Pattaya Hosts Opening of Asia Cross Country Rally 2026

STOCKHOLM: Pakistani international Abdullah Iqbal has achieved a major milestone in the country’s football history by becoming the first Pakistan national team player to feature in a UEFA Champions League qualifying match. The historic moment came when the defender made his debut for Swedish club Mjällby AIF during their UEFA Champions League qualifying fixture against Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps on Tuesday. Iqbal entered the match in the 62nd minute, marking a landmark achievement for both his career and Pakistani football. His appearance places him among a select group of Pakistani footballers to compete on one of Europe’s biggest club football stages. The 26-year-old has become an important figure for Pakistan’s national team in recent years and is widely regarded as one of the country’s most accomplished overseas-based footballers. His Champions League qualifying debut is expected to inspire young footballers in Pakistan, where the sport has been striving for greater international recognition. Although Pakistani-origin footballer Atta Hussain previously played in UEFA Champions League qualifiers, he had not yet represented Pakistan at the international level at the time. Abdullah Iqbal is therefore the first player to achieve the milestone after officially representing the Pakistan national team. Football fans across Pakistan celebrated the achievement on social media, describing it as another proud moment for the country’s growing presence in international football. Many supporters praised Iqbal’s dedication and expressed hope that his success would encourage more Pakistani players to pursue professional careers in Europe. The achievement also highlights the increasing impact of overseas-based Pakistani footballers, who continue to strengthen the national team with experience gained in competitive European leagues. While Abdullah Iqbal’s appearance came in the qualifying rounds rather than the Champions League group stage, it remains a historic first for Pakistan and another sign of the country’s gradual progress on the international football scene. His landmark debut is expected to inspire the next generation of Pakistani footballers dreaming of competing at the highest level of European club football.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has completed his move to Major League Soccer club Inter Miami after leaving Manchester United as a free agent. The experienced midfielder has signed with the American club, where he will play alongside Argentina captain Lionel Messi and several other international stars. The 34-year-old midfielder brings a wealth of experience to Inter Miami. During his career, he won five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid and established himself as one of the world’s top defensive midfielders. He also represented Manchester United for four seasons after joining the English club from Real Madrid. Manchester United decided not to extend Casemiro’s contract at the end of the season, allowing him to leave as a free agent. Inter Miami quickly secured his signature as part of its strategy to strengthen the squad with experienced international players. Club officials welcomed Casemiro’s arrival and described the signing as another important step in their long-term project. They said the Brazilian’s leadership, experience, and winning mentality would help the team compete for more trophies in the coming seasons. After completing the move, Casemiro said the club’s ambition and future plans convinced him to join Inter Miami. He said he remains determined to win titles and contribute to the club’s continued growth. Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham also welcomed the midfielder. He praised Casemiro’s successful career and said the Brazilian’s achievements at both club and international level would add valuable experience to the team. However, shortly after the transfer was announced, Major League Soccer confirmed it had opened an investigation into Inter Miami over allegations related to the signing. According to league officials, the investigation concerns the MLS “discovery rights” system. Under league rules, clubs must secure discovery rights before negotiating with certain high-profile players. Reports indicate that LA Galaxy previously held Casemiro’s discovery rights before Inter Miami completed the transfer. League officials said they are collecting all relevant information before deciding whether any rules were violated. They added that no further comments would be made until the investigation is complete. Reports also suggest that Inter Miami and LA Galaxy reached an agreement regarding Casemiro’s discovery rights. However, the financial details of that arrangement will only be made public after the investigation concludes. The latest inquiry is not the first involving Inter Miami’s transfer activities. In previous years, the club faced league sanctions following investigations into player registration and salary cap compliance. Casemiro’s arrival further strengthens an already star-studded Inter Miami squad featuring Lionel Messi and several internationally recognised players. Football analysts believe his experience, leadership, and defensive abilities could play a key role as the club aims to compete for more domestic and international honours.

