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KARACHI: Pakistan TV (PTV) broke a 232-year-old first-class cricket record to register a thrilling two-run victory against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in the President’s Trophy Grade-I at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.

PTV came from the back on the final day to pull off an extraordinary victory in the history of the game, successfully defending a target of just 40 runs.

With this feat, PTV became the first team in the 253-year history of first-class cricket to defend a target as low as 40, eclipsing a record that had stood unbroken for 232 years.

The contest appeared firmly tilted in SNGPL’s favour for most of the match. PTV were dismissed for 166 in their first innings, with Amad Butt’s unbeaten 46 offering the lone resistance.

SNGPL’s bowling attack was disciplined and incisive, led by Shehzad Gul’s four-wicket haul, while Shahnawaz Dahani and Sajid Khan chipped in with two wickets apiece.

In reply, SNGPL posted 238, gaining a healthy 72-run lead. Their innings was rescued by wicketkeeper-batter Saifullah Bangash, who played a counter-attacking knock of 71 after the side had slumped to 94-6.

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For PTV, left-arm spinner Ali Usman starred with the ball, claiming four wickets, while Amad Butt and Israr Hussain took three each to keep the deficit within reach.

However, PTV’s second innings failed to ignite, as they were bowled out for 111, setting SNGPL a seemingly straightforward target of 40.

Once again, Shehzad Gul proved the chief tormentor, tearing through the batting line-up with a five-wicket haul.

However, what followed rewrote the record book as PTV launched an improbable fightback, led by a sensational spell from Ali Usman, who ran riot to claim figures of 6 for 9.

Meanwhile, Amad Butt provided relentless support at the other end, claiming the remaining four wickets. SNGPL bundled out for just 37, handing PTV a stunning two-run victory.

The previous record for the lowest successful defence in first-class cricket dated back to 1794, when Oldfield defended a target of 41 against the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord’s Old Ground.

READ: Strikers rout Renegades for 99 to sign off BBL 15 with dominant win

ADELAIDE: Adelaide Strikers wrapped up their Big Bash League (BBL) 15 campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing Melbourne Renegades by eight wickets after bowling them out for a paltry 99 at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

In their final group-stage fixture, the Strikers opted to field after winning the toss, a decision that paid immediate dividends.

Jerrssis Wadia struck with the first two balls of the innings, removing Tim Seifert and Jake Fraser-McGurk for golden ducks to leave the Renegades in early disarray.

Mohammad Rizwan and Hassan Khan attempted to steady the innings with 17 runs apiece, while Caleb Jewell chipped in with 14. However, wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals, denying the Renegades any momentum.

Skipper Will Sutherland offered brief resistance, top-scoring with 38 off 28 deliveries, but found little support from the other end.

South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi ripped through the lower order, finishing with four wickets, including the key scalp of Sutherland.

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Wadia and Lloyd Pope provided solid support, claiming two wickets each as Melbourne were bundled out for 99 in just 16.5 overs.

Chasing a modest target, the Strikers never looked under pressure.

Alex Carey got them off to a brisk start with 22 off 15 balls, while captain Matthew Short played a fluent knock of 30 from 22 deliveries before departing with the result all but sealed.

Chris Lynn (27) and Liam Scott (18) then completed the chase in quick time, guiding Adelaide home with 49 balls to spare to cap off a comprehensive victory.

Despite the convincing win, the Strikers finished the BBL 15 season in sixth place on the points table, while the Renegades ended their campaign in seventh, concluding a disappointing outing for the Melbourne-based side.

READ: Smith explains denying ‘unhappy’ Babar Azam a single in BBL

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams said Saturday she was “up for the challenge” as she gets set to become the oldest woman to play at the Australian Open at age 45.

The United States great is back at Melbourne Park for the first time in five years and said she was grateful to have the chance to prove she still has what it takes.

The former world number one, now ranked 576, faces 68th-ranked Olga Danilovic of Serbia in the first round on Sunday after being handed a wildcard.

Williams has played only sporadically in recent years and lost in the first round of both of her warm-up tournaments.

