Rahmat Shah (Image credit: Zimbabwe Cricket)

NEW DELHI: A social media post involving Rahmat Shah triggered widespread confusion and panic among cricket fans after many mistakenly believed the Afghanistan batter had passed away. The confusion began when Afghanistan all-rounder Karim Janat shared a condolence message on Instagram along with Rahmat Shah’s picture and a note written in Pashto.Soon after the post surfaced online, automated translation on Instagram incorrectly suggested that Rahmat Shah himself had died. Fans were left shocked and several social media users started posting condolence messages for the cricketer.However, the reports were completely false. Rahmat Shah is alive. The condolence message was actually for the death of Rahmat Shah’s mother, not the cricketer himself.The confusion stemmed from Instagram’s automated translation feature, which mistranslated Janat’s Pashto message. The automated translation read:“With great sadness, I heard the news of the passing of Rahmat Shah, the legendary player of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team. This great tragedy has deeply saddened me and all cricket fans. As a cricket player myself, I express my deepest sympathy and condolences to Rahmat Shah and his family. May Allah grant the deceased paradise, lighten his grave, and give his family the patience to bear this immense grief. Indeed, to Allah we belong, and truly, to Him we shall return,” the automated Instagram translation of Karim’s post read.However, the translation was inaccurate and changed the entire context of the original Pashto message.The correct translation of Janat’s post read:“I heard the news of the death of the respected mother of Rahmat Shah, the talented player of the national cricket team. This great tragedy made me and all cricket fans very sad. On my own behalf and as a cricket player, I express my deepest sympathy and condolences to Rahmat Shah and his respected family. May Allah grant the deceased Paradise, fill her grave with light, and give her family patience to bear this great sorrow. Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.” Rahmat Shah last played for Afghanistan national cricket team in an ODI against Bangladesh national cricket team in October last year, where he retired hurt during the match.The experienced batter has represented Afghanistan in 11 Tests, 125 ODIs and one T20I, scoring more than 5,000 international runs during his career.

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has seen his season and World Cup dreams come to an end after undergoing surgery on a persistent back injury.

The Netherlands international, who has been sidelined since November, had recently returned to light training but has now been forced to go under the knife to resolve the issue.

Surgery ends De Ligt’s season

Manchester United have officially confirmed that De Ligt has undergone a corrective procedure to address a long-standing back problem. The 26-year-old hasn’t featured for the Red Devils since late autumn and will now face an extended period of rehabilitation that rules him out of the upcoming World Cup in North America.

The club released a statement clarifying the situation, noting that the decision was made in the player’s best interests after intensive recovery work failed to yield the necessary results.

De Ligt shares emotional message

The former Bayern Munich star took to social media to share his heartbreak with fans, posting a photo from his hospital bed. Having initially returned to the grass in April, the defender admitted that surgery eventually became the only logical path forward after six months of frustration and setbacks.

Writing on Instagram, De Ligt said: “After 6 months of treatment and working hard to get back, surgery was the only option left. I’m disappointed I couldn’t help the team the last 6 months and obviously missing out on the World Cup but I am looking forward to doing everything to get back in front of the fans and feeling better again.”

Frustration for Michael Carrick

The timing is particularly cruel for De Ligt, who is yet to play a single minute under Michael Carrick.

Speaking to the club’s official website about his determination to return, De Ligt added: “Since November I have done everything, pushing myself in every session and exploring every option, to get back to doing what I love, playing football. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout a difficult period in my career. I remain as determined as ever to represent Manchester United and play in front of our incredible supporters as soon as possible.”

A long road to recovery

The Dutch international made only 14 appearances this season before the injury took hold. Carrick had recently noted the unpredictable nature of back issues, explaining that while the player was improving, it was simply “not as quick as we all hope” and that the club would not gamble with his long-term health.

With 24 matches missed already, the focus now shifts entirely to the 2026-27 season. De Ligt’s absence leaves United with Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro to navigate the final fixtures of the season, as the club continues to wait for their big-money defensive signing to return to full fitness.

Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane felt his side should have been awarded a penalty when Jorrel Hato collided with Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov in the FA Cup final. The incident occurred in the second half as Chelsea pushed for an equaliser after Antoine Semenyo had scored.

Khusanov had managed to match Hato stride for stride before a tangle of legs saw both men tumble to the ground. Referee Darren England was well-positioned to make a call and said no penalty. VAR’s Peter Bankes checked the incident immediately and decided that the on-field decision was correct and play continued.

Semenyo’s goal proved to be the winner and while City will feel they deserved the win, McFarlane was unhappy with the officials at full-time. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “I have watched it back and, for me, I think it is a penalty. Jorrel gets in front and it is a collision in the back of Jorrel.

