Regional Champions Rise at Action-Packed Chiang Rai Taekwondo Championship 2026

Pakistan produced another impressive performance to edge South Korea 4-3 in a thrilling third hockey Test at Islamabad’s Nasir Bunda Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match series. The visitors struck first and looked in control during the opening quarter. South Korea’s Kim Hyun Jung found the back of the net in the 10th minute, giving his side a 1-0 advantage that remained intact until the end of the first period. Pakistan responded strongly in the second quarter as Hayat Zakria scored a well-taken field goal to restore parity. However, the celebrations were short-lived, with Korea regaining the lead in the 33rd minute through Jing Ji Hon, leaving the hosts trailing 2-1. The contest became even more dramatic after the break. Rana Waheed equalised for Pakistan in the 45th minute, raising hopes of another comeback. Yet South Korea answered once again when Kim Yang scored five minutes later to make it 3-2 and put the visitors within touching distance of victory. With the clock ticking down, Pakistan produced a remarkable late surge. Hanan Shahid levelled the score in the 55th minute before Abdul Rehman completed the comeback just two minutes later, firing home the decisive goal in the 57th minute to send the home crowd into celebration. Pakistan held firm during the closing minutes to secure a memorable 4-3 victory, extending their winning streak against the Korean side. The result gives Pakistan an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the four-Test series, continuing an encouraging run for the national team on home soil. The series has also highlighted the successful return of international hockey action to Pakistan, with competitive crowds and spirited performances providing fresh optimism for the country’s hockey revival. The fourth and final Test will now offer Pakistan the opportunity to complete a clean sweep, while South Korea will look to salvage pride by avoiding a series whitewash.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan have announced their women’s cricket squads for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup and Asian Games, with Fatima Sana set to lead the national side in both competitions as the team targets success on two major stages. The squads share a core group of players, including Muneeba Ali, Shawal Zulfiqar, Ayesha Zafar, Gul Feroza, Syra Jabeen, Eman Fatima, Eman Nasir, Umme Hani, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu and Momina Riaz. For the Women’s Asia Cup, Pakistan have added Najiha Alvi, Waheeda Akhtar and Sadia Yousuf to the squad. The Asian Games squad, meanwhile, includes Alia Riaz, Tasmia Rubab and Hamna Bilal. The national team will hold a training camp at the National Cricket Academy from August 16 to 25 as preparations intensify ahead of the two tournaments. The DP World Women’s Asia Cup will be played in Dubai from August 28 to September 13, with all 15 matches scheduled at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Matches will begin at 7:30pm Pakistan Standard Time. Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Thailand and China. Group B features Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Thailand on September 1, before facing India in a highly anticipated contest on September 5 in Dubai. The semi-finals are scheduled for September 10 and 11, while the final will take place on September 13. The team will then turn its attention to the 20th Asian Games, where the women’s cricket tournament will be held in Japan from September 17 to 22. Pakistan are seeded alongside Thailand and will play their quarter-final against Thailand on September 17. All women’s cricket matches will be staged at the Kurogiy Athletic Park in Aichi. If Pakistan advance, they will play the semi-final on September 20 against either Sri Lanka or Malaysia. The bronze and gold medal matches are scheduled for September 22. Pakistan enter the Asian Games with a proud record, having won women’s cricket gold medals at the 2010 Guangzhou and 2014 Incheon Asian Games. With a settled core, emerging talent and Fatima Sana leading both campaigns, Pakistan will hope to turn their preparation into another memorable chapter in women’s cricket. Pakistan women’s squad for ACC women’s Asia Cup  Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar. Reserves – Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Sadaf Shamas Support Staff Wahab Riaz (coach/mentor), Ayesha Ashar (team manager), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Waleed Ahmed (performance analyst), Moeen (strength & conditioning coach), Dur Samand (Physiotherapist) and Raza Rashid Kitchlew (media manager) Pakistan women’s squad for Asian Games  Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Humna Bilal, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani. Reserves – Natalia Parvaiz, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadia Iqbal, Syeda Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim Support Staff Wahab Riaz (coach/mentor), Ayesha Ashar (team manager), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Waleed Ahmed (performance analyst) and Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist) Schedule of Pakistan’s matches at the ACC women’s Asia Cup: (All matches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium; all matches to begin at 7.30pm PKT) 1 September – Pakistan v Thailand 5 September – Pakistan v India 7 September – Pakistan v Hong Kong, China 10 September – semi-final 1 11 September – semi-final 2 13 September – final Pakistan women at Asian Games (All matches at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi prefecture) 17 September – Quarter-final 4 – Pakistan v Thailand 20 September – Semi-final 1 & 2 22 September – Bronze and Gold Medal matches

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.

SYDNEY: Bangladesh’s veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim created a unique record before even taking the field in his first Test match in Australia, adding another milestone to an already remarkable international career. Mushfiqur entered the Australia Test having already played 103 Test matches, making him the most experienced player ever to feature in a Test in Australia for the first time. The achievement underlined the longevity of his career. While most players make their first appearance in a country relatively early in their Test journey, Mushfiqur reached the landmark after more than a century of matches. Before him, the record among Bangladeshi players belonged to fellow batter Mominul Haque, who had played 78 Tests before making his first Test appearance in Australia. Mominul now moves to second place on the list, while Mushfiqur’s 103-match experience puts him well ahead of the previous mark. The Bangladesh veteran’s achievement also eclipsed a record previously held by former Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu. Atapattu played his first Test in Australia in 2004 after appearing in 73 Tests, making him the most experienced player to make a first Test appearance in the country at the time. Mushfiqur’s milestone therefore represents another significant chapter in a career that has made him one of Bangladesh’s most accomplished Test cricketers. However, the Bangladesh star’s achievement in Australia is not the biggest record of its kind in Test cricket. That global record belongs to England fast-bowling great James Anderson, who had played an extraordinary 175 Tests before making his first Test appearance in Pakistan. Mushfiqur’s milestone nevertheless stands out as a remarkable testament to his consistency and longevity. At 103 Tests, he arrived in Australia not as a newcomer to Test cricket, but as one of Bangladesh’s most experienced players — making his first Test in the country a historic occasion before the match had even begun.