Category: 6. Sports

Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], August 9 (ANI): Centuries from Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra and a historic spell by pacer Zakary Foulkes helped New Zealand secure a massive win over Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs at Bulawayo on Saturday.

With this victory, Kiwis have won the series 2-0, and they have secured their biggest win in Test cricket history. This is also the third-best victory margin in Tests by runs, next to England’s innings and 579 runs win over Australia in 1938 and Australia’s win over South Africa by an innings and 360 runs.

When Zimbabwe won the toss, only a returning Brendan Taylor (44 in 107 balls, with six fours) and Tafadzwa Tsiga (33* in 54 balls, with four boundaries) could cross the 20-run mark, as Matt Henry (5/40) and Foulkes (4/38) bundled out Zimbabwe for barely 125 runs in 48.5 overs.

In their first innings, Kiwis slammed some big runs. Opener Devon Conway (153 in 245 balls, with 18 fours) ended his two-year century drought, putting on a 162-run opening stand with Will Young (74 in 101 balls, with 11 fours). Nicholls (150* in 245 balls, with 15 fours) and Rachin (165* in 139 balls, with 21 fours and two sixes) put on a massive 256-run partnership for the fourth wicket as the Kiwis declared at 601/3, leading by 476 runs.

Zimbabwe were given a task to overcome such a huge deficit, and the scoreboard pressure was right there from ball one, as only Nick Welch (47* in 71 balls, with seven fours) survived with over 20 runs to his name. Foulkes (5/37), Henry and Jacob Duffy (two wickets each) once again skittled out Zimbabwe for barely 117 runs, winning the match by a massive margin.

Conway’s comeback ton, which helped him reach the 2,000 Test run mark and 5,000 international run mark, made him the ‘Player of the Match’. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

It’s almost time for FC Barcelona fans to enjoy the latest edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy, with Como 1907 the special guests for the event on Sunday 10 August. It is always a special day for the entire squad, but particularly so for the three new arrivals for the 2025/26 season, and Joan Garcia, Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji got to savour the Gamper atmosphere first with a traditional photo in the run-up to the celebrations.

The new FC Barcelona signings were all smiles next to the cup during the photo session at the Ciutat Esportiva. A special build-up for Joan Garcia, Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji, who are set to play in front of the local blaugrana fans for the first time. Hansi Flick’s entire squad will be present for the celebrations at the Estadi Johan Cruyff and welcomed by the fans from 8.05pm CEST ahead of the game.  

Final pre-match training session

There was more going on in addition to the photos with the Gamper Trophy of course, with the Ciutat Esportiva hosting another training session as Hansi Flick and the squad prepare for the match against Cesc Fàbregas’ Como. Dani Olmo trained separately as a precaution and, as has been reported, Robert Lewandowski sat out due to injury. 

The countdown to the 60th Joan Gamper Trophy has begun. A day full of emotion and definitely worth keeping a close eye on. Don’t forget you can watch the match live via the FC Barcelona YouTube channel. Unmissable!

Manchester United play against Fiorentina this afternoon as the Premier League giants welcome Stefano Pioli’s Viola side to Old Trafford.

It is both clubs’ final pre-season game ahead of the new campaign and they will be eager to finish their pre-season preparations with a win.

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The match kicks off at 12:45 UK time, (13:45 CEST)

David De Gea of Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 10, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Manchester United vs Fiorentina – Where to watch?

The match is a tricky one to watch from most countries: in the UK you will need to sign up to MUTV, whilst in Italy the match will be broadcast on DAZN. In Australia and New Zealand, you can find the game on beIN Sports Connect and SuperSport in South Africa.

David De Gea returns to his old club today, with the Spanish goalkeeper likely to receive huge applause from his old fans.

BILBAO, SPAIN – MAY 21: Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

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Manchester United vs Fiorentina – Predicted Lineups

Man Utd (3-4-2-1): Bayındır; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven; Amad, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Højlund

Fiorentina (3-5-2): De Gea; Kouadio, Marí, Ranieri; Dodô, Fagioli, Fazzini, Parisi; Kean, Džeko

Though javelin ace Neeraj Chopra and the injured Avinash Sable won’t be competing in Bhubaneswar, the 1st Indian Open World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour will feature some of the top track and field stars from the country.

The list includes the fastest Indian on track, Animesh Kujur, who now owns the national records in both men’s 100m and 200m sprints. However, he will have stiff competition from Malaysian national record holder Muhammad Azeem Fahmi.

Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar has been on a three-event winning streak since returning from injury earlier this year and the Asian and Commonwealth Games silver medallist will look to build up more steam in the lead up to Tokyo25.

Mohammed Afsal, the men’s 800m national record holder, will also be in action in Bhubaneswar alongside Shaili Singh (women’s long jump), Vithya Ramraj (women’;s 400m) and several others.

With Neeraj out, Asian Athletics Championships silver medallist Sachin Yadav and Yashvir Singh will front the Indian challenge in the men’s javelin throw.

However, Sri Lankan thrower Rumesh Pathirage, who pipped Sachin to the bronze at the NC Classic in Bengaluru last month, is also in fray.

Annu Rani will also compete in women’s javelin throw while Abdulla Aboobacker and Jeswin Aldrin are in the men’s triple and long jump entry lists, respectively.

Over 90 Indians will be in action at the Indian Open 2025 in Bhubaneswar along with international athletes from 16 different countries.

A total of 19 medal events – nine each for men and women and one for mixed team – will be held at the Indian Open 2025 World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour in Bhubaneswar.

