Category: 6. Sports

ST JOHN’S:

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the 15-member squad for the 50 over leg of the white ball home series against Pakistan, set to take place at the iconic Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad. The series will feature three CG United One-Day Internationals (ODIs) on August 8, 10 and 12. Hunting a fourth consecutive ODI series win at home, the squad has the nucleus of players who were successful during home series wins against England and Bangladesh to end 2024 as well as the tour of the United Kingdom earlier this year.

The highly anticipated tour will be the final one of the “Full Ah Energy” home series and provides an opportunity for CWI to focus on building its ODI team ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

Alzarri Joseph has been given an extended rest to continue workload management while Romario Shepherd makes a return after missing the matches against Ireland and England earlier this year.

Head Coach Daren Sammy is excited for the team to continue the momentum of the last 18 months.

“Pakistan presents a different test and challenge as we continue our push for automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup.”

“While qualifying is our immediate goal, maintaining a winning mentality and team cohesion is essential for long-term success.”

Sammy also added, “The upcoming matches against teams like Pakistan, who are ranked higher, provide crucial opportunities to earn valuable ranking points to improve our standing ahead of the World Cup.”

Pakistan Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim

West Indies Squad: Shai Hope (Captain), Jewel Andrew, Jyd Goolie, Kjorn Ottley, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, and Romario Shepherd.

Akram backs Babar

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has called for Babar Azam’s return to the national T20 squad ahead of the Asia Cup, emphasising the need for an experienced batter in crucial tournaments.

Babar last represented Pakistan in a T20 International against South Africa in December 2024. Following a string of underwhelming performances, including a lower strike rate, he was dropped from the squad. Speaking in a recent interview, Akram expressed his strong support for the senior batter’s return to the T20 setup.

“If I had the authority, I would definitely include Babar Azam in the national T20 team,” Akram said.

“The Asia Cup and then the World Cup are approaching, and we need a senior batter. Fans may recall that when he represented Somerset in 2019, he scored runs at nearly a 150 strike rate. He has the ability to adapt his batting according to the situation,” he added.

The former left-arm pacer stressed the importance of experience in high-pressure matches, particularly in major tournaments, and highlighted Babar’s ability to anchor run-chases.

“When we’re chasing 140 or 160, especially against big teams, we need someone who can take responsibility and carry the other 10 players along with him. Babar is among the world’s best players,” he stated.

“He adjusts his game to the format and match situation — he’s done it in the past and can do it in the future as well. Babar still has a lot of cricket left in him and can achieve much for Pakistan. We all need to support him,” he added.

When asked about Babar’s ideal position in the batting lineup, the 59-year-old shared his tactical perspective.

“The coach can play Babar at any position he wants. In my opinion, number three is ideal for him, but it will depend on the situation. If there are more overs left, someone else could also go in to bat first,” he concluded. It is pertinent to mention that Babar’s recent form in T20Is has been under scrutiny. In his last 10 matches, he scored 236 runs at an average of 26 without a single half-century.

Notably, he failed to reach double figures in three of his last five innings.

For the unversed, the 30-year-old last led the national team during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where Pakistan’s disappointing campaign led the PCB to prioritise youth development.

The Australian legend Greg Chappell on Wednesday described England’s Harry Brook as a player with the potential to become a match-winner and a great cricketer for England in the post-Joe Root era, while emphasising the importance of maintaining discipline.

In his column for a renowned cricket website, Chappell praised Brook’s extraordinary talent and potential, calling him a ‘worthy successor’ to Root, England’s all-time leading run-scorer. However, he cautioned that Brook’s aggressive instincts need to be balanced with sound judgment, particularly in high-pressure situations.

“Brook has the tools to be one of England’s finest batters, arguably their most destructive in the modern era,” Chappell wrote.

“He has time, range, confidence, and that rare gift of making batting look effortless. But cricket, particularly Test cricket, is not just about shot-making. It’s about judgment.”

Chappell pointed to Brook’s dismissal in the final Test at The Oval, where he attempted an ambitious stroke with the game evenly balanced, only to fall cheaply.

“Brook’s dismissal at The Oval was symptomatic of the conundrum England are facing,” Chappell added.

“The ‘Bazball’ philosophy has rejuvenated their Test side, but it cannot become an excuse to shy away from the hard graft. Positive cricket isn’t reckless cricket, it’s confident, calculated risk-taking.”

Chappell concluded with a word of encouragement, “Brook is still emerging, and he will learn. But to fulfil his vast potential, he must embrace the grind along with the glamour.

