KARACHI: Fakhar Zaman was still establishing himself in the Pakistan team when Jasprit Bumrah’s no-ball in the Champions Trophy final triggered his unlikely rise from navy sailor to World Cup talisman.
India appeared to have made the perfect start in the 2017 Champions Trophy showpiece when Zaman edged to wicketkeeper MS Dhoni off Bumrah.
However, the Indian fast bowler had overstepped the crease and Zaman, who had scored just three at the time, was given a reprieve that he made the most of, reaching his first one-day international century.
Fakhar changed the game with a crisp 114 to help Pakistan beat their bitter rivals by a 180-run margin at the Oval to lift the trophy.
Since then Fakhar has been the lynchpin of Pakistan’s batting and will be expected to anchor the line-up when the World Cup gets under way in England on May 30.
“That no-ball made me. I had a dream before the final that I will be dismissed off a no-ball and it proved to be true,” Fakhar said. “Initially I was very sad as I had promised my parents to do well in that match.”
Fakhar’s role in that famous victory against India came in just his fourth ODI and made him a household name in Pakistan.
But he said the recognition has not distracted him as he focuses on inspiring Pakistan’s bid for a second World Cup win and first since 1992.
“I was very lucky and ever since that century I have become famous,” he said.
“But with that fame comes responsibility and I have become more mature and now I realize the importance of playing my part. That will be my top priority in the World Cup.”
Luck has been on the unassuming left-hander’s side since he defied his father’s advice not to play cricket in his native Mardan.
Fakhar joined the Pakistan Navy but cricket remained his dream.
He kept his hand in by playing for the navy team and crucially benefited from a stroke of good fortune to fulfil his wish of playing for the national side.
Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan was banned in a spot-fixing case during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League in 2017, just three months before the Champions Trophy.
Fakhar’s aggressive batting had impressed head coach Mickey Arthur and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.
They instantly selected Fakhar as an attacking option and he has paid them back by averaging a stunning 51.31 in his 36 ODIs.
“I saw a game changer in Fakhar,” recalled Inzamam. “We had to find someone to replace Sharjeel and after watching Fakhar we thought ‘here is our man’.
“He lived up to that promise and we see him as an anchor in the World Cup.”
The 29-year-old, called “soldier” by his teammates for his navy connection, smashed Pakistan’s first double century in a one-day match in Zimbabwe last year and knows what is required of him in his country’s World Cup campaign.
“My job is to score runs and I am doing that so I know that hard work will pay off,” he said.
Fakhar Zaman: Pakistan’s World Cup weapon
Fakhar Zaman: Pakistan’s World Cup weapon
- The 29-year-old is called "soldier" by his teammates for his navy connection
- His aggressive batting impressed head coach Mickey Arthur and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq
FIFA Women’s World Cup to be expanded to 48 teams from 2031
- The 48-team tournament will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104
- The 2027 tournament in Brazil will remain at 32 teams
PARIS: The Women’s World Cup will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams, like the men’s competition, starting with the 2031 edition, FIFA announced on Friday.
The FIFA Council unanimously agreed to enlarge the competition “given the remarkable recent strides made by women’s football across the world,” the sport’s governing body said in a statement.
The 48-team tournament will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 and extending the tournament by one week, FIFA said.
FIFA have still to ratify the 2031 and 2035 hosts.
The 2027 tournament in Brazil will remain at 32 teams.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the move followed the success of the 2023 World Cup in Australia won by Spain.
The 2023 tournament was “the first in which teams from all confederations won at least one game and teams from five confederations reached the knockout stage, among many other records, set a new standard for global competitiveness,” said Infantino.
“This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women’s football globally.
“This is not just about having 16 more teams playing ... but taking the next steps in relation to the women’s game in general by ensuring that more FIFA Member Associations have the chance to benefit from the tournament to develop their women’s football structures.”
The decision, FIFA said, will broaden representation, offering more nations and players access to elite competition and accelerating investment in women’s football worldwide.
