Category: 6. Sports

Former Pakistan captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram has revealed his top five cricketers from his illustrious playing days, naming Sir Vivian Richards as the toughest batter he bowled to.

Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast alongside England greats Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook, David Lloyd, and Phil Tufnell, Akram reflected on the highlights of his 17-year career.

When asked to name the best batter, the 59-year-old picked West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards.

“People often ask me who the best batsman I bowled to was. For me, it has to be Sir Vivian Richards. It’s not just about his batting — it was the whole package, the charisma he carried with him,” Akram said.

He added that he also faced many other greats, including Allan Border, Graham Gooch, Sachin Tendulkar, and Brian Lara.

“Sir Viv was at the end of his career in 1987-88, but what a character he was — everyone’s hero,” Akram added.

The legendary left-arm pacer went on to name the five best cricketers he played against during his career.

“My top has to be Imran Khan, because of what he did for Pakistan. Then Viv Richards, Martin Crowe, Brian Lara, and Sachin Tendulkar,” he revealed.

Akram also recalled some of the toughest contests he faced, singling out Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist in ODIs.

“I very rarely played against the great Ricky Ponting, but in ODIs, Adam Gilchrist was one who really troubled me,” he admitted.

When asked about the best countries to play cricket in, Akram chose England and Australia.

“It’s hard to pick just one. England is special because of its rich history, excellent facilities, knowledge of the game, and easy travel. And then, of course, Australia,” he said.

“I remember touring there in 1989 after my first year with Lancashire, and Imran [Khan] told me, ‘If you perform against Australia in their own conditions, you’ll be recognised straight away.’ And that’s exactly what happened,” Akram concluded.

Six times New Zealand have made it to the final and six times they have walked off the pitch clutching the Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy.

It is a level of success that is ingrained deep in the Black Ferns DNA, and at their opening press conference, the RWC 2025 squad laid out one ingredient they clearly believe is key. 

“It’s probably just as important, our off-field stuff, that they get their minds away from rugby, get out and explore England and the towns that we’re in, especially here in York,” defence coach Steve Jackson said firmly. 

“They’ve had some down time to be able to switch off, and I know when it comes to training they’ll switch back on, which is pretty good.”

This ability to flick between modes is something the players tasked with upholding their nation’s remarkable record appreciate. 

“Our team has a really good balance of switching off and it helps that everyone in this team is kind of best friends,” young scrum-half Maia Joseph explained. “So, it’s easy to entertain ourselves off the field and play cards, play games in the team room, go for walks, chat. 

“And being over in England, we get to go and explore a new country, which is really exciting, especially for the players who haven’t been here before.”

Fellow 23-year-old and RWC debutant, Vici-Rose Green knows just what her teammate is talking about. 

“It can get quite intense sometimes with just rugby,” the two-cap hooker said. “But if I do a couple of the things that fill my cup up, I’m pretty sweet.”

Jackson, who coached the Samoa men’s team at Rugby World Cup 2019, is well aware that how his charges deal with the fervour ahead will likely define this team. 

“It’s a long tournament, you’re here for six weeks if you get through to the final and it’s a competition, so you’re playing week in and week out,” he said. “You’ve got to perform on the world stage and normally (at a) World Cup, everybody’s watching.” 

Green and Joseph are two of the young tyros who, along with the likes of 18-year-old Braxton Sorenson-McGee and sevens star Jorga Miller, have sent jolts of energy through the 2017 and 2021 world champions. Crucially, though they still have the likes of 30-year-old fly-half Ruahei Demant and RWC record try scorer Portia Woodman-Wickliffe to balance the books. 

“There’s a lot of experience in our team and then there’s a few newbies, like myself, so they’ve just gotten around us,” Green said. “I can’t express how much gratitude I have for them. They’ve helped me absolutely grow in this space and I’m just really excited to see everyone’s weapons unleashed.” 

This ability to “unleash” when it really matters is what has helped the Black Ferns become what is fashionably labelled ‘mentality monsters’. Maintaining this priceless skill is what apparently drove director of rugby Allan Bunting to perform his own haka (A Maori ceremonial war dance performed by New Zealand teams before kickoff) in a changing room in front of his squad back in May. 

Jackson knows he, and the rest of the world, will soon see if this version of the Black Ferns has what it takes. 