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“It is very similar to Joao Pedro’s last week at Liverpool. I thought that was a penalty as well against [Jeremie] Frimpong and we don’t seem to be getting the luck at the moment.” When asked if he had received an explanation from the officials, McFarlane said: “No, no explanation.”

Pushed as to whether he would seek one, he added: “Not much point [asking] now, is there?” Later, in his post-match interviews with reporters, McFarlane said: “I thought they’re tough calls. The Hato and Khusanov collision was a penalty.

“Jorrel gets in front. If it’s anywhere else on the pitch, it’s a foul – sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t.”

Chelsea appealed for multiple penalties during the FA Cup final. Pedro felt he had been fouled several times inside the area but England and Bankes agreed each time that they were not fouls.

On Tuesday night, City travel to Bournemouth looking to keep the title race alive until the final day.

They currently sit two points behind leaders Arsenal. However, if the Gunners beat Burnley on Monday the gap will spread to five points, meaning anything less than a win for City and Mikel Arteta’s side will be crowned champions.

Filip Hrgovic made easy work of Dave Allen and took his moment post-fight to send a chilling message to rising star Moses Itauma.

The Doncaster crowd could not lift hometown hero Allen to Hrgovic’s level, who dominated from the opening bell until the moment trainer Jamie Moore threw in the towel to save his charge for another day.

Croatia’s Hrgovic was quick to apologise to the fans in the stadium.

“Sorry, guys. I know I’m not the favourite guy here. It is what it is, that’s boxing. Thanks to Dave Allen, his team, Queensberry and DAZN for this event. I’m moving forward to become the heavyweight champion of the world.

“I started fast because I saw all my punches connecting. He was very awkward from the beginning, so I wanted to finish him fast to make a statement.”

Hrgovic then immediately turned his attention to what comes next after three dominant rounds, and he spoke on the rumours that he will have a quick turnaround to face Itauma in August.

“I want a fight with anyone in the division. Moses, anyone. I just need to sit with my manager and team, see if there are any injuries or cuts. Give me a mirror, I’ll sign the contract now … I never run from any opponent … Look, if I’m healthy, no problem for me. We need to see what’s going on. I need to rest. Moses will never reach the promised land. You know what I mean?”

Promoter George Warren made it clear that Itauma-Hrgovic is the target, but is aware that the next few days are crucial to see if the timeline works for the Croatian, who had a small cut open up before the towel came in.

“Yeah, we can … That fight’s there. It’s done. Filip, when he re-signed with Queensberry, he was contracted on the basis that that fight was one of the options that we could put to him. As he said, he’s got a slight nick on his eye, and needs to go and make sure that that’s okay.

“Moses is booked for August. As soon as we’re back in the office next week, that’s my job. Get that fight done and announced. This guy is a world-class operator, and if Moses wants to be a world champion, Filip wants to be a world champion; they’re gonna have to get it on at some point, so let’s get it on now.”

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Manchester United return to Premier League action this lunchtime when they host Nottingham Forest. The Reds know avoiding defeat will confirm a third place finish this season. That would be another green tick next to Michael Carrick’s resume as he closes in on the permanent job.

United fans will be delighted to hear that Casemiro is fit to start against Forest. The midfielder missed the trip to Sunderland last weekend but Carrick confirmed he will be available to feature in his last Old Trafford game for the Reds. Benjamin Sesko is a major doubt after picking up an injury against Liverpool.

Matthijs de Ligt will be out until the start of 2026/27 season after United confirmed he had undergone surgery on a back injury. MEN Sport has asked our United writers to pick their teams for today’s game.

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Tyrone Marshall

Carrick made five changes last week and there could be rotation again on the final day, but I would go strong for the final game at Old Trafford and I imagine Carrick will.

Diogo Dalot can come back in at right-back, he was missed last week in build-up play, but the rest of the defence is unchanged. Shaw deserves to get all 38 Premier League starts this season.

Casemiro is fit and will return for his Old Trafford farewell alongside Kobbie Mainoo, who will miss the Brazilian’s influence. Bruno Fernandes will obviously start and be desperate for that assist.

Joshua Zirkzee can come out of the team after his performance last week. That means Amad on the right, Matheus Cunha on the left and Bryan Mbeumo through the middle.

Steven Railston

I’d pick the strongest team possible for the final home game of the season. Most of the young players who I’d give minutes to were also in action for the U21s on Saturday night.

The final game of the season against Brighton will be an opportunity for academy players to get minutes.

Approaching the game with that stance, the team pretty much picks itself, although I’d play Amad down the middle as a false nine, a role that he excelled in during his successful loan stint with Sunderland.

Jack Flintham

After such a good turnaround under Carrick, United need to finish the season at Old Trafford on a high. The Reds should be playing their strongest team available for this one.

United could opt for Mason Mount on the left flank. It’s an unfamiliar position but the Reds need to find where he fits into this team. This would also allow Cunha to play centre-forward.

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