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Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is prepared to take on added responsibility as the team ramps up preparations for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

With the tournament set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Maxwell has been focusing on improving his bowling inside the Powerplay to make the most of sub-continental conditions.

“I think in the sub-continent you might be able to get a little bit more out of it as a spinner early on. Especially that new ball, the hard seam, being able to grip on those dry surfaces,” Maxwell told reporters in Cairns ahead of the third T20I against South Africa.

“So it might be something we think about heading forward,” he added.

The 36-year-old has experience bowling in the Powerplay, most notably during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 final, where he dismissed Rohit Sharma to help set the stage for Australia’s record sixth title.

In the current T20I series against the Proteas, Maxwell has bowled two overs in the Powerplay, making a big impact in the second match with two crucial wickets – including that of South Africa captain Aiden Markram.

“I’m just as surprised as anyone when I get a wicket. I love getting wickets,” he said. “It’s very surprising anytime I get anyone out. I’m there to do a job in the Powerplay and I’m trying to execute that as well as I can.”

The right-handed batter also spoke about his flexible batting role, having batted at No.5 in the second T20I after coming in at No.7 in the first. This follows a stint as an opener in four of the five T20Is against the West Indies.

“I’ve been a bit of a shuffler around the order, up and down. I’m filling holes at the moment,” Maxwell explained. “Even during the West Indies series, I went up the order to counter Akeal Hosein; in this series, I’ve gone lower to manage the back end of the innings. I’m just trying to play whatever role is needed and be as adaptable as possible.”With the series level at 1-1, Australia and South Africa will meet in the decider on August 16.

CINCINNATI: World number one Aryna Sabalenka cruised into the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Wednesday, while men’s top seed Jannik Sinner beat Adrian Mannarino following a lengthy rain delay.

Fresh off a thrilling third-round battle with Emma Raducanu, women’s reigning champion Sabalenka had an easier ride against the Spaniard Bouzas Maneiro, earning her tour-leading 50th win in one hour and 20 minutes.

The Belarusian will next meet 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in a final-worthy showdown, as the ninth-seeded Kazakh rallied from a set down to beat Australian Open winner Madison Keys 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-2.

Earlier, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek reached the quarters with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Sorana Cirstea, with the third-seeded Pole extending her perfect record against the Romanian to 5-0.

Fellow Pole Magda Linette secured her second top-10 win of the season by upsetting American fourth seed Jessica Pegula 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-3 in a third-round match that extended over two days after Tuesday’s suspension due to rain.

In the men’s draw, defending champion Sinner kept his title defence on track, beating Frenchman Mannarino 6-4. 7-6 (7/4) after an almost three-hour rain interruption.

The Italian four-time Grand Slam champion struggled to find his rhythm, failing to serve out at 6-5 but sealing the tiebreak with back-to-back aces for his 24th consecutive hard-court victory.

Sinner will face Canadian 23rd seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who beat Benjamin Bonzi of France 6-4, 6-3, in his fifth quarter-final this year.

Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz booked his 18th Masters 1000 quarter-final by hammering Italian Luca Nardi 6-1, 6-4. The five-times major winner, into the last eight in Cincinnati for the third time, has now won 36 of his last 38 matches.

After sweeping the opening set in 28 minutes, Alcaraz hit a speed bump, dropping his serve to trail 2-4.

He promptly regained the break, then fought through a marathon ninth game that went to deuce eight times to take a 5-4 lead, Nardi coughing up a double-fault on break point.

Alcaraz double-faulted on his first match point before producing a volley winner to complete the job.

“This match was the best so far for me in this tournament,” Alcaraz said. “I’m really happy with the way I felt the ball today and the way that I moved. I got used to the conditions, the humidity and heat. I’m happy to get through.”

Alcaraz will next face Russian ninth seed Andrey Rublev, who beat Argentine Francisco Comesana 6-2, 6-3.

German third seed Alexander Zverev had to take to the court twice on Wedn­esday to reach the quarters — although both outings were relatively short-lived.

The German started his day by polishing off a 6-4, 6-4 third-round victory over Brandon Nakashima in a match continued from Tuesday.

The entire one-game exercise, with 2021 Cincy winner Zverev leading 6-4, 5-4 when play resumed, took less than two minutes.

Hours later Zverev advanced to the quarters when Karen Khachanov retired with Zverev leading 7-5, 3-0.

Canadian Open champion Ben Shelton, whose match was also halted after the first set, progressed to the last 16 with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. The American fifth seed will face Czech Jiri Lehecka.

French qualifier Terence Atmane sprung the surprise of the day, shocking fourth seed Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 to win the biggest match of his career.

After putting a winner into the corner on match point, Atmane sank to his knees and shed a few tears.

He’ll fight for a semi-final berth against seventh-seeded Holger Rune, who led 6-4, 3-1 when home hope Frances Tiafoe retired with back trouble.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2025

DARWIN: Half-centuries from Abdul Samad, Khawaja Moha­mmad Nafay and Yasir Khan followed by a combined seven wickets from the spinners powered Pakistan Shaheens to a resounding 79-run win over Bangladesh ‘A’ in the opening match of the Top End T20 Series at the TIO Stadium in Darwin on Thursday.

