Category: Sports

BANGKOK: India produced a clinical all-round performance to defeat Bangladesh by 46 runs in the final and clinch the ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars title at the Terdthai Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Defending 135, India’s bowlers dominated from the outset, bundling Bangladesh out for 88 in 19.1 overs to seal a comprehensive victory in the summit clash.

Bangladesh never quite recovered after early setbacks. Shamima Sultana provided brief resistance with a brisk 20 off 15 balls, striking three boundaries, while captain Fahima Khatun chipped in with 14 off 11 deliveries.

However, the rest of the batting unit struggled to build partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Prema Rawat led India’s bowling charge with impressive figures of 3/12 in her four overs, applying sustained pressure through the middle phase.

Sonia Mendhiya and Tanuja Kanwar claimed two wickets apiece, while Saima Thakor, Minnu Mani and Radha Yadav contributed with one wicket each to wrap up the innings.

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Earlier, India posted a competitive total after opting to bat first. Openers Nandini Kashyap and Dinesh Vrinda laid a steady foundation, guiding the side to 30 before the first breakthrough.

Vrinda departed for 19, dismissed by Fatema Jahan, while Kashyap was run out shortly after.

Minnu Mani fell for a first-ball duck, and Anushka Sharma managed just eight, leaving India needing consolidation in the middle overs.

That stability came through Tejal Hasabnis and skipper Radha Yadav, who stitched together a crucial 69-run partnership to revive the innings. Yadav struck 36 off 30 balls, including three fours and a six, before being dismissed.

Hasabnis anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 51 off 34 deliveries, hitting three fours and two sixes, ensuring India crossed the 130-run mark, a total that ultimately proved more than sufficient.

For Bangladesh, Fahima Khatun was the standout performer with the ball, returning figures of 4/25 in her four overs, while Fatema Jahan and Farjana Easmin picked up one wicket each.

READ: Lahore Qalandars sign THIS South African batter for PSL 11

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to field first against England in the Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

PLAYING XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellelage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera

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England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

HEAD TO HEAD

England and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 14 T20 International matches. England hold a commanding advantage with 10 victories, while the Islanders have secured four wins.

Matches 14, England 10, Sri Lanka 4

In ICC Men’s T20 World Cup encounters, England have further tightened their grip on the rivalry, winning five of the six meetings between the two sides.

Matches 6, England 5, Sri Lanka 1

England are coming in this Super Eight clash with a victory over Italy in their final group stage game. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka suffered a stunning defeat against Zimbabwe in their last match.

READ: Lahore Qalandars sign THIS South African batter for PSL 11

Carlos Alcaraz was at his devastating best on Saturday as he claimed the Qatar Open title with a ruthless 6-2, 6-1 win over Arthur Fils.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion needed just over 50 minutes to see off his French opponent and claim the 26th title of his career.

Following Australian Open success earlier this month, completing his career Grand Slam at just 22 years of age, Alcaraz backed it up by storming to the title in Doha in his first tournament back since Melbourne and extending his match-winning streak to 12.

“I came this year hungry for more,” said Alcaraz. “I think after every tournament, we just have to set new goals. I’m just really happy and proud of everything I have done with my team on and off the court.”

“It’s been a really strong start to the year. It wasn’t easy… I had to be strong mentally with my team. I’m just playing great tennis, and I’m really happy about this week. This trophy means a lot to me.”

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For 40th-ranked Fils, returning gradually to action after a lengthy injury absence, the Spanish world number one was a step too far at the end of a fine week in which he recorded wins over top-10 seeds Jakub Mensik and Jiri Lehecka.

The run to his first tour-level final since Tokyo in 2024 will propel the former world number 14 up to 33 in the next ATP rankings.

“It’s been eight long months with my injury,” said Fils.

“So in a time like this, you just have to think about the last eight months when I was struggling, not playing tennis. I just want to thank my team… Today was not the day, but I think we did a hell of a job.”

READ: Neymar hints at possible retirement amid World Cup 2026 doubts

Former Brazil captain Neymar said he is considering retirement at the end of the year after being hampered by injuries, but hopes to go to the FIFA World Cup 2026 first.

The ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker returned in January 2025 to his boyhood club Santos from Saudi club Al-Hilal.

After an injury-interrupted first season, he extended his contract until the end of 2026 but then missed the start of the Brazilian season in January after undergoing knee surgery in late December.

“I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year,” the striker told Brazilian online channel Caze.

“It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now.”

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He made his return as a second-half replacement in a Sao Paulo championship match on February 16, 11 days after his 34th birthday.

“Obviously, I wanted to come back to help my team in the best way possible, but I ended up holding back a little so I could come back 100 per cent,” he said.

Neymar is the all-time leading scorer for Brazil, with 79 goals, two more than Pele, but has not played for the national team since October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury against Uruguay.

