BILBAO, Spain (AP) — Spain forward Nico Williams has been diagnosed with a moderate hamstring injury and is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup.
Williams underwent tests on Monday, a day after he was substituted before halftime in Athletic Bilbao’s 1-0 loss to Valencia in La Liga.
Athletic midfielder Oihan Sancet, who is also looking to be picked for Spain's World Cup squad, was also diagnosed with a moderate hamstring injury. He was replaced in the second half of Sunday's match.
Athletic said “both players are awaiting further assessment.” Spanish media said they were set to miss the final three rounds but likely to recover for the World Cup which begins in a month.
Williams was substituted by older brother Iñaki Williams on Sunday.
“He was limping a lot. He hadn't felt that type of pain before,” Iñaki Williams said. “It's concerning considering the moment we are (in) right now. Let's wait and hope for the best possible scenario."
The 23-year-old Nico Williams has been a regular in Spain’s squad, playing in attack along with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who is also injured.
Sancet has a few appearances for Spain since being called up for the first time in late 2023.
Spain coach Luis de La Fuente is announcing his World Cup squad on May 25.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE -Spain's Nico Williams eyes the ball prior the start of the Nations League final soccer match between Portugal and Spain at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque hit resolute half-centuries as Bangladesh reached 152-3 on rain-hit Day 4 of the first cricket test against Pakistan on Monday.
Bangladesh’s lead grew to 179 runs, keeping it on course to push for a result on the final day after bad light forced an early end to play with Shanto unbeaten on 58 and Mushfiqur Rahim on 16.
Shanto, who struck a fluent century in the first innings, put on a 105-run partnership with Mominul for the third wicket to keep Bangladesh on the front foot after the host slumped to 23-2 in the morning session.
Mominul followed his 91 with 56 in the second innings, extending his rich form with five half-centuries in a row and became the Bangladesh batter to reach 5,000 runs.
“Mominul knows how to handle these situations,” batting coach Mohammad Ashraful said. “The partnership of Mominul and Shanto put us ahead today and hopefully we’ll set a strong target to push for a victory tomorrow.”
Play was stopped for more than three hours because of rain. After resuming at seven for no loss, Bangladesh received an early blow when Mahmudul Hasan was trapped leg-before-wicket by pacer Mohammad Abbas for five.
Pacer Hasan Ali dismissed Shadman Islam for 10, with Saud Shakeel taking a catch at gully after the batter was surprised by the extra bounce.
In a repeat of their first innings rearguard, Mominul and Shanto showed resolve to frustrate Pakistan’s attack, keeping Bangladesh on course to set a challenging final innings target for the visitors.
They also came together in the first innings to share 170 runs when Bangladesh was struggling at 31-2.
Mominul survived two chances before edging a delivery from pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi behind the wicket.
Shanto played an almost flawless innings and raised his sixth test half-century off 90 balls with a single to mid-off off Afridi.
He and Mushfiqur Rahim then safely dealt with remaining overs to deny Pakistan any further breakthroughs.
“We will definitely go for the win,” Pakistan all-rounder Salman Agha said. “If they give us around 70 overs and a target near 260, we will absolutely chase it. But I don’t think they will take that risk.”
Bangladesh earlier was bowled out for 413 in its first innings, before taking a 27-run lead, dismissing Pakistan for 386 with offspinner Mehidy Hasan taking five wickets.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
FILE - Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto takes a run during the second one day international cricket match between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Mirpur, Bangladesh, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosaraf Hossain, File)
