Saudi Arabia impress with the bat in Quadrangular series but lose out to brilliance of Virandeep Singh

Saudi Arabia’s senior men’s cricket team have had a busy three days in the Malaysia Quadrangular Series in Kuala Lumpur. (X/@cricketsaudi)
Saudi Arabia’s senior men’s cricket team have had a busy three days in the Malaysia Quadrangular Series in Kuala Lumpur. (X/@cricketsaudi)
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Updated 26 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia impress with the bat in Quadrangular series but lose out to brilliance of Virandeep Singh

Saudi Arabia impress with the bat in Quadrangular series but lose out to brilliance of Virandeep Singh
  • Openers Abdul Waheed and Faisal Khan, who have each struck a T20I century for Saudi Arabia, gave the team a flying start against Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia’s senior men’s cricket team have had a busy three days in the Malaysia Quadrangular Series in Kuala Lumpur. They comfortably beat Thailand and Singapore before being involved in a gripping contest against Malaysia, the highest ranked team in the tournament.

The Saudi batting did not quite fire in the first match against Thailand but the lower order kept going strongly so that they reached a total of 156. This was far too much for Thailand, who were bowled out for 90 as Hisham Shaikh took four for 15 and Zain Ul-Abidin three for 13, seven wickets falling for only 20 runs.

Openers Abdul Waheed and Faisal Khan, who have each struck a T20I century for Saudi Arabia, gave the team a flying start against Singapore. Each batter hit three sixes and shared an exhilarating opening partnership of 98 in just 8.3 overs. Waheed made 55 in 34 balls and Faisal 62 from 28 balls in a brutal display of boundary hitting.

The innings tailed off to 178 for eight in 20 overs but Singapore soon collapsed to 33 for eight. Usman Khalid claimed three for 13 and Saudi Arabia won by 96 runs. Malaysia had also won their opening two matches by convincing margins so Saturday’s contest between two unbeaten teams was eagerly anticipated. It did not disappoint in any way.

Saudi Arabia were again given a flying start by their two powerful openers as Abdul Waheed and Faisal Khan shared a stand of 84 in 7.3 overs. After the latter was dismissed for 48 from 25 balls, Waheed went on to reach 82 from 52 balls. A total of 182 for seven did not quite make the most of the electric start, though it set up a competitive chase.

Ghayour Ahmed’s first over in international cricket went for 21 runs, Malaysia rushing to 65 for one after the first six overs. The run-rate was checked in the middle overs, captain Waji Ul-Hassan claiming two wickets to keep Saudi Arabia just ahead. Batter number three, Virandeep Singh, is a quality batsman and he paced his innings to perfection.

Thirty runs were still needed from the last two overs. Aided by a no ball, which he hit for six over mid-wicket, Singh scored all the necessary runs and Malaysia gained victory by five wickets with a ball to spare.

Saudi Arabia had largely been beaten by one man as Virandeep Singh had earlier taken four for 26 to keep the Saudi total under 200. His final 30-run flourish with the bat took him to an unbeaten 93 from 57 balls, containing eight fours and four sixes.

Now, there will be a second round of matches, so Saudi Arabia will face Malaysia in one more league match. On current form, they look likely to meet again in the final, so everybody following this series should be in for a cricketing treat in the coming days.


‘I want to be the best’: Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah

‘I want to be the best’: Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah
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‘I want to be the best’: Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah

‘I want to be the best’: Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah
  • The 32-year-old faces Brazil’s Shamara Braga in a women’s featherweight showcase bout at Onyx Arena on May 9

JEDDAH: Undefeated Kuwaiti mixed martial arts standout Eman Almudhaf is determined to be victorious in her long-awaited SmartCage debut at PFL MENA 1 on May 9 at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah.

The card for the PFL MENA’s highly-anticipated second season in Jeddah features an exciting crop of newcomers, which includes Almudhaf, who faces fellow PFL debutant Shamara Braga from Brazil in a women’s featherweight showcase bout.

