Category: Sports

Manchester City ignited the Premier League title race with a second-half blitz that sealed a 3-0 win against Chelsea as they closed the gap on leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s side produced a devastating spell immediately after half-time, with Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring in the space of six minutes at Stamford Bridge.

Jeremy Doku wrapped up a statement victory to ensure City took advantage of Arsenal’s shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Second-placed City are now only six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, setting up a seismic showdown against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on April 19.

Having beaten Arsenal in the League Cup final and thrashed Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, City are hitting form at just the right time.

Their bid for a seventh English title under Guardiola appeared to be fading after successive draws with strugglers West Ham and Nottingham Forest in their previous two league matches.

A disjointed first half against Chelsea suggested City might waste a golden opportunity to pile pressure on Arsenal.

But Guardiola’s half-time team-talk had the desired effect, and City can now target next weekend’s do-or-die visit from Mikel Arteta’s spluttering team.

If City win that blockbuster clash, they will be within three points of Arsenal, who blew substantial leads in the 2023 and 2024 title races, allowing Guardiola’s men to pip them to the trophy.

Arteta said the defeat to Bournemouth was a “punch in the face” and City’s success in west London was another body blow for the Spaniard.

City have won 29 of their 32 league games in the month of April in recent seasons, underlining their ability to thrive when the title pressure mounts.

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After winning their first four league matches following Liam Rosenior’s arrival from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have won just one of their last seven, losing three in a row to leave the Blues boss facing some difficult questions.

Chelsea, who haven’t beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final, were again without Enzo Fernandez after Rosenior’s controversial decision to drop the Argentine midfielder for hinting he might leave in the summer.

Sixth-placed Chelsea looked subdued without Fernandez, and they trail four points behind Liverpool in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish.

Lacking energy and cohesion in a sloppy start, City were fortunate not to fall behind when Marc Cucurella’s clinical finish was disallowed for a tight offside.

City also let Pedro Neto in far too easily for a stinging strike that forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to save at his near post.

It took City 35 minutes to mount an incisive raid as Bernardo Silva stretched to meet O’Reilly’s cross, but Robert Sanchez made a fine save from the midfielder’s close-range effort.

But City stepped up after the interval, and O’Reilly made the breakthrough in the 51st minute.

Rayan Cherki whipped an in-swinging cross towards O’Reilly, and the City left-back reprised his League Cup final heroics with another clinical header from close range.

Six minutes later, Cherki again showed the creative genius that has won over Guardiola despite some impetuous moments in his first season in Manchester.

The France playmaker glided past a gaggle of Chelsea players on the edge of the area before threading a sublime pass to Guehi, who looked more like a forward than a centre-back as he smashed a perfect strike into the far corner from 12 yards.

Manchester City benefited from Chelsea’s wretched defending for their third goal in the 68th minute. Sanchez rolled the ball to Moises Caicedo even though the Chelsea midfielder was surrounded by three City players, and Doku pounced, racing into the area to drill home as Guardiola celebrated a priceless result.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi receive James Vince boost for PSL 11

Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi has confirmed the arrival of seasoned batter James Vince for the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

The owner confirmed the English batter’s arrival date on his X handle.

“Big welcome to James Vince as he joins the Zalmi squad tomorrow,” he wrote.

The 35-year-old was bought by Peshawar Zalmi for Rs30 million in the PSL 11 auction; however, after missing the first five matches, his involvement in the tournament remained uncertain.

It is worth mentioning that James Vince has previously represented Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators, and Multan Sultans.

Overall, he has played 56 matches, amassing 1544 runs, including a century and seven half-centuries.

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Earlier today, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) extended the No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the Peshawar pace duo of Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam, currently taking part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The one-match extension was announced by the BCB in a press release statement.

“The decision has been made following a request from their PSL franchise Peshawar Zalmi, as well as the Pakistan Cricket Board,” the BCB statement read.

“Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana were originally granted NOCs valid until 12 April 2026. Under the revised arrangement, both players have been permitted to remain in Pakistan for Peshawar Zalmi’s scheduled PSL fixture on 13 April 2026,” it further added.

For the unversed, Peshawar Zalmi are unbeaten in the tournament and are at the top of the points table with four wins out of five games.

Their next match will be against Multan Sultans on April 13 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

Peshawar Zalmi squad for PSL 11

Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit, James Vince, and Shoriful Islam.

READ: Labuschagne hails clinical bowling after Hyderabad Kingsmen victory

KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne hailed the team effort after his side registered a six-wicket win over Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Kingsmen chased down a mere target of 154 in 18.1 overs under lights at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday night.

