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COLOMBO: Pakistan women team underwent an intense training session here at the Colombo Cricket Ground on Monday ahead of their encounter against England in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. 

Women in Green underwent fielding, running, and catching training in a three-hour session. National cricketers also practiced bowling and batting in the nets, alongside receiving tips on skill development.

Pakistan will play its next game against England on October 15 at RPS Stadium, Colombo.

For the unversed, the women in Green are winless in the World Cup and are yet to get off the mark on the points table.

Pakistan has suffered defeats at the hands of Bangladesh, India, and Australia. Currently, seven-time winners Australia are on top of the points table with four victories in four games.

Pakistan Team Remaining Fixtures

• 15 October – vs England
• 18 October – vs New Zealand
• 21 October – vs South Africa
• 24 October – vs Sri Lanka

Pakistan squad for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025

Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper), and Syeda Aroob Shah

Non-traveling reserves: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar

READ: Noman Ali eyes big lead after spinning South Africa into trouble

LAHORE: Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali shared his views after spinning a web around South Africa’s batting lineup on day two of the first Test here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

South Africa were cruising at 175-3 after the tea break; however, Noman Ali paired up with Sajid Khan, which derailed South Africa’s batting lineup.

Noman, particularly cut through South Africa’s middle order, and the visitors slumped from 175-3 to 200-6 in the span of 10 overs.

Tristan Stubbs was caught behind for eight while Dewald Brevis fell for a golden duck. Kyle Verreynne could not trouble the scorers much as he made six from 19.

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At the close of play, the visitors were reduced to 216-6 with Tony de Zorzi unbeaten on 81 from 140 balls, whereas Senuran Muthusamy remained not out on six from 19 deliveries.

Noman Ali bowled an excellent spell and bagged four wickets, which put Pakistan in a commanding position.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Noman shed light on team plans and eyed quick wickets on day three.

“We will try to dismiss South Africa as quickly as possible and take a good lead,” he said.

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He mentioned that bowling in tandem with Sajid Khan provides an edge, and Pakistan have an ample chance after posting a good first innings score.

“Sajid Khan and I bowl as a pair, which is beneficial. If he gets wickets, I support him, and we try to bowl in partnership. Considering the slow side pitch conditions, I expect a low bounce going ahead into the match.

“We have posted a good score Our aim is to get South Africa out for as few runs as possible. We’ll try to gain a lead of over 100 runs so we can set a strong target for South Africa in the fourth innings,” he concluded.

READ: Former Pakistan cricketer Wazir Mohammad passes away

Former Pakistan Test cricketer Wazir Mohammad passed away at the age of 95 in Solihull, Birmingham, earlier this Morning.

The deceased was the elder Brother of Hanif Mohammad, also known as the little master.

Wazir played 20 Tests for Pakistan and scored 801 runs with the help of two centuries and three half-centuries.

Born on December 22, 1929, Wazir was also the third-oldest living men’s Test cricketer after Australia’s Neil Harvey and New Zealand’s Trevor MacMahon.

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Notably, he remained a vital part of Pakistan’s initial journey in the cricketing world during the 1950s and 60s.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, expressed profound grief over the passing of cricketing legend and expressed his heartfelt condolences.

“Wazir Mohammad was a good batsman and a very sophisticated person. May Allah Almighty rest the soul of the deceased in peace and grant patience to the bereaved family. Amen,” he said.

READ: Aiden Markram achieves major milestone in first Pakistan Test

No country has ever won the World Cup with a foreign-born coach, but Carlo Ancelotti said Monday that there was “always a first time” as he eyes glory with Brazil in 2026.

The Italian became Brazil’s first overseas coach in six decades when he took over in May, and he helped the five-times champions punch their ticket for next summer’s World Cup.

Brazil face Japan in a friendly in Tokyo on Tuesday, fresh from a 5-0 hammering of South Korea in Seoul last week.

Ancelotti said he is aiming to create history for himself and his team at next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“My goal is to give my best for the Brazil national team, to try to get them to perform at their best and to win the World Cup,” he said.

“Of course, no foreign-born coach has ever won the World Cup, but there is always a first time in life.”

Brazil made hard work of qualifying, finishing fifth in the South American table.

Ancelotti is their fourth coach since Tite stepped down following the quarter-final loss to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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Brazil sparkled against South Korea, with 18-year-old starlet Estevao scoring twice and Real Madrid pair Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. also among the goals.

Brazilian fans hailed the win as a return to “jogo bonito,” but Ancelotti said there was more to his team than that.

“Brazilian players have the quality to play beautiful football, but you have to think about what you mean by beautiful football,” he said.

