualify, they must defeat the West Indies by a large enough margin in their final Super-8 game and then hope for results from other Super-8 games to go their way. Qualifying for the semifinal will be quite difficult since we are now approaching the end of the tournament.

In a rare moment of sportsmanship between India and Pakistan cricketers, Irfan Pathan and Shoaib Malik were seen sharing a brief side-hug after an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Pakistan batted first and scored 56 for 4 in four overs. Shoaib Malik led the scoring with 34 runs, while Imran Nazir added 16 runs. The short match saw quick scoring from both sides.

India replied with 51 for 4 and fell five runs short of the target. Irfan Pathan and Stuart Binny were at the crease when the match ended. After the game, the players shook hands and exchanged friendly words with the Pakistan team.

Watch the video here:

🚨AFTER SEE RESPECT INCREASE FOR SURYAKUMAR YADAV. 🚨

- During the Legends League,
Irfan boycotted Pak and earned massive respect.

Now the same Irfan is seen hugging and shaking hands with them on camera.🤡
On X patriotism & ground bhaichara pic.twitter.com/gnusj5ZroG

— Sam (@Cricsam01) January 23, 2026

India–Pakistan Cricket Ties Hit a New Low

The cricket relationship between India and Pakistan has worsened and gone beyond normal rivalry. It has now turned into silence and tension. After the Pahalgam terror attack in early 2025, the situation became more serious and directly affected cricket during the Asia Cup.

The Indian team broke a long-standing tradition by refusing to shake hands with Pakistani players. This was not a sudden or emotional reaction. It was a clear and planned decision. The same stand was seen across all levels of Indian cricket, including the men’s, women’s, and Under-19 teams.

See also -“I’m a Big Fan of His Style,” Sarfaraz Khan credits former Indian captain after scoring a Ranji double century

On-Field Gestures Add to the Tension

Matters became worse due to aggressive actions on the field. During a big match, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf made a ‘plane crash’ gesture, which many linked to recent regional conflicts. In response, India’s Jasprit Bumrah made a similar gesture after taking a wicket. Some Pakistani players, including Sahibzada Farhan, were also seen doing mock ‘AK-47 firing’ celebrations, which many felt referred to the Pahalgam attack.

The situation reached an embarrassing level during the trophy presentation. Indian players did not acknowledge PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Reports later claimed that the trophy was removed from the stage early, and the tournament ended without a proper closing ceremony.

Later, a video of Irfan Pathan and Stuart Binny sharing a friendly moment with Pakistani players went viral on social media. This led to criticism from some fans, who were unhappy with the gesture given the tense situation between the two countries.

Shoaib Malik, the former Pakistan captain, has made an official proclamation regarding his retirement from the Pakistan Super League which officially closes a decade-long saga of the players in the country's premier T20 competition.

A decade-long journey comes to an emotional close

Malik took to social media and shared his decision through an emotional post on X ahead of the league's eleventh season scheduled to take place in March. The veteran all-rounder looking back at his time in the PSL, said that he has “cherished every single moment and the friendship” of ten years as a player, expressing that it is now “time to call it a day.”

Having made his international debut for Pakistan in 1999, Malik was one of those players whose names were the most experienced ones to be in the PSL since its very beginning in 2016. He was the Karachi Kings captain in the league's first season and then went on to play for Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators throughout his career.

ALSO SEE: South Africa set to host India Women for T20I series before T20 World Cup 2026

Over the course of ten PSL seasons Malik has been part of 93 matches and scored 2,350 runs with the average of 33.09 and the strike rate of 127.78, and in addition he also helped with the ball. His final matches were with Quetta Gladiators in PSL 10.

A new chapter begins as PSL enters a transformative era

Malik's retirement, happening at the same time as the league's major transition, is a fine example of the timing being just right. The Pakistan Cricket Board has given the green light to the inclusion of two new franchises, Sialkot and Hyderabad, and a complete move from the conventional drafting system to an auction model.

