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COFFS HARBOUR: Babar Azam failed to make his mark again as Joel Davies and Hayden Kerr’s crucial partnership helped Sydney Sixers edge past Brisbane Heat by three wickets in the 24th fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Set only 115 here at the International Sports Stadium in a low-scoring encounter, Sixers stumbled in the chase before they got over the line on the fourth ball of the 18th over.

Oli Patterson inflicted a poor start on the Sixers with back-to-back wickets in the third over. Babar was the first to go for two while Josh Philippe † followed him after for a duck, leaving the side 15-2.

After early blows, skipper Moises Henriques and Daniel Hughes tried to steady the innings with a brief 17-run partnership. However, Xavier Bartlett removed Daniel Hughes for 15 to put Heat in command.

Brisbane Heat continued to mount pressure with clinical bowling, which reaped high rewards in the form of Jordan Silk (6) and Jack Edwards (0) wickets, both getting dismissed in the same over.

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The Sixers were further in dire straits as Henriques and Ben Manenti were also sent back to the pavilion. As a result, Sydney Sixers were 56-7 in 10.3 overs.

With Brisbane Heat in a dominant position, Joel Davies and Hayden Kerr batted with responsibility, stitching an unbeaten 62* run partnership that propelled them to victory.

Davies hit three fours and a six on his way to 35 from 26, whereas Kerr struck a six and a four in his 27* from 25 balls.

For Brisbane Heat, Oli Patterson and Matthew Kuhnemann shared four wickets each. Xavier Bartlett, Jack Wildermuth, and Matt Renshaw picked up one each.

Earlier, put into bat first, Sydney Sixers bowlers demonstrated an excellent bowling display, limiting the opposition to 114-9 at the end of their 20 overs.

Jack Wildermuth and Lachlan Hearne provided a brisk start of 27 runs in three overs before Sean Abbott and Jack Edwards combined to send back both batters in successive overs.

Wildermuth was looking dangerous with 31 off 17, striking two fours and two sixes. Hearne could only add one to the total.

With Heat 33-2 in four overs, with inform Matt Renshaw and Max Bryant at the helm. But Sixers bowlers did not allow them to free their hands.

The former and latter were sent packing in the span of two overs for two and three runs respectively.

Nonetheless, Hugh Weibgen top-scored with 24 from 25 balls with the help of a boundary that took the Heat’s score over the 100-run mark.

Eventually, the whole team was limited to a below-par score at the end of their innings.

Matthew Kuhnemann and Oli Patterson were the notable contributors with the ball as they took two wickets each.

READ: Second group of Pakistan squad departs for Sri Lanka

Ruben Amorim has been sacked as Manchester United manager 14 months after arriving at Old Trafford, the club announced on Monday.

United said in a statement that the Portuguese had left his role, with the club’s leadership having “reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change”.

The club added, “This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.

“The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future.”

Current Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday.

United are currently sixth in the Premier League table after a 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday.

After that game, an irate Amorim stressed he was United’s manager rather than just the coach during an eye-catching press conference in which he told the scouting department and director of football, Jason Wilcox, “to do their job”.

The 40-year-old had alluded to frustration behind the scenes in the build-up to the match as the United boss refused to clarify his recent comments about the club’s transfer plans.

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He had looked downbeat when he sidestepped those questions but was more forthcoming when asked on Sunday if he still felt he had confidence from the board.

“Guys, to start with that — and I noticed that you receive selective information about everything — I came here to be the manager of the Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United,” Amorim said. “And that is clear.

“I know that my name is not (Thomas) Tuchel, it’s not (Antonio) Conte, it’s not (Jose) Mourinho but I’m the manager of Manchester United.

“And it’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decides to change, so that was my point.

“I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”

Amorim was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to the Europa League final in Bilbao in May, losing to Tottenham Hotspur, but they finished 15th in the Premier League last season.

His 14-month stint is the shortest reign of a permanent manager at United since David Moyes was sacked just eight months into his tenure in 2014.

United, 20-time English champions, have not won the Premier League since 2013, in Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge.

