Usman Wazeer to fight Indonesian boxer on September 26

Spain’s FIFA World Cup-winning defender Marc Cucurella has become known around the world for his distinctive long, curly hair. But behind the trademark look lies a deeply personal story of love, fatherhood and unwavering support for his family. Following Spain’s World Cup triumph over Argentina, renewed attention has focused on the emotional reason Cucurella has chosen to keep his hair long. According to media reports, the Spanish international deliberately leaves his curls untied during matches so that his eldest son, Mateo, who has autism, can easily recognize him on the pitch. For Cucurella, his hairstyle is far more than a fashion statement. It is a symbol of his bond with his son and a reminder of the responsibilities and love that come with being a father. The touching story has resonated with football fans around the world, offering a glimpse into the personal challenges the defender has faced away from the spotlight. Reports say Cucurella and his partner, Claudia Rodríguez, went through an emotionally difficult period after Mateo was diagnosed with autism. In an Amazon Prime documentary, Rodríguez recalled how the couple struggled when they realized their son was developing differently from other children. She revealed that the experience was emotionally overwhelming. There were days when Cucurella would take Mateo to school and return home in tears, all while the family was preparing to welcome their second child, Rio. Cucurella has also spoken openly about how difficult it was to come to terms with his son’s diagnosis. However, he said the experience strengthened his commitment to supporting his family through every challenge. As Spain celebrates its World Cup success, Cucurella’s story has become an inspiring reminder that behind every sporting hero is a personal journey filled with sacrifice, resilience and unconditional love. For many fans, his iconic hairstyle now represents something far greater than football—it reflects the enduring power of family.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s hopes of returning to international cricket appear to have suffered a major setback after the government ruled out his comeback following his participation in a programme featuring former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. According to international media reports, Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque said there was little scope for the government to continue taking a lenient approach towards the veteran cricketer after he appeared alongside Hasina at a media event. Shakib, 39, joined the programme by telephone while Sheikh Hasina addressed journalists in New Delhi on Wednesday. The event was held nearly two years after Hasina was removed from power following mass student-led protests. Speaking about Shakib’s situation, Haque indicated that the government had previously been willing to consider the cricketer’s case with patience and flexibility. However, he suggested that the latest development had changed the situation significantly. “We had been looking at the matter with considerable tolerance and flexibility,” the minister said, according to reports. “But after this, I do not think there is any room to look at the matter in the same way.” The minister further questioned Shakib’s prospects of representing Bangladesh again after his public association with Hasina. Shakib was previously a member of parliament for Hasina’s Awami League and had been politically associated with the former ruling party. His involvement in the programme has therefore attracted renewed scrutiny at a time when his future with the national team remains uncertain. The former Bangladesh captain has also been linked to legal proceedings arising from the deadly crackdown on protesters that preceded Hasina’s departure from power. Shakib has previously said he would be willing to return to Bangladesh and face the cases against him if adequate security were guaranteed. His current circumstances have made a return to international cricket increasingly complicated. Shakib is currently in Sri Lanka and remains among a group of individuals facing investigations connected to the violence during the protests. The latest government stance could now effectively close the door on a comeback for one of Bangladesh’s most successful cricketers. Shakib has enjoyed an illustrious international career, establishing himself as one of the country’s leading all-rounders across Test, ODI and T20I cricket. His experience and record have made him a significant figure in Bangladesh cricket for more than a decade. However, his political links and the legal controversy surrounding the events that followed Hasina’s removal have increasingly overshadowed his cricketing legacy. With the government now taking a much firmer position, Shakib’s return to the Bangladesh national team appears more uncertain than ever. The development could mark a dramatic and potentially final chapter in the international career of one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated cricketers.

