Afghanistan were dismissed for 127 within one and a half sessions on a tricky pitch

Abhimanyu Bose20-Oct-2025Choosing to bowl first in a Test match is always a tricky call, but it’s justified if you end the first day in the lead, with eight wickets in hand. That’s what Zimbabwe achieved, as Test cricket returned to the Harare Sports Club for the first time after 2021.Brad Evans’ five-wicket haul and Ben Curran’s half-century put Zimbabwe on top on the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan.With plenty of movement on offer for the fast bowlers, Zimbabwe knocked Afghanistan over for 127 inside a session and a half, before taking the lead at the stroke of stumps. On the way there, they survived some testing bowling from the Afghanistan quicks.Earlier in the day, the returning Richard Ngarava struggled to find his rhythm and Ibrahim Zadran took him for three fours in an over. But the Afghanistan openers found it tougher to tackle Blessing Muzarabani, who extracted extra bounce from a good length. This led to Ibrahim edging one to third slip in the sixth over.But after that, the first hour belonged to Afghanistan, as they ticked along at close to six runs an over thanks largely to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who came in at one-down. Tanaka Chivanga troubled him with extra bounce. One ball flew over the cordon off the shoulder of Gurbaz’s bat, and he later top-edged a pull, but it landed in a vacant deep square leg region.Ben Curran played an attritional knock•AFP/Getty Images

Gurbaz picked up a couple more boundaries, with an off-drive off a full-toss and a ramp off Chivanga. However, Zimbabwe regrouped in the drinks break, started bowling tighter lines and lengths, and reaped the rewards. First, Gurbaz sliced a full ball from Chivanga to point. Then a mix-up with Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi led to opener Abdul Malik being run-out for his Test best score of 30.Malik had started watchfully before dispatching a couple of short balls for boundaries, but after he squeezed out a yorker from Chivanga in front of cover and took off for a single, Shahidi responded to the call before turning back and leaving Malik stranded.Evans, playing his first Test since February 2023, gave Zimbabwe a boost in the penultimate over before the lunch break. First, a full delivery from around the wicket drew Shahidi into a drive. The length wasn’t quite right for the drive, and the ball nibbled away and found the edge, which Nick Welch pouched at gully, diving to his left. Three balls later, Evans had Afsar Zazai nicking off with a length ball that straightened off the pitch. From 77 for 1, Afghanistan had slipped to 102 for 5.The capitulation continued after the interval, with Muzarabani striking in each of his first two overs after lunch. Bahir Shah got a thick edge to gully’s left and Brian Bennett held on to a diving effort before Muzarabani had Ismat Alam strangled down leg. Sharafuddin Ashraf tried to take on Evans and skied one to mid-off’s left and Zimbabwe’s good fielding display continued as Chivanga completed another diving catch.Muzarabani drew Yamin Ahmadzai’s edge twice in an over, but one went over the cordon and the other fine of backward point for fortunate boundaries. Soon, Evans had Khalil Gurbaz edging behind off a short ball, and cleaned up Ziaur Rahman first ball with a yorker to complete a maiden Test five-for.In all, Afghanistan lost 9 for 50 to vindicate Zimbabwe’s decision to bowl.When Zimbabwe began their innings, Bennett looked tentative early on, beaten on the outside edge twice as he tried to drive outswingers from Ahmadzai. But it was Ziaur who bowled him with a lovely full delivery on off, which angled in and straightened to beat the bat and uproot off stump.Ben Curran and Nick Welch then played watchfully till tea, even as Ziaur thought he had Welch caught behind off the inside edge, only to be denied by the umpire.Ziaur Rahman castled Brian Bennett for his maiden Test wicket•Zimbabwe Cricket

