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ROBINSON, O’ROURKE LED NEW ZEALAND ATTACK OVER PAKISTAN

Robinson smashed 51 off 36 before Abbas Afridi removed him, yet he and Tom Blundell raced to 56 in the first five overs to help New Zealand’s cause.

OI’Rourke and Ben Sears led New Zealand’s bowling attack where their team beat Pakistan by four runs and enabled them to take a 2-1 lead in their series.

A cagey final over from Jimmy Neesham, who had to defend 17, ended with Pakistan needing six of the final ball.

O’Rourke and Sears stopped Pakistan’s charge early into the match.

Sears prised out Usman Khan and got Pakistan in trouble while New Zealand plugged away into the match.

O’Rourke and Sears kept the runs quiet and allowed Michael Bracewell to rely on them whenever pressure needed to be applied, ESPNcricinfo reported.

ABBAS AFRIDI KEPT PAKISTAN COMPETITIVE EARLY ON

Afridi, aside from removing Robinson, bowled some of the toughest overs and came away with both credit and wickets for Pakistan.

He returned and made an immediate breakthrough as Robinson miscued him into the sky.

Abbas saw two and conceded just five in a mix of cutters, hard lengths, and perfect yorkers for Pakistan.,

Pakistan’s Babar Azam may have wondered why he didn’t use Abbas for the full tour, as the latter tallied 3 for 20.

Shadab Khan flung himself into the air with smooth lethality after moving to his left in the 14th over.

The ball’s speed knocked Shadab’s right hand off, as he held on to it using his left to the crowd’s amazement.

BRACEWELL LAUDS NEW ZEALAND PROGRESS AFTER THE WIN

New Zealand captain Bracewell later lauded his team for the progress they’ve made throughout the series.

“The way we have learned from game to game is hugely important. Fortunately, we were able to come on the right side today,” Bracewell said.

“I think our last five overs as a bowling unit were particularly impressive,” he added.

There was no winner in the first match after it was washed out.

Pakistan won by seven wickets in the second.

New Zealand then responded by winning by seven wickets in the third.

Both teams try to salvage a win in the fifth and final game of the series on Sunday morning.

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NADAL TOPS BLANCH IN MADRID OPEN FIRST-ROUND MATCH

Nadal pulled off a comfortable 6-1, 6-0 win over American teenager Blanch to open his first-round campaign.

However, the Spaniard admitted he was not tested regarding his fitness.

“I didn’t test much my body today. I played a decent match doing the things that I had to do to be through,” Nadal said.

“But at the same time I played against a player… making more mistakes,” he added.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion took advantage of Blanch’s 22 unforced errors to cruise to victory.

Nadal finished off the 16-year-old at the Caja Magica center court in just one hour.

NADAL SEES BLANCH POTENTIAL, EXPECTS TOUGH MATCH AGAINST DE MINAUR

Nadal offered some kind words for Blanch, saying his youthful opponent has a potential for a brighter professional tennis future.

“I think today I played an opponent with a great future. I wish him (Blanch) all the very best for the future,” the former world No.1 said.

Nadal, however, expects a tougher test when he faces Alex de Minaur for his second-round match on Saturday.

“I hope I can give my best and be competitive against De Minaur, to whom he lost in the second round of the Barcelona Open last week.

“Tomorrow, one more day of practice here, and then after tomorrow, on court again. That makes me feel great,” he added

OSAKA WINS MADRID OPENER OVER LUCKY LOSER MINNEN

Osaka, meanwhile, opened her Madrid campaign with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over lucky loser Greet Minnen.

The Japanese flicked eight aces and faced one break point to close out the match and win her first claycourt match since 2022 when she beat Anastasia Potapova also in Madrid.

“There’s basis to my game, and I want to stick to that but also respect the court,” Osaka said.

“It’s a work in progress for me, but I’m watching a lot more matches on clay. I’m trying to do my homework as best as I can,” she added.

Qualifier Bouzas Maneiro beat Spanish compatriot Paula Badosa, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, while American Sloane Stephens defeated Martina Trevisan, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

In other matches, Sara Sorribes Torino thrashed Bernarda Pera, 7-5, 6-2, while Maria Lourdes Carle overwhelmed 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 6-2, 6-2.

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Gilchrist give honest take

In his previous interview, Gilchrist defended Pandya from his detractors before the IPL 2024 tournament kicked off.

The former wicket-keeper said he knows what it feels like to receive a lot of backlash from the fans.

