Category: Sports

All-rounder Ben Stokes is likely to step down as England captain and bring his glittering international career to an end. 

Stokes and team-mate Gus Atkinson are facing a probe by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaking team rules in the early hours of Monday morning following England’s win in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

It is the latest controversy involving the England team following a tour of Australia during which the side faced allegations of a drinking culture amid a 4-1 Ashes series defeat that concluded in January.

According to a report in TalkSport, Stokes is likely to resign, and there is even a possibility of his retirement from international cricket.

The report quoted Senior correspondent at ‘The Cricketer’, George Dobell, as saying: “I fear from everything I hear that Stokes is going to act first. And, regretfully, I hear that he is going to step down and possibly even retire.

England have also delayed announcing their squad for the second Test, with two changes likely.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Another ESPNcricinfo report claims that the ECB gave Stokes the option to resign and continue playing international cricket. However, if the 35-year-old does not take that option, the board could sack him.

With growing calls for a change in dressing-room culture, it is inevitable that the all-rounder will retain his position.

Mosaddek Hossain hit a career-best 86 not out, and Nahid Rana took four wickets as Bangladesh trounced Australia by 86 runs in the rain-hit opening one-day international on Tuesday to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

It was only Bangladesh’s second-ever ODI victory against Australia, following their famous 2005 upset in Cardiff.

Mosaddek capped a fine all-round performance, bagging two wickets to walk away with the man-of-the-match award.

Chasing 285, Australia were reeling at 191-9 in 42.2 overs, still needing 93 runs off 46 balls with one wicket in hand, when a fierce thunderstorm forced the players off the field at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Bangladesh were declared winners via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method.

Cameron Green top-scored for the visitors with an unbeaten 52 off 66 balls but found little support as Bangladesh’s pace attack ran riot.

Taskin Ahmed struck on the first ball, bowling opener Matt Short for a duck.

Mustafizur Rahman then removed Marnus Labuschagne for just one off the second ball of the second over to leave Australia reeling at 2-2.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Cooper Connolly (35) survived a reprieve when Tanzid Hasan put down a chance at second slip off Mustafizur, and the opener steadied the innings briefly before being castled by an arm ball from Mosaddek.

Captain Josh Inglis fell for 19, edging a short ball from Rana to the keeper, while Alex Carey was bounced out by Rana for 47 as he attempted to rebuild alongside Green.

Australia’s lower order, including Matthew Renshaw, debutant Liam Scott and Xavier Bartlett, offered little resistance, leaving Green stranded at the crease.

Earlier, Mosaddek laid the platform with his 70-ball knock on his return to international cricket after four years, hitting seven fours and three sixes.

Bangladesh also benefited from six dropped catches by a sloppy Australia, four of them off Mosaddek.

Opener Tanzid Hasan and number three Najmul Hossain Shanto made vital contributions, with the left-handed pair hitting half-centuries.

Tanzid struck 54 off 44 balls before Nathan Ellis removed him in his second spell.

Shanto, continuing his rich vein of form, made 67 off 86 before a soft dismissal ended his innings.

The pair put on 96 runs for the second wicket off 91 balls after Australia struck early, with Ellis accounting for Saif Hassan (5) who edged to second slip where Labuschagne took a simple catch.

Australia threatened to seize control when Renshaw’s part-time off-spin proved surprisingly effective, removing Litton Das (7) with a return catch before also accounting for Shanto.

But Mosaddek steadied the innings, first adding 75 with Towhid Hridoy, before late partnerships of 20 with Tanvir Islam and 45 with Taskin to ensure a competitive total.

Ellis was the pick of the Australia bowlers with 3-38, while Scott and Renshaw claimed two wickets each.

READ: Scotland beat Pakistan in Women’s World Cup warm-up

DERBY: Scotland handed Pakistan a 41-run defeat by the DLS Method in the warm-up fixture of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2026 at the County Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

This was the Green Shirts’ second defeat after being beaten by Sri Lanka in their first game.

