Category: 6. Sports

LAHORE – Former Pakistan pacer and current Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official Wahab Riaz is set to make a return to the field as he eyes participation in the upcoming World Championship of Legends.

The tournament, scheduled to be held in England later this month, is expected to feature several former cricket stars.

Wahab, who has been associated with the PCB in various roles, has been included in the Pakistan Champions squad for the event. This marks a shift from earlier this year when he was denied permission to serve as the bowling coach for Quetta Gladiators in Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10. However, sources say that the PCB is likely to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the upcoming tournament.

Wahab Riaz, who retired from international cricket five years ago, has expressed his interest in coaching Pakistan Shaheens in the future. He has already been seen guiding bowlers in recent skills camps organized by the PCB.

The Pakistan Champions squad also includes former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. Other confirmed players for the event include Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Ali, Kamran Akmal, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Khan, and Sohail Tanvir. The team is owned by Kamil Khan, who is the brother-in-law of former head coach Waqar Younis.

Wahab had previously served as the head of the PCB’s Champions Cup mentorship project, which involved five mentors: Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis. While Shoaib Malik has since stepped down, the others have continued despite indications from the board suggesting resignation.

Sources said that since these mentors were receiving salaries of Rs5 million per month, the board would be required to pay three months’ salary if they are removed from their roles.

Regarding former cricketers’ participation in leagues, the PCB clarified that, like active players, ex-players are allowed to participate in up to two leagues per year.

However, during this period, they do not receive salaries from the board.

Pakistan Champions lost the final to India in the previous edition of the World Championship of Legends. That squad was led by Younis Khan.

However, the participation of Younis and Misbah in the upcoming tournament remains uncertain.

Management, stakeholders review PSL X statistics

Over in Spain, Praveen Chithravel recorded a wind-assisted 16.80m jump with tailwinds measuring 2.9m/s to win the triple jump event at the X Meeting Memorial Jose Luis Hernandez 2025 athletics meet in Pamplona.

His other two legal jumps at the meet measured 16.40m and 16.27m.

Cristian Napoles (15.99m) and Eugenio Camara Mane (15.25m) finished behind the Indian.

This was Praveen Chithravel’s third competitive outing in Spain this season, but the first triple jump event. He competed in two long jump events in Guadalajara and Malaga previously.

The Indian athlete last competed in a triple jump event at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi, the Republic of Korea, where he won a silver medal with a 16.90m jump.

Praveen Chithravel holds the men’s triple jump national record, with a 17.37m leap at a meet in Cuba two years ago. He matched the mark at the Federation Cup in Kochi earlier this year.

Boeing employee Kandy Paulson says volunteering for the Special Olympics is a “life-changing experience.” Each year, she and her fellow Boeing drivers — those who operate cars, vans, buses and trucks for the company — come together to support the athletes.

• “When I see an athlete come off the field holding a medal, that hits me deep in my heart,” Paulson said.

Paulson was one of about a dozen Boeing drivers who volunteered to support the week-long Special Olympics Washington Spring Games in June. The team delivered equipment, supplies and food for of the athletes, who competed soccer, track and field and other events.

Wiese, who will earn his 35^th Test cap when he packs down at the back of the scrum against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in the opening match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series on Saturday, was pleased with his recovery and rehabilitation and said he was ready to return to the field in green and gold.

“My injury wasn’t that serious; there were two discs that had to recover in my neck, so I was only out for three months,” said Wiese. “I’m very excited to be back here. It’s a massive privilege.”

Commenting on his brother being in the squad with him after earning his first Springbok call-up this season, the tough-as-nails loose forward said: “We’ve never had the opportunity to play together, and it doesn’t get better than being able to do so for the national team, so I hope he gets a run.

“I’m very happy for him because he has always dreamed of it. Over and above that, he’s had a good season, and it’s fantastic to see how he has flourished at the Vodacom Bulls.”

Looking forward to Saturday’s encounter against Italy, Wiese expected a physical onslaught from the visitors, and said: “They are a very passionate side and they know how to get themselves up for a game. They are also strong up front and will want to try to dominate there this weekend.”

On a personal note, he was excited about moving from the UK to Japan, where he currently plays for the Urayasu D-Rocks, and said the biggest change was having to adapt to the vastly different style of rugby they play.

“In Japan, they play a different rugby to that which I experienced in the four or five years I was in the UK, so I’ve learned to run a lot because of the fast-paced style of rugby they play.”

The match kicks off at 17h10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Poland’s speed queen looks to impress on home turf

Few names standout as distinctly as Aleksandra Miroslaw in the pantheon of Polish sport climbing. The 31-year-old from Lublin, Poland has been dominant in recent years, winning two world championships and an Olympic title to cement her legacy as one of Poland’s greatest climbers.

Nonetheless, despite flirting with the six-second barrier last summer at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 – setting a new world record in the process at 6.06 seconds – Miroslaw’s yet to break the once unimaginable barrier in women’s speed climbing.

