LAHORE: The HBL-Pakistan Super League management has allowed Lahore Qalandars all-rounder Sikandar Raza to meet his family members in his hotel room during the ongoing 11th edition, according to a message shared by the cricketer on social media on Tuesday.

“Thank you@The RealPCBMedia and@thePSLt20 management for allowing my family and relatives to come and see me in my room. Your kind gesture is greatly appreciated,” Sikandar shared in a message on his X account.

On Sunday, some visitors were not allowed by the PSL management to enter Sikandar’s room in a Lahore hotel which created an undesirable incident as Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi intervened to let Sikandar’s visitors into Sikandar’s room while ignoring the instructions of the PSL security staff.

On Monday, Qalandars’ management imposed a cash fine of Rs1 million on Shaheen for breaching the security protocol.

Sikandar, who is a Pakistani by birth, defended his position on the matter saying that he visits Pakistan once in a year for the PSL, because of which his relatives came to meet him in the hotel room instead of the Business Centre.

When contacted, the PCB media department said that close family relatives were already allowed to meet cricketers in their room.

On Sunday, however, Sikandar’s friends were trying to meet the cricketer in his hotel room, which was not allowed by the PSL management.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2026

Turkiye ended a 24-year wait to qualify for the World Cup by beating Kosovo 1-0 in their playoff final on Tuesday, sealing a return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 2002 when they reached the semi-finals.

Forward Kerem Akturkoglu scored the only goal in the 53rd minute, turning the ball in from close range after Orkun Kokcu’s shot, following a driving run from Kenan Yildiz down the left.

“Thank God. It has been 24 years. Some of us were not even born the last time we qualified, and some were too young to remember. We always dreamed of moments like this,” Akturkoglu told Turkish TV.

“We talked about 2002 and the success there, we always dreamed of it. Most of us dont even remember 2002. Now we will give the next generation something to dream about at the 2026 World Cup. We want to make our country proud,” he added.

Turkiye, ranked 25th in the world, had fallen short in qualifying campaigns over the past two decades and arrived under pressure to deliver, with coach Vincenzo Montella overseeing a squad blending emerging talents and experienced internationals.

“Emotionally, I am at the top. I am incredibly proud. I wouldn’t change my players for a thing. Anyone who does this job dreams of the World Cup, I am incredibly grateful to my players. We have achieved our dream,” Montella told Anadolu.

“It is an incredible feeling, I cannot describe it in words. The World Cup is the pinnacle,” he added.

Turks took to the streets to celebrate the national team reaching their third World Cup, waving flags from honking cars and gathering on main streets.

For Kosovo, ranked 79th and playing in front of a sold-out crowd, the defeat brought an end to a remarkable run that had taken them to the brink of a historic debut at a major tournament, less than a decade after joining FIFA and UEFA.

The hosts pushed forward in the closing stages, taking risks in search of an equaliser and creating several chances, but were unable to beat Turkiye goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir as the visitors held on.

Turkiye will face Australia, Paraguay and co-hosts the United States in Group D of the World Cup. The tournament will also be hosted by Canada and Mexico.

LAHORE: The HBL-Pakistan Super League management has allowed Lahore Qalandars all-rounder Sikandar Raza to meet his family members in his hotel room during the ongoing 11th edition, according to a message shared by the cricketer on social media on Tuesday.

“Thank you@The RealPCBMedia and@thePSLt20 management for allowing my family and relatives to come and see me in my room. Your kind gesture is greatly appreciated,” Sikandar shared in a message on his X account.

On Sunday, some visitors were not allowed by the PSL management to enter Sikandar’s room in a Lahore hotel which created an undesirable incident as Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi intervened to let Sikandar’s visitors into Sikandar’s room while ignoring the instructions of the PSL security staff.

On Monday, Qalandars’ management imposed a cash fine of Rs1 million on Shaheen for breaching the security protocol.

Sikandar, who is a Pakistani by birth, defended his position on the matter saying that he visits Pakistan once in a year for the PSL, because of which his relatives came to meet him in the hotel room instead of the Business Centre.

When contacted, the PCB media department said that close family relatives were already allowed to meet cricketers in their room.

On Sunday, however, Sikandar’s friends were trying to meet the cricketer in his hotel room, which was not allowed by the PSL management.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2026