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Sports

Zohran Mamdani introduces discount ticket scheme for FIFA World Cup

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Zohran Mamdani

NEW YORK: Following strong public criticism over FIFA World Cup ticket prices, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has introduced a limited affordable ticket scheme for local residents.

Under the new initiative, tickets will be available for $50, aimed at making the tournament more accessible to city residents.

According to international media reports, around 1,000 tickets have been allocated for New York residents for selected group-stage and knockout matches. However, the final match is not included in the scheme.

Officials said the tickets will be distributed through a lottery system to ensure transparency.

Reports indicate that approximately 150 seats per match will be reserved under the program, and successful applicants will be allowed to purchase a maximum of two tickets each. The package will also include transport facilities to and from match venues.

The mayor said the initiative aims to connect local residents with the FIFA World Cup and reduce exclusion caused by high ticket prices, stressing that major sporting events should not be limited only to wealthy spectators.

The announcement comes amid ongoing criticism of FIFA’s dynamic pricing system, with various groups calling for lower prices and greater access for local fans.

PCB announces16-member ODI squad for Australia series

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PCB announces

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match One-Day International series against Australia national cricket team, with fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi appointed as captain.

According to the PCB, the series will be played from May 30 to June 4 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Key players including Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem have been recalled to the national side.

New inclusions in the squad include Ahmad Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir, while Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir have been named as wicketkeeper-batters.

The selection committee has dropped several players, including Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Hussain Talat, Muhammad Rizwan, Wasim Jr and Saad Masood from the ODI setup.

Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered due to injuries and are currently undergoing rehabilitation programs, while Usman Khan was ruled out due to illness.

The final squad features a mix of experienced and young players as Pakistan prepares for the high-profile ODI series against Australia.

Rizwan likely to be dropped for Australia ODI series

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Rizwan likely

LAHORE: Experienced Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is likely to be dropped from the upcoming ODI series against Australia national cricket team as the team management considers trying new wicketkeeping options.

According to reports, the squad for the three-match ODI series is being finalized after consultations between head coach Mike Hesson and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, with Rizwan’s inclusion appearing increasingly unlikely.

Sources said Hesson is not in favor of retaining Rizwan in the ODI setup after already moving away from him in T20 cricket.

The 33-year-old Rizwan has scored 2,979 runs in 103 ODIs for Pakistan at an average of 40.08, including four centuries and 19 half-centuries. As a wicketkeeper, he has taken 113 catches and completed seven stumpings.

In Pakistan’s three-match ODI series against Bangladesh national cricket team in March 2026, Rizwan managed 58 runs.

Reports further suggested that Ghazi Ghori, who made his debut as a batter in the third ODI against Bangladesh on March 15, 2026, is likely to remain with the squad for the Australia series. One of Usman Khan or Mirza Saad Baig could also be selected as the second wicketkeeper.

The Australian team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on May 23, while Pakistan will begin training in Rawalpindi from May 22 and is also expected to play a practice match ahead of the series.

The ODI matches between Pakistan and Australia are scheduled for May 30, June 2 and June 4.

FIFPRO raises fresh concerns over extreme heat at FIFA World Cup

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FIFPRO raises

NEW YORK: Global football players’ union FIFPRO has once again expressed concerns over extreme heat risks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

According to a new report by climate research group World Weather Attribution, nearly one-quarter of the tournament’s matches could be played in conditions where temperatures may pose serious risks to players and spectators.

The report warned that at least five matches in the expanded 104-game tournament could face weather conditions severe enough to warrant postponement recommendations.

Researchers used the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index to assess heat stress levels, measuring how effectively the human body can cool itself under extreme weather conditions.

FIFPRO Medical Director Vincent Gouttebarge said special safety measures become necessary when WBGT temperatures exceed 26 degrees Celsius, while suspending matches is recommended when levels rise above 28 degrees Celsius.

In response, FIFA said it has already developed plans to protect players and fans, including cooling systems, hydration breaks and enhanced medical services.

Experts believe extreme heat could also affect the style of play, with teams likely to adopt more cautious tactics to manage physical strain.

The report identified cities such as Miami, New York City, Philadelphia and Kansas City among the locations facing the highest heat risk, while warning that temperatures during the tournament final could also reach dangerous levels.

Pakistan suffer major blow ahead of Australia ODI series

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Pakistan suffer

LAHORE: Pakistan will be without opening batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub for the upcoming three-match one-day international series against Australia because of injuries, the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Wednesday.

The PCB said both players are continuing their rehabilitation under the supervision of the board’s medical staff and have not yet fully recovered.

To allow them to regain complete fitness, the board has excluded both batters from selection for the ODI series, which begins on May 30.

The PCB wished the two players a speedy recovery and said further updates on the squad and player fitness would be provided in due course.

Australia is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on May 23.

The ODI series will be played from May 30 to June 4, with matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Shan Masood may offer to step down as Pakistan Test captain after whitewash

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Shan Masood

LAHORE: Pakistan test captain Shan Masood may offer to step down following his team’s 2-0 series whitewash against Bangladesh, according to media reports.

Sources said Masood is expected to meet Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi after returning home and could present his resignation from the captaincy. A final decision on his future will rest with the PCB chairman.