More importantly, it is anticipated that Malik will be working very closely with the PSL in a non-playing capacity. The new Sialkot franchise is situated in the very place where he was born, and he has already led the famous Sialkot Stallions during their dominant run in Pakistan's domestic circuit. He has not been officially appointed yet, but Malik has dropped hints about taking an off-field leadership role, which indicates a new phase of his long-term association with Pakistan cricket. Although he is no longer going to play in PSL, his legacy as a leader, competitor, and bridge between generations is firmly established.

Shoaib Malik, the veteran Pakistan batter who featured for the national side in 22 years across formats in international cricket, has smashed 7534 runs in 258 innings in the ODI cricket at an average of 34.55 and a strike rate of 81.90 with the help of 44 half-centuries and nine centuries at the best score of 143 as the last game of the format for him came in the 2015 World Cup.

In terms of the red-ball game, Malik has notched up 1898 runs in 60 innings at an average of 35.14 and a strike rate of 45.67 with the help of three centuries and eight half-centuries at the best score of 245. His last five-day clash came against England at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Ground in 2015. Now, the million-dollar question remains whether he would return to Pakistan.

See Also: “Complete lottery in…”- Former England captain warns Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum ahead of 5th Ashes 2025/26 Test

“I am still fit and good enough, and there is no plan to retire. But yes, having said that, I have already said that I have no interest in playing for Pakistan. That I have already said two years ago. But wherever there are other opportunities for me, I will go and play,” Malik expressed during the ongoing ILT20 2025/26.

Shoaib Malik not interested in returning to playing for Pakistan

In terms of the shortest format, Malik has a massive experience in T20s with 13571 runs in 515 innings at an average of 35.99 and a strike rate of 127.24 with the help of 83 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 95 runs. He recently played in the 2025 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Watch the video here: 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mr. Cricket UAE (@mrcricketuae)

“My personal plans are quite simple. Even though I am commenting here in the ILT20, I still play cricket. Yes, I have reduced some league cricket. I will play whenever I get the chance to feature for any league and team.” Malik shed light.

Pakistan’s next series will be the three-match series against Sri Lanka in T20Is before they head into the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka as they play the curtain raiser in Colombo.

Pakistan Champions won against West Indies Champions by 49 runs . The main palyer of the game was Kamran Akmal, who scored a superb century and helped his team reach a good total to defend the score.

Batting first, Pakistan started well. Sharjeel Khan scoring 21 runs after he got out, Then Kamran Akmal took charge and played a great innings. He batted well and hit the ball to all along the ground. He scored 113 runs from just 62 balls, with 13 fours and 5 sixes. His knock gave Pakistan Champions a big total of 200 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs. Mohammad Hafeez also added 23 runs, while Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik finished the innings strongly.

Chasing 201 runs, the West Indies Champions had a poor start. Mohammad Irfan Jr. Raees bowled brilliantly and took the early wickets of Dwayne Smith, Chris Gayle, and Lendl Simmons. That put the West Indies under a lot of pressure.

Chadwick Walton tried to fight back with 42 runs, and Dwayne Bravo was not out on 30, but the team could only reach 151 for 7 in their 20 overs. Pakistan’s bowlers did a great job and never allowed the West Indies batters to settle. It was a complete team performance. Player of the Match is Kamran Akmal for his brilliant 113-run knock. A strong win for Pakistan Champions, who now look like a team to watch in the WCL 2025 tournament.

ALSO READ: ENG vs IND 4th Test Day 4: Full Highlights and Scoreboard

Twitter reactions after PAKCH wins 11th match of WCL 2025

Beat England
Beat South Africa
Beat West Indies

Third consecutive win for Pakistan Champions in the WTC! 🇵🇰🔥 pic.twitter.com/rikOs5BHKj

— junaiz (@Cricjunaizdaily) July 26, 2025

Kamran Akmal 113(62) vs West Indies Champions, WCL 2025 - Headingley | Ball By Ball Highlights#WCL2025 | #WCL25 | @KamiAkmal23pic.twitter.com/WAGyKMU2Hi