“I got hammered on to the field. And all the way off. So I know what (Hardik) feels like, I will just get on to Hardik, and I will get him through…I am the boo whisperer, I know how to get inside their minds and just get them through,” he said

“I will get on to Hardik, I have sent that message to MS, I will keep you posted on that and I will get him on and we can get inside his mind and help him, dig out of the trouble they are in.”

However, Mumbai Indians have won just three out of their eight matches, and the boos only grow louder towards Pandya.

This time, Gilchrist criticized Pandya for his adjustments and strategy.

“I am not seeing him strategically getting it right. I think some batting positional changes, some bowling changes at certain times, just overall strategy, I don’t think as captain he’s quite got it right,” Gilchrist said on Criccbuzz.

Although the Indians are not yet out of the contention, reaching the IPL 2024 playoffs will be an uphill battle for the team.

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Gill to focus on IPL 2024 first over T20 World Cup

Gill, 24, said he wants to prioritize his team first.

According to Gill, he will be doing injusitce to his team and himself if he thinks about the World Cup.

“Playing for India is the biggest thing,” Gill told PTI in an interview. “But if I start thinking about the World Cup, then I will be doing injustice to my current team (GT) and myself.”

“If I have to be picked for the T20 World Cup, I will be picked. But right now, my focus is on IPL and how to get the best out of my team and perform the best for my team which also helps my players.”

Make no mistake, Gill dreams of playing “the biggest stage of T20 cricket” to represent the country.

However, the young batsmen does not want to get ahead of himself with the selections.

“Obviously as a player, I want to be there and play the World Cup. I want to get that opportunity to represent my country at the highest level – the biggest stage of T20 cricket.”

“Having played in a World Cup last year, I have had my share of experiences. It would be great to be able to play another World Cup. But I am not thinking that far ahead,” he added.

Although he wished the best of luck to the players who will be picked, Gill subtly made a case for himself.

“I have scored almost 900 runs last season and if I had to be picked, I will be picked if not (then) best of luck to those who are picked,” Gill said.

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Indonesia stunned Korea as Japan edged Qatar

AFC U23 Asian Cup – Vietnam vs Iraq

• Iraq v Vietnam
•  Venue: Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah)
•  Kick-off: Friday, 20:30 (UTC+3)

Iraq’s Radhi Shenaishil will go all-in against Vietnam at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 quarter-final at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday.

With no doubts, Iraq are among the strongest contenders to win the competition. Iraq topped Group C as they finished ahead defending champions Saudi Arabia, manager Shenaishil is ready to assume the favourites tag but admits that a different strategy will be needed to combat Vietnam’s strengths. 

Despite losing to Uzbekistan in their final Group D match, and it’s all in their calculation, they said, Vietnam head coach Hoang Anh Tuan was keen to stress that the result would have little significance in the quarter-final against Iraq.

Hoang made eight changes to the starting lineup against Uzbekistan and will surely field his best players against Iraq as Vietnam look to reach the semi-final stage for the second time in their history.

Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Van Tung are among those likely to play from the start, and Hoang is confident that his team can surprise Iraq.

More than a quarter-final

The tie is more significant than a quarter-final, as the winners will seal the ticket to the Olympic 2024 in Paris, while the defeats must go through a play-off against Guinea.

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AFC U23 Asian quarter-final results

Japan edged 10-man Qatar on extra-time

The young Blue Samurais needed extra time to seal their semi-final ticket after Qatar were short one player due to a first-half red card.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday, Mao Hosoya and Kotaro Uchino delivered two extra-time goals that shattered the home team’s hopes.

Hosoya’s precision strike slipped past substitute goalkeeper Ali Korayem, breaking Qatar’s resistance 11 minutes into extra-time. Uchino sealed the deal with a goal seven minutes before the final whistle, bringing Go Oiwa’s side one step closer to the championship.

U23 Japan got an early lead when Fuki Yamada scored in the second minute, but Ahmed Al Rawi levelled with a superb header 22 minutes later.

The quarter-final’s turning point occurred when Yousef Abdullah got sent off at the 41st-minute red card. However, the disadvantaged did not upset Qatar as they took the lead four minutes into the second half through Jassem Gaber.
But Seiji Kimura’s 67th-minute header restored parity.

At the same time, Hosoya and Uchino struck late to take their nation into the last four. The Japanese seek to maintain their qualifying record for every Olympic Games since 1996.

Indonesia is in the semi-finals for the first time ever!

History is made for the young Indonesian side, and it’s not for the fainted hearts!

