Category: 6. Sports

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (AP) — South Africa set Zimbabwe 537 runs to win the first test after Wiaan Mulder’s career-best 147 on Monday.

Zimbabwe was 32-1 at stumps on day three, trailing by 505 runs with two days to go and without concussed opener Brian Bennett. His replacement, Prince Masvaure, was 5 not out.

A solid start by Zimbabwe was spoiled by opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano edging Corbin Bosch to second slip on what turned out to be the last ball of the day.

Zimbabwe has six 500-plus scores in test cricket, most recently last December against Afghanistan at the same Queens Sports Club. But its highest fourth-innings total was 331 in a 2001 loss to New Zealand, also in Bulawayo.

Considering Zimbabwe was out for 251 in the first innings, South Africa already began the day in charge from leading by 216 at 49-1 in the second innings with Mulder 25 not out.

South Africa was reduced to 155-5 in the morning session but Mulder stood firm and his partnership with Kyle Verreynne, worth 104 in 131 balls into the afternoon, diminished Zimbabwe hopes.

Mulder reached his second test century before lunch, the 100 coming from 149 balls.

After 17 boundaries and two sixes, Mulder was out in the afternoon, caught right on the boundary by Kaitano after taking on Wessly Madhevere.

A late 51 from 70 balls by stand-in Proteas captain Keshav Maharaj, the only other 50-plus score in the second innings, pumped up the total to 369 after the first innings was declared on 418-9.

Maharaj was bowled by Wellington Masakadza, who took 4-98. Tanaka Chivanga and Vincent Masekesa got two wickets each.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Family affair as the Marias next head to Wimbledon

Maria, née Malek, turned pro in 2001, making her WTA main draw debut five years later.

A first Grand Slam appearance at the Australian Open in 2009, was followed by a second three years later, reaching the second round in both.

After marrying Charles-Edourad Maria in April 2013, Maria took a sabbatical to have Charlotte, inadvertently but happily becoming a trailblazer and mentor to those such as Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka who followed.

But player and coach, husband and wife, both felt there was more to give.

Sure enough, with a little patience and hard work and with an additional mini supporter along for the ride, Maria’s first tour title win came in 2018, at the Mallorca Open. The meat in the tour-title sandwich was two wins in Bogota in 2022 and 2023, which both came after having baby Cecilia‍ in April 2021.

A couple of months after winning her second career title, Maria became the first mother of two this century to reach a Grand Slam semi-final, thanks to a Wimbledon run where the German was only thwarted by second seed and world No.2, Ons Jabeur. But it still took three sets.

Noted for her second return to tennis, and subsequent successes, after maternity leave, Maria was voted the WTA’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2022.

The Bad Saulgau native also became an Olympian for the first time at Paris 2024 where she competed in both singles and doubles.

So there’s clearly still more in the tank, highlighted by the win at Queen’s – an even more notable moment with women playing at the iconic venue for the first time since 1973 – leaving Maria fizzing with positivity ahead of Wimbledon 2025.

“In [2022] when I played Wimbledon, I mean, I was fighting for every point, but there were sometimes like a few doubts,” Maria said. “This week, I really found my confidence. I was believing in myself from the first till the last point that I could win this. Every single match.”

With the continuing upward trajectory of recent performances and with her family by her side, Maria can only be excited about taking to the hallowed turf in southwest London’s Wimbledon once again, and has inspirational advice for those who might think their dreams are too late.

“Everything is possible if you believe in it and you go your way,” she said. “Doesn’t matter which it is, everybody has a different one, but you have to keep going and that’s the most important thing I want to show to my kids.”

Perhaps something she doesn’t want to show her kids, or at least young Cecillia – just to keep the pressure off – is the famous Venus Rosewater Dish given to the winner of the women’s tournament at Wimbledon – that’s nice and big and shiny too – but it really is a whole other ball game to win that one.

But like many of her opponents are finding out; you wouldn’t put it past her.