It’s a task she’ll hope to accomplish once and for all during the IFSC Sport Climbing World Cup Krakow 2025, with the backing of a lively and supportive home crowd – one that has yet to see Miroslaw in action on the world stage.

Of course, she won’t be the only Polish climber targeting victory in Krakow, especially if Paris 2024 bronze medallist Aleksandra Kałucka has any say in the matter.

While the 23-year-old from Tarnów has yet to compete this season, it’d be foolish to write her off prematurely. She’s shown an ability to remain calm in high pressure situations and perform at her best when it matters most, as evidenced by the overall World Cup title she claimed in 2022 and her bronze medal at Paris 2024.

Still, Kałucka will need to leave the likes of Olympic silver medallist Deng Lijuan and Team USA’s Emma Hunt in her dust, along with sister Natalia Kałucka (2023 European Games champion) and teammate Miroslaw, to stand any chance of winning in Krakow and beginning her own reign atop the speed climbing throne.

India’s Kidambi Srikanth came from behind to beat compatriot Priyanshu Rajawat for a place in the second round of the men’s singles event at the Canada Open 2025 badminton tournament in Ontario on Wednesday.

Kidambi Srikanth, currently 49th in the badminton rankings, lost the opening game against compatriot Priyanshi Rajawat but rallied back to win the 53-minute contest 18-21, 21-19, 21-14 at the Markham Pan Am Centre.

Former world No. 1 Srikanth had lost both his matches against Rajawat, the seventh seed and world No. 39, prior to this.

Srikanth’s opponent in the pre-quarterfinals will be Chinese Taipei’s world No. 71 Wang Po-Wei, who upset Malaysia’s Justin Hoh in the opening round.

Meanwhile, world No. 31 and fifth seed Ayush Shetty, fresh off his title win at the US Open last week, failed to replicate a similar run in Ontario as he was ousted in the opening round by fellow Indian badminton player Sankar Subramanian.

Muthusamy, ranked 57th, took 44 minutes to emerge as the winner by a 23-21, 21-12 scoreline and will go up against Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yu Kai in the next round.

Meanwhile, Shriyanshi Valishetty was the only Indian shuttler who managed to cross the opening round hurdle in women’s singles at the BWF Super 300 tournament.

The Australian government has confirmed it will contribute A$3.435 billion (US$2.25 billion) towards the A$7.1 billion cost of building the venues for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, clearing the way for the start of construction.

Queensland taxpayers and private finance will provide the balance of the money for the 17 new and upgraded venues for the Summer Games under the funding deal announced by state and federal governments on Thursday.

“The Sydney 2000 Games left an incredible legacy and many Australians have memories that have lasted for decades,” Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said in a statement.

“We are ready to deliver a Brisbane 2032 Games that will leave the same incredible legacy for Queensland.

“The Australian government’s commitment of A$3.4 billion towards the Games venues is the single largest contribution any Australian government has made towards sporting infrastructure in this country.”

JEONJU: Pakistan marched into the final of the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025 with a resounding victory over Japan in Thursday’s semifinal at the Jeonju Hwasan Gymnasium in Jeonju-si, South Korea.

The Green Shirts took control from the outset, surging to a 21-7 lead in the first quarter.

They maintained momentum throughout, stretching the score to 34-19 by halftime, 42-28 after the third quarter, and sealing the win with a commanding 64-39 finish.

Key players including Leya Raza Shah, Alisha Naveed, Sumayya Kouser, Haleema, Jasmine Farooq, Amani, Parisa and Farah Rasheed delivered standout performances, contributing both defensively and offensively to secure the win.

Chairman of the Pakistan Netball Federation Mudassar Arian, President Sameen Malik, and Secretary General Muhammad Riaz congratulated the team on their remarkable performance and praised the players for securing a spot in the final.

The final is scheduled to take place on Friday. Pakistan will now face the winner of the second semifinal between Maldives and Chinese Taipei.

The Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025, organised under the auspices of the Asian Netball Federation, is being held from June 27 to July four in South Korea.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan began their campaign in dominant fashion, outclassing Saudi Arabia with a 71-15 victory. In their second match, the Green Shirts continued their impressive run by securing a 56-32 win over Chinese Taipei.

In the third group-stage match, Pakistan overwhelmed South Korea with a commanding 91-6 scoreline. They followed it up with a dominant 79-39 victory over Japan in the fourth match.

Pakistan on Tuesday booked their place in the semifinals with a hard-fought 49-39 win over the Maldives in their fifth group-stage match, topping Group B.

The margins could not have been finer when Tilda Månsson (SWE) emerged victorious in a photo finish against Noelia Juan (ESP) at the 2023 Tiszaujvaros World Cup. Entering this year’s race, though, the former World Junior champion may have to summon something even more dramatic if she is to prevail once again as she faces up against the current WTCS Series leader, Lisa Tertsch (GER).

With a smaller women’s field present this year, there will only be two semi-finals on Saturday and energy conservation ahead of Sunday’s finale will be key. Such has been Tertsch’s form of late, she enters as the clear favourite. Nevertheless, every ounce of energy saved ahead of Sunday’s final – which will be live on TriathlonLive from 15:45 (CEST) – could prove the difference for Månsson or someone else upsetting the odds.

