Cricket and politics are intertwined in Bangladesh, and the game was affected by turmoil after the 2024 uprising that ousted long-term ruler Sheikh Hasina.

A new government elected in February dissolved the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over alleged “gross irregularities” and appointed an interim board led by 37-year-old Tamim, who retired from international cricket in 2023.

Tamim was elected after topping a board election with 73 votes from 75 councillors, and led a 16-candidate field competing for 12 director positions.

Fahim Sinha, who received 66 votes, was named vice-president at the board’s first meeting.

“We all have to keep one thing in mind, which is that the reputation damage that Bangladesh cricket has suffered worldwide, I alone cannot fix this,” Tamim told reporters after the first meeting.

“I will need everyone’s support here,” he added.

Under the previous board, Bangladesh refused to play in India at this year’s T20 World Cup, citing security concerns after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dumped by Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders.

The International Cricket Council refused a Bangladesh request to play their matches in Sri Lanka and kicked them out of the tournament.

Tamim scored more than 15,000 runs for Bangladesh in a career spanning 15 years and remains the only Bangladeshi to make centuries in all three formats of international cricket.

Afghanistan were 113-5 at stumps on day two after Suthar had Afsar Zazai caught and bowled for three.

Rahmat Shah was unbeaten on 43, with Afghanistan still trailing India by 451 runs at New Chandigarh.

Afghanistan pace bowler Mohammad Saleem earlier took six wickets before India ended their first innings in the second session with Washington Sundar unbeaten on 52.

A fourth-wicket stand of 169 between captain Shubman Gill, who made 126, and Rishabh Pant (81) was the highlight of the Indian innings after the hosts resumed on 368-3.

Afghanistan started on a shaky note when left-arm spinner Suthar dismissed opener Abdul Malik for 16 with his fourth ball in Test cricket on the stroke of tea.

Pace bowler Prasidh Krishna dismissed Sediqullah Atal for 17 before 23-year-old Suthar had Rahmanullah Gurbaz caught at second slip for 12.

Shah then attempted to steady the innings with Hashmatullah Shahidi, who was trapped leg before by Krishna for 20.

Saleem, 23, struck twice in the morning session and then dismissed Suthar for 28 after lunch to claim his first five-wicket haul in Tests.

He consistently bowled at speeds above 140 km/h (86.9 mph) to impress in just his second Test.

Left-hander Sundar and Mohammed Siraj went on the attack to boost India’s total.

Siraj hammered debutant left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote for a four and two sixes in one over before he was bowled by Saleem.

Saleem earlier broke the stand between Gill and Pant when he had the Indian captain caught behind with a delivery that held its line.

Wicketkeeper Pant added 31 runs to his overnight score and was eyeing a century when he was caught at long-off while attempting a big hit off Shahidi.

Afghanistan made even harder work of it by repeatedly failing to review borderline decisions.

Gill had added just five runs to his overnight score of 103 when he was struck on the pads by pace bowler Azmatullah Omarzai.

Afghanistan did not ask for a review after Gill was given not out, but ball-tracking technology showed the delivery would have hit the leg stump.

Pant, on 54, also survived the next ball despite ball-tracking showing that Omarzai had caught a faint edge, with Afghanistan again deciding against a review.

New Zealand, set 254 to win, were bowled out for 138 before lunch on the fourth day, with paceman Gus Atkinson taking 5-30 – the fourth time in three Tests at Lord’s he has had five wickets in an innings.

Victory in the 150th Test staged at Lord’s – the most at any ground – gave England a 1-0 lead in a three-match series.

Bowlers on both sides were on top throughout under overcast conditions and on a pitch of uncertain bounce, with Ollie Robinson marking his return to England duty for the first time in over two years with a Test-best 5-39 in New Zealand’s meagre first-innings 113 all out.

Emilio Gay scored 57 on England debut during a second-innings total of 226 as the hosts enjoyed a comprehensive win in their first Test since a 4-1 Ashes loss in Australia completed in January.

This series continues across London at the Oval, where the second Test starts on June 17.

Brief scores

England 1st Innings 140 (H Brook 56; K Jamieson 5-62, N Smith 3-38)

New Zealand 1st innings 113 (O Robinson 5-39, J Tongue 3-40)

England 2nd Innings 226 (E Gay 57; N Smith 6-70)

New Zealand 2nd Innings 138 (G Atkinson 5-30)

Result: England won by 115 runs

Series: England lead three-match series 1-0

Kai Havertz headed in Joshua Kimmich’s free kick to give four-times world champions ​Germany a second-minute lead, but World Cup co-hosts United ​States snatched a stunning equaliser through Antonee Robinson.

Leroy ⁠Sane then scored in the 57th minute to seal ​Germany’s victory at Soldier Field in Chicago.

“Overall, I think it ​was a good performance. I am happy with the performance of everyone. We play one of the most important teams in the ​world,” Pochettino told reporters.

Argentina’s Balerdi out of World Cup with calf injury

“I think we need to be ​happy with that. We compete, (we were) unlucky, I think it was as ‌an ⁠even game… It was an amazing challenge for us to see how we react, how we show character, how we show togetherness, how we start to play under pressure.”

The ​US open ​their Group D ⁠campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.

“We were demanding ​a lot to the player(s) in the ​last two ⁠weeks. I’ve seen (us) overload the player(s) and the team,” the Argentine manager said.

“Now (we have) to assess the load and be ⁠intelligent ​in the way that we are ​going to arrive to the Paraguay (game), in the best condition, fresh with ​energy.”

The 19-year-old Russian, long regarded as one of the sport’s brightest prospects, delivered on her promise on the biggest stage of all, ‌claiming a maiden Grand Slam title and joining the select group of active major champions led by players such as Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff.

