Category: Sports

Real Madrid’s galaxy of attacking stars initially struggled to gel this season, but coach Carlo Ancelotti kept the faith, and now the “fantastic four” are Los Blancos’ greatest strength as they face rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

They host Diego Simeone’s Atletico side on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu in the last 16 first leg, with the return at the Metropolitano stadium across town on March 12.

French superstar Kylian Mbappe joined last season’s trident of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo Goes, and both the former Paris Saint-Germain striker and Madrid’s squad needed time to adapt to the change.

Ancelotti has a reputation for getting the most from his squad. Last season, he replaced forward Karim Benzema with central midfielder Bellingham to great effect.

Real Madrid claimed a Champions League and La Liga double, but it has taken time to click with Mbappe.

Madrid’s struggles forced them into the new play-off round, where they faced English champions Manchester City. Finally firing on all cylinders, the holders hit six goals over the two legs.

Mbappe and Bellingham scored at City, and Vinicius was named man of the match. Mbappe then netted a brilliant hat-trick at home to seal a 6-3 aggregate victory.

Madrid’s fantastic four have taken flight at just the right time.

“This is where the season really starts,” said Ancelotti, finally convinced he has found the right set-up despite the early teething problems.

He was delighted with the attackers’ work-rate after previously criticising a lack of balance when they didn’t work hard enough defensively.

Ancelotti said that was the key to potential success this season, and it seems essential against an intense and hard-working Atletico.

“It was a complete performance by the team from an attacking point of view, and we showed that with the right levels of commitment, we can do anything,” explained Ancelotti after beating City in Manchester.

That same sacrifice was lacking as Madrid lost 2-1 on Saturday against Real Betis in La Liga, with one eye on the Atletico clash and Bellingham serving a suspension.

Crunching the numbers 

The 15-time record winners of the top European club competition are favourites to progress against Atletico, whom they beat in the 2014 and 2016 finals, in no small part thanks to Mbappe’s explosion.

Ancelotti said the French striker had a chance of matching all-time Real Madrid top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy as long as he worked hard.

Mbappe admitted hitting rock “bottom” after missing key penalties against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao towards the end of 2024, seeming extremely low on confidence.

He knuckled down to find his form and boasts 28 goals in 40 appearances, with seven in 10 in the Champions League.

“Kylian has arrived to help us, and we will help him become the top scorer in every tournament,” said Vinicius in January.

The Brazilian has scored 18 times in 36 games this season despite not hitting his best level.

It was in the second half of last season that Vinicius excelled, earning the runner-up spot on the Ballon d’Or podium.

Bellingham will be fresh to face Atletico after he was suspended for Madrid’s last two league games. The team badly missed him against Betis.

His effort and quality help link the attack and defence, and after firing blanks at the start of the season, Bellingham has been chipping in with goals, notching 11 goals in 36 matches.

Rodrygo may have less of a star billing than the other three attackers, but he has 13 goals himself in 38 games and leaves opponents for dead with his slick dribbling.

“So underrated… for me, he’s probably the most talented and most gifted player in the squad,” said Bellingham of the Brazilian winger.

Between the four of them, Madrid has enough skill and speed to break through any defence, although Ancelotti insists it is the way they contribute defensively that could lead to either glory or defeat.

“If we play like this, we will not win on Tuesday,” said Ancelotti after the Betis defeat.

“I hope this game will help us improve.”

Atletico Madrid’s visit offers the perfect test of that theory and a new chance for Madrid’s quartet of stars to shine.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has hit back at criticism from former England cricketers and commentators Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain, who questioned the fairness of the ICC Champions Trophy’s scheduling.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come under fire for scheduling all of India’s matches at a single venue, with former players and analysts arguing that this gives India an “unfair advantage” by allowing them to play in familiar conditions while other teams must adapt to different venues.

Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain criticised the ICC for allegedly favouring India, stating, “India has received an unfair advantage in the tournament as they are playing at just one venue, gaining the benefit of consistent conditions, while other teams have to adapt to different venues.”

However, these complaints did not sit well with former Indian players.

Ex-cricketer Wasim Jaffer mocked the criticism, remarking,  “To stop people from complaining, India should have changed hotels in Dubai.”

Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar fired back at the English commentators, saying, “I think you should focus on your team. Why did they lose, and why couldn’t they qualify?”

He further added, “You both need to take your eyes off the Indian team and focus on yourselves. I’m always complaining that India got this or that. We have better things to focus on, but this is your constant excuse.”

Gavaskar also pointed out the financial reliance of some former cricketers on India’s cricket market, stating, “I want to remind both of them that a significant portion of their salaries also depends on India’s revenue.”

Australian captain Pat Cummins and South African batter Rassie van der Dussen also voiced concerns over the scheduling, questioning its fairness.

Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium recently faced criticism after a viral video claimed that rain had exposed flaws in its renovation ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. However, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) has dismissed these allegations, calling them part of an ongoing “propaganda campaign.”

According to MoIB’s Fact Checker account, the washroom shown in the viral video is not part of Gaddafi Stadium but likely belongs to the Arts & Cultural Complex, which is located across the road. The ministry stated that the PCB temporarily made these washrooms available to the public during matches.

MoIB further clarified that the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) renovated Gaddafi Stadium. Upon inquiry, FWO confirmed that the viral video does not depict any facility under its renovation project.

The clarification follows reports claiming that the stadium’s construction quality had been compromised as a result of a rushed renovation timeline. Social media users shared videos allegedly showing seepage in a washroom within a VIP enclosure, raising concerns over the durability of the work.

However, MoIB has urged the public not to believe misinformation, assuring that the stadium’s renovation was completed to high standards in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy.

