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GUWAHATI: Spinner Simon Harmer took six wickets as South Africa romped to victory by 408 runs in the second Test for their first series win in India in 25 years on Wednesday.

World Test champions South Africa bowled out a dismal India for 140 in a mammoth chase of 549 on day five in Guwahati for a 2-0 Test sweep.

It is India’s biggest defeat at home by runs and a fifth loss in seven home Tests, having been whitewashed 3-0 by New Zealand last year.

Off-spinner Harmer, 36, returned figures of 6-37 as South Africa clinched a Test series in India for only the second time, the first in 2000 under Hansie Cronje.

Ravindra Jadeja resisted with 54 before Keshav Maharaj had him stumped, and the spinner soon got the final wicket of Mohammed Siraj, with Marco Jansen pulling off a stunning catch in the deep.

India lost the opening Test in Kolkata inside three on a pitch with uneven bounce before South Africa once again beat the hosts in their own game of spin on a batting-friendly track.

The visitors declared their second innings on 260-5 on day four to hand India a record chase, but the hosts’ batting once again failed, and they never threatened to get close.

India rode their luck early in the day when Jansen had Sai Sudharsan caught behind, but the delivery was declared a no-ball after the bowler overstepped. The batter was on four.

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In the next over, another overnight batter, Kuldeep Yadav, survived a reprieve on four when Aiden Markram dropped him at first slip off Harmer.

But the relief was short-lived for India as a relentless Harmer soon bowled Kuldeep for five for the first wicket of the day.

The off-spinner then dismissed Dhruv Jurel for two, three balls later and soon sent back skipper Rishabh Pant for 13 as India slumped to 58-5.

The batters fell like nine pins on a pitch where South Africa posted 489 after they elected to bat.

India were bundled out for 201 to concede a first-innings lead of 288, but South Africa did not enforce the follow-on and decided to bat again.

Left-arm quick Jansen returned figures of 6-48 in India’s first innings after the bowler hit a quickfire 93 with the bat.

South African all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy led the batting charge with his 109, his maiden Test century.

READ: Champions League: Estevao stars as Chelsea thump 10-man Barcelona

Estevao scored a breathtaking solo Champions League goal to win the battle of the teenage prodigies against Lamine Yamal on Tuesday as Chelsea humbled 10-man Barcelona 3-0.

The two 18-year-olds were the focus of attention in the build-up to the game at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca urging his player to ignore the comparisons.

Estevao’s moment of magic came 10 minutes after half-time, when he received the ball on the right, beat two defenders, and lashed it into the roof of Joan Garcia’s net.

It was the 10th goal of the season for club and country for the winger, just months into his first campaign at Chelsea.

The Brazilian said it was the best moment of his career so far, in front of his watching family.

“I don’t really have any words to sum up how I’m feeling right now,” he told Amazon Prime. “It really was the perfect night. I’m just grateful to God for everything that has happened to me. Onwards and upwards from here.”

Speaking about his spectacular goal, he said: “It all happened very quickly for me, it sort of happened before I knew it.

“I just found some space, wiggled my way through and then scored that goal. It was such a special moment for me in my career. I hope to score many more.”

Estevao’s goal gave Barcelona, already trailing 1-0 and down to 10 men, a mountain to climb and substitute Liam Delap put the game to bed in the 73rd minute, sidefooting home from close range.

The lopsided scoreline was just reward for two-time European champions Chelsea, who were superior from the first whistle against a pallid Barcelona team.

The game had started at a frantic pace.

Enzo Fernandez bundled the ball into the net in the fourth minute, only for the goal to be ruled out due to a handball by Wesley Fofana.

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Two minutes later, Ferran Torres seemed certain to score at the other end when clean through with only Robert Sanchez to beat, but he skewed wide.

The game then drifted before Chelsea again upped the tempo.

Fernandez again had the ball in the net, but this time it was disallowed for an offside and moments later Pedro Neto blazed over the bar.

