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Carlos Alcaraz battled back to beat Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday in Tokyo and reach his 10th final of a spectacular season, emulating fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

The world number one and US Open champion Alcaraz will face his Laver Cup conqueror, Taylor Fritz, in Tuesday’s decider of the Japan Open.

No man, since the legendary Rafael Nadal in 2017, has reached 10 finals in a season.

“Following his steps in making 10 finals in a season is something great,” said Alcaraz, who also set a new personal best of 66 wins in a season.

“Hopefully it’s not going to end here — a few tournaments ahead, hopefully (I’ll) get to the finals there as well.”

Alcaraz has wowed the crowds this week, but he was in danger of being outshone by Norway’s world number 12 Ruud, who pulled off a series of spectacular winners to take the first set.

Alcaraz, who suffered an ankle injury on Thursday in his opener, regained control in the second set before closing out the match with another ferocious display of power-hitting.

“Emotionally, it was really tough to deal with everything today,” he said.

“I’m really happy to be able to turn around everything, and I ended that match playing such great tennis. “I’m excited to be playing in another final.”

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His opponent will be world number five Taylor Fritz, who beat the Spanish superstar in San Francisco two weeks ago.

Fritz beat fellow American Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-3 in the day’s other semi-final.

Alcaraz practiced with Fritz in Tokyo before the tournament began, and he described his final opponent as “a really difficult player to play against”.

“That practice gave me a really good feedback to how I should approach the match,” said Alcaraz.

“I will try to play my best tennis tomorrow — my Plan A, if I want to beat him — because his level is pretty high right now.”

Alcaraz picked up from where he left off in his quarter-final win over Brandon Nakashima, pounding Ruud with some huge forehands early in the match.

But the Norwegian had a few tricks up his sleeve as well, drawing applause from Alcaraz when he floated a winner to the baseline from a difficult angle.

Ruud took the first set when Alcaraz, beginning to show signs of frustration, hit a return long.

The 22-year-old came back strongly, sending down nine aces in the second set alone to tie up the match.

Alcaraz broke Ruud midway through the third set and never looked back, sealing victory with another jackhammer forehand.

“Physically, it can be better, I’m not going to lie,” said Alcaraz, who has been playing with his ankle strapped since his injury.

“Just doing the best work that I can with my team, with my physio, and hopefully tomorrow it will be even better.”

READ: Chris Woakes announces retirement from international cricket

England all-rounder Chris Woakes has called time on his international career after missing out on Ashes 2025 selection.

Woakes’ last appearance for England came against India in the fifth Test at the Oval, where he dislocated his shoulder. However, the pacer still came out to bat with a sling in his armpit.

Following the injury, the pacer was in a race against time to be fit for the Ashes; however, he was left out of the squad, which drew a curtain on his career.

The right-arm pacer took to his social media handle and announced his retirement, expressing pride in representing the Three Lions in a career spanning 15 years.

 

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“The moment has come, and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” Woakes said in a statement.

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“Playing for England was something I aspired to do since I was a kid dreaming in the back garden, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived out those dreams.

He thanked his teammates with whom he shared the field with the greatest pride while confirming that he will continue to play county cricket.

Representing England, wearing the Three Lions and sharing the field with teammates over the last 15 years, many of whom have become lifelong friends, are things I’ll look back on with the greatest pride.”

Chris Woakes played 62 Tests for England, picking up 192 wickets at an average of 29.61. In ODIs, Woakes appeared for England 122 times, scalping 173 wickets. He also played 33 T20Is and has 31 wickets to his name.

The all-rounder remained a vital cog in England’s 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup triumph.

READ: Pakistan team donates Asia Cup final fees to May 7 attack victims

The Pakistan cricket team has announced the donation of ACC Men’s Asia Cup final match fees to the families of the ‘innocent victims’ martyred in the May 7 attack.

The Pakistan cricket team has pledged to donate their match fees from the ACC Men’s Asia Cup final to the families of the victims martyred in the May 7 attack in India, which resulted in the loss of several innocent civilian lives.

The announcement came via the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) social media handle.

“The Pakistan Cricket Team has dedicated its Asia Cup final match fees to the innocent victims martyred in the May 7 attack… Our thoughts and prayers are with their families,” the post read on X.

