Category: Sports

SYDNEY: David Warner’s rollicking 130* from 65 balls went in vain as Tim Ward’s 90 propelled Hobart Hurricanes to a six-wicket win over Sydney Thunder here at the Sydney Showground Stadium on Saturday.

Set a daunting 206 in the 21st fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15,  Hurricanes chased down the target with ease, losing only wickets in the process with 13 balls to spare.

Mitchell Owen and Tim Ward set the tone early with a 108-run partnership for the opening wicket in just 8.3 overs.

Owen hit an 18-ball 45 with the help of five sixes and a four before getting caught behind.

However, Thunder bowlers could not stem the flow of runs as incoming Rehan Ahmed added another 40 with Ward to take the score to 148 in 12.4 overs.

Rehan made 16, which followed Ward’s and Ben McDermott’s departure in quick succession, as Daniel Sams sparked Sydney Thunder’s comeback.

As a result, Hobart Hurricanes slumped to 166-4 from 148-1 in 14.5 overs.

Tim Ward remained the highest scorer with 90 off 49 balls with the help of three fours and 10 boundaries.

Eventually, it was Matthew Wade’s and Nikhil Chaudhary’s 41* run partnership that took them over the line. Wade scored 13 from five with three boundaries while Nikhil hit two sixes and three fours on his way to 29* off 14.

For the Sydney Thunder, Daniel Sams remained the top wicket-taker with three wickets to his name.

Earlier, Sydney Thunder put on a show with the bat after put into bat first.

The cornerstone of Sydney Thunder’s innings was David Warner’s sublime century, his first since 2019 and his overall ninth in T20 cricket.

Will Prestwidge inflicted a miserable start on Sydney Thunder as they lost two in two in the first two deliveries of the match. Matthew Gilkes and Sam Konstas were sent packing for ducks, leaving the home side 2-0.

However, Warner held the innings together with a string of partnerships. The Southpaw first crafted a 66-run partnership with Sam Billings, who made 20.

The third wicket stand of 95 runs between Warner and Nic Maddinson was the highlight of the innings, particularly the former, who remained the core aggressor.

The duo brought the score to 161 in 18 overs before Maddison retired hurt on 30. But David Warner, who accumulated 14 and 30 from the last over, propelled the score over the 200-run mark.

For his outstanding knock, Warner. was named the player of the match in a losing cause.

For Hobart Hurricanes, Will Prestwidge remained the pick of the bowlers with two wickets upfront.

Hobart Hurricanes are now leading the points table with five victories in seven matches and 10 points.

Meanwhile, Sydney Thunder are now languishing at the bottom with just one victory from six matches.

READ: Gill, Iyer back in India’s squad for New Zealand ODIs

MUMBAI: India have announced the squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, with skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer returning after injury layoffs.

The ODI series between both sides will commence on 11 January.

Pacer Mohammad Siraj is also included in the side, whereas all-rounder Hardik Pandya is rested.

Shubman Gill suffered a neck spasm during the Test series against South Africa, subsequently ruling him out of the ODIs.

On the contrary, Iyer, who last played in October 2025, is making his return after sustaining an injury during the Australia tour.

The three changes from the squad that played against South Africa are Gill, Iyer and Siraj, who replace Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Meanwhile, the BCCI is managing Hardik Pandya’s workload ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to begin on 7 February.

India ODI squad for New Zealand series

Shubman Gill (capt), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vice-capt)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal (*subject to fitness clearance).

READ: KKR release Bangladesh’s Mustafizur on BCCI instructions

Namibia have named a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

All-rounder Gerhard Erasmus will lead the side in their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.

The African nation squad is largely the same, with nine out of 15 players retained from the 2024 edition.

While Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Louren Steenkamp, JC Balt, WP Myburgh and Max Heingo add fresh depth and options as Namibia look to best their tournament record of reaching the Super 12’s in 2021.

