Category: 6. Sports

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):

THE SAINT Lucia Kings sent a thunderous message to the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), announcing their title defence is well and truly alive, with a stunning four-wicket victory over the previously unbeaten Guyana Amazon Warriors on Tuesday night.

In a heavyweight clash at a buzzing Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, the reigning champions coolly hunted down a formidable target of 203, sealing the win with 11 balls to spare and catapult themselves into second place on the table.

The architect of the triumph was young Ackeem Auguste, who blasted a magnificent 73 from just 35 deliveries in a Player of the Match performance that dismantled the Warriors’ attack.

His explosive innings formed the bedrock of a record-breaking power play that ultimately decided the contest.

After the Warriors, who elected to bat first, were propelled to a robust 202-6 by Romario Shepherd’s powerful 73 off 34 balls, the Kings’ reply began shakily with the early loss of Johnson Charles for 13.

Any nerves were immediately extinguished by Auguste and Tim Seifert, who launched a breathtaking assault, plundering 86 runs in the six-over power play to break the back of the chase.

Though Auguste eventually fell with 63 still required, the experienced middle order of Tim David, 25, Aaron Jones, 16, and captain David Wiese, 10 not out, provided the composure needed to guide the team over the line at 203-6 in 18.1 overs.

Only three points separate five of the six teams after the Kings made it 3-0 over the Warriors in their most recent contests.

It was also the first time in the CPL that the Amazon Warriors have scored 200-plus and lost, winning each of the last 10 times they got there.

The 14^th match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) saw the Trinbago Knight Riders secure an eight-wicket victory over the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in their first home game of the season. A superb bowling display followed by fifties from Alex Hales and Kacey Carty was enough to set up the win and see Knight Riders move to second place on the table. 

The Falcons were two wickets down in the first over after Mohammad Amir dismissed both Rahkeem Cornwall and Karima Gore for ducks as he started the game with a double wicket maiden. They then lost four wickets without adding to the score to go from 71/2 to 71/6 thanks in part to Andre Russell taking two wickets without conceding a run in the second double wicket maiden of the Falcons innings. 

Pakistani duo Imad Wasim and Usama Mir put together a recovery with a partnership of 64 which brought the Falcons back into the contest ending on a respectable score of 146/7. While the innings from Imad was hugely important in keeping the Falcons in this game, he left the field injured and took no further part in the contest, which will be a major concern for the Falcons who will have to worry over availability of a key player and their captain.

A steady Power-Play saw the Knight Riders reach 42/1 with Colin Munro the only wicket to fall. A partnership of 87 between Carty and Hales took any remaining drama out of the contest as the two right handers calmly put their team in complete control. 

There were a few chances to break the second wicket stand, not least when Andries Gous missed a stumping off the bowling of Karima Gore when Hales was on 33. The stand was eventually broken when Carty edged the ball on to his stumps off the bowling of Jayden Seales for 60. ​ 

Hales passed fifty from 44 balls but it was Knight Riders’ captain Nicholas Pooran who sealed the victory with a big six as the home side ran out winners with eight balls remaining.

​Amir was named Player of the Match for his 3/22 but this was a very impressive all-round win from the Knight Riders who have started their home leg of the 2025 tournament in fine fashion. 

 

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In a major step toward strengthening women’s cricket in the country, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded domestic contracts to 65 players for the 2025–26 season.

For the first time in the PCB’s history, the contracts have been divided into two tiers—Gold and Silver. Twenty players have been placed in the Gold category, while 45 others, including U19 and emerging players, have been slotted into Silver.

The contracts will run from July 2025 to June 2026, covering a busy season of domestic and age‑group tournaments.

The Women’s National Selection Committee, headed by former Test cricketer Asad Shafiq and ex‑Pakistan international Batool Fatima, finalized the list of players. The board also clarified that the door remains open for players outside this pool to earn contracts if they impress in upcoming events and regional academy camps.

