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Kamran wants Pak, India to maintain calm in Asia Cup clash | The Express Tribune

Published

2 months ago

September 10, 2025

Kamran wants Pak, India to maintain calm in Asia Cup clash | The Express Tribune

LAHORE:

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal hopes the much-anticipated encounter between India and Pakistan in Dubai goes ahead peacefully, amidst concerns of tensions spilling over on and off the field.

The high-voltage Asia Cup match on Sunday comes just four months after a military conflict between the two neighbours — their most serious standoff since the 1999 Kargil war.

The conflict followed a terrorist attack on the Indian tourist site of Pahalgam in April, which killed 26 people. India accused Pakistan of involvement, charges that Islamabad strongly denied. The incident escalated into missile and aircraft attacks from both sides before being defused through US President Donald Trump’s intervention.

Amidst calls for a boycott, New Delhi cleared the match under its sports policy, which allows participation against Pakistan in multinational tournaments but not bilateral series.

“Fans Must Show Big Hearts”

Kamran, who played in several iconic India-Pakistan contests including the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali, admitted to Telecom Asia Sport that the atmosphere is tense and requires careful handling.

“These are tough times in India-Pakistan relations,” Kamran told Telecom Asia Sport.

“It will be tense, and that is why there are fears. But I think it will get better only if the game goes well.”
Recalling the United Arab Emirates as a neutral venue where fans from both sides often mingled,

Kamran appealed for restraint:

“Fans should show a big heart and come together to enjoy the full match. It should be an atmosphere like in the past. I request fans not to cross the line, whether they are from Pakistan or India. They must make the match successful so that Indo-Pak matches continue.”

Kamran acknowledged that aggression has always been part of Indo-Pak matches, but warned that players must not let emotions cross the line.

“Aggression is the beauty of an India-Pakistan match. How to take that aggression is the key. Respect should be there. Players will have to remember cricket is a gentleman’s game. If they keep that in mind, I am sure Sunday’s match will go untroubled.”

He cited a recent example:

“There was an ‘A’ team match in Oman last year where Sufiyan Muqeem and Abhishek Sharma had a verbal clash. Aggression will always be there, but it should be controlled.”

Kamran also reflected on his famous on-field spat with India’s current head coach Gautam Gambhir during the 2010 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

“It was a misunderstanding. Gautam is a very good person. We had toured Kenya together for an ‘A’ team event and became good friends. In that Asia Cup match, I appealed when he missed a shot. He was talking to himself about the miss, but I thought he said something to me. That’s how the misunderstanding happened.”

Despite the fraught political backdrop, Kamran believes cricket can help bridge divides:

“Both teams will be tense, but like in the past, it will ease out once the game begins. If they play good cricket, differences will get less. I am sure a full house will enjoy the game.”

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Transfer rumors, news: Juventus eye move for Chelsea’s Gusto

Published

22 minutes ago

October 27, 2025

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Transfer rumors, news: Juventus eye move for Chelsea’s Gusto

Oct 27, 2025, 04:35 PM ET

Juventus are looking at a move for Chelsea defender Malo Gusto, while Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has been linked with Manchester United, but the club’s minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has shot that down. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TRENDING RUMORS

– Juventus are keeping tabs on Chelsea right back Malo Gusto, according to Calciomercato. The France international is viewed by Juve as a potential alternative to Atlético Madrid‘s Nahuel Molina, whom the club came close to signing back in the summer. With captain Reece James returning to form and fitness in the right back position, the Blues may sanction Gusto’s exit if a suitable offer arrives.

– Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has blocked a shock move for Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, reports The Daily Mirror. Lewandowski, 37, is expected to become a free agent next summer, and won’t be short of potential suitors if he does. However, United won’t be among them as things stand, with Ratcliffe keen to “not repeat the mistakes of the past” by signing a player toward the end of his career. The Poland international has scored 73 league goals for Barcelona since joining in 2022 on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.

– Barcelona and Arsenal are set to battle to sign 15-year-old Montpellier striker Lacine Megnan-Pave, according to L’Equipe. Megnan-Pave has caught the eye with his performances for Montpellier’s U19 side, where he has scored twice in five games, and the 6-foot left-footed forward could have a choice to make in the near future. Though Barcelona and their La Masia academy are tipped to get the deal over the line first.

