Sports
Ahead of India clash, Pakistan’s Fatima Sana says focus solely on ‘game’
COLOMBO: Pakistan women’s cricket captain Fatima Sana has said that her team is solely ‘focused’ on the “game”.
Her remarks came ahead of the high-octane ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 match against arch-rivals India, scheduled to be played at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.
The highly anticipated clash between fierce rivals is likely to mirror the tensions witnessed during the recent Asia Cup, where India’s men’s team faced backlash for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Earlier this week, Indian media hinted at the possibility of another handshake snub, heightened drama, and political undertones.
During Pakistan captain Fatima’s pre-match press conference, the ICC Media Manager refrained the reporters from asking political questions and also about the handshake controversy.
However, Fatima was still asked to share whether she would miss the spirit and camaraderie between the two teams, referencing their off-field interactions after their match at the 2022 edition of the mega event, when the Indian players surrounded then Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof and cooed over her six-month-old daughter.
Fatima, who was a part of the national team then, in response, reiterated Pakistan’s stance of fulfilling the spirit but stressed that their primary objective is to ‘stay focused’ on the game.
“Our main goal is to play well. Our relationship with the other teams is good. We will try to fulfil the spirit of the game,” said Fatima.
“What happened before, like with Bismah’s daughter, when everyone mingled and enjoyed together, as players, we all like such moments. But the main thing is to stay focused on what we have come here for,” she added.
The Pakistan captain also dismissed the notion of odds being against them as they trail India by 11-0 in their head-to-head record in the Women’s ODIs and instead stressed that her team has the potential to beat any top side, stating that the records are meant to be broken.
“Firstly, whatever records exist between India and Pakistan, they are meant to be broken. It’s not that Pakistan will never win against them,” Fatima stated.
“We believe in playing good cricket, regardless of who our opponent is. So we won’t dwell on history; we’ll focus only on the day we play. I personally believe that Pakistan has the potential to defeat any top team by playing well in any match. So, you can’t judge yourself with just one match. Everyone’s morale is high.”
Fatima Sana then went on to underline the importance of pressure handling in big games like Pakistan-India and reiterated that they are focused on the upcoming fixture.
“Of course, it’s a match with a lot of pressure. We know that the whole world is watching the India-Pakistan matches. But handling that pressure is the main thing. We will focus on that, play our game, and execute our plans,” Fatima continued.
“Coaches have told us to believe. You can’t define an entire tournament based on one match. We believe we can still win games.”
Sports
Bill Belichick gets ripped on social media after Clemson blows out UNC: ‘Complete dumpster fire’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Bill Belichick experience in Chapel Hill is not going smoothly.
The Tar Heels fell to 2-3 on the season Saturday, after suffering an embarrassing 38-10 loss to Clemson, who entered the day winning just one of their first four games.
UNC trailed 28-3 after just one quarter, on the heels of losing to UCF 34-9 last week.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney meets with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before a game at Kenan Stadium on Saturday. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
North Carolina’s two wins came against Charlotte and Richmond. The Tar Heels began the season with a 48-14 loss to TCU.
As the Tigers were blowing out UNC, many took to social media to rip the eight-time Super Bowl winner.
“I would not hold it against Belichick if he just quit at halftime and was never seen again,” Dave Portnoy said. “Somebody has to get him the hell out of college football asap.”
“Bill Belichick needs to tip his cap and call Tom Brady his daddy. This will go down as the worst ending to an otherwise legendary career in the history of sports,” one user wrote.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels fell to 2-3 on the season Saturday. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
POLICE DEFEND FINDINGS OF KYREN LACY CRASH INVESTIGATION AFTER ATTORNEY PROVIDES NEW EVIDENCE
OutKick’s Clay Travis added, “So the Bill Belichick UNC tenure is a complete dumpster fire. Not sure he makes it to year two. He should have retired when Tom Brady left New England, his coaching legacy would be infinitely higher. Now he’s just lighting all of that on fire.”
Antonio Williams threw a 75-yard trick-play touchdown pass to T.J. Moore on the first offensive snap to start Clemson’s dominating show. Cade Klubnik threw four touchdowns in the game’s first 30 minutes.
Clemson was favored by roughly 14 points, but ranked No. 4 entering the season, the Tigers have had, by their standards, a nightmare of a season so far.
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts to a play while on the sidelines Saturday in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
UNC is off next week before traveling to Cal next week.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
The former NFL quarterback and current analyst for Fox was in stable condition, according to Fox Sports.
Source link
Sports
FOX Sports analyst Mark Sanchez in ‘stable condition’ after reported stabbing in Indianapolis
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Former NFL player and current FOX Sports analyst Mark Sanchez is recovering in the hospital after he was reportedly stabbed in Indianapolis ahead of Sunday’s game between the Colts and Las Vegas Raiders.
FOX Sports released a statement confirming that Sanchez was in “stable condition.” The statement did not say the nature of the incident that led to his injury.
Mark Sanchez former NFL quarterback on the field during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
“Mark Sanchez was injured in Indianapolis on Saturday and is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition. We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
TMZ Sports first reported that Sanchez was injured in a stabbing early Saturday morning.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department told Fox News Digital in a statement that it was investigating a “physical disturbance” that took place just after midnight near Senate Avenue and West Washington Street.
Fox TV analyst Mark Sanchez looks on prior to the game between the Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 21, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
NFL STAR XAVIEN HOWARD ABRUPTLY RETIRES AFTER 4 GAMES WITH COLTS
According to police, two men were involved in the incident. One suffered “lacerations” and the other sustained injuries “consistent with stab wounds.” The stabbing victim, believed to be Sanchez, was hospitalized and is in stable condition.
Investigators said the incident was “isolated” and “not a random act of violence.” The two men were not identified by law enforcement other than not being “local residents.”
In a Sept. 12, 2013, file photo, New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, who normally throws right-handed, throws a pass with his left hand before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Jets (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Sanchez, a 10-year NFL veteran most notably for the New York Jets, was scheduled to call Sunday’s game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium, TMZ reported.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Prince William told it is not a good idea to hide Prince George
Timberland and Telfar launch capsule collection
Bill Belichick gets ripped on social media after Clemson blows out UNC: ‘Complete dumpster fire’
-
Tech1 week agoXiaomi’s New Phone One-Ups Apple’s iPhone Redesign With a Second Screen
-
Tech1 week agoBroadcast TV Is a ‘Melting Ice Cube.’ Kimmel Just Turned Up the Heat
-
Fashion1 week agoOut and about in Milan: Santoni, Sergio Rossi, and Giuseppe Zanotti
-
Tech1 week agoFacebook, Instagram to offer paid ad-free UK subscriptions
-
Tech1 week agoHeritage Foundation Uses Bogus Stat to Push a Trans Terrorism Classification
-
Fashion1 week agoLevi’s launches LEAP to cut emissions in India supply chain
-
Fashion1 week agoMichael Kors opens new flagship store on London’s Regent Street
-
Tech6 days agoI’ve Been Reviewing Gaming Laptops for Over a Decade. Here’s What to Look for When Shopping