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Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has advised Shaheen Shah Afridi to avoid predictability with the new ball during their Super Four clash against India in the ACC Asia Cup 2025.

Akram suggested that Afridi must be smarter with his lengths if he is to trouble Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill, who was recently dismissed by Omani pacer Shah Faisal with a late-swinging full delivery in India’s group-stage match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

“That’s what I want Shaheen Afridi to do early on, because the whole world now knows the plan against him,” Akram said.

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“Everyone says, ‘Okay, he’ll be bowling yorkers first up.’ So Afridi needs to have a Plan B. I’m fine with one-off yorkers, but not two or three in a row, because if he misses even one, it goes for a boundary with only two fielders outside the circle. Mixing it up with length balls is better.”

He emphasised that while Afridi’s attacking intent is clear, varying his approach will give him a better chance of success against India’s top order.

Wasim Akram also raised concerns over Pakistan’s struggles against left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who proved decisive in the previous encounter between the arch-rivals.

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“It’s just the way he (Kuldeep) bowls. They can’t read him,” Akram said.

“In the pre-show, I was talking to Sunny bhai (Sunil Gavaskar), who said, ‘Unless you can read him from the hand, you won’t understand that type of bowling.’ When Pakistan’s batters keep sweeping against Kuldeep every second ball, it shows they are not reading him.”

Pakistan will be looking to bounce back after their seven-wicket defeat to India at the same venue last week, where Shaheen Afridi managed a useful cameo with the bat but went wicketless, conceding 23 runs in just two overs.

READ: Gavaskar slams Pakistan for skipping press conference ahead of India clash

DUBAI: Former World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar has criticised Pakistan team management’s decision to cancel their scheduled pre-match press conference on the eve of their high-voltage Super Four clash against India in the ACC Asia Cup 2025.

Pakistan were due to address the media at 6 pm local time on Saturday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, but the briefing was called off without explanation.

Speaking to the media, Gavaskar expressed concern over Pakistan’s approach to handling press obligations during major tournaments.

He stressed that such interactions are vital to maintain transparency and avoid unnecessary speculation.

“I don’t know what the thinking behind that is, but as far as I know, press conferences are mandatory,” Gavaskar said.

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“If teams don’t hold them, I’m not sure what the penalties are, if any, but in today’s world, it’s important for the media to be involved and kept informed.”

The former India opener further underlined the need for direct communication, adding that openness between teams and the press helps build trust among fans.

“It’s always better for teams to convey their stance directly instead of relying on ‘sources’ or speculation. Perhaps Pakistan felt they had nothing new to share, which, frankly, isn’t surprising,” he added.

Sunil Gavaskar also touched upon the role of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), pointing out that decisions are taken collectively with input from all member nations.

“Yes, Mohsin Naqvi is the ACC president, but the organisation involves representatives from India, Sri Lanka, and other member countries,” Gavaskar remarked.

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“There’s a governing committee that looks after tournaments like this, and they’ll want to understand what’s going on.”

He even suggested that stricter measures could be introduced to ensure compliance.

“If the rulebook makes press conferences mandatory, then perhaps a point deduction from the table could be an option going forward,” he said.

Notably, this was the second time Pakistan have skipped a press conference in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Earlier, they also declined to appear before the media ahead of their must-win group match against the UAE, at the height of the PCB’s row with match referee Andy Pycroft following the handshake controversy in the group-stage clash against India.

READ: Manchester United beat Chelsea to ease pressure on Amorim

Manchester United eased the pressure on beleaguered boss Ruben Amorim with a chaotic 2-1 win against Chelsea as both teams finished with 10 men at Old Trafford.

Fighting to avoid the sack after a woeful start to the season, Amorim received a welcome boost when Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off after just five minutes of Saturday’s clash.

Bruno Fernandes quickly put United ahead with his 100th goal for the club in all competitions in his 200th Premier League appearance.

