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No country has ever won the World Cup with a foreign-born coach, but Carlo Ancelotti said Monday that there was “always a first time” as he eyes glory with Brazil in 2026.

The Italian became Brazil’s first overseas coach in six decades when he took over in May, and he helped the five-times champions punch their ticket for next summer’s World Cup.

Brazil face Japan in a friendly in Tokyo on Tuesday, fresh from a 5-0 hammering of South Korea in Seoul last week.

Ancelotti said he is aiming to create history for himself and his team at next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“My goal is to give my best for the Brazil national team, to try to get them to perform at their best and to win the World Cup,” he said.

“Of course, no foreign-born coach has ever won the World Cup, but there is always a first time in life.”

Brazil made hard work of qualifying, finishing fifth in the South American table.

Ancelotti is their fourth coach since Tite stepped down following the quarter-final loss to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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Brazil sparkled against South Korea, with 18-year-old starlet Estevao scoring twice and Real Madrid pair Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. also among the goals.

Brazilian fans hailed the win as a return to “jogo bonito,” but Ancelotti said there was more to his team than that.

“Brazilian players have the quality to play beautiful football, but you have to think about what you mean by beautiful football,” he said.

“Brazilian players have individual quality, but that is combined with teamwork and movement off the ball, and that’s very important in football.”

Brazil travelled to Asia without forward Neymar, who was ruled out of action until at least November with a thigh injury.

Time is running out for Brazil’s record goalscorer to force his way back into the squad before the World Cup.

Ancelotti said there were no questions over Neymar’s quality.

“If Neymar is in good condition, then of course he can fit into the national team,” he said. “If Neymar is fit, then he can play in any team in the world.”

READ: Aiden Markram achieves major milestone in first Pakistan Test

LAHORE: South Africa’s stand-in captain Aiden Markram reached a major career milestone on Monday, surpassing 3,000 runs in Test cricket during the opening Test against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Markram, who needed just seven runs to achieve the landmark, brought it up early in his innings as South Africa began their reply to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 378.

The 31-year-old reached the milestone in his 47th Test appearance, becoming the 18th South African batter to do so.

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Since making his debut in 2017, Markram has been one of South Africa’s most consistent performers in red-ball cricket, boasting eight centuries and 13 half-centuries to his name.

Among South African greats, Jacques Kallis remains the country’s all-time leading run-scorer with a staggering 13,206 runs in 165 Tests, the only South African to cross the 10,000-run mark.

He is followed by Hashim Amla (9,282 runs in 124 matches) and former skipper Graeme Smith (9,253 runs in 116 matches).

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At the time of filing this report, South Africa were 38 without loss in ten overs, with Markram and Ryan Rickelton steady at the crease.

The visitors trail by 340 runs after bowling out Pakistan for 378 earlier in the day, courtesy of a superb six-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy.

READ: Kane Williamson to miss England T20Is, eyes ODI return

Veteran batter Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the upcoming home T20I series against England as he continues to recover from a minor medical issue, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed on Sunday.

The 35-year-old, who last represented the Black Caps in the Champions Trophy final against India in March, is expected to be available for the subsequent ODI series against the same opposition later this month.

Williamson, currently on a casual NZC contract, had earlier opted out of the T20I series against Australia and the Zimbabwe tour to fulfil county commitments with Middlesex in The Hundred.

Head coach Rob Walter revealed that Williamson’s recovery required a bit more time, emphasizing that the decision was precautionary.

“He’s obviously a world-class player, and we’re hoping these two weeks will ensure he’s ready for the ODIs against England and the following tour by the West Indies,” Walter said in a statement.

In Williamson’s absence, Mitchell Santner returns from abdominal surgery to lead the side.

However, New Zealand have been dealt a fresh setback with fast bowler Ben Sears ruled out due to a left hamstring tear sustained in training. Sears is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.

Rachin Ravindra, who missed the T20I series against Australia after suffering a facial injury during fielding practice, makes his comeback.

New Zealand’s injury list remains lengthy, with Finn Allen (foot), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) all unavailable.

