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A letter written by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Argentine Football Association President Claudio Tapia has reportedly surfaced amid an ongoing FIFA investigation into the post-match confrontation following the 2026 World Cup final. In the letter, Infantino referred to Argentina’s defeat against Spain in the final played on July 19, 2026. He congratulated Argentina on securing the silver medal and praised the team’s overall performance throughout the tournament. Infantino described Argentina’s World Cup campaign as an impressive achievement. He also praised the players and head coach Lionel Scaloni for their hard work, professionalism and commitment to football. The letter has emerged at a sensitive time for Argentine football. FIFA is currently investigating a confrontation between players following the final. Tensions reportedly rose after Argentina lost to Spain in extra time. The atmosphere remained tense during the trophy presentation, with most Argentine players reportedly turning their backs while the Spanish team received the trophy. A physical altercation between players also reportedly took place after the match. FIFA is examining the incident as part of its formal disciplinary process. The leaked correspondence, however, focuses on Argentina’s sporting achievement rather than the post-match controversy. Infantino’s message praised the team for reaching the final and securing the runners-up position. Sending formal congratulatory letters to medal-winning teams is a customary FIFA practice following the conclusion of major international tournaments. Argentina’s silver-medal finish marked the culmination of a strong World Cup campaign, despite the team falling short against Spain in the final.

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered another impressive performance as India defeated Zimbabwe by 35 runs in the third T20I at Harare Sports Club on Sunday. The victory helped India complete a 3-0 series sweep and bounce back strongly after disappointing T20I series defeats against Ireland and England. India were invited to bat first and posted 192-5 in their 20 overs. Sooryavanshi led the charge with a blistering 81 off 49 balls, smashing eight fours and four sixes. The 15-year-old immediately showed his attacking intent, hitting Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza for a boundary from the opening delivery. He reached his half-century from 31 balls before being dismissed in the 14th over. Sooryavanshi has enjoyed a remarkable series in Zimbabwe. He began with a stunning half-century from just 18 balls in the opening match and followed it with a quick 20 off nine deliveries in the second game. His latest innings further underlined his growing reputation as one of India’s most exciting young batting talents. Ishan Kishan also contributed with a brisk 29, hitting four boundaries before being dismissed by Raza. Zimbabwe struggled during the chase and slipped to 65-4, with opener Brian Bennett and captain Raza both departing without scoring. Ryan Burl provided some resistance with an unbeaten 54, while Wessly Madhevere added 28. The pair shared a 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket, but Zimbabwe could not maintain the required scoring rate. The hosts eventually finished at 157-7, falling 35 runs short of India’s target. The result gave India a much-needed boost after their recent struggles overseas. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, suffered their second consecutive T20I series defeat after losing 2-1 to Bangladesh.

Shai Hope remained unbeaten on 89 as West Indies reached 303-7 at lunch on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Stadium. Hope faced 174 deliveries and struck six boundaries and one six during a composed innings that helped the hosts recover from early pressure. Pakistan made an important breakthrough soon after play resumed, removing well-set batter Kavem Hodge for 84. West Indies had started the day on 194-3 after rain severely disrupted the opening day. Hodge’s dismissal came after he edged a delivery from Mohammad Ali towards second slip, where Salman Ali Agha completed the catch. Pakistan’s bowlers had another chance shortly before the wicket when Hope was dropped in the slips by Azan Awais. The missed opportunity proved costly as Hope continued to strengthen West Indies’ position. At the other end, Shamar Joseph provided valuable support to Hope. He was unbeaten on 23 from just 12 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six to keep the scoreboard moving quickly. Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad also tested the West Indies batters during the morning session, but Hope held firm to guide the hosts through to lunch. West Indies now have an opportunity to build a sizeable first-innings total, while Pakistan will look for quick wickets in the afternoon session to prevent the hosts from taking control of the Test.

