LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Board of Governors (BoG) on Sunday approved amendments to its anti-corruption regulations in line with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code, according to a PCB press release issued here.

The changes were termed necessary to bring the PCB’s rules in conformity with those of the international governing body.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the proposed development of the Jeddah Cricket Stadium under an agreement signed between the PCB and its Saudi Arabian counterpart.

In addition, the BoG approved a new plan for restructuring zones under the Lahore Region Cricket Association.

The members appreciated the PCB’s successful sale of new teams for the upcoming Pakistan Super League cycle (2026–36).

The BoG also acknowledged the services of Director Domestic Cricket Abdullah Khurram Niazi, who has been appointed a director in the Capital Development Authority.

Sources said some members suggested that the PCB chairman allow Abdullah to continue sup­er­vising domestic cricket affairs from Islamabad. However, no official confirmation has been issued regarding the proposal.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2026

LAHORE: Mohammad Nawaz produced a masterful bowling display, claiming three scalps, as Multan Sultans cruised to a six-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the HBL Pakistan Super League here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Nawaz’s sharp variations and ability to extract turn troubled the Quetta batters throughout, breaking key partnerships and restricting momentum at crucial junctures. His spell, which conceded a mere 30 runs in four overs, proved decisive in a contest where Multan’s spinners dominated, helping defend a modest target with plenty to spare.

The Sultans chased the 167-run with six wickets and 15 balls to spare, securing their third win of the season and climbing to the top of the PSL standings.

The Gladiators, after being asked to bat first, made a promising start but soon found themselves in trouble against Multan’s spin-heavy opening attack. Ashton Turner and Nawaz shared the new ball, a move that paid immediate dividends.

Khawaja Nafay, who struck an early six, fell lbw to Nawaz in the second over for 12 off seven balls. Shamyl Hussain followed soon after, chipping Turner to Nawaz at mid-on for just two.

Quetta skipper Saud Shakeel walked in at number three and steadied the innings alongside Hasan Nawaz. Saud, dropped on 13 by keeper Josh Philippe in the sixth over, capitalised on the reprieve.

He played the anchor role, mixing deft placements with the occasional boundary, while Hasan provided aggressive support with two fours in the fourth over off Nawaz.

The pair added 55 runs for the third wicket before Arafat Minhas (2-14) struck twice in the 10th over. Hasan was stumped for 20 after losing his balance, and Rilee Rossouw — returning to the side — departed for a duck, caught by Shan Masood at deep mid-wicket. Quetta slumped to 72 for four.

Bevon Jacobs joined Saud and injected urgency. The latter reached a well-crafted fifty off 35 balls with a lofted cover drive off Faisal Akram in the 14th over, but fell two overs later for 56, holing out to Steve Smith at long-on off Nawaz.

Jacobs, however, kept the scoreboard ticking with powerful hitting, finishing unbeaten on 49 off 31 balls, including four fours and three sixes.

The late flourish came from Ahmed Daniyal, who smashed 22 off just nine balls, including two fours and a six, before tragedy struck.

While completing a third run on the fifth ball of the final over, Daniyal suffered a right hamstring injury. He was forced to retire hurt and had to be carried off the field by physios.

According to a Pakistan Cricket Board press release issues later Ahmed was “taken to hospital for further scans”.

Chasing 167, Multan Sultans made a blistering start. Sahibzada Farhan and Smith tore into the bowling during the powerplay. Farhan smashed 32 off 14 balls, including two sixes and four fours, before holing out to Abrar Ahmed off Alzarri Joseph in the sixth over. By the end of the powerplay, the Sultans were already 83 for one, with the asking rate well under control.

Smith continued the assault in typically elegant fashion, bringing up his fifty off just 29 balls with a lap scoop for two. He struck seven fours and a six in his 53 off 35, looking in sublime touch until a moment of brilliance from Rossouw ended his stay.

In the 14th over, Smith slog-swept part-time spinner Hasan high towards deep square leg. Rossouw sprinted from the position, took a stunning running catch near the ropes, and tossed the ball to substitute Saqib Khan as he tumbled over the boundary. The third umpire confirmed the catch was clean, sending Smith back for 53.

Shan, promoted in the order, then took charge alongside Arafat. The Pakistan Test captain played with composure and power, striking two fours and two sixes. Arafat fell lbw to Hasan for six, but by then only 30 runs were needed from 36 balls. Turner joined Shan and the pair saw the chase through without further alarms.

Shan remained not out on 46 off 30 balls, including two fours and two sixes, while Turner finished unbeaten on four. The target was achieved with well within the stipulated overs, showcasing Multan’s depth and clinical execution.

Multan Sultans, with this comprehensive win, have strengthened their position at the summit. Their balanced attack and aggressive batting approach continue to make them one of the teams to beat in this edition of the PSL.

