Cricket World Cup: Ten highlights from 2023 tournament

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed celebrate their win in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP)
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Updated 20 November 2023
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Cricket World Cup: Ten highlights from 2023 tournament

  • Cricket World Cup ended on Sunday with Australia toppling unbeaten India
  • Series saw huge totals, shock wins, heartbreaking losses, records and controversies

AHMEDABAD: After 46 days and 48 matches, huge totals, shock wins, heartbreaking losses, records and controversies, the Cricket World Cup ended on Sunday.
AFP Sport looks at 10 highlights from the 2023 tournament:




South African cricketers celebrate after winning the ICC Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in New Delhi, India, on October 7, 2023. (AP)

The tournament was just two days old when South Africa’s Aiden Markram smashed the fastest World Cup century off 49 balls against Sri Lanka in New Delhi.
His team also entered the record books with the highest ever tournament total of 428 in a 102-run win. 
Markram’s blitz bettered the 50 balls Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien needed to hit a hundred against England in Bengaluru in 2011.
However, Markram said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if his record was beaten by the end of the tournament. He was proved right by Glenn Maxwell just 18 days later. 




Abdullah Shafique celebrates after scoring a century against Sri Lanka during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AFP)

Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique made centuries as Pakistan chased down the highest target in World Cup history to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Hyderabad.
Rizwan overcame leg cramps to score 131 not out while Shafique hit 113 as Pakistan overhauled their 345-run target.
Sri Lanka’s imposing total of 344-9 was built around hundreds from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama. 




Afghanistan players celebrate after defeating England in a ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, India on October 15, 2023. (REUTERS)

Afghanistan pulled off one of the greatest World Cup shocks when they defeated defending champions England by 69 runs in New Delhi.
Chasing 285 to win, after opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz had hit a blistering 80, England were bowled out for 215 with spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan claiming three wickets each.
Eight days later in Chennai, Afghanistan chased down 283 to shock neighbors Pakistan with Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah and Gurbaz all scoring fifties.
In between, the Netherlands exploited South Africa’s dislike of chasing by stunning the Proteas by 38 runs in what Dutch media described as “the miracle of Dharamsala.” 




Australia's David Warner tosses the bat as he walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between Australia and Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, India, on October 25, 2023. (AFP)

Maxwell took Markram’s fastest World Cup century record by hitting a 40-ball hundred in Australia’s 309-run rout of the Netherlands at New Delhi. 
Australia made 399-8 before the Dutch were dismissed for just 90 in 21 overs. 
Maxwell’s ton was also the fourth fastest century in all ODIs. 




New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson, left, and Trent Boult shake hands with Australian players after they lost the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match against Australia in Dharamshala, India on October 28, 2023. (AP)

Australia edged out New Zealand by just five runs in the highest-scoring World Cup game in history in Dharamsala. 
Australia scored 388 as Travis Head top-scored with 109 and fellow opener David Warner made 81.
New Zealand battled hard with Rachin Ravindra making 116. 
With a total of 771 runs, it was the highest scoring game at a World Cup, beating the 754 scored in South Africa’s win against Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament. 




India's Mohammed Shami, left, celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews, center, during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match between India and Sri Lanka in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. (AP)

Mohammed Shami took five wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 55 as India secured a semifinal place with a colossal 302-run win in Mumbai.
Sri Lanka’s woeful innings featured five noughts, with both their openers falling for golden ducks as they flopped in pursuit of 358. 




Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews, foreground walks off the field after he was declared timed out during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in New Delhi, India, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. (AP)

Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews branded Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan as “disgraceful” after he became the first player in 146 years of international cricket to be given “timed out.”
Mathews was adjudged to be out after failing to take strike within the two-minute time limit when he came out to bat in New Delhi.
Shakib refused to withdraw the appeal.
“I had to take a decision to make sure that my team wins,” he said. 




