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Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has signed for Lancashire Lightning for the remainder of the 2026 Vitality Blast campaign.

Shadab arrives at Old Trafford as a replacement for Australian all-rounder Chris Green, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to injury.

The Pakistan international is available immediately and has been included in Lancashire’s squad for Friday’s fixture against Leicestershire Foxes at Grace Road as the T20 competition resumes on June 26.

Shadab brings a wealth of experience to the side, having already enjoyed spells in English domestic cricket with Sussex Sharks and Yorkshire.

Lancashire Cricket is delighted to announce the signing of Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan for the remainder of the 2026 Vitality Blast. ✍🤩

Read more 📰👉 https://t.co/DaCOxILg1n

⚡ #StrikeTogether pic.twitter.com/c2Ndj2wsgr

— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) June 24, 2026

Across his career, he has featured in 124 T20 Internationals and has represented franchises around the world, making 356 appearances in T20 leagues.

Shadab has scored 1,009 runs in T20Is at a strike rate of 144.14, while also claiming 123 wickets at an average of 24.31 and maintaining an economy rate of 7.4.

Speaking after completing the move, he expressed his delight at returning to England and representing one of the country’s most prestigious counties.

“I am delighted to sign for Lancashire Lightning for the rest of the Vitality Blast. I love playing cricket in England and have really enjoyed my previous stints in the competition,” Shadab said.

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“Lancashire is one of the biggest clubs in the country, with so much history, and I can’t wait to pull on the shirt at Emirates Old Trafford in front of the home fans,” he added.

Lancashire’s Director of Cricket Performance, Mark Chilton, welcomed the signing and said the club had moved quickly to secure a player of Shadab’s pedigree following Green’s injury.

“We are really pleased to secure the services of Shadab for the remainder of the Vitality Blast,” Chilton said.

Lancashire face a busy run-in as they continue their Vitality Blast campaign, with matches against Warwickshire Bears, Derbyshire Falcons, Yorkshire and Durham still to come.

READ: Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam added to Pakistan training camp

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strengthened its ongoing training camps by adding several players, including Test batters Abdullah Shafique and Kamran Ghulam, as concerns over the fitness of some squad members continue ahead of a busy international schedule.

According to details, the board made late additions to both the red-ball and white-ball camps currently underway at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Alongside Abdullah Shafique and Kamran Ghulam, Hamza Nazar has also been drafted into the Test camp, while emerging opener Shahzaib Khan has joined the white-ball setup.

Sources said the move was prompted by fitness concerns involving a number of players in the Test squad, with coaches keen to ensure sufficient depth before Pakistan embark on tours of the West Indies and England later this year.

The red-ball camp, which began on June 8, will continue until July 10, while the white-ball camp is scheduled to run until September 18 and features 27 players.

Players involved in the Test camp are currently taking part in scenario-based practice matches at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground.

The sessions have been designed to replicate different match situations, with batters and bowlers assigned specific targets to help coaches assess performances under varying conditions.

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National and academy coaches are closely monitoring the players throughout the programme as preparations intensify for Pakistan’s upcoming assignments.

Recent reports have suggested that wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Saud Shakeel are doubtful for the forthcoming Test tour of the West Indies.

Pakistan are scheduled to leave for the Caribbean on July 13 and will play a four-day warm-up match from July 18 before the start of the two-match Test series in Trinidad and Tobago.

The opening Test is set to be played from July 25 to 29, while the second match will run from August 2 to 6.

Following the Caribbean tour, Pakistan will head to England for a three-match Test series beginning at Headingley on August 19.

The second Test will be held at Lord’s from August 27, while Edgbaston will host the final match starting on September 9.

READ: Ancelotti shares fresh update on Neymar, Raphinha ahead of Scotland clash

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Neymar is available for selection ahead of the Selecao’s final FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage match against Scotland, while revealing that winger Raphinha will miss the encounter through injury.

Brazil will take on Scotland on Wednesday, needing only a draw to secure a place in the Round of 32, with Morocco facing Haiti in the other Group C fixture.

Speaking ahead of the match, Ancelotti said his focus remains on fielding the strongest possible side and revealed that a replacement for Raphinha has already been identified.

“We’re thinking of nothing else but playing a good match with the best possible line-up; the same goes for the forwards,” Ancelotti said.

