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.


Curry outduels Tatum in Warriors win, Nuggets end Thunder’s unbeaten start to season

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Curry outduels Tatum in Warriors win, Nuggets end Thunder’s unbeaten start to season

  • The Warriors improved to 7-1 after a thrilling 118-112 victory over the NBA champions on the road at the TD Garden
  • Curry outduels Tatum in Warriors win, Nuggets end Thunder’s unbeaten start to season

LOS ANGELES: Stephen Curry outdueled Olympic team-mate Jayson Tatum in a battling Golden State Warriors win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s unbeaten start to the season ended against Denver.

The Warriors improved to 7-1 after a thrilling 118-112 victory over the NBA champions on the road at the TD Garden.

The heavyweight showdown had been billed as a chance for Tatum to make a point after being benched by Golden State’s Team USA coach Steve Kerr in multiple games during August’s gold medal-winning Paris Olympics campaign.

But while Tatum impressed after coming alive in the second half to finish with a 32-point haul, it was Curry and the Warriors who came away with the victory.

“We always say ‘Have each other’s backs’ and guys are stepping up and committing to it,” said Curry, who had 27 points and nine assists with seven rebounds and four steals.

“We’re capable of beating anybody. It’s hard... but this is a different year and we’re trying to take baby steps and develop an identity,” added Curry.

Curry was given offensive support from Andrew Wiggins, who scored 16 points, while Buddy Hield added 16 from the bench, along with Kyle Anderson (11 points) and Jonathan Kuminga (10).

Tatum scored 24 points in the second half to help Boston turn a 14-point third-quarter deficit into a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter.

But Boston’s rally faltered down the stretch as the Warriors and Curry fought back to claim a win that leaves Golden State as one of three teams at the top of the Western Conference.

Warriors coach Kerr was given a hostile reception by Celtics fans over his handling of Tatum at the Olympics, booed loudly during pre-game introductions.

Kerr shrugged off the controversy in pre-game remarks, acknowledging that he “didn’t enjoy” benching Tatum in Paris.

“Those are not fun decisions,” Kerr said. “But our guys were all amazing, they committed to each other, they committed to winning a gold medal... that’s the real story.

“But we live in a time where we have to talk about stuff that actually doesn’t really matter,” he added.

In other games on Tuesday, Russell Westbrook rolled back the years with a vintage performance to help the Denver Nuggets end Oklahoma City’s unbeaten start to the season with a 124-122 win.

A depleted Nuggets lineup missing starters Jamal Murray (concussion) and Aaron Gordon (calf) had looked in trouble as the Thunder stormed into a 16-point lead midway through the third quarter.

But Denver surged back thanks to a 29-point performance from the 35-year-old Westbrook while Nikola Jokic added a triple double comprising 23 points, 19 rebounds and 16 assists.

“To beat a team like OKC takes everybody, but for a 17-year vet to have that kind of a game was tremendous and I’m really happy for Russ,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said of Westbrook.

Oklahoma City’s first defeat of the campaign saw the Thunder bumped down into second place in the West on 7-1. The Phoenix Suns, also 7-1, moved into top spot after their 115-112 win over the Miami Heat.

The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 131-122 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on the road in Louisiana.

The Cavaliers improved their franchise-record start to the season to 9-0 and are the only undefeated team left in the league following Oklahoma City’s loss.

Donovan Mitchell led the way once more with 29 points including three three-pointers on a night when six Cavs players finished in double figures.

In Memphis, LeBron James scored 39 points but could not stop the Los Angeles Lakers from falling to a 131-114 blowout defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies improved to 5-4 while the Lakers are now 4-4.


Ons Jabeur continues to capture hearts of Arab tennis fans

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Ons Jabeur continues to capture hearts of Arab tennis fans

  • Tunisian tennis superstar may not be taking part in the WTA Finals, but turns heads everywhere in Riyadh

RIYADH: It only takes a few times shadowing Ons Jabeur around Riyadh to realize what a rock star she is in this part of the world.

After becoming the first Arab in history to qualify for the WTA Finals in 2022, and replicating that feat in 2023, the Tunisian struggled with injuries this campaign and did not make the cut for the season finale in Riyadh.

Still, as an Arab icon and history maker, Jabeur was invited to attend the inaugural Riyadh edition of the tournament and got to witness firsthand the biggest women’s sports event to be staged in Saudi Arabia.

Whether she was taking part in a meet and greet, tennis clinic or the opening ceremony, Jabeur was met with huge fanfare, which has only made her hungrier to qualify for the Finals in 2025.

“I’m very happy to be here in Riyadh, the WTA Finals is happening here. I think it’s a great thing for women’s sport, for Arab women’s sport as well. It’s the biggest event that ever happened for women in Saudi. It’s an amazing step,” Jabeur told Arab News.