Carlo Ancelotti has not called up Neymar since taking over as Brazil coach last May.

“This year is a very important year, not only for Santos, but also for the Brazilian national team, as it’s a World Cup year, and for me too,” Neymar said. “So it’s a huge challenge.”

READ: La Liga leaders Real Madrid stung by late Osasuna winner

Raul Garcia’s superb 90th-minute strike consigned leaders Real Madrid to a 2-1 defeat at Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday, in a blow to their title hopes.

Champions Barcelona trail Madrid by two points but can overtake them on Sunday if they beat Levante at Camp Nou.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid put on a below-par performance in Pamplona and fell behind to an Ante Budimir penalty, before Vinicius Junior pulled the visitors level.

The second leg of Madrid’s Champions League play-off against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica on Wednesday seemed to play on their minds as they failed to kick on at El Sadar.

Vinicius, who scored a sensational goal to give Madrid a slender first-leg lead but was then the victim of alleged racial abuse, thought he had earned his team a point before Garcia blasted home the winner.

Croatian target man Budimir curled narrowly wide of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’s far post early on, the first of many problems he gave the visitors.

The Belgian stopper made an excellent save a few minutes later, after Budimir tried to nod home Ruben Garcia’s cross under pressure from Alvaro Carreras.

Budimir also clipped the post with a header as Osasuna impressed, with their victory helping them rise to ninth.

Madrid defender David Alaba came close when Alejandro Catena blocked his shot, shortly before the hosts took the lead.

Budimir burst into the area and went down under a challenge from Courtois. Although he was initially booked for diving, a VAR review showed the goalkeeper stood on his foot.

The veteran forward took the resulting penalty himself and sent Courtois the wrong way to give Osasuna the lead.

Osasuna sat deep at times in the second half, looking to fend off 15-time European champions Madrid.

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Arda Guler came close with a vicious shot that flew just over.

Chasing an equaliser, Arbeloa threw on creative duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Brahim Diaz and his team began to take control.

French superstar Kylian Mbappe put the ball in the back of Osasuna’s net but had edged offside, although the equaliser was not long in coming.

Fede Valverde charged into the box with the ball, unperturbed by Osasuna’s defenders bouncing off him, before crossing for Vinicius to tuck home.

It was the Brazilian’s fifth goal in his last four games across all competitions, having found his best form since Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso at the helm in January.

Mbappe, La Liga’s top goalscorer, should have put Madrid ahead with 10 minutes to go, but Javi Galan brilliantly blocked his shot.

Alexander-Arnold curled a free-kick wide as the clock ticked down, and it looked like Madrid were left ruing two points dropped, when the third was taken away from them too.

Raul Garcia cut inside the sliding Raul Asencio brilliantly and fired across Courtois and in at the far post.

The striker’s celebrations were cut short by the offside flag, but a VAR review showed he was onside and the goal was given.

It was the first time Osasuna have beaten Madrid in La Liga for 15 years.

Real Betis, fifth, were held 1-1 at home against Rayo Vallecano earlier Saturday, leaving them three points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

Diego Simeone’s side host Espanyol later on, aiming to make amends after last weekend’s 3-0 defeat by Rayo.

READ: Son’s LAFC defeats Messi’s Inter Miami in MLS season opener

Son Heung-min bested Lionel Messi in the battle of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) global superstars, spearheading a comfortable 3-0 win for Los Angeles FC (LAFC) over Inter Miami on the US league’s opening weekend.

The South Korean, already beloved in California as he embarks on his first full season, set up a first-half strike for David Martinez, before Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz sealed victory.

Leading the Black-and-Gold’s potent attacking trio with Bouanga and Martinez, Son cantered through the centre of Miami’s defence all night, raucously cheered by some 76,000 fans, the second-largest attendance in MLS history.

The Saturday night game had been moved to the cavernous Memorial Coliseum to accommodate the demand for MLS’s two best-known players, with commissioner Don Garber boasting the league could have sold out LAFC’s usual stadium “five times.”

But for those who poured in to see eight-time Ballon d’Or-winner Messi, there were slim pickings, as the tightly marked 38-year-old failed to get a shot on target despite Miami dominating possession.

LAFC started brightly, allowing Miami plenty of the ball but attacking swiftly on the break.

Gabonese star Bouanga looked particularly dangerous, playing through Son for an early one-on-one. But the South Korean could not get a shot away, running it wide to the keeper’s right.

At the other end, Lionel Messi, who has had limited training opportunities since picking up a hamstring strain in a friendly two weeks ago, looked off the pace.

The Argentine great repeatedly lost possession, and as the frustration built, LAFC struck.

With Rodrigo De Paul robbed on the centre circle, the ball fell to Son, who was given too much time by backpedalling Miami defenders.