San Francisco Unicorns secured a hard-fought five-run victory over Perth Scorchers XI in their Global Super League (GSL) 2026 clash at Providence Stadium on Sunday, thanks to an outstanding all-round team performance led by Hammad Azam. After being put under pressure early in their innings, the Unicorns recovered impressively to post 152-8 in their allotted 20 overs. The foundation of the total was laid by Hammad Azam, who produced a composed unbeaten knock of 64 from 46 deliveries. The Unicorns’ batting line-up struggled at the start, slipping from 42-1 to 46-5 inside the opening six overs as the Scorchers’ bowlers dominated with the new ball. With wickets falling regularly, Hammad steadied the innings and prevented a complete collapse. He mixed caution with aggression, striking four boundaries and five sixes during his match-defining innings. His ability to rotate the strike while punishing loose deliveries helped the Unicorns recover from a difficult position and reach a competitive total. Chasing 153 for victory, Perth Scorchers XI also found themselves in early trouble. Opener Andre Fletcher was dismissed for just one in the opening over, while Joel Curtis managed only 16 before departing. Experienced batter D’Arcy Short anchored the chase with a patient 43, attempting to guide his side through the middle overs. He built useful partnerships with Usman Khan, who scored 14, and Ashton Turner, who contributed 13. Despite those efforts, regular wickets kept disrupting the chase and prevented the Scorchers from building lasting momentum. The turning point came in the 16th over when Short was dismissed with the score on 103-7, leaving Perth Scorchers XI with a difficult task in the closing stages of the innings. Just when the contest appeared to be slipping away, Brody Couch produced a spirited late assault to revive his team’s hopes. The lower-order batter blasted 23 runs from only 12 balls, smashing two fours and two sixes in an entertaining cameo. Couch and Akeal Hosein added 39 runs for the ninth wicket, reducing the target significantly and setting up a tense finish. Hosein also played an important supporting role with 16 runs as the pair pushed the match into the final over. However, the Unicorns held their composure under pressure. Hosein was dismissed on the penultimate delivery of the innings, ending the Scorchers’ hopes of completing a remarkable comeback. Perth Scorchers XI finished on 147-9, falling just five runs short of the target. With the ball, Ghulam Mudassar delivered a match-winning spell for San Francisco Unicorns, claiming four wickets at crucial moments to derail the Scorchers’ chase. His breakthroughs, combined with disciplined bowling in the closing overs, ensured the Unicorns successfully defended their total. Hammad Azam’s unbeaten half-century and Ghulam Mudassar’s four-wicket haul proved decisive as San Francisco Unicorns registered a memorable victory in a closely contested Global Super League encounter, strengthening their campaign with an impressive all-round performance.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s hockey team suffered a disappointing defeat against India in the group stage of the Asian Five-a-Side Hockey Tournament after a serious mistake by the team management resulted in a breach of tournament rules. During the match, Pakistan mistakenly fielded six players instead of the permitted five. In Five-a-Side Hockey, each team is allowed to have only five players on the field at any given time. The error was spotted by match officials, who immediately informed the umpires. After the violation was identified, the umpires ordered two Pakistani players to leave the field. The decision left Pakistan with only three players on the pitch for a short period as a penalty for the rules breach. India took full advantage of Pakistan’s numerical disadvantage. Playing with fewer players made it difficult for Pakistan to defend and maintain possession, allowing India to dominate the game during that phase. The Indian team eventually secured victory in the group-stage encounter. The defeat has been linked to the management’s mistake rather than the players’ performance on the field. The incident has raised concerns over the handling of team operations and compliance with tournament regulations during an important international competition. Five-a-Side Hockey follows strict rules regarding the number of players on the field. Any violation can result in immediate penalties that may significantly affect the outcome of a match. Officials acted quickly after noticing the extra player, ensuring that tournament regulations were enforced. Despite the setback, both Pakistan and India have qualified for the final of the Asian Five-a-Side Hockey Tournament. The two rivals are set to meet once again in the title clash later today. The final will give Pakistan an opportunity to recover from the earlier defeat and compete for the championship. The team will also aim to avoid the costly mistakes that affected its performance in the group-stage match. Hockey fans will be hoping for a disciplined display as Pakistan looks to avenge its earlier loss and challenge India for the tournament trophy.

Pakistan’s women’s netball team produced a memorable performance in Hong Kong, defeating Thailand 55-50 in the final of the 2026 Asian Netball Championship Plate Division. The closely contested victory saw Pakistan maintain their composure throughout the match, with disciplined play and strong teamwork helping them secure the championship title. Pakistan’s players showed determination from the opening stages, matching Thailand’s intensity while making the most of their scoring opportunities. Their coordinated passing, defensive organisation and collective effort eventually gave them the edge in a five-point victory. The triumph also brings an important reward beyond the title. By winning the Plate Division, Pakistan have qualified for the Cup Division of the next Asian Netball Championship, scheduled to be held in Singapore in 2028. The achievement is a significant boost for women’s netball in Pakistan and provides the national team with a stronger platform to compete at the top level of Asian netball. Several players played key roles during the successful campaign. Saba Noor Anwar, Maya, Lia Raza Shah, Hina Chaudhry, Serena Naseem, Jasmine, Farah, Noor-ul-Ain and Samaya Safdar all contributed to Pakistan’s impressive final performance. The team’s success was built around teamwork, discipline and determination, allowing them to withstand Thailand’s challenge and finish the tournament on a high. The 55-50 victory will now give Pakistan renewed confidence ahead of the next Asian championship cycle. With qualification for the 2028 Cup Division secured, the national side has a valuable opportunity to build on this breakthrough and compete for an even bigger prize in Singapore.