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MOUNT MAUNGANUI: New Zealand crushed West Indies by 323 runs on Monday to win the third Test and seal a 2-0 series victory, with Jacob Duffy taking a crucial five-wicket haul.

The hosts set a target of 462 and bowled out the tourists for 138, wrapping up the innings four overs after tea following a dramatic collapse either side of lunch.

Duffy finished with 5-42 and was backed up by Ajaz Patel, who claimed 3-23, while opener Brandon King top-scored for West Indies with 67.

New Zealand’s Devon Conway scored 227 and 100 in two innings, while captain Tom Latham scored 137 and 101, the first opening pair in first-class cricket history to score twin centuries in the same match, to set up the win.

The series began with a draw in Christchurch, before New Zealand won the second Test in Wellington.

Seamer Duffy and spinner Patel posed constant danger to both edges of the bat on a cracked surface that offered uneven movement and bounce.

West Indies collapsed from 87-0 to 112-8 either side of lunch after starting the day on 43-0.

King dominated early, hitting a flurry of cuts and drives and scoring 53 of his team’s first 59 runs.

New Zealand captain Latham’s field placements had lacked aggression, but that changed after the drinks break when Duffy broke the opening stand, with King gloving a rising delivery to Glenn Phillips at gully.

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Patel struck in the next over, removing John Campbell for 16 after a rash attempt to slog down the ground. Phillips took another good catch in the deep.

Patel soon claimed another, with first-innings centurion Kavem Hodge falling for a duck.

Duffy then dismissed Alick Athanaze for two and Justin Greaves for nought in successive overs, leaving the West Indies reeling.

He struck again two overs later, with Alick Athanaze edging to keeper Tom Blundell for 2, before removing Justin Greaves for nought with an edge to Daryl Mitchell at slip.

Duffy then had Roston Chase caught off the gloves by Latham at slip for five, capping a miserable series for the West Indies captain.

Chase scored just 42 runs at an average of seven in three matches, the second-worst figures for a captain dismissed six or more times in a Test series.

Patel claimed Shai Hope’s wicket for three from 78 balls after a controversial lbw review. Hope did not offer a shot, but the ball was deemed to be hitting his foot on the full and going on to hit the stumps.

Phillips then took his first wicket of the match by bowling Kemar Roach, who was nursing a hamstring strain.

Rachin Ravindra was introduced in the final session and snared Anderson Phillip’s wicket with an lbw, before Duffy wrapped up the innings by bowling Jayden Seales.

READ: PCB chief announces prize money for Pakistan U19 team: sources

DUBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has announced hefty cash prizes for the national U19 team after they lifted the ACC Men’s Asia Cup title here on Sunday.

According to sources, Naqvi has decided to award each winning team member a cash prize of PKR 5 million in a meeting held with the players.

Moreover, the chairman has also vowed to give emerging national cricketers the best possible treatment after a dominant performance against India in the final.

In a conversation with Sameer Minhas, the PCB Chairman also made an individual announcement for him.” Sources.

“You are all warriors. You have raised Pakistan’s name with pride,” he said to the players. “Sameer Minhas, you are our pride. You delivered an outstanding performance,” sources quoted Naqvi’s statement.

Earlier, Mohsin Naqvi expressed his thoughts after the final in a post on ‘X’, praising the team for delivering an outstanding performance.

“What a show! Proud to be handing over the ACC U19 Cup to our brilliant Pakistan U19 team. Fearless cricket, unmatched spirit, and a performance to remember,” he wrote.

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Mohsin Naqvi lavished praise on Sameer Minhas for playing a decisive knock under pressure against India.

“Special mention for Sameer—calm under pressure and outstanding on the big stage. This team makes the nation proud and the future of Pakistan cricket shine bright,” he added.

For the unversed, Pakistan outplayed India in the final by 191 runs, with Sameer Minhas and Ali Raza delivering commanding performances.

Set a daunting 348, the Indian batting lineup faltered under pressure and were skittled for only 156 in 26.3 overs.

For Pakistan, Ali Raza took a four-wicket haul while Huzaifa Ahsan, Abdul Subhan, and Mohammad Sayyam contributed with two wickets each.

READ: Babar Azam, cricketing fraternity laud Pakistan U19 triumph

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has extended the submission deadline for bids of two new teams in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), sources said.

