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HOBART: Fast bowler Zaman Khan delivered a sensational final over to seal a thrilling three-run victory for Brisbane Heat over Hobart Hurricanes in the 35th fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Set stiff 161, Hurricanes fell short in the final over and ended their innings on 157-8.

Spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and Xavier Bartlett jolted Hurricanes early in the chase, with Tim Ward and Mitchell Owen sent back for one and eight runs respectively.

As a result, Hobart Hurricanes were reduced to 26-2 in 3.1 overs.

However, Beau Webster and Ben McDermott’s 98-run partnership not only launched a steady recovery but put their side on the cusp of victory.

The pair composed batting kept Heat bowlers at bay, with the scorecard reading 124 in 14.1 overs.

On any other day, it would have been Hurricanes game with 37 required of 36 balls with eight wickets in hand; however, Marnus Labuschagne’s prized wicket of Webster (51) opened the door for a dramatic Heat victory.

Soon after, McDermott followed him as Kuhnemann cleaned up the right-handed batter to bring his side back into the game.

 

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Ben McDermott top-scored with 59 off 36, striking three fours and three sixes.

With Brisbane Heat sniffing a victory, Matthew Wade and Nikhil Chaudhary were two batters at the crease, and the pair added a brief 16-run stand before the Hurricanes’ three more wickets fell in the span of six deliveries.

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Wade was caught for 11, whereas Xavier Bartlett removed Chris Jordan and Rehan Ahmed for ducks to leave down the equation to six from the final over.

The moment came for Zaman as he began with a dot and a single, followed by two consecutive dot balls, leaving the Hurricanes needing a four to win

However, Zaman bowled another excellent delivery to get rid of Nikhil Chaudhary (16), who wholed out to long on, resulting in an emphatic win for Heat against table toppers Hobart Hurricanes.

For Brisbane Heat, besides Zaman Khan, Xavier Bartlett was the notable contributor with three wickets to his name.

Earlier, put into bat first, Brisbane Heat scored 160-8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Jack Wildermuth made six before getting cleaned up in the third over, whereas skipper Usman Khawaja made 19 from 18, including a six.

At the end of the powerplay, Brisbane Heat were 46-2 with Nathan McSweeney and Matt Renshaw at the crease.

The duo steadied Brisbane Heat’s innings, powering them into a strong position before their middle order crumbled in the final overs, which limited them from posting an imposing total.

Nathan McSweeney was the star batter with 49 off 32, laced with seven boundaries, while Matt Renshaw scored 37 from 25, hitting two sixes and two fours.

For Hobart Hurricanes, Riley Meredith was the pick of the bowlers as he took three wickets.

READ: Saim Ayub loses top spot in T20I all-rounder rankings after Sri Lanka series

DUBAI: India’s star batter Virat Kohli has returned to the top of the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, more than four years after last holding the position, replacing teammate Rohit Sharma in the latest update released on Wednesday.

Kohli’s resurgence comes on the back of a match-winning 93 off 91 balls in India’s successful chase of New Zealand’s 300 in the opening ODI of the three-match series in Vadodara on Sunday.

His current form has been exceptional, featuring scores of 74*, 135, 102, and 65* in his previous four ODIs.

With this latest rise, Virat Kohli has reached the No.1 spot for the 11th time in his career. Since first achieving it in October 2013, the 37-year-old has spent a total of 825 days atop the rankings, the most by any Indian batter.

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He now sits tenth on the all-time list, behind Vivian Richards, who leads with 2,306 days at No.1.

Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, has slipped two places to third after scoring just 26 in Vadodara. New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell moved up to second, posting 84 off 71 balls in the same match.

The top three remain closely contested, with Kohli at 785 points, Mitchell 784, and Rohit 775, meaning a single standout innings could shift the standings again.

KL Rahul also made progress in the rankings, rising from 12th to 11th after finishing 29 not out off 21 deliveries.

READ: Saim Ayub loses top spot in T20I all-rounder rankings after Sri Lanka series

DUBAI: Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has slipped from the number one spot in the latest ICC T20I all-rounder rankings following a subdued performance in the recently concluded three-match series against Sri Lanka.

Ayub, primarily known for his batting, managed just 30 runs across two innings as the series ended in a 1-1 draw, with the second match abandoned due to rain.

He did not get an opportunity to bowl in the series, resulting in a drop to second place in the all-rounder rankings with 269 points.

The top spot is now held by Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who leads with 289 points.

The 23-year-old had first reached the summit on October 1, overtaking India’s Hardik Pandya, before briefly losing it to Raza in November, reclaiming it, and now ceding it once again in Wednesday’s update.