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With wristspinner Ish Sodhi missing out, Ravindra joins Santner and Michael Bracewell as part of the spin trio. Mark Chapman could also offer part-time left-arm spin if required.

Walter praised Santner’s leadership and welcomed Ravindra’s return.

“It’s great to have Mitch back. He’s not only our leader but also one of the best white-ball spinners in the world. Likewise, it’s nice to welcome back Rachin, who was unlucky to miss out on Australia and is really excited for this series,” he said.

Veteran allrounder Jimmy Neesham, who recently turned 35, keeps his spot after impressing with figures of 4 for 26 in the third T20I against Australia.

Neesham reiterated his ambition to represent New Zealand at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

“I want to win a World Cup for New Zealand, and that’s the reason I’m still playing,” Neesham said. “Selection ahead of the tournament is out of my hands, but I’ll stay ready and perform when called upon.”

The three-match T20I series against England begins at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on October 18, with the second fixture at the same venue on October 20.

The final match will be played in Auckland, followed by the ODI series from October 26 to November 1, where Williamson could mark his return at his home ground, Bay Oval.

New Zealand T20I Squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert (wk).

READ: Muthusamy spins South Africa back in first Test against Pakistan

LAHORE: Tony de Zorzi led South Africa’s resistance while Noman Ali took four wickets, putting Pakistan in a strong position at stumps on the second day of the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

South Africa were 216-6 at the close of the play, with Tony de Zorzi remaining unbeaten on 81 from 140 balls while Senuran Muthusamy is not out on six from 19 deliveries.

The highlight of the session was a 94-run partnership between De Zorzi and Riyan Rickelton. Both batters struck half-centuries and brought the team’s total to 174.

The stand eventually culminated with the set of Rickelton’s wicket, courtesy of Agha Salman’s bowling. He made 71 from 137 with the help of nine fours and two sixes.

The wicket opened the door for Pakistan as Noman and Sajid sliced through the Proteas’ middle-order and put them in a similar position to Pakistan. The visitors went from 175-3 to 200-6 in a span of 10 overs.

Tristan Stubbs was caught behind for eight while Dewald Brevis fell for a golden duck. Kyle Verreynne could not trouble the scorers much as he made six from 19.

For Pakistan, Nomal Ali starred with the ball, picking up four wickets in his 27 overs.

South Africa were 10 without loss at lunch and batted steadily in the afternoon session.

Aiden Markram, who earlier crossed the 3,000-run milestone, was the first to fall after the interval, dismissed by Noman Ali for 20 off 37 balls with the score at 45-1.

Wiaan Mulder then joined Ryan Rickelton and the pair stitched together a cautious stand to stabilise the innings.

Rickelton continued to find the gaps while Mulder played some crisp drives before Noman struck again, removing the right-hander for 17 off 41 deliveries, including three boundaries.

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Tony de Zorzi then arrived at the crease and rode his luck early, edging a couple of deliveries past the slips for boundaries.

His presence, however, proved valuable as he and Rickelton guided South Africa to 112-2 at Tea in 34 overs, trailing Pakistan by 266 runs.

Earlier, Senuran Muthusamy produced a brilliant spell of spin bowling to claim six wickets and help South Africa bowl out Pakistan for 378 in the first session.

Resuming their innings at 313 for five, Pakistan looked set for a big total as Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan picked up where they left off, extending their sixth-wicket stand beyond 150, the highest for Pakistan against South Africa at home.

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Both batters appeared in full control before Muthusamy turned the tide. He first broke the partnership by dismissing Rizwan for a hard-fought 75 off 140 deliveries, which included two fours and two sixes.

The left-arm spinner struck again almost immediately, removing Noman Ali and Sajid Khan for ducks to complete a well-deserved five-for.

Senuran Muthusamy continued to wreak havoc, bowling Shaheen Afridi for seven to register his sixth wicket, leaving Pakistan nine down.

The innings finally ended at 378 when off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen dismissed Salman Ali Agha for a composed 93 off 145 balls, an innings decorated with five fours and three sixes.

