Japan’s Football Association expressed disappointment on Thursday after FIFA announced that only North American and African countries would be eligible to bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. The decision follows a statement by FIFA on Wednesday, which also confirmed that the 2035 event would be hosted by either Europe or Africa. This move has effectively ended Japan’s ambitions of hosting the 2031 tournament. In an interview last year, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, the president of the Japan Football Association, outlined the country’s intention to host the 2031 World Cup, aiming to elevate the profile of women’s football in Japan. Read More: Scottish…
Author: Azam Khan
Pakistan’s crushing six-wicket defeat to India in the do-or-die Champions Trophy 2025 match in Dubai left millions of Pakistani cricket fans heartbroken. Among them, one passionate supporter, Faryal Waqar, gained widespread attention for her emotional reaction outside the Dubai International Stadium. A Dubai-based educationist of Pakistani origin, Faryal, who teaches at a UAE-based American university, was recorded by Geo News expressing her disappointment. She remarked that Pakistan’s campaign had been dismal, leaving fans with nothing positive to take from the tournament. Her frustration grew as she suggested that the team’s performance had sunk so low that even a loss to…
FIFA has announced the creation of the Women’s Champions Cup, set to launch in 2026 with six top clubs from across the globe. This decision was confirmed during a FIFA Council meeting on Wednesday, alongside the news of a two-year delay for the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup, which was originally scheduled for 2026. FIFA cited the need to accommodate new fixtures in the calendar as the reason for the postponement. The Women’s Club World Cup will now take place in 2028, with plans for it to be held every four years thereafter. The Women’s Champions Cup will begin in…
Palestinian sports officials have urged the international community to take decisive action against Israel, accusing it of enforcing “apartheid policies” that restrict Palestinian athletes. Speaking at a press briefing held in Geneva by the Association of Correspondents Accredited to the UN (ACANU), Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association, appealed for sanctions and global isolation of Israel in sports. He invoked the Olympic Charter’s commitment to fairness, ethics, and social responsibility, arguing that similar measures were imposed against apartheid-era South Africa. Rajoub criticized the perceived double standards in global sports governance, pointing out that while Russian athletes face bans…
Former Pakistan red-ball coach Jason Gillespie has criticized interim head coach Aaqib Javed, alleging that he deliberately undermined both him and his predecessor, Gary Kirsten. The former Australian pacer, who left his position just months after taking charge, blamed Javed for his and Kirsten’s abrupt exits from the coaching setup. Javed’s remarks about Pakistan’s underwhelming performance in the Champions Trophy 2025 reignited controversy. During a press conference in Lahore on Tuesday, he attributed the team’s struggles to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) frequent changes, stating that 16 coaches and 26 selectors had been appointed in the past two and a…
Bangladesh’s seasoned cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim has announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals, marking the end of a 19-year-long career. The decision follows Bangladesh’s winless exit from the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, a period he described as particularly challenging. The wicketkeeper-batter shared the news through social media, stating that while Bangladesh had limited success on the global stage, he always gave his best whenever he represented the country. Mushfiqur, who made his international debut in 2005 and played his first ODI in 2006, became a pivotal figure in Bangladesh cricket. His breakout performance came in the 2007 ICC Men’s Cricket…
As the holy month of Ramazan commences, streets in Rawalpindi have become vibrant cricket grounds, with enthusiastic youth playing from late evening until dawn. However, these impromptu matches have led to traffic congestion and public disturbances. Cricket matches are being played in residential areas, alleys, and marketplaces, often disrupting traffic and causing noise pollution. Despite the commotion, law enforcement officials, including mobile police units and the Dolphin Force, reportedly pass by without intervention. Efforts by authorities and residents to halt the matches are frequently met with resistance. Several neighbourhoods, including Dhoke Khabba, Dhoke Ratta, Arya Mohalla, and Satellite Town, have…
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed has confirmed that discussions are underway for a potential white-ball series against Pakistan, separate from the Future Tour Programme (FTP). Ahmed was invited by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi to witness the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. Other cricket board representatives also attended the match between New Zealand and South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. During his visit, BCB president explored the possibility of a bilateral series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is. He expressed gratitude to Naqvi for the invitation and acknowledged the ongoing talks between…
New Zealand secured their place in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final after a commanding victory over South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The Black Caps outperformed the Proteas in all aspects, setting a record-breaking total before dismantling the opposition’s batting lineup. Batting first, New Zealand posted a formidable score of 362 runs, powered by outstanding performances from Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra. The former captain played a superb knock, scoring 102 off 101 balls with 13 boundaries and a six. Ravindra matched the brilliance with 108 off 94 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries and two sixes. In response, South Africa…
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-secretary Rajeev Shukla addressed the prospects of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan during his visit to Lahore on Wednesday. Shukla, along with other cricket board officials, was invited by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi to witness the second semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium. When questioned about the possibility of resuming bilateral cricket ties, Shukla reiterated that the decision lies solely with the Indian government. He dismissed the idea of hosting the series at a neutral venue, emphasizing that both BCCI and PCB prefer to…
