Mohammad Amir, the talented Pakistani fast bowler, has made an exciting declaration regarding his aspirations to join the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Amir, who is set to be eligible to participate in the IPL in 2026, has expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “By next year, I will have the opportunity to play in the IPL, and if the chance arises, why not? I am eager to join.”

Amir’s ambitions are made easier by his wife Narjis being a UK citizen, which paves the way for him to acquire a UK passport, potentially granting him the necessary clearance to play in the IPL.

During his appearance on the show “Haarna Mana Hai,” host Tabish Hashmi probed Amir on how he might respond to criticisms from Pakistan regarding his potential participation in the IPL. Amir, who has since retired from international cricket, responded thoughtfully, indicating that there exists a contradiction within the cricketing community: “Pakistani cricketers were banned from the IPL, yet many of our former stars are involved as commentators and coaches for franchises.”

He referenced former Pakistan greats like Wasim Akram, who has held coaching roles with the Kolkata Knight Riders, and Ramiz Raza, known for his commentary work.

Amir also took a moment to highlight his respect for Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli, reminiscing about a specially gifted bat from Kohli before their Twenty20 World Cup clash in Kolkata in 2016. “Virat is impressive and has a keen eye for talent. I was deeply touched by his gesture,” Amir reflected. He recalled enjoying considerable success while using that bat in matches.

Moreover, Amir revealed his desire to play for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Fellow guest Ahmed Shehzad weighed in, suggesting that Amir could significantly alter RCB’s fate in the tournament. “RCB requires a bowler of Amir’s caliber to address their ongoing bowling issues. With their strong batting lineup, his addition could finally lead them to their first IPL title,” he asserted.

Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain has issued a caution to India ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand, set to take place on Sunday, March 9, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Hussain highlighted New Zealand’s historical advantage over India in tournament finals, having triumphed in both previous encounters between the two teams in such high-stakes matches.

In his remarks, Hussain emphasized that New Zealand is known for their resilience under pressure. He conveyed his thoughts during an appearance on Sky Sports, stating, “They will not bottle it, they won’t choke. We were having dinner with [former Australia captain] Aaron Finch, who summarized it well by pointing out that New Zealand are never a side that beat themselves. They consistently show up and deliver a solid performance.”

Hussain further praised New Zealand’s lineup, calling them a blend of steadfast athletes, featuring both experienced players and emerging talent. “Throughout the New Zealand team, you will find tough cricketers who give their all in every match. This commitment is why they routinely reach semi-finals and finals,” he noted. The team possesses a valuable mix of seasoned professionals, like the esteemed Kane Williamson, and younger players, including promising talents like Rachin Ravindra. While Hussain acknowledged that New Zealand may lose, he asserted that if they do, it will solely be due to India’s performance.

Historically, New Zealand has bested India in ten out of their sixteen encounters in ICC events, contributing to several of India’s disappointments in critical matches. As a result, the Indian team is likely to approach this final with caution, keen to overcome past adversities against the formidable Kiwis. The clash shapes up to be an enticing contest, with both sides bringing their strengths to the fore in pursuit of cricketing glory.

Vinod Sehwag, the sibling of former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, has been taken into custody by the Chandigarh Police in a case concerning a bounced cheque amounting to ₹7 crore. Following his arrest, a local court has ordered him to remain in judicial custody.

The legal issues stem from Jalta Food and Beverages Company, where Sehwag serves as one of the directors, alongside Vishnu Mittal and Sudhir Malhotra. All three individuals face charges under the Negotiable Instruments Act. The matter came to light when Krishna Mohan, the proprietor of Shri Naina Plastic Factory in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, lodged a complaint regarding a transaction with Jalta Food and Beverages. He claimed that the company had purchased merchandise from his factory and issued a ₹7 crore cheque for payment.

Trouble arose when Mohan tried to cash the cheque at the Oriental Bank of Commerce branch in Manimajra, only to discover that it bounced due to a lack of sufficient funds in the issuing account. After this incident, Mohan decided to pursue legal action, leading to a complaint when payment was not received.

In 2022, the court labeled the three directors as fugitives after they failed to attend hearings, resulting in a police directive to file a case in September 2023. Now that Sehwag has been arrested, he has submitted a request for bail, with the hearing scheduled for March 10. It is noteworthy that he faces a staggering 174 cheque bounce cases, having applied for bail in 138 of them.

As these proceedings progress, the situation attracts significant public attention, particularly given Sehwag’s connection to the world of cricket. The forthcoming court decisions will have considerable implications, not only for Sehwag’s personal standing but also for the financial consequences associated with these serious legal challenges.