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George Russell demonstrated his experience and a detailed understanding of the rules on Saturday to steer through a controversial final flying lap and seize pole position for Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver, who struggled on Friday as team-mate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli set the pace in practice, bounced back by topping final practice and then grabbing pole after Max Verstappen crashed in his Red Bull.

The four-time champion’s accident — he was unhurt after hitting the barriers at Turn Nine — prompted waved single yellow flags that Russell knew he should lift for while others behind him, including Italian teenager Antonelli, mistakenly believed they were double yellows and aborted their laps.

This meant Russell lost time, but not his lap as he outpaced both Ferraris to secure his fourth pole of the season and 11th of his career, leaving Antonelli lamenting his error of judgement.

“The lap was unbelievable,” said British driver Russell, who was immediately behind Verstappen on track when he crashed.

“I don’t know where it came from. I saw the single yellows and made a big lift off in mid-corner. I saw the green flag. I lost a lot of time, three or four tenths or more.”

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Antonelli was five seconds behind Russell on his own late flying lap when he came to Turn Nine and the caution signals.

“I thought it was a double yellow,” he admitted. “So, I aborted completely and I missed the front row. It was my mistake. We were very close with George, only a tenth between us.”

Russell added that he was aware of the visible difference on an electronic display screen between a solid yellow sign, denoting a single yellow, and a flashing diagonal signal denoting a double.

“It’s not easy, but once you know it, you know it,” he said.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s race, he added: “It’s going to be very hot! The Ferraris are looking incredibly fast. In the corners, they are the fastest team, but they are a bit more ‘draggy’ than us, which may help us to defend.”

Russell took pole with a best lap in one minute and 06.113 seconds to outpace Charles Leclerc by 0.295 and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton by 0.295 in a dramatic end to an intriguing qualifying hour.

Antonelli was fourth and Verstappen fifth ahead of defending champion Lando Norris and his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, and the two Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson and impressive British rookie Arvid Lindblad.

READ: Aryna Sabalenka seeks prize money solution amid boycott row

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has urged Grand Slam chiefs to solve the prize money row that prompted Wimbledon stars to limit their media duties ahead of the tournament.

Sabalenka is among a group of leading players fighting to increase the total prize money on offer at the four Grand Slam tournaments.

With Wimbledon starting on Monday, the Belarusian and her fellow players met the media at press conferences on Saturday.

But, as several stars did at the recent French Open, Sabalenka and other players again restricted their time with journalists in a prize money protest.

Wimbledon organisers have increased the total pot for this year’s tournament by a record 20 percent in response to the demands of a players’ group led by former WTA chief executive Larry Scott.

While Sabalenka acknowledged that was a welcome gesture, the four-time Grand Slam champion said it still wasn’t enough and called for negotiations between the players and the tournament chiefs.

“It’s a great start that they raised the prize money. But if you look over the last 10 years, if you compare the prize money to 2016, it’s kind of like the same,” she told reporters.

“I really hope we can finally get to the table and really get it done, come to a conclusion that everyone is going to be happy with.

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“Hopefully we’ll never have to do this again.”

All England Club officials admitted they were “surprised and disappointed” by the protest, pointing out they have proposed a player council to solve the dispute.

Wimbledon’s £64.2 million ($84.7 million) prize money for 2026 is around 15 percent of the tournament’s overall revenue.

But that figure is short of the 16 per cent that the players want.

The Wimbledon singles champions will bank £3.6 million, an increase from the £3 million earned by 2025 champions Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner.

Even first-round losers will receive £80,000 — a significant rise from last year’s £66,000.

Sabalenka and her fellow millionaire stars have been accused of greed by demanding more prize money.

But the 28-year-old insisted they were fighting on behalf of lower ranked players, who do not enjoy the same rewards and benefits that come with being at the top of the sport.

“Listen, we do it for the tour, we don’t do it for ourselves. We do it for the rest of the players who are suffering to even hire a coach,” she said.

“It’s not an easy life for players who is, like, lower in the ranking. So we do it for them.

“I’m more than sure the crowd understand us. I mean, we’re playing matches, we’re there, we’re competing, we’re bringing the show.

“Now we are just limiting our media. We are just trying to really get to something that everyone is going to be happy with.”

READ: Serena Williams-inspired Djokovic eyes history at Wimbledon

SEATTLE: Egypt captain Mohamed Salah’s fitness will be assessed ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage. 

Salah, 34, was substituted in the second half during Egypt’s final group-stage fixture against Iran. The star striker, who was visibly frustrated, was taken off in the 57th minute. Ultimately, Egypt drew 1-1 with Iran after being denied a late winner following a controversial VAR review.

