Islamabad brush aside Karachi challenge to solidify position ahead of playoffs

Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan (right) celebrates with batter Salman Ali Agha after winning the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 cricket match against Karachi Kings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on March 7, 2024. (PCB)

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Updated 07 March 2024

Shahjahan Khurram

March 07, 2024 22:31

Islamabad brush aside Karachi challenge to solidify position ahead of playoffs

Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by five wickets to jump to second place on PSL points table
Tymal Mills takes three important wickets, Faheem Ashraf two to restrict Karachi to 150/7

Updated 07 March 2024

Shahjahan Khurram

March 07, 2024 22:31

ISLAMABAD: Karachi Kings were no match for Islamabad United on Thursday as the home side thrashed the Kings by five wickets at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to solidify their position for ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoffs.

Chasing 151 runs, United lost wickets earlier when opening batters Alex Hales and Colin Munro departed for 18 and 9 runs respectively. However, a 58-run partnership between in-form batters Shadab Khan (34) and Salman Ali Agha (33) helped United reach a comfortable position to complete the chase.

After explosive batter Azam Khan fell for 9 runs, Haider Ali held his nerves to score 26 runs from 16 balls to help United clinch the match.

No wobbles for Islamabad United as they get across the finishing line against Karachi Kings#HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #IUvK pic.twitter.com/hFxr1AEknK

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 7, 2024

“A huge shoutout to Haider Ali and Faheem Ashraf for closing out the match with style and to Salman Ali Agha & Shadab Khan for laying a solid foundation for our chase,” United wrote on social media platform X.

United’s left-arm pacer Tymal Mills returned to form against the Kings, returning figures of 3/34. He dismissed James Vince (29) Mohammad Nawaz (5) and Irfan Khan (16) to ensure the Kings finished with a modest total of 150 from their 20 overs.

For the Kings, Keiron Pollard scored 39 runs, hitting three sixes and an equal number of fours but did not get ample support from any of the Karachi batters. Faheem Ashraf bowled well for United too, returning figures of 2/16 while Imad Wasim and Hunain Shah picked up a wicket each.

With their latest win, United jumped from the number four to the number two spot behind Multan Sultans. The Kings, on the other hand, remain at the fifth spot on the PSL points table, ahead of only bottom-placed Lahore Qalandars.

The top four teams will qualify for the playoffs.

Topics: Cricket T20 cricket Pakistan Pakistan Super League (PSL) Islamabad United karachi kings

Sharma, Kohli under fire as India chews over ‘tough pill’ of NZ loss

Updated 13 sec ago

AFP

November 04, 2024 10:53

Sharma, Kohli under fire as India chews over ‘tough pill’ of NZ loss

Critics call Indian cricket team aging and low on confidence after 3-0 loss to New Zealand
Sharma and Kohli both retired from T20 cricket after the team’s World Cup triumph in June

Updated 13 sec ago

AFP

November 04, 2024 10:53

MUMBAI: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma came under fire Monday as India chewed over a 3-0 Test series home defeat to New Zealand, with critics calling the team aging and low on confidence.

The cricket superpower went down by 25 runs on Sunday in the third Test inside three days at Mumbai for only their second series whitewash at home.

It sealed New Zealand’s historic first-ever Test series triumph on Indian soil.

For India there is little time to fix things — they travel to Australia for a five-match Test series starting on November 22.

“Losing 3-0 at home is a tough pill to swallow and it calls for introspection,” former skipper Sachin Tendulkar wrote on social media.

“Was it lack of preparation, was it poor shot selection or was it lack of match practice?“

India went into the series against the Black Caps second in the ICC Test rankings, behind Australia, and as clear favorites.

But repeated batting collapses — they were 46 all out in their first innings in the opening Test — set alarm bells ringing.

It hardly got much better from there.

“I accept the fact that we were not good enough with the bat in the entire series,” said skipper Rohit.

It particularly showed up the Indian batsmen’s surprising inability to handle spinners on turning pitches in their own back yard.

Mitchell Santner took 13 wickets in the second match while Mumbai-born New Zealander Ajaz Patel took 11 in the third Test to condemn India.

With Australia looming large, the form of 37-year-old Rohit and superstar batsman Kohli, 35, is of particular concern to Indian cricket fans.

Rohit made 91 runs in three matches. Kohli just 93.

“The cold fact is that this is now a team in transition with key figures aging, out of form and low on confidence,” the Times of India newspaper wrote.

“Two of their stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, seem to be in a state of terminal batting decline with a strange reluctance to acknowledge it and take corrective action like polishing their game by playing in domestic cricket,” it added.

Indian media reported that all senior players, including Rohit and Kohli, had been advised to play the domestic Duleep Trophy four-day matches, but the players refused due to a “lack of motivation.”