“Brazilian players have individual quality, but that is combined with teamwork and movement off the ball, and that’s very important in football.”

Brazil travelled to Asia without forward Neymar, who was ruled out of action until at least November with a thigh injury.

Time is running out for Brazil’s record goalscorer to force his way back into the squad before the World Cup.

Ancelotti said there were no questions over Neymar’s quality.

“If Neymar is in good condition, then of course he can fit into the national team,” he said. “If Neymar is fit, then he can play in any team in the world.”

READ: Aiden Markram achieves major milestone in first Pakistan Test

LAHORE: South Africa’s stand-in captain Aiden Markram reached a major career milestone on Monday, surpassing 3,000 runs in Test cricket during the opening Test against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Markram, who needed just seven runs to achieve the landmark, brought it up early in his innings as South Africa began their reply to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 378.

The 31-year-old reached the milestone in his 47th Test appearance, becoming the 18th South African batter to do so.

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Since making his debut in 2017, Markram has been one of South Africa’s most consistent performers in red-ball cricket, boasting eight centuries and 13 half-centuries to his name.

Among South African greats, Jacques Kallis remains the country’s all-time leading run-scorer with a staggering 13,206 runs in 165 Tests, the only South African to cross the 10,000-run mark.

He is followed by Hashim Amla (9,282 runs in 124 matches) and former skipper Graeme Smith (9,253 runs in 116 matches).

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At the time of filing this report, South Africa were 38 without loss in ten overs, with Markram and Ryan Rickelton steady at the crease.

The visitors trail by 340 runs after bowling out Pakistan for 378 earlier in the day, courtesy of a superb six-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy.

READ: Kane Williamson to miss England T20Is, eyes ODI return

Veteran batter Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the upcoming home T20I series against England as he continues to recover from a minor medical issue, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed on Sunday.

The 35-year-old, who last represented the Black Caps in the Champions Trophy final against India in March, is expected to be available for the subsequent ODI series against the same opposition later this month.

Williamson, currently on a casual NZC contract, had earlier opted out of the T20I series against Australia and the Zimbabwe tour to fulfil county commitments with Middlesex in The Hundred.

Head coach Rob Walter revealed that Williamson’s recovery required a bit more time, emphasizing that the decision was precautionary.

“He’s obviously a world-class player, and we’re hoping these two weeks will ensure he’s ready for the ODIs against England and the following tour by the West Indies,” Walter said in a statement.

In Williamson’s absence, Mitchell Santner returns from abdominal surgery to lead the side.

However, New Zealand have been dealt a fresh setback with fast bowler Ben Sears ruled out due to a left hamstring tear sustained in training. Sears is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.

Rachin Ravindra, who missed the T20I series against Australia after suffering a facial injury during fielding practice, makes his comeback.

New Zealand’s injury list remains lengthy, with Finn Allen (foot), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) all unavailable.

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With wristspinner Ish Sodhi missing out, Ravindra joins Santner and Michael Bracewell as part of the spin trio. Mark Chapman could also offer part-time left-arm spin if required.

Walter praised Santner’s leadership and welcomed Ravindra’s return.

“It’s great to have Mitch back. He’s not only our leader but also one of the best white-ball spinners in the world. Likewise, it’s nice to welcome back Rachin, who was unlucky to miss out on Australia and is really excited for this series,” he said.

Veteran allrounder Jimmy Neesham, who recently turned 35, keeps his spot after impressing with figures of 4 for 26 in the third T20I against Australia.

Neesham reiterated his ambition to represent New Zealand at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

“I want to win a World Cup for New Zealand, and that’s the reason I’m still playing,” Neesham said. “Selection ahead of the tournament is out of my hands, but I’ll stay ready and perform when called upon.”

The three-match T20I series against England begins at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on October 18, with the second fixture at the same venue on October 20.

The final match will be played in Auckland, followed by the ODI series from October 26 to November 1, where Williamson could mark his return at his home ground, Bay Oval.

New Zealand T20I Squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert (wk).

READ: Muthusamy spins South Africa back in first Test against Pakistan

LAHORE: Tony de Zorzi led South Africa’s resistance while Noman Ali took four wickets, putting Pakistan in a strong position at stumps on the second day of the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

South Africa were 216-6 at the close of the play, with Tony de Zorzi remaining unbeaten on 81 from 140 balls while Senuran Muthusamy is not out on six from 19 deliveries.

The highlight of the session was a 94-run partnership between De Zorzi and Riyan Rickelton. Both batters struck half-centuries and brought the team’s total to 174.

The stand eventually culminated with the set of Rickelton’s wicket, courtesy of Agha Salman’s bowling. He made 71 from 137 with the help of nine fours and two sixes.

