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                        <title>Latest Sports News &amp; Updates | The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <link>https://tribune.com.pk</link>
                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Pakistan eye clean sweep against Sri Lanka</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634439/pakistan-eye-clean-sweep-against-sri-lanka</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634439/pakistan-eye-clean-sweep-against-sri-lanka#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 14:06:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634439</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Farhan and Maaz lead hosts’ charge as visitors struggle to find form]]>
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				<![CDATA[In-form Pakistan will be desperately looking to complete a clean sweep when they face Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

The match will start at 6pm PST.

Pakistan are in fine form, having won the first two matches convincingly. The hosts defeated the visitors by four wickets in the opening game before inflicting a comprehensive 82-run defeat on them in the second match on Sunday.

Pakistan have shown strength with both bat and ball, and the Green-shirts will be eager to maintain their momentum in the final game under captain Sahibzada Farhan, who has been in sublime touch.

Pakistan&rsquo;s top order has performed well in both matches.

In the opening game, the middle order was tested, but a few unnecessary dismissals raised eyebrows as the hosts appeared well placed to chase down a target of 183. However, Pakistan completely outclassed Sri Lanka in the second match, restricting them to 133-7 while defending a formidable total of 216.

The 215-3 was Pakistan&rsquo;s highest total at home and the second highest overall. The Green-shirts had amassed 232-6 against England in Nottingham on July 16, 2021, which is their record score.

Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat have been outstanding with the bat. The pair have built valuable partnerships for the second wicket in both matches and scored back-to-back half-centuries.

Farhan scored 89 and 73, while Maaz smashed 50 and 96, breathing new life into Pakistan&rsquo;s top order.

Maaz, who also impressed in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), punished the Sri Lankan bowlers with aggressive stroke-play, making it difficult for them to contain him.

He played his natural game, and the freedom with which he batted reflected the confidence the team management has placed in the young Peshawar batsman.

Fakhar Zaman has been opening alongside Farhan. Although he has made promising starts, he has failed to bat deep into the innings. Known for his ability to score big, Fakhar has been unable to convert his starts into substantial scores. He will need to show greater application, which could further strengthen Pakistan&rsquo;s batting line-up.

Hasan Nawaz performed well on Sunday, while it remains to be seen how Saim Ayub and Khawaja Nafay fare when given adequate opportunities. Khawaja scored the winning runs in Pakistan&rsquo;s first T20I victory but has yet to be tested under significant pressure.

In the bowling department, Imran Randhawa has been particularly impressive. He consistently hits the right areas and has looked effective with the new ball. The all-rounder has taken five wickets in two matches, both of which were his T20I debut appearances.

&ldquo;I bowled according to plan and achieved success,&rdquo; Imran told reporters after Pakistan&rsquo;s one-sided victory on Sunday.

Experienced leg-spinner Shadab Khan, however, has been unimpressive so far, raising questions about his role in the team.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka&rsquo;s struggles in T20 cricket have continued.

After losing a T20I series 2-1 to the West Indies and suffering a 3-0 whitewash against England on recent away tours, Sri Lanka are now facing the prospect of a third consecutive series defeat.

Their batting has lacked firepower, while their bowling has struggled to contain Pakistan. Poor fielding has also contributed to their below-par performances, with dropped catches proving costly.

In the second match, Sri Lanka dropped Farhan when he was on 12, allowing the Pakistan captain to make the most of the reprieve.

Sri Lanka last toured Pakistan in October 2019 for a three-match T20I series, which they won 3-0.

This time, however, Pakistan appear poised to turn the tables.

Pakistan squad: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Nafay (wicket-keeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Moqim.]]>
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			<title>Australia set South Africa 421-run target</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634442/australia-set-south-africa-421-run-target</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634442/australia-set-south-africa-421-run-target#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 14:17:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[REUTERS]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Renshaw continues prolific form with another impressive second innings 82]]>
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				<![CDATA[Matt Renshaw continued his prolific batting form before Australia declared on 314-6 at tea on the fourth day of the first Test on Monday, setting South Africa a daunting victory target of 421.

Australia held a 106-run first-innings lead after Renshaw scored 190, and the 30-year-old Queenslander again dominated the home bowlers at Kingsmead before a controversial caught-and-bowled dismissal by Keshav Maharaj ended his innings.

Renshaw looked disgusted after Maharaj appeared to juggle the catch before claiming it, with a television review confirming the dismissal.

Australia, who resumed on 33 without loss, scored 141 runs in a fast-moving morning session for the loss of four wickets and added another 140 in the afternoon as they sought to give themselves enough time to take the 10 wickets required for victory.

Opener Nic Maddinson, playing his first Test in a decade after scoring a duck in the first innings, struck 48 before being bowled by Anrich Nortje. Beau Webster remained unbeaten on 39, while captain Pat Cummins smashed four sixes in a whirlwind 32 off 12 balls.

Travis Head managed 11 and Marnus Labuschagne scored 37, but Labuschagne&#39;s 53-run partnership with Steve Smith, who made 27, helped Australia accelerate.

Smith was struck on the helmet by a Nortje bouncer while batting and underwent a lengthy on-field assessment before continuing his innings. He was later caught on the boundary off spinner Simon Harmer and did not take the field at the start of South Africa&#39;s second innings.

An Australian team spokesman said Smith was &quot;undergoing further assessment&quot;, with an update expected later on Monday or on Tuesday. A concussion diagnosis could put him in doubt for the second Test in Gqeberha, which starts on Sunday.

South Africa were 60-1 at the time of filing, with Aiden Markram on 22 and David Bedingham unbeaten on 35. Josh Hazlewood dismissed Ryan Rickelton for two.

The hosts need a determined batting performance to avoid defeat and preserve captain Temba Bavuma&#39;s unbeaten record in 12 Tests as skipper.

Bad light curtailed play on each of the first three days and was again expected to threaten an early finish on Monday.]]>
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			<title>Litton’s century puts Bangladesh in control</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634438/littons-century-puts-bangladesh-in-control</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634438/littons-century-puts-bangladesh-in-control#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 14:03:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634438</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Das hits 102 as Afghanistan face mammoth 479-run target]]>
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				<![CDATA[The wicket-keeper batsman Litton Das on Monday struck a splendid century as Bangladesh strengthened their grip on the one-off Test against Afghanistan, setting the hosts a daunting target of 479 runs on the fourth day at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Afghanistan reached 132-3 in their second innings at stumps and they still need 347 more runs to win the Test.

Das scored 102 off 117 balls as Bangladesh declared their second innings at 372-7 after resuming the day with their overnight score of 223-6. His seventh Test century featured 14 fours. He stayed for 182 minutes at the crease.

Bangladesh, who had scored 346 in their first innings, secured a 106-run lead after dismissing Afghanistan for 240. Their strong second innings performance left the visitors facing a formidable chase to win the Test.

Das shared a crucial 149-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who remained unbeaten on 52. Miraz faced 97 deliveries and struck five fours, helping Bangladesh build a commanding position before the declaration.

Afghanistan fast bowler Mohammad Saleem claimed two wickets for 69 runs, finishing with match figures of 6-151.

Chasing 479 for victory, Afghanistan endured an early setback when Abdul Malik fell for two. He edged a delivery from Ebadot Hossain to wicketkeeper Das, leaving the visitors under immediate pressure.

Shahidullah joined Sediqullah Atal at the crease but could not provide lasting support. He was dismissed for 19 by Hasan Mahmud, with Das completing the catch behind the stumps. Shahidullah&#39;s innings came off 19 balls and included four boundaries.

Afghanistan were struggling at 28-2 when the dismissal left them facing an uphill battle to save the match.

Captain Rahmat Shah then joined Atal and helped steady the innings. The pair put together an important 82-run partnership for the third wicket, offering Afghanistan some hope of resisting Bangladesh&#39;s attack.

However, Ebadot struck again to remove Rahmat, who scored 51 off 124 balls, including five fours and a six. His departure left Afghanistan at 110-3 and further increased the pressure on the visitors.

Atal and Hashmatullah Shahidi then batted cautiously to take Afghanistan to 132-3 at stumps, keeping their hopes alive heading into the final day.

Sediqullah Atal was batting on 35 and with him at the end was Hashmatullah Shahidi on 19.

Atal struck on six and one four from 126 balls while Shahidi hit two fours and six in his 27-ball unbeaten effort.

Ebadot Hossain got 2-32 while Hasan Mahmud claimed 1-31.

Afghanistan still require 347 runs to reach their target, while Bangladesh need seven wickets to secure victory. With three wickets down and a substantial deficit remaining, the hosts face a difficult task to turn the contest around.

Bangladesh will look to maintain their discipline with the ball on the final day, while Afghanistan must produce a determined batting effort to avoid defeat.]]>
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			<title>Alcaraz exits Shanghai Masters</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634431/alcaraz-exits-shanghai-masters</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634431/alcaraz-exits-shanghai-masters#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 13:32:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Spaniard suffers a shocking defeat to Bergs in the third round]]>
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				<![CDATA[Carlos Alcaraz fell to Zizou Bergs in straight sets at the Shanghai Masters on Monday, interrupting the former world number one&#39;s in-form return to the professional Tour after being sidelined for months by injury.

The 39th-ranked Belgian beat the second-seeded Spanish star 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) in the third round to land the tournament&#39;s biggest upset yet, and will play either Tommy Paul or Valentin Vacherot next.

&quot;It&#39;s a little disbelief and not feeling too much,&quot; Bergs, 27, said afterwards.

&quot;You&#39;re just really in the moment, being focused on the points you have to play,&quot; he added.

&quot;I&#39;ll be very happy.&quot;

Alcaraz started with more quality until Bergs broke the Spaniard&#39;s serve to go up 3-2 in the first set.

The 23-year-old grabbed back that break in the next game but was uncharacteristically off-target, sending a mess of shots into the net.

He double-faulted to hand Bergs a critical break point in the 11th game, and lost the first set when a volley went short.

Alcaraz was visibly frustrated during the second set as he vented to his corner following a series of misfired shots that left him with no points in the fourth and eighth games.

Alcaraz forced a tie-break but could not reach a third set as Bergs closed things out just past the two-hour mark on his first match point.

Fritz fumbles 

Earlier, Stefanos Tsitsipas came back to beat Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 and earn fourth round meeting with Daniil Medvedev, who brushed aside qualifier Dalibor Svrcina 6-2, 6-3.

A wardrobe malfunction delayed victory for the Greek world number 43 when a tennis ball tumbled out of the American&#39;s pocket a second time and forced the men to replay a match point.

A tired-looking Fritz, seeded 11th, hung on for a bit longer to save the eighth game but could not stick around beyond that, with Tsitsipas holding serve to win at the fifth time of asking.

&quot;I could have done a few things easier, but I ended up being my biggest enemy,&quot; Tsitsipas told the crowd afterwards.

&quot;I turned things around really well towards the end and became friends with myself and played some incredible tennis,&quot; he said.

Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud and Rafael Jodar also went through to the last 16.]]>
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			<title>Man City silence Liverpool crowd</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634429/man-city-silence-liverpool-crowd</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634429/man-city-silence-liverpool-crowd#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 13:25:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Enzo Maresca’s men seal an emphatic win to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League]]>
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				<![CDATA[Manchester City silenced a hostile Liverpool crowd in their first match since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations but there is a deep sense of uncertainty over what it actually means.

Enzo Maresca&#39;s men are top of the table with six wins out of six after their impressive 3-0 win at Anfield on Sunday.

Yet those points could count for nothing unless City are successful in their appeal against the findings of an independent commission that found them guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League rules.

No sanction has yet been decided, but the club could face a severe points deduction leading to relegation, or even expulsion from the English top flight.

There is even speculation that City could be stripped of the three Premier League titles they won between 2009 and 2018, the period to which the charges relate.

The Premier League, which has a huge global reach, faces an appeal process likely to drag on for months, putting a question mark against every City result, and with huge potential implications for other clubs.

&quot;We&#39;re sat here not knowing what it means,&quot; former Manchester United captain turned pundit Gary Neville told Sky Sports on Sunday.

&quot;City supporters will be delighted (with the win), but I don&#39;t think they recognise right now the stain, the stigma and the damage this is going to do to them.&quot;

The BBC&#39;s chief football writer, Phil McNulty, said the team&#39;s impressive win at Anfield had been overshadowed by what was happening off the pitch.

&quot;Every victory, every league table, will come with a metaphorical asterisk until clarity and finality comes,&quot; he said. &quot;No one knows when this will be.&quot;

Andoni Iraola&#39;s Liverpool are ninth in the table, nine points behind leaders City.

But even if Liverpool fail to challenge for the title, the three points lost on Sunday could cost them dearly in the battle for a place in the Champions League.

Potential sanctions against City could also have an impact on the battle for relegation.

&quot;That today, what does it mean going forward?&quot; former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports.

&quot;This has to be done before the end of the season. There&#39;s no way this can carry on to the end of the season because we&#39;re all getting kidded.&quot;

&nbsp;

Liverpool anger 

The Premier League announced late last month that an independent commission had found that City had arranged &quot;sham&quot; deals to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs by more than &pound;900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018.

Liverpool feel particularly aggrieved, having finished second behind the Manchester club in the Premier League three times in the past 12 years.

City&#39;s rivals believe the Abu Dhabi-backed club&#39;s spending in the 2009-2018 period built the foundations for a golden era that continues to bear fruit.

The Premier League leaders spent around &pound;460 million ($609 million) in the 2026 summer transfer window -- a new Premier League record for a single window -- as new boss Maresca reshaped the squad following the departure of Pep Guardiola.

One of City&#39;s expensive new signings, midfielder Elliot Anderson, admitted the criticism of the club had galvanised the players as they stepped out at Anfield.

&quot;We&#39;ve got to stick together,&quot; said the England midfielder. &quot;I think it really brings us together. It gives you that determination to come out here, everyone is against you, and turn them over, which we did.&quot;

Anderson and his teammates will have to get used to their new reality as the whole of English football waits for a definitive decision in a case that has rumbled on for years.

As chants, banners, flags and scarves at Anfield showed, City stand accused of cheating their way to the top -- and opposition fans will not be silenced.]]>
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			<title>SSGC dominate National Cycling Championship</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634430/ssgc-dominate-national-cycling-championship</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634430/ssgc-dominate-national-cycling-championship#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 13:29:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correpondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Army finish second as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa secure third place]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) finished at the summit, followed by Pakistan Army and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as the 10th National Road Cycling Championship concluded at Bahria Town Karachi on Sunday.

SSGC won the championship with 16 medals, including 11 gold, three silver and two bronze. Pakistan Army finished runners-up with nine medals, comprising two gold, four silver and three bronze, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa secured third place with seven medals, including two silver and five bronze.

Ahmad Shahzad (Balochistan), Mohammad (Sindh) and Muneeb (Punjab) emerged as the leading young riders while Sindh&rsquo;s Samar, Punjab&rsquo;s Christina Haroon and Hoorin Yahya from Crank Addicts stole limelight as young female pedallists.

Organised by the Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF), the three-day championship attracted cyclists from across the country, who competed in men&rsquo;s, women&rsquo;s, junior, masters and other categories.

