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JAPAN: Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem and India’s javelin ace Neeraj Chopra will battle for gold in a potential final clash at the World Athletics Championship after the qualifying groups were announced on Tuesday.

Although both athletes have been placed in separate groups, there is an ample chance of a final showdown if they advance to the final.

This will be the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympics that Arshad and Neeraj are expected to compete against each other.

Arshad Nadeem is placed in Group B alongside Grenada’s Anderson Peters, whereas defending champions Neeraj Chopra are in Group A alongside Germany’s Julian Weber.

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The Qualifying round will commence at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Wednesday, September 17, with the final taking place on Thursday, September 18.

Arshad Nadeem’s qualifying round is scheduled to begin at 4:45 PM Pakistan Standard Time.

Javelin Throw Schedule 

September 17, Wednesday Men’s javelin throw Qualification – Group A 3:10 PM

September 17, Wednesday Men’s javelin throw Qualification – Group B 4:45 PM

September 18, Thursday Men’s javelin throw  Final  3:13 PM

World Athletics Championships 2025 Men’s Javelin Throw Start List

Qualifiers Group A: Julian Weber (GER), Neeraj Chopra (IND), Keshorn Walcott (TTO), Jakub Vadlejch (CZE), Cyprian Mrzygłód (POL), Lassi Etelätalo (FIN), Edis Matusevičius (LTU), Yuta Sakiyama (JPN), Sachin Yadav (IND), Marc Anthony Minichello (USA), Roderick Genki Dean (JPN), Dawid Wegner (POL), Leandro Ramos (POR), Sumedha Ranasinghe (SRI), Haoran Hu (CHN), Sindri Hrafn Guðmundsson (ISL), Billy Julio López (COL), Keyshawn Strachan (BAH), Pedro Henrique Rodrigues (BRA)

Qualifiers Group B: Arshad Nadeem (PAK), Anderson Peters (GRN), Julius Yego (KEN), Luiz Mauricio da Silva (BRA), Oliver Helander (FIN), Curtis Thompson (USA), Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (SRI), Douw Smit (RSA), Artur Felfner (UKR), Simon Wieland (SUI), Marcin Krukowski (POL), Cameron McEntyre (AUS), Eemil Porvari (FIN), Yash Vir Singh (IND), Martin Konečný (CZE), Gen Naganuma (JPN), Rohit Yadav (IND), Lars Anthony Flaming (PAR)

READ: PCB denies reports of ICC rejecting Andy Pycroft removal request

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected Indian media reports claiming that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down its demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

The PCB, on Monday, wrote to both the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), calling for Pycroft’s replacement following the controversial no-handshake episode in the high-profile clash against India.

The board argued that the referee’s directive to skip the traditional handshake at the toss, as well as post-match, undermined the spirit of cricket and violated the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB had stated in its letter, accusing Pycroft of failing in his responsibilities.

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While Cricbuzz reported that the ICC had rejected the request and defended Pycroft, PCB sources clarified on Tuesday that they are still awaiting an official response from the governing body.

“We have not yet received any formal reply from the ICC. We stand firm on our demand,” a PCB source said, adding that the board is considering various options if the matter remains unresolved.

The sources further stressed that Pakistan is committed to playing the game in the true spirit of sportsmanship, while reiterating Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s earlier stance that “nothing is above the country’s dignity and honour.”

READ: Ricky Ponting clears the air on viral India-Pakistan no-handshake comment

World Cup winner Juan Mata is set for a second season in Australia aged 37 after joining Melbourne Victory on Tuesday.

The former Manchester United, Chelsea, and Spain star moves from Western Sydney Wanderers, where he scored one goal and had three assists in 22 appearances.

“I am driven and motivated to help this team win trophies and to work with the club as part of a longer-term plan to strengthen football in the country,” said Mata.

Juan Mata further stated that he has joined Victory in the hope of getting more playing time.

“I’m not somebody that demands game time for just the sake of it,” said Mata.

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“I really felt the energy in the club. I really felt that they wanted me here. I am driven and motivated to help this team win trophies and to work with the club as part of a longer-term plan to strengthen football in the country.”

The attacking midfielder signed a 12-month deal with A-League side Sydney last year after departing Japanese team Vissel Kobe. However, he was mostly used off the bench last season.

Mata won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and was a European champion with his country two years later.

He won the Champions League with Chelsea and the Europa League with the London club and Manchester United.

READ: Ricky Ponting clears the air on viral India-Pakistan no-handshake comment

LAHORE: Pakistan women have won the toss and decided to bat first against South Africa in the first ODI of the three-match series here at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan Women: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali (wk), Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz, Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Annerie Dercksen, Miane Smit, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Nondumiso Shangase, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune.

