CENTURION, South Africa: Dale Steyn became South Africa’s leading test wicket-taker while fellow paceman Duanne Olivier took 6-37 as Pakistan was bowled out for 181 on the opening day of the three-match series on Wednesday.
Steyn picked up his 422nd wicket, going past Shaun Pollock’s record, but it was Olivier who broke the back of Pakistan’s batting with career-best figures.
Olivier was only in South Africa’s team after Vernon Philander and Lungi Ngidi were ruled out by injury.
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed opted to bat after winning the toss and only Babar Azam provided any resistance with 71. He shared a 67-run partnership with Hasan Ali for the ninth wicket to save his team from a complete capitulation.
South Africa barely needed Keshav Maharaj, using the spinner for just three overs as the three pacemen did the damage, reinforcing the pre-series predictions that Pakistan’s biggest challenge would be standing up to the home team’s fast bowlers.
Top-ranked test bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed 3-59, including the first strike in the second over when Imam-ul-Haq was lbw for a duck.
Steyn then removed the other opener, Fakhar Zaman, when he was caught by Dean Elgar in the slips.
Rabada, South Africa’s new fast-bowling star, lifted the paceman up on to his shoulders. The standing ovation in the crowd at SuperSport Park, where Steyn began his career, continued well past the on-field celebrations and was still going when he prepared to bowl his next delivery.
“I won’t lie, when I was standing there at the top of my mark and everyone was standing up, I almost had a tear, I had a lump in my throat,” Steyn said. “Very pleased. Very happy.”
Pollock, who was commentating on television, was one of the first to congratulate him as he came off the field for the lunch break and presented Steyn with a bottle of champagne.
“On all different wickets around the world he’s been absolutely superb,” Pollock said, “and what those figures don’t tell is he’s a fantastic guy as well.”
The 35-year-old Steyn’s record was a long time coming, after he sustained a career-threatening shoulder injury in 2016. He has played just four tests in the last two years.
Steyn is up to 11th on the all-time list of test wicket-takers, nine behind Richard Hadlee. In an indicator of his quality, his 422 wickets have come in 89 games. One of South Africa’s greats, Pollock’s 421 came in 108 tests.
Despite skittling the tourists out for 181, the home side were also rocking after day one — reaching stumps on 127-5 having falled to 43-4 in the 15th over.
Dale Steyn breaks South Africa bowling record in routing of Pakistan on day one
Dale Steyn breaks South Africa bowling record in routing of Pakistan on day one
- Steyn picked up his 422nd wicket, going past Shaun Pollock’s record
- Pollock, who was commentating on television, was one of the first to congratulate Steyn
Hattan Alsaif returns for 2025 PFL MENA 2 in Riyadh
- Saudi amateur will face three-time Lebanese MMA champion Nour Al-Fliti
- Welterweight champion Omar El-Dafrawy to face Daniele Miceli in main event
RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League on Wednesday announced the full card for PFL MENA 2, to be held at Riyadh’s Green Halls arena on Friday, July 4.
In the main event, 2024 PFL MENA welterweight champion Omar “God First” El-Dafrawy (13-5-0) returns to the city of his title win to face 2024 PFL Europe welterweight finalist Daniele “The Cyborg” Miceli (13-6-0) in the SmartCage.
The co-main event features a welterweight clash between Kuwaiti Mohammad Alaqraa (7-1-0) and Palestinian Omar “187” Hussein (11-6-0). Alaqraa, a 2024 PFL MENA finalist and current division leader, is seeking redemption after suffering the first loss of his professional career in last year’s finals. Hussein, a former PFL Europe standout, is aiming to hand Alaqraa a second defeat and make a strong statement on the Middle Eastern MMA scene.
In a highly anticipated bantamweight quarterfinal bout, Algeria’s Mokthar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (24-9-0) will face Lebanon’s Marcel Adur (19-7-0). Both fighters are known for their explosive striking and finishing power, making this a strong contender for the most thrilling bout of the night.
Local favorite Hattan Alsaif (AM 3-0-0) returns to the SmartCage for what is likely to be another exciting amateur showcase. The rising Saudi talent faces her toughest opponent yet in Nour Al-Fliti (AM 1-1-0), a three-time Lebanese MMA champion and IMMAF Asian Championship silver medalist.
Rounding out the card, Abdulaziz Bin Moammar (AM 1-0-0) will represent the Kingdom in a catchweight 160 pound showcase amateur bout against Egypt’s Hassan Ahmed (AM 3-1-0).
Saudi national team arrives in Los Angeles ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup debut
- Their opening group stage match is set for Sunday against Haiti at Snapdragon Stadium
LOS ANGELES: The Saudi national football team touched down in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning ahead of their participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 14 across the US.
The Green Falcons arrived at LAX International Airport from Jeddah and will hold their pre-tournament training camp in San Diego.
Their opening group stage match is set for Sunday against Haiti at Snapdragon Stadium.
The team was received at LAX by the Kingdom’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Bandar Al-Zaid.
Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al-Misehal expressed appreciation to the consulate for its warm welcome and logistical support.
The squad will begin their preparations with a closed training session on Wednesday evening at the San Diego Performance Center.
Koeman keeps Depay hungry for goals after equalling Van Persie’s record
- Depay scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes of the Netherlands’ 8-0 win over Malta in a World Cup qualifier to equal Robin van Persie’s record of 50
GRONINGEN: Memphis Depay was denied the chance to complete a hat-trick on Tuesday, and take sole possession of the Dutch national team’s all-time scoring record in the process, as coach Ronald Koeman said he wanted to keep him hungry for goals.
Depay scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes of the Netherlands’ 8-0 win over Malta in a World Cup qualifier to equal Robin van Persie’s record of 50.
Both players have 50 goals in 102 international appearances.
“I equalled Van Persie, I am happy with that,” said Depay, who was taken off in the 72nd minute with the Dutch 4-0 up.
“But this is just an interim total. Of course I am also going for 51, 52 and also 53. If I had played longer, I might have scored one more tonight,” he told reporters.
“I didn’t say anything about the fact that the coach took me off early. I was already happy that I could do what I’ve been doing for years ... scoring.”
Depay scored his first international goal against Australia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but it has not always been smooth sailing over the years with the national team.
“We have had some turbulence over the years,” he said.
“There have been many coaches and many players have come and gone. The times have shaped me and made me realize what I want.
“Ultimately, it’s important that we’re at the World Cup and that we go far.”
Koeman has consistently backed Depay over his two spells in charge of the Dutch, even when he struggled with his club form.
“I’ve always thought Memphis is a great player. I think he deserves a great compliment. He’s had a year full of injuries, but he’s fit and hungry now,” said Koeman.
“It’s great that he didn’t score the third, because then he stays hungry,” he quipped on Dutch television.
Saudi Arabia’s 2026 world motorsport championship dates announced
- FIA president highlights technological milestones, new talent emerging on global stage
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia will again host several major world motorsport championships it has been confirmed, with 2026 dates announced by international governing body, the FIA.
The Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend will take place on Jeddah’s street circuit from April 17-19, with the 24 cars running on 100 percent sustainable fuel.
The news was confirmed at the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Macau yesterday, chaired by the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Three other F1 world championship rounds will also be held in the Middle East — in Bahrain from April 10-12, Qatar from Nov. 27-29, and the season finale in Abu Dhabi from Dec. 4-6.
The Kingdom will also once more stage back-to-back races in Jeddah as part of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar, from Feb. 13-14, while four rounds of the 2026 F2 Championship will be held in the Middle East to coincide with the F1 races on 13-14 February, while four rounds of the 2026 F2 Championship will form part of the F1 weekends in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
The Dakar Rally again kicks off the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, from Jan. 3-17, while the Rally du Maroc takes place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3 and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge from Nov. 22-27. Bahrain will represent the Middle East as part of the 10-round F3 calendar.
Ben Sulayem told World Motor Sport Council members: “2025 is proving to be an exciting year across all our championships with technological milestones being reached, new talent emerging and battles being fought on the track and across stages each week.
“This year is a powerful opportunity for us to innovate and grow. New agreements across our championships are unlocking fresh potential, we are enhancing the level of competition and expanding our global reach. Each race shows the passion and dedication of our community.”
The World Council also approved one of the final pieces of a compelling puzzle that will mark the start of a new era for the FIA World Rally Championship from 2027.
The rules have been undergoing final refinements and updates over the past six months, and confirmation in Macau of the reference volumes for bodywork cements the commitment set out by the FIA to put flexibility at the core of the regulations.
To this end, the rules define a zone in which all of the bodywork panels must be located, but manufacturers and constructors have freedom within it to scale and integrate wide-ranging designs.
This means cars ranging from saloons to hatchbacks, crossovers and completely bespoke designs could be entered over the 10-year regulation cycle through to 2037.
Manchester City sign AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders
- Dutch midfielder, City’s fourth signing of the week, ‘ecstatic’ to be signing for Pep Guardiola’s side
- He will bolster Guardiola’s midfield options following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne
LONDON: Manchester City on Wednesday announced the signing of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan on a five-year deal for a reported fee of £46.3 million ($62.4 million).
The Dutch midfielder, City’s fourth signing of the week, said he was “ecstatic” to be signing for Pep Guardiola’s side.
The club announced deals for midfielder Rayan Cherki from Lyon and Chelsea’s third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli on Tuesday while left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri joined from Wolves on Monday.
Reijnders, 26, joined AC Milan from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 and scored 15 goals for the Italian club in 2024/25.
He will bolster Guardiola’s midfield options following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne.
“I am ecstatic to be signing for Manchester City,” said Reijnders. “City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities.”
Director of football Hugo Viana said: “He arrives here with extensive top-level experience in Europe, both at club level as well as on the international stage with the Netherlands.
“Tijjani adds extra energy, composure and creativity to our midfield and working with Pep and our coaches will only see him go from strength to strength.”
