Category: Top Picks

Nottingham Forest will go into the Europa League play-off round after a 4-0 win over Ferencvaros on Thursday, while Celtic secured their place in the knockout phase with victory over Utrecht.

Aston Villa finished second in the league phase after recovering from a two-goal deficit to beat Red Bull Salzburg 3-2, with their spot in the last 16 already assured.

Forest stood an outside chance of climbing into the top eight going into the final round of matches, but needed to beat Robbie Keane’s Ferencvaros and rely on other results going their way.

Sean Dyche’s side did their bit as Igor Jesus struck twice for Forest after Ferencvaros defender Bence Otvos scored an own goal. James McAtee tucked away a late penalty, but the win was only enough for the Premier League club to finish 13th overall.

Twice former European champions Forest will learn their play-off fate on Friday, along with Celtic, who overcame lowly Utrecht 4-2 after scoring three times in the first 19 minutes in Glasgow.

Benjamin Nygren put Celtic ahead before an own goal from Utrecht captain Nick Viergever.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Arne Engels converted a penalty with Celtic cruising, but Utrecht pulled it back to within one until Auston Trusty’s header gave the hosts some more breathing space.

Villa looked to be sliding to just a second defeat in Europe when Salzburg surged 2-0 ahead in Birmingham through goals from Karim Konate and Moussa Yeo.

Morgan Rogers reduced the deficit, and Tyrone Mings headed Villa level, with 19-year-old Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba netting his first senior goal to complete the turnaround for Unai Emery’s men.

Lyon topped the table with seven wins from eight after completing the league phase with a 4-2 victory over PAOK. A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off in memory of the seven Greek fans killed in a minibus accident in Romania.

Midtjylland, Real Betis, Porto, Braga, Freiburg and Roma all finished in the top eight to ensure direct qualification for the last 16.

Rangers concluded a miserable European campaign with a 3-1 loss at Porto, their sixth defeat in eight games in the competition.

READ: ‘Winter signing’ Jamal Musiala returns to boost weary Bayern Munich

Midfielder Jamal Musiala has made a timely return for a Bayern Munich side that has grown weary in recent weeks as they continue to fight on three fronts.

In December, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen ruled out any big winter purchases, saying the return of Musiala and fellow long-term injury absentees Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito were like “internal winter signings”.

Musiala broke his leg during the Club World Cup. After two appearances off the bench and a star turn in the Champions League midweek, Musiala is likely to start away at Hamburg on Saturday.

Bayern remain eight points clear of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga but will still be stinging from a shock 2-1 home loss to Augsburg last week, their first league defeat of the season.

Like most of the league, Augsburg lack the quality to challenge the defending champions, but the Bavarian minnows prevailed by outworking a jaded side, showing the strain of a long season.

While Musiala lacks match fitness after missing six months, his freshness will be key in the second half of the campaign.

The 22-year-old made his first start since returning in Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven, scoring Bayern’s opening goal.

The goal showcased Musiala’s very particular set of skills. He dribbled through a crowded penalty box, played a clever one-two before blasting a lethal shot into the roof of the net.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“A beautiful goal from a tight angle,” Bayern striker Harry Kane said of Musiala’s strike. “He showed his qualities. He was outstanding, and I take my hat off to him.”

Bayern Munich have made a habit of beating the stuffing out of Saturday’s opponents, Hamburg, recently.

One of only three German European Cup winners with Bayern and Dortmund, Hamburg are a huge club with a massive following, but their stats against the Bavarian giants do not make for happy reading.

Hamburg last beat Bayern in 2009, with Bayern winning 17 and drawing three of their past 20 games.

In their past eight games, all Bayern wins, they have piled up 36 goals, and Hamburg have scored just once.

Bayern already thumped Hamburg 5-0 in Munich this season, but one glimmer of hope for the hosts this weekend is their home record.

Hamburg have claimed 15 of their 18 points at home this term and have not lost at their ground since October.

READ: Sialkot Stallionz appoint Tim Paine head coach for PSL 11

BULAWAYO: Viran Chamuditha slammed a brisk century as Sri Lanka secured a comfortable five-wicket win over South Africa in their ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 Super Sixes clash at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

Sri Lanka chased down 262 run target in 46 overs, losing five wickets in the process.

After losing their opener Dimantha Mahavithana in the fifth over, Senuja Wekunagoda and Viran Chamuditha  made the light work of the chase with a 143 run partnership.

Senuja Wekunagoda made 48 off from 63 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Meanwhile, Chamuditha continued on despite losing wickets at the other end. He scored 110 from 94 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and a six.