England have named an unchanged XI for the second Test against India at Edgbaston, which gets underway on Wednesday, meaning that Jofra Archer’s much-vaunted return to Test cricket has been deferred at least until next week’s third Test at Lord’s.

The team was confirmed two days out from the start of the contest, as has become the norm for England under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, and comes in the wake of their impressive five-wicket victory in the first Test at Headingley.

England successfully chased down 371 to win that match, after India had made much of the running across the five days, including through five individual hundreds – two of which came from their wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

However, England’s bowlers struck back in both India innings, claiming 7 for 41 in the first innings and 6 for 31 in the second, to set up what proved to be an obtainable target.

Josh Tongue was instrumental in this with seven lower-order wickets across the two innings, while Brydon Carse impressed with his pace and stamina in a rare outing with the new ball. England’s attack leader, Chris Woakes, claimed just one wicket in the Test but made important first-innings runs, and has been backed to rediscover his rhythm after missing much of the early season with an ankle injury.

Archer had been in line for his first Test since February 2021 when he was last week named in England’s 15-man squad for the second Test. However, despite coming through unscathed from his first red-ball outing for Sussex since May 2021, he will now wait for a potential comeback at Lord’s. Given there are only three days between the culmination of this Test and the third, Archer could well make his 14th cap at Lord’s, where he debuted back in 2019.

He bowled 18 overs and took 1 for 32 in a draw with Durham at Chester-le-Street. Following a long battle with stress fractures of the elbow and back, the 30-year-old’s call-up was a welcome sign of progress having last been involved with the Test side during the 2021 tour of India.

Archer was not present for Monday’s training session at Edgbaston due to a family emergency, and will rejoin the squad on Tuesday. None of England’s non-playing squad members – Archer, Sam Cook, Jamie Overton and Jacob Bethell – are expected to be released to play for their counties in the latest round of Championship matches that got underway on Sunday.

Chris Woakes, who is preparing to play his fourth Test at his home ground, anticipates a step-up in performance from England following the confidence boost of successfully chasing down 371 on the final day at Headingley.

“It’s always good to get over the line and get a win,” Woakes said. “That does breed some confidence within the group to show that we’re doing some things right. We’re also a group that we know we need to improve. There’s areas that we did last week that we know we can do better. So yes, we’ll look at putting those things right.

“But certainly as a team, we’re pretty happy with how we go about things and the style of cricket and the brand of cricket we want to play. We know that that’s been successful over the last few years and we’ll stick to that. But there’s definitely still tweaks that we know we can do a bit better as a team. So we’ll be looking to do that.”

England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Josh Tongue, 11 Shoaib Bashir

The temperatures did not stop more than 10,000 people joining the queue for day one, at which point the All England Club advised people to stop travelling.

Two-time Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur was forced to retire from her opening-round match after becoming unwell.

The Tunisian took a medical time-out in the first set, during which she had her blood pressure taken and had an ice towel draped around her neck.

She decided she could not continue when trailing 7-6 (7-5) 2-0 against Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova, in a match which took place during the midday heat following an 11:00 BST start.

There were varying opinions on the temperature among the players.

“Honestly, I didn’t feel that hot out there. It was hot. I was sweating, but I didn’t really feel like it was that hot, you know,” said American Frances Tiafoe.

“I don’t know if wearing all white really helps as well, but I didn’t really feel that hot. After this I’ll go to [the Washington] Open and play in DC, with the humidity there there’s no faking that. That’s going to be really hot.”

But German Eva Lys, who also came through her first-round match, said: “[It was] tough. Really, really tough. I was sweating a lot, so my racquet was very slippery.

“It’s the first time playing with heat on grass. I feel like it’s really tough on the legs. This is especially what I felt in the third set. I think the spectators didn’t have it easy either, I feel like everyone is kind of struggling with the heat right now.”

BBC Weather’s senior meteorologist George Goodfellow said similar conditions are expected on Tuesday, which will be “dry, sunny and very hot again, with just a very slight breeze at most”.

