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Ollie Robinson claimed his 100th Test wicket as Pakistan collapsed to 100/7 in the opening session on day one of the third Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Pakistan made several changes, naming three debutants in their playing XI for this Test, but failed to alter their fate. Beyond the fresh faces and recalled players, including opener Saim Ayub, who departed for a 10-ball duck, batting mainstays like Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique and even captain Babar Azam departed cheaply. Lord’s Test hero for Pakistan, Saud Shakeel, however, remains the only seasoned batter to hold onto his wicket at lunch on day one. &nbsp;For the third time in this series, Robinson provided an early breakthrough with the new ball. Coming from around the wicket to the left-handers, the right-arm seamer set up Ayub before trapping him in front of the wickets for a duck. Jofra Archer removed his opening partner Azan Awais, caught at mid-wicket for nine, before Robinson claimed Shafique’s wicket for just three. Archer’s extra pace caught Masood off guard, as he top-edged one for five, with Pakistan’s scorecard reading 26/4 inside 10 overs.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/joe-root-surpasses-waugh-ponting-third-most-capped-test-player-1788955580781">Joe Root surpasses Steve Waugh, Ponting to become third-most capped Test player</a> &nbsp;Captain Babar and Shakeel tried reviving Pakistan’s batting with a brief 22-run stand for the fifth wicket, only for Josh Tongue to clean up Babar’s off stump for seven. His dismissal saw Pakistan register an unwanted record of becoming the first Test side to have its top five batters get out without entering double digits in the first innings of a Test match in England.&nbsp;WATCH Babar Azam's Wicket -

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Josh Tongue on target 🎯 Follow every ball live 👉 <a href="https://t.co/VUdUehsgT2">https://t.co/VUdUehsgT2</a> <a href="https://t.co/uzGWAoT65y">pic.twitter.com/uzGWAoT65y</a>&mdash; England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://x.com/englandcricket/status/2097648645944345063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Shakeel was, however, impressive with his clean stroke-making but failed to get any assistance from the other end as wickets kept tumbling. By lunchtime, Pakistan had lost seven wickets for 100, with Robinson returning and Archer picking up two, and Tongue grabbing three.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">New stump please... Click here to follow the action 📲 <a href="https://t.co/VUdUehsgT2">https://t.co/VUdUehsgT2</a> <a href="https://t.co/3mhb78TFhh">pic.twitter.com/3mhb78TFhh</a>&mdash; England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://x.com/englandcricket/status/2097655611559198910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Soon after play resumed, Robinson picked his third and Tongue his fourth by breaking Shakeel’s stumps as Pakistan’s batting continued to struggle.&nbsp;WATCH Shakeel's Dismissal -

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Josh Tongue with his fourth of the day 🤝 Click here to follow the action 📲 <a href="https://t.co/VUdUehsgT2">https://t.co/VUdUehsgT2</a> <a href="https://t.co/8jnSQI08gW">pic.twitter.com/8jnSQI08gW</a>&mdash; England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://x.com/englandcricket/status/2097673641009787206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ollie Robinson claims his 100th Test wicket as Pakistan collapse to 100/7 in the opening session on day one of the third Test at Edgbaston. 

Ollie Robinson claimed his 100th Test wicket as Pakistan collapsed to 100/7 in the opening session on day one of the third Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Pakistan made several changes, naming three debutants in their playing XI for this Test, but failed to alter their fate. Beyond the fresh faces and recalled players, including opener Saim Ayub, who departed for a 10-ball duck, batting mainstays like Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique and even captain Babar Azam departed cheaply. Lord’s Test hero for Pakistan, Saud Shakeel, however, remains the only seasoned batter to hold onto his wicket at lunch on day one. For the third time in this series, Robinson provided an early breakthrough with the new ball. Coming from around the wicket to the left-handers, the right-arm seamer set up Ayub before trapping him in front of the wickets for a duck. Jofra Archer removed his opening partner Azan Awais, caught at mid-wicket for nine, before Robinson claimed Shafique’s wicket for just three. Archer’s extra pace caught Masood off guard, as he top-edged one for five, with Pakistan’s scorecard reading 26/4 inside 10 overs. Also read| Joe Root surpasses Steve Waugh, Ponting to become third-most capped Test player Captain Babar and Shakeel tried reviving Pakistan’s batting with a brief 22-run stand for the fifth wicket, only for Josh Tongue to clean up Babar’s off stump for seven. His dismissal saw Pakistan register an unwanted record of becoming the first Test side to have its top five batters get out without entering double digits in the first innings of a Test match in England. WATCH Babar Azam's Wicket -

Ollie Robinson claims his 100th Test wicket as Pakistan collapse to 100/7 in the opening session on day one of the third Test at Edgbaston.&nbsp;

Robinson reaches 100 Test wickets as Pakistan collapse to 100/7 in opening session at Edgbaston

England Test captain Joe Root became the third-most capped Test player in cricket history after taking the field on day one of the Edgbaston Test against Pakistan on Wednesday (Sep 9). Root surpassed former Australian captains and Test veterans Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting – who appeared in the same number of Test matches (168) – to feature in his 169th Test match and counting. Only two cricketers have played more Test matches than Root: James Anderson (188) and Sachin Tendulkar (200).<h2>Players to Play Most Test Matches –</h2><ul><li>Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 200 Test Matches</li><li>James Anderson (England) – 188 Test Matches</li><li>Joe Root (England) – 169 Test Matches*</li><li>Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 168 Test Matches</li><li>Steve Waugh (Australia) – 168 Test Matches</li></ul>Root is the only active cricketer on this top-five list, with the remaining four retired from all forms of the game. Tendulkar’s number of Test appearances is not the only record that Root is chasing, as the current England captain is only second to the Master Blaster for most Test runs scored. Root is 1,713 runs behind Sachin’s tally of 15,921 runs that he scored in 200 Test matches.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ollie-robinson-100th-test-wicket-pakistan-collapse-edgbaston-1788956659241">Robinson reaches 100 Test wickets as Pakistan collapse to 100/7 in opening session at Edgbaston</a> &nbsp;Meanwhile, Root was named England’s Test captain after talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes announced his shock retirement after the New Zealand Test series. Root, who led England for six years until 2022, returned to the helm, with the ECB not too confident of handing over the Test baton to white-ball skipper Harry Brook. &nbsp;Since assuming the leadership role once again, Root began the second innings of his captaincy stint with thumping wins in the first two Tests against Pakistan, leading England to convincing wins in Leeds and Lord’s. The pace trio of Robinson, Archer and Tongue never allowed the visitors to score more than 200 in any of the four innings, with England staying at the top throughout. &nbsp;Even during the ongoing third and final Test at Edgbaston, Root’s England wrapped up Pakistan for 133 inside the second session on day one.

Joe Root surpassed Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting to become the third-most capped Test player in history during the Edgbaston Test against Pakistan.

England Test captain Joe Root became the third-most capped Test player in cricket history after taking the field on day one of the Edgbaston Test against Pakistan on Wednesday (Sep 9). Root surpassed former Australian captains and Test veterans Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting – who appeared in the same number of Test matches (168) – to feature in his 169th Test match and counting. Only two cricketers have played more Test matches than Root: James Anderson (188) and Sachin Tendulkar (200). Players to Play Most Test Matches – Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 200 Test Matches James Anderson (England) – 188 Test Matches Joe Root (England) – 169 Test Matches* Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 168 Test Matches Steve Waugh (Australia) – 168 Test Matches Root is the only active cricketer on this top-five list, with the remaining four retired from all forms of the game. Tendulkar’s number of Test appearances is not the only record that Root is chasing, as the current England captain is only second to the Master Blaster for most Test runs scored. Root is 1,713 runs behind Sachin’s tally of 15,921 runs that he scored in 200 Test matches. Also read| Robinson reaches 100 Test wickets as Pakistan collapse to 100/7 in opening session at Edgbaston Meanwhile, Root was named England’s Test captain after talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes announced his shock retirement after the New Zealand Test series. Root, who led England for six years until 2022, returned to the helm, with the ECB not too confident of handing over the Test baton to white-ball skipper Harry Brook. Since assuming the leadership role once again, Root began the second innings of his captaincy stint with thumping wins in the first two Tests against Pakistan, leading England to convincing wins in Leeds and Lord’s. The pace trio of Robinson, Archer and Tongue never allowed the visitors to score more than 200 in any of the four innings, with England staying at the top throughout. Even during the ongoing third and final Test at Edgbaston, Root’s England wrapped up Pakistan for 133 inside the second session on day one.

Joe Root surpassed Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting to become the third-most capped Test player in history during the Edgbaston Test against Pakistan.

Joe Root surpasses Steve Waugh, Ponting to become third-most capped Test player

Ace India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has returned to competitive cricket for the first time since IPL 2026, with the BCCI selectors picking him for the three-match One-Day series between India A and Australia A. Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad were handed captaincy duties for the four-day and 50-over series, respectively. Puducherry will host five Australia A matches, including two four-day games, starting September 22. The three 50-over games will follow on October 6, 9 and 11. The second multi-day game will take place from September 29 to October 2. &nbsp;Hardik Pandya has not played any white-ball cricket for India since IPL 2026, where his team, Mumbai Indians (MI), finished ninth on the table. Although his selection is subject to fitness, the selectors would be keen on tapping his progress, with plenty of white-ball cricket scheduled for the senior men’s team in the coming months.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/asian-games-2026-whatever-they-are-providing-we-are-staying-there-rajiv-shukla-on-india-cricketers-accommodation-1788888280164">Asian Games 2026: ‘Whatever they are providing, we are staying there’: Rajiv Shukla on India cricketers' accommodation in Nagoya</a> &nbsp;Earlier reports suggested that Pandya underwent a Performance Block Programme at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) to recover from a back spasm.<h2>Padikkal, Gaikwad named captains</h2>In-form Test batter Devdutt Padikkal will lead the India A team in two four-day matches against Australia A. Fresh from his breakthrough series in Sri Lanka and a handy contribution for South Zone in the ongoing Duleep Trophy final, Padikkal will have Sai Sudharsan as his deputy for the red-ball matches.&nbsp; &nbsp;Promising names like Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Yash Rathod and Shaik Rasheed have also been picked, while Kumar Kushagra and N Jagadeesan are the two wicketkeeping options. Among the bowlers, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande and Anshul Kamboj have made the cut for the multi-day matches. &nbsp;Indian opener and CSK captain Gaikwad will lead the One-Day team against Australia A.&nbsp; &nbsp;While Padikkal will serve as his deputy, Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Priyansh Arya, Nishant Sindhu, Arshin Kulkarni and Naman Dhir are among those picked for the 50-over games.&nbsp; &nbsp;India A Multi-Day Squad:&nbsp;&nbsp;Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (captain), Sai Sudharsan (vice-captain), Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, Narayan Jagadeesan (wk), Nachiket Bhute and V Vyshak* (subject to fitness) &nbsp;India A One-Day Squad:&nbsp;&nbsp;Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya* (subject to fitness), Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur<h3>India A vs Australia A 2026 Schedule -&nbsp;</h3>

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Date</td><td>Match</td><td>Venue</td></tr><tr><td>Sep 22 - 25&nbsp;</td><td>1st Multi-Day Match</td><td>Puducherry</td></tr><tr><td>Sep 29 - Oct 2</td><td>2nd Multi-Day Match</td><td>Puducherry</td></tr><tr><td>Oct 6</td><td>1st One-Day Match</td><td>Puducherry</td></tr><tr><td>Oct 9</td><td>2nd One-Day Match</td><td>Puducherry</td></tr><tr><td>Oct 11</td><td>3rd One-Day Match</td><td>Puducherry</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

Hardik Pandya makes his return as BCCI announces India A squads for the Australia A series in Puducherry. Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are named captains. 

Ace India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has returned to competitive cricket for the first time since IPL 2026, with the BCCI selectors picking him for the three-match One-Day series between India A and Australia A. Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad were handed captaincy duties for the four-day and 50-over series, respectively. Puducherry will host five Australia A matches, including two four-day games, starting September 22. The three 50-over games will follow on October 6, 9 and 11. The second multi-day game will take place from September 29 to October 2. Hardik Pandya has not played any white-ball cricket for India since IPL 2026, where his team, Mumbai Indians (MI), finished ninth on the table. Although his selection is subject to fitness, the selectors would be keen on tapping his progress, with plenty of white-ball cricket scheduled for the senior men’s team in the coming months. Also read| Asian Games 2026: ‘Whatever they are providing, we are staying there’: Rajiv Shukla on India cricketers' accommodation in Nagoya Earlier reports suggested that Pandya underwent a Performance Block Programme at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) to recover from a back spasm. Padikkal, Gaikwad named captains In-form Test batter Devdutt Padikkal will lead the India A team in two four-day matches against Australia A. Fresh from his breakthrough series in Sri Lanka and a handy contribution for South Zone in the ongoing Duleep Trophy final, Padikkal will have Sai Sudharsan as his deputy for the red-ball matches. Promising names like Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Yash Rathod and Shaik Rasheed have also been picked, while Kumar Kushagra and N Jagadeesan are the two wicketkeeping options. Among the bowlers, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande and Anshul Kamboj have made the cut for the multi-day matches. Indian opener and CSK captain Gaikwad will lead the One-Day team against Australia A. While Padikkal will serve as his deputy, Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Priyansh Arya, Nishant Sindhu, Arshin Kulkarni and Naman Dhir are among those picked for the 50-over games. India A Multi-Day Squad: Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (captain), Sai Sudharsan (vice-captain), Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, Narayan Jagadeesan (wk), Nachiket Bhute and V Vyshak* (subject to fitness) India A One-Day Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya* (subject to fitness), Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur India A vs Australia A 2026 Schedule -

Hardik Pandya makes his return as BCCI announces India A squads for the Australia A series in Puducherry. Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are named captains.&nbsp;

Hardik Pandya back in India A squad; Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad appointed captains

Hundreds of Asian Games athletes in Japan were briefly evacuated from their accommodation as record rainfall lashed host city Nagoya, with competition beginning in 10 days. Rainwater also leaked into some competition venues, with more wet weather forecast for the coming days. About 104mm (four inches) of rain fell in an hour in part of Nagoya on Tuesday, prompting municipal officials to issue an evacuation order for parts of the city.&nbsp;Cars were forced to plough through heavily flooded roads, causing huge jams, while water streamed into subway stations. Scientists say human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of weather events in Japan and elsewhere.&nbsp;There is no dedicated athletes' village at this year's Asian Games, with organisers instead relying on a cruise ship, temporary wooden containers and hotels.&nbsp;An official with Nagoya Port Authority told AFP that "hundreds" of athletes staying at the city's Garden Pier area, where the wooden container huts are located, were told to move to safety.&nbsp;The athletes returned after the evacuation order was lifted about two hours later.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Asian Games officially begin with an opening ceremony on September 19, but several events get under way before that. The basketball competition begins on Thursday. Rainwater was found in several competition venues, but Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said the facilities were not seriously affected and that events would go on as scheduled.&nbsp;"There has been limited impact like rainwater leaking from the roofs of some buildings, but the situation is not so serious that the opening on the 19th is in jeopardy for now," he said. "Given the current circumstances, I believe there will be no obstacles to holding the Asian Games."&nbsp;More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected at the Games -- a bigger number than the Olympics.<h2>‘Unable to go home’</h2>Subway and bus services in Nagoya were temporarily halted on Tuesday, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest flood warning for a major river in the area.&nbsp;Television footage showed rainwater pouring onto a railway line like a waterfall from elevated ground.&nbsp;In another part of Nagoya, an abandoned car sat on a pedestrian sidewalk on Wednesday.&nbsp;"Traffic congestion is terrible because cars that can't move any more are here and there, blocking the roads," said Hitomi Terada, who works at a hotel in hard-hit Chigusa district. "Most of our 25 guest rooms were filled with guests who were unable to go home because of traffic congestion," the 44-year-old told AFP.&nbsp;"Some of our hotel employees couldn't come this morning for work because of traffic problems."&nbsp;Japan's weather agency issued warnings Wednesday for heavy rain and landslides, with rainfall expected to continue intermittently through Thursday in many areas of the country, including Aichi Prefecture, which is hosting the Asian Games.

