Sunday’s Final Could Grant Messi an Immortal Crown

Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for a surprising new chapter away from the football pitch, with the Portugal superstar reportedly set to make his acting debut in an upcoming football drama series. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to appear in “Day 1s”, a new series centred on the world of football agents. According to British media reports, Ronaldo will make a cameo appearance while also taking on the role of executive producer. The move marks an intriguing expansion of Ronaldo’s already wide-ranging career, as the football icon increasingly explores projects beyond playing the sport that made him a global superstar. Ronaldo moves from football to the screen “Day 1s” is reportedly built around the story of a fictional football agent and the pressures, ambitions and personalities surrounding the modern game. British actor Damian Lewis is set to play the lead role, while British rapper Dave and newcomer actress Carlotta Banat are also part of the cast. Ronaldo’s involvement is expected to add an extra layer of attention to the production, particularly because of his enormous global following and deep connection with football. The series is already in production, with some scenes reportedly filmed at The Hive Stadium, home of English League Two club Barnet. Thierry Henry also joins the cast Ronaldo will not be the only major football name making the jump into the fictional world. Former France and Arsenal star Thierry Henry is also expected to appear in a cameo role. Interestingly, the concept for “Day 1s” was reportedly developed by Darren Dean, Henry’s former agent, who is also involved in the project as an executive producer. The involvement of major football personalities could make the series particularly appealing to fans who want to see what happens behind the scenes of the sport. Streaming battle could be next Reports suggest that several major streaming platforms could show interest in acquiring the rights to “Day 1s”, potentially triggering strong competition for the series. For Ronaldo, the project represents more than just a brief appearance on screen. In addition to his football career, he has expanded into business, media and other entertainment ventures in recent years. His role as both actor and executive producer could therefore signal the beginning of another major chapter in his career. After years of dominating football headlines, Ronaldo may soon have audiences watching him for a completely different reason — not for what he does with a football, but for what he does in front of a camera.

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has said he is ready to serve Pakistan cricket in any capacity, provided he is given the freedom to perform his responsibilities without unnecessary interference. Speaking to reporters in Karachi, the legendary batter said he has consistently conveyed the same message to successive Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairmen: if entrusted with a role, he should be allowed to carry it out independently. “I have always told PCB chairmen that if you give me a role, give me the complete opportunity to do the job. Don’t tie my hands,” Younis said. Addressing speculation that he seeks greater authority within the cricket setup, the former skipper dismissed the perception, insisting that his focus has always been on delivering results rather than acquiring power. “I often hear people saying Younis Khan wants power. What would I do with power?” he remarked, adding that he has never pursued positions for influence but has instead emphasized the importance of professional autonomy. Younis said that whenever he discussed working with the PCB, his only condition was to be allowed to build and develop the team according to the responsibilities assigned to him. He also downplayed the importance of financial incentives, saying that freedom to work effectively mattered more than salary or contractual packages. “For me, independence in my work and the ability to deliver are far more important than any package,” he said. “If I were ever to negotiate over financial matters, it would be for the player in the weakest position, not for myself.” Reflecting on Pakistan cricket’s future, Younis expressed confidence that the national team could regain its former strength if players accepted greater responsibility and adopted a long-term mindset. He recalled the period after the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, when the departure of senior players created challenges but also opened opportunities for younger cricketers to step up. “We accepted responsibility after the 2003 World Cup. If today’s players think bigger and take ownership, the results will also be bigger and more positive,” he said. Younis’ comments come amid ongoing discussions about Pakistan cricket’s direction and the role experienced former players can play in rebuilding the national team’s competitiveness.

