Category: 6. Sports

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.

The challenge for Dowman is to remain grounded as his profile grows and the excitement over his potential builds.

“For Max and his family and friends, I’m sure they’re all living in a dream and a fairy tale and it probably hasn’t hit home yet,” Rooney said. “But you can see his future is so bright, he is going to have a massive future.

“Everyone you speak to in football, the same name keeps coming back: Max Dowman.

“It’s difficult for anyone. I think the first thing you’ve got to do is just stay around your family and close friends.

“Listen to them because there are going to be people out there who are trying to be your friend or trying to get in touch with you – some for good reasons, some for not so good reasons.

“You just have to make sure the people who are closer to you, you stay around them and listen to their advice rather than outsiders.”

As well as stepping up on the pitch, Rooney says there are also adjustments off it for a young player breaking into the first team.

“It’s surreal. It’s so strange that one minute you’re in the youth team and the next you’re in the first-team dressing room with some of your heroes,” Rooney said.

“For me, it was some of my heroes growing up, then we’re training, we’re playing, we’re becoming friends.

“I was around at Duncan Ferguson’s house. He lived on the same road as me, and I’m just chilling with him and Alan Stubbs. And you’re like, ‘what is going on here?’.

“It’s something you really need to get used to quickly because it can be overwhelming.

“Max Dowman looks like a very level-headed lad from everything I’ve seen and you hope he manages to deal with it and understands what’s coming his way very soon.”

Rooney’s main words of advice for Dowman come from the heart.

“Enjoy it. I’m sure we’re going to see so much of him, so much of his talent and goals and assists, whatever,” he said.

“Alan Stubbs always said to me years ago, ‘make sure you enjoy it because it goes very quickly’.

“When you’re young, you don’t think that or you sometimes forget that, but enjoy it and make the most of it.”

Watch the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport YouTube,, external and iPlayer. Listen on BBC Sounds.

• 6DAYS® Italia begins with opening day of racing in Bergamo
• Rainy start challenges riders early on
• France fastest in World Trophy competition

A rainy start greeted competitors for the opening day of racing at the 6DAYS® FIM Enduro of Nations in Bergamo, Italy. After a hot and sunny lead into the 6DAYS® Italia, rain clouds gathered as the six-hundred-and-sixty riders from the thirty-three nations prepared to roll off the start ramp early on Sunday morning.

The change in weather resulted in a number of favourites in the World Trophy categories making some last-minute tyre decisions during the morning service. As riders arrived at the opening special test of six for Day One, the rain had made conditions very slippery indeed.

Italy’s Samuele Bernardini (Honda) danced the fine line of risk and reward to perfection, winning the opening special test of the 6DAYS® Italia by seven seconds over his teammate, Andrea Verona (GASGAS). Exiting the first special test, Italy were off to a flying start taking a twenty-one-second lead over Sweden in second, with France a further twenty-three seconds back in third.

However, on the following special test, France were up to speed and had raced their way into the overall lead. Spain were up to second, with Italy dropping back to third. At the midway point in the day, France continued to hold firm in first, extending their advantage to fifty-five seconds over Spain, with the United States climbing to third.

As the day progressed, France remained out front, eventually finishing Day One with a thirty-four-second lead over Italy in second. Sweden raced their way back into contention from sixth at the halfway point in the day to finish behind Italy in third, while Spain and the United States completed the top-five.

“It’s been a good start to the 6DAYS® for us. To lead at the end of Day One is exactly the start we were hoping for,” told France’s Hugo Blanjoue (Honda).

“The conditions were difficult. The first test had a lot of water and roots to deal with – line choice was critical there and on most tests. We’ll assess things tonight and make a plan for tomorrow, for sure it will be a tough day.”

As Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrated his 45th home run of the season on the baseball field on Sunday, he made a quick pit-stop: jogging right up to a spectator who had been heckling him all afternoon.

On his way back to the Dodgers’ dugout during the ninth inning of the game against the San Diego Padres, Ohtani held out his hand to a Padres fan, high-fiving his heckler and patting him on the back – a gesture met with much amusement.

The Dodgers won 8-2 over their longtime rival after the match at San Diego’s Petco Park.

“It was very out of character from Shohei,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters, adding that the heckler was “wearing [Ohtani] out the whole game”.

