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Barcelona women’s star player Aitana Bonmati is set to be sidelined for several months after suffering a leg fracture in training with the Spanish national team on Sunday.

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner will miss Tuesday’s women’s Nations League final second leg against Germany and several matches for her club in the weeks ahead.

Catalan media said Bonmati would be sidelined for “a minimum of two months” as she heals from the injury, which could last for more than three months if she requires surgery.

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The Spanish football federation said Bonmati finished the morning training session “in pain after a bad landing” during an accidental fall, before diagnosing her with “a fracture in her left fibula”.

Aitana Bonmati started for Spain on Friday in a 0-0 draw against Germany in the first leg of the Nations League final.

She is set to miss upcoming Champions League games against Benfica and Paris FC in December, as well as the Spanish Super Cup in January and various Liga F matches.

Barca lead the league by six points ahead of Real Sociedad, while they are joint top of the Champions League league phase table with French giants Lyon.

READ: Real Madrid title hopes dented at Girona in third straight draw

Real Madrid were held to a third consecutive La Liga draw in a 1-1 tie at Girona on Sunday, allowing Barcelona to retain pole position.

Azzedine Ounahi fired the hosts into a surprise lead before half-time, with Kylian Mbappe earning Madrid a point from the penalty spot.

After Barcelona beat Alaves on Saturday to move top of the table, Madrid needed a victory at Girona to reclaim top spot but now sit second, a point behind the champions.

Earlier, Alberto Moleiro helped Villarreal, third, move back ahead of fourth-place Atletico Madrid with a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory at Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid’s draw increases the pressure on Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, after recent rumours suggesting his future is insecure in the Madrid dugout.

“We are up there, it’s all very even, it’s a long season, and we have to continue,” Alonso told reporters.

“I liked the reaction from the players. It was not enough to turn it around, but we were close, and we have to continue with the unity we have, being self-critical enough, and wanting to win away from home.”

Real Madrid travel to face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday for a fourth consecutive league match on the road, a game moved because of the club’s participation in the Spanish Super Cup in January.

“The table will be hard-fought, there will be lots of movement,” added Alonso.

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Mbappe and Arda Guler fired off target for Madrid early on in a hotly contested but scrappy clash, in front of a raucous home crowd.

French superstar Mbappe had a goal ruled out for handball moments before Morocco international Ounahi fired Girona ahead, rifling home from just inside the area to stun their illustrious visitors.

Catalan minnows Girona, 18th, have twice beaten Real Madrid at Montilivi since making their top-flight debut in 2017 and for a while it looked like they were going to manage it again.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a stunning save to tip away Vanat’s drive across the goal before Los Blancos fought back.

After having a goal disallowed for offside, Vinicius was clumsily felled in the box by Hugo Rincon.

Mbappe smashed the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner past Gazzaniga’s dive for his 14th La Liga goal of the campaign.

“Absolutely not the result we wanted tonight, but the league is still on and very long,” wrote Mbappe on social media network Instagram.

“We need to change this dynamic and show who we are as a team.”

READ: David stars as UAE Bulls crush Aspin Stallions to lift Abu Dhabi T10 title

ABU DHABI: Tim David’s imperious 98* off just 30 deliveries propelled the UAE Bulls to victory over Aspin Stallions, helping them clinch the Abu Dhabi T10 title here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Set a daunting 151, Stallions managed to score 70-4 and fell 80 runs short of the target.

Sherfane Rutherford was cleaned for a duck, whereas skipper Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed after a sluggish 18 off 15 balls.

UAE Bulls started with clinical bowling and never allowed the Stallions batters to free their arms. As a result, Stallions were reduced to 29-2 in 4.4 overs.

The game was already done with the  Bulls mounting pressure with economical bowling.

Gurbaz remained the top scorer with no significant contribution from other batters.

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For Bulls, it was an all-round clinical bowling display, with Qais Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Junaid Siddique picking up one wicket each.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, UAE Bulls racked up a mammoth 150-1 in their allotted 10 overs.

After losing Phil Salt in the 2.2 overs, Tim David and Rovman Powell forged a 128-run stand.

Tim David remained the core aggressor and unleashed a barrage of maximums at Stallions’ bowlers.

The tall batter hit 12 sixes and three fours in his whirlwind knock, whereas Powell made 24-ball 20 runs with the aid of two fours and a six.

Before coming into the final, David also shone in the Qualifier 2 against Quetta Qavalry.

Set 105, Bulls hit the winning runs on the second ball of the seventh over, thanks to Tim David’s sublime 57* off just 18 balls, which shifted the momentum decisively in their favour after early wickets.