CHITRAL: A team of Pakistani mountaineers has successfully crossed the historic Phargam An Pass in the Hindu Kush mountain range for the first time in 27 years, marking a major achievement for the country’s mountaineering community. The expedition successfully reached the 5,100-metre-high Phargam An Pass, completing a challenging journey through one of the most remote and difficult mountain routes in northern Pakistan. The expedition also made history as female climbers reached the summit for the first time, highlighting the growing participation of women in Pakistan’s adventure and mountaineering sector. The mission was organised in Upper Chitral with the support of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority. During the expedition, the team also discovered the memorial of Austrian mountaineer George Kronberger, who lost his life in the area in 1975. Despite facing dangerous glaciers, steep snow-covered slopes, rocky terrain and the constant threat of avalanches, the team completed the expedition safely. Expedition guide Zamrud Khan said the route to Phargam An Pass has changed significantly over the years due to the effects of climate change, making the journey more challenging than in the past. Three sisters from Chitral—Mehrosh Akhtar, Ismail Roz and Madhu Shala Akhtar—took part in the historic expedition, setting a new milestone for women in Pakistani mountaineering. Other members of the expedition included Kamran Khan, Samar Khan, Nauman Khan, Noorul Rahman, Zohaib Khan, Umar Khattab Sherani, Sohniya Babar, Amina Shabbir and Madiha Syed. The successful expedition is being seen as an important milestone for adventure tourism and mountaineering in Pakistan, while showcasing the country’s growing potential as a destination for high-altitude exploration.

Islamabad: Pakistan’s rising boxing star Fatima Zahra has created history by guaranteeing the country’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after a commanding 5-0 victory over Jordan Wilson of New Zealand in the women’s 60kg quarter-final. Fatima delivered another dominant performance to book her place in the semi-finals, ensuring at least a bronze medal for Pakistan. She began her campaign with an impressive opening-round victory over Real Ebuoha of Lesotho, where the referee stopped the contest early after Fatima completely outclassed her opponent. With back-to-back dominant wins, Fatima has emerged as one of Pakistan’s standout athletes at the Games. Her remarkable achievement also makes her the first Pakistani woman in history to win a boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games. The historic feat marks a major milestone for women’s boxing in Pakistan and is expected to inspire a new generation of female athletes across the country.

Fourteen cities across Australia and New Zealand have expressed interest in hosting matches during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028, highlighting strong enthusiasm for the tournament that will be jointly staged by the two neighboring nations. Tournament organizers invited cities to submit bids for hosting rights, and a total of 14 cities responded with proposals to stage matches during the global event. However, only eight to ten cities are expected to be selected as official host venues, meaning several bidding cities will ultimately miss out. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 is scheduled to take place during October and November and will mark another major cricket event jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Both countries have extensive experience organizing ICC tournaments and are expected to provide world-class venues and infrastructure for teams and fans. According to reports, organizers will evaluate each bid based on the International Cricket Council’s hosting guidelines. A key factor in the selection process will be logistics, with officials aiming to create a tournament schedule that minimizes unnecessary travel while ensuring smooth operations throughout the competition. The governing body is expected to prioritize a balanced distribution of venues that allows teams to move efficiently between matches without excessive travel. A more compact tournament structure is also expected to improve scheduling, simplify event management, and provide a better experience for supporters traveling across both countries. Reducing the number of host cities is seen as an important part of the planning process. With Australia and New Zealand separated by the Tasman Sea and both countries covering vast geographical areas, organizers are seeking to strike the right balance between showcasing multiple regions and maintaining practical travel arrangements. Officials believe that selecting fewer venues will help streamline tournament operations, reduce travel demands for participating teams, and make it easier for fans to follow their favorite sides throughout the competition. The bidding process also reflects the continued popularity of international cricket in both nations. Many cities view hosting World Cup matches as an opportunity to attract visitors, boost local tourism, and generate significant economic activity through hotels, restaurants, transportation, and entertainment. Meanwhile, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is expected to host the final of the 2028 T20 World Cup. The iconic stadium has a rich history of staging major international cricket events and is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most prestigious venues. If confirmed, the MCG would once again provide the stage for the tournament’s biggest match. The final list of host cities is expected to be announced after organizers complete their evaluation of the bids and finalize venue arrangements in line with ICC requirements. Once confirmed, preparations will begin for upgrading facilities, coordinating logistics, and developing match schedules ahead of the tournament. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 is expected to feature the world’s leading cricket nations and attract thousands of traveling fans, making it one of the biggest sporting events on the international cricket calendar. With significant interest from host cities and careful planning underway, Australia and New Zealand are preparing to deliver another memorable edition of the tournament.