Gold Category of PCB’s Domestic Contracts:

Anam Amin	Anosha Nasir	Ayesha Zafar	Dua Majid
Ghulam Fatima	Gull Rukh	Hafsa Khalid	Huraina Sajjad
Iram Javed	Kaynat Hafeez	Mahnoor Aftab	Neelam Mushtaq
Noreen Yaqoob	Saima Malik	Saira Jabeen	Tania Saeed
Tasmia Rubab	Yusra Amir	Zaib-un-Nisa	Zunash Abdul Sattar

Silver Contracts 

Aleena Masood	Amber Kainat	Areesha Noor	Ayesha Bilal
Fatima Khan	Fatima Shahid	Fatima Zahra	Humna Bilal
Khadija Chishti	Laiba Mansoor	Maham Manzoor	Momina Riasat
Muqadas Bukhari	Neha Sharmin Nadeem	Noor-ul-Iman	Rabia Rani
Rida Aslam	Saiqa Riaz	Sana Urooj	Shabnam Hayat
Soha Fatima	Syeda Masooma Zahra

U19 & Emerging Players (All Silver Category)

Aleesa Mukhtiar	Aqsa Bibi	Areesha Ansari	Barira Saif
Fizza Fiaz	Haniah Ahmer	Komal Khan	Laiba Nasir
Maham Anees	Mahnoor Zeb	Malaika Suhani	Manahil Rafiq
Meerab Sheikh	Memoona Khalid	Minahil Javaid	Quratulain
Ravail Farhan	Samiya Afsar	Shahar Bano	Syeda Batool Fatima
Tayyba Imdad	Wasifa Hussain	Zoofishan Ayyaz

By categorizing contracts for the first time and giving youngsters a clear pathway, the PCB has signaled its intent not only to reward current performers but also to invest in the next generation of women cricketers.

With Pakistan eyeing improved performances in international cricket, the domestic pool is being viewed as the backbone of sustainable growth.

For the first time in history, Pakistan will proudly participate in the Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC) 2025. This landmark event, taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from August 28-31, marks a significant milestone in the country’s growing sporting journey.

The Pakistan team, a handpicked squad of the nation’s top talent, will be led by Captain Azhar Katchi and Vice Captain Mehek Taherani. This dynamic lineup is ready to showcase the spirit, skill, and passion of Pakistani padel on the international stage.

The squad includes a mix of experienced and emerging players, with both male and female athletes competing for national glory.

This debut at the APPC 2025 is more than a tournament; it is a testament to the hard work and vision of the Pakistan Padel Tour (PPT) and a statement of the country’s ambition in the global padel scene. The team is not just competing for a title but also to inspire a new generation of Pakistani athletes. The entire nation stands behind Team Pakistan as they compete with honor, humility, and heart, ready to show the world the best of Pakistani padel.

The Wallabies coaches have confirmed an updated 36-player squad for the upcoming Tests against Argentina as part of the 2025 Flight Centre Rugby Championship.

The group is mostly consistent from the one that toured South Africa over the past fortnight, with a small handful of changes due to players returning from injury or replacing those who sustained injuries during the last Two Tests.

One of those is NSW Waratahs recruit Pete Samu who has been named in his first Wallabies squad since 2023, replacing Langi Gleeson who is managing a sore heel.

Samu, returned to Australia in July after spending two seasons playing for Bordeaux in France, with the versatile back rower looking to add to his 33 caps of Test experience over the next fortnight.

Experienced prop Allan Alaalatoa will provide leadership in his return to the group, with 22-year-old flyhalf Tom Lynagh also rejoining the squad having started all three Tests during this year’s British & Irish Lions Series.

Winger Harry Potter is another who has recovered from injury to re-join the squad, having spent time rehabbing a hamstring in recent weeks.

Filipo Daugunu and Hamish Stewart are also named, having joined the side in South Africa following injuries to Dylan Pietsch and Ben Donaldson.