– Bayern Munich are among the clubs considering a bid to sign FC Cologne winger Said El Mala in January, Sky Germany has revealed. El Mala, 19, is under contract at the club until June 2030, so his transfer is valued above the €40 million mark following an electric start to the Bundesliga season. As things stand, Cologne are not willing to entertain January offers that would see the 19-year-old return to the club on loan for the remainder of the season.

– Tottenham Hotspur may look to replace striker Dominic Solanke in the January transfer window, Football Insider reports. The England international hasn’t impressed new Spurs boss Thomas Frank, although his ongoing fitness issues have not helped matters. The club hope to bring in a new forward when the transfer window reopens, with former Brentford star Ivan Toney among those linked in recent weeks.

EXPERT TAKE

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OTHER RUMORS

– Santos are set to evaluate the technical conditions of extending Neymar‘s contract at the club, according to club president Marcelo Teixeira. (O Globo)

– Bukayo Saka is edging closer to agreeing to a record-breaking new contract with Arsenal. He is set to become the club’s highest-ever paid player, with a salary of over £300,000. (Football Insider)

– Barcelona are yet to decide whether they’ll sanction a loan move for winger Roony Bardghji. Stuttgart were previously in advanced talks to sign the 19-year-old and could be among his suitors if Barca place him on the loan list. (Sky Germany)

– Tottenham are tracking FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, 21, but Arsenal, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are also interested. (Caught Offside)

– Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, 33, looks set to leave for free at the end of the season as the club won’t extend his contract. (Football Insider)

– Roma are interested if Manchester United are willing to sanction a loan deal for forward Joshua Zirkzee. (TBR)

– Tottenham and Manchester United both made £50 million bids to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo in the summer, which were rejected. (Telegraph)

– Out-of-favor Brentford midfielder Fábio Carvalho could return to the Bundesliga in January, and a loan move is being explored. (Sky Germany)

– West Ham United are keen on signing Barcelona wonderkid Pedro “Dro” Fernández in January. (Alan Nixon)

– Aston Villa want to sign winger Morgan Rogers, 23, to a new contract quickly. (Football Insider)

– A Juventus scout was present at Saturday’s match between Udinese and Lecce to monitor midfielder Arthur Atta. The 22-year-old has impressed so far in Serie A this season, with three goal involvements in eight matches to date. (Nicolo Schira)

– AC Milan are planning on signing a center back and a striker in the winter transfer window. (Nicolo Schira)

– Wolverhampton Wanderers insist manager Vítor Pereira is “not under immediate threat” of being sacked, despite the club’s poor start. (TalkSPORT)

– Peterborough United have held talks with former Swansea City manager Luke Williams over the vacant manager’s post. (Sky Sports News)

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Men’s NCAA tournament 2026 schedule, locations, bracket announcement date, more

Published

5 hours ago

October 27, 2025

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Men’s NCAA tournament 2026 schedule, locations, bracket announcement date, more

Oct 27, 2025, 12:00 PM ET

The 2026 men’s NCAA tournament will cap the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season, which tips Nov. 3. By the end, on April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a champion will be crowned. Let’s look at the details of how that will happen.

March Madness 2026 begins with the announcement of the 68-team bracket on Selection Sunday (March 15).

The First Four, at UD Arena in Dayton, will consist of eight teams playing for a spot in the opening round on Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18.

The round of 64 begins Thursday, March 19, and the round of 32 begins Saturday, March 21. The cities for the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament are: Buffalo, New York; Greenville, South Carolina; Oklahoma City; Portland; Tampa; Philadelphia; San Diego; and St. Louis, Missouri.

The regional semifinals (Sweet 16) and finals (Elite Eight) will take place in Houston (South); San Jose, California (West); Chicago (Midwest); and Washington, D.C. (East).

The Final Four will take place April 4 and 6 in Indianapolis.

Complete dates and venue information for the 2025 Division I men’s NCAA tournament are below.

Meanwhile, bookmark Joe Lunardi’s ESPN Bracketology for projections of the field, including teams considered to be on the bubble. The bracket will be updated every Tuesday during the nonconference portion of the 2025-26 regular season, every Tuesday and Friday during conference play and more frequently during league tournaments — aka Champ Week — in the lead-up to Selection Sunday.

Selection Sunday: March 15

First Four: March 17-18

First round (round of 64): March 19