They will now face Australia in the Round of 32 on Friday, 3 July.

Following the match, the Pharaohs’ coach Hossam Hassan remained optimistic about Salah’s fitness. The striker has managed to score one goal in three matches so far.

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“He ‌asked to ‌come off. If a player ​asks ‌to ⁠be ​substituted, it ⁠means he felt something,” Hassan said of Mohamed Salah. “We’ll make sure what the problem is. We’ll assess him.”

“The doctor will write his report when we get back to the hotel and will carry out a second examination. I spoke with Salah and, God willing, the injury doesn’t seem serious,” Hassan added.

Besides Salah, the coach also provided an update on left-back Ahmed Fatouh and midfielder Hamdi Fathi, both of whom are injured, and expressed hope they would recover in time for the match against the Socceroos.

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“I have warriors. I have Egyptian players who are ‌worthy of the trust placed in them,” Hossam Hassan said.

“I don’t worry about missing ⁠players. I ⁠have complete confidence in everyone in this squad. If I worried every time we had an injury, then I wouldn’t be fit to coach the Egypt national team.”

“We’ll prepare ourselves, work ​hard and do ​everything we can for what’s coming next,”

Egypt finished second in Group G with five points, behind Belgium on goal difference.

READ: Australia suffer double blow ahead of World Cup knockout

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced that Departmental tournaments for the 2026-27 season will begin in September 2026.

The tournaments, part of the 2026-27 domestic season, will get underway in September, superseding the December-January timeline.

The update was confirmed in a press release statement by the board, with PCB not disclosing the schedules for other domestic tournaments. However, the board has demonstrated its intention to collaborate closely with various departments on several initiatives — player development and increasing revenue for domestic cricketers.

“The departmental cricket tournaments include the four-day first-class President’s Trophy Grade-I, List A President’s Cup and the three-day President’s Trophy Grade-II Gold and Silver tournaments,” the press release wrote.

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“The eight-team President’s Trophy and Cup will be of critical importance in the coming domestic season with the PCB set to work closely with the departmental teams on a number of fronts to ensure high competition, player development, and creating stable and transparent revenue streams for the domestic players,” it added.

It is worth noting that the finalists of the President’s Trophy Grade-II Silver will be promoted to the Gold tournament, whereas the bottom two teams of the Gold tournament will face relegation.

According to the PCB, the winner of the President’s Trophy Grade-II Gold final between MIT Solutions and Kingsmen Academy will seal a berth in the President’s Trophy Grade-I starting in September and will replace the bottom team from the previous edition of the tournament.

The bottom finishers of the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2025-26 are set to feature in Grade-II Gold.

READ: Pakistan end Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with consolation win

Novak Djokovic is taking inspiration from Serena Williams’ sensational comeback as he sets his sights on a record-breaking triumph at Wimbledon.

Williams has returned to tennis at the age of 44 and will play her first singles match in four years when she faces Maya Joint in the Wimbledon first round next week.

The American legend has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her remarkable career, just behind Djokovic’s men’s record tally of 24.

Djokovic, 39, is chasing an all-time record of 25 Grand Slam singles titles and Williams’ astonishing return — motivated by a desire to play in front of her two young daughters — prompted him to seek out the American to discuss her comeback.

“Look, first and foremost, what she’s doing is inspirational and it’s epic. That’s what I told her. I always admired her career, her journey, her story,” Djokovic told reporters on Saturday.

“For her to come back after years of being absent from the tour, two children later, and to give so much effort to, not just for her own satisfaction is remarkable.

“I told her that whatever happens, what she’s doing is truly inspirational for me personally, I’m sure for millions around the world.”

Djokovic set the Open Era record for the oldest men’s Grand Slam singles finalist when he was beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open showpiece in January.

Ken Rosewall is the oldest man to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era, aged 37 at the 1972 Australian Open.

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With Williams’ return giving him extra belief in his own history bid, Djokovic hopes the American also enjoys a sustained run at a tournament she last won in 2016.

“I see her in the gym more than I have, I think, seen her when she was at her prime. It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible,” he said.

“It’s admirable, honestly, the effort she’s putting in. Of course, all eyes are on her comeback. She created something historical, legendary in her career. She deserves every applause she’s going to get.”

Williams and Djokovic have both won seven Wimbledon singles titles.

But Djokovic’s most recent triumph at the All England Club came four years ago, with his last final appearance ending in defeat against Alcaraz in 2024.

Novak Djokovic crashed out in the third round of the recent French Open, blowing a two-set lead against rising Brazilian star Joao Fonseca.

