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SHARJAH: Nepal cricket scripted history on Saturday as they claimed their maiden victory over a full-member ICC nation, defeating West Indies by 19 runs in the opening T20I of the three-match series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Asked to bat first, Nepal overcame early setbacks to post 148/8 in their 20 overs. Both openers, Kushal Bhurtel (6) and Aasif Sheikh (3), departed cheaply, leaving the side reeling at 12-2 inside four overs.

Skipper Rohit Paudel and Kushal Malla steadied the innings with a 58-run stand for the third wicket before falling in quick succession.

Paudel top-scored with a composed 38 off 35 balls, while Malla’s brisk 30 from 21 deliveries featured two fours and two sixes.

Gulshan Jha (22) and Dipendra Singh Airee (17) added valuable runs in the later overs to push Nepal to a competitive total.

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Jason Holder starred with the ball for West Indies, returning impressive figures of 4-20. Navin Bidaisee chipped in with three wickets while Akeal Hosein managed one.

In reply, the West Indies faltered against a disciplined Nepalese attack and were restricted to 129-9 in their 20 overs.

Bidaisee top-scored with 22 off 25 balls, while Amir Jangoo and Fabian Allen contributed 19 runs apiece.

Nepal’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Bhurtel taking two wickets. Rajbanshi, Nandan Yadav, Karan KC, Airee and Paudel all picked up one each to seal a famous win.

For his all-round display, captain Rohit Paudel was named Player of the Match, marking a proud moment for Nepal cricket as they registered a landmark triumph against a Test-playing nation.

READ: Pakistan captain opens up on Saim Ayub’s participation in Asia Cup final

DUBAI: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha has thrown his weight behind out-of-form batter Saim Ayub ahead of the blockbuster ACC Asia Cup 2025 final against India, set to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Ayub has endured a torrid run with the bat in the tournament, scoring just 23 runs in six innings at a poor average of 3.83 and a strike rate of 85.18, including four ducks.

However, the left-hander has made up for his struggles with the bat by delivering handy contributions with the ball, taking eight wickets in five innings at an impressive average of 14.00.

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Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Salman Ali Agha acknowledged the scrutiny on Ayub’s place in the XI but insisted that the youngster deserves backing, given his all-round value and long-term potential.

“I think Saim Ayub is such a player who can serve Pakistan for the next 10 years, and I am really hoping that he does,” Agha said.

“So, it is essential to back such individuals until a situation arises where it becomes absolutely necessary to make a change.”

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Highlighting Ayub’s consistent efforts in the field and with the ball, the captain underlined his faith in the 24-year-old to come good with the bat when it matters most.

“You have seen his bowling and fielding, he is contributing in every game. There has not been a single match where he has not contributed,” he added.

“Yes, he could not perform with the bat, but I am fully confident that he will play one good innings in the final.”

READ: Tickets sold out for Pakistan-India Asia Cup final in Dubai

DUBAI: The tickets for the ACC Asia Cup 2025 final between Pakistan and India have officially sold out, with organisers confirming that all 28,000 seats at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium have been snapped up.

The arch-rivals’ first-ever meeting in an Asia Cup final has sparked unprecedented demand, outstripping even the earlier group and Super Four matches that drew 20,000 and 17,000 spectators, respectively.

The sell-out crowd underscores the extraordinary hype surrounding the historic showdown, marking the first time in the tournament’s 41-year history that Pakistan and India will contest the title.

Pakistan sealed their place in the final with an 11-run win over Bangladesh on September 25, setting up a third face-off with India in this edition.

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India won both previous encounters, though the games were overshadowed by controversies on and off the field.

In the group-stage clash on September 14, the first meeting since cross-border tensions resurfaced in May, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declined the customary handshake with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha at the toss.

The incident carried through to the end of the match, when Yadav and teammate Shivam Dube left the field without greeting their opponents, retreating straight to the dressing room.

Similar scenes followed in the Super Four clash on September 21, with both sides again avoiding handshakes before and after the game, further intensifying the rivalry ahead of the final.

READ: Salman Ali Agha breaks silence on handshake row ahead of Asia Cup final

Julian Alvarez struck twice to earn Atletico Madrid an emphatic 5-2 derby victory over La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Saturday, ending their rivals’ perfect start to the season.

Xabi Alonso’s side had won all six of their games, but Diego Simeone’s Atletico overran them at the Metropolitano stadium.

The hosts came flying out of the blocks and took the lead through Robin Le Normand.

Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler netted to put Real Madrid in front, but Alexander Sorloth levelled for Atletico at the end of a thrilling first half.

Alvarez fired in from the penalty spot and then bent home a free-kick as he made the difference after the break.

