Enver Annayev’s excellent late-strike forces MBSG to concede defeat at home in the AFC Champions League 2
Enver Annayev’s splendid strike netted a late winner as Ahal Anew FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giants 1-0 in their opening group stage match in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2), at the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata on Tuesday. The only goal came in the 83rd minute. Gurbanberdiyev exhibited an accurate through to Annayev inside the box, and Annayev, after getting the ball, unleashed a rocket-like punch across the face of the goal to find the far corner of the net. The game remained wary for long stretches, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Mohun Bagan showed flashes of attacking intent, especially through Kiyan, Sahal, and the lively Jason Cummings, but Ahal’s defense and goalkeeper Berdiyev stood firm. The decisive moment came just four minutes after Enwer Annayew and Basim Gurbanberdiyew were introduced, and Ahal Anew FC seemed relieved with both the footballers penetrating to crack the opposition defense.
Defying the ‘no handshake controversy’, India and Pakistani fans show cricket is a gentleman’s game!
While the two countries are sworn enemies, the cricket fans beg to differ. ‘Chacha Cricket’, a well-known Pakistani superfan Abdul Jalil’s, fellow supporter, Farooq Anjum Shah, and iconic Indian cricket fan Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary shaking hands during the India-Pakistan clash in Dubai have taken social media by storm. India registered a dominant win. However, their players’ decision to skip the customary post-match handshake with the Pakistani team, immediately sparked a debate over sportsmanship. This fixture marked the first meeting between the two sides since tensions had escalated dangerously close to an all-out conflict in May. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav hinted that the Government of India, the cricket board, and the team were in agreement. He said this when asked why the players did not shake hands with the Pakistani team after the match. Fans from both countries put politics aside and enjoyed the match. This was in contrast to the no-handshake controversy on the field. Jalil has travelled the world for over 50 years to support Pakistan. He was thrilled when his friend Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary greeted him during the innings break. “I have known Sudhir since 2004, when he first came to Pakistan for the Pakistan-India series,” Jalil said. “Sudhir came to me at the innings break yesterday (Sunday) and I told him that ‘your team played very well’ and I congratulated him.” But Jalil stated he was upset about the handshake fiasco on the field. “What happened on the field was sad. But the crowd showed great sporting spirit,” he said. “Yesterday, the fans had a great time in the match, the Indian and Pakistani fans. A lot of Indian fans came to me like they always do to take pictures and make videos.” Meanwhile, Farooq Anjum Shah, known as Chacha Pakistani, shared his hope. He wished cricket would help bring peace between the two countries. “With love and friendship, India and Pakistan can rule this world together, not with hate and war,” he said. “Yes, there are differences between the two countries, but we can always find a solution. And cricket can be a beautiful medium to find those solutions.”
Anandkumar Velkumar Scripts History; Clinching Gold in Skating
Anandkumar Velkumar, the Indian speed skater, clinched the country’s first-ever gold medal at the Speed Skating World Championships in Beidaihe, China. The 22-year-old talent won the medal by topping the senior men’s 1,000m sprint with a time of 1:24.924. Before this tournament he earned a bronze medal in the 500m sprint. Amplifying the glory, Krish Sharma clinched another gold medal in the junior category 1000m. Earlier this year, he claimed a bronze in the 1,000 m sprint at the World Games in Chengdu — India’s first-ever medal in roller sports at the event. His potential had already been evident in 2021, when he secured silver in the 15 km elimination event at the Junior World Championships. Two years later, he played a key role in India’s bronze-medal finish in the 3,000m team relay at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Now, with a world title to his name, Velkumar continues to rise, pushing skating further into the spotlight in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the young talent on his “X” handle, stating, “Proud of Anandkumar Velkumar for winning the gold at the Senior Men’s 1000m Sprint in the Speed Skating World Championships 2025. His grit, speed, and spirit have made him India’s first world champion in skating. His accomplishment will inspire countless youngsters. Congratulations to him, and best wishes for all future endeavours.” The Speed Skating World Championships began in Beidaihe on 13th September, and the tournament will continue till 21st September.