Casemiro doubled United’s lead before the Brazil midfielder was dismissed for a second booking in first-half stoppage time.

Trevoh Chalobah’s late reply for Chelsea set up a tense finale, but United held on for just their second win in six matches in all competitions this term.

Having kicked off languishing just above the relegation zone, Amorim’s side climbed to ninth place to give the Portuguese coach a little breathing space.

“I felt the urgency. Of course, the Sanchez sending off helped us, but we had the red card with Casemiro. We like to complicate our game always,” Amorim said.

“It is really important to win because I understand the situation around this club.

“I have nothing to say to the critics, and most of the time they are right. Today we won, and it is a good day for us.”

Amorim, who has won just nine of his 32 Premier League matches, shouldn’t rest on his laurels just yet.

After presiding over United’s lowest top-flight finish since 1973-74 and a limp Europa League final loss to Tottenham last term, Amorim spent big in the summer to overhaul his moribund team.

But United suffered an embarrassing League Cup exit at fourth-tier Grimsby in August before last weekend’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City underlined the vast gulf to their rivals.

Former Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, insists he retains the backing of co-owner Jim Ratcliffe after speaking to the British billionaire at the club’s training ground on Thursday.

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Ratcliffe was in the directors’ box at rain-lashed Old Trafford to see if his support for Amorim was well placed.

With storm clouds gathering for Amorim, he stuck with his much-criticised 3-4-3 formation after joking this week that even the Pope could not make him change his tactics.

The move paid dividends as the erratic Sanchez rashly raced out of his penalty area in a bid to clear before Bryan Mbeumo could reach Benjamin Sesko’s flick, but instead sent the United forward crashing to the turf with a reckless challenge.

It was a clear red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, and there were no complaints from Chelsea about their quickest ever Premier League dismissal.

Filip Jorgensen replaced Sanchez in goal as Maresca took off wingers Estevao, Willian, and Pedro Neto in a defensive move that immediately backfired.

United went for the jugular and took the lead in the 14th minute when Fernandes, played just onside by Chalobah, timed his run perfectly to meet Patrick Dorgu’s header with a clinical finish from four yards.

Chelsea’s misery mounted when England forward Cole Palmer was forced off with an apparent recurrence of a groin injury, making it a remarkable three substitutions in only 21 minutes for the Blues.

For once, the luck was all going Amorim’s way, and Chelsea imploded to gift United their second goal in the 37th minute.

Jorgensen stood rooted to the spot as Reece James’s sliced clearance was headed on by Harry Maguire to Casemiro, who nodded home from close range for his first league goal in 11 months.

Casemiro, booked for an earlier foul on Enzo Fernández, saw red on the stroke of half-time after needlessly pulling back Andrey Santos.

United struggled to find any rhythm in the second half, and Chalobah reduced the deficit in the 80th minute when he rose unmarked to meet James’s cross with a powerful header that flashed past Altay Bayindir from 12 yards.

It was too late to stop Chelsea slumping to their first league defeat this season as Amorim breathed a sigh of relief.

READ: Mourinho celebrates Benfica return with convincing win

Jose Mourinho began his second spell in charge of Benfica with a comfortable 3-0 win at AVS on Saturday.

Heorhiy Sudakov opened the scoring at the end of the first half for the visitors, with Vangelis Pavlidis netting the second from the penalty spot before the hour mark.

Franjo Ivanovic rounded off the rout for Benfica, who moved second in the table, five points behind leaders Porto, having played one fewer match.

The veteran Portuguese coach, back at the helm of the Eagles 25 years on, celebrated the third goal furiously, pumping his fist and kicking a cone.

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The 62-year-old, who also coached Porto in the Portuguese top flight before leaving in 2004 to join Chelsea, will face both those teams within the next 15 days.

Mourinho, who won trophies with Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Inter Milan, as well as coaching various other sides, was sacked by Fenerbahce in August.