In doing so, Andreeva became the youngest women’s singles champion at Roland Garros since Monica Seles won her third consecutive title in Paris in 1992, a milestone that underlined the Russian’s precocious talent and the scale of her achievement.

“I’ll be honest, I’ve done a lot of visualisations before. Not just this ​tournament, but I’ve had dreams, I’ve had a lot of thoughts on how it’s going to happen, if it’s going to happen, when it’s going to happen, where,” Andreeva told ​reporters.

“I would say the feeling in real life is so much better, obviously, than in your dreams… looking at this trophy and realising that ⁠this is actually true, and I can call myself a Grand Slam champion.”

While Chwalinska’s remarkable run from qualifying captured the imagination and triggered praise from the greats of the game over the ​past fortnight, the final belonged to a player who increasingly looks equipped to shape the sport’s future.

As the 24-year-old Pole struggled to reproduce the tactical brilliance that had carried her through nine successive victories, ​Andreeva grew stronger with every game, imposing her power, absorbing the pressure and leaving little doubt that a new force has arrived at the top of the women’s game.

“These feelings are extra special. Now I’m already thinking of how I’m going to prepare for the grass season,” she said.

“This thing is a bit addictive, and I really want to do my best to experience all of this for the second time.”

Rankings jump

Chwalinska, however, is now ​allowed to dream of joining the club. Despite her below-par performance in the final, she will now jump to 21st in the world rankings.

There was no sign of a changing of the guard ​in the men’s doubles as Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos retained the title with a dominant 6-4 6-2 win over Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten, claiming their third Grand Slam title as a pair.

Spaniard Granollers and Argentine ‌Zeballos, who initially ⁠paired up in 2019, won the French Open and U.S. Open last year and justified their top seeding, having not dropped a set in their 2026 Roland Garros campaign.

The women’s title featured two Grand Slam final debutants, and the most experienced, albeit the youngest, prevailed on a windswept Court Philippe Chatrier.

Eighth-seeded Andreeva’s heavy groundstrokes began to penetrate through the wind while Chwalinska’s trademark touch and variety increasingly deserted her, allowing the Russian to take command of the contest.

The opening set was a tense affair, with both players struggling to cope with the pressure of a maiden Grand Slam final.

Marathon game

Chwalinska, ​only the second woman in the professional era ​to come through qualifying and reach a ⁠Grand Slam final after Britain’s Emma Raducanu won the 2021 U.S. Open, survived a marathon opening service game in which she saved three break points with a mixture of delicate drop shots and bold winners.

Neither player, however, could establish control.

Breaks were traded repeatedly, Andreeva surrendering one service game with two ​double faults while Chwalinska’s forehand often let her down.

At 3-3, Andreeva began finding greater depth and weight off her wings, pushing Chwalinska behind ​the baseline and growing in ⁠confidence, even smiling after netting an easy overhead smash.

She broke for 4-3 when Chwalinska netted a sliced backhand, consolidated for 5-3 and then capitalised on another nervous service game to claim the opening set.

The Russian carried that momentum into the second, breaking immediately and again for a 4-0 lead as Chwalinska struggled to contain her opponent’s relentless pressure.

The Pole briefly threatened a comeback, recovering one break and reducing the deficit ⁠to 5-2, ​but Andreeva remained unmoved, sealing the biggest victory of her young career with a crisp crosscourt backhand winner on her ​opponent’s serve.

The triumph earned Andreeva $3.22 million in prize money, while Chwalinska collected $1.61 million, roughly double her career earnings before arriving in Paris.

“It’ll be different, for sure, but I think and I hope I’ll adapt. I’ll definitely work hard,” Chwalinska said.

“I need ​to continue to stay in the present and give my all to be a better player every day.”

The game was halted in the ​21st minute as thunderstorms and lightning forced players ⁠off the pitch and spectators to seek ​shelter, in accordance with U.S. safety protocols that suspend ​play when storms are detected within an 8-mile radius.

Repeated lightning strikes led to multiple resets of the mandatory 30-minute ​delay before play eventually resumed.

Saudi Arabia took ​the lead just before halftime when Sultan Mandash capitalised on a ‌defensive ⁠lapse inside the penalty area, before Abdullah Al Hamdan doubled the advantage in the 50th minute with a composed finish over the advancing goalkeeper ​after winning possession ​high up ⁠the pitch.

Argentina’s Balerdi out of World Cup with calf injury

Captain Salem Al Dawsari wrapped up the scoring in the 88th ​minute with a fine solo run, giving ​Saudi ⁠Arabia a confidence-boosting win after their 2-1 loss to Ecuador. They will face Senegal on June 9 ⁠in ​their final warm-up before opening ​their World Cup campaign in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay and ​Cape Verde.

Balerdi was named in Argentina’s 26-man ​squad last week after consistent ​performances with Olympique de Marseille, with ⁠whom he made 36 appearances across ​all competitions.

“Defender Leonardo Balerdi suffered a ​muscle injury in the soleus of his right leg and will not be able ​to be part of the squad ​that will play the World Cup,” Argentina said ‌in ⁠a statement.

“Hang in there, stay strong, and get well soon.”

Messi leads Argentina squad for sixth World Cup

Argentina have not announced a replacement yet ​for the ​27-year-old centre ⁠back who has 11 caps. They play Honduras in ​a friendly match later on ​Saturday.

⁠The defending champions will open their Group J campaign against Algeria on ⁠June ​16 before facing ​Austria and Jordan.

The final of the National T20 Cup was rescheduled after the group stage and semi-finals took place from 7th March to 17th March in Peshawar.

Karachi Whites and Abbottabad both topped their groups winning two and three matches, respectively. In the semi-final one Karachi Whites had beaten Sialkot by five wickets.