— PCT Replays 2.0 (@ReplaysPCT) July 26, 2025

Kamran Akmal 113 runs off 62 balls. What a world class innings in WCL #WCL25 #WCL2025 pic.twitter.com/EU7bl1EUsG

— Ahsan Shah 💚🇵🇰 (@ahsan_shah90) July 26, 2025

Pakistan Champions defeated South Africa Champions, their first loss in the 2025 World Champions League (WCL), with a balanced 31-run win in Match 9 at Grace Road, Leicester. Pakistan batted first, and they posted an imposing 198/5, before restricting the previously unbeaten South Africans to 167/9 in 20 overs with strict bowling and strategic fielding.

Pakistan Champions Innings

Pakistan Champions posted a competitive total of 198/5 from 20 overs against the South African bowling lineup. The innings was anchored by Umar Amin, who scored 58 off 42 balls, getting dismissed by Duanne Olivier in the 17th over. Shoaib Malik provided the backbone in the middle overs and stayed unbeaten with a classy 46 off 34 balls. Asif Ali’s brutal 23 off 11, including 2 sixes and 2 fours in the 18th over, lifted the momentum. Aamer Yamin’s late cameo (11 off 4)* gave the innings an extra push. Big overs in the 14th (24 runs) and 18th (23 runs) helped push Pakistan close to the 200-mark.

South Africa Champions Innings

In reply, the South Africa Champions got off to a brisk start but kept losing wickets at regular intervals, which derailed their chase. Morne van Wyk smashed 44 off just 20 balls to give the innings a fiery launch, but the middle order failed to capitalize. Wayne Parnell tried to keep up the tempo with 21 off 9, while captain Aaron Phangiso chipped in with 13 off 8. However, Sohail Tanvir (2/13 in 2 overs) and Mohammad Hafeez (2/21 in 4 overs) produced tight spells and pulled things back really well. Rumman Raees produced a neat 1/17 as Pakistan produced constant pressure. Eventually South Africa was restricted to 167/9, falling 31 short.

See Also: WCL 2025: Points Table, Leading run scorers and wicket takers after PAKCH vs SACH Match 9

Pakistan Champions vs South Africa Champions: Scorecard

Pakistan Champions – 198/5 (20 Overs)

South Africa Champions – 167/9 (20 Overs)

Pakistan Champions defeated South Africa Champions by 31 runs in an exciting T20 match. Batting first, Pakistan put up a big total of 198 runs for 5 wickets in their 20 overs. The batters stepped up and played fearless cricket from the very start.

Sharjeel Khan and Kamran Akmal gave a quick start, hitting boundaries early in the powerplay. After their dismissals, Umar Amin played a great knock, scoring 58 runs off 42 balls. He was calm and confident at the crease. Though captain Mohammad Hafeez couldn’t contribute much, Shoaib Malik played an experienced innings of 46 not out, while Asif Ali smashed 23 from just 11 balls to lift the scoring rate. Towards the end, Aamer Yamin’s quick 11 off 4 balls gave Pakistan the strong finish they needed.

Chasing 199, South Africa never really got going. Hashim Amla, Smuts, and Davids got out early. The wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Morne van Wyk tried to fight back with a great knock of 44 not out in just 20 balls, hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes. Wayne Parnell also scored quick runs 21 off 9 balls, but the target is so more to reach the target.

Pakistan’s bowlers bowled well today. Mohammad Hafeez bowled smartly and took 2 wickets for 21 runs in his 4 overs. Sohail Tanvir also bowled tightly and took 2 wickets. Wahab Riaz, Imad Wasim, Shoaib Malik, and Rumman Raees all bowled very well and took some important wickets.

South Africa’s bowlers, except for Duanne Olivier, who took 2 wickets, struggled to control the runs. Pakistan’s batters took a change against South Africa bowlers, and they bowled some loose balls. So, they targeted them and posted good runs. In the end, it was a strong all-round performance by Pakistan Champions. Their batters scored big, and their bowlers backed it up well. It was a well-deserved win for Pakistan Champions.