“They should have had some practice, definitely,” former India captain Sunil Gavaskar told the Indian Express.

“I know we beat Bangladesh and therefore it looked as if it was going to be a cakewalk against New Zealand,” Gavaskar added.

“But New Zealand, obviously, had a better attack, with cricketers who have played in India and in the IPL, who have a sense of what Indian pitches do.”

Rohit and Kohli retired from T20 cricket after the team’s World Cup triumph in June.

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, 38, and Ravindra Jadeja, 35, also suddenly look like age is catching up with them, critics said.

Topics: India Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma

Australia in driving seat after dismissing Pakistan for 203 in first ODI

Updated 23 min 13 sec ago

Shahjahan Khurram

November 04, 2024 08:27

Australia in driving seat after dismissing Pakistan for 203 in first ODI

Mohammad Rizwan top-scores with 44 while former captain Babar Azam makes 37 runs
Mitchel Starc, Pat Cummins return figures of 3/33 and 2/39 to put Pakistan on back foot

Updated 23 min 13 sec ago

Shahjahan Khurram

November 04, 2024 08:27

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani batters floundered against a mix of impressive pace and spin bowling by Australia on Monday as the visitors were dismissed for an unimpressive 203 runs in the first ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Australian fast bowlers Mitchel Starc and Pat Cummins returned figures of 3/33 and 2/39, respectively, to deal early blows to Pakistan and put Australia in the driving seat of the match. Spinner Adam Zampa took 2/64 while Marnus Labuschagne and Sean Abbott finished with 1/5 and 1/34, respectively.

Pakistani openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub fell for 12 and 1, respectively, while former captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan put up some resistance before the former was dismissed by Zampa for 37 (44). Rizwan, Pakistan’s new white-ball captain, made 44 from 71 balls before he was sent to the pavilion.

Fast bowler Naseem Shah scored 40 runs from 39 balls in a brave effort to ensure Pakistan crossed the 200 threshold before Aussie skipper Cummins removed him. Debutant Irfan Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi scored 22 and 24 runs, respectively.

“Naseem Shah makes a valiant 40 featuring four sixes as Pakistan make 203,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. “Over to the bowlers.”

Australia's Pat Cummins, left, celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Kamran Ghulam during their one day international cricket match in Melbourne, on November 4, 2024. (AP)

Earlier, Cummins won the toss and put Pakistan to bat first. The second ODI between the teams will be played at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Nov. 8 while both teams will travel to Perth where the third ODI will take place on Nov. 10.

The ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20I series, which will be played on Nov. 14, 16 and 18.

Pakistan and Australia last met in the 50-over format during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Oct. 20 where Australia defeated Pakistan by 62 runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The last time both sides featured in a bilateral ODI series was in March/April 2022, when Australia visited Pakistan and the hosts won the series 2-1.

Playing XI:

Australia: 1 Matt Short, 2 Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Josh Inglis (wk), 5 Marnus Labuschagne, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Aaron Hardie, 8 Sean Abbott, 9 Pat Cummins (captain), 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Adam Zampa

Pakistan: 1 Saim Ayub, 2 Abdullah Shafique, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk, captain), 5 Kamran Ghulam, 6 Salman Ali Agha, 7 Irfan Khan, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Mohammad Hasnain

Topics: Pakistan v Australia Australia Cricket Pakistan

‘Race that stops a nation’: Buckaroo, Vauban favorites for Melbourne Cup

Updated 04 November 2024

AFP

November 04, 2024 07:13

‘Race that stops a nation’: Buckaroo, Vauban favorites for Melbourne Cup

With Aus$8 million ($5.25 million) at stake, the winner of the 24-strong field will bank Aus$4.4 million and instantly become a household name in Australia
Four women jockeys are in the race, more than ever before

Updated 04 November 2024

AFP

November 04, 2024 07:13

MELBOURNE: Buckaroo and Vauban head into Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup as joint favorites in Australia’s “race that stops a nation,” where there will be a record four women jockeys.

First run in 1861, the punishing 3,200-meter (two-mile) handicap at Flemington is regarded as the ultimate test of stamina and staying power.

With Aus$8 million ($5.25 million) at stake, the winner of the 24-strong field will bank Aus$4.4 million and instantly become a household name in Australia, where the race is a cultural institution.

Carrying 54.5kg, the Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo finished second at the Caulfield Cup over 2,400 meters this year, on the back of two wins earlier in the season.

Drawn out wide in barrier 21, the six-year-old gelding has again been entrusted to Brazilian Joao Moreira — twice a runner-up — with its odds shortening after red-hot favorite Via Sistina was axed last week.