According to the sources, the deadline, previously set for December 22, has been extended to December 24 for the second time due to the two bank holidays and at the request of the bidding parties.

According to sources, the deadline, previously set for December 22, has been extended to December 24 for the second time due to two bank holidays and at the request of the bidding parties.

Sources privy to the matter further told that the deadline for submitting proposals for two new PSL outfits will now be till 4:00 pm on December 24.

Meanwhile, the technically qualified bidders for the new PSL franchises will be announced on December 27, while the bidding for the teams will be held in an open auction on January 8.

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It is pertinent to mention that on 12 Dec, the cricket board extended the deadline for new teams, citing growing interest.

“Witnessing growing interest from the Europe, USA, the Middle East and beyond in acquiring new HBL PSL teams, we have decided to extend the bid submission deadline by one week to 22 December 2025,” Mohsin Naqvi had said in X post.

“Good luck to everyone, excited to welcome our new franchise owners to the HBL PSL family,” the post added.

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

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

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

READ: Babar Azam, cricketing fraternity laud Pakistan U19 triumph

Star Pakistan cricketer Babar Azam and former cricketers praised the Pakistan U19 team after their triumph in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup final against India at the ICC Academy on Sunday.

Pakistan defeated India by a hefty margin of 191 runs in the final to lift the title for the second time after 13 long years.

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

“Well done, boys! Lifting the trophy after a stellar campaign and dominating the final. Big credit to Saifi Bhai, whose experience shaped this triumph. Keep the hunger going,” he wrote on his X account.

Azhar Ali, former captain and who previously served as PCB’s Head of Youth Development, also lauded the coaching staff, management, and Sarfaraz Ahmed for helping Pakistan U19 in lifting the trophy.

“Many congratulations to Pakistan U19 team, captain and all the staff lead by Mentor @SarfarazA_54 & Head coach Shahid Anwar,” he posted on X.

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“Special thanks to our coaches who didn’t travel with the team but worked tirelessly with boys in last 4 to 5 months Zohaib khan, Mohtashim Ali and Riffatullah,” Azhar added.

Legendary pacer Wasim Akram also showered praise on the young players, alongside special mention of Sameer Minhas and Ali Raza.

“Champions of Asia! Pakistan U19 lift the DP World Men’s U19 Asia Cup in style.
Ali Raza’s fiery bowling set the tone, and Minhas’ magnificent 150 sealed the deal. Future stars shining bright—well played, boys! @TheRealPCB,” Wasim Akram wrote.

Former Pakistan women’s team captain Sana Mir also took to X to commend the national U19 team’s outstanding performance.

“Congratulations to the U19 team. Coach Shahid Anwar has been one of the most positive people, @SarfarazA_54, master of such contests, the brilliant Sameer Minhas, Ali Raza, Ahmed Hussain , Abdul Subhan, and the entire team. Wonderful performance,” she wrote.

READ: Naqvi praises ‘fearless’ Pakistan U19 team after Asia Cup victory

DUBAI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi commended the national U19 side after their resounding victory against arch-rivals India in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup final.

Naqvi expressed his thoughts after the final in a post on ‘X’, praising the team for delivering an outstanding performance.

“What a show! Proud to be handing over the ACC U19 Cup to our brilliant Pakistan U19 team. Fearless cricket, unmatched spirit, and a performance to remember,” he wrote.

Mohsin Naqvi lavished praise on Sameer Minhas for playing a decisive knock under pressure against India.

“Special mention for Sameer—calm under pressure and outstanding on the big stage. This team makes the nation proud and the future of Pakistan cricket shine bright,” he added.

Earlier, Sameer Minhas and Ali Raza’s splendid bowling display helped Pakistan thrash India in the final here at the ICC Academy.

Set a daunting 348, the Indian batting lineup faltered under pressure and were skittled for only 156 in 26.3 overs.

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For Pakistan, Ali Raza took a four-wicket haul while Huzaifa Ahsan, Abdul Subhan, and Mohammad Sayyam contributed with two wickets each.

Pakistan capitalized on the decision to bat first against India and racked up 347/8 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to Minhas 172 off just 113, peppered with 17 fours and nine sixes.

Minhas 172 was also the highest Youth ODI score for Pakistan, earning him the player of the match award.

