NEW DELHI: Mexican authorities have announced that robot dogs will be deployed to assist police operations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as part of enhanced security measures for the tournament.The four-legged robotic units are built to venture into high-risk zones and relay live video footage to law enforcement teams, allowing officers to assess situations remotely before moving in during World Cup-related operations.

The month-long global event, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, will be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.The robot dogs were purchased by the Guadalupe city council — located in the Monterrey metropolitan region, one of the World Cup host areas — at a cost of 2.5 million pesos (approximately $145,000). Monterrey is set to stage matches at BBVA Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed Estadio Monterrey for the tournament.Footage released by local authorities shows one of the robots navigating an abandoned structure, walking up staircases with measured precision while transmitting real-time visuals back to police officers following at a distance.During the demonstration, the robotic canine confronts an armed individual and uses a built-in loudspeaker to instruct him to drop his weapon, showcasing its role in frontline assessment and de-escalation.Guadalupe mayor Hector Garcia said the robots are intended to assist officers during initial interventions, reducing direct exposure to potential threats. “The objective is to protect the physical integrity of our police,” he said, adding that the machines will be deployed whenever disturbances or confrontations arise.Estadio Monterrey is scheduled to host four World Cup matches during the tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr (Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr has come under fresh scrutiny after the Saudi Pro League (SPL) issued a firm statement stressing that “no player is bigger than the club or the league,” adding drama ahead of a crucial Asian Champions League Two clash.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Al-Nassr face Turkmenistan’s Arkadag on Wednesday with a quarterfinal berth on the line, but the focus has shifted to Ronaldo’s absence and reported frustration with the club’s direction. The 41-year-old Portuguese star has missed the team’s last two Saudi Pro League matches amid claims he is unhappy with the way the club is being funded — especially after rival Al-Hilal strengthened their squad by signing Karim Benzema in the latest transfer window.All four major Saudi clubs — Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli — are majority owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and comparisons between their spending strategies have intensified scrutiny around Ronaldo’s situation.In a strongly worded statement, the SPL emphasised its stance on governance and player influence. “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,” the league said. “Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. But no individual — however significant — determines decisions beyond their own club.”Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Al-Nassr secured an impressive 2-0 victory over reigning champion Al-Ittihad last week, showing resilience ahead of their continental fixture.Elsewhere in Asian competition, Al-Hilal continue to dominate the western zone with a perfect six-match record, while Al-Ahli have already sealed a knockout berth. In the eastern zone, Vissel Kobe remained the only confirmed qualifier so far, as Chinese clubs struggled at the bottom of the standings.

Bangladesh cricket team (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has concluded a constructive and open dialogue with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), covering issues including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader growth of cricket in South Asia, the governing body said in a media release. In particular, the discussions acknowledged the disappointment surrounding Bangladesh’s absence from the T20 World Cup, while reaffirming the BCB’s status as a valued Full Member of the ICC. The global governing body emphasised Bangladesh’s rich cricketing heritage and its critical role in growing the sport, highlighting the country’s vibrant fanbase of over 200 million supporters. The ICC also made clear that the national team’s non-participation would not have any long-term impact on cricket in Bangladesh.

Key outcomes from the discussions include: No penalties for BCB: The ICC confirmed that Bangladesh will face no financial, sporting, or administrative sanctions in relation to its T20 World Cup absence. The BCB also retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) under ICC regulations if it wishes. The ICC reiterated its commitment to neutrality and fairness, focusing on facilitation rather than punishment. ICC event hosting 2028–2031: As part of the agreement, Bangladesh has been confirmed to host an ICC event before the 2031 Men’s Cricket World Cup, subject to standard ICC hosting requirements. This decision reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s ability to stage international tournaments and demonstrates the ICC’s commitment to distributing hosting opportunities across its member nations. ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said, “Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not alter our commitment to the country as a core cricketing nation. We remain focused on growing the sport sustainably in Bangladesh, creating opportunities for players and fans, and investing in its long-term competitiveness and global integration.” The ICC, PCB, and BCB, alongside other member boards, reaffirmed their dedication to dialogue, cooperation, and constructive engagement, underlining the importance of unity and integrity in the global cricket community.