“You’re playing the best of the best, and there’s so much hype around a World Cup,” he said. “We’ve just got to perform well and be ready.”

Orlando City at Deportivo Toluca FC (Leagues Cup)

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Meet the opponent: Deportivo Toluca FC

Reigning javelin throw world champion Neeraj Chopra will not compete at the Brussels Diamond League 2025 in Belgium on Friday.

The two-time Olympic medallist has already secured his spot in the Diamond League Final in Zurich on August 27-28, having collected 15 points from his two appearances this season.

The men’s javelin throw final, which will decide the 2025 Diamond League champion, is scheduled for August 28. Neeraj, the 2022 Diamond League champion and runner-up in 2023 and 2024, is yet to announce his participation in Zurich.

Brussels will be the fourth and final Diamond League meeting this year to feature the men’s javelin throw event. Neeraj, however, has opted to skip the leg, just as he did in Silesia earlier this month.

Neeraj finished runner-up in the 2024 Diamond League Final with an attempt of 87.86m, losing the title to Grenada’s Anderson Peters by one centimetre.

In his two Diamond League appearances this season, the 27-year-old Indian athlete claimed victory in Paris with a throw of 88.16m after producing a national record-breaking 90.23m effort to finish behind Julian Weber of Germany in Doha.

Alongside Chopra, Weber (15 points) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott (17 points) have also confirmed their qualification for the Zurich Final.

Both Weber and Walcott will compete in Brussels, while the remaining slots for the six-man final in Zurich will be decided after Friday’s meet.

Neeraj’s last outing was at the NC Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, where he won with an 86.18m throw.

Kai Havertz is currently being assessed over a knee injury

The German was absent from Arsenal’s open training session put on for the fans at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Havertz has only just returned from a long-term hamstring injury which kept him out between February and May.

The club are assessing the situation and are waiting for the injury to settle before further analysis.

Analysis: Injury issues strike again for Arsenal

Just days ago, the topic of debate was which striker out of Havertz or Viktor Gyokeres should start in Arsenal’s big game against Liverpool next week. “I think Mikel Arteta will go back to Havertz in the big games,” said Jamie Carragher. “I would be very surprised if Havertz doesn’t play.”

Now it seems that the decision has been taken out of Arteta’s hands.

No matter the severity of this Havertz knee injury, the German will be a major doubt for the trip to Anfield – placing a huge focus on Gyokeres in the first big game of his Arsenal career.

But once again, Arsenal are talking about injuries after it derailed them last season. Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka all missed over a dozen league matches due to injury last term – only the latter is fully fit at the start of this one.

Arsenal do know that Mikel Merino can fill in as an emergency option but that was an awkward scenario last season which Arteta and the Arsenal team made the most of. Playing the Spaniard as a No 9 again is a situation they want to avoid, if possible.

What this situation does tell us, though, is that Arsenal will have to get Gyokeres on song soon, after a slightly underwhelming Premier League debut at Manchester United last weekend.

Saturday’s game against Leeds – which Gyokeres will almost certainly start now – is important in the early context of Arsenal’s season. Goals are needed.

A huge run for Arsenal: their next six fixtures

August 23: Leeds (H), Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports

August 31: Liverpool (A), Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Spotrs

September 13: Nottingham Forest (H), Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm

September 16-18: First Champions League fixture

September 21: Manchester City (H), Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports

September 28: Newcastle (A), Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports

Sky Sports to show 215 live Premier League games this season

This season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.

And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games this season will be on Sky Sports.

Thirty years ago, a young man from Tzaneen stood proudly on the podium at the World University Games, a gold medal glinting against his chest, the South African flag draped behind him. This year, his daughter stood in his footsteps—not just as a competitor, but as a new chapter in a remarkable family legacy.

A legacy forged in athletics

“My parents are definitely my biggest support system,” says Karmen. “My mom is my role model—she also did the heptathlon—and my dad helps me a lot with javelin and shot put. It’s all just working so well as a system.”

A new generation takes the stage

While Louis dominated the field in javelin, Karmen has embraced the all-around demands of the heptathlon—a gruelling seven-event competition that tests speed, strength, skill, and stamina.

Even more impressive? Karmen only began training for the heptathlon in September of last year. For Karmen, the World University Games were about more than medals. They were about community, challenge, and connection.