In the ICC T20I batting rankings, Ayub maintained his 37th position with 551 points.

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Babar Azam, who missed the Sri Lanka tour, slipped three places to 32nd with 562 points, while Sahibzada Farhan moved up one spot to fifth after scoring 51 and 9 in two innings.

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, who hit a 45 off 12 balls with five fours and three sixes in the third T20I, rose 13 places to 41st in the batting charts.

In bowling rankings, Abrar Ahmed, who took three wickets in the first T20I but went wicketless in the third, dropped one place to fifth.

Mohammad Nawaz fell two spots to 13th, while Shaheen Afridi, sidelined with injury, slipped five places to 25th. Saim Ayub also dropped 12 places to 54th in bowling rankings.

Meanwhile, Salman Mirza made a significant jump of 16 places to 19th after taking 3-18 in the only match he played against Sri Lanka.

READ: PCB issues advertisement to sell Multan Sultans ahead of PSL 11

Antoine Griezmann scored a free-kick that helped Atletico Madrid squeeze past second-tier Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 on Tuesday to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

Veteran forward Griezmann’s perfectly-placed effort broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, as the sides met for the first time in nearly eight years.

Depor supporter Jimmy Romero was viciously beaten and left in the Manzanares river in Madrid by Atletico ultras 11 years ago, dying as a result of his injuries, and he was remembered by a banner behind one goal at the Galician side’s Riazor stadium.

The cup match had been declared a high-risk game, and Spanish media reported there were some moments of tension between supporters outside, which did not develop into serious incidents.

Off the pace in La Liga and after defeat by rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals last week, a win was vital for Atletico to boost their chances of some silverware this season.

Diego Simeone’s side ended up with nothing in their frustrating previous campaign.

French forward Antoine Griezmann, 34, struck the woodwork towards the end of the first half as Atletico Madrid dominated but could not find a way through.

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Simeone hooked out-of-form striker Julian Alvarez before the hour mark, with the Argentina international having scored only once in his last nine matches.

Shortly afterwards, Atletico took the lead, with Griezmann delicately curling a free-kick into the top right corner from just outside the area, and it proved decisive.

“He’s still got the magic that keeps him going and gives him the desire to still be helping the team, like he did with this goal,” said Simeone.

Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao edged second-division Cultural Leonesa with a thrilling 4-3 win after extra time, despite having Aitor Paredes sent off in the 56th minute.

Real Sociedad and Osasuna drew 2-2, with the former progressing 4-3 on penalties.

Real Madrid, led by new coach Alvaro Arbeloa, visit Albacete on Wednesday and Copa del Rey holders Barcelona travel to face second division leaders Racing Santander on Thursday.

READ: PCB issues advertisement to sell Multan Sultans ahead of PSL 11

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally initiated the process to sell the ownership rights of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, issuing an advertisement, inviting interested parties to submit their bids for the auction.

The PCB confirmed that bids are being sought for the franchise rights of the 2021 PSL champions. The deadline for submitting documents for the technical proposal has been set for January 30.

Only bidders who meet the technical requirements will advance to the next phase of the bidding process.

The development follows the departure of Multan Sultans’ former owner Ali Tareen, who announced in November that he was stepping away from the franchise.

Sources had indicated that relations between Tareen and the PCB had been strained for over a year, eventually reaching a point of no return.

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Subsequently, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed that the board would take control of the franchise following the expiry of the existing ownership agreement on December 31, 2025.

The initial plan was for the PCB to operate the team for a year before auctioning it in 2027.

However, the timeline appears to have been brought forward after the successful auction of two new PSL franchises.

Strong valuations achieved in the recent auction are understood to have encouraged the PCB to proceed with the sale of Multan Sultans earlier than planned.

The landmark auction, held at the Jinnah Convention Centre, saw FKS Group and OZ Developers acquire the newly added franchises from Hyderabad and Sialkot for Rs1.75 billion and Rs1.85 billion, respectively, expanding the PSL to eight teams from season 11.

READ: Pakistan women’s white-ball squads announced for South Africa tour

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday unveiled the ODI and T20I squads of the Pakistan Women’s team for the upcoming tour to South Africa, which is scheduled to commence on 10 February in Potchefstroom.

Fatima Sana will continue to lead the side in both formats as Pakistan build towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in June.

Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, and Tasmia Rubab are part of both squads.

Meanwhile, uncapped batter Saira Jabeen and right-arm fast bowler Humna Bilal have earned their maiden T20I call-ups.

Opening batters Ayesha and Gull, along with left-arm pacer Tasmia and wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi, have been called up to the 15-member ODI squad after missing out on the ODI World Cup selection.

