Alex Eala storms back vs Jessica Pegula to claim maiden tour title in Washington

COLOMBO: The Kandy Royals have received a timely boost ahead of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 playoffs, with Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi set to rejoin the squad for the tournament’s decisive knockout stage. Afridi’s return comes as welcome news for the Royals, who are preparing for a high-stakes Eliminator after sealing a dramatic place in the playoffs. The left-arm fast bowler had briefly left the tournament last week due to personal commitments, leading to widespread speculation that his LPL campaign had ended. However, the franchise has confirmed that the Pakistan star will return just in time for the business end of the competition. Adding further firepower to the squad, Kandy have also recruited Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah and explosive batter Hassan Nawaz. The trio is expected to significantly strengthen both the batting and bowling departments as the Royals chase their first LPL title in recent years. The arrivals come following the departure of experienced all-rounder Moeen Ali, Afghanistan opener Sediqullah Atal, and Scotland international Brandon McMullen, who have left the squad after completing their commitments. Despite losing three key overseas players, Kandy management moved swiftly to secure quality replacements capable of making an immediate impact. Kandy Royals’ road to the playoffs was anything but straightforward. At one stage, their qualification hopes appeared to be fading, but fortune smiled on the franchise when a rain-affected clash between Jaffna Kings and Dambulla Sixers produced the result they needed to advance. The dramatic turn of events kept their championship dream alive and set the stage for an exciting knockout campaign. With Shaheen Afridi leading the pace attack once again, expectations among supporters have risen considerably. The Pakistani left-armer has consistently been one of the world’s premier white-ball bowlers, renowned for his ability to strike early with the new ball and deliver under pressure in crunch moments. The LPL 2026 playoffs begin on August 5 at Colombo’s iconic R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. The opening day will feature a Qualifier between Jaffna Kings and Galle Gallants, while Kandy Royals will face Colombo KAPS in a must-win Eliminator. Victory would keep Kandy’s title hopes alive and move them one step closer to lifting the LPL trophy. With Shaheen Afridi back in the lineup and two more Pakistani stars joining the squad, the Royals believe they have the experience, balance and firepower needed to challenge for championship glory in Sri Lanka’s premier T20 competition.

FUNCHAL: Hundreds of Cristiano Ronaldo fans reportedly gathered outside a historic cathedral in Portugal over the weekend, hoping to catch a glimpse of the football superstar on his wedding day — only to discover that they had arrived for someone else’s ceremony. Rumors circulating on social media and in media reports claimed that Ronaldo was set to marry his longtime partner, Georgina Rodriguez, on Saturday in Funchal, the capital of Portugal’s Madeira island. Although Ronaldo’s family reportedly denied the claims, the speculation was enough to send scores of excited fans and journalists to the city’s historic Sé Cathedral. Many waited outside for hours, holding mobile phones and cameras in anticipation of the arrival of the Al Nassr star and Rodriguez. But the expected celebrity wedding never happened. Instead, the cathedral was preparing to host the wedding of a local couple, Nicole and Fabio. Fabio had already arrived at the church, while Nicole faced an unexpected challenge: getting through the crowd that had gathered outside believing Ronaldo would soon appear. The unusual situation created confusion around the cathedral, with tourists, fans and members of the media filling the surrounding streets. The Sé Cathedral administration later addressed the incident on its official Facebook page, congratulating the newly married couple while explaining that the large number of journalists and tourists had caused considerable confusion. The church eventually had to be closed while the wedding ceremony took place. In another post, the cathedral described the scene outside as something it had never experienced before, noting that the bride had difficulty entering the church because of the crowd. The guests also appeared to find the situation amusing. One guest joked to local media that they suddenly felt like celebrities themselves. Another questioned how anyone could have believed Ronaldo would arrive for a wedding without significant security arrangements. Ronaldo himself appeared to see the funny side of the episode. The footballer reportedly reacted to an Instagram post about the confusion with laughing-with-tears emojis, giving fans a glimpse of his reaction without directly confirming or denying any future wedding plans. Ronaldo and Rodriguez have been together for years and became engaged last year. Reports have previously claimed that Ronaldo presented Rodriguez with an expensive engagement ring featuring a large diamond. Despite the latest frenzy in Madeira, the couple has not announced a wedding date. For now, fans hoping to witness Ronaldo walk down the aisle will have to wait — and perhaps check the guest list before heading to the church.

Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud has entered an elite group featuring Pakistan legend Wasim Akram after producing a match-winning performance in his maiden Test appearance in Australia. The 26-year-old claimed nine wickets as Bangladesh stunned Australia by nine wickets at Marrara Stadium on Sunday, helping the Tigers secure a historic Test victory on Australian soil. Hasan was particularly destructive in Australia’s first innings, ripping through the hosts’ batting order with a six-wicket haul. His spell helped Bangladesh dismiss Australia for just 198 on the opening day. The right-arm pacer continued his impressive work in the second innings, taking another three wickets and finishing the match with nine wickets overall. His performance earned him the third-best Test match figures by a visiting bowler in a maiden Test in Australia, placing his name alongside some of the game’s greatest fast bowlers. Bangladesh’s historic victory was built around outstanding contributions from Hasan and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Mehidy scored a crucial half-century in the first innings before producing a five-wicket haul in the second. Together, the pair dismantled Australia’s batting resistance and played central roles in one of Bangladesh cricket’s most memorable victories. For Hasan, the achievement marks a remarkable arrival on the Test stage in Australia and puts him in distinguished company with legendary pacers, including Wasim Akram. The result not only gave Bangladesh a historic win but also announced Hasan Mahmud as a fast bowler capable of making a major impact on the biggest stages. Best Figures by a visiting bowler in their first Test in Australia Pakistan – Wasim Akram, 11-160 in 1990 England – Maurica Tate, 11-128 in 1924 Bangladesh – Hasan Mahmud, 9-111 in 2026

GENEVA: FIFA has taken sweeping disciplinary action against Argentina following the confrontation that erupted after the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, handing midfielder Leandro Paredes a 10-match international suspension and a $90,000 fine. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced the sanctions after reviewing incidents that occurred at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, when Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to lift the World Cup trophy. Paredes received the heaviest punishment among the players involved. Nahuel Molina was suspended for seven international matches and fined $90,000, while Thiago Almada was handed a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine. Argentina team official Roberto Ayala was also suspended for three matches and fined $30,000. On the Spanish side, midfielder Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, better known as Gavi, received a one-match suspension and a $30,000 fine for unsporting behaviour. The disciplinary action follows a brief but heated confrontation at the final whistle. Reports said tensions spilled over as players from both teams came together on the pitch, with Paredes involved in an altercation with Gavi. FIFA subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings over alleged assault and unsporting behaviour. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was also hit with a combined $321,000 fine for multiple violations during the tournament. FIFA cited issues including team misconduct, discriminatory behaviour by supporters, security-related breaches and other disciplinary violations. Argentina has additionally been ordered to play its next two home matches with attendance restricted to 50 per cent of stadium capacity. However, FIFA has suspended part of the sanction, meaning one of those reduced-capacity matches will remain conditional during a probationary period. FIFA also directed that $100,000 from the disciplinary fine be allocated toward measures aimed at combating discrimination. Another portion of the financial penalty has been suspended under the conditions announced by the governing body. The AFA and the individuals involved have 10 days to request the detailed reasons behind the decisions, after which they may pursue available appeal procedures. The punishments add a controversial postscript to a dramatic World Cup final. Spain’s 1-0 victory secured the title, while Argentina was left to deal with the fallout from events that unfolded after the final whistle. What began as an emotional ending to football’s biggest tournament has now turned into a major disciplinary case, with Argentina facing significant player suspensions, financial penalties and restrictions on its home support.