Teams representing SSGC, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and other organisations took part in individual time trials, team time trials and road races.

POF won three gold medals, while Balochistan secured one gold to complete the list of gold-medal-winning teams.

The inclusion of masters&rsquo; categories for cyclists aged 40-49 and 50 and above was a notable feature of this year&rsquo;s championship. The event also provided young male and female cyclists with an opportunity to demonstrate their potential and gain valuable competitive experience.

The closing ceremony was held on Sunday, with HabibMetro Bank senior executive Sharifa Haider Ali attending as chief guest and distributing prizes among the outstanding performers.

The PCF also announced plans to explore the possibility of hosting the South Asian Road Cycling Championship at Bahria Town Karachi next year, subject to consultations and approval from the relevant international cycling authorities and other stakeholders.

The proposed event aims to provide Pakistani cyclists with greater exposure to regional competition and promote the country as a venue for international sporting events.

The federation, however, expressed concern over the lack of an annual grant or financial assistance from the Pakistan Sports Board, saying limited resources had made it increasingly difficult to organise national-level competitions.

It said the championship had been staged with support from sponsors and called on government institutions, private-sector companies and sports bodies to provide greater assistance for the development of cycling in Pakistan.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Sadiq questions Saim’s role in Pakistan’s T20I squad</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634394/sadiq-questions-saims-role-in-pakistans-t20i-squad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634394/sadiq-questions-saims-role-in-pakistans-t20i-squad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 07:20:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Alam Zeb Safi]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Former opener says selection is unfair to middle-order batsmen and backs Sajid as a third spin option]]>
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				<![CDATA[Former Pakistan Test opener Sadiq Mohammad has questioned the selection of Saim Ayub in the T20I squad, saying the all-rounder&rsquo;s presence in different batting positions is undermining the team&rsquo;s middle order batsmen.

&ldquo;It is an injustice to the middle order batsmen to keep playing Saim Ayub,&rdquo; Sadiq told The Express Tribune.

&ldquo;The coaches, selection committee and captain are destroying the middle order. How can Saim fit into every batting position simply because he can bowl a few overs of finger spin?&rdquo; he said.

Sadiq said that if Pakistan needed a third spinner in T20 internationals, off-spinner Sajid Khan would be a better option.

&ldquo;If we want a third spinner in T20 cricket, we should give chance to our off-spinner Sajid Khan. He can hit the ball hard, extract turn and is an excellent fielder. We used to play Iftikhar Ahmed in a similar role two years ago,&rdquo; Sadiq said.

Saim has been included in Pakistan&rsquo;s T20I squad for the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. He has been batting at number five, while the presence of four specialist openers in the squad has raised questions about the balance of the team&rsquo;s batting combination.

Saim took one wicket for 19 runs in his three overs on Sunday.

Sajid, meanwhile, has so far been restricted largely to Test cricket, a decision that has raised eyebrows. He was also dropped by his Peshawar team from its T20 side, a decision that reportedly angered the off-spinner.

Sadiq believes Sajid could prove an effective addition to Pakistan&rsquo;s T20I squad, potentially filling the role previously occupied by Iftikhar Ahmed, who was often used as a power-hitter in the death overs.

Sajid, who has played 16 Tests for Pakistan, is a powerful hitter and has demonstrated his ability to clear the boundary when given the opportunity, even in the longer format.

&quot;Team management should focus on developing a young player for the death overs rather than repeatedly relying on tried-and-tested players based on their mediocre past performances,&rdquo; Sadiq said.

Sadiq also urged seasoned left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman to go deep and don&rsquo;t throw his wicket after taking a good start.

&ldquo;Fakhar Zaman must focus on converting his starts into big individual scores instead of getting out after settling in during the powerplay,&rdquo; Sadiq said.

&ldquo;He was dismissed in the fifth over in both innings. If this pattern continues, he could be dropped sooner or later, with Saim Ayub potentially replacing him despite not having proved himself. Both openers have been selected to establish themselves and demonstrate their ability to score big, match-winning totals,&rdquo; Sadiq said.

Sadiq also pointed out that Shadab has also lost his gloss as a bowler.

&quot;Shadab Khan is another player whose bowling has been largely ineffective. He should also be sidelined, with Sajid Khan considered as a replacement for both Saim Ayub and Shadab.&quot;

Sadiq congratulated Pakistan team and skipper Sahibazada Farhan for delivering extremely well in both the T20I matches against Sri Lanka.

&quot;Finally, congratulations on winning the T20 series. Sahibzada Farhan has emerged as a potential new T20 captain, having performed well in both matches. Well played,&quot; Sadiq signed off.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Zheng withdraws from Wuhan citing fatigue</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634398/zheng-withdraws-from-wuhan-citing-fatigue</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634398/zheng-withdraws-from-wuhan-citing-fatigue#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 07:31:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The Olympic champion prioritises recovery after an intense run of matches following her return from injury]]>
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				<![CDATA[Freshly crowned China Open champion Zheng Qinwen withdrew on Monday from her home tournament in Wuhan, citing fatigue and a right shoulder injury.

Zheng became the first Chinese player to clinch the Beijing title on Sunday by defeating reigning Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in the final.

It was Zheng&#39;s first WTA 1000-level triumph and her first title since winning Tokyo two years ago.

&quot;I&#39;m very sorry to share that I will be withdrawing from this year&#39;s Wuhan Open,&quot; Zheng said in a statement.

&quot;Wuhan is where my tennis dream began, and the Wuhan Open is also where I made my breakthrough at the WTA 1000 level. I have always looked forward to competing in front of my hometown fans.

&quot;Since returning from injury, however, I have played a demanding stretch of tennis over the past month and a half, competing at the US Open, the Billie Jean King Cup, and the China Open.

&quot;My body is feeling very fatigued after this intense run of matches.&quot;

An Olympic gold medallist in Paris 2024 and a former world number four, Zheng underwent elbow surgery last year and missed nearly eight months of action, dropping as low as 160 in the rankings this season.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a resurgence over the past few weeks, however, reaching the US Open quarter-finals before lifting the trophy in Beijing.

She is now ranked back among the world&#39;s top-25 but will not pick up any points in Wuhan, which kicks off Monday and ends on Sunday October 18.

Beijing runner-up Andreeva has also withdrawn from Wuhan, citing a change of schedule, as the Russian teenager looks to get some rest ahead of her first singles appearance at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells next month.

Zheng and Andreeva join a growing list of high-profile Wuhan absentees that also includes world number one Elena Rybakina, last year&#39;s Wuhan champion Coco Gauff and reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.]]>
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			<title>Beware of suspicious elements</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634400/beware-of-suspicious-elements</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634400/beware-of-suspicious-elements#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 07:46:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Saleem Khaliq]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634400</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Cricketers must stay vigilant against corruption and honey traps]]>
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				<![CDATA[There was still some time before the meeting, so I thought I might as well have some ice cream. I went into a shop and, when I looked at the price list, did what most Pakistanis tend to do: convert the prices from British pounds into Pakistani rupees. Then I asked myself, &lsquo;would you really spend several thousand rupees on ice cream? You wasteful man! Get out of here!&rsquo; But I listened to my heart and thought, &lsquo;How often do you get to visit London? Treat yourself!&rsquo;
After buying the ice cream, I went back outside and continued watching the traffic passing along Edgware Road. Oh, I haven&rsquo;t told you that this was the day Pakistan lost the Test match at Lord&rsquo;s. There is a sizeable Arab community in this area, and Pakistani politicians have also lived here. During my stay, I witnessed a few minor &lsquo;live fights&rsquo; between groups of young men in the vicinity.
For a few moments, I also thought about the security of my mobile phone and laptop, but then reassured myself that this was London, not Karachi.
I had gone straight from the stadium to a ceremony, where I received an award. I was having dinner afterwards when I was invited to a meeting. As the conversation began at an Arabic restaurant, a revelation emerged that left me utterly astonished.
That very night, a few players were questioned at their hotel, and their mobile phones were also taken away. More details will emerge in due course. It is possible that the players in question did nothing wrong and are entirely innocent. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to say too much at this stage. We will have to wait and see how the ongoing investigation unfolds. However, they should cooperate fully with the authorities. If someone is innocent, nothing can be established against them without evidence. On the other hand, attempting to divert attention elsewhere will bring no benefit, only harm. Such attempts have been made in the past, but they achieved nothing.
Pakistan has witnessed several match-fixing cases. Players are well aware of the damage these scandals cause, yet some still make mistakes. Until a few years ago, surrogate advertising was widespread in the country. Gambling companies would make minor changes to their names to promote themselves indirectly. However, when people visited their websites, they would find links to betting services.
Several such companies even sponsored Pakistan&rsquo;s home series. Despite media reports highlighting the issue, nothing was done. The standard excuse was that one company was called &lsquo;Bet&rsquo; while another was called &lsquo;Bat&rsquo;, and that the similarity in the rest of their names was merely a coincidence.
The issue gained greater prominence when a player in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) objected to such advertising and placed a sticker over the logo. Interestingly, he had already played all the other matches in the tournament before doing so. The previous season had also featured a team sponsored by a similar company, whose logo appeared on the players&rsquo; shirts.
People had understood the meaning of surrogate advertising years earlier, yet the practice continued. Initially, one company dominated the market, but several others eventually joined in. When public outcry grew louder, the government finally took action and banned such advertising. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) complied fully, but the practice continued elsewhere.
In the recent past, billboards featuring a former captain promoting a similar company appeared along several roads in Karachi.
Perhaps no other issue has damaged Pakistani cricket as much as match-fixing scandals. It is now time to adopt a genuine zero-tolerance policy. A law should be introduced stating that anyone proven guilty of such an offence must never again be allowed to participate in any cricket-related activity. They should not even be permitted to conduct interviews or offer commentary on digital media. They must be kept completely away from cricketers.
If someone commits such an offence without considering the interests of the country, why should anyone else worry about their livelihood? After all, they must have earned enough money to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.
When such individuals are not dealt with firmly, young players are encouraged to believe that they, too, can get away with wrongdoing. Seeing people who have committed offences in the past roaming around freely and being celebrated as &lsquo;so-and-so bhai&rsquo; or &lsquo;such-and-such bhai&rsquo; makes young cricketers think they will escape punishment as well.
If corrupt individuals are made examples of, just imagine how much good that could do for the game.
Even today, players frequently receive offers that may be suspicious. Thanks to the PCB&rsquo;s guidance, many report these approaches to the authorities, helping protect themselves from trouble. Players, too, need to think carefully: people do not give expensive gifts for no reason. Why would someone abandon their entire business to attend every match played by the Pakistan team? There must be some motive behind it. Could you be getting used? Could someone be discreetly trying to obtain inside information from you?
Monitoring and oversight also need to be strengthened. Why would a businessman become friends with a domestic cricketer? Why would he give him gifts or take him everywhere? Think about it.
Players should also avoid falling for messages they receive from women on social media. They should not immediately lose their hearts over such attention. Nor should they send suggestive messages on Instagram that might later emerge as viral screenshots. These days, even voices can be altered using artificial intelligence, so players must exercise caution even when speaking on the phone.
Several players have fallen victim to honey traps, and they need proper guidance on how to protect themselves against such schemes.
Thanks to the PSL, Pakistani cricketers can now earn substantial amounts even if they never represent the national team. They should always remember the lesson they learnt as children: &lsquo;Greed is a terrible curse.&rsquo; Keeping this in mind is in everyone&rsquo;s best interest.]]>
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			<title>Maaz, Farhan sizzle as Pakistan seal series</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634250/sri-lanka-elect-to-bowl-first-in-second-t20i</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634250/sri-lanka-elect-to-bowl-first-in-second-t20i#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 11 Oct 26 12:35:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634250</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Left-hander misses ton as Farhan fires again before bowlers secure 2-0 unassailable lead]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan on Sunday took 2-0 unassailable lead in the three-match T20I series when they whipped Sri Lanka by 82 runs in their second show at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan rode on superb batting display from Maaz Sadaqat (96) and skipper Sahibzada Farhan (73) to pile-up 215-3 in the stipulated 20 overs. This is also a record total at this venue, eclipsing the previous 195-5 which Pakistan had scored against Zimbabwe on November 23, 2025.

Young pacer Imran Randhawa, who made his Test debut against England recently, then took 3-11 in four overs to restrict Sri Lanka to 133-7.

This is also the heaviest win from Pakistan against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka were never in the run as they kept losing wickets at regular interval.

After Salman Mirza removed in-form Lahiru Udara (5) early, it was Imran Randhawa who put great pressure by picking up the wickets of Sineth Jayawardena (22), Kusal Mendis (9) and Sahan Arachchige (0) in quick succession to break the back of the visitors.

Saim Aub then had Dasun Shanaka (9) before Shadab got rid of Kamindu Mendis (23) to leave Sri Lanka gasping at 74-6.

Chamindu Wickramasinghe resisted with 24-ball 29 before falling to Salman Mirza.

Maheesh Theekshana remained top-scorer with 32 not out which featured four fours.

Imran was ably backed by his new ball partner Salman Mirza with 2-28.

Earlier Maaz Sadqat and skipper Sahibzada Farhan did a glorious job to enable Pakistan post a big total on a batting track.

Maaz and Farhan shared 88 runs off 48 balls for the second wicket stand to take the hosts to a decent total in the end.

Farhan was dropped on 12 when he skied one early in the innings. However, he capitalised on the opportunity and went on to hit his second successive fifty of the series. He brought in his fifty off 31 balls and hammered five sixes and four fours in his commanding 44-ball 73.

Earlier, he, along with Fakhar Zaman provided a rapid start to the hosts, sharing 55 off 35 balls for the opening stand.

Fakhar fell for 17-ball 22 with four fours to off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana.

Maaz, who brought in his second successive fifty off 30 balls, then went after the ball and played some superb strokes.

He also hit Theekshana for three glorious sixes in one over which yielded 22 runs.

He along with Hasan Nawaz scored a rapid 72 runs for the third wicket partnership to take Pakistan to a huge total.

Maaz hammered seven sixes and six fours in his gallant 51-ball 96.

He lost his wicket off the final ball of the innings when he went for a big hit in a bid to complete his century but was held in the deep.

Hasan Nawaz remained not out on nine-ball 19 with one six and one four.

Pakistan scored 46 in the power-play, were 90-1 in ten overs, reached 145-2 in 15 and made 70 runs in the final five overs.

Theekshana remained the most expensive bowler as he finished with 1-55 in his quota of four overs.

Eshan Malinga (1-41) and Dasun Shanaka (1-30) were the other successful bowlers.

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first. Pakistan made one change, bringing in Salman Mirza in place of Razaullah who had made his T20I debut in the previous game at the same venue.

Sri Lanka made two changes.

The third and final game is scheduled for Tuesday at the same venue.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Australia set South Africa 421-run target</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634442/australia-set-south-africa-421-run-target</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634442/australia-set-south-africa-421-run-target#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 14:17:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[REUTERS]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634442</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Renshaw continues prolific form with another impressive second innings 82]]>
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				<![CDATA[Matt Renshaw continued his prolific batting form before Australia declared on 314-6 at tea on the fourth day of the first Test on Monday, setting South Africa a daunting victory target of 421.

