Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique making habit of great first impressions

Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on October 10, 2023. (AFP)
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Updated 11 October 2023
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Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique making habit of great first impressions

  • Called up to replace the out-of-form Fakhar Zaman, the 23-year-old opener clubbed 113 against Sri Lanka
  • Shafique is viewed to have good technique and temperament, with a repertoire of shots for every pitch

HYDERABAD: Abdullah Shafique has a habit of making great first impressions, the latest of which came on Tuesday when he became the first Pakistan batsman to make a century on his World Cup debut in an epic pursuit against Sri Lanka.
Called up to replace the out-of-form Fakhar Zaman, the 23-year-old opener clubbed 113 and with a cramping Mohammad Rizwan (131 not out) helped Pakistan reach their 345-run target, the highest successful run chase in World Cup history.
“The way Abdullah built the innings in the beginning, the kind of shots he hit, made it easy for us to chase the score,” said Rizwan.
Shafique has become accustomed to making instant impacts.
He scored a hundred on his domestic Grade-II debut (non-first class), notched another century on his first-class debut in 2019 and a year later achieved the same feat in Twenty20 cricket.
Shafique is only the second batsman in the world to have hit a hundred on first class and T20 debut, along with India’s Shivam Bhambri.
His talents for the big stage were spotted early on by former Pakistan player Mansoor Rana, a former Pakistan team manager.
“We selected him for Under-19s as I saw enormous talent in this boy,” said Rana.
“He is better than anyone technique-wise but the problem was he didn’t score runs initially,” explained Rana, the son of former international umpire Shakoor.
After his T20 debut hundred, the then head coach Misbah-ul-Haq selected him in the shortest format but Shafique failed with four successive ducks.
He was backed despite his failures, making him a target for critics who accused him of receiving preferential treatment.
“I noticed that this boy had good technique and temperament. He has a repertoire of shots for every pitch,” said Misbah.
“At his age, Shafique has superb qualities and that is why I backed him.”
Shafique finally came good in Tests, hitting a hundred against Australia and England, and two against Sri Lanka including a double ton in July this year.
“Shafique benefitted from regular chances. During Covid he worked very hard indoors and that period allowed him to improve,” said Rana.
Barely a month out from the World Cup, Shafique was not even in the squad.
However, with concerns over Zaman’s lack of runs, the Pakistan team management select him as a back-up.
Next up for Shafique, another first — facing old rivals India in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
 


Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla

Updated 17 January 2025
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Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla

  • Ikmah showed their real strength and dominance of Group 1 after two victories against Dadan 4-2 and AlUla team 5-4
  • Richard Mille topped Group 2 after defeating Budget 3-0 and drawing 2-2 with Bentley

ALULA: Ikmah and Richard Mille have qualified to the final of the Richard Mille Desert Polo Championship 2025, and will face off in the final showdown that AlUla’s Al Fursan Village hosts on Saturday.
The fourth edition of the prestigious competition’s finale takes place at 4 p.m. Saudi time.
Ikmah showed their real strength and dominance of Group 1 after two victories against Dadan 4-2 and AlUla team 5-4.
Meanwhile, Richard Mille topped Group 2 after defeating Budget 3-0 and drawing 2-2 with Bentley.
The tournament’s Friday matches saw intense competition in the presence of distinguished figures, including Piero Dillier, president of the International Polo Federation, Amr Zidan, president of the Saudi Polo Federation, and Ziyad Al-Suhaibani, head of sports at the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Meanwhile, AlUla battles against Bentley for third place, and Dadan faces Budget to determine the fifth and sixth positions before the final.
Speaking about the event’s significance, Faisal bin Duwies, the Saudi Polo Federation’s CEO,” expressed pride in Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global sports arena.
“We take pride in seeing the Kingdom lead the global sports scene through prestigious championships.”
He emphasized the tournament’s role in fostering talent, highlighting the participation of polo legends from around the world, which enriches the experience for all competing players.
As anticipation builds, the final promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy, further cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a premier destination for world-class polo.
The championship is being organized in coordination with the Royal Commission for AlUla.


