HARARE, Zimbabwe: Australian fast bowler Billy Stanlake demolished Pakistan’s top order with four quick wickets to set up a nine-wicket win on Monday in the second match of the Zimbabwe Twenty20 Tri-Series.
Stanlake took 4 for 8 in his opening burst, the most economical spell by an Australian in T20 international cricket, and the second best ever behind James Faulkner’s 5 for 27 the last time the two teams met.
His efforts held Pakistan to 116 all out, a score Australia chased down with ease, with captain Aaron Finch registering an unbeaten 68 as they cantered home with more than nine overs to spare.
Stanlake had opened the first inning with fearsome pace and bounce, and had Mohammad Hafeez fending the ball to Finch at first slip with his third delivery.
Finch was back in the action two overs later, running from first slip to gully to take a stunning catch to remove Hussain Talat.
A rising leg stump delivery had Fakhar Zaman caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey, and when Sarfraz Ahmed presented a regulation chance to Finch at slip, Stanlake had his fourth and Pakistan were 24 for 4.
Shoaib Malik, who became the first male cricketer to play 100 T20Is in the match, briefly rallied alongside Asif Ali before a horrible mix-up led his run out for 13.
With Pakistan teetering at 47 for 5, Ali counter-attacked and launched a length delivery from medium pacer Marcus Stoinis clean out of the ground for six.
However Stoinis soon had his revenge, bowling Ali for 22 as Pakistan slipped to 61 for 6.
It was then left to Pakistan’s lower order to guide the team beyond 100.
Faheem Ashraf managed 21 before he was bounced out by Jhye Richardson, while 19-year-old Shadab Khan cracked a four and a six to top score with 29.
But Khan fell trying to quicken the run rate in the final over, and Andrew Tye quickly wrapped up Pakistan’s innings with two more wickets as the side were bowled out one ball short of the full 20 overs.
Pakistan took an early wicket against Australia when bowler Hasan Ali hurried D’Arcy Short’s pull shot, but Finch ensured there were no further slip-ups.
He countered Pakistan’s spin threat with faultless attacking strokes, twice launching Mohammad Nawaz over long on and smashing legspinner Shadab Khan for three more sixes as the game ended in a flurry of runs.
Finch hit six sixes in all, and the game ended with a dropped catch at long on that went for four, summing up Pakistan’s day.
Australia’s Stanlake tears through Pakistan for easy win
Australia’s Stanlake tears through Pakistan for easy win
- Pakistan were held to 116 all out in the second match of the Zimbabwe Twenty20 Tri-Series
- Stanlake took 4 for 8 in his opening burst, the most economical spell by an Australian in T20 international cricket, and the second best ever behind James Faulkner’s 5 for 27 the last time the two teams met
Russian wrestlers reject Olympics invitation
The national federation said Saturday that 10 wrestlers who passed the eligibility checks would boycott the Games in protest at the IOC
MOSCOW: Russian wrestlers who were given permission to participate in this summer’s Olympic Games have rejected the invitation, the Russian Wrestling Federation said Saturday.
After initially being barred from the Games over Moscow’s military offensive on Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has moved to allow a handful of Russian athletes to take part under a neutral flag if they meet strict conditions.
But the national federation said Saturday that 10 wrestlers who passed the eligibility checks would boycott the Games in protest at the IOC.
“We do not accept the unsportsmanlike selection principle that guided the International Olympic Committee when forming the list of eligible athletes, the purpose of which is to undermine the principle of unity of our team,” the federation said in a statement.
The federation’s executive committee, coaches and wrestlers “came to the unanimous decision to refuse to participate in the Olympic Games.”
Russian athletes hoping to compete in Paris must demonstrate they do not support Russia’s military offensive on Ukraine and have no links to the country’s armed forces.
Those admitted will have to compete under a neutral banner and will be excluded from any team events and also the opening ceremony.
Russian officials have repeatedly blasted the IOC policy.
Russian wrestlers who were given permission to participate in this summer’s Olympic Games have rejected the invitation, the Russian Wrestling Federation said Saturday. (AFP/File)
Saudi Arabia’s Mostafa Nada looks to impress in front of home country crowd
RIYADH: When Saudi Arabia’s Mostafa Nada steps inside the PFL SmartCage in the main event of Professional Fighters League MENA 2 on July 12, he will have the support of a home country crowd behind him as he faces Algeria’s Abdel Rahmane Driai in a welterweight showcase main event.
