200 join Harvest Wine Run at Monsoon Valley Vineyard

HONG KONG: Pakistan’s women’s netball team made an impressive start to their campaign at the Asian Women’s Netball Plate Division Championship, defeating Japan 58-34 in a commanding opening match. Pakistan controlled the contest from the early stages and never allowed Japan to establish a meaningful lead. The Pakistani players maintained pressure throughout the game, combining disciplined defending with effective attacking moves to keep their opponents on the back foot. The victory gave Pakistan a strong opening to the championship and will provide the team with valuable confidence ahead of their next fixture. Japan struggled to match Pakistan’s intensity as the match progressed. Pakistan’s consistent scoring and organized play helped them build a comfortable advantage, which they maintained until the final whistle. The 24-point victory underlined Pakistan’s determination to make an impact in the competition and build momentum for the matches ahead. The Asian Women’s Netball Plate Division Championship is being held in Hong Kong, bringing together teams competing for honours in the regional event. Pakistan will now turn their attention to their second match of the tournament. Pakistan are scheduled to face Thailand on August 10, with the team hoping to carry the confidence from their convincing victory over Japan into the next encounter. The Pakistani side’s emphatic opening win has put them on a positive footing, while another strong performance against Thailand could further strengthen their position in the tournament. With the campaign now underway, Pakistan will be looking to maintain their winning momentum and continue their impressive run in Hong Kong.

Pakistan’s young taekwondo athletes delivered a memorable performance in Singapore, returning from the Grand Slam Youth Taekwondo League with an impressive haul of five medals, including three golds. The international youth competition was held in Tampines, Singapore, from July 24 to 26, bringing together talented athletes from more than 13 countries. The event provided young competitors with a valuable platform to test their skills against international opposition. The Singapore edition was also officially listed as the second edition of the Grand Slam Youth League. Pakistan’s Qadeer Khan, Wajahat Ali Khan and Arham Manaf emerged as the standout performers, securing gold medals in their respective categories after impressive displays. Their victories highlighted the growing confidence and ability of Pakistan’s young taekwondo athletes on the international stage. Competing against athletes from a wide range of countries, the Pakistani trio demonstrated determination, speed and technical skill to finish at the top. The country’s medal tally was further strengthened by Ayan Miraj and Syed Ahmed Ayaz, who claimed bronze medals after strong performances. The five-medal haul represents an encouraging development for Pakistan’s youth taekwondo programme. Beyond the medals themselves, the results offer a glimpse of the potential emerging among the country’s younger athletes. The Grand Slam Youth League is designed to give young competitors high-level international experience while allowing them to showcase their abilities in a competitive environment. For Pakistan, the Singapore success could prove an important confidence boost as these young athletes continue their development. Their performances have not only raised the national flag on the international stage but also underlined the depth of talent available in Pakistan’s next generation of taekwondo competitors.

DARWIN: Australia have backed experience and pace, selecting Josh Hazlewood ahead of Scott Boland for the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon makes his return from a long-term injury. The first of the two-Test series begins on Thursday at Marrara Oval, marking Australia’s return to red-ball cricket after a lengthy break. The match also launches a demanding period that could see the world’s top-ranked Test side play as many as 21 Tests over the next 12 months. Hazlewood’s return is one of the biggest talking points. The fast bowler missed Australia’s entire 2025/26 home Ashes campaign because of injury, allowing Boland to feature in all five Tests. Boland impressed during the series, but his performances were not enough to displace a fit-again Hazlewood. The selection means Hazlewood will once again join Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in Australia’s pace attack, a combination that has been a defining feature of the side for years. Cummins acknowledged that leaving Boland out was a difficult decision. “They’re both pretty class,” the Australia captain said while explaining the selection. He added that the team had been keen to bring Lyon back into the side and that the final decision involved determining the balance of the pace attack. “There’s not much you can say to Scotty other than obviously there’s a lot of cricket coming up,” Cummins said. Lyon’s return adds another major dimension to Australia’s attack. The experienced off-spinner underwent hamstring surgery after his Ashes campaign was cut short and now gets an opportunity to resume his Test career. Australia have also retained all-rounder Cameron Green, who will bat at No. 5, while Beau Webster occupies the No. 7 position with wicketkeeper Alex Carey between them. Jake Weatherald is set to open alongside Travis Head, followed by Marnus Labuschagne at No. 3 and Steve Smith at No. 4. Josh Inglis was the only other player from the original squad to miss out on selection. The Darwin Test carries historical significance as well. It will be only the third Test played in the tropical northern city and the first there since Sri Lanka’s visit in July 2004. After Darwin, the series moves to Harrup Park in Mackay next week, where Australia and Bangladesh will play the venue’s first-ever Test. With Hazlewood back, Lyon restored and Australia’s leading pace trio reunited, Bangladesh face a formidable challenge as the hosts begin another demanding chapter of their Test calendar. Australia Playing XI for first Bangladesh Test Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