Eventually, Sri Lanka reached the target in 46 overs.

For South Africa, Corne Botha and Michael Kruiskamp picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa posted 261 for seven in 50 overs.

Jorich Van Schalkwyk starred with the bat, striking 13 fours and two sixes in his 116 from 130 balls.

Adnaan Lagadien remained the other notable contributor with the bat, scoring 46 from 57, including six fours and a maximum.

For Sri Lanka, Vigneshwaran Akash remained the standout bowler, picking up a four wicket haul in his quota of 10 overs. Kavija Gamage also supported him well with two wickets to his name.

READ: Hetmyer 75 powers West Indies to 221 against South Africa

LAHORE: Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha has shared the strategic reason for replacing Babar Azam at the No. 3 spot in the batting order ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Agha took the No. 3 position from Babar Azam during the Sri Lanka series and played a blinder during the rain-hit third T20I.

The right-hander was on the verge of breaking Pakistan’s fastest fifty record, scoring 45 off just 12 balls, including three sixes and five fours.

In the first T20I against Australia played today at the Gaddafi Stadium, Salman also came to the fore when the home side lost Sahibzada Farhan for a duck on only the second ball of the innings.

The 32-year-old hit 39 from 27 deliveries, striking four sixes and a boundary.

Overall, Salman has batted at the this position in seven matches, accumulating 216 runs at a strike rate of 161.19 — a stark contrast to his overall T20 career strike rate which is 118.32.

After sealing a 22 run win over Australia in the first of three T20I matches, Agha emphasized batting and clinical bowling performance.

“It was a great game. We started well with the bat but couldn’t finish the way we wanted. It became challenging after the first ten overs as the ball stopped coming onto the bat, but I think we were outstanding with the ball,” he said.

The skipper said that he will be permanently taking up the one down position in a bid to capitalize on spin bowling with an eye on Sri Lanka conditions in T20 World Cup 2026.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Yes, I’ll be batting at number three. We expect to face a lot of spin, and I believe I can dominate spin during the powerplay. That’s why I moved up, and that is where I’ll stay,” he maintained.

Pakistan were once on course of scoring 200; however Australia curtailed their innings to 168 at the end of 20 overs.

“To be honest, I felt 170 was enough. Given how we were placed after ten overs, we probably could have scored 15 more, but I knew 170 would be plenty on this pitch because our spin bowling is outstanding,” Agha said regarding the team’s total.

Salman Ali Agha also lavished praised on spinners, particularly Abrar Ahmed and expressed confidence ahead of the mega event.

“Abrar has been outstanding since his debut. Since the Asia Cup, our spin bowling has been doing really well for us; they are winning us games day in and day out. Hopefully, they can continue this form through to the World Cup,” he concluded.

READ: Saim Ayub reveals game-plan after Australia victory

LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub explained his approach after delivering a match-winning performance against Australia in the T20I series opener played here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Set stiff 169, Australia fell short by 22 runs and could only muster 146-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Saim delivered with bat and ball to seal a convincing win for the home side.

The 23-year-old scored 40 runs from 22 balls with the aid of a boundary at top of the order.

He then backed up his batting with a clinical three-over spell, taking two wickets while giving away only 29 runs. His scalps included Matthew Short and dangerous Travis Head.

The left-hander was looking good before getting caught after managing 23 from 13 balls with the help of two sixes and two fours.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He then backed up his batting with a clinical three-over spell, taking two wickets for just 29 runs. His scalps included Matthew Short and Travis Head.

Speaking in the post-match presentation after receiving the player of the match award, Saim mentioned difficult conditions and revealed his plan in the opening over of Australian innings.

“I think the conditions were a bit challenging, but our plan was to dominate with the new ball as much as possible,” he said.

He furhter remarked on Pakistan’s strategy to keep the batters in check by bowling with precise lengths.

“The goal was to dominate sensibly by calculating the innings, watching the ball, and enjoying the process,” he added.

We knew that if we hit a good length consistently, it wouldn’t be easy for the batters to score. That was the strategy,” Saim Ayub concluded.

The second T20I will be played on 31 January at the same venue.

READ: Sialkot Stallionz appoint Tim Paine head coach for PSL 11

The newly inducted Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Sialkot Stallionz has appointed former Australian captain Tim Paine as head coach ahead of the landmark season 11.

The announcement came via Stallionz social handles with an animated poster.

