Sports Bulletin on March 6: Mohammed Shami quotes controversy for not fasting during Ramadan, SRH announce replacement for injured overseas player

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In today’s sports bulletin (March 6), IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad have signed a replacement for their injured overseas player, while Mohammed Shami finds himself at the center of controversy over fasting during Ramadan.

Elsewhere, Sachin Tendulkar rolled back the years in the International Masters League, and a Pakistan batter made history for an unusual dismissal. Here's a look at the top sports stories.

Mohammed Shami’s Cousin Defends Him Amid Ramadan Fasting Controversy

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has found support from his cousin Mumtaz after facing criticism for not fasting during Ramadan while playing in the Champions Trophy. The controversy arose when Shami was seen consuming an energy drink during India’s match against Australia. Religious figures offered differing opinions, with some calling it a violation of Islamic law, while others defended him, citing exemptions for traveling athletes. Shami, who took 3/48 in the match, has been a key performer for India, securing eight wickets in the tournament so far.

IPL 2025: SRH Signs Wiaan Mulder as Replacement for Injured Brydon Carse

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has roped in South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder as a replacement for England’s Brydon Carse, who has been ruled out of IPL 2025 due to a toe injury. Mulder, who played in South Africa’s Champions Trophy semifinal against New Zealand, joins SRH for ₹75 lakh. The 27-year-old has represented South Africa in 18 Tests, 25 ODIs, and 11 T20Is. Carse sustained his injury during England’s match against Australia in the Champions Trophy, forcing him to miss the tournament.

Sachin Tendulkar Rolls Back the Years with 27-Ball Fifty in International Masters League

At 51, Sachin Tendulkar showcased his vintage brilliance, smashing a 27-ball half-century for India Masters against Australia Masters in the International Masters League. The legendary batter scored 64 off 33 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, keeping his team in the chase of Australia Masters’ imposing 269/1. However, his lone effort wasn’t enough, as India Masters fell short by 95 runs. Shane Watson (110*) and Ben Dunk (132*) powered Australia’s innings, while Xavier Doherty starred with the ball, taking 5/25. India Masters have already secured a semifinal spot.

Saud Shakeel Becomes First Pakistan Player to Be 'Timed Out’ After Oversleeping

Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel created an unwanted record after being declared "timed out" while playing for State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) against Pakistan Television (PTV) in the President’s Cup Grade 1 First-Class tournament. Shakeel, who was supposed to bat at No. 5, failed to reach the crease within the three-minute limit after two quick wickets. PTV captain Amad Butt appealed, and the umpires upheld the decision. Reports suggest Shakeel had overslept, leading to his dismissal. He is the first Pakistani and the seventh cricketer in first-class history to be timed out.

Mohammad Hafeez Criticizes Pakistan’s 1990s Cricket Stars for Lack of ICC Trophies

Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez questioned the legacy of Pakistan’s 1990s cricket stars, highlighting their failure to win major ICC tournaments despite immense talent. Speaking alongside Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, and Sana Mir, Hafeez pointed out that Pakistan participated in the 1996, 1999, and 2003 World Cups but could not secure a title, with the 1999 final loss being particularly heavy. He contrasted this with Pakistan’s victories in the 2009 T20 World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy, which he believes inspired the next generation. Shoaib Akhtar defended his era, citing Pakistan’s dominance over India in ODIs, while Shoaib Malik acknowledged the contributions of past greats.

David Miller Admits Travel Challenges Were 'Not Ideal’ After South Africa’s Champions Trophy Exit

South African batter David Miller acknowledged that frequent travel between Pakistan and the UAE during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was not ideal. Following South Africa’s semifinal loss to New Zealand, despite Miller’s unbeaten century, he admitted that the team’s back-and-forth flights—from Karachi to Dubai and back to Lahore—were challenging. Though the flight duration was short, the timing of departures and arrivals made recovery difficult. Miller, however, refrained from making excuses but emphasized the situation wasn’t ideal. With New Zealand set to face India in the final, Miller expressed his support for the Black Caps.

Kane Williamson Stresses 'Anything Can Happen’ Ahead of Champions Trophy Final

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson remains cautious yet optimistic ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against India. Speaking ahead of the summit clash in Dubai, Williamson emphasized the unpredictable nature of knockout games, stating that "anything can happen" in a high-stakes final. He acknowledged India’s strong form but backed his team’s preparations, highlighting their focus on execution under pressure. New Zealand will be aiming for their second ICC title, having previously won the World Test Championship, while India seeks to add another major trophy to their collection.

Mushfiqur Rahim Retires from ODI Cricket After 'Challenging Weeks'

Bangladesh’s veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has announced his immediate retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs). The 37-year-old, who recently featured in the ICC Champions Trophy, shared his decision via social media, citing "challenging weeks" as a factor. In his statement, Mushfiqur expressed gratitude for his 19-year career, emphasizing his dedication every time he represented Bangladesh. While his international achievements were limited on the global stage, he remains one of Bangladesh's most decorated cricketers. The retirement marks the end of an era, with Mushfiqur now expected to focus on Tests and T20s.

Pakistan Set to Host ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers from April 4

Pakistan is set to host the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers, likely starting on April 4 in Lahore. The six-team tournament will feature Bangladesh, West Indies, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, and hosts Pakistan, with two spots up for grabs for the Women’s World Cup in India later this year. The event could pose diplomatic challenges if Pakistan qualifies, raising questions about where an India-Pakistan match would be held. The qualifiers may also overlap with the Pakistan Super League (PSL), requiring scheduling adjustments. This marks another major ICC event in Pakistan after nearly three decades.

Two Bookies Arrested for Betting on India-Australia Champions Trophy Semifinal

Delhi's Crime Branch busted a cricket betting racket operating during the India-Australia Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal, arresting two bookies—Parveen Kochhar and Sanjeev Kumar. The duo was caught live betting in Dwarka, with laptops, mobile phones, and betting materials seized. The racket operated through online Master IDs and direct calls, handling transactions worth ₹1.5 lakh daily. Kochhar, the mastermind, rented premises for ₹35,000 per month and coordinated with bookies across regions. Both accused had prior business ventures before turning to illegal betting for financial gains.

Benfica and Barcelona Set for UCL Clash Weeks After 9-Goal Thriller

Barcelona visits Benfica on Wednesday for their Champions League last-16 first-leg encounter, just weeks after their dramatic 5-4 group-stage clash. Hansi Flick’s side, now La Liga leaders, enters the match in strong form after a 4-0 win over Real Sociedad. Key players, including Pedri and Raphinha, are expected to start, while Frenkie de Jong could return. Injury-hit Benfica faces a setback with Angel Di Maria likely sidelined. Despite a more tactical approach expected this time, Benfica has already shown they can break down Barça’s high-press system.