Pattaya Hosts Charity Futsal Tournament and Youth Camp Drawing Over 10,000 Participants

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former South African first-class cricketer Michael Smith as the national team’s new batting coach on a two-year contract, reinforcing the coaching setup ahead of a crucial international season. Smith, 46, will work with both Pakistan’s red-ball and white-ball squads, with his first assignment set to be the upcoming three-match Test series against England, which begins on August 19. The PCB officially confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, expressing confidence that Smith’s extensive coaching background and international experience will strengthen Pakistan’s batting unit across all formats. During his playing career, Smith scored 7,029 runs across first-class, List A and T20 cricket. He also registered nine centuries and 40 half-centuries, establishing himself as a consistent performer in South Africa’s domestic circuit. Beyond his playing achievements, Smith is regarded as an experienced coach with a Level 4 coaching qualification, one of the highest coaching certifications in cricket. He has previously worked with multiple HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, giving him valuable insight into Pakistan’s cricketing environment and many of the country’s leading players. His coaching résumé also includes roles as batting coach for Australia’s Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania, where he earned recognition for developing players and improving batting performances. Smith’s appointment comes at an important time for Pakistan, with the national side preparing for a challenging home Test series against England. The PCB hopes his expertise will help address batting inconsistencies and strengthen the team’s performance in both Test and limited-overs cricket. Pakistan will begin their three-match Test series against England on August 19, with Smith expected to join the squad during its pre-series training camp. The appointment reflects the PCB’s continued focus on building a strong coaching structure as the team prepares for a packed international calendar. Fans will now be eager to see whether the experienced South African can make an immediate impact and help Pakistan’s batters deliver more consistent performances on the international stage.

DHAKA: Bangladesh cricket star and former lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan has said he is prepared to return home from exile, face ongoing court proceedings and play a farewell series if the government guarantees his safety. Shakib, 39, has been living in the United States since the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government following a deadly student-led uprising in August 2024. The former Bangladesh captain remains politically linked to Hasina’s Awami League, having previously served as a lawmaker from the party. He is currently facing criminal cases in Bangladesh, including one related to the alleged killing of a protester and another involving anti-corruption authorities. Speaking to Reuters from Sri Lanka, where he is playing franchise cricket, Shakib said he wanted to return and was willing to appear before the courts. He said he would go back if the government formally assured him that adequate security would be provided. Shakib maintained that he had not committed any wrongdoing and described the murder case against him as baseless. He said the case was filed on a day in August 2024 when he was playing a match in Toronto. The cricketer also said he had previously attempted to return to Bangladesh. In late 2024, he boarded a flight after receiving assurances that he would be protected, but was reportedly instructed to turn back while the journey was underway. He eventually landed in Dubai before returning to the United States. Shakib said another planned return was blocked after he posted a birthday message for Hasina. He questioned why such a social media post should prevent him from entering his own country. The former captain also rejected suggestions that he should distance himself from Hasina or the Awami League to facilitate his return. Shakib recently appeared virtually at a press conference in Delhi alongside Hasina. Following the event, his vacant home in Bangladesh was reportedly attacked. He defended his participation, saying his message was focused on peace and Bangladesh’s progress. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said Shakib must face the legal process like any other accused person and surrender before Bangladeshi courts. Meanwhile, Shakib said he still hopes to represent Bangladesh in a farewell series and possibly play at the 2027 ODI World Cup. He acknowledged that retirement was approaching but said he remained physically fit and continued to enjoy playing cricket. The cricketer also revealed that his bank accounts had been frozen for around 18 months during investigations. He said he had not seen his parents in Bangladesh for nearly two years.

Kevin Owens made an unforgettable return to WWE after spending more than a year away from in-ring competition, defeating Sami Zayn, Finn Bálor and Gunther in a thrilling Fatal Four-Way match at SummerSlam 2026 Night Two. The victory marked a major milestone for the former Universal Champion, who had been sidelined since April 2025 due to a severe neck injury. The injury forced Owens to pull out of a scheduled WrestleMania showdown against Randy Orton and raised concerns about his wrestling future. After undergoing successful neck fusion surgery in July 2025, Owens spent over a year recovering and rehabilitating before finally receiving medical clearance to return to action. His comeback at Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium was kept completely under wraps, making it one of the biggest surprises of WWE’s biggest event of the summer. The match was originally announced as a one-on-one number-one contender’s contest between longtime rivals Sami Zayn and Finn Bálor. However, moments before the bout began, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis appeared on stage and announced that Gunther would also be entering the match, turning it into a Triple Threat contest. Just when fans thought the surprises were over, Kevin Owens’ entrance music suddenly blasted through the arena. The packed crowd erupted with excitement as Aldis revealed Owens as the fourth competitor, officially transforming the contest into a Fatal Four-Way match. The encounter quickly developed into one of the most exciting matches of the night. Each competitor had moments of dominance, delivering hard-hitting offense and producing several dramatic near falls that kept the audience guessing until the very end. Gunther looked poised to secure the victory after delivering a thunderous powerbomb to Finn Bálor. Before he could capitalize, Sami Zayn fought back with a trademark Exploder Suplex into the corner, shifting the momentum once again and bringing himself back into contention. Owens patiently waited for the perfect opportunity to strike. As the action reached its climax, he stunned Gunther with his signature Stunner before immediately turning his attention to Zayn, his longtime friend and former tag-team partner. Owens delivered another devastating Stunner, leaving Zayn unable to recover. Without hesitation, Owens covered Zayn for the decisive three-count, completing a remarkable comeback in his very first match after returning from injury. The emotional victory not only showcased Owens’ resilience but also proved that he remains a top contender despite his lengthy absence from WWE programming. Fans celebrated his successful return, with many calling it one of the most memorable moments of SummerSlam 2026. By winning the Fatal Four-Way contest, Owens also secured a guaranteed future WWE Championship opportunity against reigning champion CM Punk. The result immediately sets up a highly anticipated title clash between two of WWE’s biggest stars, adding another blockbuster rivalry to the company’s championship picture. After overcoming a career-threatening injury and an extended recovery period, Kevin Owens has officially announced his return to the top of WWE, and his impressive SummerSlam performance suggests that his journey back to championship gold may only be beginning.