READ: Bangladesh orders IPL telecast ban after Mustafizur’s release

The Bangladesh government on Monday ordered an immediate ban on the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) following the release of national fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 season.

In an official statement, the local administration said the decision was taken after a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) led to Mustafizur’s exclusion from the KKR squad for the IPL, which is scheduled to begin on March 26, 2026.

“No rational reason for such a decision by the BCCI is known, and such a decision has pained, saddened and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” the statement read.

“Under these circumstances, until further notice, instructions have been issued to stop the broadcast and telecast of all IPL matches and programmes.”

The government added that the order had been issued in the public interest and with the approval of the competent authority.

“This order is issued with the approval of the proper authority and in the public interest.”

Mustafizur, one of Bangladesh’s most high-profile cricketers, was released by Kolkata after the franchise was “advised” by the BCCI to do so in the wake of heightened diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

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The 30-year-old left-arm pacer had been picked up by KKR for more than one million dollars at the IPL auction in December.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the board’s role in the decision, stating that “considering recent developments”, Kolkata were advised to release the Bangladeshi fast bowler.

Kolkata Knight Riders, which is majority-owned by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, later said the move was made after due consultations.

“His release has been carried out following due process,” the franchise said in a statement, adding that the BCCI would allow the defending champions to sign a replacement player under IPL regulations.

The situation further intensified on Sunday when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that the national team would not travel to India for its scheduled matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Following an emergency meeting, the BCB said it had formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s fixtures to Sri Lanka.

READ: Nasum Ahmed powers Sylhet Titans to crushing win against Noakhali Express

SYLHET: A devastating spell from Nasum Ahmed dismantled Haider Ali-led Noakhali Express as Sylhet Titans cruised to a one-sided victory in the 13th match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26 on Monday.

Asked to bat first, Noakhali endured a torrid outing with the bat and were bundled out for just 61 in 14.2 overs, the fourth-lowest total in BPL history and the lowest of the ongoing season.

Left-arm spinner Nasum was the chief architect of the collapse, returning sensational figures of 5 for 7 from his four overs.

Mohammad Amir and Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with a wicket apiece, tightening the noose around the struggling batting line-up.

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Only two Noakhali batters reached double figures. Wicketkeeper-batter Mahidul Islam Ankon top-scored with a 32-ball 25, striking a boundary and a six, while opener Habibur Rahman Sohan added 18 off 16 deliveries, including three boundaries.

Captain Haider Ali endured a forgettable outing, managing just five runs from 12 balls, as four of his teammates departed without scoring.

The dismal total now sits fourth on the list of lowest scores in BPL history, with the unwanted record still held by Khulna Tigers, who were dismissed for 44 against Rangpur Riders in the 2016 edition.

Sylhet Titans made light work of the modest target but not before a brief wobble at the start of the chase, losing Parvez Hossain Emon for one in the opening over.

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Tawfique Khan and Zakir Hasan then took control, adding a decisive 53-run stand that effectively ended the contest. Tawfique led the charge with a brisk 32 off 18 balls, while Zakir anchored the innings with 24 from 23 deliveries.

Afif Hossain fell cheaply for two, but Moeen Ali calmly struck the winning run off his very first ball to seal the chase in just 8.4 overs. Zahir Khan was the lone bright spot for Noakhali in the field, claiming three wickets.

The emphatic win lifted Sylhet Titans to third place on the BPL 2025-26 points table. Noakhali Express, meanwhile, continue to search for their first victory in their debut campaign, having now suffered four defeats on the trot.

READ: Brisbane Heat sign Pakistan pacer as Shaheen Afridi’s replacement

Brisbane Heat have strengthened their bowling resources for the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 15 by signing Pakistan fast bowler Zaman Khan as an international replacement for the injured Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The 24-year-old right-arm pacer has received clearance from the BBL Technical Committee and is set to be available for the Heat’s fixture against Sydney Thunder at the Gabba on Saturday.

The match will see Zaman come up against his former franchise, having previously represented the Thunder during BBL 13.

