AL WAKRAH, Nov 28(ABC): Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar came off the bench to score one goal and set up another as the Indomitable Lions rescued a point in their 3-3 draw with Serbia on Monday that ended a run of eight successive World Cup losses for the African side. The roller-coaster Group G fixture leaves both sides on a single point …

Nov 27(ABC): The second one day international between India and New Zealand on Sunday was called off due to heavy rain with the Kiwi home side retaining their 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Put into bat, India were 22 for no loss in 4.5 overs when rain forced the players off the ground for the first time. When action …

KANDY, Nov 27(ABC): Rain forced the second one-day international between hosts Sri Lanka and Afghanistan to be abandoned with the tourists leading the three-match series 1-0 on Sunday. Afghanistan, who won the opener convincingly, failed to capitalise on a good start and got bowled out for 228 in 48.2 overs after they elected to bat first in Pallekele. Sri Lanka …

DOHA, Nov 27(ABC):  Croatia absorbed an early blow before revving into gear at the World Cup with two goals from Andrej Kramaric securing a 4-1 victory over Canada on Sunday that moved them a point away from the last 16 and dashed their opponents’ knockout-stage hopes. The 2018 runners-up had fallen behind after 68 seconds at the Khalifa International Stadium when Alphonso Davies thumped a …

DOHA, Nov 27(ABC): Substitutes Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal earned Morocco their first World Cup victory in 24 years as they upset a hugely disappointing Belgium side 2-0 in World Cup Group F on Sunday. The Morocco fans gave the match a vintage World Cup feel in a boiling atmosphere at the Al Thumama Stadium and Sabiri curled a wide free-kick …

DUBAI, Nov 27(ABC):  The United Arab Emirates will host Afghanistan’s “home” matches over the next five years, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Sunday. Security concerns have kept touring teams away from Afghanistan, who played their “home” matches in India in recent years. That perception has only deepened since the country’s Taliban takeover in August 2021. As part of the agreement, …

AL RAYYAN, Nov 27(ABC): Costa Rica put a huge dent in Japan’s hopes of reaching the World Cup last 16 as they recovered from their hammering by Spain to claim a surprise 1-0 victory in Group E of the FIFA World Cup on Sunday. Keysher Fuller’s 81st-minute effort, Costa Rica’s first shot on target in a dreary game, stunned the drum-beating Japanese fans …

LUSAIL, Nov 27(ABC): Lionel Messi kept his dream of winning his first World Cup alive by rifling in the opening goal in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Mexico in World Cup Group C, proving he was far from done in the tournament. The Argentine, competing in his fifth World Cup at age 35, has won every other major title in his career but has …

Auckland, Nov 25 (ABC): Tom Latham was left thanking his lucky stars after smashing a majestic century to steer New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over India in Friday’s opening one-day international in Auckland. Latham hammered 19 fours and five sixes in an unbeaten innings of 145 runs off 104 balls. It was his seventh ODI century and his highest …

LAHORE, Nov 25(ABC): Andy Pycroft, member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control teams for the three ICC World Test Championship fixtures between Pakistan and England in December. Six umpires, three of whom are from the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, will officiate the Tests across Rawalpindi (1-5), Multan (9-13) and Karachi (17-21). Joel …

Nov 25(ABC): Warwickshire County Cricket Club has signed up celebrated Pakistani pace bowler Hassan Ali to the Club’s bowling attack for next season. “Ali is our first overseas signing for 2023 and he’s agreed a deal that will see him play the full Vitality Blast campaign, including any potential knockout games, and the LV= Insurance County Championship until the end …

LAHORE , Nov 25(ABC): Pakistan’s vice-captain of white ball team Shadab Khan will miss Big Bash League’s (BBL) next season, as his franchise Hobart Hurricanes announced his replacement on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Shadab will not be available during Pakistan’s home limited-overs series against New Zealand in mid of January 2023. England batter Zak Crawley is poised to make his BBL …

DOHA, Nov 25(ABC): It was not supposed to be this way. Before the World Cup started, hopes were high in Argentina that Lionel Messi was set for a glorious swansong. The diminutive superstar with magic in his boots insisted he was in fine shape physically ahead of what he suggested would be his final tilt at World Cup success. After …

