Miami, June 24 (IANS) Inter Miami and Palmeiras shared the spoils in a back-and-forth affair on Tuesday (IST) and 1-1 draw saw both sides qualify for the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.Palmeiras snatched away what would have been a perfect early birthday gift for Lionel Messi. Inter Miami CF led the final Group A match for 79 minutes before the Brazilians struck twice in quick succession to secure first place in Group A.The Herons took the lead against the run of play after Luis Suarez knocked down a long ball at midfield for an onrushing Tadeo Allende. The young Argentinian sprinted clear of Palmeiras’ defenders and coolly finished past Weverton.Suarez then turned the clock back in the second half, slithering past multiple defenders before firing home with his left to double Inter Miami’s advantage.But with ten minutes to go, substitutes Paulinho and Allan combined with the latter finding the former breaking into the penalty area. Paulinho slotted home in front of the Palmeiras faithful, setting up a nervy final stanza.With time winding down Palmeiras fired a ball into the box which was poorly cleared and fell perfectly to substitute Mauricio who lashed home from the edge of the box, sending the traveling fans into delirium.“It was a great game from us, it’s difficult to play against one of the best teams in South America. Maybe at the end we had the game in our hands so the feeling is strange but before the start of the tournament if someone told me we were going to have this kind of performance against these kind of teams I would have signed it.”It’s a historic night for the MLS because we are into the best 16 teams in the world and all the MLS have to be proud of Inter Miami,” said Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami head coach.Inter Miami will face Group B winners and European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta on Sunday. Palmeiras will take on fellow Brazilian side and CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champion Botafogo on Saturday in Philadelphia.–IANSbc/

Barbados, June 24 (IANS) Captain Hayley Matthew showed her class with an excellent individual performance in the decider as the West Indies broke a 12-year drought with a series-clinching six-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20I at Cave Hill.
Matthews (65 off 50) scored a superb half-century to pace the West Indies’ run chase, with Shemaine Campbelle (42 off 38) proving to be the perfect partner, as the Caribbean side chased down South Africa’s total of 147/6 with nine deliveries remaining.It helped the West Indies register a 2-1 series triumph over the Proteas, which was the first time they had defeated South Africa in a bilateral T20I series since the start of 2013, ICC reports.After winning the toss and choosing to bat, South Africa were led by a maiden T20 half century by Miane Smith, which helped them to post a respectable 147 for six in their 20 overs.But Matthews was in fine touch in reply as she hit nine fours and one massive six to put the West Indies within touch of victory.Matthews fell to Sune Luus for 65 in the 16th over to give South Africa some hope, only for Chinelle Henry (20 not out) to show her experience and guide the hosts home.While disappointed to lose the series, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt said there were plenty of positives for her side to take from the tour of the West Indies.“Disappointed about today’s result, of course, particularly as I thought we had enough runs. But we didn’t get our bowling lines right – they scored too many runs square of the wicket and we got a few small things wrong.”But Hayley played so well, it’s difficult to get her out. Overall on the tour I thought we unearthed some good young talent who put their hands up and made a good contribution to the team,” Wolvaardt said.–IANSbc/

Seattle, June 24 (IANS) Paris Saint-Germain cruised to a 2-0 victory past Seattle Sounders FC to book their place in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Goals in each half from Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi secured maximum points for the European champions, who have progressed as Group B winners ahead of second-placed Botafogo.The Brazilians lost 1-0 to Atletico de Madrid in Monday’s other fixture in the section, but still qualified ahead of Diego Simeone’s team on goal difference. Seattle exit the competition having lost all three of their fixtures.Luis Enrique’s men controlled the game from the off, possessing the ball in Seattle’s defensive half. The game didn’t truly come alive until, against the run of play, the Sounders’ high press forced an error from Gianluigi Donnarumma. The ball fell to Sounders striker Jesus Ferreira, but the Colombian-born forward fired wide, FIFA reports.After that, PSG battened down the hatches. They controlled the pitch from back to front and slowly squeezed the resistance out of the valiant home side.PSG finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute through a fortuitous deflection off Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian’s back redirected a misguided shot from Vitinha, pushing the ball past Sounders’ keeper Sebastian Frei. After the goal, the game began to open up, with both sides looking to press for a goal before the break.In the second half, PSG returned to the ascendancy, maintaining the ball and creating half chances in the early minutes.After a spell in defence, Zaire-Emery collected the ball in midfield and hit a curling ball into the path of Barcola on the left-wing. Barcola took on his defender at speed and, upon entering the box, squared the ball to an onrushing Hakimi on the far side.The Moroccan international easily slotted home to make it 2-0 for the Parisians.Sebastian Frei did his best to keep the scoreline respectable, making several key saves in the dying minutes.PSG returns to action on Sunday, when they will face the runners-up in Group A in Atlanta.–IANSbc/

Los Angeles, June 24 (IANS) Atletico Madrid became the first European team to be eliminated from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup despite Antoine Griezmann’s late goal helping the Spanish club beat Brazil’s Botafogo 1-0 in Group B on Monday.