The Celebrities Cricket League (CCL) is proud to announce the appointment of renowned content creator and digital entrepreneur Safeer Afridi as the official Brand Ambassador of the league in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The appointment marks a significant milestone as the league continues its preparations for its inaugural edition, reinforcing its commitment to promoting grassroots cricket, youth engagement, and community participation through the power of sport and digital influence. At 26 years of age, Safeer Afridi has established himself as one of Pakistan’s emerging digital creators, with more than eight years of experience in the online industry. Based in Islamabad, he has built a strong reputation by creating educational, informative, and engaging content covering technology, digital opportunities, entrepreneurship, and personal development. With a social media community of more than 100,000 followers across various platforms, Safeer has consistently focused on producing meaningful content that educates and inspires audiences. His expertise in content creation, audience engagement, and digital communication makes him a valuable addition to the Celebrities Cricket League as it seeks to connect with young people across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The league is being spearheaded by entrepreneur and digital creator Muhammad Anas, whose vision is to establish a platform that combines the excitement of cricket with youth empowerment and community development. Through this initiative, CCL aims to create opportunities for aspiring cricketers while bringing together celebrities, influencers, digital creators, and local talent on one stage. Subject to official approvals, the inaugural edition of the Celebrities Cricket League is expected to feature six competitive teams and is proposed to take place at Imran Khan Cricket Stadium around October or November. Beyond providing entertainment, the tournament has been designed to promote grassroots cricket, identify emerging talent, encourage healthy competition, and inspire young people to participate in sports. As Brand Ambassador, Safeer Afridi will play an important role in supporting the league’s awareness campaigns, engaging with audiences through digital platforms, and promoting the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and youth development. His strong connection with younger audiences and his experience in building online communities are expected to contribute significantly to the league’s outreach efforts. Commenting on the appointment, Muhammad Anas, Founder of the Celebrities Cricket League, said: “Safeer Afridi represents the energy, creativity, and positive influence that reflect the vision of the Celebrities Cricket League. His ability to inspire young audiences through meaningful digital content makes him an ideal Brand Ambassador for this initiative. We are delighted to welcome him to the CCL family and look forward to working together to promote grassroots cricket and create new opportunities for aspiring players across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” Expressing his enthusiasm, Safeer Afridi said: “It is an honour to join the Celebrities Cricket League as its Brand Ambassador. Cricket has always brought communities together, and I am excited to support an initiative that focuses on young talent, positive engagement, and the future of grassroots cricket. I look forward to contributing to the league’s vision and encouraging more young people to participate in the sport.” The Celebrities Cricket League believes that meaningful partnerships between sports, entrepreneurship, and digital creators can help inspire the next generation while creating a platform where emerging cricketers receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve. As preparations continue, CCL remains committed to delivering an event that celebrates cricket, encourages community participation, and strengthens grassroots sports development across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan’s Under-21 hockey team has departed for Muscat to take part in a five-match Test series against Oman’s senior national side, giving the country’s emerging players a valuable opportunity to gain international experience against more seasoned opposition. The young Pakistan squad left for Oman on Monday, accompanied by head coach and Olympian Ayaz Mahmood, coach and Olympian Sameer Hussain, and coach Azfar Yaqoob. The series is being viewed as an important step in the development of Pakistan’s junior hockey players, particularly as they prepare to transition from age-group competition to the demands of senior international hockey. The first Test will be played on July 29, followed by the second on July 31. The third match is scheduled for August 1, while the fourth Test will take place on August 2. The five-match series will conclude with the final Test on August 4. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) believes the exposure will help the young players understand the pace, physical demands and pressure associated with international hockey. PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani extended his best wishes to the team before its departure and said the decision to send the players to Oman was aimed at boosting their confidence and providing them with meaningful international exposure. “Our junior players will gain confidence when they compete against foreign teams at the international level,” Wani said, stressing the importance of giving promising players opportunities to perform outside the domestic circuit. The series against Oman’s senior team could prove particularly useful for Pakistan’s youngsters because they will be competing against players with greater experience and exposure to high-level hockey. Such matches can help young athletes identify weaknesses, improve decision-making and develop the composure required in competitive international fixtures. For Pakistan, the tour is also an opportunity to assess the depth of its emerging talent. With the national side looking to strengthen its future pool of players, regular international exposure at the Under-21 level could play a key role in preparing the next generation for senior hockey. The five-Test format will provide the players with multiple opportunities to adapt. Rather than relying on a single match, the youngsters will have to recover quickly, learn from mistakes and make tactical adjustments throughout the series. The tour also gives the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate players under challenging conditions and identify individuals capable of progressing to the senior national setup. As Pakistan’s junior players prepare to take on Oman’s senior side, the series promises to be more than a collection of practice matches. It represents a test of character, confidence and readiness—and potentially another important chapter in the development of Pakistan hockey’s next generation.