Australia's Glenn Maxwell celebrates after winning the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between Australia and Afghanistan at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 7, 2023. (AFP)

Australia captain Pat Cummins described it as “the greatest one-day innings ever played” as Glenn Maxwell’s stunning 201 not out guided Australia into the semifinals in a sensational three-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Mumbai.
At 91-7, chasing 292, Australia were staring at defeat before Maxwell’s 128-ball innings which featured 21 fours and 10 sixes as he became just the third batsman to score a World Cup double century.
He achieved the mark despite battling cramps and back spasms which meant he was reduced to hobbling pace while Afghanistan were left to rue Mujeeb Ur Rahman dropping a simple catch when Maxwell had made just 33.




India's Virat Kohli celebrates after reaching his 50th century, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of most number of ODI centuries, during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup first semifinal match between India and New Zealand in Mumbai on November 15, 2023. (REUTERS)

Virat Kohli scored a record 50th one-day international hundred in the semifinal win against New Zealand in Mumbai, hailing the landmark as being “like a dream.”
Kohli, 35, reached his century — his third of the tournament — with a two off fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, having faced 106 balls, hitting eight fours and a six, to break the record of 49 ODI hundreds he had shared with Sachin Tendulkar.
He did so on his former India team-mate’s home ground, with Tendulkar among those applauding at the Wankhede Stadium as Kohli bowed toward his childhood hero and fellow 2011 World Cup-winner.




Australia players celebrate with the trophy after Australia won the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final match against India in Ahmedabad, India, on November 19, 2023. (AP)

Opening batsman Travis Head hit 137 and took a spectacular catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma to steer Australia to a six-wicket win over India in the final for a sixth World Cup title.
India were dismissed for 240 before Australia reached their target with seven overs to spare in front of over 90,000 fans in Ahmedabad.
“That’s huge, that’s the pinnacle in cricket, winning a World Cup, especially here in India, and these are the moments you remember for the rest of your life,” said skipper Pat Cummins.


Grant back in Italy hoping to follow Sinner as the country’s next tennis star

Updated 07 May 2025
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Grant back in Italy hoping to follow Sinner as the country’s next tennis star

ROME: Tyra Caterina Grant grew up playing and living at the same tennis academy in northern Italy that Jannik Sinner attended before he went on to become No. 1.

So perhaps it feels natural that the 17-year-old Grant, a three-time junior Grand Slam doubles champion, will try to follow in Sinner’s footsteps again after announcing that she has switched nationalities from the US and will represent Italy for her promising professional career.

Grant’s father is American basketball player Tyrone Grant, who spent most of his pro career in Italy. Her Italian mother, Cinzia Giovinco, taught her to play tennis. She grew up in Vigevano, a town near Milan, and can switch between fluent Italian and English from one sentence to the next.

“I switched to Italy because I feel mostly Italian even though I’m half and half,” Grant said upon arriving in Rome, where she’s been given a wild card to play the Italian Open. “I’m more connected to the Italian part because I was born here and I grew up here and my friends are here. I feel more connected to the Italian culture and I feel more at home here.”

Grant and Sinner

Grant trained at Riccardo Piatti’s academy in Bordighera from age seven to 14 before she moved to Orlando, Florida.

Sinner, who is 6½ years older than Grant, was already one of Piatti’s star pupils when she arrived.

“Growing up with Jannik was great,” Grant said. “He was I think around 14 when we first met and I was a little younger so obviously it was kind of an age gap, but in Bordighera we were all just like a big family so it was lovely.”

Coco Gauff sees Grant’s potential

While Grant is ranked No. 335 by the WTA Tour, she is No. 6 in the International Tennis Federation’s junior rankings.

Grant also reached the semifinals of the junior singles tournament at last year’s French Open; and got to the semifinals of the senior mixed doubles competition at the US Open with American partner Aleksandar Kovacevic. Grant and Kovacevic were beaten by eventual champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori of Italy.

Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, got to know Grant a bit when she was among the juniors brought in to practice with the US national team.

“I’ve actually never watched her play,” Gauff said. “Based off the results, what I see her doing in juniors, obviously she has a lot of potential. I just never sat there and watched a match. I will now that she’s playing on the same level. I’ll try to get ready. Probably going to play each other sooner than later.”

