Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar marked his return to international cricket by taking two wickets to help Pakistan to a 35-run win over Canada in a four-nation Twenty 20 tournament on Friday.
Shoaib, who last played for the national team against India last December before a spectacular fallout with the Pakistan Cricket Board, struck in his first over when he removed Abdool Samad and Mohammad Iqbal.
The 33-year-old finished with 2-11, although he suffered the indignity of being pulled for six by Rizwan Cheema.
Pakistan opener Salman Butt was man of the match for his 74 off 56 balls as the Asian giants made a modest 137-7, before Canada were restricted to 102-9. Cheema and Manoj David added 52 for the third wicket to give Canada hope, but once David was removed by Umar Gul the home side lost their next six wickets for just 37 runs.
Sri Lanka’s latest spin sensation Ajantha Mendis took three wickets and was named man of the match as his side clinched a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe.
Mendis finished with 3-15 from three overs after ripping the heart out of the Zimbabwe middle order, including dismissing Prosper Utseya with his “carrom ball,” which turns away from the right-handers. Tatenda Taibu, the former captain, finished on 45 to push Zimbabwe to 106-8 off 17 overs in match shortened by the damp outfield.
Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Udawatte put on 36 in four overs, before Udawatte was caught behind. Thilina Kandamby and skipper Mahela Jayawardene were both run out as Zimbabwe reduced Sri Lanka to 77-5, before Chamara Kapugedera and Farveez Maharoof saw them home.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
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