Scoreboard

QUETTA GLADIATORS:
Khawaja Nafay lbw b Nawaz12
Shamyl Hussain c Nawaz b Turner2
Saud Shakeel c Smith b Nawaz56
Hasan Nawaz st Philippe b Arafat20
Rilee Rossouw c Shan b Arafat1
Bevon Jacobs not out49
Tom Curran c Turner b Nawaz1
Ahmed Daniyal retired hurt22
Alzarri Joseph run out (Arafat)0 –

EXTRAS (LB-1, W-2)3
TOTAL (for seven wickets, 20 overs)166
DID NOT BAT: Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-13 (Nafay), 2-15 (Shamyl), 3-70 (Hasan), 4-72 (Rossouw), 5-119 (Saud), 6-122 (Curran), 6-164 (Ahmed, retired not out), 7-166 (Joseph)
BOWLING: Turner 3-0-16-1, Nawaz 4-0-30-3 (1w), Siddle 3-0-40-0, Ismail 1-0-10-0, Faisal 3-0-31-0 (1w), Arafat 4-0-14-2, Wasim 2-0-24-0

MULTAN SULTANS:
Sahibzada Farhan c Abrar b Joseph32
Steven Smith c sub b Hasan53
Josh Philippe c Abrar b Saud18
Shan Masood not out46
Arafat Minhas lbw b Hasan6
Ashton Turner not out4

EXTRAS (LB-1, W-7)8
TOTAL (for four wickets, 17.3 overs)167
DID NOT BAT: Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Peter Siddle, Mohammad Ismail, Faisal Akram
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-71 (Sahibzada), 2-96 (Philippe), 3-136 (Smith), 4-148 (Arafat)
BOWLING: Joseph 2.3-0-29-1 (1w), Abrar 4-0-46-0, Curran 2-0-24-0 (1w), Usman 4-0-25-0 (1w), Saud 3-0-25-1, Hasan 2-0-17-2a
RESULT: Multan Sultans won by six wickets.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Mohammad Nawaz

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2026

MALLORCA: Vedat Muriqi snatched Mallorca a surprise 2-1 La Liga win over Real Madrid on Saturday to deal Los Blancos a significant blow in the Spanish title race.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side thought they had rescued a point after Eder Militao nodded home with two minutes remaining before Muriqi pounced in stoppage time to help the hosts climb to 17th.

With the defeat second-placed Real failed to maintain pressure on leaders Barcelona, who next visit Atletico Madrid.

“For me it is easy to see but the hard thing is for the players to know that without giving 200 per cent today, we were not going to win,” Arbeloa told reporters. “We were on top in the first half but because of one mistake, they scored. Here if you slip up for a moment… you end up paying the price.

“This is the elite, the top flight… not having a better second half than we did is what hurts me the most.”

Arbeloa started the game with Vinicius Jr on the bench, with Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich in mind.

Real lacked spark in the first half, creating few openings of note. The best was for top scorer Kylian Mbappe, fit after a knee sprain that has troubled him for months.

Arda Guler rolled a ball in behind Mallorca’s defence for the French superstar to dart on to but Leo Roman saved with his leg.

The goalkeeper denied Mbappe again after Eduardo Camavinga fed him and Antonio Rudiger also nodded over from a corner.

Manu Morlanes threatened for Mallorca, heading just over, but Real did not heed the warning.

The midfielder opened the scoring a few minutes later, losing Camavinga and arriving into the box to fire Pablo Maffeo’s cross into the bottom corner past Andriy Lunin.

Leo Roman saved from Mbappe early in the second half as Real searched for an equaliser.

Arbeloa sent on Vinicius, Jude Bellingham and Militao for his first appearance since December after injury.

Real huffed and puffed but to little avail as Martin Demichelis’s Mallorca stayed solid at the back until the final stages.

They were eventually undone by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner, whipped towards Militao, who powered a header into the top corner.

However there was a sting in the tail for Real.

Muriqi, second top scorer in the division behind Mbappe with 19 goals, lashed past Lunin in the 91st minute to claim three points for his side.

The striker was visibly emotional after scoring, having missed a penalty in the team’s previous game, a defeat by relegation-battling rivals Elche.

“It’s been two difficult weeks… emotions and nerves get the better of me, I’m human,” said Muriqi, who also missed out on World Cup qualification with Kosovo in a play-off against Turkey.

“Many thanks to the fans for the enormous support and everything you’ve given me. I hope we can stay in the top flight.”

Mallorca climbed two points clear of the drop zone after recording a famous victory, which the players celebrated gleefully with the fans at the end.

“I’ve really wanted the boys to feel joy like this,” said Demichelis. “It doesn’t mean we are safe, but they needed it, we kept taking blows. The boys were beaten down but training very well.”

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2026