Labuschagne starred with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 61* off 53 balls.

Earlier, Islamabad United were restricted to 153-9 at the end of their innings, thanks to an all-round bowling performance.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Marnus Labuschagne lauded clinical performance from Hyderabad Kingsmen, particularly Asif Mehmood, who took a four-wicket haul on his PSL debut.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“Yeah, there were many things that were really good about that. Asif at the end was the icing on the cake and really kept the score down; going for just two or three in that last over is huge in the context of the game,” he said.

He also credited Glenn Maxwell, who played an important role with the ball. The right-arm off-spinner gave 21 in his four overs and took one wicket

“I thought Glenn Maxwell was excellent with his four overs, and then everyone just chipped in again,” the skipper continued.

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The 31-year-old highlighted two run-outs in Islamabad United, terming the wickets a turning point for his side.

“Mohammad Ali was once again so consistent through those middle-to-late overs. I’m really happy with how everyone bowled. We understood the conditions; we didn’t get the early wickets we wanted, but we stuck at it. Then, two big pieces of fielding changed the momentum, and we jumped on the back of that,” he concluded.

READ: IPL 2026: RR manager caught using mobile phone in dugout

Controversy erupted after Rajasthan Royals (RR) manager Romi Bhinder was caught using a mobile phone in the team dugout during an IPL 2026 clash.

Bhinder has been in numerous roles with RR since 2008 and is also the guardian of the teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The video of Bhinder using a mobile phone soon went viral on social media during the clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sitting next to him in the team’s dugout.

Despite the footage, Romi Bhinder is not yet charged with a breach of the IPL code of conduct.

Following the incident, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has launched a probe and will review the video before reaching any conclusion.

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“We need to thoroughly examine where exactly the event happened and whether the phone was used. We will conduct an internal examination before reaching a logical conclusion,” he said.

“Yes, Bhinder has indeed breached the protocol of the players’ and match officials’ area (PMOA) as cell phones are banned in the dugout during a match,” Cricinfo cited a BCCI official.

“It could be inadvertent, but there has to be some action since it amounts to a breach.” Whether it will be warning or match ban will depend on match referee and ACU [anti-corruption unit] report. Based on that, the IPL governing council can take a call,” he added.

According to PMOA protocol, the team manager is permitted to use a mobile phone in the dressing room but NOT in the dugout.”

READ: Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam receive PSL NOC extension

KARACHI: Marnus Labuschagne’s unbeaten half-century and Asif Mehmood’s four-wicket haul powered Hyderabad Kingsmen to a six-wicket victory over Islamabad United in the 21st match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday. 

Kingsmen chased down a partly 154-run target in 18.1 overs, losing four wickets in the process.

The tone was set by opening batter Maaz Sadaqat, who accumulated 20 off Imad Wasim’s opening over.

The charge continued as Hyderabad Kingsmen reached 50 in 4.5 overs.

The stand eventually culminated as Sadaqat was caught after scoring 30 from 16, including four boundaries and two sixes.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Following the wicket, Saim Ayub and Marnus Labuschagne made light work of the chase with a 60-run partnership.

Consequently, Kingsmen reached 110 in 13.1 overs before three quick wickets derailed their chase.

Saim (35) and Usman Khan (1) were in the same over, whereas Kusal Perera departed in the next over. The scorecard read 115-4 in 14.4 overs with Glenn Maxwell and Labuschagne at the fore.

The duo put the chase back on track with an unbeaten 42-run partnership from 22 balls, helping their side cross the finishing line.

The skipper top scored with 61* from 53 balls, striking six fours, while Maxwell hit two sixes and a four in his 21 from nine deliveries.

Earlier, a disciplined bowling display from the Hyderabad Kingmen restricted Islamabad United to 153-9 after 20 overs.

Devon Conway and Sameer Minhas provided a strong start with 55 on the board in the first five overs.

Mohammad Ali provided the much-needed breakthrough in the form of Minhas’ wicket, who scored 22 off 13, hitting three fours and a six.

Despite the wicket, Islamabad United scored freely as Mohammad Faiq and Conway stitched a 31-run partnership.

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The duo brought the score to 87 in 9.3 overs, but things turned quickly for Hyderabad Kingsmen, who were back in the game courtesy of two run outs in the same over.

First, Faiq went back to the pavilion after making 18, followed by a well-set Conway. The left-hander scored 45 off 31 balls, including seven fours.

For Islamabad United, Chris Green and Faheem Ashraf took two wickets each.

The run-outs jolted United’s progress as they lost their way in the middle. As a result, they slumped to 113-5 in 15.3 overs.

