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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.

MONTREAL: French Open champion Alexander Zverev suffered a surprise early exit from the ATP Montreal Masters after falling 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-4 to Dutch underdog Tallon Griekspoor in a dramatic second-round clash on Wednesday. The top-seeded German entered the tournament hoping to bounce back from his Wimbledon final defeat to Jannik Sinner, but instead endured one of the toughest losses of his season. Despite claiming a tightly contested opening-set tiebreak, Zverev struggled to maintain his rhythm as Griekspoor mounted an impressive comeback. The world No. 69 displayed remarkable composure and consistency, taking control in the second set before sealing the biggest victory of his campaign after two hours and 34 minutes of intense tennis. A visibly disappointed Zverev did not hide his frustration after the match. “I didn’t expect to play well, but I also didn’t expect to play this badly,” the German admitted. “This was probably the worst match of the season. Tennis has its ups and downs, and now it’s about finding my best level again.” The defeat marked Zverev’s first match since finishing runner-up to Sinner at Wimbledon and brought an abrupt end to his Montreal campaign. Griekspoor’s reward is a place in the third round, where he will meet the winner of the match between Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi and Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan. The tournament had already witnessed another setback for the top seeds after second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime withdrew before his opening match because of a back injury sustained during training earlier this week. Despite the disappointing result in Montreal, Zverev has enjoyed an impressive 2026 season. He reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Munich, finished runner-up in Madrid, and captured his maiden Grand Slam singles title at the French Open. However, his latest defeat serves as a reminder that even the game’s biggest stars can face unexpected setbacks as the North American hard-court season gathers momentum.

MIAMI: Lionel Messi once again proved why he remains one of football’s greatest stars, delivering a brilliant two-goal performance to guide Inter Miami to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Atletico San Luis in their opening Leagues Cup 2026 group-stage match on Wednesday. The Argentine captain etched his name into the tournament’s history by becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in the Leagues Cup. His latest brace took his tally to 14 goals, surpassing every player to have featured in the competition between Major League Soccer (MLS) and Mexico’s Liga MX clubs. Inter Miami’s evening did not begin as planned. Atletico San Luis stunned the home crowd when David Rodriguez found the net in just the fourth minute, giving the visitors an early advantage. However, Messi wasted little time responding, calmly equalising only seven minutes later to restore confidence for the hosts. The momentum quickly shifted in Miami’s favour. Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia completed the turnaround in the 26th minute with a well-taken goal after sustained pressure from the home side. Just before the halftime whistle, Messi struck again with a trademark finish, extending Miami’s lead and putting the match firmly under their control. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Brazilian defender Micael added another goal, capping off an outstanding opening 45 minutes as Inter Miami entered the break with a commanding 4-1 advantage. Although Rafa Llorente pulled one back for Atletico San Luis in the second half, the visitors were unable to mount a serious comeback as Miami comfortably saw out the contest to collect all three points. Messi’s latest performance highlighted his enduring quality and his ability to influence major matches. Since arriving in Florida in 2023, the Argentine icon has transformed Inter Miami into one of North America’s most competitive clubs, leading them to their first Leagues Cup title that same year. Elsewhere in the Leagues Cup, Dallas secured a 2-0 victory over Queretaro, while Leon claimed a narrow 1-0 away win over Nashville in another tightly contested fixture. With Messi in record-breaking form and Inter Miami starting their campaign in style, the 2026 Leagues Cup promises more excitement as the tournament progresses.

