Tag: Champions Cup

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi bagged the 900th goal of his glittering career on Wednesday, but could not prevent Inter Miami from crashing out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on away goals after a 1-1 draw with Nashville.

Messi, 38, scored his milestone goal after just seven minutes to put Miami 1-0 up in the second leg of their last-16 clash in the regional club competition.

But Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza lashed in a 74th-minute equaliser to make it 1-1 on aggregate, and after holding Miami at bay for the remainder of the game, the visitors from Tennessee advanced to the quarter-finals on the away goals rule.

Miami’s exit was a bittersweet ending to what had promised to be a night of celebration after Messi’s early opener in what was the club’s final game at their Chase Stadium home in Fort Lauderdale.

Messi’s strike took the Argentine’s tally to 81 goals for the MLS champions following his move to Florida in 2023.

The eight-time Ballon D’Or winner previously scored 672 goals for Spanish giants Barcelona, 32 for France’s Paris Saint-Germain, and a further 115 international goals for Argentina.

Goal number 900 came some 21 years after Messi’s first goal in senior football, when he scored for Barcelona in a 2-0 win over Albacete in 2005 as a fresh-faced 17-year-old.

Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player in football history, still has some way to go before he catches his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar who is on 965 career goals.

Speaking ahead of Messi’s 900th goal, Miami manager and former Argentina and Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano described the star’s goals total as “insane.”

“I’ve been lucky enough to see most, or many, of the goals he’s scored, much closer than you all, and that’s a privilege,” Mascherano said.

“The number we’re talking about (900) is insane, and that’s why Leo is a one of a kind.”

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Wednesday’s match carried added significance for Inter Miami, marking a farewell to the team’s Chase Stadium.

The venue has served as Inter Miami’s home since the club entered Major League Soccer in 2020. The team will move into a new purpose-built 26,700-seat facility next month.

Messi is strongly expected to play in his sixth World Cup later this year, when Argentina defend their title in the 48-team tournament being staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Argentine star has already extended his Inter Miami contract through to the end of the 2028 season.

Messi’s prolific goal-scoring has been a hallmark of his career. His 672 goals for Barcelona came in just 778 games — an average of 0.86 per game — helping the Catalan club win 35 trophies before departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

In France, he scored 32 goals in 75 matches, winning three trophies, including two league titles.

In Miami, his 81 goals have come in just 96 appearances, helping the team win the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2025 MLS Cup.

His 115 international goals have come in 196 matches, including two in the 2022 World Cup final victory over France.

Messi’s goals tally leaves him second only to Ronaldo, according to most recognised statistical records.

Brazilian legend Pele is often said to have scored more than 1,000 goals, but those numbers have been the subject of debate. Most statisticians put Pele’s total for Brazil, Santos and New York Cosmos at 762.

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Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has officially stepped down from his role as mentor of the Stallions, one of the teams competing in the Champions Cup.

The veteran all-rounder made the announcement through an emotional statement posted on his official Facebook page.

Malik, who was appointed last year on a three-year contract as part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) initiative to involve former cricketers in domestic development, cited “multiple professional and personal commitments” as the reason behind his decision.

“This was not an easy choice, but after reflecting on my commitments, I realised that juggling multiple responsibilities would prevent me from giving my best to both Pakistan cricket and to my other professional and personal priorities,” Shoaib Malik wrote in his statement.

He informed the PCB of his decision two weeks ago and has already submitted his resignation in writing.

However, the 42-year-old assured that he would honour his contractual obligations and provide the PCB with ample time to find a suitable replacement.

“I will fulfil my contractual obligations as planned, allowing the PCB ample time to appoint a new Mentor well ahead of the next season,” he added.

Malik’s heartfelt message extended gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the executive team, Director of Champions Events Wahab Riaz, his fellow coaching staff at Stallions, and the players he worked with during his tenure.

“I am deeply grateful to PCB Chairman Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB executive team, my former teammate and Director of Champions Events Wahab Riaz, my coaching staff at the Stallions, and, most importantly, the players who entrusted me with the opportunity to share my knowledge,” he stated.

“Working with some of Pakistan’s most talented cricketers has been an immensely fulfilling experience, one I will always cherish.

