Category: 6. Sports

England celebrated their opening-day victory over USA with some singing on the team bus as well as “a little boogie in the changing room”, say Emily Scarratt and Maud Muir.

The Red Roses ran in 11 tries in their victory over their American opponents, which puts John Mitchell’s side firmly in control of Pool A ahead of games against Samoa and Australia.

While there were things for the team to work on as they progress through the tournament, it was near enough the perfect way to get their campaign underway in front of a big home crowd in Sunderland.

Asked how the Red Roses celebrated their win, prop Muir said: “We had a little boogie in the changing room, as we always do, just enjoying the little moments. It was such a cool event and such an amazing day to actually celebrate it as well.”

There were 42,723 packed into the Stadium of Light on Friday, a record for a women’s Rugby World Cup match.

“We stepped off the bus in Sunderland at the weekend and there’s crowds everywhere, the noise, the support there was, as well as fireworks going off,” Scarratt said.

“As we were walking up the steps into the stadium, I caught (England assistant coach) Sarah Hunter’s eyes and we were both a bit like, ‘wow!’

“We’ve obviously gone through the whole thing and seen it where sometimes people don’t even realise that you have rocked up to a stadium or at the pitch.

“When we walked out for the anthem, just trying to take it all in because you don’t know when those moments will end.”

Scarratt was selected on the bench for the game, and when she entered the fray in the second half, made history as the first person from England to feature in five Rugby World Cups.

“When I was about to go onto the field and afterwards, everyone was incredibly nice about it and wanted to congratulate me and stuff, which is cool, as did lots of people there,” Scarratt says.

“But, singing on the bus is the main way that we tend to mark occasions, which you would think should be a nice thing, but it wasn’t the best!”

The 35-year-old says she is making a conscious effort to “savour” Rugby World Cup 2025 as she won’t be playing at the next one – but that doesn’t mean she has any retirement plans just yet.

“It’s still the love of it, fundamentally. I always said as soon as I start to kind of drag my feet a bit with either training or whatever, then it’s a clear sign to me,” she said.

“But I still feel like I can offer something, and I still want to challenge myself. If you think you’ve mastered things again, it’s probably a good time to step aside, but there’s still certain areas that I want to improve on.”

Up next England face Samoa at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton, a ground Scarratt has plenty of experience playing in, and she excited to get out there with the aim to continue the celebrations for England’s Rugby World Cup party.

“We are really looking forward to getting out there,” she said. “We know that the Northampton fans are unbelievable as well as the traveling fans, so no doubt the support will be exactly the same.”

You can buy tickets to the game by clicking here.

Eliud Kipchoge on pressure to win his debut Sydney race

His desire to accomplish new goals drove him to register for his penultimate World Marathon Major race down under, with the hope of collecting his seven star in the near future in New York.

For Kipchoge, crossing the finish line first at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt would be “nice,” but he now has a deeper understanding of what truly matters. He’s resolute in his commitment to furthering his career, which bears all the hallmarks of a marathon, not a sprint.

“What I am doing now is what I would advise the younger me, ‘Just have more patience, more determination and stay disciplined’,” he told Olympics.com.

“It’s a huge pressure for me to win the race, but there’s more pressure for me, to inspire more people to take up running.

“For me, there’s more pressure to show the people in Australia and beyond what’s needed to enjoy running and showcase my longevity as far as marathon running is concerned.”

Kipchoge has been on top of the world and not looking for an exit soon.

He is aware that marathons have become super competitive and intense, and the runner who always aims to be at 80 per cent fit, a level he achieved one month out to his next race, still craves some dominance.

There’s a chance we could see some of the Kipchoge magic that won over millions of fans when he lines up on Sunday, 31 August, in the harbour city. With an elevation of about 317m, Sydney has the highest gain of any World Marathon Major race.

“I think we will run a good course in Sydney, despite it being a tough course, up and down,”he reckoned.

“But the course record is 2:06, and I think we can push to run a good time in honour of the city joining the World Marathon Majors.”

Pakistan’s emerging batter Hasan Nawaz on Monday, claimed that his teammates are in good form and will try to continue it heading into the T20I tri-series against Afghanistan and hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the subsequent ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

The right-handed batter, who has represented Pakistan in 13 T20Is, played a pivotal role in leading Agha XI to victory over Saim XI in the Green Shirts’ intrasquad practice match, held here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Later, he, alongside mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, shared insights on the practice match in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

During the candid discussion, Abrar praised Nawaz and wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris for their blistering knocks, which sank Saim XI.

