Category: 6. Sports

Residents have been left outraged after vandals destroyed a cricket pitch in Croydon, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Concerns remain about vandalism in at Norbury Park following the incident reported on 18 August.

Jenni Rodgers, leader of the group Friends of Norbury Park, said: “We will have to wait for a new pitch to be put down. I am just sick of this actual lack of respect.”

A Croydon Council spokesperson said: “Our parks team have made the area safe by removing the hazardous debris, but unfortunately, the pitch cannot be currently used. We will work with the police and encourage anyone with information to contact them.”

Regular park user John Kuhrt posted on Facebook that the damage was “a proper demolition job” rather than just a “mindless bit of vandalism”.

Reflecting on previous incidents, Ms Rodgers said: “It does seem like every time we do something, there is just sort of vandalism in response. We put up two notice boards and they were vandalised.”

Both Ms Rodgers and Deborah Bestwick, of Norbury Village Green Residents’ Association, told the LDRS that litter is often scattered across the pitch after weekend games and “we have just begun to get really sick of it”.

The Friends group regularly carries out litter picks around the park and, together with the council’s contractors, helps keep it clean.

Referring to the vandalism, Ms Bestwick said: “All of the organisations are really distressed. It is massively destructive.”

Norbury Labour councillor Shafi Khan first sought funding for the pitch in 2019, securing support from the council, which remains responsible for its upkeep and now its repair, the LDRS said.

A spokesperson for Croydon Council added: “We are appalled by this outrageous act of vandalism on this community asset in Norbury Park, which has impacted on and saddened the local community.

“We have reported the incident to the police and would like to thank residents who have contacted the Council to report this senseless act of vandalism.”

Cristiano Ronaldo achieved another career milestone during the Saudi Super Cup final between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr.

The Portuguese forward scored to bring his tally to 100 goals since joining the Saudi Pro League.

Despite his goal, Al-Nassr were edged out in the match, with Al-Ahli securing a 3-2 victory.

The final was closely contested, with both sides creating opportunities, but Al-Ahli held on to claim the trophy.

Ronaldo’s career statistics continue to highlight his longevity and consistency. He scored over 450 goals for Real Madrid, more than 100 across two spells at Manchester United, and also made significant contributions at Juventus and Sporting CP.

On the international stage, he has scored over 120 goals for Portugal, further cementing his place among football’s greatest scorers.

His achievements in Saudi Arabia add to his long-standing reputation as one of the sport’s most prolific scorers.

This latest milestone underscores his continued impact across multiple competitions, even as Al-Nassr narrowly missed out on the Super Cup title.

In Lahore, under the banner of the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the spectacular event “Battle of Truth Pakistan Combat Night” was held. It featured thrilling contests from the Pakistan Open MMA Championship and Road to Brave 100.

The flurry of punches and kicks inside the ring and the fighters’ intense action kept the audience captivated.

Eight fighters qualified for the World MMA Championship in Georgia, while five fighters secured spots in the Road to Brave and the World Championship.

In the Pakistan Open MMA Championship bouts, fighters from Islamabad dominated. Abdul Manan, Moiz Satti, Siddiq Ullah, Ayan Hussain, Shahab Ali, and Sajid Katoushi defeated their rivals to claim victories. These winners qualified for the World MMA Championship in Georgia.

The qualifying fights of Road to Brave 100 also proved highly exciting. In the Flyweight category, Aqib Awan defeated Egypt’s Al Hassan Muhammad. In the Bantamweight category, Babar Ali overcame Azerbaijan’s Sharkhan Valili, while in another Bantamweight fight, Pakistan’s Zia Mushwani beat Iran’s Saman Moradmand. In the main event, Pakistan’s Rizwan Ali defeated Egypt’s Adham Muhammad to claim the title.

In the women’s contests, Pakistan’s Iman Khan delivered a stellar performance, knocking out Tunisia’s Maha in the very first round.

Overall, eight Pakistani fighters qualified for the World MMA Championship in Georgia, while five fighters booked their places in Road to Brave 100 and the World Championship in Bahrain.

President of the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation, Umer Ahmed, said: “This event will prove to be a milestone in showcasing Pakistan’s talent to the world, and our fighters will bring pride to the nation on the global stage.”

Big-hitters England, Canada and New Zealand all started with huge wins.