After opting to bat first, Shaheens posted a formidable 227 for four in 20 overs.

Openers Khawaja Nafay (61 off 31 balls) and Yasir Khan (62 off 40) provided a blazing 118-run stand in just 11.1 overs. Abdul Samad then played an unbeaten knock of 56 off 27 balls as he added 36 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Mohammad Irfan Khan (25 off 12) to take the total beyond 200.

In reply, Bangladesh ‘A’ made a brisk start despite losing their first wicket in the opening over, reaching 92 for one in seven overs.

Left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat struck a decisive blow in the eighth over, removing opener Jishan Alam (33 off 17) to breaking an 86-run second-wicket stand.

From there, Shaheens’ spinners took control. Faisal Akram (3-19) and Saad Masood (3-30) led the charge while fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr took 2-24 to dismiss Bangladesh ‘A’ for 148 in 16.5 overs.

Yasir Khan was named man-of-the-match.

Shaheens now take on the Scorchers in their next fixture on Saturday at the same venue.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan Shaheens beat Bangladesh ‘A’ by 79 runs.

PAKISTAN SHAHEENS 227-4 in 20 overs (Yasir Khan 62, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 61, Abdul Samad 56 not out, Mohammad Irfan Khan 25); BANGLADESH ‘A’ 148 all out in 16.5 overs (Mohammad Saif Hassan 57, Jishan Alam 33; Faisal Akram 3-19, Saad Masood 3-30, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-24).

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2025

LONDON: England batter Joe Root said his experience of 158 Tests makes him better equipped than ever to end a victory drought in Australia, as he ramps up preparations for the upcoming Ashes series.

Root, who moved to second on the all-time Test run-scorer charts during England’s five-match series against India, which was drawn 2-2 earlier this month, has accumulated 13,543 runs in Tests, trailing only Indian great Sachin Tendulkar (15,921).

Despite his prolific record, the 34-year-old Root has yet to win a Test or score a Test century in Australia, where he averages 35.68 from 27 innings with nine half-centuries.

“Having played in Australia a couple of times before, now going with 150-odd Test caps under my belt, I feel I couldn’t be more ready for it,” Root told British media on Thursday.

“The thing that stands out for me is I probably wanted it [a century] way too much the last couple of times. It took me away from what was important.”

Australia won both the 2017-18 series and following home series in 2021-22 4-0 before drawing 2-2 in England in 2023 to retain the urn.

England last triumphed in Australia in 2010-11, which is also the last time the tourists won a Test Down Under.

“There were a lot of distractions,” Root said of the last two Ashes series in Australia.

“I was captain, Covid [in 2021-22], there was the [Ben] Stokes incident the time before that [when Stokes was ruled out of the 2017-18 tour after an incident at a Bristol nightclub], the Jonny [Bairstow] headbutt incident as well.

“This time I want to just go and enjoy the tour for what it is. It is a beautiful country it is a great place to go and play cricket. I know if I put my best performances in then everything else will look after itself,” the veteran batter added.

This year’s Ashes begins in Perth on Nov 21 before a day-night match in Brisbane, the third Test in Adelaide and the traditional Melbourne and Sydney Tests in December and January.

Meanwhile, Root has brushed aside David Warner’s jibe that he will need to “take the surfboard off his front leg” if England are to triumph in Australia in the Ashes.

Root is widely considered central to England’s hopes of regaining the Ashes but former Australia opener Warner suggested the ex-England captain is especially vulnerable to being out lbw.

“Josh Hazlewood tends to have his number quite a lot. He [Root] will have to take the surfboard off his front leg,” said Warner, who retired from international cricket last year.

Root, asked on a media call if he had laughed off the jibe, replied: “Just that. I can’t have any control on how people see the game or talk in interview.

“Nothing new, is it? You know there are going to be storylines and people wanting to hype up a big series. Doesn’t really change anything.

“It’s sort of irrelevant to me. What can I do about it? Just make sure it’s not a talking point in six months or 100 days time,” added Root in an event staged by official Hundred team partner KP Snacks.

“When you get out there you’ve got to try and impact the game and help your team get off to a good start. Business as usual as far as I’m concerned.“I guess it’s all part of the fun. We’ll see what happens out there [with Warner at Lord’s]. It’s not really in my nature to get too verbal.”

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2025

MADRID: Real Madrid, featuring several new signings, approach the new season with fresh hope under recently-appointed coach Xabi Alonso, looking to turn the page on a disappointing end to the Carlo Ancelotti era with “ambitious” football.

Former Liverpool and Los Blancos midfielder Alonso saw at the Club World Cup in the United States this summer there is plenty of work to do, as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Madrid 4-0 in the semi-final.

