Category: 6. Sports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a significant step toward nurturing the country’s cricketing future off the field as well, aiming to instill real‑world skills in junior players.

According to reports, the PCB will now cover the educational expenses of young cricketers in addition to funding their sporting development.

The initiative will see players from Under‑15 to Under‑19 levels enrolled in associated academies, where they will receive year‑round cricket training alongside formal education. The board has committed to bearing all associated costs, including school and college admissions as well as annual tuition fees.

Academies in Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Multan have been designated for this dual‑development program: Sialkot Academy for Under‑15 cricketers, Faisalabad for Under‑17 players, and Multan Academy for the Under‑19 category.

Selection for these centers will be based on performances in regional cricket.

In addition, the Karachi academy has been earmarked for activities of Pakistan’s women’s cricket team, the Shaheens, and the ‘A’ side, ensuring that national‑level players also benefit from a structured training environment.

The move is part of the PCB’s broader vision to provide a more holistic development path for young talent. By integrating education with cricket training, the board aims to ease the long‑standing dilemma faced by many aspiring cricketers who struggle to balance academic and sporting ambitions.

The PCB’s commitment to young players reflects a renewed focus on both grassroots development and the broader cricket culture in Pakistan. With a more educated talent pipeline, Pakistan cricket could reap rewards not only on the field but off it as well.

LAHORE:

Pakistan’s latest pace sensation Salman Mirza has vowed to take the fight to India’s explosive top order in the upcoming Asia Cup, declaring that he and his teammates are ready for the pressure of facing their fiercest rival.

The rivalry will carry extra edge following the recent military tensions between the two neighbours after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, on the Indian side of Kashmir, earlier in May.

The cricketing clash is expected to be one of the most-watched events of the year.

Mirza in an exclusive interview with Telecom Asia Sport said:

“I’ll target India’s fiery top order.

Mirza, who burst onto the scene with Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League, says he relishes the chance to bowl against India’s batting stars.”

“A lot of us will be playing against India for the first time, and we know it’s a pressure game – but that’s where you learn and grow. I know they have a very aggressive and fiery top order.

“As a fast bowler, that’s exactly where I’ll focus. We are confident we can do well against India.”

The reigning world T20I champions, India, enter the Asia Cup as favourites. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the eight-time winners boast an aggressive batting line-up and a potent spin attack – a combination well-suited to the slow, turning surfaces of the UAE.

Mirza, however, was quick to stress that Pakistan’s focus cannot be solely on their arch-rivals.

“India’s matches grab all the attention, but Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also strong teams. Our focus will be on every opponent, not just India.”

The 31-year-old pacer impressed on his debut T20I series in May, claiming seven wickets in Pakistan’s 2-1 defeat in Bangladesh. His nippy action and skiddy pace drew praise, though he was rested for the subsequent series in the USA against the West Indies.

Now recalled, Mirza will feature in a Sharjah tri-series against Afghanistan and hosts UAE. “It’s the perfect preparation before the Asia Cup,” he said. “Both Afghanistan and UAE know these conditions very well, so it will be highly competitive.”

Mirza also hailed Pakistan’s T20I captain, Salman Agha, for his calm and calculated approach.

“Salman is new to the job, but he’s wise and cool-headed. He doesn’t burden players with pressure during the match and resolves issues afterwards. These are his first two major tournaments, but he has a clear plan, and I’m sure he’ll succeed.”

The young quick is especially excited to join forces again with Pakistan’s pace spearheads. “Bowling with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf is always special. I’ve done it with Lahore Qalandars in the PSL, and they’re very supportive. This will be another great chance to learn from them.”

Alcaraz currently leads their head-to-head nine to five, having won six of their last seven meetings. 

“Both at their top-level, I think Carlos probably has the edge. He has a little bit more variety, a little bit more fire power.

“I think Carlos’ only weakness is when he gets bored on court, and he gets a bit erratic and tries to win points in so many different ways that he gets a little bit impatient and he always wants to put on a show for the crowd.”

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Although it could appear that Sinner is trailing behind, Kokkinakis shared what he believes are the ingredients to the four-time major champion’s success and what gives him a competitive advantage against the world No.2. 

“I think Sinner is obviously an incredible player, but he is a little bit more mentally sort of stable, and you know what you’re going to get from him day-in, day-out. He’s not going to try as many crazy shots. He’s not really playing to impress the crowd as much. He’s just playing to try and win. 

“There are absolutely no weaknesses in Jannik’s game. He moves well on both sides. I’ve never seen someone sort of defend out of his backhand side like he does. He slides on hard courts like it’s nothing.”

There is no Slam quite like a home Slam – as many players who’ve either ridden the wave of support to unexpected glory, or crumbled under the weight of expectation before local crowds, can attest.

As first-round matches were completed at Flushing Meadows, American stars happily added to the tournament’s famously hyped atmosphere with winning starts.

Of the 23 American men in the 2025 main draw, 11 progressed to round two. Three of those victories came in all-American openers, highlighting pleasing depth in the men’s ranks.

While Madison Keys – the AO 2025 champion and No.6 seed in New York – suffered an upset loss to world No.82 Renata Zarazua, and Venus Williams’ comeback was thwarted by Karolina Muchova, nine of 25 American women advanced to the second round.