Ons Jabeur was invited to attend the inaugural Riyadh edition of the WTA Finals in Riyadh. (Supplied)

“I’m not very happy that I’m not playing, but also at the same time I’m happy that I’m here to check everything out. It will be my motivation to qualify for next year.

“I had time to rest my shoulder, I’m feeling much better than before. It allowed me to also recover mentally. It’s been a tough couple of years going on tour, so to breathe in for a couple of months was really awesome and I can’t wait to come back in Australia.”

A shoulder injury forced Jabeur to pull the plug early on her season. Her last match of 2024, in early August, was an opening round defeat to Naomi Osaka in Toronto.

The former world No. 2 is already in training. “I’m ready and very motivated and honestly hungry to play matches. I feel 2025 is going to be an amazing year,” said the 30-year-old.

 

 

“I listened to my body for sure. I should have done that way before. But as a professional tennis player, as an athlete, you always try to push yourself to do more.

“For me, it was a bit tough, and thankfully it wasn’t too late to stop and take a break.

“I’ve learned with my experience and definitely still learning. The most important thing that I have learned is how to listen to my body and to know when to stop, when to take a break.

“And it’s okay to take a month or two off because it will help you have a deep breath and push for the next tournaments.”

During her time in Riyadh, the three-time Grand Slam finalist interacted with many young aspiring tennis players, who were keen to pick her brain on what it takes to become a professional athlete.

“I had a meet and greet with young girls, they were very nice to me, they asked me a lot of questions. They were amazing questions to answer,” said Jabeur with a smile.

 

 

“We talked a little bit, I got to know them more. They seem very motivated and hungry to become professional tennis players. I hope to see a bright future for them.

“They were different questions about my routines, about how I prepare for the match, how I decided to become a tennis player, what kind of advice I’d give them.

“And they were really on point questions, I’ve got to say. It was fun interacting with them, seeing that they’re truly interested in becoming professional.”

Jabeur also kept her eye on the court and enjoyed following the battle for the year-end No. 1 ranking between Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.

Sabalenka leapfrogged Swiatek and reclaimed the year-end top spot ahead of these WTA Finals, for the first time in her career.

“It’s been amazing watching both fighting for this No. 1 spot. I think at the moment Aryna deserves it the best. She’s such a great friend and a great competitor. It’s nice. I hope they’ll keep fighting and get tired so I can take the first spot,” laughed Jabeur.

 

 

Jabeur was speaking to Arab News at the Kayanee flagship store in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, where her new collection is being launched.

The Saudi Arabia fitness and sports lifestyle brand signed a partnership deal with Jabeur at the start of 2024 and believes she perfectly aligns with Kayanee’s philosophy of fostering health, well-being, and personal growth.

“It’s an honor to be the ambassador of Kayanee. I feel like the perfect language for a woman is through fashion. And I wanted to share my ideas, how I am on the court, how I’m feeling comfortable with my outfit and share that with the rest of the world,” said Jabeur of her new collection.


Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz headline ATP Finals with defending champion Novak Djokovic out

Updated 17 min 15 sec ago
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Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz headline ATP Finals with defending champion Novak Djokovic out

  • ATP Finals open Sunday without any members of the Big Three for the first time in nearly a quarter century
  • Big name missing is that of defending champion Novak Djokovic, who withdrew on Tuesday due to an unspecified injury

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are poised to add another entry into their rapidly developing rivalry when the ATP Finals open Sunday without any members of the Big Three for the first time in nearly a quarter century.
The top-ranked Sinner and No. 3 Alcaraz evenly split the year’s Grand Slam titles between them with two apiece and it would be fitting if the pair meet again in Turin.
And since Alcaraz was overtaken by Alexander Zverev in the rankings this week, the Spaniard could be placed in the same round-robin group as Sinner.
The draw for the eight-man event is scheduled for later Thursday.
After the round-robin stage, the top two finishers in each group advance to the semifinals.
The other qualifiers are: Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev.
The big name missing is that of defending champion Novak Djokovic, who withdrew on Tuesday due to an unspecified injury.
23 years since Djokovic, Federer and Nadal missed the finals
Not since 2001 has the finals been held without at least one of Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. This season also was the first since 2002 without at least one Grand Slam title for a member of that trio.
Djokovic has won the ATP Finals a record seven times. He beat Sinner for the title last year.
Federer, who announced his retirement in 2022, won the event six times after making his debut in 2002; Nadal, who is retiring after playing in the Davis Cup the week after finals, was the runner-up twice at the finals but never won it.
Sinner withdrew from last week’s Paris Masters due to a virus and showed up early in Turin for training.
“This is for me the main event of the end of the year,” Sinner said.
A final decision in Sinner’s doping case is still pending
As an Italian, Sinner will be the main focus of attention in Turin.
It’s the first time that Sinner will be playing at home since it was announced before his US Open title that he had tested positive in two separate drug tests earlier in the year.
A decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.
Alcaraz has won all 3 of his official meetings with Sinner this year
Sinner opened this year by winning the Australian Open to become the first Italian man to win a Grand Slam singles title in nearly a half-century — since Adriano Panatta raised the French Open trophy in 1976.
Alcaraz then claimed the French Open and Wimbledon titles to raise his career total to four Grand Slams.
Sinner responded by winning the US Open.
Alcaraz won all three official meetings with Sinner this year and holds a 6-4 advantage in their career head-to-head rivalry. Last month, Sinner beat Alcaraz in the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
Zverev won in Paris last week and looks for a 3rd title at finals
The only two players in the field to have won the finals are Zverev and Medvedev.
Zverev won in London in 2018 and in Turin in 2021; while Medvedev triumphed in 2020 – the final year the event was held in London.
Zverev enters in solid form coming off a title at the Paris Masters.
Fritz is looking to add another big result after his maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open; Ruud was a finalist in 2022; De Minaur is making his tournament debut; and Rublev is making his fifth straight appearance.
Biggest prize money on the men’s tour: $4.8 million
If a player wins all five of his matches en route to the trophy, he will earn $4.8 million – the largest winner’s prize on the men’s tour.
That’s significantly more than what Sinner and Alcaraz earned for their victories at the US Open ($3.6 million) and Wimbledon (2.7 million pounds or $3.45 million) this year.


