Emotional Chezka Centeno wins 8-ball world title for late mother: ‘Ma, I did it!’

San Francisco Unicorns secured a hard-fought five-run victory over Perth Scorchers XI in their Global Super League (GSL) 2026 clash at Providence Stadium on Sunday, thanks to an outstanding all-round team performance led by Hammad Azam. After being put under pressure early in their innings, the Unicorns recovered impressively to post 152-8 in their allotted 20 overs. The foundation of the total was laid by Hammad Azam, who produced a composed unbeaten knock of 64 from 46 deliveries. The Unicorns’ batting line-up struggled at the start, slipping from 42-1 to 46-5 inside the opening six overs as the Scorchers’ bowlers dominated with the new ball. With wickets falling regularly, Hammad steadied the innings and prevented a complete collapse. He mixed caution with aggression, striking four boundaries and five sixes during his match-defining innings. His ability to rotate the strike while punishing loose deliveries helped the Unicorns recover from a difficult position and reach a competitive total. Chasing 153 for victory, Perth Scorchers XI also found themselves in early trouble. Opener Andre Fletcher was dismissed for just one in the opening over, while Joel Curtis managed only 16 before departing. Experienced batter D’Arcy Short anchored the chase with a patient 43, attempting to guide his side through the middle overs. He built useful partnerships with Usman Khan, who scored 14, and Ashton Turner, who contributed 13. Despite those efforts, regular wickets kept disrupting the chase and prevented the Scorchers from building lasting momentum. The turning point came in the 16th over when Short was dismissed with the score on 103-7, leaving Perth Scorchers XI with a difficult task in the closing stages of the innings. Just when the contest appeared to be slipping away, Brody Couch produced a spirited late assault to revive his team’s hopes. The lower-order batter blasted 23 runs from only 12 balls, smashing two fours and two sixes in an entertaining cameo. Couch and Akeal Hosein added 39 runs for the ninth wicket, reducing the target significantly and setting up a tense finish. Hosein also played an important supporting role with 16 runs as the pair pushed the match into the final over. However, the Unicorns held their composure under pressure. Hosein was dismissed on the penultimate delivery of the innings, ending the Scorchers’ hopes of completing a remarkable comeback. Perth Scorchers XI finished on 147-9, falling just five runs short of the target. With the ball, Ghulam Mudassar delivered a match-winning spell for San Francisco Unicorns, claiming four wickets at crucial moments to derail the Scorchers’ chase. His breakthroughs, combined with disciplined bowling in the closing overs, ensured the Unicorns successfully defended their total. Hammad Azam’s unbeaten half-century and Ghulam Mudassar’s four-wicket haul proved decisive as San Francisco Unicorns registered a memorable victory in a closely contested Global Super League encounter, strengthening their campaign with an impressive all-round performance.

DAMBULLA: Pakistan women ended their Sri Lanka tour on a positive note as Ayesha Zafar produced an all-round performance to guide her side to a four-wicket victory in the third and final T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday. Although Pakistan claimed the final match, Sri Lanka secured the three-match T20I series 2-1 after winning the opening two encounters. Chasing a modest target of 114, Pakistan reached 117 for six in 18.2 overs, with Ayesha leading the run chase through a composed 39 off 31 balls. Her innings featured six boundaries and came at a crucial stage when Pakistan needed stability after losing early wickets. Young batter Shawaal Zulfiqar provided valuable support with a quick 21 from just 12 deliveries, striking three fours and a six to keep the momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari picked up two wickets each, but the hosts were unable to defend their total as Pakistan finished the chase with 10 balls to spare. Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 113 for six in 20 overs. Athapaththu was once again the standout performer for the home side, scoring 34 runs and hitting five fours during her innings. Pakistan’s bowling attack was led by 23-year-old Momina Riasat, who delivered an impressive spell of 2 for 18 in four overs. Ayesha Zafar also contributed with the ball, claiming one wicket before making the decisive impact with the bat. The victory gave Pakistan a much-needed confidence boost after a difficult tour, where they managed two wins from six matches across the ODI and T20I series. Despite losing the T20I series, the final-match triumph offered encouraging signs, particularly through the performances of Ayesha Zafar and Momina Riasat. With several young players stepping up under pressure, Pakistan will take valuable positives from the tour as they begin preparations for upcoming international assignments.

Slovenian cycling star Tadej Pogačar secured his fifth Tour de France title on Sunday, equalling one of the race’s greatest records after another dominant performance across the three-week competition. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider successfully defended the famous yellow jersey, cementing his place among cycling’s all-time greats with yet another commanding victory. Pogačar entered the final stage with an unassailable overall lead, allowing him to celebrate his latest triumph after consistently outperforming his rivals throughout this year’s Tour. His victory places him alongside the legends of the sport who have won cycling’s most prestigious race five times, further strengthening his remarkable legacy at just 27 years of age. Although the general classification had already been decided, the final stage into Paris delivered plenty of excitement. Heavy rain forced organisers to modify the traditional finish, but the riders still produced an entertaining finale that thrilled spectators lining the streets of the French capital. The decisive action came on the final climb of Montmartre, where Mathieu van der Poel and Pogačar launched an attack with around 10 kilometres remaining. The pair broke clear of the peloton and worked together as a chasing group of sprinters attempted to close the gap before the finish. As the race entered its closing stages, Pogačar began to lose momentum. With less than 700 metres remaining and the chasing pack rapidly closing in, Van der Poel made his decisive move. The Dutch rider attacked alone, leaving Pogačar unable to respond as he surged towards the finish line. Van der Poel’s late acceleration proved just enough to secure the stage victory. In a dramatic sprint to the line, he held off Jasper Philipsen, his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate, by just half a wheel length in a photo finish. Denmark’s Mads Pedersen completed the podium in third place after another impressive ride. While Van der Poel celebrated the prestigious stage win, the day ultimately belonged to Pogačar. The Slovenian’s overall victory capped another exceptional Tour de France campaign in which he displayed his superiority in the mountains, time trials and key stages. His consistency throughout the race ensured that none of his challengers were able to threaten his grip on the yellow jersey. Pogačar’s latest triumph further enhances his reputation as one of the defining cyclists of his generation. Matching the historic milestone of five Tour de France victories places him among the sport’s elite, and with several years of his career still ahead of him, many believe he has the potential to set a new all-time record. As celebrations began in Paris, cycling fans around the world praised both the thrilling final stage and Pogačar’s remarkable achievement. His fifth Tour de France title marks another landmark moment in an already extraordinary career, while Van der Poel’s spectacular late attack ensured the race concluded with a memorable finish worthy of cycling’s biggest event.