Neeraj Chopra’s medal streak ended in Tokyo as he finished 8th in the World Athletics Championships 2025 javelin final. For the first time in 7 years, the Olympic and world champion missed the podium. His best throw of 84.03m fell short, leaving him visibly frustrated. In contrast, 25-year-old Sachin Yadav impressed with a lifetime best of 86.27m, finishing 4th and missing bronze by just 40cm. Trinidad’s Keshorn Walcott won gold with 88.16m, Grenada’s Anderson Peters claimed silver, and USA’s Curtis Thompson took bronze. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem also disappointed, finishing 10th. The night marked major upsets in men’s javelin. (PC: India Today) 

Pakistan defeated UAE by 41 runs in the Asia Cup 2025 but faced heavy criticism for another poor batting show. Former fast bowler Wasim Akram admitted Pakistan’s loss to India left him “down and depressed” and said the team again showed technical faults against UAE. Only Fakhar Zaman crossed 30 runs, while Shaheen Afridi’s late unbeaten 29 saved Pakistan from more embarrassment. Captain Salman Ali Agha admitted batting struggles in middle overs remain a concern before the Super Four clash against India on September 21. Pakistan managed 146/9, with bowlers doing well, but batting woes continue to dominate discussions. (PC: NDTV)

Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 clash with the UAE in Dubai was delayed by an hour after Pakistan threatened to boycott. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wanted match referee Andy Pycroft removed, citing bias and his role in the handshake row with India. PCB also demanded action against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav for remarks they called political. The International Cricket Council (ICC) refused both demands. Pakistan finally agreed to play after talks, with Pycroft continuing as referee. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem won the toss and chose to bowl. The must-win game went ahead under high tension and controversy. (PC: India Today)

The Pakistan vs UAE Asia Cup 2025 match in Dubai began after a one-hour delay. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem won the toss and chose to bowl first. The game saw tension as Pakistan had earlier refused to leave their hotel with Andy Pycroft set to officiate. The ICC confirmed that Pycroft would remain as match referee despite controversy from the September 14 India-Pakistan match. The PCB said Pycroft apologised for barring the captains from shaking hands, calling it a “miscommunication.” The ICC added it may hold an inquiry. Both teams are under pressure in this high-stakes group clash. (PC: AFP)

India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra qualified for the men’s javelin final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo with his very first throw. Chopra crossed the automatic mark of 84.50m, registering 84.85m to seal his spot. The 2023 world gold medalist and 2022 silver medalist will now aim to defend his crown against tough rivals including Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, Germany’s Julian Weber, and Czech thrower Jakub Vadlejch. Three other Indians—Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, and Yash Vir Singh—also competed in the qualifiers. The final is scheduled for Thursday, where Chopra looks to make history by defending his world title. (PC: X)

India’s 7-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 was overshadowed by fresh controversy. Captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team refused the post-match handshake, drawing criticism from Pakistan and a formal PCB complaint. Former cricketer Suresh Raina claimed, “No Indian player wanted to play the Asia Cup. They are forced because BCCI agreed.” He added that if players were asked personally, “they would have said no.” Raina’s remarks highlight growing unease among Indian cricketers about playing Pakistan. With Pakistan players fuming and Indian players reportedly unhappy, the tournament has turned into a political and emotional flashpoint. (PC: X)

Pakistan cancelled their pre-match press conference before their Asia Cup 2025 clash with the UAE, raising fresh boycott fears. The move came after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Pakistan’s demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft. The controversy began with the “no handshake” incident during the India-Pakistan game, where Pakistan alleged Pycroft stopped their captain from greeting India’s Suryakumar Yadav. The PCB also complained to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Reports say PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi even sacked cricket operations director Usman Walha over the mishandling. Pakistan now face UAE in a crucial group game. (PC:  India Today)

BCCI announced Apollo Tyres as Team India's new lead sponsor after parting ways with Dream11, marking Apollo's first-ever foray into Indian cricket. The partnership, secured through rigorous bidding, spans two and a half years until March 2028. Apollo Tyres' logo will feature on Indian men's and women's national team jerseys across all formats. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia praised the partnership as testament to teams' consistent performance, while Vice-President Rajeev Shukla highlighted bringing together cricket's spirit with Apollo's pioneering legacy. Apollo Vice-Chairman Neeraj Kanwar emphasized cricket's unmatched popularity and the honor of supporting Indian sport at the highest level. The competitive bidding process demonstrates strong market confidence in BCCI and Team India's global brand value. (PC: BCCI, Siasat.com & Trading View)

Indian Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu clinched her second consecutive FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss title in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, scoring 8/11 and edging Kateryna Lagno on tiebreaks. Her final round draw against Tan Zhongyi secured her spot in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament. Vaishali’s journey from defeating Magnus Carlsen at 12 to earning multiple titles reflects her resilience and strategic brilliance. She becomes the only player to defend the Grand Swiss title and joins Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh in the Candidates. Leaders, including PM Modi, praised her achievement. Her brother Praggnanandhaa also qualified for the Open Candidates, marking a historic moment for Indian chess and the Rameshbabu siblings.

The ICC has rejected Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft over a “no handshake” controversy during the Asia Cup 2025 match against India. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also head of the ACC, accused Pycroft of violating the Spirit of Cricket and demanded his removal. The ICC denied the plea, prompting PCB to consider boycotting their next match against UAE. The controversy stemmed from PCB’s Director Usman Walha failing to inform captain Salman Agha of the “No Handshake” policy, leading to Walha’s dismissal. Pakistan must beat UAE to reach the Super 4 stage and potentially face India again, with Pycroft still officiating.