Author: A Sports

MELBOURNE: England skipper Ben Stokes has thrown his weight behind opener Ben Duckett after the ECB launched a probe into a viral video allegedly showing the batter intoxicated during the Noosa trip.

The video, which surfaced on the X platform, shows Ben Duckett reportedly appearing drunk and losing on his way back to the team hotel in Noosa during the break between the second Ashes Test.

Despite the controversy, Duckett is set to play the fourth Test of the Ashes series, starting Friday.

Ahead of the Test match, Duckett got Stokes’ public backing with the skipper describing him as the linchpin of England’s batting lineup and an influential figure in the change room.

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“It’s all pretty fresh and pretty new. I’ve obviously reached out and spoken to him and offered my complete support to him throughout this.

The 34-year-old recalled reflecting on his challenging time during the 2018 Australia tour, saying scrutiny can heavily affect players off the field.

“I have first-hand experience of how this can affect people,” he said.

“I will always support my players, particularly in a moment like this where everything feels like it’s on top of you – and for some players more than others as well.

My job as England captain is obviously to be out there and get results for the team, but also to try to give people the best chance of being in a mental space where they can go out there and perform,” he concluded.

Duckett, who is yet to make his mark down under after a series of low scores in the first three Tests, will now be under scrutiny as England look for their first win on Australian soil since their triumphant 2011 tour.

READ: PCB announces global response to bids for new PSL teams

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday announced that it had received an encouraging response to the tender issued for the sale of two new franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

According to the board, it has received an overwhelming response from 12 parties within the stipulated deadline.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an exceptional and encouraging response to the tender issued for the sale of two new franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Within the stipulated deadline, 12 parties have formally submitted their bids,” the board said in a press release.

“These bidders belong to five continents, including the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Pakistan, which clearly reflects the PSL’s growing global popularity and commercial appeal,” it added.

As per the board, the outcome of this particular phase of the bidding process will be revealed on 27 December, while technically qualified bidders will be given a chance to purchase the two new teams through an open competition bidding process.

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The open competition bidding will be held on 8 January at the Islamabad Convention Centre.

Earlier, the bid deadline previously set for December 22 was extended to December 24 for the second time due to the two bank holidays and at the request of the bidding parties.

For the unversed, the Pakistan Super League, which began in 2016 with five outfits, is set to expand with the addition of two new teams.

Notably, the league expanded to five teams in 2018 with the addition of Multan Sultans.

With the addition of two new teams, the league will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, taking the total to eight teams.

READ: Arshad Nadeem set to light up inaugural World Sports Summit

Pakistan ace javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is set light up the inaugural World Sports Summit, scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 29 and 30, 2025.

The event is the first of its kind and will bring together global stakeholders who are influential in shaping the present and future of sport and technology.

Among the participating leaders are business figures, Chief Executive Officers (CEO) and visionaries.

“The World Sports Summit is the most exclusive global gathering dedicated to inspiring the future of sport.

Built on values that reflect the human spirit of athletes and the universal vision of sports, WSS brings together leaders, legends, and innovators to create lasting impact,” the statement read on the official website.

 

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“Guided by the principles of Humanity & Resilience, Unity & Inclusion, Excellence, Innovation, and Legacy, the summit serves as a platform where ideas transform into action, collaborations cross borders, and sport becomes a force for progress and inspiration worldwide,” it added.

For those unaware, Pakistan Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem has also been selected as an honouree for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum Global Sports Award 2025.

The star thrower has been requested to feature in the summit programme and to receive the award during a parallel official ceremony.

In its official communication, the Dubai Sports Council has requested all concerned authorities to provide the necessary facilitation for Nadeem’s travel and official procedures, while extending best wishes for his continued success.

The high-profile guest list also includes several sports icons from across disciplines, such as football greats Ronaldo, Carles Puyol, and Kaka, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, tennis star Sania Mirza, and professional MMA fighter Khamzat Chimaev.

READ: Kohli breaks another Tendulkar record on Vijay Hazare return

BENGALURU: India ace batter Virat Kohli on Wednesday shattered yet another record of legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest to 16,000 runs in men’s List A cricket during the Delhi opening match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Kohli reached the landmark in his 330th innings on his Vijay Hazare Trophy return. On the contrary, Sachin crossed the feat in his 391st innings.

With this, Kohli now holds the record for the fastest player to reach each set of 1000 runs from 10,000 onwards.

Fastest to 16,000 Runs in List A Cricket

Virat Kohli in 330 Innings

Sachin Tendulkar in 391 Innings

Gordon Greenidge in 422 Innings

Ricky Ponting in 430 Innings

Graham Gooch in 435 Innings

Viv Richards in 435 Innings

Nonetheless, Kohli hit 131 from 101 balls with the help of three sixes and 14 fours, which helped Delhi chase down a target of 299 against Andhra Pardesh in 37.4 overs.

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The right-hander scored ton on 84 balls with a muted celebration.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma also hit a ton and scored 155 from 94 balls, a knock which propelled him past David Warner.

Warner had registered nine scores of 150+ in his List A career, while Rohit Sharma also equalled the record with his majestic knock.

