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Sports

Ronaldo sets historic football record with 100 goals in three major leagues

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Ronaldo sets

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo has added another milestone to his legendary career by becoming the first footballer in history to score 100 or more goals in three different major national leagues.

The Portuguese superstar achieved the historic feat during Al Nassr FC’s 4-2 victory over Al Shabab FC in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo reached the landmark in the 75th minute when he converted a pass from Sadio Mane to score his 100th league goal for Al Nassr in just 105 appearances.

Before this achievement, Ronaldo had already scored 103 goals in the Premier League for Manchester United F.C. and an incredible 311 goals in La Liga for Real Madrid CF.

The veteran forward has also netted 81 goals in Serie A and remains the first player to win Golden Boot awards in four different leagues.

Al Nassr FC currently lead the Saudi Pro League standings, with hopes high that Ronaldo will guide the club to both the league title and the AFC Champions League Two trophy this season.

Former captain Wasim Akram joins Karachi-Lahore food debate

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Former captain

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has joined the ongoing social media debate over the food cultures of Karachi and Lahore, sharing his humorous and balanced opinion on the rivalry.

In a viral video circulating online, Akram said he had been watching heated discussions on social media regarding which city serves better food.

“I’ve been seeing intense debate between Karachi and Lahore. Swords are out, axes are out, and people are fighting,” he joked.

The former cricketer said he spent 42 years living in Lahore, where he was born, and has now been residing in Karachi for the past 14 years.

Akram acknowledged that Lahore is famous for traditional dishes like nihari and paye, but noted that Karachi’s multicultural population gives the city a wider variety of cuisines.

“In Karachi, people from all communities live together, so restaurants offer food from different cultures and regions,” he said.

He also humorously commented on Lahore’s food, saying he noticed heavy use of spices and cream around the famous food street near Badshahi Mosque.

Concluding the debate, Wasim Akram said, “Karachi has more variety, while Lahore’s food is very good but offers comparatively less variety.”

He ended his remarks jokingly, saying people would now “come after him with shoes” for expressing his opinion.

Babar Azam likely to return for second Test after minor knee injury

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Babar Azam

DHAKA: Pakistani top batter Babar Azam is expected to be available for the second Test against Bangladesh national cricket team after medical reports confirmed that his knee injury is not serious.

According to sources, the Pakistan batter actively participated in practice sessions before experiencing discomfort in his left knee during training. Following the complaint, the team management arranged an MRI scan as a precautionary measure.

Sources said Babar was rested for the opening Test purely on precautionary grounds and not due to any major injury concern.

Officials further clarified that the former Pakistan captain did not request rest himself; rather, the decision was taken by the team management to avoid aggravating the injury.

The star batter is now likely to return for the second Test between Pakistan national cricket team and Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on May 16 in Sylhet.

Bangladesh take control on day one of Dhaka Test against Pakistan

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Bangladesh take

DHAKA: Bangladesh national cricket team dominated the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan national cricket team in Dhaka with an impressive batting performance.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto led from the front with a superb century, scoring 101 runs off 130 deliveries to put the hosts in a commanding position.

He was well supported by Mominul Haque, who played a composed innings of 91 runs. Their strong partnership helped Bangladesh recover from early setbacks and build momentum against the Pakistani bowling attack.

Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 48 at stumps as Bangladesh finished the first day on 301 for 4.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Noman Ali picked up one wicket each.

The second Test of the series is scheduled to begin on May 16 in Sylhet.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam was unavailable for the match due to a knee injury.

FIFA World Cup 2026 to be biggest ever with record prize money

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FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to become the largest sporting event in history, with 48 teams competing across the United States, Mexico, and Canada starting June 11, 2026.

For the first time, 48 nations will participate up from 32 in the 2022 edition making it the most expansive World Cup ever.

Defending champions Argentina will look to retain their title, while teams like Jordan, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, and Curaçao are set to make their historic debut appearances.

Beyond the expanded lineup, the tournament will also feature record-breaking prize money. FIFA has allocated a total prize pool of $871 million nearly double that of the 2022 World Cup.

Each team will receive $2.5 million for preparation and $10 million upon qualification, guaranteeing at least $12.5 million per team. Additional earnings will depend on performance throughout the tournament.

The winning team will take home $53.5 million, significantly higher than the $42 million awarded in 2022. The runner-up will receive $36.5 million, while third and fourth place teams will earn $32.5 million and $30.5 million respectively.

Teams finishing between fifth and eighth place will each receive $22.5 million, while those ranked ninth to sixteenth will get $18.5 million. Teams placed seventeenth to thirty-second will earn $14.5 million, and those finishing thirty-third to forty-eighth will receive $12.5 million.

The tournament will also feature 104 matches up from 64 in 2022 further highlighting the масштаб and global reach of the event.

PSL 11 team of tournament announced, Babar named captain

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PSL 11 team

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the Team of the Tournament for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League 11, featuring several top-performing local and international stars.

