Sports
Drumbeats, dance, cheers, as U19 Asia Cup champs return home after crushing India
- Pakistan U-19s return home after historic Asia Cup win over India.
- Young supporters sing patriotic songs, and celebrate despite cold.
- Children loudly cheer players as banners and hero anthems fill air.
ISLAMABAD: Riding high on a commanding 191-run thrashing of India in the Men’s ACC U19 Asia Cup final, Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team touched down in Islamabad on Monday, greeted by an exuberant and jubilant crowd.
Arrangements were made at Islamabad airport to welcome the newly crowned champions, with fans gathering outside the terminal, dancing to drumbeats and eagerly awaiting the team’s arrival after their emphatic title win in Dubai.
Fans showered rose petals on the young heroes as they emerged from the airport, draping rose garlands around their necks and cheering loudly for the team that had made history by smashing India to smithereens and bringing home a much-needed glory.
Groups of young fans were singing patriotic songs, chanting pro-team slogans, and exuding a glee akin to that of children in carefree frolic.
Emotions were running high, with some older fans patting the players on the back, tears of joy in their eyes, as they prayed for Pakistan’s victory in the U-19 Cricket World Cup.
Despite it being a cold December night, some very warm scenes were witnessed outside the airport, with fans waving flags, cheering loudly, and calling out the names of their favourite players.
Children perched on their parents’ shoulders to catch a glimpse of the team, while supporters showered the heroes with rose petals and waved banners celebrating the historic win.
Pakistan sealed the U19 Asia Cup crown on Sunday after setting India a daunting 348-run target in the final at the ICC Academy. India were bowled out for 156 in 26.2 overs, undone by a relentless Pakistani bowling attack.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet the victorious squad later today, where the players who beat arch-rivals India will be formally congratulated and encouraged for their performance.
The triumph has sparked celebrations among fans, who hailed the young side for their composure, dominance and fearless display on the big stage.
The Men in Blue got off to a contrasting start to the pursuit as their batting sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, knitted a quickfire 32-run opening partnership with captain Ayush Mhatre, who could score two before falling victim to Ali Raza in the fourth over.
Mohammad Sayyam gave Pakistan another success and an over later by dismissing top-order batter Aaron George (16), who had scored a match-winning half-century against the Green Shirts in the group-stage clash last Sunday.
Meanwhile, renowned cricketers, politicians, and fans across the country also hailed Pakistan in the loudest of words for routing India by 191 runs to clinch the U19 Asia Cup title.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also joined the nation in celebrating this historic victory, praising the young players.
He described their performance against arch-rivals India as “electrifying,” calling it a landmark moment for the future of cricket in the country.
Shortly after Pakistan sealed the title in Dubai, PM Shehbaz Sharif took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his excitement with millions of fans across the nation:
“An electrifying performance by Team Pakistan. Shahbash. Heartiest congratulations to our Under-19 team on winning the ACC U-19 Asia Cup 2025, defeating India in the final. The nation is proud of you. My deep appreciation to Chairman PCB @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts,” he wrote.
Travis Head and his wife Jessica have been subjected to a barrage of online abuse after the Australian cricketer was embroiled in a spat with India great Virat Kohli during an IPL match.
The players clashed during the T20 match between Head’s Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday.
Heated words were exchanged between the two before Kohli was dismissed for 15 and his team slumped to a 55-run defeat.
As the two sets of players lined up for the post-game handshakes, Kohli ignored Head’s outstretched arm but shook hands with the other players.
The Instagram accounts for Head and Jessica have since been flooded with abusive comments, apparently from fans of the former India captain.
Jessica told The Advertiser newspaper that her friends and family had also received hateful private messages.
“I woke up to my socials blasting… we are fine but they are attacking my friends and family,” she said Monday, according to the reports.
“Passion will always be part of sport, but so is remembering there are real people and families behind the game.
“Hopefully this encourages more kindness, and support for one another.”
She also said it felt like “a repeat of the abuse that happened after the World Cup”, referring to the 2023 50-over tournament when Australia beat hosts India in the final in Ahmedabad.
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IndyCar rookie Caio Collet was involved in a terrifying crash toward the end of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday afternoon with Felix Rosenqvist and Pato O’Ward fighting for first place.
Collet got loose in Turn 2 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and overcorrected just enough to send his vehicle into the wall. His right rear caught fire as he skidded down the track and onto the grass.
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Caio Collet drives a Combitrans AJ Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet through turn three during practice on Miller Lite Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., on May 22, 2026. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)
Emergency personnel came over to put the fire out and help Collet out of his car.
He was able to walk away from the scary wreck, but track officials called for a red flag. The red flag stopped the race and gave drivers a breather for what would be a total shootout for the final few laps.
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Caio Collet leads the field during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 24, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)
Collet will fall down the leaderboard as he didn’t finish the race.
The A.J. Foyt Racing driver was making his first appearance in the Indy 500. He graduated into the NTT IndyCar Series after finishing second in the Indy NXT Series last year. He won three races on the Indy NXT Series in 2025.
The Brazilian came into the race in 21st place in the IndyCar standings with 70 points through six starts. He has yet to finish in the top 10 in his first season.
David Maluka talks with Caio Collet before practice for the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 18, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)
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The 2026 Indy 500 already featured more than 50 lead changes and was one of the more competitive events in recent memory.
Felix Rosenqvist won the race on the final lap.
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When the NASCAR Cup Series went to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 in 2025, Ross Chastain got into Victory Lane after closing at +1800 to be the outright winner.
Chastain’s impressive win came after leading only eight laps on the day.
Which driver will take the checkered flag when the series goes back to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day Weekend for one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewels?
Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 24.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600
Denny Hamlin: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)
Tyler Reddick: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Kyle Larson: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Christopher Bell: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Chase Briscoe: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
William Byron: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Carson Hocevar: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Ryan Blaney: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Chase Elliott: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Brad Keselowski: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Ty Gibbs: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Ross Chastain: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Chris Buescher: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Bubba Wallace: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Alex Bowman: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Austin Dillon: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Joey Logano: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Connor Zilisch: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Austin Hill: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Austin Cindric: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Ryan Preece: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Michael McDowell: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Corey Heim: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Erik Jones: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Shane van Gisbergen: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
AJ Allmendinger: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Daniel Suarez: +17000 (bet $10 to win $1,710 total)
Josh Berry: +18000 (bet $10 to win $1,810 total)
John Hunter Nemechek: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)
Zane Smith: +35000 (bet $10 to win $3,510 total)
Ty Dillon: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Noah Gragson: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Todd Gilliland: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Riley Herbst: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Cole Custer: +80000 (bet $10 to win $8,010 total)
Katherine Legge: +90000 (bet $10 to win $9,010 total)
Timmy Hill: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Cody Ware: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Here’s what to know about the oddsboard:
The Favorite
Denny Hamlin is coming in hot off an All-Star Race win at Dover. And while it wasn’t a points race, coming into Charlotte after starting from the pole and leading 103 laps in last week’s exhibition could give him the momentum he needs to grab the checkered flag at the Coke 600. His first and only win at this race came in 2022. In 2025, he started 20th but finished 16th after posting the best lap of the day at 29.37 and leading 53 laps.
One to Watch
Tyler Reddick is having an incredible season. He’s gotten into Victory Lane five times, including the first three races of the year. Cup qualifying got rained out, so Reddick will start from the pole today at Charlotte in accordance with league rules. On the season, Reddick has led 201 laps and has eight finishes in the top five. In 2025, he finished the Coca-Cola 600 26th after leading only one lap.
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