The men’s tournament will be expanded to 48 teams for the World Cup in 2026, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Liverpool’s Salah voted Football Writers’ Player of the Year
- Salah earned the prize after scoring 28 goals and producing 18 assists for Liverpool
- The Egypt forward broke the record for the most goal involvements
LONDON: Mohamed Salah won the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award for the third time on Friday after inspiring Liverpool’s march to a record-equalling 20th English title.
Salah earned the prize after scoring 28 goals and producing 18 assists for Liverpool in the Premier League this season.
The Egypt forward broke the record for the most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League campaign as Arne Slot’s side romped to their first title since 2020.
Salah secured almost 90 percent of the football writers’ votes, marking the biggest winning margin this century.
Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk came second in the contest, with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak third and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice fourth.
Salah, who was previously given the award in 2017-18 and 2021-22, is now level with former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry as the only players to win it three times.
The 32-year-old recently ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract to stay at Anfield until 2027.
Salah’s decision to commit to Liverpool will make them favorites to win a record 21st title next season as they look to move ahead of Manchester United as England’s most successful top-flight club.
Alessia Russo became the second Arsenal player to land the women’s award as the striker finished ahead of last year’s winner Khadija Shaw.
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami turn focus to Minnesota United
- The Loons will play Miami for only the second time ever
- Inter Miami enter the match in fourth place in the Eastern Conference
MIAMI: Inter Miami embark on the first of back-to-back road trips in five days when they take on host Minnesota United on Saturday afternoon in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The Loons (5-2-4, 19 points) will play Miami for only the second time ever and enter the contest a distant second in the Western Conference.
Minnesota is balancing league play with its push to try to win the US Open Cup, as it advanced to the Round of 16 on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over USL Championship club Louisville City FC.
Inter Miami (6-1-3, 21 points) enter the match in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They were eliminated 3-1 by Vancouver in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup on April 30.
Miami can narrow its focus to league play over the next few weeks and try to continue making up ground in the standings coming off a 4-1 win over the New York Red Bulls last Saturday.
“We’re going to fight for the top spots in the Eastern Conference, and then we’ll see what comes (over the summer) with the Club World Cup and the Leagues Cup,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said this week. “But right now, the most important game is the next one.”
Lionel Messi scored in Miami’s victory Saturday as did Luis Suarez, breaking droughts of four games across all competitions without goals for the two soccer legends.
Darius Randell scored the lone goal in the 65th minute against Louisville on an assist from Sang Bin Jeong.
Saturday’s game will feature a reunion of sorts as recently acquired midfielder Julian Gressel will face his former club, which waived him last month. Gressel started 31 games for Inter Miami last season.
“I’ve been waiting for this ever since I knew what my situation was in Miami and that was pretty early on,” Gressel told Minnesota reporters recently.
“They laid a pretty clear picture out for me, and I appreciated that, so we could try and come up with a solution. It took longer than I thought, but ultimately, I’m happy to be here.”
Rhodes, Tamburlini lead new generation at Aramco Korea Championship, part of PIF Global Series
- Duo to serve as captains in innovative team format
- ‘It’s amazing to be back with my team after a short break, and I’m really excited for this stage of the season,’ says Rhodes
SEOUL: Rising stars Chiara Tamburlini and Mimi Rhodes are set to lead the competition at this week’s Aramco Korea Championship, part of the newly launched PIF Global Series.
The duo are to serve as captains at the tournament which was scheduled to begin on Friday and features an innovative team format.
The Seoul event will feature the young talents taking on leadership roles — reflecting growing confidence in the new generation of women golfing stars.
England’s Rhodes has had a remarkable start to her 2025 season, claiming her first two titles on the Ladies European Tour with victories at the Joburg Ladies Open and the Ford Women’s Open in New South Wales.
Rhodes, who turned professional in 2024, said: “I feel like I’m in a great place after those two wins. It’s amazing to be back with my team after a short break, and I’m really excited for this stage of the season.