United States’ Jasdeep Singh (Photo by AP/PTI)

NEW DELHI: The USA cricket team has been forced to make a change to its squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after fast bowler Jasdeep Singh was ruled out with a shoulder injury. The ICC confirmed that Ehsan Adil has been approved as his replacement by the tournament’s Event Technical Committee.

In a statement confirming the change, ICC wrote, “The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has approved Ehsan Adil as a replacement for Jasdeep Singh in the USA squad.” Adil, who has previously played three Tests and six ODIs for Pakistan, has not yet represented the USA in international matches but is eligible to join the squad following the committee’s clearance. The ICC also noted that “The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee (ETC) before the player can be officially added to the squad.”Jasdeep Singh’s injury came during a warm-up match against New Zealand at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. While attempting a diving catch off Devon Conway’s shot, the 32-year-old landed awkwardly on his right shoulder and was in visible pain. He was quickly surrounded by players and support staff before being taken off the field and rushed to the hospital for scans.Jasdeep’s story has been an important part of USA cricket’s rise. Born in New York, he moved to Punjab as a child before returning to the United States and taking up cricket seriously. He made his senior USA debut in 2015 and, after battling injuries, became a regular member of the team from 2018 onward. In total, he has played 45 ODIs and 30 T20Is, picking up 54 and 31 wickets respectively.He was also part of the USA’s memorable 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, where the team stunned Pakistan, with Jasdeep dismissing Babar Azam in that historic match. His absence in 2026 will be a setback for the American side, but the addition of Ehsan Adil gives them an experienced pace option as they prepare for the global tournament.

South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram, second from right, shakes hands with Canada’s Kaleem Sana (PTI)

Aiden Markram led South Africa with a sparkling half-century as the Proteas cruised to a 57-run victory over Canada in their opening Group D T20 World Cup clash on Monday. Batting first, Markram struck a rapid 59 off 32 balls, laced with 10 fours and a six, setting the tone for a commanding total. Quinton de Kock (25), Ryan Rickelton (33), Tristan Stubbs (34) and David Miller (39) also made crucial contributions as South Africa posted 213 for 4 in their 20 overs.

Chasing 214, Canada never really got going, finishing at 156 for 8. Navneet Dhaliwal stood out with a valiant 64, while Harsh Thaker added 33, but the asking rate proved too steep for the visitors. Canada’s innings began on a disastrous note as captain Dilpreet Bajwa edged the very first ball from Lungi Ngidi (4/31) to de Kock. Dhaliwal and Yuvraj Samra briefly steadied the ship with 17 runs in two overs before Ngidi struck twice in the third over, dismissing Samra and Nicholas Kirton as Canada slumped to 26 for 3. A 69-run partnership between Dhaliwal and Thaker offered some resistance, but Marco Jansen (2/30) struck in the 18th over to seal the emphatic win. South Africa’s innings had been explosive from the start. Markram attacked Dilon Heyliger in the second over, while de Kock followed with two fours off Saad Bin Zafar, the pair putting on 70 runs for the opening wicket in just 6.5 overs. De Kock was eventually cleaned up by Bajwa, and Markram reached his fifty in the 10th over before falling to Ansh Patel at long-on. Rickelton followed soon after, giving Patel another wicket, and Dewald Brevis added to Canada’s woes, caught by Kirton. In the final overs, Miller and Stubbs accelerated brilliantly, putting together an unbeaten 75-run partnership from just 37 balls, with Miller clearing the ropes at will. For Canada, Ansh Patel was the standout bowler with 3/31.