The ace batter’s knock was laced with 18 fours and nine maximums, powering  Mumbai to an eight-wicket victory over Sikkim.

For the unversed, the players’ participation in domestic competition comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued strict guidelines for centrally contracted players.

The guidelines imply centrally contracted players’ compulsory participation in domestic competition in a bid to remain eligible for selection in the national team.

The policy was made in early January 2025 in the aftermath of India’s Test series loss against Australia down under.

READ: Bavuma breaks silence on ‘dwarf, grovel’ remark on India tour

South Africa ODI and Test skipper Temba Bavuma opened up on the recently concluded tour of India, addressing the controversies that happened during the Test series.

Bavuma, in his article on Cricinfo, wrote about the incidents that happened during the series and their memorable 2-0 triumph, marking their first Test series win in India since 2000.

However, the tour was marred by some controversies, starting from the series opener when India players Jasprit Bumrah and the wicket-keeper were caught on stump mic calling Bavuma a ‘dwarf’.

Both players’ chat went viral as they called Bavuma ‘Bauna’ (Dwarf), a term referring to a person of short height.

“I know from my side there was an incident where they said something in their language about me. At the end of the day, two senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologised,” he said.

“When the apology was made, I was in the dark about what it was about, I hadn’t heard it at the time, and I needed to check in with our media manager about it, the skipper revealed.

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Bavuma said that he held grudges and shed light on the ‘Grovel’ remark that stirred controversy during the tour.

“What happens on the field stays on the field, but you don’t forget what is said. You use it as fuel and motivation, but there are no grudges per se,” he continued

“I was put under pressure by the media on that side, asking me to clarify the comments that were made. I thought Shukri was the man best positioned to give context to it all.

The first time I heard about it, it had that unsavoury taste to it, but I think it just reminded me how tough and competitive the Test series was and what it meant to certain individuals within the group,” he said.

The 35-year-old talked about the head coach putting the issue to rest while admitting that he could have used a better phrase to share his thoughts.

“Shukri spoke after the ODI series and put that issue to bed. In hindsight, he said he could have chosen a better word, and I agree with him,” he concluded.

READ: ECB probes Ben Duckett viral video amid drinking allegations

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to make a host of changes in the Pakistan squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, which is set to begin in the upcoming month.

According to the sources, the squad is likely to see new faces as the consultations for the side are underway.

Among the notable inclusions will be off vice-captain Shadab Khan, who was ruled out of Pakistan’s packed cricketing calendar in May.

Meanwhile, pacer Haris Rauf, who was not included in the squad for the home series against South Africa, is also set to make a return. However, his inclusion is subject to availability and fitness.

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Sources privy to the matter said that emerging batter Maaz Sadaqat could also be in contention after a stellar display during Pakistan’s Shaheen and domestic competitions. While fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal is also likely to be included in the squad.

Notably, Pakistan players, who are currently featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15, will continue to feature in Australia’s premier T20 competition and will be available for the Sri Lanka tour, subject to their availability and workload management.

The series against Sri Lanka will begin on January 7, with the next two T20Is to be played on January 9 and 11 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

For the unversed, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will commence on February 7 in Sri Lanka and India, with the deadline for preliminary squads submission is January 7.

READ: Former pacer takes swipe at Babar Azam for crediting Sarfaraz

Former fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed has taken a dig at Babar Azam for crediting Sarfaraz Ahmed on Pakistan’s triumph in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025.

Congratulatory messages poured in after Pakistan outplayed arch-rivals India in the final by a hefty margin of 191 runs.

Among the senders were former and current cricketers, who praised the team and Sarfaraz Ahmed for delivering an outstanding performance.

Babar Azam, who is currently in Australia for the Big Bash League (BBL) 15, credited team mentor and manager Sarfaraz Ahmed for bringing the best out of the young players.

“Well done, boys! Lifting the trophy after a stellar campaign and dominating the final.

Big credit to Saifi Bhai, whose experience shaped this triumph. Keep the hunger going,” Babar Azam wrote on his X account.

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However, the congratulatory message did not sit well with Tanvir Ahmed, who has long an admirer of Babar Azam.

“No credit goes to [Sarfaraz Ahmed]. All of it goes to Shahid Anwar, Azhar Ali and Rao Iftikhar Anjum, as all of the hard work was done by them,” Tanvir replied to Babar’s post on X.

“I am disappointed that you gave all the credit to Sarfaraz,” he lamented.

For the unversed, Sarfaraz Ahmed was named the team mentor and manager ahead of the U19 Asia Cup 2025.

The glory added another trophy to Sarfaraz’s cabinet as the wicket-keeper batter has led Pakistan to three major titles against India.

He captained the national side to the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup glory in 2006, defeating arch-rivals India in the final, and later guided Pakistan to a historic ICC Men’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, where they thrashed India by 180 runs in the summit clash.

READ: ECB probes Ben Duckett viral video amid drinking allegations

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is set to investigate an alleged video of Ben Duckett, which went viral after he reportedly got lost on his way back to the team hotel.

