IPL climax impresses South African greats AB de Villiers and Chris Morris

This year’s Indian Premier League is serving up a thrilling climax and two of South Africa’s cricketing greats, AB de Villiers and Chris Morris, are delighted with how the 18th event is unfolding. (Reuters/AP)
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Updated 26 April 2025
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IPL climax impresses South African greats AB de Villiers and Chris Morris

  • As the tournament heads into its sixth weekend, the top six teams are separated by just two points

LONDON: This year’s Indian Premier League is serving up a thrilling climax and two of South Africa’s cricketing greats, AB de Villiers and Chris Morris, are delighted with how the 18th event is unfolding.

As the tournament heads into its sixth weekend, the top six teams are separated by just two points, with sides such as Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Bengaluru Royal Challengers pushing for a maiden title.

De Villiers, who scored 5,162 IPL runs at an average of 39.70 and a strike-rate of 151.68, believes every team remains in contention.

“I’ve loved the IPL this season because all the teams have a chance to feature in the finals. All the teams are still in the running, which is great to see as we are just past halfway in the tournament. My call is that I would like a new team to win it this year,” De Villiers told sports website sportsboom.co.za.

“The tournament started with a bang with some very high scores. But the totals have come down now, and I have called before for the balance between bat and ball to be evened out.”

Morris, who became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history when Rajasthan Royals signed him for $2.3 million in 2021, said that the unpredictability has been the tournament’s biggest draw.

“It’s been so unpredictable, and the results haven’t been as consistent as previously. There are teams that you definitely think will finish in the top three but they’re not featuring at the moment like Hyderabad Sunrisers. They are an explosive side with proper bowlers, but they’re second-from-bottom,” Morris told Sportsboom.

“I now think Delhi Capitals might win because they have a lot of experience and guys that are not scared to play. Mumbai Indians are always pushing for the title, but they started badly. But if they get on a roll then they are so dangerous. Chennai Super Kings have some youthful players but have not featured as much as I thought they would,” he said.

De Villiers and Morris, both key figures in popularising the IPL in South Africa, also cast an eye over the new generation of Proteas stars impressing in India.

“Aiden Markram has been in really good form, which is wonderful just before the World Test Championship final in June,” De Villiers said.

“Any runs are great because it reinforces your belief in your ability. Form is a fickle thing and sometimes a fifty in a T20 game can allow you to take confidence into a Test match. So, it bodes well for Aiden and the Proteas.

“It’s a shame Kagiso Rabada has only been able to play a couple of games before coming home, because it’s always nice to see him in action; he’s one of my favorite bowlers because of the way he thinks about the game.

“David Miller has been a bit quiet, he’s played a couple of good innings, but I’m sure he’ll come good at the back end. Marco Jansen has shown what a wonderful cricketer he is with bat and ball.

“Ryan Rickelton looks so good but is just not converting. But he looks lethal and I’m sure at some stage he’s going to play another big knock. It was great to see Dewald Brevis finally get a chance with CSK and score 42 off 25,” he said.

Morris also floated a potential rule change to help bowlers combat the rising scores.

“Nowadays, teams are chasing 230 easily. Back in the day, you conceded 200 and you thought you had no chance; then teams would score 210 and it was game on. The dynamic has changed and so does the mindset of the bowler,” he said.

“I believe you need to arrive at the game knowing that you’re going to be slapped around and it’s just how you deal with it. Nowadays, if you go for 40 or 45 runs, I’d say you’ve done well, especially if you are a new-ball or death bowler, where there is nowhere to hide.

“I would actually like to propose a rule change: If you bowl a dot-ball, then it should be minus one run to the batting total. With the sizes of the fields, the pitches and the ball being the same weight, there have been no changes to allow the bowlers to catch up with the batters,” he said.

Morris also praised South Africa’s batting contingent.

“Our South African batsmen have hit their straps nicely. Heinrich Klaasen has had a few starts but has probably not done as well as he would have wanted, although he is starting to show some form,” he said.