Curran waited until his 21st delivery for his first boundary, slashing Ahmadzai behind point. At the other end, Welch crunched a boundary through the covers off Ahmadzai with tea looming. When Afghanistan brought on spin for the first time in the 13th over, Curran drove Ashraf through the covers off his second delivery.The batters faced a testing period as the seamers returned after tea. Welch, especially, struggled to settle, with the quicks finding movement through the day. In the second over after the interval, Welch got a leading edge that went back over the bowler’s head. One ball later, Alam thought he had his man as Welch edged while looking to drive and Zazai caught him behind the stumps, but his celebrations were short-lived as replays confirmed he had overstepped.Even after that, Welch had several play-and-misses and lucky edges that didn’t cost him. Curran struggled for fluency too. He was not helped when he was struck on the helmet but denied a concussion test by the umpire Nitin Menon, who was looking to speed up a sedate over rate. Menon adjudged that the ball had hit him on the glove when he tried to pull a short ball.Legspinner Khalil’s introduction eased some of the pressure on the batters, as Welch swept his second ball for four and then launched him for a six over midwicket in his second over. In Khalil’s third over, Welch launched him inside-out over cover for another boundary.The Afghan bowlers’ toil finally paid off when Ziaur went through Welch’s defence with an inswinger to send his off stump cartwheeling.
Brendan Taylor was rapped on the pads first ball he faced, but the umpire adjudged him not out. Taylor got off the mark off his third ball, tucking one fine off his pads.When Ashraf returned, Taylor lofted him down the ground for his second boundary. He continued to pick up runs quickly, ramping a short ball from Ziaur over the keeper.Curran got to his half-century off 108 balls, with a single in the 38th over. Zimbabwe also took the lead in that over, which proved to be the final one of the day, with umpires calling stumps early due to bad light.

Naman Dhir is Jitesh Sharma’s deputy, while the squad also includes Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, Ramandeep Singh, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Suryansh Shedge, Abishek Porel and others

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Nov-2025Jitesh Sharma has been named captain of the India A squad for the upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Rising Stars Asia Cup, earlier the Emerging Teams tournament, to be played in Doha from November 14 to 23. Naman Dhir has been appointed his deputyThe selectors have also included 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the squad, which explains his absence from the four-team Under-19 Challenger Trophy. Over the years, that tournament has been used as a key marker by the junior national selection panel to finalise their squad for next year’s Under-19 World Cup – for which Suryavanshi appears to be a certainty.The 15-member squad, picked by Ajit Agarkar and his senior men’s selection panel, comprises some stellar IPL performers, most notably Punjab Kings and Delhi Premier League (DPL) star Priyansh Arya.ACC Rising Stars tournament schedule

Nov 14 – Oman vs Pak; Ind vs UAE
Nov 15 – Ban vs HK; Afg vs SL
Nov 16 – Oman vs UAE; Ind vs Pak
Nov 17 – HK vs SL; Afg vs Ban
Nov 18 – Pak vs UAE; Ind vs Oman
Nov 19 – Afg vs HK; Ban vs SL
Nov 21 – Semi-finals: A1 vs B2; B1 vs A2
Nov 23 – Final

In his maiden IPL campaign in 2025, Arya struck 475 runs at a strike rate of 179.24 – the third-best in terms of runs for the franchise behind Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh. Last week, Arya was handed a first-class debut by Delhi in the Ranji Trophy.The other key state and IPL performers include Abishek Porel, currently captaining Bengal in Abhimanyu Easwaran’s absence, and Harsh Dubey, who has been a regular feature across various India A squads over the past few months.The fast bowlers include Gurjapneet Singh, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yudhvir Singh and Yash Thakur – all of whom are part of BCCI’s targeted pool of fast bowlers. Ramandeep Singh and Suryansh Shedge are the seam-bowling allrounders.Pakistan A and Oman will kick off the tournament, with the showpiece India A vs Pakistan A match slotted for November 16. The teams are divided into two groups: Group A has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka, while Group B has India, Oman, Pakistan and UAE.This will be the first cricketing exchange between the men’s teams of India and Pakistan since the senior Asia Cup in September, though the senior women’s teams faced off at the ODI World Cup earlier this month.When the men played the Asia Cup, there were no handshakes or any other form of greetings between the players of the two countries, and it ended with India, the tournament champions, leaving Dubai without the trophy.It emerged that they had decided not to receive the trophy from the ACC chief, Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be PCB chairman and the country’s interior minister.India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup T20 tournamentPriyansh Arya, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nehal Wadhera, Naman Dhir (vice-capt), Suryansh Shedge, Jitesh Sharma (capt, wk), Ramandeep Singh, Harsh Dubey, Ashutosh Sharma, Yash Thakur, Gurjapneet Singh, Vijay Kumar Vyshak, Yudhvir Singh, Abishek Porel (wk), Suyash Sharma