“Root didn’t become England’s most prolific batter by always playing pretty strokes, he earned it with grit. Brook will need to do the same.”

The 26-year-old batter has already notched up 10 Test centuries, becoming the ninth-fastest in history to reach the landmark in terms of innings (50).

Only one batter in the past 70 years, West Indies legend Clyde Walcott, has done so faster, reaching the milestone in 47 innings in 1955.

Brook’s statistics already place him in elite company. With 2,820 Test runs at 57.55, he holds the second-highest aggregate among all batters since his debut.

Former Pakistan captain and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi has opened up on the exclusion of Babar Azam from the national T20I side, particularly with major tournaments like the Asia Cup and ICC T20 World Cup approaching.

In a recent interview, Afridi was asked whether Babar and Mohammad Rizwan still deserve a place in the squad. He responded by highlighting the importance of consistency and strike rate in T20 cricket.

“I believe that, given the current situation I’m seeing, if we talk about strike rate, then the players should have an even better strike rate,” Afridi said.

The 48-year-old went on to express his disappointment over the exclusion of the former captain, emphasising that his consistency and ability to score runs under pressure should not be overlooked.

He pointed out that Babar was performing with a strike rate comparable to the new players currently being tested in the team, and questioned the logic behind sidelining him.

“Otherwise, Babar is a consistent performer — he’s the kind of player that, when he steps onto the field, you expect him to score runs. He was playing with a similar strike rate too, so we shouldn’t have dropped Babar either,” he stated.

“The players who are currently playing — fine, you’re giving new boys a chance — but they should be consistent and have a good strike rate,” he added.

Despite being Pakistan’s leading run-scorers in T20I history, Babar and Rizwan have not played a T20I since December 13, 2024.

Previously, addressing the future in T20Is for the star trio, skipper Salman Ali Agha emphasised their continued importance in the team setup.

While speaking to the media on July 14 during a white-ball training camp ahead of the Bangladesh series, the T20I captain reiterated that senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi remain integral to Pakistan’s T20 World Cup plans. He acknowledged their experience and match-winning abilities, noting that their presence adds balance and depth to the squad as Pakistan looks to build momentum heading into the global tournament.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan are senior players and they are part of our core pool of 25 players,” he said.

“We need to have players who can replace anyone at any given time, and that’s why we are working on strengthening our bench. As part of our roadmap for upcoming assignments, we’ve shortlisted 25 players, and those players will be seen featuring in matches until the T20 World Cup,” Agha concluded.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held next year in India and Sri Lanka.

Moreover, Afridi criticised the selection policies and stressed the importance of strengthening domestic cricket.

“Once you raise the standard of your domestic cricket, all three formats will improve,” Afridi said.

“The biggest mistake we make is experimenting with the national team. A player is often selected based on just one or two good innings in the PSL. Entry into the Pakistan team should not be so easy,” he added.

The 48-year-old further highlighted the need for a more structured development pathway for emerging players.

“If someone shows talent, they should be made to play at the lower levels — in domestic and first-class cricket. The process of making it into Shaheens (Pakistan’s ‘A’ team) shouldn’t be easy either. It should be challenging so players understand what it takes to represent Pakistan,” he stated.

DUBLIN:

Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana picked up her best T20I bowling figures of 4-26 and also completed 100 international wickets as Pakistan fell 11 runs short against hosts Ireland in the opening T20I of the three-match series here at the Contarf Cricket Club in Dublin on Wednesday afternoon.

Ireland defended their 142 all out total by restricting Pakistan to 131-9 in the allotted 20 overs. Player of the match Orla Prendergast led the way for Ireland with superb all-round performance as she scored a 26-ball 29 and picked up 3-28 including drawing the first blood in the third over of chase.

Natalia Parvaiz’s 23-ball 29 (3 fours, 1 six) and Rameen Shamim’s 27 off 20 balls (4x4s) in lower order were not enough to take Pakistan across the line. In pursuit of the target, Pakistan’s both opening batters departed for five runs each with 22 runs on the board.

Sidra Amin (15, 15b, 2x4s) and Aliya Riaz’s (14, 23b, 2x4s) 20-run partnership couldn’t arrest the further slide as Pakistan lost half the side for 54 runs and then skipper Fatima Sana (14, 7b, 3x4s) with just 70 runs on the board in 13 overs.

Rameen and Natalia’s 21-ball 31-run stand for the seventh wicket put some pressure on Ireland before Prendergast put an end to it with Pakistan requiring 42 off 21 balls. Pakistan required 22 runs off the last over but only managed 10.

