Sports
Pakistan win toss, opt to bowl first against India in rain-hit U19 Asia Cup clash
Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bowl first against India in the blockbuster fifth match of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 at the ICC Academy on Sunday.
The high-octane clash was delayed by 45 minutes due to moderate rain here and was thus reduced to 49 overs per side.
There was no handshake at the toss between the two sides.
Pakistan come into the fixture on the back of a dominant all-round display against Malaysia at The Sevens, Dubai, on Friday, where centuries by Sameer Minhas and Ahmed Hussain set up a crushing 297-run victory.
After being sent in, Pakistan piled up 345/3 in their 50 overs, driven by a monumental third-wicket stand between Sameer and Ahmed after early wickets left them 30/2 in 9.5 overs.
Ahmed’s innings ended in the penultimate over in a hit-wicket dismissal, but not before he struck 132 off 144 balls with eight fours and two sixes, while Sameer carried his bat for an unbeaten 177 off 148, featuring 11 fours and eight sixes.
Chasing a daunting 346, Malaysia folded for 48 in 19.4 overs against Pakistan’s attack, with Mohammad Sayyam and Ali Raza taking three wickets each, Daniyal Ali Khan claiming two, and Niqab Shafiq picking up one.
Malaysia’s top score was Muhammad Akram’s nine off 16, with none of their batters reaching double figures, as Malaysia captain Deeaz Patro’s decision to field first after winning the toss backfired.
Group A remains evenly poised after one match each, with Pakistan Under-19s and India Under-19s both on two points, while United Arab Emirates Under-19s and Malaysia Under-19s are yet to get off the mark on zero.
Playin XI
Pakistan U19: Usman Khan, Sameer Minhas, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf(c), Hamza Zahoor(w), Huzaifa Ahsan, Niqab Shafiq, Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam, Ali Raza
India U19: Ayush Mhatre(c), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu(w), Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh, Henil Patel
Lionel Messi‘s “GOAT Tour” of India was marred by chaotic scenes Saturday after fans threw ripped up seats and invaded the pitch during the Argentina star’s brief appearance.
Messi’s tour will see him travel from Kolkata to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. However, it did not get off to a dream start, as his appearance was reportedly cut to just 20 minutes due to the violence.
The highlight of tour’s opening day was meant to be the unveiling of a 70-foot Messi statue — which is reported to be the largest statue of a footballer ever created.
Messi, who was accompanied by teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, walked a short distance on the pitch and waved briefly toward the stands amid loud chants of “Messi, Messi,” but fans soon realized that the footballer remained tightly cordoned off and was barely visible from large sections of the stadium.
Messi’s appearance ended before he could complete a full lap of the stadium, sparking violent scenes.
“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi,” a fan told ANI news agency. “Why did they call us then?
“We have got a ticket for 12,000 rupees ($130), but we were not even able to see his face.”
Mamata Banerjee, the region’s chief minister, issued an apology to Messi and ordered a probe into the incident.
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“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake stadium,” Banerjee, who was on her way to the event when chaos broke out, posted on X.
“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she added.
“I am constituting an enquiry committee… the committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
The Indian football federation said it was “deeply concerned” by the scenes, adding that it was not involved in the event’s planning, deferring responsibility to the PR agency that organised it.
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Brady Cook wasn’t exactly tasked with salvaging the New York Jets’ 2025 season as he made the first start of his career on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, he was expected to showcase what he could do on the field – and he didn’t disappoint in the first quarter. Cook led the Jets on an eight-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Adonai Mitchell, and helped cut the deficit to seven points at the time.
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New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook looks to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The CBS broadcast showed Cook’s parents celebrating in the stands at EverBank Stadium. It was the first touchdown pass of Cook’s career. He also completed six consecutive passes before throwing an interception.
Cook got some playing time against the Miami Dolphins last week. He was 14-of-30 for 163 yards and threw two interceptions as New York fell 34-10.
PHILIP RIVERS, 44, OFFICIALLY TABBED COLTS STARTER, WILL PLAY IN FIRST NFL GAME IN NEARLY FIVE YEARS
New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook (4) runs on field before the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn tapped Cook as the starter as the experiments with Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor didn’t yield much success over the course of the year.
Cook latched onto the Jets’ roster as an undrafted free agent. He was waived as training camp came to a close but came back later on the practice squad. He bounced from the main roster to the practice squad a few times during the season before the game against the Dolphins.
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The former Missouri standout, 24, played his entire collegiate career with the Tigers. He had 9,251 passing yards and 50 touchdown passes during his career at Missouri.
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John Cena failed to conquer one last challenge as his WWE in-ring career came to an end at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington D.C.
Cena went up against Gunther, a two-time world heavyweight champion who earned the right to take on Cena by winning the Last Time Is Now Tournament. Gunther wasn’t shaken by Cena’s presence in front of the electric sold-out crowd that filled the Capital One Arena.
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Gunther in action against John Cena during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)
As soon as Cena stepped in between the ropes, Gunther went to work. He battled Cena through multiple Attitude Adjustments, including one through the announce table. Cena did all he could do, but Gunther was just too much to handle.
Gunther eventually put Cena in a sleeper hold and made the 17-time WWE champion tap out. The fans in the arena were stunned as boos rained on Gunther.
After the match, WWE superstars and chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque came down to the ring to congratulate Cena on an incredible career. Cena bowed in the ring and saluted the fans for all they’ve done for him over the last 25 years.
John Cena and Triple H during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)
SOL RUCA TALKS FACING OFF AGAINST WWE PIONEER AT JOHN CENA’S FINAL EVENT
His retirement tour this year started at the Royal Rumble, where he finished as the runner-up in the match.
He won the Elimination Chamber match to go up against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. He stunned fans with a heel turn that could only draw comparisons to Hulk Hogan. The heel persona only lasted a few months as he was back to the babyface fans grew to love and adore by the summer.
Cody Rhodes and CM Punk give John Cena the Undisputed WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025. (Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)
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He and Rhodes battled one more time for the title at SummerSlam. He also had matches with Punk, Styles, Logan Paul, Brock Lesnar and Dominik Mysterio during the year.
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