MUSCAT: Pakistan secured the silver medal at the Men’s Asian Hockey5s Championship 2026 and booked a place in the FIH Hockey5s World Cup. The national team finished runners-up after losing 3-1 to arch-rivals India in the final in Muscat, Oman. Despite missing out on the title, Pakistan’s overall campaign was a major success. The team produced several strong performances during the tournament and reached the final after competing against some of Asia’s top sides. The silver medal was enough to secure Pakistan’s qualification for the 2026 Hockey5s World Cup. The achievement gives the national side another opportunity to compete on the global stage. Pakistan’s campaign was also highlighted by an individual award for forward Adeel. He was named the Player of the Tournament for his impressive performances. Adeel played an important role in Pakistan’s run to the final. His attacking contributions and consistent performances made him one of the standout players of the competition. The final, however, belonged to India. The arch-rivals scored three goals while Pakistan managed only one. Pakistan fought to stay in the contest but could not overturn the deficit. India eventually secured the championship title with a 3-1 victory. The result did not overshadow Pakistan’s successful tournament campaign. Reaching the final and qualifying for the World Cup are important milestones for a team seeking to rebuild its position in international hockey. The Pakistan Hockey Federation praised the players and coaching staff for their efforts throughout the championship. PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani congratulated the national squad on winning the silver medal and securing World Cup qualification. He also praised Adeel for earning the tournament’s top individual award. The federation said the achievement reflected the hard work of the players, coaches, management and support staff. Pakistan’s progress in Hockey5s is being viewed as a positive development for the country’s hockey programme. The shorter format requires speed, quick decision-making and strong attacking play. The team will now shift its focus towards the FIH Hockey5s World Cup. The qualification provides Pakistan with an opportunity to test itself against the best teams from around the world.

TAROUBA: Pakistan produced a strong response against the West Indies on the second day of the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The visitors reached 199 for three at stumps. They still trail the West Indies by 112 runs after the hosts were bowled out for 311. Shan Masood led the recovery with an unbeaten 88. He faced 137 deliveries and struck 11 boundaries. Imam-ul-Haq also played an important innings. He scored 63 from 102 balls and shared a 155-run partnership with Shan. Pakistan suffered an early setback when debutant Azan Awais was dismissed for a duck. Kemar Roach bowled him in the second over. Shan and Imam then took control of the innings. They attacked the West Indies bowlers and kept the scoreboard moving. Shan reached his half-century from only 46 balls. Imam also completed his fifty during the partnership. Imam eventually fell after making 63. Shamar Joseph took his wicket, ending the strong second-wicket stand. Captain Babar Azam then joined Shan at the crease. He scored 23 before edging Jayden Seales to wicketkeeper Shai Hope. Salman Ali Agha was unbeaten on nought when bad light stopped play. Pakistan finished the day with seven wickets still in hand. Earlier, Pakistan’s fast bowlers completed a strong effort to dismiss the West Indies for 311. Mohammad Ali was the leading wicket-taker. He finished with four wickets for 50 runs. Mohammad Abbas also impressed with three wickets. Khurram Shahzad claimed two wickets. Shai Hope was the West Indies’ top scorer. He made 92 runs, falling just eight runs short of a century. Kavem Hodge contributed 84 before being dismissed early in the morning session. Hodge had resumed the day on 83. He added only one run before edging Khurram Shahzad to second slip, where Salman Ali Agha completed the catch. Hope continued to resist after Hodge’s departure. He formed useful partnerships with Justin Greaves, Roston Chase and Shamar Joseph. Pakistan eventually broke through the lower order. Mohammad Ali dismissed Greaves and later removed Hope. Shamar Joseph made a quick 23. His innings included four boundaries and a six. Ali then bowled Jayden Seales to complete the West Indies innings at 311. Pakistan now have a strong opportunity to reduce the deficit and potentially take a first-innings lead. Shan Masood remains at the crease and will resume on 88 when play begins on the third day.