“I’m super, super grateful for the opportunity from Tennis Australia. Grateful for the opportunity to play in front of the fans,” she said.

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“I have just received so much support in the tournaments leading up, walking around the city and everything. My hope is to play my best.”

A five-time Wimbledon champion, Williams was an Australian Open singles finalist in 2003 and 2017 and won the doubles title four times alongside sister Serena.

“This is the greatest place on Earth to play,” she said.

“I have had amazing memories here. I love challenges, so I’m up for the challenge.”

Asked by reporters what it meant to trump Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round in 2015, Williams said: “I hadn’t thought about it till it came out in the press, so yay, yay for me.

“Let’s do this.”

READ: Mane aims to inspire Senegal to second title on AFCON farewell

Sadio Mane will cement his status as one of the all-time great African players if he can lead Senegal to victory against hosts Morocco in Sunday’s Cup of Nations final, a game he has said will be his farewell to the AFCON.

Former Liverpool star Mane turns 34 in April and has played over 120 times for his country, going back to a debut against Morocco shortly after his 20th birthday in 2012.

The high point of his international career came in February 2022, when he starred as the Lions of Teranga beat Egypt on penalties in the Cup of Nations final in Yaounde.

Having missed a penalty during normal time that night, he stepped up to score the decisive kick in the shoot-out and Senegal, World Cup quarter-finalists in 2002, were African champions for the first time.

A huge weight was lifted off the shoulders of the boy from a small town on the banks of the Casamance River in southern Senegal.

“Before I won the Africa Cup, sometimes I played badly because of the pressure,” Mane admitted in a recent interview for the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast as he opened up on the significance of that victory.

“People in Europe love their national team, but some people love their club more — Senegal is the opposite.

“That is why there is this big pressure, so I just had to win this. It was really important.”

There have also been plenty of lows for the two-time African footballer of the year, including the defeat in the final against Algeria in Cairo in 2019 and missing the 2022 World Cup with injury.

But he is hoping to make 2026 a memorable year by claiming a second AFCON winner’s medal before turning his attentions to the World Cup in the United States, where Senegal will be in the same group as France and Norway.

After scoring the winning goal in Wednesday’s semi-final win over Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, Mane announced that the final against Morocco in Rabat would be his last game at the Cup of Nations.

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“I hope to win and bring the trophy back to Dakar,” said the forward who has spent the last two and a half years in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, where he counts Cristiano Ronaldo among his teammates.

There is a feeling that the approaching World Cup might be the swansong for a generation of Senegal players, which also includes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, skipper Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye.

Sadio Mane spent a large chunk of his international career playing under Aliou Cisse before Pape Thiaw took over as coach in late 2024.

“Let’s hope we have many more years with him, because you don’t find a player like him every day, and we need to make the most of him,” Thiaw said of Mane after the Egypt win.

“I hope this won’t be his last final; there are other competitions coming up, so we’ll see.”

Mane has scored just twice in Morocco over the last month, his other goal coming in a group-stage draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He now has 11 Cup of Nations goals in total, placing him among an elite band of players to have reached double figures.

With Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye growing in importance and Paris Saint-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye emerging at this tournament, Mane must feel Senegal’s attack is in good hands going forward.

His announcement suggests that he is ready to turn his back on the next AFCON, which is set to take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next year.

If he can help deliver a second title in three editions for Senegal, confirming their status as a modern African footballing superpower, he will surely feel as though his work is done.

READ: Mondol stars as Rajshahi Warriors squeeze past Sylhet Titans

MIRPUR: Fast bowler Ripon Mondol picked up a four-wicket haul to seal a narrow five-run victory for Rajshahi Warriors in the 26th fixture of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26.

Set a challenging 148, Sylhet Titans fell short in the final over, ending their innings on 142 for 9.

With this win, Titans are now at the top position on the points table with seven victories out of nine games.

After losing two wickets inside the first three overs, Mominul Haque and Parvez Hossain Emon put the chase back on track with a gritty 49-run partnership.