Hosts and favourites England scored 11 tries to beat Ilona Maher’s United States 69-7 in the tournament’s opener on Friday night.

After singer Anne-Marie shone in the opening ceremony, world player of the year Kildunne stood out on the pitch.

She produced the moment of the match by kicking the ball – like an England Lioness – through USA full-back Bulou Mataitoga’s legs on her way to a superb solo try.

Prop forward Hannah Botterman also starred as England produced a statement win.

Even so, there was still a sense of more to come, with head coach John Mitchell insisting England “will get better” and be even more clinical.

That’s a scary thought for the other teams in the tournament, especially the Red Roses’ next opponents Samoa, who they face on Saturday (17:00 BST).

World number two side Canada were equally impressive as they thrashed Fiji 65-7 with winger Schell scoring a staggering six tries in the second half.

After the match Schell said a supporter had bet her $200 she wouldn’t score. “I need to go and speak to him,” she said.

Holders New Zealand swept past Spain 54-8 despite playing the final quarter of their match with only 13 players.

World Cup record try-scorer Woodman-Wickliffe went over for the 21st time in the competition, while 21-year-old flanker Jorja Miller crossed twice to confirm her status as a superstar in the making.

Three-time semi-finalists Australia, who are in England’s pool, walloped Samoa 73-0 for the biggest World Cup win in their history, hinting that the Wallaroos could be contenders this year.

Truls Moregard has etched his name in table tennis history by becoming the first European player to win a WTT Grand Smash, defeating world number one Lin Shidong in a thrilling finale to claim the inaugural Europe Smash Sweden title at a packed Malmö Arena.

The Swedish sensation’s triumph represents the culmination of a remarkable journey through table tennis’s elite ranks and continues a breakthrough period for players beyond the sport’s traditional powerhouses.

Moregard’s historic victory represents the breakthrough moment that his exceptional career trajectory had long promised. From ITTF Hopes alumnus to finalist at the 2021 World Championships in Houston and a Silver medal at Paris 2024 Olympics, the Swedish star has consistently knocked on the door of the sport’s biggest prizes before finally delivering when it mattered most on home soil.

“It wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t on home soil,” said Moregard, acknowledging the extraordinary support that lifted the roof with every point he won throughout the tournament. The home crowd’s chants of “Truls, Truls, Truls” provided the perfect soundtrack as he battled through a week of world-class competition to reach the summit.

The victory follows a remarkable period for non-traditional table tennis nations at WTT’s premier events. Just months after Brazil’s Hugo Calderano broke new ground by winning the ITTF Men’s World Cup in Macao, China, Moregard has continued this momentum by claiming Europe’s first Grand Smash title, proving that the sport’s competitive landscape is evolving rapidly.

For the Grand Smash series – which visits Las Vegas, Beijing, Singapore, and now for the first time Europe with Malmö – Moregard’s triumph demonstrates the global appeal and competitive depth that makes these tournaments unmissable spectacles for table tennis fans worldwide.

With his historic European breakthrough now complete and having conquered the Grand Smash format, the Swedish sensation has positioned himself at the forefront of a new generation challenging table tennis’s traditional powerhouses.

The 23-year-old’s victory not only marks a personal milestone but signals a broader shift in world table tennis, where players from every continent are capable of reaching the sport’s pinnacle. From his development through ITTF Hopes to Olympic finalist to Grand Smash champion, Moregard’s journey exemplifies the global pathways that are producing champions from all corners of the table tennis world.

 

Playing majestic table tennis throughout the tournament, Moregard’s triumph in front of passionate Swedish supporters creates a moment that will be remembered as a watershed in European table tennis history. The victory serves as inspiration for the next generation of European players whilst demonstrating that with dedication, development, and home support, any dream in table tennis can become reality.

As the first European name on the Grand Smash trophy, Truls Moregard has not only made history but opened the door for the next generation of European champions to follow in his groundbreaking footsteps. Grattis, Truls!

The Western Force’s full fixtures for the upcoming Super
Rugby Men’s U19s and U16s competition have been revealed by Rugby Australia.

The four-week existing Super Rugby Men’s U19 competition will
run alongside the new senior Super Rugby AUS from Friday 12 September to Sunday
5 October, with most fixtures forming fan-friendly double headers.

The Super Rugby Men’s U16 season will start two weeks later
and run Saturday 27 September to Sunday 2 November.