The second semi-final ended as no result due to persistent rain after completion of Lahore Whites’ batting innings. Abbottabad advanced to the final based on their standing in the group stage.

Shadab Khan will lead Abbottabad, while Saud Shakeel will marshal Karachi Whites. Saud will look to make a double of trophies this season having already won the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 leading Karachi Blues.

For Abbottabad Kamran Ghulam (223) and Shahzaib Khan (160) lead the run-scoring charts. Kamran will have the chance to overtake Hasan Nawaz’s tally of 227 runs to become the leading run scorer in the tournament. For Karachi Whites, Abdullah Fazal (189) is the lone batter among top 10 leading run scorers.

On the bowling front, Shahab Khan (13) and Shadab Khan (9) have taken the second and third most scalps, respectively in the tournament besides Usama Mir’s 16. Karachi Whites’ Muhammad Umar has taken eight wickets with his pace.

A prize pot of PKR 8.5 million will be distributed among the winner, runners up and the best performers of the tournament. The winner will take home PKR 5 million along with the glittering trophy, while the runners up will be awarded a cash prize of PKR 2.5 million and trophy.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and former Pakistan women’s player Marina Iqbal will be calling the action from behind the mic along with Ali Younis and Raja Asad.

Shadab Khan, Abbottabad captain said, “The tournament has been a good journey for Abbottabad as we have showcased our talent and skill throughout. In Lahore, we want to finish the tournament on a high. Having recently played top flight cricket at the venue, it will be vital for me to share that information with the team and lead them in the best possible way.”

Saud Shakeel, Karachi Whites captain said, “This season has gone great for Karachi region teams and after winning the Quaid-e-Azam trophy for the Blues, we want to lift the National T20 Cup for the Whites. We have a strong unit with as many as six Pakistan capped players.

We were also focused on grooming young players this season and a number of them have performed well. We have youngsters like Abdullah Fazal, Haroon Arshad and Huzaifa Ahsan in the squad. It will be an exciting and highly competitive contest between the two teams.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Kohli, 37, who led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second straight IPL title on Sunday, will miss the three ODI matches starting on June 13 in Dharamsala.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as Kohli’s replacement.

Kohli only plays the 50-over format for India after quitting Test and T20 internationals.

He was in prolific form during the recent IPL, scoring 675 runs at an average of 56.25, including an unbeaten 75 in the final against Gujarat Titans.

“It’s just been less than a week since he (Kohli) injured himself in the (IPL) finals,” Agarkar told a media briefing in Mumbai.

“We don’t know the timelines yet but it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series (next month).”

The availability of Rohit Sharma, another veteran batsman, for the series remains unclear. Rohit was selected in the squad subject to fitness.

Kohli and Rohit were both expected to resume their preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup as debate continues over their future plans.

Rahul made 100 off 165 balls and put on a second wicket partnership of 139 with Sai Sudharsan, who scored 81, after India elected to bat first in New Chandigarh.

Sudharsan and Rahul departed before Gill finished the day on 103 in an unbeaten stand of 121 with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who was on 50 not out.

Gill reached his 11th Test ton with a single off Mohammad Saleem and raised his bat to acknowledge the applause of a sparse crowd at India’s newest Test venue.

Rahul registered his 12th Test hundred but was out the next ball when he attempted an expansive drive off pace bowler Ziaur Rahman only to be caught at short extra cover.

Gill kept up the pace after Rahul’s dismissal, hitting Saleem for two straight boundaries and ended the day with 11 fours and a six.

The left-handed Pant also took on the bowling attack when he hit three sixes in one over by spinner Abdul Malik before bringing up his 19th Test half-century.

Rahul earlier hit 11 fours in a composed knock as he and left-hander Sudharsan frustrated the Afghan opposition bowling on a hot and sunny day.

Saleem had Sudharsan caught behind for 81 after the number three registered his third Test half-century with a four.

Sudharsan was dropped on 20 and 59 but made the most of the reprieves, hitting 13 fours in 104 balls.

Rahul was almost caught behind off Ziaur on 16, but the umpire turned down the appeal and Afghanistan did not ask for a review.

Saleem removed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 24 after the left-hander attempted a flick down the leg side only to be caught behind.

Debutant left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote nearly got a wicket in his first over after Sudharsan edged the ball to first slip but Rahmanullah Gurbaz dropped the catch.

India, ranked third in the world Test rankings, are looking to bounce back after suffering a 2-0 defeat to South Africa at home in November.

The match is not part of the World Test Championship cycle but is still an important game for Afghanistan, who played their first five-day game in India in 2018.

Sooryavanshi, 15, is fresh off a breakout campaign in the Indian Premier League in which he topped the scoring charts with 776 runs in 16 matches, while also breaking Chris Gayle’s record for most sixes in a season.

His performances for the Rajasthan Royals made him the first player in IPL history to be named both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Best Emerging Player, with many tipping him for a spot in the senior Twenty20 International side.

Should Sooryavanshi go on to make his debut against either Ireland or England, he would become the youngest player to represent an Indian men’s senior team, bettering great Sachin Tendulkar, who made his debut aged 16.

“We’ve seen what he can do, towards playoffs, almost single-handedly carried Rajasthan Royals,” selection panel chairman Ajit Agarkar told reporters.

“Not just this season, had a great start and to back-it up in a competition that is as competitive and high-pressure, he’s a game-changer. We’ve got high hopes of him and he has picked himself.”

Agarkar added that Iyer, who replaces Suryakumar Yadav, had been appointed captain after guiding Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the Indian Premier League title in 2024, while also leading other franchises in the league.

Iyer last played a T20I in 2023.

“Led a team to (IPL) title, his own performances been good. He was close to being part of the World Cup squad, in my opinion was a ‘stand-out candidate’,” Agarkar added.