The narrow victory was not enough to send the Spanish side into the knockout stage, as three teams finished with six points in the group. Atletico was edged out on goal difference, finishing third behind Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo.Atletico dominated the match with 22 shots but struggled to convert until the 87th minute, when Griezmann slotted home a low cross from Julian Alvarez to break the deadlock, reports Xinhua.Botafogo, the reigning South American champions, employed a deep defensive setup and relied on quick counterattacks, producing four shots – three of them on target – all of which were denied by Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.The match’s most controversial moment came in first-half stoppage time when Alvarez was brought down in the box. However, after a VAR review, the referee opted not to award a penalty, prompting heated protests from the Atletico bench.”Every refereeing decision in this tournament went against us,” Atletico head coach Diego Simeone criticized the referee’s decision in the post-match press conference.”We had the same number of points as the Champions League winner and Libertadores winner, but we missed out because of the match against Paris Saint-Germain, where every decision always went against us. We’re close. We’re competing well, but we still need a little more,” he added.In the other Group B match, which kicked off at the same time, Paris Saint-Germain eased past the Seattle Sounders 2-0. The result saw Paris Saint-Germain top the group, ahead of Botafogo on goal difference.Botafogo coach Renato Paiva said that few people in Brazil would have believed they could qualify from the difficult group before the start of the tournament. “Now we did what no one expected. We have to thank the Botafogo fans, and we have to be proud for Brazilian football,” he said.–IANSbc/

New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel summed up the sentiments of the cricketing world after the passing of former India left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi, who died in London at the age of 77 due to heart-related complications.Doshi is survived by his wife Kalindi, son Nayan Doshi — himself a former first-class cricketer who represented Surrey and Saurashtra — and daughter Vishakha.Born in Rajkot on December 22, 1947, Dilip Doshi carved a unique path in Indian cricket. He made his international debut against Australia on September 11, 1979, at the age of 30 — a late start by most standards — but one that didn’t prevent him from making a lasting impact.“I’m heartbroken and still in shock about Dilip uncle…he was truly special. Nayan, thinking of you all with love and strength,” Parthiv Patel posted on X, formerly Twitter.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the news and paid tribute to the veteran cricketer. “The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India spinner Dilip Doshi, who has unfortunately passed away in London. May his soul rest in peace,” the board posted on X.Doshi went on to play 33 Test matches and 15 ODIs for India between 1979 and 1983, finishing with 114 Test wickets at an average of 30.71, including six five-wicket hauls. He was renowned for his classical left-arm spin, impeccable control, and remarkable accuracy — qualities that made him a dependable figure in India’s bowling line-up during a transitional era for the team.Tributes poured in from all corners of the cricketing world. Former India captain and head coach Ravi Shastri remembered him fondly: “Really sad to hear about the passing of Dilip Doshi. Always immaculate, a gentleman to the core, and a fine, fine bowler. Heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.”India’s legendary spinner Anil Kumble also paid his respects: “Heartbreaking to hear about Dilip bhai’s passing. May God give strength to his family and friends to bear this loss. Nayan, thinking of you, buddy.”–IANShs/bsk/

