SPORTS NEWS

 LISBON, 18 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Portugal’s squad for the start of the 2026-27 Nations League campaign, with new head coach Jorge Jesus including the 41-year-old forward in his first squad since taking charge. Ronaldo, who said last month that this would probably be his final season in football, is the leading scorer in men’s international football with 146 goals in 233 appearances and has scored more than 950 goals for club and country. Jesus previously coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr before leaving the Saudi club in May after guiding them to the Saudi Pro League title. Borussia Dortmund forward Fabio Silva has also been recalled for the first time since November 2024, while Benfica midfielder Joao Palhinha returns after nearly a year. Po...

 LAHORE, 18 September 2026 (Nosheen): Pakistan’s Abdul Rehman has won the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Cup Magic Skill Award in the men’s category for his outstanding 3D skills during the team’s match against Wales. Abdul Rehman impressed during the tournament by dribbling past four Welsh defenders before scoring a spectacular goal. The FIH announced the winners of the World Cup Magic Skill Awards, with the Pakistani player earning recognition for his exceptional skills and memorable performance.

 Lahore, 17 September 2026 (Kamran Raja): The Punjab government has issued a province-wide schedule for sports activities and competitions for students at all public schools across the province. Public schools have been directed to hold sports activities at least once a week, with school- and center-level competitions scheduled from October 12 to 23. Tehsil-level competitions will be held from October 26 to November 6, followed by district-level events from November 10 to 20, while provincial-level competitions are scheduled for November 23 to 27. The sports gala will feature hockey, cricket, badminton, volleyball, table tennis, athletics, football and chess, along with swimming competitions. District education authorities have been directed to complete preparations for teams and ...

Frankfurt, 17 September 2026 (Nosheen): Germany coach Jurgen Klopp has named a 44-man squad for his first training camp since taking charge of the national team this summer, handing 16 players their first international call-ups. Although teams are limited to 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers for each match, Klopp opted for an expanded squad as Germany prepare for four upcoming Nations League fixtures. The coach has divided the players into two groups, with the first squad set to feature against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on September 24 and Greece in Augsburg three days later. The second group will be available for Germany’s matches against Serbia in Munich on October 1 and Greece in Thessaloniki on October 4. Klopp said the unusual schedule of four matches in two weeks provided ...

 Karogi, 17 September 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan defeated Thailand by three wickets with two balls to spare in a thrilling second quarter-final of the Asian Games Women’s Cricket competition at Korogi Athletic Park on Thursday, securing a place in the semifinals. The match was reduced to 11 overs after rain delayed the scheduled start. Pakistan won the toss and invited Thailand to bat first, with Thailand posting 91 runs to set Pakistan a target of 92. Thailand’s number-three batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scored with 49 off 38 balls, including seven fours. Fatima Sana struck on the second ball of her opening over to dismiss Natthakan Chantham for six. Koncharoenkai then added 65 runs with Phannita Maya for the second wicket, while Thailand captain Naruemol Chaiwai contributed 10...

 New Delhi, 17 September 2026 (Kamran Raja): Veteran Indian batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been included in India’s 15-member ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against the West Indies, as the team continues preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup. Rohit, 39, and Kohli, 37, now play only ODI cricket internationally after retiring from Test and T20I formats. Shubman Gill has been named captain for the series, which will begin on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram. Rohit’s place in the squad had reportedly been uncertain despite his impressive 138-run innings against England at Lord’s in July. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also returned to the ODI squad after last playing in the format in January. Medium-pace bowler Auqib Nabi and batting all-rounder Naman...

 Lahore, 17 September 2026 (Nosheen): The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a petition filed by Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Rizwan challenging proceedings initiated against him by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition, during which Rizwan’s counsel, Advocate Umair Qazi, argued that the NCCIA had issued notices to the cricketer without justification and that the matter did not fall within the agency’s jurisdiction. The lawyer urged the court to declare the proceedings unlawful. The court directed Rizwan to submit a response to the show-cause notice and appear before the NCCIA. During the hearing, his counsel said a response had already been submitted, but the NCCIA rejected it and subsequently issued fresh notices s...

 MANCHESTER, 16 September 2026 (Ghufran): Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has expressed sympathy for VAR officials after his team benefited from a controversial decision in their 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, where Erling Haaland scored the winning goal in the 60th minute after initially being flagged offside, with VAR ruling that United defender Patrick Dorgu had played him onside while failing to account for Enzo Fernandez, who was clearly offside and interfering with play. Refereeing body Pro Ref later acknowledged an “error of judgment” and said the VAR official should have recommended an on-field review. Speaking ahead of Thursday’s League Cup third-round match against Norwich City, Maresca defended the officials, saying VAR decisio...

ISLAMABAD, 16 September 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has expressed his desire to return to Test cricket after making an impressive start to his President’s Trophy Grade-I campaign with Pakistan Television (PTV), claiming a five-wicket haul against Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the opening round. The 32-year-old right-arm pacer has represented Pakistan in only one Test, making his debut against England in Rawalpindi in December 2022, where he took one wicket before a quad injury suffered while fielding ruled him out of the series. Rauf bowled just 13 overs in that Test and has not featured in Pakistan’s red-ball side since. Speaking to PTV Sports, Rauf said his main objective in returning to four-day cricket was to prepare for Test cricket and ser...

 WORMSLEY, 16 September 2026 (Nosheen): Pakistan U19 posted a massive 350 for four in 50 overs against England in the fourth Youth ODI at Sir Paul Getty’s Ground on Wednesday, powered by half-centuries from Usman Khan and Jahangir Bilal and a blazing unbeaten 80 by captain Farhan Yousaf. Opting to bat first, Pakistan made a strong start as Usman Khan and Jahangir Bilal shared a 148-run opening partnership inside 24 overs, with both batters scoring 79; Usman struck nine fours and a six, while Jahangir hit 13 boundaries. Ahmed Hussain and Farhan Yousaf then added 144 runs for the fourth wicket, with Ahmed scoring 63 off 53 balls, including eight fours and a six, while Farhan remained unbeaten on 80 off 54 balls, hitting three sixes and eight fours. For England, Subhaan Ali claimed t...