Australia held a 106-run first-innings lead after Renshaw scored 190, and the 30-year-old Queenslander again dominated the home bowlers at Kingsmead before a controversial caught-and-bowled dismissal by Keshav Maharaj ended his innings.

Renshaw looked disgusted after Maharaj appeared to juggle the catch before claiming it, with a television review confirming the dismissal.

Australia, who resumed on 33 without loss, scored 141 runs in a fast-moving morning session for the loss of four wickets and added another 140 in the afternoon as they sought to give themselves enough time to take the 10 wickets required for victory.

Opener Nic Maddinson, playing his first Test in a decade after scoring a duck in the first innings, struck 48 before being bowled by Anrich Nortje. Beau Webster remained unbeaten on 39, while captain Pat Cummins smashed four sixes in a whirlwind 32 off 12 balls.

Travis Head managed 11 and Marnus Labuschagne scored 37, but Labuschagne&#39;s 53-run partnership with Steve Smith, who made 27, helped Australia accelerate.

Smith was struck on the helmet by a Nortje bouncer while batting and underwent a lengthy on-field assessment before continuing his innings. He was later caught on the boundary off spinner Simon Harmer and did not take the field at the start of South Africa&#39;s second innings.

An Australian team spokesman said Smith was &quot;undergoing further assessment&quot;, with an update expected later on Monday or on Tuesday. A concussion diagnosis could put him in doubt for the second Test in Gqeberha, which starts on Sunday.

South Africa were 60-1 at the time of filing, with Aiden Markram on 22 and David Bedingham unbeaten on 35. Josh Hazlewood dismissed Ryan Rickelton for two.

The hosts need a determined batting performance to avoid defeat and preserve captain Temba Bavuma&#39;s unbeaten record in 12 Tests as skipper.

Bad light curtailed play on each of the first three days and was again expected to threaten an early finish on Monday.]]>
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			<title>Renshaw’s 190 puts Australia ahead</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634099/renshaws-190-puts-australia-ahead</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634099/renshaws-190-puts-australia-ahead#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 26 13:55:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634099</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Record-breaking knock gives visitors control against South Africa]]>
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				<![CDATA[Matt Renshaw struck a superb career-best 190 and helped Australia take control of the first Test against hosts South Africa as they were bowled out for 390 on the second day at Kingsmead on Saturday.

Renshaw and Nathan Lyon (27) shared a record ninth-wicket stand of 134 for Australia against South Africa, the highest partnership ⁠for that wicket in Durban.

Renshaw went to tea with Josh Hazlewood (5 not out), though they have now used up 137 overs and five sessions on their first innings with bad light potentially an issue for the second day in a row.

However, his resilience came to an end when he was caught in the slip by Aiden Markram on the second delivery just after tea. He scored 190.

Australia were in trouble early in Renshaw&#39;s innings as they slipped to 124 for six on day one.

But he has flipped the script after putting on 86 for the seventh wicket with skipper Pat Cummins (43) before swinging the test squarely in the favour of the touring side.

His score is the highest by a ⁠number five batter in tests at Kingsmead.

Australia started the second day on 187 for six and frustrated the home side before Wiaan Mulder (4-68) had Cummins caught by Aiden Markram at second slip.

Mitchell Starc (6) followed quickly after being bowled by Mulder, and at that stage it looked as though South Africa would ⁠run through the lower order.

Lyon was circumspect, however, and Renshaw rotated the strike superbly to make sure he had most of the strike and continued to accumulate runs rather than attack the bowling.

Lyon eventually ⁠fell LBW to Marco Jansen (3-63).

Renshaw&rsquo;s 190 has come off 395 balls, a classic test innings of patience and waiting for the bad ball.

He was struck in the helmet by ⁠speedster Anrich Nortje, but he soon settled again and his second test century came nine years after his first, 185 against Pakistan in 2017.

Renshaw had made single-figure scores in 11 of his previous 13 test innings.]]>
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			<title>Rahmat’s unbeaten 84 keeps Afghanistan afloat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634098/rahmats-unbeaten-84-keeps-afghanistan-afloat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634098/rahmats-unbeaten-84-keeps-afghanistan-afloat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 26 13:51:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hosts reach 211-4 after Bangladesh post 346 in first innings]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah struck an unbeaten 84 to keep his side in contention after Bangladesh posted 346 in their first innings on the second day of the one-off Test at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Rahmat displayed patience and composure throughout his 186-ball innings, striking eight fours and a six to guide Afghanistan to 211-4 at stumps. His unbeaten 72-run partnership with wicketkeeper batsman Ikram Alikhil, who remained not out on 26, helped the hosts recover after losing four wickets.

Alikhil faced 91 balls and struck three fours as the pair kept Afghanistan&rsquo;s hopes of gaining a first-innings lead alive.

After losing two early wickets, Afghanistan needed a substantial partnership to stabilise their innings. Rahmat joined Abdul Malik at the crease, and the duo added 70 runs for the third wicket to revive their side&rsquo;s hopes.

Bangladesh seamer Ebadot Hossain provided the breakthrough when he dismissed Malik, who edged the ball to wicket-keeper Litton Das, leaving Afghanistan at 134-3.

Malik, who hails from Baghlan, scored his maiden Test half-century before departing for 62 off 120 deliveries. His innings included four fours and a six.

Afghanistan suffered another setback when Hashmatullah Shahidi was stumped by Litton off spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a duck, leaving the visitors struggling at 139-4.

Alikhil then joined Rahmat, and the pair batted resolutely to prevent further damage and steer Afghanistan towards a respectable total.

Earlier, Afghanistan had made a cautious start before Bangladesh struck twice to reduce the visitors to 64-2 in the 21st over.

Hasan Mahmud claimed the first wicket, dismissing Sediqullah Atal, who was caught by Tanzid Hasan for 17 off 31 balls, including three fours.

Shahidullah joined Malik but could not build a substantial partnership, falling for 20 off 44 deliveries after offering a catch to Hasan Mahmud off Ebadot.

Ebadot was Bangladesh&rsquo;s most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 2-50 in 11 overs. Hasan and Mehidy claimed one wicket apiece.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh resumed their first innings at the overnight score of 317-8 and were bowled out for 346 in 92.3 overs.

Nayeem Hasan, who was unbeaten on 11 at Friday&rsquo;s close, remained not out on 35 off 67 balls, hitting four fours. He received valuable support from Taijul Islam, who scored nine, as the pair added 30 runs for the ninth wicket.

For Afghanistan, medium fast bowler Mohammad Saleem led the attack with 4-82 in 23 overs, while his new-ball partner Yamin Ahmadzai claimed 3-79 in 20.3 overs.

With six wickets still in hand, Afghanistan will look to build on Rahmat&rsquo;s determined innings and narrow the deficit when play resumes.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan eye series victory</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634089/pakistan-eye-series-victory</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634089/pakistan-eye-series-victory#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 26 12:34:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Alam Zeb Safi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634089</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Farhan’s men look to maintain aggressive approach against Sri Lanka]]>
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				<![CDATA[Buoyed by a convincing victory in the first T20I on Friday, Pakistan will look to seal the series when they take on Sri Lanka in the second match of the three-match series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

The match will begin at 6pm PST.

Pakistan made a strong start to the series, beating Sri Lanka by four wickets in the opening match. Several positives emerged from their approach, with aggressive intent standing out as the biggest takeaway. However, the hosts will need to strike a balance between attacking cricket and composure to ensure a more convincing finish.

Losing several wickets in quick succession, while firmly in control of the chase, was an area of concern. With the top order having laid the foundation, Pakistan could have avoided unnecessary dismissals and finished the contest more comfortably.

The hosts will also need to improve their fielding and wicket-keeping if they are to build on their opening success.

Captain Sahibzada Farhan led from the front with an impressive 89 on Friday, delivering the kind of performance Pakistan needed from their new skipper, who has replaced Agha Salman.

Chasing 183, Farhan and Fakhar Zaman provided the hosts with an excellent start before Maaz Sadaqat added further impetus with his powerful hitting to help Pakistan secure the win.

Earlier, debutant pacer Imran Randhawa emerged as one of the standout performers, taking 2-21 in his four overs. He complemented senior fast bowler Naseem Shah, who claimed 3-36, including the prized wicket of Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis in the opening over.

Pakistan are likely to field an unchanged side for the second encounter.

Farhan said the team would continue to adopt an aggressive approach in the coming matches.

&ldquo;Yes we will play with the same mindset. What I had told before the game happened and will build on it,&rdquo; Farhan said.

&ldquo;The way me and Fakhar started and then Maaz added to it I think was positive. Maaz is in great form and I have told him that he should benefit of it as such days do not come always,&rdquo; he said.

The Pakistan captain also praised Randhawa for his performance with the new ball during the powerplay.

&ldquo;I know that he is very good with the new ball and he has executed his plans quite well,&rdquo; Farhan said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis will be looking for a stronger response from his team as they attempt to level the series.

Mendis emphasised the need for his batsman to adopt a more positive approach during the powerplay and capitalise on the fielding restrictions.

&ldquo;We have to play positive cricket and score more runs in the powerplay,&rdquo; Mendis said.

&ldquo;We were 20 to 30 runs short as 200 and plus would have been a good score on this wicket. We did not bowl well in the powerplay and we will have to bowl first six overs tight and then take wickets in the middle to put pressure on the oppositions,&rdquo; he said.

The Sri Lankan skipper also praised Lahiru Udara, who struck an impressive 91 off 55 balls to help the visitors post a competitive total.

&ldquo;He batted really well in the middle and I hope he will carry his fine form in the series,&rdquo; Mendis said.

Udara proved to be one of Sri Lanka&rsquo;s biggest positives in the opening match. The wicket-keeper batsman registered his maiden T20I half-century in only his fifth appearance in the format, giving his side a much-needed boost with the bat.

Friday&rsquo;s victory was Pakistan&rsquo;s 19th in T20Is against Sri Lanka, taking their head-to-head record to 19-13.

Sri Lanka, however, have fond memories of their previous T20I tour of Pakistan, having swept the hosts 3-0 in a three-match series in October 2019.

Pakistan rested on Saturday, while Sri Lanka were scheduled to train at the Pindi Cricket Stadium ahead of Sunday&#39;s encounter.

The visitors are in Pakistan not only for the T20I series but also for an upcoming ODI tri-series involving England, followed by a Test series.]]>
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			<title>Man City silence Liverpool crowd</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634429/man-city-silence-liverpool-crowd</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634429/man-city-silence-liverpool-crowd#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 13:25:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Enzo Maresca’s men seal an emphatic win to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Manchester City silenced a hostile Liverpool crowd in their first match since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations but there is a deep sense of uncertainty over what it actually means.

Enzo Maresca&#39;s men are top of the table with six wins out of six after their impressive 3-0 win at Anfield on Sunday.

Yet those points could count for nothing unless City are successful in their appeal against the findings of an independent commission that found them guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League rules.

No sanction has yet been decided, but the club could face a severe points deduction leading to relegation, or even expulsion from the English top flight.

There is even speculation that City could be stripped of the three Premier League titles they won between 2009 and 2018, the period to which the charges relate.

The Premier League, which has a huge global reach, faces an appeal process likely to drag on for months, putting a question mark against every City result, and with huge potential implications for other clubs.

&quot;We&#39;re sat here not knowing what it means,&quot; former Manchester United captain turned pundit Gary Neville told Sky Sports on Sunday.

&quot;City supporters will be delighted (with the win), but I don&#39;t think they recognise right now the stain, the stigma and the damage this is going to do to them.&quot;

The BBC&#39;s chief football writer, Phil McNulty, said the team&#39;s impressive win at Anfield had been overshadowed by what was happening off the pitch.

&quot;Every victory, every league table, will come with a metaphorical asterisk until clarity and finality comes,&quot; he said. &quot;No one knows when this will be.&quot;

Andoni Iraola&#39;s Liverpool are ninth in the table, nine points behind leaders City.

But even if Liverpool fail to challenge for the title, the three points lost on Sunday could cost them dearly in the battle for a place in the Champions League.

Potential sanctions against City could also have an impact on the battle for relegation.

&quot;That today, what does it mean going forward?&quot; former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports.

&quot;This has to be done before the end of the season. There&#39;s no way this can carry on to the end of the season because we&#39;re all getting kidded.&quot;

&nbsp;

Liverpool anger 

The Premier League announced late last month that an independent commission had found that City had arranged &quot;sham&quot; deals to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs by more than &pound;900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018.

Liverpool feel particularly aggrieved, having finished second behind the Manchester club in the Premier League three times in the past 12 years.

City&#39;s rivals believe the Abu Dhabi-backed club&#39;s spending in the 2009-2018 period built the foundations for a golden era that continues to bear fruit.

The Premier League leaders spent around &pound;460 million ($609 million) in the 2026 summer transfer window -- a new Premier League record for a single window -- as new boss Maresca reshaped the squad following the departure of Pep Guardiola.

One of City&#39;s expensive new signings, midfielder Elliot Anderson, admitted the criticism of the club had galvanised the players as they stepped out at Anfield.

&quot;We&#39;ve got to stick together,&quot; said the England midfielder. &quot;I think it really brings us together. It gives you that determination to come out here, everyone is against you, and turn them over, which we did.&quot;

Anderson and his teammates will have to get used to their new reality as the whole of English football waits for a definitive decision in a case that has rumbled on for years.

As chants, banners, flags and scarves at Anfield showed, City stand accused of cheating their way to the top -- and opposition fans will not be silenced.]]>
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			<title>Man City verdict reignites Liverpool rivalry</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634065/man-city-verdict-reignites-liverpool-rivalry</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634065/man-city-verdict-reignites-liverpool-rivalry#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 26 07:46:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[City expect a hostile reception at Anfield]]>
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				<![CDATA[Manchester City will face the full fury of Anfield on Sunday when the Premier League leaders confront old rivals Liverpool in their first game since being found guilty of breaking financial rules.

City can expect a hostile reception from Liverpool fans after an independent commission found they arranged &quot;sham&quot; deals to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs by more than &pound;900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018.

The financial breaches occurred during a period in which City won three Premier League titles and numerous other trophies, with Liverpool struggling to break the Etihad Stadium outfit&#39;s silverware monopoly.

City have appealed against the devastating verdict and manager Enzo Maresca was bullish on Friday that they will overturn the original ruling.

But the Premier League season is now stuck in stasis awaiting a ruling on the appeal and any potential sanction.

&quot;I think the worst thing probably is the uncertainty, that no one knows what&#39;s going to happen,&quot; Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said on Friday.

A severe points penalty leading to relegation or even expulsion from the English top flight are on the table, while there is also speculation City could be stripped of titles.

&quot;I think they have to be stripped of the titles. Otherwise you send the wrong message to anyone in the future,&quot; John Gibbons of Liverpool podcast The Anfield Wrap told AFP.

&quot;There can&#39;t be any trust now, certainly not if there&#39;s not an admission of guilt. For me, I don&#39;t see how Manchester City continue in the league.&quot;

Over the past 12 years, Liverpool have finished second to City on three occasions.