India play Ireland in two T20Is later this month, before a five-match series against England in July.

The BCCI also named their squad for this year’s men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games in Japan, which includes veteran bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

The Asian Games men’s competition will begin on September 24, with the final scheduled for October 3.

T20I Squad for Ireland and England series: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Squad for Asian Games: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The game was halted in the 21st minute as thunderstorms and lightning forced players off the pitch and spectators to seek shelter, in accordance with U.S. safety protocols that suspend play when storms are detected within an 8-mile radius.

Repeated lightning strikes led to multiple resets of the mandatory 30-minute delay before play eventually resumed.

Passport theft delays Abdulhamid as Saudis head to US

Saudi Arabia took the lead just before halftime when Sultan Mandash capitalised on a defensive lapse inside the penalty area, before Abdullah Al Hamdan doubled the advantage in the 50th minute with a composed finish over the advancing goalkeeper after winning possession high up the pitch.

Captain Salem Al Dawsari wrapped up the scoring in the 88th minute with a fine solo run, giving Saudi Arabia a confidence-boosting win after their 2-1 loss to Ecuador.

They will face Senegal on June 9 in their final warm-up before opening their World Cup campaign in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde.

The 18-year-old suffered a muscle bundle tear in his left thigh during training on Friday in Chicago and was taken to hospital. He will be replaced by Assan Ouedraogo.

“I feel incredibly sorry for Lenny,” Nagelsmann said. “With his light-heartedness, his creativity, his pace, and his personality, he fit into the team perfectly.”

Karl enjoyed a meteoric rise this season as he helped Bayern clinch the domestic double and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

“It is a huge shock for him and for all of us that he will miss the World Cup. It is only a small consolation that he is young and still has many tournaments ahead of him,” Nagelsmann said.

“With Assan Ouedraogo we are now getting a player who, similar to Lenny, had a great start with us. He is also highly talented and is meant to play here boldly and freely.”

Germany arrived in the United States on Tuesday for the World Cup starting next week.

The four-times champions have set their sights on winning the title after shock first-round exits at the previous two tournaments, in 2018 and 2022.

The Germans, who have not tasted international success since winning their last World Cup title in Brazil in 2014, are in Group E and kick off their campaign against Curacao on June 14 before facing the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

Nepal and Malaysia finished top of Group A in the qualifying tournament in Singapore, while Hong Kong and Oman led Group B.

With Qatar withdrawing from Group A before the start of the tournament, Nepal secured top spot after winning both their matches, while Malaysia qualified with victory over China in their opening fixture.

Hong Kong and Oman remained unbeaten in Group B and will face off to decide the semi-final matchups, with the winner taking on Malaysia and the loser meeting Nepal.

2029 Asian Winter Games in Saudi Arabia postponed

They will join Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who qualified automatically as Asia’s Full Member nations, along with hosts Japan.

The men’s competition will begin on September 24, with the final scheduled for October 3.

The 32-year-old left Liverpool after a nine-year stint where he won the Premier League twice, the FA Cup and two League Cups and reached the Champions League final three times, winning the trophy in 2019. Robertson had announced he would leave Liverpool in April and Spurs were looking to add an experienced player to the squad after avoiding relegation on the final day of the season.

“Andy is someone I’ve admired for a number of years and he will bring outstanding technical qualities, experience, leadership and mentality to our team,” Spurs coach Roberto De Zerbi said in a statement.

Rio Ngumoha makes Anfield history, Mohamed Salah seals Liverpool win over Fulham

“He is a proven winner at the highest level over a long period and is someone who can be a big player for us, both on and off the pitch. I can’t wait to start working with him and seeing the positive impact he will have on everyone around him.”

Renowned for his energy and his ability to make an impact in the final third, Robertson redefined the role of the attacking full back under Juergen Klopp.

He left Liverpool after scoring 14 goals and providing 69 assists.

“He is an outstanding left back - one of the best of all time in the Premier League - and someone who will improve our squad,” Spurs sporting director Johan Lange said.

“In addition, his quality, character and leadership have been evident throughout a career in which he has regularly competed for - and won - major honours.

“Andy’s professionalism and commitment will also be invaluable to the development of our squad.”

Robertson will join the squad after leading Scotland at the World Cup starting next week in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Sooryavanshi had a stellar IPL for Rajasthan Royals, finishing top of the batting charts with 776 runs, including a hundred and five half-centuries.

The left-handed opener is in line to be picked for two T20 matches in Ireland, followed by five games in England.

He would be the youngest debutant for India in history.

“The manner in which 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed bowling attacks in his first full IPL season, and the way in which he responded to match situations, have convinced the selectors that he needs to be given the opportunity to play T20Is,” Indian website ESPNcricinfo said.

Batting great Sachin Tendulkar played his first Test for India at 16 years and 205 days in 1989.

Sooryavanshi sweeps IPL awards – but is too young to drive prize

Sooryavanshi has also been included in a 30-member of probables for the Asian Games in September-October in Japan, Indian media says.

He was named most valuable player in the IPL, despite his team narrowly failing to reach the final.

He also scooped the Orange Cap for leading the batting charts, and named emerging player of the season, among other prizes.

The India T20 team is expecting a leadership change, with Suryakumar likely to be removed from the captaincy – nearly three months after he led the country to World Cup glory at home.

Suryakumar has struggled with the bat, scoring just 242 runs in nine World Cup innings, with his unbeaten 84 against the United States the only significant knock.

Playing for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, the 35-year-old managed only 270 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.76. His team ended ninth in the 10-team table.

Indian media have predicted Suryakumar will lose his place in the T20 squad with insiders calling it a “tough call”.

Suryakumar is likely to be replaced by Shreyas Iyer, who last played a T20 for India in December 2023 but has been an IPL-winning captain.

