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NEW CHANDIGARH: India pacer Arshdeep Singh on Thursday registered an unwanted record after bowling a 13-ball over against South Africa in the second T20I here at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

The left-arm pacer’s mind-baffling 11th over of the match, which consisted of seven wide deliveries, yielded 18 runs.

With this, Arshdeed equalled the record of the longest over bowled in T20Is by a full-member nation player. Previously, Afghanistan’s pacer Naveen-ul-Haq bowled a 13-ball over against Zimbabwe.

Longest over by a bowler in T20Is (Full-member nations)

Arshdeep Singh – 13 balls (18 runs) vs South Africa, New Chandigarh 2025
Naveen-ul-Haq – 13 balls (19 runs) vs Zimbabwe, Harare 2024
Sisanda Magala – 12 balls (18 runs) vs Pakistan, Johannesburg 2021
Mark Adair – 11 balls (26 runs) vs Australia, Brisbane 2022

The previous longest over by an Indian was 11 balls, bowled by Khaleel Ahmed and Hardik Pandya. Khaleel had bowled a 13-ball over in Pallekele against Sri Lanka in 2024, while Pandya created the ignominious record in Adelaide in 2016.

Longest over by an Indian bowler in T20Is

Arshdeep Singh – 13 balls (18 runs) vs South Africa, New Chandigarh 2025
Khaleel Ahmed – 11 balls (11 runs) vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele 2024
Hardik Pandya – 11 balls (19 runs) vs Australia, Adelaide 2016
Arshdeep Singh – 10 balls (13 runs) vs Ireland, New York 2024
Arshdeep Singh – 10 balls (6 runs) vs West Indies, Tarouba 2023

Nonetheless, South Africa posted a mammoth total of 213-4 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to ace batter Quinton de Kock’s sublime 90 off 46, laced with seven sixes and five fours.

For India, Varun Chakravarthy remained the pick of bowlers, scalping two wickets in his four overs while giving away only 29.

READ: WATCH: Trophy unveiled for ACC U-19 Asia Cup

DUBAI: The glittering trophy for the eight-team ACC men’s U-19 Asia Cup has been revealed here on Thursday.

The event, set to be hosted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), will be played across several venues in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 12 to 21 December.

On this occasion, Pakistan U-19 captain Farhan Yousuf spoke about leading the Green Shirts for the first time and his past experience playing in a continental tournament.

 

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“It is a proud moment for me to lead Pakistan, and  I have played regional cricket as a captain. I will try to make a good unit with the team and play good cricket,” he said.

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For the unversed, the 50-over competition will see Pakistan placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, UAE, and Malaysia, while Group B comprises Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Nepal.

The event holds added significance as it will serve as a build-up to the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia early next year.

Pakistan will open their campaign on December 12 against Malaysia at The Sevens Stadium before locking horns with India in a blockbuster group match on December 14 at the ICC Academy Ground.

Their final group fixture will be played on December 16 against UAE at the same venue.

The semi-finals are slated for December 19, while the final will be contested on December 21.

Pakistan U19 Squad: Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Huzaifa, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq, and Sameer Minhas

Non-travelling reserve players: Abdul Qadir, Hasnain Dar, Mohammad Hassan Khan, Ibtisam Azhar, and Umar Zaib

Support staff: Sarfaraz Ahmed (manager/mentor), Shahid Anwar (head coach/batting coach), Rao Iftikhar (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Abrar Ahmed (trainer), Ubaidullah (physio), Ali Hamza (analyst)

READ: Shaheen hails ‘legend’ Starc ahead of BBL debut

Pakistan ace pacer Shaheen Afridi lavished praise on Australia speedster and his role model Mitchell Starc ahead of the much-anticipated debut in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Shaheen, who will represent Brisbane Heat in Australia’s premier T20 competition, spoke about his early memory of watching Starc bowl in the 2015 World Cup.

“He’s a legend,” Afridi said.  “When ‘Starcy’ played that 2015 World Cup, I was playing for the Under 16 Pakistan team at that time, so…I followed him to try to bowl many times the way he swung the ball,” he recalled.

“He bowled a fuller ball throughout that World Cup and had very good success.”

He also talked about his chat with Mitchell Starc while calling him an idol for youngsters.

“The last time we chatted, I told him that I watched him (in 2015) … and that’s why I bowl fuller to batters,” Afridi continued.

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“I can say he’s a role model for any youngster… he’s been the best for Australia for many years,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that Mitchell Starc (420) recently surpassed former Pakistan great Wasim Akram’s (41`4) tally of most wickets as a left-arm pacer. The 35-year-old Starc reached the landmark during the second Ashes Test.

