KARACHI: David Wiese’s brilliant all-round performance lifted Lahore Qalandars into its first Pakistan Super League final with a 25-run victory over Multan Sultans in Sunday’s eliminator.
Wiese made a blistering unbeaten 48 off 21 balls which propelled Lahore’s total to 182-6 after Multan skipper Shan Masood won the toss and chose to field.
Wiese, a South African fast bowler, grabbed 3-27 including the key wicket of Adam Lyth, who was out for 50. Wiese also took a brilliant overhead catch at long off to dismiss countryman Rilee Rossouw as Multan stumbled to 157 all out in 19.1 overs.
“(We were) fortunate to bat first so that we could sum up the conditions quickly,” Wiese said. “It wasn’t a pitch where we could blow them away so change of pace was important, but length was also important.”
The fifth edition of Pakistan’s premier Twenty20 tournament will see a new winner on Tuesday when Lahore takes on hosts Karachi Kings. Fast bowler Mohammad Amir lifted Karachi to its first Pakistan Super League final after his team beat Multan Sultans in a super over on Saturday.
“I know it’s going to be a massive game,” Wiese said. “Would have been awesome to have a packed house but everyone in Lahore is going to be supporting us. I think we’ve got one more push in us.”
The PSL playoffs had to be rescheduled with no fans after being postponed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lahore, which finished last in the previous four editions of PSL, knocked out 2017 champion Peshawar Zalmi in the first eliminator on Saturday before ending table-topping Multan’s dream of its first appearance in the final.
Veteran leg-spinner Shahid Afridi’s economical four-over spell of 2-18 had restricted Lahore to 115-5 in 15 overs on Sunday before Wiese cut loose. Samit Patel made 26 off 16 balls, but it was Wiese’s clean hitting that gave Lahore 67 runs in the last five overs.
Wiese smashed left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan for two sixes and two fours in the 19th over before smacking Sohail Tanvir for two sixes off the last two balls to provide a late flourish to Lahore’s innings.
Lyth provided Multan with a rollicking start of 47 for its first wicket off 26 balls, smashing Pakistan’s top fast bowler Shaheen Afridi for 26 runs off his first two overs. Lyth, who was dropped on 35 by Fakhar Zaman, fell to Wiese when Zaman made amends and caught the Yorkshireman at deep midwicket in the ninth over.
Ben Dunk (3) couldn’t show his batting prowess, but the Australian was impeccable behind the wicket and held onto four sharp catches as Multan lost its last eight wickets for just 55 runs.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf took 3-30, which included clean bowling Shahid Afridi with a brilliant yorker.
Lahore beats Multan by 25 runs to reach its first PSL final
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Lahore beats Multan by 25 runs to reach its first PSL final
- Fifth edition of Pakistan’s premier Twenty20 tournament will see a new winner on Tuesday
- PSL playoffs had to be rescheduled with no fans after being postponed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic
Al-Ittihad fans attain record-breaking attendance for Roshn Saudi League season
- Al-Ahli fans came in second with 354,019 attendees
- This year’s champions had their fans passing the half-a-million attendance mark
RIYADH: Al-Ittihad supporters have emerged as the most dedicated fans throughout the Roshn Saudi League 2024/2025 season with a total number of 594,326 attendees.
Al-Ahli fans came in second with 354,019 attendees, according to official data released on Wednesday via Saudi Pro League’s Arabic handle on X.
This year’s champions, Al-Ittihad, were the only club where fans passed the half-a-million attendance mark, out of a total number of 2.5 million supporters who attended the whole RSL.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal secured third place with 302,028 attendees while Al-Nassr ranked fourth with a total of 277,821attendees.
In a notable rise, newly promoted Al-Qadsiah, returning from the Yelo League (First Division), claimed fifth spot with 168,331 fans.
Rounding out the list were Al-Fateh in sixth, followed by Al-Ettifaq, Al-Shabab, Al-Taawoun, Damac, Al-Khaleej, Al-Raed, Al-Wehda, Al-Kholood, Al-Orobah, Al-Riyadh, Al-Okhdood and Al-Fayha.
Ex-Turkiye international Turan appointed Shakhtar boss
- Turan, 38, has signed a contract until 2027
- “I’m proud to have joined Shakhtar,” Turan said
ISTANBUL: Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk have announced former Turkiye midfielder Arda Turan as their new head coach, replacing Marino Pusic.
Turan, 38, has signed a contract until 2027 after taking unfancied Eyupspor to a sixth-place finish in the Turkish top flight.
Next season, 15-time Ukrainian champions Shakhtar will feature in the Europa League first qualifying round having won the domestic cup earlier this month.
“I’m proud to have joined Shakhtar — a great club with a rich history and great traditions,” Turan said in a Shakhtar statement.
“We are deeply motivated to win trophies — both in Ukraine and in European competitions.”
Shakhtar were forced to leave their home ground, the Donbass Arena in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, after Russian-backed separatists seized control of the region in 2014.
Their home league games take place in the western city of Lviv.
They held their Champions League games this term in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
Turan retired from playing in 2022 after spells with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray. He also won 100 caps for his country.
Top team to be crowned at ESL Saudi Challenge grand final
RIYADH: The ESL Saudi Challenge 2025 reaches a thrilling climax this Friday at VOV Gaming in Riyadh, where Saudi Arabia’s top Overwatch 2 teams are set to battle for regional supremacy and a place on the global stage.