Leeds, June 24 (IANS) England will require 350 runs to secure a victory on the final day of the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Headingley after reaching 21/0 in six overs at stumps on Day Four here on Monday. With all wickets in hand and rain forecast looming around, the match is set up for a blazing finish, as all three results are possible.KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant set up England’s target, emerging as India’s standout batters with knocks of 137 and 118, respectively, as India were bowled out for 364 in 96 overs of the second innings.While Rahul was at his calm and composed best to top-score with 137, his ninth Test hundred laced with 18 boundaries, Pant was at his scintillating best, after being subdued for a crucial period, to smash 118 – his eighth century in the formal,t, aided by 15 boundaries and three sixes.Before the 195-run stand between Rahul and Pant happened in Headingley, the duo had hit centuries while being in a partnership at The Oval in 2018. Pant also smashed many records – becoming the first wicketkeeper and fifth batter from India to score two hundreds in the same Test match in overseas conditions.Pant is now just the second wicketkeeper-batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test after Andy Flower did so in 2001. Interestingly, instead of his trademark handspring celebration, he brought out the one that British footballer Dele Alli has made popular.But after Pant and Rahul fell, India suffered yet another batting collapse, as they lost their last six wickets for just 31 runs. Once again, Josh Tongue had a major impact in removing India’s tail and being England’s standout bowler with 3-72 in 18 overs, with all three of his scalps coming in an over.In the morning, under overcast skies, Brydon Carse got a big early wicket for England when he got the ball to tail in and Gill, who top-scored with 147 in India’s first innings, chopped onto his stumps for eight. Pant was adventurous to begin – surviving an lbw call, thanks to replays showing an inside edge, while a top-edge on a sweep from Carse landed safely in no man’s land at fine leg.On the other hand, Rahul survived a few plays and misses to bring up his fifty, even as Pant again survived an LBW appeal after trying to unsettle Carse with a fall-over ramp. With the ball moving around and a few deliveries leaping off a length, Rahul showed restraint to weather the storm well while joining forces with Pant, who provided for initial chaos before calming down. Rahul then got a life on 58 when Harry Brook dropped his catch at the gully off Josh Tongue. By then, Pant had tempered his attacking self, including with some positive self-talk caught by stump mic, as he and Rahul ensured India were steady till lunch break arrived.The post-tea session began with Pant getting three quick boundaries off Josh Tongue, with Rahul getting his runs off Shoaib Bashir. Pant then deliberately edged past a vacant second slip off Tongue, before reaching his fifty with a brace off the pacer.After flaying Tongue for another boundary, Pant struck Bashir for back-to-back sixes over the bowler’s head and long-on respectively. England called upon Brydon Carse to curb Pant’s scoring, but the keeper-batter pulled him for an authoritative four.Rahul kept his calm to feast on poor balls, before drilling Bashir through cover for two runs to bring up his ninth Test century off 202 balls, and held up his bat and helmet to soak in the applause from the crowd.Pant continued to strike boundaries, before taking 22 balls to get his century, as he didn’t give in to the outside off-stump bait from Bashir and Joe Root. Once he cut Bashir through deep point for a single, Pant brought out his more measured celebrations and soaked in the applause from the crowd, before hugging Rahul and thanking the Almighty.Though Sunil Gavaskar, watching in the media-centre balcony, asked for a handspring celebration, a satisfied-looking Pant gestured with a ‘next time’. Pant then smashed Root for four, six, and four in the very next over, before failing to get the timing right on a slog-sweep and holed out to long-on off Bashir. Rahul and Nair then picked a boundary each to push India’s lead past 300, before the tea break arrived.The final session began with Rahul and Nair getting five quick boundaries collectively before Carse made the breakthrough as he managed to get some extra bounce and forced the former to chop onto his stumps. One brought two for England as Nair punched a full ball back to Chris Woakes for a simple return catch. After that, Tongue took over to quicken the end of India’s innings – Shardul Thakur nicked behind to first slip, Mohammed Siraj was dismissed for a golden duck through a well-directed bouncer, and Jasprit Bumrah missed a fuller ball while going for a slog and could only see his middle stump being uprooted.India’s innings ended when Prasidh Krishna holed out in the deep off Shoaib Bashir, as England went off in good spirits. With six overs left to negotiate, England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett had a quiet start to the chase, before the former struck back-to-back fours off Siraj, over mid-wicket and backward point respectively.By the time stumps were called, Crawley and Duckett were unbeaten on 12 and nine respectively, as England got the target down to 350 runs. With some turn and grip available for Jadeja to exploit, England will need to be at the top of their batting game on day five to get another famous win at the venue.Brief scores:India 471 and 364 in 96 overs (KL Rahul 137, Rishabh Pant 118; Josh Tongue 3-72, Brydon Carse 3-80) lead England 465 and 21/0 in six overs (Zak Crawley 12 not out, Ben Duckett nine not out) by 350 runs–IANSnr/bsk/

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) Vladimir Mestvirishvili, the Georgian wrestling coach credited with laying the…

