Sports

MONTEVIDEO: Brazil lived up to expectations by smashing Bolivia 5-1 at home in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers opener on Friday, with Ney­mar surpassing the late great Pele as the country’s all-time top scorer. The 31-year-old Neymar, who recently joined Saudi side Al-Hilal, bounced back after missing a penalty in the first half, scoring two goals in the 61st and 93rd minutes …

LAHORE: Former Pak­stan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Khalid Mahmood believes that Pakistan should come forward to end the powerful roles of India, Australia and England in world cricket affairs. “Only Pakistan can play such a role, to stop the injustice being done in cricket by big powers like India, England and Australia, also because Pakistan has strong teams in all …

After an anti-climatic end to the first match between Pakistan and India in the ongoing Asia Cup, fans are hoping the skies remain clear as the two arch rivals meet again in Colombo later today. Some say that today’s match could go either way. But I say that the Green Shirts, for the first time, look to be the more threatening side …

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to field against India in the Super Fours stage of the Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday. After captain Babar Azam said he would bowl first, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said they would have batted anyway.     Earlier, the skies looked clear at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium …

LAHORE: Javelin star Arshad Nadeem will train in Germany ahead of next year’s Olympics in Paris, where he will look to end Pakistan’s 32-year medal drought at the Games. Addressing a news conference alongside Athletics Federation of Pakistan Akram Sahi on Friday, Arshad — who won silver at last month’s World Athletics Championship — said he will try to do his best …

IT was an uncalled-for statement, especially when Pakistan held its allotted matches of the Asia Cup, which it was supposed to host in full. Perhaps emotions got the better of Asian Cricket Council president Jay Shah, who is also the secretary of the Board of Cricket Control in India. Criticised for scheduling the Asia Cup after the India-Pakistan clash in …

COLOMBO: Having seen the first heavyweight clash between Pakistan and India at the Asia Cup washed out, the Pakistan Cricket Board seems to be taking no chances with the second. Tournament organisers PCB on Friday added a reserve day for the Super Four clash between India and Pakistan after their group-stage encounter ended with only an innings being played, a …

Pakistan pace ace Shaheen Shah Afridi has warned his devastating spell against arch-rivals India that set the Asia Cup alight is just the start, with the World Cup only weeks away. The left-arm fast bowler rattled the Indian top-order in their Group A clash last week, taking 4-35 — including the wickets of star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. That …

Sadeera Samarawickrama hit an attacking 93 as Sri Lanka reached 257-9 after a stuttering innings against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup Super Four clash in Colombo on Saturday. Bangladesh elected to bowl first in their must-win game of the 50-over tournament, a precursor to the upcoming one-day international (ODI) World Cup in India. Their fast bowlers stood up, with Taskin …

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said Saturday his side will have an edge over India in their Asia Cup Super Four clash, with a bowling line-up ready to win matches and tournaments. The arch-rivals meet again in Colombo on Sunday after their group match was abandoned due to rain, which has played havoc with the 50-over tournament that is a precursor to the upcoming …