Tennis, WTA makes genetic sex testing mandatory for women’s events

DARWIN: Bangladesh’s stunning nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin has not only delivered a landmark moment for the team but also lifted them above India in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings. Bangladesh secured their first-ever Test victory over Australia, doing so on Australian soil in a result that sent a strong message across the Test cricket world. The win also produced a significant shift in the World Test Championship points table. Australia remain at the top despite suffering their second defeat of the current cycle, holding a points percentage of 77.78. South Africa are second with 75 per cent, while New Zealand sit third on 72.22 per cent. Bangladesh have now climbed to fourth place with an impressive 66.67 per cent, moving ahead of India, who are fifth with 48.15 per cent. The result gives Bangladesh an important boost as they continue their WTC campaign and adds even greater significance to their historic success in Darwin. Sri Lanka occupy sixth position with 41.67 per cent, followed by England on 24.36 per cent. Pakistan are eighth with 22.22 per cent, while the West Indies remain ninth on 20.83 per cent. For Bangladesh, the victory represents more than just two points or a rise in the rankings. It marks their first Test triumph against Australia and could become one of the defining results of their current World Test Championship campaign. WTC Standings Details Bangladesh Position: 4th place Bangladesh Points Percentage: 66.67% (3 wins from 5 matches) India Position: 5th place India Points Percentage: 48.15% (4 wins from 9 Tests) Historic Milestone: Marked Bangladesh’s first Test win on Australian soil.

Pakistan made a dream start to the ITF Masters World Team Championship by defeating the United States 3-0 in their opening Group match in Lisbon, Portugal. The convincing victory gives Pakistan an early boost in the prestigious men’s 45+ tournament, where more than 300 players from 30 countries are competing for top honours. Led by an experienced squad, Pakistan dominated both the singles and doubles contests to complete a clean sweep against the American side. Former Davis Cup star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi set the tone with a composed performance in the opening singles match. The Pakistan Tennis Federation president defeated Wojtek Brytek in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, handing Pakistan a valuable early lead. The second singles encounter proved to be the highlight of the tie. Pakistan’s top-ranked player Aqeel Khan battled through a tense three-set contest against John Chesworth. After dropping the opening set, Aqeel fought back with determination to claim a hard-earned 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory, sealing Pakistan’s overall triumph. The doubles match added even more excitement. Pakistan’s Shehryar Salamat and Hadi Hussain lost the first set but responded brilliantly with an impressive comeback. The pair defeated Jevon West and Guillermo Cosen 1-6, 6-1, 10-6 in the deciding match tiebreak to complete a flawless 3-0 victory. The emphatic win has given Pakistan valuable momentum ahead of the remaining round-robin fixtures. The team’s blend of experience and composure under pressure was evident throughout the contest, raising hopes of a deep run in the championship. Pakistan will now face Canada in a crucial second group match. The winner will secure a place in the knockout stage of the tournament, making it one of the most important fixtures of the campaign. With confidence high after an outstanding opening performance, Pakistan will be aiming to continue its winning run and strengthen its bid for the ITF Masters World Team Championship title. The victory over the United States has already sent a strong message that the Pakistani veterans are ready to challenge the world’s best.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing criticism after abandoning a controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup, a move that has raised questions about his leadership and decision-making within world football’s governing body. The proposal sparked strong opposition from several football organizations, particularly regional confederations and professional leagues, who argued that such a major commercial decision should not have been pursued without broader consultation. Critics believe the plan exposed concerns over transparency and governance at FIFA. Claudius Schaefer, the chairman of the organization representing 53 professional men’s and women’s football leagues across Europe and the chief executive of the Swiss Football League, said the handling of the proposal had seriously damaged confidence in FIFA’s leadership. According to Schaefer, the situation would have significant consequences in most organizations, especially when a senior executive advances a major business initiative without informing or involving key governing bodies. He suggested that the controversy has left Infantino’s position under increased scrutiny. The proposal was officially withdrawn after widespread resistance from football stakeholders. The decision came following criticism from various regional football confederations, with UEFA and CONCACAF publicly expressing that they had lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership after the episode. Schaefer argued that the failed proposal reflected a broader concern about FIFA’s priorities. He said the organization appeared increasingly focused on generating greater commercial revenue rather than protecting the long-term interests of football competitions, players, clubs, and domestic leagues. He also warned that expanding commercial opportunities could encourage FIFA to create even larger tournaments and increase the number of international matches. Such developments, he said, would place additional pressure on an already crowded football calendar. Professional leagues have repeatedly voiced concerns over fixture congestion, arguing that players are being asked to participate in too many matches throughout the season. Domestic competitions, they say, often bear the consequences when international tournaments continue to expand. Schaefer emphasized that national leagues remain the foundation of professional football and should not be weakened by decisions aimed primarily at increasing commercial returns. He argued that any future reforms to international competitions must balance financial objectives with the welfare of players and the health of domestic football. Another major point of criticism centered on FIFA’s decision-making process. Schaefer claimed that even members of the FIFA Council—the organization’s highest decision-making body—were reportedly unaware of the proposal before it became public. He described this lack of consultation as surprising and said it raised serious concerns about governance within FIFA. The controversy has intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability in football administration. Many stakeholders believe decisions involving the commercial future of the World Cup should involve extensive discussion with FIFA’s governing bodies, member associations, leagues, and other key partners before being considered. Although FIFA has now withdrawn the proposal, the fallout continues to fuel debate over leadership, governance, and the future direction of world football. With criticism coming from influential football organizations across different regions, pressure remains on Infantino to rebuild trust and demonstrate a more inclusive approach to decision-making on matters affecting the global game.