TOKYO: Japan’s Takefusa Kubo has vowed to fill the World Cup void left by Kaoru Mitoma, who will miss the tournament with a heartbreaking late hamstring injury. Winger Mitoma was left out of Japan’s squad on Friday after their medical staff decided he did not have enough time to recover after limping out of Brighton’s…
BIRMINGHAM: Aston Villa secured Champions League football with a 4-2 win over Liverpool on Friday that leaves the Reds still at risk of missing out on Europe’s elite competition next season. Ollie Watkins struck twice as Villa boss Unai Emery was rewarded for naming a strong side just days before the Europa League final. “Champions…
Pakistani players celebrate after taking a wicket during the second against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on May 16, 2026. — BCB Pakistan took three more wickets in the second session after an earlier triple strike by the pacers, keeping Bangladesh under pressure on the opening day of the second Test at the…
India’s Virat Kohli in action against South Africa during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Final, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, June 29, 2024. — Reuters India veteran Virat Kohli said he has nothing left to prove and would consider playing the 2027 One-Day International World Cup only if he can still contribute meaningfully. The 37-year-old,…
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and the country’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi speaks during a press conference in Lahore on March 22, 2026. — AFP PM Shehbaz to decide Naqvi’s visit. Invitations sent to PCB chief. Ahmedabad to host both events. LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has been invited to attend the International…
Pakistan women’s cricket team players celebrate with the trophy after completing a T20I series sweep against Zimbabwe in Karachi, May 15, 2026. — X/@TheRealPCBMedia The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the Ireland tri-series on Saturday, with Fatima Sana retained as captain and five…
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Argentina and Potugal. — AFP/File PARIS: Lionel Messi’s career seemed complete after he led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to keep playing is still there for him and his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo prepare to make history at…
Pakistan captain Shan Masood (left) makes the call as Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto flips the coin at the toss for the second Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on May 16, 2026. — PCB Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl first in the second Test of the two-match series at the Sylhet…
Pakistan white-ball players will be part of the one-week-long camp. Photo: AFP KARACHI: Players will be put through rigorous physical tests in hot weather as the PCB has decided to organize a long training camp to improve fitness and technique. A one-week white-ball camp starting this Saturday is part of this broader plan. Officials are…
Pakistan red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has defended wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan after his underwhelming performance in the opening Test against Bangladesh, insisting the senior player remains vital to Pakistan’s plans ahead of the second Test in Sylhet. Pakistan suffered a 104-run defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in…