According to the announcement, Babar Azam has been rewarded with the captaincy for his outstanding batting performances and leadership throughout the season.

The squad features strong representation from the champions Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen, with three players each included in the lineup.

Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United have contributed two players each, while Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators have one player each in the selected XI.

Notably, no player from the Rawalpindi team managed to secure a place in the final twelve-member squad.

The selection highlights consistent individual performances and standout contributions across the tournament, with the PCB recognizing top performers from multiple franchises.

The selected squad includes prominent players such as Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, and Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis.

Other inclusions are Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, and Hassan Khan, alongside pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hunain Shah, and Sufiyan Muqeem.

England’s Richard Gleeson has also been named in the side, reflecting strong overseas representation in the lineup.

Meanwhile, Hassan Nawaz has been selected as the 12th player in the squad.

The selection highlights standout performances across franchises, recognizing both batting firepower and bowling excellence throughout the tournament.

YouTube partners with FIFA as preferred platform for World Cup 2026

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YouTube partners

YouTube has officially entered into a strategic partnership with the FIFA to become a Preferred Platform for the FIFA World Cup 2026, aiming to transform how fans around the world engage with the tournament through digital-first content and creator-driven integration.

For the first time, media partners will have the option to livestream the opening 10 minutes of every match on their official YouTube channels, marking a significant shift in sports broadcasting access. Select matches will also be available for full live streaming via designated media partners.

As part of the collaboration, FIFA will launch its Digital Archive on its official YouTube channel, offering fans access to full-length classic matches and iconic historical moments from past tournaments.

The partnership also enables broadcasters and media partners to distribute extended highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, and video-on-demand content. In addition, YouTube’s short-form vertical video format will be used to reach younger and mobile-first audiences more effectively.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström welcomed the development, saying the agreement will help unlock new opportunities for media partners and creators while engaging global fans in innovative ways.

The initiative is designed to align the World Cup experience with evolving media consumption trends, combining official match coverage with creator-led content to connect with the next generation of sports audiences.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Google is also exploring further sports collaborations, including partnerships with national teams such as Argentina and France, with additional announcements expected in the coming weeks.

Babar Azam eyes first PSL title as captain with Peshawar Zalmi

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Babar Azam

Pakistan former Test captain Babar Azam is set for a golden opportunity to win his maiden Pakistan Super League title as a captain, with Peshawar Zalmi reaching the final for the first time under his leadership.

Babar, who joined Zalmi in 2022 after leaving Karachi Kings, previously featured in the inaugural PSL season in 2016 with Islamabad United under captain Misbah-ul-Haq, where he played only two matches and was not part of the squad that lifted the title against Quetta Gladiators.

From 2017 to 2021, Babar represented Karachi Kings, who won their first PSL title in 2020 under captain Imad Wasim by defeating Lahore Qalandars at the National Stadium in Karachi.

In that championship-winning season, Babar was the standout performer, scoring 554 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 132.53.

In the current PSL season, Babar continues his strong form, amassing 588 runs in 10 matches at an impressive strike rate of 146.26, making him one of the key players heading into the final.

Palestinian FA Chief declines handshake with Israeli official at FIFA congress

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Palestinian FA Chief

At the 76th FIFA Congress, a moment of tension emerged when Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Federation, refused to pose for a photo or shake hands with an Israeli representative.

The incident occurred when Gianni Infantino invited Rajoub and Bassem Sheikh Suleiman, vice president of the Israeli Football Association, to join him on stage.

According to reports, Infantino gestured for Rajoub to come forward and even attempted to guide him by the arm, but the Palestinian official stood firm on his position and declined.

Vice President of the Palestinian Football Association, Susan Shalabi, later stated that Rajoub made it clear he could not shake hands with the Israeli official.

In his address, Infantino urged both sides to work together, calling for cooperation within global football.

However, Shalabi criticized the move, saying Rajoub’s intended message—focused on rules and justice—was overlooked.

It is worth noting that the Palestinian Football Association has recently filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking action against Israeli clubs operating in settlements in the West Bank.

FIFA introduces new yellow card rules for 2026 World Cup

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FIFA introduces

ZURICH: FIFA has announced significant changes to yellow card regulations for the FIFA World Cup 2026, aiming to ensure greater player availability during crucial knockout matches.

Under the revised rules, players’ disciplinary records will be reset twice in the tournament to reduce the risk of suspensions.

According to FIFA, all single yellow cards accumulated during the group stage will be cleared at its conclusion, allowing players to enter the knockout rounds without the burden of prior cautions.

A second amnesty will be granted after the quarter-finals, meaning players who reach the semi-finals will no longer face suspension due to earlier yellow cards.

Previously, yellow cards were only wiped after the quarter-finals to prevent players from missing the final due to bookings in the semi-final.

 However, with the expanded 48-team format and additional knockout rounds in the 2026 edition, the governing body has introduced further flexibility.

FIFA also announced an increase in financial incentives, raising the total prize fund for all 48 participating teams by 15 percent to $871 million.