Benfica ousted coach Bruno Lage this week after a surprise defeat in the Champions League by Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag and appointed Mourinho as his replacement on Thursday.

His first spell at the club lasted just 11 games, but Mourinho said on his presentation that he was more “mature” and “altruistic” now.

READ: Lionel Messi brace lifts Inter Miami in MLS win over DC United

Superstar Lionel Messi scored two superb goals and created another as Inter Miami beat DC United 3-2 on Saturday to inch closer to an MLS Cup playoff berth.

Amid indications this week from sources close to the club that Messi is poised to sign a contract extension that would keep him in Miami at least through next year, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner showed just why the club and Major League Soccer are so keen to see him stay.

The 38-year-old now has 22 goals in 22 matches played this season. With his seventh double of the MLS season, he moved to the top of the league scoring list, passing England’s Sam Surridge, who has 21 for Nashville.

“It was another ordinary night for him, which is totally extraordinary for any other football player,” Miami coach Javier Mascherano said.

“His ability not only to score but to make the team play, to find situations, and to carry the team on his shoulders when we needed him most and faced difficulties, that is the advantage of having him, and today we were able to take advantage of it.”

Miami dominated from the outset on a rainy night at their Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, against a team already eliminated from playoff contention.

They took the lead in the 35th minute when Messi produced a well-judged through ball forward to Tadeo Allende, who beat United goalkeeper Luis Barraza with his first touch and smoothly fired into the right corner of the net.

Christian Benteke headed the visitors’ level in the 52nd minute.

Messi forced a pair of quick saves from Barraza before he fired Inter back into the lead in the 66th minute, collecting a pass from Jordi Alba in the box and turning to slot a left-footed shot past Barraza.

Two minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute, Argentine Mateo Silvetti was fouled in the box by Barraza.

The referee pointed to the spot, and the 19-year-old stepped up to take the kick, but he smashed the attempt off the crossbar.

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“Leo gave it to Toto (Silvetti) surely as a gesture to let him have his first goal, which I think is something very good, unfortunately, he couldn’t score it,” Mascherano said, adding that the gesture was one Messi had made often in his career to “involve someone who needs it more than him.”

But Messi pushed Miami’s lead to 3-1 with a bit of trademark magic in the 85th, picking up a pass just outside the area and eluding his defender to loft a shot out of the reach of Barraza.

It proved invaluable, as Jacob Murrell struck for DC United in the seventh minute of stoppage time to trim the deficit to one.

With the win, Mascherano called “very important,” Miami climbed one spot to fifth in the Eastern Conference with 52 points, but will have to wait to secure their playoff berth after the New York Red Bulls produced a 2-0 victory over Montreal.

New York City FC clinched their ninth playoff spot in 11 seasons with a 2-0 victory over playoff-bound Charlotte.

Alonso Martinez converted two penalties, and Matt Freese saved a Wilfried Zaha spot kick as City stretched their unbeaten run to three matches.

Philadelphia Union maintained their grip on first place in the East and bolstered their bid for the Supporters’ Shield awarded to the top team overall with a 1-0 victory over New England.

Bruno Damiani broke the scoreless deadlock in the 71st minute with a crisp finish from a perfectly placed pass from Frankie Westfield.

Orlando denied Nashville’s chance to clinch a playoff berth with a 3-2 victory.

Martin Ojeda scored two goals and Duncan McGuire added another for Orlando, who are also in pursuit of a post-season spot. Hany Mukhtar and Jacob Shaffelburg scored for Nashville.

READ: Bangladesh outclass Sri Lanka to claim clinical Super Four win

DUBAI: Half-centuries from Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy powered Bangladesh to a commanding victory over Sri Lanka in their ACC Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 169, Bangladesh lost Tanzid Hasan for a two-ball duck in the opening over, but Saif Hassan and skipper Litton Das steadied the innings with an aggressive 59-run stand off just 34 balls.

