'We have the upper hand': Sri Lanka captain warns India ahead of Gall…

KARACHI: Although it was understood that the current regime of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) had been established through an alliance between the sitting president Mohsen Gilani and vice-president Hafiz Zakaullah but in, reality, no one had seen the copy of that secret agreement.

Late Wednesday the document of that pact between the two parties got viral.

The key points of the agreement signed on May 26, 2025, paved the way for Syed Mohsen Gilani to secure the PFF’s presidency.

The agreement has been signed by Gilani and Hafiz Zakaullah besides four witnesses and two guarantors.

The agreement, reached on May 26, 2025, says: “Whereas, the parties have mutually agreed to cooperate and share power in the upcoming PFF’s presidential elections scheduled for May 27, 2025, and to facilitate smooth governance within the federation. The parties desire to set forth their understanding and commitments regarding their respective candidacies, support and administrative arrangements for the term of the elected president.

Now therefore in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

(1) Withdrawal of candidacy

(a) Hafiz Zakaullah shall withdraw his candidacy for the presidency of the PFF Executive Committee in the 2025 elections, scheduled for May 27, 2025, on or before May 27, 2025, in favor of Syed Mohsen Gilani. (b) Conversely, Syed Mohsen Gilani shall withdraw his candidacy for the vice-president and support Hafiz Zakaullah's candidature accordingly.

(2) Support and voting commitments

(a) Each party shall provide all-out support to the respective joint panel during the election process. (b) Both parties shall encourage their supporters, members, and affiliated organizations to vote in favour of the jointly agreed panel, ensuring a unified front.

(3) Finalized panel and composition

(a) The following panel shall be the final candidate list for the upcoming election, with no objections or disputes and the list to be discussed and finalised by the parties with mutual consent and be documented separately.

(b) The parties agreed names for the PFF Executive Committee elections 2025 panel shall be circulated among the voting members of the PFF Congress supported by both parties and no other candidates shall be supported by either party during the election.

(4) Appointment of General Secretary:

(a) Upon successful formation of the Executive Committee, Syed Mohsen Gilani agrees to nominate the General Secretary on the recommendation of Hafiz Zakaullah.

(b) The name of the General Secretary shall be final, binding, and non-disputable, and both parties shall ensure compliance with this appointment in accordance with the PFF Constitution 2025.

(5) Tenure and power sharing:

(a) The parties agree to implement a one-year term for the president, with one of the following arrangements with mutual consent:

(I) Syed Mohsen Gilani will serve as president of the PFF for a period of one year. After completing this one-year term, he will formally declare his unavailability to continue performing the duties of the president, as per the rules of the PFF Constitution. Based on this, the Executive Committee will be asked to approve the delegation of the president's powers to the senior vice-president Hafiz Zakaullah. Zakaullah will assume all powers and responsibilities of the president for the remaining term, in line with the constitutional framework.

(II) Syed Mohsen Gilani will resign from the position of president, and Hafiz Zakaullah will also resign from the position of the senior vice-president. These resignations will take place according to the procedure outlined in the PFF Constitution, with the purpose of ensuring a smooth and cooperative transfer of leadership. After the resignations, Zakaullah will contest the election for the office of president, and Gilani will contest for the office of senior vice-president. Both will do so with each other's full support, to maintain unity and strong leadership within the federation.

(b) The AFC and FIFA voting rights shall unconditionally remain with Mohsen Gilani in any of the above set-up for the period of four years

(c) The parties shall draft and adopt specific regulations to govern the delegation of powers during the tenure

(d) The parties acknowledge that during the tenure, the office of the president and meetings at the PFF Secretariat shall be utilized for football-related matters as mutually agreed.

(e) It has been agreed between the parties that Gilani shall facilitate and ensure the active involvement of Hafiz Zakaullah with the international football governing bodies, including but not limited to FIFA and AFC, during his tenure as president, wherever such engagement is deemed necessary or beneficial

(6) Administrative and structural arrangements:

(a) The internal administration and league structure shall be developed collaboratively, ensuring meritocracy and transparency.

(b) Both parties shall work jointly to promote development programs and football initiatives without hindrance.

(c) The employees within the federation shall be finalized jointly by both parties. The affairs of the federation shall be jointly run by the parties during the term of the arrangement.

(d) The General Secretary shall play his role and perform his functions with due diligence by consulting both the parties.

(7) Good faith and cooperation

(a) The parties shall act in good faith, ensuring the smooth functioning of the federation and avoiding any actions that might undermine the mutual agreement.

(b) Neither party shall support or endorse any candidates or panels contrary to this agreement during the election process.