“Marco Jansen has been consistent, he’s bowling in different periods of the game, and he’s bowled some beauties, as well as hitting a few balls out of the ground. I’m upset Faf du Plessis has been injured, but Tristan Stubbs has been very good. He’s averaging 61 which shows what a gun batsman he is and that he really understands his roles.

“Ryan Rickelton has stood out nicely because there is always so much pressure playing for Mumbai Indians. He’s slotted in well and played every game. Aiden Markram has also been gun and I’m very glad to see him batting so well now. It’s difficult if you don’t score runs in the first couple of games, but he bats at an important time and Justin Langer has really backed him with Mitchell Marsh at the top.”


Baniyas extends lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

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Baniyas extends lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

  • Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club are in second place with Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club following in third

ABU DHABI: The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship continued its fourth round on Saturday, as Day 2 saw competitions in the U-14 and U-16 categories at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City.

The event brought together top talent from across the UAE, with wide participation from clubs and academies and strong support from families and jiu-jitsu enthusiasts.

Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club claimed the top spot in the overall standings, followed by Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club in second place and Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in third.

Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the championship continues to reinforce its role as a key driver for developing grassroots talent and promoting the country’s national sport. More than 1,800 male and female athletes are taking part in the fourth round, which has drawn strong community engagement and attendance.

Mohammed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, commented: “The championship is special because it bears a name that is very dear to everyone in the country. The decision by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed to double the prize money made the players more ambitious and encouraged them to aim for top positions.

“Jiu-jitsu gets strong support from the UAE leadership because it teaches important values and helps shape the character of young people. It has become a key part of sports in the UAE and plays an important role in developing the next generation,” he added.

“The championship is a big part of the federation’s plan to build a strong base of young talent. The younger age groups are the foundation for producing future champions. The ranking system in the championship helps clubs compete and pushes them to improve and invest more in their athletes.”

Among the day’s standout performances, Baniyas athlete Salma Rashid Al-Mansoori claimed gold in the Girls U-14 -44 kg gray belt division. Her mother, Sarah Al-Mansoori, said: “This gold medal is the result of her hard work and focus. Winning in a tournament that carries such a respected name makes it more meaningful. We are also thankful to the leadership for increasing the prize money.  It was a huge motivator.”

Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club’s Noura Nasser Al-Ghilani, who won the Girls U-16 -80 kg gray belt gold, said: “This win means a lot to me and my team. Jiu-jitsu has given me so much: confidence, discipline, and a drive to succeed. I thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for the incredible support and promise to keep training hard to represent the UAE internationally.”

The championship concludes on Sunday with the Kids and U-12 divisions, where another strong turnout is expected from the local jiu-jitsu community.


Reed, 4Aces enter final round on top of leaderboard at LIV Golf Dallas

Updated 50 min 45 sec ago
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Reed, 4Aces enter final round on top of leaderboard at LIV Golf Dallas

  • On a challenging Maridoe Golf Club course, Reed moved to 9 under and takes a three-shot lead after two rounds

CARROLLTON, Texas, US: Since joining LIV Golf, Patrick Reed has 11 top-5 finishes, including five podium results. He has also celebrated seven team victories with his 4Aces GC, including the inaugural 2022 Team Championship, and has twice finished inside the top six in the season-long points race.

But he has yet to win an individual LIV Golf title in his first 41 regular season starts, making him arguably the best league player without a win. And he has yet to win a professional tournament in his home state of Texas, where he was born and still lives.

Now he is 18 holes away from changing both narratives on Sunday at LIV Golf Dallas presented by Aramco.

Thanks to a solid 4-under 68 on a challenging Maridoe Golf Club course, Reed moved to 9 under and will take a 3-shot lead entering the final round. This is his first 36-hole lead since joining LIV Golf for the league’s first US event in Portland in 2022.

“To get my first LIV victory as well as doing it in my home state would mean a lot,” said the Houston resident, who was born in San Antonio. “But really, at the end of the day, instead of trying to focus on what happens on the 54th hole, it’s stay in the moment. Stay in the present.”

