Sports

KARACHI: The atmosphere was buzzing with intensity; the octagon bursting with energy. Fighters from Afghanistan were there. There were women fighters as well, proving that interest in kickboxing and mixed martial arts is peaking in Pakistan. Organised by K7 Fitness and Kickboxing Academy and the Sindh Sports Department, the KO1 Revolution event here on Wednesday evening featured 13 high-voltage bouts …

CENTURION: Cricket World Cups have caused more heartache for South African supporters than any other format of the game. There have been agonising near-misses and numerous disappointments, but actually qualifying for the tournament has never previously been an issue. Now, though, South Africa need to find some dramatically improved form or face taking the long road if they want to …

CHRISTCHURCH: Defending champions England continued their Women’s Cricket World Cup resurgence with an emphatic nine-wicket win over Pakistan Thursday to stand on the brink of the semi-finals. England pace bowler Katherine Brunt roared back into form after an indifferent tournament, taking 3-17 as she and Sophie Ecclestone helped bundle Pakistan out for 105 in Christchurch. Brunt had taken only one …

ST GEORGE’S: West Indies claimed the prized wicket of Joe Root for a duck as England slumped to 46 for three at lunch on the opening day of the third and deciding Test in the Caribbean series on Thursday. Pace bowling all-rounder Kyle Mayers quickly justified his inclusion after being picked for the first time in the series on a …

Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon put Australia on course for a series-clinching victory against Pakistan on Friday, with the touring side needing five wickets to wrap up the win in the final session of the deciding third Test in Lahore. Fast bowler Cummins and off-spinner Lyon picked up two wickets apiece as Pakistan reached 190-5 at tea on the final …

ISLAMABAD: The government has notified a fresh mechanism for annual and multi-annual financial commitment controls for all ministries, divisions and their attached departments and subordinate offices, except the Ministry of Defence, to improve the integrity of the budget and fiscal discipline. “Expenditure arrears from the previous financial years are a major source of fiscal indiscipline and poor budget credibility in …

PARIS: The World Cup hopes of the last two European champions are on a knife edge with Portugal and Italy on a collision course in decisive qualifying play-offs over the next week. A potential clash in Porto between the Euro 2016 winners, captained by Cristiano Ronaldo, and an Italy team who succeeded them as continental champions last year is a …

CENTURION: Taskin Ahmed and Tamim Iqbal starred as Bangladesh sealed an historic series triumph with a nine-wicket win in the third One-day International against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday. Fast bowler Taskin took five for 35 as South Africa were bowled out for 154, their lowest total against Bangladesh. Visiting captain Tamim then scored 87 not …

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain and fast bowling icon Waqar Younis was on Wednesday formally inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame when he received his commemorative cap and plaque during the third Test between Pakistan and Australia here at the Gaddafi Stadium. Known for his toe-crushing yorkers, Waqar is the eighth cricketer who received the Hall of Fame honour from …

DUBAI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s match-saving knock in the second Test against Australia has pushed to the fifth spot in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) batter rankings. The performance, which saw the 27-year-old score 196 runs off 425 deliveries over almost two days in the fourth innings against the visiting Aussies at the National Stadium, has earned Babar a …