But the home side’s pressure finally paid off in the 27th minute following a short-corner routine.

The ball was eventually whipped into the box, and Barcelona tied themselves in knots, Jules Kounde poking the ball into his own net.

The game took a decisive turn moments before half-time when Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo received a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea maintained their intensity in the second half and were richly rewarded with the goals from Estevao and Delap, while five-time Champions League winners Barcelona offered little.

The Stamford Bridge fans taunted the ineffective Yamal after Estevao scored and jeered when he was substituted late in the game.

Maresca’s men, back in the Champions League after two years away, have now won three of their first five games to give themselves a fighting chance of finishing in the top eight.

That would mean automatic qualification for the last 16.

The club are also picking up momentum in the Premier League, sitting second in the table ahead of Sunday’s home match against leaders Arsenal.

READ: Ukrainian sumo wrestler earns record-breaking promotion

Sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn made more history on Wednesday as he became the first Ukrainian to be promoted to the ancient Japanese sport’s second-highest rank, doing it in record time.

The 21-year-old, who fled the war in Ukraine three years ago, is the fastest to go from the lowest rung to ozeki status since the current calendar of six tournaments a year was introduced in 1958.

He became the first wrestler from Ukraine to win a competition when he came out on top at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.

He is only the fourth European to become an ozeki, following wrestlers from Estonia, Bulgaria and Georgia.

“I will strive to aim even higher, in a manner that does not disgrace the title of ozeki,” Yavhusishyn, who is known by his ring name Aonishiki, said during his promotion ceremony.

Yavhusishyn has enjoyed a meteoric rise in sumo since making his debut in July 2023.

He capped off a stunning year by beating grand master Hoshoryu in a play-off to clinch his first title in only his 14th tournament.

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Danylo Yavhusishyn received his promotion at a special ceremony in western Fukuoka, where he bowed to sumo elders in front of gold folding screens and celebratory flowers.

He then held up a large sea bream as a symbol of good luck and celebration.

“I’ve surprised myself, but I’ve never paid attention to how fast things are going,” he said in fluent Japanese. “The best thing I have done is to listen carefully to what my stablemaster tells me.”

Yavhusishyn was born in central Ukraine and took up sumo at the age of seven, becoming a national champion at 17.

His age meant he narrowly avoided Ukraine’s military draft for men aged 18 and older after Russia invaded, and he sought refuge in Germany before moving to Japan.

His parents stayed in Germany, and he arrived in Japan knowing nothing of the language.

“The thing I appreciate most is the support they gave me before I came to Japan,” he said. “They were really happy when I won the tournament, and I want to call them after this.”

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo set to play World Cup opener despite red card

Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can play in the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup after global football governing body FIFA gave him a partially “suspended” ban on Tuesday following a red card.

The 40-year-old was sent off as Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin earlier in November when he elbowed Dara O’Shea in the back, for his first dismissal in 226 international appearances.

FIFA banned Ronaldo for three matches, two of which will be suspended and the other has already been served, when Portugal sealed their qualification for next summer’s tournament against Armenia.

“In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the two remaining matches has been suspended under a one-year probation period,” said FIFA in a statement given to AFP.

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“If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked, and the remaining two matches must be served immediately at the next official (Portugal) matches.”

Ronaldo, the men’s all-time top goalscorer in international football with 143 goals, is aiming to play at a sixth World Cup next summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker, currently at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has not yet lifted the trophy but did win Euro 2016 with Portugal.

Ronaldo attended a dinner in the White House last week where he met US President Donald Trump, who said his son Barron “is a big fan” of the forward.

The World Cup group stage draw takes place on December 5.

READ: Abu Dhabi T10: Gurbaz stars in Stallions’ win over Gladiators

ABU DHABI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sherfane Rutherford’s brisk knocks helped Aspin Stallions overwhelm Deccan Gladiators by 33 runs in the 19th fixture of the Abu Dhabi T10 here on Tuesday.

Set a daunting 133, Deccan Gladiators only mustered 101-6 in their 10 overs.