SANTIAGO: Cape Verde’s inspirational goalkeeper Josimar Jose Evore Dias, widely known as Vozinha, has completed a remarkable transfer to Chilean football powerhouse Colo-Colo, capping off an extraordinary rise that began with his unforgettable performances at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Chilean Premier Division leaders confirmed the signing on Monday after the veteran goalkeeper successfully passed his medical examination. The 40-year-old has signed a six-month contract, with the club holding an option to extend his stay for another year if both parties agree. Vozinha became one of the biggest surprise stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Cape Verde made history by reaching the knockout stage in their debut appearance at football’s biggest tournament. Although the African side eventually bowed out after a narrow Round of 32 defeat to eventual finalists Argentina, the team’s fearless performances won admiration across the globe. At the heart of Cape Verde’s historic campaign was Vozinha, whose spectacular reflex saves and commanding presence between the posts frustrated some of the world’s strongest teams. He played a decisive role in helping his nation secure impressive draws against eventual champions Spain and two-time world champions Uruguay during the group stage, earning widespread praise from fans and football pundits alike. His World Cup heroics also transformed him into a global social media phenomenon. Before the tournament, Vozinha had a modest online following of around 50,000 on Instagram. Within weeks of his standout performances, that number had skyrocketed to nearly 29.5 million followers, making him one of the fastest-rising football personalities of the year. According to Chilean media, Vozinha could make his much-anticipated debut for Colo-Colo on August 16 against O’Higgins as the club looks to maintain its lead in the domestic league and strengthen its title challenge. Adding another heartwarming chapter to his story, Chilean football authorities approved Colo-Colo’s request to allow the goalkeeper to wear his famous nickname, “Vozinha,” on the back of his jersey. Rival clubs reportedly supported the application, ensuring the fan-favourite identity remains part of his football journey. Interestingly, the nickname means “little grandmother” in Portuguese. It originated during his childhood when older boys teasingly called him by the name because he would often run home to the grandparents who raised him after losing neighbourhood football matches. Before arriving in Chile, Vozinha represented Portuguese second-division side Chaves and previously played club football in Angola, Cyprus, Moldova and Slovakia. His latest move marks another remarkable milestone in a career defined by perseverance, resilience and an unforgettable World Cup fairytale.

LONDON: England all-rounder Will Jacks produced a moment of breathtaking athleticism during The Hundred 2026, pulling off an extraordinary catch that left spectators and commentators stunned at Lord’s. The remarkable effort came during the clash between London Spirit and MI London, when South African batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius launched a powerful shot towards long-off. Pretorius, who had just brought up his half-century, appeared to have found the boundary with the lofted strike. But Jacks had other plans. Standing close to the boundary, Jacks timed his jump perfectly and managed to prevent the ball from clearing the ropes. With incredible awareness, he knocked the ball back into play while making sure his feet did not touch the boundary line. What happened next turned an already impressive piece of fielding into something extraordinary. Jacks quickly returned into the field, threw himself into a full-length dive and completed the catch with one hand. The entire sequence happened in a matter of seconds, leaving both the crowd and commentators struggling to believe what they had witnessed. The stunning effort quickly became one of the talking points of the match, with video footage spreading rapidly across social media. Fans praised Jacks for combining athleticism, awareness and remarkable hand-eye coordination in a single piece of fielding. Boundary catches are often difficult enough because players must balance their movements while keeping their feet away from the rope. Jacks’ effort was even more impressive because he first had to save the ball from going for six before returning to complete the catch. Commentators hailed the effort as an unbelievable catch, while fans began sharing replays of the moment online. The spectacular dismissal provided another reminder of the increasingly athletic standard of modern short-format cricket, where a single moment of brilliance in the field can change the momentum of a game. For Jacks, however, the catch was more than just a highlight. It was a stunning display of awareness, agility and courage — and one that could easily go down as one of The Hundred’s standout fielding moments of the season.