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Namibia booked their spot in the mega event after a stellar display in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Africa Qualifier in Harare, remaining unbeaten in Group fixtures, which was followed by a commanding semi-final victory over Tanzania.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on 7 February with the opening fixture to be played between Pakistan and the Netherlands.

They are placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, Netherlands and USA.

Namibia will open their campaign against the Netherlands on 10 February in Delhi.

Squad:

Gerhard Erasmus (c), Zane Green, Bernard Scholtz, Ruben Trumpelmann, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Malan Kruger, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo, JC Balt, Dylan Leicher, WP Myburgh, Max Heingo. Travelling reserve: Alexander Volschenk.

Namibia’s group fixtures:

February 10: vs Netherlands, Delhi
February 12: vs India, Delhi
February 15: vs USA, Chennai
February 18: vs Pakistan, Colombo

READ: Cummins, Hazlewood likely to miss Pakistan T20I series

SYDNEY: Australia’s ace pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are likely to miss the three-match T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Although the ace duo is included in the World Cup squad, the fitness of both bowlers has raised doubts over their participation.

Cummins has made one appearance in the third Ashes Test after recovering from a back injury, while Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the Ashes after the opening match, is recovering from an Achilles injury.

Australia’s chair of selectors, George Bailey expressed confidence over Hazlewood and Tim David’s fitness ahead of the mega event.

“I don’t think they [Cummins and Hazlewood] will be available for the Pakistan series [three T20Is in January], but I think both should be online [for the World Cup],” Bailey told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

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He shed light on Pat Cummins and stated that the latter could play in the second half of the World Cup just like Travis Head did in the ODI World Cup during 2023.

“Patty might be a bit later; that might be a similar sort of situation to Travis Head in the 50-over World Cup, where there’s an entry point at some point.

Hopefully, we can manage and carry a squad until that point. I think Hoff [Hazlewood] should be right by the start, think Tim David should be right by the start,” he said.

He also revealed that the Big Bash League (BBL) players will also come into consideration for the inclusion in the squad for the Pakistan series.

Australia squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

READ: Anthony Joshua’s driver charged over fatal car crash

The Indian Premier League (IPL) outfit Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) instructions.

The tensions between both India and Bangladesh have flared since Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s, the former prime minister, ouster in a student-led revolution in 2024.

Following the uprising, Hasina Wajid fled to India and is currently residing there.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia linked the decision to the regional tensions between India and Bangladesh.

“Due to recent developments going on all across, the BCCI has instructed the franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad,” Saikia told Indian news agency ANI.

“If they [KKR] ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement,” he added.

Meanwhile, Saikia did not provide further reasons for the motive behind the move.

Mustafizur, 30, has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals in previous seasons of the IPL, taking 65 wickets in 60 matches.

He was signed by Kolkata in last month’s auction for a fee of 92 million Indian rupees ($1.02 million), making him the most expensive player from Bangladesh in IPL history.

The 19th edition of the IPL begins on March 26, after India and Sri Lanka co-host the Twenty20 World Cup starting in February.

READ: Anthony Joshua’s driver charged over fatal car crash

SYDNEY: Big Bash League (BBL) team Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques has lavished high praise on ace batter Babar Azam, calling him a ‘humble and game-smart’ presence to have around. 

Speaking during an interview, Henriques talked about Babar Azam’s inclusion in the Sixers squad for BBL 15 and praised him for bringing calm demeanor.

“It’s been a really cool experience because he is actually like really sort of a humble, really nice guy to have around the team and around the group,” Henriques said in an interview.

“I know a lot of people say that about people when they come in, but you know, given what he has achieved in world cricket, there’s a whole lot of humility that he brings. Obviously game smart and just really nice to talk cricket with,” he added.

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The all-rounder also talked about his influence, noting that the crowd comes alive with his presence on the field

“I guess the parade that comes around and follows him, we saw tonight when he got to his fifty, the crowd erupted even though it’s an away game,” Henriques stated.

“They’ve got a whole section shut down at the SCG just for Babar fans. So I think he has more fans than the Sixers, but hopefully we’ll convert a few of them,” he concluded.