Gauff and Grant were guests of honor at the Italian Open draw at the Trevi Fountain on Monday.

“If I had a cool option like Italy — I think they’re a great place to represent — I might do the same,” Gauff said, before quickly adding, “I love being American, too.

“When I see her interacting with Italians here, I’m like, ‘OK, yeah, I see why she made the change,’” Gauff said.

More attention in Italy

Italy has only one woman in the top 50 of the WTA rankings with Jasmine Paolini at No. 5.

Gauff, who is No. 3, leads a group of 10 Americans in the top 50.

So Grant could potentially attract more attention in Italy than in the US

“Obviously the US is bigger and probably has more female players but I was (already) one of the top players there so it’s not much of a difference,” she said.

Tyra or Tyra Caterina?

While Grant is often referred to by only her first name, her official bio on the WTA website lists her as Tyra Caterina Grant.


NEOM launches Champions of Progress initiative to drive community football

Updated 07 May 2025
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NEOM launches Champions of Progress initiative to drive community football

  • Scheme open to nominations from across Middle East, Asia
  • The initiative is open to individuals aged 18 and above from across the region

NEOM: The Asian Football Confederation’s official partner, NEOM, on Wednesday launched an initiative that aims to celebrate community heroes in football across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and Asia.
Known as Champions of Progress, the scheme will use football’s global platform to drive positive change across the region and help the development of talent from grassroots to elite players.
The partnership supports NEOM’s vision to grow football in the Kingdom, improve access to physical activity for people and help make the country a global sports destination, it said in a statement.
“Champions of Progress seeks to celebrate individuals and projects that promote positive community engagement, support innovative sports development and show a commitment to diversity and inclusion in football,” it said.
The initiative is open to individuals aged 18 and above from across the region, as well as projects that have had a significant impact in the development of football at a community level, increased participation numbers or improved accessibility.
A panel of judges, including experts from NEOM and AFC, will review all submissions to determine the winners.
The six “champions” will be invited to the AFC Champions League Elite at the beginning of the 2025/26 season where they will meet senior members of the Saudi football community.
Their stories will also be shared across selected partnership channels to drive awareness and encourage positive change in pan-Asian football.


‘Mr Dakar’ Peterhansel returns with Defender for 2026

Updated 07 May 2025
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‘Mr Dakar’ Peterhansel returns with Defender for 2026

  • The Frenchman did not enter this year after Audi withdrew but will be back in Saudi Arabia next January
  • Peterhansel won the Dakar six times on motorcycles

RABAT: ‘Mr Dakar’ Stephane Peterhansel, a record 14 times winner of the Dakar Rally, will return to the gruelling endurance event next year aged 60 as a driver for Jaguar Land Rover’s Defender brand.
The Frenchman, who turns 60 in August, did not enter this year after Audi withdrew but will be back in Saudi Arabia next January competing in the Stock category for production-based vehicles.

It will be Peterhansel’s 36th career Dakar, an event he last won in 2021 with Mini. He will also compete in the full World Rally-Raid Championship.
Peterhansel won the Dakar six times on motorcycles between 1991 and 1998 before switching in 1999 to cars and winning with Mitsubishi, Mini and Peugeot.
“I’m looking forward to taking on this new challenge and together I hope we can take Defender to the top step of the podium,” he said in a statement after prototype testing in Morocco’s Sahara desert.
While Peterhansel holds the record for most wins, Spaniard Carlos Sainz — father of the namesake Formula One driver — is the oldest winner after taking his fourth victory in 2024 at the age of 61.
Defender also announced the signing of Lithuanian driver Rokas Baciuska, 25. A third driver and the co-drivers will be announced at a later date.