Record rainfall and heavy flooding in Nagoya forced the brief evacuation of hundreds of Asian Games athletes from temporary accommodations, though officials confirm events will proceed as scheduled.

Hundreds of Asian Games athletes in Japan were briefly evacuated from their accommodation as record rainfall lashed host city Nagoya, with competition beginning in 10 days. Rainwater also leaked into some competition venues, with more wet weather forecast for the coming days. About 104mm (four inches) of rain fell in an hour in part of Nagoya on Tuesday, prompting municipal officials to issue an evacuation order for parts of the city. Cars were forced to plough through heavily flooded roads, causing huge jams, while water streamed into subway stations. Scientists say human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of weather events in Japan and elsewhere. There is no dedicated athletes' village at this year's Asian Games, with organisers instead relying on a cruise ship, temporary wooden containers and hotels. An official with Nagoya Port Authority told AFP that "hundreds" of athletes staying at the city's Garden Pier area, where the wooden container huts are located, were told to move to safety. The athletes returned after the evacuation order was lifted about two hours later. The Asian Games officially begin with an opening ceremony on September 19, but several events get under way before that. The basketball competition begins on Thursday. Rainwater was found in several competition venues, but Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said the facilities were not seriously affected and that events would go on as scheduled. "There has been limited impact like rainwater leaking from the roofs of some buildings, but the situation is not so serious that the opening on the 19th is in jeopardy for now," he said. "Given the current circumstances, I believe there will be no obstacles to holding the Asian Games." More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected at the Games -- a bigger number than the Olympics. ‘Unable to go home’ Subway and bus services in Nagoya were temporarily halted on Tuesday, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest flood warning for a major river in the area. Television footage showed rainwater pouring onto a railway line like a waterfall from elevated ground. In another part of Nagoya, an abandoned car sat on a pedestrian sidewalk on Wednesday. "Traffic congestion is terrible because cars that can't move any more are here and there, blocking the roads," said Hitomi Terada, who works at a hotel in hard-hit Chigusa district. "Most of our 25 guest rooms were filled with guests who were unable to go home because of traffic congestion," the 44-year-old told AFP. "Some of our hotel employees couldn't come this morning for work because of traffic problems." Japan's weather agency issued warnings Wednesday for heavy rain and landslides, with rainfall expected to continue intermittently through Thursday in many areas of the country, including Aichi Prefecture, which is hosting the Asian Games.

Record rainfall and heavy flooding in Nagoya forced the brief evacuation of hundreds of Asian Games athletes from temporary accommodations, though officials confirm events will proceed as scheduled.

Asian Games athletes evacuated as heavy rain triggers flooding in Nagoya

Ben Shelton and his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, recreated the American tennis player's iconic 'dialed in' phone celebration on Wednesday (Sep 9) at the US Open 2026. The moment came after Shelton <a href="https://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/ben-shelton/atps0s1.html">beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz</a> in a five-set thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium in a quarterfinal match that went on for four hours and 28 minutes before a roaring New York City crowd. With the 6–7(5), 6–1, 6–3, 1–6, 7–6(10–7) win in five sets, Shelton now has a place in the semifinals against fellow countryman Frances Tiafoe, ensuring the US has a presence in the final of the event.<h2>Ben Shelton performs iconic 'phone' celebration with soccer star girlfriend Trinity Rodman at US Open</h2>After Alcaraz won the first set in a tiebreaker, Shelton won the next two sets before losing the fourth set. The fifth and final set went into a tiebreaker as well, and Shelton came out the winner, 10–7. After the win, both Alcaraz and Shelton shook hands and hugged at the net. Shelton then acknowledged his girlfriend Trinity Rodman—who plays for the Washington Spirit in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)—in the crowd. Trinity, the daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, gestured a phone with her hand. Shelton did the same back to her, and the couple shared a laugh.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Ben Shelton scores the biggest win of his career and a spot in the US Open semifinals! <a href="https://t.co/2PCndRLcpL">pic.twitter.com/2PCndRLcpL</a>&mdash; US Open Tennis (@usopen) <a href="https://x.com/usopen/status/2097590532910297451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The celebration symbolizes that Ben is "dialed in", meaning fully focused on winning.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-open-2026-let-s-go-ben-shelton-beats-alcaraz-in-five-set-qf-thriller-before-roaring-nyc-crowd-and-girlfriend-trinity-rodman-1788940478584">US Open 2026: 'Let's go, Ben' - Shelton beats Alcaraz in five-set QF thriller before roaring NYC crowd</a><h2>Who is Trinity Rodman?</h2>Trinity is the daughter of former NBA star and Michael Jordan's ex-teammate Dennis Rodman. She is a professional soccer player who plays for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL. The soccer star caught the eyes of the cameras during her boyfriend Ben's quarterfinal against Alcaraz and was praised for her fashion as well. Trinity donned an orange cap on backwards along with a patterned Adidas jacket.

Ben Shelton and girlfriend Trinity Rodman recreated his 'dialed-in' phone celebration after his 5-set US Open quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz. Shelton faces Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals.

Ben Shelton and his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, recreated the American tennis player's iconic 'dialed in' phone celebration on Wednesday (Sep 9) at the US Open 2026. The moment came after Shelton beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium in a quarterfinal match that went on for four hours and 28 minutes before a roaring New York City crowd. With the 6–7(5), 6–1, 6–3, 1–6, 7–6(10–7) win in five sets, Shelton now has a place in the semifinals against fellow countryman Frances Tiafoe, ensuring the US has a presence in the final of the event. Ben Shelton performs iconic 'phone' celebration with soccer star girlfriend Trinity Rodman at US Open After Alcaraz won the first set in a tiebreaker, Shelton won the next two sets before losing the fourth set. The fifth and final set went into a tiebreaker as well, and Shelton came out the winner, 10–7. After the win, both Alcaraz and Shelton shook hands and hugged at the net. Shelton then acknowledged his girlfriend Trinity Rodman—who plays for the Washington Spirit in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)—in the crowd. Trinity, the daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, gestured a phone with her hand. Shelton did the same back to her, and the couple shared a laugh.

Ben Shelton and girlfriend Trinity Rodman recreated his 'dialed-in' phone celebration after his 5-set US Open quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz. Shelton faces Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals.

US Open 2026: Trinity Rodman recreates boyfriend Ben Shelton's iconic 'phone' celebration after QF win over Alcaraz

American Ben Shelton earned the biggest win of his career, <a href="https://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/ben-shelton/atps0s1.html">beating Carlos Alcaraz 6–7(5), 6–1, 6–3, 1–6, 7–6(10–7)</a> in a five-set thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday (Sep 9) in the US Open 2026 quarterfinals. With his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, the US soccer star, in attendance and the crowd chanting "Let's go, Ben" well past midnight in New York City, Shelton rose to the occasion and sealed a spot in the final four of the year's last Grand Slam. Shelton will face fellow countryman Frances Tiafoe - who beat No. 46 Alex Michelsen, also an American, in the quarterfinals - ensuring the presence of an American in the final.<h2>Shelton overcomes Alcaraz in five-set thriller</h2>The first set between Shelton and defending champion Alcaraz, who did not play the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year because of an injury, went to a tiebreaker, which the Spaniard won. Shelton was sensational in the next two sets, winning them 6–1, 6–3. Alcaraz, known for his comebacks, won the next set 6–1 to take the match into a final set. The fifth set also went into a 10-point tiebreaker as both players refused to give an inch. Shelton eventually came out the winner, 10–7, to take the match.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">All the credit to the crowd from Ben 🫶 <a href="https://t.co/AZ53MfaD3d">pic.twitter.com/AZ53MfaD3d</a>&mdash; US Open Tennis (@usopen) <a href="https://x.com/usopen/status/2097592147037851856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Shelton credits crowd for win as girlfriend Trinity steals the show</h2>After the match, Shelton credited the crowd for staying put for the match, which ran for nearly four and a half hours, saying: "For me, it's always about the crowd. Whether it's my coaches or my team, all my family and friends over here, or the City of New York tonight that showed up till 3 a.m. with the USA chants until the very end, that's what kept me going and that's what got me this win tonight."&nbsp;Ben's girlfriend Trinity, daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who plays for the Washington Spirit in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), was also in attendance and stole the show with her orange hat and patterned Adidas jacket.

Trinity Rodman cheers for boyfriend Ben Shelton at US Open 2026 QF

Ben Shelton beat Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the US Open semifinals. Cheered on past 3 a.m. by the NYC crowd and girlfriend Trinity Rodman, he faces Frances Tiafoe next.

American Ben Shelton earned the biggest win of his career, beating Carlos Alcaraz 6–7(5), 6–1, 6–3, 1–6, 7–6(10–7) in a five-set thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday (Sep 9) in the US Open 2026 quarterfinals. With his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, the US soccer star, in attendance and the crowd chanting "Let's go, Ben" well past midnight in New York City, Shelton rose to the occasion and sealed a spot in the final four of the year's last Grand Slam. Shelton will face fellow countryman Frances Tiafoe - who beat No. 46 Alex Michelsen, also an American, in the quarterfinals - ensuring the presence of an American in the final. Shelton overcomes Alcaraz in five-set thriller The first set between Shelton and defending champion Alcaraz, who did not play the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year because of an injury, went to a tiebreaker, which the Spaniard won. Shelton was sensational in the next two sets, winning them 6–1, 6–3. Alcaraz, known for his comebacks, won the next set 6–1 to take the match into a final set. The fifth set also went into a 10-point tiebreaker as both players refused to give an inch. Shelton eventually came out the winner, 10–7, to take the match.

Ben Shelton beat Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the US Open semifinals. Cheered on past 3 a.m. by the NYC crowd and girlfriend Trinity Rodman, he faces Frances Tiafoe next.

US Open 2026: 'Let's go, Ben' - Shelton beats Alcaraz in five-set QF thriller before roaring NYC crowd and girlfriend Trinity Rodman

LIV Golf, the breakaway league that caused a civil war in the golfing world, filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 in a United States court on Monday (Sep 8, 2026). The move comes as LIV's financial backbone, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), abruptly withdrew its long-term backing from the league. According to the court documents, multiple players, including Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, are still owed millions of dollars. The move comes as LIV, along with its new prospective investor, BC Partners, plans a relaunch in 2027. Whether the star players, whom LIV lured from the PGA Tour and other tours for exorbitant amounts of money, will stay with the league remains to be seen.<h2>LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection as players are owed millions</h2>According to the <a href="https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47610/d798eb79-0294-4ccb-b10b-d7ebc9fb53ef_189-1.pdf">court filing</a>, Rahm is owed nearly $7.4 million and DeChambeau is owed about $5.7 million by LIV under their Player Participation Agreements. Among the others owed are Dustin Johnson ($5.4 million), Cameron Smith ($4.8 million), Tyrrell Hatton ($3.3 million), and Adrian Meronk ($4.4 million).Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lamine-yamal-ballon-dor-comments-mbappe-dembele-barcelona-1788879907390">Lamine Yamal takes stand on Ballon d'Or race amid Mbappe, Dembele claims</a>"This process gives us the structure and time to pursue a landmark transaction and begin the next chapter of LIV Golf – one built around the fans, an innovative, player-first ownership model, and being a part of the global golf ecosystem. We are excited about what lies ahead, yet there is still much to accomplish in the months ahead," said LIV's CEO, Scott O’Neil, in a statement.<h2>What's next for the players?</h2>The players, according to a LIV source as reported by The Times, will have the choice of signing up for LIV 2.0. The other tours, including the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, aren't welcoming the players back without due diligence."Anyone who’s interested in coming to the PGA Tour needs to demonstrate that they are relieved of their contractual commitments or any tail obligations in that legacy model," said Brian Rolapp, chief executive of the PGA Tour, last month.

LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after Saudi Arabia's PIF pulled funding. Players like Rahm and DeChambeau are owed millions as LIV plans a 2027 relaunch with prospective partner BC Partners.

