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Pakistan bans Australian cricketer James Faulkner from PSL over false allegations

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4 years ago

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LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to impose a life-time ban on the participation of Australian cricket James Faulkner in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over his “false and misleading allegations” of non-payments.

Faulkner, who played for Quetta Gladiators in seventh edition of the tournament, said on Twitter that he was withdrawing PSL7 due to the “@TheRealPCB not honouring my contractual agreement/payments”.

Following scathing allegations, PCB and Quetta Gladiators issued a joint statement, rejecting the allegations.

“The PCB and Quetta Gladiators are disappointed and dismayed with the reprehensible behavior of Mr James Faulkner, who was also part of the Abu Dhabi-leg of the HBL Pakistan Super League in 2021, and, along with all participants, has always been treated with utmost respect.

“In the seven years of the HBL Pakistan Super League, no player has ever complained about the nonfulfillment of the PCB’s contractual obligations.

“Instead, all players have only praised and appreciated the efforts of the PCB to make their stay, appearance and participation as comfortable as practically possible. This is evident that from the fact that most of these cricketers have continued to remain part of the PCB’s marquee event since 2016 and have helped the PCB to make the HBL PSL a strong and formidable brand as it stands today.

“Without commenting on the history of Mr James Faulkner’s misconduct over the past many years that has also resulted in his fallout with other teams, below is a brief summary of some of the undisputed facts:

  1. In December 2021, Mr James Faulkner’s agent confirmed the United Kingdom bank details to which his fee payments should be transferred. This was noted for action.
  2. In January 2022, for reasons best known to Mr Faulkner, his agent sent revised banking details of Mr Faulkner’s onshore account in Australia. However, the contracted 70 per cent of Mr Faulkner’s fee payment was transferred to his offshore UK bank account. The receipt of this payment was acknowledged by Mr Faulkner.
  3. Accordingly, payments due to Mr Faulkner as per his contract are fully up to date.
  4. The remaining 30 per cent of his contractual payment only becomes due 40 days after the completion of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2022, which now remains a matter to be reviewed in line with his contract.
  5. In spite of the money being transferred and received in his account, Mr Faulkner continued to insist that a second duplicate payment of the same amount be made to his account in Australia. This meant Mr Faulkner would have been paid twice.
  6. He further threatened and refused to participate in his side’s match against Multan Sultans on Friday afternoon until his money demands were met.
  7. The PCB, as a responsible organisation, engaged with Mr Faulkner early Friday afternoon in an attempt to reason with him. Despite his reprehensible and insulting behavior during the conversation, Mr Faulkner was assured that all his grievances would be addressed. He refused to reconsider his decision to take the field in a crucial match for his side, let his team down and demanded that his travel arrangements be immediately made.
  8. During this time, the PCB was also in constant contact with his agent, who was regretful and apologetic.
  9. Prior to his departure on Saturday morning, Mr Faulkner caused deliberate damage to the hotel property and as a result had to pay damages to the hotel management. The PCB later also received reports and complaints from the immigration authorities that Mr Faulkner had acted inappropriately and abusively at the airport.

“In wake of the above, and taking serious note of Mr James Faulkner’s gross misconduct that was an attempt to bring the PCB, Pakistan cricket and the HBL Pakistan Super League into disrepute, it has been unanimously agreed by the PCB and the franchises that Mr James Faulkner will not be drafted in future HBL Pakistan Super League events.”

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Hotshot Esports Wins Game Now FFWS Pakistan 2025, Qualifies for Global Finals in Jakarta

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7 months ago

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October 6, 2025

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LAHORE – Hotshot Esports has emerged as the champions of the Game Now FFWS Pakistan 2025, defeating the nation’s strongest teams and securing their spot at the FFWS Global Finals 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

● Hotshot Esports claims the crown at Free Fire World Series Pakistan 2025, after a thrilling Battle Royale Grand Final in the iconic NASTP, Karachi

● Outperformed top rivals RZX Esports and Raptr Legacy with clutch plays

● Secured PKR 1 Million Prizepool and advances to FFWS Global Finals as Pakistan’s representative

A Clash of Generations
FFWS PK 2025 stood out for its unique mix of veteran squads and rising teams. Established teams such as Demons Pride and Raptr Legacy demonstrated their trademark experience and composure, while emerging lineups like Team Tez injected fresh energy and innovative strategies into the competition.

Amidst this diverse field, Hotshot Esports showcased adaptability and consistency, overcoming both seasoned rivals and ambitious newcomers to emerge as Pakistan’s finest.

FFWS PK 2025 Grand Finals recap
The Grand Finals brought together Pakistan’s top 12 teams at NASTP, Karachi, where more than 500 fans gathered to witness the nation’s best Free Fire action. Teams clashed across iconic maps, including Bermuda, Kalahari, and Solara.

● Hotshot Esports secured 3 Booyahs and a grand total of 141 points, finishing ahead of runners-up Demons Pride by a margin of 32 points.

● The tournament’s MVP, Hotshot Esports’s Action, stood out with a total of 33 eliminations and 16141 damage, delivering decisive performances when it mattered most.

● Collectively, Hotshot Esports posted 84 kills, demonstrating a balance of aggressive gameplay and consistent positioning.

