SPORTS NEWS

 DUBAI, 26 August 2026 (Nosheen) — Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has ended India’s Jasprit Bumrah’s reign as the world’s No. 1 Test bowler in the latest ICC Test rankings released on Wednesday. The 36-year-old Starc climbed two places to reach the top of the rankings for the first time in his illustrious career, moving ahead of New Zealand’s Matt Henry and Bumrah.Starc has remained among the top 10 Test bowlers for much of his 15-year international career and recently broke into the top three following his impressive performances during last year’s Ashes series. Bumrah had occupied the No. 1 position since 2024. However, an injury ruled him out of India’s Test series against Sri Lanka, contributing to his drop in the latest rankings. Starc’s rise to the summit followed an o...

کولمبو، 26 اگست 2026 (غفران) — بھارت دوسرے ٹیسٹ میں سری لنکا کے خلاف بڑی فتح کے قریب پہنچ گیا ہے۔ میچ کے چوتھے روز سری لنکا نے فالو آن کے بعد کھیل کے اختتام پر 6 وکٹوں کے نقصان پر 229 رنز بنائے۔ سری لنکا کو صرف 16 رنز کی برتری حاصل ہے جبکہ اس کی چار وکٹیں باقی ہیں۔ بھارت پانچویں اور آخری روز میچ جیت کر سیریز 2-0 سے اپنے نام کرنے کے لیے پرعزم ہے۔ پہلی اننگز میں شاندار سنچری بنانے والے سونال دینوشا 7 رنز پر ناٹ آؤٹ رہے جبکہ کیشارا نوانتھا 3 رنز کے ساتھ ان کا ساتھ دے رہے تھے، جب بارش کے باعث کھیل مقررہ وقت سے قبل ختم کر دیا گیا۔ سری لنکا نے بھارت کے 9 وکٹوں پر 503 رنز ڈکلیئر کے جواب میں چوتھے روز اپنی پہلی اننگز 265 رنز 8 کھلاڑی آؤٹ سے دوبارہ شروع کی۔ میزبان ٹیم بالآخر 290 رنز پر آؤٹ ہو گئی، جس کے بعد اسے فالو آن کا سامنا کرنا پڑا۔ دوسری اننگز میں سری لنکا کے دونوں اوپنرز جلد آؤٹ ہو گئے، تاہم...

 COLOMBO, 26 August 2026 (Ghufran) — India are closing in on a comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test after the hosts ended day four on 229-6 following the enforcement of the follow-on. Sri Lanka lead by only 16 runs with four wickets remaining. India will enter the fifth and final day hoping to complete a 2-0 series sweep. Sonal Dinusha, who scored an impressive century in Sri Lanka’s first innings, remained unbeaten on seven at stumps, with Keshara Nuwantha not out on three when rain brought an early end to play. Sri Lanka had resumed the day on 265-8 in reply to India’s declared total of 503-9. The hosts were eventually dismissed for 290 and were forced to bat again. Sri Lanka lost both opening batsmen early in their second innings, but Kamindu Mendis and Pasin...

 LAHORE, 25 August 2026 (News Desk): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has begun the search for a new fielding coach for the national men's cricket team following the departure of Australian coach Shane McDermott last month. According to the requirements outlined in the PCB's advertisement, the successful candidate must possess at least a Level II cricket coaching qualification and have a minimum of five years' experience in a similar role working with elite cricketers, national teams, franchise sides or international teams. Candidates are expected to have a strong understanding of modern fielding techniques, game analysis and player development. They should also have proven experience in monitoring and evaluating international-level systems and processes aimed at improving players...

 COLOMBO, 25 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Sri Lanka were battling to avoid the follow-on when rain brought an early end to play on the third day of the second Test against India on Tuesday, with the hosts struggling at 265-8. Sri Lanka still need 39 more runs to avoid being asked to bat again, having fallen 238 runs behind India's first-innings total of 503-9 declared. Only 80.4 of the scheduled 98 overs could be bowled during the day due to persistent rain. India fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel said his team was looking to dismiss Sri Lanka quickly on the fourth day and enforce the follow-on.“With the amount of rain that is around, it takes a lot of time to put the covers on and take covers off,” Morkel told reporters. “So given the lead we have, we want to ask them to follow on and p...

LONDON, 25 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Tottenham Hotspur have signed Brazilian winger Savinho from Manchester City for a reported initial fee of £75 million ($102 million), taking the club's total spending in the current transfer window beyond £300 million. The 22-year-old struggled to establish himself as a regular first-team player during his two seasons at Manchester City. Tottenham are hoping Savinho will bring additional pace and creativity to their attack after narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League last season. “It’s taken a while but I’m very happy to be here,” Savinho said in a Tottenham statement. “It’s a wonderful opportunity at a brilliant club with one of the best managers in the world. As soon as I spoke to the head coach I knew I had to come. He told me he wants to...

 LONDON, 25 Aug 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan bowling coach Umar Gul has provided an encouraging update on injured captain Babar Azam ahead of the second Test against England, scheduled to begin on August 27 at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Speaking to reporters, Gul said Babar had participated in an extensive batting session and faced both spinners and fast bowlers in the nets. “Babar has practiced throwdowns, and later on, he also faced spinners and fast bowlers in the nets,” Gul said. “He looks good. He batted in all three nets. We are hopeful that he will be available,” he added. Gul said the Pakistan team was fully prepared for the second Test and excited to play at the iconic Lord’s venue. “We are ready for the next game, and the team is looking forward to it. Everybody is very excited ...

 BUENOS AIRES, 24 August, 2026 (Web Desk): Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha has reclaimed the half marathon world record after delivering a record-breaking performance in Buenos Aires. The 29-year-old Ethiopian athlete won the Buenos Aires Half Marathon in an outstanding time of 56 minutes and 51 seconds, setting a new world record. Kejelcha had previously set the half marathon world record in 2024 in Valencia, completing the race in 57 minutes and 30 seconds. His previous record was broken earlier this year by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who clocked a faster time in Lisbon in March. Kejelcha has now regained the world record with his remarkable performance in Buenos Aires. In the women’s event, Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay claimed victory after completing the half marathon in 1 hour, 3 minu...

 LAHORE, 24 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Fatima Sana has said her side will approach every match of the upcoming Asia Cup with equal importance, rather than focusing on any particular fixture. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Monday, Fatima said preparations for the continental tournament were progressing well, with the players determined to deliver consistent performances throughout the competition.“For us, every match in the Asia Cup is important,” the Pakistan skipper said, stressing that the team’s focus would remain on each fixture. Fatima said familiarity with the conditions in Dubai would benefit the team during the tournament. She added that the players had reviewed their shortcomings from previous series and were determined not ...

 ISLAMABAD, 24 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Pakistan has achieved a remarkable success at the 37th Japan Junior Open Squash Championship 2026, winning two gold medals in different age categories. Pakistani players delivered outstanding performances, with Yahya Khan securing the gold medal in the Under-17 category, while Abu Bakar won the Under-11 category title. The impressive performances have brought pride to Pakistan and highlighted the country's emerging talent in squash on the international stage. The achievement comes at a time when Pakistani junior players are continuing to make their mark in international competitions and strengthening the country's proud squash tradition. Earlier, Sana Bahadur, a talented Pakistani girl from Peshawar with hearing loss, also brought honour to t...