Only one of those in 2013/14 came during the period under scrutiny.

But City&#39;s rivals believe the wrongdoing in that period built the foundations for a golden era under former boss Pep Guardiola, who stepped down at the end of last season.

&#39;Not playing by same rules&#39; 

Twice Jurgen Klopp&#39;s Reds missed out on the title despite amassing over 90 points.

Those title battles turned meetings between City and Liverpool into English football&#39;s marquee event and the eyes of the world will be on Anfield again come Sunday.

&quot;It just shows how remarkable that team that Jurgen Klopp built was and what they were up against,&quot; added Gibbons.

&quot;They were obviously going against another side who it has been shown weren&#39;t playing by the same rules as everyone else.&quot;

Even in happier times, City have rarely enjoyed their trips to Anfield.

Last season&#39;s 2-1 victory was City&#39;s first win there in front of a crowd since 2003, with their other win coming amid Covid-19 restrictions in 2021.

City return to Anfield sitting top of the Premier League after a flawless start to Maresca&#39;s reign, featuring seven successive wins in all competitions.

Just months after the charges against the club were first announced in February 2023, City went on to win the treble, clinching the club&#39;s first Champions League crown, as well as the Premier League and FA Cup.

The question is whether Maresca&#39;s men can tap into that siege mentality once more, rather than wilting under the intense scrutiny.

Liverpool supporters have often created a febrile atmosphere for City&#39;s visits since they emerged as title contenders following the takeover by their Abu Dhabi-based owners in 2008.

This weekend&#39;s showdown is likely to set a new standard for vitriol directed at City&#39;s players and fans.

&quot;It&#39;s going to be massively hostile,&quot; said Dom Farrell, author of the book &quot;Glory Days for the Waifs and Strays&quot; that chronicled City&#39;s rise from the third tier to European champions.

&quot;If they were to win against Liverpool and then beat an off-form Paris Saint-Germain you really get a siege mentality going.

&quot;But there&#39;s also a decent chance they get turned over and then it just starts to feel you&#39;re in this sort of dead zone waiting for the verdict.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Manchester City beat Arsenal to stay top of WSL</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2633071/manchester-city-beat-arsenal-to-stay-top-of-wsl</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2633071/manchester-city-beat-arsenal-to-stay-top-of-wsl#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 26 08:30:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hemp’s brace help City fight back for a 4-2 win]]>
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				<![CDATA[Lauren Hemp scored twice as Manchester City came from behind on two occasions to beat Arsenal 4-2 in the Women&#39;s Super League on Sunday, keeping the champions top of the table heading into the international break after a fifth straight &zwnj;win from their opening five matches.

Arsenal went ahead through Lisa Baum in the 43rd minute, but City levelled when Hemp forced the ball home from a tight angle in first-half stoppage time.

Alessia Russo put the Gunners back in front four minutes after the break but again City came back, Kerstin Casparij equalising in the 63rd minute before Hemp put them in front ⁠for the first time nine minutes later.

Striker Bunny Shaw sealed the three points in the 84th minute with her fifth goal of the season to condemn Arsenal, who are without a win since the opening day of the season, to their second straight defeat after losing 1-0 away to Chelsea last week.

The loss leaves Arsenal in 10th spot on five points from five games after a dismal start to the campaign.

Earlier in the afternoon, Sonia Bompastor&#39;s Chelsea thumped West Ham United 3-0 to put them into second place, two points behind City. They took the lead thanks to a &zwnj;Melvine ⁠Malard strike and added two late goals through Keira Walsh and Maika Hamano.

London City Lionesses showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the title race, Alexia Putellas scoring twice in the first half of a 6-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur, who were left shell-shocked by the pressing of the visitors.

Spurs ⁠had only conceded two goals in the first four outings, but they were hit for six as London City notched their third successive win in impressive fashion to move to third place on 12 points.

Charlton Athletic, who ⁠are still searching for their first point since being promoted, remain bottom of the 14-team table after a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Brighton &amp; Hove Albion, with Kiko Seike scoring twice for ⁠the Seagulls.

Everton&#39;s strong start to the season continued with a 2-1 win over Birmingham City that lifts them to fifth spot in the table on nine points, two ahead of cross-town rivals Liverpool, who lost 1-0 to Manchester United on Saturday.]]>
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			<title>Football finally comes home for one Indian fan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632770/football-finally-comes-home-for-one-indian-fan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632770/football-finally-comes-home-for-one-indian-fan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 26 10:46:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2632770</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[India host star-studded Brazil for the first time in Kolkata]]>
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				<![CDATA[From Diego Maradona&#39;s infamous &quot;Hand of God&quot; to Zinedine Zidane&#39;s headbutt, Indian football fan Dipak Nandy has witnessed some of the World Cup&#39;s defining moments from the stands.

But on Saturday, the 77-year-old will savour a rare sporting occasion from the comfort of his hometown Kolkata, where Brazil take on his home country in their first-ever international friendly.

Nandy, who has travelled far and wide to attend 11 World Cups, will take in this particular match in front of the television.

Aside from the novelty of welcoming the Selecao to town, he has fond memories of Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazil coach whom he watched as a player for Italy.

Nandy&#39;s love affair with the game started in 1966, when Indian former footballer and coach Amal Dutta brought video reels of the World Cup back to Kolkata from England.

&quot;I was sitting in one of the screenings and got bitten by the bug -- and promised myself that one day I will go watch the World Cup,&quot; he said.

That remained a distant dream until a friend invited him to Mexico, which hosted the tournament in 1986.

&quot;At that time a passport needed four to five months for processing -- but somehow I got it made in 15 days, and I went for my first World Cup,&quot; Nandy said.

He has been to every tournament since, including this year&#39;s edition co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

No regrets

Among Nandy&#39;s cherished memories are the seven matches involving Argentine legend Diego Maradona, whom he described as a once-in-a-lifetime player.

&quot;He played unbelievable football and played a lone hand in making Argentina champions,&quot; he told AFP, his eyes glittering.

&quot;There will be none like him. I walk out of the room when people compare Pele and Maradona.&quot;

He was in the crowd when Maradona single-handedly defeated England with two goals in 1986 -- one a blatant handball, the other a glorious run from inside his own half.

Other recollections include the 2006 final in Germany, when France captain Zidane was notoriously sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi of Italy, who went on to win on penalties.

&quot;I will go to every World Cup till I die -- health and money permitting,&quot; said Nandy.

&quot;The amount of money I spent on watching football live, I could have built a huge building, but I don&#39;t regret it. Rather, I am proud of it.&quot;

Nandy has his own theories about why India, the world&#39;s most populous nation, fares so poorly in the sport.

They have never qualified for a World Cup and have only made four appearances at the Olympics, finishing fourth out of 11 teams in 1956.

&quot;The countries that have peaked in football have one single culture with good weather,&quot; Nandy said, grumbling about the sport&#39;s &quot;weak organisation&quot; and the popularity of cricket.

&quot;India have different religions, food and cultures, and hot and humid weather, which doesn&#39;t help the cause.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Pakistan rally to hockey bronze</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632764/pakistan-rally-to-hockey-bronze</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632764/pakistan-rally-to-hockey-bronze#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 26 09:36:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Green-shirts score four unanswered goals after halftime to beat South Korea 5-3]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan clinched the men&rsquo;s hockey bronze medal with a 5-3 victory over South Korea at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya on Saturday, staging a remarkable comeback after trailing by two goals at halftime.

The Green-shirts had fallen 3-1 behind at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium but produced a four-goal second-half fightback, keeping South Korea scoreless after the interval.

Sufyan Khan opened the scoring by converting a penalty corner in the first quarter, but Lee Gangsan quickly restored parity for South Korea.

The Koreans then took control in the second quarter. Kim YongBok put South Korea ahead before Yang Jihun converted another penalty corner to give his side a 3-1 lead at halftime.

Pakistan returned from the break with greater urgency and began to turn the contest around. Abdul Rehman pulled one back in the third quarter, reducing the deficit to 3-2 while South Korea struggled to create clear chances.

The decisive turnaround came in the final quarter. Waheed Rana scored twice, including a penalty-corner conversion, to put Pakistan ahead. Hannan Shahid then added another goal as the Green-shirts extended their advantage to 5-3.

South Korea were unable to respond in the closing stages, allowing Pakistan to see out the victory and secure the bronze medal.

Pakistan finished with 57 per cent possession and earned nine penalty corners, compared with five for South Korea.]]>
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			<title>Malaysia break Pakistan’s unbeaten run</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631504/malaysia-end-pakistans-unbeaten-run</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631504/malaysia-end-pakistans-unbeaten-run#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 26 07:39:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Green-shirts face 5-4 defeat despite Sufyan Khan’s four goals in Pool B hockey thriller]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&rsquo;s unbeaten run ended with a 5-4 defeat by Malaysia on Saturday in their Group B match of the men&rsquo;s hockey competitions of the 20th Asian Games.

In a fast-paced game Pakistan took the lead in the third minute through Sufyan Khan who hit from the spot .

However two minutes latter Malaysia leveled when Shello Silverius needed a well-controlled field goal.

Malaysia kept the pressure and it paid dividends when they struck through Saari Faizal in the 23rd minute who hit it from short corner to take 2-1 advantage.

However it did not deter the Green-shirts and they staged a superb fight-back when Sufyan struck two back-to-back goals through penalty corner in the 39th and 43rd minute to put the Green-shirts 3-2 ahead.

Two minutes latter Malaysia brought the parity through a strike from Fitri Saari.

However a minute latter Sufyan landed his fourth goal to once again put Pakistan 4-3 ahead.

And it seemed that Pakistan would be able to keep the upper hand but Malaysia had thought otherwise.

Shello Silverius struck in the 56th minute via short corner before Azari Abu Kamal landed the winner in the 57th minute to seal a thrilling win for Malaysia.

This was the fourth straight win for Malaysia and it took them to 12 points at the summit.

The loss left Pakistan on the second spot of the group with nine points.

Sufyan&rsquo;s four goals also propelled him to the summit with nine goals, all coming through penalty corners.

India&rsquo;s Dilpreet Singh follows also with nine goals.

Pakistan will now face Oman while Malaysia will meet China in their group final matches on Monday.

Two teams from this group will make it to the semi-finals. China trail third with six points from three matches.

India lead Group A with nine points, followed by Japan also with nine points.]]>
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			<title>Bob Veldhof targets Pakistan hockey revival</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2630189/bob-veldhof-targets-pakistan-hockey-revival</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2630189/bob-veldhof-targets-pakistan-hockey-revival#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 26 08:21:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Alam Zeb Safi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Dutch coach says rebuilding is his passion, confirms one-year PHF contract with option to extend]]>
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				<![CDATA[KARACHI: Pakistan hockey coach Bob Veldhof has said that rebuilding the national team is his passion and he wants the country to return to the top of the world hockey within two to three years, insisting that becoming head coach was never his primary objective.

&ldquo;And it&#39;s not my goal to be head coach; I am there because we need to bring Pakistan back to the top in two to three years,&rdquo; Bob told The Express Tribune on Saturday.

The Dutch coach will not accompany Pakistan during the Asian Games, with Herman Kruis set to act as head coach in his absence. Bob&#39;s name had initially been included in the squad&#39;s list for the Games.

After several weeks of intensive training in Islamabad, Bob handled the Green-shirts at the FIH World Cup in Amstelveen where Pakistan finished 11th.

Bob, who also has business commitments in Europe, said his schedule made it difficult for him to remain with the team for extended periods.

&ldquo;I was not asked to go to Japan first and in my schedule it was difficult and they have now made another choice,&rdquo; Bob said.

&ldquo;It was impossible for me to go with the team to Korea. Japan was possible but without schedule I cannot manage things upfront,&rdquo; he added.

&ldquo;I will come back but we still have to discuss,&rdquo; Bob was quick to add.

Despite his absence from the Asian Games, Bob said he remained committed to Pakistan hockey and praised the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for what he described as positive recent steps towards developing the sport.

&ldquo;PHF is on the track I believe,&rdquo; Bob said.

&ldquo;The changes done in two months are bigger than I saw before and that&#39;s a good step,&rdquo; he added.

Bob also expressed confidence that Pakistan could qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, although he acknowledged that rebuilding the team would take time.

&ldquo;I think that can happen,&rdquo; Bob said.

&ldquo;But I have good relations with the PHF chief Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani and all want us to win the World Cup.&rdquo;

The Dutch coach said Pakistan needed patience as it worked to rebuild its squad and broaden its options.

&ldquo;Nothing can happen overnight and time will tell how we get more selection options and how we strengthen the team. I am hopeful that hockey in Pakistan can grow and regain its top status in the world in the next few years,&rdquo; Bob said.

Bob also clarified the length of his agreement with the PHF, saying he had signed a one-year contract that could be extended.

&ldquo;I have an agreement for one year which can be extended. PHF wanted two years but I wanted one year and so it happened,&rdquo; Bob said, dispelling an impression that he had been hired only for four months.

The coach&#39;s immediate absence from the Asian Games is therefore not being presented as an end to his association with Pakistan hockey. Instead, Bob said he expected to return, although the schedule and terms of his future involvement still need to be discussed.

For a Pakistan team seeking to rebuild its international standing, Bob&#39;s stated objective is longer term; developing greater depth, expanding selection options and creating a side capable of competing at the highest level again within the next few years.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan requests relocation of Asian Champions Trophy from India</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2629693/pakistan-requests-relocation-of-asian-champions-trophy-from-india</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2629693/pakistan-requests-relocation-of-asian-champions-trophy-from-india#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 26 16:20:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2629693</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) cites security concerns amid sensitive bilateral tension]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has formally&nbsp;called for a&nbsp;neutral venue for&nbsp;the 2026 Men&rsquo;s&nbsp;Hockey Asian Champions Trophy, citing security concerns&nbsp;amid heightened tensions&nbsp;with India, while&nbsp;reaffirming its commitment&nbsp;to competing against&nbsp;all teams.

In an official statement, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani stated the PHF has formally requested the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to relocate the Men&#39;s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 tournament or shift all of Pakistan&#39;s matches to a neutral venue.

&ldquo;This decision has been made in light of the current sensitive bilateral situation and security conditions between Pakistan and India, ensuring a safe, dignified, and conducive environment for our national players and officials.&rdquo;

The PHF statement said Pakistan remains fully committed to the Asian Champions Trophy and the global promotion of hockey.

&ldquo;We are prepared to play against all FIH member nations, including India, and stand firmly by the principle of keeping sports separate from politics,&rdquo; the PHF chief said.

&ldquo;We strongly hope that the Asian Hockey Federation will favorably consider our honorable proposal for a neutral venue to ensure Pakistan&#39;s uninterrupted and full participation.&rdquo;

The other day India&rsquo;s Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Pakistan would be among six top Asian teams taking part in the tournament, alongside hosts India, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.

The tournament will be played from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali, with the final scheduled for November 5, according to details announced at the event&#39;s logo and schedule unveiling in Mohali.

Bangladesh and Oman have been listed as reserve teams in case any of the participating sides withdraw, organisers said.