He led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in 2024 and then captained Punjab Kings to a runners-up finish in 2025 and into the play-offs this year.

Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma are also in contention for the captaincy, with selectors set to name the squad at the weekend in Mumbai.

De la Fuente left out Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, David Raya, ​Victor Munoz, Marc Cucurella, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, ​Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal because of fitness concerns, leaving ⁠Spain with a heavily rotated starting line-up.

The result was a ​subdued send-off for Spain on home soil before they travel to ​North America on Friday. They will begin their World Cup campaign in Group H against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

Spain struggled to break ​down an organised Iraq side whose compact low block denied ​the hosts the rhythm that carried them to the 2024 European Championship title ‌in ⁠Germany.

The hosts took the lead in the 16th minute in a quick counter attack, with Ferran Torres bursting through the middle from midfield into the box before firing past the goalkeeper.

France brush off Ivory Coast loss, call it timely World Cup reminder

Iraq ​equalised through Merchas ​Doski in the ⁠27th minute with a superb left-footed strike from a difficult angle on the left edge of ​the box, the ball arcing over Barcelona goalkeeper ​Joan ⁠Garcia, who was slightly off his line, and dropping into the net.

Torres struck the crossbar in the 40th minute, but Spain found ⁠clear ​openings hard to come by against disciplined ​opponents who will play only their second World Cup in Group I with ​France, Senegal and Norway.

Didier Deschamps’ side led through a superb first-half goal from Rayan Cherki but were overrun after the break as Guela Doue and Amad Diallo turned the game around for the Elephants in ​Nantes.

With France opening their World Cup campaign against Senegal in New York on ​June 16, midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said the result should be viewed in ⁠the context of preparations rather than as a warning sign.

“It’s a pity to lose ​but we’re in a preparation phase, we stay confident,” Tchouameni said.

“There is no conclusion to ​draw from this game, even if we had won it. We will be ready.”

France fielded an experimental side, with several Paris St Germain players rested after last weekend’s Champions League final triumph, and ​made numerous changes after halftime.

Mexico thump Serbia 5-1 to complete World Cup preparations

Defender Lucas Hernandez also played down the significance of the ​defeat.

“We always want to win but we’re in a phase of preparation and there were a lot ‌of ⁠substitutions,” Hernandez said.

“We’re in good spirits.”

Deschamps, however, admitted his side had lost control of the contest after an encouraging opening 45 minutes and warned that France would face opponents with similar qualities in the United States.

“A defeat is never pleasant, even if we did ​some good things in ​the first half,” ⁠Deschamps said.

“In the second half we made a lot of changes but that’s no excuse. We were not as good after the ​break and they brought a lot of pace.

“We will face the ​same type ⁠of team on June 16.”

The France coach said the result could prove useful if it prevented his players from becoming complacent before the tournament.

“It’s a reminder, if we needed one, ⁠not to ​think we’re better than we are,” he said, with ​Cherki adding: “It’s a little warning, and I can tell you we’re not going to the World Cup thinking ​we’re favourites but we’re going to crush everyone.”

Serbia struck first in the 19th minute when Petar Stanic capitalised on a defensive lapse and a fortunate deflection ​before firing a low shot past goalkeeper Raul Rangel.

Mexico ​levelled in the 34th minute through defender Johan ⁠Vasquez, who headed home from Brian Gutierrez’s delivery after ​the visitors had withstood sustained pressure.

Javier Aguirre’s side completed the ​turnaround deep into first-half stoppage time when Serbia gifted Mexico the lead with an own goal, as a misplaced back pass from Stefan ​Bukinac rolled beyond goalkeeper Filip Stankovic and into the ​net.

Mexico increased their advantage 12 minutes after the break when Raul Jimenez ‌scored ⁠from close range after Julian Quinones’ effort struck the post and rebounded off the Fulham striker into the net.

FIFA bans vuvuzelas from World Cup stadiums

The hosts made it 4-1 in the 72nd minute when Adem ​Avdic turned Alexis ​Vega’s corner ⁠into his own net, before Luis Chavez completed the rout with a superb long-range strike ​just before the 90-minute mark.

Fireworks lit up the ​Nemesio ⁠Diez stadium at the final whistle as Mexico signed off their World Cup preparations in style ahead of next Thursday’s ⁠opener ​against South Africa, the first match ​of the tournament they are co-hosting with the United States and Canada.

Earlier, Kyle Jamieson grabbed five wickets as England were dismissed for 140 in rain-interrupted conditions, but Robinson (4-10) struck three times in his opening over to leave ​the visitors in trouble as England hit back after their batting collapse.

“I can’t really put it into words, it feels ​a bit surreal. Couldn’t have dreamt it to be honest. It’s just so good to be back,” ⁠Robinson told Sky.

Jamieson’s five-wicket haul sinks England

Put in to bat first, England debutant Emilio Gay, who had earlier represented Italy in ​white-ball cricket, edged Jamieson (5-62) to the first slip after scoring eight runs.

The rain forced players into an early lunch shortly after, with England ​at 24-1.

When the match resumed, Nathan Smith trapped England’s other opener Ben Duckett (19) leg before wicket, and seven deliveries later Will O’Rourke condemned Jacob Bethell to a similar fate. O’Rourke struck again in his next over as Joe Root departed after scoring just one run.

Jamieson, playing in a test match for the ​first time since February 2024 after a long battle with recurring lower back stress fractures, then outwitted Jamie Smith with a good-length ball that ​cut into the off stump.

England were at 55-5 with Harry Brook, dropped at backward point earlier by Devon Conway, trying to hold the other end. But ‌Brook was ⁠waging a lonely battle, as captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson fell to Jamieson in quick succession.