Put into bat first, Scotland piled up 187-5 in their 20 overs, largely due to skipper Kathryn Bryce’s 94 off 43 balls.

Scotland started strongly in the power play, scoring 41-1 with Katherine Fraser losing her wicket on 19. Following the wicket, Darcey Carter  (45 off 36) and Kathryn Bryce carried on the momentum, propelling the score to 95 at the halfway mark of the innings.

Pakistan women’s team tried to mount a comeback with quick wickets, leaving Scotland 111-4 in 14.1 overs. However, Bryce’s explosive knock, laced with 11 fours and three sixes, ensured that her side reached a strong total.

Pakistan’s women’s team tried to mount a comeback with quick wickets, but Bryce’s explosive knock, laced with 11 fours and three sixes, ensured Scotland reached a strong total.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For Pakistan, Tasmia Rubab, Sadia Iqbal, and Ayesha Zafar picked up one wicket each.

In reply, Pakistan were in early trouble at 62-5 in nine overs when rain halted play and did not allow it to resume. Muneeba Ali top-scored for Pakistan with 20 off 22, including a boundary.

Consequently, Scotland secured a win under the DLS method, with Rachel Slater picking up two wickets with the ball.

Earlier, Pakistan suffered a nine-wicket loss against Sri Lanka. The Green Shirts posted 168-8 in 20 overs, before Sri Lanka reached the target in 18.4 overs.

Pakistan will open their ICC Women’s World Cup 2026 campaign against arch-rivals India on 14 June.

READ: ICC hands Gaddafi Stadium and Lord’s pitches demerit points

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday rated the pitches at Gaddafi Stadium and Lord’s as ‘unsatisfactory’.

The opening match of the ICC Test Championship 2025-27 between England and New Zealand ended inside four days despite rain disrupting play on day three. During the fixture, 16 wickets fell on day one and 17 on day two.

The cricket governing body rated the surface as ‘unsatisfactory’ and handed the venue one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

Match referee Andy Pycroft highlighted the imbalance between bat and ball on Lord’s surface.

“There was plenty of excessive seam movement throughout the Test and the ball also kept extremely low on several occasions. The bounce was variable throughout as 16 wickets fell on the first day and 17 on the second. There was simply an over-balance in favor of ball against bat caused by the pitch,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The pitch was slow and low and made scoring runs very difficult. It did not suit a One Day International game as batters had to spend more time to settle in. It helped spin very early in the match and continued the same way throughout,” he added.

Meanwhile, match referee Graeme La Brooy explained the reason for the unsatisfactory rating of the Gaddafi Stadium surface.

Pakistan outplayed Australia after skittling them for 157 in 42 overs in the third ODI held at Gaddafi Stadium on 4 June. In reply, the hosts chased down the target on a challenging surface in 41 overs, losing six wickets in the process

“The pitch was slow and low and made scoring runs very difficult. It did not suit a One Day International game as batters had to spend more time to settle in. It helped spin very early in the match and continued the same way throughout,” La Brooy said.

READ: Somalia reacts with ‘deep regret’ to Omar Artan’s FIFA World Cup snub

Somalia has defended its referee Omar Artan after he was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals.

In a statement on Tuesday, Somalia’s Ministry of Sports expressed “deep regret” over Artan’s denial of entry, saying that despite diplomatic engagement with US authorities and world football governing body FIFA, it was “not possible to achieve a positive outcome”.

Artan, an award-winning referee, was barred from entering the US on Saturday after arriving at Miami International Airport.

A spokesperson for the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said he was denied entry following a routine inspection.

He was among the 52 referees announced by FIFA for the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Somali reaffirmed “its unwavering support” for Artan, adding it “has full confidence in his integrity, professionalism, and continued contribution to the advancement of football both in Somalia and internationally.”

“Artan represents the very best of Somali talent,” reads the statement.

FIFA confirmed to AFP that Artan will not be participating in the World Cup set to start on Thursday.

“FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

A source at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) told AFP on Tuesday that the continental body could not intervene, but added: “We certainly feel sorry for Artan.”

Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration as part of a broader immigration crackdown.

READ: Mickey Arthur urges Pakistan to ‘trust their abilities’ ahead of T20 World Cup

Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has thrown his support behind the Pakistan women’s cricket team ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, urging the players to trust their abilities, adapt quickly to English conditions and remain committed to their game plans.

Arthur met members of the Pakistan women’s squad in Derby at the invitation of team mentor Wahab Riaz, offering guidance as the side continues preparations for the global tournament in England.

During the interaction, the former Pakistan coach shared his experience of coaching international teams in English conditions and stressed the importance of acclimatising early to local environments to maximize performance during major tournaments.

“You have the potential. If you play according to your plans, winning will not be difficult,” Arthur told the players, encouraging them to remain confident and disciplined throughout the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign.

The former South Africa coach praised the skill, attitude, and commitment displayed by the Pakistan women’s cricket team, expressing confidence that the squad possesses the talent required to compete against the world’s leading sides.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Mickey Arthur also drew parallels with Pakistan’s memorable success in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, when he guided the men’s team to one of the greatest achievements in the country’s cricket history.

The former head coach recalled how Pakistan adapted quickly to conditions in England and Wales before defeating arch-rivals India national cricket team by 180 runs in the final of the prestigious tournament.

“The players showed great teamwork, stayed active and energetic, and that is how they achieved victory,” Arthur said while reflecting on the Champions Trophy-winning campaign.

He emphasized that unity, teamwork and effective execution of plans were the key ingredients behind Pakistan’s success in 2017 and urged the women’s side to embrace a similar approach ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Arthur further advised the players to spend time understanding local pitches, weather conditions and match environments before the tournament begins.

According to the former Pakistan head coach, early adaptation can help players perform with greater freedom and confidence once the competition gets underway.

He concluded the session by wishing the Pakistan women’s team success and encouraging them to fight hard in pursuit of strong results on the global stage.

Arthur remains one of Pakistan cricket’s most successful foreign coaches. Appointed head coach in May 2016 following Pakistan’s disappointing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign, he oversaw a remarkable transformation that culminated in the country lifting the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

READ: Key pacer replaces Siraj in India squad for Ireland, England T20Is

Diogo Jota’s widow said in a letter to Scotland captain Andy Robertson that she is sure her late husband will be in his “heart” when he leads the side out for their opening match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday.

Jota and Robertson became close friends during their time at Liverpool before the former’s spell there was cruelly cut short when he died, aged 28, in a car crash last July.

Robertson, who ended a trophy-laden nine-year spell with Liverpool when he signed for Tottenham Hotspur last Friday, had paid tribute to Jota after the Scots secured their place at the finals for the first time since 1998.

“We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland,” Robertson said last November after the play-off win over Denmark.

“I know he’ll be smiling over me today.”

Rute Cardoso, the mother of Jota’s three children, said in her letter, which FIFA published along with a video of Robertson reading it, that his words that night had touched her deeply.

“When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch,” wrote Cardoso, who married Jota days before he died alongside his brother Andre Silva.

“By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won’t be going alone.

“You’ll be taking his dream with you, too. And when you step onto the pitch, I know it won’t just be you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.

“So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.

“That’s how we do it here at home, too. Every day. He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you.

“Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.”

Robertson said Cardoso’s letter would stay with him for a “very long time”.

“I’ll carry him in my heart, and I know he’ll be with me come the first game, come the second game, come the third game and hopefully beyond that,” said Robertson.

“He’s always there. The memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes laugh, sometimes cry.

“And that will be no different, especially going into a tournament which is full of emotion. I know he’ll be right at the front of my mind.

“I’m not only just playing for me. I’m playing for both of us.”

Robertson will hope to honour the memory of Jota by becoming the first Scotland skipper to lead the side into the knock-out stages of the finals at the ninth attempt.