Tim David also unleashed his imperious power-hitting mode and smoked Khuzaima Tanveer for 35 in an over, which put his team on the brink of victory.

READ: Hesson returns to New Zealand as Pakistan’s home season concludes

White-ball head coach Mike Hesson headed back to New Zealand on Sunday after overseeing a successful home season with the Pakistan men’s cricket team.

The Green Shirts ‘ packed home season ended with a T20I tri-series triumph over Sri Lanka on Saturday.

During the home season, Pakistan played a complete series against South Africa, which included two Test matches, three ODIs, and same number of T20Is.

The Test series ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with Green Shirts emerging victorious in both the ODI and T20I series.

They then faced Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series, completing a 3-0 before taking on the Islanders and Zimbabwe in the T20I tri-series.

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Notably, Pakistan lost only three matches – one ODI and two T20Is – and won each of the four series.

Nonetheless, Mike Hesson originally hailing from New Zealand, expressed his joy over the Pakistan team’s successful home season in a social media post.

“This is the face of a tired but happy man. Tonight I start my long journey home back to New Zealand for a few weeks’ break. Missing my family and some warm summer weather,” Hesson wrote.

“So delighted to have finished the season with a win, well played boys,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan cricket team will tour Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series in January.

The series is expected to be played from January 8 to 12, with all three matches scheduled at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

The upcoming World Cup will be held from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan set to play all their matches on Sri Lankan soil under the Hybrid Model.

Tentative schedule of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka

1st T20I – 8 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

2nd T20I – 10 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

3rd T20I – 12 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

READ: Prize money for Quaid Trophy revealed ahead of final

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday revealed the prize money for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2025-26 ahead of the final between Karachi Blues and the defending champions Sialkot.

The pinnacle fixture of the tournament will be played from 1 to 4 December at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the winning team of the 22nd edition of the tournament will take home Rs7.5 million, while the runners-up will receive Rs4 million.

“Player of the final will be awarded PKR 100k, while best bowler, batter, wicket-keeper, and player of the tournament will be awarded PKR 250k each,” the board said in a press release.

Moreover, notable voices will take the mic in the final, which includes Raja Asad, Salman Butt, and Tariq Saeed.

“The tournament is set to be broadcasted on PTV Sports in and outside Pakistan and will be live-streamed on Tapmad in Pakistan,” the press release added.

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For the unversed, Sialkot are reigning champions and will look to add to their tally of previously won titles in the 2005-06, 2008-09, and 2024-25 seasons.

On the other hand, Karachi Blues has the most titles in the country’s premier first-class competition history. They have clinched the title nine times since. 1961-62 season.

Notably, the last time both met in the final was in 2012-13 when Karachi Blues defeated Sialkot by nine wickets.

Squads

Sialkot: Usama Mir (c), Mohsin Riaz (vc), Abdul Rehman, Abdullah Shafique, Afzaal Manzoor (wk), Athar Mehmood, Azan Awais, Hamza Nazar, Hasnain Khan, Hasan Ali, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Huraira, and Mohammad Waleed.

Karachi Blues: Suad Shakeel (c), Abdullah Fazal, Danish Aziz, Haroon Arshad, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Asghar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Muhammad Hamza, Muhammad Umar, Mushtaq Ahmed, Ramiz Aziz, Saad Baig (wk), Saqib Khan, Shan Masood, and Usman Khan.

READ: Confident Root questions pink-ball Ashes Test

Joshua Zirkzee scored his first Premier League goal for nearly a year before Mason Mount grabbed the winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 on Sunday.

Ruben Amorim’s side trailed to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first half penalty at Selhurst Park, but Zirkzee and Mount netted after the interval to secure United’s first win in four games.

United recovered from their lacklustre start thanks to Zirkzee’s first goal in the Premier League since he netted against Everton in December 2024.

The much-maligned Dutch striker had gone 24 league games without a goal, adding to perception that his £36 million ($47.7million) move from Bologna in 2024 was a bad investment.

Zirkzee, 24, had failed to score in his eight previous appearances dating back to April.

Plagued by injuries, Mount has also struggled since joining United from Chelsea and this was just his second goal this season.

Beaten by Everton’s 10 men at Old Trafford on Monday, United’s first victory since October was a much-needed boost for Amorim.

The fact that is was Palace’s first defeat at Selhurst Park in the Premier League since February 15 underlined the challenge of United’s gritty fightback in freezing south London.

Amorim had said this week that there were “no excuses” for United’s sputtering start to the season after last term’s troubles.

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He will have been relieved to see United dig deep to subdue the FA Cup holders, who have proved a thorn in the side of the Premier League elite since Oliver Glasner took charge.

