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LONDON: Pakistan’s national shooting team delivered an impressive performance at the F-Class British Open 2026, winning 13 medals, including seven gold medals. The team was led by Lieutenant General Ahsan Gulrez. Pakistan competed with a relatively small contingent compared with several other participating countries but still produced strong results. The F-Class British Open was held from August 3 to 8 in Bisley, United Kingdom. Around 185 elite shooters from 24 countries took part in the prestigious international competition. Pakistan participated with a 12-member shooting team. Despite the limited size of the contingent, Pakistani shooters produced notable results in both individual and aggregate events. The team secured a total of 13 medals. These included seven gold, two silver and four bronze medals. The performance highlighted the consistency and competitive ability of Pakistani shooters against some of the world’s experienced F-Class rifle competitors. The British Open was also considered an important preparation event for the 7th F-Class World Championship. The world championship is being held in Bisley from August 10 to 16. Following their strong showing at the British Open, Pakistani shooters are now competing at the world championship. They are facing some of the leading teams and top shooters from around the world. Officials associated with the team said the results at the British Open demonstrated Pakistan’s growing strength in long-range competitive rifle shooting. They said Pakistani shooters have shown that they can compete successfully at the highest international level. The national team, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Ahsan Gulrez, will now aim to build on its medal-winning performance at the F-Class World Championship.

MULTAN: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a star-studded commentary panel for the National Champions Cup 2026, adding further excitement to a tournament that could prove important in shaping Pakistan’s future international squad. The seven-match competition will be played at Multan Cricket Stadium from August 11 to 18, with four teams — Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold — competing in a single round-robin format. Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt will headline the commentary team alongside Ali Younis, Tariq Saeed, Aimen Anwar and Raja Asad. Their experience and analysis are expected to provide viewers with deeper insight into the performances of established players and emerging prospects. Under the tournament format, each team will face the other three sides once. The two teams collecting the most points at the end of the league stage will advance to the final. The Champions Cup carries added significance as the PCB looks ahead to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. Selectors will use the competition to closely monitor players competing for national recognition, while younger cricketers will have an opportunity to make a strong impression. The PCB has selected 44 players across the four squads, with another 13 players included in a reserve pool. Reserve players can replace members of the main squads only in cases involving injury or concussion. With established internationals sharing the field with promising domestic talent, the tournament is expected to offer a revealing look at Pakistan’s emerging cricketing depth. For selectors, every match could become an audition. For players, the Champions Cup may represent a crucial step towards earning a place in Pakistan’s plans for the 2027 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Squads Pakistan Greens Playing XI: Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Farhan Yousuf, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saad Baig (wk) and Sameer Minhas. Pakistan Whites Playing XI: Saim Ayub (c), Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Mohsin Riaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saad Masood, Shahzaib Khan and Usman Khan (wk). Pakistan Blues Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Rohail Nazir (wk), Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim, Taimur Khan (wk). Pakistan Gold Playing XI: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Abdul Subhan, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Kamran Ghulam, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Muhammad Imran and Saad Khan.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reduce Babar Azam’s media commitments during the upcoming Test tour of England, warning that the Pakistan skipper could face intense scrutiny from the English press. Pakistan have arrived in England for a three-match Test series, with Babar returning to the leadership role in red-ball cricket. The series begins at Headingley in Leeds on August 19 and will continue at Lord’s before concluding at Edgbaston in September. Speaking on a television programme, Latif described an England tour as a challenging assignment and suggested that the PCB should carefully manage Babar’s interactions with the local media. According to the former wicketkeeper-batter, the English press can generate considerable attention around visiting teams, potentially creating distractions away from the cricket. “An England tour is a difficult assignment,” Latif said, adding that the PCB should consider keeping Babar away from frequent media appearances. His suggestion is not to isolate the captain completely, but rather to share the responsibility of representing the team with other experienced players. Latif specifically recommended Shan Masood, who previously led Pakistan in Test cricket and has considerable experience of playing in England. He believes Masood is well equipped to handle difficult questions and media pressure. The former captain also identified Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Abbas as players who could take on media duties during the tour. Babar was reappointed Pakistan’s Test captain in July, replacing Shan Masood after his stint in charge. The PCB confirmed Babar as captain for both the West Indies and England Test tours. Pakistan’s immediate challenge will be to carry the momentum from their recent Test victory over the West Indies, where they secured an eight-wicket win in Port of Spain to level the two-match series 1-1. The England assignment will test Babar both as a batter and captain. With the spotlight likely to remain firmly on him, Latif’s advice raises an interesting question: could fewer media commitments help Babar focus more sharply on Pakistan’s battle in English conditions? The first Test will be played in Leeds from August 19–23, followed by Lord’s from August 27–31 and Birmingham from September 9–13. Pakistan squad for England Tests Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.

