Category: 6. Sports

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi has ignited the India vs Pakistan debate ahead of Asia Cup 2025 with a “no more begging” remark. Pakistan are scheduled to play India on September 14 in the continental showpiece in Dubai followed by another clash in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in Colombo in October.

The cricketing ties of India and Pakistan have been in turmoil for the last decade due to the political indifferences between the two countries with no bilateral series since 2012. Things got worse following the Pahalgam terror attack, to which India retaliated with Operation Sindoor.

In fact, both the cricketing boards signed an agreement earlier this year to play at neutral venues till 2027 in International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asia Cricket Council (ACC) events.

Naqvi’s comments on future cricketing negotiations with their neighbours came in after Indian ministry’s reaffirmation of playing Pakistan only in multi-nation tournaments. “I think we are very clear that whenever talks are held, it will be on an equal footing with India, and there will be no more begging for negotiations,” Naqvi told reporters in Lahore.

“That time has passed, and whatever will happen will be on the basis of equality,” added Naqvi.

India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025

Meanwhile, this will be the first time India will playing Pakistan in a cricket match post Operation Sindoor. Earlier, India were scheduled to play Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) twice but the Men in Blue pulled out in protest.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led side could possibly face Pakistan in two more games at the Asia Cup 2025 – the Super Four stage and potentially in the summit clash on September 28. Both India and Pakistan have announced their squads for the Asia Cup 2025. For the unknown, Pakistan have dropped star duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

MACKAY, Australia (AP) — Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and elected to bat against high-flying South Africa in the third and final one-day cricket international on Sunday.

South Africa has already sealed its fifth successive bilateral ODI series win against Australia with two big victories at Cairns and Mackay, beating the home team by 84 runs and 98 runs respectively.

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Temba Bavuma was back to lead the Proteas after missing the game on Friday due to workload management. Matthew Breetzke, who became the first men’s players to hit four successive scores of 50-plus in his first four ODIs, was left out of the top-order and made way for Bavuma.

South Africa also rested player of the second match Lungi Ngidi, who took a five-wicket haul, and Nandre Burger as Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka replaced the duo in the playing XI.

The home team, looking to avoid a whitewash, didn’t tinker with its struggling top-order batting line-up, but included Sean Abbott and Cooper Connolly in place of rested Josh Hazlewood and Aaron Hardie.

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Line-ups:

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.

South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kwena Maphaka.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

The Associated Press

Afghanistan have named their squad for the upcoming Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, as the 20-men team is all set to be led by star cricketer Rashid Khan. The team also includes Afghanistan’s most-experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, whereas Gulbadin Naib, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have also strengthened the 20-member squad.

The spin department will be headed by Rashid, but also includes key names like Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and AM Ghazanfar. On the other hand, the pace department includes firepower in the form of Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen Ul Haq. Meanwhile, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal and Fareed Ahmad have also secured their places in the side.

“Prior to the Asia Cup, AfghanAtalan will also face the hosts UAE and Pakistan in a T20I Tri-Nation Series, starting this Friday in Sharjah, which will feature most of the 22-member preliminary squad, previously announced by the ACB,” the board said in a statement on their official social media handle on Sunday, August 24.

Following the conclusion of the tri-series, the Rashid Khan-led side will have their eyes set on lifting their first-ever title at the continental event. They are placed in Group B, and will be facing teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. If they end up in top two of their group at the end of league stage fixtures, they will make it through to the Super Fours.

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Afghanistan squad for Asia Cup 2025

Rashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Reserve players: Wafiullah Tarakhil, Nangeyalia Kharote, Abdullah Ahmadzai

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Afghanistan schedule for Asia Cup 2025

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An inspired Argentina played with greater discipline to upset New Zealand 29-23 in a bruising Rugby Championship Test on Saturday to record their first ever home win over the All Blacks.

The Pumas were out-scored three tries to two in Buenos Aires but replacement fly-half Santiago Carreras landed three second-half penalties to push them clear and respond in style to last week’s 41-24 defeat in Córdoba.

Captain Julián Montoya said his team was lifted to a higher level in front of passionate supporters at Estadio Velez Sarsfield.

“The stadium was rocking, honestly it was amazing. I’m really proud of the team and the whole squad,” Montoya said after his side toppled the only tier one nation they’d never beaten at home.

