India dominated Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup, bowling them out for 55 before cruising to a seven-wicket win, while Shafali Verma reached 3,000 T20I runs.
In football, Erling Haaland scored the winner against Coventry as Manchester City moved top of the Premier League and the striker reached 300 club goals.
Elsewhere, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty reached the China Masters final, while Serena and Venus Williams’ US Open doubles comeback ended in a three-hour thriller. Rumesh Tharanga made Sri Lankan history by winning the Diamond League javelin title, while Pakistan cricket faced further turmoil over a reported phone investigation, Fatima Sana’s send-off of Shafali drew attention, Brian Lara called for medical care for Imran Khan, and Ishan Kishan backed Mohammed Shami’s India comeback hopes.
1. India crush Pakistan by seven wickets in Women’s Asia Cup
India produced a commanding display against Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup, bowling their rivals out for just 55 in 18.1 overs before chasing down the target in only 8.4 overs. Shree Charani and Prema Rawat claimed three wickets each, while Deepti Sharma took two as Pakistan suffered their lowest-ever all-out total in Women’s T20Is. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana briefly threatened to change the course of the chase with three wickets, removing Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana. However, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma guided India home by seven wickets, securing top spot in Group A with three wins from three matches.
2. Haaland sends Manchester City top with Coventry win
Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal as Manchester City beat newly promoted Coventry City 1-0 to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season. Haaland headed home in the 26th minute after Enzo Fernandez helped create the opening, giving new manager Enzo Maresca a third consecutive league victory. Coventry created opportunities to equalise, but Gianluigi Donnarumma made two crucial late saves to preserve City’s advantage. The result moved City three points clear of defending champions Arsenal ahead of their clash with Chelsea, while Haaland also reached 300 club goals.
3. PCB phone-confiscation report adds to Pakistan cricket turmoil
The Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly taken its players’ mobile phones into custody during the England Test series as part of an unspecified investigation. A report by 365 News claimed that the PCB was conducting an investigation, although it did not reveal what was being examined, prompting speculation on social media about possible anti-corruption concerns. The reported move comes amid major changes to Pakistan’s Test setup after defeats in the first two matches. Seven players were released from the touring squad, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also replaced ahead of the third Test, which begins on September 9.
4. Satwik-Chirag reach third China Masters final in four editions
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty reached the men’s doubles final of the China Masters 2026 after defeating Malaysia’s Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong 21-16, 18-21, 21-11 in Shenzhen. The world No. 5 Indian pair recovered from a closely fought second game to dominate the decider and seal victory in one hour and six minutes. It is their third China Masters final in the last four editions after finishing runners-up in 2023 and 2025. The Indian duo, who won the Singapore Open earlier this year, will now chase their maiden China Masters title and 10th career BWF World Tour crown.
5. Chan and Joint end Serena-Venus Williams’ US Open comeback
Serena and Venus Williams’ return to the US Open doubles competition ended with a dramatic three-hour defeat to Chan Hao-Ching and Maya Joint. The Williams sisters lost 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 [7] after fighting back from a set down and forcing a deciding super tiebreak in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium. Serena and Venus raced to a 5-0 lead in the super tiebreak but were unable to close out the match as Chan and Joint won six of the next seven points. Chan and Joint advance to the second round, while the Williams sisters suffered their second consecutive super-tiebreak defeat since reuniting as a doubles team.
6. Rumesh Tharanga makes Sri Lankan history with Diamond League title
Rumesh Tharanga became the first Sri Lankan athlete to win a Diamond League title after taking the men’s javelin crown in Brussels with a throw of 89.04m. The world No. 1 produced his winning effort in the third round after Poland’s Dawid Wegner had taken the lead with a personal best of 87.47m. Keshorn Walcott finished third with 83.99m, while Anderson Peters was fourth. Tharanga’s victory capped a breakthrough season that has included a Sri Lankan national record and world-leading 92.62m throw in Rome, along with Commonwealth Games gold.
7. Fatima Sana’s Shafali send-off draws attention after Asia Cup dismissal
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana drew attention with an animated send-off after dismissing Shafali Verma during India’s Women’s Asia Cup chase. Sana caught Shafali off her own bowling after the Indian opener attempted to work a good-length delivery through the leg side, ending her innings on 12 from six balls. The dismissal was one of three wickets Sana claimed as Pakistan briefly threatened to make India’s chase competitive after being bowled out for 55. Shafali had earlier reached 3,000 Women’s T20I runs during the match, becoming the youngest player to reach the landmark at 22 years and 220 days.
8. Brian Lara calls for proper medical care for Imran Khan
West Indies great Brian Lara has joined former cricketers calling for proper medical treatment and dignity for jailed former Pakistan captain Imran Khan. Lara said his respect for Imran had been immediate despite their limited meetings on the field and called for independent medical care for the former Pakistan leader. His comments follow similar appeals from former international cricketers including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Greg Chappell, while Australia’s Pat Cummins has also spoken about treating Imran with dignity. The issue gained renewed attention after Imran’s sons raised concerns about their father’s health and safety during an interview with Michael Atherton.
9. Ishan Kishan backs Mohammed Shami’s India comeback ambitions
East Zone captain Ishan Kishan believes Mohammed Shami still has the hunger and motivation required to return to the Indian team. Shami, who has been working extensively in domestic cricket, is set to play his 100th first-class match in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone. Kishan praised the veteran pacer’s willingness to ask for additional overs and offer tactical options, saying those qualities demonstrate his desire to win matches. Shami has been away from India’s Test setup since the 2023 World Test Championship final, but Kishan believes his intensity, approach and work ethic remain strong.
10. Haaland reaches 300 club goals faster than Ronaldo and Mbappe
Erling Haaland reached 300 club career goals as Manchester City defeated Coventry City 1-0 to maintain their perfect Premier League record. The Norway striker reached the landmark in 384 appearances across spells with Molde, Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and City. While Lionel Messi reached 300 club goals in fewer appearances, Haaland got there faster than Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo, who needed 398 and 499 appearances respectively. His 26th-minute header against Coventry proved decisive and marked his third goal in two games as City moved to the top of the Premier League.