This commanding performance reinforced their status as worthy champions and solidified their place as Pakistan’s representatives on the global stage.

Present at the event, Head of Gaming at Jazz, Arsalan Qamar, commented, “At Jazz, we believe gaming and Esports as more than just entertainment – they are a powerful driver of culture, community, and digital innovation in Pakistan. With GameNow, we are proud to partner with Garena’s Free Fire World Series 2025 to give our youth the stage to showcase their talent globally. Through exclusive Free Fire bundles and our one-stop platform, GameNow, we are making gaming more accessible than ever. This partnership marks a milestone in Jazz’s mission to empower Pakistan’s digital generation and lead the charge in shaping the future of gaming in the country.”

Representing Pakistan on the Global Stage
With this victory, Hotshot Esports not only claimed the 1,000,000 PKR prize pool but also earned the honor of representing Pakistan at the FFWS Global Finals 2025 in November 2025. In Jakarta, they will compete against 17 top Free Fire squads from powerhouse regions including Thailand, Indonesia, and Brazil.

Carrying the pride of Pakistan’s esports community, Hotshot Esports now prepares to showcase its skill and determination on one of the most prestigious stages in competitive gaming.

Missed the action for FFWS Pakistan 2025? Don’t Worry!
Fans can revisit the excitement of the FFWS Pakistan 2025 (Group Stage, Clash Squad Tournament, and Grand Finals) by tuning into live broadcasts on multiple streaming platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. All broadcast commentary will be available in Urdu.

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Nooh Butt eyes international return, aims for gold at World Championships in Florida

Published

7 months ago

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September 30, 2025

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LAHORE – Pakistan’s Commonwealth Games champion and national weightlifting icon, Nooh Dastagir Butt, is poised for a high-profile return to international weightlifting. He is set to compete at the VIRUS Weightlifting Finals and UMWF World Championships, scheduled to take place from December 3 to 6, 2025, at the Ocean Center Convention Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.

The three-time international strongman and powerlifting champion, famously dubbed the “Hulk of Pakistan” after his record-breaking performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, is eyeing nothing less than gold on his long-awaited comeback.

This marks Nooh’s first international weightlifting appearance in three years, following a prolonged dispute with the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF). During his absence from Olympic lifting, Nooh continued to bring laurels to Pakistan in powerlifting and strongman competitions, securing multiple gold medals in Uzbekistan, South Africa, and other international events.

With the federation dispute now resolved, thanks to the efforts of Madam Nuzhat and Hafiz Jibran Butt of the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, Nooh has officially been cleared to represent Pakistan once again and backed by Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, CEO of ACTIVIT and Director of National Hospital DHA Lahore, who has been sponsoring his training, nutrition, and medical support, Nooh says he is fully focused and mentally stronger than ever.

“I am grateful to Rd. Rizwan, for not only supporting my career but also taking care of my parents’ medical needs. Now, I have only one mission, which is to win international gold medals for Pakistan,” said an emotional Nooh.

He further revealed that he is currently training in Gujranwala under the supervision of his father, former weightlifter Ghulam Dastagir, maintaining a two-session daily regimen. “Whatever I am today is because of my father. His dream, and mine, is to see Pakistan’s flag raised at the world stage once again,” he added.

Nooh Butt’s mother expressed her pride and excitement over his preparations, saying, “Our entire home feels like a training ground. Nooh’s father doesn’t rest until he completes both of his daily training sessions. His dedication is unmatched, and as parents, our greatest joy will be to see him win more international medals for Pakistan.”

To sharpen his preparations, Rd. Rizwan has arranged a post-tournament training camp in the United States, where Nooh will train under international coaches and gain exposure to world-class facilities. This will further prepare him for the global stage. His journey is clearly mapped out, first the World Championships in Florida, followed by the Commonwealth Games, then the Asian Games, all leading toward one ultimate destination: global dominance in weightlifting.

Sharing his thoughts, Rd. Rizwan said, “I don’t just have a mission, I have a vision. I want Nooh to leave a legacy that inspires generations to come.” When asked about his expectations from Nooh, he responded with conviction: “I expect only one thing, victory. I want him to triumph on the grandest stages of the world, to hoist Pakistan’s flag high with pride. My dream is to see him rise steadily, winning gold after gold, until his name becomes synonymous with excellence in global sport.”

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Pakistan back to clash with UAE after protests against the match referee

Published

7 months ago

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September 17, 2025

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DUBAI – After prolonged uncertainty and rising tension in the Asia Cup, Pakistan got the green light to leave their hotel and clash with the UAE in the Dubai Cricket Stadium. The PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, was the one to give the green signal.

 

During the initial phase, the match got delayed by an hour as the PCT players protested against match referee Andy Pycroft; however, the toss will now take place at 6 p.m. local time.

It all started when Pakistan refused to leave their hotel in protest, after claims that Pycroft denied all-rounder Agha Salman a customary handshake during Sunday’s intense match with India. The ICC turned down Pakistan’s request to replace the referee, leading to social media backlash and calls for the team to pull out of the tournament.

Players from Pakistan also skipped the post-match ceremony against India, and India captain Suryakumar Yadav’s tribute to Indian soldiers sparked more controversy. Even with all the drama, Pakistan practiced in Dubai on Tuesday, showing they’re ready to battle for a key win in the must-win group match.

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