Category: 6. Sports

Messi’s future been under speculation as he’s delayed extending his contract, but Miami are reportedly confident he will re-sign

Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer thanks to his working relationship with Ruben Amorim

Manchester United may have missed out on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres this summer with news that he has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Arsenal.

United are keen to add at least one striker to their ranks this summer and Sporting’s Gyokeres has been heavily linked with Old Trafford. Head coach Ruben Amorim signed the Swede from Coventry City in 2023 and managed to forge him into a prolific striker in Portugal before exiting the club in November 2024.

At the end of last season, Gyokeres had managed to bag a whopping 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting. Considering the lack of goals in the United squad at present, it was seen as a logical step for the Reds to go after the 27-year-old.

However, it appears the race for Gyokeres could have been run. Along with United, Arsenal have been heavily invested in the Swede and their interest dates back further than the Reds.

Like Amorim, Mikel Arteta has been keen to strengthen his attack having been left with no recognised centre-forwards for large parts of the second portion of the season. According to L’Equipe, the Gunners are closing in on rectifying that as they near a verbal agreement with Gyokeres’ team over personal terms for the striker.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri has gone a step further though and claims that Arsenal have an agreement over a five-year deal with Gyokeres’ agent and that the north London club are now turning their focus to negotiations with Sporting over a transfer fee.

The Portuguese club have already confirmed that they will not hold out for £85m this summer but they will not sell their talisman for as little as £60m.

Ironically, should Arsenal get the signing of Gyokeres over the line, the centre-forward could make his Premier League debut for the Gunners against United at Old Trafford.

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Here are the Fantasy Cricket Predictions and Betting Tips for Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2025, Match 7 – Pamir Legends vs Maiwand Champions and Match 8 – Hindokush Strikers vs Mahipar Stars on the 2nd of July at the Kunduz Cricket Ground, Kunduz.

Points Table

Match 7 – Pamir Legends vs Maiwand Champions (Kunduz Cricket Ground, Kunduz)

Current Form Pamir Legends:

Pamir Legends are currently placed at the 3rd position on points table with 1 win and 2 losses to their credit.

The top run scorer for Pamir Legends in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Mohammad Haroon with 124 runs to his name.

The top wicket taker for Pamir Legends in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Bilal Sami with 6 scalps under his belt.
Pamir Legends have lost their previous match against Hindokush Strikers by 94 runs.

Hindokush Strikers batted first and they posted a total of 176 for 8 in 20 overs. Zubaid Akbari and Mobin Bakhtyar Khan played really well and scored 44 and 58 runs respectively. Just when things were really tight, Hindokush Strikers lost a couple of wickets in quick succession. However, Mohammad Ishaq found timely boundaries to smash 29 runs off 8 balls as he helped Hindokush Strikers get to 176 in their innings.

During the chase, Pamir Legends lost their way right from the word go. They were reduced to 80 for 7 in the 14th over. Yama Arab bowled exceptionally well and picked up 4 wickets for just 21 runs. On the back of his brilliance with the ball, Pamir Legends were bowled out for 82, losing the match by a huge margin of 94 runs.

Batting Stats T20

Current Form Maiwand Champions:

Maiwand Champions are currently placed at the 4th position on points table with 3 losses to their credit.

The top run scorer for Maiwand Champions in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Imran Mir with 90 runs to his name.

The top wicket taker for Maiwand Champions in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Khalel Ahmad with 5 scalps under his belt.

Maiwand Champions have lost their previous match against Mahipar Stars by 5 runs.

Mahipar Stars batted first and they posted a total of 171 for 5 in 20 overs. Hazaratullah Zazai finally clicked and smashed 57 runs in just 42 balls. He hit the bowlers to all parts of the ground and dominated the opposition in plain sight. Allah Noor also made a healthy contribution in the lower order as Mahipar Stars reached a commanding total of 171 in their innings.

