Category: 6. Sports

ATLANTA:

Spanish giants Real Madrid beat Juventus 1-0 on Tuesday to set up a Club World Cup quarter-final clash against Borussia Dortmund, who edged Mexican side Monterrey.

Serhou Guirassy struck twice for the German outfit as they scraped past Sergio Ramos’s side 2-1 in a tight last-16 clash in Atlanta and denied the former Real Madrid skipper a match-up against his former team.

Youngster Gonzalo Garcia headed home his third goal of the tournament to help Madrid edge Italian side Juventus at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami earlier.

It was an impressive display from Xabi Alonso’s Madrid side, unbeaten under the new coach, and they were further boosted by Kylian Mbappe’s return from illness as a substitute.

“We had a lot of chances in the second half, but their goalkeeper was really good,” said Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois.

The first half was a finely-balanced contest with Igor Tudor’s Juventus starting brightly before Real ended it on top.

Los Blancos kept turning the screw and found their goal when Trent Alexander-Arnold crossed for Gonzalo to head home after 54 minutes.

Alonso decided to introduce Mbappe to the delight of the 62,149 crowd but the striker did not find any clear openings as Juve pushed for an equaliser.

Madrid’s coach was pleased with his team’s performance, including that of Gonzalo -— who he had compared to former Real great Raul — but also suggested that Mbappe might be ready for a bigger contribution in the next game.

“We will keep watching him… I think he will be much better for the quarters,” Alonso said.

Alonso added that he was satisfied to see Real produce the necessary grit to grind out the result in the second half.

“We had to be patient, we had to mature into the game,” said the coach.

“With the players and myself, you know you have to grit your teeth and do what you have to do. And in the end, we had to hold on a bit, and I’m happy about that too.”

Juve boss Tudor said his team became exhausted as the game developed.

“In the end there were 10 of them asking to be substituted. Obviously you can’t do that but there was an incredible tiredness,” he said, offering his reasons.

“There is the tension of the game which burns energy but then there is the heat and humidity,” explained Tudor, also noting they were at the end of a long season.

Dortmund deny Ramos

In Atlanta, Guirassy’s brace was enough to help Dortmund past Monterrey in a hard-fought clash, setting them up to play a Madrid side who beat them in the 2024 Champions League final.

“Real has a great team, they have many good individual players,” Dortmund coach Niko Kovac told reporters.

“If we put everything on the pitch, (giving) the same performance as we saw today, I think that we will have a good chance.”

Guirassy netted a first-half double but German Berterame pulled one back for the Mexican side who came close to an equaliser when a late Ramos header span just wide.

“I think I could have scored at least three goals but I am happy to have helped the team win,” Guirassy told broadcaster DAZN.

After grinding through several games in the blazing afternoon sun during the group stage, Dortmund were grateful to be at the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium and played at a faster pace in Atlanta.

Karim Adeyemi set up both of Guirassy’s goals as the Guinea international reached 37 for the season across all competitions.

A booking for Jobe Bellingham means he will be suspended for the clash against his brother Jude’s Real Madrid side.

However Dortmund almost missed out entirely as Monterrey hit back in the second half, but after Berterame headed home to reduce the gap, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made several good saves to keep them at bay.

Ramos, sent up front for the final stages, put a header agonisingly wide in stoppage time as he tried to deliver on his penchant for late, decisive moments, like in Madrid’s 2014 Champions League final triumph.

“The crowd and our fans and the people who understand about football, they saw that the team gave everything,” Ramos told DAZN, proud of his side’s efforts.

LAHORE:

The management of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) headed by Chief Executive Officer, Salman Naseer held workshops with all stakeholders of HBL PSL including representatives of franchises, title sponsor, media rights partners and commercial partners on Wednesday at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

During the meeting, the PSL management presented data and analytics reflecting the league’s growth over the past 10 years. A statistical comparison between the ninth and tenth editions of the league was also shared.

