Charles and Zampa propel Warriorz closer to ILT20 playoffs with victory over Knight Riders

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Updated 30 January 2025
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Charles and Zampa propel Warriorz closer to ILT20 playoffs with victory over Knight Riders

  • Despite a late stumble, Sharjah hold their nerve to secure four-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi that moves them from bottom of the table into 3rd place

SHARJAH: Sharjah Warriorz delivered a commanding performance in the DP World International League T20 on Thursday as they secured a crucial four-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

Powered by a match-winning 65 from Johnson Charles and an inspired bowling display led by Adam Zampa and Adam Milne, the Warriorz moved from sixth to third in the standings, boosting their playoff chances no end.

Chasing 162, Sharjah’s openers wasted no time asserting their dominance. Charles and Tom Kohler-Cadmore launched an aggressive assault, hammering Ibrar Ahmad for 24 runs in the fourth over.

Kohler-Cadmore then took on Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, smashing 18 runs in just four balls before falling for a quickfire 39 off 21 deliveries. The Warriorz stormed to 75 for one at the end of the powerplay, nearly double the required run rate.

As Charles continued to attack, Rohan Mustafa played a supporting role before falling to Sunil Narine for six. Despite a slight dip in momentum, Charles kept the scoreboard ticking over.

The Knight Riders had a chance to turn the tide but were let down by sloppy fielding. Charles was dropped in the 11th over and made the most of the reprieve, racing to his half-century in style with a boundary. Another dropped catch during the following over spared Jason Roy, further frustrating Abu Dhabi.

Charles’ aggressive stroke play was on full display, including a standout moment where he scooped David Willey for a stunning boundary. Just as he seemed poised for a big score, however, Narine struck again, removing him for 65.

The chase, which had seemed comfortable, took an unexpected twist when Jason Holder bowled a sensational wicket maiden in the 16th over. With only 16 runs needed from 24 balls, Sharjah suffered a mini-collapse, losing three wickets for just two runs as Tim Seifert and Ethan D’Souza fell in quick succession.

At 148 for six, the nerves appeared to have set in, but Ashton Agar stepped up to ensure there were no further hiccups. The Aussie smashed a six off Terrance Hinds in the 19th over, leaving just two runs needed in the final over. Harmeet Singh sealed the win off the first ball, wrapping up a crucial four-wicket triumph for the Warriorz.

Earlier, Milne struck during the Knight Riders’ first over at bat when he dismissed Andries Gous for a golden duck. Though Joe Clarke countered with three successive boundaries, Milne had the final say, forcing Clarke to nick one behind. With both their openers back in the pavilion, the Knight Riders were reeling on 33 for two after three overs.

A 58-run stand between Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers stabilized the inning but Zampa broke the partnership, removing Chase for 28. Mayers powered his way to a 29-ball 50 and looked set to propel his side to a big total. Zampa struck again, however, dismissing the dangerous Mayers for 56.

With the Knight Riders on 130 for six in 16 overs, Holder provided the late fireworks as he hammered Tim Southee for 17 runs in the penultimate over to help push the total to a more competitive 161.

Player of the match Zampa credited strategic bowling for his success.

“I was trying to play my role and get the key wickets to help the team,” he said. “I love competing and bowling against the best, and it’s always a great battle with Andre Russell. He’s got me a few times but I got him tonight, and that was crucial. We planned for this match-up and, luckily, it worked.”

Knight Riders captain Narine was left to rue missed opportunities.

“We fought till the end but we should have finished our batting innings better,” he said. “We were on course for 200 but ended with 160. We also needed to control the powerplay better.

“They played aggressively and put us on the back foot early. We came back into the game but left it too late. We’re still in the tournament and have a lot to play for.”

While the victory moved the Warriorz into third place on eight points, the Knight Riders dropped to fifth on six points and will need to regroup quickly to remain in the playoff race.


Nottm Forest felled by Isak as Newcastle bolster top four bid

Updated 22 sec ago
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Nottm Forest felled by Isak as Newcastle bolster top four bid

