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Duffy starts as New Zealand clinch West Indies T20Is | The Express Tribune

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Duffy starts as New Zealand clinch West Indies T20Is | The Express Tribune


New Zealand players celebrate with the series trophy after beating the West Indies in the fifth T20I at Dunedin. Photo: AFP

Jacob Duffy took 4-35 as New Zealand romped to a crushing eight-wicket win in the fifth T20 international against the West Indies on Thursday to seal a 3-1 series victory.

Seamer Duffy removed three batsmen with the new ball as the West Indies collapsed to 21-4 at Dunedin’s University Oval before recovering from 48-5 to be all out for 140 in 18.4 overs.

New Zealand made short work of the chase, coasting to 141-2 from 15.4 overs, with opener Devon Conway top scoring with 47 not out including four fours and a six.

After some close, exciting earlier matches, the West Indies’ aggressive batting in an attempt to level the series proved too haphazard in seamer-friendly conditions.

Roston Chase top scored with 38 while Romario Shepherd struck a lively 36 off 22 balls in the lower order.

Duffy was named player of the series after taking 10 wickets at an average 12.10.

“We just wanted to be clinical, finish off the series and take it home,” said the 31-year-old, who became the first New Zealander to take five four-wicket hauls in T20 internationals.

“We could see there was going to be a little bit in the pitch for us and we did well to restrict a good West Indies team to 140.”

New Zealand got off to a flying start racing to 69 off 7.1 overs before Tim Robinson departed for a hard-hit 45, having smacked five fours and three sixes.

The result was almost assured before Rachin Ravindra was next out for 21 to leave New Zealand 106-2 after 11.5 overs needing just 35 for victory.

Mark Chapman joined Conway and hit two sixes to be unbeaten on 21 at the end.

West Indies captain Shai Hope said his team struggled to adjust to the conditions, though he made no excuse for their aggressive approach at the top of the order.

“It was something we spoke about, wanting to put good bowling under pressure and not allowing them to settle too much,” Hope said.

“It didn’t work out for us this time around. There are pleasing signs but certainly areas we can improve on.”

The teams will square up again for three one-day internationals starting in Christchurch on Sunday, followed by three Tests in December.

ODI Squad

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday announced a 15-member squad for its national men’s team’s three-match away ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled to run from November 16 to 22.

The squad marked the return of top-order batter John Campbell, who earned the call-up on the back of his impressive performance in the Test series against India and at the cricketing nation’s domestic One-Day tournament last year.

The left-handed batter replaced Brandon King, who was omitted due to a decline in his form.

“Left-handed top order batsman John Campbell returns to the 50-over set up following his recent Test success in India and strong performances in last year’s CG United Super50 Cup. He replaces Brandon King who has been omitted following a decline in form,” CWI said in a statement.

Furthermore, right-arm pacer Matthew Forde has also been drafted into the West Indies squad after his recovery from the back injury which kept him out of contention for the home series against Pakistan in August.

The series against the second-ranked New Zealand is crucial for two-time champions West Indies to earn ranking points and enhance their prospects for automatic qualification to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

The three-match series will get underway at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday, while the remaining two fixtures will be played at Mclean Park in Napier on November 18 and 21, respectively.

West Indies squad for ODI series against New Zealand: Shai Hope (c), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Johann Layne, Khary Pierre, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer.



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Aaron Rodgers, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers enter offseason of uncertainty

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January 13, 2026

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After lopsided home playoff loss to the Texans, Pittsburgh’s quarterback and coach face questions about what’s next.



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Salman Ali Agha sets new record in third T20I against Sri Lanka – SUCH TV

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January 13, 2026

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Salman Ali Agha sets new record in third T20I against Sri Lanka – SUCH TV



Although the third T20I match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Dambulla proved to be a disappointment for the national team, captain Salman Ali Agha’s brilliant and aggressive batting won the hearts of cricket fans and also broke the record of former West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard.

Salman Ali Agha played an incredible innings of 45 runs in just 12 balls, which included 5 fours and 3 sixes.

His strike rate was 375.0, which is the highest strike rate by any captain in the history of T20Is (against full-member teams, with the condition of playing at least 10 balls).