Avishka Fernando’s record-breaking knock leads Sharjah Warriorz to victory in ILT20

Updated 17 January 2025
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Avishka Fernando’s record-breaking knock leads Sharjah Warriorz to victory in ILT20

  • He smashes the fastest 50 in tournament history, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls on his way to a total of 81 from 27 balls
  • Dubai Capitals set a daunting target of 202, led by Shai Hope’s 83 off 49 balls, but the Warriorz bats let loose to reach it in only 18.1 overs

DUBAI: Avishka Fernando produced a stunning display of power-hitting to guide the Sharjah Warriorz to a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Dubai Capitals in the DP World International League T20 on Friday.

Fernando smashed the fastest half-century in the tournament’s history, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls, as the Warriorz chased a daunting target of 202 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. His explosive 81 off 27 balls, featuring eight sixes and six fours, anchored the chase, which was completed in 18.1 overs.

“I wanted to play my natural game and I thank God for how things turned out, he said. “The wicket was great to bat on, and when they scored 200 I knew I had to play positively. It came naturally, and I’m grateful for that.

“I didn’t realize I had broken the record for the fastest 50 but I’m happy with the performance.”

The Capitals had posted an imposing 201/5, led by Shai Hope’s 83 off 49 balls. Captain Sikandar Raza praised his team’s batting but acknowledged the challenge created by late-game conditions.

“I thought it was a very good total. You don’t usually see 202 in Sharjah, so I was pretty confident it was a strong score, and we should have been able to win the game.

“Shai has been a fantastic addition to the team and hopefully the other players around him step up as well. The wicket got better later and the dew made it tougher. The cutters weren’t holding in the wicket either. Our fielding could have been better and Avishka played brilliantly.”

Johnson Charles (37 runs off 19 balls) and Jason Roy (26 off 21) provided the Warriorz with a strong start, while Luke Wells helped complete the job with a composed 31 not out from 17 balls.

The Capitals’ bowlers struggled under the batting onslaught, with Gulbadin Naib conceding 27 runs in a single over, the most in the tournament’s history.

The victory highlighted the strength of the Warriorz, in particular their explosive batting lineup, with Fernando’s heroics setting the tone for what already promises to be an exciting season of cricket.


Frankfurt drop Marmoush against Dortmund, confirm Man City talks

Updated 17 January 2025
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Frankfurt drop Marmoush against Dortmund, confirm Man City talks

  • Marmoush has been heavily linked with a winter move to City after a stellar first half of the season.
  • The 25-year-old has scored 15 goals in 17 league games

BERLIN: Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday left forward Omar Marmoush out of their matchday squad for the home clash with Borussia Dortmund due to “transfer talks” with Manchester City.
Marmoush has been heavily linked with a winter move to City after a stellar first half of the season.
The 25-year-old has scored 15 goals in 17 league games, one fewer than leader Harry Kane, and laid on 10 assists.
“Eintracht Frankfurt is currently in talks with another club for the transfer of Omar Marmoush. The player is therefore not part of the team today,” the club wrote on social media just hours before the Dortmund clash.


Speaking with DAZN before the game, Frankfurt sporting director Markus Kroesche confirmed Marmoush was set “to leave us in the direction of Manchester City.”
“It looks like Omar will be leaving us and that’s why he’s not in the squad.
“We’ve been in regular discussions with Manchester City for the past few days.”
The Egyptian arrived in Frankfurt on a free transfer from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2023.
German and international media reported the struggling English champions, who sit 12 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, are set to pay up to 80 million euros ($82 million) for Marmoush.


