Arena Pickleball Club opens indoor courts at Bluport Hua Hin

West Indies reached 49-1 at lunch on day one of the second Test against Pakistan. The opening session was cut short by rain at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on Sunday. Having won the toss and opted to bat first, the home side made steady progress through the morning. They moved to 49-1 in just 9.5 overs before rain forced an early break in proceedings. Brandon King was the standout batter during the shortened session. He remained unbeaten on 33 runs from 27 deliveries at the interval, having struck four boundaries along the way. His innings gave West Indies a solid platform, despite the disrupted playing conditions. Pakistan’s lone success with the ball came through pacer Mohammad Ali. He dismissed opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul for 15 runs, drawing an edge that was well taken by Sajid Khan at deep fine leg. Chanderpaul had faced 32 deliveries before departing. Throughout the session, Pakistan’s bowlers maintained discipline with the new ball. They created a handful of half-chances during the opening spells, testing the West Indies top order on a surface that offered some early assistance. However, a largely defensive approach from the batting side meant Pakistan weren’t able to build further pressure or add to their solitary wicket. With rain interrupting play so early into the Test, both teams will now be keeping a close eye on the weather as the match unfolds. Given how tightly poised this series already is, any lost playing time could have a real bearing on how the remaining days shape up. West Indies fielded a settled lineup for this Test, featuring Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope as wicketkeeper, Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase as captain, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, and Jayden Seales. Pakistan named Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam as captain, Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps, Salman Ali Agha, Awais Zafar, Ali Usman, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Ali, and Ubaid Shah in their playing eleven for the contest. As the two sides look to make up for lost time, the coming sessions could prove crucial in determining which team gains the early advantage in this pivotal second Test.

India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. According to reports, the BCCI’s medical team advised him to take extra time to recover from a left knee issue. Bumrah will not travel with the squad for the series, which begins on August 15 in Galle. The decision reflects India’s cautious approach, as the team looks to avoid rushing its premier fast bowler back too soon. So far, the BCCI has not named a replacement for the 31-year-old. Bumrah last bowled during the second ODI against England in Cardiff on July 16. He was ruled out of the series finale at Lord’s shortly after, following an impact injury sustained while fielding. At the time, the BCCI cited that injury as the reason for his absence. Following the England series, Bumrah received an injection for his knee as part of a recovery plan designed by the BCCI medical staff. He then travelled to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for a round of fitness testing. Reports suggest the medical team feared that a premature return to bowling could risk a much longer setback, with concerns that the injury might worsen without proper rest. While the exact nature of Bumrah’s injury remains undisclosed, he has been closely monitored since recovering from a lengthy layoff last year. He had also visited the Centre of Excellence in March for conditioning work ahead of the IPL season. During that tournament, Bumrah featured in 13 matches for Mumbai Indians, sitting out only their final fixture. His workload has continued to be managed carefully, given his ongoing injury history. India’s bowling attack has faced several setbacks ahead of the tour. Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy are both sidelined with hamstring and quadriceps injuries respectively. Washington Sundar has also been ruled out of the first Test due to a hamstring issue, while Akash Deep remains unavailable as he continues recovering from stress reactions in his back. Speaking after India’s ODI series loss in England, captain Shubman Gill raised concerns over the team’s repeated injury troubles. He warned that these frequent absences could become a significant challenge as India heads toward the demanding 2027 World Cup cycle. Ahead of the Test series, India will play a three-day practice match in Colombo starting August 7. The tour marks India’s first assignment in the new World Test Championship cycle, following a 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa last November.