Diana Baig, Najiha, Sadaf Shamas and Syeda Aroob Shah are just part of the 50-over squad, while Humna, Saira, Tuba Hassan and Eyman Fatima are in the T20I squad only.

During the tour, mentor Wahab Riaz will be assisted by a seasoned team of coaches, including Imran Farhat (batting coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), and Abdul Majeed (fielding coach).

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The pre-series training camp will commence on Sunday, 1 January at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, Karachi.

The T20Is will be played in Potchefstroom, Benoni and Kimberley from 10 to 16 February, with all being day-night fixtures.

Pakistan will warm up for the ODI series with a 50-over game at Kimberley, followed by the three ODIs at Bloemfontein, Centurion and Durban from 22 February to 1 March.

The second ODI will begin in the afternoon and will also be played under lights, while the warm-up, first, and the third ODI will be day games.

Pakistan Women’s team is set to return to South Africa for a bilateral series after January 2021, when they took part in a three-match ODI series in Durban.

In February 2023, Pakistan took part in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa and played their matches in Cape Town and Paarl.

Pakistan women’s T20I squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wicket-keeper), Humna Bilal, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Tasmia Rubab, and Tuba Hassan

Pakistan women’s ODI squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Tasmia Rubab

Player support personnel: Wahab Riaz (mentor), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Moeen (strength & conditioning coach), Waleed Ahmad (performance analyst), Ayesha Ashar (Team manager), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist) and Raza Rashid Kitchlew (media manager)

Pakistan Women’s tour of South Africa Schedule

• 1st T20I – 10 February – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom (day/night)
• 2nd T20I – 13 February – Willowmoore Park, Benoni (day/night)
• 3rd T20I – 16 February – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (day/night)
• 50-over warm-up match – 19 February – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (day)
• 1st ODI – 22 February – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein (day)
• 2nd ODI – 25 February – SuperSport Park, Centurion (day/night)
• 3rd ODI – 1 March – Kingsmead Stadium, Durban (day)

READ: PCB unveils schedule for Pakistan-Australia T20I series

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday confirmed the schedule for the three-match home T20I series against Australia.

The three-match T20I series will take place on 29, 31 January and 1 February at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Australia’s T20I squad will arrive in Lahore on Wednesday, 28 January. The coin toss in all three matches is set to take place at 5.30 pm PST (Pakistan Standard Time) with the first ball expected to be bowled at 6:00 pm PST.

The series serves as crucial game time for both sides ahead of the all-important ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2026, where Pakistan are placed in Group A and Australia in Group B.

This will also be Australia’s third trip to Pakistan since March-April 2022, when they played a three-match Test and ODI series followed by a solitary T20I.

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They played three of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the country as well.

Australia bagged a close three-wicket win in the only T20I they played at the Gaddafi Stadium on 5 April 2022

“We are excited and look forward to hosting Australia for the three-match T20I series here in Lahore,” said COO PCB, Sumair Ahmed Syed.

“The tour marks a blockbuster beginning of the year for Pakistan Cricket fans, and I urge them to turn out in numbers during the series to support both the teams as they put the final touches to their T20 World Cup preparations.

“I’m sure the Gaddafi Stadium has become a familiar sight for the Australian Cricket team as they have played a Test, five ODIs and a T20I here since March 2022.”

Pakistan vs Australia series schedule

• 1st T20I – Thursday, 29 January – 6pm PKT
• 2nd T20I – Saturday, 31 January – 6pm PKT
• 3rd T20I – Sunday, 1 February – 6pm PKT

READ: U19 Warm-Up: Minhas shines in Pakistan’s victory over USA

BULAWAYO: Sameer Minhas red-hot form continued as he struck 74* off 55 balls to propel Pakistan to a victory over USA in the U19 World Cup warm-up fixture here at the Bulawayo Athletic Club on Tuesday.

Set 295, USA were bowled out for 225 in 43.5 overs, thanks to an all-round bowling effort from Pakistan bowlers.

Amrinder Gill and Sahil Garg started positively in pursuit of the target, adding 45 in 7.4 overs before the latter was caught behind. Gill scored 18 with the help of three fours.

Garg held firm at one end with the USA’s second wicket falling on the fourth ball of the 13th over.

Arjun Mahesh could only add seven to the total.

With USA 61-2 in 13.4 overs, Sahil Garg and skipper Utkarsh Srivastava put chase back on the track with a promising 66-run stand.

The pair brought the total to 127 in 26 overs before Pakistani bowlers chipped in with regular strikes and got a foothold on the game.