Similarly, India captain Suryakumar Yadav has also announced that he will donate his match fees to India’s armed forces and the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

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For context, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup final. Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav starred for the champions, with both players playing a vital role with the bat and ball, respectively.

It is pertinent to mention that the drama began from the tournament’s onset, as two arch-rivals faced each other for the first time after a military confrontation that happened in May this year.

This continued in the final as well, as the post-match presentation started an hour after the scheduled time.

The delay was due to India’s refusal to accept the silverware from Mohsin Naqvi, who is the chairman of both the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the PCB.

Following the trophy fiasco, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, also confirmed to the Indian news agency ANI that the team had declined to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi.

READ: India refuse Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

DUBAI: The much-anticipated final between India and Pakistan ended in a last-over thriller, but the drama continued as the Men in Blue refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi.

According to Cricinfo, the reason for India’s refusal came from the fact that the trophy was to be handed over by the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The thrilling match finished at 10:30 pm Dubai time; however, the wait for the presentation continued, which started after a one-hour delay.

After the final, the Pakistan team walked off the ground into the dressing room while the Indian team stayed on the field.

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Meanwhile, the stage for the post-match ceremony was not set for an extended period of time. At last, after nearly an hour, the stage was set up with Mohsin Naqvi and other dignitaries taking their place.

The presentation also saw unprecedented scenes as Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma received their individual awards from other dignitaries on stage, whereas Pakistan captain Salman Agha accepted the runners-up cheque from Mohsin Naqvi.

Following this, the host Simon Doull announced the conclusion of the ceremony.

“I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation,” he said.

READ: WATCH: India celebrate Asia Cup 2025 triumph without trophy

DUBAI: A rare sight unfolded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday as India celebrated their ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph without the trophy.

The unusual celebrations came after the Indian team refused to accept the silverware during the delayed presentation ceremony, since it was to be presented by the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.

Alongside Naqvi, the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Council, the vice president of the Emirates Cricket Board, and representatives from the tournament sponsors were present on the stage.

The Men in Blue were seen celebrating their victory on the stage without the silverware. Skipper Suryakumar playfully mimicked, and the rest of the side held up an imaginary trophy as part of their celebrations.

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Earlier, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to clinch the Asia Cup 2025 title. Tilak Verma stood up with the bat, scoring a vital 69* from 53 balls.

The champions started their chase on a shaky note as Pakistan’s pacers ripped through their top order.

Dangerous Abhishek Sharma was the first to go holing out to mid on, whereas Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, in poor form, perished courtesy of an excellent catch from Salman Ali Agha.

The Men in Blue were pegged back with Shubman Gill’s wicket, who was caught on mid-on after scoring 12. As a result, India were reduced to 20-3.

However, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma arrested the slide and batted with calm and composure. The pair added 58 runs for the third wicket, which put India back on course in the chase.

Sanju’s dismissal opened a brief door for Pakistan; however, Varma remained composed and guided India towards the target.

Eventually, India aced the chase with Rinku Singh— playing his first game of the tournament, hitting the ball over mid wicket for four to seal an emphatic win for his side.

Pakistan got off to a strong start after being asked to bat first. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman looked in fine touch, stitching together a solid 84-run partnership.

Their positive intent laid the perfect platform for a big total, but once the stand was broken, Pakistan’s innings unraveled quickly.

The middle order failed to capitalize on the strong foundation, and wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.

READ: Agha ‘proud’ of Pakistan fight despite Asia Cup 2025 final loss

DUBAI: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha praised his team’s fighting spirit despite their defeat to India in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final.

India outplayed Pakistan by five wickets in a last-over thriller, a game that saw ups and downs from both sides.

The Men in Blue chased down the target of 147 runs on the fourth ball of the final over, with Tilak Varma starring. The left-hander played a gutsy knock under pressure and scored an unbeaten 69 from 53 balls.

Pakistan endured the same middle-order collapse after Sahibzada Farhan’s and Fakhar Zaman’s strong opening partnership of 84 runs.

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Despite a strong foundation, Pakistan were bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs, thanks to Kuldeep Yadav’s spin magic, who picked up a four-wicket haul, including a three-wicket over.