The high-stakes tournament will see Team Vision take on Al-Qadsiah in a best-of-five showdown, with the winner advancing to face reigning champions Twisted Minds in a best-of-seven grand final.
With qualification for the Overwatch Champions Series and the Esports World Cup at stake, the event is being hailed as a defining moment for the Kingdom’s esports scene.
This year’s ESL Saudi Challenge is playing a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s evolving esports ecosystem. More than just a tournament, it serves as a direct pathway to international competition while highlighting the rising caliber of local talent.
Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the world’s leading esports and video game entertainment company, the tournament reflects the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to become a global gaming hub.
EFG was acquired in 2022 by Savvy Games Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, in a $1.5 billion deal aimed at accelerating the growth of esports in the region.
The ESL Saudi Challenge is a key pillar in that strategy, with EFG also serving as the main operating partner for the Esports World Cup over the next five years. The group’s involvement marks a long-term vision to build a world-class esports infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and provide new opportunities for players, fans and creators alike.
Viewers can tune in to the action live on ESL Arabia’s official channels across X, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. As anticipation builds for Friday’s final, the event promises not only elite-level Overwatch 2 gameplay, but a powerful statement of intent from a nation rapidly becoming a leader in global esports.
UAE U-21s enjoy success at 9th Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championships
- Team wins 10 medals on final day, making it 22 for the tournament
AMMAN: The UAE’s U-21s notched up 10 medals in their category on the final day of the 9th Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championships, bringing the team’s total for the competition to 22.
The Emirati athletes, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, gave outstanding performances across the event, winning three gold, two silver and five bronze medals.
The gold medalists were Mariam Al-Ali (45kg), Rashed Mohammed Al-Shehhi (56kg) and Ammar Al-Hosani (94kg).
Silvers went to Aysha Al-Shamsi (45kg) and Alanood Al-Harbi (48kg), with Alanood Al-Hosani (57kg), Rashid Al-Haimeini (+94kg), Saeed Al-Nuaimi (62kg), Ahmad Andeez (69kg) and Fahad Al-Hammadi (77kg) taking bronze.
Several dignitaries attended the event, including Hamad Al-Matrooshi, acting charge d’affaires at the UAE Embassy in Amman, and Khaled Al-Ali and Aisha Al-Shehhi, both members of the UAE diplomatic corps.
Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation board, said: “This achievement highlights the athletes’ technical maturity and mental focus, as well as their ability to succeed against top-level competitors across Asia. Our preparation included both local and international training camps focused on tactical and physical development — something that clearly paid off during the competition.”
Rashed Mohammed Al-Shehhi, who won gold in the 56kg division, said he was delighted take such a significant victory.
“The matches were not easy, especially the final, where I faced a highly skilled and experienced opponent. I relied on tactical discipline and exploited my opponent’s flaws at vital points. With the coaches’ instruction and the rigorous preparation, we underwent, I was able to impose my style and secure the victory,” he said.
Fellow gold medalist Mariam Al-Ali added the competition and diverse techniques had been challenging.
“I experienced various technical hurdles that needed me to constantly change my plan, but I was able to transition quickly between offense and defense and employ ground control efficiently,” she said.
“The technical assistance provided by our coaches prior to and throughout the event was critical in building my confidence. This gold medal is just the beginning; my dreams are expanding, and I’ll keep working hard to reach even higher levels.”
Pakistan and Bangladesh begin three-match T20I series
- 2009 world champions Pakistan have endured significant downturn in last 12 months, crashed out in first round of World Cup in 2024
- Bangladesh, ranked ninth, have won just four of last 12 T20Is, lost series against lower-ranked US last year and UAE earlier this month
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan are all set to take on Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series commencing from today, Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
The second T20I will be held on Friday, May 30, while the third and final T20I of the series is scheduled on June 1.
Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan, while Litton Das will captain Bangladesh. All three T20Is will be played at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium, which will host its first T20I series after going through a complete renovation earlier this year.
“The boys are doing well as a unit. A lot of our players are coming off strong performances in the HBL PSL X, which is one of the most competitive T20 tournaments in the world. That form and momentum are something we are hoping to carry into this series,” Agha was quoted as saying in a PCB statement.
“Bangladesh are a quality side with talented players and we are expecting a good challenge from them. I believe fans are in for some thrilling cricket over the next few days.”
Das, the Bangladesh captain, said his team was “focused and understands the challenge Pakistan poses, especially in their home conditions.”
“This series is a great opportunity for every player to step up. We are trying a few combinations in the build-up to the T20 World Cup next year and this tour is a valuable part of that process,” the PCB statement quoted Das as saying.
The 2009 world champions Pakistan have endured a significant downturn in the last 12 months and crashed out in the first round of the World Cup in 2024.
They have won only three of their last 13 T20Is, two against minnows Zimbabwe, and slumped to eighth in the T20I rankings.
With a new head coach in New Zealand’s Mike Hesson they are looking to younger players with the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka just eight months away.
Star batsmen Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, have all been axed.
Salman Agha will lead the side, having lost a series in New Zealand 4-1 two months ago.
Bangladesh, ranked ninth, are in the same boat.
They have won just four of their last 12 T20Is and lost series against lower-ranked United States (2024) and United Arab Emirates earlier this month.
They also have a new coach in West Indian Phil Simmons, who will be missing senior players including Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim, all either fully retired or from the T20Is.
Frontline fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman are nursing injuries while new pace sensation Nahid Rana withdrew from the tour over security fears following the cross-border conflict between India and Pakistan.
With inputs from AFP
