UAAP suspends Ateneo coach Louie Alas for one game

LONDON: New Zealand batter Tim Seifert produced a sensational display of power hitting as Manchester Super Giants chased down 159 against Trent Rockets to win their maiden men’s Hundred title by five wickets at Lord’s on Sunday. Seifert’s explosive 72 off just 38 balls transformed the chase and put Manchester in control before Liam Dawson held his nerve during a dramatic final over to complete a memorable victory. The Super Giants appeared to be cruising before the Rockets launched a late fightback. With Manchester needing only three runs from the final nine balls, Mohammad Amir struck twice in successive deliveries, removing Heinrich Klaasen and Michael Bracewell. Ben Sanderson then delivered two consecutive dot balls, leaving Manchester needing three runs from three deliveries. Dawson responded in emphatic fashion. The experienced batter launched the next delivery over the mid-wicket boundary for six, sealing victory with two balls still remaining and sparking celebrations among the Manchester camp. Earlier, Seifert had almost single-handedly shifted the momentum of the final. The right-hander attacked the Rockets’ bowling from the outset, smashing seven sixes and four fours in a breathtaking innings. The Rockets briefly thought they had removed the danger man when Seifert was on 33. Finn Allen produced a spectacular effort near the boundary, but the catch was ruled out after Allen’s foot touched the rope before he completed the attempt. Seifert continued his assault and eventually equalled Will Jacks’ record for the highest individual score in a men’s Hundred final. His performance capped an outstanding tournament. Seifert finished as the competition’s second-highest run-scorer, behind Australia’s Mitchell Marsh, accumulating 394 runs at an average just below 50. For Manchester Super Giants, the triumph ended years of frustration. The Old Trafford-based franchise, previously known as Manchester Originals, had reached two men’s finals before Sunday but failed to lift the trophy, including a defeat by Trent Rockets in 2022. The Rockets, meanwhile, were left to rue a missed opportunity after topping the men’s table and earning a direct place in the final. They had also hoped to make history by becoming the first franchise to win both the men’s and women’s Hundred titles in the same season. Instead, it was Manchester’s night at Lord’s, with Seifert’s extraordinary hitting and Dawson’s cool finish delivering the franchise its long-awaited first men’s Hundred crown.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has officially unveiled its 20-member national squad and team management for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, signaling the country’s determination to make a strong impression on hockey’s biggest stage after securing qualification for the prestigious tournament. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) announced the squad on Wednesday, blending experienced international campaigners with a promising group of emerging young talents. The selection reflects the federation’s strategy of balancing experience with youth as Pakistan aims to revive its rich hockey legacy on the world stage. Squad The announced squad includes Waqar, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Moeen Shakeel, Abdul Waheed Ashraf Rana, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Zakariya Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Adil Latif, Ahmed Nadeem, Ghazanfar Ali, Imad Shakeel Butt, Muhammad Hamaduddin Anjum, Rehman Abdul, Afraz, Umar Mustafa, Abu Bakar Mahmood, Ali Raza, Abdul Matan, and Muhammad Imad. Goalkeepers Among them, Waqar and Ali Raza have been named as the team’s two goalkeepers, entrusted with guarding Pakistan’s goal against some of the world’s strongest attacking sides. The Pakistan Hockey Federation also announced the complete support staff for the global event. Muhammad Owais Qarni will serve as team manager, while experienced Dutch coach Bob Johan Veldhof will lead the side as head coach. He will be assisted by British coach Christopher John Bowen and Pakistani assistant coach Adnan Zakir. Ashraf Sultan has been appointed as the team’s video technician to provide technical and tactical analysis throughout the tournament. PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani expressed complete confidence in the selected squad, saying the players have the talent, commitment and determination to compete at the highest level of international hockey. He extended his best wishes to both the players and the support staff, urging them to represent Pakistan with pride and passion. Wani also appealed to fans across the country to stand behind the Green Shirts and encourage them as they prepare for one of the sport’s biggest competitions. Pakistan, one of the most successful nations in hockey history, will be looking to regain its place among the world’s elite after qualifying for the World Cup. The upcoming tournament offers a valuable opportunity for the Green Shirts to showcase their progress and reignite hopes of restoring Pakistan’s former glory in international hockey. With a refreshed squad, experienced coaching staff and growing public support, expectations are rising that Pakistan can produce a memorable campaign at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026.