There’s also been a change to the Force’s home game against
the ACT Brumbies impacting both Super Rugby AUS and U19s, shifting from Sunday
21 September to Saturday 20 September.

All games of Super Rugby AUS, Super Rugby U19 and Super
Rugby U16 will be broadcast live on Stan Sport and the rugby.com.au YouTube
channel.

FORCE 2025 SUPER RUGBY U19 SCHEDULE

*all times WST

ROUND 1

NSW Waratahs v Western Force – Saturday 13 September 8.30am –
Warringah Rugby Club

ROUND 2

Western Force v ACT Brumbies – Saturday 20 September 12pm –
Palmyra Rugby Club

ROUND 3

Western Force v Queensland Reds – Sunday 28 September 12.30pm
– Palmyra Rugby Club

GRAND FINALS

Sunday 5 October

FORCE 2025 SUPER RUGBY U16 SCHEDULE

*all times WST

ROUND 1

Western Force v Victoria – Sunday 28 September 10.30am –
Palmyra Rugby Club

ROUND 2

NSW Waratahs v Western Force – Sunday 5 October 9am –
Southern Districts

ROUND 3

ACT Brumbies v Western Force – Saturday 11 October 1pm – TBC

ROUND 4

Western Force v Queensland Reds – Sunday 19 October 1pm –
Southern Lions RUFC

ROUND 5

Bye

GRAND FINAL

Sunday 2 November

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically denied media reports suggesting changes were being considered in the national team’s leadership across the Test and ODI formats.

In a statement issued on Monday, the PCB clarified that there is no plan to replace wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan as ODI captain, nor is there any move to strip Shan Masood of the Test captaincy.

Over the weekend, local media was abuzz with murmurs of upcoming changes, which have been reported for some time. Pakistan’s ODI and Test teams have been underperforming, leading many to believe that a leadership change is a mere formality for the PCB at this point. Salman Ali Agha, the T20I captain, was reportedly set to take over the ODI duties from Rizwan, while Saud Shakeel was set to replace Shan Masood in the Test leadership role.

The board further emphasized that the matter has not been discussed in selection committee meetings. The clarification, however, does not guarantee the duo’s future in their roles. The PCB’s statement notably said the matter has not been discussed “yet.” This wording is similar to previous instances, such as when the board denied reports of Jason Gillespie’s imminent departure just before the Australian parted ways with the team.

For now, it appears the current captains will continue to lead their respective formats, with Shan Masood in Tests and Mohammad Rizwan in ODIs, as Pakistan prepares for upcoming international assignments.

However, how long they will stay in those roles is anyone’s guess.

What a time this is for Hugo Ekitike to be making his first visit to St James’ after Liverpool won the race, ahead of Newcastle, to sign the French forward last month.

Ekitike is a player Howe knows well and, without blinking, he can reel off a concise scouting report: really good movement, intelligent, good in the air, scores goals off both feet. That was the lowdown. That was why Newcastle wanted him.

“There’s no doubt I really like Hugo and have done for a number of years,” Howe said. “He was someone we tracked for a long time.”

That is an understatement.

In fact, Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike on three separate occasions over a three-and-a-half-year period.

Newcastle made their first move in January, 2022 when Ekitike was not exactly a household name.

But the 23-year-old always had immense potential.

Few know that better than former Brighton manager Oscar Garcia, who worked with Ekitike at Reims at the time.

“You do not find many strikers like him at that age,” Garcia recently told Sky Sports. “He is tall, fast, mobile, very good one against one, holds the ball and scores goals. He can fit with teams that play more on the counter-attack, but also with teams with more possession because he has the skill for both styles.

“Hugo knows which aspects he can improve on, but he also needs help to develop his potential to reach the level that all the people who know him believe he can reach.”

Newcastle were not alone among Premier League clubs in recognising those qualities, however.

Liverpool had also been tracking Ekitike for some time after the striker rediscovered his spark at Eintracht Frankfurt following a frustrating spell at Paris St-Germain.

Newcastle may have made the opening offer to Eintracht last month, but Ekitike had his sights set on a £69m move to Liverpool after previously speaking to Slot.

It proved a significant moment in the transfer window. In more ways than one.

Fatima Sana will lead the women’s side in the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced a 15-member squad for the tournament set to take place in India and Sri Lanka in September.

