Rain holds up India on day two of Sri Lanka Test

Galle, Sri Lanka: Rain prevented play in the morning session on the second day of the first cricket Test between Sri Lanka and India in Galle on Sunday. playerbros.org

The heavy downpour in the coastal town denied India an opportunity to build on their good start in the country's 600th Test.

The tourists ended the opening day on 288-2 with top-order batsman Devdutt Padikkal hitting an unbeaten hundred.

الأخبارQatari national team loses in the football competition to its South Korean counterpart in Asian Games 2026Nagoya: The Qatar under-23 national team began its campaign in the football competition at the 2026 Asian Games, held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a 4-1 defeat against its South...فتح →

Recalled to the side after more than two years as a late injury replacement for Sai Sudharsan, Padikkal made the most of the opportunity.

He was batting on 131 not out off 178 deliveries with 12 fours and one six when stumps were called for the day.

Together with Rishabh Pant, on 27 not out, Padikkal added 52 runs for the third wicket.

Galle is hosting its 50th Test match, the first Asian ground to achieve the milestone.

India have an impressive record against Sri Lanka, having not lost any Test against them since 2015.

Dhaka: Former players and fans hailed Bangladesh's first-ever Test win in Australia on Sunday as the country's biggest achievement in the five-day game, saying it could be a turning point for their cricketing ambitions.

Bangladesh sealed a historic nine-wicket thrashing inside four days in Darwin, marking their first ever Test victory on Australian soil and only second against their formidable opponents.

"This is, I think, the biggest achievement for Bangladesh cricket in Test matches," former captain Akram Khan told AFP.

"It was something we dreamed of but perhaps none of us expected Bangladesh to dominate and win like this.

"We are extremely happy and proud."

Akram said the big win was built on a complete team performance rather than individual brilliance.

Fast bowler Hasan Mahmud laid the foundation with a career-best 6-55 as Australia were bowled out for 198 on the opening day.

Bangladesh then took charge through Tanzid Hasan's maiden Test century, backed by important contributions from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Former spinner and national selector Abdur Razzak said the victory strengthened Bangladesh's case for more Test opportunities against Australia.

This was just the seventh Test match between the teams.

"If you look at this Test and our position in the World Test Championship, there is no reason why we should not get more opportunities," he said.Bangladesh fans cheer their team on to victory on the fourth day of the first cricket Test match between Australia and Bangladesh at Marrara Stadium in Darwin on August 16, 2026. (Photo by William WEST / AFP

Razzak credited years of investment in domestic first-class cricket and Bangladesh's Test programme for the team's progress.

Former Bangladesh women's captain Rumana Ahmed said the team's emphatic all-round display made the win especially significant.

"Hasan Mahmud was back in the team after a long time and he did very well, taking six wickets in the first innings. That was a major factor," she said.

"Tanzid's hundred was historic for him as well. The batters took responsibility and scoring more than 400 in the first innings was extraordinary."

The result was all the more remarkable because Bangladesh had been bowled out for just 54 by a Cricket Australia XI in a warm-up match days earlier.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman congratulated the team on a video call with the players.

"We're all eagerly waiting to welcome you home," he said on social media.

Die-hard fans also savoured the win.

"As a cricket fan of Bangladesh we don't get occasions to celebrate very often," Sefat Hasan Sumaiya said.

"Winning against Australia in Australia seems surreal. It feels like a national festival."

Another fan, Sahadat Ahmed Bhuiya, called it one of the defining victories in the nation's cricket history.

"Winning a Test in Australia within four days is a huge achievement," he said

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has called upon the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to consistently apply the principles of transparency and consultation in a manner that preserves its credibility and strengthens trust among its Member Associations (MAs).

QFA also emphasised the importance of adhering to transparency and institutional governance in the positions and statements issued in the name of the national member associations of the AFC.

This came in an official letter addressed by Minister of Youth and Sports, and the QFA President H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani to the Asian Confederation regarding the joint statement issued on August 10 by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), and the AFC.

Sheilh Hamad clarified in the letter that the QFA was not consulted, either formally or informally, prior to the issuance of the aforementioned statement.

Furthermore, the QFA did not receive any prior notice or draft of the statement, nor was it given the opportunity to comment on or contribute to its content before it was published in the name of the AFC and on behalf of its members.

He pointed out that any position presented as a collective stance of the member associations must be based on a clear consultation process preceding its announcement, and a collective consensus should not be assumed without reverting to the members.

He also stressed the importance of adhering to proper institutional procedures and standards of governance and transparency, noting that “the issuance of a statement speaking on behalf of the AFC members without consulting them raises questions about the mechanism followed in adopting such positions.”

Sheikh Hamad requested a written clarification from the AFC regarding the consultation process that preceded the issuance of the statement -if any- as well as the mechanism for notifying or consulting national member associations, and clarifying the basis upon which the AFC relied in speaking collectively on behalf of its members.