Hasaranga broke the partnership by removing Das for 23 (16 balls, 3 fours), but Saif kept the momentum flowing.

Partnering with Hridoy, Saif added 54 more runs before falling to Hasaranga after a fluent 61 off 45 deliveries, decorated with two fours and four sixes.

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Hridoy then took charge, bringing up his half-century in 31 balls and stitching a vital 45-run stand with Shamim Hossain. He eventually perished for a brilliant 58 off 36 balls, leaving Bangladesh just 10 runs short of victory.

The chase saw late drama when Jaker Ali (9 off 4) and Mahedi Hasan (0) departed with scores level. But Nasum Ahmed held his nerve, striking the winning shot with two balls to spare, as Shamim finished unbeaten on 14.

Wanindu Hasaranga led Sri Lanka’s bowling with 2-22, while Nuwan Thushara, Dasun Shanaka and Dushmantha Chameera picked up one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 168-7 after being sent in to bat, courtesy of a blistering 64* off 37 balls from Shanaka.

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Opening duo Pathum Nissanka (22 off 15) and Kusal Mendis (34 off 25) gave the Lankans a flying start with a 44-run stand, but Bangladesh fought back with quick wickets.

Sri Lanka slipped to 97-4 before Shanaka and Charith Asalanka (21 off 12) counterattacked with a rapid 57-run stand from just 27 balls.

Asalanka’s run-out and Mustafizur Rahman’s double strike in the 19th over halted the surge, but Shanaka’s six-laden knock (6 sixes, 3 fours) ensured a competitive total.

For Bangladesh, Mustafizur was outstanding with 3-20, while Mahedi Hasan bagged two wickets and Taskin Ahmed claimed one.

READ: Pakistan seek redemption against India after handshake row

India captain Suryakumar Yadav has called on his players to block out distractions and keep their focus on the game as they prepare to face Pakistan in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025, just a week after their heated first encounter.

Addressing the media on Saturday, Suryakumar acknowledged the pressure of back-to-back meetings with Pakistan, especially after the fallout from the September 14 fixture, but insisted India’s mindset remains steady.

“I feel our preparations have been really good leading into this tournament. We had three good games, and we are focusing on what we can do best,” he said.

“Playing them once and having a good game doesn’t give us an edge. We’ll have to start well from scratch, and the team that plays better will win.”

When asked about dealing with the hype surrounding the India-Pakistan rivalry, Suryakumar Yadav revealed his simple but effective approach.

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“The best way is to close your room, switch off your phone, and sleep,” he said with a smile.

“It’s easy to say, but sometimes it’s difficult because you meet friends, you go out for dinner, and a lot of players like to see all these things. It’s up to you what you want to listen to and what you want to have in your mind before a practice session or a game.”

He added that while it is important to block out negativity, players should remain open to constructive input.

“You don’t have to shut it out completely. Take what is good for you. Someone can give you good advice that can help you on the ground, so that’s very important. I feel everyone is in a good space,” he concluded.

India, unbeaten in the group stage, will carry confidence into Sunday’s clash, while Pakistan, still recovering from inconsistent batting displays, will be aiming to turn the page after a turbulent week.

READ: Andy Pycroft to officiate Pakistan-India clash despite handshake controversy

DUBAI: Zimbabwean match referee Andy Pycroft will once again be on duty during the Pakistan-India encounter in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday.

Pycroft found himself at the heart of the handshake controversy during last week’s match between the neighbouring countries, who were engaged in cross-border tensions in May this year.

After the match, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) demanded Pycroft’s “immediate removal” after he instructed captains Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav to skip the customary handshake at the toss.

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The fallout carried into Pakistan’s next game against the UAE, with the team delaying its arrival at the venue by an hour amid tense backroom discussions with the ICC.

It was only after a late meeting, in which Pycroft explained his stance and issued a private apology to Pakistan’s management, that the side agreed to take the field.