“We have a clear idea of who will replace Raphinha; there’s no point worrying about cards.”

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The Barcelona winger suffered an injury during Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Haiti last week, leaving the field in the 40th minute.

Nineteen-year-old Bournemouth forward Rayan, who made his senior Brazil debut earlier this year, replaced him during the match and is among the options to start against Scotland.

In more encouraging news for the five-time world champions, Neymar has completed his recovery from a calf injury and is set to make his first appearance of the tournament after missing the opening two matches.

The 34-year-old returned to full training this week, and Carlo Ancelotti expressed confidence that the veteran forward is ready for any role required.

“He is available, he trained very well this week,” Ancelotti said. “He is fit and able and ready to play. We are very happy he is back. He is a high-quality player.”

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“He can play from half-time or the whole 90 minutes. He is very well, he worked very hard, so he is ready.”

The Italian manager also praised Neymar’s professionalism during his rehabilitation period and highlighted the value he brings to the squad beyond his quality on the pitch.

“His attitude is very good, he’s in good spirits, he’s a good player, a good teammate. He’s very serious, and we want to get him back to playing as soon as possible,” Ancelotti added.

“I’m very happy. He brings experience and knowledge; he is doing very well.”

Explained: How third-place teams can reach World Cup 2026 knockouts

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is reportedly racing against time to achieve full fitness for the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) set to assess his condition later this month.

The series, which forms part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, will begin at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to 29, while the second Test is scheduled at Queen’s Park Oval from August 2 to 6.

Rizwan is currently attending Pakistan’s red-ball training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), which commenced on June 8 and will run until July 10.

However, reports suggest that the experienced wicketkeeper joined the camp a week late and has been undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the PCB medical staff.

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As a result, he has yet to fully participate in training sessions and practice activities alongside the rest of the squad.

According to reports, the PCB medical panel is expected to conduct a fitness assessment on July 6, with the outcome likely to determine whether Rizwan will be available for the Caribbean tour.

Pakistan are scheduled to depart for the West Indies on July 13 and will play a four-day warm-up fixture from July 18 as part of their preparations.

Meanwhile, uncapped wicketkeepers Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir are among the leading candidates to replace Rizwan in the touring party, in case he fails to achieve fitness for the series.

READ: Australia crush Pakistan in Women’s T20 World Cup

USA President Donald Trump will attend the World Cup 2026 final in New Jersey on July 19 and present the trophy to the winners, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Tuesday.

“We will be together with the president, enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino told Fox and Friends.

Infantino has cultivated a close relationship with Trump, awarding him with a newly created FIFA peace prize at the World Cup draw in Washington last year.

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The decision to present the trophy jointly follows the controversy surrounding the presentation of the Club World Cup to English club Chelsea after their victory over Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey last year.

Trump handed the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James, but then failed to leave the stage, meaning he initially took part in the team’s celebrations alongside bemused players.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo fires Portugal to win over Uzbekistan

Colombia finally broke down a stubborn DR Congo side on Tuesday to secure a 1-0 win that guaranteed their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds.

Victory in Guadalajara, courtesy of a 76th-minute goal from Daniel Munoz, took them top of Group K with six points, two clear of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal with one game to go in the first round.

Portugal, held 1-1 by DR Congo in their opening match, earlier hammered Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston, with Ronaldo scoring twice.

Colombian fans turned the Mexican stadium into a sea of yellow, vastly outnumbering supporters of the African nation.

The South Americans, who beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their tournament opener, dominated the early stages, peppering Lionel Mpasi’s goal.

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Munoz squandered an early chance and shortly afterwards had a goal ruled out for offside while James Rodriguez unleashed a stinging shot that was brilliantly saved as Colombia kept probing.

Mpasi made further sharp stops from Johan Mojica and Luis Diaz as the Colombians, playing with pace and invention, continued to dominate.

But their intensity dipped after the first drinks break, allowing DR Congo to edge back into the contest and pose their own occasional threat.

Mpasi made another stunning save with his leg from Diaz in the 50th minute to keep the game goalless.

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DR Congo briefly threatened but Crystal Palace defender Munoz made up for his first-half miss when his shot was deflected past a wrong-footed Mpasi.

The African team did not give up and as the clock ticked past 90 minutes Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas was forced to scramble to his left to turn a fierce Nathanael Mbuku shot behind.