Parvez Hossain Emon top-scored with 41 off 30, striking four sixes and a boundary.

Despite the wicket, Titans were kept afloat by Mominul Haque and Afif Hossain, who stitched another partnership of 32 runs.

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The pair brought the score to 96 before Ripon Mondol sparked a collapse that the Titans could not recover from.

As a result, Sylhet Titans slumped to 111-6 from 94-4 in 16.1 overs. Moeen Ali showed some resistance with 27 from 12 balls, hitting three sixes and a boundary.

However, Binura Fernando held his nerve and defended 11 in the final over to seal victory for his side.

For Rajshahi Warriors, Ripon Mondol starred with the ball, scalping four wickets, while Binura Fernando supported him well with two wickets.

Earlier, put into bat first, Rajshahi Warriors made 147-8 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.

Mushfiqur Rahim remained the top-scorer with 40 to his name from 30 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was the other notable batter, who hit five fours and a boundary in his 34 from 21 balls.

The pair added a crucial 56-run stand for the third wicket, which remained the cornerstone in the Warriors’ winning total.

For Sylhet Titans, Nasum Ahmed and Shohidul Islam scalped two wickets each.

READ: Smith explains denying ‘unhappy’ Babar Azam a single in BBL

SYDNEY: Star batter Steve Smith opened up about denying a single to Babar Azam before the ‘Power Surge’ over during the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 clash between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.

Babar made 47 from 39 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries before getting cleaned up by Nathan McAndrew.

The wicket left Babar fuming, who was seen striking the boundary cushion with his bat.

The incident unfolded when Steve Smith denied Babar a single after the former had faced three consecutive dot balls.

In the very next over, Steve Smith completely capitalized on Power Surge — a strategic, two-over period the batting team chooses after the 10th over, where fielding restrictions are eased with only two fielders allowed outside the inner circle, hitting 32 runs in the over.

Speaking after the match, Smith revealed the reason behind his refusal to give Babar Azam a strike.

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“We spoke at the ten-over mark, and they [the captain and coach] said take the surge straightaway,” Smith told Channel 7.

“I was like, ‘Nah, give it one over. I want to hit to the short boundary. I don’t want to screw up the first over. I’ll try to get 30 off that over’. [I] think we got 32, so it was a good result. Not sure Babar was too happy with me knocking back that single,” he remarked.

Nonetheless, Sydney Sixers cruised to a five-wicket victory while chasing a 190-run target.

Steve Smith starred with the bat, scoring a sublime 100 off 42 balls, striking nine sixes and five fours.

The emphatic win lifted the Sixers to fourth place on the BBL 15 points table, putting them firmly on course for a playoff berth.

They will now face fifth-placed Brisbane Heat in their final group-stage fixture on Sunday, with the result set to determine the last team to qualify for the playoffs.

READ: Afghanistan edge South Africa to kickstart U19 World Cup

Manchester City are in the “final stages” of completing a deal for England defender Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said on Friday.

City have stepped up their pursuit of Guehi in a deal reportedly worth £20 million ($27 million) after suffering an acute injury crisis at centre-half.

Guehi, who came close to joining Liverpool on transfer deadline day in September, would become City’s second signing of the January transfer window after their capture of winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth last week for about £65 million.

The 25-year-old captained Palace to FA Cup success in May against City — the first major trophy in the south London club’s history — and has won 26 England caps.

Other clubs reportedly interested in the defender, including Liverpool once again and Bayern Munich, were understood to be targeting a move at the end of the season, when Guehi was due to be a free agent.

“Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages,” Glasner said on the eve of Palace’s Premier League match at Sunderland.

“We can’t confirm, but it is not done. The result is Marc doesn’t play tomorrow for us.”

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The Palace boss added: “When the players want to move on, a deal will happen. It looks like it has happened now.

“Everyone wanted Marc to stay forever. I talked to him, of course, it stays between us. Marc showed it in the summer transfer window, showed it the whole autumn that he was 100 percent committed to the team and to Crystal Palace.

“I wish him all the best for the rest of his career. He is still at the beginning of his great career. He is a fantastic guy.”

