Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • The standard keeps getting better year on year: Simon Doull on DP World ILT20’s growth

    The standard keeps getting better year on year: Simon Doull on DP World ILT20’s growth

    Former New Zealand international cricketer and tournament commentator Simon Doull has praised the DP World ILT20 for its remarkable evolution into a premier global T20 competition while significantly advancing the development of UAE and regional cricket talent.

    Doull, who has been involved with the tournament since its inception, emphasized the noticeable year-on-year improvement in playing standards. ‘The overall quality has been exceptional and continues to elevate annually – this progression has particularly impressed me,’ Doull stated.

    The commentator highlighted the tournament’s transformative impact on local players, noting their accelerated development through exposure to high-level competition. ‘We’re witnessing local athletes being entrusted with more crucial roles, which represents a significant positive development this season,’ Doull observed. He specifically cited pacer Khuzaima Tanveer as a standout performer, describing him as possessing all the attributes for future international success with his impressive pace and strategic variations.

    Doull also recognized consistent performances from established players, mentioning Muhammad Waseem’s tournament-leading 335 runs and Sam Curran’s all-round contributions of 323 runs and seven wickets as particularly noteworthy.

    The tournament’s strategic scheduling within the global cricket calendar has proven advantageous according to Doull. ‘The current window has been crucial – it’s an ideal time for cricket and integrates perfectly into the international schedule,’ he commented, predicting continued improvement in coming seasons.

    Expansion initiatives have seen the inclusion of players from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, broadening the league’s regional development scope. Doull emphasized the importance of this regional inclusion: ‘The league initially focused on UAE player development but is now expanding its regional growth mandate. The opportunity for emerging talents to train alongside established international stars provides invaluable learning experiences.’

    The DP World ILT20 Player Development Initiative brought seven African cricketers into franchise environments this season, potentially creating ripple effects across the continent’s cricket ecosystem. Doull stressed the importance of knowledge transfer: ‘Young players gain tremendously from networking with international-caliber athletes like Kieron Pollard and Jason Roy – these interactions create learning opportunities that extend beyond individual development.’

    Contrary to early predictions about spin bowling’s decline in T20 cricket, Doull noted the continued relevance of wrist spin, with Dubai Capitals’ Waqar Salamkheil emerging as tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps. ‘Every franchise actively seeks quality wrist spin options, and these venue dimensions perfectly suit its effective utilization,’ Doull remarked.

    Addressing batting trends, Doull emphasized situational awareness over pure strike rates: ‘Context determines approach – first innings require aggressive scoring while successful run chases justify more measured batting strategies.’

  • Khawaja to retire after fifth Ashes Test

    Khawaja to retire after fifth Ashes Test

    Australian cricket stalwart Usman Khawaja has declared his retirement from international cricket, with his final appearance set for the fifth Ashes Test against England at Sydney Cricket Ground. The 39-year-old opener will conclude his distinguished career on the same venue where he debuted fifteen years ago against the same opposition in January 2011.

    Khawaja, who emigrated from Pakistan, made history as the first Muslim to represent Australia in Test cricket when he replaced legendary batsman Ricky Ponting during England’s 3-1 series victory in 2011. Throughout his 88-Test career, the left-handed batsman has amassed 6,206 runs at an impressive average of 43.39, including 16 centuries.

    His career highlights include participation in six Ashes series with two victories, two defeats, and two drawn campaigns. Khawaja was also instrumental in Australia’s 2023 World Test Championship triumph. Currently needing just 30 runs in his final match, he is poised to surpass Mike Hussey for 14th position on Australia’s all-time run-scorers list, trailing only the legendary Donald Bradman in 13th place.

    Despite recent challenges including back spasms that affected his performance in the current series, Khawaja demonstrated resilience with critical innings of 82 and 40 in Adelaide during the fourth Test. His career also includes 40 ODI appearances with 1,554 runs at 42.00 average and nine T20 internationals.

    The Sydney Test marks not only his international farewell but also a homecoming to the ground where he began his professional career with New South Wales in 2008. Australia currently leads the series 3-1 as they prepare for their final Test match until August, by which time Khawaja will approach his 40th birthday.

  • Meydan rings in 2026 with classy Carnival card as Dubai World Cup pathways intensify

    Meydan rings in 2026 with classy Carnival card as Dubai World Cup pathways intensify

    Meydan Racecourse inaugurated the 2026 sporting calendar with a prestigious eight-race Dubai Racing Carnival program on Friday, marking a pivotal moment in the buildup to the 30th anniversary Dubai World Cup in March. The event, featuring over AED 3.2 million in prize money, showcased elite Thoroughbred talent and served as a critical proving ground for international connections targeting the sport’s richest night.

