Triple-double king Russell Westbrook announces retirement

Galle Gallants have booked their place in the Lanka Premier League 2026 final after a commanding win. They beat Colombo Kaps by six wickets in the second qualifier at the R Premadasa Stadium on Friday. Chasing a target of 177, the Gallants completed the win on the fourth ball of the 18th over. They lost just four wickets throughout the entire chase. The innings got off to a shaky start after Thomas Rogers fell for 13 in just the third over. From there, though, Sam Harper and Charith Asalanka took full control of the run chase. The pair added 126 runs together off just 85 deliveries, taking the total to 147 inside 16.3 overs. Asalanka eventually departed after scoring 59 off 42 balls, hitting four sixes and three fours along the way. Harper continued his excellent tournament form, following his wicket with a stylish half-century of his own. The Australian batter finished unbeaten on 77 off 51 balls, striking four sixes and four boundaries in the process. Despite a flurry of late wickets, skipper Dasun Shanaka and Sahan Arachchige steadied the innings from there. The pair remained unbeaten on 8 and 5 respectively, guiding their side comfortably over the line. Ravindu Fernando was the pick of the bowlers for Colombo Kaps, picking up two wickets in the match. Earlier in the day, Kaps had posted 176 in 18.5 overs after being put in to bat first. Rubin Hermann and Ravindu Fernando played key roles with the bat, rescuing their side from an early collapse. Galle Gallants will now face Jaffna Kings in the LPL 2026 final on Saturday, at the same venue.

Spain’s FIFA World Cup-winning defender Marc Cucurella has become known around the world for his distinctive long, curly hair. But behind the trademark look lies a deeply personal story of love, fatherhood and unwavering support for his family. Following Spain’s World Cup triumph over Argentina, renewed attention has focused on the emotional reason Cucurella has chosen to keep his hair long. According to media reports, the Spanish international deliberately leaves his curls untied during matches so that his eldest son, Mateo, who has autism, can easily recognize him on the pitch. For Cucurella, his hairstyle is far more than a fashion statement. It is a symbol of his bond with his son and a reminder of the responsibilities and love that come with being a father. The touching story has resonated with football fans around the world, offering a glimpse into the personal challenges the defender has faced away from the spotlight. Reports say Cucurella and his partner, Claudia Rodríguez, went through an emotionally difficult period after Mateo was diagnosed with autism. In an Amazon Prime documentary, Rodríguez recalled how the couple struggled when they realized their son was developing differently from other children. She revealed that the experience was emotionally overwhelming. There were days when Cucurella would take Mateo to school and return home in tears, all while the family was preparing to welcome their second child, Rio. Cucurella has also spoken openly about how difficult it was to come to terms with his son’s diagnosis. However, he said the experience strengthened his commitment to supporting his family through every challenge. As Spain celebrates its World Cup success, Cucurella’s story has become an inspiring reminder that behind every sporting hero is a personal journey filled with sacrifice, resilience and unconditional love. For many fans, his iconic hairstyle now represents something far greater than football—it reflects the enduring power of family.

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.

West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph has responded sharply to comments made by head coach Daren Sammy. The issue stems from his exclusion from the Test squad for the ongoing series against Pakistan. Joseph did not make the cut for the series. Cricket West Indies had initially explained his absence, citing personal reasons. Later, Sammy offered a different version. He said the pacer had declined the chance to play. Speaking to a Caribbean news outlet, Joseph addressed Sammy’s remarks directly. He said he had already spoken with both Sammy and Cricket West Indies about the matter. He pointed out that the official statement clearly mentioned personal reasons. Given Sammy’s long experience in the game, Joseph said the coach would have known exactly how his comments might land publicly. He added that he had nothing more to say on the issue. The 29-year-old then turned to his fitness struggles. He explained that he has been out of action for a full year. This followed a second stress fracture, which kept him away from international cricket at full intensity for a long stretch. Joseph called Sammy’s remarks controversial. He argued that his body simply was not ready for the physical demands of a Test series. He recalled recent conversations about his workload. This included playing two Test matches alongside five back-to-back ODIs against New Zealand earlier this month. He said he personally knew his body needed time before taking on another long format series. Without proper context, he felt the statement gave an incomplete picture of the situation. Despite the disagreement, Joseph made his priorities clear. He said his focus remains firmly on his job. He is representing the West Indies, not any individual, including the head coach. He added that he is not there to build friendships. His only goal, he said, is to work hard and represent the people of the West Indies. On the field, West Indies currently lead the two-match Test series 1-0. A win in the second Test would give them their first series victory over Pakistan since 2000. This adds even more weight to a contest that has already stirred plenty of conversation off the field. As the series heads toward its conclusion, all attention now shifts to how this selection controversy might shape team dynamics going forward, both on and off the pitch.