Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

South Africa, New Zealand secure big wins in Women’s T20 World Cup

While South Africa cruised past the West Indies by 10 wickets, New Zealand ended a 10-match losing streak with a 58-run win over India.

Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba played a key role, returning figures of 4-29 to limit West Indies to 118-6 in Dubai. (Photo credit: X/@ProteasWomenCSA)
Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba played a key role, returning figures of 4-29 to limit West Indies to 118-6 in Dubai. (Photo credit: X/@ProteasWomenCSA)

CAPTAINS Laura Wolvaardt and Sophie Devine led South Africa and New Zealand to commanding victories in the Women's T20 World Cup on Friday, each hitting unbeaten half-centuries.

South Africa cruised past the West Indies by 10 wickets. Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits chased down the target of 119 with 13 balls remaining. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba played a key role, returning figures of 4-29 to limit West Indies to 118-6 in Dubai.


Later, at the same venue, New Zealand, led by Devine, posted 160-4 after opting to bat first. Medium-pace bowlers Rosemary Mair and Lea Tahuhu shared seven wickets to dismiss India for 102 in 19 overs, securing a 58-run win and ending New Zealand’s 10-match losing streak.

"People have been speaking about our recent results, coming out against a world-class side like India, to produce that performance, I’m overwhelmed," said Devine, who was named player of the match.

New Zealand's innings got off to a solid start with Suzie Bates (27) and Georgia Plimmer (34) adding 67 for the opening wicket. A moment of controversy occurred when India’s Harmanpreet Kaur ran out Amelia Kerr, but the umpire called the batter back, ruling the ball was dead. Kerr was dismissed two balls later.

Devine continued to attack the Indian bowlers, reaching her fifty with a boundary as New Zealand added 37 runs in the last three overs.

India struggled in their chase, losing openers Shafali Verma (2) and Smriti Mandhana (12) early. Eden Carson’s off-spin claimed both wickets. Mair trapped Kaur lbw for 15, further weakening India's chase before wrapping up the match with two consecutive wickets, finishing with figures of 4-19.

In the earlier match, Wolvaardt’s 59 guided South Africa to victory after the West Indies posted 118-6. Wolvaardt, who was tested by the West Indies bowlers early on, reached her fifty in 45 balls.

"It wasn’t easy," Wolvaardt said about batting in the heat. "One of the harder knocks I’ve had physically, especially after fielding first."

Brits supported Wolvaardt with 57 from 45 balls, hitting six boundaries. Wolvaardt survived two dropped catches, and Zaida James, who attempted the first catch, was injured and did not return after suffering a swollen jaw.

Earlier, West Indies struggled to build partnerships. Stafanie Taylor’s unbeaten 44 was the only bright spot in their innings. Marizanne Kapp and Mlaba kept the pressure on the batters, with Mlaba taking two wickets in two overs.

Australia will begin their campaign on Saturday against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, while England face Bangladesh in the second match of the day.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

F1 Silverstone 2025 qualifying

Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about Ferrari's chances at the 2025 British Grand Prix

Getty Images

F1 qualifying time boost for Ferrari as Hamilton impresses at Silverstone 2025

Key points

  • Lewis Hamilton topped FP1 and finished third in FP2 at Silverstone
  • Ferrari's pace encouraging despite rivals bringing major upgrades
  • Hamilton targeting strong weekend, focused on car improvements
  • Charles Leclerc also positive on Ferrari's race pace ahead of F1 qualifying time
  • Silverstone qualifying 2025 set to be highly competitive

Hamilton leads strong start for Ferrari at Silverstone

Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about Ferrari's chances at the 2025 British Grand Prix following an encouraging performance during Friday practice at Silverstone. The seven-time World Champion topped the timesheets in Free Practice 1 and secured P3 in the afternoon session, marking one of his best Fridays since joining Ferrari earlier this year.

“It was a really good day,” said Hamilton. “Great to see the crowd. Amazing to be out on track in a Ferrari here at Silverstone.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Brothers deny assaulting police during Manchester Airport brawl

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Brothers deny assaulting police during Manchester Airport brawl

TWO brothers accused of assaulting a man inside a Starbucks and later attacking police officers at Manchester Airport are standing trial, with the prosecution arguing they used "unlawful and extreme violence".

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and his older brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, both from Rochdale, are said to have acted aggressively on July 23 last year while at the airport to pick up their mother, who had arrived on a flight from Qatar.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 2

New standalone story with fresh characters and darker themes

YouTube/ Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk Edgerunners season 2 confirmed with darker, bloodier storyline

Key points

  • Netflix announces Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 at Anime Expo 2025
  • New standalone story with fresh characters and darker themes
  • Directed by Kai Ikarashi, known for episode six of season one
  • Showrunner promises more violence, emotional depth, and realism
  • Trailer expected to be released during Studio Trigger panel

New season revealed at Anime Expo 2025

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 has officially been announced by Netflix and CD Projekt Red during the Anime Expo 2025 event. The follow-up to the hit anime spinoff of Cyberpunk 2077 will feature a completely new storyline and characters, while retaining the series’ distinctive raw and emotional tone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Aaradhya Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan says Aishwarya Rai is fully responsible for Aaradhya’s upbringing

Getty Images

Abhishek Bachchan praises Aishwarya Rai for raising Aaradhya without phone or social media

Quick highlights:

  • Abhishek Bachchan credits Aishwarya Rai for taking the lead in daughter Aaradhya’s upbringing.
  • Says Aaradhya, now 13, has no phone and stays away from social media.
  • Calls Aishwarya “selfless” for prioritising parenting over everything else.
  • Slams online gossip surrounding their marriage as baseless and insensitive.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan has dismissed recent speculation around his marriage with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, instead shining a light on her unwavering dedication as a mother. In a recent chat, he spoke warmly about their 13-year-old daughter Aaradhya, revealing that she neither owns a mobile phone nor uses social media, something he attributes to Aishwarya’s hands-on parenting.

 Aaradhya Bachchan  Aaradhya Bachchan has no access to social media or a personal phoneGetty Images

Keep ReadingShow less