The 10th edition of the HBL PSL also known as HBL PSL X was played from 11 April to 25 May with four cities — Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi hosting a total of 34 matches. The final of the marquee event was played before a packed Gaddafi Stadium between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators, with the former winning the tournament for the third time in past four years.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi: “The Pakistan Super league has not only grown into a premier cricketing brand but has also served as a symbol of resilience, hope and unity during challenging times.

“From navigating difficult circumstances to bringing international stars to our home grounds, the PSL has remained steadfast in delivering quality cricket and unforgettable moments for millions of fans across the globe. This journey, filled with passion, drama and thrilling performances, truly belongs to our people.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our franchise owners, HBL — our title sponsor and long-term partner, players, broadcasters, commercial partners, security agencies and of course, our passionate fans. Without their unwavering support and belief, this success would not have been possible.

“As we look to the future, the PCB remains committed to strengthening and evolving the league further. We envision an even more competitive, inclusive and globally engaging tournament that continues to bring joy to cricket fans and honour to Pakistan.”

HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer: “The Pakistan Super League has come a long way since its inception. Marking a decade of cricketing excellence, the 10th edition of the HBL PSL was more than just a milestone – it was a celebration of passion, resilience and unity. HBL PSL X shattered numerous records, from viewership to fan engagement, reaffirming the league’s place as a powerhouse in the world of sports.

“The substantial growth in digital engagement, particularly the 647 per cent surge in live streaming, is a testament to the league’s increasing popularity among cricket fans.

“We are proud to present these figures to our long-standing partners, whose continued support has been instrumental in shaping the PSL into one of the most celebrated T20 leagues worldwide. These numbers reflect the trust of our fans and the relentless efforts of everyone involved in the league’s success.

“The diverse and widespread viewership, both in urban and rural areas, shows that the PSL has become a household name across the country. With 3.4 billion live streaming views and a strong digital following of 22 million, the league continues to set new benchmarks in Pakistan’s sporting landscape.

“PSL is not just a tournament, it’s a movement that unites fans across the globe. As we look ahead towards the next decade, we cannot wait to unravel new stories and thrilling experiences for the fans. Exciting times ahead!”

The Asia Cup 2025 is likely to be staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the tournament expected to begin around September four or five and conclude on September 21, Indian media reported on Wednesday.

According to a report, the much-anticipated clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is also likely to take place on September 7 in Dubai.

The 17th edition of the marquee event will be played in the T20 format and there is a strong possibility of the arch rivals facing off at least twice, once in the group stage and potentially again in the super four round.

The tournament will feature six teams including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the UAE.

It will follow the traditional group stage followed by a super four format, similar to previous editions.

An official announcement regarding the final schedule is expected in the second week of July. Meanwhile, promotional activities have already begun, with tournament teasers airing on Indian television networks and circulating widely on social media platforms.

Earlier, there were speculations that India might withdraw from the tournament due to political tensions. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dismissed those claims, confirming that no such decision has been made.

Indian media reports further stated that both India and Pakistan will continue to play against each other in ICC and Asia Cup tournaments, and there is no official directive from either cricket board to avoid such contests.

It is pertinent to mention that India are the defending champions, having won the previous edition played in the ODI format with a dominant 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final.

Latif backs Babar for T20Is

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has endorsed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to move on from star cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi in the T20I format.

In a recent interview on a local YouTube platform, Latif expressed his support for allowing senior players more freedom to pursue opportunities abroad.

“They’re playing in the Big Bash and will earn decent money, and I don’t think they’d want to return either. That’s just my opinion. The PCB should give them some liberty to explore other leagues. Otherwise, it’s fine,” Latif stated.

The former wicketkeeper also stressed the importance of investing in new talent.

“The new players should be given a chance — it’s a great opportunity, especially with the Asia Cup and other upcoming events. It’s all good; the game will keep progressing,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi was selected as the first overall pick in the Big Bash League (BBL) Season 15 Draft, held on June 19, with Brisbane Heat securing the services of the left-arm fast bowler.

The highly anticipated BBL player draft was held earlier today, with six out of the eight franchises showing interest in signing national team players.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was selected as the third platinum pick, while England’s Luke Wood was picked second.

