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Pakistan’s veteran tennis stars Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan produced a dramatic comeback to reach the men’s 45+ doubles semifinals at the ITF Masters World Championship. The Pakistani pair defeated Spain’s Francisco Xavier Martinez Vina and Pedro Nieto Oriana in a thrilling quarterfinal that went down to a deciding match tiebreak. After losing the opening set 6-7, Aisam and Aqeel refused to let the match slip away. They raised their intensity in the second set, saving two match points before forcing the contest into a tiebreak. The Pakistanis held their nerve when it mattered most, winning the second-set tiebreak 7-6 to level the contest and set up a decisive match tiebreak. They then produced their best tennis of the match, racing to a commanding 10-2 victory in the deciding breaker to complete an impressive turnaround. The result sends the experienced Pakistani duo into the semifinals, where they will face a Ukrainian pair for a place in the final. The success also adds to an already impressive campaign for both players. Aisam and Aqeel have reached the semifinals in mixed doubles as well, although they are competing with different partners. Aqeel has advanced alongside Germany’s Eline Aranas Roth, while Aisam has reached the mixed doubles semifinals with Austria’s Nina Hermann. For Aisam, the tournament continues to underline his remarkable longevity in international tennis. The former Pakistan Davis Cup star remains a major presence in the Masters circuit, while Aqeel’s performances have further strengthened Pakistan’s challenge in Lisbon. Their latest comeback will give the pair considerable confidence heading into the semifinals. After surviving two match points and overturning a first-set defeat, Aisam and Aqeel now stand just one victory away from reaching the championship final. Pakistan will be hoping the experienced duo can carry their momentum into the next round and add another major achievement to their impressive Masters campaign.

GLASGOW: The 2026 Commonwealth Games have officially begun in Glasgow and will continue until August 2, bringing together nearly 3,000 athletes from 74 countries to compete across multiple sporting disciplines. Pakistan has sent a 36-member contingent, including 20 athletes, along with coaches and officials, to participate in this year’s event. The national team will compete in six sports: athletics, boxing, judo, gymnastics, lawn bowls and swimming. Pakistan’s biggest medal hope is Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem, who will defend his Commonwealth Games title. Having achieved historic success for Pakistan on the international stage in recent years, Arshad is widely regarded as the country’s strongest contender for a gold medal. In athletics, Pakistan will be represented by Arshad Nadeem, Faiqa Riaz, Ansar Abbas, Muhammad Akhtar, Muhammad Ismail, Muhammad Yasir and Noreen Hussain. The boxing squad includes Afzal Khan, Fatima Zahra, Malaika Zahid, Qudratullah and Samama Rehman. Shah Hussain Shah will compete in judo, while Shehzad Ali will represent Pakistan in gymnastics. In lawn bowls, Maqsood Waseem Khan and Muhammad Ayub Qureshi will compete, while Hamza Asif, Hareem Malik, Jehanara Nabi and Muhammad Ahmed Durrani will represent Pakistan in swimming. Sports analysts believe Pakistan’s brightest medal prospect is Arshad Nadeem in the men’s javelin throw. If he performs at his best, he is considered a leading favourite to win gold. Pakistan could also challenge for medals in boxing, although the competition is expected to be tough. In judo, Shah Hussain Shah is viewed as another strong contender, given Pakistan’s previous success in the sport at the Commonwealth Games. In gymnastics, lawn bowls and swimming, the main objective for Pakistani athletes will be to reach the final rounds and achieve personal best performances. Overall, experts believe Pakistan has the potential to win one to three medals, with the strongest possibility being a gold medal through Arshad Nadeem. A standout performance in boxing or judo could further improve the country’s medal tally. As the Games get underway, Pakistani fans will be closely following Arshad Nadeem, whose achievements have made him one of the country’s most celebrated athletes and an inspiration for the next generation of sportsmen and women.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to bring private investors into the commercial management of the FIFA World Cup has suffered another major setback after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) formally rejected the plan. In a statement issued on Friday, the AFC announced that it stands alongside the European and North, Central American, and Caribbean football confederations in opposing the proposal. The confederation said the plan lacks the broad international support needed to move forward and warned that it could weaken the unity of global football. The AFC stressed that the FIFA World Cup belongs to the entire football community and should remain a competition shaped collectively by all member associations and confederations. It argued that decisions involving the future of the tournament should only be made after meaningful consultation with all stakeholders. The Asian governing body also criticized FIFA’s decision-making process, saying major proposals were introduced before proper discussions with confederations and member associations. It claimed the approach left many football authorities feeling excluded from an issue of global importance. The latest opposition significantly reduces the chances of the proposal being approved if it is presented for a vote. FIFA has 211 member associations, and a simple majority would be required for the plan to pass. With Europe, Asia, and Concacaf already opposed, the proposal faces strong resistance. Earlier, UEFA warned it could boycott future FIFA World Cups if the proposal moves ahead. Concacaf also rejected the plan, arguing that football’s biggest tournament should not become a commercial investment asset. Despite the growing backlash, FIFA has defended its proposal. The organization insists that it is not selling football but instead seeking new ways to strengthen the financial future of the game. FIFA says the planned reforms would attract investment, increase tournament revenues, and provide larger financial distributions to its member associations in the coming years. Under the proposal, FIFA would establish a new commercial subsidiary to manage its major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. Outside investors would be allowed to purchase minority, non-controlling stakes in the new company while FIFA retains overall control. According to the governing body, the investment model would help expand football development programs, generate new business opportunities, and improve long-term financial sustainability. However, critics remain unconvinced. They argue that introducing private investors into the commercial structure of the World Cup risks prioritizing profits over the interests of players, supporters, and national associations. Opponents also say the process has lacked transparency and adequate consultation. The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has not yet announced its position on the proposal, while the African (CAF) and Oceania (OFC) confederations are expected to discuss the matter in the coming weeks.

MULTAN: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has arrived in Multan for the National Champions Cup, where he held an important meeting with the coaching staff of all four participating teams as the domestic tournament gets ready to kick off the 2026-27 season. Hesson met the head coaches of the four sides — Misbah-ul-Haq, Ijaz Junior, Iqbal Imam and Aizaz Cheema — to discuss ways of improving players’ one-day cricket skills and ensuring that the tournament serves as a meaningful platform for national selection and development. Pakistan bowling coach Ashley Noffke and National Cricket Academy (NCA) Head of Coach Education Shahid Aslam also attended the meeting, adding further weight to discussions around player development and coaching standards. The meeting comes at an important time for Pakistan cricket, with the Champions Cup being viewed as the first major step towards preparations for next year’s World Cup in South Africa. Hesson’s presence in Multan signals the national team management’s focus on closely monitoring domestic performances while identifying players capable of making the jump to international cricket. Particular attention is expected to be given to players’ consistency, tactical awareness and ability to handle pressure in the 50-over format. The tournament will also provide coaches with an opportunity to assess emerging talent in a competitive environment. The National Champions Cup will begin on August 11, coinciding with the official start of Pakistan’s 2026-27 domestic cricket season. With the World Cup on the horizon, the tournament could prove crucial in shaping Pakistan’s next generation of one-day performers.