Liverpool have moved to strengthen their defence by signing Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona, giving the Uruguay international a fresh opportunity after falling down the pecking order at the Spanish club. Barcelona confirmed on Monday that Araujo will spend the 2026-27 season at Anfield, with the agreement running until June 30, 2027. The Catalan club did not reveal the financial terms, but reports in the Spanish media indicate that Liverpool will cover his wages and have an option to make the transfer permanent for €55 million ($63.5m). The move marks a significant change for Araujo, who had been regarded as one of Barcelona’s key defensive players. The 27-year-old renewed his contract with the Catalan giants in 2025, extending his deal until 2031. However, his position became increasingly uncertain under Barcelona coach Hansi Flick. Young defender Pau Cubarsi emerged as a central figure in the back line, while Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin also competed for defensive roles. Araujo made 35 appearances across all competitions last season but spent several weeks away from football because of mental exhaustion. After returning in January, he struggled to regain a regular starting position. His move to Liverpool comes at a crucial time for the Premier League club. Liverpool need defensive reinforcements after Ibrahima Konate departed for Real Madrid, while Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are currently injured. Araujo could therefore find himself playing an important role alongside experienced captain Virgil van Dijk, particularly as Liverpool begin a new chapter under Spanish coach Andoni Iraola. The Uruguayan defender, who was part of Uruguay’s squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but did not feature, said he was eager to begin his Liverpool journey. “I’m excited to be here at this massive club with lots of history,” Araujo said. “I’m excited to meet my team-mates, excited to get started playing, and I’m very motivated.” He described the transfer as the right move at this stage of his career, suggesting that regular football was an important factor behind his decision. Liverpool have also strengthened their defensive options by signing young French defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes. For Araujo, the challenge is clear: turn a difficult period at Barcelona into a new beginning at Anfield—and prove that he still belongs among Europe’s elite defenders.

The West Indies face another difficult route to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 after failing to secure automatic qualification for the tournament. The two-time world champions are currently 10th in the ICC ODI rankings and cannot move into the required top-eight positions before the September 30, 2026 cut-off date. Their remaining two ODI matches against India will therefore not be enough to rescue their hopes of direct qualification. Under the qualification system, the top eight ranked teams, excluding hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, will earn automatic places in the 2027 World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Afghanistan recently became the latest side to secure automatic qualification after defeating Ireland in a thrilling contest in Belfast. They join defending champions Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and Bangladesh among the teams already assured of their places. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will also feature as hosts. For the West Indies, however, the road to the World Cup will now become considerably longer. They are set to compete in the World Cup Qualifier in February 2027, where they will need to perform strongly to secure a place in the main tournament. The situation is particularly painful because the Caribbean side experienced a similar setback during the qualification campaign for the 2023 World Cup. The West Indies entered the Qualifier in Zimbabwe but failed to reach the tournament after finishing fifth in the Super Six stage. It was a historic disappointment as the Caribbean team had previously appeared in every ODI World Cup since the competition began in 1975. The West Indies won the first two editions of the World Cup in 1975 and 1979, establishing themselves as one of cricket’s earliest dominant forces. Their failure to qualify for the 2023 tournament also resulted in their absence from the 2025 Champions Trophy, ending a long sequence of appearances dating back to 2013. Now, with another Qualifier ahead, the West Indies face a crucial opportunity to avoid repeating recent history. Their performance in February 2027 could determine whether one of cricket’s most celebrated teams returns to the global stage—or suffers another major setback.

