BERLIN: UEFA and Adidas unveiled the official match ball for Euro 2024 on Wednesday at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. The ball is named “Fussballliebe”, German for “love of football”. Illustrations of each of the tournament’s stadiums appear on the ball alongside the name of each host city. “When designing this official match ball, we were inspired by the energy and diversity of …

BANGKOK: China men’s national football team head coach Aleksandar Jankovic said he was confident ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with China set to visit Thailand in the opening match on Thursday. Having overseen three wins, two draws and three defeats since his appointment in February, Jankovic was not coy on his ambitions for China to reach …

BEIJING: As two major upcoming winter sports events are to be held in Beijing, athletes and coaches have expressed their expectations of a strong showing on home ice and snow. Gao Tingyu, men’s 500m speed skating gold medalist at the Beijing Winter Olympics, will return to the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the Ice Ribbon, after a one-season break …

ABU DHABI: The much awaited 7th edition of Abu Dhabi T10 is just around the corner and cricket frenzy fans in the region will be delighted to know that the tickets for cricket’s fastest format are now available for sale for just AED 10. Tickets can be purchased online. Abu Dhabi T10 is partnering with Q-Tickets as their exclusive ticketing …

Team Director Mickey Arthur is expected to be removed following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 According to the sources, besides Arthur, the potential dismissals may also include head coach Grant Bradburn and batting coach Andrew Puttick. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen on appointing domestic coaches for the national team to enhance the state of …

Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, has concluded his consultation meeting with senior cricketers. According to sources, the Chairman sought the views of the Sports Adviser Punjab, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hafeez, and Sohail Tanveer. The former cricketers provided crucial input during a significant meeting with the Chairman PCB Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, offering valuable suggestions. Moreover, the selection …

HONG KONG: The first time that “Cun Chao,” or the “village super league” that has become an internet sensation in China, steps out of the mountainous villages in the southwestern province of Guizhou, it has made a splash in one of the country’s most international cities — Hong Kong. On Saturday, in a face-off at the Hong Kong Stadium, the …

CHONGQING, China: Chinese figure skater Peng Cheng highlighted her comeback to the rink with exquisite skating show-off at the Cup of China, the first ISU A-class tournament for the three-time Olympian and her new partner Wang Lei. Teaming up in March, 26-year-old Peng and Wang, already 35, claimed a bronze here on Saturday on their ISU Grand Prix debut, with …

Ben Stokes conceded that England’s World Cup journey concluded with a lack of sustained pressure on their opponents, describing the team’s failure to maintain dominance as a key factor in their disappointing campaign. The defending champions, finishing seventh in the 10-nation tournament, faced setbacks against the likes of the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, managing only three victories out of …

The national cricket team’s fast bowler, Haris Rauf, has reportedly claimed the worst record in the history of the ICC World Cup. Haris Rauf clinched nine wickets against 533 runs in nine matches of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 with 16 wickets at an average of 33.31, which is the most runs given by any bowler in a single …

Naveed Butt, a renowned bodybuilder from Pakistan, secured the coveted gold medal in the Mr. Olympia competition’s Physical Challenge category held in Las Vegas, USA. Overcoming childhood adversity as a polio survivor, Naveed Butt has earned fame in the world of bodybuilding through his fitness. With a notable five medals at Mr. Olympia, Butt stands as a testament to individual …

With the Pakistan cricket team lingering on the verge of elimination from the World Cup 2023, former national side player Mohammad Amir has said that the Babar Azam-led side might score 400 to 450 runs in the hope of improving their net run rate and qualifying for the semis. Speaking on Geo News’ programme “Haarna Mana Hay”, Amir — part …

In a significant development for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Islamabad United has appointed Mike Hesson as their head coach. Hesson, a seasoned tactician with extensive coaching experience in various T20 leagues worldwide, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), is set to steer the franchise into a new era of …

DUBAI: The International League T20 has launched a schools cricket programme in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah the ILT20 Schools Cup. The programme is aimed at encouraging and promoting the sport of cricket in schools with a long-term vision of identifying talent at a young age and investing in the future of UAE cricket. This programme establishes a …

Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib Al Hasan, suffered a finger injury that forced him to withdraw from the remainder of the World Cup. This decision came on the heels of a controversial incident in cricket involving a “timed-out” dispute. During a match, Shakib broke his left index finger while at the crease. This match was marked by Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews becoming …

BEIJING: The Chinese men’s football team has unveiled a 24-player roster for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers, with Zhang Yuning returning to the squad after a long term injury. Chinese team head coach Aleksandar Jankovic has called up a full-strength team including Wu Lei, Wu Xi and Wei Shihao, but naturalized forward Ai Kesen was not listed. …

Cricket’s fastest tournament, Abu Dhabi T10 is set to return for an exciting 7th edition on November 28th, 2023, and this time, cricket lovers will be in for a treat as the defending Champions Deccan Gladiators will open the season against the runners-up from the last season, New York Strikers in the first match of the competition. Gladiators had won …

After a crushing defeat by India in the World Cup, Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has taken the decision to dismiss the national cricket board. This action comes after months of conflict between Ranasinghe and Sri Lanka Cricket, the country’s wealthiest sports organization, over allegations of extensive corruption. The country’s 1996 World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has been appointed …

The World Cup 2023 is set to enter the business end with teams vying for the coveted top four spots to secure their place in the semi-finals of the tournament. While every team will be hoping to win the prestigious trophy, a lot of them will also have their eye on the prize money of the mega-event. According to details, …

BEIJING: The exciting 2023 Chinese Super League (CSL) concluded on Saturday after an intense battle spanning just under seven months. The top three finishers were Shanghai Port, Shandong Taishan, and Zhejiang FC, while Dalian Pro and Shenzhen FC faced relegation. The season was characterized by fierce competition for both the title and survival, although there was room for improvement in …

