Sajid Khan shines as Pakistan dismiss West Indies 

LONDON: England all-rounder Will Jacks produced a moment of breathtaking athleticism during The Hundred 2026, pulling off an extraordinary catch that left spectators and commentators stunned at Lord’s. The remarkable effort came during the clash between London Spirit and MI London, when South African batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius launched a powerful shot towards long-off. Pretorius, who had just brought up his half-century, appeared to have found the boundary with the lofted strike. But Jacks had other plans. Standing close to the boundary, Jacks timed his jump perfectly and managed to prevent the ball from clearing the ropes. With incredible awareness, he knocked the ball back into play while making sure his feet did not touch the boundary line. What happened next turned an already impressive piece of fielding into something extraordinary. Jacks quickly returned into the field, threw himself into a full-length dive and completed the catch with one hand. The entire sequence happened in a matter of seconds, leaving both the crowd and commentators struggling to believe what they had witnessed. The stunning effort quickly became one of the talking points of the match, with video footage spreading rapidly across social media. Fans praised Jacks for combining athleticism, awareness and remarkable hand-eye coordination in a single piece of fielding. Boundary catches are often difficult enough because players must balance their movements while keeping their feet away from the rope. Jacks’ effort was even more impressive because he first had to save the ball from going for six before returning to complete the catch. Commentators hailed the effort as an unbelievable catch, while fans began sharing replays of the moment online. The spectacular dismissal provided another reminder of the increasingly athletic standard of modern short-format cricket, where a single moment of brilliance in the field can change the momentum of a game. For Jacks, however, the catch was more than just a highlight. It was a stunning display of awareness, agility and courage — and one that could easily go down as one of The Hundred’s standout fielding moments of the season.

SYDNEY: Bangladesh’s veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim created a unique record before even taking the field in his first Test match in Australia, adding another milestone to an already remarkable international career. Mushfiqur entered the Australia Test having already played 103 Test matches, making him the most experienced player ever to feature in a Test in Australia for the first time. The achievement underlined the longevity of his career. While most players make their first appearance in a country relatively early in their Test journey, Mushfiqur reached the landmark after more than a century of matches. Before him, the record among Bangladeshi players belonged to fellow batter Mominul Haque, who had played 78 Tests before making his first Test appearance in Australia. Mominul now moves to second place on the list, while Mushfiqur’s 103-match experience puts him well ahead of the previous mark. The Bangladesh veteran’s achievement also eclipsed a record previously held by former Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu. Atapattu played his first Test in Australia in 2004 after appearing in 73 Tests, making him the most experienced player to make a first Test appearance in the country at the time. Mushfiqur’s milestone therefore represents another significant chapter in a career that has made him one of Bangladesh’s most accomplished Test cricketers. However, the Bangladesh star’s achievement in Australia is not the biggest record of its kind in Test cricket. That global record belongs to England fast-bowling great James Anderson, who had played an extraordinary 175 Tests before making his first Test appearance in Pakistan. Mushfiqur’s milestone nevertheless stands out as a remarkable testament to his consistency and longevity. At 103 Tests, he arrived in Australia not as a newcomer to Test cricket, but as one of Bangladesh’s most experienced players — making his first Test in the country a historic occasion before the match had even begun.

DARWIN: Bangladesh have created cricketing history by defeating Australia by nine wickets in a Test match on Australian soil for the first time, securing a memorable victory in the opening match of the series. Chasing a modest target of 57 runs, Bangladesh completed the job with just one wicket down, sending a strong message to the hosts and producing one of the most significant Test victories in the country’s history. Shadman Islam remained unbeaten on 25, while Mominul Haque finished on 30 not out as Bangladesh comfortably reached the winning target. The victory sparked celebrations among the Bangladesh camp after a determined performance throughout the match. Australia had earlier been dismissed for 284 in their second innings, with Cameron Green producing a fighting century of 104. However, his effort could not prevent Bangladesh from taking control of the contest. Bangladesh’s bowling attack played a crucial role in restricting the hosts. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the standout performer, claiming five wickets for 66 runs. Hasan Mahmud took three wickets, while Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam picked up one each. Australia had scored 198 in their first innings, while Bangladesh responded strongly with 426 to establish a commanding lead. The result marks a landmark moment for Bangladesh cricket and gives them a 1-0 lead in the series. More importantly, the victory demonstrates that Bangladesh can compete—and win—against one of Test cricket’s traditional powerhouses on their own home turf.

Italian football icon Franco Baresi, one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game and a legendary captain of AC Milan, has died at the age of 66. The club confirmed the heartbreaking news on Friday, paying tribute to a player whose legacy shaped one of the most successful eras in its history. In a heartfelt statement, AC Milan expressed its grief over the passing of one of its most celebrated figures. The club said Baresi’s leadership, integrity and commitment would remain an enduring part of Milan’s identity, just as his iconic number six shirt continues to symbolize excellence and loyalty. Baresi enjoyed an extraordinary career with AC Milan, spending nearly two decades with the club and becoming one of its most influential players. As captain during the late 1980s and early 1990s, he led the Rossoneri to remarkable success, winning three European Cups and six Serie A titles. His defensive brilliance, tactical intelligence and calmness under pressure made him a cornerstone of one of football’s greatest backlines. Regarded as one of the finest sweepers the sport has ever produced, Baresi was admired for his exceptional reading of the game, precise tackling and outstanding leadership. Alongside fellow defensive stars Paolo Maldini, Mauro Tassotti and Alessandro Costacurta, he formed a legendary defensive unit that frustrated some of Europe’s most dangerous attackers. Born in Lombardy in May 1960, Baresi joined AC Milan’s youth academy in 1974. After progressing through the ranks, he made his senior debut in 1978, shortly before turning 18. His talent quickly earned him a regular place in the first team, and by the age of 22 he had been named club captain, a role he carried with distinction for many years. Baresi remained loyal to Milan throughout his playing career, retiring in 1997 after making 719 appearances for the club. At the time, it was the highest appearance total in Milan’s history, a record later surpassed only by Paolo Maldini. His remarkable consistency and devotion made him one of the most respected figures in Italian football. On the international stage, Baresi represented Italy 81 times. He was part of the squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup, although he did not play a major role during the tournament. He later became one of the national team’s key players and captained Italy to the 1994 FIFA World Cup final in the United States. Despite his outstanding performances, Baresi experienced heartbreak in major tournaments. He missed the 1986 World Cup after a disagreement with the national team coach. Italy also suffered painful defeats in penalty shootouts during the 1990 World Cup semi-final and the 1994 World Cup final, denying him another global triumph. In August 2025, Baresi underwent surgery to remove a lung nodule. Following the procedure, he expressed optimism about his recovery, saying it would take some time to regain his strength. No official cause of death has been announced. Following his retirement, Baresi remained closely connected with AC Milan and was appointed the club’s honorary vice-president in 2020. His influence extended beyond the pitch, inspiring generations of players and supporters with his professionalism, loyalty and passion for the game. Franco Baresi leaves behind an unforgettable legacy as one of football’s greatest defenders, a symbol of AC Milan’s golden era and an icon whose achievements will be remembered for generations.