The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday that Fatima had breached Article 2.5 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The rule relates to using language, actions or gestures which disparage, or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.
Kevin Pietersen's international career ended controversially in 2014. Twelve years later, he is set to return to the England set-up as part of Brendon McCullum's coaching staff.
Wimbledon is set to enforce stricter guidelines for influencers during the upcoming summer tournament, distinguishing itself from the US Open, which takes a more lenient approach. Security personnel may remove distracting equipment such as ring lights from match areas. Amid rising concerns from players about etiquette and disruption, Wimbledon strives to promote inclusivity while respecting traditional match decorum.
For the first time since 1877, no male player with a one-handed backhand has reached a Grand Slam semi-final this season, marking the decline of a storied tennis tradition. Once dominant, the one-hander has given way to the more practical two-handed backhand. Modern coaching trends and the evolving speed of the game have contributed to its fading presence among top players.
After ending the opening day with a century, Ishan Kishan continued his attacking batting on Day 2 against Tilak Varma's South Zone. He went on to complete a double century, becoming only the fifth batter in Duleep Trophy history to score 200 or more runs in the final.
Mateo Messi captained Inter Miami Academy to the Naples Cup title. He proudly posed with the championship trophy after the victory. This achievement marks a significant moment in his footballing journey. Lionel Messi recently retired from international football after a long career. Mateo's success continues the family's strong connection with the sport.
Pakistan cricket is facing fresh integrity questions after seven players were dropped, two coaches were released and players' phones were reportedly confiscated during the England Test series. With PCB officials defending the sweeping changes and no explanation offered for the phone seizures, memories of Pakistan's troubled match-fixing past have resurfaced.
AB de Villiers, the former captain of South Africa, has expressed concerns about the character and determination of Pakistan's cricket players. He firmly believes that a lack of fight and hard work is hindering their success. Additionally, he pointed out the instability within the Pakistan Cricket Board due to constant changes in leadership, which he sees as a significant obstacle.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have crafted an impressive business empire, boasting a net worth of over 1,300 crore through diverse investments. Kohli has ventured into sectors such as fashion, hospitality, and technology startups. Meanwhile, Sharma has made her mark in fashion and film production, complemented by strategic investments. Their extensive luxury real estate portfolio significantly contributes to their financial success.
Keyaa Kunal Banerji made headlines at the World Championships, clinching a silver medal with her astonishing 140kg deadlift, which turned her into a social media sensation. Despite her success, she grapples with sexism and the unauthorised use of her photos online. Banerji feels frustrated that the conversations often revolve around her appearance, motivating her to strive for a gold medal for India in upcoming events.
Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and president of the ACC, is set to attend the Women's Asia Cup final. Should India clinch victory, tensions may arise over trophy presentation, reminiscent of last year when India declined to accept the Men's Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi. As India approaches the semi-finals, they emerge as strong contenders for the title.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have emerged victorious at the China Masters BWF Super 750 tournament. In a riveting final against He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu, the Indian pair turned the tide after a shaky start. Their adaptability and strategic finesse played a vital role in their triumph, instilling a strong sense of confidence as they prepare to defend their title at the upcoming Asian Games.
Nihal Sarin is excited to represent India at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, where India will defend its Open title, but is currently focused on the Global Chess League. The 22-year-old calls the Olympiad a long-time dream. Meanwhile, American Gambits lead the GCL standings after two days, despite Nihals individual win over Levon Aronian.
Pakistan Cricket Board is undertaking a significant rebuilding phase following poor tour performances. Senior players have been removed from the squad for the final Test match. Former bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes the board has lost confidence in the current team. He stressed the need to protect the careers of younger fast bowlers. The board is now focusing on developing a new generation of players for the future.
At Monza, Charles Leclerc experienced a severe crash that halted the race with a red flag, disrupting Ferrari's home grand prix. Fortunately, he emerged from his wrecked car unscathed. After a restart led by George Russell, Kimi Antonelli impressively raced to victory from a lower starting position, while Lewis Hamilton secured sixth place for Ferrari, rounding off their efforts in the race.
Seven players, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were sent home. White-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke were asked to take charge of the red-ball team, while former captain Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from the selection panel and also stepped away from his batting consultant role at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana delivered a dramatic send-off to Shafali Verma after claiming her wicket, but India's response was decisive as they easily chased down a lacking total of fifty-five runs. Despite Fatima's stellar effort of taking three wickets amid a batting downfall for Pakistan, Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership secured India a convincing seven-wicket win, reinforcing their supremacy in the ongoing T20 Asia Cup tournament.
Opening the innings alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sooryavanshi gave East Zone a fiery start in the first session. The pair continued the good partnership they had built during the knockout matches and helped their team settle quickly.
In a crushing defeat, Pakistan's women faced a historic batting collapse against India in the Women's Asia Cup, recording their lowest T20I score. Despite this setback, mentor Wahab Riaz remains optimistic about the squad's future potential, citing necessary changes for upcoming tournaments. To move forward in the competition, Pakistan must secure a victory against Hong Kong.
Russias No. 1 chess grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi has two tattoos. Both carry different stories. His left-arm full sleeve took eight sessions over eight months, with flights from Moscow to Munich to meet his tattoo artist. From a phoenix and a favourite quote to Greek mythology, chess pieces and the pain involved, Nepo opens up about the stories behind his ink.
In a dominating performance, India triumphed over Pakistan by seven wickets in the Women's Asia Cup 2026. The young spinners Shree Charani and Prema Rawat played pivotal roles in dismantling the Pakistan batting lineup, which mustered a mere 55 runs, their lowest in T20 history. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur celebrated a significant personal achievement, while Irfan Pathan humorously recalled his previous jibes after such a resounding victory.
At just twenty-two years and 220 days old, Shafali Verma made history by becoming the youngest player ever to score 3,000 runs in T20 internationals. She also claimed the title for the fastest to reach this milestone in terms of balls faced. In a decisive match, India easily chased down Pakistan's meager total of fifty-six, securing a resounding seven-wicket victory.
In a stunning performance, India triumphed over Pakistan by seven wickets during their Group A encounter. Pakistan struggled significantly, managing a mere 55 runs, marking their lowest T20I score. India's spinners dominated, with Shree Charani leading the charge by taking three wickets. Shafali Verma made history by surpassing 3,000 T20I runs. With this victory, India completed the group stage undefeated and confidently secured a semi-final berth.
Pakistan suffered their lowest T20I score ever, bowled out for just 55 runs. India's bowlers, led by Charani and Rawat, triggered a dramatic batting collapse. Pakistan lost six wickets for only eight runs after a promising start. This historic low occurred during Pakistan's 200th T20 International match. India continued their strong record against Pakistan.
The long-standing no-handshake tradition persisted between the captains of India and Pakistan during the Asia Cup match. In Dubai, Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to bat first. Notably, Harmanpreet Kaur marked her 150th T20I match as captain. With both teams already in the semi-finals, India's aim remains to uphold their dominance over Pakistan.

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