LIV Golf, the breakaway league that caused a civil war in the golfing world, filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 in a United States court on Monday (Sep 8, 2026). The move comes as LIV's financial backbone, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), abruptly withdrew its long-term backing from the league. According to the court documents, multiple players, including Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, are still owed millions of dollars. The move comes as LIV, along with its new prospective investor, BC Partners, plans a relaunch in 2027. Whether the star players, whom LIV lured from the PGA Tour and other tours for exorbitant amounts of money, will stay with the league remains to be seen. LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection as players are owed millions According to the court filing, Rahm is owed nearly $7.4 million and DeChambeau is owed about $5.7 million by LIV under their Player Participation Agreements. Among the others owed are Dustin Johnson ($5.4 million), Cameron Smith ($4.8 million), Tyrrell Hatton ($3.3 million), and Adrian Meronk ($4.4 million). Also Read - Lamine Yamal takes stand on Ballon d'Or race amid Mbappe, Dembele claims "This process gives us the structure and time to pursue a landmark transaction and begin the next chapter of LIV Golf – one built around the fans, an innovative, player-first ownership model, and being a part of the global golf ecosystem. We are excited about what lies ahead, yet there is still much to accomplish in the months ahead," said LIV's CEO, Scott O’Neil, in a statement. What's next for the players? The players, according to a LIV source as reported by The Times, will have the choice of signing up for LIV 2.0. The other tours, including the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, aren't welcoming the players back without due diligence. "Anyone who’s interested in coming to the PGA Tour needs to demonstrate that they are relieved of their contractual commitments or any tail obligations in that legacy model," said Brian Rolapp, chief executive of the PGA Tour, last month.

LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after Saudi Arabia's PIF pulled funding. Players like Rahm and DeChambeau are owed millions as LIV plans a 2027 relaunch with prospective partner BC Partners.

LIV Golf, owing millions of dollars to star players, files for bankruptcy protection

Pakistan's wholesale squad changes after defeat in the second of three England Tests even left skipper Babar Azam surprised. The Pakistan skipper, speaking on the eve of the third Test, which begins September 9 at Edgbaston, answered some difficult questions after the mid-tour drama. Pakistan, after losing the first two Tests, sent seven players back home and sacked red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed as well as bowling coach Umar Gul. Misbah-ul-Haq, one of the selectors, resigned amid the chaos, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also announced an inquest into player behavior and conduct.<h2>Babar Azam says he was blindsided by PCB's wholesale changes</h2>Babar said he found out about the squad changes after the PCB had made them—and not before, as should have been the case given he is the skipper. "It was news to me. I found out after. The PCB decided it, so they'll be able to explain better."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/joe-root-defends-pakistan-disrespectful-lack-of-fight-criticism-1788878363554">‘Disrespectful’: Joe Root defends Pakistan against ‘lack of fight’ criticism</a>On why the PCB decided to go this route mid-tour, Babar said: "The PCB's decision must have been taken after some thought process. It's better if you ask them why."The PCB appointed white-ball coach Mike Hesson as Sarfaraz's replacement for the third Test, which Babar says is an opportunity for the new players. Notably, five of the seven replacement players announced by the PCB have not played a single Test."The series is lost, but we have nothing to lose. We should play freely and believe in ourselves as a team. We've practiced for a couple of days and explained things to the new boys. Any young player who comes in is excited, and that excitement is visible. I believe that will be visible in the match, too," said the skipper.<h2>Pakistan in WTC 2025–27</h2>Pakistan are currently at the bottom of the <a href="https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/world-test-championship/standings">World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27</a> cycle's points table. The Asian team have played eight Tests in the cycle, winning only two of them and losing the remaining six. The third Test, even if Pakistan manage to win, won't really help them with their aspirations of playing in the WTC final, for which they are very much out of the race.

Babar Azam admitted being blindsided after Pakistan sacked their coaches, sent seven players home, and brought in five uncapped recruits amid mid-tour chaos following back-to-back Test losses to England.

Pakistan's wholesale squad changes after defeat in the second of three England Tests even left skipper Babar Azam surprised. The Pakistan skipper, speaking on the eve of the third Test, which begins September 9 at Edgbaston, answered some difficult questions after the mid-tour drama. Pakistan, after losing the first two Tests, sent seven players back home and sacked red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed as well as bowling coach Umar Gul. Misbah-ul-Haq, one of the selectors, resigned amid the chaos, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also announced an inquest into player behavior and conduct. Babar Azam says he was blindsided by PCB's wholesale changes Babar said he found out about the squad changes after the PCB had made them—and not before, as should have been the case given he is the skipper. "It was news to me. I found out after. The PCB decided it, so they'll be able to explain better." Also Read - ‘Disrespectful’: Joe Root defends Pakistan against ‘lack of fight’ criticism On why the PCB decided to go this route mid-tour, Babar said: "The PCB's decision must have been taken after some thought process. It's better if you ask them why." The PCB appointed white-ball coach Mike Hesson as Sarfaraz's replacement for the third Test, which Babar says is an opportunity for the new players. Notably, five of the seven replacement players announced by the PCB have not played a single Test. "The series is lost, but we have nothing to lose. We should play freely and believe in ourselves as a team. We've practiced for a couple of days and explained things to the new boys. Any young player who comes in is excited, and that excitement is visible. I believe that will be visible in the match, too," said the skipper. Pakistan in WTC 2025–27 Pakistan are currently at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle's points table. The Asian team have played eight Tests in the cycle, winning only two of them and losing the remaining six. The third Test, even if Pakistan manage to win, won't really help them with their aspirations of playing in the WTC final, for which they are very much out of the race.

Babar Azam admitted being blindsided after Pakistan sacked their coaches, sent seven players home, and brought in five uncapped recruits amid mid-tour chaos following back-to-back Test losses to England.

'Ask them why': Pak skipper Babar Azam on PCB's wholesale changes after Lord's defeat

Jose Mourinho got off to a winning start on his return to the Champions League with Real Madrid on Tuesday as the Spanish giants beat Inter Milan 2-1, while Erling Haaland scored twice in Manchester City's victory at Porto. There were also wins for Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund on the first night of action in this season's league phase, as the opening matchday spreads across three nights.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lamine-yamal-ballon-dor-comments-mbappe-dembele-barcelona-1788879907390">Lamine Yamal takes stand on Ballon d'Or race amid Mbappe, Dembele claims</a>Record 15-time European champions Real have brought back Mourinho for a second spell in charge, and his first game back in the competition came against the side he led to Champions League glory in 2010.Madrid were two goals ahead midway through the first half at the Bernabeu thanks to two gifts from the Inter defence, with Yann Bisseck at fault as Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring on his 99th appearance in the competition.Mbappe has now scored 71 Champions League goals, equalling the tally of Real legend Raul.The home side doubled their lead when Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez tried to turn away from Fede Valverde inside his own six-yard box only for the Uruguayan to tackle him and score.Carlos Augusto pulled one back for Inter, but Real held on for the victory."It was a crazy game," Mourinho told broadcaster Movistar. "A game that finished 2-1 could have finished 7-6 without any problems."Enzo Maresca's City won 2-0 away to Portuguese champions Porto thanks to a second-half brace by Haaland, the first coming two minutes after the restart when he headed in Enzo Fernandez's cross.Haaland sealed the points in stoppage time and has now scored an astonishing 59 goals in 59 appearances in the Champions League."Erling Haaland is an animal. He is a beast, so every time he is on the pitch, I'm going to look for him, and hopefully give him many more assists," Fernandez told Amazon Prime.It was a fourth straight victory in all competitions for City, Champions League winners in 2023, whose next European game will be at home to title-holders Paris Saint-Germain.<h2>Welcome win for Villa</h2>Villa, last season's Europa League winners, put their poor start to this campaign behind them to beat Belgian champions Club Brugge 3-2 away.John McGinn curled into the far corner to open the scoring for Unai Emery's side, who have not yet scored a goal three games into the Premier League season.Hugo Vetlesen equalised for the hosts, but Emiliano Buendia quickly restored Villa's lead and then Nicolas Jackson made it 3-1 two minutes before the break.The summer signing ran through to score his first Villa goal after home goalkeeper Yann Sommer came flying out of his box and failed to get to the ball.Nicolo Tresoldi pulled another one back just after the hour mark following a handball by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The same player hit the post soon after, but Villa claimed a welcome victory."We took one step forward today and it was very, very important for our confidence and stability," said Emery.Serhou Guirassy was the chief protagonist as Dortmund, runners-up in 2024, started their campaign with a 3-2 home win against Villarreal.Renato Veiga's own goal gave Dortmund the lead early in the second half, but Santiago Mourino headed in the equaliser for the Spanish side.However, Guirassy put the Germans back in front with 10 minutes left, then converted a penalty for his second and his team's third. He rounded things off with an own goal when a Gregor Kobel save ricocheted back off Guirassy's face and went in.<h2>UEFA Champions League</h2>Troy Parrott was the hero for Real Betis for the second time in five days as the Spaniards came from behind twice to win 3-2 against Lille in France.Marc Bartra equalised twice for Betis, cancelling out goals by Japan's Ayase Ueda and Brazil defender Alexsandro for Davide Ancelotti's Lille.Irish striker Parrott, who scored his new club's winner against Madrid at the weekend, then struck the decisive goal on 53 minutes as Betis claimed a victory on their return to the Champions League after a 21-year absence.Lille finished with 10 men as Ethan Mbappe, younger brother of Kylian, was sent off.In the night's other game, Greek champions AEK Athens beat Austrian title winners LASK 1-0 thanks to a stunning Razvan Marin free-kick.

Record 15-time European champions Real have brought back Mourinho for a second spell in charge, and his first game back in the competition came against the side he led to Champions League glory in 2010.

Jose Mourinho got off to a winning start on his return to the Champions League with Real Madrid on Tuesday as the Spanish giants beat Inter Milan 2-1, while Erling Haaland scored twice in Manchester City's victory at Porto. There were also wins for Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund on the first night of action in this season's league phase, as the opening matchday spreads across three nights. Also Read - Lamine Yamal takes stand on Ballon d'Or race amid Mbappe, Dembele claims Record 15-time European champions Real have brought back Mourinho for a second spell in charge, and his first game back in the competition came against the side he led to Champions League glory in 2010. Madrid were two goals ahead midway through the first half at the Bernabeu thanks to two gifts from the Inter defence, with Yann Bisseck at fault as Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring on his 99th appearance in the competition. Mbappe has now scored 71 Champions League goals, equalling the tally of Real legend Raul. The home side doubled their lead when Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez tried to turn away from Fede Valverde inside his own six-yard box only for the Uruguayan to tackle him and score. Carlos Augusto pulled one back for Inter, but Real held on for the victory. "It was a crazy game," Mourinho told broadcaster Movistar. "A game that finished 2-1 could have finished 7-6 without any problems." Enzo Maresca's City won 2-0 away to Portuguese champions Porto thanks to a second-half brace by Haaland, the first coming two minutes after the restart when he headed in Enzo Fernandez's cross. Haaland sealed the points in stoppage time and has now scored an astonishing 59 goals in 59 appearances in the Champions League. "Erling Haaland is an animal. He is a beast, so every time he is on the pitch, I'm going to look for him, and hopefully give him many more assists," Fernandez told Amazon Prime. It was a fourth straight victory in all competitions for City, Champions League winners in 2023, whose next European game will be at home to title-holders Paris Saint-Germain. Welcome win for Villa Villa, last season's Europa League winners, put their poor start to this campaign behind them to beat Belgian champions Club Brugge 3-2 away. John McGinn curled into the far corner to open the scoring for Unai Emery's side, who have not yet scored a goal three games into the Premier League season. Hugo Vetlesen equalised for the hosts, but Emiliano Buendia quickly restored Villa's lead and then Nicolas Jackson made it 3-1 two minutes before the break. The summer signing ran through to score his first Villa goal after home goalkeeper Yann Sommer came flying out of his box and failed to get to the ball. Nicolo Tresoldi pulled another one back just after the hour mark following a handball by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The same player hit the post soon after, but Villa claimed a welcome victory. "We took one step forward today and it was very, very important for our confidence and stability," said Emery. Serhou Guirassy was the chief protagonist as Dortmund, runners-up in 2024, started their campaign with a 3-2 home win against Villarreal. Renato Veiga's own goal gave Dortmund the lead early in the second half, but Santiago Mourino headed in the equaliser for the Spanish side. However, Guirassy put the Germans back in front with 10 minutes left, then converted a penalty for his second and his team's third. He rounded things off with an own goal when a Gregor Kobel save ricocheted back off Guirassy's face and went in. UEFA Champions League Troy Parrott was the hero for Real Betis for the second time in five days as the Spaniards came from behind twice to win 3-2 against Lille in France. Marc Bartra equalised twice for Betis, cancelling out goals by Japan's Ayase Ueda and Brazil defender Alexsandro for Davide Ancelotti's Lille. Irish striker Parrott, who scored his new club's winner against Madrid at the weekend, then struck the decisive goal on 53 minutes as Betis claimed a victory on their return to the Champions League after a 21-year absence. Lille finished with 10 men as Ethan Mbappe, younger brother of Kylian, was sent off. In the night's other game, Greek champions AEK Athens beat Austrian title winners LASK 1-0 thanks to a stunning Razvan Marin free-kick.

Record 15-time European champions Real have brought back Mourinho for a second spell in charge, and his first game back in the competition came against the side he led to Champions League glory in 2010.