Goodfellow added: “The high will likely be similar to today, above 30C. We’re going with 33C at Kew Gardens – the nearest observation site to Wimbledon.

“After tomorrow, temperatures will return to nearer normal for the time of year, but that still means above 20C.”

Jay Shah, Chairman of the ICC, reflected that these encouraging numbers were a testament to the continued popularity of the most traditional format of the game.

“The remarkable viewership numbers for the ICC World Test Championship Final, across both broadcast and digital platforms, are a powerful testament to the appeal of high-quality Test cricket and the elevated context of the WTC Final. This format continues to command a loyal and passionate global following and remains an integral part of our sport’s identity.

“What makes this success even more special is the enthusiasm shown by fans in regions beyond the two competing nations, reaffirming that cricket’s reach is truly international, and that the purest form of the game can thrive beyond national affiliations.

“A special mention to JioStar, whose innovative and immersive coverage, captured the drama, emotion, and atmosphere of the ‘Ultimate Test’ in a way that deeply resonated with audiences around the world.”

The news that Jonny is still a Red, and is our new head of loans and pathways, thus calling time on his playing career, was warmly welcomed by fans and peers alike, recognising the defender’s illustrious 19-year career.

Evans played for United 241 times across two stints and won the Premier League three times, the Champions League and the FA Cup.

He now embarks on a new chapter of his career, off the pitch, to assist in the development of players coming through our ranks in the same way he did back in 2006.

And he does so with the full backing of United, our fans, and clubs for whom he previously turned out for across his playing days.

David Humphreys

Local Democracy Reporting Service

PA Media

The final person receiving hospital treatment after the Liverpool FC title parade crash has been discharged.

More than 100 people were injured when a car hit the crowd near the end of the Reds’ Premier League victory parade in Liverpool city centre on 26 May.

Fifty people were taken to hospital after the incident on Water Street.

The force has now confirmed all those who had received NHS care had been permitted to return home.

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy confirmed the majority of people injured had already been discharged when she addressed a scrutiny panel earlier this month, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Chief Constable Kennedy said officers who responded to the scene on 26 May had done an “outstanding job” and praised all those on duty, particularly those who were injured in the course of protecting the public.

Emily Spurrell, Merseyside police and crime commissioner, praised the work of officers and described the incident on Water Street as “really upsetting” after a successful weekend of events.

Trial

Paul Doyle, of Burghill Road in West Derby, has since been charged with a series of alleged offences in relation to the incident.

The 53-year-old has been accused of two counts of wounding with intent, two charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm, two of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving.

A trial date has been scheduled for 24 November, provisionally lasting for three to four weeks. A plea hearing is scheduled for 14 August.

 

PFL Europe Nantes is set to take place on Friday 26 September at Zenith Nantes Metropole for the third PFL Europe event of 2025, marking PFL’s first-ever event in the French city

Abdoul “Lazy King” Abdouraguimov will fight in his home town of Nantes for the first time in his professional career when he enters the SmartCage on 26 September, looking to earn his 10th straight win

The Semifinals of the 2025 PFL Europe Lightweight and Bantamweight Tournaments will take place alongside a host of France’s best and most promising MMA athletes who are set to be announced

Tickets for PFL Europe Nantes go on sale at 12:00pm CEST Tuesday 1 July here, with a pre-sale available from 12pm CEST Monday 30 June, and will be available in France, UK & Ireland exclusively on DAZN 

 

 

LONDON (30 June, 2025) – The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced PFL Europe Nantes will take place on Friday 26 September at Zenith Nantes Metropole, the third event of the European calendar in 2025 and the third new city for the organisation. The card will be headlined by Nantes’ own Abdoul “Lazy King” Abdouraguimov (19-1-0, 1 NC), who will fight in his home town for the first time in his professional career against a soon to be named opponent.

