تازہ ترین

LEEDS: Pakistan’s World Test Championship campaign suffered another setback on Friday as they slipped to the bottom of the WTC 2025-27 standings after England completed a crushing innings victory in the first Test at Headingley. The defeat leaves Pakistan with just two wins from seven matches and a points percentage of 19.05, increasing the pressure on the team ahead of the remaining two Tests of the three-match series. England, meanwhile, remain seventh in the standings with a points percentage of 29.76, having won five of their 14 matches. Australia continue to dominate the WTC table. They sit top with seven wins from nine Tests, collecting 84 points at a winning percentage of 77.78. Defending champions South Africa are second with three wins from four matches and a 75% percentage. New Zealand occupy third place, followed by Bangladesh and India. Pakistan’s latest defeat exposed familiar problems with both their batting and ability to handle England’s pace attack. After being asked to bat, Pakistan were dismissed for just 171 in their first innings. England’s bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue were particularly effective, claiming five wickets each. England then turned their advantage into a commanding position, piling up 409 runs in their first innings. Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence all contributed half-centuries, while Pakistan spinner Ali Usman fought back with an impressive five-wicket haul. Pakistan entered their second innings facing a massive 238-run deficit and needed a determined batting effort to save the match. Instead, their resistance lasted only 37.3 overs. Pakistan were bowled out for 135, handing England a comprehensive innings victory and leaving their opponents with a 1-0 lead in the series. Robinson was the standout performer. His eight wickets across the match earned him the Player of the Match award and helped England secure a dominant start to the series. Pakistan had entered the England tour after drawing their two-Test series against the West Indies 1-1, but their Headingley collapse has put their WTC campaign under renewed pressure. With two Tests still remaining, Pakistan will need a dramatic turnaround in batting consistency and bowling execution to keep their hopes of climbing the championship table alive.

LEEDS: Pakistan’s stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha has admitted that England exposed weaknesses across the board after Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat in the opening Test, while expressing hope that Babar Azam will return for the next match. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Salman acknowledged that Pakistan were outplayed by England and failed to maintain the consistency required at international level. “England outclassed us in every department,” Salman said, adding that the team repeatedly failed to execute its plans when it mattered most. The defeat has raised fresh questions about Pakistan’s preparations for the challenging England conditions. Salman said the team had arrived only about a week before the start of the series, leaving limited time for players to adjust to the unfamiliar conditions. “We always face tough challenges in England,” he said, stressing that adapting to local conditions requires time and experience. Pakistan’s problems were particularly visible with the bat. After being dismissed for 171 in their first innings, the visitors managed only 135 in the second, allowing England to complete a comprehensive innings victory. Salman also admitted that several senior players are struggling for form. He pointed to his own performance, as well as those of Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, saying the lack of runs from key batters has become a major concern for the side. The captain nevertheless insisted that Pakistan have enough talent to improve. “We are going through a difficult rebuilding phase,” Salman said, describing the current team as a side being prepared with an eye on the future. He acknowledged that Pakistan’s bowling attack is relatively young and inexperienced but argued that the experience gained during difficult overseas tours could prove valuable in the long term. The captain’s comments come as Pakistan attempt to recover from a disappointing start to their three-Test series against England. The visitors will need a significant improvement in both batting and execution if they are to challenge the hosts in the remaining matches. One potential boost could come from the return of Babar Azam. Salman expressed hope that the former Pakistan captain would be fully fit and available for the next Test. Babar’s return could provide Pakistan with much-needed experience and stability in the batting order at a crucial stage of the series. Pakistan’s recent struggles have highlighted the difficulty of competing overseas, particularly when a team is undergoing transition. For Salman, however, the priority is clear: Pakistan must learn quickly and raise their standards. The stand-in captain stressed that the current level of performance is not acceptable and urged the team to improve its execution in foreign conditions. With two Tests still remaining, Pakistan have an opportunity to respond on the field. But after a one-sided opening defeat, the pressure will be firmly on the visitors to show that their rebuilding project can deliver results as well as promise.

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.

MACKAY: Bangladesh’s batting collapsed spectacularly against Australia on Saturday, folding for just 64 runs in the first innings of the second Test as Mitchell Starc produced a devastating spell of fast bowling. Playing at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision quickly paid off as Bangladesh’s batters struggled to cope with the pace and movement generated by the Australian attack. Starc was the chief destroyer, claiming six wickets for just 12 runs from 10 overs. His relentless spell left Bangladesh’s batting order in tatters and gave Australia complete control of the opening stages of the match. Captain Pat Cummins provided strong support, taking three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood claimed the remaining wicket as Australia’s pace trio ripped through the visitors. Bangladesh’s innings offered little resistance. No specialist batter managed to produce a substantial score, with No. 11 batter Shoriful Islam emerging as the team’s leading scorer with 14 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam each contributed 11, but the lower order could not prevent Bangladesh from being bowled out for one of their lowest Test totals. The collapse is a dramatic turnaround from the opening match of the series. Bangladesh stunned Australia in the first Test in Darwin, securing a historic nine-wicket victory — their first Test win over Australia on Australian soil. That result had given Bangladesh enormous confidence and put the hosts under early pressure in the series. However, Starc and Australia’s fast bowlers ensured that the second Test began on an entirely different note. For Bangladesh, the immediate challenge is to recover from the huge first-innings setback and find a way to contain Australia’s batting. For the hosts, meanwhile, the emphatic bowling performance offers a chance to level the series after their unexpected defeat in Darwin. Starc’s six-wicket haul has already become the defining moment of the match, with Australia firmly on top after Bangladesh’s dramatic batting collapse.

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.

MIAMI: Lionel Messi has been fined by Major League Soccer after becoming involved in a heated late-game confrontation with Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with Philadelphia. The MLS Disciplinary Committee announced the punishment on Friday, saying Messi had violated the league’s policy concerning players putting their hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent. The amount of the fine was not disclosed. Inter Miami teammate Ian Fray was also fined an undisclosed amount for the same violation, adding another disciplinary twist to an already tense encounter. The incident occurred deep into stoppage time on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Subaru Park. With the ball being played elsewhere, Messi approached Sullivan near the centre circle following an exchange between the players. Messi then made contact with Sullivan around the head and neck area. Sullivan responded by confronting the Argentine star, leading to a tense face-to-face exchange before officials intervened. Referee Filip Dujic had initially not seen the incident because his back was turned. He arrived shortly afterwards to separate the players but did not issue either Messi or Quinn Sullivan a card for the confrontation. The match later descended into further chaos in stoppage time. Quinn Sullivan became involved in another altercation with Inter Miami’s Ian Fray, while Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan and Miami midfielder Yannick Bright were also involved in the ensuing scuffle. Cavan Sullivan and Bright were both sent off, turning an already dramatic finish into a disciplinary flashpoint. Cavan Sullivan’s red-card suspension was later overturned on appeal, making him available for Philadelphia’s next match. Despite the controversy, Messi had a major influence on the match itself. He provided an assist before scoring Inter Miami’s second goal in the 26th minute, curling a left-footed effort into the corner. The goal was particularly emotional for the 39-year-old Argentine, as it was his first since returning to action following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Philadelphia eventually fought back to earn a 2-2 draw, with Neil Pierre scoring in the second half to level the contest. For Messi, the match therefore ended on two very different notes: a memorable goal and assist on the field, followed by an unexpected disciplinary sanction. The MLS fine does not carry a suspension, but it serves as a reminder that even one of football’s biggest stars remains subject to the league’s conduct rules. With the regular season intensifying, both Messi and Inter Miami will now hope the incident remains a footnote rather than becoming a distraction from their push for success.