For the unversed, several Pakistani players were hot picks in the BBL 15 draft held earlier.

The tournament, running from December 14 to January 25, 2026, will feature 44 matches. Notably, most of the tournament’s fixtures will be played primarily in prime-time evening slots.

Alongside Babar and Shaheen, several other Pakistan internationals will feature this season: Mohammad Rizwan and Hassan Khan will line up for Melbourne Renegades, Haris Rauf has signed with Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan with Sydney Thunder, and Hasan Ali with Adelaide Strikers.

READ: ICC announces ticket sales for Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

DUBAI: The Phase I tickets of the much-anticipated International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have begun today.

According to ICC, the sale of the historic low-priced tickets commenced at 6:15 pm PKT.

“More than 2 million tickets will go on sale in the first phase, with Phase II ticket sales set to be announced soon,” the cricket governing body said in a press release.

“Sales will begin at 18h45 IST with prices starting at just ₹100 (approximately $1.11) at some venues in India and LKR1000 (approximately $3.26) in Sri Lanka,” it added.

As per the press release, the ticket prices for Phase I in India start at ₹100 (approximately $1.11), whereas the prices for Phase I in Sri Lanka start at LKR1000 (approximately $3.26).

Following the announcement, ICC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Sanjog Gupta revealed the reason behind the low prices while emphasizing the fans.

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“Phase I of ticket sales is an important milestone in our journey towards delivering the most accessible and global ICC event ever staged,” he said.

“Our vision for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is clear: every fan, regardless of background, geography or financial means, should have the chance to access an in-stadia experience of world-class marquee cricket,” the CEO added.

It is worth mentioning that ICC has yet to reveal the categories, price structure, and further details regarding ticket sales, which are likely to be revealed in due course.

For those unaware, the 10th edition of the mega event will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the tournament slated to run from February 7 to March 8 next year.

The event will feature 20 teams, which are segregated into four groups of five, with the top two from each group advancing into the Super Eight stage.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 opener will be played between Pakistan and the Netherlands, with hosts and the reigning champions India taking on the USA later in the day in Mumbai.

READ: Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis, Shane Watson set to return to action

Cricket fans are in for a nostalgic treat early next year as global icons Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis, and Shane Watson headline the inaugural Legends Pro T20 League, scheduled to take place in Goa, India.

The tournament, featuring some of the biggest names to have graced the sport, will run from January 26 to February 4, 2026, at the newly built 1919 Sportz Cricket Stadium in Goa.

The league will host six franchise-based teams, bringing together 90 former international stars in a competition designed to blend entertainment, rivalry, and experience.

A long list of high-profile former players has already confirmed participation, including Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Dale Steyn, Shaun Marsh, Amit Mishra, Vinay Kumar, Monty Panesar, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, and Stuart Binny, ensuring the tournament’s opening edition is loaded with star power.

Adding gravitas to the league structure, former Australian captain Michael Clarke has been appointed League Commissioner. Clarke expressed his excitement about taking on the role and returning to a cricket environment he holds close.

“India, being one of the biggest homes of cricket, holds a special place for me,” Clarke said.

“The passion of the fans, the pride, and the privilege of being part of this league, and the chance to reunite with some old friends as well as fierce rivals, make it truly special.

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“I can’t wait to see fans enjoy high-quality cricket and unforgettable moments in Goa.”

The players themselves are equally enthusiastic. West Indies great Chris Gayle, known for his flamboyance and unmatched T20 presence, spoke of the joy in reconnecting with long-time rivals and teammates.

“Some of my best memories involve these guys,” Gayle shared.

“I’ve battled against Kallis when getting past him felt impossible, talked batting rhythm with Uthappa, and taken more Rayudu banter than I can count.

“Seeing names like Dhawan or Watson again brings back the jokes, the competitiveness, the respect. The Legends Pro T20 League is giving us that chance.”

South African legend Jacques Kallis echoed the sentiment, admitting he is eager to “feel like a player once more.”

“I’m genuinely excited to pick it up again, that simple rhythm of hitting balls, finding timing, feeling like a player once more,” Kallis said.

“And seeing Michael Clarke step in as commissioner adds real professionalism and vision. It just makes you look forward even more to enjoying the game with familiar faces.”

READ: Debutant Mitchell Hay helps put New Zealand on top in West Indies Test

Erling Haaland scored his 34th goal for club and country this season to give Manchester City a 2-1 win at Real Madrid on Wednesday as Arsenal maintained their perfect group stage record with a 3-0 victory at Club Brugge.