DOHA, Nov 25(ABC): A second-half brace by Richarlison, including a stunning overhead scissor kick, gave tournament favourites Brazil a 2-0 win over Serbia in their opening World Cup game at the Lusail Stadium on Thursday. The record five-time winners had toiled at times in the first half but improved after the break and were rewarded when Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison …

Nov 25(ABC): Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, are considering selling the club as they explore “strategic alternatives”. If the Glazers decided to follow through with the sale of the Old Trafford club, here could be some of the possible buyers: Jim Ratcliffe British billionaire Ratcliffe, a long-standing fan of the 20-times English champions, declared his interest in August but said …

Nov 22(ABC): Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial second spell at Manchester United is to end with “immediate effect”, the Premier League giants announced Tuesday. The Portugal forward appeared to be on his way out of Old Trafford following last week’s television interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV in which he said he felt “betrayed” by the club and had no respect for new manager …

NAPIER, Nov 22(ABC): India sealed a Twenty-20 series win over hosts New Zealand after Tuesday s rain-hit third match finished in a draw in Napier. The Black Caps were bowled out for 160 in their innings. India then laboured to 75 for four wickets in their nine overs before the rain started. Under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method, the match was a …

LAHORE, Nov 22(ABC): Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday assured British High Commissioner Christian Turner that England team’s test in Rawalpindi wouldn’t be affected by long march. The three matches Test series will be played between Pakistan and England from December 1 in England, while rest of the two matches will be played in …

DOHA, Nov 22(ABC):  Portugal defender Ruben Dias said Tuesday it was time to focus on the World Cup and move on from the media circus surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview. The Manchester City centre-back said despite the distraction, Ronaldo’s comments had not dented the nation’s bid to win the competition for the first time in their history. Ronaldo, who has …

AL RAYYAN, Nov 22(ABC): Defender Andreas Cornelius hit the post and Denmark had a late penalty appeal turned down, while Tunisia wasted two clear chances in a 0-0 draw in their World Cup Group D opener at Education City Stadium on Tuesday. Tunisia were roared on by their sizeable following in the 42,925 crowd, whose deafening whistles and roars gave …

LUSAIL, Nov 22(ABC): Unheralded Saudi Arabia notched one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina thanks to a scintillating second half come back. On his fifth and final quest for the only major trophy to elude him, the 35-year-old Messi scored a 10th minute penalty in a dominant first half display where he …

Nov 20(ABC): Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said the hosts were excitedly looking forward to a “historic moment” when his team open the 2022 World Cup against Ecuador on Sunday. The Qataris, playing in their first World Cup, take on the South Americans at Al Bayt Stadium in the tournament curtainraiser, before further Group A matches with Senegal and 2010 finalists …

Nov 20(ABC): Former England men’s international Jon Lewis has been appointed as the new coach of the England women’s team, it was announced Friday. Lewis’ appointment has come in time for him to be in charge of the England women’s team for their tour of the West Indies next month that incudes three one-day internationals and five Twenty20s. The 47-year-old …

LAHORE , Nov 20(ABC): The online sale of tickets for the Rawalpindi Test match between Pakistan and England has started. A large number of cricket fans have booked tickets for the Rawalpindi Test, but tickets are still available in limited numbers, the sale of tickets for Multan and Karachi Test matches will start next week. The most expensive ticket has …

SYDNEY, Nov 20(ABC): A battling 94 from Steve Smith saw Australia to a series win against England with a game to spare after a 72-run victory in the second one-day international in Sydney on Saturday. Both sides rested their captains, with Moeen Ali deputising for Joss Butler, while Josh Hazelwood was the surprise pick to lead Australia with Pat Cummins …

Nov 20(ABC):Novak Djokovic beat American Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals on Saturday, despite having a bad day in his own opinion, to move to within one win of matching Roger Federer s record of six titles at the season finale. Djokovic, chasing a sixth title at the event, prevailed 7-6(5) 7-6(6) and will play either Casper …

