As the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy approaches its end, Pakistan Tuesday managed to secure the third position and a bronze medal in the tournament defeating South Korea by 5-2.

The Green Shirts including Hannan Shahid and Sufyan Khan scored two goals each, while Roman Khan bagged one in the match held at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, China.

A day earlier, the national side lost the semi-final against China after a dramatic penalty shootout with both teams showcasing their skills and determination.

The thrilling match ended in a 1-1 draw during the regular time. The first goal came from China in second quarter while Pakistan’s Ahmed Nadeem found the back of the net in the third quarter, ensuring the match went into the decisive penalty shootout.

However, the opponents qualified for the finals by defeating Pakistan in the penalty shootout. This was the first time they advanced to the finals.

It is now time for China to face India at 3pm for the tournament’s final.

India defeated South Korea with 4-1 in the second semi-final held on September 16.

It is worth noting that India will be receiving fifth Asian Champions Trophy if it will defeat China today in the final match of the Hockey Champions tournament.

Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the best cricketer for August in the men’s category.

Sri Lanka’s 21-year-old all-rounder Donath Velalage was named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August.

Donath Velalage has been named Player of the Month based on his performances for August.

Velalage is also a former Sri Lanka Under-19 captain.

Apart from this, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj and West Indies’ Jayden Sales were among the nominees.

The host team China qualified for the final by defeating Pakistan after a thrilling contest in the semi-finals of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy.

The first semi-final of the ongoing Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in China was played between Pakistan and the host China.

The match between Pakistan and China was tied at one goal each. Pakistan lost four penalty shootouts and was eliminated from the race for the finals.

Ahmad Nadeem scored the only goal for Pakistan in the semi-finals of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy.

This is the second time that China has defeated the Pakistan hockey team. Previously in the semi-finals of the 2006 Asian Games, China defeated Pakistan to qualify for the finals.

It is pertinent to note that China has reached the final of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy for the first time.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert promised Friday that she and the league will show leadership in fighting against the abusive discourse that players experience on social media.

Engelbert also apologized to the players for an interview she gave Monday on CNBC in which she focused on the popularity of rivalries but did not condemn the abusive rhetoric players have faced.

“I was asked a question about WNBA rivalries and the dark side of social media and race, and simply put, my answer missed the mark and I’m sorry,” Engelbert wrote to the players in a letter obtained by ESPN. “I regret that I didn’t express, in a clear and definitive way, condemnation of the hateful speech that is all too often directed at WNBA players on social media.”

The letter, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, was sent to all the WNBA players. Engelbert also had conversations with some players, a league source told ESPN.

Engelbert was asked on CNBC’s “Power Lunch” on Monday about the “more menacing” tone taken by some fan bases on social media, especially when race or sexuality is brought up. Engelbert focused instead on high-profile rookies Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and how rivalries build fan interest.

WNBA players reacted on social media and in interviews with disappointment and frustration about Engelbert not speaking out directly against abusive language. Women’s National Basketball Players Association executive director Terri Jackson released a statement Tuesday saying Engelbert failed to condemn the “racism, misogyny, and harassment” players have experienced.

Jackson has told ESPN that the players’ association felt because the league had not sent a message in trying to set the tone for fan conduct on social media, it was left to the players alone to address it.

“We find it unacceptable to encourage the players to market this league and to engage and/or post on social media to promote this league and then leave the players unprotected in the manner in which they have,” Jackson said. “We expected the league to recognize the negative impact it was having on the players as well as its business and to have proactively addressed this situation earlier in the season. Maybe you cannot control what is said or posted on social media, but you can send a message that demonstrates that you are paying attention, that states that racism, bias, hate are unacceptable and not welcomed, that shows that you stand in solidarity with the players.”

In Friday’s letter, Engelbert pledged that the league will always do that going forward.

“I should have stated directly and unequivocally that hate speech is harmful,” she wrote. “This is a teachable moment and one I embrace with humility. There is absolutely no room for racism, misogyny, homophobia and other forms of hate in the WNBA or anywhere.

“I know many of you have been dealing with it for a long time. I want us as a league to do our part to change the too often toxic and abusive nature of social media discourse.”

Jackson said that, in the past, the WNBPA has worked with other professional players’ associations on a project that studied the targeted online abuse of elite athletes and ways to protect them as workers.

“Perhaps the WNBPA and the WNBA, their corporate partners and other relevant stakeholders can come together and consider potential solutions and maybe even lead on this issue,” Jackson said.

Before this season, the WNBA conducted team awareness meetings with each franchise to provide players information about the league’s Mind Health platform and advise them of the mental wellness resources available to them, especially as the league has become more popular in recent years and has even more interaction with fans.

As for concerns about potential safety issues for players from potentially abusive fans, all 12 teams have security personnel who are either team employees or contractors. The WNBA has security representatives in each market and at all games. NBA Security is also an available resource to provide investigation, research or coordination with law enforcement for player safety concerns.

Engelbert, in her letter, said she pledged the league will listen to players, work with them on battling abusive rhetoric, and continue to provide mental health resources and guidance.

“Speaking out and taking action to address injustice is in the DNA of the WNBA,” Engelbert wrote. “For our entire history, it has been core to the work we all do.”