After the match, Salman Ali Agha expressed his disappointment over the defeat and rued the middle-order collapse after a strong opening foundation.

“It is tough pill to swallow. We could not finish well in the batting. Bowling, we gave everything. If we could have finished well, it would have been a different story. We could not rotate the strike properly and we lost too many wickets,” he said.

“That was the reason we could not score what we wanted. We have to sort out our batting very soon. They bowled really well, outstandingly well,” he added

He further emphasized the last six overs of the match while pointing out batting flaws.

“They needed 63 off six overs, I thought we had the game. The bowlers bowled really well, we have to give them credit, but the batting was a concern. Very proud. We fought really well. We are proud as a team. So much to look forward to, we will improve and come back stronger,” he concluded.

READ: Asia Cup 2025 final presentation ceremony delayed following India’s victory

DUBAI: The presentation ceremony for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final has been delayed after India triumphed over Pakistan on Sunday here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

According to reports, the delay has been due to India’s refusal to hand over the Asia Cup trophy to ACC president Mohsin Naqvi.

On 17 September, India captain Suryakumar Yadav had requested that if his side wins the Asia Cup 2025, he does not want the trophy to be presented to him by Mohsin Naqvi.

The development came after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final by five wickets.

Set 147, India chased down the target on the fourth ball of the last over, losing five wickets in the process.

Pakistan pacers ripped through India’s top order as Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Afridi combined to rattle the defending champions.

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Dangerous Abhishek Sharma was the first to go holing out to mid on, whereas Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, in poor form, perished courtesy of an excellent catch from Salman Ali Agha.

The Men in Blue were pegged back with Shubman Gill’s wicket, who was caught on mid-on after scoring 12. As a result, India were reduced to 20-3.

However, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma arrested the slide and batted with calm and composure. The pair added 58 runs for the third wicket, which put India back on course in the chase.

Varma particularly nudged the balls for a single and eased pressure. Samson, on the other hand, was looking good. He got a reprieve in the ninth over as Hussain Talat dropped a sitter.

Yet, he departed after making 24 from 21 balls with the help of two fours and a six. At this stage, India were 77-4 in 12.4 overs.

The game was evenly poised at this stage, with India requiring 69 from 42 balls. However, Tilak Varma’s presence at the crease and some sloppy fielding and tactical errors from Pakistan put India on top.

Haris Rauf’s 17 yielded 17 runs from the 15th over, which tilted the game in India’s favor.

Eventually, India aced the chase with Rinku Singh— playing his first game of the tournament, hitting the ball over mid wicket for four to seal an emphatic win for his side.

For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf picked up three wickets.

READ: Kuldeep Yadav opens up after India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph

DUBAI: Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav shared his thoughts after India ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph over Pakistan here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

India chased down the partly 147-run target on the fourth ball of the last over, losing five wickets in the process.

The architects of India’s win were Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav. Varma showed his batting prowess under pressure, scoring a 69 from 53 balls, hitting four sixes and three fours.

Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, took four wickets, including three in an over, which derailed Pakistan’s batting lineup. As a result, Pakistan were bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Kuldeep Yadav highlighted Pakistan’s collapse despite a strong start.

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“It is very important to bowl in the middle overs. We (the spinners), playing together, it is a luxury to have. Everyone has a different role. They started really well. After 10-11 overs, they were 100-1,” he said.

‘We knew if we could get a couple of wickets, then it was not going to be easy for the new batter to come in and score runs,” he added.

He also praised Tilak Varma for his knock, while revealing that he had spoken with the bowler Hari Prasad Mohan about bowling lengths.

“When I was bowling the first over, I was trying to get them out. Before the game, he just send the screenshot of the lengths where we had to bowl to the batters, and big thanks to Hari. And a masterclass from Tilak – he was unbelievable today,” he said.

READ: Tilak, Kuldeep star as India defeat Pakistan to clinch Asia Cup 2025

DUBAI: Pakistan opener batter Sahibzada Farhan registered a unique milestone as he became the only batter to hit Jasprit Bumrah for three sixes in the T20Is during the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 final.

