Hua Hin half marathon registration opens for July event

Sunrisers Leeds produced one of the most breathtaking batting displays in the history of The Hundred, smashing multiple tournament records in a dominant 37-run victory over London Spirit at Headingley to keep their playoff hopes alive. The home side unleashed an extraordinary batting performance, piling up 241-2, the highest team total ever recorded in The Hundred. Their relentless assault left London Spirit’s bowlers with no answers and thrilled the Headingley crowd with a spectacular display of power-hitting. The foundation for the record-breaking total was laid by openers Ryan Rickelton and Mitchell Marsh, who stitched together a stunning 148-run opening partnership—the highest first-wicket stand in the tournament’s history. Rickelton anchored the innings with a magnificent unbeaten 94 off 42 balls, combining elegant stroke play with aggressive intent. Marsh provided the perfect support, blasting 76 from just 37 deliveries as the pair dominated from the outset and set the tone for an unforgettable innings. If the opening partnership put Sunrisers Leeds in command, Harry Brook ensured the match entered the record books. The England star produced a breathtaking cameo, racing to the fastest half-century in The Hundred history. Brook reached his fifty in only 15 balls before finishing with a blistering 55 from 18 deliveries, an innings decorated with five fours and five towering sixes. His fearless stroke play electrified the crowd and pushed Sunrisers Leeds beyond the 240-run mark, establishing a new benchmark for batting excellence in the competition. Faced with a daunting target, London Spirit fought hard but never seriously threatened to chase down the mammoth total. Sunrisers Leeds maintained control throughout the contest to secure a convincing 37-run victory, earning two crucial points in the race for the knockout stage. The result keeps Sunrisers Leeds firmly in playoff contention, while London Spirit remain seventh in the standings with their qualification hopes becoming increasingly difficult. The match will be remembered as one of the greatest batting performances in The Hundred’s short history. Between Rickelton’s classy unbeaten knock, Marsh’s explosive support and Brook’s record-shattering fireworks, Sunrisers Leeds delivered a performance that showcased the entertainment and attacking spirit of the competition. With the business end of the tournament approaching, the record-breaking victory could prove to be the momentum boost Sunrisers Leeds need in their pursuit of the championship.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Usman Shinwari has urged Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah to play more domestic and first-class cricket, arguing that regular competitive cricket can help the two premier pacers maintain their pace, fitness and longevity. Speaking to the media, Shinwari said Pakistan has traditionally placed too much emphasis on bowling speed, often overlooking the impact of workload and continuous cricket on a fast bowler’s body. “Even if your fitness is like Cristiano Ronaldo’s, bowling continuously can eventually affect your pace,” he said. Shinwari described Shaheen and Naseem as outstanding bowlers and said he was not in a position to offer them personal advice. However, he stressed that playing selected domestic cricket could help them retain their rhythm and speed while reducing the risk of injuries. The former pacer also discussed Pakistan’s upcoming challenges in England, saying tours of the country have historically been difficult for Pakistan. He believes the team can still produce a strong series if it carries its current momentum forward. Reflecting on Pakistan’s recent Test performances against the West Indies, Shinwari said the team’s first-match performance was disappointing but praised the side for making a strong comeback in the second Test. He emphasised the importance of consistency, saying better continuity within the team would ultimately produce better results. Shinwari also backed the decision to restore Babar Azam to the Test captaincy, describing it as a positive move and saying Babar has the ability to lead Pakistan in the longest format. Another major point raised by Shinwari was Pakistan’s approach to selecting players across different opponents. He argued that the same combination should not automatically be used against teams with vastly different playing conditions and strengths. Discussing Mohammad Abbas, Shinwari questioned the excessive focus on speed. He noted that Abbas had taken eight wickets at around 125kph in a recent match, arguing that the pacer’s best years were affected because too much importance had been attached to increasing his pace. “Speed is important, but it should not be given excessive importance,” he said. On Ihsanullah, Shinwari said the fast bowler had expressed grievances and suggested that his disciplinary issues should be addressed. Despite his experience, Shinwari made it clear that he has no plans to become Pakistan’s national team coach. He argued that coaches, like players, should progress through a structured system rather than being appointed directly to the national side. His comments have once again highlighted the debate over workload management, pace, domestic cricket and long-term planning in Pakistan’s fast-bowling system.

The international recognition earned by Pakistan’s “Football for Mental Health Programme” at the United Nations has been hailed as a major milestone for Pakistan’s sporting diplomacy, reinforcing the country’s positive image while strengthening its standing within the global football community. Officials associated with the initiative believe the acknowledgement has gone beyond celebrating a successful social programme, instead highlighting Pakistan’s growing ability to contribute meaningfully to international discussions on youth development, mental well-being and community empowerment through sport. The recognition has also reinforced the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) belief in the unity of the global football family, demonstrating that football continues to transcend geographical, cultural and political boundaries by bringing together nations in pursuit of common humanitarian goals. PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani described the achievement as a significant endorsement of Pakistan’s potential to transform football into an instrument of social progress. “It proved that Pakistani people have the will and ability to serve society, while the Pakistan Football Federation possesses the professional capacity to implement globally conceived ideas focusing on building a better society by using football as a vehicle,” he said. Gilani added that the international appreciation had projected Pakistan’s soft image before the world by showcasing the country’s commitment to innovation, social responsibility and community development through sport. According to the PFF president, one of the most significant outcomes of the initiative was its emphasis on mental health, an issue receiving increasing attention across the global sporting landscape. “Football has the power to improve the emotional and psychological well-being of players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and families, while creating healthier and more connected communities.” PFF Chief Operating Officer Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar said that the United Nations platform enabled Pakistan to engage with a diverse range of international stakeholders, including football administrators, policymakers, development organisations, athletes and youth leaders. “These interactions created valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, explore future collaborations and strengthen partnerships aimed at using sport to address global social challenges,” he remarked. “Football has increasingly become an effective platform for promoting inclusion, education, health awareness and youth empowerment, with governing bodies around the world encouraging federations to expand their role beyond competition and contribute to broader community development,” Khokhar added. The other delegation members said that Pakistan’s participation in the global dialogue reflects the PFF’s commitment to embracing this modern vision of football, where the game’s influence extends beyond the pitch to create lasting social impact. “The recognition is also expected to encourage greater international cooperation and support for similar initiatives in the future, while reinforcing Pakistan’s reputation as a responsible and constructive member of the global football community,” they added.