Pakistan voice disappointment after ‘World Championship of Legends’ match against India called off

Captain of India Champions Yuvraj Singh (second right) speaks with Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi during the final match of World Championship of Legends in Birmingham, England, on July 13, 2024. (WCL/File)
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Updated 20 July 2025
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Pakistan voice disappointment after ‘World Championship of Legends’ match against India called off

  • WCL features retired, non-contracted players from India, Pakistan, England and other nations
  • The match was called off after India’s Shikhar Dhawan withdrew from fixtures against Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani veteran cricket stars on Sunday voiced their disappointment after their match against India, part of the “World Championship of Legends (WCL)” tournament, was called off on Sunday, with Indian players withdrawing because of political tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.

Sporting ties between arch-rivals India and Pakistan have remained limited due to years of political tensions, which heightened after the two countries engaged in a four-day military standoff over an attack in the disputed Kashmir region before a ceasefire was reached on May 10.

The WCL is a T20 tournament approved by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) held in England every year. The tournament features retired and non-contracted players from cricketing giants, including England, India, Pakistan, Australia, West Indies and South Africa.

“On behalf of Pakistan Champions, we express our deep disappointment over WCL’s decision to call off the match against India,” Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan said in a statement.

“This decision not only undermines the spirit of the game but has let down cricket fans across the globe.”

In a statement released on its social media accounts, the WCL said it had decided to call off the India-Pakistan match in Birmingham and apologized again for “hurting the sentiments” of Indian fans.

The league’s owners include its founder, Indian entrepreneur Harshit Tomar and Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn.

The WCL statement came hours after Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan wrote on X that he was withdrawing from India’s WCL matches with Pakistan.

“We believe cricket should rise above and transcend political differences,” Khan said.


Napoli’s Osimhen completes 75mln euro move to Galatasaray

Updated 31 July 2025
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Napoli’s Osimhen completes 75mln euro move to Galatasaray

  • Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 26 goals in 30 league games
  • Negotiations with Galatasaray had been ongoing for several weeks

ISTANBUL: Napoli striker Victor Osimhen on Thursday completed his permanent move to Turkish champions Galatasaray in a 75 million euro ($87.5 million) four-year deal.

A key figure in Napoli’s 2023 title triumph, Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 26 goals in 30 league games as the Istanbul club claimed their 25th Super Lig crown.


He was absent as Napoli, the freshly crowned Serie A champions, resumed training at the start of the week as the finer details of the deal were concluded.

Napoli coach Antonio Conte seemingly did not have the 26-year-old in his plans for his side’s Scudetto defense next term.

Negotiations with Galatasaray had been ongoing for several weeks but up to Thursday had stalled over the terms of payment for the transfer.

Napoli recently recruited Kevin De Bruyne from Premier League club Manchester City.

Osimhen becomes Galatasaray’s most expensive ever player.


Portugal’s Sousa named as Kuwait national team coach

Updated 31 July 2025
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Portugal’s Sousa named as Kuwait national team coach

  • The 55-year-old succeeds Juan Antonio Pizzi
  • Local media reported that Sousa has signed a contract with the KFA until 2027

KUWAIT: Portuguese Helio Sousa has been appointed as coach of the Kuwait men’s team, the country’s football association (KFA) announced on Thursday.

The 55-year-old succeeds Juan Antonio Pizzi, whose contract expired earlier this year.


“Helio Sousa is the coach of the Kuwait national football team. Welcome to Kuwait,” KFA said on X without providing further details.

Local media reported that Sousa has signed a contract with the KFA until 2027, reportedly worth $1.6 million per year.

Sousa previously enjoyed a successful stint with Bahrain, guiding the nation to the West Asian Football Federation Championship title in 2019 before securing their maiden Gulf Cup later that year.


West Ham forward Lucas Paqueta cleared of spot-fixing charges

Updated 31 July 2025
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West Ham forward Lucas Paqueta cleared of spot-fixing charges

  • The English Football Association confirmed Thursday that an independent panel had found the charges unproven
  • The ruling brings to an end a long-running case against the Brazil international

LONDON: West Ham forward Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of alleged spot-fixing after being accused of deliberately receiving yellow cards to influence betting markets.

The English Football Association confirmed Thursday that an independent panel had found the charges unproven.

“Lucas Paqueta denied the charges against him, and the Regulatory Commission found them to be not proven following a hearing,” the FA said in a statement.

The ruling brings to an end a long-running case against the Brazil international, who was charged in May 2024.

The FA had claimed the 27-year-old Paqueta intentionally sought to be booked in four separate games — against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth between November 2022 and August 2023 “in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.”

Blackstone Chambers, representing Paqueta, said it was understood to be the longest case in FA history.