LONDON: Pakistan are considering changes to their playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord’s after a heavy defeat in Leeds exposed several weaknesses in the visitors’ lineup. The second Test of the series is scheduled to begin on August 27, with Pakistan’s team management expected to finalise the playing XI after assessing conditions in London. Pakistan suffered a disappointing start to the series, losing the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs. The result has prompted the management to consider adjustments as the team looks to bounce back at the home of cricket. One of the major possibilities is a rest for wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. His potential absence would open the door for another player to take responsibility behind the stumps while allowing the team management to refresh its batting combination. The biggest question, however, surrounds Babar Azam. The former Pakistan captain missed the first Test because of a finger injury, but team management remains hopeful that he will recover in time to return for the Lord’s match. If Babar is declared fit, Azan Awais is reportedly likely to make way. His return would provide Pakistan with considerable experience in the middle order at a crucial stage of the series. Bowling plans could also change according to the conditions at Lord’s. Sources indicate that Pakistan may consider playing two spinners if the pitch and weather point towards a slower, drier contest. The management is also reportedly considering young fast bowler Ubaid Shah because of his extra pace. His ability to generate speed could provide Pakistan with a different attacking option against England’s strong batting lineup. The conditions in London are expected to differ from those encountered in Leeds. Reports suggest a relatively dry and potentially flat surface could be prepared, increasing the possibility of a match in which batting becomes easier as the game progresses. For Pakistan, the Lord’s Test is more than another fixture in the series. After being comprehensively beaten in Leeds, they need a strong response to regain confidence and keep the series alive. England, meanwhile, will enter the match with momentum and will be confident of repeating their dominant performance. Pakistan’s final XI could therefore prove crucial as they attempt to turn the tide at one of cricket’s most historic venues.

COLOMBO: India’s preparations for their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka have suffered a fresh setback after captain Shubman Gill was forced to miss the opening day of a three-day warm-up match due to a finger injury. Gill sustained an injury to his right-hand finger during a practice session on Thursday, prompting the Indian team management to take a cautious approach. The Test captain was rested for the first day of the warm-up fixture against a Sri Lanka XI as the medical team continues to monitor his condition. The development immediately raised concerns over Gill’s availability for the Test series, although there is currently no indication that he will miss the opening match. In Gill’s absence, vice-captain KL Rahul took charge of the Indian side. Rahul’s experience will be particularly valuable as India look to make the most of their final preparation ahead of the two-Test series. Recent reports also confirmed that Rahul led India at the toss after Gill was ruled out of the opening day. The Indian camp is already dealing with a lengthy injury list. Star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Test series with a knee problem, while Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar are also unavailable because of different injuries. Gill’s fitness will therefore be closely watched over the next two days. According to the team’s medical update, a decision on whether he will return to the warm-up match will be made after further assessment. India are scheduled to begin their two-Test series against Sri Lanka on August 15 in Galle, with the second Test set to be played in Colombo from August 23. For India, the priority is clear: avoid taking unnecessary risks with their captain now and ensure Gill is fully fit when the real contest begins. The latest setback adds another layer of uncertainty to an already injury-hit Indian squad, making Gill’s recovery one of the biggest talking points ahead of the series.

Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of France international left-back Lucas Digne from Aston Villa, bringing the experienced defender back to the club more than a decade after his first spell in Paris. The 33-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the French champions. PSG activated Digne’s release clause, with reports putting the transfer fee at around £8.5 million ($11.5m). Digne’s return marks an intriguing new chapter in a career that has taken him across some of Europe’s biggest clubs. He initially joined PSG in 2013 and made 44 appearances before moving on. He subsequently spent time at Roma, Barcelona and Everton before establishing himself as an important figure at Aston Villa. His spell in England ended on a high note. Digne played a significant role in Villa’s successful 2025-26 campaign, helping the club lift the Europa League under manager Unai Emery. The move also comes after an impressive international period. Digne earned his place as France’s preferred left-back during the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup and now arrives in Paris with 64 international caps to his name. For Digne, the transfer is more than simply another move. Returning to his hometown club gives him an opportunity to finish another chapter of his career at a club that has transformed dramatically since his first departure. “I am very honoured to be returning to Paris Saint-Germain,” Digne said, adding that he was impressed by the club’s development and eager to bring his experience to the team. At PSG, Digne is expected to provide experienced competition and cover for first-choice left-back Nuno Mendes. His versatility, international experience and familiarity with the club could make him a valuable squad player. The storyline could become even more compelling this week, with PSG scheduled to face Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup on August 12. Digne could potentially make his PSG return against his former side. The reunion promises an unusual twist: Digne could soon find himself lining up against the club he has only just left.