Italian football icon Franco Baresi, one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game and a legendary captain of AC Milan, has died at the age of 66. The club confirmed the heartbreaking news on Friday, paying tribute to a player whose legacy shaped one of the most successful eras in its history. In a heartfelt statement, AC Milan expressed its grief over the passing of one of its most celebrated figures. The club said Baresi’s leadership, integrity and commitment would remain an enduring part of Milan’s identity, just as his iconic number six shirt continues to symbolize excellence and loyalty. Baresi enjoyed an extraordinary career with AC Milan, spending nearly two decades with the club and becoming one of its most influential players. As captain during the late 1980s and early 1990s, he led the Rossoneri to remarkable success, winning three European Cups and six Serie A titles. His defensive brilliance, tactical intelligence and calmness under pressure made him a cornerstone of one of football’s greatest backlines. Regarded as one of the finest sweepers the sport has ever produced, Baresi was admired for his exceptional reading of the game, precise tackling and outstanding leadership. Alongside fellow defensive stars Paolo Maldini, Mauro Tassotti and Alessandro Costacurta, he formed a legendary defensive unit that frustrated some of Europe’s most dangerous attackers. Born in Lombardy in May 1960, Baresi joined AC Milan’s youth academy in 1974. After progressing through the ranks, he made his senior debut in 1978, shortly before turning 18. His talent quickly earned him a regular place in the first team, and by the age of 22 he had been named club captain, a role he carried with distinction for many years. Baresi remained loyal to Milan throughout his playing career, retiring in 1997 after making 719 appearances for the club. At the time, it was the highest appearance total in Milan’s history, a record later surpassed only by Paolo Maldini. His remarkable consistency and devotion made him one of the most respected figures in Italian football. On the international stage, Baresi represented Italy 81 times. He was part of the squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup, although he did not play a major role during the tournament. He later became one of the national team’s key players and captained Italy to the 1994 FIFA World Cup final in the United States. Despite his outstanding performances, Baresi experienced heartbreak in major tournaments. He missed the 1986 World Cup after a disagreement with the national team coach. Italy also suffered painful defeats in penalty shootouts during the 1990 World Cup semi-final and the 1994 World Cup final, denying him another global triumph. In August 2025, Baresi underwent surgery to remove a lung nodule. Following the procedure, he expressed optimism about his recovery, saying it would take some time to regain his strength. No official cause of death has been announced. Following his retirement, Baresi remained closely connected with AC Milan and was appointed the club’s honorary vice-president in 2020. His influence extended beyond the pitch, inspiring generations of players and supporters with his professionalism, loyalty and passion for the game. Franco Baresi leaves behind an unforgettable legacy as one of football’s greatest defenders, a symbol of AC Milan’s golden era and an icon whose achievements will be remembered for generations.

LAHORE: Pakistan’s contracted cricketers heading to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will have to wait until August 19 to receive their No-Objection Certificates (NOCs), as the national domestic calendar takes priority. According to sources, the CPL is scheduled to begin on Friday, with the tournament final set to be played on September 20. However, Pakistan players involved in the domestic National Champions Cup will not be released for overseas commitments until the competition concludes. The Champions Cup is being played in Multan from August 11 to 18, meaning the players selected for the tournament are expected to receive their CPL NOCs from the following day. Several Pakistan players have CPL contracts this season, including Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Muaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah and Sufiyan Muqeem. These players are also representing different teams in the Champions Cup, creating a scheduling clash between domestic and franchise cricket. The decision means the players will join their respective CPL franchises only after completing their domestic commitments. Meanwhile, Usman Tariq and Haseebullah Khan are also set to feature in the Caribbean tournament but are not part of the Champions Cup squad. Their availability is therefore not affected by the domestic competition in the same way. The NOC timeline has attracted attention because the CPL is an important opportunity for Pakistan players to gain experience in overseas franchise cricket. For the players involved, the challenge will now be to make a quick transition from domestic cricket in Multan to the Caribbean conditions. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s approach also underlines its emphasis on ensuring national players remain available for domestic competitions before taking part in overseas leagues. With the CPL running until September 20, Pakistan fans will be closely watching how the country’s representatives perform once they join their respective franchises.