Former Pakistan cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq has issued a bold challenge to the Indian cricket team, calling for a 10-match series across all formats.  

Speaking to a private TV channel, he said, “If the Indian team really believes they are the best, they should play 10 Tests, 10 ODIs, and 10 T20s against Pakistan to settle everything once and for all.”  

While acknowledging India’s strong cricketing abilities, he added, “If we put politics aside, Indian players are genuinely good, and they are playing excellent cricket.”  

Saqlain also addressed Pakistan’s ongoing struggles, highlighting frequent changes in captaincy, selection committees, management, and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials in recent years.  

However, he remained hopeful about the team’s potential, stating, “If the preparations are improved and the right direction is followed, the team can give a strong response to India and the rest of the world.”  

Meanwhile, Pakistan recently hosted an ICC event on home soil after 29 years. However, their campaign ended in disappointment as they were eliminated after losing their first two matches against India and New Zealand. Their final group-stage match against Bangladesh was washed out as a result of rain.

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has lifted the suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) following Pakistan’s successful approval of constitutional amendments.  

Last week, during an extraordinary congress held in Lahore, PFF approved the proposed amendments, leading FIFA, the highest governing body of football, to revoke the suspension.  

According to media reports, Shahid Khokhar, a member of the PFF Normalization Committee (NC), confirmed this development and expressed gratitude to FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for their continued support of Pakistan football.  

He stated that the suspension was lifted after the PFF Congress approved the necessary amendments.  

During the PFF Congress meeting, members endorsed FIFA’s proposed amendments, recognising them as a step in the best interest of Pakistan football.  

FIFA initially imposed the suspension with the condition that it would only be lifted upon the approval of the PFF constitution, as proposed by FIFA and AFC.

Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has launched a scathing attack on former captain Babar Azam, claiming that Pakistani cricket fans have chosen the wrong players as their “heroes.”

While speaking on a private TV channel, the “Rawalpindi Express” compared Babar Azam to Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli. He criticized Babar’s fans for blindly supporting him without considering the bigger picture.

Shoaib questioned, “Who is Virat Kohli’s hero? Sachin Tendulkar is a batsman who has scored 100 international centuries. Kohli follows in his footsteps. But who is Babar Azam’s hero? ‘Tuk Tuk’ (slow batting).” Though he refrained from naming anyone directly, his remarks hinted at a deeper concern regarding Babar’s playing style.

Addressing Pakistan cricket fans, Shoaib added, “You have chosen the wrong heroes. You are thinking the wrong way! They have been deceiving you from the beginning. I don’t even like talking about the Pakistan cricket team. I am only doing it because I am getting paid. It is a waste of time. I have been witnessing this decline since 2001. I have seen captains change, and their characters change three times a day.”

Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the tournament has fueled criticism. After defeating New Zealand and India, the Green Shirts were eliminated from the Champions Trophy.

Notably, Pakistan is the first host team to be knocked out of the tournament.

Australia’s opener, Matthew Short, is facing the possibility of missing the ICC Champions Trophy after suffering a knee injury.

Australia is set to play its semi-final next week against either India or New Zealand. However, Matthew Short’s participation remains uncertain as he continues to struggle with his injury. The batter sustained a knee injury during the match against Afghanistan, raising concerns about his availability for the crucial knockout game.

Australian captain Steve Smith expressed doubts about Short’s recovery in time for the semi-final. “I don’t think Matthew Short will be fit for the game. He is in trouble and is struggling to move properly. There isn’t enough time for him to regain full fitness,” Smith stated.

According to media reports, if Short is unable to recover, Jack Fraser-McGurk is likely to replace him in the squad.

England are set to face South Africa in the 11th match of the Champions Trophy at the National Stadium Karachi on Saturday.

Match Details

Fixture: South Africa vs England, Match 11
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Date & Time: Saturday, March 1, 2025 – 2:30 PM (IST)

Teams Overview

South Africa

South Africa started their Champions Trophy campaign on a strong note with a commanding 107-run victory over Afghanistan. However, their second game against Australia was washed out by rain, leaving them with three points from two matches. With a semifinal spot on the line, they will be eager to secure a win against England and confirm their place in the knockouts.

England

England has had a disappointing campaign, losing both of their matches against Australia and Afghanistan. With no chance of making the semifinals, they will be playing for pride. The Three Lions will look to end their tournament on a high by upsetting South Africa.

Head-to-Head Record (ODIs)

Total Matches Played: 70
South Africa Won: 34
England Won: 30
Tied: 1
No Result: 5

Probable Playing XIs

South Africa:
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Marco Jansen, William Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

England:
Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Pitch Report – National Stadium, Karachi

The surface at the National Stadium in Karachi has been batting-friendly in the Champions Trophy 2025 so far. The average first-innings score has been around 318, with both matches being won by teams batting first. The pitch tends to slow down slightly in the second innings, making chasing tricky. Winning the toss and batting first could be a key advantage.

TV Broadcast & Live Streaming

Pakistan – TV: PTV Sports, Ten Sports | Live Streaming: Myco, Tamasha
India – TV: Star Sports, Sports18 | Live Streaming: JioHotstar
Bangladesh – TV: Nagorik TV, T Sports | Live Streaming: Toffee
UAE – TV: CricLife MAX, CricLife MAX2 | Live Streaming: STARZPLAY
UK – TV: Sky Sports | Live Streaming: SkyGo Now, Sky Sports App
USA & Canada – TV: Willow TV
Australia – TV: Amazon
New Zealand – TV: Sky Sport NZ
Sri Lanka – TV: Maharaja TV | Live Streaming: Sirasa
Caribbean – TV: ESPN Caribbean | Live Streaming: ESPN Play