CRICKET
Bangladesh fast bowler takes historic Test hat-trick against Afghanistan
Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud became the first pace bowler from his country to take a Test hat-trick, dismissing three Afghanistan batters in consecutive deliveries during their one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on October 11.
The 26-year-old removed Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman to complete the feat, becoming only the third Bangladesh bowler to claim a hat-trick in Test cricket.
Mahmud finished with figures of five wickets for 55 runs as Afghanistan were dismissed for 240 in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 346.
Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah scored an unbeaten 105, but his century left the side 106 runs behind. Bangladesh strengthened their position in the match, reaching 223 for six in their second innings by the close of the third day, with an overall lead of 329 runs.
Mahmud said the achievement felt “surreal”, crediting captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and wicketkeeper Litton Das for encouraging him to review the final dismissal that completed his hat-trick.
CRICKET
Rahmat Shah hits historic century on Afghanistan Test captaincy debut
Afghanistan batter Rahmat Shah became the first player from his country to score a Test century on his captaincy debut, making 105 against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi on October 11.
Shah faced 216 balls and struck 10 fours and two sixes in the one-off Test at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, leading Afghanistan’s first-innings response after Bangladesh posted 346.
Opener Abdul Malik contributed 62, but Afghanistan were bowled out for 240, conceding a 106-run lead.
Shah, appointed Afghanistan’s Test and one-day international captain in July, also scored 51 in the second innings as his side fought to save the match.
Afghanistan eventually secured a draw, finishing their second innings on 346 for eight after a determined final-day effort led by Sediqullah Atal’s 111 not out from 332 balls.
CRICKET
Fakhar Zaman says Pakistan must end ICC trophy drought
Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has acknowledged the pressure on the national team to win a major International Cricket Council trophy, with the 2027 Cricket World Cup offering another opportunity to end the country’s wait.
Pakistan have not won an ICC tournament since the 2017 Champions Trophy, when Zaman scored a century against India in the final.
Speaking ahead of Pakistan’s one-day international tri-series against Sri Lanka and England, Zaman said the team had discussed the drought and was taking the challenge seriously.
He said reaching semi-finals and finals could not match the feeling of winning a trophy for the country.
The 2027 World Cup, scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, could be one of the final opportunities for Zaman’s generation to secure a major international title.
Pakistan began their preparations for the tournament with the tri-series, which runs until October 31.
CANCELLATIONS
Saudi Arabia sports events disrupted after airport attack
Several international sporting events in Saudi Arabia have been cancelled or postponed following an October 10 attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, raising concerns over security.
The Union Cycliste Internationale cancelled the Urban Cycling World Championships, scheduled for November 3–7 in Riyadh, while the $5 million Saudi International golf tournament was postponed indefinitely.
The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition was moved from October 21–24 to December 27–30, while the FIFAe Finals esports competition in Jeddah was postponed without new dates.
Yemen’s Ansar Allah claimed responsibility for the airport attack, which reportedly killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300.
The disruption has also raised questions over Saudi Arabia’s preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Asian Football Confederation president Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said postponement until 2028 remained possible, while Saudi organisers said preparations were continuing as planned.
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in international sport and is scheduled to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
KARATE
Palestinian Maryam Bsharat wins second world title
Palestinian karateka Maryam Bsharat won gold in the junior women’s under-66kg kumite at the World Cadet, Junior and U21 Karate Championships in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, on October 17, defeating Spain’s Noa Lopez Gonzalez 3–1 in the final.
Bsharat reached the final with an 8–7 semi-final victory over Japan’s Wakana Karikomi. The Palestinian, who won the cadet world title in 2024, added a second world championship to her record. She is also a continental champion and has three Karate 1 Youth League titles.
FOOTBALL
Hakimi overtakes Eto’o in Champions League appearances
Morocco international Achraf Hakimi has moved ahead of former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o in the number of appearances by African players in the UEFA Champions League.
Hakimi reached 79 appearances in the competition during Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-2 victory over Manchester City on October 14, moving ahead of Eto’o, who made 78 appearances.
The 27-year-old defender has represented Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain in the competition.
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah remains ahead of Hakimi on the list, according to figures reported by Goal.
FOOTBALL
Salah sets Turkish league record with 10 goal contributions
Egypt captain Mohamed Salah became the fastest player to register 10 goal contributions in the Turkish Super Lig, reaching the milestone in his first seven matches for Trabzonspor.
The 34-year-old forward scored seven goals and provided three assists after joining the Turkish club from Liverpool in the summer.
Salah reached the milestone after assisting Francolino in Trabzonspor’s 3-0 victory over Samsunspor on October 10, taking him to the top of the league’s assist rankings.
His seven goals also placed him level with Umit Sportif’s Gift Orban at the top of the scoring charts, according to figures reported by The National on October 12.
Trabzonspor were fifth in the league, three points behind leaders Galatasaray, following the victory.
FOOTBALL
Spain to challenge FIFA over Islamophobic chants targeting Egypt
Spain is preparing to challenge FIFA sanctions at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after anti-Muslim chanting during a friendly against Egypt in March, according to reports published on October 16.
FIFA rejected an appeal by the Spanish Football Federation over the incident and imposed a $20,000 fine, alongside an order to close at least 15 per cent of the available seats for Spain’s next home friendly.
Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, condemned the chanting as racist and disrespectful.
The planned appeal raises questions over how football authorities address Islamophobia and discrimination among supporters.
The Spanish federation has yet to complete the appeal process, according to the reports.
TAEKWONDO
Saudi taekwondo champion vows comeback after airport attack injury
Saudi taekwondo athlete Sabah Asiri has vowed to return to competition after suffering a serious hand injury in an attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Asiri was travelling home to Jeddah with her father after winning gold in a qualifying competition for the Minister’s Cup when the attack occurred.
She underwent surgery to stabilise fractured bones and stitch her wounds and faces two further operations, according to an interview published by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health.
The athlete, who represents the Saudi national team and Al Shabab Club, said she remained determined to return to taekwondo when her condition allowed.
Asiri has also competed in international, Gulf and Arab competitions, winning a silver medal at the Gulf Games.
UFC
Former Olympic judoka Mahjoub wins UFC debut
Iranian former Olympic judoka Javad Mahjoub won his UFC debut against American heavyweight Joel Faglier at UFC Fight Night in Edmonton, Canada, on October 17.
Mahjoub, who represented the Refugee Olympic Team at the Tokyo 2020 Games, entered the contest with an unbeaten professional mixed martial arts record of five victories.
The 35-year-old made the transition from judo to MMA after competing at the highest level of international judo. His UFC debut marked another step in his professional fighting career.
The Edmonton event was headlined by American Joaquin Buckley against Canadian Mike Malott.