The 25-year-old Shaheen was the first overall pick in the draft, selected under the platinum category by Brisbane Heat.

Rizwan was signed by Melbourne Renegades, marking his BBL debut and adding to his experience in foreign leagues, including the BPL.

Star batter Babar Azam was pre-signed by the Sydney Sixers ahead of the official draft and was set to make his BBL debut. The franchise had used its pre-signing option to secure the services of the former Pakistan captain.

For the unversed, Shaheen, Rizwan and Babar last featured in a T20I for Pakistan back in 2024 against South Africa.

They have been out of the shorter format since then and are not part of the plans for the upcoming tours of Bangladesh and the West Indies, or the likely tri-nation series involving UAE and Afghanistan.

With history and heart on their side, West Indies captain Roston Chase is backing his side to bounce back from a disappointing opening Test defeat and deliver a more complete performance in the second Test of their three-match series against world number one Australia in Grenada.

The contest, which gets underway on Thursday at the Grenada National Stadium, holds extra significance—not only as a potential series leveller, but as the stage for veteran opener Kraigg Brathwaite’s 100th Test appearance. The milestone adds emotional weight to a match where the West Indies will be seeking redemption and renewed confidence.

Despite a promising start in Barbados, the Caribbean side faltered badly on day three, with dropped catches and lapses in concentration proving costly. Chase did not shy away from admitting his side’s shortcomings.

“I thought we fell down on the third morning. We had our plans set, and we got an opportunity that we were looking for, but we blew it, and I thought after that the guys went into the shadows mentally. And then we strayed away from the plans that we had set, and we offered up too many runs that were obviously too much for us to get,” Chase said in a pre-game press conference.

The fielding, too, came under scrutiny, as several key chances went begging, including a crucial dropped catch off Travis Head, who went on to anchor Australia’s second-innings push.

“As they say, catches win matches, and we put down quite a few. Even though we restricted them to 180 in the first innings, that Travis Head chance was very crucial. He was obviously the main batter on their side with Steve Smith out, and he made us pay for it. Then [Beau] Webster and [Alex] Carey just fed off that momentum. After that, the spirit in the team dropped, and we never recovered,” Chase admitted.

Still, the West Indies skipper remains undeterred. With Brathwaite poised to etch his name among Caribbean cricket greats, Chase believes the team can channel that inspiration into a renewed effort.

“I think it’s an amazing feat for Kraigg. Obviously coming from Barbados, I think he’s a modern-day legend, and he’s someone I look up to. One thing that he did state, probably early in his career or before starting his career, was that he wanted to play 100 Tests. So I think that that’s an amazing achievement that someone can set the goal from so early and achieve it after so many years,” Chase noted.

With Grenada’s National Stadium having hosted just four Tests since 2009, its telling trend somewhat favours the Windies, as the team batting second has won the last three matches at the venue. Brathwaite himself has previously scored a century at the venue, and with the surface expected to offer more even bounce than the pitch in Bridgetown, Chase believes conditions could be just right.

“This is my first match playing in a Test match in Grenada, so I’m looking forward to it. The pitch looks like a good one. It looks evenly grassed, and it looks better than Barbados, even though I am Barbadian. But yeah, I’m looking for it,” Chase said.

That said, Chase also acknowledged the bigger picture, that the team, though still developing, has shown flashes of brilliance that hint at their potential to challenge the world’s best.

“Cricket is played on the day. You could have a bad match and still come back the next day and shine. We’ve had some good moments in this series. Now it’s about putting all the pieces together,” he ended.

NEW DELHI: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri showered high praise on Shubman Gill after the young Indian batter notched up his seventh Test century on a gripping first day of the second Test against England, describing it as a “disciplined performance” where Gill “looked fantastic and very solid.“Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Gill, coming in at No. 4, displayed remarkable poise and application to remain unbeaten on 114 off 216 balls, an innings studded with 12 boundaries. His knock, which helped India reach 310/5 at stumps, was his second century in as many matches after a match-defining 147 at Headingley last week.