The 32-year-old Almudhaf owns a pristine 4-0 professional MMA record, with all her wins coming by way of stoppage.

Ahead of her maiden appearance, the UAE Warriors veteran has made her goals clear: “I want to be the best.”

While it may sound like a lofty goal, it is one that Almudhaf expects out of herself, especially since she has already made history as the first female fighter from Kuwait to join the PFL.

More than just the distinction of being the first, Almudhaf is proud to be blazing a path for athletes like herself. “Being the first Kuwaiti female fighter in the PFL is great, of course.

“We’re showing that we belong in this sport at the highest level, just as much as anyone,” she said.

Almudhaf relishes the opportunity, especially since she was a witness to PFL MENA’s immensely successful first season.

“I did follow some of the fights, especially when the Kuwaiti fighters were on. I did follow last season’s finals as well,” she revealed. “I’m impressed by the level of talent and how fast the league is growing.”

“I’m very excited to be part of the biggest show in the Middle East right now,” she added.

In her first assignment under the PFL MENA banner, Almudhaf will take on a dangerous and significantly more experienced fighter in Braga, who owns a 5-3 professional record.

While her opponent has had more fights, Almudhaf is unfazed.

“My opponent looks tough and has double the cage experience I have, but technically and tactically, I believe that I’m better in all aspects of the game,” she said.

“I predict a dominant performance.”

Almudhaf will not have the luxury of a full fight camp for her PFL debut, but she is confident that her years of work have prepared her well for this opportunity.

“Though it was a relatively short-notice fight, I have always been training and staying ready for any opportunity that comes,” she explained. “I can’t wait to show all the work I’ve put in, not just for this fight but from all my years of training.”

While Almudhaf hails from Kuwait, she sharpens her skills in the UK, training out of the famed London Fight Factory and Great Britain Top Team stables.

“I’m incredibly proud to represent Kuwait and the MENA region, as well as both my teams in the UK, London Fight Factory and Great Britain Top Team,” she shared.

Almudhaf hopes she can become an inspiration for another generation of Kuwaiti athletes. “If I had any advice, it would be to stay focused, work hard, and don’t let anyone limit you.”

She added: “Yes, of course, there are many challenges, different ones at each stage of my career, but I believe that having the belief in myself, a big passion for the sport, and a strong team around me helps me face any obstacle along the way.”


Lewandowski back to Barcelona squad for 2nd leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League

Lewandowski back to Barcelona squad for 2nd leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League
Updated 5 min 50 sec ago
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Lewandowski back to Barcelona squad for 2nd leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League

Lewandowski back to Barcelona squad for 2nd leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League
  • The striker missed four games, including last week’s thrilling first leg against Inter in Barcelona, when the teams drew 3-3
  • The 36-year-old Lewandowski is having one of his best seasons with Barcelona, having scored 40 goals

BARCELONA: Barcelona is getting a boost in attack with the return of Robert Lewandowski ahead of Tuesday’s second leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Lewandowski was included in the squad on Monday after being sidelined for about two weeks because of a left thigh injury.
The striker missed four games, including last week’s thrilling first leg against Inter in Barcelona, when the teams drew 3-3.
The Polish striker was injured in a Spanish league match against Celta Vigo on April 19.
“After two weeks working on his recovery and training with the squad on Sunday, he has been given the all clear to return to action,” Barcelona said.
The 36-year-old Lewandowski is having one of his best seasons with Barcelona, having scored 40 goals in total, including 11 in the Champions League. He leads the Spanish league with 25 goals, one more than Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick rested nearly all of his regular starters in the team’s 2-1 win at Valladolid in the Spanish league on Saturday. With four games each remaining, Barcelona has a four-point lead over Madrid ahead of next Sunday’s “clasico” between the rival teams.


DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea

DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea
Updated 05 May 2025
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DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea

DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea
  • 6-under 66 by the American helped secure the individual and team titles in Incheon

INCHEON: Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau finally converted a 36-hole lead into a LIV Golf victory on Sunday but his teammate Charles Howell III did not make it easy for him.