Also trained by Waller, Via Sistina stormed to victory by eight lengths in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last month, propelling the mare through the rankings.

But owner Yulong Investments has opted to rest her.

“Buckaroo is the form horse,” said Waller, who trained 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant and has four starters in Tuesday’s race.

“He has come through his Caulfield Cup run really well.”

Another highly rated contender, Irish import Jan Brueghel, was scratched after failing a vet inspection, reportedly due to weakness in a lower leg.

The four-year-old had won all four career starts since arriving in Australia a month ago and miffed trainer Aidan O’Brien blasted the decision as “ridiculous.”

With those two out, top-weight Vauban (55.5kg) firmed as joint favorite after drawing barrier 11 and with top English jockey William Buick on the reins.

Foaled in France but Irish trained, Vauban jetted into Australia last year as a hot tip to win but failed to deliver, finishing 14th and struggling in the heat.

Trainer Willie Mullins is nevertheless confident after the seven-year-old’s second place at the Irish St. Leger in September behind superstar stayer Kyprios.

“As we know, you just don’t arrive and pick up the prize,” Mullins told reporters.

“Last year a lot of people had us marked down for that, but I think our horses’ preparations this year have been good.

“Vauban’s form has been very good all season and he brings great depth of form into the race.”

Ace jockey Mark Zahra has ridden the last two Melbourne Cup winners — Without a Fight and Gold Trip— and will again be in the hunt, this time on five-year-old stallion Circle of Fire, currently third favorite.

But he has his work cut out after drawing the widest barrier possible at 24.

“Twenty-four is ordinary... but Mark’s flying so it won’t matter,” said trainer Ciaron Maher.

Kerrin McEvoy is looking for a fourth win, steering Absurde, another from the Mullins stable.

Four women jockeys are in the race, more than ever before.

Jamie Kah will saddle up Okita Soushi alongside Rachel King (The Map), Winona Costin (Positivity) and British star Hollie Doyle (Sea King).

Michelle Payne is the only woman rider to win the Melbourne Cup after she steered Prince of Penzance to victory in 2015.

Topics: Melbourne Cup

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win New York City Marathon

Updated 04 November 2024

November 04, 2024 04:37

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win New York City Marathon

The 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) course took runners through all five boroughs of New York, starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park
A few hours after the top runners finished, it was announced that the Sydney Marathon would become the seventh world major marathon, joining Berlin, Chicago, Boston, Tokyo, London and New York

Updated 04 November 2024

November 04, 2024 04:37

NEW YORK: Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui used strong kicks in the final mile to pull away from their nearest competitors and both win the New York City Marathon for the first time Sunday.

Nageeye, who became the first runner from the Netherlands to win the men’s race, was step-for-step with 2022 champion Evans Chebet before using a burst of speed heading into Central Park for the final time to come away with the win in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 39 seconds. Chebet finished 6 seconds behind.

“At the finish I was like, am I’m dreaming? I won New York,” Nageeye said.

He had run the New York race three times before with his best finish coming in 2022, when he was third.

“I know the course,” Nageeye said. “Today was two things: survive that race and my race is after 36 (kilometers; 22 miles). I was thinking like a cyclist, survive 36K and you’re going to win.”

Chepkirui was running New York for the first time and pulled away from defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women’s race in the last stretch.

“Let me push the last mile, let me give it my best,” the Kenyan said. “When we were around 600 meters to go, I said to myself I have to push harder. When I saw Hellen wasn’t coming, I knew I was going to win and was so happy.”

Chepkirui, who started to run marathons in 2022, won in 2:24.35. Obiri finished nearly 15 seconds behind.

Obiri was looking to be the first consecutive champion since Mary Keitany of Kenya won three in a row from 2014-16. Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya finished third, giving the African nation the top three spots.

Tamirat Tola, the men’s defending champion and Paris Olympic gold medalist, finished fourth, right behind Albert Korir.

“I had a good year,” Tola told The Associated Press through a translator. “I won the Olympics and then to come back to New York after that, you know it’s a tough course. I know that I expended a lot of energy. Around the 33-kilometer mark I felt my muscle tighten and my muscles just couldn’t handle it.”

Tola, who set the course record last year, was looking to be the first back-to-back men’s champion since Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya won in 2011 and 2013. The 2012 race was canceled because of Superstorm Sandy.

The top Americans finished sixth in both races. Conner Mantz led the men and Sara Vaughn the women. Vaughn was in the lead group heading into Mile 20 when they entered the Bronx before she dropped off the lead pack.

Vaughn was geared up to run Chicago before COVID-19 kept her from competing in that race. She was a late addition to this marathon.