With this feat, he broke the record of former West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard.

Previously, this honor was held by Kieron Pollard, who scored 38 runs off 11 balls against Sri Lanka in 2021 at a strike rate of 345.5.

The list also includes big names like Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma and Darren Sammy, but Salman Ali Agha left everyone behind.



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‘Swarm City’: Texans’ petty post at Steelers tops NFL wild-card trolls

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January 13, 2026

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‘Swarm City’: Texans’ petty post at Steelers tops NFL wild-card trolls


The NFL postseason brings elevated play on the field with the stakes higher — and one team even upped its pettiness.

The Houston Texans dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 to clinch the final divisional round spot. The Steelers’ 24-point loss is their worst in a home playoff game in franchise history and third worst in any playoff game, according to ESPN Research.

Houston’s defense allowed just 175 total yards and forced two turnovers — both of which were returned for scores. Pittsburgh forced three turnovers, but those resulted in only six points. The Steelers became the first team to score six or fewer points in a playoff game despite having at least three takeaways since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1999. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had 146 passing yards, while Texans signal-caller C.J. Stroud had 250 passing yards.

Houston made sure to poke fun at Pittsburgh after its victory. The Texans edited a “Welcome To Pittsburgh” sign by spray-painting the final score and “Swarm City” on it — a spin on Steel City. They also included the character from the Fallout video game series with the 713 Houston area code on the bottom.

Here are the top trolls from the NFL wild-card round.

The San Francisco 49ers upset the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles on the road. The 49ers closed as a 5.5-point underdog — according to DraftKings Sportsbook — their third-largest upset win in a postseason game in the Super Bowl era, according to ESPN Research.

With 43 seconds left, Philadelphia faced a fourth-and-11 at San Francisco’s 21-yard-line with a chance to take the lead. But Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts‘ pass was incomplete, clinching a 49ers win. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Hurts had 168 passing yards and a touchdown.

The 49ers followed their massive victory by trolling the Eagles. They poked fun at Philadelphia’s “Fly Eagles Fly” chant, including spelling out “Eagles.” San Francisco instead spelled out “Niners” in its caption. It also wouldn’t be a troll without referencing a Philly cheesesteak, which the 49ers posted to emphasize that they are “still hungry for more.”

The Buffalo Bills held off the Jacksonville Jaguars for their first playoff road win since the 1992 AFC Championship Game, according to ESPN Research.

The fourth quarter included touchdowns on each of Jacksonville’s and Buffalo’s first two drives — both teams had only one touchdown apiece before the final quarter. The Bills capped a nine-play, 66-yard drive with a 1-yard rushing score from quarterback Josh Allen. The Jaguars had a chance to answer with just over a minute left, but quarterback Trevor Lawrence‘s pass was picked off, sending Buffalo to the next round.

After Jacksonville clinched the AFC South in Week 18, teammate and cornerback Jarrian Jones gave Lawrence a grill in the locker room. The moment was inspired by an AI photo someone posted on social media of Lawrence wearing a grill and a giant chain around his neck.

The Bills’ postgame graphic included what resembles a grill — with “Bills Win” written on it — buried in the sand at a beach. They also shared a photo of Allen rocking shades and a chain from a July 2024 video and resurfaced a Jaguars’ post from Friday.

The Los Angeles Rams outlasted the Carolina Panthers in a wild opening playoff matchup.

Los Angeles and Carolina threw haymakers in the fourth, each scoring 14 points. There were four lead changes, tied for the most in a playoff game in NFL history. But the Rams had the go-ahead score when quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with tight end Colby Parkinson for a 19-yard touchdown with 38 seconds left. The Panthers turned it over on downs on their ensuing possession, clinching the Rams’ victory.

A huge win came with multiple clever trolls.

Los Angeles first posted a graphic of a hook with a string holding a football as a panther looked up with the caption referencing the sound commonly used to lure cats. The Rams then referenced a famous scene from the 1994 film “The Lion King,” when Rafiki presents a young Simba to the other animals as the future king. This time, Rafiki held the Panthers logo then tossed it.

ESPN Research contributed to this report.





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