DeChambeau countered Howell’s final-round nine-under 63 with a six-under 66 in a spirited back-nine final-group duel to win the individual title by two shots at LIV Golf Korea presented by Coupang Play.

His Crushers made it a sweep of the trophies at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea by rallying past Smash GC to win the team title.

“Charles and I had a great battle out there,” said DeChambeau, who finished at 19 under. “He never wavered today. It was fun and we had a great time today, but it was intense. Super-intense.”

The individual victory is DeChambeau’s third in LIV Golf, but his first since 2023 — and his first after entering the final round with the lead.

Recent Sundays have ended in disappointment, both in the previous two LIV Golf events in Miami and Mexico City in which DeChambeau led after 36 holes, as well as last month’s Masters in which he led with 16 holes left.

He entered Sunday with a healthy four-shot lead, but Howell — starting the day five back — opened with three consecutive birdies and was four under at the turn. Meanwhile, DeChambeau suffered his only bogey of the week at the par-four sixth and made the turn at even par, his lead reduced to one.

While other players sought to make some noise — 4Aces GC’s Thomas Pieters birdied five of his first six holes while Smash’s Talor Gooch finished strong — the individual title eventually came down to the two Crushers teammates and close friends.

Both turned up the heat on the back nine, with DeChambeau making birdies on four of his next six holes while Howell strung together five consecutive birdies. With three holes remaining, the two were tied at 17 under.

But Howell suffered his only bogey of the day after his tee shot found a fairway bunker at the 16th. DeChambeau followed by creating breathing room at the 17th, rolling in a 15-meter birdie putt before letting out a roar and pumping his fists.

DeChambeau then managed to stay out of trouble — barely — with his tee shot at the par-five 18th, ending the round with a birdie and a big sigh of relief.

“I feel like I’ve been playing some great golf, but I just haven’t gotten the job done,” DeChambeau said.

“That was a lot of tension. Just glad I was able to step up to the plate and get it done. … I was personally pretty nervous on the front nine for whatever reason. … Finally on 17, the bubble burst and I felt really good.”

For Howell, the performance confirms he is back from the stress fracture in his left tibia that knocked him out of action for three months in the middle of last season. The solo second is his first podium result since winning in Mayakoba to start the 2023 season.

“I knew today would be a tough day to catch Bryson and even to try to beat him, but I gave it my best,” Howell said. “I definitely would’ve thought nine-under would have done it, and clearly it didn’t.”

“Any time you shoot nine-under par in the last group, and you still don’t win, it’s a tough day,” he added.


Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 05 May 2025
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Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Last day of action at Mubadala Arena saw Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club securing second place and Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club finishing third

ABU DHABI: The third round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi with Baniyas Club taking first place.

Competitions for the U-12 and kids categories also saw Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club securing second place and Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club finishing third.

Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The continued support of the wise leadership for jiu-jitsu reflects its belief in the sport’s importance in promoting physical and mental well-being and instilling noble values. This plays a key role in building a cohesive society where sport is an essential pillar of sustainable development and global leadership.”

Meanwhile, Ahmed Saeed Al-Jarwan, president of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club, praised the high level of organization and wide participation in the event, highlighting the growing popularity of jiu-jitsu in the UAE.

The championship’s fourth round is scheduled for June.


Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
Updated 05 May 2025
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Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
  • Born in Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold rose through the youth ranks to become one of the best right backs in the world

LIVERPOOL: England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool, the club he has been at since the age of six, he said on social media platform X on Monday, calling it the hardest decision of his life.
Born in Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold rose through the youth ranks to become one of the best right backs in the world, winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup with the English team.
“This club has been my whole life – my whole world — for 20 years,” Alexander-Arnold said in his statement. “From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
“But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.”
The 26-year-old England international frequently played in a hybrid midfield role for Liverpool in recent seasons, operating as a full back when out of possession but moving into midfield during attacks.