Nine years after being thrashed by Korea in the qualifying match, which doomed Indonesia’s hopes of making their debutant in the AFC U23 Asian Cup, the revenge has now been accomplished.

Indonesia proved they could do much more than just being dark horses in the competition. They pulled off an 11-10 win on penalties against the same opponents to seal a historic semi-final place at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024.

Pratama Arhan’s decisive spot-kick in a marathon shootout after proceedings had ended 2-2 capped a hard-earned triumph for the tournament debutants, who were pegged back twice in regulation time despite playing with a one-man advantage from the 70th minute onwards.

For Hwang Sun-hong’s charges, who have made the last four on four out of the five previous editions – more than any other team – the defeat ended their hopes of making the Olympic Games for a 12th time.

One of the competition’s favourites and perennial powerhouses, Korea Republic were pressed back right from the start at the Abdullah Bin Khalifah Stadium and a superb first-half brace from Rafael Struick seemed to have set Indonesia up for a third consecutive win.

The Southeast Asian side took the surprisingly early lead with a superb goal from Struick in the 15th minute, who brought a loose ball under control on the edge of the box before curling a sublime effort into the top right corner as Korea Republic conceded for the first time at Qatar 2024.

South Korea needed late first-half luck to have the equalizer after Eom Ji-sung’s header had deflected off the unfortunate Komang Teguh and sneaked past Ernando Ari in the Indonesian goal for the equalizer. 21-year-old Struick got his brace late in the first half’s injury time to restore the lead for his side.

Indonesia came closer to adding a third after the break, as Pratama and Struick fired wide from promising positions, with Korea Republic still reeling.

Korea Republic were also not helped by the dismissal of half-time substitute Lee Young-jun – the competition’s joint-leading scorer – with 20 minutes of regulation time left, following a VAR review.

The 2020 champions showed their class as they scored the perfect breakaway goal in the 84th minute. Having committed too many bodies forward for a corner, Indonesia were caught out when Baek collected the ball and immediately launched it to Hong Yun-sang, who was already racing away in a two-on-two situation.

The midfielder then slipped the perfect pass to fellow substitute Jeong Sang-bin, who slotted the ball past Ernando to draw his side level for the second time.

With neither side able to find a third in extra time, the tie was decided via spot-kicks. After each player on the pitch had taken a penalty, Ernando pulled off his second save in the shootout to deny Lee and set the stage for Pratama to fire Indonesia to triumph.

That sent the Indonesian support in the partisan 9,105-strong crowd, who chanted head coach Shin Tae-yong’s name during the match, into delirium as their team’s dream run was extended.

It also marked a full-circle moment for Shin, who was at the helm of the Korean Republic team nine years ago and eventually led them to a runners-up finish at the 2016 edition.

If the 53-year-old can steer his current side past Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia in the last four to repeat that achievement, he will cement a brand new legacy in Indonesia.

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NADAL UNSURE OF FRENCH OPEN DESPITE PLAYING IN MADRID OPEN

Nadal said he remains unsure of showing up at the French Open despite the Spaniard penciled in to begin his Madrid Open campaign against Darwin Blanch.

The former world No.1 said the Madrid Open “meant a lot to me,” citing his reason to play despite still feeling pain from his injury.

“If I was in Paris today, I wouldn’t go out to play. I don’t think I’ll be able to play at 100%,” Nadal said on Wednesday.

“Without confusing anyone, I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next three weeks,” he added.

Nadal played in only three games in Brisbane in January and two in Barcelona last week due to injuries.

NADAL TO ENJOY 2024 SEASON, ATTEMPT FRENCH OPEN SWAN SONG

Nadal has said that 2024 may be his last season of playing professional tennis, so he is going to make the most of it.

“The goal is to be on court. Enjoy as long as possible. I mean, that’s the thing,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said.

(But) it’s important to be able to play for the last time in Madrid. It means a lot to me to play on this court where I’ve had some great moments,” Nadal said.

However, the 14-time French Open winner assured his fans that he would play at Roland Garros “if I feel capable enough to compete.”

“I’m going to Paris if I feel like I’m good enough. It’s about more body limitations,” he said.

RADUCANO DROPS OPENING MADRID OPEN MATCH TO CARLE

Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu dropped her opening Madrid Open match on Wednesday after losing to Argentina’s Maria Lourdes Carle, 2-6, 2-6.

Raducano was broken in the first game of the match and lost the first seven points of the match against Carle.

The 2021 US Open champion struggled as she was again broken by Carle in the second set.