ALSO READ: SCL 2025 Live streaming details: Where and how to watch Mis-e-Ainak Knights vs Boost Defenders match 13

Twitter reactions after PAKCH wins 9 match of WCL 2025

Victory for Pakistan by 31 runs! 🔥 A fantastic all-round effort led by the team gives them a well-deserved win against South Africa! #WCL2025 | #CatchEveryMatch | #DontStopStreaming | #tapmad pic.twitter.com/RRKmnnRZ0i

— tapmad (@tapmadtv) July 25, 2025

PAKISTAN CHAMPIONS BEAT SOUTH AFRICA LEGENDS BY 31 RUNS! 🇵🇰🔥

-Back-to-back wins for Pakistan in WCL pic.twitter.com/6rtcagysWU

— junaiz (@Cricjunaizdaily) July 25, 2025

Pakistan 🇵🇰 champions beat South Africa 🇿🇦 champions by 31 runs. Congratulations Pakistan 🇵🇰 champions #Pakistan #SouthAfrica #PAKvSA #WCL pic.twitter.com/EGxqDM2sav

— Fourth Umpire (@UmpireFourth) July 25, 2025

Yeah
Pakistan champions won the match
Alhamdulillah
Well played Malik sahab
Brilliant batting and fielding from Umar Amin
Great little Cameo from Asif Ali
Outstanding bowling from Hafeez tanvir raees imad and Malik#PakistanCricket@realshoaibmalik @MHafeez22 @simadwasim

— Team Shoaib Malik (@TeamSM_ft_Tahir) July 25, 2025

🚨PAKISTAN CHAMPIONS BEAT SOUTH AFRICA CHAMPIONS BY 31 RUNS!🔥 pic.twitter.com/R9aqr6mZMx

— Rayham (@RayhamUnplugged) July 25, 2025

S

World Championship of Legends 2025 will kick off with the hosts, England Champions, taking on Pakistan Champions. We had a competitive season last year and hope to repeat it.

The England Champions will look for a good start this year after struggling in the last season with the bat and the ball. Pakistan Champions had a good season, and the side will look to make a strong impact in their first game.

EDC vs PNC Match Details

Date: July 18th, 2025

Time: 9:00 PM IST

Venue: Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham

Live Streaming: Fancode  

EDC vs PNC Weather Report

Clear weather

Also Read: ECS T10 Germany 2025: VG vs BBS Prediction– Qualifier 1, Who will win today?

Top Batters EDC vs PNC

• Kamran Akmal (PNC) - 172 runs in this tournament (Last 5 T20)

• Eoin Morgan (EDC) - 146 runs in this tournament

• Phil Mustard (EDC) - 106 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowler EDC vs PNC

• Smit Patel (EDC) - 4 wickets in this tournament 

• Wahab Riaz (PNC) - 6 wickets in this tournament

• Moeen Ali (PNC) - 3 wickets in this tournament

EDC vs PNC Recent Performance

EDC vs PNC Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1- If PNC bats first

• First Innings score prediction- PNC is expected to score 155-165 runs

• Result prediction- EDC will win the match by 6 Wickets.

Scenario 2- If EDC bats first

• First Innings score prediction- EDC is expected to score 180-190 runs.

• Result prediction- EDC will win the match by 35-40 Runs

EDC vs PNC Predicted Playing XI

England Champions (EDC) Playing XI 

Eoin Morgan (c), Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, Phil Mustard (wk), Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Ian Bell, Liam Plunkett, Chris Tremlett, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Ryan Sidebottom.

Pakistan Champions (PNC) Playing XI

Shahid Afridi (c), Kamran Akmal (wk), Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Misbah-ul-Haq, Aamer Yamin

EDC vs PNC Today Match Prediction, Who Will Win the Match?

England Champions To win

We predict that England Champions will be winning this WCL 2025 match. The likes of Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali will be key players to watch out for.