The wicket opened the door for Pakistan as Noman and Sajid sliced through the Proteas’ middle-order and put them in a similar position to Pakistan. The visitors went from 175-3 to 200-6 in a span of 10 overs.

Tristan Stubbs was caught behind for eight while Dewald Brevis fell for a golden duck. Kyle Verreynne could not trouble the scorers much as he made six from 19.

For Pakistan, Nomal Ali starred with the ball, picking up four wickets in his 27 overs.

South Africa were 10 without loss at lunch and batted steadily in the afternoon session.

Aiden Markram, who earlier crossed the 3,000-run milestone, was the first to fall after the interval, dismissed by Noman Ali for 20 off 37 balls with the score at 45-1.

Wiaan Mulder then joined Ryan Rickelton and the pair stitched together a cautious stand to stabilise the innings.

Rickelton continued to find the gaps while Mulder played some crisp drives before Noman struck again, removing the right-hander for 17 off 41 deliveries, including three boundaries.

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Tony de Zorzi then arrived at the crease and rode his luck early, edging a couple of deliveries past the slips for boundaries.

His presence, however, proved valuable as he and Rickelton guided South Africa to 112-2 at Tea in 34 overs, trailing Pakistan by 266 runs.

Earlier, Senuran Muthusamy produced a brilliant spell of spin bowling to claim six wickets and help South Africa bowl out Pakistan for 378 in the first session.

Resuming their innings at 313 for five, Pakistan looked set for a big total as Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan picked up where they left off, extending their sixth-wicket stand beyond 150, the highest for Pakistan against South Africa at home.

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Both batters appeared in full control before Muthusamy turned the tide. He first broke the partnership by dismissing Rizwan for a hard-fought 75 off 140 deliveries, which included two fours and two sixes.

The left-arm spinner struck again almost immediately, removing Noman Ali and Sajid Khan for ducks to complete a well-deserved five-for.

Senuran Muthusamy continued to wreak havoc, bowling Shaheen Afridi for seven to register his sixth wicket, leaving Pakistan nine down.

The innings finally ended at 378 when off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen dismissed Salman Ali Agha for a composed 93 off 145 balls, an innings decorated with five fours and three sixes.

Muthusamy finished with superb figures of 6-117 in 32 overs, while Subrayen chipped in with two wickets. Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer claimed one apiece.

READ: Kudus scores as Ghana qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026

Mohammed Kudus scored as Ghana beat Comoros 1-0 in Accra on Sunday to win Group I and become the fifth African qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Cheered on by a capacity 40,000 crowd, Ghana dominated first-half possession and territory, but slow, predictable attacks meant Comoros goalkeeper Adel Anzimati-Aboudou was seldom troubled.

However, the home side wasted little time after the interval in taking the lead as Tottenham midfielder Kudus struck on 47 minutes.

Comoros only partially cleared a goalmouth scramble, and when the ball was crossed low into the six-yard box, Kudus tapped it into the net from point-blank range.

Success against Comoros was particularly sweet as the Indian Ocean islanders shocked Ghana at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and beat them again in the second round of World Cup qualifying two years ago.

Ghana top the group with 25 points from 10 matches. Madagascar finished second with 19 points despite a 4-1 loss to third-placed Mali in Bamako.

It will be the fifth appearance by the Black Stars in the global showpiece. Their best performance was in 2010 in South Africa, where they lost to Uruguay after a quarter-final penalty shootout.

Qualification for the expanded 48-nation 2026 tournament, which the United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host, justified the faith of Ghanaian officials in coach Otto Addo, who was under fire last year.

There were persistent demands from the public and media in the West African country for Addo to be sacked after a disastrous 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Ghana, winners of the competition four times between 1963 and 1982, did not win any of the six AFCON qualifiers and finished a humiliating last behind Angola, Sudan, and Niger with just three points.

The other four automatic African qualifiers for the World Cup will be decided on Monday and Tuesday, with Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and Senegal the group leaders.

Egypt rested Liverpool star Mohamed Salah for their final match at home to Guinea-Bissau, and an early goal from Mohamed Hamdy delivered a 1-0 Group A victory in Cairo.

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Niger upset Zambia 1-0 in Ndola to finish second in Group E behind Morocco, and currently lie third in the mini-leagues runners-up table behind Gabon and Burkina Faso.

The four best-ranked second-placed teams after the final qualifiers on Tuesday advance to the play-offs in Morocco during November.

Whoever wins the mini-tournament, featuring single-match semi-finals and a final, qualifies for six-nation inter-continental play-offs next March with two World Cup places up for grabs.

