World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka reached her fourth consecutive US Open women’s singles final after defeating American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinal. Sabalenka produced a powerful performance, hitting 29 winners and seven aces to overcome the No. 3 seed. She is now one victory away from winning her third consecutive US Open title, a feat achieved only by Serena Williams in the Open Era. Sabalenka will face Elena Rybakina in the final after the Kazakh player defeated Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Rybakina has also become the new world No. 1. (PC: AFP)

India reached the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final after defeating Bangladesh by 40 runs in the semifinal. Batting first, India posted 149/5, with Shafali Verma producing a crucial 64 off 40 balls, including three sixes. Despite a difficult pitch and Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling, Shafali’s aggressive innings gave India a competitive total. Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 24, while Richa Ghosh contributed 21. Bangladesh struggled during the chase and finished at 109/7 in 20 overs. Deepti Sharma led India’s bowling with three wickets, helping seal a comfortable victory. India will face the winner of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the final. (PC: IANS)

Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team was mistakenly identified as a group of asylum seekers after anti-immigration protesters gathered outside their hotel in Portsmouth, England. Around 40–50 protesters reportedly assembled near the Marriott hotel following social-media claims about foreign nationals staying there. The group was actually Pakistan’s youth cricket squad, visiting England for a tour. Reform UK councillor George Madgwick contacted the hotel, confirmed the team’s identity and informed the protesters, who then dispersed peacefully. The England and Wales Cricket Board subsequently contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board to check on the players’ welfare and said it would review security arrangements. 

Pakistan’s U-19 cricket team was mistakenly identified as asylum seekers by protesters outside the Marriott Hotel in Portsmouth, where the squad is staying for a four-match youth ODI series in England. Around 30-40 people gathered after rumours spread that foreign nationals had arrived at the hotel. Police intervened and explained that the group was Pakistan’s youth cricket team. The situation was calmed after Reform councillor George Madgwick contacted the hotel and spoke with Pakistan’s head coach. Madgwick then informed protesters they had mistaken the group, calling the episode unfortunate. The crowd left within minutes and the incident ended peacefully, after the misunderstanding was cleared. The misunderstanding cleared quickly, ending the protest. (PC: X)

Lamine Yamal became the youngest captain in Barcelona’s history as the Spanish giants began their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 win over Feyenoord at Camp Nou. The 18-year-old wore the captain’s armband and also found the net, scoring Barcelona’s fourth goal with a free-kick. Raphinha scored twice, while Karim Adeyemi and Gabriel Jesus also found the net as Barcelona dominated the match. Sem Steijn scored Feyenoord’s only goal. The victory continued Barcelona’s perfect start to the season, with Hansi Flick’s side winning all five of their matches across competitions. Yamal’s landmark night added another achievement to his remarkable rise. (PC: NDTV)

Indian hockey teams will return to the iconic blue jerseys at the 2026 Asian Games after wearing saffron and white at both World Cups. Hockey India’s president Dilip Tirkey said the saffron jersey was never permanent and confirmed blue for the Asian Games. The colour change had drawn criticism from hockey enthusiasts and former players, including ex-captain Viren Rasquinha, who said blue represented the team’s legacy and identity. Hockey India said saffron could improve player identification on blue turf and claimed players were consulted, but five players told The Indian Express they were not consulted. Tirkey also said he was kept uninformed. The women finished fifth, while the men finished eighth. (PC: AP & Hockey India)

Hockey India has reversed its decision to make saffron the primary colour of the national team’s jersey. For the 2026 Asian Games, blue will be the main colour, while saffron will be used as the secondary colour. Hockey India treasurer Shekar Manoharan confirmed that the choice was shared with the Indian Olympic Association. The earlier saffron jersey had sparked criticism from former players and political leaders. Hockey India had said the change was based on player feedback about visibility on blue turf. India’s teams will now focus on the Asian Games and qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.  

Former India cricketer Ashish Nehra has said he is not interested in becoming Team India’s head coach. Speaking at a Cricket Association of Bengal event, Nehra said coaching the national team would be an “honour” and “privilege”. However, he said he is happy with his current role. “I never plan things like that,” Nehra said. He also joked that he would first ask his wife if he received an offer because the job involves eight to nine months of travel. Nehra has enjoyed success with Gujarat Titans. He guided them to the IPL title in 2022 and later to more strong seasons.  

Pakistan’s troubled England tour has taken another turn after reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seized mobile phones from some players amid an internal disciplinary inquiry. Pakistani outlet 365 News reported that the devices would remain with the board until the third Test at Edgbaston on September 9. However, the PCB has not confirmed that the inquiry is linked to the reported phone seizure or to match-fixing, and no player has been publicly accused of an integrity offence. The development follows major changes to Pakistan’s squad and coaching staff after England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series at Lord’s. (PC: The Telegraph)

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Asia Cup match against India in Dubai. She breached Article 2.5, concerning actions or gestures that could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter after dismissal. The incident occurred when Fatima, after dismissing Shafali Verma in the second over, gestured towards the pavilion. She admitted the offence and accepted the sanction, avoiding a formal hearing. One demerit point was added to her record, taking her total to two within 24 months. Her earlier demerit point came during a T20I against Ireland in Dublin in August 2025.