Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel struck defiant half-centuries to keep Pakistan in the hunt but England maintained the upper hand in the action-packed second test in Multan on Sunday.

England's wait for a second World Cup title extended for at least another four years as Harry Kane missed a late spot kick in a 2-1 defeat against defending champions France at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday night.

A brilliant Olivier Giroud header 12 minutes from time kept France on course to retain their World Cup title with a 2-1 win over England in a tight last quarter-final on Saturday.

Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed continued his fairytale debut but England stretched their overall lead to 281 to put themselves in a commanding position in the second test in Multan on Saturday.

France head into Saturday's heavyweight World Cup quarter-final clash with England well aware that their hopes of carrying on in Qatar and retaining the title rest on the shoulders of Kylian Mbappe.

Fast bowlers Ollie Robinson and James Anderson took four wickets apiece as England pulled off an exciting 74-run win over Pakistan Monday in the first Test in Rawalpindi.

England found ways to take wickets and sensed a good lead despite hundreds from three Pakistan players on the third day of the opening Test in Rawalpindi Saturday.

Qualification scenarios are shaping up as teams are eventfully poised after the completion of the second round of matches of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Wily pace bowler James Anderson vowed Tuesday to continue the aggressive style England have adopted recently despite the likelihood of bowling on unresponsive pitches for the Test series against Pakistan.

The absence through injury of fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is a "big loss" to Pakistan in the three-match Test series starting this week, England head coach Brendon McCullum said Monday.

A flying England will hope to follow up their goal frenzy against Iran with a similar performance against the USA in a tasty Group B clash.

Iran's national soccer team chose not to sing their country's anthem before their opening World Cup match against England on Monday, in an apparent show of support for protesters back home.

Australia wrapped up the three-match one-day international series with a comprehensive 72-run win over England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Wimbledon will relax its strict rules on white clothing at the championships and allow women players to wear dark undershorts and relieve a potential source of anxiety when they have their periods, the All England Club said on Thursday.

A superb Dawid Malan century was in vain as Australia cruised to a six-wicket win over England in their first one-day international at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

England are hoping Ben Stokes might reconsider his retirement from one-day internationals and help the team defend their 50-over World Cup title next year.

In player of the tournament Sam Curran, and his bowling at the 'death', England found the final piece of the jigsaw to turn Jos Buttler's side into Twenty20 world champions.

England will receive a whopping $US 1.6 million for defeating Pakistan and winning the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Melbourne on Sunday.

Ben Stokes and Sam Curran starred as England edged Pakistan by five wickets to win the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday and become the sport's first dual white-ball champions, holding both the 50 and 20-over titles.

Sam Curran bagged three wickets for just 12 runs as England held Pakistan to 137-8 in the Twenty20 World Cup final at a heaving Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.