Raducanu thus failed to carry the momentum of her four wins for Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup finals.

The win pushed Carle to advance against No.17 seed Veronika Kudermetova in the second round.

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SLOT GETS VAN DIJK NOD TO SUCCEED KLOPP AS REDS COACH

Slot gets the nod from van Dijk, who says the current Feyenoord manager “could be a Liverpool coach.”

“(But) I think Arne Slot might be one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment,” van Dijk told Viaplay.

“I think the way he plays and the philosophy he has that he could be a Liverpool coach. We will see. Next year we will focus on that,” he added.

Slot emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, sources told ESPN.

Liverpool recently opened talks with Feyenoord to strike a deal to land Slot.

SLOT LIVERPOOL’S STRONG CHOICE AFTER XABI STAYS AT BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Slot became Liverpool’s strong choice after Xabi Alonso decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

The Reds have cooled off in their interest in Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorin.

Meanwhile, Xavi Hernandez also decided to stay as Barcelona manager at the end of the season.

Liverpool hierarchy, led by chief executive officer Billy Hogan and former sporting director Michael Edwards, are convinced Slot fits the club’s criteria for the manager position.

Slot signed a new three-year contract with Feyenoord after rejecting advances from Premier League squads Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur last year.

Chelsea also expressed interest in the 45-year-old Dutchman at the time.

VAN DIJK DISAPPOINTED, URGES TEAMMATES TO ‘LOOK IN THE MIRROR’

Van Dijk, meanwhile, expressed disappointment with the team after Liverpool absorbed a 0-2 loss to Everton that hurt their Premier League title chances.

“I’m very disappointed in many ways. I think everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performance,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.

“It’s a tough one. We have to do much better against a side that’s playing against relegation,” he added.

The Reds captain cited the team’s need not to waste Liverpool’s opportunity to compete for the title.

“It sounds simple but it starts with the fight and starts with the will to win your challenges and be confident in scoring a goal,” van Dijk said.

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Pandya on dealing with mental health issues

Former Chennai Super Kings wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa said Pandya might be battling with his mental health.

The 30-year-old has received a lot of backlash from Indian fans, as MI continues to struggle in IPL 2024.

“The mocking, trolling, the memes about his fitness. You don’t think it hurts him? It hurts him. It hurts any human being,” he said on the Ranveer Show.

“How many people actually know the reality of it? Hardik is dealing with mental health issues, for sure. We, as people, I understand, as Indians, we are emotional. But it is not right to impose this kind of treatment on any human being. “

“It is unbecoming as a society for us to do that to someone and be okay with it. We should not be laughing along with it. We should not be forwarding these memes.”

“Fans need to be a little calm…”

Former Pakistan cricket team star pacer Wasim Akram said the hate towards the 30-year-old is alarming.

“This is the problem in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We never forget,” he said on Sportskeeda.

“We tell our kids that when Pandya’s kid is born, you have to remind him why he became captain 20 years ago.”

The Indians currently ranked seventh in the IPL standings.

Despite Pandya’s underwhelming performance this season, Akram pleaded the fans to tone down their criticisms.

“I think fans need to be a little calm. At the end of the day, he is your player. He plays for Mumbai Indians, and he is the one who can make you win. They still can qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. There is no point booing your own player. You can criticize a little bit, but move on,” he concluded.

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 Club Atletico Independiente, the team he now coaches, confirmed the development.

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Tevez suffered chest pain

The club said Teves, 40, will rejoin the team immediately on Thursday.

“Carlos Tevez has completed his medical tests and has been discharged,” the club said on X.

“He will return home to rest and will resume training tomorrow.”

Tevez, wh took charge of Independiente in August 2023, underwent examination at the Sanatorio La Trinidad in San Isidro on Wednesday morning.

He was released later the same day.

“Our coach, Carlos Tevez, went to the La Trinidad Hospital in San Isidro with chest pain,” the club said.

‘They carried out the corresponding tests and they were satisfactory.”

Argentine great

After spells with Boca Juniors and Corinthians, Tevez took of in the Premier League upon joining Manchester United on loan from West Ham United.

The seasoned striker won the Champions League twice and claimed two league titles with Man U.

Tevez then moved to Manchester City and secured one Premier League trophy.

He later signed with Juventus, where he snagged two Serie A championships.

The forward made 76 appearances for Argentina and represented his country at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup.

Tevez retired in 2022 and began his first managerial role with Primera Division side Rosario Central.

He then made a move to Independiente last summer.

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