    The program spotlighted two major Group contests offering early-season form insights. The Group 2 Zabeel Mile (1600m, AED 1.5 million) emerged as a key indicator for milers aspiring toward the Godolphin Mile. Trainer Charlie Appleby—seeking a record-extending seventh victory—pitted Aomori City against formidable rivals including Audience (Lockinge Stakes winner) and Quddwah (representing Simon and Ed Crisford’s stable).

    Simultaneously, the Dubawi Stakes (1200m dirt) provided a crucial trial for the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Despite the absence of dual winner Tuz, the sprint featured compelling narratives: El Nasseeb (Oasis Stables) arrived with Listed race credentials, while Mufasa’s trainer Bhupat Seemar touted his colt as ‘the next Tuz.’ Veteran campaigner Dark Saffron also returned seeking redemption after gate-related setbacks.

    Supplementary races enriched the card with developmental storylines. The UAE Guineas Trial featured unbeaten Lino Padrino testing his classic potential, while the Zoho Handicap (2810m) introduced stayers like Burdett Road launching Middle Eastern campaigns. Competitive handicaps featuring Arabie and Twilight Calls completed a strategically diverse program emphasizing speed, stamina, and emerging talent.

    Supported by partnerships with the Jockey Club, France Galop, and Churchill Downs, this Carnival meeting demonstrated Meydan’s growing influence in global racing circuits. The event provided owners and trainers with actionable intelligence for refining World Cup preparations, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a winter racing destination of unparalleled quality and opportunity.

  • Government suspends Gabon team and bans Aubameyang

    Government suspends Gabon team and bans Aubameyang

    In a drastic response to a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign, the Gabonese government has officially suspended its entire national football team. The decision, announced by Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula, includes the immediate dismissal of head coach Thierry Mouyouma and imposes bans on two key players: veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga and star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

    The disciplinary action follows Gabon’s premature exit from the tournament held in Morocco, where the team finished at the bottom of their group. Their campaign concluded with a 3-2 defeat to Ivory Coast on December 31st, despite initially holding a two-goal lead. Earlier losses to Cameroon and Mozambique had already sealed their fate before the final match.

    Minister Mamboula characterized the team’s overall performance as ‘disgraceful,’ justifying the government’s severe measures. The suspension of the national side remains in effect indefinitely pending further review.

    Aubameyang, Gabon’s all-time leading scorer with 40 international goals, was notably absent from the final match due to a thigh injury that required treatment back at his club, Marseille. The former Arsenal and Chelsea forward responded to the sanctions by suggesting the team’s issues extend far beyond his individual contributions.

    This move marks a return to a previously common practice in African football, where governments would dissolve national teams following poor results. However, such direct interference has become less frequent in recent years due to FIFA’s stricter regulations regarding political intervention in football matters. Coach Mouyouma’s tenure, which lasted just over two years, has now been abruptly terminated.

  • Threatening, durable, learning – what makes Starc elite?

    Threatening, durable, learning – what makes Starc elite?

    Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has etched his name into cricket’s history books during the 2025-26 Ashes series, establishing himself as the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket history. The 35-year-old speedster has been England’s primary tormentor throughout the current campaign, claiming 26 wickets at a remarkable average of 17.42.

    Starc’s historic achievement came when he surpassed Pakistani legend Wasim Akram on the all-time Test wicket-takers list, joining an elite group of bowling greats. His consistent performance has been instrumental in Australia’s Ashes campaign, where he has stepped up significantly in the absence of other vaunted pace colleagues.

    The veteran bowler’s durability has been equally impressive, featuring in 27 consecutive Australian Test matches and missing just four of the past 56. This remarkable fitness streak defies his early career challenges when then-coach Tim Nielsen urged the young Starc to ‘harden up’ and push through physical limitations.

    Former England batter Dawid Malan provided insight into facing Starc’s bowling: ‘I always felt like I was in against him until he’d bowl an absolute jaffa and you’d just be walking back. He has just always got that wicket-taking ball.’

    Starc’s evolution as a bowler has been key to his longevity. After being dropped during the 2019 Ashes tour, he developed the wobble seam delivery by studying English veterans Stuart Broad and James Anderson. Since adding this weapon to his arsenal, no bowler worldwide has taken more than Starc’s 118 Test wickets since the start of the 2023 series.

    Former Australian pace bowler Jason Gillespie praised Starc’s adaptability: ‘Mitchell Starc just shows you can teach an old job new tricks. For a player aged 34 or 35 to stride and get better to improve is fantastic.’

    With four more wickets in the upcoming Sydney Test, Starc would achieve the best Ashes series haul since Mitchell Johnson’s dominant performance 12 years ago. Australian coach Andrew McDonald has even suggested the 37-year-old Starc could tour England for the 2027 Ashes, potentially joining the exclusive club of pace bowlers with 500 Test wickets.

