Since March 2024, both Bangladesh and Australia’s pacers have averaged over 140kph, establishing them as the two fastest pace attacks in the current game.

Ayala, however, played down the severity of the incident, describing it as a push rather than a punch.

Manchester City forward Phil Foden gave a boost to new boss Enzo Maresca by signing a four-year contract extension on Wednesday.

Asked whether the budget for the coach's salary could be increased in the case of Guardiola, he said: "Yes, and that is the exception for obvious reasons".

Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful believes the absence of practice matches before the Zimbabwe tour left the batters struggling to adapt to the conditions, contributing to the team's disappointing performances.

Shimron Hetmyer held his nerve late in the run chase to make an unbeaten 69 and steer the West Indies to a two-wicket win over New Zealand in the fifth and final one-day international.

On one side stand the 2022 World Cup champions and three-time winners Argentina, proudly holding up pamphlets bearing the slogan "Us against the world" in bold red. On the other stand, well, the representatives of the other 47 teams at the tournament.

Rahmat Shah has been appointed as Afghanistan's new captain for both the Test and One-Day International (ODI) teams after Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down from the role, bringing an end to a leadership tenure that spanned more than four and a half years.

When Miguel de Cervantes wrote that "too much sanity may be madness," may be football was the last thing on his mind. Yet the history of Spanish football often seems to prove his point.

The world's richest domestic competition once again underlined its quality. Premier League clubs supplied more goalscorers than any other league at the World Cup.

The house he owns in this suburban area is where he usually stays during visits to his native Rosario in central Argentina.

The strong viewership capped what analysts said was a solid run for the tournament's broadcasters, with Fox and Comcast paying roughly $485 million and $600 million, respectively, for rights packages that included the World Cup, according to media reports.

"The 23-year-old forward has signed a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033," the London club posted on their web site.

Initial reports suggested Rana could need two to three weeks to recover, casting doubt over his availability for the first Test in Australia, beginning on August 13.

If a 48-team tournament is already stretching the finances of participating federations, a longer 64-team event could increase those costs further.

The success of the Spanish model has not been confined to the men’s game. The women’s side also clinched the coveted crown in 2023 and belong in the same conversation.

"I dreamed that we would win it again. I dreamed of bringing it to Argentina and making history once again," the Aston Villa goalkeeper wrote on social media post.

The president of the Spanish football league, Javier Tebas, accused FIFA of acting "irresponsibly" following the announcement of discussions regarding a possible 64-team World Cup in 2030, in an interview with an Italian sports daily published Tuesday.

Bangladesh's women's kabaddi team clinched the five-match series against Nepal with one game to spare after defeating the visitors 34-22 in the fourth match at the National Kabaddi Stadium in Paltan on Tuesday.

Yet one truth becomes clearer with every passing season; there may never be another Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.