Antoine Griezmann grabbed the fifth late on to seal an important win after a shaky start to the campaign.

Atletico rose provisionally to fourth, while Real Madrid can be usurped at the top of the table by champions Barcelona if they beat Real Sociedad on Sunday.

“There are no excuses, we’re hurting, it’s a derby and a deserved defeat,” said Alonso, after his side conceded five goals against their rivals for the first time since 1950.

Atletico’s joy was evident, with Simeone visibly emotional on the sideline as his team racked up the scoreline.

“There’s a lot of emotions… we’ve had a troubled start to the season,” said Simeone. “From the start of the game, we knew where we could hurt them… today was a very, very good (performance).”

Led by a flying Mbappe, Real came into Alonso’s first derby at the helm as the only side in the league with a 100 percent record.

Although the French superstar scored again to reach eight league goals for the season, Atletico attacked relentlessly and deserved their victory.

Real Madrid started Jude Bellingham for the first time since his shoulder surgery in the summer, but the England international struggled to make an impact.

Giuliano Simeone, coach Diego Simeone’s son, took advantage of slack Madrid defending to whip in a cross which Le Normand headed home after 14 minutes to open the scoring.

The visitors reacted well. Mbappe levelled with a crisp finish after breaking in down the right.

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Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior created Madrid’s second goal, turning brilliantly in the box to break away from Marcos Llorente and Le Normand, before crossing for Guler to strike.

Alvarez, who netted a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano in midweek, curled a shot around Thibaut Courtois but against the post as Atletico continued pushing.

Atletico defender Clement Lenglet put the ball in the net, but the Frenchman used his forearm to deflect it home.

In first-half stoppage time, Atletico pulled level. Sorloth, lurking behind Dean Huijsen, planted a header beyond Courtois.

The Norwegian striker celebrated with Atletico fans, who embraced him, a risky move, given he was already on a yellow card, but he was not dismissed.

Atletico Madrid moved in front for the second time when Guler gave away a penalty for a high boot, catching Nico Gonzalez’s head.

Alvarez, who had a penalty controversially disallowed in a Champions League shoot-out the last time the sides met, beat Courtois from the spot, even though the Belgian went the right way.

“Each penalty is a new penalty, a new game, a new chance,” said Alvarez.

Courtois saved from Sorloth, but despite getting a hand to Alvarez’s free-kick, he could not keep it out as Atletico pushed two goals clear.

In the meantime, Atletico talisman Griezmann wrapped up a superb victory, rolling the ball past Courtois as the home fans rocked in delight.

The players did a lap of honour after only their third league win of the season, but it was a vital one.

“It’s a very special day, we knew how important this game was, being a derby of course, but also because we needed the three points,” Alvarez told DAZN.

Villarreal, third, beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 to move within two points of Real Madrid.

Substitute Alberto Moleiro drilled home the winner after 77 minutes against an Athletic side who have scored just one goal in their last six matches across all competitions.

READ: Marc Marquez wins seventh MotoGP world championship

An emotional Marc Marquez clinched his seventh MotoGP world championship and his first since 2019 on Sunday after finishing second at the Japan grand prix, with Francesco Bagnaia winning the race.

The Spanish Ducati rider has been in brilliant form all year, and he underlined his dominance by wrapping up the title with five events of the season remaining.

He knew that placing first or second would clinch the title regardless of where his brother and closest championship rival, Alex, finished the race.

After crossing the line, Marquez raised both arms aloft before sobbing and yelling as his achievement began to sink in.

He clinched the world title in Japan for the fourth time in his career, following his victories in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

Alex Marquez finished sixth, after starting in eighth place on the grid.

Marquez’s title marked a triumphant return from an injury nightmare that began when he broke his right arm in 2020, almost convincing him to retire from the sport.

It put him level with Italian motorcycle legend Valentino Rossi in terms of seven MotoGP titles.

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Fellow Ducati rider Bagnaia claimed only his second grand prix win of what has been a frustrating season for the two-time world champion.

The Italian also won the Saturday sprint and looked back to his best all weekend.

Bagnaia kept his lead from pole going into the first turn, with Marquez maintaining his position in third.

He overtook Pedro Acosta to move into second just before the halfway mark and from there it was a procession to the title.

Bagnaia had a scare when smoke started coming out of his Ducati with around nine laps remaining but he stayed in front to win the Japanese grand prix for the second year running.

Honda’s Joan Mir finished third, followed by Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi.

Outgoing world champion Jorge Martin was ruled out of the grand prix after fracturing his collarbone in a crash with team-mate Bezzecchi in Saturday’s sprint.