Former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed is all set to don the gloves and lead the Pakistan Champions in the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), scheduled in the UK from July 18 to August 2. The wicketkeeper-batter, still active in international cricket, announced his arrival via a social media post, with the official Pakistan Champions account confirming his inclusion. At 37, Sarfaraz brings not just his skill behind the stumps but also the leadership that once guided Pakistan to Champions Trophy glory in 2017 and won 11 consecutive T20 series, a valuable asset for Season 2.

In the first season under Younis Khan, the Pakistan Champions lost only two matches and stormed into the final, narrowly missing out to India in a dramatic chase where India successfully reached the target of 157 with five wickets in hand and five balls remaining. With Sarfaraz now back in charge, there are greater expectations to be able to deliver a better campaign and finally win the title.

To add to the excitement, Shahid Afridi will return on official captaincy duties with a strong set of legends behind him. South African superstar AB de Villiers will switch colors to lead South Africa Champions, meaning Pakistan will face an old rivalry afresh. The tournament schedule kicks off with England vs. Pakistan at Edgbaston on July 18, while the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash follows on July 20. The action-packed season culminates with semifinals on July 31 and a grand final back at Edgbaston on August 2.

See Also: WCL 2025: India Champions announced their squad for upcoming season

Pakistan Champions Squad – WCL 2025

The Pakistan Champions 2025 WCL team consists of: Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sharjeel Khan, Wahab Riaz, Asif Ali, Kamran Akmal, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Khan, and Sohail Tanvir

Veteran Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik is poised for a comeback to the Fortune Barishal squad on February 2nd, rejoining the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) after a brief hiatus last week. The 42-year-old is anticipated to participate in the team’s concluding match in the Sylhet leg against the Khulna Tigers on February 3rd.

In a noteworthy development, Ahmed Shehzad has entered the Fortune Barishal lineup in Sylhet for the 2024 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season. Shehzad steps in as a replacement for Shoaib Malik, who departed from the team mid-season.

Shoaib Malik had initially returned to Dubai after featuring in just three games for the team, citing personal reasons for his departure. The seasoned Pakistani cricketer faced a lackluster performance in this year’s BPL, accumulating scores of only 17, 5, and 7 runs in three games while securing just one wicket. Speculation arose regarding possible match-fixing charges leading to his abrupt exit from the squad.

Initially, reports hinted at the termination of Malik’s contract with the team due to these allegations. However, franchise owner Mizanur Rahman dispelled any such rumors via social media, unequivocally denying any spot-fixing charges against the player.

Previously, Shoaib Malik had released an official statement elucidating the rationale behind his withdrawal from the Bangladesh Premier League. He also emphasized that the decision was a mutual understanding for planning his future with Fortune Barishal.

“I want to clarify and dispel the recent rumors surrounding my playing status with Fortune Barishal. After a comprehensive discussion with our captain, Tamim Iqbal, we mutually strategized our course of action. My departure from Bangladesh was necessitated by a pre-arranged media commitment in Dubai.”

In the fourth over of the innings, the Pakistani all-rounder conceded 18 runs due to no-balls and subsequent free hits. Regrettably, Fortune Barishal ended up losing the match as their opponents successfully chased down the 188-run target with two overs to spare and eight wickets in hand.

Subsequent to this occurrence, considerable speculation and debate arose regarding match-fixing suspicions, with particular attention drawn to Shoaib Malik’s no-ball mishap against the Khulna Tigers.

Shoaib Malik has experienced a whirlwind on social media in the past two weeks. His official declaration of divorce from Indian tennis star Sania Mirza marked the conclusion of his second marriage. Shortly thereafter, the 41-year-old Malik tied the knot with Pakistani actress Sana Javed, who is 30 years old.

Fortune Barishal’s upcoming match is slated for February 3rd against the Khulna Tigers. The team currently holds the fifth position on the points table, securing victories in two out of their five matches thus far.

SEE ALSO:England Unveils Playing XI as James Anderson Makes a Comeback in 2nd Test Against India