Hua Hin Table Tennis Championship held at Bluport

Pakistan’s veteran tennis stars Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan produced a dramatic comeback to reach the men’s 45+ doubles semifinals at the ITF Masters World Championship. The Pakistani pair defeated Spain’s Francisco Xavier Martinez Vina and Pedro Nieto Oriana in a thrilling quarterfinal that went down to a deciding match tiebreak. After losing the opening set 6-7, Aisam and Aqeel refused to let the match slip away. They raised their intensity in the second set, saving two match points before forcing the contest into a tiebreak. The Pakistanis held their nerve when it mattered most, winning the second-set tiebreak 7-6 to level the contest and set up a decisive match tiebreak. They then produced their best tennis of the match, racing to a commanding 10-2 victory in the deciding breaker to complete an impressive turnaround. The result sends the experienced Pakistani duo into the semifinals, where they will face a Ukrainian pair for a place in the final. The success also adds to an already impressive campaign for both players. Aisam and Aqeel have reached the semifinals in mixed doubles as well, although they are competing with different partners. Aqeel has advanced alongside Germany’s Eline Aranas Roth, while Aisam has reached the mixed doubles semifinals with Austria’s Nina Hermann. For Aisam, the tournament continues to underline his remarkable longevity in international tennis. The former Pakistan Davis Cup star remains a major presence in the Masters circuit, while Aqeel’s performances have further strengthened Pakistan’s challenge in Lisbon. Their latest comeback will give the pair considerable confidence heading into the semifinals. After surviving two match points and overturning a first-set defeat, Aisam and Aqeel now stand just one victory away from reaching the championship final. Pakistan will be hoping the experienced duo can carry their momentum into the next round and add another major achievement to their impressive Masters campaign.

Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of France international left-back Lucas Digne from Aston Villa, bringing the experienced defender back to the club more than a decade after his first spell in Paris. The 33-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the French champions. PSG activated Digne’s release clause, with reports putting the transfer fee at around £8.5 million ($11.5m). Digne’s return marks an intriguing new chapter in a career that has taken him across some of Europe’s biggest clubs. He initially joined PSG in 2013 and made 44 appearances before moving on. He subsequently spent time at Roma, Barcelona and Everton before establishing himself as an important figure at Aston Villa. His spell in England ended on a high note. Digne played a significant role in Villa’s successful 2025-26 campaign, helping the club lift the Europa League under manager Unai Emery. The move also comes after an impressive international period. Digne earned his place as France’s preferred left-back during the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup and now arrives in Paris with 64 international caps to his name. For Digne, the transfer is more than simply another move. Returning to his hometown club gives him an opportunity to finish another chapter of his career at a club that has transformed dramatically since his first departure. “I am very honoured to be returning to Paris Saint-Germain,” Digne said, adding that he was impressed by the club’s development and eager to bring his experience to the team. At PSG, Digne is expected to provide experienced competition and cover for first-choice left-back Nuno Mendes. His versatility, international experience and familiarity with the club could make him a valuable squad player. The storyline could become even more compelling this week, with PSG scheduled to face Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup on August 12. Digne could potentially make his PSG return against his former side. The reunion promises an unusual twist: Digne could soon find himself lining up against the club he has only just left.

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.