Manu Bhaker (Getty Images)

Olympic double bronze medallist Manu Bhaker endured a heartbreakingly close finish at the Asian Championship on Monday, settling for silver in the women’s 25m pistol after losing a tense shoot-off, while compatriot Esha Singh added to India’s medal tally with a bronze. The final was one of the tightest contests of the championship, with Manu and Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Trang locked in a gripping duel. Both shooters finished regulation with identical scores of 35, forcing a shoot-off in which Trang held her nerve to clinch gold. The medal battle remained on a knife-edge throughout, with Trang, Manu, Esha and fellow Indian Olympian Rhythm Sangwan all in contention for the top spot for much of the final. Esha made a strong start, opening with a perfect five in the first series, while Manu and Trang managed four each. The standings kept shifting after every series, reflecting the intense pressure of the contest. A flawless sixth series gave Trang a crucial two-point cushion, but the door reopened when she faltered in the seventh, hitting just one target. Manu and Esha seized the opportunity to close the gap and reignite the contest. Esha briefly took charge and led with a score of 30 after the eighth series, but a dramatic turn followed in the ninth when she failed to register a hit, ending her gold hopes and consigning her to the bronze medal. In the decisive final series, Manu struck three targets and Trang two, levelling both shooters on 35 and setting up a nail-biting shoot-off. The Vietnamese shooter, however, prevailed in the sudden-death phase, leaving Manu to settle for silver after coming within touching distance of the top step. Earlier in the day, Esha had topped the qualification round, which included the precision and duelling stages, with an impressive 589. Manu followed closely with 584 as three Indian shooters progressed to the eight-athlete final. India also dominated the team event, with Esha, Manu and Sangwan combining for a total of 1,751 to claim gold, ahead of Chinese Taipei (1,735) and Vietnam (1,729). There was further success in the junior category, where Naamya Kapoor clinched gold in the 25m pistol junior final after another tense shoot-off. Kapoor, already the youngest Indian to win a World Championship medal, tied with Indonesia’s Rihadatul Asyifa on 29 in regulation before producing three hits in the shoot-off as her rival missed all. Anjali Bhagwat secured the bronze with a score of 24, while the Indian junior team also finished atop the podium in the team event.

The Afghanistan fans added to the colour at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

CHENNAI: On the eve of their T20 World Cup campaign opener against New Zealand, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan said his biggest dream is to see international cricket being played on Afghan soil.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“To play international cricket back home is bigger than the World Cup. For me, for the team, and for every individual, that’s something more than a dream,” Rashid had said.

And for the Afghan fans who travel with the team whenever they can, it will be a moment that they have cherished all their lives. On Sunday morning here, when TOI caught up with a few passionate Afghan fans from Kabul at the MA Chidambaram Stadium gallery, they spoke about the dream that they share with their skipper. Draped in either their national attire or Afghan team jersey, they never lost their voices even though New Zealand closed in on the chase of 183.“Inshallah, ek din (one day)…It will be really great. It’s a massive dream for every cricket fan back home. We want to host India for our first international match in Afghanistan because India and we are like brothers. It’s our second favourite team in the World Cup,” Jawad Ahmadi, one of the young Afghan fans, said.Afghanistan as a country has endured a lot. But their undying love for cricket is something that helps them deal with the difficulties of life. And now, with every passing day, the Afghanistan team is looking a stronger unit — their run to the semifinals of the last T20 World Cup being a case in point. “The sport back home is growing day by day. But it will take quite some time to reach the level of India. But let me tell you, we are as crazy about cricket as you guys are. We know how to celebrate, you can take a cue from us,” Ahmadi said with a smile. “But yes, overall, small steps are being taken to develop the sport and we hope to be a big and strong team in the future.”While Rashid is the current face of Afghan cricket, former skipper Mohammad Nabi is widely regarded as its torchbearer. For the fans, it’s a healthy debate, ‘who means more for Afghan cricket’?“Rashid is our hero. Back home, everyone loves Rashid Khan and the way he keeps taking the Afghanistan flag higher in cricket is great. He has helped improve facilities and has inspired so many youngsters to take up the sport, which is just wonderful,” said Jawad.His friend Abdul, a club-level cricketer, had a different view. “I took up cricket because of Nabi. Nabi is the real hero for us; he has been there from the beginning, so we admire him a lot. The way Nabi and his generation started out without many facilities and still kept going…that’s just amazing.”