Brook’s resistance also ended when he tried to hit Nathan Smith for six, but was caught by Jamieson, departing for 56.

Shoaib Bashir (14) and an unbeaten Josh Tongue added 22 runs for the last wicket to get England to 140, a miserable start to the series.

Robinson strikes back

But soon after New Zealand’s innings ​started, it became clear that ​the pitch, acting even less ⁠predictably after multiple bouts of rain, would be just as difficult for the visitors.

Robinson trapped opener Conway leg before wicket for one, and two balls later Kane Williamson was caught by Gay at short ​leg. In the very next delivery, Robinson dismissed Rachin Ravindra, leaving New Zealand at 2-3.

Daryl Mitchell (12) ​was the next ⁠to fall to Robinson, as the ball pitched around off stump and cut through the batter’s defensive stance to hit the wickets.

New Zealand were reeling at 29-6 when Glenn Phillips (31 not out) and Nathan Smith stabilised the innings with an unbeaten 32-run partnership, before poor light conditions ⁠forced umpires ​to end the day’s play after only 59 overs between the two teams.

“I ​was just trying to wobble it and hit a full length. This pitch reacts better when you try to wobble it,” said Robinson.

“It was my day. Two of ​the decisions were umpire’s call, which sometimes doesn’t go your way.”

Vuvuzelas, a horn made with a long plastic shell, ​are a staple of South African soccer matches ​and took the world by storm at the ⁠2010 World Cup in South Africa. But they have ​drawn criticism over their monotonous droning sound, often likened ​to a swarm of bees.

Along with vuvuzelas, whistles, air horns and other excessively loud noise-making devices are prohibited from all 16 World ​Cup venues, according to FIFA’s stadium code of ​conduct.

Instruments that emit laser beams, laser pointers or similar emissions are ‌also ⁠banned.

The list of prohibited items and behaviors goes on to state that body paint and body tattoos do not constitute as clothing. Streaking, flashing or removing clothing to ​reveal intimate ​body parts is ⁠also prohibited.

FIFA has also banned spectators from bringing reusable water bottles into venues, citing ​safety concerns.

Iran beats Mali in last World Cup warm-up before heading to Tijuana

Attendees who violate the rules can be ​refused ⁠entry or removed from the stadium, the code says.

The expanded 48-team World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Canada and ⁠Mexico, ​runs from June 11 to ​July 19. Mexico will open the tournament against South Africa on June ​11.

Goals from midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi and right back Ramin Rezaeian either side of halftime gave Team Melli a record of three wins and a single loss in their four friendlies this year in the Turkish resort city of Antalya.

The friendlies are the only competitive football the Iran-based players have played since the domestic league was suspended in the wake of US and Israel air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February that triggered a regional war.

The squad have received visas for Mexico, officials confirmed this week, and will leave Turkey on Saturday for their tournament base in the border city of Tijuana.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to host the squad after being told that the US authorities did not want Iran staying in their original base in Arizona throughout the June 11 to July 19 tournament.

Algeria score late to upset Dutch with surprise away win

The squad have not yet received the visas they will need to get into the US to play their group games against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle, however.

Iranian FA (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told Iranian media this week that the US visas were the main concern for the federation as Iran’s tournament opener against New Zealand on June 15 approaches.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday there was “no problem” with the Iran squad entering the country, but Washington would not let officials or staff with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accompany them.

Both the US and Canada, who are co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico, classify the IRGC as a “terrorist entity.” Taj was refused entry into Canada for the FIFA Congress in late April because of his links to the elite military force.

Shaheen grabbed 3-30 to bundle Australia out for 157 while Shadab added a fighting 29 not out to his two wickets, helping Pakistan to the target in 41.5 overs.

The win gave Pakistan a 2-1 series win – their third successive ODI series win over Australia - after they won the first match by five wickers in Rawalpindi.

Australia won the second by 41 runs, also in Lahore.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann with a career best 3-38 – including Babar Azam’s wicket for top score of 40 – had given the visitors some hope for an unlikely win.

At 112-6, Pakistan were in a spot of bother but Shadab found an able partner in Abdul Samad as the duo added a match-winning 49 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket stand to seal the win.

Shadab’s second boundary sealed the win, while Samad’s 18 not out had one boundary.

Earlier, Shaheen was ably supported by Abrar Ahmed (2-19) and Shadab (2-28) as Australia’s innings folded in 42 overs after they won the toss and batted.

Spinners Abrar and Shadab built on Shaheen’s early strikes as Pakistan made a strong comeback after a disappointing loss in the second game.

Josh Inglis top-scored with a 71-ball 65 which included eight boundaries and a six, with Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey scoring 19 each and Adam Zampa making 10.

Shaheen had Matthew Short caught off the second ball of the match before Inglis added 46 for the second wicket with Labuschagne and another 52 for the third with Carey.

But Australia lost their last seven wickets for a meagre 38 runs with two run outs also hurting their innings.

The eighth seed seized control from the outset and never loosened her grip on the contest, overwhelming Kostyuk with her depth and aggression on Court Philippe Chatrier to set up a title clash against compatriot Diana Shnaider or Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska.

As has become customary for Ukrainian players since Russia’s invasion of their country in 2022, Kostyuk did not pose for the traditional pre-match photograph with her opponent and there was no handshake at the net before or after the match.

Andreeva, 19, raced into a 4-0 lead in the opening set and barely looked back in the third meeting between the two players, the Ukrainian having won the first two.

Errani and Vavassori retain French Open mixed doubles title

Kostyuk briefly threatened to make a contest of it in the second set, but the Russian swiftly snuffed out any hopes of a comeback before serving out the match to complete a dominant display.

“I’m still very nervous, very nervous coming to this match as she’s had an amazing season, she hadn’t lost on clay, so that put pressure,” said Andreeva.

