India will open the defence of their Champions Trophy title against arch-rivals Pakistan at next year’s tournament in England and Wales, the International Cricket Council announced yesterday.

Mexican authorities arrested on Tuesday a man married to a cousin of football star Alan Pulido, accusing the suspect of ordering the player’s high-profile kidnapping over the weekend.

Lionel Messi and Argentina will be targeting to end the country’s 23-year title drought when the Copa America Centenario kicks off tomorrow after a troubled build-up marred by corruption allegations which threatened to derail the event.

British boxer Amir Khan yesterday hailed the decision to allow professional boxers at the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, saying he would love to represent the country of his parents’ birth, Pakistan.

India’s boxing star Mary Kom is seeking a wildcard entry to the Olympics after a loss last month during qualifying saw her dreams of competing in Rio shattered, an official said yesterday.

Professional boxers can compete at the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the sport’s governing body ruled in a landmark decision yesterday.

Germany veteran Lukas Podolski was left fuming yesterday having been dubbed the ‘mascot’ of die Mannschaft in some quarters due to his dearth of recent appearances for the world champions.

Everton’s Romelu Lukaku has described himself as one of the most gifted strikers in world football after scoring 25 goals in all competitions for his Premier League club last season.

Karim Benzema claimed racism was behind his non-selection for France’s Euro 2016 squad in an interview the Real Madrid striker gave to Spanish daily Marca yesterday.

Because it rhymes and because he was a baby-faced 18 when he made his NHL debut, Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby always will be known as Sid the Kid. But in hockey terms, he’s no youngster anymore.

They had gathered in deep left-center field, the remnants of a defending world champion, the remaining core of a team beset by injuries.

Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic has remained tight-lipped about his future at club and international level, telling reporters yesterday that he would let them know his plans when he was good and ready.