&nbsp;

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			<title>Alcaraz exits Shanghai Masters</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634431/alcaraz-exits-shanghai-masters</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634431/alcaraz-exits-shanghai-masters#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 13:32:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Spaniard suffers a shocking defeat to Bergs in the third round]]>
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				<![CDATA[Carlos Alcaraz fell to Zizou Bergs in straight sets at the Shanghai Masters on Monday, interrupting the former world number one&#39;s in-form return to the professional Tour after being sidelined for months by injury.

The 39th-ranked Belgian beat the second-seeded Spanish star 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) in the third round to land the tournament&#39;s biggest upset yet, and will play either Tommy Paul or Valentin Vacherot next.

&quot;It&#39;s a little disbelief and not feeling too much,&quot; Bergs, 27, said afterwards.

&quot;You&#39;re just really in the moment, being focused on the points you have to play,&quot; he added.

&quot;I&#39;ll be very happy.&quot;

Alcaraz started with more quality until Bergs broke the Spaniard&#39;s serve to go up 3-2 in the first set.

The 23-year-old grabbed back that break in the next game but was uncharacteristically off-target, sending a mess of shots into the net.

He double-faulted to hand Bergs a critical break point in the 11th game, and lost the first set when a volley went short.

Alcaraz was visibly frustrated during the second set as he vented to his corner following a series of misfired shots that left him with no points in the fourth and eighth games.

Alcaraz forced a tie-break but could not reach a third set as Bergs closed things out just past the two-hour mark on his first match point.

Fritz fumbles 

Earlier, Stefanos Tsitsipas came back to beat Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 and earn fourth round meeting with Daniil Medvedev, who brushed aside qualifier Dalibor Svrcina 6-2, 6-3.

A wardrobe malfunction delayed victory for the Greek world number 43 when a tennis ball tumbled out of the American&#39;s pocket a second time and forced the men to replay a match point.

A tired-looking Fritz, seeded 11th, hung on for a bit longer to save the eighth game but could not stick around beyond that, with Tsitsipas holding serve to win at the fifth time of asking.

&quot;I could have done a few things easier, but I ended up being my biggest enemy,&quot; Tsitsipas told the crowd afterwards.

&quot;I turned things around really well towards the end and became friends with myself and played some incredible tennis,&quot; he said.

Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud and Rafael Jodar also went through to the last 16.]]>
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			<title>Ushna, Mahin create history at Futures Tennis Championships</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2633520/ushna-mahin-create-history-at-futures-tennis-championships</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2633520/ushna-mahin-create-history-at-futures-tennis-championships#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 26 14:48:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Baig]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2633520</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A total of 30 players from 17 countries are participating in the event]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The first leg of the W15 Islamabad&ndash;World Tennis Women&rsquo;s Futures Tennis Championships 2026 continued, at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad.

A total of 30 players from 17 Countries ,France, China, Russia, Denmark, Mexico, Uzbekistan, South Africa, the Netherlands, Korea, Nepal, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Thailand, T&uuml;rkiye, the Czech Republic, and Pakistan are competing in the championship.

Astrid Cirotte of France, currently ranked World No. 624, is the top seed of the tournament.

Top Pakistani Players: Ushna Suhail, Mahin Aftab Qureshi, Meheq Khokhar, Romaisa Malik, and Hajra Sohail are participating in the Championships.

Nine matches were played on the first day of the event.

Ushna and Mahin Create History as First Pakistani Pair to Win a World Tennis Futures Doubles Match

Pakistan&#39;s leading women&#39;s players, Ushna Suhail and Mahin Aftab Qureshi, created history by becoming the first Pakistani pair to win a doubles match at a World Tennis Women&#39;s Futures Tournament.

Competing in the W15 Islamabad&ndash;World Tennis Women&#39;s Futures Championships 2026, the Pakistani duo defeated Romaisa Malik (Pakistan) and Nissa Finnigan (South Africa) 6-0,6-0 in the opening round to advance to the second round of the doubles event.

With this historic victory, Ushna and Mahin have not only progressed in the tournament but have also secured valuable WTA ranking points, marking a significant milestone for women&#39;s tennis in Pakistan.

Women&#39;s Singles 1st Round:

Wozuko Mdlulwa (RSA) bt Mahin Aftab Qureshi (PAK) 4&ndash;6, 7&ndash;6(7), 7&ndash;5

Abhilasha Bista (Nep) bt Romisa Malik (Pak) 6&ndash;0, 6&ndash;1

Sofiia Suslova (RUS) bt Liliya Piskun (RUS) 0&ndash;6, 6&ndash;3, 6&ndash;1

Elena Jamshidi (Den) bt Meheq Khokhar (Pak) 6&ndash;0, 6&ndash;0

Sevil Yuldasheva (Uzb) bt Anna Simkina (RUS) 6&ndash;0, 6&ndash;0

Anastasiya Kuparev (Ger) bt Hajra Sohail (Pak) 6&ndash;4, 6&ndash;1

Suzuna Oigawa (Jpn) bt Jeong Moon (Kor) 6&ndash;2, 6&ndash;2

Women&#39;s Doubles 1st Round:

Warona Mdlulwa / Wozuko Mdlulwa (RSA) bt Sofiia Suslova (RUS) / Liliya Piskun (RUS) 6&ndash;3, 6&ndash;2

Suzuna Oigawa (Jpn) / Kei Yau Cheung (HKG) bt Sabrina Olimjanova (Uzb) / Varvara Rubtsova (RUS) 6&ndash;2, 6&ndash;2

Julia Khramtsova (RUS) / Ksenia Laskutova (RUS) bt Serife Pelin Sari (TUR) / Abhilasha Bista (Nep) 6&ndash;1, 6&ndash;1

Ushna Suhail (Pakistan) / Mahin Aftab Qureshi (Pak)bt Romisa Malik (Pak) / Nissa Finnigan (RSA) 6&ndash;0, 6&ndash;0

The matches will start tomorrow at 10:00am.]]>
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			<title>World Tennis Women Championship starts tomorrow</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2633121/world-tennis-women-championship-starts-tomorrow</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2633121/world-tennis-women-championship-starts-tomorrow#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 26 13:55:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Baig]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2633121</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Players from 17 countries set for $15,000 event in Islamabad]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The World Tennis Women&rsquo;s Championship 2026 will begin at the PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad on Tuesday, with players from 17 countries set to compete in the $15,000 event.

The championship, which runs from October 6, features competitors from France, China, Russia, Denmark, Mexico, Uzbekistan, South Africa, the Netherlands, South Korea, Nepal, Japan, Hong Kong, Turkey, Czech Republic, Germany, Thailand and Pakistan.

France&rsquo;s Astrid Cirotte, ranked 624th in the world, is the tournament&rsquo;s top seed.

Pakistan&rsquo;s leading players include Ushna Suhail, Mahin Aftab Qureshi, Meheq Khokhar, Romaisa Malik and Hajra Sohail.

The main draw matches are scheduled to begin at 10 am on Tuesday, with the tournament providing local players an opportunity to compete against international opposition and earn WTA ranking points.

Pakistan Tennis Federation&rsquo;s (PTF) president Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and secretary general Col Zia Uddin Tufail extended their best wishes to the participating players and welcomed the international competitors to Pakistan.

Qureshi said the federation was committed to developing women&rsquo;s tennis and was providing Pakistani players with opportunities to compete in international women&rsquo;s tournaments on home soil.

&ldquo;These events will enable local players to compete against international opposition, gain valuable experience, win matches and earn important WTA ranking points,&rdquo; he said.

Tufail said back-to-back women&rsquo;s championships in Islamabad would give Pakistani players valuable international exposure while helping them improve their rankings and compete at the professional level..

The women&rsquo;s singles competition will feature a 32-player main draw, while the doubles event has 16 teams. The doubles draw includes two Pakistani pairings in the opening round, with Finnigan and Romisa Malik facing Mahin Qureshi and Ushna Suhail in an all-Pakistani contest.

Meheq Khokhar, partnering Anna Simkina, will face third seeds Jeong Moon and Kamonwan Yodpetch.]]>
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			<title>Djokovic grinds out opening-round win at China Open</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632394/djokovic-grinds-out-opening-round-win-at-china-open</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632394/djokovic-grinds-out-opening-round-win-at-china-open#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 26 05:45:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2632394</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The Serbian battles through a tight second set to beat Borges 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) in his Beijing return]]>
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				<![CDATA[Novak Djokovic held his nerve during a tense tie-break to beat Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) at the China Open on Wednesday and extend his extraordinary unbeaten streak in Beijing.

The 39-year-old Serbian was struggling physically but pushed through the second-set decider for his first win at any event since Wimbledon in July.

The former world number one is set to meet wildcard Bu Yunchaokete of China in the second round.

Fans packed the stands in Beijing to watch Djokovic, a firm favourite in China who has never lost in Beijing in 30 matches -- although this was his first match at the event since 2015.

He delighted the crowd with an ace to end the first game and saved two break points after a pair of double-faults to win the first set.

Djokovic has had health issues in recent months and struggled to pick up points at the start of the second set, using his racquet to stretch his back between games and needing a medical timeout as a trainer worked on his right shoulder.

But he forced a path to victory in one hour and 50 minutes, clinching it when Borges, the world number 49 from Portugal, returned into the net.

It preserved Djokovic&#39;s winning streak in Beijing, where he has won six titles.

Earlier, Karen Khachanov swept aside second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 in their first-round meeting.

Khachanov, the world number 26, won three straight games, taking the first set in 31 minutes.

The 30-year-old then kept his cool to break Auger-Aliassime on the first match point, wrapping things up in one hour and 11 minutes.

He faces either Arthur Rinderknech of France or qualifier Alex Molcan of Slovakia in the round of 16.

Khachanov brushed off suggestions he had Auger-Aliassime&#39;s card marked following his second statement win over the Canadian world number five in a matter of weeks.

&quot;It was a tough match,&quot; the Russian, who triumphed at the US Open, said.

&quot;When you approach this match you are thinking it&#39;s a completely new match, completely different. In China, in Beijing. Different court, different balls.

&quot;You just focus again from zero. You know that what you did well... and you just try to keep the momentum going. There is not much secret about it.&quot;]]>
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			<title>GM Bashir makes strong start in Asian Games shooting</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632226/gm-bashir-makes-strong-start-in-asian-games-shooting</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632226/gm-bashir-makes-strong-start-in-asian-games-shooting#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 26 07:34:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Alam Zeb Safi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2632226</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Olympian fires 289-8x to finish eighth in stage 1 of the 25m rapid fire pistol, with stage second set for Thursday]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&rsquo;s ace-shooter Ghulam Mustafa Bashir had a solid start in his men&rsquo;s 25 metre rapid fire pistol event of the 20th Asian Games at the Aichi Perfecture General Shooting Gallery in Japan on Wednesday.

Competing in stage 1, the 2022 World Championship bronze medallist and Olympian Bashir finished eighth among 28 shooters with a score of 289-8x.

He will now compete in the second stage on Thursday and it is highly expected that the veteran shooter will be able to qualify for the finals also to be held on the same day.

Bashir&rsquo;s performance placed him ahead of several experienced competitors and kept him within reach of the leading positions. China&rsquo;s Su Lianbofan topped the stage 1 standings with 297-12x, followed by South Korea&rsquo;s Yoon Seoyeong with 293-9x and Lee Gunhyeok with 292-8x.

Bashir&rsquo;s 289 points also put him just one point behind Kazakhstan&rsquo;s Nikita Chiryukin, who occupied seventh place. His result was particularly encouraging given the closely packed standings, where only a few points separated many of the competitors.

Initially Mohammad Farooq and Mohammad Shabbir were also scheduled to feature in this event but they could not proceed.

&ldquo;I think Bashir has started well,&rdquo; a senior official of National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) Razi Ahmed Khan told The Express Tribune.

Razi, who is also a senior coach, hoped that Bashir will be able to advance to the finals.

&ldquo;I think he is in the best position to proceed. The second stage is more important. The pressure is really on top two shooters and if Bashir keeps his focus he can qualify and even win a medal,&rdquo; Razi said.

Only two shooters have made it to the Asian Games because of NOC issue. The other is Rabia Kabir who has completed her competition in the 25m pistol, having failed to do better.

Besides Farooq and Shabbir, Farrukh Nadeem, who won Asian shotgun gold, prolific Usman Chand, Imam Haroon and Kishmala Talat were the others who could not proceed due to NOC matter.

&ldquo;NOCs had been issued but they were late and when you miss a flight then you need at least one week to manage ammunition transportation and that is why they could not proceed,&rdquo; Razi said.

He specifically mentioned Kishmala, saying she was in fine touch and could win another medal.

&ldquo;Kishmala had secured historic bronze last time in the 2023 Hanzghou Asian Games and again she could lift a medal as she was in great form but unfortunately the same matter ended her chance,&rdquo; Razi said.

Kishmala became the first Pakistani shooter who won a medal in Hanzghou in Pakistan&rsquo;s Asian games shooting history.]]>
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			<title>Usman’s horse Eden Du Veret makes historic Asian Games landing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2629836/usmans-horse-eden-du-veret-makes-historic-asian-games-landing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2629836/usmans-horse-eden-du-veret-makes-historic-asian-games-landing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 26 09:18:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Alam Zeb Safi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2629836</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The premier eventer and his horse will start their Asian Games journey on September 20]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan&rsquo;s star eventer Usman Khan and his horse Eden Du Veret have landed in Narita, Japan, safely to feature in the 20th Asian Games eventing event.

This is the fourth successive time that Usman has qualified for the quadrennial event. However on previous three occasions he could not proceed due to financial issues.

&ldquo;Yes, we have safely landed and will begin our journey on September 20,&rdquo; Usman told this correspondent.

Usman and his horse underwent a 70-day quarantine, 60 days in France and last ten-day pre-export mandatory quarantine in Germany before they flew to Japan.

Eden Du Veret is the FEI name of Usman&rsquo;s horse while his EFP name is Mirage, the horse which had also been used in the 2024 Paris Olympics Qualifiers.



Mirage was transported via Lufthansa flight while Usman proceeded through Etihad Airways. The 200 kilogramme of equipment was loaded separately on Qatar Airways.
Besides this a 100kg of feed had been taken on a flight a week earlier.

However some equipment of National Federations have not yet reached Japan. The agents, handling such matter, have updated the national federations about the situation.

The federations have been told that not all horse equipment and veterinary kits were delivered to the venue last night.
An additional 4,900 kilogramme over and above the quantities originally booked by national federations (NFs) was delivered to Li&egrave;ge. However, agents said, that due to payload restrictions, they were unable to accommodate all the cargo on the flight.

&ldquo;Once delivered to Li&egrave;ge, all the equipment formed part of one consolidated consignment. We therefore had no option to identify and unload the equipment of individual NFs whose quantities exceeded their original bookings.&rdquo;

&ldquo;We immediately began exploring every possible solution to expedite the shipment of the equipment from Europe to Japan, and arrangements were made for it to arrive in Narita this evening.&rdquo;

&ldquo;However, I have just been advised that QR806 departed Doha with only 19 pieces on board. The remaining pieces are now scheduled to travel on QR806 tomorrow,&rdquo;

Usman has also asked the agents about his equipment, adding if the NOC equipment arrives tonight, they can arrange a training session later this evening.

