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Brazilian star Neymar marked his long-awaited return to action for Santos by scoring twice and responding to recent criticism with a playful goal celebration inspired by poker. The veteran forward helped Santos come from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against bottom-placed Chapecoense in Brazil’s Serie A on Saturday. The 34-year-old made his first appearance for Santos after spending two-and-a-half months on the sidelines. His return came at a crucial stage of the season, with Santos battling to avoid relegation from Brazil’s top flight. Although the draw earned the club an important point, Santos remain in danger, sitting just one point above the relegation zone. Neymar had come under renewed criticism earlier in the week after taking part in a poker tournament while his Santos teammates were playing a Copa Sudamericana match in Venezuela. His decision sparked debate among fans and pundits, with many questioning his priorities during his injury lay-off. The Brazilian forward appeared to respond to those comments after opening the scoring. Following his first goal, Neymar celebrated by pretending to deal playing cards, an apparent reference to the poker tournament that had attracted criticism. Moments later, he added another light-hearted celebration by using the corner flag to imitate a golf swing, further acknowledging the public scrutiny surrounding his off-field activities. Despite the criticism, Neymar delivered when Santos needed him most. His two goals helped the struggling side recover from a difficult position and earn a valuable draw. While the result did not move Santos away from the relegation battle, it provided encouragement as the club fights to remain in Brazil’s top division. The match also marked Neymar’s first appearance since Brazil’s disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign. The country’s all-time leading goalscorer recently announced the end of his international career after Brazil were eliminated by Norway in the Round of 16, bringing an end to one of the most successful international careers in the nation’s history. Having stepped away from international football, Neymar is now expected to focus entirely on helping Santos improve their domestic fortunes. His experience and leadership will be vital as the club attempts to avoid relegation during the remainder of the season. Fans welcomed Neymar’s return, with many praising his immediate impact despite the recent controversy. His performance demonstrated that he remains capable of making the difference on the pitch, even as discussions about his lifestyle continue off it. While his poker-themed celebration is likely to generate further debate, Neymar made one thing clear through his display against Chapecoense: he intends to answer his critics with performances rather than words. With Santos still facing a difficult fight for survival, the club will hope their star forward can maintain his fitness and continue producing decisive performances in the weeks ahead. 

BANGKOK: Pakistan secured a significant victory over India at an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Bangkok, winning all three seats in the election for ACC directors in a closely fought contest. The meeting, chaired by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, brought Pakistan- and India-backed panels into direct competition for the three director positions. According to sources, the contest remained tight, but the panel supported by Pakistan emerged victorious in all three seats. The result gives Pakistan an important voice within the regional cricket body as the ACC prepares for several major tournaments and administrative decisions. India was represented at the meeting by Rajeev Shukla. The discussions also turned towards next year’s Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted by Bangladesh. Officials considered possible venues for the tournament, with Sylhet, Mirpur and Chattogram among the grounds discussed for staging matches. The final schedule and venue arrangements are expected to be settled through further consultations. The upcoming Asia Cup is likely to attract considerable attention across the cricketing region, particularly because Pakistan and India remain among the tournament’s biggest draws. Their matches traditionally generate huge interest among fans and broadcasters, making venue planning and tournament logistics especially important. The Bangkok meeting also covered financial and administrative matters. The ACC budget was approved, while preparations for the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai were reviewed. The decisions come as Asian cricket continues to expand its commercial and competitive footprint. With major bilateral and multinational events regularly drawing millions of viewers, the ACC plays a central role in coordinating tournaments, developing the game and managing regional cricketing interests. For Pakistan, the election result represents a notable administrative gain at a time when relations between the two cricket boards remain closely watched. Securing all three director positions backed by its panel strengthens Pakistan’s representation in the ACC and could give it greater influence in future discussions. The Bangladesh-hosted Asia Cup will be one of the key items on the ACC’s calendar next year. While Sylhet, Mirpur and Chattogram have emerged as possible venues, further decisions will be required regarding match allocation, logistics and other tournament arrangements. The latest ACC meeting therefore delivered more than routine administrative decisions for Pakistan. The successful election result, coupled with discussions over the next Asia Cup and women’s tournament, placed Pakistan at the centre of several important developments shaping the future of Asian cricket.