Highest Individual Score for Pakistan in Youth ODIs

Sameer Minhas – 172 vs India U19, 2025

Shahzaib Khan – 159 vs India U19, 2024

Shamyl Hussain – 150 vs Sri Lanka U19, 2023

Abdul Razzaq – 142 vs Australia U19, 1997

Overall, he amassed 471 runs in the tournament — also the highest in a single edition of U19 Asia Cup.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed reflects on Pakistan U19 Asia Cup triumph

DUBAI: Pakistan U-19 team manager and mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed opened up after his side’s victory in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup final against India, calling the win a ‘collective effort’ and ‘morale booster’.

Pakistan defeated India by a hefty margin of 191 runs in the final to lift the title for the second time after 13 long years.

Speaking after Pakistan’s triumph, Sarfaraz lauded the players for rising to the occasion and termed them future assets for Pakistan cricket if given the right opportunity.

“I told the boys to play openly and trust their abilities. I had talked to them in the previous matches as well. They are very talented, and if given the right investment, they can go ahead and win titles for Pakistan,” he remarked.

“It’s definitely a good victory. The morale of the Pakistan team is very high, and hopefully, we will carry this momentum forward in the World Cup,” he said, calling the victory a morale booster ahead of the mega event.

Regarding the team’s outstanding performance in the final against arch-rivals, he attributed it to hard work and effective management.

“You don’t shout magic into the team; it’s all God’s grace and the result of hard work. Whenever the team wins, whether it’s the players or team managers, being on the same page with the same goal makes a difference,” he continued.

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The 38-year-old praised Sameer Minhas — who scored a monumental `172 in the final and earned the player of the tournament award, noting that he had never seen such an imperious knock at the Youth level.

“I have been following U19 cricket since 2002, and in my 23 years, I don’t think I’ve seen such a commanding innings in such a big final by any player,”

It’s a head-turning performance, and it came from the player’s own effort and the coaches who worked with them in the academies,” Sarfaraz said.

The former captain of the Pakistan team called the victory a collective effort, while also lauding the players for their individual contributions.

“The coaches have done a lot of hard work, and Subhan had outstanding bowling in the finals.  Both Ali Raza and Subhan bowled amazingly, and Mohamed Siam also performed brilliantly.

So three bowlers delivered throughout the tournament. As I said, while there were individual performances, this is a collective team effort that made them champions,” he concluded.

READ: Sameer Minhas shatters multiple records in U19 Asia Cup final

DUBAI: Pakistan opener Sameer Minhas broke multiple records with a masterclass innings in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup final against India here at the ICC Academy on Sunday.

The right-handed batter scored a monumental 172 from just 114, laced with 17 fours and nine maximums, which helped Pakistan beat India by a hefty 191 runs margin.

With the help of his knock, Pakistan posted a daunting 347-8 in their allotted 50 overs, which was later backed by a clinical bowling effort, bundling out India for 156 runs.

With his 172, Sameer etched his name into the history books as he recorded the highest score in Youth ODIs for Pakistan, surpassing Shahzaib Khan’s 159, which also came against India in 2024.

Highest Individual Score for Pakistan in Youth ODIs

Sameer Minhas – 172 vs India U19, 2025

Shahzaib Khan – 159 vs India U19, 2024

Shamyl Hussain – 150 vs Sri Lanka U19, 2023

Abdul Razzaq – 142 vs Australia U19, 1997

Moreover, he also surpassed Sami Aslam’s long-standing record for amassing the most runs in the Asia Cup U19’s.

Most runs in U19 Asia Cup Single edition

Sameer Minhas (Pakistan) – 471 runs in five innings at 157
Sami Aslam (Pakistan) – 461 runs in five innings at 115.25
Sami Aslam (Pakistan) – 379 runs in five innings at 75.80
Ashiqur Rahman (Bangladesh) – 378 runs in five innings at 126
Unmukt Chand (India) – 370 runs in five innings at 74

Earlier, he also scored 178 against Malaysia U19 in the tournament; however, it was not listed as a record score because Malaysia’s Test status.

For his stellar performance in the final and throughout the tournament, he earned the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards, respectively.