“I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the crowd,” she says. “There’s just an incredible bond between the heptathlon girls. It was a core memory for me—I can’t wait to start training again.”

Despite the event being her international debut, Karmen handled the pressure with poise, viewing the Games not as a test, but as an opportunity to learn.

A father’s reflections

For Louis Fouché, watching his daughter step onto the same world stage he once dominated is a full-circle moment.

“To win gold in 1993 was a dream,” he recalls. “I was a country boy from Tzaneen, and to stand on that podium… it’s a feeling you can’t describe. The team was celebrating with me—I don’t think I took the medal off my neck until the next morning.”

Now, he passes on not just technical skills, but life lessons from a career at the top.

“Sport was always part of my life. There are ups and downs. But the experiences you gain—the people you meet—they last a lifetime. You use those lessons in life after sport.”

The next chapter

With her final year of Pharmacy underway and plans to continue studying towards her Masters degree on the horizon, Karmen’s plate is full. But she balances the academic with the athletic like a seasoned pro and with her family beside her, the foundation is strong.

“Sport and studies—it’s been a hectic four years,” she admits. “But I’m almost done, and I can’t wait to train for the next Games.”

From a gold medal in 1993 to a heptathlon debut in 2025 over thirty years later, the Fouché family proves that excellence doesn’t just run in the blood—it’s built on discipline, passion, and unwavering support.

As Karmen continues her journey, one thing is clear: this story isn’t finished. In fact, it’s just getting started.

Written by Kimara Singh Ruiters, pictures courtesy of the Fouché Family and Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games

In a startling turn of events that left cricket fans scratching their heads, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed a technical glitch after Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli briefly disappeared from the latest ODI batting rankings. The incident, which unfolded on August 20, 2025, sparked intense speculation across social media, with fans questioning whether it was a deliberate update, a system error, or a sign of impending retirement for India’s premier ODI duo.

Also Read: Team India’s Probable Playing XI In Asia Cup 2025: Shubman Gill-Abhishek Sharma To Open, Jasprit Bumrah Returns To Lead Bowling Attack, Sanju Samson Benched

The Mysterious Disappearance of India’s Icons

Just a week prior, Rohit Sharma was ranked No.2, while Virat Kohli occupied the No.4 spot in the ICC ODI rankings. Shockingly, the August 20 release did not feature either player within the top 100. Social media erupted with #RohitSharma and #ViratKohli trending worldwide, as fans and cricket analysts debated the cause of their sudden absence. The ICC quickly addressed the issue, admitting, “There was an error in our rankings tables today, but it has been rectified.”

Despite the glitch, neither player has retired or become inactive in ODIs. Both remain crucial members of India’s ODI squad, having played pivotal roles in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the UAE. Rohit Sharma’s match-winning innings in the final helped India secure their first ICC ODI trophy in a decade, while Virat Kohli excelled during the group stages, expertly navigating spin-friendly pitches at the Dubai International Stadium.

Rankings Update and Its Implications

Before Wednesday’s glitch, Rohit Sharma’s 756 rating points placed him just behind Shubman Gill, who leads the ICC ODI batting charts with 784 points. Virat Kohli held 736 points in the fourth spot. Following the mistaken update, Babar Azam moved up to No.2, leaving only Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer as the Indians in the top 10 ODI batter rankings.

Cricket experts highlight that such technical errors, though rare, can create unnecessary panic among fans. “Both Rohit and Kohli have been consistently performing at the highest level,” said a former selector. “This is clearly a system glitch, and rankings will soon reflect their rightful positions.” Accordng to Hindustan Times, an ICC spokesperson admitted the mistake, “There was an error in our rankings tables today, but it has been rectified.”

Social Media Buzz and Fan Reactions

The disappearance of two of India’s most prolific ODI players triggered a wave of online chatter. Fans speculated wildly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), raising concerns about a potential oversight or miscommunication from the ICC. Memes, polls, and threads dissected every angle—from hypothetical retirements to technical flaws—demonstrating the fervent following both players command.

The ICC has yet to update its official website with the corrected rankings, leaving enthusiasts eagerly awaiting confirmation. Given the duo’s recent performances and active status, it is expected that the rankings will soon reflect their actual standings, restoring normalcy in the ODI charts.