Ronaldo’s Instagram ‘Like’ sparks fresh FIFA bias debate

Persistent rain caused major disruption to professional tennis events in North America on Sunday, forcing officials to suspend the Washington Open women’s final and postpone several matches at the Canadian Open in Toronto and Montreal. The highly anticipated Washington Open women’s singles final between defending champion Jessica Pegula of the United States and rising Philippine star Alexandra Eala was interrupted during the second set after heavy rain made playing conditions unsafe. The match had already faced a delay of nearly three hours before it finally began. Pegula managed to secure the opening set 6-4 after a competitive contest. Eala responded strongly in the second set and had taken a 2-1 lead when rain returned, forcing tournament officials to suspend play. Organisers later confirmed that the final would resume on Monday at 12:00 p.m. local time, with both players returning to complete the unfinished match. The weather also affected the men’s singles final in Washington. The championship clash between American Taylor Fritz and Spain’s Rafael Jodar was postponed and rescheduled for Monday, with organisers announcing that the match would begin no earlier than 1:00 p.m. local time after the completion of the women’s final. Tournament officials issued an update through social media, informing fans that all remaining matches scheduled for Sunday evening had been cancelled because of the adverse weather conditions. Meanwhile, the Canadian Open also experienced significant interruptions as rain swept across both host cities. The prestigious tournament, running from August 1 to August 14, features the women’s competition in Toronto and the men’s event in Montreal. In Toronto, action on the Grandstand Court was suspended during the women’s singles match between Poland’s Magdalena Frech and France’s Leolia Jeanjean. After monitoring the weather, officials decided to cancel the remainder of Sunday’s schedule, assuring spectators that play would resume once conditions improved. Tournament organisers expressed optimism despite the disruption, saying they expected clear weather for the following day and looked forward to restarting the competition. Montreal faced similar challenges, with rain first delaying several daytime matches before worsening conditions forced organisers to cancel the entire evening session as well.

DUBAI: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has climbed back into the ICC’s top 10 Test batting rankings after producing a series of important performances against the West Indies. Babar moved up five places to 10th in the latest rankings released on Wednesday, marking his first return to the elite group since September 2024. The rise comes as the Pakistan captain looks to rebuild his standing in Test cricket following a prolonged period outside the top 10. The 31-year-old played an important role in Pakistan’s campaign in the Caribbean, particularly during the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval. Pakistan won the match by eight wickets, securing an away Test victory after a wait of more than three years and levelling the two-match series 1-1. Babar made a significant contribution in the decisive match, scoring 88 runs in Pakistan’s first innings before finishing unbeaten on 24 during the successful chase. He had also made 23 and an unbeaten 58 in the opening Test, although Pakistan eventually suffered a 90-run defeat. His consistent performances have now been reflected in the latest rankings, providing another boost to the Pakistan captain as the team prepares for its upcoming Test assignments. Babar was not the only Pakistan batter to make substantial progress. Abdullah Shafique made one of the biggest jumps in the rankings after an outstanding return to the Test side. Playing his first Test since October 2025, Shafique struck an unbeaten 160 in the second Test. His innings helped Pakistan secure a 43-run first-innings lead and played a key role in setting up the victory. Shafique climbed an impressive 25 places to 32nd in the Test batting rankings. Pakistan also saw movement in the bowling and all-rounder rankings. Off-spinner Sajid Khan rose five places to 30th among Test bowlers after his performances in the Caribbean. He also climbed five spots to 32nd in the Test all-rounders’ rankings. At the top of the batting chart, Australia’s Travis Head retained the No. 1 position, while India’s Jasprit Bumrah remained the leading Test bowler. India’s Ravindra Jadeja continued to dominate the Test all-rounders’ rankings. Babar’s return to the top 10 gives Pakistan another reason for optimism, while Shafique’s rapid rise underlines the growing depth of the team’s batting options.