KOLKATA: Former India captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and his wife, Dona Ganguly, have reportedly received death threats, prompting police to launch an investigation into a series of threatening letters sent to the family. According to Indian media reports, a fresh threatening letter was opened on Monday at the office of the president of the Bengal Cricket Association. The letter was reportedly written entirely in English and contained threats against Ganguly and his family. The latest incident has raised concern because the family has allegedly been receiving similar letters for around six months. Initially, the messages were reportedly dismissed as letters from overzealous or unhappy fans. However, the increasingly aggressive language and repeated threats eventually prompted the family to approach police. A formal written complaint has been submitted to the local police station by Ganguly’s family. The state government’s security department has also reportedly been informed, with the family seeking appropriate security measures. The complaint stated that unknown individuals had previously sent letters containing offensive and objectionable remarks about the former India captain. At first, the messages were believed to be linked to personal resentment or someone unhappy with Ganguly. The situation took a more serious turn when two recent letters addressed to Sourav and Dona Ganguly reportedly contained threatening language targeting not only the couple but also people working with them. Police sources said their preliminary inquiry indicated that the threatening letters had been sent by courier to Ganguly’s residence. Authorities have assured Ganguly’s personal assistant that an investigation is underway and that necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety of the former cricketer and his family. Ganguly, one of India’s most influential cricket figures, served as national captain before later becoming BCCI president. The latest threats have now placed his family under increased security attention as investigators work to identify those behind the letters.

The International Cricket Council has announced the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for July 2026. West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves, England captain Harry Brook and Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan have been shortlisted for the award. All three players produced strong performances for their teams during the month. However, they made their mark in different formats and under different circumstances. Greaves was one of the standout all-rounders in Test cricket. He impressed during West Indies’ series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The right-handed batter made a major contribution against Sri Lanka. He scored 180 runs in the opening Test. West Indies eventually won the two-match series 1-0. The second Test ended in a draw. Greaves then carried his form into the series against Pakistan. The two-Test series ended in a 1-1 draw. He delivered an excellent performance with the ball in the opening Test. He claimed five wickets for 27 runs in the first innings. His overall figures for July were equally impressive. Greaves scored 215 runs in two Tests. He finished with a batting average of 71.66. He also took eight wickets. His bowling average was an outstanding 10.25. His ability to contribute in both departments made him a key player for West Indies. Brook earned his nomination after producing an exceptional performance in the T20I series against India. The England captain had a difficult ODI campaign. He scored only 31 runs across three matches. He quickly turned things around in the T20I format. Brook scored 229 runs in five matches. He averaged an impressive 114.50. His strike rate was even more remarkable. He scored at 214.01. His performances helped England and earned him the Player of the Series award. Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan is the third player on the shortlist. The left-handed batter was in excellent form during Bangladesh’s white-ball tour of Zimbabwe. He finished as the leading run-scorer across the ODI and T20I series. Tanzid scored 159 runs in three ODIs. He averaged 53.00. He also maintained a strike rate of 89.83. His form continued in the T20I series. Tanzid added another 140 runs in the T20Is. He averaged 70.00 and struck at 127.27. He finished the entire white-ball tour as the highest run-scorer. The three nominees have entered the award race with impressive records. Greaves’ nomination is based on his strong all-round performances in Test cricket. Brook’s case is built around his remarkable T20I form against India. Tanzid has been recognised for his consistency across both ODI and T20I cricket. The final award will recognise the player who made the biggest impact during July.

LONDON: Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has launched legal action against Crystal Palace over a controversial banner displayed by Palace supporters during a Premier League match last year, according to reports. Marinakis’ legal team reportedly filed a defamation claim against Crystal Palace and unidentified individuals at the High Court in London on Monday. The action comes almost a year after the banner was displayed during the clubs’ 1-1 Premier League draw at Selhurst Park. The banner depicted Marinakis appearing to hold a gun to the head of Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. It also contained a message referring to allegations of blackmail, match-fixing, drug trafficking and corruption. Marinakis, a Greek shipping and media businessman, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in relation to such allegations. The incident had already drawn disciplinary attention from English football authorities. In November 2025, the Football Association charged Crystal Palace with failing to ensure that its supporters did not behave in an improper, offensive, abusive or provocative manner. The club was subsequently fined £50,000 ($67,000) over the incident. The dispute comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions between the two clubs. The match in August 2025 was played after Nottingham Forest replaced Palace in the Europa League, while Crystal Palace were moved to the Conference League following a UEFA ruling related to its multi-club ownership structure. The controversy surrounding the banner has now moved beyond football disciplinary procedures and into the courts, potentially putting the relationship between the two clubs under further scrutiny. Marinakis, 59, is a prominent figure in European football. Besides Forest, he owns Greek club Olympiacos and Portugal’s Rio Ave, making him one of the more influential multi-club owners in the sport. The latest legal action could reignite debate over the limits of fan expression and where football rivalry crosses into potentially defamatory or threatening territory. Crystal Palace have yet to publicly respond to the reported High Court claim. The case could now determine whether the provocative banner amounts to legally actionable defamation.

