Jorge Messi, father of football superstar, dies at 68

The International Cricket Council has announced the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for July 2026. West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves, England captain Harry Brook and Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan have been shortlisted for the award. All three players produced strong performances for their teams during the month. However, they made their mark in different formats and under different circumstances. Greaves was one of the standout all-rounders in Test cricket. He impressed during West Indies’ series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The right-handed batter made a major contribution against Sri Lanka. He scored 180 runs in the opening Test. West Indies eventually won the two-match series 1-0. The second Test ended in a draw. Greaves then carried his form into the series against Pakistan. The two-Test series ended in a 1-1 draw. He delivered an excellent performance with the ball in the opening Test. He claimed five wickets for 27 runs in the first innings. His overall figures for July were equally impressive. Greaves scored 215 runs in two Tests. He finished with a batting average of 71.66. He also took eight wickets. His bowling average was an outstanding 10.25. His ability to contribute in both departments made him a key player for West Indies. Brook earned his nomination after producing an exceptional performance in the T20I series against India. The England captain had a difficult ODI campaign. He scored only 31 runs across three matches. He quickly turned things around in the T20I format. Brook scored 229 runs in five matches. He averaged an impressive 114.50. His strike rate was even more remarkable. He scored at 214.01. His performances helped England and earned him the Player of the Series award. Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan is the third player on the shortlist. The left-handed batter was in excellent form during Bangladesh’s white-ball tour of Zimbabwe. He finished as the leading run-scorer across the ODI and T20I series. Tanzid scored 159 runs in three ODIs. He averaged 53.00. He also maintained a strike rate of 89.83. His form continued in the T20I series. Tanzid added another 140 runs in the T20Is. He averaged 70.00 and struck at 127.27. He finished the entire white-ball tour as the highest run-scorer. The three nominees have entered the award race with impressive records. Greaves’ nomination is based on his strong all-round performances in Test cricket. Brook’s case is built around his remarkable T20I form against India. Tanzid has been recognised for his consistency across both ODI and T20I cricket. The final award will recognise the player who made the biggest impact during July.

Pakistan achieved a historic milestone at the 2026 World Ju-Jitsu Championship by winning two gold medals and one bronze medal, marking one of the country’s finest performances in the international competition. The championship, being held at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, has attracted more than 1,500 athletes from across the world. Competitors are taking part in Under-16, Under-18, Under-21, adult and Masters categories, with the event continuing until August 9. Pakistan’s biggest success came through former Asian champions Abu Huraira and Muhammad Ammar, who secured gold medals in both the Masters Duo and Duo Show events. Their victories created history as it was Pakistan’s first-ever participation in the Masters category at the World Ju-Jitsu Championship. The pair produced outstanding performances throughout the competition, demonstrating exceptional coordination, technical excellence and consistency to finish at the top of both events. Pakistan added another medal to its tally when young athletes Muhammad Yousaf and Muhammad Umar captured the bronze medal in the Under-21 Duo category. The duo impressed judges with their teamwork, precision and discipline during the competition. Yousaf and Umar are also scheduled to compete in the Under-21 Duo Show event, where they will look to add another medal for Pakistan before the championship concludes. Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation Chairman Khalil Ahmed Khan congratulated the athletes on their remarkable achievements and described the victories as a proud moment for the country. He said the success would inspire young athletes to pursue excellence in the sport. Secretary General Tariq Ali also praised the national team, saying the results reflected years of dedication, hard work and continuous improvement by Pakistan’s ju-jitsu athletes on the international stage. The federation congratulated Abu Huraira, Muhammad Ammar, Muhammad Yousaf and Muhammad Umar for their outstanding performances and expressed confidence that the national team would continue to achieve success in the remaining events of the championship.

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has revealed that one of Wasim Akram’s greatest World Cup performances is motivating him as the Proteas prepare for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil. Rabada, speaking at the official World Cup 2027 venue and brand announcement event in Johannesburg, acknowledged that hosting cricket’s biggest tournament brings an added sense of responsibility. However, the experienced pacer said he prefers to view home advantage as an opportunity rather than a burden. “I think there’s a lot more to it at the moment with us hosting it,” Rabada said. Rather than feeling pressured to deliver a title in front of home supporters, the 31-year-old wants South Africa to embrace the occasion and protect what he described as their “fortress”. “For me, it’s about representing the badge,” Rabada said, stressing the pride that comes with playing a World Cup in front of South African fans. The fast bowler also looked back at the 1992 World Cup final, identifying Pakistan great Wasim Akram’s devastating spell against England as one of the tournament moments he remembers most vividly. Akram changed the final with two remarkable deliveries that removed Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis in successive balls, helping Pakistan seize control before eventually lifting the trophy. For Rabada, the performance represented everything he admires about fast bowling: pace, skill, intensity and the ability to rise to the biggest occasion. “He was fast, had so much skill, and just had this presence, this heightened energy about him,” Rabada recalled. The South African pacer hopes his team can create a similarly memorable moment in 2027. South Africa have repeatedly shown the ability to reach the latter stages of major ICC tournaments but have struggled to convert those appearances into a world title. Rabada believes that barrier is no longer psychological. “We’ve shown that we can go and play in finals and in the semi-finals,” he said. The remaining challenge, he added, is taking that final step. With the 2027 World Cup set to be staged across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Rabada and his teammates will have a major opportunity to write their own chapter in cricket history. And if Rabada can channel even a little of Akram’s 1992 magic, South African fans may have plenty to celebrate.