Champions League: Mourinho makes winning comeback as Real Madrid beat Inter Milan

The Indian hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys for the upcoming Asian Games, bringing an end to the controversial shift to an orange-coloured kit that had triggered widespread criticism. Hockey India (HI) had faced strong backlash after moving away from the long-standing blue jersey, with the teams wearing orange during the FIH World Cups in the Netherlands and Belgium.&nbsp;The jersey change also led to differences within Hockey India, with federation president Dilip Tirkey publicly questioning the decision and stating that it had been implemented without the knowledge or approval of the elected leadership and Executive Board. “The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had given us options regarding the team kit colours and Hockey India selected blue as the first choice for the Indian team’s kit. Orange will be the second choice,” HI president Dilip Tirkey said on the sidelines of send-off ceremony of Asian Games-bound Indian contingent.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/asian-games-2026-whatever-they-are-providing-we-are-staying-there-rajiv-shukla-on-india-cricketers-accommodation-1788888280164">Asian Games 2026: ‘Whatever they are providing, we are staying there’: Rajiv Shukla on India cricketers' accommodation in Nagoya</a>&nbsp;“I had stated even before the World Cup that the orange jersey colour was not permanent, it could be changed in the future. Now, blue is back for the Asian Games. The team will play in blue jerseys.” he added. The controversy started when the Indian hockey team’s traditional blue jersey was replaced by orange shortly before the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. The change subsequently took on a political dimension, with opposition parties targeting the government over the decision.&nbsp;Tirkey had also questioned the process behind the change, saying that the decision had been taken without his knowledge or that of the Executive Board. At the time, the explanation for moving away from blue was that the colour could create visibility issues when played against a blue turf. However, several former India captains and hockey greats, including Viren Rasquinha, Pargat Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and Ajit Pal Singh, had also raised questions over the change.&nbsp;India’s men’s hockey team endured a disappointing campaign at the World Cup, finishing eighth. The women’s team, meanwhile, finished fifth, their best result in the competition since 1974. The Asian Games will be a major assignment for both Indian hockey teams. Apart from providing an opportunity to compete for continental honours, the tournament will also be crucial in the race for qualification to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Asian Games 2026: Indian hockey teams will return to traditional blue jerseys after the controversial orange kit, confirms Dilip Tirkey

The Indian hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys for the upcoming Asian Games, bringing an end to the controversial shift to an orange-coloured kit that had triggered widespread criticism. Hockey India (HI) had faced strong backlash after moving away from the long-standing blue jersey, with the teams wearing orange during the FIH World Cups in the Netherlands and Belgium. The jersey change also led to differences within Hockey India, with federation president Dilip Tirkey publicly questioning the decision and stating that it had been implemented without the knowledge or approval of the elected leadership and Executive Board. “The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had given us options regarding the team kit colours and Hockey India selected blue as the first choice for the Indian team’s kit. Orange will be the second choice,” HI president Dilip Tirkey said on the sidelines of send-off ceremony of Asian Games-bound Indian contingent. Also Read: Asian Games 2026: ‘Whatever they are providing, we are staying there’: Rajiv Shukla on India cricketers' accommodation in Nagoya “I had stated even before the World Cup that the orange jersey colour was not permanent, it could be changed in the future. Now, blue is back for the Asian Games. The team will play in blue jerseys.” he added. The controversy started when the Indian hockey team’s traditional blue jersey was replaced by orange shortly before the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. The change subsequently took on a political dimension, with opposition parties targeting the government over the decision. Tirkey had also questioned the process behind the change, saying that the decision had been taken without his knowledge or that of the Executive Board. At the time, the explanation for moving away from blue was that the colour could create visibility issues when played against a blue turf. However, several former India captains and hockey greats, including Viren Rasquinha, Pargat Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and Ajit Pal Singh, had also raised questions over the change. India’s men’s hockey team endured a disappointing campaign at the World Cup, finishing eighth. The women’s team, meanwhile, finished fifth, their best result in the competition since 1974. The Asian Games will be a major assignment for both Indian hockey teams. Apart from providing an opportunity to compete for continental honours, the tournament will also be crucial in the race for qualification to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Indian hockey teams will return to traditional blue jerseys at the Asian Games 2026 after controversy over the orange kit used at the World Cup

Asian Games 2026: Indian hockey teams to return to traditional blue jerseys after orange kit controversy

The Indian cricketers travelling to Japan for the Asian Games will stay at accommodation designated by the Games’ Organising Committee, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said on Tuesday, amid recent concerns over the facilities available in Nagoya. Unlike their usual stays at five-star hotels during overseas tours, the Indian players will be housed in the accommodation arranged for participating athletes. Shukla, however, said the BCCI and the players were satisfied with the arrangements after reviewing photographs and videos of the facilities.&nbsp;“Whatever they (organisers) are providing, we are staying there and we are keeping a watch on what kind of accommodation is being given so that our players are comfortable. Definitely those are not five-star but good accommodation,” Shukla said at the send-off ceremony of the Indian contingent. “Whatever has been offered to our cricketers that accommodation we have got the photographs all the way and the videos also of that, so I think it’s comfortable. They (cricketers) will be going and staying there because otherwise the options were to make them stay in Osaka or Tokyo that’s far away.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lamine-yamal-ballon-dor-comments-mbappe-dembele-barcelona-1788879907390">‘I will not beg’: Lamine Yamal takes stand on Ballon d'Or race amid Mbappe, Dembele claims</a>&nbsp;Shukla also confirmed that the Indian cricketers will be given individual rooms rather than being made to stay in twin-sharing accommodation. The accommodation issue had gained attention last week after multiple reports suggested that the BCCI was unhappy with the arrangements. The difficulty stemmed largely from a shortage of top-rated hotels in Nagoya, the host city for the Games. “The problem was that Nagoya didn’t have many hotels. Tokyo is one and a half hours by bullet train, so is Osaka. But in the Asian Games, all the participants are like families, it doesn’t look nice that some teams stay in Tokyo and some in Osaka so it has been decided that our players will live at hotel accommodation there (at Nagoya),” he added further.&nbsp;According to Shukla, accommodation was not the primary concern for the BCCI. Instead, the condition of the playing surface and player facilities had emerged as the bigger issue ahead of the tournament. “The big issue was the ground, wicket and dressing rooms. They (organisers) have addressed those things. Asian Cricket Council’s team has gone there and now they (ACC team) are satisfied with the ground, the wickets and dressing rooms, everything is fine.”&nbsp;Shukla said the accommodation arrangements were being coordinated by the Indian Olympic Association, the Asian Games Organising Committee and the Japan Cricket Association. “That’s being organized by Indian Olympic Association, Asian Games Organising Committee and Japan Cricket Association.

Rajiv Shukla confirms India cricketers will stay in designated Nagoya accommodation for the Asian Games, with separate rooms for players

The Indian cricketers travelling to Japan for the Asian Games will stay at accommodation designated by the Games’ Organising Committee, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said on Tuesday, amid recent concerns over the facilities available in Nagoya. Unlike their usual stays at five-star hotels during overseas tours, the Indian players will be housed in the accommodation arranged for participating athletes. Shukla, however, said the BCCI and the players were satisfied with the arrangements after reviewing photographs and videos of the facilities. “Whatever they (organisers) are providing, we are staying there and we are keeping a watch on what kind of accommodation is being given so that our players are comfortable. Definitely those are not five-star but good accommodation,” Shukla said at the send-off ceremony of the Indian contingent. “Whatever has been offered to our cricketers that accommodation we have got the photographs all the way and the videos also of that, so I think it’s comfortable. They (cricketers) will be going and staying there because otherwise the options were to make them stay in Osaka or Tokyo that’s far away.” Also Read: ‘I will not beg’: Lamine Yamal takes stand on Ballon d'Or race amid Mbappe, Dembele claims Shukla also confirmed that the Indian cricketers will be given individual rooms rather than being made to stay in twin-sharing accommodation. The accommodation issue had gained attention last week after multiple reports suggested that the BCCI was unhappy with the arrangements. The difficulty stemmed largely from a shortage of top-rated hotels in Nagoya, the host city for the Games. “The problem was that Nagoya didn’t have many hotels. Tokyo is one and a half hours by bullet train, so is Osaka. But in the Asian Games, all the participants are like families, it doesn’t look nice that some teams stay in Tokyo and some in Osaka so it has been decided that our players will live at hotel accommodation there (at Nagoya),” he added further. According to Shukla, accommodation was not the primary concern for the BCCI. Instead, the condition of the playing surface and player facilities had emerged as the bigger issue ahead of the tournament. “The big issue was the ground, wicket and dressing rooms. They (organisers) have addressed those things. Asian Cricket Council’s team has gone there and now they (ACC team) are satisfied with the ground, the wickets and dressing rooms, everything is fine.” Shukla said the accommodation arrangements were being coordinated by the Indian Olympic Association, the Asian Games Organising Committee and the Japan Cricket Association. “That’s being organized by Indian Olympic Association, Asian Games Organising Committee and Japan Cricket Association.

India’s cricketers will stay in designated Nagoya accommodation at the Asian Games, with BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla saying the facilities are comfortable.

Asian Games 2026: ‘Whatever they are providing, we are staying there’: Rajiv Shukla on India cricketers' accommodation in Nagoya

Teen sensation and World Cup winner with Spain, Lamine Yamal, said he will not beg for the coveted Ballon d’Or after winning two crucial titles this year. After leading La Liga giants Barcelona to a league title and helping Spain clinch their second World Cup in North America in July this year, Yamal remains among the top candidates to win the highest individual prize in football. &nbsp;On Monday, Kylian Mbappe pressed his case to win his first Ballon d’Or trophy, highlighting his World Cup Golden Boot win, which also saw him become the competition's all-time top goalscorer. Although Yamal, 19, thinks the same about his performance, he is happy to leave the decision to those who vote. &nbsp;Meanwhile, he, Mbappe, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are the front-runners to win the award at the ceremony in London on October 26.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-matches-to-observe-a-minute-of-silence-in-soilidarity-for-nepal-flood-victims-1788840087613">Champions League matches to observe a minute of silence in solidarity with Nepal flood victims</a> &nbsp;"I don't think I need to (make a campaign for it), I'm not thinking about what I deserve; everyone can think what they like," Yamal told reporters. "I'm proud of everything I've done this year with my club and with the national team. We've become world champions; we've won the league again. I can't ask for anything more. &nbsp;"I think... I've shown an incredible level; it's (the media's) job, and I will not beg for anything." &nbsp;Even last year, the then-18-year-old Yamal finished second behind PSG star Dembele in Ballon d'Or voting. Meanwhile, France forward Dembele recently told France Football that Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappe would be in his top three to win the award. &nbsp;"He's a friend of Kylian, right?" joked Yamal of the French winger, formerly of Barcelona. "The truth is, I don't care; I'm very happy with the year I had. When I played against both of them together, I must have annoyed them."&nbsp;WATCH -

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨🌕 Lamine Yamal on Ousmane Dembélé not including him into his top 3 for the Ballon d’Or: “He’s Kylian Mbappé’s friend, right?”. 😅 “I’m very happy with the season I had. I think every time we faced each other, I probably did something that made them dislike me! And that’s… <a href="https://t.co/jNcDbNTt3S">pic.twitter.com/jNcDbNTt3S</a>&mdash; Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2097303745461617054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

At this year’s World Cup, Yamal’s Spain denied France a place in the final, with Mbappe and Dembele leading the frontline, by beating them 2-0 in the semis. &nbsp;Yamal suffered a hamstring injury in April and has only just returned to his best level. The winger appeared unhappy at the start of the season but seemed far more cheerful as he netted two goals against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia in his last two outings. &nbsp;"In the end, I'm 19, coming off winning a World Cup, having had the best holidays of my life," said Yamal. "I've never been happier at any point in my life than I am now."&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Lamine Yamal says he will not beg for the Ballon d'Or despite leading Barcelona and Spain to silverware, responding to comments from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

Teen sensation and World Cup winner with Spain, Lamine Yamal, said he will not beg for the coveted Ballon d’Or after winning two crucial titles this year. After leading La Liga giants Barcelona to a league title and helping Spain clinch their second World Cup in North America in July this year, Yamal remains among the top candidates to win the highest individual prize in football. On Monday, Kylian Mbappe pressed his case to win his first Ballon d’Or trophy, highlighting his World Cup Golden Boot win, which also saw him become the competition's all-time top goalscorer. Although Yamal, 19, thinks the same about his performance, he is happy to leave the decision to those who vote. Meanwhile, he, Mbappe, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are the front-runners to win the award at the ceremony in London on October 26. Also read| Champions League matches to observe a minute of silence in solidarity with Nepal flood victims "I don't think I need to (make a campaign for it), I'm not thinking about what I deserve; everyone can think what they like," Yamal told reporters. "I'm proud of everything I've done this year with my club and with the national team. We've become world champions; we've won the league again. I can't ask for anything more. "I think... I've shown an incredible level; it's (the media's) job, and I will not beg for anything." Even last year, the then-18-year-old Yamal finished second behind PSG star Dembele in Ballon d'Or voting. Meanwhile, France forward Dembele recently told France Football that Kvaratskhelia, Kane and Mbappe would be in his top three to win the award. "He's a friend of Kylian, right?" joked Yamal of the French winger, formerly of Barcelona. "The truth is, I don't care; I'm very happy with the year I had. When I played against both of them together, I must have annoyed them." WATCH -

Lamine Yamal says he will not beg for the Ballon d'Or despite leading Barcelona and Spain to silverware, responding to comments from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

‘I will not beg’: Lamine Yamal takes stand on Ballon d'Or race amid Mbappe, Dembele claims

England Test captain Joe Root has thrown his weight behind the underfire Pakistani team amid ‘lack of fight’ criticism. Root said it's ‘disrespectful’ to accuse the touring side of not showing stomach for a battle so far in this Test series, having trailed by 2-0, with one match to go. Pakistan will head into the third and final Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday having faced severe punishment for the Lord’s Test defeat, with the PCB dropping seven first-squad players and releasing the head coach (Sarfaraz Ahmed) and bowling coach (Umar Gul) midway through the series. &nbsp;The PCB called up seven players for the final Test, including five uncapped cricketers, and white-ball coaches (Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke) for the final Test. &nbsp;This team, however, has also been labelled as the worst Pakistan side to tour England.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bazid-khan-accuses-ecb-pitch-bias-india-pakistan-tests-1788870161580">Bazid Khan accuses ECB of pitch bias; claims India get 5-day tracks for commercial value</a> &nbsp;Meanwhile, Root addressed all the drama during the pre-match presser in Edgbaston, saying, "Absolutely we have found (Pakistan) a challenge." &nbsp;"I think that's a bit disrespectful to both Pakistan as a team and to us as a team," added Root, in his second spell as full-time England skipper following the shock international retirement of Ben Stokes. &nbsp;"I don't think we've allowed them to get into games because of how well we've played as well and how quickly we've read the situations and the surfaces that we've had. &nbsp;"I think it's very easy to say one team is excellent and one team is poor. Normally it's somewhere in the middle." &nbsp;"If one team has been outstanding, then the other team can't have been poor and vice-versa. I think it's important to live in that middle area somewhere and understand that that's not how it is. &nbsp;"Regardless of what's happened over the last two games, this week it's a completely different proposition for us. &nbsp;"There's a very talented group of players in that dressing room, and you've got to be ready for it, so we'll make sure that we are,” Root said. &nbsp;Pakistan lost the series opener in Leeds by an innings and 103 runs, and suffered another embarrassing loss in the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs. Amid the leadership drama, with two separate captains leading the Test team in the first two matches, Pakistan failed to cross 200 in any of the four innings they played.&nbsp;

England captain Joe Root has defended Pakistan against claims of lacking fight, calling such accusations disrespectful ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.