With United in a precarious position, Mark Chapman played a measured knock and lifted them out of trouble. Chapman hit two sixes and three fours in his 42 off 30 balls.

The stage was set for Islamabad United to go big in the final over, but they lost four wickets and were reduced to a below-par score at the end of their innings.

For Hyderabad Kingsmen, Asif Mehmood starred on debut, taking a four-wicket haul while giving 18 in two overs.

READ: Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam receive PSL NOC extension

Tottenham’s Premier League plight deepened with a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland on Sunday in Roberto De Zerbi’s first match in charge before Manchester City tried to close the gap on leaders Arsenal.

Spurs brought in the former Brighton and Marseille boss at the end of last month in a last-ditch bid to save themselves from a catastrophic relegation.

But the Italian failed to inspire his team in a tricky baptism at Sunderland and his team remain in the drop zone.

Tottenham, playing under their third manager this season, are without a Premier League win since late December as they contemplate the nightmare of a first relegation from the English top flight since 1977.

The visitors looked bright in the opening stages and were awarded a penalty that was subsequently overturned by VAR.

De Zerbi’s team were grateful to goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who was out quickly to smother a Brian Brobbey shot at point-blank range shortly before half-time while Robin Roefs denied Dominic Solanke at the other end.

Sunderland took the lead courtesy of a huge slice of luck on the hour, when Nordi Mukiele’s shot took a massive deflection off Micky van de Ven and looped into the goal.

De Zerbi made three changes, bringing on Joao Palhinha, Pape Matar Sarr and Mathys Tel and then lost captain Cristian Romero to injury.

Spurs pushed hard for an equaliser late on but Roefs tipped over a powerful Pedro Porro effort in stoppage time to ensure the win for Sunderland.

Tottenham, who parted ways with interim boss Igor Tudor at the end of last month, are two points behind 17th-placed West Ham and have six games left to save themselves from an almost unthinkable relegation.

They are the ninth-wealthiest club in the world, according to Deloitte’s latest rankings, underlining the extraordinary nature of their predicament.

Relegation rivals Nottingham Forest held Aston Villa to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground and remain one point above the Hammers.

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Unai Emery’s Villa, chasing a Champions League spot next season, took the lead courtesy of a Murillo own goal.

Forest were level later in the first half when Neco Williams finished smartly from outside the box.

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice, including a stoppage-time penalty, as Crystal Palace came from behind to beat Newcastle 2-1 at Selhurst Park.

Pep Guardiola’s City travel to face inconsistent Chelsea in the late afternoon kick-off, aiming to move six points behind Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home by Bournemouth on Saturday following a toothless display.

It means City, denied a fifth straight Premier League title by Liverpool last season, now have matters in their own hands again.

A win at Stamford Bridge and at home to Arsenal next week would reduce the gap to just three points, with a game in hand.

Chelsea themselves need a victory to close the four-point gap to fifth-placed Liverpool, with the top five qualifying for Champions League football next season.

READ: Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam receive PSL NOC extension

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday extended the No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the pace duo of Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam, currently taking part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Rana and Islam both are representing Peshawar Zalmi in the tournament.

The one-match extension was announced by the BCB in a press release statement.

“The decision has been made following a request from their PSL franchise Peshawar Zalmi, as well as the Pakistan Cricket Board,” the BCB statement read.

“Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana were originally granted NOCs valid until 12 April 2026. Under the revised arrangement, both players have been permitted to remain in Pakistan for Peshawar Zalmi’s scheduled PSL fixture on 13 April 2026,” it further added.

The announcement comes upon the request of the Peshawar Zalmi and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

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Initially, the BCB had issued NOCs to both players until April 12. However, they will now be permitted to stay in Pakistan until Peshawar Zalmi’s match on April 13.

A day earlier, Bangladesh announced the squad for the first two ODIs against New Zealand, set to begin on April 17 in Dhaka.

Both Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam are named in the squad and will join the team after featuring in the Peshawar Zalmi’s upcoming match against Multan Sultans on April 13.

Bangladesh squad for ODI series against New Zealand:

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Nahid Rana.

READ: Charith Asalanka replaces Parvez Hossain Emon at Lahore Qalandars

KARACHI: Hyderabad Kingsmen have won the toss and have opted to field first against Islamabad United in the 21st fixture of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 here at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday.

This will mark the first occasion on which both teams will go head-to-head in the PSL, as Hyderabad Kingsmen will feature in the tournament for the first time.

United are in third spot on the points table with seven points, while Kingsmen have secured one win out of five games and are currently in seventh position.