It will not be Nada’s first trip into the SmartCage, as he is looking to build off the momentum of his first-round win against Korey Kuppe from last season.
While he will be the favorite, Nada admits that competing at home is going to be a different experience altogether.
“This fight will be different for me because it’ll be in my home country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but I’m ready for all the opportunities that I can get,” Nada said. “This fight in Saudi puts pressure on me in a different way because all eyes will be on me including my family, friends, and fans.”
While there is not a lot at stake compared to some of the night’s other fights, Nada is looking to prove himself and hopefully get a shot at next season’s PFL MENA tournament.
“I want to prove myself, and I pray for success, that I may be able to implement my game plan and what I trained for to achieve victory.”
Against Driai, Nada will be facing a bonafide finisher who has recorded eight of nine wins by way of stoppage.
Nada however, is confident in his own abilities.
“I’ve kept an eye on my opponent, I’ve studied him well. He has a strong wrestling game, and he has a dangerous right hand. He’s knocked out many of his opponents, but he won’t be able to do that to me,” he confidently claimed. “I’ve watched all his fights and I’ve learned his style. I can confidently say that his fight with me will be very different from all his other fights.
“I know my skills and my abilities, and I know that I can compete with the best fighters in the world,” Nada continued.
Nada is on a four-fight winning streak of his own, and will look to extend that in Riyadh on July 12.
Turkiye take on Dutch in politically charged Euros quarter-final, England face Swiss
- In the other quarter-final England aim to move a step closer to ending a 58-year wait to win a major tournament by beating Switzerland
BERLIN: Turkiye face the Netherlands in a Euro 2024 quarter-final on Saturday whose lead-up has been dominated by a diplomatic row between the Turks and Germany.
In the other quarter-final England aim to move a step closer to ending a 58-year wait to win a major tournament by beating Switzerland.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the match at Berlin’s Olympiastadion amidst a diplomatic row between his country and host nation Germany over a two-match ban handed to Turkiye defender Merih Demiral.
The center-back, who scored both Turkiye’s goals in a 2-1 win over Austria in the last 16 on Tuesday, has been suspended by UEFA for celebrating with a gesture associated with Turkish right-wing extremist group Grey Wolves.
UEFA said in a statement it was banning Demiral “for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute.”
Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned “the symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums.”
Turkiye then summoned the German ambassador on Wednesday over politicians’ reactions to Demiral’s celebration.
Turkiye’s Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak claimed the ban “has no legal basis and that we consider it to be purely political.”
Erdogan himself has said Demiral was just “showing his excitement” and several ministers and the spokesman of his ruling AKP party have condemned Faeser’s reaction.
Turkiye will be roared on by tens of thousands of fans who have turned all of their matches, in an unexpected run to the last eight, into a mass of red and white in stadiums around the country.
Germany is home to nearly three million people with Turkish roots.
Vincenzo Montella’s men will try to ride that support to reach the semifinals of a European Championship for just the second time.
The Dutch are the favorites to make the last four for the first time since Euro 2004.
Ronald Koeman’s side disappointed in the group stage as they only qualified thanks to being one of the best third-placed teams.
But they hit their stride in the last 16 with a 3-0 win over Romania and have the joint top goalscorer in the tournament in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.
The winner of the clash in Berlin will face either England or Switzerland in Wednesday’s semifinal in Dortmund.
England boss Gareth Southgate rounded on suggestions the Three Lions had been handed an easier path to the final as “entitlement” from the media in his homeland.
Despite reaching the quarter-finals for the fourth consecutive major tournament under Southgate, England have so far failed to live up to their hype as one of the favorites for the competition in a string of poor performances.
They needed a moment of Jude Bellingham brilliance in the dying seconds to sneak past Slovakia after extra-time in the last 16 and face a step up in class against the Swiss in Dusseldorf.
Bellingham has been cleared to play after the Real Madrid midfielder received just a 30,000 euro ($32,477) fine and one-match suspended ban for mimicking a crotch grab after scoring against Slovakia.
Switzerland dumped out holders Italy 2-0 in the previous round and also held Germany 1-1 in the group stages.
Spain will face France in Tuesday’s semifinal in Munich after two dramatic quarter-finals on Friday.