Muthusamy finished with superb figures of 6-117 in 32 overs, while Subrayen chipped in with two wickets. Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer claimed one apiece.

READ: Kudus scores as Ghana qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026

Mohammed Kudus scored as Ghana beat Comoros 1-0 in Accra on Sunday to win Group I and become the fifth African qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Cheered on by a capacity 40,000 crowd, Ghana dominated first-half possession and territory, but slow, predictable attacks meant Comoros goalkeeper Adel Anzimati-Aboudou was seldom troubled.

However, the home side wasted little time after the interval in taking the lead as Tottenham midfielder Kudus struck on 47 minutes.

Comoros only partially cleared a goalmouth scramble, and when the ball was crossed low into the six-yard box, Kudus tapped it into the net from point-blank range.

Success against Comoros was particularly sweet as the Indian Ocean islanders shocked Ghana at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and beat them again in the second round of World Cup qualifying two years ago.

Ghana top the group with 25 points from 10 matches. Madagascar finished second with 19 points despite a 4-1 loss to third-placed Mali in Bamako.

It will be the fifth appearance by the Black Stars in the global showpiece. Their best performance was in 2010 in South Africa, where they lost to Uruguay after a quarter-final penalty shootout.

Qualification for the expanded 48-nation 2026 tournament, which the United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host, justified the faith of Ghanaian officials in coach Otto Addo, who was under fire last year.

There were persistent demands from the public and media in the West African country for Addo to be sacked after a disastrous 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Ghana, winners of the competition four times between 1963 and 1982, did not win any of the six AFCON qualifiers and finished a humiliating last behind Angola, Sudan, and Niger with just three points.

The other four automatic African qualifiers for the World Cup will be decided on Monday and Tuesday, with Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and Senegal the group leaders.

Egypt rested Liverpool star Mohamed Salah for their final match at home to Guinea-Bissau, and an early goal from Mohamed Hamdy delivered a 1-0 Group A victory in Cairo.

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Niger upset Zambia 1-0 in Ndola to finish second in Group E behind Morocco, and currently lie third in the mini-leagues runners-up table behind Gabon and Burkina Faso.

The four best-ranked second-placed teams after the final qualifiers on Tuesday advance to the play-offs in Morocco during November.

Whoever wins the mini-tournament, featuring single-match semi-finals and a final, qualifies for six-nation inter-continental play-offs next March with two World Cup places up for grabs.

Niger striker Daniel Sosah scored in his third straight qualifier, firing a rebound into the net on 56 minutes after goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga failed to hold a Victorien Adebayor shot.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian squad, coaches, technical staff, and officials arrived safely in the southeastern city of Uyo on Sunday.

Returning home after a Group C win over Lesotho in South Africa last Friday, the jet carrying the Super Eagles had to make an emergency landing in Angola due to a cracked windscreen.

The team media officer, Promise Efoghe, said a replacement aircraft was sent to Luanda and the journey to Nigeria was safely completed.

Nigeria, the pre-qualifying favourites to win Group C, are third entering the final round on Tuesday, three points behind Benin and one point below South Africa.

However, the Super Eagles could finish first if they defeat shock leaders Benin in Uyo and South Africa do not win at home to Rwanda.

South Sudan coach Nicolas Dupuis has reportedly been suspended for 15 days and told to stay away from the national squad after a 5-0 home loss to Group B leaders Senegal on Friday.

France-born Dupuis, 57, guided Madagascar to a shock win over Nigeria in the 2019 Cup of Nations in Egypt, and the islanders exceeded expectations by reaching the quarter-finals in their first appearance.

READ: Pat Cummins provides fitness update for first Ashes Test

Injured Australia captain Pat Cummins said on Monday that he was “probably less likely than likely” to be fit for the first Ashes Test next month, but was still clinging to a shred of hope.

Pace spearhead Cummins has not played since picking up a lower back injury in a Test match against the West Indies in July.

Cummins admitted time was running out to get his body ready for the opening Ashes Test beginning in Perth on November 21.

“I’d say probably less likely than likely, but still got a bit of time,” Cummins told reporters, adding that he felt a “bit stiff”.