Shakeel and Rizwan lead Pakistan recovery in fog-hit first Test against West Indies

Updated 17 January 2025
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Shakeel and Rizwan lead Pakistan recovery in fog-hit first Test against West Indies

  • Bad light in Multan ended play with just 41.3 overs bowled, with the hosts on 143-4
  • Shakeel and Rizwan added 97 after coming together with Pakistan in trouble at 46-4

MULTAN: Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan hit unbeaten half-centuries to lead a Pakistan fightback in the first Test against the West Indies on Friday as the hosts reached 143-4 at the close of a fog-hit opening day.
When bad light in Multan ended play with just 41.3 overs bowled, Shakeel was on 56 for his ninth half-century and Rizwan was 51 not out for his 11th.
The pair added 97 after coming together with Pakistan in real trouble at 46-4.
The left-right combination of Shakeel and Rizwan negotiated the three-spinner West Indies attack with aplomb after fast bowler Jayden Seales initially left the home team struggling.
“This pitch is tough to bat on,” said Rizwan.
“We batted with caution and just took advantage of loose balls. It’s tough to judge what should be a good total, but we will target 300 plus.”
Sensing the dry and grassless Multan Stadium pitch will be tricky for batting on the last two days — and with spin set to play a major role — the home team opted to bat after winning the toss.
But play was delayed because of early morning fog compounded by poor air quality, resulting in limited visibility and wiping out the first session.
Shakeel has so far cracked four boundaries while Rizwan has seven hits to the fence.
Seales finished with 3-21 off 10 overs.
“My aim was to build pressure and get wickets,” he said. “I sense spin will play a major role on this pitch going forward.”
Both teams started with three spinners and just one frontline fast bowler, and the tourists opened the bowling with left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie alongside Seales.
It was Seales who provided the breakthrough, forcing an edge off debutant Muhammad Hurraira to wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach in the sixth over. Hurraira scored six.
Three overs later, Motie dismissed skipper Shan Masood off a faint edge to the wicketkeeper for 11, before Seales trapped Kamran Ghulam leg-before with a sharp incoming delivery for five.
It became 46-4 when Babar Azam edged Seales behind the wicket for eight, continuing a poor run of scores at home for Pakistan’s premier batter.
The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship. Pakistan currently rank eighth and the West Indies ninth and last.


Belgium sack national team coach Tedesco

Updated 17 January 2025
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Belgium sack national team coach Tedesco

  • Tedesco was appointed in February 2023 to replace Roberto Martinez and rebuild the squad as the country’s “golden generation” departed
  • Tedesco’s team qualified for Euro 2024 but were eliminated in the last 16 by France

BRUSSELS: Belgium’s football association on Friday announced the sacking of national team coach Domenico Tedesco after disappointing performances at Euro 2024 and in the Nations League.
“Unfortunately, the Red Devils did not perform as we hoped at Euro 2024, just as they did in the next Nations League campaign,” the football association (RBFA) said on their website.
Tedesco was appointed in February 2023 to replace Roberto Martinez and rebuild the squad as the country’s “golden generation” departed.
Tedesco’s team qualified for Euro 2024 but were eliminated in the last 16 by France, who then beat Belgium twice more in the Nations League as the Red Devils finished third in their group.
They face a relegation play-off against Ukraine in March.
“I was always proud to be the coach of the Red Devils, we achieved great things together,” Tedesco said.
“This team is still at the beginning of its development and will cause a sensation in the coming years. I wish the players, the great employees of the federation and the fans all the best from the bottom of my heart.”
Five members of Tedesco’s support staff and coaching team were also fired.
“Domenico made an excellent start as national coach and proved that there are still great things possible, even after the send-off of the previous generation,” said RBFA CEO Peter Willems.
“He has integrated a number of young players into the team, and his successor can build on this. We would like to thank him and his team for the pleasant cooperation, their hard work and dedication, and wish them all the best for the future.”
The RBFA did not announce a timetable for appointing a successor but Belgian media named Frenchmen Rudi Garcia and Thierry Henry as leading candidates.
Belgium kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a trip to North Macedonia in June.