In response, Nawaz particularly praised Abrar’s fielding and bowling performances, experienced top-order batter Fakhar Zaman for his brilliant knock, before going on to assert that all members of the squad are in good form.

He then expressed hope that all the players, including him, will continue the form heading into the upcoming assignments.

“In the match, the catch you took and the way you bowled were outstanding, and we restricted them to a low total,” Nawaz told Abrar.

“The players are in [good] form, Fakhar played very well. So, by the will of Almighty Allah, everyone’s and my strive is to continue this form for the tri-series and Asia Cup,” he added.

Akram wants Babar

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram expressed his disappointment over star batter Babar Azam’s absence from the national team’s squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28.

Babar, who is second on the list of all-time leading run-scorers in T20Is, has been out of favour in the shortest format since the three-match away series against South Africa in December last year.

He ultimately failed to make it to the Pakistan squad for the upcoming Asia Cup as the former champions shift their focus to grooming youngsters ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

His snub from the continental tournament drew severe backlash from fans and has been the point of debate among cricket pundits since the announcement of the Pakistan squad.

Legendary pacer Akram rued Babar’s absence in the Pakistan squad for the continental tournament but termed it an opportunity for the selected emerging players to showcase their potential.

“Personally, I wanted to see Babar Azam in the team, but since he’s not been selected, it’s up to those in the squad to step up,” Akram told a sports news website.

The former pacer further termed the Asia Cup as an exciting spectacle for cricket fans before expressing his hope for the resumption of Test matches between Pakistan and India, stating it would be a historic event.

“This Asia Cup will be a feast for fans worldwide. It’s my wish that India and Pakistan also resume playing a Test series. It’s been too long, and it would be a historic spectacle for fans on both sides,” Akram stated.

For the unversed, the Pakistan squad for the upcoming tri-series and the continental tournament is currently participating in the training camp here.

The tri-nation series will take place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29 to September 7, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan and hosts UAE.

Pakistan will begin their campaign against Afghanistan on August 29 at 7:00 PM local time.

Meanwhile, the Asia Cup 2025 will get underway on August 9 with the match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong and will conclude on September 28.

The Green Shirts will start their campaign on September 12 against Oman, while their blockbuster fixture against arch-rivals India is scheduled on September 14.

The Leagues Cup semifinal brings a classic Florida rivalry to the spotlight as Inter Miami CF and Orlando City SC battle for a spot in the final. Coaches Javier Mascherano and Óscar Pareja will lead their sides in what has become one of the most anticipated clashes in Major League Soccer. Lionel Messi is confirmed in the starting lineup.

Inter Miami enters the derby sitting 6th in the Eastern Conference, eight points behind leaders Charlotte FC, but with fewer games played than most of their rivals. Over the weekend, they earned a 1–1 draw away at D.C. United, extending their solid but inconsistent league form. In the Leagues Cup, the Herons finished 2nd in their MLS group before eliminating Tigres UANL in the quarterfinals.

Orlando City, meanwhile, currently occupies 5th place in the Eastern Conference, seven points adrift of the Philadelphia Union. Their latest MLS outing was a tough one, a heavy 5–1 defeat at Nashville SC, raising questions about their defensive stability. In the Leagues Cup, the Lions finished 4th in their MLS group but showed resilience in the quarterfinals, defeating Toluca, the reigning Liga MX champions, in a penalty shootout.

Lionel Messi starts for Inter Miami

After several days of speculation and uncertainty regarding Lionel Messi’s fitness, head coach Javier Mascherano has decided to include him in the starting lineup for Wednesday night’s clash against Orlando City. The Argentine forward will make his first start since August 2.

Confirmed lineups

Inter Miami will field their strongest possible XI in a bid to reach the Leagues Cup final: Óscar Ustari; Ian Fray, Gonzalo Luján, Maximiliano Falcón, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul; Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Baltasar Rodríguez.

see also

How to watch Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC in the USA: Live Stream and TV for 2025 Leagues Cup

Meanwhile, Orlando City will go with the following lineup: Pedro Gallese; Alex Freeman, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo; César Araújo, Eduard Atuesta; Marco Pasalic, Martín Ojeda, Iván Angulo; Luis Muriel.