It was a second successive home defeat for Real following their 2-0 reverse against Celta Vigo at the weekend, and heaped more pressure on coach Xabi Alonso, whose side have won just two of their last eight in all competitions.

For Haaland, though, this was a 21st goal in 21 City games this season and a 51st in 50 Champions League starts, while Nico O’Reilly scored his first goal in the competition.

Rodrygo gave Real, who were missing Kylian Mbappe, the lead just before the half-hour mark with a crisp shot across Gianluigi Donnarumma into the far corner.

But academy product O’Reilly equalised just seven minutes later, reacting quickest to prod home the loose ball from inside the six-yard box after Thibaut Courtois had saved Josko Gvardiol’s header.

And Haaland was able to fire City in front from the penalty spot on 43 minutes after VAR intervened to punish Antonio Rudiger for wrestling the Norwegian forward to the ground to prevent him reaching a cross.

It could have been worse for Real, but Courtois redeemed himself somewhat for flapping at Gvardiol’s header with a crucial double save to deny Haaland and Rayan Cherki in quick succession as the half drew to a close.

It was a breathless end-to-end second half, and Jude Bellingham could have done better than chip over the bar with only Donnarumma to beat, while Courtois made a fingertip save to deny Jeremy Doku.

Vinicius Jr. had a late chance to equalise but skied his volley after Donnarumma had come for and missed an inswinging corner.

Substitute Endrick also clipped the top of the bar with a header as Real pushed for a late equaliser.

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Noni Madueke’s double helped Arsenal win a sixth straight Champions League match this season and close in on the last 16.

The Premier League leaders already have more points (18) than was needed last season to secure a top-eight spot and direct qualification for the last 16, and they have two matches still to come.

Madueke’s two goals could not have been more different. The first was a wonder goal in which he beat two players and scored with a long-range strike.

For the second, he was teed up by Martin Zubimendi for a simple finish.

Brugge had put the Gunners under fierce first-half pressure, but they crumbled after the second goal as Gabriel Martinelli added to their misery, bending the ball around the goalkeeper from outside the box.

Elsewhere, reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 0-0 draw at Athletic Bilbao but stayed third, behind only Arsenal and Bayern Munich, with City fourth.

Weston McKennie and Jonathan David scored the goals as Juventus overcame Pafos 2-0, while Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle shared a 2-2 draw, as did Borussia Dortmund and Bodo/Glimt.

Goals from Richard Rios and Leandro Barreiro gave Jose Mourinho’s Benfica a 2-0 win over Antonio Conte’s Napoli in a battle of the former Chelsea bosses.

Oscar Gloukh scored a brace as Ajax hit three late goals to claim a 4-2 win at Qarabag to finally open their account in the competition this season.

Victory took them off the bottom of the table and kept alive their slim hopes of making the play-offs, while Villarreal slumped to last position after a 3-2 home defeat to FC Copenhagen.

READ: Debutant Mitchell Hay helps put New Zealand on top in West Indies Test

WELLINGTON: Mitchell Hay scored an aggressive half-century on his Test debut to help New Zealand to a 41-run lead over the West Indies at the close of play on day two of the second Test in Wellington on Thursday.

The Black Caps were 278 all out with about an hour to play in the final session, after the West Indies scored 205 at the Basin Reserve.

At stumps, the visitors were 32-2 in their second innings, with Brandon King (15) and Kavem Hodge (3) at the crease.

Michael Rae and Jacob Duffy took a wicket each as New Zealand got through 10 overs in fading light.

Hay scored 61 from 93 deliveries, playing with poise in his first taste of Test cricket. He hit nine fours and a six.

Anderson Phillip was the pick of the visiting bowlers, taking 3-70 in 13 overs. Meanwhile, Kemar Roach had figures of 2-43.

The 25-year-old Hay came to the crease at 117-4 after Rachin Ravindra, for five, and Devon Conway, who made 60, fell in back-to-back overs immediately after lunch.

He quickly found his feet at Test level, at ease with the pace and movement of the Basin Reserve wicket.

Hay and Daryl Mitchell combined for a 73-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with Hay the aggressor, leaving Mitchell in the unusual position of playing anchor. Mitchell fell just before tea for 25.

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Hay eventually hooked a ball to Roach in the deep, ending his fine knock. Following Hay’s dismissal, Zak Foulkes added 23 unbeaten runs but ran out of partners.

Earlier, Conway batted well for his 60 from 108 balls before feathering down the leg side to wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach soon after lunch.