Known for his distinctive slingy action and effectiveness at the death, Zaman featured in four matches for Sydney Thunder, claiming eight wickets at an impressive average of 16.38.

 

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Since making his international debut in 2023, he has gone on to represent Pakistan in 10 T20 Internationals and one One-Day International, picking up seven wickets across formats.

Zaman Khan arrives in Australia in good rhythm, having recently made an impact in the Abu Dhabi T10, where he grabbed a hat-trick in his opening match of the tournament.

He also brings experience from multiple leagues around the world, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he plays under Shaheen Afridi at Lahore Qalandars, and England’s The Hundred, where he turned out for Manchester Originals.

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Brisbane Heat head coach Johan Botha expressed confidence that Zaman’s inclusion would add a cutting edge to the bowling unit as the tournament reaches a crucial phase.

“He’s a genuine wicket-taker up front, but he can also control an over with his variations and pace,” Botha said.

“He complements our attack nicely and gives us additional options in the key bowling periods. Zaman was a handful when he first came on the scene and has continued to evolve his game.”

READ: Second group of Pakistan squad departs for Sri Lanka

LAHORE: The second batch of the Pakistan T20I squad, including captain Salman Ali Agha, departed for Colombo on Monday for the three-match series against Sri Lanka starting January 7.

The travelling party also includes Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Abdul Samad and Khawaja Nafay.

Batting coach Mohammad Hanif and several members of the support staff are also part of the second batch.

پاکستان/سری لنکا ٹی ٹوئنٹی سیریز

قومی ٹی ٹوئنٹی سکواڈ کا دوسرا گروپ لاہور سے کولمبو کے لیے روانہ

دوسرے گروپ میں کپتان سلمان علی آغا ، محمد نواز ، صاحبزادہ فرحان ،عثمان خان ، صائم ایوب ، ابرار احمد ، عبدالصمد اور خواجہ نافع شامل

بیٹنگ کوچ محمد حنیف اور سپورٹ سٹاف کے دیگر… pic.twitter.com/gy1VGAJZFj

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) January 5, 2026

Earlier in the day, the first contingent of the Pakistan team reached Sri Lanka, accompanied by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.

The group featured all-rounders Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf, as well as pacers Mohammad Wasim Jr and Salman Mirza.

Bowling coach Ashley Noffke, the fielding coach and other support staff members also arrived in Colombo.

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Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to face each other in a three-match T20I series, scheduled for January 7, 9 and 11.

All matches will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla.

The series holds added significance for Pakistan as it serves as a key build-up assignment ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

Pakistan will play all of their World Cup fixtures in Colombo.

Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka T20Is

Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.

READ: Travis Head hits back for Australia after England post 384

SYDNEY: An imperious Joe Root hit a magnificent 160 to drive England to 384 in the fifth and final Ashes Test on Monday before Travis Head let rip to haul Australia back into the contest with a quick unbeaten 91.

Root’s superb innings, his 41st ton to match Ricky Ponting, was only ended courtesy of a brilliant caught-and-bowled by Michael Neser, who finished with 4-60.

Australia were left to negotiate the final session of day two at a sold-out Sydney Cricket Ground, which they did for the loss of Jake Weatherald (21) and Marnus Labuschagne (48).

By stumps, the hosts had raced to 166-2 with nightwatchman Neser on one alongside Head.

Weatherald, who needed a big score to stave off the critics, again failed to live up to expectations since making his debut at the first Test in Perth.

He was dropped twice in the space of three balls, by Root and then Ben Duckett, before Ben Stokes trapped him lbw.

But Head, who, like Root, has slammed two centuries in the ongoing Ashes, was in the zone.

He clattered three boundaries off the second over from Matthew Potts, in the side for the injured Gus Atkinson, and there was no let-up, blitzing a quickfire 50 off 55 balls.

Labuschagne was also in good touch, stroking seven boundaries before thick-edging Stokes to Jacob Bethell at gully.

Australia lead the series 3-1 and have already retained the Ashes, with England desperate for another win after victory at the previous Test in Melbourne.