As the sands of time run out on Djokovic’s transcendent career, he knows Wimbledon’s fast grass-courts, which shorten draining rallies, offer him the best conditions to win that elusive 25th Grand Slam title.

“It is different in terms of just the overall physical state. I think I’m better prepared here than I was for Roland Garros, which was very demanding and draining,” Novak Djokovic said.

“I was planning to peak at Wimbledon after the injury of the shoulder that kind of kept me away from the tour for several months.

“Obviously playing on grass, comparing to clay, you don’t need to exert as much physical effort. So that’s better for me.”

Wimbledon has always been Djokovic’s favourite tournament and he added: “I have a very good score here, some history. That gives me, of course, a higher dose of confidence coming into the tournament.”

READ: Belgium thump New Zealand 5-1 to reach World Cup last 32

BRISTOL: Gull Feroza’s unbeaten fifty and Fatima Sana’s three-wicket haul guided Pakistan to their first win of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, beating the Netherlands in their final match on Saturday.

Set a challenging 127, Netherlands were bowled out for 89 in 18 overs.

In pursuit of the target, The Lionesses’ openers provied a rapid start, adding 31 in 3.3 overs before Diana Baig pinned Heather Siegers for 24. In the next over, a direct hit from Eyman Fatima ended Phebe Molkenboer’s short stay at the crease, who made eight.

Captain Babette de Leede and Sterre Kalis shared a brief 19-run stand, bringing the score to over 50 runs at the halfway mark. Kalis was cleaned up by Nashra Sandhu after contributing 12 from 19 balls.

Meanwhile, skipper De Leede held one end as Ayesha Zafar sparked a collapse with two wickets in the 15th over that the Netherlands never recovered from. They slumped from 76-4 to 88-6 in 17 overs.

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Fatima Sana, in her third over, picked up three wickets that folded the Netherlands innings for 89. De Leede top-scored with 30 from 41 balls, striking two fours.

For Pakistan, Ayesha Zafar and Fatima Sana shared six wickets between them.

Earlier, Pakistan decided to bat first against Netherlands and posted 126-6 in 20 overs, largely due to Gull Feroza’s 63 off 52 balls, including nine fours.

After losing Muneeba Ali, who made 12 early in the piece, Gull Feroza and Ayesha Zafar steadied the innings with a 79-run partnership. The scorecard read 94-1 in 13.2 overs when Zafar departed after scoring 32 from 29, hitting a six and two fours.

The Green Shirts were well poised for a big total but Netherlands held them back with flurry of wickets, reducing them to 113-5 in 18 overs. Gull Feroza remained till the end and ensured that her side post a fighting total.

For Netherlands, Iris Zwilling scalped two wickets in her quota of four overs while giving away 19.

READ: Australia suffer double blow ahead of World Cup knockout

Injured Australian pair Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano were ruled out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday ahead of their last-32 clash with Egypt, leaving the Socceroos to complete the tournament with 24 players.

Striker Leckie, at a fourth World Cup, hurt his hamstring in the Socceroos’ 2-0 Group D loss to the United States and did not feature in their 0-0 draw with Paraguay on Thursday.

Right-back Italiano played against Turkey and the United States, but injured his groin in training and also missed the Paraguay clash.

“Jacob Italiano and Mathew Leckie will unfortunately miss the remainder of the World Cup through injury,” the Socceroos said in a statement.

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“Everyone at Football Australia and the Socceroos would like to wish Jacob and Mathew all the best in their recovery and thank them for their contributions during the campaign.”

Their absence is a blow to coach Tony Popovic, whose team face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in Dallas on July 3 in a bid to reach the last 16.

“I’m gutted for him,” said Australia defender Aziz Behich of Melbourne City teammate Leckie, who overcame an injury-wrecked season to make the tournament.

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“But it’s all part of football. He wished us all well, and he said he’ll be following us. He’s given everything to be here and help us.”

Behich, who impressed as left wing-back against Paraguay, said confidence was high heading into the all-or-nothing Egypt showdown.

“We know what we wanted to accomplish, and the first step was getting out of the group stages,” he told reporters. “We’ve managed to do that.

“Now it’s game by game. It’s knockout football. It’s a lot different to what it was. But the boys know that and we’re full of energy and excitement.”

READ: Iran denied late winner against Egypt as VAR leaves World Cup hopes hanging

SEATTLE: Iran suffered late heartbreak as a stoppage-time winner was ruled out by VAR in a dramatic 1-1 draw against Egypt, leaving their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout qualification hopes hanging by a thread on Friday.