  • Brazil legend Roberto Carlos recovering in hospital

    Brazil legend Roberto Carlos recovering in hospital

    Brazilian football icon Roberto Carlos has provided a positive health update following a planned medical intervention, directly addressing circulating concerns about his condition. The 52-year-old Real Madrid legend took to his official Instagram account to share reassuring news alongside a photograph showing him in good spirits from his hospital bed.

    The former left-back specifically refuted rumors suggesting he had experienced a cardiac emergency, stating: “I would like to clarify recent information that has been circulating. I recently underwent a preventative medical procedure, planned in advance with my medical team. The procedure was successful, and I am well. I did not suffer a heart attack.”

    Carlos emphasized his smooth recovery process, expressing optimism about returning to his professional and personal commitments promptly. He extended heartfelt gratitude to his medical team for their exceptional care and thanked supporters worldwide for their overwhelming messages of concern and encouragement.

    The football legend enjoys an illustrious career legacy, having made 527 appearances for Real Madrid where he secured four La Liga championships and three Champions League titles. His international achievements include winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup with the Brazilian national team, where he remains the third most-capped player in the country’s history behind only Neymar and Cafu.

    Renowned for his extraordinary free-kick expertise, Carlos’s distinguished club career also featured successful periods with Palmeiras, Inter Milan, Fenerbahce, and Corinthians, cementing his status as one of football’s most celebrated defenders.

  • Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital after Nigeria car crash

    Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital after Nigeria car crash

    British heavyweight boxing icon Anthony Joshua has been released from medical care in Nigeria following a devastating road accident that resulted in the deaths of two integral members of his personal team. The 36-year-old former world champion, described as ‘heavy hearted’ by officials, is now set to continue his recovery privately after being cleared by physicians.

    The tragic incident occurred Monday on a major expressway in Ogun State, near Lagos, when the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua as a passenger suffered a tire blowout before colliding with a stationary truck. The crash claimed the lives of Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both longstanding members of Joshua’s inner circle who had traveled with him to Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19th.

    Ghami served as Joshua’s dedicated sport and exercise rehabilitation coach for over a decade, while Ayodele was another trusted confidant within the boxer’s close-knit team. Following his hospital discharge Wednesday, Joshua visited the funeral home where preparations were underway to repatriate his friends’ remains to their families.

    The boxing world has united in grief, with promoter Eddie Hearn posting an emotional tribute on Instagram: ‘Rest in peace Latz and Sina. Your energy and loyalty among so many other great qualities will be deeply missed.’ Retired cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew expressed similar sentiments on social media, noting ‘there is no pain in life worse than grief.’

    Ogun State police confirm investigations remain ongoing and discreet, with preliminary findings from the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency indicating mechanical failure preceded the collision. The boxing community, including champions Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, has flooded social media with support for Joshua and the families affected by this profound tragedy.

  • Nico Ali Walsh on extending the Muhammad Ali legacy while carving his own path

    Nico Ali Walsh on extending the Muhammad Ali legacy while carving his own path

    In the world of professional boxing, Nico Ali Walsh carries one of sport’s most legendary surnames while deliberately carving a distinct path of his own. The grandson of Muhammad Ali has emerged not merely as an inheritor of boxing royalty but as a disciplined athlete crafting his legacy through measured dedication and personal conviction.

    Nico’s connection to the Ali legacy runs deep yet remains profoundly personal. As the elder son of Rasheda Ali (Muhammad Ali’s third child), he represents one of the few remaining members of the Ali family still competing professionally. His childhood memories revolve around simple family moments rather than global fame. “As a child I mostly remember sitting on my Grandfather’s lap,” Nico reflects. “I didn’t really know who he was at that time. For me, he’s just my grandfather. For everyone else, he’s the greatest boxer ever.”

    Since turning professional in August 2021, five years after his grandfather’s passing, Nico has navigated the inevitable comparisons with remarkable poise. His approach combines reverence for his heritage with a clear-eyed focus on his own development. He wears boxing trunks inspired by Ali’s iconic style and has fought under boxing’s brightest lights, including Madison Square Garden, yet maintains a disciplined lifestyle that prioritizes training over celebrity.

    “At the level I want to reach, you can’t have much of a normal social life,” Nico states. His regimen excludes nightlife, drinking, and distractions, centered instead on training, prayer, and recovery. This discipline has yielded a professional record of 12 wins, two losses, and one draw with five knockouts—a steady progression built on substance rather than spectacle.

    Interestingly, while acknowledging his grandfather’s influence, Nico identifies contemporary champion Terence Crawford as his primary boxing inspiration. Crawford’s technical brilliance, calm ring intelligence, and disciplined lifestyle resonate with Nico’s own approach. “What separates us is just time and experience,” Nico notes. “Crawford is ideal for me to emulate because he doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t party. He’s with his family. I’m the same way.”