Masood was appointed test captain in 2023. Under his leadership, Pakistan has lost 12 of its 16 test matches, increasing pressure on the 36-year-old batter.

After Pakistan’s 78-run defeat in the second test in Sylhet, Masood apologized to fans and acknowledged the team’s disappointing performances.

“We are deeply disappointed by these results and apologize to the nation for not meeting expectations,” Masood said.

He said Pakistan needed to focus on improving its overall test cricket structure rather than blaming individual players.

Masood declined to comment directly on repeated questions about his captaincy but said he remained committed to helping Pakistan test cricket improve in any role.

Pakistan’s next test assignment is a three-match series in England in July.

UEFA imposes lifetime ban on ex-coach over secret filming of women players

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UEFA imposes

NYON: UEFA has imposed a lifetime ban on former coach Petr Vlachovský after finding that he secretly recorded women footballers in dressing rooms and showers.

European football’s governing body said its disciplinary investigation concluded that the 42-year-old coach engaged in unethical conduct and actions that damaged the reputation of the sport.

A court in the Czech Republic last year handed Vlachovský a one-year suspended prison sentence and a five-year coaching ban after convicting him of secretly filming 14 female players.

Police launched an investigation in September 2023 after the hidden recordings surfaced online. Authorities said the coach concealed a camera inside a bag to film players in locker rooms and shower areas. Some of the victims were minors.

UEFA has asked FIFA to extend the ban worldwide to prevent Vlachovský from working in football in any country.

The Football Association of the Czech Republic has also been instructed to revoke his coaching license.

Bangladesh complete historic whitewash of Pakistan with 78-run win

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Bangladesh complete

SYLHET: Bangladesh completed a historic 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan after securing a 78-run victory in the second and final test in Sylhet on Wednesday.

Pakistan resumed the fifth and final day needing 121 more runs to chase a target of 437, with three wickets in hand.

The visitors were bowled out for 359, handing Bangladesh victory by 78 runs and sealing its first-ever clean sweep over Pakistan in a two-match test series.

Bangladesh had already taken a 1-0 lead by winning the opening test in Dhaka by 104 runs.

The series result marks a significant milestone for Bangladesh cricket, which produced back-to-back victories against Pakistan in the home series.

Talking to the media, Pakistan captain Shan Masood said his team failed to perform well in both batting and bowling after Bangladesh completed a 2-0 test series sweep.

“We tried our best to win the match, but we did not play well during the first three days,” Masood said after Pakistan’s 78-run defeat in the second and final test in Sylhet.

He said Pakistan worked hard over the last two days but could not capitalize on its efforts, adding that the team was unable to dismiss Bangladesh’s last four batters quickly enough.

“In test cricket, there is no room for mistakes,” Masood said. “We did not perform well in batting and bowling.”

Masood said test cricket requires teams to maintain a high standard over all five days of a match.

After historical won, Bangladesh moved up to fifth place in the ICC World Test Championship standings after completing a 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan.

The series victory lifted Bangladesh above both England and India in the latest standings.

Pakistan remained in eighth place with four points following back-to-back defeats in the two-match series.

Pakistan’s next assignment in the World Test Championship will be a three-test series against England in England.

The series will provide Pakistan with an opportunity to recover ground in the standings after a disappointing tour of Bangladesh.

Pakistan reach 316-7 in record chase of 437 against Bangladesh

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Pakistan reach

SYLHET: Pakistan were 316 for seven in pursuit of a daunting 437-run target against Bangladesh national cricket team at the close of the fourth day of the second Test on Tuesday, leaving the match finely poised heading into the final day.

Chasing a record target, Pakistan suffered early setbacks when Abdullah Fazal was dismissed for six with the score on 27, followed by Azaan Owais for 21 at 41.

Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam then added 133 runs for the third wicket before Babar was dismissed for 47.

Pakistan lost further wickets in quick succession as Saud Shakeel made six, Shan Masood scored 71, and Salman Agha also fell for 71. Hasan Ali was dismissed without scoring.

At stumps, Mohammad Rizwan was unbeaten on 75, with Sajid Khan on eight, as Pakistan still require 121 runs to win.

Bangladesh had earlier set up the massive target after being bowled out for 390 in their second innings, taking a combined lead of 436 runs after Pakistan were dismissed for 232 in the first innings.

The tourists had struggled throughout the match. Bangladesh took a 44-run first-innings lead before extending their advantage with a strong batting display led by Litton Das’ century earlier in the match.

Pakistan’s bowling effort had earlier seen Khurram Shahzad take key wickets, while Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali also contributed.

The final Test day will decide whether Pakistan can complete a historic chase or Bangladesh will secure a series win.

Ronaldo confirmed for record sixth FIFA World Cup with Portugal

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Ronaldo confirmed

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make history after being named in Portugal’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he is expected to become the first player to feature in six World Cup tournaments.

The 41-year-old forward was included in the squad announced by Portugal coach Roberto Martínez, confirming his participation in the tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico beginning on June 11.

Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr FC, already holds the world records for most international appearances (226) and most international goals (143).

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is one of six players to have appeared in five World Cups and is now poised to set a new record with a sixth appearance for Portugal national football team.