Playing XIs

Hyderabad Kingsmen XI: Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (capt), Usman Khan (wk), Kusal Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Irfan Khan Niazi, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Asif Mehmood, Mohammad Ali

Islamabad United XI: Devon Conway (wk), Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Faiq, Mark Chapman, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Chris Green (capt), Richard Gleeson, Mehran Mumtaz, Salman Irshad

READ: Charith Asalanka replaces Parvez Hossain Emon at Lahore Qalandars

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury marked his latest return to the ring with a unanimous points win over Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday before immediately challenging Anthony Joshua to a ‘Battle of Britain’ super fight.

Two-time former world champion Fury, back after a 16-month absence, won 120-108 on two of the judges’ scorecards, with the other ruling he had defeated his Russian opponent 119-109 after the maximum 12 rounds.

Makhmudov made a strong start to the first round at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, throwing a left and connecting with an overhand right.

But by the third round, Makhmudov was already showing signs of fatigue, with Fury switching stances and hitting a one-two off the Russian’s chin.

The fight, watched by Joshua at ringside, continued in a similar fashion until the final bell.

Fury, who had walked out to the tune Blue Moon in honor of the late Ricky Hatton, who died in September, leaned over the ropes and invited Joshua into the ring after the bout.

Joshua refused, but the two former world heavyweight champions exchanged words, and Fury, 37, was pulled back by the referee before the result was announced.

After his victory had been confirmed, Fury, out of retirement for a fifth time, said: “I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me next. Do you accept?”

Fury, in his first fight since successive defeats to unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk, and now with a professional record of 35 wins, two losses, and one draw, added: “Let’s give the fight fans what they want.

“Do not run from me this time. Ten years in the making. Let’s dance.”

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Joshua, 36, did not reply immediately but eventually said: “I punched you up when we were kids and I’ll punch you up again.

“You aren’t going to tell me what to do, I’ve been chasing you for 10 years.

“I’m the boss, you work for me. I’m the landlord. You work for me.”

Fury, eventually reflecting on Saturday’s fight itself, said: “I got 12 rounds against a tough opponent, a knockout specialist. That is better than a one rounder against a bum.

“I just took out the number five contender in the world with ease.”

The January announcement of Fury’s latest return to boxing came a week after Joshua was involved in a car crash in Nigeria which killed two of his close friends.

Earlier this week, Fury said the incident was a “defining moment” in his comeback as it made him think “life is very short”.

Fury and Joshua have almost fought on several occasions, only for contract disputes, fitness issues and losses elsewhere to derail previous attempts to get them into the same ring nearer the peak of their careers.

Their camps had reportedly been close to an agreement before Joshua decided to take time out from boxing after the car crash.

But this week Fury said his focus was on Makhmudov, explaining: “Like I said when Daniel Dubois was fighting Anthony Joshua (in 2024), everybody said and all the boxing brains said, ‘AJ will knock him out inside three rounds,’ and they were overlooking him. ‘Are you going to fight Tyson next?’

“And I said you better put some respect on Dubois’ name because he’s going to chin him and that’s what happened.”

READ: Charith Asalanka replaces Parvez Hossain Emon at Lahore Qalandars

Charith Asalanka has replaced the injured Parvez Hossain Emon at Lahore Qalandars for the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11.

The replacement comes in after Parvez Hossain was ruled out of the event due to a shoulder injury that occurred during Lahore Qalandars’ fixture against Multan Sultans in Lahore.

The opener was involved in an on-field collision with Asif Ali, resulting in a ligament tear.

Subsequent MRI scans revealed a ligament tear, forcing the medical staff to recommend a period of rest and rehabilitation.

Despite his brief stint, Emon made a notable impact at the top of the order. He featured in three matches, scoring 71 runs at an impressive strike rate of 161.36, including a fluent 45-run knock against Multan Sultans that highlighted his attacking intent.

Lahore Qalandars announced the replacement in a social media post.

“Charith joins us as the replacement for Parvez Hossain Emon, who’s been ruled out due to an injury sustained in the field during our rain-shortened match vs Multan Sultans in Lahore,” the caption of the post read.

 

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“Asalanka, it’s your time. Can’t wait to see that fearless flair in Qalandars’ colours at the HBL PSL 11,” it added.

The former Sri Lanka captain is set to join the squad ahead of Lahore Qalandars’ upcoming match against Quetta Gladiators on 17 April.

For the unversed, Lahore Qalandars have a topsy-turvy campaign in PSL 11 so far, where they have managed to win two out of three games while losing three. The defending champions now sit sixth on the points table.

READ: Moeen Ali rues powerplay bowling after loss to Hyderabad Kingsmen