“So it was good to see Shohei initiate a high-five from him. That was great. That was fun. It was good to see Shohei show his personality.”

The heckler, seated next to the Dodgers’ dugout, was “very annoying, as he’s in my right ear the entire game,” Roberts said.

Ohtani, a rare MLB player because he is elite at both pitching and hitting, is known as a “unicorn” and is considered to be one of the sport’s best players.

He joined the Dodgers in 2023 with a record $700m (£520m) deal. In Japan, he is celebrated as the country’s biggest baseball export.

The Dodgers and Padres share what some call the “best rivalry in baseball”, with fans emotions running high at matches.

Last October, a play-off match between the two teams at Dodger Stadium was stopped for nearly 10 minutes when Dodgers fans threw baseballs and beer at a Padres player. Days later, Petco Park officials warned spectators against throwing things onto the field or making abusive comments.

In June, players and managers from both teams cleared the benches and went onto the field, shouting and shoving one another after Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was plunked in the right wrist.

This past weekend, the Dodgers were subjected to plenty of jeering from the stands, which amplified as they lost the first two games. But the booing turned silent, and cheers erupted after Ohtani hit the homer – his first against the Padres this season.

With 31 games left in the season for both teams, the rivals are now tied up at 74-57.

“We’re playing outstanding baseball. So, I don’t tend to get too caught in today,” Padres manager Mike Shildt told reporters on Sunday. “We couldn’t be more thrilled. We’re tied for our division lead and expect to go win it.”

ONE Championship returns to Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 29 with another explosive lineup as ONE Friday Fights 122 goes down live in Asia primetime.

This event features international stars from across the globe competing under Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA rules — most of whom will be battling for a life-changing US$100,000 contract with the world’s largest martial arts organization.

In the main event, Thailand’s Panpayak Jitmuangnon faces Russia’s undefeated Asadula Imangazaliev in flyweight Muay Thai action. Panpayak brings an inspiring journey from sleeping in bus stations to becoming a seven-time Muay Thai World Champion, while Asadula enters with perfect professional credentials and devastating finishing power. This compelling clash between Thai royalty and Russian precision promises fireworks.

In the featured bout, WBC Muay Thai World Champion Mohammad Siasarani of Iran returns to kickboxing competition in featherweight action against newcomer Oskar Siegert. The Iranian sensation has established himself as one of the most exciting fighters in the division and will showcase his skills in this highly anticipated return to his kickboxing roots.

International talent shines throughout the card as already-contracted Songchainoi Kiatsongrit faces Numsurin Chor Ketwina in the all-Thai co-main event. Japan’s legendary 10-time Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka Yoshinari returns in atomweight action, while Mongolia’s Erdenebayar Tsolmon puts his undefeated record on the line. Additional talent from China, Brazil, and across the globe adds to the diverse lineup.

So, mark your calendar, put a reminder in your phone, and find out how you can watch ONE Friday Fights 122 live on August 29 in more than 190 countries around the globe!

Fourth seed Jessica Pegula has had a rough time on the courts over the past few weeks. After winning the Bad Homburg title, the 31-year-old American has won only two matches in four events, including a first-round loss at Wimbledon.

But getting back to Flushing Meadows, where she reached her first Grand Slam final 12 months ago, has seemed to give her a boost as the world No. 4 advanced into the second round of the US Open with a straight-sets win over Egypt’s Mayar Sherif.

Playing the night session match on Ashe Stadium, Pegula got off to a blistering start to win the first set 6-0. In the second set, Sherif found her rhythm and broke the American to take a 4-1 lead. However, Pegula regained her focus and her form to win five games in a row and complete the 6-0, 6-4 win in one hour and 15 minutes.

She will next meet Anna Blinkova, who defeated Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-3, 6-1 in another first-round clash on Sunday.

Other Notable Results

Also on Sunday evening, seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, who reached the finals in Cincinnati earlier this month, advanced to the second round of the US Open for the third time in six main draw appearances after a straight sets win over Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava.

After winning the first set 6-2, Paolini had to work a lot harder to overcome the spirited Australian in the second set as both players held their service games to take the set into a tiebreak. The two-time Grand Slam runner-up’s experience pulled her through for a 6-2, 7-6 (4) win to set up a second round showdown against the experienced 31-year-old Aliaksandra Sasnovich or rising teen Iva Jovic.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Women’s National Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 set to take place from 30 September to 2 November.