England resumed at 211-3 but lost Harry Brook (84), Stokes (0) and Jamie Smith (46) before lunch.

Will Jacks (27), Brydon Carse (1) and Josh Tongue (0), along with Root, departed in the second session.

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The day belonged to Root, who started on 72 and reached an almost chanceless century off 146 balls to reaffirm his status as an all-time great.

The 35-year-old had begun the series under pressure after failing to make a hundred in Australia over three previous Ashes tours.

He snapped the drought with an unbeaten 138 in the day-night Test at Brisbane, and his exploits in Sydney drew him level third with Australia’s Ponting on the all-time century-makers’ list, with 41.

Only India’s Sachin Tendulkar (51) and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (45) have scored more Test centuries.

Root and Brook came together with England in trouble at 57-3 on Sunday, with both eyeing big centuries on an ideal batting deck.

But Brook only lasted five balls on Monday, adding six to his overnight 78 before dabbing at a Scott Boland delivery and edging into the safe hands of Steve Smith at slip.

It ended a 169-run partnership, not just England’s best of the series but the biggest by either team, surpassing Head and Alex Carey’s 162 in Adelaide.

Stokes only survived 11 balls before getting the faintest of edges off Mitchell Starc to Carey.

Jamie Smith lived dangerously and was fortunate to survive after chipping Cameron Green to Labuschagne at cover on 22. He began walking off, but replays showed Green overstepped, and it was a no-ball.

He added another 24 before medium-pacer Labuschagne bagged him in his first over.

The run rate slowed significantly after lunch when the new ball was taken, but Root persisted, passing 150 for a 17th time, just one behind the legendary Don Bradman and three short of Tendulkar.

He and Jacks put on 52 for the seventh wicket until Jacks sent a leading edge to Green in the gully off Neser. Root was the ninth man out, and Tongue followed without any addition to the score.

READ: Joe Root equals Ricky Ponting’s record in fifth Ashes Test

SYDNEY: Joe Root added another landmark to his illustrious career on Monday, drawing level with Australia great Ricky Ponting on the all-time list of men’s Test centuries during the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The former England captain brought up his 41st Test hundred with a composed knock that stood out in an otherwise challenging innings for the tourists, who entered the match trailing 3-1 in the five-Test contest.

Resuming on 72 on the second day after rain curtailed play on the opening day, Root batted with characteristic control despite increased intensity from the Australian bowlers and a surface that offered variable bounce.

He reached the three-figure mark with a push for two off Michael Neser, bringing up his 41st Test century in his 163rd Test.

At 35, Root now shares third place on the all-time Test century list with Ponting, with only South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (45) and India legend Sachin Tendulkar (51) ahead of him.

While wickets continued to tumble at the other end, with Harry Brook (84), Ben Stokes (0) and Jamie Smith (46) all departing, Joe Root remained unflustered.

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He went to lunch unbeaten on 138 before extending his innings further in the middle session, eventually passing the 150 mark.

Root’s resistance finally ended on 160 when Michael Neser produced an athletic caught-and-bowled effort to remove the England mainstay.

Notably, it marked Root’s second century of the tour, having failed to register a hundred in his previous 14 Test appearances in Australia before this Ashes series.

England were eventually dismissed for 384, with last man Josh Tongue falling in the same over as Root.

For Australia, Neser led the bowling effort with four wickets, while Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland chipped in with two apiece.

READ: Australian great Martyn out of coma in ‘miracle’ recovery

Atletico Madrid could only manage a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad on Sunday, leaving them 11 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Diego Simeone’s side pulled level with third-placed Villarreal on 38 points, but have played two more matches than them and lost more ground in the Spanish title race.

Alexander Sorloth headed Atletico ahead early in the second half, but Goncalo Guedes levelled five minutes later to secure Real Sociedad’s American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo a point in his first game at the helm.

Hosts Real Sociedad started well, with Mikel Oyarzabal firing narrowly wide from distance and Jan Oblak forced to tip away Brais Mendez’s drive.

