Hua Hin Marathon 2026 draws more than 3,000 runners

Cricket fans in Multan are set for an exciting week of domestic action, with the Pakistan Cricket Board announcing free entry for spectators at the National Champions Cup 2026, which begins on August 11 at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The tournament will run until August 18 and will feature seven day-night matches, giving local supporters a chance to watch some of Pakistan’s leading domestic and international stars without paying an entry fee. Matches are scheduled to begin at 3pm local time. The new 50-over List-A competition will officially open Pakistan’s 2026-27 domestic cricket season. Four teams—Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold—will compete in a single round-robin league. At the end of the league stage, the two highest-ranked teams will qualify for the final, setting up a potentially decisive finish in Multan. The PCB has also confirmed the playing XIs for all four sides, along with a 13-player reserve pool. Reserve players will remain with their respective squads during training and match days and can be brought into the team if a player suffers an injury or concussion after the playing XI has been announced. The tournament features several prominent names. Fast-bowling star Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain Pakistan Gold, while all-rounder Shadab Khan will lead Pakistan Greens. Meanwhile, Pakistan Whites will be captained by Saim Ayub, with Sahibzada Farhan taking charge of Pakistan Blues. The leadership choices provide an interesting mix of international experience and emerging talent. Beyond the trophy itself, the competition carries added importance because the PCB is using the tournament as part of its wider preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. A 44-player pool has been assembled, supported by reserve players, giving selectors an opportunity to assess form, fitness and combinations ahead of future international assignments. For Multan’s cricket followers, the combination of free admission, day-night matches and a strong field makes the Champions Cup an appealing mid-August sporting attraction. With Shaheen and Shadab leading rival teams and several players competing for national recognition, the tournament could offer plenty of drama from the opening match to the final.

PARIS: Pakistan’s Muhammad Zubair has pulled off a remarkable victory at the Esports World Cup in Paris, defeating South Korea’s LowHigh to claim the Tekken 8 world championship and put Pakistan firmly in the global esports spotlight. Zubair completed a dominant run at the tournament, held from August 5 to 8, despite narrowly surviving the early stages. His breakthrough came when the competition entered its decisive phase, where he produced one impressive performance after another. In the second group stage on Friday, Zubair defeated fellow Pakistani star Arslan “Ash” Siddique, one of the biggest names in the international Tekken scene. The two met again in Saturday’s semifinal, producing a tense battle that went down to the wire. Zubair eventually edged Ash 5-4, earning his place in the grand final. But the final proved to be a completely different story. Facing LowHigh, Zubair showed little sign of nerves and delivered a commanding 5-0 sweep to secure the championship. The emphatic victory transformed what had initially looked like an unlikely run into a memorable world title. The Esports World Cup celebrated the upset on social media, posting: “He came out of nowhere and took the crown!” Zubair’s victory also came with a substantial financial reward. The newly crowned world champion received $250,000 in prize money. For Arslan Ash, the tournament ended with a fourth-place finish after he lost the third-place decider against Australia’s Yagami. Despite the disappointment, Ash remains one of Pakistan’s most celebrated esports players. The Lahore-born star had entered the EWC after winning the 2026 Evo championship in Las Vegas in June. The victory marked his fourth consecutive Evo title, further cementing his status as one of the world’s leading Tekken competitors. Zubair’s triumph now adds another major chapter to Pakistan’s growing esports story. His victory against two established international names — and particularly his semifinal win over Ash — demonstrates the depth of Pakistan’s talent in competitive fighting games. The Esports World Cup features some of the biggest titles in competitive gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Street Fighter and Valorant. For Pakistan, however, the biggest moment in Paris belonged to Zubair. After surviving the early rounds, overcoming his country’s biggest Tekken star and then sweeping a world-class South Korean opponent, Muhammad Zubair left the tournament not merely as a contender — but as the new Tekken 8 world champion.

KOLKATA: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel has been arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with a case involving allegations of rape and other sexual offences, with a court remanding the 23-year-old cricketer to three days of police custody. Porel was arrested on Monday night and produced before the High Court the following day. The development comes as police investigate allegations made against the emerging cricketer. The allegations have not been proven in court. The case was filed on June 23. During an earlier hearing on July 14, the court was informed that police needed to take further steps to seize electronic devices allegedly linked to the accused. According to court proceedings, investigators were seeking the devices because they allegedly contained obscene photographs of the complainant. The court directed police authorities to continue efforts to apprehend the individuals concerned and seize the devices to prevent the alleged material from being circulated. During the August 11 hearing, the court was informed through a message from the officer in charge of Mogra Police Station that one of the respondents had been arrested on the night of August 11. Police subsequently sought additional time to complete the required legal and investigative procedures. Porel, who bats left-handed and keeps wicket, has emerged as one of India’s promising young domestic cricketers. He has represented Bengal and has played 32 first-class matches, while also featuring in 35 Indian Premier League games. His most recent competitive cricket came during the 2026 IPL season, when he appeared in four matches for Delhi Capitals before the tournament concluded. The arrest is likely to draw significant attention because of Porel’s growing profile in Indian cricket. However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and no conclusion about his guilt can be drawn from the arrest alone. The police investigation is expected to focus on the allegations, the electronic evidence mentioned in court and statements from those involved in the case.

Olympic javelin throw gold medallist Arshad Nadeem has decided to undergo training in South Africa ahead of major international competitions. According to sources, Nadeem will not participate in the Lausanne Diamond League scheduled for August 21. His name had initially been included in the entry list for the event. The Pakistani javelin thrower is now planning to train in South Africa. He has previously completed training camps in the country on two occasions. Sources said Nadeem will travel to South Africa on the first available flight once he receives his visa. He is expected to use the training camp to prepare for his upcoming international assignments. Following his training in South Africa, Nadeem will compete at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. The championship is scheduled to take place in Budapest from September 6 to 14. The event will bring together leading athletes from around the world. Nadeem is also expected to compete at the Asian Games after the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. The decision to skip the Lausanne Diamond League is part of his revised competition and training plan. The focus is now on preparing thoroughly for the major championships ahead. Nadeem has emerged as one of Pakistan’s leading athletics stars. He made history by winning the Olympic javelin throw gold medal, becoming a major figure in Pakistan’s international sporting success. His planned training stint in South Africa is expected to provide him with an opportunity to work on his technique, strength and overall competition preparation before returning to international action.