“I felt the only way to leave Japan was to set the world record”: Duplantis
Armand “Mondo” Duplantis stole the show at the World Athletics Championships, breaking the world record for the 14th time. He succeeded in defending his pole vault with a 6.30 m clearance in Tokyo. Duplantis won Olympic gold at the same venue in 2021, but that triumph came in front of empty stands due to COVID-19 restrictions. Four years later, the atmosphere was completely transformed, with over 50,000 fans packing the stadium and roaring the 25-year-old to glory. “I felt the only way to leave Japan was to set the world record. That was my mentality,” stated Duplantis. “I think that the difference maker was being able to have the spectators and have the full energy of the crowd, because it was one of the best stadiums and atmospheres and experiences that I’ve ever had. I think that really helped towards the end when it was starting to get a little bit later and we were getting a little bit more tired,” he added. Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, Duplantis’ long-time rival since their junior days, secured silver with a 6.00 m clearance, while Australia’s Kurtis Marschall earned bronze with a personal-best 5.95 m. While talking about Karalis, “I was pushed very hard by Emmanouil today; he’s just a super tough competitor. I’m really proud of the way that he competed, not only today, but throughout the whole year.” Though he has long dominated the event, Duplantis insisted that breaking the record was far from easy. “I know people think that I just do it in my backyard all the time. But it does not work that way, even though I have racked up quite a few of them (records). You have to get the numbers right. You have to get everything perfect and every tiny little detail right to make it,” he said.
ICC not to remove Pycroft from Asia Cup: Will Pakistan withdraw from UAE match?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it will not accept PCB’s demand to remove match-referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup. The controversy has escalated, as Cricbuzz reports that the PCB is considering instructing the Pakistan team to withdraw from their next match against UAE in protest over the ICC’s decision. Such a move would eliminate Pakistan from the tournament, as they and the UAE are vying for the second Super Four spot from Group A. India has already advanced by defeating both the UAE and Pakistan. The PCB complained to the ACC and ICC, stating that Pycroft had little to no involvement in the incident. According to the PCB, he only relayed the Indian team’s message to Pakistan captain, Salman Ali Agha, in order to avoid embarrassment at the toss for the India-Pakistan match. Salman didn’t look upset at toss time. But after Suryakumar Yadav and his mates refused to shake hands after the game, he refused to turn up for the post-match interview. “The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup,” Naqvi had written to ICC. It will be fascinating to see whether PCB and Naqvi have the guts to pull out of what is a virtual knockout match. This would mean that Pakistan will be eliminated from the Asia Cup in the group stage itself.
Irfan Pathan slams Pakistan, says even a domestic team from India can beat them!
Irfan Pathan slammed Pakistan, saying even a domestic side from India could beat them. He went on to say teams like Mumbai and Punjab, which have become consistent in white-ball Indian domestic tournaments, could beat Pakistan. “If you ask which of our domestic teams can beat Pakistan, I know for sure Mumbai can beat them. Punjab can beat them,” said Irfan on Sony Sports Network. India were clinical in their approach, limiting Pakistan to 127/9 in 20 overs after being asked to bowl first. While chasing, the toothless Pakistani bowling attack was no match for the Indian batters either, as the Men in Blue chased down the modest target in 15.5 overs with seven wickets in hand. Former Mumbai cricketer Abhishek Nayar also agreed to Pathan’s notion, explaining that the match could have been a better preparatory match for India if it was India versus India! “We were thinking about how to build up the game. Pakistan came with spinners and did not have fast bowlers. Their bowling was different, but there was no actual difference. From the start to the end, after winning the toss and batting first to the chase, Pakistan were not in the competition at all. If India were playing versus India, and it was more of a practice match for the future,” said Nayar.
