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FOOTBALL - Int News 11 Sep, 2026
RIYADH (Saudi Arabia): Following a competitive year for the Saudi Pro League (SPL) in the 2025/26 season, the league’s standout international stars have been recognised by France Football with the inclusion of the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) golden boot winner Julian Quinones and league champion Sadio Mane in the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.Mexico forward Quinones was the breakout star for the host nation at this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring the opening goal of the tournament in Mexico City, before following it up with a string of impressive performances - and three more goals - as his side reached the Round of 16.Quinones had carried his RSL form onto football’s global showpiece, underlining his remarkable ability to find the back of the net with Al Qadsiah, where he landed the league’s golden boot with 33 goals. With a hat-trick in the final day of the 2025-26 season, Quinones edged out fellow international stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney to secure the award.Referencing the Ballon d’Or nomination after he scored in Al Qadsiah’s 3-2 victory against Al Ahli on Tuesday night, Quinones said: “I’m very proud to have achieved this. I’ve worked hard for this moment and now it has happened.“God’s timing is always perfect. I just try to keep working hard, improving and being the best I can be.”Fellow RSL standout Mane played a pivotal role in Al Nassr’s 2025/26 RSL title triumph, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists as the Riyadh-based club secured its first league title since 2019. Mane also captained Senegal in two major tournaments, helping his nation reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and also the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Asked about his Ballon d’Or nod, Mane said following Al Nassr’s 2-1 home victory against Abha on Wednesday night: “The feeling is incredible. I would say thank you to the fans and, of course, to the journalists.“I know many players could have been on the list for sure, especially from the Saudi Pro League. But yeah, this is the vote. So I would say thank you again.”Also, two of the RSL premier shot-stoppers, Yassine Bounou of Al Hilal and Morocco, and Edouard Mendy of Al Ahli and Senegal, were nominated for the illustrious Lev Yashin trophy. Awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper in honour of Yashin’s 1963 Ballon D’Or victory - the only No. 1 in history to achieve the feat - the 2026 nominations were further evidence of the RSL’s emergence on the global football scene.Bounou enjoyed a stellar campaign with Al Hilal and his country, winning the domestic King’s Cup and reaching the final of the African Cup of Nations at international level. This is his fourth nomination for the prestigious trophy, with the 2023-24 RSL Golden Glove winner earning back-to-back recognition in 2025 and 2026 respectively.For Mendy, the Senegal goalkeeper earns his third nod for the award, following his remarkable year in which the Al Ahli captain captured the AFC Champions League Elite for the second straight season alongside his prize for the 2025-26 SPL’s Best Goalkeeper. PR
SMM Renews Broadcasting Agreement with Myco
Islamabad (Sports News): Squash Media & Marketing (SMM) has renewed its agreement with Myco which will see over 20 tournaments on the PSA Squash Tour shown live on the channel throughout the 2026-27 season.The agreement kicked off with the London Squash Classic between September 2-6 and will run to the end of the season at the PSA Squash Tour Finals presented by TWG Global.The action will be broadcast by Myco in Bangladesh, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates."We're delighted to build on our partnership with Myco and bring the PSA Squash Tour to even more fans across Bangladesh, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates," said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough. "This renewed agreement reflects the continued growth of squash in these markets and gives fans access to the world’s best squash players and tournaments.“We look forward to working together closely over what promises to be another exciting season together.”Myco Co-Founder Somair Rizvi said: "Squash has deep roots across our markets, and with its Olympic debut coming in 2028, the world is about to rediscover a sport this region never stopped loving."Renewing with PSA across Pakistan, Bangladesh and the UAE is a promise to the players and the fans here that we will keep showing up for this game, season after season."
TENPIN BOWLING - Int News 11 Sep, 2026
Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Pakistan will participate in the forthcoming IBF Tenpin Bowling World Cup 2026, which will be rolled into action from October 12 at Munich, Germany. According to president, Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation (PTBF) Ijaz ur Rehman, as many as 47 countries from all over the world will take part in the men and women events including Australia, Austria,Bermuda, Canada, China,Croatia,Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France,Germany, Gibraltar,Greece, Guam, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel,Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo,Kuwait, Latvia,Macau, Malaysia, Malta,Netherlands, Norway,Pakistan, Peru,Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia,Singapore, Slovakia,Spain, Sweden,Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan andWales.