UAE club Al-Ain fires coach Hernan Crespo less than 6 months after winning Asian Champions League title

Updated 38 min 10 sec ago
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UAE club Al-Ain fires coach Hernan Crespo less than 6 months after winning Asian Champions League title

  • The decision came after a string of disappointing results that culminated in a 5-1 loss to Cristiano Ronald’s Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday
  • The high point of Crespo’s 12 month tenure was May’s victory over Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan in the two-legged Asian final

DUBAI: Al-Ain fired head coach Hernan Crespo on Wednesday, less than six months after the Argentine led the UAE club to Asia’s Champions League title.

The decision came after a string of disappointing results that culminated in a 5-1 loss to Cristiano Ronald’s Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday. It means Crespo, the former Inter Milan and Chelsea striker, will not get a chance to lead Al-Ain to the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup despite helping it qualify for the tournament in the US next summer.

The high point of Crespo’s 12 month tenure was May’s victory over Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan in the two-legged Asian final but the two-time continental champion has collected just one point from the first four games in this season’s tournament.

The club thanked Crespo in a statement but said “recent results have not met expectations.”

It did not immediately announce a replacement for the 49-year-old Crespo.


King, Carty tons as West Indies thrash England

Updated 07 November 2024
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King, Carty tons as West Indies thrash England

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Brandon King and Keacy Carty blasted centuries as the West Indies scored a series-clinching eight-wicket victory over England in the third and final game of their One-Day International series at Kensington Oval on Wednesday.
Replying to the visitors’ total of 263 for eight, King and Carty featured in a second-wicket stand of 209, the duo making light of what could have been a daunting task following the early loss of Evin Lewis.
King fell for 102 with victory in sight but Carty finished on an unbeaten 128 after hitting the winning boundary as West Indies coasted home on 267 for two with seven overs to spare.
Carty’s maiden ODI century spanned 114 balls and was highlighted by 15 fours and two sixes.
King stroked 13 fours and one six off 117 balls.
“I’ve been getting a few starts without carrying on so I’m grateful that it all came together in such a crucial match,” said King. “It was a fantastic innings by Keacy. He started fluently and was batting better than me most times.”
Earlier, England were indebted to Phil Salt’s top-score of 74 as he averted a complete collapse after the tourists slumped to 24 for four after being put in.
He finally got support from the lower order as Sam Curran contributed 40 while Dan Mousley stroked his way to 57 in successive 70-run partnerships with the pugnacious opener.
Salt’s innings off 108 balls (four fours, one six) was ended by the superb athleticism of King, who leapt high at the midwicket boundary to prevent a six and then relayed the ball to waiting teammate Alzarri Joseph before falling over the boundary rope.
Quickfire 30s from Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer led the plundering of 100 runs off the final ten overs with part-timer Sherfane Rutherford, brought on to complete the spell of the hobbled Romario Shepherd, suffering the most as 57 runs were plastered off his 3.5 overs.
In contrast, seamer Matthew Forde was the epitome of consistency and economy in claiming three for 35 from his ten overs while Joseph and Shepherd took two wickets each.
West Indies’ 2-1 series triumph over the English was a repeat of their success 11 months earlier in the Caribbean as the teams shared the first two matches in Antigua before the home side prevailed in the decider in Barbados.
Personnel adjustments to the two squads will now take place as they remain in Barbados for the first two T20 Internationals of a five-match series at the weekend.