The hosts suffered a heartbreaking defeat as Mikel Merino’s header in the final minute of extra-time handed Spain a 2-1 win over Germany.
France beat Portugal on penalties after a 0-0 draw that could bring the curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo’s illustrious international career.
Saudi national team beats UAE to win Arab Diar Championship
- The Saudi team qualified for the final match after beating their Syrian counterpart 2-0
TAIF, Saudi Arabia: The Saudi national team won the Arab Diar Championship for West Asian U-19 teams, after defeating UAE 1-0 at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Taif Governorate on Friday night.
The team qualified for the final match after beating their Syrian counterpart 2-0, state news agency SPA reported.
Talal Haji scored the winning goal in the 43rd minute of the first half, bringing victory and gold medals to the team.
The UAE came in second and was awarded silver medals.
Canada stun Venezuela on penalties to reach Copa America semifinals
- Canada triumphed in the shootout to set up a last-four meeting with world champions Argentina
- Both teams failed to score from the spot twice in the shoot-out, leaving it at 3-3 after five penalties each
ARLINGTON, Texas: Canada reached the semifinals of the Copa America on Friday after beating Venezuela 4-3 on penalties after the 90-minute game finished 1-1.
Jacob Shaffelburg fired Canada into the lead in the 13th minute but Salomon Rondon equalized in the 64th, before Canada triumphed in the shootout to set up a last-four meeting with world champions Argentina.
The Canadians, under American coach Jesse Marsch, who only took over the team in mid-May, are playing in the Copa America for the first time and produced a relentless display of pressing in what was a frantic game.
Both teams failed to score from the spot twice in the shoot-out, leaving it at 3-3 after five penalties each and sending the contest into sudden death.
Canada keeper Max Crepeau, who had made a major error for Venezuela’s equalizer, made amends as he saved Wilker Angel’s kick.
That left Ismael Kone with the chance to win the game. He converted with an ice-cool penalty to set off the celebrations in front of a crowd of 51,080 mostly Venezuela supporting fans.
Canada played Argentina in the opening game of the group stage, losing 2-0 to the defending champions and will start as huge underdogs again in the semifinal.
But after a performance of remarkable energy and determination against a Venezuela team that won all three of their group stage games, Marsch will believe his team could pull off another upset and reach the final in Miami on July 14.
Canada roared out of the blocks, giving Venezuela no time on the ball and getting forward in numbers in the early stages.
“Vinotinto” keeper Rafael Romo had to race out of his area to stop Cyle Larin as he raced on to a ball over the top, but there was nothing he could do minutes later when the Canadians took the lead.
Jonathan David bustled in from the right and winger Shaffelburg arrived right on time to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Shaffelburg, a speedy left-winger who plays in Major League Soccer for Nashville, then forced Romo into a diving save and then delivered a low cross which David was unable to finish.
Canada were going for the jugular and Richie Laryea zipped a ball across the face of the box but the stretching David was unable to reach it.
Larin wasted a big chance just after the interval when he found the ball in space in the box but leaned back and fired his shot well over the bar.
Marsch’s high-energy tactics were starting to take a toll on his players and as they tired Venezuela grew into the game.
Jose Martinez should have done better when a poor clearance landed at his feet in the box but he stabbed his shot wide.
But then a long ball forward was won by Rondon, who spotted Crepeau far off his line and from 35-yards out the veteran striker produced a perfect lob to beat the stranded keeper and make it 1-1.
There were late chances for Canada to win the game in regulation time, but neither Liam Millar nor Tani Oluwaseyi, both on as substitutes could provide a composed finish.
With no extra-time in Copa America, it was straight to penalties and after Rondon and David both converted, Yangel Herrera hit the post for Venezuela.
Millar then put his effort over the bar and after Tomas Rincon scored for Venezuela, Moise Bombito levelled for Canada.
But Jefferson Savarino hit the post and Canada’s Stephen Eustaquio saw his soft effort saved by Romo before both teams scored to make it 3-3.
Then in sudden death, Crepeau dived to deny Angel leaving Kone with the pressure shot to win which he handled with aplomb.
“Everybody needs to realize the respect this country deserves and these footballers deserve,” Crepeau told Fox Sports.
“Everybody says ‘these Canadians’, well these Canadians are in the semifinals of Copa America.”