Casemiro should have given United the lead inside the first 60 seconds after a long-throw caused chaos in the Palace defence, but the Brazilian’s close-range effort was parried by Dean Henderson.

Mateta was equally culpable at the other end, the France striker holding off Leny Yoro before dragging his shot wide with just United keeper Senne Lammens to beat.

Lammens was called into action to save Daichi Kamada’s low drive from the edge of the area before Yoro blocked Yeremy Pino’s goal-bound strike.

United were on the ropes and it was little surprise when Palace took the lead in the 36th minute.

Yoro conceded the penalty with a crude lunge on Mateta, who scored from the spot only to have his goal disallowed for a double-touch as he kicked the ball.

Due to a new rule implemented this season, accidental double-touch penalties are now taken again if the initial kick was successful.

The clarification was made after Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez had a penalty disallowed for kicking the ball twice against Real Madrid last season.

Granted a reprieve, Mateta confidently fired past Lammens again.

Completely anonymous in the first half, Zirkzee was Amorim’s unlikely saviour with the 54th-minute equaliser.

Running onto Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick, Zirkzee controlled on his chest and smashed a brilliant strike across Henderson into the far corner from an almost impossible angle.

Zirkzee nearly found the back of the net at the other end moments after his goal as he inadvertently deflected the ball towards Lammens’ net before it was scrambled to safety.

But United finally had some momentum, and Mount put them ahead in the 63rd minute.

Fernandes tapped a free-kick to Mount, and the former Chelsea midfielder lashed a low drive under the Palace wall and past Henderson from 20 yards.

READ: Confident Root questions pink-ball Ashes Test

ABU DHABI: Tim David’s six-hitting masterclass propelled UAE Bulls to a victory over Quetta Qavalary in Qualifier 2, powering them into the final of Abu Dhabi T10 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Set 105, Bulls hit the winning runs on the second ball of the seventh over, thanks to Tim David’s sublime 57* off just 18 balls.

The finalists started their chase on a poor note as they lost opener Phil Salt and Rovman Powell in the second over. Mohammad Amir was the tormentor, removing both for two and three runs respectively.

As a result, UAE Bulls were reduced to 8-2 in 2 overs.

However, it was Phil Salt and Tim David’s 56-run partnership that put their chase back on track. Salt made 37 from 18 with the aid of two sixes and four boundaries. At this stage, Bulls were 64-3 in 5.2 overs.

It was only a matter of time as Tim David unleashed his imperious power-hitting mode and smoked Khuzaima Tanveer for 35 in an over, which put his team on the brink of victory.

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David tonked Tanveer for five sixes and a boundary, which dashed Qavalry’s hopes of reaching the final. Overall, the tall Australian hit seven sixes and two fours in his outstanding knock.

For Quetta Qavalry, Mohammad Amir remained the pick of the bowlers, picking up two wickets in his two overs.

Earlier, after being put into bat, Quetta Qavalary managed to score 104-8 in their alloted 10 overs.

The innings started on a bizarre note as they lost three wickets in the opening over. Muhammad Rohid wreaked havoc with the new ball, sending back Mohammad Waseem, Liam Livingstone, and Evin Lewis for ducks.

Andries Gous and Khawaja Nafay tried to arrest the slide and added a 41-run partnership, but another collapse saw them reeling, which limited them to a modest score in the end.

Jason Holder and Gous top scored with 25 runs respectively, with the former providing Qavalry the late impetus with a brisk knock.

For UAE Bulls, Muhammad Rohid and Qais Ahmed starred with the ball, bagging three wickets each.

The tournament final will be played between UAE Bulls and the Aspin Stallions.

READ: Confident Root questions pink-ball Ashes Test

England ace batter Joe Root on Sunday shared his thoughts on the necessity of pink-ball Tests in an Ashes series.

Root, who will be eyeing his first Test century in Australia in the second Ashes Test at Brisbane, admitted Australia’s strong record in pink-ball matches.

“It does add to things. It’s successful and popular here, and Australia have got a good record here as well. You can see why we’re playing one of those games,” he said.

Notably, Australia have won 13 of 14 matches under lights.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it is going to be there. It’s part and parcel of making sure you’re ready for it,” he continued.

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“A series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be here either.”

He also expressed confidence in getting a big score, stating that he is good enough to make runs in Australia.

“I know if I get time out there and I make good decisions for long periods of time, I’m going to be successful,” Root said.

“I know that I’m a good player, it’s just about putting that into the games out here,” the right-hander concluded.

In contrast to Root, Australia batter Travis Head downplayed the idea of not having a Pink-Ball Test and said it’s an incredible sight with big crowds coming in, and the team that emerges victorious does not have any problem.