What’s at stake

For Inter Miami, the semifinal is another chance to showcase the club’s global star power with Messi, Suárez, Alba, De Paul, and Busquets, while also looking to take one more step in their pursuit of the third title in club history.

see also

Leagues Cup 2025 TV schedule and streaming info for U.S. viewers

For Orlando City, the derby represents both an opportunity and a challenge: a chance to assert themselves against their in-state rivals while proving they can compete against a star-studded opponent on one of the region’s biggest stages.

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The most encouraging sign for all 30 teams when the season starts is this: Everyone’s tied for first place on opening night.

But what about the season ender in April? Where do those teams stand seven months later? That’s what a handful of developing teams are wondering as 2025-26 approaches. Those teams missed the playoffs last season, either altogether or after losing in the Play-In Tournament. Those teams carry the burden of doubt until they do something to erase it.

Last season’s field of 16 playoff teams doesn’t necessarily translate into this season. Nothing is guaranteed for them, either. There’s always a shift in power and performance year to year, where some teams stumble and others rise and a new pecking order is established.

That might be too much to ask for the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, who finished at the bottom of the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively. Both would require a drastic reversal to make the playoffs this season. A few other rebuilding teams, on the other hand, seem to be on the cusp of playing into April.

Here are four teams that can make the playoffs after missing out last season:

1. Atlanta Hawks

Crazy but true — the Hawks made the Eastern Conference Finals this decade. And also true — they haven’t come close ever since that 2021 postseason. That’s because of a variety of factors involving personnel, and also the Hawks’ roster back then simply maxed out.

The main cog of that team, Trae Young, is still in place. Meanwhile, the surrounding cast is almost entirely different right now and, shall we say, more promising. While the Hawks don’t often come up in conversation when the topic is the beasts of the East, asking this emerging young team to make the playoffs isn’t a tall demand.

The main reason is Jalen Johnson. He played only 36 games last season because of injury. Johnson was on the verge of a breakout after averaging 18.9 points, 10 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game and showed signs of being the co-star that Young needs. The good news? The small forward is positioned to assume where he left off.

Dyson Daniels was one of the league’s best discoveries in 2024-25 when he was named Kia Most Improved Player and finished second in Kia Defensive Player of the Year voting. Speaking of defense, which has been one of this team’s problems, Atlanta added Nickeil Alexander-Walker and suddenly, the backcourt has a pair of defensive aces.

Young is among the league’s premier and inventive passers (no one created more points off assists in 2024-25). Now he has Johnson, along with Kristaps Porziņģis and Zaccharie Risacher, as shooting targets and finishers.

This team is headed in the right direction. If Young becomes a more efficient shooter, which is possible now with more weapons for teammates, the playoffs are well within sight.

2. Dallas Mavericks

Missing the playoffs in 2024-25 was a mixed bag. It was deflating because it came on the heels of the Luka Dončić trade and therefore became the salt in the wound. It was also a blessing because the Mavericks, through great fortune, managed to secure the No. 1 overall pick and grab Cooper Flagg, widely assumed to be a generational talent.

Which means the Mavericks will enter the season surfing on good vibes. Anthony Davis is healthy (fingers crossed), Kyrie Irving is on the mend from surgery and targets a return in the spring, and there’s enough talent on hand to bridge that gap between now and then.

For example, the Mavericks aren’t asking D’Angelo Russell to be a savior, even if he had those qualifications. But he should be able to hold down the point guard spot for half a season. They are asking him to be more of a facilitator, to give Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington touches while creating open looks for Klay Thompson.

As for Davis, he’ll likely be on a mission to stay healthy and prove to Dallas fans that the Dončić trade did bring an elite-level player. He can also take lots of pressure off Flagg, the rare No. 1 overall pick who’ll begin his rookie season with a playoff-caliber team.

Plenty must happen before we call the Mavericks a serious title contender. But playoff team? A healthy Kyrie and AD will almost guarantee that.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

It has become fashionable to throw stones at the Sixers, a process — excuse the pun — that both pelts the team’s reputation and also risks injuring one of their gimpy stars. Without a doubt, the Sixers and Joel Embiid and Paul George are low-hanging fruit, easily dismissed as contenders and categorized in some parts as a cautionary tale following a disastrous 2024-25 season (24 wins).

Pump the brakes a bit, though, before piling on Philly. Yes, they’ve been a laughingstock for the last 12 months, starting with Embiid’s faulty decision to play for Team USA instead of resting his body in the summer of 2024, all the way to this summer when George was revealed to require knee surgery, placing his immediate future in question.

But, let’s be realistic and reasonable — the Sixers are a top five or six team in the East if those two are healthy, which admittedly is a big “if.” Let’s assume the best and Embiid, the Kia MVP in 2022-23, and George, a superb two-way player, suit up for 50-plus games each. That’s not unreasonable.