During the chase, Maiwand Champions lost a couple of early wickets and looked to be in deep waters right from the word go. Samiullah Shinwari made 32 runs but he once again consumed too many deliveries for doing so. Najibullah Zadran came out really late. He tried his best by scoring 42 quick runs but couldn’t do enough as Maiwand Champions eventually fell short by 5 runs.

Let’s have a look at the squads:

Maiwand Champions
Najibullah Zadran, Yousaf Shah, Abdul Hadi, Mohammad Akram, Khalid Taniwal, Imran Mir, Shawkat Zaman, Ijaz Ahmad, Samiullah Shinwari, Ismat Alam, Babar Khan, Naseer Maroofkhil, M Gul Alizai, Khalil Ahmad, M Dawood, Sami Sarmast, Bashir Ahmad

Pamir Legends

Nangyal Kharoty, Noor Rahman, Murad Muradi, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Haroon Khan, Barakzai Naseri, Bilal Ahmad, Emal Shaheen, Rahmanllah Zadran, Asif Shah, Mohib Hamraz, Mohammadullah, Arab Gul Momand, Lalbaz Sinzai, Sayed Shirzad, Kamil Kakar, Bilal Sami

Match Prediction – Maiwand Champions v Pamir Legends

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* – PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – Pamir Legends

Who will win?– Pamir Legends

Top Batter (Runs Scored) – Wafiullah (Pamir Legends), Shawkat Zaman (Maiwand Champions)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Sayed Shirzad (Pamir Legends), Babar Khan (Maiwand Champions)

Most Sixes – Wafiullah (Pamir Legends), Shawkat Zaman (Maiwand Champions)

Player of the Match– Sayed Shirzad (Pamir Legends)

Team Scores Batting first – Pamir Legends 150+, Maiwand Champions 140+

Match Handicap : Pamir Legends

Wicket Takers T20

Match 8 – Hindokush Strikers vs Mahipar Stars (Kunduz Cricket Ground, Kunduz)

Current Form Hindokush Strikers:

Hindokush Strikers are currently placed at the 1st position on points table with 3 wins to their credit.

The top run scorer for Hindokush Strikers in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Mohammad Ishaq with 100 runs to his name.

The top wicket taker for Hindokush Strikers in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Dawlat Zadran with 6 scalps under his belt.
Hindokush Strikers have won their previous match against Pamir Legends by 94 runs.

Hindokush Strikers batted first and they posted a total of 176 for 8 in 20 overs. Zubaid Akbari and Mobin Bakhtyar Khan played really well and scored 44 and 58 runs respectively. Just when things were really tight, Hindokush Strikers lost a couple of wickets in quick succession. However, Mohammad Ishaq found timely boundaries to smash 29 runs off 8 balls as he helped Hindokush Strikers get to 176 in their innings.

During the chase, Pamir Legends lost their way right from the word go. They were reduced to 80 for 7 in the 14th over. Yama Arab bowled exceptionally well and picked up 4 wickets for just 21 runs. On the back of his brilliance with the ball, Pamir Legends were bowled out for 82, losing the match by a huge margin of 94 runs.

Most 6’s T20

Current Form Mahipar Stars:

Mahipar Stars are currently placed at the 2nd position on points table with 2 wins and 1 loss to their credit.

The top run scorer for Mahipar Stars in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Mohammad Shahzad with 120 runs to his name.

The top wicket taker for Mahipar Stars in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup is Saleem Safi with 7 scalps under his belt.
Mahipar Stars have won their previous match against Maiwand Champions by 5 runs.

Mahipar Stars batted first and they posted a total of 171 for 5 in 20 overs. Hazaratullah Zazai finally clicked and smashed 57 runs in just 42 balls. He hit the bowlers to all parts of the ground and dominated the opposition in plain sight. Allah Noor also made a healthy contribution in the lower order as Mahipar Stars reached a commanding total of 171 in their innings.

During the chase, Maiwand Champions lost a couple of early wickets and looked to be in deep waters right from the word go. Samiullah Shinwari made 32 runs but he once again consumed too many deliveries for doing so. Najibullah Zadran came out really late. He tried his best by scoring 42 quick runs but couldn’t do enough as Maiwand Champions eventually fell short by 5 runs.