RABAT: FIFA has thrown its full support behind president Gianni Infantino despite growing criticism over the now-abandoned proposal to privatise the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup, while admitting that serious mistakes were made during the handling of the controversial plan. The governing body’s senior leadership met in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday to address the crisis that erupted after details of the proposal were leaked to the media. Following the meeting, FIFA issued a statement reaffirming its confidence in Infantino but also apologised to member associations for the way the process was managed. The proposed project, known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), aimed to create a new commercial subsidiary responsible for managing tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and Club World Cup. FIFA estimated the venture could generate up to $4.2 billion, based on a valuation of $20 billion, while significantly increasing financial support for its 211 member associations. Under the proposal, each member nation would have received a one-time payment of $20 million in 2027, with regular funding for the 2027–2030 cycle rising from $8 million to $20 million. However, instead of winning support, the initiative sparked fierce opposition from football stakeholders worldwide. UEFA strongly criticised the plan, describing it as an opaque agreement that lacked transparency, while CONCACAF questioned Infantino’s leadership and governance. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also publicly expressed doubts about Infantino’s ability to continue leading world football. Facing mounting pressure, Infantino withdrew the proposal last weekend, saying FIFA’s primary goal had always been to unite and strengthen the global game. In Wednesday’s statement, FIFA admitted that member associations and the FIFA Council should have been more closely involved from the outset. It also acknowledged mistakes made after the proposal became public and pledged to improve transparency in future decision-making. A formal review of the process will now be conducted, with findings expected to be presented at the next FIFA Council meeting. Officials confirmed that the FFE proposal has been permanently shelved. Later in the day, Infantino attended a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match in Rabat alongside Moroccan football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa, one of the few senior officials to publicly support him throughout the controversy. Despite surviving the immediate crisis with the backing of FIFA’s leadership, the episode has raised fresh questions about governance, transparency and trust within world football, casting a shadow over Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has completed the election process for the Islamabad Regional Cricket Association (IRCA), with Mohammad Jawad Akhtar elected as president and Arsam Farooq Ahmed chosen as secretary for the next three years. According to an official notification issued by PCB Election Commissioner Mansoor Qadir on Thursday, both candidates were elected unopposed, allowing them to assume office immediately without a formal contest. The appointments mark another milestone in the PCB’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and improve the administrative framework of regional cricket across Pakistan. As office-bearers of one of the country’s key regional associations, Jawad Akhtar and Arsam Farooq Ahmed will be responsible for overseeing cricket development in Islamabad and implementing the PCB’s domestic cricket vision. The newly elected officials are expected to focus on expanding grassroots cricket, improving talent identification, and ensuring that promising young players receive better opportunities to progress through Pakistan’s domestic cricket system. Regional cricket associations serve as the backbone of the country’s cricket structure. They organise local tournaments, manage club and district competitions, coordinate coaching and development programmes, and create pathways for talented cricketers to reach the national domestic circuit. With Islamabad continuing to produce several promising players in recent years, expectations are high that the new leadership will further enhance the region’s cricketing infrastructure and provide stronger support for clubs, academies and emerging athletes. The PCB has repeatedly emphasised the importance of transparent administration and efficient regional governance as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen Pakistan’s domestic cricket. Stable leadership at the regional level is viewed as essential for nurturing future international stars and maintaining a competitive domestic structure. Jawad Akhtar and Arsam Farooq Ahmed now begin their three-year tenure with the responsibility of working closely with the PCB, local stakeholders and cricket clubs to promote the game throughout the federal capital. Their immediate priorities are expected to include improving player development programmes, supporting age-group competitions and ensuring effective coordination between regional and national cricket bodies. The successful completion of the Islamabad Regional Cricket Association elections reflects the PCB’s broader commitment to building a stronger, more organised domestic cricket system. With new leadership now in place, attention will turn to how the association translates administrative stability into meaningful progress for cricket in Islamabad and contributes to the continued growth of Pakistan’s talent pipeline.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a two-year ban on domestic cricketer Hamza Nazar and fined him Rs1 million following disciplinary proceedings related to information submitted during a visa application process. In an official statement issued on Thursday, the PCB said Hamza Nazar has been barred from participating in all domestic and international cricket activities for the duration of the suspension. According to the board, the disciplinary action was taken after a three-member inquiry committee investigated the matter and submitted its findings. The investigation focused on the information provided by the player during a visa application. The PCB stated that Hamza failed to provide complete and accurate information, submitted misleading details and concealed material facts during the application process. The board added that the player was given a full opportunity to present his explanation before the committee reached its decision. Reaffirming its commitment to integrity and transparency, the PCB said it treats cases involving misrepresentation, concealment of facts and misleading information with the utmost seriousness. “The PCB will not allow any individual to damage the reputation of the board, Pakistan cricket or its fans,” the statement said. The decision underscores the board’s emphasis on maintaining high professional and ethical standards among players representing Pakistan’s domestic cricket system. The two-year suspension and financial penalty serve as a reminder of the PCB’s strict disciplinary policy and its determination to uphold the credibility of the game both on and off the field.

Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has added another major milestone to his glittering career, equalling a historic record previously held by legendary captain Imran Khan after being named Player of the Series against the West Indies. Babar shared the award with West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves after Pakistan fought back to level the two-match Test series 1-1 with an impressive eight-wicket victory in the second Test. The right-handed batter was Pakistan’s standout performer throughout the series, scoring 193 runs in four innings at an outstanding average of 96.50, making him the leading run-scorer of the contest. His consistent contributions proved crucial as Pakistan recovered from defeat in the opening Test to finish the series on level terms. Babar began the series with 23 runs in the first innings of the opening Test before producing a composed half-century in the second innings. He then followed it with a fluent 88 in the first innings of the second Test and remained unbeaten on 24 off 30 balls in the final innings, helping Pakistan complete a comfortable chase. The shared Player of the Series honour marked the first such award of Babar’s Test career and the 10th of his international career, placing him alongside Pakistan’s greatest cricketing icons. Before this achievement, Babar had won five Player of the Series awards in T20 Internationals and four in One-Day Internationals. His latest success means he has now equalled Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, who also finished their illustrious international careers with 10 Player of the Series awards each. Former fast-bowling great Waqar Younis occupies fourth place on Pakistan’s all-time list with nine awards. The latest milestone further strengthens Babar’s legacy as one of Pakistan’s finest modern-day cricketers. Having already established himself among the country’s leading batters across formats, the 31-year-old continues to rewrite record books while leading the national Test side, proving once again that consistency and class remain the hallmarks of his career.