“I wish the PCB and everyone involved continued success. Cricket runs in my blood, and I remain committed to supporting Pakistan’s cricketing future in any capacity I can.”

It’s worth noting that Shoaib Malik was one of several high-profile appointments last year, alongside former captains Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and ex-head coach Saqlain Mushtaq.

READ: PCB set to remove Champions Cup mentors: sources

RAWALPINDI: Fast bowler Shahid Aziz took four wickets while skipper Imam-ul-Haq and Hasan Nawaz played solid knocks to lead Lions to an eight-wicket win over Panthers in the Champions T20 Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest 124-run target, the Lions crossed the line in 14.3 overs for the loss of two wickets after they were set up by Shahid’s potent 4-20 which restricted the Panthers to 123 all out in 19.2 overs.

Imam-ul-Haq and Hasan Nawaz set up the win with a confident 79-run opening stand in 9.1 overs. Hasan hit three sixes and four boundaries in his fiery 31-ball 44 while Imam’s 38-ball 45 had five hits to the rope.

Pakistan U19 batter Shahzaib Khan chipped in with a 17-ball 28 not out, cracking two sixes and a four.

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With the win, the Lions opened their account in the Champions T20 Cup after losing their first two games. Panthers have now lost two and won one in their three outings.

Sent into bat, Panthers lost opener Sharjeel Khan for five before Umar Siddiq, who scored a 28-ball 26 with two sixes and as many fours, added 45 for the second wicket with Haider Ali (26).

Shahid Aziz, Khushdil Shah (2-26) and Musa Khan (2-32) triggered a middle-order collapse which saw Panthers slumping from 62-1 to 99-6.

It was Danish Aziz who rescued Panthers to a respectable total with a solid 27-ball 34 which were studded with four boundaries and a six.

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RAWALPINDI: Opening batter Khawaja Mohammad Nafay smashed a fiery half-century to anchor Markhors’ two-wicket win over a fighting Dolphins on the fourth day of the ongoing Champions T20 Cup here on Tuesday.

Nafay’s 41-ball 68 was spiced with four sixes and as many fours that guided Markhors to chase the modest 129-run target in 18.5 overs.

The Misbah-ul-Haq mentored team is now second with four points while Stallions are top of the Champions T20 Cup points table, also with four points from two matches but have a superior net run rate.

22-year-old Nafay from Karachi lifted his team from the early loss of Fakhar Zaman (0), Muhammad Shahzad (11) and Abdul Samad (1). Nafay added 29 for the fourth wicket with skipper Iftikhar Ahmed who made five.

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Spinner Qasim Akram dismissed Khawaja Nafay leg-before and then two more wickets fell as Dolphins fought back but Mohammad Nawaz made sure the chase was completed with a cautious 19-ball 18 not out including two fours while Akif Javed hit the winning boundary.

Dolphins, who have now lost both their matches, were given an ideal start by fast bowler Sameen Gul who took three early wickets but other than him no bowler could detrack the rampaging Markhors.

Earlier, sent into bat, Dolphins lost Sahibzada Farhan in the first over, without scoring. Muhammad Akhlaq hit a 33-ball 40 studded with two sixes and three boundaries while Mirza Tahir Baig knocked a 28-ball 29 with two sixes and a boundary

Dolphins were relying on vice-captain Qasim Akram who scored 14 and experienced batter Umar Amin who managed just 11 as they slumped from 81-2 to 128-9. Nawaz grabbed 3-28 while fast-rising pacer Akif Javed finished with 2-33.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed clears the air on retirement statement

FAISALABAD: Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed expressed his dissatisfaction with the media after the Champions One-Day Cup final here at Iqbal Stadium on Sunday.

Iftikhar, who led Markhors in the absence of regular captain Mohammad Rizwan, took out his frustration on the media personnel, blaming them for the downfall of cricket.

“Cricket is ruined because of you people,” Iftikhar Ahmed said, referring to the Pakistani media.

“Please don’t hype players after one good innings. Let them prove their worth through consistent performances,” the all-rounder added.

Iftikhar Ahmed then urged the media to stop comparing rising players with greats of the game and also to let them perform in all three formats.

“You hype someone after one innings, and then when he fails for Pakistan, you start questioning his selection. For God’s sake, let a player top in all three formats and then speak about him. You guys start saying that we have found the new Inzamam-ul-Haq and things like that.”