Cummins said he was still two weeks away from bowling again in the nets, and then it would take time to rebuild his fitness to a level where he could play a full part in a Test.

“You want at least a month in the nets, getting used to it,” said Cummins.

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“If you’re going to play a Test match, you want to make sure you’re right to bowl 20 overs a day and you don’t have to really think about it.

“I know I’m running today and running every second day, and each run is a bit longer, and then we get into bowling prep next week.

“Probably a couple of weeks to go before I’m putting on the spikes and bowling out on turf.”

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said last week he was still considering whether to include Cummins in the side, even if he was a “little bit underdone” with his rehabilitation.

Australia retained the Ashes in England in 2023 after the series ended in a 2-2 draw.

They beat England 4-0 at home in 2021-22 when Cummins was the leading bowler with 21 wickets at an average of 18.

READ: Campbell leads West Indies fightback against Kuldeep-inspired India

The West Indies did not lose a wicket after tea to be 173-2 in their second innings at the end of day three of the second Test on Sunday after following on, but still need 97 runs to make India bat again.

India’s Kuldeep Yadav earlier took five wickets at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium as the hosts bowled out the West Indies for 248 in their first innings after lunch, a deficit of 270.

Captain Shubman Gill enforced the follow-on, and the visitors lost two wickets before tea.

But opener John Campbell then reached 87 not out, and Shai Hope was unbeaten on 66 as the pair put together an unbroken 138-run stand.

The gutsy batting of left-handed Campbell and Hope allowed them to build the highest partnership for the West Indies for any wicket in Tests this year.

Campbell became the first West Indian to reach fifty in the two-match series with a four off Kuldeep.

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He survived a couple of close lbw calls against off-spinner Washington Sundar early in his innings but went on to dominate the bowling.

Hope reached his fifty off Ravindra Jadeja and raised his bat to an applauding dressing room.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul was the first to fall in the second innings, for 10 to a diving Gill catch off Mohammed Siraj, before Sundar bowled Alick Athanaze for seven on the stroke of tea.

The West Indies began day three at 140-4 in their first innings in response to India’s 518-5 declared.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep struck within 30 minutes, bowling Hope for 36.

Kuldeep then had Tevin Imlach given out lbw for 21, a review of the decision showing the ball would have hit leg stump.

Justin Greaves also fell lbw to Kuldeep for 17, and the West Indies were in deep trouble at 175-8 when Jomel Warrican was bowled by Siraj for one.

Pierre and Anderson Phillip, who hit 24 not out, put on a stubborn stand of 46 to steer their team to lunch.

Jasprit Bumrah bowled Pierre for 23 straight after the break before Kuldeep finally trapped Jayden Seales lbw for 13 for his fifth five-wicket haul in 15 Tests.

Seales was fined 25 percent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council on Sunday for showing unnecessary aggression on Friday’s first day.

India won the first Test in Ahmedabad by an innings and 140 runs.

READ: Rashid Khan joins Saqlain Mushtaq in elite list with five-for against Bangladesh

ABU DHABI: Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid etched his name into record books, joining former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq in an elite list.

Rashid spun a web around Bangladesh in the second ODI at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, which dismissed the Tigers for a mere 109 runs.

Set a partly 191, Bangladesh’s batting line faltered under pressure and were eventually bowled, which handed Afghanistan a comprehensive 81-run victory.

The leg-spinner picked five for 17 in 8.3 overs while giving away only 17.

With this feat, he entered an elite list of spinners and levelled with Mushtaq for bowlers who have taken the most six-five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket.

Most five-wicket hauls in ODIs among spinners

Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka) – 10 five-wicket hauls

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 9 five-wicket hauls

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) – 6 five-wicket hauls

Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan) – 6 five-wicket hauls

Overall, Rashid now sits in the eighth position of bowlers who have taken more five-fors in 50-over cricket. Former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis topped the list with 13 five-fors in this format.