(8) Dispute resolution

(a) Any disputes arising out of or related to this agreement shall be resolved amicably through negotiation.

(b) If no resolution is reached within fifteen (15) days, the matter shall be referred to arbitration.

(c) The arbitrator shall be appointed with the mutual consent from among witnesses of the agreement.

(d) The award of the arbitration must be binding upon both the parties. (e) The voting members supporting this agreement as a witnesses shall ensure the compliance of this agreement.

Confidentiality

The parties agree to keep the terms of this agreement confidential and not disclose its contents to any third party.

Miscellaneous

(a) This agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes any prior agreements, understandings, or arrangements.

(b) Amendments or modifications to this agreement shall be made in writing and signed by both parties. (c) This agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties.

And interestingly Gilani also wrote and signed his resignation from the PFF presidency, showing that he would be automatically ceasing to exist as the PFF supremo after one year in office.

He wrote to the General Secretary: “I Syed Mohsen Gilani, bearing CNIC 61101-3695636-5 presently serving as the president of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), hereby voluntarily, with my free will, tender my resignation from the said office, with effect from May 28, 2026.”

“This decision has been made after thoughtful and careful consideration of my increasing personal obligations. I have come to the conclusion that I may no longer be in a position to dedicate the requisite time, focus and impartial engagement that the esteemed office of the president demands. I deem it in the best interest of football of Pakistan to vacate the office.”

“In doing so, I place on record my abiding respect for the principles of democratic governance and institutional continuity enshrined in the PFF Constitution. Accordingly, I request that this communication be treated as my formal notice of resignation and that the necessary steps be undertaken forthwith to convene the appropriate meetings of the Executive Committee and the Congress for the purpose of initiating the election process on the vacant seat under article 90 of the Constitution. I remain available, if required, to assist in the transitional process or to provide institutional support that may be beneficial in upholding the stability and continuity of the federation's operations.”

And Gilani also proposed the appointment of Shahid Niaz Khokhar as the PFF General Secretary.

“In accordance with the provisions outlined in the Constitution of the Pakistan Football Federation (2025), I am pleased to formally propose the appointment of Mr. Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar bearing CNIC No. 35202-9147706-3 as the General Secretary of the Pakistan Football Federation.”

“Khokhar brings with him an extensive portfolio of experience in sports governance and organizational management. His longstanding involvement in football development provides him with a unique blend of administrative capability and footballing insight. He has previously held key leadership roles in both national and international football forums, showcasing his ability to manage complex organizational frameworks and drive meaningful reforms,” Gilani wrote.

“Moreover, his articulate understanding of FIFA, AFC, and PFF statutes, coupled with his proven record in promoting transparency and professionalism in football-related activities, makes him exceptionally well qualified to carry out the multifaceted responsibilities of the General Secretary.”

“It is in this context and with a view toward ensuring continued growth, integrity, and operational excellence in the affairs of the Federation, that I strongly recommend the endorsement of Mr. Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar for this position. I kindly urge the Executive Committee to formally approve his appointment in accordance with the relevant provisions of the PFF Constitution.”

However, this agreement has not been implemented by the allies concerned and Gilani is still acting as the PFF’s supremo.

South African middle-order batsman David Miller has singled out his blistering unbeaten 101 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) as his best performance, adding that the intense run-chase proved instrumental in his career trajectory.

Currently featuring for Southern Brave in The Hundred 2026, Miller reflected on his standout achievements while speaking to JioStar. Over a career spanning more than a decade, the left-hander has built a reputation as one of T20 cricket's premier middle-order finishers. realschule-moosburg.de

"I think the 101 that I scored against RCB, the fact that it was a chase, chasing down a score and scoring a hundred, my first hundred in the IPL, my first T20 hundred, was a knock that felt the most rewarding. I think there was a lot at stake there, and it kind of set my career up if I look back at it now. Then there was another knock that I'll always remember as well, the one in Durban against Australia. We chased down a score there as well, and I scored a hundred, 118 not out or something. So, those two knocks under pressure, scoring hundreds, they'll always kind of stand out," Miller said.

Playing for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2013, Miller smashed his 101 off just 38 deliveries, an explosive display that firmly established his credentials as a destructive middle-order batter.

Highlighting his specialised role, Miller expressed pride in mastering the intricacies of finishing matches.

"Probably the fact that I've made a career by batting in the middle order and finishing games, that would be something I'm most proud of. It's something that takes a long time to kind of conquer and master. I'm still learning all the time, but at least I've had a long career in that department, and I've really enjoyed going about chasing innings, especially," he said.