READ: Minhas, Raza star as Pakistan crush India to win U19 Asia Cup

New Zealand batting great Kane Williamson has hinted that a decision about his future will be made on a series-by-series basis following a dominant batting display by the Black Caps against the West Indies here at the Bay Oval on Sunday in the third and final Test match of the series.

The 35-year-old Williamson is currently playing in a three-match series against West Indies and has been in decent touch.

Overall, he has amassed 9,461 Test runs to his name at a staggering average of 54.7 in 108 Test matches.

West Indies will require an uphill task on the final day of the tour, with 419 runs to win and 10 wickets in hand.

Meanwhile, it’s still unconfirmed whether ace batter Williamson will play Test cricket again, as he will be heading to South Africa for the SA T20 with his family upon the conclusion of the tour.

Speaking after the fourth day’s play, Williamson, who is inthe twilight of his career, revealed his thoughts on playing for New Zealand in the future.

“As you get to the latter stages (of your career), those thoughts certainly enter your mind,” he said.

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“It’s almost series by series,” Williamson said on playing for New Zealand nowadays.

Moving forward, the Black Caps will play their next Test match against Ireland in May 2026, which will be followed by a three-match series against England.

The 35-year-old termed the England and Australia tours challenging, noting that the challenges would be addressed as they come.

“We’ll just cross those bridges as they come.” “Going to England and Australia are really mouth-watering prospects and a great opportunities because they are tough tours,” Williamson explained.

He also turned down the upside of the game and stated that he never played for personal milestones.

“I’ve never used this team for my own personal gain,” he continued.

“I know cricket’s saturated in stats, but you’re wanting to go out and contribute to a team that you care about, so whatever runs you get aren’t really yours, they’re for the team,” Williamson concluded.

READ: Mbappe matches Ronaldo record as Real Madrid beat Sevilla

Kylian Mbappe matched Cristiano Ronaldo club record for goals in a calendar year, and Jude Bellingham also scored as Real Madrid beat Sevilla 2-0 on Saturday in La Liga.

French superstar Mbappe levelled Ronaldo’s tally of 59 goals in 2013 by stroking home a late penalty, after Bellingham sent Madrid ahead with a first-half header.

The victory allowed Los Blancos, second, to cut the gap on leaders Barcelona to one point before the Catalans visit Villarreal on Sunday.

“To do like Cristiano did, my idol, the best player in Real Madrid’s history and a world great, it’s an honour for me,” said Mbappe, who turned 27 on Saturday.

Gaining a third consecutive win across all competitions, after managing just two in the previous eight games, marginally eases the pressure on coach Xabi Alonso, even though the performance was still underwhelming.

“We’ve got some time now to analyse and reflect where we are now,” Alonso told reporters ahead of the winter break.

“We want to do better, we’re self-critical, we got the three points and now we’ll use this time and try to start the year better.”

Sevilla, who thrashed champions Barcelona 4-1 in October, started strongly with veteran Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez heavily involved.

Odysseas Vlachodimos made a fine save to thwart Fran Garcia at the other end, and as the minutes ticked by, Madrid began to find more of a foothold.

Bellingham headed the hosts in front at the Santiago Bernabeu after Rodrygo Goes whipped in a dangerous free-kick.

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The Brazilian forward was booked for diving before the break as he tumbled in the box under little pressure.

Sanchez landed the ball on the roof of Thibaut Courtois’s net before the break with an acrobatic effort.

Sevilla coach Matias Almeyda was sent off at half-time for dissent, but his team plugged away in search of an equaliser regardless.

Courtois twice denied Isaac Romero early in the second half, while Mbappe intensified his search to emulate Ronaldo’s record.

Mbappe headed against the crossbar and whipped a shot narrowly wide, while Vlachodimos fended off another effort from the forward.

Sevilla defender Marcao clumsily slid in to foul Bellingham after 67 minutes and was sent off for a second yellow card, hampering his side’s chances of adding to Alonso’s struggles.

Madrid almost scored a second when Mbappe teed up Rodrygo, who lifted the ball into the air and then lashed it towards goal, but Vlachodimos superbly tipped it onto the crossbar.

Eventually, Mbappe got the goal he craved from the penalty spot after Juanlu clumsily brought down Rodrygo.

The forward sent Vlachodimos the wrong way as he stroked in his 59th of the year, to match Ronaldo’s record.