His 4Aces team also hope to stay in the present as they seek a first victory since the 2023 tournament in London. The club, captained by Dustin Johnson, has a four-shot lead over Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII and Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC, who have won the previous two LIV Golf team titles. No other team is within 13 shots of the lead.

Reed, meanwhile, has plenty of pursuers, many of whom — like Reed himself — are hungry to win their first individual LIV Golf title.

The Crushers’ Paul Casey shot a 5-under 67 and is tied for second at 6 under with Fireballs GC’s Abraham Ancer, who shot a second consecutive 69. In a four-way tie for fifth at 5 under are Cleeks GC’s Richard Bland, Fireballs’ David Puig, 4Aces’ Harold Varner III and Legion XIII’s Tyrrell Hatton, who produced the low round of the day with a 65. His captain Jon Rahm is alone in eighth at 4 under.

Four of the top seven players have yet to win an LIV Golf tournament — Reed, Casey, Bland and Puig. And Puig is the only player who ranks inside the top 20 in driving distance average this season. Maridoe, despite its 7,533-yard layout, is rewarding the shot-makers this week in the Texas heat.

“If you’re not in the fairway, you’re going to struggle,” Ancer said. “You’re going to make big numbers. Bogeys come really, really quickly, even if you’re in the fairway.”

Ancer should know. He had a rollercoaster round that included seven birdies — including four in a row on his first nine — along with four bogeys and one up-and-down par after an approach shot bounced off the flagstick and rolled off the green at the eighth hole. “I felt like I stayed in it mentally really well,” said the San Antonio resident.

Casey’s round had less drama and ended on a high note with three consecutive birdies. Hatton’s round, on the flip side, started with three straight birdies.

Reed also produced three consecutive birdies and was among the steadiest of performers, hitting 78 percent of his greens in regulation. His challenge on Sunday will be to stay focused on the task at hand.

“The golf game feels pretty solid,” Reed said. “Everything seems to be tight and where I want it to be. The biggest thing is going out there and not trying to press, not trying to force anything and really just go out and try to win the day as if it’s a Monday qualifier.”

And his chasers?

“Looking like the way he’s playing, he’s not going to go backwards,” Bland said. “We’ve got to go get him.”

Team scores

LIV Golf’s new scoring format this season means all four scores count in every round in the team competition. Here are the results and scores for each team after Saturday’s second round of LIV Golf Dallas presented by Aramco.

 4ACES GC -12 (Reed 68, Pieters 71, Varner 72, Johnson 74; Rd. 2 score: -3) T2. LEGION XIII -8 (Hatton 65, McKibbin 71, Rahm 72, Surratt 72; Rd. 2 score: -8)

 T2. CRUSHERS GC -8 (Casey 67, Howell III 71, DeChambeau 72, Lahiri 73; Rd. 2 score: -5)

 T4. STINGER GC +2 (Burmester 71, Grace 71, Oosthuizen 71, Schwartzel 74; Rd. 2 score: -1)

 T4. FIREBALLS GC +2 (Ancer 69, Puig 69, Garcia 74, Ballester 76; Rd. 2 score: E)

 CLEEKS GC +7 (Bland 69, Rottluff 70, Meronk 72, Kaymer 74; Rd. 2 score: -3) TORQUE GC +14 (Niemann 66, Munoz 70, Ortiz 70, Pereira 79; Rd. 2 score: -3) T8. RIPPER GC +15 (Leishman 70, Herbert 71, Smith 71, Jones 75; Rd. 2 score: -1)

 T8. HYFLYERS GC +15 (Steele 69, Tringale 73, Mickelson 74, Ogletree 78; Rd. 2 score: +6)

 MAJESTICKS GC +16 (Horsfield 72, Stenson 73, Westwood 75, Poulter 78; Rd. 2 score: +10) RANGEGOATS GC +18 (Campbell 70, Watson 73, Uihlein 75, Schniederjans 78; Rd. 2 score: +8) T12. SMASH GC +22 (Gooch 70, Kokrak 74, McDowell 74, Carrera 77; Rd. 2 score: +7)