England Test captain Joe Root has thrown his weight behind the underfire Pakistani team amid ‘lack of fight’ criticism. Root said it's ‘disrespectful’ to accuse the touring side of not showing stomach for a battle so far in this Test series, having trailed by 2-0, with one match to go. Pakistan will head into the third and final Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday having faced severe punishment for the Lord’s Test defeat, with the PCB dropping seven first-squad players and releasing the head coach (Sarfaraz Ahmed) and bowling coach (Umar Gul) midway through the series. The PCB called up seven players for the final Test, including five uncapped cricketers, and white-ball coaches (Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke) for the final Test. This team, however, has also been labelled as the worst Pakistan side to tour England. Also read| Bazid Khan accuses ECB of pitch bias; claims India get 5-day tracks for commercial value Meanwhile, Root addressed all the drama during the pre-match presser in Edgbaston, saying, "Absolutely we have found (Pakistan) a challenge." "I think that's a bit disrespectful to both Pakistan as a team and to us as a team," added Root, in his second spell as full-time England skipper following the shock international retirement of Ben Stokes. "I don't think we've allowed them to get into games because of how well we've played as well and how quickly we've read the situations and the surfaces that we've had. "I think it's very easy to say one team is excellent and one team is poor. Normally it's somewhere in the middle." "If one team has been outstanding, then the other team can't have been poor and vice-versa. I think it's important to live in that middle area somewhere and understand that that's not how it is. "Regardless of what's happened over the last two games, this week it's a completely different proposition for us. "There's a very talented group of players in that dressing room, and you've got to be ready for it, so we'll make sure that we are,” Root said. Pakistan lost the series opener in Leeds by an innings and 103 runs, and suffered another embarrassing loss in the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs. Amid the leadership drama, with two separate captains leading the Test team in the first two matches, Pakistan failed to cross 200 in any of the four innings they played.

England captain Joe Root has defended Pakistan against claims of lacking fight, calling such accusations disrespectful ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.

‘Disrespectful’: England captain Joe Root defends Pakistan against ‘lack of fight’ criticism

Former Pakistan captain and bowling great Wasim Akram is the latest high-profile player to comment on Imran Khan’s deteriorating health. Having played with and under Imran and won Pakistan’s only 50-over World Cup in 1992, Wasim called his mentor Imran a friend, adding that he misses him a lot and hasn’t spoken with him in three years. After several of his former teammates, including Javed Miandad, Moin Khan and others, demanded medical attention for the former captain, Wasim joined a growing chorus of international figures, adding that whatever has happened to him has been unfortunate. &nbsp;"He's my friend, I miss him a lot," Akram said in an exclusive chat with The Athletic. "I haven't spoken to him for three years. It's so unfortunate, politically, what's happening with him. The court of law is the court of law. But as far as his health is concerned, there can be no compromise on that."&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bazid-khan-accuses-ecb-pitch-bias-india-pakistan-tests-1788870161580">Bazid Khan accuses ECB of pitch bias; claims India get 5-day tracks for commercial value</a> &nbsp;Meanwhile, 22 international captains wrote an open letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, asking for Imran’s basic dignity and needs to be respected, including allowing him access to his personal doctor and his family members. While Australian Test captain Pat Cummins also became the first active cricketer to speak in support of Imran Khan, who has been behind bars at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since late 2023, batting giant Brian Lara took to his social media to call Imran a ‘legend of our game’, who deserved basic humanity.<h2>Akram on Sky Sports Interview Controversy</h2>Just ahead of the start of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's, Sky Sports interviewed Imran Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, and teased its telecast during lunch on day one. That decision created quite a stir in Pakistan, as reports suggesting that the touring team decided not to take the field after lunch, should the interview go live, began making headlines. &nbsp;With PTV in Pakistan using Sky’s live feed for telecasting the Test series, they did not run the interview after the first session and instead ran commercials for nearly half an hour. &nbsp;Speaking on the reaction back home to that interview, Wasim said, "There was a bit of uproar here [in Pakistan] after that. I then read that the Pakistani government came up with how many visits Imran has had, with all the numbers included, with all the phone calls he has had. But, you know, it's difficult to believe, and hard to know what to believe right now. &nbsp;"Even after we retired, him and me, we were regularly in touch. I used to go and spend time with him. I miss talking to him. I miss him in general as a friend, politics apart,” Akram said. &nbsp;Setting aside politics and vendettas, Wasim said he spoke from his heart, and as a friend, about Imran.&nbsp; &nbsp;"There's a movement in England and elsewhere [to improve Imran's conditions], but here [in Pakistan]? I'm not so sure," said Wasim. "I'm speaking from the heart as someone who is worried about him as a person. Convicted or not convicted. Jail or no jail. We need to safeguard his health. We don't know what's happening; the government are saying his health apparently is fine. But I'm worried. I miss him a lot,” he continued.

Wasim Akram has spoken out regarding Imran Khan's health in prison, calling him a mentor and friend while expressing concern following the Sky Sports Lord's Test interview.

Former Pakistan captain and bowling great Wasim Akram is the latest high-profile player to comment on Imran Khan’s deteriorating health. Having played with and under Imran and won Pakistan’s only 50-over World Cup in 1992, Wasim called his mentor Imran a friend, adding that he misses him a lot and hasn’t spoken with him in three years. After several of his former teammates, including Javed Miandad, Moin Khan and others, demanded medical attention for the former captain, Wasim joined a growing chorus of international figures, adding that whatever has happened to him has been unfortunate. "He's my friend, I miss him a lot," Akram said in an exclusive chat with The Athletic. "I haven't spoken to him for three years. It's so unfortunate, politically, what's happening with him. The court of law is the court of law. But as far as his health is concerned, there can be no compromise on that." Also read| Bazid Khan accuses ECB of pitch bias; claims India get 5-day tracks for commercial value Meanwhile, 22 international captains wrote an open letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, asking for Imran’s basic dignity and needs to be respected, including allowing him access to his personal doctor and his family members. While Australian Test captain Pat Cummins also became the first active cricketer to speak in support of Imran Khan, who has been behind bars at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since late 2023, batting giant Brian Lara took to his social media to call Imran a ‘legend of our game’, who deserved basic humanity. Akram on Sky Sports Interview Controversy Just ahead of the start of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's, Sky Sports interviewed Imran Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, and teased its telecast during lunch on day one. That decision created quite a stir in Pakistan, as reports suggesting that the touring team decided not to take the field after lunch, should the interview go live, began making headlines. With PTV in Pakistan using Sky’s live feed for telecasting the Test series, they did not run the interview after the first session and instead ran commercials for nearly half an hour. Speaking on the reaction back home to that interview, Wasim said, "There was a bit of uproar here [in Pakistan] after that. I then read that the Pakistani government came up with how many visits Imran has had, with all the numbers included, with all the phone calls he has had. But, you know, it's difficult to believe, and hard to know what to believe right now. "Even after we retired, him and me, we were regularly in touch. I used to go and spend time with him. I miss talking to him. I miss him in general as a friend, politics apart,” Akram said. Setting aside politics and vendettas, Wasim said he spoke from his heart, and as a friend, about Imran. "There's a movement in England and elsewhere [to improve Imran's conditions], but here [in Pakistan]? I'm not so sure," said Wasim. "I'm speaking from the heart as someone who is worried about him as a person. Convicted or not convicted. Jail or no jail. We need to safeguard his health. We don't know what's happening; the government are saying his health apparently is fine. But I'm worried. I miss him a lot,” he continued.

Wasim Akram has spoken out regarding Imran Khan's health in prison, calling him a mentor and friend while expressing concern following the Sky Sports Lord's Test interview.

‘I miss him a lot; he is my mentor’: Wasim Akram breaks silence on Imran Khan’s health

Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar picked up two wickets each as East Zone kept South Zone in check at stumps on day three of the Duleep Trophy Final. After being smashed left, right and centre by East Zone batters, mainly captain Ishan Kishan, who clobbered a magnificent 270, South Zone failed to replicate a similar batting masterclass, as they were reduced to 242 for six in 80 overs on day three, trailing by 466 runs. Despite the scorecard, East Zone bowlers rallied on this placid Chepauk surface, with India internationals Devdutt Padikkal and captain Tilak Varma among the half-centurions. &nbsp;Unlike the East Zone openers, who added 100 for the first wicket on the opening day, South Zone openers Ricky Bhui and keeper-batter Narayan Jagadeesan departed within 100 in the first session. While Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s quick call to take a review for a caught behind proved vital as Bhui departed in just the sixth over, Shikhar Mohan, who impressed with the bat in the first innings, dismissed Jagadeesan on 32.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/duleep-trophy-karun-nair-terms-omission-as-inexplicable-as-south-zone-coach-cites-personal-reasons-1788855628869">Duleep Trophy: Karun Nair terms omission as 'inexplicable' as South Zone coach cites ‘personal reasons’</a> &nbsp;Padikkal, fresh from his breakthrough series in Sri Lanka where he top-scored for India (328 in two Tests), also including two hundreds, continued from where he had left off. His partner and touted future star, Shaik Rasheed, scored a gritty 27 before Shami’s snorter trapped him in the middle of the stumps. Soon after, Padikkal departed on 62 off 104 balls, with Mukesh Kumar providing a crucial wicket.&nbsp;&nbsp;WATCH - Shami and Mukesh tear through South Zone's middle order -

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Shami-Mukesh combo strikes 🤝 The pace bowling duo dismiss set batters Shaik Rasheed and Devdutt Padikkal and breaks 56-run stand 🙌 South Zone are 134/4, trail by 574 runs. Scorecard ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/BhTkGWeeoD">https://t.co/BhTkGWeeoD</a><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/DuleepTrophy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DuleepTrophy</a> | <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/EZvSZ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EZvSZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/NAvgCYBdkA">pic.twitter.com/NAvgCYBdkA</a>&mdash; BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) <a href="https://x.com/BCCIdomestic/status/2097233632943645170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

South Zone, at one stage, were reeling at 129 for four. &nbsp;Tilak Varma stitched partnerships with Smaran Ravichandran (23) and Shreyas Gopal (26) but stood his ground till the end. Unbeaten on 56 off 133 balls, hitting five fours, Tilak remains South Zone’s only hope heading into the fourth day of this title match.

Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar struck key blows as East Zone reduced South Zone to 242/6 on Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy final following Ishan Kishan's mammoth 270.

Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar picked up two wickets each as East Zone kept South Zone in check at stumps on day three of the Duleep Trophy Final. After being smashed left, right and centre by East Zone batters, mainly captain Ishan Kishan, who clobbered a magnificent 270, South Zone failed to replicate a similar batting masterclass, as they were reduced to 242 for six in 80 overs on day three, trailing by 466 runs. Despite the scorecard, East Zone bowlers rallied on this placid Chepauk surface, with India internationals Devdutt Padikkal and captain Tilak Varma among the half-centurions. Unlike the East Zone openers, who added 100 for the first wicket on the opening day, South Zone openers Ricky Bhui and keeper-batter Narayan Jagadeesan departed within 100 in the first session. While Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s quick call to take a review for a caught behind proved vital as Bhui departed in just the sixth over, Shikhar Mohan, who impressed with the bat in the first innings, dismissed Jagadeesan on 32. Also read| Duleep Trophy: Karun Nair terms omission as 'inexplicable' as South Zone coach cites ‘personal reasons’ Padikkal, fresh from his breakthrough series in Sri Lanka where he top-scored for India (328 in two Tests), also including two hundreds, continued from where he had left off. His partner and touted future star, Shaik Rasheed, scored a gritty 27 before Shami’s snorter trapped him in the middle of the stumps. Soon after, Padikkal departed on 62 off 104 balls, with Mukesh Kumar providing a crucial wicket. WATCH - Shami and Mukesh tear through South Zone's middle order -

Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar struck key blows as East Zone reduced South Zone to 242/6 on Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy final following Ishan Kishan's mammoth 270.

Duleep Trophy Final: Shami and Mukesh hand East Zone command over South Zone

Former Pakistan batter Bazid Khan has accused the ECB of pitch bias following Pakistan’s Test series loss in England. Bazid's comments come amid a turbulent week for Pakistan cricket and selectors, following the PCB's internal investigation into dressing room conduct, which is further linked to match- and spot-fixing allegations. Since losing the Lord’s Test by 194 runs, which led to seven first-squad players facing the axe and two top coaches being released, the former Pakistan cricketer touched on another topic and brought India into the conversation. &nbsp;Bazid said that, for the commercial value India brings to the table, they often get pitches where the matches last all five days, while that is not the case when other teams, including Pakistan, tour England for the Test series. Bazid’s comments have come on the back of Pakistan’s horror show thus far against England, having failed to cross 200 across four innings in two contested Tests.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/deflated-me-mentally-ex-pak-coach-gillespie-slams-aaqib-javed-s-intereference-claims-pcb-owes-him-money-1788860291800">'Deflated me mentally': Ex-Pak coach Gillespie slams Aaqib Javed's interference, claims PCB owes him money</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;“When India go to England for a Test series, they get pitches that make the game last all five days. Every Test match with India lasts five days. Why? Because if it ends early, there will be a financial hit to the wallet of the board. Any other team goes to England, the Test ends in three days. It’s not like the nature of the pitch changed. You are creating pitches that way that the game would last five days for India games,” Bazid said on OutSide EDGE. &nbsp;He, however, put every country that hosts India in the same bracket as that of England. &nbsp;“When India come for a tour, it’s a money-making opportunity,” he added.&nbsp; &nbsp;When he was asked if the apex body (ICC) should look into this, Bazid said, “This is not an ICC call. These are bilateral tours.” &nbsp;Meanwhile, India’s last tour of England, consisting of five Tests, spanned all 25 days, with cricket being played on all days of each Test. Elsewhere, Pakistan’s ongoing tour saw them play only seven days across two Tests. The series opener at Headingley in Leeds wrapped up within three days, with Pakistan suffering an innings and 103-run defeat; the second Test lasted four days, with the visitors facing another crushing loss. &nbsp;Edgbaston, Birmingham, will host the third and final Test starting Wednesday (Sep 9).

Former Pakistan batter Bazid Khan has accused the ECB of pitch bias, alleging host boards prepare 5-day tracks for India for commercial gain while giving Pakistan 3-day pitches.