Sunrisers Leeds produced one of the most breathtaking batting displays in the history of The Hundred, smashing multiple tournament records in a dominant 37-run victory over London Spirit at Headingley to keep their playoff hopes alive. The home side unleashed an extraordinary batting performance, piling up 241-2, the highest team total ever recorded in The Hundred. Their relentless assault left London Spirit’s bowlers with no answers and thrilled the Headingley crowd with a spectacular display of power-hitting. The foundation for the record-breaking total was laid by openers Ryan Rickelton and Mitchell Marsh, who stitched together a stunning 148-run opening partnership—the highest first-wicket stand in the tournament’s history. Rickelton anchored the innings with a magnificent unbeaten 94 off 42 balls, combining elegant stroke play with aggressive intent. Marsh provided the perfect support, blasting 76 from just 37 deliveries as the pair dominated from the outset and set the tone for an unforgettable innings. If the opening partnership put Sunrisers Leeds in command, Harry Brook ensured the match entered the record books. The England star produced a breathtaking cameo, racing to the fastest half-century in The Hundred history. Brook reached his fifty in only 15 balls before finishing with a blistering 55 from 18 deliveries, an innings decorated with five fours and five towering sixes. His fearless stroke play electrified the crowd and pushed Sunrisers Leeds beyond the 240-run mark, establishing a new benchmark for batting excellence in the competition. Faced with a daunting target, London Spirit fought hard but never seriously threatened to chase down the mammoth total. Sunrisers Leeds maintained control throughout the contest to secure a convincing 37-run victory, earning two crucial points in the race for the knockout stage. The result keeps Sunrisers Leeds firmly in playoff contention, while London Spirit remain seventh in the standings with their qualification hopes becoming increasingly difficult. The match will be remembered as one of the greatest batting performances in The Hundred’s short history. Between Rickelton’s classy unbeaten knock, Marsh’s explosive support and Brook’s record-shattering fireworks, Sunrisers Leeds delivered a performance that showcased the entertainment and attacking spirit of the competition. With the business end of the tournament approaching, the record-breaking victory could prove to be the momentum boost Sunrisers Leeds need in their pursuit of the championship.

DHAKA: Bangladesh cricket star and former lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan has said he is prepared to return home from exile, face ongoing court proceedings and play a farewell series if the government guarantees his safety. Shakib, 39, has been living in the United States since the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government following a deadly student-led uprising in August 2024. The former Bangladesh captain remains politically linked to Hasina’s Awami League, having previously served as a lawmaker from the party. He is currently facing criminal cases in Bangladesh, including one related to the alleged killing of a protester and another involving anti-corruption authorities. Speaking to Reuters from Sri Lanka, where he is playing franchise cricket, Shakib said he wanted to return and was willing to appear before the courts. He said he would go back if the government formally assured him that adequate security would be provided. Shakib maintained that he had not committed any wrongdoing and described the murder case against him as baseless. He said the case was filed on a day in August 2024 when he was playing a match in Toronto. The cricketer also said he had previously attempted to return to Bangladesh. In late 2024, he boarded a flight after receiving assurances that he would be protected, but was reportedly instructed to turn back while the journey was underway. He eventually landed in Dubai before returning to the United States. Shakib said another planned return was blocked after he posted a birthday message for Hasina. He questioned why such a social media post should prevent him from entering his own country. The former captain also rejected suggestions that he should distance himself from Hasina or the Awami League to facilitate his return. Shakib recently appeared virtually at a press conference in Delhi alongside Hasina. Following the event, his vacant home in Bangladesh was reportedly attacked. He defended his participation, saying his message was focused on peace and Bangladesh’s progress. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said Shakib must face the legal process like any other accused person and surrender before Bangladeshi courts. Meanwhile, Shakib said he still hopes to represent Bangladesh in a farewell series and possibly play at the 2027 ODI World Cup. He acknowledged that retirement was approaching but said he remained physically fit and continued to enjoy playing cricket. The cricketer also revealed that his bank accounts had been frozen for around 18 months during investigations. He said he had not seen his parents in Bangladesh for nearly two years.