The same squad will also feature in a three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 16 to 22 September.

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

Pakistan will play all their group-stage matches at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Should Pakistan qualify for the 29 October semi-final and the 2 November final, then both the matches will take place in Colombo.

Also, six players – 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) are set to feature in their maiden ODI World Cup.

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. 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 Friday, 29 August. The players under the coaching staff led by Muhammad Wasim will undergo practice sessions as well as 50-over practice matches. More details regarding the camp will be announced in due course.

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

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

 

Aryna Sabalenka launched the defence of her U.S. Open crown with a victory on Sunday (August 24, 2025) while Novak Djokovic made a successful start to his latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

World number one Sabalenka, who is bidding to become the first woman to claim back-to-back U.S. Open titles since Serena Williams completed a hat-trick of wins in 2014, was made to work hard en route to a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova.

Masarova, ranked 108th in the world, pushed Sabalenka out of her comfort zone with a gutsy performance on the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s main Arthur Ashe Stadium showcourt.

“Happy to get this win and happy to be in the second round. I feel like I didn’t start my best in the first games, but then I found my rhythm,” said Sabalenka, who will face unseeded Russian Polina Kudermetova in the second round.

While Sabalenka advanced safely, Danish 14th seed Clara Tauson tumbled out to Alexandra Eala.

Eala, 20, became the first player from the Philippines to win a Grand Slam singles match with a thrilling 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13/11) win, battling back from a 5-1 deficit in the final set to advance.

“I’m super over the moon with what I was able to do today, especially coming back in the third,” Eala said.

“It’s a very special win for me.”

Another player from Southeast Asia — Indonesia’s Janice Tjen — also bagged an upset, ousting Russian 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to move on.

“I feel proud to be able to do this for my country,” said Tjen, the first Indonesian since Angelique Widjaja in 2004 to reach the main draw of a Grand Slam singles event.

Tjen, ranked 149th in the world, will face Britain’s Emma Raducanu in the second round.

Djokovic off the mark

Raducanu, who made history at Flushing Meadows in 2021 by becoming the first qualifier to lift a Grand Slam title, clinched her first US Open match win since that memorable triumph with a 6-1, 6-2 drubbing of Japan’s Ena Shibahara.

“I wanted to win a match here really bad,” said Raducanu.

“It’s been four years, and it’s a very special tournament for me.”

With men’s defending champion Jannik Sinner and rival Carlos Alcaraz not opening their first-round campaigns until Monday (August 25, 2025) and Tuesday (August 26, 2025), all eyes were on the veteran Serbian star Djokovic in Sunday’s night session on Ashe.

The 38-year-old showed flashes of brilliance in a 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 win against his unseeded 19-year-old American opponent Learner Tien.

Djokovic raced through the first set but was then forced to save a set point in the second after Tien grew in confidence.

A lengthy medical time out to treat what looked like a blister on his right foot helped revive Djokovic and he pulled away to wrap up victory in 2hr 25min.

“Great to be back in New York,” Djokovic said. “I wish I had Learner Tien’s age — when you come to the late 30s it’s about learning how to preserve the energy for what matters.

“I still have the flair, I still have the drive, and you guys give me the energy,” he told the crowd. “Hopefully I can keep it going.”

Fourth seed Taylor Fritz and sixth seed Ben Shelton eased into the second round.

Fritz, last year’s beaten finalist and a semi-finalist at Wimbledon last month, won 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 against unseeded compatriot Emilio Nava.

Shelton had a similarly comfortable 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse.

Shelton and Fritz are spearheading US hopes of a first Grand Slam men’s singles title since Andy Roddick’s victory at the 2003 US Open.

Shelton insisted he was not looking beyond the second round, where he will face Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.

“As soon as you start looking ahead, you stumble over your own feet. So just one game at a time,” he said.

Czech 16th seed Jakub Mensik edged Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-4 and Spanish 18th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina breezed past Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan 6-1, 6-1, 6-2.

Italy’s 32nd seed Luciano Darderi eliminated Australia’s Rinky Hijikata 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.

Published – August 25, 2025 08:49 am IST