“We’re proud to announce Tim Paine as the Head Coach of 𝑺𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒐𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒛,” the captain of the post read.

“Former Australian captain. Proven leader at the highest level. A championship mindset to lead a new era. Welcome to the Stallionz family, Coach,” it added.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sialkot Stallionz (@sialkotstallionzpsl)

Paine, who hanged up his boots from professional cricket in March 2023, represented Australia in 35 Tests and same number of ODIs and 12 T20Is.

Among his 35 Tests, 23 of them came as captain after taking the reins of the team following Sandpaper gate.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The notable achievements under his leadership was retaining the Ashes in 2019 with a 2-2 draw in England.

Overall, Australia won 11 and lost eight Tests during his tenure as captain before stepping down from the role in 2021 before the Ashes.

Following his retirement, Paine took over coaching of the Adelaide Strikers and was subsequenlty appointed as Australia A coach for three series in the second half of 2025.

Paine was hired in a consultancy role that included working across Australia A men’s series as well as supporting the Australia women’s team while continuing his duties as Strikers coach.

For the unversed, the new PSL franchise was acquired by OZ Developers, owned by Hamza Majeed and Kamil Khan, during the historic PSL 2026 auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on January 8.

OZ Developers won the bid with a record price of Rs 1.85 billion, securing the rights to the Sialkot franchise.

The hsitoric eight-team PSL 11 will begin on 26 march 2026.

READ: Sri Lanka beefs up T20 World Cup security for India–Pakistan fixtures

Sri Lanka will deploy elite armed units to protect teams at next month’s T20 World Cup, part of enhanced security measures with a special emphasis on matches between perennial rivals India and Pakistan, officials have told AFP.

The island is co-hosting the biennial cricket tournament with India and will hold 20 games between February 7 and March 8.

The Indian and Pakistani teams will play each other at least once, in their Group A clash in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on February 15.

Cricket matches have long been a stage for expressing political tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, which fought a four-day border conflict last year.

Sri Lanka has given the “highest priority” to ensuring the tournament runs smoothly and is “paying special attention to the India-Pakistan matches”, sports minister Sunil Kumara Gamage told AFP late Wednesday.

Elite commando units, usually assigned to guard visiting heads of state, will be deployed to protect all participating teams, police and security officials said.

“From the time they step out of the airport till they return to their aircraft, they will be protected by armed guards,” an official said, asking not to be named.

Pakistan refused to play their fixtures in India due to political hostilities, prompting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their matches to neutral Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh also tried to have their matches moved out of India due to security fears, but the ICC rejected the request.

An angry Bangladesh then withdrew from the tournament, and Scotland were drafted in as their replacement.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Pakistan has indicated that it may yet boycott the event in solidarity with Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka maintained a studious silence throughout the India-Bangladesh row.

Cricket Secretary Bandula Dissanayake told AFP Colombo wanted to avoid being drawn into regional disputes.

“In these disputes among India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, we are remaining neutral, all of these are friendly nations,” he said.

But he added that Sri Lanka would be willing to host future tournaments for any of the countries if asked.

Sri Lanka has also used the T20 World Cup as an opportunity to upgrade its international venues.

It has commissioned new floodlights at the Singhalese Sports Club, one of two stadiums in Colombo.

The Pallekele Stadium in Kandy was unaffected by a deadly cyclone that damaged buildings in the region in November, and will host a T20 international between Sri Lanka and England from Friday.

READ: No handshake as Sabalenka sets up repeat of 2023 Melbourne final

Belarusian world number one Aryna Sabalenka crushed Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in a politically charged Australian Open semi-final on Thursday and faces Elena Rybakina for a third Melbourne title.

There was no handshake after Sabalenka dismantled Svitolina 6-2, 6-3, before Kazakhstan’s Rybakina was also a straight-sets winner, over Jessica Pegula of the United States.

The ruthless Sabalenka will take some stopping as she pursues a third Melbourne crown in four years.

She is on an 11-match win streak this year, having come into the first major of 2026 on the back of claiming the title in Brisbane.

The hard-hitting 27-year-old is into her fourth Australian Open final in a row and yet to drop a set all year.

Sabalenka and Moscow-born fifth seed Rybakina have met 14 times, with the Belarusian winning eight of them.

That includes the Melbourne final in 2023, when Sabalenka fought back to win in three sets.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Ahead of her semi-final clash with 12th seed Svitolina, an announcement was made at Rod Laver Arena that there would be no handshake afterwards, asking fans to “respect” that.

Like other players from Ukraine, Svitolina does not shake hands with opponents from Russia or Moscow’s ally Belarus because of the war.

