खेल

Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq has shared how a call from West Indies great Sunil Narine helped him push through one of the toughest stretches of his career, as questions swirled around the legality of his bowling action. Tariq broke into international cricket last year, earning his debut against South Africa after a string of impressive performances for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League. Since then, his unconventional action has become a talking point almost every time he takes the ball. The 28-year-old has repeatedly had to defend himself, after both England batter Tom Banton and Australian all-rounder Cameron Green appeared to signal suspicion over a possible throw during separate matches. ICC regulations allow bowlers to straighten their arm by up to 15 degrees mid-delivery, and Tariq maintains he stays well within that limit. He puts the unusual look of his action down to the natural structure of his elbow rather than anything illegal. He made a similar point earlier this year while playing in the ILT20, explaining that his elbow simply does not allow him to straighten his arm fully, regardless of how his action might appear from the outside. The debate resurfaced ahead of Pakistan’s blockbuster clash with India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, when parts of the Indian media suggested he was being held back from earlier games purely to keep him fresh for that one fixture. The theory did not hold up for long, since Tariq had already featured in Pakistan’s second T20I against Australia before the tournament, and he went on to play his part throughout the World Cup. Speaking with former Pakistan batter Fawad Alam, Tariq revealed that Narine had called him directly during the most intense period of criticism. According to Tariq, the two spoke for close to 30 minutes, with Narine telling him to tune out the noise, stay consistent with his cricket, and remember that critics were only targeting him because they struggled to counter his bowling. Tariq’s action has been reported twice across his career, and both times he was cleared after review. The most recent clearance followed testing at an ICC-accredited biomechanics laboratory, where he bowled 24 deliveries for analysis before being given the green light to continue.

Chelsea have brought in England midfielder Jordan Henderson on a free transfer, ending his short stint at Brentford and giving the veteran a fresh chapter at Stamford Bridge. The former Liverpool skipper, who was part of England’s squad at this year’s World Cup in North America, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Blues. Henderson said joining a club of Chelsea’s stature, working under a manager he rates highly, and playing alongside such a talented squad made the move impossible to turn down. He also pointed to the clear ambition shown by the club’s ownership as something that impressed him deeply. Looking ahead, he said his focus would simply be on working hard every day, on and off the pitch, to help his new teammates and push the team forward. Reports had already surfaced last week confirming that Henderson’s Brentford deal had been cancelled once Chelsea’s interest in the midfielder became apparent, setting the stage for a move between the two west London-adjacent rivals. The 36-year-old rose to prominence during his years at Liverpool, where he won both the Premier League and the Champions League. He departed Anfield in 2023 to join Saudi side Al-Ettifaq, before switching to Dutch giants Ajax only half a year later. His return to English football came last year through a two-year contract with Brentford. A veteran of 91 caps for England, Henderson featured in this year’s World Cup squad but played only sparingly, and later suffered a broken arm during the tournament. His move to Chelsea comes just two days after the club completed the signing of experienced striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton. It has been an active summer in the transfer market for the Blues, who already broke the British transfer record by paying £117 million ($157 million) for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, while also adding French defender Maxence Lacroix and Atalanta man Marco Palestra to their ranks. Chelsea’s previous campaign ended in disappointment, as they finished 10th in the Premier League table, narrowly behind Brentford, and missed out on European qualification altogether. Manager Xabi Alonso will now be eager to turn things around when his side begins the new season with an away trip to face Fulham at Craven Cottage on August 24.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal advanced to the final of the PN Fleet Club Open International Squash Championship after a commanding semifinal victory, while fellow Pakistani Asim Khan bowed out of the tournament following a loss to Egypt’s Salman Khalil. Competing at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex in Karachi, Nasir Iqbal delivered a dominant display against Egypt’s Yasee El Shafey, securing a straight-games victory in just 24 minutes. He won the match 11-5, 11-7, 11-5 to book his place in the final. Earlier, Asim Khan’s campaign ended after he was defeated 3-1 by Egypt’s Salman Khalil in the other semifinal. The Egyptian progressed to the title clash with the win. The $41,000 prize-money tournament, organized by the Sindh Squash Association, will conclude with the final on Tuesday at 4:00 pm, where Nasir Iqbal will take on Salman Khalil for the championship title. Nasir’s impressive performance has kept Pakistan’s title hopes alive, with the experienced squash player producing consistent displays throughout the tournament.

