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Pakistan’s dream of restoring its former hockey glory will not become a reality overnight, according to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Selection Committee Chairman Samiullah Khan, who believes the revival process requires at least two to three years of consistent effort. Speaking about the federation’s ongoing reforms, the legendary Olympian urged hockey fans and the media to remain patient and judge the progress through long-term development rather than immediate results. Samiullah praised the current PHF administration, led by President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, for taking practical steps aimed at rebuilding the country’s national sport. He said the federation has restarted Under-18, Under-21 and senior national squads, creating fresh opportunities for talented young players to progress into the international arena. He revealed that both the men’s and women’s national teams are receiving equal attention, including structured training camps, improved financial support and enhanced welfare facilities. The federation has also introduced modern sports science tools, including GPS-based performance tracking, to monitor players’ fitness and match readiness while benefiting from the expertise of international-standard coaches. According to Samiullah, significant improvements have also been made in players’ accommodation, logistics and overall training environment, reflecting the federation’s commitment to building a professional system capable of competing at the highest level. Despite the encouraging developments, the former hockey star stressed that Pakistan’s decline occurred over many years and cannot be reversed instantly. “Hockey’s revival is a long-term process,” he said, adding that expecting quick victories would be unrealistic. Instead, he urged stakeholders to focus on the quality of the rebuilding process, expressing confidence that the federation is moving in the right direction. Samiullah also appealed to supporters, former players and the media to stand behind the national teams and the PHF management. He said continued backing would help ensure that the investment being made at the grassroots level eventually translates into strong international performances and a return to Pakistan’s historic status as one of world hockey’s leading nations.

NEW DELHI: India have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka after star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out with a knee injury, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday. Bumrah, widely regarded as India’s pace spearhead, has not fully recovered from the left knee injury he sustained during the One-Day International series against England last month. In a statement, the BCCI said the 32-year-old remains unavailable for selection as he continues his rehabilitation. Bumrah has not bowled competitively since the second ODI against England in Cardiff on July 16, where he suffered the injury.   His absence is a major setback for India, particularly with the challenging conditions expected in Sri Lanka, where Bumrah’s experience and ability to strike with the new ball have often made the difference in Test matches.   Replacing him in the 15-member squad is promising fast bowler Aquib Nabi, who receives his maiden senior international call-up after an impressive run in domestic cricket. The 29-year-old pacer from Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as one of India’s brightest bowling prospects, claiming 104 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons. He also impressed during India A’s recent tour of Sri Lanka, taking six wickets in two first-class matches, performances that earned him a place in the senior squad. India, led by Shubman Gill, will play a warm-up match before the opening Test begins in Galle on August 15. The second and final Test is scheduled to be played in Colombo from August 23 to 27. The series now presents a golden opportunity for Nabi to showcase his talent on the international stage, while India will hope their emerging pace attack can compensate for the absence of one of the world’s premier fast bowlers. With Bumrah sidelined and a new face joining the squad, all eyes will be on India’s bowling unit as the visitors aim to begin their Sri Lanka campaign on a winning note. India squad Shubman Gill (capt), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi.

Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq has shared how a call from West Indies great Sunil Narine helped him push through one of the toughest stretches of his career, as questions swirled around the legality of his bowling action. Tariq broke into international cricket last year, earning his debut against South Africa after a string of impressive performances for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League. Since then, his unconventional action has become a talking point almost every time he takes the ball. The 28-year-old has repeatedly had to defend himself, after both England batter Tom Banton and Australian all-rounder Cameron Green appeared to signal suspicion over a possible throw during separate matches. ICC regulations allow bowlers to straighten their arm by up to 15 degrees mid-delivery, and Tariq maintains he stays well within that limit. He puts the unusual look of his action down to the natural structure of his elbow rather than anything illegal. He made a similar point earlier this year while playing in the ILT20, explaining that his elbow simply does not allow him to straighten his arm fully, regardless of how his action might appear from the outside. The debate resurfaced ahead of Pakistan’s blockbuster clash with India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, when parts of the Indian media suggested he was being held back from earlier games purely to keep him fresh for that one fixture. The theory did not hold up for long, since Tariq had already featured in Pakistan’s second T20I against Australia before the tournament, and he went on to play his part throughout the World Cup. Speaking with former Pakistan batter Fawad Alam, Tariq revealed that Narine had called him directly during the most intense period of criticism. According to Tariq, the two spoke for close to 30 minutes, with Narine telling him to tune out the noise, stay consistent with his cricket, and remember that critics were only targeting him because they struggled to counter his bowling. Tariq’s action has been reported twice across his career, and both times he was cleared after review. The most recent clearance followed testing at an ICC-accredited biomechanics laboratory, where he bowled 24 deliveries for analysis before being given the green light to continue.