City manager Pep Guardiola stressed he had “nothing to say” about the potential transfer at his own press conference ahead of his side’s match at Manchester United.

The club are currently without senior centre-backs John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol due to injury, while Nathan Ake has struggled to play more than once a week due to fitness issues.

Guardiola, whose team are second in the Premier League, six points behind Arsenal, said the club were “in a difficult situation for not one game but a long, long period”, adding: “Ruben will be back soon. Josko, no. John, hopefully we’ll see.”

City are also still challenging for silverware in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

Glasner also said Friday he would leave Palace when his own contract expired at the end of the season.

READ: Player retention, ‘drauction’ discussed at PSL Governing Council

LAHORE: Player retention rules and the proposed ‘drauction’ system were among the key issues discussed during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Governing Council meeting held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) on Friday.

Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chaired the meeting, which was also attended by representatives from all eight PSL franchises, along with the officials.

“Chairman PCB and the HBL PSL team were also congratulated on the successful conduct of the New Teams Auction, which reflected growth and evolution of the league,” the board said in a press release.

“During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on various matters, including the schedule of the HBL PSL 11, player retentions, adoption of the player auction or a unique combination of auction and draft termed as ‘drauction’, and the option of opening direct signings,” it added.

Mohsin Naqvi also congratulated on the successful conduct of the new teams auction, highlighting the league’s growth.

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During the meeting, it was also decided that PSL 11 will kick off on Thursday, 26 March.

The meeting was adjourned with the constitution of a working group to meet on Saturday to deliberate further on agenda items, where, after the Governing council meeting, will be reconvened immediately as necessary.

READ: Clinical England outplay Pakistan in U19 World Cup

WINDHOEK: Faisal Shinozada’s 81 backed by an all-round performance helped Afghanistan ease past South Africa by 28 runs in the sixth match of the U19 World Cup here at the High Performance Oval on Friday.

Set 267, South Africa U19 batting lineup faltered in the chase as they were bowled out for 238 in 47.4 overs.

After losing the first three wickets in 13.3 overs, Jason Rowles and Armaan Manack held the innings together with a 60-run partnership.

The duo’s batting, particularly Jason Rowles, who accounted for most of the runs, put South Africa’s chase back on track.

The pair took the score from 49-3 to 109 in 27.2 overs before Manack, after scoring 15 from 37 balls.

Despite the wicket, Rowles continued on and added another stand of 46 runs alongside Paul James, which brought the score over 150 run mark.

However, with the required run rate creeping up, James, who only scored 4, was caught. The wicket followed Jason Rowles, who top scored with 98 from 93 balls, hitting three sixes and nine fours.

Despite the wicket, Corne Botha and Daniel Bosman kept their side in the hunt, adding 45 for the eighth wicket stand.

Yet, South Africa lost their way as they lost their last three wickets on the score of 237 and 239.

For Afghanistan, Khatir Stanikzai and Abdul Aziz picked up two wickets each.

Earlier,  put into bat first, Afghanistan U19 managed to rack up 266-8 in their allotted 50 overs.

Faisal Shinozada and Khalid Ahmadzai starred with the bat, both scoring 81 and 74 runs respectively.

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The pair was instrumental in the team’s strong foundation, putting on a 152-run partnership for the second wicket.

With the pair keeping South Africa bowlers at bay till 35 overs, the Proteas made a strong comeback and picked up wickets in quick succession.

Despite the wickets tumbling around, Uzairullah Niazai struck a crucial half-century, which took them to a strong total.

For South Africa, Bayanda Majola and Corne Botha shared six wickets between them.

In another fixture, Australia romped to an eight-wicket victory over Ireland, courtesy of an all-round performance.

After opting to field first, Australia limited Ireland to 235-7 in 50 overs.

Rob O’Brien remained the top-scorer for Ireland with 79 off 98 balls laced with nine boundaries.

For Australia, Charles Lachmund was the standout bowler with three wickets to his name.

In reply, Australia reached the target without any major hiccups, with Steven Hogan scoring 115 off 111 balls.