Andre Russell started briskly with 18 off eight, striking two fours and a six, however, Hafeez-ur-Rehman and Binura Fernando pegged the Gladiators back with quick wickets.

Stallions continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals and derailed the Gladiators’ chase.

Skipper Nicholas Pooran top-scored with 29 off 15, laced with two fours and two sixes.

For Aspin Stallions, Hafeez-ur-Rehman remained the pick of the bowlers, scalping two wickets and earning the player of the match award.

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Earlier, Ajman Titans also romped to a victory over Vista Riders by a 34-run margin in the 18th fixture of the tournament.

Set a challenging 106-target, Vista Riders fell short and scored 71-7 at the end of their 10 overs.

Riders demonstrated a shambolic batting display with no major contributions from their batting order. Unmukt Chand remained the top scorer, scoring 17 off eight, laced with four boundaries.

For Titans, Piyush Chawla starred with the ball, snaring three wickets in his quota of two overs.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, Ajman Titans racked up 105-7 in their allotted 10 overs.

Alex Hales top-scored with 35 from 21 balls with the help of six fours, whereas Dan Lawrence hit two sixes on his way to 22 from 13 balls.

For Vista Riders, Andrew Tye, Awais Ahmad, and Dhananjaya Lakshan were the pick of the bowlers for Titans with two wickets to their name.

It is noteworthy to mention that Quetta Qavalry are topping the points table with five wins out of five games. Meanwhile, Vista Riders are in second place with three victories out of five matches.

READ: Karachi Blues defeat Sialkot Region to storm into Quaid Trophy final

RAWALPINDI: Shan Masood and Saad Baig starred as Karachi Blues sealed a three-wicket victory over reigning champions Sialkot Region to storm into the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2025-26 final.

Sialkot resumed their second innings from 217-7 on the fourth and final day of the match here at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium.

The defending champions were in a dominant position with a lead of 168 runs, adding 48 runs before being bundled out for 260 in 83 overs.

Hamza Nazar top-scored with 66 off 81 while wicket-keeper batter Afzal Manzoor made an unbeaten 48 from 112 balls.

For Karachi Blues, Kashif Bhatti starred with the ball and claimed a five-wicket haul, followed by Mohammad Asghar, who picked up three scalps.

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Karachi Blues started positively in a 12-run chase, with Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood and Saad Baig setting the tone early for a victory with a 133-run partnership between them.

After losing Abdullah Fazal early with just three on the board, both Shan and Saad demonstrated maturity and took their side out of trouble.

Shan made 86 from 112, whereas Saad managed to score a brisk 68 from 96 balls.

17-year-old Haroon Arshad was the other notable contributor with a 30 off 45 balls with the aid of four boundaries.

For Sialkot, Mehran Mumtaz remained clinical with the ball and took four wickets. Meanwhile, after starring with the bat, Hamza also chipped with the ball and scalped two wickets.

With this, Karachi Blues registered their fifth win in the tournament and third in a row. On the contrary, Sialkot suffered its first defeat after winning five games and salvaging three draws.

The other finalist is yet to be decided following the conclusion of the final round tomorrow.

The summit clash of the 22nd edition of the tournament will be played from November 29 to December 3, with the final venue yet to be decided.

READ: ICC unveils schedule for men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has decided not to renew the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise rights for the next decade.

The announcement came via Tareen’s social media account, where he shed light on the decision.

“Being part of this team has been one of the greatest honours of my life. I love the fans, I love this team, and I absolutely love being able to represent South Punjab. Something my late uncle Alamgir Tareen was especially proud of,” he said.

 

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“Every season, I would tell our players and staff what it means to represent this region: a place full of people who work hard, fight for their rights, and push through challenges every single day,” he continued.

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“I would rather lose this team while standing on my feet than run it from my knees. So, this is goodbye,” Tareen concluded.

For the unversed, this comes after all five other outfits of PSL officially confirmed that they had extended their ownership rights for the next 10 years.