Atletico, who have won just two of their last five league games, threatened sporadically, but the Basque side were on top and almost took the lead before half-time.

Rojiblancos striker Sorloth headed into his own net, but the goal was disallowed for offside against Mendez, who was standing in front of the Norwegian.

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Five minutes into the second half, Sorloth nodded into the same goal, this time to send his team ahead from Giuliano Simeone’s cross.

Conor Gallagher should have doubled Atletico’s lead but fired wide of the near post when through on goal and was soon punished for it.

Guedes levelled for Real Sociedad after Takefusa Kubo darted into the box and fired the ball across for the unmarked Portuguese winger to finish.

Oblak made a smart low save to thwart Kubo, and his opposite number, Alex Remiro, was also forced into action as Antoine Griezmann ran through but could only fire at the Spaniard from a tight angle.

Carlos Soler could have won it for La Real in stoppage time, but bent a shot agonisingly wide of the far post, leaving his team 15th.

READ: Brahim Diaz sends Morocco to AFCON quarter-finals

Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz maintained his goal-a-game record at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by scoring to take Morocco into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Tanzania in Rabat on Sunday.

Diaz scored once in each of three group matches, and his 64th-minute strike against the Tanzanians created history as he became the first Moroccan to find the net in four consecutive AFCON matches.

His celebrations included holding up a shirt belonging to midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, and he later dedicated the last-16 victory to his injured teammate.

Ounahi arrived at the stadium using crutches and wearing a medical boot on his left foot as Bilal El Khannouss took his place in midfield.

The goal came after Morocco squandered numerous scoring chances while stretching an unbeaten run in competitive and friendly matches to 23. Their last loss was to South Africa at the 2024 AFCON.

Morocco will face South Africa or Cameroon, who meet later on Sunday at a different Rabat venue, in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender Achraf Hakimi set up the last-16 winner for Diaz, while making his first start in the tournament after coming off the bench in a victory over Zambia last Monday.

The 2025 African player of the year suffered a serious ankle injury playing for PSG against Bayern Munich in the Champions League two months ago.

“The competition is growing in intensity, and we have just faced our toughest opposition so far in Tanzania,” said Diaz.

“Not everything worked, we know that, but fortunately, we managed to secure our qualification. Now we will go back to work to be fully ready for the quarter-finals.”

Argentina-born Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi said, “I am so proud of what my team produced. So proud of my players, both in their attitude and tactically.

“They showed that the gap between Morocco and us is not as big as people think. We will come back stronger, I am convinced of that.”

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Morocco were favourites for several reasons, including home advantage, the backing of close to 70,000 supporters, and lying 101 places above Tanzania in the world rankings.

However, it was Tanzania who had the first chance in the third minute, but Saimon Msuva misconnected with a Selemani Mwalimu cross.

Morocco had the ball in the net after 15 minutes as Ismael Saibari nodded a Abdessamad Ezzalzouli free-kick past goalkeeper Hussein Masaranga.

The assistant referee immediately raised his flag for offside, and a VAR review confirmed that the PSV striker had strayed too far forward.

Ayoub El Kaabi was the next Moroccan to come close, heading over before being injured in a collision with Masaranga. Both players resumed after treatment.

A Diaz shot was too high from the edge of the box, and El Kaabi headed wide as the host nation continued their pursuit of the opening goal, but the first half ended goalless.

In a lively start to the second period, Ezzalzouli and El Kaabi headed wide, then, in a rare Tanzanian raid, Feisal ‘Fei Toto’ Salum fired over with only goalkeeper Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou to beat.

As Moroccan pressure mounted, Hakimi rifled a free-kick against the crossbar from just outside the box on the hour mark.

A goal seemed inevitable given the relentless pressure from the host nation, and it came thanks to Hakimi and Diaz.

The full-back passed to the forward, who beat Masaranga at his near post with an angled shot from close range.

Tanzania protested furiously in added time after El Khannouss appeared to push Tanzania substitute Iddy Nado in the area, but the referee waved play on.

READ: Manchester City title hopes hit by managerless Chelsea