“It’s a team effort and a team sport. I’m really proud. We believed that we could win – we’ve believed for a few years now.

“We came back from a tough loss in the last game and we stayed in the fight.”

Argentina had lost all 15 previous home Tests against New Zealand, stretching back 40 years to 1985.

Damian McKenzie landed a late penalty goal to earn New Zealand a bonus point, meaning they top the Rugby Championship standings after two rounds.

All four teams have recorded a win and a loss after the Springboks earlier beat the Wallabies 30-22 in Cape Town.

The seventh-ranked Pumas fully deserved victory, dominating all facets against a New Zealand side who will cling to their No 1 world ranking.

The visitors’ cause wasn’t helped by conceding three yellow cards, including two late in the first half that left them defending with 13 men.

New Zealand captain Scott Barrett admitted his team were outplayed.

“I think they showed more passion and intensity,” Barrett said.

“They got over the gain line and they held the ball, while we gave away penalties which just fed their game. They’re a quality team and we were outclassed.”

Barrett said there will be soul-searching within the All Blacks ahead of their next match, when they put a 34-year unbeaten run at Auckland’s Eden Park on the line against the Springboks on 6 September.

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“We’ve got a week back at home and I’m sure there will be a bit of pain within this group because we’ve got a big challenge the following week,” Barrett said.

“We certainly need a bounce.”

Argentina suffered a blow when influential fly-half Tomás Albornoz was forced out of the game, soon after scoring the opening points through a penalty goal.

Trailing 6-3, the All Blacks enjoyed a period of dominance midway through the first half, with centre Billy Proctor and prop Fletcher Newell scoring tries from slick team moves.

However, a yellow card to New Zealand fullback Will Jordan for deliberate obstruction swung momentum.

The Pumas drew level through flanker Juan Martín González’s try and All Blacks forward Tupou Vaa’i was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knockdown during the same passage of play.

Playing with a two-man advantage, the home side were foiled in their attempts to take a lead into the interval, with the scores instead locked at 13-all.

Carreras landed two penalties before Argentina pulled 13 points clear midway through the second stanza when scrum-half Gonzalo García scored, popping the ball over the tryline after a rampaging charge from impressive back-rower Pablo Matera.

New Zealand threatened a comeback after a driving maul try to Samisoni Taukei’aho but their hopes buckled when wing Sevu Reece was shown a yellow card for a deliberate foul.

With Reuters

LUANDA (Angola) – Regardless of the outcome of the 2025 AfroBasket Final, this year’s tournament was one of the most competitive in history.

With close games, single-digit win-loss margins, and uncertainty until the end, the Angola 2025 showpiece proved that no team could easily take home the trophy.

By the time hosts Angola and Mali meet for the title game, 35 games will have passed since the event began on August 12.

So, who will win the AfroBasket title? Angola or Mali?

Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 AfroBasket Final.

How to watch

The grande finale is scheduled for Sunday, August 24 at 19:00 (GMT+) at Pavilhao Multiusos do Kilamba in Luanda.

For more information on how to watch the Final, CLICK HERE.

Angola vs Mali Head-to-Head

Angola and Mali have not faced each other since Angola last won the African Championship title in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in 2013. In that tournament, Angola trounced Mali 82–36 in the group phase.

Before that day in Abidjan, Angola had beaten Mali three other times: in 1999, 2005, and 2009.

What makes this a special occasion for both teams?

The eleven-time African champions, Angola, have not reached an AfroBasket tournament since they lost to Nigeria on August 30, 2015. This marks a decade-long drought for a country accustomed to seeing its heroes on the tournament’s final day.

Mali, a potent and promising up-and-comer, has dominated youth tournaments across the continent, winning U16 and U18 titles time and time again. However, this is their first AfroBasket final at the senior level.

What do the numbers show?

A thorough examination of the differences between Angola and Mali reveals more similarities than differences.

In terms of points scored per game, Angola averaged 79.8, while Mali averaged 79.

Mali had a better rebounding average with 46.5 boards per game, compared to Angola’s 40.2.

Shooting opportunities? Both Angola and Mali averaged 18.4 assists per game.

In terms of shooting success, both teams seem equal, with Angola averaging a field-goal percentage of 41 and Mali averaging 40.

How did they reach the final?

