![France's Hugo Lloris passes the trophy as they celebrate winning the World Cup in 2018 [File: Dylan Martinez/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-09T120508Z_408925264_RC2CMP9HUQWS_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-FIFA-WORLDCUP.jpg?resize=570%2C380)
European football’s governing body voices numerous concerns about a plan to hold the World Cup every two years.
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![New Zealand's withdrawal dealt a massive blow to Pakistan's hopes of staging regular international cricket, with England subsequently calling off its tours as well [Waseem Khan/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-17T162134Z_1794374595_RC2RRP9C5MYK_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ODI-PAK-NZ-PCB-SECURITY-1.jpg?resize=570%2C380)
New Zealand scrapped its tour of Pakistan hours before the start of the opening match last Friday.
![Sunrisers Hyderabad bowler Thangarasu Natarajan [File: Tertius Pickard/AP]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AP21015033525117-e1632309653116.jpg?resize=570%2C380)
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Thangarasu Natarajan is first IPL player to test positive just ahead of match with Delhi Capitals.
![Raja pointed out Pakistan's trips to New Zealand and England last year amid the COVID-19 situation and felt the withdrawals by them would have a domino effect [File: Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-13T133908Z_2047744861_RC21PP9OZR94_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-PAKISTAN.jpg?resize=570%2C380)
PCB chief’s comments come after New Zealand and England cancel tours of Pakistan in the space of three days.
![Pakistan was a no-go zone for international cricket teams for a decade after armed fighters attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 [Waseem Khan/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-20T080815Z_378530404_RC2KTP99ED6J_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-PAKISTAN-1.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
Men’s and women’s tours cancelled just three days after New Zealand abandoned tour over security fears.
![A member of Pakistan's Elite Police stands guard at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after the New Zealand cricket team pulled out, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan [Waseem Khan/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-20T080815Z_378530404_RC2KTP99ED6J_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-PAKISTAN.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
Pakistan Cricket Board chief says abrupt pull-out of New Zealand cricket team from Pakistan ‘has hit us very hard’.
![Police officers stand guard outside Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after the New Zealand cricket team pulled out of a Pakistan cricket tour over security concerns [Waseem Khan/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-17T162134Z_1794374595_RC2RRP9C5MYK_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ODI-PAK-NZ-PCB-SECURITY-1.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
The decision infuriated the PCB and sparked calls for a boycott of the New Zealand team.
![Rio 2016 was expected to not only increase tourism numbers but also improve the country’s image outside Brazil [Bruno Kelly/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2019-06-26T135753Z_757900784_RC1E063A0A80_RTRMADP_3_OLYMPICS-IOC.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
All eyes are on Paris for the 2024 Olympics but Rio residents are still waiting for promises to be delivered.
![Philippine boxer-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao declared on Sunday he will run for president in 2022, ending months of speculation [Ted Aljibe/AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/000_9N49X8.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
Pacquiao presents a potential obstacle to Rodrigo Duterte’s succession plans as the race for the top post takes shape.
![Pele is the only player in history to win three World Cups [File: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/gettyimages-467547042-594x594-1.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
The 80-year-old was hospitalised again due to respiratory problems days after surgery for suspected colon tumour.
![A member of ground staff removes wickets at Pindi Cricket Stadium following the cancellation of the match, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan [Anjum Naveed/AP]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AP21260362343207.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
New Zealand Cricket calls off the tour minutes before Rawalpindi match, the team’s first in Pakistan in 18 years.
![The league, however, did not specify the number of fans that would be allowed [File: Amit Dave/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-05-06T065959Z_1153338059_RC26AN9OQDCP_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-CRICKET-IPL-BCCI.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will clash with Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in Dubai on Sunday.
![Members of Afghanistan's national women's football team arrive in Lahore [Arif Ali/AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/000_9MV8AU.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
Girls who played for under-14, under-16 and under-18 teams arrive in Lahore in the wake of Taliban’s takeover.
![Players enjoy a game of ultimate frisbee in Rowmari, Chirang district, Assam [Maitreyee Boruah/Al Jazeera]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Pic-1.jpg?resize=270%2C180)
More than 4,000 players pursue sport in Chirang district, which has a long history of armed rebellion and instability.