“Shubman Gill has worked hard on his defence,” said Shastri on Sky Sports. “When he last came to England, he played with hard hands, pushed at the ball — a bit like Virat Kohli. But now, the top hand is much more in control. He allows the ball to come to him, trusts in his defence, and has all the shots in the book when he goes on the attack.”

Highlighting the vital 99-run unbeaten partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (41*), Shastri added, “India will be pretty happy. This stand has got them out of what could’ve been a spot of bother. But tomorrow morning is crucial — they’ll need another 150 at least. They can afford to lose just one wicket in the first hour.”Former England captain Nasser Hussain echoed Shastri’s sentiments, noting the importance of capitalising on the strong foundation. “As Ravi said, they should be getting this total up to 450 and beyond tomorrow. My eyes are on India – can they make up for their mistakes last time?”Hussain also acknowledged England’s tireless bowlers, saying, “It was a flat pitch. You can’t fault the effort. But this 99-run partnership turned the game. Before it, England were ahead – unlike Headingley.”As Day 2 beckons, all eyes remain on India to consolidate and avoid another Headingley-style collapse.

Missing expectations

New path

Roster approach

The 2025-26 KFC Big Bash League season will see Brisbane strive to bring the heat in more ways than one across five home matches at the Gabba this summer.

Buoyed by the signing of number one International Draft Pick and fast bowling tyro Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Heat will host the Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars, Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers at the Gabba.

It will be the first time since Brisbane’s championship season in BBL|13 in 2023-24 that the Scorchers will have played in Brisbane, with Perth arriving for the Heat’s Opening Night game on Friday 19 December.

Included in the Heat’s five home matches highlighted in today’s release of the BBL|15 draw is a rare day game, hosting the Sydney Thunder on Saturday 10 January in a 3pm match as part of a bumper BBL double-header that day.

The Heat will host the last game of the regular season, a potential blockbuster against the Sydney Sixers at the Gabba on Sunday 18 January which could feature Pakistan superstars Afridi and Sydney’s Babar Azam as well as Australian Test players being available.

Heat CEO Terry Svenson said the fixtures presented an almost perfect summer draw for Brisbane fans and members.

“We’ve got all games in the school holidays, two Friday night games, two Saturday matches including a family friendly afternoon slot, and a Sunday night blockbuster to wrap up the regular season,’’ he said.

“The matches are ideally spaced, with a pre-Christmas clash with the Scorchers, the Festive Bash game on 27 December against the Strikers that is right in the sweet spot for families on holidays, a Friday night match just after New Year and then two more games a week apart in January.”

“This summer promises to be one of the biggest ever on record for cricket, and if our membership renewal interest is any guide, we’re thrilled at the prospect of attracting loads of fans to the Gabba which in turn should inspire the team to be at their most exciting,” Svenson said.

Brisbane Heat Memberships went on sale yesterday, with the club producing its highest ever first day of sales in 14 years.

The record sales return came on the same day that the Heat announced Royal Caribbean as its official Membership and Holiday Partner, with a family holiday for four to be given away ahead of the season.

Heat tickets will be on sale from next month through Ticketek.

Brisbane will open its season away with a return to Geelong where it will take on the Melbourne Renegades on 15 December.

The Heat has played the Renegades three times at GHMBA Stadium in Geelong, winning their inaugural clash at the venue before losing the next two.

This included the infamous COVID match in January 2022 where Brisbane was forced to field an entirely new side after the main playing group was quarantined on the Gold Coast following an outbreak of illness in the squad.

The Heat will also play the Sixers at Coffs Harbour International Stadium, the third year in a row it has visited the NSW coastal city for a BBL game, as well as make a return to Canberra to take on the Thunder at Manuka Oval.

The 40 regular season matches will run uninterrupted from December 14 to January 18, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The BBL|15 Finals series will feature four matches from Tuesday, January 20, culminating in the Final on Sunday, January 25.

Every BBL|15 match will once again be aired on FOX SPORTS and available on Kayo Sports, including ten matches exclusive to FOX CRICKET.