He made just 21 appearances in the IPL but, in one of those, he was the player that got Sunrisers Hyderabad their first and only IPL title

Matt Roller22-May-20255:23

There are messages on social media saying, can you make yourself available for the IPL for whoever is facing RCB?’

“It’s one of those things where if you know, you know,” says Ben Cutting, with the smile of a man who is a relative unknown at home but a cult hero for millions overseas. For all his success in domestic cricket, and his eight caps for Australia, Cutting knows that his cricketing career will be remembered for one night: May 29, 2016.It was the night that he silenced the Chinnaswamy Stadium, and brought Sunrisers Hyderabad their first – and still only – IPL title with one of the great all-round performances: 39 not out off 15 balls with the bat, then two vital wickets with the ball. “The time has flown,” he says. “Even at the time, I realised that was probably going to be the highlight of my career.”It was also the night that he ensured Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the IPL’s perennial underachievers, remained trophy-less. “For some reason, this year, social media has blown up far more,” Cutting says. “I think because the longer the years drag on and RCB still haven’t won, the more important that [night] becomes for the Hyderabadis.”That Cutting even played in the final was something of a surprise: he had made a solitary appearance across his first three IPL seasons, and Sunrisers coach Tom Moody made clear early on that he was back-up for Moises Henriques in 2016. It took quiet seasons under two international captains – Kane Williamson and Eoin Morgan – for him to win a chance in the middle order.Related