He slid the ball out to the right to Martinez. The young Venezuelan curled it round the keeper with a first-time shot, inside the back post.

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Moments later, Messi’s first genuine chance from the edge of the box flashed inches wide.

Miami came out after the break with more aggression, and Messi briefly pulled the strings, firing another shot just over the crossbar.

Around the hour mark, the World Cup winner collided face-first with the back of Ryan Porteous and was down on the ground for a minute or so, but clambered back up to the relief of his team and nation.

LAFC were happy to soak up the pressure. And their patience was soon rewarded.

Timothy Tillman played a giant, looping through ball from deep in his own half to Bouanga, who headed it over the rushing keeper, rounded him and knocked it into the net.

Son Heung-min should have had another assist, pulling it back from the touchline to Bouanga, who this time could not latch on to the opportunity.

The South Korean was hooked moments later, looking frustrated to be hauled off with just minutes remaining despite the hearty applause.

His replacement, Ordaz, put the game to rest, slotting in from a mazy run down the left and a low cross by Bouanga.

The game served as a suitably splashy start for a hugely important MLS season that will be split in two by the 2026 World Cup, which takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.

World Cup host countries typically see boosts for their domestic leagues, and MLS bosses are determined to keep US eyeballs on the planet’s biggest sport long after national teams have returned home.

Speaking to AFP at half-time, MLS commissioner Gerber said the league will splash “tens of millions” of dollars on its biggest ever marketing effort, to harness the upcoming huge spike in soccer interest.

READ: Deflated Australia face tough questions after T20 World Cup flop

Australia coach Andrew McDonald is adamant the players he took to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 were good enough, but the evidence suggests otherwise, with a rebuild looming before they co-host the next tournament with New Zealand in 2028.

The 2021 champions were seen as title contenders again at the showpiece in India and Sri Lanka, but the former white-ball heavyweights instead suffered a calamitous exit in the group stage for the first time since 2009.

They head home to a significant pile-on from former Australian greats and an acerbic media who expected more.

They have been quick to lob sharp criticism at the underperforming players and perceived selection blunders.

“We said at the start of this World Cup that we were concerned about Australia,” pace great Glenn McGrath told reporters, pointing to the absence of fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc as exposing a soft underbelly.

“All of a sudden, the aura of that Australian team is no longer there when other teams play it … unfortunately, not surprising.”

The warning lights were flashing before the event even started when they capitulated heavily to Pakistan in a three-game warm-up, outplayed with bat and ball.

In those matches they lost by 22, 90 and 111 runs, the final two Australia’s largest in terms of runs in T20Is.

At the time, skipper Mitchell Marsh said: “Absolutely no stress from our end.” That soon became: “It’s a devastated group” as their T20 campaign unravelled with defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

Australia’s three selectors, George Bailey, McDonald and Tony Dodemaide, have come in for particular criticism, notably their continued faith in under-performing all-rounders Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly.

They were also blasted for their head-scratching failure to play Steve Smith and to drop in-form Matt Renshaw for the Sri Lanka clash when they were still mathematically alive.

“Look at the selections, look at (Glenn) Maxwell, Connolly, Green and (Josh) Inglis, these guys are all out of form,” lamented Mark Waugh, himself a former selector.

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“The selectors have their plans in place, but you’ve got to be smart enough to see which players are in form and which players are out of form.

“And you’ve got to play the percentages a lot better than what our selectors have played.”

A defiant McDonald said there was “always going to be differing opinions from the outside”, suggesting they “don’t understand what the moving parts are and the conversations are on the inside”.

“The build into this tournament and the style of cricket, the balance of our batting unit and the balance of our bowling attack, we felt really confident coming into this tournament,” McDonald added.

“I think the decisions that we made and the squad that we picked, we’ve got a room full of players that are incredibly disappointed knowing that they were good enough to progress, and we’ve just got to own the fact that we haven’t.”

A forensic review of their disastrous performance is set to kick in once they return home, ahead of planning for the next T20 World Cup when only three in the current squad, Green, Connolly and quick Xavier Bartlett, will be aged under 30.

What becomes of some of their ageing champions like Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Hazlewood, and Cummins remains to be seen.

McDonald noted that with a heavy Test load ahead and an ODI World Cup in 2027, Australia’s T20 schedule was light going forward, giving them limited opportunities to fine-tune the team in the immediate future.

“In the next 12 months, we’ll have a lack of T20 cricket, as is the way of the schedule,” he said. “We go to Bangladesh, and we’ve got a series against England.”

“They won’t really ramp up until pretty much that World Cup year, which is similar to what happened in this cycle.

“That’s probably not enough to start to build out what your direction is. I think that’ll come a little bit closer.”