For the unversed, BBL 15 is Babar Azam’s inaugural appearance in the tournament. The right handed batter so far scored 129 runs in five matches, with two fifties to his name.

READ: Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket

Nigerian police on Friday charged the driver of a car carrying British boxer Anthony Joshua that was involved in a fatal crash with “reckless” and “dangerous driving causing death”.

Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was also charged with “driving without a valid national driver’s licence” and “driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm and damage to property”, Oluseyi Babaseyi, a spokesman for the police in Ogun state, told AFP.

He was granted five million naira bail ($3,500) with two sureties but will remain in detention until he meets the bail conditions, Babaseyi said.

Kayode was driving the former two-time heavyweight champion and two of his friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, on a busy highway linking Lagos and Ibadan in southwest Nigeria when the Lexus SUV in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary truck on Monday.

Nigerian police and state officials said that Ayodele and Ghami died at the scene, while Joshua and Kayode sustained minor injuries.

Ghami was Joshua’s long-time strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was his personal trainer, according to British media.

The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) in the Ogun state section of the highway, where the crash occurred, told AFP earlier in the week that its preliminary investigations showed that the vehicle was moving at an excessive speed and had a burst tyre before the collision.

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Kayode is due to appear in court on January 20.

The crash occurred in Sagamu in the southwestern Ogun state, from where Joshua’s family hails.

He is known to visit the area when he is in the country.

Local media reported that Kayode had been part of Joshua’s team whenever he visited Nigeria.

Both men were treated in hospitals in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, after the accident.

They were discharged on Wednesday and Kayode was then taken into police custody in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, some 56 kilometres from Lagos.

A government source suggested to AFP on Thursday that the remains of the victims had been repatriated to the United Kingdom, with Joshua’s whereabouts unknown.

Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling economic capital, throngs with visitors from across the country and the diaspora each December.

Joshua visits Nigeria regularly and often posts pictures and videos of his visits to the country on social media.

Joshua last fought in December, when he stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round in a bout shown on Netflix.

He was rumoured to be lining up a fight with fellow British former world champion Tyson Fury later in 2026, although that will likely be delayed.

Fury is officially retired, although not for the first time and is widely expected to make a comeback.

READ: Guardiola hails ‘incredible’ Maresca amid growing speculation

Pep Guardiola has reiterated his desire to stay on at Manchester City despite reports that former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has held talks about potentially taking over at the Etihad.

The long-serving City manager, 54, said last month he intended to see out his contract at City, which runs until the end of the 2026/27 season.

That followed speculation City had identified Maresca, a former assistant of Guardiola’s, as a possible successor to the Spaniard should he decide to step down at the end of this season.

Maresca has since parted company with Chelsea — leaving Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day. It is understood the Italian’s exit came after he informed the club he had held talks with City.

Guardiola, who will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his appointment this year, said: “The only (thing) I can say is that Chelsea, I think, from my point of view, lose an incredible, incredible manager, incredible person.

“But this (is a) decision from the hierarchy from Chelsea, so (I have) nothing to say.”

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Guardiola, who has won six Premier League titles with City, added: “I have a contract. I said a thousand million times. It’s 10 years here, I will leave one day but I have a contract. I’m happy. I want to fight with my team.

“The hierarchy respect me, that was proved last season with what happened in this club — we didn’t win one game in two, three months. They supported me.

“I have one more year’s contract. I like to be here, so we will see, you will see.”

Title-chasing City dropped two points in an entertaining 0-0 draw at Sunderland on Thursday, which left them four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal at the halfway stage of the season.

Guardiola’s men host Chelsea on Sunday and the City boss admits he is not sure what to expect.

“We don’t talk much if we don’t know what the opponent’s going to be like because we don’t know which manager will be sitting (on the bench),” he said.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen so no concern (about that). Think about yourself, what you have to do. That’s going to help us in two tough games like Chelsea and Brighton.”

Chelsea said Friday that under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane would take interim charge of the team against City.