Former Pakistan batter Bazid Khan has accused the ECB of pitch bias following Pakistan’s Test series loss in England. Bazid's comments come amid a turbulent week for Pakistan cricket and selectors, following the PCB's internal investigation into dressing room conduct, which is further linked to match- and spot-fixing allegations. Since losing the Lord’s Test by 194 runs, which led to seven first-squad players facing the axe and two top coaches being released, the former Pakistan cricketer touched on another topic and brought India into the conversation. Bazid said that, for the commercial value India brings to the table, they often get pitches where the matches last all five days, while that is not the case when other teams, including Pakistan, tour England for the Test series. Bazid’s comments have come on the back of Pakistan’s horror show thus far against England, having failed to cross 200 across four innings in two contested Tests. Also read| 'Deflated me mentally': Ex-Pak coach Gillespie slams Aaqib Javed's interference, claims PCB owes him money “When India go to England for a Test series, they get pitches that make the game last all five days. Every Test match with India lasts five days. Why? Because if it ends early, there will be a financial hit to the wallet of the board. Any other team goes to England, the Test ends in three days. It’s not like the nature of the pitch changed. You are creating pitches that way that the game would last five days for India games,” Bazid said on OutSide EDGE. He, however, put every country that hosts India in the same bracket as that of England. “When India come for a tour, it’s a money-making opportunity,” he added. When he was asked if the apex body (ICC) should look into this, Bazid said, “This is not an ICC call. These are bilateral tours.” Meanwhile, India’s last tour of England, consisting of five Tests, spanned all 25 days, with cricket being played on all days of each Test. Elsewhere, Pakistan’s ongoing tour saw them play only seven days across two Tests. The series opener at Headingley in Leeds wrapped up within three days, with Pakistan suffering an innings and 103-run defeat; the second Test lasted four days, with the visitors facing another crushing loss. Edgbaston, Birmingham, will host the third and final Test starting Wednesday (Sep 9).

Former Pakistan batter Bazid Khan has accused the ECB of pitch bias, alleging host boards prepare 5-day tracks for India for commercial gain while giving Pakistan 3-day pitches.

Bazid Khan accuses ECB of pitch bias; claims India get 5-day tracks for commercial value

Japan named the same group of players picked for the multilateral Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya for the landmark one-off T20I against India on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground. Japan and India will face off for the first time in international cricket for the Suzuki Cup, launching celebrations of the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations. &nbsp;Japan’s leading batter, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, will lead his team against Shreyas Iyer’s Indian T20I team. Fleming has scored 1871 runs in 54 T20Is, with fellow seasoned cricketers Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb, who have played 56 and 54 T20Is, respectively, also featuring against the reigning T20 World Cup champions.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/where-to-watch-india-vs-japan-historic-t20i-live-streaming-channel-details-1788703019306">Where to watch India vs Japan historic T20I: Channel and live streaming details</a> &nbsp;21-year-old Jake Kusuda-Nairn, a spin-bowling all-rounder, has earned his maiden call-up to the senior team. Tsuyoshi Takada, who played three T20Is in 2023, was also recalled to the squad.<h3>Japan T20I Squad vs India –</h3>Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (captain), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Alester Kadowaki-Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Alex Shirai-Patmore (wk), Shoma Sugaya-Slater, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake<h2>India to Play with Full-Strength Squad&nbsp;</h2>Similarly, India also named a strong 15-member squad for the historic fixture and the upcoming Asian Games.&nbsp; &nbsp;Newly appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer will lead the team against Japan, with India’s ace quick Jasprit Bumrah also making the squad. Besides him, Arshdeep Singh and former world number one T20I bowler Varun Chakaravarthy have also been picked. Harshit Rana is the remaining quick in the team, and Ravi Bishnoi will lead the spin attack, including spin-bowling all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. &nbsp;India’s batting looks lethal, with ultra-attacking openers in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma at the top, followed by two keeper-batters and T20 World Cup winners, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson. Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy round out the middle and lower order as India will enter the contest as favourites.<h3>India T20I Squad vs Japan –</h3>Shreyas Iyer (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi

Japan and India have named full-strength squads for their historic T20I in Sano ahead of the 2026 Asian Games. Check team lists, captains, and key players.

Japan named the same group of players picked for the multilateral Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya for the landmark one-off T20I against India on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground. Japan and India will face off for the first time in international cricket for the Suzuki Cup, launching celebrations of the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations. Japan’s leading batter, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, will lead his team against Shreyas Iyer’s Indian T20I team. Fleming has scored 1871 runs in 54 T20Is, with fellow seasoned cricketers Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb, who have played 56 and 54 T20Is, respectively, also featuring against the reigning T20 World Cup champions. Also read| Where to watch India vs Japan historic T20I: Channel and live streaming details 21-year-old Jake Kusuda-Nairn, a spin-bowling all-rounder, has earned his maiden call-up to the senior team. Tsuyoshi Takada, who played three T20Is in 2023, was also recalled to the squad. Japan T20I Squad vs India – Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (captain), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Alester Kadowaki-Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Alex Shirai-Patmore (wk), Shoma Sugaya-Slater, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake India to Play with Full-Strength Squad Similarly, India also named a strong 15-member squad for the historic fixture and the upcoming Asian Games. Newly appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer will lead the team against Japan, with India’s ace quick Jasprit Bumrah also making the squad. Besides him, Arshdeep Singh and former world number one T20I bowler Varun Chakaravarthy have also been picked. Harshit Rana is the remaining quick in the team, and Ravi Bishnoi will lead the spin attack, including spin-bowling all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. India’s batting looks lethal, with ultra-attacking openers in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma at the top, followed by two keeper-batters and T20 World Cup winners, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson. Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy round out the middle and lower order as India will enter the contest as favourites. India T20I Squad vs Japan – Shreyas Iyer (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi

Japan and India have named full-strength squads for their historic T20I in Sano ahead of the 2026 Asian Games. Check team lists, captains, and key players.

Japan pick Asian Games squad for landmark India T20I: Check captain and top players

The Big Bash League (BBL) will be partially privatised, starting with the sale of the struggling Melbourne Renegades, Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Tuesday. The governing body wants to bring in private investment to the Twenty20 competition as it looks to shore up the game's financial future, which has come under threat from lucrative leagues abroad. &nbsp;"Beginning the sales process for the Renegades allows us to take the first step in a self-determination model for our members and represents a defining moment for the game," said Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird. "This is a significant decision that has involved an enormous amount of analysis, discussion and collaboration over many months." &nbsp;Cricket Australia said it could offer other franchises for sale further down the track. &nbsp;Cricket Australia said it aimed for the Renegades to have new ownership in place for the next season.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/deflated-me-mentally-ex-pak-coach-gillespie-slams-aaqib-javed-s-intereference-claims-pcb-owes-him-money-1788860291800">'Deflated me mentally': Ex-Pak coach Gillespie slams Aaqib Javed's interference, claims PCB owes him money</a> &nbsp;Melbourne is in Victoria, and the state's cricket association said the sale would help Australia keep pace with an "evolving" cricket landscape. &nbsp;"We're enthusiastic about moving forward with this process and taking the Melbourne Renegades to market," said Cricket Victoria director Shaun Richardson. &nbsp;Privatisation has been a thorny issue in Australia, with an initial proposal to sell stakes in each of BBL's eight teams stalling earlier this year amid concerns about a loss of control for the game's local custodians. &nbsp;While the Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania cricket associations voiced support and South Australia said it was open to the idea, New South Wales and Queensland rejected the move.<h2>BBL 16 Opener in India</h2>The first game of BBL 16 between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers will take place outside of Australia at Chepauk in Chennai, marking a unique and historic occasion for franchise cricket worldwide. Chennai will host the Renegades' home game on December 12, starting at 2:40 PM local time.&nbsp; &nbsp;This BBL match, taking place on foreign soil, was organised as a joint initiative between CA and the BCCI to deepen Australia-India cricket and diplomatic ties.&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Cricket Australia has announced the partial privatisation of the Big Bash League, opening the sales process for the Melbourne Renegades ahead of the BBL 16 opener in Chennai.

The Big Bash League (BBL) will be partially privatised, starting with the sale of the struggling Melbourne Renegades, Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Tuesday. The governing body wants to bring in private investment to the Twenty20 competition as it looks to shore up the game's financial future, which has come under threat from lucrative leagues abroad. "Beginning the sales process for the Renegades allows us to take the first step in a self-determination model for our members and represents a defining moment for the game," said Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird. "This is a significant decision that has involved an enormous amount of analysis, discussion and collaboration over many months." Cricket Australia said it could offer other franchises for sale further down the track. Cricket Australia said it aimed for the Renegades to have new ownership in place for the next season. Also read| 'Deflated me mentally': Ex-Pak coach Gillespie slams Aaqib Javed's interference, claims PCB owes him money Melbourne is in Victoria, and the state's cricket association said the sale would help Australia keep pace with an "evolving" cricket landscape. "We're enthusiastic about moving forward with this process and taking the Melbourne Renegades to market," said Cricket Victoria director Shaun Richardson. Privatisation has been a thorny issue in Australia, with an initial proposal to sell stakes in each of BBL's eight teams stalling earlier this year amid concerns about a loss of control for the game's local custodians. While the Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania cricket associations voiced support and South Australia said it was open to the idea, New South Wales and Queensland rejected the move. BBL 16 Opener in India The first game of BBL 16 between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers will take place outside of Australia at Chepauk in Chennai, marking a unique and historic occasion for franchise cricket worldwide. Chennai will host the Renegades' home game on December 12, starting at 2:40 PM local time. This BBL match, taking place on foreign soil, was organised as a joint initiative between CA and the BCCI to deepen Australia-India cricket and diplomatic ties. (With inputs from AFP)

Cricket Australia has announced the partial privatisation of the Big Bash League, opening the sales process for the Melbourne Renegades ahead of the BBL 16 opener in Chennai.

Cricket Australia opens BBL to private investment; Melbourne Renegades set to be first club sold

Former Australia pacer and Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie has come out swinging at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director of high performance and chief selector Aaqib Javed. Gillespie, who was named Pakistan's Test coach in May 2024, resigned seven months later in December 2024. With Pakistan cricket going through a crisis following back-to-back losses in the ongoing three-Test series in England, Gillespie revealed how serving as the national coach affected him mentally after Aaqib was put in charge, and disclosed that the PCB still owes him money.<h2>Gillespie says Pakistan Test coaching job affected him mentally</h2>After Pakistan sent back seven players and replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul following a 194-run defeat at Lord's, the blame game has not stopped. Aaqib Javed defended sending players home as sending a message, while several former players criticized it as a knee-jerk reaction.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/duleep-trophy-karun-nair-terms-omission-as-inexplicable-as-south-zone-coach-cites-personal-reasons-1788855628869">Duleep Trophy: Karun Nair terms omission as 'inexplicable'</a>In an interview with The Telegraph, Gillespie said: "The appointment of Javed fundamentally altered the landscape. From that moment, my relationship with Pakistan cricket completely changed. Aaqib came in and took over. It appeared to me that he was in charge of absolutely everything. The whole experience just deflated me and put me off coaching. It affected me mentally, making me doubt myself and leaving me thinking whether I still wanted to be involved in the sport. I was totally disrespected and undermined, and I direct that towards Aaqib Javed."Gillespie also revealed that the PCB owes him money, saying: "The PCB still owes me thousands of dollars, but I was never going to be a yes-man. I could have stayed quiet, agreed to everything, and taken home my salary, but that’s not me, and part of me knew I was probably going to be sacked in a couple of months anyway."<h2>What next for Pakistan?</h2>Mike Hesson, who has taken over red-ball coaching duties from Sarfaraz Ahmed, leads Pakistan into the third Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. With the series already lost, a match victory—if Pakistan can pull it off—might offer a way out of the team's current slump. &nbsp;

Ex-Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie criticized Aaqib Javed for disrespecting him and causing mental strain. He revealed the PCB still owes him thousands of dollars post-resignation.

Former Australia pacer and Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie has come out swinging at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director of high performance and chief selector Aaqib Javed. Gillespie, who was named Pakistan's Test coach in May 2024, resigned seven months later in December 2024. With Pakistan cricket going through a crisis following back-to-back losses in the ongoing three-Test series in England, Gillespie revealed how serving as the national coach affected him mentally after Aaqib was put in charge, and disclosed that the PCB still owes him money. Gillespie says Pakistan Test coaching job affected him mentally After Pakistan sent back seven players and replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul following a 194-run defeat at Lord's, the blame game has not stopped. Aaqib Javed defended sending players home as sending a message, while several former players criticized it as a knee-jerk reaction. Also Read - Duleep Trophy: Karun Nair terms omission as 'inexplicable' In an interview with The Telegraph, Gillespie said: "The appointment of Javed fundamentally altered the landscape. From that moment, my relationship with Pakistan cricket completely changed. Aaqib came in and took over. It appeared to me that he was in charge of absolutely everything. The whole experience just deflated me and put me off coaching. It affected me mentally, making me doubt myself and leaving me thinking whether I still wanted to be involved in the sport. I was totally disrespected and undermined, and I direct that towards Aaqib Javed." Gillespie also revealed that the PCB owes him money, saying: "The PCB still owes me thousands of dollars, but I was never going to be a yes-man. I could have stayed quiet, agreed to everything, and taken home my salary, but that’s not me, and part of me knew I was probably going to be sacked in a couple of months anyway." What next for Pakistan? Mike Hesson, who has taken over red-ball coaching duties from Sarfaraz Ahmed, leads Pakistan into the third Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. With the series already lost, a match victory—if Pakistan can pull it off—might offer a way out of the team's current slump.

Ex-Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie criticized Aaqib Javed for disrespecting him and causing mental strain. He revealed the PCB still owes him thousands of dollars post-resignation.

