Author: The Team PK

Argentina has announced a fresh 31-man squad for the upcoming South American qualifiers, with Lionel Messi once again at the helm. Coach Lionel Scaloni has blended experience with a wave of young talent, signaling a transition while keeping the defending world champions competitive. ALSO READ: Ashab Irfan Clinches Johns Creek Open with Gritty Comeback Among the standout names are Manchester City striker Claudio Echeverri, Porto midfielder Alan Varela, and Real Madrid’s newest signing Franco Mastantuono. Palmeiras striker Jose Manuel Lopez also earned his first-ever call-up, reflecting Scaloni’s intent to widen the pool of attacking options. The “Albiceleste” will host Venezuela…

Pakistan’s Mohammad Ashab Irfan lifted the Johns Creek Open title in Georgia on Monday, defeating Malaysia’s Nathan Kueh 3-1 in the final. The 21-year-old, seeded second, fought back after dropping the first game to seal victory 8-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-6 in 40 minutes, marking his third title triumph of the year. Also Read: Alcaraz Clinches Cincinnati Open as Sinner Retires; Swiatek Lifts Maiden Title The Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour event carried a prize purse of $12,000 and featured 20 players from across the globe. Irfan was among seven Pakistanis in the draw, with compatriots Mohammad Asim Khan, Mohammad…

Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Open after top seed Jannik Sinner retired unwell in Monday’s final, raising doubts over the Italian’s fitness days before his US Open title defence. The Spanish second seed ended Sinner’s 26-match hardcourt winning streak as the world number one conceded while trailing 5-0 after just 23 minutes in sweltering conditions. Also Read: Solano takes charge as Pakistan head coach, vows to build competitive football culture “This is not the way I want to win trophies. I just have to say sorry,” Alcaraz said during the ceremony after securing his third Masters 1000 crown of the…

KARACHI: Newcastle United cult hero Nolberto Solano officially arrived in Pakistan on Saturday, receiving a warm welcome at the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) headquarters in Lahore as he assumed charge as head coach of the national senior and under-23 teams. Also Read: Pakistan omit Babar Azam, Rizwan from Asia Cup T20 squad The former Peruvian wing wizard, who thrilled fans during his Premier League career, carries a rich coaching pedigree. His standout achievement came in 2018 when, as assistant coach, he helped guide Peru to their first FIFA World Cup finals in 36 years. “We need to work really hard…

Pakistan have left out star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20 squad announced on Sunday for the Asia Cup and a preparatory tri-series against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates later this month. ALSO READ: Steve Smith eyes Ashes glory and Olympic dream The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the move in a press release, noting that while both players have been prolific in the format, they have not featured since December. Head coach Mike Hesson explained the decision by pointing to other players’ strong performances. “We know what a fine player Babar is,” Hesson told reporters. “Babar…

Australian batting legend Steve Smith is gearing up for another Ashes showdown, confident that England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach will face a stern test on Australian soil later this year. READ MORE: Thrills and Records at Chengdu World Games Smith, who trails only Sir Don Bradman and Allan Border in Test runs against England, said he is excited about the contest but doubts whether England’s fearless style will translate smoothly to Australian conditions. “Coming down to Australia, particularly for their batters, it’s going to be a big challenge,” Smith said in an interview with Sky Sports. “The pitches here have been…

The World Games in Chengdu brought fresh excitement as athletes pushed boundaries and new formats added unpredictability to the competition. In speed climbing, China’s Long Jianguo electrified home fans by setting a new national record of 4.74 seconds to capture the men’s four-lane title. It was the first time the four-lane format featured at a multi-sport event, replacing the traditional head-to-head races with four climbers competing simultaneously. Also Read: Pakistan’s Tayiba Ashraf Wins Triple Gold at International Taekwondo Championship in Malaysia Long, a former World Cup winner, said the format brought both fun and pressure. “There’s a lot of unpredictability.…

Pakistan’s flag flew high in Kuala Lumpur as national taekwondo athlete Tayiba Ashraf scripted history by winning three gold medals at the International Taekwondo Championship in Malaysia on Tuesday. READ MORE: Pakistan’s Asif Misses Medal Despite Stunning 141 Clearance at World Games Competing against a field of 6,500 athletes from 35 nations, Tayiba showcased her remarkable versatility by excelling across three disciplines — the virtual fight, pair poomsae, and the fiercely contested 49kg fight category. Her golden hat-trick not only underlined her personal skill and resilience but also marked a proud moment for Pakistan on the global stage. A Historic…

Pakistan’s snooker hopes came to a heartbreaking end at the World Games in Chengdu, as Mohammad Asif narrowly missed out on a medal despite producing one of the tournament’s most breathtaking moments — a flawless 141 clearance. READ MORE: Duplantis Sets 13th Pole Vault World Record at 6.29m in Budapest The seasoned cueist, aiming to deliver a podium finish as a gift for Pakistan’s Independence Day, first fell short in the semi-finals against China’s Xiao Guodong. The home favorite, a former Wuhan Open champion, showed no mercy, outclassing Asif with a 2-0 victory. Guodong swept the first frame 80-0 with…

Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis once again redefined the limits of pole vaulting on Tuesday, breaking his own world record with a clearance of 6.29 metres at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest. It was the 13th time the 25-year-old has set a new world mark, continuing a remarkable streak of dominance in the sport. READ MORE: Seales’ Six-for Powers West Indies to Historic ODI Series Win The two-time Olympic and world champion maintained his habit of raising the bar by just one centimetre, surpassing the 6.28m he achieved in Stockholm in June. His record-setting leap came on the second attempt at…