Farhan, who became the first Pakistani batter to hit a six off Jasprit Bumrah in international cricket, has now become the only batter overall to hit three sixes off the pacer in T20Is.

Earlier, he showcased his batting prowess over Bumrah during the group-stage match of the Asia Cup 2025, held on September 14, where he cleared the boundary twice.

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The first six was hit on the third delivery of the fourth over when Farhan skillfully judged a good-length delivery from Bumrah that was angling in, sending it soaring over the long-on boundary.

He struck again on the third delivery of Bumrah’s next over, launching a short-pitched delivery that was also angling in over backward square.

In the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 final, Farhan continued his assault on Bumrah, hitting one six and a four.

He started cautiously, facing two dot balls and then running for a couple of singles before lofting a boundary over cover.

When Bumrah bowled his next over, Farhan crunched with another four over midwicket, followed by a massive six over mid-off, ultimately scoring 12 runs off Bumrah in that over.

He eventually departed after scoring 57 from 38 balls, smashing three sixes and five fours.

READ: Asia Cup Final: Former England cricketer warns India of ‘unpredictable’ Pakistan

DUBAI: Tilak Verma’s crafty knock and Kuldeep Yadav’s magic with the ball helped India seal victory against Pakistan in a last-over thriller in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final here on Sunday.

Set 147, India chased down the target on the fourth ball of the last over, losing five wickets in the process.

Pakistan pacers ripped through India’s top order as Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Afridi combined to rattle the defending champions.

Dangerous Abhishek Sharma was the first to go holing out to mid on, whereas Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, in poor form, perished courtesy of an excellent catch from Salman Ali Agha.

The Men in Blue were pegged back with Shubman Gill’s wicket, who was caught on mid-on after scoring 12. As a result, India were reduced to 20-3.

However, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma arrested the slide and batted with calm and composure. The pair added 58 runs for the third wicket, which put India back on course in the chase.

Varma particularly nudged the balls for a single and eased pressure. Samson, on the other hand, was looking good. He got a reprieve in the ninth over as Hussain Talat dropped a sitter.

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Yet, he departed after making 24 from 21 balls with the help of two fours and a six. At this stage, India were 77-4 in 12.4 overs.

The game was evenly poised at this stage, with India requiring 69 from 42 balls. However, Tilak Varma’s presence at the crease and some sloppy fielding and tactical errors from Pakistan put India on top.

Haris Rauf’s 17 yielded 17 runs from the 15th over, which tilted the game in India’s favor.

Eventually, India aced the chase with Rinku Singh— playing his first game of the tournament, hitting the ball over mid wicket for four to seal an emphatic win for his side.

For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf picked up three wickets.

Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman provided a strong start, but the innings unraveled once again as a familiar middle-order collapse led to Pakistan’s innings being folded for a modest total.

Put into bat first, Pakistan could not capitalize on a strong start as their innings folded on a mere 146-run total in  19.1 overs.

Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman started strong with an 84-run stand. The duo batted cautiously and ended the powerplay on a strong note with Pakistan 45-0.

Sahizbada remained the core aggressor and reached his half-century off 35 balls while Fakhar played the second fiddle.

The partnership eventually culminated with Farhan’s wicket, who made 57 from 38 balls, striking three sixes and five fours.

Yet, Pakistan were in a strong position to score a strong total with Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman adding 29 runs to the total. However, the former wicket on the fifth ball sparked a collapse that the Green Shirts could not recover from.

Saim perished to Kuldeep, managing 14 from 10, whereas Axar Patel ended Mohammad Haris ‘ two-ball stay at the crease. The wicket-keeper could not open his account.

In the next over, Fakhar tried to charge after hitting Varun Chakravarthy for a six and ended up losing his wicket. The soutpaw scored 46 from 35 with the aid of two sixes and two fours.

As a result, Pakistan slumped to 126-4. The situation was still manageable for Pakistan to post a good score with skipper Salman Ali Agha ( 8) and Hussain Talat (1) at the crease. However, Kuldeep Yadav picked three wickets in an over, which bundled them out for a modest total.

For India, Kuldeep Yadav picked up a four-wicket haul, whereas Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy picked up two wickets each.

READ: Asia Cup Final: Former England cricketer warns India of ‘unpredictable’ Pakistan