Usman told the agent if it does not arrive until tomorrow then it would be a big issue for Pakistan in the crucial lead-up to the Games.

It would be a testing time for Usman to deliver at the continental stage. He has a massive experience of playing at the highest level.

Usman&rsquo;s eventing journey is too long, having spent around two decades in this field, first by backing himself in Australia and now doing his best in France, his new abode.
Usman specifically had moved to France from Australia in order to prepare for the Paris Olympics qualifiers at a zone hardly at 45 kilometre drive from the Paris Olympics playing zone.

He qualified but could not maintain his ranking after missing a few events especially the one in South Africa which dropped him to the reserves list. He still could compete provided a rider would drop but he decided not to opt for that as his horse was too young and inexperienced.

Usman, who basically belongs to Lahore, had qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but his horse Azad Kashmir died. He then revised his qualification process and when he was near the finish line in the qualifiers in Australia his horse Kasheer fell and died on the spot. Usman was left critically injured. Following a few months of top treatment in Australia Usman recovered and took a big time before deciding to return to the international circuit.]]>
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			<title>Razaullah’s rocket rise</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2628733/razaullahs-rocket-rise</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2628733/razaullahs-rocket-rise#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 26 10:00:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Alam Zeb Safi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2628733</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mardan’s pacer hard work, raw pace and persistence earn Pakistan call-up]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Razaullah Khan Mashwani&rsquo;s rise to Pakistan&rsquo;s Test team did not begin under bright stadium lights or in a high-profile academy.

It began with tape-ball cricket in Mardan.

The fast bowler, who made a sensational international debut against England, was born into a family from Nehag Dara in Upper Dir. When he was about hardly two years old, his family moved to Mardan, the second-largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he began building the career that would eventually take him to Pakistan&rsquo;s national team.

For years, Razaullah&rsquo;s progress was powered less by recognition than by persistence.

&ldquo;He is a very good boy and his main focus is on his game only,&rdquo; said Akmal Khan, one of the coaches who has worked with him and runs the Akmal Khan Cricket Academy in Mardan.



Akmal, a former first-class batting all-rounder and qualified coach, has watched Razaullah develop from a promising youngster into one of Pakistan&rsquo;s most exciting fast-bowling prospects.

&ldquo;He is a nice guy and is passionate about his bowling,&rdquo; Akmal told The Express Tribune.

Razaullah is also a capable batsman, Akmal said, a part of his game that he believes will become more apparent as his career develops.

But it is his pace that has made him stand out.

Razaullah started with tape-ball cricket before making the transition to hard-ball cricket. His father, now elderly and no longer working, encouraged him to stay focused on the sport, while his five brothers supported him throughout the journey.

&ldquo;Razaullah came to Mardan in 2007,&rdquo; Akmal said. &ldquo;His father has always encouraged him to focus on cricket and work hard. All of his brothers have also supported him throughout his journey.&rdquo;

The progression was gradual but relentless.

Razaullah joined the Akmal Khan Cricket Academy during the 2022-23 season. In 2023, he played Under-19 cricket at the inter-district level before being selected for the Abbottabad Region Under-19 team.



His first opportunity at the national Under-19 level immediately caught attention.

&ldquo;In his first appearance at the national Under-19 level, he was one of the best-performing players,&rdquo; Akmal said.

Akmal was part of the coaching staff for the regional Under-19 team, working alongside head coach Arun Lal, who also backed the young fast bowler.

Razaullah continued to impress at a tournament in Quetta before moving into senior cricket with the Mardan district team. His progress, however, was interrupted by an elbow injury after his second match.

The setback did not derail him.

MIT Solutions gave him an opportunity to play in 2024, and he responded by taking 28 wickets. He returned for another season with the team and claimed 27 wickets, helping it reach the final against Sahir Associates.

Although Sahir Associates won the final and earned promotion to first-class cricket, Razaullah&#39;s performance strengthened his reputation.

He was later included among the 30 players selected for the Abbottabad Region, but opportunities remained limited.

Then came another break.

Rafatullah, the Peshawar Region coach, gave Razaullah a chance to play as a guest player for the region. He showed that his value extended beyond the ball, scoring a century and a half-century.

Sahir Associates subsequently offered him a contract for the 2025-26 first-class season.

In five matches, he took 25 wickets.

That brought another step up: the Pakistan Super League.

Rawalpindiz selected Razaullah, and although he played only two matches, he made an impression with his pace, reaching 148 kph.

His performances continued to accumulate.

Razaullah represented Abbottabad Region in the National T20 competition, where the team became champions in 2026. He was then called up to a white-ball camp at the National Cricket Academy.

The next opportunity was the Champions Cup, where he was selected for Pakistan Gold.

He seized it.

Razaullah&#39;s performances drew attention around the country and helped Pakistan Gold win the tournament. Soon afterward, he returned to the National Cricket Academy for a fast-bowling camp, where he was named player of the camp.

Then, late one night, the call came.

Razaullah was at home when the National Cricket Academy asked him to report.

That call ultimately led to his selection for Pakistan&#39;s Test squad.

For a young cricketer whose journey began with a tape-ball in Mardan, the rise has been remarkably quick.

But those who have followed him closely say it was not accidental.

&ldquo;Razaullah is a very talented and hardworking young man,&rdquo; Akmal said. &ldquo;He strongly believes in hard work and has always trusted his own efforts. He has never believed in taking shortcuts.&rdquo;



His journey, Akmal said, is the product of &ldquo;dedication, determination and continuous hard work.&rdquo;

Mukhtiar Hussain, a former manager of Abbottabad Region, reached a similar conclusion after working with the fast bowler.

&ldquo;He is a hard-working player and the best thing in him is that he focuses on his job,&rdquo; Mukhtiar told this correspondent.

For now, Razaullah remains connected to the places that helped shape him. One of his brothers still lives in Nehag Dara in Upper Dir, while Razaullah himself lives in Mansab, near New Sabzi Mandi in Mardan.

At the Akmal Khan Cricket Academy, where part of his journey took shape, there is already anticipation for his return.

Akmal said the academy and Shaheen Club, which he represents, will welcome him warmly.

For a player who spent years chasing opportunities from the margins of Pakistan&#39;s cricket system, the welcome will mark another milestone in a journey that has gone from tape-ball cricket in Mardan to the country&#39;s Test team, powered, above all, by pace, patience and persistence.

Pakistan also has a solid batsman Kamran Ghulam who belongs to Dir Upper.]]>
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			<title>Rs5.7 billion approved for SAG infrastructure development</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2628489/rs57-billion-approved-for-sag-infrastructure-development</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2628489/rs57-billion-approved-for-sag-infrastructure-development#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 26 06:46:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Baig]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2628489</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Investment exposes scale of work needed before biennial event to held in April 2027]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan has approved a Rs5.7 billion package to upgrade sports infrastructure ahead of the South Asian Games, with authorities seeking to ensure venues are ready to host the regional multi-sport event.

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman and Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, reviewed and approved the development package at a meeting on Wednesday.

The projects include extensive upgrades to facilities at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad, as well as improvements to sports infrastructure in other cities.

Officials said the work is intended to improve the quality, functionality and operational readiness of venues required for the Games, which will bring athletes and teams from across South Asia to Pakistan.

The approval represents a significant allocation of public funds to sports infrastructure as Pakistan prepares to host the regional competition. The investment also reflects the scale of rehabilitation and development work considered necessary to bring existing facilities up to the required standard.

Secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani welcomed the decision, describing it as a major achievement for the country&#39;s sports sector.

Wani credited the prime minister and the Planning Commission with supporting efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure and said the investment would serve purposes beyond the Games themselves.

&ldquo;The approval of the Rs. 5.7 billion infrastructure package is a major step forward for the successful hosting of the SAG,&rdquo; Wani said.

He said the planned upgrades to the Pakistan Sports Complex and other facilities would provide athletes and visiting teams with improved venues while creating a longer-term benefit for Pakistani sport.

The government has increasingly focused on improving sporting infrastructure as Pakistan prepares to host major regional competitions. For the SAG venue readiness will be critical to the smooth conduct of events and the experience of participating teams.

The approved programme covers both the capital&#39;s main sports complex and facilities elsewhere, indicating that preparations extend beyond a single host venue.

Wani said the IPC ministry would coordinate with the Planning Commission and other relevant stakeholders to implement the projects and complete them on time.

The authorities will have to ensure that construction, rehabilitation and procurement work progresses in accordance with the operational requirements of the Games.

The investment is expected to leave Pakistan with upgraded sports facilities after the competition, although the immediate priority for officials will be completing the works before athletes arrive.

The SAG will be held in Pakistan from April 3-11 at different venues.]]>
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			<title>Arshad Nadeem faces Budapest test</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2628308/arshad-nadeem-faces-budapest-test</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2628308/arshad-nadeem-faces-budapest-test#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 26 08:44:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Alam Zeb Safi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2628308</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Olympic champion heads to Hungary capital for World Athletics Ultimate Championship]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem travelled to Budapest on Wednesday to compete in the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, seeking a return to form after a disappointing performance at the Commonwealth Games.

The 29-year-old premier athlete was on his way to Hungary, his manager Awais Tahir told The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

The men&#39;s javelin final is scheduled for September 13, with Arshad set to face a strong field that includes Sri Lanka&#39;s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, Grenada&#39;s Anderson Peters, Germany&#39;s Julian Weber, American Curtis Thompson, Trinidad and Tobago&#39;s Keshorn Walcott, Kenya&#39;s Julius Yego and Poland&#39;s Dawid Wegner.

The competition is being held for the first time, adding another major international stage for Arshad as he looks to rebuild momentum ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Arshad&#39;s latest outing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ended in disappointment. He finished ninth in the 12-man final after three throws in the opening phase and was thus dethroned as he had won crown at Birmingham in 2022 with a Games record throw of 90.18 metres.

His return to Budapest, however, carries a degree of familiarity and significance.

Hungary was the scene of Arshad&rsquo;s breakthrough on the global stage when he won silver at the 2023 World Championships. A year later, he produced the defining performance of his career at the Paris Olympics, winning gold with a throw of 92.97 metres which is also Olympics record.

His manager said the athlete&#39;s preparation is focused on long-term development.

&quot;As for the training, it takes time to achieve better results. Our main focus is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, so we&#39;re working with a long-term plan,&quot; Tahir said.

Arshad trained under South African coach Terseus Liebenberg, who also played an important role in preparing him for his Olympic triumph in Paris.

The coach has urged the athlete to reset after reaching the pinnacle of his career.

&quot;After such an incredible feat it is just natural that he had to once again reset, refocus, set new goals and regain his hunger for success at the highest level,&quot; Liebenberg had told this correspondent a few days ago.

He described Arshad as an athlete with an exceptionally strong mindset and expressed confidence that he could rediscover his best form.

The Budapest field presents a formidable challenge.

Pathirage, Sri Lanka&#39;s leading javelin thrower, enters the competition with considerable momentum after winning gold at the Commonwealth Games and recently claiming a Diamond League title. His consistency in recent months has made him one of the leading contenders.

Peters, a two-time former world champion, brings extensive experience, while Weber, Thompson, Walcott, Yego and Wegner add further depth to the field.

India&#39;s Neeraj Chopra, one of Arshad&#39;s biggest rivals in recent years, will not compete in Budapest after an injury ruled him out. Chopra is also set to miss this month&#39;s Asian Games in Japan.

For Arshad, the Budapest contest represents an opportunity to measure himself against some of the world&#39;s leading throwers.

After the championship, he will return to Pakistan on September 15 before travelling to Japan for the Asian Games, where he will attempt to add to his medal tally.

Arshad won bronze at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta but missed the 2022 edition, which was held in Hangzhou in 2023 due to injury.

His immediate priority, however, is Budapest, where the Olympic champion will be looking to put his recent struggles behind him and demonstrate that his best throwing remains ahead of him.]]>
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			<title>SSGC dominate National Cycling Championship</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634430/ssgc-dominate-national-cycling-championship</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634430/ssgc-dominate-national-cycling-championship#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 26 13:29:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correpondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634430</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Army finish second as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa secure third place]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) finished at the summit, followed by Pakistan Army and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as the 10th National Road Cycling Championship concluded at Bahria Town Karachi on Sunday.

SSGC won the championship with 16 medals, including 11 gold, three silver and two bronze. Pakistan Army finished runners-up with nine medals, comprising two gold, four silver and three bronze, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa secured third place with seven medals, including two silver and five bronze.

Ahmad Shahzad (Balochistan), Mohammad (Sindh) and Muneeb (Punjab) emerged as the leading young riders while Sindh&rsquo;s Samar, Punjab&rsquo;s Christina Haroon and Hoorin Yahya from Crank Addicts stole limelight as young female pedallists.

Organised by the Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF), the three-day championship attracted cyclists from across the country, who competed in men&rsquo;s, women&rsquo;s, junior, masters and other categories.

Teams representing SSGC, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and other organisations took part in individual time trials, team time trials and road races.

POF won three gold medals, while Balochistan secured one gold to complete the list of gold-medal-winning teams.

The inclusion of masters&rsquo; categories for cyclists aged 40-49 and 50 and above was a notable feature of this year&rsquo;s championship. The event also provided young male and female cyclists with an opportunity to demonstrate their potential and gain valuable competitive experience.

The closing ceremony was held on Sunday, with HabibMetro Bank senior executive Sharifa Haider Ali attending as chief guest and distributing prizes among the outstanding performers.

The PCF also announced plans to explore the possibility of hosting the South Asian Road Cycling Championship at Bahria Town Karachi next year, subject to consultations and approval from the relevant international cycling authorities and other stakeholders.

The proposed event aims to provide Pakistani cyclists with greater exposure to regional competition and promote the country as a venue for international sporting events.

The federation, however, expressed concern over the lack of an annual grant or financial assistance from the Pakistan Sports Board, saying limited resources had made it increasingly difficult to organise national-level competitions.

It said the championship had been staged with support from sponsors and called on government institutions, private-sector companies and sports bodies to provide greater assistance for the development of cycling in Pakistan.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Verstappen wins chaotic Singapore sprint</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634084/verstappen-wins-chaotic-singapore-sprint</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634084/verstappen-wins-chaotic-singapore-sprint#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 26 10:47:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634084</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Red Bull driver holds off Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton to win by 2.50sec]]>
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				<![CDATA[Max Verstappen won a wet and wild Singapore sprint race for Red Bull on Saturday after George Russell crashed his Mercedes when leading at the end of the opening lap.

Verstappen held off Ferrari&#39;s Lewis Hamilton to win by 2.50sec with Charles Leclerc third as the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri touched and spun on the final lap when fourth and fifth.

A heavy shower 10 minutes before the scheduled start meant a delay of 30 minutes.

All cars began on intermediate tyres with some sectors of the Marina Bay Street Circuit much dryer than others as the field embarked on two formation laps behind the safety car.

The eventual standing start saw Russell start on the front row alongside pole-sitter Verstappen, and it was the Englishman who got away better.

His lead was short-lived as he lost control after touching a treacherous white line on the final bend of the opening lap.