“I didn’t expect to be a captain, but just hearing the idea gave me a real boost and confidence that I’m now among the top players.”
Swiss golfer Tamburlini enters the tournament with confidence following a historic 2024 season that saw her win titles in South Africa, France, and Taiwan.
She was crowned Rookie of the Year and topped the overall ranking on the Ladies European Tour.
Tamburlini led her team to victory at the Shenzhen and Riyadh events last year, becoming the first captain to win back-to-back team titles in a single season.
She said: “I’m super excited for this week. Team events are always fun, and I love being surrounded by players I enjoy competing with.
“As a captain it’s important to maintain team spirit and keep everyone motivated throughout the round. I recently played my first major in the US, which was a great learning experience. I hope to bring some of that here.”
Rhodes was part of Tamburlini’s winning team at last year’s Riyadh Championship, which marked her debut in the Aramco Team Series, now rebranded as the PIF Global Series.
All eyes are on the Aramco Korea Championship as it blends competitive golf with team camaraderie, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to expand its international presence in the sport.
Alonso to leave Bayer Leverkusen at end of season
- Alonso had a contract until 2026 but the club said they had granted his wish to terminate his deal at the end of the season.
- "We can let you know that this week the club and I, we have agreed that these two games are going to be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach," Alonso told reporters.
BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso will leave his role at the end of the season, with the Spaniard saying on Friday the time was right after a fruitful three-year spell, as media reports link him to the Real Madrid job for next term.
Alonso took charge of Leverkusen in October 2022 and guided them to the double last season as they lifted their first Bundesliga title, without losing a game, while they also won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final.
Alonso had a contract until 2026 but the club said they had granted his wish to terminate his deal at the end of the season.
"We can let you know that this week the club and I, we have agreed that these two games are going to be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach," Alonso told reporters.
Leverkusen, who will finish the season as runners-up to Bayern Munich, host Borussia Dortmund on Sunday in what will be Alonso's final home game before ending the Bundesliga campaign at Mainz 05 on May 17.
"We've been talking during this week and now it's the right moment to announce it," Alonso added of his departure.
"Now that we have clarity it's the right moment to say that for sure it's a moment with mixed emotions, that it's the moment to announce it and to know it."
Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich reclaimed the Bundesliga title from Leverkusen with two games left to play, with Alonso's side currently eight points adrift of the Bavarians.
ALONSO'S LEGACY
Looking back at his time with Leverkusen, Alonso said the first season was the most difficult campaign as he came in with the club lying in the relegation zone before he propelled the side to a top-six finish to qualify for the Europa League.
"The second season was a historic season, it was a dream season with great nights, great games and we made history," he added.
"This season has been the most challenging one. When we had to fulfil expectations, when we were playing in the Champions League, where we were playing to try to give our best and when we don't make a final we are disappointed."
Leverkusen lost 5-0 on aggregate to Bayern in the Champions League last 16 and 2-1 to Arminia Bielefeld in the German Cup.
"There has been development in the club, in the players and in myself. I have learned so many things and I have improved as a coach, as someone that needs to have more resources for myself, for the future."
Alonso also said he was proud of what he is leaving behind - a squad capable of fighting for titles.
REAL MADRID?
Asked about what he will do next, Alonso said: "It's not the moment to talk too much about the future because now that we know, we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, for myself."
Alonso has been widely tipped to return to Real Madrid, the club where he won four major trophies as a player, including the 10th Champions League crown that the Spanish giants had waited 12 years to win.
Spanish media reports have said Real manager Carlo Ancelotti could leave the club at the end of the season after they were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Arsenal and lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona.
Holders Real are second in LaLiga, four points behind Barca with four games left and visit their rivals on Sunday.
Ancelotti has been linked with the Brazil job and has not confirmed if he will take charge of Real at the Club World Cup in the United States next month, saying that he would talk about his future on May 25 - the final day of the LaLiga season.
When Alonso was asked if he held a valid visa to travel to the U.S., the Spaniard smiled and said: "No idea!"