KARACHI, Nov 20(ABC): Pakistan’s team might not be participating in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar but footballs made in the Asian country are set to shine at the mega event. The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be played from November 20 to December 18 at eight venues in Qatar, with 32 teams playing a total of 65 matches. …

LONDON, Nov 18(ABC): Legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. While speaking in an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, Ronaldo revealed that he has a special relationship with the Argentine star. “He is an amazing player. Magic. Top. As a person, we share the stage …

Nov 18(ABC): The Indian cricket board (BCCI) responded to the national team’s defeat in the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia last week by sacking their senior selection committee on Friday. India were dumped out of the tournament in Australia after a 10-wicket hammering by eventual champions England and Rohit Sharma’s side was labelled “clueless” and “out of …

Nov 18(ABC): In a major achievement, Pakistan’s legendary former cricketer Wasim Akram has been appointed as brand ambassador for the third edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) slated to be played from December 6 to 23. The “Sultan of Swing” and Sri Lanka’s former captain Sanath Jayasuriya have been named “brand ambassadors” for LPL. Expressing his delight after being named …

MULTAN, Nov 18(ABC): Pakistan under-19 cricket team beat Bangladesh under-19 by seven wickets in the second and last T20I match, levelling the series one-one in Multan on Friday. Batting first, Bangladesh scored 163 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. Pakistan achieved the target for the loss of three wickets in 18.2 overs. Pakistan’s Saad Baig was …

LAHORE, Nov 16(ABC): Pakistan Test opener Abdullah Shafique is optimistic about the three-match Test series against England scheduled to start on December 1 in Rawalpindi. Speaking during an interview , the 22-year-old said that the team is eagerly waiting for the series against England, calling it a challenge for the Green Shirts. “We are a good Test side but just …

LISBON, Nov 16(ABC): Cristiano Ronaldo is “always happy” when playing for Portugal and his problems at Manchester United will not damage the country’s prospects at the World Cup, international teammate Joao Mario said. The superstar forward blasted United in an explosive TV interview days before the start of the tournament in Qatar, saying he felt “betrayed” by the club and …

LAHORE, Nov 16(ABC): In a bid to avoid inconvenience to cricket fans amid PTI’s long march in Islamabad, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering changing the venue for the opening Test of Pakistan-England series from Rawalpindi to Karachi. The first Test of the three-match series is slated to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from December 1 to 5. However, due …

Adelaide, Australia, Nov 16 (ABC): New skipper Pat Cummins admitted Wednesday Australia have a point to prove after their failure at the Twenty20 World Cup, with champions England in their sights in a one-day series this week. Australia went into the World Cup as defending champions but failed to go beyond the group phase, in contrast to Jos Buttler’s men …

ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (ABC): Top Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf, who returned home on Wednesday, said the whole nation was proud and happy, on the national team’s performance in the ICC Men’s Twentry20 Cricket World Cup. “We always try to give our best and make the nation happy. As an individual and as a team, we are very happy with our …

ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (ABC): Pakistani Skipper Babar Azam has climbed up to No 3, in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup. The Pakistan skipper scored a match-winning fifty in the semi-final against New Zealand, gaining one spot to climb up to No 3 in the rankings, said a press release. …

LAHORE, Nov 16(ABC): The Irish women’s team clinched the T20I series against Pakistan by winning the third match in Lahore on Wednesday. Ireland won the series 2-1 against Pakistan, making it the first T20I series win for the Irish team in Asia and also the maiden away T20I series victory for the visitors. After deciding to bat first at the Gaddafi …

MELBOURNE, Nov 15(ABC): Australia captain Pat Cummins has opted out of playing the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023, citing a heavy international schedule. The Test and one-day skipper played the last three IPL tournaments with Kolkata Knight Riders but cut short his 2022 campaign due to a hip injury. “I’ve made the difficult decision to miss next year’s IPL,” he said on Twitter …

DOHA, Nov 15(ABC):  The week-long countdown to the World Cup in Qatar began on Monday as the world’s leading footballers focused their attention on one of the most controversial tournaments in history. After a last weekend of action, domestic leagues paused for six weeks to allow the tournament to take place, but preparation time is short for the teams. The …