All five teams of the tournament—Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators following a successful evaluation under the updated market valuation determined by Ernst & Young, one of the world’s most credible and respected audit and advisory firms, as per PCB.

Ali Tareen’s departure stems from a rift between PCB and Multan Sultans. The board had accused Tareen of breaching several clauses of the 10-year contract and demanded a public apology and retraction of his statements.

A month earlier, Ali Tareen responded with a sarcastic apology video, criticising the board’s management and communication approach.

Notably, he also wrote a letter to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, acknowledging the tensions and proposing structural reforms.

READ: ICC unveils schedule for men’s T20 World Cup 2026

RAWALPINDI: Pathum Nissanka’s sublime 98* from 58 propelled Sri Lanka to a resounding win over Zimbabwe and kept his side’s hopes alive of reaching the final of the T20I tri-series.

Set a partly 147, the Islanders hit the winning runs on the second ball of the 16th over, losing only one wicket in the process.

Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka started briskly in pursuit of the chase, adding 59 in only 5.4 overs.

Nissanka remained the core aggressor while Mishara held one end and was dismissed after scoring 12 from 15 balls.

However, Nissanka continued on and forged an unbeaten 89-run stand with 64 balls with Kusal Mendis, flattening Zimbabwe bowlers.

Pathum Nissanka returned to form with four sixes and 11 fours while Mendis played a run-a-ball 25-run knock with the help of a boundary.

For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans remained the solitary wicket-taker.

Catch Pakistan Tri-Series news updates here!

Earlier, Sri Lanka spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana spun a web around Zimbabwe batters, restricting them to a modest total.

After opting to bat here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium under lights, Zimbabwe managed to put  146-5 on the board in their 20 overs.

Theekshana removed Tadiwanashe Marumani for four in the opening over and followed the wicket with another scalp in the third over to provide Sri Lanka a strong start.

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Dion Myers castled for six, brought experienced Brendan Taylor to the fore, who added 36 runs for the third wicket with Brian Bennett, which provided the Chevrons some relief.

Taylor made 14 from 12 before getting bowled by skipper Dasun Shanka, leaving Zimbabwe 53-3 in 7.3 overs. Despite Zimbabwe stitching brief stands, the Islanders kept tight and never allowed them to score freely.

Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl remained the notable contributors with the bat for Zimbabwe, both scoring 37 runs respectively with the aid of five fours and a maximum.

For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana bowled clinical spells and picked up two wickets in their quota of four overs.

READ: ICC unveils schedule for men’s T20 World Cup 2026

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday revealed the schedule for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

The mega-event will be played from February 7 to March 8 across five venues in India—Arun Jaitley Stadium, Eden Gardens, Kolkata; MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai; Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad; and Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Three venues will host matches in Sri Lanka—Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy; R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo; and Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo.

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The 2026 tournament format will mirror the 2024 T20 World Cup, with 20 teams divided into five groups of four.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, before progressing to the semi-finals and ultimately the final.

 

 

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The high-stakes encounter between Pakistan and defending champions India will be played on February 15 in Colombo as per the hybrid model.

The model has previously been applied in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, when the UAE co-hosted India’s matches, and during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, with Sri Lanka joining as co-hosts.

Pakistan will play three of their group-stage fixtures at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, including the opening fixture of the World Cup against the Netherlands, whereas India will play their opening match against USA same day in the evening.

T20 World Cup Groups

• Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Namibia, Netherlands,
• Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
• Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
• Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 schedule

The group stage runs from 7 to 20 February, followed by the Super Eight round from 21 February to 1 March. The knockouts take over in the final week.