Cutting sends one flying over the roof

The Chinnaswamy becomes Cutting's slogging canvas

“I got my first [2016] opportunity in Mohali against Kings XI Punjab and performed well there: I finished the game with the bat with Yuvraj Singh,” Cutting recalls. “Unfortunately I got quite sick after that, so I missed two games. But as soon as I was well again, they got me back into the side and I obviously finished the season strongly with bat and ball.”After two knockout wins, Cutting arrived in Bengaluru feeling invincible. “I rocked up that night to Chinnaswamy on the team bus and I was so relaxed – which I really shouldn’t have been, looking back, given the stage that was set. Deep down, I knew that if I got an opportunity, I could hit the ball out of the park there… My mindset was 100% the catalyst for results.”Cutting’s 39 not out was his highest score of the 2016 season in the four matches he played•BCCICutting walked out to bat at 147 for 4 after 16 overs; after Yuvraj picked out extra cover and a mix-up with Naman Ojha, that was 158 for 6 seven balls later. But he single-handedly took Sunrisers to 208 by taking down his compatriot Shane Watson at the death, including one 117-metre six that cleared the roof of the stand at deep midwicket.”I knew that he was bowling close to 140 [kph] and some quick bowling like that on that sort of wicket was going to suit my game to a tee,” Cutting says. “I just wish it wasn’t against Watto! I love the bloke. He was a hero of mine coming through the ranks. I still feel guilty about seeing it unfold like that against someone that I looked up to – and still do – as a hero on the field.”I also knew that if I got in, the wicket was so true and the boundary is small enough that if I got enough of the cricket ball, it was going to travel. Chinnaswamy, especially that year, was very similar to the faster, bouncier wickets here in Australia – like the Gabba, like Perth – where ball comes onto bat, and the ball can fly. In most games, 200 wasn’t enough there.”It looked like it would not be enough that night, either: RCB were 112 for 0 after ten overs, with Virat Kohli playing second fiddle to Chris Gayle. But Cutting led the fightback with the ball: using the variations he had developed on the sidelines, he had Kohli dropped at short third, then had Gayle caught in the same spot off the following ball.Cutting picked up the two crucial wickets of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul•AFP”An over earlier, I’d missed my yorker and disappeared out of the park – as everyone did that night – so I started going wide and slow, on the wide line,” Cutting says. “It’s done to death now – everyone does it – but back in 2016, it wasn’t really a done thing. I’d played a lot against Gayle, and I knew if I could hang it out wide to him, he’d still try to drag me leg-side.”I had to set him up for that by bowling on-pace, and that night was probably one of the quicker games I bowled in: looking back at the gun, it was around 145 [kph]. It makes that change-up a lot more effective, particularly if you can get it right out wide and make them reach for it. David Warner [Sunrisers’ captain] was really good at giving freedom back to the bowler.”Cutting returned to bowl KL Rahul with an offcutter in his final over, finishing with 2 for 35 from his four overs as RCB’s chase fell apart. “One of the young fellas was running drinks with about an over to go and said, ‘If we win this, you’re going to be Man of the Match. It hadn’t crossed my mind until then, and it probably didn’t really sink in until after the game.”He still has his player-of-the-match trophy at home in Queensland, but another souvenir never left the ground. “I grabbed a stump, pulled it out of the ground, ran straight off the field and put it in my kitbag,” Cutting recalls. “Then I was straight back out there celebrating… When I got back to my bag, the IPL staff had gone through it and rifled it!”Sunrisers’ celebrations started in the changing rooms and continued deep into the night at the ITC hotel. “Looking back, I just wish I’d had more photos during the celebrations with the trophy,” Cutting says. “I’ve got one blurry one of myself and [assistant coach] Murali [Muthiah Muralidaran], but I really wish that I would’ve had more with that special trophy.”Despite Cutting’s performance, he found himself back on the bench for most of the following year. Across eight IPL seasons for five franchises, he made only 21 appearances in total. “I was never the first-string player, so my mindset was to cover every base for that one game that may or may not come, and make sure that I’m ready for it. That’s exactly how it played out [in 2016].”Shane Watson came in for the most punishment, Cutting taking him for 33 of his 39 runs•BCCICutting is now in the final stages of his playing career, rendered unable to bowl by a series of serious spinal injuries, and most recently spotted in the International Masters League. He is transitioning into a second career in real estate, and the name of the business he runs – Golconda Property Group – is a nod to an ancient fort on the outskirts of Hyderabad.”There’s certainly many people in Australia that I come across every week that will say something [about the name],” Cutting says. “I’ve got a development site nearby: the same bus driver drives past every day – I think he’s from Hyderabad – and always says g’day. For the general public, it’s just one of those things. It comes with the job, I guess, of playing freelance and being overseas.”The IPL dominates for two months in India, but time zones mean that it hardly makes a splash in Australia: on the east coast, 7.30pm IST fixtures start at midnight. “Those that follow cricket know full well what the IPL is all about,” Cutting says. “For everyone else, it’s life as usual because it’s footy season here: there’s three codes [AFL, rugby league and rugby union] to compete with.”Cutting himself will never forget that night in Bengaluru – not least with daily reminders on social media. “If I load up my private messages on Instagram now, there’ll be 150 every day saying, ‘Can you make yourself available for the IPL as a replacement player?’ for any team that’s coming up against RCB,” he says, laughing.”What was achieved that night… It’s essentially one of the biggest sporting events in the world. To play for Australia was always a lifetime goal of mine, and I’m still disappointed I didn’t get to play Test cricket. But that IPL final, for me, still ranks higher than everything else.”

Newcastle United have now reportedly been offered the opportunity to finally sign James Trafford in a deal that would see Tino Livramento head in the opposite direction to Manchester City.

The Magpies certainly have a lot to think about ahead of 2026. With new sporting director Ross Wilson in place, they’ll be hoping to avoid the chaos of missing out on top targets to hand Eddie Howe some much-needed reinforcements.