“She’s an amazing player, a tough opponent, so I’m super happy with the way I played. I’m happy I got revenge for the Madrid final, and to reach my first Grand Slam final.

“All of these feelings combined, I’ve never felt anything like this, I’m very excited about the last match here in Paris.”

Kostyuk seemed to struggle with early nerves and windy conditions, handing her opponent the first break with a double fault and an unforced backhand error while Andreeva picked up steam.

The Ukrainian was out of sorts but briefly put up a fight in the second set when she broke back for 4-3, only to drop serve in the next game and continue to pepper the court with unforced errors.

A final forehand wide gave Andreeva a deserved win after one hour and 16 minutes of a one-sided encounter.

“The conditions were tough, very windy, I couldn’t understand which direction it was going, but I’m happy I was able to stay focused,” said Andreeva after both players had continued to play when the roof was being closed.

“I was ready to accept anything that happens. It felt like a day when anything could happen. I told myself I would fight, and if she had to win she would have to work for it. With this mindset, I ended up winning and I’m very happy.”

The Italian duo dominated the deciding match tiebreak on Court Philippe Chatrier and are the first pair to successfully defend the French Open mixed doubles title since Croatia’s Ivan Dodig and Taiwan’s Latisha Chan in 2018 and 2019.

Qualifier Chwalinska reaches French Open semi-finals

This latest triumph marks a remarkable run of success for Errani and Vavassori, securing their fourth mixed doubles trophy in the last seven Grand Slam tournaments, a stretch that includes back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 2024 and 2025.

In a wide-ranging interview with City’s in-house media, Al Mubarak said Guardiola repeatedly half-heartedly flirted with leaving over the years, only to be persuaded to continue – until the moment he knew the decision was final.

“Inevitably over these last 10 years we’ve had a lot of ups and some downs. And in the downs, he must have quit 100 times,” Al Mubarak said.

“There’s the story as you all know, ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf.’ In the case of Pep, when he says I quit, it doesn’t mean he’s quitting. You don’t take it that seriously, you have to manage him.

“I always had a very clear understanding with Pep, because of that analogy of the ‘Boy Who Cried Wolf’: whenever he quits I will always convince him to come back until the time where I know it’s actually the real moment Pep decides actually it’s time.

Guardiola to end decade-long Man City reign at end of season

“There’s the moments that are not real and he actually needs someone to bring him back. And there was always going to be one moment where it was going to be real.”

Al Mubarak said that as well as becoming close friends with Guardiola he was also the Spaniard’s pseudo “psychiatrist”, pulling him back from the brink in the down times.

Guardiola’s threats to quit finally became real this season, Al Mubarak said, bringing to a close a 10-year tenure he described as “exceptional.”

“We reached that, and I knew it and that’s why I didn’t fight it,” he said. “In this particular (moment), I think he knew, and I knew that he knew … I did not fight this at all because I knew this was the time he actually meant it.”

The 55-year-old Guardiola claimed 20 trophies with City including six Premier League titles and the Champions League before closing his career at the end of a season that saw his side finish league runners-up and win the FA Cup and League Cup.

His departure followed a spell in which City established themselves as the dominant force in English football, reshaping the tactical landscape in the process.

“He changed English football,” Al Mubarak said.

“You look at the way the league has evolved … the way football is played in this league from 10 years ago to today. In my view it’s unquestionable, his influence over the game. He has left his thumbprint over this league.

“Very few managers in football will come in and change not just the team but an entire league. And Pep has done that here.”

Despite Guardiola’s exit, Al Mubarak insisted City’s trajectory would continue upward, and they will appoint the “right manager” for a seamless transition.

“We are far from peaked,” he said. “We are used to, because it’s in our DNA, winning. This is a club that is designed, built to win. What Pep has given us has taken us to the next level.

“We’ve gone through a very thoughtful and structured process and the team is convinced – and I am convinced, rest assured – that we will bring in the right manager for this Club.

“Very soon we’ll announce it and you will be very comfortable that we have selected and brought in the best manager possible for this club.”

Guardiola’s former assistant Enzo Maresca is his expected successor.

Hadj Moussa, ‌who plays for Dutch club Feyenoord, cut in off the right wing and struck a powerful shot into the far corner four minutes from time to hand the ​North Africans a morale-boosting win at De Kuip, where he plays ​his club football.

It was as much as Algeria deserved after ⁠a strong second-half performance, roared on by a large number of noisy ​travelling fans.

Hadj Moussa’s effort was his first international goal and spoilt the ​home team’s send-off before they depart for New York on Thursday.

“This is not what you want in your farewell match,” Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk told Dutch NOS television.

“If ​you look at the game, we should have been at least 2–0 ​up. Hopefully, our sharpness will return quickly and we’ll finish our chances properly from ‌now ⁠on. It’s positive that most of the players got some playing time, but of course we don’t play to lose,” he said.

Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, sporting a mask after facial injuries suffered in April, made several good stops ​throughout the game to ​alleviate concerns over ⁠the keeper’s position in the side, which has been the subject of speculation in recent months.

FIFA bans reusable bottles at World Cup venues citing safety concerns

The Dutch will ​play Uzbekistan in a friendly in New York on ​Monday before ⁠moving on to their base in Kansas City. Their opening Group F game is against Japan in Dallas on June 14.

Algeria face World Cup holders Argentina ⁠in ​their opening game in Group J in Kansas ​City on June 16. Algeria take on Bolivia in Kansas City next Wednesday in their ​last warm-up game.

In a tournament that has already witnessed several shocks, including premature exits ‌for defending champion Coco Gauff and four-times winner Iga Swiatek, Sabalenka’s collapse was another unexpected jolt through the field.