Trackhouse’s Japanese rider Ai Ogura was denied a first MotoGP appearance at his home grand prix after withdrawing from the race with a hand injury.

READ: Salman Ali Agha breaks silence on handshake row ahead of Asia Cup final

DUBAI: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has finally addressed the much-debated handshake controversy ahead of Sunday’s historic Asia Cup 2025 final against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

This marks the first time in the tournament’s 41-year history that the arch-rivals will contest the final, and while the cricket has lived up to the billing, off-field controversies have dominated headlines.

The first flashpoint came in the group stage when Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with Salman at the toss.

The tension lingered as Yadav, after guiding his side to victory, walked straight off the field without greeting Pakistan’s players.

Along with teammate Shivam Dube, he retreated to the dressing room, leaving Pakistan’s squad waiting in vain for the customary post-match exchange.

In protest, Salman skipped the post-match press conference, leaving head coach Mike Hesson to front the media.

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The uneasy atmosphere continued into the Super Four clash on September 21, with both teams again avoiding handshakes before and after the game.

Speaking at the pre-final press conference, Salman Ali Agha voiced his disappointment.

“I’ve been playing professional cricket since 2007, from the Under-16 level, and I had never seen anything like this until now,” he said.

“My father, who has followed cricket all his life, never mentioned such an incident either. Even in times when relations between the two countries were worse, handshakes still happened. This is not good for cricket.”

Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that the traditional pre-final trophy shoot would not take place after India declined participation. Asked about the development, Salman made it clear Pakistan would stick to protocol.

“They can do whatever they want,” he said. “We have our protocol, and we’ll follow that. If they want to come, they can come. If not, then not.”

READ: Mohsin Naqvi to pay Haris Rauf’s fine personally: sources

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly taken the unusual step of personally covering the fine imposed on pacer Haris Rauf by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following disciplinary action in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

Rauf was docked 30% of his match fee after being found guilty of making inappropriate gestures toward Indian fans during Pakistan’s Super Four clash against India.

Sources confirmed that Naqvi, in a show of support, has pledged to pay not only Rauf’s fine but also any future ICC-imposed penalties on Pakistani players from his own funds.

The ICC conducted hearings on Friday into incidents involving Haris Rauf and top-order batter Sahibzada Farhan.

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While Rauf was penalised financially, Farhan escaped with only a formal warning after celebrating his half-century with a “gunfire gesture” using his bat.

Match referee Richie Richardson deemed the action inappropriate but not warranting a monetary penalty.

Disciplinary action was not confined to Pakistan’s camp. India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav was also fined 30% of his match fee for post-match remarks laced with political undertones.

His comments referencing the armed forces drew a sharp reaction from the PCB, which argued that the remarks went beyond the spirit of the game and urged the ICC to consider a Level 4 sanction, the most serious category of offence under its code.

READ: Asia Cup 2025: Captains’ trophy shoot cancelled ahead of Pakistan-India final

DUBAI: The traditional trophy shoot with the captains of Pakistan and India will not occur before the highly anticipated ACC Asia Cup 2025 final, sources confirmed on Saturday.

Arch-rivals Pakistan and India are set to lock horns in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, marking the first time in the tournament’s 41-year history that the two sides will contest an Asia Cup title clash.

Organisers stated that no official photoshoot has been scheduled, adding that a last-minute decision on whether the captains pose together with the trophy may only be taken shortly before the game.

This will be the third meeting between the two neighbours in this edition of the Asia Cup, but relations on the field have been far from cordial.

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In their group stage encounter, which was the first match since cross-border tensions resurfaced in May, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav notably declined the customary handshake with Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss.

The tension carried through the match as Yadav, after sealing India’s win, walked straight off without greeting his opponents.

Indian players, including Yadav and Shivam Dube, immediately retreated to the dressing room, shutting the doors while Pakistan’s squad remained on the field waiting for the traditional post-match courtesy.

The uneasy exchanges continued in the Super Four clash on September 21, when both teams again avoided handshakes before and after the match.

READ: India coach plays down injury scares for Hardik, Abhishek

Troubled Manchester United crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Brentford on Saturday as Bruno Fernandes’s penalty miss piled pressure on beleaguered boss Ruben Amorim.

Amorim’s side paid the price for another error-strewn display as Igor Thiago netted twice in the opening 20 minutes to punish shambolic defending.

Benjamin Sesko reduced the deficit with his first goal for United before half-time.

But United captain Fernandes squandered a golden opportunity to rescue a draw when his tame penalty was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher late in the second half before Mathias Jensen wrapped up the points in stoppage time.

Amorim had arrived in west London hoping to finally win successive league matches as United boss.