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed profound grief over the passing of former Indian left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi, who reportedly died in London at the age of 77.
According to information received, Doshi succumbed to heart-related complications. He had been residing in the British capital for several decades.He is survived by his wife Kalindi, son Nayan — a former cricketer who represented Surrey and Saurashtra — and daughter Vishakha.“The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India spinner Dilip Doshi, who has unfortunately passed away in London. May his soul rest in peace,” the Indian cricket board posted on X.Renowned for his classical left-arm spin and consistent accuracy, Doshi represented India in 33 Test matches and 15 One-Day Internationals between 1979 and 1983. Despite making his international debut relatively late — at the age of 30, against Australia on September 11, 1979 — he quickly established himself as a reliable mainstay in India’s bowling lineup.Over the course of his Test career, Doshi claimed 114 wickets at an average of 30.71, including six five-wicket hauls. Born on December 22, 1947, in Rajkot (then part of the erstwhile Rajkot State), he remains one of the few Indian bowlers to make a significant mark on the international stage despite a late start.The cricketing fraternity remembers Doshi not only for his skill and tenacity on the field but also for his grace, humility, and sportsmanship off it. His contributions to Indian cricket remain etched in the annals of the game.–IANShs/

Leeds, June 23 (IANS) England need 350 runs on the final day to secure victory in the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Headingley after reaching 21/0 in six overs at stumps on day four here on Monday. With all wickets in hand and rain forecast looming around, the match is set up for a blazing finish, as all four results are possible.With six overs left to negotiate, England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett had a quiet start to the chase, before the former struck back-to-back fours off Mohammed Siraj, over mid-wicket and backward point respectively.By the time stumps were called, with Crawley and Duckett unbeaten on 12 and nine respectively, England got the target down to 350 runs and with some turn and grip available for Ravindra Jadeja to exploit, they will need to be at the top of their game on day five to get another famous win at the venue.Previously, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant emerged as India’s standout batters with knocks of 137 and 118, respectively, as India were bowled out for 364 in 96 overs of the second innings. While Rahul was at his calm and composed best to top-score with 137, his ninth Test hundred laced with 18 boundaries, Pant was at his scintillating best after being subdued to smash 118 – his eighth century in the formal, aided by 15 boundaries and three sixes.Before the 195-run stand between Rahul and Pant happened in Headingley, the duo had previously hit centuries while being in a partnership previously at The Oval in 2018. Pant also smashed many records – becoming the first wicketkeeper and fifth batter from India to score two hundreds in the same Test match in overseas conditions.Pant is now just the second wicketkeeper-batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test after Andy Flower did so in 2001. Interestingly, instead of his trademark handspring celebration, he brought out the one that British footballer Dele Alli has made popular.But after Pant and Rahul fell, India suffered yet another batting collapse, as they lost their last six wickets for just 31 runs. Once again, Josh Tongue had a major impact in removing India’s tail and being England’s standout bowler with 3-72 in 18 overs, with all three of his scalps coming in an over.The final session began with KL Rahul and Karun Nair getting five quick boundaries collectively before Brydon Carse made the breakthrough as he managed to get some extra bounce and forced the former to chop onto his stumps. One brought two for England as Nair punched a full ball back to Chris Woakes for a simple return catch.After that, Tongue took over to quicken the end of India’s innings – Shardul Thakur nicked behind to first slip, Mohammed Siraj was dismissed for a golden duck through a well-directed bouncer, and Jasprit Bumrah missed a fuller ball while going for a slog and could only see his middle stump being uprooted.India’s innings ended when Prasidh Krishna holed out in the deep off Shoaib Bashir, as England went off in good spirits and then set the stage for a blockbuster finish on Tuesday.Brief scores:India 471 and 364 all out in 96 overs (KL Rahul 137, Rishabh Pant 118; Josh Tongue 3-72, Brydon Carse 3-80) lead England 465 and 21/0 in six overs (Zak Crawley 12 not out, Ben Duckett nine not out) by 350 runs–IANSnr/bsk/

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) Dilip Doshi, the former Indian left-arm spinner, has reportedly passed away on Monday at the age of 77. According to multiple reports, he died of heart-related complications in London, where he had been residing for several decades. However, this disheartening news is yet to be officially confirmed by the family.He is survived by his wife Kalindi, son Nayan, who played for Surrey and Saurashtra, and daughter Vishakha.A spinner with classical action, Doshi has represented India in 33 Test matches and 15 One-day Internationals between 1979 and 1983.Born on December 22, 1947, in Rajkot city in the erstwhile Rajkot State, Doshi made his India debut in his 30s, against Australia on September 11, 1979.In 33 matches, he claimed 114 wickets at an average of 30.71, bagging five wickets in an innings on six occasions.More to follow…–IANScs/bsk/