PORT OF SPAIN: Pakistan’s hopes of leveling the two-match Test series remain alive after restricting the West Indies to 344 all out on the opening innings of the second Test, thanks largely to an impressive four-wicket haul from off-spinner Sajid Khan. After winning the toss at Port of Spain, West Indies captain Roston Chase opted to bat first, a decision that paid dividends as his side produced several valuable partnerships to build a competitive first-innings total. Middle-order batter Justin Greaves led the resistance with a composed 73, while captain Chase contributed a determined 70 to anchor the innings. Opener Brandon King added 46, with Shai Hope making 29 and Amir Jangoo chipping in with 26. Pakistan’s bowlers, however, fought back effectively after the hosts appeared set for an even bigger total. Sajid Khan emerged as the standout performer, using sharp turn and disciplined lines to finish with four wickets and halt West Indies’ progress at crucial moments. Fast bowlers Obaid Shah, Mohammad Ali and Ali Usman also made significant contributions, claiming two wickets each to ensure the home side was bowled out for 344. Speaking at the toss, Pakistan captain Babar Azam revealed that he would also have chosen to bat first had he won the toss. He expressed confidence in his squad, saying the team was determined to play positive cricket and bounce back strongly after losing the opening Test. On the other hand, Roston Chase said his team wanted to turn its home ground into a fortress and therefore retained the same playing XI for the crucial encounter. The second Test carries enormous significance for Pakistan, who trail 1-0 in the two-match series. A victory is essential to square the series, while another defeat would hand the West Indies an emphatic series triumph. With the hosts setting a challenging target of 344 in the first innings, all eyes are now on Pakistan’s batting lineup. The visitors will need a disciplined and resilient performance to seize control of the contest and keep their hopes of salvaging the series alive.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal delivered a commanding performance to secure a place in the final of the PN Fleet Club Open International Squash Championship, keeping the country’s title hopes alive with a convincing straight-games victory in the semi-finals. Competing at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex, Nasir outclassed Egypt’s Yase Al Shafe in an impressive display that lasted just 24 minutes. The Pakistani star dominated throughout the contest, winning 11-5, 11-7 and 11-5 to book his spot in Tuesday’s final. Nasir looked in complete control from the opening game, combining aggressive shot-making with precise movement around the court. His clinical performance left his Egyptian opponent with little opportunity to recover, underlining the form that has made him one of Pakistan’s standout performers in the tournament. The victory has raised hopes of another international title for Pakistan, with Nasir now just one win away from lifting the prestigious trophy. In the other semi-final, Pakistan’s Asim Khan saw his campaign come to an end after suffering a 3-1 defeat against Egypt’s Salman Khalil. Despite a determined effort, Asim was unable to overcome the Egyptian player, who advanced to set up a final showdown with Nasir Iqbal. The championship, organized by the Sindh Squash Association, has attracted top international players and carries a prize purse of $41,000, making it one of the region’s significant squash events. The final is scheduled to be played on Tuesday at 4:00 pm, where Nasir will aim to cap his outstanding run with the championship title. His impressive form throughout the tournament has generated excitement among Pakistani squash fans, who are hoping to see another memorable triumph on home soil. With confidence high and momentum firmly on his side, Nasir Iqbal now stands on the brink of adding another major international achievement to Pakistan’s rich squash legacy.