Queensland’s Josh Canham is the final new face in the squad replacing Will Skelton, who has returned to La Rochelle in France with discussions ongoing regarding his availability following the two Tests against Argentina.

The squad will assemble in Townsville on Sunday before Tests at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on September 6 at 2:30pm AEST, and at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on September 13 at 2:00pm AEST.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “While it’s disappointing to lose some players in what was an attritional fortnight in South Africa, we’re pleased to be able to lean into the squad depth that we’re trying to create and welcome back some familiar faces to the group.

“Argentina have been in strong form this year with wins over the British & Irish Lions and New Zealand and we know they’ll be very tough to beat in Townsville.”

Wallabies squad for Tests against Argentina as part of the Flight Centre Rugby Championship (Wallaby number, first Australian Rugby club, Super Rugby Pacific club, Test caps)

Forwards (20)

Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors, ACT Brumbies, 83)

Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 41)

Josh Canham (#987, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 1)

Nick Champion De Crespigny (#991, Canberra Grammar School, Western Force, 2)

Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions, ACT Brumbies, 31)

Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs, ACT Brumbies, 15)

Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Queensland Reds, 31)

Josh Nasser (#979, Easts Rugby (Brisbane), Queensland Reds, 6)

Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Queensland Reds, 14)

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (#918, Southern Districts, Western Force, 23)

Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 12)

Tom Robertson (#898, Dubbo Kangaroos, Western Force, 34)

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick, Queensland Reds, 41)

Pete Samu (#920, Moorabbin Rams, NSW Waratahs, 33)

James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates, ACT Brumbies, 148)

Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia, Western Force, 8)

Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane), NSW Waratahs, 61)

Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 54)

Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 16)

Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Queensland Reds, 27)

Backs (16)

Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Bulldogs, Queensland Reds, 12)

Tane Edmed (#990, West Harbour Juniors, NSW Waratahs, 2)

Josh Flook (#972, Brothers Rugby, Queensland Reds, 4)

Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 45)

Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, NSW Waratahs, 13)

Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 43)

Ryan Lonergan (uncapped, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 0)

Tom Lynagh (#977, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds, 6)

Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 47)

James O’Connor (#832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee, Crusaders (New Zealand), 66)

Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 31)

Harry Potter (#989, Moorabbin Rams, Western Force, 5)

Hamish Stewart (#986, Toowoomba Bears, Western Force, 2)

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, NSW Waratahs, 10)

Corey Toole (#992, Wagga Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, 1)

Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks, Western Force, 75)

Unavailable for selection due to injury

Charlie Cale

Massimo De Lutiis

Ben Donaldson

Matt Faessler

Langi Gleeson

Jake Gordon

Noah Lolesio

Dylan Pietsch

Luke Reimer

Tom Wright

2025 Wallabies Tests (all dates and times are AEST)

Wallabies 21 defeated Fiji 18 on Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour

Wallabies 19 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 27 on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies 26 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 29 on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Wallabies 22 defeated the British & Irish Lions 12 on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

The Flight Centre Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup

Wallabies 38 defeated South Africa 22 on Saturday August 16 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg

Wallabies 22 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 23 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Wallabies v Argentina at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Wallabies v Argentina at 2:00pm AEST on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies v New Zealand at 3:05pm AEST on Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland

Wallabies v New Zealand at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Spring Tour

Wallabies v Japan at 4:50pm on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo

Wallabies v England, at 2:10am AEDT on Sunday November 2 at Allianz Stadium, London

Wallabies v Italy at 4:40am AEDT on Sunday November 9 at Bluenergy Stadium, Udine

Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at Stade de France, Paris

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was broken in the opening game Wednesday night and pushed throughout by Polina Kudermetova, but ultimately showed the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd why she’s the defending US Open champion.

US Open: Draws | Scores | Order of Play

Sabalenka prevailed 7-6 (4), 6-2 in 1 hour and 36 minutes to reach the third round and keep her title defense on track.

The win marks her 30th career main draw victory at the US Open.

More to come…