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Ahmed Hussain cleaned up Srivastava (36), whereas Niqabl Shafiq trapped Adnit Jhamb lbw for one in back-to-back overs to reduce USA to 134-4 in 26.5 overs.

The big wicket of Garg came in the 29th over, with Pakistan on the cusp of victory. He top-scored with 75 from 83 balls with the help of nine fours and a six.

Following his dismissal, USA innings quickly unraveled and were eventually bowled out.

For Pakistan, Abdul Subhan, Momin Qamar, and Ahmed Hussain picked up two wickets.

Earlier, put into bat first, Pakistan racked up 294-8 at the end of their 50 overs.

The highlight of Pakistan’s innings was Sameer Minhas’ batting, who continued his sizzling form.

The right-hander top-scored with 74 from 55 balls, laced with eight fours and four sixes.

He remained the lynchpin of the batting order, adding a 105-run partnership with Mohammad Shayan (23).

Minhas eventually retired with Ahmed Hussain and Huzaifa Ahsan scoring crucial runs.

Both batters scored 36 and 38 runs respectively, powering Pakistan to a strong total.

For USA, Utkarsh Srivastava remained the pick of the bowlers as he picked up three wickets.

Pakistan will commence its U19 World Cup campaign against England on 16 Jan, Friday in Harare.

READ: Australia suffer injury scare ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

New Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa insisted Tuesday he would be himself at the helm of the Spanish giants rather than trying to imitate Jose Mourinho.

Arbeloa, who in his playing days at Madrid was an ally of his then coach Mourinho, has drawn comparisons to the Portuguese veteran for his approach to management.

The 42-year-old former defender was appointed to replace Xabi Alonso on Monday after Real Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup final against rivals Barcelona on Sunday.

“I have not spoken to Jose yet. For me it was a privilege and an honour to be coached by Jose Mourinho,” Arbeloa told a news conference.

“I have a great relationship with him… and obviously he was someone who influenced me a lot, I carry him within me.

“(However) I am going to be Alvaro Arbeloa, because while it’s true I am not afraid of failing, and have never been, I’m sure that if I tried to be Jose Mourinho, I would fail spectacularly.”

Mourinho, currently coaching Benfica, led Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning one La Liga title.

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During that era, he battled against Pep Guardiola’s dominant Barcelona when the fierce rivalry between the Catalans and Real Madrid was at its most bitter.

Barca currently lead Madrid by four points at the top of La Liga and Arbeloa’s job is to revert the situation, although his first match in charge is at Albacete in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Wednesday.

Arbeloa, who was coaching Madrid’s reserve side and previously working with the club’s youth teams before he was promoted, said success is the most important thing for the record 15-time European champions.

“This club is winning, winning, and winning again. That demand on ourselves, showing the DNA of what brought us here, that has filled our trophy cabinets (is what I want),” continued Arbeloa.

“When I was a player I received those values from the players in the dressing room, and for me that is the most important thing… to be able to excite the fans we have all over the world and try to leave those cabinets even more full.

“That is my work, that is my obsession and what I will be living every day.”

Madrid did not announce how long Arbeloa’s contract as first-team coach would be.

“What I can tell you is that I’ve been here for 20 years, at home, and I will be at Real Madrid as long as they want me here,” added Arbeloa.

“This is my home, that’s how I feel and that’s how it will always be.”

READ: Australia suffer injury scare ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Australia were dealt a worrying blow on Tuesday ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after ace all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was forced to retire hurt during the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 fixture.

Stoinis, 36, is part of Australia’s 15-member provisional squad for the forthcoming mega event and is currently leading the Melbourne Stars in the BBL.

The right-hander came out to bat with the Stars struggling at 43-3 in 8.3 overs while chasing a modest 84-run target.

The skipper made 23 of 20 balls with the help of a six and a boundary before a short of a good length ball from Jamie Overton hit his thumb during the 14th over of the game, with Stars requiring just two runs to win.

 

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After the blow, Stoinis immediately removed the glove and signalled for the physio. He eventually left the field and later provided an update on his injury during the post-match presentation, noting that a scan was needed.

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“I think I’ll probably be getting the scan, but I think it’s okay,” he said.

“Just sort of precautionary at the end, when you’re right near the end of an innings, I think. Initially, it feels like nothing, and then after about 10 seconds, you feel something.

And it’s probably just not worth the risk at that stage of the game, I guess. And to be honest, their boys were really good. Lynny [Chris Lynn] and Shorty [Matt Short] came up and said, mate, get off. You’ve got two runs to go, so get off. So right decision in the end,” Stoinis concluded.

Provisional Australian squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

READ: Curran’s four-fer routs Hasan Ali’s Strikers out of BBL 15