He'd revive Elanga: Newcastle could hire "one of the best managers in the PL"

There have been whispers of a potential managerial change at Newcastle after a poor start to the season.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 20, 2025

Howe’s side enter this weekend’s clash against Man City in desperate need of three points, having entered the international break off the back of a shock 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brentford. Currently sat as low as 14th in the Premier League, the Newcastle boss reiterated that he’s looking for a response from his players on Saturday night.

There would be no better way to get back on track than a victory against a side with Man City’s quality, but then it’s about consistency for the Magpies. On the pitch, they must turn things around in preparation for what could be a busy January transfer window.

Already, reports are claiming that they’re still interested in signing Trafford and could be handed an interesting opportunity to do so in 2026.

Newcastle offered chance to sign James Trafford

As reported by TeamTalk, Newcastle have now been offered the chance to sign Trafford by Man City, who are looking to strike a swap deal involving Livramento. The Citizens were interested in the versatile right-back in the summer, but were priced out of a move thanks to the Magpies’ eye-watering £80m price-tag.

Now, just months later, it looks as though City are once again interested in a move for the England international and are already willing to cut ties with Trafford to make a move happen.

The shot-stopper returned to the club with the hope of finally becoming their number one, only for Gianluigi Donnarumma’s arrival to bring an end to those plans. Left to watch on from the bench ever since, he could certainly do with another call from those in Tyneside.

That said, whilst Newcastle’s admiration for Trafford is clear, it remains to be seen whether he’s valued higher than Livramento in Tyneside. The goalkeeper has been described as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola, but even that may not be enough to convince Newcastle to sacrifice their star defender.

Bigger talent than Anderson: Newcastle have 'one of the world's best teens'

The home side crumbled on the final day before a last-wicket stand narrowed the margin

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff07-Oct-2025

New South Wales opened their Sheffield Shield campaign with a memorable 74-run away win over Western Australia.Set 231 to win, WA crumbled for 156 on a tricky pitch at the WACA ground in Perth as unheralded Blues quick Liam Hatcher inflicted serious damage on the lower order. Batting with injured No. 11 Joel Paris, Australia allrounder Ashton Agar went down swinging.Related

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Paris and Agar put on an innings-high 53-run stand for the last wicket to give NSW some nervous moments before closing out the game.But Agar was bowled for 46 the first ball after drinks in the second session of day four, slashing onto his stumps off Ryan Hadley who finished with eight wickets in the matchNSW lost serious experience in the off-season with Jackson Bird moving back to Tasmania and Moises Henriques retiring from four-day cricket. The upset result is a huge boost for veteran Test spinner Nathan Lyon, who led the side in this match in the absence of Jack Edwards on Australia A duty.WA veteran Cameron Bancroft did nothing to impress selectors for a potential Test recall, out for 3 when he edged Hadley after making 10 in the first innings.Test allrounder Cameron Green fell for 24 on Tuesday, superbly held in his follow through by former WA quick Charlie Stobo, after making 19 in the first innings. Green, who is being eased back into bowling following serious back surgery last year, sent down just four overs in the match.NSW’s contenders for a potential Test spot – Sam Konstas and Kurtis Patterson – also failed to capitalise. Incumbent Test opener Konstas made 4 and 14, while Patterson, who played the last of his two games for Australia back in 2019, was dismissed for 8 and 4.

If the Dodgers want to repeat as World Series champions, they'll have to cobble together 54 more outs against a Blue Jays lineup that has become the toast of Canada a year after hitting .241 collectively.

That starts Friday in Game 6, with both bullpens still feeling the distant aftershocks of Los Angeles's 18-inning Game 3 win. It'll be all hands on deck for a Dodgers team on the brink of extinction, but one notable arm will be absent.

Designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani is not available to throw for the Dodgers Friday if needed, manager Dave Roberts said via Fox shortly before Game 6 Friday. Ohtani, the losing pitcher in Game 4 (his first loss since August), be available Saturday in the event of a Game 7.