Niger striker Daniel Sosah scored in his third straight qualifier, firing a rebound into the net on 56 minutes after goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga failed to hold a Victorien Adebayor shot.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian squad, coaches, technical staff, and officials arrived safely in the southeastern city of Uyo on Sunday.

Returning home after a Group C win over Lesotho in South Africa last Friday, the jet carrying the Super Eagles had to make an emergency landing in Angola due to a cracked windscreen.

The team media officer, Promise Efoghe, said a replacement aircraft was sent to Luanda and the journey to Nigeria was safely completed.

Nigeria, the pre-qualifying favourites to win Group C, are third entering the final round on Tuesday, three points behind Benin and one point below South Africa.

However, the Super Eagles could finish first if they defeat shock leaders Benin in Uyo and South Africa do not win at home to Rwanda.

South Sudan coach Nicolas Dupuis has reportedly been suspended for 15 days and told to stay away from the national squad after a 5-0 home loss to Group B leaders Senegal on Friday.

France-born Dupuis, 57, guided Madagascar to a shock win over Nigeria in the 2019 Cup of Nations in Egypt, and the islanders exceeded expectations by reaching the quarter-finals in their first appearance.

READ: Pat Cummins provides fitness update for first Ashes Test

Injured Australia captain Pat Cummins said on Monday that he was “probably less likely than likely” to be fit for the first Ashes Test next month, but was still clinging to a shred of hope.

Pace spearhead Cummins has not played since picking up a lower back injury in a Test match against the West Indies in July.

Cummins admitted time was running out to get his body ready for the opening Ashes Test beginning in Perth on November 21.

“I’d say probably less likely than likely, but still got a bit of time,” Cummins told reporters, adding that he felt a “bit stiff”.

Cummins said he was still two weeks away from bowling again in the nets, and then it would take time to rebuild his fitness to a level where he could play a full part in a Test.

“You want at least a month in the nets, getting used to it,” said Cummins.

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“If you’re going to play a Test match, you want to make sure you’re right to bowl 20 overs a day and you don’t have to really think about it.

“I know I’m running today and running every second day, and each run is a bit longer, and then we get into bowling prep next week.

“Probably a couple of weeks to go before I’m putting on the spikes and bowling out on turf.”

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said last week he was still considering whether to include Cummins in the side, even if he was a “little bit underdone” with his rehabilitation.

Australia retained the Ashes in England in 2023 after the series ended in a 2-2 draw.

They beat England 4-0 at home in 2021-22 when Cummins was the leading bowler with 21 wickets at an average of 18.

READ: Campbell leads West Indies fightback against Kuldeep-inspired India

The West Indies did not lose a wicket after tea to be 173-2 in their second innings at the end of day three of the second Test on Sunday after following on, but still need 97 runs to make India bat again.

India’s Kuldeep Yadav earlier took five wickets at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium as the hosts bowled out the West Indies for 248 in their first innings after lunch, a deficit of 270.

Captain Shubman Gill enforced the follow-on, and the visitors lost two wickets before tea.

But opener John Campbell then reached 87 not out, and Shai Hope was unbeaten on 66 as the pair put together an unbroken 138-run stand.

The gutsy batting of left-handed Campbell and Hope allowed them to build the highest partnership for the West Indies for any wicket in Tests this year.

Campbell became the first West Indian to reach fifty in the two-match series with a four off Kuldeep.

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He survived a couple of close lbw calls against off-spinner Washington Sundar early in his innings but went on to dominate the bowling.

Hope reached his fifty off Ravindra Jadeja and raised his bat to an applauding dressing room.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul was the first to fall in the second innings, for 10 to a diving Gill catch off Mohammed Siraj, before Sundar bowled Alick Athanaze for seven on the stroke of tea.

The West Indies began day three at 140-4 in their first innings in response to India’s 518-5 declared.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep struck within 30 minutes, bowling Hope for 36.

Kuldeep then had Tevin Imlach given out lbw for 21, a review of the decision showing the ball would have hit leg stump.

Justin Greaves also fell lbw to Kuldeep for 17, and the West Indies were in deep trouble at 175-8 when Jomel Warrican was bowled by Siraj for one.

Pierre and Anderson Phillip, who hit 24 not out, put on a stubborn stand of 46 to steer their team to lunch.

Jasprit Bumrah bowled Pierre for 23 straight after the break before Kuldeep finally trapped Jayden Seales lbw for 13 for his fifth five-wicket haul in 15 Tests.

Seales was fined 25 percent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council on Sunday for showing unnecessary aggression on Friday’s first day.

India won the first Test in Ahmedabad by an innings and 140 runs.

READ: Rashid Khan joins Saqlain Mushtaq in elite list with five-for against Bangladesh