 

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Shadab Khan-led Panthers outclassed Markhors in a one-sided final to clinch the inaugural edition of the Champions One-Day Cup on Sunday.

Chasing a meagre 123-run target, Panthers’ captain Shadab Khan sealed the victory with a six off Shahnawaz Dahani on the last ball of the 18th over.

Panthers started the chase strongly with a 51-run opening stand between Umar Siddiq and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai.

For Markhors, Akif Javed and Mohammad Imran claimed two wickets each while Shahnawaz Dahani bagged one wicket.

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Markhors’ captain Iftikhar Ahmed opted to bat first in the final but his decision backfired as his side was bundled out on a meagre 122.

Experienced opener Fakhar Zaman remained the top-scorer for Markhors with a 49-ball 46, followed by young wicketkeeper batter Haseebullah Khan, who made a scratchy 27.

The rest of the Markhors’ batters failed against a ruthless Panthers’ bowling attack, jointly led by Mohammad Hasnain and Sajid Khan, who took three wickets each.

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FAISALABAD: Mohammad Hasnain and Arafat Minhas took three wickets each, while Abdul Wahid Bangalzai played a 41-run knock to help the Panthers crush Markhors and clinch the Champions One-Day Cup title here on Sunday.

Chasing a meagre 123-run target, Panthers’ captain Shadab Khan sealed the victory with a six off Shahnawaz Dahani on the last ball of the 18th over.

Panthers started the chase strongly with a 51-run opening stand between Umar Siddiq and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai.

However, Shahnawaz halted their progress as he castled Umar after he scored 19 runs from 21 balls with three boundaries.

Sajid Khan, who was promoted up to bat at number three, scored 15 off 13 before Akif Javed ended his brief stay at the crease.

Usman Khan also fell prey to Akif in the next over after scoring 13 off eight with one four and one six.

Meanwhile, Bangalzai played a solid 41-run knock to keep the Panthers in the hunt before Mohammad Imran removed him and Haider Ali in the same over.

However, the Panthers comfortably chased the total in 18 overs with Rizwan Mehmood scoring an unbeaten 16, while Shadab Khan scored 14 off nine.

For Markhors, Akif Javed and Mohammad Imran claimed two wickets each while Shahnawaz Dahani bagged one wicket.

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Markhors’ captain Iftikhar Ahmed opted to bat first in the final of the inaugural season of the Champions One-Day Cup, however, the decision backfired.

Mohammad Hasnain removed Zain Abbas, who was promoted to open the innings, in the second over with only 13 runs on the board.

Meanwhile, Kamran Ghulam, who is the second-highest run-scorer in the Champions One-Day Cup, failed on the big occasion, falling prey to young speedster Ali Raza after scoring a mere two runs.

Fakhar Zaman and Haseebullah Khan showed resistance with a 56-run partnership for the third wicket before Sajid Khan castled the latter.

Haseebullah played a scratchy knock of 27 runs from 48 balls with the help of three boundaries.

Meanwhile, Fakhar also fell to Sajid in the next over after top-scoring with a 46-run knock from 49 balls, laced with five boundaries and one six.

Markhors failed to recover and suffered a dramatic collapse as they lost their six wickets for 38 runs, bundling out for a meagre 122 runs.

Young spinner Arafat Minhas returned with brilliant bowling figures of 3-1 for Panthers, while Hasnain took three wickets for 38 runs. Sajid Khan bagged two crucial wickets, while Ali Raza and Shadab Khan bagged one each.

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FAISALABAD: Shadab Khan-led Panthers will square off against Iftikhar Ahmed’s Markhors in the final of the inaugural edition of the Champions One-Day Cup, scheduled at Iqbal Stadium on Sunday.

The final, set to begin at 3pm will be the third occasion in this tournament where these two teams will face each other with both having won one game each previously.

In the tournament opener on 12 September, the Markhors got the better of Panthers with a 160-run win while the Panthers defeated Markhors in the qualifier by seven wickets to reach the final.

Markhors on the other hand advanced to the final based on their top standing in the league stage after their eliminator clash against the Nurpur Lions was called off without a ball being bowled.

