ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka
Captains of cricket teams slotted in "Group A" of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 pose for a picture in Dubai, UAE, on October 2, 2024. (@ICC/X)
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Updated 03 October 2024
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ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka
  • Pakistan to feature against arch-rivals India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Oct. 6 
  • Semi-finals set to take place on Oct. 17 and 18 while winner of series to be decided on Oct 20

ISLAMABAD: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will begin today, Thursday, in the UAE with the Pakistan women’s team under the leadership of Fatima Sana taking on Sri Lanka in their opening match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Ten teams are featured in the 18-day tournament, with the Pakistan women’s team slotted in Group ‘A’ alongside Australia, India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh, England, Scotland, South Africa and the West Indies are in Group ‘B’.

“We have prepared well for the mega event,” Captain Fatima Sana said in a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board. “The series against South Africa at home before coming to the UAE helped us know our strengths and allowed our batters to show their form.

“The two practice games have also helped us in assessing the conditions here and now has provided us with clarity regarding the right combination of players in the tournament.” 

The PCB said Pakistan would feature against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Oct. 6 and then be in action against defending champions Australia on Oct. 11 at the same venue. Their last group match will be against New Zealand on Oct. 14.

As per the format of the tournament, the top two sides from each group will qualify for the semifinals set to take place on Oct. 17 and 18 while the winner of the tournament will be decided on Oct 20. 

Pakistan have featured in two warm-up games against Scotland and Bangladesh prior to the start of the tournament and also took part in various practice sessions to acclimatize to the conditions.

15-member squad for the tournament:

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan

Traveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper)

Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani


NBA-leading Cavaliers, Thunder roll on with victories

NBA-leading Cavaliers, Thunder roll on with victories
Updated 1 min 36 sec ago
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NBA-leading Cavaliers, Thunder roll on with victories

NBA-leading Cavaliers, Thunder roll on with victories
  • A wild ending in Charlotte saw the Hornets hang on for a dramatic 117-116 victory over the San Antonio Spurs
  • In Atlanta, the Milwaukee Bucks squandered a 21-point lead early in the third quarter to lose 115-110 against the Hawks

LOS ANGELES: The pace-setting Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to victories to maintain their grip on the NBA conference standings on Friday.

Oklahoma City extended their lead at the top of the Western Conference table, improving to 41-9 for the season after blowing past the Toronto Raptors 121-109.

The Thunder welcomed back center Chet Holmgren from injury following a 39-game absence after suffering a pelvic fracture in November. Holmgren made four blocks in a 22-minute display.

Jalen Williams led the Thunder scoring with 27 points, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adding 25 despite sitting out the fourth quarter.

In Washington, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley combined for 60 points to give Cleveland their sixth win in seven games against a Washington Wizards lineup who threatened an upset after an inspired performance from Jordan Poole.

Wizards ace Poole finished with 45 points but it was not enough to stop the Cavaliers pulling away to complete a 134-124 victory.

Mitchell led Cleveland’s scoring with 33 points while Mobley added 27. Darius Garland made five three-pointers on his way to a 23-point performance.

The Cavaliers improved to 42-10 to maintain their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference ahead of the Boston Celtics, who trail by six games with a 36-16 record.

A wild ending in Charlotte saw the Hornets hang on for a dramatic 117-116 victory over the San Antonio Spurs after Miles Bridges drained a three-pointer with 1.4secs remaining.

San Antonio thought they had snatched a sensational win however when new De’Aaron Fox nailed a buzzer-beating basket as time ran out.

The score was initially given but replay footage showed Fox just failed to release the ball before the buzzer sounded to give Charlotte a win that sees them improve to 13-36.

Bridges led the Charlotte scoring with 25 points while LaMelo Ball added 24 with 10 assists. Stephon Castle led the Spurs scoring with 33 points, with Fox adding 22.

In Atlanta, the Milwaukee Bucks squandered a 21-point lead early in the third quarter to lose 115-110 against the Hawks.

Trae Young led the Atlanta scoring with 24 points on a night when seven Hawks players cracked double figures.

The game swung in Atlanta’s favor after a dominant third quarter which saw the hosts outscore Milwaukee 37-17 to erase their double-digit deficit.

The Brooklyn Nets, meanwhile, grabbed only their 18th win of the season with a 102-86 victory over the Miami Heat.

Miami looked poised for victory after leading for most of the first three quarters. But the Nets turned the contest on his head by outscoring the visitors 31-9 in the fourth quarter to complete victory.


Maguire heads late winner and Man United beat Leicester in dramatic FA Cup tie

Maguire heads late winner and Man United beat Leicester in dramatic FA Cup tie
Updated 08 February 2025
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Maguire heads late winner and Man United beat Leicester in dramatic FA Cup tie

Maguire heads late winner and Man United beat Leicester in dramatic FA Cup tie
  • There was a heated debate over whether the England center half was in an offside position but there is no VAR in the FA Cup and the goal stood
  • he result marked the first time in United’s history that the club has won three times at home against the same team in the same season

MANCHESTER, England: Harry Maguire scored a controversial injury time winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 and move into the last 16 of the FA Cup on Friday.

