Samir Nasri (Photo: Brad Tutterow/Flickr CC)
Cricket
Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik confirmed his retirement from one-day cricket without making a farewell appearance in his side’s victory over Bangladesh on July 5. Malik admitted last year that he intended to quit one-day cricket after the World Cup and he followed through with that plan after Pakistan’s 94-run win at Lord’s. The 37-year-old will continue to play the Twenty20 format.
Hockey
The Pakistan hockey team has got the green signal to compete in the qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The side got permission to compete after the Pakistan Hockey Federation reached an agreement with the International Hockey Federation last month. A PHF spokesperson also confirmed that Pakistan’s fine for not competing in the FIH Pro-League. Pakistan pulled out of its first three games against citing “inevitable circumstances.”
Rugby
New Zealand midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has suffered a fresh injury on July 5. The 33-year-old has pulled up with a tight hamstring during the All Blacks training camp in Auckland and could be in doubt for the first test of the year in Argentina on July 21. Williams missed a big part of the Blues’ Super Rugby season with a knee injury, returning for their final match of the season.
Football Transfers
English Premiership: Abdi Sharif has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool. The 18-year-old midfielder has been training with the Reds since the age of six and formally joined the club three years later.
English Championship: Manchester City goalkeeper Arijanet Muric has joined Nottingham Forest on loan. The 20-year-old Kosovo international made five appearances in the Carabao Cup last season for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Scottish Premiership: Kilmarnock have signed Dutch midfielder Mohamed El Makrini on a one-year deal. El Makrini, 32, moves to Rugby Park after being released by Roda JC in the Netherlands’ second tier.
International: Striker Karim Ansarifard has completed a permanent move from Nottingham Forest to Qatari side Al-Sailiya. The Iranian has left the City Ground after less than a year with the Reds, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal. Ansarifard joined Forest last November as a free agent, following the cancellation of his contract with Olympiacos.
Former West Ham midfielder Samir Nasri has joined his ex-Manchester City team-mate Vincent Kompany at Belgian side Anderlecht. The 32-year-old, who was released by the Hammers at the end of last season, has agreed to a 12-month deal, with the option for a further year.
Former Man City midfielder Yaya Touré has signed for Qingdao Huanghai in the Chinese second tier. The 36-year-old hasn’t played since having his contract at Greek side Olympiakos terminated on December 2018.
Huddersfield Town winger Ramadan Sobhi has rejoined Egyptian champions Al Ahly on a season-long loan. The 22-year-old is yet to start a game for the Terriers since joining from Stoke for £5.7m last summer. The Egyptian international spent the second half of last season on loan at Al Ahly, where he started his career.
European Games
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Tennis
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