In total the Panthers have so far played five matches in the tournament winning four and losing just one while the Markhors have played six games reaping three wins, two losses while their last game was a washout.

Markhors and Panthers have both seen changes in their squads after Pakistan’s Test squad for the first Test against England was announced. In the Markhors squad, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah and Salman Ali Agha have been replaced by Bismillah Khan, Niaz Khan and Zain Abbas.

Danish Aziz and Sajid Khan have replaced Mubasir Khan and Saim Ayub in the Panthers squad. While Saim was named in the Test squad, the all-rounder Mubasir was ruled out due to a thumb fracture.

Panthers’ Usman Khan leads the runs scoring charts in the tournament with 259 runs at an average of 64.75 in five matches with one hundred. Stallions’ Tayyab Tahir sits on the second spot with 249 runs at 49.80 while Kamran Ghulam of Markhors has scored 248 runs in the five matches at 49.60 including two hundreds.

Usman and Kamran will look to finish as the top run-scorers of the tournament.

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On the bowling front, Panthers’ Mohammad Hasnain is the leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets followed by Stallions’ Jahandad Khan, Lions’ and Markhors’ Zahid Mahmood who have 10 each to their names.

Markhors’ captain Iftikhar Ahmed is upbeat about the chance to become the inaugural edition of the tournament and also to instil his experience to the youngsters in the squad.

“The Bahria Town Champions One-Day Cup has been a fantastic tournament and to stake a claim for becoming the inaugural champions of this domestic competition is an exciting prospect for the UMT Markhors.

“I will look to instil my experience of playing for Pakistan in high-pressure games to the young players in our squad. The fans will surely get to see a highly-competitive final tomorrow.

“We are hopeful to repeat the opening game heroics against the Lake City Panthers. Despite the departure of Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah and Salman Ali Agha, the Markhors team is committed to giving the best performance in the final and lifting the trophy.”

Shadab Khan, on the other hand, shared his excitement to lead the Panthers in the Champions Cup final before asserting that the team is steadfast, having been able to rest for four days after the Qualifier.

“I’m really excited to be leading the Lake City Panthers in the final of the Bahria Town Champions One-Day Cup and I’m pretty sure this occasion will bring the best out of our players.

“After our win in the Qualifier, we had four off days where we took ample rest and trained for the final as well which has set up the Panthers squad in the best stead possible to compete in a high-profile game.

“We will miss Saim Ayub’s presence with the ball and bat but so many of the other players are ready to put their hand up and give their best. The final is going to be a cracking contest and I hope the fans turn up in big numbers as they have done throughout the tournament.”

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FAISALABAD: Markhors have qualified for the final of the Champions One-Day Cup after their Eliminator clash against the Lions was washed out due to rain here at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Friday.

According to the tournament qualifying conditions, in case of a washout in the play-offs, the team which has a higher standing at the completion of the league matches will qualify for the next stage.

The Markhors finished the league stage on top of the points table with three wins, one loss and 38 points while the Lions were placed fourth on the table with one win, three losses and 12 points. Markhors will now face the Panthers in the final on 29 September.

The two sides last locked horns in the Champions One-Day Cup Qualifier on Tuesday when Saim Ayub’s all-round exploits propelled Panthers into the final.

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Saim Ayub backed his five-wicket haul with a brisk knock up the order, helping Panthers to chase down the modest 138-run target in 23.4 overs.

Panthers Squad: Shadab Khan (captain), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Ahmed Bashir, Amad Butt, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Umar, Mohammad Zeeshan, Mubasir Khan, Rizwan Mehmood, Umar Siddiq and Usman Khan.

Markhors Squad: Iftikhar Ahmed (captain), Abdul Samad, Akif Javed, Ali Usman, Bismillah Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi, Muhammad Imran, Shahnawaz Dahani.

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FAISALABAD: The toss of the Champions One-Day Cup’s Eliminator 2 between the Markhors and the Lions has been delayed due to the wet outfield here on Friday.

The winner of the Eliminator will face the winners of the Qualifier — Panthers, led by all-rounder Shadab Khan, in the final on 29 September.

Notably, Panthers outclassed Mohammad Rizwan-led Markhors by seven wickets to qualify for the Champions One-Day Cup final.

Saim Ayub played a pivotal role in guiding his side to victory in the high-stakes clash by backing his five-wicket haul with an anchoring knock up the order in the run chase.

