BRITAIN'S star couple Jason and Laura Kenny were both denied gold at the Izu Velodrome on Tuesday (3) but still added to the family collection by winning Olympic silver medals in the men's team sprint and women's team pursuit.
Britain were resoundingly beaten in both finals as Germany broke the world record to win the team sprint before the Netherlands cruised to victory in the team pursuit.
Convincing defeats ended British dominance in the disciplines after the team, inspired by the Kennys, won both events in London and Rio. In the men's team sprint, Britain also clinched gold in Beijing.
Jason Kenny's silver medal makes him the first person to win eight Olympic medals in track cycling, moving him ahead of compatriots Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins. Only five other riders have won medals on the track at four different Olympics.
"It's nice, I limped over the line with a silver," said Kenny. "The main thing was I beat Chris (Hoy) obviously. I know it will annoy him, he'll make a comeback now! It's nice, it's special. I'm always amazed, the Games seems to get harder every time."
Kenny levels Wiggins' eight medals in total at the top of Britain's all-time list of most decorated Olympians. Wiggins also won a road racing gold in London.
More records could be broken later in the week, with Kenny potentially going for gold in the keirin and individual sprint.
A victory would give him the most Olympic golds of any British athlete, ahead of Hoy, who won six.
"My best chance of being on the podium was probably in the team sprint so really happy to be there," he said.
Laura Kenny's defeat ended her remarkable streak of having won gold in every Olympic event she had entered. Previously, she won team pursuit and omnium golds in both 2012 and 2016.
"That was an unbelievable run," Jason said. "But the German team turned up and absolutely destroyed the world record. Same with us with the Dutch, we can be pleased with our own ride.
"They've done their job and I hope Laura is proud. I hope she's happy."
Laura Kenny already owns the most gold medals of any British female athlete in history and she is now one short of equestrian rider Charlotte Dujardin for medals overall.
Together, Jason and Laura Kenny have won 10 Olympic gold medals. They were married in September 2016, shortly after their hugely successful Olympics in Rio. In 2017 they had a son called Albert.
Afghanistan, who have not played a T20 international in 2025, will face Pakistan in the opening match of the tri-series on Friday. (Photo: Getty Images)
AFGHANISTAN on Sunday named a spin-heavy squad led by Rashid Khan for the upcoming T20 tri-series in Sharjah and the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
The squad includes spinners Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar and Mohammad Nabi alongside captain Rashid Khan.
Nineteen-year-old Ghazanfar has yet to play a T20I but has featured in domestic cricket and one-day internationals.
Fazlhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib are the pace options.
Afghanistan, who have not played a T20 international in 2025, will face Pakistan in the opening match of the tri-series on Friday.
The six-team Asia Cup begins on September 9, where Afghanistan are in Group B with Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. They will face Hong Kong in their first match in Abu Dhabi.
Defending champions India, Oman, Pakistan and the UAE are in Group A. After the Asia Cup, Afghanistan will play three ODIs and three T20Is against Bangladesh in the UAE in October.
Afghanistan squad: Rashid Khan (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Bangladesh also announced their 16-member squad for the Asia Cup, leaving out Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Allrounder Saif Hassan and wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan have been picked. The squad will be led by Litton Das.
Mehidy, who was appointed Bangladesh’s ODI captain in June, and opener Saif Hassan were both part of the team that defeated Pakistan 2-1 last month but did not retain their spots for the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh will play three T20 internationals against the Netherlands before opening their Asia Cup campaign against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on September 11.
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Pujara made his Test debut in 2010 and went on to score 7,195 runs in the format at an average of 43.60. (Photo: Getty Images)
CHETESHWAR PUJARA on Sunday (August 24) announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, bringing to a close an international career that lasted more than a decade.
Pujara played 103 Test matches and five One Day Internationals for India. His last appearance came in the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023.
He made his Test debut in 2010 and went on to score 7,195 runs in the format at an average of 43.60.
The 37-year-old said it was time to end his playing career. "Wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and trying my best each time I stepped on the field -- it's impossible to put into words what it truly meant," Pujara said in a post on social media.
"But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and with immense gratitude, I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket."
Pujara recalled his early journey in the game. "As a little boy from the small town of Rajkot, along with my parents, I set out to aim for the stars; and dreamt to be a part of the Indian cricket team," he wrote.