 T12. IRON HEADS GC +22 (Kozuma 70, Lee 76, Jang 79, Na 79; Rd. 2 score: +16)

 Wildcards: C. Lee 71, A. Kim 74


Lucky number 3? 76ers bring V.J. Edgecombe to Abu Dhabi as a new era dawns

Updated 29 June 2025
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Lucky number 3? 76ers bring V.J. Edgecombe to Abu Dhabi as a new era dawns

  • The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 host the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers twice at Etihad Arena on Yas Island

DUBAI: For the Philadelphia 76ers, the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft has proven to be a lucky number.

It was at No. 3 in 2014 that the Sixers selected Joel Embiid, a decision that reshaped the franchise. Embiid went on to become the face of the team and the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2023. More than a decade later, Philadelphia is again looking to strike gold at No. 3 with the selection of V.J. Edgecombe, made during last night’s NBA Draft.

The Sixers are expected to bring the new addition to the international stage in October when they head to Abu Dhabi for two preseason games.

The National Basketball Association and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have officially announced that The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ will feature the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. The two teams will meet on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

These games will offer Philadelphia an opportunity to test their revamped lineup and start building chemistry for the upcoming season. More importantly, it is a chance to see if Edgecombe can continue the Sixers’ No. 3 draft tradition of finding franchise-changing talent.

Edgecombe, selected third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, arrives in Philadelphia with high expectations. Many believed the Sixers would trade out of their draft position, but when top prospects Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper were taken early, and Ace Bailey canceled his workout, Philadelphia stayed put and took the dynamic guard from Baylor.

At just 19 years old, Edgecombe brings elite athleticism, strong defensive instincts, and plenty of long-term potential. He averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists during his freshman season and is known for his explosive finishes at the rim and impact in transition. While his shot creation still needs development, his energy and defensive presence make him a key addition to the Sixers’ backcourt.

Edgecombe also carries deep Bahamian pride.

“It’s crazy because my island is only seven miles long. I don’t think anyone on that island would dream of playing in the NBA, let alone making it. It would just sound so crazy, being able to make it. I’m just truly blessed to be in that position.” he said.

Edgecombe believes he will complement the Sixers’ lineup well.

“I feel like I’ll be able to play off them,” Edgecombe said. “They’re great players. Embiid is the MVP of the league … I just feel like I fit in well with them. And even coach (Nick) Nurse. He’s a defensive-minded coach. And I feel like I play a lot of defense.”

The Abu Dhabi Games will give Philadelphia the chance to test their chemistry and rotations in a high-profile international setting, while giving Edgecombe valuable time to play off the 76ers’ stars and build his defensive presence, as they face the Knicks, who reached the Eastern Conference Finals this year but fell short against the Indiana Pacers in a tough six-game series.

With history on their side and team chemistry still taking shape, the No. 3 pick could again define Philadelphia’s future and push them closer to championship contention.


YouTuber Jake Paul cruises past Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Updated 29 June 2025
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YouTuber Jake Paul cruises past Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

  • YouTuber-turned-boxer dominated from the outset to win by unanimous decision
  • Influencer has earned millions from a string of lucrative contests in his ring career

ANAHEIM, United States: YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul cruised to victory over Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Saturday in a one-sided cruiserweight bout in California.

Paul, whose last fight was a controversial clash with 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in November, dominated from the outset to win by unanimous decision.

The 28-year-old influencer, who has earned millions from a string of lucrative contests in a ring career that has spanned 13 fights, had too much speed and power for Chavez Jr.

The three judges at ringside scored the 10-round fight 99-91, 97-93, 98-92 in Paul’s favor.

Chavez Jr., the 39-year-old son of Mexican boxing great Julio Cesar Chavez, barely looked capable of mustering a response during a one-sided bout.