Angola began their 2025 AfroBasket campaign with an 85-53 victory over Libya in Luanda, then continued it in the southern Angolan city of Moçâmedes.

Back in the capital, Angola maintained their undefeated record to advance to the championship with a perfect 5-0.

Meanwhile, Mali started their 2025 AfroBasket journey with a 74-59 loss to Egypt, then suffered their second loss to Senegal (80-70).

Mali reached the championship game with four wins in six games.

August 24

If Mali beats Angola on August 24, it will certainly be a special date in the country’s basketball history.

For Angola, August 24 is already significant because they defeated Senegal in the 2005 final in Algiers, Algeria.

Key Players

Childe Dundao and Alou Diarra have become the heartbeat of their teams.

Dundao scored more points per game than any other Angolan player, averaging 15.5 points per game, while Mahamane Coulibaly led Mali in scoring with 16 points per game.

Real Madrid power forward Bruno Fernando led Angola in rebounding with an average of 7.4 boards per game, compared to Alou Diarra’s 10.5.

Dundao averaged six assists per game, compared to Siriman Kanoute’s 8.5.

Biggest difference

The starkest difference between Angola and Mali is evident on their respective benches, with Angola outscoring Mali 40-21.

FIBA

“The more times you get it wrong or it doesn’t happen for you, you start to not fear it,” Fleetwood said of his chances of winning after narrowly missing out on victory at the St Jude Championship and Travelers Championship earlier this season.

“Experience is something you can’t practise. It’s all to play for and an amazing opportunity.

“Everybody competing this week wanted to be in that final pair on Sunday and I’m one of those guys. Hopefully I am stood on the 18th green with the trophy.”

And on a leaderboard stacked with great potential storylines, US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley is on 13 under after shooting the low round of the day, a seven-under 63 at East Lake in Atlanta.

Bradley, who is currently 11th on the US ranking list, has already said he faces “the decision of his life” as he contemplates naming himself as one of his six picks to complete the 12-strong US team for next month’s contest against Europe at Bethpage Black in New York.

Arnold Palmer was the last playing captain on a Ryder Cup team in 1963 when the contest was not the behemoth it has become.

That call will be made public on Wednesday, 27 August and Cantlay must be in Bradley’s reckoning too.

Cantlay was fifth in the world heading into the 2023 Ryder Cup, where he became something of a pantomime villain over his decision to not wear a cap. Since then, he has steadily fallen down the rankings to 23rd.

And he has missed out on automatic qualification for the Ryder Cup, meaning he needs a captain’s pick from Bradley to make his third successive US team.

The 33-year-old, who won the Tour Championship in 2021, closed with a hat-trick of birdies to cap an impressive bogey-free 64.

“I feel like I’m striking it well and in control of my golf ball,” he said.

“I’m exactly where I want to be going into Sunday and I’ll keep sticking to my process.”

The leaders will also have an eye on world number one Scottie Scheffler, who is lurking on 12 under after a 66.

Scheffler opened with successive bogeys but five birdies in his next eight holes lifted him to 11 under.

However, he missed several other short birdie putts and after a wayward eight-foot attempt on the 16th, he angrily threw his putter at his bag as his frustrations boiled over.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre looked to be surging into contention when he reached 11 under with a birdie on the 10th but he too double-bogeyed the 15th after hitting his tee shot into water as he posted a 72 to end on eight under.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy briefly flickered, getting to nine under with a birdie on the 13th but a poor finish with successive bogeys saw him end on six under overall.

Both of those players have secured their Ryder Cup spots but several European players will be looking to give their captain Luke Donald a timely reminder of their quality on Sunday.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry, who looks likely to be knocked out of the final qualifying spot for the European Ryder Cup team by Rasmus Hojgaard at the British Masters, is the highest placed of those at nine under par.

Lowry cannot improve his ranking at the Tour Championship, while Hojgaard, who is 14th at the Belfry heading into the final round, needs to be in the top 29 to nick that final automatic spot.

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland of Norway are at five and four under respectively and require Donald to give them the nod.

The same goes for Sepp Straka, who is set to finish eighth, above Aberg and Hovland in the qualification standings. The Austrian has won twice on the PGA Tour this year, but has had a poor week in Atlanta and is bottom of the 30-man field on six over par.

You can follow the final round of the Tour Championship via BBC Sport’s live text page from 18:30 BST on Sunday.