READ: Lahore Qalandars sign THIS South African batter for PSL 11

Lahore Qalandars have bolstered their squad ahead of the landmark season 11 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by securing South African wicketkeeper-batter Rubin Hermann as a direct signing.

The franchise confirmed the development on Saturday through their official social media platforms, welcoming the left-hander with a succinct message: “Gloves on. Bat in hand. South African Rubin Hermann joins the Lahore Qalandars as a Direct Signing.”

 

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Set to run from March 26 to May 3, PSL 11 promises to be a defining season for franchises reshaping their combinations, and Hermann’s addition gives Qalandars a versatile option in the middle order.

The 29-year-old has played seven T20 Internationals for South Africa, scoring 153 runs at a strike rate of 131.89, registering a half-century in the process.

At the domestic and franchise level, his numbers underline consistency. Across 65 T20 appearances, the left-hander has scored 1,497 runs at a strike rate of 127.83, including eight fifties and a century.

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Rubin Hermann also arrives with valuable league experience, having represented Paarl Royals in two seasons of SA20.

In 21 matches, he amassed 559 runs at a strike rate of 119.70, striking four half-centuries and often anchoring the innings in challenging situations.

For Lahore, the signing strengthens their wicketkeeping options as Haseebullah Khan was the only glovesman in the squad.

Lahore Qalandars squad for PSL 11

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Farooq, Dasun Shanaka, Parvez Hossain Emon, Asif Ali, Tayyab Tahir, Gudakesh Motie and Rubin Hermann.

READ: What New Zealand washout means for Pakistan semi-final qualification?

Chelsea’s chances of Champions League qualification were dented as Burnley snatched a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, while Aston Villa also struck late to salvage a point against Leeds on Saturday.

The Blues climb into the Premier League’s top four only on goal difference after they paid for failing to build on Joao Pedro’s fourth-minute opener.

Chelsea were dominant until Wesley Fofana was sent off with 18 minutes remaining for a second yellow card.

Burnley took full advantage as Zian Flemming headed in from a corner in the 93rd minute to keep their slim hopes of survival alive.

The Clarets edge to within eight points of safety.

Villa defied the odds to keep pace with Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race until recent weeks, but a 1-1 draw continued their poor run at Villa Park.

Anton Stach’s spectacular free-kick from fully 40 yards (37 metres) at an angle caught out Emi Martinez at his near post to give Leeds the advantage.

Daniel Farke’s men have lost just twice in their last 16 games to relieve their fears of being dragged into a battle for survival.

But Tammy Abraham then snatched a point for Villa two minutes from time.

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Five Premier League sides are set to qualify for next season’s Champions League thanks to the strong performance of English sides in European competition this season.

But Liverpool and Manchester United have the chance to close in when they face Nottingham Forest and Everton in the coming days.

James Milner set a new record of 654 Premier League appearances in Brighton’s 2-0 win at Brentford.

The 40-year-old started for the Seagulls as they secured a first win in seven games to ease the pressure on boss Fabian Hurzeler.

Diego Gomez drilled in the opening goal for the visitors after Ferdi Kadioglu’s stunning strike came back off the bar.

Danny Welbeck then pounced on some slack Brentford defending to double Brighton’s lead just before half-time.

Manchester City can close to within two points of leaders Arsenal when they host Newcastle in Saturday’s 2000GMT kick-off.

The Gunners have breathed new life into City’s title challenge with disappointing draws at Brentford and Wolves since Pep Guardiola’s men last played in the Premier League.

Arsenal are in action on Sunday when they travel to local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby.

READ: Flick tells Barca stars to feel ‘responsibility’ after damaging defeats

COLOMBO: The washout of the Pakistan vs New Zealand Super Eight clash has made every game crucial in Group 2 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Persistent drizzle right after the toss — which Pakistan won and opted to bat — at the Premadasa Stadium did not relent, and the umpires finally called the match off at 9:05pm local time (15:35 GMT).

Not even a five-over match was possible by the 10:16 pm (1646 GMT) cut-off time, giving the two teams one point each.

For Pakistan qualification in the semi-finals without relying on the Net Run Rate, they simply have to win two of their remaining games against England and Sri Lanka.

The victories will ensure Pakistan finishes on five points, virtually booking their place in the semi-finals.

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The second scenario for Pakistan qualification is to win one and lose the other, then their fate will be determined by other results and NRR.

With two losses in their remaining games, Pakistan would remain on one point, resulting in immediate elimination.

The washout has effectively made every game a virtual knockout. leaving very little margin for error.

However, the actual situation will become clearer after the clash between Sri Lanka and England on February 22.

Pakistan are placed alongside Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand in Group 2.

Their next match will be against England on February 24, followed by last game against host Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, title-holders India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the West Indies are placed in Group 1.

The top two teams from each Group will qualify for the semi-finals.

READ: Suryakumar backs misfiring Abhishek despite three ducks