He slid sideways into the pit lane wall, bringing out a safety car.

It was another setback in a season of bad luck for Russell, who will start from the back of the grid in Sunday&#39;s grand prix because of engine penalties.

&quot;It was a miscalculation,&quot; Russell admitted to Sky Sports.

&quot;Came through the corner, had more battery deployment than I thought, pushed me a little bit wider than I hoped and went on to the white line. Silly mistake. Big consequences.&quot;

It left Hamilton, who had a brilliant start from sixth on the grid, in second place having leapfrogged Ferrari team-mate Leclerc and the two McLarens.

The big beneficiary of Norris and Piastri&#39;s &quot;papaya spat&quot; on the last lap was championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who inherited fourth place in his Mercedes having started seventh on the grid.

Fifth was RB&#39;s Liam Lawson, sixth was the Haas of Oliver Bearman, seventh was Audi&#39;s Nico Hulkenberg and Norris got going again to limp home in eighth and round out the points scorers.]]>
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			<title>Schauffele closes in on leaders</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634079/schauffele-closes-in-on-leaders</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634079/schauffele-closes-in-on-leaders#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 26 09:20:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634079</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[American moves four shots off the lead in Japan]]>
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				<![CDATA[Double major winner Xander Schauffele moved four shots off the lead in Japan after carding two eagles and a double bogey on &quot;a weird day&quot; at the US PGA Tour&#39;s Baycurrent Classic on Saturday.

Defending champion Schauffele heads into Sunday&#39;s final day with a shot at retaining his title after carding a 6-under-par 65 to finish the third round 9-under overall.

The American had a roller-coaster front nine in sunny conditions in Yokohama, starting with a bogey before holing two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fourth.

Schauffele followed that up with a double bogey on the next hole before sinking another eagle on the par-5 sixth, and went on to card four more birdies and another bogey to finish the round.

&quot;It was a weird day,&quot; said Schauffele, who won Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021.

&quot;It was a lot of good, honestly some really bad in there as well.

&quot;But overall, if someone told me I was going to shoot 65, I&#39;d probably take it.&quot;

Michael Brennan, Zach Bauchou and Jacob Bridgeman lead the field heading into the final day on 13-under par.

Bridgeman is looking for his third win on the tour this year.

The trio hold a one-stroke lead over a chasing pack that includes Australia&#39;s Adam Scott.

Japan&#39;s Hideki Matsuyama is eight shots off the lead after a mixed day when he shot a 2-under-par 69.

Matsuyama, the 2021 champion in Japan, started like a freight train, rattling in four birdies and an eagle on the first seven holes.

He ran into serious trouble on the back nine, though, carding five bogeys and only one more birdie to undo much of his good work.

&quot;It was a mix of great golf and the worst golf,&quot; said 2021 Masters champion Matsuyama.

&quot;But it wasn&#39;t that I played absolutely terribly on the back nine.

&quot;It was little things, so I just need to make some small adjustments to make sure that doesn&#39;t happen again tomorrow.&quot;

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth was six shots off the lead after shooting a 3-under-par 68 to finish 7-under overall.

Spieth is looking for his first win on the tour since April 2022.

Collin Morikawa, the 2023 champion in Japan, was on 4-under overall.]]>
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			<title>Marquez wins Japanese GP sprint</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632769/marquez-wins-japanese-gp-sprint</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632769/marquez-wins-japanese-gp-sprint#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 26 10:44:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[He moves seven points behind leader Jorge Martin]]>
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				<![CDATA[Ducati&#39;s Marc Marquez won the Japanese Grand Prix sprint on Saturday to shave five points off Aprilia rider Jorge Martin&#39;s lead in the MotoGP championship standings.

Marquez made a scorching start ​and held the inside line on the first turn of the &zwnj;opening lap to surge past Martin, who had set a lap record at the Motegi circuit earlier on Saturday to grab pole position.

Reigning champion Marquez maintained his lead and coasted to victory, moving him to ​306 points - seven behind Martin (313), ahead of Sunday&#39;s race.

&quot;The target was ​front row in the qualifying. Starting on first or second was ⁠the best place to do a great sprint race,&quot; seven-times world champion Marquez ​said.

&quot;We did a small modification for the sprint race, and I felt much better ​on the bike.&quot;

Aprilia&#39;s Martin finished second, but was demoted to third behind LCR Honda&#39;s Diogo Moreira.

The Spaniard had found it hard going towards the end of the sprint as he was put ​under pressure by Tech3&#39;s Enea Bastianini, with the thrilling duel leading both riders ​to stray outside the track.

&quot;I tried in the last lap to do everything I could &zwnj;to keep ⁠Enea behind. I achieved that,&quot; Martin said.

&quot;I don&#39;t know exactly where I touched (the outside), because I was really focused on not doing it. So, big mistake.&quot;

Brazilian Moreira earned his first sprint podium. It was also the first sprint podium for ​satellite team LCR since ​2023.

&quot;Today was the ⁠day. We saw the crash and I said, &#39;OK, today I will try to push to see&#39;. At the end, lap ​by lap, I was feeling more comfortable with the bike,&quot; ​the 22-year-old ⁠said.

KTM&#39;s Pedro Acosta, fresh off the first MotoGP victory of his career , started in the front row but quickly found himself in the gravel after being involved in a ⁠three-rider ​crash along with Alex Marquez and Fabio Di ​Giannantonio.

Japan&#39;s Ai Ogura (Trackhouse) finished fifth, ahead of Martin&#39;s Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi, whose outside bid for the ​championship was dealt another blow.]]>
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			<title>SSGC riders shine at national cycling</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2633976/SSGC-riders-shine-at-national-cycling</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2633976/SSGC-riders-shine-at-national-cycling#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 26 20:20:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2633976</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ali Ilyas, Rabia Gharib and Zeeshan claim individual gold medals]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) riders claimed multiple gold medals as the 10th National Road Cycling Championship which started Bahria Town Karachi on Friday.
Ali Ilyas won the elite men&#39;s individual time trial for SSGC, while teammate Rabia Gharib secured gold in the elite women&#39;s event. Zeeshan of Army also claimed top honours in the junior men&#39;s individual time trial.
The championship brought together cyclists representing departmental, institutional and provincial teams from across the country. Col Aamir Hanif inaugurated the competition.
In the elite men&#39;s individual time trial, Muhammad Bilal of Army finished second behind Ilyas, while Ahmad Zaib Malik of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took bronze.
Gharib topped the elite women&#39;s podium, ahead of Zainab Rizwan of Pakistan Cycling Academy and Muskan Aslam of Army, who finished second and third respectively.
Army&#39;s Zeeshan won the junior men&#39;s individual time trial, with Muhammad Khan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa taking silver and Nisar of Punjab earning bronze.
SSGC continued its strong showing in the men&#39;s team time trial, securing gold ahead of Army, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa finished third.
In the women&#39;s junior category, Noor Fatima of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) won gold. Ali Saba of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa claimed silver, while Rahmat of Sindh took bronze.
The masters events also produced competitive finishes.

Faisal Gharib of SSGC won the Masters 50-plus category, followed by Rehan Haider of Islamabad and Sher Muhammad of Balochistan.
Wazeer Ahmed contributed another gold for SSGC in the men&#39;s masters category for riders under 48 years. Ghulam Abbas of Army secured silver, while Wazeer Muhammad of Crank Addict finished third.]]>
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			<title>Verstappen claims first pole of season</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632767/verstappen-claims-first-pole-of-season</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632767/verstappen-claims-first-pole-of-season#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 26 10:37:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2632767</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[He clocks 1 minute 35.130 seconds to edge out Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Red Bull&#39;s Max ​Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the season at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia &zwnj;on Saturday, proving he remains the master of Sepang&#39;s challenging circuit nine years after his last victory there.

Verstappen clocked 1 minute 35.130 seconds to edge out Ferrari&#39;s Lewis Hamilton, who snatched second place in the dying moments of qualifying despite struggling with tyre degradation in the brutal Malaysian heat.

Verstappen&#39;s ​team mate Isack Hadjar was third fastest but will start eighth due to a five-place grid penalty, with championship leader Kimi ​Antonelli moved up to third for Mercedes alongside Ferrari&#39;s Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen was the last driver to win a ⁠Grand Prix in Malaysia in 2017, in what was his second career victory, before the race was taken off the calendar ​after the government said it could not justify the costs.

Nine years and four championships later, the Dutchman became the first driver this ​season to put a car without a Mercedes engine on pole.

&quot;It&#39;s fantastic, we&#39;ve been trying for many Grands Prix to get more, sometimes a bit closer to the others,&quot; said Verstappen as he eyes his first win of the season.

&quot;But to finally get it from where we started the ​season, pretty incredible.&quot;

Ferrari find &#39;sweet spot&#39;

Hamilton, who also has one victory in Sepang, struggled with tyre degradation in practice sessions but ​the veteran Briton said they had now found the right setup.

&quot;It&#39;s so hot here, I keep saying it. But that&#39;s made it a massive challenge &zwnj;for ⁠the tyres, for the car, for the mechanics in the garage,&quot; Hamilton said.

&quot;We made so many changes through all these practice sessions because the cars are sliding, these tyres are overheating. It was really, really hard to find a good balance.

&quot;We made one last change going into qualifying and I think we hit the sweet spot.&quot;

Hadjar sounded frustrated on the team radio despite finishing ​third fastest and later said he ​expected to go second ⁠quickest to limit the grid penalty as much as possible.

&quot;It&#39;s a bit unfortunate we take the penalty on a track that fast,&quot; Hadjar said. &quot;But you know, from P8, I&#39;m confident we can ​go through the field and come back for a good result.&quot;

Mercedes disappointed

Mercedes endured a disappointing ​qualifying session despite ⁠bringing an upgrade package to Malaysia. Antonelli had his first Q2 lap deleted for exceeding track limits, prompting a surprised radio exchange.

&quot;Wait, what? Are we sure about the track limits,&quot; he asked before recovering to go second-fastest in the session on fresh soft tyres.

However, he ⁠could barely ​squeeze anything more out of the car in Q3, while teammate George ​Russell - second in the championship - could only manage eighth.

McLaren&#39;s reigning champion Lando Norris and team mate Oscar Piastri will start on the third row, and Alpine&#39;s ​Pierre Gasly and Audi&#39;s Gabriel Bortoleto completed the top 10.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan whip China to end 64-year medal wait</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632760/pakistan-whip-china-to-claim-volleyball-bronze</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632760/pakistan-whip-china-to-claim-volleyball-bronze#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 26 09:00:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2632760</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[National volleyballers seal historic victory to secure first bronze in Asian Games since 1962]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan secured the men&rsquo;s volleyball bronze medal with a commanding 3-0 victory over China at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Saturday.

Pakistan controlled the bronze-medal contest from the opening serve at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium, winning 25-18, 25-16, 25-18 in a match that lasted one hour and seven minutes.

China struggled to match Pakistan&rsquo;s attacking efficiency, while Pakistan maintained pressure throughout all three sets. The winners finished with 75 total points compared with China&rsquo;s 52 and also benefited from 20 Chinese errors.

Pakistan&rsquo;s attack proved particularly effective. They converted 46 of 72 spike attempts for a 64 per cent success rate, while China managed 27 successful spikes from 70 attempts, a 39 per cent rate.

Pakistan also dominated at the net, producing 13 block points compared with China&rsquo;s two. Their defence was similarly stronger, with Pakistan recording 13 digs to China&rsquo;s nine.

China made 13 opponent errors that contributed to Pakistan&rsquo;s score, while Pakistan committed 20 errors in the contest.

The first set was closely contested in its early stages before Pakistan established control and closed it out 25-18. They carried that momentum into the second set, opening a decisive advantage and winning 25-16.

China attempted to respond in the third, but Pakistan remained composed and completed the straight-sets victory 25-18.

Pakistan had last time won bronze in the 1962 Asian Games held in Indonesia.

Pakistan had lost their semi-finals against Iran.

In the quarters Pakistan had defeated India 3-0.

In the league stage Pakistan had defeated Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan before losing to Japan to finish second in their group.]]>
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			<title>Wrestlers Inayat, Gulzar eliminate at Asian Games</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632761/wrestlers-inayat-gulzar-eliminate-at-asian-games</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632761/wrestlers-inayat-gulzar-eliminate-at-asian-games#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 26 09:07:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2632761</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Inayat loses to Nurkozha of Kazakhstan; Gulzar suffers defeats in both fights]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan ended their wrestling journey in the Asian Games on a disappointing note when their remaining two wrestlers also exited without giving any breakthrough.

Former Youth Olympics bronze medallist Inayat Ullah crashed out of the men&rsquo;s freestyle 74kg competition after suffering a 12-2 defeat against Kazakhstan&rsquo;s Nurkozha Kaipanov in the round of 16 in Nagoya.

Inayat showed resistance early but the 2024 Tirana World Championship gold medallist Kaipanov steadily took control, winning the opening period 6-2 before completing the bout with another six points in the second. The Kazakh wrestler secured victory by technical superiority, ending Pakistan&rsquo;s campaign in the weight category.

Meanwhile Muhammad Gulzar suffered a one-sided defeat against Iran&rsquo;s Amirali Azarpira in the men&rsquo;s freestyle 97kg round of 16.

Azarpira dominated from the outset, winning the opening period 6-0 before adding four more points in the second to complete a 10-0 victory by technical superiority.

Gulzar struggled to create scoring opportunities throughout the bout. The Iranian wrestler maintained control and sealed his place in the quarter-finals without conceding a single point.

Gulzar was then given a repechage fight where he ended with a heavy defeat against Turkmenistan&rsquo;s Shatlyk Hemelyayev.

Gulzar struggled to find a way into the contest as Hemelyayev dominated from the opening exchanges. The Turkmen wrestler collected 12 unanswered points to secure a victory by technical superiority, with Gulzar unable to register a point.

&ldquo;You know we need more exposure for mat- wrestling development,&rdquo; Pakistan Wrestling Federation&rsquo;s (PWF) president Arshad Sattar told The Express Tribune on Saturday.

&nbsp;&ldquo;Our grapplers are product of mud-wrestling which is their key source of income and you know mat-wrestling is something different and this needs a huge push with the massive assistance of the state. If sate backs us so I hope we will start lifting medals even at the Olympics in the next few years,&rdquo; Arshad said.

Mohammad Abdullah and Noman Zaka were the other wrestlers who also failed to click on Friday.

Meanwhile Pakistan&rsquo;s key taekwondo fighter Hamzah Omar Saeed bowed out of the men&rsquo;s +80kg taekwondo competition after losing 2-0 to Thailand&rsquo;s Jack Mercer at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Saturday.

Mercer won the opening round 4-2 before extending his advantage in the second, winning 7-5 to secure victory on the final score.

Saeed managed two body-punch points and three points from body kicks, while Mercer also landed a head kick worth three points. The Thai fighter maintained control through the contest

With no Gam-jeom penalties recorded for either athlete, Mercer advanced to the quarter-finals.