Sabalenka and Svitolina also noticeably kept apart for the pre-match formalities and photos.

After a dominant victory, Sabalenka was close to tears as she reflected on the “dream” life she leads.

She had warm words for Svitolina, saying: “I’m super happy with the win, she’s a really tough opponent, she was playing really incredible tennis throughout the whole week.”

There was controversy at the start of the fourth game.

With the match on serve, Sabalenka was hit with a hindrance call from the umpire for grunting, triggering a long video review and boos.

A clearly irritated Sabalenka lost the point but recovered her poise and a break of serve early in the second set to surge home.

A reflective Svitolina said the plight of her homeland put the defeat into perspective.

“People are really living horrible and terrifying lives in Ukraine, so I should not be allowed to really be sad because I’m a very, very lucky person,” the 31-year-old said.

READ: Hyderabad owner Fawad Sarwar provides update on team name, logo reveal

LAHORE: Saim Ayub delivered a resounding all-round performance to help Pakistan open the T20I series on a winning note against Australia here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Set stiff 169, Australia fell short of the target by 22 runs and could only muster 146-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Skipper Travis Head was off to a flyer as Australia raced to 21 in 1.5 overs.

But it was Saim Ayub who delivered the magic with his golden arm. The right-arm off spinner first cleaned up Matthew Short who scored five and then followed it up by dismissing dangerous Travis Head.

The southpaw hit two sixes and two fours in his 23 from 13 balls. As a result, Australia were in rebuilding stage as they lost two wickets for 28 in 3.2 overs.

The Australian innings similar thing through out their innings, losing wickets in quick succession.

Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green paired up for a 40 run partnership in quick time, keeping the run rate healthy. The pair brought the score to 57-2 at the end of the powerplay.

Just when Australia were gaining momentum, a costly run out ended the partnership as Renshaw (15 from 11) was back in the hutch.

The visitors suffered blow when Abrar Ahmed castled Cooper Connolly for a duck to put his side on top.

Consequently, Australia were reduced to 68-4 and later 96 for six in 12.2 overs, thanks to another run out.

Mitchell Owen was run out after managing eight while Josh Philippe scored 12 whereas Cameron Green top-scored with 36 from 31 balls. The tall-right hander struck three fours and a six during his knock.

As the visitors were in a mess, the lower middle order could not add too many, with Australian innings quickly unravelling until Xavier Bartlett’s lusty blows who provided them some respite.

The right-hander made useful runs down the order, scoring 34 off 25 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours which decreased the margin of loss for them.

For Pakistan, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed shared four wickets between them. Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan took one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha steadied Pakistan with a solid partnership that put the host in sight of a big total, but Australia’s Adam Zampa intervened to restrict them to a below-par score.

After opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to put 169-8 on the board at the end of their 20 overs.

Pakistan had a shaky start as they lost opener Sahibzada Farhan for a golden duck on the first ball of the innings.

After an early blow, skipper Salman Ali Agha joined hands with Saim Ayub, adding a 74 run partnership to steady Pakistan’s innings.

The pair batted briskly and finished the powerplay on strong note with home side 56-1.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Both batters continued after the fielding restrictions were lift, however, the introduction of ace spinner Adam Zampa halted Pakistan’s proceedings.

The leg-spinner removed both set batters in a span of two overs to put Australia in a dominant position.

Saim made 40 from 22 with the help of two sixes and three fours while Agha 39 off 27 included four maximums and a boundary.

With Pakistan reduced to 86-3 in 9.2 overs, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman came to the fore. The duo could only add 12 for the third wicket as Adam Zampa nabbed Babar Azam to break the home side’s momentum.

Babar, who made 24 off 20 with the help of a six and a boundary, was trapped lbw while attempting a reverse sweep.

Pakistan were 123-4 in 13.5 overs at this stage of the innings.

After Babar’s departure, wicket-keeper Usman Khan came to crease in a bid to up the anti. He struck two boundaries before losing his partner Fakhar Zaman whose sluggish knock of 10 from 16 included a single boundary.

Usman (18 off 14 balls) also followed him as Pakistan slumped to 140-5 to 160-8 in 19.4 overs.

Eventually, Pakistan innings ended on 168 for 8 with Mohammad Nawaz remaining unbeaten on 15 off 14 with the help of a six.

For Australia, Adam Zampa was the star bowler as he picked up a four wicket haul.

READ: Hyderabad owner Fawad Sarwar provides update on team name, logo reveal