If so, then the Sixers could make moves in a watered-down East (no Jayson Tatum or Tyrese Haliburton). This assumes that Embiid returns to being beastly and George, given the benefit of the doubt following the only bad season of his career, returns to form. That’s because the supporting cast is solid: Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre, Jared McCain (who could’ve been Kia Rookie of the Year if not for injury) and rookie VJ Edgecombe, among others, will contribute. The playoffs are suddenly back on the radar after a year’s absence.

4. San Antonio Spurs

Everyone knows the emerging Spurs will rattle off a string of playoff appearances. It’s just a matter of when such a streak will launch. And it appears it’ll happen sooner than later, like, this season.

Just having Victor Wembanyama for a full season should pencil in a playoff spot. His rise is truly something to behold, as an impact player at both ends, and at 21, he’s just getting started. Still, the Spurs’ push for prime position in the West goes well beyond him.

The backcourt of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell seems poised for solid results. It’s much too early to label it the best three-guard rotation in basketball, but Castle looks prepared for an even bigger role.

Everywhere else on the roster are players who could take the next step — Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson among them — with Dylan Harper hoping to follow Wemby and Castle and give the Spurs three straight Kia Rookie of the Year winners.

The Spurs probably still have some growing pains and overall lack playoff experience with the exception of Harrison Barnes and a few others. Plus, they’re playing in the deep and competitive West. But Wemby gives them an edge over other teams sitting on the playoff fence.

* * *

Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.

Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from Indian cricket on August 24, two years after he played his last international match (WTC Final 2023). His final farewell to cricket was much like the way he batted – quiet, understated, without spectacle. In this silence, lies the essence of what he has done for Indian cricket.

If Virat Kohli was India’s Lionel Messi – the showman who wowed fans with his brilliance, Cheteshwar Pujara was the Sergio Busquets – the man who worked in the shadows, was unglamorous, but indispensable. Every team needs its genius, but also needs a backbone to provide a platform for that genius. While Busquets was the backbone of Barcelona for 15 years, Pujara remained the spine of the Indian Test batting order for more than a decade.

Invisible Greatness

Sergio Busquets was never the subject of highlight reels. He did not dribble past multiple defenders or score outrageous goals. He read the game from the back of the midfield, broke opposition rhythm, and dictated the tempo of the game. He was invisible to the casual fan. However, to his Barcelona teammates and several managers, he was the first name on the teamsheet.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s career followed the same arc. He was never the headline act. The fans roared for Virat Kohli’s cover drives, Rishabh Pant’s crazy sixes, or Rohit Sharma’s elegance. But all those moments were made possible because of the time Pujara spent at the crease. He absorbed blows, drained the patience of bowlers, and neutralized the threats. This gave the platform for the other batters to play freely.

As Ravi Shastri once said, “He put a price on his wicket that was non-negotiable. That gave the rest of the batting unit belief.”

The Silent Anchors

Cheteshwar Pujara’s greatest innings was just what made his Sergio Busquets-like essence even more visible. In the final match of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba, it was Rishabh Pant’s 89, that helped India chase down the target and win a memorable series, which became the stuff of legends. However, beneath this was Pujara’s 56 from 211 balls. In his gritty innings, he took 11 body blows from Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc. He did not flinch; he did not counterattack. He simply held his ground and absorbed the Australian pressure.

“He just wore us down. Mentally, he broke us more than Pant or Kohli ever did,” ex-Australia captain Tim Paine admitted.

It was the cricketing equivalent of Sergio Busquets’ performance in Barcelona’s 2011 Champions League final triumph against Manchester United. The world spoke about Lionel Messi’s solo goal, Xavi’s passing, and Iniesta’s artistry – but it was Busquets who was the silent anchor. He neutralized the threat of Wayne Rooney dropping deep, cut off passing lines, and allowed Barcelona’s midfield and attack to shine.

Philosophy Beyond Numbers

Sergio Busquets rarely grabbed headlines at Barcelona. In a team where Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta dazzled, Busquets’ ability to dictate play and do the unglamorous often went undervalued.

Similarly, in an era where strike rate dominates debates and aggression is celebrated, Pujara stood apart. His method – staying at the crease, defending with control, and wearing down bowlers – was built for survival, not spectacle.