Shoja Khalilzadeh thought he had secured a priceless victory when he fired home deep into stoppage time after Egypt failed to clear their lines.

However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside, silencing the Iranian celebrations.

The final whistle followed shortly after, with Iran’s players collapsing to the turf in disbelief as a victory that would have guaranteed a place in the Round of 32 slipped away.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

Despite the setback, Iran remain in contention to qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the FIFA World Cup 2026. They finished the group stage with three points and must now wait for results elsewhere to determine their fate.

Egypt, meanwhile, had already secured their historic qualification for the knockout stage before kick-off after favourable results in other groups. The Pharaohs advanced to the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history.

The match burst into life early as Egypt took the lead in the fifth minute through Mahmoud Saber, who calmly finished to give his side the perfect start.

Iran had an immediate chance to respond when Mehdi Taremi won a penalty just five minutes later, but the striker failed to convert from the spot.

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The equaliser eventually arrived moments later, with Ramin Rezaeian finishing from a tight angle to bring Iran back into the contest.

Taremi came close again late in normal time when his powerful header crashed against the crossbar before Iran believed they had found a dramatic winner through Khalilzadeh, only for VAR to intervene.

Egypt introduced Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush after the break, and the substitute almost restored their lead with a curling effort that took a deflection before going behind for a corner.

Star forward Mohamed Salah was withdrawn in the 57th minute and appeared visibly frustrated as he made way for Zizo, although the Egypt captain is expected to play a key role when his side face Australia in the Round of 32.

READ: Belgium thump New Zealand 5-1 to reach World Cup last 32

Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 to book their place in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday, securing their first win of the tournament to finish on top of Group G in Vancouver.

A double strike from Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard and goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers carried the Red Devils into the last 32 in first place ahead of Egypt on goal difference.

Egypt claimed the runners-up spot after a 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle. The Iranians finished third in the group.

Belgium dominated a lopsided first half and had alarm bells ringing in the New Zealand defence early on when Trossard’s angled shot cannoned off the inside of the upright only to be cleared off the line by Tyler Binden.

The Red Devils looked poised to take the lead moments later when Jordanian referee Adham Mohammad pointed to the penalty spot after Trossard’s shot hit the arm of covering defender Finn Surman.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

But VAR sent Mohammad to the monitor to take another look at the decision, which was subsequently overturned, and New Zealand breathed again.

Yet Belgium did not have long to wait before the breakthrough and again it was Trossard who proved to be in the right place at the right time, bundling home from close range after De Bruyne’s corner sowed panic in the six-yard box.

Trossard effectively made the game safe five minutes into the second half, controlling a rebound in a crowded area to volley home past New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe at the near post.

De Bruyne then stroked home an elegant low finish in the 66th minute to make it 3-0, a crucial goal which saw the Belgians leapfrog over Egypt into first place on goal difference.

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Yet there was to be a dramatic end when New Zealand’s Elijah Just volleyed home a consolation strike from the edge of the area to make it 3-1.

That could have been potentially costly, with the goal suddenly bumping Belgium down into second place.

But Lukaku nodded home his team’s fourth in the 86th minute with his first touch just a minute after coming on as a substitute to return Belgium to the top of the table.

Saelemaekers completed the scoring with a shot from the edge of the area.

READ: Will Lionel Messi play Argentina’s final group match against Jordan?

ARLINGTON: Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that captain Lionel Messi will not start the defending champions’ final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match against Jordan on Saturday.

With Argentina already assured of top spot in the group after consecutive victories over Algeria and Austria, Scaloni revealed that the 39-year-old forward will begin the match on the bench as the coaching staff looks to manage his workload ahead of the knockout stage.

“Leo will come on later, and I’ve already confirmed the team, but we’re going to announce it tomorrow,” Scaloni told reporters on Friday.

Argentina have enjoyed a flawless start to their title defence, beating Algeria 3-0 before securing a 2-0 victory over Austria to qualify for the Round of 32 as Group J winners with a game to spare.

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Messi has been at the heart of that success, scoring all five of Argentina’s goals so far in the tournament.

The veteran forward also became the outright leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after netting his record-breaking 17th World Cup goal against Austria.

With qualification already secured and Jordan eliminated from the tournament, Scaloni is expected to rotate his squad and hand opportunities to several fringe players while ensuring key members of the team remain fresh for the knockout rounds.

Argentina’s opponents in the Round of 32 have already been confirmed, with the reigning world champions set to face World Cup debutants Cape Verde after the African nation finished second in Group H.

READ: AC Milan to make Goncalo Ramos record signing: reports