For fans hoping to see a homegrown champion in just under a fortnight, recent history provides encouraging signs.

Eight Western
Force players have been selected in the updated 36-player squad for the
upcoming Tests against Argentina as part of the 2025 Flight Centre Rugby
Championship.

The group is mostly consistent from the one that toured
South Africa over the past fortnight, with a small handful of changes due to
players returning from injury or replacing those who sustained injuries during
the last Two Tests.

Force winger Harry Potter, who’ll officially join the NSW
Waratahs later this year, is another who has recovered from injury to re-join
the squad, having spent time rehabbing a hamstring in recent weeks.

Filipo Daugunu and Hamish Stewart are also named, having
joined the side in South Africa following injuries to Dylan Pietsch and Ben
Donaldson.

Force forwards Nick Champion de Crespigny, Brandon
Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Carlo Tizzano and Jeremy Williams are all named,
along with backs Potter, Stewart and retiring scrum-half Nic White.

The squad will assemble in Townsville on Sunday before Tests
at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on September 6 at 12:30pm AWST, and at
Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on September 13 at 12:00pm AWST.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “While it’s disappointing
to lose some players in what was an attritional fortnight in South Africa,
we’re pleased to be able to lean into the squad depth that we’re trying to
create and welcome back some familiar faces to the group.

“Argentina have been in strong form this year with wins over
the British & Irish Lions and New Zealand and we know they’ll be very tough
to beat in Townsville.”

Wallabies squad for Tests against Argentina (Wallaby
number, first Australian Rugby club, Super Rugby Pacific club, Test caps)

Forwards (20)

Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors, ACT Brumbies,
83)

Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 41)

Josh Canham (#987, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland
Reds, 1)

Nick Champion De Crespigny (#991, Canberra Grammar School,
Western Force, 2)

Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions, ACT Brumbies, 31)

Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs, ACT Brumbies, 15)

Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Queensland
Reds, 31)

Josh Nasser (#979, Easts Rugby (Brisbane), Queensland Reds,
6)

Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Queensland Reds, 14)

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (#918, Southern Districts, Western
Force, 23)

Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, ACT
Brumbies, 12)

Tom Robertson (#898, Dubbo Kangaroos, Western Force, 34)

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick, Queensland Reds, 41)

Pete Samu (#920, Moorabbin Rams, NSW Waratahs, 33)

James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates, ACT Brumbies, 148)

Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia,
Western Force, 8)

Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane), NSW
Waratahs, 61)

Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, ACT
Brumbies, 54)

Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 16)

Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Queensland Reds,
27)

Backs (16)

Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Bulldogs, Queensland Reds, 12)

Tane Edmed (#990, West Harbour Juniors, NSW Waratahs, 2)

Josh Flook (#972, Brothers Rugby, Queensland Reds, 4)

Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 45)

Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, NSW Waratahs, 13)

Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW
Waratahs, 43)

Ryan Lonergan (uncapped, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies,
0)

Tom Lynagh (#977, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds,
6)

Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club, Queensland Reds,
47)

James O’Connor (#832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee, Crusaders
(New Zealand), 66)

Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club,
Queensland Reds, 31)

Harry Potter (#989, Moorabbin Rams, Western Force, 5)

Hamish Stewart (#986, Toowoomba Bears, Western Force, 2)

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, NSW Waratahs,
10)

Corey Toole (#992, Wagga Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, 1)

Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks, Western Force, 75)

Unavailable for selection due to injury

Charlie Cale

Massimo De Lutiis

Ben Donaldson

Matt Faessler

Langi Gleeson

Jake Gordon

Noah Lolesio

Dylan Pietsch

Luke Reimer

Tom Wright

The
Flight Centre Rugby Championship

Wallabies v
Argentina at 12:30pm AWST on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank
Stadium, Townsville

Wallabies v
Argentina at 12:00pm AWST on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):

THE SAINT Lucia Kings sent a thunderous message to the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), announcing their title defence is well and truly alive, with a stunning four-wicket victory over the previously unbeaten Guyana Amazon Warriors on Tuesday night.

In a heavyweight clash at a buzzing Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, the reigning champions coolly hunted down a formidable target of 203, sealing the win with 11 balls to spare and catapult themselves into second place on the table.

The architect of the triumph was young Ackeem Auguste, who blasted a magnificent 73 from just 35 deliveries in a Player of the Match performance that dismantled the Warriors’ attack.

His explosive innings formed the bedrock of a record-breaking power play that ultimately decided the contest.

After the Warriors, who elected to bat first, were propelled to a robust 202-6 by Romario Shepherd’s powerful 73 off 34 balls, the Kings’ reply began shakily with the early loss of Johnson Charles for 13.

Any nerves were immediately extinguished by Auguste and Tim Seifert, who launched a breathtaking assault, plundering 86 runs in the six-over power play to break the back of the chase.

Though Auguste eventually fell with 63 still required, the experienced middle order of Tim David, 25, Aaron Jones, 16, and captain David Wiese, 10 not out, provided the composure needed to guide the team over the line at 203-6 in 18.1 overs.

Only three points separate five of the six teams after the Kings made it 3-0 over the Warriors in their most recent contests.

It was also the first time in the CPL that the Amazon Warriors have scored 200-plus and lost, winning each of the last 10 times they got there.