4th Koh Larn Cup Football Tournament Kicks Off in Pattaya

MELBOURNE: Australia have made a change to their squad for the second Test against Bangladesh, dropping opener Jake Weatherald and recalling Matt Renshaw after a shock nine-wicket defeat in Darwin. Weatherald’s removal is the only change to Australia’s 13-man squad, but it could have wider implications for the team’s batting order. The 30-year-old struggled in the opening Test, scoring 23 in the first innings before being dismissed for a duck in the second. His difficult start has added to concerns over his Test credentials. Weatherald has now played six Tests and has managed 224 runs at an average of 20.36, leaving selectors with little choice but to make a change as Australia look to level the two-match series. Renshaw, meanwhile, returns to the Test setup after an absence of more than three years. The left-hander last played a Test for Australia in 2023 and has earned his recall after an impressive Sheffield Shield campaign. The Queensland batter scored 499 runs in six Sheffield Shield matches last season at an average of 49.90, including three centuries. His domestic form had already put him firmly in contention for a return to the national red-ball side, and the latest selection gives him another chance to revive his Test career. Renshaw’s return could also add experience and stability to an Australian batting line-up that was exposed by Bangladesh in Darwin. Australia were beaten by nine wickets in the first Test, suffering a result that put Bangladesh 1-0 ahead in the series. Travis Head is expected to continue opening the innings, while Renshaw is in line to partner him at the top of the order. The combination will be closely watched as Australia attempt to respond to their unexpected home defeat. Attention will also remain on Marnus Labuschagne, who is under pressure to produce a substantial score. Labuschagne managed only 32 runs across the first Test, and his place is increasingly being discussed amid competition for batting positions. Australia will need a much stronger collective performance in the second Test. Bangladesh demonstrated in Darwin that they can challenge the hosts in their own conditions, making the upcoming contest an important test of Australia’s ability to recover quickly. The second Test is scheduled to begin in Mackay on Saturday, with Australia aiming to draw the series and Bangladesh seeking another historic result. The changes ensure the second Test will carry significant pressure for Australia’s top order. Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

Fayyaz Hussain Bukhari, who previously coached Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, has said the javelin thrower was not at peak fitness ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Nadeem’s campaign there ended in disappointment. Speaking to The Express Tribune from Lahore, Bukhari said he had watched Nadeem during throwing sessions and didn’t see the intensity needed to challenge for medals at a major event. According to him, fitness is the single most important factor for any athlete. He added that if an athlete is not fit, competing should not even be considered an option. Bukhari coached Nadeem for eight years and played a key role in helping him qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. He said fitness had always been central to his coaching philosophy during that period. Reflecting on the lead-up to Tokyo, Bukhari recalled that Nadeem had contracted COVID-19 and was also nursing an elbow injury at the time. He said Nadeem had insisted he wouldn’t compete unless he reached full fitness. Through focused work together, they managed to get him back in shape. Bukhari pointed to Nadeem’s strong throw at the Tokyo Games as evidence that the effort had paid off. He also called for mandatory fitness testing before athletes are cleared for international events. He expressed concern that such checks appear to have been abandoned altogether in recent years. Nadeem’s Glasgow campaign ended in a surprising early exit. He failed to progress past the qualifying round, finishing ninth out of twelve finalists based on his first three throws. The result stood in sharp contrast to his performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won gold with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 metres. While Nadeem has claimed several medals since his Olympic win, his recent form has not matched that historic peak. This has raised some concern, given the immense potential he continues to carry as an athlete. Bukhari was removed from his coaching role by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan after Nadeem finished fifth in Tokyo. Salman Butt has since taken over as his coach. Despite the recent setback, Bukhari remains confident Nadeem can regain his top form. He said the athlete doesn’t necessarily need another massive throw, since he’s already delivered one on the world’s biggest stage. Instead, he believes Nadeem needs to focus on correcting his mindset and overall approach. Bukhari also criticized Butt, alleging he has distanced Nadeem from both the federation and his former coach. He added that he remains willing to help if needed, and called for stronger cooperation among Pakistan’s sports bodies to improve the country’s standing internationally.

LAHORE: Pakistan’s national hockey team has left Lahore for the Netherlands and Belgium, where the Green Shirts will begin their long-awaited campaign at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. The team departed from Allama Iqbal International Airport on Sunday, August 9, with players and coaching staff heading to Europe with hopes of making a strong impression on the world stage. The World Cup is scheduled to take place from August 15 to 30, with matches being played across venues in the Netherlands and Belgium. Pakistan are returning to the tournament after an eight-year absence, adding extra significance to their campaign. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has also released Rs200 million in foreign daily allowances for the players ahead of the competition. The amount has been transferred to the accounts of the team members. According to the PHF, all major logistical arrangements for the squad have been completed. Travel, accommodation and food arrangements for players and coaching staff have also been finalised, allowing the team to focus fully on preparations for the tournament. PHF President Mohyuddin Wani said the welfare of players and coaches remained a top priority. He added that financial and administrative matters had been addressed before the team’s departure. Pakistan secured their place in the World Cup after producing a dramatic comeback against Japan in the qualifying tournament earlier this year. The victory ended an eight-year wait for the former world champions to return to hockey’s biggest stage. The Green Shirts have been placed in Pool D alongside England, India and Wales, setting up a demanding group-stage campaign. Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on August 15, followed by Wales on August 17 and arch-rivals India on August 19. With the team now on its way, attention will turn to whether Pakistan can turn its return to the global stage into a memorable tournament.