Nitesh Samuel was the other notable contributor, scoring an unbeaten 77 from 101 deliveries, interestingly without hitting a single boundary.

For Ireland, Luke Murray and Reuben Wilson scalped one wicket apiece.

READ: Clinical England outplay Pakistan in U19 World Cup

HARARE: Caleb Falconer’s gutsy half-century and a clinical bowling performance powered England to a victory over Pakistan in the fourth fixture of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 here at the Takashinga Sports Club, Highfield on Friday.

Set to chase a stiff 211 on a slow pitch, Pakistan U19 were bowled out for 173 in 46.3 overs.

England applied pressure on Pakistan right from the onset as inform batter Sameer Minhas (10) was caught in the third over. Mohammad Shayan was the second one to go after managing just seven, followed by Usman Khan, who made six.

Consequently, Pakistan were in early trouble with 28-3 in 8.2 overs.

Following early wickets, skipper Farhan Yousaf and Ahmed Hussain joined hands at the crease, launching a brief recovery with a 26-run partnership.

However, Farhan Ahmed trapped Hussain lbw for 12 to put Pakistan into further trouble. The next two wickets of Huzaifa Ahsan and Hamza Zahoor also came in quick time, which derailed Pakistan’s chase.

The Green Shirts were reduced to 85-6 in 25.4 overs with captain Yousaf at the fore. The skipper tried to arrest the slide with a 48-run partnership with Abdul Subhan to steady the innings.

The pair somehow provided their side respite as the scorecard read 133 in 37.2 overs, and with less than 100 runs required to win.

But Ralphie Albert provied England the much-needed breakthrough in the form of Subhan’s wicket, who scored 14.

Despite the wickets tumbling around him, Farhan Yousaf kept his team in the hunt and scored a half-century. However, his wicket in the 40th over dashed Pakistan’s hope for a victory.

The right-hander was caught after scoring 65 from 86 balls with the aid of four sixes and three fours.

Eventually, Pakistan fell 37 runs short of the total with the last wicket of Ali Raza, who was run out.

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For England, Alex Green, James Mint,o and Ralphie Albert picked up two wickets each

Earlier, put into bat first, England U19 were bowled out for 210 in 46.5 overs, courtesy of a clinical bowling performance from Pakistan.

Openers Ben Dawkins and Joseph Moores provided a solid start, adding 33 in the first seven overs.

Moores made six before getting caught off Ali Raza’s who provided Pakistan the first breakthrough of the innings.

The second wicket fell in the 11th over when set batter Ben Dawkins was caught behind for 33. He hit four boundaries and a six in his knock.

The Green Shirts continued to mount pressure with clinical bowling and wickets at regular intervals as Ben Mayes was the third one to go, caught at thirdman after scoring 14.

England were 67-3 in 15.1 overs at this stage of the innings with skipper Thomas Rew at the helm alongside Caleb Falconer.

The pair tried to steady the innings with a brief 23-run stand, but the Three Lions were dealt a major blow when their skipper Thomas Rew was caught at point, courtesy of a wonderful catch from Ahmed Hussain. Rew made 14 from 21 balls.

With England in a bit of bother, Caleb Falconer and Ralphie Albert stitched a crucial partnership of 80 runs that took their side out of trouble.

The pair brought the score to 170 from 90 in 33.2 overs with Falconer scoring an impressive half-century.

However, Pakistan bowlers quickly shifted the momentum in their favor with quick strikes.

Spinner Ahmed Hussain was behind England’s lower-order collapse as he removed Albert (25 from 37 balls) to give Pakistan a vital breakthrough.

Soon after, Caleb Falconer followed him after top-scoring with 66 off 73, hitting two sixes and three fours.

England’s slide continued as they slumped to 170-5 to 210 all out in 46.5 overs

For Pakistan, Ahmed Hussain starred with the ball, picking up three wickets in his quota of 10 overs. Abdul Subhan, Ali Raza, and Momin Qamar were equally good as they shared six wickets between them.

READ: WATCH: Babar Azam reacts angrily after dismissal