Colombia, who failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will face Portugal in Miami on Saturday, while DR Congo take on Uzbekistan in Atlanta.

The Africans still have an outside chance of reaching the last 32 in their first appearance at the World Cup since 1974, when the country was known as Zaire.

READ: Panama out of FIFA World Cup 2026 after defeat to Croatia

TORONTO: Panama were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Croatia kept their hopes of progressing to the last 32 alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win on Tuesday.

Croatia, who made it to the last four of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, were looking to bounce back after a 4-2 defeat to England in their opening Group L game.

In the end, Ante Budimir’s 54th-minute goal proved enough to see off the spirited Central Americans.

“You cannot win a match if you don’t score,” said Panama’s Danish-born coach Thomas Christiansen.

But he told reporters he was “super proud” of his players for how they battled against the higher-ranked Croatian side.

Despite being eliminated from the tournament, Christiansen said Panama had taken strides forward.

“These players, after these two World Cup matches, won’t be where they are today.”

Croatia’s most celebrated player, Luka Modric, was making his 200th international appearance, but his early headed effort on goal sailed over the bar.

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Under Christiansen, Panama have implemented a tight defensive structure that helped them secure their second-ever World Cup appearance.

But it was the Panamanian offence that almost made the difference in the first half.

In the 23rd minute, Jose Luis Rodriguez guided a header towards goal, but the outstretched fingertips of Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic redirected the ball off the bar.

The second half marked a clear momentum shift, and the capacity crowd of 43,000 in Toronto, with a strong Croatian majority, erupted when Budimir tapped in a cross from Josip Stanisic.

Croatia should have been two up minutes later, when a perfectly weighted pass from Modric sent Marco Pasalic alone speeding towards goal.

Pasalic’s first effort was stopped by keeper Orlando Mosquera, and although the rebound came back to him, he blasted an off-balance second attempt well over the bar.

Panama kept pressing for the equalizer but they ultimately failed to find the net, extending their World Cup goalless streak.

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They face England in what will be their final match of the tournament on Friday.

Croatia have three points and will face Ghana, who moved onto four points after holding England to a goalless draw earlier, for a place in the final 32.

After the match, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was asked about Modric’s milestone international appearance and whether the AC Milan midfielder was uncomfortable being the focus of adulation.

Modric, 40, went off as a substitute after 81 minutes, prompting a roar of applause in the Toronto stadium, and was lifted in the air by his teammates after the final whistle.

“It could be that Luka might want to avoid all this,” Dalic told reporters. “He’s very humble, he’s very simple,” he added, saying Modric “truly is not for major celebrations, but I’m very glad that we marked this today.”

In Dalic’s view, Modric is a “born leader,” not someone who needs to impose his leadership role on the squad.

“That’s what makes Luka a quality person,” the Croatian coach said.

READ: Australia crush Pakistan in Women’s T20 World Cup

Ellyse Perry starred as Australia moved closer to the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals with a 113-run rout of lackluster Pakistan on Tuesday.

Perry smashed 71 from 48 balls in Australia’s innings of 199-7 and took two wickets to help dismiss Pakistan for just 86.

Six-time T20 World Cup winners Australia have won all four of their group matches.

They face title rivals India on Sunday in a crucial clash in the battle for semi-final places.

Muneeba Ali scored 32 before she was caught at mid-wicket in Perry’s only over, while there were also three run outs as Pakistan imploded.

Already eliminated from the tournament in England, Pakistan have lost all four of their group games.

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Earlier, Sri Lanka demolished Ireland, winning by nine wickets with 27 balls to spare in Bristol.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu compiled an unbeaten 106, the highest score of the tournament so far, to steer her side to an easy victory.

Ireland skipper Gaby Lewis top-scored with 59 in her side’s modest innings of 130-5.

Sri Lanka cruised to 134-1 thanks to the inspired Athapaththu, who blasted 17 fours and two sixes in a 61-ball masterclass.

Sri Lanka need to beat Scotland on Friday and hope other results go their way to secure a place in the semi-finals.

READ: FIH issues apology over Pakistan flag incident during Pro League clash

England suffered a World Cup setback on Tuesday as Thomas Tuchel’s side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana, leaving them with work still do as they bid to progress to the knockout stage as Group L winners.