Pakistan will play all their matches of the 50-over World Cup in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo when India hosts this year’s tournament from Sept 30 to November 2. Following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy earlier this year, a “hybrid model” was decided upon whereby India would play all its matches in Dubai, chosen as a neutral venue.

The women’s national selection committee named the squad for the tournament, and announced that the same squad will also feature in a three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from Sept 16-22.

“Uncapped right-handed batter Eyman Fatima, who recently made her T20I debut against Ireland, is part of the ODI squad,” PCB said.

“Fatima Sana, who represented Pakistan in the previous edition of ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, will lead the side for the first time in the mega event,” it added.

The 23-year-old had previously captained the side in the ICC Women’s CWC Qualifier held in Lahore this year, where the team maintained a 100 per cent win record to secure qualification for this year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup set to take place in India and Sri Lanka, the statement added.

Six players are set to feature in their maiden ODI World Cup, namely: Natalia Parvaiz (8 ODIs, 24T20Is), Rameen Shamim (8 ODIs, 11 T20Is), Sadaf Shamas (15 ODIs, 12 T20Is), Sadia Iqbal (27 ODIs, 50 T20Is), Shawaal Zulfiqar (3 ODIs, 9 T20Is) and Syeda Aroob Shah (2 ODIs, 15 T20Is).

Moreover, 21-year-old Aroob, 20-year-old Shawaal alongside 20-year-old Eyman featured for Pakistan in the inaugural edition of ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup held in South Africa in January 2023.

“Additionally, two changes have been made from the 15-member squad that featured in the ICC Women’s CWC Qualifier,” PCB said.

“Eyman and Sadaf come into the squad in place of Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who have been named in the five-member non-travelling reserves alongside Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.”

The 15 players alongside five reserves players will take part in a 14-day pre-South Africa series camp from August 29. “The players under the coaching staff led by Muhammad Wasim will undergo practice sessions as well as 50-over practice matches.”

South Africa women’s cricket team will arrive in Lahore on Sept 12.

Pakistan became the fourth side to announce their squad after Bangladesh, England and India announced their squads earlier this month.

15-member squad:

Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah.

Non-traveling reserves:

Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

Player support personnel:

Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach bowling), Tahir Khan (assistant coach bowling), Abdul Saad (fielding coach), Muhammad Rafi Ullah (media manager), Muhammad Asfand Yar (strength and conditioning coach), Waleed Ahmed (analyst), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist), Kiran Shahzadi (masseuse) and team doctor (tbc).

Pakistan v South Africa women series (all matches at Gaddafi Stadium)

Sept 16: First ODI

Sept 19: Second ODI

Sept 22: Third ODI

Pakistan team fixtures in Women’s World Cup (All matches at R. Premadasa ICS, Colombo; All matches to begin at 3pm local time)

Oct 2 — vs Bangladesh

Oct 5 — vs India

Oct 8 — vs Australia

Oct 15 — vs England

Oct 18 — vs New Zealand

Oct 21 — vs South Africa

Oct 24 — vs Sri Lanka

Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has once again praised the young batter Muhammad Irfan Khan, strongly recommending T20 franchises worldwide to snap the youngster up. Gillespie called the young all-rounder a quality player and outstanding person who is destined for a long career with Pakistan.

The former Australian international made his feelings known after Irfan’s sensational knock against Nepal during the recently concluded Top End T20 Series, where the 22-year-old was captaining the Shaheens.

“He will be a long-term player for Pakistan. The T20 leagues will come calling. I would recommend him to any franchise or team,” Gillespie commented on a social media post highlighting Irfan Khan’s 42-run contribution in the Shaheens’ narrow win before the semifinals.

While his team fell in the semifinals to eventual champions Perth Scorchers Academy, Irfan Khan Niazi had a decent outing in Australia with the bat. He scored 127 runs in six innings at an average of 24, often coming out to bat when his team was under pressure. His impressive 130.90 strike rate was only behind a select few names as well, underlining his abilities with the bat.

This isn’t the first time Jason Gillespie has gone out of his way to praise Irfan Khan’s talent. He openly criticised his former employers after Irfan was left out of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad. However, with 23 appearances for the senior side and the captaincy of the Shaheens, the PCB’s plans for him are clear.

With more and more Pakistani cricketers making their mark in global T20 tournaments, Gillespie’s endorsement could open doors for Irfan Khan to take his talent beyond national duty and onto some of the sport’s biggest stages, which should only help his career in the long run.