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Now, with the same official in charge, the high-voltage rematch comes under an added layer of intrigue.

Notably, both India and Pakistan will enter Sunday’s clash on the back of victories. India completed their group stage campaign unbeaten after defeating Oman, while Pakistan edged past the UAE in their final group match.

India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk).

Pakistan: Salman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.

READ: Pakistan seek redemption against India after handshake row

Pakistan and India are set to meet again on Sunday, September 21, in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025, exactly one week after their previous encounter and the infamous handshake controversy.

India had won convincingly at the same Dubai venue, but what followed has turned this into far more than a cricket match.

The September 14 fixture was the first meeting between Pakistan and India since cross-border tensions resurfaced in May, and the unease was evident even before a ball was bowled.

Both captains skipped the customary handshake at the toss, something the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) alleged was instructed by match referee Andy Pycroft. According to the PCB, this move violated the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

India’s seven-wicket win was quickly overshadowed by what came next. After sealing victory, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked straight off as the rest of the Indian players celebrated in their dugout, refusing to acknowledge Pakistan.

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Salman Ali Agha’s men stood waiting in line for the traditional handshake, only to be left stranded. Head coach Mike Hesson later admitted the team felt insulted, and in protest, Pakistan’s captain skipped the post-match presentation.

Suryakumar, meanwhile, dedicated the win to victims of the Pahalgam attack and the Indian armed forces, a pointed reminder of the political backdrop.

The PCB responded with a formal complaint to both the ICC and MCC, demanding Pycroft’s removal from the Asia Cup. They even suspended their own Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, for delaying the official protest.

Behind the scenes, Pakistan threatened to boycott the tournament altogether. The standoff eventually eased after Pycroft privately apologised before Pakistan’s match against the UAE, but the damage was already done.

And so, tomorrow’s clash carries all that baggage. We know there will be no handshakes, no pretence of sportsmanship. This is shaping up to be a war on the field.

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For Pakistan’s players, the sting of insult is real, and they will want to respond. But here’s the truth: the only meaningful reply won’t come in press conferences or protests; it has to come through victory.

That is where the real concern lies. Amid all the drama, Pakistan’s on-field performance has been overlooked. Their performance against India was toothless, and even against minnows UAE, they barely scraped through.

Unless they lift their game dramatically, passion and politics will count for little.

So what can we expect on Sunday? High tensions, maybe a few flashpoints reminiscent of Afridi versus Gambhir, and certainly no handshakes.

But for Pakistan, the only response that truly matters, the only way to change the story, is to defeat India. Because in the end, nothing stings the opposition more than defeat.

Squads

India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk).

Pakistan: Salman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.

READ: Suryakumar Yadav snubs Pakistan again

Luca Zidane, the 27-year-old goalkeeper and son of French football great Zinedine Zidane, has switched his sporting nationality from France to Algeria, the Algerian Football Federation said on Friday.

“FIFA officially granted… goalkeeper Luca Zinedine Zidane authorisation to represent the Algerian national team,” FAF said in a statement.

FIFA’s “change of association platform” showed the decision was dated on Friday.

Luca Zidane represented France at youth levels and currently plays for Granada in Spain’s second division.

Since he never made the step up to the French national team, he remained eligible to play for Algeria, the country of his paternal grandparents.

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The North Africans have qualified for the 2025 African Cup of Nations, set to begin on December 21 in Morocco.

They are also leading their World Cup qualifying Group G with 19 points, needing either a win against Somalia or a draw with Uganda next month to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Zidane also played for Real Madrid’s reserve team after working his way up from its youth academy, which he joined in 2004.

He debuted with the main team in their last league game in the 2017-2018 season and was the third-choice goalkeeper when Real won their 13th Champions League title in 2018.

Although Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille, his family was originally from a small village in Bejaia, some 250 kilometres east of Algiers.

READ: Germany World Cup winner Jerome Boateng announces retirement