Sports
Ton-up Kapp, Brits hand South Africa dominant victory over Pakistan
South Africa clinched a commanding win in the opening match of the women’s ODI series on Tuesday as unbeaten centuries from Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits guided them to an eight-wicket triumph over Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Sidra Amin’s resilient 121 not out could not prevent the defeat.
Set to chase 256, the Proteas women comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just two wickets and 10 balls to spare, courtesy of a monumental 216-run partnership for the third wicket between centurions Kapp and Brits.
The visitors, however, had a contrasting start to the pursuit as Sadia Iqbal cleaned up their captain, Laura Wolvaardt (four), on the third delivery of the second over with just five runs on the board.
Following the early blow, Sune Luus joined Brits for a brief 38-run partnership for the second wicket until falling victim to Rameen Shamim in the 10th over. She scored 30 off 35 deliveries with the help of seven fours.
Her dismissal followed a match-defining partnership as Kapp and Brits outclassed Pakistani bowlers to guide South Africa to a commanding victory.
Kapp remained the top-scorer for the Proteas women with an unbeaten 121 off 128 deliveries, studded with 13 fours and two sixes, while Brits made 101 not out from 121 balls, featuring nine boundaries.
For Pakistan, Sadia and Rameen could take a wicket apiece.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan accumulated 255/4 in their allotted 50 overs, courtesy of Sidra’s anchoring century.
The hosts got off to a dismal start to their innings as they lost opening batter Shawaal Zulfiqar (zero) in the second over with just three runs on the board.
Following the early setback, Sidra joined Muneeba in the middle, and the duo dominated the Proteas bowlers to add a record-setting 147-run partnership for the second wicket to put Pakistan in a comfortable position.
Ayabonga Khaka eventually broke the monumental stand in the 31st over when she trapped Muneeba lbw, who walked back after scoring 76 off 94 deliveries, laced with 11 boundaries.
Sidra was then involved in another crucial partnership for Pakistan when she, alongside Aliya Riaz, put together 68 runs for the third wicket until the latter got run out in the 43rd over. She scored 33 off 34 deliveries with the help of five fours.
Following her dismissal, Pakistan lost another wicket in quick succession as their captain, Fatima Sana (five), fell victim to Sekhukhune in the next over.
Meanwhile, Sidra Amin stood her ground firm and carried her bat all the way through to top score for Pakistan with an unbeaten 121 off 150 deliveries, studded with 12 fours.
Khaka was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa as she took two wickets for 36 runs in her nine overs, while Tumi Sekhukhune chipped in with one.
The eight-wicket victory helped South Africa to secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second ODI scheduled to be played at the same venue on Friday.
The WNBA playoffs are underway, but no team is going quietly.
On Tuesday, both the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever won to force their series to a decisive Game 3. And the longest winning streak in the WNBA came to an end.
Facing elimination, Seattle rallied at home from a 14-point deficit to upset the Las Vegas Aces and end their 17-game winning streak. Earlier Tuesday, the Fever held court to knock off the Atlanta Dream.
The first round continues Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) on the other side of the bracket.
The best-of-three first round is a 1-1-1 format, with the higher seed hosting Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. The semifinals is a best-of-five 2-2-1 setup, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and 5.
For the first time, the WNBA Finals — which are scheduled to open Oct. 3 — will expand to a best-of-seven series (2-2-1-1-1) in which the higher seed would host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.
We’ll update each series as games are played and each round as matchups are decided.
Jump to round:
First Round | Semifinals | WNBA Finals
MORE: Strengths, flaws for every team | Top 25 players in the postseason
FIRST ROUND
Game 1: Lynx 101, Valkyries 72
Game 2: Lynx at Valkyries, Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3*: Valkyries at Lynx, Friday, TBD, ESPN2
Game 1: Aces 102, Storm 77
Game 2: Storm 86, Aces 83
Game 3: Storm at Aces, Thursday, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 1: Dream 80, Fever 68
Game 2: Fever 77, Dream 60
Game 3: Fever at Dream, Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 1: Liberty 76, Mercury 69
Game 2: Mercury at Liberty, Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3*: Liberty at Mercury, Friday, TBD, ESPN2
* If necessary
SEMIFINALS
Sunday, Sept. 21
Game 1: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 1: 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Tuesday, Sept. 23
Game 2: 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Friday, Sept. 26
Game 3: 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Game 3: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Sunday, Sept. 28
Game 4*: 1 or 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4*: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Tuesday, Sept. 30
Game 5*: TBD (TBD)
Game 5*: TBD (TBD)
* If necessary
WNBA FINALS
Friday, Oct. 3
Game 1: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Sunday, Oct. 5
Game 2: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Wednesday, Oct. 8
Game 3: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Friday, Oct. 10
Game 4: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Sunday, Oct. 12
Game 5*: 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Wednesday, Oct. 15
Game 6*: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Friday, Oct. 17
Game 7*: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
* If necessary
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Former NFL star Shawne Merriman is no stranger to bringing innovation to Lights Out Xtreme Fighting in hopes of standing out from other organizations in the U.S.
On Saturday, Merriman will introduce a “game-changer” to the world of mixed martial arts and combat sports.
He told Fox News Digital that fans who watch Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 27 on Lights Out Sports TV will see a different way advertisements are displayed.
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Shawne Merriman spoke to Fox News Digital about new innovative happenings at Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. (Robert Hanashiro/USA Today via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
“We’re doing our first commercial use of AI virtual sponsorship,” Merriman said. “People watching at home on Lights Out Sports TV will see ads change every fight. This is something that we’ve been working on for a long time. We’ve been working behind the scenes for six months, and now we’re bringing it to commercial use.
“Now, companies can sponsor fights on a per-minute basis. They’re buying time for less cost. And everybody will be able to get to see it for the first time. I’m really, really excited about that because this is gonna be a game-changer in combat sports, and everybody gets a chance to see it for the first time live.”
Merriman said Lights Out Xtreme Fighting partnered with PTF Lab to help incorporate the new idea in ads into the fights.
IVANKA TRUMP RE-ENTERS DC RING FOR UPCOMING KNOCKOUT UFC WHITE HOUSE FIGHT
Rapper Snoop Dogg (left) with Shawne Merriman during the Colorado State Rams’ game against the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium Dec. 28, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
“There’s a lot of regional promotions that are struggling right now, and we’re one of the ones that are extremely successful because we figured out ways to bring incremental revenue without having to raise a bunch of capital,” Merriman explained. “So, we’re very lean as a company.
“I got a great staff, and then I’ve always thought outside of the box when it comes to growth, and this is it.”
Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 27 will take place at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. The fight begins at 5 p.m. local time.
Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 27 takes place Sept. 20, 2025. (Lights Out Xtreme Fighting)
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Tyrell Fortune will take on Demoreo Dennis in the main event with four other big bouts on the card.
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