Let’s have a look at the squads:

Hindokush Strikers

Mohammad Ishaq, Mobin Khan, Zubaid Akbari, Hassan Esakhil, Kamal Khan, Asif Mosazai, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Sohail Khan, Tariq Stanikzai, Abdullah Tarakhil, Izharulhaq Naveed, Azeem Zadran, Lutfullah, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Dawlat Zadran, Yama Arab, Faridoon Dawoodzai

Mahipar Stars

Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad, Hamza Khan Alikhil, Usman Sadaat, Naveed Obaid, Shir Khan Bahadur, Allah Noor, Sediq Pacha, Javid Sulaimankhil, Shamsurrahman, Farmanullah Safi, Khalil Gurbaz, Qamar Shams, Mohammad Ibrahim, M Saleem Safi, Aftab Alam, Mohib Zurmatai

Match Prediction – Hindukush Strikers v Mahipar Stars

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* – PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – Hindokush Strikers

Who will win?– Hindokush Strikers

Top Batter (Runs Scored) – Safiqullah Pacha (Mahipar Stars), Zubaid Akbari (Hindokush Strikers)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Aftab Alam (Mahipar Stars), Yama Arab (Hindokush Strikers)

Most Sixes – Allah Noor (Mahipar Stars), Mohammad Ishaq (Hindokush Strikers)

Player of the Match- Mohammad Ishaq (Hindokush Strikers)

Team Scores Batting first – Mahipar Stars 170+, Hindokush Strikers 175+

Match Handicap : Hindokush Strikers

Live Cricket Streaming Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2025: The live cricket streaming page which enables you to watch live cricket  – Geo-restrictions apply

*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

© Cricket World 2025
 

Java House, the innovative, Indianapolis-based cold brew coffee brand, has been named title sponsor of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES event this month at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Java House Grand Prix of Monterey, which will take place July 25-27 at the iconic road course, marks the only visit to Northern California for North America’s premier open-wheel series. This is Java House’s first event title sponsorship.

“We are delighted to welcome Java House as a sponsor for our INDYCAR event weekend,” said Mel Harder, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “Cars and coffee are a classic combination, and we’re excited to share this fantastic coffee with our guests.”

Race fans can enjoy samples of Java House’s full line of beverages, including its Amazingly Smooth cold brew coffees, lattes, teas, hydration drinks and more, throughout the race weekend. Java House products also will be integrated throughout all hospitality areas, including premium luxury suites and club style pavilions. The fun won’t stop at the track, as Java House Cold Brew Espresso Martinis will be served at select restaurants in the Monterey area leading up to and during the race.

In addition to its support of the Monterey event, Java House serves as a primary sponsor on Alexander Rossi’s No. 20 and Christian Rasmussen’s No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) Chevrolets throughout the 2025 season.

“We are thrilled for Java House to become the title sponsor of the Grand Prix of Monterey,” said Ted Gelov, owner and CEO of Heartland Food Products Group. “INDYCAR has been an outstanding platform to grow our brand and connect with a passionate fan base. This partnership continues our commitment to expanding Java House’s presence on a national stage – with more big things to come in 2025 and beyond.”

For more information or to purchase tickets for the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey, visit www.weathertechraceway.com. Learn more about Java House at javahouse.com.

Dirk Nowitzki was an all-time shooter for a power forward, using height, post-up skill and a soft touch to become the Mavericks’ all-time scoring leader.