TORONTO: Former world number one Iga Swiatek produced a commanding performance to defeat Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-1 and reach the Toronto Masters semi-finals, where she will face Elina Svitolina in a highly anticipated showdown. The six-time Grand Slam champion needed only 64 minutes to dispatch the Russian and move into the last four of the Canadian Open. Swiatek controlled the contest from the opening exchanges, using her powerful groundstrokes and precise movement to keep Shnaider under constant pressure. The Polish seventh seed never faced a break point and dominated the match with impressive consistency. She quickly established a 5-2 advantage in the opening set before breaking Shnaider again and serving it out in 31 minutes. The second set proved even more one-sided. Swiatek broke early to move ahead 2-1 before another strong sequence of winners helped her extend the advantage. A third break finally ended Shnaider’s resistance and completed a convincing victory. “From the beginning, I went for it. I felt like I could dominate,” Swiatek said after the match. She also praised her ability to adapt to difficult windy conditions, saying she focused on staying solid rather than overplaying. The victory is significant for Swiatek, who has endured a challenging 2026 season. It marks her first WTA 1000 semi-final of the year, giving her an opportunity to build momentum ahead of the US Open. Standing between Swiatek and a place in the final is Elina Svitolina, who produced a dramatic comeback against Ekaterina Alexandrova. The Ukrainian ninth seed lost the opening set 6-3 but responded brilliantly, winning the second 6-0 before completing a 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 victory. Svitolina recovered after an early setback and showed her fighting spirit when Alexandrova briefly threatened to extend the match late in the deciding set. The upcoming semi-final promises another intriguing chapter in their rivalry. Swiatek has won three of their five meetings, but Svitolina won their two encounters earlier in 2026, including a three-set victory in the Rome semi-final. With both players arriving in Toronto with plenty to prove, their semi-final is shaping up as one of the tournament’s most compelling battles.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino, warning that removing the football chief would be a “terrible mistake” as opposition to Infantino grows within several major football confederations. Trump’s intervention came after UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) jointly criticised Infantino in an unusually strong open letter, accusing him of damaging trust and placing his authority above the wider football community. “If, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino,” Trump said on Truth Social, “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake.” The US president described Infantino as “fantastic” and praised his leadership of the expanded 2026 World Cup, which was hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Trump also argued that the tournament had been the most successful World Cup ever and warned that FIFA could struggle to maintain the same level of success and profitability without Infantino. The public backing is significant because Infantino is facing growing resistance over a controversial proposal to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. The plan was eventually withdrawn after fierce opposition from European football authorities. UEFA had threatened to boycott future World Cups if the investment proposal went ahead, describing the arrangement as an opaque and questionable deal. The pressure ultimately played a major role in Infantino abandoning the plan. The FIFA president received renewed support from senior officials during an emergency meeting in Morocco last week. However, UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC dismissed that backing, arguing that the meeting did not address the concerns raised by the confederations. The three bodies accused Infantino of failing to uphold the principles of accountability and collective leadership. They stressed that football’s governing structure should not revolve around one individual. The dispute could have major consequences ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027. Infantino, who has led FIFA for a decade, is seeking a fourth and final term. Candidates must declare their intentions by November 18. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is regarded as a potential challenger, although Infantino continues to enjoy support from several influential football bodies. The Confederation of African Football has backed him, while South American governing body CONMEBOL remains broadly supportive. Several individual national associations have also expressed support. However, FIFA’s voting system means individual member associations—not confederations—will ultimately decide the election. Infantino’s position had appeared secure after the successful 48-team World Cup, but the private investment controversy has dramatically changed the political landscape. The latest confrontation has therefore turned the road to the 2027 FIFA election into an increasingly intense power struggle, with Trump now openly backing Infantino while several major football authorities demand greater accountability and collective decision-making.