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Pakistan Super League fails to ignite in early matches

DUBAI: As the 10th match was completed in the Pakistan Super League, a third of the way into the tournament, it feels as if it is stuck in first gear. The excitement that once defined the league — packed stadiums, electrifying contests, a sense of national celebration — has been conspicuously absent. This is especially the case in Karachi. In the 2019 final, the National Stadium, despite logistical challenges, hosted a rocking full house. Now, it has sparsely populated stands.

Saudi Arabia not ruling out a bid for 2035 World Cup

JEDDAH :Saudi Arabia, hosts of the 2034 soccer World Cup, could make a bid for the 2035 Rugby World Cup despite barely playing the game.

Saudi Arabia not ruling out a bid for 2035 Rugby World Cup

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia, hosts of the 2034 football World Cup, could make a bid for the 2035 Rugby World Cup despite barely playing the game. Sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal was not ruling it out when he met reporters on the sidelines of Sunday’s floodlit Formula One grand prix in Jeddah. “We’re interested in rugby, we’re interested in developing the sport locally, so we created a federation to see what we can do to develop the sport,” he said. “I don’t think we’re on the level of hosting yet but ‘35 is in 10 years so maybe it grows in that direction and we see a big interest in that, then why not?” The Times newspaper reported last month that Saudi Arabia could join with Qatar, who hosted the 2022 football World Cup, and the United Arab Emirates in a joint bid for 2035 or 2039. It quoted Asia Rugby President Qais Al-Dhalai, an Emirati, as saying it could happen. “A multi-host could be a successful story and a new model for rugby. UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia.

Mature O'Connor back in the Wallabies frame for Lions series

SYDNEY :James O'Connor calmly slotted two late penalties to keep the Canterbury Crusaders in the hunt for another Super Rugby Pacific title at the weekend, bringing himself right back into the reckoning for the British & Irish Lions series in the process.