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HEAD TO HEAD RECORD

Pakistan and South Africa Women have clashed in a total of 28 matches. South Africa has the upper hand, winning 21 times, while Pakistan has secured only five victories.

The last encounter between the two teams took place on September 14, 2023, during the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 series at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, where Pakistan emerged triumphant, defeating South Africa by eight wickets.

Matches 28, South Africa 21, Pakistan 5, Tied 1, No Result 1

It’s worth noting that this series provides both sides with an opportunity to finalise preparations for the eight-team ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, set to take place from 30 September to 2 November in India and Sri Lanka.

READ: Ricky Ponting clears the air on viral India-Pakistan no-handshake comment

Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting has dismissed a viral social media post that falsely attributed remarks to him regarding the handshake controversy during the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025.

India chased down Pakistan’s 128-run target at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav sealing the win in the 16th over.

The post-match proceedings, however, took a controversial turn as Yadav and Shivam Dube bypassed the customary handshake, opting for fist bumps before walking off, leaving Pakistan players waiting.

In the aftermath, a fabricated statement began circulating online, claiming that Ponting had criticised India’s behaviour while praising Pakistan as “true champions of the gentleman’s game.”

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“This match will be remembered forever, India the big loser. Pakistan’s gesture to shake hands despite defeat has immortalised them as true champions of the gentleman’s game, while India remains the perpetual sore loser,” the rumoured comment.

However, Ricky Ponting swiftly denied ever making such comments. Taking to social media platform X, the 50-year-old clarified:

“I am aware of certain comments being attributed to me on social media. Please know that I categorically did not make those statements and indeed have made no public comment about the Asia Cup at all.”

READ: ICC rejects PCB’s demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft: report

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Monday that superstar striker Kylian Mbappe feels no anxiety to win the Champions League for the first time as Los Blancos prepare to face Marseille.

The coach also included Jude Bellingham in the squad for the first time this season after the player had shoulder surgery in July.

Mbappe, 26, left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last summer to join record 15-time winners Madrid, only to see his former club lift the trophy for the first time in their history.

“He’s not anxious, we all feel this is a project that’s just starting,” Alonso told a news conference ahead of Tuesday’s opening match at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“One of the objectives is to win the Champions League, hopefully sooner rather than later. Kylian is part of the path to getting there, but I don’t think he’s anxious.

“Today we spoke about what the Champions League means, but we were not talking about May (and the final), we were talking about the near future.”

Mbappe faced his former club PSG for the first time at the Club World Cup this summer, with Madrid thrashing 4-0 in the semi-finals.

However, the striker was not fully fit at the tournament in the United States because of a stomach bug. He has hit the ground running with four goals in four La Liga games this season.

“Gastroenteritis meant it was Kylian ‘lite’ at the Club World Cup,” said Alonso. “Without doubt (he’s a leader), for his personality, experience, the influence he has on the others, he’s one of them.”

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Real Madrid have won six of the last 12 Champions Leagues, but Alonso said he did not feel extra pressure because of the club’s rich history in the competition.

“It’s a fat, unquestionable honour, a motivation, and it is a responsibility you live with and enjoy,” added Alonso. “It’s a privilege.”

Xabi Alonso named Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga in his squad for the game, with both returning ahead of schedule, although they may not feature.

England international Bellingham had shoulder surgery to fix a problem that began in 2023 when he dislocated it, and was not expected to return for a couple of weeks.

Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi said his team would stick to their guns after hearing the news.

“It doesn’t change our plan for tomorrow. I don’t know if they will play or not. I know that there are two champions, and so is whoever will be on the pitch,” said the coach. “They have to play with 11 players, and whoever plays is dangerous.”

De Zerbi said his team would have to battle to take anything from their opening game.

“We have to play very well to get a result, playing with respect but also knowing what we have to do,” he continued. “We know Real Madrid are a huge club, but our idea is to play a great game.”

READ: ICC rejects PCB’s demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

The PCB wrote a letter to the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Monday, demanding the removal of Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after the handshake controversy in the India clash.

The fixture, played under a tense backdrop, witnessed unusual scenes from the start, with both captains skipping the customary handshake at the toss.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

According to the PCB, this was on the instructions of match referee Pycroft, a directive they believe went against the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB said in its letter, stressing that Andy Pycroft “failed to fulfil his responsibilities as match referee.”

However, according to a report by Cricbuzz, the ICC rejected PCB’s request and conveyed their decision formally to the cricket board on Monday night.