Nico O’Reilly came closest to scoring with a late header for England that hit the bar, but after the promise of their opening 4-2 win over Croatia, this was a performance that will raise doubts as to their chances of going all the way and winning the tournament.

They dominated possession and had 19 shots to their opponents’ two, yet rarely looked like scoring past Ghana’s stand-in goalkeeper Benjamin Asare in a match watched by 63,983 fans at the Gillette Stadium near Boston.

Both teams have four points with one game still to play in Group L, with progression to the next round all but assured but their final positions still in the balance.

In damp, cool conditions, England delivered a stodgy performance that echoed some of their faltering displays during Euro 2024.

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However, there are no dramatic consequences, as England take a step closer to the last 32. All they need do now is safely negotiate their final group fixture against Panama at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday, and they will be able to turn their attentions to the knockout rounds.

England have still never lost to African opposition at the World Cup, and that record was rarely at risk of ending here.

Ghana nevertheless battled brilliantly, as the nation ranked 73rd in the world — 69 places behind England — put up a determined defensive display.

The late decision by the Black Stars to appoint Carlos Queiroz as coach is looking increasingly justified, with this result following their opening 1-0 win over Panama. The 2010 quarter-finalists face Croatia next in Philadelphia.

Thomas Partey returned for Ghana after missing the Panama match in Toronto because Canadian authorities denied him a visa — the ex-Arsenal midfielder is facing trial on rape charges in the UK.

Asare of local side Hearts of Oak started in goal for the Ghanaians after coming on for the injured Lawrence Ati Zigi against Panama.

England’s inability to regularly test him will be a source of concern, as Harry Kane was kept quiet and failed to add to his 10 World Cup goals — he remains level with Gary Lineker for now as their all-time top scorer at the tournament.

Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon were unable to make the difference on the wings and their substitutes could not this time have a decisive impact.

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Jude Bellingham won his 50th cap as Marc Guehi and Djed Spence replaced John Stones and O’Reilly in the defence.

A Declan Rice free-kick that sailed just over was about as close as England came in the opening half. In fact it took almost an hour for Asare to make a notable save, but it was a comfortable one to deny Gordon.

Ghana may feel Jordan Pickford should have been punished for charging out of his box and crashing into Prince Adu without touching the ball — but instead the goalkeeper was given a free-kick.

There was also panic for England when substitute Adu ran through into the area but could not get a shot away.

Then the pressure was turned up a notch in the closing minutes, as Asare denied Bukayo Saka with a good stop low to his left before O’Reilly headed off the woodwork from close range and Kane blazed over.

READ: FIFA World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo fires Portugal to win over Uzbekistan

HOUSTON: Cristiano Ronaldo led from the front as Portugal crushed Uzbekistan 5-0 in the Group K FIFA World Cup 2026 clash at the Houston Stadium on Tuesday.

Coming into the match on the back of criticism, Ronaldo delivered an emphatic performance, scoring a brace followed by goals from Nuno Mendes, A. Nematov, and Rafael Leão to cap off a dominant display.

The Al-Nassr striker’s goal in the seventh minute made him the second-oldest player in World Cup history to score. At 41 years and 138 days, Ronaldo is now only behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla in 1994, who scored against Russia at 42 years and 39 days.

Portugal enjoyed 67 percent possession and dominated throughout the game with 17 shots on target. Ronaldo opened the scoring with a goal in the seventh minute, finishing off a perfect cross from Cancelo to score.

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The lead extended when PSG forward Nuno Mendes curled into the bottom corner, using impressive tactics to fool the goalkeeper.

The Navigators continued to dominate as Cristiano Ronaldo capped off a brilliant finish from Bruno Fernandes in the 39th minute to send it into the far corner and make it 3-0 before halftime.

The second half started on a scruffy note as both teams remained careless in possession. It was in the 60th minute, when White Wolves’ woes compounded, courtesy of an own goal coming off Abdukodir Khusanov.

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AC Milan forward Rafael Leão finished the match in style, scoring in the 87th minute, finishing off a good run from right-back Nelson Semedo and scoring a goal.

Portugal will play Colombia next on 28 June, whereas Uzbekistan will eye a spot in the last 32 with a win over  DR Congo on the same day.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo enters record books with goal against Uzbekistan