The day got started with an upset in the men’s wheelchair race as three-time defending champion Marcel Hug was beaten by Daniel Romanchuk, who also won in 2018 and 2019. Susannah Scaroni won the women’s wheelchair race. It was her second victory in New York, also taking the 2022 race and giving Americans winners in both events — the first time that has happened.

The 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) course took runners through all five boroughs of New York, starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park. This is the 48th year the race has been in all five boroughs. Before that, the route was completely in Central Park when it began in 1970. The first race had only 55 finishers while more than 50,000 competed this year.

A few hours after the top runners finished, it was announced that the Sydney Marathon would become the seventh world major marathon, joining Berlin, Chicago, Boston, Tokyo, London and New York.

The weather was perfect to run in with temperatures in the lower 40s when the race started. Last year, it was 61 degrees when the race started.

Topics: New York City Marathon Abdi Nageeye Sheila Chepkirui

Zverev dispatches Humbert in straight sets to win Paris Masters

Updated 04 November 2024

November 04, 2024 03:12

Zverev dispatches Humbert in straight sets to win Paris Masters

The third-seeded Zverev was in total control of the final to earn his seventh Masters 1000 title, his first in the French capital
Zverev became the second German player to win in Paris after Boris Becker

Updated 04 November 2024

November 04, 2024 03:12

PARIS: Alexander Zverev was imperious in dispatching Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 to win the Paris Masters on Sunday.

The third-seeded Zverev was in total control of the final to earn his seventh Masters 1000 title, his first in the French capital. The win also moved him past top-ranked Jannik Sinner for the most wins on the ATP tour this year, at 66.

Zverev’s big serve, excellent returns and great attacking shots did not take long to extinguish the hopes of the partisan crowd as Humbert never got into the match.

Humbert won’t have fond memories of his first Masters final. He tried to play aggressively from the start and to take all the risks to shorten rallies. But he could not find his range while Zverev defended extremely well.

The German quickly solved his rival’s serve and had his first break chance in the third game. He took it when Humbert sent a forehand into the net.

Humbert continued to make unforced errors. Trailing 3-1, he saved two break points but dropped his serve again when another shanked forehand sealed the game.

Zverev dropped just one point on his serve in the opening set and sealed it at love with an ace.

The 15th-seeded Humbert walked back to the locker room after the first set. The interlude didn’t change anything.

The Frenchman double-faulted on his return to the court, continued to make poor tactical decisions and was immediately broken with a forehand into the net. Another break gave Zverev a 3-0 lead as Humbert wasted a 40-0 lead and was never able to stage a comeback.

Zverev became the second German player to win in Paris after Boris Becker. He will overtake Carlos Alcaraz to move into second place in the new ATP rankings and will be a top contender at the ATP Finals gathering the top eight players of the season from Nov. 10-17 in Turin, Italy.

Topics: Paris Masters Alexander Zverev

Islamabad brush aside Karachi challenge to solidify position ahead of playoffs

Islamabad brush aside Karachi challenge to solidify position ahead of playoffs

Lahore Qalandars register maiden PSL 2024 win after beating Islamabad United at home

Peshawar beat Multan by four runs in PSL thriller

Sharma, Kohli under fire as India chews over ‘tough pill’ of NZ loss

Sharma, Kohli under fire as India chews over ‘tough pill’ of NZ loss

Australia in driving seat after dismissing Pakistan for 203 in first ODI

Australia in driving seat after dismissing Pakistan for 203 in first ODI

‘Race that stops a nation’: Buckaroo, Vauban favorites for Melbourne Cup

‘Race that stops a nation’: Buckaroo, Vauban favorites for Melbourne Cup

Vow and Declare wins Melbourne Cup

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed was ‘behind Melbourne Cup victory plan’ of Cross Counter, says winning trainer Charlie Appleby

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win New York City Marathon

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win New York City Marathon

Tamirat Tola and Hellen Obiri look to defend titles in New York City Marathon

Stellar women’s field takes aim at New York City Marathon record on Sunday

Zverev dispatches Humbert in straight sets to win Paris Masters

Zverev dispatches Humbert in straight sets to win Paris Masters

Humbert knocks out Alcaraz to join Zverev and Tsitsipas in Paris Masters quarterfinals

Alcaraz and Tsitsipas reach 3rd round at Paris Masters but Rublev loses temper and match

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Islamabad brush aside Karachi challenge to solidify position ahead of playoffs

Islamabad brush aside Karachi challenge to solidify position ahead of playoffs

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Sharma, Kohli under fire as India chews over ‘tough pill’ of NZ loss

Australia in driving seat after dismissing Pakistan for 203 in first ODI

‘Race that stops a nation’: Buckaroo, Vauban favorites for Melbourne Cup

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Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win New York City Marathon

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Zverev dispatches Humbert in straight sets to win Paris Masters

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