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Skipper Salman Ali Agha rules out major changes ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

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Skipper Salman Ali Agha rules out major changes ahead of T20 World Cup 2026


Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha addresses pre-series conference on the eve of the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on November 17, 2025. — X/@TheRealPCB

LAHORE: Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha hinted that no major changes would be made in the national squad ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, saying the team combination has already been settled after “months of preparation.”

Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) podcast, Salman said he does not foresee any big change before the mega event.

“I don’t think there will be any major changes before the World Cup. This is the combination we will continue with,” he said. The T20I captain said that all players have been assigned their roles and will move forward with the same structure.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 — co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka — is scheduled from February 7 to March 8, with Pakistan placed in Group A alongside India, USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands.

Agha also dismissed reports regarding a potential change in captaincy ahead of the upcoming mega event and said, “As of now, the Pakistan team will compete in the T20 World Cup under my leadership.”

He said that Pakistan still have six T20 matches remaining before the tournament, stressing that consistency will be key.

“We cannot make big changes in these six matches. We have played with this group for six months, and the results have started to come,” he said.

Agha said that the T20I series against Sri Lanka before the mega event will benefit both senior and young players. “Senior players understand Sri Lankan conditions, and the new players will also gain valuable experience. The series will be important for us, and we will take it seriously,” he said.

After the Sri Lanka tour, Pakistan are expected to host Australia for a T20I series, which will conclude shortly before the 20-over World Cup.

The T20I captain expressed confidence in Pakistan’s progress but noted that improvement is still required.

“The team is on the right track, but there is still room for improvement. We want Pakistan to reach the level where everyone hopes to see it,” he added.

Agha also shared his ambitions for Pakistan cricket and said that he wants to win the T20 World Cup 2026 and then the ODI World Cup in 2027.

“These (winning T20 and ODI World Cups) are my dreams, and I would be very happy if they come true,” he remarked.





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UCLA rallies to win men’s water polo championship

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UCLA rallies to win men’s water polo championship


STANFORD, Calif. — Frederico Jucá Carsalade scored with one second remaining to cap a four-goal fourth quarter, and UCLA rallied to beat USC 11-10 to win the men’s water polo championship on Sunday at the Avery Aquatic Center.

It was the 14th championship for the second-seeded and defending champion Bruins (27-2), winning back-to-back titles for the fifth time.

USC (23-4), the top seed, was aiming for its 11th title — all since 1998 — in a tournament that began in 1969. The Trojans won six in a row from 2008-13.

Chase Dodd scored twice to help UCLA to a 3-1 lead after the first quarter.

Stefan Branovic added his second goal to cut it to 3-2 and Jack Vort scored twice in a four-goal run over the final 4:41 to give the Trojans a 6-4 lead at halftime.

USC twice took two-goal leads in the third quarter on scores by Vort and Efe Naipoglu, but Jucá Carsalade scored with 31 seconds left to make it 8-7.

Ryder Dodd scored back-to-back goals — the first after a penalty on Vort — and the Bruins led 10-9 with 2:35 remaining. Jack Martin scored with a man advantage for USC to tie it 32 seconds later.

The two teams split four matches this season.

UCLA beat Stanford 9-7 in the semifinals and USC beat Fordham 16-7 to advance.

UCLA beat USC 11-8 to win the championship last season after Cal beat the Bruins 13-11 in the title game the year before. Cal beat USC 13-12 in 2021 and 2022 to win the championship.



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NFL Week 14 scores: Teams take crucial steps in divisional races

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NFL Week 14 scores: Teams take crucial steps in divisional races


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season is nearly in the books and the playoff picture did get a bit clearer.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers each took sole possession of first place in their respective divisions – the Steelers in the AFC North, the Jaguars in the AFC South and the Packers in the NFC North. Each team had huge wins against divisional opponents that will definitely pay their dividends in a few weeks.

Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks stayed at the top of the NFC West division with the San Francisco 49ers just one game behind both teams. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered an upset loss at home to the New Orleans Saints. They have the edge over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South, but both teams are now 7-6.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scrambles away from Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Oren Burks (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

Read below to see how the rest of the games turned out.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025

  • Seattle Seahawks 37, Atlanta Falcons 9
  • Buffalo Bills 39, Cincinnati Bengals 34
  • Tennessee Titans 31, Cleveland Browns 29
  • Minnesota Vikings 31, Washington Commanders 0
  • Miami Dolphins 34, New York Jets 10
  • New Orleans Saints 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
Cam Little points

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) signals as he hit a field goal against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Photo)

  • Jacksonville Jaguars 36, Indianapolis Colts 19
  • Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Baltimore Ravens 22
  • Denver Broncos 24, Las Vegas Raiders 17
  • Green Bay Packers 28, Chicago Bears 21
  • Los Angeles Rams 45, Arizona Cardinals 17
  • Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs

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Colby Parkinson stiff arms a defender

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson, left, avoids Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker after pulling in a pass in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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Neymar helps Santos stay up, knee surgery next

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Neymar helps Santos stay up, knee surgery next


SAO PAULO — Santos and Neymar secured survival in Brazil‘s Serie A on Sunday with a 3-0 win over Cruzeiro, and the 33-year-old soccer star later confirmed he will undergo surgery on his left knee.

Playing its last league match of the season, Santos, which achieved a global following with all-time great Pelé, avoided what would have been the club’s second relegation in club history. Santos was relegated in 2023 for the first time almost a year after the death of Pelé.

Neymar struggled to recover from a torn ACL in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. But he proved key for Santos in a successful fight to avoid relegation in the Brazilian championship after promotion last year.

Neymar, who returned to Santos in January, was decisive for the club where he started his professional career. In the last three rounds of the league, Neymar scored a goal against Sport Recife in a 3-0 win, netted a hat trick against Juventude on Wednesday in another 3-0 victory, and on Sunday was an effective playmaker.

Thaciano (26th and 28th minutes) and João Schmidt (60th) scored against Cruzeiro at Vila Belmiro Stadium as Santos finished 12th with 47 points.

Neymar played only 19 of the 38 rounds of the league, which started in April. He scored eight goals.

“I came for this, to try to help the best way I can. These have been tough weeks for me,” Neymar said after the game. “I thank those who were with me to lift me up. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have played these matches because of these injuries, this knee problem. I need to rest and then we will have this knee surgery.”

Neymar did not give more details about the knee injury and surgery. He still hopes to be included in Brazil’s final squad for the 2026 World Cup, though coach Carlo Ancelotti is yet to pick the former captain since he took over in May. The Italian said Neymar would be included if he was fit.

Flamengo won its ninth Brazilian league title midweek after a 1-0 home victory against Ceara. The Rio de Janeiro club also won the Copa Libertadores last month.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.



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