With world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-times major winner Novak Djokovic also early casualties, it means that for the first time since the 1977 edition of Roland Garros there will be no Grand Slam champion featuring in the semi-finals of a major.

“No thoughts, no emotions. I just want to quit tennis now,” a downbeat Sabalenka told reporters after her ​defeat. “We’ll see in a few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.

“I don’t know when was the last time that happened to me that I lost 10 games in ​a row. I guess mentally I got into very deep, dark hole over there, and I just couldn’t get back on track mentally.”

While Sabalenka ⁠was left to rue her missed chances after going a set and a break up and being two points from winning the match, Shnaider said she had taken lessons from the Belarusian’s struggles in ​last year’s wind-hit final.

‘Super windy’

Sabalenka produced a litany of unforced errors in similarly tricky conditions 12 months ago to lose the title clash.

“Of course I knew in the final last year … it was ​super windy,” Shnaider said.

“I had that thought in the back of my mind that she was struggling with Coco last year. I was like, ‘yeah, I’ve got to use this opportunity, I need to just adjust’.

“I was starting to step in more on her second serve, putting pressure. She got a couple of unforced errors here and there and the momentum was shifting a bit towards my side.

“I believed more in myself.”

Shnaider will continue to believe she can ​progress to her maiden Grand Slam final when she takes on Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, who continued her Paris dream run with a 7-6(3) 6-3 victory over Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya.

Swiatek shadow

Chwalinska will have ​the chance to step out of compatriot Swiatek’s shadow and earn a much bigger windfall having already collected $870,000 for her semi-final run - more than she has earned during her entire career.

“I feel like for some reason, I don’t ‌process it. ⁠Like, I’m just focusing on every single match. I honestly don’t feel like it’s like a huge moment for me,” Chwalinska said of her win.

“But after the tournament finishes, I’ll have time to be grateful for what happened and process it as well. But for now, I’m happy, but I know that I need to focus on the job.”

As Chwalinska focused on staying in the moment, Flavio Cobolli showed similar composure to navigate tricky conditions and surge into his maiden Grand Slam semi-final with a 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 win over fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Cobolli, among the Italian men looking to shine in ​Sinner’s absence, lost the opening set and came ​back from 1-3 down in the next ⁠when the playing conditions suddenly improved with the roof closed in anticipation of rain.

He blew away his Canadian opponent in style before talking about the superstitious beliefs that have helped him in his run this year in Paris, including the use of 14-times champion Rafa Nadal’s preferred locker room shower stall.

“I’m ​a little bit (superstitious), but not crazy,” the 10th seed said. “But this week, I’m a little bit more crazy than the others. I go ​same restaurant, same menu, same ⁠shower.

“Actually, I think I said in the first press conference that I used the same shower as Rafa, because I had memories with that shower. He told me it has been his shower since 14 years.

“So the best thing I’m doing (this year) … the shower.”

He faces fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who advanced when Matteo Berrettini retired with a hip injury while trailing 7-5 5-2.

“Definitely not the match I was expecting and that we ⁠wanted to see. ​But I’m definitely happy about my performance, about how the tournament is going,” said Arnaldi.

“It’s crazy to think I’m ​in the semi-finals. I’m happy for that, and I feel sorry for Matteo. We practise a lot together in Monte Carlo. It’s tough to see him like that, but he played an amazing tournament.

“He came back to a great level, and ​now it’s going to be the grass season for him where he plays his best tennis. I’m sure he’ll come back stronger.”

Portugal forward Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash last July, while Konate’s father, Hamady, passed away in January after a long illness.

“There are low points, there’s depression. You can suffer from depression in football too; there’s no need to be ashamed to say so,” Konate told France Inter radio.

“It’s true that I’ve often heard players say they were suffering from depression and that fans or people on the outside didn’t understand because they were earning a lot of money. But that’s rubbish and you shouldn’t say that.”

The 27-year-old, who confirmed earlier this week he will leave Liverpool this summer, said Jota’s death had taken a heavy toll on him. “It devastated me. I didn’t have any interest in anything else at that point,” he said.

“You go back to football because you have no choice. We’re employees at a club that pays us every month, so we have duties. “We had no choice but to go back on the field and play for him and his family – as well as ourselves.

There’s no way of getting over it, but you learn to live with it.“ At the same time, Konate was coping with his father’s illness, leaving him unsure how to balance personal grief with professional commitments.

Lukaku returns in style with 90th goal for Belgium

“I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know whether I should go home and stop playing, because the team needed me too,” he said.

“I didn’t know who to talk to about it, so I kept it all to myself.” He lost his father in January and returned early from compassionate leave to help Liverpool through an injury crisis but admitted he did not feel fully recovered.

“There was never a moment when I felt like I was on the mend. All of these tragic events happened so quickly and as soon as I felt like I was getting my head above water, something else happened,” he said. Konate, who has 27 caps for France, is a part of Didier Deschamps’ 26-man squad for the World Cup.

The governing body, which had earlier permitted empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles inside stadiums, said the updated code - effective from Tuesday - now prohibits them.

Other items like bottles, cups, jars and cans are also banned to prevent the risk of injury if thrown.

“FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff,” it told Reuters in a statement. “FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.”

“Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums.”

The move has raised concerns among supporters about coping with heat, with temperatures at a few venues expected to range between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius, as well as access to drinking water inside stadiums.

FIFA said measures would be in place to deal with the conditions.

“FIFA works closely with each Host City Committee and local authorities on heat mitigation factors for fans traveling to the stadium, which can include resources such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents and more around the stadium footprint,” the statement said.

FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings over Islamophobic chants in Spain-Egypt match

“Inside the stadium footprint, pricing for water bottles for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium.”

The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19.

The tournament will feature 104 matches, up from 64 previously, including an additional knockout round.