Author: The Team PK

Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has voiced strong confidence in the country’s emerging cricketers, urging fans and critics alike to back the next generation as the team transitions away from the long-dominant T20 opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Also Read: Pakistan MMA Chief Pushes to Make Mixed Martial Arts a Premier Sport The shift comes under the new leadership of head coach Mike Hesson and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, who have steered Pakistan toward a more aggressive brand of cricket. Both Babar and Rizwan have been sidelined for now, with Hesson publicly stating that the…

On the sidelines of the Pakistan Open MMA Championship, Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation president Omar Ahmed laid out an ambitious plan to turn Mixed Martial Arts into one of the country’s top sports, while warning of the systemic challenges that threaten its growth. Also Read: Pakistan Fall Short at Asian Shooting Championships A former kickboxer and director of the World Talent Agency for South Asia, Omar highlighted the difficulty of attracting advertisers in a cricket-dominated market, where the Pakistan Super League remains the only established sports property. He pointed to global models like the UFC, NBA and NFL, arguing…

Pakistan’s shooters endured a disappointing outing at the Asian Shooting Championships in Kazakhstan, where medal hopes faded despite strong efforts from the country’s top marksmen and women. Also Read: Violence Erupts at Copa Sudamericana Match in Buenos Aires Sulaiman Khan, competing in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle, finished 37th out of 48 with an aggregate of 618.0. The event was dominated by Kazakhstan’s Islam Satpayev, who clinched gold with 250.1, while China’s Dingke Lu and South Korea’s Hajun Park secured silver and bronze respectively. Earlier, two-time Olympian Gulfam Joseph placed 18th in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol with 577—22x, while…

A Copa Sudamericana match between Argentina’s Independiente and Universidad de Chile descended into shocking violence on Wednesday, leaving ten people injured and 90 arrested after clashes between rival fans at the Libertadores de America stadium in Buenos Aires. Also Read: Olympic Champion Imane Khelif Dismisses Retirement Rumors The round-of-16 second-leg encounter was abandoned in the 48th minute with the score at 1-1 after chaos broke out. Violence erupted at halftime when visiting Universidad de Chile supporters began throwing stones, bottles, sticks, and even stadium seats at Independiente fans. Home supporters retaliated, storming the away section, where some visiting fans were…

Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has firmly denied speculation that she has retired from the sport, insisting she is still training and preparing for future competitions. Also Read: Errani and Vavassori Defend US Open Mixed Doubles Crown The 26-year-old Algerian, who won gold at the Paris Games last year, was forced to respond after her former manager, Nasser Yesfah, told French newspaper Nice-Matin that she had “left the world of boxing.” Hours later, Yesfah clarified his remarks, saying he was only referring to her departure from her former club in Nice. Khelif criticised her ex-manager’s comments, calling them “false and…

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori successfully defended their US Open mixed doubles title on Wednesday, defeating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 in a high-energy final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Italian duo, who also won the French Open earlier this year, showcased their chemistry and tactical sharpness to outlast their star-studded opponents and pocket the $1 million top prize. Also Read: Swiatek and Ruud Power into US Open Mixed Doubles Semi-Finals The clash brought together the experience of a seasoned doubles team against the raw firepower of two singles giants. Swiatek, fresh off her Cincinnati Open triumph,…

Iga Swiatek showed no signs of fatigue as she joined forces with Casper Ruud to notch back-to-back wins in the revamped US Open mixed doubles competition on Tuesday. ALSO READ: Messi Leads Argentina’s Revamped Squad for World Cup Qualifiers The Polish world number one had only just completed a draining two-hour final in Cincinnati against Jasmine Paolini on Monday before flying overnight to New York. With barely 12 hours between her arrival at the hotel and her first match, Swiatek looked sharp as she and Ruud cruised into the semi-finals. The pair first dismissed home favorites Madison Keys and Frances…

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…