1. Dirk Nowitzki – 31,560 Points

Dirk came to the Mavericks in 1999 and quickly became.a featured player in Dallas. Over 20 NBA seasons, he averaged 20.7 PPG, winning Most Valuable Player in 2007. Nowitzki was named to an all-NBA team each year between 2002 and 2012. A silky smooth shooter with the strength to back it up, Dirk was one of the great post players of his generation, developing a signature one-legged fadeaway jumper to great effect. He led the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA Championship, cementing his place in franchise lore before being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

2. Rolando Blackman – 16,643 Points

Blackman was drafted ninth overall by the Mavericks in the 1981 draft, sliding into the league as a sweet-shooting guard. Over 10 seasons in Dallas, Blackman averaged 19.7 PPG, making four All-Star teams and helping lead the Mavericks to six playoff berths.

3. Mark Aguirre – 13,390 Points

A star growing up in Chicago, Aguirre was drafted by the Mavericks No. 1 overall in the 1981 NBA Draft. In seven-plus seasons in Dallas, he peaked at 29.5 PPG in 1983-84 – the third-highest single-season scoring average in Mavs history. He was a three-time All-Star in Dallas before being traded to the Detroit Pistons for Adrian Dantley in 1989.

4. Derek Harper – 12,597 Points

Harper, a tough-minded, physical point guard, made two All-Defensive Second Teams with the Mavericks, receiving Defensive Player of the Year votes three times. He also averaged 16+ PPG from 1987-1993, peaking at 19.7 PPG in 1991, and took Dallas to its first conference finals berth in 1988.

4. Michael Finley – 12,389 Points

Finley, an athletic all-around swingman, was an iron man in Dallas, averaging 39.7 MPG while putting up 19.8 PPG. A two-time All-Star and former dunk contest participant, Finley was acquired from Phoenix in the Jason Kidd trade, then grew into a supporting player for Nowitzki before moving on to the San Antonio Spurs in 2006.

Final Qualifying for The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush is underway, with 14 LIV Golf players competing across four UK venues—Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports, and West Lancashire—with at least 20 spots available in the 156-player field.

Entering this week, 16 LIV Golf players were already exempt into The Open field.

DUNDONALD LINKS: FINAL QUALIFYING FOR THE OPEN

Majesticks GC co-captain Lee Westwood secured a spot in the Open Championship with a fantastic performance in the 36-hole qualifier. Westwood earned medalist honors after rounds of 70-67 to post a 7-under total. The Englishman has found some form recently on LIV Golf. He’s finished T10 in Virginia and had T25s in Dallas and Riyadh.

Westwood last played The Open in 2022 but has a strong history in the championship, including a T4 at Portrush in 2019.

“Royal Portrush is a fantastic golf course, and I played well there last time. I finished fourth in 2019,” Westwood said. “The Open Championship is the greatest tournament on the golfing calendar … I hit some nice shots coming down the stretch there. I think 7 under is pretty good.”

WEST LANCASHIRE: FINAL QUALIFYING FOR THE OPEN

Lucas Herbert of Ripper GC has secured a spot at The Open Championship after earning medalist honors at West Lancashire with rounds of 69-67 for an 8-under total. At LIV Golf Dallas, the Australian spoke about the importance of getting into the major championship.

“I love The Open,” Herbert said. “You know, [Herbert’s caddie, Nick Pugh] being from the UK as well, it’s his one major. I think if we could pick one for the year, he would pick that one … I played three or four of them now and love, love my opportunities when I have gotten them to play it. So, yeah, if I can get another one, that’d be great.”

Now that he’s in, Herbert is also high on his chances to do well at Royal Portrush.

“I feel like my game is trending in the right way as well,” he said. “So, if I can play well enough this week or on Tuesday to be able to get in, then my game’s probably in a good enough spot to be able to go and contend.”

ROYAL CINQUE PORTS: FINAL QUALIFYING FOR THE OPEN

Dean Burmester of Stinger GC qualified for the Open Championship. The South African played brilliantly over the course of 36-holes to punch his ticket to Royal Portrush.

Burmester finished T23 at LIV Golf Virginia and T18 at LIV Golf Dallas leading into the qualifier. For the season, he is currently 11th in the individual standings. The 36-year old will be making his 4th Open Championship start. He’s had success in the Open, finishing T11 in 2022 and T19 in 2024.