The Scots open their campaign against Haiti on June 13 in Boston, followed by tougher dates with African champions Morocco, also in Boston on June 19, and five-time winners Brazil on June 24 in Miami.

READ: Key pacer replaces Siraj in India squad for Ireland, England T20Is

MUMBAI: India have made a late change to their T20I squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, with fast bowler Mohammed Siraj withdrawn from the side as part of a workload management plan.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Sunday that Siraj has been advised to take a period of rest following consultations between the team management and the board’s medical staff.

“Following discussions between the BCCI Medical Team and the Team Management, Siraj has been advised a period of rest as part of his workload management programme,” the BCCI said in a statement.

“The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure adequate recovery ahead of a long international season.”

Siraj’s withdrawal has paved the way for Prasidh Krishna’s return to India’s T20I setup.

The right-arm pacer has represented India in five T20 Internationals and claimed eight wickets, although his most recent appearance in the format came against Australia in Guwahati in November 2023.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Krishna is already part of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, which begins on June 13. Both he and Siraj recently featured in India’s Test victory over Afghanistan in New Chandigarh.

The squad adjustment comes after a busy domestic season for both fast bowlers. Siraj played 17 matches for the Gujarat Titans during IPL 2026, while Krishna featured in 12 games as the franchise advanced to the final.

India’s management appears keen to carefully manage the workload of its frontline pacers with a packed international calendar ahead.

Following the T20I assignments in Ireland and England, the team is scheduled to play ODI cricket in England before embarking on further tours of Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

India will begin the white-ball tour with two T20Is against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 and 28 before travelling to England for a five-match T20I series, scheduled to run from July 1 to 11.

India T20I squad for Ireland and England

Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vice-capt), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

READ: Spain beat Peru 3-1 to head into World Cup 2026 on high

Spain gave a taste of what makes them one of the FIFA World Cup 2026 favourites with a 3-1 win over Peru on Monday in their final friendly before the showpiece kicks off.

The European champions were missing Barcelona star Lamine Yamal as he recovers from injury but still had too much for a Peru side who did not qualify.

The 18-year-old Yamal and fellow winger Nico Williams are expected to be available for Spain’s World Cup opener against debutants Cape Verde on June 15.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Luis de la Fuente’s team took the lead after just two minutes in Puebla, Mexico, when Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal rifled into the top corner from outside the box.

Barcelona midfielder Pedri doubled Spain’s lead on 32 minutes, and a Pedro Gallese own goal eight minutes after half-time made it 3-0 when the goalkeeper flapped a cross into his own net.

Jairo Velez scored a consolation after 66 minutes in front of a crowd of 46,000.

READ: FIFA World Cup 2026: Somali referee Omar Artan denied US entry

MIAMI: Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will miss the FIFA World Cup 2026 after being denied entry into the United States of America (USA), ending what would have been a historic appearance at football’s biggest tournament.

Artan had been selected among the match officials for the World Cup and was set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at the prestigious event.

However, his participation was brought to an abrupt halt after US authorities refused him admission despite him holding a valid visa.

According to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Artan arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday but was found inadmissible following a vetting process.

The agency confirmed the decision in a statement on Monday but did not disclose the specific reasons behind it.

The development has sparked fresh debate over US immigration policies ahead of the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Concerns had previously been raised regarding travel restrictions affecting citizens from several countries, including Somalia.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Following discussions with American authorities, FIFA confirmed that Artan would not be able to take part in the tournament.

“FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” the governing body said in a statement.

“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.

“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

Artan is regarded as one of Somalia’s most accomplished football officials and had earned widespread recognition for becoming the first referee from the East African nation to receive a World Cup appointment.

His absence represents a significant disappointment both personally and for Somali football, which viewed his selection as a landmark achievement on the global stage.

At the time of reporting, Somalia’s embassy in Washington had not publicly commented on the matter.

READ: Brazil provide update on Neymar’s fitness ahead of World Cup 2026