Conway and Kane Williamson, who was out near the end of the morning session for 37, steadied the New Zealand innings after captain Tom Latham was bowled by Roach for 11.

After the hosts resumed on their overnight 24-0, Williamson came to the crease at 36-1, and New Zealand’s record run-scorer punished some erratic bowling as he hit seven fours in his 46-ball stay.

Conway was given a life when dropped by Shai Hope at leg slip on 28.

He took advantage and had put on 67 for the second wicket when Phillip bowled Williamson with an unplayable swinging delivery that took the top of the off-stump.

Seam bowler Blair Tickner dislocated his shoulder on day one and will not bowl or field for the rest of the match, the hosts said.

Tickner, who took 4-32 in a career-best effort on Tuesday, was taken to the hospital after being injured while fielding and will only bat if necessary.

READ: South Africa clinch T20I series 2-0 after washout

BENONI: South Africa women clinched the three-match T20I series against Ireland women 2-0 after the final fixture was completely washed out here at the Willowmoore Park Stadium on Wednesday.

The game was abandoned without a toss due to weather conditions.

As a result, the Proteas clinched the series 2-0 after showcasing dominant performance in the opening two matches.

South Africa started the series opener with a 105-run victory in Cape Town.

Skipper Laura Wolvaardt starred with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 115 from 56 balls, studded with four sixes and 15 boundaries. As a result, South Africa put on a daunting 220 run total on the board.

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In reply, Ireland’s batting lineup faltered under pressure and were skittled for 118 in 18 overs.

The Proteas dominated in the second T20I as well, with the runs on the board after deciding to bat first. They racked up 201-5 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to Dane van Niekerk’s late flourish, who scored a brisk 41 from only 19 balls.

On the contrary, Ireland could only manage to score 136-3 in their allotted 20 overs.

For South Africa, Chloe Tryon remained the standout bowler, who picked up two wickets in her quota of four overs.

The three-match ODI series between South Africa and Ireland will begin on 13 December in East London.

READ: Star-studded lineup for PSL second global roadshow revealed

LAHORE: T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha will headline the star-studded lineup of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) second global roadshow in New York, USA.

Apart from Agha, five other players, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, and Saud Shakeel, will add sparkle to the event.

The announcement came via the Pakistan Cricket Board’s website, with the event scheduled for 13 December at 4p.m.

“The New York Roadshow is part of the PCB’s global outreach strategy aimed at engaging with international investors ahead of the auction of two HBL PSL franchises, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 6 January 2026,” the board said in a press release.

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“The initiative is designed to highlight the league’s commercial strength, global following, and long-term growth potential,” it added.

The press release also mentioned inquiring about details by emailing [email protected].

 

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This will be the second PSL roadshow in a week, with the previous one held at Lord’s Cricket Ground on December 7.

Ace batter Babar Azam, former captain Wasim Akram, and opener Sahibzada Farhan, Haris Rauf, commentator Ramiz Raja, and singer Ali Zafar headlined the event.

It is pertinent to mention that PSL, 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: Pakistan Army completes century of golds in National Games

KARACHI: Pakistan Army continued its foothold at the 35th National Games with a century of gold medals here on Wednesday.

After the conclusion of the fourth day, the Pakistan Army remained in the pole position with 113 gold medals, followed by 50 silver and 34 bronze medals.

Meanwhile, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is in second place with 46 gold medals, followed by the Pakistan Navy in third, which secured 24 gold medals.

The day belonged to the Pakistan Army as their athletes excelled in swimming, rowing, football, Karate, and several other competitions.

In swimming, Army’s Ahmed Durrani achieved a double hat-trick of golds, bringing his department tally to six with victories in the 800m freestyle, 200m freestyle, and 200m relay.

 

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Moreover, Pakistan Army athletes also emerged victorious in women’s football and women’s softball competitions. They remained unbeaten in the single-league football format.

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For the unversed, the 35th National Games Karachi are currently underway in the metropolitan city, featuring a range of multi-sport events from 6 to 13 December 2025.

The event is bringing together athletes from across the country in a sweeping programme that spans endurance sports, combat disciplines, precision events, and crowd-favourite team competitions.

The event features Olympic mainstays such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and fencing. Moreover, Kabaddi, tug of war, netball, and boxing games are also part of the competitions.

It is pertinent to mention that the National Games, first held in 1948, stand among Pakistan’s most prominent multi-sport events and frequently serve as a pathway to international selection.

READ: President’s Cup: Mubasir’s hat-trick in 5 for 6 seals SNGPL victory