Apart from Prandergast, Jane Maguire picked up figures of 2-20 in her four overs.

Earlier, Pakistan opted to field first after winning the toss. After Fatima castled Gaby Lewis in the third over with 18 runs on the board, Prandergast and Amy Hunter (37, 30b, 5x4s) got together to stitch a 45-run stand off 36 balls.

N0.4 batter Leah Paul (28, 19b, 4x4s) and no.5 batter Laura Delany (16, 15b, 1×4, 1×6) were the other notable contributors to Ireland’s total.

Delany became Fatima’s 100th victim in international cricket 121 runs on the board after 16.5 overs. From this juncture onwards, Ireland lost six wickets for 21 runs as they were bowled out with two balls to spare. Fatima bettered her previous best of 3-18 against New Zealand in Dunedin in 2023 with 4-26.

Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Rameen and Diana Baig picked up one wicket each.

Series schedule:

6 Aug – First T20I – Ireland won by 11 runs; 8 Aug – Second T20I at Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin; 10 Aug – Third T20I at Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin

New Tai Po striker James Temelkovski has arrived in Hong Kong with the recent advice of a World Cup and Champions League winner ringing in his ears.

Last summer, Temelkovski secured a dream professional opportunity with the Australian A-League team Western Sydney Wanderers.

However, the 27-year-old Australian made only eight substitute appearances in his single campaign. His solitary goal, against Central Coast Mariners, was created by former Chelsea and Manchester United forward Juan Mata.

“Even though he’s a world-class footballer, as a human being he’s one of a kind,” Temelkovski said. “He’ll put his arm around you and wants to know you and understand how you think. He was an incredible friend and mentor.

“He knew my time at the club was tough, but he told me he believed in me, that I was an unbelievable player, and I couldn’t allow my head to go down. He said I had to keep striving to get where I want, because that’s what a real footballer does.”

Temelkovski was close enough with Mata – part of Spain’s 2010 world champion squad and a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2012 – that the pair devised forfeits for their darts matches.

Jonathan Kuminga‘s unresolved restricted free agency situation has kept the Golden State Warriors‘ other offseason moves hanging.

While it has been widely reported that deals are lined up for Al Hordord, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II once the Kuminga situation is resolved, another veteran point guard popped back in on the Warriors’ radar.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon remains a possibility for the Warriors.

“There’s still going to be plenty left to be discussed for Golden State even after Jonathan Kuminga’s situation does get resolved,” Fischer said on Bleacher Report’s “NBA Insider Notebook” livestreamed on Aug. 7. “But I still think Malcolm Brogdon is someone to keep an eye on for the Warriors.

“To my understanding, Golden State looked at Brogdon on the trade market back during last season when the Warriors were looking at options for De’Anthony Melton trade back then, before they went out and traded for Dennis Schroder. So, he’s been on their radar for some time. He’s definitely still on their radar now.”

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Malcolm Brogdon’s Worst Season Since Rookie Year

Brogdon is coming off his second-lowest scoring season in his career. A left ankle sprain sidelined him for the final 28 games after only playing a career-low 24 games.

The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 12.7 points while shooting a career-worst 28.6% from the three-point line, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game for the tanking Wizards.

Injuries have derailed his once-promising career. He has not played over 70 games since his rookie season. Since the Boston Celtics shipped him to Portland in 2023, Brogdon has only played in 63 games across the last two seasons.

When healthy, Brogdon provides a steady hand and tough perimeter defense off the bench with his 6 feet 10.5 inches wingspan.

The former NBA Rookie of the Year is an unrestricted free agent after earning $22.5 million last season.

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Kuminga-Giddey Swap?

In the same livestream, Fischer also reported about the Warriors’ interest in a potential Kuminga-Josh Giddey swap.

“Golden State would be interested, depending on how the machinations could go in some type of Josh Giddey-Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade,” Fischer reported.

Fischer added that the Warriors’ interest in Giddey dated back to the 2021 NBA draft.

“To my understanding, the Warriors were prepared on draft night way back in 2021 for Jonathan Kuminga to go no. 6 to Oklahoma City and they were ready to take Josh Giddey at no. 7,” Fischer said.

But the Thunder picked Giddey and the Warriors ended up with Kuminga, who never found his footing in Steve Kerr’s system.

The pass-first Giddey would have a better chance of thriving under Kerr.

The Australian point guard is coming off his best season in the NBA as the Bulls’ primary playmaker. He averaged a career-high 7.2 assists to go with 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals. He also shot a career-best 37.8% from the 3-point line.

