分类： sports

South Africa’s cricket coach, Shukri Conrad, has hailed captain Temba Bavuma as one of the finest batters in the world, following his pivotal performance in the first Test against India at Eden Gardens. Bavuma’s unbeaten 55 on a challenging wicket in the second innings was instrumental in setting a modest target of 124 runs, which India failed to chase, being bowled out for 93. This victory marked South Africa’s first Test win in India since 2010. Conrad emphasized Bavuma’s exceptional consistency and leadership, noting that he has averaged 57.00 with the bat in his 11 Tests as captain, winning 10 and drawing one. The coach praised Bavuma’s ability to stick to his game plan, even when conditions were difficult, and highlighted the team’s resilience and unity as key factors in their success. The second and final Test of the series will commence in Guwahati on Saturday.

The Dubai Premier Padel P1 concluded its second edition with thrilling victories in both the women’s and men’s divisions. Claudia Fernandez and Bia Gonzalez clinched the women’s title, while Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello emerged as champions in the men’s category. The event, held at the Hamdan Sports Complex, showcased world-class padel action in a transformed Olympic-sized pool arena, accommodating 8,000 enthusiastic spectators. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, graced the finals, presenting medals and trophies to the winners. Ivan Modia, CEO of Gallop Global and Tournament Director, highlighted the event’s success, emphasizing Dubai’s growing reputation as a global hub for premier sporting events. The tournament, featuring top international stars, has set a new benchmark for padel in the MENA region and beyond, with plans already underway for next year’s edition.

Jannik Sinner capped off a remarkable season with a thrilling victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals in Turin, securing a straight-sets win of 7-6 (7/4), 7-5. The Italian tennis star, who earlier this year became the first Italian man to win Wimbledon, was cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd as he retained his ATP Finals title. This triumph marked the culmination of a year filled with highs and lows, including a three-month ban due to accidental contamination with a banned substance, which Sinner overcame to reclaim his place at the top of the sport. Reflecting on his season, Sinner expressed pride in his growth as a player, stating, ‘I feel to be a better player than last year… It’s all part of the process.’ The match against Alcaraz was a tightly contested battle, with the Spaniard lamenting missed opportunities, particularly with his backhand volleys. Sinner’s victory not only solidified his status as one of the world’s best but also served as a powerful emotional moment, bringing a challenging yet rewarding season to a close.

In a historic moment for Norwegian football, Erling Haaland led his team to a 4-1 victory over Italy, securing Norway’s first World Cup berth since 1998. Haaland’s brace, along with goals from Antonio Nusa and Jorgen Strand Larsen, sealed the win in Milan, marking an end to a 27-year wait for the global tournament. Meanwhile, Portugal dominated Armenia with a 9-1 triumph, booking their place in the 2026 World Cup, though Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation remains uncertain due to a potential suspension extension. Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves starred with hat-tricks, while Renato Veiga, Goncalo Ramos, and Francisco Conceicao also contributed to the emphatic victory. Ireland secured a playoff spot with a dramatic 3-2 win over Hungary, thanks to Troy Parrott’s late heroics. France, England, and Ukraine also confirmed their World Cup qualifications, with England completing a flawless qualifying campaign. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, promises to be a thrilling spectacle as teams prepare for the global stage.

In a significant development for the upcoming T20 tri-series in Pakistan, Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando have been ruled out due to illness. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Monday that Dasun Shanaka will take over the captaincy for the tournament, which also includes Zimbabwe. The team has called up top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake, who recently made his ODI debut in the third and final match against Pakistan, scoring 32 runs off 37 balls. Pakistan had earlier secured a dominant 3-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka in the ODI series. The tri-series, set to begin on Tuesday with Pakistan facing Zimbabwe, will see all three teams play each other twice, with the top two advancing to the final on November 29. All matches will be hosted in Rawalpindi. SLC confirmed that Asalanka and Fernando will return home to receive proper medical care and recover in time for future assignments. The series serves as crucial preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup, where Zimbabwe has secured a spot after missing the 2024 edition. The tour had initially been in jeopardy following a suicide bombing in Islamabad last week, which killed 12 people. However, SLC decided to proceed after receiving security assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board.