Pakistan national cricket team on Sunday faced a 10 per cent fine from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for their slow-over rate during the 35th match of the ICC World Cup in Bengaluru against New Zealand, which took place on Saturday. Richie Richardson, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, imposed this penalty after Babar Azam’s …

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman exchanged views on the triumph against New Zealand in the 35th match of the World Cup in Bengaluru on Saturday. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a video on social media platforms on Saturday in which Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam were involved in an interesting conversation. “When Abdullah Shafique got out, I …

Saudi Arabia has expressed a keen interest in acquiring a significant stake in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the world’s most financially lucrative cricketing event. This strategic investment, discussed during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to India in September, is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to make inroads into the world of professional sports, following a pattern set …

India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023 earlier today due to his inability to recover from an ankle injury he sustained while bowling against Bangladesh. After gaining approval from the ICC’s Event Technical Committee, pacer Prasidh Krishna will step in to replace Pandya in the squad. The International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a …

In the ongoing crucial World Cup game against New Zealand, which is a must-win for the Green Shirts, Fakhar Zaman has achieved a remarkable feat by scoring the fastest hundred for Pakistan in World Cup history. Fakhar Zaman managed to post the century in just 63 balls, and he is currently not out. However, just after achieving this milestone, rain …

Mainz FC, a German football club, has ended its contract with Anwar El Ghazi due to his social media posts concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a statement released on Friday, Mainz announced the termination of El Ghazi’s contract, citing “remarks and social media posts made by the player” as the reason, without providing additional details. After his termination, Anwar El …

The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) sent a summary on Friday to caretaker premier Anwaar-ul-HaqKakar to seek the latter’s opinion on the future of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman, Zaka Ashraf. Ashraf-led management committee was appointed in July for a period of four months and its tenure will end tomorrow. According to sources, the prime minister is …

The national cricket team of Nepal and Oman qualify their places at the men’s T20 World Cup 2024, after winning their respective semi-finals at the Asia region qualifiers. Oman secured a dominant ten-wicket victory over Bahrain, while Nepal displayed a resilient performance to chase down UAE’s tough total by eight wickets. The spin bowler – Aqib Ilyas – played a …

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan participated in a practice session in Bengaluru today after he had to miss the Bangladesh game due to the concussion he sustained in the team’s match against South Africa. Shadab Khan’s participation in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 matches will depend on the assessment of his fitness by the medical panel later today. He sustained …

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil forward Neymar has undergone successful surgery after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee, medical staff treating him said on Thursday. The 31-year-old sustained the injury during Brazil’s 2-0 loss to Uruguay in their World Cup qualifier in Montevideo last month and he now faces at least six months on the …

Pakistani cricketer Faheem Ashraf is set to tie the knot this month. The wedding festivities are set to commence with a mehndi ceremony on November 23, followed by barat on November 25 in Narowal, while the walima ceremony will take place in Phulnagar on November 26. After Haris Rauf, Shan Masood, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf will …

MIES, Switzerland: Six teams from China, Serbia, France, and the United States have booked their spots in the 3×3 basketball competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced here on Wednesday. The Serbian men’s team, French women’s team, and both men’s and women’s teams from China and the United States secured their placings based on …

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has won the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, following Australia’s withdrawal from the bidding process on Tuesday’s deadline day. After a successful 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Saudia Arabia will become the second Arab nation to host the prestigious football tournament. Saudi Arabia’s announcement to bid came just minutes after FIFA’s …

FRANKFURT: Olympic champion Ma Long beat longstanding rival Chuang Chih-Yuan from Chinese Taipei 3-1 on Tuesday at the 2023 WTT Champions Frankfurt in their 17th encounter. Two-time table tennis Olympic champion Ma had led the head-to-head record 14-2 against Chuang, and extended the overwhelming advantage on Tuesday’s match 11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 13-11 to reach the round of 16. Ma was …

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed his support for Pakistan captain Babar Azam and criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for showing disrespect towards him. During his discussion on a local sports show, Vaughan shared his disappointment with the lack of respect given to him by the PCB. Vaughan said, “I am very disappointed by the lack of respect …

In a must-win game at the 2023 World Cup in India, Pakistani pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi etched his name in ODI history by becoming the fastest fast bowler to reach 100 wickets. Afridi achieved this incredible milestone during the Pakistan must-win match against Bangladesh at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With the crowd’s anticipation palpable and the match hanging …

PARIS: Lionel Messi won his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or here on Monday, while Spain’s Aitana Bonmati claimed the women’s award. The Argentine soccer great won the award for his exceptional performance at the Qatar World Cup last year when he led Argentina to the trophy with seven goals and was named the best player of the tournament. Messi has won …

Former Pakistan cricket team captain Waqar Younis has condemned the airing of Babar Azam’s private messages on national television. In a message on his social media platform, Younis expressed his disappointment at the act, saying, “This is a very regrettable move. What are you trying to achieve, and are you happy with what you’ve done?” Waqar Younis further stated that Babar …

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will feature the top seven teams after the group stage of the current ICC World Cup 2023, with Pakistan as the host nation. An ICC spokesperson confirmed to popular cricket website, ESPNcricinfo that the qualification scenario for the 2025 Champions Trophy was approved by the ICC. The top seven sides at the end of the …

The mother of Liverpool’s Colombian winger Luis Diaz was rescued from kidnappers on Saturday but a search remains on for his father, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Saturday. Petro posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Diaz’s mother was rescued in Barrancas in the northern part of the country. “We continue in the search for the father,” added …