Paqueta was charged with breaches of FA Rule E5 related to integrity of matches and competitions.

The rule sates a participant “shall not, directly or indirectly, seek to influence for an improper purpose the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in or in connection with, a football match or competition.”

The panel did uphold two charges against Paqueta for failing to answer questions and provide
information to the FA’s investigation. The governing body said it would determine an appropriate sanction at the earliest opportunity.

Full reasons for the verdict have not yet been published.


Pakistan T20 captain backs ‘fine’ blend of youth, experience ahead of West Indies series

Updated 31 July 2025
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Pakistan T20 captain backs ‘fine’ blend of youth, experience ahead of West Indies series

  • Pakistan face West Indies in three-match T20I series starting Aug. 1 in Florida
  • Green Shirts will then face West Indies in three-match ODI series from Aug. 8-12

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan T20 captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed confidence in the team’s “fine” blend of youth and experience as they take on the West Indies in the United States for a three-match series starting Aug. 1, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said this week.

The three T20Is, beginning on Thursday, July 31 (1 August, 5 am Pakistan Standard Time) at the Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium in Florida is the first meeting between the two teams in T20Is since December 2021.

The second and third T20I are scheduled to take place on 2 and 3 August at the same venue with the first ball slated to be bowled at 8pm local time (3 and 4 August, 5 am Pakistan Standard Time).

“We have a fine blend of youth and experience in our squad, and it is highly productive that we are going into yet another T20 series as the build-up toward the T20 World Cup picks up pace,” Agha said. 

Pakistan’s T20 squad comprises experienced cricketers such as Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf along with youngsters Abrar Ahmed, Hassan Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufyan Moqim and Saim Ayub. 

“We are really looking forward to playing at this wonderful venue and our time here so far has been exciting,” the Pakistan captain said. “I feel the three T20 will also be entertaining and as a team we are eagerly looking forward to take the field.”

He added that Pakistan will need to play their best game to “outfox a formidable T20 side.”

The ODIs will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad & Tobago on August 8, 10 and 12, with Mohammad Rizwan set to lead Pakistan as its captain.

Pakistan will take the field in Lauderhill for the second time, having previously defeated Ireland by three wickets at the same venue during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan has won 15 out of 21 T20s played against the West Indies, while the hosts have won three matches, with three ending without a result.

Pakistan and the West Indies will be looking to bounce back from their recent T20I series defeats against Bangladesh and Australia, respectively.

PAKISTAN SQUADS:

ODI: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim

T20I: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim


Saudi Motorsport Company earns FIA’s top environmental accolade

Updated 31 July 2025
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Saudi Motorsport Company earns FIA’s top environmental accolade

  • Three-Star rating is reserved for stakeholders that demonstrate ‘best practice and continuous improvement’
  • Saudi Motorsport Company: ‘Receiving the Three-Star rating is a testament to the dedication and vision behind every event we deliver’

JEDDAH: Saudi Motorsport Company has received the prestigious Three-Star rating under the FIA Environmental Accreditation Program, marking a significant step forward in the Kingdom’s drive to combine elite motorsport with international sustainability standards.

The award, the highest recognition granted by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, follows a detailed independent audit that assessed the company’s environmental practices across 17 key criteria.

The rating places the Saudi entity among an elite group of motorsport organizations globally, being certified at the top level.

The audit evaluated the company’s environmental management system using international frameworks, including ISO 14001.

According to the federation, the Three-Star rating is reserved for stakeholders that demonstrate “best practice and continuous improvement,” reflecting a strategic, long-term commitment to sustainability.

The company’s achievement represents a broader shift in how motorsport is being positioned in Saudi Arabia, as a vehicle for both entertainment and environmental consciousness.

It has integrated sustainability across its operations, from event logistics and infrastructure to energy use and resource management.

This approach aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030, which promotes economic diversification, sustainable development and a more vibrant society. It also reinforces the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative, launched to combat climate change and accelerate the transition toward renewable energy.

Saudi Motorsport Company said in a press release: “Receiving the Three-Star rating is a testament to the dedication and vision behind every event we deliver. It’s not just about hosting races, it’s about doing so responsibly, in a way that contributes positively to society and the environment.”

The certification also signals the company’s intention to become a regional benchmark for sustainability in motorsport, using high-profile events such as the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Dakar Rally, and WRC Rally Saudi Arabia to promote environmental awareness and green practices.

Founded under the umbrella of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, the Saudi Motorsport Company plays a central role in shaping the Kingdom’s motorsport ambitions.

With more than 180 professionals overseeing everything from track operations at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit to international partnerships, the company is positioning Saudi Arabia as a key player in global motorsport.