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.

Sri Lanka’s athletics scene has a new rising star. At just 23, Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage has established himself as one of the most exciting young javelin throwers in the world. Tharanga’s remarkable 2026 season has already included a 92.62-metre national record, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, multiple Diamond League victories and a World Championships final appearance. His latest achievement came at the Lausanne Diamond League, where he edged India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra by just nine centimetres. From cricket to javelin Born on March 21, 2003, in Kalutara, Sri Lanka, Tharanga initially dreamed of making a career in cricket. He developed into a promising fast bowler and reportedly reached speeds of around 134 kilometres per hour as a teenager. His father’s involvement in throwing events eventually encouraged him to explore athletics. Tharanga first tried discus before turning his attention to javelin while studying at St Peter’s College in Colombo. His cricket background helped him develop explosive movement, speed and coordination — qualities that later became important parts of his javelin technique. Rapid rise in athletics Tharanga represented Sri Lanka at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships, gaining valuable international experience. By 2025, he had moved beyond the status of a promising prospect. He became the first Sri Lankan male javelin thrower to reach a World Athletics Championships final and finished seventh with a throw of 84.38 metres. His progress accelerated dramatically the following year. Breaking the 90-metre mark At the Rome Diamond League in 2026, Tharanga produced the biggest throw of his career, sending the javelin 92.62 metres. The effort set a new Sri Lankan national record and placed him among the world’s elite throwers. It also put him close to Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, whose 92.97-metre throw won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Crossing the 90-metre barrier marked a major milestone. Tharanga had firmly established himself as a serious contender at the highest level of international javelin. Commonwealth Games champion Tharanga carried that momentum into the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he faced a star-studded field that included Chopra, Nadeem, Anderson Peters and Keshorn Walcott. He produced a huge 89.75-metre throw to claim the gold medal. Chopra finished second, while India’s Yash Vir Singh secured bronze. The victory gave Sri Lanka a major javelin success and further raised Tharanga’s profile on the international stage. Narrow win over Neeraj Chopra The rivalry with Chopra continued at the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21. Tharanga opened the competition with an 85.99-metre throw before improving to 87.06 metres with his second attempt. Chopra responded with an 88.05-metre throw, his season’s best at the time, and briefly moved into first place. Tharanga answered immediately. His third attempt travelled 88.14 metres, putting him back in the lead and securing the victory. The nine-centimetre margin highlighted just how closely matched the two athletes were. Lausanne Diamond League standings: 1. 🇱🇰 Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage — 88.14m 2. 🇮🇳 Neeraj Chopra — 88.05m 3. 🇬🇩 Anderson Peters — 86.69m 4. 🇹🇹 Keshorn Walcott — 83.71m 5. 🇺🇸 Marc Anthony Minichello — 80.06m The Lausanne victory added another important chapter to Tharanga’s breakthrough season and strengthened his position among the leading javelin throwers in the world. A new South Asian rivalry For years, South Asian javelin focused largely on the rivalry between Chopra and Nadeem. Tharanga’s rapid emergence has added another major contender from the region. His 92.62-metre national record demonstrates his enormous throwing ability, while his Commonwealth Games gold and Diamond League victories show that he can perform when the pressure is highest. At only 23, Tharanga still has considerable room to develop. Sri Lanka’s rising athletics star Tharanga’s success carries significance beyond javelin. Sri Lanka has long enjoyed a strong sporting identity through cricket, but his achievements are bringing renewed attention to the country’s athletics programme. His journey from teenage fast bowler to Commonwealth champion and Diamond League winner also highlights the unpredictable paths that can lead athletes to international success. With a 92.62-metre personal best, major titles already on his record and growing experience against the world’s best, Tharanga appears to have established himself as one of the leading young names in men’s javelin. At 23, his biggest achievements may still lie ahead.