Most five-wicket hauls in ODIs

Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 13 five-wicket hauls

Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka) – 10 five-wicket hauls

Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 9 five-wicket hauls

Brett Lee (Australia) – 9 five-wicket hauls

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 9 five-wicket hauls

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 8 five-wicket hauls

Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 7 five-wicket hauls

Mohammed Shami (India) – 6 five-wicket hauls

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) – 6 five-wicket hauls

READ: Imam, Shan hold firm after Rabada’s early blow

LAHORE: Pakistan opening batter Imam-ul-Haq opened up about the missing ingredient in his batting after marking his return to the Test side with a composed knock against South Africa here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Imam made 93 from 153 balls and missed out on his fourth hundred in the format, ending his two-year absence in style.

The southpaw built a monumental 161* run stand with skipper Shan Masood after Abdullah Shafique fell on the third ball of the match.

His innings was laced with seven fours and a six. The 29-year-old was eventually removed before tea by Senuran Muthusamy.

After the opening day, Imam expressed disappointment at missing out on his ton while reflecting on his partnership with Shan Masood.

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“I’m disappointed to have missed the century, but that’s part of the game,” he said.

There’s no scripted plan in cricket. In the first 8-10 overs, I took my time, but when the spinners came in, the roles reversed — Shan became more aggressive and I settled in. We didn’t plan it that way, but our partnership helped us reach a good total in the end,” he added.

He praised South Africa for fighting back following a lean opening session. The Proteas at one stage reduce the home side from 199-2 to 199-5. However, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan’s unbroken stand finished the day on a strong note.

Regarding his comeback, the opener emphasized his domestic form and said that he is not worried about his place in the team.

“Our position is good overall. South Africa made a strong fightback. Rizwan and Agha had a fantastic partnership. I always try to perform in a way that contributes to the team’s victory. Being in and out of the team is part of the game — I don’t fear it,” he explained.

He also highlighted the missing element in his batting, emphasizing the importance of big scores to attract more attention.

“I felt there was a missing element in my batting — whether in one-day cricket, four-day cricket, or any format. So I’ve worked on how to play match-winning innings for Pakistan.”

“Sometimes small things get overlooked; like today, if I had scored 93 or 150, people see it differently and the performance gets highlighted more. We are working on that process, and it will continue,” he concluded.

READ: Babar Azam achieves major milestone in South Africa Test

LAHORE: Pakistan top-order batter Babar Azam achieved a major World Test Championship (WTC) milestone in the ongoing first Test against South Africa here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Coming into this Test, Babar required two runs to become the first Asian batter to score 3,000 runs in the ICC WTC.

The batting maestro reached the landmark with an elegant boundary on the fourth ball of the 48th over. With this, he became Pakistan’s first and overall eighth player to score 3000 runs in the Test championship.

Most runs in ICC World Test Championship

JE Root (ENG) 69 matches 6080 runs

SPD Smith (AUS) 55 matches 4278 runs

M Labuschagne (AUS) 53 matches 4225 runs

BA Stokes (ENG) 57 matches 3616 runs

TM Head (AUS) 52 matches 3300 runs

UT Khawaja (AUS) 43 matches 3288 runs

Z Crawley (ENG) 52 matches 3041 runs

Babar Azam (PAK) 37* matches 3021 runs

However, despite a promising start, he was trapped lbw by Prenelan Subrayen on the score of 23. His 48-ball knock featured five fours.

Overall, Babar Azam has registered 18 half-centuries and eight tons in the 37 WTC matches played so far.

Most runs by Asian batters in ICC World Test Championship

Babar Azam – 3021
Shubman Gill – 2826
Rishabh Pant – 2731
Rohit Sharma – 2716
Dimuth Karunaratne – 2642
Virat Kohli – 2617

Notably, India’s Test captain Shubman Gill trails behind with 2826 runs in 39 matches so far. Gill has scored 10 tons and eight 50s in the cycle, and is averaging at 43.47.

His compatriot Rishab Pant is third in the list with 2731 runs to his name at an average of 43.34 in 38 matches. He scored six centuries and 16 half-centuries.

READ: Namibia stun South Africa to seal historic T20I win