NEWCASTLE: Newcastle blew Nottingham Forest away with four goals in 11 minutes as Alexander Isak’s double inspired a vital 4-3 win in the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four.
Eddie Howe’s side recovered from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s early opener to run riot with a first half goal spree at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
Lewis Miley bagged Newcastle’s equalizer, sparking an astonishing spell of dominance as Jacob Murphy put the hosts ahead.
Isak netted twice in less than two minutes to reach 50 Premier League goals and leave Forest in tatters.
The Sweden striker has 19 league goals this season, taking him level with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in second place behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in this season’s scoring chart.
Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates scored for Forest in the second half, but it was too late for an incredible escape act.
After three defeats in their previous four league games, fifth-placed Newcastle are back in the hunt to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish.
The Magpies are behind fourth-placed Manchester City on goal difference, with third-placed Forest just three points above them.
“I’m trying to control my thoughts and stay positive. We won the game and that’s what we needed to do,” Howe said.
“It was a great performance in the first half, then a couple of frailties showed in terms of defending set plays.
“We can reflect on that. There are things we can do better. We pride ourselves on getting the details right.”
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo added: “In the first half I didn’t recognize our team. In the second half we were much better.
“We made mistakes. It was two totally different halves. We started well and then they just rolled over us.”
Newcastle keeper Nick Pope made his first league start since early December in place of Martin Dubravka.
But Pope was partially at fault as Newcastle gifted Forest the lead in sloppy style after just six minutes
Jacob Murphy lost the ball in his own half as Hudson-Odoi pressured the Newcastle midfielder into conceding possession.
Hudson-Odoi wasn’t closed down quickly enough by Dan Burn and the winger unloaded a powerful low drive that caught Pope out of position as it flashed into the net.
Miley ensured Newcastle’s strong response to that early setback was rewarded in the 23rd minute.
With Forest’s usually rock-solid defense slow to react, Miley had time to control Lewis Hall’s pass inside the penalty area and drill his shot through a sea of legs past unsighted keeper Matz Sels.
Murphy made amends for his earlier mistake to put Howe’s team ahead two minutes after Miley’s equalizer.
Hall’s driving run was the catalyst as the defender took Isak’s return pass and hit a deflected cross that looped over Sels for Murphy to bundle home from virtually on the goal-line.
Newcastle were firing on all cylinders and they struck again in the 33rd minute.
Ola Aina used his arm to block Hall’s cross, conceding a penalty that Isak dispatched past Sels with an audacious lofted effort that left the keeper sprawled on his back as he tried in vain to claw it out.
Forest had no answer to Newcastle’s intensity and it was no surprise when they conceded a fourth just 60 seconds later.
Joe Willock raced unchecked through the Forest midfield and slipped his pass to Isak, whose shot from 12 yards took a deflection on its way past the wrong-footed Sels.
Newcastle eased up in the second half and Milenkovic reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute, flicking Chris Wood’s cross past Pope from close-range.
When Yates steered home in the 90th minute, a nervous hush descended on St. James’ Park, but Newcastle held on by their fingernails.

Virat Kohli hits ton in Dubai as India push Pakistan to brink of Champions Trophy exit

Updated 2 min 31 sec ago
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Virat Kohli hits ton in Dubai as India push Pakistan to brink of Champions Trophy exit

  • Pakistan have lost both their matches and will need Bangladesh to beat New Zealand on Monday to have any chance of staying in the competition

DUBAI: Star batsman Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 100 to lead India to a six-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday and push the title holders to the brink of elimination from the Champions Trophy.
Chasing 242 for victory, Kohli hit a boundary to seal the match with 45 balls to spare and register his 51st ODI ton after an innings which also saw him pass 14,000 runs in one-day international cricket.
Kohli, 36, removed his helmet and raised his bat to the Dubai International Stadium crowd after taking India closer to the semifinals with two wins in two outings in Group A.
Pakistan have lost both their matches and will need Bangladesh to beat New Zealand on Monday to have any chance of staying in contention for a last-four spot.
The top two teams from the two groups will make the semifinals.
“My job was clear — to control the middle overs, not take risks against the spinners and take on the pacers,” said Kohli.
“I was happy with the template, it’s how I play in ODIs. I have a decent understanding of my game.
“It’s about keeping the outside noise away, take care of my energy levels and thoughts. It’s easy for me to get pulled into expectations and frenzy around games like these.”
Favourites India remained clinical in their chase despite losing skipper Rohit Sharma for 20 off Shaheen Shah Afridi.
In-form Shubman Gill, who made 46 after his century in the opening win over Bangladesh, put on 69 runs with Kohli.
India superstar Kohli started cautiously but reached 14,000 ODI runs with a trademark punch through cover off Haris Rauf.
He is just the third man to break the 14,000-run barrier after India icon Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) and Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara (14,234)
Former captain Kohli raised his fifty with a boundary off Naseem Shah to loud cheers from the crowd.
His hundred came in 111 balls, a knock that rolled back the years for the veteran who has 82 centuries across all formats but whose previous ODI ton came in the 2023 ODI World Cup semifinal.
Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, who made 56, put the chase back on track with a stand of 114 after Gill’s departure when leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled the opener.
India bowled out Pakistan for 241 in 49.4 overs as left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned figures of 3-40.
Pakistan elected to bat first on what seemed a sluggish pitch but a slow approach from the batsman rarely threatened the Indian attack despite a 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46).
Khushdil Shah’s late cameo of 38 added some runs to the total before the innings folded with his wicket.
The Pakistan openers began cautiously despite a wayward start by Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami who bowled five wides in an 11-ball first over.
Shami, who returned figures of 5-53 in the win over Bangladesh, seemed to struggle with his ankle in his third over and left the field, returning soon after to India’s great relief.
Babar Azam score 23 and fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq was run out on 10 before Shakeel and Rizwan got their heads down as Pakistan managed just one boundary in nearly 10 overs.
“When Saud and I were batting, we wanted to go deep. But our shot selection was bad and we lost wickets, which is why we were kept to 240,” said Rizwan.
A full house was expected at the venue but there were empty seats on view during the match.
Pakistan next face Bangladesh on Thursday in Rawalpindi while India take on New Zealand in Dubai on March 2.