    Nico’s perspective on modern boxing reflects both tradition and pragmatism. He believes boxing is currently thriving, dismissing concerns about competition from MMA. Regarding YouTube-era boxers like Jake Paul, he maintains a measured view: “Fights like him vs. Mike Tyson are disrespectful to boxing. And he knows it. I’d rather he fight regular guys.”

    As a Muslim athlete, fighting in the Middle East holds special significance for Nico. Following his dominant six-round victory over Dubai-based Ugandan boxer Jeremiah Sserwadda, he expressed particular interest in competing throughout the region: “I love fighting in Muslim countries. I’d like to fight all over the region—Dubai, Qatar, Riyadh, everywhere.”

    Observers might occasionally glimpse echoes of Muhammad Ali’s style in Nico’s footwork or combinations, but his journey represents evolution rather than imitation. He acknowledges the weight of expectation while focusing on his own goals: “I’m creating my own legacy while extending his, and I want to make him proud someday.” Through discipline, faith, and quiet determination, Nico Ali Walsh is writing his own chapter in boxing history—one measured round at a time.

  • ‘He fought for everyone’s cause’: Rasheda Ali on the selfless legacy of Muhammad Ali

    ‘He fought for everyone’s cause’: Rasheda Ali on the selfless legacy of Muhammad Ali

    In a poignant interview with Khaleej Times, Rasheda Ali Walsh, daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, offered intimate insights into her father’s multifaceted legacy that extended far beyond athletic achievement. Visiting Dubai with her professional boxer son Nico Ali Walsh and husband Robert Walsh, Ali reflected on the humanitarian principles that defined her father’s life.

    As a published author, public speaker, and Parkinson’s awareness advocate (the condition that ultimately claimed her father’s life), Rasheda serves as patron of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Centre. She described her father as someone who ‘transcended boxing’ and never separated his beliefs from his actions, demonstrating remarkable consistency between principle and practice.

    The conversation highlighted Ali’s historic refusal of military draft during the Vietnam War due to moral convictions—a decision that cost him his heavyweight title, resulted in a three-year boxing ban, and initially brought draft evasion charges. Rasheda characterized this stance as potentially ‘career suicide’ that defied his handlers’ advice, yet ultimately inspired countless individuals through his unwavering commitment to religious and ethical principles.

    Beyond his activist legacy, Muhammad Ali revolutionized boxing’s popularity, becoming what his daughter described as ‘the first self-promoter’ who attracted women, children, and non-traditional audiences to the sport. His charismatic appeal combined with social consciousness created a unique cultural impact that transformed how athletes engage with societal issues.

    The Dubai setting held special significance for the family, as Muhammad Ali had established meaningful relationships there during his 1970 visit, shortly before Rasheda’s birth. Now witnessing her son continue the boxing tradition in the UAE, Rasheda acknowledged the region’s growing importance in combat sports while reflecting on how her father’s values continue to resonate across generations and geographies.

  • ‘Sincaraz’ set to dominate as 2026 tennis season kicks off

    ‘Sincaraz’ set to dominate as 2026 tennis season kicks off

    The global tennis circuit is poised for a transformative year as the 2026 season commences, with the formidable duo of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz—colloquially dubbed ‘Sincaraz’—expected to maintain their commanding presence at the pinnacle of the sport. Their inaugural confrontation is scheduled for an exhibition match in South Korea on January 10, serving as their sole preparatory event ahead of the Australian Open commencing just eight days later.

    This season’s opening unfolds with the United Cup, a mixed-team championship hosted in Perth and Sydney, featuring prominent contenders including women’s world number two Iga Swiatek and men’s world number three Alexander Zverev. Meanwhile, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, pursuing her third Melbourne Park title, initiates her campaign at the Brisbane International amidst a competitive field that includes reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys and fourth-ranked Amanda Anisimova.

    The compelling rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner reached a crescendo in the previous season. Although the Spanish sensation Alcaraz clinched the year-end world number one ranking, Sinner countered by successfully defending his ATP Finals title. Sinner’s remarkable 2025 season featured an impressive 58-6 win-loss record, including a successful Australian Open title defense and a groundbreaking victory at Wimbledon. Alcaraz mirrored this dominance with a 71-9 record, capturing both the French Open and US Open championships.

    Notably, Novak Djokovic approaches what may constitute his final professional season, still pursuing an unprecedented 25th major title at age 38. The Serbian champion has acknowledged the increasing challenge of surpassing either Sinner or Alcaraz in best-of-five Grand Slam encounters, with these two young stars having shared the last eight major titles between them.

    The women’s tour similarly promises intense competition, with Sabalenka entering as the undisputed world number one following her second US Open triumph. Despite her favored status for a third Australian Open victory, she anticipates formidable challenges from Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina. The United Cup will additionally feature four-time major champion Naomi Osaka making her debut appearance in the tournament while representing Japan.