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He was supported by wicketkeeper batter Usman Khan, who scored a quickfire half-century to steer the Panthers to a statement victory with 158 balls to spare.

Meanwhile, the Lions defeated Stallions with a narrow 12-run margin in the Champions One-Day Cup Eliminator to set up the Eliminator 2 against Markhors.

It’s worth noting that the players selected in Pakistan’s squad for the first Test against England have been withdrawn from Champions One-Day Cup squads.

Consequently, the Lions will be without their captain Shaheen Afridi, all-rounder Aamir Jamal and opening batter Abdullah Shafique, meanwhile, Markhors will be missing skipper Mohammad Rizwan, as well as all-rounder Salman Ali Agha and pace bowler Naseem Shah.

READ: Pakistan cricketer slams Jason Gillespie over ‘same players’ in Test squad

FAISALABAD: Ahmed Daniyal backed his gutsy half-century with three wickets and powered Lions to a narrow 12-run victory over Stallions in the Champions One-Day Cup Eliminator here at Iqbal Stadium on Wednesday.

Set to chase 264, the Stallions batting unit unfolded on 251 on the third delivery of the final over.

The Stallions got off to a decent start to the run chase as openers Maaz Sadaqat and Yasir Khan provided a solid 68-run partnership.

But both openers Sadaqat and Yasir alongside Adil Amin perished in quick succession, resulting in Stallions slipping to 68/3.

After the top-order collapse, Tayyab Tahir and Hussain Talat forged an anchoring partnership for the fourth wicket.

The duo added an important 53 runs before both fell in successive overs to leave Stallions reeling at 139/5 in 30.3 overs.

Stallions’ captain Mohammad Haris then took the reigns of the pursuit and put on crucial partnerships with Mohammad Mohsin and Jahandad Khan before falling victim to Ahmed Daniyal in the 46th over.

Haris smashed three boundaries on his way to a 42-ball 30.

The Stallions slipped further to 246/9 in 48.5 but Jahandad had kept them in the hunt with a gutsy knock, which however, had an agonizing end as he was run out as a result of a mixup.

Ahmed Daniyal and Khushdil Shah bagged three wickets each for the Lions while Sirajuddin, Faisal Akram and Sharoon Siraj shared three wickets between them.

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Opting to bat first, Lions managed to accumulate 263/9 in the allotted 50 overs, mainly due to a defiant 81-run partnership between Aamer Yamin and Daniyal.

The Lions got off to a dismal start to their innings as Ubaid Shah ran through their top order, claiming key wickets of Kamran Ghulam (4), Omair Bin Yousuf (4) and stand-in captain Imam-ul-Haq (23) inside the batting powerplay.

The Lions were in tatters at 43/3 in the 10th over.

Following the slump, Sharoon Siraj and Mohammad Talha launched a recovery with a cautious partnership for the fourth wicket.

The duo batted sensibly against a charged Stallions’ bowling attack and added 77 runs for the fourth wicket, conceding 92 balls in the process.

The budding partnership finally ended in the 25th over when Maaz Sadaqat sent Siraj packing. He scored 38 off 50 deliveries with the help of three boundaries including a six.

Taha followed suit in the next over, falling victim to Adil Amin after scoring a gritty 47 off 59 deliveries, laced up with two fours and as many sixes.

The Lions then lost two more wickets in quick succession and consequently slipped to 140/7 in 30.4 overs.

But, a sensational eighth-wicket partnership between Ahmed Daniyal and Aamer Yamin pulled the side out of trouble.

The duo added 81 runs in 80 deliveries amid their defiant stand, which lasted with Yamin getting run out in the 44th over.

The seasoned all-rounder smashed three fours and two sixes on his way to a 57-ball 46.

Meanwhile, Daniyal continued to dominate the Stallions’ bowlers and carried his bat all the way through with an unbeaten half-century.

He remained the top-scorer for the Lions with a 59-ball 65, peppered with one four and five sixes.

Ubaid Shah was the standout bowler for the Stallions, picking up three wickets while Adil and Maaz bagged two wickets apiece.

The Lions will now face Markhors in Qualifier 2 of the Champions One-Day Cup, scheduled on Friday.

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