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“The ICC has reasoned it out, saying the ACC officials on the ground are understood to have told Pycroft that there will not be any handshake at the toss,” the report stated.

“The ICC letter cleared the air and refuted Pakistan’s belief that the match referee was acting on behalf of the Indian team.”

Meanwhile, ARY News has reported that Pycroft is unlikely to officiate in any matches for Pakistan during the tournament and will be replaced by West Indian Richie Richardson.

READ: Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza proud despite Sri Lanka defeat

DUBAI: Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza expressed pride in his team’s spirited performance despite their narrow defeat to Sri Lanka in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 on Monday.

Batting first in the must-win clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Hong Kong posted a competitive 149/4, powered by a composed 48 from opener Anshy Rath and an unbeaten half-century from veteran Nizakat Khan.

Murtaza then played a key role with the ball, striking twice in the middle overs to jolt Sri Lanka’s chase. His efforts briefly turned the tide as Sri Lanka stumbled from 119/2 to 127/6, raising hopes of an upset.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

But Wanindu Hasaranga’s counterattack, coupled with opener Pathum Nissanka’s 68, proved decisive as Sri Lanka edged home with four wickets in hand.

Speaking after the match, Yasim Murtaza praised his batters for their resilience while admitting that missed opportunities in the field proved costly.

“I am really proud of the way the boys stood up today, especially in the batting. Nizakat and Anshy, their partnership was crucial,” he said.

“We wanted 150–160, so we got what we wanted. But we dropped a few catches, and that cost us the game.”

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The Hong Kong skipper described their Asia Cup campaign as a “dream come true” and vowed his side would return stronger after reflecting on their shortcomings.

“The positive thing is that playing on the big stage is like a dream come true. We will think about a lot of things when we go back and work on that,” Murtaza added.

The defeat marked the end of Hong Kong’s Asia Cup journey, but their spirited showing against the defending champions left a lasting impression.

READ: There is no competition between India and Pakistan: Sourav Ganguly

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has taken a dig at the Pakistan team, stating that they are no longer competitive in international cricket.

The former BCCI official made these comments while interacting with the media in Kolkata late on Monday, following Pakistan’s defeat against India in the Asia Cup 2025.

Ganguly said that he switched to watch the Manchester derby just after 15 overs into Sunday’s blockbuster match.

The 53-year-old explained that he doesn’t find the Pakistan side worth watching because of how bad their standards have fallen.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

“Pakistan are no longer a competitive side now, I switched my TV sets to watch the Manchester derby after the first 15 overs,” said Ganguly.

“I would watch India play Australia, England, South Africa, even Afghanistan, rather than watching Pakistan.”

He recalled Pakistan’s golden days when they had players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Javed Miandad, etc.

“There is no competition between India and Pakistan anymore,” Ganguly further stated.

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“I always say, we think of Pakistan as Waqar Younises, Wasim Akrams, the Saeed Anwars and Javed Miandads. But that’s not the case with this modern-day Pakistan; it’s now like chalk and cheese.

“It’s the lack of quality in the side. This (Indian) team has played without (Virat) Kohli and Rohit (Sharma), who were the two stalwarts of Indian cricket for such a long period of time.

“India are just too far ahead in cricket for Pakistan and most of these Asia Cup teams.”

READ: Pakistan set to face India at neutral venue in FIH Pro League

Arch-rivals Pakistan and India are set to square off in the Pro League with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) unveiling the schedule of the marquee event on Monday.

According to the schedule, the nine-team tournament will consist of 144 matches, hosted in 10 countries, across three rounds.

“This season will see the arrival of Ireland women and Pakistan men, both making their debut in the competition, having been promoted via the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2024-25, adding further depth and excitement to the Pro League,” the federation said in a statement.

Pakistan will kick off their campaign in Argentina with the matches against the home side before taking on the defending champions, the Netherlands, from December 9 to December 14.

In the second round, Pakistan will head for Australia, where they will be playing against the home side and Germany between February 10 and 15.

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The third round will be played in Belgium from June 13 to 21, 2026, where they will face Spain and Belgium.

Finally, Pakistan will travel to England from June 23 to 28, where they will play the home side and arch-rivals India.

Two months earlier, the Pakistan hockey team received a formal invitation from the FIH to participate in the Hockey Pro League, scheduled to take place in December this year.

The invitation followed New Zealand’s decision not to participate in the FIH Hockey Pro League due to financial constraints.

Consequently, the FIH gave PHF a deadline to inform about its decision to accept or decline the invitation.

Eventually, Green Shirts’ spot in the marquee event came after the federal government approved a financial assistance package of Rs 250 million.

READ: Confident Sana eyes South Africa series for World Cup preparation