Mbappe copied Ronaldo’s trademark celebration and said it was a nod to the Portuguese great, Madrid’s all-time top goalscorer.

“I wanted to give him a wink because he’s always been kind to me,” said Mbappe.

“He was my idol as a kid, I have a very good relationship with him, he’s a friend now.”

Madrid were awarded another penalty when Bellingham went down in the box, but it was ruled out after a VAR review showed Sevilla defender Oso got the ball.

The referee then gave Madrid another penalty as Sow fouled Rodrygo on the edge of the box, but the offence was just outside the area and it was again scrapped.

Mbappe whipped the free-kick narrowly over the top corner as he battled in vain to go beyond Ronaldo’s mark, but he will have to try again in 2026.

“Scoring 59 goals is not easy, he’s got quality and talent — it’s hard to stop him in training,” said Courtois, who called on the whole team to take a step forward next year.

“Hopefully 2026 comes with trophies, but for that we have to improve our level,” he added.

Elsewhere, Celta Vigo rose to seventh even though they could only draw 0-0 at struggling Real Oviedo, while Levante held Real Sociedad 1-1. Osasuna thrashed Alaves 3-0 to go 12th.

READ: Dominant Australia outplay England to retain Ashes

A dominant Australia collected the last four wickets they needed Sunday to win the third Test and retain the Ashes in just 11 days of cricket, crushing the dreams of an England side who finally showed some fight.

England’s dogged resistance on day five at Adelaide Oval lasted into the second session before Scott Boland removed Josh Tongue for an 82-run victory to ensure the famous urn remains in Australian hands.

The tourists needed a win to keep the five-match series alive after being crushed by eight wickets at Perth and Brisbane, with two more Tests still to play at Melbourne and Sydney.

But despite showing more grit, they were again outplayed by an Australian team who suffered a setback with spin wizard Nathan Lyon hurting his hamstring and hobbling off.

Chasing 435 was always going to be a huge challenge, with no side ever reeling in more than 418 to win in Test history, but England at least gave it a crack as they scored 352 all out.

Their demise in just 11 days is the joint-second quickest in more than a century since the 1921 series was completed in eight days, with their “Bazball” style of ultra-attacking cricket exposed.

England’s capitulation over three Tests is a far cry from the pre-Ashes hype where they were touted as having their best chance in a generation to win a series in Australia.

And it made a mockery of former fast bowler Stuart Broad’s claim that the hosts had their weakest side in 15 years, written off by others as a “Dad’s Army”.

The reality for Ben Stokes’s men is that England have now gone 18 Tests since winning in Australia, dating back to their last series victory there in 2010-11.

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Their last three trips yielded one-sided scorelines of 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0, with more of the same on the cards unless there is a dramatic shift in their fortunes.

They resumed on 207-6 with Will Jacks on 11 and Jamie Smith two.

Smith showed early intent by slog-sweeping Lyon over deep midwicket for six, then banged another off Cameron Green as the Barmy Army fans broke into Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”.

After four days of searing heat and sunshine, the lights were on with dark clouds looming, and after 40 minutes, the players went off as fine rain returned.

It was a passing shower, and they were back out 40 minutes later with lunch pushed back by half an hour.

Lyon limped off soon after the restart after pulling a hamstring in sliding to save a boundary.

He was sent for scans and ruled out of the rest of the Test, later seen on crutches with rest of the series for him in peril.

When Mitchell Starc took the new ball, Smith began hitting out, crunching two fours in a row, and it proved his downfall when he skied to Pat Cummins at midwicket.

Will Jacks produced his highest Test score of 47 and steered England’s chase below 100.

But he fell to another spectacular catch from Marnus Labuschagne, diving to his left in front of wicketkeeper Alex Carey after an edge off Starc.

Starc struck again to send Jofra Archer packing before Boland took out Tongue, sparking huge celebrations.

England took six wickets before lunch on Saturday to wrap up Australia’s second innings for 349 with Travis Head slamming 170.

They then survived for two sessions, but the wheels came off courtesy of Lyon.

He bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes before tempting Zak Crawley down the wicket to be stumped by Alex Carey for 85, with Cummins accounting for danger man Joe Root on 39.

It was left to Smith and Jacks to ensure it would go to a fifth day.

READ: Ashes 2025: England ‘flat’ as Zak Crawley admits Australia ‘a better side’