United went behind to a Bobby De Cordova-Reid goal four minutes before halftime. Joshua Zirkzee equalized in the 68th minute and Maguire grabbed the late winner.

There was a heated debate over whether the England center half was in an offside position but there is no VAR in the FA Cup and the goal stood.

“This (loss) wasn’t necessary,” an unhappy Leicester coach Ruud van Nistelrooy told broadcaster ITV.

“This was half a meter (offside). Then extra time, stay in the game, you never know what happens. We deserved to go into extra time and maybe penalties. Decisions like these in our level are hard to swallow.”

The result marked the first time in United’s history that the club has won three times at home against the same team in the same season. United beat Leicester 5-2 in the League Cup and 3-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

The result was a fillip for new coach Ruben Amorim and a bitter letdown for Van Nistelrooy, who was the interim manager at United before being moved on and taking charge at Leicester.

Leicester, a one-time FA Cup champion, started brighter and was 1-0 up at the break. Manuel Ugarte was dispossessed near the touchline and Bilai El Khannouss’ low cross was hit goal-bound by Wilfred Ndidi but deflected in off De Cordova-Reid.

The introduction of substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Zirkzee lifted United in the second half and Zirkzee got the equalizer with the simplest of finishes after good work from the Argentine down the left flank.

Then, just as the game looked like going into extra time, Bruno Fernandes threw a long ball into the box for Maguire to head the winner.

“(It was a) great finish to the game,” Maguire said. “The second half we played a lot better. The first half was nowhere near good enough, we played at a slow tempo and we didn’t really get going.

“He (Garnacho) made a big impact. He always does that when he comes off the bench, so credit to him, he’s ready, he’s focused.”
 


Meronk clings to two-shot lead, Legion XIII dominate team leaderboard at LIV Golf Riyadh

Meronk clings to two-shot lead, Legion XIII dominate team leaderboard at LIV Golf Riyadh
Updated 08 February 2025
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Meronk clings to two-shot lead, Legion XIII dominate team leaderboard at LIV Golf Riyadh

Meronk clings to two-shot lead, Legion XIII dominate team leaderboard at LIV Golf Riyadh
  • Meronk followed his opening 10-under 62 with a 6-under 66 to grab a two-shot lead over Torque GC’s Sebastian Muñoz
  • Legion XIII’s 18 under total moves them to 42 under for the first two rounds, giving the foursome an 11-stroke advantage over Torque GC

RIYADH: Jon Rahm and his Legion XIII teammates each enter Saturday’s final round at LIV Golf Riyadh presented by Ma’aden with an outside chance to capture the individual title. 

In terms of the team competition, though, Legion XIII already has one collective foot atop the podium. 

Legion XIII extended their team lead to a commanding 11 strokes in Friday night’s second round at Riyadh Golf Club, shooting the field’s best team score for the second consecutive night.

Their 18 under total moves them to 42 under for the first two rounds, giving the foursome an 11-stroke advantage over Torque GC. 

“Extremely proud,” Rahm said of his team’s dominant start in the season opener. “I don’t know what else to add to that. Obviously yesterday was a fantastic start and it didn’t take very long today, either, for the whole team to get going.” 

Individually, Legion XIII players make up 50 percent of the top eight players on the leaderboard. Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt each shot 5-under 67s on Friday and are tied for fourth at 11 under. Rahm also shot 67 and newcomer Tom McKibbin shot 69, as each finished at 10 under and in a three-way tie for 6th. 

Cleeks GC’s Adrian Meronk backed up his opening 10-under 62 with a 6-under 66 to grab a two-shot lead over Torque GC’s Sebastian Muñoz.

Ripper GC’s Lucas Herbert is in solo third at 12 under after his 64 on Friday, the low round of the day. 

Catching Meronk seems like a tall ask, giving his form the first two days. But Legion XIII will have plenty of chances with four players in contention in the first tournament since a format change to all scores counting on each round.

No team has swept the podium since Stinger GC pulled off the feat in the 2022 inaugural LIV Golf event in London. 

“I think if we all focus on trying to win individually and give it the best shot we can to do that, I think we can put a strong enough performance where we’d be hard to catch,” Rahm said of his team’s large lead. “But we still have to go out there tomorrow and take care of it. Nothing is guaranteed until the last putt drops.”

Although Meronk didn’t match his flawless performance in the opening round when he hit all 18 greens, the 31-year-old from Poland relied on his putting, needing just 26 putts. 

With Muñoz nipping at his heels, Meronk never surrendered the lead. At the par-3 17th, he extended it to two shots with a 15-foot birdie putt while Muñoz followed by missing a 5-footer for birdie. 

“I played quite solid,” said Meronk, whose only bogey this week came at the par-4 11th. “I had a couple of bad swings, but overall, I’m very happy with the result and excited for tomorrow.” 