India’s Virat Kohli reaches 14,000 ODI runs

Updated 23 February 2025
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India’s Virat Kohli reaches 14,000 ODI runs

  • Kohli entered Champions Trophy match against Pakistan with 13,985 runs and reached the landmark with flowing punch through covers off Haris Rauf
  • The former Indian captain is behind only Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs) and India’s cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs)

DUBAI: India’s Virat Kohli on Sunday became only the third batsman in one-day international history to go past 14,000 runs in a key Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan.
Kohli, 36, entered the group match in Dubai with 13,985 runs in 298 ODIs and reached the landmark with a flowing punch through the covers off pace bowler Haris Rauf.
India are chasing Pakistan’s total of 241 all out.
Known as “King Kohli” for his prolific run-scoring, the former captain is behind only Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs) and India’s cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs).
Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma retired from T20 internationals after India’s World Cup triumph last year.
The two have been struggling to find their best form in both Test and 50-over format due to inconsistent run-scoring, with speculation growing that they may soon retire.


Pakistan win toss, bat against India in key Champions Trophy clash

Updated 23 February 2025
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Pakistan win toss, bat against India in key Champions Trophy clash

  • Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to bat in a blockbuster Champions Trophy clash against India on Sunday as his side looks to stay alive in the tournament

DUBAI: Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to bat in a blockbuster Champions Trophy clash against India on Sunday as his side looks to stay alive in the tournament.
A full house was expected for the eagerly awaited Group A match at the 25,000-capacity Dubai International Stadium, India’s home for the 50-over tournament after they refused to tour Pakistan due to political tensions.
Defending champions Pakistan lost the tournament opener to New Zealand and another defeat will virtually end their chances of making the semifinals.
Imam-ul-Haq comes into the Pakistan side for Fakhar Zaman, who was injured in the opening match and is out of the tournament.
India had a hard-fought win in their first match against Bangladesh and come into the key clash unchanged.
India captain Rohit Sharma said it “doesn’t really matter, they (Pakistan) won the toss, so we’ll bowl first.”
The top two teams from the two groups will make the semifinals.
Teams
India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
Umpires: Paul Reiffel (AUS), Richard Illingworth (ENG)
TV Umpire: Michael Gough (ENG)
Match Referee: David Boon (AUS)


Indian Hindu fans pray for victory over Pakistan in Champions Trophy clash

Updated 23 February 2025
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Indian Hindu fans pray for victory over Pakistan in Champions Trophy clash

  • Fans offer ‘yajna’ and ‘aarti’ Hindu prayers in Indian cities of Kolkata and Prayagraj on Saturday 
  • India and Pakistan enjoy one of fiercest rivalries in sports due to bitter history, political tensions 

Islamabad: Indian Hindu fans were seen offering special prayers as their national cricket team locks horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in a blockbuster Champions Trophy 2025 clash in Dubai today, Sunday. 

India and Pakistan enjoy one of the fiercest rivalries in sports. The nuclear-armed neighbors have fought three wars since 1947 ever since they gained independence from the British, fueling passion and emotion in millions on both sides of the border every time the two teams meet on the cricket field. 

India’s Hindu fans were seen offering special prayers in the eastern Kolkata and northern Prayagraj cities on Saturday for their cricket team’s success against Pakistan. 

“India and Pakistan are going to play against each other, and we have prayed to mother Triveni (confluence of three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati) and mother Ganga (river Ganga) that tomorrow’s match turns out to be in favor of India,” Hindu devotee Pradeep Pandey told Reuters in Prayagraj on Saturday.

In Prayagraj, on the sidelines of Maha Kumbh Mela (The Great Pitcher Festival), fans and devotees performed ‘Aarti’ (flame ritually waved to deities) at the shore of the Ganges, praying for the Indian cricket team’s win. 

In Kolkata, fans and devotees were seen performing ‘yajna’ (offering to the God in front of a sacred fire) in the name of Goddess Kali.

India, who refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy citing government advice, will be playing all their matches in Dubai. They kicked off their Group A campaign with a comfortable six-wicket victory against Bangladesh earlier this week. Pakistan’s title defense, meanwhile, looks in disarray after their comprehensive defeat to New Zealand.

India have won seven of the eight completed ODIs in the last decade against their rivals they play only in multi-team events because of a strained political relationship between the two countries.

Pakistan are the defending champions of the Champions Trophy tournament. The green shirts, under the leadership of former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, beat India in 2017 in the final by 180 runs to win the tournament.