The alleged video emerged on the X platform on Tuesday, just after England men’s managing director Rob Key said that there would be an investigation into the Three Lions refreshing trip during the break between Second Ashes Test.

England took a four-day break in Noosa, a beautiful Sunshine Coast resort town in Queensland, which was booked by head coach Brendon McCullum a year in advance for players’ refreshment.

However, things turned ugly as England lost their third Test in a row, handing Australia the Ashes with two matches still to play.

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Following the video, the ECB confirmed the probe and noted that they will follow the necessary protocols for a thorough investigation.

“We are aware of content circulating on social media,” the board said.

“We have high expectations for behaviour, accepting that players are often under intense levels of scrutiny, with established processes that we follow when conduct falls below expectations. We also support players that need assistance,” it added.

“We will not comment further at this stage while we establish the facts.”

For the unversed, Ben Duckett is going through a poor run in the Ashes, managing just 97 at an average of 16.`16 with a highest score of 29.

Notably, this is not the first time the 31-year-old has been under scrutiny for disciplinary conduct.

Eight years ago, Duckett, who was part of the Lions squad for the 2017-18 series, was sent back home with a fine and a suspension by the ECB for pouring a drink over James Anderson.

READ: Tottenham manager hits back at Arne Slot, defends Van de Ven

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has hit back at Arne Slot after the Liverpool boss criticised Micky van de Ven for a “reckless” tackle that left Alexander Isak with a broken leg.

Defender Van de Ven crashed into Isak with a sliding tackle in a failed attempt to stop the Sweden striker scoring in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Tottenham on Saturday.

Isak, who limped off after Van de Ven’s challenge, underwent surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.

The 26-year-old is expected to be sidelined for at least two months after the injury to his left leg.

Slot launched a scathing attack on the centre-back when he faced the media on Tuesday, saying he was guilty of a “reckless challenge”.

“If you make that tackle 10 times, I think 10 times there’s a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury,” he said.

But Frank defended his player in his own press conference.

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“I obviously disagree in many ways,” he said. “We are talking about a defender that will do everything he can to avoid the goal.

“It is a transition, there is a ball down the side, and he is doing everything he can to block the shot, so he is sliding.

“Unfortunately, Isak plants his foot so it makes it look worse than it is, but that is a natural action for a defender.

“Put it this way, if my defender does not do that, they are not true defenders.”

Frank said Van de Ven would not put an opponent’s health at risk with a dangerous foul.

“Reckless challenge? I don’t think you see anything like that from Micky,” he said.

“I see him as a very fair and competitive player. That’s one thing. I know the two players have sorted it out, so that’s a good sign.”

Tottenham’s defeat against Liverpool added to the mounting pressure on Frank.

The former Brentford boss has struggled since arriving in north London in the close-season to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou.

Postecoglou ended Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League, but the poor domestic form that haunted the Australian has continued under Frank’s watch.

Tottenham are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League ahead of this weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace, but Frank remains confident he can turn the tide.

“This is one of the biggest clubs in the world so it makes it a bigger and different challenge,” he said.

“Where this makes it extra challenging is we also play Champions League and Premier League at the same time. We are trying to improve when at 100 miles per hour.”

READ: BBL 15: Haris Rauf’s three-fer helps Stars ease past Strikers

LONDON: Wicket-keeper Thomas Rew is set to lead the 15-member England side for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026, which is set to be hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Somerset batter Rew has recently been involved in the England Lions tour of Australia and has been handed the responsibility of leading the side, while Farhan Ahmed, who previously led the side against West Indies U19 in the Youth ODI series, is named as his deputy.

Among the notable inclusions is left-arm spinner Ali Farooq, who is included in the squad for the first time.

Following the announcement, head coach Michael Yardy expressed confidence in the side’s ability to do something special.

“This is an amazing opportunity for the players we have selected to not only wear an England shirt at a World Cup but also to go out and try and do something special,” he said.

“We have a balanced squad with a core group of players who already have county experience and who have developed a camaraderie while playing together for the U19s that will serve them well during the tournament,” he added.

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He backed players to shine and show their real gameplay in the World Cup.

“I really want the players to enjoy the opportunity to play at a World Cup, in a beautiful country like Zimbabwe, and to embrace the chance to compete against different countries and show their quality,” Yardy concluded.

For the unversed, the 16th edition of the event will be held from 15 January to 6 February 2026.

The tournament will continue with its familiar format: 16 teams, four groups, 41 matches, and a Super Six stage leading into semi-finals and a final.

The sides will begin arriving on 8 January for warm-ups scheduled from 9–14 January while England will play their opening match against Pakistan in Harare on Friday, 16 January.

England U19 Squad

Thomas Rew (c), Farhan Ahmed, Ralphie Albert, Ben Dawkins, Caleb Falconer, Ali Farooq, Alex French, Alex Green, Luke Hands, Manny Lumsden, Ben Mayes, James Minto, Isaac Mohammed, Joe Moores, Sebastian Morgan.

READ: Ali Raza credits Sarfaraz’s ‘instrumental leadership’ in Asia Cup triumph