Both men represented philosophies that could not be measured by numbers. Busquets demonstrated that controlling tempo, creating space, and accurate positioning were as important as goals and assists. Pujara proved that time spent at the crease and holding on to his wicket can be as important as scoring a mountain of runs.

Both men proved that in team sport, the invisible and unglamorous can be as effective as the spectacular.

Admiration Inside, Silence Outside

Sergio Busquets was revered by his teammates and fellow footballers. Some of the best managers in the world built tactics around him. But to fans, he was often a footnote to the likes of Messi or Iniesta.

Cheteshwar Pujara lived the same paradox. Virat Kohli acknowledged that without him at no.3, he would not have scored the amount of runs he did at no.4. “When Pujara is at the crease, the dressing room feels safe,” Ajinkya Rahane once said. Former head coach Ravi Shastri called him a ‘true warrior’.

Yet, his silent contributions were never fully appreciated by fans. His 7195 runs across 103 Tests carried the legacy of some of Team India’s greatest victories. But it never achieved the glamour of grabbing the centre stage.

The Quiet Departure

It feels fitting in a way that Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement came without a ceremony or a proper farewell match. He, perhaps, never craved it. Sergio Busquets once said. “If the team wins, I’ve done my job.” That was perhaps the silent mantra for Pujara, too. His cricketing legacy was never about applause; it was about enabling applause for others.

Every era of Indian cricket has had its icons. The crowds cheered for Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli. Between those cheers, there was always a quieter figure, the one who ensured that legends could script their tales. Cheteshwar Pujara was that figure.

His retirement is not just the departure of a batter, but the fading away of a philosophy. In a world that chases instant results, Pujara reminded us that Test cricket’s greatest strength lies in patience, grit, and the long vigil. With him walking away, Indian cricket loses not just a player, but also one of the last custodians of this belief.

TAMPERE (Finland) – Lithuania’s Jonas Valanciunas rose to fourth in the FIBA EuroBasket rebounding charts, overtaking Spain’s Marc Gasol on the opening day of the 2025 edition.

The 33-year-old needed just eight rebounds to pass his Spanish rival on the list of rebounds at the tournament, since the data was recorded in 1995.

Valanciunas did so after pulling down nine rebounds – along with a team-high 18 points – in Lithuania’s 94-70 win over Great Britain.

“If we don’t get the win, the individual records mean nothing,” said Valanciunas post-game. “But it’s nice to overtake Marc and hopefully I can keep climbing.”

Check out the game report

Lithuania open FIBA EuroBasket 2025 with convincing win

Since making his debut at FIBA EuroBasket 2011, Valanciunas has averaged 7.7 rebounds along with 12 points before the start of this summer’s edition, where Lithuania are playing in Group B alongside Germany, Montenegro, Great Britain, Sweden and hosts Finland.

* as of August 27, 2025.

FIBA

Anish Bhanwala clinched the silver medal in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol at the Asian Shooting Championship 2025 in Shymkent, Kazakhstan on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Indian shooter shot 35 hits in the final to finish just one behind China’s 20-year-old Su Lianbofan, who clinched gold with a junior world record score of 36/40. Republic of Korea’s Lee Jaekyoon, who topped qualification, secured the bronze with 23.

This was Bhanwala’s second individual medal at the Asian Championships, having won bronze in Changwon in 2023. He won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast and helped India win a team bronze at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

India had two shooters in the final. Adarsh Singh scored 585-20x to finish second in qualifying, matching Lee’s tally, while Anish also advanced with a fourth-place finish with 583-21x. In the final, Adarsh bowed out in fifth place after shooting 15/25.

In the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol team standings, India (1738-58x) settled for silver behind South Korea (1748-56x). People’s Republic of China finished third with 1733-64x.

Alongside Adarsh and Anish, Neeraj Kumar, who finished 18th in the qualifying with a score of 570-17x, completed the Indian line-up for the silver medal.

India also added a silver medal in the men’s 50m pistol team shooting event. Yogesh Kumar (548-6x), Amanpreet Singh (543-6x) and Ravinder Singh (542-9x) combined for 1633-21x to finish behind Islamic Republic of Iran, who struck gold with 1652-22x. South Korea (1619-18x) claimed the bronze.

Later in the day, India narrowly missed out on a podium in the trap mixed team event. The pair of Kynan Chenai and Aashima Ahlawat lost to Kazakhstan 38-34 in the bronze medal match. The Indian duo had earlier qualified with a total of 133 to reach the medal playoff.

The three medals on Wednesday took India’s tally up to 22 medals – nine gold, six silver and seven bronze – in senior events at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championships.