Riyadh to host final of World Polo Championship Asia qualifiers

Updated 07 May 2025
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Riyadh to host final of World Polo Championship Asia qualifiers

  • Iran and Pakistan compete for the honor of representing Asia at the 2025 FIP Arena World Polo Championship in the United States
  • First time that Saudi Arabia has hosted the Asian polo final and is in line with the Kingdom’s successful record of hosting international events across various sports

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will host the final of the 2025 Federation of International Polo (FIP) Arena World Polo Championship Asia qualifiers at Nofa Equestrian Resort, west of Riyadh.

The highly anticipated event will run from May 8 to 9, 2025, featuring a two-legged playoff between the national teams of Pakistan and Iran, with the winner qualifying for the 2025 FIP Arena World Polo Championship in the United States.

Saudi Polo Federation CEO Faisal bin Duwaiyes said that it is the first time that Saudi Arabia has hosted the Asian final and the achievement is in line with the Kingdom’s successful record of hosting international events across various sports.

Bin Duwaiyes emphasized that preparations for the final began early in coordination with the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the Ministry of Sport, in order to ensure a successful hosting.

Bin Duwaiyes concluded by welcoming the participating delegations and expressed his hope for a strong competitive display that will showcase the evolution of polo across Asia.


Man Utd seek to finish off Athletic Bilbao in chase for Europa glory

Updated 07 May 2025
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Man Utd seek to finish off Athletic Bilbao in chase for Europa glory

  • United have now suffered their highest number of league defeats in a campaign for 35 years
  • “Thursday is the most important game. The end of this season is very important,” Amorim said

MANCHESTER: Manchester United are preparing for the second leg of their Europa League semifinal against Athletic Bilbao knowing only a calamity will prevent a likely showdown with Tottenham later this month.
Ruben Amorim’s men came away from the first leg in northern Spain last week with one foot firmly in the final, also in Bilbao, after an impressive 3-0 win.
It was an extraordinary result in a season of ceaseless turmoil at United and the club reverted to type on Sunday, crashing to their 16th Premier League loss of a miserable season at Brentford.
United have now suffered their highest number of league defeats in a campaign for 35 years.


They are 15th in the Premier League — on course for their worst finish since they were relegated in 1974, though this time they are safe from the drop.
Amorim has made no secret of his priorities for the rest of the season, making eight changes to his starting team at Brentford, naming the third-youngest side in Premier League history.
“We are losing games in the Premier League, we are fighting for the Europa League, so we need to accept that and to think about Thursday as the most important game for us,” said the Portuguese boss.
“Thursday is the most important game. The end of this season is very important.”
This season and next hang on whether United can complete the job against Athletic and go on to win the final against Tottenham or Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt, with Spurs 3-1 up after the first leg in London.
Winning the competition would not make up for a disastrous Premier League campaign but it would bring a place in the 2025/26 Champions League — a potential game-changer for United financially and for their ability to attract top players.
Former Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim admits that even though winning the Europa League is crucial, his team are not ready to balance the demands of the Premier League and the Champions League.
“We know that, but we need to win, and we need to fight to win this competition (Europa League), to give something to our fans, and to go to the Champions League,” he told Sky Sports.
“Then we will have time to prepare the team to cope with those two competitions. So, it is a dilemma, but we want to win, of course.”
Amorim has had a nightmare start to his United reign — only relegated sides Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton have won fewer Premier League matches than United’s tally of six since he replaced the sacked Eric ten Hag in November.
That they are even on the brink of the Europa League final is thanks largely to inspirational captain Bruno Fernandes, who scored two goals in Bilbao in a match in which United were helped by the first-half dismissal of Athletic defender Dani Vivian.
The Portugal international’s 31 goal involvements in 32 knockout-stage appearances in the Europa League (19 goals, 12 assists), are the most of any player in the history of the competition since it was rebranded in 2009.
If Tottenham complete the job in Norway and United progress, they would compete in the sixth all-English final in the Champions League or Europa League.
Spurs themselves have had a traumatic season in the Premier League — they are one place below United with an eye-catching 19 defeats in 35 games.
But Ange Postecoglou still has the chance to make good on his claim that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club by collecting Tottenham’s first silverware since 2008.
If either English club go on to win the Europa League there would be six Premier League teams in next season’s Champions League.