“Pink ball, white ball, red ball – who really cares? Does it need it, does it not? It’s a great spectacle, and we’re going to have huge crowds again,” Head said.

“If you win, you think it’s great. If you lose, maybe not. Both teams may have differing opinions by the end of it. I think it’s great for the game,” the left-hander continued.

Travis Head stated about the different formats of international cricket, noting that the five-day game works the same way, just with a differently coloured ball and a unique atmosphere.

“We talk about T20, T10, and you see all these different formats. It still works the same way. It’s still five days, it’s just with a slightly different coloured ball and it brings a different atmosphere.”

READ: Rohit Sharma breaks Shahid Afridi’s world record

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano hailed Lionel Messi as “extraordinary” after the Argentine superstar steered the club into their first MLS Cup final with a 5-1 thrashing of New York City FC on Saturday.

A Tadeo Allende hat-trick and goals from Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia sent a revitalised Miami roaring into Major League Soccer’s championship game next Saturday at their home field in Fort Lauderdale.

While Messi did not get on the scoresheet, the 38-year-old provided a crucial, classy assist for Miami’s third goal, scored by Silvetti that effectively killed off the game as New York chased an equaliser.

“Leo has accustomed us to the extraordinary,” Mascherano said of his former Barcelona and Argentina team-mate.

“He’s someone extraordinary, someone we’ll never see again. Today, perhaps we’re surprised that he didn’t score, but he gave us peace of mind with the third goal, an assist that only he can see. He practically sealed the game.”

Miami will host the winner of the Western Conference final, which is being played between San Diego FC and Vancouver Whitecaps, later on Saturday.

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Messi and his teammates will head into that game bristling with confidence after another ruthless, high-scoring demolition job that followed on from their 4-0 drubbing of FC Cincinnati in the previous round.

Allende — who scored twice in the victory over Cincinnati — was once again the focal point of the Miami attack.

The 26-year-old Argentine forward opened the scoring in the 14th minute after cleverly springing the New York offside trap and then headed in a superb second to make it 2-0.

New York rallied back with a headed Justin Haak goal in the 37th minute, and came within a whisker of an equaliser when Julian Fernandez forced a fine one-handed save from Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo in the 66th minute.

That near miss was to prove crucial.

Miami immediately swept upfield, and a flowing move saw Rodrigo De Paul and Jordi Alba combine before Messi slipped a pass to Silvetti, who rifled home to make it 3-1.

Segovia then eliminated any doubt with Miami’s fourth in the 83rd minute before Allende completed his hat-trick a minute from time to spark wild celebrations.

The victory leaves Miami just one win away from completing a remarkable transformation after a season that appeared to be unraveling in disarray earlier in the campaign, following after a string of defeats.

“The real credit goes to the players who embraced where we wanted to go,” Mascherano said. “We strengthened as a group and reached the end of the season with a brotherhood within the team, where everyone pulls together, and it doesn’t matter who starts.

“We are a group, and the power of a group is unbreakable.”

READ: Rohit Sharma breaks Shahid Afridi’s world record

RANCHI: India talismanic batter Rohit Sharma etched his name into the history books, shattering former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi’s record for most sixes in ODIs during the clash against South Africa.

The right-handed batter entered the fixture requiring three sixes to become the leading six-hitter in ODIs and achieved the landmark in his 277th match.

Rohit surpassed Afridi’s record in style with a trademark hook off  Marco Jansen, clearing long leg on the fourth ball of the 19th over. Earlier, he had struck spinner Subrayen for back-to-back sixes on the first two deliveries of the 14th over.

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The right-handed batter entered the fixture needing three sixes to become the leading six-hitter in ODIs. The 38-year-old reached the landmark in his 277th match.

Most Sixes in ODIs

RG Sharma (IND): 2007–2025 — 269 inns, 11,420 runs, 352 sixes

Shahid Afridi (PAK): 1996–2015 — 369 inns, 8,064 runs, 351 sixes

Chris Gayle (WI): 1999–2019 — 294 inns, 10,480 runs, 331 sixes

Sanath Jayasuriya (SL): 1989–2011 — 433 inns, 13,430 runs, 270 sixes

MS Dhoni (IND): 2004–2019 — 297 inns, 10,773 runs, 229 sixes

Eventually, he departed after scoring 57 off 51 balls with the help of five boundaries and three fours.

At the time of filing this story, India were cruising at 183-2 in 26 overs with Virat Kohli batting on 85*, as Ruturaj Gaiwad was out after scoring eight of 12 balls.

Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (C), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (C), Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman.

READ: Tri-Series Final: Pakistan, Sri Lanka to observe silence for cyclone victims