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Kuminga-Warriors Standoff Isn’t About Money

Like Kuminga and the Warriors, Giddey is also having a staring down contest with the Bulls.

Giddey has been looking for $30 million in annual salary, according to Fischer, but the Bulls have only discussed an offer with $20 million per year.

But Kuminga’s standoff with the Warriors isn’t about money. It’s about his desire to play major minutes, which the Warriors cannot provide.

Kerr went on record that Kuminga will not play starter minutes next season if he remains with the team following their playoff exit.

“I’ve been asked to win,” Kerr told The San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami on “The TK Show” on May 21. “And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say, I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster we have, Steph [Curry], Jimmy [Butler] and Draymond [Green], and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win.”

Kuminga ended last season with a scoring flurry. He averaged 24.3 points on 55.4% shooting and 38.9% from the 3-point line during the final four games of their second-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. But the Warriors did not win a single game with Kuminga leading the way in scoring without an injured Curry.

Those flashy numbers don’t mean a thing to Kerr if they are not winning.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo

MEDAN (INDONESIA): Set in the backdrop of two active volcanic mountains — Sinabung and Sibayak — and scenic tea plantations near Lake Toba, about 66 drivers will light up the Sumatera Utara International Rally from August 8-10 in Indonesia. As many as 15 drivers will fight it out in the third round of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship’s (APRC) Asia Cup section which is a 12-stage, 200.6-km battle across jungle tracks and volcanic gravel.

Three-time ARPC champion Gaurav Gill starts as a favourite while the combo of Team JK Tyre and Vamcy Merla Motorsports unleashes a formidable five-car challenge at the event. The Arjuna Awardee has teamed up with his French co-driver Florian Barral (co-driver) as they will look to harness the power of a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo in the premier category.

“Nothing makes me happier than seeing so many cars from India and a strong grid of 15 cars, which augurs well for APRC,” Vicky Chandhok, president of the APRC Working Group, said.

Apart from the seven-time Indian National Rally champion Gill and Barral, Vaibhav Marathe is teaming up with experienced co-driver Ashwin Naik. Meanwhile, M Bopaiah and PV Srinivasa Murthy, the Kodagu-Bengaluru pair, and Abin Rai of Kodagu and veteran Srikanth Gowda of Chikkamagaluru and Nikeetaa Takkale, who has Sudheendra BG as navigator, will also be representing VM Motorsports.

As far as the Ladies Cup is concerned, Nikeetaa Takkale, a 26-year-old Pune driver, will be battling it out against Thailand’s Nattapon Panphut and Japan’s Miku Irie. Sudheendra will be Takkale’s co-driver. Takkale also participates in the 2-wheel drive car category of the Junior and RC4 classes in APRC.

Vamsi Merla, the Promoter of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, said that the five-car effort shows VM Motorsports’ commitment to developing ALL rally talent. “From Gill’s title hunt to Nikeetaa’s Ladies Cup campaign, each driver gets world-class support,” he added. The campaign marks India’s largest-ever factory-backed entry in APRC history with support from Merla and Lokesh Gowda, the promoter of the Indian National Autocross Championship.

After the ceremonial start on Friday, the APRC rally, which is run concurrently with the Indonesian Rally Championship round, will have six competitive Special Stages on Saturday and six on Sunday. The next round of the APRC will be in China, but those who qualify in the APRC Asia Cup here could qualify directly for the Asia Pacific Cup finals to be held from November 6 to 7 in Japan.

(The writer is in Indonesia at the invitation of Vamcy Merla Motorsports).

BBC Sport and BOXXER have announced a new broadcast deal that will see live, world-class professional boxing return to Saturday night primetime television and BBC iPlayer on a free-to-air basis.

Selected undercard fights, features and behind-the-scenes content will also be available across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport social channels.

The new deal opens boxing up to all audiences, making the sport more accessible than ever. Full details of the first fight, undercard and BBC Sport presenting team will be announced in the coming weeks.

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, says: “Bringing professional boxing back to primetime BBC television, free-to-air, and to our extensive digital platforms is an exciting moment for us and for boxing fans. Boxing is a sport that we know deeply resonates with younger audiences and this deal with BOXXER enables us to showcase the next generation of British fighters – delivering top-tier national boxing moments to all audiences, wherever and however they want it”.

Ben Shalom, Founder and CEO of BOXXER, says: “Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is a historic moment. We’re proud to bring the most entertaining British fighters to the biggest possible audience. This huge platform will gives our fights the exposure they deserve and helps us take the sport to huge new audiences.”

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