Chavez Jr. failed to land a single punch in the opening round, a pattern that followed the remainder of the contest, with Paul easily outscoring the veteran of 63 professional fights.

Paul, who reportedly pocketed around $40 million for his made-for-Netflix fight with Tyson last year, received around $300,000 guaranteed from Saturday’s bout.

However the American is expected to earn around $8 million-$10 million from the fight once earnings from pay-per-view and sponsorships are taken into account.


Chelsea overcome Club World Cup weather delay, set up Palmeiras quarter-final

Updated 29 June 2025
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Chelsea overcome Club World Cup weather delay, set up Palmeiras quarter-final

  • The London club were grateful to extra-time goals by Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to give them a 4-1 victory over Benfica

PHILADELPHIA: Chelsea beat Benfica in a game which went on for close to five hours at the Club World Cup on Saturday to set up a quarter-final showdown with Brazilian side Palmeiras at the tournament in the United States.
The London club were grateful to extra-time goals by Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to give them a 4-1 victory over Benfica.
Their late burst of scoring settled a last-16 tie which took four hours, 39 minutes to complete at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina after a near two-hour weather delay.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was left satisfied with his team’s victory but slammed the delay that turned the tie into a near five-hour marathon.
“I think it’s a joke, it’s not football,” Maresca said.
“For 85 minutes we were in control of the game. We created enough chances to win the game. Then after the break, the game changed — for me personally, it’s not football.”
Earlier, Chelsea had been seemingly poised for victory after Reece James’ opportunistic second-half free-kick had left them 1-0 up with four minutes of regulation time remaining.
But just as Chelsea began to think about their quarter-final assignment, the arrival of a storm over Charlotte triggered local safety protocols which required the game to be halted.
It marked the sixth occasion during the Club World Cup that a game has been disrupted by a weather warning.
When play resumed just under two hours later, a revitalized Benfica grabbed an injury-time equalizer after Chelsea substitute Malo Gusto was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area following an intervention by the Video Assistant Referee.
Benfica’s Argentine veteran Angel Di Maria stepped up to roll in an ice-cold penalty, sending the game into extra time.
An end-to-end first half of extra time saw Benfica, reduced to 10 men following Gianluca Prestianni’s second yellow card at the end of regulation, threaten to take the lead as they chased an improbable victory.
But instead it was Nkunku who fired Chelsea back in front, the French international bundling in from close range after Moises Caicedo’s low shot squirted underneath Benfica goalkeeper Antoliy Trubin.
As the game opened up, Benfica were increasingly vulnerable on the counter-attack and Chelsea pounced.
Neto made it 3-1 with a nerveless finish after going clean through on goal in the 114th minute, and three minutes later Dewsbury-Hall completed the rout to send Chelsea through to the last eight.
They will now return to Philadelphia, where they played two games in the group stage, to play Palmeiras in the quarter-finals on Friday.
The Brazilian club were grateful to an extra-time winner by substitute Paulinho as they edged domestic rivals Botafogo 1-0 in a battle of attrition earlier Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The winger came on at the same time in the second half as Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira withdrew teenage sensation Estevao Willian, a move that appeared baffling in the moment but ultimately proved inspired.
The tie had reached the 100th minute without a goal when Paulinho collected a pass by Richard Rios on the right flank and was afforded the time and space to come inside into the box before slotting a low shot into the far corner.
That sparked wild celebrations among the Palmeiras fans who made up the vast majority of the 33,657 crowd, and the side from Sao Paulo held on to win the tie despite having captain Gustavo Gomez sent off late on.
“That is why he came, so he could play for long enough to decide a game. He is going to have to stop again after the tournament,” Ferreira said of Paulinho, who has struggled with injury since signing for Palmeiras at the start of the year.
Winners of the Copa Libertadores in 2020 and 2021, Palmeiras will now hope to match the feat of their Brazilian rivals Flamengo, who defeated Chelsea during the group stage.
The last-16 action continues on Sunday when European champions Paris Saint-Germain take on Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in Atlanta. Later on Bayern Munich face Flamengo in Miami.