The QFA President concluded the letter by emphasising his keenness to address the matter in a constructive manner that preserves the unity of Asian associations and enhances trust and cooperation among them.

It is worth noting that the presidents of six Arab football associations, including Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco, had previously announced their support for Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), affirming their backing for him and his efforts in leading and developing football at the international level.

Doha, Qatar: The story of Al Janoub Stadium is entering a new chapter.

On August 27, the iconic venue will officially open its doors to basketball as Al Janoub Arena hosts Qatar’s clash with China in the fourth window of the Asian qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.

More than a competitive fixture, the game will provide an early test of readiness and offer fans a glimpse of the World Cup experience, exactly one year before the global tournament begins.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 will stand apart as a landmark edition in the history of the competition. It will be the first World Cup hosted by an Arab country and the Middle East and North Africa region, and the first to be staged entirely within a single city, Doha.

For fans, this unique format will create the opportunity to attend more than one game in a single day.

The tournament will also play an important role in strengthening basketball culture and expanding the sport’s popularity across the region.

The Qatar national basketball team continue to build their competitive momentum as the country advances its preparations for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027. Qatar finished second in Group D of the first round of the Asian qualifiers with 10 points, behind Lebanon, to advance to the second round despite having already secured their place at the World Cup as hosts.

The China clash will be followed by home-and-away encounters with Japan and Republic of Korea in the upcoming windows.

These games form an integral part of a comprehensive preparation program aimed at ensuring that Qatar reach the highest possible level of readiness for the global tournament. They will also offer a practical opportunity to test some of the facilities and arenas that will stage World Cup competition.

Admission will be free for the Qatar-China encounter, allowing fans to enjoy the game while celebrating the energy and excitement of one of the world’s most popular sports.

The encounter will also be a standout moment in the “One Year to Go” campaign, marking the start of the final 12-month countdown to the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and coinciding with the opening of Al Janoub Arena.

The transformation of Al Janoub Stadium into a purpose-built basketball arena is a powerful example of how Qatar continues to preserve and renew its sporting legacy.

It combines the venue’s distinctive architectural identity with innovation and sporting progress, giving the landmark a new role while extending its life beyond football. Al Janoub Arena is now poised to become one of the memorable venues of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, carrying forward the legacy of Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

On this occasion, Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain, Director General of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Organizing Committee, said the Qatar-China game marks an important milestone on the road to the tournament, providing a valuable platform to assess Al Janoub Arena’s organizational and operational readiness, gauge fan engagement with the interactive experiences and accompanying activities, and strengthen the national team’s preparations through a major test against one of Asia’s leading basketball nations.Qatar 2027 Organizing Committee Director General Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain

He added: “Al Janoub Arena is no longer simply a stage for competition; it is a living symbol of innovative legacy and sustainable venue development. The Qatar-China encounter will put its readiness firmly in the spotlight one year before the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027. For the first time across the worlds of football and basketball, a landmark open-air World Cup stadium has undergone an innovative engineering transformation into a fully enclosed, sustainable indoor arena, ready to welcome the game’s biggest stars on the world stage. This experience confirms that Qatar is not only hosting major championships but setting new standards for sustainable sports infrastructure as a strategic asset supporting the country’s and the region’s long-term sporting development.”

The occasion also highlights the enduring nature of Qatar’s sporting legacy. Major tournaments may come to an end, but their legacy continues to evolve. Al Janoub Stadium, which formed part of the story of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, is now moving from football to basketball and opening a fresh chapter in its journey as it prepares to welcome a new generation of fans at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd retained the Al Ahrar Cup after defeating Algeria’s Mouloudia 2-0 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday.

The friendly match, organised by Al Sadd as part of their preparations for the new season, was held for the second consecutive year. Al Sadd also won the inaugural edition in 2025, defeating Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca on penalties.

The final was intense, with both sides creating chances but neither able to break the deadlock in the first half. Al Sadd took the lead shortly after the restart when substitute Youssef Abdelrazak finished from a fine pass by Akram Afif.

Hassan Al Haydos then doubled Al Sadd’s advantage less than a minute after coming on, scoring with his first touch to help his side retain the trophy.

Al Sadd enjoyed the better of the second half, with a Roberto Firmino goal ruled out by VAR before the Brazilian saw his penalty saved by the Mouloudia goalkeeper.

Al Sadd coach Razvan Lucescu used almost 20 players during the match, while striker Rafa Mujica was forced off with an injury after 15 minutes and was replaced by Abdelrazak, who went on to score the opening goal.Al Sadd captain Hassan Al Haydos celebrates with the trophy.

Mouloudia, coached by Tunisia’s Khaled Ben Yahia, produced a strong performance and provided Al Sadd with a competitive test ahead of the new season in Qatar and Algeria.

The match was played in an enthusiastic atmosphere in front of 7,403 spectators.