List of medal events at Indian Open 2025 World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour

• Men’s: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 5000m, long jump, triple jump, javelin throw and 4x400m relay
• Women’s: 00m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 100m hurdles, long jump, javelin throw and 4x400m relay
• Mixed: 4x400m relay

Where to watch Indian Open 2025 World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour live

Live streaming of the Indian Open 2025 World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour will be available on the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) YouTube channel. There will be no live telecast of the event on any TV channel in India.

Indian Open 2025 World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour schedule

As per Indian Standard Time (IST)

• Men’s 400m heats – 7:40 AM
• Women’s 400m heats – 7:55 AM
• Men’s 100m heats – 8:25 AM
• Women’s 100m heats – 8:35 AM
• Men’s 200m heats – 8:55 AM
• Women’s javelin throw final – 5:00 PM
• Men’s 400m final – 5:05 PM
• Women’s 400m final – 5:15 PM
• Women’s long jump final – 5:23 PM
• Men’s triple jump final – 5:30 PM
• Men’s 100m final – 5:35 PM
• Women’s 100m final – 5:45 PM
• Men’s 800m final – 6:00 PM
• Women’s 800m final – 6:10 PM
• Men’s javelin throw final – 6:22 PM
• Women’s 100m hurdles final – 6:35 PM
• Men’s long jump final – 6:45 PM
• Women’s triple jump final – 6:48 PM
• Women’s 1500m final – 7:00 PM
• Men’s 5000m final – 7:10 PM
• Men’s 200m final – 7:30 PM
• Women’s 200m final – 7:40 PM
• Mixed 4x400m relay final – 7:55 PM
• Men’s javelin throw final – 8:10 PM
• Men’s long jump final – 8:15 PM
• Men’s 4x400m relay final – 8:20 PM

Duda recounts the magic of Paris 2024, topped off by Olympic gold

It has already been a year since Duda and Ana Patrícia rose onto the top step of the Olympic podium under the glamourous guise of the Eiffel Tower.

That is one of the gold medallist’s core memories—being in awe of the sport’s privilege to play at Olympic venues. Just look at the iconic Parisian location in 2024 or the glistening sands of Copacabana at Rio 2016.

“It’s funny, the 12 days are so intense that in that moment you think, ‘Will it ever end?’ and then when it’s over, you say, ‘Wow, it ended so quickly?’” Duda jokes. “Every time I stepped onto the court, it was so meaningful for me. Looking at the [Eiffel] Tower and saying, ‘Wow, I’m really here.‘ It’s indescribable.

“When you’re on the podium, you look at that beautiful medal. Beach volleyball is lucky to be in the best place, right? Every Olympics, beach volleyball is in the best location. Everyone wanted to be there, even people unfamiliar with our sport. I sometimes wanted to be there just to see the tower rather than the game, it was surreal.”

Upon reflecting on her history-making moment, Duda is conscious of how significant it was for her career, and those around her. Take the Brazilian people, who celebrated their first Olympic women’s beach volleyball champions since the sport’s debut at Atlanta 1996.

“Winning an Olympics is so important, and already being there at the Olympics, is something extraordinary,” the 27-year-old explains. “But I say it’s your entire legacy: from the beginning, where you started, your origins, where you came from, your story. I think whoever wins deserves to be there, to win a medal.

Sporting history is full of athletes who have fallen into the trap of boxing themselves in and failing to become multi-dimensional in order to better protect themselves when their careers are over, but it appears Shadab Khan will not be one of them.

The Pakistani all-rounder has been keeping himself busy with pursuits outside of cricket and has added another achievement to his growing list of accomplishments. The Islamabad United star has shared the news of successfully receiving his Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OTHM) Level 3 Diploma in Business Management from Inspire London College, which opens doors for further educational or work pursuits in the United Kingdom due to it being a regulated qualification recognized under the European Qualifications Framework.

As a result, Shadab Khan is now qualified to pursue undergraduate and higher-level programmes in the United Kingdom.

While Shadab Khan is known for his sharp leg-spin, electric fielding, and leadership skills, this academic milestone shows his commitment to building skills beyond cricket. In a sport where careers can be unpredictable, something Shadab can attest to, the 26-year-old’s decision to invest in education underscores the importance of preparing for life after the game.

Shadab’s accomplishment will, no doubt, inspire young cricketers in Pakistan, proving that success isn’t limited to match days — it can also come from hard work in the classroom. Whether he’s taking wickets or tackling business case studies, Shadab Khan continues to set an example as a modern professional athlete.

New Zealand pacer Zakary Foulkes claimed nine wickets on his Test debut as his team thrashed Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs in Bulawayo on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Foulkes took 4/38 in the first innings before registering his maiden five-wicket haul in the second innings, finishing with impressive match figures of 9/75.

His performance surpassed fellow New Zealander Will O’Rourke’s debut tally of 9/93 against South Africa in 2024.

Foulkes, who made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2024 and boasts 13 T20I caps, played a crucial role in New Zealand’s 2-0 series clean sweep over the hosts.

United: Bayindir; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes (c), Dorgu; Mbeumo, Mount; Cunha.

Substitutes: Heaton, Mee, Dalot, De Ligt, Fredricson, Leon, Shaw, Collyer, Mainoo, Ugarte, Hojlund, Obi.

Fiorentina: De Gea (c); Comuzzo, Pongracic, Ranieri; Dodo, Fagioli, Sohm, Gosens; Gudmundsson; Dzeko, Kean.

Substitutes: Martinelli, Leonardelli, Lezzerini, Bianco, Fazzini, Fortini, Mandragora, Beltran, Kospo, Sabiri, Pablo Mari, Viti, Richardson, Ndour, Braschi, Kouadio, Montenegro, Trapani, Parisi.