Sports

THE turmoil continues back home; its aftershocks threatening to further derail Pakistan’s campaign at the World Cup in India. It’s an unwelcome distraction that could’ve been put off, at least until Babar Azam’s men were well and truly out of the race for the semis. But that’s Pakistan cricket for you: a place where things unravel fast. This time, a …

ANY attempt to express political views using the platform of sports always evokes heated debate. Agreement or disagreement with the express­ed statements and gestures aside; the issue mostly divides people over the use of sport for symbolism, political or otherwise. The debate around this issue has been rekindled in the backdrop of the situation unfolding in Gaza following the events …

LUCKNOW: England captain Jos Buttler has pretty much accepted their 50-overs World Cup title defence is over but wants the team to give their best in the remaining group matches to make the cut for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The 2019 champions stay roo­ted to the bottom of the 10-team table after succumbing to their fifth defeat in …

PUNE: A spirited Afghanistan upset another former champion on Monday when Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men defeated 1996 winners Sri Lanka by seven wickets to continue their memorable campaign at the 50-overs World Cup and maintain their hopes of a semi-final place. Their bowlers — led by recalled left-arm fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi (4-34) — had laid the foundation of their third …

THE eve of their World Cup game against Bangladesh — the first of the last three must-win games for Pakistan — was more about controversies off the field. CHAOS has engulfed Pakistan cricket at a time when it was to be avoided at all costs. Hours ahead of Pakistan’s pre-match training session here at the Eden Gardens on Monday, an …

Argentina captain Lionel Messi won a record eighth Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world on Monday, beating Norway’s UEFA player of the year and Treble winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City to the prestigious prize. Inter Miami’s Messi, who last won the award in 2021, played a pivotal role in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years …

Bangladesh’s skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat first in Pakistan’s seventh game of the ICC World Cup. The match is being played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Towhid Hridoy replaced Mahedi Hasan for the Bengal Tigers, meanwhile, Pakistan made three changes to their side with Fakhar Zaman, Agha Salman and Usama Mir, coming back into …

Two footballers, who were abducted at the start of September in Balochistan’s Dera Bugti, have been recovered after more than a month, provincial authorities said on Sunday. Last month, six footballers were kidnapped by unknown armed men in the Kachhi canal area of Sui Tehsil of Dera Bugti district while they were en route Sibi to participate in the qualifying round of …

India maintained their unbeaten streak at the 2023 World Cup with a 100-run victory in a low-scoring contest against holders England, who are facing a premature exit following their fifth defeat in six group matches on Sunday. Rohit Sharma saved India’s blushes with a captain’s knock of 87 in what initially appeared a below-par total of 229-9 on a tricky …

PUNE: Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has insisted his side’s World Cup wins have been the product of sustained effort, however much they have surprised the rest of the global cricket community. Shahidi’s men have produced two of the standout displays of the 10-team tournament in India, thrashing reigning champions England by 69 runs and defeating 1992 title-winners Pakistan by eight wickets in Chennai. Now, …