Muñoz matched Meronk’s 66 and has the field’s hottest putter, needing just 51 putts through the first two rounds. “I’m just going to try to shoot as low as possible, make as many birdies as possible like I’ve been doing the last two days and see what happens on the 18th green,” Muñoz said. “There’s no other strategy than that.” 

Meronk and Muñoz have each celebrated LIV Golf wins as members of winning teams but not as individuals. That could change on Saturday for one of them. 

“It would be special for sure, especially the first of the year,” Meronk said. “But I don’t want to focus on that. My only focus tomorrow will be just one shot at a time and playing my best golf as possible, and we’ll see what happens.” 
 


Maguire heads late winner and Man United beats Leicester in dramatic FA Cup match

Maguire heads late winner and Man United beats Leicester in dramatic FA Cup match
Updated 08 February 2025
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Maguire heads late winner and Man United beats Leicester in dramatic FA Cup match

Maguire heads late winner and Man United beats Leicester in dramatic FA Cup match
  • The result marked the first time in United’s history that the club has won three times at home against the same team in the same season

MANCHESTER, England: Harry Maguire scored a controversial injury time winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 and move into the last 16 of the FA Cup on Friday.
United went behind to a Bobby De Cordova-Reid goal four minutes before halftime. Joshua Zirkzee equalized in the 68th minute and Maguire grabbed the late winner.
There was a heated debate over whether the England center half was in an offside position but there is no VAR in the FA Cup and the goal stood.
“This (loss) wasn’t necessary,” an unhappy Leicester coach Ruud van Nistelrooy told broadcaster ITV.
“This was half a meter (offside). Then extra time, stay in the game, you never know what happens. We deserved to go into extra time and maybe penalties. Decisions like these in our level are hard to swallow.”
The result marked the first time in United’s history that the club has won three times at home against the same team in the same season. United beat Leicester 5-2 in the League Cup and 3-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
The result was a boost for new coach Ruben Amorim and a bitter letdown for Van Nistelrooy, who was the interim manager at United before being moved on and taking charge at Leicester.
Leicester, a one-time FA Cup champion, was 1-0 up at the break. Manuel Ugarte was dispossessed near the touchline and Bilai El Khannouss’ low cross was hit goal-bound by Wilfred Ndidi but deflected in off De Cordova-Reid.
The introduction of substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Zirkzee lifted United in the second half and Zirkzee got the equalizer with the simplest of finishes after good work from the Argentine player down the left flank.
Then, just as the game looked like going into extra time, Bruno Fernandes threw a long ball into the box for Maguire to head the winner.
“(It was a) great finish to the game,” Maguire said. “The second half we played a lot better. The first half was nowhere near good enough, we played at a slow tempo and we didn’t really get going.
“He (Garnacho) made a big impact. He always does that when he comes off the bench, so credit to him, he’s ready, he’s focused.”


Kane hits brace as Bayern beat Bremen to move nine clear

Kane hits brace as Bayern beat Bremen to move nine clear
Updated 08 February 2025
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Kane hits brace as Bayern beat Bremen to move nine clear

Kane hits brace as Bayern beat Bremen to move nine clear
  • Kane was key in winning Bayern’s first penalty and breaking down Bremen’s stubborn resistance
  • Leroy Sane tapped in a Konrad Laimer cross from close range for Bayern’s second in the 82nd minute

MUNICH: Harry Kane scored two penalties as Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 3-0 on Friday to go nine points clear of Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
There were few chances in the first half but Kane signalled his intent 30 seconds after the break, rattling the crossbar with a shot from outside the box.
Kane was key in winning Bayern’s first penalty and breaking down Bremen’s stubborn resistance.
The England captain tussled with defender Anthony Young and headed a chipped cross against the Bremen man’s arm, which was slightly extended.
The England captain stepped up and converted the spot kick, sending goalkeeper Michael Zetterer the wrong way.
Leroy Sane tapped in a Konrad Laimer cross from close range for Bayern’s second in the 82nd minute.
In stoppage time, Young was again deemed guilty of a foul in the box, this time on Jamal Musiala.
Kane stepped up and converted, bringing his penalty streak to 29 in a row for club and country.
The former Spurs striker now has 21 goals in 19 league games for Bayern this season, including nine penalties.
Defending champions Leverkusen travel to Wolfsburg on Saturday and can cut Bayern’s lead back to six points with a win.
Bayern play away at Leverkusen next week in a match bookended by a two-legged Champions League knockout tie against Celtic.
Bremen fought hard but were undermanned, on and off the field.
Coach Ole Werner along with defenders Niklas Stark and Marco Friedl were all missing due to red cards in the 1-0 home win against in-form Mainz last time out, while attackers Leonardo Bittencourt and Romano Schmid were sidelined with muscle strains.
Despite the loss, Bremen sit eighth, one point behind the European placings, as they bid for a return to continental competition for the first time since 2010-11.