DUBAI: The Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 is expected to be staged in the United Arab Emirates, with participating teams reportedly being informally notified about the tournament window ahead of the official announcement by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). According to cricket media reports, the ACC is expected to confirm both the venue and the complete schedule in the coming days. The tournament is likely to run from August 28 to September 13, featuring eight of Asia’s leading women’s cricket teams. The competing nations are expected to include Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand and hosts UAE, promising an exciting contest as teams battle for continental supremacy ahead of future ICC events. The UAE has emerged as the frontrunner to host the tournament due to its world-class cricket infrastructure, favorable playing conditions and extensive experience in organizing major international events. Several global tournaments have previously been held in the Emirates, making it a reliable venue for multinational competitions. The tournament is expected to showcase some of Asia’s biggest women’s cricket stars, with traditional rivals Pakistan and India likely to attract significant attention if they meet during the competition. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has already announced India’s squad for the tournament. Veteran batter Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the Indian side as captain, reflecting the board’s confidence in her leadership and experience. Other participating teams are also expected to finalize and announce their squads in the coming weeks as preparations gather pace. With the official schedule still awaited, anticipation continues to build among cricket fans across Asia. The Women’s Asia Cup is regarded as one of the region’s premier tournaments and provides teams with valuable international competition while helping them prepare for upcoming global events. If confirmed, the UAE will once again become the center of Asian cricket, hosting another high-profile tournament that promises thrilling matches, emerging talent and intense regional rivalries.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former South African first-class cricketer Michael Smith as the national team’s new batting coach on a two-year contract, reinforcing the coaching setup ahead of a crucial international season. Smith, 46, will work with both Pakistan’s red-ball and white-ball squads, with his first assignment set to be the upcoming three-match Test series against England, which begins on August 19. The PCB officially confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, expressing confidence that Smith’s extensive coaching background and international experience will strengthen Pakistan’s batting unit across all formats. During his playing career, Smith scored 7,029 runs across first-class, List A and T20 cricket. He also registered nine centuries and 40 half-centuries, establishing himself as a consistent performer in South Africa’s domestic circuit. Beyond his playing achievements, Smith is regarded as an experienced coach with a Level 4 coaching qualification, one of the highest coaching certifications in cricket. He has previously worked with multiple HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, giving him valuable insight into Pakistan’s cricketing environment and many of the country’s leading players. His coaching résumé also includes roles as batting coach for Australia’s Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania, where he earned recognition for developing players and improving batting performances. Smith’s appointment comes at an important time for Pakistan, with the national side preparing for a challenging home Test series against England. The PCB hopes his expertise will help address batting inconsistencies and strengthen the team’s performance in both Test and limited-overs cricket. Pakistan will begin their three-match Test series against England on August 19, with Smith expected to join the squad during its pre-series training camp. The appointment reflects the PCB’s continued focus on building a strong coaching structure as the team prepares for a packed international calendar. Fans will now be eager to see whether the experienced South African can make an immediate impact and help Pakistan’s batters deliver more consistent performances on the international stage.

BANGKOK: Pakistan celebrated another proud moment on the international sporting stage as taekwondo athlete Ehsanullah Mehsud captured the gold medal at the Thailand International Taekwondo Championship after an impressive run through the competition. Mehsud sealed the title with a commanding victory over his Sri Lankan opponent in the final, completing an unbeaten campaign that showcased his skill, determination and consistency against top regional competitors. The Pakistani fighter began his journey with a confident win over a competitor from Kazakhstan in the opening round, setting the tone for an outstanding tournament. He then produced one of his best performances in the semi-finals by defeating an Indian opponent to secure a place in the championship match. Carrying that momentum into the final, Mehsud delivered another composed display to overcome the Sri Lankan contender and clinch the coveted gold medal for Pakistan. Speaking after his victory, Mehsud thanked the people of Pakistan for their prayers and unwavering support throughout the tournament. He dedicated his gold medal to the nation, saying the encouragement he received from fans inspired him to perform at his best on the international stage. “I am grateful for the love, prayers and motivation from the people of Pakistan. This gold medal belongs to the entire nation,” he said after the medal ceremony. The achievement drew widespread praise from across the country. Provincial Assembly member Asif Mehsud congratulated the athlete, saying his remarkable performance had brought pride to both Pakistan and Waziristan by raising the country’s flag on the international stage. Recognizing his success, Asif Mehsud also announced a job for the newly crowned champion, describing the gold medal as a reward for years of dedication and hard work. The latest triumph adds to Pakistan’s growing list of achievements in international taekwondo and highlights the emergence of talented athletes capable of competing successfully on the global stage. Sports enthusiasts hope Mehsud’s victory will inspire more young athletes to pursue martial arts and represent Pakistan with distinction in future international competitions.