ILT20 Season 5 launched featuring legends Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar
Dubai (Sports Reporter): DP World International League Season 5 was officially launched at a dazzling event held in Dubai last evening. Cricketing icons Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar were among the star attractions at the event.During the event, Chairman ILT20 Khalid Al Zarooni and ILT20 League Commissioner/ICC Director Associates/General Secretary ECB Mubashshir Usmani spoke in depth about the DP World ILT20’s massive rise in recent years, especially the tournament’s contribution to the growth and expansion of cricket in the Gulf region.*Addressing the gathering, DP World ILT20 Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni said:*“What began as a dream has grown into one of the world’s leading cricket leagues, bringing together top players and major franchises, while helping grow cricket in the UAE, the region and beyond.“I would like to thank our stakeholders, franchise owners, commercial and strategic partners for their continued support, with a special acknowledgement to DP World and Zee Network, as well as our strategic cricket partners Kuwait Cricket, the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation, the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Cricket Ireland. We are also delighted to welcome SPORTFIVE as a new commercial partner and look forward to another successful season.”During the event, a special panel discussion hosted by former New Zealand international Simon Doull brought together senior representatives from cricket, sport, business and government to discuss the evolving landscape and future of the game both in the region and globally.*The panel featured* Mubashshir Usmani, ILT20 League Commissioner, ICC Board Director and ECB General Secretary; Dr. Mohamed Abu Hamra, COO – Digital Technology, DP World GCC; Mr. Eisa Sharif, Director Sports Events, Dubai Sports Council; Mr. Mukund Galgali, Deputy CEO & CFO, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises; Mr. Venu Nair, President – Middle East & South Asia, SportFive; and Mr. Tushar Malhotra, Global Director Sales & Marketing, Bisleri.Doull also hosted a panel discussion with Lee and Shoaib during the glittering launch event. The fast bowling legends spoke about the growing impact of the DP World ILT20 on UAE and regional cricket. The duo also reminisced about their playing days and shared memories in an era where they dominated the game through their blistering pace bowling.The evening also featured a spell-binding performance by celebrity mentalist Karan Singh Magic. The league also revealed the new brand identity for Season 5.Season 5 of the DP World ILT20 will be played in November-December this year at the UAE’s three iconic cricket venues – Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Desert Vipers will begin the tournament as defending champions. Past winners include: Gulf Giants - Season 1, MI Emirates - Season 2 and Dubai Capitals - Season 3.
ICC PLAYER OF THE MONTH NOMINEES FOR AUGUST REVEALED
Dubai (Sports Reporter): Sri Lanka batter Sonal Dinusha, England pace bowler Ollie Robinson and Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud feature on the men’s shortlist for the ICC Player of the Month award for August, while Thailand’s Suleeport Laomi and Nannapat Koncharoenkai are in contention for the women’s honour alongside Lucy Barnett, who becomes the first player from the Isle of Man to make the shortlist.The three players in the race for the men’s award this time have impactful performances in Test cricket. Dinusha was the find of the home series against India, Robinson continued his outstanding efforts in home conditions against Pakistan and Hasan helped his team to a historic win on Australian soil.The women’s shortlist shines the spotlight on Associate players who have delivered standout performances on the international stage. Laomi and Koncharoenkai boast performances in ODIs and T20Is including the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai while Barnett excelled in the Continental Cup in Romania.Men’s ShortlistSonal Dinusha (Sri Lanka)Dinusha was resolute in the ICC World Test Championship series against India, belying his experience of only three previous Tests. The 25-year-old left-hander amassed 420 runs including scores of 100 and 84 in the first Test in Galle that his team lost and produced scores of 103 and 133 not out to save the next Test in Colombo, becoming only the third batter in the history of the game to score twin-centuries for a team that was made to follow on.Ollie Robinson (England)Robinson was the Player of the Match in the first two Tests against Pakistan with match hauls of eight for 80 and eight for 35, helping England to take a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series. His outstanding seam bowling in English conditions saw him finish with 16 wickets at an average of 7.18, lifting him 22 slots to fifth position in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings.Hasan Mahmud (Bangladesh)Hasan was the Player of the Match in Bangladesh’s historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin that put them 1-0 up in the WTC series which was eventually drawn 1-1. He grabbed six for 55 and three for 56 in Darwin and gained 26 slots to reach 38th position in the rankings. He finished with nine wickets at an average of 19.77.Women’s shortlistSuleeporn Laomi (Thailand)The 28-year-old leg-spinner enjoyed success in both ODIs and T20Is during this period. She grabbed four ODI wickets including a haul of three for 27 in the final match of a series against Papua New Guinea that her side won 3-0 and started the Women’s Asia Cup T20 tournament with an impressive haul of three for 26 against India.Nannapat Koncharoenkai (Thailand)Koncharoenkai was the leading scorer in the T20I series against Papua New Guinea that was played in Port Moresby. She also contributed in the subsequent ODI series. She aggregated 121 runs at a strike-rate of 80.13 in ODIs and 144 at a strike-rate of 86.22 in four T20Is.Lucy Barnett (Isle of Man)Barnett, opener and captain of her side, amassed 257 runs at an average of 128.5 and an impressive strike-rate of 178.47 in four T20Is that included a knock of 123 not out off 64 balls against Norway. She was the leading run-scorer in the Continental Cup as her team reached the final. She supplemented her batting efforts with four wickets with her off-spin bowling.