(Group Stage)

February 7

• Pakistan vs Netherlands in Colombo
• West Indies vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
• India vs USA in Mumbai

February 8

• New Zealand vs Afghanistan in Chennai
• England vs Nepal in Mumbai
• Sri Lanka vs Ireland in Colombo

February 9

• Bangladesh vs Italy in Kolkata
• Zimbabwe vs Oman in Colombo
• South Africa vs Canada in Ahmedabad

February 10

• Netherlands vs Namibia in Delhi
• New Zealand vs UAE in Chennai
• Pakistan vs USA in Colombo

February 11

• South Africa vs Afghanistan in Ahmedabad
• Australia vs Ireland in Colombo
• England vs West Indies in Mumbai

February 12

• Sri Lanka vs Oman in Kandy
• Nepal vs Italy in Mumbai
• India vs Namibia in Delhi

February 13

• Australia vs Zimbabwe in Colombo
• Canada vs UAE in Delhi
• USA vs Netherlands in Chennai

February 14

• Ireland vs Oman in Colombo
• England vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
• New Zealand vs South Africa in Ahmedabad

February 15

• West Indies vs Nepal in Mumbai
• USA vs Namibia in Chennai
• India vs Pakistan in Colombo

February 16

• Afghanistan vs UAE in Delhi
• England vs Italy in Kolkata
• Australia vs Sri Lanka in Kandy

February 17

• New Zealand vs Canada in Chennai
• Ireland vs Zimbabwe in Kandy
• Bangladesh vs Nepal in Mumbai

February 18

• South Africa vs UAE in Delhi
• Pakistan vs Namibia in Colombo
• India vs Netherlands in Ahmedabad

February 19

• West Indies vs Italy in Kolkata
• Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in Colombo
• Afghanistan vs Canada in Chennai

February 20

• Australia vs Oman in Kandy

Super-Eight Round

February 21

• Y2 vs Y3 in Colombo

February 22

• Y1 vs Y4 in Kandy
• X1 vs X4 in Ahmedabad

February 23

• X2 vs X3 in Mumbai

February 24

• Y1 vs Y3 in Kandy

February 25

• Y2 vs Y4 in Colombo

February 26

• X3 vs X4 in Colombo
• X1 vs X2 in Chennai

February 27

• Y1 vs Y2 in Colombo

February 28

• Y3 vs Y4 in Kandy

March 1

• X2 vs X4 in Delhi

• X1 vs X3 in Kolkata

Knock-out

March 4: Semi-final 1 in Colombo/Kolkata

March 5: Semi-final 2 in Mumbai

March 8: Final in Colombo/Ahmedabad

LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) outfit Islamabad United have renewed their franchise rights for another 10 years following an agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday.

United, the three-time PSL winners, have extended their partnership with the board following a successful evaluation under the updated market valuation determined by Ernst & Young, one of the world’s most credible and respected audit and advisory firms.

After this, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi hailed the franchise owners for promoting the league with passion and dedication.

“I am delighted that Islamabad United will continue its journey with the HBL PSL for another decade. Mr. Ali Naqvi has been an exemplary partner whose dedication and professionalism have strengthened both their franchise and the league,” he said.

“Their decision to renew reaffirms the trust placed in the HBL PSL’s vision, growth, and long-term potential.”

He further emphasized the team’s contribution to setting high standards and expressed hope for reaching new heights in the future.

“Islamabad United have consistently set high standards on and off the field, contributing significantly to the league’s development. The PCB looks forward to building on this partnership and achieving new milestones together,” Naqvi concluded.

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PSL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer also mentioned Islamabad United’s efforts in nurturing the PSL.

“Islamabad United have played a central role in shaping the identity and excellence of the HBL PSL since its inception.

We are thrilled to continue working with Ali Naqvi for the next 10 years and hope that his cultured, professional and strategic strengths will aid the HBL PSL to attain unprecedented heights,” he said.

“Islamabad United’s commitment to high performance and innovation has had a lasting impact on Pakistan cricket. This renewed partnership marks an exciting new chapter for both Islamabad United and the HBL PSL as we move into a new era,” Naseer said.

For the unversed, Islamabad United were the winners of the inaugural PSL and have clinched the title in 2018 and 2024, respectively.

READ: Karachi Kings renew PSL franchise rights for another decade