Tertsch meets Månsson in semi-final 1

With a win at WTCS Abu Dhabi and a medal at WTCS Yokohama, Tertsch has reiterated her status as one of the best triathletes in the world. It is therefore little surprise that she will wear number 1. In years gone by, the World Cup circuit has proven a happy hunting ground for the German athlete, with her win at the 2023 Tangier World Cup standing out. Equally, with WTCS Hamburg coming a week after Tiszy, there may be a chance that Tertsch will not be fully rested or dialled in for this weekend’s double header, potentially opening the door for others.

Already this year, Månsson has logged her best ever WTCS finishes yet. As a result, the triple World Cup winner will be confident of starring in Tiszy again. She wears number 3 in the first semi-final, handing her the option to shadow Tertsch. Separating the pair on the start list is Ilaria Zane (ITA); the experienced Italian medalled at the Saidia World Cup this past weekend. Zane’s teammate Costanza Arpinelli, another recent World Cup medallist (from Samarkand), then wears number 4.

World Cup medallists Lea Coninx (FRA) and Jessica Fullagar (GBR), who coincidentally both medalled in Samarkand (in 2024 and 2023, respectively), add to the firepower of the first heat. Likewise, talents like Maria López Faraudo (MEX), the 2^nd place finisher at the Americas Championships, and Manami Hayashi (JPN), who has been dominant on the Asian circuit and tackles a first World Cup of year after placing 25^th on her WTCS debut in Yokohama, could be names to watch when the final comes around. Finally, keep an eye on Carina Reicht (AUT). She is in great form following back-to-back Europe Cup wins and broke the Austrian 5km record earlier this year.  

Vermeylen the proven quantity in semi-final 2

Jolien Vermeylen (BEL), a World Cup winner and the 3^rd place finisher in Tiszaujvaros in 2023, enters as the number 1 seed in the second semi-final. Over the past few years, Vermeylen has developed to the point that her making the final (mishap aside) should be a formality. Her task will be to avoid burning any unnecessary energy in the semi-final before taking on the likes of Tertsch and Månsson.

Coming out on top in the second heat is not a given, though. One dark horse to watch will be Tilly Anema (GBR). The Brit looked set to win this year’s Samarkand World Cup before unfortunately crashing on the bike. She rallied to take 5^th place in a demonstration of her mental fortitude, and her 2025 form definitely marks her out as dangerous. Another Brit, Sophie Alden, will start too in semi-final 2 as she looks to build back to her World Cup medal-winning form following injury.

Momentum is also on the side of both Sara Guerrero Manso (ESP), the bronze medallist at May’s Chengdu World Cup, and Italy’s Beatrice Mallozzi, the recent 4^th place finisher at the Huatulco World Cup. With 2023 World U23 champion Selina Klamt (GER) and World U23 Winter Triathlon champion Zuzana Michalickova (SVK) starting the second semi-final, the race to qualify for Sunday could get spicy.

India’s rising batting stars Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal lit up Edgbaston on Day 1 of the second Test against England – and their efforts drew a flood of praise from some of cricket’s biggest names, led by Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The duo’s commanding display helped India recover from early jolts to finish 310/5 at stumps, with Gill remaining unbeaten on 114 and Jaiswal striking a fluent 87 off 107 balls.

Tendulkar took to X to laud the young guns, highlighting their contrasting yet complementary styles.“@ybj_19 set the tone from ball one. He was positive, fearless and smartly aggressive. @ShubmanGill was cool as ever, calm under pressure, solid in defence and in total control. Classy knocks from both. Well played, boys!” the batting legend wrote.

Gill, who now has back-to-back hundreds as India’s new Test captain, also earned plaudits from Mohammad Kaif, who hailed his emergence at the coveted No. 4 spot.“Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and now Shubman Gill… India is always blessed to have a solid world-class batsman at No. 4. May this continue forever,” Kaif posted.Yuvraj Singh, who has long mentored Gill, was equally effusive.“When responsibility calls, some rise and some soar! @ShubmanGill just became one of the rare few to score consecutive hundreds as Test captain! A calm head, a bold bat and a hunger to lead by example,” he wrote.Former opener Wasim Jaffer praised Gill’s poise under pressure. “Being India’s number 4 and Test captain comes with a different pressure altogether. Really good to see it has not affected his batting one bit, in fact it’s elevated it,” Jaffer wrote.All-rounder Irfan Pathan, meanwhile, underlined the duo’s role in shaping India’s Test future.“I have no doubt in my mind two batters from this young Indian team will take test team forward. YASHASVI JAISWAL & SHUBMAN GILL,” he posted.Despite minor setbacks – KL Rahul and debutant Nitish Reddy falling cheaply – India’s commanding partnership between Gill and Ravindra Jadeja (41*) ensured the team closed the day on top, with the skipper once again leading from the front.