'Deflated me mentally': Ex-Pak coach Gillespie slams Aaqib Javed's intereference, claims PCB owes him money

Karun Nair, the veteran Indian cricketer who plays for Karnataka in domestic cricket, has insinuated selection discrepancies regarding the South Zone team setup in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. Nair was part of the South Zone squad but did not feature in the playing XI for the semi-final against North Zone. He was subsequently left out of the final against East Zone as well. The batter left the squad after his exclusion from the final and promptly scored a century for KSCA Secretary’s XI at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in the Dr. (Capt) K. Thimmappaiah Memorial Tournament, which marks the beginning of Karnataka's red-ball preparations.<h2>Why isn't Karun Nair playing the Duleep Trophy final?</h2>After East Zone were bowled out for a mammoth 708 runs in their first innings on Day 2 (Sep 7), South Zone coach Vikram Verma explained why Nair was not included in the playing XI:"He [Nair] left due to personal reasons," Verma said. "So he left for home after emailing and taking permission. Actually, we went with a tactical combination because the opposition has two left-arm spinners. We thought a left-handed batter in the middle order would offer a better chance to dominate them. So again, we chose what was best for the team.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ishan-kishan-270-east-zone-708-duleep-trophy-final-1788789007399">Ishan Kishan smashes 270 as East Zone rack up 708 in Duleep Trophy Final</a>"In the first match [against North Zone], we gave a chance to youngster Himateja Kodimela. Now, since [Devdutt] Padikkal has returned, the team combination demanded that setup. It was difficult to leave him [Nair] out, but that's the combination we went with."<h2>What did Karun Nair say about his omission?</h2>Nair appeared unconvinced by the coach's perspective regarding his exclusion from two consecutive Duleep Trophy matches. Responding to a social media post discussing his omission, Nair posted: "Inexplicable would be an understatement."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Inexplicable would be an understatement🤣 <a href="https://t.co/kPtzds8r6f">https://t.co/kPtzds8r6f</a>&mdash; Karun Nair (@karun126) <a href="https://x.com/karun126/status/2096968826776870930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

During the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy season, Nair enjoyed a prolific run, scoring 699 runs across 13 innings in nine matches—including two centuries and three fifties at an average of 58 with a top score of 233.

Veteran batter Karun Nair hinted at selection discrepancies after being dropped from South Zone's Duleep Trophy final XI, publicly disputing coach Vikram Verma's claims of personal reasons.

Karun Nair, the veteran Indian cricketer who plays for Karnataka in domestic cricket, has insinuated selection discrepancies regarding the South Zone team setup in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. Nair was part of the South Zone squad but did not feature in the playing XI for the semi-final against North Zone. He was subsequently left out of the final against East Zone as well. The batter left the squad after his exclusion from the final and promptly scored a century for KSCA Secretary’s XI at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in the Dr. (Capt) K. Thimmappaiah Memorial Tournament, which marks the beginning of Karnataka's red-ball preparations. Why isn't Karun Nair playing the Duleep Trophy final? After East Zone were bowled out for a mammoth 708 runs in their first innings on Day 2 (Sep 7), South Zone coach Vikram Verma explained why Nair was not included in the playing XI: "He [Nair] left due to personal reasons," Verma said. "So he left for home after emailing and taking permission. Actually, we went with a tactical combination because the opposition has two left-arm spinners. We thought a left-handed batter in the middle order would offer a better chance to dominate them. So again, we chose what was best for the team. Also Read - Ishan Kishan smashes 270 as East Zone rack up 708 in Duleep Trophy Final "In the first match [against North Zone], we gave a chance to youngster Himateja Kodimela. Now, since [Devdutt] Padikkal has returned, the team combination demanded that setup. It was difficult to leave him [Nair] out, but that's the combination we went with." What did Karun Nair say about his omission? Nair appeared unconvinced by the coach's perspective regarding his exclusion from two consecutive Duleep Trophy matches. Responding to a social media post discussing his omission, Nair posted: "Inexplicable would be an understatement."

Veteran batter Karun Nair hinted at selection discrepancies after being dropped from South Zone's Duleep Trophy final XI, publicly disputing coach Vikram Verma's claims of personal reasons.

Duleep Trophy: Karun Nair terms omission as 'inexplicable' as South Zone coach cites 'personal reasons'

Naomi Osaka is known not only for her tennis but also as a fashionista. The Japanese-American player's looks at Grand Slams in the recent past have been the talk of the town. At the ongoing US Open 2026, her vintage NBA look, inspired by Allen Iverson, drew widespread praise. She made similar fashion statements at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open as well.Osaka's mother, Tamaki, has also been stepping into the limelight at the US Open 2026 for her bold style. She was spotted wearing a sharp white dress shirt with a grey tie and oversized sunglasses. Tamaki also stole the spotlight during Naomi's practice session ahead of the tournament, wearing a fitted red minidress paired with long black gloves, oversized sunglasses, and matching red lipstick.<h2>Who is Tamaki Osaka?</h2>Tamaki, who grew up in Hokkaido, Japan, was a high school student when she met her future husband, Leonard Francois, who was studying at a local university. The couple kept their relationship a secret before Francois moved to the city of Osaka to be with Tamaki after her father initially disapproved of the relationship.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-to-not-allow-influencers-after-us-open-2026-turns-into-a-bit-of-a-zoo-1788842884450">Wimbledon to deny special credentials to influencers after US Open 2026 turns 'into a bit of a zoo'</a>The couple welcomed two daughters, Mari and Naomi, in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Inspired by Richard Williams, father of Serena and Venus Williams, the family relocated to the United States to give their daughters better opportunities in tennis.<h2>Naomi credits her parents for her tennis glory</h2>"Growing up, I dreamed about winning Grand Slams and becoming No. 1 in the world," Naomi, a four-time Grand Slam champion, told People in 2021. "While it was not easy, my family was dedicated to helping me get the access I needed to reach my goals. But unfortunately, not all girls have the same opportunities that I did.""I came from a mom who worked for basically my entire childhood to put me through tennis," she said in a 2022 interview with CBS News. "Tennis is an expensive sport. So, just to put two kids through that and believe in them so much is something that—I always call my parents a bit crazy."Osaka made full use of the opportunities provided by her parents, going on to win the Australian Open twice (2019 and 2021) and the US Open twice (2018 and 2020).

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and her mother Tamaki are turning heads at the US Open 2026 with standout court and baseline fashion, highlighting their family's sacrifices for her success.

Naomi Osaka is known not only for her tennis but also as a fashionista. The Japanese-American player's looks at Grand Slams in the recent past have been the talk of the town. At the ongoing US Open 2026, her vintage NBA look, inspired by Allen Iverson, drew widespread praise. She made similar fashion statements at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open as well. Osaka's mother, Tamaki, has also been stepping into the limelight at the US Open 2026 for her bold style. She was spotted wearing a sharp white dress shirt with a grey tie and oversized sunglasses. Tamaki also stole the spotlight during Naomi's practice session ahead of the tournament, wearing a fitted red minidress paired with long black gloves, oversized sunglasses, and matching red lipstick. Who is Tamaki Osaka? Tamaki, who grew up in Hokkaido, Japan, was a high school student when she met her future husband, Leonard Francois, who was studying at a local university. The couple kept their relationship a secret before Francois moved to the city of Osaka to be with Tamaki after her father initially disapproved of the relationship. Also Read - Wimbledon to deny special credentials to influencers after US Open 2026 turns 'into a bit of a zoo' The couple welcomed two daughters, Mari and Naomi, in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Inspired by Richard Williams, father of Serena and Venus Williams, the family relocated to the United States to give their daughters better opportunities in tennis. Naomi credits her parents for her tennis glory "Growing up, I dreamed about winning Grand Slams and becoming No. 1 in the world," Naomi, a four-time Grand Slam champion, told People in 2021. "While it was not easy, my family was dedicated to helping me get the access I needed to reach my goals. But unfortunately, not all girls have the same opportunities that I did." "I came from a mom who worked for basically my entire childhood to put me through tennis," she said in a 2022 interview with CBS News. "Tennis is an expensive sport. So, just to put two kids through that and believe in them so much is something that—I always call my parents a bit crazy." Osaka made full use of the opportunities provided by her parents, going on to win the Australian Open twice (2019 and 2021) and the US Open twice (2018 and 2020).

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and her mother Tamaki are turning heads at the US Open 2026 with standout court and baseline fashion, highlighting their family's sacrifices for her success.

Who is Tamaki Osaka? US Open winner Naomi Osaka's mother turning heads at Flushing Meadows

The ongoing US Open 2026, which has already produced major shockers like 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic exiting in the first round, has been marred by another controversy. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is facing heavy criticism over an influx of content influencers who have disrupted matches. The US Open organizers approved credentials for 100 influencers this year—nearly double the 54 accredited in 2025—alongside regular journalists and official broadcasters. However, the strategy, intended to engage untapped audiences through social media outreach, has backfired badly.<h2>Why the US Open allowed content influencers</h2>The US Open accredited influencers in an effort to broaden the Grand Slam’s reach on social media, targeting younger generations to boost the sport's popularity. Instead, the initiative has led to repeated match disruptions, sparking strong complaints from players.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-matches-to-observe-a-minute-of-silence-in-soilidarity-for-nepal-flood-victims-1788840087613">Champions League matches to observe a minute of silence in solidarity with Nepal flood victims</a>The chair-umpire in Naomi Osaka's first-round match, halted the play, after a ring light shadow fell onto the court, forcing the official to intervene and discipline the influencer. While bringing in influencers to promote tennis is not inherently bad, critics argue it is imperative that organizers ensure content creators understand court etiquette and refrain from disrupting play.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">This was one of the cringiest things I’ve ever seen live. The US Open used to be an actual tennis tournament <a href="https://t.co/1kAYND6VOe">https://t.co/1kAYND6VOe</a> <a href="https://t.co/c1jbi4lUlQ">pic.twitter.com/c1jbi4lUlQ</a>&mdash; Danny Singer (@michiganboy310) <a href="https://x.com/michiganboy310/status/2094997223553581560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Wimbledon takes a firm stance against influencers</h2>In light of the chaos in New York, Wimbledon has chosen a strictly anti-influencer approach. According to the Press Association, Wimbledon organizers do not plan to offer a special accreditation category for influencers and will prohibit or confiscate equipment that could disrupt play, such as ring lights.Adding to the criticism of crowd behavior at Flushing Meadows, Adrian Mannarino spoke out after his match: "People are allowed to move around in the crowd during points. The tournament puts up with it, and I don't know if it's the best thing for tennis in general. There's a smell of marijuana on the court, noise everywhere. The truth is, it's turning into a bit of a zoo."&nbsp;

The 2026 US Open faces backlash after granting credentials to 100 influencers who disrupted play. Player complaints over ring lights and crowd chaos led Wimbledon to ban influencer accreditations.

The ongoing US Open 2026, which has already produced major shockers like 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic exiting in the first round, has been marred by another controversy. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is facing heavy criticism over an influx of content influencers who have disrupted matches. The US Open organizers approved credentials for 100 influencers this year—nearly double the 54 accredited in 2025—alongside regular journalists and official broadcasters. However, the strategy, intended to engage untapped audiences through social media outreach, has backfired badly. Why the US Open allowed content influencers The US Open accredited influencers in an effort to broaden the Grand Slam’s reach on social media, targeting younger generations to boost the sport's popularity. Instead, the initiative has led to repeated match disruptions, sparking strong complaints from players. Also Read - Champions League matches to observe a minute of silence in solidarity with Nepal flood victims The chair-umpire in Naomi Osaka's first-round match, halted the play, after a ring light shadow fell onto the court, forcing the official to intervene and discipline the influencer. While bringing in influencers to promote tennis is not inherently bad, critics argue it is imperative that organizers ensure content creators understand court etiquette and refrain from disrupting play.

The 2026 US Open faces backlash after granting credentials to 100 influencers who disrupted play. Player complaints over ring lights and crowd chaos led Wimbledon to ban influencer accreditations.

Wimbledon to deny special credentials to influencers after US Open 2026 turns 'into a bit of a zoo'

The UEFA Champions League, which decides the best football club in Europe, is back for another season. The league phase of the Champions League 2026–27 is set to begin on Tuesday (Sep 8) with 36 teams participating in 18 matches throughout the week on matchday 1 of 8. The Champions League matches, however, will observe a minute of silence throughout the week as a mark of solidarity with deadly Nepal flood victims. The announcement, made Monday (Sep 7) by UEFA, also stated that a banner will be displayed at every match carrying the message "You are not alone Nepal."<h2>UEFA Champions League matches to observe silence in solidarity with Nepal flood victims</h2>"The entire European football family will stand together before this week’s matches to express our deepest condolences and our support to the people of Nepal. We wish them strength and resilience as they continue to recover from this tragedy and its aftermath," Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA’s president, said in a statement.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🤍 You are not alone, Nepal. This week, flood victims will be honoured with a moment of silence ahead of all UEFA Champions League matches. 🔗 <a href="https://t.co/fGLHBehd6R">https://t.co/fGLHBehd6R</a> <a href="https://t.co/VPH9DUJQlw">pic.twitter.com/VPH9DUJQlw</a>&mdash; UEFA (@UEFA) <a href="https://x.com/UEFA/status/2096876172495732802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Nepal floods, triggered by a glacier collapse following incessant rains, have claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people, according to PTI, as rescue operations are still underway to look for survivors. More than 13,000 people have been rescued, while the search for nearly 5,000 missing people remains ongoing.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/womens-asia-cup-final-mohsin-naqvi-trophy-controversy-india-1788794153633">Mohsin Naqvi set to attend Women's Asia Cup Final as India favourites for title</a><h2>Champions League Matchday 1 Schedule</h2>Champions League matchday 1 will be played from Tuesday (Sep 8) to Thursday (Sep 10) among 36 teams in the expanded format. Below are the match-ups:Tuesday (Sep 8):<ul><li>Club Brugge vs Aston Villa</li><li>AEK Athens vs LASK</li><li>Porto vs Manchester City</li><li>Real Madrid vs Inter Milan</li><li>Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal</li><li>LOSC Lille vs Real Betis</li></ul>Wednesday (Sep 9):<ul><li>Barcelona vs Feyenoord</li><li>Stuttgart vs Viking</li><li>Napoli vs Arsenal</li><li>Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid</li><li>PSG vs Slovan Bratislava</li><li>Sporting CP vs Galatasaray</li></ul>Thursday (Sep 10):<ul><li>Fenerbahce vs Roma</li><li>PSV Eindhoven vs Shakhtar Donetsk</li><li>Bayern Munich vs Bodo/Glimt</li><li>Slavia Prague vs Lens</li><li>Como vs RB Leipzig</li><li>Manchester United vs Sabah</li></ul>

UEFA Champions League 2026–27 begins with 36 teams playing Matchday 1 across Sep 8–10. Matches will feature a minute of silence and support banners in solidarity with tragic Nepal flood victims.

The UEFA Champions League, which decides the best football club in Europe, is back for another season. The league phase of the Champions League 2026–27 is set to begin on Tuesday (Sep 8) with 36 teams participating in 18 matches throughout the week on matchday 1 of 8. The Champions League matches, however, will observe a minute of silence throughout the week as a mark of solidarity with deadly Nepal flood victims. The announcement, made Monday (Sep 7) by UEFA, also stated that a banner will be displayed at every match carrying the message "You are not alone Nepal." UEFA Champions League matches to observe silence in solidarity with Nepal flood victims "The entire European football family will stand together before this week’s matches to express our deepest condolences and our support to the people of Nepal. We wish them strength and resilience as they continue to recover from this tragedy and its aftermath," Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA’s president, said in a statement.

