Sports

LAHORE: In a major setback for Pakistan’s national game, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) withdrew the hosting rights of the Olympic qualifying round from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Tuesday. The qualifying event was to be held in January next year in Lahore. “The FIH communicated this decision to the Pakistan Hockey Federation, citing non-cooperation and interference in the …

Ishan Kishan has usually been India’s go-to wicketkeeper for limited-overs matches this year but it is clear he cannot take his place for granted with KL Rahul hitting top form after returning from injury at the Asia Cup. Kishan appeared to be first-choice for the gloves, not just because he has four fifties in his last five one-day knocks but …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced that right-arm fast bowler Zaman Khan replaced Naseem Shah for the remainder of the Asia Cup 2023 for medical reasons. A PCB press release issued today said Shah had injured his right shoulder in this week’s match against India and continued to be monitored by the Pakistan team’s medical panel that was taking …

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will come in “fresh” for an Asia Cup Super Four clash against an Indian team likely to be playing for a third consecutive day, their coach said Monday. India’s match against arch-rivals Pakistan extended into a reserve day on Monday after only 24.1 overs, with the 50-over contest acting as a prelude to their big battle in the upcoming …

ROME: Juventus’ French midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, Italy’s national anti-doping (NADO Italia) tribunal said on Monday. The test, performed after Juve’s 3-0 victory at Udinese in Serie A on Aug 20, detected testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance. “In acceptance of the instance proposed by the National Anti-doping Prose­cutor, …

Pakistan were blown out of water by India in their Asia Cup 2023 Super Four match in Colombo on Monday. Here are our five takeaways from that lopsided loss. Reverse Midas touch And just like that, the superheroes, the invincibles, the world beaters suddenly appear Sunday leaguers, punching bags and amateurs. Remember that Nasser Hussain quote about Pakistan cricket? “One minute down, …

Pakistan’s heavy defeat to India in the Asia Cup was a “timely reminder” for the team to get their act together before next month’s World Cup, head coach Grant Bradburn said. Babar Azam’s men suffered a crushing 228-run loss to India on Monday in a rain-hit Super Four clash of the 50-over tournament, a prelude to next month’s World Cup in India. …

KARACHI: A bowling masterclass by Nadine de Klerk saw South Africa thrash Pakistan by six wickets in their second women’s One-day International and seal the three-match series 2-0 at the National Bank Stadium here on Monday. Medium-pacer de Klerk took four wickets with fellow fast bowlers claiming three vitims to reduce Pakistan to a paltry 168 runs after the hosts …

India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in Colombo for Tuesday’s Asia Cup Super Four clash. India hammered arch-rivals Pakistan by 228 runs on Monday in a match played across two days because of rain and now head into their third straight day of cricket. They made one change with left-arm spinner Axar Patel coming …

Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan were called in by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the Asia Cup after pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah picked up “niggles” in the match against India, the board said on Tuesday. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul hit unbeaten centuries to lead India’s 228-run thrashing of Pakistan in a rain-hit Super Four clash of the Asia …