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Sri Lanka down Zimbabwe in first ODI | The Express Tribune

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Sri Lanka down Zimbabwe in first ODI | The Express Tribune


Dilshan Madushanka’s hat-trick in the final over helped Sri Lanka to edge past spirited Zimbabwe by seven runs in the opening ODI of the two-match series here at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.

The home side needed 10 runs off the final over, with set batters Sikandar Raza and Tony Munyonga unbeaten on 92 and 42, respectively.

Madushanka, who had conceded 60 runs from his nine overs, was handed over the ball by captain Charith Asalanka, and the left-arm pacer justified the decision by registering a hat-trick off the first three deliveries.

He leaked away only two runs in the decisive over, restricting Zimbabwe to 291/8 in pursuit of 299.

Experienced all-rounder Raza remained the top-scorer for Zimbabwe with an 87-ball 92, featuring eight deliveries.

Besides him, opening batter Ben Curran (70) and stand-in captain Sean Williams (57) scored half-centuries, while Tony Munyonga was the other notable run-getter with his unbeaten 43 off 52 deliveries.

Madushanka finished with magnificent bowling figures of 4/62 in his 10 overs. He was supported by Asitha Fernando, who picked up three wickets for 50 runs, while Kamindu Mendis chipped in with one.

Put into bat first, Sri Lanka registered a formidable total of 298/6 in their set of 50 overs, courtesy of half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka, Janith Liyanage and Kamindu.

Nissanka top-scored for Sri Lanka with a 92-ball 76, closely followed by Liyanage, who scored an unbeaten 70, while Kamindu made 57 off 36 deliveries.

Wicketkeeper batter Kusal Mendis (38) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (35) also made handy contributions in the middle.

For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava claimed two wickets, while Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, Raza and Williams shared four between them.

The hard-fought victory gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second and final ODI scheduled to be played at the same venue on Sunday.



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Cowboys secure DaRon Bland with $92M extension days after dealing Micah Parsons to Packers

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Cowboys secure DaRon Bland with M extension days after dealing Micah Parsons to Packers


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Just days after dealing All-Pro Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys dished out an extension to another defensive player. 

Cornerback DaRon Bland and the Cowboys agreed to a long-term extension worth $92 million over four seasons. The deal includes $50 million in guaranteed money, per multiple reports. 

Bland’s $23 million per season annual average value puts him among the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL, sitting sixth on that list behind some of the game’s best, like Denver Broncos star Patrick Surtain II and New York Jets top dog Sauce Gardner. 

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) eat turkey legs after the Cowboys victory over the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 23, 2023. (Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)

In just his second NFL season, Bland not only led the NFL in interceptions in 2023, but he also set the NFL record for the most pick-sixes in a season, recording five over his nine interceptions. 

Bland was only able to play in seven games last season, though, after suffering a stress fracture in his foot. He had to miss 10 games to start the season before coming back in November. 

COWBOYS LEGEND MICHAEL IRVIN BLASTS JERRY JONES OVER MICAH PARSONS TRADE

Bland tallied 29 solo tackles as well as a forced fumble in seven games. 

But, of course, Cowboys fans are still thinking about the Parsons trade, as the elite edge rusher’s trade request was actually fulfilled by owner and general manager Jerry Jones on Thursday. 

DaRon Bland makes interception against Commaders

Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) during the second half at FedExField on Jan. 7, 2024. (Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports)

The Cowboys received the Packers’ next two first-round picks, while also getting All-Pro defensive tackle Kenny Clark to fortify their run defense up the middle. Jones justified the trade during a news conference on Thursday, saying that the move to trade Parsons was based on “success of this team” now and into the future. 

“Not only do we immediately get a player, but those draft picks could get us top Pro Bowl-type players,” Jones said. 

While there has been great debate about Jones’ justification of the trade, Parsons no longer needing a giant extension – the Packers paid him $188 million over the next four seasons following the trade – Jones could allocate assets elsewhere. 

Bland has cemented himself as a reliable cornerback over his last three seasons when he’s on the field, and the Cowboys are not wasting time in this instance to get him locked in for the future. 

DaRon Bland runs on practice field

Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields on July 22, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

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If Bland didn’t sign a deal to start the year, he would’ve been an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 campaign. 

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US Open player says trophy stolen from hotel room

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US Open player says trophy stolen from hotel room


NEW YORK — Tennis player Sorana Cirstea said the trophy she received after winning a recent women’s tournament was stolen from her New York hotel room while she was playing in the US Open.

Cirstea pleaded for the trophy’s return late Saturday night, two days after she was eliminated from singles play in Flushing Meadows.

“Whoever stole my Cleveland trophy from room 314 at The Fifty Sonesta please give it back!” Cirstea wrote in an Instagram story. “It has NO material value, just sentimental value. It would be [greatly] appreciated!”

Cirstea, a 35-year-old from Romania, won her third career singles title earlier this month in the Cleveland warmup tournament for the US Open. She went on to lose to No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova in the second round in Flushing Meadows.

The hotel said it had no comment.





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ESPN star warns Alabama fans amid team’s upset loss to Florida State

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ESPN star warns Alabama fans amid team’s upset loss to Florida State


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ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith warned Alabama Crimson Tide fans that the days of Nick Saban are long gone following the team’s crushing upset loss to Florida State on Saturday night.

Seminoles quarterback Thomas Castellanos ran for 78 yards and a touchdown and recorded 152 passing yards in the 31-17 win. Alabama’s 23-game season-opener winning streak was snapped.

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Stephen A. Smith warned Alabama fans amid the Crimson Tide’s loss to Florida State. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Smith offered his analysis amid their loss.

“I’m sorry folks. I really am. But it just seems to be as if the days of @AlabamaFTBL – Nick Saban’s @AlabamaFTBL — is looooonnngggg gone. Sacks surrendered. Dropped passes. A QB who’s not a real scrambler/runner, and doesn’t appear to have a strong enough arm to throw on the run,” he wrote on X. “Maybe this turnover by Lucas of @FloridaState, but I doubt it.”

Saban retired from college football before the start of the 2024 season. Alabama hired Kalen DeBoer from Washington to replace him.

Kalen DeBoer looks on

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

OREGON’S MASCOT LOSES HEAD AFTER TRIPPING ON THE FIELD

Smith said earlier this month that Alabama should consider hiring Deion Sanders to replace DeBoer and that he missed Saban.

Alabama, one of college football’s biggest powerhouses over the last decade or so, failed to make the College Football Playoff last year in its first season since Saban retired. In 2023, the team lost to the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl. Michigan went on to win the national championship.

Ty Simpson and Josh Cuevas

Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas, left, celebrates with quarterback Ty Simpson after scoring on a two-yard touchdown pass play against Florida State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack))

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The Crimson Tide’s schedule is only going to get tougher. The team will take on Georgia next month and, later in the season, have Tennessee, South Carolina, LSU and Oklahoma in consecutive weeks.

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