Pakistan cricket captain Misbahul Haq hopes the upcoming Test series in England will help spur the return of international cricket to the South Asian nation after a seven-year absence due to security fears.

Dinesh Karthik has been out of the Indian side for about two years now, but the wicketkeeper batsman is not losing sleep over it.

The knockout stages of Euro 2016 beckon for defending champions Spain and 2012 finalists Italy if they can back up their opening wins with more success against Turkey and Sweden on Friday.

The United States survive a late onslaught to beat Ecuador 2-1 and advance to the semi-finals of the Copa America for the first time since 1995 after a pulsating and sometime fractious match in Seattle on Thursday.

Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 76 runs, under the Duckworth/Lewis method for rain-affected matches, to win the first one-day international in Malahide.

In a historic first for the country's professional football league, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will get underway outside the capital.

Local pride is at stake on Thursday as an all-British clash between England and Wales and old rivals Germany and Poland dominate a Euro 2016 day of high tension.

Imran Tahir writes his name in the record books as South Africa complete a comprehensive 139-run victory over the West Indies in the sixth match of the Tri-Nation One-Day International series at Warner Park in St Kitts on Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho faces a trip to the seaside in his first Premier League game in charge of Manchester United as they face Bournemouth on August 13 in the 2016/17 Premier League fixtures unveiled on Wednesday.

India, powered by seamer Jasprit Bumrah's 4-22, crush Zimbabwe by 10 wickets for a one-day international series whitewash at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos rubbish suggestions Cristiano Ronaldo refused to shake hands with Iceland players after his side's disappointing 1-1 draw at Euro 2016.

Argentina cruise to an easy 3-0 win versus Bolivia on Tuesday to secure top honours in Group D with three wins from three matches at the Copa America Centenario.

Former Argentina captain Diego Maradona, a long-time critic of FIFA, has talks in Paris with its president Gianni Infantino, the global soccer body said on Tuesday.

Plans to host a first day-night Test in India later this year remain intact, the country's cricket board (BCCI) secretary says on Tuesday.

England Test skipper Alastair Cook believes his batsmen are well-prepared to deal with Pakistan's fiery attack next month after getting plenty of practice in the middle against a weakened Sri Lanka side.

Former Norway international left-back John Arne Riise, who played for top European clubs including Liverpool, Monaco and AS Roma, announces he is retiring from football.

Germany stars Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos warn the world champions will only improve after seeing off Ukraine 2-0 in Lille to make the perfect start to their Euro 2016 campaign.

Sri Lanka Cricket will lodge a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against an "unacceptable" reprieve for England batsman Alex Hales.

Rain ensure England and Sri Lanka draw the third Test at Lord's on Monday, a result that saw England win the three-match series 2-0.

England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney appeal directly to fans to "stay out of trouble" after repeated violence mar the start of Euro 2016.