One pitcher that is available Friday for Los Angeles: Tyler Glasnow, who started and took no decision in Game 3.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has gone the distance each of his last two starts, will toe the rubber for the Dodgers Friday. Toronto will start two-time All-Star Kevin Gausman.

دافع جاريل كوانساه عن محمد صلاح، في ظل الأزمة الحالية التي يمر بها المحترف المصري مع فريقه ليفربول الإنجليزي والمدرب آرني سلوت.

كوانساه غادر ليفربول في الصيف الماضي وانتقل إلى باير ليفركوزن الألماني، في صفقة بلغت قيمتها 35 مليون جنيه إسترليني، مع قلة مشاركته تحت قيادة المدرب الهولندي سلوت.

وبعد جلوسه على مقاعد البدلاء في مباريات ليفربول ضد وست هام يونايتد وسندرلاند وليدز يونايتد، بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، أثار محمد صلاح ضجةً، حيث انتقد سلوت والنادي بشدة، وأشار إلى أن النادي يتخلى عنه، وأوضح أن علاقته بمدربه قد انهارت تمامًا.

ونتيجةً لذلك، قام سلوت باستبعاد محمد صلاح من من مباراة ليفربول وإنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا وحقق الفريق الفوز بهدف دون رد من ركلة جزاء.

اقرأ أيضًا | جونسون عن أزمة محمد صلاح: كان عليه ارتداء خوذة الصدمات أولًا.. وما يحدث يضر ليفربول

وسُئل كوانساه عن وضع صلاح الحالي، وفي تصريحاته لصحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية، أفاد: “لا أستطيع التحدث إلا عن الفترة التي كنت فيها هناك وما رأيته من صلاح، إنه قدوة رائعة، وشخصية مميزة في غرفة الملابس، وقدّم موسمًا استثنائيًا وساعدنا على الفوز باللقب (الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز)”.

وأضاف: “بحسب ما رأيت، لم أرَ منه إلا كل خير، لقد ساندني في أوقات عصيبة، وهذا ما فعله حقًا، لا أستطيع التحدث وأنا خارج الوضع، أنا مجرد مشجع لليفربول، وأبدو كأي مشجع آخر”.

ثم عندما سُئل عن علاقته بسلوت، أجاب: “الأمر لا يتعلق بما كان عليه الوضع العام الماضي وما كان يحدث، أنا أركز تمامًا على ما أفعله الآن، لست بحاجة للحديث عن علاقاتي مع المدربين الآخرين، الأمر يتعلق بما أفعله هنا في ليفركوزن الآن”.

Just days after the Blue Jays’ heartbreaking World Series loss to the Dodgers, veteran starting pitcher Shane Bieber has made his decision regarding his future with the franchise.

Bieber’s contract includes a $16 million player option for the 2026 season. Rather than hit the open market and test free agency, the 30-year-old has decided to pick up the option and return to Toronto for another year, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.

As such, Bieber will be on the books at a cost of $16 million in 2026 before hitting free agency in 2027.

It’s a logical choice for Bieber. A former Cy Young and Triple Crown winner in Cleveland, he’s dealt with injuries over the last two years. He was limited to just two starts in 2024 and seven starts in ’25, and has not made more than 30 appearances in a season since 2022. Now, he’ll hope to stay healthy and showcase his stuff throughout a full season of work with the Blue Jays.

In 2025, Bieber had a 3.57 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings. He made five appearances in the postseason and had a 3.86 ERA and two wins.

He’ll slot back into the Blue Jays’ rotation that’s expected to consist of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Trey Yesavage. Other starters Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer are both due to hit free agency.