UEFA Champions League 2026–27 begins with 36 teams playing Matchday 1 across Sep 8–10. Matches will feature a minute of silence and support banners in solidarity with tragic Nepal flood victims.

Champions League matches to observe a minute of silence in solidarity with Nepal flood victims

Coco Gauff bested rising US star Iva Jovic on Monday to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open for the first time since winning the title three years ago. Gauff, seeded fourth this year, beat the 14th-seeded Jovic 6-1, 6-4 in 80 minutes. The match marked a rare instance in which two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff, still only 22, faced a younger American in the 18-year-old Jovic, who pushed Gauff in the second set after being routed in the first."She plays beyond her years," Gauff said. "I'm looking to many more battles out here."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rival-driver-loek-hartog-saves-fellow-racer-ollie-millroy-from-burning-car-in-daring-rescue-at-china-gt-1788757114246">Rival driver saves fellow racer from burning car in daring rescue at China GT</a>Gauff said she served "really well" and called the win, along with a second-round victory over Spain's Paula Badosa, her best matches so far this year.Gauff has yet to lose a set so far in New York and has pointed to an improved serve as a source of confidence."I'm able to rely on a lot of different things to win points in many different ways, and I think that gives me a confidence," Gauff said after Monday's match.Broken to open the contest, Gauff reeled off six straight games to take the first set.Gauff said some of the marathon rallies left her breathless, but she came out on top of them more often than not.Jovic picked up the pace in the second set, rushing the net behind strong shots to keep Gauff on the defensive.Their net exchanges won loud applause from fans, and Gauff finished the match with a surprise serve-and-volley ambush, landing a volley that Jovic couldn't put back in play.Gauff will next face French Open champion and fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia in the quarter-finals. Gauff has won all five of their prior meetings.Despite the strong record against Andreeva, Gauff noted that most of the matches have been close. In their last contest, Gauff defeated Andreeva 6-4 in the third set in the quarter-finals of Rome, shortly before Andreeva's Paris triumph."She's obviously in a different mindset now, at the top of the game, coming off a Grand Slam win," Gauff said of the Russian. "So I expect her to approach the match completely differently from in the past."

Gauff said she served "really well" and called the win, along with a second-round victory over Spain's Paula Badosa, her best matches so far this year.

Coco Gauff bested rising US star Iva Jovic on Monday to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open for the first time since winning the title three years ago. Gauff, seeded fourth this year, beat the 14th-seeded Jovic 6-1, 6-4 in 80 minutes. The match marked a rare instance in which two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff, still only 22, faced a younger American in the 18-year-old Jovic, who pushed Gauff in the second set after being routed in the first. "She plays beyond her years," Gauff said. "I'm looking to many more battles out here." Also Read - Rival driver saves fellow racer from burning car in daring rescue at China GT Gauff said she served "really well" and called the win, along with a second-round victory over Spain's Paula Badosa, her best matches so far this year. Gauff has yet to lose a set so far in New York and has pointed to an improved serve as a source of confidence. "I'm able to rely on a lot of different things to win points in many different ways, and I think that gives me a confidence," Gauff said after Monday's match. Broken to open the contest, Gauff reeled off six straight games to take the first set. Gauff said some of the marathon rallies left her breathless, but she came out on top of them more often than not. Jovic picked up the pace in the second set, rushing the net behind strong shots to keep Gauff on the defensive. Their net exchanges won loud applause from fans, and Gauff finished the match with a surprise serve-and-volley ambush, landing a volley that Jovic couldn't put back in play. Gauff will next face French Open champion and fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia in the quarter-finals. Gauff has won all five of their prior meetings. Despite the strong record against Andreeva, Gauff noted that most of the matches have been close. In their last contest, Gauff defeated Andreeva 6-4 in the third set in the quarter-finals of Rome, shortly before Andreeva's Paris triumph. "She's obviously in a different mindset now, at the top of the game, coming off a Grand Slam win," Gauff said of the Russian. "So I expect her to approach the match completely differently from in the past."

Gauff said she served "really well" and called the win, along with a second-round victory over Spain's Paula Badosa, her best matches so far this year.

US Open 2026: Former champ Coco Gauff goes past Iva Jovic to enter quarter-finals

Hours after announcing <a href="Kevin Pietersen named England's 'specialist mentor' for white-ball cricket">Kevin Pietersen’s shocking return to their white-ball set-up as specialist mentor</a>, England revealed his former teammate and Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott as the new interim coach for the England Lions. Trott, who leads the race to succeed England great Andrew Flintoff in this role permanently, will coach the Lions’ squad against Sri Lanka in two T20 matches scheduled later this month. &nbsp;After Trott left his role with Afghanistan Cricket following the T20 World Cup early this year, he emerged as the frontrunner to replace Flintoff at the Lions – who joined BBL side Sydney Thunder as their head coach for the upcoming season. &nbsp;At the Lions, Trott will act as head coach for the short shadow series against Sri Lanka, which will serve as preparatory matches for the forthcoming three ODIs and a T20I series between the two teams. Trott will have his former international mates, including Ravi Bopara and Graeme Swann, as well as ECB pace-bowling lead Troy Cooley and fielding specialist Carl Hopkinson in the backroom staff.&nbsp; &nbsp;Meanwhile, as Afghanistan’s head coach, Trott remained in charge for four years, overseeing several monumental achievements for the Asian team. Under his leadership, Afghanistan shocked New Zealand and Australia to reach the semifinals of a T20 World Cup in 2024 for the first time. He also guided them to famous wins over ODI heavyweights like Sri Lanka, England and Pakistan during the 2023 edition of the 50-over World Cup. For the record, Trott has also coached several teams in different franchise leagues and remains in line to replace Brendon McCullum as England’s future white-ball coach.<h2>T20I regulars in Lions’ squad</h2>England named a potent 20-man squad for the two Lions matches, including six players from England’s T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series: Tom Banton, Will Jacks, James Coles, Aneurin Donald, Jamie Overton and Saqib Mahmood, while Henry Crocombe, who is only part of England's ODI squad, is also involved. &nbsp;Meanwhile, Sri Lanka also named their squad for the England series last week, with Charith Asalanka set to lead the side in Kusal Mendis’ absence.<h3>England Lions Squad vs Sri Lanka -</h3>Tom Banton, Jafer Chohan, James Coles, Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Aneurin Donald, Caleb Falconer, Tom Hartley, Eddie Jack, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Ben Mayes, Ben McKinney, Joe Moores, Jamie Overton, Matthew Revis, James Sales, Ollie Sykes, Paul Walter and Luke Wood &nbsp;Fixtures: September 11 - 1st T20 (Chelmsford, floodlit), September 13 - 2nd T20 (Beckenham).

Hours after Kevin Pietersen's return, England named Jonathan Trott as interim Lions coach to succeed Andrew Flintoff against Sri Lanka. Check the full squad.

Hours after announcing Kevin Pietersen’s shocking return to their white-ball set-up as specialist mentor, England revealed his former teammate and Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott as the new interim coach for the England Lions. Trott, who leads the race to succeed England great Andrew Flintoff in this role permanently, will coach the Lions’ squad against Sri Lanka in two T20 matches scheduled later this month. After Trott left his role with Afghanistan Cricket following the T20 World Cup early this year, he emerged as the frontrunner to replace Flintoff at the Lions – who joined BBL side Sydney Thunder as their head coach for the upcoming season. At the Lions, Trott will act as head coach for the short shadow series against Sri Lanka, which will serve as preparatory matches for the forthcoming three ODIs and a T20I series between the two teams. Trott will have his former international mates, including Ravi Bopara and Graeme Swann, as well as ECB pace-bowling lead Troy Cooley and fielding specialist Carl Hopkinson in the backroom staff. Meanwhile, as Afghanistan’s head coach, Trott remained in charge for four years, overseeing several monumental achievements for the Asian team. Under his leadership, Afghanistan shocked New Zealand and Australia to reach the semifinals of a T20 World Cup in 2024 for the first time. He also guided them to famous wins over ODI heavyweights like Sri Lanka, England and Pakistan during the 2023 edition of the 50-over World Cup. For the record, Trott has also coached several teams in different franchise leagues and remains in line to replace Brendon McCullum as England’s future white-ball coach. T20I regulars in Lions’ squad England named a potent 20-man squad for the two Lions matches, including six players from England’s T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series: Tom Banton, Will Jacks, James Coles, Aneurin Donald, Jamie Overton and Saqib Mahmood, while Henry Crocombe, who is only part of England's ODI squad, is also involved. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka also named their squad for the England series last week, with Charith Asalanka set to lead the side in Kusal Mendis’ absence. England Lions Squad vs Sri Lanka - Tom Banton, Jafer Chohan, James Coles, Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Aneurin Donald, Caleb Falconer, Tom Hartley, Eddie Jack, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Ben Mayes, Ben McKinney, Joe Moores, Jamie Overton, Matthew Revis, James Sales, Ollie Sykes, Paul Walter and Luke Wood Fixtures: September 11 - 1st T20 (Chelmsford, floodlit), September 13 - 2nd T20 (Beckenham).

Hours after Kevin Pietersen's return, England named Jonathan Trott as interim Lions coach to succeed Andrew Flintoff against Sri Lanka. Check the full squad.

After KP's appointment, England draft in Jonathan Trott as Flintoff's successor for Lions

The Asia Cup trophy controversy could be back as early as next Sunday (Sep 13), as PCB chairman and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi will be in attendance for the women’s final in Dubai, with the Indian team favourite to enter the title clash. &nbsp;During the 2025 edition in Dubai, after India beat Pakistan in the final, Naqvi walked away with the Asia Cup trophy. He denied handing it over to the winning captain, Suryakumar Yadav, against the backdrop of Indian players refusing to shake hands with the Men in Green. With the BCCI maintaining the no-handshake stance with the Pakistani players, as also carried out by Harmanpreet Kaur’s women’s team in their group stage face-off, Naqvi could find himself in a similar position should India reach the summit clash and win it.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wahab-riaz-pakistan-best-team-womens-asia-cup-55-all-out-1788684197776">All out for 55 vs India, coach Wahab Riaz bizarrely claims Pakistan as ‘Best Team in Asia Cup’</a> &nbsp;Although Naqvi’s decision to walk away with the Asia Cup trophy last year created quite a stir, it remains to be seen what happens on the podium should the Indian women’s team win the final. Not only that, but whether to accept the trophy from Naqvi will ultimately rest with Harmanpreet Kaur and the team management. &nbsp;The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI), however, has remained silent on what will happen if a similar situation unfolds again. &nbsp;The Indian women’s team is head and shoulders above the rest, having already qualified for the final without losing a game. After crushing Thailand and Hong Kong in one-sided affairs in their first two matches, India reduced Pakistan to their lowest T20I total (55) in the marquee face-off in Dubai on Saturday (Sep 5). &nbsp;Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan were 27 for no loss at one stage, and strangely were all out for 55, losing all 10 wickets for 28 runs. The spin quartet of N Shree Charani (3 for 7), Prema Rawat (3 for 9), Deepti Sharma (2 for 5) and Shafali (1 for 10) triggered Pakistan’s collapse, as they set India a modest target of 56. &nbsp;Although India expectedly crossed the winning line, they lost three wickets on their way, with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana accounting for three dismissals. Her send-off to Indian opener Shafali Verma, however, led her into trouble as the <a href="Pakistan women’s captain Fatima Sana penalised for Shafali Verma send-off">ICC penalised her by deducting 10 per cent of her match fee</a> and handing her a demerit point, her second in 24 months. &nbsp;Should Pakistan beat Hong Kong in their final group game in Dubai on Monday, they will qualify for the semifinals. India and Pakistan could meet again in the final this year if they win their respective last four matches.&nbsp;

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is set to attend the Women’s Asia Cup final in Dubai, raising questions over the trophy presentation if favourites India reach and win the summit clash.

The Asia Cup trophy controversy could be back as early as next Sunday (Sep 13), as PCB chairman and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi will be in attendance for the women’s final in Dubai, with the Indian team favourite to enter the title clash. During the 2025 edition in Dubai, after India beat Pakistan in the final, Naqvi walked away with the Asia Cup trophy. He denied handing it over to the winning captain, Suryakumar Yadav, against the backdrop of Indian players refusing to shake hands with the Men in Green. With the BCCI maintaining the no-handshake stance with the Pakistani players, as also carried out by Harmanpreet Kaur’s women’s team in their group stage face-off, Naqvi could find himself in a similar position should India reach the summit clash and win it. Also read| All out for 55 vs India, coach Wahab Riaz bizarrely claims Pakistan as ‘Best Team in Asia Cup’ Although Naqvi’s decision to walk away with the Asia Cup trophy last year created quite a stir, it remains to be seen what happens on the podium should the Indian women’s team win the final. Not only that, but whether to accept the trophy from Naqvi will ultimately rest with Harmanpreet Kaur and the team management. The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI), however, has remained silent on what will happen if a similar situation unfolds again. The Indian women’s team is head and shoulders above the rest, having already qualified for the final without losing a game. After crushing Thailand and Hong Kong in one-sided affairs in their first two matches, India reduced Pakistan to their lowest T20I total (55) in the marquee face-off in Dubai on Saturday (Sep 5). Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan were 27 for no loss at one stage, and strangely were all out for 55, losing all 10 wickets for 28 runs. The spin quartet of N Shree Charani (3 for 7), Prema Rawat (3 for 9), Deepti Sharma (2 for 5) and Shafali (1 for 10) triggered Pakistan’s collapse, as they set India a modest target of 56. Although India expectedly crossed the winning line, they lost three wickets on their way, with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana accounting for three dismissals. Her send-off to Indian opener Shafali Verma, however, led her into trouble as the ICC penalised her by deducting 10 per cent of her match fee and handing her a demerit point, her second in 24 months. Should Pakistan beat Hong Kong in their final group game in Dubai on Monday, they will qualify for the semifinals. India and Pakistan could meet again in the final this year if they win their respective last four matches.

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is set to attend the Women’s Asia Cup final in Dubai, raising questions over the trophy presentation if favourites India reach and win the summit clash.

ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi set to attend Women's Asia Cup Final as India favourites for title

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