Manu Bhaker won three bronze medals, with one of them coming in an individual event – the women’s 10m air pistol.

The Indian senior shooting squad for the Asian competition comprise 35 members competing for medals in 15 events. A total of 129 Indian shooters are also competing in the junior events at the Shymkent meet.

The Asian Shooting Championship 2025 will conclude on Friday.

TAMPERE (Finland) – Lithuania began their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group B campaign with a 94-70 win over a gutsy Great Britain side at the Tampere Deck Arena on Wednesday.

In a nervy curtain-raiser, Lithuania pulled clear late on to create breathing space to get their EuroBasket adventure off to a good start, led by Jonas Valanciunas, who had a near double-double of 18 points and 9 rebounds.

Turning Point

Lithuania recovered from a 5-0 deficit early to race away with a 12-0 run in the early stages of the first quarter, which soon became a double-digit cushion within the first possessions of the following period. To Great Britain’s credit, they reduced the deficit late in the second quarter to keep the game interesting going into the break.

However, that was as good as it got for GB, as Rokas Jokubaitis drilled Lithuania’s first triple, two minutes into the third, which highlighted a 15-2 burst that put the Baltic nation 58-38 ahead, a lead they comfortably held on to.

TCL Player of the Game

Jonas Valanciunas led Lithuania with 18 points and 9 rebounds, shooting an impressive 7-for-13 from the floor as Great Britain could not contain him under the basket.

Jokubaitis supported with 12 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, while Azuolas Tubelis had 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting. For GB, Akwasi Yeboah was their standout with a team-high 17 points in defeat.

Stats Don’t Lie

Despite having to wait until the early stages of the third quarter to hit their first three-pointer, Lithuania got the job done inside the paint, collecting 13 offensive rebounds and scoring six second-chance points in the first half.

Lithuania certainly took advantage of its superior height to keep ahead, shooting 50 percent from the field.

Despite providing highlights, Great Britain’s size hampered them throughout, especially in the absence of big man Gabe Olaseni. They were out-rebounded 57-31.

Bottom Line

It wasn’t as convincing as they would have liked, but Lithuania are off to a winning start in Tampere. Great Britain’s overall performance gives them hope for improved performances moving forward. However, they will want to improve their field goal percentage, going shooting 33 percent from the floor.

They Said

For more quotes, tune in to the official post-game press conference!

FIBA

Romario Shepherd clobbered an unbeaten 73 runs off 34 balls, but the knock went in vain as the Kings chased down 203 with 11 balls to spare.

Swashbuckling West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd unleashed carnage at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, in Gros Islet, St Lucia, on Wednesday in CPL 2025’s latest match for Guyana Amazon Warriors against St Lucia Kings. Shepherd, who represented the Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier this year in the IPL, clobbered an unbeaten 73 runs off 34 balls, but the knock went in vain as the Kings chased down 203 with 11 balls to spare.

The standout aspect of Shepherd’s knock was getting 22 runs in a single legal delivery for the Warriors. It happened in the 15th over of the first innings when the Kings’ captain, David Wiese, brought fast bowler Oshane Thomas into the attack. Thomas had to bowl the third delivery five times. He started with a no-ball, handing a free hit to Shepherd, before bowling a wide delivery. This was followed by another front-foot no ball, which the batter smacked over deep mid-wicket for a six. Shepherd sent the length ball over the roof at deep square leg on the free-hit for a six. The hooter went on again, leaving Kings coach Daren Sammy fuming in the dugout.

Wiese ran to Thomas to have a chat as the bowler himself was left frustrated. Thomas finally bowled a legal delivery on his fifth attempt, but the treatment he received was the same – length ball, angled into the leg stump, and the batter sent it over the roof yet again. Sammy could only smile wryly.

Thomas ended the over with another six, this time from Iftikhar Ahmed, as 33 runs were conceded in a single over.

Despite the effort from Shepherd, who single-handedly powered the score past the 200-run mark, the Kings chased it down with ease. Riding on Ackeem Auguste’s fiery half-century knock, en route to a 35-ball 73, Saint Lucia Kings crossed the 100-run mark in the 10th over itself, before completing the chase in 18.1 overs.

Guyana Amazon Warriors will next face Trinbago Knight Riders on August 30 at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad. Saint Lucia Kings will be in action on Thursday against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

News / Cricket News / RCB star pulls off the unthinkable: 22 runs from just 1 ball in CPL 2025 carnage for Amazon Warriors

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