World Cup 2022: Denmark to wear 'toned down' jerseys in protest at hosts Qatar

Denmark will wear "toned down" shirts for the World Cup to protest against host Qatar's human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers, BBC reported.

Kit provider Hummel has also designed a third, all-black kit, to represent the "colour of mourning".

Hummel said it "does not wish to be visible" in a tournament it claims "has cost thousands of lives".

"We support the Danish national team but that isn't the same as supporting Qatar as a host nation," it said.

As part of the design, the Denmark badge is also "toned down". Their playing kit will be a plain red home shirt and an all-white second kit.

Denmark's training kit sponsors will also withdraw their logos to give room for messages critical of Qatar.

Qatar officials have previously disputed the figures on the death of migrant workers working on World Cup facilities, saying the actual total figure at the time in 2021 was 37.

Hummel said: "We wish to make a statement about Qatar's human rights record and its treatment of the migrant workers that have built the country's World Cup stadiums, according to BBC.

"We believe that sport should bring people together. And when it doesn't, we want to make a statement."

However, the Qatar 2022 supreme committee, which organises the tournament, disputed Hummel's claims about the deaths of migrant workers.

"We have engaged in robust and transparent dialogue with the Danish Football Association (DBU)," a statement said.

"We wholeheartedly reject the trivialising of our genuine commitment to protect the health and safety of the 30,000 workers who built stadiums and other tournament projects.

"We have worked diligently alongside the Qatari government to ensure that the tournament delivers a lasting social legacy."

The committee also urged the DBU to "accurately convey the outcome of their extensive communication and work with the [committee]" to Hummel, BBC reported.

England in Pakistan: Hosts edge low-scoring match to take 3-2 lead in Twenty20 series

Pakistan took a 3-2 lead in their Twenty20 series against England with a six-run victory in a low-scoring match in Lahore, BBC reported.

Chasing just 146 for the win, England never recovered from a poor start in the powerplay that saw them reduced to 31-3 inside five overs.

A defiant knock from captain Moeen Ali, who ended unbeaten on 51, left England needing 15 runs off the last over, but some superb death bowling from debutant Aamir Jamal saw them fall just short on 139-7.

Earlier, England fast bowler Mark Wood took 3-20 as Pakistan were bowled out for 145 after 19 overs, Mohammad Rizwan the only batter to offer resistance with 63 from 46 deliveries, according to BBC.

The penultimate game of the seven-match series takes place on Friday, again in Lahore.

Spain snatch dramatic win over Portugal to advance

Alvaro Morata grabbed a dramatic winner as Spain beat Portugal in Braga to qualify for the Nations League Finals, BBC reported.

The ex-Chelsea striker scored in the 88th minute from close range after Nico Williams headed the ball into his path.

Portugal only needed a point to advance and had chances to score but Liverpool's Diogo Jota and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo both missed.

Spain will be joined in June's finals by Croatia, Italy and the Netherlands, who are expected to host all the games.

Portugal began the night top of Group A2 and will be wondering just how they failed to book their place at next summer's four-nation tournament.

They had won the inaugural competition in 2018-19 and were the better team for most of the match in northern Portugal.

An excellent pass from Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes was collected by Jota, who shot at goal but was denied by a fine one-handed save by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.

The hosts continued to create the better opportunities with Fernandes hitting the side-netting and Ronaldo having a shot blocked by Simon early in the second half.

Substitute Williams, who plays for Athletic Bilbao, made a difference for Spain and twice had efforts saved by Diogo Costa, according to BBC.

But the Portugal goalkeeper was beaten with only two minutes remaining when Williams' header went past him with Morata hooking the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Spain were runners-up in the Nations League Finals in 2021 and now have a chance to win the tournament in June.

England in Pakistan: Hosts win absorbing match by three runs to level T20 series at 2-2

Pakistan edged past England by three runs in a thrilling encounter in Karachi to level their Twenty20 series at 2-2, BBC reported.

Chasing 167, Liam Dawson put England on course for victory after smashing 24 runs off the 18th over to leave the tourists needing nine runs from 12 balls.

But an absorbing match swung Pakistan's way the following over when Haris Rauf took two wickets in two deliveries to leave England nine down with four runs still required.

Number 11 Reece Topley was then run out in the final over to seal the win for the home side and spark scenes of jubilation among the crowd.

Earlier, Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 88 from 67 balls as Pakistan reached 166-4.

A disciplined England bowling performance restricted Pakistan to just three sixes in their entire innings, with two of those coming from Asif Ali in the final over, which proved vital.

England made a poor start to their reply and were reduced to 14-3 after two overs.

Harry Brook hit 34 from 29 balls and Ben Duckett 33 from 24 to lead the recovery, but England continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, according to BBC.

Dawson's late heroics nearly got them over the line, but he looked inconsolable as Pakistan hit back to bowl England out for 163 and seal a breathless win.

The teams will now travel to Lahore for the fifth T20 in the seven-match series on Wednesday.