Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has announced his retirement from the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), bringing an end to a decade-long association with Pakistan’s premier T20 tournament.

Malik, one of Pakistan cricket’s most enduring figures, confirmed his decision in an emotional statement on Facebook, thanking the league for shaping a significant chapter of his career.

“I cherish every single moment and friendship I have made on and off the field throughout my 10 years of the Pakistan Super League as a player. It’s time to call it a day. However, my passion and motivation to serve for the betterment of cricket will always stay. Thank you PSL,” Malik said.

Since the inaugural edition in 2016, Shoaib Malik has been a familiar presence in the HBL PSL, representing multiple franchises and remaining a dependable middle-order batter and part-time off-spinner.

Across his PSL career, Malik featured in 92 matches, scoring 2,395 runs at an average of 33.09, while also contributing 17 wickets.

Malik was a key member of Pakistan’s 2009 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup-winning squad and captained the national side in all three formats during his career.

Even after stepping away from international cricket, he remained active in global franchise leagues, showcasing remarkable longevity at the highest level.

Overall, the all-rounder played 557 T20 matches, scoring 13571 runs with the help of 83 half-centuries and claimed 187 in the format.

Jannik Sinner strolled into the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday when his opponent retired with the two-time defending champion in full control.

The Italian second seed led 6-2, 6-1 when France’s Hugo Gaston called it quits with an apparent injury after 68 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Sinner faces Australian qualifier James Duckworth or Dino Prizmic of Croatia next.

“I saw that he was not serving at pace. It’s not the way you want to win the match, but he’s such a talented player,” said Sinner.

“So I knew from the beginning that I had to play a very high level and was trying to be as aggressive as possible, which I’ve done.

“I’m very happy to be back here, it’s a very special place for me.”

Sinner had made a sticky start, falling 40-0 down on his serve in the first game of the match, before rattling off three aces to hold.

It was about the only blip as the 24-year-old quickly found his devastating range to assert his authority over the 93rd-ranked Frenchman.

Sinner, who comfortably defeated Alexander Zverev in the final 12 months ago, raced to the first set in 37 minutes.

The 25-year-old Gaston had brief treatment between sets from the trainer and when they resumed Sinner tightened his grip on the contest.

Sinner romped through the second set and Gaston shook hands.

Should he win three titles in a row in Melbourne, Sinner would join Novak Djokovic as the only men in the Open era to do so.

Bencic makes light work of Boulter

In-form Belinda Bencic swatted aside an erratic Katie Boulter for the loss of five games on Tuesday to fire a warning shot at the Australian Open.

Tenth seed Belinda Bencic swatted aside Britain’s Katie Boulter at the Australian Open.

Switzerland’s Bencic, back in the top 10 for the first time since having a baby, was emphatic in winning the first set 6-0 in just 26 minutes on Margaret Court Arena.

The Briton made her work harder in the second set before the 10th seed came home 7-5.

The 28-year-old Bencic arrived in Melbourne on the back of winning all five singles matches at the mixed teams United Cup, including victories over world number two Iga Swiatek and seventh-ranked Jasmine Paolini.

It earned Bencic the event’s most valuable player award and propelled her inside the world’s top 10, somewhere she has not been since giving birth to daughter Bella in April 2024.

“It helped so much to start the season well,” she said.

“I feel so comfortable here in Australia. The energy is great.

“I’m really trying to play the Australian Open for Team Switzerland,” she added, referencing the vibe she felt playing for her country at the United Cup.

Bencic broke Boulter immediately and consolidated to love before breaking again to take firm control at the onset.

An out-of-sorts Boulter won just four points across the opening three games and it didn’t get any better, with Bencic racing through the opening set.

Boulter, with fiance Alex De Minaur watching courtside, was a different player in the second set, finally finding some traction to hold serve in the opening game.

Broken again in game seven, Boulter bounced back immediately to make a match of it. But Bencic kept coming and ultimately was just too good.

Bencic was ranked 421 at the start of the 2025 season, but making the last 16 at the Australian Open a year ago convinced her she could return to the upper echelons of tennis.

Titles in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo saw her race back up the rankings.

Tennis showman Gael Monfils bowed out of his 20th and final Australian Open on Tuesday with a mix of pain and regret as he fell to an injury-hampered 6-7(3) 7-5 6-4 7-5 defeat in the first round to local qualifier Dane Sweeny.

The 39-year-old Frenchman had flashes of his trademark flamboyance and somehow made a game of it despite being severely restricted in his movement amid a heady atmosphere at Kia Arena.

“My journey started in 2003 with you guys, now we are in 2026 and somehow it’s the finish line. Thank you so much for this amazing ride, you guys have been unbelievable,” Monfils told the cheering fans who gave him a standing ovation.

“I’ve got a lot of great memories here … I’ve been very lucky to play here for many years. Thank you very much.”

Home fans, some toting inflatable kangaroos, were in full voice as world number 182 Sweeny roared back from 5-3 down and took four straight games to claim the second set.

But even their cheers tapered as Monfils’ movement diminished to a crab-walk across the baseline.

Sweeny rode an early break and took the third set, soon after Monfils’ wife Elina Svitolina, the Ukrainian tennis professional, arrived at her husband’s players’ box for moral support.

A match seemingly headed for a deflating finish spontaneously re-ignited, though, as Monfils went for broke with his shots and the 24-year-old Australian froze with nerves.

Monfils thrashed a backhand down the line to break Sweeny and duly surged to a 4-1 lead.

The rally halted abruptly there, though, with Sweeny showing admirable composure to claim six of the first seven games and surge to his first win in a Grand Slam match.