BURNHAM & BERROW: FINAL QUALIFYING FOR THE OPEN

Three LIV Golf players (Jinichiro Kozuma, Caleb Surratt, Anirban Lahiri) are competing at Royal Cinque Ports. Check back for updates when play concludes.

Since Draper’s last appearance at Wimbledon, he has reached a Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open, won one of the biggest titles on the ATP Tour in Indian Wells and become only the fourth British man to crack the world’s top five.

That means he is widely regarded as the fourth favourite – behind Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic – at this year’s grass-court major.

A big reason why left-handed Draper can thrive on the slicker surface is his serve.

The power and variety of his opening shot enables him to start points strongly.

When he lands his first serve, it is effective. His first-serve percentage is only the 43rd best on the ATP Tour this year, but he is 14th in terms of points won after it.

Against 38th-ranked Baez, Draper broke in the first game of the match and the strength of his first serve meant the Argentine had little chance of responding.

He landed 78% of his first serves in the first set, winning 86% of those points with the help of four aces.

By the time Baez decided he could not continue, Draper had won 23 of his 25 first-serve points (93%).

“I served well, although I could have been a bit cleaner off the ground,” said Draper.

Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is turning up the volume for its home race – The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport – with the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda set to debut a bold new look for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES event July 4-6.

Felix Rosenqvist and MSR are bringing heavy metal to the track, teaming up with legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne and SiriusXM’s Ozzy’s Boneyard (channel 38). The No. 60 Honda will sport a striking purple livery inspired by the channel, which features hard rock and heavy metal classics curated under the influence of Ozzy himself.

The special livery also celebrates a monumental moment in music history: Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s upcoming “Final Show at the Back to the Beginning” concert on July 5 in Birmingham, England. The concert will feature icons like Metallica, Slayer, Alice in Chains and more.

“I can’t wait to represent Ozzy and Ozzy’s Boneyard at Mid-Ohio,” Rosenqvist said. “The livery is totally different than anything we have ever done before and having Ozzy on the car – literally, his face is on the car, will be pretty epic.”

For fans who cannot attend “Back to the Beginning” in person, the show will host a livestream. Tickets can be purchased at www.backtothebeginning.com.

The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport starts at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, July 6 (FOX, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).

South Africa left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has reflected on the Proteas’ maiden ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title.

The Proteas lifted their first WTC mace with a five-wicket win, anchored by Aiden Markram’s sensational fourth-innings century.

The opener’s 136 earned him the Player of the Match award, while Kagiso Rabada’s fiery nine-wicket haul proved instrumental in dismantling Australia across both innings.

Held from June 11 to 14, the final of the third WTC cycle saw an extraordinary 2.94 billion minutes of TV watch-time on Star Sports, reaching an audience of 47 million viewers nationwide, a staggering milestone for a Test that didn’t feature the Indian team.

The match also sparked massive engagement online, clocking 225 million digital views, matching the numbers from the previous WTC Final between India and Australia at The Oval in 2023.

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During an interview with a sports platform, Shamsi, who played two Tests for the Rainbow Nation, hailed South Africa’s victory and praised Temba Bavuma’s leadership for ending the title drought.

“Definitely, it was very, very special even for guys who were not part of the triumph. You know, South African cricket had a history of heartbreaks in major tournaments,” he said.

“So, just to watch the guys and finally break the curse was really an emotional moment, and I think it’s the first of many, many trophies that South Africa is going to win in the future,” Tabraiz Shamsi added.

The spinner who was not part of the winning squad hailed Temba Bavuma’s leadership.

“Yes, he is a little man with a big heart, and he is very calm in his demeanour and the way he speaks and communicates, Tabraiz Shamsi said of Bavuma.

Tabraiz Shamsi also eyed the 2026 T20 World Cup, stating that the South Africa team is his priority.

“Obviously, playing for the country will always be a priority, and I am fully available for South Africa,” the 35-year-old stated.

READ: ICC WTC 2025 Final sets new viewership records