Miller calls GT title win as favourite IPL memory

Miller's standout campaign arrived in 2022 when he served as the bedrock of Gujarat Titans' middle order, guiding the franchise to the championship in their inaugural season.

Identifying that title victory as his top IPL moment, Miller said: "My favourite moment in the IPL, there have been many, but we obviously play to win, so definitely winning the IPL for Gujarat Titans would be that."

Former India batter Mohammed Kaif insists India captain Shubman Gill must look at the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka as the first step towards moving closer to reaching the 2025-2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final. India lost 0-2 against South Africa in this WTC cycle in November 2025 and are currently ranked fifth.

Kaif, 45, reckoned skipper Gill must stamp his authority on the Sri Lanka series and use it to turn around the fortunes of his team. “Shubman should be thinking about turning things around as India can still qualify for the WTC final. It’s not easy, but if we start winning matches consistently, we can make a comeback from here as well. So, let’s take it match by match. Let’s win here [in SL] and take this form ahead,” Kaif, a member of the Sony Sports Network commentary panel, told mid-day in an interview on Wednesday.

Mohammed Kaif. Pic/Satej Shinde

After the second Test in Colombo (August 23-27), India will play two away Tests against New Zealand in November, after which they will host Australia for a five-match series in January and February next year.

India won their practice match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo a couple of days ago, and Kaif believes the Galle pitch for the opening Test, beginning on August 15, will not be a rank turner initially.

“The Indian team has been practising well. They won their three-day game and, overall, look to be in good shape. There is too much talk about turning tracks, but I don’t think it [Galle] will be a turning strip. In the first two days, it will be a good pitch and seamers can have their say. It could also be a good batting pitch for the first two-three days, after which the ball will turn on the fourth and fifth days,” said Kaif, who played three of his 13 Tests in Sri Lanka.

Kaif felt Gill & Co must make winning a habit.

“After this, there’s New Zealand, who are a tough side. So, let’s start winning now. Shubman has been a bit unfortunate as captain, with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah getting injured. When Virat Kohli was captain, his bowling line-up had [pacers] Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Bumrah. But still, we have some good players, good batters. Shubman just needs to bring his team together. The WTC final should be on his mind,” concluded Kaif.

[popcorn number="Five" desc="India’s current ranking in the WTC points table" class="Default"]

Bangladesh's hopes of hosting India for a long-pending white-ball rubber in September seem all but over with the BCCI announcing that Shreyas Iyer and his men will face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in Delhi from September 13 to 17. The BCCI and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the series in a joint statement on Wednesday, the window for which clashes with the plans that Bangladesh had proposed. The Indo-Bangla bilateral series had to be postponed last year due to the political unrest in that country.

The games against Afghanistan are a part of ACB's Future Tours Programme. They are being treated as a home assignment for the ACB, which has made India a base for conducting games in recent years due to the volatile political situation in Afghanistan. The series will get underway on September 13, with the second T20I scheduled for September 15 and the third on September 17. All the three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium here. Afghanistan most recently toured India for a three-match ODI series in June, and the two sides also played a three-match T20I series in January 2024.

India hosted Afghanistan for their historic first Test in 2018, and the two teams have since continued to engage regularly across formats. BCCI President Mithun Manhas said the Indian Board remains committed to supporting the growth of cricket in Afghanistan and providing its players opportunities to compete at the highest level. "Bilateral cricket is an important part of this, as it allows teams to play regularly against quality opposition and gain valuable experience. We welcome the Afghanistan Cricket Board to India for this series and look forward to working closely with them to make it a successful one," he said.

"We believe there is scope to do more together and will continue to support Afghanistan cricket while strengthening the relationship between the two cricketing nations." BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the India-Afghanistan cricketing rivalry has produced some thrilling encounters over the years, with both teams boasting of quality cricketers. "Afghanistan's players are also quite popular among fans in India, which is a reflection of the strong bond that has developed between the two cricketing nations.

"India hosting Afghanistan for their historic first Test in 2018 was another significant milestone in this journey, and since then, we have continued to see regular bilateral engagements between the two teams. Rohan Jaitley, the president of Delhi and District Cricket Association, which is hosting the matches, said the DDCA will provide the two teams the best possible facilities. ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf said the series holds great significance for Afghanistan cricket and represents another important step in the development of the longstanding relationship with the BCCI.

"Hosting India for a bilateral series in India is a significant milestone for us, and we highly value the cooperation and support of the BCCI in making this event possible," Ashraf said. "We are confident that the series will create valuable opportunities across commercial, technical, and cricketing areas, while adding a new dimension to our bilateral engagement. We look forward to a successful series and to further strengthening our partnership with the BCCI."

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