The summer schedule features 30 regular season BBL matches and every final that will be shown live and free on Seven and 7plus.

The WBBL Heat fixtures will be announced next week.

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Center Deandre Ayton has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal could not yet be announced between the Lakers and Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft — two spots ahead of Luka Doncic.

The Portland Trail Blazers bought out Ayton’s contract last weekend, and he has agreed to join Doncic and LeBron James on a deal for the upcoming season with a player option for 2026-27. He will be paid more than $25 million by the Blazers while playing for the Lakers next year.

Ayton’s arrival fills the Lakers’ most glaring offseason need, providing a lob target for James and Doncic. And while Ayton isn’t known as a defensive stopper, the 7-footer will provide the size in the middle that the Lakers have missed since trading Anthony Davis to Dallas for Doncic.

Ayton, who turns 27 this month, spent his first five NBA seasons with Phoenix before joining the Trail Blazers two years ago as part of the three-team trade sending Damian Lillard to Milwaukee.

Ayton struggled at times in Portland while playing for mediocre teams, but he has averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds during his seven NBA seasons while making 59% of his shots. He played only 40 games for the Blazers last season, getting sidelined for the rest of the year in February by a strained calf.

While he has never been an All-Star, Ayton is the only player to average a double-double in points and rebounds in his first seven NBA seasons since former Lakers center Dwight Howard did it over a decade ago.

Ayton also knows Southern California after moving from the Bahamas to San Diego to play high school basketball. He went on to the University of Arizona before the Suns drafted him.

The Lakers struggled without Davis in the paint last season, with Jaxson Hayes playing poorly enough to get benched by coach JJ Redick in their final two playoff games. Los Angeles was eliminated from the first round of the postseason by Minnesota in five games, with big man Rudy Gobert racking up 27 points and 24 rebounds in the clinching victory while the Lakers largely played without a center.

A family friendly Derby timeslot of 6:05pm headlines a massive 4 matches at the MCG for the Melbourne Stars in KFC BBL|15.

Fresh off the back of a roller coaster campaign last year where the Stars soared up the ladder late to make their first finals appearance in five years, the club is looking to capitalise on that momentum.

The club’s first home match will be played at the MCG on Thursday, 18^th December against the reigning champions, the Hobart Hurricanes.

The Stars then travel to Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane before returning to Melbourne after the conclusion of the Boxing Day Test.

Stars members and fans will then be encouraged to flock to the biggest game of the regular season at MCG on Sunday 4^th January, as they host cross town rivals, the Renegades, in a family friendly timeslot of 6:05pm.

The race to the finals will see the Stars host the Sixers and the Strikers at the MCG with an away derby wedged in the middle, before travelling to Perth for the final home-and-away fixture.

With 8 of the 10 matches will be broadcast on Channel 7 and 7 Plus, all eyes will be on the Stars as they look to make consecutive finals appearances.

“This fixture is a win for Stars fans, with the return of a family-friendly 6.05pm Derby timeslot, right in the heart of the holiday period at the MCG,” Melbourne Stars General Manager Max Abbott said.

“We’re also delighted that we get to start our season at home, allowing the playing group to come together for a solid block in Melbourne to prepare before the season gets underway. Our fans can expect a great show for Opening Night at the ‘G on December 18.

“With the MCG unavailable for the window around the Boxing Day Test, we will again take a home match against Sydney Thunder to Canberra, a fixture that was sold out last season.

“There’s also going to be some great battles to look forward to between the overseas players. There’ll be no holding back from Haris Rauf when he lines up against Babar Azam against Sydney Sixers in another blockbuster MCG clash in the holiday period.

“We cannot wait to build on the momentum from last year and we’re already planning to put on an even better and bigger show this season at the greatest sporting colosseum in the world, the MCG.”

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Melbourne Stars memberships for BBL|15 & WBBL|11 are on sale now. Click here for membership options.

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To download the full Melbourne Stars BBL|15 fixture to your calendar, click here.

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