MatériaMais Notícias

Botafogo e Palmeiras ficaram marcados pela disputa pelo título do Brasileirão em 2023. Além da rivalidade dentro do campo, a tendência é que o duelo esquente ainda mais os bastidores fora de campo As equipes vão se enfrentar nas oitavas de final da Libertadores.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoTorcedores de Palmeiras e Botafogo enlouquecem com oitavas da Libertadores: ‘Leila x Textor’Fora de Campo03/06/2024LibertadoresSorteio define jogos das oitavas da Libertadores; veja caminho até a finalLibertadores03/06/2024Fora de CampoNarrador se manifesta após declaração polêmica sobre torcida do Palmeiras; confiraFora de Campo03/06/2024

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Tudo começou quando John Textor, dono da SAF do Botafogo deu uma declaração sobre uma possível manipulação de resultados. Por outro lado, Leila Pereira rebateu o dirigente alvinegro, o chamou de “mal perdedor” e pediu que o empresário fosse expulso do futebol brasileiro.

A partir daí, Textor e Leila colecionaram diversas polêmicas. A mais recente ao final de maio, quando o dono do Botafogo acionou a presidente do Palmeiras na Justiça. O empresário estadunidense acusa a dirigente alviverde de injúria e difamação.

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John Textor diz que foi ofendido três vezes por Leila Pereira. A primeira delas, no dia 7 de abril, quando a presidente do Palmeiras chamou o dono do Botafogo de “fanfarrão”.

A outra vez foi no dia seguinte, quando Leila afirmou que Textor é a “vergonha do futebol brasileiro”. A última foi a presidente do Palmeiras chamou o empresário estadunidense de “idiota” em entrevista ao programa”RodaViva”.

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Na internet, tanto os torcedores do Botafogo, quanto os do Palmeiras foram à loucura com a definição do duelo das oitavas da Libertadores. Os internautas brincaram com o confronto e batizaram de “Textor x Leila”.

Botafogo e Palmeiras serão adversários nas oitavas de final da Libertadores. O Alviverde decide em casa por ter feito uma campanha melhor que a do Alvinegro. Fora de campo, a promessa é de um bastidor ainda mais envolvente com John Textor e Leila Pereira.

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This is the first time in four seasons that the final of the Women’s Premier League will not be played on a weekend

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Nov-2025The 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) will have its final on a weekday (Thursday, February 5), and not over the weekend, for the first time, and feature two double-headers, both on Saturdays, after kicking off on January 9.The 28-day-long tournament will be played across two venues: Navi Mumbai, where India won the ODI World Cup in early November beating South Africa in the final, and Vadodara. The first 11 matches, including the two double-headers, will be played at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, and the remaining 11 matches, including the eliminator on February 3 and the final will be played at Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium.The dates and venues were confirmed by the WPL’s chairman, Jayesh George, on Thursday, the day of the WPL auction. All games bar the earlier fixture on the double-header days will be evening affairs.The week of the final is a busy one for multi-team competitions, with the men’s Under-19 World Cup finishing the day after the WPL final, on February 6, and the men’s T20 World Cup starting the following day, on February 7.ESPNcricinfo LtdApart from having a weekday final, this is the first time the WPL will be played in the January-February window. The first three seasons were played in February-March just before the start of the IPL. This will also be the first time the WPL will not clash with major international fixtures.Mumbai Indians (MI) are the defending champions of the WPL and have won two titles in three editions so far, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) the other past winners. Delhi Capitals (DC) have been runners-up in all three seasons. The other two teams, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz, have never made the title round.Ten days after the WPL ends, India will start an all-format tour of Australia, playing three T20Is, three ODIs and a Test from February 15 to March 9.WPL 2026 schedule
Jan 9: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Jan 10: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants
Jan 10: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals
Jan 11: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants
Jan 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz
Jan 13: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants
Jan 14: UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals
Jan 15: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz
Jan 16: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants
Jan 17: UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians
Jan 17: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Jan 19: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Jan 20: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians
Jan 22: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz
Jan 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals
Jan 26: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians
Jan 27: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals
Jan 29: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Jan 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians
Feb 1: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz
Feb 3: Eliminator
Feb 5: Final