Tickets for PFL Europe Nantes go on sale at 12:00pm CEST Tuesday 1 July here, with a pre-sale available from 12pm CEST Monday 30 June and will be available in France, UK & Ireland exclusively on DAZN. 

Abdouraguimov is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak, and will look to hit double-digits in front of his Nantes’ faithful for the first time ever. Beloved for his wild and enigmatic personality, “Lazy King” sets out to entertain the masses every time he steps onto the canvas. With seven stoppages in his last nine victories thanks to an elite grappling skillset, he promises to put on a show in Nantes like never before. 

“PFL is coming home! After 21 professional fights, I can finally fight in front of my home crowd, where I grew up and learned this sport. And now, it’s at the Zénith Nantes Métropole that I’m going to do the next Lazy Show. Grab a seat, some popcorn, and be good, but not too much, because I’m here to entertain you on September 26th, let’s go!”. Said Abdoul Abdouraguimov.

“This is our third new city in as many events for PFL Europe in 2025, and I’ve heard special things about Nantes. When we have a star on our hands like Lazy King, it makes sense to bring him to his home crowd for the first time in his career. But we’re not going to stop there, we are going to fill this card with the best talent France has to offer and put on an unforgettable night of MMA. You’re not going to want to miss this, join us at Zenith Nantes Metropole on 26 September and be a part of something special.” said PFL Chief Executive Officer Pete Murray.

Also on the card will be the Semifinals of the PFL Europe Lightweight and Bantamweight Tournaments, as the continent’s elite look to earn their spot at PFL Europe Championship Lyon on 13 December to win the coveted title and $100,000. 

PFL Europe Nantes will be exclusively broadcast on DAZN in France, the UK & Ireland, the home of MMA, boxing, European football, women’s football, and the NFL (excl. USA). DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading technology, and multi-platform distribution. The event will also be available in the U.S. via PFL’s brand-new app, which can be downloaded here.

 

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global powerhouse in MMA and the fastest-growing sports league world-wide. PFL is the only MMA organization with the “win and advance” tournament format. PFL has three fight products: PFL World Tournament, PFL Champions Series, and PFL International Leagues. PFL is broadcast and streamed live to 190 countries with 20 leading media partners. PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors including SURJ, Ares, 885 Capital, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. MMA is the growth and global sport business of this decade, with 650 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic, and true global revenue streams.

PFLmma.com; Instagram (@PFLmma); Twitter (@PFLMMA); Facebook (/PFLmma)

DAZN
DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading technology, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app. 
 
For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com  

 

 

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Pakistan clinched a resounding 79-39 victory over Japan on Monday to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship held in Jeonju Hwasan Gymnasium in South Korea.

From the very beginning, Pakistan took control of the game, maintaining a steady lead through all four quarters.

The first quarter ended with Pakistan ahead 16-9 and by halftime, they had extended their lead to 39-17.

The momentum continued as Pakistan further widened the gap to 60-26 in the third quarter, eventually sealing the match with a commanding 79-39 victory.

Standout performances came from Leya Raza Shah, Alisha Naveed, Haleema, Sarina Hussain, Jasmine Farooq, Farah Rasheed, Amani, Parisa, Sumayya Ahmed and Alina, all of whom played exceptionally well and contributed to the team’s emphatic win.

Officials from the Pakistan Netball Federation, including Chairman Mudassar Arian, President Sameen Malik, and Secretary General Muhammad Riaz, congratulated the team on their remarkable victory against Japan, praising the players for their skill and teamwork in securing such a convincing result.

Pakistan are placed in Pool B of the championship and now sit at the top of the group with eight points.

Their next match is scheduled against the Maldives on Tuesday. The team is set to play five league matches in the group stage.

The Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025 features a total of 11 participating teams and is being played from June 27 to July 4 under the supervision of the Asian Netball Federation.

The teams are divided into two groups. Group A includes Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and India.

While Group B consists of Pakistan, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Japan, Maldives and Saudi Arabia.