“Things are going to be different… we are starting from scratch,” said Alonso, although some of his findings from the tournament will undoubtedly influence his approach.

Madrid fans also got their first glimpse of the Basque tactician’s plans, and also of England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Alonso showed tactical flexibility, utilising both a four-man and three-man defence, whereas his predecessor Ancelotti tended to stick with four at the back and was criticised for not being adaptive enough in games.

By contrast Alonso was keen to adjust things during matches if he could, including the positioning of his players, and keen to impress on his squad they must all help defensively and with pressing.

“We need and want everyone to defend — the 11 players on the pitch have to be involved defensively,” said Alonso during the tournament, asked specifically about star forwards Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.

“They have to know how we want to press, and without that, things will be very complicated,” continued Alonso. “Vini, Jude (Bellingham), Fede (Valverde), Kylian, those up front, the defence has to push forward too.”

Alonso is looking to obtain the balance that Ancelotti failed to achieve last season following Mbappe’s arrival from PSG.

Although the French superstar struck 43 goals under Ancelotti it was not enough to inspire a Madrid side that finished the season without a major trophy, while Barcelona reclaimed La Liga as part of a domestic treble.

Mbappe’s illness with a stomach bug kept him out of Madrid’s group matches at the Club World Cup, but on his first start was in the destruction by PSG.

“We have to be self-critical, but it will also serve us as a guide for where we need to improve,” said Alonso.

If Alonso can find the formula for Mbappe and Vinicius to work together without sacrificing too much out of possession remains to be seen, while winger Rodrygo Goes does not appear to be part of the coach’s plans, playing a bit-part role in the States.

GOODBYES AND NEW FACES

Madrid go into the season without Luka Modric in the squad for the first time in over a decade, with the Croatian’s experience and quality a big miss for a side lacking some guile in midfield.

Los Blancos’ hope is for Turkish playmaker Arda Guler to be able to thrive there and become a player who can control the tempo of a game.

“The coach is trying to make us have more control of the game, and that’s better for me,” said Guler.

The 20-year-old should get plenty of chances to play at the start of the season with Jude Bellingham sidelined until around mid-October after shoulder surgery to solve a long-running issue.

By then new arrival and fellow England international Alexander-Arnold may have established himself in the side.

The full-back, who joined from Liverpool before the end of his contract so he could play at the Club World Cup, adds further attacking quality to a Madrid squad brimming with it.

Madrid hope Dean Huijsen could help solve some issues at the back, while Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono also join, with Los Blancos spending over 170 million euros ($200 million) this summer.

Dani Carvajal’s return from a long-term knee injury is another piece of good news for a Madrid side who need it after their 2024-25 campaign was more noteworthy for the club’s attacks on referees than for success on the field.

Alonso, who hopes to play an “ambitious” game with “emotion and energy”, wants the world to be talking about Real Madrid’s football once again.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2025

LAHORE: The four Pakistani students who won bronze medals at the 37th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) in Bolivia have proved that hard work and dedication always yield results.

Muhammad Aneeq, Ahmad Imran Malik, Muhammad Saram, and Ghulam Junaid, belonging to SundarSTEM School, secured medals at the prestigious competition held from July 27 to Aug 3 in Sucre.

Muhammad Saram from Lahore revealed his rigorous preparation routine: “I simulated the actual competition environment by doing numerous 5-hour virtual contests on platforms like Codeforces and AtCoder. The key was building stamina to perform under pressure.”

His strategy paid off, though not without challenges.

“During the actual competition, I found myself debugging code with time running out — it was stressful but overcoming that moment made the victory sweeter,” Saram recalled.

Ghulam Junaid, who hails from a small village near Narowal, took a more quantitative approach. “I solved over 2,600 problems on Codeforces alone,” he shared. “Each ‘Accepted’ verdict after struggling with a problem gave me the motivation to keep going.” Junaid particularly enjoyed the camaraderie at the event, saying “playing games with other competitors was as memorable as the competition itself.”

For Ahmad Imran Malik from Azad Kashmir, the journey included a valuable lesson in resilience.

“I failed in my first attempt at the Pakistan Olympiad in Informatics,” he admitted. “But that setback made me more determined. I started practicing 10 hours daily, using every resource available.” Malik credited much of his mental strength to a book titled ‘You Might Break — And That’s Okay’, which taught him how to handle pressure during competitions.

Muhammad Aneeq from Burewala described the experience of competing on the global stage as: “Standing there among the world’s best young programmers, I had to pinch myself – it felt like living a dream”. Aneeq’s most triumphant moment came when he scored an unexpected 72 points on a challenging task. “When I saw the results, I realised all those late-night practice sessions were worth it.”

The students’ success was made possible through mentorship at SundarSTEM School. They were trained by an elite panel including Oxford professor Dr Amir Goharshady, IOI gold medalist Abdul Malik Nurrokhman, and Iranian Olympiad champion Shayan Chashm Jahan.

The rigorous selection process conducted by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education saw 528 candidates from across Pakistan competing for the four national team spots.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2025