Instead, he left fearing the sack after the latest low moment since he moved from Sporting Lisbon to replace the axed Erik ten Hag in November.

United have lost three of their six Premier League games this season, winning just twice, and are languishing in 13th place.

A humiliating League Cup loss at fourth-tier Grimsby in August had fuelled speculation over Amorim’s future, with the boss admitting he had thought about quitting and often hated his players.

The 40-year-old was under fire again after a miserable 3-0 loss at Manchester City before last weekend’s 2-1 win over Chelsea gave him a little breathing space.

Losing to a Brentford team beaten three times in their first five games under the inexperienced boss Keith Andrews was a fresh indignity for Amorim, who will face renewed questions about his ability to revive United.

United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe reportedly gave his backing to Amorim during a recent meeting at the club’s training ground.

Ratcliffe’s support is likely to waver after this result, which leaves Amorim in dire need of a win over promoted Sunderland at Old Trafford next weekend before a daunting trip to champions Liverpool.

Matheus Cunha returned to the United team as the Brazilian started along with Benjamin Sesko and former Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo in attack for the first time since the trio’s summer moves.

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But United’s recent trips to Brentford have proved painful experiences, with a 4-0 defeat three years ago and a 4-3 loss in May.

Their latest visit to west London was no exception as United’s flaws were quickly exposed when Thiago struck after just eight minutes.

Jordan Henderson played an acceptable lofted pass beyond United’s flat-footed defence and, with Harry Maguire’s offside appeal in vain, Thiago drilled a clinical finish past Altay Bayindir from just inside the penalty area.

Brentford struck again in the 20th minute when Thiago flicked on to Kevin Schade, who burst into the area for a shot that Bayindir could only palm to Thiago, who poked home from close range.

Signed from Club Brugge to replace Bryan Mbeumo, Thiago already has five goals for the Bees, while the United forward, who netted 20 times in the league last term, has just two this season.

Like Mbeumo, Sesko had endured a disappointing start following his move from Leipzig.

The 22-year-old Slovenian finally showed a glimpse of his potential in the 26th minute.

Kelleher failed to deal with Patrick Dorgu’s cross under pressure from Mbeumo, and Sesko converted the rebound after his first two efforts were saved.

Yet United’s sloppy defending almost cost them again as Diogo Dalot’s weak challenge in the area was shrugged off by Kevin Schade, who teed up Dango Ouattara for a low shot that Bayindir saved at full stretch.

Amorim was given a lifeline in the 75th minute when Nathan Collins’ tug on Mbeumo conceded a penalty.

But after a long delay for a VAR check and a host of substitutions, Fernandes took a weak spot-kick that Kelleher easily saved.

As the final seconds ticked away, United were caught with a sucker punch on the counter.

Jensen raced away unchallenged and cut inside for a ferocious strike that fizzed into the roof of the net as Amorim’s misery mounted.

READ: India coach plays down injury scares for Hardik, Abhishek

DUBAI: India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has brushed aside major injury concerns surrounding Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, scheduled on Sunday.

Hardik sparked alarm on Friday when he clutched his left hamstring and walked off the field after bowling just one over against Sri Lanka.

The all-rounder struck with his very first delivery, removing Kusal Mendis for a golden duck, but did not return for the remainder of the innings.

“Hardik had cramps. He will be assessed tonight and tomorrow morning, and we’ll then take a call,” Morkel clarified at the post-match press conference.

Abhishek Sharma also caused concern after showing visible discomfort in the ninth over while sprinting, clutching his right thigh. He exited the field in the 10th over and did not return, receiving ice treatment and pickle juice for cramps.

Substitutes Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Jitesh Sharma rotated on the field, while Tilak Varma also briefly went off before returning.

With Friday’s clash extending into a Super Over, Morkel emphasised that recovery, not training, will be India’s priority heading into the final.

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“The key for the boys is to rest. They’re already in ice baths, and the recovery started straight after the match. Sleep, rest, and staying off the feet will be crucial,” he said.

“There will be individual pool sessions and massages before the guys get mentally ready for Sunday. It’s a quick turnaround, so playing smart is the key. There will certainly be no training.”

The coach also addressed the pressure on young pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, who went for a combined 100 runs in eight overs against Sri Lanka.

While acknowledging their struggles, Morkel praised Arshdeep for holding his nerve in the Super Over to secure India’s win.

“In our environment, we want to move away from an excuse culture. The effort the boys put in at training, we expect them to deliver,” he added.

“Yes, lack of game time can be a factor, but nothing beats being out there in the middle. Right now, things aren’t happening for them, but they’re all X-factor players and match-winners.”

READ: Nissanka ton in vain as India edge Sri Lanka in Super Over