"Little did I know then that this game would give me so much -- invaluable opportunities, experiences, purpose, love, and above all a chance to represent my state and this great nation."
Known for his Test match focus in an era dominated by T20 cricket, Pujara had often spoken about the routines that helped him sustain his career.
"I have certain routines, fitness, little bit of meditation, yoga and pranayama (a breathing technique) because it is necessary to shut the outside noise, even if it is positive," he told reporters in 2023.
"We play nine Tests on an average, and when you go back home, unless you have domestic cricket, you are not in touch with the game. Keep challenging yourself, keep training, looking forward."
(With inputs from agencies)
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The tournament begins on September 30 and the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host up to five fixtures - including the tournament opener, a semifinal and potentially the final on November 2. (Photo: Getty Images)
MUMBAI will host next month’s Women's ODI World Cup, instead of Bengaluru, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Friday (22), citing "unforeseen circumstances".
Eleven people died on June 4 at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory celebrations in the Indian Premier League.
"While unforeseen circumstances required us to adjust the schedule and replace a venue, we are pleased to now have a line-up of five world-class venues that will showcase the very best of the women's game," ICC chairman Jay Shah said in a statement.
"The stage is set, and I am confident this tournament will capture imaginations and inspire a new generation of fans," he added.
The tournament begins on September 30 and the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host up to five fixtures - including the tournament opener, a semifinal and potentially the final on November 2.
Though no reason was cited, the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru failed to secure the required administrative and security clearances.
The ICC Women's ODI World Cup returns to India after a 12-year hiatus.
Shah noted Navi Mumbai's reputation as a hub for women's cricket.
"Navi Mumbai has emerged as a genuine home for women's cricket in recent years. The support it has received during international fixtures and the Women's Premier League has been remarkable, creating an atmosphere that elevates the players and inspires fans.
"I am certain that the same energy will define the big matches of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup as it returns to India after 12 years," Shah said.
The other confirmed venues for the eight-team tournament include Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam, and Colombo.
Colombo is a neutral venue to host the India-Pakistan clash.
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Harry Brook leads his team off the field during the 2nd ODI between England and the West Indies at Sophia Gardens on June 01, 2025 in Cardiff. (Photo: Getty Images)
ENGLAND on Wednesday confirmed the dates for their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in January and February next year, which will form part of their build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Harry Brook’s side will begin the tour with the first of three one-day internationals on January 22, two weeks after the scheduled fifth day of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. Brook, who is now England’s white-ball captain, is expected to feature in that match.
The ODI series will conclude on January 27, followed by three T20 internationals starting on January 30 and finishing on February 3.
Sri Lanka Cricket is yet to confirm the venues for the fixtures.
The T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
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Indian cricket captain Suryakumar Yadav (L) and Ajit Agarkar chairman of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee attend a press conference to announce T20 squad for upcoming Men's Asia Cup, in Mumbai on August 19, 2025. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
TEST skipper Shubman Gill was on Tuesday (19) named in India's T20 squad for next month's Asia Cup cricket tournament after being left out of three previous series in the shortest format.
Gill, 25, returned to the 15-man squad as deputy to skipper Suryakumar Yadav, thanks to the stellar role he played with the bat in the recent Test series against England.
The top-order batsman scored 754 runs as India's relatively young squad fought from behind to square the five-match series 2-2.
"We obviously see some leadership qualities in him (Gill)," chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said in Mumbai. "His form in England... exceeded our expectations which is a great sign when there's so much pressure as captain."
Suryakumar said he was happy to have Gill in the squad as he did not get too many opportunities in the past.
The Asia Cup will begin on September 9 with defending champions India set to face hosts United Arab Emirates a day later in Dubai in the eight-nation tournament.
India and Pakistan have been clubbed in Group A and clash on September 14.
Gill, who was named Test skipper after the retirement of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli earlier this year, last played a T20 international in July 2024.
Shubman Gill of India during day one of the 5th Rothesay Test Match between England and India at The Kia Oval on July 31, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also made a comeback to the T20 ranks after opting out of two matches in England to manage his workload.
Bumrah's last T20 outing was India's World Cup title win over South Africa at Barbados in June 2024.
Kohli and Rohit quit T20 internationals after the triumph. Bumrah will be part of the pace attack alongside left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav lead the spin charge.