Shahzaib Khan had eliminated on Friday.]]>
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			<title>Iran knock Pakistan out of title contention</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632603/iran-knock-pakistan-out-of-title-contention</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632603/iran-knock-pakistan-out-of-title-contention#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 26 11:56:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2632603</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Green-shirts suffer straight-sets defeat in Asian Games volleyball semis]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&rsquo;s hopes of reaching the Asian Games men&rsquo;s volleyball final ended after they suffered a straight-sets defeat against Iran in the semi-finals in Okazaki, Japan, on Friday.

Iran proved too strong for the Green-shirts, completing a commanding 3-0 victory with scores of 25-13, 25-15 and 25-11 at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium.

Pakistan struggled to find their rhythm from the outset as Iran dominated the opening set 25-13 before maintaining their grip on the contest with a 25-15 win in the second.

There was no turnaround for Pakistan in the third set as well, with Iran racing away to a 25-11 victory to wrap up the match in exactly one hour and seal their place in the final.

Iran enjoyed a clear advantage in attack, recording a 64 per cent success rate on spikes compared with Pakistan&rsquo;s 34 per cent. The Iranians also dominated at the net, registering a 32 per cent success rate in blocks against Pakistan&rsquo;s four per cent.

Iran finished with 75 total points, while Pakistan managed 39.

Usman Faryad Ali was Pakistan&rsquo;s leading scorer with 11 points, all of them coming from spikes. Murad Khan followed with nine points, including eight from spikes and one block.

Afaq Khan contributed three points, while Jabran and Musawer Khan scored two apiece. Hamid Yazman and Murad Jehan added one point each.

Iran also held the edge from the service line, recording four service points compared with Pakistan&rsquo;s two.

Pakistan the other day floored India 3-0 to reach the semi-finals.

Pakistan will now meet in the bronze medal match on Saturday with the winners of the second semi-final between Japan and China which is scheduled on Friday.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan claim silver in squash team event</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632600/malaysia-shatter-pakistans-squash-gold-dream</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632600/malaysia-shatter-pakistans-squash-gold-dream#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 26 11:53:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2632600</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Green-shirts settle for silver after 2-0 defeat in Asian Games men’s team final]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&rsquo;s bid for Asian Games squash gold ended in disappointment as Malaysia powered to a 2-0 victory in the men&rsquo;s team final at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena in Japan on Friday.

The Green-shirts, who had produced an impressive run to reach the title clash, were unable to overcome a strong Malaysian side and had to settle for the silver medal.

Malaysia drew first blood through Ameeshenraj Chandaran, who recovered from losing the opening game to defeat Pakistan&rsquo;s Nasir Iqbal 3-1 in 41 minutes.

Iqbal made a flying start, taking the opening game 11-8, but Chandaran quickly turned the contest around. The Malaysian dominated the second game 11-3 before taking a closely fought third 11-6.

Chandaran maintained his momentum in the fourth game and closed out the contest 11-4 to put Malaysia ahead in the tie.

With Pakistan needing a victory in the second match to keep their gold-medal hopes alive.

Noor Zaman at one stage was leading 2-1. However, Yow Eain NG fought back strongly and lifted the fourth and fifth sets 11-4, 11-5 to seal much-needed victory for his side.

Earlier, Yow took a good start by winning the first game 11-8. However, Noor recovered immediately and won the next two games 11-6, 11-6 to get a lead.

Pakistan had entered the final hoping to cap their campaign with the top prize after progressing through the earlier stages of the team competition.

Meanwhile Malaysia also clinched the women&rsquo;s squash team gold medal after defeating Hong Kong, China, 2-1 in the final.

Aifa Azman gave Malaysia a strong start, sweeping Tze Lok Ho 3-0 in the opening match.

Azman prevailed 11-9, 11-9, 12-10 in 36 minutes to put Malaysia 1-0 ahead in the gold-medal contest.

Hong Kong fought back to level the tie by winning the second match, forcing the title showdown into a decisive third encounter.

Malaysia held their nerve in the decider to seal a 2-1 victory and secure the gold medal.]]>
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			<title>Bashir fires Pakistan to shooting bronze at Asian Games</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632414/bashir-fires-pakistan-to-shooting-bronze-at-asian-games</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632414/bashir-fires-pakistan-to-shooting-bronze-at-asian-games#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 26 07:50:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2632414</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Olympian also becomes the first Pakistan's male shooter to win a medal at this stage]]>
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				<![CDATA[Ghulam Mustafa Bashir won bronze medal in the men&rsquo;s 25 metres rapid-fire pistol at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Wednesday, producing a strong performance in a tense eight-man final.

Bashir finished third with a score of 22, securing Pakistan a place on the podium at the Aichi Prefecture General Shooting Gallery.

This is the first medal from Bashir in his Asian Games career and the second for Pakistan in the continental event history. Kishmala Talat had won bronze in the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.

South Korea&rsquo;s Lee Gunhyeok claimed the gold medal after scoring 32, edging China&rsquo;s Su Lianbofan in the shoot-off. Su also finished on 32 but took silver after the tie-break.

Vietnam&rsquo;s Pham Quang Huy finished fourth with 20 points, while Indonesia&rsquo;s Suteja Dewa Putu Yadi placed fifth on 18.

South Korea&rsquo;s Yoon Seoyeong was sixth with 12, followed by India&rsquo;s Anish on 11 and Kazakhstan&rsquo;s Nikita Chiryukin on seven.

Bashir had entered the final after finishing sixth in the second stage also on Thursday with 578 points, including 19 inner tens.

He was among the eight shooters who advanced from the qualifying round.

Lee&rsquo;s victory also saw him equal the Asian record of 32 in the final, while the competition featured several of Asia&rsquo;s leading rapid-fire pistol shooters. Bashir had finished eighth in the first stage on Wednesday.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan secure eSports bronze at Asian Games</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632053/pakistan-secure-esports-bronze-at-asian-games</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632053/pakistan-secure-esports-bronze-at-asian-games#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 26 09:43:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2632053</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Thailand take gold and China secure silver in the battle royale event]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan secured the bronze medal in the battle royale event of the eSports Asian Games in Nagoya on Tuesday.

Thailand won gold, while China took silver after the 12-match competition concluded at Aichi Sky Expo Hall D.

As many as 12 teams from Asia took part in the competitions.

Pakistan was represented by Mohammad Huzaifa, Shayan Asad, Falak Sher Memon, Hasnain Rahman and Syed Sameer in event held at the Aichi Sky Expo Hall.

This is the fifth bronze from Pakistan. They have already claimed two bronze in men&rsquo;s singles squash through Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan, a bronze through women cricket and a bronze via MMA fighter Mohammad Asim Khan.

Meanwhile Pakistan women lost their squash fixture 3-0 to South Korea.

South Korea&rsquo;s Hwayeong Eum defeated Mahnoor Ali 11&ndash;2, 11&ndash;4, 11&ndash;7 Inside 18 minutes at Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.

Minggyeong Heo then defeated Sana Bahadar 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 to take 2-0 lead.

Dami Kim then completed the rout when she downed Mehwish Ali 11-3, 11-8, 11-5.

In the women&rsquo;s team stage 1 round robin Mahnoor went 3-0 down to Macao&rsquo;s Yeung Wai Leng with the game score being 11-9, 11-3, 12-10. The show lasted for 25 minutes.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan win gold at Chess Olympiad category D</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631858/pakistan-win-gold-at-chess-olympiad-category-d</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631858/pakistan-win-gold-at-chess-olympiad-category-d#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 26 09:42:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sports Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2631858</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The biennial Olympiad is one of the largest events in the sport's calendar]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan have won a gold medal in category D at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in one of the country&#39;s most notable achievements in international chess.

The biennial Olympiad is one of the largest events in the sport&#39;s calendar, with teams from nearly 200 countries taking part in 2026.

The Pakistan delegation raised the national flag, the Green Crescent, at the tournament as the result was confirmed. Officials described it as a showcase of the strength and talent of Pakistani chess on the global stage.

Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, president of the Chess Federation of Pakistan, was in Samarkand throughout the campaign, supporting the national players.

After the result, he congratulated the team and praised their hard work, determination and fighting spirit.

He said the players had brought great pride to Pakistan by demonstrating their skills at international level, and urged them to keep working hard and represent the country with the same passion in future competitions.

Federation vice-president Malik Rehan Azam and secretary general Raja Gauhar Iqbal were also at the Olympiad, carrying out their duties alongside the rest of the delegation.

The success is likely to be welcomed by players and supporters at home, where chess has long had a dedicated following but a far smaller international profile than in many other countries. Officials hope the result will encourage more young players to take up the game.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan whip Uzbekistan to reach quarters</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631839/Pakistan-whip-Uzbekistan-to-reach-quarters</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631839/Pakistan-whip-Uzbekistan-to-reach-quarters#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 26 07:10:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Alam Zeb Safi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2631839</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[National volleyballers dominate Uzbeks to record 3-0 win at Asian Games]]>
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				<![CDATA[KARACHI: Pakistan on Monday blasted their way into the quarter-finals when they whipped Uzbekistan 3-0 in their Group A second round game of the volleyball event of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya.

Pakistan sealed 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 victory, their second which put them in the last eight.

At the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium Pakistan controlled the contest from the opening set, establishing an early advantage and maintaining enough pressure to prevent Uzbekistan from mounting a sustained comeback.

Pakistan took the first set 25-18, building a seven-point cushion. Uzbekistan struggled to close the gap as Pakistan kept control of the exchanges and moved in front in the match.

The second set followed a similar pattern. Pakistan again reached 25 points while limiting Uzbekistan to 18, putting the match within reach of a straight-sets victory.

Uzbekistan showed greater resistance in the third set, but Pakistan remained in control and managed it 25-20 to complete the sweep.

Pakistan manager Naseer Ahmad was happy with the outcome.

&ldquo;Today we played well,&rdquo; Naseer told The Express Tribune from Japan.

&ldquo;We could win 3-0 even against Kazakhstan but you know it was the first game and boys needed some adjustment,&rdquo; said Naseer, also a former Pakistan captain.&nbsp;However he was hopeful that they would also be able to beat tough Japan.

&ldquo;Our charges have the capability to beat Japan and you know how tough team Japan is but we will try our level best to beat them,&rdquo; said Naseer, who has massive experience of playing professional leagues.

The Pakistani lineup included setter Abu Bakar Siddique, outside hitters Afaq Khan and captain Murad Jehan, opposites Muhammad Yahya, Murad Khan and Fahad Raza, setters Hamid Yazman and Siddique, middle blockers Jabran, Muhammad Hamad and Musawer Khan, and libero Khizar Hayat.

Usman Faryad Ali also featured among Pakistan&#39;s outside hitters.

Hong Kong&#39;s Leung Yin Yan served as first referee and Qatar&#39;s Fahad Mohammed I A Alawadhi as second referee.&nbsp;Pakistan will now meet hosts Japan in their last group show on Tuesday.

Pakistan had defeated Kazakhstan 3-1 in their opener on Sunday. Top two teams from each four groups progress to the quarter-finals.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>USA captures 11th consecutive Presidents Cup</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631826/usa-captures-11th-consecutive-presidents-cup</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631826/usa-captures-11th-consecutive-presidents-cup#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 26 04:49:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bridgeman sinks a four-foot par putt on 18 to seal a 1-up win over Min Woo Lee]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The United States made a stunning rally to capture an 11th consecutive Presidents Cup on Sunday, defeating the Internationals 17-13 in a victory dedicated to US President Donald Trump.

Jacob Bridgeman secured the clinching point at Medinah Country Club by sinking a four-foot par putt at the 18th hole to defeat Australian Min Woo Lee 1-up.

&quot;I&#39;m just so damn proud of this team,&quot; US captain Brandt Snedeker said. &quot;All these guys, they fought for each other. They fought for this country. They fought for this team.&quot;

Snedeker said Trump -- who visited the Chicago-area course for Sunday&#39;s final day -- should take credit for the win.

&quot;He told me (he) was going to bring some energy today for you guys. You guys need it,&quot; Snedeker said. &quot;And I told him if we did this, he gets all the credit. So thank you, President Trump.&quot;

The Americans improved to 14-1-1 in the biennial rivalry after trailing 10.5-7.5 entering 12 concluding singles matches, the Internationals poised to end a 28-year win drought but failing.

&quot;It was on a knife edge all day,&quot; Internationals captain Geoff Ogilvy of Australia said. &quot;It&#39;s a very difficult thing to beat the US in singles in the US. They all played great.&quot;

The Americans had nine wins and a draw on the final day.

&quot;I don&#39;t think I&#39;d do anything differently,&quot; Ogilvy said. &quot;It sort of drifted the wrong way all day.&quot;

The non-European side&#39;s lone win was in 1998 at Australia with a shared trophy at South Africa in 2003.

The Americans, boasting eight of the world&#39;s 11 top-ranked golfers, won on the same suburban Chicago layout where Europe took the 2012 Ryder Cup with the famed &quot;Miracle at Medinah&quot; fightback.

&quot;These guys never lost faith,&quot; Snedeker said. &quot;I told the guys last night that funny stuff happens here. Medinah&#39;s got a history of funny things happening, and sure enough, they went out there and played their asses off. I&#39;m so damn proud of those guys.&quot;

Drama built with every match and ended with Bridgeman, who won his second PGA Tour title last week, falling behind for the first time with a bogey at 15 only to win 16 and 18 with pars.

&quot;It was the coolest moment,&quot; he said. &quot;I felt like I held in my emotions all day. To let it out on the last hole is pretty sweet.&quot;

Cameron Young secured the first US point, beating Japan&#39;s Ryo Hisatsune 3&amp;2. He won holes 11-13 for his first lead and made a 32-foot birdie putt at 16 to win.

Justin Thomas, 0-3 in Cup singles, won the first four holes and never trailed in beating Canada&#39;s Corey Conners 5&amp;3, sinking a 15-foot birdie putt at 15 to win.

South Korea&#39;s Tom Kim answered with a 3&amp;2 victory over reigning US Open champion Wyndham Clark.

&quot;I was second off. I really felt it was a responsibility to put a point up,&quot; said Kim, who will fly to Japan for the Asian Games.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, 3-1 this week, birdied five of the first 10 holes and never trailed in beating Colombian Nico Echavarria 2&amp;1.

South Korean Im Sung-jae rattled in birdies on four of the last six holes to beat Sam Burns 3&amp;1, while Chris Gotterup beat South Africa&#39;s Christiaan Bezuidenhout 1-up.

The Americans seized a 13.5-12.5 lead when Patrick Cantlay edged Australian Adam Scott 2&amp;1 and moments later Collin Morikawa beat Japan&#39;s Hideki Matsuyama 1-up.

Cantlay was never behind but needed a 57-foot birdie putt at 16 and a seven-foot par putt at 17 to win.

Morikawa tied his match at 15 on a 30-foot birdie putt and won when Matsuyama missed a 15-foot par putt at 18.

&quot;I&#39;m happy about that closing point,&quot; Morikawa said. &quot;That was huge.&quot;

Jackson Koivun, a 21-year-old rookie, beat South Korean 2-up.

Canada&#39;s Nick Taylor tied Russell Henley and Xander Schauffele edged New Zealand&#39;s Ryan Fox 2&amp;1 after the Cup was decided.]]>
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