MENA Sports Wrap: AFC Champions League competition kicks off

Asia's Arab teams kicked off their AFC Champions League campaigns this week as the continental competition returned for the 2025–2026 football season.

In athletics, Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali took second place in the 3000m steeplechase at the World Championships in Tokyo, falling short of gold despite being the favourite.

Meanwhile, in cricket, the UAE were defeated by Pakistan in the Asia Cup, setting up a high-profile Super Four showdown between Pakistan and India.

AFC Champions League kicks off with Arab teams aiming for glory

The AFC Champions League saw Saudi Arabia’s top teams vying for continental glory, as Al-Ahli set out to defend their title.

On Monday, the Jeddah-based club staged a dramatic comeback to beat Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf 4–2, overturning a two-goal deficit at home.

French midfielder Enzo Millot struck twice to bring Al-Ahli level, before former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez fired in the decisive goal four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the second half. Mohammed Sulaiman then added a fourth in the 105th minute after the match went to extra time.

In a similar fashion, UAE side Al-Wahda came from behind to beat Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad with a 98th-minute winner on Monday.

Steven Bergwijn had given Al-Ittihad the lead in the 21st minute, but Caio Canedo equalised for Al-Wahda in the second half. Centre-back Lucas Pimenta completed the turnaround deep into extra time with a dramatic header.

Perhaps the most thrilling encounter came on Tuesday, when Gulf rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Duhail faced off at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena.

Despite dominating early possession, Al-Hilal fell behind in the first half when Adil Boulbina capitalised on a mistake by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

The hosts finally drew level in the 57th minute through recent signing Darwin Núñez, who netted his second goal for the Saudi side.

French international Theo Hernandez, another high-profile summer recruit, scored the winner ten minutes later, sending the Riyadh crowd into rapture.

Both Núñez, signed from Liverpool, and Hernandez, signed from AC Milan, scored on their AFC Champions League debuts.

Elsewhere, Sharjah of the UAE defeated Qatar’s Al-Gharafa, Iraq’s Al-Shorta held Al-Sadd of Qatar to a draw, and Shabab Al-Ahli of the UAE drew with Iran's Tractor SC.

The next round of matches will be played on 29 and 30 September.

World Athletics Championships: Morocco's El Bakkali, favourite to win gold, manages silver in 3000m steeplechase

Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali narrowly missed out on defending his 3000m steeplechase title at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday.

The Olympic champion and two-time defending world champion came into the race as the clear favourite, but was overtaken by New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish just 10 metres from the finish in a stunning upset. Beamish, who had been 11th at the bell and only eighth with 200 metres remaining, surged to victory.

El Bakkali, who clocked 8:33.05, was visibly distraught at the finish, even striking himself in frustration after losing the gold.

Kenya's Edmund Serem secured the bronze medal, while fellow Moroccan Salaheddine Ben Yazide placed fifth.

Despite the disappointment, the Fes-born runner remains one of Morocco’s most decorated athletes at the World Championships, with four career medals to his name.

Cricket: UAE fall short as Pakistan book Super Four clash with India

The UAE showed spirit but were unable to match Pakistan's quality, falling to a 41-run defeat in their final Asia Cup group game in Dubai on Wednesday.

Chasing 147, the UAE were bowled out for 105 after 17.4 overs despite a fighting 35 from Rahul Chopra. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early in a fiery spell of 2-16, while spinner Abrar Ahmed returned 2-13 as the target proved beyond the inexperienced side.

The result secures Pakistan's place in the Super Four stage and sets up a high-profile rematch against India at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Earlier, the game began an hour late as tensions lingered from Pakistan's previous meeting with India. Reports suggested Pakistan considered pulling out over a "handshake" controversy involving players and match referee Andy Pycroft, before talks led to a delayed start.

Once play began, UAE seamers impressed with Junaid Siddique (4-18) dismissing both openers to leave Pakistan wobbling at 9-2, while left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh (3-26) tightened the squeeze in the middle overs. Fakhar Zaman provided stability with 50 from 36 balls, but at 93-6 Pakistan again looked vulnerable.

Afridi then turned the momentum with the bat, blasting an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls, including three sixes, to lift his side to 146-9. It was a total that proved comfortably out of reach for the UAE once skipper Muhammad Waseem and opener Alishan Sharafu departed in the powerplay.

Despite flashes of promise, including a 48-run stand between Chopra and Dhruv Parashar, the UAE's chase faltered as wickets fell regularly and the required rate soared. The defeat leaves them winless in Group A but with credit for troubling a Test nation with the ball.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha admitted his side's batting remains a concern but praised Afridi as a "match-winner" with both bat and ball. UAE skipper Waseem credited his bowlers for keeping Pakistan to a modest total but said the batting collapse had cost them the game.

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