Junior Asia Cup:Pakistan Down Bangladesh 3-0 to Qualify for Semis, and World Cup
Sports Bulletin ReportMUSCAT / ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Junior Hockey Team showcased a stellar performance to defeat Bangladesh 3-0 in their Pool B match of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2026, sealing a spot in the semifinals and securing qualification for the upcoming FIH Junior World Cup. Pakistan's Ghulam Mustafa was declared the Man of the Match for his standout play.The Green Shirts adopted an aggressive posture right from the opening whistle. Forward Rana Waleed put Pakistan in absolute control early on, displaying clinical precision to score two back-to-back field goals in the 9th and 12th minutes of the first quarter.Bangladesh mounted several counter-attacks in an attempt to stage a comeback, but Pakistan’s defense stood firm throughout the contest. In the 52nd minute of the final quarter, Ghulam Mustafa capped off a brilliant field move to slot home Pakistan’s third goal and seal a comprehensive victory.Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani congratulated the national junior squad on their undefeated run, praise-worthy teamwork, and dual achievement of entering the semifinals and earning a berth in the FIH Junior World Cup. He extended his best wishes to the team for their upcoming semifinal clash.
Pakistan Tennis Federation selects four players for Billie Jean King Cup
Islamabad (faisal): Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) on Wednesday announced a four-member female team for upcoming Billie Jean King Cup 2026.According to an official of PTF, federation (PTF) has completed the selection process of the National Team for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in October 2026. One reserve player also selected for international tennis showpiece.The trials were conducted at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad, on 7 and 8 September 2026.Names ofvsekected players1. Mahin Aftab Qureshi2. Ushna Suhail3. Romaisa Malik4. Hajra Sohail5. Bismal Zia-Reserve#pakistantennis #tennis #billiejeankingcup #teampakistan
GULL FEROZA FINED FOR BREACHING ICC CODE OF CONDUCT
Islamabad (Spirts News): Pakistan player Gull Feroza has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Women’s Asia Cup Group A match against Hong Kong in Dubai on Monday.Gull was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.”In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Gull, for whom it was the second offence in a 24-month period, taking her tally of demerit points in a 24-month period to two.Gull received her earlier demerit point for an offence during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup league match against Australia on 23 June this year.Monday’s incident occurred in the fifth over of Pakistan’s innings, when Gull expressed her disappointment after being adjudged leg-before wicket, indicating to the umpire that she had edged the ball by showing her bat.Gull admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.On-field umpires Rabab Ahsan and Rokeya Sultana, third umpire Shivani Mishra and fourth umpire Shathira Jakir levelled the charge.Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
ILT20: Mike Fordham appointed Interim Chief Operating Officer
Dubai (Sports Reprter): The International League T20 Management has appointed Mike Fordham as Interim Chief Operating Officer. Fordham has been the league’s Head of Operations since the inception of the tournament 2022.Fordham has taken over the role with immediate effect and will spearhead the execution of DP World ILT20 Season 5, which will be played in November-December this year. In a career spanning two decades, Fordham has accumulated rich experience – specialising in sporting, governance and commercial set-up of new leagues, competitions and franchises.*Interim Chief Operating Officer DP World ILT20 Mike Fordham:* “It is a real honour to have been given the task to spearhead the DP World ILT20 Season 5 execution. The DP World ILT20 has grown into one of the top T20 tournaments. The league is known for top-class cricketing action at three world-class venues.“This year’s edition will be bigger and better. We are all excited about the upcoming DP World ILT20 Development Tournament – an incredible platform for young UAE players to make a claim for the main event later in the year. Some of the biggest T20 stars have signed up for the DP World ILT20 Player Auction which further exemplifies the league’s stature and reputation as a competition that attracts the very best in the business.”
BASKETBALL - Local News 09 Sep, 2026
ISLAMABAD, September 9, 2026: In a major initiative to promote basketball at the grassroots and school levels, a specialized training course for female sports teachers of schools under the Federal Directorate of Education was organized at the Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad in collaboration with the Federal Basketball Association (FBBA).The initiative aims to strengthen the professional capacity of school sports teachers, promote basketball among students and identify, groom and nurture young talent from an early age. More than 62 female sports teachers participated in the training programme and received comprehensive instruction on basketball fundamentals, rules of the game, modern coaching techniques, training drills and practical methods for introducing and developing basketball in their respective schools. Practical demonstrations were also conducted to enhance the participants’ coaching and training skills.The training was conducted by Umer Mahmood, former international basketball player and member of the Coaches Board of the Pakistan Basketball Federation. The programme was held under the supervision of Mumtaz ul Haq, Deputy Director General, Pakistan Sports Board, in line with the vision and directions of Mohyuddin Wani, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), and under the leadership of Yawar Hussain, Director General, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).Federal Basketball Association President Ejaz Butt and Secretary General Ouj E Zahoor extended full cooperation and support for the successful organization of the training programme in accordance with the directions of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and Pakistan Sports Board.The initiative is expected to provide a stronger foundation for school-level basketball by equipping female sports teachers with modern coaching skills and enabling them to create greater opportunities for students to participate in the sport. It will also contribute to the early identification and development of promising young basketball players.The Federal Basketball Association has been actively contributing to the promotion and development of basketball in the Federal Capital Region through training camps, coaching and development programmes, as well as local and national-level competitions. (Sports Reporter)
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