READ: Pakistan crush Afghanistan to reach U19 tri-series final

SYLHET: Faheem Ashraf continued his impressive bowling with a three-wicket haul against Sylhet Titans to help Rangpur Riders secure a six-wicket win in the 10th match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26 here at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Rangpur Riders chased down the 145-run target with ease in 18.5 overs.

Dawid Malan (19) was removed early in the fourth over, bringing Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy to the crease, with both batters adding 23 for the second wicket partnership.

Hridoy fell in the seventh over for six, reducing Rangpur Riders to 44-2 in 7.5 overs.

However, Kyle Mayers and Das kept Sylhet bowlers at bay with a 34-run partnership as the scorecard read 78 in 13 overs.

But Saim Ayub and Ethan Brookes removed both set batters which brought their side back into game. At this stage, Rangpur Riders were 95-4.

Eventually, it was Mahmudullah and Khushdil Shah’s unbeaten half-century partnership that took them over the line.

Watch BPL 2026 matches LIVE Here!

Mahmudullah made 34* from just 16 with the help of five fours and six, whereas Khushdil unbeaten 19, which included two fours and a six.

For Sylhet Titans Khaled Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Saim Ayub and Ethan Brookes picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, Sylhet Titans could only muster 144-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Rangpur Riders inflicted a poor start as Sylhet Titans were reduced to 35-3 in 5.1 overs.

Parvez Hossain Emon and Afif Hossain tried to stabilize the innings with a 28-run partnership. But the former fell for 15 to put Rangpur Riders on top.

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With Titans 63-4, Afif partnered with Ethan Brookes, propelling the score to 129 in 17.2 overs.

However, Rangpur Riders effectively controlled the scoring rate in the final overs, preventing the opposition from setting a daunting target.

Afif made 46 from 31 balls while Brookes managed to add 30 to the total with the help of a six and two boundaries.

For Rangpur Riders, Faheem Ashraf put on a show with the ball, picking up three wickets in his quota of four overs. Mustafizur Rahman was equally good, snaring three wickets.

READ: Pakistan crush Afghanistan to reach U19 tri-series final

HARARE: Sameer Minhas‘ half-century, followed by Umar Zaib’s five-wicket haul, helped Pakistan register a resounding 133-run victory over Afghanistan in the fifth match of the U19 tri-series here at the Sunrise Sports Club on Friday.

Set 239, Afghanistan were bowled out for 105 in only 30.2 overs. As a result, Pakistan romped to the final of the tri-series.

Umar remained the chief tormentor as Afghanistan lost openers Osman Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai for 9 and 15 runs, respectively, in 3.5 overs.

Uzairullah Niazai was sent back for duck in the fifth over, reducing the Atlans to 26-3.

Following an early loss, Faisal Shinozada and skipper Mahboob Khan tried to arrest the slide with a brief partnership that took the score to 59, but a collapse slumped them to 65-5, then 105 all-out.

Mahboob remained the highest scorer for his side, scoring 29 from 56 balls with the help of two fours.

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For Pakistan, pacer Umar Zaib bowled a fiery spell and picked up a five-wicket haul. Ahmed Hussain and Momin Qamar also chipped in with two scalps to their name.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to put 238/9 at the end of their 50 overs.

Sameer Minhas and Ali Hasan Baloch laid a solid foundation with a 78-run partnership in 15.4 overs.

Minhas was caught for 59 from 49 balls, which was laced with half a dozen boundaries and a six.

Ali then paired up with Usman Khan for a brief 36-run partnership to take the score to 114 in 24.5 overs. The former scored 39 with the help of a four and a six.

Pakistan’s steady progress continued as Usman Khan and skipper Farhan Yousaf stitched a half-century stand before a lower middle order collapse reduced them to 214-8 in 44.4 overs.

Usman Khan remained the second-highest run getter with 43 off 59, striking a six and three fours.

For Afghanistan, Zaitullah Shaheen and Salam Khan took two wickets each.

READ: Zimbabwe announce squad for T20 World Cup 2026