Gilas Women ‘headed in right direction’ with morale-boosting win vs Senegal

France have appointed former midfielder and Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane as their new head coach, beginning a new era for the national team. The French Football Federation confirmed the appointment on Tuesday. The 54-year-old succeeds Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years in charge. Deschamps guided France to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2020-21 Nations League trophy. He also led the team to the Euro 2016 and 2022 World Cup finals. Zidane now returns to the national setup more than two decades after helping France win the 1998 World Cup on home soil. He played a key role in that historic campaign and won the Ballon d’Or the same year. The appointment brings together Zidane’s successful playing career and an impressive managerial record. As Real Madrid coach, he won three consecutive Champions League titles and established himself as one of Europe’s most successful managers. Zidane’s first major challenge will be to build on France’s strong squad and prepare the team for the next international cycle. His appointment is expected to bring a fresh tactical approach while maintaining France’s status as one of the world’s leading football nations. His tenure is set to run through the 2030 World Cup. The new France boss is expected to begin his international campaign with a Nations League match away to Turkey. France will then host Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.

The Celebrities Cricket League (CCL) is proud to announce the appointment of renowned content creator and digital entrepreneur Safeer Afridi as the official Brand Ambassador of the league in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The appointment marks a significant milestone as the league continues its preparations for its inaugural edition, reinforcing its commitment to promoting grassroots cricket, youth engagement, and community participation through the power of sport and digital influence. At 26 years of age, Safeer Afridi has established himself as one of Pakistan’s emerging digital creators, with more than eight years of experience in the online industry. Based in Islamabad, he has built a strong reputation by creating educational, informative, and engaging content covering technology, digital opportunities, entrepreneurship, and personal development. With a social media community of more than 100,000 followers across various platforms, Safeer has consistently focused on producing meaningful content that educates and inspires audiences. His expertise in content creation, audience engagement, and digital communication makes him a valuable addition to the Celebrities Cricket League as it seeks to connect with young people across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The league is being spearheaded by entrepreneur and digital creator Muhammad Anas, whose vision is to establish a platform that combines the excitement of cricket with youth empowerment and community development. Through this initiative, CCL aims to create opportunities for aspiring cricketers while bringing together celebrities, influencers, digital creators, and local talent on one stage. Subject to official approvals, the inaugural edition of the Celebrities Cricket League is expected to feature six competitive teams and is proposed to take place at Imran Khan Cricket Stadium around October or November. Beyond providing entertainment, the tournament has been designed to promote grassroots cricket, identify emerging talent, encourage healthy competition, and inspire young people to participate in sports. As Brand Ambassador, Safeer Afridi will play an important role in supporting the league’s awareness campaigns, engaging with audiences through digital platforms, and promoting the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and youth development. His strong connection with younger audiences and his experience in building online communities are expected to contribute significantly to the league’s outreach efforts. Commenting on the appointment, Muhammad Anas, Founder of the Celebrities Cricket League, said: “Safeer Afridi represents the energy, creativity, and positive influence that reflect the vision of the Celebrities Cricket League. His ability to inspire young audiences through meaningful digital content makes him an ideal Brand Ambassador for this initiative. We are delighted to welcome him to the CCL family and look forward to working together to promote grassroots cricket and create new opportunities for aspiring players across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” Expressing his enthusiasm, Safeer Afridi said: “It is an honour to join the Celebrities Cricket League as its Brand Ambassador. Cricket has always brought communities together, and I am excited to support an initiative that focuses on young talent, positive engagement, and the future of grassroots cricket. I look forward to contributing to the league’s vision and encouraging more young people to participate in the sport.” The Celebrities Cricket League believes that meaningful partnerships between sports, entrepreneurship, and digital creators can help inspire the next generation while creating a platform where emerging cricketers receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve. As preparations continue, CCL remains committed to delivering an event that celebrates cricket, encourages community participation, and strengthens grassroots sports development across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan suffered a heavy eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in the second women’s ODI despite a brilliant unbeaten century from opener Sidra Amin. After being asked to bat first, Pakistan posted 273 for five in their 50 overs. Sidra led the innings with a composed 100 not out from 120 balls, striking 13 boundaries. It was her seventh century in women’s ODIs. Ayesha Zafar added 49 from 45 deliveries, while Muneeba Ali scored 45. Captain Fatima Sana contributed a quick 25 from 18 balls to help Pakistan reach a competitive total. Sri Lanka, however, produced a dominant response and chased down the target in just 46.5 overs, winning by eight wickets and drawing the three-match series level at 1-1. The hosts’ chase was built around a record partnership between Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama. The pair put together 203 runs, the highest partnership for any wicket in Sri Lanka’s women’s ODI history and the team’s first 200-plus stand in the format. Gunaratne played an aggressive innings, scoring 123 from 123 balls with 11 fours and a six. Samarawickrama remained unbeaten after reaching her century, while Kavisha Dilhari provided the finishing push with an unbeaten 40 from 33 balls. Pakistan made an early breakthrough when Fatima Sana dismissed Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu for just one run. However, Gunaratne and Samarawickrama quickly took control and kept Pakistan’s bowlers under pressure. Sidra said Pakistan had adapted well to the conditions but needed to improve their approach against Sri Lanka’s slower bowling. She also acknowledged that the bowling attack needed to be more disciplined in the decisive match. She said Pakistan would look to bowl straighter and target the stumps to restrict Sri Lanka’s batters from opening up and scoring freely. With the series tied 1-1, both teams will now compete in the final ODI with the series trophy at stake.

The international recognition earned by Pakistan’s “Football for Mental Health Programme” at the United Nations has been hailed as a major milestone for Pakistan’s sporting diplomacy, reinforcing the country’s positive image while strengthening its standing within the global football community. Officials associated with the initiative believe the acknowledgement has gone beyond celebrating a successful social programme, instead highlighting Pakistan’s growing ability to contribute meaningfully to international discussions on youth development, mental well-being and community empowerment through sport. The recognition has also reinforced the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) belief in the unity of the global football family, demonstrating that football continues to transcend geographical, cultural and political boundaries by bringing together nations in pursuit of common humanitarian goals. PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani described the achievement as a significant endorsement of Pakistan’s potential to transform football into an instrument of social progress. “It proved that Pakistani people have the will and ability to serve society, while the Pakistan Football Federation possesses the professional capacity to implement globally conceived ideas focusing on building a better society by using football as a vehicle,” he said. Gilani added that the international appreciation had projected Pakistan’s soft image before the world by showcasing the country’s commitment to innovation, social responsibility and community development through sport. According to the PFF president, one of the most significant outcomes of the initiative was its emphasis on mental health, an issue receiving increasing attention across the global sporting landscape. “Football has the power to improve the emotional and psychological well-being of players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and families, while creating healthier and more connected communities.” PFF Chief Operating Officer Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar said that the United Nations platform enabled Pakistan to engage with a diverse range of international stakeholders, including football administrators, policymakers, development organisations, athletes and youth leaders. “These interactions created valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, explore future collaborations and strengthen partnerships aimed at using sport to address global social challenges,” he remarked. “Football has increasingly become an effective platform for promoting inclusion, education, health awareness and youth empowerment, with governing bodies around the world encouraging federations to expand their role beyond competition and contribute to broader community development,” Khokhar added. The other delegation members said that Pakistan’s participation in the global dialogue reflects the PFF’s commitment to embracing this modern vision of football, where the game’s influence extends beyond the pitch to create lasting social impact. “The recognition is also expected to encourage greater international cooperation and support for similar initiatives in the future, while reinforcing Pakistan’s reputation as a responsible and constructive member of the global football community,” they added.